Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Jet - Prince of Bodible - Main Story
Chapter 1 - Him as a Stuntman
Kingdom of Movies, Bodible, October...
Jet-san, the famed stuntman, that supports the actions in the Bodible Kingdom from the shadows... A few days earlier, I received a letter from him.
-Flashback-
Jet: I was unable to thank you properly. If you'd like, come on over to hang out next time.
-Flashback-
After I woke him up, him sleeping left an empty hole in films that he immediately ran off to apologize to the staff...
(Since we didn't really talk much at that time, I wonder what kind of person he is. A prince that's a stuntman...)
With that question in mind, I headed to the castle that he's waiting at...
The inside of the castle looked like a huge building and was like a movie set. The people involved with the movie industry were coming and going in a rush as lots of people and things were going in and out.
(Amazing...)
Curious, I stared at the set and...
Jet: Yo! You came.
In casual attire, Jet-san lightly ran over to me with his hand up.
MC: It's been a while. It's really busy in here.
Jet: Hmm, pretty much. More or less... The noble family has served as famed action actors for generations.
Jet-san somewhat looked away from me as he said that.
MC: ...?
Jet: Anyway, come over here! I'll take you to lots of places.
MC: Ah.
Suddenly, he pulled my arm as he walked. His hand that was holding my arm was rough and felt warm for some reason... With expectations rising in my heart, I headed towards the inside of the castle with him...
Chapter 2 - The Situation with His Older Sisters and Family
After meeting with Jet-san again, he was pulling my hand as we were walking in the hallway of the Bodible castle. In the hallway, there were various kinds of movie related trophies and medals on display.
(Wow... There's like countless trophies alongside here.)
According to what Jet-san said, there's a union organization in Bodible called Bioscope, a group that produces outstanding movies throughout the world.
Jet: All the royal families in the kingdom are somehow involved with the movies that Bioscope produces. My family, well... That's the reason why they're famous actors.
MC: I see...
The moment I sighed in admiration from the view of the organized trophies...
??: Oh my, is that girl a friend of yours, Jet?
3 tall and slim beautiful women called out to Jet-san.
(Such pretty women... Are they actresses?)
Jet: Geh! Sis... You were there?
MC: Your sister!?
The beautiful women- Jet-san's sisters happily surrounded us.
(They look even more beautiful now that I'm looking at them up close...)
They looked refined, yet amazingly beautiful.
MC: H-Hello.
Jet's Sister 1: Yes, hello, adorable lady.
Jet's Sister 2: It's rare for Jet to bring over a friend. Especially a girl.
Jet's Sister 3: She might be his girlfriend!
Jet: ...You got it all wrong.
Jet-san sighed as if he was truly at a complete loss.
Jet's Sister 1: More importantly, are you going to turn down the audition again?
One of his sisters turned towards Jet-san with a criticizing look.
Jet's Sister 1: You have talent too, so stop being a stuntman already. Father and Mother have high hopes for you, so hurry and do some acting.
Jet: ...
Jet-san's expression clouded up from those words.
Jet: We have someone here right now, so refrain yourselves... Also, I'm fed up with this conversation.
Jet's Sister 2: Jet, is that how you're going to respond to Sister!?
(What do I do...)
When the moon instantly became tense, I...
///Choices///
- Interrupt the conversation (☼)
MC: Um... I'm sorry, should I step out?
Jet: ...! You guys are troubling her because you had to bring up something so weird.
Jet's Sister 3: That's because you-
- Watch silently (☽)
(It looks like some kind of situation... So, I probably shouldn't interject.)
I watched silently and then...
///Choices///
Jet: Enough. Hey, let's go!
MC: Eh!?
As a way to get away from his sisters' one-sided conversation, Jet-san grabbed my arm. His strength on my arm felt stranger than before...
(Jet-san...?)
He walked away with his back facing his sisters...
......
When we reached a spot where his sisters wouldn't find us, Jet-san stopped and scratched his head.
Jet: Sorry, you came all the way over here and saw something so weird... All sorts of things happen at home sometimes... But, the main attraction is the town, so if you'd like, let's enjoy ourselves!
Jet-san grinned at me. Although, it felt like he was pushing himself to smile like that...
MC: ...Okay.
