What Does it Mean to Try Your Best?

Chisa
An audition, huh.

Panda
Show a little more enthusiasm. It's the Horoscope Season.

Panda
...Though Sassu isn't really interested, I guess.

Chisa
Without the script, I can't really understand the roles either.

Panda
But you could watch other stage productions for reference. Or read the original novel. Though it's super long.

Chisa
You should read it for me, Panda.

Panda
Why would I... Read it yourself!

Chisa
It would be a good review for you.

Panda
Well, that's true. Wait, no! I have my own way of doing things!

Chisa
Tch.

Panda
...Well, I guess I could watch the archives together with you.

Chisa
Really!? If so, I'd like you to show me your recommended scenes.

Panda
Can't be helped. Let's go to Hiiragi-san's place.

Chisa
Not the reference room?

Panda
What I like best is the old video that Hiiragi-san has. If we go together, she might lend it to us.

Chisa
Ooh, VHS. Cathode ray tube. Composite terminal. Mono audio.

Panda
I have no idea what you're talking about!

Noa
...I'm glad. I was worried the tape might come back all tangled.

Shamo
Fufu, so you lent them that.

Noa
I figured I'd end up lending it once we decided to do Les Mis. ...Still, I'm surprised Panda knew I had it.

Hana
Have you forgotten? Years ago, when you were drunk, you caught Panda right after she moved into the dorm and forced her to watch it.

Noa
...I don't remember that.

Shamo
But she has good taste. The final performance of a renowned actor who died young and a world-class director. The only recording of it.

Hana
It will be a good study opportunity for Panda and Sasuga.

Hana
The only concern is whether they might be too influenced by it...

Noa
That kind of push and pull is our job.

Shamo
It'll be fine. They understand why we decided on auditions.

Shamo
I'm looking forward to giving them the script tomorrow.

Kokona
It ends with a good story, but there are still so many tough scenes~!

Shizuka
It probably resonates even more with Yae-chan who does volunteer work.

Yae
Yes... A world where you can't reach out to help someone in need next to you is just too sad.

Shizuka
Yeah. The Phantom of the Opera had sad scenes too, but Les Mis feels more raw.

Panda
That's because Jean Valjean's anguish is directly connected to society. It deals with actual incidents too, so it has a high level of realism.

Kathrina
That's precisely why it's a suitable stage for showcasing expressiveness. It's worth taking on the challenge.

Chisa
I see.

Panda
You look like you still don't get it.

Kokona
So, has everyone decided which role to audition for? Oh, if you had to choose one besides Jean Valjean!

Yae
I'm interested in Cosette♪

Shizuka
That's perfect for cute Yae-chan!

Panda
(...So Niizumachii is going for Cosette after all. She's been playing roles with strong heroine attributes all along.)

Yae
Even when volunteering, I'm often told to think more about others. I thought that by playing Cosette, I might grow too.

Kokona
Same! I was also torn, but then I thought I'd like to try playing Fantine!

Shizuka
I see, you haven't really done many tragic roles before.

Kokona
Yeah! Kathrina-chan and the others also talked about challenges!

Panda
(I see, that's the criterion)

Kokona
Shizuka-chan is going for Marius, right?

Shizuka
Yes. A role that struggles between ideals as a revolutionary and emotions of love. It sounds absolutely interesting to play. What about Kathrina?

Kathrina
I'm thinking Javert. I'm good at rival roles, but also if I can delve into Javert's beliefs, I might be able to deliver beyond my abilities.

Panda
I guess I'll go with... Éponine after all.

Yae
What about Sasuga-san?

Chisa
Hmm...

Panda
After all that studying together, you still don't have a feel for it?

Chisa
I still don't really understand any of the roles. Jean Valjean is the one I understand least of all.

Panda
It's because you don't understand that you should research and elevate your understanding...

Chisa
I wish there was a more clown-like role. Maybe a role for the Eiffel Tower?

Kathrina
It wasn't built yet in Les Mis's era.

Yae
Now that you mention it, Sasuga-san doesn't choose roles for yourself, do you?

Chisa
Because the bosses decide for me. Whatever role I get, I end up enjoying it as I play it.

Panda
They said it's a self-nomination audition... If you don't go for it yourself, you won't get a role.

Kathrina
I'd like you to choose a role where you can showcase your strengths. To repeat, this is also a challenge for Sirius.

Kokona
It means we all have to work together! We have to do our best...!

Chisa
...........

Chisa
(Do my best... huh)

Chisa
Haah~, it's penetrating.

Panda
Is this the time to be saying that? Are you seriously thinking about the audition?

Chisa
...Hey, Panda. Which do you think I should audition for?

Panda
Huh? Why are you asking me?

Chisa
Because you understand me best.

Panda
Don't try to push the responsibility onto others.

Chisa
That's not my intention...

Chisa
Are you only going for Jean Valjean and Éponine? What about Cosette?

Panda
...I'm considering it. But the role I should challenge myself with most is the lead, Jean Valjean.

Panda
That said, Jean Valjean is going to be a fierce competition.

Panda
(Kokochi mentioning "besides that" is probably because she understands this too).

Chisa
You'll be fine, Panda. I'm rooting for you.

Chisa
I see, if that's what Panda is doing, then I might go for Marius.

Panda
Oh, that's good. Why Marius?

Chisa
No matter which role Panda gets, as Marius, I'd have many opportunities to stand on stage with you.

Panda
Don't say "no matter which role." I said I'm rooting for you, so think with Jean Valjean as the premise.

Panda
No, wait, don't base your decision on me! Engage more with the role itself!

Chisa
Even if you tell me to engage... When asked about a role I want to play... I'm at a loss...

Panda
What's with that... If you properly engage with the work, naturally you'll develop an attachment to certain roles, right? Yet you say you have no role you want to play...

Chisa
Maybe it's because I haven't decided which role to audition for.

Panda
Then why don't you try auditioning for all six main roles? If it's decided by Hiiragi-san and the others' eyes, that should be certain.

Chisa
All of them... Including Jean Valjean? Éponine and Cosette too?

Panda
...Hey, what are you trying to say?

Chisa
What do you mean...

Panda
If you're being considerate of me, my answer is "Don't be ridiculous!"

Panda
I said it during Peter Pan too. There's nothing to worry about.

Chisa
...Alright. I'll try auditioning for all of them.

Panda
That's right, do that. Good luck.

Chisa
Yeah, I'll do my best.

Panda
(Well, realistically speaking, going for all six roles is impossible. But if she reads with the intention of auditioning, she should be able to narrow down which role to go for)

Kathrina
You seriously entered for all of them!?

Chisa
Yeah. The boss said it was okay.

Panda
(I can't believe she's actually going for all of them... She mentioned secret training, but I hope she's been practicing properly?)

Kathrina
Don't give halfhearted performances.

Chisa
I won't. If I'm doing it, I'm going all out.

Noa
Is everyone here? Then, let's start the audition. We'll begin with Cosette.

Edit

Pub: 20 Jul 2025 14:45 UTC

Views: 3