Until You Shine Like Deneb ch2: About That Bird

You have found my dwelling!
Aah.

I want to stay here forever.

I want to feel this heat.

More...
More...!

So close, yet so far, my one and only star.

Theater Troupe Cycnus - Representative Ishiwatari Sasori

Do you have any interest in musical theater troupes?

Musical...
Eh, is this a scout!? And by representative you mean...

You're a big shot!?
Big...
Well, if I had to be blunt...

Ahem.
It's sad to say,
but our Cycnus troupe is in a bit of a crisis.

We currently lack the stars needed to draw anyone's attention.
I've been searching for the first star chick that can carry Cycnus on their shoulders.

When I went to take a look at what kind of musical a high school culture festival would put on...

I found an exceptional talent.

Talent...
So it's not just me that thinks Atori's acting is amazing...!

...If I join a troupe,
will lots of people come to see me?

Of course. If the actors are in place,
you can stand on a stage even greater than that of a culture festival.

Are you interested?

...

nod

Atori...
Alright!
Although if though I'm scouting you, I'd like to hold an enrollment test just to be safe.

Could you come
to our office next week?

This is...

The theater troupe Cycnus...

It's more elegant than I expected.
It doesn't look in crisis to me.
They've got their own building...

At any rate, do your best, Atori! I'll wait nearby.
Yeah.

Well, I'm sure it won't be a problem for your skill, but don't let your guard down.
Okay.

Do your best~

...It'll be okay.

It's just the same as when I'm on stage with Raika.

Nothing's different.

Here's where we'll be doing the test.

...It is just you watching me, Sasori?
Dropping honorifics already...? I am technically the representative, y'know.

Sasori is a weird name,
but it sounds strong, so I like it.
Eeh~...

[tn: sasori = scorpion]

I guess she goes at her own pace?
Well thanks.

We're short on hands.
The test is more a formality since I've witnessed your skill already, so I figured I'd be enough.
Heh...

Well then, let's get to it.

...?

You received the script beforehand, right?
We'll do a singing test once you're done acting.

Go ahead.

...Any time now.

Just take it easy like always.

p10

...Huh?

What was I doing again?

p11

Okay, thank you.

On a later day... well, there's no need for that.
I'll just tell you the results now.

The result is...

p12

The test should be over soon.

I'm sure she'll say "I passed" with a spaced out look on her face.
I passed.
Cute.

Atori joining a troupe... huh...
Even though she said "As long as you're watching me, Raika, that's all I need."

One week earlier.

Atori.
Maybe you should take a break now?
...Just a little longer.

But you're really sweating.
You haven't even drunken any water...
I should be able to grasp it any moment now...

p13

Hah
I should make my voice louder.
My steps are too naive.
I need to open my throat more.

She's really focused.

...My movements are still too stiff.

I've never seen Atori look so serious before.

p14

What should I do to become this person...?
I've never really though about that kinda thing properly until now.

This'll be on the test

This script doesn't have any stage directions.
Only the dialogue.
I guess I have to interpret it myself.

You're getting better and better.
Yeah... But plays sure are difficult.

Hey, Raika.
Hm?

p15

Watch me, okay?

In the end, she practiced the entire day for hours on end with no breaks.
She must really want to join this troupe.

Good work, Atori! How'd it go?

Atori...?

p16

You failed!?

How!? Did you suddenly feel ill in the middle?
No... I don't know... but
I got really nervous.

My body wouldn't move like I wanted it to...

No way...
Atori, who even pulled off playing the lead role perfectly at a moment's notice, felt nervous...?

p17

She had plenty of time to prepare this time, and it wasn't even a real performance...
I lacked the skill.
I got cocky after being praised,
thinking I could do it somehow.

"You failed."
...

Raika...
Y'know...

p18

I found the "Wonder" I performed you on the hill so fun...
that I thought I didn't care about anything else.
But

when I stood on that stage,

I came to know all about it.

p19

The heat of the spotlight.
The gaze of the spectators.
My voice echoing through the hall.
The sparkle twinkling and dancing on the music.

