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]

...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.

[depressured]

[ That would feel like a waste in her current condition, though... ]

Oh? Do you also cook, Tenma-san?

[showbaka]

From time to time! I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I can put my all into following a recipe.

[depressured]

I think there's something to be said for that much. That aside, you don't really need to do anything for me in return. I think you'll have enough on your plate, once we can get you out of here.

[ Reuniting with his friends and family and people who love him, and all. ]

[showbaka]

[...]

But what about your plate, Asahina-san?

[depressured]

Eh?

[ The surprise and confusion are genuine here. ]

[showbaka]

You're already having to put off meeting your other group. What about classes? Friends? I know you said you're fine without much sleep, but I'm just adding more responsibilities onto your plate. You even brought me food.

[He tries to smile, but he can't hide his concern or guilt.]

[depressured]

We're going into a weekend, and I can afford to miss cram school for something like this.

[ "Something like this" being "an acquaintance got trapped in a haunted theatre." ]

Obviously, I can't stay here the entire time, and I'll need to leave in the first place in order to promote this show, but this isn't your responsibility to bear, Tenma-san. You weren't aware any of this would happen and you've been trying to protect me from getting too caught up in this the entire time.

[ From trying to get her to leave to making sure the ghosts didn't see her. ]

[showbaka]

It's already the weekend?!

[He didn't know this would happen, but he still feels responsible, and concern for her wellbeing, and powerless to help much.]

...What of your friends? Won't they notice something is off?

[depressured]

A few know I'm here. They, ah... seem to think I'll be able to handle it?

[ This is not a lie. Ena even said she feels sorry for the ghosts. ]

[showbaka]

Hearing that certainly puts some of my worries at ease! You have been remarkably level-headed about this entire ordeal.

[depressured]

Ah... well, I do a lot of committee and organizational work, so maybe I'm just extending that familiarity to this.

[ Very non-school-like thing. ]

I think you've been faring rather well yourself, though. I'm sure you were worried, unable to leave or reach anyone. And yet, you're still able to smile and be so energetic.

[showbaka]

Using your previous experience to make a frightening and unfamiliar situation such as this easier to handle. I can understand your method!

That is thanks to you. And now, thanks to this delicious meal, I have even more energy! I feel as if I could accomplish anything!