[CH.80] The Development of a Boy
The performance test in the afternoon went well, probably good enough to score full marks if there were no careless mistakes. It was a review of elementary school content, so although there were some challenging questions here and there, I was able to solve them without any particular difficulty.
After school, since I had work, I went to inform Haruka from Class C that I couldn't walk home together. Surprisingly, she insisted on coming along, claiming it was for observation. When I suggested that it might be better to study instead, she looked at me strangely and said, "It's a proficiency test, so it's meaningless if you don't take it with your usual abilities."
Well, there is some truth to that. I guess the teachers want to know the approximate academic level of each student, so they conduct tests like these. Some people might wonder why they bother with such things when there's an entrance exam, but I think entrance exams are more about whether you meet the criteria to enter the school. It's a bit different in what they assess.
Since we're friends and also dorm mates, I didn't want to be too insistent, so I asked Yuko, who came to pick us up, if it was okay for Haruka to accompany us. She scolded us, saying, "It's okay this time, but next time, let me know in advance," while wearing a slightly embarrassed smile. Well, it's understandable. Even if Yoko-san was suddenly asked, there would be things she could and couldn't accommodate.
When we apologized to Yoko-san, she patted our heads, smiling wryly, and said, "It can't be helped this time." As a working adult, it's only natural to report and communicate, so although this time it was a sudden request from Haruka, from now on, we need to discuss and plan with Haruka about after-school activities properly in advance.
For now, considering the entry time, we got into the car and headed to the photo studio. The bubble had burst, and some time had passed, but initially, most dramas were shot in the studio with sets just like before. However, gradually, the impact started to show, with a decrease in money from sponsors and a reduction in the number of sponsors, leading to the need to make dramas with a smaller budget than before.
To shoot such a low-budget drama, something like a pioneer in-house studio has apparently started recently. In my previous life, there were many studios available for cosplay photography, but it's interesting that something similar has emerged during this period. Originally, furniture is already set up in the studio, and you don't have to prepare small items one by one. Since it's okay to rearrange the furniture if you want to return it to its original state, you can use the same studio to shoot a drama without giving viewers a sense of discomfort. However, they might change small items to avoid a sense of déjà vu.
This time, the drama was shot by assembling the traditional set, and unfortunately, I'm not the lead but a supporting character. It's a piece that focuses more on human drama than on authentic detective elements, revolving around three sisters in high school, middle school, and elementary school solving an incident in their neighborhood. I was called to play the role of a friend of the third sister, and the child actress playing the third sister is in fifth grade, matching the age perfectly. However, even as a middle school student, I sometimes get called for roles similar to my child actor days. When I asked Yoko-san and Haruka, "Isn't it obvious that I'm overflowing with a fake elementary school vibe?" I was bluntly dismissed with a single sentence, "It's fine because you actually look like an elementary school student." Ugh, I earnestly need height. For some reason, rather than a recently grown sturdy bust, I'm becoming sad about something that won't grow vertically.
"Hey, Sumire!"
While thinking about such things, I was heading back to the dressing room from the restroom when someone called out in the hallway. Wondering who it was, I turned around, and there stood Yukan, Yuta Aisaka, whom I had previously co-starred with in an educational drama.
"Long time no see, since autumn, right?"
"Yeah, we only met when I went to cheer for the softball game last time."
The Dannies Agency gathers boys with good athletic abilities, so they form various teams for things like softball and soccer. Last fall, Yuta suddenly called the dorm and asked if I could bring a bento and come to support. Although I thought it was presumptuous, I also very angry at Yuta, who claimed me as his girlfriend. Well, since we're friends, and considering there was no harm, I decided to make a bento and go support with Haruka.
"After that, I got scolded by the seniors and reflected on it a lot. I'm really sorry, Sumire."
"It's fine already. Don’t ever do something like that again. You've apologized so many times, even on the phone. If you apologize too many times, your 'I'm sorry' starts to sound lighter and people might doubt if you're really apologizing, or misunderstand, you know?"
As I spoke while looking up at Yuta's face, for some reason, he blushed slightly and quickly averted his gaze from me. What's going on? Is there something on my face?
Curious, I rubbed my cheeks with the palms of my hands, and Yukan said, somewhat exasperated, "No, it's not dirty or anything." But when we were shooting the educational drama, we were about the same height. Somehow, he had grown taller, and I couldn't help but envy that. Watching him transition from a slightly cute face to a handsome one, it felt like I was witnessing the growth of a true idol under the Dannies Agency banner.
The reason Yuta was apologizing to me was because, on that day, I finally protested against the term "Yuta's girlfriend," which I had been hearing whenever I worked with boys from Dannies. It was way too late to speak up, and I deeply regretted not saying it earlier.
