Act 3/Episode 7

Act 3
Episode 7: Portrait 2 / Hyodo Juza

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Juza —I always wanted to become someone else. Since I was young, I was different from everyone around me. I was a head taller than all the other kids my age, silent, and not childlike at all, so aside from my family, nobody came close to me. Even after entering school, my classmates were scared of me—even when I did nothing—because I was expressionless and had glaring eyes. Even my teachers treated me carefully. I wasn’t sociable enough to open up to others by making my looks into a joke, so everyone kept their distance. They just didn’t know what to do with me. Eventually, because of my looks, people started picking fights with me all the time. All I did was defend myself—but before I knew it, I was known as the strongest delinquent in our neighborhood. Now, I became interested in theatre during the culture festival in my first year in middle school. I had no friends, so school activities were never anything but a pain. But when my class decided to perform a play, I saw a sudden ray of hope. If it’s within a play—I can become someone else. If I become someone else on stage, then maybe I can change, and become someone I don’t hate. That’s what I thought, so I tried to raise my hand when we were deciding roles—but the teacher immediately asked me to work as part of the stage crew. I think the teacher was probably trying to help me find a place within the class. I fell silent. Everyone’s stares from around the room pierced me. Since then, I stopped hoping. Still, every time I went to watch a play, my admiration for the stage only grew. That’s when I heard that my cousin Muku would be performing on stage. I ran into Muku every once in a while at family gatherings. He was the kind of frail-looking guy who started shaking after just locking eyes with me. I wondered, “Why theatre?” But after seeing him on stage, the answer was clear. Muku was an entirely different person on the stage. He wasn’t shy or mumbling—he was full of life. In that moment, I understood that he, too, had wanted to get rid of his outer shell. At the same time, I was overwhelmed by incredible admiration and jealousy. I want to change, just like him. I want to become someone else. I saw the flyer for the audition and thought, this might be my last chance to change. I want to join this troupe, no matter what it takes—those were my feelings when I came to audition. Truthfully, I still can't believe that I’ve been accepted. But now that I’m a part of this troupe, I’m going to make sure that I change from the me I’ve been up till now. Because this stage is the last hope that shone upon my loneliness—… Juza (My “regret” is averting my eyes from the stage that I admired for so long. I won’t repeat that mistake.) Muku —Ju-chan. Juza Muku.... Muku Congrats on your acceptance to the troupe. Juza ... (Muku has changed off-stage as well. He’s no longer afraid of looking me in the eye.) Muku I never thought I’d be able to do theatre with you, Ju-chan—. Juza Don’t speak to me here. Muku ——. Juza Don’t let anyone know that we’re related. Muku But I told everyone that someone named Ju-chan came to watch the Summer performance... Juza ...First, stop calling me Ju-chan. Muku Ah, sorry, Ju-cha... Juza-san. It’d be a bother if people found out that you were related to someone like me, right... Juza What? No, that’s not—. Muku Good luck with practice! See you—! Juza ...tch. (If people find out that you’re related to a delinquent like me, your reputation’s gonna be at stake.) (That’s why I can’t say anything yet.) (But I’m gonna change myself through acting. So that Muku, who gave me the courage to take a step forward, can be proud to call me his family.) (When that happens, then—.)
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