Why Are You Just Watching? .JPG (Continued)

"It might be tough at first, but you'll get used to it if you persevere."

Kitagawa Ryo nodded in reply, casting a concerned glance at Shiina Hiyori, who was still recovering.

"How about it? If you really can't take it, you can reduce the intensity of the training."

Shiina Hiyori isn't the type to excel at sports, and besides, Kitagawa Ryo didn't expect to improve her physical fitness overnight in just one week; after all, training is a long-term process.

"After all, the role Shiina got this time doesn't require that much physical fitness from the Actor; he just needs to focus on facial expressions and lines."

Having just stepped ashore from the depths of the sea after making a deal with a witch, the little mermaid, who has gained human legs for the first time, feels as if she is dancing on the edge of a knife with every step she takes. Although there are many Matoba in the play where mermaids dance, the play does not require the Actor to have dancing skills. Instead, it focuses on how to express the hidden pain and the self-presentation in front of the beloved.

"I can manage."

Shiina Hiyori responded softly, though she seemed rather unsure of herself, but she still rejected Kitagawa Ryo's suggestion.

After all, she herself had been so captivated by Kitagawa Ryo's performance in the play yesterday that she had begged her mother to ask the Theater Troupe leader. If she couldn't even complete this most basic physical training, then her feelings for him would be too cheap.

Although some of the mystery novels she likes feature characters like the "armchair detective" who can solve cases from home, Shiina Hiyori still yearns more for the hands-on experience of Sherlock Holmes, who uses a cane and rides a carriage to investigate cases.

Moreover, exercising is never a bad thing.

I used to stay at home a lot, partly because I really love reading, and partly because of my lack of social interaction. Even when I wanted to go out for a walk, I had no one to go with. Today, although I ran a very long way, I had Karuizawa Kei and Kitagawa Ryo with me the whole time.

Therefore, Shiina Hiyori felt that she could grit her teeth and persevere a little longer.

Moreover, Shiina Hiyori recalled the script she had read the previous night.

If she can't even overcome these challenges, how can she portray the bloodied resilience of the little mermaid in the play?

"Everyone, go home and rest for a bit. See you in two hours at the Theater Troupe's rehearsal room. There's a soundproof room there; I've already sent you the address."

After explaining the upcoming practice arrangements, Kitagawa Ryo waved goodbye to the two.

Compared to his own memories, the Fate of Shiina Hiyori and Karuizawa Kei seem to have deviated considerably. Kitagawa Ryo is unsure whether this is good or bad. This is not a simulation, but real life, so he proceeds with extreme caution in every step of his interpersonal relationships.

Especially when facing Karuizawa Kei and Shiina Hiyori, Kitagawa Ryo himself might not even be clear about his current mindset.

As Kitagawa Ryo turned and left, he silently pondered his future. He cherished this second chance, so several years ago he set two goals that he was determined to achieve.

1. Separation from the Kitagawa Family.

Second, save up enough money for Ying's treatment before her condition worsens.

After several years of effort, the first project has been basically completed, and the second project is also progressing smoothly.

In fact, Kitagawa Ryo doesn't particularly like theatrical performance. Even now that he has the golden talent of being a "Thespian," theater is just a stepping stone for him to achieve these two goals. Once he has saved enough money, he will naturally retire from the stage.

If all goes well, it should only take about two years.

The entertainment industry for drama and the entertainment industry for idols are essentially the same thing. Regardless of whether the acting skills are good or bad, packaging and scheming are what matter. Even a once-in-a-lifetime genius will only be a flash in the pan if they are not good at management and promotion. Of course, if the packaging is perfect, even if the acting skills are average, at least they will become a topic of conversation.

Having gone through all of this, Kitagawa Ryo is very clear about the rules of this circle, so it is very important to extricate oneself in time before getting really involved.

Once these two things are done, I might have the time and energy to find something I truly enjoy doing.

Kitagawa Ryo stretched and immersed his consciousness in the pages in his mind:

[The player currently possesses eight items: Blessing of Ichinose Honami, Ichinose Honami 'Self of Ichinose Honami, White Rose of Karuizawa Kei, Self of Karuizawa Kei, Marriage Contract (one-time use item), Enrollment Qualification, One Ring, and Two Million Private Points (one-time use item).]

Since the talent in the simulation is truly reflected in one's reality, these items should also be within the scope of usability.

[Enrollment Qualification: Enrollment Qualification to Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School]

Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School.

With access to abundant social resources, they can provide the most favorable conditions and support for the graduates of Class A.

Let's keep this as one of the alternative plans for now.

