back at college....
Group meeting. For the recording of the project "One Summer Night Dreams." The classroom 102, the air inside felt heavier than usual. Empty the rehearsal hall."
She said. "Minimal distraction please. If we're good, we won't need the atmosphere." It was evening when they were set up. Tall windows sunlight stretching through the windows, Wooden floors. Fading orange light stretching across the room.
Kazama he'd adjusted the tripod.
Senna held the script, though they both knew it by now. Ron being their part time director he stood behind the camera again. Reze and Senkai stood in the center.
Standing between them was Just a empty space. "Recording 1, 2, 3, Action" Kazama said.
Silence filled the hall.
He stepped forward first, Not rushed. Not stiff. But grounded. "You don't have to pretend with me." Senaki said the dialogue. She didn't answer immediately, Reze let the silence breathe in the air, Her eyes lifted slowly to meet his. "I'm not pretending."
Her voice wasn't sharp. But It wasn't defensive either. It was steady, and that's what made it dangerous. He moved closer— enough that the air shifted.
"You are," he said quietly. "You're just afraid of what happens next if you stop, just stop and say still." He said. No exaggerated expression was on his face. Nor the dramatic gestures. He just stood still, with an eye contact that didn't break.
Reze tilted her head slightly. "And what happens than?" she asked,"If I say it." He replied, softer now, "maybe everything changes."
A beat in the moment.
She swallowed, but didn't look away. "And if you don't?" Then we stay safe in our boundaries, I guess." The distance between them was inches apart now, for a moment, No one else in the room felt like they were part of it anymore.
Even Kazama forgot he was holding the tripod steady. Senna stopped breathing too loudly. Even the part-time Director Ron did—Stopped blinking, because what was happening it didn't feel like a classmates performing.
But It felt like a two people's testing gravity, the moment around them. Reze continued her line. "Maybe safe is better, better than rather being hurt again."
Senkai stepped even closer, close enough that now their shadows overlapped onto the wooden floor. "No." He said, "Safety I didn't chose it, and you don't get to decide what I want for myself."
That wasn't in the script. And It wasn't supposed to be there. Reze's eyes flickered for an half a second then she adapted seamlessly. "won't you think it be risky, and what if you regret your choice later?" she whispered.
"Silence for a moment like the wind has stopped still, too in the moment. The kind that pulls the tension tighter instead of releasing it. And Her fingers twitched slightly at her side—almost reaching for him. "Almost. But...
She turned away slowly, Scripted. But not defeated. He didn't grab her, didn't force the moment.
He simply said the final dialogue: "You don't run away from me because you don't wish to love me, but. His voice now a lot softer. You run away because you are afraid, afraid of being hurt again. It's not me who needs safety, but it's you."
For a moment Her eyes widened genuine like someone had said the unspoken truth.
Blackout."Cut!." Ron shouted bravo clapping... "No one moved, Air still felt charged.
Kazama lowered the phone slowly. "That, he said carefully, was clean." Senna nodded. "The timing was perfect," than quietly thought inside. I hate to admit it, but Reze senpai acting is really, amazing, when will I be able to surpass her? And become even more better than her.
Yui stared at the playback screen. Frame by frame. The way, He adjusted his tone when Reze softened hers. How she had matched his pace instinctively, with no overacting, or competition. But Just the rhythm following them.
That was called the chemistry. And they both held it. Not the heat. Not a lust. But something else entirely, "maybe a understanding." Reze she stepped back first.
Her Professional mask sliding back on back effortlessly. "Good take," she said calmly. He didn't answer immediately. "You added a line," she noted. "And You adjusted it into the play.
"She met his eyes. "You don't ever miss a beat." He said. "I never do." she said, than looking over Ron. "How did the clip came?" Ron said. "Perfect, with the thumbs up.
"Next we should, shoot the scene of the Senna and kazama one together, I need to go to the other groups to help them out too so let's hurry up a bit. Ron said. "Sure, Senpai... "
For a moment he looked at her. While there was no actual stiffness around them but there was a Invincible wall around them, and a unspoken silence, since the Last meeting of their in the Club.
Reze her nerves are just quietly irritated.
But after this performance maybe something shifted into her. The line he added was it really for the project or for her?"
———
somewhere else...
"At Cafe Martinez."
Ting the door bell of the cafe ring,
Rya stepped inside, she looked around until finally she looked at the girls sitting at the table.
She walks over to them, than sat beside the Mami. "What are you girls talking about?" She said, Taking her sun glass down. "Not much just about Reze senpai new target?" Hanabi said. "I mean do you know something Rya senpai, you are good friends with her."
"Why would I know something like that?" She said while waveing her hand in a air and calling a waiter. "A espresso," she said. He noted it down and nodded. "Anything else," He asked. "No, wait or maybe get a cheese cake slice." He left. "Sure."
