The Handsome Girl Who Stole My Girlfriend Seems to Be After Me Now - Chapter 26: Fruit Squad Veggie Rangers ①

Chapter 26: Fruit Squad Veggie Rangers ①

It’s Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m.

The first show of the hero performance starts at 10 a.m., and the actors are supposed to gather about an hour before. So, I was up unusually early, getting ready to head out.

It takes about 30 minutes to get from my house to the shopping district by train and on foot. If I leave at 8, I should get there with time to spare.

“Fuwa~… huh? Ani’s up this early! That’s rare, good morning!”

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Suzuka in her pajamas came down to the living room and was surprised to see me eating breakfast. What a noisy sister I have in the morning.

“Good morning. Don’t talk about me like I’m some kind of wild animal. Even I get up early and go out sometimes.”

“You’re going out!? Wow, is today the day? Tell me that’s a lie?”

“It’s for real.”

So, my going out is as rare as “raining spears” or “falling meteorites”?

As Suzuka spouted her usual nonsense, Mom chimed in.

“He’s got a job in the shopping district in the next town.”

“You’re working!? That’s… that’s not the Ani I know!”

With an overly dramatic tone, Suzuka started shaking my shoulder vigorously.

“Waking up early to go to a job, that’s not something Souta-oniichan would do! I thought you’d sleep till noon and then waste the whole holiday without stepping a foot outside, the lazy and no-good brother I’m used to!”

“Hey, I’ll seriously throw you out if you keep this up, you know?”

Just trying to do something decent for once and everyone makes a big deal out of it. 

Looks like I need to set things straight with this foolish sister of mine who underestimates me.

“It’s rare for you to do something like this, huh? What, do you want something?”

“No, not really.”

“Could it be a present for Shizuno-chan?”

“What, really!? For his girlfriend!”

“Oh~ How sweet. Being young is nice, isn’t it~”

With that, Mom and Suzuka start grinning and gossiping like it’s the most interesting news of the day. Super annoying.

“It’s not like that. The cinema club president just asked me for a favor.”

But trying to explain myself to those two, who had already turned into gossiping aunties, was like talking to a wall. They weren’t listening at all.

“…Thanks for nothing.”

Staying here would only make things worse as they’d keep teasing me endlessly. It’s about time to head out anyway.

I quickly cleaned up my dishes and grabbed my stuff, rushing out the door like I was escaping. 

Geez, I haven’t even started my shift, and I’m already exhausted…

※　※　※　※

When I arrived at the shopping district, the square was already bustling with the setup of the stage and chairs for the audience. For a local event, it seemed to be on a rather large scale.

The stage wasn’t very wide but had the same height as one you’d find in a school gymnasium, quite professional indeed.

“Hello there, you must be Sakuhara-kun that Miyazawa-san mentioned?”

When I arrived at the backstage area beside the stage, a kindly smiling, portly middle-aged man greeted me. He must be the “Chairperson” the president mentioned.

“Thank you for coming today! We really appreciate it!”

“Uh, yeah… Nice to meet you…”

“I think Miyazawa-san already told you everything beforehand, but just a reminder, the first performance starts at 10 o’clock. So, make sure to change into your costume and get ready at least 20 minutes beforehand, even if you’re running late.”

“Um, that’s fine, but…”

As the Chairman explained everything, I couldn’t hold back the question that had been bothering me.

“…Why are the club president and the others here?”

“Ha-ha-ha! Don’t be shy, Sakuhara-kun! Of course, we’re here to support you!”

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, the cinema club president and two other club members were also standing in the backstage area.

“No, I really don’t need support… Actually, knowing people here makes it even harder for me.”

“What are you talking about? We’re not just “acquaintances” that can be summed up so easily, right? We’ve sworn to dedicate our youth to filmmaking as comrades. Rest assured, we’ll be cheering you on with all our passion! Right, Fujishiro-kun, Kikuchihara-kun?”

The president looked for agreement, and the two seniors opened their mouths to speak.

“No, I just thought it’d be funny to see Sakuhara struggling.”

“My little brother is a fan of the character Sakuhara-kun is going to play today. I want to brag about it, so can you take a picture with me in your costume later?”

It’s like they’re not on the same page at all. It seems their motivations aren’t aligned.

Or maybe, since I’m the only first-year here, they’re just using this as an opportunity to tease the junior?

“Wait, I’m different!? I really came to support you, Sakuhara-kun!?”

Without saying anything, I watched the president hastily explain herself, while I rubbed my increasingly aching stomach.

…Maybe I should buy some stomach medicine before the show starts.