Horror Actress – Theater 3: Scene 3

Translator: Flowingcloud  Editor: Arocks141

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Theater 3: Genius Beauty’s Acting Showdown With Best Friend’s Papa!? – Scene 3

 

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Yoruhata Residence (Day)
Tsugumi sees off Juria and reminisces on the title, “The Dragon’s Tomb”, that was mentioned when Juria left.

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1985. At the time, I was a fifteen-year-old girl with nothing to show for, and I kept myself fed by playing minor roles. In those days, I thought everything I did should be related to studying, so I spent my free time reading books, watching films, and wandering the streets. However, during one of those walks, I found a leaflet falling to pieces pasted onto a telephone pole. I decided to apply for the small scale audition that was being held by a small production company.

At the time, the leading actors had been decided, but the other roles were undecided—an audition lacking splendor. They first gathered everyone that passed the screening and they decided on their role based on what the actor was good at.

Nonetheless, at that point, there were only a few roles available: an evil spirit, a villain, a victim, and the protagonist’s best friend. The direction of the story is also a polarizing one, so the characters were not decent people. Even so, the film is filled with people who were living in obscurity right now and who really wanted to make it big. That was why the most unpopular role was the evil spirit, who would have their face hidden with makeup and could not become popular as an actor.

(Hmm…)

That was the film: The Dragon’s Tomb.

It was my debut work as an evil spirit actress.

(Asashiro Satsuki, Asashiro Satsuki… It’s no good, I can’t remember her.)

Even so, the main characters were quite the lineup, and they were hired by the production company with their little-to-none money. The leading role is played by Kusunoki Oza-san—25 years old at the time—a famous V-cinema actor who had a straight-laced, old-fashioned style of acting. Although Oza-san dies at the beginning, she appears in recollections of memories and becomes a key person in the story. The other was Koda Riku-san, who murdered Kusunoki-san for an unknown reason and ends up living while on the run. The film is structured into two time-axes: the present and the past.

I played the role of an evil spirit, the daughter of the previous clan leader, Itsuko. She was a tragic girl who married at 16 and was murdered at 18. The role of Minori was played by Urui Matsuko-san, a V-cinema actress. Minori was a yakuza’s wife who killed Itsuko in a conspiracy with Kaburaso Saburo played by Kusunoki-san. Kasaba Sara-san played Rumiko, who bullied Ai, the friend and now penpal of Saburo’s and Minori’s daughter. The role of Ai was played by Mikawa Miho-chan.

The two most likely candidates in terms of age were Sara-chan and Miho-chan. Sara, who was eight years old at the time, played the role of a twelve-year-old, however, she was a very good actress. On the other hand, Miho, who was 12 years old at the time, was petite and played the role of an 8-year-old girl. I had a strong impression that they were still gems in the rough.

Now… Sara would be 43 and Miho would be 47. They were girls younger than me, but now, they were already older than I was in my previous life.

“Tsugumi.”

(That means she definitely changed her stage name.)

“Tsugumi.”

(Is she Miho-chan or Sara-chan?)

“Tsugumi.”

(She didn’t like her role. Then, is it Miho-chan? But you see…)

“Tsugumi… There’s no other choice. Take that!”

(She was—) “Hyahhh!?!?”

I flew up on reflex when I felt a caressing sensation on my sides. When I turned around and came back to my senses, I found that Rin-chan made use of her fingers and Mimi-chan was smiling wryly.

“Tsugumi is off guard.”

“I don’t think you meant what you said, Rin-chan.” ¹

I-I thought my heart was going to burst. I managed to catch my breath while softly grabbing Rin-chan’s fingers, who seemed to be proud of herself.

“You weren’t responding, Tsugumi.”

“…Ah. That’s, umm, sorry.”

“That’s fine. Tsugumi is my friend after all.”

“Uh, thank you?”

Huh? I felt like I got deceived somehow?

“What do you want to do, Tsugumi?”

“What do I want to do?”

“My mom often tells me to ask myself, “Why?”, when I’m feeling icky inside.”

Why? Why, huh? It’s surely because I (Tsugumi [present]) want to clear away my friend’s unhappiness. The first friends I made in this life. After all, it’s too painful for a girl who loves her mother so much, but not to be able to say that she loves her mother’s works. However, I know it can also be seen as meddling.