Rina says "I mean at first, I thought it will be Yoshimura kun, let's be honest even though Nana senpai entered him into the club, Reze senpai president was the one who introduced him personally and said Mayama senpai to show him around, the guy who never cared for others, but is a loyal friend to Reze senpai."
"Than there was that vibe, feeling and the look between them too, it felt like a forbidden secret that they hold. But now I hear Reze senpai gone on a date with the Kazama from our year." I guess we were wrong," Asuza said.
"Heyy... Are you mad, remember after party of the college orientation , Hanabi said, I heard they left together, senpai and Senkai." Than I found them just few days ago meeting out together in a club, for sure I don't know but there's something between them for sure."
"What?" Rya said, "Kazama? She gone on a date with him." I thought she was going to hook up Senkai, but where this mascot kazama came in picture, she thought. "And who did you heard it from?"
"Hm... Who else kazama himself, he was grining like a idiot going on a date with the president. Than he was showing off that they had a such a nice date and all." I doubt Reze would even care much of that bafoon, Rya thought, if she wanted him she could have had him ages ago...
Just as the waiter came back with the order. He put the Cheese cake at her side and coffee than left quietly saying "enjoy."
Rya said. Taking a sip, "as I was saying, so you are curious in as Reze is toying with a another man or not."
A silence in the table...
"Uh, yeah senpai, Hanabi said quietly. "But why are you being so serious, Mami said, now all of a sudden...?"
"Frankly speaking to me, Rya says it feels like Reze her heart and mind are just not colliding well, I mean that just my opinion as her friend."
"Heart and mind?" What just, "What do you exactly mean senpai?" Hanabi said. "Stop talking about it already!" Mami said.
Rya continued ignoring Mami. "Let's say it's a feeling of a connection with the person you like. But at the same time your mind rejects it. Your heart feels like it's want it, carve it, but your body and mind rejects it."
"It's same as the cheese cake, I like it, But my mind rejects it when I get fat. Why? to maintain my figure. It's same as that she is running away from the Yoshimura kun, and going on a date with kazama cuz to her it feels logical, and safe and it is saving something for her."
"But what can it be she is getting save from, or gaining from it?" Hanabi asked. Rya leaned in, her both hands crossed elbows rested at the table, "what do you think?"
Hanabi swallowed.
Rina looked at Azusa.
Mami clicked her tongue. "You're making it sound like she's some tragic heroine in a romance drama." Rya tilted her head slightly, a slow smile touching her lips. "Isn't she?"
Silence.
The cafe hummed around them — cups clinking, low chatter, the espresso machine hissing. But their table felt sealed off. Azusa spoke first. "If she's avoiding Yoshimura-kun… then it means he matters doesn't it."
Rya took another calm sip of her coffee, Exactly."
Rina frowned. "But Senkai doesn't even look like someone she'd go for. He's… quiet. Observant. bit weird and he doesn't even care."
"And that," Rya said softly, "is precisely why."
Mami crossed her arms. "So you're saying she's scared? Rya corrected. "Not scared but threatened."
They blinked. "When someone doesn't orbit around you," she continued, "when they don't melt because you smiled at them… you lose control."
Hanabi's eyes widened slightly. "Yoshimura-kun doesn't react like the others that's true for sure."
"No, He does," Rya replied. "But not in the way she's used to." She says while she cut a small piece of cheesecake, studying it before speaking again. "With the Kazama, it's easy. He likes her loudly. Publicly. He announces dates to show her off. He grins like he won a trophy."
A faint scoff left her lips
But "With Senkai… it's quiet, slow like the time itself is moving slowly."
The girls leaned closer unconsciously.
"There's a tension there," Rya continued. "The kind that doesn't need a witnesses." Azusa whispered, "So she's choosing the safer option?" Rya voice quiet "Yes." Hanabi asked again. "And what is she saving herself from?"
Rya's gaze sharpened. "From falling first." Words dropped heavily between them, Mami went quiet this time. Rina murmured, "But Reze senpai she doesn't fall." Rya smiled knowingly, "She already did." The girls froze.
Rya leaned back, lifting her cup again like she hadn't just detonated something on the table. "She just refuses to admit it, cuz if she chooses Kazama, she stays in control. He will stay in her control like always. But If she lets Yoshimura-kun get closer… she gets in risk, risk of being seen."
"Seen how exactly?" Azusa asked. "For who she actually is." she replied back.
A beat passed.
Hanabi hesitated. "Then what is she planning?"
Rya's eyes drifted to the cafe window. Outside, students passed by, laughing in groups.
"She's testing him," she said finally. "Pushing him. Pulling him. Seeing how far he'll stand there without walking away. "But if he walks away?" Rina asked.
