Wonderland SEKAI
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Tsukasa
Yes, I'm sure they'll want to join in on the action. Miku in particular is probably going to exclaim, “That sounds like fun☆ I wanna be in it too☆”
Rui
Just how many of my ideas the cast members from ArcLand are going to be willing to accept?
Rui
However, after that wedding, the night show and the Sports Festival... I've come to understand that not all are willing to go along with my ideas...
Rui
But it's okay.
I was simply wondering how far I'll be able to go with our final ambassadorial performance.
I was simply wondering how far I'll be able to go with our final ambassadorial performance.
Tsukasa
Exactly!! Your directing is invaluable to us!! I say use whatever ideas you see fit!!
Birdie Plushie
No, I wanna do it! I'm gonna do it!
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MEIKO
See the birdie plushie talking to Miku right now? They're arguing about whether or not to do a show on the flying train.
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Rui
From what I saw before, there's no way to actually operate the train, and it seems to just fly off on its own sometimes. As a result, that endeavor ended up being too risky.
MEIKO
We even thought about how to use wires and such, but couldn't think of what to do if they got tangled up...
Len
I mean, it'd be pretty hard to pull off if you can't fly like a birdie. And even the others who can fly said they were scared...
Birdie Plushie
But I can do it!
Birdie Plushie
I don't care if no one else can! I'll do it by myself!
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KAITO
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take up so much of your time with this... You're all here to practice, yes?
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Tsukasa
As it turns out, we're going to be performing a show alongside some cast members from the world-famous theme park, ArcLand.
Rui
Not yet. We're scheduled to meet with them tomorrow. Our plan is to discuss ideas with them when we do.
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Nene
We heard about what happened.
How are things going? It sounds like you're in a tough pickle...
How are things going? It sounds like you're in a tough pickle...
Miku
I really don't know what to do...
And Birdie flew away all angry and frustrated...
*Sigh*
And Birdie flew away all angry and frustrated...
*Sigh*
Wonder Stage
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Tsukasa
Hmm...
As glad as I am that we got to tell them about our next show, it was a bit strange to see them in such a predicament.
As glad as I am that we got to tell them about our next show, it was a bit strange to see them in such a predicament.
Rui
Shows can involve a large number of people all fixated on different goals, which can lead to some unpleasant situations.
Nene
Yeah, because we're gonna be performing with a new set of people. There's probably gonna be some growing pains...
Emu
We'll be fine!
We just have to get to know each other and...! Oh, I know! We should have some food or snacks together! Then we'll be friends in no time!
We just have to get to know each other and...! Oh, I know! We should have some food or snacks together! Then we'll be friends in no time!
Two days later
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Emu
I can't wait for them to get here♪
How should we greet them? Oh, what if I flew down from above?!
How should we greet them? Oh, what if I flew down from above?!
Nene
That'd definitely get their attention, but you'd also probably scare them. Let's save that for some other time.
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Rui
Asahi Genbu... He's a young actor who's been attracting quite a bit of attention lately. On top of being a central figure at ArcLand, he's been appearing in movies and TV shows.
Rui
He's supposed to be a remarkable actor, so I'm looking forward to seeing how he performs in person.
Rui
Oh, he's also famous for being among the first to be asked to perform at the Center Theatre.
Nene
So, ArcLand has a lot of stages, but you can only perform on that one if you're both young and really good.
Rui
ArcLand certainly has been putting a lot of resources into their stage performances recently. They've been recruiting the best up-and-coming actors and directors, while also providing them with an environment in which they can all thrive.
Tsukasa
I'd seen Asahi Genbu a number of times before on TV... But to think that he's actually here...
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Tsukasa
(No, calm down! A star should know how to keep their cool in these situations. Just greet him like normal and...)
Asahi
Everyone! It's really WXS!
Look, it's Miles! He's literally right in front of us...!!
Look, it's Miles! He's literally right in front of us...!!
ArcLand Cast Member A
C-Calm down, Asahi!
