Takarazuka Music School

Chapter 3

The day started early for Haruka. At age of 15, she was finally able to apply for the Takarazuka Music School (TMS) entrance exam. After 5 years of dedicating herself, with this test on mind, she felt like she was ready.
Even she being able to try again until she was 18, failing now wasn't an option. This wasn't a mock test. She wouldn't be traveling to Takarazuka for the first time in her life and not stay there.
That was her dream. She would become a Takarasienne. And the first step of this long walk started today.
Her daily schedule was not like the other girls her age. Since her decision of applying for TMS, she had her school classes until the middle of afternoon, then ballet classes three times a week, singing classes and acting lessons. Her weekends were full of watching plays and learning anything she could about the Revue.
Her grandmother promised her she would help Haruka, so she found her a former Sienne who now owned a small studio, where she taught young ladies who wanted to go to TMS. Haruka spent most of her time on that studio. She knew a lot of girls tried every year and failed and she didn't want to be one of them. Her own family invested a lot of time and money on her dream. Rina wasn't that happy at first, she thought Haruka was too young to give herself to Takarazuka Revue.
But nothing she said was able to change her daughter's mind. Before becoming a member of the Revue, Haruka would need to study for two years in the Takarazuka Music School, one of the most competitive of its kind in the world. Each year, thousands from all over Japan auditioned for a place at the school, and only 40 to 50 were accepted and trained in music, dance and acting. After training years, the girls would receive a seven-year contract, and would become Hankyu employees.
They would be called ‘Seito’ or students, until their 'graduation' from the Revue, their retirement. The Music School has always been famous for its strict discipline. Even the Revue was known by the strict rules their actress lived by. And Rina didn’t want that for her little girl. But Haruka was stubborn. She never changed her mind. Once she set her mind on something, she would go for it. That was something Rina always admired on her daughter.
But if she wanted grandkids, she would have to demand that from her sons. The Revue actresses were forbidden to get married until their graduation. If Haruka decided to be a 'Takarasienne', as the actresses were called, for the rest of her life, she would need to get used to being by herself.
Hideo wasn't too happy with his daughter's choice. He wanted Haruka to finish school, find a job and get married to a good man. But like his father had said to him, before leaving Hakui to go study medicine, she needed to have her own dreams. If she wanted to become an actress, he would support her. Like he did with his sons. It was her life. She was the one living it. It was his role as a father to guide her. Not decide this for her.
So, that day, Haruka barely slept. But she wasn't nervous. She waited for this day for so long, she couldn't even believe it was finally here. The day she would become a Takarasienne. She was so confident about her abilities; after all, she was studying for the past five years, not mention all those years she spent at ballet classes. She was more than ready.
Since her father was working, Rina and Hiroaki would be taking her to Takarazuka. The town was a known 'bedroom community' for bigger cities, such as Osaka and Kobe, and there were quiet, upscale residential neighborhoods. And if wasn't for the Revue, Takarazuka would stay a quiet unknown community.
That city would become Haruka's new residence; she was so sure of it, so close to fulfill her dream, that she could even taste it.
The three of them decided take the first train to Osaka, spend the night there and the next day, travel to Takarazuka. It was a good plan, this way Haruka wouldn't be tired to do her exam. The test was already too hard.
The girl got ready, dressing in comfortable clothes, perfect to travel. Even being March, she wore her winter cold gear and the scarf her grandmother made. She had packed the night before, deciding to travel light; she wouldn't be staying too long there.
Haruka would spend two days doing extensive exams and interviews and she would know the result on the third day. Even against 3000 girls, she knew she would pass. She dedicated her life to the Revue, she wouldn't fail.
She couldn't fail.
Saying goodbye to her childhood bedroom, Haruka wasn't the 15 years old girl she was the night before.
She was a 15 years old woman who just started writing her history…
********
Michiru spent her last day before her exam at her aunt's, since her parents were in Tokyo until the end of the month. She was used to their absence and being 15, she didn't really care anymore about being home alone. Michiru was an independent young lady; she could take care of herself.
But before this huge challenge she was putting herself into, she felt like needing to be around her family. Not the absent parents she never could rely on. But her aunt and cousin Ami.
Her family was still struggling with her decision to try out for Takarazuka Revue. Saeko knew how hard the Revue actresses could be. And she knew Michiru, sweet, talented, polite Michiru was willing to go through this madness. Being in direct contact with the Revue for many years, Saeko admired all the troupes. Maybe, in another life, she would become a Takarasienne too.
