[…Why does it have to be a theatre club!?]

Have you ever seen an opera before? I remember feeling deeply moved by a singer one time.

As a matter of course, there was no way a diva active 800 years ago would still be alive. Nevertheless, if my aim was to enjoy what remained of my youth, I wanted to be the recipient of the same applause that diva received at that time.

Also, if Cecily becomes a diva, you might get a fan club or something?

[—I don’t need that!]

With a fan club, making 100 friends all at once shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, if Cecily could appear on stage through me, she might gain a bit of courage.

In order to kill three birds with one stone, I went to the theatre club room that Anita had told me about…

…Only to discover a sea of people queueing.

“—Those who wish to perform, please line up! The audition has started. Don’t let your guard down just because you’re only queuing!”

The shouting male student was holding a sign that read, ‘Audition for Freshmen Over Here!’

Great timing!

“I’m sorry for bothering you while you’re at work. I’m not a freshman, but can I join?”

“Aren’t you a student in your final year? Well, there’s no grade restriction. Senior, would you like to participate?”

I’ve memorized it, as well.

On his arm was a blue ribbon, meaning that he was a second-year student. First-year students wore red ribbons. Most of the students in the queue were wearing red ribbons.

Okay, there are a few with blue ribbons, but as for green ribbons…? Wait, isn’t she—

“All right, I absolutely have to pass!”

The boy with a sign noticed my line of sight.

“Is she senior’s friend?”

“Well, I tried… But she turned me down.”

“Eh…?”

Indeed, there was no mistaking her, the only third-year student lined up among the new students.

Plain braids. Thick glasses. Long skirt. She was none other than Hana Field, the transfer student who turned me down during lunch break.

…Is she also interested in theater? Are we fated to be friends after all?

Before getting in line, I patted her on the shoulder.

“Hana, let’s do our best together!”

Hana frowned in disgust. “Don’t wear yourself out.”

She supported me. Yes, it was support. I chose to interpret it that way.

Perhaps because I was late to join the queue, my turn to audition was at the bottom. Apparently, they were judging five people at a time, and all four other than me were freshmen. They stuttered when they introduced themselves. When they were singing, their voices were low…

…Freshmen are supposed to be like this, yes? Everyone is so adorable!

However, the judges, who were the active members of the theatre club, seemed stern. Their expressions were always grim. If anything, they were making the freshmen even more nervous.

In the midst of all of this, when the girl who’d introduced herself in a casual manner began to sing, the atmosphere of the place changed. Her silvery voice permeated my entire body like a droplet of water in the desert. Her voice was as beautiful as the diva I heard 800 years ago.

When she finished singing, everyone applauded. My applause was the loudest. The bashful expression on her face made her seem even more adorable… If I were a judge, I’d have chosen her as the heroine of the play.

But as it was, I had to surpass her.

[Nora… Can you sing?]

Anyone with a voice should be able to sing?

[Eh?]

With that, my turn began.

“I’m Cecily Travasta, a third-year student. I don’t have much time to contribute to club activities, but I’m more motivated than anyone else! Please give me a fair review!”

I curtseyed to the judges.

When I bowed my head, the boy who seemed to be the manager answered me with sincerity. “Of course, I have no intention of judging someone based on their grade. I’m looking forward to hear Ms. Travasta’s song.”

I saw that he was wearing a green ribbon.

Despite knowing Cecily’s notoriety, he still acts like a gentleman.

I shall add him to the list of fiancé candidates.

After taking a mental note, I took a deep breath.

We were free to pick what song to sing. As such, I sung the song that I heard 800 years ago, the song of the diva. The song itself was about a girl with a short lifespan; hiding her fear of death and moving forward with what remained of her life.

When I was sealed away, I didn’t even have time to think about leaving anything behind. Even now, I still respected that girl.

Personally, I thought that I sang quite well.

In fact, even after I finished singing, the judges and other participants were holding their breaths. They even forgot to give their applause.

Did I… sing so well that they were left speechless?

But when I was about to ask them, ‘How was it?’

“—R, run awaaaaaaay!! It’s a cursed song!! Please get the physician to lift the curse!”

Everyone scattered like ants out of the classroom without looking back once.

“Eh?”

Left alone, all I could do was stand there, perplexed.

***

“Ahahaha! As expected of the woman I fell in love with! Everything you do is fascinating!”

“Ugh, I’m really depressed right now, so please give me a break.”

In conclusion, of course there was nothing magical in my song.

Nevertheless, I sang an ancient song that nobody knew—badly, too, according to the physician, to the point that everyone misunderstood it as a cursed song. Apparently, murders caused by such cursed songs had been rampant in some cities recently.

Theoretically, it was possible to impart magic into a song. In fact, during ancient times, some people did just that. None of the students who stormed into the infirmary were harmed. When I performed the song in front of some vigilant teachers, they figured that it was just a misunderstanding.

Eivind, who seemed to have been called to investigate, burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry. I’ll buy you some ice cream at the grocery store. You like that one with chocolate in it, right?”

“That’s right. Okay, I’ll eat something sweet today and try again tomorrow.”

I was about to head out to buy something, but Eivind, my wallet, didn’t come with me. When I turned around, I saw that he was in shock.

“Are you going to look for other clubs?”

“No way, I’m not that flustered. I’ve decided to join the theatre club.”

I answered firmly, making him gasp.

“—You haven’t given up yet!?”

---

***T/N: Eivind is tartaglia lmfao

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