Wow, this place is huge...!

It's like a big gym!

So this is where Mikazukigumi practices.

Yeah, but we rent this place out.

We don't actually own it or anything.

Really?

We are a small troupe, after all.

Shunmeiza has their own theatre, while we find venues to rent for each of our performances.

And as far as troupe members go, this is just about all of our actors.

Listen up, everyone!

Wonderlands×Showtime has come to visit us!

We're Wonderlands×Showtime.

We look forward to working with you all starting today!

We look forward to working with you!

Oh, you guys are here!

We know your stay with us is gonna be short, but we're also really looking forward to working with you all!

You guys have been training with other troupes, right? That's so cool! You gotta tell us all about what you've been doing!

Everyone here seems very friendly...

Yeah, they're a cheery bunch!

Just relax and be yourselves. There's no need to feel nervous.

Oh... O-Okay! Thank you very much!

This is a totally different troupe compared to Shunmeiza...

It's great how no two troupes are alike!

Anyway, I'll have everyone introduce themselves a little later. For now, I'd like to discuss what you'll be doing with us...

During your month with us, I'll be asking you to work with the goal of becoming a part of one of our productions.

A whole month?

That's right. We're currently in the middle of getting our next production together...

However, we still haven't decided what show to put on, let alone assigned any roles.

So, depending on what your acting is like after one month with us... I'll be deciding whether to make you all an offer to be a part of it.

What?!

I see...

You'll be judging our skills based on our performance one month from now.

Exactly.

(So, he's testing us...?)

(Then...

Whether or not we get to be a part of their next production completely depends on how we act a month from now...!)

(I wanna be in it!

The others also have to be thinking the same thing!)

(So, we all gotta do our absolute best to perform well...!)

Obviously, we're here to help you, so we're not going to just toss you out onto the street if things don't go well.

But being included in our production is a different story.

Our goal is always to give our audience the best performances we possibly can. That isn't about to change, and I hope you'll all understand.

Yes, of course.

Good! Then, here's the script I want you to work with.

You guys choose which roles you want to play. We'll fill in the rest.

Once you've had a chance to read through it, a few of our members will lecture you on the basics of sword fighting and the sequences for this play.

Finally, at the end of today's practice, I'll have you all run the various climax scenes for each character.

I know I'm asking a lot, but I'm looking forward to seeing some good results...!

Of course!

Wow! This story's so good...!

I agree!

A pleasant surprise since I was expecting a much more serious historical drama!

Me as well. I guess it just goes to show that it's hard to miss with Ushiwakamaru.

Ushiwakamaru's real name was Minamoto no Yoshitsune, right...?

Yes, Ushiwakamaru was his name in childhood. The story of his life is a dramatic one that's constantly being told and retold even to this day.

And the story in this script is an adaptation of his legend.

Really?! That's so cool!

The parts where he and the tengu jump around those mountains, and the way he defeated big ol' Benkei was so awesome!

Indeed! The little guy winning against overwhelming odds... A timeless tale of heroism that everyone loves.

So, who's gonna play who?

Good question...

I think Emu should play Ushiwakamaru.

Huh?

W-Wait, you want me to be the lead...?!

Yes. I believe you'll have the easiest time out of all of us achieving a good grasp of Ushiwakamaru.

Yeah...

To be honest, this Ushiwakamaru's kinda tricky because he's such a free spirit. I had a hard time understanding what he was thinking most of the time...

But it's obvious that he likes to have fun and lives true to himself, which are traits that you both share, Emu. You probably won't have any trouble playing him.

You think so...?!

But are you sure...?

I thought either you or Tsukasa would've wanted to play the protagonist...

Yes... I obviously would like to play him.

But I have to think that there's a reason behind you making this suggestion, Rui...

There is. Whether or not we get to be a part of this troupe's next production hangs on how this play goes.

Also, it presents us with a new type of challenge.

You mean the sword fighting...?

If so, I feel the same in terms of assigning roles based on compatibility.

The last thing I want is to put on a half-baked performance because I had to frantically juggle acting and sword fighting.

...

Fair point.

Failure is not an option, and your suggestion may be our best one.

I'm sorry, Tsukasa, but I'd like to assign roles in a way which more or less guarantees high-quality performances.

Especially since getting to work on a production with the other members of Mikazukigumi would invariably lead to many learning opportunities for us. I hope you understand.

Well...

I agree with what you both just said.

Chasing two hares at once is bound to end in failure, which I'd like to avoid. And I'm sure Emu will do a magnificent job as the lead.

Does that mean...?

Ushiwakamaru is in your hands, Emu!

Okay...!

You can count on me!

I promise to shine as the coolest Ushiwakamaru ever!

Yes, we'll be looking forward to that!

Then, let's begin assigning our other roles...

Starting with Benkei...

(I get to play the lead...)

(I'm sure Tsukasa and Nene both really wanted to instead...)

(But they were willing to let me do it.

They think that'll make for the best performance.)

(That means I've gotta do my absolute best!)

(We're gonna make this play a big success...!)