A few days later
Rehearsal Room

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

1

Nene

Listen

Okay, let's begin practicing for the show.
2

Nene

Listen

Actually, before we do...
I should probably introduce myself again. My name is Nene Kusanagi. I'm the leader of both this show and this cast, and I'm looking forward to working with all of you.
3
Same here!
Hehe. This is so exciting♪
4

Ichika

Listen

I'm a little worried about acting... I've never done it before in my life.
5

Airi

Listen

That's okay!
We just gotta help each other out and do our best together!
6

Nene

Listen

So, for today's agenda...
7

Nene

Listen

First, we'll go over the story, and then decide roles. After that, time permitting, we'll try to squeeze in a quick table read.
8

Nene

Listen

The director and actors from the troupe I'm in will be assisting me with deciding your roles. So, can you guys introduce yourselves?
9

Emu

Listen

Hi! I'm Emu Otori!
I really want this show to make everyone smile, and I look forward to working with all of you!
10

Rui

Listen

My name is Rui Kamishiro. I'm a third-year at Kamiyama High School. It's my pleasure to be here.
11

Tsukasa

Listen

My name is Tsukasa Tenma, and I too am a third-year at Kamiyama High School! That's Tenma, written as “soaring pegasus”—
12

Nene

Listen

We don't have much time, so can we skip that part?
13

Tsukasa

Listen

What?! But you told us to introduce ourselves!
However, I understand we must use our limited time to its best advantage...
14

Tsukasa

Listen

In any case, let's all do our best to make this show a spectacular one! I look forward to working with all of you!

Sound Effect: Play

15

Nene

Listen

Alright, let's start going over the story.
16

Nene

Listen

This story's titled “A Dream On A Melody”.
The protagonist is named Lulu, and she lives in the biggest mansion in town.
17

Nene

Listen

Lulu is a sheltered girl, who doesn't know much about the world outside her mansion. But one day, she hears someone singing from the window, and decides to sneak out into town.
18

Nene

Listen

That's where she meets our cast of musicians, who help her see the beauty of music.
19

Ichika

Listen

The beauty of music...
20

Nene

Listen

The musicians teach Lulu how to sing, and she begins sneaking into town without the butler's permission to go sing and hear the others perform.
21

Nene

Listen

As time goes on, she becomes friends with the other musicians, and she starts dreaming of becoming a musician who can make everyone smile.
22
Hey, that's a cool development!
23

Nene

Listen

Anyway, things are fun for a while...
24

Tsukasa

Listen

But one day, the butler catches her sneaking out of the mansion...
25

Nene

Listen

And Lulu is forced to return to her old, confined life.
26
What?! That's terrible...
27

Airi

Listen

Pretty standard development, but I'd like to hear how things unfold from here...
28

Nene

Listen

Then...
29

Nene

Listen

The musicians all gather outside of her mansion and begin singing. Through their performances, they tell each other how they feel about her and this situation.
30

Nene

Listen

They fill Lulu with so much courage that she decides to tell everyone in the mansion about her dream...
31

Nene

Listen

The story ends with her setting out into the world to become a musician.
32

Ichika

Listen

That's so beautiful.
33

Rui

Listen

Alright, now that we've had a chance to go over the story, let's start deciding roles.
34
Okay!
35

Rui

Listen

Normally, roles are given out based on a individual's style and acting abilities.
36

Rui

Listen

However, that's going to be difficult this time around. Most of you have no acting experience, after all.
37

Rui

Listen

So, for this show, I thought that we could try assigning you all roles which match your personalities.
38
Roles which match us?
39

Rui

Listen

Yes, since that should make it much easier for all of you to follow your characters' feelings and ways of thinking.
40

Rui

Listen

So, we'll need you all to introduce yourselves, and tell us about your feelings regarding singing.
41

Ichika

Listen

Our feelings regarding singing...?
42

Nene

Listen

Yes, because this story involves instilling joy, inspiring bravery and encouraging others to move forward through the power of singing.
43

Nene

Listen

So, knowing how you personally feel about singing should make it easier for us to assign roles to all of you.
44

Airi

Listen

I see...
45

Rui

Listen

Alright, let's go in order.
I'm sorry, Hoshino, but would you mind introducing yourself first?
46

Ichika

Listen

Oh... O-Okay!
47

Ichika

Listen

Umm... My name is Ichika Hoshino. I'm a second-year at Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy.

