[CH.23] School life and Ms. Oshima's lessons
"My local school had group commutes, but this school is for individual commutes, so I go to school alone. As I got closer to the school building, I noticed more students wearing the same uniform.
I joined the students who were flowing into the school gate one after another and entered the school grounds. Unlike my local school, where the number of shoe lockers was significantly smaller, I changed into indoor shoes at a spacious entrance. By the way, it's not really important, but at my local school, we used to call the entrance area the 'shoebox center.' I somehow found it cuter than the impersonal term 'entrance,' so I personally liked it.
"Good morning!"
As I opened the sliding door and greeted my classmates, some of them returned the greeting. But there were some who completely ignored me, so I could feel that I still hadn't fully blended into the class. Since I had been in the same classroom since I enrolled, I hadn't interacted much with some of my classmates, so I didn't need to be friends with everyone. However, I did want to have at least a friendly relationship where they would return my greetings.
While thinking about that, I headed to my seat, and a friend sitting behind me was looking at me with a grin. It was Touka Kimura-chan, who was also the class representative.
"Good morning, Touka."
"Good morning, Miss Beautiful Model."
Even though I greeted her normally, my friend replied teasingly. I was puzzled, and she pulled a magazine out from her desk with a triumphant "ta-da." Oh, I've seen this cover before. Actually, it arrived at the dormitory yesterday.
"I went to the bookstore with Mom yesterday while we were out shopping, and I found this."
I won't ask you how you found out that my photo was published in that magazine because, well, it's right there on the cover. It arrived from the publishing company yesterday, and I hadn't heard anything from Ando-san, so honestly, my eyes popped when I saw it. I think it's understandable that I called Ando-san, who should be at the agency, in a panic to confirm.
According to Ando-san, originally, I was supposed to be one of the four people surrounding the cover girl. However, it seems Ando-san got angry and complained to the editorial department when those girls surrounded me and intimidated me—although it was far from intimidating, more like something cute. Those girls had a history of misconduct, and the editorial department also wanted to avoid them causing any trouble that would tarnish the magazine's image in the future. So, Ando-san pushed me hard for the cover. The editorial department initially agreed to use our model for the cover if they didn't use the four girls in the future. However, they must have had to make a decision after learning about further misconduct by those models from the other agency.
After all, I'm only in the third grade of elementary school. I can be used as a model for this magazine targeting elementary school students for a long time, and I'm the opposite of those girls with misconduct. I take pride in doing the work assigned to me diligently. Apparently, there were also voices from the field saying that I was reasonably cute and easy to work with, which further supported the miracle of me being printed on the cover.
Madoka-san should have been the one chosen originally, but she's probably close to graduating as a junior model due to her age, so it must have fallen to me, who can still be used extensively.
Ando-san, speaking with enthusiasm, said, "This will bring in a lot of other jobs, and we can expect a synergy effect with the previous toy company's commercial," and I replied with a sigh before hanging up the phone. I can't help but think that I want to do acting jobs rather than commercials or modeling, but I reluctantly accepted it as a stepping stone for that.
"Huh? Isn't that Sumire-chan?"
"Eh? Sumire-chan is in the magazine?"
Two classmates who had become friends through Touka looked curiously into the magazine. Since I'm still a beginner and only the teacher and Touka know about this job, it must be strange for them to see my photo in the magazine.
They made lively comments like, "This outfit is cute," or "I wonder where they sell it, I'd like to try it too," and I just smiled politely and let the conversation pass. Basically, I'm like a dress-up doll in the hands of the stylist, so I don't have the answers to their questions.
"But Touka, is it okay to bring something like this to school? What if the teacher confiscates it, and you don't even know?"
I asked with a hint of sarcasm, and Touka responded confidently with a mischievous smile.
"Don't worry, I've got it covered. I went to the staff room before coming to the classroom and showed it to the teacher. You shouldn't show it off too much, but they'll let it slide a little."
As expected from a top student, she has a high level of trust from the teacher and some clever maneuvering. Seeing a glimpse of her sly and calculating side, I couldn't help but find it a little scary when imagining her future.
In my past life, I had been overweight since I could remember, so physical education classes were nothing but torture. However, in this current life, even though I don't have outstanding athleticism, my body seems to move as I want it to, so I don't have much of an aversion to it.
But being a girl in this life, there are unique concerns that come with it. When I was a boy, I wore shorts, so I didn't pay much attention to this, but as a girl, I have to wear gym bloomers that leave my thighs exposed. Even though in my hometown, my classmates were still young, and the girls didn't mind if their panties peeked out a bit, it's different in Tokyo.
The boys who have matured a bit glance at me from time to time, and the girls are also frequently checking for any "wardrobe malfunctions." I wonder why we have to do physical education in something that looks like underwear. In my past life, there was a growing movement to phase out bloomers in about six or seven years, but I hope it happens even sooner in this current life.
Setting that aside, today's physical education class is about the vaulting box. In my past life, I couldn't even jump a single step, and I didn't understand how to jump, but with my current body, I feel like I finally understand how to move it properly.
---
With a "thud," I stepped on the vaulting horse with both feet and pushed my hands on top of it, opening my legs to leap over and landing firmly on the mat. There were vaulting boxes of 3 to 6 stages lined up, and each of us chose the one that matched our abilities to clear. Since I could jump up to 6 stages, the teacher instructed me to assist the other children.
Unfortunately, with my small body, supporting on the stacked and high vaulting boxes was impossible, so I stood beside the lowest 3-stage vaulting box.
"Matsuda-san, can you take a look at my jumping form for a moment?"
I heard a brusque voice and turned my gaze in that direction. Um, I think it was Harada-kun.
"Harada-kun, you should be able to easily jump this number of stages."
"W-well, the basics are important."
