[b]Leiko Hamada: Auditorium- Judging Panel[/b]

As Kami made his way onto the stage, Leiko took a moment to reflect on the audition process as a whole. There had been some excellent performances to note (Sakuma and Hashi-what'shisname came to mind), some that had taken her by surprise (the deceptively blank Shinichi), and a few that left her a little cold (such as Yamamoto's somewhat detached approach to the script.) However, Leiko couldn't deny that she was overall pleased with the outcome of the auditions, and that despite the surprising turnabout of applicants this year, she felt she had somehow managed to assess the skills of the new recruits quite well. With a sense of pride at her efforts, Leiko sat at the edge of her seat and watched intently as the lights dimmed and the spotlight shone on the stage for what would be the final time that day.

The feelings of accomplishment didn't last.

Dread crawled into Leiko as the senior froze up on stage, total silence reigning over the auditorium as the audience waited with bated breath for the words that never came. Seconds passed, an uncomfortable cough echoing from the far back as Kami stood there, completely motionless.

Leiko couldn't fight the disappointment that rushed through her as she watched the senior flounder before the crowd, pitiful mumbling parting from his lips as he tried to recount the lines without falling apart from nerves. 

The scene before her was too much to bear.

Leiko lifted a hand to hush the whispering that was spreading throughout the auditorium, her mouth opening with an intent to put an end to Kami's misery before any more damage could be done. As soon as she was about to utter the words that would end the performance however, she found herself clamping her mouth shut immediately.

It was as if the aura had changed around the timid male, his eyes fluttering shut as he allowed his rigid body to relax before the awaiting audience. It took a moment for Leiko to realize that he was pretending that the people in the auditorium weren't there as he began the recital of his lines anew; bolder, and far more powerful in his execution than before. He commanded the stage with a sense of raw emotion that clung to his words and actions, as if using the performance to convey some sort of conflict within his heart as he gave his all into the audition. By the time he was finished, the audience broke into unanimous applause, his eyes fluttering back open and appearing almost overwhelmed by what had occurred as his gaze drifted to Leiko anxiously.

Leiko took a deep breath, before she started to speak in a stern tone. "That completely lacked any kind of finesse or rhythmic structure, Sutoraiki-san," she began with a slightly hardened edge to her voice, adopting a more formal way of addressing him for the sake of the people listening. "You messed up your lines at the start, and you isolated your audience during the entirety of your performance. However..." The harsh words that ricocheted from her tongue suddenly started to soften. "You also helped to embody the message I wanted to convey in my speech earlier today. Drama can help express ourselves in ways we cannot show to the people around us," she paraphrased with a hint of a smile. "You're not a natural performer, you clearly don't have any experience in the arts, but I could feel that there was something personal in that performance of yours, despite the present flaws." One quick consulting look with her accompanying judges was enough confirmation for her as she met Kami's gaze evenly. "We have some work to do, but we're happy to welcome you to the club, Kami-san."

Another round of applause echoed through the room, and Leiko gave her senior a quick gesture to usher him off the stage as the bell started ringing, signalling the end of after school clubs. "I would like to thank everyone who participated in and watched the performances today. As stated in the flyers circulating around school, Drama Club sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Once roles have been cast for the school play, you will also be expected to attend Saturday dress rehearsals," Leiko announced with a clear, prim tone that somehow commanded the attention of the large auditorium despite her small size. "I would like to congratulate all the auditionees who have been successful with their auditions today. Now please, leave the auditorium in an orderly fashion and don't leave any mess." [i]Lest the principal finds more reasons to degrade us,[/i] Leiko added silently, packing away her notes as she watched the crowds pour out of the exits.

"You know, you were being far too easy on that last one," Masatomo scoffed from somewhere behind Leiko as she finished packing away her things, the bitter taste of disgust forming in Leiko's mouth as she turned to face the arrogant male. "Did you see how awful he was at the start? He's [i]clearly[/i] never acted before."

"Well, there's a reason why [i]you[/i] weren't on the judging panel," Leiko merely replied with saccharine sweetness, pressing a box firmly into his arms as she fixed him with a fiery glare. "You may either choose to shut your mouth and be helpful, or you can remove yourself from my sight. Either one will be most pleasant."

"Like that regal tone works with me," Masatomo rolled his eyes, even as his actions showed compliance as he tucked the box under his arm. "I'm just saying. I would have been a lot more selective had I been in your shoes. The play this year is gonna be a trainwreck if we have people like [i]that[/i] in starring roles."

"Then perhaps it's a good thing that it's not your call to make," Leiko brushed him off with a note of arrogance, purposefully ignoring any further protests as her eyes wandered back to the people leaving the auditorium. Was she fair in her judgements? Did the people she meet have any real potential at all to succeed?

She felt a wry smile tug at her lips at her sudden misgivings. [i]So quick bright things come to confusion indeed.[/i]