Phoenix Wonderland
Wonder Stage

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

1

Tsukasa

Listen

What do we have in common?
2

Rui

Listen

Yes. I'd like it if you could find something you have deeply in common with Thorpe. Even just one will suffice.
3

Emu

Listen

Will he get better if he finds one?
4

Rui

Listen

Yes.
Remember when we had Tsukasa play the Black Knight a good while back?
5

Nene

Listen

The Black Knight...? Oh, right...

Sound Effect: Play

6

Tsukasa

Listen

“Argh!”
7

Tsukasa

Listen

“That flash of light... What was it?!”
8

Nene

Listen

“You remember now, don't you, Black Knight? You used to wield your sword to protect people, to keep peace.”
9

Emu

Listen

“So those shinies were his memories coming back? It looked so pretty!”
10

Tsukasa

Listen

“You're right... I'd forgotten what was really important to me.”
11

Tsukasa

Listen

“I shall vow to only ever brandish my sword in the name of peace as I had in the past!”
12

Rui

Listen

“The Black Knight was once again back on the righteous path and peace returned to the world.”
13

Emu

Listen

Yeah, I remember!
That show we did before Halloween!
14

Tsukasa

Listen

Ah, that's right. I definitely had trouble getting into character that time.
15

Nene

Listen

You did?
I didn't know that.
16

Tsukasa

Listen

I hadn't played many bad guys before until that point, so I wasn't sure about how I was supposed to act...
17

Tsukasa

Listen

Rui suggested that the Black Knight and I were similar because we both have strong wills and steadfast principles that keep us from budging.
18

Tsukasa

Listen

Playing that role became much easier after I started taking that into consideration.
19

Rui

Listen

And this search for commonalities is a similar exercise.
20

Rui

Listen

Tsukasa, you seem to prefer to learn by doing or through instinct as opposed to logically analyzing a character.
21

Rui

Listen

I believe finding something in common with your character will open quite a few doors for you in terms of imagining how to play him.
22

Rui

Listen

And just one will suffice.
One thing you think you have in common with this character.
23

Rui

Listen

And you'll be exempt from practicing lines until you do. Rather, please refrain from doing so.
24

Tsukasa

Listen

What?!
No practicing lines?!
25

Nene

Listen

So we have to practice without him?
26

Emu

Listen

But he's in almost every scene.
That means we won't be able to practice much, right?
27

Rui

Listen

We can ask KAITO and the others about filling in as Thorpe. I'm sure they'll be willing to help once we explain our situation to them.
28

Rui

Listen

I personally don't want us going into a show knowing that our lead has yet to figure out their character.
29

Rui

Listen

In addition, practicing while in this state will likely start affecting everyone else.
30

Rui

Listen

Which is why I want you to find some commonalities with your character, Tsukasa, and unravel this enigma. Can you do that for us...?
31

Tsukasa

Listen

Yes!
As a future star, I vow to overcome this obstacle! I guarantee that you won't be disappointed!
32

Rui

Listen

That's our star for you. Always giving it 12,000%. We'll be looking forward to seeing some good results...
33

Emu

Listen

I believe in you, Tsukasa!
You can do it! I know you can!
34

Nene

Listen

I agree...
I'm sure you'll figure out something.
35

Tsukasa

Listen

I will... After all, it's a star's duty to rise to any occasion!
36

Rui

Listen

Alright, we'll leave you to it for now.
In the meantime, we'll be asking KAITO to see if we can practice on his stage.
37

Rui

Listen

Please feel free to ask us if you need any help.
38

Tsukasa

Listen

Understood!
I'll join you once I've figured out this character!
39

Tsukasa

Listen

Hmm... Commonalities.... What do we have in common...?

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

40

Tsukasa

Listen

We're really the exact opposites of each other... It's like my grasp of this character keeps slipping away the more I read this script...
41

Tsukasa

Listen

The smallest things bother him so much, but he knows he isn't able to play his best. And yet, he keeps looking up at the stars...
42

Tsukasa

Listen

If I were in his shoes, I'd buck up and take this issue by the horns!! Like I'm doing now!!
43

Tsukasa

Listen

No, hold on!
Complaining won't get me anywhere! First, I need to discover what we have in common!
44

Tsukasa

Listen

Alright, let's start again from the top!
That also goes for the original novella!
A few days later
Tsukasa's Room

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

45

Tsukasa

Listen

I still don't understand...
46

Tsukasa

Listen

Grr... Do we actually have anything in common...? Thinking hasn't gotten me anywhere...
47

Tsukasa

Listen

No, we must have something in common... If Rui believes so, then the answer has to be out there somewhere...
48

Tsukasa

Listen

But a hint would be nice.
An objective opinion...
49

Tsukasa

Listen

I know...!
I'll just...
Wonderland SEKAI
50

Tsukasa

Listen

Ah, there you all are...!
51

Miku

Listen

Hey, it's Tsukasa!
Tsukasaaa!