And, I (Tsugumi [past]) am surely thinking about what will happen to my colleagues who acted in “The Dragon’s Tomb”. During the filming of that film, everyone was desperate. We started out by taking it easy, but in the end, we all gave it our all, and after the final shoot, we hugged each other and cried. I would like the reason why she doesn’t like that film.

“Why?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Why does Juria-chan’s mom not like The Dragon’s Tomb?”

My hesitant feelings spilled out naturally.

“Then, let’s watch The Dragon’s Tomb.”

Rin-chan proudly puffed out her chest, and Mimi-chan stared at her with respect. This girl is truly unpredictable. I don’t know if I should look forward to the future, or should be scared of it.

“Eh!? T-that’s a scary film, right?”

“Don’t worry. I heard that the movies back then weren’t as scary as the movies today.”

……

“I-Is that so?”

“The acting skills are old too.”
…………

“Movies with no CG aren’t scary at all, you know?”

………………

“………………Huh?”

Hmm, is that so?

“Hm? What’s with this chilly feeling?”

“S-Stop it, Rin-chan…”

Aside from Juria-chan, who’s a rare fan of horror films, most five-year-olds probably don’t watch horror films. Then, having them watch a horror film would probably be easier to understand than using a hundred words. Of course, I won’t tell them to watch “Saya” since they’re my friends.

However, if it was something like “The Depths of Evil”, the aftereffects wouldn’t be so bad. After all, it’s not good to decide on the value of a film based on its rumors.

“I’ll go ask my dad if he has the DVD!”
Rin-chan said before leaving the living room, running for another room, and returning with Kazuma-san in tow. Kazuma-san stooped down to match Rin-chan and smiled as he staggered along. The thin case in his hand must be the DVD.

It’s not a VHS… Well, I guess that’s fine.

“Man, I’m put on the spot. Look here, guys. You can’t all see this movie.”

Kazuma-san smiled bitterly and showed us the packaging. But, what does he mean that we couldn’t watch it? Did he forget to break the tab and overwrite it? No, it’s a DVD, so that’s not it. I wracked my brain while Mimi-chan looked a little relieved. ²

“Ehh! Dad! Why!?”

And, Rin-chan was the quickest out of us to ask him.

“Uhh… R… 15?”

Ah.

“That’s right. You can’t watch if you’re under 15.”

I feel bad for Rin-chan, whose cheeks were bulging, but it can’t be helped now that they mentioned it. If I were the adult in this position, I wouldn’t let five, six-year-olds watch a R15+ film. ³

…Juria-chan seemed to have watched it, but I wonder how she did it?

“Then, I’m going to be a 15 year old starting now!”

“Rin-chan, h-how are you going to do that?”

“Tsugumi! Give me a sample of a 15 year old!”

“I see, a sample… wait, eh…”

Kazuma-san wrly smiled as he watched Rin-chan spout unreasonable things. Mimi-chan looked as if she wanted to tell her, “Let’s give up already.” Rin-chan didn’t want to give up. As for me, from a moral standpoint, I wouldn’t want to let them break the R15 rule in front of an adult just to prioritize my own greed. Now that I think about it, there were some scenes in “The Dragon’s Tomb” that were pretty borderline okay.

If this is the reason for them to stray from the right path and become a delinquent, then I wouldn’t be able to look them in the eye ever again. A long skirt that drags against the ground and a sailor uniform that reveals their belly button. A school bag that had been dumped in boiling water, flattened, crushed, and has iron plates inserted into it to fight with. Samadhi… I-I can’t, I definitely can’t let them fall into that hole.

“H-Hey, as I thought, let’s give—”

“No, not yet.”

“—Rin-chan?”

Rin-chan interrupted Mimi’s attempt to stop her and raised her voice. I wonder what I’m feeling, I have a bad feeling about this—a feeling that it’s not going to end like this…

“There’s exactly three actors here. If one of us gets recognized as a 15-year-old by my dad, then we’ll be good!”

“Huh?”

Rin-chan’s unexpected words made me harden up like a stone statue unintentionally. As my eyes reflexively drifted towards Kazuma-san who lost his timing to interject and is now looking up into the void.