But being born a Kaiou meant something. Music was their legacy. They had play for emperors and kings. Performing on stage, as an actor, wasn't expected.
From the door, then older woman looked at her niece. Michiru was seated on her old bed, looking at the clear night sky. Her mind was so full; she was so worried about the exam she would take the next day that she felt like throwing up.
A few months had passed since her talk to Mayuko, where she explained she wanted to become a Sienne, going against everything and everyone. It was the only time she saw her father so angry. But not at her, because she 'was a child and didn't know better’ but at her mother. Daiki blamed Natsuki for not being a good mother, not taking the responsibility to raise their daughter to be a proper Kaiou. With her progressive ideas, it was because of her that Michiru gave up a bright future following his footsteps to be an actress.
And a Takarazuka actress! This would ruin everything. Even Takarazuka being known as a 'bride factory', if Michiru passed this test, she would spent at least the next 9 years of her life dedicating herself to something other than the violin. And he couldn't stand that idea.
Michiru felt a little guilty for putting her father through so much stress, but she felt like this was the right thing to do. This was the first 'adult' decision about her own life she did and she was so proud of herself.
Now she just needed to pass. She could take the test until her 18th birthday, but she knew this was her only chance. Her father would never let her do it again.
"Can't sleep?"
The girl looked up and gave her aunt a sad smile. She looked down, at her own hands and Saeko sat on the bed, still looking at her niece.
"You need some rest. What you're about to do is really hard and you need all the sleep you can get," Saeko said. She was worried about Michiru. The girl always looked like she was carrying the world on her shoulders. She understood that. Growing up as a Kaiou was one of the hardest things she ever done in her life. Especially for a woman.
She wasn't supportive when Michiru told her about her decision. Michiru and Ami were brilliant and talented girls, they had an incredible future ahead of them, taking over the Kaiou School, performing in front of thousands of people as soloist, for Michiru. Ami was too shy, she would be better inside the orchestra.
Both girls were the future of the family and yet, they didn't seem to care about it. Michiru with this crazy idea about becoming an actress and Ami being interested in books, books and more books. Her own daughter didn't seem interested at all in their family legacy. And Saeko felt horrible for that. She was so sure it was her fault. She should know better.
But she remembered how it was being 15 and have your own life planned for you. And she knew the Revue enough to know how irresistible that place was.
"I can't sleep. When I think about the test, I feel like fainting..." The girl said, honest about her fears. What she was trying to pull was almost impossible.
"I was the youngest musician in Takarazuka," Saeko interrupted. This amazing child wasn’t rebelling against some old family rule. She was just trying to think by herself and pursue her own path. She was brave enough to go against everything. And she deserved some support on her herculean task. "I know, it's not prestigious as playing in philharmonics or being a soloist, but I was 16. I wanted to make a name for myself. My father had this idea I should work at the school, like my mother, and find a good man to get married. That was his plan for me.“ The woman gave her niece a sad smile. "Women aren't supposed to stay unmarried. We're incapable to take care of ourselves without a man to protect and provide for us." Saeko looked away from Michiru; she had never said any of this out loud.
"Takarazuka reminded me about the independence I wanted for myself. Every day, I looked at those women, working their asses off and they were always happy. Even with all the pressure for marriage, they lived their lives better than a lot of girls I knew back then."
Michiru didn't understand why her aunt was telling her all this. Maybe this was one last try, to make her give up about this.
"I know I wasn't supportive before. I let the anger I have inside blind me." Saeko hugged her niece. "I think you will be a great Sienne, love...."

*******
Haruka arrived at Takarazuka station at 7am. Her test was scheduled for 9am and she wanted to be early. Her mother was right beside her. They had left Hiroaki at the hotel, sometimes he could be too funny for his own good and Haruka needed peace of mind.
The station was full of well-dressed girls, some of them alone, some with both or one of their parents. Haruka took a deep breath, finally realizing how big the test was. All these girls had the same objective as hers.
Become a Takarasienne.
She knew Takarazuka Music School only offered a few spots every year, and she also knew a few thousand young women tried the exam. She looked around. A lot of these girls would go back to their homes sad for not making the cut.
But that wouldn’t happen to her. She waited for this her whole life. She wanted this for her whole life. She was more than ready.
"Do you want to walk? It's not far," Rina said. Her daughter was unusually quiet. In This whole trip, Haruka had barely said anything. Maybe she was focused on her goal; Rina couldn't put her finger on. Haruka was this happy, talkative girl. It felt wrong not listening to her voice.
