Koyomi
"...Why can I not catch you...! I cannot reach this person...!"

Hikari
"Strength is not in power alone. Clear your mind, know yourself, and trust the one you face."

Koyomi
"Trust...my enemy...!?"

Hikari
"Only by acknowledging the one you cross blades with can you lead yourself to greater heights. That is the way of the warrior."

Koyomi
"Ngh...! I see, this person is no ordinary being..."

Xue
Hikari, that girl, is giving a performance that can compete with Koyomi-san...!

Ramona
More than that, when it comes to physical expression, Hikari right now might actually be superior.

Lilja
...And I will perform even more beautifully than both of them.

Xue
Hmph. Look at you talk.

Ramona
We can't lose either! We must train so we don't pale in comparison to those two!

Gingaza Troupe Members
...That's right, Wolf-senpai is right. Just because Senju-senpai is amazing, we can't be intimidated.

Gingaza Troupe Members
If Yonaguni-senpai can do that much, then we can too...we're Gingaza actors too!

Koyomi
(...Everyone's passion is rising. Not just Ramona-san and the others. Me too...)

Koyomi
(Hikari-san. If you're going to surpass me, then I'll go even further beyond-!)

Hikari
(I'll pull you up! I'll pull Koyomi-san! Koyomi-san will pull me! Everyone!)

Koyomi
"To defeat not only with the blade but with reason...truly one who bears heaven's mandate. This Benkei has finally understood."

Hikari
(Koyomi-san...!? As I thought, her body still-)

Koyomi
(The performance is still continuing, Hikari-san.)

Hikari
(...Koyomi-san.)

Koyomi
"If you would allow it, hereafter by your side-"

Hikari
"Benkei. You too are a true warrior. I shall respond to your loyalty."

Hikari
"There is no more need to hide. I am Minamoto...Minamoto no Ushiwaka."

Hikari
Koyomi-san, wait. Let's go home together partway.

Koyomi
Hikari-san...do you have something to discuss?

Hikari
I was wondering if your body is okay. You were unsteady at the end of the scene earlier.

Koyomi
I wonder what you mean?

Hikari
...Geez, Koyomi-san is so stubborn, it's troubling.

Hikari
Well, whatever. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask either.

Koyomi
As if I'm hiding something-

Hikari
I won't ask, but I'll stay with you! Please let me!

Hikari
So I can reach out my hand anytime!

Koyomi
...You say things like Ramona-san would.

Hikari
Ahaha...maybe I'm becoming similar.

Hikari
But Koyomi-san, you said to trust people too, right?

Hikari
I feel the same as Ramo-san and Koyomi-san. I think a good stage is something built by trusting everyone.

Koyomi
(...I want to take this hand. As a Gingaza comrade. However...)

Koyomi
Trusting someone's ability and thoughts is different from getting too familiar. Don't misunderstand just because I helped with independent practice the other day.

Hikari
Wait! Wait up!

Koyomi
(Hikari-san. The atmosphere you and Ramona-san created...it's also true that there are actors who improved because of it.)

Koyomi
(I acknowledge it. What I called getting too familiar was not a mistake. That's exactly why-)

Koyomi
(To protect you all, I've decided to accept both the pure and the impure.)

Hikari
Koyomi-san! Even so, I'll stick to my way of doing things!

Koyomi
If you have decided to conduct yourself that way, please do as you like.

Koyomi
Right now, making 'Benkei on the Bridge' a success is everything. If it leads to improving the performance, there's no reason to stop you.

Hikari
...Heh heh.

Hikari
Let's definitely make the next stage a success! Together!

Edit

Pub: 21 Dec 2025 16:14 UTC

Edit: 21 Dec 2025 18:37 UTC

Views: 8