Vol. 1 Chapter 9 – The Actress’s Face

“Ahh~ Today was exhausting!” (Akari)
“You don’t look tired at all, though.” (Yuuto)
“No, no, I am tired! Right now, this body is craving rest!” (Akari)
“What kind of way is that to put it?” (Yuuto)

On the way home from school, I lightly brushed off my childhood friend who was spouting her usual nonsense.

“But I’m actually pretty tired, you know. Dancing uses a lot of stamina, and if I damage my throat, I can’t take singing lessons, so I have to be careful.” (Akari)
“True, it sounds tough over there if you’re even slightly unwell.” (Yuuto)
“Well, they’d probably force us to rest. The teachers seem concerned about that.” (Akari)

Just as Akari said that, the smartphone in my pocket vibrated.

“Ah… Akari, can you get home by yourself?” (Yuuto)

The time was just past 6 PM. The sky was gradually darkening.

“Hm? Well, it’s only a short walk home, so I can… Did something happen?” (Akari)
“Mom texted asking me to buy soy sauce.” (Yuuto)
“Want me to come with?” (Akari)
“No, it’s fine. I’ll run to the supermarket, so you head home first.” (Yuuto)
“Okay~. See ya~” (Akari)

Waving back at Akari who was waving at me, I turned back slightly the way we came and headed towards the supermarket.

After buying the soy sauce we always used at home, by the time I left the supermarket, it was already dark outside. Retracing my steps, I rejoined the school commute path and spotted a familiar figure from behind. I thought about passing by without saying anything, but since we shared the same way home and she clearly started getting wary of me following her, thinking I was suspicious, I decided to call out before she reported me to the police.

“Hello there, neighbor.” (Yuuto)
“…! …What… It’s just you, Yuuto…” (Nagisa)

Her body jumped with a start, and when she spun around quickly, her face indeed showed fear, making me feel slightly guilty.

“Sorry, I should have called out sooner.” (Yuuto)
“You were probably thinking of just passing by without talking, just like the first day, weren’t you?” (Nagisa)
“…How did you know?” (Yuuto)
“You haven’t changed since the first day.” (Nagisa)

After a small sigh, she turned forward again and started following the same path home. Was this her work outfit? She exuded a more mature aura than before, making me think, ‘She really is an active actress.’ It was an incredibly superficial thought.

“Work today?” (Yuuto)
“Work today too.” (Nagisa)
“Being popular must be tough.” (Yuuto)
“It’s super tough.” (Nagisa)

Her insistence on correcting my phrasing was somehow amusing, and I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“Minase-san, are you going to school tomorrow?” (Yuuto)
“Supposedly.” (Nagisa)
“I walk with Akari, want to come with us, Minase-san?” (Yuuto)
“Walking with me might get you some strange jealousy, Yuuto.” (Nagisa)
“There’s no one who cares enough about me to direct jealousy my way, so it’s fine.” (Yuuto)
“Meaning you’re inconspicuous and have no friends.” (Nagisa)
“I didn’t go that far.” (Yuuto)
“Am I wrong?” (Nagisa)
“You’re not wrong.” (Yuuto)

Having been in the entertainment world since childhood, perhaps her communication skills were excellent. Contrary to the sparkling image of her I heard about at school, which I found difficult to handle, she was easy to talk to, and I even felt a sense of comfort.

“Well, if Akari is okay with it, I’d like to walk together.” (Nagisa)
“Akari wouldn’t refuse.” (Yuuto)
“Anyway, I’m calling you Yuuto, so why are you still calling me Minase-san?” (Nagisa)
“…Just because?” (Yuuto)
“What’s that supposed to mean? Nagisa is fine. If only I call you Yuuto, it makes me look like some clueless girl who can’t gauge distance, doesn’t it?” (Nagisa)
“Does anyone think like that?” (Yuuto)
“Someone might.” (Nagisa)

I intended to call her by her first name as she wished, but felt embarrassed and hesitated slightly to say it out loud. Finding my hesitation suspicious, she peered up at my face from my lower left.

“What’s wrong?” (Nagisa)
“Well… It’s just, I’ve never called any girl other than Akari by her first name, so it feels kind of embarrassing…” (Yuuto)
“…Huh? You mean you haven’t had any female friends other than Akari?” (Nagisa)
“…Yes.” (Yuuto)

She let out a loud, exasperated sigh.

“Yuuto, don’t tell me you’ve never had a girlfriend either?” (Nagisa)
“…Is that bad?” (Yuuto)
“To have those looks and never have had a girlfriend… Just how tongue-tied are you?” (Nagisa)
“…I’ve never particularly wanted one, so it’s fine.” (Yuuto)

My cheeks felt a little hot as my lack of experience with women was exposed, but Nagisa seemed to find it increasingly amusing, her face under the streetlight gradually morphing into a teasing smile.

“Hmm? High school model guys and stuff swap girlfriends all the time, you know? Are you really not interested at all~?” (Nagisa)
“…Have you ever had one, Nagisa? A boyfriend.” (Yuuto)

At my retort, the smug smile that showed no signs of stopping moments ago froze completely.

“Let’s end this conversation here…” (Nagisa)
“What is wrong with you, seriously…” (Yuuto)

As we talked nonsense, we arrived at the apartment building, and the conversation naturally tapered off towards its end.

“By the way, I heard there’s some kind of test for the Entertainment Course.” (Yuuto)

Inside the elevator, where only the sound of its ascent echoed as it closed, I brought up the topic casually.

“Apparently so.” (Nagisa)
“Apparently… You’re taking it, right?” (Yuuto)
“I could technically skip it, but… Since even Yuuto is concerned about it, that story must be getting a lot of attention, right? I probably can’t afford not to show up…” (Nagisa)

“Well, I don’t know if I can even participate since I don’t have a partner,” she muttered as she stepped out of the elevator.

“Okay, see you tomorrow morning then. Ah! Make sure you talk to Akari about it! It’d be embarrassing if she looked confused tomorrow morning!” (Nagisa)
“I know. See ya.” (Yuuto)
“Yeah, bye-bye.” (Nagisa)

Her face, as she disappeared behind her door, was unreadable.