"Yeah, we can walk. I want to see the city. It's really pretty on TV." The girl had never set a foot in Takarazuka before. She just saw the small town on Sky stage and she already loved it. This small residential community seemed so calm and quiet. She could easily live there.
A few minutes later, and Haruka stopped, dead on her feet. Her deep green eyes were immediately full of water and she felt like crying…
The Takarazuka Grand Theater…
The building was huge!
The test would be held across the Takarazuka River, in a building next to the Music School. The whole town practically survived because the Revue was there. Even the lamp posts were decorated with info about the next plays at the grand theater.
Haruka felt herself trembling. She wasn’t nervous but this whole atmosphere? This was too much for her. She stopped walking and took a few deep breaths to calm down. Rina looked at her daughter. At this tall, slightly awkward girl, with long blond hair and deep green eyes. Of her three children, Haruka was the only one who had Hideo's eyes. Rina was proud of the woman she raised. Her daughter was focused and talented.
She was special…
"Are you okay? Do you want some water?" The woman said, offering her a bottle of water.
"Thanks, mom." Haruka took a few sips before giving the bottle back. "I just need a few seconds. Being here, it’s just too much..." She inspired and expired again "Thanks for being here with me, mom. I don't think I can do this alone..."
Rina smiled. Haruka was taller than her by a few centimeters now, but she was a child at heart. Her oldest son was already in college, studying to be a doctor. Her second would start attending college too in a couple of months. She felt like an old lady every time she looked at her boys. But Haruka? She was a breath of youth.
"Do your best sweetie. I'm already proud of you, you know that, right?" Rina said, her hand resting on her daughter's shoulder.
Haruka knew her mother didn't want her to become a Sienne. Rina wanted her to go to college and live an amazing love story like she did, but Haruka was truly her father's daughter. She was a true Tenou, so detailed driven, objective and so focused. Just like her father and grandfather. But grandpa Hideyuki always said: "our kids must live their dreams, not ours." Such a wise man.
She didn't know her future. She just knew she would be a Sienne. And today, being emotional just at the sight of the Grand Theater, it was her first step in that journey.
"Let's go mom, I don't wanna be late."
*****
Living in Osaka gave Michiru some advantage over some girls. She didn't have to travel all over the country, and perform in front of their future teachers and colleagues tired.
Osaka was just 30 minutes away from Takarazuka, and the girl was so familiar with this way, from her aunt's place to the grand theater, she could do this with her eyes closed.
She looked around the station, looking at all those girls. She knew some of them were way better than her. After all, Michiru was a musician, not a dancer or a singer. She lost how many times she practiced classic ballet moves until her toes started to bleed. She sang all the time, to get used to her own voice, to get comfortable knowing how high she could go.
Her strength was her acting skills. For someone so young, she was a good actress. It was weird not being all confident before a presentation. Michiru was always so sure of her own skills, at least with her violin. She could play so easily. Learn any melody just by hearing it.
Maybe this was a mistake. She was a talented violinist, not a musical theater actress. She wasn’t build or prepared for this.
It wasn’t too late. She could take the train back to Osaka, then call her parents and... And say what? She was a quitter? That she gave up the only thing that gave her some focus and purpose?
If Daiki wasn’t angry with her already, he would be now. Kaious weren't quitters. They could lose, but giving up wasn't on their vocabulary.
With a new found confidence, Michiru headed for the music school building. She didn't even see the other girls. She could do this. She would become a Sienne.
*****
The test started at 9 am. The girls were separated by alphabetical order, thirty to a room, and, while they waited, some of them quickly started talking quietly about Takarazuka, their favorite plays and stars.
Usually, the first part of the entrance exam was applied in two locations. In Takarazuka itself and in Tokyo, in one of the official Takarazuka Prep School. Of course, most of the applicants wanted to take the test at Takarazuka, so they could at least see the Grand Theater, even if they failed.
Haruka stood in the back, holding in one hand a folder with music sheets and a bag with her dance leotard on the other. She didn't even listen to what the other girls talked. Her hands shook slightly and she let out a nervous smile.
For the singing portion of the exam, they would need to give to the musical accompanist a music sheet so he could look at it and be able to play. The sheet needed to be handwritten, so Haruka spent a few hours writing and rewriting it. The song, an old tune from Takarazuka itself, was adjusted to the pitch of her voice. She practiced this song so many times; the words had even lost their meaning by now.
