I have a life simulator.

Sakura Airi spoke softly, biting her lower lip with her pearly teeth, revealing a pale white color that was heartbreaking.

She still remembers the night before she left the theater troupe, she locked herself in her room and didn't want to go out, as if she were protesting silently.

"Look ahead."

The voice that came from outside the door at that moment was clear and firm.

The view that Sakura Airi saw when she looked up was just like what she was seeing now:

Before me was an open window, and outside the window stretched an endless night sky, with a full moon embedded in the center. The evening breeze blew through the gaps, causing the curtains to flutter.

"Have you noticed that you're no longer afraid of that monster?"

"Remember to lock the windows and close the doors before you go to sleep."

"Goodbye."

Sakura Airi remembered that she had insomnia that night, just like today, and she seemed to have said many things to the night sky.

Unfortunately, the moon is mute.

Chapter Fifteen: Be Your Leading Lady

"Everyone, let's stop practicing for a bit. I have something to announce."

In Azabu Middle School, Drama Club, Kikyo Kushida wore her usual sweet smile as she gently clapped her hands, instantly silencing the entire room.

Kikyo Kushida really enjoyed being the center of attention. She paused for a moment before speaking:

"Today, our drama club is honored to have invited a professional drama actress to give us guidance. She was the leading lady that Kitagawa used during his active years. Let's give a round of applause to Ms. Karuizawa."

Kikyo Kushida tactfully took two steps back, and as she had expected, the freshmen in the room instantly erupted in excitement. After all, more than 90% of the freshmen who came here were there for Ryo Kitagawa. Although they had never met each other in person, they couldn't help but feel excited when they heard the name Kei Karuizawa.

"The first play I ever watched was Hamlet, starring Karuizawa and Kitagawa, and I still remember it to this day."

"Actually, Karuizawa's acting skills weren't that great back then. I only started to like her after watching 'Macbeth.' Before that, I always felt that she was not worthy of co-starring with Kitagawa."

"At first, I was indeed somewhat influenced by her, but later Karuizawa-senpai improved a lot. There's even a video online of her dressed as a man in 'King Lear,' and that's how I started paying attention to her."

The freshmen below were also having a heated discussion about Karuizawa Kei, and there were quite a few extreme remarks.

Kikyo Kushida was puzzled as to why Kei Karuizawa hadn't come out yet. She turned her head and looked behind the door, only to find Kei Karuizawa leaning against the door listening to the noisy discussion. At first, Kikyo Kushida thought that Kei Karuizawa was concerned about these things and was about to signal everyone to be quiet, but unexpectedly, Kei Karuizawa pressed her hand down, telling her not to make any rash moves.

After stopping Kikyo Kushida, Kei Karuizawa also refocused her attention.

Over the past two years, she had heard countless doubts, slanders, and even malice, because standing beside her was Kitagawa Ryo.

People are always good at demanding the most stringent standards from others. After Kitagawa Ryo became famous, almost every actor who co-starred with him was exposed to the scorching spotlight. Every performance, every action, and every line of dialogue was scrutinized. The immense pressure brought by fame exhausted many actors, and Karuizawa Megumi was naturally the one targeted the most.

He is Hamlet, the prince of vengeance, and she is Ophelia, the one with the deepest love.

He was Romeo, a noble young man, and she was Juliet, a wealthy young lady.

He was Macbeth, the regicide, and she was Lady Macbeth, the accomplice.

Reborn with her memories intact, Karuizawa Megumi displays astonishing courage and adaptability. Compared to the genius Kitagawa Ryo, she has to devote more time and energy to learning and keeping up with him.

Just like the final match of that sports festival, in the three-legged race, Karuizawa Kei gritted her teeth and adapted to Horikita Suzune's constant acceleration.

This time, she finally caught up with Kitagawa Ryo, and now no one is surprised that she is Kitagawa Ryo's leading lady.

In the book of the destiny,we together between a row of characters.

In the book of destiny, we are on the same line of text.

From Romeo and Juliet, this is one of Kei Karuizawa's favorite lines.

