"Let me get this straight: you're helping Upperclassman Enatsu with his lines?" Kiharu demanded the next day at school.

As I munched on my lunch, I nodded. "He's nervous about his upcoming audition, so I agreed to help."

"A Romeo and Juliet remake, right?" Tsumugi confirmed. "How romantic!"

I made a face. "More like, what a tragedy. Both main characters end up dead by the end."

Tsumugi pouted. "I'm talking about you and Upperclassman Enatsu!"

"Us?"

"Don't play dumb," Kiharu interjected, riddling my composure with immediate holes. "You'll be all alone in the same room, sharing laughs and smiles between takes. One will excuse themselves to purchase drinks from the vending machine and when they return, will pass the other a can, and your hands will graze. A quiet so heart-pounding will bloom. He'll take advantage of the moment, lean in, and softly tuck a frayed strand of hair behind your ear. Your eyes will meet. Time will stop for a fair moment. Then, your lips will inch closer and closer until finally—"

I pressed my palm to her face to quiet her.

"You watch too much TV."

She seized my wrist. "Are you implying I'm wrong?"

"Majorly. In the first place, I'm doing this because I want to, not with ideas like that. Besides, he helped me out when he styled my hair, free of charge, during the show. Doing a favour for him after that is nothing."

Agreeing straightaway wasn't smart, I knew. Regardless, with only a few exchanged words, it felt natural. He wasn't a bad person. I was sure of that.

Kiharu settled back into her chair, albeit sourly. "That show really was something," she eventually mumbled. "Whenever those boys give makeovers, it's like I'm propelled from reality."

"They dolled you up so cutely, Shiina," Tsumugi agreed. "Short hair suits you much better than I thought it would."

I smiled, subconsciously reaching for the strands that hung by my ears and upper nape. I was convinced the entire event would be uncomfortable, but it surprisingly wasn't so bad. They all engaged in happy-go-lucky chatter that relaxed my nerves in an instant, and didn't doll me up as seriously as I expected. It was a more natural look that I could rock daily without any inconvenience. Not to mention they provided me with a bunch of free products as well as gave the notice that I was welcome to talk to any of them about anything, anytime.

"That's all the entire school keeps whispering about too," Kiharu added, transferring me from my reverie. She gestured to our conversing classmates who gandered in our direction every so often. "You really are attractin' the attention of quite a lot of people. I'm worried if ya' let Upperclassman Enatsu have his way with you, you'll score yourself the scorn of his fangirls."

"I'll be fine," I said. "Jeez, Kiharu. I can look after myself. Besides, let these "fangirls" try—I'm not doing anything worth running or hiding."

Kiharu stared at me with half-lidded eyes, incredulity fixed into her gaze.

My shoulders slumped. "In fact, if there are people I should be running or hiding from it's—"

"Kisa! What's this about you being Issei's stand-in?"

Banri Taniguchi sprinted through the classroom doors and up to my desk in half a millisecond. His palms were on the desk, face contorted with displeasure, in less than that.

"I don't approve. Not one bit. Whatever that guy's scheming isn't worthy of your beautiful at all."

Caught off guard, Tsumugi and Kiharu side-eyed this development, alongside the rest of my peers.

I heaved a breath, already seeing this development coming. It was the norm since the show—his attachment to me and my "beauty."

I opened my mouth. "Banri—"

"What the hell are you thinking? First, you flaunt your ass in front of the entire school, and now you're trying to be an actor too? Get your head out of the clouds already, you delusional giraffe!"

"Igarashi," I spat the name with the utmost malice in my possession.

Akin to Banri, the midget slapped my desk, eyebrows taut in aversion.

Two boys, angry as could be, were on opposite sides of me, fuming. The wrong word could cause them to detonate, or hurl me into a deep, hellish abyss.

Not that I cared.

"I'm doing it," I stated firmly.

"You're not," they snapped in unison.

Fuelled by exasperation, I lurched to my feet. "Why?"

Again, their response was synchronized: "I don't like it!"

"There's nothing to like or don't like. It's pretend. I'm helping him."

Igarashi retreated his arms, folding them across his chest. "He can find someone else, then. If he's serious about auditioning for whatever it is, he's better off asking someone with proper acting experience. Like the Drama Club."