On the other side of the room, Michiru was looking around, paying attention to the other exam-takers as they gathered around, talking to each other. The young violinist looked at them like they were stars already. Beautiful, elegant and mature, they seemed to know everything about the Revue's inner working and all the actresses. And of course, about taking the test as many times as necessary.
Michiru felt like an outsider. And she only felt like this in the period she lived in America. She felt like she didn't belong there. In that room with 14 other girls, Michiru felt like she could disappear and no one would even notice. She felt like a spoiled teen, who never had to fight for anything and now felt like the whole world was collapsing. She felt unprepared and stupid.
All the talk stopped when a short man, wearing a cheap light suit, glasses and thinning hair, entered the room. He had a clipboard in hand and his face had a serious expression.
"Good morning ladies. I am Sariwa Kouta and I am a vocal instructor here at school. I'll call your name and you'll follow me to the next room, where you will do your presentation,” he started to talk, checking his clipboard. "Each one of you will have 10 minutes to sing a song of your choice. Then you will come back here and wait to be called again." It was the same thing every year; he knew those words by heart. "You will change clothes and present a ballet piece, also of your choice. Remember that you are being evaluated since you arrived here."
Sariwa looked up, seeing the girls looking back at him. He knew probably none of these girls would pass. And he knew they knew that too.
"Let's begin then. Kaiou, Michiru?"
Michiru couldn't believe she was the first to be called. This was her worst nightmare! All the girls were looking at her, like she was a death roll inmate who started their final walk. This wasn't fair. But when life was fair? She couldn't complain every time.
She took a deep breath and followed the teacher. She could do this.
Haruka looked at the girl who was first called and felt sorry for her. Luckily, being a Tenou, she would be one of the last. Not that she cared about it. She was ready. But she knew that girl was scared. Of all the other exam-takers, that green haired teen was the one only confident enough to be scared in front of everyone.
And Haruka admired her for that.
*****
Michiru felt her mind going all blank when she got into the other room. It was a dance room, with a mirror covered wall, a pianist and a group of 5 people who were quietly discussing something sue couldn't hear. Sariwa took his place at the table and told Michiru she could start.
Taking a deep breath, she handed her music sheet to the pianist and waited for her cue. The song she chose wasn’t easy; it was one of her teacher's old songs, from back to her days as Sienne. Mayuko didn’t approve her choice because she knew Michiru's vocal range. But the violinist didn't want to play safe.
Go big or go home.
******
One by one, Haruka saw the other girls going to do their singing screening. They left the room so confident, so sure of their skills. But when they came back, the story was different. Some of them were sad, because they missed a note, or felt like their voices weren't high enough or low enough.
All of them but Michiru. The green haired girl was calmer now; she was even with this tiny smile on her face. Haruka felt the need to go talk to her about the test. But she was called to do her screening.
Singing was something that Haru started doing after her decision to become a Sienne. She always listened to music, she was always dancing, but singing wasn’t something she did in a regular basis. It was part of her training, after school.
The girl knew she had a good voice, and singing was really fun. With that thought in her heart, about having fun, she started singing. The song was fast paced and as a dancer, it was really hard for her to not move her body with the melody.
The pianist was a woman in her 40s and she smiled at Haruka, maybe because she knew the song. Just an old, Takarazuka tune she found in her grandma's collection. She wrote the music sheet by ear, taking advantage of her piano skills. A happy song, which Haruka hoped to express all her feelings about being there, about being a Sienne.
She smiled at the end, feeling all the looks on her. She was used to that, this wasn’t her first audition.
"Thank you, Tenou-san. Now go back to the room and send Urawa Kiyoko, please?"
*****
The fifteen girls in the room had already changed to their leotards and they were waiting for someone to come and get them for the ballet screening. The first day of the entrance test was just this, singing and dancing. This way the Takarazuka teachers were able to see who would be able to proceed to the next day of tests, and who wasn’t fit to be a Sienne.
Sariwa came back a few minutes later, looking at the teenagers. He worked in Takarazuka as a vocal instructor for almost 20 years now, and he was very proud of the work he did there. Being known as a strict teacher, he was specialist in lowering women's tone to be as manly as possible.
This was his fifth year working on the entrance exam. And so far, he wasn’t too impressed with what he saw. Maybe one or two girls would make the cut, in his opinion.
"Alright ladies, this is your second and last screening. You will present your ballet piece, then come back here to change. After that, you are all free to go," He explained, making some notes on his clipboard.
