Chapter 118: Ye Zhao Is a Strange Person

"There is no need to worry too much about her overshadowing Risa and Sana; we can simply style her look to be a bit more modest and plain during the final adjustments."

The dreadful look Maiko Hosho was given in *Shomu Ni-ka* made it impossible for anyone to imagine she was the same beautiful girl once praised by Kishin Shinoyama. Therefore, one must have faith in a stylist’s ability to "ruin" a beauty when necessary.

"Besides, Yukihiko, don't you think that for the character of Kasumi, her beauty is essential? Only when the protagonist discovers that the girl he likes already has a boyfriend will his anger feel truly justified. The more noble and sacred the girl is in his heart, the more intense his fury will be. However, it is difficult for the audience to follow a character's emotions and feel that same anger. The simplest, most effective way is to cast a beautiful girl. The more beautiful she is, the more infectious that sense of being robbed of one's beloved will be."

Yukihiko Tsutsumi mused for a moment. "That’s an interesting point." Beyond that, Maiko Hosho didn't seem to have any major issues with her acting. More importantly, her face—with its spirited, slightly aggressive, and precocious features—unexpectedly fit the role of Kasumi Higashihara perfectly.

"In that case, shall I have someone send audition invitations to both of their agencies?"

...

The invitation sent to Miki Sakai’s side did not receive an immediate response; her manager only replied with, "Please allow us some time to consider."

This was understandable. The film *Love Letter* not only solidified Shunji Iwai’s status and helped Miho Nakayama break through the bottleneck in her acting career, but it also served as a springboard for Miki Sakai and Takashi Kashiwabara, who played the teenage versions of the two Fujii Itsukis. Their popularity had been soaring ever since, leading to constant appearances on shows and magazines, with acting offers pouring in.

In contrast, Maiko Hosho’s response came very quickly.

Since her debut, Hosho’s fame as an actress had arguably been eclipsed by her popularity as a gravure idol. Having already released three photobooks with decent sales, her delicate, youthful face was highly sought after. However, as an actress, her resume consisted of nothing more than a neat row of minor bit parts.

At such a time, receiving an audition invitation for a lead role in a film—even one without a big-name director or famous actors—was a rare opportunity. Both Hosho and her manager conveyed their interest almost immediately.

...

A room adjacent to the office was temporarily cleared for the auditions. With Ye Zhao, Yukihiko Tsutsumi, and an acting coach from NTV assisting, a small panel was quickly formed to interview the lead candidates.

Maiko Hosho was eighteen, a perfect match for the age of Kasumi Higashihara. When she appeared in the room, Ye Zhao and the other two felt a sudden spark of genuine interest.

Seeing a beautiful girl on television or in a magazine is a completely different experience from having her stand right in front of you. Having spent two years navigating the entertainment industry, Hosho’s makeup, attire, and demeanor were all perfectly balanced. Even so, her expression still held a hint of reserve and shyness, devoid of any attempt to curry favor.

After entering, she greeted the three of them in turn. There was a faint trace of an Osaka accent in her tone, which made Ye Zhao wonder silently if she could switch to standard Japanese easily when acting.

"Well then, let’s begin," Tsutsumi started.

Ye Zhao interrupted him. "Oh, by the way, Miss Hosho."

Hosho instinctively looked toward Ye Zhao, a flicker of confusion crossing her face.

Ye Zhao rose from his seat and walked over to the desk beside her—a prop for the audition. He bent down, pulled a large white makeup bag from the desk drawer, and unzipped it to reveal a short black wig and the necessary styling tools.

"If you don't mind, Miss Hosho, could you go to the room next door and put on this wig before we begin the audition?"

"Eh?" Hosho was taken aback.

"If you have any concerns, you are free to refuse. Of course, refusing will not affect the outcome of this audition."

"It’s just... a little... but if there is a reason for this, Mr. Ye, then I will give it a try." She picked up the makeup bag and left the room.

"What are you planning, Ye?" Tsutsumi asked, looking puzzled.

"Well, once Miss Hosho returns, you’ll likely understand," Ye Zhao said, keeping the suspense.

About ten minutes later, she returned. Her expression was slightly peculiar. The wig Ye Zhao had prepared had no style to speak of; it was the kind of hair any ordinary schoolgirl might have. Once she put it on, her beauty and aura dropped by at least twenty percent, transforming her into one of those girls you see everywhere—slightly pretty, but unremarkable.

The acting coach from NTV glanced at Ye Zhao with a bewildered look. Ye Zhao ignored him and signaled for Tsutsumi to begin.

"Miss Hosho, please imagine that you are a member of a small social clique in your class. The center of this group is two very beautiful, popular girls. You don't think much of them internally, but on the surface, you act as their sycophant. You despise their snobbery, yet you are the same way yourself. Now, when you are all chatting together, how would you behave to show others your position in this group?" Tsutsumi instructed.

Hosho listened with a serious expression. After a moment of contemplation, she began her performance without any preamble or gestures.

For about three minutes, she didn't say a single word. While she appeared to be listening, her hands fidgeted with her wrist as if by habit. Then, as if hearing something amusing, she let out a restrained laugh, but her gaze wandered carelessly, not lingering on the group.

The most brilliant part was her eyes. Although her features were naturally a bit sharp, she dialed back that aggression during the performance, leaving only a cat-like scrutiny in her gaze. From that look, it was clear she wasn't truly part of the circle; rather, she remained on guard against it.

"Alright, that will be all for now," Tsutsumi called out. Hosho dropped the character and returned to being the slightly reserved, polite girl she was before.

"Very good, Miss Hosho," Tsutsumi said. "When we reach the final decision for the roles, we will contact you through your agency."

"Miss Hosho," Ye Zhao called out again.

She looked at him with a strange expression, as if wondering if he was about to make another odd request. This time, however, Ye Zhao didn't say or do anything strange. He simply asked, "Do you know how to play badminton, Miss Hosho?"

Hosho let out a silent sigh of relief and replied, "I... I know a little bit."

Ye Zhao nodded. "Very good. Thank you for today, Miss Hosho. Please wait for our notification."