Sousuke couldn't believe his luck. He stared hard at the small, crumpled piece of paper in his hand and read its contents over and over; just to make sure what he was seeing was correct. He heard the other Samezuka students jeer and laugh to one another as small groups began to form – people asking which roles they had been assigned. Many simply laughed, having pulled only minor roles whilst others seemed delighted with the casting choice. Sousuke on the other hand folded the note and hid it almost defensively in his pocket away from prying eyes.
"Hey, Sousuke," he heard from behind. He turned to see Rin, accompanied by both Ai and Momo, almost sauntering towards him, his sharp pearl teeth flashing into a sardonic grin. Momo, on the other hand, didn't seem to share his senior's good spirits and continued to mumble under his breath. When asked it was Ai who answered for his usually sporadic friend.
"He was hoping to get the lead role." Ai stammered as he met Sousuke's cool yet compassionate gaze. He wasn't at all surprised to see Momo's reaction; there were many female students, all of whom Momo found attractive in one way or another. It was no secret that he'd hoped with all his heart that he would be playing alongside either one of them, as the hero and the heroine.
As usually Rin was quick to turn his attention back to Sousuke and away from the depressed youth, leaving Ai to comfort him if he could. With his crimson eyes glistening somewhat maliciously he stepped closer to Sousuke and the two shared a thought.
"On three we show each other the role we've been assigned." Rin smirked, obviously happy with the role he had been given. At that moment Sousuke remembered why exactly he had hidden the paper in the pocket of his school trousers. If he showed Rin there would be no end to the red head's taunts and sniggers.
However Rin gave him little time to think of an excuse and was already in the process of unfolding his strip of paper. In an attempt to maintain his cool façade he quickly interrupted his friend with a weak smile before holding out his fist.
"Only if you beat me." Sousuke chuckled, his eyes narrowing as he waited patiently for his friend's response. Being as competitive as he was Rin swiftly accepted the challenge, "Best of three," he sneered, confident that he would win.
Ai and Momo watched from the side as the two seniors engaged in a tense match of janken (rock-paper-scissors). Silently Ai cheered for Rin, his eyes glowing with pride and admiration. He watched as Rin's hand came down, swift and decisive, his palm to the ground, laughing wildly at his first victory. In a matter of seconds it was then clasped around Sousuke's tightly clenched fist. Inside Sousuke, though he had lost the first round, could only laugh at how small the latter's hands were in comparison to his own.
The second round ensued shortly, attracting the gaze of some of the other school members. They remained where they were but watched, fascinated, through the corner of their eyes. This time it was Sousuke who won. He looked to Rin and watched his smile became taunt at the edges.
"Promise you won't cry if I win." Sousuke teased, noticing the irritation swimming in Rin's darkened eyes.
"As if!" Rin snapped defensively before mocking Sousuke's attempts to distract him. Sousuke laughed lightly in response, drawing a genuine tender smile from the annoyed shark which soon disappeared as his attention fell again to their current battle.
Unlike Sousuke, whose emotions were seemingly hidden or at least well maintained Rin was extremely expressive and volatile, even this childish game had him on edge. If his pride were not at stake he would gladly throw the game if only to make Rin feel better but as things stood that wasn't an option so he gritted his teeth and watched as his friend grew more and more irate.
By the final match Sousuke had, to his surprise, won, thankfully. He looked to Rin who by now had folded his arms tightly across his chest and appeared to be sulking.
"I won." He exclaimed softly as if to reiterate the fact that he had won. He expected Rin's response to be bitter and dismissive but was surprised to see him crack a smile which stretched from ear to ear. He was happy to see Rin hadn't taken the loss too seriously.
"Now show me your role." Sousuke hummed as he waited for Rin to fish the note from his pocket.
From the side Ai comforted his senior, praising his efforts and gushing over him as usual. Momo, who had grown bored half way through the two's game, had wandered off to speak with some girls however had shortly returned after being turned down.
Suddenly Sousuke's stomach knotted as he read the fine printed letters. He read over the name again as he had done his own, praying that there had been some misunderstanding. He made sure to conceal his horror behind a forced smile before he handed back the scrap of paper, subsequently saving Rin from the over bearing junior.
"Hamlet," He mused, "that's a good role for you."
Rin smirked, pleased with his role. To his knowledge at least he had beaten Sousuke in landing the lead role which seemed to mend his somewhat damaged ego though if only he knew. Sousuke could see him growing curious as time passed. In an attempt to shift the focus from himself he asked the two younger students about their own roles.
"I'll be playing Laertes." Ai stammered. For him it was a fairly large role, one he felt might be too much for him yet he was determined to make Rin proud. Momo however was reluctant to share his role at first until he finally succumbed to Sousuke's gentle pressuring.
"Gertrude." He sighed, not at all impressed that he would be playing a female let alone Hamlet's mother. Ai looked to his friend with sympathy, Rin however broke out into a violent fit of laughter to Momo's dismay.
"I'm sure you'll be great!" Ai exclaimed gingerly, hoping to make Momo feel better to no avail. Realising his attempts had failed Ai looked pleadingly towards Sousuke, his grey eyes searching from compassion. He would receive none. Cruelly Sousuke regarded Rin and Momo before informing them of one of the many interpretations of Hamlet's and Gertrude's relationship.
The two fell quite before turning to face one another. Ai, lost for words, didn't know where to begin as Sousuke remained silent and let his words sink in.
"But," Momo began, tripping over his words until his voice faded. Rin's mouth opened in protest but shut after a moment of silence until Ai intervened.
"I don't think we'll be following 'that' interpretation."
Rin and Momo quickly nodded in agreement, their faces still a mix of confusion and horror although Sousuke only shook his head. Rin fervently rejected the idea of performing such an interpretation, shooting a venomous glare in Sousuke's direction which was received with a teasing grin. He was certain Rin's disgust wasn't out of disrespect for the script but because he didn't like the idea of 'lusting' after Momo. That thought more than anything seemed to annoy him.
Nonetheless Sousuke was glad that the group had been distracted; Rin seemed to have forgotten all about Sousuke's own role. Now all that concerned him was the thought of the upcoming rehearsals. Purposefully missing them would be detrimental. Asking to practice in private would arouse suspicion. The fear of performing such a role consumed his thoughts. Would all his passion flood the auditorium? Would his performance be deemed too genuine and alert his comrades to his true feelings? At that point who would be on stage, Sousuke or Ophelia?
(Author's Notes: I wanted to do this ever since I found out that Sousuke and Nezumi from No. 6 have the same voice actor. Plus I thought the idea of Sousuke in drag would be amusing! I'm sorry! Free belongs to whoever owns it. Hamlet belongs to Shakespeare.)
