"Prepare?!"
I was completely shocked by Takarazuka's words.
"Whaaaaaaaaaaat!!"
However, the voices of the three girls echoed throughout the store, completely drowning out my own reaction.
"No? Do you already have someone you like?"
"No, that's not it..."
"In that case, could you please accept?"
Takarazuka took another step closer, still holding my hand tightly.
Wow, her face is so close!
Her gaze is so intense it pulls you in.
(Hmm, but there's something strange about what she just said... "Accept"?)
"That's not okay! Ah, I'm planning to ask Go for help with work from now on. If you two start dating or something, it'll be harder to ask him for favors, so no way!"
"Yes, that's right! If he starts dating her, my shifts will decrease... it'll be a huge problem! And it's not fair to set aside your childhood friend!"
"Um, well... it's me..."
Before I could say anything, all three of them spoke up at once.
Seeing this, Takarazuka placed her hand on her chin, looking troubled.
"Hmm. I suppose it would be difficult to ask you to play the role of my boyfriend for a while... I thought you would be the perfect person to help me prepare for the role..."
"Prepare?!"
"""Prepare???"""
Boyfriend role? Prepare for the role? What does that mean?
Everyone except Takarazuka, including me, had blank looks on their faces.
◯ ●
"Hahaha! I'm sorry! Once I set my mind on something, I tend to lose sight of my surroundings, so it seems I forgot to explain the most important part."
Takarazuka laughed cheerfully at her own mistake and began explaining how things had come to this.
We all sat around the table and listened carefully.
"If it's for a role, you should have said so from the beginning. Saying 'go out with me' is way too confusing."
Asuka replied with a sulky tone.
"I wonder if Ashiya-san would say that?"
Himeji stared intently at Asuka.
"Well... I suppose because we're human, sometimes we end up speaking without thinking things through, ohoho."
"I'll leave aside the question of what happened between you two for now, but I'm surprised that Takarazuka Suzu-san would come here looking for someone to help her prepare for a role in a play."
Akane looked at Himeji and Asuka in amazement before returning to the main topic.
"As I explained earlier, I've always played male roles until now. But this is the first time I'll be playing a female one."
"And the role is a woman who falls deeply in love and ultimately dies together with her lover in a tragic love story. Doesn't that feel like a 180-degree shift from your usual image?"
After hearing a brief summary of the role and the story, Asuka posed the question to Takarazuka.
"Yes, I felt the same way at first. But then I received a very strong offer from Director Kakogawa. I thought it would be a valuable opportunity to expand the range of roles I can play, so I decided to accept."
"Up until now, you've always been in the position of pursuing cute girls while in male roles. Perhaps by getting excited over a cute boy, you could understand the feelings of love and a woman's heart from the female perspective. That's why you came looking for Akkun... I get it. Akkun is cute like a girl, after all."
Akane muttered, sounding somewhat convinced.
"If that's the case, then the cute Sakasegawa-kun might be a good fit... but... the boyfriend role..."
Himeji looked anxious, as if something was weighing on her mind.
(Actually, it's so cute. Am I the only one fixated on that part and not really following the conversation?)
"I know it's unreasonable and rude to suddenly ask you to play my boyfriend just for role preparation! But it's a role I've never done before, and I'm honestly at a loss for what to do..."
Takarazuka, who normally stood with perfect posture and dignity, now hunched her shoulders slightly. Her voice became small and fragile.
Seeing her like that, I couldn't stay silent.
"Takarazuka-san! If you don't mind, leave it to me! I can't just ignore a girl in trouble!"
"Five, you're really going to accept?!"
Asuka opened her eyes wide in surprise.
"Yeah. Because when you see a girl in trouble, it's normal to help, right?"
"Akkun hasn't changed at all."
"Fufu, that's so typical of Sakasegawa-kun."
"I asked this of my own accord, but... is it really okay?"
"Of course!! If that's the case, let's make plans. I'm currently working part-time, so let's exchange contact information for now... I'll get in touch with you later!"
"Thank you so much. I'm truly grateful."
Takarazuka gently placed her hand on my cheek and whispered softly.
