We're here!

Where do you think Miku and the others are!

If they're not here, they're probably at KAITO's tent, right?

Then, let's go go go!

I really wanna tell them about our next show♪

Yes, I'm sure they'll want to join in on the action. Miku in particular is probably going to exclaim, “That sounds like fun☆ I wanna be in it too☆”

Hehe. I agree.

...

...?

What's wrong, Rui?

Oh, um... I was just wondering about something...

Wondering about what?

Just how many of my ideas the cast members from ArcLand are going to be willing to accept?

...!

Rui...

Ah, don't worry.

It's not actually bothering me that much.

However, after that wedding, the night show and the Sports Festival... I've come to understand that not all are willing to go along with my ideas...

But it's okay.

I was simply wondering how far I'll be able to go with our final ambassadorial performance.

I'm sure we'll get to do lots!

I mean, your ideas are always super duper fun, Rui!

Exactly!! Your directing is invaluable to us!! I say use whatever ideas you see fit!!

Hehe. Thank you all very much.

I said NO!

No, I wanna do it! I'm gonna do it!

Hm?

Those voices...

Hey, look over there! It's Miku and everyone!

What are they doing?!

Ah, there you all are.

Unfortunately, we have a slight situation on our hands...

What kind of situation?

See the birdie plushie talking to Miku right now? They're arguing about whether or not to do a show on the flying train.

Oh, on the train?

We did that with KAITO once.

That's actually the reason.

Our feathery friend here wishes to do the same thing...

A show that's full of acrobatic stunts performed on top of the train.

On top of it? With everyone? That sounds pretty dangerous...

I agree...

Doing a show like that has certainly crossed my mind before...

From what I saw before, there's no way to actually operate the train, and it seems to just fly off on its own sometimes. As a result, that endeavor ended up being too risky.

We even thought about how to use wires and such, but couldn't think of what to do if they got tangled up...

So, we said that we shouldn't do a show up there. But...

I mean, it'd be pretty hard to pull off if you can't fly like a birdie. And even the others who can fly said they were scared...

But I can do it!

I don't care if no one else can! I'll do it by myself!

What?!

W-Wait!

As much as they want to do a show, no one else is willing to participate...

That sounds like the old me.

I wish I could help out somehow...

We also want to help.

That's why we've been trying to come up with an alternative.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take up so much of your time with this... You're all here to practice, yes?

Actually, we stopped by to tell you about what we'll be doing for our next show.

Oh? Please continue.

As it turns out, we're going to be performing a show alongside some cast members from the world-famous theme park, ArcLand.

Oh, that sounds like fun!

Do you know what your show is going to be about?

Not yet. We're scheduled to meet with them tomorrow. Our plan is to discuss ideas with them when we do.

Break a leg, everyone!

This should end up being a nice experience for all of you.

Thank you. We hope so too.

Oh, Miku's back...!

*Sigh*

Birdie flew away...

Hmm... What do we do? Isn't there a way for us to do a fun show together...? Huh...?

Hey, when did you guys get here...?!

We heard about what happened.

How are things going? It sounds like you're in a tough pickle...

Hmm... Well...

I really don't know what to do...

And Birdie flew away all angry and frustrated...

*Sigh*

Miku...

But sighing isn't gonna help us put on a fun show...

I'll keep trying to come up with a way that the plushies can do one...!

Hehe. Me too.

Let's work together so that they can put on a good show.

Please feel free to ask us if you need any help.

Okay!

Thanks!

Hmm...

As glad as I am that we got to tell them about our next show, it was a bit strange to see them in such a predicament.

Yes, it was...

Shows can involve a large number of people all fixated on different goals, which can lead to some unpleasant situations.

Yeah...

We'll need to keep that in mind for our own show...

Us too?

Yeah, because we're gonna be performing with a new set of people. There's probably gonna be some growing pains...

We'll be fine!

We just have to get to know each other and...! Oh, I know! We should have some food or snacks together! Then we'll be friends in no time!

Hehe. What, like eating from the same plate or something?

Actually, that may not be a bad idea.

We should do that if we get the chance.

Yay!!

Okay!

Then, let's do our best to put on an excellent show together!

Hmm...!

Soon... No, not yet... But they should be...!

This feels like déjà vu...

I guess he did the same thing the day before yesterday.

I can't wait for them to get here♪

How should we greet them? Oh, what if I flew down from above?!

That'd definitely get their attention, but you'd also probably scare them. Let's save that for some other time.

Okay, let's save it for then!

Hehe.

Alright, it's just about time...

Please enjoy the rest of your visit.

Yes, we intend to!

Hm! Is that...?!

I'm seeing... Seven of them.

Wait, that person at the front looks really familiar...

I-Isn't that Asahi Genbu?!

Asahi Genbu...?

Wait, THE Asahi Genbu?!

Huh? Where?! Gen-who?!

Genbu. His name's Genbu.

Asahi Genbu... He's a young actor who's been attracting quite a bit of attention lately. On top of being a central figure at ArcLand, he's been appearing in movies and TV shows.

He's supposed to be a remarkable actor, so I'm looking forward to seeing how he performs in person.

Oh, he's also famous for being among the first to be asked to perform at the Center Theatre.

The Center Theatre...?

So, ArcLand has a lot of stages, but you can only perform on that one if you're both young and really good.

Wait, really?!

ArcLand certainly has been putting a lot of resources into their stage performances recently. They've been recruiting the best up-and-coming actors and directors, while also providing them with an environment in which they can all thrive.

