Life in Tokyo starting as a child star

What is the most important thing about acting?

An actor once asked Takeo Mikawa this way.

This is what Takeo Mikawa said at that time.

It's not an imitation, it's not lifelike, it's not an expression of emotion.

But ‘natural’.

Yes.

nature.

Just like students will go to class and police will drive police cars to arrest criminals.

The most important thing for an actor is to be able to naturally interpret the image of the role he is assigned.

This is the most perfect acting skill.

This may sound like a no-brainer.

But actually this is the hardest thing to do.

Just like you are thirsty, and you are asked to drink water, it will naturally show the image of a 'thirsty person'.

But think about it the other way around.

If you are asked to face the camera and play the role of a "thirsty person who goes to drink water", the difficulty will increase instantly.

It should be natural and unobtrusive, and even make the audience feel that this character should do this here - this is what an actor should do.

In front of Mikawa Takeo, Kitazumi Minoru looked very natural.

He was busy behind the kitchen counter.

He rolled up his sleeves and wiped the oil stains on the stove surface without saying a word.

I would sit down again, use a peeling scraper to remove the skin of potatoes, and prepare the side dishes for the next meal.

His movements were very skillful.

There was no hesitation at all, and he was very capable.

That kind of nimble movement.

It's like Kitazumi himself is a chef with more than ten years of cooking experience.

Rather than playing the role of ‘chef’.

This child is indeed a bit unusual.

Takeo Mikawa's eyes lit up.

Generally speaking, children are allowed to play adult roles such as police officers and office workers.

There will be an indescribable sense of dissonance.

Because Ziyi's age itself is too young.

No matter how they imitate adults, the audience will feel a sense of "pretending to be mature".

But Kitumi Minoru didn't feel this way at all.

The movements are crisp and smooth, as if he has accumulated decades of chef experience somewhere.

It doesn’t look like acting at all!

Takeo Mikawa subconsciously ignored Kitazumi Miko's identity.

amazing!

He sighed in his heart.

At the same time, there was also an inexplicable feeling.

Is it possible that I can really show off my acting skills on this small stage this time?

You don't have to take care of the newcomers as usual, worrying that they won't be able to take on your role, so you deliberately restrain yourself?

Think of this.

Takeo Mikawa narrowed his eyes.

In short - let’s try this unique sub-service first!

"Hello?! Where is the general (chef)?! Where is the general of this restaurant?"

Lift the door curtain.

Takeo Mikawa made a rude voice.

This scene captures the story of Saito, an old man played by Takeo Mikawa, who first arrives at an unknown restaurant.

Saito was also a famous cook when he was young.

He has also won awards in several cooking competitions.

At that time, Saito was very high-spirited and was considered by many cooks to be the hope of cooks in the Kanto region.

But time is not forgiving.

Time has not only taken away his former glory.

It also took away his young and strong body.

Only he was left, a shriveled old man who couldn't even hold a knife.

Popular among young people.

Then to being ignored in old age.

This huge gap was really unacceptable to him.

He is jealous!

Jealous of the youth of those young cooks.

Jealous that they still have plenty of time to waste.

But he could only die and decay before his eyes.

He became irritable and rude to others.

So.

Discover a new restaurant every time.

Saito would always go in alone and express his opinions about the dishes in the store in a rude manner.

Over time.

He has become a character who is disliked by many stores and despised by thousands of people.

At this time, he saw that no one answered his screams.

The expression on Saito's face was obviously a little anxious.

"Where is the general?! Is this how this store treats customers?"

He shouted loudly and roughly.

That old face was full of sternness at the moment.

Although he is old, his character is still the same as when he was young, fierce and aggressive.

Even in a completely new store.

He always maintained a rude and harsh attitude.

The door frame also made a clanging sound when he slapped it.

Under the light.

The ferocity in his eyes, as if he really wanted to eat people, was simply intimidating.

Even several staff members nearby were startled by the other party's sudden burst of emotion.

"As expected of Takeo Mikawa."

Watch the tension in the picture.

Kawamura Yuefumi couldn't help but sigh.

This scene is actually a scene of memories.

The role is very simple.

It was nothing more than the grumpy and irritable old man Saito who had just arrived at the small cafeteria and was dissatisfied with the fact that no one was there to welcome him.

There is even a vague meaning to go further.

This aura directly suppressed the two passerby 'diners' actors who were in charge of supporting roles in the restaurant.

They didn't even dare to breathe.

Especially the look in his eyes and the micro-expressions directly and vividly portray Saito, a fierce and rude character who was admired by thousands of people when he was young and despised when he was old.

So the most important thing now is Kitazumi Minoru.

The 'aura' of the two supporting actors was completely suppressed by Takeo Mikawa.

"I hope Beicheng-kun will not disappoint me."

Originally, Kawamura Takefumi had confidence in Kitumi Minoru.

But after watching Takeo Mikawa's performance.

He was a little unsure again.

