Emu and the others seem to be working really hard!

Yeah. Their practices sound really tough, but I'm really looking forward to seeing how she plays Ushiwakamaru♪

Me too! Also, what do you think them doing a historical drama is gonna be like?

Are they gonna say things like, “Make way! Make way for the constabulary☆”...?

I don't think that's what their story's about...

Hey, you guys, do you have a minute...?

Hm? Is something the matter?

I have a quick question since we're talking about these kinds of historical dramas...

What if we did one together?

Us?

Yeah. I sorta really want to now after hearing what Emu and the others are doing!

Yes, I like your thinking!
Count me in.

Hehe. Me too. It sounds like fun.

Alright, that settles that☆
Let's start by deciding what kind of story we're gonna do♪

Awesome! Thanks, you guys!

The samurai help people along the way and battle against the big, bad ogre... Sounds like a fun and exciting show!

Good luck as the hero, Len☆

Thanks, but I'm gonna need to practice a lot!

Then, let's start practicing our sword fighting.

The three of us will be the ones primarily involved in those scenes, MEIKO, Len, so let's try practicing together.

Then, the rest of us will watch.

Okay, I'll go grab the practice swords!

“Hiyah!”

Whoa!

That last one felt very powerful.
Your step and swing occurred simultaneously.

It really felt like you could send the big, bad ogre's sword flying!

Really? Thanks!

Hehe. Good for you, Len.

Next, KAITO, it's you and me!
Which scene would you like to do?

Well, how about the scene where my character comes face to face with the ogre for the very first time...?

“...”

“...”

Wh-Whoa, this tension...

Yeah, everything's at a standstill...
This is nothing like the stunts and stuff we usually do...

(And nothing like what I just did...
Is this what a sword fight in a historical drama's supposed to feel like?)

(I...)

(I wanna learn how to do that.)

Phew... Nice work.
The tension we created was good, but I feel like we can make things feel more dynamic by using more space...

Agreed!
Let's try doing that next!

Uh, hey... MEIKO! KAITO!

Hm? Is something wrong?

Umm... That last fight...
Can you guys show me how to do what you just did?

How to do that...?

Yeah!
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time...

That tension in the air. That sense of one false step and you're done for. You guys had my heart racing!

I wanna learn how to do that.

I see...

But that won't be easy.

Between staring your opponent down and making very subtle movements, many different techniques go into making a fight like this look real.

Which includes how to properly swing a sword.

Right...
It did look really hard...

But I still wanna try.
I'm playing the lead, so I feel that I need to do my best...!

Alright, that's all I need to hear!

So, let's come up with a special training regimen for Len!

A special training regimen?

Yes! If he wants to learn how to put on a convincing sword fight, then he'll need to master the right etiquette and techniques!

But it's pretty boring work, so I hope you're prepared for that!

Boring? What do you mean...?

For example, practicing your downswing over and over or learning how to change your stance based on what your opponent does. Also, meditating while sitting in the correct position!

As you get used to holding a sword and learn what to do during the periods of brief calm, your sword fighting skills should start naturally improving.

Although, I feel that he should be allowed to sit however he wants when he meditates...

(Emu and the others are doing their best right now, so I...)

(I should also be doing what I can to put on the performances that I want!)

I'll do it!

What?

If that'll help me put on calm but cool battles like you guys just did, I wanna do it!

Len...

Well, it might be good for us to learn and review all the fundamentals...

So, I'll join you. Let's learn together...

KAITO...!

*Nod*
Thanks!

Hehe. Then, let's get started and do what we can until our show!