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

1

Rui

Listen

Yes, very good!
Let's try the next scene with you two swapping roles!
2

Tsukasa

Listen

Okay! That means I'll be playing Alfred.
3

Tsukasa

Listen

“Wh-Where am I?
I require positioning data for this area.”
4

Emu

Listen

“Here? It's the farm my grandpa started out here on the frontier, Mr. Robot! We found you collapsed on the ground!”
5

Tsukasa

Listen

“I am not a robot. I am an android.
My name is Alfred Hawking.”
6

Emu

Listen

“Alfred...? Then, I'll call you Al!”
7

Tsukasa

Listen

“...? Why use a nickname?”
8

Emu

Listen

“Why?
Umm... Because we want to be friends with you!”
9

ArcLand Cast Member A

“Hehe. We mean no harm.
Also, you're quite a mess. Let's get you cleaned up, shall we...?”
10

Rui

Listen

...
Tsukasa!
11

Tsukasa

Listen

Hm? Is something wrong?
12

Rui

Listen

For this scene, can you try bobbing your head left and right as much as possible?
13

Tsukasa

Listen

Wh-Why?!
14

Rui

Listen

You seemed to have gathered yourself too quickly, considering you collapsed on the ground just a second ago. So, I'd like for you to converse in a way that shows you haven't fully regained your balance.
15

Rui

Listen

Emu, I'd like for you and your family to interact with him in a way that shows you're all doing your best but also recognize that something is not quite right with him.
16

Emu

Listen

Okay!
That sounds like fun!
17

Tsukasa

Listen

Hnng...!!
“Wh-Where am I?! What is this place?!”
18

Emu

Listen

“Huh?! Why are you swaying so much?!
Wait, can you not talk unless you do?”
19

Tsukasa

Listen

“I require positioning data for this area!”
20

Rui

Listen

Tsukasa, don't forget that you're an android!
21

Tsukasa

Listen

A-Always with the impossible demands!

Sound Effect: Play

22

Asahi

Listen

“Target eliminated...”
23

ArcLand Cast Member A

“Good progress.
He should be ready for the front lines in no time.”
24

Nene

Listen

“B-But...
Do you think he's actually going to be effective?”
25

ArcLand Cast Member A

“As his drill instructor, that is entirely up to you. Your goal is to make him ready for battle in a month's time.”

Sound Effect: Play

26

Asahi

Listen

“Orders, Sergeant Willis.”
27

Nene

Listen

“You seemed so much more human when you first arrived here...”
28

Nene

Listen

“Alas, you're but an android.”
29

Asahi

Listen

“Yes. I am an android.”
30

Nene

Listen

“Silence. Return to your standby area.”
31

Asahi

Listen

“Understood.”

Sound Effect: Play

32

Rui

Listen

Asahi, a word.
33

Asahi

Listen

Yes, of course.
34

Rui

Listen

You've certainly been putting an acting clinic on for us... However, since we'll be performing outside, I'd like to mix things up a little.
35

Rui

Listen

Specifically, I'd like for you to say, “Yes. I am an android,” as loudly as you possibly can.
36

Asahi

Listen

Huh? As loudly as I can?
37

Rui

Listen

Yes. I'd like to make this scene a little more comical for the audience by having it appear as though the volume regulator for your voice is broken...
38

Rui

Listen

After that, by switching back to a serious tone, it'll make this conversation more impactful.
39

ArcLand Cast Member A

I see...
It'll keep everyone guessing.
40

Asahi

Listen

That sounds interesting!
Let's give it a try!
41

Asahi

Listen

“YES!!!!!!
I AM AN ANDROID!!!!!!!!”
42

Nene

Listen

Gah!!!!
He's almost as loud as Tsukasa!
43

Rui

Listen

Nene, stay focused!
44

Nene

Listen

Right...
“Wh-Why are you shouting?!
Is the volume regulator for your voice broken or something?!”
45

Asahi

Listen

“YES!!!!
THAT IS CORRECT!!!!”
46

Nene

Listen

“Grr...! Where is it...?!
Okay, how's this?!”
47

Asahi

Listen

“Thank you very much, Sergeant Willis.”
48

Nene

Listen

“Ugh... You're such a pain!
Are you really a state-of-the-art android?!”
49

Asahi

Listen

“Yes...”
50

Asahi

Listen

“I am an android.”
51

Nene

Listen

“Silence. Return to your standby area.”
52

Asahi

Listen

“Understood.”

