Okay, let's start discussing our next quarterly performance.

It's titled “Luca”.

And it was written just for this performance.

(They write stories just for these performances? But only the people at Morinomiya get to see them... Wow.)

I'll pass out the scripts now, so please take this time to flip through them quickly.

And don't forget to think about which roles you'd like to try auditioning for.

Understood!

(“Luca”...

I wonder what it's about.)

(Interesting...)

(The protagonist, Luca Roussel, is a kind boy from a family of nobles.)

(He falls in love with the princess he meets in the rose garden, and he decides to try to become a suitable partner for her.)

(However, it's also a period of civil unrest...

In order to quell the rebellious masses, he becomes more cunning and tyrannical.)

(Before he knows it, his cruel ways have resulted in the lives of tens of thousands being brutally cut short.)

(In time, he becomes the youngest person in the history of the military to be named a deputy commander, which reunites him with the princess.)

(However, she ends his reign of terror by cutting him down on the eve of a major suppression campaign.)

(Then, she weeps as she says, “I fell in love with the boy I met back in that garden. I didn't want to see your hands become even more stained in blood!!”)

(That's so sad...)

(But it also makes for a good story...

It's certainly dramatic, with the future of the country at stake.)

Are you free to talk for a bit, Kusanagi?

Huh...?!

Byakkomachi, hi!

If you'd like, I can take a minute to explain how these auditions work.

Oh, that's right. I haven't really been told anything yet. Thank you very much for taking the time to help me like this.

Hehe. There's no need to be so formal.

We're fellow classmates now.

Okay, thanks.

Then, I'll begin by explaining how these auditions will be run.

Their format is a bit unique compared to elsewhere. Over the course of two weeks, those who don't have what it takes will be cut along the way.

Cut...?

That's right.

In the beginning, everyone will be auditioning for their top choices.

However, because multiple people will be vying for each role, we have to take turns performing individual scenes in front of the teachers.

However, they can ask for the next person to go if at any point they feel that something is wrong.

What...?

Well, in the event they go through every candidate, they start over again with the first person.

The teachers are difficult to please.

They'll stop you the second you show any doubt.

Also...

At the end of each day, those who have been judged to lack what it takes will be barred from auditioning further.

...!

W-Wait, after that happens, what are those people supposed to do?

Audition for a different role.

If you want to stand on that stage, then you have no choice but to try for something else like your life depends on it. In other words, your flexibility is also being observed.

I see...

Which role do you plan on auditioning for, Kusanagi?

My plan is to audition for Luca.

Hehe. That's what I like to hear.

Luca's tricky, since you need to have very good singing and acting skills to do him justice. But playing him should also be a rewarding experience.

Then, does that mean...?

Yes, I'm going for the same role.

I won't be pulling any punches, Kusanagi.

Of course...!

(If Byakkomachi is going to audition for Luca, then things definitely aren't going to be easy...)

(But...)

(I want to try playing a male character.

And I should go for Luca if I am serious about growing as an actress.)

(So, I need to try my absolute best to win...!)

Now, we'll be doing a read-through.

We'll be holding rehearsal-style auditions starting tomorrow, so please have your lines memorized by then.

Understood!

Understood!!

Phew...

(There was so much tension in the air during that read-through. Things got competitive when we were with Shunmeiza and Mikazukigumi, but not to this level....)

(I need to be careful not to get overwhelmed.)

(Oh, that reminds me...)

(We're free to do whatever we want after this, so I might see if any of the others want to practice as a group. That should make it easier for me to learn my character.)

Let's see...

Oh, she's...

Oh, excuse me.

Would you like to practice together?

Huh? Together...?

I appreciate the invitation...

But I'm sorry.

I'd like to practice on my own.

Huh...?

There she goes...

I guess she doesn't like practicing with others...?

Then, I'll try asking someone else...

You're wrong.

Luca wouldn't get so emotional during this scene.

No, your interpretation is wrong.

He's having doubts because this is his first time taking up arms against the citizenry here. We should do it my way.

We should not!

Seriously, did you actually read the script?!

(Uh oh...)

(Things are getting pretty heated over there...)

Hey, stop it...!

Huh...?

Stop what?

Don't play dumb.

I know you were trying to peek at my notes just now.

I was not.

We may be vying for the same role, but that doesn't give you the right to make any baseless accusations.

If anything, my guess is that you came to spy on me practicing. You even copied me during the last audition.

What...?!

I just happened to land on the same interpretation as you.

U-Uhh...

Calm down, you two.

Oh...

We don't have much time to practice, so you shouldn't be spending any of it arguing.

But...!

I don't know if she did actually try to peek at your notes.

But I do know that this isn't how you should be using your time.

The same thing happened last time. While you two bickered, your competitors learned to play their characters better.

Also, even if you did somehow manage to win a role by spying on someone, the teachers will find out sooner or later.

Yeah, you're right...

...

So, let's all use our time productively.

Anyway, I'll see you all later.

...

(I don't understand...

This atmosphere... Everyone's acting like...)

(Nothing like this happened when we auditioned with the other troupes...)

(I knew that things would be tough at Morinomiya.)

(But...

To think that the dazzling shows I'm used to seeing are born out of this sort of environment...)

(No...!

The kind of environment I've been tossed into doesn't matter!)

(I've never auditioned for a character like Luca before. Not only is he challenging to play, there's fierce competition.)

(Which is why I'm sure to grow if I do somehow manage to win the role.)

(So, for the sake of my dream, I have to do absolutely everything in my power to play him!)