Chapter Text
“Come in,” Mori’s voice rang out, and Chuuya’s hand halted at where he was about to knock.
One-on-one meetings with the boss weren’t uncommon, they were rather regular in fact. However, this one had been different. The email Chuuya had received, demanding that he come to Mori’s office at that very moment, was unlike one he had received before.
Anxiety had curled in his stomach as he made his way up to the daunting office. His mind ran consistently the whole way there, trying to come up with a possible reason for such an impromptu meeting. He had recently had a rather big audition for a highly anticipated up-and-coming film. It was why he had been at the office that day, responding to emails from his primary agent, and working with people around the office to finalise the process in the case that he did land the role.
It seemed arrogant, to be finishing up work under the assumption that he would be handed the part, but Chuuya had an incredibly good feeling about it. The director was someone he had worked with before, someone whom he knew would be looking for someone like Chuuya to play the lead.
Maybe it was arrogant, but it was justified.
So, as he entered Mori’s office, making his way over to his desk, he was unsure of what he was about to hear. Fear struck his chest at the thought that he may not have gotten the part. He knew that Mori was highly anticipating Chuuya receiving it. If he failed to get it, he knew that the boss would be far from overjoyed.
Taking a seat in one of the shockingly comfortable chairs on the other side of the desk, Chuuya attempted to read the facial expression on Mori’s face. However, it was painfully neutral. It was something Mori was irritatingly good at. He knew that he respected Chuuya, and that he was one of their most valued actors (he tried to push down the potential arrogance once again), yet every time he saw the stoney expression on the other’s face, he feared the possibility that he had done something to upset the boss.
Joining Port Mafia Films was one of the greatest decisions of Chuuya’s life. Granted, he was sort of dragged into it. Regardless, it had given him a whole world of opportunities. Working under one of the most highly respected film agencies in the world definitely added a certain sparkle to his resume. He was forever grateful for the opportunity to work under them. He just decided to push down any feelings he had towards the person who had caused it.
Mori sat with his head resting on his hands, interlaced below his chin. His eyes bore into Chuuya in a way that made him squirm. God, he wanted to crawl out of his skin.
He didn’t want to be the first one to speak, knowing full well there was a pressing matter to be discussed, and knowing that Mori would want to take his time with beginning the conversation.
(Chuuya feels like Mori likes to watch his employees squirm.)
It was odd, knowing that the director of the largest acting agency in the world respected him. He often thought about how hard 15-year-old him would have laughed if you told him that. In moments like this, sitting in the infamous office, he almost felt like laughing at himself. His thoughts were swiftly interrupted, however.
“You landed the part,” Mori stated, his expression not faltering, but Chuuya noticed the hint of amusement flash across his eyes. He had learned to notice that in his time at PMF.
His eyes widened, a smile growing across his face. He sat up straighter, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“I did?” Chuuya questioned, slightly in disbelief. He had a lot of hope that he would secure the part, as he did with most roles, but it never failed to shock him whenever he did get one.
“Yes,” Mori continued, “However, there is something else I must discuss with you prior to you accepting it.”
The moment of lightness was crushed by a weight landing full force back over Chuuya. He felt deflated for a moment, hoping Mori didn’t pick up on it. However, the main emotion running through his mind was confusion.
“What would that be?” Chuuya asked as carefully as he could, keeping his voice level and his expression calm.
Mori stared at him again for a moment, and Chuuya knew he was attempting to get a read on him before revealing the information. It was agonising. He sat as still as possible as he waited for the silence to break.
“They have also cast the second lead. They decided to take a different route, per se.”
Chuuya’s brow furrowed in visible confusion, trying to decipher what that could mean.
“He is an incredibly well-respected actor; however, you do not cross paths very often,” Mori continued carefully, his eyes not once leaving Chuuya’s face.
“He? That’ll be fine, I'm not worried about that. I've acted in queer films before, it’s not an issue for me,” Chuuya responded lightly with a small shrug.
The original plan for the film had been a male and female lead, and Chuuya had done a multitude of chemistry reads with different actresses. He was confused about why he had not been called in to do one with the unnamed actor, but it had happened to him before. Sometimes, directors just know those sorts of things without having to see them.
“I’m aware of that, of course. That's not the part I believe you would take issue with.”
“Who’s the actor?” Chuuya asked, though he wished he hadn’t.
He wished he had never become an actor, wished he had never joined Port Mafia Films. He wished he had never auditioned for the film.
“Osamu Dazai.”
He wished he would have never had to hear that name ever again.