Editing Mushi Uta:Volume 6 Chapter 2 (section)

==2.01 The Others==

Masaki Rio's time after school was short.

It became natural for her to be the first one to exit the class once the bell for the final lesson rang.

Her after-school time was stuffed full of things like practice at her theatrical company or lessons. She even had almost no memories of hanging out with her classmates.

"Ouch, this—"

The joints in her limbs ached just by her trying to get her shoes out of the shoe rack. 

Her body became exhausted by these days of having practice and lesson without any pause. She recently even had to do her best fighting against drowsiness during class. 

"—Doesn't hurt one bit!"

She told herself, tightening her lips.

Turning around in the corridor, she could see her smiling classmates walking without a care. Perhaps they were going to hang around the city or on their way to their clubs. Either way, they seemed to be having fun every day celebrating their youth.

She didn't feel jealous though.

Rio had a dream.

When she was little, she had seen the musical known as "Beast" during an overseas trip. Finding herself captivated by its magnificence and overwhelming scale, she also started wishing to perform on the same stage.

"Today I'll also do my best at practice! Oooh!"

Imitating the English tragedy "Emperor", she heroically brandished her fist. Rio's voice, well-trained in pronunciation, echoed well in the empty entrance. 

Closing the cover of the shoe rack, she went outside as if jumping.

Today she was also pressed for time by her theater practice. While hurrying to the school gate, her eyes unconsciously went toward the parking area. 

"Muuu, are you skipping school again, Shiohara senpai?"

She muttered, puffing her cheeks.

Every time she exited school, Rio would end up looking around for a blue vehicle. 

It started ever since the day her teacher had summoned her to talk about her plans for the future and came late to her important audition. Ever since she had helped the boy who was unable to pull out his motorbike from the parking area.

"So you're skipping school today?"

It has been several days ever since she met Shiohara Shachito, who was one year her senior. On the following day he pestered her to exchange their contacts.  

However, she hadn't seen him at school since then. And even though they exchanged addresses she hadn't received any message from him even once. 

If that wasn't enough, Rio hadn't seen his So1o after finishing school. Had he left early or simply hadn't come to school at all?

Was Shachito playing around somewhere today as well?

"You're not even sending me any messages… You're a playboy just like I thought."

The rumors about the second-year student known as Shiohara Shachito were neither compliments nor anything good. She was even warned to "be careful!" by one of her classmates with a stern look.

Yet for Rio, who spent her days practicing and working part-time, just having someone of the opposite sex call out to her was a major event. Ignoring it would be impossible.

Also, there was Shachito's expression as he told her that "me being a playboy is a misunderstanding"… Although they were only a year apart, he seemed so very mature—

"—NO! NO! You can't think of anything unnecessary right now, Rio!"

Holding her head while running, she gazed up the heavens just like the worrying heroine of the French play "The Queen's Tomb".

It would be no exaggeration to say that this was the greatest turning point of Rio's life.

She exited the main gate heading for the bus stop just as the bus arrived. Running through the sidewalk as fast as she could, she was barely able to board it.

"Hah, this was too much for my heart…"

Grabbing onto a strap, she held down her throbbing chest.

As she watched Holland City's townscape flowing outside the window, Rio's expression became serious. 

Her heart throbbing violently was neither because of thinking about Shachito nor because she ran there in a hurry.

"…"

As Rio bit her lips, the strap she was grasping made a squeezing sound.

Next month, a musical would be held in Holland City's tourist site known as Oranje Land.

And its name was—"Beast".

This musical, none other than the one that started Rio's dream, was to be reproduced by a large theatrical company in Japan. Furthermore, due to the unplanned vacancy of the actor that should have played a major role, sudden auditions were being held. Those who passed would also be able to participate in public performances in various places.

Originally the company managing it was supposed to supply the replacements. However, due to the strong request of the public performance advisor visiting Japan, Jarre Harissi, the auditions became open to the general public in trial form.

Making a name for himself by the famous play "Beast", Jarre Harissi was part of its cast in the first showing in Broadway. And the young Rio had been overwhelmed by his performance there.

This was truly a heaven-sent chance for her.

