Until the Spotlight Fades

p1

A play we happened to see on TV left a deep impression on us.

"Let's become stage actresses together."
That's what we promised.

Wanting to run a cake shop because you like cake.
Wanting to be a soccer player because you already do it during break time.
Those types of dreams
are the kind that inevitably fizzle out someday.

p2

Even so,
in my world, where I had no light that made me particularly stand out,
the dream we made a promise on that day

We'll definitely make our dreams come true!
Yeah!
continues to shine the brightest to this day.

p3

Several years later...

Miyuri~!!
Machi-chan!

I heard you got the lead role again!!

Yep~<3
I'm the lead~
Why did I get stuck with a minor role again!?

p4

We both joined the drama club at the same time, so why is there such a difference between us...
Grr~
Stop smiling like that~!!

Same to you, Machi-chan...

Stop sulking like that!

...Miyuri.
Machi-chan.
One, two...

p5

Joy.
Anger.

Sorrow.
Bliss.

...What's that you're doing, Senpais?
It's our underclassmen!
It's an original expression training regime
that was came up with when we were kids!

Do it in front of the mirror every day,
and in ten years, you'll have complete mastery over your expressions!
Sounds fishy!

Although it does sound strangely convincing coming from you, Miyuri-senpai.
Ehe.
...

p6

I'm home~

Phew~
Today's club really wore me out...

Ah.
I haven't done this morning's quota.

One, two.

Joy.
Anger.
Sorrow.
Bliss.

Okay!
Today's quota fulfilled!
Check!!
Should be fine now...

p7

...
...I'll be fine.

Drama Club Activities in Progress!
Apologies for the noise.

Oh my, Machi-chan~

Worn out already?
Doing pushups~
I've... still got energy to spare!!
You're the only ones who take basic training this seriously, Senpais.

We do the same basic training every day
and take the same PE classes,
so why does she have so much more stamina than me?
Have some water.

This sucks! I'm so frustrated!!
Stupid Miyuri!
...Hey, Machi-senpai.

p8

You and Miyuri-senpai are childhood friends, right?
That's right.

Why so formal?
Well,
I might just be imagining things...

but it feels like lately
you've been a lot more harsh towards Miyuri-senpai.

...Eh?
But I suppose that sense of distance makes sense since you're childhood friends and all!
Just wanted to reconfirm, I guess?

Well, I guess we're all just kinda nervous
since Miyuri-senpai's like this unattainable flower~!

p9

One, two.
Joy.
Anger.
Sorrow.
Bliss.

I didn't forget anything today!
Check and check...
...Hm?

Ah!
We have club this Saturday!

Memo
Club on the second the fourth Saturdays this month!

I totally forgot about it...

Aw man~
What a pai-...

p10

...One, two.
Joy, anger, sorrow, bliss.
One, two.
Joy, anger, sorrow, bliss.

Haha.
I did it three times today.
I did it three times, so I'll be fine.
I'll be fine.

Ma~chi-chan!

p11

Why are you so clingy?
It's because your performance today
was really good!

Especially your expressions...
Yeah, yeah.

...Machi-chan.
Hmm?

Could it be
you don't like being praised all that much?
Huh? Why wouldn't I be?

p12

I mean,
even when I praise you,
you don't look happy at all.
...R-
Really?

You used to be the clingy one,
going "praise me more" and all that...
S-
Since when!?

It's only natural that praise from a rival
wouldn't make me happy, isn't it!?

Rival...!
It has such a lovely ring to it....
That's right. It's because we're rivals.
That's what this is.

p13

Because if it isn't,
then I...

Ah!
I had something I've been meaning to ask you, Machi-chan!

Is this gonna be another weird question?
It's not~

p14

Our future career surveys!
Have you decided what you're writing yet, Machi-chan?
When it comes to my choice of school...
or my future dream,
I haven't decided on anything yet!
I know.

p15

That dream
is just like all those other fantasies
that people make when they're kids.

A dream that'll inevitably fizzle out some day.

I know that, but...
I-I...!

p16

...No.
I haven't decided on anything yet either.
There's no need to be stupidly honest.
I see~

My dream is different from everyone's whims...
It's not to be taken lightly...
Maybe for laughs...

I'll write "stage actress" for now.

p17

Just kidding.
When
and how
did everyone
realise that was just a whim?

Eh? Machi.
You're quitting the drama club!?

Yeah.
I'm handing in my resignation tomorrow.
This is sudden.
Weren't you dedicated to drama this whole time...!?

Could it be...

p18

were you hurt because Miyuri-chan
kept getting the lead parts...?

...Yeah.
That's right.
Yeah.
That would have been way better.

Ah, I didn't do joy-anger-sorrow-bliss today.

But well,
it doesn't matter anymore.
Because I

p19

had gotten sick of it
a fair while ago.

I don't give a damn about not doing it.
If anything...

Hah

No, that's wrong!!
What am I saying!?
I'm gonna be a stage actress!!

p20

One, two!
Joy, anger, sorrow, bliss!!
Joy, anger, sorrow, bliss!!
I'm not sick of it at all!!
I don't need to quit!!
I'm not relieved at all!!

I hate losing to Miyuri!!
I'm really frustrated, okay!?

I have to think that I'm frustrated.

p21

Uu...
Uuuh...

I don't care what this dream really is.

To me, it's my
one and only guiding light.

I
love drama.
I hate to lose.
I'm crazy about my dream.
Hey, I'm
frustrated, right?
I should be, right?
Say it.

p22

Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.
Say you're frustrated.

p23

I should hand in my resignation
while it's still morning.

Is the teacher here already...?

The drama clubroom...

p24

I did nothing but basic training.
I thought I'd get to go on stage once in a while,
but I kept being given the same old roles.

I just kept looking at a scenery that would never change for the better.
No wonder I lost interest...

?
Is someone in there?

...Eh?

p25

Miyuri...?
Machi-chan!?

Why are you here!?
We don't have morning training today, right!?
That's my line...

I love basic training,
so I do it alone in the mornings!

The more I do it, the more relaxed? Or rather,
the more at ease I feel~
H-Heh~...

...D-...

p26

Don't you get sick of it?

I couldn't possibly get sick of basic training, could I?

I-
I guess... not.

I'm glad you came, Machi-chan.
There's something I wanted to discuss with you in private.
With me?
Yes.

p27

It's about my future dream.

Eh?
You told me yesterday that you hadn't decided on it...
I'm sorry.
That was lie.

I do actually
have a dream I want to come true.

Could it be?
...What kind
of dream...?

I knew it.
Y'see,
Miyuri also wants to...
the truth is...

p28

I want to be a doctor.

p29

Long ago,
I admired Miyuri's long hair
so I let my own hair grow out in secret.

Then one day,
Good morning, Machi-chan!
Miyuri suddenly cut her hair.

Miyuri said,
"It's summer already"
"so it's hot with long hair,"
with a smile.

p30

Machi-chan...!?
A doctor?
What the heck...?

p31

That has
nothing to do with drama!

You're sure to become a doctor.
Knowing you, Miyuri,
you can become anything.

Thank you.
After yesterday,
I felt like I shouldn't hide it anymore.

Thank goodness.
You're my...
one and only dear rival, after all.
Miyuri's probably putting on a nice smile right now.
Things have finally

p32

faded to black.

Edit

Pub: 02 Nov 2025 01:27 UTC

Views: 40