Chapter 56: Excellent Hunters Often
Ryoko Yano.
In the original of “Star Draw 2,” she is the antagonist who only appears in the route of the female protagonist, Manaka Hinata.
She is a character with an unhealthy level of ambition, willing to use everything and any means to climb up the social ladder.
In the original story, Manaka Hinata experiences an accident in elementary school and bids farewell to the entertainment industry.
This was all caused solely by her.
However, when the protagonist encounters Manaka Hinata again, it is already after high school.
Her wrongdoings have been exposed, her career has come to an end, and after making a wish to the false god, Shirakami, to become a fantasy monster, she stands before the protagonist as an enemy—
But in the current timeline.
Due to Nagi’s intervention, the plot has changed.
Now it is Nagi who has withdrawn from the entertainment industry.
Ryoko Yano’s career should be on the rise instead.
Why has she suddenly come to Seikage High School?
Is it a coincidence? Or—
Could it be related to Manaka still being active in the entertainment industry?
“Nagi, aren’t you going to your supernatural research club today?”
After school.
Alice’s voice pulled Nagi’s thoughts back to reality.
Turning around, she saw Alice and Ryou waiting for her.
They needed to prepare for the upcoming cultural festival.
Students participating in the stage play halted their club activities temporarily and headed to the gym for practice after school.
Coincidentally, Manaka wasn’t working during this time, so after school, she and Kanade went to the gym together.
“Could it be that you felt lonely without Kanade accompanying you to the supernatural research club~?” Ryou teased with a wicked smile.
“I-I’m not like that!”
Nagi, blushing, refuted while standing up.
At the cultural festival, besides the usual stage play, each class also has to prepare their own activities, and clubs and associations need to showcase their achievements.
However, nearly a week has passed since it started, and neither the class programs nor the activities for the supernatural research club have been decided yet.
Although many boys support themes like a cat-ear maid café.
As long as Renkatsu, the student council president, is around.
Proposals driven by the dubious motivation of “wanting to see Nagi in a cat-ear maid outfit” have been passed.
Even the more traditional haunted house theme has been unanimously passed by both Renkatsu and Ryou.
The reason is simple.
Because 1-A class has Nagi in it.
With her in the haunted house.
It is easy to envision countless students walking in only to be carried out later that day.
So it has taken a long time to decide.
As for the achievements of the supernatural research club.
Originally, the group planned to casually present a few articles about “the seven mysteries of the school” or urban legends.
But Alice subtly rejected those ideas.
For Alice.
Having already witnessed fantasy monsters born from urban legends or curses in Kawano City, such as “Doppelgänger” and “Dreadful Spirit Dokidoki-chan.”
This indicates that the local area may have factors conducive to the birth of such fantasy monsters.
However, as a supernatural phenomenon research club, it would be unreasonable not to present something with a supernatural element.
Under Alice’s review, it was tentatively decided to showcase—
“Supernatural Phenomenon: Shyly Watching You, Dokidoki-chan”
That way, even if the power of fantasy monsters were to increase as a result, it would still be on their side.
“I’m sorry, but I still feel a bit…”
On the way to the supernatural research club.
Nagi, who couldn’t fathom why Ryoko appeared so suddenly, decided she would still go and see Kanade.
“Sure, I will let Senior Amamiya know~”
Ryou waved his hand, assuring Nagi not to worry too much, and watched her back as she left.
…..
…..
In the spacious gymnasium.
Numerous students in sportswear can be seen.
Due to the participation of the popular actress, “Ryoko Yano,” in this year’s cultural festival stage play.
The students’ practice has become more serious compared to previous years.
Whether it’s voice exercises, memorizing lines, or even dancing—
This year’s stage play is based on “Cinderella.”
For the sake of entertainment value, the school chose the ballroom scene as the main stage, so there will be dancing.
The school even specially invited a dance teacher for guidance.
Manaka wonders if it’s really necessary for middle school students to put in so much effort for a stage play performance in a cultural festival.
But thinking that Ryoko would participate, it doesn’t seem surprising anymore.
After all, she is a despicable person who likes to show off.