“Mimi, what kind of 15-year-old would be good if we were to become one?”

“U-Umm, let’s see, if Kazuma-san was the teacher, and we were the students for example, and umm…”

“Uh-huh. I see, as expect of Mimi.”

Rin-chan looked at Mimi-chan with eyes filled with expectations. Mimi-chan faltered due to Rin’s pure gaze, however, she was getting fired up little by little.

…However, Kazuma-san did not miss that. Kazuma-san, as one would expect, raised his voice to keep us in check.

“If you’re lost, it’s best to go ho—”

“I’m sure that sensei is a soft-hearted person who has someone he doesn’t want but has no choice but to be engaged with. Even though sensei is all we have, sensei only talked about the person he didn’t even like. Then, we invaded sensei’s house and a forbidden love—awawawa.”

“—And, and?”

Kazuma-san’s suggestion was quickly brushed aside. Kazuma-san’s mouth flapped open wide then closed. Mimi-chan didn’t seem like she could be stopped and Rin-chan nodded her head in satisfaction.

…But, yup. It’s not possible to quit here after they prepared all this so far. After all, you see, I was an actress by nature. I swore to the Heavens and Earth that I would not allow myself to run away from the stage I desired without giving all my strength.

“No, wait, even if that were the case, how could I go about doing a romantic performance when we’re parent and child? Let’s just sto—”

“You’re not wrong. Then, I’ll be the cameraman and director.”

“U-Umm, I’ll be… Tsugumi-chan and Kazuma-san’s forbidden love… awawa, I’ll do my best!”

Rin-chan swiftly put the situation in order without letting Kazuma-san utter another word. She quickly started to prepare to film on her cell phone, and Mimi-chan took a deep breath. Looking at that scene, I apologized to Kazuma-san in my heart, but the inside of my mind was filled with acting.

“Haa, I got it, I got it. You’ve beat me. It can’t be helped, I’ll go along with this act.”

“T-Thank you very much.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Yeah, haha, well, yeah. Well, it’s fine, but…”

Kazuma-san finally gave in and agreed. Well anyway, in the end, two young girls acting as 15 year olds is too much fluffiness… I better give my best support so they don’t fall astray into the wrong path in the future.

“Then, we’ll stay in the living room and Dad will be the teacher.”

“Sure, sure. I’ll be in your care, my cute Director. Ahh, that’s right, let me turn off my smartphone.”

Having said that, Kazuma-san took out his smartphone and operated it. I guess that means he’ll face me properly. He’s a kind person.

The edge of the living room. That was the line we decided on: outside the line was “offstage” and inside the line was the “stage”. First, the two of us enter. After sensei invited us to sit, the match would begin. I exchanged looks with Rin-chan, then when we nodded, Rin-chan pressed the button on her smartphone that was held up by a tripod.

There was… nothing special I needed to prepare, so I held the pouch I brought with me. I thought this would be used as a prop after all.

“All right, then, the title will be “Forbidden Love”. Well then, lights, camera, action!”

Okay, let’s tone down my switch. The girls that like sensei intruded into his house. Let’s go with that feeling.

 

“You’ve come. Well, have a seat.”

 

Since we had just barged into his house, I expected to be treated roughly. Contrary to my expectations, Kazuma-san gently welcomed us into his home.

Kazuma-san sat on a large sofa. Mimi-chan and I sat side by side on the other side of the low glass table. The distance between us even felt a little close. I could feel Mimi-chan’s nervousness as she gulped next to me.

 

“Let me get you some drinks right now. Is juice okay? If I remember correctly, Mimi-chan likes orange juice, right?”

“Eh, ah, y-yes.”

 

Mimi-chan answered quickly. I was amazed at the exquisite way he treated us like children while he couldn’t escape this mayhem. I think I need to follow up on this one.

 

“Sensei.”

“Hm? What’s wrong, Tsugumi-chan?”

“Please stop treating us like children.”

“Hahaha, sorry, sorry. You are a girl even though you’re tiny.”

