Chapter Text
As the final bell rings students flood out of their classes and out to the courtyard, this is the most eventful part of the day because unlike normal schools classes at Miyamizaka finish at only one-thirty and from then, extra-curricular activities are on until four. This also means the classes are really intense and we don’t get massive breaks, even lunch is only forty-five minutes.
But it’s all worth it because with two hours and thirty minutes you can get a ton done. Well, it was a ton, I did track for an hour, performing arts for an hour and I studied for the last thirty minutes. Until Performing arts took over everything.
Two hours and thirty minutes, previously productive uses of my time slowly devoted all to performing.
Fucking sucks.
But it’ll be over soon.
Emu accompanies (follows) me to the gymnasium, aka, where the performing arts and whatnot take place. She’s skipping and humming, she tried to link arms with me earlier but I got her off.
Now she’s talking my ear off as she does all too frequently.
“Tsukasa-kun, did you know more kids from other schools are coming from two other schools for this performance? One of them got the lead as your co-star! I’ve not met her but she must be really pretty to be your co-star!”
Emu smiles clumsily, as if that masks how shallow that statement is. She’s likely just jealous she’s not half as pretty enough to ever get a lead.
One thing at Miyamizaka is how obvious looks are half the role for casting.
First we get the script and planning from the writing committee, which means, yes, instead of being generic they let their actual students write the scripts. A group of five students minimum show their script, then the performers pick which they like most and then the teachers review or censor some parts.
After that the teachers pick a few students for each role based on their acting ability, and then the five students watch the auditions and get to pick who they want for each role.
Being that these are high schoolers who committed hours on hours to making a good script, I don’t think it’s to anyone’s surprise everyone who gets the role is at least pretty. If not my levels of visually pleasing.
Honestly it’s a little shocking how speedy the production is for the process. Two weeks to pick the scripts, barely a week max to pick roles, another two weeks to practice. And then exhibition weekend.
Barely over a month, but everyone crams like it’s finals. Also with the fact so much of the academics are basically optional at this point, the school got it done. And they did it excellently.
So far I’ve performed in two of the productions, this would be my third one so far. In my first I was an important side character, and then I played the lead.
I suppose that’s what put me off it, the excessive commitment that comes with main man. Not only did I not even audition for the main role this time around, but a barely present side role! And they still forced me into the main role. The audacity to assume I have nothing better to do is outright rude.
“Tsukasa-kun? Yoo-hoo, you there?”
Emu forces me out my trance as we begin to approach the gymnasium.
“Ah, of course sorry Emu. I zoned out there!”
She giggles, brushing my shoulder ever so slightly, “Ooo! What were you thinking about then?”
For a moment I want to tell her it’s none of her business. But I don’t, I’m better than that.
“Just how nice your makeup looks, you bought new eyeshadow and lipgloss, no?”
Her eyes widen as a faint blush spreads on her cheeks, “H- hehe… Tsukasa-kun is so observant..~”
She smiles so hopefully that it makes me laugh. But of course, she doesn’t know I’m mocking her.
She’s laughing with me.
Like a fucking idiot.
Emu Otori is an idiot, in ever sense of the word. She’s blissful, ignorant and selective about what she wants to believe.
She doesn’t see the only reason Minori said hi this morning is so she can use her brand new lipgloss that Minori herself has been talking about for at least a week.
She doesn’t see me laughing at her poor attempts to apply makeup, nor mocking her stupid short bob or how small her tits are compared to other girls.
Of course she doesn’t, she’s stupid and she only sees what she wants to.
But hey, I have my own reasons for entertaining her. And so long as she’s stupid enough to not realise that, I’m in the clear.
As we enter the gymnasium the overwhelming sound of chatter from near a hundred students overwhelms the atmosphere. All in their own circles and groups doing their own practice and revision, some practicing script, some practicing a dance routine, a few singing, a whole lot playing instruments and lastly, the directors and writers.
There must be around six people in that group of directors, perhaps someone from the other schools Emu mentioned got to jump in because there’s one too many in that group.
As soon as Emu’s eyes land on her posse of “accrobatic” dancers, she waves to me and is swiftly off, Already unbuttoning her school shirt with her leotard under it. Honestly, I might’ve been interested if that leotard wasn’t under it.
But unfortunately I don’t have much time to dwell on that thought before my least favourite part of performing arts commences.,
The reason this ‘hobby’ takes up all my time.
