Unexpected Attention

Kamira
That's right. Even the "Phantasma" producer gave you this offer because your Helena was genuinely good, right?

Kamira
So you should be confident about it.

Mito
Thank you, Kamira-chan. For saying that.

Chiho
...This offer?

Mito
Ah, Chiho-chan, you didn't know, did you? About the stage I'm appearing on today. Towa-chan is a commentator, but Mito is participating as a cosplayer.

Mito
It's already been announced to the audience. Later I'll change into costume...and do poses and performances...in front of everyone.

Chiho
I see, that's very much like Gekidan Denki. In terms of cosplay accuracy, it seems to require a high ability to immerse yourself in the role.

Mito
Yeah... Being an official cosplayer alone in front of so many people...it's my first time, so I'm really anxious about whether I can do it well...

Kamira
Really?

Chiho
...That's surprising. Shiromaru-san, you were so bold on stage.

Mito
I-I looked that way...?

Chiho
At least to me, you appeared to be performing confidently. Why are you anxious?

Mito
Well...I've been researching a lot about how "Dina" would walk, how she would talk...

Mito
Researching the character itself is fun, but...I'm still worried if I can portray her well...I couldn't really sleep much last night...

Kamira
Is that so...!? Are you feeling okay physically...!? I feel seriously bad for dragging you around.

Mito
Yeah, physically I'm fine. Don't worry about it. It's just that Mito is getting really nervous on her own...

Kamira
Oh... Maybe it's also because Irocchi isn't here today...?

Mito
That's..I don't think that's it, but...

Kamira
I see. Since you two are like a set, I just thought you might be concerned about that~

Mito
T-that part is fine... Um, what were we talking about... Oh, about being nervous on stage...

Chiho
...I see. As actors, our job is to stand in front of people, and I didn't sense any nervousness from your acting, Shiromaru-san...

Chiho
Actually, I think being thorough in your preparation is very important. That must be why I felt such an incredible amount of information from your acting.

Kamira
Information... Ah, that's true!

Kamira
Mitorin always researches a lot about the roles she plays.

Mito
Well...rather than acting naturally...Mito is closer to becoming the character, so I think it's better to have lots of information...

Kamira
Yeah, yeah. Mitorin's Sense is about embodying the role, you know? Like drawing out the power of the role you've stepped into.

Chiho
...Fufu. I wonder if Shiromaru-san is an excellent actor because she's blessed with that Sense.

Chiho
I think you have talent that rivals even Towa-chan's.

Chiho
That might be a bit...wasted in your current position.

Mito
...Eh?

Chiho
No, it's nothing. Actually, I used to tremble with nervousness right before performances too. But don't worry, you'll get better with practice.

Mito
Chiho-chan was...like that too? ...That's surprising.

Mito
That's right. Chiho-chan, what do you do before going on stage...?

Chiho
Me?

Mito
Yeah. If you don't mind...I'd be grateful if you could tell me your tips for how you got better...

Mito
-Oh, sorry for asking something like this when we're from different troupes! Is it strange...to ask Chiho-chan about this? Was I being too familiar...?

Chiho
Fufu. I don't mind. When you're nervous, I recommend creating a routine.

Mito
A routine?

Kamira
Hmm~ What kind of routine do you mean?

Chiho
Let's see. For instance, being conscious of switching on. Count to 3, then "click". Imagine that this is how you enter the role.

Mito
Switching...

Chiho
Well, it's not easy, is it? But I think getting used to switching between your character and your real self is important.

Chiho
It would be different if you could always perform confidently like Towa-chan...

Chiho
But for types like us, that's not the case.

Mito
(Types like us...?)

Chiho
Is it this late already? I'm sorry for keeping you chatting for so long.

Mito
No, it's fine...!

Mito
Thank you. For giving me advice...

Chiho
I'll be cheering for you at the stage. See you later.

Mito
...

Kamira
Well~ She was a composed kid, wasn't she? Actually, wasn't Chiho-chan really interested in Mitorin?

Mito
R-really?

Kamira
Don't you think so? She gave you so much advice. Maybe you two have something in common?

Mito
Something in common...huh.

Mito
(I could tell that Chiho-chan was interested in me...but somehow, her atmosphere was a little...different from before.)

Mito
(..."A Midsummer Night's Dream" was led by Kamira-chan on stage. And Towa-chan, Iroha-chan, Tsubomi-san, and everyone else gave amazing performances...)

Mito
(Mito isn't that great an actor...so why did she pay attention to me?)

Mito
(Huh? What is this feeling...)

Mito
(...Could it be. Am I...happy...to be praised?)