"Everyone, since we need to summarize the story of Romeo and Juliet, I made a script that contains the most important scenes. I also made a few adjustments for better understanding… especially for someone who will definitely struggle to comprehend it."
"Why are you looking at me, Ryuichi?" — I said.
Right now, we're preparing for our theatrical presentation, and Ryuichi has basically become our director. He even got himself a beret to look the part.
But honestly, I'm grateful he wrote the script, because I was struggling to understand the story.
"Now, let's practice your acting skills. We'll start with the scene where Romeo meets Juliet for the first time at the masquerade party."
Since we're allowed to read while acting for now, this shouldn't be too hard.
"As a way for Romeo to heal his broken heart, his friends encouraged him to attend the masquerade party organized by the rival family. There, he might find his true love. Meanwhile, Juliet, the daughter of the rival family, meets the man who wishes to marry her—but she knows he isn't the one..." — Tachibana Himari, our narrator.
While Tachibana-san read the narration, the rest of us acted out the scene.
"...But then, as fate had written, Romeo and Juliet met each other." — Tachibana-san continued.
"E-excuse me, would you dance with me?" — …Crap, I stuttered.
"Of course, the honor will be all mine." — Ayame-san, our Juliet.
Man… I'm so nervous right now. Dancing this close to her is already intense, not to mention the pressure of acting properly.
"Okay, let's stop here for now." — said Ryuichi. — "As you can see, most of the play will be narrated while the actors move according to the script. That way, we can explain the story despite our short time."
"Yeah! I think that's a great idea. It's really easy to understand too—I like it." — Tachibana-san said.
"As for the actors, the ones with the most lines are, of course, Romeo and Juliet." — Then Ryuichi start evaluate us. — "Both of you have the most crucial roles. Edomae-san, you're doing fine so far. But Tomoki, in your case, you need to practice more."
"Yeah, I agree with you." — I admitted.
"Fufu~ Tomoki-kun, you can ask me to practice with you anytime." — Ayame-san said.
"Thanks, Ayame-san. I'll definitely need that."
"Well, there's still some time, and I know you've got what it takes to succeed. But time flies fast, so let's keep practicing." — said Ryuichi, fully embracing his director role.
We started rehearsing all the key scenes Ryuichi picked out: the family brawl, the masquerade party, the iconic balcony confession, and finally, the tragic ending.
As for the smaller details that connect each scene, we'll practice those another day. The main reason? I need to say my lines flawlessly in those big moments—and right now, that's not happening.
After practice, Ryuichi even apologized for being too harsh on me. But I don't mind; I know he's just trying to make the play a success. And honestly, I made a lot of mistakes.
Let me show you some examples.
♦♦♦ The Balcony Scene ♦♦♦
"Oh Romeo, why must you be you? I wish you weren't a Montague… but if you say you love me, I'll cast away my name and be all yours." — Ayame-san, as Juliet.
Now it's my turn.
"Oh Juliet, if it's for you I'll… wait, I mean... if you love me, then I'll never be the Romu."
"Romeo." — Ayame-san corrected me.
♦♦♦ The Death Scene ♦♦♦
"... when Romeo saw his beloved's corpse, he couldn't accept her death and decided to do the unthinkable." — Tachibana-san, the narrator.
"Oh Juliet, death took you but couldn't steal your beauty! How is that possible? … Just a minute... he must have been enticed by your soul and kept you as his lover in this tomb!"
"Pfft." — I could see Juliet's 'dead body' shaking from laughter.
"I hope this drug is fast to bring me to you. Thus, I end with a kiss." — Finally, it's over.
"Read the script, Tomoki." — said Ryuichi, the director.
"…I hope to meet you soon. With this divine poison! I'll definitely be by your side forever! Then, let me end with a kiss, Juliet!" — I think I sounded like a villain now.
"Pfft— sorry, sorry." — said Juliet, miraculously resurrected by laughter.
"This is gonna take a while…" — Ryuichi sighed.
♦♦♦
And that's how it went.
Even I admit—I was terrible.
"Okay everyone, that's all for today. We did amazing work! See you tomorrow!" — Ryuichi dismissed the group.
"Goodbye, director! Love your hat!" — one classmate shouted.
"Awesome hat, see you later, Satou-san!" — another added.
After most of our classmates left, I walked over to Ryuichi.
"You really took this director thing seriously. I thought you'd act too." — I said.
"I'll act too." — he replied.
"You? But you're already managing the whole cast!"
"At least someone needs to play Juliet's fiancé. I'll take that role."
"If you say so… well, I'm heading out. See ya!"
"Tomoki, are you free this weekend? Want to hang out at my place? My parents want to meet you."
"Sure, I'll go. Can you invite Ayame-san and Tachibana-san too?"
"I don't see a problem. But why?"
"Well, we're all friends now, right? And more than that…" — I pointed toward Tachibana-san.
"Oh, I get it. But do you have any idea what we'll do?"
"Do you have a game console?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Perfect! I already have a game in mind."
Yeah, I'll get my revenge this time.
"Last time was a blast—you really know how to entertain us." — he said.
Easy for you to say. You didn't get last place.
"When it comes to games, leave it to me. I'll make sure everyone has fun."
"Nice! I'll invite the girls then."
Keep laughing while you can, Ryuichi. This time, you're going down. Mwahaha.
"Fufu~ Something good happen to you?"
One day, Ayame-san will kill me from cardiac arrest.
"I'm just excited for this weekend. Didn't Ryuichi invite you?"
"He's talking with Tachibana-san right now. What's happened?"
"We're hanging out at his house to play some games. You coming?"
"Yeah, no problem!"
"Then it's settled. Since our 'target' disappeared, maybe Tachibana-san can relax a bit."
"About Tachibana-san, did you already talk to her?"
"No, not yet. It's hard to bring that up when she's already feeling down. But I can't just leave it like this. After we go to Ryuichi's house, I'll talk to her."
"Will you ask her to talk with senpai?"
"Before that, I need to hear her side first. We've only heard theirs, after all."
"You seem to have something in mind."
"You noticed? Honestly, I don't want Tachibana-san getting close to senpai. He'll just cause her more headaches later."
"You really are worried about her…"
"Not just her—about you and Ryuichi too."
"What do you mean?"
"All of you are my precious friends here, after all."
"Fufu~ Before I knew it, we really became a group of friends. I'm impressed that Satou-san is inviting Tachibana-san to his house. Do you remember the first day of school?"
"Totally! Who would've guessed the guy who made her cry would become friends with her?"
"Yeah, he really changed. And that's all because of you."
"What can I say? I'm the role model student."
"Fufu~ Not just him—other students too."
"Come on, Ayame-san, now you're exaggerating."
"Did you forget the new couple you helped create?"
"That was totally unplanned! I just gave the guy a small push and he just start flying away."
"But see? Everyone's starting to change because of you. Even me… It's incredible and scary at the same time."
"Is that your way of praising me? I hope I changed you for the better."
"Fufu~ Who knows? It's up to you to decide."
"Huh? What do you mean by—"
"Hey Tomoki! All good!" — Ryuichi called out.
And so, the four of us will hang out at Ryuichi's house. I wonder what it's like there—what his parents are like—and I can't wait to make my comeback with the game I have in mind.
Mwahahaha! Our battle will be legendary!
"You really in a good mood!" — Ayame-san said with smile.
Seriously… was I grinning that obviously? She's way too good at noticing.