Chisa
It's fine, I thought it was wrong too. It's just confirmation.

Chisa
I need to think more about Jean Valjean. More...

Yae
Sasuga-san... was so motivated. I really can't fall behind... right?

Yae
(I'll practice independently today as well. Starting from the scene where I part with my mother and Kokona-san...)

Yae
(I wonder if the stage is free... Oh...!)

Kathrina
Speak up! Speak clearly! When you speak to me, speak in a clear voice that everyone here can hear!

Kathrina
It's no concern of mine! I will not listen!

Kathrina
...

Kathrina
(A man who upholds rightness to the point of obsession, yet in the end takes his own life due to the conflict between his actions and justice)

Kathrina
(A fastidiousness so frightening, and the human fragility that makes upholding such principles precarious)

Kathrina
...This feels natural, very much so.

Kathrina
(Javert overlaps with me in some ways. The me who was in Germany, the me who had just come to Japan)

Kathrina
(He resembles the version of me from that day, the one I regret.)

Kathrina
It's ironic that right after I thought I wanted to play a kind girl in Peter Pan, I got this role.

Yae
Kathrina-san?

Kathrina
Wah!? ...You startled me.

Yae
Ah, I'm sorry. I suddenly called out from behind you...

Kathrina
N-no, it's fine. Don't worry about it.

Kathrina
Are you practicing independently too, Niizuma? You're working hard.

Yae
Yes! When I look at Sasuga-san, I think maybe there's more and more that I could be doing...

Kathrina
I understand, I feel the same way.

Kathrina
(Niizuma has been influenced by Sasuga and is full of motivation. Though I'm no different.)

Kathrina
(...I really am getting impatient. Sasuga's performance has inspired even Niizuma, who is already a Dai Star)

Kathrina
(It's affecting Kokona, Shizuka, and Panda too. Everyone's acting is improving with each rehearsal)

Kathrina
(I can't fall behind either... I'll become an actor who stands alongside Mama.)

Kathrina
(If that's what I've decided, I can't just blend in with everyone else)

Kathrina
(But...)

Kathrina
Since we're both here, why don't we practice together? I'll play Jean Valjean for you, Cosette.

Yae
Is that okay!?

Kathrina
Yes. Javert confronts Valjean multiple times, so playing him myself might provide more insight for my performance.

Kathrina
Well, it won't be as polished as Sasuga's Jean Valjean.

Yae
No, this is really helpful! Having someone to act against allows me to try a wider range of expressions!

Kathrina
(You can't create a stage performance alone. That's what I realized watching Panda and Sasuga's performance that day)

Kathrina
(And the role I'm playing has things in common with me. This is a good opportunity. With the Javert we create together at Sirius, I'll become a Dai Star.)

Kathrina
(...Surely. I'm a better actor now than when I was in Germany. It makes me happy to feel that way.)

Yae
Thank you for practicing with me, Kathrina-san! It was very informative!

Kathrina
I was able to feel Jean Valjean's emotions when facing Cosette too.

Kathrina
It gave me a chance to reconsider how to act when confronting Jean Valjean as Javert. Thank you.

Kathrina
I was thinking of taking a bath, would you like to join me? I think it would help with the fatigue from rehearsal.

Yae
I'd love to!

Chisa
...

Yae
Ah, Sasuga-san!

Kathrina
Oh, Sasuga. You're back? ...Wait, your hair is wet?

Chisa
Ah... yeah, I was taking a bath.

Kathrina
Is that so. ...You seem a bit out of it. Is something wrong?

Chisa
Oh, ...yeah, I got a bit lightheaded just now. ...I was thinking about my acting.

Yae
I see...! Thinking about acting even in the bath... I need to learn from that!

Kathrina
Though it's not good if you're getting lightheaded. Be careful, okay? It would be dangerous if you collapsed.

Chisa
Yeah, sorry...

Chisa
I'm going to rest a bit... see you later.

Yae
Sasuga-san didn't seem very energetic... Should I bring her something cold?

Kathrina
She made it back to her room, so she should be fine, right? If you're worried, we could bring her some ice cream from the refrigerator?

Kathrina
(She seemed quieter than usual, but it's just because she's lightheaded... right?)

Kathrina
(She's so serious about her role that she's getting lightheaded. ...I should keep an eye on Sasuga to make sure she doesn't push herself too hard)

Edit

Pub: 20 Aug 2025 14:15 UTC

Views: 4