With Your Sights on Stardom, Set Sail! - 9: As Many Times As It Takes

Wonderland SEKAI

Harbor

1

Tsukasa

Are you ready with your side of the net, Rion?

2

Rion

Y-Yes!

3

Emu

I'm also ready!

4

Tsukasa

Alright, here we go.
Take aim at Emu... One, two...!

5

Rion

Three!

Sound Effect: Play

6

Emu

Oh no! You caught me!

7

Tsukasa

Okay, we've got our timing down, so that should be enough for practice. Thank you for your assistance, Emu!

8

Tsukasa

Now, our next step is to—

Sound Effect: Play

9

Phoenix

You appear to be dragging your feet somewhat. Do you have any intention of actually catching me?

10

Tsukasa

Yes, we're ready to now!
We will catch you, so prepare yourself!

11

Tsukasa

Let's go, Rion, Robo-Nene!

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

12

Rion

O-Okay...!

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

13

Robo-Nene

Battery reserves sufficient.
All servos functioning normally.

14

Robo-Nene

Ready to super-jump at any time.

15

Tsukasa

Then, we'll launch once it's right above us!

16

Robo-Nene

Roger.

Sound Effect: Play

17

Tsukasa

Alright, now!

Sound Effect: Play

18

Emu

Wow! They're really flying!!!

19

Miku

Cool! So far so good☆

20

KAITO

I have a feeling that they'll reach the phoenix.

21

Phoenix

What...?

22

Tsukasa

Now, Rion! Cast the net!

Sound Effect: Play

23

Rion

Okay! C-Casting...!

Sound Effect: Play

24

Phoenix

...!

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

25

Rion

Oh no...! Th-The wind...!

Sound Effect: Play

26

Tsukasa

(No, we missed...
That means...!)

27

Tsukasa

It won't even reach it...!

28

Robo-Nene

Preparing to land. Brace for impact.

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

29

Tsukasa

Phew... Good work, Rui.
That landing wasn't bad at all.

30

Tsukasa

However...

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

31

KAITO

Are you two okay?

32

Rion

Yes, we are!
But more importantly...

Sound Effect: Play

33

Phoenix

That was somewhat alarming, but ultimately a childish attempt.

34

Tsukasa

Grr...

35

Rion

I'm so sorry...
If only I'd cast my end of the net a little better...

36

Tsukasa

Don't worry about that! We still have a couple more attempts left, so let's just try again!

37

Tsukasa

Are you ready, Robo-Nene?

38

Robo-Nene

Yes.
Ready to super-jump at any time.

39

Tsukasa

Alright, we'll get it this time...!

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

40

Phoenix

Oh, you're back.

41

Rion

N-Now...!
Huh...?!

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

42

Tsukasa

(No... Now we've cast it too early...!)

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

43

Rion

I-I'm sorry for rushing...!
I was so sure that we'd catch it, so I got ahead of myself and...

44

Tsukasa

That's okay! The phoenix hasn't gone anywhere, so let's just give it another try.

45

Rion

But Robo-Nene only has enough charge left for one more jump, right...?

46

Tsukasa

...!
Yes, we only had three attempts...

47

Rion

I'm so sorry... This is all my fault...

48

Rion

I guess I just don't have what it takes to catch that phoenix...

49

Tsukasa

Rion...

50

Tsukasa

I understand what you're going through.

51

Tsukasa

No matter how hard you try, you can never seem to reach your goal... I know that feeling all too well.

52

KAITO

Tsukasa...

53

Tsukasa

But are you okay with just giving up?

54

Rion

What...?

55

Tsukasa

Are you willing to give up on your dream after making just a couple of attempts at it?

56

Tsukasa

I don't think you should!

57

Rion

...!

58

Tsukasa

Your eyes glistened as you spoke about that phoenix. You even had all those notes and records on it at your house...

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

59

Tsukasa

Which means you should not give up on your dream. Not so quickly!

60

Rion

Tsukasa...

61

Rion

But my hands... They won't stop shaking...

62

Rion

A part of me doesn't think I can do this. I'm struggling to find the confidence...

63

Rion

And you're going out of your way to help me... That just makes me feel even worse...

64

Tsukasa

No, that's a good thing.

65

Tsukasa

Keep that feeling in mind because it will help you succeed.

66

Rion

Huh...?

67

Tsukasa

What I'm trying to say is...

Sound Effect: Play

68

Tsukasa

The frustration and despair you're feeling will drive you to succeed. They'll help you move forward!

69

Rion

They will?

70

Tsukasa

Yes! Trust me, Rion.
I guarantee that those feelings will help you succeed.

71

Tsukasa

Don't run from them. Accept your current situation and keep pushing forward...

72

Tsukasa

If you do so, your dream will come true!!

73

Rion

Oh...

74

Rion

O-Okay...!

75

KAITO

(You're right, Tsukasa.)

76

KAITO

(Because that's exactly what you've been doing.)

77

KAITO

(All in order to become a star who can make the whole world smile...)

78

KAITO

(It's a colossal dream, but that hasn't stopped you... You've faced a myriad of challenges and obstacles along the way, so I'm sure you'll...)

79

KAITO

Tsukasa, Rion...
No matter what happens, we'll be there for you both. So, please do your best.

80

Emu

Plus, if this doesn't work out, we can always come up with a different way to make your dream come true!

81

Rion

Th-Thank you very much, KAITO, Emu!

82

Tsukasa

But for now, this is our last attempt...

83

Tsukasa

Let's go!

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

84

Tsukasa

(Phoenix...!)

