Chapter 2

Wait—Rui, are you serious?!

You mean... you got an offer from Arcland?

Yeah... Asahi-san reached out to me.

And then—

Th—

THAT'S AMAZING!!!!

Hey, Tsukasa, you’re being too loud... I get how you feel, but still.....

R-Right, sorry...

But come on, how could I not shout!?

We already know just how talented Arcland is.....!

And to be asked by Asahi-san personally... that means they want you to direct at THE CENTER THEATRE!

I see......

If you go to Arcland... you’ll get even closer to your dream, right?

Yeah.

THE CENTER THEATRE is one of Japan’s most iconic show stages, after all.

I’m sure that’s where you’ll take your first step toward becoming a director who brings smiles......

Tsukasa-kun........?

...Ah, sorry.

I thought I was prepared for this, but... now that it’s actually happening......

.....I—

...It’s gonna be okay!

You’re doing this to make your dream come true after all!

So... that’s why.....!

I’ll be cheering you on...!

.....Yeah.

......That's right.

We all probably feel the same kind of loneliness..... but still—

.....We’re happy your talents are finally being seen.

.......Give it your all out there, Rui.

.....Yeah.

Nene and Emu said it all.

We’ll celebrate your new journey..... with all our hearts!

So—

Go out there and make your dream come true..... Rui!

Everyone.....

(.....I'm truly blessed to have such wonderful friends.)

(They're cheering me on like this..... giving me that push I need toward my dream.....)

(...Which is why I have to—)

(I need to make this dream come true, no matter what.)

(Not just for me, but for everyone... I will make it happen.)

......Thank you.

—Off I go then.

Alright, good work today!

See ya tomorrow!

Get home safe, alright?

Yeah.

Let’s give it our all tomorrow too!

.....Everyone was really fired up today.

Fufu. After a send-off like that, there’s no way I can deliver anything less than perfect over there.

If I want to put on the greatest show in America, I need to start planning my direction now.

Maybe I’ll watch the past Brillia Stage footage they gave us as soon as I get home......

Whoa there, can’t you take at least tonight off?

We just had a celebration.

No, I can’t afford to rest. I just... can’t let myself stop now.

Not until I’ve made my dream come true..... I refuse to stop.

...........I guess there’s no getting through to you, huh?

Huh?

No, it's nothing.

......Rui, I swear I’ll respond to your direction with all I’ve got, even in America.

So, let’s both make our dreams come true.

.....Yeah.

You’re right.

—And I’ll be relying on you, in America as well.

Alright, I’m heading this way.

See you tomorrow!

Yeah. See you.

Make our dreams come true together, huh.......?

.....I’ve ended up worrying Asahi-san, haven’t I.

.............

(Even so…..)

(I have to keep moving forward.)

(I need to grow even more in America..… for the sake of my dream—)

It’s lonely..… when the people you love aren’t there with you, right?

(…...Who… was that just now?)

(If I leave for America..… I might see everyone even less than I already do.)

(Lately, we’ve barely managed to keep in touch with how busy we’ve all been…..)

(This might be a good chance..… maybe I should reach out to everyone.)