Panda
Hey, Sassu. Will you read through the script with me?

Chisa
Sorry. I want to concentrate.

Panda
Oh...

Panda
...Sigh. To be pushed away by Sassu like this.

Panda
(I don't understand why, but Sassu's acting hasn't gotten worse. If anything, it's becoming more refined)

Panda
(...So don't worry too much)

Panda
(Éponine shouldn't sacrifice herself for Jean Valjean's sake)

Noa
I'll give instructions on yesterday's corrections. First, Jean Valjean and Cosette, come over here.

Hana
Éponine and Marius, come this way. We'll call you in order, so practice independently until then.

Everyone
Yes!

Panda
(So Sassu is over there...)

Shizuka
Panda, we're over here.

Panda
Sorry! Coming now!

Panda
(Sassu is...)

Yae
So should I tone down my performance more?

Chisa
No, I'll adjust to match you.

Panda
(Ah, too late. They've already started)

Shizuka
—nda. Panda! Are you listening?

Panda
Ah, sorry! You were talking about the corrections, right?

Shizuka
Why are you looking elsewhere?

Panda
Ah, um... That's right! I was thinking maybe from Marius's perspective, Cosette might be involved too...?

Shizuka
Oh, I see. You might have heard from Hiiragi-san, but we should probably share that with Yae-chan later too.

Panda
(Sigh... that was close. I can't stop thinking about Sassu. But I need to focus on my own...)

Panda
—Focus!

Shizuka
Wah... you startled me. Are you so fired up that you need to slap your cheeks?

Panda
That's just how I do things. Shall we begin?

Chisa
Thank you for the meal.

Kokona
Wow, Sassu-chan, you've finished eating already!?

Kathrina
Eating too quickly is bad for digestion.

Chisa
I just remembered I have a book that needs to be returned to the library. Yesterday was the deadline, so I want to put it in the return box early this morning.

Kokona
I see, then you need to hurry! Take care on your way!

Chisa
Yeah, I'm off.

Kokona
The library, huh. I haven't been there in a while. munch munch

Kathrina
I wonder if it's for homework?

Panda
Ah~ so refreshing! Being able to take a morning bath after my morning workout, Sirius dorm is the best~.

Kokona
Good morning, Panda-chan. Sassu-chan just left for school.

Panda
Oh, is that so?

Kathrina
What, didn't you know?

Panda
We haven't been able to match our schedules yesterday and today. When I get back to my room, I'm so tired I just fall asleep.

Panda
I missed my scheduled livestream because of it. I'll need to do an apology stream.

Kokona
I know what you mean~. When I practice independently, it gets so late. Sometimes I realize I've fallen sound asleep without even laying out my futon~.

Kathrina
When I saw you collapsed face down in your room, I panicked thinking you might be dead.

Kokona
Sorry~! Kathrina-chan and Shizuka-chan carried me to my futon, didn't you?

Kathrina
You might catch a cold sleeping without a futon, even in summer.

Kathrina
And you won't recover from fatigue either. It would be troublesome if you collapsed.

Panda
Oh, by the way, where's Oshizu-chan?

Kokona
She went to the rehearsal room early this morning to practice independently. I'm envious that she doesn't have school right now~.

Kathrina
I agree.

Panda
I understand.

Kathrina
But if we keep lounging around, we'll be late. Thanks for the meal.

Panda
Oh, I need to hurry too!

Chisa
(...Why did I say something like that?)

Chisa
(It wasn't Panda's fault)

Chisa
(Panda was just praising me... and I lashed out)

Chisa
(But praising too easily is wrong. My Jean Valjean is still incomplete)

Chisa
(I just can't be like Panda. So...)

Chisa
(It's my fault)

Chisa
(It's my fault. It's because I'm not trying hard enough)

Chisa
(Panda... I'm sorry)

Chisa
...

Chisa
...I'll do my best.

Chisa
(When I can feel that I've truly done my best and can play Jean Valjean properly, I'll apologize to Panda properly)

Noa
Good work today.

Shamo
Good work. How was today's rehearsal?

Noa
Excellent. Sasuga is performing as expected, as always.

Noa
Sasuga stands out first, then the other troupe members follow, not wanting to lose. The overall improvement is progressing smoothly.

Noa
Because of that, even we as instructors are having a hard time. I sent the other staff home early.

Shamo
I see. That's good. So things are going well.

Noa
(...Is it my imagination? Despite her words, I felt like there was something concerning in her tone...)

Noa
Yes, please come in.

Panda
...Excuse me.

Noa
Panda...?

Edit

Pub: 20 Aug 2025 14:15 UTC

Views: 4