Tenma Sumeragi/Exciting Theme Park

First Step Into the World

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Tenma	....Where are we?
Yuki	That’s my line.
Misumi	There’s no Statue of Liberty~.
Kazunari	So many billboards… isn’t this Times Square?
Izumi	I think you’re right...
Yuki	Haah…. This is exactly why I tried to stop you guys back then.
	*flashback starts*
Kazunari	Hey, for tomorrow’s free time, why don’t we all go exploring together?
Muku	Wah~, that sounds fun!
Misumi	Let’s do it~!
Yuki	I didn’t really have anything planned, so I guess that’s fine.
Tenma	Can’t you just admit you want to go?
Yuki	Shut up. Hack, are you coming too or not?
Tenma	Hmph, I have no other choice, I’ll go.
Yuki	….How was that any different.
Kumon	Uwaa~, I’m really looking forward to it! What are we gonna do!?
Izumi	It’s kind of exciting, isn’t it.
Kumon	Ah, Director!
Kazunari	Nice timing! Do you have any plans for tomorrow’s free-time?
	We were talking about hanging out together, do you wanna join us?
Misumi	Director-san, let’s go together~!
Izumi	Thank you. Well then, I guess I’ll join you guys.
Yuki	So, where are we going?
Misumi	I want to look for American triangles~!
Muku	I’d like to buy souvenirs.
Izumi	Oh, that would be good. I also wanted to buy some souvenirs for Manager and Kamekichi.
Kumon	I want to eat huge burgers and pizza!
Izumi	What about Tenma-kun and Kazunari-kun? Is there anywhere you want to go?
Kazunari	I travel a lot and did everything I wanted to do already, so I’m happy just being with everyone!
Tenma	I was here for work not too long ago. I’m fine with whatever they want.
Yuki	Show-off.
Tenma	I’m not the only one! Kazunari just said he’s been here a bunch of times too!
Kumon	Ah! By the way, I promised my friends from school that I’d take a photo of the Statue of Liberty!
Yuki	The Statue of Liberty…Well, I might as well see it since I’m in America.
Muku	Yeah, me too!
Misumi	Is the Statue of Liberty a triangle~?
Kazunari	Speaking of, Tenten visited the Statue of Liberty in a show too!
Tenma	Yeah, I did an interview around there.
Kumon	I see! Then Tenma-san can lead the way!
Tenma	Hah?
Kumon	You traveled around the Statue of Liberty on your show, and you seem to know a lot about New York!
Tenma	….O-Of course. Leave the directions to me.
Yuki	Are we seriously going to leave the directions to this guy? I have a feeling he doesn’t know how to get there.
Tenma	That’s not true! I was just here so I remember it perfectly. Just follow me!
Izumi	(Tenma-kun says so, but is this really okay…)
	*flashback end*
Izumi	–It wasn’t okay….
Misumi	You look worried~.
Tenma	S-Shut up!
	Anyways! I’m going to ask someone for directions, wait here.
	Ah, um, excuse me?
Woman A	?
Tenma	Where am I…Um…I want to…
Woman B	???
Woman A	I don’t understand but… are you a tourist?
Woman B	Hehe, this guy’s cute. Do you wanna grab some donuts with us over there?
Tenma	W-What are you saying…?
Kazunari	Tenten, aren’t you being hit on? They wanna get doughnuts with you!
Tenma	Hah!? N-No, no!
Muku	Wah~, Tenma-kun’s popular with American women too…!
Kumon	As expected of Tenma-san!
Yuki	I mean, they can’t understand that hack’s English, and he can’t even understand what they’re saying.
Tenma	Shut up! My English grades have improved a little!
	But, I don’t have much listening practice… I just don’t understand them well…
Izumi	It’s hard to make out pronunciation.
Tenma	Right?
	But, if I can improve my listening, I can score an 80 on the test–.
Misumi	?
Tenma	I-It’s nothing! Let’s go to the Statue of Liberty!
Izumi	Getting from Times Square to the Statue of Liberty...
Kazunari	I looked it up a little bit ago, and apparently the station to get there isn’t too far away from here.
Yuki	Times Square is a tourist spot too, though. Since I’ve already come this far I want to do some shopping.
Muku	Well, I’m sure it’s fine to take a small detour.
Kumon	Oh, hey! That shop looks cool!
Misumi	Look, look! The sign has a triangle!
Tenma	Jeez, I guess it can’t be helped then…
	...?
Izumi	What is it?
Tenma	Nothing…I thought I felt someone looking at me just now….
Muku	I wonder if a fan saw you…?
Yuki	Those would be in Japan, he’s basically a nobody overseas so they’re not going to recognize him here.
Kazunari	Maybe some Japanese tourists recognized Tenten!
Tenma	....Yeah.

