What do we have in common?

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

Will he get better if he finds one?

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

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

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

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

You did?
I didn't know that.

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

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

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

And this search for commonalities is a similar exercise.

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

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.

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

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

What?!
No practicing lines?!

So we have to practice without him?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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...

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...

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

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

Alright, let's start again from the top!
That also goes for the original novella!

I still don't understand...

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

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

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

I know...!
I'll just...

Ah, there you all are...!

Hey, it's Tsukasa!
Tsukasaaa!

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

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

Ask us?
Oh, is this about playing Thorpe?

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

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?

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

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

Yup! That's me♪

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

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

Why take on this role, Miku...?

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

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

Okay, so I...

“Gwah!
I only have half a day left!”

“The stars! They're so beautiful!”

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

Tsukasa? Is something the matter...?

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

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

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

...

You can do it, Tsukasa.

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

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

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

Okay, these scene seems fine...

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

...

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

Huh?

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

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

Hi, you guys☆

Hi, Miku! Hi, KAITO!
Good wonderhoy!

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

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

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

What? He was here?

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

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

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.

Okay!