Tragicomedy

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Location: Cafe

Nazuna: But over the next few performances, they'll slowly get happier, right?

Makoto: Yeah, though I was surprised when I heard about the setting. The story this time, "Romeo and Juliet/Reversi", is a loop, isn't it? It's like a video game♪

Wataru: That's right. In ten days, over all ten performances... Every day, every time, the story of "Romeo and Juliet" repeats.

However. Only the members of the Chorus, who can pass through the door to the past, retain their memories, and change their actions little by little based on their assessment of last time.

In order to not repeat the tragedy that occurred the first time, in today's performance...

They interfere in the story in various ways, putting in a lot of effort to give "Romeo and Juliet" a happy ending.

Hokuto: Right. For example, this time Juliet was recklessly aggressive due to a careless blunder from Tenma-kun's Chorus role.

Knowing about their tragic fate, she hides her love for Romeo to avoid it.

However, that ends up leading to a more depressing development.

So after this, Tenma-kun will try watching his words more.

The cause of his blunder is that he tried some alcohol at the ball, and was out of it after waking from a deep sleep.

But in the next one, he doesn't touch the food and drinks served at the ball.

As a result, Juliet falls in love at first sight with Romeo as usual, and doesn't hide it.

But because Romeo is a woman in this work, there's an uproar about how "the Capulet family's daughter has awakened to homosexuality~" and such.

That's how the story can change depending on the Chorus role's actions.

Makoto: The basis of loops is that the events change depending on the player's actions and choices... It feels like it'd be even more interesting to watch all ten shows♪

Nazuna: But on the flip side, won't there be very few people who come every single day to watch ALL ten shows?

Won't they feel lost if they haven't seen the previous stories?

Wataru: Of course, I considered that. In every show, no matter which you watch, there's a sizable story for the day.

As supplementary material, the contents of all the shows up until then are summarised in a pamphlet, which will be handed out for free.

Makoto: You can also download the data~ that part is my handiwork.

Looks like it's already trending online, that there's a theatre troupe doing something weird.

Wataru: We're not a theatre troupe, though. We've yet to cut ourselves off from the category of amateur performances.

But in this era, nobody will look at you if you do things the normal way, so...

I tried adding things to make it distinct, though only God knows if it will turn out good or bad.

Tomoya: Uu. It's awful how all ten shows have subtle differences. Even though the Chorus role already has a lot of lines as is...

I've also got to act out each of the changes on top of that.

Wataru: Fufufu. You have to gain experience first, practice makes perfect.

By the way. "Romeo and Juliet/Reversi" was written by several different authors, each with their own versions of "Romeo and Juliet".

It's an anthology of short stories.

A representative author then rearranged and assembled them all into one large plot.

And a former member of the Drama Club then remade it into a script to perform on stage.

Hokuto: So that's what was resting in the Drama Club's bookshelf... I didn't know there was an original work, did you get approval from the copyright holders?

Wataru: Yes, there's no oversights there. It's the work of an active writer, currently working as a lecturer in the acting department...

I asked that person to deal with things relating to the rights.

They took great care of me when I was a first year... When I told them I would be performing this work, they were delighted.

Incidentally. It's said that if you're going to be an actor, you must first understand a scriptwriter's feelings...

Actually, in addition to the short stories compiled in the anthology, there are also stories by former members of the Drama Club in the script.

Or rather, the genres present in the anthology were all over the place, and mostly made up of outlandish stories that were difficult to adapt into a script.

That's why, to fill in the gaps, the members wrote their own works.

Until recently it was a regular event for the club, and I counted about a hundred different kinds of scripts on the bookshelves.

Fufufu. In truth, I have... also written one. Coincidentally, it's ended up being used in this performance.

Performing something I wrote myself is embarrassing, it feels like the ultimate one-man show.

It's rather vain~ if possible, I want to dance in other people's stories... in other people's dreams.

Tomoya: Eh, what day is yours for? I didn't know about this~? They're all serious stories, so I really can't imagine you wrote any of them?

Hokuto: ...It's probably the tenth one, the final one, right?

Wataru: Amazing! That's correct! How did you know, Hokuto-kun?

Hokuto: Hmph. Don't be stupid. It's only natural that I'd know.

Romeo and Juliet seemed happiest in the final performance. Because it isn't a tragedy, right, President?

Those lovers, Romeo and Juliet, are surely in their own heaven... Even now, they're cuddling up and laughing together happily.

And they're saying to you, "thank you for understanding us"...

"We're happy that you don't ridicule our affection, our love, that you don't say you feel sorry for us."

That's what I think, President. If my thoughts are correct... then it's just as you say. It isn't a tragedy.

Location: Cafe

Wataru: Amazing! Great work, everyone~☆

This day's performance went off without a hitch thanks to you!

I'm truly grateful to all the staff and performers who got involved!

Today is my treat! Please, eat and drink to your heart's content, and replenish your energy for the performances to come! Cheers~!

Nazuna: Cheers~♪ Man, you really did well!

Tomo-chin, Mitsuru-chin, you did great! Usually when people I know appear in stuff like this, I end up laughing because I know what their usual behaviour is like♪

But this time I was immersed to the very end, I got really engrossed in it~♪ Seriously, that's a huge deal!

Tomo-chin's in the Drama Club, but who knew Mitsuru-chin had such a talent for acting?

Tomoya: Ahaha. Thank you~ though personally speaking, my performance was full of things to reflect on...

My screaming during the last scene in particular, that was my biggest highlight in the play, but I'm embarrassed because I feel something was missing.

Hokuto: I'd say you were exhausted by that point, so your voice didn't come out.

It didn't even feel like a scream. Though, I think using a sorrowful voice, like it's about to disappear, was good in its own way.

Wataru: Indeed. It somehow became advantageous. As the scenes went on, you got more immersed in your role, and gradually became better, Tomoya-kun~

You got a passing grade, you did your best.

Fufufu. Since you were saying pitiable things like "I don't think I can remember my lines" earlier, I was worried about you.

But in the end, you said all your lines yourself without relying on my substitution, didn't you?

That's my review. Well, there were still a lot of scenes where you weren't acting so much as you were "saying your lines", though.

Tomoya: Uu. Just when I thought you were complimenting me, in the end you're criticising me.

Wataru: It'd be an issue to be satisfied with this. Plus, while this may be a closing party for the staff, it's a review meeting for us.

The performance will continue tomorrow, after all. Don't be satisfied with the current state of things, let's update it based on the areas of improvement we noticed while performing.

Adonis: By the way, how many days will the performance last?

Nazuna: Ten, right? I'm pretty sure I remember that much being written on the promo poster...

The final performance is over a week away, if you're doing this every day I'm sure it'll be a relief when it's over.

Wataru: Well, part way through - tomorrow at the earliest - the members of the acting department who were off sick should be returning...

So each and every one of our burdens will suddenly decrease.

I truly was nervous... I was informed of the vacancies just this morning, so even I was at my wit's end.

Well, I was busy until the opening day, so I hadn't been dutifully keeping in touch with the other parties. It's my mistake.

How hopeless~ it's been a while since I've put on a proper performance, so my intuition has dulled.

Last year, particularly in the last semester, I was cut off from even the acting department, and was only able to do solo shows.

I was so accustomed to being isolated that even though there were vacancies among my associates, I was late to notice.

Hokuto-kun comes along even if I ignore him, so there's no need to contact him... Because of that, I forgot the elementary fact of theatre being a group activity.

Hokuto: Don't forget that. Also, contact people properly. I've also got plans of my own.

Makoto: Now now... But it's incredible that Hibiki-senpai was able to fill the vacancies by playing multiple roles by himself. And he acted so naturally, too-

If Itsuki-senpai hadn't pointed it out, I don't think I'd have noticed to the end.

Wataru: Oh my, so Shu suspected it after all?

Shu: Hmph... Just who do you think I am?

Wataru: I think of you as a kindred spirit, an existence equal to mine, my old friend.

