24 Chapter 24: Tide

"What?!" Koujou and I were shocked. Hiroisora didn't react loudly, though her face was surprised.

"Why does it have to be like that?" I voiced my complaint clearly.

"Yeah, why can't it just be me and Takaiyama-san?" Koujou suggested instantly.

"We can't totally change the script and actors at this stage of the production. You joined late so you get to be the third wheel." Nariyuki answered Koujou in a matter-of-factly way.

"Dang. I thought I could be the heroine…" As Koujou seemed to start pouting, she was cheerful again the next moment. "Oh well. As long as I can be with Takaiyama-san, it's fine."

"How about we start eating? I'm hungry already." Jirai was oblivious to the brewing tense atmosphere.

We started eating our burgers. Hiroisora was still quiet. I guess Nariyuki was purposefully avoiding asking Hiroisora her opinions. After silently eating for a while, Nariyuki started the conversation again.

"Well, I have to make some minor changes to the script. Can you start memorizing your lines when I'm done, Koujou-san?" When it comes to the theatre club, Nariyuki really gets serious.

"O-of course!" Koujou was a bit spaced out before she answered Nariyuki. "I will be free from my commitments in a week or so…" She sounded sad briefly but then forced a smile.

"And you, Jirai-kun." Nariyuki turned her attention to Jirai.

"Yeah?" It looked like he was bored at what we were discussing.

"Join the theatre club." Nariyuki went straight to the point.

"Huh? No way! I'm already in the Literature club! I'm too busy to—"

"The Literature club has nothing big to prepare for the cultural festival. We need more manpower. So there you have it."

"B-but my precious time with the girls—"

"I've already talked with your president. Good thing we're friends from middle school. She seemed fine with it." Nariyuki really gets what she wants, one way or another.

"Just give up." I grabbed Jirai's shoulder. He let out a heavy sigh as a sign of defeat. I heard Hiroisora chuckle lightly. At least she seemed to feel better now.

---

After eating, the five of us walked around the mall for a bit. We were at the rooftop before we noticed it. The area was huge. It could hold stage plays for kids and mini concerts. As an Idol, Koujou appreciates this kind of place.

"I haven't performed at this place before. I wish I could have before I retired…" Koujou sounded regretful, although something confused me.

"But you don't have to retire, right?" I asked her to clarify. "I mean, being in the play is not that big of a reason to retire. Maybe you should reconsider—"

"I-I told you, I did it to be with you, right?" I felt like there's something she's hiding, since she was really easy to read. "You should blush when girls tell you that, you know!" Now she's changing the topic.

"Fine, I won't pry anymore."

"Hey look, I think a show is starting soon." Jirai pointed at the stage area. There were people gathering and some even sat down at the audience seats.

"While we're here, why don't we watch it?" Nariyuki was somewhat curious.

"Sure. I wonder what show it will be." Hiroisora seemed the same.

---

"You will be defeated by our friendship! Aoi, Midori! Let's go! Magical Karafuru Blast!"

We ended up watching a stage play for kids starring a trio of Magical Girls. What's surprising was that there were more adults in the audience than kids. I guess that's because the lead character 'Akai' was being played by an Idol named Akari-chan. Jirai was surprisingly into it. Koujou as well, but I think it's for a different reason. She's an Idol and this is something that she does.

"Akai, are you all right?"

The Idol playing the lead character slipped and fell down. They made it look like it was part of the show, but it seemed like an accident. The show ended without any further trouble. Koujou said she knew who that Idol was and wanted to greet her. We accompanied her. As we were getting near the holding area for the actors, we heard someone shout.

"She sprained her ankle?! And she can't walk let alone perform?" It seemed that the guy shouting was the director. "What about the other two? They're sick?"

"They were both already with the cold this morning. They just pushed themselves so as to not disappoint the staff and audience." The assistant of the director explained the situation.

"Why did this happen all at the same time?!" The director was clearly frustrated. "What are we going to do with the afternoon show? If we cancel, our company's reputation will be ruined…"

"I will do it in Akari-senpai's place!" Koujou walked towards the director.

"And who might you be?" The director was curious but skeptical at the same time.

"I'm Kei-chan. I'm an Idol as well." Koujou removed her disguise. "Please let me do it!"

"It really is!" The other staff members were surprised.

"But even if you want to, you don't know the script… And there's only about more than three hours to practice. Also, the other two performers won't be able to go on the stage. It really is hopeless…" The director already knew the problems that they will face even if Koujou wanted to do it.

"But… There must be something we can do…" Koujou looked disappointed.

"We'll be the other two performers." Hiroisora grabbed Nariyuki and dragged her in front of the director with her.

"And who are you two?" The director was again surprised.

"We're… friends of Kei-chan. We're in the theatre club in our school. We want to at least try for her sake." I was surprised that Hiroisora was willing to go that far for Koujou.

"…" The director pondered it for a while. "Fine, we'll try it. There is no other option, after all. Thank you girls for doing this." He bowed to the three of them.

---

During the three or so hours left to practice, Koujou was able to talk to Akari-chan and got some advice from her. Akari-chan was thankful to Koujou for helping her company, even if there was nothing in it for Koujou.

