Until You Shine Like Deneb ch4: Back of the Drawer

You're not fit to be the lead!
I won't accept this!

...Rion. I know how you feel.

If I wished to be impartial, an audition for the lead role would've been better.
Then...!
But you see,

it's because we have Atori as the lead now that this performance has meaning.

In order for this troupe to get back on its feet, we need Atori front and center...

I'm glad you understand.

...She's nothing more
than a panda to attract customers.

Panda...?

We haven't had any shows lately, so pretty much all we've been doing is practice.

Rion-chan was excited, saying that if we got the chance to perform, she definitely wanted the lead role...

Mm~
But well~ Just give her some time and she'll cheer right back up!

That girl loves plays~ Once we start practising, she attends every single session.
It's because she's so earnest and serious that her frustration got the better of her this time.

Ami...san, you sure know a lot about Rion-san.

We used to fight all the time~
Mumomomomomo
Now then.

Before we get into casting the other roles besides Atori's, I'd like to go over the theater and other basics...
What's the situation, Adanabe?
Right.

In order to perform as soon as possible...
we'll have to clean the theater and rehearse at pretty much the same time.

We'll all start cleaning from this weekend
and start practising as soon as possible within the month.

The script will be completed next week.

Couldn't we just hire some cleaners...
Our bank account is running on fumes, Sasori-sama.
Oh~
Eh~? Ah! Let's use that money to gather an ensemble to help...
Alas, that will also prove difficult.

You mean we have to clean that worn down theater by ourselves!?
Hard labor...
Let's do our best.

You'll pay everyone their guarantee, right?
Uuh... Yes...

...

Let me deal with Rion-chan later.
Thank you, Hitoha-san.

Howzat...
My big sis supports Adanabe-san with all the clerical work and business contacts she does.
Fufu...

...Do you like your sister?
Wh-Wh-Wha!? D-D-D-Do-Do-Do-D-Don't be stupid!

Eh? Did you say something Futaba?
No! I didn't!
Well then,
now that we've decided what to do going forward...

Cycnus, fight on!
Fight on!
Yeah~
Yeah~
...I'm getting kinda worried...

Rion-san...

There you are.

p10

...That girl's babysitter, huh?

Sorry. I wanted to talk with you... about Atori.
Erm... Rion-san...
What is it?

Atori's just the way she is, so she spaces out a lot,
gives a dull reaction to anything you say,
and might end up irritating you a lot...

p11

but when it comes to musical,
that girl is as dedicated as they come.

I'm sure if you watch her practice, I'm sure you'll...
That's got nothing to do with me.

Ah, Rai-...
Besides,

p12

someone like you who knows nothing about musicals
has no right to lecture me!

p13

You're rong!

...Huh?
Raika loves musicals!
Atori! Calm down!
Raika is...
...Ng!

p14

What now...?

A notification...

!

Hrm!?
She's ignoring me!?

I'm not done talking ye-...
Come on, let's go, Atori!

I'm sorry, Rion-san! We'll talk another time!

p15

Thanks.

I wonder who... that notification Rion-san got now is from.

If a "miracle" has occured...
it must be from someone Rion-san holds dear.

Send

tap...

p16

Just when I thought I'd get to do a musical.
Man...

That culture festival video...
I hate to admit it, but that girl's performance was good.
Let's go together.
Aah.
Even if we did hold an audition,
I'm sure she would've won.

Hah...

p17

In the end,
I can't be the brightest star.

I'm still
at the back of the drawer...

The walls in the conference room can become mirrors~
Wow!!

p18

Good morning.

I see you all have your scripts.
I'll go over the casting once more.

Lead role, Atori as Shiara.

Rion as Nahane.

Ami as Drop.
Kay~
Hitoha as Tsuki.
Futaba as Ragu.

As representative, I, Adanabe, will announce the details of the programme.
Script and lyrics by Nabe Ataru-san. Music by Bana Tea-san.
Our program this time is "Wounds and Loneliness".
It's designed to be doable by a small number of people.

p19

It takes place in a parallel world.
Appearing before the protagonist Shiara, who is able to heal the wounds of others, is Nahane, who bears wounds in her heart.
Shiara...

That's some thick air...

Reading aloud.
"My heart is always alone."
"Even if you say you can heal, it's too late to heal an injury as grave as this."
"Quickly! We need your power right now!"
"Fufu... The patient is this way..."

p20

It's my first time... reading in front of others.
"I am Shiara. Are you... hurt?"

It doesn't look like she's nervous.

Sasori-sama.

About this line here.
It says to express it in an explosion of emotion.
That's... right.

Script / Lyrics - Nabe Ataru
Music - Bana Tea
Cast
Shiara - Ayaha Atori

Also, the demo music has arrived.
The overall design is...

p21

Adanabe-san.

Hoshimisaki-san. Is something the matter?

There's... something I wanted to ask you.
Yes?

p22

Script and lyrics by Nabe Ataru.
Music by Bana Tea.
These are

both you, aren't they... Adanabe-san?

Warning