C'mon! I can do better than this!
No, it's too dangerous...!
I see... So that's what brought you here.
Yes.
I'm at a loss as to what to do.
I'm not consciously holding back or anything either...
Holding back...?
Has this ever happened before?
No, not really.
If anything, I've always done the opposite.
And for the finale, we'll all jump down from the wall. How does that sound?
It does sound fun... But it also seems a little dangerous.
I don't want to end up getting hurt or anything...
But it's going to be fun...! Everyone watching will love it and we can even place a trampoline for us to land on!
Ask someone else.
I'm not doing it.
Me neither. If I get hurt, my mom will get so mad at me.
Oh...
That paints a vivid picture...
There were a few kids who would get excited about my ideas.
But sooner or later, even they became fed up with me.
It kept happening again and again. Eventually there was no one left that wanted anything to do with me.
...
Rui...
Oh, Nene.
It's been a while...
I heard you're going to be the lead for a show. Congratulations!
Oh, yeah. Thanks.
And, um... How are you...?
I'm working on a solo project... But I haven't found anyone else like you that's willing to help.
Oh, I see...
Then would you like to join the troupe I'm in...?
I mean, uh...
Hehe. It's nice of you to invite me, but there's no need to pity me. I'm doing okay on my own, and it's for the best anyway.
I've got to go. I still have plenty of work left for my show. Good luck with yours, Nene.
R-Rui...
I know you're actually very considerate of others. I know this for a fact...
Your ideas sometimes sound crazy, but you take steps to make sure they're safe.
As long as they trust you and follow your instructions, they'll be fine. I know this because we used to try your ideas when we were little.
Hehe. Thank you, Nene.
These shows mean everything to me. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you, Tsukasa and Emu having fun while bringing what I wrote to life.
That's why the thought that I'm holding back doesn't make sense to me.
Yes, I understand.
Rui, you feel like you've found a place where you belong.
Huh?
You finally found a group of friends who let you unleash your full potential. Isn't this how you feel?
Well...
But you need to challenge yourself to make extraordinary performances! And I aim to be the world's greatest star!
If it's for the sake of entertaining my audience, I'll pull off even the most dangerous stunts with elegance and grace!
If it's to put on a good show, then I'll do anything!
Aaargh!!
...!!
...
It looks like you've figured it out.
Yes...
It started with that accident.
On a subconscious level, I must have been so afraid that Tsukasa would start hating me and leave, like everyone else did...
Somewhere along the way, I started to press the brakes out of not wanting to lose what took me so long to find...
I'm honestly surprised.
This never occurred to me...
Hehe...
I disappointed my friends, who are working so hard, over these fears. I let them down as their director...
Rui, your concerns are nothing to be ashamed of.
I'd like you lot to hear about this too.
Us?
You genuinely love these shows, so it's only natural that you'd want to preserve this place you've found.
Of course, nobody wants to see their friends get hurt in the process.
But you all share the same goal of wanting to put on great shows that will delight your audience.
Which is why it becomes important to find a balance, so that you can all move ahead together.
I'm sure Tsukasa will understand where you are coming from.
I think so too...
We can find a way to work things out.
I'm sure Tsukasa will come around too.
He's kind of a nutcase.
A show maniac if that even makes sense.
But I mean... You're one too, right?
I doubt he'll turn his back on you like this.
Hehe...
I really have found something special.
Which is why I need to make sure you guys can count on me.
Tsukasaaa! Calm down already...!
...Bwargh!
Ugh... Don't stop so suddenly like that...!
Emu, please tell me....
Hm?
Do you think Rui's shows are good?
Yeah! I LOVE them!
They remind me of Grandpa's shows!
Like they're super exciting from start to finish, and make you feel all fuzzy inside!
Exactly, I like that about them too.
And that's why I got so angry...
The four of us teamed up to create shows that are fun for everyone, but it was like Rui forgot what we were trying to achieve...
Well, it's not entirely his fault...
If that accident never happened, Rui wouldn't be like this now.
Huh...?
You mean you weren't just mad at Rui?
You were mad at yourself too?
Of course! I still am too! I killed the director's confidence, didn't I? I'm not a star, I'm a disgrace!
A real star inspires their director to entrust them with any role! To unleash their imagination and try new ideas!
Hehe♪ There's the Tsukasa we all know and love!
Hm?
Anyway, this is what I'm going to tell Rui tomorrow. The last time we spoke, I was at a loss for words...
Yeah! I'm sure he'll hear you out!