77 End of the Festival (1/2)
The day quickly came to an end when the clock slowly approached 5 PM. Since Muria and Irina had to perform, we arrived at the gym at around 4:30 in order for them to put on their costumes and makeup. For Loyd and Zaksus, this will be their first time seeing the play. Therefore, they got tickets to the show and sat down to watch near the front rows. Even though I had already seen the play yesterday, I was sort of forced to watch with them, leading to the loss of 150 Vil from my virtual wallet.
The two sitting on my left seemed to be enjoying the performance since they remained quiet and kept their eyes glued on stage. However, it was a different story for me. There's really not much point in rewatching something you've seen the day before. But, I am kinda interested in the ending of the show since that was what I missed the day before.
The ending of the play followed the script perfectly, with both Mary and Verinel dying. I wasn't very surprised by this ending because I've already read the script before, but I am impressed by the two girls's acting. It was quite superb.
One thing that I noticed was that after the play had ended and the audience was streaming towards the exits, I heard multiple people remark that the ending was different from yesterday. It didn't seem to bother them much, but it probably still confused them as to why the ending was suddenly changed, little did they know that the whole ending yesterday was improvised. Luckily, Irina's and Muria's reactions on stage yesterday fitted the scenario almost too perfectly so no one was able to tell that it wasn't planned at all. Well... maybe except the real blood that flowed from my left hand.
After the play had ended, the three of us waited outside the back entrance to the gym for Muria and Irina. It was around 6:30, and the sun had already started to set due to the autumn season. Dusk had descended on the world as night ate away the existence of day and slowly reduced the light little by little. However, there was still enough light from the sun to illuminate the world with its orange glow, but... in a few more minutes or so, it'll probably be dark.
”Good job,” Loyd said to the two actresses as they emerged from the door in their school uniforms.
Irina had rid herself of the hat and face mask due to the fact that the majority of the guests had left campus already with the only people still present being the faculty and students. On her face was an accomplished smile as she greeted the three of us. She seemed to have enjoyed the production of the play.
As for Muria, she emerged with great fatigue on her face. Therefore, when Loyd and Zaksus congratulated them and started talking about the play, she avoided them and walked away in order to escape from that lively atmosphere that Loyd, Zaksus, and Irina displayed. However, what I didn't understand was why she stood next to me.
”Tired?” I asked while leaning on the wall of the gym.
”Yeah,” she sighed. ”I don't understand where she gets all that energy.”
”She is a professional.”
”I've never done something like this,” she said as she rubbed her arms. ”Standing up there is so tiring.”
”I know. But for an amateur,” I then said casually while gazing at the dusk sky overhead, ”you did pretty good.”
”Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
”What else could it be?”
”I just never thought someone like you can actually say something that's worth hearing.” She smiled slyly.
”Ha,” I quietly chuckled in amusement.
That's right... this is the Muria that I know. That supercilious tone of voice, that mocking smile, and the way she treated me in general, that's the Muria that I know. Even though the way she treats me wasn't with the expected type of respect or politeness, but it's because of this that we could actually coexist and speak to each other. With no expectations comes no let downs, that's why I can so casually speak with her.
I looked over at the three who were still talking about the play. The atmosphere that they gave off... that's the thing that one would expect from youthful teenagers. Their interactions were just so normal, so energetic, and so shiny that it was almost too bright to watch. It's something that I had never had the chance to experience, and that probably holds true for the taciturn girl next to me. However, despite our similarities, Muria and I aren't similar.
With a slight chuckle and smile, I reminded myself of the differences between Muria and I. Unlike me, she actually has the opportunity to leave this realm of loneliness. That can be proved by her ability to attract people such as Irina and her ability to interact normally with others. When compared to my impenetrable fortress, the barriers she had erected around herself seemed to be built with simple bricks and quite underwhelming in scale. Her barriers are easily penetrated, making it simpler for someone to become friends with her and communicate with her directly. As for me, that's a different story.
I had been harmed greatly in the past, a story with specifics that I do not want to remember. Because of that painful experience, my straw house had been forced to become an impenetrable fortress—no, a prison—in the middle of the ocean. There's no way in, and there's no way out. I was supposed to be in there alone for the rest of eternity. I thought I was supposed to die there alone. However, for some reason, she could penetrate my fortress.