Underneath the Moonlight: REBOOT! || Osorō Shidesu x OC

8 - Amao Odayaka

Week 2

Upset with me for some stupid reason, Osorō didn't speak to me for the rest of the day. Or the rest of the week, to be honest. While I diligently rehearsed for my audition for Belle on Friday, which was fast approaching, Osorō avoided me as much as he could. In fact, I noticed he came to prefer Aru's company over mine this week, as I saw the two of them followed by Osorō's gang quite frequently.

On Wednesday, I found myself rubbing my forehead next to the Cooking club, as if I could wipe away the worry lines that had formed. Then, without warning, someone called out, "Athena-sama?"

At the voice, I jumped, and turned to lock eyes with Amao's emerald green orbs. I let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, Amao. You startled me."

He shot me an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." He hesitated before asking, "You seem stressed... is everything alright?"

I sighed, and waved my hand dismissively. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just worried about auditions... I'm trying out for Belle, you see. I've never played a lead role... or, any role, really. I've never tried acting before, so I guess I'm kind of nervous? I don't know."

Amao smiled warmly. "Well, that doesn't sound like nothing."

I rubbed the back of my neck, chuckling. "I guess you're right, Amao. I'm kinda stressed about auditions."

He glanced behind him into his clubroom, then back at me. "Well, I know you're already in the drama club, but... would you like to join us for our club activity today? We could use a taste tester for a new recipe," he added with a laugh.

I opened my mouth to decline, knowing I needed to be perfect for this role... but then I hesitated.

Then again... I silently mused, this is an opportunity to test the waters with Amao...

Finally having made up my mind, I sighed, then smiled and nodded. "Sure, that sounds good. I'm kinda hungry, anyway," I joked.

Amao giggled. "You're funny, Athena-sama. Well, come on in then." He led me inside and announced to the room, "Everyone? I'm sure you all know Athena-sama. She's going to be joining us this evening and taste testing whatever we cook or bake."

My eyes swept across the room, and I realized that I recognized the girls in the room: Saki Miyu, whom I'd befriended through Kokona; Ajia Ashitomi, whom I'd seen shyly conversing with Taro-senpai by the fountain in the mornings. From the looks of it, she must've had a crush on him.

The other girl wasn't someone I knew, but someone I could've sworn I'd seen somewhere... there was something familiar about her ponytail and her dark, stony eyes... but I couldn't quite place it.

"Alright!" Amao clapped his hands loudly, shaking me out of my trance. "Now, out of everything, what did we want to try cooking today?"

Ajia raised her hand slowly. "I had a new peanut butter, chocolate chip cookie recipe I wanted to try."

"Sure, that sounds like a wonderful dessert this evening, Ajia-chan. Anyone else?"

Saki raised her hand next. "How about shrimp dumplings?"

Everyone muttered and squealed excitedly at the thought, especially Amao. "Ooh, yummy! Anything else? No? Alright, who's on the dessert team, and who's on the appetizer?"