Theater

Satoshi Hiwatari wasn't one to enjoy theater. Musical theater or regular plays. He never much cared for them. Yet, as a friend, he was obligated to sit in the darkening auditorium and watch miss Risa Harada perform. The play was supposed to be professional (since it was done by the school's acting club). No cross dressing, no upgrading the play. Just pure, professional, classical theater.

As the ever famous Romeo and Juliet began, Satoshi could already feel himself drifting to sleep. Not that the actors were doing a bad job, mind you. They were actually very good with delivering their lines and making it sound like normal language. But he had studied the play extensively in college, and once again in his first year of high school (once he went back). It was just a bore to see it all over again.

Then she came in.

"How now! Who calls?" She walked to the Nurse, every move admired by every gentleman in the house.

"Your mother," the Nurse told the young Harada.

When she spoke, Satoshi was positive that he was not the only man hanging onto her words. "Madam, I am here. What is your will?" The scene went on, everyone staring blankly at the talent and beauty of little Risa Harada, whom, Satoshi was certain, was no longer "little."

Her famous monologue came in Act II, after every man, Satoshi included, seethed at the lucky bastard who had gotten to kiss Risa at the Capulet ball.

"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse they name; or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet."

When she smiled at this, Satoshi could have sworn that he heard the men swoon. He looked around, bothered by how many people were staring at Risa. She spoke again:

"'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague... What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name!"

Satoshi could now understand why Risa had pushed him so much for coming to watch the show. The lines that were coming from her mouth were lines that every teenager had heard many, many times before. Yet her facial features, the way she said it... it just looked so natural. It looked so real.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, and for that name which is no part of thee, take all myself."

Takeshi, who was sitting a mere three seats away, let out a low whistle. He scribbled something on his program and tossed it to Satoshi, much to the discontent of the other males who were watching and sitting in between them.

I didn't know Harada-san could act like that, the note said.

When the play was finally over, women were crying due to the beauty while men were crying because Risa had died. Satoshi waited in the hallway from which the cast was to appear. He was patient compared to the other men who wanted Risa's autograph, although he was certain they wanted more than that. She came out at last, the biggest of smiles on her face. He was surprised when she looked around, spotted him, and completely ignored everyone else.

"Hiwatari-kun!" she wrapped her small arms around his torso and hugged him. She pulled back before he could react, and said, "What did you think? Did you like it?"

It was obvious that there were plenty of other admirers for the young Harada, both men and women alike. Isn't that what she always wanted? To be very popular, to have all the attention? He had thought so. He was almost certain that that's what she wanted. He knew that was the only reason he agreed to help him out in his studies of femininity.

"I was a little over dramatic," she admitted, a blush creeping to her face. She smiled weakly. "But it was Juliet, you know? Or... was it? Be honest."

Tons of students and parents crowded around them, wanting to tell her how good of a job she had done... and there she stood, concerned with his opinion. This was new...

Despite himself, Satoshi had to let out a smile. "You did great."

Risa beamed, causing shivers to run down his spine. Even with the ridiculous stage make up on, she never looked better. "Really?"

He nodded. "You were fantastic. I should have gotten you a carnation for your job well done."

She was too happy to notice how red her face was. "So buy me one tomorrow!" Content with his approval, she bounced off to her other friends, making sure to come back to him once more before the night ended and he decided to walk her home.