Pa-pe-pi-pu-pe-po-pa-po!

Pa-pe-pi-pu-pe-po-pa-po!

Alright, that's enough warming up!

Let's regroup!

*Nod*

What a glorious morning! The perfect backdrop to our departure.

Anyway, are you all ready?!

Yup!

I'm actually a little nervous. We get to start working with another troupe today...

Yes.

Robo-Nene will have to stay behind, and we'll need to get used to a drastically different environment.

At the same time...

I really wasn't expecting Shosuke's farewell gift to us to be so spectacular.

I feel the same way regarding that.

He and Keisuke connected us with three different troupes.

Shunmeiza, with whom we'll be working this time around, along with the Mikazukigumi and Morinomiya troupes.

They each have their own distinct styles, but they're all nationally renowned.

It's so cool how we get to work with all of them!

Not only that, they all agreed to devote time to helping us improve... I honestly couldn't be more grateful.

Hehe. Me too.

So, starting today, let's learn as much as we can from everyone in Shunmeiza.

Yeah!

Um, so... Shunmeiza's been around for a really, really long time, right?

Correct.

It's been in business ever since before the war, so it has quite an established history.

So much so that one of the big awards for theatrical performances is named after one of its founders.

Whoa! Is that true?!

It consists of about 200 members.

And the number is even higher if you include the directing and production teams that we'll be working with this time.

They have some young actors, but more of them are veterans. Some have even been on TV and in movies, so you might see some familiar faces.

Yeah, I've seen a few of them perform in TV dramas... I think that most people would say that Shunmeiza produces a lot of really skilled actors.

It's like they all know how to bring their characters to life... They make them feel so real, you know?

They make their characters feel that real, eh...?

(I've only seen videos of Shunmeiza's performances...)

(But everyone I saw was absolutely spectacular. I couldn't look away for even a second.)

(If I can learn how to do what they do, then I'll surely be able to take another big step as an actor.)

(So, Tsukasa Tenma, get ready to learn a lot! In order to become a star who makes people smile the world over!)

Hehe. He certainly seems ready.

Now, Emu, would you mind doing the usual for us?

Yeah, of course!

We're gonna practice lots and lots!

We're gonna do lots and lots to make our dreams come true! And we're gonna put lots and lots of wonderhoy smiles on people's faces!

Ready, you guys?! Wonderhoy!!

Wonderhoy!!

The director and cast members will be arriving shortly. Please wait here for them.

Y-Yes, of course!

Thank you!

*Sigh*

My nerves are beginning to fray. I suppose that's only natural when you're on another troupe's home turf.

Interesting. Even the great Tsukasa gets nervous in these kinds of situations?

Of course I'm nervous!

This is nothing like anything we've done before!

You're right, it isn't...

Even just this place. It feels completely different from the Wonder Stage.

Also, this isn't called a “stage” or “practice area”, but a “studio”, right? Why is that?

Now that you mention it, a “studio” sounds more like either buildings where they make movies or places where painters and sculptors work...

Yes, I would imagine that most others would also think of studios as places like that.

But a studio can actually be any place where a work of art is made. I imagine that that's why they call it that.

Really?!

That's actually kinda cool!

I see...

...

Hm?

Is something the matter, Nene?

No, it's just...

I didn't realize how so much thought could go into one word...

I'm starting to feel that we kinda don't belong here...

Huh?

It feels so...intellectual here...

I see...

Yes, when you put it that way, I somewhat understand...

But there's no need to fear!

We just need to show everyone that we're intellectual and cool by walking in with our heads held high!

Yeah, with our chins way up!

I mean, we have Rui on our side!

Emu, wait...

You're making it sound like Rui's the only one who's smart!

This is what I meant...

Now now.

I do agree that there's no need for us to worry.

Yes, Shunmeiza's plays aren't quite the same as the shows we put on, but I'm sure they'll welcome us with open arms.

Oh, someone's coming!

Ah, you must be Wonderlands×Showtime.

Apologies for the wait.

...!

(I'm seeing about twenty people.

A surprising number of them are young people.)

(And I have to think this man is the...)

It's a pleasure to meet you.

My name is Kato. I'm Shunmeiza's director, and I have the great honor of working with all of you starting from today.

(This is it! Our new chapter's finally about to begin...!!)