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]

[He pauses with a fluffy piece of pancake stabbed on his fork.]

What do you mean?

[depressured]

I mean that you don't have to praise me to that extent.

[ In the end, they're both just third-year students working on getting through a haunted theatre problem. ]

[showbaka]

…Nonsense! The praise is well earned. If anything, I should praise you more!

[What’s normal]

[depressured]

If anything, you should probably eat.

[ Why this. ]

[showbaka]

Ah— I probably should.

[Before it gets cold. He takes a bite and can’t hide his delight.]

[depressured]

... Are you a fan of sweet things, Tenma-san?

[showbaka]

I enjoy them from time to time. I usually don't eat them for breakfast, but I think I've just missed getting to enjoy them! I'm afraid I even missed drinking water, Asahina-san!

[depressured]

...

Well, that's not too unusual. You did find yourself in a predicament you couldn't really have expected.

[ Being ghost-like and trapped, that is. ]

... I'm sorry for having kept you waiting. It shouldn't be too much longer.

[ Just a few more weeks. ]

[showbaka]

[He put his fork down gently.]

Why are you apologizing, Asahina-san?

[depressured]

[ Habit-- ]

I'm aware that I didn't know of your situation, but... when I heard the rumors, I should have thought to look into it sooner.

[showbaka]

[His brows knit in thought.]

But it's just as you said. You didn't know of my situation, but you still looked into it when you thought to, despite all the risks. I have nothing but gratitude that you did...and some concern, I suppose.

[depressured]

Concern? So far, I've been perfectly fine.

[ She ain't 'fraid of no ghost. ]

[showbaka]

You have been. You've been very level-headed and calm.

[...] It doesn't bother you at all? This place and the ghosts?

[depressured]

Not really, no. I admit, I was a little surprised the first time I encountered a ghost, but...

... In the end, they just want to be heard. It's never been difficult to do that much.

[showbaka]

I suppose—

What?! Wait a minute, you’ve encountered other ghosts?! [That makes him more concerned!]

[depressured]

[ A nod, as she takes a forkful of pancake. ]

She just needed help getting her shoes out of a tree.

[showbaka]

What?!

[He cowers back…and then looks sad.] Oh. Did you get them out?

[depressured]

[ Really, his face is... so interesting. He's like an open book. ]

I did. I think... the ghosts here might go a little overboard, but it might just be that they don't know what to do anymore.

[showbaka]

...I think you're right. [Frowning at his pancakes.] Anyone would feel lost if they were invisible and feared for as long as they have.

[depressured]

Exactly. So I find it difficult to be afraid of them.

[ Mafuyu, of course, is not built like other girls. ]

[showbaka]

[He stares at her thoughtfully while taking another bite.]

Hmmmm. Have you ever thought of acting, Asahina-san?

[depressured]

Acting?

[ She does it on the daily-- ]

I haven't really done it outside of school requirements...

[showbaka]

You’re very empathetic and brave. I’m not sure if you would enjoy it but if you ever decided to I think you could be good at it.

[depressured]

Brave?

[ Empathetic? ]

... I may not be afraid of ghosts, Tenma-san, but I'm not sure I could ever call myself a brave person.

[showbaka]

[...

He smiles sheepishly.] I'm sorry. I suppose I find you brave, not flinching at the sight of ghosts or insects. But I shouldn't jump to conclusions!