 

My words “treating us like children” made Mim-chani’s eyes open wide as she realized that she had been deceived just a moment ago. Kazuma-san still maintained a smile on his face. No matter how I argue with him, he never showed any gap in his gentle and enveloping attitude. As expected of the person who raised Kou-kun. As one would expect from a regular on Getsuku where shows are always guaranteed to get high viewership ratings. His stronghold can’t be broken by ordinary acting! ⁴

 

“S-Sensei, are you going to marry, Sensei?”

“Ahh, that’s right, Mimi-chan. I have a person who I promised to marry.”

“Umm, err, b-but will you play with us after you marry?”

 

Mimi-chan leaned forward and told him.The way she said he couldn’t play with us was good. Her voice is subdued, she bit her lips, and her words are trembling. If I’m not mistaken, her mother was an actor who could play the bewitching role in soap dramas. Of course, Mimi-chan’s efforts must not be ignored. However, at the same time, it was a skill—that’s right, a skill that flowed in their blood. Such thoughts were going through my mind.

 

“No, you can come over and play.”

“Eh?”

“I’m sure she’ll surely welcome you two.”

“Ah.”

 

However, as he leaned over and scooped Mimi-chan up from her side and had her sit back down again, Kazuma-san gently stroked her head. None of his actions would be possible with a 15-year-old girl. Also, once you accept them, you’ve lost the psychological battle. Somehow, I have to do something.

But, what should I do? How can I reverse this situation where we’re being treated like children through and through.

 

“Well then, it’s okay for you to come over and play, but it’s about time to go home, isn’t it? Look.”

 

“Look,” he said as he pointed at the way, then I quickly turned my gaze in that direction.

 

“It’s the five o’clock time signal.”

 

The five o’clock time signal. Before I can question him, I hear the Yuyake Koyake melody. ⁵

 

“Your mother will be worried. Right?”

 

At the end of the melody was Kazuma’s hand.

 

“Right?”

“Ah you’re right. I-It’s already five?”

 

Without thinking, Mimi-chan slightly rose to her feet.. However, as soon as she did so, Mimi-chan noticed that the clock’s hand was before five o’clock. However, she could not overturn the flow that she had got on. Mimi-chan realized that she had been played, and while she was dumbfounded, Kazuma-san wove his way through that gap and smiled at her.

 

“Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“O-Okay…”

 

When did he prepare that melody? That’s easy. Kazuma-san said he would turn off his cell phone, but played the melody. He must have set it to play the moment he pressed the play button when he turned his eyes towards the wall.

There’s nothing to be said. From beginning to end, we were simply dancing in the middle of Kazuma’s palm.

This is Yoruhata Kazuma, the noble youth of Getsuku!

As he prompted, I realized that we couldn’t drag our feet here any longer. Wasn’t this the right thing to do? After all, I didn’t have to show “The Dragon’s Tomb” to children. Wasn’t that all right? But, somewhere in my heart, a murky feeling—one that could not agree deep down—clung to my heart.

We got up from our seats and walked dejectedly offstage. Once we leave, no matter what we do, the stage is over. I wonder if it’s okay for it to end. But, what can I do at this point? I shook my head, unable to shake off my indecision and hesitation—then… I caught sight of it.

“Like I thought, it didn’t work… Dad is amazing after all…”

A soft voice. If it wasn’t for my ears, I surely would have failed to hear that voice. Rin-chan’s murmur. The loneliness hidden in her eyes and dispirited voice. The disappointment from the audience that weren’t able to watch the stage they desired. That reality thunderously flared up in the form of anger, anger of my childish acting—my own indulgent performance.

(What actress am I if I could not even fulfill one expectation, the one expectation everyone thinks I cannot meet?)

Think. Think. Think—Sorahoshi Tsugumi.

She wanted me to act. She wanted me to be something. How could I call myself an actress if I could not fulfill a single wish of a child?

What did Mimi-chan say initially? What kind of acting did she want? What did she want me to be?

(“I’m sure that sensei is a soft-hearted person who has someone he doesn’t want but has no choice but to be engaged with. Even though sensei is all we have, sensei only talked about the person he didn’t even like. Then, we invaded sensei’s house and a forbidden love—awawawa.”)

Love, love, huh? Forbidden love. The love one desires.

Affection that makes one go mad. A passion that makes one grieve in pain. An ecstasy that causes one to overcome illnesses.

