Chapter 61
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Volume 1: First Performance: A Tragic Love Story Of A Young Lady And Spring Cherry Blossoms
Chapter 61: The Cross-Dressing Man Dances On Stage As The Tragic Heroine
“Everyone, thank you for coming to the Capulet family’s ball tonight! Now, now, tonight we set aside all formalities! Gentlemen, please approach the ladies, find a partner, and dance to your heart’s content! Let the ball begin!”
The female classmate playing the role of Lord Capulet declared the start of the ball with open arms after shouting this.
At her signal, the classmates playing extras, who had divided into male and female roles, began to pair up and show off their ballroom dancing.
I—no, Juliet—watched them from a distance, leaning against the wall, feeling lonely and isolated.
“Excuse me, may I have this dance?”
While I was moodily twirling my hair around my fingers, Romeo appeared before me, extending his hand.
I stared at his hand for a moment before looking up and speaking quietly.
“Choosing me… what an odd choice.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing, really. Fine, let’s dance.”
Romeo and Juliet joined hands.
As Romeo placed his hand on Juliet’s waist, the ball began… and the two gracefully stepped into a waltz.
“……”
“Um… is something wrong? You’ve been staring at me.”
“No, it’s just… you might not remember, but we’ve met once before. On the bridge over the Adige River. The image of you bathing in the river below is still vividly imprinted in my mind.”
“Hehe, I remember. You were the one gazing at the river with a troubled expression three days ago, weren’t you?”
“Ah, you remember! That makes me so happy! Since then, I’ve thought of nothing but you, chasing after your memory!”
“You’re quite the flatterer. But, if you’re here at the ball… does that mean you’re a noble as well?”
“I’m no noble. I snuck into the Capulet household, hoping I might see you again. Just to meet the angel I saw bathing in the water that day.”
“Could you tone down the flattery a bit? I tend to take things seriously too easily.”
“It’s not flattery at all. I’m being sincere—”
Before he could finish, I pressed my index finger against his lips, stepping forward to bring our faces closer—Romeo and I were now face to face at an intimate distance.
This sudden action of mine, which wasn’t in the script, caused Romeo—or rather, Akane—to widen his eyes in shock and show signs of distress.
“Wa-wait—”
“I’m not some cheap woman who can be swayed by such shallow words. If you’re just looking to embrace a woman, go find someone else.”
Narrowing my eyes, I gave a bewitching smile, provocatively challenging Romeo.
At my actions, Akane let slip a brief genuine smile before slipping back into Romeo’s mask.
“I’m serious. My words were not meant lightly. It would be a terrible misunderstanding to think otherwise.”
Saying this, Romeo gently lifted my chin and smiled, narrowing his eyes with a confident air.
This exchange was no longer the sweet, romantic story expected at the ball but rather a fierce battle for the upper hand in the relationship.
Originally, the story’s formula dictated that the protagonist Romeo would lead the heroine Juliet, but… no one ever said Juliet couldn’t take control of the story.
Today, here on this stage, I’m going to shatter the image of Juliet as a passive heroine led by the man.
A charming villainess who will bewilder the audience and lure them deep into the mysterious world of entertainment.
What I intend to show on this stage is a femme fatale who could even consume the protagonist Romeo.
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From Kyoichiro Yanagisawa’s Point Of View
“W-whoa… what the hell was that…?”
Seeing the performance of those two, I accidentally dropped the unlit cigarette from my mouth.
It was a violent exchange of performances, like they were clashing fists.
Their self-centered, unscripted progress and arbitrary characterizations were enough to make the viewers uncomfortable.
If such a performance were staged in a large theater in the city, it wouldn’t be surprising if the audience booed. It was a performance completely ignoring the audience, focused solely on self-expression.
If an ordinary director saw such a play, they might stop it immediately and start yelling on the spot.
However——
“……But strangely, there’s something about their performance that captivates the audience. It’s like they’re slicing away at their own lives… it’s a terrifying drama, as if created from their own blood and flesh.”
Kaede Kisaragi appeared to be trying to maintain her composure, but there was a clear shadow of fatigue on her face.
With each progressing performance, her precision increased, but at the same time, her complexion grew worse.
It felt like she was desperately resisting something, like a person reaching out from the depths of the ocean toward the sky—as if she were standing on the stage with a do-or-die determination.
On the other hand, Akane Tsukishiro continued her performance, seemingly leading and provoking Kaede.
Akane’s acting had improved dramatically, far beyond what she was capable of before.
Perhaps the recent mental growth she had shown had propelled her to a higher level.
Her expressive abilities had changed remarkably, far beyond what they used to be.
But——-Kaede Kisaragi had gone even further, portraying a seductive Juliet who could devour the protagonist, countering Akane’s evolution.
And Akane Tsukishiro, using the experience she had accumulated, struck down that Juliet with her technical prowess.
Kisaragi is a natural talent, while Tsukishiro is an effort-driven performer.
As if in a race, they pushed and overtook each other, showcasing a violent Romeo and Juliet.
As if they didn’t care about the audience at all, they only had eyes for each other, exchanging blows on the metaphorical stage as they acted out their parts.
“Heh, heh heh heh… This is… This is a hundred times more amazing than I imagined, you two. By performing together, you’re influencing and growing alongside each other… like a pair of one-winged birds.”
I knew those kids had some talent, but… I never imagined it would be to this extent.
By standing side by side, they were exhibiting a force that could reach the level of true professionals.
It’s possible that those two could reach a level that might even rival my own.
That’s how much power they were displaying to the audience right now.
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[――――――This is fun. Acting with Akane… it makes my heart dance. I’ve never enjoyed acting this much before.]
As Akane and I exchanged improvised lines, we danced the waltz and twirled across the stage.
Exchanging performances with her was an immensely enjoyable moment.
I felt so exhilarated by this co-performance that I wished this moment could last forever.
But… all things must come to an end.
“Juliet!! Who in the world are you dancing with?!”
Suzuka Miyauchi, playing the role of Lady Capulet, shouted as she stepped between Romeo and me, pulling us apart.
“Oh, how repulsive! The son of the Montague family, dancing with our daughter! Romeo Montague, what on earth is the meaning of this?! You cursed child of a demon! Leave this mansion immediately! Juliet, where is Paris?! Good heavens, what a scandal this would be if your father saw it…!!”
“Wha… Mo-Montague…? He’s… he’s Romeo of the Montague family, our sworn enemies…?”
“Yes, this Romeo is none other than the heir of the Montague family… the detestable bloodline of our enemy!”
“No… it can’t be…”
“Come here quickly, Juliet! You are to be the wife of the wealthy Count Paris! It’s absolutely unacceptable to let another man touch your skin!”
Following Miyauchi, who played the role of Lady Capulet, I moved offstage.
As I did, I suddenly felt dizzy—stumbling forward, I collapsed spectacularly on stage.
Suzuka Miyauchi, forgetting her role, rushed over with a worried expression, peering into my face.
“A-are you okay?! Onee—”
“I apologize, Mother. The shock of what just happened was too much… I couldn’t help but fall.”
“Oh… Well, that’s understandable. After all, you just danced with that Montague’s son. It’s no wonder you’re not feeling well.”
I got up on my own and returned backstage with Miyauchi.
[Fuuma, Ma… Fuumaaaaaa!!!]
A dark figure behind me shouted my name with intense hatred.
Holding my painful chest tightly, I gritted my teeth.