Direction Chief
Everyone's here. I'll now announce the casting for 'Benkei on the Bridge'.

Direction Chief
This time, people from the World Theatre League will be visiting-it's an important stage. All roles will be decided by our appointment.

Direction Chief
I'll announce them right away. First, one of the lead roles, Benkei-Senju Koyomi.

Koyomi
! ...Yes. I will perform with all my heart.

Koyomi
(It's finally...come to this.)

Direction Chief
Next, the other lead role, Ushiwakamaru-Yonaguni Hikari.

Hikari
Huh? Ah, yes! I'll do my very best!!

Gingaza Troupe Member A
Hikari-senpai as Koyomi-senpai's co-star? Isn't this a huge promotion for Hikari-senpai?

Gingaza Troupe Member B
To be the lead on a stage that people from the World Theatre League will watch...that's nice...I'm jealous.

Hikari
(What do I do, what do I do...! I-I'm really the lead...!)

Ramona
That's great, Hikari!

Hikari
Yeah! Thanks, Ramo-san!

Direction Chief
Benkei's retainer, the ninja role-Ramona Wolf.

Ramona
Yes, I look forward to working with you all.

Ramona
(This role seems like I'll interact a lot with Koyomi again. I'll give it my all so I can support Koyomi on stage.)

Direction Chief
Ushiwakamaru's mother-Wang Xue.

Xue
...Yes...

Xue
(Another role with few scenes...! This is no different from 'Macbeth'...!)

Direction Chief
One of the capital's citizens-Kashima Shiho. Another of the capital's citizens-Quan Thonkham.

Shiho and Quan
Yes!

Direction Chief
Finally, the oni who serves as the antagonist to Benkei and Ushiwakamaru, the role of Hashihime*-Lilja Kurtbay.

Lilja
...Yes.

Gingaza Troupe Member C
Lilja-senpai as Hashihime...!

Gingaza Troupe Member D
After seeing her performance as Lady Macbeth, it's a convincing casting, right?

Lilja
(An oni who confronts Benkei and Ushiwakamaru...then I'll just pursue an oni more beautiful and terrifying than anyone else.)

Lilja
(A me who is foul and fair.)

Direction Chief
This decision was made after considering each person's aptitude. I will accept no objections. As for the direction, I'm thinking of something prestigious that suits this program.

Gingaza Troupe Members
Yes!

Direction Chief
I'll inform you about that as soon as we enter full scale rehearsals. ...Also, Yonaguni.

Hikari
Y-Yes!

Direction Chief
This time, you're Senju's co-star. The completeness of Ushiwakamaru will influence the brilliance of Benkei, who opposes him.

Direction Chief
Be aware of this and devote yourself to rehearsals from now on.

Hikari
Yes, understood! I'll work hard so I can show good acting!

Hikari
(Phew...that startled me~! But the fact that he spoke to me like that means I'm being counted on...right?)

Hikari
(Alright, I have to work even harder! I don't want to hold Koyomi-san back!)

Gingaza Troupe Member A
I wonder if Yonaguni-senpai will be okay...sensei didn't need to put that much pressure on her.

Gingaza Troupe Member B
Plus, 'Benkei on the Bridge' was originally performed in Noh and Kabuki, right? Even Lilja-senpai and the others aren't familiar with it, so won't it be difficult?

Ramona
...As everyone is saying, 'Benkei on the Bridge' has a very strong classical element. I never thought we'd perform it at this timing.

Lilja
Is it different from 'Kaguyahime'?

Ramona
Kaguyahime'...The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter is indeed classical literature, but the atmosphere is a bit different.

Ramona
It has more rigidity, and the dialogue delivery has a unique impression. Moreover, it's modeled after a resolute monk and the military commander Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

Ramona
Far from just being unfamiliar to foreigners, even those from Japan will be required to give advanced performances.

Lilja
Hmm...but what I do doesn't change. As always, I'll just be beautiful.

Ramona
Lilja is always consistent. For me too, doing what I should do doesn't change, but...

Gingaza Troupe Member C
I'm sure it'll be fine, Ramona-senpai. Let's all work together and do our best!

Ramona
...Yes, you're right.

Xue
(Everyone's buzzing. Well, it can't be helped. This will be an even more important performance than last time.)

Xue
(More than that...why did sensei say that to Hikari? To specifically bring up Koyomi-san in that situation...)

*Hashihime translates to Bridge Princess

Edit

Pub: 21 Oct 2025 17:26 UTC

Edit: 22 Oct 2025 20:17 UTC

Views: 2