The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 9Volume 4 - Shimizu-san and the Play’s Performance

Shimizu-san and the Play’s Performance

“It’s finally time.”

“Yeah.”

“Yes.”

We, the members of the Astronomy Club, were standing in front of a certain vacant classroom.

Since our club was small in number and scale, we had decided to perform our play in a vacant classroom instead of the gymnasium.

Upon checking inside the classroom, there were about thirty audience members seated, waiting for the play to begin.

Looking closely at the audience, I could see familiar faces like Toshiya, Teruno, Kaho-san, Runa-san, and even my mother and Shimizu-san’s mother.

“Ten minutes to start, everyone. Are you all ready?”

Everyone but Ai-san nodded affirmatively.

“Alright, looks good. Then, let’s form a circle!”

“Why do we need to do that?”

“It’s good for unity! Plus, I’ve always wanted to try it. Come on, form a circle, quickly!”

Urged by Ai-san, the five of us formed a circle.

“Okay, now everyone link arms with the person next to you.”

“Do we have to?”

“Understood.”

We all linked shoulders.

“Daiki-kun, please lead the cheer!”

“Uh, okay!”

I couldn’t hide my surprise at being suddenly called upon, but since I was nominated, I had to do it.

“Everyone, I believe we’ve all practiced hard up to today! So let’s give it our all and make this the best play ever! Here we go!”

” ” ” “Ooh!” ” ” “

The voices of the other four members overlapped with mine.

After a moment, the circle was broken.

“That was great! This is truly youth!”

“Nice cheer, Hondō-kun.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, everyone is free until it’s time to start! Get into the right mindset on your own.”

“Yes!”

With those words, we all dispersed for a bit. Feeling somewhat restless, I looked around.

Seto-san was doing a final check of the script, Ai-san was checking her appearance, and Yousuke-san was taking deep breaths.

When I turned my gaze to Shimizu-san, she seemed unsettled, perhaps due to nerves.

“Shimizu-san, are you nervous?”

“I’d like to say I’m not... but maybe I am a little.”

“Yeah, I’m feeling nervous too.”

“It’s natural to be nervous. Well, we just have to do it.”

“Right.”

“...Is there anything you want to say to me?”

“What should I say... Like, ‘You look good in the Orihime costume’?”

Shimizu-san was wearing a kimono that resembled Orihime’s, and it seemed to suit her very well.

“That’s not what I mean!”

“Then what is it?”

“You’re too laid-back. Well, never mind, I have something I want to say to you.”

“What is it?”

Shimizu-san closed her eyes tightly for a moment before opening them wide.

“In the final scene, I’m going to give it my all against you. So don’t hold back and come at me with everything you’ve got!”

Silence flowed between us.

“Say something!”

“Sorry, I was just thinking. Okay, I understand. I haven’t been holding back, but I’ll convey everything I have to Shimizu-san in the final scene.”

I looked straight at Shimizu-san. She met my gaze without looking away.

“Everyone, it’s almost time!”

The first and last play by the five of us was about to begin.

***

【And thus, Orihime and Hikoboshi were forced to be apart.】

With Seto-san’s narration, the stage went dark for a moment.

The play was already midway through. So far, there had been no major issues, and it was proceeding smoothly.

【Since then, the two worked hard every day, thinking of each other but unable to meet.】

According to the script written by Runa-san, Orihime and Hikoboshi are no longer allowed to meet despite working diligently.

【Orihime was engulfed in sorrow, but she was not one to give up.】

The stage was lit up again, revealing Shimizu-san dressed as Orihime.

“Don’t think for a moment that I’ll give up so easily!”

【During the day, Orihime worked hard at weaving, and at night, she pondered how she could meet Hikoboshi again.】

“What should I do...”

【As days passed and seasons changed, Orihime came up with an idea.】

“That’s it, if I build a bridge over the Milky Way, maybe I can meet him!”

The audience stirred with excitement. Indeed, it was a surprising turn for those unfamiliar with the story.

【Orihime then began trying to build a bridge. However, she had never built one before, and to make matters worse, she was clumsy.】

“It doesn’t matter even if I’m clumsy!”