Sound Effect: Play

53

Rui

Listen

Okay, let's go with that...
Also, Nene, well done.
54

Asahi

Listen

I already knew...
But this show really is a lot of fun.
55

Rui

Listen

(Tsukasa, Emu and Nene are all performing according to my directions while doing their best to keep up with everyone from ArcLand.)

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

56

Rui

Listen

(Tsukasa in particular is doing a wonderful job of learning how to play a role that doesn't entirely suit him...)
57

Rui

Listen

(However...)
58

Tsukasa

Listen

Rui! Can we talk...?
59

Rui

Listen

Yes, of course...
How can I help you?
60

Asahi

Listen

Shouldn't we decide who's going to be playing which role soon? We don't have much time left until our show.
61

Nene

Listen

Yeah, as fun as it is to see Tsukasa and Asahi play both roles, we sort of need you to make a decision soon.
62

Emu

Listen

Who gets to be who?
63

Rui

Listen

Hehe. Your timing couldn't be better.
That was exactly what I was just thinking about.
64

Rui

Listen

(First, Alfred, since he's the central character of this story...)
65

Rui

Listen

(He goes through a process of developing real emotions, so playing him will require a delicate touch.)
66

Rui

Listen

(However, I'd also like for him to connect with the audience by adding a more human element.)
67

Rui

Listen

The role of Alfred...
68

Rui

Listen

Will be played by... Asahi.
69

Tsukasa

Listen

Well, I suspected as much...

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

70

Tsukasa

Listen

Asahi was perfect in every aspect.
It genuinely felt like I was speaking to an android.
71

Rui

Listen

Precisely...
72

Rui

Listen

Also, I came to the conclusion that I needed someone who can present the process of developing real emotions in an elegant manner.
73

Rui

Listen

Which is why I chose Asahi.
74

Tsukasa

Listen

Yes, I completely agree with your decision...
75

Tsukasa

Listen

Which means I am to play the role of Bartlett!
76

Rui

Listen

Yes...
I'm looking forward to seeing a good performance from you, Tsukasa.
77

Asahi

Listen

Thank you for entrusting me with such an important role. I promise to do my absolute best.
78

Tsukasa

Listen

Thank you as well.
I'll be looking forward to seeing your Alfred.
79

Tsukasa

Listen

Now that I know I'm going to be playing Bartlett, I'll need to start practicing the final scene in earnest.
80

Asahi

Listen

Right. The scene following the battle is probably this play's most important one, so let's both do our best, Tsukasa!
81

Tsukasa

Listen

Yes, let's!!
The day before the show
Main Street

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

82

Shop Clerk

Thank you!
83

Rui

Listen

Okay...
Thank goodness I was able to get my hands on these.
84

Tsukasa

Listen

To think that we'd run out of flower confetti for the final scene. I doubt any of us were expecting that.
85

Rui

Listen

I was supposed to keep an eye on that, so I apologize for making you come with me like this. Thank you as well, Asahi.
86

Asahi

Listen

No, it's my pleasure!
Also, I'm glad we were able to buy what we needed, so let's head to the station.

Sound Effect: Play

87

Tsukasa

Listen

Tomorrow's finally the big day...
88

Asahi

Listen

This past month went by so fast.
89

Tsukasa

Listen

Yes, it did...
90

Rui

Listen

Are you worried about the final scene, Tsukasa...?
91

Tsukasa

Listen

Hm? Oh, is it that obvious?
Something about it just isn't sitting right with me.
92

Tsukasa

Listen

It's such a moving scene...
I mean, Bartlett starts to gain emotions because Alfred manages to connect with him. But I just can't quite get it right.
93

Asahi

Listen

You've done everything you could up until now, Tsukasa.
94

Asahi

Listen

We worked on our acting together and you went through the trouble of asking everyone about how to make your performance more compelling. Again, you've done everything you could, so you should have more confidence in yourself.
95

