Chapter 23 Planing Stages

No one's POV

It's now later in the night, and after Nhazul and Chizuru have decided to make a movie for the film festival together so that Sayuri can see it. Chizuru was in her bathroom taking a bathroom, unable to stop herself from thinking back to earlier.

(Flashback)

Chizuru: Can you really do it...? I don't want to waste what ever time I have left... I want a definitive answer... So please... Tell me... Can you-

Nhazul: I can. I swear.

Hearing this, Chizuru would look at Nhazul shocked, before tears would begin streaming down her face.

Chizuru: Then... Please... Let me star in your movie... So my grandma can see it...

Hearing her say this, Nhazul would smile before placing his hand on Chizuru's head.

Nhazul: Of course.

(Present)

Suddenly, Chizuru's eyes would widen, holding her face began to blush intensely.

Chizuru: What kind of face was I making then...?

As Chizuru would continue to blush, she would think about Nhazul.

Chizuru: Damn it... That idiot...

(Timeskip)

It's now been a few days since Nhazul and Chizuru to make a movie and currently the two were meeting up at their balcony to discuss. As the two would speak, Chizuru would look surprised to hear Nhazul hadn't launched the project yet.

Chizuru: Huh?! You haven't launched the project yet?

Nhazul: No, not yet. There's still a lot we need to go over.

Chizuru: I see. Thinks like what?

Nhazul: Well, for starters, your name.

Chizuru: My name? What about it?

Nhazul; You use your real last name, "Ichinose"as your stage name. Wouldn't that be a bit risky? Someone from the college could recognize you.

Chizuru: It's not like they'll find out about the rental job. For everything else, my friends will overlook it if I apologize. I was prepared fir this moment when I chose to use my real name in acting. If I act in a movie, I don't care who talks behind my back at college.

Hearing this, Nhazul would just chuckle as he leans on the rail.

Nhazul: I see. This is your dream after all.

Chizuru: Yeah. So don't get too worked up about it. I'm expecting a lot from you, Producer.

Nhazul: What else is new?

Chizuru would just pout at Nhazul annoyed, before speaking up again.

Chizuru: By the way, I asked by agency, and they gave me the okay.

Nhazul: Good to hear. Speaking of which, I need you to send me some of your snapshots so I can put it on the page.

Chizuru: Got it. I'll let my manager know.

Nhazul: Right. Next up is-

???: Pause right there. Hey, you two.

Upon hearing the new voice coming from behind Nhazul, the two would look back surprised seeing a arm waving at them, before seeing what looked to be a girl with black hair and blue highlights.

???: I've been hearing you talk a lot lately. If you need to talk so much, could you do it in your rooms?

Nhazul's thoughts: The hell?

???: It's hard for me to focus on work like this. Besides, if you're having clandestine meetings on your balconies, if you're going to be that lovey dovey, why don't you two just start dating?

Nhazul: Huh?!

Nhazul would have a faint blush on his face and look surprised, as Chizuru wouldn't say anything, as she would simply blushed.

Nhazul's thoughts: Who is this girl? 202 is supposed to be unoccupied.

???: Wait, are you a couple already?

Nhazul: The hell are you talking about?

???: Anyway, I said my piece. I don't want any neighbor trouble, you know?

As neighbor 202 went back into her apartment, feeling awkward tension, Chizuru goes back inside and stating they should avoid having balcony meetings for a while, to which Nhazul would agree with.

(Timeskip)

It's currently the next day and while was on his phone getting ready to head home, he would see the neighbor girl, surprising him.

Nhazul's thoughts: Huh? She's goes to this college?!

The girl would look and notice Nhazul, surprising her as well.

???: Huh! It's you! You go to Nerima U too, neighbor? What year?

Nhazul: Second year.

???: So you're an upperclassman?! What a coincidence!

Nhazul: Yeah...

???: Well, I'm Mini Yaemori and I'm a first year! Nice to meetcha!

Nhazul: Uh huh... Nhazul...

Nhazul's thoughts: She's awfully friendly...

Nhazul: Given last night, I thought you'd be angry or something.

Mini: Oh, that was just me making my position clear.

Nhazul: Your what?

Mini: You gotta put your foot down when dealing with an annoying neighbor. I saw it on WeTube.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Annoying...?

Mini: But that attitude won't fly with an upperclassman! I'm terribly sorry for being so rude!

Mini said bowing to Nhazul for forgiveness.

Nhazul: There's no need to boy your head to me.