Kazuma-san is a young noble that puts on a sweet mask. An adult combination of Kou-kun and Rin-chan. If he were a teacher, he would probably be very popular. I am a student and cannot get married yet, but in another year, I will be legally recognized as a woman. If it’s for sensei’s sake, I could surely do anything, and have anything done to me. That’s love after all. ⁶

My teacher has a fiancee due to his parent’s orders. But, I have only him. I only have him in my eyes, and I can do anything and everything for him.

However, because he has a fiancee, he created a smokescreen by showing me pictures of them cuddled up together like lovers, even though their gazes were looking somewhere else.

If that’s the case, Sensei.

I’ll make you forget about that woman (fiancee).

 

“Mimi-chan. I have something I forgot, so go back home first.”

“S-Sure, but… something you forgot?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Something really important.”

 

I won’t even let you think about running away.

 

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Yoruhata Residence (Day)
Kazuma tactfully deals with Mimi and Tsugumi, then is relieved with how things had smoothly proceeded.

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(Well then, I wonder what’s going on…)

Not having understood the course of events, I was out of luck when I returned to my study and picked up my novel that I had begun to read. I was negligent to assume that just the three of them wouldn’t make an uproar after Satsuki-san took Juria-chan back home. When I tried touching the surface of what was occurring, I was unable to enter their girl-characteristic conversation topics, and before I knew it, I was about to act as the partner in a “forbidden love” with a five-year-old girl.

Of course, I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to see my partner’s acting ability after talking so much about her. Both of my children are excellent, but putting aside Rin, who has yet to bloom, it was too funny to think that she could surpass Kou who has been said to be the second coming of Kiritani Ouka.

(It would be embarrassing to play the role of a prince in front of the children, but man.)

Seeing the look of anticipation on Rin’s face as her heart swelled with excitement, I don’t think I could have refused. More than anything else, I thought that Rin might learn something, so I couldn’t do anything half-heartedly as her father.

At any rate, even if you factor my bias as a parent, Rin’s talent is tremendous. If this becomes the opportunity that makes her bloom, it would be a great blessing for me as a parent and as an actor.

(The world is changing. If Rin had not said so, I would have made light of them as just a child’s opinion, but now, is she the real thing or just a sham? Either way, if we were going to do an improvised play, I thought I would at least face this kid so she wouldn’t lose face… Were my expectations too high?)

In the end, she went along with the plan I made on the spot. Tsugumi-chan did show a little bit of mature behavior, but that was all. It was likely that Rin was just exaggerating—was what I thought, however…

 

“Mimi-chan. I have something I forgot, so go back home first.”

 

I turned my head towards where I could hear those words coming from. Are we going to continue? It could be said that it was already over, but putting aside Mimi-chan that was already stepped out offstage, Tsugumi-chan was still onstage.

 

“S-Sure, but… something you forgot?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Something really important.”

 

Having said that, Tsugumi-chan turned back and walked away.

Well then, what kind of teacher should I go with next? Well, I guess it’ll be fine if I go along with the feeling of what my partner wants to do. Yoruhatas are good at that kind of thing.

However, it would be tricky to keep it sweet the second time around. I’m sorry for Tsugumi-chan, but next time I’ll go with a colder approach. It’d be scary in various meanings if Maho finds out, but for the time being, let’s not think about it. Uh-huh.

Well then, let’s see what you’ve got this time. Putting myself aside, don’t let Rin down. Got it, Tsugumi?

 

“—Am I bothering you?”

 

A worrying behavior. Forgetting something was just an excuse, huh? I see, that’s a bit of a childish worry. After I prompted her to sit on the sofa in front of me, I sighed loudly.

 

“Let’s see. I can’t say that it was okay to intrude into my home.”

“Sorry, Sensei. But, I—”

“You came back to retrieve something you forgot. Therefore, go back home after you drink this. Okay?”

 

I placed an empty cup. It’s not uncommon for cups to be toppled over depending on the contents of the performance. If I left a stain on the living room carpet, I don’t know what to say to Maho.

Tsugumi-chan was looking downwards. She hid her eyes with her bangs and looked dispirited. I see. she turned back on impulse, but had been reprimanded and was depressed. If that’s the case, I can guess what will happen next. She confesses her feelings, gets rejected, then gives up or she cries. If it were an impromptu play by a child actor, the conclusion would be something like that.

