[ACT SWITCH - April Fools' 2025] Chapter 1 Translation
Somebody is calling my name…
But I can’t seem to open my eyes… I’m having a hard time fighting off this wave of drowsiness.
Is this real, or am I dreaming? I… I can’t tell.
But I do hear some nostalgic sounds. I used to hear these sounds on a daily basis until, one day, I couldn’t anymore.
And I smell something lovely. This sweet, ephemeral floral scent in the air–I believe it’s…
AKIRA: …Huh? Did I just wake up? Where am I…?
When I opened my eyes, my vision was greeted by a metropolis intersection illuminated by dazzling lights.
I stood there dumbfounded, experiencing sensory overload from the city bursting at the seams with crowds.
YOUNG WOMAN IN RED: The latest products from Chloe’s cosmetic line are super cute~! I am SO buying them for myself as soon as payday hits!
BROWN-HAIRED YOUNG MAN: Did you catch the episode yesterday? The scene at the end with Oz felt like a lightning bolt to my being–
YOUNG GIRL IN A DRESS: Uh-oh! I better hurry or I’ll miss Owen’s livestream!
Strangely enough, the chaotic hustle and bustle of the cityscape felt familiar to me.
AKIRA: (Why do I get the feeling I’m no stranger to this place…)
Chatters and murmurs of passersby filled the streets. Bright neon lights engulfed the night. Floral notes fused with the aroma of food as well as wafts of perfume.
When I look up, I can make out some cherry blossoms fluttering among the glaring lights emitted by street lamps and ad displays.
The traffic light changed while I was zoning out, signaling a throng of pedestrians to surge forward.
AKIRA: I-I’m so sorry–
I frantically apologized to the person whose shoulder I bumped, but there was no reply.
Everyone else either simply threw me a glance or rushed past me as if I were invisible.
???: Excuse me.
Suddenly, I heard a voice and felt someone grab my hand. When I turned around, there stood a young man wearing a mask. He leads me by the hand to a less crowded roadside lot.
MASKED YOUNG MAN: You look a little pallid there. Are you okay?
Out of concern, he reached out his hand to part my bangs. His fingertips that came in contact with my forehead felt icy cold.
AKIRA: I-I’m fine… Thanks for asking.
But my memory is a little hazy… I’m not quite sure why I’m here.
MASKED YOUNG MAN: You mean you can’t remember anything? What about your name?
AKIRA: That one I do remember… It’s Akira.
MASKED YOUNG MAN: Ah, Akira. What about me? Do you recognize this face? I’m actually sort of famous around here.
The young man asked then took off his mask.
At that exact moment, the giant digital billboard on one of the high-rise buildings towering behind him switched to the next advertisement. On it appeared a figure who was a dead ringer for the man before me.
He had his hair styled in a messy yet sophisticated cut and was clad in sleek clothing like a frequent patron of an upscale club. An alluring smile graced his lips.
Not even the blinding night cityscape eclipsed his glamorous appearance, stopping pedestrians in their tracks and drawing audible gasps from them.
PASSERBY: Look, it’s Figaro! Did you know his photobook is coming out next month? I got so excited I pre-ordered two copies!
AKIRA: …Are you, by any chance, a celebrity?
YOUNG MAN: Haha!
Seeing me blinking, wide-eyed, as I looked alternately at him and the billboard, his shoulders shook in laughter.
YOUNG MAN: You really don’t recognize me, huh? Looks like I have a long way to go before I can truly call myself famous.
Allow me to introduce myself then, my dear lost soul.
FIGARO: The name’s Figaro Garcia. I’m an actor.
AKIRA: Figaro… Garcia…
FIGARO: That’s me. You see, I was sent on a quest to scout a promising talent at the whim of my agency’s CEOs.
Yeah, I’ve made up my mind; you’re cute, so let’s go with you.
AKIRA: Scout…? Me, you mean?
FIGARO: That’s right. They–I mean the CEOs I mentioned–called me out of the blue to tell me, “We have a feeling you might find a top-notch talent if you go out into the streets now!” Or something along those lines.
Honestly, I was close to dismissing their call as just another one of their spur-of-the moment ideas or something they came up with to kill time. Turns out their hunch was spot-on this time.
The young man–Figaro continued before putting his mask back on. Then, he puts a hand on his chin, contemplating.
FIGARO: But we have the issue of your memory loss…
Although it’s a real shame, would you like me to take you to a police station?
AKIRA: A police station…
FIGARO: You heard it right. If I take you there, they might be able to get in touch with the people who are looking for you.
AKIRA: Well, you see… I’d rather not make a big deal out of this…
Plus, even if we ask the police for help, I get the feeling that nobody in this world knows me in the same way I know nothing about this world.
FIGARO: …Aha, I see what’s going on. Did you run away from home?
Young folks go on soul-searching trips all the time, right? 'Cause you feel suffocated at home or stuck in your hometown.
AKIRA: I don’t think it’s any of those either… I’m sorry I keep giving vague answers.
FIGARO: Haha, I see. No need to apologize. We should help each other in times of need, right?
The agency I'm a part of happens to be close by; if you have nowhere else to go, why don’t you stay there for the time being?
AKIRA: At an entertainment agency?! That doesn’t sound like a place I could just barge into…
FIGARO: I scouted you, remember? If anything, we should welcome you with open arms.
Plus, I can’t just leave you out in the streets at this hour, can I? Some scary folks might come and take you away.
