Chapter 76: Cosplaying Makima
After voicing the promotional short for A Jian’s manga last time, Natsume Mio quickly took the initiative to send an email to Editor Kaji.
In the email, she first expressed her thanks, then said she was a die-hard fan of Chainsaw Man, and loved Sakamoto Ken Sensei’s manga.
She mentioned that if there were any voice acting jobs for Chainsaw Man in the future, no matter the project size, she would be very happy to participate.
Kaji Keiko already had a good impression of this new voice actor; her professional skills were solid, and her attitude was so sincere, so she exchanged LINE with her.
In the following days, Natsume Mio would send messages to Kaji Keiko on LINE almost every day.
However, the content was only discussing the plot of Chainsaw Man, purely as a reader sharing her own thoughts.
She discovered that Editor Kaji was also particularly knowledgeable about Chainsaw Man, no less than her, and even because of her deeper understanding of manga creation, the things she said often made Natsume Mio feel inferior.
So, Natsume Mio decided to properly learn about the manga industry.
After chatting with Kaji Keiko about this, she recommended a manga to her, Bakuman.
Natsume Mio went to the bookstore that same day and bought the full set of manga to take home, reading through it carefully.
Her little plan was simple: she just wanted to become familiar in front of Editor-san and deepen the impression.
This way, if there was any opportunity in the future, Editor Kaji would immediately think of her.
After all, the most important advice her mom gave her was to become part of A Jian’s career.
On the weekend, Natsume Mio went to see A Jian; on Monday, right after finishing her morning vocal music practice, she received a message from Kaji Keiko.
Kaji Keiko: Natsume-san, hello, do you have time? It’s about Chainsaw Man, I’d like to talk with you.
Natsume Mio quickly replied: Editor-san! I have time! What is it about!
Kaji Keiko’s reply came quickly.
Kaji Keiko: I’m preparing for the release of Sakamoto Sensei’s Chainsaw Man first volume, still planning to make a short promotional video, but this time considering live-action filming.
Kaji Keiko: The initial idea is to find a cosplayer to play Makima, say a few lines, then pick up the volume and recommend it to the camera.
Kaji Keiko: After hearing your voice acting last time, your voice is very suitable, and Natsume-san’s appearance is outstanding too. I felt when we met last time that you have a temperament very similar to Makima’s.
Seeing this, Natsume Mio’s heart was already pounding wildly.
Her fingers paused at the message bar, considering how to reply.
Kaji Keiko’s messages kept popping up: So, I want to ask, are you interested in playing Makima in this promotional video?
Become Makima?!
No no, just acting, just acting…
But that counts as becoming Makima too!
Not just the voice, even her real self can appear on camera!
Doesn’t this mean I will completely become the heroine from A Jian’s pen!
Natsume Mio: Yes! I can do it! Editor Kaji, please let me do it!
Kaji Keiko: Great, Natsume-san is still on vacation now, right? Do you have time this afternoon? I’d like you to come to Shueisha, let’s talk about the specific details in person.
Natsume Mio: Of course, I’m available anytime!
After ending the conversation with Kaji Keiko, Natsume Mio excitedly spun around her room several times.
She had just casually clicked on Sakamoto Ken’s avatar, but suddenly changed her mind.
Better not tell A Jian yet!
First, although Editor Kaji invited her to talk, it’s not 100% confirmed yet; if it doesn’t work out later, wouldn’t it be awkward?
Second, she wanted to give A Jian a big surprise!
……
In the afternoon, Natsume Mio stepped into the Shueisha building again.
Just like when Sakamoto Ken came last time, Kaji Keiko brought her to that meeting area made of partitions.
“Natsume-san, please sit.”
Kaji Keiko smiled and handed her a bottle of chilled barley tea, then sat down across from her.
“I thought Natsume-san’s hairstyle was very unique when we met last time. Has it always been like this?” Kaji Keiko looked at the braid at the back of her head and asked curiously.
“No~” Natsume Mio giggled and said, “It’s after reading Chainsaw Man that I changed my hairstyle to Makima’s style.”
“Oh? You really like Makima this character?”
“Of course! I love Sakamoto Sensei’s this work a lot, and particularly like Makima this character, so I wanted to try it.”
