Volume 13 Chapter 247 Oto Rurika, Carefree In The Sky
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Oto Rurika, 15 years old… no, 16 years old today, actress.
I am now lying on my back alone on the school rooftop, gazing up at the sky.
”Ah, that cloud…”
It looks like cotton candy and seems really delicious.
Come to think of it, when I was invited to the set of *Heaven’s Sword*, Shirogane Aqua-san and Tenga Akira-san competed to make cotton candy, serving it to the cast and crew.
”The mixed fruit-flavored cotton candy… was really tasty.”
Shirogane Aqua-san said he made it imagining me.
I clearly remember the staff saying that I was able to appear in *Heaven’s Sword* despite my agency suspending my activities, all thanks to Shirogane Aqua-san.
In today’s entertainment industry, Shirogane Aqua-san’s wishes are absolute. His requests seem to easily override sponsors, TV stations, and viewer complaints.
”It was fun to be on a shoot again after a long time…”
Even after the film wrapped and was released, my situation remained unchanged.
Was it about the underage drinking and smoking allegations? I’m not sure, but it seems I’m under suspicion for that.
In cases like this, even if I have no memory of doing it, I can’t prove I didn’t, making it nearly impossible to clear my name.
Critics don’t need proof if they have suspicions, so the rumors continue to smolder no matter how much time passes.
After *Heaven’s Sword* was released, the criticism toward me temporarily subsided, but a photo posted on social media once again exposed me to public scrutiny.
”Oto Rurika is a party girl.”
A photo of me walking through the nightlife district was spread on social media.
My natural demeanor in places like izakayas and adult establishments likely made the public think I was accustomed to partying.
[She was drinking beer with shady adults at an izakaya.]
[She was smoking in a secluded alley near a record store.]
[She’s been frequenting a mens’ host bar since middle school.]
[During her hiatus, she worked in the ‘service’ industry.]
And so, the rumors spread on their own.
However, not all of these rumors are false, which makes it even more troublesome.
It’s not a host bar, but my family runs a jazz bar.
To the left is an izakaya, and to the right is a ‘service shop.’
In front of our house is a record store, and in the adjacent alley, people take smoke breaks.
Yes, so not everything is a lie.
As the bell rang, I tidied up my lunchbox and, as usual, returned alone to the classroom.
”Hisui-chaaan! Help meee!”
”Yeah, yeah, what’s up?”
Back in the classroom, Inori Hisui-san, always the center of attention, caught my eye.
I smoothly took my seat and quietly observed her, ensuring I wasn’t noticed.
I don’t mind human observation. It’s incredibly useful for acting.
”Hisui-chan, Hisui-chan! Listen to me!”
”Sure, but later, okay? Lunch break’s almost over anyway.”
Given that Shirogane Aqua-san is both an actor and a top idol, his talent in both fields is undeniable.
I don’t know much about idols, but he has a captivating charm and a natural charisma that draws people in.
This type of presence might hinder his acting, as his own aura could become a distraction.
Similarly, among idols who are also actors with strong presences, only Shirogane Aqua-san and Kato Iria-san come to mind. The former is such a high-caliber actor that he can even use his presence to his advantage.
And Kato Iria-san, despite her appearance, is surprisingly intellectual.
”Kato-san, what are you doing!?”
”Huh? Isn’t the next class PE?”
Classmates stop Kato-san as she tries to change into her gym clothes.
… As an actor, Kato Iria-san is surprisingly intellectual.
Kato Iria-san can completely erase her idol persona when she’s acting. When I watched *Onmyoji*, everyone focused on Tenga Akira-san and Tsuwabuki Hiromasa-san’s performances centered around Shirogane Aqua-san, but I was more struck by Kato Iria-san’s acting skill—her ability to seamlessly switch roles.
Speaking of idols who act, there’s also Tsukimachi Ayana-san, but she’s the type with little presence. Rather, the fact that she’s a top idol despite that speaks to her greatness. It’s similar to Kohina Yukari-san.
If you tell them to blend into the crowd, those two can do it well, but Mikuni Yukishiro-san and Shirogane Aqua-san definitely cannot. No matter how they try to disguise themselves, they naturally draw attention.
’I can see the aura of an actress…’
’Haha, Rurika-chan says funny things.’
When I said on TV that I could see auras, I was treated like a quirky eccentric, right?
Mikuni Yukishiro, Shirogane Aqua, Reira Kuga.
If asked which actresses I admire, I’d definitely name these three.
Even if you’re not looking at them, even if you’re focused elsewhere, when these three enter a scene, everyone’s gaze is forcibly drawn to them.
No actor who’s witnessed that could honestly say they didn’t feel they’d lost.
’In this industry, stars are stars from the start.’
During my suspension, I considered working overseas. Fortunately, a film director from the States visited our jazz bar, and we had a conversation that stuck with me.
’Because Mikuni Yukishiro, Reira Kuga, and Shirogane Aqua don’t do supporting roles. Do you understand what that means?’
’…Yes.’
