V2C5...

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

  

The central square’s main stage  Here-in lies the main event on the last day. The school festival’s concert is reaching fever pitch.\n“Thank you everybody!!”\nThe penultimate performance featuring a trio of musicians has just finished. One of them shouted to the crowd, pumping the air up some more.

“And that was the performance of Prince of Persia Cats! We’ll be now having a 10 minute break~!”

The PA system played a jingle. Narumi Ohashi, a third year student from the Broadcasting Department’s Casting Course, announced an intermission as the event’s MC. She immediately went backstage and convened with Sugimoto and the others who were already waiting for her.\n“You can’t just do this! If we rely on some amateur then you’re just asking for trouble. Mistakes upon mistakes would just quickly pile up!”\n Ohashi held her stern look, brushing off the idea of the replacement.

“I know, But fact of the matter is, getting someone else will be hard.”

Kakihara also had a grim look.

“Truth is, I’ve already gotten in touch with the other bands. It was far from a good reaction, I was flat out refused.”

“I know making it a secret backfired on you…..but I don’t blame you.”\n Ohashi audibly sighs. Sugimoto stood still in distress looking apologetic at his seniors who were at their wits’ end.

“To begin with that girl……Nanako-chan was it? She disappeared right, Kakihara-kun?””\n“Yeah”\n“Even if we acquiesce on it and take a chance on her. Can she even sing in that condition?”\nEveryone fell silent at Ohashi’s question. 

And then someone replied.\n“Don’t worry. Nanako will definitely come to sing.”\n“….And you are?\n“I’m a freshman from the film department, Tsurayuki Rokuonji. I just know….that Nanako is not the kind of person who loses it under pressure and runs away from singing.  I can promise you that.”

“So you’re her friend. If I could, I would wait for her to come but….”\nOhashi glances at the stage. The intermission was about to end.

“The show must continue on. If no one is there then--”

Ohashi stops mid-sentence as when Tsurayuki pulled back the hem of his jacket, 5 colored balls appeared out of thin air. The balls then rolled all on over his back, slid onto his head, and finally back to his sleeves. It was like seeing magic.

“I’m a freshman from the film department, Tsurayuki Rokuonji. I’m actually a clown who’s happened to pass by.”

The balls quickly disappeared into the jacket.

“And with that said, if you’re ok with me, can you use me to continue the show?”\n While everyone was in the middle of gaping in amazement--\n“If someone is willing to proceed with it, then I think we could make some time”\n,came a response brimming with confidence.\n“You know trying out various things in life is pretty useful I got to say.”\nShinoaki looked surprised.\n“Did Kyouya know ‘bout that?”\n“Not that I know of. But……”\nTsurayuki brings out the ball once again and made it dance on the palm of his hand.

“Since he’s the one who always handles us, then won’t he know how the others would manage?”*cite\nThen he laughed with a wry smile.

<><><><><> 

“…….Found you.”

I’m at the stockyard at the back of the club building.

It was a garbage dump so to speak. Scraps of signboards atnd old building materials were haphazardly piled up. At the back of said dump, Nanako has her back turned to me.

“So you figured out that I was here”\nWith her back still turned, Nanako answered back with a calm reply.\n“It’s one of the few places where you can scream out as much as you want.”

I replied as I move closer towards her.\n“There’s also the rooftop of building 3, where the music department is located, and the back of building 23. But those 2 places are off limits because of the events going on around the campus, so this was the only place I could think of.”

“So you knew about this place, this is where I practiced my singing”\n“Of course I know.”

I moved just up till I was near Nanako’s back. I stopped, as Nanako looks like she was about to continue talking.

“Even when I wanted to escape, I couldn’t bring myself to go outside the school. Somewhere in my mind, I wanted to stay somewhere where you could find me.”

She then looked behind her. Traces of tears still remained.

“I know in my mind that it’s a chance for me. I’ve been deceiving myself for the longest time, so it’s a straight shot to set things right”

[But you know……..] –Nanakoo cut off her words there and took a deep breath, her chest rising up and down along with it.

“Settling it would mean facing the possibility of losing. When I lose this time, when I’m seriously defeated… if that comes to pass. I’ll never be able to recover ”

“It will turn out okay, you won’t lose”\n“How can you know!? Where do you get the confidence to say that!?\n She cried out, a lonely shout, asking how anybody else could possibly understand.

I spoke out to Nanako in a calm voice.

“You really practiced a lot didn’t you? Although it’s only been short time, you kept at it.”\n“I did. I owe it to my teacher.”\nNanako gently closed her eyes, remembering what her teacher taught her.

“It’s for the sake of that teacher too, Nanako.”

“Yeah….and I’m grateful for it. I’d like to return the favor if I could. But--”\nNanako shook her head\n“Practice and performing are two different things. I’ve never sung in front of anyone since then, I can’t sing in front of hundreds of people….Having all those people scrutinize me for my worth is scary. I can’t handle it…”\nIf you have no desire or interest in anything, then it’s hard to reach for a destination. Shinoaki’s passion for drawing and Tsurayuki’s penchant for writing is stronger than anyone of my peers and at this point of their lives is a feat all on its own. For Nanako fear and embarrassment reared its head on her path. The feeling to protect herself is infinitely stronger than her avidity.

“Kyouya you’ve had to have noticed it too right? I’m….scared of improving, scared of being forthright all this time.” 

“…..Yeah”

Nanako let out a strained smile

“It was easier for me being told that even though I’m bad at singing yet I’m still being praised. It’s the same with acting. It was easier for me being told I was good even if it was only because it’s from the perspective of being in the film department. That’s why--”

Her voice sounded like something was forcibly spewed out from her throat.\n“—I’m petrified right now. It would be all out criticisms with no excuse to fall back on… It’s terrifying, I feel like I’m going to crumble apart. Singing in this state won’t work, instead of returning a favor to my seniors, it would become a disaster for them for sure…..”

[It’s impossible] -Nanako repeated again

“Sure you maybe scared, from top to toe at anything and everything.

I took a step closer.

“But didn’t I already tell you? I will handle all of it. In order for you to get better at singing”

“And I keep asking you why do you keep saying it…!?\n“It’s because of this.”

As I said so, I show what I brought with me in front of Nanako\n“Ah, This is…”

Nanako’s expression greatly wavered.\n\n