Alright, everyone!
Are you ready?!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sakurako Seiryuin!!!

We meet again, Sakurako Seiryuin!!!

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?!

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

Anyway, setting the games aside for now...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you!

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

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

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

Alright, that's enough for greetings...

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

Right!

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

You should know at least this, Wonderlands×Showtime.

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

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

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

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

(...!
“The Happy Phoenix”?!)

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

Yeah, and it's a pretty famous show.

It is?

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

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

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.

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

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

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

(Huh...?)

(Tsukasa looks kinda startled...)

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

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

Thank you!

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

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

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

Thank you!

Hm?

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

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

Th-Thank you!

The Featherbrained Duck by Emu Otori.

Thank you!!!

The Eccentric Crow by Rui Kamishiro.

Thank you.

The Obnoxious Chicken by Tsukasa Tenma.

Thank you...!!!

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

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

That leaves...

Lastly, the witch will be played by Yukiko Nishie.

Thank you!

(Lastly...?)

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

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

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...

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

An audition...?!

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

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.

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.

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

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

(What a marvelous opportunity!)

Me!

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

Hehe. That's what I like to hear.

Oh, I'd like to as well!

Me too!

I see five hands...
Understood.

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

Understood!

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

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.

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

Thank you...

Hm...?
Tsukasa...?

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

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