Hikari
"There's nothing left to hide. I am Minamoto...Minamoto no Ushiwaka!"

Direction Chief
Who told you to show such an exaggerated name announcement!

Hikari
...!? I-I'm sor-

Direction Chief
Five minute break. Cool your head a bit.

Hikari
Haah...ah, no good! I need to pull myself together!

Ramona
(Hikari...)

Ramona
Sensei, I thought Hikari's performance just now was quite good, but what exactly was so problematic?

Direction Chief
What was? Everything. To begin with, we've never done that kind of direction in Gingaza's past.

Direction Chief
Did you all not look through the 'Benkei on the Bridge' materials?

Ramona
No, that's not it...however, when the performers change, the direction naturally changes somewhat-

Direction Chief
That's the mistake I'm talking about. Gingaza has Gingaza's way of doing things.

Ramona
That may be so, but...isn't a good stage one that has flexible direction suited to the actors' individuality?

Direction Chief
Wolf, are you trying to criticise our methods? This 'Benkei on the Bridge' performance has Gingaza's future riding on it.

Direction Chief
Do you have the resolve to shoulder Gingaza's future?

Ramona
! No, you're right...I seem to have overstepped. Sorry for taking up time.

Direction Chief
...Alright, we'll resume rehearsal in one minute!

Gingaza Troupe Members
Yes!

Direction Chief
-You! Why are you resting! You're in everyone's way, move! Don't disrupt the surrounding tempo!

Gingaza Troupe Member A
Yes...I-I'm sorry...!

Direction Chief
Hey, how many times do I have to tell you! Why is someone who's just being cut down by Ushiwaka trying so hard to stand out!

Gingaza Troupe Member B
I'm not trying to stand out...!

Direction Chief
I'm not asking for your opinion. I'm telling you to properly understand our directorial intent.

Gingaza Troupe Member B
...Understood...

Xue
"Aah, my beloved child. Please reconsider. Swear that tonight will be the last of such duels. My heart feels as if it will burst-"

Direction Chief
There's still not enough emotion! With that, you'll never move Ushiwakamaru's heart!!

Xue
...I'm sorry! Please let me try once more!

Koyomi
"Guh...! I see, this person is no ordinary individual..."

Direction Chief
Good, that's fine. Senju, continue rehearsing at that pace.

Koyomi
Yes, understood.

Direction Chief
The rest of you, try to perform at a level that matches Senju's current acting. Don't make any movements that hinder the lead!

Gingaza Troupe Members
Understood...!

Direction Chief
Alright, that's all for today's rehearsal. Dismissed.

Scriptwriter
Senju-san, do you have a moment?

Koyomi
Yes, I'm free.

Gingaza Troupe Members
Hey, don't you think lately Koyomi-senpai's the only one being called by sensei all the time?

Gingaza Troupe Members
I thought that too. I wonder what it's about?

Gingaza Troupe Members
I dunno, but that's not exactly new, is it?

Gingaza Troupe Members
But you know, earlier the prop person was called by the teachers...they were giving really detailed instructions about Benkei's costume.

Gingaza Troupe Members
Like 'this isn't quite right' and 'do it more like this'. They didn't comment that much on Ushiwakamaru's costume though...

Gingaza Troupe Members
Don't you feel like they're trying really hard to make Koyomi-senpai stand out? Of course, I admit her acting is better than the other actors, but...

Xue
......

Xue
(Looks like the others are starting to feel something's off too. I've been sensing that strange atmosphere all along, but...)

Xue
Hey, Germany. In Gingaza's past, there have been actors chosen as Dai Stars during Horoscope Season, right?

Ramona
Yes, that seems to have happened sometimes.

Ramona
Since there isn't always exceptional talent discovered every Horoscope Season, it doesn't seem to be that many.

Xue
But there's one this time, right? The exceptional talent called Senju Koyomi.

Ramona
...What do you mean?

Xue
Don't you think Gingaza's upper management is trying to push Koyomi-san up to Dai Star with this 'Benkei on the Bridge'?

Ramona
That can't be-you're definitely overthinking it.

Xue
I hope so.

Ramona
(But if it's not just Xue, and there are others among the troupe members thinking the same thing...)

Ramona
(For those on their second performance, or those who feel they have no more chances, this is too cruel.)

Ramona
(I just hope no troupe members give up because of this...)

Claire
Wait, sensei!

Hikari
(Huh? That girl, she always participates in Ramo-san's workshops...)

Claire
What do you mean you're prohibiting workshops from now on...!?

Hikari
(...What?)

Edit

Pub: 21 Oct 2025 17:27 UTC

Edit: 22 Oct 2025 18:41 UTC

Views: 2