"Listen carefully: excessive shame is a barrier to acting. Backstage, feel as embarrassed as you want—but on stage, turn all that shame into a fierce drive to perform. The more ashamed you feel, the more you must show it. Only when you feel like you're developing a split personality can it be considered great acting…"
On the way to the station, Yuu diligently continued sharing his experience.
From 4 p.m. after school until 6 p.m., nearly two hours wasn't enough for him to turn two beginners into even background actors—let alone drama club members—especially since they also needed time to rehearse and film. Reaching this level already showed he'd maxed out his perfect-tier acting skills.
Though it could've been better, given the time constraints, this over-one-minute PV was their best effort. Pretty decent.
Anyway, he could still edit at home. With expert-level editing skills, plus his experience and wisdom, Yuu was excited to see how far he could polish this piece.
"As I said earlier, the most important thing for new actors is character immersion. Imagine the reaction you'd show if you were in that situation. Imagine the feelings you'd have after being treated that way…"
"So, if your boyfriend were stolen, would you also feel this winter rain is cold?"
Unable to stand his nonstop lecturing since leaving the Special Building—as if they were all idiots—Yukino spoke up and cut him off.
At first, she could calmly listen to his advice. Thanks to Yuu, she did feel her acting slowly improve… But his condescending, arrogant, belittling attitude was truly hard for her to tolerate.
Yes, just like the annoyed expressions they showed when Yukino disciplined committee members without choosing her words carefully.
Holding a light blue folding umbrella, Yukino looked down, pondered for a few seconds, then continued her critique of Yuu:
"Great acting is split personality? That theory exists, but can you do it? Professional screen actors regularly see psychologists. If you can't reach that level, please don't brag about how good your acting is."
"At least better than yours. Want me to mimic how bad your acting was in the first few takes?" Yuu smiled, refusing to back down.
Yukino immediately fell silent. Her dark blue eyes shifted from his face, reflecting the rain curtain beyond the umbrella. Car headlights flickered in her blurred vision.
Also thanks to this man, she had learned the art of advancing and retreating in conversation.
Endlessly spouting opinions without thinking only led to self-satisfaction and gained nothing. Even against a tough opponent, she might be countered until speechless, ending with wounded pride.
No need to be that stubborn.
And unfortunately, she had two such people nearby—though one, despite excelling in many areas, wasn't as strong as his older sister, giving her a hopeless feeling she'd never catch up.
As if a hand pushed her from behind, whispering confidently: "He's great, but you're not bad either. A few more steps, and you can stand beside him."
Thus, Yukino clearly saw her progress. No longer just admiring a distant mountain. All her efforts now had clear meaning.
"…So what."
Her thoughts somehow drifted there. Yukino slightly tightened her grip on the umbrella handle. She muttered softly, as if denying something.
Yuu's ears were sharp. Hearing it, he unconsciously responded, continuing the earlier topic: "Still stubborn even now. I told you—don't think everything will be fine after filming the PV. The main film isn't something you can handle at this level."
"If you think just 'handling it' is enough, I'm fine with that—it was my original plan… But if you want quality and to officially screen it at the Cultural Festival, start adjusting your mindset and learning acting techniques from now. Simply put: treat yourself as an actor and give this your all."
"I know, no need to say it." Yukino sighed lightly, as if helpless against him: "I feel like whenever it's about acting, you get so serious and passionate. Were you really never a child actor?"
Iroha, walking behind and splashing puddles, immediately perked up. She pricked her ears and eavesdropped.
"Of course not. I just did work that required extremely high-level acting." Yuu didn't elaborate. Then turned to Yuigahama on his other side: "Yui, you too. Though you improved faster than Yukinoshita, your body language and emotional delivery in dialogue still need a lot of work."
Hearing that, despite a slight reluctance to lose, Yukino had to admit—during the PV recording, Yuigahama's performance was far better than hers.
Yuigahama was the immersion-type actor. Once her name was changed to her real one, she quickly got into character. After two or three practice runs, she met Yuu's passing standard.
To avoid being the bottleneck, Yukino silently decided—after going home, she'd start searching for materials and videos to study acting. Once the script was ready, even if she had to cut reading and study time for practice, she'd bring her character to life!
After that, she couldn't wait to see his shocked, admiring gaze.
"Mmm, let's do our best together!" Yuigahama smiled and nodded firmly.
Too bad everyone was holding umbrellas now. Otherwise, she'd run between them and link arms with both… Was this what sharing happiness with two people felt like?
For some reason, she suddenly felt like she'd glimpsed a new world. She didn't dare tell anyone. She could only quietly savor the moment, hiding that feeling deep in her heart.
The chatting didn't last too long.
