Okay, that's it for our read-through.
How do you all feel about this...?

Oh, me first!
I really liked how Thorpe was able to play the piano like he wanted in the end!

That's not what he's asking.
He's talking about how we each feel about the way we acted.

From what I saw...
It wasn't bad or anything, but...

After hearing what Rui said, I couldn't help but keep an eye on what Tsukasa did... He seemed different from usual...

I agree.
I believe we feel the same.

How did you feel, Tsukasa?

About that. I think I also felt what you just mentioned. Something just didn't feel quite right...

How do I explain it...?
It's like I only have a superficial grasp of this character.

Hm? Superficial? What do you mean?

Well, that's the thing...
I'm not sure I understand how this character truly feels...

...

“Thorpe, how's practice going?”

Wait, are you ad-libbing?

“If you're trying to make a living by playing at a tavern, I have to think you're having a hard time paying rent. I wish I could help you somehow...”

“Th-Thank you...!
Your kinds words are more than enough!”

No, that isn't right either...
He's supposed to be lacking in confidence. He'd probably clam up in that sort of situation...

This is what he meant by a “superficial grasp”. He's having trouble reading between the lines.

Oh, now I get it!!

He's been able to capture a character's essence just based on instinct until now, but as I expected, this one may prove challenging.

Mind telling us more about where you're getting stuck and how, Tsukasa?

Yes, I appreciate the help!
First, the scene when he looks up to the stars is giving me some trouble...

I see. Thorpe lacks confidence, but also seems fairly proud of himself. Even I'm having some trouble understanding him...

Nene, you might have a better idea.
How do you feel about this character?

Wait, isn't that just a roundabout way of bad-mouthing people with pride but no confidence in themselves?

Oh? I never said anything about that combination being bad. It just means you're proud of yourself but prefer to take it slow when making important decisions.

Yup yup!
You're always wonderhoy no matter what, Nene!

Why does it feel like you're both trying to pull one over on me...?

Nene, I beg you!
Help me figure out how Thorpe feels!

*Sigh*
Alright, fine...

My guess is that he's stressing over producing results, but also beating himself up for being so timid.

I see... But he has a goal he needs to work toward, right? He doesn't have any time to mope around like this.

Y-Yeah, you're not wrong!
But it's not exactly easy to motivate yourself when you're in this kind of pain...

Hmm...
This is going to require more thought...

Alright, why don't we keep working on our characters as we run through some lines?

“That piano sounds so wonderful♪”

“Hey, Mr. Pianist!
Can you play a song for us?”

(Okay. Thorpe's a timid fellow, so let's try...)

“What the?!
Who goes there?!”

Stop!
That's just you being you, Tsukasa!

Think more about how Thorpe would actually react.

O-Okay!
Let's try that again!

(I tried being timid but went a little too far... No matter. I just have to try again...!)

“Thank you, Mr. Pianist.
My little brother and sister seem much better now.”

“Thank you!”

“Ah, is that so...
You can leave now if you're satisfied.”

Sorry! Can we stop things here...?!

Huh?

Something felt off about how I replied just now... “Ah, is that so...” No, maybe... “Ah, is that so...?”

I can't figure it out...
How would Thorpe respond in this situation...?

Tsukasa...

...

...

Maybe we should stop here for today...

Hm? Oh, sure...
Let's call it a day.

Okay...

(This is bad...
I've spent a week trying to figure out this role, but I'm still nowhere close...)

(At this rate...)

Tsukasa...

I should probably take a closer look at the original story. Otherwise, at this rate...

...

*Sigh*
I hope Tsukasa's okay. He seemed really stuck today. Isn't there anything I can do to help him?

But I already told him just about everything I can.

Hm...?

...

Rui, what's wrong?
You seem really down.

Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about Tsukasa's acting...

I regret not putting more thought into this...

More thought? What do you mean...?

Until now, I kept assigning roles to Tsukasa that I thought would help bring out his potential...

His goal in life is “to become a world-famous star”. In retrospect, I regret not pushing his boundaries by assigning him more challenging roles.

In other words, I regret not thinking ahead more...

...

(I don't believe it...
This is how he's taking this situation?)

(Usually, he doesn't really care as long as he got to do the shows he wanted.)

(But now... It's like he genuinely cares about all of our dreams and goals in life...)

But... You know there's no use crying over spilled milk, right...?

Huh?

Remember what you told me after what happened with me and my troupe? “You can look back all you want, but you can't change the past.”

Oh...

That cheered me up a lot.
It made me think, “That's all in the past, so I need to keep doing my best right now.”

So I'm gonna tell you the same thing. The past is the past. All we can do right now is believe in Tsukasa and do what we can for him.

Yes, you're right...

I should be coming up with hints or other ways to help him.

Thank you, Nene.

“Ah, is that so...
You can leave now if you're satisfied.”

“They're finally gone. I can practice in peace now... But there might not be any point now since the contest is tomorrow.”

“*Sigh*
I only have half a day left...”

“The stars... They're so beautiful...”

No, this still doesn't feel right...

I was under the impression that Thorpe looks up to the stars here to flee from his issues because he knows he can't overcome them before the contest...

But am I wrong...?

I don't know...
Not being able to figure this out means I'm far from the world-famous star I want to become...

No...
Now's not the time for that!

Alright, in times like this, there's but one thing for me to do!

(Yes...
Sitting on this bench really does put my mind at ease.)

Okay...

I'm home!
Tsukasa, you're back too?

Oh...

Hehe.
The way Tsukasa plays the piano's always so beautiful.

We don't have much time left until our show...

(I need to rethink why Tsukasa's still having trouble with this role...)

(He's clearly done a full analysis of his character. He understands what Thorpe's trying to achieve.)

(But he's still struggling to immerse himself into this role.. In a way, him and Thorpe are still “strangers”.)

(Tsukasa's usually able to become one with a character and act as if he's in their shoes.)

(There has to be something that can help him become more comfortable with being Thorpe...)

Wait, I know...!