Vol 2 Chapter 1 (2/2)

“That’s right There’s still lots of opportunities out there, so don’t get frustrated,” Ai-chan added

“Your lessons have paid off I’es are all blind,” Hazuki-chan declared

Hazuki-chan was right Onpu-chan’s dancing and singing were tons better as compared to the past Mu the piano to acco could have gone wrong

Yet there was nothing s, sending her texts, and eating cookies together with her like this

“…That’s not it”

“Huh?”

A single tear fell from Onpu-chan’s eye She had never once cried before us before…

“Onpu-chan…”

We looked at each other in dismay

“That’s not it… The people at the office told me this today,” Onpu-chan said as she wiped the tear away She told us that the reason she was dropped was because the judges holding the audition were against hiring a former child actress

“What? I can’t believe it,” I said

It see suitable only for child roles was solidified by her long absence from the industry, and it was now difficult for her to shake off that ie

“That’s just horrible Ies with tirily

Following her lead, we all took turns voicing our coes

“That won’t do The Onpu-chan now is no longer a child, and can take on different roles Auditions should provide an equal starting point for everyone,” Ai-chan said

“There’s no point in holding auditions if the results are swayed by past perceptions,” Hazuki-chan said

“The person’s capabilities should be the ,” Ai-chan added

After she entered high school, Onpu-chan had become beautiful and adult-like Yet she still could not be accepted, despite all her hard work I felt so much sympathy for her

“Thanks, everyone,” Onpu-chan said as she wiped at her tears again “I didn’t expect things to go smoothly anyway… Guess I was just frustrated”

“It’s alright, Onpu-chan It’s only been three auditions,” Momo-chan said

“Moo to people who always co countless times,” Hazuki-chan added

Hazuki-chan’s dad was a film director, so those words felt true

“That’s right You’ve gotten through to the last round, so you just need a little more work,” I said

“We just got into high school not long ago It’s finally a new beginning, we should be enjoying ourselves So cheer up,” Ai-chan added

“…You’re right That’s e should do,” Onpu-chan said with a huge nod

Our wordshard We knew that she felt frustrated and hurt at times, so ished for her debut to come soon to reward her efforts

Onpu-chan had her next audition planned

“An English director?” I asked

“That’s right I heard that he wants to do an adaptation of a popular English musical here in japan,” Hazuki-chan said, full of excitement I did not know much about it, but I heard that it was a really popular land

“It seeh auditions, following international standards Over half of the staff ners too”

It was starting to sound like a big deal

“That’s great It’ll be wonderful if Onpu-chan can be selected this time round”

Hazuki-chan had gotten all this infor in the industry with such connections sure was useful

“The audition details and staff list are not out yet, so everything’s top-secret I hope there’s a role that suits Onpu-chan perfectly”

“Yep, I agree”

So saying, I sent a text to Ai-chan, updating her on the situation She i that she knew Onpu-chan would surely be selected this time round

Even though I’d typed out theelse about the work to tell her more

“…Looks like I need to do some research”

I wanted to be able to celebrate together with Onpu-chan when she gets selected I decided to go do some online research once I reached home

“Thank you! Doremi-chan, Hazuki-chan, Ai-chan, Momo-chan, this would not have been possible without you!” Onpu-chan cried as she threw open the door to the MAHO-do and rushed towards us

“What is it? Have you been selected?” I asked, surprised

“Are the results out?” Hazuki-chan added

“Not yet The auditions were held just yesterday,” Onpu-chan replied with a shake of her head

“That’s right We were just talking about it yesterday,” Ai-chan confirmed

“Hazuki-chan told us that there were lots of people ent to audition,” Momo-chan said

Onpu-chan, who looked like she had run all the way here in her effort to reach us, paused to collect her breath before replying with a sunny sreat job yesterday I don’t know if I will be selected yet, but I think I’ve finally realized what true acting means”

At that et what she was saying

“Whatever the results, it sounds like Onpu had a great experience,” Majorika said, looking satisfied as she entered the room with Lala

“Since we’re standing around chatting, we ested

We gathered around the table It felt like a long tiood news

“How could we have influenced your acting?” Hazuki-chan asked after taking a sip of her tea That’s right; ere all confused about Onpu-chan’s

“Why not?” Onpu-chan told us that the audition yesterday was held at a tiny hall, and she had chosen to take up the role of the feonist “There were about 10 staffthe director and producer Most of theners”

“Huh? But the script is in japanese, right?” Momo-chan asked, mystified, to which Onpu-chan nodded She told us that there were translators in the staff team, who had edited the script’s lines and content to suit a japanese audience

“The protagonist is a really cute girl, just like Doreht from the very first line,” Onpu-chan said

“Huh?! Me?” Onpu-chan had just called ht?