Fufufu. Though, while performing multiple roles by myself isn't an impossibility, it isn't very fun...

I couldn't polish any of the roles outside of my original one, so the result was dissatisfying.

Should I recruit actors from outside the Drama Club and acting department next time?

Like with Mr "Bad Boy"... whoops, I mean, Tenma-kun this time.

As idols, there must be many children who wish to learn and try out acting.

Following after those kinds of people is more difficult than performing alone, but it makes me happy.

I want to invite people like the right-hand man~ and Eichi, too♪

Shu: I thought I noticed him, though. Tenshouin was nonchalantly sat in the audience.

Wataru: Right. I shivered at the thought of him scolding me with "stop neglecting your idol work to only immerse yourself in theatre".

He had a somewhat dissatisfied expression the who~le time.

Shu: Hmph. When it comes to Tenshouin, he wants you to be an idol, doesn't he...

I don't want to speculate what that person feels, but if he's dissatisfied, all I can think is "serves you right".

"Come now Shu-kun, mind your manners! Using dirty language will dirty your soul too, you know?"

Mitsuru: Zzz, zzz...♪

Tomoya: Huh? I thought he was being quiet, Mitsuru's fallen asleep.

Hokuto: Haha. Of course he'll be worn out... How cute, sleeping with his stomach exposed.

Oh? The transfer student brought a towel. Do you intend to use it like a comforter?

It's true that we'll be continuing the performance tomorrow, it'd be an issue for him to fall ill.

Haha. Your eyes are red, were you crying?

Makoto: She's probably lost sleep due to being busier than usual, her hair seems damaged too... It's good to do your best at work, but treat your body carefully, okay?

Wataru: Right. Being an idol, a producer, or an actor are all occupations where your body is your most valuable asset♪

Nazuna: Haha. It wouldn't be a surprise if she was crying, though~ I also teared up a bit... Not because it moved me or anything, but because it was somehow super pitiful.

It was more of a hopeless tragedy than I thought it'd be, so it caught me off guard~?

Maybe I understood the author's feelings of wanting to reverse the tragedy of the play and give those children happiness.

Location: Concert Hall (Theatre)

Hokuto: "Talking to no end about adoring flowers and such while only being truly interested in their nectar - that's what this man called "Paris" did."

"This impoverished, destitute noble was only aiming for the riches your family possesses."

"I heard as much at a bar in town, and I thought, even if you don't love me, I at least want your future to be happy..."

"I thought, let's remove this annoying parasite from your side."

"I challenged him to a duel. But he looked down on me for being a woman, and didn't accept."

"Thoughtlessly kicking up a fuss, he merely called on those associated with the Capulets who detest me."

"On top of all that, a huge brawl broke out, and I heard that your blood relative died in the middle of it..."

"I decided to take the blame for it, to accept the charges with grace should they be pressed."

"But Paris, the coward, suspected that I'd make public what I'd heard about him at the trial grounds..."

"He intruded on this church, and pointed a blade at me."

"He scorned me as a feeble little girl, and tried to pin me down, choking me..."

"I desperately resisted, and in the struggle, Paris stabbed himself with the dagger he'd brought."

"There, I had an epiphany... A wicked, repulsive revelation was granted to me."

"First, I obtained a poison that, when taken in large amounts, turns one's body dusky and discoloured."

Hokuto: "It's this poison! This small bottle of poison, stolen from an innocent apothecary that I roused and threatened in the middle of the night.”

"When I returned after obtaining it, Paris was fortunately still breathing..."

"I made him drink the poison, then forced him into the clothes I was wearing."

Hokuto: "The poison contaminates your whole body, and he turned dark after withering and decaying."

"Nobody, not even his own parents, would recognise him when turned as filthy as he is at heart."

"Those who see him would probably assume I committed suicide due to not wanting to be condemned for my sins. But in this way, I would live."

"If I cut my hair like so, wear men's clothing, and put on a mask, no-one would think I'm Romeo..."

"Using the detestable Paris as my substitute, I planned to slip into the darkness."

"And from them on, I'd protect Lady Juliet as a mere shadow..."

"All I wanted was to contribute even the slightest bit to your happiness, my beloved, and yet..."

"Lady Juliet. That bright future has now shattered."

"At the very least, I shall accompany you on your journey to the afterlife."

"I couldn't protect you, couldn't prevent the life being plucked from such a young maiden..."

"For a fool such as I, this is my last duty in this fleeting world."

"No, before it spreads through your whole body, I shall suck out all the poison from within those lovely lips."

"If possible, I shall try to delay the God of death from reaching you. There must still be time, there must..."

"It hasn't fully circulated, for you are still so beautiful! Please, give your poison to me!"

"Please, forgive me for going to such an extent, Lady Juliet!"

"My love, my everything... For your sake, please use my worthless life."

"Aah... How I wish I could be bestowed a miracle like in my dream."

"Now, death! Come for me if you will, I shall welcome you with open arms!"

"Farewell, farewell! My beloved Lady Juliet, I shall grant you our first and last kiss!"

"......"

Tomoya: "Hurry, hurry! The curtains are about to fall, the story's ending!"

Mitsuru: "Aah, look! They're... Romeo and Juliet are..."

Tomoya: "They're... dead...? Why? Unbelievable, hasn't nothing changed at all?! This story ended tragically as usual!"

"No, it ended worse... Originally, they properly nurtured their love, meeting night after night to confirm it."

"But with the people around them not approving, they lose hope, and after a sorrowful misunderstanding..."

"The two end up dying, which some call a tragedy."

"But while they were alive, they definitely had love. They enjoyed their lives while experiencing love together."

"And in the afterlife, they could finally be together for eternity."

"But because of this ridiculous "reversi" spell, everything got ruined! To the very end, Romeo assumed Juliet didn't love her!"

Mitsuru: "Juliet-nee-chan also hurt the person she loves... She worried about rejecting her, and cried about it every night."

"After I first talked to Juliet-nee-chan, I think she thought of me like a little bird?"

"She seemed to think I'm cute, so she'd often invite me to her room and give me snacks and stuff."

"And when I'd get tired, and doze off... Nee-chan would sing a lullaby to gently lull me to sleep."

"I really loved that side of her."

Tomoya: "Really? Didn't Juliet hate Romeo because her love got reversed...?"

Mitsuru: "No. She loved her, so she pushed her away. Nee-chan told me about it while begging me not to tell anyone else."

"I'm sorry I couldn't say it for so long."

Tomoya: "What the hell... So then, the two of them mutually loved each other like in the original?"

"And yet, they died like this without their feelings being known to each other!"

"That's too cruel... How on earth was this reversal supposed to change the tragic end into a happy one? This is the ending they got!"

"Are you watching, God, author! Are you satisfied! Doing such unnecessary things while saying "let's save them", "let's make them happy"!"

"This is, this kind of thing is... Truly, a tragedy."

"......"

Time: During Act Thirteen (Final Act) of the Performance

Location: Concert Hall (Theatre)

Wataru: "Romeo-sama? Romeo-sama? Where are you?"

"I heard that you are hidden in the small church in these woods!"

"It would be troublesome for something to happen to a suspect before a trial, no?"

"Making sure the suspect is secured, so that no harm comes to them before a fair trial is held..."

"The governor-general of our Verona is capable of such consideration."

"Hey, Romeo-sama, respond to me! You are here, are you not? I have something I absolutely must impart to you!"

"I've caused a horrible misunderstanding! It may be too late for this, but after so long I've finally awakened to the truth!"

"Please laugh at me for being a foolish little girl, Romeo-sama!"

"I don't want to lose you! You may end up exiled, or gibbeted - regardless, you will be taken to a place where I cannot reach you for eternity!"

"Before that, I, I want to take you away! Let's run somewhere far away, hand in hand!"

"I don't care what kind of wasteland it is, I don't care if it's hell! So long as you are by my side, any place will be heaven!"

