Translator: Flowingcloud Editor: Arocks141
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Theater 1: Horror Actress Reincarnated as a Genius Child Actress – Ending
Within the Car (Evening)
Tsugumi and her parents chat.
—In the car at dusk. A crimson red shone on the limousine sofa. I wondered if a child’s body has a limit to how long it can be active, or if I was just tired after not having acted for so long. As I was rubbing my eyelids and dozing off, I naturally found my way to my mother’s lap.
My father was next to me, patting my head softly. For me (Kirio Tsugumi), who had never experienced the existence of kind parents, my parents (Sorahoshi Tsugumi) were too perfect and strange. Nevertheless, as I surrendered myself into their comfort, I was covered in an inexplicable and abashed feeling, as if my thirsting heart was being moistened.
“You did well, Tsugumi.”
“It seems like you’ve made a lot of friends. My angel, can you tell Daddy and Mommy about your friends tomorrow?”
“Yeah… okay, I got it, Daddy, Mommy.”
“You’re going to tell Mama about your friends? Hehe, I’m so happy.”
Friends… that’s right, friends. After the performance, we somehow exchanged our contact information. When I said I did not have an address book yet, my parents seemed to have written them down for me. They are also going to buy me a cell phone another time it seems like. They said something about Lane(?), but I wonder if that is what they call email nowadays. 1
If I shut my eyelids, I could immediately remember the girls. How should I put it, they seemed to be full of personality and overflowing in talent, just like the people Kirio Tsugumi had been involved with.
Bright red hair and lively eyes, Asashiro Juria.
“You’re my rival from today on!”
When I recalled ‘her’ declaring so, I felt somewhat nostalgic.
My rivals in those days must be unreachable big names now.
Quiet girl with chestnut hair and glasses, Yuugao Mimi.
“I-I’m not going to lose too!”
She was surprisingly aggressive, but she said this with a cute, enthusiastic tone.
She was like a small animal and adorable, but my intuition tells me that she would probably turn out to be like a large animal surely. She must be a carnivore.
Then, jet black hair and a cool look, Yoruhata Rin.
“Can I go visit you next time?”
“Sure.”
“Really? Then, come visit me too. I’m looking forward to it.”
She was the one who was the most different from my first impression. Rin-chan told me this with a gleam in her eye and an expression that didn’t change much. Also, as soon as she found out that I did not have a cell phone, she immediately gave me her home phone number.
Nonetheless, it seems to be a given that everyone has a cell phone… I wonder if there is anything interesting about having a cell phone as a child? Well, I am about to get one myself, as I am targeted by violent perverts because of my appearance, and maybe celebrities all have one.
“When you get one, let’s play ‘GureBure’. Add me as your ‘friend’.” 2
“? Rin-chan and I are already friends, right?”
“Yeah… Tsugumi, you’re fine like this.” 3
There’s this… like… generation gap. Rather, I feel like I’m going to get swept up by something I don’t understand.
“Heh heh.”
“Oh, you’re laughing? Did you remember something?”
“Hehehe, it’s a secret.”
“Ara ara, how precocious, aren’t you?” 4
I want to achieve what I could not accomplish in my previous life. I know from my own experience that I can’t stop thinking that way until I’ve gotten to the end. However, from that same experience, I decided to be properly filial to my parents, enjoy myself to the fullest, and live life to the best of my ability this time.
I’m not going to stop midway. I’m sure that this is a wish and a longing that has now firmly taken shape.
(But, for now…)
First… I don’t think I’ll be able to resist my drowsiness any… longer…
“Good night, Tsugumi.”
—Good night, Daddy, Mommy.
(Blackout)
Asashiro Family (Evening)
(Lights)
Juria’s mother, Satsuki, furrows her brows and chews her lips.
“It would be such a shame not to perform such an interesting role!”
What’s with that? I don’t want to. Why the villain, why?
“You don’t have to force yourself to not be afraid of it, you know?”
I know, just because I’m just a kid, you’re not taking me seriously. I’m going to tell the office that I’m not scary, because you aren’t scary.
“Yup! It was a good performance. Keep up the good work.”
Hmph. “Keep up the good work” your ass, you’re just spouting what you like.
“The reason you’re lined up with Tsugumi-san is because of Tsugumi-san.”
