“Well, good day to you, my clumsy hunter.”

“Thanks for helping me deal with that witch. I really appreciate it, Phoenix...”

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

Stop there...

That wasn't bad. Your portrayal's improved quite a lot.

Thank you very much!

(This audition is based on three-minute segments of scenes that each candidate wishes to do...)

(Therefore, which scene one chooses will prove crucial...)

I suspect he's already made his choice...

*Whimper*

Emu...
Are you sure you don't want to lie down for a bit?

What's wrong, Emu?
Are you not feeling...

Oh, it's just... My chest is starting to feel super tight because Tsukasa's going really soon...

It's rare for you to be so anxious...
You hardly ever feel nervous even when we're about to perform at a big venue.

But I think I know how you feel...

Tsukasa... He worked himself until he was torn to shreds. So...

You can do it, Tsukasa...!

Yes, I agree...

We should believe in our leader.

Alright, next...

That'll be me, Tsukasa Tenma!
Thank you for this opportunity!

So, which scene would you like to do...?

Ah, page seventy-eight of the script...

The scene where Rio falls into deep despair after letting his final chance to catch the phoenix slip through his fingers...

...

(Yes, it's his big scene just before the climax.)

(But it's also the most demanding one at the same time...)

How will he perform...?

Then, let's begin.
Sakurako, are you ready?

Yes, I'm ready whenever.

I hope we do well, Seiryuin...

Of course.
Do your best for me.

And...begin!

...!

(This is nothing like what Tenma's been doing until now... And it only took him an instant to create this tense atmosphere...)

“Don't move...!
Please...!”

“Mom is going to die when the sun sets today...! That's what the witch said!”

“She said it's unavoidable if I don't deliver your heart to her!”

(I see...
He must've worked very hard.)

“Then, catch me...”

“I am here.
Right in front of you.”

“I enjoyed being chased by you very much these past few days. It is the most fun I have had in a very long time...”

“But that ends today...”

“...”

“So, come hither.
Take my heart from me!”

“*Sob*
*Roar*”

“Oh...”

“M-My legs... What happened...?”

“They must be exhausted...
You have been running around this forest for several days straight.”

“I suspect you will not be able to catch me now...”

“Goodbye, Rio.
Forever...”

“But...”

(She's moving further and further away...)

(She's rising above the forest and into the sky. Along with the heart I've been chasing after...)

(I need to catch her...
I know that, but...)

(Because I'm so powerless...)

(I can't reach her...!)

“*Sob*”

“*Cry*”

“Argh...!
Why...?!”

“Why...?!
Why?! Why?! Why am I so...?!”

“Why am I like this...?!”

“Why...? Just why...?”

...

Oh...
Um... Isn't this where they're supposed to stop?

Y-Yes, you're right...
If the next person will...

“What a foolish child...”

(Huh...?)

(That should've been the end of the scene. They're gonna keep going...?!)

...

“I can finally have some peace and quiet now.”

“I doubt I will encounter another child bent on catching a phoenix with but a silly net.”

“...
Hehe. What a strange turn of events.”

“Until just a moment ago, I was willing to give him my heart. But I ended up choosing life instead.”

“In other words...”

“You made me want to keep on living a little bit longer.”

(I see...)

(You decided that you couldn't leave Tsukasa's Rio be.)

(Because your phoenix...is just that kind.)

“...?
Something just fell from the sky... Is this...?”

“A phoenix feather...?
These are supposed to have the power to cure wounds and diseases...”

“Is she leaving this for me...?”

“Yes...
You... You were always so mean, but also kind...”

“You were willing to become my very first friend...”

“I'm sorry, Phoenix...”

“I'm so sorry...”

Stop!

Oh...

It's...over...

Nicely done, Tenma.

Seiryuin...

Your Rio was marvelous.
I couldn't help but want to keep going.

I see...
To be honest, I was so desperate to get into Rio's mindset that I have no idea how well I did...

But I couldn't be happier hearing what you just said, Phoenix.

Oh? It's not just me, you know?
Take a look out at the seats.

Huh?

That was so...sooo amazing!

Oh...

Are there any of you who believe you can top that performance...?

Then, it's decided.

Our boy, Rio, will be played by Tsukasa Tenma of Wonderlands×Showtime!

...!

H-He did it...!!!

I look forward to working with you more starting today, Tenma.

Now that we know you'll be playing my counterpart, get ready for some even tougher practices...

Yes...
Of course...!

I'm ready for that!
I, Tsukasa Tenma, will take on whatever trials are thrown my way!!!

Hehe... That's what I like to hear!

*Sob*
Nene, he really did it!!!

Yeah... I'm so glad...

(I... I also wanna get better.)

(I wanna break through my ceiling...!)

Hehe. Our star is shining so brightly...
I think I'm starting to tear up.

(In order to allow this star to shine high in the sky...)

(And for us to shine together...)

(I believe it's time for me to act...)

(They're all smiling...)

(I can't even begin to show just how much I appreciate them. I wouldn't have been able to do this without them.)

(I was able to grow because they were willing to believe in me and give me their support.)

(Above me are thousands...
No, tens of thousands of actors.)

(Where I'm trying to go is far over the horizon, and I have no idea if or when I'll get there.)

(But what of it?)

(It doesn't matter that I don't know when or if I'll be able to reach it. The path I must take remains the same.)

(I'm going to become a star!!!)

To think that he could grow this much in such a short amount of time...

The 30th Anniversary Show is shaping up to be a truly great one.