CH 25

[It’s you. You’re the one who’s been hanging around Haruka.]

Tomoya, one of the main actors, looked frightened at my harsh words.

“N-no, I’m.”

[Haruka saved you because she’s kind. Don’t misunderstand.]

This is a coming-of-age love story that begins when Haruka saves Tomoya, who was originally going to die in an accident, by leaping through time. I play the role of Haruka’s delinquent childhood friend, Hayato, who actually likes Haruka.

Although it’s an important role, the story focuses mainly on the fresh, sweet and sour relationship between Haruka and Tomoya, and I don’t appear in many scenes.

After a brief appearance, I snuck into the backstage.

My body is burning. I wiped the sweat from my face and neck with the hand towel provided and moistened my throat with mineral water.

I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be. The strong stage lighting was backlit, so I couldn’t see the audience at all, and I didn’t have to worry about their eyes on me. I was so busy performing that I didn’t have time to worry about what was going on around me.

Hiyoshi san was swaying her body up and down as if she was dancing.

“Good~, Izuma kun, amazing~.”

She was whispering because the performance was still in progress, but her expression showed that she was very excited.

“Especially your voice, it’s so good. If someone threatens me with such a powerful voice, I’ll give him my money in a second.”

–that much?

Perhaps I’m so fired up by my role as a yankee that even my voice is getting louder. But above all, I felt that Yua’s compliments were giving me a boost.

“Or rather, you didn’t look at most of the cue cards.”

“I’m not the type of person who can deal with difficult signs.”

“But I’m surprised you were able to remember it. I knew I had a good eye.”

While she was saying those things, the two main actors came back to the backstage. The stage lights dimmed. Hiyoshi san ordered the props to change the stage props.

It won’t be my turn for a while. I read the script as if I were mumbling in my mouth, and drilled the lines into my head.

After a couple of brief interludes, the next scene was the one in which Tomoya was supposed to be violently attacked. I’m not swinging my fist at Tomoya, but rather grabs him by the chest and drives him against the wall.

[Were you not listening to what I said?　Haruka is working hard for her future dream. Don’t get in her way !]

I grabbed Tomoya by the chest with both hands and lifts him up so that his body floats.

[I’m not getting in her way. I’m supporting Haruka too.]

[Don’t you call Haruka’s name so casually !]

Haruka witnesses the scene, and the distance between Tomoya and her grows closer. What a sad life for someone who has no chance of winning.

After returning to the backstage, the boy who played as Tomoya approached me.

“Izuma, you were so scary……. You were like a demon……”

“Well, I’ve been in that situation before.”

I was in middle school when it happened.

“Eh……?”

His face turned pale.

“No, I’m the one who was attacked.”

“I was scared for a second. I thought you looked like a quiet guy, but actually the leader of an underground gang.”

We laughed.

I wish I could tell you what I was thinking a while ago. The day when I can laugh about that time will come soon.

And finally, just before the last scene. The scene where Hayato takes Haruka’s feelings into consideration and breaks off his feelings for her. He calls her to the park at night and confesses his feelings.

Finally, the last appearance. I felt relieved and at the same time, I felt something that I never even felt before, that it’s okay to be immersed in this excitement for a little while longer.

But maybe I shouldn’t have allowed myself to feel that kind of luxury.

[Yo !]

I stepped out from behind the backdrop.

At that moment.

–Ah…….

The lines that I had remembered flew out from my head. The lights were dimmed so I could vaguely see the audience. Many people were paying attention to me. As soon as I realized that, my mind went blank.

A moment of silence passed. Ishigami san, who played Haruka, was the first to notice something was wrong, and she went offstage to inform the audience with her eyes.

Since I memorized the line, the sketchbook was no longer used. The props crew turned the pages, but seemed to be in such a hurry that they couldn’t find the relevant lines.

The audience gradually begins to murmur. My heart beating fast. My breathing becomes heavier. Sweat begins to pour out of my back and all over my body.

Ishigami san’s mouth is flapping. She’s probably trying to tell me my lines. But I don’t know what she’s saying.

I knew I wasn’t cut out for this. God is telling me to be quiet and live quietly.

I understand. I’m not going to show my charm anymore. So please, at least let this play end well. Everyone worked so hard. That’s why–

That’s when it happened. I saw Yua over Ishigami san’s shoulder.