Following the orange streetlights illuminating the dim, rainy road, the group reached the station, ready to part ways.
"Do I really not need to walk you home one by one?" Yuu asked, slightly worried.
After all, it was late and raining. Young high school girls walking home alone still carried risks.
"Senpai, relax. Kanade and I take the same route. Plus, no dark alleys, and I know where the security cameras are."
Iroha patted her flat chest under her thick jacket. She lifted her chin confidently: "Besides, if I do meet a bold pervert, I've got these to handle it!"
As she spoke, she mimicked Doraemon pulling something from his pocket, producing pepper spray, a whistle, and a grenade from her school bag.
…Wait, a grenade?
"This is a grenade-shaped anti-rape alarm. Latest model! They say if you pull the pin, throw it at the pervert, and run, it solves any sudden problem!"
Iroha explained with a wink. Then casually stuffed the grenade back into the deepest part of her bag.
No one doubted her—after all, what pure, cute junior would have ill intent?
Impossible to bring the real thing to school.
"Then, I'll leave the camera with Senpai~ If possible, please edit the existing interview parts first. If no time, no big deal. Just finish by this week."
After stowing her anti-pervert gear, Iroha slipped the camera into Yuu's arms. Her attitude was completely natural.
Since it was an agreed condition, Yuu didn't say much. He took the camera, turned it on, and checked the battery.
"Charger, lens cloth, spare lens?"
"Right here."
Iroha pulled out a small black pouch. It contained everything Yuu mentioned.
After confirming nothing was missing, Yuu called out to Iroha, who was about to leave with Kanade.
"Wait. Just to be safe, I'll ask again… There shouldn't be any weird photos or videos in here, right?"
The moment he said it, Yukino and Yuigahama gave him strange looks, as if questioning his reason and motive for asking.
Yuu reacted instantly: "Why are you looking at me? Can't I be cautious? It's not mine. I don't want to accidentally see someone's privacy."
"Indeed, very reasonable," Yukino nodded with a smile. But for some reason, her agreement felt unsettling.
"I didn't say anything," Yuigahama pouted innocently. "Hah, Yuu-kun's so sensitive about this."
"Ow, Senpai, this is borrowed from the Film Research Club, y'know? How could there be weird photos or videos? Senpai's the one with the dirty mind~"
Iroha giggled and waved, not missing a chance to tease him.
But before she finished the second half, her smile slowly froze. Her voice shrank. Whatever she remembered, a bead of cold sweat appeared on the left side of her smiling face. The corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
The next second, Iroha lunged with near-shadow speed.
Unfortunately, while she froze, Yuu was already prepared. He dodged her lunge while raising his hand.
"No weird stuff, you said it yourself, right? Then I'll take this camera home and enjoy it thoroughly?"
Iroha jumped anxiously. Her cute face half-flushed: "Senpai! Senpai! I was wrong. That's really bad!"
"What's bad? Anything worse than me being a pervert?" Yuu, petty-hearted, now mercilessly teased his junior.
"T-this is…" Iroha hesitated. Then, gathering courage, she bit her lip. Pulled Kanade, who was watching from the side, and spoke in a volume only the three could hear.
"Kanade, remember the first day we got the camera? I was so excited and took random shots in the changing room?"
"I remember…"
After answering blankly, Kanade instantly caught the key point. Her clear, shining eyes unconsciously widened. Clear anxiety and panic—rare for her—appeared in her pale gold eyes.
"Iroha, don't tell me it's in there…"
"That's exactly the 'don't tell me.'" Iroha nodded sadly: "I took too many random shots and forgot to delete them afterward. Sorry…"
The moment those words left her mouth, Yuu realized the camera had vanished from his hands at a speed he couldn't react to.
Her pure white face flushed faint pink. Kanade pursed her soft pink lips. Her cheeks puffed like little buns.
She hugged the camera tightly to her flat chest. Stared at him seriously: "Did you see it?"
"No." Yuu shrugged frankly: "If I had, I wouldn't say anything. Wouldn't it be better to quietly help you delete it?"
"Mmm, I trust Yuu-senpai." Kanade finally relaxed. She handed the camera to Iroha. With wide eyes, she spoke earnestly like entrusting a great responsibility: "Iroha, check everything. Delete all weird photos and videos!"
"Sniff, got it…"
Iroha nodded pitifully. This was the first time she'd seen Kanade speak with such weight and seriousness. The intimidating aura from those pale gold eyes was truly befitting a future Student Council President.
Confirming the deletion progress, Kanade's expression calmed. She tucked her silver hair behind her ear. A faint pink lingered behind her ear—she herself didn't know why she felt embarrassed enough for her ears to burn, even though nothing had been seen.
