I Haven't Given Up
Kokona
Congratulations, Sasuga-chan! You've got the lead role two times in a row, after Peter Pan!
Chisa
Thanks. But is it really okay?
Kathrina
Of course it is. If you don't hold your head high, our battle would have been for nothing.
Yae
Sasuga-san's Jean Valjean really stayed with me. I can't put it into words well, but...
Chisa
Is that so.
Shizuka
Are you perhaps not that happy about it?
Chisa
Well...
Panda
That's not it. Hey, Sassu!
Panda
Jean Valjean and Éponine hardly interact with each other, so that's why you're not excited!
Chisa
You really do understand me, don't you, Panda?
Panda
Of course I do. How many years do you think we've been acting together?
Panda
Well, it might not just be that. But let me tell you one thing.
Panda
I haven't given up on becoming a Dai Star.
Chisa
...Yeah.
Panda
I'll prove that even as Éponine, I can upstage Jean Valjean. As an actor sharing the stage with you, I won't forgive you if you give a half-hearted performance.
Chisa
Yeah.
Panda
So be happy! You beat everyone and got the lead role!
Chisa
Yeah! Today we'll have a somen party with everyone!
Panda
That again?!
Noa
Alright! That's enough! Everyone understands their roles, right?
Everyone
Yes!
Noa
I don't think anyone will object to Sasuga securing the lead role. The Jean Valjean you showed in the audition was that magnificent.
Hana
The potential shown in Romeo and Juliet. The growth through Peter Pan, and the possibilities you showed this time.
Noa
We believe that Sasuga will become Sirius's secret weapon this time.
Chisa
Secret weapon...?
Yae
Um, I understand Sasuga-san's ability, but your name is already on the Future Dai Star list, so isn't it not really a secret?
Hana
Ah, sorry. We've been calling it that because we see Sasuga's immeasurability.
Panda
Ah, I kind of understand what you're trying to say.
Noa
Show us a performance that surpasses everything you've done before, and blow away the audience, and us.
Chisa
Yeah.
First day of rehearsal.
Noa
Jean Valjean is looking good! Keep that up, and next try going one step further.
Chisa
Yes!
Noa
Javert is still overthinking the performance! Using your head is good! Then sublimate it so it comes out naturally!
Kathrina
Let me try again!
Noa
No, we'll take a break now. I'll give you five minutes, so reflect on your performance.
Kathrina
Yes!
Shizuka
Good work. You need some water, right?
Kathrina
Thanks.
Chisa
Panda, one somen shake, please.
Panda
There's no such thing! Here's water.
Chisa
Nice comeback.
Panda
Don't ask for something like that...
Kokona
Haah~. Everyone is getting better too quickly~.
Yae
That includes you too, Kokona-san. I can really feel Fantine's love coming through.
Kokona
That's because Yae-chan's Cosette is too cute~. For such an adorable daughter, I could sacrifice myself any number of times!
Shizuka
I get it. I could watch Yae-chan's Cosette forever. Being able to marry such an angel would be too much happiness.
Panda
Niizumachii, who's like the embodiment of pure innocence, playing Cosette... I understand why you'd be head over heels.
Panda
(It's frustrating, but my Cosette couldn't compete)
Yae
Panda-san's Éponine is wonderful too. I can really feel her love for Marius♪
Panda
Eh, ah, w-well, I do like Éponine as a character. I've done quite a bit of research?
Kokona
Yeah yeah, when you start to like a character, you get that feeling of "I'm going to do my best!"
Shizuka
Plus, the Horoscope Season is special.
Panda
It's a big chance period to become a Dai Star. There's no actor who wouldn't be fired up.
Kokona
Yeah! The judges will definitely be watching! I want them to see our best performances!
Kathrina
What we do is the same as our usual performances, but just thinking about their gaze increases the tension.
Panda
If this happened all the time, we'd get used to it~. Maybe once every four years is just right.
Yae
If we all become Dai Stars, I think Sirius will become an even more amazing troupe.
Shizuka
That's true. And if we become Dai Stars, it would surely be a way to repay our debt.
Panda
Debt...?
Shizuka
To Sirius, of course.
Panda
That's kind of unexpected. I didn't know you thought that way.
Shizuka
I-is that bad? Without Sirius, I don't know if I would have become an actor.
Panda
No, no, I'm grateful to Sirius too!
Kokona
Ah, I see. Maybe we take this for granted too much. Yeah, I'll remember that properly.
Shizuka
A-anyway, that conversation is over. It's Kokona's turn next, right? Fantine seems difficult from what they're saying, are you okay?
Kokona
Yeah, since we're making the expression milder than the original, I have to put feelings that can't be put into words into my acting.
Kathrina
Fufu. Kokona, you've been talking in your sleep at night. Saying "Cosette...!"
Kokona
Eh, I was making noise!?
Yae
That just means you're thinking about your role that much♪
Kokona
Yeah. I've never played a role like Fantine before. I'm thinking about it all the time, even when I'm in the bath or eating.
Shizuka
It makes me nervous to watch. You slip or almost mix up soy sauce and other sauces...
Kokona
I'm saved thanks to Shizuka-chan~.
Yae
It's difficult, but it's a fun time for actors♪
Shizuka
That's why Sasuga is amazing. Even though rehearsals have just started, and you should be more tentative.
Chisa
You think so?
Panda
What do you mean "you think so?" You're putting a lot of effort into building your character this time too. Going to fishing buddies and skateboarding friends and such.
Chisa
Ah, yeah.
Kokona
Amazing, you're doing things like that too.
Kathrina
(I'm not sure how fishing and skateboarding help, but when I see that performance, I can't help but accept it)
Panda
Really. Once you immerse yourself, your concentration is incredible...
Chisa
Hmm, but I wonder.
Kathrina
What is it, Sasuga? It doesn't seem like you're struggling from our perspective.
Chisa
A shoebill is watching.
Kathrina
Huh, a shoebill!? Where... There's no way one would be here!
Yae
It would be fun if there really was one♪ There's no Mr. Dugong today either.
Chisa
Shoebills just have a mean look and don't move much, right?
Panda
Well, that's what shoebills are like.
Chisa
Wild shoebills apparently eat lungfish.
Shizuka
Lung... what's that?
Chisa
You don't know about coelacanths?
Kathrina
I know the name at least. They're the ones that can move on land and have lungs... Ah, that's why they're called lungfish.
Chisa
I wonder if they would eat somen if I gave them some?
Kathrina
If they're hungry, they might eat it... But if you think about it normally, it's probably better not to give it to them?
Chisa
I see.
Kokona
Eh, is that what you were worried about?
Shizuka
It's very like Sasuga, if I had to say.
Noa
Break's over! Sasuga, Kathrina! Let's go through that part again!
Chisa & Kathrina
Yes!
Panda
................
Shamo
How's it going?
Hana
It's good. Sasuga's absorption capacity is better than ever. She memorizes lines faster than anyone. You rarely see a middle school student of this caliber.
Noa
And although it was unexpected that she participated in all the auditions, as a result, it gave good motivation to the other troupe members.
Shamo
I see, and how are the other children?
Noa
Even the members who didn't pass the audition have managed to reorient themselves. As expected, she became a stimulant for them.
Shamo
I see.
Noa
In the current Sirius, wonderful raw gems are being polished. Whether we make the most of them or waste them depends on us.
Shamo
Sirius will be fine.
Noa
Yes. Carefully, boldly, with Sirius's distinctive shine.