If she were to catch Jarre's attention, she would be able to receive genuine Broadway training. She had also heard of many people who received roles overseas thanks to his recommendations. 

She might be able to stand on the stage that started her dream—

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Rio worked hard only for this day to come.

"…Oh no, I can't stop shaking."

Thinking of unnecessary things was far easier. Her hand stroking her chest trembled.

—Today the results of the second judging phase of the audition she had taken the other day would be revealed.

"Uhh…"

Being shaken by the bus, her face grimaced with tension. She could somehow feel her mood growing worse.

If she were to pass, Rio's efforts thus far would be rewarded.

But if she failed—

She cast her gaze down and bit her lower lip.

Rio was butting against a wall right now.

During her theater practice she was scolded by the director and during her ballet lesson she was surpassed by the other students. It could be because she was tired, but what if it wasn't so—what if Rio's talent simply reached its limits…

"…NO! NO! You can't be so weak! You've done everything you can, yeah!"

She spoke to herself in a low voice.

As she did this, she could suddenly hear a strange voice in her ears.

"…!"

Her shoulders shook up with a start and she held her head.

She looked around her, but the other passengers feigned ignorance. They didn't seem to hear it.

''This again—''

Recently a certain sound followed Rio.

It was a cracked sound that sounded like metal being struck. An uncomfortable, foul sound that seemed to pierce her from head to toes. And although it sounded as loud as possible, only Rio could hear it.

Her head hurt. She was perhaps even more tired than she thought.

"—Have you heard what happened to their daughter?"

She heard the conversation of two ladies who seemed to be housewives sitting near her.

"She's going to Horanto High School, right? In second year, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yeah, they said she was set to perform at the national competition of brass bands… wasn't there also talk about creating a support group in the parent's association?"

The voice of the two thinly-smiling middle-aged women sounded awfully sinister.

"Oh, seems like that's no longer a thing. I heard she herself quit the performance."

"Oh my, what happened to her?"

"Something about receiving a shock from a broken heart and being unable to recover. Even though she had so much talent that seemed to be her limit."

"The guy must've been horrible, right? But…"

"Yeah, and she worked so hard for it too… ''but it was all for nothing''."

Rio widened her eyes.

It was all for nothing—

Hearing these words, she was unable to contain herself. Her pulse quickened and her presence of mind was taken away.

''E-everything that I've done so far, might become meaningless—''

Becoming scared of continuing to the gymnasium like this, she pressed the stop button. The bus soon stopped and she ran out of it as if escaping some gaze. She could see that something resembling a black fog also separated from the bus. It was probably some exhaust gas. 

Rio got off at about two bus stops away from her destination. It was near the crossing where the accident happened a few days ago. She could see laborers blocking the roadway due to repair work.

She could reach the gymnasium on foot even from there. In order to calm herself down, Rio entered a convenience store along the road.

"…NO, NO. I have to fix my habit of getting scared and running away."

Standing still in the magazine corner, she mumbled to herself.

Although she was like this, Rio embodied the hopes and dreams of the theatrical group she belonged to. However, she had the bad habit of folding down to pressure and becoming unable to do her best. 

"I want to go have fun somewhere…"

Standing still in the magazine corner, she muttered to herself.

It has been a while since she thought of something like that.

Her days of chasing after her dreams by themselves were fun. But when the time came for her dream to be tested she immediately became helpless.

Until now she was never able to make a satisfactory performance. Because of that she lacked any confidence in herself and couldn't imagine herself succeeding.

She felt as if her dream would never come true—

And this premonition recently made Rio increasingly unable to focus on her practice.

"Not to mention I haven't been seeing that person who said he would take to have some fun…"

Puffing her cheeks, Rio recalled Shiohara Shachito. She felt like she would accept an invitation to hang out if it came from him right now.

She was running away from her dream.

It was an extremely sweet temptation. 

"Buha! Sorry, this is… I don't really need a bag…!"

Rio came to her senses with a start due to the loud voice that echoed inside the store.

"Shiohara-senpai?"

Seeing the boy standing in front of the cash register, she widened her eyes.

