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"So…" Tsukasa puts a hand to his chin in thought, processing what his reserved co-actor and proclaimed star diva has asked of him. "You'd like to know specific habits to improve your acting skills and 'get into roles' in a seamless way, correct?"
"Yeah," Nene sighs, thinking of her current predicament.
She's always known that her singing was more polished than her acting abilities but if she wanted to be a star diva onstage as she dreams, it was necessary to excel in both skill sets. Unfortunately as of now, she feels she's stuck in an acting rut; her abilities in the subject hasn't been improving in spite of her efforts. As such, it was high time she consulted her extravagant, noisy but respectable co-actor.
"Well, what do you think I should do?" Nene asks, a bit in a rush considering lunch time only gives them a single free hour to consult each other. "I've been doing things such as reading all sorts of books to analyze the characters as well as people-watch alongside you but I can't help but feel I'm not doing enough. You're a better actor than me so I figured you'd have an opinion of what I need to improve on."
Hearing Nene's praise of him and showing a bit of her vulnerable side to the point of consulting him specifically, Tsukasa feels small tears roll down his cheeks, visibly moved by the fact that Nene thinks of him in such high regard in terms of acting ability on the stage.
"Nene!!!" Tsukasa's face scrunches, dramatically wiping his tears. "You came to me for advice!!! You….you respect me as a troupe member and trust me enough as a friend to consult about this…" He sniffs and whimpers loudly and Nene couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I'll…I'LL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO HELP YOU!! FOR I AM TENMA TSUKASA!!! A WORLD FUTURE STA–"
"Alright, alright!!!" Nene attempts to shut him up before all eyes of the school halls bore on them. "We can save the sentimentality for later, lunch might end soon so let's get back on track."
"Okay," Tsukasa whispers quietly, then immediately shifts to his jovial demeanor like he wasn't crying his heart out minutes ago. "Anywho, I do think you've been working hard on studying the craft of acting but perhaps you may lack the opportunities to apply yourself."
Nene hums in thought, processing Tsukasa's input.
"Well the only times I try to apply what I've learned is during our workshops and working under other troupes," Nene offers. "But lots of the roles we're given only have such few lines and stage time. Added to the fact that the roles I'm given are somewhat predictable to my personality."
"Hm, hm. It's true we're only given so much to practice what we learn by ourselves," Tsukasa reiterates. He then smiles sincerely towards Nene. "You know, I personally felt like I've improved when I started acting in roles that were different from my person. As such, I learned to have a stronger grasps on roles through finding some common ground with the characters I've played."
"Oh, you mean like Torpe and Lio?" Nene tilts her head, anticipating Tsukasa's follow-up.
"Exactly!" Tsukasa confirms. "Perhaps if you try giving yourself a self-assignment and attempt to get into a role that has a different persona to yourself, that kind of challenge may improve your acting capabilities!"
Nene thinks. It isn't a bad suggestion. Dare she says, Tsukasa actually had a very solid idea, almost like it would have been something Rui would suggest. However, that poses another concern.
"If it's a self-assignment, how am I supposed to assess if I'm doing well with the role without an audience?" She reasons. "We have time to meet each other with just our lone troupe but they're few and far between compared to our meetings with our client troupes."
"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Nene did not like the way Tsukasa just laughed. It's the 'I have the silliest idea that may or may not cause second-hand embarrassment' kind of laugh. "That is simple, my dear Nene!"
"Please don't tell me you have a dumb idea…"
"You will simply act in a chosen role for a WHOLE DAY!"
"That is a stupid idea." Nene groans, exasperated.
"Oi! You asked for my suggestions and I'm taking your strive for improvement in earnest!" Tsukasa firmly states, moping a bit at the prospect of his ideas being rejected.
"But acting as my role for a whole day?" His sincerity would move Nene if only he didn't offer such an outrageous challenge. "That's a little embarrassing isn't it?"
"Well a part of acting is about coming out of your shell regardless of your consciousness of public eyes and you've already improved in washing away your shyness bit by bit," Tsukasa reasons to which Nene had no rebuttals. He was very much right about that, as much as Nene could only begrudgingly admit internally.
