Bad∞End∞Night Vol 1 Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Lost Libretto

“Hah, hah, hahh…” 

I ran breathless down the path to the main street of West End. “Late” - every time that ominous word arose in my mind, I took a deep breath to drive it off and calm myself down, but it wasn’t working out very well. I’d gone to bed early last night knowing I had to prepare for today’s performance. But I suppose I was too nervous to fall asleep, even as the date changed… I did finally manage to drift off as the sky was brightening, but I was woken by a terrible dream. 

A dream where someone died from an accident during the play - even the vague details were fading now, so I really couldn’t remember it at all. Either way, witnessing that purely horrific tragedy woke me up with a start. I pulled the covers up again to get some more sleep, but the nightmare still lingering in my mind, I only got in a few light naps. When I next woke up, the meeting time was fast encroaching. 

Why today, of all days? Why was the one day I slept in late the one that could very well be the most important of my life? And to think that I always fell asleep before midnight, no matter how late I tried to stay up… I’m an idiot, such an IDIOT! I mentally berated myself for the nth time today, cursing my stupidity. 

Main Street finally came into sight. There were crowds all around the area, despite morning rush hour being hours ago. In fact, “morning” was nearly over, and yet this normally not-particularly-busy area was, just for today, flooded with people - the street, the alleys, even the back streets. Cutting through the inordinately large crowds, I kept bumping into people, apologizing, and being jostled this way and that. I was in quite a hurry, but alas, all the people made it difficult to get anywhere. Not good… At this rate, I really will be late - 

Whump! 

Suddenly, something black blocked my vision. 

“Wah!” 

I smacked into something, knocking me magnificently on my bottom. Rubbing my pained behind, I reopened my eyes shut by the impact. Someone had forcefully bumped into me. The man, who’d popped out into the main street from a narrow alley, smoothly picked up the antique silk hat that had fallen off his head and put it back on. He extended a hand to me, still sitting on the ground. 

“Terribly sorry, miss. I was in such a hurry, I wasn’t looking where I was going. My apologies. Are you hurt?” 

“Rubberneckers…?” 

“Indeed. Have you seen it? There was a fire at Harrods. You see the western sky filling up with dark smoke? And it is quite a large department store… It’s taking a while to put the fire out. There also seem to be many people on this street for some kind of event today. So not only are there people running from the fire, but also rubberneckers seeing what all the hubbub is about. Such a noisy morning. Let’s hope the damages don’t get any worse.” 

“Yes… Thank you, sir…” 

“Ah… Um, I’m sorry. I was the one running and not looking… You must be in a hurry.” 

“No, no, that’s not what I meant at all. There’s a play I really wish to see today, so that’s why I was hurrying. I bought special seats, so even if I’m a little late, there’s still time before the show begins. Yet to arrive early, have a glass of wine on the foyer while I flip through the pamphlet, imagine this and that as I wander for a bit, and finally enjoy the main event to the fullest… That is what I truly look forward to. Still, the slight delay brought about by this fire won’t have a significant effect on the course of my life. The ones truly pained are the owners of the department store, the customers, the staff. Such a shame… Yet such a common tragedy, isn’t it?” 

“T-Thank you. I know it’s really worn out now… But it’s very important to me…” 

“…!” 

I looked up in surprise. But indeed, his glaring eyes were obscured by his hair, and I couldn’t see their expression. His kind voice had a curious resonance. And he’d certainly just mentioned my grandmother… How would he know this was from my grandmother? Was he an acquaintance of hers…? 

“Er, why…” 

Just then, I heard the bell of the nearby clock tower ring. The heavy metal booongrang out twelve times. 

I listened to it briefly, but remembered at once. Oh, no. I got so absorbed in what he was saying, I completely forgot what I was in such a hurry over. The meeting time was 12 PM - 

“Oh my… That time already. I guess I spoke a little long.” 

The gentleman rolled up his left sleeve and checked the antique watch underneath. 

“Thank you for telling me about the fire! I just remembered I was in a hurry… Today’s a very important day… I need to go!” 

“So you are, Miku. Did you sleep in?” 

Kaito, the leader who organized the company’s actors, approached me not angrily, but with a wide smile. As I continued looking down at the floor, he stooped into my field of view and handed me a towel. 

“…U-Um.” 

“Thank you…” 

“Okay…” 

All three of the actors already had their makeup fully done, and were dressed in their costumes for the main event. 

“My, my… He’s sparing no expense, I see.” 