On that day, with about 15 to 20 Dannies idols, including substitute members, gathering for a softball game, the opponent team was another team from Dannies. The neglected field with only a back net became a sparkling space with 30 to 40 handsome guys. Haruka was excited, but for me, being surrounded by cool boys didn't particularly affect me.
Naturally, when rumors like "Who's that?" and "She's Yuta's girlfriend" spread among the crowd, even someone as easygoing as me felt irritated. When Yuta, reaching out eagerly for the bento on the sheet laid on the ground, was indirectly asking for it quickly, I exerted a bit of pressure, subtly correcting that we were friends, not a couple.
Upon hearing that, Yuta declared, "You've taken care of me so much during the shoots. Sumire, do you like me? If so, you should be happy to be my girlfriend." My initial impression was, "Who does he think he is with such a condescending attitude?" After the anger, what followed was a sense of disbelief bordering on wanting to sigh.
"I like you as a friend, but I don't want to date. When I took care of you during the shoots, it was because I wanted to create a piece together with the kids who applied through the general auditions. But it felt like you had no motivation at all, Yuta. Also, you seem to not care about your surroundings at all. I couldn't imagine anything but a future of failure with that attitude, so I did my best to help."
As I said that, Yuta looked blank, as if he couldn't comprehend. Perhaps, being in Dannies, he had only received evaluations like being cool from those around him. So, being told directly by a girl that she wasn't interested in him might be something he had never experienced before.
He desperately listed reasons why he might be liked, such as being called by a nickname and coming to support with a handmade bento even today. Reflecting on it, I realized that these actions might have led him to misunderstand. Maybe I inadvertently treated him in a friendly manner, reminiscent of the dynamics between boys in my past life, and unconsciously thought of him as a younger childhood friend, like a boy in elementary school.
So, I suggested that it wouldn't bother me if everyone ate this bento, and instead of a nickname, we could call him Aisaka-kun. Yuta immediately rejected the idea. When I told him not to spread baseless lies about us dating, he nodded slightly, looking a bit dejected. I, in turn, nodded in satisfaction. I'm glad I avoided having such an unfounded scandal spread to Yukan's fans.
After that, for some reason, senior idols from Dannies were consoling Yuta, patting his back and shoulders. It's important to take care of your friends properly, I'd like to do the same when I have younger colleagues in the agency or when I encounter juniors with less experience in the field.
Since Yuta accepted my suggestion, I supported him as a friend. By the time we were eating the bento, his mood had significantly improved. It wasn't a shock to be blamed for lying, maybe I just scolded him for the first time, and he felt a bit down.
We hadn't met directly until today, but he called me a few times since the beginning of the year, and we had some conversations. I don't know what triggered it, but it seems like he suddenly matured. As someone who was an old man in my past life, I can't help but think he doesn't need to rush into adulthood. Adolescents often idealize adults, and I understand the desire to be liberated from the various constraints of being a minor. Underage individuals face many restrictions, requiring parental consent for almost everything, so I can empathize with the strong desire to be released from such a situation.
"What kind of work do you have today, Sumire?"
"I have a drama shoot, though it's just a small role. How about you, Yuta?"
"I'm on a music program. Since my debut, I've been singing and dancing the same song multiple times, and it's getting a bit tiresome. I hope a new song comes out soon."
Singing the same choreography with the same lyrics repeatedly must bring about such feelings. When I advised him not to express such sentiments openly, Yuta, for some reason, smiled gently and responded, "I wouldn't say this to anyone but you, Sumire." It's really nice to be trusted as a friend, but I don't want to play the role of a sounding board for confidential matters. Of course, I don't plan to spread such information elsewhere.
"Even if it's the umpteenth time for Yuta, there are probably people watching the recording today for the first time on the other side of the TV. While it's essential to be grateful for the fans who have already listened and supported, when things start feeling tough due to the repetition, how about singing for those new people who are getting to know you for the first time?"
Thinking about both existing and potential fans, I suggested such a thing. In response, Yuta looked surprised for a moment, then his expression brightened, and he tightly squeezed my hand with both of his.
"Wow, Sumire, that's amazing. I never thought about that at all. From now on, I'll try singing for the people who are listening to my songs for the first time. Thank you."
I wonder who this kid is. In the time I haven't seen him, Yuta's mental growth is impressive. He must have learned a lot from his seniors and put in a lot of effort to grow visibly in such a short period. Even the strength in his grip, which would probably have crushed my hand before, is now evident with effort but very considerate, making sure not to cause me any pain.
We promised to meet again and have a relaxed chat over tea next time, and I parted ways with Yuta. There's a saying that goes, "When you haven't seen a young man for three days, look at him with new eyes." Seeing the effort put in by young people is dazzling, especially for someone like me, who was in their forties in my past life. I hope Yuta continues to grow and becomes an amazing idol.
With these thoughts in mind, I walked toward the dressing room where Yoko-san and Haruka were waiting.
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