"My angel, the sun who lit up my pitch-dark world! My beloved Romeo-sama, won't you please respond to me!"

".....?"

"...Romeo-sama? Are you over there?"

"Aah, this is... Is this Romeo-sama?"

"That cold thing there..? With dusky, discoloured skin, fallen out hair, and bloodstained clothing...!?"

"Is this the lovely Romeo-sama?"

"And what is this? A cup, grasped in her hands...?"

"Aah, Romeo-sama! Did you, in your nobility, hate the shame of having your sins condemned by the public, and depart to the kingdom of heaven without trial?"

"What were you thinking! You're too cruel! You surely filled the cup to the brim and drank every last drop, didn't you?"

"Romeo-sama! Why did you not leave even a little bit for me?"

"Did you misunderstand that there's no-one who loves you, who'll chase after you?"

"It's my fault! Being stuck in our families' war, I became obsessed with how everyone around us stabs blades of hatred into each other!"

"Even though in this world that forgot love, I alone loved you!"

"Even though, I loved you-"

"I didn't convey that, acting like I was so clever, thinking it was for your sake..."

"I looked away from you, closed my ears to your words, and always rejected you."

"That must be why you are frozen like this, why you've become cold, isn't it?"

"......"

"Romeo-sama. I am a sinful person, but if I'm permitted, may I join you on this journey to the afterlife?"

"Going by yourself must be lonely."

"Whether we end up in heaven or hell, I won't reject you there. Without lying to my heart, I'll try to respond to your love."

"I'll take off my mask of coldness..."

"Instead of this merciless, life-stealing poison, we'll share delicacies like this wine I brought."

"Fine wine, to brighten and enrich our lives."

"And then... Romeo-sama, we'll kiss over and over again, just like this."

Wataru: "God. If you have any mercy, please let there be even a drop of poison left in this person's mouth."

"Amen."

“......”

Hokuto: "...Is someone over there?"

"For just a moment, I was in a dream. A dream so happy that all the tragedy that befell me today seemed trivial."

"In it, Lady Juliet arrives at this church, and finds me dead."

"In her grief, to bid me farewell, she grants me many kisses."

"Those kisses breathe life into me, and in a miracle of God's mercy, I am revived like a blooming flower."

"In joint delight of our reunion, we marry in some far away utopia, and hold a celebratory feast."

"Aah, a dream is a dream! But isn't it one so sweet?"

"A dream it may be, but if the mere shadow of a glorious future can make me so happy..."

"How joyous would it be if it became reality, if true love were able to be given?"

"...What is it, is there someone over there? Why aren't they responding?"

"......"

"Aah... Am I still dreaming? What a horrific nightmare, if so!"

"Lady Juliet! Why are you in a place such as this? Within the darkness...?"

"Aah, someone! Tell me it's a joke! Lady Juliet, my love, is laying dead here!"

"What sort of fate is this, God! Should I even believe in the likes of you anymore!?"

"Lady, Lady Juliet... Aah, to the very end, did you really not give a single piece of your love to me?"

"With just the slightest bit of poison left in the mouth of a man like this, you depart to the kingdom of heaven... Did you really love this fiend that much?"

"This man, who's turned dusky and discoloured like a dead tree... Is the man you got engaged to the other day, Paris."

Time: During Act 12 of the Performance

Location: Concert Hall (Theatre)

Wataru: "Oh God, I repent. No, please let this miserable lamb give just a word of complaint to you."

"Oh Lord, are you sneering at me for being a foolish little girl?"

"Ever since that day, ever since I caught a glimpse of Romeo-sama beneath the moonlight... Ever since I heard a strange story from something like a mysterious fairy..."

"No, ever since I fell in love-"

"I've made a great effort. Because I ended up loving someone I never should have..."

"Because I've come to understand that I can never be with her in this fleeting world."

"That person is our bitter enemy! She is the heiress of the Montague family - furthermore, due to being the same gender as I, our union isn't permitted by God!"

"No-one will bless us, no-one... We can't swear our eternal love before God, we won't be forgiven."

"Even so. I resisted at least a little bit. Originally, I would've surely pushed forward with this unwanted love held close."

"Because I'm a reckless, thoughtless girl."

"I would have put in every effort to court her for marriage. But doing such a thing would have been inconvenient for her."

"The Capulets and the Montagues are inherent enemies... Even if I meet with her in secret, even on the chance that she loves me-"

"Those around us won't approve of it. Not even God. It is a sin to carry out an unapproved marriage."

"Blamed and punished, her honour would be damaged."

"If that would be the case, I decided... I'd rather try to hide this love of mine."

"I took many efforts to get her to hate me."

"Every time she appears I curse her, behave rudely to the point of vulgarity, and close my ears to the words of love she weaves."

"I tried to convince her, "I'll never love you in my entire life.""

"Maybe then, Romeo-sama will give up, forget me, and marry someone more suitable..."

"Maybe then... hey, God, we won't reach a tragic ending, will we?"

"Both her and I will go through an approved marriage, have children normally, and finally die of old age!"

"Perhaps that's its own kind of happiness..."

"After all, mother and father... everyone... God... they all declare that to be an ideal, wonderful way of living, don't they?"

"That's what I aimed for. Hurling profanity I can't bear to hear at the most lovely person in the world..."

"Saying I hate her, repeating things I don't really mean."

"I tried to hate her, because I must not love her."

"However. Romeo-sama is stubborn, and doesn't give up at all. Each and every day, she comes to be verbally abused by me."

"Even if she's spat on, whipped, or looked at like dirt... I am sure she loves me enough to be able to delight in it."

"There is no-one in this world like that... No-one other than her."

"Yet fate dictates that I cannot be with such a person."

"If I say just one word of love to that person... Everything will fall apart and come tumbling down."

"We'll head straight for a tragic ending... That's the one thing I want to avoid."

"Because she's important. At the very least, I want her to have a normal person's happiness... That's what God, the "author" of this story was aiming for with their writing, wasn't it?"

Lady Capulet: "Juliet! Are you praying to that useless God again?"

Wataru: "Mother? Watch what you say, God is always listening."

Lady Capulet: "Yes, yes, let it be heard! That senseless despot!"

"Aah Juliet, that Romeo has spilled the blood of an important relative!"

Wataru: "Romeo-sama did...?"

Lady Capulet: "Indeed, that repulsive scoundrel is in a frightful temper these days. After just a trivial dispute, a brawl broke out in town."

Wataru: "That gentle person got into a brawl? Is Romeo-sama safe?"

Lady Capulet: "Yes, much as it displeases me, she got off without a scratch."

"That bitch of the Montague's must have hidden behind the shadows of the men serving her anyhow."

Wataru: "No. Mother, Romeo-sama may be a woman, but she's dauntlessly brave... I don't doubt she beat down her enemies one after another with her own hands."

"Aah, how I wish I could have seen her efforts with my own eyes."

Lady Capulet: "What an incomprehensible child, aren't you always speaking ill of that Romeo?"

Wataru: "Ah... Yes, it truly is disappointing that Romeo-sama is safe! Ufufu♪"

Lady Capulet: "Rejoice, Juliet. She won't be getting away with it."

"It's quite different from the hundres of skirmishes we've had between servants until now."

"The whole town got caught up in a large fight... And precious blood was spilled. My dear nephew, your cousin, passed away."

"Even the governor-general had to get serious and intervene in the dispute between our families..."

"Tonight, they will be holding a trial for Romeo, who was at the heart of the mayhem."

"If she's lucky, she'll be exiled. At worst, her head will be gibbeted. It seems she's the culprit of my nephews murder, so..."

"Hey, doesn't it feel great! You should be pleased too, Juliet!"

"With this, we can finally sleep without fear!"

"Spilled blood will never return, but after this, such a tragedy shouldn't occur agai... oh?"

"Juliet? Are you listening?"

Wataru: "...It's my fault. If she's in a temper, it's surely due to me being hard on her."

