Chapter 23 End

"Maybe… I really don’t have any talent for acting after all…"

"Talent is just an excuse people use when they don’t try. Besides, you are getting better, Izumi-san."

"…I am?"

"You are. I’ve got all the recordings saved—want me to show you your first lesson compared to today?"

I synced up the computer with the camera and pulled up a side-by-side comparison of her earliest attempts and her most recent performance. We always review our takes right after shooting, but comparing it directly with her older recordings paints a clearer picture. Watching it on the TV makes the difference even more obvious—her acting has definitely improved.

"See? You’re making progress."

"…You’re right."

Izumi-san exhaled softly, her serious gaze fixed on her past self.

"Wow, I was that bad back then… total disaster."

"You only think that way now because you’ve improved. So don’t get discouraged—keep at it."

"Mm… thanks, Nana-chan."

Izumi-san smiled, looking genuinely relieved.

Still, there’s no denying that “talent” exists. There are people who barely improve no matter how hard they try, and others who pick things up in no time and just keep climbing.

Getting better isn’t like walking up a slope—it’s like climbing stairs. You keep practicing, and suddenly there’s that moment where everything clicks, when you get it. That feeling can’t really be explained—you have to experience it yourself. If Izumi-san keeps going, she’ll hit that breakthrough too… probably.

The only thing that’s certain is this: the moment you give up, it’s over.

Having a goal to work toward is valuable in itself. If you just drift through life aimlessly, you’re bound to regret it later.

…Well, my goal is to become a NEET, though.

"Alright, let’s keep going with the lesson, then."

『No, that’s enough. It’s late—wrap it up for today.』

"Ah—yes, ma’am."

Glancing at the clock, I realized it was already past 10 p.m. My mom’s voice came through the ceiling-mounted webcam in the lesson room. She had it installed to keep an eye on me since I tend to hole up in here for hours—it’s soundproof, after all. The setup connects to the living room and kitchen TVs, so she can check in anytime, and there’s a built-in mic for two-way conversation. She said it only cost 9,800 yen—pretty good deal, honestly.

I think she got the idea from the child actor agency, SunAka, since they’ve got a similar setup there. The lesson rooms are just for the instructors and kids, while the parents watch from the lobby on monitors.

Back when I first started going at age three, Mom used to come with me every time. But when she got pregnant with my little brother Kazuki, she talked about pulling me out since she couldn’t accompany me anymore. That’s when Shinozaki-san stepped in as my personal manager.

Since then, she’s handled everything—driving me to the agency, staying with me during shoots, the whole package.

『I’ve run the bath for you, by the way.』

"Okay!"

…Of course, with the webcam in place, there’s no sneaking in late-night lessons anymore.

Since it would take too long for us to take turns, we all just bathe together. The bath at my house is pretty spacious anyway, so there’s plenty of room for everyone.

And, well… even though I used to be an old guy, I’ve been living as a girl for over ten years now, so I’m used to it. During overnight shoots, we use the big communal baths too. At this point, I’m not going to get flustered just because I’m bathing with other girls. Totally safe.

…That said, wow. Idol proportions are something else. Definitely easy on the eyes.

After we got out of the bath, I found two guest futons already laid out in my room. Whenever we have lessons here, they usually end up staying over since we practice so late. Normally, if an elementary school kid lived like this, most parents would be furious, but Mom never complains and always supports me. I’m really grateful for that.

"Man, Nana-chan’s house is the best. I kinda wish I was part of this family."

"Momiji-san, you live alone, right?"

"Yup. Been on my own for a while now."

"And Izumi-san is… huh. She’s asleep already."

We were about to have a little late-night girl talk after getting into our futons, but Izumi-san was already out cold. I fall asleep easily too, but not that fast.

"Guess she must be tired… I heard she was on a solo variety show today."

"Being an idol sounds pretty rough, huh?"

"No, no, I'm nowhere near as busy as you, Nana-chan."

"Mm, well, I've been holding back a bit lately, so I'm not that busy either."

"…With that schedule?"

I don’t take on work without permission anymore, so there are no more all-nighters. Plus, I’ve stopped cramming in all those lessons until my schedule was bursting, so now I get to relax at home like this more often. Honestly, I’ve got plenty of breathing room these days. Compared to my old corporate-slave days when I’d go three or four nights without sleep, this is heaven.

"Alright, shall we sleep? We have an early day tomorrow."

"Got it. You have that drama shoot again, right? Good luck with it."

"Goodnight," I told Momiji-san, then switched off the lights with the remote and closed my eyes.

When I suddenly woke up, morning had already come. Since my alarm hadn’t gone off yet, I stopped it and got out of bed.

I stretched hard, climbed out of bed, and opened the curtains — clear skies.

A vivid blue sky stretched endlessly, with towering cumulonimbus clouds visible far in the distance. When I opened the window, a wave of heat rolled in despite it being early morning, so I quickly shut it again.

Looks like today’s going to be another hot one…

"Nana-chan, good morning."

"Ah, good morning. Did I wake you up?"

"Nope, I’ve been up for a little while."

