Ayase Mami peeked through the curtains and looked at the crowd. Members of the audience turn to each other and exchange a few words everytime a scene ends. Judging from the expressions she had observed so far, they looked really excited and satisfied with the way the play is unfolding so far. She heaved a sigh of relief.
Although she gave permission for the cast to thwart her script as they see fit to compromise to the situation backstage, she's very nervous at the outcome. "But there's no way around this mess... The best I can do is manage the backstage efficiently while the cast do their job," she told herself.
When preparations for the next scene was finished, Mami looked at her classmate tasked with holding the falling backdrop cloth in place. "Hold tight and hang in there. Someone else would switch once the scene ends..." she told him. Her classmate nodded, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. Mami signalled for the curtain to be raised.
The current scene playing out onstage is of the Sheriff, Prince John and Sir Guy talking about plans to catch Robin Hood (as it is their fundamental reason to exist) while Lady Marian pours them drinks. Sir Guy looks quite displeased and seemed to be concentrating more on keeping an eye on Lady Marian than the conversation they are having. After looking silently frustrated for a few dialogues, he finally spoke.
"Pardon my intrusion, my lords, but should the lady be tasked to do such a menial job as pouring drinks?" Shuu said.
Ryoma is in the middle of tilting a wine bottle onto a glass and stopped midway. Before the Sheriff or Prince John could deliver a response to this, Lady Marian spoke. "Why, I actually enjoy doing such menial tasks, my good sir. It is far better than staying in my chambers, all cooped up like a bird in a cage," Ryoma said, displaying a sweet smile (with Seigaku members in the audience cringing) and proceeding with pouring the red liquid (actually strawberry juice) inside the crystal wine glass.
"But my lady..." Shuu said in protest before the narrator explained that Mariane indulges the Sheriff in making her serve during such meetings for it is the sure-fire way to hear of their schemes and plans against her Robin. It would be troubling for her to be excluded in the meetings because of Sir Guy's interference but it also shows that the knight's concern for the lady is genuine.
On the other side of the backdrop, the backstage people are trying to hammer in small nails onto the crumbling background, being very silent and careful. Unfortunately, one of them suddenly hit the head of the nail a little too hard and a metallic thud reached the ears of the cast acting onstage and the audience on the front seats.
Flustered, Shuu impulsively grabbed Ryoma's wrist. Ryoma blinked while Horio and Miyako looked on, hiding their nervousness and keeping their act together.
The sudden wrist-grabbing made a few of the girls in the audience squeal. "Oh no, that's so cute! Echizen-kun and Hoshimura-kun!"
Hearing their names from the crowd, Shuu and Ryoma both wilted inside, full of disgust, and struggled to keep their composure.
Shuu did not have to exert effort in acting embarrassed for he really is already dying inside for being shipped with a fellow guy. With scarlet cheeks, he quickly let go of Lady Marian's wrist. "Excuse my behavior, my lady. I just... cannot bear to see you being treated like a mere serving girl," he said, fumbling over the ad-libbed lines that his overheated brain was able to come up with. "Thank god we acted on character for the service in the cafe! It turned out to be useful for the real deal!" he thought, making a mental note to give Mami a word of praise for coming up with the idea.
"Hoshimura, nice save!" the people backstage thought in unison before glaring at the person handling the hammer. He hung his head in apology and embarrassment.
Somehow, they managed to close off the scene properly. Afterwards, the scene diverted back to the two main protagonists. Because of the ad-libbing on their last scene together, Ryoma and Ryouko would have to alter the next scene a bit. Marian and Robin had an argument thus they would have to resolve it whilst following the actual scenario line-ups which included Marian warning Robin of the next trap that Prince John would set up to catch him. For the two minute in-between scenario break, Ryoma and Ryouko were huddled together in whispers, planning what they should do for the ad-libs.
The person holding onto the backdrop is replaced and the curtain opened to the next scene. In the garden where Marian and Robin hold most of their meet-ups, Ryoma in a pale turquoise dress is standing centerstage, fidgeting and looking troubled.
Meanwhile, on the left side of the stage, Ryouko climbed up the shoulders of two of their tallest male classmates to elevate herself and made her entrance by jumping down, making the illusion of Robin flying down gracefully from somewhere. There were oohs of appreciation from the audience to appreciate their extra effort.
Marian immediately turned her, err, his head to the direction where the bandit entered and displayed a smile of both anticipation and relief. However, as Ryouko made her way towards him, Ryoma erased the smile and put on a poker-faced expression.
There is silence as the two characters merely looked at each other. Robin is the one to break the ice. "Marian... It's been a long time, since we last saw each other like this... Are you doing well?" Ryouko said, sporting a gentle smile.
"I've been very well, thank you," Ryoma answered, his voice cold. He recalled what he and Ryouko talked about just a couple of minutes ago.
"Let's do it like this. Marian is still upset at Robin and is being stubborn about seeing him but she's also sulking that he's not showing himself. Robin also wanted to see her but as he knows that she's still angry, he restrains himself and just watches her from afar. The two characters are under a misunderstanding that their significant other doesn't want to see them. Marian would be the one to give in first and makes an excuse of telling Robin about Prince John's next schemes just to see him. I'll lead the scene and you follow along my lines," Ryouko told him.
Mami was by the side listening in to compose a new narration for the narrator to say before the start of the scenario and thought, "Ehh... Why does that situation sound familiar?"
Back on the scene onstage, Ryouko sported a withered expression upon hearing Marian's cold response. "You sent an urgent letter asking to meet. I suppose that John is planning something again?" she said as if meaning to shift the subject.
