21 Chapter 19 Xenogears Audio
[3rd Person POV]
Ven booked a flight to Japan and went to stay there for a few days to oversee the Voice Acting and Music for the game. He wanted to ensure mostly that the music would be very close to the one he remembers.
He stayed in the Ritz-Carlton, one of the most expensive hotels in Tokyo.
In the next few days, he coordinated with Squaresoft and was there to oversee the hiring of Voice Actors and Musicians for the game. The company coordinated with animation companies to check for available voice actors. Ven also checked the list and even newbies in the industry and even met a lot of people who were popular voice actors in his original world.
He held voice acting auditions for a few days which caused a lot of buzz in the local news there. Since entertainment wasn't as developed in this world, a lot of titles from his world, never existed in this one. So he had to open that new door for them.
After a couple of days,most of the japanese voice acting team was selected. Ven figured he would also need to select a team for the english localization one when he gets back to the states.
One of his current problems was the missing singer for the main theme song. Well he found her but in this world, she was still in pre-school. So he needed a replacement.
He went to Tokyo University to see if he can scout some new talent or potentials.
----
As he was on his way to Tokyo University, he passed by parks and popular areas as well and found a particularly crowded area where music students often do some busking.
He stepped closer to the area with a crowd and saw a young singer in the middle of her song. Ven was surprised because in his old world, this young singer was a world renowned pop star. But here, she was still starting out from the looks of it.
Ven chose to stay for a bit and listen further. Maybe he can use her instead for the main theme. So Ven waited for her to finish and the crowds to disperse before approaching her.
"Sumimasen!"
"Hai?"
"Hello there, you have a really lovely voice. May I ask if you are intending to be or already a professional singer??" Asked Ven.
"Oh um....Not yet. But I intend to! Right now I'm just busking to get donations and get some confidence and practice at the same time. But I haven't signed with any companies just yet." The singer told him. "I used to be a vocalist of an indie band but it didn't work out so I moved here to Tokyo."
"Oh okay. Since you aren't signed yet, by any chance are you interested in singing for a video game? Here's my card by the way." Ven proceeds to hand her a calling card as he knew this was a norm here in japan when introducing one's self with the intention of talking business. "I'm in the process of developing a game and still looking for a person to sing the theme song of the game. I thought you had a very lovely voice and was wondering if you would be open to be our singer for the game."
The singer was surprised and excited since she was waiting for an opportunity for her debut as well. She accepted the card and immediately replied." YES! I-I mean yes! I'm very interested!"
"That's great! Since you look like you're done here, maybe you can join me and head to Squaresoft later after having a light meal with me? I know you must be tired and we can talk while you eat and tell me a bit about yourself."
Ven never reached his original destination and got side tracked but it was totally worth it.
After that they proceeded to go to a nearby cafe where Ven treated her to a meal and some coffee while she proceeded to tell him a bit about her background and her aspirations. Afterwards they got a ride to head to Squaresoft's tokyo office and had the upper management there come with them to do a trial with her as the singer in the recording booth.
The song was still the original song in the game so it wasn't exactly the style of the singer, but this could potentially launch her career so she accepted it immediately.
As the upper management and Ven were in the control room of the recording booth, the singer was doing her best to do her approach on the main theme after learning of it for a bit. They let her get used to the song first then did a proper full recording.
Everyone was speechless with how good the singer was. They didn't think Ven would only be gone for a little bit and come back with an extremely talented singer in tow. Ven asked for their honest opinions but all he got were all praises. It seemed like they all had no problems making her the main theme singer.
After that Ven proceeded to have them make a proper contract for her. But he proceeded to negotiate with the singer and asked her if she was willing to sing for future projects as well, whether or not the game sold.
The singer was extremely elated as this was a break she needed to get her started.
Ven then proceeded to get all the paper work done so she would completely be good to go and start her work in the next few days.
After they completed all the paper work, Ven talked to her a bit more.
"You know, if you were interested, you can also give voice acting a shot here. Maybe you never considered it as a career but just in case you wanted to try, we have a list of available characters in our game that still does not have a voice actor and you can give it a shot for fun." Ven suggested.
"But I never tried that before. I'm honestly not certain I can do that, but if its a minor character with short lines, it might be fun to try as well." She replied happily.
"That's wonderful! I'll let my people know so they can arrange something after the recording for the main theme is done." Ven said simpy with a smile.
As everything was taken care of by the staff, all that was left was to start recording in the next few days so it was time for the singer to go home for now.
"T-Thank you for giving me this opportunity! I won't let you down Sir!"
"Glad to hear it! Just call me Ven."
"Oribe, Risa desu! Pleasure working with you!"
"I'm looking forward to your future!" Ven smiled.
-----
Later in the evening, after having some very good tasting Ramen nearby, Ven bought some snacks including some onigiri and takoyaki, As he was walking leisurely, he saw a kid on the side walk who looked like he was starving.
Ven approached the kid and asked since he was already full.
"Ne, little kid, you hungry?" Ven said as he offered his small plastic of snacks.
The kid looked hopeful and asked "I-is it okay?"
"Dozo dozo!"
The kid then proceeded to eat while tearing up a bit since it was a while since he last ate. The kid had recently lost his grandfather and he didn't want to be thrown into am orphanage so he simply hid his grandfathers notes and documents in his bag and ran away.
He then stayed in the streets here and there till he eventually met Ven.
For some reason, Ven was drawn to the boy and thought he was pitiful so he offered some food. After telling Ven of his story, he told Ven he didn't really have a plan so he was only living day to day and was severely hungry.
Ven thought that the kid reminded him of himself long ago. While he was still having a hard time recalling his identity, he knew he also felt what it was like to really be hungry and worry about your next meal. And this was but a boy. Too young to be stuck in the streets homeless. So he did something that was un-characteristic of him. He offered to take him in. Not to adopt him, but maybe to hire him. Do some odd jobs or something. So he can earn a bit and get proper food and shelter.
He knew he wasn't the responsible type nor the parent type being an alien symbiote not even from this world. At least he knew he wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility. So he chose to have the kid follow him back and set up a way for him to stay somewhere.
In the end, he got a few of his employees to look after him and obtain legal guardianship of him in his place. They would house him in an apartment and occasionally look into him and see if he was doing well. Also providing regular food and daily expenses. In return, once the boy comes of legal working age, he would eventually work for Ven. For now he will go back to school.
The kid was very grateful that he no longer has to sleep on the streets and can eat again. He thanked Ven profusely and promised himself that someday he will properly work for him and repay him for this huge favor of saving his life.
At first Ven thought this was something that wasn't going to pan out or bring him anything but he didn't care since he just wanted to help the kid that reminded him a bit of himself. That was until the kid told him his full name.
Hiro Okamura
Ven inadvertently changed the fate of the young Toyman.
