It's the morning of third and the final day of the festival. Backstage in the school auditorium, there's a buzz of excitement and last-minute preparations. The entire cultural festival has been leading up to this final performance, and the weight of the moment rests heavily on everyone involved—especially Haruto.
Haruto stands alone in the shadows of the wings, watching as students rush around, setting up props, adjusting lights, and running through their lines. His heart races as he flips through the script for what feels like the hundredth time, his fingers trembling slightly. Despite his usual composure, he can't shake the growing anxiety gnawing at him.
Haruto, thinking, "What if I mess up? Everyone's counting on me... Aoi, the group, the whole school. I can't let them down."
His stomach twists into knots. Haruto is used to leading, to being the one everyone can rely on, but this is different. This is a stage performance—something outside his usual comfort zone of academics and leadership. His palms are slick with sweat, and he can barely focus on the words in front of him.
Just then, Yuki walks past, carrying her guitar. She notices Haruto's clenched jaw and pale face and stops. "Haruto, are you okay?"
Haruto looks up, trying to force a smile. "Yeah. Just... a lot on my mind."
Yuki frowns, sensing something more beneath the surface. She recognizes that look, she had felt the same way before her own performance. "You're nervous, aren't you? It's okay, Haruto. I was terrified before my performance too."
Haruto hesitates, unsure if he should admit his fears. He's always been the strong one—the one others look to for guidance. But something about Yuki's quiet reassurance makes him feel like it's okay to be vulnerable, even if just for a moment.
"I don't know if I can do this, Yuki. I'm not like you or Aoi. This... acting thing—it's not me."
Yuki steps closer, her voice calm and encouraging. "You don't have to be perfect, Haruto. You just have to be yourself. We're all here to help you, just like you've always helped us."
Meanwhile, Kaito, who was peaking on their conversation the whole time, thinking in his head, "Déjà vu! How many times have we actually have spoken that same line? Again and Again and Again!!!"
Yuki's words sink in, but the weight of expectation still looms large. Haruto nods, though the tightness in his chest doesn't ease.
Meanwhile, Aoi stands at the other end of the backstage area, directing the final preparations with a confidence that surprises even herself. Now that her secret as the writer has been revealed, she feels a new sense of responsibility to ensure that the play goes off without a hitch. She moves between the cast members, checking costumes, adjusting props, and giving last-minute instructions.
As she watches everyone prepare, her gaze lands on Haruto, standing stiff by the curtain, still flipping through his script. She sees the tension in his posture, the way his shoulders are drawn tight, and the slight tremble in his hands. Aoi knows him well enough to recognize the signs—he's overwhelmed.
With a deep breath, Aoi walks over to him, her usual playful demeanor softened by concern. "Haruto, you've got this. I know it's a lot of pressure, but we're all here together. You don't have to carry it alone."
Haruto looks at her, struggling to keep his composure. "What if I freeze, Aoi? What if I forget everything the moment I step on stage?"
"You won't. And even if you stumble, I'll be right there with you. We'll make it work. It's not about being perfect—it's about telling the story. And you've already put so much into this, Haruto. You're going to be amazing."
Kaito, again sneakily listening to their conservation, "What the hell, that line again! If someone in future ever asks me about my high school story, I bet their ears will get bored listening this again and again."
Her words calm him slightly, but the weight of the moment still lingers. Aoi steps back, her tone turning playful to lighten the mood. "And besides, if you do mess up, I'll just improvise and make you look like a comedic genius. No one will ever know."
Kaito, thinking, "Now she is talking like me?"
Haruto chuckles, the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit. He looks at Aoi, grateful for her confidence and support. "Thanks, Aoi. I needed that."
Suddenly, Kaito reveals himself in front of them, stating, "I wonder if Aoi can really pull that. So if things go wrong, I will do something to distract everyone, like I promised to Yuki back then. Easy."
Haruto tells him, "Hey Kaito, I really wanted that 'easy' from you. Now I feel fine."
"By the way," Aoi continued. "Have you remembered your lines?"
Kaito, stuttering, "Well yeah. Kind of...."
"Whaaaaaaaat"
"Aah, don't shout in my ears."
The auditorium fills with students, teachers, and parents, all eager to see the final act of the cultural festival. As the lights dim and the murmur of the audience quiets, the weight of the performance settles over Haruto like a heavy blanket. Standing just behind the curtain, he takes deep breaths, trying to steady himself.
As the curtain rises and the stage lights flood the set, Haruto steps forward, his heart pounding in his chest. But the moment he begins to speak his first line, something shifts inside him. The fear is still there, but it no longer paralyzes him. Instead, he focuses on the story—on the words Aoi has written and the character he's bringing to life.
The play progresses smoothly, each scene flowing into the next. Haruto finds himself becoming more immersed in his role, his lines coming naturally as he falls into the rhythm of the performance. Aoi, ever the skilled writer, improvises effortlessly whenever there's a slight hiccup, her energy guiding Haruto and the rest of the cast through each scene. Aoi was specially surprised by Kaito, who did nothing but passed time during rehearsals, managed to play his character very well.
As they reach the climax of the play—a scene where Haruto's character must confront a painful truth—Haruto feels the familiar anxiety bubble up again. His hands tremble slightly, and for a split second, he forgets his next line.
The silence stretches, just long enough for panic to creep in. But before it can take hold, Aoi steps in, her own line flowing smoothly, giving Haruto just enough time to recover. He catches her eye, and in that brief glance, he finds the strength to push forward.
Aoi (in character): "You don't have to face this alone. We're in this together."
Haruto (in character): "I know... and that's what gives me the courage."
The audience is captivated, the emotion of the scene palpable as Haruto and Aoi carry the moment to its conclusion. As the final lines are spoken, there's a collective sigh of relief and satisfaction from the cast and crew backstage.
The play ends to thunderous applause, and the cast comes together for the curtain call. Haruto, standing front and center with Aoi, feels an overwhelming sense of accomplishment wash over him. The fear and doubt that had plagued him earlier have been replaced by pride—not just in himself, but in the team effort that brought the play to life.
As they bow, Haruto catches a glimpse of his friends in the front row—Misak and Yuki—all cheering and clapping. His heart swells with gratitude. He knows he couldn't have done this without them.
Backstage, after the applause dies down, the cast gathers to celebrate. Aoi throws her arms around Haruto, her grin wide and infectious.
"You were amazing, Haruto! I knew you could do it."
Haruto chuckles, his nerves finally settling as he returns her hug.
Yuki and Misaki join them, both beaming with pride. Yuki, still fresh off the high of her own successful performance earlier in the festival, gives Haruto an encouraging smile.
Kaito slides into the group, flashing a lazy grin as usual. "And here I thought I'd have to step in and save the day. Turns out you've got more acting chops than I gave you credit for, Haruto."
The group bursts into laughter, and for the first time all night, Haruto lets himself relax completely.
Later that day, as the people leaving the auditorium to enjoy the rest of the festival, the group, sitting backstage.....
"This has been... such an amazing day. I'm going to remember it forever."
As Yuki said this, Kaito, with a smirk on his face, says, "You'd better. We worked way too hard in the play for you to forget it."
The group laughs, but there's a shared understanding that something special has happened today. Each of them has faced their own challenges—whether it was Yuki's stage fright, Misaki's artistic struggles, Aoi's secret about her writing, or Haruto's fear of letting go—and they've come through it stronger together.
As they stand there, looking out over the quiet courtyard, there's a sense of calm and unity that settles over the group. They don't know what the future holds, but for today, they are content to simply be together.
Volume 1 : The Cultural Festival, ENDS