Daikoku and Shigure
......

Nikako
...Hey, Irurun. Da-chan and Shigure-chan have been quiet the whole time. Are they fighting again...?

Iruru
No, I don't think that's it.

Iruru
(They probably found out about the "Oedipus Rex" talk...)

Nikako
Is that so? I wonder what's causing it...

Iruru
(It's fortunate that Nikako, who's taking a break from social media, hasn't noticed. She'd probably be the most negatively affected.)

Iruru
(I need to follow up with Daikoku and Shigure... I should speak to them individually without Nikako knowing-)

Hatsumi
Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's begin the meeting.

Iruru/Nikako
Yes!

Daikoku/Shigure
...Yes.

Hatsumi
...I see some gloomy faces. I assume you've seen the reviews of "Oedipus Rex"?

Daikoku/Shigure
...!

Hatsumi
Really, they were quite harsh. Saying things like it's not suitable for the current Eden...

Nikako
Ehhh!? Is the reception that bad!?

Iruru
(Hatsumi~...! Give me back all my worry~...)

Nikako
Come to think of it, my classmates were being nicer than usual today... Maybe they were being considerate...?

Hatsumi
So Nikako didn't know.

Hatsumi
But that's fine. Being swayed by such things is a waste of time.

Shigure
...You dismiss it so easily. I think we should consider public opinion a bit more.

Daikoku
You're going to voice your opinion to my Lord...!?

Shigure
I just want to properly hear Hatsumi-san's thoughts. Otherwise, I can't get motivated.

Daikoku
That's...

Hatsumi
Shigure has a point. Then, let me be clear.

Hatsumi
I don't care at all. As I just said, letting such things occupy your mind is a waste of time.

Hatsumi
What do I care about the clamoring of the masses? I'll do things my way.

Shigure
......

Hatsumi
Besides, I chose "Oedipus Rex" now because I'm confident we can make it a success.

Hatsumi
With all of you having grown as you have, we can create the stage I envision. If that's the case, isn't there no choice but to push forward?

Hatsumi
That's all I have to say. Are you satisfied?

Shigure
...I understand that you're not wavering. I'll trust you for now.

Nikako
Yeah, yeah! If Ren-san decided that, it must be alright!

Hatsumi
What about the rest of you? If you have something to say, speak up properly.

Iruru
...Daikoku, what about you? Anything you want to ask Hatsumi?

Daikoku
...I'm moved.

Iruru
Huh?

Daikoku
My Lord has acknowledged our acting! Said we're necessary for the stage!

Daikoku
Ah, my Lord...! I will definitely live up to your expectations...!

Shigure
She's getting excited on her own...?

Nikako
Da-chan must have been really happy about Ren-san's words!

Iruru
Well, it seems like there's no problem~...

Hatsumi
It seems we're settled, so change your mindset. For the success of "Oedipus Rex."

Iruru/Nikako/Shigure/Daikoku
Yes!

Nikako
I confirmed that the rehearsal room key is properly locked! Alright, clean up is done!

Hatsumi
All of you, take care on your way home. I don't want anything happening before rehearsals start.

Daikoku
Thank you for your concern...! I'll be extremely careful on my way home...!

Shigure
You're always so dramatic. We just need to go home normally.

Daikoku
I've decided to meet my Lord's expectations...! There's no such thing as overdoing it...!

Nikako
Da-chan is really fired up! I can't lose either!

Iruru
Daikoku and Nikako are all fired up. Seems like Hatsumi's talk worked in a good way.

Shigure
...I think those two are just too simple minded.

Iruru
Shigure...

Hatsumi
That's better for now. Before overthinking things, just focus on what needs to be done.

Shigure
Hmph... I know that without being told.

Hatsumi
This applies to me as well. I need to complete the "Oedipus Rex" script soon.

Iruru
Are you struggling with it? I can at least listen if there's something wrong.

Hatsumi
You don't need to worry about it. This is my problem.

Iruru
Well, I thought you'd say that. You just said you don't care about other people's opinions anyway~

Iruru
...You really are amazing, Hatsumi.

Hatsumi
I welcome your praise, but...why so suddenly?

Iruru
Well~... I was also quite concerned about it. The public reception, I mean.

Iruru
So seeing Hatsumi's attitude today.. I realized it again. This is what it means to have confidence~

Hatsumi
That's how I've continued as an actor this far.

Hatsumi
But...there is actually one person. One person whose opinion I do care about.

Iruru
Eh? Really?

Hatsumi
Yes...

Iruru
...Ah, I get it. That's a new pickup line, isn't it?

Hatsumi
Oh...?

Iruru
Saying things like "I only care about your words..." to make someone think they're special? You're quite cunning~

Hatsumi
...Fufu, you caught me.

Iruru
Huh...?

Hatsumi
Is something wrong?

Iruru
That didn't sound like you were joking just now.

Hatsumi
...You're perceptive.

Iruru
Well, we have been together for a long time.

Hatsumi
Fufu...I wasn't wrong to cast you as Oedipus's wife.

Iruru
Why, thank you...

Iruru
So, about what you said earlier-

Hatsumi
Well then, see you later. Make sure to practice on your own.

Iruru
Eh, wait Hatsumi...!? She left...

Nikako
Did something happen with Ren-san?

Iruru
No, don't worry about it, Nikako. It might just be my imagination.

Iruru
(Still, there was something odd about her attitude...)

Iruru
...Huh? Where's Shigure?

Nikako
She left while you and Ren-san were talking.

Daikoku
Leaving before my Lord is so disrespectful...! I should have stopped her after all...!

Iruru
Seriously...? I messed up~... I wanted to check in with Shigure...

Nikako
But I think she's still nearby.

Iruru
I see. Then I'll go after her! You two don't worry about us and head home!

Iruru
Ugh~, so much to do~...!

Daikoku
Iruru-san shouldn't worry about that kid either...

Nikako
......

Shigure
......

Iruru's Voice
Hey~, Shigure~! Wait a minute~!

Shigure
...Iruru-senpai?

Iruru
Haah...haah... I'm glad you were still nearby...that helped~...

Shigure
Do you need something?

Iruru
Haah...haah... I wanted...to talk with you a bit more.

Shigure
...Are you concerned that I complained to Hatsumi-san?

Iruru
Well, something like that.

Iruru
I understand that you have various things you want to say, but I wanted to tell you to try trusting Hatsumi first.

Shigure
......

Iruru
That's how we've been doing things, and it's worked out well so far.

Shigure
...That is Eden's rule, after all.

Iruru
It's not that dramatic, but I think that's what's best for us right now.

Shigure
...I understand.

Iruru
(She seems okay for now, but she's clearly dissatisfied.)

Iruru
(I need to keep a proper eye on Shigure for a while...)