In circles, Chasing after her
"After the play..."
While, He was walking outside of a stage room, He thought. I wish, I could join a club like this... Maybe should I try applying for this atleast once, although I've know, I'll won't pass the audtion easily.
In the corridor while leaving. Suddenly, He was reminded of her face at the stage. "Ah... I was planing to ignore her. He said, than he looks at the club stand, few girls stood together they were handing out the pamphlets, for a next show.
I've looked at it as I walked closer to the stand, I heard they were talking aloud as I'd heard. A girl with an shoulder cut, pink hairs was saying, "I went to the cafe the other day yesterday." Than a girl with bob cut, and a tracksuit replied to her, "I've gone there with Kakashi once and than thought it was okayish."
"Oh did you go there isn't it expensive? By the way who is kakashi?" Girl with a orange colored long hair's, and a petited figure, asked. Other girl answered whispering in her ear. "Her boyfriend."
"Oh! really... What the heck—no wonder you were watching naughty stuff recently," She said, pointing her finger's at her. "So, so you were planing to try that stuff later with that boyfriend of yours yes, yes—you lustful, lewd girl—sex-"
The tracksuit girl shouted! "When have you ever see me watch porn. You IDIOT!, Oh shit, I said it too loud." she looked around. "Excuse me!" He said from behind his voice nearly too exhausted by their talk. "What should I do if I want to join the Theater and flim club?"
"Uh... Erm... Can you say that again?" she said, her expression was flustered. "Ok—I really want to join the club so is there an application form that, I've can fill up?" The girl with an orange hair looked at the other two girls. "Rina. Azusa. We are not accepting any member applications right now, are we...?" Tell me quick her look said.
"Asuza sights.. Hanabi are you an idiot." Idiot," Rina said from the side too. She continued. "Originally our club only accept people's from the addition, there's no exeption, so sorry."
"I see... He said. Than a voice of a footsteps came approaching from the behind. "Hey girls why aren't you all helping in the clean up?" Cold voice came and than hit them like a chill winter breeze. "Eek! Oh Nana Senpai" Hanabi said. Ah... ''No the thing is this boy wants to join our club so I was busy just telling him.
"Who?" She looked over him tilting her head and eyes throughwards him. "As our eyes meet, I've remember her, she was the senior who invited Reze out for the smoke that day." Her gaze was set upon me like she was analysing me. Judging me. Looking at her a thought came in my mind, is everyone on the theater club so good looking.
First, Reze. "I know, I shouldn't say this, But she looks so fine like a dynamite and then her just like an old fermented wine, than look at there at the three girls standing there at the Stall, just what the hell is with this club members?"
In her mind, Nana thought, Isn't he the boy Reze left with last night? Just then, an evil thought crept into her mind. She grinned and thought, Seems like I've found a way to get my revenge on her.
"I bowed a bit and greeted her... than already turning to leave.
As I was about to leave. "When is audition of a newcommers." What?" On the Friday, but why Nana senpai?" Hanabi asked. "I am going to take the audition this time. Nana said, Tell Reze too. She might be already tired of acting, and then learning directing too.
"Sure... Hanabi said."
Azusa thought. That idiot she still doesn't get that something evil is going on inside her head, she still didn't understand even after seeing that grin.
Nana coughed, Hhm... "Despite the rules, it is impossible for me to reject you, seeing how enthusiastic you are. But I don't wish to accept random people either alright. But I'm going to hold a special entrance test just for you, Okay? So, could you come back to the millennium Hall at 5pm this Friday? we usually hold our practice sessions inside the auditorium."
"Yes—I mean, sure,' he said. 'Thank you very much. I will definitely be there on time."
Is she serious Hanabi said...
———
"Somewhere else: back inside the Backstage—"
A girl sat with her knees drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them. Her gaze was distant, tears brimming in her eyes. She sat with both legs tucked to one side, fragile and unmoving.
Senna "I'm sorry... This I really didn't add an Ad–Lib out of nowhere. They suddenly changed that part of the script at the last moment... I'm really sorry... Senna.
Kazama said." He stood next to her, restless, unsure of what to do.
———
"Few hours ago before the play..."
Rehearsal room felt silent. Reze spoke. Kazama, her sharp eyes fixed on him. "We're gonna do this my way now," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Ink on the revised lines was still barely dry, and he still stood there standing glistening under the harsh stage lights.
Kazama blinked, taken aback. "Wait—you just changed that scene few moments ago, senpai does Senna even know about it." she said, "No." Reze crossed her arms leaned over the table, her shadow stretching long across the floor. "Shouldn't you tell her?" He said. "If you'll tell her do you think she'd gonna agree. think about it kazama, I'm not doing this for myself, it's for the club."
