Chapter 7

You want my best performance… I know that, but…

I’m trying! I want to! But the way I am right now—!

I’m not here for excuses. And I’m not wasting time arguing with you.

W–What…?

I know you’re hitting a wall right now.

And I'm aware you're disappointed in yourself, unable to show your full potential. But—

Whatever’s going on with you, Nene Kusanagi, none of it matters to the audience.

They only want an unforgettable performance. And we shall answer that demand.

This entire production stands for that purpose alone.

…Th-That’s…

So whatever you have to do… I need you to give the absolute best you can.

That’s your job—because you are the lead of this show.

Ah…

Rui-kun…

That guy…!

Ah....!

—I heard every word you said just now!

......!

You two…!

Rui, sorry. We didn’t mean to eavesdrop.

But… since we heard it, we’ve got something to say too.

Nene!

I feel the same as Rui.

If you don’t break through here and now, this show will never reach its full glory!

So push past it! No excuses!!

Tsukasa…

Nene-chan!

Today, give us your sparkliest, strongest Princess Heart!

Pleaaase....!!

Emu…

Let me say it again, Nene.

If you really want to be an actor worthy of the world stage, then this is the moment to show you can carry that weight.

I want to… I want to so badly…

But I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do…!

I’ve tried so hard… and you’ve all helped me so much, but… I’m… I’m just—

...Ah…

(…Why?)

(Why do they all look at me like that?)

(I’m saying I can’t… so why—?)

Nene.

You’re the only one who can lead this show.

We’ve felt that way from the very beginning.

(…Oh.)

(I see.)

(Everyone… believes in me.)

(They’re certain I’ll make this show a success—)

(They trust me. That’s why they can say things like that…)

(Then…)

(I have to—)

(—Respond to their trust.)

(Failing here would mean I’m no actor at all!!)

…Of course I will.

I’m about to step onto that big stage while carrying Wonderlands x Showtime’s name on my back.

As the lead, I’m going to do everything I’m meant to do no matter what!

I’m not giving them anything but my top performance!!

.........

Very well! Then let us go! To the stage that awaits us!

Indeed. Two thousand people are waiting in anticipation for our performance.

Let’s make eeeveryone suuuper smiley with our show!!

—Yeah.

Let’s go, everyone!

Yo, Asahi! Got a chance to say hi to Wonderlands Showtime yet?

…Nah. They were fired up, so I figured I shouldn’t kill the mood and just left them to it.

Wow, really? That’s not like you at all. You usually jump right in during moments like these.

…I wanted to really see them for myself.

Huh?

—I want to witness what they’re truly capable of.

Um… it’s almost showtime… right?

Whoa… look at that crowd!

You’re right....! There’re sooo many people!!

(Nene-chan, you got this…!)

"—Once upon a time, there lived a brave prince and a kind princess."

"The prince overcame many trials to rescue the princess who had been captured by the demon king, and—"

"Successfully defeat the demon king."

(…This feels strange.)

(Before today, all I ever focused on during practice was, “I can’t fail, I have to pull this off.”)

(But now—)

(I want to outdo every performance I’ve ever given—)

(I just… want to fill this place with more smiles than anywhere else in the world.)

(So please, everyone—)

(Lend me your strength!)

"Princess! I have defeated the demon king and come to rescue you!"

"Oh, my prince...! My beloved!"

"With you, I could go anywhere!"

"Bless, honestly… Did he really think a letter like this would be enough to make me happy?"

"I’m sure it’s just stuffed with his over-the-top praises again…"

“…'You, my flower; though you someday may wither, your beauty will live eternally in my heart'…”

"Oh come on…! How am I supposed to respond to this!?"

"Huff… huff… You said 'let’s run to a paradise of love,' so I followed you, only to end up in the castle garden!?"

"What’s the problem? Anywhere’s a paradise of love as long as I’m with you, Heart!"

“Heart, the way you look surrounded by flowers—why, you’re practically a flower fairy!”

“H—Hey! Cut it out with that stuff!”

"Hah hah hah! How wonderful would it be if this moment could last forever?"

"Huh?"

“If only I could leave the kingdom behind and spend my days peacefully with you… that would be the greatest joy I could ever have!”

"Bless?"

“Try to remember, Bless!”

“The Bless I knew would never say something so cold about his own people!”

"..…!"

(As expected of you, Nene! To pull out Heart's strongest portrayal right at the climax!)

(I can’t afford to fall behind either!!)