Shigure
I'm home...

Shigure
(...But like I said, Mama and Papa still aren't back today either...)

Shigure
...Ugh.

Shigure
(I wonder when Hatsumi-san will get back to me...when she said she'd "take it home and think about it", that means she's going to give me an answer, right...?)

Shigure
(It's not like Hatsumi-san would just ignore me like this...but right now she's probably busy writing scripts, and maybe she's just forgotten about me or something...)

Shigure
(...No, no, no! That's stupid! That's like I don't even trust Hatsumi-san!)

Shigure
(Besides, I said what I needed to say. No matter how it turns out...I don't need to have any regrets.)

Shigure
(It's up to Hatsumi-san now. I just have to trust her and wait...)

Shigure
(Yeah...if I trust Hatsumi-san and wait...)

Hatsumi
All right, everyone's here. I'll get straight to the point-today before rehearsal, I have something important to tell you. It concerns our next production.

Shigure
(Could it be...!)

Iruru
(Shigure's situation...is finally moving forward...?)

Nikako
(Please let it be good news, please let it be good news...!)

Daikoku
(I believe in you, my Lord...!)

Hatsumi
I told you before that I wouldn't respond to that letter from the World Theater League. ...That hasn't changed.

Shigure
(...!)

Hatsumi
But...that's only because the World Theater League is a stuffy authority stuck in rigid thinking. It doesn't mean we'll just sit back and do nothing.

Hatsumi
Actually, no-I'm wrong. Up until a little while ago, I stubbornly refused to even enter competitions, because I thought our troupe didn't need prestige or status.

Hatsumi
Even now, I still think this obsession with prestige is hollow and unnecessary. But...it's also a fact that without popularity, our troupe's survival is at stake.

Hatsumi
So I've decided to change our approach a bit. I think it'd be good to make the world recognise Eden's true capabilities.

Hatsumi
And so...we've decided that Eden will aim for Germany's Prometheus Award in our next production!

Shigure
(! The Prometheus Award...!)

Iruru
Hmm, so that's how you're playing it.

Iruru
You're going after the Prometheus Award...? You're serious about this, Hatsumi?

Hatsumi
Hah-do you really think I'd gather everyone here just to tell jokes?

Iruru
No, well...you're not wrong. But the Prometheus Award...it's not a prize you can win with half-hearted effort, is it?

Nikako
Really? It comes up in conversations a lot!

Iruru
Yeah...the Prometheus Award is one of the European theatre prizes, but its judging criteria are unusual in recent years-they emphasise artistry and originality.

Iruru
You can't compete based on a troupe's fame, popularity, or Senses...it's about demanding the pure, comprehensive artistic power of theatre itself.

Hatsumi
Exactly. Unlike the World Theatre League, which places importance on Senses, this is a wonderful award that appreciates the timeless values of good theatre!

Hatsumi
I have no interest in competitions in general, but I think this award alone is worth our attention.

Hatsumi
Troupes that rely only on popularity are too afraid to have their real abilities measured to even apply. So what do you say? Don't you want to test Eden's true strength?

Nikako
I think that's amazing! The Prometheus Award...!

Nikako
(If we could win this award, then maybe Shigure-chan's parents would finally...!)

Shigure
(Is this really going to be okay...? But what if we can't win the Prometheus Award...?)

Eden Troupe Member
So it's a pure test of ability...it's definitely Eden's style, but still...

Hatsumi
I see some uncertainty. I suppose that's only natural-this is my first attempt at something like this too.

Hatsumi
But it's a necessary step toward making that dream of a traveling theatre that I mentioned before come true. It's worth the challenge.

Hatsumi
We can build a real track record without chasing after authority. If opportunities like this come up in the future, I don't intend to let them slip away.

Shigure
(Hatsumi-san...!)