Though she nearly stormed off in anger over Yuu's single line, after calming down, Yukino sat back in her seat and handed him the rights to revise the script.
It didn't take long. Once Yuu finished editing and they confirmed no issues, the Service Club members began preparing for recording—moving desks and chairs, applying light makeup, at least creating a bit of an official filming atmosphere.
For the record, Yukino was extremely reluctant to wear makeup. But Yuigahama and Iroha wouldn't let her off. With eager faces, they cornered her against the wall with their makeup tools. Even her pleading glances at Yuu for help were useless.
Because he joined in too.
Yukino was already beautiful and elegant like a snow lotus. With a touch of light makeup, her beauty became undeniable. She had a pure charm that left people stunned. Especially her flushed face after being poked and prodded by the two, and her soulless, vacant stare. If Yuu secretly snapped a few photos and made a collection, he might dominate the Cultural Festival this way.
Of course, if he did that, he'd have to be ready to go down with the person involved—she'd kill him first, then herself.
Yuu had no reason to do such a thing—absolutely no connection to the fear that flashed in his mind of Yukino dragging him to die with her, staring at him with dead eyes the moment the idea surfaced!
The set was ready. Three actors. Each had memorized their lines and movements. Camerawoman: Iroha. Assistant camerawoman: Kanade. After adjusting the lighting, she shouted from the side to the center:
"Everyone in position, ready—"
"Wait, that's not how you yell it, right?"
With a dramatic arm drop, Iroha announced: "ACTION!"
The camera's red light blinked on. The screen reflected the rain falling outside the window and the three Service Club members standing in different positions.
No one spoke first. Let the silence fill the heavy air. Only the sound of rain tapping the window served as the perfect background.
With a sharp, clear breath pulling him into character, Yuu suddenly clenched his fist tightly. As if squeezing courage from his entire body, he spoke word by word to Yuigahama across from him:
"Setsuna, you've really misunderstood this whole thing…"
Yuigahama flinched for a moment. Then she reacted, delivering her line with slight nervousness: "W-what misunderstanding! I left the club so I wouldn't get in the way of your lovey-dovey stuff. Why are you still bothering me!"
Since it was the first take, the goal was to complete the scene, not perfect it. So even though the camerawoman slightly frowned, a bit pained by the stiff acting, she didn't yell cut. Iroha focused the lens on their shifting expressions.
(Compared to them, this acting is so professional… Was Senpai really not a child actor?)
"There's only one reason. A very simple answer."
Yuu swallowed. Slowly lifted his head, puffed out his chest. Stared straight at her.
At this moment, he could actually smile—as if he'd resolved to sacrifice everything. His tone soft like an April spring breeze:
"Touma is just my good friend. The one I like… is you, Setsuna."
As per the script, Yuigahama stepped back twice, staring in disbelief.
Then, stammering: "B-but… I only see Haruki as a good friend too."
"???" Yuu, full of question marks: "Then why did you leave the club out of jealousy?"
"B-because you stole my best friend, Touma-chan! It's all your fault! Your fault, Haruki, that I left the club!"
"Huh?! No, wait… You weren't jealous of me, but of Touma?!"
"Of course! In this world, only I'm allowed to be by Touma-chan's side! She's mine! If I didn't want to make it hard for Touma-chan, who would hand her over to you!"
Yuigahama declared.
Equally shocked was Touma, hiding behind a pile of items.
Following the scripted kick of a chair and desk, the camera swung toward Yukino standing in the shadows, with an exaggerated shocked expression.
"Setsuna…"
"Touma!" The disgusted look vanished instantly. Yuigahama ran over joyfully, clinging tightly to her arm.
"Thank goodness the misunderstanding's cleared. Let's go home together! Leave that shady guy behind!"
"Wait, isn't this a bit off…"
"Girl friendships are like this. Nothing weird~"
The two girls left the frame intimately. Iroha slowly and steadily panned the camera to Yuu's expression, gradually zooming in on his handsome face.
His acting didn't disappoint. Even in the most boring inner monologue scene, people unconsciously focused on the changes in his eyes and expression. As if they could see the essence of a 500-word essay there. Complex and clear—truly captivating.
As if after shock, confusion, loss, and despair, he finally sighed. Yuu turned his gaze to the rainy view outside. His entire being seemed enveloped in cold, melancholic tones. His eyes as pitiful as a soaked puppy.
