The cafeteria was loud and was filled to the brim, most of the tables were occupied by the hungry students while on one table only two students sat there.
Ren and Rick sat there not bothered by stares coming from the other students, Ren was just staring at his food while Rick was stuffing his stomach.
Ren analyzed as his poked his food with his chopsticks, ' I had assumed the principal must have been the one who sent those guys to follow me, but earlier she said she had nothing to do it. '
He then continued, ' she's the only character who comes to mind, since I'm certain reading my file must have caught her attention, and then there's Rick's quest. '
His thought was interrupted by a question from Rick, " Boss man, aren't you going to eat. your food will go cold. "
Ren replied without looking up, " you sure seem cheerful despite not knowing anything about the glitches of your quest. "
" I'm not worried because no amount of thinking helped me in the past," Rick said while stuffing his face full of food. " I can't know what I don't know, that's why I'm leaving that part to you. "
" No arguments here, your intelligence stats aren't that high. " Ren said, as he put down his chopsticks and leaned back. " By the way, I'm curious what happened to that boy you were trying to protect? "
" His name is Ken, hope you'll remember his name, He had multiple internal injuries and when they moved him to the hospital the doctors tried to make it seem like his condition was that bad. " Rick explained as he took a sip of his drink.
" They said he'll take over a few months to recover but when I revealed a check, there was a change in their attitudes and their math sudden became wrong, " he added as he took another bite off his food.
" Well, adults are hypocrites, also did you.. " before Ren could finish his question Rick replied immediately.
" Yes, I also told them to prioritize the children as a added condition. "
" Good, " Ren said as he placed his elbow on the table and resting his head on his hand. " Is Tatsuya making progress? "
" Well yes, I held they are having their selection this very afternoon.... " Rick said with a grin playing on his face.
Lunch break passed with no problems for the two meanwhile Tatsuya was standing in the back stage of the auditorium waiting for his turn to perform.
The drama club students were mildly chatting among themselves, they each went on the stage one after other.
Takakura was standing at the stage entrance, giving out instructions and calling out names for each one's turn.
They didn't take more than a few minutes on stage before coming back.
While others came back with chests puffed up and shoulders back.
Tatsuya stood there in the corner alone, his heart pounding, ' what is this? I can't relax, my foot won't stay still. ' he thought looking at his trembling leg.
' I've seen most of them leave but a few like Aina, haven't come back. it must be because they obviously made the selection, ' he thought to himself.
A few minutes passed and Tatsuya was staring into nothing, his thoughts made him mute the outside sounds that he couldn't hear the voice calling to him.
" Tatsuya, Tatsuya. " The voice called repeatedly.
" or is it my turn already? " He suddenly snapped out it as the voice managed to reach him.
He approached the entrance slowly as his legs felt weak, he then walked to the stage entrance where Takakura was.
" Kagami, I hope you are ready and remember to give it your all. " Takakura said, giving Tatsuya an encouraging pat on the back toward the stage.
Tatsuya then advanced to the center stage he was greeted by a huge timer displayed in red. While walking he noticed there were only three people sitting in the chairs in front, they're all wearing black suits.
It was a perfect panel of judges except with no audience.
The man sitting in the middle leaned back in his sit while resting his legs on top of the table with a scar on his lips.
On his left a lady sat, she had with short blonde hair, was wearing glasses and with a serious look she stared intensely on the stage.
On the left of the man with a scar, sat one of their club advisors.
" State your name and the role you'll be showing me today, " the man in middle demanded his tone almost sounding bored.
" My name is Tatsuya Kagami, and I'll be trying out Natsuki's act 3, looking in the mirror. " Tatsuya answered his voice a little louder than usual.
" Act 3, that's the part where Natsuki slowly began his transformation into the story's antagonist. " The man responded as he moved his legs off the table. " Alright, you have exactly 30 seconds to impress me. "
' wait, only thirty seconds that all I get. ' his thoughts began to rush.
Tatsuya then let out a deep breath, his eyes became focused as he tried calm his mind. ' alright calm down, this is the scene where Natsuki talking to his reflection in the mirror. I'll try blending my own emotions to make my act to look believable. '
Having prepared his mind as much as he can Tatsuya began his act. And the timer behind began ticking.
" I'm tired of being alone," he said, his tone sounding exhausted. " Why does no one like me? " His hands started slightly shaking.
" I tried to be good, but everyone and everything keeps rejecting me " his tone started becoming shaky.
" And the voices in my head keeps getting louder. "
He then knelt down and held his head with a firm grip, he clenched his teeth his eyes widened, " please! make it stop, it hurts! "
The man in the leaned forward his fingers intertwined as locked his eyes onto Tatsuya.
Tatsuya's eyes widened he carried on with lines with each line his voice sounding more hurt, but his thoughts were different.
' I don't know if I'm doing good or not, ' he thought as he glanced at the timer, it read " 00: 20 "
' and the time feels like it's not moving. I just hope I don't fail the quest. '
' the quest... Wait why am remembering Ren's lines right now. ' he thought while performing.
And then, like a flash of lightning, Ren's voice echoed in his head, 'For a genius you can be slow sometimes. '
And suddenly he stopped talking and just knelt there looking down.
' wait... I don't need to see this through, ' he thought as he stood up like he realized something. ' that's not what quest asked of me. '
" Is that all you had to share, Mr Kagami? " The scar man asked his voice was deep and showed hints of curiosity as to why he stopped mid performance.
" Yes, I think that will do. " Tatsuya replied calmly while maintaining eye contact with man.
" You still have five more seconds, aren't you going to use them? " The asked as he eyes studied Tatsuya's face.
" What difference could five more seconds possibly make? " Tatsuya answered his tone neutral.
With that reply, there was a moment of silence between the two, the lady on the left was staring daggers into Tatsuya while the club advisor had a smile on his face.
The man looked at Tatsuya, his expression unreadable and Tatsuya maintained eye contact but held firm grip on one side of his trousers.
Tatsuya broke the silence with a bow then, " Well, thank you taking your time to watch my performance. " He said before leaving the stage and headed back stage.
As he walked back stage his eyes were focused his body stiff and unaware of all the stares and chatter heading his way.
As he walked he unlocked his phone and opened the Guide app, the quest read.
" TAKE PART IN THE NEW DRAMA CLUB PROJECT. +100 POINTS. DURATION: 5 DAYS. "
' the quest was so simple, why didn't I realize sooner? Did the acting practice throw me off. All it said was take part and nothing else. ' he thought his eyes wide open and he breathed heavily.
As he stared at the screen like it hypnotized him, a notification popped up, from the Guide app and it read.
" QUEST COMPLETED, +100 POINTS. "
" So it was that easy? " he reassured himself, then he let out a deep breath of relief, " I need to binge some animes tonight. "