"He is. Undercover palace soldiers are being put in the houses of dukes and marquises in danger of being robbed by Robin Hood and they are disguising as gardeners and servants. I just thought that you should know," Ryoma said.
Ryouko nodded and looked somber. "The merry men already got wind of that information though... They have been observing the houses of our next targets and noticed the sudden increase of servants in some households. We've investigated and discovered some of the palace soldiers we know by face," she said matter-of-factly.
As planned, Ryoma began to act annoyed. "Is that so? It seems like I have provided you with useless information. In that case, I will take my leave," he said and turned around, the long frilly skirt of the silk blue gown swishing to his movements.
Ryouko immediately chased after him in two quick steps and grabbed his wrist. "Wait, Marian. Must you act so cold to me like this? Are you not finished getting mad at me?" she asked with a concerned tone.
The crowd focused on Ryoma's expression which looked torn between the desire to blurt out forgiveness and the stubbornness to keep the angry facade. They marveled at his excellent acting skills. Who would expect that the tennis ace of Seigaku has such a talent?
When she didn't get a response, Ryouko ad-libbed another line. "What is it that I have to do to make you look at me again? I have been restraining myself from seeing you in respect to your feelings. I understand that you needed time away from me to forgive what I did wrong-"
"So that was it? You never stopped by even once in respect to my feelings? People say that you have excellent insights but they are certainly overestimating your abilities," Ryoma interrupted in an irritated tone and turned around to jerk his wrist off her hand. "What do you know of my feelings? Have you any idea how long I have waited for you to come and see me-" he stopped himself and placed a hand on his mouth in surprise.
Ryouko was a bit surprised herself. She expected it since they have talked about the scenario before going onstage but she didn't anticipate that Ryoma would choose such straightforward words. He is the aloof and insensitive Ryoma after all. Although it struck her as peculiar for Ryoma to ad-lib such lines, she responded along the dialogue, careful not to divert from the mood of the scene.
"You waited? You waited for me? But I thought you didn't want to talk to me. You said you didn't want to see my face. In order to not anger you further, I only..." her words faded and she felt strange. Why does this situation feel oddly familar?
Ryoma acted a bit flustered and struggled to come up with more lines. "Must I always say it for you to understand? I only said that I didn't want to see you because I was upset. But then you really stopped passing by my window; you really stopped seeing me, you wouldn't even look at me," he said and also felt the same odd feeling that came upon Ryouko.
All of a sudden, Ryoma was reminded of that time after he slapped Ryouko in the hospital and started ignoring her in school. Marian is doing the exact same thing, letting her anger take control and causing Robin to misunderstand. The only reason she's angry is because of genuine concern over Robin's welfare. He too was just acting obstinate back then because he was worried that Ryouko would place herself in danger again. He recalled how uneasy he was when Ryouko stopped giving him the usual side glances in the classroom and it is the same feeling that Marian is displaying, moping about Robin not coming to see her. He remembered himself sulking as well and when she got snatched away by that shrewd Fuji-senpai, instead of doing something about it, he sulked even more.
Ryoma felt his ears go hot. Was it possible that back then, he was acting like such a girl? Perhaps, did it seem that way to Ryouko? The redness of his ears reached to his nape and the realization of his past actions brought a shock. Why didn't he notice it sooner? For a man like him to act like a sensitive maiden on her period... How embarrassing!
At the same time, Ryouko was also reminded of the start of her fight with Ryoma a week ago. Oddly enough, she thought that Robin's situation is the same as hers back then when Ryoma refused to even look at her. As a result, she tried giving him some space, thinking that he needed time to cool off. Perhaps... Did she do wrong? He just said 'Must I always say it for you to understand?' No, no. That was him just acting as Marian. But considering that they are ad-libbing and coming up with the lines themselves... Perhaps he's unconsciously overlapping reality with the play? Ryoma is simple-minded so that can happen.
If that is so, then in regards to what happened between them a week sgo, maybe she had read the situation wrongly? After all, she one-sidedly assumed that Ryoma needed space. Was she inconsiderate by assuming how he felt just as Robin took it wrongly and distanced himself from Marian on his own whims?
Ryouko internally gave herself a slap. "Sheesh, Ryouko! Get a grip! This is only a play! You're the one who's overlapping reality with acting!" she scolded herself. But still...
"I'm sorry..." the words unconsciously slipped from Ryouko's mouth. "I didn't know you felt that way and I interpreted the situation on my own without confirming it with you first... It was very hard for me to distance myself from you but I endured because I thought it to be the best thing to do for us," she said. "Eh? What am I saying?" her subconscious remarked inside her head.
Ryoma's eyes widened a bit upon hearing her statements. All of a sudden, he couldn't come up with a reply. For a moment, he forgot that they are onstage and acting a play. He looked at Ryouko and caught Mami's frantic waving figure from above Ryouko's shoulder, standing on the side of the stage and mouthing 'Say something!' He realized that he's dragging out the silence too long.
"No... It's not your fault. I was the one being stubborn... I'm the one who should be sorry," he finally blurted. It wasn't an ad-lib line that he came up with but rather his true feelings.
"No," Ryouko said in protest. "If only I had been more understanding... I failed to recognize what you wanted to convey. For a person claiming to be the one to know you best, it's an embarrassing blunder," she added. These statements are not from Robin but words from her own self.
"Don't blame yourself. I'm the one who acted unreasonable and caused you to misunderstand. I assumed on my own that you would take the hint which was selfish of me. I didn't realize that there are things that couldn't be understood without putting it in words," Ryoma remarked.
