[A/N; I’ve no experience in Japanese. So, forgive me if something’s wrong, and feel free to point it out. The translations are from Google)

THE auditions were about to start. This time, it was for all the other supporting characters.

Ian had left space for the main character as his feeling of Leonardo accepting and taking the role for himself. But with the deadlines coming closer, he had second thoughts about his decisions.

“... Okay, off you go!” Ian said loudly for the man to hear.

He was an English man who had decided to do the role of the Japanese men who were in the opening scene of the movie, the security guards.

He was tall, lean, and too handsome to look like a security guard. The panel of cast directors had their doubts about his looks, but they knew that there was nothing that makeup couldn’t adjust when it comes to physical forms.

“Kare wa ki ga kurutte ita. Shikashi, kare wa motometa anata no namae de. To…”

(translate: He was delirious. But he asked for you by name. And…)

As soon as he started to talk the Japanese line, the woman beside Ian shook her head. She was a Japanese woman, and Ian hired her so that the situational help would be perfect.

“Īe! Īe! Kore wa watashitachi ga hanasu hōhōde wa arimasen! Mōshiwakearimasenga, sore dakede wa arimasen. Hokanohito mo tameshite mimasen ka?” She said in a low tone so that the actor in front of them won’t hear her.

(translate: No! No! this is not how we talk! I'm sorry but it's just not it! Can we please try others?)

Ian nodded. “Thank you, we’ll let you know. Next, please”

Although Ian couldn’t understand a word she said, he nodded thinking how it couldn’t be something pleasant.

Another person walked in.

“I’m Chiyo. I’m here for the audition.”

It was a Japanese person, and it was obvious. It seemed as if the Japanese lady liked the man just from his English.

“Okay, Chiyo. Read your lines. Try to sound authentic as possible. You know, strong and deep.”

“I’ll try.”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

In a few seconds, he started to act. He stood still, with his hands together in front of him. Looking down, he talked as if he was talking to someone who sat in front of him.

“Kare wa ki ga kurutte ita. Shikashi, kare wa motometa anata no namae de. To… Kare ni misetekudasai…”

(translate: He was delirious. But he asked for you by name. And… Show him…)

“Kono hito wa īdesu. Kare wa nihonjin de, engi mo shizen'nanode, issho ni ikubekida to omoimasu.”

(translate: this person is good. He is Japanese and he is natural with his acting too, I think we should go with him.)

Ian frowned at what she said. “What?”

“Oh sorry, I forgot even the actor can speak Japanese. I was saying that his accent was good, and it’s visible that he’s Japanese. So, we should go with him.”

Since the previous actor was visible as non-Japanese, the woman decided to not say anything that’d discourage the artist.

“Okay, thanks, Chiyo. We’ll let your agent know.” Ian said that to the man in front of him and turned to the woman who sat beside him, “five more auditions and we’re good to go.”

The woman nodded.

The knocks on the door made all the people turn towards the door.

“Yes?” Ian asked loudly to know who it was.

“Ian, there’s a chef here ready to meet you.”

“Chef-”

Immediately Ian knew who it was. The legendary Leonardo DiCaprio, who is yet to find what he is good at.

“Let him in, please.”

In a few seconds, Leonardo walked in with a smile.

“Can we talk, Ian?” he asked as soon as he saw Ian.

“Sure.”

The pair walked out of the room, side by side.

-

After a few minutes, Leonardo was ready to do his part as an audition, so he could try and see if he was a fit for the movie.

“And… action!” Ian commanded.

“Because I am the most skilled extractor. I know how to search your mind and find your secrets. I know the tricks, and I can teach them to your subconscious so that even when you’re asleep, your guard is never down.

Cobb: Leonardo leaned forward. Holding his gaze at Ian.

COBB But if I’m going to help you, you have to be completely open to me. I’ll need to know my way around your thoughts better than your wife, your analyst, or anyone. (gestures around) If this is a dream and you’ve got a safe full of secrets, I need to know what’s in that safe. For this to work, you have to let me in.”

