Rose Cross Story Time - Chapter 3 Next Chapter

Tomoya

Hmm.... Your words do make a lot of sense.

Tomoya

And come to think of it, Hinata does have to be in-sync with his brother a lot on stage. He's totally perfected the whole impersonating someone else thing.

Hinata

Yup, that's right! There's no one better at Yuta-kun acting than his very own brother, after all. But that's totally different than completely transforming into someone else though.

Tomoya

Buchou said something like that too! Like you can't completely transform into the character just by reading the script

Tomoya

You need to dig deep into the heart of the character, and then assimilate completely into the role.

Tomoya

I know it'll be hard, but I'll do my best! Just watch me, I'm totally going to transform into "a girl who disguises herself as a boy"!

Tomoya

After all, I will be standing on the same stage as Hokuto senpai. I can't make him look like a fool out there by giving a bad performance.

Hajime

We're here to support you, Tomoya-kun. If there's any way I can help, please tell me.

Hajime

...but while you're trying to transform into your role, please don't forget about your own self, okay? You can be unstable like that sometimes, so I'm worried.

Tomoya

It'll be fine....! I know that a stage is a stage, so no matter what role I play, I'll always be me when I return to the real world!

Tomoya

Plus I know the Hajime, who's known me forever, is waiting for me on the sidelines ♪

Hokuto

...........................

Natsume

Why the long face, Hokke-kun ♪

Hokuto

......Sakasaki. How many times do I have to tell you, stop calling me Hokke.

Natsume

Eeh~? You let Baru-kun call you that. Why? Is he special?

Natsume

We're friends, aren't we? You should at least give me permission to call you by your nickname♪

Hokuto

When exactly did we become friends....? And just so you know, I tell Akehoshi to not call me Hokke too....You have no idea how many times I've told him.

Hokuto

Seriously, that guy just doesn't listen to people.

Natsume

Right. It's people that Baru-kun doesn't listen to.

Natsume

But if it's something that you seriously desired in your heart, you know he would actually listen to you.

Natsume

Because in his eyes, you are a special human being, who's on equal footing.

Hokuto

....anyway, what do you want, Sakasaki ? You don't usually get entangled in normal human affairs....or rather, you just completely ignore people who ask you for help.

Natsume

That's 'cause I am a free spirit, I decide what I want to do with my own time.

Natsume

It's like they say, time is money. Forcefully taking other people's time is larceny.

Hokuto

I see you're as good as ever at making up excuses.

Hokuto

Anyway, I don't know what you need, but I'm eating right now. As grandma says, talking to people while they're eating is bad manners.

Natsume

Ahaha, don't be so cold to me. We're classmates, aren't we? Let's be friends♪

Hokuto

.......................

Natsume

Hmph, ignoring me, huh? Even if you cover your ears and avert your eyes, you know it's pointless, That's the power of black magic. ....And here I am delivering a message to you from Wataru-niisan.

Natsume

It seems that Tomoya-kun is challenging the inescapable method acting practice. So you need to be there to help his training.

Hokuto

I know that already, I don't need you to come here to tell me that. Besides, Tomoya is a tough kid, I trust that he'll be able to overcome this training by himself.

Natsume

And you were weak, and so you flinched from it.

Hokuto

.......That was when I was a first year. I completely grasp the importance of method acting now, though.

Natsume

Mm, you in girls clothes,...I would have liked to see that. Anyway, making the freshmen go through this idiotic method acting technique is all part of your club's hazing, isn't it?

Natsume

What a strange ritual.

Hokuto

It's a sensible form of training, you know. Pro actors and performers all do something like this too.

Natsume

Right, like becoming the role by doing things like putting on weight. Is Hokke-kun also cosplaying this time too?

Hokuto

This time over, the play requires a very mundane role. so I'm just going to work on training by myself.

Hokuto

Even if I'll be putting on a costume, I still just need to be me. This role is completely being me in my own nature.

Natsume

Ahh, right. And that's why you're here at the Garden Terrace eating western-style, even though you usually stick with traditional Japanese fair and even bring your own obento....

Natsume

But finally, I'm starting to sense some self-doubt. I guess that means my efforts have not gone to waste♪

Hokuto

Waitaminute. Did Buchou tell you to come and check on me, to see if I'm training for the part?

Hokuto

Look, the SS performance is drawing near, so it's not like I have a whole lot of time to participate in club activities.

Hokuto

If that's going to be a problem, then I'll step down from the role.

Hokuto

I thought it was weird that I haven't seen Buchou or his pigeon around. He's usually really adamant about that. And then suddenly you just started speaking to me, this totally proves I was right.

Natsume

Don't come to weird conclusions on your own, now....though I'm not going to refute it. The truth is always in the midst of darkness, after all ♪

Anyway, all I have left to say is

Natsume

Thanks for the food

Hokuto

Ah, what the heck! Sakasaki, did you just eat my fried shrimp?

Natsume

Look, I'm spending a lot of money this month, so I'm cutting down on food expenses. Besides, if you don't hurry, you're not going to make it in time for class. Wouldn't it be bad if you skipped....Mr. Class President ♪

Hokuto

.....gawd, you're weird as ever. It's no wonder you and that Hentai Kamen get along so well.

Natsume

We're really two birds of a feather. We both belong to the Brotherhood of Magic, after all. And from here on out, we'll continue to scratch each other's backs.

Natsume

And with that, I bid you farewell, Hokke-kun. If fate allows it, then let us meet again....♪

Hokuto

What? We're classmates... Obviously, we're gonna meet again....and soon too. Sheesh!