Cancellation

The following days, we were practicing the revised script of Saionji-san. Honestly, this one is much better than the first one.

The scenes should be fluid when executed and it is not that "corny", to be blunt.

This is the day before the actual school festival, meaning this is our last rehearsal.

I've had a hard time following the lines at first, but I am managing it as of the moment. I'm not that good with romantic genres plus I am not really great at this kind of stuff.

I am surprised though, the teachers allowed our class to use equipment such as harness or levers or whatsoever you call that. The people assigned in doing the art and props have done a great job though.

A ladder is to be set up behind a two dimensional figure of a hill, which will look like the conflict scene is at the top of a hill.

Just like I said earlier, I am not really fond of theater acts so I hope this will be over soon....

"Tanaka, how do I look?" asked Suzuki as she shows her costume.

C....Crap, she looks really good in that white dress.

Does princesses really have to be this elegant?!

"F....Fits you right."

"Hmm~?" asked Suzuki but she moves closer to my face.

"W...What?!"

"I'll move closer to you until you say that I look good." said Suzuki.

S....Suzuki, here you go again with your psychological disturbances!

"I....I said it already, didn't I?"

"I want to hear the exact words, Tanaka." answered Suzuki as she sticks closer.

T....This is nerve-wracking!

"Y.....You look good in that."

"Thanks!" responded Suzuki as she distances herself from me finally.

T....That was close.... I thought I am going to faint.

"You're blushing hard, Tanaka. Is it that big of a deal?" asked Suzuki.

"Yeah, of course! You just can't lean that close to the opposite sex unless w...we're a cou...."

My embarrassment syndrome isn't fading yet! Damn!

"Well, I can only do that with you." revealed Suzuki.

"W....Why?"

"I feel comfortable when I am with you." answered Suzuki.

Suzuki!!! She never fails to make me flustered!

"Besides, the main reason anyway is that....never mind, revealing it will ruin the fun. Hihi." giggled Suzuki as she smiles at me after.

W...What the hell is she talking about?

"Tanaka, you look handsome in your prince costume. See ya in a bit." praised Suzuki as she goes back to the backstage.

"D....Did she just..... I guess I'll take that."

.......

Thirty minutes since that flustering moment, we are finally commencing the last rehearsal.

Man, I feel nervous for tomorrow~.

"Since the only thing that we have a trouble in executing is the climax part, let's focus on that. Get it started!" ordered Riko.

S...She has the legitimate authority over us, huh?

Ah, they're starting.

"The situation has shifted to the Hills of Arcedonia! Princess Helena now duels with the monster that has been haunting the kingdom for long!" narrated Riko.

"Damned princess! For the revenge of sealing our master, I shall munch the soul out of your body!" acted Koyanagi as he is the monster incarnate.

Whoa, my fat buddy is really on it.

"You blubber monster, you must cease to exist, all of you! Behold, for I shall exterminate the likes of you using my ice magic!" replied Suzuki.

This two..... They can be actors!

"Feel my wrath, witch! Hahh!!!!" acted Koyanagi.

"M...My body..... I feel wea...." said Suzuki as she is suppose to fall down on her knees.

She is designated to fall down the vertically but her body goes down sideways, in which the two dimensional hill is facing.

Due to this, her body will fall straight to the ground, not on the platform behind the hill. That would be bad!! Their position is high from the ground, the result will not be pleasing if she fell from that high!

DAMN!!!

"Suzuki!!!"

Now, my body just reacted on its own.

"T....Tanaka....." said Suzuki as she passes out.

"G....Got you... Aw!"

There's a stinging pain in my left foot. I....I think I badly sprained it. Darn it!

"W...What happened?!" asked Riko as her face shows a full anxiety.

Judging from Suzuki's appearance as I look into her, she looks pale. Plus, she's sweating cold. Is this because of fatigue?

"She's only assigned on the acting duty, right?" I asked.

"Y...Yeah, but she's also on the props department." said Riko.

"Why didn't you tell me that earlier? You could have just assigned other people on it."

"T...They wanted to be in the cooking department so..... Plus, I insisted Suzuki to stop helping in the props since she's already in the theater but she just ignored my order." answered Riko.

I am full of disappointment right now. I never thought this would be dysfunctional, worse is that we're on the eve of the school festival.

Plus, I can tell my foot can't be used for tomorrow. The pain is starting to intensify. I felt some tissue was a bit torn.

"Pres, please bring her to the infirmary. I'll follow in a bit."

"O...Okay. G..Guys, help me lift her." requested Riko.

"And here I thought you can execute this right...."

"S..Sorry." apologized Riko as she nods down.

I don't know why I feel so dismayed, but it seems that I just don't want something to be ruined. Like, we practiced hard days before this.

Now, how are we going to continue?

"Kusakabe, here. We'll help you walk." offered Okamoto.

"Thanks. My foot really hurts."

"Man, you really flew in there. Now that's a real prince." said Koyanagi.

"S...Shut it. I just did what is right."

"Oh, Tanaka. You're blushing~." teased Tatsumi as he imitates Suzuki.

"Hahaha!" laughed Koyanagi and company.

They even know how Suzuki teases me. Ugh.

Thanks to these three, I am able to move to the infirmary right now.

What could I have be as of the moment without them?

"See you later, Kusakabe. Just lie down there, our school nurse will tend on your foot." said Koyanagi.

"Yeah, thanks to all of you. I'll treat you three a yakisoba bread tomorrow."

Tatsumi waves goodbye and closes the sliding door.

