For his birthday on May 15th, I translated Sou's pre-release short story (original) written by Shin Towada (lead scenario writer) with concept art by the artist Lownine. No real spoilers as it takes place before the newcomers' performance as usual.
I opted to keep some honorifics in this one between Sou and Kisa just because I couldn't find a good solution around that in the time I had for this. Hopefully it doesn't read too out of place.
That day we shared a dream together, and even now I'm still in it.
--Where is this?
His field of vision opens abruptly. Warm rays of sunlight fall gently at his feet. Unable to grasp the situation, he looks around at his surroundings. A single torii gate beckons him. Beyond the gate lies a sleepy shrine nodding off to sleep. Memories come to Soshiro Yonaga's mind at the sight of it.
"Sou-chan!"
As soon as he connects this place to his memories, he hears the voice of a child ring out. Yonaga's body jumps inside as it takes in the sound of that affectionate nickname again. Reliving it in his mind, he sees three kids racing towards him. The one running in the lead is a wide-eyed adorable girl. And right behind her is a boy a couple years older. A boy with a refined beauty who quite resembles the girl. Trailing behind them is the sort of typical boy you'd find anywhere, running with all his might.
--That's me.
Yonaga instinctively takes in a breath. And with that breath comes a deep understanding.
This is a dream.
He's watching a dream of the distant past.
"Sou-chan! C'mon hurry up, let's play pretend!"
The girl takes the young Yonaga's hand.
--…chan
Yonaga calls out the girl's name, but the voice does not come out. The kids pass him by, dashing through the gate towards the shrine.
--Hey, wait…!
Trying to chase after them, Yonaga also passes through the torii gate. The moment he does, the figures of the three kids go dim, as if being mocked by his own mind. Not just the kids, but the gate, the shrine, even Yonaga himself starts to disappear.
"Okay, you play the lead today Sou-chan!"
The only thing left is the children's playful voices.
--Wait.
"Please, wait!!" Yonaga shouts.
He realizes he's in bed with his hand stretched up into the air like in the beginning of a story.
"Ah…"
Light shines through a crack in the curtain. Vrr, vrr--his morning phone alarm urges him out of bed.
It's morning.
"Ugh…"
He rubs his eyes to avoid facing it, feeling a bit embarrassed about his hand stretched towards the empty air. He's at Univeil Drama School as one of the new first-years of the Quartz class.
"I've gotta get out of bed."
Another day begins.
He sluggishly finishes getting ready, shoves down some breakfast from the dorm cafeteria, and then heads off to school a little late.
"Um…."
At Univeil, the mornings consist of rigorous study of a wide variety of topics pertaining to theatre under the expert faculty. Students are permitted to choose their own courses, meaning that those in the same class wouldn't all study the same subjects. Knowing this, Yonaga scans the classroom thoroughly.
(Ah…)
There's a student of short stature with a delicate frame who demonstrates a strength of will like no one else. It's the same person from the dream, the childhood friend he used to play pretend with. And now they're assigned to the same class in the same grade.
"Morn-"
"Class is starting now"
Unfortunately the teacher appears before he can hardly open his mouth. Despite his interest being on his friend, the class mercilessly continues. He rushes in to take his seat, stealing one last glimpse before focusing on the lesson.
After the morning lessons crammed full of new things to learn, time moves into the afternoon. Quartz class rehearsals start from this point onwards. Students from all years gather in the rehearsal room. They're practicing for the newcomers' performance planned for the end of May.
"Okay, okaaay, now let's run through everything again so far!" (Neji)
As a place that recognizes independence, Univeil Drama School has come to revolve around its performances and students. Kokuto Neji is the class leader directing Quartz. He's a genius, handling everything from the scripts to the stage.
"All you older students, watch the first-years carefully to help them out." Neji energetically gives out directions.
"Okay then, all the Jeannes come over here," says Quartz's Al Jeanne, Sarafumi Takashina, as he steps forward. He always acts friendly towards everyone, but the overwhelmingly brilliant flowering aura he radiates makes Yonaga nervous just standing next to him. And Fumi isn't the only one like this.
