Act 1
The Amateur Provocateur
In his sixteenth summer, he was on the verge of despair. Banri Settsu, a talented high schooler from Tokyo, he excelled at anything he did without effort, whether it was studying, sports, or fighting with other boys from his school - it all came easy to him. In addition to his good physique, nature endowed him with a lovely, handsome face. He had pretty much everything one could dream about – a loving and wealthy family, many school friends, and popularity with girls, but he couldn't care less about that. His life was on an easy mode, but that was terribly dull and bugging him more and more.
He ventured his life in desperate attempts to quench the boredom, not caring what he did - ditching school, delinquency, fights... But all that was in vain. He felt lonely and distant even when he was among his friends; his life seemed to be losing its colours. He was starting to think about trying some drugs when one day he heard about Juza Hyodo, another high schooler who had never lost a single fight.
He found out what the guy looked like and went to look for him at Veludo Station the following day. When he saw him, he was thrilled for the first time in his life. Juza Hyodo was tall and handsome, and everything about him was cool and sharp – his dark slicked back hair with an undercut, his chiselled, manly face, but mainly his feline eyes that resembled those of a tiger. These glaring amber eyes made Banri all fired up.
...Juza had always been a loner. Not because he wanted to, oh no. He had always been different from other children. Tall, strong, and untalkative, he looked intimidating to them. Even his younger brother's friends who were only a year younger than him were afraid to play with him. His delinquent appearance scared off people around him inside and outside of his school, although he desperately wanted to find a friend, at least one friend... But instead, other boys tried to pick fights with him because of his looks. He ended up called the top delinquent in town, although he only defended himself... But he wanted to live a different life, to become a different person!..
One day, he saw a light at the end of the tunnel – a theatre stage. It was his only hope to break out of his delinquent image and change his life, so he came to the acting club at his school. The teacher offered him to be a stagehand while the other children stared at him in disapproving silence – he seemed like a wolf among sheep. Juza felt so bitter he wanted to cry, but he firmly knew: "men don't cry".
Since that day, his longing for theatre had grown even more. He was in his final year of school when he saw his younger cousin Muku play in a theatre production during the summer holidays. He was overwhelmed with admiration and envy, because he wanted so much to be there, on stage! After the performance, he approached Muku and learned from him that Mankai Company was going to hold an audition for its Autumn Troupe.
Walking back home, Juza couldn't think of anything other than going to the audition at this theatre when his train of thought was suddenly interrupted by a bob-haired youngster in a ridiculous pink T-shirt. The guy was fairly tall, slender, and good-looking. Too good-looking for Juza's liking. He introduced himself as Banri Settsu and challenged him to a fight with a cheeky smile, stepping so close to him that he could look into the other's foxy blue eyes. Juza frowned – there was something inexplicably annoying about this pretty face.
Meanwhile, the guy took a step back and tried to punch him in the face, apparently with all his strength. Easily dodging the blow, Juza hit him back on the face with an open palm rather than a fist, but still pretty hard. The guy collapsed as if poleaxed, and Juza realised that this brat was no match for him in a fight. Slightly concerned, Juza bent over him to see how he was doing.
The guy lay sprawled on the pavement, looking up with unfocused eyes. Apparently, he was a little concussed, but other than that, he was alright. Figuring so, Juza turned around and continued on his way home, certain that he would never see this punk again.
...Lying on the ground, Banri followed Juza with his eyes. He couldn't understand what was going on with him - his ears were ringing, and he couldn't move for a while. What had just happened to him was so strange and unthinkable. He was beaten before he knew it like it was nothing. Nobody had ever done this to him in his life. He was angry, confused, and annoyed, and of course, he had to take revenge over Hyodo! With these thoughts in mind, he picked himself up, dusted his clothes off, and wandered back home.
The next day, Juza forgot about the last night's encounter. He was returning home in the evening from the combini near the station when he saw yesterday's annoying brat, who tried to attack him again. This pissed him off, but he knew he should keep his cool. After all, there was no point for him to fight someone without ambition, especially if this someone was a weakling like Settsu. Juza fended off Banri's attack without hitting him back and then walked away, trying to ignore the angry screaming behind him.