Ryouko shook her head. "No, no... Don't make it seem like it's your fault," she said.
"But it was my fault," Ryoma remarked.
"No, it was my fault," Ryouko countered.
Both of them are getting carried away by the lines now and Ryoma started to look seriously annoyed. "I said it's my fault. Now you're the one being stubborn," he said.
"Me? Stubborn? I'm saying it's my fault and thus it's my fault, why are you being such a girl about it?" Ryouko answered, also forgetting the fat that they are onstage.
"I AM a girl right now," Ryoma said matter-of-factly in an irritated tone, placing his hands on the skirt of the gown and lifting it with emphasis.
His remark pulled Ryouko back to her senses and she said "Ohh," as if she just realized something.
There was a second of silence before the scene sunk in and the audience roared with laughter. "What was that, I was just getting emotional and they started half-yelling at each other!" a senior girl said and wiped tears of laughter from her eyes.
"Echizen IS indeed a girl right now, hahahaha! Nice one Marian! This is quality gender-bending right there!" a junior boy yelled with a hand cupped to his cheek.
"Can this be considered cracking the fourth wall?" a fellow freshman laughed.
Ryouko and Ryoma felt their cheeks flare up with embarrassment and silently scolded themselves for forgetting the fact that they are acting. However, they need to get the situation under control or Mami would strangle them both once they return backstage.
Ryouko cleared her throat and immediately delivered the lines which were in the original script whilst altering a few words. "Arguments aside, I understand your concern, my lady," she said and reached both hands to hold Ryoma's own. "But please find it in your heart to trust me," she added.
Ryoma also recalled Marian's original lines and pulled himself together. "I do trust you, more than anyone else... More than myself," he said and smiled.
Ryouko stepped closer to him and reached out a hand to his face. She was supposed to bring her face close to his and lightly brush her thumb on his cheek, it was one of Marian and Robin's 'romantic moments'. She tiptoed to reach Ryoma's height and leaned close to his face.
However, at that 'moment', the person holding the backdrop in place sneezed and the grip on the cloth loosened causing the backdrop to move. Those who were in the middle of fixing the backdrop had no choice but to reach out a hand over the plywood and grab the cloth to properly pin it back in its place. Unfortunately, it was within plain sight of the audience. A few observant ones began to comment.
"Hey, is it just me or did the background move suddenly?" someone from the front row said.
"That scared me! There was a hand that popped up out of nowhere!" another one remarked.
"Really? Where?" his acquaintance asked.
What was supposed to be a simple 'brush' on the cheek became a light kiss on the nose as Ryouko almost tripped over as reaction to the comments. She was bothered about the backdrop that she lost her balance and brought her face a little too close to Ryoma's. The crowd gave an audible surprised reaction at the sudden kiss; well that is, if you can consider lips brushing on the surface of the other's skin a 'kiss'.
Ryoma looked at her wide-eyed and for a second, Ryouko wracked her brain for a way to fix the scene.
A split-second later, Ryouko's face broke into a cheeky grin. "Do you know, my lady, that a kiss on the nose means 'trust'? Perhaps you can bestow one to me as well, seeing that you say that you trust me over yourself," she said and tapped the top of her nose.
Still in shock at the sudden kiss and seeing Ryouko looking so mischievous as if she did it on purpose, Ryoma visibly reddened. However, he had not forgotten that he is still 'Marian'. Looking outraged, he yelled, "Who would do such a thing? Seeing that you are being ridiculous, it's time for me to take my leave! Goodnight!" He punctuted the statements with such force that it brought laughter to the audience.
The curtain closed with a stiff-shouldered Marian walking out in fury and a satisfied-looking Robin Hood staring at his lead lady's back, and the cast met up backstage once again.
"Echizen, what was that?!" Ryouko's admirers immediately approached him to complain.
Ryoma glared at them, quite displeased. "Why are you getting mad at me? Ryouko's the one who-" his words faded as he caught sight of Ryouko aproaching. He immediately turned his back to them, yelling "Where's the next costume? I have to get changed."
Ryouko watched Ryoma run away and sighed. She was about to provide an explanation regarding what she just did and couldn't help feeling exasperated. And here she thought that they just took a big step forward... Even though it's in the place of Robin and Marian, they finally apologized to each other about last week's fight. They were able to patch things up without apologizing but as expected, hearing an apology from each other brings closure and lifts the burden left by the fight.
Mami suddenly walked to Ryouko's side and elbowed her on the ribs. "A kiss on the nose means 'trust' ei? I didn't know that Ryouko-chan knows such information. You're turning into more of a Romeo than a Robin," she said teasingly. Mami also realized why she thought the situation that Ryouko proposed was familiar. She was witness to Ryouko and Ryoma's week-long fight and figured that Ryouko must've subconsciously came up with the scenario from her own experience. Ahh, how naive. She really is so dumb at dealing with her own feelings.
Ryouko glared at Mami, not amused in the slightest. "I accidentally tripped. Someone in the audience said that the backdrop moved and I lost my balance because of it. My lips just happened to land on Ryoma's nose, what can I do about that? And it was Ichi who told me the meaning behind a kiss on the nose. I don't read such magazines," she explained, sounding quite defensive.
"If you say so..." Mami said with a smile and a shrug, still teasing. "Let's prepare the next scene everyone! We're almost there!" she announced.
The class encountered very little interference on the next few scenes leading to the climax. Robin was involved in an all-out battle with Sir Guy during an ambush in the woods and sustained a major wound. The audience fully appreciated the beauty of the swordplay and marveled at the sweet scene where Lady Marian stood by the side of Robin's wounded body and wept for him. This was a scene that Ryoma particularly had trouble with. He always got away with fake crying but on the real deal, he actually produced a couple of tears.
