My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As Expected

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Totsuka poked his head in.

"Hey, Xiao Cai? What are you doing here?"

"Well, the student council members told me you were here, so they were wondering if you needed any help. Right?"

He turned and spoke to the door. Then, Komachi popped out and waved to me. I had told Komachi earlier that she could come over if she had time, and she actually came. As for the loud coughing behind them... let's just pretend we didn't hear it.

"Brother, let's have some help, Komachi!"

Komachi and Totsuka entered the cooking room together.

"Oh, Totsuka-san and Komachi, hello there."

After Yukino greeted them, they happily responded.

"They're willing to help too."

After I said that, Yui tapped her palm and looked at Totsuka.

"Hey, Xiao Cai, do you want to come with me to school to get something? They're sleeping, I might not be able to carry it all by myself."

"Okay... but what's sleeping?"

Yui's explanation was unsettling, and Totsuka's head was also filled with doubt. Watching them leave the cooking room, he felt a sense of unease, like watching children run errands for the first time. Hopefully, those two will be able to get the dough over there...

"Can Komachi help out here? Are you better at making cookies or cakes?"

"Komachi has no problem with either of them!"

Even Yukinoshita wanted to ask Komachi for help at this moment.

"Really? That's great. Then, could you please help me make gingerbread? The recipe is over there."

"Great—it's so great to be able to make sweets with Yukino-neechan! Komachi is so lucky!"

What are the benefits...? Komachi washed her hands and then began to work.

I nodded in satisfaction, watching the two girls chat and laugh as they made desserts. Just then, a series of loud coughs came from beside me. Wait a minute, was that really a cough?

With the other person so close, I couldn't keep pretending not to see them... I finally gave up and looked at the wood pedestal behind me.

"Clang, clang!"

"Hey, Timber, come help move the biscuit crates too."

"Oh, oh... do I need to explain why I'm here?"

"No need, I'm not interested. Oh, I'll help move the set later."

"Um."

The lumberjack responded surprisingly readily. So, he joined our work team.

× × ×

The Christmas activities have finally officially begun.

Looking down from behind the curtain beside the stage, the audience was quite enthusiastic, including Komachi, Totsuka, and Zaimokuza, as well as Kawasaki and Hayama. Kawasaki was probably there to see his sister perform, while Hayama and his group were likely invited by Isshiki and Yuigahama.

The current program features performances from Seaside Comprehensive High School, including their school orchestra and a classical music performance by a guest musician. Although the program has been significantly reduced from what was originally planned, the audience response has been very enthusiastic.

With the program content reduced, the contrast between classical and popular music left a deeper impression on the audience, and the performers all received thunderous applause.

Next up was Soubu High School's performance.

During this event, I didn't hold any specific position; at most, I helped out with odd jobs—or, to put it more politely, I was part of the mobile team. Even so, I still didn't have much to do, so I started wandering around aimlessly.

One problem after another arose among them, and they made quite a few mistakes, but fortunately they managed to solve them all on their own.

I was so bored that I started daydreaming behind the curtain on the side of the stage. Just then, someone started breathing heavily. I looked in that direction and saw Isshiki staring intently at the audience.

"How is the situation?"

When Isshiki turned around and saw it was me, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ah, it's my senior. What am I going to do? This is going to be terrible!"

"Your script is well written. During rehearsals, there were only minor issues with blocking. There's no need to worry too much."

When she heard me say that, she puffed out her chest proudly.

"Because this script was written with great effort by our Party Secretary. And... the senior students also taught us a lot... Oh, right, I need to go meet up with everyone!"

As if trying to hide her shyness, she quickly said those words and ran off. Just as she was leaving the side of the stage, she suddenly stopped, looked back at me, and said:

"Ah, please confirm the timing of 'that' with the vice president, senior. Also, please take care of the cake as well."

"Understood, Chairman."

I gave a brief reply and watched her go to meet up with the student council officers.

× × ×

The stage curtain slowly rose.

The audience seating was dark, and there were no lights on the stage.

"One dollar and eighty-seven cents... that's all that's left..."

A narrator's voice came from the darkness, and the stage lit up. The girl, wearing a golden wig, counted the coins one by one, occasionally letting out a sigh. The narrator continued:

"No matter how you calculate it, it's only one dollar and eighty-seven cents. Tomorrow is Christmas..."

I remember this opening.

Isshiki chose "The Gift of the Magi" from among the books provided by Yukinoshita as the script.

"The Gift of the Magi" is a short play with a small cast, and it can be primarily narrated to drive the story, reducing the workload for each actor and eliminating the need to separate the actors from the dialogue reciters. Given the limited preparation time, this was undoubtedly the best choice, even surpassing my suggestions. Frankly, even I was a little surprised.

Compared to the previous program, our stage was entirely handmade, making it appear much simpler. Although the costumes and props were carefully selected, it still maintained the standard of an elementary school achievement presentation.

On stage, Liu Mei untied her blonde hair, stood in front of the mirror, then put on her coat and hat, and walked to the side of the stage.

As the lights dimmed and then came back on, the stage transformed into a Christmas street scene. The brick buildings on the large backdrop were made by painting cardboard boxes and plywood and then covering them with paper, with a Christmas tree in the very center. Surrounded by the backdrop, the tree appeared exceptionally large.

The scene shifts to a shop, with a spotlight shining on a large sign that reads "Madame Sofronie: Specializing in All Hair Styles." On stage, besides Liu Mei, there is another girl playing the shop owner.

