Kokona Worries

Noa
Okay, that's all for today!

Kokona - Shizuka
Thank you very much!

Noa
Shizuka's Asmodeus was better than yesterday. Keep up the good work.

Shizuka
...! Yes! Thank you!

Noa
As for Kokona, your interpretation of the story is still a bit shallow. Please delve deeper into Hiyori's character.

Kokona
...Yes!

Shizuka
(Kokona...)

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Shizuka
"It's warm. This warmth spreading in my chest must be happiness."

Kokona
.....
(Shizuka-chan's acting is really amazing... Even Hiiragi-san acknowledges her talent now...)

Shizuka
Kokona...? You're on dinner duty, aren't you? Don't you need to go home?

Kokona
Oh, that's right! Shizuka-chan, do you want to go home with me?

Shizuka
I'm sorry, but I'd like to practice a little more...

Kokona
Oh, I see! Well, I'll head home now! Good luck, Shizuka-chan!

Shizuka
Hehe, thank you.
But don't forget that Kokona has to work hard too, okay?

Kokona
Ugh, I know...!
Okay, see you later.

Shizuka
Yeah. See you later.

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Kokona
(Shizuka-chan has been very lively since rehearsals started.
She's always reading the script in her room, and she's very proactive with her self-practice; she always seems to be having fun. It's the first time I've seen Shizuka-chan like that, and it makes me happy too.
Shizuka-chan is finally going to be able to stand on stage as an actress on her own. It's an important moment for her. I don't want to get in the way...
I also need to work hard on developing my character for Hiyori...! So that Shizuka-chan can have the best stage debut!)

Yae
Kokona-san, you've been staring intently at the script this whole time, haven't you?

Kokona
Ah... Yae-chan!

Yae
How is your training going?

Kokona
Yeah. Shizuka-chan was praised by Hiiragi-san. I was told I still have a long way to go though...

Yae
I saw it at the rehearsal the other day, and Shizuka-san's acting was amazing.
But aren't you going to be developing the role together with her this time?

Kokona
Yeah. Up until now, we've always discussed and decided things together, but this time I want to support Shizuka's acting debut.
So, I have to do my best!
...That being said, I still haven't quite grasped the role.
Hahaha...

Yae
So, you're stuck and can't think straight? That's quite a predicament.

Kokona
If it's Yae-chan, what do you think you should do in a situation like this?

Yae
If it were me... I'd ask Hiiragi-san. As an actor, there's a lot I can learn from Hiiragi-san.
I think many people refer to the opinions of people they trust or their ideal actors. I don't think it's a bad thing to ask someone's opinion.

Kokona
Their ideal actors...
Thank you, Yae-chan. I'll think about it!

==========

Shizuka
"Demons have always been beings who grant people's wishes and bring them happiness. I thought I'd grant your request."

=====

Kokona
...I've arrived.
It should be okay to just chat for a little while, right...?

=====

Kokona
Shizuka-chan, can I talk to you for just a moment?

Shizuka
Kokona? What's wrong?

Kokona
I have a question for you regarding Hiyori's character development...

Shizuka
Okay. Which scene?

Kokona
You see, this scene where Hiyori's mother throws away her treasures and they get into an argument...
It's a key scene early in the play, and I want to make it even better, but I don't know how to do it on my own...

Shizuka
Ah... You should express sadness rather than anger here. After all, they threw away the seashells that held memories of her father...

Kokona
Oh, I thought it was a fight scene, but for Hiyori, it was a scene where she lost something important—

Shizuka
Yeah. To leave the impression that this isn't just a simple argument, I think expressing sadness rather than anger better suits Hiyori's feelings.

Kokona
You understand Hiyori's feelings so well... Shizuka-chan is really amazing.

Shizuka
You need to pull yourself together, though. After all, Kokona is the one playing Hiyori.
But if you're ever in trouble, don't hesitate to ask for help.
Lately, I've been so preoccupied with my own things that I haven't been able to talk to Kokona much.

Kokona
It's perfectly normal to be overwhelmed with your own problems!
For Shizuka-chan, this is an important stage where you will make your acting debut.
I need to work hard too. Thank you, Shizuka-chan! Good luck with your practice.

Shizuka
Ah, Kokona...!

=====

Kokona
(Hehe, Shizuka-chan is amazing after all.
I have to prepare for my own role, but she also knows about my role...)

Kathrina
Kokona.

Kokona
Ah, Kathrina.

Kathrina
Were you meeting with Shizuka?

Kokona
Yeah, that's right. I was getting advice.

Kathrina
Hmm...

Kokona
What's up?

Kathrina
I thought that while Shizuka was becoming an actress, you guys were still the same as always.
Shizuka must be having a tough time too. She has to think about both her own role and Kokona's role.

Kokona
My role and Shizuka-chan's role...
...I see. I thought so... That's what I thought.

Kathrina
...Kokona?