Backwards Drama (Wmatsui)
Ch.2 Also known as the day that just got more stressful
When I told Airi what had happened she laughed. Hard. Like wipe tears off my eyes hard. I was beyond annoyed. I didn’t find any humor in my situation.
“Airi! It’s not funny. I made her feel bad,” I snapped.
She laughed a bit more before she finally said, “Don’t worry too much about it. From what you are telling me she took it pretty well. It’s not like you led her on, but damn I like that girl. She has guts.”
With that I had to agree. I don’t think I would be able to confess or flirt with someone so easily. Especially someone of the same sex. Still I was uneasy.
“Yeah, but still you ought to talk to her. She can’t be doing that around here like she did back home. I wanted to say something, but it felt inappropriate considering the situation,” I told her.
Airi’s face fell. We didn’t talk about the bullying she had to deal with due to her sexuality. About how none of the girls talked to her. It was a forbidden topic. I felt bad for bringing it up. But I also knew that the way Jurina was acting would cause her unnecessary problems. I didn’t want that.
‘Sorry Airi I didn’t mean to…”
Airi cut me off, “You’re right. I will. It’s okay. I know you mean well Rena.”
I smiled and with that we began our usual conversation about manga. We were at the drama room waiting for everyone to show up. We were having an important meeting today. Airi and I were usually the first to arrive since I was the president and she was the vice president. We took our duties very seriously. Both of us were equally passionate about drama in our own ways. I was the actress. Airi was the writer. Together the two of us were a force to be reckon with.
“Is this the drama room?” a familiar voice asked. I smiled. So she came.
“Over here Jurina!” I called out.
Jurina saw me and smiled. I felt my stomach do weird flip flops. I shook it off though. I was being weird today. So weird. Especially near this girl called Matsui Jurina.
“Hey Rena-chan! I got the right room,” Jurina said happily walking towards us. Airi scanned Jurina up and down. She grinned for some reason.
“So this is the rumored transfer student Rena-chan was telling me about. I am Furukawa Airi by the way. You can call me Airi,” Airi introduced.
“Nothing bad I hope,” Jurina replied looking a little nervous.
“Nah she is just freaking out because apparently she rejected your hand in marriage. Which by the way Rena-chan was a bad move very bad move,” Airi teased. I wanted the earth to bury me right then and there.
“Airi!” I hissed. Jurina laughed. Thankfully she didn’t take that comment the wrong way.
“I am so sorry. She is weird and isn’t used to normal social interactions,” I apologized.
“Hey! I am not weird! Plus I get plenty of social interaction with my beloved Churi,” Airi countered.
“Oh shut up. Your girlfriend is obsessed with birds,” I stated resting my point.
“That is her charm point!” Airi argued.
Jurina burst out laughing. Hard. Then the three of us were laughing. Soon after that other people started filing in. It was time to start the meeting. I got up and cleared my throat.
“As you all know we are nearing the annual spring festival. Today I would like us to choose a play to perform. Last week I gave you scrips of potential plays. I would like everyone to cast a vote,” I explained.
Airi looked hopeful. She had written one of the scrips. I was a little worried. Her script was by far the best submitted, but I worried the girls wouldn’t vote for her due to prejudice. I knew this script meant the world to her.
She been waiting all year to get a chance to show off her writing skills. The play was about a princess falling in love with the enemy price. It was just the right about of cliché with some uniqueness added to the mix. It was tragic in the best of ways. I was looking forward to playing the princess. The way her character was written was lovely. I wanted to bring her to life. I placed a box in the middle of the room. Airi handed out papers to cast a vote. She was trying not to seem eager, but I know she was. I was too.
I don’t think I could stomach that horrible musical one of the girls wrote. The other one wasn’t any better. It was about a clumsy detective. Creative idea. Horrible script. I watched as girls began placing their votes one by one. Finally the last girl placed her vote. I stood up.
“I am going to count them now,” I announced. I began reading the papers one by one. The club treasurer helped me tally the votes. By the end of it there was only one clear winner.
“The winner is There is No Love in War,” I declared. Airi couldn’t keep a grin off her face. One person wasn’t too happy with the result.
“But there aren’t any boys in the drama club to play a prince. Shouldn’t we do another play?” a girl demanded.
She was the one who wrote the musical. I shuddered at the thought. But her ploy worked. Soon there was whispers and concerns being raised among everyone. Airi’s grin quickly fell. I had to do something.
“I’ll play the prince,” Jurina said from the very back of the room. Everyone turned to look at her surprised.
“Well in my old school was an all-girls school. We always had girls play boy parts. I’ve played a prince before. I think I can handle it,” Jurina explained noting the shock looks she was receiving.
“Airi are you okay with that?” I asked knowing full well what her response would be.
“Of course she is,” the girl snarled before storming off. Everyone watched as she slammed the door, but I knew everyone was thinking what I was thinking. Just not the musical.
“Is there any other objections?” I asked.
There was none.
…
“Thank goodness. For a second there I thought we were going to have to do the musical,” I exclaimed as we walked out of the theater room.
“Tell me about it. Seriously thanks Jurina,” Airi thanked earnestly.
“It’s no big deal. I would have auctioned for the part anyways. This just saved me the trouble. I do want a copy of the script though,” Jurina answered. Airi nodded.
“I’ll give you one tomorrow,” Airi promised.
The drama meeting had ended with no further outbursts. Other than that girl everyone was excited for the upcoming play. Airi was beyond happy to have her script being bought to life. Jurina was happy to be in it after just transferring. I was happy for both of them.
Thursday was the auditions for the rest of the characters. I am determined to play the princess. Now all that was left to do was go home and take a long warm bath. Today had been a hectic day.
