A Season to Shine

Class representative: “And now, the results of the audition for the title role in our class play, The Little Match Girl.”

“And the winner of the vote is Ishida!”

Noriko: “So bummed.”

Class representative: “You were great too, Noriko. Just a little bit too hyper.” Classmate: “Maybe if it had been The Peppy Little Match Girl . . .”

Class representative: “But Ishida was so sad and helpless. Like a shrinking flower.” Classmate: “I was in floods of tears. Literally.” Noriko: “Thanks for your sympathy, guys.”

The day of the cultural festival comes at last. The audience goes wild! “Encore! Encore!”

Noriko: “You were amazing.” Ishida: “Thanks! I’m sure you’ll soon get your chance too.”

Noriko: “Really?” Ishida: “I’m positive.”

Noriko: “I’ve got this. I can do it. Starting with some voice training when I get home.”

The next month. Angry neighbor: “How many times do I have to tell you?”

Angry neighbor: “That girl of yours makes too much noise. You can hear her voice all through the street.” Noriko’s father: “I’m so sorry. I’ll tell her to keep it down.”

Noriko’s father: “Great timing, Noriko. You’re back early enough to help me sell off the day’s bread. The usual girl called in sick.” Noriko: “What? You expect me to do that by myself!?”

Noriko: “I’ve never done this before . . .” Noriko’s father: “But you see it every day, right? You’re on until seven.”

Noriko: “Ah, ahem . . .”

“Tasty, er, bread . . . Get it here . . .”

“I’m never going to sell all this!”

“TASTY BREAD! GET IT HERE!!”

Office worker: “That’s cheap. I’ll take one.” Noriko: “Huh?”

Noriko: “Th–thank you.”

“TASTY BREAD! GET IT HERE! GREAT VALUE!”

Man: “Looks good. I’ll take this one.” Noriko: “Nice choice. Thank you.”

Noriko: “THE BAKERY SALE IS BACK. CHEAP BREAD, TASTY BREAD, OH-SO-FLUFFY BREAD!” Student: “Can I have this one?” Housewife: “I’ll take one too.”

Noriko’s father: “I’m impressed.”

Noriko’s father: “Sold out completely. You can come back tomorrow.” Noriko: “Sure thing. My pleasure.”

Noriko: “I see it now. I never was the ‘little match girl’ type.” Noriko’s father: “???”

The following week . . .

Florist: “That girl’s great, isn’t she?” Grocer: “We should make her the face of the ‘shop local’ campaign.”