| Tsuzuru | Hmm…. |
| Izumi | Tsuzuru-kun, you’re still up? |
| Tsuzuru | Director…. |
| Izumi | Is the script giving you trouble? |
| Tsuzuru | Yeah, I’m pretty much stuck. |
| I had a lot of trouble figuring out the ending to Clockwork, too, but this is the first time where I can’t think of anything at all. |
| Izumi | Where are you stuck? |
| Tsuzuru | I just can’t figure out Chikage-san at all. |
| When I write roles for people, I usually get inspiration from their inner self—which I see as we live together. I use that inspiration to create a cast of characters and build a story. |
| But I can’t do that at all this time. |
| Izumi | Chikage-san is sort of enigmatic. |
| Tsuzuru | Yeah… How should I put it—he’s unfathomable; it seems like he’s hiding his inner face in all sorts of ways… |
| I can’t see what’s going on even when I’m talking to him, and the more I think about it, the more stuck I get. |
| Izumi | We should get everyone together and talk it through—Chikage-san too. |
| Tsuzuru | Yeah. |
| |
| Izumi | So does anyone have ideas for the next performance? |
| Sakuya | How about a story about a Magician!? |
| Chikage | We can make use of my special skill that way. |
| Citron | Why don’t we have him play a princess? |
| Masumi | Too tough. |
| Sakuya | Chikage-san is talented and carries himself smoothly, so he might actually pull it off. |
| Izumi | Chikage-san, do you have any requests? Is there any sort of role you want to play, or any kind of story… |
| Chikage | I’m the lead, so I guess something like a hero role would be the best? Though a typical salaryman role seems like it’d be good experience… |
| Well, it’s my first time standing on stage, so I’ll just do my utmost. |
| I’ve enjoyed every single storyline from MANKAI Company’s performances, so I’ll be satisfied with any kind of role. |
| Izumi | Is that so…? |
| (I guess there’s nothing specific he wants to do.) |
| (He accepted the lead role rather easily, too… I don’t think he doesn’t want to perform, but it’s bothering me a little.) |
| Itaru | What about a period drama? |
| Citron | “Oh, spare me, sir!”[1] |
| Izumi | Now that you mention it, we haven’t done that sort of thing. |
| Tsuzuru | True… |
| |
| Izumi | I guess that’s enough? |
| Tsuzuru | I’ll take these ideas and mull them over. |
| Izumi | Yup. Then that’s enough for today. |
| Chikage-san, can you stay for a bit longer? |
| Chikage | Sure. |
| Izumi | Nice work, everyone. |
| Tsuzuru | Nice work. |
| Sakuya | Nice work! |
| Masumi | Nice work. |
| Citron | MASUMI Security isn’t activated!? |
| Itaru | Even though Director-san and senpai are alone together? |
| Masumi | …He’s probably fine. |
| |
| Chikage | Do you have business with me? |
| Izumi | I’m going to get straight to the point… |
| Chikage-san, do you really want to act? Are you really going to continue theater from now on as well? |
| Chikage | Of course. I’m here because I want to act, and I want to act for as long as I can. |
| But I do have work, and I don’t know what will happen in the future, so I can’t promise that I’ll be here forever. |
| When my child is born, I’ll have to raise them, too. |
| Izumi | Eh!? You’re going to have a child!? |
| Chikage | I’m kidding. |
| Izumi | …. |
| Chikage | It’s just an example. If something unexpected happens, I’ll have to quit, right? |
| Izumi | That’s true, but… For now, you’re not planning on any of that? |
| Chikage | Yup. |
| Izumi | (He still doesn’t look incredibly enthusiastic, though; I really don’t know what he’s thinking...) |
| Chikage | Is that all? |
| Izumi | ...Yes. |
| Chikage | Nice work. See you. |
| Izumi | (Ah, there’s something on Chikage-san’s shoulder—) |
| Chikage-san, there’s something on your shoulder—. |
| Chikage | ——. |
| Izumi | ? I-I’m sorry for surprising you—. |
| Chikage | …. |
| Izumi | Chikage-san? |
| Chikage | ...Could you not touch me? I don’t like girls. |
| Izumi | Eh… |
| Chikage | ...See you. |
| *Door closes* |
| Izumi | (I’ve never seen him make such a scary face. He looked like he was 100% his true self there.) |
| (But he doesn’t like girls—so do I just avoid touching him? If he doesn’t even want to talk to me, I’ll need to reconsider how I interact with him…) |
| (Hmm, this is an unexpected problem…) |