"Aah, I- I must give her at least a word of apology."

"Mother! Prepare the carriage! I must be off!"

Lady Capulet: "Wait, what? Where are you going? The sun is about to set, you know?"

Location: Inside a Train

Wataru: In actuality... I've never once come across one, a person who declares "I want to be like Hibiki Wataru!"

Which is to say, I am indeed still half-baked.

Hokuto: That's because you're out of the norm... No-one can even dream of being like you.

The more I come to know you, the more I feel that distance, too.

Wataru: Eh~ even though I'm close enough for you to touch? Please do your best, Hokuto-kun!

When I first saw you, I was a bit inspired.

"Aah, he's imitating my hairstyle," I thought... "Perhaps he wants to become like me."

Remembering the previous conversation, I held an interest in you...

Your mother must have predicted that, and tied your hair in a braid.

That's why I said she's discerning.

Her preparation is flawless, she knows all about a performer's weak points. Because if you're faced with someone imitating you, there's no way you could be unhappy.

Though, with just a few minutes of talking to you, I could tell you had no interest in me at all...

You only think of yourself, don't you?

Hokuto: Should I not? I don't have time to think about other things right now, and aren't I the one who thinks of myself the most?

There's no-one who thinks of me, of Hidaka Hokuto, so... I'm the one who has to consider me, to produce me.

Wataru: Right. That's the natural and correct answer, people don't really think about others often.

Though I personally don't have much interest in myself~ that seems to be rather unusual.

I'm always thinking about the characters in works of art, and the people surrounding them.

"Hibiki Wataru" is the means by which, the point of contact for interacting with those kinds of lovely things.

Hokuto: You're pretty distorted, aren't you... Are all "geniuses" like that?

Wataru: What do you think? Geniuses, no, all people are slightly different from each other.

You can't analyse all of humanity on an individual level using inflexible interpretations or common consensus.

That's why. You, who is captivated by such things, is rather laughable.

Hokuto: Hmph... I feel like I'm being made fun of by a clown.

Wataru: What a fitting phrase! Ahaha, chatting like this is fun...☆

Hokuto: Isn't this is strangely conceptual for a "chat"?

Wataru: Perhaps it is, by common consensus' standards! You're still restraining yourself, is your braid a chain or something, Hokuto-kun?

Be more flexible!

Relatedly... I just so happen to have tickets for a play being held at a theatre near the next stop!

Would you care to join me?

It's a rather intriguing stage, quite avant-garde... perhaps your sense of values will change upon seeing it!

Hokuto: I refuse. School is starting soon, I shouldn't skip.

Wataru: Isn't it fine every now and then? Let's be bad boys together~♪

Even if you do as your parents say like a good boy, it's not like you'll be rewarded for it, will you?

Hokuto: Don't interpret me like a character from a story.

Wataru: Apologies, it's an unconscious habit! This is troubling though, I didn't imagine you'd refuse.

Even after I went through all the trouble of moving you onto a different train without waking you?

Hokuto: So you're the reason I'm going to be late for school? I thought it was strange for me to sleep past my stop.

Wataru: Apologies, I just love tricks like that!

When faced with unexpected developments, humans always reveal some sort of interesting reaction without fail!

Getting mad, losing their cool, being bewildered, speaking unfavorably of me...

They confront me without hiding their true face behind a mask, or at least, they don't ignore me.

Hokuto: Did your parents not care about you as a kid?

Well, whatever. I already studied the contents of today's lessons last night, so it won't be a huge problem if I don't attend.

Even if I'm not there, I doubt anyone would notice.

I'll accompany you, President. But only for today - it'll be a problem if I'm constantly getting kidnapped to places I don't know.

Wataru: "Kidnapped" makes it sound scandalous... But I'm glad, let's have fun watching a play together.

Both acting and viewing are lonely when done by yourself. Let's snack on popcorn and excitedly discuss our thoughts with each other.

Japan has strict theatre manners, but plays have been that sort of event since time immemorial. Like in Shakespeare's time.

Hokuto: Don't speak like you were there for it, President.

Wataru: I've been doing my research you know, Shakespeare's a classic after all.

As is the play we're going to see today, "Romeo and Juliet"♪

It's known as a tragedy, and yet, I can't agree with that assessment.

Hokuto: ? Isn't it a standard tragedy?

Wataru: If you think about it using the common rules of this fleeting world, yes. But they were surely united after death, no?

One committed suicide, the other committed murder, so they certainly both fell into hell together.

However, "wherever you are is Heaven"... is what's conveyed in the play.

Because they went so far as to repeat such a sentiment over and over, time after time, the ending is not a tragedy.

Death is not the end, nor is it hopelessness. It is proof that they were finally together.

It's a connection, a blessing. That is how I interpreted the story's meaning.

If it's not true, then... Ah, God, Shakespeare, for what purpose did you document the suffering of this man and woman?

To sneer at these pitiful two, or else, to feel self-satisfied in your pity for them?

No - "Romeo and Juliet" is a congratulatory address for the two being united for eternity!

Time: Spring Last Year

Location: Inside a Train

Hokuto: ……

(…Ah, how inconvenient. I dozed off.)

(Where am I now? According to the announcement, we're at a station that's rather far from my destination...)

(It's not like me to oversleep.)

(This is no good. I let my guard down too much, even though I was aiming for a perfect attendance reward.)

(I'm the class representative, I need to diligently go to school.)

(Well, even if I attend class, I won't be able to learn anything worthwhile... is something I could conclude, but.)

(It's not pointless. No helping it, I'll get off at the next stop and head back.)

Wataru: Ho~ku. To. Kun♪

Hokuto: ...Ah, President Hibiki, good morning. Why are you also riding this train? Isn't Yumenosaki in the other direction?

Wataru: My, I really can't surprise you at all. I expected it, but it's still disappointing.

Hokuto: My bad. I'm used to seeing bewildering things, so I think I'm a bit desensitised.

Wataru: As expected from a thoroughbred of the acting world. From my point of view, your environment is envious, you know? It must be exciting every day, is it not?

Hokuto: No, it's normal.

Wataru: Right. It would be normal for you, wouldn't it?

Hokuto: What do you mean... Stop pestering me, it's annoying. We shouldn't be whispering on a train.

Wataru: Sob sob. Even though you used to follow me around to the point it was an annoyance when you first joined the club...

Perhaps you've recently lost all interest in me, and become cold.

Fufu. Despite not remembering a single technique no matter how much you're taught, you ask the same thing over and over again without getting discouraged, and so...

I found you to be a pain.

But it feels lonely for you to not ask for my guidance anymore.

Hokuto: Hmph... That's because the more I learn from you, the more I feel the difference in our abilities, and end up at a loss.

I figured I'd grasp the basics first, so I've been studying various things.

Wataru: You truly are good at pretending to work hard. Even though no-one will scold you for not taking it step-by-step, or for skipping the process to reach the conclusion.

You can acquire other skills that way, you know?

Hokuto: Pretending to work hard, huh... I suppose that's how a mediocre person like me looks to you.

Wataru: What are you sulking about? I'm sure you're also a genius of some sort, though I'm unsure in what area.

However, "genius" is a special type of flower whose cultivation methods differ from person to person, so there's a chance it won't sprout through normal means.

Tomatoes and watermelons are similar, but ultimately different; you are a watermelon that wishes to grow like a tomato.

Someday, your stem is going to break with a snap♪

Hokuto: I don't understand what you're talking about.

Wataru: Well, that's fine. This is just idle chit-chat without any real meaning, after all.

Hokuto: Chatting is a waste of time. It'd be better spent reading a book.

Wataru: Books may have truths written in them, but they're never the genuine thing.

In this world, the answers to any question that exists are infinite, or human.

Therefore, you should enjoy the actual process of connecting with people, and repeatedly asking questions.

Hokuto: President. ...I don't really care, but stop pointlessly pulling at my braid.

