The rehearsal room buzzed with an unusual kind of energy. The final week before the pre-show performance had arrived, and tonight was the first internal preview—the cast and crew would perform for select faculty members and students.
It wasn't a public event.
But it felt like one.
Aira walked briskly through the backstage area, clipboard in hand, voice sharp and energized. "Costumes in order! Props team, double-check scene markers! Kai, you're not allowed to improvise in Scene Four again or I will cut your mic."
Kai, who was adjusting his overly dramatic prince cape, grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Leo stood at stage left, already in costume. His robe-like uniform hung heavy on his shoulders, and his hair was loosely styled to match his quiet, brooding character. He exhaled deeply, one hand resting over his script.
"You okay?"
He turned. Yuki was beside him, dressed in her character's soft blue kimono. A light floral scent drifted off her, almost calming.
Leo nodded. "Just... a little nervous."
Yuki smiled. "You'll do great. You've improved a lot."
He glanced at her, hesitating.
"You too," he said. "Your voice in Scene Three… it really got to me yesterday."
Yuki's cheeks tinted pink. "You noticed?"
He nodded.
She opened her mouth to say more—but Aira's voice cut through the hallway.
"Five minutes, everyone! Positions!"
---
The lights dimmed.
The first half of the performance went smoothly—lines delivered, music cues met, audience watching with interest. Kai's entrance drew laughter. Rin's monologue got applause.
Then came Scene Seven.
Leo stepped into the center of the stage.
Spotlight.
Silence.
He could feel the heat of the lights, the quiet tension of the audience. His heartbeat echoed in his ears. But Aira's words returned to him:
> "Make it yours."
He began.
> "There are things I wish I'd said. Not just once—but every time I looked at her and said nothing. I thought silence would protect me. Protect us. But silence builds walls. And now—now it's too high to climb alone."
His voice cracked slightly—just enough to feel real.
> "So here I am. Not with perfect words. Just honest ones."
> "I miss you."
The auditorium held its breath.
Leo met Yuki's eyes in the wings. She was frozen in place, lips slightly parted.
Behind her, Rin stood still, unreadable.
The scene ended with quiet applause.
---
Backstage, Yuki caught up with Leo before he could change.
"Leo," she said, a little breathless. "Was that… just acting?"
He looked at her for a long second.
"…No," he said softly.
She blinked.
Before she could speak, Kai barged in. "Yo, lovebirds, you killed it! I heard three people sniffling, and one of them was a teacher!"
Yuki blushed scarlet. "W-We're not—!"
Leo sighed. "Kai."
"Right, right. Privacy. I'm going." He threw up his hands and backed away.
Yuki laughed, covering her face.
Leo smiled faintly.
"I meant it," he said. "That monologue. It wasn't just my character's feelings."
Her hands dropped. "I… I think I knew that. I just wasn't ready to hear it."
"Are you now?"
"I want to be."
They stood there, suspended between laughter and something more.
Then the door opened.
Rin.
She walked past without a word, pausing only briefly.
"Great job tonight," she said. To both of them.
Then she left.