haunted theatre au psl

[showbaka]

Truly, this challenge could have only been trusted with a future star such as myself! No wonder I got dragged into this. Even this theatre and the ghosts residing in it recognize my talent!

[Is how Tsukasa chooses to make himself feel better about his predicament. Not that he hasn't done his fair share of panicking and would continue to do so, but panicking wouldn't solve this. Yes, this is but a stepping stone in his career!

One he isn't too thrilled about and never could have predicted, but a still a stepping stone. The only thing that would get him out of this mess would be his skills as an actor. But there is the whole issue of getting visitors to stick around long enough to act. The place is creepy. Signs of abandonment are showing as its popularity declined over the years with no one wanting or able to take care of it. Even Tsukasa has to admit it looks different from how he remembers. To make matters worse, his attempts to draw in visitors have been doing the opposite. He can reach people with his voice, he can interact with the props and theatre, but no one has managed to see him. All of his rehearsals end up backfiring with visitors panicking about the theatre being haunted and leaving as fast as possible.

His shoulders fall as he watches a group of people do just that. They whisper to eachother about how the ghosts here are a lot louder than they imagined and...kind of annoying for a ghost? No one sees Tsukasa stagger back at the insult as if injured.]

I'm not a ghost!

[Even if he is transparent, and can't get hurt, he's definitely not a ghost! But his shouting does the opposite and the visitors leave the theatre empty again other than of Tsukasa and the actual ghosts.

The stage lights turn on, flooding the auditorium and stage in a dazzling light. In that moment, Tsukasa can almost see the same sparkle it had when he and Saki visited. There's laughter as some of the residents of the theatre emerge to perform one of their favorite shows. Scrambling off the stage, Tsukasa meanders and starts tidying up where he can--dusting the shelves, rearranging items, bringing belongings to the lost and found that no one ever visits. He still tries to avoid the ghosts when possible. They're the reason he's in this mess.]

A welcoming and neat appearance will attract more of an audience!

[And no one in their right mind would visit a haunted theatre at this hour!]

Comments

[showbaka]

Yes! I would be happy to pick them out, it won't take me long at all and will be a good opportunity to refresh myself on the material.

[And Mafuyu is going to all this effort. It's the least he can do.

There is so much at stake. He's worried, about the theatre, his fate, how much rests on their ability to perform a successful show. Despite all of his concerns, now that they're planning it, he's excited.]

This play will be unlike anything I've ever done before. It's sure to be spectacular and unique!

[depressured]

... Truthfully, I thought you would have been a lot more stressed about this.

[ And yet he's all but sparkling. ]

[showbaka]

Ah…

[She’s right. His smile falls into something more sheepish.]

I won’t deny that I’m stressed and worried. I want this to work out for the theatre, but I also don’t want to be stuck like this indefinitely. But now I feel like now we have a way to do that! I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m very glad you’re here.

[depressured]

...

[ There's a part of her that still feels something like warmth to hear that sentiment. Even though it's not as though he knows the truth about her.

But, still... ]

Well, I wouldn't have known if Mizuki hadn't told me. For now, let's do our best to get through this together.

[showbaka]

That may be true, but you still made the choice to come here.

[She could have shrugged it off or ignored it. It says more about Mafuyu to Tsukasa than he admits.

He nods, striking a pose thanks to his newfound optimism.]

Let us put our all into this show!!!

[depressured]

Mm, let's do it.

[ This is probably a montage, of Tsukasa picking out viable monologues and explaining each play's premise to Mafuyu so she can offer input on which song to sample and then she'll start piecing together a potential medley.

It gets to be very late. Oops. ]

[showbaka]

[Even though they've been working on it for hours, the time has passed Tsukasa in the blink of an eye. He hasn't had this much fun since being cursed and trapped here. His stunned voice echoes when he checks the time backstage.]

EH?! ASAHINA-SAN, HAVE YOU CHECKED THE TIME?!

[depressured]

[ A pause, to fish out her phone.