The audience won't wait for you both to get comfortable you know." There was a steel edge beneath her calm voice, the kind that came from years of a command.
He hesitated, feeling the weight of her gaze press against him. Then, with a reluctant breath, he stepped forward, eyes tracing the unfamiliar words as he began to speak, his voice trembling under Reze's expectant silence.
Than she continued. You will do what the senpai asked earlier won't you?" She asked again, this time just to confirm him.
"Thinking again isn't it a bit... He said. "So, you are not going to do it, fine than I."
"No it's not that." He said with a sigh... "Fine I'll do it, I will do it, but I have a condition in return. Will you go on a date with me Senpai?" "Hm..." She said seriously. "Depends. On how you do it."
She chuckled "I am joking, of course kazama. You are doing an important job a date is nothing compared to that."
"Than senpai's busy." while leaving the room, she asked one last time. "Will you be able to do as I told you to right?"
He replied. "Yes..."
The Door closed with a thud. "Ah... He put's his hand over his face. "What should I do...? I really can't do this to senna..."
———
"Back to present..."
Sigh…
"Sorry, Senna…"
The doors of the changing room opened as Reze came out, clapping her hands. "Hey, hey—you guys are still goofing around? When are you planning to finish this?"
"Oh, Reze-senpai," a guy said while moving the props. She looked over and said, "Why aren't you arranging the costumes and tidying up the stage?"
"Yes, senpai!"
"Do it right away!" she commanded.
As she walked through, she noticed Senna sitting near the door, with Kazama standing beside her, trying to comfort her. Reze walked up to them.
Tick tock, tick. The sharp sound of her heels echoed against the floor as she approached them. "Ah… Reze-senpai," Kazama said. "Wow… Kazama, you're such a nice guy. She said, You're even doing things I didn't ask you to do—"
"But I—" he started. And she didn't even let him finish. "Are you going to now ignore me as well?"
"No, it's not like that—" He said. "Hey, Torou Kazama, you're starting to annoy me now. So can you just get lost?" she said harshly.
"But, senpai, I was—" he tried again, reaching for her hand. "Kazama," she said, brushing her hair back, "I told you to leave. Didn't you hear me?"
"…Yes," Kazama replied in a low voice. He walked away, and the sound of the door closing followed.
Reze then tossed a bag of luxurious clothes beside Senna. "I felt sorry for you, so I bought some clothes. They were pretty expensive… so I hope they're to your liking." She turned and was about to leave.
"Reze senpai," Senna said, "how could you make such a change to the script without even saying a single word to me first?"
She stopped. "Oh, come on, Senna," Reze said, turning back. "Do you really think just any random person can write a script? Don't you know that emergency modifications to a script are extremely common?"
"It's time for you to wake up. In today's world, the audience is much more open-minded and demands more stimulating content. Our plays have to meet their expectations."
"Hey, let's go," one guy whispered to another holding a prop box. "Before she gets mad at us for no reason."
"Yeah…" he replied.
Reze lowered her voice. "Do you really think the same old boring platonic love stories will even work these days…?"
She glared at the crew. They quickly started moving. "Come on, move fast—she's scary."He said, "Okay, okay…"
Sigh… as She crouched in front of Senna.
"Hey, Senna… you think this is the end, right?"A faint smile touched her lips. "Keep looking forward to what's coming next."
———
After settling in the college in few days, it's finally was Friday. He thought. Even through I came to the class I couldn't... concentrate at all.
"Architecture Department."
It was obvious—I was nervous… or maybe just too excited. I couldn't really tell. But I couldn't help thinking that I had the opportunity to join a club full of pretty, hot, and beautiful girls and boys from all over the campus.
Then.... there was also her Reze.
He reminisce about a moment Just after the sex. as he lay onto the bed, he saw her sitting beside him on the bed, looking outside the window, softly humming a song.
Half-asleep, with one eye barely open, "I looked at her half awake. Her stunning beautiful naked bare back was facing me, I've quietly reached out for my handphone and took a sneak pic of her, and mine first time, and our first sex— Click.
Running his day dreaming, "Hey senkai! We are going to play slot machine at the arcade. You'll coming?" Masamune called out! Huh, Senkai blinked. "Nope, I'm not— "Ah, fuck, if you are not coming than who's gonna help us, seriously you're such a bore, Shikamaru said."
"Hey there are plenty of guys who can help you instead of me Shikamaru. Also I really can't tag along with both of you today I am really busy—" Masamune eyes narrowed. "You really have a strange impression on your face today." Than Shikamaru added, "He always had a silly face."
Senkai snapped. "Yah! Who's face are you calling silly." Shikamaru said. "Of course yours."
"Hey! He shouted again, "Hey, hey come on both of you. Masamune stepped in between stopping both of them."