[Marriage Contract: A one-time use item that allows you to enter into Marriage Contract with any character]

Attention is naturally drawn to this prop; in fact, Kitagawa Ryo has been thinking about how to deal with this special prop for the past few years.

Perhaps the shadow cast by his Marriage Contract to Horikita Suzune in the fourth simulation was too great, because he never thought of using it to form a so-called Marriage Contract relationship with anyone else. If it weren't for the fact that the item couldn't be destroyed or abandoned, Kitagawa Ryo would have discarded it long ago.

If you truly love someone, Marriage Contract is completely unnecessary.

If there is no destiny between them, even if they are Marriage Contract, they will only end up making do with each other.

"Marriage Contract! There is Marriage Contract!"

"The princess was originally the prince's Marriage Contract, but in fact, the prince did not initially intend to marry her. What the prince truly couldn't forget was the mysterious girl who rescued him from the shipwreck. But in reality, it was that princess who saved the prince who was washed ashore."

In a small, soundproof room, Karuizawa Kei and Shiina Hiyori were having a heated discussion about the script.

"But it was clearly the mermaid who truly saved the prince's life. She placed him on the shore; even without the princess, the prince could have survived on his own."

"You can't deny that the princess just got a free ride and stole the mermaid's credit."

When the topic turned to books Shiina Hiyori immediately launched a eloquent and insightful rebuttal.

"Hans Christian Andersen's original story did not criticize the princess. Your prejudice stems from the fact that in subsequent adaptations, the princess was mostly portrayed as a villain to highlight the little mermaid's kindness."

Karuizawa Kei seemed to have done her homework, and retorted sharply.

"The mermaid fell in love with the prince only hoping that he would love her back and grant her an eternal, immortal soul belonging to a human."

"Once love becomes utilitarian, it's hard for it to move people."

Shiina Hiyori showed no weakness:

"Therefore, the truly moving part of 'The Little Mermaid' lies in the fact that the little mermaid initially approached the prince for utilitarian purposes, but in the end, she fell irrevocably in love with him and chose to end her own life between love and life. Even after turning into sea foam, she can still achieve immortality of her soul through good deeds, which also reflects Hans Christian Andersen's praise and admiration for the little mermaid's actions."

When Kitagawa Ryo brought the costume from outside and entered the room, the two were still staring intently into each other's eyes, exchanging a tacit snort and turning their backs on each other.

"... Um, you can change into your own performance outfits."

"Let's go over the lines with the script first."

Completely unaware of what had happened, Kitagawa Ryo put down the clothes and left the room.

Thinking about it carefully, the danger of Karuizawa Kei being with Shiina Hiyori is no less than being with Ichinose Honami. Fortunately, neither of them has the memory of the simulations, so they were probably just discussing the script.

While squatting by the door of the room, waiting for the two people inside to change their clothes, Kitagawa Ryo also casually opened the script of "The Little Mermaid".

Because the original work is short, the adapted play is also a short story, which is more suitable for new Actor to perform. In this respect, the Theater Troupe leader's choice was correct.

The two were assigned the roles of the female lead, a little mermaid, and the second female lead, a princess.

Perhaps they felt that Shiina Hiyori's serene temperament evoked a more underwater mermaid-like feeling?

As he pondered the Theater Troupe leader's thoughts, Kitagawa Ryo yawned listlessly.

Since the prince doesn't have many scenes in this drama and is mostly just a background character, he only needs to casually participate in the scenes.

Since it's just the two of them conducting the audition for joining the group, it's okay for me to slack off a little.

For example, right now, he's too lazy to even change into the prince costume that was prepared for him.

Once he received a message on his phone that the two had changed their clothes, Kitagawa Ryo put away his script and pushed the door open again.

"How's it cool?"

Her stage costume, dominated by bright yellow and sky blue, was a striking sight. Her long, honey-colored hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders. Karuizawa Kei lifted her fluffy skirt and twirled in front of Kitagawa Ryo with a light laugh.

"It suits you very well."

Nodding in agreement, Kitagawa Ryo then turned his gaze to Shiina Hiyori on the other side.

To showcase the characteristics of a mermaid, Shiina Hiyori's costume was specially designed as a form-fitting fishtail style, outlining the girl's slender figure and slightly protruding chest. The semi-transparent light blue skirt extends all the way to her small ankles, giving her the feel of Actor.

"Shiina would also be suitable."

At least in terms of character portrayal, both of them are acceptable, after all, Shiina Hiyori and Karuizawa Kei are both quite eye-catching girls.