“T-Thank you! Um… Actually, I was kind of too nervous to sleep much. I almost got to bed toward dawn, but then I had a scary dream… Then I fell asleep two more times… Then I noticed it was nearly 12… So yes, I slept late…” 

Meiko’s expressions and actions emanated elegance and maturity, so one might think she was hard to approach. But in truth, she was rather meddlesome, and would candidly interact with anyone. Even with me being a newcomer who had only been in the troupe for half a year, and her being such a mature individual, she’d pour tea for me and actively start conversations with me all the time. And whenever I felt shameful and nervous about it, she’d shoot me a playful smile and naturally diffuse my worries… She was a very warm person. 

“I see… That’s rough. This morning’s been such a noisy one. First with the passing of the prohibition bill, then the congestion in the streets after the fire at Harrods…” 

“I’m not? Ah, uh, I’ll take this tea.” 

I took the cold glass and gulped it down. My parched throat was filled with just the right amount of bitterness from the faintly sour tea. Delicious. The spring plants were only just budding, so the nights were still chilly, but it was a warm enough season to work up a sweat from running. A cup of cold lemon tea after that exercise was a cup of bliss. I noticed Kaito had come over, and he sat beside Meiko. 

“Hey, Mei-pie? I’d like to have some lemon tea poured by you, myself.” 

“Eh? So cruel of you. Let’s stick with "gentleman,” please. Besides, aren’t you and I on that level?“ 

“A greeting like that will never catch on in this country, Mr. Gentleman. Here you are.” 

“Uh…?” 

“Yaaawn… What makes you think she was looking at anything? She always has a habit of looking through everything. My, it’s like she does it on purpose…” 

Luka, watching our conversation from across the room, spoke up drowsily, stifling a yawn. 

“Miss Luka?” 

“Ahh! Um… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be that obvious… That must feel awkward.” 

“Hm…? I-Is that… right? W-Well, I’m glad. That makes me a fine gentleman, doesn’t it?” 

“B… Butler…” 

Kaito lowered his head, heartbroken. Luka and Meiko burst out laughing seeing this unfold. 

“A-And here I thought you were going a good direction there… I guess my eyesight isn’t quite perfect. Heehee…” 

Luka must have found it really hilarious, as she continued to laugh even as she spoke, then put milk into a fresh cup of coffee poured by Meiko. Come to think of it, this was different from when I’d had drinks with her on the foyer before. I got curious, so I asked. 

“Um… Miss Luka, didn’t you tell me the other day that you only drank your coffee black…?” 

“Oh? Well, I am an actress. Of course I should be able to pull that off. As should you. This is the Burlet Company, you know? All our performances must be perfect, or they won’t be recognized as Burlet.” 

“…Yeah.” 

Silence came to the room. It was tranquil, with warm sunlight coming through the large window reaching up to the second floor terrace. Why, I wonder, when there was a strange tension that didn’t match that at all? I felt like the tension they felt and whatever I was feeling might be somehow different. I was feeling it “again,” I realized - at times, I had the impression that I still wasn’t being allowed into their circle. And this was certainly one of those times. 

“Sigh…” 

The smallish girl Rin emerged from behind the large door, holding her forehead in pain. Beside her was her twin brother Len, who’d watched the whole thing from nearby. His expression didn’t change one bit; he just gave a little sigh. 

“Owowowowow… wh! M-Morning, guys! I guess we were a little late? I’m SORry!” 

“E-Eheh… a little, MAYbe.” 

“Eh?! N-No, uhhh, well… we’ve been getting stopped by enthusiastic fans all day… eHE.” 

“…” 

Rin glanced toward her brother. Len was still expressionless and said nothing, slowly closing his eyes. 

“Ah, if it’s Len’s fans… I wouldn’t put it past them. They’re so radical, they’re like a religious group…” 

“My, how nice. I wish you’d introduce me to one of them. Quite an impressive gathering of men in Len’s fanbase.” 

Len was reticent as always, just standing there with a nonchalant look. But was it just me who saw him as displeased? 

An impressive gathering of men - indeed, while Len had many female fans, the men outnumbered them by far. And for whatever reason, many of his fervent fans were gentlemen with fame and fortune - important politicians, businessmen, performers like him. They wouldn’t normally reveal their hobby publicly, but they would send bombastic bouquets and expensive presents to Len’s dressing room every show, and would apparently casually talk to him if he was spotted in town. 

Bigshots from all fields supported Len as sponsors, Rin’s supporters formed a passionate fanclub, and Luka worked as a model to do promotion, focusing on gaining popularity among young women. It was no exaggeration to say that these things helped fill the troupe’s coffers amid its financial difficulties. All the members of the main cast had their own fanbases, but certain long-time members like Meiko and Kaito, with their reliable acting prowess, were the real face of the company. I’d heard the staff claim that the troupe as we now knew it was kept alive by the efforts of the seven main cast members. 

