*Sigh*

(I didn't have much of an appetite during breakfast.)

(I guess I'm just that nervous about us working with a different troupe starting today...)

(From what I've heard, the one we're visiting, Shunmeiza, doesn't really do musicals.)

(Which means I can't sing my way out of this... Am I gonna be okay...?)

(Still...)

(They're famous for emphasizing acting technique, and a lot of them have gone on to appear on TV and stuff.)

(As nervous as I am...

I'm really excited about getting to see how they all practice.)

Morning, Nene.

Oh... Rui. Morning.

Wait, did you just run over here?

Yes, after seeing you walking down the street. I thought we could head over together and—

Wh-What?

Nothing. Just that you do look slightly pale.

I was wondering if you got enough sleep last night.

Oh...

No, I can't say that I did.

I'm actually feeling really nervous right now.

But you don't need to worry about me. It's not like I'm sick or anything.

Oh, okay. If you say so...

But I understand how you feel.

Shunmeiza is, after all, one of Japan's most famous theatre troupes.

Yeah...

And we've somehow been invited to go learn from them...

How do we even begin thanking Emu's brothers for this?

I know what you mean. I plan on learning as much as I can since they're giving me a chance to talk to the directing and production teams.

Yeah, opportunities like this don't come around often...

I'm really nervous...

But I also wanna make the most of it by figuring out ways to grow...!

Hehe...

Wh-What is it now?

I was just thinking that you've changed so much, Nene.

I wouldn't have put it past the old you to say, “No, I can't do this! I'm going home...!”

Hey...

I know I've changed, but I doubt I would've actually said, “I'm going home!” after coming this far.

While we're on the subject, Rui, as far as I can remember, this sort of situation hasn't ever bothered you.

Ah, that's because the excitement of encountering the unknown overpowers any nerves.

But if I had to say...

Go on...

I felt very nervous when Tsukasa tested out that jump-assistance backpack since there was a small risk of him exiting the atmosphere...!

I mean, what if my hand slipped and accidentally raised the setting too high?

*Sigh*

I should've known. You started off looking all serious...

Also, you made another really dangerous contraption? What if it explodes or something...?

Ah, this one's different from the one that failed before. It's designed to give the user the ability to perform acrobatic stunts that are bound to stun the audience.

Yeah, I'd be stunned too if I saw someone exit the atmosphere...

Huh? Oh, Emu just messaged the chat. What'd she say...?

<Nene, Rui, where are you guys?>

Wait, it's already time for us to meet!

Oh, you're right. And Tsukasa's sent a barrage of stamps asking where we are.

As much as I was enjoying our stroll, Nene, we should hurry over.

R-Right...!

(Huh...?)

(I was so nervous just now...

But I feel a lot better now for some reason.)

Hehe.

We hardly ever run together like this.

If only we had some high-speed running shoes we could put on, then we'd never be late...

No, stop thinking about making another crazy contraption right now...!

Argh!

Emu and Tsukasa keep sending stamps...

(There's always so much going on when I'm with the others that I never have time to feel nervous. But...)

(That actually helps me a lot.)

(As we visit these troupes, we're probably gonna be faced with our fair share of challenges.)

(But we should do just fine as long as we all work together.)