 

“I want you to teach me something.”

“Did you not understand something during class? Okay, what did you not understand?”

 

I smiled gently. Let’s set up a situation so that it becomes easier for her to confess her feelings. Tsugumi-chan is still looking down. I could not see her eyes and her voice was flat. I wonder if she was nervous or excited, and this would be a good scene to put a little more emotion. Well, I can guide her with feedback later. For now, I should accompany her to the end.

 

“Sensei, do you really love your fiancee?” ⁷

 

A flat tone. Is there some intention behind it? But, I don’t get the feeling that the world is changing as Rin said. Are there conditions depending on the role?

Well, that’s fine. I guess she wants to take it in the direction where she loves me more than my fiancee. If that’s the case, then I’ll go along with her.

…Nonetheless, isn’t the term “fiancee” a bit too old? ⁸

 

“Ahh, of course. I love her.”

“Hmm. —Ah, could I have some water?”

“Ah, yes.”

 

Water? Ahh, you don’t want to hear it. You want to deceive and divert my attention, huh? Mhm, I see, that’s clever.

 

“Ahh.”

“Ah.”

 

Her hand extended in a camly, but perhaps out of nervousness, she knocked over the cup. She stood up in a fluster, walked around the table, and tried to wipe the stain with a handkerchief she took out of her pouch. The cup had fallen over in my direction. I see… this is the sort of scene where she wipes my pants and our hands touch.

I get it, I understand. I was made to perform lots of embarrassing dialogues and acts by Maho. Girls love that kind of thing. No, this was for Rin’s sake. I can’t be embarrassed about it.

 

“I’m sorry, Sensei. I’ll clean this up right away.”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll wipe it myself.”

 

I matched her timing and reached out my hand. But, was she still nervous? The handkerchief slipped from Tsugumi-chan’s hand and fell at my feet.

 

“I was careless.”

 

She reached her hand out.

 

“—Aha.”

 

I felt a tingle creep through my spine. Faster than I could raise my head, she embraced my head closely.

 

“I’ve got you.”

 

Small hands.

Thin body.

Flower aroma.

 

“Sensei’s the one at fault here, you know—after all, you compared a woman you don’t even love to me.”

“Let—”

“Yes, there we go.”

When our bodies separated and I got away, she pushed me against the back of the sofa. It was something even someone with a child’s strength could do. All I had to do was assist her in the direction of the force, in the direction where I tried to back off. Then, she rested her knee between my legs, twisted her body like a cat, and placed her thumb to pinkie on my chest with a hand lacking any hesitation.

Her expression, which had been hidden by her bangs. Her long, which had been hidden so I could not discern it. They were distorted by lust and longing, imitating a warped crescent moon.

What should I do? What should I do? What to do? No, first I need to back off. I can’t afford to put my hands on my student, a young girl not to mention.

 

“If Sensei pushes me away, I might hit my head and pass away, right?”

One step before I was about to put that thought into action, that thought was denied at a perfect timing, then I stopped thinking for a moment. I learned from a lecturer a long time ago that this is due to the psychological principle where people experience an in-denial-response when their ideas get rejected.

No. Don’t go with the flow. What will happen to my position as a teacher? What about my house? How would I explain this to her (fiancee)? That’s why, reject her!

 

“It’s fine to forget about your position, money, upbringing, and bonds.”

 

Again!

She’s interrupting me again! Her eyes distorted, like an unreasonable child. Those were devilish eyes.

“I…”

 

I murmured. My voice sounded shrill with excitement. I wonder whether that hot passion was in my chest, or in her hands.

 

“I’ll make you forget everything. That’s why—”

 

Her small hands traced her own pale pink lips.

 

“—Please go crazy for me. My precious, my only Sensei.”

 

That finger elegantly traced my lips.

 

“—Cut!”

 

The passion faded away.

The usual innocent glance, gentle, apologetic, and well-mannered beauty.

“Thank you very much! Um, sorry for showing such a vulgar act.”

“—Ah, ahh, no, it’s fine. It’s just a performance after all.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

What is this? What is going on? Of course, no matter how you look at it, I could not have any unusual feelings for a girl whose age is separated by many years. However, that was not the problem. That uncomfortable feeling was not that.

