"Nice to meet you, Horikita-san. I'm Kushida Kikyo, in charge of the drama club's recruitment. Feel free to call me Kikyo if you'd like."
"Do you need any help?"
Kushida Kikyo extended her hand toward Horikita Suzune with a warm, welcoming smile. Her radiant presence and well-developed figure drew the attention of the other freshmen waiting for their interviews.
They had already heard rumors about a stunning upperclassman in the drama club, but seeing her up close still left many of them awestruck. Her gentle demeanor and soft-spoken nature charmed them further.
"...Hello, I'm Horikita Suzune."
"I came to ask if the scene I drew from Macbeth could be changed into a monologue."
Suzune handed over her script, arms crossed. Her tone didn't sound like a question—more like a matter-of-fact declaration.
"I'm afraid that's not possible," Kikyo replied with a playful pout.
"That particular scene is meant to explore the relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. But if you're uncomfortable, we could cast a girl as Macbeth. I'd be happy to take the role myself."
She then added cheerfully, "Of course, that's because we think you have real talent in acting, Horikita-san."
Kikyo didn't lower her voice, and with all the newcomers already watching, her words sparked a wave of whispers.
Among those who passed the preliminary screening were many with acting experience. Even the rest had at least some background in performing. No one here was as socially withdrawn as Horikita Suzune.
Before the final audition scenes were assigned, the club had allocated an hour for the newcomers to socialize. Suzune had spent that entire hour in a corner reading a book. A few students had attempted to approach her, but her cold attitude drove them away.
No one liked to throw warmth at a block of ice—not even if she was pretty.
Besides, wasn't Kushida Kikyo just as beautiful and far more approachable?
Just the contrast was enough to plummet Suzune's reputation among the other newcomers. Hearing that Kikyo was even willing to compromise for her only fanned the flames.
"Tch. Wants a monologue just to hog the spotlight, huh?"
"They call her talented? She's said maybe three words this whole time. She'd take three days just to get through a script."
"Why's Kikyo-senpai even accommodating her? It's not like we're begging her to join."
What began as murmurs quickly turned into louder gripes, masked by the rising ambient noise of the classroom.
Suzune furrowed her brows. She'd heard similar things before, so it didn't rattle her much. She opened her mouth to respond—but Kikyo beat her to it.
"No need to get upset, everyone. Horikita-san is really talented. Even President Kitagawa mentioned her to me."
The classroom instantly fell silent.
Kitagawa Ryo.
To the drama-loving freshmen, his name was dazzling. Maybe not every single one, but easily ninety percent had joined the club because of him.
Still, they eyed Suzune with doubt. She didn't look the part of a prodigy.
Suzune herself was surprised to hear Ryo's name. She asked Kikyo, "Really?"
"Of course. He even asked me which script you drew for the final audition."
Kikyo showed a snippet of their chat on her phone. Seeing Ryo had actually asked about her made Suzune lift her chin proudly.
Then, realizing how smug she looked, she quickly backpedaled: "Even if he didn't ask, I was going to show him anyway."
"Sure, sure. Who knows? Maybe President Kitagawa will come watch your performance on the final day."
Kikyo giggled behind her hand. From the earlier free hour to now, she had a solid grasp on Suzune's personality.
For proud girls like her, the best way to get them to yield was to polish them up first.
Raise them high, so they fall harder.
"So then, shall I be your scene partner, Horikita-san?"
Kikyo placed a hand over her chest and offered sincerely.
"...Fine."
Praised so publicly, Suzune resembled a child given a candy. Though she'd never acted before, she now genuinely believed she might have a knack for it.
Kikyo observed everything, her lashes lowered.
In her mind, she pictured a familiar scene:
Morning dew balancing on a leaf, swelling with pride until it weighed the leaf down. At its plumpest moment, it shimmered like gold in the morning sun—
Then shattered into pieces as it crashed to the earth.
Scattered. Broken.
-------------------------------------
Kushida Kikyo.
Kitagawa Ryo lay alone on the living room couch, flicking away the chat screen with her.
He vaguely recalled hearing her name in one of the simulations. A student from Class 1-D, if he remembered correctly, known for her popularity both within her grade and the entire school—her social skills rivaled even Ichinose Honami's.
But he'd had little actual interaction with her. The only impression that stuck was that she'd once become a spy for Ryuuen Kakeru before the summer break.
What condition did she set back then?
Ryo closed his eyes and carefully combed through his memories. The house was silent, the only sound being the rhythmic ticking of the clock.
[Get Horikita Suzune expelled.]
Once he remembered, a trace of doubt crossed Ryo's eyes.
Back then, although he had supported Karuizawa Kei as Class D's de facto leader, Kushida's influence in the class was arguably even stronger. That's how Ryuuen managed to leverage her to quickly gather information on the VIPs during the special test.