I'd seen Asahi Genbu a number of times before on TV... But to think that he's actually here...

Oh...

Huh...?!

(Th-This pregnant pause...!

Wh-What's going on?!)

(No, calm down! A star should know how to keep their cool in these situations. Just greet him like normal and...)

It's...

It's?

It's really you!! WXS in the flesh!!

Huh...?

Everyone! It's really WXS!

Look, it's Miles! He's literally right in front of us...!!

Miles?!

O-Oh, from the night show...

W-Would it be okay if we shook hands?!

O-Of course!! Why not...?!

C-Calm down, Asahi!

How can I?!

They're WXS! The ones who came up with that night show!

Haha... I guess there wasn't much we could do to avoid this...

H-He's way different from what I was expecting...

He seems really fun and energetic!

Oh no! I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself!

My name is Asahi Genbu.

I'm beyond ecstatic about being given this opportunity to put on a show with all of you!

We're cast members for Tokyo ArcLand's Center Theatre, and we very much look forward to working with you!

Yes, uh...!

We look forward to working with you as well!

We are Wonderlands×Showtime!

And I am the troupe leader, Tsukasa Tenma!

Hehe.

He's very different compared to when he appears on TV and such...

But he seems like an interesting person.

I-I'm Nene Kusanagi...

I started acting when I was little after joining a children's theatre group. One thing led to another and I ended up performing at the Wonder Stage.

Also... I like singing very much!

I-I'm looking forward to working with all of you, and promise to do my best!

Geez, I thought my heart was gonna stop...

That was a really wonderhoy speech, Nene! Oh, it might've been more wonderhoy if you sang!

M-Maybe next time...

Alright, now that we've had a chance to introduce ourselves, why don't we start discussing the details for our ambassadorial performance?

Yes, let's!

Oh! Then, can I start?!

Since we're gonna be performing at the Museum of Emerging Technologies, what if we did something futuristic?!

F-Futuristic? You always come up with these vague suggestions...

Yeah, but...

I think she has the right idea. I mean, we usually try to match these performances to the venue's theme.

Right...

As usual, it's best to make the most out of where we'll be.

I'm sure our audience will also appreciate how it goes with the museum's theme and see it as a special experience.

Ah, I see...

So that's how you come up with your ideas for shows.

We generally try to fully utilize the stage or venue for our performances. Besides that...

(I want to make full use of the talent ArcLand has given us.)

(Asahi Genbu in particular since he's multitalented... He has a knack for quickly getting into character for whatever role he's assigned. Some even call him a genius for being able to do that...)

(Not only that, but Tsukasa, Nene and Emu stand to learn quite a bit from seeing him perform.)

(Ideally, we'll be able to maximize what we get out of this experience.)

(Especially for the sake of Tsukasa and Nene, who both dream of seeing the world.)

(So, something that makes use of our venue while also helping improve everybody's skills...)

I suggest that we do “The Two Androids”.

“The Two Androids”?

Ah, yes...

That would go well with the museum.

Are you familiar with “The Two Androids”, Genbu?

It's a hidden gem in terms of science-fiction stories. A friend of mine recommended it to me and read it for the first time at a library in Japan when I was in sixth grade.

Oh, what a coincidence.

I read the Yoshio Ueda translation when I was in elementary school.

You too, Kamishiro?! That's the version I read! But looking back, I had a lot of trouble getting my head around how it was written...

Hehe. So did I.

I'm not sure it was meant to be read by elementary schoolers.

Exactly!

I tried reading the original when I was in junior high school and actually had an easier time understanding it.

(I already had a hunch, but I suppose it's only natural for the young stars of ArcLand to have been exposed to old classics like this one...)

(But he said “a library in Japan” just now... Does that mean he spent time living abroad for a time?)

So, what's “The Two Androids” actually about?

Oh, about that.

Allow me to give a quick synopsis...

It takes place 100 years in the future in a laboratory where the two androids reside.

They were so new that the professor who made them still hadn't gotten around to programming in any knowledge.

However, one day, other humans discover them. Soldiers from Nations A and B.

Both sides sought to weaponize them, which led to each nation taking one android for themselves.

With a bit of luck, Alfred, the android that was taken by Nation A, managed to escape the clutches of the military and find refuge in the home of some kind-hearted pioneers at the edge of the wilderness. Alfred would begin learning more about the world.

Meanwhile, Bartlett, the android that was taken by Nation B, underwent the process of becoming a weapon of war.

Oh no! That's terrible!

But it makes for an interesting story.

Then, during the final scene, they're reunited in the battle-scarred wasteland that was the pioneers' home.

One android was taught the value of human kindness, while the other was only shown how to cruelly inflict pain onto others. Despite originating from the same place, they ended up walking down starkly different paths.

Wh-What happens next?!

What happens next...? Hehe...

You'll just have to read the script to find out.

Wh-What...?!

You're really not gonna tell us?! You pretty much told us the whole story!

Yeah, I wanna know too!

Haha! You're quite the storyteller.

But I agree. You should all read what happens for yourselves.

Yes, my point exactly.

So, Genbu, promise not to tell them what happens.

Of course!

Oh, speaking of which...

Please, call me Asahi.

If it's okay with all of you, I'd like to call you by your first names as well.

Yes, Asahi, please do.

Alright, now that we have our story, let's start choosing roles!

Ah, about that.

I actually have an idea regarding who will be leading...

You do?

Yes.

I'd like you and Asahi to play our two androids, Tsukasa. How does that sound?