"Kusakabe-kun, am I right? Please place your foot in this elevated platform." said the nurse.

"Y....Yes."

As I am lying down, she is examining what happen to my foot. Little that I know, my eyes are already closing by its own.

I guess I am tired, too.

........

"W...Wah! I fell asleep!"

D...Darn it, the sky is orange-colored at the moment. It must be 17:30 or so already!

"I need to go home right now... Aw."

My foot still hurts but not that much unlike earlier. These bandages really helped.

It's a trouble though, I might walk using crutches. Ughhhh~.

"Where is it.... Huh? Suzuki?"

She's sleeping with her head lying on a part of the bed while sitting on a chair. She uses her right arm as a mini pillow.

Oh, right. She passed out previously. I wonder if she's up for a while already.

Even so, her face while sleeping is quite hilarious. Her saliva is dripping a little.

I might want to take a picture.... Hehehe....

Huh? Or it might she's up for a while and then stayed here beside to watch over me?

"Darn it, Suzuki. I cannot play pranks on you if you're that nice." I said.

I....It's because she's ultimately nice, that's all! I can't take an offensive over a helpless opponent!

"T....Tanaka.... You're awake?" asked Suzuki as she just casually wipes her mouth.

"Y...Yeah."

"D....Did you just uttered something?" added Suzuki as she wipes her eyes.

"N...Nothing...."

"Ahh... I thought you said something like "Darn it, Suzuki. I cannot play pranks on you if you're that nice."." said Suzuki.

S...She heard it..?! Plus, the exact sentence?! She is a scary one!

"A...Anyway, how is your foot? Does it hurt still?" concerned Suzuki.

"Yes, it's fine. Sadly, I might not be able to participate in the play tomorrow."

"Don't worry. Riko already plead for the cancellation of our performance." disclosed Suzuki.

"Why? It would be a waste if the props and everything wouldn't be used!"

T...This is shocking....

"She acknowledged the mistake and said that everything will be her full responsibility. She apologized to the class already earlier. " said Suzuki.

I think I need to apologize to Saionji-san later for raising my voice.

"T...That's good, then. By the way, why did you pass out? Didn't you eat lunch?"

"Oh, about that. I was too fatigued plus I forgot my wallet so I could not buy any food, that's why." revealed Suzuki.

"You could've asked for Riko to lend you some money."

"Everyone's busy and I didn't want to be a disturbance to them." said Suzuki.

T...This girl sure is considerate to others.

"Say, Tanaka. Since the play will not continue, how about we execute the final script right here?" suggested Suzuki.

"I can't even stand alone, Suzuki-san."

"No, no. We just have to utter what's on the script and do minimal actions. It would be a waste if we can't use the script even here, right?" responded Suzuki.

I guess something like this wouldn't hurt, anyway.

"Fine, where do we start?"

"In the final part, for us to be quick since it is getting dark." said Suzuki.

"O...Okay, then. You start."

"P..Prince Alex, I thank thee for saving my life from that disciple of the demon. Even if you belong from the other kingdom, you didn't hesitate." acted Suzuki.

"I...I have no regrets in helping you, Princess. Besides, I saved you a couple of times. Please don't think of me as a s...stranger."

"Must you receive a fair reward from our royal family in order for me to atone to your good deeds. What do you seek?" played Suzuki.

God, the next lines are embarrassing to say!

"Y...Yours truly doesn't seek for a luxurious need, for what I want is your..."

"Hmm?" asked Suzuki.

"....your.... heart, Princess."

"D...Does this mean..." acted Suzuki.

"I.....I want you to be part of my life..... FOREVER. Must you accept my proposal, I...I promise to make you joyful for all eternity, for you not to starve, and for you to be protected by me until the afterlife."

M....My God.... The embarrassment!!!

"I, Princess Helena of the Murzois Kingdom, agrees to be your partner till forever! I love you, my prince." said Suzuki as she smiles at me.

S...She's just acting, right?! I...It's all an act, right?

"T..That's good..."

"Aw, that was not in the script. Follow it. The prince will reply "I love you too, Princess.". C'mon, you can do it." insisted Suzuki.

I....I can't say it!

"Hmm, maybe you couldn't say it because you are embarrassed and 'coz you mean it?" teased Suzuki.

"I...I do not!"

"Then say it. It's just a script, right?" asked Suzuki as she is grinning at me.

"I....I'll say it when I feel it.."

S...Suzuki...!!!

"I'll wait for it, then~." replied Suzuki as she continues to smile at me.

"I....I am talking about the script, okay?!"

"That's what I am thinking. Do you think I am getting the wrong idea? Hmm~" teased Suzuki.

"I...I'm not! Let's go home, it's already 18:00."

Now my problem is how to walk home.

"Tanaka, use these crutches. I'll help you on the way." said Suzuki.

"T...Thanks."

I must be thankful that this girl stayed here to check me out. If she's not here, then I might be struggling to walk right now.

"You should treat me a drink or a takoyaki on the way, y'know." requested Suzuki.

Though I figured this would happen.

"Fine, fine. I'll get you some food and I don't want you to pass out on me again."

"Thank you, Tanaka. For catching me when I fell unconscious." responded Suzuki.

"N...No worries...."

"You're blushing, am I wrong?" asked Suzuki.

"I....I'M NOT!"

"Hahahaha~ Looks like to me." replied Suzuki as she continues to laugh.

Man, Suzuki never fails to tease me!

However, the day will come that I will gain my sweet revenge!

Watch out for it, Suzuki!