The class later knew that it was made possible because of Ryouko pinching his arm the entire time. They finally understood the words she told him before they went onstage for the scene. "If you won't cry then I'll make you cry." Still, just how painful was that pinch to send the cool and aloof Ryoma in a tearful state, they don't even want to know. A number of them knew of Ryoma's tolerance to pain after witnessing him not even flinch when he was injured in the eyelid during his first official match in the prefecturals with Fudoumine's Ibu.
Before preparing for the next scene, they heard Ryoma make a fuss about getting compensated by Ryouko later. It seemed like it wasn't the first time that she pinched him like that. Ahh, they really are childhood friends.
Finally, the class reached the scene before the climax. Prince John had started to be suspicious of his nephew, Prince Robert and his ties to Robin Hood. He strongly believed after careful investigation that his nephew might be Robin himelf. As a final gamble, he used Lady Marian as bait to draw out Robin Hood using a court trial. Lady Marian is prosecuted for aiding the bandits and providing them information (which is true anyways).
However, court trials required the presence of royalty thus Prince Robert needed to be there. To confirm his suspicions, Prince John used Lady Marian who, by reports and investigations, is revealed close to both Robin and Prince Robert. Prince John plan on making him choose between Marian's safety and the safety of Robin's identity.
The scene ended up with Robert willingly playing into John's hands and revealing Robin's identity in order to rescue his maiden. There was a wild fight as Robert, his two faithful knights and the merry men fought their way out of the crowd. They lost the lives of one of the knights and a few of the merry men in their escape.
While all of these are commencing, the fixing of the backdrop is also nearing completion. Six people had took turns holding the cloth in place and heaved sighs of relief as Mami told them to be patient for a bit longer.
The final confrontation scene between Robin and Marian comes before the climax. The mood is heavy and the tension is high. The audience are at the edge of their seats, anticipating the next scene.
Marian, who already had suspicions of Prince Robert being her Robin was not surprised at the revealing of his identity. However, what they would quarrel about is not Robin's real identity but of Marian's decision to be willingly tried before the court. She did not resist when Prince John arrested her which caused Robin much worry and dismay. He asked her why she did such a thing.
"I know that you wouldn't abandon me," Ryoma said and turned to Ryouko with a smile. "Prince Robert, the true heir to the throne... If you were Robin like I suspected, what better chance is there to reveal your identity than a public trial witnessed by both nobles and commoners? They would know that their prince had put himelf in danger, helping his people behind Robin Hood's identity. Everyone would see how fitting you are to be their ruler and thus, give you their favor and support," she explained.
Ryouko acted Robert's part, displaying a displeased expression. "I do not care about that! What I am asking is why you would put yourself in this kind of danger just to bring things to my favor. You always got mad when I put myself in danger for your sake. Didn't we already promise to refrain from doing that and trust each other?"
Marian looked calm and collected. "Indeed, that was what you and I promised. But I have realized that I was foolish. I was foolish for not understanding the meaning behind your actions."
"What do you mean?" Robert asked.
"I always asked you the same question; why would you put yourself in danger for me. It always frustrated me whenever you did that. But I realized the reason why after I saw you in danger and almost died. I cannot possibly sit idly and watch as you put yourself in danger, even if it is for my sake. Or rather, 'especially if it is for my sake' would be a better phrase for it. We had argued about the same thing over and over again and only now did I finally understand. To put oneself in danger for a loved one, is a very natural thing to do for a person in love," Ryoma said, smoothly enunciating the lines. "What I want is for you to be safe always..."
After he finished delivering the lines, Ryoma realized something. The situation is again similar to that of him and Ryouko. Ryouko always placed herself in danger just to get rid of her phobias and Ryoma is aware that it is partly for his sake. He couldn't stand seeing her suffer, especially if it is just to lift the burden off him. Thus, he couldn't sit idly and watch her endanger herself. He'll berate her for it even if it causes her to hate him. What matters most is that she's safe. Always.
Robert has lines to say but Ryouko couldn't speak a word after seeing the sincerity in the gold-bronze eyes. She knows that this is not Marian that she's facing but rather, Ryoma... Her Ryoma...
Seeing that she's completely tongue-tied, Ryoma decided to add another line of his own. When would he be able to find another excuse to tell Ryouko these mushy feelings? He was reminded of his reason why he took the play seriously. He wanted to make use of it to make Ryouko understand her wrongdoings on her own. Although this already changed, he should still use the play to his advantage.
"Those dangers... Those risks you are taking... I know that it can't be helped that you should take them. I cannot stop you from what you want to do but do hear a request from me. It is fine for you to take risks but once you do, would you tell me about them? Would you share them with me? Whatever those risks may be, I would face them with you," he said, feeling strangely emotional.
Ryouko, whose eyes and ears are completely locked onto Ryoma's expression and tone of voice, couldn't help but be carried away by her emotions. She felt a big lump settle on the back of her throat. Ryoma just said the words she wanted him to say. It always frustrated her that he gets angry at her attempts to rid herself of her weaknesses. 'Why wouldn't he support me? Why wouldn't he just cheer me on?' Her subconscious always asked that. And now he's saying that he would. What she wanted is just for him to be by her side. Always.
