Part 1: A Heart-Pounding Invitation
Director: Well, that’s all for today.
Gingaza Staff: Just like weʼve informed you earlier, the rehearsal hall will be closed during the weekend due to maintenance. Naturally, you won’t be able to use it for voluntary practice, so keep that in mind.
Gingaza Staff: Next week rehearsals for our next play, The Legend of the White Snake, will begin in earnest. These might be the last days off before the performance, so make sure to get enough rest.
Everyone: Understood!
Koyomi: Um, Ramona-san. Could you spare me a moment?
Ramona: Huh? Yes, sure. What is it about? Itʼs rather unusual for you to approach me.
Koyomi: Yes, I would like to ask you to join me for a script reading.
Ramona: What?
Koyomi: W-what?.. Why do you look like you could be knocked down with a feather?..
Ramona: C-could you, please, say that again?
Koyomi: Huh? Well, you look like you could…
Ramona: Not that. What you said before it.
Koyomi: Umm… I would like to ask you to join me for a script reading.
Ramona: Koyomi… Inviting me, for a script reading?!.. Is this even real?..
Ramona: Of course, I’ll join you! Weʼll do it day and night until youʼre fully satisfied, however long that may take!
Koyomi: Let’s not take it that far…
Koyomi: Well then, how about we take a short break and then get started?
Ramona: Sure! Ah, no, wait!! Should it be today?..
Koyomi: What’s the matter? You were so enthusiastic just a second ago… I thought we shouldn’t waste any time and get to it right away.
Ramona: Look… In fact, today Iʼm a little busy. But your invitation means a lot to me, I donʼt want it to end like this.
Koyomi: Oh. But since youʼre busy, thereʼs not much you can do. You can join me some other time…
Ramona: Koyomi, please, wait. Tomorrow, how about tomorrow? Thereʼs no practice, and I donʼt have any plans either.
Koyomi: Well, tomorrow is fine by me, but…
Ramona: Alright, then let’s meet up tomorrow. We could borrow the rehearsal hall…
Ramona: Ah, right, it will be closed for maintenance…
Koyomi: Yes, about that…
Ramona: Wait, Koyomi! Please, let me think of something! Ramona Wolf canʼt afford to miss such a perfect opportunity.
Koyomi: You’re overreacting… Itʼs just a script reading, so you don’t need to get so desperate, do you?
Ramona: Koyomi, since youʼre inviting me, for me itʼs not “just a script reading.” Besides, I also wanted to get in better sync with you.
Ramona: Both of us want that, and thatʼs a necessary step towards making a good play, right?
Koyomi: …
Ramona: That said, we still have to find a place…
Koyomi: Look…
Ramona: Hold up, Iʼll definitely come up with something. We could use shared space in the dormitory, but I guess we’ll keep getting disturbed there…
Koyomi: Um, Ramona-san. Actually… thereʼs a rehearsal hall… at my place.
Ramona: …? Is that so? Just like youʼd expect from such a famous theatre family as the Senju family, huh?
Koyomi: That’s beside the point! Umm, what Iʼm saying is, if we canʼt find a place, we can do the reading at my home, I guess…
Koyomi: Th-there we won’t have to worry about being disturbed or about time. We can practice all night long, and no one will complain.
Ramona: …
Ramona: Y-you mean it, Koyomi?!
Koyomi: Please, don’t be so loud!
Ramona: B-but inviting me to your place?! I heard that normally Japanese people don’t invite others to their homes. Is it really okay?!..
Koyomi: There’s no other way, is there? The rehearsal hall will be closed, after all!
Koyomi: Anyway, I’ll tell everyone at home that we’re having a visitor. It’s tomorrow in the afternoon, but…
Lilja: Are you two trying to go behind our backs?
Ramona: No, Lilja, you’re mistaken! Look, actually…
Hikari: What’s up? Are you planning something fun? I’ve heard you’re going to Koyomi’s place!
Koyomi: Come now… It’s not about having fun, we were planning to practice.
Lilja: Practice all night long, at Koyomi’s home, with just the two of you?
Hikari: Huh, so it’s a training camp?! That’s cool! I’d love to make curry together and sit around a campfire at night!
Koyomi: We aren’t having a field trip… We are simply going to do a script reading.
Ramona: Training camp sure sounds great! There’s also something called koibana, when you lay out futons and chat all night long with your friends, right?
Hikari: Exactly! A pillow fight is also a must!
Lilja: Taking a bath with Koyomi… Can’t wait for it.
Xue: Now they just decide things on their own and even plan to stay the night, but is that okay?
Koyomi: I’ll explain to everyone at home.
Xue: That’s not what I mean.
Koyomi: If you’re talking about the medication, I hide it well. I was the one to suggest that, so there’s no choice but to go along.
Xue: I see. Heh heh, Koyomi-san, looks like you’ve also become more soft.
Koyomi: Oh dear… It’s not like I meant to, though.