I nodded towards his words, but I was curious about what lies behind Jet-san's smile...
Chapter 3 - Frustrated Feelings
The next day, I was called by Jet-san... I arrived at the filming site for a movie that he was doing stunts for. As I was feeling nervous from the atmosphere of the place, my heart started to go fast.
Director: Okay, scene 213, action!
(Ah, the filming is starting...!)
It seemed like Jet-san's role is to play as a double for the national actor for this movie.
(A double... Uh, come to think of it...)
-Flashback-
Jet: A double is also known as a stuntman. Even though I don't have the same physique as the guys that are acting, I take the burden of doing the dangerous scenes that are being filmed.
-Flashback-
I remembered what Jet-san told me before we arrived at the filming site. Meanwhile, the filming of the dangerous wire work scene that had the use of real swords proceeded in front of me.
(Wow...!)
In his aerial stunt, he did a kick and some backflips repeatedly. I was unable to take my eyes off those impressive movements.
(Jet-san is really amazing...!)
Jet-san was really lively as he was doing those dangerous action moves... I got absorbed as I continued watching his scene...
......
Director: Okay, cut! Take a short break.
Once the tension went away, the atmosphere of the set changed completely. When I realized that I wasn't breathing, I let it all out and headed to where Jet-san was.
MC: Good work!
Jet: Yeah, how was it? What were your thoughts from seeing it for the first time?
MC: It was amazing... I thought my breathing was going to stop.
I felt heated up as I remembered it...
Jet: Haha, if you were that deeply moved, then bringing you along was worth it.
Satisfied, Jet-san had his hand in front of me and...
MC: ...!
He roughly petted me.
(He seems happy...)
Seeing him happy gave me a ticklish feeling.
......
After a while, as Jet-san and I were talking about today's filming, the director and the leading actor walked past us closely.
Director: Like I said, I want the protagonist to push out the pain that he's been holding in from the beginning.
Leading Actor: I see, then in the next scene 46, I should be more-
While the two of them were being serious, it seemed like they were looking for ways to act and the arrangements for it.
Jet: ...
Jet-san started at them while standing next to me.
(Jet-san?)
He had the same serious look in his eyes from when he was being filmed earlier... I...
///Choices///
- Bring up the topic about acting (☼)
MC: Come to think of it, why don't you work as an actor?
Jet: Huh? Me?
- Bring up the topic about action (☽)
MC: Come to think of it, why do you specialize in stunts, Jet-san?
Jet: Like what made me start doing stunts?
MC: Uh, that's not what I meant...
///Choices///
I remembered what Jet-san's older sister said yesterday.
-Flashback-
Jet's Sister 1: You have talent too, so stop being a stuntman already. Father and Mother have high hopes for you, so hurry and do some acting.
-Flashback-
Jet: Are you asking why I don't desire to become an actor?
MC: ...Yes.
Jet: ...
Jet-san moved his gaze away from me and looked at the director. Then, after a while, he started talking as if he was brooding over something.
Jet: Well, since my entire family are action actors... They did whatever they could to make their movie debut as actors, so I'm aware of the expectations around me. But, I have pride in my work as a stuntman. For instance, even though it's a job that's not shown to the public, a famous film can't be made without a famous stuntman. Not just a stuntman, but also a director, sounds and tools... No matter what, a famous film will be made as long as everyone has their pride. Don't you think so too?
When Jet-san asked me that while looking straight at me...
///Choices///
- I want to see you act (☼)
MC: I... I want to see you act.
When I remembered how Jet-san looked as he was looking at the director, I said that to him.
Jet: ...I see.
After murmuring that, Jet-san's shoulders dropped.
- Stuntmen are important (☽)
MC: I guess so... It's true that you can't do it without stuntmen.
Jet: Yeah, someone needs to take the danger... That's what makes it such praiseworthy work.
When I agreed, Jet-san happily showed a toothy grin.
///Choices///
Jet: Why... Why can't everyone understand that...
The words that he sadly murmured didn't reach anyone as it sounded like he was being left behind... Within my heart, there was a constricting feeling...
Chapter 4 - The Resolution to Follow His Dream
-Flashback-
Jet: Why... Why can't everyone understand that...
-Flashback-
The words that he sadly murmured made my heart tighten...
