-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE — THEATRE ARTS CLUBROOM, SAPPORO, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN-
-3:18 PM, NOVEMBER 14, 2016-
The Theatre Arts Clubroom buzzed with restrained excitement.
Chairs were pulled closer together, scripts stacked neatly on the instructor's desk. Members gathered in small clusters, whispering guesses under their breath.
Ichika Komori sat near the middle row, hands folded on her lap.
She told herself to breathe.
Across the room, Rikuu Arakawa leaned against the wall, arms crossed, gaze fixed anywhere but the front. His posture was relaxed, but his shoulders carried a tension only a few could notice.
The instructor cleared their throat.
"For the upcoming winter showcase," they began, "we'll be performing a two-person stage piece."
A murmur rippled through the room.
"This is not a romance," the instructor added. "It's a character-driven drama. Silence, restraint, proximity. The kind of performance that exposes what isn't said."
Rikuu's jaw tightened.
Ichika listened closely.
"I've already decided the pairing," the instructor continued.
Rikuu finally looked up.
"Ichika Komori."
Ichika stiffened.
Several heads turned toward her.
She blinked. "M-me?"
"Yes." The instructor smiled faintly. "Your audition showed emotional clarity."
Ichika bowed her head slightly. "Thank you."
Then—
"Rikuu Arakawa."
The room went quiet.
Rikuu didn't react at first.
"…What?" he said flatly.
The instructor met his gaze without flinching. "You heard me."
A few students exchanged looks.
Masayoshi, seated near the back, slowly leaned forward.
"…Oh. This is gonna be interesting."
Rikuu straightened. "I work better alone."
"And yet," the instructor replied calmly, "your best scenes happen when you're responding to someone."
Rikuu said nothing.
Ichika's fingers curled slightly in her lap.
The instructor handed them both a script.
"This piece relies on trust," they said. "Rehearsals begin tomorrow."
Rikuu took the script without looking at it.
Ichika accepted hers carefully.
Their fingers brushed.
Just barely.
Ichika felt it immediately.
Rikuu pulled back first.
"…If this is about balance," he said quietly, "you're making a mistake."
The instructor tilted their head. "Am I?"
Rikuu didn't answer.
-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE — BACKSTAGE AREA-
-3:46 PM, NOVEMBER 14, 2016-
The others filtered out, voices fading down the hallway.
Ichika remained near the stage, flipping through her script with careful focus.
Rikuu stood a few steps away, staring at his copy like it might bite him.
"…This isn't personal," he said suddenly.
Ichika looked up. "I didn't think it was."
He scoffed. "Good. Because I'm not changing how I work."
She nodded. "I wouldn't ask you to."
That answer caught him off guard.
"…You're not intimidated?" he asked.
Ichika hesitated. "I am."
Then she met his eyes.
"But I still want to do it."
Rikuu studied her for a long moment.
"…You're aware this puts us together," he said. "On stage. Closely."
"I know."
"You won't be able to hide."
"I don't want to."
Silence.
Rikuu looked away, jaw tight.
"…You're reckless."
She smiled faintly. "You already said that."
He exhaled slowly.
"…Meet tomorrow. Same time."
Ichika nodded. "I'll be here."
As he turned, he paused.
"…Don't slow down for me."
She answered without hesitation.
"I won't."
Rikuu walked away.
Ichika watched him, her heart steady but warm.
She looked down at the script again.
Two characters.
One stage.
Too close to pretend.
Snow fell quietly outside the windows.
And somewhere between the lines—
their paths had been tied together.
Not by choice.
But by timing.