Tomorrow... the results would be posted tomorrow...

The wait was killing her. Kaoru had just auditioned for a play. She was extremely nervous about what role she might get. It wasn't her nerves of not getting the exact role she wanted, it was more than just that.

It was late at night and she couldn't sleep. She was too nervous. It had been a while since she had auditioned for a play. She hadn't since... since she had come out. And that had been a while ago now.

Kaoru still remembered that day. It was a horrible day. Realizing what was going on with her was bad enough, but coming out and telling people about it? Even worse. She couldn't tell you how many friends she had lost. People didn't like her. She got called a lot of names. A lot of slurs.

Kaoru tried to ignore them, to act like they didn't bother her. But, deep down, it really hurt when people said those things to her. If it hadn't been for everyone in her band, she might not be who she is today. She might've never gotten the strength to stay the same. To not hide away and become a nobody.

That was the main reason Kaoru was so worried tonight. Because she didn't want a guy role. She wanted to play a female character. But, with her body shape and her voice, she wondered if they'd make her be a male character. They didn't get many guys in the acting group, after all. They hated when Kaoru came out and said she was actually a girl. They lost another guy.

Kaoru didn't know what she would do if she did get casted for a male role. Should she turn them down? Would that hurt her reputation? She still wanted to act, even if it was scary. She didn't want to give it all up.

Kaoru looked at the clock. Ten minutes till midnight. Ten minutes until she had to face her fears. Kaoru grabbed her phone. Maybe talking to someone would help? But, who would be up this late?

Kaoru didn't know, but she decided to call someone anyway. Surprisingly, they picked up the phone.

"Kaoru? Why're you calling me so late?"

"W-well... I just... couldn't sleep." Kaoru wasn't sure what to say.

"Is something bothering you?"

"Maybe..." Kaoru didn't see any point in trying to lie.

"Well, I'm all ears."

"Chisato... I... it's about the play..." Kaoru eventually stammered out.

"Oh, are you worried about your role?" Chisato seemed to understand her problem.

"Yeah... I'm scared..."

"It'll be fine, Kaoru. I'm sure you'll get the role you wanted." Chisato tried to cheer her up.

"But what if I don't? What if I get a part I can't do?" Kaoru's voice cracked slightly.

"Take a deep breath. You'll be fine. I promise." Chisato said calmly.

"Maybe I should've just quit acting..." Kaoru whispered.

"No. It's something you love, isn't it? You shouldn't give it up so easily!" Chisato protested.

"But... but it's hard..."

"Did something else happen?" Chisato asked with worry, "I can come over, if you need me to."

"Please..."

"Okay. I'll be there soon. We can keep talking until then." Chisato said, though her voice was harder to hear as she moved around.

"One of... of the staff... they hated me..." Kaoru mumbled, "They kept saying I was a guy and... that I was being a creep..."

"Oh, Kaoru... you should've said something sooner." Kaoru knew Chisato was frowning even if she could only hear her voice.

"I was scared... I didn't want to make a scene... they barely let me use my name..." Kaoru sighed.

"Okay... I'll see what I can do about it." Chisato replied, "Can you unlock the door?"

"Yeah." Kaoru went and did so.

A few minutes later, Chisato arrived. She immediately went and hugged Kaoru. Kaoru hugged her back. She was trying to remain composed. She didn't want to break down. She was trying to stay strong. To not show just how badly her nerves were affecting her.

"Let's go back to your room." Chisato stated.

They went up and sat on her bed. Kaoru glanced at the clock. It was midnight. The results were up. Kaoru gulped as she pulled up the website. Chisato held her free hand.

"It's going to be fine." Chisato whispered.

Kaoru pulled up the page with the results. She hesitated, before looking for her name. She spotted it. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Kaoru, you did it. See? There was no need to worry." Chisato smiled at her.

Kaoru started sobbing. She was so happy. She had doubted she'd get a female role. To get the lead female role was amazing.

Chisato hugged her. Kaoru clung to her. It took a while before she calmed down.

"See? Everything is good."

"Yeah..."

"You'll do an amazing job playing that part. I know it." Chisato said, "I look forward to seeing your performance."

"Thank you."

"I can't stay the entire night, but I can stay for a bit longer. How about you get some rest? I'll leave when you fall asleep." Chisato offered.

"Okay." Kaoru agreed.

The two of them laid down on her bed. Chisato was playing on her phone. Kaoru tried to get her body to calm. It was still all worked up.

"Chisato?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for still being my friend." Kaoru whispered.

"I've been with you for years. I couldn't just abandon everything we went through." Chisato replied, "No matter who you are, I'll still love you."

"I'm happy to hear that."

"Now go to sleep."

"Fine..." Kaoru wanted to talk a bit more, but her eyes were falling shut.

An hour passed before Chisato realized it. She looked down at Kaoru. She was asleep now. A smile had found its way onto her face at some point during her sleep. Chisato carefully brushed some hair out of her face.

"Sleep tight." Chisato whispered, before she got up and left, "I'm sorry I can't stay."