Once all the filming had ended, we went to town. In the Kingdom of Movies, the entire town of Bodible was like a movie set.
(Wow...)
With various kinds of buildings lined up together, some areas were being made for filming here and there.
Jet: By the way, are you free after this?
MC: Yes.
Jet: Alright...! Then, come with me for a bit. I like going around the stores while eating and walking, let's go.
MC: Eh?
Jet-san suddenly stuck his elbow out as his hand was in his pocket.
Jet: Your hand, hand!
MC: Ah, okay...!
I softly placed my hand around his slightly stiff arm. Then, Jet-san showed a satisfied toothy grin. My heart pounded loudly soon after from that carefree smile.
Jet: First off, let's go get some food! I'll take you to my favorite ramen joint.
MC: R-Ramen joint!?
I blinked from the thought of a prince with ramen.
Jet: What?
MC: Ah, nothing... It's just that you're not really princelike... Ah.
When I said that without thinking, I covered my mouth in a panic.
Jet: Haha... You're not wrong.
With an amused smile, he looked down at me softly.
Jet: Let's hurry and go, the ramen there is really good.
MC: ...Okay!
Jet: But, aren't you strange too? A princess getting ramen.
I realized that Jet-san asked me an odd question for the first time.
MC: I'm not that much of a princess either.
Jet: That's fine. It's more fun without being so formal.
MC: Yes!
Then, we started heading to the town of Bodible.
The first place that Jet-san took me to was a restaurant that was popular for it's tonkotsu ramen in town... Next was a shop in the backstreets that sells street fashion and specialty hats. After that, we went around to various kinds of shops...
When it was about time to return to the castle, the sun had gone down completely.
......
While walking in the town that has become dark, a tired looking young man walked in front of us.
??: That face... Aren't you, Jet?
Jet: Huh? Wait, it's been a while since I saw you!
When the two of them saw each other's faces, they started holding each other's shoulders.
(Is he an acquaintance?)
Jet: I haven't seen your face lately, but how've you been doing with the acting thing?
When Jet-san happily asked that, the young man...
Jet's Friend: About that...
After the young man said that dully, he sighed deeply. He looked as if something important was leaving his body...
Jet's Friend: Sorry, but the truth is, I'm going back to my hometown...
Jet: Huh!? Going back... Wasn't it your dream to become a star!?
When Jet-san looked like he's been told a lie for a moment, he pressed the young man.
Jet's Friend: ...Sorry, I'm just tired of it. All of it... All the hopes and dreams I had in this town. There were so many things, but you were doing your best for my sake too... As a royal of Bodible.
Jet: ...
Speechless, he put down his hand that was reaching out towards it's destination. Then, the young man silently disappeared as he headed off to the back alley.
Jet: ...What's with that, everyone, what should I do...
After watching the young man disappear, Jet-san said that bitterly.
MC: Jet-san...
Jet: ...
After a while, Jet-san spoke softly.
Jet: Me too... Will I fall behind too? I'm home. Despite that those around me wish for me to become an actor...
MC: That's...!
I felt bad from hearing Jet-san say that so painfully...
///Choices///
- Cheer up (☽)
MC: Cheer up.
Jet: ...I guess so, but it felt like he saw through me somehow.
MC: Saw through you...?
- Don't say something like that (☼)
MC: Please don't say something like that. You have pride in your work as a stuntman...
Jet: Yeah, it's true that I have my pride, but...
///Choices///
Jet: The truth is, I don't really like my own acting. Before, I suddenly got a speaking role as a substitute, but the lines were all too damn sentimental. As if I could speak so soberly... Plus, my voice sounds so creepy...
He scratched his head self-mockingly.
MC: ...
Jet: What?
MC: I'm sure that you didn't sound creepy.
Jet: Huh? What are you saying, you've never even heard it...
MC: You were amazing when you were being serious while being filmed...
I recalled his words from when he was on break.
-Flashback-
Jet: But, I have pride in my work as a stuntman. For instance, even though it's a job that's not shown to the public, a famous film can't be made without a famous stuntman. Not just a stuntman, but also a director, sounds and tools... No matter what, a famous film will be made as long as everyone has their pride.
-Flashback-
MC: Whether it's a stuntman or an actor. They're always smiling seriously...
My overflowing feelings took hold of me.