"Um, Ms. Karuizawa, you may enter now."

Kikyo Kushida's reminder interrupted Karuizawa Megumi's reverie. She gave Kikyo Kushida a slightly apologetic smile and went into the room.

"Hello everyone, I am Karuizawa Megumi."

Without needing to put on a brave front or act cowardly, Karuizawa Megumi introduced herself to the freshmen in the audience with perfect naturalness.

"I am honored to be invited by the Azabu Junior High School Drama Club today. The Azabu Junior High School Drama Club is full of talented people and has produced many well-known drama actors in the past. Compared with those seniors, I am not even in the same league. So today, I am mainly here as a junior to talk to everyone."

After making a playful little joke, Karuizawa Megumi quickly scanned the room.

There were about thirty people, not many.

【Um? 】

With a slight focus, Karuizawa Kei also spotted Horikita Suzune. This was mainly because, compared to the enthusiastic and bustling freshmen in the front row, she stood out too much sitting alone in the corner.

Although she didn't know why the other person was there, Karuizawa Kei still interacted with the freshmen in the front row without making a sound, talking about interesting things in the theater troupe, answering some basic questions, and sharing a few practical tips.

Just as Karuizawa Kei finished answering a question from a freshman and was about to get a drink of water, she heard a question suddenly pop up from the audience.

"Mr. Karuizawa, what kind of person is Department Head Kitagawa?"

Upon hearing the familiar name, Karuizawa Megumi couldn't help but smile and put down her water glass.

"Well, how should I put it?"

"She's a pretty gentle person, although that word might have been used in a bad way in recent years, but Ryo really is that kind of person."

Karuizawa Kei couldn't think of a more suitable adjective for the time being, so she could only use this rather old-fashioned definition.

After hesitating for a moment, she added:

"Actually, it's not just the dramas; Liang's cooking skills are also amazing, especially his desserts."

Having received this unexpected information, the freshmen nodded repeatedly, and many even wrote it down.

"Actually, you should be able to meet Ryo in person when you have your final hearing."

"I will also be there as a judge. Let's all work hard!"

Seeing that it was almost time, Karuizawa Kei brought it to a close. Although the freshmen still seemed reluctant to leave, they applauded enthusiastically to express their gratitude. After all, they had heard some gossip and learned something, so today's exchange could be considered a success.

However, Horikita Suzune wasn't interested in any of these things. If Kitagawa Ryo had come in person, she might have paid more attention.

Since Kitagawa Ryo made it a condition for her to pass the final review by entering Tokyo Advanced Educational High School, Horikita Suzune has been thinking about this matter almost every moment.

After all, her brother, Horikita Manabu, was in that school, and Tokyo Advanced Educational High School was completely closed to the public. If nothing unexpected happened, she would have to wait at least a year before she entered that school again to see her brother.

But now there is such a shortcut.

Horikita Suzune, carrying her documents, headed out of the classroom, intending to go see Kushida Kikyo again. She knew she needed more practice to pass the final exam.

She didn't consider that it was already outside of class time, nor did she care about Kikyo Kushida's wishes.

"Oh, you've come at the right time. Ms. Karuizawa was just mentioning you."

She met Kikyo Kushida outside another club's reception room. Kikyo seemed quite surprised as well, and came up to her, taking her arm affectionately as she spoke.

"Hmm? You're bringing me up?"

Horikita Suzune's mind was in a mess. She had never met this Karuizawa Kei before, and she hadn't even interacted with her at the exchange meeting just now. Was that why the other party noticed her?

But she quickly remembered that Karuizawa Kei and Kitagawa Ryo seemed to have a close relationship. She had heard from the freshmen that she was the other's favorite leading lady and that the other would also be a judge in the final round.

"Is she still there? I want to see her."

Feeling that she had found a way out, Horikita Suzune quickly asked.

"They've already left, but they probably haven't gone far?"

Kikyo Kushida pointed in a direction, and in the next instant, Suzune Horikita broke free from her arm and ran out.

