Chapter 2

Thank you so much for joining me today, Kịima-san!

You didn’t just help me go over the script but you even stayed for my self-training...… I can’t thank you enough.

It’s no trouble!

I understand well your desire to do everything possible to make this a great show.

We’re sharing the spotlight this time, it’s crucial we’re in sync with each other.

Yeah..…

Ishinden is about two brothers, separated as kids, now fighting for opposing sides, the new regime and the old shogunate—

Knowing how important the ending fight is makes me want to push even harder!

It’s just..… I still feel like there’s room for improvement.

Like something’s missing......

… I see.

Sorry if that didn’t make much sense…...

No need to be sorry.

Reflecting like that is a valuable part of the process!

But you know, it’s a conclusion only you can reach.

And when you finally see it, you’ll come out of it even stronger, Tenma-kun.

…..! Even stronger than I am now…..

............Understood.

I, Tsukasa Tenma, will definitely reach that answer!

Haha, now that’s the spirit!

By the way, Tenma-kun, did you reply to that message?

Message?

You said one of your old teammates reached out while we were in the middle of the planning.

Since you dove straight into solo practice afterward, I figured you hadn’t replied yet.

Oh, that’s right......!

I was so wrapped up in rehearsal, it slipped my mind entirely......!

I’ll reply right away!

Good, I’m glad it came back to you!

Still...... staying in touch even after disbanding, you must be really close with them.

...Yeah, we are.

Actually..... one of the reasons I decided to go abroad was because they encouraged me to.

Is that so?

Yes.

One of them told me he's going to become a part of a top-tier show unit in America to continue chasing his dream—

And I thought, “I can’t let him beat me.”

I know I’ve still got a long way to go. I realize it might be too soon for me to go abroad. But—

My dream is to become a star who makes the whole world smile... and I need to be the one who achieves it first.

......I see.

That’s a very you kind of determination, Tenma-kun.

Charging straight toward your goal—I respect that!

Hold your head high and keep running toward that grand dream of yours!

Kijima-san..........

Yes! Thank you so much!

I'm sure you can do it.

Because you're the future star destined to bring smiles to everyone, right?

(.....What was that just now...?)

(I’m not sure what it was, but… it felt like someone was pushing me forward.)

(…So this is it. The final show.)

(So I don’t lose to them… I’ve got to stay sharp until the very end!)

Why..... Why are you here!?

I thought I let you go back then!

......!

(Alright. The timing is perfect!)

(From this sword lock, we’ll go straight into a clash—)

No way! He just launched himself off the wall!

(He’s going off-script?! Alright. I’ll take the blow and recover—)

Ugh—!

Gh... Brother...!

Woah, that's intense.....!

(The audience is getting into it! Then next, I’ll—)

No, don’t worry about it…

I just didn’t think you’d add a spin like that.

(Still—this is Kijima-san’s spotlight.)

(I'll step forward just like we practiced—!)

No matter what...... this is the path I’ve chosen!

.......I see.

Then we have no choice but to fight.

Even if you're the only family I have.....!

Brother, I.......

Not once have I regretted the choice I made, parting ways with you back then.

I feel the same.

Which is why......

I will be the one who put an end to all of this.

Yeah...... I leave it to you.

It started off kinda comedic..... but I never expected it to end like that!

I didn’t know the Mikazuki Troupe could pull off something this emotional...…

That was seriously amazing!

Hah hah hah! Looks like the audience loved it too!

I’ve never heard applause like that before…...!

I’ve learned so much from you, Kijima-san, all the way to the very end.

Even that improv, it really fired up the audience!

You say that, but you handled it like a pro yourself, Tenma-kun!

—Tenma-kun.

Let me just say it again, thank you for everything up to now.

This troupe, and myself...… you’ve really inspired us.

There’ll be hardships when you face the world on your own, but I believe in you, Tenma-kun!

I’ll be looking forward to the day you become a star.

.....Yessir!

My time training with the Mikazuki Troupe is a treasure I’ll carry with me forever.

You all stood behind me and cheered me on.

To honor those feelings…

I will make my dream a reality.

Because I am a future star!

That's right!

Hold your head high and keep moving forward!

On the path to your own dream!

Kijima-san! The facility staff would like a word with you!

Ah, I see!

Then I’d better head over.

See you later, Tenma-kun!

Okay!

.........

(…So in the end, I couldn't bring out his full potential...…)

(…..My movement, and the swordplay choreography—surely I performed beyond what we practiced.)

(But still…...)

(Still—this is Kijima-san’s spotlight.)

(I'll step forward just like we practiced—!)

(Maybe..… it was a waste to hold back at that moment.)

(But, in the end, the show...…)

But you know, it’s a conclusion only you can reach.

(Could it be...… that’s what he was trying to tell me…?)

(...…I’m still lacking so much as an actor.)

(An actor should give their all, for the sake of a better performance…...)

(If I keep this up, they'll laugh at me for sure.)

(…...Come to think of it, Emu messaged me before the show, saying we should throw a farewell party if Rui and I are going abroad.)

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

(If they’d seen today’s performance..… I wonder what they would’ve said.)

(Emu would probably say something like, “It was like BAM-BAM-KAPOW! Super duper fun ☆” And Nene would totally nitpick all the tiny movement mistakes..…)

(And Rui would probably start monologuing on and on about extra staging ideas...…)

(Either way, as I am now, I’d only get criticism.)

(I….. have to grow stronger.)

(As the chairman of Wonderlands x Showtime—I can’t let them surpass me.)