ShizNat shows off their acting chops!
The group is loitering around the school's courtyard. Their after school clubs don't start until fifteen minutes later.
"It's been four days since auditions ended, and Mori-sensei hasn't posted the cast list yet!" Mai wails. I'm going to die if I don't find out soon!
She and everyone else who auditioned are on pins and needles waiting for the cast announcements.
"My source from the drama club said Mori-sensei won't post the list until all roles have been cast. The reason for this hold up is very juicy news," Chie teases in her I-know-something-you-don't-know voice. I love having connections in all the right places!
"Spill it Harada!" Nao says menacingly. She does not like to be toyed by anybody. What is keeping me from Kiyohimeeeee!
The others who also auditioned transfer Nao's threatening tone to their eyes.
"Okay, okay. Don't hurt me," Chie pleads. "Word is that Mori-sensei is not satisfied with any of the girls who tried out for Natsumi and Shizuka. You remember how the auditions were recorded?"
They nod.
"Well, my friend says she's been replaying the Natsumi and Shizuka auditions and yelling stuff like 'No! No! No! You're saying it all wrong!' to the screen." Mori-sensei is definitely one passionate director.
"Wow. I could never imagine Mori-sensei yelling. She's so pleasant in class and whenever I see her around school," Reito muses. Just goes to show, females are unpredictable. Who knows what storm could be brewing in the distance when you've got tranquil waters in front of you?
Haruka and Yukino agree with him because she's their teacher too, and they know she's a really nice person. Mai, Tate, and Nao nod because she seemed like a great teacher at the play's unveiling. Chie and Aoi know she can be very enthusiastic since they interviewed her about the play for the school newspaper.
Only Shizuru and Natsuki know exactly why the usually affable teacher turned into a raving maniac.
Mori-sensei has been writing the play for two years. It's a huge labor of love for the book. Of course she wants the actresses to stay true to the way Aunt Saeko has written them.
Cut the teacher some slack! It took her two years to adapt mom's book! Wait, they don't know that. But still, there wouldn't even be a play without her! Let the director have only the best actresses to portray Shizuka and Natsumi!
"Ugh, what's going to happen if she doesn't like any of the girls?" Haruka sulks. I need to play Duarannnnn!
Yukino speculates, "I think she'll hold new auditions." It's somewhat unfair to the rest who already auditioned.
"That sucks if she does! The play's going to be pushed back!" Tate's eyes widen. "I have a kendo competition when the play is over!" Noooo! I have to be Kagutsuchi!
"You guys, chill. I don't think she can change the play's date. Remember elementary and high school have their own events in the auditorium. I think Mori-sensei will just have to choose the not-as-bad girls for the roles," Aoi deduces. I really hope they aren't all horrible.
"Hey, you two are awfully quiet. What do you think?" Nao darts her eyes to Shizuru and Natsuki.
"I don't know anything about the play other than it's driving my friends crazy," Shizuru feigns ignorance and smiles innocently.
"I just know the art club is helping to make the stage backgrounds. Mori-sensei sent us descriptions two days ago. The backgrounds are gigantic! She liked the mock ones we did, so we start the real ones today," Natsuki informs.
"That is so amazing! It makes me feel everything is going to be okay, like she has it all under control," Mai utters.
"If it's Mori-sensei we're talking about, then we have nothing to worry," Yukino says with conviction.
The third-years agree with her.
Tate glances at his watch. "Oh crap, kendo club is about to start! See ya tomorrow guys!"
The friends disband to their respective clubs. Mai heads to the cooking club room while Nao and Haruka run to the gym to meet the basketball club. Reito follows them since the tennis courts are next to the gym. He is sort of a tennis prodigy. Aoi, Chie, and Yukino walk together because the newspaper club and computer club's rooms are next to each other.
"I'll see Natsuki in the art room when my club meeting is over," Shizuru remarks.
"Oh no, we're going to be in the auditorium. Mori-sensei booked it for the entire month of the play. Besides, the art room isn't big enough to fit the canvases. Meet me in the theater instead."
