The Stars Press Onward!
Kokona
Whoa, sorry! Coming through!
Passerby A
Hey, wasn't that...could that be Otori Kokona!? From Sirius!
Passerby B
Huh, where, where!? Oh, you're right! Her Apollo role was so good!
Kokona
(...! People who watched the World Theatre League! It feels like this kind of thing has been happening more and more lately.)
Kokona
(Before, I kept failing troupe auditions one after another, and Shizuka-chan and I were just practicing on the beach together...)
Kokona
What a strange feeling...I've really come this far...
Shizuka
Oh, Kokona. Welcome back-want me to take your bag?
Kokona
I'm back-wow, it's full of flowers!
Chisa
Yeah, it's as lively as a tuna auction hall.
Panda
Okay, that's a stretch...but yeah, we did take first place at the World Theatre League as a troupe, after all.
Panda
Apparently congratulatory flowers have been pouring in from all over. We're really getting attention~. Panda's social media is blowing up too~!
Kathrina
Same as always, so mercenary...but I'll admit, getting this many flowers does make me happy.
Yae
Oh, look at this-these flowers seem to be from Theresa-san.
Kathrina
Huh!? From Mama!? So that's why she sounded so pleased on the phone yesterday...!
Kokona
Fufu, I'm glad we worked so hard...
Shizuka
You're right. But we can't float on cloud nine forever. After all, our next rehearsal is...
Kokona
...! That's right!
Noa
...3, 4. Your leg line is sloppy, Yae. Once more.
Yae
Yes! Hiiragi-san!
Noa
...!
Kathrina
Her movements are so elegant...you'd never think she'd been behind the scenes.
Shizuka
...Hiiragi-san. You really do intend to do everything yourself, not just instruct.
Noa
Of course-isn't that obvious? I'm no longer someone who simply teaches. I'm also your rival, aiming for World Dai Star.
Kokona
So cool...
Panda
Right...and she's a formidable rival at that. We can't afford to slack off!
Yae
Hiiragi-san...I...getting to rehearse alongside you as a fellow actor-it feels like I'm dreaming.
Noa
Yae, dreaming is only for when you're asleep. Once you step onto the boards, we're equals.
Noa
No-given my time away, you all might even be ahead of me. That's exactly why I intend to overtake you with everything I've got.
Yae
Hiiragi-san...yes!
Kathrina
We need to throw ourselves into rehearsal too!
Shizuka
Fufu, you're right!
Noa
Everyone, the next piece has been decided. Here it is.
Panda
This is...'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter'.
Shamo
That's right-this is Noa's first performance back as an actor. I've put together a piece that will test her abilities as a performer.
Hana
I'll announce the casting.
Hana
First, Kaguya-hime will be played by Noa. Misao will be played by Yae.
Yae
...! Hiiragi-san as my counterpart...!
Noa
I'm counting on you, Yae.
Yae
Likewise, I look forward to working with you!
Hana
The Old Man will be Otori Kokona, and the Old Woman will be Shizuka. The Lunar Envoy will be Kathrina.
Kokona
A different role from before...I'll have to work hard from the character building stage!
Shizuka
That's right, Kokona.
Hana
And Sasuga will play the Emperor, while Panda will play Isonokami no Marotari.
Panda
Oh...one of the suitors, huh. If I remember right, Isonokami no Marotari searches for the cowrie shell and loses his life doing so.
Chisa
The Emperor, huh...fufu, let it be so decreed...!
Hana
That's the main cast-next, the supporting roles...
Kokona
"Heeey, dear wife. Come look at this bamboo. The base is glowing with light. ...Why, inside is an adorable little girl, no more than three inches tall!"
Shizuka
"My...what a beautiful child. Perhaps a gift from the gods. Let us raise her with great care."
Hana
(The unspoken harmony of a couple who've spent a lifetime together...even at the read through stage, the scene comes to life before your eyes.)
Panda
"Kaguya-sama! Please, won't you accept these feelings of mine! I promise to make you happy!"
Noa
"I appreciate the sentiment, but in order to accept a proposal, you must first present a treasure."
Panda
"A treasure...?"
Noa
"Yes-for you, the cowrie shell of a swallow..."
