Wonderland SEKAI
Narrator
“Thorpe was a gifted pianist who lived on the outskirts of his town, and you could always hear the melodious sounds of a piano emanating from his place of lodging.”
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Narrator
“But Thorpe had a rather grave failing. Whenever he tried to perform in front of others, he wasn't able to play to the best of his abilities...”
Narrator
“Thorpe would audition for his town's band many times, but fail every time due to not being able to perform when it matters most.”
Narrator
“Having nowhere else to go, Thorpe began playing the piano at a local tavern that was so run down that it hardly ever received any visitors. A place where no one would hear him play.”
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Tsukasa
(Thorpe looks up towards the stars because he feels stuck in terms of achieving his goals... He seems to have trouble facing reality because he lacks initiative...)
Thorpe
“Wait, you're the leader of that band...! It's been so long. What are you doing in a place like this?”
Bandleader
“Some of the band and I are here to have some drinks... I see that your love for playing the piano hasn't faded.”
Bandleader
“You'd be more than welcome to play in my band if only you managed to overcome that... Oh, I know!”
Bandleader
“A big contest is going to be taking place in town soon. Why don't you enter into it?”
Bandleader
“Wouldn't playing in front of a big crowd like that give you a big boost of courage? If you manage to win, my band may be willing to welcome you in as a new member.”
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Thorpe
“I'm probably never going to get another chance to join a band like this again... I have to enter!”
Narrator
“However, no matter how much he practiced, Thorpe still couldn't play well even during his mock rehearsal in front of the others boarding with him.”
Narrator
“With only ten days left until the contest, an absolutely exhausted Thorpe received some special visitors.”
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Little Sister Squirrel
“We want to learn how to dance to a song for this party we'll be attending soon.”
Narrator
“A pair of squirrel sisters from a nearby forest had come to visit. As cute as they were, to Thorpe, they only got in the way of him practicing.”
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Big Sister Squirrel
“Oh wow! This is a great song!
But don't you think you're playing a bit too fast?”
But don't you think you're playing a bit too fast?”
Little Sister Squirrel
“Yeah, she's right!
We'd have to dance and twirl so fast just to keep up!”
We'd have to dance and twirl so fast just to keep up!”
Narrator
“The squirrels danced and twirled as best they could, but before they went home, they asked Thorpe to slow things down next time.”
Narrator
“Thorpe let out a deep sigh.
However, to his dismay, the squirrels had told their animal friends about him and they all came to visit the next day.”
However, to his dismay, the squirrels had told their animal friends about him and they all came to visit the next day.”
Sheep
“Hello, Mr. Pianist.
Can you play a nice song that'll help me and my friends from the farm fall asleep?”
Can you play a nice song that'll help me and my friends from the farm fall asleep?”
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Migrating Bird
“Mr. Pianist! I got separated from my friends! Can you play a fun song that'll let them know that I'm here?”
Big Brother Cat
“Mr. Pianist, my little brother and sister are sick. Can you play a song that'll make them feel better?”
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Narrator
“Thorpe was worried sick about not getting to rehearse in front of others, but he desperately played as best he could. As a result...”
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Bandleader
“How did you practice to get this good? Could it be that you found someone to listen to you play?”
Narrator
“That's right. Thorpe learned how to play in front of others because his animal friends came to listen each day.”
Narrator
“As the crowd called for an encore, Thorpe decided to play his favorite song to thank all the animals for what they did.”
Narrator
“Outside of the venue, the animals heard his performance and nodded in thanks for giving them another wonderful song... The end.”
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Tsukasa
Alright, Rui!
What did you think of my performance? I personally thought there was nothing wrong!
What did you think of my performance? I personally thought there was nothing wrong!
Tsukasa
Especially when I played the piano!
It should be smooth sailing with me at the helm!
It should be smooth sailing with me at the helm!
Emu
Yeah, Tsukasa, seeing you on the piano was so cool! Especially when you went all ba-da-da-da-dum!
Nene
Yeah, despite everything that was said beforehand, you'll probably be fine with a bit of practice...
Next Chapter: Fitting Into a Role