Chapter 1: The Role
"Why do I feel like she is over-acting? The play, her role is being simple and calm, right?" Hiko asked, folding her arms as she glanced at the girl on stage.
"I didn't get to read her role, but I think she's good. She deserves the role perfectly," Chou Kimura replied sarcastically, her eyes glued to the stage. Aiko Sato glared at her and hissed, "You think she deserves it? Wait until I play that role."
"Oh really? Then how come you couldn't get the female lead role last year? It was the same girl who got it. You are so not on her level, Aiko Sato. You should just stick with playing minor characters. To be frank, that suits you and your low standards," Kimura Chou spat and left. Sato Aiko stood there, burning with anger.
"I will come back for you. Do not forget about me, about our love, about everything we've worked hard for. But remember, if I don't come back... then we will meet on the other side," the guy cried, as the curtains closed on him.
"That was awesome, Hana!" The manager said, handing Chiharu Hana a glass of water.
"Whoa! That was good and emotional acting! Kaito, loved the energy!" The manager praised Soharu Kaito, the actor on stage.
"Ma'am, what about my performance?" Chiharu Hana asked, pouting.
"You both did quite well, my dear. Both of you connect so well in the play... well, I think we have the perfect couple for Ito and Mei's role," she said, turning to the other students.
"We have found our Ito and Mei. They are Sakura Kaito and Chiharu Hana!"
Everyone erupted into applause. Chiharu Hana's eyes got wide open, she got the main lead this year, again.
"How lucky she is," someone whispered from the audience.
"Really?" Hana murmured, her voice shaking. She thanked the manager and gave her a tight hug. Sakura Kaito, on the other hand, didn't look surprised. He always got the male lead every year. He just smiled faintly and walked out of the auditorium with his friends.
But Aiko Sato wasn't having it.
"But... but ma'am, you haven't seen my potentials yet, so why do you rush, giving the role to her?" Aiko yelled, moving closer to the stage where Hana and the manager stood.
The manager sighed and stepped down from the stage to face her. "Aiko Sato, I have seen your potentials, but you excel at playing minor roles. You know how to support the cast. Hana simply has the right aura for a lead. It's nothing personal."
"MOM!" Hiko screamed at the manager, glaring at Hana with pure hatred.
"I told you not to call me 'Mom' in school!" The manager yelled back, her composure cracking. The entire auditorium went silent.
"Oh, there she goes again, being a spoiled brat," Chou Kimura muttered in disappointment.
Hana looked at Aiko with a small, cocky smile. "Aiko, I didn't do anything. It was your own mother who chose me because I deserved it," she said softly as she stepped down from the stage.
"Kiss up to Manager Sato all you want, she knows best," Hana added, then left with Chou Kimura.
Outside the auditorium, Chou pulled Hana into a hug. "I'm so proud of you, girl!"
Hana hugged her back, finally letting her smile show. "I always knew you'd get that role," Chou added, and Hana nodded.
"I'm so hungry, let's get something to eat," Hana admitted, staring at the posters lining the wall.
"You want noodles? I know just the right place," Chou responded, holding Hana's hand.
"Are we going outside school?!" Hana asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Well, don't worry. School will be closing soon. So what we have to do is go to the class, take our bags, and by the time we get to the gate, school will be closing, okay?" Chou explained. She was looking at the gate. A guard was seated near it to prevent anyone from sneaking out.
Hana took out her phone and checked the time. She looked at Chou with tired eyes.
"Chouchou, it's 2:40. Going for our bags and coming back here will take less than 10 minutes, and school closes at 3 o'clock," Hana said, snapping at her teasingly. Got it! Here's the clean, unique rewrite of your page:
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"Well you, don't worry, school will close soon, so what we have to do is go to class and take our bags. By the time we get to the gate it will be closing time, okay?" Chou explained, glancing at the gateman seated near the gate to make sure no one sneaked out.
Chou had a weird look on her face. "Why do I still consider you as my friend?" Hana whispered under her breath.
- School Closes -
Hana was welcomed home by her cousin, Kohana Amane. She hugged Hana warmly, but Hana's expression was cold.
"Kohana, why... why are you here?" Hana asked, her eyebrow arched.
"Coming to stay here for some days," Kohana answered with a smile. A smile Hana knew was a fake smile. Hana narrowed her eyes.
"Hana, you are here already oh, and I see you've met..."
"Yes I have, Mom. Why is she here? Where are her parents?" Hana cut in.
"Hana dear, her parents are on a trip right now, so they brought her here and you know I can't say no to my big sister when she brings her daughter here," Hana's mom calmly explained.
"Oh okay Mom, just to make you aware, I'm not sharing my room with anyone." Hana flared up, went into her room and locked the door behind her.
Kohana stared at Hana as she entered her room. She turned to Hana's mom with a pitiful face, "I'm sorry ma, but I think Hana doesn't like me."
"Don't worry dear, I wasn't even going...
