Guy/MANKAI Encore

Encore: Phantom

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Izumi	It's almost time for the local performance of Winter Troupe's fourth play.
Tsumugi	Yes, I'm glad we've decided on the destination.
Azuma	I'd like to go sightseeing before and after the performance.
Tsumugi	I heard that there's a good hamburger steak restaurant on our next destination.
Homare	I see, I would definitely love to go there.
Izumi	It's also famous for its eels!
Tasuku	Talking about sightseeing again, huh...
Hisoka	...I don't like meat. Eels are also troublesome because of their small bones.
Homare	It is not good to be picky with your food, Hisoka-kun.
Tsumugi	Since Guy-san is the star of the performance, why don't we let him choose the destination?
Azuma	Yes, I don't mind.
Guy	I am not sure if I should be the one to choose...
Homare	By the way, you should pay no mind to Hisoka-kun's selfishness.
Hisoka	I'm not selfish.
Guy	But we should not bother going to a place you say you do not want to. I would like it if the place has something to do with the performance...
Azuma	In that case...I think there's a place where you could watch an opera.
Guy	Opera, huh...that sounds great.
Tsumugi	It's not often that you get a chance to see an opera.
Hisoka	...It'll put me to sleep.
Homare	I shall bring marshmallows...is what I'd like to say, however you are prohibited from eating or drinking while watching a play.
Tasuku	Can we really watch the opera with that timing?
Azuma	Maybe if I ask an acquaintance of mine, they might be able to get us a seat.
Izumi	Now that you mention it, you did say you have an acquaintance who's familiar with operas.
Azuma	Yeah.
Guy	In that case, can I ask you to make the arrangements?
Azuma	Of course, leave everything to me.
Tsumugi	Sounds like it's going to be a rerun of the opera, huh, Guy-san?
Guy	Yes, I look forward to it.
Guy	Thank you for arranging our seats, Yukishiro.
Azuma	I'm glad I was able to fulfill your request.
Tsumugi	It's refreshing to see everyone wearing a suit like this.
Izumi	You guys wore your costumes when we went to Zafra for Winter Troupe's fourth performance, right?
Azuma	Even though it was to prevent Guy's true identity from being revealed, it was still a pretty bold move.
Homare	I am fine with us wearing that costume again this time, you know?
Tasuku	No way.
Hisoka	...We'll get mistaken for the performers.
Izumi	Oh, looks like it's about to start.
Guy	Indeed.
Izumi	That was amazing...
Homare	I found myself overwhelmed by the high, beautiful voice that echoed through the venue...
Tasuku	...So that's the skill of a professional.
Tsumugi	There's no way we're not going put this to good use for our performance.
Guy	Yes, I think there are still some things I can adjust in my acting.
Hisoka	...I'll do my best.
Izumi	(Everyone seems to have been inspired. I'm looking forward to seeing the play again.)

Izumi	(It's finally the day of the rerun performance...)
Homare	I still think it would have been nice if we all dressed like this for the opera the other night.
Azuma	Fufu, I think so, too.
Hisoka	...Guy's costume is too conspicuous.
Tasuku	Arisugawa's hat also stands out too much.
Tsumugi	It's been a while since you've played Phantom, Guy-san.
Guy	Indeed. I feel more resolved when I put on this mask.
Izumi	Please do your best. The show's about to begin!
	(Chris, a young opera singer, was fascinated by the singing voice coming from the back of the dressing room--)
Chris	"Whose singing voice is this? I don't remember a singer with a voice like this."
	"Where is it coming from?"
	"And yet...oh...what a sad, haunting aria."
Izumi	(Chris and Phantom communicate with each other through singing. Meanwhile, Raoul and Chris were investigating the singing voice.)
Phil	"A sweet-toned tenor with perfect notes and a delicate vibrato?"
	"I don't think that's enough to narrow it down."
Raoul	"Please. You used to work in the opera house, you're the only one I can ask."
	"Chris was so enchanted by him. He must be extremely talented. I want to hear him sing."
Phil	"I can't help but be curious as well when you put it like that."
	"Hmm, a ghost in the opera house, huh? But why doesn't it appear in front of people?"
Raoul	"There must be a reason. Assuming it isn't just Chris' imagination."
Phil	"So it's a mystery...which reminds me, there was a world-famous tenor who suddenly disappeared ten years ago."
Raoul	"Disappeared?"
Izumi	(Raoul and Chris find out about an opera singer who once had a promising future, but suddenly disappeared--)
Chris	"It's his voice again..."
	"Are you really a ghost? Why do you keep singing even in death? Are you haunted by song?"
Phantom	"I'm certain I am."
Chris	"I want to prove your existence. Will you sing on stage again? That's why you keep singing, isn't it?"
Phantom	"...I cannot do that. I am a mere shadow."
Chris	"I will be performing tonight. Will you sing in my stead?"
	"You were meant to be on stage."
Izumi	(Guy-san has gained experience and has a much wider range of expression than when he first performed.)
	(Phantom's presence, who doesn't show up much in the first half, is also well-defined.)
	(At one performance, Chris takes the stage and Phantom sings instead. After that day, strange things start to happen around Chris--)
Carl	"I'm surprised. I was wondering who sang that aria. Have you been holding back all this time?"
Chris	"No, it was just a mere fluke."
Carl	"Hmm...if you say so."
Phil	"Chris, that song tonight--"
Chris	"Hm?"
Phil	"Nevermind. That was a great success. I'm expecting great things from you in the future."
Izumi	(When Chris hears from Phantom that he's hiding in the theatre for revenge, he accuses Richard.)
Chris	"If you've heard Erik sing, you will understand that this man is no imposter."
Richard	"Impossible...right, there is no proof. Someone is merely imitating his voice..."
Phantom	"I have the proof right here. The face that you burned ten years so is the best proof of that--"
Richard	"..."
Izumi	(Chris stops Phantom from grabbing Richard. As they struggle, the candlestick falls and the fire spreads.)
Raoul	"Chris, look out!"
Chris	"..."
Phantom	"Urk..."
Chris	"Erik...! Oh no, we must get you treatment immediately!"
Phantom	"There is no need. A ghost cannot possibly get hurt."
Raoul	"Chris, we must flee!"
Chris	"Erik, come with us--!"
Phantom	"The curtain has yet to fall."
Chris	"Erik!!"
Phantom	"My friend. I shall dedicate my final song to you..."
Chris	"..."
Izumi	(The opera house is burnt down, and Phantom's whereabouts is unknown.)
Raoul	"They say they were unable to find the remains of either Erik or Richard."
Chris	"I see..."
Raoul	"It seems that repairs will take a while."
Chris	"This song..."
Raoul	"Hm?"
Chris	"No, it's nothing."
Izumi	(Phantom's voice echoed in Chris' ears, and the curtain closed--)
Audience A	I couldn't take my eyes off them...
Audience B	Yeah, and the singing voice was really nice but sad!
Izumi	(Everyone's performance was well received by the audience. It's a great success!)
Winter Troupe	Thank you very much!

