"...And now I end with a kiss, Juliet."
"The moment Romeo enters into an eternal slumber, Juliet regains consciousness." — Tachibana-san, the narrator.
"Romeo? Did you come to take me? ... Romeo? What happened? Why are you... no... is this? ... If you're not here anymore, there's no reason for me to keep living. Wait for me, I'll be by your side soon." — Ayame-san, the Juliet, said while trembling her voice.
"Okay! We can end here." — Ryuichi, the director.
"It's getting better now." — Ayame-san said.
"Though, I think Tomoki lacks emotion in his lines compared to Edomae-san. But at least he memorized his lines." — Ryuichi said.
Right now, I'm training the scene where I need to be flawless. I asked my friends to help me with this since it's getting closer to the day of the cultural festival.
"Satou-san, I was wondering if it's not better for Tomoki-san to improvise? That way he could act more naturally and comfortably." — Tachibana-san said.
"I don't see any problem. I can adapt according to Tomoki-kun without issue." — Ayame-san said.
"Well, that's true. But I'm afraid it could backfire on us." — Ryuichi said.
"Yeah, I agree with him. Right now, I can't think of a better line than the one Ryuichi wrote." — I replied.
"Then it's settled. I need to go back home now, it's already late after all." — Ryuichi said.
"Me too. See you all tomorrow!" — Tachibana-san said.
"Thank you, everyone, for staying until this hour to help me." — I said.
"It's cool, man! See ya!" — Ryuichi said.
"Don't worry, Tomoki-san, I know you'll be able to perform perfectly." — Tachibana-san said.
So both of them left the school.
"What about you, Tomoki-kun? Your mother must be waiting for you." — Ayame-san said.
"I already told her beforehand that I'd practice my acting a bit more. She'll arrive here in a few minutes."
"I see, then let me accompany you until your mother comes."
"But I'd feel bad for you, Ayame-san. Besides, Sasaki-san must be waiting for you."
"Fufu~ don't worry, I already messaged her that she didn't need to pick me up at the usual hour."
And so we headed to the school entrance.
"I must say, this school is really huge." — I said.
"What happened? Did you get tired just walking here?" — I could see Ayame-san being playful.
"Me? Tired? Just so you know, I was able to walk from the Academy entrance all the way to Block F."
"Fufu~ more than walking, you were kind of running halfway."
"Haha! You're right... but seriously, I thought I was done for during the interview. Just so you know, if your mother hadn't been the one conducting it, I'm pretty sure I would've failed."
"You think so? I have faith that you would be able to convince anyone to give you the scholarship."
"No, no. When I arrived there, the old woman was already grumpy. If it were up to her, she'd definitely have failed me. Seriously, I was really lucky to be here."
"Yeah... talk about coincidence."
"Yep, you're right!"
It's funny to think that with just one misstep, I'd be at another school, living an ordinary life. More than that, all the friends and acquaintances I know now would just be people I'd occasionally see on TV or the internet.
"Tomoki-kun, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, of course!"
"You already know about our family situation... how my parents met and about your scholarship. Why did you decide to help me that day?"
"Your parents' situation is kind of complicated, I know that. But like I said before, you're not a bad person like your father said that day. Actually, if I had decided to stay away from you just because of that, I'd be the worst friend you could have."
"To tell the truth, I was expecting you to just leave the house that day after hearing our family history."
"Oh my! Ayame-san, I didn't know you had so little faith in me. I'm kind of shocked!" — I half joked.
"I mean... you know why we, the Edomae, are investing so much in the male scholarship. Tell me, Tomoki-kun, why you still close to me?" — She didn't react to my joke.
Why is she so persistent? I mean, all this male scholarship thing was to find the best man for her, so if I, knowing that, still decided to stay close to her, that means...
Ah!
Does that mean she's suspecting my feelings for her?
And judging by our interactions so far, she's not bothered by my presence — otherwise, she wouldn't have volunteered to accompany me now. Maybe what my aunts and sisters said about her liking me isn't wrong... this time.
I should take courage and try to be subtle at least.
"Ayame-san, that's because I li—"
[...Sorry...]
"I..."
[...I'm sorry...]
"Tomoki-kun?"
"That's because... I'm your friend, of course!"
"I see... well, I guess it's time to say goodbye."
Then Mom appeared with her car to pick me up.
"Good evening, madam," — Ayame-san said.
"Good evening, Ayame-chan. Thank you for watching my son." — Mom said.
"It was nothing. Then, if you'll excuse me, Tomoki-kun, see ya!"