Recently, I’ve been thinking about Shirogane Aqua-san’s legendary debut work, *Hana-ata*.
The character he plays, Yūjin, is popular. However, among the male characters, he’s not the one who ends up with the heroine. Yet, he stole the show.
It wasn’t just Tsuwabuki-san, who played another male role. Even the lead actress, Ayafuji Midori-san, had everything taken away by Shirogane Aqua-san’s portrayal of Yūjin.
[Squee! Aqua-sama is amazing!]
[He was only in it for five minutes, but Aqua-sama is all I remember!]
[Heroine, ditch the guy and go for Yūjin-sama!]
[No, this is perfect. Yūjin-sama isn’t with the heroine, so he’s free. Everyone’s on board with that, right?]
[Hagetoru, you’re a genius!]
[Hagetoru… for the first time, I might actually acknowledge you.]
[Shumi’s softening toward Hagetoru!?!]
… I feel like I’m recalling unnecessary details, but this was the kind of reaction everyone had.
”Shirogane Aqua doesn’t do supporting roles.” This one statement made it impossible for me to say anything more to that director.
Could I really do that?
I’m told I have presence as an actor, a unique aura, and my own worldview, but these three are clearly above me.
As I was lost in thought, the teacher entered the classroom.
I placed my textbook on the desk and focused on the lesson.
”See you guys later!”
”Hey, Hisui-chan! If you’re free today, let’s hang out!”
”Yeah, sure.”
”Karaoke? Bowling? Which one?”
”No, let’s go to the batting center!”
”Yeah, so we can play amateur baseball with Aqua-kun in the future!”
”But Aqua-kun was playing soccer last time, remember?”
”Okay, let’s do soccer then!”
”Wait, I just heard we’re playing basketball…”
”Alright, basketball it is!”
Once cleaning time ended, the central group of the class left first.
Then, classmates with club activities or errands, like Kato-san, followed.
I was preparing to leave slowly while observing everyone when I made eye contact with Sumeragi Kukuri-san, who was sitting next to me.
She also has a presence.
Unlike Inori Hisui-san, she has an unapproachable aura, and I’ve never seen her surrounded by people.
”Goodbye.”
”Goodbye.”
After a brief exchange with Sumeragi Kukuri-san, I left the classroom alone.
Then, the center of this school—no, this world—was surrounded by people.
”Hey, Shintaro! Did you see that!?”
”What’s up, Aqua?”
”There’s nothing wrong or right about it. Just now, Nanahoshi’s skirt got blown up by the wind, and you could see her panties! Weren’t you excited, being a guy!?”
”Skirt blowing up and getting excited? Grr… Sorry, Aqua. I still don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”
The girls around started saying it was hot and began flipping their skirts.
Should I have done that too?
No, if you flip your skirt in October, you’ll look like a weird kid, so I’d better not.
”Shintaro, it’s okay if you don’t understand. Also, it’s just Aqua saying something silly again.”
Toa-chan glared fiercely at the surrounding students, then pulled Aqua-san’s ear and headed toward the school gate.
”Toa!?”
”Kanon-san asked me to take care of Aqua until she arrives. See, Shintaro’s going too.”
”Oh.”
I watched the three of them as I headed to the bicycle parking lot.
It’s actually over 20km from here to my house, so I should be taking the train, but our shop isn’t trendy, so we don’t have that much money.
And with so many siblings, a bicycle is essential to save on transportation costs.
I straddled an old bicycle I got from a neighbor and rode down the famous Otomezaki slope toward my house.
”I’m home.”
”Oh, Rurika, welcome back!”
After running the errands I was asked to do on the way back, I ended up being later than I thought.
I put the items I was asked to get in the store’s refrigerator and restocked the consumables with practiced movements.
”Ruri-nee, welcome back!”
”Welcome back.”
”It’s not ‘welcome back-cha,’ it’s ‘welcome back’-ri.”
”Hey, hey, Ruri-nee. How was today’s Aqua-sama?”
After climbing up to the third floor where my house is, I was surrounded by my sisters who had come home earlier.
While listening to my sisters’ stories, I took off my school uniform and changed into my work clothes.
”Then, Rurika. I’ll leave the store to you. I’m working at the neighboring izakaya today, so if anything happens, just tell me. Oh, and of course, you don’t have to serve the alcohol menu. It’s written on the standing sign too.”
”Got it.”
My mother is a people person.
Of course, the sisters here, and even I, are not related to “mom” by blood.
”Mother” raises children who have nowhere to go in this bright neon-lit town all by herself.
”Mom was helped here in the past too,”
That’s what she said, smiling as she led the hand of a little girl who had been abandoned and wandered the streets alone.
I wonder when it was that I thought I wanted to be of help to such a mother.
”You, aren’t you interested in the entertainment world?”
I remember the person who scouted me was surprised to hear that I was still in elementary school.
I don’t feel that old, but I distinctly remember the scout saying that I had such a mature aura that they thought I was a high school senior.
After changing clothes, I went down to the first floor to take out a broom and dustpan from the locker.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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