Horror Actress – Theater 5: Ending

Translator: Flowingcloud  Editor: Arocks141

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Theater 5: Genius Child Actor and Genius Child Actor! – Ending

 

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In front of the school building stairs.
Tsugumi acts as Lily.

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“Lights, camera—Action!”

With the director’s command, my consciousness shifted. In front of me, there was Nana, who had been ordered to push Minaho (Mimi) down the stairs, but was now attempting to escape at the last moment.

 

“Nana.”

“Eeek, ah, ah, ah.”

 

Frightened by my voice, Nana tried to escape with trembling legs, and a sadistic pleasure welled up within me. And I had just promoted her from being an insect. And I had just made her my friend. Why could she not even handle something like this?

Disappointment. Then, a dark delight at the prospect of more insects multiplying. “Everyone, everyone, and everyone should dance at the bottom of despair,” a voice in the depths of my heart seemed to shout.

 

“Hey, why aren’t you doing it?”

“W-Well…”

“If you won’t do it—shall I have your daddy do it for you?”

“But, but, I can’t take it anymore, Lily-chan!”

 

Watching Nana crying and clinging to my feet, a fiery heat, like a raging flame, pleasurably ran up my spine. Beloved, detestable, beloved, detestable, beloved, cute, detestable, detestable, detestable.

 

“Well, I’ll give you one more chance.”

“Eh—?”

“Leap down the stairs. Leap down the stairs like an unsightly frog.”

“—!”

 

Nana widened her eyes at my words, bit her lower lip, and stood up with trembling legs. If she walked toward the stairs unsteadily, below was already the abyss.

Ah, what a fun, degrading act. Nana would crumple and die like a frog crushed to death. Just thinking about it made pleasure almost overflow from my throat.

 

“Nana-chan, don’t!”

“Huh?”

 

From behind, a girl ran like the wind. Was it that annoying new teacher, or perhaps Akari (Juria)? It couldn’t be Kaede (Rin), though. Looking closely, the one who pulled up Nana was—Minaho (Mimi). She was supposed to be a timid and pathetic moth, bowing down to my bullying.

 

“What are you doing?”

“I won’t let Lily do as she pleases anymore.”

“Huh? What does this insect—”

 

Sharp eyes. Protecting Nana with her back, Minaho stepped forward. She straightened her usually hunched back, and Minaho’s height, though only slightly, surpassed that of any of us.

“No one will hurt you. I won’t let anyone take away my friend!”

The declaration echoed strongly and unpleasantly. Minaho passed by me holding Nana’s hand, as I was frozen in place, and ran away.

 

“What’s with her? What’s with her? What’s with her? What’s with her?—How dare this insect, this insect… I won’t forgive her.”

 

My clenched fist turned pure white. Hatred—or perhaps fear—overflowed from within my chest.

 

“Cut!!! Man, that was splendid! Excellent acting everyone!”

 

With the director’s voice, my switch flipped. On the other side of the corridor, Mimi-chan, panting, was looking at me with Nana’s actor, Erin-chan.

She had stretched her back and no longer conveyed the timidness seen before. The modest posture and gentle smile that had remained as strengths seemed to color her surroundings.

“Tsugumi-chan!”

I waved happily when Mimi-chan called my name. It made me feel a bit proud that I was able to preserve that smile.

 

—In the end, that woman was handed over to the police. However, strangely, it didn’t become news; only minor updates were delivered. According to the husband who came to apologize, it was something that she had done while he was away for work. Further investigation revealed signs of excessive interference and infidelity resembling domestic violence against children, leading to divorce negotiations. However, it seemed impossible to do anything about her child, given that she collapsed and passed out just by looking at one, so it seems like she’s not even worth worrying about anymore… At least, she won’t do anything towards children anymore. ¹

It seemed that the woman had broken into the building, taking advantage of the gap where there was a sighting of a man in the vicinity who appeared to be similar to the a recently underaged rape victim case. She even meticulously forged an ID. If it had not been an outdoor location, it would have been difficult for her to break in. Thus, the security is very tight now.

I was able to reconcile with Mimi-chan properly. However, she seems to be afraid of the dark for a while. I felt bad, so my phone line is dedicated to Mimi-chan during the night.

As for me, I had caused quite a stir. The fact that I held back Koharu-san came to light. I cannot bring myself to cause my parents in this life to worry like this. I need to be careful. As much as possible.

“Um, about Koharu-san…”

“I understand. Regardless of what she thinks, I won’t punish her.”

“Thank you! Mommy.”

“But you need to explain it properly to Daddy. Got it?”

“Yes.”

My father is currently busy with work and can’t come home easily. Recently, he comes home late at night and leaves early in the morning. He seemed determined to finish everything before my next job.