This was truly the first time she'd felt this way.
…No, maybe the second?
After the camera returned to Yuu, they finally said goodbye. The two kouhai walked off together, while he had to escort Yukino home with Yuigahama.
Though the person in question refused, since Yuigahama was so insistent, she could only resign herself to letting them walk her home.
The rain still fell.
Finally, after the two juniors—like lights going out—left, Yuigahama, whose emotions were overflowing, immediately acted. She enthusiastically said to them:
"Yuu-kun, hold the umbrella in your left hand. Yukinon, hold it in your right!"
After both complied with confused faces, Yuigahama folded her umbrella. She slipped under the space between them. Reached out and linked arms with their free hands.
The warm palms quickly dispelled the winter rain's chill. Yukino couldn't help but freeze. She glanced sideways at her face, wanting to say something but unsure how to react.
Yuu didn't overthink. After holding her hand properly, he tilted his umbrella to shield her from the rain.
Yuigahama was slightly dissatisfied: "Feels like parents walking a kid… Whatever, never mind!"
She swung their hands. Amid the soft rain sounds, she grinned widely.
"Whether in the film or outside it, no matter what happens… I really hope we can stay together like this."
Yukino hesitated. Finally sighed:
"It's not that easy, Yuigahama-san."
Yuigahama didn't mind. Her voice stayed cheerful: "Because it's not easy, that's why it's worth giving our all!"
"Wouldn't it be a shame to let go of such good hands after meeting such good people?"
She said so.
"…Fine, whatever you say."
Originally wanting to argue, but seeing Yuu seemingly agree, Yukino shook her head. She had no intent to fight to the end as usual.
"Oh, right, Yukinon, from now on just call me by my name! 'Yuigahama-san' feels too stiff."
"Haa… Yui."
Strangely, the name flowed smoothly from her mouth. No resistance in her heart.
"Mmm!" Yuigahama nodded, satisfied, then turned to Yuu: "Then, Yuu-kun, will you start calling Yukinon by name too? Ah, why don't you both just start using first names from now on?"
"…"
Yukino's steps unconsciously slowed. She passed Yuigahama and locked eyes with Yuu.
For some reason, she didn't deny the suggestion. Instead, she carefully opened her mouth:
"Ha…"
But the rest of the sound, for some reason, wouldn't come out.
As if saying it would break the wall she'd just built. Her instincts feared that.
And Yuu, seeing her unclear expression, seemed to swallow the words he wanted to say. He showed a funny look like: "I really can't do anything with you."
"Forget it. Later it'll mix with my cat's name, and Yukinoshita will hit me again."
"…I'm not unreasonable."
Slowly lowering her gaze, Yukino shook her head resignedly and tightened the warmth in her palm.
The corner of her mouth slowly curved. Yukino smiled softly and said:
"Indeed, forget it for now. If you want to call me by name, go ahead. If not, keeping the status quo is fine too."
"Like that? Alright then."
Yuigahama looked back and forth between them, confused. She wasn't in a rush. She smiled again. She deeply enjoyed walking the rain-soaked road, sandwiched between the two people she cherished most.
"After all, we have so much tiiiime~ to call each other by name!"
As if infected by that cheerfulness, Yukino suddenly didn't want to deny such a future. No more rejecting thoughts arose in her heart.
She even began to believe, like her, that the future would be just as beautiful as now.
"Truly naive… But this kind of naivety doesn't seem bad."
She smiled unconsciously. Her steps light, splashing puddles.
Suddenly feeling his gaze, Yukino tilted her head. With curved eyes and brows, she deliberately smiled teasingly:
"What are you looking at?"
"Your beautiful smile."
"Thank you. You're pretty good too."
"Wow, why so honest now?"
"Hehe. If someone didn't always deliberately make me angry, I wouldn't always speak harshly either."
"Moo~~ You two, don't flirt in front of me! At least invite me!"
"Flirt? With this guy?"
"Ridiculous. Can't flirt at all."
Unknowingly, the rain sounds on the umbrellas faded to nothing. The fresh, cool night breeze brushed their faces, making body and mind comfortable.
The dark clouds cleared. They both put away their umbrellas.
"The rain stopped."
"Will it rain again tomorrow?"
"No, not tomorrow."
"What about filming? If we need a rainy background…"
"Don't worry. The workers there will figure it out."
"I'm just your worker. But a certain committee chair is a worker for the whole Cultural Festival."
"But when Yukinon can't handle it, Yuu-kun will be Yukinon's worker, right?"
"Hmm? Yui said so? My dear worker?"
"…Damn. Don't show such an adorable smile right now."
Hand in hand, they laughed and talked.
Together, they gazed at the ever-brightening night sky.