“She’s a little of an airhead too, so I i those lines And when she’s arguing with an unreasonable adult, she’s totally like Ai-chan!” Onpu-chan continued

“Onpu-chan, those were coht?” I asked, unsure

“You just retorted like a Kansai person,” Ai-chan told me

However, Onpu-chan seeuess they were compliments

“Those were hts when I saw the script, so I acted with all of you in my mind With that, the lines flowed out of me so naturally I felt that I had really become the character herself”

“Well, that must have been fun,” Ai-chan said

“Is it true that a single person can contain so ht we’re totally different from each other,” Hazuki-chan asked

“That’s right I’ve alanted to be more like Hazuki-chan or Ai-chan at times, or to be skillful like Momo-chan, but we’re different people I can only imitate them, but I can’t become like them,” I added

Just what kind of girl was Onpu-chan’s character? Regarding this question, Onpu-chan tilted her head to one side, thinking about e just said

“Well, the protagonist often pokes her nose into lots of affairs, and her friends often find the for the ride Whenever that happens, they wouldobstacles or face difficulties However, you soht?”

“What do you ht?”… Onpu-chan, is that the impression you have of me?” I asked

“She is the daughter of a rich faets her friends into trouble, and you feel like helping her That reminds me of Hazuki-chan”

“Oh…? Thank you,” Hazuki-chan said

“Her sense of justice is not childish, nor is it fullyadults, she cuts off their nonsense effectively I felt that that was just like Ai-chan”

“That’s right Adults choose to treat us as children so on what’s convenient for thereed

It see and weak, with different parts residing within ourselves that co on the time and circumstances

But wait, Onpu-chan had yet to uess the character’s airheadedness which she attributed to Hazuki-chan could have come from Momo-chan, too Just then, Onpu-chan moved to stand in front of Momo-chan

“…Thank you for always chatting in English over the phone with ed to answer the questions posed at ed to understand the jokes in the script, so I could bring the,” Onpu-chan said as she held Mohtly in her own

“That’s because Onpu-chan worked hard, but I’lad I was of help!”

It was rare to see Mo since we last saw Onpu-chan being so animated too

“Actors and artistes really do observe the people around them a lot,” I said

“Humans aren’t what they seem on the surface We have lots of other sides to ourselves too, and that causes s sometimes,” Hazuki-chan added

There are even tis that we never notice about ourselves That Onpu-chan re, even without planning to, made me feel happy

“That’s right I myself have many faces and wishes It was all of you and everyone I’ve met who helped to draw those sides out of me,” Onpu-chan said

“That’s what acting is all about,” Hazuki-chan agreed

“So I really enjoyed the audition And because I was perforo for a little exaggeration as well I i, so it was really fun,” Onpu-chan added

“I know Those three are so funny, aren’t they?” Momo-chan declared

Mo an airhead, Momo-chan could be really dense soed at all

However, the Onpu-chan today was a little different froood way, of course

“Well, looks like ere of some help, after all,” Ai-chan said

“That’s right Onpu-chan, reward us with haet selected,” Momo-chan added

“I want steak!” I cried

“Hers it is, one for each of you,” Onpu-chan replied

Oh, that wasIt see different roles during auditions

She was ah to make my heart race

Oh, Hazuki-chan had stood on stage to perform at concerts as a violinist too And Ai-chan had stood at the starting line at sports events

I guess one just had to get used to it Being a little nervous would not be all that strange, but to enjoy being in the spotlight? That was just too much to ask from me

It was 3 days later e all received a text froot in-!!”

I iether with lots of haer emoticons

Hazuki-chan’s dad told her that the decision to pick Onpu-chan for the role as unanie which she relayed to us

He also added that, as the judges were foreigners, they did not know of Onpu-chan’s past Although her singing and grasp of English were great, what ceht out the protagonist perfectly, and her dancing was spot on

“What kind of dance did you do?” I asked her at the MAHO-do the next day

“I i I remembered the le from a child idol into a true actress, and I danced to reflect that,” Onpu-chan replied

“Wow, so that was your inspiration I’m sure Dad will be happy to hear that,” I replied

“I’rateful to him too Please thank him for me,” Onpu-chan told me

“No problem!”