Without her knowing, she had pulled Ryoma into an embrace. "I didn't want to worry you. I don't want to give you the burden of concern, the guilt of the blame. I know you better than anyone. I know that you think I'm reckless and that you have blamed yourself everytime I do something for your sake. But you misunderstand. It's not just for you, not just for me but for both of us. Thus, I keep you in the dark and try to do something about it by myself. I just don't want you to blame yourself again. I sincerely don't want to keep anything from you but my desire to keep you unhurt is stronger. If I have to lie and get hurt so you won't blame yourself anymore, I would continue lying and getting hurt. Even if you end up hating me, I'll still do the same. That's how much I care for you."
Ryoma raised a hand and rested his palm on the center of Ryouko's back. "That is why, I'll support you. If you succeed, I'll join you in victory. If you do get hurt, I'll share the pain. It was so simple. I was just too stubborn to realize it," he said. Finally... Finally he got to say what he wanted to say before Hotaru arrived and unintentionally robbed him of the opportunity.
"I promise. I'll tell you from now on. I would talk with you properly. I would not repeat the mistakes I made before. I too, took such a long time to realize such a simple thing. I am sorry for that and I am grateful that you understand me. Thank you and please stay by my side," Ryouko said. At last, she finally got to say what she wanted to say before that other misunderstanding occurred.
"I will even if you don't ask me to. I would stick by your side so much that you'll be annoyed," Ryoma replied, making Ryouko laugh a little. Some people in the audience pulled out handkerchiefs and tissue packs, their emotions being carried away by the sweet scene.
"Are they really acting? This is so heart-warming...."
It is quite a shame that the audience didn't know that it is indeed not acting that they are witnessing, but of course, that falls as relief to the two kids onstage. After all, they could hide such embarrassment under the guise of acting. They wouldn't have lived with it if they were to act so mushily in reality.
As she gradually warmed with Ryoma's body temperature, gentle calmness gushed over Ryouko like waves breaking on the seashore. It struck her that misunderstandings and miscommunication are truly scary even just on a personal level. Just see how much talking can help patch things up. For the first time since they met again, Ryouko genuinely felt that the matter of the past chaining them down has finally broke off.
By the side of the stage, Kurumi and Mami stood surveying the scene. Kurumi is starry-eyed and wiping tears as she appreciated the sweetness onstage when she suddenly noticed the time. "Hey, aren't they hugging a little too long? It's been a few minutes," she whispered by Mami's ear.
"Close down the curtains," Mami suddenly said.
"Eh? But according to the script, the scene's not over yet," Kurumi replied in surprise.
"It is. Close it," Mami said, instructing the person in charge with the curtains.
There was warm and abundant applause from the other side of the heavy velvet drapes.
"Bravo!"
"Well-done!"
"Damnit, I cried!"
There were constant cheering but neither Ryoma nor Ryouko could hear them. They broke off from each other after the curtain fell but continued standing on the center of the stage as if lingered there.
Mami surveyed them and narrowed her eyes. "Ahh, those stupid airheads... I guess I have to help them..." she murmured.
The main protagonists were called back to reality when Kurumi called them for the preparation of the next scenario. Both of them rushed backstage without as much as glancing at the other. Even though it was hidden well behind an act, they still felt particularly embarrassed. Stubborn as they are, they weren't accustomed much to apologizing even on situations that they were admittedly aware that they were at fault.
Finally, the restoration of the backdrop was finished. The backstage people patted each other on the back for a job well done. Only a bit more and the play would be over. However, they have to overcome a final hurdle. Due to the script falling all over the place because of ad-libbing, they barely have ten minutes left for the last four scenes. To remedy this, Mami told them to combine the first two and the last two to make up a final couple of scenes. There would be the final fight scene between Robert's faction and Prince John's faction wherein Sir Guy would be defeated, Prince John would be stabbed and the Sheriff would be caught by the merry men.
"As for the final scene, the narrator would tell what would be the punishment for the villains would be and everyone in Prince Robert's faction would be onstage. After delivering what's written in the script, everyone except the two protagonists would leave the stage. Ryouko-chan, I'd be holding up a a sketchbook to tell you of what you should do next from the left side of the stage thus you should stand on the right facing Echizen-kun who would be standing on the left. Is that understood?" Mami told them.
Before Ryouko could ask why Mami couldn't tell her about her character's actions in the finale, Mami quickly instructed everyone to scatter and prepare for the last two scenes. There won't be a curtain break between the scenes and the lights would only dim after the fight scene to make more time for the finale.
The cast did their best to compromise to the time and deliver the best quality of acting they could possibly muster. When the villains were defeated, the audience cheered together with Prince Robert's faction. The lights dimmed and the narrator told of what would happen to the villains of the story. The truth about the former king's death was made public, making Prince John and his followers guilty of murder. The nobles who supported Prince John in doing bad deeds were captured and imprisoned, their lands and assets seized and divided among the people of Nottingham. To make Prince John and the Sheriff pay for their sins, they were displayed in the Central Plaza inside a iron prison for the common people to vent their hatred. They were almost stoned to death if not for Prince Robert and Lady Marian's interference. Though they are bad people, to turn a blind eye knowing that they would die is considered a sin in the standards of the two protagonists. Instead, Prince John and the Sheriff were imprisoned for life and would offer their labor for the prosperity of Nottingham's lands.
After the lights lit up again, only the merry men, the last remaining of the two faithful knights of Robert and the two protagonists were left standing onstage.
The merry men together with Friar Tuck and Little John were given positions in the newly-established government that Prince Robert would lead and the faithful soldier is promoted to Head Knight to lead a reformed Royal Army. After they said their congratulations to the Prince who would soon be crowned king, they vacated the stage and that left only Lady Marian and Prince Robert standing onstage.