The sense of exaltation.

I had the chance to stand in that place more
and I wasted it because of my nerves and arrogance.
My chest feels so tight, it hurts to breathe.

p20

I have to face reality.

Uuh...
Uh...
I
am useless.

It's like it saw that I've been pursuing things vaguely
and slipped through my fingers.

p21

Even though it should've been the world I had wanted so much.

!?

Why are you crying too, Raika...?
I'm frustrated!!

I know
how much you love musicals
more than anyone!!
I know that you're better suited for plays than anyone else!!
I know that better than anyone!!

p22

I mean, I'm right, aren't I?
If you weren't giving everything you had,

you wouldn't be crying her right now, right, Atari?

So...
More than anyone.

My
number one.

...I don't want to give up...

p23

Then you'll need to move forward.

Even when red, they change to green right away.

...You're amazing, Raika.
Eh?
I mean,

p24

you're this frustrated
for someone other than yourself.

You're always full of kindness like that.
Desperate to help others no matter who they are.

It's painfully clear from the touch of your fingertips.
It fills me with mysterious courage.

p25

It's like you're giving me a push on the back while you're in front of me.

You don't get it, Atori.
Hah

It's because it's you
that I become so desperate.

p26

Excuse us!

You guys...

...The test is over already.
I want you... to let Atori take the enrollment test again.

Eh?

Please! Give Atori one more chance!
She'll pass for sure this time!

p27

...Please.
I'm begging you.

She's completely different from the girl I saw at the culture festival.

Why?
Maybe the answer will come if I watch her again?
...On one condition.

The acting portion will be changed to improv.
Is that okay with you?

Improv...

Improvisation.
Acting without a script... And with Atori on her own too...
Okay.

p28

I'll do it.

If Raika's watching me, then...

Hey, you bastard. What the hell are you starin' at?

A grisly voice!!
A delinquent!!
Her vibe changed in an instant!
Oh, I see.
You were lookin' at my body, weren'tcha?

This is what I saw back then.
The power to draw everyone to the stage in an instant!
Fine, you can look...
Go get so turned on that your nose starts bleedin'.

p29

Why'd she pick that kind of role!?
Thank you. That'll do.

Singing check

She's singing while still in character!?

The song's the same as the test earlier today,
but it's like a completely different person is standing there.
...Even with that rugged voice, her pitch, rhythm and volume is on top form.

More than anything...!!
...This is fun.

p30

...
You pass.

Wah~!!
You did it! You did it, Atori!!

Hah
It slipped out my mouth...

However, it's not like I've forgotten about that slapdash performance from earlier,
so bear that in mind!
Go it!?

A natural order that brings joy to others.
She really is a baby swan...

I'll call you when I've set a date for meeting up with the rest of the troupe.
Good for you, Atori.

p31

It's cos' of you, Raika.
Thanks you.
!

Ah, right.
She's still in character.

Hey, Raika. Here's... what I think.

If I get better,
and perform more musicals in front of lots more people...
How much enthusiasm will I earn...?

p32

How much heat will I receive from everyone?

Well... I'm sure you'll find out if you keep moving forward.

Forward...

You're right.
I need to move forward.

Okay!
Then I'll support you!

p33

Until you shine like the brightest star
and stand on a huge stage!

...Yeah!

p34

Why'd it go so badly the first time...?

Not being used to it doesn't explain the difference in skill.
Is she better suited to improv?
No, that's not it.

Her extreme nervousness.
Her rising symptoms...

What about the second time was different...?

p35

Hoshimisaki Raika...

Sasori-sama.

Adanabe. What's up?

It's about Ayaha Atori who came for a test today
and the play she performed in the other day...
The one from the culture festival?

There's been... a slight uproar about it.
?

Look at this.

p36

18 hours ago

The star of Kousei Girls' musical is crazy! What's more, flowers came falling at the end!

205k - 30k - 1,516

...What is this?

Warning