“Thank you, Phoenix...
I'll never forget about you.”

“For now, farewell!
I promise to visit your forest again someday!”

...is how it goes.

I still haven't been able to express what Rio's feeling, which makes my portrayal seem superficial... But I can't figure out what I'm missing...

So, I'd like to hear what you all think. Please, I'm all ears!

Hmmm...

Hmmm...!

Hmm...

You did a really good job just now...
I'm not sure you did anything wrong...

Yeah...
I'm not sure either...

But it does seem like something is missing whenever you're on stage with Sakurako...

Rui...?
How do you feel?

This problem is by no means going to be easy to solve...

In terms of playing a character, this is one of your best portrayals to date...

You've taken everything that you experienced until this point, as well as Seiryuin's advice, and dug deep to become this character.

I agree. I'm having trouble thinking of anything that's missing...

However, once you reach a certain level, it becomes difficult to climb higher. This isn't exclusive to just actors...

As such, not many are able to break through that ceiling. So...

I agree completely...
You might've been able to find an answer, if only you had a little bit more time...

But we may be able to come up with something if we all put our heads together...

Yeah...!
Let's brainstorm!!!

Even a small idea might help...

All of you...

(She's right. I'm willing to accept even the smallest idea if it means being able to find a way forward...)

*Sigh*
This is so difficult!

This situation we're in...
It feels a lot like the show.

Hm...?
Which part?

Remember what happens during the climax? The boy finds himself at a total loss after struggling to catch the phoenix!

Right now, you seem a little similar to the boy during that scene...

Rio during that scene...and I...?

(She may be right...)

(My current situation and Rio's during that scene do seem to mirror each other.)

(We both desperately seek something, but neither of us possesses the power to attain what we're after.)

(This sense of powerlessness that's welling up inside of me... If I can connect that to what Rio's feeling during that scene...)

...!
That's it...

What is it, Tsukasa?

I... I just have to take a look at my phoenix...!

Huh?
Your phoenix...?

Did you figure something out just now, Tsukasa?!

Yes!
The chances are slim, but this may allow me to figure out my character...!

So...
What I said worked?

Yes, I believe it did.

(You can do it, Tsukasa...
I'm sure you'll be able to clear a path forward...)

Let's see... Row G, seats 15 to 18...

Oh, found them!
These are our seats!

Still, I wasn't expecting these tickets to come in handy like this. You initially thought that you wouldn't be able to make it, Tsukasa...

Yeah!
I'm really happy for you...

(Oh, he seems really focused...)

(That means I should leave him alone!)

(It's been so long since I last saw Mr. Amami perform...)

(I'll never forget what I saw that time...)

(After that, he began working abroad, and even started receiving chances to be a director and playwright. As a result, I haven't been able to see him perform on stage much...)

(But I finally get to see him again today.)

(At the same time...)

(I'm not just here to watch the show and enjoy myself.)

(If this doesn't help me figure out how to play Rio, that'll be it for me...)

(So, focus...!)

“Hm? What's wrong?
Why the long face?”

...!

(That voice... Was it talking about me...?)

(No, that can't be right.)

(But it sure sounded that way...)

(Ah, he seems to be trying to reach each person in the audience...)

(And he appears to be doing it effortlessly. That's quite a feat considering this hall seats 2,000 people...)

(He's up there all alone with no props or anything... And he just started talking, but already has such a huge presence...)

Whoa...

That person's just standing there all by himself, but he's so sparkly...!

“Alright, the curtains are about to go up.”

“By the time they fall again...
My hope is that you will be unable to contain your joy and excitement.”

(Ah...)

(Such brilliance.)

“Curious...
Just seeing you walk is making me fall in love with this path. Just looking at the flowers that grow beside it makes me think of you.”

(My eyes can't help but be drawn to him...)

(With each word he utters, I look forward to hearing what he's going to say next...)

“Ah...
One day, simply seeing this land will end up filling me with happiness.”

“I'm exaggerating...?
No, I don't believe I am...”

(The way he smiles, where he looks and each subtle gesture... He's making all of the right moves...)

(He's bringing his character to life so organically... No, not a character! He's real...!)

(This is Seiichi Amami...
The person I look up to. A true...)

(A true...)

(When I was little, before I knew anything about theatre, he was who I admired.)

(No, perhaps even after I began to study acting... For so long, I was sure that I'd be able to get closer to his level.)

(However, because I've been learning and absorbing so much lately, I can see now that...)

(Even a stage that wouldn't take me ten seconds to walk to...)

(It's beyond my grasp...)

(No... No, don't look away...!)

(Do not let this sensation go...!)

(This sense of powerlessness...
Feel what it's like to be unable to attain what you are after!)

(No matter how much I practice... No matter how hard I try, I fall short of those around me...)

(I've been running and running...
But I'm struggling to catch up.)

(It's like that phoenix flying high in the sky...)

...

(Oh...)

(I guess that is what you want to do.)

(You want to reach that sky...)

T-Tsukasa, are you...?!

Emu...

We should let Tsukasa be right now...

That was so good!

Hehe. Yeah, it really was.
It sorta felt like a dream, you know?

...

Here...
You can use my handkerchief.

Thank you...

Tsukasa...

Did you see that phoenix you were talking about?

Yes...

I saw it.
The phoenix I'd been admiring, seeking and chasing after...

Also, I apologize for causing you all so much trouble like this...

But I'm going to practice while this feeling is still fresh in my mind! Will you help me?!

Hehe...
Do you really think we're going to refuse after coming this far?

I mean, at this point, we're all in the same boat and it's already set sail...

Yeaaahhh!!!
Let's practice lots and lots starting right now!!!

Yes!
I promise to put on the best performance you've ever seen!!!