A Story About a Girl Who Took Life for Granted and Fell in Love With a Kind and Introverted Boy - Chapter 24.2

“Kenji, are you ready to go?”

“Yes, let’s go.”

The curtains slowly rise, and the stage lights brighten.

Our play has finally begun.

—

The main character, Giovanni, appears in every scene, from start to finish. The story follows Giovanni closely, and almost no scene exists without him. My character, Campanella, appears often as well, second only to Giovanni, but surprisingly, outside of boarding the Galactic Railroad, I spend much of my time backstage, watching everyone else perform.

“Mom, I’m home. How are you feeling?”

“Oh, welcome back, Giovanni. Today has been cool, and I’ve felt well all day.”

Giovanni stands by his mother’s bedside, speaking to her gently. His expression is both that of Giovanni and Kenji himself.

“Mom, I bought some sugar cubes. I thought I could add them to your milk.”

“Oh, you don’t need to, dear. I’m fine as I am.”

“But Mom, you should still eat something.”

“I’m all right, Giovanni. Why don’t you have something yourself?”

Kenji is a talented actor, I think to myself again. His movements feel so natural, not forced at all. It’s like Giovanni himself is standing there.

(I’m sure Kenji takes care of his mother like this, too…)

Watching this scene, I get a glimpse into Kenji’s personal life.

—

“Hey, Giovanni! Your dad is bringing you a coat made of otter fur!”

The scene changes to one where Giovanni is taunted by his classmates. Nagasaki, the class clown, plays Zanelli, the bully—a perfect role for him in every way. Nagasaki’s exaggerated manner of speaking lightens the mood, making the scene humorous, even if Zanelli is mean.

Because of that, I hear giggles from the audience.

“……………………”

But I can’t bring myself to laugh, though it’s not because Nagasaki isn’t funny. It’s just that…

—

“Whaaat?! Look at all these pictures! That’s crazy!”

“No way! So many photos!”

“You didn’t have to take so many! But Kana, you look so happy!”

“Right? Look at that! Just like a real couple!”

“Wow, Kana! Maybe you’ll be a famous actress one day!”

Laughter fills the air.

—

The memory of my friends Mayu and Arisa saying cruel things about Kenji always comes back to me. That’s why I struggle to watch the scenes where Giovanni is bullied by his classmates. Even if it’s just acting, it’s painful to see Kenji look sad when he’s teased.

“…What’s with Zanelli?”

Giovanni’s lonely murmur fills the silent gymnasium.

The audience quickly quiets, too.

“…Saito-kun is amazing.”

“Yeah, there’s something about him…there’s power in his acting.”

The classmates standing behind me whisper to each other.

“Saito-kun was only chosen as Giovanni three days ago, and he’s already so good at it.”

“Yeah, it’s surprising.”

“Do you think he’s in the drama club or something?”

Listening to the conversation behind me, I almost speak up.

Kenji isn’t experienced. He’s nervous and trying his hardest, despite his shaking.

Kenji’s talent comes from his love for Night on the Galactic Railroad and his ability to relate to Giovanni.

“Saito-kun’s acting feels…natural, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, it has a realness to it.”

It’s not just “realistic.” It’s real to Kenji.

It’s because of his mom, and being bullied, too.

That’s why he’s so good.

“……………………”

I quietly watch Giovanni, standing alone on stage, thinking about the things I know about Kenji that no one else does.

—

The play progresses smoothly, and soon, it’s time for the scene where Giovanni boards the Galactic Railroad. This is finally my turn to appear.

“Where…am I? On a train? I was sure I was on the hill just a moment ago…”

Giovanni looks around, sitting in his chair, as though confused.

The spotlight is only on Giovanni right now, and everything else around him is dark.

In the darkness, a spotlight suddenly shines on me, sitting opposite Giovanni. To the audience, it looks like Campanella suddenly appeared out of the shadows.

“Campanella!”

Giovanni looks at me with surprise and joy.

“So you were on this train too!?”

“…Yes, Giovanni.”

“I thought you’d gone to the river with everyone else. I never expected to see you here!”

“……………………”

Giovanni’s happy face tugs at my heart.

Just hearing him say, “I didn’t expect to see you!” makes me happy, even though I know it’s only acting. No matter how many times we rehearse this scene, I feel a sense of joy every time.

(I wonder how Kenji feels right now.)

Isn’t it hard for him to say this to me, even if it’s just part of the play?

“Hey, Giovanni, do you think the riverbank is under moonlight?”

“No, it’s not moonlight. It’s the galaxy that’s shining. Wow! Look, we’re on the Milky Way field now.”

“Yes, look. The gentian flowers are blooming. It’s already autumn.”

Even though Kenji and I have only rehearsed these lines for three days, they come out naturally.

—

The Galactic Railroad fills with passengers.

There’s a bird catcher, a lighthouse keeper, and then, like the sinking of the Titanic, people from a ship that hit an iceberg and sank.

I have many scenes with those people from the ship: a young male tutor and the siblings he teaches—Kaoru, the sister, and Tadashi, the younger brother. I have a scene where I chat with these siblings.

“What’s that star over there?” Giovanni points out a red star shining outside the window.

I look and reply, “That’s the Scorpion’s Fire.”

“What’s the Scorpion’s Fire?”

When Giovanni asks, Kaoru, sitting beside me, responds.

“I know the Scorpion’s Fire. A scorpion burned up and died. That’s the fire that still burns today.”