Chapter 62: The Ball Begins
Time flies by in an instant.
The day of the cultural festival has arrived.
Hoshikage High School is experiencing an unprecedented lively moment.
It can be said to be the grandest cultural festival since its establishment.
With information intentionally leaked by Ryouko, and the buzz of Nagi’s return, both industry insiders and media reporters flocked in.
The crowd filled the performance stage’s gymnasium, encircling Hoshikage High School inside and out.
Inside the gymnasium.
In the backstage area designated as the makeup and costume room,
Aiko, Nagi’s master, is working part-time as Nagi’s makeup artist, perfecting her look.
“Wow~ Nagi is truly impressive. If my parents saw her like this, they’d probably be moved to tears…”
Lying beside her, Ryou, part of the logistics team, watches Nagi in the mirror and exclaims from the heart.
Ryou’s parents, both costume designers, customized an exquisite and glamorous princess gown for Nagi after learning that their son’s friend would perform as Cinderella in the cultural festival’s play.
Nagi was invited to stay at Ryou’s house for a day while all parts of her body were measured with various measuring tapes.
By the way, Nagi has “C” cup breasts, despite only being a middle schooler, and they are beautifully shaped and full.
To match the luxurious and dreamy sea-blue princess dress, Nagi had a special hairstyle done.
Her long, straight black hair, now styled into an elegant bun adorned with a few blue flowers, perfectly complements the color of the dress.
In today’s play, Nagi is set to portray Cinderella, the very character from the fairy tale “Cinderella.”
The girl who, covered in dirt and ridiculed by her stepmother and stepsisters, ultimately transforms into the most beautiful princess with the help of magic, attending the royal ball.
The script for the cultural festival’s play is adapted from the segment of “Cinderella” about the royal ball.
The script has seen numerous modifications to save time.
Most critically, it consists of just “one act,” which is one scene.
It is divided into several parts:
The first part announces the start of the royal ball;
The second part features the late arrival of Cinderella;
The third part involves the improvised interactions between Nagi’s Cinderella and Ryouko’s princess around the prince;
The fourth part portrays Cinderella fleeing as the magic starts to fade;
The epilogue is the recognition between the prince and the now non-magical Cinderella.
Under Ryouko’s intentional guidance, the interactions involving Nagi and her lines are filled with much improvisation.
But essentially, the original plot of “Cinderella” is maintained.
Kanade is playing the prince.
Despite Ryouko having significant say in the casting for this play, she assigned Kanade to this role, indicating some consideration.
Ryouko’s character is another genuine princess at the ball.
Through adaptation, she competes with Cinderella for the prince.
This arrangement in the script suggests she wants to create an intuitive contrast between the two.
In other words, the third part will mark the time for her face-off with Ryouko.
Although Nagi is portraying the true protagonist, she finds herself constrained by her existing image.
Moreover, due to Ryouko’s overt maneuvers in the script and Nagi’s own unstable star status, the stage presents a multitude of risks for her.
Even so—
“I must become the most dazzling princess at this ball.”
…..
…..
In the spacious gymnasium.
The scene has been transformed into an audience seating area.
At this moment, it is packed with people, and there is not a single empty seat.
Students, teachers, directors, producers, reporters, and others from both inside and outside the industry have gathered here.
Even several famous directors or producers can be seen, frequently pushing teachers to ask for autographs.
A few low-key popular stars have mingled in as well, though they were ultimately spotted by the students and took pictures together.
With Nagi’s title as a former genius star and Ryouko’s deliberate promotions, countless people are paying attention to this performance.
“Speaking of which, what do you think, senpai?”
A younger-looking man takes a seat and quietly asks the older-looking man beside him.
The two appear to be from the entertainment industry, one senior and one junior.
“The script is a very simple story. There’s a saying that the simpler the story, the harder it is to perform well…”
“But isn’t it difficult to bring something new to such a Cinderella script?”
Another man, who seems to be a producer, overhears their conversation and interjects.
“I see…” The younger man nods repeatedly at this.
“After all, the interactions between Hoshikage Nagi and Ms. Ryouko are concentrated in the third part, so that’s probably what everyone is looking forward to the most?”
“Indeed… The legendary genius child star versus Ms. Yano.”
“Though they say she hasn’t performed in a long time, right? Her acting skills may be completely rusty.”
“Is—is that so?”
“Yes, yes. It might end up being just Ms. Yano’s personal showcase~”
Throughout this time, the older man has been silently listening to the two discuss.
They do make valid points.
For an ordinary former genius child star, dropping acting for many years invariably leads to significant changes in both their physicality and mindset, often in unpredictable ways.
Even if they return to the stage, it’s uncertain if they can recapture their former glory.
Provided that—
That is if we’re talking about “ordinary” former genius child stars.
The lights dim.
The previously noisy crowd instantly quiets down.
Those without seats involuntarily stand at the back.
The play is about to begin.
…..
…..
On the dim stage.
A narrator’s voice first sounds, introducing the setting and background of the play.
Finally, a spotlight shines in the center of the stage.
Illuminating Ryouko, who stands there.
Her red princess dress sparkles intensely under the lights, drawing everyone’s gaze.
The upper body features a corset design that outlines her slim waist.
The high collar at the front is intricately embroidered with golden thread to depict a complex floral pattern.
Exaggerated shoulder pads add a queenly elegance and authority to her overall appearance.
A wide golden belt cinches her waist, adorned with small rubies and gold tassels.
Below the belt, the skirt spreads out extravagantly, with layers of red satin and tulle that make every step she takes resemble flames dancing.
Ryouko’s grand entrance becomes the signal for the official start of the stage play—
…..
…..
“(As expected, no matter how many times I watch, Ms. Ryouko’s appearance and acting are top-notch~)”
“(Y-Yes… I didn’t expect to have the chance to watch Ms. Yano’s performance from such a close distance.)”
“(And how should I put this about the students… although they seem to be putting in a lot of effort to keep up with Ms. Ryouko, they actually look distracting like impurities~)”
“(Th-That statement is a bit… after all, this is fundamentally their performance…)”
In the first scene of the play,
Ryouko undoubtedly steals the spotlight.
Whether it’s her regal and imposing appearance or her highly skilled and mature acting and dance,
She becomes the absolute focus on stage.
With her grand entrance, she leaves an unforgettable impression on all the audience present.
It can be said she has taken the lead.
—So how will you respond, Hoshikage Nagi.
Since this performance is not divided into acts,
The only transition between scenes is the sudden dimming of the lights.
In the brief return to darkness on stage,
The narrator’s voice rings out again.
Second scene—Cinderella’s entrance.
The stage lights gradually brighten.
Nagi slowly walks onto the stage.
Her tall figure and elegant aura completely defy the association of this black-haired girl with being a middle school student.
She looks more like a late-arriving, mysterious, and beautiful princess.
Nagi is in a sea-blue princess gown, adorned with delicate lace and glimmering crystals that resemble stars in the night sky.
She drapes a blue scarf over her shoulders, subtly covering her collarbones.
The skirt cascades from her waist in layers, flowing gracefully like water.
With every step, her skirt sways elegantly, resembling blue waves lapping at her feet, transforming into a deep, dreamy night sky that sparkles like stars under the stage lights.
Hoshikage Nagi, making her return to the stage after five years.
Even though she walks along the edge, it feels as though she is at the center.
She slightly raises her delicate, lovely face, and her eyes, dotted with countless starry lights, are revealed for the first time to all the audience members.
In an instant, everyone is captivated by the radiant gaze that seems to harbor stars, unable to look away.
—Let us begin.
