The first day of our Christmas show went pretty well.

Yes, but we can't get complacent.
Especially with the Phoenix Stage troupe's lead.

Alright! Let's keep this momentum and leave them in the dust!

And let's make sure lots and lots of people smile after seeing our show☆

That's the plan! And I've got an idea that can help us achieve that!

A plan?

Nene, you overcame your fears and learned to unleash your true potential.

Now, it's time for the rest of us to break out of our shells and spread our wings!

Huh...?

(I knew it'd be something dumb...)

Oh, I know! If we want to break out of our shells, we can start by becoming eggs!

Hey, don't hijack the conversation just to have it get derailed even more!

Hehehe. A play where we all act like we've turned into eggs could be very interesting.

Argh! Rui, don't side with her!

Was my plan hatched too prematurely? What if the things that come out of it are more chaotic versions of them...?

You made it sound easy, Tsukasa, but...
How do you suggest we actually do that?

That's... Uh, something for all of us to think about!

Hmm... It would need to have an immediate effect for our Christmas show to benefit from it...

Which means... We should try overcoming something that's been challenging to us?

It would build our confidence and make us more resilient. It may even enable us to perform at our best under any circumstances.

(Yikes. That look in Rui's eyes... He's definitely plotting something weird. We might be better off practicing as usual.)

But overcoming personal difficulties is no easy matter. I don't think we have the time for this now, so let's just keep doing things the way we have been for now...

Good thinking, Rui! Then improving the quality of our shows will surely allow us to grow as actors!

Oh, yeah! I like your idea too! The better we all get, the more smiles we can bring♪

Huh? Guys, you can't be serious...!

Hehehe. Since most of us are for it, I'll go and get what we'll need. Wait here.

(I tried stopping him... No one can blame me for what happens now.)

Oof! There...
Sorry for the wait.

That's a fairly hefty box...
What's in it?

A surprise.
Why don't you see for yourself?

Okay. Let's get it open... A-Aaargh!!

Oh, gross. Centipedes, spiders...
Are these all just toy bugs...?

That's right.
I wanted to use them for the Halloween show.

We went with a zombie theme in the end, so I didn't get any use of them... Hehe. Until now...

They didn't need to see daylight, ever! Is this what you meant by overcoming challenges?!

Oh, right. You're scared of bugs, huh?

Yes, and he's particularly afraid of ones with many legs.

...

Oh? Where are you going, Tsukasa? Don't you want to break out of your shell and unlock your true potential?

We have to become masters of our own fears if we are to stage the most wonderful of shows!

(Wow, Rui's sadistically enjoying Tsukasa's misery...)

Let's cure your phobia, Tsukasa!
It's time for... A bug shower!

Gyaaah!
Not all at once!

Eek! Get away...!

(I have to get away from Tsukasa or they'll get on me too! Oh, I know!)

Robo-Nene! Protect me!

Nene, are you okay?

Yes. Shield me from the bugs!

What?! No fair, Nene!
Protect me too...!

Get away from me, you idiot!
You're the target here!

I only brought something for Tsukasa this time, and I wouldn't want you to get bored, Emu. Would you mind helping me cure his phobia?

Sure, I'm on it! Ready... Aim... Fire!
It's raining creepy crawlies, Tsukasa!

Nooooo!!

Huff... Huff... I can't take it... Anymore...

You guys, we're high schoolers...
Why are we playing dumb kiddie games like this?

Hehehe! That was really fun!

Maybe for you! It was hellish for me!

I see an opening. Take that!

Gyaaah! Not another centipede!

Hehe, it looks like you weren't able to overcome your fears this time. We'll have to think of another way to help you break out of your shell.

I know! Let's put wings on these and fly them at Tsukasa like they're really alive!

NO!
Stop making my trauma worse!

(Sigh... These guys are so dumb...)

(But maybe the crazy stuff they get up to is a little fun sometimes...)