"The teacher in charge for your room, in this case me, will call your legal guardians to let them know if you are able to join us tomorrow." A brief dramatic pause to check the applicants' faces. "Kaiou Michiru, please follow me".

******
Back at the hotel, Haruka was relieved. After a day of waiting, singing and dancing, she felt like herself again. Her mother was taking a shower and her brother was watching TV, after spending the day in Osaka having fun at the theme parks there.
Unlike their elder brother, Hiroaki was a fun loving guy. He would start attending college next April, pursuing a degree in journalism or something like it. He had changed his mind so many times and just now, at 19 he seemed to be sure about his future.
He looked up and saw his baby sister. Haruka and Hideyuki were so alike, they already knew what they wanted to do, and he was still trying to find himself.
"Do you wanna talk about your audition?" He asked, putting the TV on mute.
Haruka just looked at him, too tired to remind him it wasn't an audition. It was an entrance exam, just like every other exam. But she also knew Hiroaki was a guy with a twisted sense of humor. And she didn't have the heart to deal with him now. She loved her brother, but Hiroaki could be a pain every now and then.
"I really don't wanna talk about it, Hiro-nichan. I just wanna take a quick shower and go to bed."
Hiroaki jumped off the bed and hugged his sister.
"You're gonna to be okay, girl. I'm sure you will pass this."
He wanted to show more support. But he didn't know how. After offering taking his mother and sister to Osaka, he felt like left aside, discarded like an old sock.
"How about tomorrow I'll take you to Takarazuka? And we make a day of it?" Hiroaki never understood how Haruka could like those plays so much to even think about getting into this mess. But he was all about being supportive. This was her dream? So he was 10000% on board. "I know you will be tired, but if you keep thinking about it, you'll drive yourself crazy"
Haruka smiled. Her family was pretty supportive of her dream, even not really understanding how someone just loved a Revue company so much. But she did. Takarazuka was her dream. Her life since ever. She had books, magazines, DVDs, a real fan girl.
And now she had a shot trying out to be on stage, like her idols. Her dream was becoming truth.
"Haru? Go take your shower now..." her mother said, leaving the bathroom. She saw the two siblings next to each other, in a gentle embrace. Her two boys were pretty good friends, but they left Haruka out of their inner circle. So Rina was always happy when she saw her children like this.
Haruka got up and got her things for her shower. "Mom, if they call..."
"I know what to do, just go and enjoy your shower, don’t worry." Her daughter was too stressed for someone so young. Rina made a silent wish, to get the call as soon as possible. Because she knew Haruka wouldn’t even breathe not knowing if she passed or not.
Hiroaki turned his attention back to the TV and Rina was getting ready for getting out and have dinner with her children. It was her way of saying thanks for being there with them.
When her phone rang.
The woman looked at Hiroaki and she almost wished for the call being from her husband or Hideyuki... But since they knew her phone wasn’t available and to call Hiroaki's if anything happened, this could just mean one thing: the results were in
"Good evening, this is Sariwa Kouta, from Takarazuka and I want to speak to Tenou Haruka's legal guardian about her first screening today."
Rina wasn’t the one who took the test, but she was nervous.
"Yes, this is Tenou Rina, I am Haruka's mother," the woman said, trying her best to stay calm.
"Tenou-san, we want to inform you that we will be waiting for Haruka at the Music School tomorrow at 9 am, for her second screening."
Rina never doubted her daughter's abilities. But knowing that only 4% of the applicants were approved made her fear for her baby girl. Haruka was such a happy kid; she didn't deserve having a heartbreak like this. The woman thanked Sariwa and hang up. With a watering smile on her face, she looked at Hiroaki.
"She did it, Hiro. They want her to go back and do the second screening... My baby girl did it!"
******
Michiru was back at her aunt's place. She just got out the phone with her mother, Natsuki wanted to know how her screening went.
And Michiru was happy to know that Natsuki seemed to care about her entrance exam. The girl didn't know how to reach to her always so busy parents. She felt like their communications skills needed some work on, and she knew they knew that too. So she was happy when her mother called.
Natsuki was a woman focused on her career. Losing her father so young made her life a little too complicated. Her own mother was never around, always working to support them. To be honest, she didn't want to get married, but her heart made that decision for her and now she had a beautiful family. But it wasn’t a secret, her violin was always in first place.
