The next day
Wonderland SEKAI

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1

Tsukasa

Listen

Okay, we're making a decision today!
2

KAITO

Listen

Welcome, everyone. Will you be continuing your discussion regarding your program today?
3

Tsukasa

Listen

We are. Especially since we couldn't agree on anything or reach a consensus...
4

Miku

Listen

Hm? Where's Emu?
5

Nene

Listen

Emu said she has to deal with something at home.
6

Miku

Listen

Oh, okay. That's too bad...
7

MEIKO

Listen

I would've liked to see Emu too, but if she's busy then we'll just have to let her be...!
8

Rui

Listen

And since our discussion kept reaching dead ends, it may've been nice to have her unique ideas maybe break open a path for us.
9

Tsukasa

Listen

In that case, we just have to choose something that she can enjoy to her heart's content!
10

Tsukasa

Listen

Now, let's start our discussion once more!
11

Tsukasa

Listen

*Huff*... *Huff*... *Huff*...
12

Tsukasa

Listen

Y-You're all too stubborn...!

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13

Nene

Listen

*Sigh*... You're one to talk. You just keep saying, This! It has to be this! Like a broken record...
14

Rui

Listen

And once again we're all running in different directions. How about we ask how the plushies feel and vote on which idea is the best?
15

Nene

Listen

Okay then... Is that why you were playing with them the other time?
16

Rui

Listen

Oh, it's nothing like that. I was purely having a little fun with them.
17

Tsukasa

Listen

Your tricks won't work here, Rui! You'll just have to fight fair and square!
18

Rui

Listen

Oh, woe is me...! To be seen in such a manner! It is as if my heart is being torn to pieces...!
19

Nene

Listen

Quit hamming it up. You're not fooling us...
20

Len

Listen

Oh, hi there!
You're here already!
21

Tsukasa

Listen

Hey, Len, Rin!
22

Rin

Listen

Hm? Is Emu not with you today...?
23

Nene

Listen

Oh, Emu's taking the day off...
24

Len

Listen

A day off? So something really did happen to her?

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25

Nene

Listen

Really happened...?
What do you mean?
26

Len

Listen

Well, we found Emu all by herself yesterday and she had this sad expression on her face.
27

Rin

Listen

Yeah! She's always happy and smiling, so she sort of shocked us yesterday!
28

Nene

Listen

Emu? Sad?
29

Tsukasa

Listen

Maybe she dropped that taiyaki she brought as a snack on accident?
30

Nene

Listen

No, if that were the case she'd come crying to me while saying, Neneee! Help!
31

Nene

Listen

So something more serious happened...?
32

Rui

Listen

Then we may want to ask her during our next practice. I'd like to help her if she really is in trouble.
33

Tsukasa

Listen

Right, I'm all for that...! If I can, I as the troupe leader shall lend her a hand as well!
Wonder Stage

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34

Nene

Listen

It's already getting dark. We must've been talking for a pretty long time.
35

Robo-Nene

Listen

Lights ON. Please watch your step.

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36

Nene

Listen

Hehe. Thanks, Robo-Nene.
37

Rui

Listen

It's finally starting to get warmer, but the sun still goes down relatively early.
38

Tsukasa

Listen

You're right. We need to make sure that we're taking good care of ourselves too. After we all get home, we should...
39

???

Listen

Enough...!!
40

Nene

Listen

Huh? Who was that...?
41

Rui

Listen

Someone with a lot of anger in their voice it seems.
42

Tsukasa

Listen

Maybe a fight broke out in the park? We should go see...!

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Phoenix Wonderland
43

Shosuke

Listen

What do you mean rethink this partnership?! We're about to finalize everything, you know...?!

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44

Shosuke

Listen

Do you not understand how much money is changing hands over this deal?!
45

Shosuke

Listen

Your pathetic ideas pale in comparison with what we're trying to achieve!!
46

Keisuke

Listen

...
47

Emu

Listen

No, I want to keep the promise I made with grandpa...!
48

Emu

Listen

If the Trampoline Dome isn't getting that many visitors, I'll work hard so that it will!
49

Emu

Listen

Everyone at the Wonder Stage even came up with an idea to make it more fun and attractive!
50

Emu

Listen

That way, more people will come and play, and they'll be laughing and smiling. Grandpa's PXL can stay the way it is and we'll get more visitors!
51

Shosuke

Listen

You just don't get it...
52

Emu

Listen

I came up with other ideas to get more visitors line up for the rides and attractions that are already here! Like...
53