AKIRA: Did you say scary folks? Are crime and insecurity causes of concern in this city…?
FIGARO: I'm just saying we live in a world where there are good people as there are bad. Everyone is busy living their own lives.
Just so you know, I’m the former. Partly because I work in an industry where popularity is everything, but also because I make it a point to live a life of integrity. In fact, I’ve never been caught up in a scandal or controversy–I’m an elite with a squeaky-clean track record.
Wait. That didn’t backfire on me and make me seem more suspicious, did it?
Even through his mask, I could tell he was trying to be playful which didn’t fail to put a smile on my face. I felt my nerves relax a bit.
AKIRA: Well, if we’re talking suspicious, that makes us two. And yet you treated me with kindness; I can’t tell you how glad I am that you did.
So if it’s no trouble at all… I think I’ll take you up on your offer. Thanks for having me.
FIGARO: You’re very welcome. First, let's head to the parking lot; I left my car there.
Oh, and how does sweets sound? We can buy some on our way back.
Following Figaro’s light footsteps, we headed toward the vortex of a busy intersection.
The city dazzled brightly at night. Its streets are filled with hustle and bustle as if it never knows sleep.
FIGARO: Here we are. Welcome to Vollmond Production, one of the leading agencies in the show business.
Well, what are you waiting for? Come on in.
AKIRA: T-Thank you. Wow, this office looks amazing…
Adorned with high ceilings and roomy leather sofas, the luxurious and spacious interior reminded me of a top-tier company you see in foreign films.
In one corner of the room, a pair of men were sitting on the sofas, flipping through some booklets as they chatted.
FIGARO: Hi there, Bradley… and Oz? I wasn’t expecting you here.
OZ: Tiletta sent me here to drop off some documents for the drama series we'll be filming soon.
BRADLEY: And I take it you’re back from the twins’ errand? Hey, what a real cutie you got there.
FIGARO: Their name’s Akira. They were lost, so I brought them here for the time being.
OZ: Akira…
AKIRA: G-Good evening. I'm sorry for dropping by unannounced…
OZ: I’m no longer affiliated with this agency, it’s no skin off my back.
AKIRA: (No longer?)
BRADLEY: Haha! Poor thing’s shaking like a newborn fawn. Who's gonna look after them, you?
FIGARO: That’s the plan since everyone else is out today and our CEOs are away on a business trip.
BRADLEY: You don't say.
The man called Bradley raised an eyebrow then inched closer as he placed his hands in his pockets.
He examines me with amusement in his appraising wine-red eyes.
The sweet, wild scent of perfume wafts through the air like a call of temptation.
BRADLEY: Heck, you look way more clueless than Riquet when he first came here.
Now I’m reluctant to leave you with Figaro and let him dye you in his color. How about I teach you the ropes instead? Sounds like a good deal, yeah?
AKIRA: W-Well…!
FIGARO: Come on, that’s enough. It’s not every day you get to find such a pure soul; I can’t have you influencing them to go delinquent.
Akira dear, wouldn’t you rather stick with someone kind and friendly like me than with someone intimidating?
BRADLEY: Eugh, drop the charming act.
Here's some friendly advice, Akira: I wouldn’t lower my guard around Figaro if I were you. He’s a man of many faces.
I’m dead set on bringing him to his knees through my craft–just you wait. You better be listening yourself, Oz, ‘cause you’re also on my target list.
OZ: I’d like to see you try.
FIGARO: Ever the hot-blooded actors, these two.
I think we’ve been through this before, Bradley. If you truly are that determined, what you should be doing next is to make a comeback into the action genre.
BRADLEY: Yeah, not happening. I’m steering clear of the genre until that runaway resurfaces for good.
Anyway, I’ll see you around, newbie.
Bradley scoops up the documents and script on the table and gently taps my head with it. He made his way to the entrance in long strides.
Not long after, I heard what I believe is a beeping sound for a notification.
FIGARO: Was that Arthur on the other line?
OZ: Correct. He called to let me know dinner will be ready soon.
FIGARO: You’re one lucky guy, you know that? Each day must be a novel and delightful experience for you when you’re living with a young boy like him.
That arrangement ought to turn that unbecoming frown of an actor upside down, right?
OZ: I will not change; if anyone is going to, it’s him.
FIGARO: If you say so. In any case, I’m glad to know you two are hitting it off well. You know, considering how reluctant you were prior to your transfer.
OZ: …I’ve done my part here; I’m leaving.
Make sure you hand the documents to the twins when they come back.
FIGARO: And there he goes. Talk about standoffish.
AKIRA: If you don’t mind me asking… The man who left just now, is he not a talent of this agency?
FIGARO: Well, he was until recently–but not anymore. That said, he comes here every now and then, so you’ll probably be seeing more of him.
Anyway, that's enough introductions for today, don't you think? You should go get some rest now.
The guest room is at the end of the hall and the shower room is that way. Feel free to use both.
I’ll put the sweets we bought in the fridge. Eat them if you feel hungry.
…That reminds me, you don’t have a phone, do you?
AKIRA: No, I don’t seem to have one on my person…
FIGARO: Here, I’ll let you borrow my spare.
Figaro handed me a smartphone that looked shiny and brand new as if it’s never been used.
When I turned it on, a wallpaper of an intersection with cherry blossom in full bloom and the moon hanging in the sky was shown on the screen.
AKIRA: (Oh, this is the area I saw earlier. The moon looks strikingly huge here…)
