Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818622170980631036
You’re such a fool. You should have just turned it down right away. You’re wasting your energy on the wrong things.
“…”
I want Asahina to smile as much as possible, like she did today. That’s why I can’t force her to act.
Is there anything I can do for Asahina?
What can I, an ordinary high school student, do for a former child prodigy?
What can Kuga Ry do for Asahina Toka?
“…Asahina.”
I called her name, and she turned around. Before I knew it, I was hugging her tightly.
No matter how much I think about it, I can’t come up with a cool answer like the ones in the dramas and movies Asahina used to be in. In the end, all I can do is support Asahina, just like I always have.
“Ryo kun, that hurts…”
“I’m having a lot of fun being with the current Asahina. I like the current Asahina Toka.”
“Huh?”
“So, it’s okay if you fail. It’s okay if you mess up your acting. You don’t have to join the drama club.”
…But I thought it was a real shame that a girl like Asahina was hesitating out of fear of failure. It wasn’t because she used to be a child actor… I just felt that way from the time we’d spent together.
“—But let’s try a little harder. I’ll be with you.”
So I ended up saying those words to her. Asahina’s eyes widened at my words.
“…Okay.”
That “yeah” had a childlike ring to it. I don’t want to push her too hard. But I also don’t want her to give up on herself like before. So maybe that “a little” is just right for us.
“You won’t hate me if I fail…?”
“Of course not. I’m the guy who stays here even after seeing that filthy room.”
“That’s convincing…”
Ouch! She pinched my back.
She was joking around, but Asahina was trembling slightly in my arms.
“…Ryo-kun.”
“Hm?”
“You see, I made a big mistake in the past.”
“Asahina, it’s okay about the past…”
“No, I want you to listen.”
Asahina’s hand gripped my back. Like carefully opening a lid, words trickled out of Asahina’s mouth one by one.
“…Child actors are products, you know.”
“Products?”
“Yeah, like a product with an expiration date. Since it’s a product, new ones keep coming out one after another… It’s normal, but my mom couldn’t accept that…”
“Your mom?”
“Yeah, she said, ‘Don’t lose to that girl. You absolutely can’t lose to her.’ So I tried my best, right? I stayed up late for lessons and got up early in the morning…”
“…”
“Ryo, do you know that girl named Kagurazaka who came after me? She’s on TV a lot these days…”
“Of course, she’s super famous, so I know her…”
“She’s in the same agency as me.”
“Huh?”
“The agency wants to promote her as a child actress who surpasses Asahina Toka. To replace me, whose shelf life is about to expire…”
“…
“… ‘Failed to nurture’—that’s the information my agency leaked, you know?”
I was speechless. It was like being hit in the head with a hammer. Could it be that the source of the article I saw online earlier was…
“I tried my best not to lose, but I couldn’t go against the agency’s policy… Then I pushed myself too hard and ruined my body… I ruined an important drama…”
Asahina’s voice gradually became choked with emotion.
“Then, even my mother said I was a ‘failed trainee’…”
The tears that wet my chest felt unusually hot and painful. For Asahina, the phrase “failed trainee” had a much sadder meaning than I had imagined.
“…I’m sorry for being such a crybaby. It was such a fun day…”
“Don’t apologize. You can cry all you want on my sweatshirt.”
“That’s a weird way to comfort someone…”
Asahina smiled slightly. It was a silent smile, but I could tell her lips were slightly curved upward. I love Asahina’s smile.
…I realized something from what she just said.
“Asahina.”
“What…?”
“I was thinking, is ‘failed training’ really such a bad thing?”
“Huh?”
“Because, right now, Asahina is here beside me. I’m glad I met Asahina.”
“Ryo-kun…”
“So, can I decide whether the cultivation back then was a failure or not?”
At those words, Asahina blinked widely.
I finally understood what the “Toka Re-Training Plan” was for.
“That’s unfair… Ryo-kun, that’s unfair. If you say that, I won’t be able to leave you…”
Saying that, Asahina buried her face in my chest and rubbed her head against me.
“…What are you doing?”
“I’m marking you with my scent…”
Asahina was doing something I didn’t understand. But it was somehow cute, so I gently stroked her back.
“Asahina, it’s time to sleep.”
“Yeah… Ryo-kun… good night…”
“Goodnight, Asahina. I’ll always support you.”
“Okay…”
After that, Asahina cried in my arms for a while. I never thought we’d end up this close at night. But for now, it felt like the distance between us had closed to zero, and that made me happy.
Today’s conversation decided the final destination of the re-training plan.
To free her from the words “training failure.”
That is what Kuga Ryo must do, and it is his wish! This time, I will be the one to make Asahina Toka smile. And it will be with the best SSR possible.
I must write that in the training notebook tomorrow…
◇
“Ugh…”
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. My body hurts a little. I must have fallen asleep on the floor.
“Good morning, Ryo-kun.”
“Hm?”
Asahina is right in front of me… Wait, Asahina!?
“Uwaaaaaaa!”
Asahina is nestled in my arms! She’s soft and feels good… No, I did it! We just slept like that!
“Asahina, you’ve been like this the whole time!?”
“Yeah, it was warm and comfortable.”
“If you were awake first, you didn’t have to stay here like this!”
“Your sleeping face was cute.”
“Huh?”
“Ryo-kun’s sleeping face was very cute. Don’t show that face to anyone else but me, okay?”
Saying that, Asahina’s lips gently touched my cheek.
“W-w-w-w-what!?”
“Actually, I need to go to the bathroom…”
“Go quickly!”
I hurriedly let Asahina go. Asahina reluctantly got up from her spot.
“…Hey, Ryo kun, would you be happy if I tried my best?”
“Huh? Of course I would…”
“Then maybe I’ll try acting again. I’ll try a little harder, like you said…”
“Asahina, you don’t have to push yourself.”
“No, it’s not about pushing myself.”
“Then why…?”
“I wanted to show the people who support me that I’m trying my best.”
Her voice was very weak, but it was very sincere.
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