Jade Sky

Audition

Haru and Hajime headed straight to the president's office, while I followed one of the staff to the audition. I bowed my thanks as he waved and left me there.

"Did you call ahead?" one of the judges asked, shuffling through the pages.

"Do you accept walk-ins?"

The judge gave me a hard look. "What's your name?"

"Reika Yayoi," I said, wondering if I had gotten myself into trouble already.

"Ah," said the judge, amusement flashing on his face. "Tsukino told us to expect you."

"Did he say why he was expecting me?"

"Something along the lines of 'her brother is going to be an idol and I think she has the spirit of a performer too. It's too bad she can't dance, but still, she would probably want to try performing with him...' or something."

I vaguely wondered what was going on in that guy's head, before realizing he was going to be Oniichan's boss, and I started wondering what was going on in that president's head instead.

"Take this," said the judge handing a script to me, and calling everyone else to attention.

"Today, you're going to act out the cliché fairy godmother scene from Cinderella, and we're going to see how well you do it."

I raised an eyebrow, as someone tugged my sleeve. I looked into Misaki's face, her eyes shining and wide.

"Misaki?" I asked, whisper-screaming.

"I didn't know you were auditioning too!" said Misaki. "You didn't tell me!"

"You didn't tell me either!"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," said Misaki, glancing around, "But this is better. Let's attempt to make it through the auditions together."

I nodded and we gently high-fived.

We waited for our respective turns, watching the other performers attempt the scene. There was one actor who acted as the fairy godmother, while we were all attempting to be Cinderella. I could tell the fairy godmother was getting bored.

"Misaki Saeko!"

I watched as she walked onto stage, her head held high. Misaki's acting was natural, almost as if she was an angelic Cinderella.

"Reika Yayoi!"

I heard my name and walked onto the stage.

I knelt on the ground and pretended to cry. I knew the actual Cinderella had cried of sorrow at having her mother's dress torn, but thinking of the story, all I felt was pure rage. I held the dress they had given me, as someone tapped me on the shoulder.

"Who are you?" I asked, as the fairy godmother smiled.

"I'm your fairy godmother. What ails you, my child?"

I held up the dress. "They tore the dress I worked so hard to make!" I said, anger flaring in my eyes. The judges looked a little surprised as I went off script, but the fairy godmother smiled with amusement. I could almost hear her thoughts. 'Finally, a change of pace.'

"Would you like a new dress? You can go to the ball," she said, walking around.

"Could you burn down this house, get me a new one, and perhaps a job that pays well?"

Her lips twitched, as I heard a laugh-turned-cough from one of the judges.

"I'm afraid destruction is out of my jurisdiction," said the fairy godmother.