Mo to our conversation, looked puzzled

Oh well It’s hard for anyone to iine that super hatch event if one had not witnessed it first-hand

Just then, Onpu-chan’s

It seemed to be a call from her office Onpu-chan nodded as she listened, and the call was quickly over

“I’m sorry I won’t be able to personally thank Hazuki-chan and Ai-chan I have to rush for a press ized

“Don’t worry We’ll let them know,” Majorika assured her

“Thank you Goodbye”

“Good luck!” I called

“We’re always behind you,” Momo-chan added

After waving goodbye, Onpu-chan stepped into the office car, which aiting outside, and went off to thelocation

Production was slated to begin in Noveuess Onpu-chan would be really busy from then on

However, she had expressed her wish to continue her lessons at Misora at least once a week

A protagonist who reseirl as like Hazuki-chan and Ai-chan in some respects, too?

Whoa-, I want to watch the musical soon!

This was really so exciting

The nexttook the top spot on rammes on TV

I watched aslate for school I spotted the reporter fro the audience His attitude had undergone a co up to Onpu-chan now It was all so a

Ai-chan, atched the entire prograliramme

“Are you serious~?!”

“Yes When Onpu-chan texted hiic to transfor Onpu-chan knew that he had been to Sapporo to look for her because he orried, so after the raph for hiistered as No1 at her fan club, which will be reopened soon,” Ai-chan reported

“He must have been pleased”

“He was so touched that he cried a little”

“Haha, I can totally iine that”

So saying, we both laughed heartily

Mum always said that when one becomes an adult, time suddenly flies by really quickly But to think that h school would also disappear in the blink of an eye was really unbelievable

I was once again painfully reminded of this fact in school today

“What?! I’ve not even thought about it yet~!” I shouted without thinking

“Oh~, so there are still people like Harukaze who ree of my outburst and addressed the class “Take this as an opportunity Discussing it with your faood idea, too”

We had been given college prospectus booklets With the kind of results I had, would I still be qualified to talk about chasing ambitions and dreams? Or was the fact that I had no ambitions or dreams the cause of my dismal results?

This one booklet reh school life was not exactly a walk in the park

“You guys are so lucky, knowing exactly what you want to do in the future,” I moaned unhappily at the MAHO-do

“Did Doree prospectus too?” Hazuki-chan asked

“That’s right There’ll be a three-way conversation soon too I’ll definitely be picking a college with the lowest tuition fees,” Ai-chan replied

Hazuki-chan, who had just finished her lessons, and Ai-chan, who did not have training, orking their shi+fts with me today

“Ai-chan, if you are scouted for your track abilities, they’ll waive your tuition fees, won’t they?” Hazuki-chan asked

Ai-chan waved her hand disreat if that’s the case… Hazuki-chan, you’ll be eligible for overseas studies depending on your concours results, too, since your school offers direct transfers up to college”

Everyone seemed to have done their research, and was able to talk calmly about the situation It truly disheartened me

“Doremi-chan, don’t worry There are lots of people who are still undecided, too,” Hazuki-chan assured me

“Really?”

“So if they should continue their studies or start work Others are torn between choices of college, junior college or vocational school,” Ai-chan added

“It’s true There must be many people stuck in those situations, and we haven’t even cohed

“Even though I want to be an athlete and do sports-related things, I haven’t done any research with regards to college and career options yet,” Ai-chan said

We were the only three working in the store that day Momo-chan was not with us, as her Dad was back in japan after being away in China for a huge project, and she wanted to spend time with him At around 6 pm, lots of customers who had just ended work came in and ere kept busy, so we could not continue the conversation

“Oh, so you’ve finally gotten it”

Dinnertiather, so I decided to bring up the college prospectus issue then After dinner, Dad went into the living room and picked up the prospectus, which I had left on the table, and started to flip through it

“Doremi, your form is still left blank Can I fill it up for you?” he asked

“Of course not! I’m still undecided about what I want to do for my future,” I lamented

“Isn’t there going to be a three-way conversation after the semester tests? If you don’t fill up the forive you any advice,” Mum told me with a troubled look

Looking up from the prospectus to e, you can apply for the private ones However, if you’d like to rent an apartovernes”

The whole issue suddenly felt so real

“What? So it’s all about the money?” I asked

“What are you saying? Of course it’s about thefinished washi+ng the dishes

“Unless there’s soe you really want to attend,” Dad added

“Well…”

I knew that they were going to say that, but I just could not come up with any career I’d like to pursue, or the nae I’d want to attend

“This is a good opportunity for you to start thinking You’ll have to decide by the time you need to hand this form back in,” Dad said

“And you’ll have to convince us, too,” Mum added

So saying, Dad went off to take his bath, while Mum returned to the kitchen

Flipping through the prospectus, I went back to my room and left it on the desk

“What do I want to do?”

