"The role of the Prince will be double-cast... shared by me and Rui. We talked it over and decided that for the Prince's role specifically, we’ll split it between the morning and afternoon performances."
When Yuria announced that the role of the Prince would be double-cast, the classroom was sucked into a vortex of shock and confusion. Despite that, not a single boy voiced a complaint.
Much like when the gender-swapped Snow White idea was first proposed, their silence was only natural. Carelessly speaking up against it might mean making an enemy out of Kuroki.
Of course, since no one had seen this coming, the other boys' gazes gradually drifted toward me.
"I'm so freaking jealous."
"Is he seriously going to get close to the other two as well as Miyama?"
"For real, what is up with that guy's luck?"
Once again, I was the target of envious and jealous glares... Honestly, if they were going to mumble about it like that, they should have just stepped up and taken the role themselves.
To the class extroverts, a golden opportunity to flirt with two of the school’s top beauties had practically fallen into their laps, yet they’d let it slip away to a Loner like me.
If my life were one of those Zamaa-style revenge stories, this would definitely be the ultimate Zamaa Point... but if you asked me if I was actually happy about this "comeuppance," the answer would be complicated.
(I’m glad my scene partners are people I actually know rather than girls I've never talked to. But Yuria and Kuroki, of all people...)
When I stole a glance to my right, I saw Kuroki staring at the blackboard with a completely expressionless face. I’d assumed she’d be beaming after securing a lead role, but surprisingly, she looked like she wasn’t at all pleased with the situation.
(Did something happen when they were picking roles?)
If there really was some friction between Yuria and Kuroki... well, I was definitely curious.
"O-Okay, so Snow White goes to Izumiya, and the Prince will be shared by Kuroki and Ichinose-san. We’re running out of time, so let’s hammer out the other roles quickly. Right, for the rest—"
After that, the casting proceeded under Hino's direction, and the remaining roles were successfully filled one after another.
A few breaks and a lunch period passed after that, but I didn't exchange a single word with the Beautiful Girl Trio until school let out.
Since the play didn't even come up in their own conversations, I couldn't help but suspect that something really had happened between Yuria and Kuroki.
Once school was over, having no particular plans and feeling a bit restless about the whole thing, I found myself standing in front of a certain bookstore before I knew it.
(It—It’s not like I’m worried about whether something happened between Yuria and Kuroki or anything! And I certainly wasn't hoping I’d "accidentally" run into her while buying light novels so she could tell me when her shift ends!)
Repeating that Tsundere Syntax in my head, I stepped into the store.
"Welco—Oh! You’re Miyama-chan’s..."
As soon as I entered Tatsuya, I saw the short-haired blonde Store Manager at the register.
She was the same manager who, ever since she found out Miyama's secret, had been under the mistaken impression that Miyama and I were in a committed relationship.
"Oho! Coming to check on your girlfriend while she’s working? You’re a total model boyfriend."
No—it wasn't just that she "had" been mistaken. It seemed she still firmly believed Miyama and I were an item.
"Um, it's not like I specifically came here to see Miyama."
"Perfect timing! Wait right here."
The blonde manager told me to wait by the register and disappeared into the back, returning a moment later with Miyama in tow.
"Huh? Ryouta? What are you doing here? Wait, what’s going on, Store Manager?"
"There aren't many customers today, so you can head out early. I’ll make sure your time card is clocked out at your regular time, of course."
"Wait, but..."
"I was getting worried because Airi-chan works way too hard. Go on, take a breather with your boyfriend today!"
Apparently, the Store Manager was trying to be considerate.
Between this and the last time, this lady really was a good person.
"Well, I guess I'll take you up on that then. Thank you, Store Manager!"
Miyama didn't waste time with unnecessary hesitance and accepted the favor.
"Ryouta, I’m going to go change, so wait for me here, okay?"
"O-Oh, sure."
My second After-school Date (though I really just wanted to talk) with Miyama was about to begin.