Sound Effect: Play

52

KAITO

Listen

Ah, Tsukasa, good evening.
We never see you here this late.
53

Tsukasa

Listen

Sorry for the intrusion.
But there's something I need to ask all of you...
54

KAITO

Listen

Ask us?
Oh, is this about playing Thorpe?
55

Tsukasa

Listen

Yes.
Rui must've already spoken with you about it.
56

Tsukasa

Listen

I'm having so much trouble figuring out what he and I have in common. I hate to ask this, but can any of you give me some sort of hint?
57

Tsukasa

Listen

And Rui told me that you'll be replacing me for the time being. So, how was it? What was it like being him...?
58

KAITO

Listen

Yes, I'm happy to help.
But I'm not the one playing Thorpe. You'll have to ask Miku here.
59

Miku

Listen

Yup! That's me♪
60

Tsukasa

Listen

What...?!
Miku, you're playing Thorpe?!
But you're 180-degrees... No, 360-degrees the opposite of him!
61

KAITO

Listen

Doesn't that mean you're right back where you started...? Regardless, yes, Miku said she wanted to give it a try.
62

Tsukasa

Listen

Why take on this role, Miku...?
63

Miku

Listen

Because you're trying so hard, Tsukasa! You made me want to try just as hard!
64

Tsukasa

Listen

I see...
In that case, I'd like to hear what you have to say! How did you take on the role of Thorpe?
65

Miku

Listen

Okay, so I...
66

Miku

Listen

“Gwah!
I only have half a day left!”
67

Miku

Listen

“The stars! They're so beautiful!”
68

Tsukasa

Listen

Hold on...
That doesn't sound like him at all!!

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

69

Miku

Listen

Yeah, Thorpe's such a tough nut to crack!
70

Tsukasa

Listen

I feel like there's a deeper issue at hand here... I mean, this scene's about how he's trying to overcome this failing of his before the contest, right?
71

Tsukasa

Listen

He's supposed to be in a state of total despair.
72

Miku

Listen

What?!
But I'd feel so much better by seeing those stars!
73

Tsukasa

Listen

That's not what I'm... Hm?
74

Tsukasa

Listen

(Feel better? After seeing those stars...? Wait, I feel like I've heard that before somewhere...)
75

KAITO

Listen

Tsukasa? Is something the matter...?
76

Tsukasa

Listen

Uh, no...
I thought I managed to figure something out just now...
77

Miku

Listen

What?! You did?!
Tell us! Tell us!
78

Tsukasa

Listen

Argh! Hold your horses!
I'm trying to remember...
79

KAITO

Listen

...
80

KAITO

Listen

You can do it, Tsukasa.
One week later

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

81

Emu

Listen

“Hey, Mr. Pianist!
Can you play a song for us?”
82

Nene

Listen

“We want to learn how to dance to a song for this party we'll be attending soon.”
83

Rui

Listen

“I don't care about your party!
I'm busy! Leave me alone!”
84

Rui

Listen

Okay, these scene seems fine...
85

Nene

Listen

But... Is Tsukasa gonna be okay...?
He's been at it for pretty long now.
86

Rui

Listen

...
87

Emu

Listen

He'll be fine! I'm sure of it!
88

Nene

Listen

Huh?
89

Emu

Listen

Tsukasa's our super twinkly star!
I know he's gonna find a way!!
90

Rui

Listen

Yes, you're right...
Thank you for that, Emu.

Sound Effect: Play

91

Miku

Listen

Hi, you guys☆
92

Emu

Listen

Hi, Miku! Hi, KAITO!
Good wonderhoy!
93

KAITO

Listen

Hello there.
I take it Tsukasa won't be practicing with us here yet...
94

Rui

Listen

Yes...
We're yet to receive word from him.
95

KAITO

Listen

However, it seemed like he had a bit of a realization the last time he was here.
96

Nene

Listen

What? He was here?
97

Miku

Listen

Yup! He was trying really hard and nodding his head a lot!
98

Rui

Listen

Hehe...
That's our star for you.
99

Rui

Listen

I'm sure he'll get through this.
So let's place our faith in him and keep waiting since I believe that's all we can do for him right now.
100

Emu & Nene

Listen

Okay!
Next Chapter: That Night Sky I Saw