1
Mizuki
Oh, you're here.
2
Rui
Oh, Mizuki. You're late today. Third period's already started, you know.
3
Mizuki
Why are you even waiting for me anyway?
It's not like I promised to meet you.
4
Rui
I know. I've been reading this drama play, you see.
5
Mizuki
Avoiding my questions again, huh?
6
Rui
Oh, but I was just getting to my answer. This play is about a hero that patiently waits for someone.
7
Rui
I thought by waiting for you, I might be able to understand the mentality of this character a little better.
8
Mizuki
Hmm? Is this play any good?
9
Rui
Well, it depends on who you ask...
10
Mizuki
Isn't that true about everything?
11
Rui
In the case of this play, there's no definite conclusion, so the answer is up to the audience's interpretation.
12
Mizuki
I see. Not like I have anything against stories like that, but why are you reading that sort of stuff? I thought you wanted to do fun shows.
13
Rui
I do. But in order to do that, I first need to expand my horizons.
14
Mizuki
Expand your horizons, huh?
15
Mizuki
Is that the real reason you're always up here?
16
Rui
Huh?
17
Mizuki
I figured you talked to people like me because you were looking for inspiration or something you could use in your shows?
18
Rui
Well, you're correct in a sense.
I always find our conversations inspirational.
19
Mizuki
...
20
Rui
But to be clear, I draw inspiration from everyone around me, not just you.
21
Mizuki
Well...
If you say so...
22
Rui
Hehe. To be fair, it's probably not a good thing that my thoughts always revolve around how something can be used in a show.
23
Mizuki
You say that, but it's not like you intend to change anytime soon, right?
24
Rui
Of course not.
25
Mizuki
Even if that's the reason you're all alone?
26
Rui
All alone...
Well...
27
Rui
Solitude isn't as bad as people make it out to be.
28
Mizuki
Huh?
29
Rui
In fact, it has had certain benefits for me. It's given me plenty of time to see plays and to think over ideas for shows, for example.
30
Rui
It even gave me another lonesome friend on the school rooftop.
31
Mizuki
Solitude has given you a friend?
Isn't that contradictory?
32
Rui
Hehe, I suppose you're right.
33
Mizuki
A friend in solitude...
34
Mizuki
Maybe one day you'll find friends who have more in common with you than just being lonely...
35
Rui
Maybe. God only knows...
36
Mizuki
God, huh?
Where's God when you need them?
37
Rui
Where indeed...
Well, while we're on the subject...
38
Rui
How would you like to wait until the end of fourth period with me?
39
Mizuki
Haha. Why not...?
Not like I have anything else to do...
40
Mizuki
It's really great that you've made new friends. Tsukasa and that girl who was there with you...
41
Mizuki
Ugh, to think I'd lose to you like this... I'm definitely the one with better communication skills too...!
42
Rui
That's not true...
You've made some new friends too, no?
43
Mizuki
Huh?
44
Mizuki
What makes you say that...?
45
Rui
Call it a director's intuition, I guess?
46
Mizuki
Haha. Is that really a thing?
Anyway, it's not like I...
47
Mizuki
Well, maybe you're right. I'm just not sure you could call us friends yet...
48
Mizuki
But yeah, I have met some people...
49
Rui
Hehe. I knew it.
50
Mizuki
That could be why I can enjoy this view without feeling jealous even though there's still a lot in my life that still isn't great.
51
Rui
It seems like we both met some good people.
52
Mizuki
And yet we're killing time up here instead of enjoying the festival, just like we used to...
53
Mizuki
Hey, look. There's a crowd gathering in the courtyard...
54
Rui
The night festival will be starting soon.
I heard there will be dancing and live music.
55
Mizuki
Huh. I guess School Festivals in high school can have those.
56
Rui
Hm? Sounds like we have company.
57
Mizuki
Oh? Who could it be?
Next Chapter: My School Festival