"The king of bandits would soon truly be a king. Are you nervous about the coronation, your highness?" Lady Marian said and offered a seat.
"Must you call me 'your highness'? It sounds so distant. If you act in such a way around me because I am royalty, I do not mind returning to the common bandit Robin and leave the throne behind," Robert answered, sitting next to a chair where his lady sat.
Lady Marian frowned. "Surely you jest. If you make such an irresponsible decision, I would be the first one to leave your side. Choosing a mere woman over a country with people needing a leader is such a dishonorable act," Ryoma said and waved a gloved hand in displeasure.
"Oh? Won't most ladies favor a man who takes them as top priority above everything else?" Ryouko answered.
"I am not most ladies then. I favored Robin because of his nobility and honor above all else," Ryoma replied, bringing the best out of the Lady Marian he practiced for almost a week.
"Then what of your favor over Robert, my lady?" Ryouko asked.
"What do you mean? Robert and Robin are one and the same. Isn't that such a foolish question, your highness?" Ryoma answered.
Ryouko sighed. "Robin is a persona I created and acted and there are times I think of him as a separate being from myself," she said and held up a hand towards the bright light of the stage. While gazing up at the hand, she continued. "Contrary to the prince of this kingdom who got his wings cut and could do nothing, Robin is a free person capable of doing everything he wanted. On lonely days of confinement in my chambers, a pretty bird paid me visits through the small window. I envied it for being able to fly about and also resented it for going whereever it wanted, something that I as a being of greater intelligence could not do. Such is the reason why I named my alter-ego 'Robin'. It was the specie of the bird that always kept me company." She turned sidewards and faced Ryoma who is patiently listening as Lady Marian.
"And so... I am jealous of Robin who you said is your first love. I implore that you do something about these feelings of mine, my lady? Robert can be real nasty with negative feelings like jealousy. Shouldn't you take responsibility before I do something unreasonable?" Ryouko leaned close as she said this and displayed a mischievous smile.
Ryoma blinked and following the script, leaned bacwards to avoid getting too close to the male lead. "Whatever can I do with a complicated person who is jealous of himself? Why don't you ask for a more reasonable request, your highness?"
Ryouko lifted a finger close to his lips and said, "Say 'your highness' once more and I really will do something unreasonable, my lady..." she said, sounding serious.
After a couple seconds of silence, Ryouko laughed and sat back in proper position. "You really are so fun to tease, my lady," she remarked.
However, Lady Marian did not find it amusing at all. Ryoma turned his back to the mischievous prince. "That was not a laughing matter," he said, his tone quite displeased.
"Now , now..." Ryouko, the combination of the playful Robin and the gentle Prince Robert, stood up and walked to kneel before the irritated damsel. "Forgive my jesting, Lady Marian. I only wanted to make sure that you favor my real self as much as you favor Robin. I was half telling the truth when I said that I'm jealous. To make me rest easy, won't you call me by just plain 'Robert'? I do not like having titles between the two of us," she explained whilst kneeling and holding Ryoma's hand.
"In that case, dear Robert, would you also call me Marian? Not Lady nor my lady, but just Marian," Ryoma answered.
"It would be my pleasure," Ryouko answered, bowing her head gracefully. That would be the end of the lines in the script that Mami pointed out to use. With her head still bowed, she peeked at the side of the stage where Mami said she would be waiting to tell her the next actions of Robert.
Mami held up a large sketchbook with words written on it. She read it and quickly went into the act. She lifted her head and looked at Ryoma's face.
"If I may be so bold to ask for another request, Marian, my dear... Let us not be satisfuied with you just being the conquerer of my heart. Can you please stay by my side and be the queen of this kingdom?" she said.
Ryoma blinked. Mami did not tell him anything about this. However, he saw Kurumi waving a large sketchbook from the right side of the stage. It contained written lines which he read and quickly enunciated.
"If you think that I can fill the role well, then I would be honored," Ryoma said. "For this country that I love, with the man holding my heart, I shall do the best I can for the happiness of all," he added.
On the left side of the stage, Mami flipped the sketchbook. Ryouko's eyes widened at the words written on the white paper.
'From a kneeling position, Robert stands and steps closer to Marian. Placing a hand on her chin and tilting her face up, he bends down for a kiss.'
"Excuse me?!" Ryouko's brain screamed. She completely froze up for a second.
Intrigued at Ryouko's sudden stiffness, Miyako who is standing next to Mami, walked sidewards and peeked at the words written on the sketchbook. After she read it, she gasped and gave a vicious whisper. "Mami-chan? Are you serious? Isn't it not allowed for such close level of skinship to appear in the play? You'll be scolded!"
"Big deal," Mami answered, holding up the sign higher. "It's nowhere in the written rules that kissing is not allowed and as we altered the actual play from the script I passed to the Executive Committee, there's already the danger of us getting eliminated. I've already half given up on the Best Screenplay award. I'll at least do something about my other goal. That is, forcing those two to admit their feelings," she said.
On the stage, Ryouko is staring at the sketchbook and is rooted on the spot. What should she do? She cannot possibly... towards Ryoma... He'll either clobber her to death regardless whether they're off the stage or not, or faint at the shock. And she is certainly not willing to... to... ki-ki-ki...
Seeing that the silence is dragging too long, Ryoma hissed at Ryouko through the side of his mouth, keeping the volume as low as possible. "Oi, what's wrong?"
That brought Ryouko back to her senses and she impulsively looked up at his face from the kneeling position. Ryoma blinked down at her, his gold-bronze eyes with a questioning sparkle.