Jet: ...Come to think of it, secluding myself like this is uncool... Someday, I need to prepare myself. Right, I get it now...
What he murmured deeply disappeared among the noise of the town at night...
Chapter 5 - The Two Choices
-Flashback-
Jet: The truth is, I don't really like my own acting.
---
Jet: Come to think of it, secluding myself like this is uncool... Someday, I need to prepare myself. Right, I get it now...
-Flashback-
A few days later since that day I've found out what Jet-san has been holding within his heart...
When I left the room that I was borrowing during my stay in the castle, I heard some kind of loud voices.
(Is something happening?)
Curious, I went over to where I heard the voices were coming from...
Movie Staff 1: Please, we can't request you for just this stunt!
Movie Staff 2: Aside from that, it's for our company's movie! The director said that he can't think of anyone else except Jet-san for the main character!!
Jet's Sister 1: But, it hasn't been decided, what do you think?
Jet: ...
It looked like some people from a production company were talking to Jet-san about performing in a movie. They desperately continued talking about the movie for a while.
Before long, the production company's people gave them the document about the movie and left.
MC: Um... Just now was?
Jet: You heard?
MC: I'm sorry, I was in the hallway when I heard them.
As we were talking, Jet-san's sister held out the document to him.
Jet's Sister 1: Here, look it over properly, you're the one that has to make a decision.
Jet: ...Fine.
After she handed the document to Jet-san, she went off towards the inside of the castle.
MC: ...
While Jet-san and I were left alone at that spot, it felt extremely quiet.
Jet: MC, can I talk to you?
Suddenly, Jet-san called me by my name.
MC: Eh...
(Just now, that's the first time he said my name...)
When I nodded quickly, Jet-san took me along with him and walked outside the castle.
......
Behind the castle, there was a vast field of flowers. From the peaceful view that wasn't messy like the town, I became deeply moved as I breathed in the atmosphere.
Jet: So, about the conversation earlier, won't you let me hear a bit of your thoughts about it?
MC: Eh?
Towards Jet-san's proposal...
///Choices///
- If you're okay with me (☽)
MC: If you're okay with me.
Jet: Yeah, it'll help.
As there was a relieved look on Jet-san's face, he began to speak.
- What do you mean by thoughts? (☼)
MC: By thoughts?
Jet: Ah, sorry. I still didn't explain. Looks like I was being hasty.
Jet-san scratched his head poorly.
///Choices///
Jet: Those guys from earlier were from a production company.
MC: The two people that came over.
Jet: Yeah... Either way, they came to offer me a role for a movie, but the filming time has already been scheduled.
I remembered how desperate they both were as they were talking to Jet-san.
Jet: What should I do... It's so troubling. Look, I'm a simple guy. In that regard, hearing from you would give me some reassurance.
Then, he brought out his fist and lightly pressed it against my shoulder.
(Is he asking me...?)
When I thought of that, I became a little happy.
Hearing from Jet-san about the offer to appear in a movie was a difficult topic. Performing in a movie, not as a simple stuntman, but as a main character, an actor that can also do stunts. On the other hand, the serious injuries that could fall upon the role of a stuntman, the dangers of the movie that the double will face...
......
Jet: Like what my sisters said, they really want me to debut as an actor. But, looking at this document, there's no other double in the kingdom, except me, that can handle it...
MC: It must be difficult.
The day before, I heard from Jet-san about the troubles he's been holding in. Knowing that, it wasn't easy to make a decision.
MC: But, I...
Jet: What?
When Jet-san looked at me as if he was eating into me, he held both of my shoulders. As his hands that were bigger than mine were on me, he looked straight at me and...
(What should I do...)
Jet: Please, tell me!
The serious look in his eyes made my heart throb.
MC: I... I'm sorry, it's not so easy to comment on. Jet-san, you need to do it yourself.
Jet: ...I see. I guess so, I need to make up my mind in the end, so it can't be helped.
Jet-san loosened his grip on my shoulders.
Jet: But, I'm glad that I asked you. Alright...! I'm going to do some muscle training to clear up my head and think more carefully!
After he hit his own cheeks, he looked up at the sky. As the sunlight was shining on his face, I caught a glimpse of his heart. There were no feelings of doubt showing on the side of his gallant face...
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