Dear My Fellows - 6: Racing Hearts

Music Hall

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

1

Princess

“——————...♪”

2

Princess

“No, he's miles and miles away in a different country. He'll never hear me if I keep singing like a squeaky songbird...”

3

Princess

“After giving me so much courage too...”

4

Princess

“He told me that he liked the way I sing, so I have to make sure my voice reaches him!”

5

Princess

“————♪ ————♪”

6

Audience

Wow... Her voice is so pretty...

7

Audience

This is her first time playing the lead, right? She looks so poised...

8

Princess

“————♪”

9

Nene

(My voice wavered there a little...)

10

Nene

(The audience seems to be reacting okay, but I can't be happy with just this...)

11

Nene

(I need to do a better job of moving their hearts...!)

12

Princess

“————♪ ————♪”

After the show

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

13

Director

Nice work with the last show, everyone.
Overall, each performance went really well, and the audience seemed to enjoy everything.

14

Director

This is the result of all the hard work you put in day in and day out. Let's keep doing our best and make our next show just as good!

15

Troupe Members

Yeah!

Sound Effect: Play

16

Nene

(Each performance went really well, huh...?)

17

Nene

(That's good to hear. I'm glad we were able to get through them all...)

Sound Effect: Play

18

Director

Kusanagi.

19

Nene

Oh, Mr. Amemiya, hello...

20

Amemiya

Nice work out there.
I wanted to congratulate our star as the director of this troupe.

21

Nene

I see...
Thank you for going out of your way to do this.

22

Amemiya

You just seem to keep finding ways to get better, Kusanagi...

23

Amemiya

When you first joined us, you were pretty rough around the edges. But now, you're regularly competing for leading roles.

24

Amemiya

Naturally, you still have a lot of growth potential... But I have to say, Kazamatsuri brought us a real gem.

25

Nene

Oh...

26

Nene

Thank you very much.

27

Nene

I plan on doing even more moving forward in order to win those roles.

28

Amemiya

Yes, I'll be looking forward to seeing how you grow.

29

Nene

(I can't be happy with just having a lot of growth potential...)

30

Nene

(I mean, I've auditioned for countless roles... And just finally managed to become the lead for one show.)

31

Nene

(I have to keep getting better and better.
Or else...)

Sound Effect: Play

32

Nene

(I won't be able to go overseas like those two...)

Sound Effect: Play

33

Troupe Member A

Mr. Amemiya! Kusanagi!
We want to throw an after-party! Are you two free to join us?

34

Nene

An after-party?

35

Troupe Member A

Yes, we wanted to give ourselves a big pat on the back! So, we're looking for people who are free to go.

36

Amemiya

Ah, that sounds fun. I think I'll go.
What about you, Kusanagi?

37

Nene

Oh, umm...

38

Nene

I really appreciate the invitation, but I think I'll pass. Please go on without me.

39

Troupe Member B

Wait, Kusanagi, are you gonna head back and practice the way you always do?

40

Nene

I am. I start getting antsy if I don't since it's basically a part of my routine at this point.

41

Nene

Plus, our next show is just around the corner.

42

Troupe Member B

Oh, that's right. Yuka Kazamatsuri agreed to appear as a guest star, right?!

43

Troupe Member C

I know that she and Mr. Amemiya used to be in the same troupe, but I still can't believe she's coming back to Japan to perform in this show.

44

Nene

Me neither...
I'm excited since she's my hero.

45

Troupe Member B

Right. But you just finished doing a show, so don't push yourself too hard, okay?

46

Nene

I'll be careful.
Anyway, nice work, everyone.

A few hours later

Practice Area

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

47

Nene

“Please put down your sword. I'd rather not see you all covered in blood.”

48

Nene

“And I'm sure your late mother wouldn't have wanted to see you in this state.”

49

Nene

That didn't feel right...

50

Nene

Natalie should know exactly why her childhood friend made the decision to go into battle.

51

Nene

Which means she wouldn't just be trying to stop her at all costs. She should be feeling pretty conflicted.

52

Nene

So, maybe I can try making my voice waver...

53

Nene

“Please put down your sword... I'd rather not see you all covered in blood.”

54

Nene

“And I'm sure your late mother wouldn't have wanted to see you in this state.”

55

Nene

...
Let's take a look at that video I just took of myself.

Sound Effect: Play

56

Nene

(My voice sounds more like how I thought it should, but the way I'm moving still looks kinda funny...)

57

Nene

(She's torn between wanting to respect her friend's wishes and hoping to stop her from going. In order to clearly express that internal conflict...)

Sound Effect: Play

58

Nene

That really startled me...
I totally forgot to turn off notifications.

59

Nene

Emu sent me a message...?

Sound Effect: Play

60

Nene

(Come to think of it, she said she wanted to throw a farewell party for Rui and Tsukasa. I wonder where we're doing that...)

Sound Effect: Play

61

Nene

Phoenix Wonderland...?

62

Nene

I see...
We're doing it there.

63

Nene

I guess it is the perfect place for us to gather.

Sound Effect: Play

64

Nene

(Wherever they are right now, they're all doing their best.)

65

Nene

(Which means I also need to keep practicing.)

Sound Effect: Play

66

???

<I want you to be the one to figure out what's truly best for you.>

67

???

<And I'll do whatever I can to help you find that answer.>

68

???

<It won't be easy, but doing your best by working together as a team to get through this will do wonders for you in the future.>

69

Nene

(Huh...?)

70

Nene

(Who said that just now...?)

Sound Effect: Play

71

Yuka

Oh, Nene, it's been so long...!

72

Nene

Huh...? M-Ms. Kazamatsuri?!
What are you doing here...?

73

Yuka

I got back to Japan a little while ago.
Amemiya let me know his troupe would be throwing an after-party today and invited me to join. He wanted to introduce me to everyone.

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

74

Yuka

That's where I heard that you were probably still practicing, Nene. So, I'm here.

75

Nene

I see...

76

Nene

It's so nice to see you again.

77

Nene

And I'm really looking forward to performing in that show with you!

78

Yuka

*Nod*
I'm also looking forward to working with you.

79

Yuka

Have you been taking breaks, Nene...?

80

Nene

Huh? Oh, yes...
I've been taking quick breathers here and there while checking over the videos I've been taking of myself...

81

Yuka

Haha.
Amemiya was right. You really do have an incredible work ethic.

82

Yuka

But you need to take proper breaks. To be perfectly honest, you look pretty tired.

83

Nene

I do? I'll be careful...

84

Yuka

Anyway, now that I've had a chance to see you, Nene, I'm going to head back. I'd rather not be in your way for too long.

85

Yuka

But promise to take real breaks, okay?

86

Nene

O-Okay...!

87

Yuka

Then, I'll see you later.
And don't push yourself too hard.

88

Nene

Thank you. I promise to be careful.

Sound Effect: Play

89

Nene

(Ms. Kazamatsuri's such a nice person.)

90

Nene

(She came all this way just to see me, and she expressed genuine concern...)

91

Nene

I have to do my best...

Next Chapter: As Long as We're Together