Hana
(Even against Noa, she's holding her own...you've really grown, Panda.)
Kathrina
"Come now, let us return. Kaguya. To the place where you belong-the moon."
Chisa
"I won't let Kaguya go! Men, to arms! To arms!"
Kathrina
"How foolish..."
Chisa
"Wha-my body won't move...!?"
Yae
"Kaguya-sama!"
Kathrina
"...You're still here."
Noa
"...! Stop! Don't do anything to her!"
Hana
I see...
Shamo
Looks like it'll make for a proper production.
Hana
Yes...Kokona and the others are keeping up with Noa. At this rate, they shouldn't look out of place during the actual performance.
Kokona
Phew~, today's rehearsal was nerve wracking~.
Panda
Tell me about it~. Even while speaking as Isonokami no Marotari, I was terrified I'd trip over the words. Oh, new comments!
Kathrina
Panda, you're being way too lazy. But...well, I get it. The intensity when you're face to face with her-Hiiragi-san really is something.
Shizuka
But it was fun, wasn't it. Rehearsing as fellow actors with Hiiragi-san, who's always been our teacher.
Chisa
Definitely! I really felt it too, facing off against her as the Emperor. Like a school of tuna encountering a giant whale?
Panda
I have absolutely no idea what that means...Sassu. Oh, but hey...Hiiragi-san's comeback is already making waves.
Kokona
Everyone was just really looking forward to Hiiragi-san performing on stage.
Shizuka
That's right.
Kathrina
Wellll...I think I'll go take a bath. I'll go on ahead.
Panda
Ah, wait! Katorin! I'm coming too!
Shizuka
Oh, Panda left already...Sasuga...Sasuga?
Chisa
Zzzzz...
Kokona
Ah, she fell asleep...
Shizuka
Well, she must be tired. So am I, but everyone really gave it their all at today's rehearsal.
Kokona
Right~. Unlike before, getting to do a read through on equal footing with Hiiragi-san is pretty rare.
Shizuka
There's that, but also, during the Old Man and Old Woman read through, I felt this connection somehow. Like our breathing was perfectly in sync...
Kokona
...! You felt that too, Shizuka-chan. That's why I got so into it-even though it was just a read through, it was so much fun.
Kokona
Hey, Shizuka-chan. What if we end up at the Dai Star Festival too, just like Hiiragi-san and Yae-chan.
Kokona
When that happens, I want to stand on the same stage with you. I want to see the view from up there together...I've been thinking that ever since that day.
Shizuka
...You're right. I feel the same way.
Hana
Good work-how was it, Noa? The read through?
Noa
...You'd know that better than anyone, having watched from the outside, wouldn't you?
Hana
Yes, I suppose so. ...Your comeback performance-I'm truly glad the ones performing alongside you are those girls.
Hana
Actors who can keep up with you at your full power, without falling behind. Back in the old Sirius, that was incredibly rare.
Hana
...I couldn't manage it, after all.
Noa
Hana, whether you were an actor...or after I moved to management, you were always there supporting me by my side...I'm grateful. So-
Hana
Wait, what? Are you trying to comfort me? I'm fine! It's not like I'm torn up about it.
Hana
Besides, I enjoy the work I'm doing now. ...Even so, I always thought it was such a waste.
Hana
That you could still shine so much more. And that if you were going to shine, I wanted it to be on a stage I created.
Noa
Hana...
Hana
Since it's my production, you'd better give it absolutely everything, got it? I won't accept any half measures!
Noa
...Fufu, you're right. I'll do my best not to embarrass you, director.
Nikako
Ahhh, I can't waaait~!
Daikoku
H-Hey, Nikacchi...keep it down!
Iruru
But I get how Nikako feels-I mean, this is Sirius's Hiiragi Noa, and her comeback performance!
Shigure
Hmm? I've heard from Hatsumi-san that she's impressive, but let's see if she really lives up to the hype~.
Daikoku
There you go, being cheeky again...still, there sure are a lot of people here, my Lord.
Hatsumi
That's how much attention this is drawing...oh?
Iroha
Ah! It's Hatsumi-san! Onee-san, Hatsumi-san is here!
Koyomi
Y-Yes...ah, wait, Iroha-san...!
