TSUMUGI
I had fun today!

Around ten minutes after eating my fill of crepes alongside Kiharu and Tsumugi and parting ways, I beamed loudly at my cell screen, specifically the text Tsumugi had sent to our group chat.

KIHARU
Shiina, let's go for the entire menu next time. Whoever barfs first loses.

TSUMUGI
Kiharu,,, we're not children. There's no need to compete like that.
Right, Shiina?

Passersby probably thought I was crazy, how much I was smiling at my phone. But, this was a first. Going out for crepes with friends (girls, for that matter). Exchanging contact information and texting them, more so right after we'd met up for real. Even this banter. . .

SHIINA
Exactly.
I mean, try as you may, but you stand no chance against my black hole of a stomach.

KIHARU
Aight. We'll see who the victor is won't we? I'd prepare a barf bag if I was you.

SHIINA
So I can give it to you when you forfeit?

KIHARU
εε——-ヽ(*｀Д')ﾉ

TSUMUGI
Shiina,,, don't spur her on!!
Jeez, you two are so gross.

Chuckling, I sent one last emoji before pocketing the device. Possibly due to the giddiness of today, I'd added an extra hop in my step, and hummed a outgoing tune under my breath. If there wasn't such a crowd, and it hadn't gotten dark considering the time of evening, I'd have spun in circles also.

So many crazy things had happened recently. Some bad, most out of my wildest imagination. Igarashi wasn't as much of an incorrigible jerk. Koshiba wasn't coming for my head like she used to. I'd become a spectacle for my Music Festival performance. Not to mention that Beautician Boyz show, where I'd met Banri.

And now Tsumugi, Kiharu and I were friends. . .

Oh no. Was it all right for me to be this happy? It shouldn't have been. Something bad was going to happen to balance this out. I wouldn't be surprised if somebody dropped dead right in front of m—

When my leg hit an unexpected object, I didn't have the opportunity to catch my balance. I hit the ground chin-first, though my hands cushioned my fall a bit. Wincing, I yanked my torso off the ground, spitting to rid it of the asphalt that'd infiltrated. Craning my head, I flapped my eyelids rapidly. What in the world made me fall?

Upon seeing a body, sprawled onto his stomach, face buried on the road, a gasp caught in my throat. I clambered from him, eyes wide in pure terror. The body itself had made it difficult to breathe, and after sparing glances at onlookers who were also gazing in our direction, whispering, my heart dropped.

"He just collapsed out of nowhere."

"Oh no. Is he all right?"

My extremities juddered. I reacted straightaway, crawling my jittery self over.

"Hello?" I demanded. "Are you okay?"

He didn't respond, but I did spot his fingers twitch. That was enough for me to barrel forward, elevating his shoulder and forcing his body onto my lap with all my strength. His youthful features stood out to me first. Dishevelled dark brown hair. Glasses.

I was too out of it to truly discern that I'd recognized him.

He was from Hoshizaki. Upperclassman Issei—the one who'd done my hair for the BB show.

Parting his eyelids, albeit painfully, he steadily digested his current predicament. Worry drenched him head to toe. "I-I am terribly sorry to have troubled you."

His faint whisper squeezed my heart.

"It's no trouble at all!" I said. "Should I call an ambulance?"

He seized my hand before I could scramble for my cell. Even his grip was weak. Tears welled in his lifeless eyes. "I'll be fine with some rest."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. This happens all the time."

I assisted him into a seated position. His lower lip trembled.

"The truth is, I have a terminal illness."

My jaw plummeted.

Addressing my shock, he forced a smile. Colour was already returning to his complexion. "I've technically only a year left. I can live a fulfilling life for the most part despite that, but randomly, I do get lightheaded. I take extra care not to show moments of weakness in front of others, but it seems to have backfired today. See, I was on my way to the hospital. My mother got a major heart surgery last week and has been recuperating there since."

My eyelids darted high. He eased himself back onto his feet with small, shaky movements. I lurched to his aid.

"I—I'm so sorry! I-I had no idea."

Upperclassman Issei had a secret like this? He seemed so lighthearted when I saw him at school. Aside from that occurrence where he rebuked Banri, during the actual show in front of the school when he cut my hair, not to mention plentiful of occasions preceding that (like when I returned his book), he was nothing but smiles and goodwill.

And someone like that was. . .

I hadn't noticed a tear had left my eyelid until his hand cupped my cheek. He tenderly wiped it off with the pad of his thumb.

"Please don't cry for me. It'll hurt me so. I'm already grateful enough you took time out of your day to inquire my well-being. And now you're shedding tears for my mother whom you've never met as well. . . You are very kind."

I shook my head vigorously. Enclosed my hand over his. "I-I'm sure she'll be fine."

"I dearly hope so. If. . . if she were to pass just like my father did last month, my five siblings and I will have to fend through this cruel world ourselves."

His dad passed last month? And now his mom was on her deathbed? He was also fighting an illness alongside the possibility of orphanhood? This was way too cruel!

And here I was, counting my blessings. Nothing I'd ever experienced could put a dent in what he was going through!

"And. . . scene!"