I-I know that—better than anyone else!!
“Mom?”
“Oh, Juria. I’m sorry, I must have fallen asleep.”
“Don’t worry. Are you tired?”
“It’s not like that. I’m just impressed that you managed to avoid being the villain. Good job.”
“Y-Yeah.”
My daughter, Juria, followed me as if she were clinging to me. I’m sure she’s anxious right now. However, I’m sure she will soon understand what I mean. That lass’s performance was indeed brilliant. But for that reason, the director will probably have her play the villain.
Okay, it worked out this time. But, what about the next stage? What about the next one after that? A child who becomes successful as a villain will have the image of a villain attached to them. One day, they will get tired of playing the villain and fall into desperation.
Just like what happened to me.
“Mom, what are you doing tomorrow? Is it a day off? My birthday is—”
“Tomorrow, I’ll be filming from the morning. You can order online and eat whatever you want. And… Did you say something?”
“—No. It’s nothing. Got it.”
“Okay.”
I will definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY, going to make Juria happy. I will raise her to be the most successful and popular actress of all time. I won’t let anyone tell me that I can’t do this as a single mother.
There is nothing that will make her happier than becoming an actress that everyone loves.
Therefore, I won’t be chasing your shadow anymore—Kirio Tsugumi!
“Mom won’t be happy if I’m the bad kid. I have to be the best good kid. More than anyone else.”
“I’m sure Mom will surely look at me then… won’t she?”
(Blackout)
Yuugao Family (Evening)
(Lights)
Mimi’s mother, Natsu, relaxing in the living room.
Natsu is confused at her daughter’s current state being displayed.
“Mom! Dad! I have something I want to say!”
We looked at each other as Mimi raised her voice louder than we had ever heard before. Our daughter had always been shy, quiet, and bad at speaking. We would not have let her be a child actress unless she wanted to. She had grown up and come back to us after the audition where we had entrusted her to Asashiro-san.
I am called the queen of daytime dramas, but in short, I am just an actress who specializes in “that kind of acting”. People say I have a glamorous personal life, but all I do is relax on the top floor of my condominium with my photographer husband. I think we were just an ordinary family.
“Whoa, what happened, Mimi? Natsu, did something happen to Mimi?”
“Who knows? Hey, Mimi-chan, what is it you have to say?”
I told her that she didn’t have to be burdened with being a second-generation actress, however, she didn’t listen. Thus, as a way of making a memory, I arranged for her to pass the audition just this one time.
It was not absolute, but this was the best situation for her to grow mentally.
“I-I-I’m going to be a great actress!!!!”
“Oh my, why no—Ehhhhhhhhhhh!!!?!??”
“I wondered what you were going to sa—Ehhhhhhhhhhh!!?!????”
As we panicked, Mimi seemed to be content and did not respond.
She just finished her sentence, her breathing became rough, then blinked her powerful, glittering eyes.
It seems that I have to ask Asashiro-san for the details no matter what it takes.
(Blackout)
Yoruhata Family (Evening)
(Lights)
Rin’s older brother, Kou, relaxing in the living room.
Knitting his eyebrows at his little sister’s unusual state.
My pet theory is that connections and luck are a part of my ability. Thus, my pet theory is that those who became arrogant on the basis of connections and luck are just “to that degree”.
“Father! Mother! Brother!”
My younger sister, who came home breathing roughly, is currently in the maelstrom of it all. This must be the turning point of her career as an actress. Out of all things, she auditioned for a role with no connections. 5
My father, who was relaxing on the living room sofa, and my mother, who was preparing dinner in the kitchen, took a quick look towards the front door due to Rin’s voice.
“Rin! Wash your hands! Kou, set the dishes!”
“Okay!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
My mother, who is known to the world as the news beauty, and my father, who is known as the Getsuki noble youth, were just an old lady and old man at home. It was worth seeing when even Rin, who has always passed off as a cool-headed girl, will tear off her innocent sheep’s clothing.
Rin washed her hands and rinsed her mouth, then went to attack her father, who was lazing around watching TV.
“Father! Father! Listen to me!”
“Ohh, what is it? Take this.”
“Unya… that’s not it! I became friends with this amazing person!!”
“Ohh, I see, I see. In the audition with Juria-chan and Mimi-chan, right?”
“Yup!”
