CHAPTER 9
The day for the Charity Showcase had finally arrived. The security in the Fuuka Academy ground was very tight. The guests and sponsors were arriving in their luxury vehicles with their own parade of bodyguards in tow. Students, who were chosen to be usherettes for the event, were helping the guests find their place in the huge auditorium. Students were clad in their school uniform with the exception of those involved in the play.
Sponsors and guests were occupying the arrays of chair near the stage. The students, on the other hand, were occupying the upper box of the auditorium.
Right below the stage was the orchestra. The velvet red curtain was still drawn down. The play will begin in a few minutes. On the backstage, students were scampering around. A device used for communication attached on their head. Yukino was calmly giving orders over her communication device.
In one of the dressing rooms, Shizuru was being ushered by two students. Shizuru stood facing the vanity as the two students fumbled with her dress. Doing the last minute check and touch up before the show started. Haruka was leaning on the door, looking at her. She was given the instruction by Yukino to keep an eye on Shizuru to ensure that the crimson eyed woman will not be harassed by her fangirls. The instruction actually came from an emerald eyed girl but Yukino did not mention it to Haruka for the executive director did not like being bossed around by anyone. Well, except Yukino that is.
"You look stunning, Kaichou-sama!" one of the students complimented the crimson eyed woman.
"I don't think anyone will fit Lady Juliet's role more than you do, Kaichou-sama." The other one agreed, looking at Shizuru while clapping her hands together.
"Ookini, ladies." Shizuru smiled at her aids.
Shizuru looked at her reflection in the mirror, a smile adorning her lips. Her two aids really did their job well. A light make up was adorning her face as she did not need much of them. She was wearing a very elegant pearl white long dress accentuated by gold details and a few gems. The wardrobe was quite conservative as its sleeves were covering the length of her arms ending on her wrists. As conservative as it can get, it still failed miserably in hiding the crimson eyed woman's curves and her cleavage. Apparently, the dress emphasized her well-endowed upper body part. The wardrobe was like the ones worn by women from wealthy family during the renaissance era. She felt like she just went back in that period. Her tawny hair was flowing down with good volume. A few ornaments were adorning her hair.
In the dressing room next to Shizuru's was Natsuki's. She was facing Aoi who was blushing every now and then as the latter fixed her wardrobe.
"Wow! I can't really blame those girls swooning over you, Natsuki-chan. You really look like a real prince charming. Look!" Aoi said as she turned Natsuki to face the vanity mirror.
Natsuki felt like she was looking at an entirely different person. For in front of her was a figure of a raven haired man. She blinked her eyes to make sure that she was looking at herself. The figure also blinked its emerald eyes. Natsuki's long raven mane was replaced by a short one, a perfect trim for a man. Apparently, Natsuki was wearing a wig that perfectly matched her real hair color while at the same time hiding its length. Natsuki was wearing a black skinny pants with black boots reaching her knee. A white inside dress adorned with a few ruffles on her chest area was tucked in to her pants. A midnight blue trench coat flowing to her knees was draped over her. The trench coat had gold details as linings on the chest area and around the cuffs of her hands. The wardrobe perfectly hid her womanly figure. The chest area was flat. Nobody will notice that the person wearing the wardrobe was actually a woman. Leave it to Aoi and her work of art.
"Aigatou, Aoi." Natsuki looked at Aoi's eyes on the reflection as she showed her gratefulness to the woman who helped her.
"You're welcome, Natsuki-chan!" Aoi smiled at Natsuki.
A few loud knocks were heard followed by a female voice.
"Three minutes before we get started." the voice behind the door announced.
"Coming!" Aoi answered back.
Shizuru just came out of the dressing room when she saw Aoi behind a man dressed in a handsomely manner a few steps away from her. She was about to approach Aoi to ask about Natsuki's whereabouts when one of the crews in charge of the play appeared and lead her the other way.
Soon, the play started. The orchestra began playing as the red curtain was unveiled. The narrator began.
ACT I
PROLOGUE
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
SCENE V. A hall in Capulet's house.
