Chapter 67: Joe Hisaishi with Hair, Susumu Terajima, and Masato Sakai

"Hello, Joe-san. I am Iwata Takeshi."

"Hello, Joe Hisaishi here. And this is..."

"I am Nakayama Shinobu. Nice to meet you."

"About that letter earlier, I am truly sorry! I am actually a huge fan of yours, Joe Hisaishi-san. I am so familiar with the music you write."

"Oh, is that so? Well, the letter is of no concern."

At this time, Joe Hisaishi still had his hair, and it was thick and dark.

When Iwata Takeshi met this future musical maestro, his first impression focused entirely on the hair, and he couldn't help stealing a few extra glances.

Was that polite?

Honestly, one couldn't blame Iwata Takeshi. In his memory, Joe Hisaishi had very little to do with hair. In fact, just last year, Joe Hisaishi had released a vocal album, and the album cover featured a photo of him with a full head of thick, dark hair.

A fake fan, exposed!

Yet, Iwata Takeshi could genuinely say this to Joe Hisaishi's face:

The number of Joe Hisaishi film scores I have listened to is definitely more than the number you have composed yourself, Joe Hisaishi!

Naturally, Iwata Takeshi's complex inner monologue could not be made public, so he maintained his signature, foolproof expressionless demeanor.

Only Shinobu, who knew him well, was already trying hard to suppress a giggle from the side.

This girl could always spot the slightest, subtle changes in her big uncle.

Joe Hisaishi naturally had no idea what Iwata Takeshi was thinking, while he himself kept recalling that photograph.

His meeting with Iwata Takeshi today was essentially prompted by his wish to meet the two people in that picture.

To be frank, Joe Hisaishi had never expected that one of the people in the photograph would turn out to be Iwata Takeshi himself.

Such a fiercely menacing fellow.

For now, Joe Hisaishi's fame was still relatively modest.

Although he had already completed the musical scores for a few of Director Hayao Miyazaki's films, he had yet to win a single major award.

There was no helping it; the competition in Japan's music industry was simply too fierce.

Therefore, when Iwata Takeshi took the initiative to invite him, Joe Hisaishi had been extremely surprised.

He knew he was not yet strong enough.

Yet, he could not help but keep thinking about that photograph.

What kind of imagery makes people think of love?

The photograph Iwata Takeshi had given him earlier evoked precisely that feeling.

Just the vast ocean, and amidst the ocean, only two people.

Compared to the entire frame, they were insignificant, yet they were absolute protagonists.

It felt as though the entire world had shrunk down to just the two of them.

If this was not love, what was it?

And right before his eyes...

"Kawaii ne."

"Arigato."

When Joe Hisaishi looked at Shinobu, he felt that this child was indeed... kawaii.

Iwata Takeshi, however, frowned slightly. "Hey now, Joe-san, we are supposed to be discussing the film score here."

"Ah, indeed." Joe Hisaishi felt that the man before him was... terrifying!

The trace of anger Iwata Takeshi deliberately released was quite intimidating, while Shinobu could only cover her mouth once more from the side.

"Uhm..." Joe Hisaishi actually wanted to ask just then, "Tell me, did the two of you really take that photograph yourselves?"

Iwata Takeshi's brow furrowed even deeper, radiating a strong yakuza aura. "Is there a problem?"

"No." Sweat beaded on Joe Hisaishi's forehead as he quickly added, "I just thought the two of you looked so harmonious together."

Harmonious?

Iwata Takeshi's expression instantly reverted to its blank slate, with perhaps even the faintest hint of shyness.

Shinobu, meanwhile, nodded with a blushing face.

In truth, what the two of them were remembering was how long their snot had been running during the shoot because they didn't dare use their hands to wipe it away, and how they had looked at each other afterward and laughed hysterically for a long time.

Joe Hisaishi, however, thought nothing of the sort; he simply meant they looked harmonious.

"Iwata-san, I am quite busy right now."

"In this film, I intend to tell a love story between two deaf-mute people."

"Look, I really am very busy."

"The photograph I showed you earlier—the entire film will probably be shot using that picture as a stylistic benchmark."

"Next, I also have work on Mr. Hayao Miyazaki's *Kiki's Delivery Service*..."

"I want to call the musical theme *Silent Love*..."

The conversation between the two felt like a mismatch of completely unrelated topics, neither caring about the other's feelings.

Yet, when it reached this point, Joe Hisaishi clenched his teeth.

"Fine then. What standard of work does Iwata-san expect?"

***

He agreed?

Shinobu was stunned, her round eyes growing even rounder.

Iwata Takeshi, on the other hand, was full of confidence as he produced something he had prepared long in advance.

A CD.

"Just a little bit higher than this standard will do."

While speaking, he made a gesture resembling the loss of the South Korean market.

Joe Hisaishi indicated that he understood—it just needed to be slightly better than the music on this CD.

Then...

The cover of the CD featured a Western gentleman wearing a wig. Mozart!

"Ah, well..."

"I'll be waiting for your composition. We can easily discuss the financial compensation."

"Wait a minute, Iwata-san. This is Mozart we are talking about."

"You agreed, didn't you?"

"You... ah, I..."

Joe Hisaishi scratched his head furiously, swearing to himself that he had never encountered a fellow like Iwata Takeshi in his entire life.

At that moment, the haired Joe Hisaishi was not yet aware of that universal law:

Everything in the world eventually succumbs to "this is actually pretty good."

***

"Big uncle! How could you treat Joe Hisaishi-san like that?"