Banri was in consensus. "There's no need to waste your time when there's plenty of other options available to him. Turn him down."

"I already agreed," I responded.

"But—" Igarashi started.

"Why can't you guys be more understanding? He sincerely wants to secure this role. If that means bouncing his performance off me a few times, what's the harm?"

Banri pursed his mouth. "You're so benevolent. I love that part of you. I do, but. . . after all, I can't agree. If anyone deserves to say romantic lines to you, touch you—"

I fluttered my eyelids. "Banri? What's wrong?"

He shut his eyes tight as if to silently rebuke himself for whatever he was going to say. "Never mind."

A giggle arose. I traced it to Tsumugi. Kiharu was smirking widely beside her.

"Well, I'm not afraid to say it," Igarashi said before I could prod them. "It'll leave a bad taste in my mouth. Drop him."

"No," I refused.

"It's like you're always asking for trouble." His mumble puzzled me, but with a loud breath, he propped his hands on his hip. "Arguing with you will get us nowhere since you're hella stubborn. Whatever. I'm coming along."

It was the last thing I ever thought I'd hear. "Huh?"

"Like I'd let a guy have his way alone with you. Last time I let that happen, you wailed like a baby and swiped me of all my money."

Heat scalded my cheeks. "Y-you offered!"

"And I learned to never do it again. So, to prevent another one of your emotional breakdowns, and the death of my wallet, I'm tagging along."

What was with his high and mighty attitude? He was the one who invited me out, insisting he treat me. I mean, sure, I had a track record for getting emotional. And for having an insatiable appetite for a girl. So what? It wasn't like I was asking him to spoil me during those moments. I didn't need him to.

Burying my frustration behind a frown, I eyeballed Igarashi and Banri. They didn't waver nor offer any indication of backing down. So long as I remained committed to this, they were sticking to my side.

Oh, man. I already felt a headache coming on. . .

✧༝┉┉┉┉┉˚*❋ ❋ ❋*˚┉┉┉┉┉༝✧

"No way! You're going to be taking part, Banri?" It was the first thing Upperclassman Issei had proclaimed when we met up after the final chime. He brightened like the summer sky, gaze sweeping between him and me. "I'm already so grateful having Kisaragi lend a hand, but to think even my best friend—"

"I'm not your best friend," Banri was quick to interpose. "I'm here to make sure you're not troubling Kisa. That's all."

Upperclassman Issei was quiet for a moment. Then, he pouted. "No need to be shy. If you're worried about me, just say so."

"You're the last person I'd ever worry about."

"You have that much faith in me?"

"What I have faith in is your idiotic tenacity. Leave Kisa alone."

They got along. . . right? Well, it was clear from the makeover that they'd known each other a while. Maybe they were in the same class.

"Anyway, my beloved Juliet," Upperclassman Issei proclaimed, shimmying over to my side. "Are you ready to start practicing?"

Smiling from ear to ear, he offered me a folded script. It wasn't too thick, but it would still take a great deal of time to go through.

"I tabbed the scenes I want to rehearse," he explained onward. "Of course, you only need to read the lines belonging to Juliet."

I flipped to the first sticky note. This scene was. . .

The booklet was yanked out of my hands by scrawny fingers. Igarashi scanned the page, then leafed through additional tabbed pages in lightning speed.

His eyebrow twitched and he extended the book toward our dumbfounded upperclassmen.

"What the heck is this? It's all romantic scenes!"

Whether it be pure obliviousness or selective hearing, but Upperclassman Issei merely beamed. He approached Igarashi then crouched to his height.

"Who's this? Somebody's younger brother?" He lowered his palm onto Igarashi's head, ruffling his hair. "You know you shouldn't be skipping class. What elementary school do you go to? Is it nearby?"

"Now that you mention it, this midget's been here for a while, mouthing off to Kisa," Banri replied, eyebrows pinched close. "You're lucky you're hardly noticeable; I wouldn't condone anyone else speaking to Kisa the way you did."

I couldn't help it: I snickered. Slapped my mouth to withhold the incessant laughter threatening to pool from my mouth, much to no avail.

Upperclassman Issei and Banri glanced my way in confusion.

The air itself thinned of oxygen. Igarashi was shaking. Anger like the likes I'd never seen before swallowed him hole.

