Chapter 257 - The Shoot Begins
"Just think of me as your old Father, and let's try filming one take."
"Eh? No, but... I think we'll only be able to film for a very short time if we do that..."
"Time doesn't matter. What matters is the feeling. Come on, start!"
I bring the smartphone closer to Mano-chan and whisper, "You're the lead actress, you know."
"You know the actual shoot has already started, right?"
"B-but... I don't know what I'm supposed to do, or rather..."
"Can't you listen to what your Father says? You promised that today you would play the role of the slave girl, Elsa."
"Who is Elsa?"
"Okay, cut!"
I continue my explanation while exposing my selfish desires.
"Listen. You are a slave girl captured by an ugly goblin. Then, I, the Hero, come to rescue you gallantly. Build your character around that setting."
"Is it a medieval European worldview?"
"Quick learner, good. By the way, Elsa is an ignorant child who hasn't received much education, so she might be the quiet type. When you call for me, please pronounce 'Keisuke' in katakana."
"It's not like your ex-girlfriend used to talk like that, is it?"
"Take 2, start!"
I push through with an unstoppable momentum, restarting the impromptu filming session.
"Rest easy, I've slain all the goblins. ...What is your name?"
"I am Elsa. Who are you?"
"I am Keisuke. Keisuke Nakamoto."
"Keisuke... what a strange name. Are you not from this country?"
"Even if I said I'm Japanese, you wouldn't understand, would you?"
"I don't understand. I don't understand anything."
"Ah, that's good—that ignorant loli vibe is really great. It has an aura that makes me think, 'Maybe Elsa's childhood was just like this.' If your hair were a bit longer, the reproducibility would have been higher. It's such a shame, seriously."
"Um, could you please not drop the act so suddenly?"
"Oops, my bad. Let's get back into character."
I prop the smartphone up next to the bed so I can focus on the acting.
"Elsa... are you not afraid of me?"
"Why would I fear my savior?"
"B-because I'm a different race from everyone else... I'm the only person of the yellow race in this world, you know?"
"What is 'yellow race'?"
"I see, I have to explain it from there."
"Keisuke, will you tell me things I don't know?"
"Within the limits of what I can do."
"When I look at Keisuke, my heart pounds. I want you to tell me what this feeling is..."
"Eh... th-that means..."
"You... you saved me..."
"This is bad, Elsa... we've only just met..."
"Touch me, Keisuke."
"This is bad, this is bad. Even if it's through gym clothes, squeezing an underdeveloped B-cup is seriously dangerous."
"Even though you're touching me so firmly. Keisuke is perverted."
"...Okay, cut!"
Since things were starting to veer in a dangerous direction, I hurriedly interrupted the filming.
"It wasn't bad, but isn't it a bit too sexual? I didn't think you'd run toward eroticism if I let you improvise."
"I'm sorry, Nakamoto-san."
"Not Nakamoto-san, it's Father, right?"
"...I'm sorry, Father."
"What we are trying to film is art. Not a pornographic film, but a pure love story to leave for future generations. You understand, right, Mano?"
"Father..."
I pick up the smartphone and film the girl's sorrowful eyes.
I never miss an accidental shutter chance. That is the fundamental of a film director.
"I'm not angry anymore. Come on, smile. Father wants to deliver Mano's smile to the screen."
"Father... Father, Father, Father, Fatherrrr!"
As if overcome with emotion, Mano-chan begins to cry and throws herself into my chest.
"Whoa. What on earth happened?"
"I'm sorry, Fatherrrr... I'm sorry for being such an inadequate lead actress. If I could have acted better, Father wouldn't have had to do such lewd work... I'm sorry... because of me, you can't make a living..."
"It's not your fault. The ones to blame are the era and the consumers."
When I stroke her head with a voice overflowing with Fatherhood, Mano-chan narrowed her eyes, saying, "Huaa, your touch is just like my old Daddy's..."
"Father... will you listen to Mano's dream?"
"What is it?"
"To become a famous actress. And one more thing... to become Father's wife."
"Now, now. Biological parents can't marry."
"I know that. ...That's why I think I'll be Father's wife, but only while the camera is rolling. A lead actress and a director are, in a sense, like a married couple, aren't they?"
"Come to think of it, that might be true."
"...Right? So Father, please film Mano more... think of me as your wife... and film me... with all your love..."
"Is this alright?"
Click-click! As I took continuous close-ups near her crotch, a message window floated into my field of vision.
[Party Member, Mano Suzuki's Affection Level has increased by 9999]
[Mano Suzuki has newly acquired the skill [Father Complex (Filming)]]