dkrc Chapter 191 Summer Miracle, Purple Gear "Marble"
Chapter 191 Summer Miracle, Purple Gear "Marble"
Chapter 191 Summer Miracle, Purple Gear "Marble"
In July, the cicadas in Tokyo began to chirp loudly.
The air conditioning was on full blast in the conference room of Kitahara's office, but the atmosphere was somewhat stuffy.
The whiteboard had several large characters written on it—"Kikujiro's Summer".
This is the new film that Kitahara Shin is going to shoot after the huge success of "Flowers of Evil".
The script is very simple, even too simple for a commercial film:
Kikujiro, a middle-aged hoodlum who is idle, foul-mouthed, and knows nothing but gambling and fighting, and Masao, a little boy who has never met his mother and has a withdrawn and sullen personality.
These two seemingly unrelated people became an odd pair in the summer. Kikujiro originally intended to trick children out of their money to gamble, but ended up losing all their travel expenses and was forced to embark on an absurd, hilarious, yet slightly melancholic journey to find the children's mother.
There were no explosions, no gunfights, and no earth-shattering plot twists.
All that remains are green rice paddies in summer, azure seas, absurd encounters, and the process of two originally broken souls healing each other on their journey.
"The script is fine; you're the producer, so you have the final say."
Sitting opposite him, Takeshi Kitano, wearing a floral shirt, scratched his messy short hair. His somewhat expressionless face didn't reveal much emotion. "But casting is a big problem. Especially that little boy, Masao."
"really."
Kitahara Shin nodded.
This role is difficult to play. He doesn't need the kind of emotional acting that involves crying loudly, nor does he need the kind of cleverness that pleases adults. What he needs is "melancholy," a kind of innocence with an inherent melancholy undertone, the kind of temperament that makes people feel "this child is so lonely" just by him standing there.
"Then let's begin the audition."
Half an hour later.
The audition turned into a disaster.
"Next."
A staff member led in a well-dressed child star in a little suit.
This kid was recommended by a major agency and is said to have played many male roles, so he's very experienced.
however.
The moment the child entered and looked up to see Takeshi Kitano sitting in the center of the judges' panel, the professional smile on the child's face froze instantly.
Takeshi Kitano didn't do anything. He just sat there, tilting his head, staring blankly at the child. His face, due to his natural temperament, exuded a chilling aura.
"Wow-!!!"
Less than five seconds later, the child star burst into tears, turned around and ran out the door, not even looking for his mother.
Takeshi Kitano: "————"
He twitched his lips, turned to look at Kitahara Shin, and asked innocently, "Am I that scary?"
Kitahara Shin calmly sipped his tea as he drew an X on the roster: "Be more confident, remove the 'ma'."
"Whether you've starred in too many gangster movies, or that's just how you look, for children under ten, your face is basically as intimidating as a monster that eats children."
The situation remained largely the same for the next few hours.
They were either scared to tears by Takeshi Kitano, or they were the kind of "greasy" child stars who had undergone rigorous training and whose acting was so overtly contrived that it was uncomfortable to watch.
"no."
Takeshi Kitano slammed the script on the table, somewhat annoyed: "These kids' eyes are off. Too clean, or too fake. I want that kind of look—like a stray dog on the street."
"Then don't look within the firm."
Kitahara Shin closed the folder, stood up, and stretched: "Let's go outside and look. Look for real, ordinary kids."
"Ordinary kids?" Takeshi Kitano frowned. "Those are amateurs. Training them would be deadly, and the filming schedule would be dragged on for a long time."
"It's alright, I have a way."
Kitahara Shin picked up his sunglasses and put them on, a smile playing on his lips: "Don't forget, my specialty is judging people."
Afternoon, Asakusa.
This is the old district of Tokyo with the most Showa-era atmosphere, and it is also where Takeshi Kitano rose to fame.
Two big, flashy men wearing sunglasses strolled around the streets near Senso-ji Temple like two idle street thugs.
The sun was scorching, and the asphalt road surface had softened somewhat from the heat.
"Hey, Kitahara, we really look like human traffickers."
Takeshi Kitano walked along, making sarcastic remarks, and casually bought an ice pop and put it in his mouth.
"As long as I don't get questioned by the police, it's fine."
Kitahara Shin, on the other hand, seemed quite relaxed.
Although his [Treasure Radar] can only detect items and cannot directly see through people's hearts or potential, he is not worried.
With a slight thought, he activated another artifact in his equipment inventory that he had unexpectedly acquired while filming "The Wives of Yakuza" in Kyoto.