Natsuki loved her husband and her daughter to death, but she would do everything in her power for Michiru to become an independent woman. Even wanting her daughter to follow her footsteps and becoming a violinist. But Natsuki was happy she raised a strong woman, able to do her own choices.
"They will call Aunt Saeko to let her know if I passed..." Michiru said to her mother. She wanted both of her parents with her in this moment, but she knew, she understood their busy lives.
"Please, call me as soon as you find out. Your father and I will stay here for a few more days, so I'll see you then."
After hanging up, Michiru laid down in her bed. Looking at the ceiling, she was thinking about her day. The test.
The girls...
Michiru closed her eyes, thinking about how beautiful the girls who took the test with her. She didn't have any contact with boys in her daily life, but she never really care about them.
Actually, Michiru thought about her own feelings every now and then. She first thought she was too busy to even think about boys, but after going to live in the US, she realized that maybe that wasn’t true.
It was the only thing she never talked about it with anyone, not even Ami. She was still trying to figure out and if her life wasn’t complex enough, if she was really gay, this could get ugly pretty fast.
Michiru sighed. Thinking about those pretty girls from the test wasn’t going to help her. She felt like a pervert, lusting over teenager girls. But was she lusting? Because she read about it a lot and she was still confused.
The violinist closed her eyes and remembered a tall, blond girl who seemed way too focused of the test to do anything. Unlike the other applicants who were babbling all the time about the Revue and their favorite actresses, the blonde girl never said a word, she didn't even realized Michiru looking at her. That was the image of someone who would easily pass the exam.
Not someone like her, who practically just decided to try out. She didn't have a chance...
"Michi-onesan?" A shy voice called her. Michiru looked up, to see her cousin Ami at the door. She loved the shy, intelligent girl like the sister she never had. Even being so young, Ami was probably the only one who understood Michiru. Like her older cousin, she didn't want to be a musician. She could play the cello like her mother Saeko, but Ami wanted to be a doctor.
"Mother wants you to come down for dinner. She said she did something light for you, because you have the test tomorrow..."
"Tomorrow? You mean?"
"Oh, mother got a call from this teacher from Takarazuka. It seems that you passed the first audition..."
Michiru’s face lit up with a huge smile. She was so certain she didn't pass, but she totally did! She was one step closer to be a Sienne!
"Saeko-bacchan! Why you didn't tell me the teacher called?" The green haired girl asked, after running downstairs to the kitchen downstairs.
"Oh hon, did you have any doubt they wouldn't choose you? Now go wash your hands, dinner is ready "
******
With her brother by her side, Haruka headed for Takarazuka. This time it felt like a school excursion, she went along with a few faces she recognized from the first round. Including that green haired girl. This time the girl was carrying what seemed to be a violin case and Haruka got interested. She never met anyone who played violin before.
"She's pretty, don't you think?" She heard her brother say.
"What? Who?"
"That girl you're looking at. The one with the violin."
"I don't really know." Haruka closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. "I'm 15, Hiro-nichan. I don't really care about this kind of stuff..."
"Of course, ‘cause you only care about your precious Revue. Do you think I have a shot? ‘Cause I'm single and I like pretty artistic girls."
Haruka looked at her brother, surprised about what he was saying. Why he was saying all those things? Didn't he know she had a huge exam coming up?
"You're too tense, Haru. I know this audition is important, but you need to relax, otherwise, you'll hurt yourself."
Maybe he was right. Maybe she was way too worried about this. But everyone knew the second day of tests were harder. Girls from all the country, who passed their first screening, were heading to Takarazuka. Haruka didn't want to be over confident, because she had a good plan, coming over to Osaka and spend the week there. She was well rested, and she knew some of the applicants were fresh out of long train rides.
For the second and final day of tests, the applicants would do another ballet piece and they would sing a song. They would do a physical exam and an interview. And like the day before, Haruka wasn’t nervous. She was more anxious. Specially because the green haired girl from the train ride was the only she recognized from the girls who were on the same room as her.
Hiroaki kissed her forehead before handing her bag to Haruka. In silence, she walked to the auditorium, seeing the man who was responsible for her yesterday with a few other grownups. They were quietly talking, writing down in their clipboards and checking each other’s notes. This year they had some good candidates. As they looked at all the faces, so hopeful and almost terrified, they knew: this year would be a good one.
******
Like the day before, the aspirants were divided in groups, this time a smaller one, just fifteen per room. Haruka looked around and the playful conversation of yesterday ceased to exist, giving place to a sober silence. She didn't mind the talking, but everyone was so focused, like they're doing their dance routines in their heads, or trying to guess what questions they would have to answer in the interview.