Remembering the news and stills from a film company announcing that a Black Actor would be starring in "The Little Mermaid," Kitagawa Ryo twitched his lips and shook his head, trying to forget this rather cringe-worthy memory.

"Since the princess doesn't have any scenes in the first act, I asked Karuizawa to read the narration for her, which was a good opportunity for her to practice her delivery of lines."

"Um."

Thinking about Matoba might happen next, Karuizawa Kei felt a little disappointed, but she quickly composed herself.

When the little mermaid finally turned fifteen and excitedly poked her head out of the water, the sun had already set, but all the clouds still shone like roses and gold; meanwhile, in the pale red sky, Venus was already twinkling beautifully and brightly.

The air was mild and fresh. A large ship with three masts was anchored on the calm sea.

Music and singing filled the air. As darkness fell, all sorts of lanterns lit up at once.

The little mermaid swam towards the cabin window. Whenever the waves lifted her up, she could see through the mirror-like windowpane that the most beautiful person in the crowd was the prince with captivating, dark eyes; he was only sixteen years old. Today was his birthday, which was why the day was so lively.

When the prince came out, more than a hundred rockets shot into the sky at once. They illuminated the sky as bright as day, which terrified the little mermaid, who quickly sank to the bottom of the water. But after a while, she poked her head out again—and then she felt as if all the stars in the sky were falling on her. She had never seen fireworks like that before.

Many enormous suns hissed around, and dazzling firefish leaped into the blue sky, all of which was reflected on the clear, calm sea.

It was very late; but the little mermaid couldn't take her eyes off the ship and the handsome prince.

She is the best Singing among the sisters.

She didn't know if the other person could hear her, but in the quiet of the night, the little mermaid wanted to sing a song for this beautiful human.

Mermaids' songs don't need lyrics.

They are natural Singing, and the little mermaid's voice is especially moving.

Her song traveled from the sea to the heavens. In the quiet night, on the deep blue sea, under the glittering starlight, the little mermaid Singing for the prince.

Everyone was captivated. In the ethereal and profound song, the prince seemed to hear feelings of love, and he instinctively wanted to ask the captain beside him...

"Your Highness"

But the old captain beside him shook his head in alarm; his strong, muscular body was even trembling slightly, as if he were afraid.

"That's the song of a mermaid; once these siren start singing..."

"That will bring a storm!"

His voice became shrill with terror, and before the prince could react, the old captain had already ordered his sailors to prepare.

Then the colorful lanterns went out, the rockets stopped firing, the cannon fire ceased, and the prince was escorted back to his cabin.

The little mermaid wagged her tail and approached the ship with some confusion. She didn't recognize the big vessel; she just wanted to know where the prince had gone.

As if by Fate, a buzzing sound echoed from the depths of the sea.

The little mermaid sat on the water, bobbing up and down. She was the Little Mermaid, and she was never afraid of the ocean. With the help of the rising and falling waves, she could see what was inside the cabin.

But the ship sped up; and the sails were all hoisted one after another.

The waves rose higher, heavy dark clouds rose, and lightning flashed in the distance.

Oh, a terrible storm is coming!

The sailors lowered their sails, and the experienced captain, cursing the sirens, directed the ship's course.

On this raging sea, the ship swayed and sped forward. The waves rose like massive black mountains, seemingly about to snap the mast at any moment. But the ship, like a swan, would plunge into the raging waves one moment and rise again atop the towering crests the next.

The little mermaid had no idea what was happening. The waves were just a normal sight for the Little Mermaid, so she continued to Singing amidst the undulating waves.

Each of her high notes seemed to stir up surging waves.

The ship now made a cracking sound; its thick planks were bent by the oncoming waves. The mast snapped in half like a reed. Then the ship began to list, and water rushed into the cabin.

As the ship split apart and sank into the depths of the sea, the little mermaid saw him.

She immediately became very happy because he was now coming to her. But then she remembered that humans could not live in water, and he could never enter the seabed unless he became dead.

The little mermaid wanted to save him.

She didn't want to see him die in front of her, even though she didn't know why she held that thought.

"Pfft, cough cough, help, help me!"

As if truly drowning in a boundless ocean, Kitagawa Ryo's tone was filled with helplessness and fear of death, yet he effortlessly embodied the role of "Prince."

"Please, please hold me tight."

Shiina Hiyori stammered as she recited her lines, and the difference in her acting skills was almost immediately apparent.

But she was still trying her best to perform.

Karuizawa Kei watched their performance, she pursed her lips and told herself that it was just a performance on stage.

As if desperately grasping at a last straw, the little mermaid and the prince embraced in the dark sea.

Just like she had seen before.