[Equipment: The washed-up stylist's old measuring tape (white) is activated]
[Special Effects: Style Insight. Seeing beyond appearances to discern the character's essence and soul that best align with their personality.]
In an instant, his vision underwent a subtle change.
The children running and playing by the roadside were no longer just noisy brats in his eyes, but rather emerged as invisible "models" or "labels".
pity.
Most children's "types" are too ordinary.
He's either a "spoiled brat" or a "sunny and cheerful baseball boy." That kind of carefree joy is too dazzling and doesn't match the gloomy, dull, and seemingly abandoned "Masao" in "Kikujiro's Summer" at all.
Looks like I'll have to look around some more—
Kitahara Shin was about to look away.
Sudden.
The [Treasure-Finding Radar] in my mind emitted an unprecedentedly loud buzzing sound.
You're not mistaken. Among the group of children in the corner of the park, a dazzling and noble purple light is flashing!
Purple epic-level equipment?!
Kitahara Shin's eyes behind his sunglasses lit up instantly. This was the first time he had ever seen purple-level wild equipment since he transmigrated to this era.
He immediately looked closely.
There were four children in that group.
The purple light originated from a dark-skinned little boy who was squatting on the ground, clutching something tightly in his hand.
Kitahara Shin subconsciously used the vision of the [Old Roll Ruler] to scan the boy again.
This time, he saw something more than just ordinary labels.
Rather, it's a natural, stubborn, and lonely "gray" color, like roadside weeds. That wary demeanor, that sense of alienation so incongruous with the surrounding liveliness—
He's practically a living, breathing "Masao" (a male ideal man).
We have the equipment and the people.
Is this what they call "buy one get one free"?
"Kitano-san."
Kitahara Shin immediately stopped and reached out to stop Kitano Takeshi beside him.
"What? Did you find it?" Takeshi Kitano bit the rest of his popsicle into pieces and peered over there.
"Stand here and don't move."
Kitahara Shin pointed to the vending machine next to him: "Go buy a bottle of water, I'll go by myself."
"ha?"
Takeshi Kitano looked annoyed: "You really think I'm a ghost? Am I that shameful?"
"It's not something I'm ashamed to show."
Kitahara Shin patted him on the shoulder, his tone sincere: "It's because your presence is so intimidating. Those kids are having a great time. If you went over there, they'd probably think the yakuza were here to collect protection money and would run away on the spot."
Takeshi Kitano: "————"
He scoffed, annoyed but knowing his face wasn't exactly approachable, so he turned and walked toward the vending machine, grumbling under his breath.
Kitahara Shin straightened his clothes, put on what he thought was his most amiable and handsome smile, and walked towards the group of children.
"Wow! Look! That guy is so tall!"
"So handsome—he looks like a TV star!"
Before he even got close, the two little girls with pigtails noticed him and immediately started whispering to each other, their eyes full of curiosity and excitement.
No matter the era, good looks are indeed the best passport.
But the boy who was clutching the purple ball of light reacted quite differently.
He heard the sound and suddenly looked up.
Those were extremely vigilant eyes.
Unlike his peers who were innocent, he possessed a wariness akin to that of a small animal. He instinctively pulled his hand back into his pocket, tightly protecting the glowing object, his body slightly tense as he stared at Kitahara Shin.
Kitahara's heart stirred.
That look in his eyes—that's it! That's the look I've got!
However, the primary goal now is to determine exactly what that purple equipment is.
Good afternoon.
Kitahara Shin walked to the edge of the sandpit, squatted down, and tried to keep his line of sight level with theirs. He took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of smiling, almond-shaped eyes: "Relax, I mean no harm."
He pointed to the wary little boy and said in a relaxed tone, "I saw you guys having a lot of fun by the roadside. I was a little curious, what were you playing? Can I join you?"
"snort."
The wary boy didn't speak, but simply took half a step back, clearly not believing the strange adult's nonsense.
The two little girls next to them, blushing, eagerly answered as they looked at Kitahara Shin's handsome face: "We're playing Pinball Police! That's Kenta's new pinball, it's really cool!"
"Yes, yes! Brother, where are you from? Are you here to film a movie?"
A little girl's defenses are practically zero when it comes to handsome men.
"Oh, they're marbles."
Kitahara Shin nodded, feigning sudden realization, then sighed with a touch of melancholy, "It really brings back memories. I loved playing this when I was little, but sadly, no one plays with me anymore now that I'm older."
He looked at the boy named Kenta and said gently, "I'm actually a tourist from out of town. I'm getting a little tired of seeing the scenery alone, and seeing you guys just now suddenly reminded me of my childhood. How about it? Can I, this bored adult, join in? I won't play for free; the loser will buy you sodas."