"Good morning, ladies." Sariwa, the same teacher as before stood at the door. He walked in the room, handling music sheets to the girls. "Today you will do a ballet piece and you will sing this song. After that, you will display any kind of special skill you might have. “ He was so serious today. After all, final day of exams. "When I call your name, you need to be ready, with your dance clothes on."
Haruka felt like her toes were sleeping. Even being one of the last, she felt her insides burning. Sariwa kept going.
"You will leave the exam room after your presentation, to do your physical exam. Then you will change again to do your interview. Understood?"
Sariwa left the room to give the girls privacy to change. The silence was so heavy, but after hearing the tasks she would need to perform, Haruka felt a lot calmer.
She changed to her black leotard, the same she used to wear during her ballet lessons, with her name embroidered on the chest. It was a gift from her grandma on her 15th birthday, and Haruka swore she would wear it during her exam. It was like her grandma, her greater supporter was there with her.
And she felt a lot better.
*****
Michiru stood in front of the teachers in the same dance room from the first screening. She was dressed with her lilac leotard; her hair is a tall ponytail. Her violin case was on the floor, next to her. Mayuko told her they usually ask for a special dance skill, like tap, or jazz. Michiru was great at Japanese traditional dance, but if she could show them her violin skills, maybe she would have a shot.
Sariwa was seated in the middle of the table. He looked up from his clipboard, right go the girl. "Kaiou Michiru, Araki-san will show you the dance we want you to reproduce. She will do the routine three times, so please, play attention."
Michiru looked at this tall, slender girl in her late teens, with short dark green hair and garnet eyes. She was casually dressed with a black leotard, a long dark blue skirt, white leggings and ballet flat shoes. That was a Sienne, Michiru was sure. The woman walked with elegance, and her presence was so dominant, and yet caring. She smiled at the girl.
"Hello. I'm Araki Sei and I'll help you with your piece today," She said, in a low, powerful voice. Michiru was surprised. From what she knew about the test, they usually casted senior students to do this part. Not full actresses. She would ask Mayuko about this later.
At Sariwa's sign, the pianist started to play and Sei started her routine. Every step she did was full of grace and absolutely precise. The routine didn’t seem too hard, a few arabesques, plies and splits. Michiru knew this was the way the examiners could see if she was able to learn choreograph fast.
And she could. After watching Sei doing her routine three times, Michiru did what they asked of her, with two minor mistakes. Nothing bad for someone who had a long way for being able to be called dancer.
After nailing the final position, Michiru bowed to the examiners, waiting for more instructions. They did some notes and talked in low voices. Sariwa looked at the girl, always too serious.
"You put in your application you know Japanese dance. Please demonstrate for us," He said.
No music started to play. And Michiru didn't need any. She was practicing this kind of dance since she was five years old. The girl couldn't help but remember when Ami started to practice with her, so cute in her clumsy ways.
She felt like crying. Because in that moment, she knew she was quite disillusioned of her wish of entering Takarazuka. She wasn't a dancer. Or a singer. She was a violinist with good acting skills. Michiru felt in her heart she would never dance like Araki Sei. Even being so young, that woman had an unique style. She would stay in school, maybe even going to college, and would work at the family school as a teacher...
At least she tried...
"Thank you, Kaiou-san. Now, do you have the sheet I gave you earlier? Good, now sing us a song..."
*******
Haruka was seated in front of her examiners, feeling tired and a little sore. She did her ballet and singing pieces, presenting her special skill, as a jazz and tap dancer, and she was done with the physical exam. She was an athlete, who ran every day and was the star of the school's track team, she took good care of her body. So everything was fine with her.
Now they would ask her some questions, to attest if she was indeed Takarazuka material. It was just her and 6 examiners. And for a second, she felt nervous, not even knowing what they would ask. Sariwa started, since he was the head of the table.
"Tenou-san, I will start your interview asking you a simple question..."
Haruka could do this. She would nail this interview and by this time tomorrow, she would be a Sienne.
She could feel it her bones.
******
Michiru was relieved after being released from the test. She did her best and now she was tired, hungry and sleepy, even being really early. If anyone asked her now which part was the best, she would say the interview. Just 10 simple questions about her skills and her thoughts about making a career of it. She was finally able to play her violin, performing one of her own songs.