It helped that all three of them have watched the show earlier. They had an idea of what to do. It also didn't hurt that all of them have some background in performing on stage. The director decided to change some things. They lessened the number of dances and made some steps a bit easier. For the dialogue, he said they could adlib a little bit if needed. They did everything they could to prepare.

As for their costumes, fortunately they were able to fit into the existing ones. They will also wear colored wigs and masks.

While on one of their breaks from practice, I approached Nariyuki.

"I didn't know you could dance."

"I wouldn't be president of a performing group if I couldn't do this much."

"Though, this Magical Girl thing suits you. You should try to be like this more often."

"Speak of this to anyone, and I'll make sure you won't speak of anything else. Ever." Got it.

---

The stage play finished with only minor problems. Overall, the three of them did great. They were all into their characters. It was especially funny to see Nariyuki act like that. Good thing it was Jirai who took picture and videos of it and not me. I can't be blamed for whatever happens to those. Not that I'm planning to show it to the whole club. Nope.

"Good job everyone!" The directed congratulated his staff and the three girls. "I'm really impressed by the three of you. Especially you, Kei-chan. I wonder why you didn't get pick for the Idol Girls festival, if you're this good." Koujou's face was noticeably saddened by what the director said, but she didn't say anything afterwards and just thanked him.

---

After the three of them got changed, Jirai and I went to greet them. It was already starting to get dark.

"Good work everyone. It was surprising you could pull it off in such a short amount of time to practice." I was really impressed by the three of them. Although, I noticed that Koujou and Hiroisora barely talked to each other the whole time.

"Thanks guys!" Jirai thanked the girls out of nowhere.

"Why are you thanking us, Jirai-kun?" Nariyuki was suspicious of him.

"I'm going to be rich! When I sell these pictures at school, I don't have to work ever again."

"What… pictures?" Nariyuki was even more suspicious, bordering anger.

"Of you girls in Magical Girl costumes, of course!"

"Delete those. Now." Nariyuki was at her limit.

"And be poor for the rest of my life? Never!" He started to run. Nariyuki went after him. Rest in peace, Jirai.

I was left with Koujou and Hiroisora. There was an awkward silence again.

"I still hate you, Hiroisora." Koujou broke the silence, without looking at Hiroisora. "But, thank you for doing what you did today. I wouldn't have been able to perform on that stage without you and Nariyuki-san. That's all I have to say." She started to walk away from us.

"Please go after her, Takaiyama-san. Make sure she gets home safe." Hiroisora asked me while forcing a smile. "I think something is bothering her. Maybe it's good to have someone she can talk to."

"What about you? I can't leave you alone."

"Don't worry, I asked Eli to pick me up. She'll be here soon."

"Ok." I ran after Koujou.

---

Koujou and I were walking together. She didn't complain about me walking her home.

"I feel like there are reporters following us around, trying to get a scoop on you." I joked around to lessen the gloomy mood.

"Really?! Where did you see them?" It seemed Koujou took it seriously.

"I was only kidding. And even if there were, they wouldn't be able to get anything."

"You know, many idols get their careers ruined by scandals. Please don't do anything to me, like hug me… Or hold my hand… Or k-kiss me…" As she was talking, she started to blush and stutter.

"Are you asking me not to do those things or are you saying you want me to do it?"

"No!!!" She was imagining things in her head already. Great.

"Hey, I'm not doing anything. Besides, since you plan on retiring, you don't need to worry about the scandals and stuff." I was only trying to make fun of the situation, but Koujou's sad expression after hearing it made me think I shouldn't have said something.

"Can I tell you something, Takaiyama-san?"

"Sure."

"We've only been able to know each other for a few days, but ever since the day you saved me, I couldn't stop thinking about you." I blushed when I heard how sincere she sounded while saying that. "I feel like I can tell you anything and talk to you about anything." Her voice sounded happy. "But, I didn't expect Hiroisora to be part of your life. And in turn will be part of my life again."

"Why do you hate Hiroisora?" I asked Koujou because I was curious. "She told me you were best friends back in elementary."

"…We were." Her eyes looked like she was remembering her memories with Hiroisora back in the day. "I think when you rejected me back at the club room I said Hiroisora always get the guy I like." I do remember her saying something like that. "It wasn't like we were rivals on love. I really cared for her back then. So much so that when I knew we both liked the same guy, and that guy liked Hiroisora, I gave way for them."

"So that's why you hate her…?"

"No."

"Then—"

"You know what she said to me when I told her that I'd give way because the guy liked her? I don't care. That's what she said to me. That's how little I meant to her." Tears started to fall down from Koujou's eyes. "She didn't care about how I felt. Maybe I was the only one who thought we were friends…" Her crackling voice was full of regret as she cried.

"Have you tried to talk it out with her? Maybe there was a reason she said that…" I was trying to stand up for Hiroisora even though I don't really know her reasons. It just felt like she isn't the type of person to say something like that…

"Talk about what? Talk about how I lost to her again? Is that it?" Koujou was looking at me with a pained expression.

"No, that's not what I meant…"

"Then what do you mean?!" I could feel her anger through her voice. "You mean the fact I will have to retire from doing something I love, because I couldn't handle the truth that I lost to her again? Who else am I suppose to blame?" After shouting at me, she ran away.