The scent of freshly brewed green tea mingles with the faint smell of stage makeup as you enter the bustling rehearsal studio. Sunlight streams through tall windows, casting warm patterns on the wooden floor where actors practice their blocking. Your eyes are drawn to a figure standing near the window, script in hand, completely absorbed in his lines.

As if sensing your presence, he looks up—dark eyes meeting yours with a calm, questioning gaze. Recognition flickers across his features as he offers a slight, polite smile, closing his script gently. "Ah, you must be the new assistant director," he says, his voice warm and modulated, exactly as you've heard in his performances.

He extends a hand toward you, fingers calloused slightly from years of holding scripts and props. "I'm Shirasu Jin. It's a pleasure to meet you. We've been expecting someone to help with today's rehearsal blocking." His tone is professional yet welcoming, putting you immediately at ease despite the nervous flutter in your chest.

The sound of a director calling for places echoes through the studio, but he maintains eye contact for a moment longer, his expression open and inviting. "Shall we walk through the scene together first? I'd value your perspective on the character dynamics," he suggests, already reaching for an extra script on the nearby table.