Tenma	…..I feel like someone’s looking at me again.
Izumi	Hmm, maybe there really are Japanese fans following us…?
Misumi	Ah! A triangle light!
Kazunari	It totally is! Sumi, take a pic with it!
Misumi	Okay! Triangle pose~!
Passerby A	Oh!? A Japanese Ninja!?
Passerby B	Amazing!
Kumon	Sumi-san’s triangle pose is awesome! So cool!
Muku	The people around us think he’s a ninja…!
Yuki	Are we being mistaken for street performers?
Kazunari	Okay, say cheese! Click!
	Ooo~, what ultra cool vibes! I’ve gotta post this to Inste!
	Huh? There’s a LIME message from Itarun.
Itaru Chigasaki Did the Summer Troupe and Director go to Times Square today?
KAZUNARI MIYOSHI☆ Yep we did!
Itaru Chigasaki Sweet. I have a small favor to ask.
Tenma	Itaru-san wants us to do him a favor?
Kazunari	He wants us to buy something at this hobby shop!
Izumi	I think that’s the same store I went to with Spring Troupe the other day.
	It was pretty interesting, it had lots of famous movie and video game character goods.
Muku	There’s really a shop like that…!
Kumon	Heh~! That sounds fun, let’s go!
Yuki	It might have some different designs than Japan, I could maybe use something for costume inspiration.
Kazunari	Alright, let’s go together!
Misumi	GO~!
Tenma	Jeez, they already forgot about the Statue of Liberty…
Muku	Uwaa~, how amazing! There’s so many things here!
Kumon	So awesome! They’ve got a bunch of movie characters, and huge figures!
Izumi	(Everyone in Spring Troupe seemed to enjoy this place, but it seems like Summer Troupe is pretty crazy about it too.)
Misumi	Ah! It’s Tenma!
Izumi	Eh?
Misumi	Look, this~!
Kazunari	Uwa! This figure seriously looks just like Tenten!
Yuki	Sparkle·Sunshine? …Lame.
Tenma	Oi, I heard that.
Kazunari	I see~, he’s a character from a superhero series.
	It’s a pretty low budget production, but it’s got a cult following! The director’s name is….. Harold Lance.
???	Did you just call me?
Muku	Huh?
Misumi	Who was that~?
Harold	Hello, thank you for your interest in my characters.
Kazunari	AAH!? His face is… the exact same as the photo! This guy’s Harold!?
Izumi	EH!?
Kumon	Then this is the guy who made the Sparkle·Sunshine movie!?
Muku	A-Amazing…! I can’t believe the man himself is in this store.
Yuki	Does he usually hang out in places like this?
Harold	By the way, are you interested in doing a movie?
Tenma	?
Kazunari	Wait, Tenten! I think he’s offering you a movie gig!?
Tenma	Oh, a movie gig.
	.....HAH!?
Harold	Actually, I’m shooting the spin-off movie, but the actor who played Sparkle was injured. I’m looking for a replacement.
	When I saw you earlier, I was shocked. Your image is perfect for the role. I really wanted to ask you to replace him, so I’ve been following you.
Kazunari	I didn’t really catch the details, but basically he’s been following us since he saw Tenten because he wants him to be the replacement!
Yuki	So he’s been stalking us.
Izumi	Then that feeling Tenma-kun got must’ve been the director watching him.
Tenma	I can’t, I might not be known in America, but I still belong to my agency…
Harold	I know you! Weren’t you in one of Shirasawa’s movies?
Kazunari	You’ve seen some of Tenten’s movies?
Tenma	He knows who I am?
Harold	I’m a Japan fanatic, so I watch lots of Japanese films. I’ve known you were a Japanese actor since the start.
	The movie I’m shooting now focuses on a different character, so Sparkle only plays a small part. There’s only three lines.
	You’re just so much like Sparkle, I really want you to be the replacement! Is that so wrong?
Izumi	(It’s an unreasonable request but…his enthusiasm is really contagious.)
	Tenma-kun, what are you going to do?
Tenma	….OK. I understand, I’ll do it.
Harold	Really!?
Tenma	I never thought I’d be offered a gig in a foreign place like this, but this is also a step towards my future.
Kumon	As expected of Tenma-san!
Misumi	Tenma’s so cool~!
Izumi	(I’ll admit, I’m surprised that a replacement role was born here, but Tenma-kun seems motivated, so I’m sure this will be a good experience.)
Tenma	But, I need my agency’s permission, so please hang on a moment so I can contact them.
Izumi	–So, it was allowed on the condition that shoot at an angle where you can’t make out Tenma-kun’s face, and his name isn’t included.
Tenma	Right.
Harold	Really, thank you so much! I’m so happy!
Muku	Good job, Tenma-kun!
Kazunari	To go on a trip and be casted as a replacement, it’s fate! I’m getting emotional!
Yuki	That’s cool and all but… will his lines be okay?
Kumon	Ah….! Now that I think about it, the lines will be in English won’t they?
Misumi	English pronunciation is hard…~.
	We need to hurry and start the shoot. Meet me at this location in one hour, you’ll need to drive.
Muku	Did he say in one hour…?
Kazunari	Yeah. Does that mean he only has one hour to perfect his lines…?
Izumi	Tenma-kun, is that okay…?
Tenma	Hmph, I’ve made my decision, it’ll be fine.

