Chapter 22

Inside the makeshift waiting room — really just an empty classroom — I was bowing my head repeatedly, apologizing while trying to calm down Ichinomiya-san, who had started crying. Because of that, the filming schedule was delayed even further. But there was no way we could just leave her there and continue shooting. After all, she was the sponsor’s precious daughter. We couldn’t risk offending her.

Though, honestly, it already feels like it’s too late for that.

"Just give me a moment, okay?"

I stepped away from Ichinomiya-san, who had finally stopped crying, and went to grab the makeup kit. On the way, I also borrowed a wig from the makeup artist.

"I'm going to fix your hairstyle and makeup to match the drama. Is that okay?"

When I asked, Ichinomiya-san silently nodded. With her consent, I carefully tucked her distracting drill curls into a wig net and placed a straight long-haired wig over her head. Then I cleaned away the smudged eyeliner from her tears, removed the false eyelashes, and redid her makeup so it looked more natural overall.

When I was finished, the transformed Ichinomiya-san had become a slightly plain but elegant, clean-cut beauty.

Way better than the wannabe "faux glamorous" look she had before.

"Mm, this looks good. I think you’ll fit in fine as a student from a public middle school now."

When I handed her a handheld mirror, Ichinomiya-san studied her reflection and said,

"Don’t you think this looks a bit plain?"

"How can an extra outshine the main cast? If your hair and makeup don’t match the setting, you won’t even get decent shots on camera."

"Is that really how it works?"

"That’s exactly how it works. The director said the same thing, didn’t he?"

I wonder if she didn’t hear me when I said it earlier. A little flair is fine, but if someone with those ridiculously ostentatious drill curls shows up in the background, they’ll steal focus whether we want them to or not. In a comedy, maybe that could fly, but in a human drama? Total disaster.

"I thought you were just being mean."

"Not at all. That’s why, once we get back, make sure to listen carefully to what the director tells you."

"…If you say so, Nana-chan."

She wouldn’t listen to a single word from the director earlier, yet now, for some reason, she meekly followed my advice. This was the same girl who had been glaring daggers at me not long ago. I couldn’t figure out why she was suddenly so compliant.

"Alright, shall we head back?"

Back on set, the newly transformed Ichinomiya-san — now a "refined beauty" instead of a "wannabe princess" — was relocated to a seat more visible to the camera. Partly because she was the sponsor’s daughter, sure, but also because extras who look better tend to get more screen time. And thanks to the clean, elegant makeover, Ichinomiya-san definitely looked better now. Looked better.

She still didn’t get any lines, but being placed somewhere noticeable put her in such a good mood that she even started following the director’s instructions.

With Ichinomiya-san no longer running wild, the shoot went much more smoothly, and despite the earlier delay, it seemed like we’d actually finish on schedule.

But from then on, whenever Ichinomiya-san wandered over to me, the staff who used to come and drag her away just… smiled at us like they were watching something "heartwarming" and didn’t intervene anymore. I screamed silently in my heart: Staff, help me! But apparently, they’d decided we were getting along and had officially assigned me as the sponsor’s daughter’s babysitter.

And now, during a break, I found myself in the location bus, cooling off in the air conditioning, sitting with none other than Ichinomiya-san. The current scene being filmed involved Yamada, the protagonist, his best friend Akagi-kun, and the main heroine Mayu-chan. As the supporting heroine, I didn’t have much screen time early on… sigh.

While spacing out and pretending to rest, I half-listened to Ichinomiya-san’s machine-gun chatter until she suddenly brought up hairstyles.

"…So you see, I styled my hair like Birei’s, Nana-chan."

"Wait, really?"

I was shocked. So those drill curls were cosplay?! I mean, I did think they looked cosplay-ish, but still. And here I thought she was some genuine high-class lady. Guess not. I was kind of disappointed, honestly. Even worse, I didn’t expect her to idolize a villainess like Birei.

"I became a fan after watching the movie. That’s why I’m so happy I got to meet you today, Nana-chan."

"Heeeh, is that so."

