Vol. 1 Chapter 8 – The Price of Fame

Before the start of class the next day. Gazing at the slightly overcast sky, I recalled yesterday’s events. Minase Nagisa came over and ate dinner at our house. Although she seemed bewildered by Mom approaching her with a familiarity slightly different from that of a typical fan, I thought I saw a slightly pleased expression on her face when Mom told her as she left, “Feel free to come over anytime if you need anything!”

“Hey, Yuuto, are you prepared for the test?” (Souma)

Souma appeared out of nowhere and called out to me, pulling my gaze away from the gloomy sky.

“Listen, Souma. I believe there are two types of people in this world.” (Yuuto)
“Hoh. And those two types are?” (Souma)
“Those who put in effort consistently and don’t need to suddenly cram for a test, and those who do nothing and have to cram suddenly. Incidentally, I’m the former.” (Yuuto)
“You’re one of those~” (Souma)

Yamada Souma, with whom I’d rapidly become friends over the past two weeks, struck up a conversation as usual. Judging by the way he slumped onto the desk dejectedly, Souma seemed to be the latter type.

“Well, at least it’s just a written exam. Did you know, Yuuto? About this year’s Entertainment Course exam.” (Souma)
“Is something happening with the Entertainment Course?” (Yuuto)

Hearing my question, Souma made a face like he’d bitten into a bitter bug, apparently imagining the exam scene.

“They’re acting, apparently. In the event hall.” (Souma)
“Meaning, people will be watching?” (Yuuto)
“Exactly. Well, this exam happens every year for first-years, and general students can technically watch, but last year, apparently only about 10% of the seats were filled with examiners and friends or parents of the performers~” (Souma)
“Well, at this time of year for first-years, not many people would watch, I guess.” (Yuuto)
“That’s true, but this year, we have Minase-san, right? My friends in the General Course, kids from every class, they’re all saying they’re going to watch.” (Souma)
“Hoh~… She’s popular, huh, that girl.” (Yuuto)

Minase Nagisa has been active in the entertainment industry since she was a child actor, and even now, as an active high school actress, her popularity hasn’t waned but has gradually increased, garnering support from a wide range of age groups. I hadn’t noticed her much before, but once I knew we went to the same school and became conscious of it, she started popping up frequently. TV commercials, dramas, variety shows, and so on. Given that, it wasn’t surprising that people would gather if she were doing something on campus.

“I wouldn’t mind standing out, personally, but you hate standing in front of everyone, right, Yuuto?” (Souma)
“…Yeah, I hate it.” (Yuuto)
“Good thing you’re not in the Entertainment Course.” (Souma)
“I wouldn’t have joined the Entertainment Course no matter what…” (Yuuto)

Reacting to the sound of the homeroom teacher entering the classroom, Souma scrambled back to his seat. As I vaguely listened to the teacher outlining the day’s mostly unchanged schedule, a light rain began to fall…

Afternoon lunch break. The rain, which had been light in the morning, had intensified into a proper downpour. Students eating lunch in the courtyard would be inconvenienced, but it didn’t affect the three of us, who were eating in the cafeteria as usual.

“What should we do? Play games at Yuuto’s place again this weekend?” (Akari)
“Sounds good! I’ve been playing with my little brother lately, so I won’t lose!” (Hinata)

The plans were being decided without the homeowner, me, even giving permission.

“I have a test coming up soon, you know.” (Yuuto)
“Eh~? So, no good?” (Akari)
“…Well, it’s fine, I guess. I heard the Entertainment Course has an acting exam too.” (Yuuto)
“Heard from who?” (Akari)
“A friend.” (Yuuto)
“Yuuto… you had friends…?” (Akari)

Shooting my overly rude childhood friend a cold look, I brought food to my mouth. I do have friends other than Murai-san. Just Yamada, though.

“Even if it’s acting, it’s apparently just like a light play performed on stage? Mine is a play, but Akari-chan, yours is singing, not acting, right?” (Hinata)
“That’s right. My acting classes don’t start until second year~ Ahh, lucky~ I want to do something in front of everyone too! I want to stand out!” (Akari)

She collapsed onto Murai-san’s lap, pretending to cry dramatically. Perhaps used to Akari, Murai-san didn’t seem bothered and slowly patted Akari’s head resting near her stomach. Akari, post-meal, let out a happy sigh, “Ah… I could fall asleep…”

“But I heard something about how lots of people will come to watch because Minase-san is there.” (Yuuto)
“Ah~… There probably will be a lot~… But if we’re planning to debut seriously in the entertainment world, we’ll have to consider being watched by large crowds, so I think our generation is lucky to have this valuable experience? Personally.” (Hinata)
“Hoh… Impressive.” (Yuuto)

Her opinion, more accurate and forward-looking than simply positive, impressed me involuntarily.

“But that’s not the real issue. The issue is who’s going to perform with Minase-san.” (Hinata)

Her hand patting Akari didn’t stop, but her expression turned slightly serious as she spoke.

“There are quite a few people in the Entertainment Course who have been acting since they were young. Some were active as child actors. But there’s a considerable gap between them and someone who’s been popular since their child actor days and is still constantly on TV now.” (Hinata)
“Well, I probably see her on TV more often than at school.” (Yuuto)

It wasn’t uncommon for students in the Entertainment Course to enter the industry in their second or third year and take on a fair amount of work. Various measures were in place in the Entertainment Course to allow students who couldn’t attend school due to work commitments to graduate. Minase-san also used these measures, so she rarely came to school. No, apparently she couldn’t come.

“The question is how that gap in acting ability will appear to the audience, especially to the examiners, who are industry professionals.” (Hinata)
“So, anyone paired with her will look inferior and make a bad impression?” (Yuuto)
“Yes. Plus, there have apparently been cases in the past where people were offered jobs based on this. So you definitely don’t want to stand out in a bad way.” (Hinata)
“I see…” (Yuuto)
“Minase-san will probably have a hard time finding someone to pair up with. Even I would be pretty scared if I had to team up with her.” (Hinata)

Vaguely watching the cafeteria empty as people finished lunch and returned to their classrooms, an image of her prideful, troubled face flickered in my mind.