I quickly put out the plates before my mother yelled at me, then helped her prepare the food. After I eat, I read the script for the next drama, ahh, then I need to do some muscle training.
“The whole world will know about her just from her talking!”
“Hm? Did they pull out an ace from a training school?”
“Nope. Today was her first time.”
“First time?”
“Yeah!”
It’s not uncommon for rookies to get lucky. Even the living legend Kiritani Ouka was said to have had beginner’s luck at first. It happens all the time in this industry.
You either become Kiritani Ouka or you end up nameless. Well, it’s no big deal to get lucky as a child actress, of course.
“You could only think that she was born like that! She was better than Brother!!”
“Ah?”
Hey, that is something I’m not going to let pass.
Yoruhata Kou, the second coming of famous genius actor, Kiritani Ouka, is worse than a new child actor?
There’s a time and place for jokes, but not now. 6
“Don’t just say random things. At any rate, she probably practiced behind the scenes.”
“Hey, Kou, you’re saying stuff like—”
“It’s different! It wasn’t practiced or anything like that! She was “the real thing”!”
“Hah, who knows. I mean, how can you tell she was the real thing or not? It’s different when it’s our old man or ma, but after all, Rin’s just a rookie, right? There’s no way they could possibly be better than me. Do you have a discerning eye?”
The best middle school student in the world.
The prince the Getsuki noble youth gave birth to.
A genius. An appropriate title for someone like me. Also, I’ve put in the proper great effort in proportion. A performance that no one, not just those in my generation, but even adults my age, can match.
How could I lose to a five, six, or seven-year-old kid? That’s not possible. That’s halfway around the zodiac you know? 7
“Agh, but, hik, she was really, hik, really good, you know? Wahh.”
“N-N… I’m sorry, it’s my fault, don’t cry. Hey, I’ll give you some candy later!”
“Hey! Kou! You’re 13 years old and you’re making your younger sister cry!”
“Shit, Mother!?”
While feeling the strike of my mother’s fist striking the crown of my head, my grudge with that child actor became exacerbated. A genius child actor who is better than me? Hah, what the heck, that’s ridiculous.
But on the other hand, I had high hopes. They all do such stupid performances. But what if they really are a good actor, even if they aren’t as good as me…
“How amusing.”
“You think my preaching is amusing? Hmm?”
“Y-You’re—”
At that moment—I might allow them to be on par with me.
“Although I got hit with a second helping of her knuckles, please spare me your revenge by adding more shiitake mushrooms onto my plate!”
“Good grief, only if it were Kou’s face and androgynous pretty boy appearance, but I wonder who he takes after?”
“You’re the only one I don’t want to hear that from, got it?”
“Huh? Maho-san? Are you angry?”
“No?”
…Also, could you not add on the pain by flirting on top of my bump, stupid old man.
(Blackout)
Old western-style Building (Night)
(Lights)
A black-haired female sits comfortably on a chair.
The place was located in the suburbs, far away from the city center. Deep in the forest, the sun shone through the trees like a shower on an old western-style building. From a distance, it may look like a haunted house, but the closer one approaches, one can see that it has been carefully maintained—an elegant appearance.
The meticulously maintained flooring softly absorbed the sound of one’s feet. If one walked aptly, they would be able to move quickly without making a sound. It had been proven to be possible.
If one walked inside, they would find themselves in a spacious room with a fireplace. A beautiful woman was sitting in her usual position, at her usual angle, in her usual easy chair, reading a book.
However, the sound of a black rotary dial telephone unexpectedly made her sit up, tilting her head. There was only one person that came to her mind who would still call her old-fashioned phone.
“Hello?”
“Oh my, Ran-chan.”
“It’s been a long time, Aunty Ouka.”
The child of her older sister had a calming easy-to-understand voice that connected to her—the owner of the Western-style house, Kiritani Ouka.
“I’m so glad you called. Did something happen?”
“Yes. Actually—I found an outstanding talent.”
“Oh my.”
Ouka put her hand over her mouth and was elegantly surprised. Only this old Western-style building and the black cat yawning on the windowsill could have a glimpse at this action.
“There’s no mistaking it if you say so. Who do they belong to?”
“She’s under Lowell’s newly established department.” 8
“Lowell? The general trading company?”
“Yes.”