Since then, Juza had run into him several times when he walked to or from Veludo Station. That damn Settsu ambushed him on the street and provoked him to fight every bloody time! One day Juza even took a slightly different route to avoid bumping into that jerk, and then saw him lurking around the corner at some distance without even noticing him behind. No doubt, Settsu was waiting for him to appear from the other side of the street. Juza clenched his fist, seething with righteous indignation. He wanted to approach and beat the crap out of him, but he didn't, because he had made up his mind to change himself. After all, he had something to look forward to – the audition at Mankai Company.
Day after day Banri followed Juza around to challenge him and turned into Juza's stalker without even realising it. However, every time that daikon turned his back on him, and this was driving him up the wall. He wanted Hyodo to take him seriously! One day he saw him enter a shabby theatre. Hyodo watching theatre for enjoyment?.. It was laughable! Banri peered into the theatre when he heard someone behind his back tell him not to be shy and come in. Turning, he saw a middle-aged gentleman with glasses, who was looking at him with a friendly smile. Banri tried to escape, but the gentleman suddenly insisted and literally pushed him into the theatre's foyer.
That was unexpected. Banri felt confused and annoyed - he was only after Hyodo and wasn't interested in theatre! He was about to leave when Juza suddenly turned around and angrily asked him what the hell he was doing there. That was enough for him to decide to stay: now that Hyodo spoke to him like that, he couldn't let it slide.
Juza barely kept his composure - Settsu was the last person he wanted to see at the audition. Why the hell did he follow him to the theatre?! To mess around and get in his way? Unfortunately, it looked like he had to put up with this for the time being: director Izumi, a gentle young woman, asked them both to calm down if they wanted to audition. Juza obeyed through gritted teeth, and then everyone headed to the auditorium.
Director Izumi and the five members of Summer Troupe took the spectator seats close to the stage where the five Autumn Troupe candidates sat on the chairs prepared for them. Juza ended up sitting next to Settsu, who didn't miss the opportunity to pick on him again before director Izumi asked them both to cut it off.
After the first two candidates finished auditioning, there was finally his and Settsu's turn. For a brief moment, Juza hesitated - he was not at all confident in his acting skills! Banri noticed this, looking at his opponent out of the corner of his eyes, and stood up ahead of him. First up, first to go. Juza had to admit this after another snarky exchange with this punk. The next thing he had to admit was the fact that Settsu's acting was actually very good, and everyone noticed that too.
At last, it was his turn to audition. Juza walked out into the middle of the stage and acted out the monologue as best as he could, but when he finished, he heard Settsu burst out laughing like a hyena. Juza felt as if the ground was crumbling beneath his feet. He knew that his acting was hammy... But was it all going to end like this for him?.. Did he have to give up on his dream to change his life?.. No, no! Anything but that! He knew he wanted to do theatre, no matter what. Back then in his school theatre club, he hadn't had the guts to ask for a role in the play, but now he wasn't going to stop halfway. Juza bent in a reverent bow and asked to give him a chance to play in the troupe. Slightly confused, director Izumi reassured him that he was more than welcome - his sincere resolve was all that mattered.
Incredulous of his luck, Juza gratefully bowed again and heard Settsu mocking his acting skills. Clenching his fist in exasperation, Juza was about to retaliate when the last, fifth candidate for the Autumn Troupe, a good-looking young man with blond hair and glasses stuck up for him, making Settsu shut up with a snarky comment.
This grown-up guy, Sakyo Furuichi, was a better actor than all of them put together - so Juza thought watching him on the stage. After Sakyo finished, director Izumi clapped her hands together and cheerfully announced that everyone had passed. Summer Troupe cheered and clapped their hands too, congratulating the novice Autumn Troupe members.
Deep down, Banri was happy that he and Juza had passed, but how could he miss the opportunity to poke fun at Juza's hammy acting? He didn't expect though that Juza would snipe back at him, and this time it pissed him off for real. Banri engaged in another spat with Juza when Sakyo finally flipped out and snarled at them, ordering them to shut up. It looked like there was no other way than to obey this scary man. Having calmed down, Banri and Juza followed everyone to the Mankai residence hall.