Upon hearing the word "soda," the other three children's eyes lit up.
Only Kenta remained, clutching the marbles in his pocket tightly, the suspicion in his eyes not completely gone: "What's your purpose?"
He stared at Kitahara Shin, his tone mature beyond his years: "My mother said that adults who strike up conversations for no reason are either liars or perverts."
Kitahara Shin's smile deepened.
This kid's personality is really interesting.
"The purpose—"
He took a coin out of his pocket and twirled it deftly between his fingers: "Probably because I want to win once too."
Over the next hour, a "fierce" showdown unfolded in this old park in Asakusa.
"Haha! You lost again! Big brother, you're so weak!"
With Kenta's precise shot, Kitahara Shin's marble was once again knocked out of bounds.
Kitahara Shin exaggeratedly clutched his head, sitting on the edge of the sandpit with a frustrated expression: "Seriously? This isn't working? The wind clearly blew my marbles off course!"
"Excuses! It's clearly because your skills are terrible!"
The little girl with pigtails giggled and pointed at the dust on Kitahara Shin's face: "Big brother, are you any good? Even Hiroshi is better than you."
The chubby boy named Xiao Hong puffed out his chest proudly.
Only Kenta, though silent, was tense watching Kitahara Shin's clumsy yet unwilling-to-give-up demeanor.
The little face finally relaxed a bit, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a subtle, childlike smile of pride.
What he didn't know was that Kitahara Shin's acting skills had earned him a Best Actor nomination.
The best way to quickly integrate into a group of kids isn't to show off how strong you are, but to become that "clumsy adult." Nothing builds confidence and a sense of familiarity in these little ones more than outshining an adult.
As the sun sets, the park's loudspeaker plays the classic song "Sunset Glow".
"Alright, we've completely lost today."
Kitahara Shin brushed the sand off his pants and raised his hands in surrender: "As agreed, a bet's a bet. Come on, let me treat you to something to eat."
At the entrance of a nearby convenience store.
Five heads huddled together, each holding a classic "Gali Gari-kun" soda-flavored popsicle.
"Wow! It's so cold!"
The little girl licked it and squinted her eyes in bliss.
In this sweltering summer, a popsicle costing a few dozen yen is the ultimate joy for children.
-
"Big brother, will you come again tomorrow?" After finishing his popsicle, the chubby boy, Xiao Hong, asked with some lingering reluctance before leaving.
Although this adult is terrible at games, he's generous! And unlike the adults in the family, he doesn't always like to lecture, so playing with him is a lot of fun.
Kitahara Shin crushed the ice cube in his mouth, glanced at Kenta standing at the back who was secretly watching him even though he hadn't said anything, and nodded with a smile: "Come on. I won't give up, I'll definitely win tomorrow."
"Tch, then you'll definitely have to treat us again."
Kenta snorted, put his hands in his pockets, and turned to leave. But his steps were noticeably lighter than when they had first met.
After seeing the kids off, Kitahara Shin turned into a small izakaya in the next alley.
As soon as I lifted the curtain, I saw Takeshi Kitano sitting alone in the corner, with a half-empty bottle of beer and a plate of edamame in front of him.
"Oh, you're back?"
Takeshi Kitano raised his eyelids, glanced at him, and said with a hint of teasing in his tone:
-
"I heard you spent the whole afternoon playing on the ground with a bunch of little kids in that park? President Kitahara really is still a child at heart."
"fine."
Kitahara Shin sat down opposite him and, without any hesitation, picked up a skewer of grilled chicken and started eating: "There, you don't have to think about ratings or box office numbers; you just think about how to get that marble in. That pure feeling is probably what they call relaxation."
"I am relaxed."
Takeshi Kitano slammed his empty glass on the table, his brow furrowing. "But what about our actors? You haven't forgotten about the important matter, have you?"
"It has been found."
"9
Kitahara Shin wiped the sauce from the corner of his mouth and answered casually.
"Huh?" Takeshi Kitano was taken aback. "Found it? Where?"
"That brat who always beats me."
Kitahara Shin pointed towards the park, his eyes resolute: "That kid named Kenta. That stubborn, precocious, yet attention-seeking look in his eyes—he was practically born for the role of Masao. I'll bring him over so you can see for yourself."
Takeshi Kitano stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright. Since you're a producer and a master at 'judging people,' I'll trust you this once. Don't let me down."
The next few days.
Kitahara Shin took the privileges of being a "boss" to the extreme.
There were no announcements, no meetings; he simply handed over the general direction to Da Tian to execute, and this hands-off manager could do whatever he wanted.
