"So, what do you think, Lemon? Can you do it?"
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Ughhh... What should I even say here? I don't want to deal with this, but seeing Toma asking me for help...
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"Ehmmm... is it difficult? If it's easy... I guess I can help..." Toma has already helped me before... the least I can do is return the favor.
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"Oh, of course, it's easy... All you need to do is control the stage lights."
"You just need to press the buttons. Edel already handled the complicated parts yesterday."
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Pressing buttons for stage lights? I can't even trust myself to pick the right meal at the cafeteria, let alone handle something as delicate as stage lighting.
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"Hmmm... Senior, I don't think I'm the right person for this." Just one mistake, and the whole thing will fall apart. That kind of responsibility is too terrifying for me.
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"Relax, Lemon. This isn't difficult. The lights were calibrated yesterday by Edel. All you have to do is press the buttons in the right order. And if you run into trouble, I can call Edel to help you... The show doesn't start for another thirty minutes."
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"But I... I've never done anything like this before." Oh no, I want to run away...
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"Look, here's the sequence. It's all clearly written down. You just need to press the buttons at the exact times listed here. It's not complicated."
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Well... honestly, it doesn't seem that complicated. There are clear labels on the buttons and specific times listed. But still... if I mess this up, the whole performance will be a disaster.
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"Lemon, you can do it."
"It's going to be fine. Really. Edel has already done all the hard work. You just need to follow the instructions."
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Ughhh... but it's still scary. I've never been trusted with something like this before... and... ughhh... even my hands are trembling now. Why do I have to go through such a nerve-wracking situation?
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"Hey, Toma... why are you still here? Where's Edel? The show is about to start..."
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Ohhh, someone else? They look like another senior, just like Toma.
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"Don't worry… Everything will be fine. Edel's just taking a break after delivering the costumes to Mapple."
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"What? Edel's on a break at a time like this?"
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"Relax. Everything will be fine. Edel will be back after a short rest."
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"Whatever you say… Just make sure there aren't any issues with this performance. Got it? Oh, and I need you to help with the props during the show."
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"Alright, alright… No need to stress out."
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Toma looks so busy… Everyone looks busy… Arghhh, I hope I won't regret this decision. Oh God, please give me strength…
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"Hey, senior… About this task… I just need to fill in for Senior Edel for a little while, right?"
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"Exactly. Edel is just taking a short break. He'll join you soon to oversee the stage lights before the performance starts. You're just my backup... kekeke."
"And even if you make a mistake, no one's going to be mad. So relax, everything is under control."
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I stared at Toma, then at the piece of paper in my hand again. Oh, dear... I can't believe I'm agreeing to this, but it seems I don't have any other choice.
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"Hahhh… Alright, senior… I'll do it." My voice felt heavy as I said it, but... at least this way, everyone will be happy, right?
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"That's fantastic."
"Now, it's best if you head to your post and get familiar with the setup. The button sequence is written on that paper, so just follow it. If there's any issue, you can ask Edel later. He's the one who set everything up."
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"My post...?" Wait, do I get my own room?
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Toma pointed toward a small door in the back corner of the stage. It had a barely visible sign that read, "Operator Room."
"You'll be sitting in there. You can start now, so you'll feel more comfortable later."
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"Hey, Toma! Hurry up!"
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"Alright, alright, I'm coming!"
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"Good luck, Lemon. I owe you one."
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"Sure, senior…" Toma was already gone… Looks like I can only rely on myself now. I'd better get moving.
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Ughhh, Lemon… where did your courage go? Why am I already trembling?
Oh God, what have I gotten myself into? My heart was pounding harder with each step I took toward the small door.
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When I opened the door, the room was even smaller than I had imagined. There was a simple desk with a few buttons on it, which I assumed was the control panel for the stage lights. In the corner, there were two old wooden chairs and some papers scattered across the desk.
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Okay... this doesn't seem too bad... I guess.
Hahhh… finally, I can sit down... after standing and running around for so long. The buttons don't look too complicated… There are four buttons with clear labels, and next to them, a small screen showing the current time.
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But everything here looks so old… Why didn't they upgrade this equipment? Oh, I can see the stage from this monitor… I guess I can still keep my promise to Mapple.
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The paper Toma gave me was in my hand, and I read it slowly. The light sequence was simple: turn on the first set of lights for Scene 1, then switch to the second set at the third minute, and so on. It seemed straightforward enough, right? Hah… but what if I mess up? Everything could go horribly wrong.
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The show was supposed to start at 3:40 PM… It's 3:30 PM now… Edel should show up soon, right? Right?
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… 3:38 PM… two minutes before the show starts…
ARGHHHHHH… OH GOD… THIS IS A DISASTER… THIS IS A DISASTER… WHERE IS SENIOR EDEL?!
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Huff… Deep breaths… Calm down, Lemon. Calm down… Toma trusted you with this… You can do it…
"...."
NO NO NO I CAN'T! I NEED TO FIND SENIOR EDEL NOW!
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(brrtttt)
"All crew, standby… The show will begin in a few minutes…"
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Oh no… I'm doomed… Why does bad luck always follow you, Lemon…
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Your fate is sealed, Lemon… The world is about to end.
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No, no, no… Don't give up, Lemon. Don't give up… You can do this… Just follow the guide… Yes, the guide.
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"Let's see… For Scene 1… Press buttons B1, D1, H1 simultaneously… Alright, B1, D1, H1…"
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"All crew, curtain up… Good luck!"
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"B1, D1, H1… B1, D1… errr… H1… yes, H1…"
F***, f***, f***, f***, oh God… You can do this, Lemon… You can do this.
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"Opening curtain… All crew… Good luck."