A short girl walks up to me and gives me a shy smile, a blush creeping up on her face as she prepares to ask me whatever, “U- uhm, Tenma-kun, we need someone to play the piano piece so we can practice our dance..”
As if she can’t just get the recorded piece, “Sorry Meri-chan, I can’t right now I need to ask the teacher something.”
“But Tenma-kun—”
“Sorry.”
I get out of the conversation with a few long strides as I attempt my way towards the other end of the gym, where the adults reside. No, not as in the eighteen year olds although they’re pretty close, but the main drama teacher, the one on the top of the pedestal above the acting coaches that help all the students they can manage in two and a half hours.
That woman is the one who manages the registrations and the deregistrations, that’s who I need to speak with.
But unlucky me, that’s not going to be as easy as it sounds.
As I’m walking a first year boy comes up to me with an awfully hopeful look on his face,
“Hey Tsukasa-san, can you rehearse with us today? You’re really the only one who really gets the lines...”
I ignore his bashfulness and respond with a polite, “Sorry, not right now Akina-san, I need to talk to the teacher about something.”
The boy raised an eyebrow and gave me a confused look, “Like what? Sachi-sensei is right over there y’know?”
My previous smile slowly dulls into something with a twinge of annoyance, “Well I’m actually looking for the head to discuss a few things.”
I try to be polite, well, sound polite.
He tries to stop me for another sentence but I swiftly move past him, continuing towards my goal.
Until I’m stopped again.
“Tenma-san! Can you come over here to the writers circle, we have something to ask you!”
My fist clenches at the sound of my name on a tongue I don’t want to hear it on. But I still turn around and look at the guy a little taller than me standing in front of me, I’m not familiar with him so he’s likely a second year.
“Well, my name’s Taoki Yuka, but you can call me Taoki-senpai if you’d like.” So he is a second year, albeit a egoistic one, the gall he has to ask me to call him senpai. I don’t even know him.
“Can you come with me Tenma-san? I’d like to introduce you to the rest of the writing committee.” He asks gleefully, I want to say no so badly.
“You are our leading man after all.”
He turns around and begins to traverse the multitude of students towards the corner all the writers are at, and I follow along in suit. Just as expected.
I don’t like being predictable, but I have an irrational gut feeling I shouldn’t palm this guy off.
“So Tenma,” he abruptly slows down his pace to walk in stride with me. “You probably notice we didn’t let you have the side role you wanted.”
He smirks before waving his hand, “Well, our main director insisted on having you in the lead. Not only that, but he wanted to meet you.”
I raise an eyebrow and reply without thinking, “So why didn’t he ask me?” an awfully reactive response, I didn’t think it through very well as that could possibly be perceived as rude or unthoughtful. I’ll need to approach this with more caution, I don’t know this person after all.
“Well let’s just say he’s shy. He’s not the flashiest but certainly the sharpest tool in the shed, y’know?”
‘But the sharpest tool is supposed to be the flashiest tool, is that not the point of the metaphor?’
“I see, well, I’m honoured he wanted to meet me nonetheless.” I make sure to turn on my charm along with it, now’s not the time to be a smartass.
Someone wanted to meet me, someone went outside their comfort zone for the soul sake of asking me. My reputation is exceeding the lengths I wanted it to touch.
I can’t let my irritation fumble this now.
“Also, I assume you’ve not met your co-star yet.”
“Wow, how’d you guess Taoki-san?”
“Well, the girl chosen was more or less specially pitched by our lead director. She’s a shy girl, but I’ve got to admit, she’s pretty and she’s a great actor. Just a little… Quiet, y’know?”
‘Great, she’s a fucking mute.’
“Ah, I see. Nevertheless I like to believe I can work with most people!” I proudly throw a hand to my chest as he chuckles, “Pfft, I can see why he sought you out.”
I give a charming smile up at him that’s faker than that skincare scam everyone falls for. This guy is probably some kind of weirdo, honestly, forcing your friend to talk to someone for you? How fucking shameless do people get?
Not only that but he specially chose a fucking mute to work alongside me? Really? This girl better be hot, Taoki said she’s pretty but he better be undermining it. I’m thinking… big tits and nice lips, and I pray she's not one of those quiet submissive shy girls. God, please may she have a personality.
“Actually I think he went to go get her so you should be able to meet her now.”
