Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818622170980531416
There was a slight creaking sound from the classroom floor.
“Okay, Asahina-san, please. Saeki-kun will be your partner.”
The female club member said in a slightly tense voice, and the male club member named Saeki came forward. The two faced each other and opened the script.
“Okay, let’s begin.”
The performance began.
…But something was off from the very first line.
“…I know. You… don’t look at me anymore…”
Her voice was small and trembling, and the end of her sentences trailed off. There was no intonation at all, and it was immediately obvious that she was reading from the script. Her gaze was unfocused, and it was unclear where she was looking, but Asahina just followed the words.
The atmosphere around them changed. The buzz from earlier faded away, and the club room fell silent. The male club member playing the other role tried to keep the performance going, but Asahina seemed to have skipped a line.
“Ah… um, what’s next…?”
Her fingers trembled as she tried to turn the page. Her voice cracked, and her face turned pale.
“…I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I can’t do this…”
She said that quietly, hugging the script to her chest and standing still.
No one could say anything. The advisor finally said, “It’s okay. It’s your first time,” but Asahina’s expression didn’t change.
As if escaping from the scene, she bowed her head and quickly returned to my side. As if trying to escape everyone’s gaze, she quietly hid behind me.
She couldn’t act anymore.
I imagined Asahina Toka standing before everyone, overwhelming them with her presence. I was angry at myself for feeling discouraged, even for a moment.
Asahina, standing behind me, said nothing, just trembling slightly by herself. Glancing at her, who was still looking down, I saw that her lips were tightly pursed, as if she were desperately trying not to cry.
“Asahina, let’s go home today.”
“Y-yeah.”
“I’m sorry, thank you very much today!”
I bowed slightly, then pushed Asahina’s shoulder and left the drama club room. As we stepped into the hallway, the sounds of people faded away, and the quietness of being alone returned. Beyond the window where afternoon light streamed in, some club was cheerfully shouting.
As I started to walk away, my sleeve was pulled gently.
“…Are you disappointed?”
It was a small voice, still looking down.
“I guess I’m just… no good.”
Her voice was trembling more than before.
“That’s not true.”
I stopped and looked at Asahina.
“I thought you were amazing. Just for stepping forward and trying.”
“But… everything flew out of my head, my legs were shaking… I couldn’t even speak…”
“You still did it.”
She lifted her face. Her eyes were red, and they were so moist that tears were about to spill over.
“Do you hate me now…?”
“Not for something like this.”
“You see, I made a big mistake in the past…”
There was a moment of silence. Asahina seemed to want to continue, but
“Asahina”
I interrupted her as cheerfully as possible.
“You don’t have to say things that make you feel bad.”
“But if I don’t, you’ll abandon me again…”
“I won’t do that! Okay, let’s end this conversation! Let’s eat something delicious today. Stuffed peppers or something.”
“Ryo-kun is being mean…”
“Let’s stop by the supermarket on the way home. Asahina’s house really has nothing in it…”
“The hot water works!”
“Every house has hot water!”
Let’s put the drama club talk on hold for now. I don’t know what happened in Asahina’s past, and I don’t plan to ask about it in the future. But today, I clearly understood that something painful had happened.
“T-This time, I’ll really try my best!”
“Okay.”
I was very happy that Asahina hadn’t given up yet. But I should write this down in the training notebook…
“Don’t push yourself too hard when acting.”
◇
“Ryo-kun! Take off my uniform!”
“No way! Take it off yourself!”
“Ehh~”
After shopping, we went to Asahina’s house. Usually, I eat dinner at my own house, but today I decided to eat at Asahina’s house. For some reason, I felt like I should be there for her today.
“Alright! Today, I’ll use Asahina’s unused kitchen to my heart’s content!”
“Your words seem a bit sharp.”
Asahina is clinging to me. Since the drama club incident, Asahina has become reluctant to leave my side.
“You said you wanted to try cooking the other day. Shall we try it together?”
“Sure.”
“Asahina, please cut the onions.”
“Got it!”
I think I’ll just make curry today. If I make a lot, we can probably eat it tomorrow too.
“Where should I cut this?”
“Well, first peel the skin.”
Maybe she’s just a quick learner, but Asahina is absorbing everything I teach her. It may be a small thing, but I couldn’t help feeling that she was actually a much more talented girl than she appeared to be.
“You’re surprisingly good at this.”
“Isn’t ‘surprisingly’ unnecessary?”
Asahina’s face lit up, and she smiled happily. It was her usual smile.
“Ryo kun, Ryo kun.”
“Hmm?”
“I love you.”
“Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?”
I was so surprised I almost cut my finger. Why did she say that out of the blue?
“Hey, you, you shouldn’t say that!”
“Why?”
“Even if it’s a lie, you shouldn’t say that…”
“You know I can’t act right now, right?”
“Eh?”
“I won’t say it twice.”
Asahina looked away from me and started cutting onions silently.
“Ugh, my eyes are watering.”
“…It’s onions, so it can’t be helped.”
“Yeah, it’s onions, so it can’t be helped.”
…Someday, Asahina will have to face her trauma. If that day comes, I want to be able to help her as much as I can.
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