Ramona
...Alright. It's a good time, so that's all for today. We'll start at the same time tomorrow, so feel free to drop by if you'd like.

Claire
Thank you very much, Ramona-san.

Ramona
Yes. Don't forget to take in experiences outside of theatre as well. Living your daily life is also independent practice for an actor.

Koyomi
...

Koyomi
(I came because I heard about the workshop, but she seems to be teaching quite carefully...)

Abigail
Thanks to you, I'm in good form. I might even surpass you someday!

Claire
I won't lose to my seniors. Not even to you, Ramona-san!

Ramona
...

Abigail
Hey, that's where you're supposed to say something like "I accept your challenge"!

Ramona
! ...Ah, yes. That's right. Of course, I accept your challenge. Leave the rest to me, and go get some rest.

Koyomi
...This isn't like you at all.

Koyomi
(She's somewhat better now, but for the past week, Ramona-san has been absent-minded-)

Koyomi
Good morning, Ramona-san.

Ramona
...

Ramona
...Ah, oh, Koyomi. You're early today, good morning.

Koyomi
I'm not particularly earlier than usual...

Koyomi
Haah... I told her we have rehearsal after school, yet she went wandering off somewhere...

Ramona
...Um, I'm sorry. What are we talking about...?

Koyomi
Lilja-san, of course. She just vanished in front of the main gate.

Ramona
Ah, right. That's right. That's just like Lilja...

Koyomi
...

Koyomi
(...Clearly, Ramona-san is pretending to be calm. No, she can't even manage to pretend.)

Koyomi
(After briefly rehearsing with her, I'm certain. The cause is undoubtedly that time-)

Koyomi
...Ah, I see. Despite being warned, you still meddled unnecessarily.

Koyomi
Why don't you understand that what matters is how the people involved feel?

Koyomi
(...I might have been too harsh back then. But truthfully, Ramona-san brought this upon herself.)

Koyomi
What am I doing...

Koyomi
(It has nothing to do with Gingaza, and it's not my place to intervene. Yet I couldn't leave Ramona-san alone because...)

Ramona
...Koyomi, thank you. I'm glad you joined me. Leave the cleanup to me, you should head home before it gets late.

Koyomi
No, I'll help you.

Koyomi
...I must return the Sense I borrowed from you.

Ramona
Sense...

Ramona
I see, I can't hide anything from you, can I...

Koyomi
Yes. Your Sense is occasionally useful. I can clearly see how exhausted you are.

Ramona
...Yes.

Koyomi
Haah...

Koyomi
Ramona-san. Good actors don't bring personal matters onto the stage.

Koyomi
Whatever happens, separate yourself from your role. I'm not perfect at this either, so I'm saying this as a reminder to myself as well.

Ramona
...You were right, Koyomi. I was immature. I still can't get the incident with Kathrina and Chris out of my head.

Ramona
Someone who can't even help friends reconcile has no business running a workshop...it's laughable.

Koyomi
I meant to encourage you, but my words didn't reach you at all, did they...

Ramona
I'm sorry I didn't notice...

Koyomi
Aren't you the type to respond to provocative words with your own? Like earlier, saying "I accept your challenge" or something...

Ramona
I don't know if I can accept any challenges...

Koyomi
This really isn't like you. You're so weak...

Ramona
...

Koyomi
Stop looking down and raise your face.

Ramona
...My face isn't one I want to show to Koyomi. Leave me alone.

Koyomi
I've left you alone for a week and you haven't improved, that's why I'm talking to you now.

Koyomi
What will it take for you to look forward again, as you usually do?

Ramona
Who knows. If you lift my head, I suppose I'll naturally be looking forward...

Koyomi
I'm not talking about physically lifting your head...I'm not angry with you, you know.

Ramona
...

Koyomi
...Good grief. Just this once.

Koyomi
I'll raise your face for you, physically.

Ramona
...!

Ramona
To think I'd have my head patted at this age. I feel like a child.

Koyomi
I'm not patting you. I'm merely raising your face, that's all. Don't make me do things like this.

Ramona
I see. Fufu...

Koyomi
That's enough. Now you're looking forward, right?

Ramona
...No.

Ramona
Just a little longer, please. So that I can face forward with the warmth of Koyomi, who doesn't abandon even someone like me.

Koyomi
...

Koyomi
Haah...

Koyomi
This really isn't like either of us...

Ramona
Thank you. I'm glad you're here, Koyomi.

Edit

Pub: 27 Aug 2025 14:45 UTC

Edit: 09 Sep 2025 08:58 UTC

Views: 6