Ch. 8: A New Fascination (SUN)
I looked at Will, surrounded by a large crowd of people…-.
Feeling a little down, I moved away from the window and lay on the bed.
…
……
…huh? When did I…
I realized after a moment that I'd fallen asleep for what felt like only a few moments.
Looking at the clock in the corner of the room, I noticed the hand had shifted an hour.
Then there was a knock at the door.
Will: "A~lright, work's over! Let's go OO!"
OO: "Eh, Will!?"
The door was thrown wide, and he came to stand right in front of me…
OO: "Ah, wait, go where?"
Will: "I'm hungry, so let's go to a café or something."
OO: "Eh…?"
He was in high spirits as he grabbed my arm, and pulled me out of the room with surprising force.
…
……
Will went out of the hotel and started walking without even a glance towards the theater.
OO: "Is it alright for you to not watch the screening?"
Will: "That's just for the other people who worked on it and commercials and stuff. I've seen it plenty of times. Or did you want to watch it? It's pretty scary though…"
OO: "…um…"
Will: "Ahaha! I can't stand how honest your reactions are! But…"
Will had been dragging me along up until that point, then he suddenly moved and put his arm over my shoulder.
Will: "Besides, you can see my films any time you want, so right now you can prioritize this right?"
OO: "…alright."
In the end, I was caught up in Will's way of doing things, and went to the café.
We were guided to a table inside the shop, and after we were seated, Will started to spread out a great many number of files.
OO: "What's all this?"
Will: "This? Data for my movies."
Then set out on the table were…
A collection of the notes Will had been taking everywhere he went.
Along with the notes was also a fair amount of sketches and drawings, but what was depicted in those was…-.
OO: "Th…this is…!"
At my reaction, the corners of Will's mouth turned up into a broad grin.
Will: "Exactly. They're all about you. From the moment you came to Kenal until now…all of the reactions you made in all the different situations."
Will chuckled.
Will: "See…you have a completely honest reaction to everything. I already filled four of these huge note pads with information about you."
OO: "Th-that's a little…"
Will: "Weird right? I carefully took detailed notes on you, probably more than I needed."
OO: "Eh…-"
I tilted my head as he spoke and…
Will: "I've actually been thinking about my next film."
OO: "Your next one…?"
Will: "Yes! The next one. I want to film you for it."
OO: "Eh…me!?"
Will nodded and put his fingers in a square, looking at me through his makeshift filter.
Will: "Yeah, you'll look real good on film!"
OO: "But me and horror…"
Will: "Well you're a little too healthy-looking. At least, based on the style I've used up to this point."
OO: "So why me?"
Will: "Why?…because I want to film you?"
Will starred at me directly through his finger filter.
Then he looked at me in all seriousness as a director about to give rise to a magnum opus…
Is he serious?
OO: "But I don't even have any acting experience…"
I shrugged my shoulders apologetically, and Will gave a reassuring laugh from deep in his chest.
Will: "That's why I was thinking of making something that was more suited for you. A new movie that only I can shoot, and only you can star in. That pureness of yours…in my hands, it'll be something that will bring fear to all kinds of people."
OO: "S-so it's still horror…"
Will: "Like I said, I'll change my style to fit you. But…I am still the horror film director Will Beaton after all."
Will smiled, and a suspicious laugh escaped his lips.
Will: "Yup, I'm sure this'll be something greater than any other film I've made before! Let's see, I don't mind searching the world for a setting that'll suit you. And to write a proper script, I'll need to get to know you a lot better…and after that, let me think…"
Will was practically bursting as he talked, and he started forming a plan without even listening to any objections I might have.
OO: "But…"
Can I even do it…?
I closed my mouth, and averted my eyes as I tried to hide myself from his gaze…
Then, he put his finger under my chin and lifted my head, a smile on his face.
In the peculiar air that he had about him, I felt a strange new sensation fill my chest, not like nervousness or excitement.
Will: "It'll be alright. Don't worry, I'll look out for you … So, I want you to tell me more about yourself…and to spend every minute together…ok?"
His voice was more seductive than ever, and he spoke as if trying to entice me in…
Deep in my chest, my heart started pounding frantically.
Should I give it a shot…?
The thought came so naturally, and I wondered if it was because of some mysterious power that he held.
END