Horikita Suzune, meanwhile, had fallen to the bottom of the class's social ladder after repeated failures. She had no friends, barely even anyone to talk to.
There should've been no direct conflict between the two. Suzune didn't pose any threat to Kushida, yet Kushida had been so determined to get her expelled that she was willing to betray her class to do it. Where did that kind of unprovoked malice come from?
Moreover, based on the few times Ryo had interacted with Horikita, she didn't seem to have much memory of Kushida either.
So this animosity was entirely one-sided.
Ryo made a mental note. Though he wouldn't mind watching Suzune fail, if things escalated too far, he wouldn't just sit back and watch.
After going through Kei's simulation, he understood just how intense the malice between girls could become.
Just as he was contemplating the root of the conflict between Kushida and Horikita, a video message popped up from Kushida herself.
["My hands are the same color as yours... but I would be ashamed to have a heart so white."
"No, no! That line needs more emotion. Think of the situation—you two just committed regicide."
Kushida corrected the stiff performance in front of her.
"My hands are the same color as yours..."
"Horikita-san, eye contact is crucial when acting. At least look at your scene partner."
Suzune frowned in irritation.]
[Not a great start, huh.]
Kushida's message radiated frustration. Even from the short video, Ryo could sense her underlying exasperation.
[Honestly, I'm starting to think she's never had a normal conversation. Her eyes dart everywhere, she never knows what to do with her hands, and smiling seems like a life-threatening task.]
Kushida was clearly venting.
[She may seem impatient, but Suzune isn't the type to give up easily. Just bear with it.]
[Oh? Since when were you and Horikita-san so close, President? You even used her first name~]
Ryo blinked. Maybe out of habit, he had typed "Suzune" without realizing it.
Kushida, sensing something juicy, smirked. Ever since he had asked about Horikita's audition script, she suspected something was going on. Now, she felt like she had stumbled upon a hidden treasure.
[We've met once or twice. Her brother likes watching my plays.]
Ryo quickly typed back.
[Got it! Since you're asking personally, I'll give it my all!]
Kushida didn't press further and ended the conversation.
Ryo tossed his phone aside and sprawled back onto the couch.
With a casual call, Hotaru leaped into his arms from who-knows-where.
[Pet Owner (Purple): You own an intelligent and affectionate cat. Lately, though, you've noticed something strange in her eyes.]
The kitten who had accompanied him through every simulation still looked as innocent and cute as ever.
Ryo stroked her chin with a finger. Hotaru caught his hand between her paws and began licking his fingertip—her rough tongue brushing against his skin.
Her iridescent eyes reminded him of his sister, whom he had finally sent overseas for treatment.
He could still recall the sense of relief when he'd finally saved enough money. For two years, he had pushed himself nonstop across countless performances.
His exit from the theater world wasn't just because he no longer needed the money. Deep down, he had grown tired—utterly exhausted.
Every waking moment was filled with acting. Even in sleep, his mind was on the stage.
Every day, he calculated earnings, immersed himself in roles, pouring himself into flawless performances under hot stage lights.
Until even the cheers and applause below the stage began to feel unfamiliar.
Like he'd lived it all before.
The buzz of his phone snapped him out of his daze.
"Hello, this is Kitagawa Ryo."
A middle-aged male voice responded from the other end.
"Good afternoon. I'm calling from the admissions office of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School."
The tone was polite.
Ryo immediately pulled out his laptop and checked the number—it matched the official contact on the school's website.
"Advanced Nurturing High? I'm only in my second year of middle school. Did you call the wrong person?"
As far as Ryo knew, the school's admissions process involved early scouting. If they deemed someone qualified, they'd accept them regardless of test scores.
He had indeed considered applying, but not until over a year later.
Why call now?
"In about six months, our school will host a cultural festival. The guests include our partners and their families. Director Sakayanagi included your name in the invitation list, so we're calling to confirm."
"Huh?"
Confused, Ryo messaged Sakayanagi Arisu.
[What's this about a cultural festival?]
[Come play with us! ^_^]
Arisu replied immediately, as if she'd been expecting him.
Ryo had intended to decline, but then remembered: the current incoming class included Horikita Manabu's cohort.
He bit his lip, then typed:
[Alright, I'll go. But I want to bring someone with me.]
[Your sister?]
[Something like that.]
[My father will allow it. One more person is no problem.]
Arisu agreed without hesitation.
After Ryo confirmed with the admissions office, the staff hung up.
He opened the video Kushida had sent and watched Horikita Suzune again.
He didn't actually dislike her. In fact, sometimes, in her expression, he saw glimpses of his past self.
Let this be the last time.
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