"Okay, I will. I'll see Natsuki later."
They wave to each other before walking in opposite directions.
After she says goodbye to the members, Shizuru locks the door to the club room since she's the president of the tea ceremony club. She exits the school building and ambles to the auditorium. Students from the girl and boy track clubs greet her as they jog by. The chestnut-haired beauty gives them a polite smile and wave causing half of the girls to swoon and some boys to trip over their feet.
Ara, I hope those boys are okay. She goes over to help them, but they quickly stand up acting as though nothing happened. They smile bashfully at her and start running again.
Shizuru takes the stairs to get to the theater. She enters the space and sees Natsuki on a ladder, painting what looks like the vantage of someone standing on a cliff overlooking the ocean at sunset. It's only partially complete, but it looks breathtaking already. Of course it looks amazing! Natsuki is the one painting it! She's a true artist with superb sketching, drawing, and painting skills!
Natsuki steps down from the ladder, and her eyes light up when she spots Shizuru onstage.
"Hi! What do you think so far?" Natsuki extends her right arm to the backdrop.
"It looks so realistic," Shizuru murmurs in awe. The background is huge up close!
"I know right! So many talented people are in the art club!"
"But not as talented as Natsuki."
The girl turns pink at the compliment and busies herself with wiping the paint off her hands. Gah! Face, listen to me now. Banish the pink and return to normal again!
"Speaking of the club members, where are they?" Shizuru asks.
"Oh, they just left. I told them I was going to leave after I add some more shadows to the sky. You didn't see them when you came?" Thank god Shizuru changed the topic.
Shizuru shakes her head no. "They must have taken the elevators. I took the stairs."
Natsuki grins. "I still remember the early days when you frowned at the mention of any physical activity."
"I was very young and foolish," Shizuru admits coyly.
"Ah," Natsuki chuckles and pats Shizuru's shoulder.
"So, what scene uses this background?"
"Crap. I already forgot! I think the president took the master background list with her. But I remember my friend saying this one is from a Shizuka and Natsumi scene in the auditioning script. Yeah, she tried out for the play too. I think there are scripts lying around."
They search underneath scattered paint cans, posters, and rags for any stray script.
"Found it!" Natsuki sees two of them on top of unopened paint cans to the side of the stage.
She scans the pages for the Natsumi and Shizuka scene her friend mentioned. She flips to the same page on another script and hands it to Shizuru.
"Ara, how could Natsuki forget this scene? You made such a big fuss over it at lunch."
"Yes, yes, I know. Anyways, the background is for this ending scene."
Shizuru rereads the lines. "It's very romantic. Natsumi and Shizuka confess their feelings to each other."
"Eh, you think so?" Natsuki asks casually.
"It's because Natsuki doesn't feel what Natsumi is going through. You don't understand how great this scene is," Shizuru goads. Will you take the bait? I want to see Natsuki's acting talent.
"What! I can totally act like it if I want!"
"I don't believe you."
"You know what? Let's do this! You be Shizuka and I'll be Natsumi. I'll prove to you just how great of an actress I am!" The nerve Shizuru has to challenge me!
Shizuru grins. Got you hook, line, and sinker.
"Okay, let's take ten minutes to go over the lines, and then I'll show you the depth of Natsumi's feelings!" You're going down Fujino!
They sit on opposite sides of the stage and pore over the lines and gestures in the script. When ten minutes are up, both girls confidently throw their script to the side. Shizuru's memory far exceeds those of her peers, and Natsuki is a force to be reckoned with when she applies herself.
The scene opens with Natsumi and Shizuka gazing at the sunset.
"This view is unbelievable! You can see how vast the ocean is from this cliff! How did you find this place?" Shizuka asks wide-eyed.
Natsumi has a soft smile as she turns to Shizuka. "I like to go exploring."
"Take me next time you go!"