"Besides," he continues, "You don't have to play a bombastic role that's the complete opposite of who you are, it just has to be something different enough that could help challenge your acting methods."
"I guess you're right," Nene sighs in defeat, leaving herself at the mercy of Tsukasa's funky brain of his. "So what kind of role would you recommend?"
"Hmmm…" Tsukasa hums in thought, thinking deeply about Nene and her characteristics and what role might actually challenge her without being too much to bear.
As if a holy light coming from the hallway windows has shined down onto the perfect answer, he spots a familiar long blue-gradient-haired girl coming out of the school broadcasting room with a bubbly smile and a skip to her step.
He flashes a smile, the one he makes when the perfect idea strikes upon him. (Though to Nene, it seemed more like a mischievous smile.) He then raises a hand to catch the person's attention.
"Ah! Shiraishi!"
School.
The act of going to school was always something Akito dreaded. School itself was fine, however, Akito couldn't feel bothered to care about things like lectures and studies. Regardless, it was part of his juvenile duties so he diligently attended his classes anyway even though he'd rather fully commit his whole days to singing.
Mornings were always boring. While seeing his friends and classmates was a delight, it was a very long and drawn out routine of walking to school, greeting people on the way and then sitting in class until the first period started.
Today though, he did have one interesting encounter with his senior who was invested in working on this multi-plant watering machine. It was none other than Kamishiro Rui who was the first familiar face that greeted him that morning. They bantered a bit and Kamishiro asked for his phone to look something up which, to Akito, was a weird favor but he doubted it was anything truly harmless. The senior was a weirdo, sure, but a good guy nonetheless.
He brushes the thought away once he reaches his classroom. He did the usual routine of greeting his fellow classmates until his eyes set on Kusanagi who was strangely sitting in An's designated seat.
Come to think of it, the girl was sitting in a very relaxed posture with her legs stretching a bit loosely. It was very unlike the known shy and reserved girl and more like…
"Oh, mornin' Shi–Akito!" Said girl waved to him with a bright voice and smile.
Weird, Akito thought. If he didn't know any better, her mannerisms were almost like An's… and when were the two of them on first-name basis?
"Uh, hi?" Akito approaches Kusanagi awkwardly. "Don't know what's gotten you in such a bright mood but good for you, I think."
"Ehh? You think?" The singer pouts. "Well, I've just had a fairly normal morning and I feel reeeeeally motivated today. Just like any other day! Maybe you should get yourself pumped up more too, Akito."
"Huh?" Akito wasn't sure if this girl was in some real highs currently or he's just seeing a side to his classmate that he just doesn't know about. Also, again, when were they on a first-name basis? "Anyways, good morning to you and let's do our best today."
"Roger~~" Kusanagi playfully gives a thumbs up and the bubbly behavior puts Akito in even more unease before he heads to his seat.
"By the way, you're on An's seat," he states flatly. "Don't know if you were just confused but you should go back to yours before she gets here."
"Eh?" Kusanagi tilts her head with hands on her hips as she poses a questioning gaze at the ginger-haired boy. "But I am An though."
"Huh–"
Riiiiiing.
Before Akito could question further, the school bell rang across the halls and homeroom was about to start, having Kusanagi leave his eyes to prepare for class. Akito in the meantime was still confused at the way his classmate was acting just then. He shook his head, paying no further mind to it. Perhaps it was just a symptom of being a part of a troupe full of colorful and odd personalities.
Strange morning, indeed.
Riiiing.
Once the lunch bell rings and students have dispersed to their own friend groups, Akito brings out his own lunch; a set bento meal and a sandwich that his mother prepared. Taking out the carrots from his vegetable side dish, it'd be a satisfying meal.
It seemed like he was eating alone today as Touya was going to be busy with his shift in the library and An was somehow absent today. He made a mental note to check up on their team's group chat just to ask how the girl was doing. It'd be best to give their regards in case An was sick or had an unforeseen emergency.
"Akito!~"
He hears Kusanagi call out to him. Although the way her voice sounded felt eerily similar to the girl he was thinking about just now. Kusanagi approaches his desk, he notices a skip to her step. She stands next to him, leaning onto the desk at his side while she wears a confident but casual expression. It felt too eerie to Akito.