The scene revealed a banquet in the house of Capulet. Musicians were on stand-by. Serving men with platters on their hands were entering.
A man acting as the Master of the House of Capulet entered with Shizuru acting as Lady Juliet and other students acting as men and women of the House of Capulet. The Master of the House of Capulet addressed the Guests and Maskers.
CAPULET:
Welcome, gentlemen! ladies that have their toes
Unplagued with corns will have a bout with you.
Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all
Will now deny to dance? she that makes dainty,
She, I'll swear, hath corns; am I come near ye now?
Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day
That I have worn a visor and could tell
A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear,
Such as would please: 'tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tis gone:
You are welcome, gentlemen! come, musicians, play.
A hall, a hall! give room! and foot it, girls.
The music play and they began dancing. Soon the focus was turned to Natsuki and Shizuru.
"Kyaah! Natsuki-samaa is so handsome!", "Shizuru-oneesama!"The students swooned in their thoughts. That was as much as they can do for a complete silence must be observed over the duration of the play.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
Natsuki approached Shizuru and conversed with her in her husky voice.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
To say that Shizuru was surprise to see the man in front of her would be an understatement. Shizuru was flabbergasted. There stood Natsuki in front of her like a royal handsome prince with all her grace in her immaculate wardrobe. She was too stunned that she was delayed in delivering her lines for a few seconds. Natsuki wrapped her left arm around Shizuru's waist pulling the crimson eyed woman close to her.
Shizuru as JULIET:
Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
Shizuru as JULIET:
Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.
Shizuru as JULIET:
Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.
Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.
Natsuki then captured Shizuru's lips. The audience let out an almost inaudible low awe.
Shizuru as JULIET:
Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!
Give me my sin again.
Natsuki kissed Shizuru again.
Shizuru as JULIET:
You kiss by the book.
ACT II
SCENE II. Capulet's orchard.
Shizuru was in the balcony with Natsuki looking at the crimson eyed woman from below.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
She speaks:
O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.
Shizuru as JULIET:
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
Shizuru as JULIET:
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
I take thee at thy word:
Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
Shizuru as JULIET:
What man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night
So stumblest on my counsel?
Natsuki as ROMEO:
By a name
I know not how to tell thee who I am:
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself,
Because it is an enemy to thee;
Had I it written, I would tear the word.
Shizuru as JULIET:
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound:
Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike.
Shizuru as JULIET:
How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,
And the place death, considering who thou art,
If any of my kinsmen find thee here.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me.
Shizuru as JULIET:
If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye
Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet,
And I am proof against their enmity.
Shizuru as JULIET:
I would not for the world they saw thee here.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight;
And but thou love me, let them find me here:
My life were better ended by their hate,
Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.
Shizuru as JULIET:
By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
Natsuki as ROMEO:
By love, who first did prompt me to inquire;
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore wash'd with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such merchandise.
Shizuru as JULIET:
Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face,
Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek
For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night
Fain would I dwell on form, fain, fain deny
What I have spoke: but farewell compliment!
Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay,'
And I will take thy word: yet if thou swear'st,
Thou mayst prove false; at lovers' perjuries
Then say, Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo,
If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully:
Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won,
I'll frown and be perverse an say thee nay,
So thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world.
In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond,
And therefore thou mayst think my 'havior light:
But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true
Than those that have more cunning to be strange.
I should have been more strange, I must confess,
But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware,
My true love's passion: therefore pardon me,
And not impute this yielding to light love,
Which the dark night hath so discovered.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops-
JULIET
O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
What shall I swear by?
JULIET
Do not swear at all;
Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I'll believe thee.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
If my heart's dear love-
Shizuru as JULIET:
Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract to-night:
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good night!
This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
Good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest
Come to thy heart as that within my breast!
Natsuki as ROMEO:
O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?
Shizuru as JULIET:
What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?
Natsuki as ROMEO:
The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.
Shizuru as JULIET:
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:
And yet I would it were to give again.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?
Shizuru as JULIET:
But to be frank, and give it thee again.
And yet I wish but for the thing I have:
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
A voice was heard calling Lady Juliet
Shizuru as JULIET:
I hear some noise within; dear love, adieu!