Natsumi laughs and then nods. They keep watching the sinking sun until Natsumi faces Shizuka.
"Shizuka, we've been through a lot haven't we?"
Shizuka grins and takes a step closer to Natsumi. "Well, we kind of just saved the world."
"So many things flashed through my mind when we were fighting Ryuu," Natsumi recollects.
"Like what?" Shizuka tilts her head waiting for a response.
"Like how we met," Natsumi smiles and then frowns at the memory.
Shizuka's eyes brighten. "You just tripped out of nowhere! And I helped you get up. That's when we found out we had the same homeroom," she fondly recalls the fateful day they crossed paths.
"No, you're wrong." The hoarse whisper catches the other girl's attention.
"What do you mean?"
Natsumi looks directly into Shizuka's eyes and takes a big inhale. "It wasn't out of nowhere. I…I tripped because I was too mesmerized by your beauty. You were standing by a window and just basking in the afternoon sunlight with this dreamy expression. You looked like an angel. And that's when I tripped over my shoelaces. When I opened my eyes and saw you bent over me, I thought you were my guardian angel," she finishes quietly. Hmm, this feels so familiar. An angelic…Shizuka…Shizuru…
"Natsumi…" Shizuru is stunned by the intensity pouring from her words. Wow, Natsuki is a really good actress!
Natsumi musters all her courage to finally reveal her deepest desire. "You were my most important person during the carnival, and…I love you Shizuka," she whispers.
"I love you too Natsumi! You were also my most important person!" Shizuka takes hold of Natsumi's hands, but the other girl slips them out of Shizuru's grasp.
Natsumi slowly shakes her head back and forth and refuses to meet Shizuka's eyes. "No, my love is different from your love. You were only thinking about me as your best friend," she mutters hopelessly. Poor Natsumi. I would be totally crushed if I thought the person I love didn't return my feelings. Hope I never experience that.
A frustrated growl erupts from Shizuka's throat. She grabs Natsumi's shoulders roughly forcing the girl to look at her.
"Natsumi! You idiot! Do you know what went through my mind during the battle?" Shizuka stops for a moment to find the right words. Go Shizuka! Make Natsumi believe!
"I was thinking if I don't kill that Ryuu creep, I'll never get to see your beautiful face again or hear your carefree laughter! I- I even went as far as imagining us going on a date! So I was NOT thinking about you as my best friend! I never once thought about saving the world! To hell with the world if you're not in it!" she confesses passionately. No wonder teenagers love this book, especially the girls. The romance element is cranked up high!
Natsumi's eyes widen at the declaration. "You mean you-" Yes! She loves you too Natsumi!
Shizuka moves her head and up down frantically with a huge smile on her face. "My love is the same as your love!" Shizuka just requited your love Natsumi!
Natsumi throws her arms around Shizuka and hugs her like there's no tomorrow. This hug reminds me of the one before our family dinner that day, they both thought.
While still holding Shizuka, Natsumi faces the ocean and yells, "Did you hear that? She loves me too!"
During the real play, actual sounds of waves thrashing against rocks would accompany this scene.
"Who are you talking to?"
Natsumi pulls back from the hug. "The waves or ocean. I usually come here when I'm frustrated and need to vent about you. The waves crash on the shore and when they recede, I feel like they're taking everything that's bothering me with them. I feel lighter afterwards," Natsumi admits shyly.
"Can I get an example?" Shizuka asks in earnest.
"Remember our almost picnic? When I blew up at Mina?"
Shizuka nods. "But what does tha-"
"You called that jerk charming! It was all I could think about! I pictured you and him together and I- I snapped when Mina came. It's unfortunate I transferred my anger onto her." Geez, now I want to introduce my fist to that jerk!
"Oh my, Natsumi's jealousy is relentless!" Shizuka pretends to be shocked but the twitching corners of her lips betray her.
"Hey! I was not jealous!" Natsumi pouts.
Shizuka quirks a brow. Ara! What a cute pout!
