Was she for real? That invitation to become her pupil was a secret test?! That was way too sneaky! Was this what I’d have to deal with in the adult—no, in the professional world?
“But, it’s okay. You will go ahead, no matter what. Like the Olympics.”
“I have no idea what that means.”
“Iroha-chan, my determination is firmed up to teach you. I say yes to you. No to drugs.”
“I kinda feel like that last part was unnecessary. Why are you trying to bring such a dangerous topic into this?”
“I have only one worry. Before you’re my pupil, we discuss your determination. We cut to the core, to see if you sell your soul.”
“Like I said, you do realize how dangerous you’re making this all sound... Ah...” I stopped myself midway. This wasn’t the time to be messing about. I needed to show her I was serious about this.
Mizuki-san seemed to be friends with mom. When Mizuki-san first asked me to be her pupil, she spoke like she knew what kind of relationship I had with mom. I didn’t really know much about mom’s past, so I didn’t know anything about her connection to Mizuki-san either.
All I knew was, from the way they acted around each other, their relationship went back pretty far. So, by showing me how to become an actress without breathing a word to her, Mizuki-san was in effect betraying my mom.
Maybe I need to tell her—tell mom—I wanna go into acting...
“Putting off the conclusion. It’s a bad Japanese habit. But I think it is good to be careful. I like it. I respect it.”
“Trust me, I know I’m indecisive...” I whimpered.
Mizuki-san giggled. “A troubled young person becomes strong like they were troubled. But time limits, time bombs, explode. You will lose your time to think at the next destination. You have the possibility. The potential.”
“Um, I have no idea what you’re saying...”
“We will see a sign. Stupidly big and loud advert. For our next destination.”
“Oh, Tenchido...Eternaland...” Outside the car window, there was a sign facing the road. “W-Wait, this is our destination?!”
“Yes. There is a filming here. Is there a problem?”
“Ungh, um... Er...” I tried to say something, but it felt like my mouth was stuffed with cotton balls.
Mom was CEO of Tenchido. The only reason I was able to come out here without asking was because mom was away from home, working at the head office. Which meant she might be here.
“U-Um, the CEO doesn’t come to the theme park directly, right?”
Again, Mizuki-san giggled. “Who can say?”
In my mind, a CEO of a major company did one of two things: either they were in their jet flying around all over the place, or they were sitting back in their huge chair. This theme park might have been under the direct management of Tenchido, but I doubted the CEO would do anything like inspect it personally.
I hoped not, at least. The big grin on Mizuki-san’s face had me worried I might be missing something, though, and my heart was beating erratically. I put my hands together and sent a desperate plea upward that I wouldn’t run into mom there.
Otoi-san, who was sitting on my other side, stirred. “Mmnh...” She yawned. “Somethin’ wrong, Kohinata?” She must’ve been sleeping—she yawned again as she frowned at me questioningly.
“Apparently, we’re going to Tenchido Eternaland,” I said.
“Nice, sounds fun. How come you’re not smilin’?”
“I’m worried the CEO might show up and make things awkward.”
Otoi-san laughed. “Nice gag. Who even cares what the CEO’s up to?”
“What? Oh, uh... No one, I guess.”
Oh yeah. Otoi-san didn’t know that Amachi Otoha, CEO of Tenchido, was also Kohinata Otoha. Which made perfect sense, because I had only found out myself recently.
“Anyways, why the heck would the CEO bother comin’ to the theme park?”
“You didn’t have to ask, Otoi-san. You’ve probably just jinxed it.”
“C’mon, you’re not really that superstitious, are ya? No such thing as a jinx.”
“I-I guess not! Aha ha! Ha ha ha ha!” Otoi-san’s optimism had me laughing too.
“I’m actually pretty hyped to be goin’ to Eternaland. I’ve heard good things ’bout their pancake sandwiches and fruit cream soda. Always wanted to try ’em.” There was a tiny tinge of happiness in Otoi-san’s drawl. The only times the otherwise mature Otoi-san showed glimpses she was a cute, teenage girl like myself were when she talked about sweet treats.
Anyway, it looked like I’d missed out on my chance to explain to her my mom was the CEO of Tenchido. I bet if I’d told her, she’d have asked to leave things here so she could protect me. Even if the chances of actually running into mom were close to zero, Otoi-san wouldn’t take that chance, and would instead grab my hand and pull me out of this van to safety, even if it meant taking a rain check on visiting her beloved Tenchido Eternaland.
Now that I’d seen how eager Otoi-san was to visit the theme park, I didn’t want to put a damper on things. I’d already made her come all this way with me when she was supposed to be enjoying her class trip. The least I could do was make sure she had the chance to eat the desserts she longed for.
Nothing was going to happen. I wouldn’t run into mom; I’d study the film set, have a little fun, and head back home.
Time to change gears!
“Otoi-san!”
“Hm?”
“Let’s have fun at Eternaland, okay?”
“You got hyped quick. What, was it the pancake sandwich that caught your interest?”
“Yes, siree! I’m gonna hoover up all the desserts I can find!”
“Let’s do it!” Otoi-san joined me in raising an excited fist.
I knew I was being a bit over the top in both my movements and my volume, but the positivity gave my mind a good boost. Mizuki-san watched us both with a tender smile on her face.
Right, we were in Kyoto, and this professional actress was letting me shadow her on set. That was huge, and this might be the only time in my life I got an opportunity like this. I couldn’t waste it by worrying; I had to have as much fun as possible!
...
Though this’d be way more fun if Senpai were with me...