Every afternoon, he would appear in that park on time.
Sometimes we play marbles, sometimes we play hide-and-seek, and sometimes we just sit on the swing and chat with them.
For these children, this person called "Brother Ashin" has become their most anticipated playmate. He is humorous,
He was generous, and most importantly, he never treated them as clueless little kids, but as equal "friends."
-
Even Kenta, who was the most vigilant, gradually lowered his guard.
From initially ignoring him, to later actively calling out "Hey, hurry up!", and then eventually being willing to lend Kitahara Shin that precious marble for a quick look.
Until the evening of the fourth day.
Everyone was tired from playing and was resting under the climbing frame.
"Sigh, school starts tomorrow, and I haven't finished my homework yet," Xiao Hong complained with a worried look on his face.
"Me too----"
The little girl with pigtails sighed, then, as if remembering something, turned to look at the silent Kenta and asked cautiously, "By the way, Kenta, is your mother—feeling any better lately?"
Kenta, who was playing with marbles, suddenly stopped what he was doing.
The smile that had been on his face instantly faded. He lowered his head, staring at the ants on the ground, his voice muffled: "It's still the same—maybe slightly better."
"Dad said I might have to stay home in bed for a long time. And the medical bills are very expensive—"
His voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
Kitahara Shin, who was sitting to the side and was drinking water, narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this.
He put down the water bottle and his gaze fell on the particularly thin and helpless figure.
These past few days, he had vaguely sensed it too. Although Kenta was also a child, there was always a sense of heaviness about him that was beyond his years. His clothes were clean, but they were obviously a bit old, and the boy never bought snacks to eat.
It turned out that something had happened at home.
While using this kind of thing is a bit underhanded, it's indeed a perfect entry point. It can help the child, get that purple equipment, and even sign him to one of their own agencies.
"Kenta."
Unlike those hypocritical adults who immediately offered cheap sympathy, Kitahara Shin moved closer to him and nudged him with his shoulder like a friend: "If you don't mind, could you tell me what exactly happened?"
Kenta looked up and glanced at Kitahara Shin.
A few days ago, he would have definitely kept his mouth shut or run away.
But now.
Looking into those eyes that had been with them these past few days, encouraging him when he lost and genuinely praising him when he won.
Children have the sharpest intuition.
He could sense that the adult in front of him was neither being perfunctory nor just watching the show.
He genuinely cares.
Kenta pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and finally, as if finding an outlet, said in a low voice, "My mother—she's been sick for a long time. My father has to go to work in a faraway place every day to earn money, and he doesn't come back until very late—"
"I want to help my dad, but I'm too young to do anything."
He clutched the purple marble tightly in his hand, as if it were his only solace: "I can only make a wish upon this marble, hoping that Mom will get better soon—"
The setting sun turned the sandpit in the park golden.
Kitahara Shin looked at Kenta's hands, which were tightly gripping the marbles, and instead of immediately offering him the hypocrisy of adults, he took a sip of water and calmly posed a question: "Kenta, do you want to use your own strength to help your mom and dad?"
Kenta suddenly raised his head, his wary eyes, like those of a small animal, filled with confusion: "My own power? But—I'm only seven years old. I can't do anything."
"Who says a seven-year-old can't do it?"
Kitahara Shin tossed the empty water bottle in his hand lightly, accurately tossing it into the trash can: "If you want, you can stand in front of the camera, perform, and show yourself to the whole world. The money you earn that way is enough to send your mother to the best hospital and stop your father from working late into the night every day."
Kenta was stunned.
"Acting? You mean—being an actor?"
He glanced subconsciously at the TV wall not far away, where the latest GG was playing.
Before he could react, the twin-tailed little girl next to him, who had been staring at Kitahara Shin, suddenly covered her mouth and screamed, "Ah! I remember now!!"
She pointed at Kitahara Shin, her face flushed with excitement: "You—you're that doctor! That amazing Dr. Zaizen! My mom watches your dramas every night!"
Another chubby boy, Xiao Hong, suddenly realized, "Right, right! It's that giant white tower! I knew it looked familiar! Oh, Ashin, you're a big star!"
Children's reactions are often slow to come, but once they've confirmed it, their sense of admiration explodes instantly.
Only Kenta didn't scream or get excited.
He just stared intently at Kitahara Shin.
It turns out that the clumsy older brother who had been playing marbles with them on the ground for the past few days, and who would buy them popsicles if they lost, was actually the kind of unattainable big shot that only appears on TV.
"So, how did it go?"