"Why did it turn out like this…"
"This winter rain is so cold."
Hearing Yuu deliver the final line, Iroha needed a few seconds to compose herself before shouting:
"CUT!"
The air controlled by the acting instantly relaxed.
Expressions returned to normal. Yuu walked to the camera, frowning curiously.
"Accidentally went over time by double. I still can't control pacing well… Should we scrap and redo, or just extend it?"
The other two returned from the door. But unlike Yuu, they didn't start reviewing footage. Instead, they stared at him with strange, complicated looks, as if wanting to say something.
"What?"
Yuu asked without looking up, eyes glued to the screen.
Yukino spoke first: "I won't comment on this completely rewritten script since I agreed to act… Tenkuji-kun, is this what you mean by friendship?"
"Isn't girl friendship beautiful? Why always focus on sad, grudge-filled things."
Yuu pressed fast-forward. Seeing stiff Yukino on screen, he said flatly: "Attention-grabbing is a win. Plus, this fits your original story outline perfectly. Way better than that cliché love fairy tale from a decade ago… Anyway, before worrying about settled details, how about improving your own acting?"
Yukino's expression froze. Murderous intent radiated. She glared at Yuu with bone-chilling cold.
"Yuigahama-san, don't hold me back. I'm going to teach this boundary-less man a lesson right now!"
"Yukinon, I'm not holding you…" Yuigahama answered softly. "Besides, when it comes to no boundaries, you're not far behind…"
"…"
Yukino fell silent. She closed her eyes deeply, inhaled sharply as if forcing calm. Then silently walked to her school bag, picked up the revised script, and reread it expressionlessly.
Yuigahama turned, confused, asking Yuu: "Yuu-kun, why not use our real names while acting? Wouldn't that help us get into character more?"
Why create new characters and act under a mask? Was this an actor's principle?
The three names felt odd too. Why did it seem like they weren't made up on the spot but from an existing work… The fact that Yukino's role didn't use the similar-sounding "Setsuna" also confused Yuigahama. She didn't understand his thought process.
"Not that we can't. I just felt these names would add a famous-work vibe. But seems it was pointless."
After watching the over-one-minute video, Yuu sighed and shook his head. He returned the camera to Iroha beside him, who was sniffing its very fragrant scent. Then glanced at Yukino and Yuigahama.
"Then, next we'll try acting with real names to see if it improves your immersion… But first, I'll give you a quick acting lesson for that painful-to-watch performance. Any objections?"
"N-no…"
Like a scolded child, Yuigahama reflexively tucked in her neck. She scratched her cheek with a silly laugh.
"It's my first time, no acting experience… Don't worry, I'll obey the director unconditionally and work hard to film it well!"
"Good." Yuu nodded, satisfied. Then asked Yukino: "How about you? Is your pride hurt by my amazing acting, so you don't want my teaching?"
"Don't repeat what I said." Yukino looked up from the script. Slight displeasure in her calm eyes: "The more skilled takes priority. Though I'm reluctant inside, I'll accept your advice as much as possible… As long as it's actually useful for acting."
"Sky's almost dark. I've no time to tease you now, relax." Yuu opened his hands. Openly said the line that made Yukino frown involuntarily.
"I'm very good at teaching acting. In ten minutes, I guarantee results. Just obey, and it's done."
Yukino rolled her eyes slightly: "Then, the question is—why are you that good?"
"Ah, I know this!"
Before Yuu answered, Yuigahama raised her hand. Reminiscing, she jumped in: "During summer break, Yuu-kun almost appeared on a TV show. His acting was so good, even active actors called him sensei!"
"If I remember, her name was Ichinose-san, right? Super pretty…"
Bringing this up, Iroha adjusting the camera beside them immediately cut in. Curious: "Ichinose? Full name? Stage or real? What shows has she been in? Maybe I know her~"
"Eh, I-I don't know…"
Yukino watched Yuu, still skeptical: "Teaching active actors? You're that good?"
"I didn't even use my full skill earlier. Try it yourself, and you'll see."
Yuu clapped, steering the topic back on track.
"No more chatting. Time's short. Let's start acting practice!"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
And so.
They worked until around 6 p.m. Just before the school closed and kicked people out, the Service Club room lights finally went off.
On the dark, gloomy rainy night, led by Yuu, the group walked out the school gate holding umbrellas.