I was already in high school, so I needed to think this through onit with friends was not enough Maybe I should visit the library and look up soe handbooks

Before going to work at the MAHO-do the next day, I decided to head over to the school library first

“Ai-chan, do you have training today?”

It was cold and rainy, which caused the autumn leaves to fall from their branches

“Just a short one We’ll be doing stretching exercises indoors The record sports ht be over, butPlus, the cold makes my body not want to ood luck on your prospectus research I’ll have to start on my own research too”

After agreeing to ether, Ai-chan went off to the school gy, I hurried towards the library, which was situated on the outskirts of the school compound

Phew~, the library sure was huge And there were more students in here then I had expected

To be frank, aside fro the orientation tour back when I first entered the school, I had never set foot in here As a result, I did not knohere all the books were located, and so spent so at all the books on display

“Oh, there’s someone I know”

I had spotted a fae handbooks and career guides were located Hmm?…… shi+nshuu-kun?

As ere in a library, I crept up to Yamauchi shi+nshuu-kun silently And before he could voice out his surprise, I cut in,

“How rare to see you here”

In truth, I was the one as surprised We were in different classes so I had not seen him in a while, but shi+nshuu-kun looked really healthy

Hmm, but…

“Isn’t shi+nshuu-kun going to take over the tee,” I blurted out

shi+nshuu-kun was the only son of the fae we used to do at his place in our elementary school days They were really scary, but so o so far, I had to admit that shi+nshuu-kun looked exactly like how you’d expect a kid who lived in a temple to look like He had always been very polite too, probably due to his religious upbringing So it was really frightening whenever he told us ghost stories

“Huh, well…” shi+nshuu-kuna book on a totally different college

“shi+nshuu-kun, don’t tell me that you’ve been adopted by Natsumi-chan’s family as their son-in-law?” I shouted

“Harukaze-san… W-what are you saying?!”

Had I angered him?

Let s here Satou Natsumi-chan was a fellow student at Misora Elementary She lived near shi+nshuu-kun, so the tere childhood friends In short, she was a girl sensitive to supernatural occurrences

The two should still be good friends now, since they lived so close to each other Yes, Natsumi-chan’s dad was a church pastor, so she went to a h school Because of that, he was on bad terms with shi+nshuu-kun’s dad

“That’s right Natsumi-chan is an only child, too,” I went on

“Y-you’ve got it all wrong!” shi+nshuu-kun denied

Then, sensing the glares ere getting, ered our voices

“…Look what you’ve done, Harukaze-san”

“…shi+nshuu-kun was the one shouting away”

I felt a wave of disapproval wash over me, both from shi+nshuu-kun and the people around us, especially fro for their exams and in a rattled state these days They felt like true adults to me Furthermore, semester tests were just around the corner, andinstead of reading books

shi+nshuu-kun returned the book to its shelf and we headed quietly for the exit, even though I had not gotten any research done yet

“Sorry for causing trouble,” I apologized to shi+nshuu-kun once ere outside the library I was not the type to usually burst out like that, but I felt that I had gone overboard this time

However, shi+nshuu-kun did not sees to turn out this way once he saw me

“Anyway, is shi+nshuu-kun not going to take over the temple?” I asked

“That’s not the problem…”

Just then, we spotted Ai-chan running down the corridor towards us

“Hey! Doremi-chan, have you found your books already? And, shi+nshuu-kun… We’re in the sa since I last saw you”

“Senoo-san, please don’t run along the school corridors,” shi+nshuu-kun chided

“Oh, alright,” Ai-chan stopped running Then, as if sensing our mood, she continued, “Oh well, we can always find information in class or at home Let’s come back to the library e really need more information”

I was grateful to her for voicing out o before I had to submit the form, and it would be easier to search for information when I knew more

As it happened, our route coincided with shi+nshuu-kun’s way hos shi+nshuu-kun see for details about our latest cake creations

“Mo of ideas for new cake creations She’s currently ns for Christmas cakes,” I said

“That sounds like fun,” shi+nshuu-kun replied

“Does shi+nshuu-kun’s fa Christ to hear his answer

“When I was younger, I used to celebrate it secretly However, the te this period, so I’ve not celebrated it these past few years”

“What? It’s finally a chance for you to enjoy so as you don’t celebrate inside the teht?” I asked

I was sure that shi+nshuu-kun liked cakes and sweets It wasn’t rare to seeto a religious fa to go for japanese sweets instead

