Hatsumi
Tetra-san, is everything normal on your end?

Tetra
Nothings wrong. It's just the same familiar stage as always.

Tetra
This is unusual though. Taking so much time to inspect the stage.

Hatsumi
The next performance will be Daikoku's first stage. For Eden's sake too, I want to approach it with extra caution.

Tetra
That new recruit...you seem to think highly of her.

Hatsumi
Of course. If Daikoku matures as an actor, we'll be one step closer to my ideal for our troupe.

Tetra
Heh, you've got such a happy face. Just like a child who found a treasure.

Hatsumi
How rude. I'm a cool and intellectual adult, you know?

Tetra
That's not a very intellectual response...

Tetra
But well, you should be careful. It's in times like these that one tends to stumble.

Hatsumi
What do you mean?

Tetra
With stage performances...when things seem to be going well is exactly when something tends to happen.

Daikoku
Haah...haah...p-please, one more time...

Eden Member A
Again? How many times have you gotten stuck here...

Daikoku
S-sorry...

Daikoku
But something feels off...

Daikoku
(In the performance I saw at Sirius, Panda's acting was so much more amazing...)

Daikoku
(For the sake of the stage, I need to become like that too...)

Hatsumi
What...is happening...

Iruru
Daikoku seems to be struggling with constructing her performance. Looking from the outside, it's passable, but...

Hatsumi
It's as if she's constantly imitating someone...

Hatsumi
But that's not even real imitation or possession. She's just continuing to do boring acting that's stuck in a mold.

Iruru
Hatsumi, you're so blunt...

Iruru
But yeah, that's pretty much my impression too.

Hatsumi
The brilliance Daikoku showed in the admission audition is gone. Where did that captivating figure disappear to...?

Iruru
With her in that state, the play isn't improving at all. The other actors are quite irritated too.

Iruru
I've been trying to support her, but I'm reaching my limit. If this continues, things will start to explode.

Hatsumi
...I understand. I'll talk to Daikoku myself.

Iruru
Okay. I'll handle the other members.

Iruru
...I'm counting on you with Daikoku.

Hatsumi
Yeah...

Daikoku
Um, Hatsumi-san...what did you want to talk about?

Hatsumi
Sorry to bother you when you're tired after rehearsal. There's something I wanted to tell you again.

Hatsumi
Do you remember the troupe admission audition? There was an acting evaluation then.

Daikoku
That was...the scene where I played with flowers and birds...

Hatsumi
Yes, a scene of happily admiring flowers and birds. However, your performance was overflowing with a dark dampness...

Hatsumi
I was surprised by the unexpected expression, but it was truly interesting! That's why I thought I'd like to have you play the role of a magician in the next performance.

Hatsumi
I thought that an actor who could channel those dark, damp emotions would make the best magician, so I-

Daikoku
But that's not my ideal performance.

Hatsumi
What...?

Daikoku
I think dark, damp acting can't win against the brilliance of light...

Daikoku
So, I...

Daikoku
Ah...! I-I'm sorry...!

Daikoku
I said something impertinent to you, Hatsumi-san...

Daikoku
I seem to be a bit strange from fatigue...I'll go home and rest for today...

Hatsumi
Hey. We're not done talk-

Hatsumi
...The brilliance of light. Is that the weight that has taken root in Daikoku...

Hatsumi
Daikoku...to free your heart, perhaps some rather drastic measures will be necessary.