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| Chapter 64 | Book 5 • Chapter 65 | Chapter 66 |
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FLASHBACK START
| Dad! Dad! I passed the audition! I'm going to be in a musical school drama! |
Vil's Father |
Congratulations, Vil! What are you playing this time? |
| Oh, the star... Well, the star's rival. It's another mean villain. |
Vil's Father |
The director's got smarts, picking the cutest boy in the world as his villain. |
| I was a villain bullying the hero in the last play I was in, too. Why do I keep getting picked to play the bad guy? Do I really look that mean? |
Vil's Father |
Oh, far from it. I think it's because you're an exceptionally beautiful, charming boy. Stories wouldn't have any dramatic flair without villains. They're an essential, special part of any production. Sometimes productions are more selective about their villain casting than their hero casting. You should be proud. |
| Mm. I get it, Dad. |
 |
But...villains never stay on stage for the whole play. Once their role is finished, all they do is watch from the shadows as the happy ending plays out. What I want is to stay on the stage longer than anyone else. |
Child A |
Hey, look! That's the guy who was bullying the hero on the TV show last night! |
Child B |
How can anyone be so mean? He must be pretty messed up. |
Child C |
He looks like a wimp up close. Let's teach him not to treat the hero like that! |
| ...... |
??? |
HEY! You bullies better not even think of ganging up on him! |
| Aah! It's Jack! Run for it! *Tmp tmp tmp* |
| You're the new kid who just moved in, right? You okay? |
| I'm trained in boxing and fencing. I could've fended them off without your help. |
| O-oh, really? Sorry for butting in, then. |
| Heh... Don't be. Thank you. Those kids were trying to hold me accountable for a work of fiction. Silly boys, the lot of them. |
| I don't watch much TV, so I'm not an expert on this stuff, but... It sounds to me like your acting was so convincing, they thought it was real. |
| I suppose so. Then I'll win the lead role in my next audition and move them to tears. |
|
I always aim for one role—the hero. But... All I ever get to be is the villain. |
Film Crew A |
Did you hear? That movie adaptation of a children's novel starring Neige pulled in twenty million thaumarks its first week! |
Film Crew B |
Neige is just incredible. That friendly charm and wholesome vibe comes naturally to him. |
Film Crew A |
Vil was pretty impressive as the villain, himself. He carries himself with real dignity. You'd never guess he was only twelve years old. He's gonna be the hero one of these days. |
Film Crew B |
I don't know. The thing about Vil is, he's TOO perfect. His beauty is otherworldly. Vil is too special to play the part of a regular teen that viewers can relate to. Without that relatability, I don't think he'll ever pull off playing a hero. |
|
I would do anything to be beautiful. The most rigorous training. The most tedious hair and skin care regimens. I would shy away from none of it. And yet... Why? Why is it never me?! All I want is to stay on stage until the end of the show. |
FLASHBACK END
| Vil... Oh, fair Vil. Please wake up... |
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| Chapter 64 | Book 5 • Chapter 65 | Chapter 66 |
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