"Touya's on library duty right now, yeah?" She asks, retaining a wide smile. "I don't have any plans right now either and I'm booooored when I eat with myself so…guess I'm eating with you then."
Kusanagi then takes out a sandwich from a plastic and cheerfully munches on it while Akito continues to gape at her like he's witnessed pigs fly. Well, going into some pocket dimension via his cell phone and talking to Hatsune Miku and friends of all people was a normal occurrence to him so Kusanagi acting out of character shouldn't be the weirdest thing ever. But still!
"Eh? Why are you staring at me weirdly, Akito?" She tilts her head in confusion. "Is there something on my face?"
Akito blinked. There's no way in hell this girl would be oblivious how weird she's being right now. At least to Akito, she struck him as the most sensible type among that whole troupe.
"Oi, what's even with that act?" Akito cuts to the chase. "Your mannerisms and the way you speak. Also you were at An's desk earlier and said you were An… what the hell is going on? Why are you…acting like An all of a sudden?"
It was Kusanagi's turn to blink in confusion.
"Err… Did you hit your head this morning, Akito?" She asks, apprehensively. Even that sounds close to how An would ask. "I mean, I am An. Shiraishi An."
Akito shot her a glare. Just what exactly was she trying to pull? Whatever the case, he thought it's fruitless of her trying to make a fool out of him.
"Hey, if this is supposed to be funny, then sorry for you but I don't get the joke," Akito deadpans. "I didn't strike you to be the type to try and prank people, Kusanagi."
"Ehhh??? Kusanagi?" She raises her voice in shock. "Aha, you might be the one confused, Akito. I'm your teammate, An. Re-mem-ber?~"
Akito winces. The tone felt too uncannily similar to An's tone and manner of speech but he isn't backing down.
"Fine then," he smirks. "If you're An, then you should answer a couple of my questions."
"Alright!" An–no! What the hell?!-- Kusanagi mirrors his smirk with her own determined eyes and confident grimace. "Ask me anything the real Shiraishi An would know!"
"First," Akito raises a finger. "Name of your parents?"
"Shiraishi Yuka and Shiraishi Ken," she answers with a straight face. "Easy!!"
That caught Akito off-guard since he figured that would be enough for Kusanagi's facade to falter. He supposes that could have been learned as she and An started to have lunch together. He needed to think of something more personal.
"Who's your main inspiration?"
"Nagi-san, of course! You already know that," She looks to the ground with a heartfelt smile, a hand lightly placed on her chest. "And recently…Kohane."
Akito gaped. Okay, now that was scary, as if he just saw the actual Shiraishi An flash before him for a second as she said those words and enunciated Kohane's name in such affection and high regards. He shook his head, he needed to think of something else. A memory only they've shared together. Bringing up the vocaloids and the sekai could be risky so that was out of the question. Think, Akito…
"In regards to Kohane, you cherish her as a partner and enjoy her singing," He smiles to himself, he got her now. "What else did you used to feel when you watched Kohane sing?"
Kusanagi looks to the side with a melancholic smile. This too, seemed very similar to An but Akito wants to focus on what her answer would be.
"It was complicated, I guess," She responds quietly, a hand gripping the sleeve of her other arm in slight discomfort. "I felt like she was getting better and better. I was scared of being left behind and it made me question my confidence in my own singing but…" she turns to Akito once more, flashing a bright smile. "I now know what my worth is. I'm Shiraishi An after all, so I'll continue to be the best partner to Kohane and a reliable teammate for you and Touya!"
Akito was flabbergasted. He would be move with such a speech…except that this wasn't the real Shiraishi An! She answered all his questions, her manners of speaking from her response was just like An, her small non-verbal quirks were just like An but this was not Shiraishi An!
"Bullshit."
"Eh?" An–No!?-- Kusanagi tilts her head in confusion, hands on hips.
"I said this is bullshit," Akito utters in exasperation. He ruffles his own hair in frustration, confused as to why she'd keep the act for this long.
"Are you still not convinced yet that I'm An?" She crosses her arms and pouts in a sassy manner. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, Akito?"