Liu Mei took a step forward, swallowed hard, mustered her courage, and said to the shopkeeper in a trembling voice:

"...Would you be willing to buy my hair?"

This person definitely has the talent to be an idol... I really want to keep watching, but unfortunately I can't.

After witnessing this scene, I turned and left the auditorium.

× × ×

Back in the kitchen, I saw Yukinoshita sitting wearily in a chair, while Yuihama was crunching on cookies. Hey, those were the cookies I was planning to take back… Oh well, I baked extra anyway.

"Thank you for your hard work. Is the cake ready?"

As I asked this, Yukinoshita pointed to the kitchen counter.

"Finally made it... How's it going on stage?"

"Everything went smoothly. Well then, it's about time to send over the last batch."

I picked up the last batch of cake, Yui finished her cookies, wiped her hands clean, and stood up with Yukinoshita.

"I really want to see their performance too!"

"At least we can see one last scene. Let's go."

We carried the cake up the stairs to the main hall. The other cakes had already been delivered there.

Several children and caregivers from the daycare were at the entrance of the auditorium, and the vice president, wearing a headset, was guarding one of the doors.

"It's almost time, we can start preparing."

"good--"

I handed the cake to Yuihama, then stood by the other door and took the doorknob. Later, the vice president and I would need to open the door together to match a certain scene.

I secretly opened the door a crack to observe the situation on the stage; they were about to enter the final act.

"Now, go and grill the steak."

The elementary school student playing the husband delivers this line, and a small Christmas dinner appears on stage. Then, the other elementary school students take turns reading the final narration.

"Of all the people who give gifts, these two are the most intelligent."

"Of all those who give and receive gifts, those like them are the wisest."

"No matter where in the world, such people are the wisest sages."

"...Therefore, we would like to offer them, and everyone else, a small token of our appreciation—"

"Merry Christmas!"

Finally, amidst everyone's unanimous blessings, an angel ran out from the side of the stage.

"Merry Christmas--"

This angel is played by Kawasaki's younger sister, Jinghua, who enters carrying a cake. I glanced at the audience; Kawasaki, with a mix of excitement and trepidation, awaited her sister's performance. Are you perhaps her mother?

The audience members were all amazed when they saw such a lovely angel.

At the same time, the vice president gave me a look, and we opened the auditorium doors together.

Many kindergarten children, dressed as angels like Jinghua, entered the auditorium one after another, handing out cakes to the grandparents in the audience.

Grandpa and Grandma couldn't stop smiling when they saw these adorable little angels.

However, the performance was not over yet.

"Merry Christmas."

On stage, Jinghua, Liumei, and the boy playing the husband lit the candles together. Offstage, the little angels also lit the cake candles in the audience's hands one by one.

The candlelight on the stage lit up, gradually forming a sea of ​​candlelight below the stage. Under the single spotlight illuminating the stage, the entire auditorium was enveloped in a warm and soft glow.

The candlelight intertwined the stage and the audience, blending them into the scene. Even the three of us standing at the very back couldn't help but murmur in amazement.

"...Well, I guess I passed."

"That's what Yukinoshita whispered to herself. Even though she only gave it a passing grade, a smile still graced her face. Really, why isn't this person being honest at all?"

The essence of service lies in customer satisfaction; a single entertainment performance's success hinges on the audience's immediate satisfaction. This kind of performance effect cannot be repeatedly appreciated, so capturing the atmosphere of the moment is paramount.

This is the answer that Isshiki came to after listening to Yukino's advice.

It's really not easy to come up with such an answer. Could it be related to the Disneyland theme park effect...?

"Wow—it's so beautiful! This must be some kind of fire, right?"

Yuihama was so engrossed in watching that her mouth gaped open. Yukinoshita calmly told her:

"It's 'candlelight service'."

"Are you confusing the English word for campfire?"

"They look very alike!"

Yui retorted unhappily, and I just gave a wry smile. At that moment, the curtain fell on stage.

The actors and narrators took turns going on stage, and after a brief introduction, they bowed to the audience.

When Jinghua, who played the angel, came on stage, Kawasaki grabbed his camera and started snapping photos. So I have to ask, are you her mother?

Finally, when it was Liu Mei's turn to appear as the lead actress, the audience applauded enthusiastically. She seemed a little puzzled by the reaction, but still took hands with the others and gave a deep bow.

I stood at the very back of the auditorium, gazing through the candles held by the audience at the shimmering beyond (Note 45 is from the title of the Idolmaster movie, "Towards the Shining Beyond"). Watching Rumi stand on the grand stage, I couldn't help but feel a lump in my throat. I'm so lucky to be her producer!

I will never forget this stage today! (Note 46 is from the producer's line in The Idolmaster the Movie: Beyond the Shining Edge.)

After the performance, a tea party, similar to a Christmas party, followed. The cake and gingerbread that had been served earlier naturally became the snacks to accompany the tea.

The student councils of both Haibin Comprehensive High School and Sobu High School were eating cake and chatting.

Our staff took turns greeting children and seniors, moving around the venue to check if there were any empty cups or cutlery to collect.

As I looked around, I happened to make eye contact with Yu Sheng, who was eating cake. He brushed his bangs aside with his fingers and turned his face to the side. Origami sat nearby, clinked glasses with his friends, and then burst into laughter.

Hayama and the others gathered near the stage, and the elementary school students spotted him and surrounded him. Even though the camping trip to Chiba Village had happened several months ago, Hayama's popularity remained undiminished.

Then I saw a surprising sight—some of the students who had studied in the US were also among them.

I have no way of knowing what Rumi said to Hayama and the others.