Banri Settsu/Blessings of Blooming

Pair Performance: Banri with Juza

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Banri	…So, whatcha pick?.
Juza	…It’s “Cinderella.”
Banri	Huh?
Juza	It’s “Cinderella.”
Banri	…
Juza	…Let’s just read what’s written down for now.
Banri	Yeah…
Juza	“A letter invitation from the castle of the land, telling people that they have opened their doors for a ball. Commoner Cinderella thinks that the letter was delivered by mistake.”
Juza	“However, the invitation has a message written on it from the Prince—"
Juza	The only two characters are Cinderella and the Prince.
Banri	Looks like it.
Banri	So, what’re the lines?
Juza	They’re, “Come meet me, ok,”and “It can’t be helped.”
Banri	Ugh…
Banri	So outta all those options, you went and chose this theme.
Juza	Shut it. You’re the one who told me to choose.
Banri	Quit goin’ around blamin’ others.
Juza	Hah?
Banri	Hah?
Izumi	Ok ok, stop fighting. I’m looking forward to your guys’ Cinderella, ok.
Juza	…k.
Banri	Sigh…Well, guess I’ll give it a try.
	[Later]
Banri	(What should I do about the pair performance…)
Banri	(I could do an etude, but the problem is that someone like Hyodo’s my partner and our theme is “Cinderella.”)
Banri	(If the guy who’s been wantin’ to play a female role for such a long time plays a role like Cinderella’s…)
Banri	(…Just thinkin’ about it sends shivers down my spine.)
Banri	(Well that’s his problem, and since this is practice, I doubt he’ll half ass it…)
Banri	(There’s prolly versions of Cinderella that are comedies too.)
Banri	(But when I think about it, can that awkward lump even act this on the spot…?)
Banri	(Shit, why the hell am I feeling all conflicted thinkin’ about that guy.)
Banri	(…Guess I should go over the plan for this performance with him sooner than later.)
Juza	...
Banri	Goin’ somewhere?
Juza	Huh? None of your business.
Banri	…O—k.
	[Juza Leaves]
Banri	(Tsk…I ended up sayin’ somethin’ strange ‘cuz of all that thinkin’.)
Banri	(I’ll just think about what to do about this performance for now.)
Banri	…Right.
Banri	(Honestly, I ain’t really enthusiastic about this either.)
Banri	…Guess I’ll give that guy a call.
Banri	(Doubt he’ll show up anyways.)
	[Later]
Banri	...
Banri	(Didn’t even show up on time, I expected as much.)
Kabuto	So you really came, huh.
Banri	I was the one who called you over, more or less. I was more surprised at the fact that you actually picked up my call.
Banri	…Anyways, seems like even Aoshi’s late. Strange.
Kabuto	He’s not coming.
Banri	…Huh?
Kabuto	You wanted to ask about a female role.
Kabuto	You could’ve asked the people from your own troupe about your Cinderella theme, but because you want to grow as an actor, you’re asking for an outsiders opinion.
Kabuto	And you called with that as your ulterior motive.
Banri	…You can really see through anythin’, huh.
Kabuto	Because you’re easy to read.
Banri	I didn’t think I’d be askin' our opponent for the main event of the Fleur Cup Award for advice either.
Banri	…Should’ve been suspicious when you told me to come here, though.
Kabuto	I wonder why you would come all the way here just to ask about a female role in the first place.
Banri	I didn’t really come here to ask about a female role.
Banri	It’s just, when I tried it before, I realized that female clothin' and stuff doesn’t suit me.
Banri	There are guys within my company and troupe that have done female roles before, but…
Banri	I’d realized that these things depend on findin’ the right people for the job, and I ain’t one of ‘em.
Banri	Of course, I can put on a performance for somethin’ like that. But, if there’s a competent person, I’d rather entrust them with it.
Kabuto	...
Banri	…It’s just, I have this feelin’ of not really knowin’ unless I give it my all.
Banri	Until then, I’m not gonna feel like I can’t do it unless I give it a try.
Banri	But, my thinkin’ about somethin’ and actually doin’ it are completely different.
Banri	I’m paired up with Hyodo for this performance, and even though he has really little experience with female roles, he might actually end up doin’ it.
Banri	Honestly, not only does it not suit him, he’s definitely not the right guy for a role like this.
Banri	But, maybe it’s better to gain experience with things that “don’t suit you,”…It’s annoyin’ but, I started off like that too.
Kabuto	…So in other words, you’re working this hard for your partner's sake.
Banri	Ew…That’s not what it is.
Kabuto	That reminds me of Aoshi.
Banri	Yeah. During McBeth, Aoshi was supposed to play a male role, but ended up naturally showin' us a performance with a female role.”
Banri	What kind of mindset did he have while actin', what was he thinkin', what was he prioritizin'…
Banri	That’s what I came to reference.
Kabuto	You guys are seriously—
Banri	…What is it?
Kabuto	At the very least, you don’t have to worry about things like that.
Kabuto	You guys already know, that female roles don’t suit you.
Banri	...
Kabuto	And, the guys in your company are the ones that have been putting on performances by successfully overcoming those challenges. All of you managed to do that pretty early on too.
Banri	...Ah.
Banri	(Just like with “Romeo and Julieus”….And also “Alex in Wonderland.”)
Kabuto	Make sure you don’t forget those basics.
Banri	…Honestly, what can I say.
Kabuto	Seems like being too blind to each other’s flaws can also a problem.
Banri	…Shut it—