"Okay! Maybe I was a little…" she admits and demonstrates the extent of her jealousy. Her thumb and index finger are about a centimeter apart. Liar! Natsumi should have spread her arms as far apart as possible!
Shizuka chuckles. "I believe you won't be feeling jealous anytime soon," she remarks playfully.
Natsumi puts her hands on her hips and tilts her head. She flashes the other girl a blinding smile. "And why is that?"
"Because…you got the girl," Shizuka whispers tenderly.
"Yeah?" Green eyes shine in utter bliss. If I was a boy, I would fall in love with Shizuru right now. Just from that line and the way she said it.
"Yeah." Red eyes reflect the same euphoria. If I was a boy, I would fall in love with Natsuki right now. Just from the way she appears at this very moment.
"I am so happy right now," Natsumi whispers. She stares at Shizuka as if in a trance. She looks so beautiful. My angel…
Natsumi glances at Shizuka's lips and her hand reaches to cup the girl's chin.
What is Natsuki doing? This isn't in the script. She's supposed to kiss me on the cheek. Shizuru's thoughts become foreign to her when a lone finger glides along the contours of her rosy lips. The action hypnotizes Shizuru as she sees nothing but Natsuki's luscious lips. Pinkish-red like rare rubies, soft like cotton candy, the perfect pair to press against mine…
The finger brushes against her upper lip and then it joins the other fingers resting underneath Shizuru's chin.
Natsuki inches closer to Shizuru's face. Angel, don't ever leave me…
Shizuru leans her head forward a little and wets her lips. Sweet lips, come to me…
Natsuki licks her lips and slowly closes the gap between her and Shizuru. Just one more centimeter and…
Shizuru's cell phone rings noisily from her school bag causing both to jump far apart from each other.
What the heck? Natsuki is confused why she's so far from Shizuru right now, but then realization dawns on her. Oh my god. Oh my god! Oh my god! I was going to kiss Shizuru! On the lips! I was touching her lips too!
Shizuru shakily picks up the phone and speaks hurriedly into it. The call ends and she puts the phone back. Compose yourself Shizuru. You were just acting. You became Shizuka like how Natsuki became Natsumi. The script called for a kiss too, albeit it being on the cheek. We were improvising. Yes, that's what good actors do. They get caught up in the moment and improvise. That's all there was to it.
With her rational mind functioning again, she approaches Natsuki with her normal demeanor.
"That was mother. She was wondering where we are. She's outside waiting for us right now."
"O- Oh, okay." Natsuki is still shaken up over the almost kiss.
Shizuru sees her panicked state and gets Natsuki to face her. "Natsuki, listen to me. We were just acting. We got lost into our characters and got caught up in their passionate confession. Yes, we almost kissed on the lips, but we were just improvising. So we didn't do anything wrong!" Why do I feel like I'm still trying to convince myself we were just acting? Shizuka wanted Natsumi to kiss her. Did I want Natsuki to kiss…me? No, that's silly!
Natsuki is relieved to hear every word that came out of Shizuru's mouth. Shizuru's right. We were just acting. I was caught up in Natsumi's happiness and love for Shizuka. Ah, this is too much to take in! Focus on one thing right now. Focus on what Shizuru said. Yes, we didn't do anything wrong. Hmm, I wonder if any part of me wanted to kiss Shizuru. No, that's silly!
"You're right. Like always." Natsuki rolls her eyes, a signal that things are back to normal.
They pick up their school bags and step off the stage.
"Natsuki is a very good actress."
"Eh, you aren't so bad yourself."
The two laugh as they exit the theater together.
Moments later, a woman emerges from the control room looking very pleased.
"I've just found Shizuka and Natsumi."
Looks like someone better hone her persuasive skills!
Good news! My original intention was just to finish this scene in the play chapter, but I can't resist the the pull anymore. I've decided to write the entire play!
I'm going to take this weekend to plan out the epic play and write the next chapter as well, so it will be up the beginning of next week.
See you next week!