Smile of a Dreamer - 3: Even If That's "Ideal"

The next day

Wonderland SEKAI

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1

Tsukasa

Okay, we're making a decision today!

2

KAITO

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

3

Tsukasa

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

4

Miku

Hm? Where's Emu?

5

Nene

Emu said she has to deal with something at home.

6

Miku

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

7

MEIKO

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

8

Rui

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

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

10

Tsukasa

Now, let's start our discussion once more!

11

Tsukasa

*Huff*... *Huff*... *Huff*...

12

Tsukasa

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

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13

Nene

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

14

Rui

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

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

16

Rui

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

17

Tsukasa

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

18

Rui

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

19

Nene

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

20

Len

Oh, hi there!
You're here already!

21

Tsukasa

Hey, Len, Rin!

22

Rin

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

23

Nene

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

24

Len

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

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25

Nene

Really happened...?
What do you mean?

26

Len

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

27

Rin

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

28

Nene

Emu? Sad?

29

Tsukasa

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

30

Nene

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

31

Nene

So something more serious happened...?

32

Rui

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

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

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

35

Robo-Nene

Lights ON. Please watch your step.

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36

Nene

Hehe. Thanks, Robo-Nene.

37

Rui

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

38

Tsukasa

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

???

Enough...!!

40

Nene

Huh? Who was that...?

41

Rui

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

42

Tsukasa

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

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Phoenix Wonderland

43

Shosuke

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

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44

Shosuke

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

45

Shosuke

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

46

Keisuke

...

47

Emu

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

48

Emu

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

49

Emu

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

50

Emu

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

You just don't get it...

52

Emu

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

53

Keisuke

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

54

Keisuke

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

55

Emu

B-But...!

56

Shosuke

Stop! Just stop!!

57

Shosuke

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

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

59

Emu

...!!

60

Tsukasa

Wait... Is that Emu?

61

Nene

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

62

Tsukasa

Hey, Emu?

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63

Emu

Huh? You guys...?!

64

Tsukasa

What's going on? Are you in trouble?

65

Emu

Um, well...!

66

Nene

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

67

Shosuke

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

68

Nene

Family...?

69

Rui

Ah, then that makes you her elder brothers?

70

Rui

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

71

Keisuke

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

72

Shosuke

Heh. That piece of junk...?

73

Tsukasa

What was that...?

74

Shosuke

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

75

Shosuke

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

76

Tsukasa

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

77

Shosuke

Excuse me...?

78

Tsukasa

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

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

Tsukasa...

81

Shosuke

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

82

Rui

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

83

Rui

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

84

Shosuke

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

85

Shosuke

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

What are you suggesting...?

87

Shosuke

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

88

Shosuke

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

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

90

Emu

...!

91

Rui

...

92

Nene

Hold on...!

93

Rui

Ah, I see...

94

Rui

You no longer have any hopes or dreams...

95

Shosuke

What was that...?

96

Rui

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

97

Rui

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

98

Keisuke

...

99

Shosuke

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Rui

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

Rui

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

Shosuke

...

Rui

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

Rui

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

Rui

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

Shosuke

What...?!

Emu

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

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Keisuke

That's enough, Shosuke...

Keisuke

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

Shosuke

But Keisuke...!

Keisuke

We're going.

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Next Chapter: Where's Our Hope?