A thought suddenly entered Ryouko's mind. Well... If it's Ryoma, wouldn't it be fine? After all, it's just for a play... They're just acting... It's all an act... And not real...
Ryoma looked on questioningly as Ryouko rose from the kneeling position and placed a hand on the backrest of the chair he is sitting on. He instinctively looked up and wondered what Mami instructed for Robert to do for the finale. It's more or less wrapped up. Can't they just drop the curtains down already? The last dress is the one with the most layers and he's positively sweating. The lights are also making it really hot. He wants to take it off immediately and take a satisfying warm shower.
As those random thoughts ran over Ryoma's mind, he felt the coldness of Ryouko's forefinger on his chin. Before he understood what was happening, she gave a little push upwards and tilted his head to face her. She is now leaning down and the look on her rust-colored pupils was a little intimidating.
Just as he thought that she was simply looking down, she leaned downwards, lower, closer, and tilted her face a little to the side.
"Wait," Ryoma's subconsious said. "This is just like... like she's going to..." She's very close now and he could feel her warm breath. He felt his pulse quickening and despite of himself, slowly closed his eyes.
The audience watched in excitement bathed in bated silence, Mami leaned forward in anticipation, members of the Prince Ryoma and Princess Ryouko fanclubs started to look panicky and-
THUNK!
A water bottle came flying to the stage and barely missed the top of Ryouko's head.
"Stop right there!" a voice echoed from the third row of the audience. A redheaded young boy is standing as if on mutiny while another taller, older redhead tried to stop his yelling.
"Ichidou-obocchama, please. This is a public establishment. Yelling is--" he was interrupted when Ichidou grabbed the water bottle of the person sitting next to him and took another aim at the stage.
"Get down here and fight me, you scoundrel! To think that I left her in your care! I am gonna murder you!" Ichidou shouted as Licht restrained him from letting the water bottle go flying.
The last thing that the audience saw before the curtains went down were Ryoma and Ryouko's faces looking utterly bewildered.
"Ahh, so much for my plan..." Mami said in disappointment. She casted a glare at the curtains. Ichidou's screams can still be heard but already fading in volume. Licht must be dragging him out. "Tch. Those cousins have the worst timings!" she thought with loathing.
On the stage, Ryoma and Ryouko are still stuck in the same position before the curtain fell. They looked at each other, not moving a muscle.
Totally not keeping the earlier ruckus in mind nor the fact that Ichidou has retured from England, Ryoma spoke of what he thinks is more important. "What were you... about to do?" he asked, looking up to the rust-colored eyes.
"Nothing," Ryouko answered. "I was about to do nothing," she added, looking back at the gold-bronze eyes.
"It doesn't look like it was nothing," Ryoma replied.
"It was nothing," Ryouko repeated. "But why did you close your eyes?" she asked. She felt her heartbeat quicken.
"What?" Ryoma said as if unable to comprehend.
"You... closed your eyes... What were you... expecting to happen?" she asked again, her heartbeats so loud that she couldn't hear her own words.
"I..." Ryoma said, his chest thudding.
"Well done you two!" Kurumi went running out to the stage and completely scaring the crap out of the two. They jerked into movement at the same time and ended up bumping their foreheads together quite painfully.
They scurried away from each other, doubled up with their hands on their foreheads.
"Eh? Eh? What happened?" Kurumi said in panic, shifting her eyes from Ryoma to Ryouko. "What's wrong, you two?!"
Before either Ryoma or Ryouko could provide an answer, she went running back to the side of the stage. "Help! Help here! Robert and Marian got hurt!"
~~~
Sure enough, Class 1-2 got in trouble for not following their original script. But as Shuu and Miyako explained what happened to the backdrop and the chaos happening backstage while the actors were acting, the Executive Committee gave a special consideration to their efforts of not letting the founding ceremony end in a bad way. If they did not ad-lib and the audience notice the blunders onstage, it would have brought shame to the entire production. Thus, their play was not removed for the poll-voting.
The rest of the evening seemed to fly by. The poll-voting finished and the grand bonfire was lit in the grounds. Ryouko just finished changing and surveyed the great bonfire scene from the second floor of the main school building. She took out her phone from her bag and went straight to her messages. She was about to compose a text to Ryoma but her thumb hovered over the keys onscreen and she couldn't think of words to type.
What does she want to say? 'Where are you?' 'Let's watch the bonfire together'?
Before she could decide, a hand suddenly settled on her shoulder. "RI-YOU-KO-CHAAAAN..." a familiar voice said so ominously that shivers ran along her spine.
She reluctantly looked over her shoulder and saw the face of an irked Ichidou. "Hi, couz. Welcome back to Japan," she said though uncertainly.
"Don't 'hi-couz-welcome-back-to-japan' me," Ichidou answered. "You are going straight home and we're gonna have a loooooong talk," he told her, his green eyes glinting maliciously.
"A long talk about what?" Ryouko asked but she was already getting dragged by her cousin to the nearest stairway.
A car with an exasperated Licht on the driver's seat has the passenger seat and the backseat doors open. Before Ryouko could blurt out a complaint, she was crammed to the backseat and the door closed to her face. Ichidou went to the passenger's seat and slammed the door closed as well.
With that, Licht wordlessly drove away from the Seishun Academy gates. Ryouko looked at the heads of her butler and her cousin.
She tried breaking the silence. "What's wro-"
"Not one word," Ichidou interrupted. "Save it for later," he added, his voice utterly serious. It is the first time Ryouko saw Ichidou like that so she just closed her mouth. Even Licht is not trying to interfere. Normally, the trusty Licht would be defending her.