Kumon	Ah! That’s the Statue of Liberty!
Kazunari	I didn’t know the film site was gonna be at Battery Park! Is this destiny or what!?
Tenma	--.
Izumi	It looks like Tenma-kun is immediately getting lectured on his movements.
Muku	In Sparkle·Sunshine’s costume, he looks just like the real thing!
Misumi	Exactly like the figure I saw at the store~!
Kumon	He looks like he jumped straight out of an American comic book!
Yuki	Yeah but the hack is an actor, and the director and staff are telling him stuff. Can he even understand them?
Izumi	He might not understand English itself, but he can still understand the meaning somehow… maybe.
Tenma	--Sigh.
Kazunari	Tenten, nice job with that briefing-piko!
Izumi	It seems like you’ve got a little time before filming starts, would you like something to eat?
Muku	I’ve also got drinks here.
Tenma	No, I’m good….They’re calling me over there.
Misumi	Tenma left~.
Kumon	Will his lines really be okay…?
Yuki	From what I got just now, he didn’t understand what they were saying at all.
Izumi	(Yeah, his acting shouldn’t be a problem but… I’m a little worried about his lines.)
Harold	Now, let’s begin filming. 3, 2, 1– Action!
Tenma	“…Hmph. That guy can do it, I believe in him.”
Kazunari	Eh…!
Muku	Amazing! Tenma-kun’s English is so smooth!
Izumi	Seriously…! The conversation feels natural, I’m speechless…!
Harold	Cut!
	That was perfect! Your acting is absolutely incredible, Tenma! I knew it was a good idea to ask you!
Kazunari	Tenten, that was wild! Seriously too cool!
Muku	That was incredible, Tenma-kun!
Yuki	Even though it’s the hack… he did it.
Misumi	Wow, Tenma~!
Kumon	I was super shocked! It was like you could speak English fluently!
Tenma	I told you it would be fine. Who do you think I am?
CHOICE 1: As expected. [+] Izumi As expected. Your acting was so good, I was drawn in immediately! Tenma Hmph, obviously. Izumi It’s a shame that you had to mostly hide your face because of your management. Tenma This time was just a replacement role. But, someday, the name Sumeragi Tenma is going to be known around the world, and I’ll be playing the main character in foreign films. When that time comes, I’ll give you a performance that’ll win your heart. Look forward to it. Izumi ....! Okay! I’ll be waiting.
CHOICE 2: I guess you are used to doing movies. [+] Izumi I guess Tenma-kun is used to doing movies, after all. Tenma Of course. But, I’ve rarely ever starred in foreign films. This time, I was asked by Director Harold to take this role… Honestly that makes me pretty happy. Izumi That means that not only in Japan, but overseas as well, there’s people who acknowledge Tenma-kun’s acting skill. Tenma This time was just a replacement role, and might’ve only been a small step… But one day, I’m going to become an actor that’s known all around the world. Once again, I believe I will. Izumi Yeah, Tenma-kun can do it. Tenma Right. So Director, keep an eye on me, okay?
Tenma	Harold sent me a preview of the movie we shot the other day.
	Apparently my scene is in it.
Izumi	Woah, really? Let’s watch it right away.
Sunny·Sparkle	”...Hmph. That guy can do it, I believe in him.”
Citron	Oh!? Tenma, your English was perfect!
Guy	Agreed. As you would think, it’s difficult to rival the other actors, but you can be understood properly. Above all, your acting is also very good.
Hisoka	Yeah. It’s feels really natural, great job.
Tenma	Hmph, well of course.
Izumi	By the way, how did you get that good at speaking in such a short amount of time?
Tenma	Back then, I asked one of the staff members to record themselves saying the lines. I listened to it over and over until filming started.
	I looked up the meaning of the lines on my own and acted accordingly.
Izumi	I see… so that’s how.
Tsumugi	Tenma-kun, your reading ability has improved a lot.
Izumi	To be able to not only interpret lines in a foreign language, but pronounce them too… That’s Tenma-kun.
Citron	He’s got an actor’s deception!
Guy	A scholarly yellowtail?
Izumi	You’re both wrong, but do you mean an actor’s spirit?
Citron	Yes, that’s it!
Guy	I see.
Tenma	Well, now that I’ve improved my English skills, I can accept any overseas offers no problem.
Chikage	Heh, well then I’m sure your next English test will get a perfect score.
Tenma	C-Chikage-san!? I didn’t know you were back!
Chikage	I just got back.
Tenma	N-No… what you said just now is a little too far. Let’s aim for 80% first–.
Chikage	A perfect score, huh? Aren’t you looking forward to it, Tsumugi?
Tsumugi	Ahaha, that’s right.
Tenma	Perfect!? W-Wait just a second–!

bayli