Chapter 204: An Opportunist?

After parting ways with Fujioka Yasuki, Akiwara Yuto left Fuji Television with Asano Aiko.

Sitting in the car on the way back, Akiwara Yuto made a request to Asano: "Asano, please decline my schedule for the next three days, and then collect some information on middle-aged male actors on the market for me."

Asano Aiko, sitting in the passenger seat, was not surprised; she felt that Akiwara was dissatisfied with the two male actors arranged by Fuji Television.

She thought for a moment and asked, "Akiwara, this scope is too broad. Do you have a more specific description?"

Akiwara Yuto carefully pondered the image of Tamura Masakazu from his past life, then stated his requirements.

"Over 30 years old, with regular features. The temperament should look relatively mature. However, despite being mature, there should be a sense of being a bit of a rogue when he smiles."

"Besides that, once it comes to a critical moment, he must be able to become serious immediately."

Asano Aiko wrote down Akiwara Yuto's requirements on paper, but an awkward expression appeared on her face.

Such a person was truly a bit difficult to find.

Over the next three days, Asano Aiko began to get busy. She first obtained a relevant list from the Actors Association and, according to Akiwara Yuto's requirements, screened out three actors who "relatively" met Akiwara Yuto's criteria.

After organizing it, she handed this list of three people to Akiwara Yuto, and simultaneously submitted their acting experience and audition tapes.

But after watching the tapes, Akiwara Yuto fell into a dilemma.

The three people Asano submitted were all actors who looked relatively mature, and they all had experience playing "playboys" or other unserious characters.

But Akiwara Yuto watched their tapes over and over, still feeling that something was missing.

Should he just choose one from the two recommended by Fuji Television?

He frowned and then made this decision.

Just then, the phone rang.

Akiwara Yuto stood up and answered the phone, "Hello, this is Akiwara."

"Teacher Akiwara, this is Satake Maki. Sorry to bother you." A familiar female voice came from the receiver.

Hearing this name, Akiwara Yuto thought of what she had said that night, and his feelings became complicated.

However, he quickly suppressed his thoughts and asked, "Ms. Satake, is there something you need?"

"It's like this, Teacher Akiwara. A male actor named Kishida Ryota has contacted Anjiu Bookstore, hoping to pay you a visit."

She paused and added, "He said he hopes to act in your TV drama."

Hearing this request, Akiwara Yuto hesitated.

He didn't expect the news about looking for actors to spread so quickly; he had even thought about keeping it hidden for a few days.

But thinking about it, there are few secrets in the entertainment industry, and Fuji Television is even more full of gossip.

In that case, should he agree to the other party's visit?

Akiwara Yuto put down the receiver and asked Asano Aiko, "Asano, do you have any impression of this actor named Kishida Ryota?"

Asano Aiko was puzzled for a moment, then took a handbook from her bag, glanced at it, and replied.

"Kishida Ryota, 37 years old, debuted 15 years ago, has played some second and third-tier roles, lacks experience in leading roles. The other party does have a relatively mature appearance, but..."

"But?"

"But he doesn't seem to have played any cynical types of characters, so he might not meet your requirements, Akiwara."

Akiwara Yuto frowned and thought for a while. Lacking experience in leading roles meant the other party had always been just a second or third-rate actor, and he hadn't played any cynical characters either.

Could he just be an opportunist who is crazy about becoming famous?

Satake Maki's voice came from the receiver: "This Mr. Kishida has already come to Anjiu Bookstore 4 or 5 times, and has repeatedly hoped that you, Teacher Akiwara, could give him a chance... What do you think, Teacher Akiwara? If it's not suitable, I will politely decline him."

Hearing this, Akiwara Yuto weighed the options.

Although the other party might be an opportunist, he didn't have any good candidates right now.

Maybe he should just agree to meet him; after all, it wouldn't take much time.

If it's not suitable, he could just refuse directly!

"Satake, then tell him that tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock, at the coffee shop next to Anjiu Bookstore, I will be there."

"Okay, I will pass that on to him."

After saying this, the two spoke a few more brief words, and Akiwara Yuto hung up the phone.

He looked at Asano Aiko, who was still busy, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Asano, is your work very busy lately?"

Asano Aiko looked up and answered hesitantly, "It's okay."

She was actually lying. Now, the book publishing at Anjiu Bookstore, the autograph sessions for *April Youth*, the handling of manuscripts, and even the work at Fuji Television all required her to be in full charge.

Not only that, she also had to help Akiwara handle or decline some outside invitations and interview work.

If possible, she wished she could split her time in two.

But she believed these things were expected; after all, the salary Akiwara Yuto paid her was almost three times what she earned at Mantanshe.

Akiwara Yuto had wanted to see if he could get Satake Maki to come and help, but seeing Asano Aiko say this, he could only put that thought aside.

The next morning at 9 o'clock, because Asano had to go to the Kekaokan to coordinate work, Akiwara Yuto went to the agreed-upon coffee shop alone.

That person named Kishida Ryota was already waiting in his seat. Upon seeing Akiwara Yuto, he immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Teacher Akiwara, I am Kishida Ryota. It's a pleasure to meet you, please treat me well."

Akiwara Yuto responded simply and then sized up this actor.

The other party's face was indeed relatively mature, with prominent features and a very three-dimensional nose, but in terms of temperament, he was still a little too restrained, feeling like he lacked that sense of ease that Tamura Masakazu had.

Akiwara Yuto cleared his throat and said, "Mr. Kishida, I won't say any more unnecessary words; I roughly understand your intentions. But I want to ask, have you watched the work *Furuhata Ninzaburo*?"

If he hadn't even watched this work, he was undoubtedly just an opportunist.

Kishida Ryota nodded and replied in a polite tone, "I have finished watching it all, and have watched it about 5 times."

"Then which episode do you like the most?"

"The 'Manga Artist Murder Case' from the first season."

"The reason?"

"It's like this, I think..." Kishida Ryota then began to elaborate, and as Akiwara Yuto listened to his explanation, he couldn't help but nod.

It seemed the other party had indeed done a lot of homework, as he could recite many of the lines from the articles by heart.

Not only that, he seemed to have put himself into the role of Furuhata Ninzaburo to weigh the relationship between the murderer and the victim.

Regardless of whether the other party was an opportunist, his efforts were worthy of praise.

After hearing everything, Akiwara Yuto tapped the tabletop with his fingertips and said, "Mr. Kishida, please give me a smile."

Kishida Ryota did not hesitate; as an actor, he was already accustomed to all kinds of requests.

He curled his lips and smiled, based on his imagination of Furuhata Ninzaburo.

Akiwara Yuto looked at his smile and pondered.

Compared to Tamura Masakazu, the other party's smile was still a bit stiff, but it was 70% similar—this was already very rare. Before, when he watched the tapes provided by Asano, none of the three recommended actors reached this standard.

Akiwara Yuto rested his chin on his hand and thought.

Should he give the other party an audition opportunity?

On the other side, because Kishida Ryota had been maintaining the smile, his face had gone stiff, but he dared not have the slightest complaint in his heart.

Whether he could get the audition opportunity he wanted depended on whether the other party was satisfied!