Phoenix Stage
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Seiichi
Yeah, it does.
But this also feels so strange...
But this also feels so strange...
Seiichi
Who would've thought that the first show I'd see in Japan after all this time would be “The Happy Phoenix.”
Yuka
At the same time, the cast must be feeling the pressure. I mean, Amami, I have to think they know you're here.
Seiichi
Speak for yourself.
Also...
Also...
Seiichi
Anyone who buckles under this sort of pressure really doesn't belong on stage in the first place.
Seiichi
All audience members are on equal footing. It doesn't matter if you're a king or a starving student.
Seiichi
We're no exception...
Seiichi
As such, I believe actors who lose sight of that fact don't belong on stage.
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Western Forest Swallow
“Hey, do any of you know about the really beautiful bird living deep within this forest?!”
Western Forest Swallow
“There's no one like her in the western forest. I wish there were a way for me to talk to her.”
Eccentric Crow
“Do you speak of the phoenix?
You poor fool. She may look ravishing, but her heart is made of ice...”
You poor fool. She may look ravishing, but her heart is made of ice...”
Featherbrained Duck
“Oh, Swallow, that's right. It's only been two days since you came to this forest... Or was it a week? I forget...”
Gossiping Starling
“Regardless, allow me to tell you all about her. She's...”
Birds
“♪————”
Yuka
(Their singing and acting is stupendous. I suppose they're nationally-renowned cast for a reason...)
Phoenix
“That creature over there looks unfamiliar. So small and helpless... How repulsive.”
Phoenix
“♪————”
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Yuka
(She was so little when I performed alongside her, but she definitely had this spark... Still, I never thought that she'd blossom like this so soon...!)
Yuka
(There's no question that she's the future of show business. I can see why Nene was so anxious...)
Rui
The phoenix leaves Rio far behind and them becoming separated marks the end of the first act...
Emu
The next scene's where Nene and Tsukasa meet for the very first time! I can't wait to hear her sing!
Rui
(She's more focused that usual.
We probably shouldn't do anything to break her concentration.)
We probably shouldn't do anything to break her concentration.)
Rui
(In any case, we shall see what she's gained over this short period and how she performs...)
Rui
(The Cowardly Canary's personality involves “speaking through song”. Thus, her first line on stage it not spoken but sung.)
Cowardly Canary
“♪————”
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Rui
(It's normal for anyone to believe that a canary would sing in a high pitch based on its natural size.)
Rui
(But she's lowered her tone...
Is it to conserve stamina? She likely won't have any trouble getting through this song now...)
Is it to conserve stamina? She likely won't have any trouble getting through this song now...)
Cowardly Canary
“♪————...”
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Rui
So, when the director said her singing “sticks out”, he meant that her acting and singing felt completely disconnected from one another.
Rui
She's thrown aside singing in a high pitch like a real bird and went with something closer to her regular voice.
Rui
A brave decision on her part...
As a result, her singing and acting are meshing together much nicer compared to when she was trying to “become a canary”.
As a result, her singing and acting are meshing together much nicer compared to when she was trying to “become a canary”.
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Cowardly Canary
“No, it might be more than that...
Unfortunately, I'm not very good at talking to other people...”
Unfortunately, I'm not very good at talking to other people...”
Cowardly Canary
“But since you said that you enjoyed my song so much, I wouldn't mind singing another one for you...”
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Rui
(Here comes the climax...
Rio thought he'd never see the phoenix again after she dropped a feather for him to use to recover.)
Rio thought he'd never see the phoenix again after she dropped a feather for him to use to recover.)
Rui
(But his mother only has until sunset, which is just moments away. The phoenix appearing before Rio once more out of her own volition means...)
Phoenix
“It is true that I wished to continue living.
However, I also enjoyed these past few days we spent together...”
However, I also enjoyed these past few days we spent together...”
Phoenix
“No, that is not quite correct...
To be more precise, I enjoyed laughing and frolicking with you.”
To be more precise, I enjoyed laughing and frolicking with you.”
Phoenix
“However, if you lose your mother, that smile of yours will surely vanish along with her. If that were to happen...”
Phoenix
“Which is why...
I have decided that it is not worth living if it means you will no longer smile.”
I have decided that it is not worth living if it means you will no longer smile.”
Rui
Me too...
Seiryuin's also putting on a tremendous performance. Her voice and facial expressions are so captivating...
Seiryuin's also putting on a tremendous performance. Her voice and facial expressions are so captivating...
Rui
(These two really are something else.
They're the protagonists in every sense of the word.)
They're the protagonists in every sense of the word.)
Rui
(This is a key moment in the story...
A perfect performance will be required to compel these two to come to an agreement.)
A perfect performance will be required to compel these two to come to an agreement.)
Cowardly Canary
“I... I have to tell them...
They don't need a phoenix's heart to cure Rio's mother of her curse...”
They don't need a phoenix's heart to cure Rio's mother of her curse...”
Witch
“So, you have figured out my secret...
But if you tell those two, your life is forfeit!”
But if you tell those two, your life is forfeit!”
Cowardly Canary
“Rio said that he likes my singing...
He became friends with me even though I'm afraid of just about everything...”
He became friends with me even though I'm afraid of just about everything...”
Cowardly Canary
“So, I... I don't want him to feel sad...
I don't want him to stab Phoenix...
I don't want him to stab his friend...!”
I don't want him to stab Phoenix...
I don't want him to stab his friend...!”
Cowardly Canary
“♪————~~!!!”
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Rui
(Her voice... It's going straight for my heart as it leaves her mouth, and I can feel her desperation so clearly...)
Phoenix
“What...? The heart of a phoenix is not required to dispel the curse that has been placed on Rio's mother...?”
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Phoenix
“Time is of the essence for the sun will be setting soon. We must hurry and defeat the witch before then.”
Phoenix
“I shall follow you...
She will not be easy to fall, we should be able to win if we fight together.”
She will not be easy to fall, we should be able to win if we fight together.”
Yuka
(They even seem overcome with relief that Rio and the phoenix were able to find a solution...)
Next Chapter: Growing From Experience