Kitahara Shin ignored the noise of the other children and focused on Kenta: "Want to think about it? I won't force you. Think it through, and wait for me here at this time tomorrow."
That night.
Kenta returned to his old apartment in Adachi Ward.
As soon as I opened the door, a strong smell of medicine hit me.
In the dim light, Mother lay on the tatami mat coughing, her face ashen. Father sat in the corner, holding a thick stack of bills, his brow furrowed, his wrinkled face etched with exhaustion and helplessness.
"Kenta, you're back? The food's on the table, heat it up yourself."
When his father saw him, he managed a weak smile.
Kenta didn't say anything.
He silently walked to the table, looked at the bowl of curry rice that had gone cold, reached into his pocket, and gripped the cold glass marble tightly.
That marble had beautiful purple cracks inside; it was his only treasure.
He had made countless wishes upon this marble, hoping that things would get better for his family.
But now, the older brother named Kitahara Shin tells him that he doesn't need to make a wish, he can do it on his own.
"I want to give it a try."
He said this silently to himself.
The next afternoon.
Kitahara Shin arrived at the park on time.
From afar, he saw that small, thin figure standing alone under the swing set. Seeing Kitahara Shin approach, Kenta took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, and shouted, "I want to! I want to be an actor! I need to earn money to save my mother!"
Kitahara Shin smiled.
He walked over and held out his palm: "Then it's settled. Welcome, little man."
The rest became quite simple.
This is what is known as "money power".
-
-
Kitahara Shin sent Ota Masakazu with the best medical team and lawyers directly to Kenta's house. When they saw the box full of prepaid signing fees and the contract that "fully covered his mother's medical expenses," Kenta's parents almost knelt down before Kitahara Shin.
But this is not charity.
Kitahara Shin knew very well that once "Kikujiro's Summer" was filmed, the revenue that this child would bring to the company would be a hundred or a thousand times that of the medical expenses.
The signing ceremony was held in the office of Kitahara Office.
"From today onwards, you will be a child star we will focus on developing."
Kitahara Shin sat in the leather boss's chair, looking at the little boy in front of him who had changed into a clean new outfit and looked a bit flustered.
"Since you've entered this industry, you need a catchy stage name. Kenta is too ordinary."
""
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, countless names flashing through his mind.
In the Japanese entertainment industry, a child star's stage name often determines the audience's first impression.
"Got it."
Kitahara Shin picked up a pen and wrote two Chinese characters on the contract: "佑介".
"Yusuke Sekiguchi." (Note: A tribute to Yusuke Sekiguchi, the original child actor in "Kikujiro's Summer," but in this book's timeline, he will have a more brilliant future.)
"How about this name? It sounds like someone who'll become a big shot and win Best Actor awards someday."
Kenta, no, it should be Yusuke now.
He looked at the name, not quite understanding its meaning, but seeing the trust in Kitahara Shin's eyes, he nodded firmly: "Yes! I like this name!"
The contract has been signed.
Just as Kitahara Shin was about to ask Ota to take him home.
Yusuke suddenly stopped.
He pulled out the glass marble with purple cracks that he had always regarded as his lifeblood from his pocket.
"President Brother————"
He took one last, reluctant look at the marble, then held it in both hands and solemnly presented it to Kitahara Shin: "This—is for you."
"This is my most precious thing. I always thought it was a treasure dropped by the gods, capable of granting wishes. But now—"
The boy looked up, and his once gloomy eyes now shone with an unprecedented light: "I think you are the god."
"Thank you for helping my mom."
Kitahara Shin paused for a moment.
[System notification: The purple epic equipment "Lucky Marble" has been detected being gifted. Do you wish to accept it?]
He looked at the dirty little hand and the marble that emitted a soft purple light.
This wasn't stolen, nor was it obtained through deception.
This is a heart full of gratitude.
Kitahara Shin reached out and solemnly took the marble, holding it tightly in his palm: "You're welcome, Yusuke."
He crouched down, patted the boy's head, and smiled gently: "I'll keep this marble safe. Let's go to that park again sometime, and I'm sure I can beat you this time."
Yusuke looked at his smile, sniffed hard, then flashed a big, bright smile and nodded seriously: "Okay! It's a deal!"
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained the equipment: Lucky Marble (Purple)]
[Special Effect: Summer Miracle. The wearer's luck is greatly enhanced, and they will have an absolute "good mood" boost during the summer.]
Outside the window, cicadas chirped incessantly.
In this sweltering summer, Kitahara Shin not only acquired a purple piece of equipment, but also the best "Masao" who would accompany that rogue uncle named "Kikujiro" on a long journey.