The audience chuckled softly.

【Yet Orihime didn’t give up. She wove during the day and studied bridge-building at night, exhausted. As seasons turned, Orihime finally began to build the bridge.】

Shimizu-san mimed hammering nails with a gesture.

【However, as mentioned before, Orihime was clumsy, and she struggled to build the bridge properly. The bridges she built often collapsed midway, and each time, she had to start over from scratch.】

“I won’t give up!”

【Still, Orihime never gave up. She built and rebuilt, never once allowing herself to surrender, no matter how many times she had to start over.】

At that moment, I felt for the first time that the image of Orihime trying to build a bridge overlapped with that of the real Shimizu-san.

Memories of Shimizu-san came flooding back.

Shimizu-san, who struggled with cooking but worked hard to help during cooking practice.

Shimizu-san, who studied diligently so we could all observe the stars together.

Shimizu-san, who persevered through unfamiliar part-time jobs so we could all go to the training camp together.

Shimizu-san was always someone who could work hard for the sake of others.

【Perhaps as a result of that perseverance, Orihime became gradually better at building bridges. How much time had passed since she first started? Eventually, Orihime was able to build a bridge halfway across the Milky Way.】

“Just half left. Huh?”

【It’s no wonder Orihime was surprised. Looking ahead, she saw someone else building a bridge from the other side.】

“...Could it be?”

【Driven by desperation, Orihime worked on her bridge. It connected with the unfinished bridge in front, and finally, she was able to span the Milky Way with her bridge.】

I began walking towards the stage.

“...Why are you here?”

“For the same reason as you.”

【Yes, the one building the bridge from the other side was Hikoboshi. In fact, Hikoboshi had also been building a bridge alone for a long time to meet Orihime. After a long time, the two were finally able to reunite.】

Our eyes met, Shimizu-san’s gaze brimming with strong determination.

“...I have something I want to tell you.”

“Me too.”

Silence flowed between us. The final scene began.

“I love you! No matter where you are or how old you get, I will always love you!”

Shimizu-san’s voice echoed throughout the classroom.

Hearing those words, it seemed I finally became aware of my own feelings.

“I love you too. I love your hardworking nature. I love that you can be so earnest about anything you’ve decided to do. I love that you can take action for someone else. I love your gentle smile.”

” “So...” “

Our voices overlapped.

” “Please stay with me forever!” “

Our eyes met again.

I approached Shimizu-san and hugged her with all my might.

“Y-you...”

Cheers could be heard from the audience.

【Thus, the two who were able to meet again never parted, and they lived happily ever after.】

The stage slowly darkened, and eventually, it was pitch black.

The play by the Astronomy Club, Orihime and Hikoboshi, came to an end amidst applause.

“Hondō-kun, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Kaho-san.”

After the play, as I was heading to the changing room, Kaho-san called out to me.

“I’m glad the play was a success.”

“Thank you very much!”

“I was nervous too since I watched it after you asked for advice, especially during the last scene.”

“I’m sorry...”

“It’s okay, I enjoyed it all, including that. But it seems Hondō-kun has realized his feelings for Kei-chan?”

“Yes. Although I only realized my feelings for Shimizu-san during the play.”

“Is that so? Then, I want to confirm again, what do you think of Kei-chan, Hondō-kun?”

I looked around to make sure no one else was nearby.

“...I like her. I like Shimizu-san, as a person and as someone of the opposite sex. I think I’ve probably liked her for a while now, and I only realized it today.”

Yes, I like Shimizu-san.

I’m not sure when I started liking her in a romantic sense.

Before I knew it, I couldn’t take my eyes off Shimizu-san, who is clumsy but earnestly pushes forward with anything she decides to do.

“You have a nice expression. I’m glad I could hear that.”

“Thanks to Kaho-san, I was able to realize my feelings. Thank you!”

“No, I think Hondō-kun would have realized it sooner or later on his own. Well, I’ll be going. Let me play the senior again if you ever have any trouble.”

With that, Kaho-san left with her usual smile.

As I headed back to the changing room, I pondered whether I would be able to talk to Shimizu-san as usual the next time we met.