Even though I said that I wouldn’t give up, I wouldn’t be selfish about it.

While it was true that I wanted to sing before crowds just like that diva, the theatre didn’t only consist of performers.

“May I help out behind the scenes?”

“Hm… Of course, I’d be happy if you could help us…”

I bowed to the manager of the theatre club.

“This is none of my business, but… How is Lady Travasta’s job hunting and study progressing?”

Even though we were in different classes, the manager was also a third-year student. Next year, we’d no longer be students. Instead, we would be struggling with the turbulent waters of society.

“All third-year students, including myself, who’re still involved in club activities are either going to succeed their families or get married in the future. As for Lady Travasta, didn’t you have an argument with your second-year fiancé in the hallway the other day? I haven’t heard any good rumors about your relationship with your family… Are you alright?”

The manager was a very considerate man.

As the eldest son, the manager didn’t need to look for a job.

He’s an increasingly promising candidate for Cecily…

Even as I pondered that, I firmly reassured him.

“Because we aren’t on good terms, I am working on the opportunity to expand my network. By the way, has the manager decided on a future partner?”

“Haha. I love my fiancée, so please spare me.”

The manager laughed at my polite invitation.

He’s such a nice catch, though.

After shrugging my shoulders, I said, “That’s unfortunate,” and quickly returned to the main topic.

“Please don’t worry about my grades. Until recently, things have been… special. I can finally focus on myself. I feel like I can do anything. Of course, if the club members consider me a hindrance, I’ll quit immediately. I have no intention of pursuing a relationship with you, either.”

When I winked, the manager smiled wryly.

“Well, if you’re going that far… But I’m sure that the appearance of a third-year student will cause some confusion. Please don’t overdo it.”

From that day on, I immediately started helping with work behind-the-scenes.

True to the manager’s words, I was treated like a foreign object. After all, not only was I a third-year student, there were also the rumors about my “cursed song.” Whenever I spoke to anyone, regardless of their grade, they became nervous.

In the end, the first-year female student that was auditioning together with me was chosen as the heroine, the diva. Hana, the third-year transfer student, would be playing the role of her friend. When I watched the rehearsal, I discovered that Hana was a pretty good singer.

Wow, I really want to befriend her!

However, as expected, when I spoke to her, she brushed me off.

“You’re such a bother.”

Why does she dislike me so much…?

I smiled and proactively asked the club members for help, and after about three days, they all got used to me. A week later, a brave first-year student propositioned me.

“Hey, can I listen to that infamous song?”

We were painting together when he made that bold request.

Of course I did my best to fulfill his expectations.

“Lady Travasta, if you are okay with the role of a back ground character, you can appear on stage?”

The manager called out to me.

When I turned around, I saw the manager smiling with a script in his hand.

“You’ll be a chorus member, so you won’t have any lines, but due to the lack of voices, I’m thinking of adding more people—”

“—I’ll do it!”

As I agreed, the manager stared at me in concern. “Please don’t get too carried away and curse the audience, okay?” The first years who were painting the scene with me also got excited.

***

“You seem to be fitting in nicely in the theatre club.”

“Thank you very much. Even though I’ll be starring in the play, it’s a small role with no name. Most of the time, I’m helping make the props.”

After school, I quickly put my stuff in my bag. In the midst of all of this, Eivind casually spoke with me. However…

“Even though I went through the trouble of wrapping up my club activities… I’m a bit jealous.”

Anita, who sat next to me, muttered such a thing.

I glomped her.

“Sorry! I’ll finish up in two days! Then, let’s have lots of fun!”

“Whose going to be having fun!? In case you forgot, we’re practicing magic! Release me! It’s too hot!”

As we were about to enter our own world, Eivind interjected.

“Well then, Lady Helge. Why don’t we see the performance together the day after tomorrow?”

“Eh!?”

Anita was surprised by the sudden invitation. Since she was spending time with me, she seemed to have gotten to know Eivind a little better, but… I hadn’t seen them talk to one another over past few weeks. Or rather, both Eivind and Anita seemed to be quite the loners.

“After all, if I’m the only one who go to see you, you wouldn’t be happy at all, would you?” (Eivind)

“I’d be thanking you! But the fact that Anita will also come excites me even more!”

I didn’t think Eivind disliked Anita. Moreover, Anita wanted to secure a job at the Royal Institute of Magic—Eivind’s workplace. There was no reason for her not to take this opportunity.

But… Anita didn’t realize that I was making such a calculation.

“…I was already planning on doing that even if you didn’t invite me.”

She averted her gaze away. By the way, her ears were red.

Needless to say, Anita looked even cuter when she pouted, so I hugged her even tighter.

I got even more fired up and was eager for my club activities.

As the actual performance drew nearer, the members were getting busier. I had to go to the warehouse to find some extra cloth.

“This is unbelievable!”

…That angry voice sounds familiar.

Suddenly, I turned my attention to the normally inconspicuous space under the stairs… A man ran away from there. It was Eivind Dahl.

Moreover, he was crying.

Huh? What kind of situation is this?

To top it off, the person who had been left behind was… Hana Field, the transfer student.

---

***T/N: Ma boi Eivind exhibiting Bottom energy

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