Hikari
Koyomi-san!? Did you hear that just now...!?

Koyomi
Yes, I heard everything. It was too loud to be a soliloquy. Should I say that's what you'd expect from a Gingaza troupe member? Or should I report you first?

Hikari
Wait wait! I'm not a suspicious person! It's like wanting to shout at the ocean-I was just spilling everything out to the river!

Koyomi
...That's what I'm saying is suspicious. Well, never mind. Are you on an evening run right now?

Hikari
Yeah, that's right! Koyomi-san, are you heading back now? It's really late, isn't it? Ah...!

Koyomi
...Yes, there's no need to worry. I have early morning rehearsal after this, so I'll excuse myself here.

Hikari
Could it be the same as this morning's business...? Were you called by the teachers...?

Koyomi
Yes...to be precise, by Gingaza's upper management.

Koyomi
Since World Theatre League judges will be coming to the next performance, our senior predecessors seem to be concerned about us.

Hikari
So that's why you were saying "there's no need to worry" this morning...

Koyomi
Haah...you heard that much too. Really, there's no need for your worry, Hikari-san.

Koyomi
As the lead, as an actor bearing Gingaza on my shoulders...I understand it's my duty to accept opinions from upper management.

Hikari
But even though there's rehearsal, you have meetings with teachers and important people too-Koyomi-san, you're way too busy...!

Hikari
You were sighing this morning too...are you getting proper rest?

Koyomi
You really were listening closely...but it's nothing serious.

Koyomi
As I keep saying, there's no need to worry. Hikari-san, please don't concern yourself with me and focus on yourself.

Hikari
Y-Yeah, you're right...I wanted to be helpful to Koyomi-san even a little, but with me just failing at rehearsals, I might not be reliable... ahaha.

Koyomi
...What are you saying? You were chosen for the role of Ushiwakamaru in 'that' Gingaza's 'Benkei on the Bridge', weren't you?

Hikari
But that's because I have stamina and can move nimbly...my Sense is perfect for the Ushiwakamaru role too...

Koyomi
It's true that Sense is considered when deciding casting, but do you really think Gingaza chose you, Hikari-san, based on physical ability alone?

Hikari
Is it...different?

Koyomi
Of course. Gingaza isn't lenient enough to recognize someone for such shallow reasons.

Koyomi
To begin with, Ushiwakamaru isn't such a simple role that it can be fulfilled just by excelling at physical expression, no matter how good.

Koyomi
As I mentioned before, the deeply emotional human drama with Benkei...such emotional expression is also an important part of the role.

Koyomi
And what does it matter if you're failing at rehearsal? Rehearsal exists to refine your acting for the actual performance.

Koyomi
Accumulating failures is also essential in the process of achieving success. If you fear that, your acting won't be polished.

Hikari
Yeah...I see. It's time to refine things for the actual performance, right? Ahh...why didn't I realize something like that~!

Hikari
Even though I've failed so many times during rehearsals while continuing to act...!

Koyomi
That just means you were that absorbed in it. But that's not a bad thing at all.

Koyomi
I actually feel positively about that honest and straightforward attitude of yours, Hikari-san. As a fellow actor.

Hikari
Koyomi-san...

Hikari
(Koyomi-san handles rehearsals perfectly even while being so busy...and she doesn't show anyone how hard it is.)

Hikari
(On top of that, she's even worrying about me...what am I even doing... I feel so pathetic.)

Koyomi
(The conflicts happening within Gingaza, the tense atmosphere between troupe members.)

Koyomi
(...Because Hikari-san is so innocent, the quality of her acting is probably declining due to those factors.)

Koyomi
(But this is Gingaza...where tradition is protected, and only ability builds trust between actors.)

Koyomi
You may find it somewhat difficult now, but you'll get used to this atmosphere eventually.

Koyomi
After all, this is what Gingaza should truly be like.

Hikari
What it should be like...

Hikari
(Is that why everyone who participated in the workshop is gone...? I understand what Koyomi-san is saying, but...is that really okay...?)

Koyomi
Hikari-san...do you have a moment?

Hikari
Huh...?