Chapter 26

It was strange that Suiryu wanted Junpei to be his right hand man.

When they began to scout for talent for the rock opera, Junpei was on hand as his second eyes and ears, however no one really though of him being much of that. He stood rather than sat, he fetched drinks oddly enough, but that was also his cover. When he would step out into the halls, he could gauge those who were auditioning. Suiryu wanted to be certain that they were not going to use anyone who had a massive ego and believed they were the stars of the whole thing.

Those came by the plenty.

That day, they happened to be doing auditions for the one playing Gojo in the opera. The first ten were all the same. They had a massive ego and stated they could do anything asked of them, as long as they got to write their own lines, got at least 40 minutes of screen time or at least be in every scene.

Not happening with Suiryu.

"Okay, I'll agree to your terms on one condition. Let's see how well you can keep cool under pressure." Suiryu decreed aloud as he stood up from his seat.

Junpei already knew this was going to be good. He smirked as Suiryu walked down and towards the would be actor. "So, what's this scene?"

"This happens at the beginning of the opera. You are about to encounter Ryomen Sukuna for the first time, a demon sorcerer who has been sealed for the past 1000 years…"

"Okay so what…"

BASH!

Suiryu moved fast, but he purposely missed the actor and ended up smashing the floor next to him. The tiles shattered from the impact, and the guy fell back, scared shitless to what just happened.

"What the fuck!" he demanded.

"Thanks, we'll call if we are interested…"

The guy stumbled out of the room, Suiryu easily fixed the tile with reverse jujutsu… who knew that could be used for household repair! But he went through everyone auditioning to be Gojo like this. Everyone flinched, became scared and startled by the sudden movement.

But then, one man came in, the last audition of the day. "Uh… Hi, I'm here to audition for the role of… Gogo?"

Suiryu had the change the names so the council can't be TOO upset about this.

But there was a look on Suiryu's face, he was interested in this one. "Okay then, simple test, don't flinch." He said aloud.

"What do you…"

BASH!

The man paused, but peered over as Suiryu came within inches of striking him, but took aim at the floor once again. The man wasn't startled. He didn't stumble back. "Was I suppose to do something or…" he asked curiously.

"Not bad, all the others shit themselves…" Suiryu said offhandedly. "Will you spar with me for a moment?"

"Sure, I know a little martial arts, nothing major…"

Junpei hung back and watched. Suiryu went real easy on this guy, but he kept pace with him. Until the end of it all, he was out of breath but he impressed both of them.

"See you on Monday, I suggest you start doing cardio workouts since this can be demanding. Increase your air intake, as well memorize your lines." He tossed him a completed script. Those auditioning only get a small portion of it, those who get in, get a full script.

The man nearly burst into tears but graciously accepted the part.

"Well that's one down… remind me not to go into theatre."

"I took it in school, this is bringing back unpleasant memories to me too…" Junpei said with a snicker.

#

The auditions went well, they managed to fill most of the cast, yet there was one part that has yet to be filled.

And Suiryu was very stingy on this one!

The part was small, barely any time in the play, and yet, they have already gone through two hundred auditions for this small part!

Junpei glared at Suiryu as the latest one came in. She looked about the room and sneered. "Isn't this part bigger…"

"NEXT!" he shouted.

The woman froze. "I didn't say any lines yet!" she snapped back.

"No, but I already heard enough. Go!" he ordered.

She stormed out, in fact he has done this to nearly 80% of the auditions for this part!

Junpei peered over at the name. "Yua Tooru?" he asked curiously. "Suiryu, this person is hardly in it, and yet…"

"It's the most important part of the play,"

He fell silent. That look on his face, he was sincere about what he just said. "Junpei… you are lucky enough to know what a mother was, I didn't get that opportunity until Yuuji saved me, and I was raised within his soul domain…"

"He has that?!"

Suiryu forced a smile and nodded. "It's where he kept me until I was released… but I wasn't the only one there, gramps was there… his grandfather. And a woman named Yua Tooru. If you speak of her, the elders won't utter anything good about the family, if anything at all. You speak to Satoru about it, he will tell you the truth. Yua… raised me. She is the closest thing I will ever have in knowing what a mother is or was. Although the part is small, it's significant to me. Not just anyone can be her, they have to embody her and understand the respect this character has and needs during the performance."

Silence befell them. Junpei understood and didn't push him on the notion.

They took a break to clear their heads. Junpei went to get something to eat with Suiryu, when he suddenly caught something. There was a young woman, and she was humming as she picked out a few things to eat. Suddenly, she broke out into a gently and yet beautiful song. It was soft and gentle…

"WILL YOU SHUT UP ALREADY!"

Junpei jumped as a woman shouted from across the room. The one singing, instantly stopped and flushed red out of embarrassment.

"Keep going,"

She paused and saw Suiryu gave her his undivided attention. "Please, will you continue?"

She nodded and continued to sing again. She was a little more nervous, her voice shook but she still had a lovely pitch and tone. Perhaps she was caught off guard for being asked to sing.

When she finished she looked to Suiryu nervously. "How confident can you speak?" he asked of her.

She appeared stunned. "I… I don't speak that confidently… I try to but…"

"WHERE'S OUR FOOD!"

Suiryu turned and glared at the table that yelled at her. It was the same table that told her to shut up earlier. Ironically, they were ladies waiting to audition for his play.

"What part are you here for?" Junpei asked aloud.

They glared at him. "Just some shitty little role, near the end of it I think. But who cares, I want the exposer."

The others chimed the same thing and reason for auditioning.

Suiryu smirked. "Okay, let's save everyone some time here… you didn't get the part!" he said in a stern tone.

"Wait, who are you to say…"

"The damn guy who WROTE the play and has the right to choose who plays who in MY rock opera!" he snapped back.

The women froze.

They turned white in the face, as they were quick to get up and leave.

Suiryu then turned to the woman at the table. "The part is yours if you want it,"

She froze.

"I… I didn't come to audition…" she said meekly. "I… I don't think I have much of a voice…"

"The fact that I acknowledge your talent says a lot. If you wish to play the part of Yua Tooru, it's yours. We just need to get you to speak more confidently."

She was stunned, but then, she accepted the job.