South. Hill. Prison/Episode 8

+ INCREASE TEXT SIZE

- DECREASE TEXT SIZE

South. Hill. Prison
Episode 8

Previous	Event Story	Next
Juza … Bring on the light. Akashi Got it. Let me know if you want me to turn it off at any point. Slowly, slowly… Gradually, I don’t want to startle Juza. Juza —Tch. (I can do this… Back then, I remember stumbling around frantically in the dark… My past self… For so long, I’d been drowning in the dark. I needed that light. I’ve always, always yearned for the spotlight, dreaming of the day it’d illuminate the dusty corners of my life. My future was always in that spotlight, and every day I would stumble closer… I needed the light to imagine a future for myself. It’s almost mesmerizing, this blinding glare…) Akashi U-Umm, how was that? Juza …It was okay. I felt a little scared at first, but I think I can handle this. Thanks. Akashi Good to hear it. Alright, then we’ll get started. If anything changes and you feel uncomfortable, please give me a sign. Juza Will do. If I can perform alone in front of the troupe, maybe this’ll be my first step toward acting normally again. And if I fail… I still have tomorrow, the next day, and any day after that. They said they’d give me plenty of chances, which is a relief. Oh, but then that’d mean I’d have to keep asking you for help. I don’t wanna burden you with my bullshit. Akashi That… That won’t be a problem at all, so please don’t worry about me! The truth is, I… I like seeing you under the spotlight. Juza Huh? Akashi When they first appointed me as Mankai Company’s head of lighting, I had to manage the stage lights for a variety of different shows and actors. Out of everyone I’ve worked with… You stood out to me, Juza. You’re special. There are actors like Banri who can sparkle under the spotlight, and there are actors who can melt beautifully into the shadows. But of all the actors I’ve met, your light is the strongest. You outshine everyone else in terms of pure intensity. At first, I have to admit I was a little anxious. Your aura was so overwhelming I felt intimidated. But I noticed how joyful your movements were under the spotlight, Juza. There aren’t many actors who can appreciate stage lighting like that, so as the head of lighting, I was really happy. I know I can’t really grasp what you’re going through right now, but after you perform your script on stage today, I think I’ll be able to understand you a little more. …So I guess what I want to say is I can tell you’re someone who knows what it feels like to be in the shadows. I think you can utilize your knowledge of the shadows to enhance your powerful light. When I was studying lighting design, not only did I have to learn how light affects the stage, but also how darkness affects it, too. I think you’ll shine even brighter under the spotlight when the time comes because you’ve overcome this darkness. You’re someone who needs to call forth the light and keep shining on stage. Juza — Akari O-Ohhh, I’m sorry, I just talked your ear off... Juza No… Thank you for that. In fact, I feel like I understand lighting design a little more after listening to your wisdom. It’s my honor as an actor to learn from you. I’m lookin’ forward to working with you today. Akashi N-No problem! Kumon Hehe, front row seats! Azami VIP section. Izumi Everyone, come take your seats. Juza … Izumi (There he is, Juza on a dark stage alone… There’s only a thin sliver of light. It seems like it could disappear at any moment.) Juza — …“Light,” by Juza Hyodo. Juza “Right now, I stand in darkness. I do not know how long I have been here. It’s been so long, I’ve forgotten. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been squatting in this spot. I can hear everyone’s voices. Far away. The only thing guiding me is a thin sliver of light out of the distance. But where I stand now, Only a whisper of light reaches me. And I cannot move my feet to approach this light. The light in the distance sparkles. Visible from here, even in the darkest corners. Those chosen for the light, They bask in its brilliance, but I too can feel its echoes. Imagining my future… I wonder… I wonder when it will be my turn to bask in the light. If I am someday illuminated, I would like to stand under a stage spotlight, all eyes on me. Someday, I’m sure, I would like to bathe in that wash of light, Bathe in brilliance until I know of nothing else.” Juza … Izumi (Slowly the tiny ray of light is becoming bigger… It’s enveloping Juza’s whole figure. Even without words, I can sense that Juza’s whole body is tingling with happiness.) Juza …Thank you, everyone. Izumi Juza! You did it! Kumon Nii-chan… T-That’s the Nii-chan I know! Azami Nice work. Omi You did great. Banri Level one, clear. Boooring. Sakyo I thought it was well done. Taichi Congrats, Juza! Juza … (T-The light is… But I don’t feel scared. The future my past self was rushing toward… I’m making that future happen, here and now, on this stage. No matter what happens, no matter what obstacles stand in my way, I never want to give up my journey out of darkness. I don’t have to be afraid anymore. The spotlight is where I belong.)
Previous	Event Story	Next

An and Ranka