"How did I treat him?"

"You were so overbearing."

"A guy like him has to be put under pressure."

"Huh? Is there even such a logic?"

"You girl... let me tell you, there are plenty of logics in this world."

"You sound so old and jaded!"

Walking out from Joe Hisaishi's place, Shinobu was still complaining about her big uncle.

In truth, Iwata Takeshi had figured out from the very beginning that Joe Hisaishi was actually eager to score this film.

Otherwise, why would this fellow have agreed to meet with him and Shinobu in the first place?

As for that Mozart bit...

Iwata Takeshi had heard a little anecdote from China's domestic entertainment circles in his past life: back when Jiang Wen invited Joe Hisaishi to score *The Sun Also Rises*, he simply handed the already established master composer a Mozart record.

"Just make something a little better than this—just a tiny bit."

Naturally, Joe Hisaishi had complained then as well, but in the end, hadn't he still delivered?

Now, he was just using the trick ahead of time.

Brother Jiang, my apologies.

Actually, Iwata Takeshi could even hum the melody of *Silent Love*, but asking him to produce it and turn it into a fully fleshed-out orchestral score?

That would practically be the death of him!

Anyway, leaving it in Joe Hisaishi's hands was definitely the right choice.

"Shinobu!"

"Oh, my sister is here."

Watching Shinobu, who looked as if she were being abducted back by her older sister, Iwata Takeshi could only offer a smiling wave.

As for Shinobu's near-crying expression, it was impossible to tell whether she was terrified of Iwata Takeshi or simply yielding to her sister's tyrannical might.

***

It was currently the winter break.

Shinjuku—that land of young people's dreams—was being stepped upon by a bespectacled young man for the very first time.

He would be entering high school this year, but his heart already held two distinct goals:

Get accepted into the University of Tokyo!

Become an outstanding actor!

He felt that the first goal shouldn't be too much of a problem, provided he improved his mathematics scores, whereas the second goal was truly difficult.

Fortunately, he already had a small plan in mind.

Once in high school, he would join the drama club to lay a solid foundation.

Shinjuku—with all its countless small theaters and performance opportunities... The young man felt his blood burning with passion!

Iwata Studio is recruiting actors?

Director Iwata?

That Iwata Takeshi who had been making headlines so rapidly lately?

Having acquired such crucial information, the young man immediately decided to try his luck.

Even if he only landed a bit part, it would still be good.

Only... why did everyone talk about Iwata Studio in such a strange way?

Never mind, I'll head over right away!

As soon as he arrived at Iwata Studio, the young man felt that the atmosphere was somewhat off.

"Fill out your form first. Don't tell me you don't even know that much?"

"That's right! Write down your personal information. A photograph? ... Don't tell me you expect us to take it for you? You show zero sincerity!"

Right at the entrance stood a fellow who looked like a yakuza, wearing a terrible attitude.

Yet, the young man felt what the guy said made sense, and as for the photograph, coming from out of town, he had naturally brought one along.

"Arigato."

"Hmpf, not bad."

He picked up a form and filled it out while standing in line.

Just then, strange noises drifted from behind a door at the end of the queue.

"Why do you look so arrogant?"

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"What did you say your name was?"

"Terajima Susumu."

"You've even acted in major productions?"

" *Ran*! Ever heard of Akira Kurosawa?"

"Baka! You probably just played some nameless grunt, am I right?"

"That's exactly what I did! Is there something wrong with that?"

"Oh, you seem like a pretty spirited fellow."

"Does that mean I passed?"

"Go back and wait for notification!"

"I want to see Director Iwata! I believe I am perfectly suited for his film!"

A fellow named Terajima Susumu was unceremoniously hauled out, struggling all the way like a sea bass just hauled up from the ocean, still shouting incessantly.

"I want to see Director Iwata! He will definitely want me!"

Witnessing this scene, the young man couldn't help pushing up his glasses to mask the sweat appearing on his forehead.

What kind of place was Iwata Studio anyway?

Why did it feel so much like a yakuza organization?

Everyone looked so fierce...

"You're next."

"Oh."

The young man stepped into a small room containing only a desk and two chairs, with a man already seated on the other side of the desk.

The man was short, dark-skinned and thin, with a somewhat fierce gaze.

The young man now felt a slight urge to retreat; he seemed utterly out of place in this Iwata Studio. Even if he wasn't a handsome idol, he could at least be considered delicate and clean-cut.

"Here to be an actor, right?"

The man extended a hand.

The young man handed over his form. To be honest, for a split second, he had the impulse to take it back, but he was... too scared.

The man glanced over the form, and one particular item caught his attention.

"Future expectations for yourself—you wrote that you want to get into the University of Tokyo? And also become an outstanding actor?"

Hearing this, the young man straightened up. "Hai! That is my dream!"

A smile appeared on the man's face. "If you manage to get in, you'll actually be my junior alumnus, haha..."

The young man was deeply shocked; he could never have imagined that this short fellow who looked so much like a yakuza was actually a graduate of the University of Tokyo.

And moreover:

"I consider myself a pretty decent actor nowadays too, haha..."

Kagawa Teruyuki felt for the first time how exhilarating showing off could truly be.

Immediately afterward, *bang!*, he slammed the form down onto the desk.

"You don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!"

The young man was shaken to his core, yet he did not back down in the slightest:

"That is indeed my dream! I will give it everything I have!"

Kagawa was somewhat appreciative of the young man's attitude. By the way, what was his name again?

Through the gap between the index and middle fingers of the form: Sakai Masato.