| Taichi | Hmm—the soup is good, but it’s really simple and light! |
| Azami | Good for old men. |
| Taichi | Let’s tell Sakyo-nii about this place next time! |
| Azami | Ah, that’s right. How’s the kung-fu dojo? |
| Taichi | Nn~, it’s tough, but master Li-san is a really good teacher, and it’s fun. But man, you knew I was training there? Embarrassing.... |
| Azami | Taichi-san, aren’t you working too hard? |
| Taichi | Eh? |
| Azami | Everyone’s worried that you’re overworking yourself. |
| Taichi | Yeah... but everyone in Autumn Troupe is used to fighting, so their action scenes are natural—they’re just good, you know? |
| I pale in comparison, so I really want to get the basics of kung-fu down this time. |
| It won’t look good if the lead is shabby! |
| But even if I go to the kung-fu dojo, it’s still just a rushed preparation—I feel like I won’t make it in time for the performance, but... |
| Azami | But you managed to prepare yourself for so many performances up till now. |
| Taichi | This time is special. I played the second lead during “Stranger,” but the pressure I felt then was nothing compared to what I feel now. |
| Everyone’s amazing, huh. They all played the lead under so much pressure.... |
| Azami | .... |
| Taichi | You know, back in my old troupe, I was such a dull actor—the kind of guy who would never be considered for a lead role. |
| I never thought I would reach my dream of playing the “lead.” It was so, so far ahead of me. But now it’s right here—I actually reached it.... |
| I still can’t believe it; I’m still bewildered. |
| Everyone in Autumn Troupe said they believed in me, and they entrusted me with this role. I want to do my best to give back to everyone and make up for all the trouble I’ve caused, but.... |
| “Is it really okay for someone like me to play the lead?”—My anxiety keeps welling up and it won’t go away. Pathetic, right? |
| Azami | ...You know, the other day I remembered that story of yours, Taichi-san. |
| Taichi | That story? |
| Azami | You know, the reason you ran away from home. The first person that you... you know.... |
| Taichi | Ah, the girl who was my first love? |
| Azami | That. |
| Taichi | A~chan, even saying first love is too embarrassing for you? |
| Azami | Most people would be embarrassed! |
| Taichi | Really? |
| Azami | Anyway, don’t you want her to watch you? You’re playing the lead for the first time in your life, right? |
| Taichi | Ah, you’re right. Hmm.... |
| Azami | ...D-do you still, um, like her? |
| Taichi | Ahaha, you’re pushing yourself to talk about love with me, A~chan. |
| Azami | Shut up. |
| Taichi | Well~... She was my first love from when I was little, so of course she’s special, but I think I have different feelings about her now. |
| She’s the one who knows the old me—back when I did nothing but cry. That’s why I want her to see the outcome of my hard work more than anyone else. |
| I want to prove to her that I’m not the tiny crybaby I used to be. She’s someone special, who I want to meet when I become someone who’s proud of myself. |
| But right now, I’m so full of anxiety and... I don’t really know if I’m someone I can be proud of. |
| Azami | Where is that person now anyway? What is she doing? |
| Taichi | Well, I only vaguely remember her name, and I feel like I’m not really ready yet, so I haven’t even looked into how she’s doing. |
| Our parents got along, so my mother might know something, but.... |
| Azami | Why don’t you just ask where she is and what she’s doing? |
| Taichi | Eh? But.... |
| Azami | It might help your confidence before the performance. Try sending a LIME to your mother. |
| Taichi | Y-yeah. |
| ...Umm, “the girl who used to live next door”.... |
| .... |
| ...Ah, but I still feel like it’s too early! I can’t do it yet! |
| Azami | —This is so irritating. Give me that. |
| Taichi | !! |
| Azami | There. I finished your message and sent it off. |
| Taichi | Aaah!? |
| Azami | No use in dragging it out. |
| Taichi | Savage, A~chan... Sakyo-nii trained you well.... |
| Azami | Don’t lump me together with that old man. |
| *Beep* |
| Taichi | Woah! That was a fast response! |
| .... |
| Azami | What did she say? |
| Taichi | ...It was over ten years ago, so she doesn’t really remember her name. |
| Azami | ...Oh. |
| Taichi | Ah—. |
| Azami | What? |
| Taichi | N-nothing. |
| Azami | Show me. |
| Taichi | Aah! |
| Azami | It says she’s going to look through old New Year’s greeting cards. That’s great. |
| Taichi | Y-yeah... I guess this is good...? |
| Azami | ...So annoying. |
| Taichi | Uu, A~chan, you definitely got it from Sakyo-nii.... |