I smile at the thought, please may she be pretty, Well I mean my little sister is the standard, she’s a very pretty girl, a good standard of how pretty girls should look.
“Yo guys! The star is here!”
A bunch of students in a circle look at me with surprised faces, the most surprised by far a disheveled boy with purple hair and an unfamiliar uniform.
“So this is Rui, our director I was telling you about!” Taoki says gesturing towards the dirty looking purple haired boy, I want to wrinkle my nose in absolute disgust but I turn up my charm and introduce myself to the lot.
“Hello! I’m Tenma Tsukasa, I’m looking forward to working with you all!”
They smile and introduce themselves and their ‘roles’ in the group, I catch a few names and descriptions but my focus kicks in when the purple haired boy begins to speak.
“My name’s Kamishiro Rui, it’s a pleasure to work with you too, Tsukasa-san.”
‘That’s a rather quick move to first name basis.’
I nod and then the group goes awkwardly silent as a short green haired girl speaks up, “I- I’m Kusanagi.. Nene, uhm, I’m your co-star… G- good to work with you…”
Well, you know what, at least she has nice looking lips. Tits? Not so much.
“It’s nice to meet you, Kusanagi-san.” I say with a gentler smile that makes the Kusanagi’s cheek go bright pink.
They all look at me with pleased expressions as I glance at Taoki, “Well, I heard you needed something from me? Review something, instruct something..?”
Taoki chuckled before grinning lazily at me, “Well actually, we just wanted to get you acquainted with miss co-star. She’s not great at approaching people, let alone people with your level of status y’know?”
I almost grit my teeth, I’m so close to just walking away and quitting this shit. But I can’t, not yet, just a little more entertaining this lot.
“Oh, I see, well, we’re all acquainted now!” I give it a little chuckle on the side, but nobody reciprocates. Instead they all turn to the short green haired Kusanagi Nene who looks like she has something she desperately wants to say.
But obviously Taoki just has to say it first because he just can’t let anyone speak can he?
“Well we were hoping you two could spend some time together, obviously just so you have better chemistry on stage. Usually the co-stars are at least acquainted before the performance but you two don’t go to the same school.”
They all look at me expectantly and I process what they’re trying to ask me.
I’m supposed to walk around with a girl I’ve never met, that isn’t remotely at my standard of attractiveness—but also ruins my entire plan of quitting performance arts because quitting after making a whole entire commitment like this ruins everything!
Well I’ll be fucked, absolutely not?
“I’m sorry, I was actually heading to discuss something important with the head teacher just now and I can’t afford another detour. It’s very important.”
I look into Kusanagi’s eyes, deep, I can see the expected disappointment in her eyes, as if she knew exactly what I was about to say.
“So I can’t chat now,” I look at Kamishiro, I can see the pathetic hurt on his face, expecting too much from someone he’s just met.
“But I’m sure we’ll talk a
I smile, but it’s not as fake as my usual one. I’ll admit, it does bring me quite a lot of pleasure to see such a disappointed look on the face of people who have taken far too much of my time up. Almost as much pleasure as my magazine collection.
Still, as I look at Kusanagi’s growing disappointment as her posture slumps and her eyes look down instead of up, and her peach coloured pink lips, I feel a small tiny pull. Almost akin to the pinch I get whenever Emu gets too close to me. Nene has very nice facial features, they don’t make up for the lack of chest but it’s there.
Combined with her quiet, I just know she'll be useful. So against my plan and more rational self, I utter out the words that ruin the entire operation.
“Especially you, Kusanagi-san.”
In a fraction of a second her downcast eyes snap to my face and a full second later her cheeks are bright pink, same colour as her lips.
It’s cute.
But not cuter than the full face disappointment on the boy sitting next to her, poor Kamishiro just looks devastated at his friend's special treatment. I know girls love special treatment, likewise, it drives them to unimaginable jealousy.
But I’ve never seen that look on a boy. Kamishiro is definitely different from other boys in that case, but I have to admit. It’s cute in its patheticness, exhibiting such a female trait, I don’t know whether to call it interesting or outright pathetic.
Still, I need to go accomplish my main goal, unfortunately I won’t get any more opportunities to entertain this interesting situation considering I’m quitting the club today, but still, perhaps Kusanagi's curious interest—or what appears to be Kamishiro’s desperation, will let me play with this a little more.