Wataru: No~ I feel some kind of affinity with it.

Are you copying me? I'm happy if so~ we look just like brothers♪

Hokuto: I don't want a brother like you, I'd end up comparing myself to you and getting an inferiority complex.

...When I first entered the school and said I was going to join the Drama Club, my mother tied it for me.

For some reason or another, I've kept it up. Tying it each and every day is a pain.

Wataru: Aah... it's your mother's work, is it? She's got quite the discerning eye.

Fufu. She once told me something when we were together on stage - that performers and authors are only fully qualified once they have followers.

Hokuto: Followers...?

Wataru: People who mimic your style, and imitate your work.

It's a common occurence for something to become popular, and then have an overflow of similar works trying to recreate that success.

The ones who spring up like that are followers, and only once they're born are you a full-fledged performer...

And I still have none, so I was denounced as being half-baked.

Hokuto: Are you on bad terms with my parents, President Hibiki?

Wataru: I wonder? I took it as a loving pep talk, as all other people did was praise me as a superior genius.

"That's not true," she said, "you're still an inexperienced novice"…

When your mother laughed scornfully at me, I felt like I'd been saved.

Location: Concert Hall (Theatre)

Wataru: "Author? Adaptation? "Reversi"...?"

Mitsuru: "Ah- I feel like I shouldn't have said that to one of the characters! Forget that! Uu~ I broke the rules 'cause I was half asleep, huh?"

Tomoya: "O~i! Finally found you, so you really did get lost!"

Mitsuru: "...Huh, who are you?"

Tomoya: "Don't be so cruel! I'm me! Look, isn't it obvious?"

Mitsuru: "Woah, it's you, partner! Why'd you change clothes? I couldn't recognise you at all for a moment~?"

Tomoya: "I was being chased due to some stuff that happened, so in the spur of the moment I changed into the clothes that were in that room there."

"Maybe it's an outfit that didn't get used for that révélerade thing? There was a mask left behind too, so I hid my face as well..."

"Well, that's neither here nor there."

"What do you think you're doing, going to a woman's sleeping quarters in the middle of the night!"

"Let's get out of here right away, I won't be surprised if our heads get taken immediately if we're found!"

Tomoya: "Um, Juliet-sama?"

"This guy might've said some weird stuff, but it's all nonsense! He's a compulsive liar~ ahaha♪"

"Sorry for the bother! Please forget all about us!"

Mitsuru: "Hey hey, I heard you were with Romeo-nee-chan before? Is she doing something somewhere right now?"

Tomoya: "She somehow managed to escape to the Montague family's mansion..."

"Luckily most people can't see me, so I caused some noisy disturbance away from where she was."

"I still have the guards attention now, so she was able to sneak away... But there are others like Romeo who can see us, so I can't relax."

"Let's escape before we're found and caught."

Mitsuru: "Okay! See you around, Juliet-nee-chan♪"

Wataru: "Sigh... please watch yourselves, the public order around here is in pieces nowadays."

"If you don't mind, shall I call someone to escort you to your home?"

"...Hm? Those "Chorus" people vanished?"

"They came and went like the wind... Like it was all a dream. I wonder if they really were fairies?"

"Aah...... Yet, mysteriously enough, those words have engraved themselves on my heart. Did God borrow the form of a child to deliver a revelation to me?"

"Oh, God, what is it you wish me to do?"

"I thought Romeo-sama's name sounded familiar, but..."

"Montague? Is she the daughter of that Montague family, our damned, bitter enemies whom my parents speak of unfavourably?"

"I've heard she's a good-for-nothing, astoundingly debauched madwoman..."

"Preposterous! That woman had not a single fault, like the sun."

"Just what is going on? Why was Romeo-sama in a place like that? What on earth is happening?"

"In this story God has weaved, in this tempest known as fate, am I merely toyed with like a miserable nightingale?"

Nurse: "Dear Lady Juliet, what are you making a ruckus about?"[1]

Wataru: "Nurse! No, it's nothing... It's like I had an odd dream?"

Nurse: "Good grief. Did you find some reason to not attend the ball and fall asleep?"

"Your mother will be in a great fury, Juliet-sama."

Wataru: "Let her be angry, it will bring back her youth."

"She's forcibly tying me to that gentleman named "Paris" like a string."

Nurse: "Paris-sama isn't just a pretty face - he's a very important, very rich man."

"If you marry such a personage, the Capulet family's influence will be easily solidified."

"Even the Montague family, who's power now rivals ours, will be driven away without a second thought."

"The Capulet family will surely become the only flower in Verona."

Wataru: "For that purpose, you insist on me marrying a man who's like an unlit candle?"

"He's pretty, yet pallid - I merely saw him from a distance and found him detestable."

Nurse: "Merely saw him, you say? You need to meet and talk in person first..."

"If you fell in love at first sight, it would have to be the work of fairies."

Wataru: "Aah... That's right, I wonder if I was tricked after all."

"Tricked by fairies to love someone I was never meant to..."

"If this world is like a story or stage play, its tragic end will be my fault, won't it?"

"Dragging anything and everything down with me..."

Nurse: "My lady? Is something the matter? Your voice has lost its usual energy."

"If you truly despise balls and marriage that much, shall I go to speak with your mother?"

"Should it displease her, it will only be this old head on the chopping block."

Wataru: "Please don't say such things..."

"This one and only chance at life that we've been given by God should not be thrown away so easily."

"Oh Nurse, beloved Nurse, I have something I'd like you to tell me. That Montague girl named Romeo, what kind of person is she?"

"There are some things I've been wondering about her."

Like before, the roles of Juliet's nurse and mother are also played by Wataru. Putting them under different speech tags seems like the easiest way to differentiate (though, it does feel a tad awkward to do so when Wataru isn't listed as Juliet...)

Time: During Act 5 of the Performance

Location: Concert Hall (Theatre)

Wataru: "Just what was that...?"

"In the end, that person who called herself Romeo, who's beauty outshone even the stars in the sky..."

"Was chased off by countless guards and agitated people running riot."

"I hope she's alright... Aah, my soul was crucified the moment I saw her."

"If this is a sin, I'll resign myself to it with open arms."

"Is this love? Is this the feeling that Mother and Nurse praised as precious and rare?"

"And yet, Romeo-sama! Why must you be a girl?"

"If it isn't our destiny to be together in this fleeting world, why is it that we met?"

"If being together, being married, is all that makes a woman happy..."

"Why doesn't the law, why doesn't God in heaven, affirm my union with her?"

"............"

Mitsuru: "...Gh~, snore♪"

"Zzz, zzz...♪"

Wataru: "...Who's this now?"

"Ah. Hello, could it be that you got your sleeping quarters mixed around?"

"Where did you come from? Hello, hello?"

Mitsuru: "Mm~ munyu..."

"Huh? Where is this?"

Wataru: "This is the castle of the esteemed Capulets, and that is the nook holding the pitiable Juliet's birdcage."

"Are you, aah... one of the servants children, I wonder?"

Mitsuru: "Huh? Juliet-nee-chan...?"

Wataru: "You know me?"

Mitsuru: "Huh huh? You can see me?"

Wataru: "If my eyes are certain, yes, I can see you. If you're implying most people can't, are you a fairy of some sort?"

Mitsuru: "Nee-chan, are you crying? There there, please cheer up♪"

Wataru: "Woah... Don't pet me, isn't it rude to do that to a lady?"

Mitsuru: "It's alright! Don't worry, we'll definitely lead you to a happy ending!"

Wataru: "? We aren't on the same page at all, are you half asleep? What a strange child!"

Mitsuru: "Ahem, I hear that a lot!"

"More importantly, have you seen another kid dressed like me somewhere?"

"I'm having trouble 'cause I got separated from him!"

"I took advantage of the fact that no-one can see me to secretly swipe some food to eat from the ball..."

"But I can't remember anything after carelessly tasting some alcohol~?"

"Looks like I got tired after taking a walk to sober up, and ended up falling asleep here?"

