Hmm, I wouldn't have guessed this is how the play would end. I think it's good.

Yes, it's a great story. True to the Christmas spirit.

Hehe, I'm pleased to hear that.

I'm sort of starting to look forward to it. It's been such a long time since I was in a musical.

G-GUYS...!! You won't believe this...!!

What happened, Emu? Are you okay?

I went to see what the Phoenix Stage group is doing for the next round and... It's a Christmas musical too!

What?!

They have the highest score so far, right?

Yeah! What a coincidence, huh?
I was super surprised!

But isn't it cool that we get to see a Christmas show done by someone else too?

No, this is terrible news for us!
The same exact theme...?!

We'll be in direct competition for the same crowd! This is bad... Can we go with something else, or is it too late?

I figured that this might happen, given that it's so close to Christmas, so I don't think it's a problem.

Making sudden changes to our play just because someone else is doing something similar wouldn't be good either, right?

I can't argue with that... If we are to win, we should do so by standing up to our rivals.

On the other hand, leaving this situation to unfold as it may also seems dangerous.

Then what do you propose?

A secret investigation of the Phoenix Stage!

Sneaky sneaky...!

Sneak sneak sneak....
Captain, I've successfully infiltrated the Phoenix Stage!

What a jolly little spying mission...

Emu, keep it down...!
We're trying to keep a low profile!

Look who's talking. Keep YOUR voice down or someone will notice.

I knew this stage was better than ours, but I wasn't expecting this.

This is the biggest stage in the park! Its troupe has the most actors and the hall can fit more people than anywhere else.

But it had some renovations done recently, so it looks a little different than it used to...

Hmph! I don't like this... These guys are getting more votes than anyone else probably because they get to use this gorgeous building!

And you know what?! A real star doesn't need a fancy... I mean, a gaudy stage like this to shine! They're going to learn this the hard way!

What did I say about keeping your voice down?

Look, they're starting a rehearsal.
Their cast is far bigger than in ours...

Is everyone ready? We're starting with the opening number.

Oooh! They're gonna sing!

I wonder what their songs are like...

———♪!

Gasp...!

(Her voice is... Incredible...!)

(Not only is her technique better than mine, her voice really resonates.)

(It's not like she's just good at singing...
She's completely immersed in her role too.)

Wow! She's sparkling up there...!

Well, now... I didn't suspect that they had a singer of her caliber. She must be their prima donna.

Grr... I hate to admit it, but she's good...!

(She was amazing...)

(I... I can't do what she just did...)

Okay, that was pretty good...
As it is, this is going to be tough for us...

Yeah... Probably...

Alright, let's get back to our stage and talk strategy...

I thought I saw someone spying on us. Have you come to check us out, Wonderlands×Showtime? Did you like what you saw?

Huh?

Y-You're that girl from before...!

You're the singing Phoenix Stage girl!

Hm? Don't tell me you don't even know my name?

Huh?

I'm Sakurako Seiryuin, the prima donna of the Phoenix Stage!

Which obviously means I am the best performer in all of Phoenix Wonderland!

How can you call yourselves theater people and not recognize me?!

You think very highly of yourself...!

Yeah! She's just like you, Tsukasa♪

I apologize for this intrusion, but we were simply curious about what you, the top group, were working on this time.

Ah... You must be Kamishiro.

Oh? I find it a pleasant surprise that you know me.

But of course. I make a habit of seeing all the shows in the park. I've seen a few of yours as well.

You've seen our shows?! Yay! I'm so happy!
How were they? Did you like them?

The direction was good. What always seems randomly thrown together at first turns out to be all carefully tied together in the end like a real show.

But that's where it stops...

The acting was dynamic but without finesse. It's very amateurish and can't compare to us!

Wha...?!

I also was told that you also plan to do a Christmas musical?

With you as the lead... Kusanagi was it?
She has some talent for singing but...

I'm sure you can see that we're in a totally different league! One or two good songs would still leave your chances of winning at zero!

...

(She's right...)

(I can't sing the way she does...
She puts everything into every note.)

(I... I can't match that... )

Just make it so that your show doesn't bring any shame to the park. Now, if you'll excuse me...

You... You...

You snooty brat!

W-What did you just call me?!

Our stage may look like something that could get blown away by a strong breeze, but our shows are the crème de la crème!

And you're wrong if you think Nene can't sing as well as you!!

Um...

Oh my. With such a hothead for a leader, it's no wonder your shows are the way they are...

You just keep playing pretend while you let the real stars shine!

...

T-That's enough...!

Nene?

Tsukasa may be an idiot, but you have no right calling our shows pretend or anything...

We're not going to lose... N-Not to someone like you...!

Hmph....
We'll see about that in the next round.

Ms. Seiryuin! The break is almost over!

Excuse me, Wonder Stage crew. You seem like all bark and no bite, but prove me wrong IF you can!

...