Ah, I see... It's usually assigned seating in here, but they made it free seating for their ambassadorial performance. Where would you like to sit, Akito?

Wherever works for me.

Still... I wasn't expecting them to be performing somewhere that's a two-hour train ride away.

I apologize for taking time out of your day off, but I really want you to see this show since Tsukasa struggled so much with it.

Yeah, I get that.

Anyway, I'm just hoping for something a little more serious than the show he did for the School Festival...

Hey, how about these seats?

Yes, this feels like a nice distance away from the stage. Let's sit here.

We made it!

Just in time too...

This place was further than I expected. I guess they really are park ambassadors since they get to perform somewhere like this.

This might be my first time seeing Tsukasa and his troupe perform outside of PXL.

Not only that, Tsukasa was supposed to play the piano today. I'm really looking forward to that.

We never really got to hear him play the piano despite how many shows he used to do for us at Saki's house.

Heh heh heh!

That means you all get to see a really cool side of Tsukasa today!

Hehe. Oh, Saki.

Hey, I think it's about to start.

“We will now be presenting Wonderlands×Showtime's ambassadorial performance of 'A Pianist Named Thorpe'.”

Hehe. I can't wait to see what it's like.

“*Sigh*

I made it through to the final round of auditions.”

“This is it. I might actually pass this time. My usual problems shouldn't get in my way...”

“Alright, next is... Thorpe.

Whenever you're ready.”

“O-Okay...!!”

“I can do it... I'll be fine.

I just have to play like I practiced...!”

“H-Here goes nothing...!”

“Hmm...

How unfortunate...”

“Th-Thank you very much...”

“No...!

Why does this keep happening to me...?! At this rate, I'm never going to be able to join a band...!”

...

Huh...?

I didn't know he could play this kind of character.

“*Sigh*”

“The bandleader suggested that I enter into that contest to build my courage, but how can I possibly do well if I keep freezing up when playing for just two or three people...?”

“No, I don't have a choice...

I... I want to keep playing the piano...”

Tsukasa seems different from usual...

He really does...

Almost like he's a completely different person...

“Thank you for playing so beautifully for us, Mr. Pianist! Now, if you'll excuse us!”

“They're finally gone. I can practice in peace now... But there might not be any point now since the contest is tomorrow.”

“*Sigh*

I only have half a day left...”

“The stars... They're so beautiful...”

(Thorpe at this point hasn't given up yet...)

(He knows he's in a desperate situation, but from the bottom of his heart, he also knows that he doesn't want to stop playing the piano...)

(And so, he looks up to the stars...)

(I'm sorry for ever saying that you lack initiative...)

(I understand now that you kept persevering. You kept trying despite all odds...)

“And it's the day of the contest.

Thanks to them, I was hardly able to practice at all...”

“The seats are... Oh, it's a full house.

I'm getting dizzy just thinking about having to play in front of all of them.”

“No, I just want to...”

“Entry number 20!

Thorpe!”

“I just want to keep playing.”

(Thorpe lives to play the piano.

He needs it more than anything else.)

(And the most important thing to me is...)

Wait, this song...

Tsukasa...

Hey, not bad.

Yes...

It's like each note's being wrapped in light.

(They're just like stars...

This must be what Thorpe always saw dotting the sky.)

“Oh no...!

It's over already...?”

“That was magnificent, Thorpe!”

“B-Bandleader!

All I did was play to the best of my abilities...”

“Which is why it was so magnificent.

The old you would've frozen up knowing that you were playing in front of so many people.”

“But look at you now.

Despite playing for a full house, you maintained your focus and played the entire way through.”

“How did you practice to get this good? Could it be that you found someone to listen to you play?”

“Oh...!

Some animals visited me and...!”

“Wait, uh... Nevermind!”

“You sure? Anyway, the audience is calling for an encore. Mind giving us another?”

“Yes, of course...!”

“Everyone... Including my little friends... Here's my encore.”

“Looking back, those animals really seemed to enjoy the way I played the piano. Some danced, some twirled, some slept and some were even cured of what was ailing them...”

“That may've been the first time anyone listened so intently to the way I played...”

“So, thank you all very much...”

(Yes, Thorpe, I understand now...

You have your piano and I have my shows.)

(Let's give everyone who's been there for us some of this light as a small token of our appreciation...)

Tsukasa... He's shining so brightly...

Yay!

The crowd's smiling so much!

Yeah, I think they really liked it.

This means our next show's a sure thing, right?

Yes...

However... All this fatigue is hitting me at once now...

Well done, Tsukasa.

You took a massive step towards making your dreams come true. As your friend and director, I couldn't be happier.

I appreciate it...!

And it's all thanks to you and everyone, Rui!

Oh, that reminds me.

We should go say hi to Saki and everyone!

Yes, that's right!!

I'll join you!!

I really had my doubts, but he pulled through for us in the end...

Yes, he did.

That's our troupe leader for you!

Alright, let's wait for them here!

Hm...?

Excuse me... Didn't you play the protagonist today? Are you free right now?

Yes, I am!

How can I help you?

I actually live just nearby and decided to stop by for today's show.

You did such a wonderful job.

It was as if the stage sparkled with light.

...!

I'll be rooting for you, so keep it up.

Thank you very much...!

I really appreciate it!

(I don't know what to say...)

(This performance only became possible after asking for everyone's help, and I'm the one being praised.)

(Plus, I was able to tap the memories from when I was little, including the pain and sadness I felt, in order to play this role. I couldn't be happier...)

(And to keep growing as an actor, I want to keep experiencing more and more new things.)

Alrighty then...!!

I vow to keep learning as much as I can and become a true star!!

Hey, that voice... It's Tsukasa!

Ah, that must be Saki I'm hearing...!

Saki!!

<Up, up, up we go...!

Oh, Tsukasa's talking with his friends!>

<Be careful, Miku.

What if someone sees you peeking out of his phone?>

<No, I wanna congratulate Tsukasa too!>

<Hehe. I understand how you feel, but that may have to wait until later...>

Thank you for coming!!

Allow me to show you my appreciation as a future star!!

<Hehe...!!

Good for you, Tsukasa☆>