VOLUME 5 — HEARTS BENEATH THE SNOW
-
-AURORA ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE, THEATRE CLUB ROOM-
-3:34 PM, JANUARY 26, 2017-
Winter sunlight filtered through the tall theatre windows, casting pale gold across the wooden stage.
The club room was unusually crowded.
Students filled nearly every seat, scripts in hand, voices overlapping with quiet excitement.
At the center of the room stood Hoshino-sensei, the theatre club advisor.
She tapped a clipboard lightly.
"Everyone settle down."
The murmurs faded quickly.
"As you know," she continued, "Aurora Academy will host the Winter Arts Exhibition next month."
Several students straightened immediately.
"That includes music, painting, literature… and theatre."
The room grew quieter.
"This year," she said, "our club has been asked to perform the main stage production."
Excited whispers spread through the group.
Hoshino-sensei smiled faintly.
"The play is titled Snowfall Before Spring."
She lifted the script slightly.
"A story about two people from very different worlds learning to trust each other."
Several students exchanged knowing looks.
Hoshino-sensei continued.
"We'll be holding auditions for the main roles today."
Scripts were passed out across the room.
Ichika received hers quietly.
Across the circle—
Rikuu flipped through his copy without much reaction.
"Two leads," Hoshino-sensei explained.
"A young man hardened by life."
A few people glanced at Rikuu.
"And a girl raised in warmth who slowly melts the walls around him."
More glances.
This time toward Ichika.
Rikuu noticed.
"…Why are people looking at us?" he muttered.
Ichika tried not to smile.
"I wonder."
-THEATRE CLUB STAGE-
-4:12 PM-
Auditions began quickly.
Students stepped onto the stage one by one.
Some nervous.
Some dramatic.
Some… very dramatic.
Masayoshi, sitting in the back row, whispered loudly,
"That guy sounds like he's dying."
"Shh," someone hissed.
Finally—
"Arakawa Rikuu," Hoshino-sensei called.
Rikuu stood slowly.
"…Guess that's me."
He walked onto the stage.
The room quieted almost immediately.
Everyone in the club had seen him act before.
And every time—
The atmosphere changed.
He opened the script.
Read the first line.
Then—
His entire posture shifted.
Shoulders heavier.
Voice deeper.
Eyes colder.
The character stepped forward.
"I don't need saving," he said quietly.
"But everyone keeps trying anyway."
The line echoed softly through the theatre.
Students leaned forward.
Even the usually distracted ones.
"People like you," he continued, glancing toward the imaginary character beside him, "don't understand what this world is."
His voice dropped slightly.
"Some things stay broken."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Hoshino-sensei scribbled something on her clipboard.
Masayoshi whispered again.
"…Show-off."
But he was smiling.
When Rikuu finished—
The room remained quiet for a second longer.
Then Hoshino-sensei nodded.
"Thank you, Arakawa."
Rikuu stepped down from the stage again.
Like nothing had happened.
Like he hadn't just pulled everyone into a completely different world.
He returned to his seat beside Ichika.
"You look bored," she whispered.
"I'm hungry."
"You were amazing."
"…I read words."
She laughed quietly.
-THEATRE CLUB STAGE-
-4:41 PM-
"Komori Ichika."
Ichika stood slowly.
She walked onto the stage with her usual graceful posture.
But once she held the script—
Her expression softened.
Her voice came out gentle.
"But I don't think you're broken," she said.
The line floated through the room like falling snow.
"People say winter is cold and empty."
She looked toward the imaginary character.
"But winter also protects the earth until spring comes."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"And maybe…"
A pause.
"…you're just waiting for spring too."
Several students blinked.
Even Rikuu lifted his head slightly.
Her delivery was quiet.
But warm.
Real.
When she finished—
Hoshino-sensei smiled.
"Thank you, Komori."
Ichika stepped down.
Returning to her seat.
Rikuu looked at her briefly.
"…You're good."
"Thank you."
"You sounded like you meant it."
She met his eyes.
"…Maybe I did."
He didn't reply.
-THEATRE CLUB ROOM-
-5:07 PM-
The auditions ended.
Students waited nervously as Hoshino-sensei reviewed her notes.
Finally—
She stood.
"Thank you, everyone."
A quiet pause filled the room.
"For the main roles of Yuki and Haru…"
Students held their breath.
"I have chosen…"
Another small pause.
"Arakawa Rikuu."
No surprise there.
Masayoshi clapped immediately.
"Called it."
"And Komori Ichika."
The room erupted into applause.
Ichika blinked in surprise.
Rikuu looked mildly annoyed.
"…We're coworkers now," Masayoshi whispered.
"Tragic."
Hoshino-sensei continued,
"Rehearsals begin tomorrow."
She glanced at the two of them.
"The final scene includes a confession between the characters."
Masayoshi leaned forward instantly.
"Oh this is going to be entertaining."
Rikuu ignored him.
Ichika tried very hard not to look embarrassed.
Outside—
Snow drifted slowly over Aurora Academy.
Inside the theatre—
A story about two people from different worlds had just been cast.
And the two actors chosen to play them…
Were already living something very similar.