Everyone was on edge. I was in the dressing room in the new theater hall, along with Yukimura, Minatsu, and the entire theater club!
That’s right! Today’s the big day!
“Minatsu! We don’t have enough people to do all the makeup. Do you think you could get the first-year students for us?” one of the older students asked.
“Sure! I’ll be right there,” she called, then came running over with her own personal cosmetics box.
After the kidnapping, I returned to the school in one piece, which was good, but…there were police waiting for me at the school. Which made sense, given the whole kidnapping thing.
Me and Minatsu and Yukimura and President Shiori all had to tell the police what we saw. But despite the commotion, President Shiori managed to convince the school to allow us to continue our summer camp.
“Kouzuki,” said Minatsu, “would you mind helping me out with something? Captain Yukimura wanted me to bring colored duct tape and sandwiches to the stage area for the older students. Could you bring them for me?”
“You want me to do it?”
Before, Minatsu never would’ve asked me to do something that Yukimura wanted her to do—she’d want to do it herself. But ever since the kidnapping, she’d started to rely on both me and her other fellow first-year students more.
Although she still calls me Kouzuki…
I took the colored duct tape and sandwiches from Minatsu and went into the hallway.
“Oh, Kei and President Shiori! What’re you doing here?”
The two were waiting outside in the hallway.
“How are the preparations going, Kouzuki?” asked President Shiori.
“They’re going well! We’re as ready as we’ll ever be—I’m just glad we were able to finish our summer camp! Get ready for a show that’ll knock your socks off!!
“Except for Asuka’s scenes. Your socks will be fine during those,” Kei mumbled from the side.
“Hey! I’ll have you know I rehearsed my butt off for this! My mentor Minatsu and Yukimura and the older kids all helped me, too! You won’t even be able to find your socks after you see my performance!”
“I guess I have something to look forward to, then.”
Huh?
That was oddly sincere for him, so I didn’t know what to say.
Kei turned to President Shiori. “We’d better be getting to our seats.”
What? Already?
“I’m not affiliated with the theater club,” he added. “I was just helping President Orihara find the dressing room.”
Oh, I see.
With that, Kei returned to his seat in the audience.
“So, why did you want to come here, President Shiori?” I asked.
“I’ve actually seen everything I need to see. I just wanted to check to make sure you weren’t impacted by the kidnapping too much. I’m looking forward to seeing you onstage. Break a leg.”
“Thank you! I will!”
President Shiori left, looking satisfied.
Now I’d better get going, too!
✦ ✦ ✦
I was finally wearing my costume and performing one last check. It was almost showtime.
Knock, knock.
Someone was at the door.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Who could that be? The show’s about to start,” Yukimura said as she opened the door.
“I’m sorry about coming at such an inconvenient time, but it was the only time I could make.”
It was Kotone and Hibiki. One of Hibiki’s arms was in a cast, and he was covered in bandages. Kotone came over to where Minatsu and I were.
“I’m sorry for getting you involved with another dangerous incident,” Kotone said to us while giving a deep bow.
“It’s fine… You had it way worse than we did, and just look at Detective Shirasato.”
“This is nothing, really,” Hibiki said with a wry smile. “Besides, there’s still much work to be done on my part. I don’t have time to stop and rest. I realized I need to grow stronger and more sure of what I believe in.”
Hibiki was brimming with confidence and conviction.
Looks like someone is back on their feet. Yeah, I’m definitely not looking forward to meeting him again as Red. I may have made a new problem for myself…but it’s kind of nice to see him recovering.
“Thanks for coming to see us,” Yukimura said to Kotone, speaking for all of us. “We’re going to put on a show that will make you glad our theater club is performing here.”
“Yes, I look forward to seeing you all onstage. Now, go put on a brilliant show.”
Kotone and Hibiki then left the room.
“Is everybody ready? It’s almost time.”
Yukimura surveyed the theater club. She was wearing a male costume that the home ec club was proud of making—and she looked really, really cool.
My heart is starting to race. I have all my lines memorized, and practiced projecting my voice as much as I could, so…I should be okay.
“Um, Minatsu. Does my costume look okay?” I asked.
I was wearing a green dress. Yuzuki put it together for me, so even though it was a simple costume, it was super cute!
“Here, let me see.” Minatsu examined my costume. She was in a dress similar to mine, only it was yellow.
“Here, the bowtie is all out of shape.” She adjusted the ribbon that held my dress together, then said, “That should do it.”
Minatsu finished tying the bow and looked up, her eyes resting right on me.
It was her usual glare—the one I’d seen many times before—but it was a little different.
“I’m not going to let you outperform me, Asuka,” Minatsu told me.
She blushed a little before turning her face away.
Ah…
It didn’t hit me until a few seconds later.
Did she just use my first name?
“All right, everyone! Time for the show!” Yukimura called out.
““Okay!””
We all responded in unison. And then, one by one, we filed out of the dressing room.
I watched Minatsu go, then followed her.
“Hey, Minatsu!” I said. “You’re on! I’m gonna give you a run for your money!”
Minatsu turned around, grinning ear to ear, and nodded back.