Hatsumi
The next performance by Eden will be... "Oedipus Rex."

Iruru
Really~... I didn't expect you'd choose this now~...

Nikako
Irurun, what kind of story is "Oedipus Rex" again...? I've heard the name but...

Iruru
Ah~, I guess it's natural you wouldn't know. It's definitely not your type of story~...

Nikako
Eh, is that so...?

Daikoku
"Oedipus Rex" is a tragedy... And an especially intense one at that...

Shigure
Shigure doesn't know much about it either. What kind of story is it?

Hatsumi
It's a complex story... but simply put, it's about the protagonist, King Oedipus, and his path to ruin.

Tetra
That's not wrong, but isn't that oversimplifying it a bit...?

Hatsumi
Then I'll leave the explanation to you, Tetra-san.

Tetra
So you're dumping it on me after all. Can't be helped, I guess...

Tetra
The setting is a country called Thebes. Oedipus, the king there, begins searching for the person who killed the previous king.

Nikako
That sounds like a detective novel...

Daikoku
Nikkachi, how perceptive... "Oedipus Rex" is sometimes called the first detective story...

Tetra
As a result of investigating the culprit... King Oedipus realizes that he himself is the murderer.

Tetra
Furthermore, he learns that the previous king he killed was his biological father... and his wife was the previous king's wife, meaning she was his biological mother.

Tetra
After Oedipus learns everything, he's struck by even more tragedy... In the end, he gouges out his own eyes.

Shigure
Wow... that's merciless, or rather, a scary story...

Iruru
But it's considered a masterpiece among Greek tragedies. That's why it's been performed continuously from ancient times until today.

Hatsumi
I've been wanting Eden to perform this tragedy someday. But there hasn't been a good opportunity until now.

Hatsumi
To fully perform such a masterpiece requires appropriate acting skills. The Eden of the past hadn't reached that level yet.

Hatsumi
But now it's different...!

Hatsumi
With how much you've all grown, I believe you can take on "Oedipus Rex" without any problems. That's my judgment.

Tetra
I agree with Hatsumi. I want to see "Oedipus Rex" performed by all of you as you are now.

Tetra
It's been called a masterpiece since ancient times. It should be worth performing.

Nikako
...The content seems difficult and scary, but...

Nikako
If Ren-san and Tetra-san say that much...!

Iruru
Well, running away with our tails between our legs isn't an option~

Daikoku
I'll take on the challenge with all my heart and soul to meet my lord's expectations...!

Shigure
...Shigure is against it.

Nikako/Iruru/Daikoku
!?

Hatsumi
Oh? Let me hear your reason.

Shigure
I think this play is too heavy.

Shigure
We finally gained more fans with "The Devil's Friend," and the next thing we show them is a tragedy?

Shigure
I don't think we'll get a good response. I don't think we need to choose this right now, at this timing.

Daikoku
Th-this kid... how dare you speak so insolently to my Lord...!

Shigure
Everyone was saying it, right? That we want to increase our fans. If that's the case, I think we should consider that too, don't you?

Daikoku
Th-that's...

Nikako
Hmm...it's true, the barrier to entry for viewers might be high... But if it's worth performing, I want to try it...

Shigure
It's not that I don't want to perform "Oedipus Rex." I just think now isn't the best time.

Tetra
...Shigure has a point. Tragedies inevitably appeal to a limited audience.

Hatsumi
......

Iruru
...I want to trust Hatsumi.

Shigure
Eh...?

Iruru
Hatsumi has been saying it occasionally for a while now. That she wanted to do "Oedipus Rex" someday.

Iruru
I was surprised she chose it now, but... I think it shows how much confidence she has in Eden as it is now.

Iruru
If that's the case, let's live up to those expectations. Let's show the best performance and satisfy all our fans.

Shigure
...Do you really think we can satisfy them?

Iruru
I think so. We can do it.

Hatsumi
......

Shigure
...Alright. In that case, Shigure will go along with it.

Iruru
Shigure...

Shigure
Being any more selfish would be too much. If we're going to do it, I want to spend time on rehearsals.

Iruru
Thank you. Let's make it a great show.

Shigure
Of course! I'll be angry if we don't!

Daikoku
Honestly...such a child. You should just be obedient from the start instead of always complaining.

Nikako
But I think that part of Shigure-chan is cool. It's amazing how she can give her honest opinion even to Ren-san.

Daikoku
Hmph! She's just disrespectful!

Hatsumi
Seems like we've reached an agreement?

Hatsumi
Then I'll continue by announcing the main cast.

Nikako
Huh!? You've decided that far already!?

Hatsumi
That just shows how serious I am about this.

Hatsumi
First, the protagonist Oedipus...I will play this role. Does anyone object?

Shigure
...Why are you looking at me!? I have no objection to that!

Hatsumi
Hmm...good. Next, Oedipus's wife and mother, Jocasta—

Hatsumi
Iruru, I want you to play her.

Iruru
Wow...that's quite a major role. I'll do my best not to lose to Hatsumi's Oedipus.

Hatsumi
Yes, please do. I'm expecting great things from you, my wife.

Iruru
Hey hey, it's too early to get into character.

Hatsumi
Next, the regent Creon and the famous prophet Tiresias. Nikako and Shigure will play these roles.

Nikako
Regent means an important person in the country, right...? I wonder if I can pull off that atmosphere...

Shigure
(Prophet role, huh...I wonder if I can stand out...)

Hatsumi
Finally, the shepherd who knows all the truth...Daikoku, this will be your role.

Daikoku
Y-yes...!

Hatsumi
It's an important role that reveals the truth to Oedipus.

Hatsumi
You'll be bringing me to ruin, so perform with the appropriate resolve, okay?

Daikoku
I-I'll do it...! If that is my Lord's wish...!

Tetra
Nice. The atmosphere before taking on a masterpiece. It makes even an old timer like me feel excited.

Hatsumi
Hmm...then would you like to perform too, Tetra-san? If you were to perform...how about the role of the Sphinx?

Tetra
Hey...are you trying to call me a monster?

Hatsumi
Do you have another preference?

Tetra
If I were to perform, I'd like Jocasta. A woman troubled by various conflicts...it would be fun to get into that role.

Iruru
Tetra-san, that's my role! Don't take it~!

Tetra
Then you'd better work hard on your acting. If you slack off, I might really take that role, you know?

Iruru
Eek~... I'll do my absolute best...!