Chapter 3: Deal with the Devil

: My parents were always the feeble type.

: But they were always kind, and there was always laughs to be had. I love my family, and my parents loved me and I loved them back.

: But when they would fall sick, I always thought that there was nothing I could do about it. Yet I still wanted to do something about it.

: Surely if this divination has a good results. Surely if I do this ritual. Surely if I do this, surely, surely.

: Even when I've left my hometown, the feelings remain the same. I hope for their happiness always.

: Thats why, if I don't send them a ticket to the play where I'm the lead role. Or if I don't get good results on the mock exams.

: If that doesn't happen, I still need to keep the status quo. What if I change the ritual like so-

Tsubomi: Still no contact, huh.

Tsubomi: ...

Tsubomi: "How are you feeling?"... No, surely they're well, I did hear them say that after all...

Tsubomi: (But still, what if...)

Tsubomi: Ahh! I gotta do what I gotta do. The lead role, getting good results in the mock exam.

Tsubomi: ...what I gotta do. Right, I did tell them after all.

Tsubomi: Good morning.

Iroha: Ah! Good morning, Tsubomi-san!

Tsubomi: Senju...

Tsubomi: You're here.

Iroha: Yep! Mito-chan was also here just now, but she had to help out at home, so she left.

Tsubomi: I see.

IRoha: Tsubomi-san, are you going to practice for the audition too?

Tsubomi: Too? So you're practicing too?

Iroha: Ehehe, Yes.

Iroha: I;m getting some help from Mito-chan.

Tsubomi: I see.

Iroha: Are you getting Kamira-chan to help?

Tsubomi: Yeah, but Akiru still hasn't arrived yet.

Iroha: I see!

Iroha: In that case, before she comes, did you wanna talk for a bit?

Tsubomi: I don't mind, but...

Iroha: Ehehe, yay!

Iroha: So... what are your thoughts on Faust as a person?

Tsubomi: Whats with this all of a sudden.

Tsubomi: Are you scouting out your rival or something for the audition?

Iroha: Ah! Thats true...!

Iroha: I didn't mean it like that but... Ehehe, sorry.

Tsubomi: Whatever.

Tsubomi: I think... Faust is a smart and foolish person.

Iroha: Smart and foolish?

Tsubomi: Faust was originally a old scholar.

Tsubomi: At the end of his life, after mastering his studies, "I stand, no wiser than before" he exclaimed.

Tsubomi: At this moment of despair when he's about to take his own life, suddenly the Devil, Mephistopheles appears before his eyes.

Tsubomi: And presents a deal with Faust.

Tsubomi: "I will give you a new lease on life. However, in return, you will leave with me the dead soul of yours."

Tsubomi: Agreeing to the terms of the contract, Faust is rejuvinated and starts his life again. This time to enjoy his life to the fullest.

Tsubomi: Faust was a clever person, he thought and considered many things, always compared himself to his ideal, surely to the despair of his life.

Tsubomi: But, to fall for the Devil's sweet nothings makes him quite foolish, no?

Iroha: ...

Tsubomi: If we're in despair, and stop in our tracks, thats when it all ends. If you don't keep trying and struggling, you will get swept away by your undesired fate.

Tsubomi: And one way of changing that fate, is to make a "Deal with the Devil". And as you know, this new fate will not suit Faust's ideals.

Tsubomi: In the clouds of despair, with an insignificant glimmer of hope, it seems like a shining light from heaven.

Tsubomi: If you don't follow the rules and think it through, there's no point.

Iroha: ...If it were you, would you accept Mephistopheles' deal?

Tsubomi: I don't even feel a shred of despair.

Tsubomi: I'll keep struggling and take my edstiny into my own hands.

Iroha: Fufu, bullish aren't we?

Tsubomi: What if it were you?

Iroha: Hmmm. if it were me... Well, there's still Heaven and Hell between me and a "genius scholar"...

Iroha: I've said that I've wanted to redo my life before, but I think this life is enough... I can't imagine a life that is more luxurious than this.

Iroha: SO I think I would say "Leaving myself like this is enough" and decline.

Iroha: And also, if I lose all my memories with everyone in Denki, wouldn't that be terrible!? So keeping things this way is the best option!

Tsubomi: Fufu, that's just like you.

Iroha: Hehe, thank you very much.

Iroha: ...This is a strange feeling, isn't it?

Tsubomi: Hmm? What do you mean?

Iroha: Speaking with you like this about roles, I never imagined doing this, and-

Iroha: never thought I would go up against you in an audition. Not even during the entry audition or even after joining the troupe.

Tsubomi: That's true... I don't think I've ever gone head to head with anyone in auditions before either.

Iroha: If you think of this as the follow up to "Alice", I do think that people will have their eyes on the play just liek Kaname-san said.

Iroha: And so, I think we all have to exceed Kaname-san's expectations.

Tsubomi: ...

Iroha: But, regardless of who takes the lead role, we'll definitely put on a wonderful Denki-like performance of "Faust"

Iroha: I look forward to it.

Tsubomi: ...I see.

Iroha: Tsubomi-san...?

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Pub: 20 May 2024 07:00 UTC
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