"..."

Looking at Horikita Suzune's retreating figure, Kushida Kikyo also shook her head.

She still couldn't understand Horikita Suzune.

The school is surrounded by a commercial street. Horikita Suzune chased after Karuizawa Megumi all the way to the entrance but did not see her. Just as she was wandering aimlessly, she suddenly heard a slightly familiar voice beside her.

It's Karuizawa Megumi.

She seemed to remember Horikita Suzune, evidenced by Karuizawa Megumi's composed tone:

"Horikita Suzune...right?"

Karuizawa Kei shook the coffee in her hand; it was the one she had just packed up.

"Are you here to find me?"

"Yes."

Since the other party had taken the initiative to ask the question, Horikita Suzune naturally wouldn't back down:

"I want to know a quick way to get started with drama."

"I already shared this at the exchange meeting, didn't I?"

Karuizawa Kei raised her pretty eyebrows and asked with some confusion:

"And why did you suddenly become interested in theater?"

She clearly remembered that Horikita Suzune had absolutely nothing to do with drama, so shouldn't the other person be obsessed with Horikita Manabu?

"...I've looked at your file; you've never been involved in this area before."

Thinking of this, Karuizawa Kei cautiously added another sentence.

"Didn't you only get into theater two years ago?"

Horikita Suzune retorted stiffly. Whenever she saw Karuizawa Kei, she would naturally think of "Kitagawa Ryo." That name was like a straight steel bar supporting her body, pressing from her feet to her head, making her tense up instantly.

"I just want to know how to get through this final appeal."

Seemingly realizing her tone was inappropriate, Horikita Suzune pursed her lips, but she wouldn't back down, so she could only awkwardly speak:

"If you can help me, I..."

"I'll treat you to drinks for a year, no, two years."

Horikita Suzune saw the coffee in Karuizawa Megumi's hand and quickly made a promise.

Karuizawa Megumi was amused by her promise, and she remembered something that Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had mentioned to her during a casual chat:

Horikita Suzune had taken it upon herself to treat him to a lavish lunch at the cafeteria in order to ask for his help.

It seems that this stiff and somewhat awkward way of asking for help is Horikita Suzune's usual style.

"I joined the drama club because of Kitagawa-kun."

After Kitagawa Ryo's name was uttered, Horikita Suzune felt as if something sharp had sliced ​​through the air, tearing at Karuizawa Megumi's vocal cords and making her voice sound even more muffled:

"Hmm? Are you and Ryo very close?"

"When did we meet?"

Horikita Suzune looked at Karuizawa Megumi, whose attitude had suddenly become much worse, with some confusion. It was as if the other party had suddenly turned into a hedgehog, with all her quills standing up.

"I'm not familiar with him."

"As for why I must pass the final review, it's simply because Kitagawa once said that as long as I pass the final review, he can take me to this year's cultural festival at Tokyo Advanced Educational High School."

To increase her persuasiveness, Horikita Suzune quickly explained her reasons.

[As expected, it was all to see Horikita Manabu]

Feeling inexplicably relieved, Karuizawa Megumi's attitude immediately returned to normal after learning about Horikita Suzune's thoughts.

That's true, Horikita Suzune doesn't seem like the kind of girl who would have designs on Ryo.

"Well, I can teach you. What aspect are you having trouble with right now—the lines or the movements?"

“Oh, Macbeth, that’s a difficult scene, but if you can grasp these points, it’s not too bad.”

"first……"

As Karuizawa Megumi patiently taught her, Horikita Suzune's energy gradually deflated, like a balloon that had been inflated high being poked with a small hole. However, a balloon can still fly in the wind for a while before turning into a tattered piece of cloth and falling to the ground, but Horikita Suzune could only hang her head and remember the key points.

"Actually, drama is like anything else; if you want to succeed, you have to believe in yourself first."

"If you don't even trust yourself, then others can't trust you either."

"In that case, it can't even begin."

Horikita Suzune nodded thoughtfully.

"Just like in Macbeth..."