Anon, good nurse! Sweet Montague, be true.
Stay but a little, I will come again.
Shizuru exited from the balcony
Natsuki as ROMEO:
O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard.
Being in night, all this is but a dream,
Too flattering-sweet to be substantial.
Shizuru re-entered the balcony
Shizuru as JULIET:
Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.
If that thy bent of love be honourable,
Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow,
By one that I'll procure to come to thee,
Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite;
And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay
And follow thee my lord throughout the world.
SCENE V. Capulet's orchard.
The scene when Romeo and Juliet consummated their marriage. A bed was laid on the stage with Shizuru and Natsuki lying on it. Soon, Natsuki started moving as the day was about to break and Shizuru's mother was entering the chamber.
Shizuru as JULIET:
Then, window, let day in, and let life out.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Farewell, farewell! one kiss, and I'll descend.
Shizuru kissed Natsuki as Natsuki jumped down the balcony. Shizuru went to the balcony.
Shizuru as JULIET:
Art thou gone so? love, lord, ay, husband, friend!
I must hear from thee every day in the hour,
For in a minute there are many days:
O, by this count I shall be much in years
Ere I again behold my Romeo!
Natsuki as ROMEO:
Farewell!
I will omit no opportunity
That may convey my greetings, love, to thee.
JULIET
O think'st thou we shall ever meet again?
Natsuki as ROMEO:
I doubt it not; and all these woes shall serve
For sweet discourses in our time to come.
JULIET
O God, I have an ill-divining soul!
Methinks I see thee, now thou art below,
As one dead in the bottom of a tomb:
Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
And trust me, love, in my eye so do you:
Dry sorrow drinks our blood. Adieu, adieu!
ACT IV
SCENE III. Juliet's chamber.
Shizuru was in a chamber holding a potion in her hands. She emptied its content and began delivering her lines.
Shizuru as JULIET:
Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins,
That almost freezes up the heat of life:
I'll call them back again to comfort me:
Nurse! What should she do here?
My dismal scene I needs must act alone.
Come, vial.
What if this mixture do not work at all?
Shall I be married then to-morrow morning?
No, no: this shall forbid it: lie thou there.
SCENE III. A churchyard; in it a tomb belonging to the Capulets.
Natsuki was holding Shizuru's body. She was holding a potion. She delivered her lines in her husky voice.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark!
Here's to my love!
Natsuki drank the poison.
Natsuki as ROMEO:
O true apothecary!
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
Shizuru woke up and found Natsuki's unmoving body.
Shizuru as JULIET:
What's here? a cup, closed in my true love's hand?
Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end:
O churl! drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss thy lips;
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make die with a restorative.
Shizuru kissed Natsuki.
Shizuru as JULIET:
Thy lips are warm.
Yea, noise? then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!
Shizuru grabbed the dagger from its confinement in Natsuki's wardrobe.
Shizuru as JULIET:
This is thy sheath;
Shizuru stabbed herself with the dagger and a fake blood oozed from the part where she stabbed herself.
Shizuru as JULIET:
There rust, and let me die.
Shizuru fell on Natsuki's body. The curtain closed and it was their cue to move but Shizuru was not moving a muscle.
"Ahmn. Shizuru? We need to get…" Natsuki began to call the crimson eyed woman's attention but was interrupted when the latter spoke.
"Don't you dare die on me!" Shizuru sobbed while still lying on Natsuki's body.
The scene's emotional effect was still on her. She had to imagine Natsuki really dying in order for her to effectively carry out the act for that scene. Unfortunately, some realizations hit her.
"Shizuru, I'm not dying. We're just doing the play."Natsuki soothed Shizuru in her soft husky voice as she started caressing the crimson eyed woman's tawny hair.
"Natsuki..." Shizuru lifted her body from Natsuki. She was now facing the emerald eyed woman. Tears were still rolling down her cheeks.
Seeing the crimson eyed woman like that broke Natsuki's heart. She wanted to wipe away those fear from Shizuru's heart. Natsuki captured the crimson eyed woman's lips to let her feel that she was still there, holding her. She gently kissed Shizuru but the crimson eyed woman deepened the kiss. Natsuki allowed her even when the crimson eyed woman darted her tongue out begging for entrance. Soon they had to break the kiss.
