Chapter 3-Hansel and Gretel
Author's note: Sorry for keeping you very long, Mr. Arionwong. I was very busy with my projects, homework and tests. Plus I felt discouraged by lack of more reviews. But when my classes ended, I decided to give my story a shot.
I had never been very happier that I spent time with the Taichou and the others especially the dog whom we called Hund.
When I was finally released from the hospital, I wasted no time in returning to the theater for a rehearsal together with whom I call friends. I was glad that they had waited for me to recover so I would start rehearsing the role of Hansel.
For you who do not know, they should know Hansel was a male main character in one of Grimm's fairy tales. The fact that I was to play a boy did not surprise me since I was accustomed to playing male characters as do Kanna and Maria. When I returned on stage, I had learned who got to play which characters.
The role of Gretel was given to Iris. Sumire reluctantly agreed to portray the witch stepmother of Hansel and Gretel. Kanna was chosen to play the father of Hansel and Gretel. The rest were to perform their roles as animals whom our characters would befriend.
Kanna and Sumire quarreled so passionately while rehearsing their roles of our characters' parents I swore their bickering had been genuine. But then again they've often talked to each other like that outside the stage. Very often.
When it was Iris' and my turn to play our roles as Gretel and Hansel, we showed our fabricated sadness as the father (Kanna) left the house quietly and pretended to cringe at the stepmother (Sumire) treated our characters so badly we ran away into the forest where we encountered animals. And then we also met the witch of the candy house that we trespassed and "ate".
Everything went smoothly until unfortunately I neglected to mention an important line in my dialogue much to the coach's disappointment. Nevertheless we resumed rehearsing. At first the others didn't mind my first three mistakes. But I repeated my mistakes again and I still have no idea why.
For example, my fifth mistake was that I said "Gretel, let's get out of here before the Wakiji comes back."
"No, you were supposed to say the witch, not the bad guy's name," Iris groaned.
My later mistakes began to wear some members' patience. Halting the rehearsal, the coach began to ask me why I slipped. I was reluctant until Sumire interrupted.
"Why does this girl miss a line again? This is the fifth time she's slipped a line," Sumire complained. "Why am I surrounded by amateurs?"
"Watch what you're saying, snake woman?" Kanna roared.
"Ohohohoho, look at who's come to protect her child," Sumire mocked. "You play the role of the father so seriously."
"So do you yours," Kanna retorted.
Iris ignored their argument and asked me. "Please tell me what's wrong, Leni-chan."
I stared at Iris silently. Noticing my hesitation, Orihime stepped forward and expressed her concern to me.
"We are your friends. Whatever trouble's bothering you, please tell us and we can help you."
Strangely my knees nearly dropped like jelly. But I held my position steadily. "I…do not know."
"You don't know?" Kohran echoed. "No offense but you bungled your rehearsal at least four times and you don't know the reason?"
"Um....excuse me. I'm not feeling well," I said as I started running away from the stage. As I maintained my pace, I heard Iris calling my name.
I knew Iris was still chasing me because I could hear Iris' voice coming closer. But I didn't turn around. Nor did I stop here. I kept running as fast as I can. Fortunately, since Iris was smaller and younger than me, she wasn't able to catch me.
Closing my eyes, I carelessly and blindly collided into something while running on my way down the stairs. Something and I tumbled down on the stairs.
When we stopped tumbling, I felt something under the place between my legs pressed against it. As I looked down, I was shocked to find I was literally sitting on Taichou's face. I suddenly sprinted up as quickly as I could. I had never felt such embarrassment before in my life. I stood, helping the taichou to recover from my collision.
Taichou groaned as he started to raise his head up. Turning to look at my face, he looked puzzled. I avoided his gaze by staring at the floor.
"It's not your fault, Leni," Taichou said.
"Yes, it was my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going, taichou." I protested.
"Nonsense, Leni. We sometimes make mistakes," The taichou chuckled.
"Are you all right, taichou?" I asked.
"Yes, I'm all right. Please look at me. You don't have to be embarrassed."
Encouraged by my taichou's words, I raised my head up to meet his gaze only to have him staring at me. "Why are you staring at me?"
"Uh…Leni, your cheeks are red."
Curse me for a fool. I should restrain my emotions harder. I thought.
When I suddenly heard shouts from my teammates not so far from our position, my only reaction is to start running.
By the time I heard taichou shouting "Where are you going?", I already went out of the theater into the street. When I turned around, I saw taichou running after me. I have to get away from them—him.
I finally stopped at a bridge after running for one hour and twenty-three minutes. I began to rest my legs until I heard my taichou's yell. I was tempted to run again but my tactical mind told me it was pointless to outrun a man who had undergone months of vigorous military training in the academy. Only Kanna equaled Taichou in terms of stamina. Realizing my endurance couldn't outlive his, I let him catch me.
"Thank Buddha you are here, Leni," Taichou panted.
Silently I started to sit on the edge of the bridge and gazed at the river below.
"Leni, mind if I sit with you?" Taichou quizzed.
"Not at all, sir," I replied.
"Since when do you call me sir?" Taichou gasped as I noticed him sit beside me.
"You are my superior officer," I explained.
"This is the first time you've called me sir," replied taichou.
I refused to stare at him and asked "Is it wrong to call me sir?"
Taichou grabbed my shoulders hastily to twist my body around so I would gaze into his eyes. "Wrong? I think it's wrong. It's not like you at all."
While I shook my shoulders and pried his gentle hands off with mine, I shouted, "What is wrong? Everything is wrong."
"I…I b-bungled our ruh-rehearsal. I failed this time" I sobbed.
Without a thought, I instinctively leaned my face against the taichou's chest, crying. He gathered me in his arms and hushed, "It's all right."
I pulled away from his embrace and looked at him again.
"Taichou, do you think I am a failure?" I asked.
"No way, Leni. You've been a great asset to the Team Hanagumi from the start.
"In battle?"
"Yes in battle," he said, "Your strategies were helpful."
"And in stage?"
"Yeah, you were a great actress."
"Hardly great," I countered.
"What happened? Did you say you bungled your rehearsal?" Taichou asked.
"Yes," I reluctantly admitted.
"Well, please tell me what happened, Leni if it doesn't hurt your feelings."
At first I hesitated but I decided to confide in the taichou. I began to narrate my story to him with my newfound confidence. When I was finished, I waited for him to reply. Which took seven seconds.
"Was it because you got injured in battle prior to the rehearsal?"
"No…." I began. Then I wanted to say the rest. The reason is because you weren't there when I rehearsed. Oh, mein gott, you've no idea how much I wanted you there at my side.
Nodding, Taichou said "I see." Then his last words left me slumped for my hopes were destroyed. I wanted to tell him that but I dare not, for I am ashamed to admit my feelings for him. I lowered my head away from him again.
"Well, I have a suggestion, Leni." Taichou snapped his fingers. I lifted my head to gaze at his always-cheerful face.
"Hear me out. What if I was there to cheer you up when you are rehearsing?"
"Yes, that is a good suggestion," I smiled "Taichou, I would like...I mean I appreciate it."
"You agree with me? You will do it," he asked me.
"I agreed to your suggestion but I am not sure I can do it."
"Yes, you can do it. What you need is faith in yourself."
"Faith in myself? I do not have the faith in myself. Do you have faith in me?" I questioned the taichou.
"Of course, I have complete faith in you," said Taichou who pressed his hands against his own chest.
"Then I won't let you down," I declared. "Let us return to the theater."