No, that’s it—at that moment, I was not the father guiding my daughter’s friend in acting, but I was definitely a teacher named “Yoruhata Kazuma”.

(Is the world changing? It’s not that simple.)

The more sensitive one is, the more amazing that image’s “regurgitation” becomes. She has excellent senses. Talent and skill to swallow up others through acting. At only five years old?

(Currently, I am definitely—swallowed up in her world.)

I looked at the girl enjoying a conversation with my daughter. She’s an ordinary girl, however, at that moment, she was a “woman” that possessed both childishness and a bewitching charm, blurring even the boundaries of age.

“Good grief, Rin’s discerning eye is truly terrifying.”

“The Tomb of the Dragon”. The film, although a horror production, was a more glamorous film than the scene that she just showed me in real time. Well, it would at least make you think whether it would or not.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. It is the reward.”

But, well, I’d feel bad for Rin and Mimi-chan, so I’ll watch it with them. That’s right, looking at the DVD in my hand—suddenly, I realized that my hand was shaking.

(Ha, haha. Man, I’ve been had no matter how I look at it.)

I sunk deeply into the sofa and stared at my trembling hands. I’m not sure if the corners of my mouth curved in fear or excitement. Either way, a sigh spilled out of my throat as if on par with its scariness.

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, sorrry 🙁

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Translator Note: This is the second major change that the author made from the light novel version. This scene (chapter in the wn) was given a major overhaul. He changed a few parts and added a lot more content, adding roughly x1.5 of the chapter length. The biggest noteworthy change is the “performance”. A major improvement compared to the WN. The author added much more monologue that makes the scene better (i.e. adding more depth into the characters) and added sections to the act that did not exist in the WN. Originally, it was roughly 7k characters, but in this version, it’s a whopping 11k characters. Still, it’s good to know the light novel edition isn’t a glorified edited web novel. Also, I included the color illustration of the scene portrayed here.

The dialgoue goes from right to left:

“It’s fine to forget about your position, money, upbringing, and bonds.”

“I…”

“I’ll make you forget everything. That’s why—”

“—Please go crazy for me. My precious, my only Sensei.”

1. Flowingcloud: Lost in translation moment and I’m not going to figure a way to make this work. Rin-chan uses the term “わきがあまい” (waki ga amai), which has several meanings. It could mean she was not paying attention and caught off guards, but could also literally mean that her sides are weak.
2. Flowingcloud: Boomers would understand, but not the zoomers. If you forget to break off the VHS tab, then the VHS tape can be overwritten. Left a link for people who have no idea what I’m talking about.
   https://psap.library.illinois.edu/collection-id-guide/recordprotection
3. Flowingcloud: Japan follows a similar rating system to Britain. Japan’s film rating system is as follows: G, PG12, R15+, R18+. What each rating stands for… Well, it’s pretty self-explanatory.
4. Flowingcloud: For those who forgot, Getsuku is the time slot for dramas that air at 9pm on Monday. This is traditionally the most popular time for TV dramas. This term appears often, so it’s convenient if you remember this term.
5. Flowingcloud: This is the melody played at schools, city hall, etc. at 5pm sharp made for young children, reminding them it’s time to go home. They only play roughly a 30 sec melody instead of the full song though. This is another method on how Kazuma-san tries to treat them as kids.
   Full Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_FMta-NyvI
6. Flowingcloud: Legal age of marriage in Japan is 16 for women (but legal consent from parents is required for those under 18) and 18 for men. Tsugumi is “15” right now, so she only needs one more year until she becomes a “woman”.
7. Flowingcloud: Lost in translation slightly. In the previous dialogue, Tsugumi asks for Kazuma to “teach me something.” The term she uses is ‘教えて’ which means to teach, but also to tell. Thus, while Kazuma interpreted it as “teaching”, Tsugumi jebaited Kazuma as she meant to tell her if Kazuma really liked his “fiancee”.
8. Flowingcloud: Tsugumi uses the term “許嫁” (iinazuke) which is older term. People tend to use the term “婚約者” (konyakusha) nowadays. They both mean fiance/fiancee.