Chapter 68

The play that everyone is looking forward to is "The Phantom of the Opera."

The lead role is played by Picard, who is known for his foolishness. He's quite popular in the school, with a certain number of fans. With him playing the lead, the auditorium is packed. If it weren't for the priority tickets we got from the heroine, Selea and I might not have been able to get in.

The background music is provided by the music club, who will perform live.

Picard, who is super popular in the school, ends up falling in love with the heroine in the drama club.

The story is about a prince, played by Picard, who is the sponsor of the opera house, falling in love with a dancer from the troupe, a commoner, and their love blossoming as they come together.

"Ah, Christine! I have not forgotten the day we picked flowers together when we were young!"

Just as Picard and the heroine are getting cozy, a "masked man" appears to disrupt them.

At first, I thought it was a story like "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame," but it's a bit different.

This masked man, who has an unrequited love for the heroine, causes all sorts of trouble during the play, such as destroying the stage, dropping the chandelier, and finally kidnapping her, shouting, "Sing! Sing for me!"

"…No matter how you look at it, the masked man is acting better than Picard, isn't he…"

Selea says.

I agree. Compared to Picard's over-the-top acting, the masked man's intense portrayal of burning jealousy, heart-wrenching sobs, and his desperate, unrequited love for Christine after she rejects his ugly face, really stands out. I wonder if the audience can feel it.

"…The script is bad. This would be a much better play if the masked man were the protagonist."

"I think so too…"

In the end, the handsome prince, Picard, rescues the kidnapped heroine, leading to a happy ending. It feels a bit cliché, though.

I wonder how this will affect the other suitors…

After all, they'll have to watch Picard and the heroine being all lovey-dovey on stage. I wonder if the other guys will be okay, in terms of their relationship points. Look, even the cool guy and the brainy one are frowning. Can they recover from this later?

After the performance, the curtain call begins, and the audience gives a standing ovation.

"Bravo――――!"

There's a guy clapping particularly loudly! I've seen him before!

It's Shakespeare! The one who wrote Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet!

He must have come to see the play after hearing about it. The person next to him might be from the theater. This is great. If he likes it, maybe it could be performed in his theater. It would be a great achievement for the school's drama club!

After the curtain call, girls rush to the stage to throw bouquets to their favorite actors.

"I'm going too!"

Selea, holding a bouquet, runs to the stage. Overall, I think it was good. Better than Cinderella, at least.

Next is the music club's performance.

The audience changes, with more students and fewer adults.

The final event in the auditorium is the announcement of Miss Academy and Mr. Academy. Miss Academy is voted on by all the male students, and Mr. Academy by the female students.

The cultural committee president, who is also the festival executive committee chair, is the host.

"Alright, this year's Miss Academy is――――!"

The music club plays a drumroll, and the cymbals crash.

"It's Rinse Blower!"

Aaahhh! The heroine is Miss Academy!

The male students cheer loudly, while the female students are silent. They're all noble young ladies, so they don't boo or anything, but you can tell from their reaction. Wow…

The heroine, still in her dancer's costume, steps onto the stage.

"Congratulations!"

"Thank you, thank you! Everyone, thank you――――!"

She waves, tears in her eyes. She's really popular. She deserves it. She receives a bouquet from the executive committee and is congratulated.

"Next, Mr. Academy! Chosen by all the female students, the winner is――――!"

The music club plays a drumroll and cymbals.

This will reveal who has the highest relationship points with the heroine.

"It's Prince Shin Midland!"

Wooohhh! Squeal!

A huge cheer, rivaling the one for the heroine!

Me!

I'm surprised. I thought Mr. Academy would be Picard, the most popular guy in school, so I never expected it to be me. After all, shouldn't the one with the highest relationship points with the heroine have won?

"I didn't see this coming… I thought this scenario was impossible."

Selea's smile is frozen.

"Yeah… It seems the game's settings don't matter anymore."

I stand up. I have to go on stage.

"I'll be right back."

I kiss Selea's hand, bow to the audience, and walk to the stage in my butler's uniform.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! What are your thoughts on being chosen as Mr. Academy?"

"Thank you to everyone who voted. It's an honor. But please, no 'Your Highness' at school. It's a hassle."