ArcLand Cast Member B
Haha... I guess there wasn't much we could do to avoid this...
Asahi
My name is Asahi Genbu.
I'm beyond ecstatic about being given this opportunity to put on a show with all of you!
I'm beyond ecstatic about being given this opportunity to put on a show with all of you!
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Asahi
We're cast members for Tokyo ArcLand's Center Theatre, and we very much look forward to working with you!
Nene
I-I'm Nene Kusanagi...
I started acting when I was little after joining a children's theatre group. One thing led to another and I ended up performing at the Wonder Stage.
I started acting when I was little after joining a children's theatre group. One thing led to another and I ended up performing at the Wonder Stage.
Nene
Also... I like singing very much!
I-I'm looking forward to working with all of you, and promise to do my best!
I-I'm looking forward to working with all of you, and promise to do my best!
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Emu
That was a really wonderhoy speech, Nene! Oh, it might've been more wonderhoy if you sang!
Tsukasa
Alright, now that we've had a chance to introduce ourselves, why don't we start discussing the details for our ambassadorial performance?
Emu
Since we're gonna be performing at the Museum of Emerging Technologies, what if we did something futuristic?!
Nene
Yeah, but...
I think she has the right idea. I mean, we usually try to match these performances to the venue's theme.
I think she has the right idea. I mean, we usually try to match these performances to the venue's theme.
Rui
I'm sure our audience will also appreciate how it goes with the museum's theme and see it as a special experience.
Rui
We generally try to fully utilize the stage or venue for our performances. Besides that...
Rui
(Asahi Genbu in particular since he's multitalented... He has a knack for quickly getting into character for whatever role he's assigned. Some even call him a genius for being able to do that...)
Rui
(Not only that, but Tsukasa, Nene and Emu stand to learn quite a bit from seeing him perform.)
Rui
(So, something that makes use of our venue while also helping improve everybody's skills...)
Asahi
It's a hidden gem in terms of science-fiction stories. A friend of mine recommended it to me and read it for the first time at a library in Japan when I was in sixth grade.
Rui
Oh, what a coincidence.
I read the Yoshio Ueda translation when I was in elementary school.
I read the Yoshio Ueda translation when I was in elementary school.
Asahi
You too, Kamishiro?! That's the version I read! But looking back, I had a lot of trouble getting my head around how it was written...
Asahi
Exactly!
I tried reading the original when I was in junior high school and actually had an easier time understanding it.
I tried reading the original when I was in junior high school and actually had an easier time understanding it.
Rui
(I already had a hunch, but I suppose it's only natural for the young stars of ArcLand to have been exposed to old classics like this one...)
Rui
(But he said “a library in Japan” just now... Does that mean he spent time living abroad for a time?)
Rui
It takes place 100 years in the future in a laboratory where the two androids reside.
Rui
They were so new that the professor who made them still hadn't gotten around to programming in any knowledge.
Rui
Both sides sought to weaponize them, which led to each nation taking one android for themselves.
Rui
With a bit of luck, Alfred, the android that was taken by Nation A, managed to escape the clutches of the military and find refuge in the home of some kind-hearted pioneers at the edge of the wilderness. Alfred would begin learning more about the world.
Rui
Meanwhile, Bartlett, the android that was taken by Nation B, underwent the process of becoming a weapon of war.
ArcLand Cast Member A
But it makes for an interesting story.
Rui
Then, during the final scene, they're reunited in the battle-scarred wasteland that was the pioneers' home.
Rui
One android was taught the value of human kindness, while the other was only shown how to cruelly inflict pain onto others. Despite originating from the same place, they ended up walking down starkly different paths.
ArcLand Cast Member B
Yeah, I wanna know too!
Asahi
Haha! You're quite the storyteller.
But I agree. You should all read what happens for yourselves.
But I agree. You should all read what happens for yourselves.
Asahi
Please, call me Asahi.
If it's okay with all of you, I'd like to call you by your first names as well.
If it's okay with all of you, I'd like to call you by your first names as well.
Next Chapter: The Two Leads