Chapter 6 - Connected Imaginations

How come you're all here? I thought we agreed on solo practice tonight...

Right. Rui and I were doing our own practice at home, but—

Emu contacted us.

Emu did?

Yeah! Well, the thing is—

Today when you were watching Asahi-san, I could tell you were really concentrating super hard!

So I figured you were probably thinking 'I need to work even harder!' or something like that!

I called Nene-chan and told her about it. Then she said she and Rui-kun were talking about the exact same thing on their way home!

So we wondered what we could do to help. We came here to meet and discuss it, but—

It turns out someone had beaten us to it.

...Honestly. You all read me like an open book.

I mean, we've been friends for quite some time now.

—Tsukasa-kun!

I'll do anything to help!

Th-That's quite the bold offer......

I can't promise anything like Emu, but......

I can give you all the feedback you need. You're always doing that for us anyway.

Indeed. Though this is purely our own desire to help.

Should you prefer to handle this by yourself, we'll trust your judgment and give you space.

Nene, Rui.......

I just want you to know, as long as you're willing, we'll follow you anywhere.

That's right!

Because we want your dreams to come true just as much as our own!

(...I can still only watch Asahi-san's back as he moves ahead of me.)

(My imagination, my ability to express myself, everything... I'm nowhere near his level.)

(But—)

(I've got these three by my side.)

Thank you, everyone!

In that case, I want to discuss this with you immediately. This could be a long conversation though, is that okay?

"Of course!" "Yeah!"

So you're having trouble with that climactic despair scene.

It's really tough. Honestly, I can't picture it either...

Hmm~......! Despair, despair...

Ugh... ughhh!!

Wh-What's wrong, Emu!?

I tried imagining if Phoenix Wonderland disappeared, and it made me so sad...!!

Oh... it's the most important thing in the world to you, isn't it?

Don't force it, Emu. This stuff can be emotionally exhausting.

Okay.........

I know it's painful, but...... it does seem like approaching it from "losing something precious to you" makes it easier to grasp.

But like I said before, the most important thing to me is my own dream...

So I can't imagine losing it. ......We're going in circles.

Come to think of it, how did Asahi-san imagine it?

Oh, good point. Maybe if we asked him about it—

I don't think Asahi-san's approach would be much help to us.

...He's lived through real warfare, after all.

.........!

Ah... yeah. That makes sense...

That's right, he mentioned it before. Getting caught up in the fighting, separated from his parents.......

(Looking at it that way, Prince Bless and Asahi-san probably have a lot in common.)

(Despite facing despair, he truly desires peace in the world and smiles on people's faces—)

...Hm?

Huh? What's wrong, Tsukasa-kun?

...Nothing... I just think I might be onto something......

"No matter what I do, people will keep hating each other and nations will continue fighting."

"The military invasion that intensified last week is having severe impacts on the local population."

(When someone's everyday life is suddenly turned upside down, even smiles can disappear—)

...That's it......

If that's the case.......

What? Did you figure something out?

...Yeah.

You all helped me find the clue I was looking for.

——What despair means to me.. And how I should imagine it.

...Let's see, Wonderlands x Showtime's seats should be around......

Ah, there they are! Hey, everyone!

Asahi-san! Thank you for being here today!

Same here! We'll both put our all into this!

But—I never expected you guys to be the closing act for this contest.

Yeah. I was shocked when we drew that lot.

And you guys are performing right before us too.

Yeah. Haha, feels like fate, doesn't it!

...There are some pretty well-known theater groups participating, so closing might be nerve-wracking, but—

...Actually, that doesn't seem to be the case. You look pretty confident.

Absolutely.

Thanks to my friends, I was able to find my own version of despair.

So—I'm confident I can deliver my greatest performance yet.

I see! I can't wait to see it!

Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The show will begin momentarily.

Oops, looks like it's starting.

Nice chatting with you! Catch you after the show!

......Fufu. "My greatest performance yet", he says.

You really went and said it, Tsukasa.

Hm? What's wrong with that?

Ehehe ♪ I'm so happy seeing Tsukasa-kun all fired up and sparkling all over!

Of course! I am the future star, Tsukasa Tenma, after all.

(To become a star who makes everyone smile through shows—)

(Because I've been chasing that dream....... developing this role was incredibly painful.)

(So many books, so many movies, so many conversations— I put my mind to work to the point I had nightmares.)

(But..... that's exactly why I'm certain.)

(That I can deliver my greatest performance.)

(I'll act it out completely. The deepest "despair" I've managed to grasp—!)