Back Then, Part 3

I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Glancing at my back, Tomakawa was there.

"Woaaah, you really look cool Yuji! Just like a real prince!" He looked really thrilled seeing me in this costume I'm wearing, though it annoyed me again with his two-syllabus-nickname.

"Again with calling me 'Yuji' huh? You're so lazy at calling me with my whole last name, that applies to other people as well." I told him.

He chuckled. "Come on, it saves time if I'm calling people with short nicknames."

"Yeah right. And fyi, I'm not a prince. I'm playing as Romeo in this play. It's Romeo and Juliet."

"Hahaha I should be Juliet then." He said casually, surely he jested... right?

"Weirdo. Then your fan girls will go crazy seeing you acting and crossdressing on stage."

He pouted like he was really disappointed. "Man, it's really hard being popular."

"As if! All you do is be yourself, and girls starts to like you." And I kind of envy Tomakawa for that. He's so natural with making people like him, and I happen to be his best friend because we were childhood friends.

I don't really envy him in a bad way though, I'm happy the he really got some good social skills. I just feel insecure whenever I see him being happy with other people, I'm just too shy and awkward when I try to talk.

"Hey, hey. It's not like that, and aren't you experiencing the same since you're an actor?"

"Mm, not really." Even though I'm a part of the drama club, it's easy to act because it's similar to memorizing. I can perform and act perfectly when I get enough time and practice, and I'm good at memorizing. So it's really different with interacting with people.

Some students may come to like my performance on stage, but I'm really a nobody when I'm not there... and they all just find me really hard to talk to.

"Like hell I would believe that." He muttered.

"Eh? Why?"

He rolls his eyes. "Nevermind." Tomakawa is really annoying with his sudden mood changes.

"Anyways, this is your last performance since we're graduating students, do your best on your pl-" when he was just about to wish me luck, a friend of his called him.

"Seems like your friend is looking for you." I said.

"Oh, him? He's here to watch with me. So yeah, good luck Yuji!" Then I just stared at Tomakawa's back as he leaves with his other friend. I don't want to admit this, but I feel envious with that friend of his' too. And I think Tomakawa calls him… Nuru?… Nu… Noru? Well, nevermind. I just wish I have Tomakawa supporting me here.

As the remaining time were done, I felt a bit overwhelmed by excitement. "YUJIRO! GET READY TO ENTER THE STAGE!" Pres yelled, and was really nervous.

"Yeah! Good luck to everyone who will perform on that stage today! Give all the best that you can!" Vice president, Osumu said.

I smiled as I got on my place, facing the audience while the curtains slowly opens…