Sitting neatly on top of the futon was Izumi-san, dressed in adorable pink pajamas. Tall and cool-headed as she is, it turns out Izumi-san has a surprising fondness for cute things. Her casual clothes are always simple, though.

I’m just wearing regular kids’ pajamas, while Momiji-san — who’s still snoring away — had her tube top, used as a pajama top, ride up like a belly warmer. She’s only wearing panties on the bottom. Typical Momiji-san — an eternal seventeen-year-old who somehow acts more like an old man than I do.

"Well then, I’m going to take care of my morning routine, so when you’re up, Momiji-san, come to the living room, okay?"

"Mm, thanks as always."

"Hehe, save your thanks for my mom, please."

I waved to Izumi-san, changed into a T-shirt and spats, and left the room.

I grabbed a milk carton from the fridge, chugged it straight, and headed to the training room. Besides the treadmill, there were all sorts of other equipment inside — dumbbells, an exercise bike, a chest press machine, and more. Mostly my dad’s stuff.

I stretched thoroughly, jogged lightly on the treadmill, then hopped into the shower. As an actor, stamina is my lifeline, so daily training is non-negotiable.

When I stepped back into the kitchen to grab more milk, I spotted Momiji-san in the living room beyond the counter, playing with my little brother Kazuki. Despite it being summer break for his kindergarten, he’d woken up early, and it seemed she was keeping him entertained.

"Take this! Shadow Breaker!"

"Oo-hohoho! Foolish mortal, I shall execute you!"

"Eat this! Full Blast!"

"Gyahhh! You got meee!"

When Kazuki threw an imaginary punch, Momiji-san clutched her chest dramatically and collapsed in mock agony.

They were probably playing the superhero game that’s been popular lately. Kazuki loves it, and every Sunday morning he’s glued to the TV, shouting his support at full volume. Thanks to her acting practice, Momiji-san played the villain so convincingly that Kazuki seemed absolutely thrilled.

"Next, it’s my face attack!"

"Alright, what kind of monster are we making me this time?"

"Hmm, let's see…"

When Kazuki made his next request, the defeated Momiji-monster sprang back up. Watching them play together, they looked just like siblings… though in reality, their ages are far enough apart to be parent and child.

I glanced at them from the side and handed Izumi-san, who was sitting on the sofa, a glass of iced coffee. She seems to like hers with plenty of milk and syrup, so I added extra on the side.

"Thanks, Nana-chan."

"You're welcome. Still, Momiji-san sure has a lot of energy this early in the morning."

This time, Momiji-san had transformed into a “ladybug monster,” letting out a bizarre screech — "Hiiieehaaa!" — as she launched into battle.

Ah… so that’s how it’s supposed to be done.

Last time I tried playing the ladybug monster, I hadn’t watched the show yet, so I just shouted “Tentoumushii~!” randomly, and everyone gave me these pitiful looks. After I messed it up a few more times, they stopped letting me join the game entirely.

…Being left out hurts, you know.

I didn’t want to get excluded, so I put in the effort and binge-watched every season of Masked Rider, but apparently, the superhero show that’s popular right now is totally different from Masked Rider. This old man can’t keep up anymore.

When I was around three, I thought the rescue team shows were just another type of the usual “Sentai” series, but apparently, they were a completely different franchise too. Yeah… this old man really doesn’t get it.

"Lightning Move!"

"Gwaaah! I’m deeeaaad!"

The eternal seventeen-year-old, mysteriously well-versed in hero shows, collapsed dramatically to the floor. Just then, from the kitchen, Mom’s voice rang out: "Breakfast is ready~!"

"Wow, Kazukun, you’re really strong!"

"Momiji-oneechan was good too! Let’s play again, okay?"

When the defeated Momiji-san sat up, she and Kazuki held hands as they walked toward the kitchen.

Guhhh… Recently, it feels like Momiji-san is closer to Kazuki than I am. And Kazuki, calling her “Momiji-oneechan,” has completely warmed up to her. Momiji-san doesn’t seem to mind either — she spoils him rotten like a cat she’s adopted. I feel like my little brother’s been NTR’d right in front of me.

"I'm gonna marry Momiji-oneechan!"

"…Eh?"

What… did you just say?
Momiji-san got a marriage proposal from Kazuki before I did… Forget “feeling NTR’d” — I actually got NTR’d.

"Aww, you’re making me blush. Well, Kazukun, once you grow up and get really muscular, maybe we can get married, okay?"

"Yeah! I’ll be just like Papa!"

Hey, hey, wait a sec! You’re supposed to like older girls, not… Dad! Stop laying out a future Genji Plan here, Momiji-san, that’s forbidden territory! And Kazuki, you look like Mom — such a pretty, girly face — if you bulk up into some muscle gorilla, I swear I’m gonna cry.

"Kazukun, you’re not gonna marry your real oneechan…?"

"’Cause you don’t even know anything about Alcar, and our personalities don’t match at all."

"…Oof."

Alcar, huh… It’s always out on rental, so I’ve never managed to watch it. Maybe I should start recording it midway and catch up somehow…

I memorized the entire Masked Rider series, but… I guess that doesn’t score me any points here, huh? Not interested, Kazuki?