New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Witness

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(POV switch – Eiru)

One day in early September. While I was drinking tea in my private room, Bona came in.

“Excuse me. Ojousama, this has arrived.” (Bona)

She handed me an envelope. I received it and turned it over to see the sender.

Salomea Opera Troupe Training School.

Bona’s eyes on me were tense. She knew what that envelope contained.

Though she is a maid, she possessed a certain level of education. In order to serve as my attendant, she had been instructed by a tutor to learn various things.

“I see. It seems I have passed.” (Eiru)

“Eh, you have not opened the seal yet. How do you know?” (Bona)

She appeared slightly skeptical, as expected. Of course, I had at least some confidence, and moreover…

“I know. If I had failed, this envelope would not be so heavy. Eiru-dono, if you had shown insufficient qualities to enter this school, there would only be one sheet of paper saying so.” (Bona)

“I understand. It is because you passed that there is so much to inform Ojou-sama.” (Eiru)

“Exactly.” (Bona)

While casting a subtle suggestion upon myself, I retrieved scissors from the desk drawer and broke the seal.

“See?” (Eiru)

I removed the contents and immediately showed Bona the paper labeled as the acceptance notice.

Phew, my hands were trembling slightly.

“Co-congratulations.” (Bona)

“Mm. Thank you.” (Eiru)

“Then, I shall inform Okusama.” (Bona)

“I shall go myself.” (Eiru)

I told Okaa-sama, who had opposed my application the most, that I had passed.

Today, she did not oppose it.

I had heard that among training school students, fewer than one in ten remain as actresses. She probably assumed I would return to Emilia after my dreams were broken. My family consisted only of sisters, yet Onee-sama successfully secured a husband. I am sure she thought it would be no problem to let me marry out.

Perhaps those around believed that if it were known I had been in the opera troupe, my status would rise when I married. She did not oppose it, but I was required to live in a separate annex of the branch villa in the royal capital. Well, it is easier than staying in the school dormitory.

 

—

 

December arrived.

I moved to the royal capital at the end of September and enrolled in the training school in October. Days passed in the blink of an eye. There were dance practices, vocal and singing exercises, and in addition, much to learn in theatrical theory.

As a mere audience member and as a performer, one’s impression of the opera differs entirely. Even as a student, the standards are strict. However, this much is certain, my ambition has not waned in the least.

First, I must stand at the top among the 52 first-year students, or a future as an actress will not be attainable. Among my classmates, the one who could become a rival is a girl named Charlotte-san. Though still somewhat childlike, her beauty already stands above even the finest among her peers. Initially, I had doubts about her singing, but she is progressing remarkably.

By the way, I recently discovered a certain fact.

Charlotte-san became a topic of conversation regarding the lighting magical apparatus. A classmate mentioned she was the daughter of the branch manager of the Lionesse Trading Company in the royal capital, and I managed to confirm it.

Bona investigated, and it turned out the branch manager was the younger brother of the chairman residing in Emilia. In other words, she is Leon-chan’s cousin. I had not known this, but it is natural; she is the stepchild of her recently married mother, with no blood relation.

If I were to ask her, I might learn about Leon-chan’s current circumstances, but I feel that to inquire would be a form of defeat.

In any case, I have not seen Leon-chan since September, yet he comes to mind every day. Though it may seem lingering, it cannot be helped. The school is filled only with female students, and the faculty is mostly women. Even in the royal capital, I cannot make acquaintances with boys of my age. Therefore, his presence will continue to flicker in my mind.

Yet, I remain sane. It seems other classmates in similar situations often develop affections for upperclassmen. One of them is Adele-senpai. Everyone knows she is Charlotte-san’s Onee-san. In a few years, she too will likely follow the same path. The saying “blood cannot be disputed” is frightening.

 

—

 

Today was the day of the young performers’ recital, held twice yearly. It was customary for first-year students to observe performances by senior students. The afternoon’s second session was more popular, but a lottery was held to balance attendance. I did not mind either session, yet the lottery placed me in the afternoon. It was this that led to that reunion. Perhaps it was divine providence.