Wataru: "Well... Children shouldn't be having alcohol."

Mitsuru: "Ahaha! Aren't you a child too? You're thirteen, right?"

Wataru: "...Someone dressed like you, you said? I believe I saw someone like that with Romeo-sama?"

"Though, perhaps due to Romeo-sama being so dazzling, the impression he left on me is oddly weak."

Mitsuru: "Ah, he was with Romeo-nee-chan?"

"Sounds like he's doing his best to get the story back on track, I gotta go help him too!"

Wataru: "Story? Back on track? What do you mean?"

Mitsuru: "Hm? The story of how Romeo and Juliet meet, fall in love, but can't be together and end up dying! I feel so bad for them!"

Wataru: "Dying...?"

Mitsuru: "Right, I think it was that, because there's no way to be together in this world, they drink poison and die so they can at least be together forever in the afterlife?"

"It's so foolish! I don't know if there's an afterlife, but isn't it better to live, no matter what form that takes?"

Wataru: "...Yes. That's right, I completely agree!"

"You, Fairy-san? The things you just said, do you swear on God that they're true?"

Mitsuru: "I'm not a fairy, I'm a member of the Chorus!"

"I don't know much about the actual God, but if it's about the God of this story, that'd be the author who gave me life!"

"God, the author, isn't satisfied with Romeo and Juliet's tragic end..."

"So they adapted the story to try and reach a happy ending one way or another."

"To do that, they cast a "reversi" spell on this world."

"A lot of time has passed since the original author, Shakespeare, spun the story, and different people have tried to revise it."

"It seems like they wove in that kind of setup in an attempt to "reverse" the sorrowful conclusion?"

"But they don't have enough talent for that, so it's ended up looking pretty half-baked."

"My partner, another member of the Chorus, was saying something like that."

"Ehehe, I don't really get complicated things♪"

Time: That Night

Location: Drama Club Room

Hokuto: ...No good! One more time, please, Transfer Student.

Okay, turn there... Un, deux, trois♪

Damn it. No matter what I do, my body ends up recalling the leader's movements.

...Hm? Ah, in ballroom dancing, the male role is the "leader". Fufun, isn't it appropriate for me, who became the leader of Trickstar?

...Right. My parents taught me ballroom dancing when I was young, so it comes naturally to me.

It's rather useful when playing the role of a prince on stage. Balls are a given, so I learned everything about them in advance.

Although. It seems I'm not good at forgetting things I've done before.

Even if I can't forget, it'd be nice if I could consciously switch, but... I don't quite have the dexterity to conduct myself like that.

Speaking of dexterity, Isara... Recently, I've only been concentrating on Drama Club rehearsals, but I can't neglect Trickstar either.

I asked you to supervise their lessons and stuff, but... Are those guys taking it seriously?

Hm. If they're performing with all their might, that's good.

But they're lonely because I rarely show up, you say?

Are they babies? Haha, well, I feel lonely too.

But I want to concentrate on rehearsals so I can properly play my given role.

It's my first step into blooming as an actor, like my mother. I'll dance these steps carefully too.

Un, deux, trois... there♪

Haha. You look exhausted, Transfer Student. Apologies for making you practice with me, even though you don't have much stamina compared to us...

I won't make you overdo it, take a rest if you're tired.

Right. We've been here long enough already, let's get you home.

I'm sorry. I just thought, "It'd be nice to spend time together before going home~" but I ended up making your overtime work drag on.

You are my- no, our success story itself. Our confidence grows when we're with you, we feel like we can do anything.

It might be a bother to you, but I want you to stay with us in the future too, Transfer Student.

Haha. Since you're a girl, just looking at your reactions and gestures makes good reference for the play.

Of course you don't represent all girls, but observing the real thing is the best after all.

Hm? Why are you looking away? Could it be I said something weird again?

I intend to be careful, but in other people's eyes, I apparently slip up often.

Oh, you say you're embarrassed that I'm staring at you...?

Hm. So that's how it is for girls, I'll take note of that.

Shu: Pardon me.

Hokuto: (...!? That's the formerly renowned top idol of Valkyrie and The Five Eccentrics... Itsuki Shu!)

...Do you need something from the Drama Club, Itsuki-senpai?

Shu: Hm? It's the Transfer Student girl, and...?

Aah, it's you. I thought I recognised you, Hockey Mask-kun.

You're still by Wataru's side? You have strange tastes.

Hokuto: Don't call me "Hockey Mask." I'm Hidaka Hokuto from Trickstar, nice to meet you.

Shu: Hmph. "Trickstar," is it...?

Asserting yourself as a subsidiary role and as jesters... I'm doubtful of your character.

And confidently misspelling "ster" as "star" as if it's some incredibly tasteful idea is painful to look at.

Hokuto: Did you come here to criticise us, Itsuki-senpai?

Shu: No? Wataru suddenly placed an order for costumes without consulting me first, and that idiotic Kagehira accepted it without thinking-

I decided to visit the club room to return the order slip.

Is he not here? I've wasted my time if so, how annoying.

Hokuto: Oh, it seems like the President is busy with fine activities.

Since we defeated them at DDD, their value has dropped somewhat... they probably want to repair their reputation quickly.

Shu: fine? Don't mention that name in front of me, it's unpleasant...

Though I feel there's a hole in your explanation. He's really doing idol activities this late into the night?

Hokuto: No, it seems like he's sparing so much time for performance rehearsal that he has no choice but to do his idol lessons after sundown.

It's fine, so apparently they pay overtime for vigorous training from specialty coaches.

Because of that, they're able to learn new techniques every day, he said.

Going off topic, if you need something from the President, should I relay the message?

No, if it's something simple, I can act as a proxy and take it on myself. Would you mind me taking that order slip thing?

Shu: Hmph... I've changed my mind. I'll make the costumes after all.

The more Wataru immerses himself in this "performance," the less time he has for fine activities, no?

If so, I'll make such wonderful costumes that he can't think of anything but theatre.

Fufun. Even Tenshouin will make a good face when he's unable to play with the toy he's finally obtained. Just imagining his dissatisfied expression has me itching to create.

Kakaka! You're in my way, I must return to my club room to sew!

Hokuto: Sigh... I don't get it. It's already pretty late, so it's best if you go home too.

Shu: Nonsense. What if I end up losing the inspiration dwelling in my fingertips during my departure?

My parents have given up on me anyhow, so I won't be causing any worry.

...I said something unnecessary. Do forget that.

Well then, Hockey Mask-kun. ...If possible, I hope you'll stay by Wataru's side in the future.

He's a lonelier man than you think.

Hokuto: ......?

Location: Drama Club Room

Tomoya: Excuse me! Sorry for being late~!

Wataru: ...Well, you arrived in time for rehearsal, so I won't talk your ear off about it.

Are you perhaps losing motivation, Tomoya-kun? Punctuality is an absolute rule in the world of acting, you know.

Tomoya: Uu~ But it's frustrating being ragged on every day, for every rehearsal.

Before coming here, I thought I should try getting even just a bit better at acting.

But if I ended up being late because of that, I'd have gotten my priorities backwards. I'm sorry!

Wataru: Good, if you understand that, then that's enough. However, you'll get too relaxed if I always let you off the hook so easily, so let's set up a penalty.

From now on, whenever you make a careless blunder, I'll assign "Tomoya-kun DisapPoints" [1] according to my own judgement and prejudice.

At 100 DisapPoints, we'll have a hellish punishment game...☆

Right now, you have around 78 DisapPoints, so do watch yourself♪

Tomoya: Ueeh, I don't really get it, but that's scary! Don't play ominous games with me!

Huh? Usually when the Masked Freak's toying with me, Hokuto-senpai will casually come to my rescue... Is he not in?

Wataru: Ah, if you're looking for Hokuto-kun, he's on the other side of the clothes rack.

Hokuto: ......

Tomoya: Woah, he's completely hidden in the shadows... What's he doing?

