Chapter 8 - Until The End

“—Hey. Do you want to join me on the stage?”

“Huh…? Why me?”

“Our lives are decided for us the moment we’re born. That’s what it means to be of noble blood.”

“But, even so, don’t you think it’s boring to stay tied down forever?”

“... That’s…”

“On the stage, we can become anyone and anything! You’ll see how much fun it is.”

…Hey. Are these actors students?

Probably. I haven’t seen them before at least…

I see…

—Somehow, I’m really drawn in.

…!

“Hey, you lot! It’s well past lights out!”

“Oh no! Everyone, we have to run!”

“I told you we shouldn’t practice so late at night!”

“Oi, hold it!”

Woah… That actor can do such comical acting too.

Fufu, he really can. It’s different from what I’ve seen in the past, but I really like it.

“—It’s finally time for the first performance.”

“Yeah. We’ve finally made it this far.”

“Nervous? Even you?”

“No way! In fact, I’m the most excited I’ve ever been.”

“I’m gonna make this best performance ever, one everyone will always remember.”

(This…is where the performance ends.)

(The audience is—)

…!

… Amazing. A fervent standing ovation.

…Yeah…!

“The performance has now ended. Please ensure you have all of your belongings with you before leaving.”

That was the Kikyo Troupe’s new performance…! How incredible!

At a school for children of noble families, a group of outcasts form a theatre troupe—

The main character, who was thought to be the worst actor in the troupe, is actually the prince of a neighboring country who’s been hiding his identity…

What an interesting twist.

Yeah! And I was really struck by the passion in the actors’ performances.

Yeah… While the veteran troupe members were predictably amazing…

The student members did an incredible job too.

They did.

Naturally, there were always going to be a few rough edges in terms of technique, but—

I think that, too, was part of the charm that made the audience think “I want to support them.”

For sure! I felt very inspired!

….....

Nene?

Ah…....

Um, I wanted to share my thoughts with Emu and Byakkomachi-san as well, but...

Oh, that’s right! They were meant to be in the staff’s seats, but where have they gone now—

Everyone~!

Hey, it’s been a while.

What did you think of the Kikyo Troupe’s new performance!?

It was very good!!

The Kikyo Troupe’s previous performances expressed such a composed setting through action, acting, and singing, backed with their sound technique, but…

This performance had a passion to it that went beyond that.

Yeah. While the skilled members of the troupe firmly supported the setting with their convincing performances—the energy and passion of the students’ performances were what grabbed the audience’s attention so tightly.

Their strengths blended together to create an even more charming stage… That’s the impression I got.

It’s difficult to describe, but it felt like they were growing more and more right in front of my eyes… It was really worth the watch.

…!

…..I’m so glad…!

Aside from that… I noticed you seemed busy during your training in Morinomiya, Emu, but…

I had no idea you were involved in such a large-scale project.

Ehehe, sorry for not telling you.

(Ever since our presentation was approved at the management meeting….. I’ve been super-duper nervous up until this moment.)

(But—)

That was so much fun~! How should I put it; it just makes me want to support them all!!

I know! It’s amazing how high-level the students were.

Right! And they seem to be getting better and better… Tickets aren’t too expensive, so I might come and see them again.

All the audience members are smiling.

—Ah.

According to the report I just heard, all tickets until the final performance have been sold out.

Really?!

Yeah. And also, as a result of the spread of chatter around the performance—

It seems like even among fans of the Suzuran Troupe, more and more people are taking an interest in the Kikyo Troupe.

They aren’t to be compared to the Suzuran Troupe, but rather are their own troupe with their own appeal.

…! That’s right!

Both those who already loved Morinomiya and those who've only just found their love… 

Is it safe to say both sides are happy?

I think so. However…there are still some issues.

Some higher-ups are skeptical, and believe the current buzz around it is only because it’s a novelty.

We have to keep working hard so the success we’ve had doesn’t end up a temporary one.

Ehehe, Suzu-chan is full of motivation. ☆

Suzu-chan, I’m gonna teach you a good luck charm that’ll help you work more and more hard!

A good luck charm?

Yeah! Here goes—

Won-won-wonderho—y!

Otori-san, that was…?

When I do this, I feel super energised, like I can do my best even when things get rough!

There are loads and loads of things you’ll have to overcome in the future—

But, Suzu-chan, I’m sure you’ll be totally fine!

—You really are an interesting one.

I’m looking forward to seeing what dreams you’ll come up with and make come true in the future.

In our troupe, Emu’s the one in charge of dreams!

Hey. Why are you so smug about it?

You say that, but you look pretty pleased too, Nene.

Uuu…...

…...That’s because it’s normal to be happy when someone praises your friends.

(Suzu-chan, Tsukasa-kun and everyone, and the audience too… Everyone is smiling.)

(... I really love this view.)

(Everyone looks like they’re having fun, and they’re wearing the most sparkling smiles.)

(In order for everyone to smile, there are many things just like this that I’ll have to overcome…)

(I’m sure there’ll come a time again when I think it’s hopeless.)

(But even so…)

—I want to be someone who doesn’t give up until the end.

Hm? Emu, did you say something?

Nope☆

It was nothing!