The audience laughs as I place my hand on my chest and bow.

"Next, the Miss and Mr. Academy will perform a dance together!"

By tradition, the Miss and Mr. Academy must dance on stage as a demonstration. Of course, only those who can dance well are chosen. Dancing is a noble pastime.

"Congratulations, Prince Shin. Shall we dance?"

The heroine smiles brightly. This guy…

Actually, I've never touched the heroine directly.

I was afraid that when I took her hand, memories or fantasies might flood my mind, but I can't back out now.

I take her hand with determination. It's the first time I've touched her directly since we were seven.

I feel nothing. I'm relieved.

"Prince Shin, can you keep up with my dance?"

"Don't underestimate me."

I request a song from the music club's president, who is conducting. Surprised, he starts the music.

We recreate the dance scene from "The Phantom of the Opera" on stage!

The dance is so well-practiced that my body moves on its own. The heroine follows, just like on stage.

The audience cheers loudly, having seen the highlight dance from the play again.

When the music ends, the heroine is surprised.

"Shin, what are you? You're better than Picard!"

"How many years do you think I've been dancing?"

The heroine is delighted. I'm just playing the role of the prince from the play. I doubt she understands that. Selea probably does.

"Thank you! Now, for one last award!"

The host announces.

The heroine looks puzzled.

I didn't know about this award either. What is it?

"We will now announce the Best Couple award!"

This is the first I've heard of it!

"Chosen by a vote from all the students!"

The Best Couple is voted on by all the students! I didn't know that!

"Selea Collette and Prince Shin Midland!"

Wooohhh!

The audience goes wild!

Me!? Selea and I!?

The whole school recognizes us. I'm happy!

We might just be seen as a lovey-dovey couple, though.

The heroine is stunned, her mouth agape. She clearly didn't know about this.

Selea is surprised, her face turning red as she covers it. Who would have predicted this spotlight on Selea?

I extend my hand to the audience.

Come on, my heroine!

Selea, in her maid's uniform, stands up shyly, curtsies gracefully, and hesitantly walks to the stage.

"Congratulations. Mr. Academy and Best Couple! Please share your thoughts."

"Thank you. I didn't know such an award existed. The executive committee is sneaky… When did they collect all these votes?"

"Thank you. I'm surprised."

We bow to the audience.

The heroine, who was supposed to be the star today, is completely overshadowed.

"Now, the Best Couple will perform a dance together!"

Another dance with Selea. Busy, huh?

A butler and a maid, winning the Best Couple award at this noble school, is a surreal scene.

I request a song from the music club's president.

"Is that okay?"

"Yeah, go for it."

A quick, fast-paced drum intro leads into a quickstep!

We dance around the stage!

Scissors, chassé, side step! Turn into a high hover!

Run! Run! Running!

The audience starts clapping along! We dance across the stage, flying from one end to the other!

The heroine, you shouldn't look like that. I knew from the start that Selea would be my best dance partner. Don't glare at me.

From one end of the stage to the other, back steps, tii-tii-tii-tii.

Moonwalk!

The auditorium buzzes.

"What's that step? Why are they moving backward?!"

"Jump!"

"Okay!"

I spin Selea and jump off the stage, landing in the audience. We turn and step, holding our position, and run up the auditorium aisle stairs together!

Wooohhh!

The cheers are incredible! This requires perfect synchronization.

We cross the aisle, switch positions, and run back to the stage.

"Why aren't they falling?!"

We've been dancing together for years. We can lead and follow each other through body language.

Natural turn, tango spin, and open!

We strike a pose, extend our hands, and bow to the audience.

Wooohhh!

The audience applauds loudly!

This is the dance I wanted to perform at the school someday.

Thank you, dance teacher.

I wanted to show that we are truly in love, beyond our roles as noble fiancés. I think we succeeded.

As we exit to the applause, Picard approaches us backstage, clapping with a wry smile.

"You got me, Shin and Selea. I'm completely outshone."

Yeah, you were completely overshadowed. I'm sorry.

"You're my rival, after all. I won't lose next time."

Well, I don't mind losing to you and the heroine getting together.

Maybe we should stop the Best Couple award next year. Miss Academy alone is enough. We've had our moment.

Next: "68. The Last Dance, with You"