Critical gremlin

My eyes widened as I was graced with an experience I couldn't formulate the words to properly describe. The delivery, the scowl, she even did the ball spinning motion. Chika Tetsu had become my character, Rie Bellaire. Flawless... "Flawless" would have to be the word to describe the display, no, perfect AND flawless!

My jaw slowly closed as I began to nod my head and speak my thoughts. "Perfect, that was perfect and flawlessly executed. We need to have that be at the end of the PV."

I said that all aloud, but as I turned to the director and crew, I was met with frowns.

"No.. good?"

"Not exactly... Chika's performance just now? Yeah, this is clearly the role for her. If you say you wanna cast her as..."

"Rie."

"As Rie, no objections. The problem is that Belinda's central to the PV. We could honor your request and throw in that bit at the end with Rie, provided you provide us with some visual concepts on what Rie looks like. But the core of the issue is still Belinda's voice. We could have Chika voice both her and Rie, but hearing the contrasts in performance side-by-side, might turn some people off. Get the gist of where I'm going?"

I nodded.

"The most logical solution, on paper, would be to have someone else do Belinda's lines, but the problem there is that scheduling and timelines play a part in this whole thing, and those aren't easy to change. It's not like we can call up anyone at anytime and have them come over, nor would it be guaranteed they'd put up a better performance than Chika."

"Ah, then how about I be the one to phone a friend. Mariya would pick up and be here in a flash if it's me," Chika smiled as she pulled out her phone.

Mariya? As in Mariya Nakanori? She's also a favorite of mine, but not as much as Chika. That being said, if there's anyone suited to voicing Belinda, it would have to be her. Unlike Chika, Mariya's forte is the smug genki type, especially chuunis. Now Belinda most certainly isn't a chuuni, but her personality and attitude do have some overlaps with the archetype, making her perfect for Mariya. The only issue is pitch, as I'm still debating if I want her voice more on the higher side of normal, or more lower.

Oh, but I probably shouldn't get ahead of myself. We don't know if she can even-

Slam!

"Osu, peeps! Hear Chikz is callin' in a favor!" a cheerful young woman with a bleached blonde long bob that obscured her left eye grinned as she slammed open the door to the studio.

"Nakanori-san!? How did you-"

"Chikz texted me the call, and just so happens I was down on ground fillin' up at the vendin'. So... what's the state?"

I could feel my consciousness beginning to waver. Chika was already an overwhelming presence, but Mariya? Overkill. She's an extroverted gremlin on and off camera. Not to mention, she's rocking skinny jeans, sneakers, and a hoodie, playing perfectly to my affinities.

"WHOA! We got foreign agents here!? This some big intercontinental collab!?" Mariya cried as she got within my personal space.

Consciousness fading...

###

"Ah, Mariya, don't get too close to him. That man's actually an author and-"

But my warning came too late as the poor man had fainted standing upright.

"Uh, this guy alright?" Mariya asked as she turned to me.

I touched my hand to my forehead and let out a sigh. "Ah mo, what to do with you."

While we waited for the author to regain consciousness, I explained everything to Mariya.

"Ah, so they flash casted you, but turns out you suck at the role, so you called the mighty me over. How bad was it?"

"We can play the line over for you to hear," a staffer nodded.

"Then do it. I gotta hear Chikz's take so I know how high I gotta raise the bar for my jump."

As the recording began to play, Mariya's usual grin vanished and replaced itself with a scowl. "Oi, the hell wasn't I called for a character like this? Chika's name brand mean more to you guys than talent?"

Ah yes, Mariya can be VERY serious when it comes to casting. If she herself believes she can't do justice for the role, she'll refuse to take it even if she's offered it. And conversely, if she feels someone is cast for a role that just doesn't suit them, she WILL raise a fuss. Mercy will be given to those she feels just need some polish or guidance, but if she feels your voice isn't right for the character, she'll be your worst enemy. This makes her either one of the hardest seiyuus to work with or one of the easiest ones depending on how good the casting is. That all being said, she does give leeway to the minor roles, but most certainly not main or major side roles.

"Ngh, we all thought this sounded perfect, but then the author over there started shaking his head and asked for a redo, only to then say Chika Tetsu was no good!" Hibari scoffed.

"Hoh? That guy who fainted at my sexy had the balls to say all that? Guess I misjudged him. And then if Chikz's summary's true, she did a line for a different character and wowed the guy? Can I hear that one?" Mariya asked.

"Uh... we weren't recording... that one..."

Mariya's dark expression returned. "Record that shit."

The director pinched his nose. "We were just about to make plans for that."

Thus, I was off to reenact my portrayal of Rie, this time with things actually recording. 

The moment I finished, Mariya's smirk returned, indicating her approval. "Now that's the kind of role you exploit Chikz's name brand for. Alright, so where's the script?" she asked as I entered the viewing booth.

A staffer quickly handed her a copy, which she skimmed through almost instantly.

"Alright, Imma do this so start writing the paycheck and putting out the posts that I'm the lead for this new hit," Mariya grinned as she began to head out.

"Are you sure? You haven't read the source yet, have you?" I frowned.

"Come on, Chikz, you know me well enough by now. You're the type that studies before the test, I'm the type that wings it, and still passes with perfect marks."

And with that, the door closed and Mariya was before the mic.

Seeing as the author still had yet to revive, I decided to sit down next to him on the couch, contemplating whether I should give him a lap pillow. Perhaps the act would make up for Mariya overwhelming him, but perhaps physical contact with me might overwhelm him more. A shame, but it's more professional than not to leave things as is. That being said, perhaps a slight nudge would help rouse him.

"Wake up," I whispered into his ear as I tapped his shoulder.

Slowly but surely, he began to groan. I quickly slid to the far end of the couch as he opened his eyes, avoiding any further risk of fainting.

"Wh- What happened? The recording, is it all a dream?"

"No, you just fainted. Don't worry, Mariya will do a much better job with Belinda then me," I nodded.

The author wearily nodded and turned his focus to the viewing window.

"Live in 3, 2, 1, go!" the director shouted.

As Mariya's lines were heard loud and clear, I noticed the author's face was sporting the same look it had when he heard my portrayal of Rie. It seems like we have both our PV, and our main leads cast.