THE FIRST TIME DADDY

THE PLAY OF EMOTIONS

The Play of Emotions

The school was abuzz with preparations for the upcoming festival. Banners flapped in the breeze, students hustled to decorate classrooms, and the lively chatter of excitement filled every corner. The literary club had made a bold decision to collaborate with the drama club for a special play, combining their storytelling skills with the drama club’s flair for performance. 

Hiroshi sat at a desk in the corner of the clubroom, hunched over a notebook with scribbles of dialogue and scene directions. His task: write a script for a romantic scene between the lead characters. 

“Are you sure about this?” Hiroshi asked nervously, pushing his glasses up his nose as he looked at the drama club president. 

“Absolutely,” the president said, clapping Hiroshi on the shoulder. “You’re the best writer we’ve got. Just think of it as one of your stories coming to life!” 

Across the room, Hina was standing with the lead actor, practicing a scene under the watchful eyes of the drama club members. Her flowing hair gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and her laughter rang out like music as she rehearsed her lines. 

“‘My heart beats only for you,’” the lead actor said dramatically, stepping closer to Hina with a hand over his chest. 

Hina smirked, playing along. “‘And yet, you dare to deceive me?’” she replied, her voice dripping with mock outrage. 

Hiroshi watched the exchange, his pen frozen mid-word. His eyes lingered on Hina—her expressive face, the way she effortlessly embodied her character, the way her laughter lit up the room. But as the lead actor leaned in closer for the next line, something stirred uncomfortably in Hiroshi’s chest. 

A strange pang gripped his heart. *What is this feeling?* he wondered. His grip tightened on his pen as he imagined himself in the lead actor’s place. 

In his mind, the scene played out differently. It wasn’t the drama club’s lead actor standing opposite Hina—it was him. He imagined holding her hand, gazing into her eyes, and delivering the lines with heartfelt sincerity. Hina looked back at him, her smile meant only for him— 

“Ahh!” Hiroshi yelped, snapping out of his fantasy. His face turned beet red as he shook his head furiously, trying to dispel the thoughts. 

“Hey, you okay over there?” one of the club members called out. 

“Y-Yeah! I’m fine!” Hiroshi stammered, burying his face in his notebook. But his heart was racing, and not because of the script. 

He glanced back at Hina, who was now laughing at something the lead actor had said. His stomach churned, jealousy simmering quietly beneath the surface. He didn’t want to feel this way, but he couldn’t deny it any longer. 

*I like her. I really like her.* 

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. He thought back to all the moments they’d shared—her teasing, her kindness, her infectious energy. Each memory made his heart flutter more. 

“What are you working on, Hiroshi?” Hina’s voice suddenly broke through his thoughts. 

Startled, he looked up to find her standing beside him, her hands on her hips and a teasing smile on her lips. 

“J-Just the script,” he mumbled, quickly covering his notebook. 

She leaned closer, peering at his scribbles. “Ooh, are those romantic lines? Let me guess—you’re imagining yourself saying them?” 

Hiroshi turned an even deeper shade of red. “N-No! I’m just— It’s not—” 

Hina giggled, leaning back with an amused expression. “Relax, I’m just kidding. You’re so easy to fluster, Hiroshi.” 

He groaned, sinking into his chair. “You’re impossible, you know that?” 

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said, winking at him before heading back to the stage. 

Hiroshi watched her go, his heart pounding in his chest. He clutched his notebook tightly, staring at the half-finished dialogue on the page. 

*How am I supposed to write romance when I can’t even handle my own feelings?* 

As the rehearsal continued, Hiroshi couldn’t help but steal glances at Hina. He felt a mix of admiration and nervousness every time she smiled or delivered her lines with passion. But more than anything, he felt determined. 

*Maybe I can’t be the lead actor in the play,* he thought, *but I’ll do my best to create something unforgettable. Something that will make her smile.* 

Little did he know, Hina had noticed his occasional glances and the way he fumbled with his notebook. A soft smile played on her lips as she returned to the stage, her heart a little lighter knowing Hiroshi was watching.