“That aside… Already in "play mode,” Rin? You’re always quick with that.“ 

“G-G-Good morning!” 

“Eh…?” 

Saying nothing else, he quickly went over to Meiko. I supposed that was his advice. I’d never talked with him at all outside of rehearsal. Neither he nor I would start a conversation with the other, and I felt like we only said a few words to each other when we happened to end up together. And yet he showed concern and talked to me. So happy… 

I felt his casual words of concern slowly undoing the tension in me. I had been chosen as the lead role despite my lack of ability, so I was sure they felt resentment and irritation toward me. But the people of the troupe treasured their bonds with their companions and made them feel at home, which was very kind of them. It made me think how I wanted to become a part of that myself soon. 

“Well, enough chitchat. You two go to your dressing rooms and get ready with your makeup and costumes. There’s not much time left, you know?” 

“Seems not. I even stressed to her yesterday that she couldn’t be late at any cost… My, how worrying.” 

“You-know-who” who Len and Meiko were talking about… It could be none other. 

“Just unbelievable. Writers are hopeless, I tell you. In the eyes of society, it’s actresses who are considered troublemakers, but the truth is they’re nothing compared to writers. Because we’re punctual - we have to be. Being just a few seconds off on the stage is fatal for an actor.” 

“Gack? He’s been here for quite some time. Though I believe he’s still down below, working on the set since this morning. Come to think of it… Yes, he should be long finished with that by now, shouldn’t he?” 

“Meg truly never changes… Of course she’d cause such trouble at an important time like this. Having two doofuses in this script makes it hard to get a word in. And isn’t the lady of a wealthy family meant to be the pinnacle of elegance? There’s no elegance in a lady who responds to each and every folly of a bothersome maid.” 

"Wouldn’t that be something? I do feel like I’ve never seen a lewd butler in any plays before.” 

“Ohhh? Is that right?” 

Having finished with her makeup and costume, Rin was back and sitting on the sofa, hiding in Kaito’s shadow. She was relaxing to the fullest in a position that looked like she was clinging to his left arm, passionately reading a magazine. Said magazine was unfolded in front of Kaito as he drank his tea, so it seemed like it would be bothersome for him. But the two must have really gotten along, as Kaito didn’t particularly complain, and the scene quickly became familiar. 

Previously, I’d seen the two of them together in a similar way, and accidentally let it slip that they reminded me of a father and his daughter, which got them both very angry. Kaito said “I’m not old enough to have a child this big,” and Rin insisted “My body may still be playing catch-up, but in mind, I’m already a fine adult!” There were also semi-criminal rumors about them being lovers, but the others told me it was purely based on how affectionately Kaito looked after Rin. 

“…It’s nice that the idiot can enjoy herself.” 

“…Hm? Idiot…? Luka! What’s that supposed to mean?!” 

“…Len!!” 

Rin turned her eyes from the magazine to glare at Len sitting across from her. 

“I was just saying, you can really get into your role this time.” 

“Uh…? Y-Yes, of course… yes.” 

“Right… (There’s no way Kaito was even listening…)” 

“I think you can get rather into your cynical, badmouthing role as well, Len.” 

"That’s not a nice prank, Rin. You should count yourself lucky I was your target.” 

“Who could possibly tell in the dark like that…? And… And was it really for practice?” 

Kaito’s smile twitched a little. He often was made to be a part of Rin’s acting practice, but in reality, many of the things she did were just pranks. Kaito and Rin were often together, an especially friendly duo among the whole troupe. But for him to not notice who she was at such a close range, and with their level of familiarity, was a real testament to her ability to fully assume her doll role. I knew I would never, with any amount of effort, reach those heights. I thrust my hand into my pocket and squeezed the handkerchief within. 

“That handkerchief… What an awful design. Let me see it.” 

Luka suddenly spoke, and I stared back at her with a start. She assumed a pose of putting her right hand on her hip and slightly bending her neck back, as if looking down on the person before her; it was her Pose #18, a big hit with fans. But most of the times she assumed this pose, it meant she was displeased, so I prepared myself for whatever should could possibly want to say. Like with Len, she rarely spoke directly to me, so I was nervous. I took my time pulling out the handkerchief sticking out of my skirt pocket and hesitantly handed it to her. 

“…When did you buy this?” 

“Hmm. Green and white polkadots… Isn’t that a bit childish? It doesn’t suit you at all. This is the "in” color right now. Use this instead.“ 

Luka swiftly pulled out a handkerchief from her expensive bag and handed it straight to me. Without thinking, I took it in my palms. 

"Huh…? This is… new… C-Can I…?” 

“Uh… sorry! Thank you so much! I’ll take good care of it!” 

“W-What’s that, Rin…? Ice…? What does that mean?” 