She couldn’t ask for more. So she would take the train, go back to her aunt's house and sleep until the next day, when she would know if she passed or not.
But Michiru was in peace. She was already resigned. It was a fun experience, but she was glad it was over. She gave it a shot, so she was feeling proud of herself for being so brave and going against everything. Maybe her actions would help Ami when she decided go tell her family about going into Medicine. If Michiru could help her beloved cousin with this, she would already feel like a winner.
With that in mind, she took her train back to Osaka.
******
Hiroaki found his sister at the Grand Theater. She was in a place called Petit Museum, on the second floor, with features costumes, posters, photographs and other paraphernalia from various performances. She was looking around, mesmerized by how pretty everything was. And seeing all those costumes so close gave her the feeling that the Revue was true. When she saw it on TV, it felt like a dream, but being there, made her realize this wasn’t a dream, but a beautiful reality.
"There you are, I thought you went back to Osaka without me," Hiroaki started, trying to not startle Haruka. The girl didn't even look at him. "This place is freaking huge! I found a restaurant, so do you wanna eat something? We spent most of our day here, I'm sure you're starving... "
"Besides Grandma, no one understands how much I want to be here. People think I'm delusional, that it's too hard and I should forget it," Haruka started, watching a mannequin dressed in a beautiful XVIII century dress. "But seeing the Takarazuka stage, it's like being struck by a lightning bolt. That's how I feel every time I see a play. And that's why I want to be on that stage." The girl stood tall in front of her brother, a shy smile on her face. "This is my world, oni-chan. This is where I know I'll be happy."
Hiroaki hugged Haruka. He was jealous of his sister, because she had her life all figured out. And he left her out of his life. He barely knew her, being four years older made him and their elder bother closer, but he thought Hideyuki was an idiot.
Now this girl, this amazing girl who had a dream and would do anything to achieve it, he wanted to know her better.
"That's really something else, Haru. And I'm sure you will be awesome in that stage. And I will be in the front row to see your debut."
******
Haruka was waiting for the results in front on the Music School with the other applicants. She asked to be alone to do this, but her mother and brother were waiting in a cafe inside the Grand Theater, with some other families.
It was a cold March morning. She decided to not wear her winter coat, because, being from Nagano, the cold didn't really bother her. So she decided to go with a light blue jacket, white shirt and jeans. Since she couldn't risk any injury, she decided to go with sneakers.
She looked around, seeing the other applicants talking, some of them were even laughing. She saw the green haired girl from her exam and smiled. She was so serious, but she didn't have her violin with her.
And again, Haruka felt this need to go talk to her. But when she went for it, Sariwa appeared. He was followed by a couple of other teachers, each one of them carrying boards. Haruka took a deep breath, and waited for the results.
"If your name is on the board, go to the auditorium," He started. Being the head of the examiner board wasn’t something he wanted to do next year. He liked being on the board, but taking care of the whole exam was too stressful. "Please, you can come and look now." He said, staying out of the way with the other teachers.
Haruka first looked at the reactions of the girls. Most of them were so sad, even angry, but a few of them were so happy. They took pictures by their names, smiling. It was time, she couldn't delay any longer.
A few steps…And there it was. One of the last names on the board. In a neat calligraphy, she read 'Tenou Haruka'. She did it! She totally did it! This was the first step to become a Sienne and she totally did it!
She started to laugh, feeling ridiculously happy. All the years of training, so much pain and stress finally paid off. She was in! Next April, she would start her education at the Music School!
"I'm sorry, can you take a pic of me?" She asked to the green haired girl, who was looking at the board in a sober almost contained way. The girl took the phone Haruka handed her and quickly took the picture, giving the phone back. Haruka looked at the picture, seeing her own bright smile next to her name. "I'm sending this to my grandma. She won't believe I got in!" She said, still not believing it. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did you get in?"
Michiru felt her eyes watering. It was so impolite to cry in public, if her father saw her like this, he would scold her for sure.
"Yes…" she said, her voice almost gone. She did it. She passed one of the most difficult entrance exams in the country. She was accepted. She would fulfill her dream. "Do you see that?" She pointed at her own name, reading the kanji so carefully just to be sure. "That's me!"
Haruka gave a huge smile. At least a known face would attend the school with her. Now it totally made sense why she felt the need to be around this girl, to talk to her.
She read the kanji.
"Michiru? That's a pretty name. I'm Haruka, nice to meet you," Haruka said, still smiling. It was impossible to stop now.
"It seems we're going to be classmates..."