There were already so many students gathered outside—freshmen, upperclassmen… even seniors seemed to be here. It looked like almost every student had crammed into the auditorium to watch the drama club's performance.
My steps felt heavier than ever, but of course, Mapple wasn't giving me much of a choice. After dragging me all over the club festival, now she was pulling me towards the auditorium… Ughhh… I know I promised to watch the play, but why does it feel like I'm being forced to audition instead?
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"Hurry up, Lemon! We're almost at the auditorium!"
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Why is Mapple so excited...? If I were in her shoes, I'd probably be a nervous wreck by now.
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Sighhh
I really hope today ends soon…
"Yeah, yeah… I'm coming. Don't get too excited, okay?" We've been walking all day, Mapple… I'm exhausted… Why isn't she tired? Oh right, she's always been way more active than me.
Maybe I should start exercising... no, no, I'd probably die if I tried (definitely no).
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As we reached the auditorium doors, instead of going in like a normal person, Mapple flashed me her mischievous grin... Hey, Mapple, you really need to work on hiding your expressions better.
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"Hey, Lemon… wanna see something cool?"
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"Something cool?" Oh no… Here we go. I hope this isn't going to be too much trouble...
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Without warning, Mapple grabbed my arm and dragged me behind the auditorium. We passed by some students rushing around in costumes and setting up the stage. Whoa… I've never been back here before. Wait, should I even be here? I mean, isn't this area off-limits for people without permission?
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"Mapple, is this really necessary? I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed back here..."
"I just want to sit down and watch, not… become part of the drama…"
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"Relax, Lemon! You've got to see the backstage. You'll be amazed at how everything works here!"
"This is where the magic happens, you know?"
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Magic, huh? I seriously doubt that. From where I'm standing, this looks more like organized chaos. People are running around with props, adjusting costumes, and some of them look like they're on the verge of a breakdown from all the stress.
"Wow… what a beautiful display of 'magic'…" I wonder why people bother with all this...
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"Pffft, you really have no spirit, do you, Lemon? Come on, follow me!"
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Corridor after corridor, my feet were killing me, and I felt like they were about to fall off. When can I sit down already? Ughhh... I just want to go home…
Oh, there's Senior Toma… What's he doing here?
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"Oh, Senior Toma! Hellooo, it's me, Mapple!"
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Whoa, Mapple knows Senior Toma too? She has so many connections...
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"Hmmm? Mapple? Lemon?"
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"What are you two doing here? Shouldn't you be getting ready for your part in the play, Mapple? Why are you still back here?"
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"I'm just showing Lemon how everything works behind the scenes. He needs a little motivation to get more excited about school life, kekeke."
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"Yeah… you're really pushing me now," though, honestly, I don't mind Mapple's way of doing things. In fact, I'm grateful.
"Oh, senior… What are you doing here? Are you helping the drama club?" Isn't he the president of his own club? Why is he here?
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"Well… to be honest, our club doesn't have any fixed activities. We mainly volunteer to help out where we can, so this is part of what we do."
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"Did you know, Lemon? The seniors from the Happy Live Club are helping us with the drama. I've heard they even help out other clubs so much that they barely have time to manage their own, kekeke."
"Isn't that right, Senior Toma?"
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"Now that I think about it, my club's practically filled with slackers… Anyway, Mapple, you should go get ready. Your costume will be here soon."
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"Of course, Senior. I'll go get ready right away, hehehe."
"Well, see you, Senior… and you too, Lemon, kekeke."
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"Yeah… see you…"
...
Wait a minute… at least take me back to the audience seats first!!!
Oh no… why is it so quiet now... I'm terrible at socializing. Sure, I've met Senior Toma before, but... it still feels awkward.
Think, Lemon… think…
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"Eh… the weather's pretty hot, huh, Senior…" ARGHHHH, OUT OF ALL THE POSSIBLE THINGS TO SAY, WHY THIS, LEMON?!
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"Hmmm?... Pfft, you really are bad at small talk, aren't you? Sorry, hehe, I'm not the type to start a conversation either. I was waiting for you to say something… turns out we're both the same, huh?"
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Eh? Oh god, that makes me feel even more embarrassed… I guess I have more in common with Senior than I thought… But unlike him, I… I barely socialize… Can I ever be like him? Having lots of friends… being needed by so many people…
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(tap)
(tap)
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"Hey… Toma… so, you're here after all. These costumes… who are they for?"
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Hmm? Who's that? Does he know Senior Toma? Is he an upperclassman?
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"Hmmm, Edel… you finally made it—"
"Oh my god, why do you look so gloomy?"
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Whoa, I just realized… his face looks terrible. Did he not sleep all night? No, no, staying up late wouldn't make someone look that bad... right? (Someone who stays up late all the time).
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"Honestly, Edel… how much sleep did you get?"
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"Eh… I don't know… I really don't know… Anyway, about the costumes?"
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"Oh right… the costumes… Just take them over there. You'll meet Mapple, she's getting ready for the play. You can give them to her directly."
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"Eh… Mapple? Who's that?"
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"Stop asking so many questions… just take the costumes. After everything's done, you should get some rest."
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"Oh… alright… Maff-le, right? See you later…"
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"Her name's Mapple, Edel… Remember, Mapple."
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I've never seen someone look that miserable before… I hope I never end up like that. Wait a minute (stays up late reading cheap novels, barely socializes, has only a few friends) ...
… My future might be even more miserable…
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"Hmmm, speaking of which… Hey, Lemon… you don't have anything going on, right?"
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Oh no… I don't like where this conversation is heading… based on all the novels I've read…
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"Could you… fill in for Edel for a while? Don't worry, I'll treat you to lunch later. So, how about it?"
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Ohhh… Why are you testing me like this, God… You know I can't say no to people asking for help, right?