“Guys I am going to go ahead. Churi is waiting for me to meet me in the park. See ya,” Airi said rushing out of there leaving me and Jurina alone.
Alone. The word echoed in my mind. I am not sure why. I mean it wasn’t a big deal. It’s not like anything was going to happen. Jurina had understood we could only be friends. Why was my mind making a big deal out of it?
“So what part do you want to get for the play?” Jurina asked as we walked.
“The princess. Everyone is going to want that part, but I really want to play it,” I answered.
“Princess, huh? It suits you somehow. Plus we could practice together,” Jurina stated. I blushed at the comment.
“Nah it doesn’t suit me,” I said shyly looking at the ground. She grinned.
“It does it does. Trust me on this one,” Jurina insisted.
“If you say so…” I mumbled. Jurina giggled.
“Say do you mind walking me home? My mom dropped me off this morning, but I don’t remember how to get home,” Jurina explained.
“Sure give me the address,” I replied.
Jurina went through her bag until she finally found a piece of paper. She handed it to me. I read it. My eyes widen.
“That’s next to where I live!” I exclaimed. I was pretty surprised. I noticed someone had moved in, but I had never seen Jurina before. Then again I was always in another world. She gave me a grateful smile.
“Seriously? It’s weird that I’ve never seen you before then. Still thanks. I am sorry to bother you so much. It’s just I’ve always had a habit of getting lost. Even in Tokyo my friends went everywhere with me to prevent this,” Jurina told me with an awkward smile. I laughed.
“That’s kind of cute,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Normally I wouldn’t be so self-conscious about a comment like that, but ever since Jurina’s confession I been careful with my actions. At least I think I have. Thankfully she didn’t seem to think much of it.
“Really? I always thought it was annoying,” Jurina admitted.
We continued talking about her old life. Apparently Tokyo was very different from here. It seemed pretty obvious, but hearing it from someone who came from Tokyo made it more real. When we got to the school gates I was surprised to find Daichi waiting for me. He didn’t usually wait for me after drama practice.
“Isn’t that your boyfriend?” Jurina asked. Her tone was cold. I couldn’t fathom why though. I nodded.
“Yeah I am not sure why he is here though. Hey Daichi!” I waved making my way to him. He turned and smiled. Then he frowned. I furrowed my eyebrows. That was a weird reaction.
“Rena! I was waiting for you,” Daichi said putting his arm around me.
He usually did that, but for some reason today it felt all wrong. I pulled away ignoring the hurt look in his face.
“I don’t understand. You don’t stay after school today,” I told him. He looked annoyed.
“I just wanted to give you a surprise. Is that a problem?” he demanded. I sighed in defeat. He was getting mad.
“No it’s not. It’s just I made plans to walk Jurina home since she is new. Jurina this is Daichi. Daichi this is Jurina,” I said pulling Jurina forward.
Jurina inspected him and rolled her eyes. Daichi seemed to notice this cause he was frowning. I swallowed. Oh no. I knew that look. That was the look Daichi made when he didn’t like someone. Most people would look away, but Jurina was staring him straight-on not intimated in the slightest.
“Hey nice to meet you,” Jurina said coolly.
“Yeah likewise,” Daichi replied being his usual polite self in spite his annoyance.
The atmosphere in the air was so thick I could almost choke on it. Imagine if Daichi knew about Jurina’s confession. I shuddered.
“So yeah I am sorry. I promised to walk her home. I know you were waiting, but can we get a rain check please?” I pleaded.
Please. There was a meaning behind that. It meant please do not start a fight in front of someone we barely know. Thankfully he understood it.
“Okay yeah. See you tomorrow,” he said before taking off. I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. He’ll get over it though. He always does.
“He was mad wasn’t he?” Jurina commented. She looked worried. Probably feeling bad that she might have caused an argument.
“It’s alright. He’ll get over it. Besides he can’t get mad if he didn’t tell me anything,” I reassured her.
Well at least that’s what I thought.
…
I got home to several angry texts from Daichi. So much for it being a good day. I threw my phone across the bed. I wasn’t going to answer. I had enough of drama for one day.
Between the whole staring between me and Jurina, her confession, and the drama club issue I had enough. Fighting with Daichi over text would be the cherry on top. My phone buzz again. I groaned. I swear to god if it’s Daichi again… It wasn’t Daichi though. It was Jurina.
Jurina: Look out your window.
What in the world? I looked out the window only to find Jurina waving at me. Her window was across mine.
“I wasn’t sure, but I am glad I asked,” Jurina called from her window.
The houses here were build close to each other, so there was no need for shouting. We could talk normally and still hear each other. I had to agree with her. This was pretty cool. I grinned.
“This is awesome!” I declared happily forgetting all about my relationship troubles. Jurina chuckled.
“If I climb the tree across I could even go to you room,” Jurina mused. My eyes widen.
Technically it was true, but…
“Don’t you dare try! You could fall,” I exclaimed in panic. Jurina laughed.
“I bet you I wouldn’t. But I won’t try it since you look like you are about to have a heart attack,” Jurina replied.
“Thank you,” I answered.
My phone buzzed again. I sighed. I checked it and sure enough Daichi. He was probably angry that I haven’t answered my phone. He was freaking out over nothing. I didn’t wanna hear it.
“Boyfriend troubles?” Jurina questioned. I looked up surprised.
“Can you tell that easily?” I answered.
“It’s not hard to tell,” Jurina replied.
“He’s angry and blowing up my phone. And I just don’t feel like dealing with it. It’s been a long day. Wanna talk about something else?” I suggested.
So then Jurina started telling me all about her two puppies. For the first time in that whole day I felt light.