"Ah... I'm leaving He said." Picking his bag up. "I have to go to the millennium hall.
"What's that about the millennium hall?" Masamune asked.
Before he could answer, Shikamaru said. "Fu*k you, die and become the millennium ghost in that millennium hall."
After a while, out on campus, the three of them waved to each other and went their separate ways.
"Bye!" Masamune said, waving.
"See you… after the weekend," Shikamaru added as he walked off.
"You too," Senkai replied.
———
Club room: "Theatre and the Flim."
Hmm... I am more nervous now I am here. He thought. let's see... He stood in front of the door, "Theatre and Flim."
"So here it is. He knocked twice. Excuse me. A voice spoken in from inside. "Come in. A bit nervous, in an awkward tone, he stepped in and greeted. "Hello..." A senpai sitting at the desk looked up at him, she give a confused look at him? "Uh... Erm... Nana senpai told me to—" He said. "...Ah, special admission?"
"Yes my name is yoshimura Senkai. Nice to meet you." She turned back to the monitor and said flatly, "The club president isn't here yet. Please wait for a bit. If you get bored, you can look around the practice rooms."
Okay, so unfriendly he thought.
After waiting for a while, boredom got to him. He began looking around—studying the place like a curious, cautious cat. Props, costumes, stage items… everything caught his attention.
Than as the sound of the doorknob turning. Came in. He turned his head slightly toward the entrance. But He didn't thought it be this quick.
"Hey... Rya i'm thirsty, Go buy me some coffee."
As she looked around the room casually, her eyes gotten big suddenly widened. "Oh... Senkai Kun! what are you doing here?" From bored looking at the monitor, Rya her face lit up in amusement as she turn over to me, "So, you are the Yoshimura Senkai Kun, a mischievous grin spread across her face.
Reze glanced up, startled, her gaze following Rya's. "I stood near the back of the room, I've looked at the Reze, my lips twitched—just the faintest hint of a smile maybe I wasn't able to control—but I've said nothing. Of course quietness was my way of doing things, of measuring, and Observing.
Before she even spoke, Behind her trailed Nana, the one who had actually invited Senkai to join the club. Reze's eyes instantly found him, and for a moment the air felt charged—like the word had shrunk to just the three of them.
Reze, Rya greeted brightly, not missing a beat, "You're finally here. Meet Yoshimura-kun—our newest... recruit?" She let the word hang teasingly, clearly knowing the tension between the two them.
He straightened slightly, through his expression remained calm. He inclined his head in greeting, eyes briefly locking with Reze's in that familiar, unreadable way.
And then there was Nana.
She lingered just behind Reze, a soft, sweet smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes. Her fingers twirles a pen in her hand, subtle and deliberate. Watching Reze and Senkai, she whispered under her breath, enough for only herself to hear:
"Interesting... Let's see how you gonna handle this Reze."
It wasn't admiration. It wasn't curiosity, there was something cold and calculated there, a quiet plotting that made the hair on the back of Reze's neck prickle, even if she didn't know why yet. Nana intentions were hidden behind polite manners, but him being unaware of the brewing strom behind him.
Nana's voice was smooth, almost musical. "I hope we'll all get along, the club is very selective." She let her gaze linger on Reze for a beat too long, the unspoken words sharp as a blade.
Reze's jaw tightened—but only for a second. As If Nana noticed, she didn't show it.
"Let's go to the stadium hall, we evaluate your acting skills there. "Acting what? Reze frowned."
"Oh didn't I told you remember, that we'll be talking a evaluation test of a new recruit. A freshman who is too enthusiastic to join our club, She gestured toward him. it's him the youshimura senkai." Rya followed, "Oh than we should hurry. Lets go! Follow me, newbe straight to the hall."
Senkai quietly followed her out. "Hey, Rya… Nana… are you even listening to me?" Reze called out.
But they had already left.
With a small sigh, she gave up—and followed them.
———
"Millennium Hall: At the stage room."
He stood onto the stage. I—" he began, then stopped. His fingers curled at his sides. "I'm not… really good at talking in front of people."
Rya raised an eyebrow, "That wasn't the question."
Nana tilted her head, feigning kindness. "You don't have to be good. Just try."
"Try, try. He muttered nodding twice.
That word followed him as he stepped onto the center of the stage again. The lights were dim. Too dim. Space inside felt wide. Empty. "I've swallowed. Any else script?"
Rya tossed a random paper at him. "Monologue, Page three." She said. He glanced down at The script. The words seemed to have blurred in my eyes as I've opened my mouth, But nothing came out.