There's also Kai Mutsumi, the Jack Ace with a diligent expression who leads the Jacks, and Mitsuki Shirota, the tresor who gives out his opinions on songs without an ounce of intimidation from Neji. And then there's Neji who brings everyone together to propel them further and further forward. Just these people alone make quite the impression. Yonaga's anxiety reaches a point where he questions if it's even okay for someone like him to be standing here right now. And he seems far from the only new student feeling the pressure.
"…Okay everyooone, let's take a break!"
The second after hearing Neji's order, the first-years collapse to sit down with worn-out expressions. Yonaga also takes in a big breath as if trying to quench a dry throat.
But there's a few in the group acting differently.
"Hey, Orimaki's dancing with someone."
Suzu Orimaki.
Yonaga instinctively searches the room for a certain person. The noisy pounding in his chest gives him a feeling of who it might be.
(Ah…)
The one facing Suzu as a dance partner is Yonaga's same childhood friend. Suzu likely asked her so they could try out what they had practiced in rehearsal.
She-- That's right, she's a girl.
His female childhood friend is here at Univeil, the school where boys play all the male and female roles. She enrolled at the all-boys school while hiding her gender.
"All right, let's do it!"
"Yeah!"
She and Suzu exchange words then she takes his hand to begin the dance. The two of them have no stage experience so there's a lot of rough patches. Yet even so, there's something about them that captures people's attention.
"Hmm, these two stand out."
As their class lead, Neji watches the pair with great interest whilst muttering to himself. Fumi standing next to him agrees and says, "They sure do. I haven't had a chance to see Orimaki dance yet, but he really stands out in whatever he does. Doesn't he, Kai?"
"…It's because the other one is so good at supporting him." Kai's eyes focus on the girl dancing with Suzu.
"That's typically a Jack's role," Shirota grumbles with an exasperated expression. Still, the third-years seem to have come to a consensus. "Well…the two of them do have good chemistry though."
These words stab Yonaga deep in the chest. They're sharp at first before turning into a dull lasting ache.
(I need some water.)
Giving himself an excuse to leave the practice room, he starts chugging water like it's his job. But no matter how much he drinks, it's never enough to quench the thirst.
Practice continues as the sun quietly sets and the lights on the school grounds are lit. Neji finally declares that practice is over. The trio of Yonaga, Suzu, and the childhood friend all leave the practice room together.
"Whew, I'm beat!"
Despite his words, Suzu still seems full of energy. A single nod takes everything for Yonaga to muster, both his legs and his eyelids feeling heavy.
"But the upperclassmen are amazing, aren't they?" Suzu says while thinking back on their practice. "The perfect way they sing, dance, and act…and them guiding us. When I see that sorta thing I think…."
Suzu's face becomes suddenly determined. "I think there's no way we can lose!"
Suzu's burning excitement chills Yonaga's body to the point of shivering. This guy just started here on the same day, at the same time, and should have the same amount of experience yet he seems to live in an entirely different world.
Yonaga reflexively steals another glance at his childhood friend. She has a gentle expression as she listens intently to Suzu. He doesn't know what she's thinking but she's definitely in this other world too.
He thinks back on the dream he had today. That distant memory where he once stood by her side in the story's lead role. The girl walking by his side now is still living within that dream.
"…Sou-chan, what's wrong?" She asks after seeing Yonaga's expression fade and go silent.
"Oh, you all right? Practice sure was tough today huh?" Suzu turns his head and looks at Yonaga with concern.
"Oh uh, I-I'm okay! I'm just hungry, that's all."
"Yeah I feel ya."
Their conversation continues meandering along. It's more comfortable like this. As he listens to Suzu talk, Yonaga looks at his friend in a way that's become a habit.
"….!"
And as he does, their eyes meet.
Perhaps she's still feeling concern for Yonaga.
He manufactures a smile to try to hide it.
Then questions if he's doing it right.
Finally, keychains are ready to order right now! And there is a 10 % discount until next Thursday in otome keychains to celebrate Jack Jeanne's sequel announcement!
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