So, my mother told me that he would come to meet me after he finished up his work to check on my safety. He said he would be back before my bedtime.

“Don’t do anything dangerous again. If something happens to you, Mommy’s heart will break.” ²

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Mommy.”

“It’s fine. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

I wrapped my arms around my mother’s back as she hugged me. The warmth felt itchy but comfortable.

(I really need to be careful not to cause any more trouble.)

But, it was a warmth I never got in my previous life. I want to stay this way, just a little longer.

Feeling a childish selfishness, I smiled while hiding it from my mother. I want to quickly become a great actress… preferably a horror actress, to reassure my parents.

 

In the warmth of kindness, I just thought about it that way without understanding the throbbing heart of reasons in the depths of my consciousness.

 

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Tsugumi’s father, Maxwell, returns home.
Picks up his pace after seeing his family.

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I rushed home after finishing work and walked through the mansion silently. I knocked discreetly, and the door opened slowly.

“Minako, how’s Tsugumi?”

“Dear… She’s okay, she’s fast asleep.”

“I see…”

I pulled a chair close and sat down next to Minako. In the bed, our precious angel, Tsugumi, was sound asleep. Even though I had checked multiple times, I could not help but feel relieved by her peaceful slumber.

I never thought I would become so doting as a parent. Back when I was in school, during the aftermath of the conflict with Lowell and Sorahoshi, I was still in an antagonistic relationship with Minako. I wonder if the me from those days would laugh or scorn me if he knew about this angel. I would not mind anything he would say to me now.

“Tsugumi…”

I gently stroked her cheek. It was warm and soft with the warmth of a human body.

“Minako, how is Koharu?”

“Haruna is supervising her retraining, but that’s out of leniency.”

“Yeah. It’s not Koharu’s fault. She was taught to be loyal to her master. It’s not something she would normally think to seek help for.”

“Right. If we don’t train her, she might become overwhelmed. But if she cannot treat Tsugumi the same as usual, she’ll have to keep her distance.”

“She’s an honest person. Haruna will handle it somehow. Koharu doesn’t need any punishment. There’s no punishment worse than seeing her master hurt right in front of her.”

After the incident, Koharu sent Tsugumi home calmly, but later, she seemed to have been shaken up. She was a top-class person who could communicate with Tsugumi, but perhaps it might be better to have people that she could speak with around her.

I was worried about Tsugumi’s fears, so I don’t want to have too many people serve Tsugumi… but if there’s someone among Tsugumi’s friends who can fulfill that role, it might not be necessary.

“Minako, as expected, Tsugumi has…”

“Yes. Most likely, however, I’m convinced after trying to talk with her today.”

“… Dissociative identity disorder?” ³

“I believe it’s likely there’s not a clear split, but she seems to place her values in her consciousness, imagining her grown-up self. In order to protect her wounded young heart.”

I hugged Minako’s shoulders and lowered my lips to her temple. I cannot help but regret that woman. Her actions might have sealed Tsugumi’s young heart. I tried to give her the opportunity to introspect. In that regard, I think it was a success.

But I never expected that she would encounter a similar situation in a place like that. Difficulties seem to come forth just like they did when we were young.

“Regardless of the outcome or the personality she develops, we’re Tsugumi’s allies. Isn’t that right, Minako?”

“Yes, of course. That’s right. No matter what, we’re on our child’s side. We only wish for our child to live peacefully.”

We cannot rely on doctors. I consulted our private physician and showed him the data, but I will not tell Tsugumi that she is sick. I could imagine that those words would deeply hurt her.

“I love you, our angel.”

I stroked her hair. Tsugumi, who faintly smiled, was truly adorable like an angel or a fairy.

She will probably face various trials in the future. Ultimately, she will have to overcome them herself.

Thus, I will at least try to keep this dirty, adult world of contracts, money, jealousy, and competition away from her. I do not want to show her corruption. The darkness she should confront should only be of her own making.

(So, please…)

Our beloved angel—let her dream of a future where she can smile.

 

──Let’s Move on to the Next Theater──

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Flowingcloud: Mimi’s worries and conflict was hinted at the ending of volume 1 and we finally face those issues! Tsugumi as a character is also getting deeper and deeper by the day. It seems like everything we know about Tsugumi is only scratching the surface! I know there was a year delay since the release of the last Theater and welcome back to the Tsugumi and friends journey! I’ll see you in the next Theater; Theater 6: Genius Child Actor and Genius Child Actor! 2.

1. Arocks141: PTSD against all children? Let us know in the comments if you, the readers, agree if that is a satisfying end to the woman!
2. Arocks141: Not just mommy’s.
3. Arocks141: Lowkey, all reincarnated protagonists with multiple ‘souls’ in them actually just suffer from this disorder. If you don’t know what this is, just think Split Personality Disorder.