Tsukasa

Listen

Yes, you're right...
96

Rui

Listen

...
97

Rui

Listen

No.
I think you can do more, Tsukasa.
98

Tsukasa

Listen

What?
99

Rui

Listen

You're a future star, no?
You should be able to handle that scene without any issues.
100

Rui

Listen

So, I say keep fighting until the very end.
101

Tsukasa

Listen

...!
102

Rui

Listen

While we were shopping, I was considering what is still missing from your performance.
103

Rui

Listen

I began wondering if your talent for expressing yourself was actually holding you back.
104

Rui

Listen

If you found a way to hold back your thoughts and feelings... Then let just a little bit eke out during that scene... Would you mind practicing that tonight?
105

Tsukasa

Listen

So, hold my feelings back and let a little out...
106

Tsukasa

Listen

Okay...!
I'll try practicing that when I get home!!
107

Tsukasa

Listen

Which means I should go now!
I'm sorry, Asahi, but I need to leave!
108

Rui

Listen

Okay!
Get home safe!
109

Asahi

Listen

See you tomorrow, Tsukasa...!

Sound Effect: Play

110

Asahi

Listen

You seem to trust Tsukasa quite a bit.
111

Rui

Listen

Yes, I do.
Also...
112

Rui

Listen

I believe it's a director's duty to ask a little too much of their actors sometimes.
113

Asahi

Listen

I agree...
A show can only happen when you trust and believe in one another.
114

Rui

Listen

Precisely.
115

Rui

Listen

Now, we should also make our way to the station.
116

Asahi

Listen

Yes, let's...
Scramble Crossing

Sound Effect: Play

117

Asahi

Listen

...
118

Rui

Listen

(Hm? Asahi hasn't said anything for a while now. Is something wrong...?)
119

Asahi

Listen

Rui...
120

Rui

Listen

...?
121

Asahi

Listen

I know this is going to feel very sudden.
122

Asahi

Listen

And I know it's the day before our show, but I need to ask you this...
123

Asahi

Listen

How would you like to work at ArcLand?
124

Rui

Listen

...?!
125

Asahi

Listen

You're still in high school, so you'd probably be hired as a part-timer... But I have a feeling that they'd make you a full employee in no time.

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

126

Rui

Listen

So... You're headhunting me?
127

Asahi

Listen

Yes, that's one way to put it...
128

Asahi

Listen

Seeing you in person convinced me...
129

Asahi

Listen

With you, I have a feeling that we'd be able to put on a show that brings everyone in the world together... Like the way Tom did...
130

Rui

Listen

...!
131

Asahi

Listen

As a director, you're bold and not afraid to ask others to do some wild things...
132

Asahi

Listen

But that excites me.
I'm constantly at the edge of my seat wondering what you're going to say or how you're going to respond next.
133

Asahi

Listen

That's why I want to work alongside you, Rui...
134

Rui

Listen

I greatly appreciate what you just said, but...
135

Asahi

Listen

I'm confident that your addition will lead to the rest of us becoming better actors.
136

Asahi

Listen

And you becoming a better director.
137

Asahi

Listen

The Center Theatre at ArcLand is a venue where only those with the potential to become world-class stars are able to perform.
138

Asahi

Listen

I'm sure directing such a cast would be unbelievably fun for you since you'd be able to put on shows beyond your wildest imagination... Shows that can bring the world together...
139

Asahi

Listen

So, how does working with us at ArcLand sound?
140

Rui

Listen

...
141

Rui

Listen

(I really wasn't expecting to be asked to work at ArcLand...)
142

Rui

Listen

(Few directors would ever be considered for such an offer...)
143

Rui

Listen

(And in terms of my dream...)
144

Asahi

Listen

I'm sorry...
I know this is very sudden and a lot to process. To tell you the truth, I wasn't planning on asking you here...
145

Asahi

Listen

So, you don't have to give an answer right now. Please let me know once you've had some time to think about it.
146

Rui

Listen

Okay, understood...
147

Asahi

Listen

Again, I apologize for surprising you like this. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow!
148

Rui

Listen

Okay.
See you tomorrow...

Sound Effect: Play

Next Chapter: Both Are Important