The Cast for This Time is

—The audition is over.
The next day—

Kokona
Ugh... The results are finally going to be announced, Shizuka-chan...

Shizuka
Why are you so scared? If you did it right, be proud of yourself.

Kokona
Y-yeah... but no matter how many times I do it, this moment still makes my heart race.

Kathrina
.....

Yae
.....

Panda
(...I gave it my all. Now it's up to Hiiragi-san and the others to evaluate it.)

Noa
As I announced, today I will be revealing the results of the auditions for the roles in "The Devil's Friend."
...Everyone probably has their own thoughts on the matter.
But auditions are all about the results. Accept it.

Shizuka
.....

Kokona
...Shizuka-chan? Are you okay...?

Shizuka
Yeah...it's okay. I'm fine.
(I've done everything I can... It'll definitely work out...)

Noa
Okay, let's start by announcing the two main cast members.
Kokona will play the role of Hiyori.

Everyone
!

Panda
So, who will play Asmodeus...?

Noa
The role of Asmodeus will be played by... Shizuka.

Shizuka
!!

Kokona
Shizuka-chan, you did it!!

Shizuka
Yes... yes!!

Kathrina
It's frustrating, but... I'll give a round of applause to both of you this time.

Yae
Yes. It's a shame I wasn't chosen for the role, but... I'm happiest that Sirius has gained more allies.

Panda
...Yeah, after seeing something like that, the first thing you'd want to do is congratulate them.

Kokona
...Thank goodness... I'm so happy for you, Shizuka-chan...!

Shizuka
Oh dear... Kokona's the first one to cry again.

Kokona
But, but...! This means we can stand on stage together!

Shizuka
Yeah... I guess so...
Finally, we're on the same stage... sniff...

Noa
Kokona, Shizuka. That's enough of your rejoicing.
Shizuka, you've passed the audition to join Sirius, but this is just your starting point. Don't let your guard down and approach your training with dedication.
If you don't improve by the time of the actual performance, I'll mercilessly take you down, so be prepared.

Shizuka
...Yes!

Noa
But for now, congratulations!
...So, shall we move on to the next announcement now?

Kokona
I'm so sorry...

Shizuka
I'll behave myself...

Noa
...And next, the role of Hotaru, the exorcist, will be played by Panda. The role of Yuika, Hiyori's friend, will be played by Kathrina.

Panda
Yes!

Kathrina
Since I've been chosen, I'll give it my all.

Noa
The last of the main cast members, playing Hiyori's mother... Sasuga.

Chisa
I'm here.

Noa
That's all. Those who have been selected for the cast should now dedicate themselves to rehearsals.

Yae
.....

Kokona
Huh...? What about Yae-chan...?

Noa
...Yae, you failed this audition. Prepare for the next opportunity.

Kokona
Eh...?!

Yae
...I understand. It's unfortunate, but there's nothing we can do.

Kokona
But, but, I can't believe Yae-chan failed...

Yae
.....

Noa
Yae's acting wasn't bad. But she tried too hard.
To put it positively, it’s original... to put it negatively, it’s too radical.
You realize yourself that it deviated from the planned performance, don't you?

Kathrina
(You'd do something like that just to win...?!)

Yae
That's exactly what I felt I should be challenging myself with right now. I had a feeling I could do something new.
But... I got too caught up in the novelty of the performance. I'm glad Hiiragi-san told me that frankly.

Shizuka
Yae-chan... I'm sorry. We got carried away and didn't do anything...

Yae
There's no need to apologize! Shizuka passed the audition!
You get to stand on the same stage as Kokona-san, so be proud!

Shizuka
...Thank you.

Yae
Congratulations on passing the audition!
Next time, I'll definitely be on the same stage as you!

Shizuka
Yeah...!

Chisa
Niizuma.

Yae
Yes?

Chisa
Let's go fishing next time we have a day off.

Yae
...Yes. I'll look forward to it!

Panda
...Niizumacchi, you're truly a Dai Star. You've already come to terms with your feelings of frustration...

Kathrina
That girl is really amazing...

==========

Hana
Phew... The auditions are over, so I guess we can finally relax for now.

Noa
Actually, this is just the beginning. Training will start soon.

Shamo
You all need to work hard too. For the sake of those girls who gave their all in the audition.

Noa
...Right. I'll redouble my efforts too.

Hana
Even so, this was a bold decision. To remove Yae from the lineup...

Noa
I was surprised that Yae would take on such a challenging role.
But I think Dai Star's ambitious attitude, which is so typical of her, probably inspired everyone.

Hana
Well, yeah... but putting that aside, let's talk about the commercial side of things.

Noa
It was a unanimous decision based on the belief that this lineup could fill the void left by Yae, right?

Hana
That's true.

Shamo
I was so happy. Sirius showed us that we wouldn't stop here.
This failure is just a small part of a long acting career. For Yae, it might even be a positive experience.
I'm looking forward to seeing how that child grows up...

Noa
It's not just Yae.

Shamo
Sirius still has a lot of room to grow.