Chapter 49
*Days Later*
*Slytherin Dorm—Lounge*
“The festival is over, and it’s the end for the NRC Tribe, too, but…” Jamil looked a bit disappointed.
Rook shook his head. “Non. Vil said not “disband” but “postpone.””
“I’m not exactly bothered by that. Either way…” Jamil said.
Kalim smiled. “We’re all here! The headline can read, “Ex-NRC Tribe gathers for another after-school meeting at the Slytherin Dorm!” … Did something happen, Vil?”
“Thank you for gathering on such short notice, everyone. Grim’s not here…” Vil said while looking around.
“He said he wanted to talk a walk around, I don’t know what on his mind to be honest.” Roxana said. “Anyways do continue.”
Vil nodded. “I have something important to discuss with you … First, there’s the whole Vocal & Dance Championship incident. Please let me apologize for betraying the trust that you have shown me.”
“”Eh…?””
“I couldn’t accept my defeat, so I tried to curse my rival… I understand that it is the unsightliness thing to do in the world. I am very sorry.” Vil bowed.
“V-Vil-san is bowing his head and apologizing…” Epel said while panicking a bit, this is the first time he was Vil bow to someone.
“I mean, your curse didn’t manage to work in the end, right?” Jamil said.
“Well…Roxana drank it.” Kalim said.
Everyone turned to look at Roxana.
“It was spicy.”
“We can all agree that at this point Roxana isn’t human.” Ace said.
“Am not human.” Roxana said. “You just assumed that I was.”
“I-I am also thankful … that Roxana stopped my overblot otherwise I would have hurt everyone.” Vil said. “No matter how hard we rehearsed, I can’t imagine being able to bring out our 100% that way.”
Epel shook his head. “That’s not true! That performance was the best we’ve ever done yet!”
Deuce nodded. “I agree. You, no… Everyone was able to perform magnificently that time!”
“….Well, I mean… That “best” is just our opinion…” Ace said.
Deuce was taken aback by that. “Wha–!? How could you say that!?”
“Don’t get me wrong ! It was really awesome, and I think that it’s our best performance, too. But…” Ace didn’t know how to say it.
“The performer’s sense of fulfillment isn’t the same as the audience’s, you mean?” Jamil finished for him.
“W-well…” Epel stuttered.
“It is as Ace and Jamil say.” Vil said. “You’ll notice it the more you watch the recorded video as well… It is easy to tell that we weren’t performing at our best. Mismatched positioning, feet so tired we couldn’t even lift them, sloppy handwork… It was the result of exhaustion my … poison caused, so it’s only natural. We did our best, but it was not flawless. I couldn’t bring your perfection out on stage. It is my fault that we didn’t win the VDC. I have failed you as a leader.”
Roxana sighed. “Working in the Entrainment Industry and you still learned nothing !”
Ace gave her a look. “Roxana !”
“The problem with all this isn’t how you performed, or how tired you were or anything like that, the problem is that when you perform and try to reach perfection you stop performing like a human with emotions, it’s like watching a robot in human flesh perform, it’s beautiful sure but the lack of emotions in it doesn’t make the audience moved.” Roxana explained. “And that is the difference between you and Neige.”
Vil flinched.
“Now don’t take it the wrong way, Vil you’re like an expensive art piece that belongs to a museum, everyone comes from all over the world to look at you and to admire your unique beauty but they can’t touch you, while Neige is like a pitiful kitten in the street that everyone want to cuddle because he’s cute.” Roxana said. “Not to mention that he gives his fans the time of the day while you … do it with a great lack of emotions that don’t make people connect with you that much.”
“Ouch.” Ace said.
“But don’t worry, I will help you to overcome that.” Roxana said before she smiled. “As for me ? Well am like a siren that lures people to their doom.”
“”Makes sense.”” They all said.
“Roxana is right. Even before we performed, Neige’s popularity with the public was already overwhelming. Even if we were in perfect condition, I don’t think that we would have been able to give it our all. And even if we did, it still doesn’t guarantee our victory. Likeability is not something that can be easily filled by effort or ability.” Jamil said.
Kalim nodded. “I agree with Jamil. There’s no need for you to feel so responsible, Vil!”
“Very well… But I’m not insinuating that Neige, and his group didn’t give it effort.” Vil said.
Everyone was confused by that except for Roxana.
“I felt so shaken by their performance that I ended up saying a lot of unsavory words, too… Determination to attract the audience and determination to overwhelm them by honing one’s skills are equally “effort.” We just chose to focus on different things, is all. In the first place, you boys have no idea how hard Neige worked as well, do you?”
Epel tilted his head. “Eh? What do you mean…?”
“The first time Neige and I co-starred together…” Vil said. “Neige was always leaving early during lessons because he had to “go and help clean the house.” I couldn’t help but feel irritated whenever he did that… It made me think that he was a boy who took his talents for granted. But I realized soon after. It seems like he was living with the dwarves we met at the VDC. Even before we met as child actors, they have always been together, supporting each other along the way.”
Roxana rolled her eyes. “Save me the sob story.” She mumbled.
Deuce was surprised by that. “What? He’s been with them since his child actor days…?”
“Yes. I do not know the full details, however. He did housework, attended lessons, did more housework, yet he still managed to squeeze practice in-between… Even then, he would go to lessons, and he would greet everyone with a cheery and hearty “Good morning!” I didn’t understand how difficult it could be. I’ve never experienced such a thing, after all.” Vil said.
