After we spoke that day, I thoroughly weighed my options... To stay at Phoenix Wonderland as a member of Wonderlands×Showtime...

Or to work alongside you, Asahi, at ArcLand...

And I thought quite a lot about each option in terms of making my dream come true...

I see...

To be completely frank...

If I want to make my dream come true, I should accept your offer, Asahi.

...!

The practices we held together for our performance showed me just how skilled and passionate the cast members of ArcLand are.

It's a simple fact that no other place in Japan has such a group at its disposal.

Not only that, but ArcLand provides the perfect working environment for directors. I wouldn't have to make any of my own props...

So...

As a director, moving to ArcLand is what I should do...

Does that mean...?

...!

That's quite an expression you've got on your face...

Huh...?

My expression? What do you mean...?

You know what I mean.

I wish there were a mirror here.

Rui...

Thank you for considering my offer. I'm glad you took the chance to join us seriously.

But...

I have a feeling that your heart lies elsewhere.

...!

(Oh, I see...)

(I guess this means I...)

I noticed something when we were practicing together.

The way you direct is truly egalitarian. You're never biased towards anyone.

That being said, you show a great amount of trust in everyone from Wonderlands×Showtime.

You still want to do shows with them, right...?

...

*Sigh*

I wish things could've turned out differently...

Especially since it seems like I failed to make you think, “I want to direct for this guy!”

Which means I still have a long way to go as an actor.

That's not true.

You're already an incredible actor, Asahi.

Haha. Thanks.

But I want to get better for when we meet next time and really make you do a double take.

Asahi...

Still, I understand how you feel...

I was blown away by Tsukasa's acting today. Compared to who I spoke to before the show, it's like he was a completely different person.

Nene and Emu also did an admirable job of keeping up with us.

If I had friends like that, I'd want to do everything I can to make them shine on stage. I'd want to see how they grow moving forward...

Yes...

To me, Wonderlands×Showtime is...

A precious jewel that perpetually glows with color and brightness.

That's a nice expression.

Anyway, I'll ask you again when you graduate from high school.

Until then, Rui, I'll be waiting. On the world's stage...

Asahi...

Hehe. I'm sure you... No, I'm sure all of you will be able to catch up to me in no time.

Yes, we will.

In that case, let's both keep doing our best. For the sake of our friends!

Yes, let's.

I'm back, everyone.

Oh, Rui...

Ah, there you two are!

Where have you been all this time?

We finished cleaning up what we were assigned to, so we decided to have a little chat. We apologize for disappearing like that partway through.

No, it's our last day together, so it makes sense that you wanted to talk. Mind if I ask what the subject was?

Well, we talked a little bit about the future...

The future...?

That's awfully vague.

But this show did make me think a little about my own future.

It did?

I realized that my acting skills need a lot of work.

Getting to work with the cast members of ArcLand like this reminded me that the road to stardom is a long one.

So, in order to become a world-class star that really shines, I'll need to learn as much as I can from actors like Asahi moving forward.

You as well, Rui!

Yes.

I'll be glad to help you, future star...

Anyway, now that our final ambassadorial performance has come to a close...

Let's start thinking about the next show we'll be doing at the Wonder Stage. I already have a mountain of ideas that I want you all to...

Oh, Nene, does this mean...?!

Yeah...

I'm not sure what happened...

But he seems a lot better now.

Hehe... I can eat lots more...

Hnng... My shoulders feel...so heavy...

Hehe.

Sounds like they're having some nice dreams.

Hm? Rui, you're awake?

I thought you'd fallen asleep considering the day we had.

I had a few things on my mind is all. Aren't you going to sleep, Tsukasa?

Actually, I've been thinking about a few things as well.

Oh? May I ask what's on your mind?

The fact that we won't be putting on any more ambassadorial performances. It's been bothering me a little...

Why's that...?

As I mentioned a little while ago, this experience gave me an opportunity to learn quite a lot from Asahi and the others...

I suppose it's only natural for skill gaps to appear when performing in shows alongside good actors...

But learning something new topped all of that, and it ended up being very fun.

Yes, I agree.

I had fun as well.

I can tell that you were able to learn several new things while working alongside Asahi this past month, Tsukasa.

Yes, I knew it! You saying that means the changes I've been feeling are real!

Still, I'm saddened by how our ambassadorial performances are coming to an end. After all, we were able to meet and work with these incredible people because of them...

As a future star, I sure hope that I'll get more opportunities to really grow like this...

But there's no use crying over spilled milk!

We have a duty to fulfill as cast members of Phoenix Wonderland. Let us do what we can for it!

Right...

Well...

You have clear goals that you wish to accomplish, Tsukasa.

You care deeply about doing your best as a cast member of Phoenix Wonderland and making your own dream come true...

Rui...

Hehe. To be fair, I'm just paraphrasing what somebody else said.

But no one has the right to step on your true feelings.

I see...

Hearing you say that is very encouraging.

And yes, you have a point...

For the sake of Phoenix Wonderland, as well as my own dream, it may be good to look at things that way moving forward.

Yawn... I'm getting sleepy all of a sudden.

You should rest. I'm sure you're very tired after doing two performances today. I'll wake you when we arrive at our station.

Okay, thank you.

Then, I'll be going to sleep for a bit...

...

*Snore*

Hehe.

What a lively snore.

Tsukasa's also been thinking about what we'll be doing moving forward...

(Sooner or later, we're all going to set out to achieve our own goals...)

(Things are fun now, but that may change in an instant.)

(I suspect I'll have moved on by the time that happens.)

(Or no...?)

(Look at me. When am I going to grow a spine and learn to be more decisive...?)

(However, I did learn one thing from this experience...)

(I want to keep doing shows with my friends. More than I previously realized...)

(So, for now, I'll keep holding onto both...)

(My desire to make my dream come true and my desire to keep putting on shows with my friends.)

(But it could be possible for us to stay together and make all our dreams come true... I'll try coming up with a way.)

(Hehe. I'm such a romantic...)

(But I want to see that future.)

(So, I should do everything I can right now to make that happen...)