Translator: Flowingcloud Editor: Arocks141
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Theater 4: Horror Actress’s Friend From the Old Days!? – Opening
The shadow of a person comes to mind in the darkness.
They even appear in Asashiro Satsuki’s nightmares.
“You could act a little meaner, right?”
“You were so much more mean in “The Dragon’s Tomb”.”
“You’re the best at acting villain roles, right?”
“I heard you were Kirio Tsugumi’s successor?”
“No, it would be troubling if our movie had an villianly image to it.”
“Kirio Tsugumi would have done it.”
“If it was Kirio Tsugumi, she would have broken down this villainess perfectly in our film.”
“Even though Kirio Tsugumi could do it?”
“If it was Kirio Tsugumi.”
“…it was Kirio Tsugumi.”
“…was Kirio Tsugumi.”
“…Kirio Tsugumi.”
“With my abilities, I can perform any role!”
“Sara-san, calm down. No one will—”
“Don’t compare to Kirio Tsugumi, a woman who could only act as evil spirits!!”
“—What did you say?”
“Someone like Kirio Tsugumi can only act as evil spirits, and as an actress, she’s only a horror actress in name!!”
“Haa. You can’t be helped… Listen up, Kasaba Sara-san.”
“Despite being my junior… What is it?”
“It’s Tsugumi-san’s grace that you’re being compared to Tsugumi-san.”
“…”
“How dare you say those sorts of things when you’ve received Tsugumi-san’s grace?”
“That’s…”
“Know your position. Kirio Tsugumi was a person that you could never compare to.”
Kirio Tsugumi.
Kirio Tsugumi.
Kirio Tsugumi.
Kirio Tsugumi.
Kirio Tsugumi.
“But I didn’t want to become that woman’s successor.”
My eyes opened like they were screaming. It’s been a while since I had this nightmare. Was it because there was a child actor with the same name?
The villain label. It meant only to play the role of a villain. The meaning of this pierced my body with pain. The image of the villain was attached to the person who played the villain. I understood that completely.
“Mom?”
“…Juria.”
She probably woke up first. Juria came up to the bed with a worried look on her face. She was wearing a sweater, jeans and a black apron.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“That so… B-Breakfast is ready!”
“Oh my, did you make it? Thank you. You’re such a “good” girl.”
“…Ehehe, mhm!”
Just like what she had been told, Juria made breakfast without using the fire. Toasted bread fresh from the toaster and a hand torn salad. Additionally, a fruit smoothie made with a blender. Raising Juria is what makes my life worth living. I’ve crawled my way up to the point where people call me a morning soap drama actress. Next is late-night soap dramas, then those during the golden period.
I must obtain the lead role in a movie. Aside from dramas, all the movies I appeared in as Asashiro Satsuki were all minor roles. There was no point unless I obtained the leading role or a role that stands equally with the leading role. Otherwise, I won’t be able to get rid of the shadow that has been haunting me.
“Mom… does it not taste good?”
“…No. It tastes delicious, Juria.”
“…That’s great!”
Oh no, I wasn’t paying attention to the taste. If I don’t tell her my impressions at least, I won’t be able to motivate Juria. Recently, the amount charged through online shopping hasn’t been that much, so I have to at least have her buy something she likes as a reward.
…Ahh, more importantly, I also need to start taking offers for her next work. It looks like there was a problem, but she managed to avoid getting the villain role. If this sets in stone her “good” image. then she’ll get more “good” roles most likely.
“I’ll be late today as well, so you can order and eat whatever you like.”
“Okay… Um, when’s the next time we can eat dinner together?”
“Who knows, I don’t know at least. But, if there’s time again, I’ll take you to a delicious restaurant like the one from yesterday.” 1
Fine dining would be better than home-cooked food. If she can develop her palate while she’s still young, she may be able to get a job as a food reporter. It would be best to nurture her as an actress who does not appear on variety shows, but this is not worth mentioning since she’ll have to appear when she needs to. Things like impressions are easily destroyed.
Also, that’s right, she should take piano or violin lessons when she becomes older. Music at an early age nurtures her sensitivity. The range of roles she would receive will also increase. They’re all good things.
“Yeah. Got it… but, mom, I rather eat your cooking than a high class—”
“Ahh, Juria, no one mentioned being the villain, right? Oh, sorry, what were you saying?”