"Show me your school ID," Akito says, demandingly holding his hand out for the proof of evidence.
"Errr…fine then, if that helps you sleep at night," Kusanagi—No, An. Wait no, Kusanagi!--says in a confused but annoyed tone.
Shuffling through her blazer's pocket, Kusanagi takes out her school ID as prompted and lends it to Akito. As the crucial piece of information lays on his hand, Akito raises an eyebrow at how confident Kusanagi seems about the identity she's faking to the point of lending an actual identification card just to prove to Akito that he was right–
"No way…" Akito gasps, staring at the card in disbelief. "No fucking way!"
The card read as follows, An's name, address, class number and contacts were all encrypted. The strangest part is that her photo identification wasn't An's but Kusanagi's face.
"Are you done?" Kusanagi says in a bored tone that Akito could imagine An saying.
"What the–How in the–?!" Akito was at a loss for words. There has to be an explanation for this. It was a fake ID, it had to be. He knew the girl was close with Kamishiro so it was likely him that helped her make a fake school ID.
"Good day!! We're looking for our friend, Kusanagi Nene!"
Speaking of the devil, the oddball 1-2 have arrived at their class' doorstep with the pair setting their eyes on the two second years. Kusanagi happily waves to the older boys and although she still seemed like she was still possessed by the spirit of An, Akito's convinced this is the time she'll stop pulling his leg and drop the act.
"Yaho!!" She calls out to Tenma and Kamishiro with a smile. "You're looking for Kusanagi? Well, she hasn't attended at the moment."
"HA?!" Akito barely collects himself. "You're Kusanagi."
She looks at him incredulously as if he was in the wrong. Both seniors now have made their way inside the classroom to join them.
"Now, now Shinonome-kun," Kamishiro chides. "We're looking for Nene, not Shiraishi."
If Akito wasn't confused before, he sure as hell was confused now.
"That's right!" Tenma interjects. "It's a shame Nene hasn't contacted us that she wasn't attending, at least not in the morning."
"I've unfortunately haven't gotten any text from her," Kamishiro states pensively. "Has she told you anything, Shiraishi?"
"Nothing yet! But I've heard she might come during the afternoon!" She says all cool and casual like how An would say it.
Akito ruffles his hair in frustration again, trying to wrack his brain to prove to himself he wasn't going absolutely insane. No. This was definitely a prank that Tenma and Kamishiro were in on. It just makes sense, that has to be it!
"Ya-hooo! An?" They hear Akiyama call out from the classroom window. "You free to have lunch?"
"An's not here!" Akito turns to the fellow first year, hair ruffled up and eye slightly twitching.
"Uhh," Akiyama stares at him in slight concern but also confused fear. "An's right there," it doesn't take Akito long to know they were pointing at Kusanagi, who happily waved at Akiyama.
"Sorry Mizuki~ but I've already finished eating," An says so apologetically–that's Kusanagi! Dammit! "We can still hang out for a bit though!"
"Sure thing! Since Tsukasa-senpai and Rui are here!"
While the other four chatter like they were conversing with An and not Kusanagi for some reason, Akito quietly keeps his head low to his desk. Was he actually going insane? Who knows?
Suddenly had another trick up his sleeve; his own photos! Quickly, he grabs his phone and searches through his gallery. This will end this whole charade for sure!
"Here!!!" Akito stands up to shove his phone close to Kusanagi's face. "See that? That's a picture of An on our camping trip!"
The other three gathered around behind Kusanagi to take a look at the photo and Akito smirked, knowing he already had them figured out and they could finally stop pulling this prank.
"This is An!! Shiraishi An!! The idiot who's my teammate!!!" He declares triumphantly.
"Y-yeah that's me Akito," Kusanagi says with a hint of second-hand embarrassment in her tone. "I-I know what I look like so can we stop this charade now?"
"That is a nice picture though!" Akiyama comments, earning nods of agreement from the two seniors.
"HA?!" Akito was flabbergasted. They couldn't be this committed to the bit. He was already improving their little fakeout. Turning his phone screen back to him he sees–
"HA?!?!?"
It couldn't be. It was a photo of Kusanagi…in camp!! And it looked like their same camp too! He shifts through his gallery looking through the photos that supposedly had An in them…they were all Kusanagi. Every one of them!