Nhazul's thoughts: Surprisingly polite too. There's definitely a drawback somewhere...

Mini's friend wonders if he knows him and just as Mini starts to explain that he is her neighbor, Nhazul imagines a situation where she tells everyone that he is talking with a beautiful girl on the balcony and that becomes a problem. He interrupts Mini, wanting to talk with her privately.

Zane and Sai meet in class. Sai wonders where is Nhazul and Zane states he has no clue. Sai feels something is up as Nhazul have been going straight home lately. Zane agrees, recalling that Nhazul is always looking at his computer, even during lunch breaks. Mami overhears their talk.

Mami: ...

Elsewhere back with Nhazul, he asks Mini to keep his balcony meetings a secret.

Mini: Keep it a secret? Why?

Nhazul: Because you shouldn't go meddling in people's relationships when you know nothing about what's going on.

Mini: Oh! So you do have a thing for her!

Without warning, Nhazul would simply chop Mini's head.

Mini: Ow!

Nhazul: ...-_-...What did I just say...?

Mini: You are right. I'd be just if someone joked about my special relationship, too. I'm sorry.

Nhazul's thoughts: Feels like we're talking about two different things, but at least she gets it.

Mini: I have someone really important to me too.

Nhazul: Oh?

Mini world then show Nhazul a picture of a diva, Niikaze Mei from Billion Live, a character from a Gacha Game.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Yep, two completely different things...

Mini states she was recently into another diva, but had changed her mind, and promises that she won't get in his way.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... This girl is definitely a Zoomer...

(Timeskip)

Back at home, Nhazul struggles to think of what to write for the project's description. He saw in the other projects, people talk about their dreams and what led them to crowdfunding, but he can't write about Chizuru's grandmother without Chizuru's permission, and can't call Chizuru on the balcony to talk. As he continues to think, he then receives a message, which is from Chizuru, asking him if she can come over, surprising him.

Nhazul's thoughts: Huh? How did she...?

Nhazul would soon remember that the two of them were in a group chat together from their friends when they went drinking before.

Nhazul: Ah, I forgot about that...

As Nhazul would pick up his phone, he'd text her back and within a few minutes, the doorbell rings and Nhazul opened the door to see Chizuru.

Chizuru: Evening...

Nhazul: Yo.

As Nhazul would let Chizuru inside, he would walk in after her.

Chizuru: Sorry to snow up so late. I wanted to talk earlier, but I was busy all afternoon. Am I being a bother...?

Nhazul: It's fine.

Chizuru: I see...

As Nhazul would look at Chizuru, she would soon look back at him annoyed and blushing.

Chizuru: D-Don't get the wrong idea!

Nhazul: Huh?

Chizuru: I'm not here to get lovey dovey with you! I'm just here cause you say you'll essentially make a movie for me, and I'd feel bad doing nothing!

Nhazul would just raise a brow looking at Chizuru confused.

Nhazul: ...-_-... Uh huh...

Chizuru wouldn't say anything else, looking away blushing and embarrassed, as Nhazul would just sigh.

Nhazul's thoughts: Is she still flustered from last night?

Chizuru: We hadn't finished talking about the crowdfunding project either, and I thought we'd better make some progress and soon. And that girl's got a point, too. Talking on a balcony would be a nuisance,

and we can't very well spend money at diner when we're trying to raise funds. So let's begin our meeting, shall we?

Chizuru said as she would sit down and tie up her head.

Nhazul would soon sigh, walking to his fridge and grabbed two cans of soda, before walking back and sitting next to her.

Nhazul: Alright with soda?

Chizuru: Yeah....

Nhazul: Alright, let's start with our funding goal. Originally, I intended it to be a flat 2 million Yen, but after some thinking, I decided 1.82 million would be the best outcome.

Hearing this, Chizuru would look at him surprised.

Chizuru: 1.82 million? Is that enough?

Nhazul: While brainstorming, I was in the mindset of making something around 2 hours like I did before, but that was when I had access to filming equipment when I was in my Video Production class in high school. Realistically, our runtime goal should be 60 to 90 minutes long.

The film festival is in 2 months, so assuming we shoot for a week, the renting of the equipment we need will be around 350,000 Yen. Transportation will cost 40,000 a day, so multiply that by 7 would bring us to 280,000. I already have a script in mind from, but it'll definitely need to be revised.