Lately, for some reason, I had been interacting with Harada-kun a lot during physical education. Maybe he's the boy I talk to the most since transferring here, even though it's still not a lot.
In the previous dodgeball game, when I was about to get hit, he was on the same team and shielded me by catching the opponent's ball and throwing it back. It left an impression on me. Given that, he should be good at sports, so why was he here at the beginner's vaulting box? I asked this question, and he responded, avoiding eye contact. "Well, the basics are important."
Without revealing my inner thoughts, I explained the jumping technique to Harada-kun and had him try it. As expected, he effortlessly cleared it. His form was impeccable, and there was nothing to teach or correct.
I applauded Harada-kun with a round of applause and praised him with a "Wow, that was amazing." He responded with a slightly embarrassed look and said, "Thank you," before heading to the next vaulting box. As I tilted my head, wondering what that was all about, Touka approached me with a mischievous grin. As soon as she got in front of me, she asked, "What's up with Harada-kun?"
"I'm not sure, but he said something about wanting to get the basics right," I replied.
Touka looked at me as if I were an alien and sighed heavily. "Teasing a little kid is no fun. I'll explain what he meant when you're a bit more grown up."
I felt irritated inside, thinking that was rude. After all, I had lived as a middle-aged man until now. While I did admit that my interpersonal communication skills were lacking, I couldn't bring myself to say that to her. I kept the frustration inside and listened to Toka as she happily started a different conversation.
Afterward, we had lunch, went through the afternoon classes, and headed home. Today, Ms. Oshima had some free time, so I had a lesson scheduled with him. Normally, several dormitory residents with available schedules would participate, but today it was just me. Getting a one-on-one lesson with a renowned actress like Ms. Oshima would typically require a substantial fee.
---
"Welcome back, Sumire-chan," greeted Toyo-san.
"I'm back. Is Ms. Oshima here?"
I greeted Toyo-san and asked about Ms. Oshima in front of the dormitory's entrance. She told me that Ms. Oshima had conveyed a message, essentially saying, "Call me whenever you're ready." I apologized for using Toyo-san as a messenger but asked her to relay my message to Ms. Oshima that I would be at the practice room in 10 minutes. Then, I rushed to my room.
I changed from my school uniform into practice attire, prepared a towel, writing utensils, and indoor shoes, and hurried to the practice room. It was crucial not to arrive later than Ms. Oshima, that would be unacceptable. Fortunately, the practice room was empty when I arrived, so I opened the windows to allow some fresh air in and waited for Ms. Oshima.
A few minutes later, Ms. Oshima entered the practice room. Usually, when we meet, he asks about things like "How's school?" or "Have you gotten used to life here?" and shows concern, but during lessons, there's no room for such personal conversations.
"Well then, shall we begin?"
"Yes, please!"
I bowed my head slightly, and the lesson started. I was given a single sheet of paper with lines, and we proceeded with instruction by performing the lines written on it. Normally, I would perform dialogues with one of the dormitory residents, but today, considering that no one else was there, we were having a conversation between a mother and a daughter. Of course, Ms. Oshima played the role of the mother, and I played the role of the daughter.
It was the responsibility of the dormitory residents to set the scene by interpreting the lines. Based on the lines this time, it seemed like a conversation at the dining table. So, I brought over two folding chairs and set them up to face each other.
"Well then, let's begin."
With a clap of the hands, the acting began. At first, it was my lines, and of course, it wasn't just about reading them, it required using my entire body for the performance. The lines given to me today were a conversation between a mother and daughter discussing the brother's birthday. My role was to play the innocent younger sister who adores her brother.
As the daughter, I asked the mother if everything was ready for the brother's birthday, including the cake and presents. The mother replied that everything was in order. However, she had completely forgotten to make the decorations for the room, which the mother had asked her to do. So, she hurriedly left her seat to make the decorations.
I didn't overact, I tried to maintain a genuine sense of brightness in my performance. When I was reminded by the mother, I looked up at the imaginary sky for a moment, as if trying to remember something, which was my own little touch.
I moved away from the chair and toward the wall of the practice room. Simultaneously with Ms. Oshima's voice saying, "That's enough," the applause rang out again. I quickly returned to stand in front of Ms. Oshima and was prompted to sit back in the chair where I had been sitting earlier.
"You're doing well in putting emotions into your lines, and your acting doesn't feel overly dramatic but rather natural, which is good. However, that 'startled' act you just did felt a bit forced. When you think of something, do you usually look up at the air and have a sudden realization? Do you widen your eyes or open your mouth?"
These are common ways people express themselves, but Ms. Oshima pointed out that while some people may deliberately act this way, it's not the norm.
"People behave differently in the same situation. What you observe about how people behave in various situations and store in your memory will be very important for your acting. So, make observing people your life's work. What you gain from it will surely become a treasure for you."
"Yes," I replied.
I nodded vigorously, and Ms. Oshima smiled in satisfaction. Then, with a mischievous grin, she patted my head and said something playful.
"Actually, the acting we just did was a test. You passed it, so I have a reward for you."
With that, she handed me a piece of paper, and I read the words written on it.
"Educational TV, 'Spread Your Wings' audition information for tomorrow...?"
I remembered that it was the title of a children's drama I used to watch during moral education class. Does this mean I can finally start working in acting?
When I eagerly looked up at Ms. Oshima, she nodded with a smile.
"However, this time, you must audition and win the role with your own abilities. Even if you don't make it, I believe that the experience will definitely benefit you in the future."
With warm words of encouragement, I replied with a firm "Yes," feeling determined.
Even as the day turned into evening, Ms. Oshima's acting guidance continued. My body was exhausted, but my motivation kept rising. I made up my mind to maintain this level of enthusiasm and give it my all during the audition.
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