Tsumugi	I'm sorry you had to keep me company, Guy-san. Everyone said they were going elsewhere...
	When I heard that Homare-san and Director had been here as extras in a movie before, I really wanted to come.
Guy	I do not mind. I was also curious after hearing everyone talk about it.
Tsumugi	Thank you.
	Um...this flyer has information about hands-on classes and a flower maze.
Guy	Pressed flowers, herbarium, dried flowers, and wreath making. There are a lot of different classes being held.
Tsumugi	It seems that the bookmark I received from Hisoka-kun was made at this pressed flower class.
Guy	So it was made here. He said he also went to the flower maze.
	Is there anything in particular that you are interested in?
Tsumugi	I'm curious about them all, and I couldn't pick just one...
	I'd probably dwell on it forever, so it'd be great if you could help choose one.
Guy	That is very like you.
	Then let us head to the flower maze that Yukishiro was talking about.
Tsumugi	Sure. It seems that various flowers are in bloom, so I'm looking forward to it.
Guy	...This is impressive.
Tsumugi	It really is. It smells nice here.
	Ah, just as Azuma-san said, the flower language is written on the plate.
Guy	I did not know there was a flower language such as this. How interesting.
Tsumugi	There're quite a lot of rare flowers, too...I'm learning a lot.
	Next is...huh, which way did we come from...
Guy	This way, Tsukioka.
Tsumugi	Ah, yes.
Guy	...This is a strange flower. It looks more like a leaf than a flower.
Tsumugi	Ah, that's called an ornamental kale.
Guy	Ornamental kale?
Tsumugi	Like you said, they're not flowers, but leaves. The leaves change color when it's cold.
Guy	I see.
	Hm, this flower also has a strange color.
Tsumugi	Ah, that one's--
	...Huh, we've arrived at the exit already.
Guy	Time passed by in no time.
Tsumugi	Since we walked as you instructed, we didn't get lost at all.
	As you'd expect of Guy-san. Thanks so much.
Guy	Not at all. I also learned a lot from seeing all the different flowers.
Tsumugi	That was fun. It was nice to see so many different flowers.
Guy	Indeed. The hands-on class was also a great experience.
Tsumugi	I wonder what would be a good souvenir to get everyone?
Guy	I want to choose something different from what Director and the others bought for me before.
Tsumugi	You're right.
	Heh, I didn't know there were so many different kinds of sweets made with flowers... Oh, there are also blended teas that contain flowers.
	Azuma-san seems to really like aroma oils and lotions.
Guy	Yes, Rurikawa and Izumida would be happy with those as well.
Tsumugi	Ah, Guy-san. There are bulbs here.
Guy	Bulbs, huh... It might be a good idea to grow something new.
Tsumugi	...Ah, then should we plant these?
Guy	--Ranunculus?
Tsumugi	Yes. It takes me back.
Guy	Indeed, how nostalgic. Let's grow these flowers again.
Tsumugi	I'm looking forward to seeing them grow beautifully.
Guy	I will ask Citronia to help me grow them, and not just plant them.
Tsumugi	Fufu, I see.

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