“Cut! That was good. That was good!” Ian stood up from his chair at how good it was. “Can I get the same dialogue with much intensity? It looks at your voice tone. One more time, please.”

“Let’s go!” Leonardo said and started to play his role, again.

“But, Mr. Saito, we can train your subconscious to defend itself from even the most skilled extractor.”

“How can you do that?” Ian asked.

“Because I am the most skilled extractor. I know how to search your mind and find your secrets. I know the tricks, and I can teach them to your subconscious so that even when you’re asleep, your guard is never down.”

“Cut! Perfect! I knew you’d pull this off! Let’s talk more when we meet again, and now if you’ll excuse me, there’s somewhere I’ve to be.”

-

Ian walked inside the elevator as quickly as possible. There still were two hours left for the event and he agreed that he’d come.

The two shiny doors of the elevator were about to close. A hand came in, making Ian suddenly raise his eyes to see who it was.

“What are you doing?” Ian asked.

“What do you think?” Raelynn asked back.

“You’re coming with me for Star Time?” Ian asked, shocked.

Star Time was one of the biggest upcoming reality singing shows. Star Time was known to be a show which helped more than a handful number of artists widen their horizons of fans and increase the fan count by millions. In other terms, the show created careers for artists.

And Ian was invited as a guest, to play a song that he once got awards for—City of Stars.

“Of course, I’m. Even if it was someone else instead of you, I’d have gone. Are you kidding me? Everyone begs to be in the live audience!” She said excitedly.

“I feel like a bad boyfriend for not knowing you love it that much.”

Raeylnn giggled.

“By the way, the entire show was so anonymous. Where did the sudden love for City of Stars even come from?”

“It was always there. I’m just reviving it for the sake of time. We’re gonna need the hype soon enough,” Ian said with an ulterior motive for the night.

-

The show was live, and that was what made it so interesting. Ian had the opening of the show. He wore an orange suit that went well with his shoes. And after the makeup was done, and everything else was ready, the time finally came—when people got what they’ve wanted for quite some time.

The song City of Stars was something that won multiple awards and got nominated for some more. Ian being Ian, felt that it was his responsibility to continue to share the music—and that was what exactly he did.

With two original artists who sang the song, Ian sat in front of the piano.

“We’re going live… In… three… two…. One!” The producer yelled and the show started.

Ian’s fingers played rhythmically as he got lost in the music. His talent for playing the piano didn’t cease to amaze anyone in the audience, or who was listening. He just started playing and everyone was in awe.

“City of stars

Are you shining just for me?

City of stars

There’s so much that I can’t see

Who knows?

I felt it from the first embrace

I shared with you

That now our dreams

They’ve finally come true

The girl started singing,

“City of stars

Just one thing everybody wants

There in the bars And through

the smokescreen of the crowded restaurants

It’s love

Yes, all we’re looking for is

love from someone else

A rush

A glance

A touch

A dance

Both of them started singing…

A look in somebody’s eyes

To light up the skies

To open the world and send it reeling

A voice that says, I’ll be here

And you’ll be alright

I don’t care if I know

Just where I will go

Cause all that I need is this crazy feeling

A rat-tat-tat on my heart

Then, they ended…

Think I want it to stay

City of stars

Are you shining just for me?

City of stars

You never shined so brightly

As Ian played the final notes the audience erupted into loud applause.

“Ian! Ian! Ian! Ian Renner, everybody!” The audience clapped again. “Ian, how many more hidden talents are there for you?!”

Ian smiled and stood up from his chair. There were massive lights pointed at him, and the stage including the environment felt competitive.

“That’s for me to know and-”

“Ah! Us to find out! Give it up for Ian Renner, once again! Let’s get back to Ian after we introduced our lovely judges for the evening!”

-

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