So the budget for hiring someone to help with that I'm limiting to 50,000. Payment for the actors will be around 420,000. Another 50,000 for location fees depending on where we manage to get, along with additional staff if we need it, would be 170,000. I still have access to my editing software and can handle editing, so we can save some cost there. Taking all that into account, 1.82 million will be more then enough, with money to spare for any unforeseen issues.

After explaining it all, Chizuru would look at Nhazul astonished from how much thought and precise calculation he's made for everything.

Chizuru's thoughts: Amazing... So this is difficult and stressful this side is... Despite never mentioning it, he's been working hard to fulfill his goal as well...

Chizuru: ...

Noticing how quiet Chizuru being, Nhazul would look over at her.

Nhazul: What's wrong? Was I going to fast?

Chizuru: N-No... It's nothing....

Nhazul: Alright then... What do you think?

Chizuru: I think it's a fair budget. By the way, I just sent you the photos you asked for.

Nhazul: Good. I can add them on in a bit.

Chizuru: Is this all for the budget?

Nhazul: For the most part. But there are a few things that are still up in the air. One being your pay.

Chizuru: I don't need any. This whole movie is for me after all.

Nhazul: No can do. I made an offer to you, an actress. Let's not forget that. Besides. This isn't just for your dream. I intend on being a Directer one day. And doing well in this film festival will be a stepping stone for that. I won't cut corners when it comes things.

As Nhazul said that, Chizuru would look at him, before looking away.

Chizuru: Well, it's all hypothetical until we actually secure that funding. We can talk about it once we do.

Nhazul: Right.

Chizuru would look at Nhazul's laptop and then sees a section about Rewards and wonders what it is. Nhazul explains its the rewards the backers will receive based on the tier of their support, and they should make the rewards desirable. Nhazul also states that he wants to talk about Chizuru and her grandmother in the project description and Chizuru agrees, much to his surprise.

Nhazul: Really?

Chizuru: I'll tell her myself.

Nhazul: And you're sure you're alright with that?

Chizuru: Is that surprising?

Nhazul: Well given you, I figured you didn't want it to sound like a sob story.

Chizuru: Well, I'm having you essentially make a whole movie for me. It wouldn't be fair if I sat here and no-no'd this and that. All I care about is my dream coming true. I won't ask for anything else.

Nhazul would look towards Chizuru and just simply give her a small smile.

Nhazul: I see.

Suddenly, Nhazul's stomach would rumble, surprising Chizuru.

Chizuru: What, you haven't eaten dinner?

Nhazul: No, I haven't gone out to get anything yet.

Chizuru: Can I take a look into your fridge?

Hearing this, Nhazul looked at Chizuru confused.

Nhazul: Huh? Why?

Chizuru: Why do you think? I'll make you something to eat.

Hearing this would surprise Nhazul, as Chizuru would get up to go look into his fridge, however Nhazul would speak up stopping her.

Nhazul: I appreciate it, but there's not really much in there. I haven't gone to the store this week yet.

Hearing this, Chizuru would just look at Nhazul and pout.

Chizuru: Sheesh. At least keep some eggs and milk on hand.

Nhazul: ...-_-... I just said I need to go to store.

Chizuru would just roll her eyes, slipping her shoes back on.

Chizuru: Let me go see what's in my fridge.

Much to Nhazul's surprise, Chizuru goes to her

apartment and takes some ingredients and prepares omelet rice.

Chizuru: I can't promise it's good... But don't get the wrong idea. I-I don't mean anything by this... It's just I'd feel responsible if you got sick because you're not eating right....

Nhazul: Uh huh... Well, thanks for the food.

As Nhazul then starts eating, he would look surprised by how good it was.

Nhazul's thoughts: Wow, I'm not really an omelet rice lover, but this is really good.

As Nhazul would take another bite, seeing him eating and saying nothing, would cause Chizuru to pout.

Chizuru; Come on...

Nhazul: Huh?

Chizuru: At least tell me what you think...

Nhazul: Oh, sorry. It's great. Really good actually.

Chizuru: That so? Thanks.

Nhazul: No, I should thank you.

Chizuru: Well, it's getting late. I should go.

Nhazul: Oh, sure. And thanks for the help today. We definitely made some progress.

Chizuru wouldn't say anything and looked away blushing.

Chizuru: Don't be silly. I won't make you do everything by yourself. But I'll leave your expertise side to you.

Nhazul: Right.

As Nhazul walks Chizuru to the door, she opens the door to leave, but she and Nhazul are surprised to see Ruka standing outside, who looked at them just as shocked.

Nhazul's thoughts: ...-_-... Oh you have got to be kidding me...