Noa
Come in.

Panda
Excuse me.

Noa
Sorry for calling you three out so suddenly earlier. I thought it'd be better to tell you the results first.

Noa
So, what do you need?

Panda
...About the audition earlier. I think I gave a good performance.

Noa
Even so, the result won't change. As I told you earlier, the Peter Pan role will go to Kokona and Chisa.

Panda
But you were looking for that kind of acting too, weren't you, Hiiragi-san?

Noa
...

Panda
Kokochi's one thing, but losing to Sassu who turned up late and wasn't even motivated...

Panda
...Why? I'm definitely more motivated about playing the lead than Sassu is.

Noa
...I see. How did those two's performances look to you, Panda?

Panda
...Kokochi's acting was really orthodox and very Sirius-like. She felt like a cool hero who'd protect Wendy and the others.

Panda
So I thought Kokochi would be chosen. As for Sassu...

Panda
She was innocent and easy to understand, a catchy Peter Pan who... would probably go down well with kids. It was different from Kokochi too.

Panda
But I thought it was a bit removed from Sirius's Peter Pan.

Noa
What about your own performance?

Panda
...I think my acting was similar to Kokochi's. I was going for an orthodox, cool Peter Pan.

Noa
That's right. That's what I thought watching it too. All the other judges had the same opinion.

Panda
Then why...? I think I managed to do the Sirius Peter Pan that you guys were looking for.

Noa
...We choose the actor most suited to Sirius's 'Peter Pan'. That's exactly as you think.

Noa
And the conclusion we reached after serious consideration is the result of this audition.

Panda
...

Noa
It's good that you're motivated, but we can't decide on a lead based on motivation alone. You should understand what 'commercial success' means, shouldn't you?

Panda
That's...

Noa
Think about the rest yourself. You can do that, can't you?

Panda
...

Panda
Sorry for taking up your time.

Panda
I get it. You're saying my acting's rubbish, that acting just to please someone isn't good enough.

Panda
So what should I have done to win in that situation? After seeing performances like that, there's no way I could've won in a straight fight.

Panda
Why is it that I fail after putting in loads of effort, whilst Sassu passes just for tagging along?

Panda
...It's always like this. Really gets on my nerves.

Panda
...

Panda
No, using my Sense to cheat and read what Hiiragi-san wanted, only to fail the audition anyway—that's bloody pathetic...

Panda
In the end, I wasted all that effort I'd put in by relying on my Sense when it mattered.

Panda
...But even if it meant cheating, I wanted to win this time.

Panda
Now that super primary school kid theatre critic will probably say they're 'disappointed' in me again... Haha.

Panda
Sigh...

Panda
I came outside because I'd definitely end up fighting if I went back to my room and saw Sassu's face, but maybe I should just sleep rough like this...?

Panda
...I know I can't beat Sassu with talent.

Panda
I know it's not about motivation or effort, but about the results you show on stage. ...That a talented slacker beats a rubbish hard worker.

Panda
Haha, what am I getting so frustrated about? Over a free performance for primary school kids.

Panda
......

Panda
...I'm the worst. I chose this path because of that very 'free performance'.

Panda
Who's that at this time? —Oh, the scheduled video upload went live.

Panda
Ooh, it's spreading loads. ...Today's video is 'Tried Opening Presents from All My Fans'.

Video Panda
'Right, this is the last present then. The wrapping on this one is absolutely adorable! Look, have a see!'

Video Panda
'What's inside is—a small mug! Brilliant! I've been wanting a small one for when I'm editing videos in my room!'

Panda
...Where did I end up putting this mug again?

Comments
'The mug's so cute!' 'So happy you'll use it\~\~!' 'I really love how Panda-chan actually uses the presents she gets'

Panda
Ah... haha. The state I'm in now is way too pathetic to show viewers...

Panda
First I need to properly like it and reply to comments.

Panda
...Huh, I can't get my words together at all...

Panda
The video's growing this fast even without replies? Haha, maybe I'm more suited to being an influencer than an actor.

Chisa
I don't think that's true.

Panda
Huh?! Sassu, when did you...

Chisa
I thought your Peter Pan was really good, Panda. It was unexpected seeing you in a male role, but you were confident and cool.

Chisa
I thought that's the kind of Peter Pan the boss had in mind. Being an influencer's good too, but actor Panda is even better.

Panda
I don't want to hear that from someone who easily knocked down that 'really good' performance and passed.

Panda
What are you doing here? Did you come to laugh at me for auditioning for a role that didn't suit me and failing spectacularly?

Chisa
No. You weren't coming back, so I got worried and came looking for you.

Panda
...

Chisa
You might have failed the audition, but I think the way you keep taking on challenges is what's amazing about you, Panda.

Chisa
That's why I wanted to learn from you, so I auditioned too—

Panda
...You don't understand how I feel, Sassu.

Chisa
...

Chisa
That's... maybe true, but...

Panda
That's what annoys me about you, Sassu. You should get that by now. You haven't changed a bit since primary school.

Chisa
Sorry...

Panda
I'm going home.

Chisa
Eh?

Chisa
Then I'll come with—

Panda
Don't follow me.

Chisa
...