Rya's expression turned unreadable. "Then she'll pretend she never cared. Mami finally muttered, "That's cruel. "No," Rya replied calmly. "That's defensive for her."
Another silence settled.
Then Azusa asked the question that none of them had dared to say, "Do you think Yoshimura-kun knows?"
Rya's her lips curved faintly, "Oh," she said softly. "He knows." She placed her fork down with a quiet click. But he's waiting" Hanabi whispered, For what?"
Rya continued, slipping her sunglasses back on. "For her to choose him," she said. "Not because she's afraid of losing control… but because she wants him." She adjusted her bag over her shoulder.
"And when that happens…".
Her smile returned — slow, almost dangerous. "That's when things will truly begin."
Mami said, "Hey why do you keep talking about weird stuff about Senpai! Rina said, "Looks like our Mami, the vice president is again waiging her tail to save president Reze."
"STOP WITH YOUR NONSENSE! Mami shot back at her. Hey Rina, control yourself..., Don't you feel embarrassing talking behind your senpais back like this."
"You are saying that's it's embarrassing? Rina said, I'm embarrassing you?"
Mami continued. "Do your friends even know you are this kind of person? Acting so inocent usually... Please have some self respect in public."
"Self respect?" Rina laughed once — sharp and humorless. "That's rich coming from you, Mami." The words dropped onto the table like a glass shattering.
Mami's eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean? Rina leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms slowly. Her voice wasn't loud — but it carried. "I mean… the way you bark every time someone says something about Reze senpai."
Azusa shifted uncomfortably, "Rina." she said. Hanabi quietly stared at her cup. Rina tilted her head, "You act like her personal guard dog."
Mami's hand slammed lightly on the table. "Stop laughing and Watch your mouth."
"Oh?" Rina smiled thinly. "Did I hit too close?" Mami's jaw tightened. "You don't know anything about the club. Rina shot back "Neither do you, you just pretend you do because you're the vice president."
Air around the table turned stiff, Even the sound of the espresso machine felt distant. Hanabi whispered nervously, "Guys… maybe we should—"
"Stay out of it," both girls said at the same time.
Rya, meanwhile, calmly took another bite of cheesecake while a smile went through her lips.
She watched them like someone observing a chess game.
Mami leaned forward now. "At least I respect my seniors and what are you so smug about." Rina's eyes sharpened, "You call that respect?" She leaned forward too. "Or is it worship?"
Mami's cheeks flushed red."You're unbelievable."
"No," Rina said quietly, her voice suddenly colder. "What's unbelievable is how blind you are."
"Huh, Mami said. Azusa blinked. But Rina didn't stop, "You think protecting Reze senpai like this makes you loyal." She pointed lightly at the table. "But you're not protecting her reputation,
With a pause. But you're protecting the illusion."
Mami froze. For a moment… something flickered in her expression. But it vanished just as quickly. "You talk like you understand her," Mami said coldly, "but you're just another girl gossiping behind her back in a café."
Rina smirked. "And you're another girl that's pretending she knows her."
Silence fell again, Heavy.
The tension at the table now had nothing to do with Reze Or Senkai. But It was personal.
Rya wiped the corner of her mouth with an napkin, finally speaking again like a someone's casually interrupting a storm. "You two are both wrong."
Four pairs of eyes turned to her.
She set the fork down gently. "You're arguing like this is about loyalty." Her sunglasses hid her eyes, but the faint smile on her lips remained. But neither of you actually understand the real problem."
Azusa blinked. "Then what is it…?"
Rya leaned back in her chair. "The problem isn't Kazama. She tapped her finger softly against the coffee cup. "And it isn't Yoshimura-kun either."
Hanabi frowned."Then what is it?"
Rya's smile deepened slightly. "The problem, she said calmly, is that Reze is running out of time."
The girls stared at her.
Mami frowned. "What does that even mean?"
Rya said."You'll see soon enough." She pushed her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose."…don't say I didn't warn you."
"Fine aside that Rina, Mami said. Pointing the display of her phone at her, Look! My group member from that online class you told me take."
Rina says "are you talking about the group assignment?"
The message chat
•••
Hi,
•••
Are you Kaide, I'm Mami fro–
•••
He replied, Sorry i have a girlfriend already.
I'm blocking you now.
•••
Hey i'm texting you about the play script analysis group assignment.
•••
Because the group.
•••
we are the group.
•••
a group.
•••
Fuck you. Replie bastard.
"I heard that this bastard he dropped semester to join the army, this son of a bitch!?" Mami said.
Rina laughed. "Laughing Pffft, Ha, ha, ha! I'm sorry Mami but this is just too funny, or maybe you are just too unlucky." Hanabi said looking at it, "This type of thing does happen in real life too."