His throat tightened — not from fear, but from unfamiliarity. I've wasn't used to expressing. But I was used to observing, Enduring, and staying quiet and steady while the world moved loudly around me. "…I'm sorry," But I don't think I can do this. I've finally said it, quietly it came out of my mouth,
Rya groaned dramatically, "Oof, That bad, huh?"
Nana didn't look disappointed — but rather she looked satisfied. Reze she watched silently, arms crossed, eyes unreadable. "Again," Nana said calmly. "From the top."
Senkai tried again, But when he spoke this time — the words fell flat. Empty. Like he was reciting facts instead of a feelings. His posture was stiff, his voice was careful, restrained.
He wasn't acting.
He was hiding.
Rya sighed. "Yeah… no. That's not acting. That's a hostage reading a ransom note." He lowered the script slowly. "I told you," he said quietly. "I'm not built for this." Maybe I shouldn't have tried my luck, there was no self-pity in his voice. But Just acceptance.
Nana smiled. "Then maybe you just need… a trigger. She glanced at Rya. Alright," she said, folding her arms. "Let's not make this unfair."
Rya perked up immediately. "Yeah, throwing a freshman on stage alone is cruel." Rya's grin turned wicked, "Ohhh. I know exactly what you mean." Before Reze could react, Rya grabbed her wrist and tugged her forward.
"You," she said cheerfully, pushing Reze onto the stage beside Senkai, " you are acting with him." Reze's eyes widened. "Rya—, "Non-negotiable," Rya chirped. "Partner scene. Improvised," Senkai stiffened immediately. "Wait— no, that's not—" Too late.
Rya clapped again. "Scene prompt: Two people who don't say what they feel — until it's too late.
A Silence, She turned toward Senkai slowly, Up close, she could see it — the way his shoulders tensed, the way his eyes avoided hers, the way he braced like someone preparing for impact.
She softened her voice. "…Senkai." That alone changed something. He looked at her. Really looked at her for a moment, than for a while the whole room faded. The stage wasn't a stage anymore. But It was a night, A cigarette, A note left behind.
"You're still quiet," She said gently, stepping closer, "Even now." His jaw tightened. "Because every time I speak," Than his voice low and steady, "I lose something." Her breath caught — just slightly. "That's not acting," Nana murmured under her breath, But that's look like a truth.
She reached out — slowly, deliberately — giving him time to pull away. But He didn't. "You think silence makes you strong. "It does," he answer immediately. "But?". But," he continued, eyes locked onto hers now, "it also makes you the invisible." air shifted around the Room.
Rya stopped smiling. His voice didn't rise. It didn't shake. But it just carried. "I don't chase people," he said. "I don't beg them to stay. Cuz If someone leaves, I let them leave."
She whispered, "And what if they wanted you to stop them?" His answer came out cold without a hesitation. "Then they should've asked. Silence after, that was heavy — rather alive, and Reze she felt it in her chest."
So did the all people in the stage room.
She stepped even closer now, her voice barely above a breath. "…And if I asked now?" Senkai didn't break eye contact. "…Then I'd listen." Rya exhaled slowly. "Holy hell she muttered."
Nana smiled — sharp, pleased. "That," she said softly, "was acting." He blinked, like he'd just woken up. "I— I didn't—. "Reze stepped back, breaking the moment. Her expression was carefully neutral now.
"You weren't acting," she said quietly. But "You were responding." Nana nodded. "Which is far more dangerous." Reze turned back to Senkai. "You fail alone," she said calmly. "But with the right person—" Nana added. Her eyes flicked to Reze. "—you're terrifyingly real."
Back than... He thought, I've didn't even knew whether to feel proud… or afraid. Rya clapped loudly. "Congrats, loner boy. You're now officially interesting."
Reze looked away. Because she already knew the truth. He wasn't an actor. He was a mirror.
And if she stayed too close— He would reflect everything she was trying to forget. Nana's eyes darkened — not with anger, but with intrigue.
Reze exhaled slowly. "…That's enough," she said. She stepped back. Nana clapped again, slower this time. "Well, well." She smiled — genuinely now. "You pass."
"Senkai blinked, Huh?" But you'll need the damn practice," Nana added smoothly, turning toward Reze, "from today on… he will be under your carefull supervision." She stiffened. "What?"
"Congratulations," Nana said brightly. "You're officially mentoring him. "Rya laughed. "Oh, this is evil." Reze She met Nana's gaze — and finally understood.
This wasn't about rules.
Or talent.
This was revenge, And Senkai — unaware, hopeful, standing there with unexpected amusement— had just stepped into the center of a quiet war.
Nana smiled sweetly. "Welcome to the Theatre and Film Club, Yoshimura Senkai." as you're seniors we welcome you. And somewhere deep inside, Reze felt it —
The beginning of the End.
———
To be continue...
———