I arrived at the Lothar Theatre. The young performers’ program was The Splendid Adventures of Count Garfen, often said to be performed so frequently that it is well-worn. Well, not to the extent of The Maiden of Orkus, yet, depending on the approach, it could feel fresh. I had realized this in Emilia.

Entering the hall, about one-third of the seats were filled. It was a weekday, and the performers were not officially professional actresses. Such attendance was expected. Regardless, I could tell my classmates were all nervous.

Adele-senpai played the lead role of Garfen. She was stunningly beautiful, tall enough for a male role, graceful in her gestures, excellent in dance, and possessed a pleasing voice. It was natural that she was immensely popular among junior students. However, perfection she was not. Her acting seemed somewhat conservative, too cautious.

I felt she did not fully utilize her outward glamour, but this was merely my impression. Furthermore, I, who am so audacious, cannot do better. Her spirit must still be focused on the audience. Yet today was different. She was unusually striking. After a few minutes of analysis, I realized it was her movements.

Her movements were bold, especially when she stopped, raising her arms exaggeratedly or twisting her body greatly. If others used the same gestures, it would appear ridiculous, yet in her hands it reached perfection. Her originality made her appear astonishingly elegant.

It may correspond to the concept of Kerenmi in the Eastern World, which we learned about in the theatrical theory lecture.

It seems I am not alone in this observation. Indeed, my classmates were even more excited than I, some even calling her “Onee-sama”. Though unfruitful, the performance itself might be worth emulating. When observing carefully, Senior Adele cast a sidelong glance toward the audience.

Ah! That is…

 

—

 

(POV switch – Charlotte)

Haah. Why must I observe my Onee-chan’s stage? The lottery. I drew the afternoon session by chance. My Onee-chan is not at fault. I like her very much. As family, she is a good sister, kind and caring. As a fellow aspiring actress, however, how does she compare?

Since entering the same training school, I have often been compared to her. The faculty are quite relentless. They remark how Adele-san excelled and naturally became a research student in her third year, and in comparison, I…

There is no need for them to say it.

Onee-chan excels at everything. Furthermore, she spares no effort. Her cooking even surpasses that of our mother in some respects. I respect her, even as her sister. Having grown up together, I can easily understand her thoughts better than others. Hence, I do not want to watch her performance now. I do not want to be influenced. I am weak. Nevertheless, I must watch. I am obliged to observe the stage and report my impressions.

Hm? Occasionally, Onee-chan’s gaze angles downward. Why? Is it toward the judges? Or perhaps, she unconsciously glances at acquaintances in the audience… Ah!

 

—

 

The afternoon session ended successfully.

Both the lead and the daughter roles performed well. Even from the perspective of a novice, I thought it was good. My classmates who had observed the performance returned to school, but I remained just outside the hall. Few spectators remained.

How strange. Ah, someone is coming out.

“Le… Leon-chan!” (Charlotte)

Who?

The voice overlapped. Perhaps it was louder than mine, for the awaited person turned toward it. Her gaze fell upon a woman. In uniform… a student of the same training school as me. Moreover, the yellow handkerchief indicated she was a first-year classmate. For some reason, I could not move, and ended up merely watching. The two conversed at a slight distance.

What are they speaking about?

Other spectators lingered nearby, blending their voices, so I could not hear clearly. They were neither especially close nor complete strangers. After all, she had called him Leon-chan.

“…is what I want to say!” (Leon)

Eh? Leon-kun,

His sudden forcefulness drew nearby gazes. He raised his voice. It was slightly frightening. He had been calm moments ago, yet now his brows were raised.

I glimpsed my classmate from an angle. That was certainly Eiru. Her expression seemed tense, yet she appeared to be smiling. Then, after a brief pause, she turned and hurried toward a nearby exit. Once distanced from Leon-kun, her earlier smile vanished, and she frowned in discomfort. Leon-kun watched her silently, then departed toward the opposite exit.

Haah. What was that? Should I ask him someday?

 

—

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