Just getting the feel of it...
As Minami heard the overture, her heart began to race. Another chance for her to be Christine. Another chance for her to pretend for a while that she WAS Christine. She ran all the moves through her head, and before she knew it, she was dancing on stage. When she began to sing Think of Me she glanced in the audience, hoping to find a masked guy in the catwalk or something. Then she saw a familiar face in the audience. Had... Had Toshio actually come? She began singing like she had never sung before. She had to impress Toshio. Maybe if he heard her sing... He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing! During the notes scene, Takehiko approached her backstage.
"Minami, is something wrong?"
"Why would you say that?"
"You seemed a little distracted."
"Oh... did I? Was I bad?"
"Well, you seemed to be out of the play."
"Oh..."
"What's bothering you?"
"Nothing! Really! I... just..."
"Just what?"
"Well, I saw the guy I like in the audience."
"Ooooooooooh." Takehiko grinned. "Minami has a crush! Minami has a crush! Where's he sitting? What's his name?"
"Takehiko!"
"Oh, sounds like a sexy name!"
"No! His name is Toshio!"
"Ooooooooh, Toshio is it?"
"Takehiko!"
"Wait, so is it Toshio or Takehiko?"
Minami walked off.
"Hey, you know I'm messing with you."
"Yeah, I know..."
"You mad at me?"
"No, of course not."
"Good!" Takehiko hugged her.
"Oh, there's my cue, gotta go."
"Tell Toshi I said hi!"
Minami rolled her eyes.
After the show, Minami returned to her dressing room. She found her usual Opera Ghost note, next to a rose, but she noticed something else... A bouquet of flowers, with a small note in them.
Did he send these, too?
She opened the note.
Congratulations! You got Eponine! We are so proud of you! We all knew you could do it! We love you!
Love,
Mom, Makato, and Ichiro
Minami squeeled.
Takehiko rushed in.
"You okay????"
"Yes! I just got Eponine!!!!!!!!"
"Omg, you're kidding!" Takehiko hugged her. "Don't forget us little people!"
"I won't!"
"Hey, what's that over there?"
"Hm?"
"The rose and the note?"
"Oh uh, that's nothing..."
He picked it up.
"Takehiko!"
"What?"
"That's my stuff!"
"Ooooh is it a love letter from Toshi?"
"No! Give it back!"
"Then why don't you want me to read it?"
He opened it and read it.
Minami-
The words of a true gentlemen are his bond. If you can believe that much of me, then I will not disappoint you. I promise you. You will know me for myself, soon.
O.G.
"O.G.? As in Opera Ghost?"
"Mm hm"
"Who the hell is he? No pun intended."
"I don't know. I figured he was probably someone in the cast."
"Hm, well, I will help you find this 'phantom'."
"Take, he doesn't want to be found!"
"I'm worried. How long have you been getting these notes?"
"Since the first public show."
"I'm just afraid he's stalking you or something."
"Takehiko! Don't worry about it! I can take care of myself."
"Alright, if you say so."
Takehiko left, and Minami quickly grabbed the rose. She had nothing to fear, right?
She ran out to meet the audience. She waited for Toshio. She saw a few familiar faces from class. Yuichi, Daichi... but no Toshio. After a while, she finally saw him walk through the door.
"Toshio!"
"Minami!" He ran up and hugged her. "You were magnificent tonight!"
Minami blushed.
"Thanks. Hey, can you wait awhile so I can talk to you afterwards?"
"Sure."
"Ok, thanks."
She continued shaking hands while her mind raced with thoughts.
What if he DOES like me? He showed up after all just for me. He said I was magnificent. I have to know before I move... I'll never be able to live with myself if I don't.
After everyone left, she approached Toshio.
"Something wrong?"
"No! No, nothing's wrong. I got the part."
"You got Eponine?" He hugged her. "Oh, I'm so happy for you!"
Minami smiled.
"Thanks... but there's more."
"More?"
"I'm moving in a month..."
"Awww."
"I'm not finished yet. I'm moving in a month, and before I do, I have to let you know something..."
"Yes?"
"Well, I... I... I like you."
Minami clutched her rose. Toshio paused, nervously.
"Hey, um... I can't say that I... like you in the same way, but I do like you a lot-- And um, you really do mean a lot... And things..."
Minami stood there.
"It... It's fine..." She said, holding back tears. "I... I have to go."
The rose slid from her hand and she ran off. She went and found Takehiko, tears streaming down her face.
"Minami, now I know something is bothering you. Are you alright?"
Takehiko hugged her and whiped her tears.
"He... he doesn't feel the same."
"I'm sorry. Maybe you'll meet someone else in your cast."
"My role is perfect. I AM an Eponine. Always the lover, never the loved."
"Minni, there's someone out there for you, I promise!"
"You swear?"
"I swear! And you can't say you're never the loved. Remember your opera ghost?"
"That's different."
"How?"
"I don't even know who he is! What if... What if it's someone playing a trick on me?"
"Who would do that to you?"
"I don't know..."
She continued to cry.
"I'll never get married, will I?"
"Of course you will!"
"But who would ever like me?"
"Minni, there's plenty to like about you!"
"Like what?"
"Well, let's see... You're an excellent singer, and actress. You're the nicest person I know. You love everyone, you're beautiful, you're smart... need I go on?"
Minami smiled.
"You really think someone could like me?"
"Of course. Have I helped?"
"Mm hmm."
She gave him another hug.
"You probably need to get home, I'm sure your family can't wait for you to get there!"
"Thanks, Take."
"Anytime."
Minami headed towards the dressing room. She was gonna be on Broadway, her life-long dream! But, it didn't turn out as she had planned.
I couldn't be happier. No, I couldn't be happier. Though it is, I admit, the tiniest bit unlike I anticipated.