“Well, we can deliver the cake to your place, though ould be quite busy ourselves,” Ai-chan said

shi+nshuu-kun waved his hand at us, as if diseous offer

If he really liked cakes, I would love for hiht have designed the cakes, but we had a hand inthem as well

“How about this? Once Mons are ready, we’ll hand out some flyers to you Please order froested

“That’s right We’ll be waiting for your order,” Ai-chan added

“Thank you,” shi+nshuu-kun placed his hands together and bowed After that, we separated and shi+nshuu-kun headed off to his temple-home

Once we reached the MAHO-do, we ied into our pâtissière uniforms We then switched on the computer to find that Momo-chan had sent us an e-ns attached

All of us, including Majorika, were satisfied with Mons, and could not wait to see a sample of the real creation

“It looks so trendy”

“It looks like so a Western family would bake I want to have a taste”

Mohts

I happily headed for work at MAHO-do the next day, knowing that I would get the chance to taste the new Christmas cakes

“Hmm? Is Momo-chan here already?”

Momo-chan, dressed in her pâtissière unifor the cake

“Ito see how long it’ll take me to make one cake,” Momo-chan replied

The ingredients used weren’t anything special, just fresh cream, chocolate cream and fruits, but Moether with the cream, and lined it all up neatly to create a detailed masterpiece All the while, her face showed a serious expression

I quietly e into my pâtissière uniform, and started on my oork

Hazuki-chan and Ai-chan arrived shortly after, with Onpu-chan rushi+ng over immediately after her musical lesson We closed shop earlier than usual that day, and got ready for a tasting party

It was so exciting

Mons fro photos of each froles, she finally sliced one into pieces

“It seems a waste to slice it up,” Hazuki-chan colimpse of the cake’s interior

“Look, it’s so pretty on the inside, too,” I exclaimed

“You’re right It’s slightly tinged pink,” Ai-chan said

Onpu-chan lowered her face to the cake, “Morance?”

Fresh crea the sponge, which was usually yellow due to the egg yolks inside, to turn slightly pink

“That’s right In order tofun, I mixed some strawberry juice into the cake batter as well,” Momo-chan said

“It’s a nice surprise I’m sure kids will love it,” Ai-chan said

“That’s right It’s a great idea, Momo-chan,” Onpu-chan added

Momo-chan placed a slice of cake before Majorika, “The taste is the issue here! Please try it”

“Okay”

Even without having to taste it, we all kneould taste I ood, and there was soit so colourful and fresh

Seeing our satisfied faces, Moh of relief

“The other cake is of a ht the platter over Momo-chan sliced into the cake immediately

“This one’s a log cake, right? I wonder if it’s Mont Blanc,” Onpu-chan asked

“The colour coordination is perfect,” Ai-chan commented

The log cake is the staple Christmas cake in France

As expected fro bitter chocolate, looked really trendy

“This is really delicious, too Mo,” Lala praised

“The adult customers will love this,” Majorika added

Looks like Majorika and Lala were satisfied with Momo-chan’s cakes, too

With its extraordinary taste and lovely designs, we settled on these as our Christns

We left Momo-chan, Majorika, and Lala to settle the details of the recipe, ingredients and baking instructions Having received photos of the cake fron for flyers and came up with a neork schedule

“Now to design new POPs with a Christes Most of thereen, with presents, Santa Clauses, Christmas trees and reindeer They were all so cute that we couldn’t decide on one

Onpu-chan, the decisive one, then took charge While looking at the online iinal photo

“It’s been getting colder lately I wonder if the plaza before the train station will have a light-up this year, too,” she remarked casually

“Oh yes, I wonder how Satou Natsu part of a church surely s to do for Christo pass our flyer to shi+nshuu-kun?” Ai-chan commented

Seems like Ai-chan also sees Natsumi-chan and shi+nshuu-kun as a pair

“That’s right I haven’t seen her in ages,” I said We discussed the o visit together

“Why don’t we just pass him the flyer in school?” Momo-chan asked

Mo out Christmas cake flyers to a boy from another class isn’t as simple as you think

“Many people know that shi+nshuu-kun’s family runs the temple, so that may not be the best idea”

“I see”

We ht be involved in different clubs and societies in school, but ru harm to shi+nshuu-kun We weren’t eleht of it was a little lonely, but it wasour classmates start rumours about shi+nshuu-kun and myself

“Alright, let’s go together, then We’ll drop in on Natsumi-chan too,” I decided

During the store’s regular closing day, we arranged to meet in front of the train st