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

48

Ichika

Listen

I'm currently the vocalist for our band...
My goal is to sing and perform in a way which allows me to reach the hearts of many different people.
49

Ichika

Listen

I'm also hoping that my singing will bring others together and help them forge strong bonds.
50

Ichika

Listen

That's what I want to do.
Just like my hero.
51

Nene

Listen

(So straightforward. That answer does suit her well...)
52
My turn next!
53
I'm An Shiraishi, and I'm a second-year at Kamiyama High School! My goal is to sing and stand on top of the world!
54

Tsukasa

Listen

The world!
That's an excellent goal!
55
My partner, teammates and I are gonna accomplish that by pushing each other to keep getting better!
56
That's what it means for me to sing!
57

Airi

Listen

Hehe! That goal suits you so well, An!
58

Airi

Listen

As for me, my goal is to become a super idol who can spread hope to tons of people!
59

Airi

Listen

I plan on doing so by pushing myself to become a better dancer and conversationalist!
60

Airi

Listen

And singing obviously means a lot to me, since it's my best tool for spreading hope to everyone!
61

Rui

Listen

Hehe...
62

Rui

Listen

You've certainly made your honesty and determination clear.
63

Emu

Listen

Look how much Airi's sparkling!
64

Nene

Listen

(They all come from different genres, but they're all passionate about what they do.)
65

Nene

Listen

(They should help make this show a success.)
66

Rui

Listen

Okay, next... Would you mind introducing yourself?
67

Cast Member

Listen

Yes, I'm...!
68

Rui

Listen

Okay, I believe that's everyone.

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

69

Rui

Listen

So, Nene, would you mind finishing us off? What does it mean for you to sing?
70

Nene

Listen

Wait, me?
71

Rui

Listen

Yes. You're a part of this cast, aren't you?
72

Nene

Listen

Yeah, but...
My plan was just to fill whatever role was left over. Do I really need to?
73
Are you sure?
Since we're here, I kinda want to hear what your feelings are regarding singing, Kusanagi!
74

Airi

Listen

Me too. Also, don't say you're just gonna play whatever's left. You should also play the role that suits you the best.
75

Rui

Listen

Hear that?
76

Nene

Listen

A-Alright, fine...
77

Nene

Listen

Umm...
78

Nene

Listen

My goal is to become a world-class musical actress.
79

Nene

Listen

And I want to make as many people as I can smile through my singing.
80

Cast Member

Listen

A world-class musical actress? That's so cool...!
81

Cast Member

Listen

Does that mean you wanna sing on Broadway?
82

Nene

Listen

Oh... I know it's a really lofty goal, considering where I currently am as a singer...!
83
Wait, really?
84

Nene

Listen

Huh...?
85
I don't think that's lofty at all, Kusanagi.
I mean, you're such an amazing singer!
86

Ichika

Listen

Yeah.
87

Ichika

Listen

I think your dream is wonderful, and it suits you really well.
88

Nene

Listen

Oh...
89

Nene

Listen

Thanks...
90

Nene

Listen

I know it's a big dream, but my goal is to make it come true no matter what.

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

91

Rui

Listen

Now, let's start deciding roles based on what you've all shared.
92

Rui

Listen

Starting with the show's most vital role.
I'd like to begin by choosing who is going to play our protagonist...
93
Oh, I nominate Kusanagi to play her!
94

Nene

Listen

What...?!
95
You're the perfect pick, based on what you just told us!
96

Airi

Listen

Yeah, you and she do seem to sync up pretty well, in terms of having the courage to chase after such big dreams.
97

Cast Member

Listen

I agree with them!
Plus, it'll be nice having a veteran leading the way, you know?
98

Cast Member

Listen

I also vote for you!
99

Nene

Listen

U-Uhh...
100

Rui

Listen

Right.
Based on what you said, Nene, I also believe you should play her.
101

Rui

Listen

However, you're also busy as a member of the planning committee, so juggling both roles won't be easy.
102

Rui

Listen

Which is why I'm going to leave it up to you. Keep in mind that we have a few other suitable candidates.
103

Nene

Listen

...
104

Nene

Listen

(Yeah, juggling both duties isn't going to be easy. Both are big responsibilities...)
105

Nene

Listen

(But...)
106

Nene

Listen

I'll do it.
107
Really?!
108

Nene

Listen

Yeah. You all have faith in me, and I want to answer that trust.
109

Nene

Listen

(And it's true, I did feel some kinship with her, with the way my friends gave me the push I needed to start really going after my dream...)
110

Nene

Listen

I promise to do my absolute best, with all of you beside me.
111

Rui

Listen

Okay, Nene will be playing our protagonist.
112

Rui

Listen

Now, let's decide the other roles as well.
Starting with the first musician our heroine meets...
A few hours later

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

113

Tsukasa

Listen

Considering that this is the first time on stage for many of you, you're projecting your voices incredibly well! I'd like for you all to bring the same energy next time!
114

Cast Member

Listen

Okay!
115

Nene

Listen

Alright, we're just about out of time.
That concludes today's practice. Thank you all for coming.
116

Everyone

Listen

Thank you!
117
I'm exhausted!
Wow, acting's so hard...
118

Airi

Listen

Really? I thought you did a great job of playing your character, An.
119

Ichika

Listen

She is the musician who gets Lulu to feel passionate about music, after all.
120
You two were also perfect, Airi, Ichika!
I loved how you played the musician who inspires courage in her, and the musician who shows her how fun music is!
121

Airi

Listen

Hehe. Who would've guessed that we'd all be playing musicians? It's a big responsibility, but let's all do our best!
122

Airi

Listen

As actors and friends, we're going to give you all the support we can, Kusanagi!
123

Nene

Listen

Oh...
124

Nene

Listen

Thank you. I really appreciate it!
Next Chapter: Feelings Into Songs