Hatsumi
Iroha and Koyomi! And the Gingaza and Denki crews too. Fufu, the whole gang is here.
Towa
Well yeah, it's that kind of show.
Tsubomi
The troupe that shone the brightest at the World Theatre League, and on top of that, a comeback performance from a Dai Star who'd been serving as their instructor-it's no surprise, really.
Kamira
Right! I'm super pumped! My listeners were all hyped about it on stream too!
Mito
Yeah, me too...!
Ramona
There'll be much to gain from watching. Let's approach this as a learning experience.
Lilja
I also wanted to see Noa's beauty.
Hikari
Yeah! I can't wait to see what kind of show it'll be! Even Xue woke up early with us!
Xue
You're the one who came barging in to wake me up at the crack of dawn...on my day off, no less...haah.
Koyomi
As a fellow Dai Star and predecessor, I really must see this for myself.
Iroha
Right! And besides, it's been so long since we've gone to see a show together, Koyomi-san!
Koyomi
Yes, it has...Iroha-san. ...What is it, Hatsumi-san? That look in your eyes.
Hatsumi
No, nothing...just glad to see it, that's all.
Koyomi
Huh...?
Hatsumi
(It seems the relationship between Iroha and Koyomi has changed for the better too. ...Siblings should be together when they can.)
Hatsumi
(Good for you...Koyomi...Iroha.)
Kokona
I peeked out a minute ago-the audience is incredible! This might be our biggest turnout ever!
Shizuka
Yes, we'll be performing in front of all those people.
Kathrina
Oh? Getting cold feet?
Shizuka
Hardly-I'm more excited than anything.
Chisa
Same! So before the show-Boss! If you would!
Noa
Huh, me...?
Panda
Of course! You're today's star, after all! Give us something big!
Kathrina
That's right-for once, I agree with Panda.
Yae
Yes! Please, Hiiragi-san!!!
Noa
Alright...if you insist.
Noa
...I've been watching all of you. From the day you joined, all the way to today.
Noa
I like to think I've taught you a thing or two about technique and mindset. And speaking as someone who has-today's performance will be a success.
Everyone
...!!!
Noa
Your brilliance is every bit as great as the Dai Star Festival I once stood on. Let's give it everything and shine.
Noa
Don't hesitate for even a moment-otherwise my brilliance will swallow you whole. Because this time, I intend to go all out and leave nothing behind.
Everyone
Yes!!!
Panda
"Kaguya-sama, I found it...this is the cowrie shell of the swallow..."
Noa
"No...you can't mean you truly risked your life for......I'm so sorry. I..."
Chisa
"Kaguya, wait! Wait, please...!"
Noa
"Please deliver this letter to His Majesty...thank you for telling me that you loved me."
Noa
"And...Grandmother, Grandfather."
Noa
"Thank you for raising me all this time. Please, the two of you...stay well, for many years to come."
Kokona
"No..."
Shizuka
"Kaguya...!"
Noa
"And Misao...you're last."
Yae
"Onee-sama...I..."
Noa
"Thank you for crying for me...but a smile suits you so much better."
Noa
"Spending my time on this earth with you, like true sisters...it was wonderful."
Yae
"Onee-sama, Onee-sama! I just...I just can't...! I don't want you to go! Don't leave! Onee-sama!!!"
Noa
"Thank you."
Yae
"Since the day you were gone, whenever I see those flowers, I always think of you."
Yae
"Onee-sama...the bamboo flowers were...truly beautiful, after all."
Hatsumi
So this is...Sirius's acting now. The acting of the Dai Star, Hiiragi Noa...
Hatsumi
My thirst has been quenched...magnificent is the only word.
Shigure
W-Well? I suppose Hatsumi-san's assessment was warranted after all?
Daikoku
Why are you still putting on airs here of all places...haah, and it annoys me to admit it, but Panda and Sasuga's performances were good too...
Nikako
Right~! I want to try acting like that too!
Hikari
Yeah, yeah! What did you think, Lilja-san? Wait-Lilja-san!?
Lilja
It was good...no other words are needed.
Ramona
Lilja seems quite pleased as well.
Koyomi
That production had more than enough to warrant that response. I need to take this in as nourishment for my own growth.
