Chapter 25
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Volume 1: First Performance: A Tragic Love Story Of A Young Lady And Spring Cherry Blossoms
Chapter 25: A Cross-Dressing Boy Succeeds In Deceiving His Father
“―――――Thank you very much!”
“Ah, thank you very much!”
After finishing the performance for the assigned scene, Honoka and I bowed our heads to the two instructors.
Then, Mr. Wagatsuma (Agatsuma) clapped his hands softly.
“That was wonderful, both of you. Your performance was very enjoyable to watch.”
“Thank you, Mr. Wagatsuma (Agatsuma).”
“Thank you very much.”
“However―――――”
“Yuji, let me say the rest.”
With that, Kyoichiro abruptly stood up from his seat, positioned himself in front of me, and looked down at me with an intimidating gaze.
Then, narrowing his eyes, he directed a sharp glare at me.
“…Kaede Kisaragi. Your performance is not what a professional should deliver. Professionals faithfully recreate the characters in the script. However, the Romeo you performed was nothing but a product of exposing ‘yourself’—a mere woman with no trace of masculinity.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“Oh? So you were aware after all. I am, after all, a lecturer with the role of guiding you kids. Therefore, I must tell you… actors who create their own unique characters like you are the ones most disliked by scriptwriters and directors. Most directors would never use an unruly actor like you.”
“You’re right.”
“Then why did you perform such a ridiculous act? Depending on your response, I might immediately throw you out of here.”
“Mr. Yanagisawa, I simply aimed to perform an act that I found enjoyable.”
“To aim for a performance that you find enjoyable, you say…?”
“Yes. My goal is to show how enjoyable acting can be to those watching my performance. I aim for a free-spirited performance that makes the audience enjoy it… That’s the type of actor I, Kaede Kisaragi, aspire to be.”
Originally, I wasn’t told by Karen to become a professional.
Given her nature, as long as I could become the school’s advertising mascot, that would be enough for her.
In that case, I should simply promote how glamorous and appealing the world of acting is to those around me.
……Well, I’m not sure how far I can go with my current lack of acting ability compared to my active years.
“……Hmm.”
I pressed my trembling right arm with my left hand and exhaled briefly.
Even now, it seems I haven’t fully recovered…….
But I did everything I could.
This is the full power performance of the current “Fuuma Yanagisawa”.
If my past self saw my current performance, they would surely be enraged like Kyoichiro in front of me, questioning what kind of ridiculous acting that was.
But that’s fine. It’s alright.
Moreover…… while I may be completely outperformed as an actor, I was able to win the battle.
Kyoichiro Yanagisawa is now completely convinced that I―――Kaede Kisaragi, am a woman.
At that point, my victory was assured.
“……Kaede Kisaragi. Do you think you can look down on acting?”
“If that’s how it was perceived, I apologize. But…”
“What is it?”
“If I could provoke such anger from the renowned actor Mr. Yanagisawa, then my performance can’t be entirely dismissed. The most terrifying thing for an artist is indifference. Art that garners no interest from the audience has no value―――― words you wrote in a book in the past.”
“……”
Kyoichiro widened his eyes at those words, and then, completely changing from his previous enraged state, began to laugh heartily.
“Hahahahaha! You’re nitpicking! You’re such an infuriating woman! Aren’t you often told that your personality is twisted?!”
“Yes. I am aware that my personality is not good.”
“Then it’s even worse!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!”
After a hearty laugh, Kyoichiro flashed a grin and spoke.
“Kaede Kisaragi, you’re accepted. You have talent. You are not an idiot.”
“……Huh?”
“Talent, you say…? Not an idiot…?”
I had been directly told by Kyoichiro in the past that I had no talent and was an idiot.
Yet, now he acknowledges my current unskilled self with a long hiatus…?
There should have been no trace of talent in my previous performance… What on earth is this about?
Confused and unable to understand my father’s words, Kyoichiro continued speaking.
“Sorry. My earlier anger was all an act. Your free-spirited performance is a method that easily creates enemies. I just wanted to test how strong your mental state is.”
With that, he exhaled deeply and turned to address the classmates who had been observing the audition.
“The audition will continue, but… I’m recommending this person for the role of Juliet. I don’t think anyone else in this acting course can portray a woman with more allure than her. …Well, no objections, right?”
His words were met with a murmur of confusion from the classmates.
However, there were also some who were clapping sporadically for me.
As I was shaken by this unexpected scene, a voice called out from behind.
“Onee-sama, congratulations!!”
“Honoka? Why are you so closely clinging to my back?”
“Th-That’s because, um, suddenly, Mr. Yanagisawa came close… I-I was scared, so…”
“Oh, I see.”
As I was having this casual conversation with Honoka, a familiar twin-tailed girl stood up from the line of students in front of me.
She―――Akane Tsukishiro, with a frustrated expression and furrowed brows, pointed at me and let out a piercingly high-pitched scream.
“……Mr. Yanagisawa! I must object to that decision!! That girl had no technical skill in acting whatsoever!!!! And yet, she’s been confirmed as the lead role over me!? A mere amateur!? I absolutely think this is wrong!!!!”
The girl with red hair, Akane, who had tears in her eyes and glared at me with a fierce expression.
In the face of her furious outburst, the surrounding students could only remain silent and look on in shock―――――.