Then, baring his teeth and, without the tiniest hesitation, he chomped on Upperclassman Issei's hand that was nestled in his hair.

He emitted a startled shriek. "H-he bit me! He's biting me!"

I intervened, furling my arms through Igarashi's and jerking him back.

"What are you? A dog?" Though I tried to keep my amusement in check, and sound chastising, it was darn near impossible.

"I'm murdering them! Sending them to an early grave!"

His resemblance to an animal was the last thing on his mind. Not while he barked and snarled with evil in his eyes.

"Igarashi, they're older than us!"

"Like I care! At least the idiot in glasses! I'm ripping his head clean off his neck!?"

He evaded my clutches, intent to perpetrate homicide and land himself behind bars at the meagre age of sixteen. Fortunately, Banri and I had to work together to restrain him all the while Upperclassman Issei apologized like his life depended on it (which, it technically did). With sufficient apologies from both upperclassmen, and having rectified the misunderstanding, Igarashi's rage fizzled out.

He collapsed into a nearby seat, arms folded, foot jostling impatiently. "I've never been so disrespected in my life."

Panting heavily to regain my composure—it was quite the feat to restrain someone so small—I had to deadpan. "I'm sure this isn't the first time anyone's mistaken you for a toddler."

"Elementary schooler!"

"So you admit to it."

Igarashi growled at me. Thankfully, instead of reigniting his vexation, he spat, "I get it. I'm tiny. A barely visible speck of dust in your titan eyes."

Banri sighed. "Don't take it to heart. We apologized."

"Your high and mighty apology doesn't make me feel any better!"

"Now, now, Igarashi," Upperclassman Issei said, and strangely held his arms. "Let's all smile like morning gold and become comrades!"

Silence as heavy as a bag of bricks swallowed the room. 

"Huh?" His glasses glinted off the lights. He tried again. "Friends who bury hatchets, build bridges!"

"What is he saying?" Igarashi was the first to mutter.

Equally as straight-faced, Banri monotoned, "I don't know. Maybe if we stay quiet, he'll shut up."

"We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated!"

My lips curled downwards.

"All the world's a stage!"

"All right, all right." Banri shoved him, having lost his patience. "Stop yammering and practice already."

"Theatre is life!"

✧༝┉┉┉┉┉˚*❋ ❋ ❋*˚┉┉┉┉┉༝✧

"Since everything's all fine and dandy, let's take it from the top," Upperclassman Issei announced.

Script in hand, I stood across from him. Igarashi and Banri sat a decent distance away, attention unhindered.

The nerves devoured me whole. Upperclassman Issei had only one script available, so he'd given it to me to read off, excusing he didn't need one since he'd already memorized it.

Banri had also whispered something bizarre to me before he'd gone to join Igarashi.

"You're about to see what hell looks like."

I wanted to excuse he was still being stubborn about my involvement like earlier today. Nonetheless, it summoned a premonition in my gut anyway.

"Are you ready, my beloved Juliet?" Upperclassman Issei continued.

The nickname tickled my stomach. It was difficult to get used to. In spite of that, the smile he bore at this moment eased the apprehension bubbling within me.

I nodded in reply, squeezing the pages harder. All I have to do was read. It was something I did with Rin-Rin for school plays before his debut. It'd be easy.

Inhaling a deep breath, Upperclassman Issei's smile disappeared. More specifically, his nonchalance did.

"'But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east and Juliet is the sun!'"

It was only two sentences, but I'd been blown away. He truly was amazing.

"'Arise, fair sun and kill the envious potato!'"

Because he was so fetching, I'd nearly misheard him. Creases appeared on my forehead.

Potato?

"'Who is already juicy and round with glee
That thou her maid art far more bald than she.
Be not her maid, since she is wild greens.'"

Hold on a second. What was going on? Romeo wasn't sticking to the lines here.

"And it begins," I heard Banri mumble from afar.

My gut lurched. "U-um, Upperclassman Issei," I interrupted him. "Those lines. . ."

He lowered his arms. "What's wrong, Kisaragi?" he responded with slow blinks.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Igarashi interjected. "You're way off, man."

Even without a script, that much was obvious.

Upperclassman Issei jumped. "I-I am?"

He looked to me for confirmation.

I gave it. "You mixed up a couple of words."

"No way! I was so sure I had it down perfectly."