If you mention Lowell, they are a monster enterprise that has achieved success in all of the various industries they have ventured into. Quite a few Lowell products were even part of Ouka’s daily life.
What resourcefulness for a newcomer to be connected with such a company. Ouka’s lips lifted in a natural, elegant way.
“How old are they?”
“Five. A five-year-old girl.”
“That so—Is that so…”
Five years old. That was the age when Kiritani Ouka made her debut. She had various emotional attachments about it.
“Good. Let me see them one of these days.”
“Yes. I understand.”
“Hmm, how stiff. Well, I guess that’s one of your good points though.”
When Ouka finished her call, she picked up a photo frame on the shelf. It was of her from when was still a child actress. Well, there was one person who shook her soul, even at this moment, a co-actor, who was reflected in the picture.
The picture of her with her long black hair hiding her eyes, her face twisted suspiciously, and her hand crawling up her own pathetically frightened neck—a snippet of one scene. A woman who shattered Ouka’s young self-esteem, who had been praised as a genius, however, without being conceited, carved out a way of life as an actor for Ouka.
After you disappeared, the understudy for the burnt body was a boring person.
“After you left us, the substitute for the burnt corpse was a boring person.”
She used to be called Sakura, her stage name as a child actor. She softly caressed the photo’s evil spirit.
“It has been twenty years since then. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time, you know?”
Of course, it was impossible for the person herself to come back. This is because Ouka saw her at the funeral dressed in burial clothes, her appearance too beautiful to act for her as she conducted herself as an actress.
However, that is not the case. What Ouka had continuously waited for twenty years was a person who would once again embrace an intense radiance that would carve out the soul of an actor on her.
“I’m looking forward to the day when I’ll be alongside someone like you again—Tsugumi-san.”
A melancholy sound echoed in the Western-style building that had once been a stage.
That sound, which disappeared into the void somewhere, seemed to be filled with tenderness and elation.
If you are reading from a pirate or aggregator site, please read from the translator’s site: yado-inn (dot) com I have to put the link like this or else the bots will remove it, sorry 🙁
──Let’s Move on to the Next Theater──
(From left to right: Mimi, Juria, Rin, Tsugumi)
Translator Note: Translation-wise, this novel dragged out for a while. Nonetheless, we have finally finished the first chapter of Horror Actress! Pretty good considering this novel only consists of three chapters overall. Now that we’re a third through the first volume, there’s quite a bit to intake. What makes this novel so captivating is that (most of) the characters are not one-dimensional, but are filled with character and personality. Personally, I did not expect Juria’s family dynamic to be this dark. Mimi finally stepped up and Rin has a prick of an older brother. Nonetheless, at first thought, you thought Tsugumi was a nobody in her past life from how she narrated herself in the beginning, but it seems like quite a few people still remember her. I uploaded the color illustration since it would be a spoiler to put in in the beginning before all of them were introducted. Well then, I hoped you enjoyed Theater 1: Horror Actress Reincarnated as a Genius Child Actress.
- Flowingcloud: Address book. ADDRESS BOOK! Damn, I forgot this was even a thing back in the days. My mom used to have one, but nowadays it’s just your contacts list. Also, if you couldn’t tell, “Lane” is just a parody of Line.
- Flowingcloud: This abbreviation will be further explained in the next chapter’s footnotes.
- Flowingcloud: LMAO, this is like when you find out a Japanese translator ISN’T a weeb. Boomer mindset meets gacha gaming.
- Flowingcloud: Ara ara.
Arocks141: Ara ara. - Flowingcloud: You sure about that? Seemed pretty rigged at the start.
- Flowingcloud: Anyone get the Pokemon reference I just made? :)
Arocks141: *Plays the cricket sounds audio file* - Flowingcloud: If you don’t understand, the Chinese zodiac is 12 years long. Often, it’s portrayed in a circle, thus halfway around is six years. Kou is implying that he’s roughly six years older than Tsugumi.
- Flowingcloud: What the actual f*ck? Tsugumi’s dad is actually so cool. He set up an entire department for his daughter.
Arocks141: Tsugumi’s born with a Platinum spoon in her mouth.
Can’t wait for the next chapter.
yo that bitch is creepy as fricc
I can’t wait for our angel to wipe that kid’s smirk away XD Thank you for the chapter