“Oh, I see…” Epel said under his breath.
“Neige never mentions his own hardships in public, too.” Vil said. “Rook, you know what I’m talking about, don’t you…?”
“Indeed. Neige’s charm point is his adorable smile. That is a smile that was made possible by overcoming many hardships. It is precisely why the masses adore him so. It is also said that he donates most of his royalties to non-profit organizations.” Rook said.
“… I’m surprised you knew that much. I believe that information is not available to the public, too.” Vil said.
“It is quite the topic among hardcore fans, after all.” Rook said.
Among stalkers more likely. Roxana thought.
Vil nodded. “I see… I heard that he donated all of their VDC winnings to charity, too. He donated it to children’s charities that could need the support.”
“I didn’t know he had to go through all of that…” Kalim looked sad.
Vil sighed. “Come now, I’m sorry. If we knew of his hardships before the VDC started… Do you think you would have been able to vote for your own team even after giving it our all? Would you have been able to judge Neige and his group’s performance without a sympathy filter?”
“Yes I would.” Roxana said.
“That’s so mean !” Epel said.
“Roxana ! Where is your empathy ?!” Deuce shouted.
“Gone.”
Jamil stepped in. “… Other members aside, it would’ve been impossible for Kalim.”
“Well, I mean… Um… Uh… I don’t know…” Kalim scratched the back of his head.
“I would’ve been able to vote for our team easily.” Ace shrugged. “The VDC isn’t a contest on who’s got the worst sob-story. We’re judged by our performance, right?”
“Of course. You understand the situation well.” Vil said.
Ace blinked. “What?”
“You, me, Neige, and everyone who stood on stage had their own story to tell.” Vil said. “That is exactly why… Result is the most important thing when it comes to entertainment.”
Epel’s shoulders fell. “Oh…”
“Although NRC did indeed win against Royal Sword Academy’s performance the only reason why we the boys even had the second place was because she.” Vil pointed at Roxana. “Had three phones.”
Everyone turned to look at Roxana.
“I gave two votes for you boys, and that is the reason why you came second place while my main phone was used to vote for myself.” Roxana shrugged.
“So … in other words, we technically lost against RSA.” Epel said.
“You do realize what you did is considered cheating the system right ?” Deuce said.
“That exactly what infuriates me, and we shall make up for it.” Vil said. “Do you remember the poster we made when we were looking for VDC members?”
“Uh… You said we could have a chance at a professional debut…” Ace said.
“You also mentioned dividing the prize money between all of us…” Deuce said.
“Yes, that is precisely why I gathered you all here.” Vil said. “I will be personally paying you a fee equal to your share of the prize money we lost due to my selfishness.”
“”WHAAAAATTTTT~~~~~!!!!????””
“Wait shouldn’t Roxana be the one sharing ?” Ace asked.
“I already shared some with, Riddle, Silver, Sebek, Lilia, and of course Malleus.” Roxana said.
Ace was disappointed.
“We dun need that!” Epel shouted.
“Think of it as your performer’s fee for the past month or so of training.” Vil said. “I personally think this is not enough to cover everything you’ve actually done for me.”
“S-still…” Deuce stuttered.
““Don’t try to buy my sympathy with money.” Is that it…?” Vil smiled. “Well, even though my manager told me that, I could not, for the life of me, think of another way to compensate you… If I don’t do this, I would not be able to move forward. Please, accept it for my sake as well.”
Rook smiled softly.
“……Alright, I understand!” Kalim said. “I’ll take it!”
Jamil was taken aback. “Kalim!?”
“Let me elaborate…” Kalim said. “I’m not pinning our loss or any sort of responsibility on Vil, okay? But, if it’s his way of coming to terms with what he’s done in order to move forward, then I’ll happily accept. And then, I’ll be donating my share of the prize !”
“”WHAAAAAAAT~~~!!!???””
Jamil raised his eyebrow. “Really, you… Did you feel inspired by Neige’s story?”
Kalim shook his head. “No, that’s not it… Or maybe I was, I dunno…”
“I… I made a promise with Vil-san, but I couldn’t win against Neige at all.” Epel said. “I cannot accept such a prize when I haven’t fulfilled my end of the promise yet. But after watching him from so close, I think I understand how painful it must have been for Vil-san, too, so, I will accept my share. And then, I will donate it too.”
“… Way to build an atmosphere, huh…” Ace laughed a bit.
“Urk… Th-the prize money will make life easier for my family…” Deuce said.
“I’ll take mine. If you’re offering, then I’ll happily accept!” Ace said. “We went through hell and back either way. Plus, there’re shoes and clothes I’ve been thinking of buying.”
“M-me, too… No, but I think I…” Deuce said.
“You don’t hafta try so hard to be a good boy, Deuce.” Ace said. “We auditioned because of the prize money in the first place. Why’re you shying’ away from it now?”
Deuce hesitated. “I know, but still……”
“Just take it and make your mother’s life easier.” Roxana said. “You don’t need to donate like the others.”
“I will keep mine too.” Rook smiled. “There’s this camera that just came out recently—"
“Anyways, who want some snacks ? The cafeteria is still open.” Roxana said.
“Ooh ! I want some cake right now.” Ace said.
“Same. I’ll throw in some café lattes and some dessert, too! “ Deuce said.