What if even Kitumi Minoru was suppressed by the opponent's aura and became timid and unable to perform at all?

Then he could only ask Takeo Mikawa to calm down a little bit.

Maybe he felt the voice of Kawamura Takefumi.

Or maybe I feel that time is almost up.

Kitaki Minoru, who had been immersed in work, stood up from behind the kitchen counter.

"I am the general here. What would the customer want to order?"

He hasn't finished speaking yet.

He was rudely interrupted by Saito.

"You are a general?! A kid can be a chef in a restaurant?"

A heavy breath came out of his nostrils.

His eyebrows were also furrowed tightly.

This is Saito's favorite move.

Most shopkeepers would subconsciously apologize if they were stared at by him with this expression.

However--

"Would the guest like to order something?"

Even if the words are suddenly interrupted.

The boss didn't show any signs of panic, he just turned his head and glanced at the other party.

His attitude did not change at all because of Saito's rough attitude.

If you give me a close-up at this time.

Everyone present would probably notice that Beicheng's eyes didn't even change at all when he raised this question.

Those dark eyes showed an unruffled brightness amidst the dim yellow brightness in the restaurant.

And this also corresponds to Kitumi Minoru's identity as a storyteller.

"Tsk."

It seemed that he was aware of his attitude and did not make the restaurant owner take a step back.

He seemed to be intimidated by the calmness in the other person's eyes.

After taking two steps back, Saito smacked his lips and did not continue to speak. Instead, he took a step forward and sat at the bar table.

He is a man who refuses to accept old age. He strides forward very quickly and does not use a walking stick.

His eyes are always raised.

There is a feeling of arrogance.

"very good!"

Kawamura Takefumi, who had been staying by the screen, nodded vigorously.

He really didn't expect Kitumi Minoru to perform so well!

Even facing the famous Takeo Mikawa in the industry.

They are all able to catch the opponent's play without falling behind!

It's amazing. Kitachi-kun's performance. The salary of 350,000 yen is too good a deal.

He touched his head, a little confused.

to be honest.

If it weren't for "Little Canteen" itself, it would be a low-budget production.

Kawamura Yuefumi had the urge to increase Kitumi Minoru's salary.

It's really remarkable that the other party can play the role of "boss" that doesn't require much acting skills.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

It is different from the superficial impatience.

Takeo Mikawa's heart was filled with surprise.

That's right.

It’s a sense of surprise!

He really didn't expect it.

His acting skills actually didn't suppress Kitami Minoru at all.

You must know that in the scene just now, under my oppressive performance.

Most actors appear vulnerable.

This is not an acting problem.

More importantly, in the scene just now, the character 'Saito' actually took the initiative.

The reason is very simple, it lies in the language of the shooting lens.

The strength and weakness of character relationships are mostly expressed through movement and stillness.

Moving characters are better than static characters in the lens language.

Saito's character gives people a "strong" feeling from the moment he knocks on the door to enter the store, and then takes the initiative to get close to the boss later on.

The boss, on the other hand, stayed 'still' behind the kitchen counter from the beginning, which naturally gave the audience a sense of 'weakness'.

But in actual performance, Beicheng Shi not only has no weakness at all.

On the contrary, through his micro-expressions and subtle movements, he showed a feeling of neither being humble nor being arrogant.

Takeo Mikawa has been confirmed.

The child servant in front of him was not only able to catch his play.

It can still be picked up very well!

Are all the people in the industry today such weirdos?

He was thinking this.

There was also a feeling of excitement in my heart.

When he saw Kitumi Minoru before, he felt a little regretful.

Think that it is difficult for the other person to show their best side in front of the camera.

But now

Not just acting!

He already felt it.

His emotions were slowly being aroused by the nine-year-old boy in front of him!

He took a small breath.

According to the content of the script, Mikawa Takeo spoke like this.

"Bring me a pork chop rice set."

His face was full of impatience.

frowning eyebrows.

From time to time he raised his head and looked behind the kitchen counter.

These small movements were enough to show that Saito was a little restless.

The tactics he had always used against others did not work for the unknown restaurant owner.

This also made him no longer as strong as before.

With a tangled frown on his face and looking up from time to time, he looked more like an ordinary elderly diner coming to eat.

Just simply sit down.

Takeo Mikawa relied on a few micro-expressions to complete the transformation from the 'strong' role just now to the 'weak' role now.

only.

"Is the cooking show coming up?"

Takeo Mikawa shook his head secretly.

"Little Canteen" as a food drama does need this kind of plot.

But cooking?

It has nothing to do with the child actors.

You know, cooking is a mountain that young child actors cannot cross.

At the age of eight or nine, they are destined to be unable to control iron pots and kitchen knives.

But these don't really matter.

After all, as an actor of the older generation, eating scenes are not a problem for Takeo Mikawa.

Even if Kita Sumire serves something that is hard to swallow.

He is confident that he can show a "happy" expression and eat it all in one piece as Kawamura Takefumi asked.