Looks like he's staring intensely at a screen with Yuuki-senpai and the Transfer Student.

Wataru: Fufufu. That's the only place with an outlet, so he's ended up concealed.

It seems they're investigating a virtual something-or-other that's trendy nowadays.

That glasses-wearing child from Trickstar seems well-informed about it.

I too have grown interested in it, so I asked him to explain it from scratch. It looks to be a rather profound realm~ This world is overflowing with interesting things, isn't it?

Things such as theatre may already be a stale, obsolete culture.

Nothing disappears completely - everything leaves seeds behind here and there.

But ending up forgotten is always lonely.

Tomoya: I wasn't expecting that... Do you have some kind of deep attachment to theatre?

Wataru: Of course. It's an ideal world where I, who can't exist anywhere, who couldn't connect with anyone, could finally belong.

Atop the stage is the promised land I should live.

Though, I won't force you all into having that mindset. It's best if you can connect with this transient world in normal reality.

Tomoya: ...? Putting that aside, I have something I want to discuss with you, President.

Wataru: Fufufu. You only call me "President" and speak politely when you have something to request of me, don't you? Even though you're usually so harsh~ even though you speak of me like filth♪

Tomoya: Why do you look kind of happy about that...

Uh, though I feel I have something even more shameful to say.

Is it possible to reduce my lines a bit?

I can't remember them all... Though my role as the Chorus is to narrate, or rather, direct the story, so it can't be helped.

It somehow feels like I'm the only one going on and on and on...

At the start, I can kind of get away with reading off my notes as part of reciting the prologue lines.

But every line afterwards has to be said off the top of my head... I don't feel like I have the brain capacity for that.

Wataru: Hm. The role of the Chorus was originally a simple one anyone could do.

This story is a special one, so the difficulty's ended up increasing, hasn't it?

If we appoint someone to play alongside you, you should be able to share the lines...

H~m, though it'll still be quite a lot even then.

Well, all I can really say is to work hard at your given role without complaint.

You were the one who said "Even a supporting role is fine, I want to try doing something," weren't you?

Please don't go back on your word. This isn't a game, Tomoya-kun.

Tomoya: Uuu. You're so harsh~ Well, I did only ask because I figured I may as well see if something could be done. This is really troubling...

Recently, I've been having nothing but nightmares of forgetting my lines and freezing on stage.

Wataru: Hm. If it really seems impossible, how about I stand in for you every now and then?

Tomoya: Stand in? But you and I are completely different in height and appearance, so isn't that impossible...? Even if you are a genius at acting?

Wataru: Indeed. Though if I fold my body up, it is possible to perfectly replicate someone.

The problem at hand is that there are too many lines for you to memorise.

And so, I'll occasionally use my vocal mimicry skills to speak your lines for you.

It will be limited to scenes where I'm not present as Juliet, but I'll hide in the shadows and speak in secret.

Well, in the worst case scenario, I am able to throw my voice to trick the audience on where it's coming from.

But when playing Juliet, I wish to be completely absorbed in the play.

If you need my help at those times, please give me a signal.

In the unlikely event that you miss or forget a line, I'll say them for you, in your own voice~ that's the plan.

Though, I do want you to do your best to say your own lines when possible. I don't seek perfection from the current you, so please try to do as much as you can.

Tomoya: Uuu. Sorry, I really am pathetic.

Wataru: Not at all. Nobody's born a genius - you become one slowly, through great effort.

There are no exceptions to that. It was the same for this Hibiki Wataru.

Do your best. Giving you a rather difficult role with many lines is a manifestation of my expectations for you.

Rise up to them, if you are also a performer.

Tomoya: ...Right. All I can do is my best, so I'll give it my all one way or another.

Mitsuru: ......♪

Tomoya: Hm? What are you grinning at, Mitsuru... don't watch me being scolded too much, okay?

Mitsuru: Ehehe~ Tomo-chan's all lively, I'm jealous of how much fun you're having!

You really are different when doing club activities instead of Ra*bits activities, it's interesting!

Tomoya: Really? Aren't I always the same, no matter when?

Adonis: Tenma. I've packed everything up, so let's move to the Concert Hall.

Mitsuru: Ah, right!

Seeya Tomo-chan, do your best at rehearsal!

Tomoya: Oh...? Sorry Mitsuru, have you ended up helping out with a load of stuff?

Mitsuru: Nope! I'd share if I was troubled~ you're always taking care of me, Tomo-chan♪

I'm having lots of fun doing this, so don't worry about me!

Okay then, byebee~! Dashdashdash~☆

Tomoya: Ahaha. Mitsuru's always full of energy, I should learn from him.

Wataru: You should. That boy has a bright personality. I feel like I'm contradicting my words from earlier, but I think it's something that comes naturally to him.

He seems like he'd shine on stage much more than you.

Tomoya: Uuu. So in the end, I'm plain~...?

Wataru: ...Fufu♪

Tomoya: Wh-what? You're terrible, this isn't something to laugh about.

Wataru: No, excuse me. It's fun, isn't it, to have so many people clamouring together like this to prepare something...

It feels youthful, I love this sort of thing.

Tomoya: ......?

Wataru: Fufufu. Tomoya-kun, let's do our best to make the performance a success.

For that purpose, step one is to rehearse, step two is to train, steps three and four don't exist, and step five is Amazing......☆ [2]

Tomoya: I don't get what that means. But, well, I'll also do my best to go past my limits... President.

Disappointment Points. It wasn't originally a pun, but it was right there, so...

This is a Japanese turn of phrase using the format of "first is [], second is []" and so on, with the blank often (though not in this case) being the same word

Time: Two Weeks Before the Performance

Mitsuru: Hum-hu-hu~m♪

Working, working~♪ So much fun~☆

Ado-chan-senpai, look, look! I made an Ado-chan-senpai out of clay~♪

Adonis: ? Thank you. It's very good Tenma, your fingers are surprisingly skillful.

Mitsuru: Not really! I made it while looking right at you, but I couldn't make it cool!

I've liked arts and crafts since I was little, but I'm not really good at it~?

Adonis: You're better than me. When making my own ocarina back home, it took a few years to make something I was satisfied with.

This is that ocarina, by the way.

Mitsuru: Oh, it's that thing you're always blowing into! Let me blow into it too, let me♪

Adonis: Sure. But wash your hands first, or it'll get covered in clay.

Mitsuru: Got it! Ado-chan-senpai, hold Ado-chan-senpai! Gonna wash my hands, splash splash♪

Adonis: Hold... myself? Ah, do you mean, hold the me you made out of clay...?

(Haha. So this small, cute thing is me, huh?)

(I wonder if I seemed like this in the past. A fragile existence, that can easily be crushed in one hand... Though, right now, I'm big and strong.)

(I'll have to make sure I don't carelessly crush the soft clay.)

(Haha. This is more fun than I expected. When we were training in the Track and Field Club, I just happened to overhear that Tenma was going to help out the Drama Club-)

(I was also free, so I found myself coming along, and have been helping out little by little... It's peaceful, so my heart is calm.)

(The Track and Field Club puts emphasis on solo training, and Undead always feel like they're yelling at each other and running riot.)

(Every now and then, I wanted to spend my time after school calm like this.)

Wataru: Amazing! All you helpers seem to be working hard!

Adonis: Woah... I wish you wouldn't surprise me, Hibiki-senpai. Right now, I'm holding something that's like a baby.

Wataru: A baby? Ahaha, so you were using the clay for crafts~♪

Adonis: Right, pardon us. The work is going slowly, and it seems Tenma's grown bored.

I'm sorry for not being very useful even though I came to help.

Wataru: No no, it's the thought that counts. Most of the costumes, scenery, and props are in the Drama Club or acting department's inventory.

You need only focus on making what we don't have enough of, so please don't worry too much about it.

Since the two of you are helping out of the goodness of your hearts, I'm not going to expect too much from you.

