To Go Further

Hatsumi: We've arrived. This is the stage for the final battle.

Lilja: Lady Macbeth won't leave the castle. But there's no scene like this in any of the acts?

Hatsumi: Can't you see it? The townscape spreading out below Inverness Castle. If you take a step back from the window, you can see the stone walls lit by torches and smell the soot.

Hatsumi: In the distance, you can hear the sounds of the victory celebrations.

Hatsumi: ......King Duncan, who doesn't know that he will be stabbed in his sleep.

Lilja: Act 1......

Hatsumi: If you have the script in your head, that's enough. Try playing Lady Macbeth.

Lilja: Pushy......

Hatsumi: I want to see the moment when your sleeping talent awakens. Go on.

Lilja: ......

Lilja: 'Well. Your face is like a book. You can't hide your secrets from anyone, and they can see right through you.'

Lilja: 'To deceive the world, you have to look like the world. You have to make yourself look like a beautiful flower on the surface, while hiding a snake beneath the foliage.'

Lilja: 'Leave it to me. It is my job to bring you your supreme power and title’.

Hatsumi: And Macbeth agonises.

Hatsumi: 'Please let me think about it. To murder the king......’

Hatsumi: Hmm, that brings back memories. It's a familiar script, and a formulaic performance.

Lilja: ......

Hatsumi: What's wrong, what are you unhappy about?

Lilja: ......It's not familiar. It's been arranged.

Lilja: Maybe I just can't express it.

Hatsumi: I see. Even if you can't express it, you still have love for Gingaza, right?

Lilja: You're so mean......

Hatsumi: I can see the truth behind why you were selected. Then I'll teach you what it means to be foul.

Hatsumi: 'Well......! Your face is like a book.

Hatsumi: ‘You can't hide your secrets from anyone, and they can see right through you...'

Lilja: Eh......

Hatsumi: '......To deceive the world, you have to look like the world.’

Hatsumi: 'You have to make yourself look like a beautiful flower on the surface, while hiding a snake beneath the foliage.’

Hatsumi: 'Leave it to me. It is my job to bring you your supreme power and title’.

Hatsumi: ......Are you going to make me play a solo act, Macbeth?

Lilja: 'Please let me think about it. To murder the king......’

Hatsumi: 'You want it too, don't you?’

Hatsumi: 'The eternally beautiful me.’

Hatsumi: 'Now, leave the rest to me. Sleep in peace until the day the sun shines on your crown.’

Lilja: What was that......?

Hatsumi: It's an improvised arrangement. It's not the first time Gingaza and I have had different tastes.

Hatsumi: She does not hide her desires, and even uses them to adorn herself, leading her husband astray. How did you feel when you saw her performance? Was it not very foul?

Lilja: ......

Lilja: Even though it was the same role, she was so fair and so foul. Lady Macbeth......

Lilja: I couldn't take my eyes off her. Her voice and mannerisms were so foul that they gave me goosebumps, yet she was fair......

Hatsumi: You said that fair is fair. You asked why you, who are fair, have to act foul.

Hatsumi: That's not right. Beauty resides in everything. Don't judge things based on your own standards alone.

Lilja: In everything......

Hatsumi: All things have two sides to the same coin. Don't be trapped by appearances, change your perspective. Once you break down your rigid aesthetics, a new beauty unfolds.

Lilja: Ah......

Hatsumi: You weren't chosen just because you're beautiful. You were chosen because you sincerely seek to be beautiful.

Hatsumi: Isn't that right?

Lilja: ......Hatsumi.

Lilja: That may be so.

Hatsumi: ......You said that it was enough to be seen. But acting is not just about being seen.

Hatsumi: To capture their gaze, to draw their ears, to crawl against their skin, to capture their heart.

Hatsumi: I'm an actor, and an egoist. I'm not satisfied with just a glance. I'll use all my tricks to steal the hearts of the audience.

Lilja: Is that what you call acting......?

Hatsumi: Yes. Don't you think it's interesting?

Hatsumi: Of course, I don't expect you to be able to imitate me.

Lilja: ......Mm.

Hatsumi: Don't pout like that. I've been honing my skills for a long time.

Hatsumi: The performances of actors are beautiful works of art, each one unique. On stage, everyone is pouring their heart and soul into reaching the highest level.

Hatsumi: ......Look around you. The actors of Gingaza are all top class, all beautiful.

Hatsumi: Yonaguni Hikari has become adept at using light and shadow to her advantage. Wang Xue is able to perform a wide range of roles, despite the shortcomings of her Sense.

Hatsumi: Ramona Wolf is an indispensable presence as the hub of the revolving galaxy. And Senju Koyomi is willing to burn herself to the ground in order to become a cornerstone.

Hatsumi: Lilja Kurtbay. You are indeed beautiful. I also admire your mad passion for beauty.

Hatsumi: Just as you value beauty, everyone has their own values. I walk through life believing that I am beautiful, and I perform with all my might.

Hatsumi: The stage is a place where we can battle it out with our aesthetics. Everyone wants to be the supreme work of art, right?

Hatsumi: Try changing your perspective. You're surrounded by beautiful art.

Lilja: The world around me......

Ramona: Everyone, including myself, is still confused. That's why we should exchange opinions and try to improve our acting. What's wrong with that?

Koyomi: Please entrust your passion to me, the leader...... No, please entrust it to the new and changing Macbeth.

Lilja: Lady Macbeth was also passionate about being beautiful.

Lilja: I want to be beautiful, no matter what it takes. That is......aesthetics.

Hatsumi: Have you understood a little more?

Lilja: Thank you, Hatsumi. Maybe I've realised something.

Lilja: ......Fairness is not just about being beautiful. And my desire to be beautiful is still burning.

Hatsumi: That's good. Show me a 'Macbeth' that entertains me.

Lilja: Yes.

Hatsumi: ......Heh heh. I hope I was of some help to you, Koyomi.