Compared to cooking, which is not important at all.

Takeo Mikawa is more looking forward to Kita Sumire's acting performance.

But the next second——

Takeo Mikawa's nose suddenly twitched.

It's not just him.

Even the staff on the periphery couldn't help but twitched their noses.

Because the air was filled with fragrance at this time.

It was an indescribable fragrance that made people feel inexplicably warm and happy just by smelling it.

At the same time, Kita Sumimi's calm voice sounded.

"Hello, guest. This is the pork chop rice set you ordered, please enjoy it."

"Hmm?"

Sanchuan Wunan subconsciously looked in the direction of Kita Sumimi's voice.

At some point, a pork chop rice set was already placed in front of him.

Full, thick pork chops were neatly piled on the rice.

Its cross-section was still oozing out tempting fat.

The brown sauce poured on it added an indescribable flavor.

The green cabbage that relieved the greasiness was neatly cut and placed aside.

And the tempting aroma that made him a little concerned before came from this plate.

Gulp——

The Adam's apple was slightly moving at this moment.

A primitive desire to eat rose from the stomach.

This made Sanchuan Wunan a little strange.

What's going on?

He clearly remembered that he should have eaten something when he first came here.

Logically speaking, he should not be too hungry now.

But

His saliva was secreting.

The "hunger" coming from his stomach did not seem fake at all.

Mikawa Takeo did not hesitate any longer.

He picked up the chopsticks, picked up a piece of pork chop, and then bit into it——

Crack!

The crispy outer layer and the tender gravy mixed together.

It was so delicious that it was not an exaggeration to say that it was the best fried pork chop he had ever eaten.

Mikawa Takeo was surprised.

Because he really did not expect that a boy like Kita Sumire, who was only eight or nine years old, could actually make such delicious food.

Fresh and delicious pork chop.

At this moment, his thoughts were sent to a distant place.

Mikawa Takeo thought of his childhood.

Because his family was poor when he was a child.

In fact, he never had a good meal of vegetables and meat.

But his mother, who worked in a butcher shop in the commercial street, could occasionally get leftover pork from the butcher.

Although it was just leftover pork, it might not be fresh anymore.

But it was the only decent meal that Takeo Mikawa could eat when he was young.

Every time that happened.

His mother would carefully marinate the pork.

Fry it into pork chops to cover up its not-so-fresh taste.

And every time Takeo Mikawa wanted to pick out the pork chops for his mother to taste.

But his mother would always perfunctorily say with a gentle smile that she had already eaten it, or that she was tired of eating it in the store.

Until one time.

When Takeo Mikawa was asked by his class teacher to find his mother to attend the next three-party meeting.

He realized.

His mother, who had been working in a butcher shop, had never tasted pork or vegetables.

Her lunch box only contained white rice.

Looking at the lunch box in his hand.

Then looking at what his mother was holding.

Tears of Takeo Mikawa fell all of a sudden.

Tears were crystal clear.

A melodious song sounded in my ears.

The song was called "Mother".

My thoughts returned to the present.

Tears moistened the corners of my eyes at this moment.

"It's delicious, General."

Tears fell silently.

Mikawa Takeo's throat trembled and squeezed out a sound.

His acting skills and emotions were mobilized to the peak at this moment.

At this moment, he was still playing the role of Saito.

Because in the original plot.

Saito also thought of his mother's voice and appearance when she supported him in the past because he ate the pork chop rice made by the owner of the nameless restaurant-that was adapted by the screenwriter based on his early situation.

But the same.

At this moment, Mikawa Takeo was also playing himself.

He played the role of himself who wanted to improve his mother's life at a young age, but in the end he could not do anything and could only stand aside and shed unwilling tears.

The bitter bits and the sad past, all kinds of events intertwined, constituted the happy memories between him and his mother.

The feeling of happiness and peace on his face.

Even through the camera, it was enough for everyone to feel it.

Mikawa Takeo opened his eyes.

He looked at Kita Sumire with some gratitude.

The other party did not disappoint him.

He really enjoyed it.

It was not just because of the acting that was shown at the last moment that he enjoyed it.

More importantly, Takeo Mikawa felt it.

It was not about age, fame, or pay.

It was a sense of satisfaction from the depths of his soul.

And all of this was brought to him by Kitasumi.

"Thank you, Kitasumi-kun."

After hearing the "click" sound from the script supervisor.

Takeo Mikawa stood up and bowed gently to Kitasumi.

Although it was just a slight bow.

But this bow attracted the attention of everyone present.

"Ah?"

Everyone widened their eyes.

They looked at Kitasumi who was turning off the stove flame with an incredible look on their faces.

No?

Wait?

What did they just see?

Takeo Mikawa, who is known as a living fossil in the Japanese industry, actually bowed to a nine-year-old boy? !

At this moment, everyone present, including the director Kawamura Takefumi, was stunned.

What kind of boy did he invite from where?

Chapter 2 has 4,800 words -

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