Adonis: Hm... That does take a weight off my shoulders, but since I'm here, I want to be useful. Though I'm not very good at the small work.

Making props seems difficult, so I was just doing the task of taking unnecessary things... things like cardboard, and crushing them up.

Destroying things is much simpler than creating them.

Wataru: Fufufu. Just what I'd expect of one of Rei's kids from Undead.

Uuum, it's Adios-kun, right?

Adonis: It's Adonis.

Wataru: Right right, Adonis-kun, such a lovely name.

Since Japanese tools seem like they'd be small and hard to use for hands like yours, I went to the warehouse and found you some bigger ones.

I've packed many different tools in this toolbox, so please use them as you like.

You were in the Track and Field Club, were you not...? You must have good bodily control then, you shouldn't be as clumsy as you think.

Human beings have suitable tools for every possible standard.

Though your strength appears too strong to be controlled, that part of you also makes you feel like Rei's child...

If handling props seems difficult for you, please join the acting department in completing the scenery.

Transporting the set will be huge hassle, so they're proceeding with their production nearby... in the Concert Hall, it looks like. If you'd like, we could jump over there in my balloon.

Adonis: Hm. If it's the Concert Hall, I've passed it while on a jog with the club, so I know where it is.

It's not a huge distance away, so I'll run there. You'll be starting practice for the play soon, so I want you to focus on that here.

Ah, could Tenma come too?

Muscles will get stiff if you only work sitting down, and then you'll get weak. I want to loosen up our bodies by breaking a light sweat.

Wataru: Of course. Do what you want, as you want♪

Mitsuru: Ado-chan-senpai~! I washed my hands! So let me play your ocarina♪

Adonis: Right. Afterwards, would you mind coming to the Concert Hall to help the acting department?

If you do mind, I'll head there myself, and you can continue working here.

Mitsuru: No, I'll go with you! Tomo-chan hasn't shown up yet, so I'm kinda down since there's basically only people I don't know here~?

Adonis: Haha. Were you really such a shy kid, Tenma?

Wataru: "Bad Boy"-san, "Bad Boy"-san, do you know where Tomoya-kun is?

I'm worried about how little I've seen of him, could it be that he ran away?

Mitsuru: Don't call me a "bad boy"...

Hm~ I don't think Tomo-chan would run away.

I peeked into Class A on my way, and he was practicing while reading the script. I didn't wanna interrupt him so I came here by myself.

Tomo-chan gets passionate about anything, or like, he gets sucked in, so...

I think he probably lost track of time and kept practicing~?

If you need him, should I go call him? I'll dash right over there☆

Wataru: No, there's no need to go that far. Speak of the devil and whatnot, I just heard Tomoya-kun's footsteps approaching.

Location: Concert Hall (Theatre)

Nazuna: Hahaaa, that's so unreasonable... Well, it is Wataru-chin, so I guess he was convinced it'd work out somehow and held the performance as planned.

Though something about what you said made me a little worried. Will everything be alright?

Shu: Hmph. Your concerns are unnecessary. While it may be said that anyone can make a mistake, the idea of Wataru fumbling on stage is inconceivable.

In fact... Having Wataru substitute the roles in this way is far more appealing than letting those philistines play them.

You may not have noticed, but some of the lines in the prologue - particularly those of that lovely, energetic child - were uttered by Wataru instead.

Hidden in the shadows, secretly reciting the lines.

Nazuna: What, really? I did think it was strange when I heard that Mitsuru-chin was going to ad-lib whatever he wanted.

I figured he could follow the basic outline to an extent, but just couldn't remember everything about it...

But if Wataru-chin's following him, that's a bit of a relief.

Shu: Hmph. Even though it's your cute teammate's lines, you can't even distinguish whether or not it's actually him saying them?

I understood right away, you know. Some of that child's lines were oozing with frightful sensuality.

It's the right way to do it as a performer, but as a result, it slightly lacks his childish purity.

Nazuna: Right. Just by listening to those things, I can tell you're a weirdo.

Makoto: Haha. But it feels kinda good to know there are those kinds of techniques at play.

It'd probably be a bit boring for a boy to talk about love the whole time.

Adonis: I'd like it, I think peace is good.

Nazuna: I wonder about that... It's true that there aren't many outright depictions of, say, swordfights to the death, but love can be pretty brutal depending on the story.

It's "Romeo and Juliet". I don't think it feels peaceful at all.

Tomoya: "Ahhh, someone help~!"

Nazuna: Oh? What's happening? Right after I said that too, I'm feeling uneasy!

Tomoya: "This way, Romeo-sama! Let's hide in these shadows!"

Hokuto: "I refuse - I shall neither run nor hide. What do I have to be ashamed of, under this full, starry sky?"

Tomoya: "Listen to me! Look, those guys with bows and swords are going to catch up to us!"

Hokuto: "Aah, how accursedly constraining! My heart is jailed, deprived of food and whipped without end!"

"Why, God, do you chastise me such!"

Tomoya: "Shh, quiet! They'll find us if you make noise!"

"Why on earth did you say something like that at a ball? It’s only natural you’ll be beaten and chased out for it!”

Hokuto: "What do you mean, "something like that"? I simply said what I had to!"

"I simply condemned those Capulets, who turned their backs to heaven and committed shameful deeds!"

"That was my only purpose in attending that worthless révélerade! I sought justice!"

"Unlike that foolish lot, I did not come to flutter wings of love!"

"These wings will fly towards the kingdom of heaven, for the sake of enacting justice!"

Tomoya: "I told you to quiet down! I understand how you feel, but who would be happy about being criticised right to their face?"

"Of course they'll get mad! Furthermore, you thoroughly ridiculed them at a ball organised by the Capulet family, of all people!"

"It's the same as landing a direct hit on a monster!"

"It's no wonder they got so worked up, you're just lucky you weren't killed on the spot!"

"I'll be in big trouble if you die right now, so hurry up and run..."

"Huh?"

Hokuto: "What's the matter? I apologize for dragging you, who has nothing to do with me, into this mess... Truly, were I to have anything to be ashamed of tonight, it would be that alone."

"The enemy is after me, so should I attract their attention, you could..."

"Hm?"

"What are you looking at...? Is there somebody on the balcony of those damned Capulets' castle?"

Wataru: "......"

Hokuto: "Aah, that's...?"

"You, tell me, did I get struck by an arrow and die without realising? I see an angel!"

Tomoya: "No, that's not an angel... Ah, it's Juliet-sama. Why is she still on the balcony?"

"Originally, she should've been at the ball for a while now."

"And that's how the fated lovers... how Romeo and Juliet meet."

Hokuto: "Fated... lovers? Juliet...?"

"Ooh, how remarkably vibrant her beauty is!"

"Like a jewel adorning a noble's ear, far too sacred to belong to this world! The elegance of a snow-white dove among a flock of ravens!"

Hokuto: "Aah, I spoke of her beauty so easily, yet do I truly understand the meaning of the word?"

"Oh, my mouth, my eyes! They say nay! For tonight is the first time I've witnessed and praised true beauty!"

Wataru: "...Who are you, making such a fuss? Your face is hidden beneath the night's mask of buffoonery."

"Aah, and yet, what is this heat filling my chest?"

"Mother! Nurse! Forgive my playing around! It seems as though I've accidentally nodded off and missed the ball!"

"The sun is rising! Look, you see! In that spot, the sun tinged with warmth and brightness!"

"You, who has combined night and day - who are you? I am Juliet!"

Hokuto: "I... I am Romeo! I am Romeo, who was born to meet you!"

Tomoya: "...Oh, it seems things are somehow forcing themselves to follow the original plot."

"It's in a different place, but the meeting scene happened~ and it seems they both fell in love at first sight like they should?"

"But, in that case, why did the future we saw before feel the way it did?"

"Juliet especially, I wonder why she was so aggressive?"

"Will the reversi spell cause some kind of development that was originally impossible...?”