"Do you want to look it over?"

He shook his head. "Let's try a few lines down! The second tab. I'm at least confident about those!"

In accordance, I flipped to the section he indicated and glazed it over. This was. . .

He began, "'Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops—'"

I was too much awe to realize I had to read my lines. I shakily opened my mouth. "'O, s-swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy love p-prove likewise variable.'"

"'What shall I swear by?'"

He was smooth. I could hear the passion in his voice, too.

Opposite to that, I fumbled over the oddly strung words, sputtering, "'Do not swear at all.
Or if thou wilt, swear by thy g-gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I'll believe thee.'"

"I understand. Then I will swear by myself, and give to you my heart and soul."

He fell onto one knee.

I faltered, neck whipping up from the script. "Th-that. . ."

"Your orders, Milady?"

Why did he suddenly turn into my butler?

Igarashi and Banri were face-palming from where they were.

Sensing the mood shift, Upperclassman Issei gandered up. His dumbstruck, happy-go-lucky demeanour returned. He whipped his focus between them and me and gaped, mussing his hair.

"I did it again, didn't I?"

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I thought you said you memorized it," Igarashi accused.

"I have," he responded. "I know Shakespeare's plays inside out. Romeo and Juliet is no different."

"Then. . ." I said.

"He's an idiot." Banri skulked to our sides before I'd realized it. With half-lidded eyes, he continued, "He never shuts up about doing street theatre because he excels in keeping you on your toes. Coming up with things on the spot is what attracts him to acting in the first place. He's extremely tenacious that way."

My lips parted, stunned. "So you're saying. . ."

"Pretty much." He shrugged. "Put him in front of a camera, or give him a formal script, and he crumbles. It's why he's always failed every single one of the auditions he's ever tried out for."

Something like that was possible? Upperclassman Issei was such a magnificent actor who brought me to tears with one simple performance. But that was all unrehearsed. On the flip side, if something was preplanned, he. . . messed up like this.

"It's not on purpose," Upperclassman Issei quickly defended. "The words all show up in my head. It's all there, but my mouth and body have minds of their own. They move instinctively!"

"That's a stupid quirk," Igarashi spat, resting his chin on his palm. "It isn't like what you say or do are anywhere related to the script either. And you say your dream is to become an actor?"

Upperclassman Issei collapsed onto his knees. "I know. . . ! I'm a failure!"

Banri expunged a heavy breath, rubbing his temple. "I still remember him cackling and going on and on about eating babies when he once had a lighthearted script about a suburban family. Ugh, this is why I didn't want him dragging Kisa into this. The things that come out of this idiot's mouth are nightmares nobody should witness."

I swallowed hard at the image. This was a bigger problem than I thought. Like Banri had told me, if I stuck with this, I'd surely see hell.

Regardless. . .

"I won't give up."

My declaration left the three boys shell-shocked.

"Dreams are meant to be followed, no matter the setbacks," I continued resolutely. "Upperclassman Issei's habit is troublesome, but not decisive. We have time until his audition. We can rectify this problem, and have him make it!"

Stars filled Upperclassman Issei's eyes. "Kisaragi, you'll go that far for me?"

"I wouldn't recommend it, Kisa," Banri interjected. "He's been this way for years. Flunked audition after audition, including school functions, longer than I can remember—all because he has no self-control! He has no hope—"

"If we, his comrades, believe in him, there's no mountain he can't climb!" I admit, Upperclassman Issei's confession over the weekend, about his aspirations and goal to move people's hearts, touched me dearly. It was just so beautiful. How could I not want to face all odds to make it a reality regardless of the potential setbacks?

This was an issue—yes, undeniably—but it wasn't impossible to overcome. We'd best it, then!

"Dammit, she's spouting nonsense again," Igarashi groaned. "Why're you so strait-laced about the strangest things? Stop getting emotionally invested in everything you come across."

Opposite to the dour tone Igarashi utilized, Banri's cheeks embellished a bright pink.

"Kisa. . . even in moments like this—for someone like Issei—you'll go so far. You're so beautiful!"

I wouldn't back down. I didn't want to. Not so long as I could do something to flip this hopeless situation on its head, and help Upperclassman Issei take that first step toward his ambition!

—————

I hope this chapter was all right. Kinda rushed through it, ha ha.

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