Letter #6: Sumire
"The Teigeki will be staging 'Roman Holiday' for its summer performance." Kaede picked up the stack of scripts from her desk and placed them on her lap. "It is the story of a princess who pretends to be a commoner for a day in order to enjoy a normal life."
Kaede walked over to Maria and handed her a copy of the script. "Maria, you will play the American reporter who sees through the princess' act. At first you go along with her to get your story, but you end up falling in love with her."
"I shall do my best." Maria took the script from Kaede and started skimming through the pages.
Kaede nodded in acknowledgement. She then walked over to the couch where Orihime was seated beside Reni. "Orihime will be perfect for the role of the princess."
The young Italian girl's eyes widened in shock. "Me? You want me to play the lead?"
Kanna, who was standing behind the couch, reached out to slap Orihime on the back, causing the other girl to lurch forward. "Congratulations! You're going to be great in the role."
Orihime shook her head frantically. "But I can't. I've never --"
"Oi, don't say 'never'. You have plenty of time to practice and get used to the idea."
"For once, I agree with Kanna-san. And only this one time." Sumire muttered the last part of her statement.
There was a collective gasp followed by silence.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that Sumire-han would agree with something Kanna-han said." Kohran wiped an imaginary tear from her eye. "It's a miracle!"
Sumire cast a death glare at Kohran. "What do you mean by that, Kohran-san?"
"Now, now Sumire-san. It just took us by surprise, that's all." Sakura's voice faltered as Sumire started glaring at her.
Kanna walked over to where Sumire was seated and patted her head. "Aawww. You've been such a nice person for the past month since you came back from Paris. Don't turn into a snake woman now."
At the mention of Paris, the group became silent again.
"Iris wonders what Oniichan is doing there now." Iris whispered.
Sumire huffed and tossed her hair back. "He is, no doubt, spending his evenings watching them dance on stage."
Orihime crossed her arms across her chest. "He'd have more fun watching us, that's for certain."
Sakura and Maria sighed in unison.
After everyone returned from their visit to Paris, they all compared their experiences. Sumire and Orihime each had a not-so-pleasant run-in with Glycine Bleumer of the Paris Hanagumi.
Kaede could sense the group's growing despondency and decided to do something about it. "I'm sure that Ogami-kun would want us to worry about the Teigeki and Teito instead of him."
Having been reminded of their responsibility, the group visibly perked up.
"Kanna, you will play another news reporter and you, Sumire, will play a lady-in-waiting."
Kaede continued to assign and explain the rest of the roles. She then discussed rehearsal schedules. Certain that she had given them enough to think about, she dismissed them.
That afternoon's practice went well. Everyone took note of their cues and blocking. It was later that evening, after dinner, when Sumire returned to the stage to practice some more.
This was her secret. This was the reason why she knew her lines faster than anyone else in the Hanagumi did. She heard Sakura humming and knew she was cleaning up the stage.
"Ah, Sumire-san. I'll be done in a minute." Sakura smiled as she wiped the beads of perspiration from her forehead.
Sakura knew about the late night rehearsals. She had accidentally stumbled in one time.
Minutes later, Sumire was alone. She practiced her lines out loud and went through the paces of the play. It was after midnight when she was able to memorize her lines.
Satisfied with what she had accomplished that night, she quietly made her way back to her room.
When she was inside, she leaned on the door and closed her eyes. It's daytime in France. Is he in battle?
She was very good at hiding her feelings -- as was expected of the Teigeki Top Star. When she was with the others, Sumire never revealed how she felt about Ogami -- knowing how such conversations affected the rest of the group. They all missed their Taicho.
Now, in the privacy of her room, she allowed herself to feel worried for him.
* * *
Dear Chuui,
It is time for the summer performance and the Teigeki is staging "Roman Holiday." Maria-san and Orihime-san play the lead roles.
I have been given the challenging and vital role of a lady-in-waiting, without whom the play would suffer.
A month has passed since we last saw you in Paris. Although I have personally checked and made sure that the Paris Hanagumi could take care of you, I still worry.
Please make sure that you come back to us safe. I am sure you are looking forward to the day when you can once again see me perform on stage.
Until then.
Sincerely,
Sumire.
P.S. Enclosed is my copy of the script. Being the great actress that I am, I have already memorized my lines so I won't need this anymore. Since you aren't here to see us perform, I thought reading the script would be the next best thing to do.
~ next -- Letter #7: Reni
* * *
Author's Notes:
- "Roman Holiday" is actually a movie, which stars Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. In the movie, Audrey Hepburn plays a princess visiting Rome and Gregory Peck is an American reporter stationed there. The princess, unable to stand the pressures of her life, decides to escape one night and ends up with Gregory Peck. Seeing it as her chance to enjoy a normal life, she doesn't tell him who she is but, being a journalist, he recognized her immediately but decides to play along.
- In the Sakura Taisen Dramatic Card game, there is a play entitled "Ojo no Kyujitsu" (Princess' Holiday) starring Kanna and Maria.