"I'm alive, okay?" Natsuki reassured the crimson eyed woman as she wiped away Shizuru's tears from her cheeks.
"Hmnn…"Shizuru just hummed her answer.
"Let's get up now." Natsuki said as she urged the woman to move.
The curtain opened again revealing all the casts queued on the stage facing the audience. The orchestra was playing as they were introduced one by one. When everyone was introduced, they simultaneously bowed their head to the audience and the curtain was closed again, for good.
Natsuki was escorting Shizuru as they approached a couple. Shizuru 's right hand was hooked on Natsuki's left arm as they walked. Natsuki looked at the woman they were approaching and immediately deduced that it was Shizuru's mother. The woman was the split image of Shizuru but her features were more defined by age. The woman also had different eye color from Shizuru. Her eyes were a beautiful light shade of brown. Beside her was a man exuding an aura of authority and confidence. This Natsuki deduced must be Shizuru's father judging from the calculating dark crimson orbs that were appraising her as they neared them. Natsuki could have sworn that this man might skin her alive if she did anything wrong. But Natsuki being Natsuki stood her ground and composed herself.
"My dear Shi-chan, such was a lovely play." Shizuru's mother complimented as she engulfed her daughter in a warm embrace.
Shizuru detached herself from Natsuki the moment they reached her parents.
"Ara, ookini, Okaa-sama." Shizuru thanked her mother after reciprocating the affection.
"And who is this young man accompanying my lovely daughter?" Shizuru's father inquired looking at Natsuki appraisingly.
"Ara, pardon my rudeness Otou-sama, Okaa-sama. This is Kuga Natsuki. Natsuki, they are my parents." Shizuru said as she stood beside Natsuki.
"Pleasure to meet you." Natsuki said before bowing her head to the couple.
"Such a beauty that my dear Shi-chan has as a 'friend'. Will you agree with me, dear husband?" Shizuru's mother emphasized the word as she looked at Natsuki, mirth in her voice. She was smiling at Natsuki.
"Such a beauty indeed for a young woman to look as handsome as that, my lovely wife. The art of theatre is really something beyond me for I cannot tell whether I am in the presence of a gentleman or a fair maiden. Gentlemen will surely be throwing themselves at your feet to win your heart, Kuga-san." Shizuru's father said looking at Natsuki.
"I appreciate your compliments. However, I am afraid I need to bid my farewell now. I have matters on hand that require my presence." Natsuki announced as she spotted her friends.
As much as she would like to talk to Shizuru's parents, she had no time to indulge herself in such formal conversation although she can very well handle such manner of talking She needed to get out of the auditorium soon and began their final rehearsal before the mini concert.
"Off you go now, dear. We will not hold you any further." Shizuru's mother replied with fondness still evident on her voice.
"If you will excuse me." Natsuki said before going to her friends' direction.
Natsuki was now walking with her friends towards the Den where they will be having their final rehearsal before the concert proper. She was no longer in her costume.
''You really look handsome back there, Natsuki!" Mai beamed at Natsuki.
"Must be Aoi's little magic again, right mutt?" Nao inquired.
Nao wasn't surprise at all for she had seen Natsuki played as her Romeo during their Middle School. But she must admit that the dazzling Natsuki that she saw a while ago was far different from the one she had during their play where she played Juliet's role.
"Yeah." Natsuki replied shortly.
"You really nailed it, Aoi." Chie said ruffling Aoi's hair. Chie was walking beside Aoi.
"I really did not do much. Natsuki-chan's feature made things easy for me." Aoi said while blushing.
"Yup! Yup! Natsuki-chan looked like a prince! Hmn! A Handsome prince!" Mikoto said nodding her head a few times.
"Hurry up, guys. We still have a concert to do." Natsuki said to dismiss the conversation before she started walking briskly to the Den which was a few more steps away from where they were.
"Yeah!" Everyone yelled in unison as they followed suit.