Koyomi
(...I couldn't sleep well again. At this rate, it'll affect my acting too.)

Koyomi
(No, I won't let it affect my acting. As the face of the Senju family, as an actor of Gingaza, such behaviour would be...)

Ramona
Haah...

Koyomi
Ramona-san...you don't seem to be doing well. Are you getting proper rest?

Ramona
Yeah, I'm fine. More than that, I'm worried about Hikari right now.

Koyomi
There you go again, worrying about other actors...now is not the time to be concerned with such things.

Koyomi
Why don't you concentrate on your own role? I believe that would be better for you as well.

Ramona
I know. I don't intend to trouble you as the troupe leader, Koyomi.

Koyomi
...I see. That's good then.

Koyomi
(This can't continue. I need to somehow dispel this atmosphere-)

Chief Director
Senju, there you are. I need to talk to you. Come with me for a moment.

Koyomi
! Sensei...yes, understood.

Hikari
"Come on, what's wrong! With such heavy movements, your blade won't reach me!"

Chief Director
Your lines aren't keeping up with your movements! You're focusing too much on just the sword fighting!

Hikari
Y-Yes!

Gingaza Members
Sensei doesn't need to come down on her that hard...

Gingaza Members
Stop looking around and focus on practice. Are you planning to drag everyone down too?

Gingaza Members
Hey, you didn't need to say it like that...!

Koyomi
(...The atmosphere within Gingaza remains the same. Hikari-san's condition hasn't changed either...)

Scriptwriter
Sorry Senju, come over here. I want to discuss the script for 'Benkei on the Bridge' with you.

Koyomi
...! Yes, I'll be right there.

Koyomi
(At a time like this...I don't even have room to call out to everyone. And I can't find the right words to say.)

Hikari
"There's nothing left to hide. I am Minamoto...Minamoto no Ushiwaka!"

Chief Director
Yonaguni! Who told you to make such an exaggerated introduction! You don't understand the directorial intent!

Hikari
I'm sorry! I'll be more careful next time!

Koyomi
Hikari-sa-

Chief Director
Senju? Perfect timing. I have a meeting with the costume department, and I need you there too.

Koyomi
...! U-Understood.

Chief Director
-Yonaguni, you continue practicing on your own.

Hikari
Yes!

Koyomi
(Hikari-san......no, I mustn't. What am I even thinking?)

Ramona
I don't intend to trouble you as the troupe leader, Koyomi.

Hikari
I'm sorry! I'll be more careful next time!

Koyomi
(Gingaza is fundamentally built on the individual strength of each actor. And trust is built through the acting itself.)

Koyomi
(If that's the case, what I can do now isn't to encourage them. It's to lead the next performance...to guide the stage of 'Benkei on the Bridge' to success.)

Koyomi
(My mission is to bring everyone together through the stage. To protect everyone, all I can do now is...make this stage a success.)

Edit

Pub: 24 Dec 2025 22:05 UTC

Edit: 24 Dec 2025 23:35 UTC

Views: 7