So this is the venue...?
Toya, you're serious about this...?
Yes, I am. It'll be my first time performing in a place like this, so I want to give it everything I have.
Dude, I get that you like being a nice guy and all, but you didn't have to agree to something like this...
No, I take that back. You would've said yes no matter what...
(I was kinda looking forward to taking a breather at MEIKO's place once we were done with morning practice too...)
(He just had to ask Toya to do this...)
Alright, let's take a break here.
Okay. I'm getting thirsty too, so I think I'll go buy something to drink.
Then, you wanna head over to SEKAI?
MEIKO said that she'd be adding stuff to her menu and there's something I want to try too.
Yeah, you're right...
Pancakes with extra whipped cream, right...? It might be a little too much for me...
Hm? My phone's ringing...
Oh, it's Saki...?
Saki? Who's that?
Tsukasa's younger sister.
I have a feeling it has to do with the thing I was talking about...
Oh, right. You mentioned something about going to her Doll Festival party the other day too.
But it's rare for her to call me directly. I wonder what's going on...
Hello, this is Aoyagi.
<T-Toya?! Thank goodness...
I got a hold of you...!>
Is something the matter?
<I actually need to sort of ask you a favor...>
A favor?
<If you have time that is...>
I was hoping that you'd be able to fill in for Tsukasa at work for him...!
<At work...?
You mean at Phoenix Wonderland...?>
Uh, no! Not that!
Tsukasa works as an extra whenever Phoenix Wonderland is closed. He said that he has to be able to work wherever if he wants to become a star...!
And today's one of those days, but Tsukasa isn't feeling all that well...
He isn't? Is he okay?
<Yeah, he is. The doctor even said that it's just a little tummy ache. But he still says it hurts pretty bad, so I've been telling him to take the day off...>
<He wouldn't listen and tried to go anyway. He said that a star can't let something like this get in the way of work.>
Tsukasa does take his obligations rather seriously...
<Yeah, but he's hunched over by the door right now because of how much his stomach hurts...!>
<I even called his temp agency and they said that anyone will do, so I was hoping that Tsukasa would agree to take the day off once I did find someone...>
<I know this is really sudden and I'll understand completely if you say no!>
But who else would you call for this...?
<...>
<I'm not sure...
It has to be a male cast member, but I don't have that many guy friends...>
<I tried calling Tsukasa's friend from his troupe, but I couldn't get a hold of him...>
I see...
<No...! Tsukasa, you can't go...! I'm looking for a replacement right now...!>
...
What's up, Toya?
Something going on?
Sorry, Akito.
There's something I have to do.
Huh?
I'll do it.
I'll be his replacement.
What?! You will?!
Thank you so much, Toya!
You're the biggest lifesaver ever!
<It's okay. Tsukasa's always been there for me so...>
Uh, Toya...
What did you mean when you said “replacement” just now?
Also, I thought I heard “his” name just now...
I'll be replacing Tsukasa as an extra today.
Huh?
You're gonna be an extra?
More importantly, why are you the one that has to do this?!
He's not feeling well it seems, and Saki just asked me to go in his place.
He's helped me so many times in the past, so I'd like to repay him somehow.
But you've never done any acting before. You really think you can be an extra?
That is true. I don't have much acting experience, but I'd like to give it my best shot...
Your best shot...?
<Toya, are you still there...? Tsukasa just said that he'll pay you back later...!>
Understood. Please give him my regards as well.
<I will! I'll have him send you everything about where to go and what to do!>
Okay.
Thank you, Saki.
Dude...
I apologize for agreeing to do this on a practice day, Akito. I promise to make up for it later.
It's fine. I know that you won't budge even if I asked you not to do this...
Thanks.
I'll be going then...
But him acting...?
As an extra for a wedding too...
That should be enough resistors, plus any extras I may need. Oh, I should buy more crimp connectors while I'm at it...
<Whoa! That's awesome!>
<It's so cool how you're using stuff like this as props, Rui...!>
Hehe. Do you like it?
Would you like to make some as well, Len?
<Me? Really? Yeah!
I wanna make a rocket that can fling you into the sky!>
Of course. Let's make one together.
While we're at it, why don't we make it so that you can fly with it?
<Me, flying? Like Tsukasa...?>
Yes. I'm sure it'll be quite an experience.
(Although Tsukasa does always scream his head off when that does happen...)
I'll head over to SEKAI so we can get started. Len, I'll need my phone for this, so if you don't mind... Oh?
I've missed quite a few calls. I may've been a little too absorbed with my shopping.
They're from... Tsukasa's sister and Tsukasa...? Oh, speak of the devil...
Hello... You sound like you're at death's doorstep, but this is you, yes, Tsukasa? How can I help?
Being an extra...?
Oh, you mentioned that before.
Aoyagi's going in your place?
In that case, please take care.
You should get some well-deserved rest for a change.
<Is Tsukasa okay?>
He was scheduled to be an extra for something today but he unfortunately has a stomachache.
His younger sister, Saki, asked his friend, Aoyagi, to fill in for him instead...
But Aoyagi doesn't have much acting experience and he became somewhat worried.
He asked me to go and take a look to see if he needs any help or if they need more people on site.
<Oh, okay...
Are you gonna go, Rui?>
Tsukasa said that it was up to me and based on my interactions with Aoyagi during the School Festival, he seemed like a good kid.
On top of that, they have staff on site to help with any actual acting and direction, so I imagine he'll be just fine...
By the way, Len, have you ever been to a wedding...?
<What? A wedding?>
<I've only read about them in scripts and stuff, but I've never actually seen or been to one before. Why do you ask...?>
Then it's settled.
Let's go together, Len.
I'm sure it'll serve as a good reference for your own shows as well.