"Thanks, Ayame-san, see ya!"
While Ayame-san headed to the parking lot where Sasaki-san came to pick her up, I got in the car, and Mom started driving.
"Tomoki, you're really close to her. You should be more careful."
"Because otherwise she'll try something on me?"
"So you're aware at least. That's right, women are like snakes — before you realize it, you'll be trapped like prey."
"Only if she were starving... Mom, like I said before, she can choose whatever man she wants. Out of all people, why would she choose me?"
"... Tomoki, are you angry?"
"Why do you think so? I'm completely normal."
"When your aunts and sisters brought this subject up at the ryokan, I noticed you were kind of... pissed off or frustrated. Don't underestimate me — I can tell just by looking at you."
"That's only because they kept telling me she likes me again and again."
"..."
"..."
"Wait, are you perhaps... in love with Ayame-chan?"
"Huh? Yeah? Didn't Dad tell you?"
CRREEEK!
"Whoa! What happened, Mom!?" — She suddenly braked.
"You seriously love her!?"
"Why are you so surprised?"
"I mean... well... I thought you only saw her as a friend and were kind to her because you're a... good boy?"
"What are you talking about, Mom? When a man is too kind to a beautiful girl, of course he has another intention. Aren't you the one who says that a man is like a wolf in sheep's clothing?"
"What!? When did I say that?"
Oops, the one who said that was Mom from my previous world.
"So that's how it is."
"Oh my! ... but Tomoki, I'm pretty sure she likes you."
I could only smile, because that's exactly what I've heard before.
"This is something only Ayame-san herself knows."
"~Sigh... Okay, you have a point. But regardless of how you feel, don't be careless with her."
"Of course, I'll treat her like always and be a good friend."
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
That's how Mom found out about my feelings for Ayame-san.
But at least this time, she didn't get mad at me — or at my father.
In my previous world, when I talked with Dad about my childhood friend... actually, he noticed right away and immediately started nagging me to confess the truth. Mom, on the other hand, found out later after my best friend accidentally let it slip, and the first thing she did was complain about being the last one in the house to know.
Anyway, I need to focus. The school cultural festival is already near.
♦♦♦ Meanwhile ♦♦♦
"Mom... let me explain, I just wanted to buy a video game console for myself. I didn't want to rely on you."
"And you just did a part-time job without telling me? And of all places, you chose a butler café where only freaks gather?"
"It's not like that! Look, I was able to earn a lot, and everyone told me how good I was. Not to brag, but I made more than you..."
"Oh really? Nice to hear, Sebastian."
"Nooo! Please, sorry Mom! Call me by the name you gave me!"
"Look, I don't know what's happened to you in the last few months. You suddenly changed, and that worries me. You always told me what you wanted, and you know I'd buy you the new console. I even saved enough money for it."
"That's the problem! I'm grateful for you, but you can't spoil me like that! God, how did I reach the point where I'm complaining about being spoiled..."
"What do you mean? You're my only son, and I'll make sure you live a happy life."
"I can't believe I'd miss my old grumpy mom..." — He mumbled.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Anyway, I won't allow you to go to that co-ed high school."
"But what if it's the most prestigious co-ed high school?"
"Do you think it's going to be easy? Besides, you need to wait until the new notice is published."
"Actually, the last notice is still valid. During vacation, I applied for an interview — and I got approved by the principal herself!"
"... What!?"
"Yeah... I know. It's really surprising how few applicants there were. And you won't believe me — there was this boy who seemed normal, but when the principal asked if we saw polygamy as a fair relationship, that guy basically started bragging about having girlfriends and that he loved all of them instead of just answering the question."
"No! What I want to know is why you didn't ask me first, young man!"
"Oops. But at least I can go there, right? Please Mom, it's for my future."
"When you put it like that, I can't argue... sigh... Fine, I'll allow it."
"Thanks, Mom!"
"Well, congratulations! Despite everything, you managed to achieve something big. I'm proud of you."
"So... can I go to their school festival?"
"You..."
"Please?"
"Fine. At least I don't think anything bad will happen there."
"Thanks again, Mom!"
"Then I'll start making dinner. Do you have any dish you want to eat? As a way to celebrate."
"It's okay Mom, everything you make is... actually, can I have a hamburger?"
"Hamburger? Uhm... sure, I'll need to buy some ingredients first. I'll go to the convenience store... But why a hamburger?"
"Just... it's been a while since I've had one."
"Fine, but don't go outside carelessly, okay?"
"Okay, Mom."