The next day
Kamiyama High School - School Gate
Tsukasa
Thanks for waiting, Nene.
Nene
You're late. How did it take you this long to get to the gate? Your legs really are useless.
Tsukasa
H-Hey, it's not my fault! The teacher asked me to help out with something! Also, my legs are not useless!!
Nene
Okay, okay...
Rui
Are you worried about Emu?
Nene
Why are you asking? You already know the answer.
Rui
Ah, excuse me.
Tsukasa
I see. That's why you've been so prickly today. I apologize for making you wait like that...
Nene
Don't turn all humble on me like that. It feels weird...
Tsukasa
W-What...?!
Tsukasa
How about you show some modesty for a change?! Also, do you have to take jabs at me every time we talk?
Nene
Ugh, just be quiet!
Nene
I... I just don't know what we can do...!
Rui
That is the issue. Especially as long as Emu doesn't tell us what's going on...
Rui
But forcing it out of her would be difficult as well, so...
Nene
She usually just says whatever's on her mind...
Tsukasa
Well, it may seem like she is, but...
Emu
Because we were all so busy preparing the show.
Emu
Grandpa told me that you need a diverse troupe for a good show, and at least one of them has to be committed to helping all the others' talents shine.
Tsukasa
The bigger the problem, the less likely she is to talk...
Tsukasa
This may be a case of just that...
Rui
So it's likely that she won't tell us anytime soon.
Rui
I suppose we should try to come up with some better ideas in the meantime...
Nene
...
Wonder Stage
Emu
Hey, everyone!
Sorry for being late!
Sorry for being late!
Emu
I'm all ready to go☆
Let's head over to SEKAI!
Let's head over to SEKAI!
Rui
Oh, right.
Nene
I need to get changed...
Phoenix Wonderland
Nene
*Sigh*...
Robo-Nene
Nene, is something the matter?
Nene
Yeah...
But...
But...
Emu
Neneee!
Nene
Wah! Wh-What the?!
Emu
Nene, I wanna get to know you better!
Nene
Know me? Like how?
Emu
You were a member of a theater troupe before, right? What kinds of shows did you guys do? Which ones did you like? And...
Nene
S-Slow down! Don't ask me so many questions at once or I won't know where to start...
Rui
Why don't we take a break now?
That way you'll have time to chat.
That way you'll have time to chat.
Rui
You might even enjoy opening up a bit and sharing your memories with a friend.
Nene
Sigh...
Fine, but only until the break's over.
Fine, but only until the break's over.
Emu
Yay!
Nene
(Talking to Emu that time helped me figure some things out, so I should return that favor.)
Nene
(She pries into everyone else's business, but clams up when it comes to her own...)
Nene
(At the same time, if it really is something big, she might not be able to tell us easily...)
Nene
(No, I'd want to know even more if that's the case...)
Nene
*Sigh*...
Nene
I want to help Emu...
Nene
If something's bothering her, I want to be there for her.
Nene
But I don't really know how to tell her that...
Robo-Nene
Beep. Understood.
Nene
Huh?
Robo-Nene
I will deliver this message to Emu.
Nene
Wait, what?!
Nene
No... Stop!! Where are you going?!
Robo-Nene
I will deliver this message to Emu.
Nene
What message?! Did Rui install something that lets you do that?! You don't need to do anything like that!
Nene
Ugh... Time to go after it!
Emu
(I'm really making everyone worry...)
Emu
(I want to tell everyone, but...)
Emu
(I want everyone to be able to focus on being able to perform the shows they love so much...)
Emu
Huh? Is that Robo-Nene coming this way...?
Nene
*Huff*... *Huff*... Robo-Nene, wait...!
Nene
No, please! Stop...!!
Nene
Robo-Nene!!!! Stooop!!!!
Robo-Nene
Beep. Stopping.
Nene
F-Finally...! Wait...!
Emu
Hm? Why are you in such a hurry, Robo-Nene?
Nene
R-Right in front of Emu...!!
Robo-Nene
Replaying message.
Nene's Voice
<I want to help Emu...>
Nene's Voice
<If something's bothering her, I want to be there for her.>
Emu
Hm?
Nene
Umm...
Nene
That's the truth...
Nene
I get that something might be keeping you from telling us...
Nene
But when you feel like talking, please tell us everything...
Emu
Nene...
Nene
That's all...!
Emu
...
Emu
(Yeah... I want to tell them...)
Emu
(Nene and the others will listen. They might help me come up with some ideas...)
Emu
(But...)
Next Chapter: From a Tearful Smile