I am the Entertainment Tycoon

The Corner Cottage, Sakura City

7 PM, Friday, March 19th

The Corner Cottage was tucked away on one of the quieter streets of Sakura City, a hidden gem for those in the know. The quaint, rustic exterior of the restaurant contrasted with the bustling city outside, giving it a magical, old-world charm. The moment Theo and Aurora stepped inside, they were enveloped by a sense of warmth and comfort. The interior was cozy, lit with soft amber lighting that reflected off the wooden beams on the ceiling. The flickering fireplace crackled to one side of the room, casting a golden glow on the rich, earthy decor. .c

The walls were adorned with vintage photographs and hand-painted murals, while the tables were covered in delicate linen, each with a small lantern centerpiece flickering gently. The smell of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces wafted through the air, immediately making Theo's stomach rumble with anticipation.

"I can see why they picked this place," Aurora said, her eyes wandering around the intimate setting as they were led to a long table in the back.

"Yeah, it feels like home," Theo replied, smiling at the inviting atmosphere. It was exactly what they needed after the long day at PrimCon. They had a couple of hours before their flight, and this seemed like the perfect way to wind down.

Just as they settled at the table, the door swung open, and Rio entered, along with the rest of the Tokyo Studios Sakura City Branch team. Rio, the head manager of the branch, was a woman in her early thirties, with a calm yet commanding presence. She waved at Theo and Aurora as soon as she saw them.

"Good to see you both!" Rio said, walking over with a smile. Her black hair was pulled into a neat bun, and her sharp eyes scanned the room as she took in the cozy ambiance.

"Good to see you too, Rio," Theo greeted her warmly. Aurora echoed his greeting as Rio sat down across from them.

Shortly after, more familiar faces began trickling in, including Eto Kimi, Laura Addams, and the rookie voice actress, Ozawa Nana, who had been recently cast as the voice of Naruto for the upcoming series. The moment Nana entered the room, Theo waved her over.

"Nana! It's been a while. How've you been?" Theo asked with a genuine smile.

Nana blushed slightly but smiled back, "It's been great, boss. I've been practicing a lot for the new role. It's nerve-wracking, but I'm excited."

"You'll do great," Aurora chimed in, her tone warm and encouraging. "Naruto's a big role, but if my brother thinks you can do it, then you definitely have the talent for it."

The group exchanged pleasantries, and soon, the long table was filled with the sound of laughter and chatter. The rest of the staff, mostly sound engineers and managers from Tokyo Studios, joined them. Their discussions flowed naturally, as they shared stories from their experiences in the studio, reminiscing about the moments working on the Sword Art Online anime production.

As the servers came by to take their orders, Theo couldn't help but admire how lively the atmosphere was. The food being served looked just as warm and inviting as the restaurant itself-hearty stews, freshly baked bread, and plates of seasonal vegetables. The smell of herbs and spices filled the air, teasing their senses as the food was placed in front of them.

The conversations at the table quickly turned toward work, and naturally, toward future projects. Rio leaned in toward Theo as they spoke about the upcoming Sword Art Online release.

"How's everything looking on your end, Theo? I know you've been working closely with the post-production team."

"It's coming along great," Theo replied, taking a sip of the red wine that had been poured. "The animation's tight, and the voice performances are stellar. We've got a solid show on our hands."

"That's great to hear. I was worried about the tight deadlines, but the I realized that you almost finished the anime production even before the anime was released," Rio said, her tone light with a giggle but impressed with Theo's abilities.

As the lively dinner progressed, Theo noticed Nana sitting quietly beside him, her plate nearly untouched. Though she smiled and laughed at the jokes around the table, he could tell something was on her mind. The rookie voice actress had only recently landed the coveted role of Naruto in the upcoming series, and Theo knew how much pressure that could carry. He leaned toward her slightly, his voice soft but encouraging. "You seem a little quiet, Nana. Is everything okay?"

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with both excitement and anxiety. "It's just... I've been thinking about Naruto a lot. I'm super excited about the role, but I also want to do it justice, you know? Naruto's such a huge character, and I don't want to disappoint anyone-especially the fans. I'm not sure if I'm capturing his essence the way I should."

Theo nodded, understanding exactly where she was coming from. Naruto wasn't just any character he was a symbol of hope, perseverance, and strength. Bringing him to life required more than just technical skill; it required heart.

"Naruto is more than his abilities or his physical strength," Theo said thoughtfully, placing his hand on his chin as he gathered his thoughts. "At his core, he's someone who fights against loneliness, who constantly seeks validation, but also never gives up on his friends or his ideals. The essence of Naruto isn't about being the strongest ninja; it's about carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and yet still managing to smile and keep moving forward."

Nana listened carefully, her eyes wide with curiosity. "But how do I translate that into his voice? I've practiced the emotional scenes, but sometimes I feel like I'm just mimicking what other actors did. I want to bring something unique to it."

Theo smiled at her honesty, recognizing the struggle to balance respect for a character's legacy with the desire to make it her own. "It's good that you feel that way. You have to own the character, but don't be afraid to let Naruto's emotions come naturally to you. Think about what he's been through-those moments where he's been rejected by the village, those times when he's faced death but still chose to protect the people he loves. His voice comes from that pain but also from that resilience. It's raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always full of determination."

Nana nodded, her brows furrowing as she absorbed what Theo was saying. "So, it's not just about shouting or being loud in the action scenes?"

"Exactly," Theo said, his voice growing more animated. "It's about finding those quieter moments in Naruto's journey-the times when he's alone, reflecting, or when he's comforting a friend. Those are the moments that define him just as much as the battles. The way you deliver those lines-soft, firm, or even hesitant-will show the audience who Naruto

Truly is."

Nana's expression softened, and she seemed to be thinking more deeply now. "I hadn't thought about that. I've been focusing so much on the big, dramatic lines- 'I'm going to be Hokage!' and all that--but I guess the smaller moments are just as important."

"They are," Theo confirmed. "In fact, they're often more important because they show the audience why Naruto fights, why he never gives up. His drive to become Hokage is powerful, but it's also tied to his desire for acceptance and to prove himself. You need to let that vulnerability slip into your voice now and then."

Nana looked more relaxed now, the tension in her shoulders easing as she smiled. "I'm really grateful for this, Theo. I think I've been overthinking it, trying too hard to make it perfect." Theo chuckled softly. "Trust me, I've been there. It's easy to get caught up in wanting everything to be flawless. But perfection isn't what makes a character memorable. It's their flaws, their quirks, the emotions that feel raw and real."

Nana smiled, visibly more at ease. "I think I get it now. Naruto isn't perfect, but that's what makes him so relatable. He messes up, he doubts himself, but he keeps going." "Exactly," Theo said, his voice warm and encouraging. "So when you step into the booth, don't worry about getting every line exactly right. Focus on how Naruto would feel in that moment. If you let that guide you, the performance will come naturally."

Nana gave a small, determined nod. "I'll do my best. Thanks, Theo. This really helped."

"You've got this, Nana," Theo said with a reassuring smile. "You were chosen for a reason, and I know you'll bring something special to the role."

The two of them exchanged a few more words, but the conversation left Nana visibly more confident and relaxed. As dinner continued, Theo couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Guiding someone like Nana through such an important moment in her career reminded him of why he loved this industry—not just for the stories they told, but for the people who brought

Those stories to life.

He had no doubts that Nana would shine in her role as Naruto's voice actor, he even predicted that she might even win an Amethyst Award due to this work.

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