She felt her phone vibrate and took a look at the screen. A smile spread on her lips. Ryoma sent her a text.
'Where are you? Aren't you gonna watch the bonfire?' it read. Her smile widened a bit at the similarity of the message to the one she was about to send earlier.
She typed in a reply. 'Going home. Licht and Ichi pissed off for some reason.'
A second passed and a reply arrived.
'Why?'
Ryouko responded. 'Dunno.'
'Talk later?' Ryoma texted.
For some reason, Ryouko felt her pulse skip. 'Maybe? I'll call you if it quiets down,' she replied.
'Ok. Will be waiting.'
However, she was not able to talk to Ryoma that night. Ichidou kept her up for most of the night, lecturing her about some nonsense about purity and innocence, chastity and whatnot. She couldn't comprehend any of what he's saying and just let the words inside one ear and out the other. Her mind is busy thinking of the last scene of the play.
What was she... about to do back then? And why did Ryoma... suddenly close his eyes? What happened during those several seconds were jumbled up in her brain and try as she might to recall what was going on inside her brain at that time, she couldn't vividly remember. All she recalled is a fuzzy and tingly feeling in her chest and her heartbeat thudding in her ears, so loud that it was drowning out everything else.
Saturday became so busy that Ryouko could not find any time to sort out her thoughts. All she could exchange with Ryoma were a few words and some text messages. Their class cafe is especially busy. The play certainly gouged out much more visitors than anticipated.
Then before the sun threatened to set, she and Ryoma were called out to prepare for the awards ceremony which, as reigning Prince and Princess of Seishun, would be emceed by the two of them. She thought that they could find the time to talk but the Executive Committee members fussed and hovered over them until the last minute, asking them to go over the lines tens of times before the ceremony commenced.
Like Mami anticipated, her Robin Hood did not get her most wanted Best Screenplay award. The team made up of third years that did a musical won it. However, they did get the Popularity Award which is the one with the meal vouchers and the free expense to the field trip to reward the winning class. They also got the Best-themed booth and thus, Class 1-2 is entirely satisfied.
After the cultural festival finally closed off, Ichidou whisked Ryouko away like some kind of kidnapper. He also kept total control of the phone system and Ryouko's personal mobile on Saturday night as if a determined overprotective father stopping his daughter to meet a delinquent boyfriend.
However, Licht was kind enough to lend his mobile phone to Ryouko and she sent a message to Ryoma for them to meet in the street tennis courts the next morning. Licht explained to her that he only kept silent because Ichidou would be upset if he defended her. He also told her that it was only the last couple of scenes of the play that he and Ichidou witnessed.
The butler avoided questioning about the last scene for the sake of his own nerves. If he confirmed it himself that what his Oujo-sama was about to do with Ryoma-obocchama in front of so many pairs of eyes was what he was suspecting, his heart would not be able to take it. When he was at his Oujo-sama's age, Licht could not even imagine holding hands with a girl. For such a handsome guy with looks good enough to be a player, Licht is quite conservative and old-fashioned towards behavior with members of the opposite gender.
On Sunday morning, both Ryoma and Ryouko woke up early and was out of the house before even eating breakfast. They were unable to talk properly for an entire day and night, thus both are anticipating seeing each other at last with time to squander as they please.
Ryoma was first to arrive in the courts as his home is nearer. He dutifully checked the time on his phone every two minutes and it was when Ryouko was barely near enough to recognize his figure standing near the street court that a sudden occurrence happened.
"Ryoma Echizen?" a girlish voice with a foreign accent called and caught Ryoma's attention. He impulsively turned around.
A girl with straight blonde hair with twinkling blue eyes looked at him delightedly and his eyes slowly widened. Could it be...
"Ryoma, what a coincidence," another voice said in fluent Japanese from behind the blonde girl. A boy about Ryoma's height with the same straight blonde hair though shorter, and sky-blue eyes stood there, a face that is familiar to Ryoma.
"Kevin," Ryoma said unconsciously.
"Ryoma!" the blonde girl said and ran towards him with arms wide open. Before he could understand what was happening, the girl began hugging him.
"It's Ryoma, it's really you! Long time no see!" she exclaimed joyously in English.
"You... Jessica?" Ryoma said questioningly and tried to squirm out of the slender white arms.
"You remember me! That makes me happy!" the blonde girl called Jessica said cheerfully.
At that time, Ryouko had arrived and she looked at Ryoma and the girl hugging him with a stone face. Ryoma saw a shadow near them and looked at the source. When he saw Ryouko looking at them, he visibly paled. Holding Jessica's arms and trying to stop her from hugging him, he blurted out the first words he could think of. "This... Ryouko, it's not..."
The blonde boy standing by the side is named Kevin Smith and he is a friend of Ryoma. He looked questioningly at Ryoma and the blonde girl who came with him then shifted his eyes at the pretty girl with the long black hair who just arrived.
"What on earth?" he said in english, scratching his head.
Ryouko... And...
Ryoma. Oops, another one arrives...
Remember him?
Well, he has... A cousin...
Who also seems to know Ryoma.
Ryouko *irritatedly comments*: Hmph. Seeing that she hugs him as soon as she saw him, I'll be appalled if she doesn't know him.
Author-chan: Now, now, my baby angel... Don't get riled up...
Ryouko *even more irritated*: Who's getting riled up? Hmph!
Author-chan *shrugs*: Oh well... See u guys on the next update! Hopefully, it won't take long! 😅 Let's keep our fingers crossed and comfort Ryouko-chan from getting riled up.
Ryouko: Like I said, I'm not getting riled up!