The Phoenix in the Distant Sky - 2: The Happy Phoenix

Phoenix Wonderland

Outside the Phoenix Stage

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1

Tsukasa

Alright, everyone!
Are you ready?!

2

Emu

Yup!
We'll all go in and shout, “Come at us!”

3

Nene

No, we don't need to do that.
We're not here to pick a fight with them.

4

Rui

But it isn't something we get to do every day, so it could be worth a try.

5

Nene

What?! You're joking, right...?!
It's our first day. Can't we just be polite and courteous...?

6

Tsukasa

Anyway, let's go inside!
On three...

7

???

Hah hah hah hah hah!!!
So, you've finally all arrived!!!

8

Tsukasa

Huh?!
That laugh! That piercing tone...!

9

???

Indeed! It is I!
The star and prima donna of the Phoenix Stage...

10

Sakurako

Sakurako Seiryuin!!!

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

Sound Effect: Play

11

Tsukasa

We meet again, Sakurako Seiryuin!!!

Sound Effect: Play

12

Sakurako

Wait, why are you making it sound like I'm the villain?! I came all this way to welcome all of you. Can't you show a little more appreciation?!

13

Nene

Oh, right. They have their own Tsukasa...

14

Sakurako

Anyway, setting the games aside for now...

15

Sakurako

Welcome to the Phoenix Stage, Wonderlands×Showtime. We're glad to have you here today.

16

Sakurako

Let's do our best together to put on another incredible show.

17

Tsukasa

Yes, we'd like that very much...!

18

Sakurako

Alright, everybody's here.
I'm sure you all already know, but allow me to explain once more...

19

Sakurako

This is Wonderlands×Showtime.
I've asked them to help make our 30th Anniversary Show one to remember.

20

Tsukasa

Thank you for inviting us!
We're honored to be working with you again!

21

Emu, Nene & Rui

Thank you!

22

Cast Member A

Thank you for asking us to help with your night show! I hope we're able to put on another great performance together!

23

Cast Member B

Yeah, let's do our best to put on a show befitting of a 30th anniversary celebration!

24

Tsukasa

Of course! We promise to do our very best! Again, thank you for having us!

25

Sakurako

Alright, that's enough for greetings...

26

Sakurako

We will now hear the details on what we'll actually be performing, as well as who will be playing which roles.

27

Cast Members

Right!

28

Rui

(That was sudden.
Things feel much more serious now...)

29

Sakurako

You should know at least this, Wonderlands×Showtime.

30

Sakurako

We take things much more seriously than you may realize, so do your best to keep up.

31

Tsukasa

Of course!
We wouldn't have it any other way!

32

Director

Then, I'll begin by presenting what you will all be performing.

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33

Director

You will be performing...
“The Happy Phoenix”.

34

Tsukasa

(...!
“The Happy Phoenix”?!)

35

Emu

“The Happy Phoenix”...?
Hehe. That title suits this park so well.

36

Nene

Yeah, and it's a pretty famous show.

37

Emu

It is?

38

Rui

Yes.
It's a musical that comes from the United States.

39

Rui

The protagonist is a phoenix who lives deep within a forest. And one day, she meets a boy...

40

Rui

His mother was cursed by a witch, so he began searching for the heart of a phoenix, which can dispel the curse and save her.

41

Rui

However, without a heart, a phoenix becomes unable to resurrect itself. As such, the phoenix refuses the boy's demands.

42

Rui

The story unfolds as the boy begins to persistently ask the phoenix to help him...

43

Emu

Wow!
That sounds like a fun story! Right, Tsukasa...?

44

Emu

(Huh...?)

45

Emu

(Tsukasa looks kinda startled...)

46

Director

Now, as for who will be playing which roles...

47

Director

Our phoenix will be played by...Sakurako Seiryuin.

48

Sakurako

Thank you!

49

Tsukasa

(Naturally, she's chosen for the lead.)

50

Rui

(It's a difficult role due to it being so demanding, but she should be able to handle it just fine...)

51

Director

Next, the forest's Great Eagle will be played by...Kenta Omori.

52

Omori

Thank you!

53

Tsukasa

Hm?

54

Tsukasa

(That's odd...
Normally, after the phoenix is chosen, her counterpart...the boy, Rio, would come next.)

55

Director

Next, the Cowardly Canary will be played by Nene Kusanagi.

56

Nene

Th-Thank you!

57

Director

The Featherbrained Duck by Emu Otori.

58

Emu

Thank you!!!

59

Director

The Eccentric Crow by Rui Kamishiro.

60

Rui

Thank you.

61

Director

The Obnoxious Chicken by Tsukasa Tenma.

62

Tsukasa

Thank you...!!!

63

Tsukasa

(The Obnoxious Chicken...
It and the duck are responsible for being the comic relief.)

64

Tsukasa

(I'll have to fully immerse myself into my character since we've agreed to be a part of this show...)

65

Director

That leaves...

66

Director

Lastly, the witch will be played by Yukiko Nishie.

67

Nishie

Thank you!

68

Tsukasa

(Lastly...?)

Sound Effect: Play

69

Tsukasa

Excuse me!
Nobody seems to have been chosen for the role of the boy, Rio...

70

Director

About that... I haven't actually chosen anyone yet.

71

Director

After the phoenix, Rio is the next most important role. He will be a major factor in terms of how our show turns out, so...

72

Director

I plan on making my final decision after holding an internal audition for this role.

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

73

Tsukasa

An audition...?!

74

Director

Starting now, please speak up if you wish to audition for this role.

75

Director

All are welcome, including those whom I've just assigned a role. In the event you are chosen for this role, I shall find a replacement for your old one.

76

Director

Starting tomorrow, those who have tossed their name in will be practicing alongside the rest of the cast for one week. We will hold the audition following that period.

77

Director

If you wish to audition, please do not hesitate to raise your hand.

78

Tsukasa

(Rio...
We get to audition to play him...!)

79

Tsukasa

(What a marvelous opportunity!)

80

Tsukasa

Me!

81

Tsukasa

I, Tsukasa Tenma, would like to audition for this role!

Sound Effect: Play

82

Sakurako

Hehe. That's what I like to hear.

83

Cast Member C

Oh, I'd like to as well!

84

Cast Member D

Me too!

85

Director

I see five hands...
Understood.

86

Director

This is not something we normally do, but starting tomorrow we'll have the five of you take turns during readthroughs.

87

Tsukasa

Understood!

88

Nene

He raised his hand without a second thought. I guess that's Tsukasa for you...

89

Rui

Hehe. I wouldn't expect anything less.
Also, Rio's a tricky role that involves a complex set of emotions, so I'm sure it'll be a good learning experience for him.

90

Emu

I'll be rooting for you, Tsukasa!
You can do it!!!

91

Tsukasa

Thank you...

92

Emu

Hm...?
Tsukasa...?

93

Tsukasa

(“The Happy Phoenix”... The boy, Rio...)

94

Tsukasa

(To think I'd get a chance to play the same role that actor once did...)

Next Chapter: A Star I Look Up To