Oh, so it was the movie version she liked. I’d assumed she meant the drama, since her behavior at school is an exact copy of drama-Birei. I almost said, "Honestly, you act more like drama-Birei than movie-Birei," but swallowed the words and just nodded along.

"Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Ichinomiya Anju. I suppose I can be your friend, Nana-chan."

"Ah, no thanks."

"Then call me An, okay? Nana-chan."

Wait, what? I’m pretty sure I just rejected her, yet somehow I was forced into being her friend. It wasn’t hypnosis or super speed or anything silly like that, but it sure felt like one of those memes. My brain was short-circuiting, but since Ichinomiya-san was smiling so happily, I couldn’t bring myself to flat-out say, "No, I don’t want to be your friend."

While I was struggling to figure out what to do, the machine-gun chatter resumed, and we shifted to talking about Sakuranagi Academy, the private integrated school Ichinomiya-san attended. I just nodded along with, "Wow, that’s amazing," even though I already knew everything she said — since I go to the same school and we’re even in the same class.

However, I didn’t know that because of the movie Boku to Kimi de moderato, saying "Gokigenyou" had suddenly become a fad at school. Apparently, by the time I transferred in, the trend had already settled, so everyone was just naturally greeting each other that way. I’d thought, "Wow, this is how rich kids act," but turns out they’re just following pop culture hype like anyone else. I’d been fooled.

Watching Ichinomiya-san chatting so happily now, she felt like a completely different person from the one who rules the school with an iron fist. Back at the academy, she always glares daggers at me without a word.

Well, everyone wears different faces depending on who they’re with and where they are. A tyrant of a boss can be a doting dad at home, or the reverse — a controlling husband at home but a reliable leader at work.

Still, this was the same Ichinomiya-san who once locked Ayano-chan in a locker and secretly bullied her. No way could I think of her as a friend.

Even when she’s sitting next to me, smiling sweetly, showering me with praise about "that amazing scene" or "that perfect drama," I refuse to be swayed. Well… okay, I did think that particular scene was really good too, but that was thanks to the director’s work, not my acting. What’s important for an actor is understanding what the script and original story want to convey, figuring out how to express that, and delivering it properly to the audience. Right.

And before I knew it, somehow, we’d hit it off. Wait. …What?

"What’s wrong?"

"N-no, it’s nothing…"

When I froze, Ichinomiya-san leaned in, peering at me curiously. Damn it… this girl is terrifying. When she showers you with pure, 100% goodwill, it’s dangerously easy to let your guard down.

I could just pretend we’re friends until the drama’s done filming, but I don’t want that.

Because to me, being a "friend" means more than that. If they’re in trouble, you reach out to help. If they’re going down the wrong path, you grab them and drag them back — even if you have to hit them to do it. That’s what I think a real friend is.

…Alright then. Time to "educate" her.

She’s only ten years old — a fourth grader. If I can guide her now, before her personality fully solidifies, maybe I can help her grow into someone who can feel joy for others’ happiness and sadness for others’ misfortune.

If that happens… then Ayano-chan can finally breathe easy too.

"Well, yeah… the first day was pretty rough."

"Heh, thanks for the hard work. Here, have a drink."

Momiji-san said that as she poured a can of non-alcoholic beer into my glass, and I tilted it carefully so the foam wouldn’t overflow.

A few days after the drama’s filming had started, Momiji-san came over to my place for acting lessons, and we were sharing a casual drink in the evening. At first, she had been nervous and overly polite, but now she seemed completely relaxed and at home.

"Even though my turn hasn’t come up yet, I just can’t see it as someone else’s problem, you know?"

"Nah, I’m sure you’ll be totally fine, Momiji-san."

I said that while pouring her a refill—this time regular beer, from one of Dad’s bottles. By the way, Kotori-san and Izumi-san couldn’t come today since they had other work, so it was just Momiji-san here.

"Oops—ah, sorry. I’m the one learning from you and yet I’m the one freeloading."

She dodged the foam that almost spilled over by drinking straight from the glass, ending up with a little white mustache under her nose. Hard to believe she’s supposed to be seventeen with the way she downs her drinks. For reference, the third heroine she plays won’t actually show up until episode four, so she still has some time before her scenes start. But since this is her very first drama appearance, she’s been coming over whenever our schedules match to practice her lines.