“It looks really good, and it suits you very well.” Kaji Keiko’s smile deepened, “It seems Natsume-san really likes Chainsaw Man.”
Natsume Mio smiled a bit embarrassedly: “I follow every chapter, even remember the lines.”
“Then you’re the perfect candidate.”
Kaji Keiko said, taking out a color-printed drawing from a file bag and placing it on the table.
“Natsume-san, take a look. This is the Makima color page setting drawing specially drawn by Sakamoto Sensei for me.”
On the drawing, Makima was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, tied with a black tie, paired with black trousers; those pupils with concentric circles gave her an air of mysterious dominance over people’s hearts.
This was A Jian’s Makima in his heart.
“The clothing is relatively simple, just a standard women’s suit set; the props team will prepare them.” Kaji Keiko explained, “The main things to consider are the wig and contact lenses, especially these eyes. We’ll have a professional props maker customize a pair of contact lenses with special patterns.”
Natsume Mio looked carefully at the color page and said, “Editor Kaji, actually… we don’t have to use a wig. If possible, I’d like to dye my hair directly this color.”
“Eh?” Kaji Keiko was a bit surprised, “Is that okay? Makima’s hair color is a pinkish red, not common in daily life, it’ll be very eye-catching.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine!” Natsume Mio smiled and waved her hand, “If wearing a wig, we’d have to use a hair net and such, pressing it over my own hair, it would still look a bit unnatural.”
Kaji Keiko thought for a moment and nodded, saying, “If Natsume-san is willing, that would naturally be even better. A professional beauty salon should be able to mix this color.”
“Then should I get the hairstyle done before coming?” Natsume Mio said.
Kaji Keiko said, “There’s a pretty big beauty salon right next to our company. You can come in the morning of the filming day to get your hair done; of course, the cost will be covered by us.”
Kaji Keiko took out another document: “By the way, there’s also the remuneration, all standard rates. I actually can’t give you a particularly high remuneration, still need to confirm with you…”
The following negotiation went very smoothly.
Clothing and props would all be prepared by Kaji Keiko’s side; arrive in the morning for hair and makeup, film in the afternoon, about a full day, with remuneration of 50,000 yen for Natsume Mio.
The filming day was set for the day after tomorrow, Wednesday afternoon.
This price was actually quite good already, though Natsume Mio didn’t care about the number at all.
Her mind was full of herself about to wear Makima’s clothing, dye her hair that color, put on her contact lenses, and completely become that heroine from A Jian’s pen.
Soon, Natsume Mio signed and stamped the contract.
“Alright, happy cooperation.” Kaji Keiko put away the contract and said, “There are many things with volume publication, so I won’t chat more. Natsume-san, see you the day after tomorrow.”
“Okay! Thank you, Editor Kaji!”
Watching Kaji Keiko leave hurriedly, Natsume Mio contentedly put the contract into her bag.
Things are looking up, everything is looking up~
She walked out of the meeting area and through the corridor in a pleasant mood.
Just as she was heading to the main entrance, she suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.
A girl was walking normally from inside.
It was her!
Natsume Mio remembered clearly; it was the female manga artist she met outside Shueisha last time, and they even took a photo together in front of the poster.
A few days ago, she interacted with A Jian in JUMP’s live broadcast, and at the time, she felt there was something strangely indescribable about their interaction…
Out of politeness, and also out of some inexplicable vigilance, Natsume Mio adjusted the smile on her face and proactively walked toward her.
“Hello, Miyuki Haru Sensei!”
Monthly Ticket Raffle Results:
October 1st – October 7th, total monthly tickets: 948.
Double period: 1 vote equals 2, but monthly ticket serial number is only one.
So real serial numbers are 1-474.
From these numbers, eight numbers were drawn, as follows:
93, 155, 223, 226, 274, 340, 367, 453.
Congratulations to the friends who drew the above numbers.
Everyone can check all monthly ticket numbers in the Monthly Ticket Memorial Book in the upper right corner of the monthly ticket voting interface.
If you hit a number, check the author’s note or synopsis afterward; there’s the newly created book reader group for this book. After joining, contact the group owner, provide your shipping address, and it’s good~
Next time Lemon will do some other kind of raffle~
Thanks everyone for the monthly tickets!
Once again, seeking follow-up reading!!!
