The Curtain Rises

“You’re burning.”

“Oh… Yeah, just a slight fever I guess.”

“Want to stay at the clinic? You don’t have to worry about rehearsals.”

“It’s fine. I’m okay.”

It’s rare to see you like this.

The costume room boasts solace amidst the busking school festival outside. And there, Miku lies in an unused table, contemplating the things that happened just a little while ago. Kitayama’s cold eyes, his glistening lips accompanied by the touch of his warm hand on her forehead. No way she was gonna stay sane after a glimpse of heaven was shoved right in front of her face.

“So, have you got my answer yet? Miku, I’ve been waiting for two months, you know?”

The young lad took off his glasses and opened some cooling aids to put on my forehead.

“...”

Matsuma Kirei is a sweet guy. The type that would adopt stray cats he sees on his way home. The type that would walk on the risky side of the pedestrian just to keep you safe. The president of the drama club, an academic achiever, and an overall epitome of a boy next door stereotype. However, his silver hair gives him quite the cold look, his eyeglass translates him into an intimidating person. If Hayato is a skunk, then he’s a gray Siberian husky, and I love huskies, I have always wanted to own one.

His blue, crystal clear eyes. His caring gestures whenever he’s around me, everything of it screams perfection.

And he calls me by my first name when we’re alone together…

He said it was fall when he started falling in love with me. But ‘falling’ is such a sad word, it meant a defenseless descent into the unknown. And he may have landed on the moon, but he was aiming for the stars.

I guess I was his star, but I can’t catch him falling for me, that’s why he landed on the moon instead.

Sorry, Kirei

The long silence I spoke was converted into an immediate answer in his ears.

“Oh, I see.”

As understanding as ever.

But I have nothing to apologize for. It's not my fault he fell, and falling in love is not a sin. All is well between the two of us, at least that’s what I thought.

“Okaay! Gather around everyone! Time for the final briefing!”

A talking skunk appeared out of nowhere.

“Eh? Where is Matsuma-senpai?”

“Matsuma senpai had matters to attend to so I’m gonna be giving you the final briefing. Is everyone in their costumes?”

Despite having malewife tendencies due to his sewing abilities, Hayato could also act. He said he picked up that skill watching me in my plays and he once said he’s gonna beat me someday and light up Broadway himself, but that’s impossible since he’s always gonna stick to sewing, I knew he liked it more. But today, he’s gonna be joining us in the play since we’re understaffed, just a minor role though.

It’s kinda weird seeing Hayato with a black hair, I know it’s just a wig but I’ve seen him with his yellow, highlighter hair for 6 years. He looks good, I admit.

“Everyone! You’ve put so much effort in this 30 minute play, I just hope you enjoy it to your heart’s content! I’m not gonna give you a whole ass speech but let’s make this play a success!”

Everyone shouted with glee.

Excited voices, anxious ones, there is no denying that we are placed into an all-or-none situation. But we just have to give it everything we’ve got.

I still have a slight fever though, I hope it doesn’t affect my performance.

“Woah, I had no idea there’s gonna be so many people!”

Hayato whispered, peeking from the curtains.

“Shut up Hayato, you're making me so nervous!”

“What’s up with you? Are you sick?”

“Kinda, I think.”

“Hey, if this is too much on your plate, we could always postpone the play to tomorrow. You can’t risk your health like that.”

“Don’t be stupid, we’ve worked so hard for this. I’m not gonna be sabotaging all of your efforts.”

“Can you turn around for a bit?”

Hayato made the dress I wore and it kinda pisses me off how he could make girly things while I’m cursed to come up with horrible ones that will always look like a voodoo doll’s clothes.

Adjusting my dress before the start of the play has always been a routine for both of us. To him, it calms his nerves down and takes his brain on a breather, just like the old days when we used to play dress-up. Even Hayato could become nervous despite being an extraverted childhood best friend but nevertheless, you could say that I am his peace, and maybe his human stress reliever?

But today isn’t the same as when we were mere second graders playing pretend…

I’m feeling all mushy at the moment and the fact that his warm breath adorned with nervousness is tickling the back of my shoulder is not helping my overall health.

Everything is making me flustered and I don’t think it’s normal but I’m sick, what do you expect?

“...Katsura-san, let’s both do our best.”

Kitayama whispered softly.

“And now, the drama club presents…”

“Liebestraum: Dream of Love”