“—No, it’s nothing. I won’t be the bad girl.”
“That’s right.”
Juria remembers properly. There’s no problem. It’s all right. I’m relieved she doesn’t have to undertake the villain role.
“Mom, if my friend is the bad kid, what should I do?”
“Cut them off.”
“Cut them off…”
“That’s right. Juria doesn’t need a “bad kid”.”
“Mom too?”
“Me?”
“Mom also doesn’t need a “bad kid”?”
“Yes, I don’t.”
What if one of her friends turns out to be the villain? That’s obvious. The root of the scandal must be cut off.
“Now then, I’m going to go now, so don’t open the door for anyone but Manager Isozaki.”
“Yeah, got it… Have a good day! Good luck with your work!”
“Yes, thank you.”
Yes, that’s right. I need to get my social relationships sorted out. Natsu’s Mimi-chan and Kazuma-san’s Rin-chan won’t be a problem most likely, but the one on my mind is obviously the girl named Sorahoshi… Sorahoshi Tsugumi. It might be necessary to win her over depending on the sponsor behind her, but… if this ruins Juria’s image, then it’s better not to get involved.
While I’m at it… nah, it’s too early to tell. There’s nothing better if she could make healthy friendships with people who have connections with sponsors. I decided that I would raise Juria to be a first-class actress, even if it was only with my own power.
What was the reason why I was determined to do so? No, it doesn’t matter. Half my life has indicated that results are everything. That’s the cry from Kasaba Sara, the former child actress who sunk into the inescapable quagmire.
I get into the company car and ask the manager, who doesn’t speak, to drive. As usual, he noticed I was concentrating and pulled down the curtain that separated the driver’s seat and the rearseats.
I was inferior to everyone.
I was a target of disdain to everyone, or possibly, just the subject of a patron.
“Are you perhaps Sara-chan? You’ve grown up.”
“I’ll make you happy. Let’s be together.”
“Sorry, Sara. But, will you be all right on your own?”
“I have someone I need to protect.”
“I’m sick of you! Get out of my house. Like I said, I don’t want a daughter who’s a child actress!”
“Come on! You were also happy!”
“Shut up! I thought you had a good role, but you were the villain. Thanks to you, my life’s been a wreck!”
“…Satsuki, you’re not wrong. You’re not the one at fault. It’ll be okay, it’ll be all right.”
Ahh, why?
I wasn’t an equal human being to everyone. I have always been inferior to everyone.”
But, why?
“That was amazing! Your expression was good!”
“I’ll have to do my best so Sara-chan doesn’t surpass me.”
“Seniors and juniors? It’s important in this industry, but it’s a little different for one person.”
Their hand was placed on my shoulder.
Their black eyes peeked through their glossy black hair.
“As an actor, you’re also my rival too, Sara-chan.”
The only person who treated me as an equal.
“Sara-chan, look, for this scene…”
“Hmm, I think you can do better than that with your abilities, right? Sara-chan.”
“See, I knew it!”
She had only been in the industry for three years. She was an unknown actor, but she was very talented. On the other hand, I was a newcomer with no experience. I was a complete novice. Yet, she never once looked down on me.
She didn’t treat me like a child, but saw me as an equal. Even so, I felt comfortable with her reassuring gaze.
Why were you the only one who saw me as an equal?
Why were you the only one who treated me as a rival?
“—Why? Why did you have to die… Tsugumi-san?”
Ever since that day you died, the days of my regret began.
I wasn’t even allowed to chase after your shadows anymore. In your last moments, you didn’t even say a single word of apology.
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 🙁
Translator Note: The start of a new volume! A new start and more depression gang. What seems like a cute, fluffy story is now crippling depression 101!? We’ll have to wait and see what’s actually going on!
Editor Note: Will Tsugumin’s impressions conquer depression? Find out in the rest of this volume… No, seriously, Flowy, TL faster!
Man this chapter hurts to read…
Like.. She’s a good person, all she wants is for Juria to not suffer like she did, but she just takes all the wrong steps towards it…
I won’t spoil anything, but you definitely have to keep reading this Theater to keep up with the action!
Yeah I’m not dropping this anytime soon
I love this novel lol