Part 1

Stage SEKAI

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1

MEIKO

Listen

Hmm... What should I do for my next show?
2

MEIKO

Being able to bond with the audience during shows up to this point has been nice, but I kind of want to make this one a little more special...
3

MEIKO

Aren't there any good ideas out there...?
4

MEIKO

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Oh...

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5

MEIKO

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Yeah, I can do something moon viewing themed!
6

MEIKO

It'll definitely feel special too since it's going to be so different from what I usually do♪
7

MEIKO

But as much as I want to start working on this idea, I really don't know much about moon viewings.
8

MEIKO

Listen

Hmm...
Maybe I should ask Minori and the girls about this.
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Classroom

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9

Airi

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There. Our moon viewing stream should be all set to go now...
10

Haruka

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Your ideas were so well-thought-out too, Shizuku. This is sure to become a fun stream.
11

Minori

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Yeah, Shizuku, you did an amazing job!
12

Shizuku

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Hehe. Thank you♪
I wouldn't have been able to do this without all your help.

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13

MEIKO

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<Hi, girls, do you have a minute?>
14

Minori

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M-MEIKO?!
15

MEIKO

<Hehe. Sorry for the surprise visit. There's something I'd like to ask all of you.>
16

Airi

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Ask us? Did something happen?
17

MEIKO

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<Well...>
18

MEIKO

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<So I was wondering if you girls could teach me what you know about moon viewings...>
19

Airi

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I see. If that's the case, we'd be happy to help!
20

MEIKO

<Really?!>
21

Haruka

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Yes. We were just having a discussion about some moon viewing segments that we'll be doing.
22

Haruka

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It could even act as a mock rehearsal for us, so why don't you sit back and watch us for a little bit?
23

MEIKO

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<Yes, I'd love to! Thank you.>
24

Shizuku

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I'll start with an introduction...

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25

MEIKO

<Great, thanks♪>
26

Shizuku

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It's believed that moon viewings first gained prominence in Japan during the Heian period.
27

MEIKO

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<The Heian era...
That's around when the Pillow Book was written, yes?>
28

Shizuku

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Yes, exactly. And moon viewing originally began as an event that was celebrated by nobles.
29

Shizuku

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These exclusive parties mostly involved drinking sake, reading poems and playing wind or string instruments while riding on special boats.
30

Airi

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It started gaining popularity amongst commoners during the Edo period.
31

Airi

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But by this time, it'd turned into a traditional farming ritual.
32

MEIKO

<Yes, I see. So the actual purpose of the event evolved as time passed.>
33

Minori

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Yeah! What began as a series of events for celebrating the fall harvest became one really big party!
34

Shizuku

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Hehe. It's so interesting how this all came about.
35

Shizuku

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And it kept evolving too. Now, we celebrate by presenting offerings in the form of dango and pampas grass.
36

Shizuku

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How we celebrate moon viewing today is actually a rather recent development.
37

MEIKO

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<That's so intriguing! I've learned so much already!>
38

Haruka

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Also, rabbits are closely tied with moon viewings because of how they were portrayed in folk tales...

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39

Haruka

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I believe that's about everything...
40

Shizuku

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Do you think it'll help?
41

MEIKO

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<Yes, I think so! Nobles, the harvest... I'm starting to get some good ideas already♪>
42

Minori

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Really?! That's great!
43

MEIKO

<I'll try to work what I learned from you all today into my next show!>
44

MEIKO

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<Thank you so much♪>
45

MEIKO

(Alright, how do I go about this show?)
46

MEIKO

(I could wear something much more Japanese and... Oh, I could even try working in some traditional Japanese dances into my dance routine♪)
47

Minori

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So, MEIKO, have you decided what you wanna do for your show?
48

MEIKO

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<Hehe. Well...>
49

MEIKO

<You'll just have to wait until then♪>
50

Minori

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No...! Can you give us a tiny clue...?
51

MEIKO

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<Hehe. I'll make sure to let you know when it'll be, so I hope you'll be able to come by and see it♪>
52

Minori

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Great! I absolutely promise to go!
53

Airi

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We'll be looking forward to it, MEIKO!