The fact that she agreed to participate in Seikage High School’s cultural festival is probably just to share the stage with her, overshadowing her presence to gain more attention from media reporters…
If only it were just that simple.
Based on her previous interactions with Ryoko and what she knows about her, she is definitely scheming something worse—
“Ha… Manaka, thank you for practicing with me~”
Kanade, after completing a series of performance and dance exercises under Manaka’s guidance, was sweating profusely and gasping for air.
This surprised Manaka.
“Tsukimi-kun, you’ve changed…”
“Ha~ what do you mean?”
His stamina is noticeably greater than before.
Manaka had assumed Kanade would collapse from exhaustion during practice.
But unexpectedly, he actually had energy left after finishing all the exercises.
“…By the way, why do you have time to practice with me lately?”
Kanade takes the water bottle handed to him by Manaka and hydrates.
He also felt curious about why Manaka stayed at school after classes.
After all, she used to leave school right after finishing classes to dive into work.
“Because…”
Manaka glanced at Kanade, feeling that it wouldn’t hurt to tell him.
“—Recently, I have a movie I must participate in.”
“To avoid conflicts with other work schedules, I turned down all my jobs.”
“…Is it really that important of a movie?”
“Yeah, because it’s—”
“—the evil spirit role in ‘New: The Flower of the Other Side.’”
Once hailed as a genius child star who ushered in a new era, “Nagi Hoshimiya,” starred in this movie before exiting the entertainment industry—this was her final masterpiece.
Some renowned producers, hoping to recapture the glory of those days or to generate hype.
Plan to shoot the reboot of that work, “New: The Flower of the Other Side.”
Insiders in the industry have high expectations for the evil spirit role in this reboot.
Many believe that the actor who secures this evil spirit role might very well be the next “Nagi Hoshimiya.”
Rising to represent this era once again.
Therefore, there were no fixed images for the casting of the evil spirit role; only acting skills were required, with the most capable getting the role.
Hinata Manaka and Ryoko Yano are among the most qualified contenders, eyeing this position.
One is the former genius child star, “The Pure White Fairy,” and the other is the most popular “Queen favored by luck” in today’s industry.
However, the trend is leaning towards Manaka, as she and the former Nagi Hoshimiya share the same background and both debuted as “genius child stars” at the same time.
To be in the best state and have enough preparation for herself, Manaka declined other jobs.
Thus, she had a lot of time after school recently to accompany Kanade for practice and guide his acting.
“Indeed, acting is really tough…”
Kanade sighed.
After a week of practice after school, he experienced the hardships of being an actor for the first time.
He found a deeper respect for the profession.
While admiring Manaka, who still stood on the stage, he felt sad for Nagi, who had left this stage.
—If only such things hadn’t happened back then…
“Kanade-kun, there’s something I’d like to ask you…”
“What is it?”
Kanade looked up, meeting Manaka’s serious expression.
She hadn’t called him by that name in a long time, making him a bit tense.
“About Ryoko Yano… while it’s not good to speak ill of others behind their backs like this…”
“I hope you can pay more attention to her.”
“Especially—”
—Don’t let her get close to Nagi-chan.
…..
…..
“Excuse me, are you Miss Hoshimiya?”
On her way to the gym alone, Nagi was suddenly blocked by a man who appeared from around the corner.
“Yes, who are you?”
Although surprised by the well-dressed man in front of her, Nagi responded politely.
The man appeared to be around 30 years old, handsome, tall, and his every move exuded an undeniable frivolity, giving Nagi the impression of a typical playboy.
“Nice to meet you! I am Ryoko Yano’s manager, Kazuki Tomita.”
He bowed respectfully and presented a business card with both hands to Nagi.
“Do you have some free time next, Miss Hoshimiya?”
“I have some information regarding your two childhood friends that I think you need to know.”
A fleeting glint of malice flashed in Nagi’s eyes, and then she smiled innocently, in line with her character.
“About Kanade-kun and Manaka-chan? Sure~”
“That’s great~ Let’s go find a quiet place to sit and chat~”
The man named Tomita secretly revealed a triumphant smile, as if saying, “The prey is hooked.”
