Chapter 61: The Imitation Performance Room
After walking for several minutes, they finally arrived at a large door that was half open. Bright light spilled out from the gap in the door, accompanied by faint sounds: the rustling of a broom, the sound of wooden objects falling, and a distant... quick, fading laughter.
Souta stepped closer, and his eyes widened slightly as he peered inside.
The room was vast—much larger than Souta had imagined. The ceiling was high, soaring like a royal hall, with large supporting pillars intricately carved with symbols of the performing arts.
Inside, there were rows of neatly arranged audience seats forming a semicircle, all made from compacted sand that looked like desert marble.
Light from chakra lamps on the ceiling illuminated the room in a warm yellow hue, casting long shadows from the pillars and chairs.
However, what caught Souta's attention the most were several Wooden Puppets scattered across the stage. Some were just torsos without heads, some had legs that were detached and lying upside down, while others were being cleaned and gathered by a few staff members—seemingly remnants of a previous rehearsal or performance.
Wood dust floated gently in the air, creating a thin veil that made the room feel like an unfinished old dream.
Tsukimi stepped in first, her steps calm as if she were very familiar with this place. Souta followed her with unblinking eyes, still trying to take it all in.
"This is the rehearsal performance space," Tsukimi said, turning with a small smile, "This place was built with a design almost identical to the main performance space. The goal is for the puppeteers to practice as close to the real atmosphere as possible. That way, when the performance day arrives, they won't feel nervous or awkward."
Tsukimi walked slowly along the side of the stage, the soles of her shoes making soft sounds on the compacted sand floor.
"This place is also used to test the quality of newly finished Wooden Puppets," Tsukimi continued. "We want to ensure that each puppet is not only strong and flexible but can also display lively expressions when used in performances."
Souta stepped further in, his gaze sweeping across the entire space. In the corner of the stage, he saw one of the puppets sitting against a large box.
The puppet had the face of a little girl with round cheeks and round eyes made of black glass, staring blankly at the ceiling. For some reason, there was something in that lifeless gaze that sent a slight shiver down Souta's neck.
Even though this room was spacious, strangely, Souta felt... the space was too narrow. Not physically, but internally. As if there were too many memories, stories, or perhaps... secrets that had been rehearsed and performed in this place.
The air felt heavy, not because of the heat, but because of something unexplainable—a presence that hung silently in the air.
However, instead of feeling afraid, Souta was enveloped by a burning curiosity. There was something captivating in the movement of the puppets—something alive behind the silence of the wood, among the fine strings and nearly perfect movements.
Souta wanted to know more. About the puppets. About the hidden hands that brought them to life. About the secret world that hid behind this stage curtain—a world that seemed to call to him from behind the shadows.
And more than just curiosity, that desire slowly transformed into determination. Souta wanted to be a part of them. The puppeteers. The silent manipulators. Souta wanted to learn the art—Kugutsu no Jutsu—and understand what made the puppets seem as if they were alive.
"Clean-up crew, gather around!" Tsukimi called out loudly, her tone sharp yet calm.
As soon as the command was given, everyone immediately adjusted themselves.
...
Chapter 62: Souta's Introduction at Work
From various corners of the large room filled with wood shavings, scraps of fabric, and pieces of broken doll bodies, the workers quickly sprang into action.
Some placed large trash bins and immediately scurried away. Others descended from the stage ceiling nimbly, rolling up safety ropes around their waists.
A few others still clutched the arms of dolls or small mechanical wheels that seemed to have just been picked up from behind a tattered curtain. They all moved swiftly and silently toward the direction where Tsukimi stood—where Souta stood somewhat awkwardly at Tsukimi's side.
In an instant, they had gathered to form a semicircle. More than thirty people. Men and women, old and young, some even appeared almost like children, yet their eyes were cold and focused like veteran soldiers.
The smell of burnt wood and thin machine oil still lingered in the air. The dust that had yet to settle made the stage lights appear like a golden mist.
Souta stared at them in silence. His heartbeat was slow yet heavy, as if he had just realized that this was no longer just a performance. This was the real world behind the stage. A place where hard work, secrets, and perhaps… tricks, all blended into one.
"It's good that everyone is here," Tsukimi said with a small smile, then glanced at Souta with a look that hinted at something more than just small talk.
Souta swallowed hard. His eyes scanned the faces of the workers one by one. None of them smiled at him. But none of them looked hostile either. Just silence. Just waiting.
And in the midst of that crowd, for the first time, Souta felt… perhaps, just perhaps, he was standing on the threshold of a new world.
"Since you all are gathered, I will begin," Tsukimi said, her voice calm yet firm, like a leader giving a command. "Today, there is someone who has applied for a job here. Just like you— as a cleaner. Souta, please step forward and introduce yourself."
Souta tensed for a moment, but then took a few steps forward. The sound of his footsteps echoed clearly on the wooden floor, still holding the scent of dust and oil. He stood before everyone—more than thirty pairs of eyes staring at him, some flat, some merely tired.
Souta took a deep breath, trying to calm the pounding of his heart. He then lifted his face, making a hard effort not to appear intimidated.
"Hello everyone! My name is Souta!" he said, his voice slightly louder due to nerves. "Yesterday, I applied for a job as a cleaner here, at the Puppet Arts Performance Theater. Today I start working with all of you… so, please help me out, okay?"
Souta tried to smile, as if confident. But the corners of his mouth felt a bit stiff, and there was a subtle tremor in his voice. Deep down, Souta knew very well that he was not the type of person who was good at speaking in public.
He was not used to talking to many people, especially strangers. His friends outside could be counted on one hand—and that included the servers at his favorite food place.
"You heard that, right?" Tsukimi spoke again, now turning to face the crowd. "As Souta said, he applied yesterday and has passed the selection process. Now Souta has officially joined as a cleaner, just like all of you did in the past."
Tsukimi then turned to the side and called someone. "Ayaka!"
From the back row, someone walked forward, a small girl stepped up.
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