"Waaaah! That's forbidden! What are you doing while preparing for your role? You're supposed to be practicing a male role!"
"Oops, excuse me. It's just a habit."
(I wonder if this is really going to be okay?)
Although I had accepted the job, thinking about what lay ahead gave me a slight headache.
◯ ●
Since then, we've been in contact and discussed the details.
As rehearsals for the play were about to begin, Takarazuka suggested going on a date to an amusement park.
(She said she wanted to quickly understand a woman's heart by spending a full day together, but is this really okay with me...?)
Though I felt a little anxious, I accepted.
Aside from the fact that the other person was me, I believed this was the proper way for Takarazuka to develop her character.
I think there are roughly two main types of actors.
The first type draws from their own experiences and sensibilities, expressing the role as an extension of themselves.
This type pulls the audience in deeply and stirs powerful emotions.
People who can act this way are often naturally gifted or called geniuses.
The second type approaches it logically: analyzing information, building an image in their mind, and fully becoming the character.
This creates no sense of inconsistency for the audience, giving the illusion that the actor truly is the character.
Those who excel at this may not have overwhelming glamour, but they are often praised as highly skilled.
Takarazuka clearly belongs to the first type.
She has an overwhelming presence that draws people's attention just by existing.
"Umm, we were supposed to meet at the fountain square in front of the station, but I wonder if Takarazuka-san has already arrived. It's still 30 minutes early, so probably not... Wait, what!?"
There were many people gathered around the fountain where we had agreed to meet.
They seemed to be watching someone from a distance.
"That's Takarazuka Suzu-san, right?"
"Her tailcoat is perfectly styled, so cool!"
"She's holding a bouquet... is this some kind of photoshoot?"
"Eh, but she's been standing there for like 30 minutes, so probably not a shoot?"
"Yeah, no way someone would dress like that in private."
"Still, she's beyond cool... she's beautiful."
In front of the fountain stood Takarazuka Suzu, dressed in a perfect tailcoat, hair slicked back, wearing the bold makeup typical of male roles, and holding a bouquet of roses.
The sight was like a scene straight out of an opera.
"Ah, Sakasegawa-kun. I've been waiting. Here, this is for you. A token of my gratitude."
The moment she noticed me, Takarazuka approached and handed me the bouquet of roses.
"Ah, thank you... Wait, Takarazuka-san!! Weren't we supposed to go to the amusement park today for role preparation?! What's with that outfit?!"
"Hm? This? It's our first date, even if it's for role preparation. I wanted to go all out. How do I look?"
Takarazuka placed her hand on her chin and gave me a sidelong glance.
"Very... cool... Wait, no! That's not the point! You're preparing to play a woman madly in love, right? This look is more like the devoted, handsome lover! And the bouquet is way too natural—I ended up accepting it!"
I held the bouquet while giving her my retort.
"Fufu, to tell you the truth, I've only ever experienced 'dates' on stage. And on stage, this is how I always dress. So this is the only 'date outfit' I know. I'm sorry... but I would be truly grateful if you could teach me various things. I've heard you're quite skilled in fashion and makeup."
"Eh? Where did you hear that?!"
"From the ladies at the cafe?"
"Ah... I see..."
(I remember exchanging contact info with everyone that day. And Takarazuka-san did say she has a weakness for cute girls...)
Thinking back to that day, I nodded in understanding.
"Yes, please feel free to style me however you like. I'm counting on you."
"Understood! If we go like this, it's not role preparation or an amusement park date anymore. First, let's get you into something that fits the role. They say 'form follows function,' after all."
"Thank you. Then shall we go?"
With those words, Takarazuka offered her arm in an escorting gesture.
I gently took hold of it.
"Yes, gladly... Wait! Isn't this backward?! Or... is it not supposed to be backward...?"
Realizing something was off, I quickly let go of her arm.
"Fufu, you're cute and funny. I can't help teasing you."
With her finger resting on her lips, Takarazuka smiled softly.
That gesture and expression were perfect, overwhelmingly beautiful.
(Every single movement and look is flawless... isn't this too much?!)
And so, while being thoroughly teased, I headed to the department store with Takarazuka to rethink her outfit.