85

Tsukasa

(We will catch you...
It doesn't matter how high you fly. We will succeed!)

86

Tsukasa

Now, Rion! Cast the net!

87

Rion

O-Okay!

Sound Effect: Play

88

Phoenix

...!

Sound Effect: Play

89

Tsukasa

(No, it dodged the net...!)

Sound Effect: Play

90

Rion

Oh no...!

91

Tsukasa

(We couldn't reach it...! No, we still have a chance...)

92

Tsukasa

Don't give up, Rion! Keep trying!

93

Tsukasa

No matter how hard it may seem, keep trying to make your dream come true!

94

Rion

Right...!

Sound Effect: Play

95

Phoenix

Huh...?! What are they...?

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

96

Tsukasa

*Roar*

97

Rion

*Scream*

98

Tsukasa

We can make iiiiiit!!!

99

Nene

They're flying...

Emu

Hey, look...! Tsukasa's hand touched the phoenix!

KAITO

Everyone! Get the landing pad ready!

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

Tsukasa

Noooooooooo! We're falling!!!!!

Sound Effect: Play

Rion

Waaaaahhhhh!

Sound Effect: Play

Sound Effect: Play

Miku

Tsukasa! Rion! Are you two okay...?

Tsukasa

Y-Yes... Thank goodness for the landing pad...

Rion

I-I'm also fine...
Thank you very much.

Robo-Nene

Low battery reserves.
Entering power-saving mode.

Sound Effect: Play

Nene

Thanks for all your hard work, Robo-Nene.

Tsukasa

Wait, the phoenix!

Sound Effect: Play

Tsukasa

We failed again...

Rion

I-I'm so sorry, everyone...
Even after all the help you've given me...

Emu

No, don't apologize!
Wait, huh?

Emu

Tsukasa, look! There's something stuck to your back!

Tsukasa

Hm? What's this...?

Sound Effect: Play

KAITO

It's a phoenix feather.

Tsukasa

A phoenix feather...?

KAITO

It looks like you reached it, if only briefly.

Tsukasa

Yes, it seems that way!

Sound Effect: Play

Phoenix

To think that you could lay a hand on me...

Rion

Ph-Phoenix...?!

Phoenix

I am still struggling to understand how creatures without wings such as yourselves could reach me.

Tsukasa

But...

Phoenix

Yes, you merely touched me.
You did not catch me as we agreed.

Tsukasa

Grr...

Phoenix

But you do not plan on giving up, yes?

BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play

Rion

Huh...?

Phoenix

The day you do finally manage to catch me, I shall grant your wish.

Tsukasa

R-Really?!

Phoenix

Yes. That day may never actually come, but I can use this as a way to pass the time.

Rion

*Gasp*
Th-Thank you very much...!

Phoenix

Also, I believe you were looking for this...

Sound Effect: Play

Emu

Oh, the map we found on that ship!

Tsukasa

What?! I'd completely forgotten about that!

Nene

Wait, you seriously forgot?

Rui

Hehe. That's very like you, Tsukasa.
I was actually under the impression that you were refraining from bringing that up so as not to steal the spotlight from Rion.

Tsukasa

I-In any case, we need that...!
So, Phoenix, please return it to us!

Phoenix

Yes, fine.

Nene

Huh? Really...?

Phoenix

Did I not say that I would do as you say if you managed to catch me?

Phoenix

So, think of this as a small reward for even touching me.

Emu

Wow! Thanks, Phoenix!

Tsukasa

Yes, thank you very much!

Phoenix

Your name is Rion, yes?
Please come back to try and catch me whenever you like.

Rion

*Gasp*

Rion

Y-Yes, I will...!

Sound Effect: Play

Len

Oh, there it goes...

Emu

But it sorta gave us a smile before it left...!

KAITO

What if this is that phoenix's way of expressing its happiness over having finally found a worthy adversary?

Miku

Maybe☆ That means you gotta catch it someday!

Rion

Yes, you're right!

Rion

Thank you for what you did, Tsukasa.

Rion

I'm going to accept my shortcomings and keep moving forward. I'm going to make my dream come true someday...

Rion

I agree with what you said, Tsukasa. And I was able to take a big step today as a result.

Tsukasa

Rion...

Rion

I promise to keep doing my best.
I'm going to keep chasing after that phoenix, and catch it someday.

Rion

And I will get it to let me fly on its back!

Tsukasa

Yes, keep trying!

Rion

I will!

Tsukasa

(Yes...)

Tsukasa

(No matter how hard things get, no matter how much you fail, you have to keep trying.)

Tsukasa

(That's how I'm going to make my dream come true.)

KAITO

Nice work, Tsukasa.

KAITO

I was impressed by how you were able to inspire Rion to keep chasing after his dream.

Tsukasa

Hm? You were? I was just doing what I always do! Hah hah hah hah hah!

Tsukasa

But I also felt inspired.

Tsukasa

Seeing Rion want to keep chasing after his dream made me want to do the same.

KAITO

Tsukasa...

KAITO

Yes, I also feel the same way.

Tsukasa

Hm? You do?

KAITO

Yes, because you'll all likely be faced with all sorts of challenges as you keep moving ahead.

KAITO

However, as you helped Rion just now...

KAITO

I plan on giving you all the support I can. Watching you today reaffirmed that for me.

Tsukasa

...!

Tsukasa

Thank you, KAITO! I promise to not let those words go to waste. Because I am...

Tsukasa

Destined to become a star who makes the whole world smile!

Next Chapter: Our Sights On Stardom