The residence hall was a nice two-storey mansion within walking distance from the theatre. Juza immediately accepted director Izumi's offer to stay: he wanted to fully immerse himself in theatre life. As if by reflex, Banri raised his hand too. Not that he wanted to stay that much - he just couldn't let Hyodo get away from him. Without really realising it, all he could think about was Juza and nothing else. What he didn't expect though was Sakyo's suggestion to place him and Hyodo in the same room. Banri was utterly confounded. He just planned to mess with Hyodo so as to get this daikon to finally fight him, but living together with Hyodo in one room?! Damn, it was a wicked idea!
Juza was angry no less. Not only had he to deal with this punk in the Autumn Troupe, but he would also have to bear with Settsu's pestering 24/7, all year round non-stop! This was a valid point, but it had zero effect on Sakyo. As a result, director Izumi placed them together in room 104. Banri and Juza clenched their teeth - it was such a bummer!
The following evening, the Autumn Troupe novices were moving to their new home. Juza and Banri entered their room and began to unpack their stuff in tense silence, trying to keep away from each other. Now that they were alone, Juza decided to find out what the hell Settsu was really up to. By no means this cunning fox was interested in acting! The direct question didn't do a thing. All he got back was mocking remarks about his delinquent appearance. This stung him to the quick, but he remembered he shouldn't fight. Still, he had to make things clear to Settsu. In an instant, Juza was next to Banri and slammed his hand against the wall next to him, cutting off the escape route.
- I'm serious about acting, unlike you. If you get in my way, I'll never forgive you for this, - Juza looked straight into the mocking blue eyes.
- That's what I wanna hear, - Banri stared back into Juza's eyes. This fierce gaze of a beast got him all fired up. - Let's cut to the chase and settle this with fists!
With these words, he threw a punch, aiming at Juza's face, but Juza blocked it with his forearms, leaving the rest of his body open for a brief moment. Banri took advantage of this, hitting him hard in the stomach with a knee. Juza fell to the floor on his bottom, hitting his back against the stack of cardboard boxes, and glared up at his attacker, who approached and grabbed him by the collar of his T-shirt. It wasn't that he was hurt physically; Settsu's blows were quite weak and slow. It was only his pride that was hurt - he had never let anyone punch him and get away with it, but now he was letting someone like Settsu beat him up.
- Come on, what's the matter? – Banri was getting annoyed and impatient. Unconsciously, he yearned for Juza's attention, even if that meant being hit by him.
Quickly rising to his feet, Juza blocked the next punch with the palm of his hand and then dodged a rather clumsy kick. He could easily break Settsu's arm or catch his kicking leg and then throw him out of the room, but he knew he shouldn't be fighting this brawler. He had always been able to keep his cool in a fight, but now he was losing his temper: although Settsu's fighting efforts were pathetic, no one had ever annoyed him so much! At last, he was backed into the corner, and Settsu lunged at him like mad, leaving him no choice but to fight. Completely enraged, Juza rushed forward at his enemy with his hand raised for a strike...
The next thing he knew was a pang of dull pain in his arm that was twisted up behind his back, causing him to bend over. Banri halted, stunned by what had just happened: Omi Fushimi, a university student and their teammate in the Autumn Troupe, prevented Juza from hitting him. Banri stared in bewilderment at Juza wincing in Omi's firm grip when the remaining, youngest member of the Autumn Troupe, Taichi Nanao, entered the room. Reluctantly, Banri let Taichi lead him away to the dining room - the opportunity to beat Hyodo was gone and it was time to eat something.
As soon as they left, Omi released Juza and prompted him to go have dinner as well. Juza lingered, brooding over the incident. Either way, he was still a delinquent who was always ready to use his fists, and that turned into his weakness. He was bound to change himself, or he would only cause trouble for the troupe.
- If I ever lose my head and rise to Settsu's provocation again, will you stop me as you did just now? – Juza felt he could rely on this guy, Omi.
- All right. We're supposed to be comrades, after all, - Omi patted him on the shoulder before they both strolled to the living room.