The next day - New Year's Eve
Tsukasa's Room
Tsukasa
Hmm...
Tsukasa
(We're back at the Wonder Stage following the conclusion of our ambassadorial performances...)
Tsukasa
(But we haven't been receiving the same sort of stimulation as before.)
Tsukasa
(Of course, I couldn't be happier to be back at the Wonder Stage making the audience smile. This is our home and there's plenty we can still do here.)
Tsukasa
(However...)
Tsukasa
(I want more of those opportunities...
I want to keep growing as an actor.)
I want to keep growing as an actor.)
Tsukasa
(I could conceivably train with some other troupes to hone my craft... But...)
Tsukasa
(I'm the troupe leader of Wonderlands×Showtime. I can't just leave because I feel like it.)
Rui
You care deeply about doing your best as a cast member of Phoenix Wonderland and making your own dream come true...
Tsukasa
Both things, huh...?
Tsukasa
What?! It's already this late...?!
I need to get to practice!
I need to get to practice!
A few hours later
Wonder Stage
Nene
And so, Tsukasanosuke and his merry group of friends continued to make everybody all across the land smile. The end.
Rui
Okay, our final rehearsal went beautifully. We should be more than ready for tomorrow's performance...
Emu
Yeah!
Let's make it a super happy New Year's for everyone♪
Let's make it a super happy New Year's for everyone♪
Tsukasa
Yes, let's!
A happy performance to kick off the new year!
A happy performance to kick off the new year!
Lion Dance Robot
CHOMP...
Tsukasa
Hm...?
Tsukasa
You've been awfully quiet today...
Just yesterday you were running all over the place.
Just yesterday you were running all over the place.
Robo-Nene
Shall I run a check?
Tsukasa
Whoa! You scared me!
Also, check? Check what...?
Also, check? Check what...?
Rui
In simple terms, she'll be running a diagnostic check on him to make sure he's functioning properly.
Emu
Does that mean she can figure out if Lion Dance Robot's sick...?!
Nene
Then, if you don't mind.
Robo-Nene
Understood.
Commencing diagnostic check.
Commencing diagnostic check.
Robo-Nene
Check complete.
No issues detected.
No issues detected.
Tsukasa
Hm? Really?
Robo-Nene
Yes.
However, if I were to put my finger on it...
However, if I were to put my finger on it...
Robo-Nene
He seems to be feeling a little down.
Emu
What?!
Lion Dance Robot's feeling sad?! Why?! Our show's tomorrow!
Lion Dance Robot's feeling sad?! Why?! Our show's tomorrow!
Tsukasa
Wait, a robot can feel sad...?
Rui
It could be because our show is tomorrow.
Nene
Huh?
Rui
Lion Dance Robot seemed very happy when I brought him out of storage the other day since he usually only gets to come out and play around New Year's.
Rui
So, I suspect that he's feeling a bit down because he knows that he'll have to go away for a while after tomorrow's performance...
Emu
Then, let's make it so he gets to appear in shows all year round! Not just during New Year's!
Emu
I mean, it's so much fun to do all sorts of shows in all sorts of different places!
Rui
True...
As much I'd like to do that...
As much I'd like to do that...
Rui
I built Lion Dance Robot with a fairly specific purpose in mind. Unfortunately, his functions are limited, so it may be difficult to make him more versatile.
Emu
What?!
But...
But...
Lion Dance Robot
CHOMP...
Tsukasa
...
Tsukasa
(In other words, Lion Dance Robot would look very out of place if he were to perform in a show that's not about New Year's...)
Tsukasa
(He may be a robot, but it does seem like he wants to be in more shows...)
Tsukasa
(He may even stand to gain quite a lot if we were to somehow make that possible for him...)
Tsukasa
Then, why don't we try performing in a variety of different places outside of the Wonder Stage?
Emu
A wide variety of places?!
That sounds fun!
That sounds fun!
Lion Dance Robot
CHOMP CHOMP!
Nene
Y-You mean starting now? How are we gonna do that? It's New Year's Eve, and we need a way to transport Lion Dance Robot and Robo-Nene.
Rui
We'd also have to receive permission to perform wherever we go. That's going to take a bit of time...
Tsukasa
R-Right... Wait, I know!
Emu, can't we ask your brothers for some help?!
Emu, can't we ask your brothers for some help?!
Emu
Oh, right!
They could help us get permission to perform!
They could help us get permission to perform!
Emu
No, hang on... They're gonna be busy attending all these New Year's parties and stuff, so they might not be able to help...
Tsukasa
Grr...!
Then, we just have to find someone else who can...
Then, we just have to find someone else who can...
???
Oh, are you all done rehearsing?
Tsukasa
Hm? That voice...
Emu
Hi, Sis!
Nene
Huh? Sis...? Emu, is she your big sister?
Rui
Yes, I do remember hearing that she has an older sister...
Hinata
Hehe. It's nice to meet you all.
I'm Emu's big sister, Hinata.
I'm Emu's big sister, Hinata.
Hinata
You must be Tsukasa, Nene and Rui. I've been meaning to meet all of you for quite some time now.
Tsukasa
L-Likewise!
We are honored!
We are honored!
Emu
Anyway, Sis, what are you doing here? Did you need something?
Hinata
Oh, I was actually hoping to use your New Year's show as reference for something.
Tsukasa
Our show? As reference...?
Hinata
Yes, I'm studying how to make it so children can have more fun while learning.
Hinata
As it turns out, I'll be doing some field training at a preschool and putting on a little performance for the children there.
Hinata
So, since you're very popular with children, I was hoping to have them see your show.
Rui
I see. Thank you for explaining.
Hinata
Not a problem. But I seem to have missed my opportunity since you've already finished practicing...
Hinata
At the same time, I'm glad I came since I got to overhear a lovely conversation.
Tsukasa
Huh?
Hinata
You were just talking about doing shows in various different places, no? I'd like to help you with that, and I can drive if need be.
Emu
S-Sis...!
Thank you! This is so wonderhoy!
Thank you! This is so wonderhoy!
Tsukasa
A-Are you sure?!
Hinata
Of course! Not only do I want to see your show, but I'd also love to help out.
Tsukasa
...!
Thank you very much!
Then, we happily accept!
Thank you very much!
Then, we happily accept!
Next Chapter: The Sea & Meteor Shower