"Well, you’re teaching me singing and dancing too, so it’s give-and-take."

"Haha, there’s hardly anything left to teach you anymore, Nana-chan. Oh, these edamame are tasty!"

"Those are from Yamada."

"Yamada…? Oh, you mean Yukishiro-kun."

Yukishiro? Oh, so that’s his stage name. Everyone on set just calls him Yamada, so it didn’t click right away.

"Why’d you get edamame from him anyway?"

"You know that variety show Yamada’s on, the one with the ‘Can You Make the Ultimate Vegetable?’ segment? He’s been growing them for that, and he gave me some as a gift."

"Ohhh, that one! I thought they looked delicious and wanted to try them, but I didn’t think I’d actually get to eat any."

Momiji-san happily munched on the edamame as she downed her beer. They were just boiled with a little salt by Mom, but every bite burst with a gentle sweetness and umami that paired perfectly with the beer—well, non-alcoholic beer. Honestly, it was the best snack you could ask for.

The eggplants we got from Yamada, too, were amazing—simple grilled eggplant topped with bonito flakes and ponzu, eggplant soaked in broth, eggplant tempura… it was an eggplant feast.

Yamada gave us a whole box, way more than the promised kilo, as a reward for helping deal with Ichinomiya-san. It would’ve been a waste not to eat them while they were fresh, so tonight turned into an edamame-and-eggplant party—absolute bliss.

"I'm homeee. Oh? We’ve got a guest, huh? Welcome."

"Dad, welcome back."

"Ah, sorry for intruding… and, um, I’ve already started eating."

While we were drinking in the living room, Dad came home. He usually finishes work right on time, so I guess he had some unexpected overtime today. That said, it was still only around 8 p.m., so I guess that makes his company a decent one.

For the record, my good little brother Kazuki had already gone to bed. We’d been playing around with acting lessons earlier, so I guess he got tired out.

"Ooh, edamame, huh? Looks good."

"Dad, wanna have some?"

"Nah, I worked up a sweat, so I’ll hit the bath first. Momiji-chan, make yourself at home."

"Y-yes, thank you…"

With that, Dad dropped his bag in the living room and headed for the bathroom. His dress shirt was damp with sweat, so I guess it was still sweltering outside. Our filming location during the day was an abandoned public middle school, so naturally there’s no air conditioning. The only way to cool off was to stand in front of the industrial-sized fans we brought, or escape to the location bus during breaks. Seriously, it was brutal.

"Sigh… Nana-chan, your dad’s so handsome, isn’t he…?"

"…Affairs are forbidden, you know."

"Hey, hey, hey, it’s not like that!"

I gave Momiji-san a flat stare to shut her down, seeing her practically swooning with heart-shaped eyes. My dad’s just shy of 190 cm tall, built like a pro wrestler, and honestly a handsome gorilla of a man—right up Momiji-san’s alley, since she loves pro wrestling. Ever since the first time she met him, she’s been unusually quiet whenever he’s around, like a cat that’s been borrowed from someone else.

"Sigh… isn’t there, like, a hot pro wrestler lying around somewhere? Preferably rich."

"Since you're an idol, doesn’t that mean you’re popular?"

"Mm, not really. I’m busy these days, don’t have time to meet anyone… and even if I do, the ones who come after me are all scrawny lolicons."

"Well, you are in the legal-loli slot, so that can’t be helped. Anyway, just so you know, my dad’s into big boobs, so give up already."

"Urgh! I curse this cruel, unequal society…"

I don’t actually know my dad’s preferences, but considering Mom’s on the bigger side, I’m probably right. Better to crush her hopes now to prevent any potential affairs.

"Anyway, once we finish eating, can we do a singing lesson next?"

"Geez, Nana-chan, you work so hard. You’re already good enough to debut as an idol. Besides, your role’s in a student band for the drama, right? Getting too good kinda defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?"

"Maybe, but I still want to improve as much as I can before the real thing."