Holding a plastic bottle in hand, Shiohara Shachito turned to look at her. He was wearing his school-issued jersey and was sweating like a waterfall. 

"…Aahh!"

A smile that could be said to be amiable at best and flippant at worst rose to Shiohara Shachito's face. Seeing his fragile and androgynous facial features, she thought that he must be quite liked by girls. 

"Rio-chan! What an incredible coincidence!"

Having her name called in a loud voice made her blush. Although they've only exchanged a few words, he drew closer as if they were friends for many years. Excluding her dad, it was her first time for a boy to call her name.

"D-don't say my name so loudly! Also don't call my name! P-politeness is not just for strangers!"

Being cautious, or perhaps embarrassed, she backed away.

"Why? Isn't it fine? You can also call me by my name. If you won't then I'll poke your forehead again."

Yet Shachito didn't mind it and rudely approached Rio.

"S-Shiohara-senpai…"

"Yes, that will do. Sorry for being unable to mail you. Actually I'm in a situation where I can't reply much even if it wasn't you. …Aah, just like I expected you make me feel healed. It works especially well when I'm tired."

''S-so casual—''

With a grimace still on her face, she was completely cornered by him.

She didn't know why, but Shachito behaved extremely relieved. He was in high spirits as if he hadn't spoken to any person for several years.

She felt as if he might end up hugging her if she shut up. She recalled the words that offense was the best defense.

"W-why are you here after ditching school? That's why people call you a playboy!"

"Hmm? Why do you know I haven't been going to school, Rio-chan?"

She received a counter punch. She couldn't be upfront about the fact she had been looking out for his motorbike every day. She became speechless and sank into silence.

While Shachito was puzzled, he drank some mineral water. After he finished drinking more than half the bottle at once, he took a deep sigh.

"No, how do I explain it… what ''am'' I doing? I'm been running every day all the way from Oranje Land to the city and back, but what will become of that? She's called it basic stamina training, but I don't get it at all."

"Huh? From Oranje Land to here… it should be a few kilometers…"

"Well, it's not like I'm giving it everything I have, I just do whatever."

Seeing Shachito say this while smiling, Rio erased her expression.

"What about you, Rio-chan? Have you been working hard for your dream?"

The anxiousness supposedly gone by her talking with Shachito now reared its head again.

If she hadn't gone out of the bus midway through, she would've probably known the audition results by now.

Yet she feared these results and so was here.

"I-I'm…"

Seeing Rio hesitant to speak, Shachito made a puzzled face. Yet he soon grinned.

"I didn't even have to ask. Seems like you are working hard."

"Huh?"

"Look, the fact you're so worried proves it, right? Because no matter the person, when they do their best for something they would definitely be anxious."

While he said this, Shachito himself didn't seem to be even slightly anxious.

Unconsciously making a dumbfounded face, she ended up staring at the boy in front of her.

"Umm… don't you have any kind of worries, Shachito-senpai?"

As she asked him, he shook his hand while grinning.

"Oh, none at all. Every day's fun."

"So casual…"

"That's why I'm jealous of you."

Having this carefree smile directed at her, Rio felt her heart throb.

"Having a clear goal, working hard for it, and worrying about it… all of them are things I can't understand. I have no dream or anything else."

Originally she would have been angry at him at about this point. ''You don't understand how I feel''—was the only thing for her to say, but she didn't think she would be able to affirm it clearly while facing him.

The reason Rio didn't feel anger was probably due to Shachito's expression. She realized from his full smile that he truly envied her from the bottom of his heart.

"So I want to root for you, Rio-chan."

"Eh…"

Shachito spoke as Rio's cheeks flushed.

"If you're fine with me, I'll give you advice whenever you want. You also need to take a breather sometimes, so if you're feeling bad give me a call. And even if you won't call me, I'll call you."

"Ah…"

Still holding her bag, Rio lowered her gaze. She didn't want her blushing face to be seen.

He said he would root for her.

These words were very embarrassing, but they caused a feeling she had never felt before. 

A small courage that made her want to go to practice immediately welled up in her chest.

''Thank you so much—''

As Rio was about to say this, she could see a Vespa parking near the convenience store. 