The warmth of Upperclassman Issei's hand left my cheek, and I momentarily stirred from my daze. I fixed my blurry eyesight upwards only to find him bowing to the large crowd that had formed around us.

Upperclassman Issei's beam was grand. "This was all a work of fiction. Everyone, thank you for sparing me a bit of your day!"

Hand to his chest, he bowed.

Relief instantaneously flooded the crowd.

"Oh, he was street-acting."

"No wonder. This was all too melodramatic for me to digest."

"Was that girl in on it too? Amazing. What a performance."

Deafening applause arose. Mirth coated most of the masses' faces as they dispersed. Some kind strangers even dropped some change into an idling hat to demonstrate their satisfaction.

All the while Upperclassman Issei soaked it all in with benevolence and thank you's.

Once people were back to carrying on about their business, Upperclassman Issei swivelled to face me. My tears had faded, but my shock definitely hadn't.

I blinked hastily. "You're. . . not dying?"

The brunet laughed at my puzzlement.

"Ha ha, did I convince you?" He poked his fingers into his dimple-y smile. "Sorry to disappoint. It was all an act."

I was still so lost. "An. . . act?"

"Street theatre, to be exact," he elaborated. "It's a form of theatrical performance in outdoor spaces. There isn't a specific audience, and the stories I tell are typically impromptu."

It was all. . . fake?

Embarrassment consumed me in one fell swoop. I'd fallen for it. Pathetically. "But, why?" I found myself asking. Wasn't he a hair dresser? Why would he be street acting, then? Looking into his green eyes, glistening behind his glasses, so many questions swallowed me. The unfamiliarity stabbed me like a knife. "Who. . . ?"

"Issei Enatsu," he introduced via a dramatic bow. "You may know me from being apart of the group, the Beautician Boyz, but it's actually been my lifelong dream to become an actor."

"For, like, shows and movies?" I demanded, wide-eyed. "That's so cool!"

He chortled at my enthusiasm. "I'm glad you agree. It is cool." He took my hand in his. This time, the sensation flustered me. I blamed it on the fact that his hands were so much bigger than mine. "Just like you, my fair lady," he continued via a goofy wink. "You're Shiina Kisaragi, aren't you?"

"Y-you remember me?"

"Why wouldn't I remember the face of such a cute girl?"

My heart rate quickened.

"Besides, the way you trashed Narumi was awesome. He's extremely narcissistic, not to mention quick to cry, so it's hard to tell him off. But you belittled him right in front of us without the slightest remorse. I don't think I'll forget that day for the rest of my life."

"Th-that's an exaggeration. I did it without thinking. I'd appreciate it if you forgot all about it, actually."

Personally, I'd dismissed the incident the moment it happened.

"You're modest," he laughed again. "Even the look in Banri's eye changed recently, all because of you."

"Changed. . . ?"

He didn't answer, but somehow, I had a feeling I knew what he meant.

I spoke to fill the silence, "But if you're aiming to become an actor, why are you performing on the street?"

"I don't think it's that surprising. Lots of theatres street-act to promote their plays. Some celebrities even do it here and there on commissions," Upperclassman Issei replied. "It's the rawest form of acting there is because you don't have either microphone or loud speakers. You have to employ various pitches for different characters while utilizing bodily projections, movements, and dramatics. If you ask me, I don't think there's any harm in getting out of your comfort zone like that every now and again. Getting good at acting both on and off camera can prove advantageous. However. . . in truth, that's not the reason I do it."

I tilted my head. He tugged up the corners of his mouth.

"I guess, after all, I just like making people smile." He gandered at the passing congregations. "Unlike during auditions, the feedback is instant. Not only do I get better at storytelling but I'm also able to live in the moment alongside the audience. I'm still loyal to other forms of acting, of course. But. . . all these people we pass on a daily basis. There's no telling what they're going through. And if someone like me can somehow make them forget their struggles, brighten their days, or move their hearts, even if for a few minutes, it'd have been worth it."

He sheepishly craned his neck in my direction.

"That's a selfish thought, isn't it?"

An undesirable warmth stirred in my gut. I whipped my head left and right. "Not at all!"

Stunned, his eyebrows skyrocketed.

"I think it's wonderful! I'm sure you've moved their hearts. You had to!" I beamed. "Speaking for myself, at least, I seriously did fall for your acting. I was so concerned for your well-being that I was moved to literal tears. It gave me newfound appreciation for the blessings in my life. Your talent made that possible!"

"R. . .really?"

"Really! You'll become a fantastic actor one day! You'll move the hearts of so many people!"

Upperclassman Issei parted his lips, only to thereby shut it. He couldn't formulate the words. But the softness that seized his countenance said enough.

He lessened them proximity between us. Startled, my stomach bottomed out, and my heart stuttered against my ribcage. Before I knew it, every nook and cranny of his flawless face was clear as glass, and my hand was in his for the second time. "'Did my heart love till now'?" he declared. "'Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.'"

"A-anot—" I couldn't speak. "A-another act?"

He merely smiled. Then, instead of answering, he leaned over and he left a light as a feather kiss on the back of my hand. "O sweet Juliet," he finally whispered, "can I ask a favour of you?"

. . .Huh?

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