Keisuke

Listen

Emu. This is our job. You are in no position to interfere.
54

Keisuke

Listen

And we believe that this partnership is what's best for this park.
55

Emu

Listen

B-But...!
56

Shosuke

Listen

Stop! Just stop!!
57

Shosuke

Listen

Why do you care about smiles and laughter so much?! That sort of thinking is what brought this park down to where it is now in the first place!!
58

Keisuke

Listen

Exactly. Business is about results. I suggest that you free yourself from these ideals of yours...
59

Emu

Listen

...!!
60

Tsukasa

Listen

Wait... Is that Emu?
61

Nene

Listen

But those two men in the suits... Who are they?
62

Tsukasa

Listen

Hey, Emu?

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63

Emu

Listen

Huh? You guys...?!
64

Tsukasa

Listen

What's going on? Are you in trouble?
65

Emu

Listen

Um, well...!
66

Nene

Listen

Just who are you two?
Why are you yelling at her?
67

Shosuke

Listen

Who? We're her family!
Don't butt in where you're not supposed to!
68

Nene

Listen

Family...?
69

Rui

Listen

Ah, then that makes you her elder brothers?
70

Rui

Listen

As members of the same troupe as Emu, we were hoping to get to know you but...
71

Keisuke

Listen

Troupe...? Oh, you mean for the Wonder Stage.
72

Shosuke

Listen

Heh. That piece of junk...?
73

Tsukasa

Listen

What was that...?
74

Shosuke

Listen

So it was you lot then. If it weren't for you, we'd already be rid of that thing by now...
75

Shosuke

Listen

If only we succeeded, Emu would've given up and...
76

Tsukasa

Listen

Take back that part about it being a piece of junk!
77

Shosuke

Listen

Excuse me...?
78

Tsukasa

Listen

It's true that the Wonder Stage is old. So old that it could fall apart at any moment!

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79

Tsukasa

Listen

But that stage is also the main theatre for Wonderlands×Showtime! As the troupe leader, I will not let what you said pass!!
80

Emu

Listen

Tsukasa...
81

Shosuke

Listen

Oh? And what does your lowly troupe intend to do then...?
82

Rui

Listen

Tsukasa, you should leave it here for now...
83

Rui

Listen

We're in their employ. This isn't the right time or place to discuss this...
84

Shosuke

Listen

Hah. At least this one seems to have his head on straight.
85

Shosuke

Listen

I'll tell you this as a courtesy. No good will come of you as long as you are involved with my idiot sister here.
86

Rui

Listen

What are you suggesting...?
87

Shosuke

Listen

She refuses to face reality, and constantly has her head in the clouds.
88

Shosuke

Listen

She's always been like this. Be it trying to fly, catch a rainbow and so on, she's been living in her dream world. Not only that, the ones she gets involved all end up getting hurt in the end.
89

Shosuke

Listen

Emu. Keep your dreams to yourself. We're through dealing with you!
90

Emu

Listen

...!
91

Rui

Listen

...
92

Nene

Listen

Hold on...!
93

Rui

Listen

Ah, I see...
94

Rui

Listen

You no longer have any hopes or dreams...
95

Shosuke

Listen

What was that...?
96

Rui

Listen

Such a pity. That also explains why you can't comprehend someone who has these sorts of ideals.
97

Rui

Listen

Or is it simply too much to bear and you've already given up...?
98

Keisuke

Listen

...
99

Shosuke

Listen

I have no idea what you're talking about.
100

Rui

Listen

Then please excuse me. I was only speaking my mind as someone who has also been chasing dreams.
101

Rui

Listen

Indeed, believing in a dream can be a rather perilous endeavor.
102

Shosuke

Listen

...
103

Rui

Listen

But fear not. Your younger sister is a renowned master of this art.
104

Rui

Listen

She is able to believe in something that all others have long since given up on...
105

Rui

Listen

Which is why I sincerely hope that you will stop insulting my friends like this.
106

Shosuke

Listen

What...?!
107

Emu

Listen

R-Rui! Please, it's okay! I'll be fine...!

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108

Keisuke

Listen

That's enough, Shosuke...
109

Keisuke

Listen

We don't have much time ourselves. Our guests will be arriving at any minute.
110

Shosuke

Listen

But Keisuke...!
111

Keisuke

Listen

We're going.

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Next Chapter: Where's Our Hope?