"Don't you think you are laughing too much Mami said. Fuck now I need to send a e-mail... Troublesome as fuck this bastard is."
Rya smirked. "This guy is too funny."
Mami thought looking at the group chat, If I flunk this class I won't be able to continue my scholarship...
"Eh? " Ting, a message notification.
•••
We are changing the leads Mami, this time around Senkai and senna will be the lead actors for the college festival play.
•••
Script will be done by Miyamura, subjected to editing.
•••
We will split up in different groups in our next club meeting and preparations.
Sigh...
"Just what is Reze senpai is upto again? Why is she asking to change leads at the last minute again? Her eyes frowned. And Senna to be the lead actress again?"
Rya said, "Hm.. Did they get into a disagreement again."
"I'll think she is stirring something crazy again?" Mami said. As she remembers...
———
"In the past:
At the clubroom Mami shouted! "Senpai what is the meaning of this? Why did you change the script without the constent?"
"You are being too noisy Mami." Reze said.
"At least state your reason for doing this! Mami said. Rya come in front of Reze and said. "Calm down a bit Mami."
"Senpai, didn't you like Senna a lot than? Mami said, why are you doing this to her?" Reze shot back. "Well who asked her to mess with me." Mami said, "Just like that? are you kidding me?"
"This is such a chore, Reze said, get out of my way now, I'm busy we'll talk about this some other time."
Rya sighed. "Mami let's go out get some fresh air. She said, pushing her out with herself...
Mami followed her out...
———
"Rooftop of the college building."
The sun was setting in the sky...
They stood before the raling, "...what should we do now, this is so frustrating?" Mami said.
"Senna must be shocked too, Rya said, So, let's Not interfere between the two of them. Than putting the smoke put of her mouth. "So don't go provoking Reze for now."
Mami asked. "You want me to leave them alone?" Rya said, "Judging from Senna's personality, she'll only feel uncomfortable if we try to comfort her now—"
"What if she quiets the club...?" Mami said from the side. "If she wants to... It may be better for her this way..." Rya said.
"If Senna quits I'm going to beat the shit out of Reze that bitch," Mami said.
Rya laughed, "you will lose."
Rya exhaled the smoke. "Fine I'll monitor the situation first and have a talk with the Senna, Reze gets like this from time to time, so try to be more understanding."
"But i can't! Mami said, I don't understand her actions at all!
"I know–, I know– Rya said, this time she really went overboard, I will talk to her as well. But anyway Mami did you know. Amano Reze, your Senpai is actually very soft hearted, I'm sure she's hiding underneath her blanket at home regretting her decisions at this very moment, she will probably be thinking. "Hm... I'm being too much, why did I do that? Got it Mami."
Mami said, "Yeah..."
"It's going to be fine, Senna that brat is mentally very strong, Rya said. her will is even stronger than Vibranium." Mami said. "Yeah compared to her, Reze Senpai heart is like a glass."
"Haha, you are right. Rya said, I'm sure If I make up my mind I can make Reze cry in a few seconds..."
———
"Back to Present:
"I really don't understand what is she thinking Mami muttered."
Rina said. "When Senna just joined the club even Reze senpai has said that Senna was a genius and liked her so much, but now it has become like this all of a sudden, that's why even I find the tension between them even more surprising I thought Reze senpai liked her so much."
"Reze senpai has always had such a strong Ego all this while, Asuza said, did something hurt her pride that has caused her to act this way?"
"What is it? What is it? Is it because of the size of her breasts?" Hanabi said. Even though she understood nothing, "So they weren't at odds with each other from the start… Then what the other club seniors said were all rumors…"
"Hm… Hanabi," Rya said, "don't tell me you're the one who spread rumors about Senna being targeted by Reze and told others not to talk to her, right?"
Hanabi went, "Eeep!"
"Hey, Hanabi," Mami said, "don't go around spreading weird rumors, okay?"
"Ah… fine, I'm sorry…" Hanabi said.
Mami sighed. "Anyway, it looks like Senna has been quite cheerful lately. Reze senpai's mood also seems to be better… Whatever, forget it. I'm leaving—gotta do something about my assignment."
Rya said, "Byeee, girl…"
They all waved goodbye as Mami left. Ting—the sound of the café doorbell rang.
———
Somewhere else...
"back at the Rehearsal room."
Senkai sat on the ground, looking at the same group chat messages as Mami. "Hmm… I just discovered that I'm the lead actor of this upcoming play after checking my SNS.
This is just too absurd, so I decided to ask Reze about it."
I messaged, "?" ••• She replied, "?"
And a battle of question marks began.
"Does it even make sense to let a newcomer like me be the lead actor? So stressful…"
"What exactly is she plotting?" he sighed...
———
To be continue...
———