Finally, the opera officially began!
On the massive stage, the lights flickered to life, bathing the platform in a brilliant, radiant glow. At that same moment, the heavy velvet curtains began to draw back slowly to either side, revealing the stage's true splendor for the first time.
Upon seeing the sight before them, both Shinobu Kocho and her sister Kanao felt their faces flush with excitement. Even Horitake's eyes widened as he let out a low whistle of admiration.
There was no other way to put it—the stage design was breathtakingly lavish.
It wasn't just the backdrop, either. Every member of the opera troupe was adorned in equally magnificent costumes, standing in their designated positions with disciplined precision. Between the ornate scenery, the glittering attire of the actors, and the enhancement of the dazzling spotlights, the performance had achieved a level of "flamboyance" that was off the charts from the very first second.
Shinobu and Kanao were utterly spellbound by the ethereal beauty of the scene.
As Horitake marveled at the sight, a stray thought crossed his mind: It's a shame Uzui Tengen isn't here to see this. That guy would've probably lost his mind with joy at such a "flamboyant" display.
The opening of the Takarazuka Revue was a masterclass in spectacle, designed to seize the heart and capture the eyes instantly. Setting the acting aside for a moment, the production value alone was enough to hook any audience. As long as the story held up, this performance was going to be well worth the price of admission.
The three of them settled in, watching with rapt attention.
As it turned out, the performance was far more than just "not bad"—it was exceptional.
The costumes, the makeup, and the props—the "three pillars" of stagecraft—were all flawless, making the entire show feel like a vivid dream. The actresses on stage possessed such refined skill that the audience was involuntarily pulled into the narrative, their emotions rising and falling in tandem with the story's peaks and valleys.
In short, it was a visual feast and a truly masterful production.
Moreover, Horitake noticed something with great interest. This Takarazuka troupe was just like the one he had seen online in his previous life: every single performer was female.
Of course, the opera featured both male and female characters. Therefore, the actresses who specialized in male roles were known as Otokoyaku, while those playing the female roles were called Musumeyaku.
The Musumeyaku were impressive in their own right; being women themselves, they portrayed their characters with natural grace and moving vulnerability while draped in exquisite kimonos. However, the true marvel was undoubtedly the Otokoyaku.
For a female actress to portray a man is a significant challenge. Yet, the Otokoyaku on stage navigated this challenge to perfection. They inhabited their male personas so deeply that the audience couldn't find a single shred of dissonance. Their acting was, quite simply, superb.
The temperament, the movements, and the styling of these actresses blended seamlessly into their male identities. They were, for lack of a better word, incredibly "cool." If one didn't scrutinize their facial features too closely, it was almost possible to overlook their feminine traits entirely.
Without a question, the lead Otokoyaku were elite. Every gesture, every expression, and every second of their performance told the audience: I am not a woman; I am a man.
This was especially true for the actress playing the protagonist, Hikaru Genji. The charisma and talent she radiated were practically an irresistible force of nature. The young lady was naturally handsome with sharp, heroic features, and once she was costumed as a nobleman, she looked exactly like a refined, elegant young lord.
Combined with her brilliant acting and commanding presence, she brought the protagonist to life with startling realism.
To put it bluntly: there was no telling how many women in the audience were currently swooning over this "hero."
But therein lay the catch—the person playing the hero was a woman. To be able to make a female audience fall hopelessly in love despite that fact was a testament to the sheer heights of her acting ability. Even Horitake found himself thinking she was exceptionally dashing. He even dared to speculate that, with her aura, she could probably charm a straight woman right out of her orientation without much effort.
Wait a minute!
Horitake suddenly realized something. If the male lead on stage was captivating every woman in the house, did that mean the two beauties sitting next to him were reacting the same way?
Shaking himself out of the trance induced by the performance, Horitake turned his head to look at Shinobu, and then at Kanao beside her.
When he saw their expressions, he couldn't help but slap a hand against his forehead in exasperation.
It's over! My wife and sister-in-law have been charmed!
Horitake watched as Shinobu and Kanao stared at the male lead with eyes that were literally sparkling. It was the unmistakable look of a devoted fan gazing at an idol.
Under normal circumstances, Horitake would have felt a surge of jealousy. But the problem was that the person playing Hikaru Genji was an Otokoyaku—a girl!
Was he really going to be jealous of a woman? Just because that woman was too handsome and had caught his wife's attention? The whole situation was just too absurd.
As a result, Horitake's mood became incredibly "subtle."
Should he be angry, or not? Having his wife this distracted by a performer certainly made him feel disgruntled, but... but... Damn it!
Horitake truly couldn't find the words to describe his current state of mind. It was a complex mess of emotions, though "sullen" was definitely the frontrunner. He looked up at the stage, squinting at the male lead—at the actress.
Ugh... okay, she really is handsome.
Fine, I lose. Do whatever you want.
Ultimately, since the actor was a woman, what was there to be truly angry about? Even if his wife and Kanao admired her, they were just admiring a female idol. What was the worst that could happen?
Still, acknowledging the actress's talent was one thing; the irritation in his chest was another.
As the plot on stage reached its climax, the excitement radiating from Shinobu and Kanao grew even more intense. Watching his wife's breathless anticipation, Horitake's annoyance finally boiled over.
He couldn't hold it back anymore and leaned in to whisper into Shinobu's ear.
"You know, this Hikaru Genji is actually an unprecedented scumbag. He leaves a trail of broken hearts everywhere he goes and messes around constantly. He might look good, but a guy like that isn't worth admiring."
Shinobu was in the middle of enjoying the performance when this sudden, mood-killing comment drifted into her ear. A flash of annoyance crossed her face, and she couldn't help but shoot Horitake a flat, sidelong look.
"It does seem that way, doesn't it?" she whispered back. "However, what's drawing me in is the plot of the opera, their singing voices, and the charisma of the lead actor. It's not like I'm admiring the character's moral character."
She paused, a playful yet sharp glint appearing in her eyes. "Besides, for a certain 'Mr. Scumbag' who has already made moves on three innocent girls in a row, isn't mocking Hikaru Genji a bit like the pot calling the kettle black?"
"Err..."
Horitake was instantly silenced.
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