The drama we’re shooting right now, "To the Future You, Goodbye" (未来の君に、さよなら), has an episode where the protagonist’s best friend gets kicked out of his old band. So he teams up with the protagonist, the main heroine, and me—the sub-heroine—to form an amateur band aiming to achieve their own “futures.” Together, we join a city-sponsored outdoor rock festival.

The protagonist plays guitar, even though he’s an absolute beginner. The best-friend character, on the other hand, is an insanely skilled drummer, practically pro-level. The main heroine used to learn piano, so she’s on keyboard, and I, as the sub-heroine, am the lead vocalist.

The third heroine enters the story in this episode and takes on bass.

Now, in the drama, the protagonist is supposed to be the worst one, but in reality, that’s not the case. Yamada and Akagi-kun, who are part of the idol group COLORFUL, are both incredibly talented. Because of their seniors’ influence, they’ve been seriously into band activities since elementary school. Actually, they’ve already debuted, so yeah, technically, they’re professionals.

Yamada handles lead guitar, Akagi-kun is on drums—same roles as in the drama, obviously chosen because they’re their specialties. The heroine’s actress, Mayu-chan, also learned piano, and as for Momiji-san, she used to do street performances with her guitar in Shimokita before her idol debut, so she’s really good. Bass won’t be a problem for her either.

Which means… yeah, my vocals are by far the weakest link.

At our child-actor agency, we get training in acting, stage combat, Japanese dance, traditional manners—all the basics and period-drama stuff. But singing lessons? It’s just choir-level group practice. Nowhere near the skills idols or professional singers need.

Honestly, I only suggested a skill-trade with Momiji-san—"you teach me singing and dancing, I’ll help with acting"—thinking it might be useful someday. I didn’t think I’d actually need it this soon.

I was so proud of myself for “foresight” that I bragged about it to Shinozaki-san the other day and got a forehead flick in return.

"Alright, if you’ve finished your drink, let’s resume the lesson."

"Wait, no, I’ve still got some left!"

I reached for the empty beer bottle to clean up, but Momiji-san quickly poured out the last bit into her glass and drank it down with obvious satisfaction.

"Ahhh, so good! I usually only drink happōshu, but real beer hits different."

"Happōshu? But aren’t you making pretty good money, Momiji-san?"

"Now, yeah, somewhat. But until recently, I was barely scraping by. And you never know when you’ll be dropped. Idol shelf life’s short, so I’ve been saving."

Even if she claims to be an “eternal seventeen,” time comes for everyone. New idols debut every year, and once they’re past twenty, they start graduating one after another. Since Momiji-san’s already over twenty, she probably only has a few more years in this lane. That’s why she’s been putting so much effort into acting lessons—to prepare for switching to a full-time actress career.

Just as Momiji-san downed the last drop, I started tidying up the dishes, when suddenly my phone buzzed. Her phone vibrated at the same time too. Looked like a group message from Izumi-san.

"Isumin says she just finished work and wants to come over."

"I don’t mind, but… okay, I’ll text: 『I’m about to start my singing lesson, but if you’re fine with that, feel free to come.』"

The moment I tapped “send,” the doorbell rang.

"…Huh?"

"Did Isumin… already get here?"

"No way, I just replied…"

I hesitantly checked the intercom monitor, and sure enough, there was Izumi-san, fidgeting as she smoothed her hair with her fingers.

"She’s… actually here. Um, if I had said no, would she have just gone straight home?"

"Probably. That’s just how Isumin is."

…What kind of “just how” is that? Honestly, it’s a little scary.

Anyway, leaving her waiting outside felt rude, so I buzzed her in and unlocked the lobby door, watching her smile happily on the monitor before cutting the intercom.

"This happened before too, so I asked her why. She said, ‘I overthink whether I’ll get rejected, and by the time I decide to reach out, I’ve already arrived.’"

"…Hearing it like that makes confident, assertive Izumi-san sound unexpectedly shy and kinda cute. But also… a little terrifying."

"Yeah, you get used to it."

…Do you, though?

Honestly, texting someone only to find out they’re already outside your door feels like something straight out of a horror story. Like Mary-san, from "Mary-san’s Phone"…