... Ah. ]

... I'll need to tell the circle I won't be online tonight.

[showbaka]

[Online?

Tsukasa emerges and stares, baffled and concerned.]

You were planning to stay up later than this?

[depressured]

Mm, I usually do. Due to our schedules, the only time we can really work together is at one in the morning.

[ Surprise! ]

[showbaka]

[He is Worried.]

When...when do you sleep?

[depressured]

Between finishing that and waking up for school.

[ It's...

... Fine. ]

[showbaka]

...How are you still awake?!

And what about food? Staying hydrated? I should have asked you before.

[depressured]

I did bring both.

[ Nodding towards her bag. ]

An extra bento, and water bottles. I wasn't sure if you were starving.

--But you don't need to worry about me, Tenma-san. I'm very used to three or four hours of sleep.

[showbaka]

[Tsukasa is ready to fret over Mafuyu’s sleeping habits, but—]

You…brought me a bento?

[Mafuyu that’s so thoughtful!! He hopes she didn’t notice how his voice chokes up, but he stares at her quietly.]

I suppose I can understand, depending on what it is… Is the online group something important to you? Are you sure you’re not tired?

[depressured]

[ She notices. But she won't mention it, because she's not sure how to feel about potentially making him cry?? ]

I'm all right. The circle is...

[ .... ]

Very important to me. If I couldn't make music with them, I'm not sure what I'd do.

--Ah, but more importantly, are you able to eat like this?

[showbaka]

[Oh. Tsukasa smiles softly. His world is so much more vibrant with the rest of WxS in it. Maybe it's the same for Mafuyu. Making music alone is just isn't the same.]

Having a group like that is certainly wonderful. I'm glad you have them.

...I'm not sure! I'm afraid I forgot.

[depressured]

"Forgot"...

[ Well.

Mafuyu reaches for her bag, sliding out the aforementioned bento to offer him. ]

Then let's try it. It would be for the best if you could maintain your strength until we can get the ghosts to agree to let you go.

[showbaka]

[Tsukasa laughs sheepishly at his own memory.]

That's true. I hadn't considered that before.

[It does look delicious. And he misses eating. What if he's unable to? The possibility scares him more than he'll admit.

It seems like the perfect time to not dwell on that and dramatically announce their meal.]

Thank you, Asahina-san. Let us partake in this delicious meal together after our tireless work!

[depressured]

[ Hang in there, Tsukasa. If he can't, they'll figure out something else.

But for now, Mafuyu offers him a nod with a faint smile. ]

We'll have to aim for a better time to do it tomorrow, since technically, eating this late isn't advised. [ But. Needs must. ]

[showbaka]

You're right. I'm sorry for getting so immersed in the play. Please eat and recover your strength.

[It was fine if it was just him, but now that Mafuyu was involved in this he would need to be more considerate and mindful of the time.

Tsukasa decides to try the food. His expression goes from carefully pleasant to hide his disappointment if he can't eat it, to stunned...and finally his eyes light up with delight.]

This...this might be the best food I've ever had!

[depressured]

[ Honestly, she still can't taste food, but she also had been taught how to cook when she was still very young. So at the very least, she doesn't think he's lying about it. Exaggerating, maybe, but he does seem to be enjoying it.

Satisfied with that, Mafuyu picks up her chopsticks to take her own bite. Really, just to keep her strength up. ]

I don't think it's that impressive, but I'm glad you like my cooking.

[showbaka]

Mn, everything pairs together wonderfully.

[He didn’t think he was hungry, but now that he’s had a bite he wants to eat everything.

He takes his time, enjoying the food for the first time in a while.]

Do you cook often, Asahina-san?

[depressured]

A little more often these days. [ Because she ran away from home and sometimes she could handle things so that Honami only had to focus on cleaning Kanade's place-- ]

But I did learn when I was young and I was taught it was a skill I should probably try to maintain.

[showbaka]

[Mafuyu...]

Your practice has paid off, everything is delightful! I wish I could cook you something in return.