"Geh."

Shachito also saw the girl coming off the Vespa.

Although the sky was clear, she had the weird outfit of a raincoat and boots. Her helmet was down on her back and she lowered her goggles to her neck.

Rio found that special appearance familiar.

She recalled that she had bumped into her during the day of the second phase of the audition because she was running in a hurry.

As soon as the raincoat-clad girl entered the shop, she pointed her hockey stick to Shachito's neck. Her mouth that had a stick sticking out of it made a ruthless smile.

"Until now I've raised many disciples… but you're the first one unable to give up your habit of slacking off. Since you immediately disappeared after I took my eyes off of you I couldn't concentrate on my other job. Today's smacking will be different from usual, so do be ready for it."

Rio didn't know why, but Inuko seemed unable to suppress her anger. Since she was emitting a ghastly aura from her entire body, her cute face was ruined.

"It's a misunderstanding, Inuko. Calm down and listen, okay?"

Raising both hands while still holding the plastic bottle, Shachito wore a smile in an attempt to gloss everything over.

"I just met up an acquaintance by chance… It would be weird if I didn't say hello, right? Y'know, it's that whole politeness isn't just for strangers thingy…"

"When will you realize your own position? This isn't the kind of sweet world where you can get by while acting so half-hearted. I can't feel any motivation from you in the first place. The kind of person to run away from just this much training—"

"Geez, we've had the same talk 300 times already."

As Inuko started her preaching in front of an audience, Shachito smiled and let everything enter in one ear and out of the other.

"I'll talk about it as much as I have to. In the first place it's obvious you're treating it with the sort of half-hearted attitude like 'if I'll just go with the flow it'll somehow turn out alright'. You never tackled any problem seriously, nor do you have the intention to really run away—hey, stop with that stupid smile."

Looking at the girl who started tediously preaching to Shachito, an unknown emotion welled inside Rio once again.

Seeing them refer to each other by only their given names, that girl was probably someone closer to Shachito than her.

As Rio grew silent, Shachito looked at her as if recalling her existence.

"Sorry, Rio-chan. I'll be going now."

Stopping the hockey stick from hitting him, he showed his usual light smile.

"I don't know when I'll be able to take you to hang out. Even so, if there's something that troubles you contact me."

"So you're going to use that as an excuse to loaf around again, huh. Do reflect on your actions!" Inuko said as she wielded the stick.

He was worrying about her—Rio didn't even have the mental leeway to think about this now.

She felt ashamed at herself thinking she was someone special to him just because he said that he would root for her.

"Rio-chan?"

Seeing Rio keep silent, Shachito tilted his head.

"…"

Inuko again stared intently at Rio. —In a complete change from how she was with Shachito, her eyes were cool and sharp. Rio felt creeped out as if a bird of prey was watching her.

Unable to endure their two gazes, she ran out of the store without saying anything.

She ended up running away again.

Thinking this, she turned her neck around.

"This isn't the time to think of anything unnecessary. I need to get a hold of myself…!"

She hadn't run away; she just couldn't think of anything other than theater right now. —She desperately told herself that.

When she arrived to her practice, she was so out of breath she felt as if her lungs were pierced by knives. She couldn't even walk well, so she set foot in the entrance with a staggering gait.

As she entered the locker room, there were other theater members of various ages there. So that they wouldn't see her face, Rio hurriedly greeted them and stood in front of her locker.

"Masaki-san."

Her heart throbbed with a start.

She knew it was her senior from her voice. She was the leader of the girl actresses there.

"Y-yes."

Using her bangs to hide her swollen eyes, she turned only half her body around while gazing downwards.

"Congrats."

She was handed a single envelope.

She opened the seal. Inside were the results of the audition the other day.

She passed.

"…"

She could feel as if the throbbing in her chest somewhat settled down.

Turning herself toward the locker, she squeezed the letter.

Everything was fine, her dream was not yet over—

"…Sorry, senpai…"

Was it her happiness at having passed the audition?

Her regret at having ignored Shachito?

Even she couldn't tell what sort of emotion brought forth the lone tear dropping to her feet.