"How the hell…" he couldn't feel his legs standing.
"Hmm, are you alright, Akito?" Tenma asks in concern. "You looked stressed. Might need to eat your vegetables, you know!"
"That sounds like horrible advice, Tsukasa-kun,"
"Accept that vegetables are good for you!! You can't live in a lie forever, Rui!"
"Hahaha! His aversion to vegetables always cracked me up!"
"I feel him a bit. I can hardly eat tomatoes…"
Akito ignores the rest of the conversation; a conversation where An–Kusanagi was engaging in like she was An all along.
He's sure he's actually gone mental. Was he just dreaming? A mandela effect??? There had to be an explanation. Was his entire life a lie??
Before he could slam his head on the wall, he catches sight of a familiar figure with long hair with star clips; the answer to his prayers has now entered the room!
"Heya everyone! Back from dentist appointment! " She calls out. "I-I mean…hello e-everyone." She tried to stutter and wring her hands shyly and Akito knew she was trying to act like Kusanagi.
"No offense Shiraishi but you're acting of me isn't very good," Kusanagi sighs in exasperation, finally breaking character.
"Ha…Hahahaha!!" Akito lets out a relieved laugh, sitting back down on his seat and just utterly glad he wasn't actually going CRaZY.
"Well it looks like the cat's out of the bag," Kamishiro states in amusement.
"Yeah," Kusanagi then turns to Akito back with her usual reserved demeanor and apologetic smile that Akito thought suited her more.
"I guess I owe you an explanation and apology, huh?"
"So let me get this straight, you wanted to improve on your acting skills and Tenma suggested you do this self-exercise where you act as An for a day," Akito reiterates.
"That's right," Kusanagi nods. "Sorry you had to be subjected to it, we just wanted to test how convincing my acting would be after that whole week of interviewing Shiraishi."
"And that whole week of talking and spending time together with Kusanagi was fun!!" An added.
"We also needed a test audience close to Shiraishi to see how well Nene acted as her for the day. Keeping you in the know would have kept expectations that Nene was merely acting so we wanted a blinded approach," Kamishiro explains. "As for the test audience though, you were the only one available since Aoyagi-kun was busy and Mizuki overheard our plans. We're sorry if it deeply troubled you though."
"Good grief," Akito sighs. "Well, I understand now why you made that approach so don't feel too bad."
"Well then! How about the results?" Tenma jovially interjects. "How was our Nene when acting as Shiraishi?"
Akito shook his head. "First of all, I'm blaming Tenma-senpai for suggesting Kusanagi do this," he says flatly, earning a shocked but remorsed expression from Tenma. Serves him right.
"Second of all," Akito continues, turning to face Kusanagi who had An leaning beside her. He smiled sincerely, "I'll admit, you did really great! I was focused on proving you were not An but at some point, I was starting to even doubt my senses. You're mannerisms and the way you've carried yourself was really on point. You're acting ain't half bad, Kusanagi."
"Th-thanks," Kusanagi blushes at the compliments and squirms shyly and Akito feels his chest swell with pride for the girl.
"Then Operation: Shiraishi was a success!!" Tenma exclaimed, followed by a 'hurray!' from the rest of their small party.
"Wait," Akiyama inquires. "So we weren't just trying to prank Otouto-kun?"
"Well it wasn't the main purpose but rather, an added amusement," Kamishiro answers. "It was quite funny wasn't it?
"I'll say! Akito did great being our test audience!" Tsukasa adds.
"Aw, I wish I was there to see it!" An whines and Akito feels he's at his last straw that lunch time.
"You know what?" Instead of exploding like he would have liked however, Akito collects himself. "Heh... don't do it next time but if it helped Kusanagi at the end of the day, then I'm glad to be that help."
A small but heartfelt smile forms on Kusanagi's lips and Akito is ever so glad to see her be very thankful, even if it was at the expense of his pride. The rest of the group shared earnest smiles and laughs and they continued to chatter about until the sound of the bell ringing.
It was probably the strangest lunch period for Akito to date, but it wasn't all bad. In fact, it made going to school more interesting.