“Wha…! That’s not it at all! Why would you call me…” 

“It’s written aaall over your face. You’re sooo worried about dear Miku’s debut as the lead… And with a packed audience staring at her, you know she’ll be nervous, the poor thing… Ah, she’s doing that thing again, reaching for her handkerchief because she’s nervous… But that’s only going to make her more tense right now… Oh, I know! Didn’t want to give it to her so soon, but she can have this handkerchief…” 

“Rin! I won’t let you say another word!” 

“Riiiiin!” 

“Stop! Get back here!” 

Rin starting to tease Luka led straight into getting her angry. I was worried whether it was wise to let this happen right before the show, but Kaito, Meiko, and Len went on chatting without any visible concern. 

I was surprised Luka’s sharp eyes even picked up on my habit of reaching for my handkerchief to calm down, and admired that fact. But more importantly - if what Rin said was true, then I was, well… really happy, honestly. Did Luka really care that much about me? That thought made me much happier than her handkerchief. Though I also felt a bit guilty about Rin and Luka getting into a fight as a result… 

“Um, is it okay for those two to be fighting right now? It’s almost showtime…” 

“It’s a mystery if she really does that or not, but it’s certainly true that everyone’s nervous. For instance, that magazine she was reading was from ages ago. It’s like a ritual for her to read it before important shows. We try to keep it hidden, but… we’re all feeling a little frantic. So it’s not just you, Miku. This is a very important show for us too, one that we’ve put a lot into.” 

Just then, the door slammed open yet again. That door was going to break with all the beatings it was taking today. Of course, I hadn’t helped with that either. 

“Sooooorryyyyy! I toootally slept in! I can’t believe it was past noon when I got up! Suuuuuper sorry, everybody!” 

Meg appeared from behind the door. While it was an apology on the surface, she said it with such cheer and a smile as to indicate she didn’t think she’d done anything particularly bad. 

“Meg… Did I not tell you harshly enough yesterday?! "Don’t dare be late tomorrow!” What time do you think it is now?!“ 

“Right! Hm, I guess there are a few parts I wanted to check before the show…” 

“Good morning!” 

“Wait, Gack… Could it be that the reason you weren’t here was…?” 

“Snoozing away in a dream, I was! Thank you, Mr. Gack!” 

“Don’t mention it. Your magnificently joyous face in sleep was very relieving to see. Neurosis has been widespread as of late, so it’s a magnificent thing to be able to sleep so soundly. Still, while sleep is important, it can cause great trouble for us all, so… you must learn to moderate, Miss Meg. This is the first day of a highly-anticipated performance, after all…” 

“No wonder you wouldn’t answer the doorbell, then. It’s a good thing I had that emergency key. Breaking in through the window would have looked a bit suspicious.” 

“Thank you for your concern. But as a gentleman, I try to avoid intruding through windows when possible.” 

Kaito’s face twitched slightly watching the odd conversation and interrupted. 

“…Somebody play the straight man for these two… Nobody? Meg, you told me your clock was broken the other day. Did you fix that?” 

“…Were you late because you don’t have a clock?” 

“Miss Meg. Take this.” 

Gack took the wristwatch off his left hand and handed it to Meg. 

“Huh?! Can I really? This looks so expensive…” 

“Yaaay! Thanks so much! It’s super cool! This is a real antique, huh?” 

“…Make sure you get your home clock fixed too, Meg…” 

Kaito quietly sighed, but Meg and Gack didn’t seem to hear, absorbed in conversation about the antique watch. 

“Hey, Rin, Luka! Will you stop fighting already? Gack brought Meg along!” 

Still in the middle of a fight at the back of the room, they both turned to Meiko simultaneously. 

“Sigh… Meg’s predisposition to trouble always wears me out. I’m thirsty.” 

“…Sure. But are you prepared for the show yet?” 

“I see…”, Len mumbled with exhaustion, dodging Meg’s wink. 

“Oh, right! These are for Miss Luka. Super-spicy cookies for our spice-lover! I have no doubt you’ll be very satisfied! They’re reeeeeally spicy.” 

“Yikes… The packaging alone’s making my face red! Those look way too spicy!” 

“Showtime’s approaching, everyone! Take your places!” 

Just as Kaito called everyone together, a liaison entered through the door. Our expressions turned serious, and the once-bustling green room was enveloped by silence like a encampment setting out for the front line. One by one, with faces as stiff as soldiers, we left the green room and went down the short steps to the stage wings. 

“It’s been a long road.” 

“Meiko!” 

Meiko shook momentarily at Kaito calling her name. Her eyes wavered, with a color like she was brooding something over. 

“…It’s all right. I’m sure it’ll go just fine.” 
“Kaito…”

Chapter end