Banri	…Hey, I’ve got somethin’ to ask you.
Juza	That’s a coincidence, me too.
Banri	Could it be ‘bout the pair performance?
Juza	Yeah. I thought it’d be a good idea to have a briefin’ session.
Banri	…That’s a pretty strange opinion comin’ from you.
	[Later]
Izumi	It’s almost time for your performance guys, are you good to go…?
Banri	Ah—, there ain’t nothin’ to worry about.
Juza	We made sure to have a discussion this time.
Izumi	I’m glad. Well, I’m looking forward to your guys’ performance.
Banri	Yup.
Juza	'k.
	[On Stage]
Cinderella (Banri)	“An invitation to the castles open ball, addressed to me…?”
Cinderella	“No matter how much I think about it, this is strange. Addressed to a single shabby commoner like myself, there ain’t no way it’s for me.”
Cinderella	“They definitely messed up while delivering’. I’ve been hearin’ that deliverin’ things has gotten pretty difficult lately.”
Cinderella	“…Hm? Lookin’ closer, there seems to be a message written here.”
Cinderella	“This…is the Prince’s handwritin’.”
Cinderella	“…‘I’m givin’ you these magical glass slippers, so wear them and come meet me. Let’s talk like we used to.’”
Cinderella	“This message, and the way these letters are written…it can’t be.”
Cinderella	“Fu…well if the Ouji-sama is summonin’ me, guess I have to go.”
	[Later]
Cinderella	“…That’s one huge castle. It’s so fancy that my eyes feel like they’re flickerin’.”
Cinderella	“Oh, there he is.”
Prince (Juza)	“…I was waitin’.”
Cinderella	“It’s been a while.”
Prince	“For real.”
Cinderella	“I was pretty surprised. Just puttin’ on these shoes made me all pretty lookin’. Even styled my hair perfectly.”
Prince	“Right. Didn’t expect you to come unless I did somethin’ like this.”
Prince	“We used to play together a lot in the past, do you remember?”
Cinderella	“‘Course I do.”
Cinderella	“I didn’t know our social status’ were so different back then. But I was genuinely happy while we played together.”
Prince	“I felt the same way. The time I spent hangin’ out with you is somethin’ I haven’t been able to forget ‘til this day.”
Prince	“My status has changed since then. Now I have the authority to choose whoever I want to invite to the ball.”
Prince	“And, I wrote that invitation because I was lookin’ for you.”
Cinderella	“If that message wasn’t there, I definitely would’ve thought they delivered it to the wrong address.”
Prince	“The thought came to be just before I sent it out for delivery. I’m glad I wrote it.”
Cinderella	“…Yep.”
	[Later]
Cinderella	“Haha…It feels like I’ve gone back to the old days.”
Prince	“Yeah, me too. I lose track of time when I’m with you.”
Cinderella	“Ah, the date has changed.”
Prince	“Damnit, you’re gonna have to go home quickly. The shoes’ magic only lasts until midnight—"
Cinderella	“If it’s the shoes, then I’m takin’ them off.”
Cinderella	“…Eh? But the magic is still—"
Cinderella	“Fu…guess the jig is up.”
Cinderella	“I was also pretty surprised when I put these shoes on in the beginnin’. I looked like I’d completely become a rich kid.”
Cinderella	“But, the only thing that changed was my appearance. So I decided that I’d rather stick to makin’ clothes for myself like I usually do. I’m really good at sewin’ you know.”
Cinderella	“I also tried stylin’ my hair myself.”
Cinderella	“I thought that if I’m able to enter the castle just ‘cuz my appearance is different, then I’ll definitely be able to sneak in.”
Cinderella	“I tried experimentin’.”
Prince	“…So that’s what happened.”
Cinderella	“But I still have the same social standin’, you know.”
Cinderella	“If you ever feel like seein’ me again, make sure to come and meet me…Ouji-sama.” [Winks]
Prince	“Hahaha…can’t be helped, I guess.”
	[Off Stage]
Izumi	Amazing! I can’t believe you were able to create something like this from that plot and those lines.
Banri	Honestly, I was so lost on what to do when we pulled this theme.
Banri	We made sure to have a briefin’ session so it wouldn’t turn into somethin’ weird.
Banri	…Well, with askin’ other people for advice, and usin’ our company's previous plays, I ended up refrencin’ a lot of things.
Izumi	But, that’s exactly what acting is all about. There’s no right or wrong answer.
Banri	You ain’t wrong.
Banri	Right. Let’s hurry up and take the picture before we forget.
	[Takes Picture]
File:Banri Blessings of Blooming 1-01.png
Izumi	You’ve already decided on what pose to do, huh.
Banri	It’s cuz I’d already made up my mind.
Juza	…There ain’t any Cinderella feelin’.
Banri	Hah? You’re one to talk.
Izumi	Ahaha…I guess you can say the theme was unexpected?
Juza	That's...
Banri	I’d rather not deal with this guy if possible.
Juza	That’s my line.

RedBungyMK