Iroha
I felt the same! I need to buy tickets for a second and third viewing...! Want to come too, Mito-chan?
Mito
Yeah, let's get them together...!
Kamira
It was just so, so good...I still can't find the words for anything else.
Xue
Well, it was worth giving up my day off. Time well spent.
Tsubomi
A brilliance like the dazzling stars shining in the sky...indeed, a production of this calibre is exceedingly rare.
Towa
(You had a good look on your face out there, kouhai...I've gotta step it up too.)
Yae
Haah...haah...Hiiragi-san!
Noa
Yae, what is it?
Yae
The show just ended, but...there's something I want to say!
Noa
Something to say-what might that be?
Yae
Ever since I first saw you perform, Hiiragi-san, I've wanted to act on the same stage as you...so!
Yae
My dream came true...thank you, Hiiragi-san!
Noa
...Thank you too. Thank you, Yae. For keeping up with my performance.
Panda
And so! To celebrate a successful show!
Everyone
Cheers!!!
Kokona
Juice after giving it your all on stage tastes so good~!
Chisa
Hey, Kathrina. You're only taking meat again. That's no good-you have to eat a balanced diet.
Kathrina
H-Hey, I know that! I was just about to grab some vegetables!
Panda
But seriously, this show...it's getting rave reviews! It's all over the timeline!
Panda
Oh, Kamira-chan and Hikari-san are doing a review stream!
Yae
My senpai seems to have come to watch too...I hope I was able to show her a good performance.
Panda
Well, among everything, there are the most mentions of the lead, Hiiragi-san~. And as for the lady herself...
Noa
glug glug Pwahhh~! Oh, this is the best! I don't have to hold back today, right!? Hana!!!
Hana
Yes, yes! You worked so hard!!! Go ahead and drink all you want! I'm drinking too!!!
Shizuka
She's drinking at an incredible pace...is she going to be okay?
Shamo
Those two had a lot riding on this production. Let's let them off the hook for tonight, shall we?
Kokona
You're right-letting loose is important! Shamo-san!!!
Hana
You all really did amazing too!!! And Noa!!!!
Noa
Hana, your glass is empty! Well, I suppose it can't be helped...I'll pour for you.
Yae
Your glass is empty too, Hiiragi-san...don't worry! I'll pour for you! Oh, Kathrina-san?
Kathrina
If you're pouring for her, pour this water instead. Also, what is even happening here???
Shizuka
I don't know...but at some point we might need to pry Yae-chan away from the drunk crowd.
Kokona
Fufu, yeah...
Kokona
(This is so much fun...I really do love Sirius. Together with everyone...I want to aim to become a World Dai Star.)
Kokona
At the next World Theatre League, so that I can stand on the Dai Star Festival stage-I'm going to give it my all!
Kathrina
Getting ahead of yourself, Kokona. ...Well, I don't intend to lose either.
Panda
Right~. And besides, racking up experience from now on and making a strong showing during Horoscope Season isn't a bad strategy at all!
Chisa
Fufu, you're right...Panda. Let's all do our best together.
Shizuka
Yes-all of us in Sirius!
Yae
I want to stand on the Festival stage with everyone too...!
Noa
......
Shamo
Fufu, it's become a wonderful troupe, hasn't it.
Noa
Yes...as their instructor, and as a fellow actor in this troupe-I couldn't be prouder.
Several years later...
Shizuka
Honestly, there you are! Kokona, rehearsal's about to start~!
Kokona
Oh, ah...yeah! Just a sec!
Shizuka
Haah, lost in thought again, I see.
Kokona
Well, can you blame me...? I mean, we're actually going to stand on the Dai Star Festival stage! It's just...deeply moving, you know...
Shizuka
Fufu, I suppose so. But we can't stay lost in thought forever, can we? From here, we go even further-to become World Dai Stars.
Kokona
Shizuka-chan...yeah!
Shizuka
Let's go-everyone's waiting...!
The stars continue reaching toward the zenith.
Seeking brilliance befitting World Dai Stars.
In time, one red star would shine with exceptional brightness.
And always by its side, a blue star kept close.
Before long, the girls were captivated by those two stars, and chased after them.
Aiming to become World Dai Stars.