-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE, MAIN THEATRE STAGE-
-4:18 PM, FEBRUARY 20, 2017-
The theatre no longer felt like a classroom.
It had transformed.
Rows of proper audience seats had been arranged.
Stage lights were fully installed.
The backdrop of the winter town stood complete, dusted with artificial snow.
Costumes hung neatly along the side racks.
The Winter Arts Exhibition would begin tomorrow.
And today—
Was the final full rehearsal.
"Places!" Hoshino-sensei called.
Students moved quickly.
Nervous energy filled the air.
Masayoshi paced back and forth.
"I feel like I'm the one performing."
"You're not even in the main cast," Takeda said.
"That doesn't mean I don't feel pressure."
Ichika stood near the costume rack, adjusting the sleeves of her outfit.
A soft white coat.
Elegant.
Simple.
Perfect for her role.
Rikuu stepped onto the stage, now fully dressed in his character's dark winter attire.
For a moment—
They looked at each other.
And both smiled faintly.
Not as actors.
But as themselves.
-THEATRE STAGE, FINAL REHEARSAL-
-5:02 PM-
The rehearsal began.
Every movement now precise.
Every line carefully delivered.
Lighting cues hit perfectly.
Sound effects timed without delay.
The play flowed smoothly.
Scene after scene.
Until—
The final act.
Silence filled the theatre.
Even during rehearsal—
This scene demanded focus.
Rikuu stepped forward.
"You shouldn't be here."
Ichika answered gently.
"Then stop pushing me away."
Their voices carried clearly through the empty seats.
But it didn't feel empty.
It felt like an audience was already there.
Watching.
Listening.
Feeling.
The scene built slowly.
Emotion rising.
Controlled.
Natural.
Until the final moment arrived.
"You deserve someone better than me," Rikuu said.
Ichika stepped closer.
Her voice soft.
But unwavering.
"I choose you."
Silence.
Then—
Hoshino-sensei clapped.
"Excellent."
Students exhaled.
Tension released.
Takeda nodded.
"That's it."
Masayoshi wiped his eyes dramatically.
"I'm emotional."
"You always are," someone said.
-AURORA ACADEMY, BACKSTAGE CORRIDOR-
-6:11 PM-
Rehearsal ended.
Students began packing up.
Costumes carefully returned.
Lights turned off one by one.
Backstage—
The corridor was quieter.
Dimly lit.
Footsteps echoed softly.
Ichika stood near the wall, holding her script loosely.
Rikuu approached.
"…Tired?"
"A little."
"You did well."
"So did you."
A small pause.
Tomorrow.
The real performance.
The real audience.
The real moment.
"…Are you nervous?" she asked.
Rikuu thought for a second.
"…Not really."
She smiled.
"I am."
"That's normal."
She looked down slightly.
"What if I mess up?"
"You won't."
"You don't know that."
"I do."
She looked up.
"Why?"
Rikuu met her gaze.
"Because you never run away."
The words were simple.
But steady.
Ichika's expression softened.
"Neither do you."
Silence settled between them.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
Snow could be seen falling faintly through the small backstage window.
Then—
Without thinking too much—
Ichika stepped closer.
Just slightly.
"Rikuu."
"…Yeah?"
"If I forget my lines tomorrow…"
He raised an eyebrow.
"You won't."
"But if I do."
He sighed quietly.
"…I'll cover for you."
She smiled.
"Good."
Another pause.
Then—
Very gently—
She reached for his hand.
Their fingers intertwined naturally now.
No hesitation.
No awkwardness.
Just warmth.
Rikuu glanced at their hands.
Then back at her.
"…You're really nervous."
"A little."
He tightened his grip slightly.
"…Then stay like this."
She blinked.
"…During the performance?"
"No."
A small pause.
"Right now."
Ichika laughed softly.
"…Okay."
They stood there for a moment longer.
In the quiet backstage corridor.
With no audience.
No scripts.
No roles.
Just two people.
Before everything became real.
-AURORA ACADEMY COURTYARD-
-6:42 PM-
Students left the campus under a darkening sky.
Snow continued falling over Sapporo.
Tomorrow—
The curtain would rise.
The stage would be filled.
And the story they had practiced for weeks—
Would finally be seen.
But tonight—
The world was still quiet.
Still waiting.