Chapter 3 - An Unforeseen Problem

Thank you very much, Otori-san. You even helped put away the equipment…...

There was quite a lot, so you were a big help.

No problem! I got to learn a lot about general affairs work too!

If I can help with anything else, please let me know!

Oh my…..fufu. Somehow, you seem particularly motivated.

It's time for you to go home for the day, but we'll see you tomorrow.

Got it!

Then, please excuse me first!

Yes, thank you for your hard work.

(There really are so many different things to do in general affairs.)

(From helping with meetings to managing the facility’s equipment, it seems to be different depending on the establishment…)

(Alright, when I'm home, I'm going to reread my notes from the day!)

(... I wonder how Suzu-chan went about studying management.)

(I’ll ask next time I see her.)

… Eh?

Didn’t I pass by here earlier…?

Hm? Hm-hm-hm?

Which way did I come from?

… What should I do?

I was thinking about loads of things while I was walking, so I might’ve taken the wrong turn…!!

Ummm, well this road is—

(Eh? What’s happening over there…?)

Thank you very much for your time today.

Ah, it’s no problem. But still…

It’s a shame that the Kikyo Troupe have to disband.

(Eh.......?)

.........

Don’t let it discourage you.

These things happen when you’re in charge of an organization for a long time.

Thank you very much for your concern.

Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.

Well, I’ll be heading off.

Yes.

These things happen, huh…

(...The Kikyo Troupe is disbanding…)

(Wha-wha-what do you mean!? We just went to one of their shows the other day…)

(But…)

—Suzu-chan.

......!

Otori-san? What are you doing here...?

Um, well, I was tidying up the equipment, and then I got lost.

And then, just now…! Um…

…Shall we go somewhere else?

The lesson room isn’t in use at this hour.

So… Otori-san, you heard our conversation earlier then?

I’m really sorry!!

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop…

But—is it really true that the Kikyo Troupe is getting disbanded?

It is.

That was what was decided in the upper management’s meeting the other day.

—It hasn’t been officially announced yet. So please don’t tell anyone about it.

But why…?

The Kikyo Troupe’s performances are so bright and sparkly…....

I see. So you went to see their performance, Otori-san?

Then, was there anything you noticed that bothered you?

Something that bothered me?

Yes.

For example—the number of empty seats.

Ah…

Yeah…

I thought, it’s such an interesting performance, so how come?

…If I’m to explain, it might be easier to understand if I begin with the origins of the Kikyo Troupe.

It’ll be a bit long, is that okay?

Completely! Thank you!

Morinomiya—and the Suzuran Troupe—have a history going back a hundred years.

People’s faith in the Morinomiya stage has been honed over the years and, as such, is very strong, but—

The issue of the clientele becoming fixed arises.

Um, so you mean there’s a number of fans who always come, but…there aren’t many new guests?

Exactly.

It isn’t a big problem yet, but if things continue the way they are, a gradual decline is inevitable.

In an attempt to overcome this critical situation, we launched another troupe two years ago—the Kikyo Troupe.

The Kikyo Troupe is all-male, and was created to bring a breath of fresh air to Morinomiya with the aim of attracting new clientele.

I see.....

However, since the Kikyo Troupe has such a short history, many of its members are quite young.

Compared to the Suzuran Troupe, it lags behind in terms of completeness…

That’s the reputation that has begun circulating among theatre fans, so earnings are stagnating.

Ah.....

…If we can’t generate the expected revenue, we can’t continue the business.

And to make things worse—

Many of the ace-level actors who could play leading roles have left the troupe one after another.

Eh!? Wh-why…?

In a situation like this, it’s natural to want to throw the towel in.

Even after they’ve worked to overcome such harsh training, the audience seats aren’t filled.

And they’re sometimes criticized and compared to the Suzuran Troupe. They must’ve been fed up with that.

So with such a shortage of personnel in this situation, it’s hard to improve the Kikyo Troupe’s standing.

Thus, there’s no prospect of improving profits.

Objectively, the decision the upper management made was the right one.

… I do understand that. But.....

But still, Suzu-chan—

You don’t want to give up on the Kikyo Troupe, do you?

… Yeah. I think the existence of the Kikyo Troupe is a necessity for Morinomiya.

It being rough around the edges is also part of its appeal, and it’s supported by the younger generation. In terms of attracting new clientele, it has had some success.

And the remaining members of the Kikyo Troupe and the students in the boys’ group are all very enthusiastic.

That’s why I want to find a way for them to stay on…

..........

(There are things she wants to protect and goals she wants to achieve, but it seems as if it isn’t going to work out…)

(It feels a little familiar, like what it was like with Phoenix Wonderland before.)

Suzu-chan!

Wah…!?

Can I help out too?!

Eh......?

Um… I also understand your desire to keep the Kikyo Troupe going, Suzu-chan.

Their performance was super powerful, and completely different from those of the Suzuran Troupe.

There were empty seats, but I thought everyone who was in the audience was really enjoying themselves!

Ah…! I’m sorry I said all of this as if I know about Morinomiya.

But—

A similar thing happened at Phoenix Wonderland a long time ago.

We lost a lot of clientele… We tried loads of new things, but we didn’t see results right away.

............

Besides, I’m studying management and administration, too…

Even if it’s a little, I’d like to be of help to you, Suzu-chan.

So…will you let me?

Otori-san…

…It’s reassuring to have friends.

Thank you. I’ll be counting on you from now on

…! Yeah!