| Izumi | Everyone, dinner is ready! |
| Azuma | Oh? The Director is in charge of dinner today? |
| Izumi | Tsuzuru-kun said that he wanted to focus on script writing, so I relieved him. |
| Sakuya | So that means... |
| Citron | That. |
| Izumi | We’re having keema curry today! |
| Itaru | The usual. |
| Chikage | That sounds nice. |
| Itaru | For you. |
| Masumi | Anything you make is delicious. |
| Chikage | Masumi also looks happy though. |
| Itaru | Masumi’s head seems like it’s always full of joy, it makes me jealous. |
| Tsumugi | Now, now, keema curry is a little rare. |
| Homare | Mhm, let us eat. |
| Sakuya | Thank you for the meal! |
| Tasuku | Minagi wanting to focus on the script means that it should be done soon. |
| Izumi | That’s right, it’s almost—— |
| *thud* |
| Izumi | Hm? Did you hear something just now? |
| Chikage | It’s probably that. |
| Izumi | By that, you mean... eh!? When did the script get to the table!? |
| Tsumugi | I wonder if Tsuzuru-kun was here? |
| Sakuya | But, he’s not—— |
| Guy | On the floor. |
| Tsuzuru | ... |
| Izumi | !! |
| Citron | Tsuzuru used up all his energy to leave the script here. |
| Izumi | F-for now, let’s allow Tsuzuru-kun to rest on the sofa and then check the script after supper. |
| |
| Tasuku | “Die by the Sword.” ... |
| Homare | Hm, it seems to be about a tough samurai this time. |
| Izumi | There’s a lot of fight scenes, so Winter Troupe’s image might change a little bit. |
| Guy | I see... |
| Izumi | (The lead role –– Miyamoto Musashi –– in particular seems to require good fighting technique, but Tasuku-san should be fine. The problem is the co-lead, Sasaki Kojiro...) |
| Tsumugi | It will be difficult if the co-lead can’t perform fight scenes. |
| Azuma | In terms of physical ability, wouldn’t Guy be able to handle it? |
| Guy | Me? |
| Hisoka | ...He also fits Sasaki Kojiro’s image. |
| Tasuku | That’s true. I also think Guy-san would be good for the role. |
| Guy | But... Are you sure you’re okay with me doing it? |
| Tsumugi | No one else can do it but you, Guy-san. |
| Izumi | Can I ask you to do it? |
| Guy | ...I will give it my all. |
| Izumi | As for the rest of the cast... We will need someone to play a female role this time.[1] |
| Azuma | I think this is a first for the Winter Troupe? |
| Tsumugi | This will also present a new challenge. |
| Homare | Then, I shall—— |
| Hisoka | ...It’ll suit Azuma. |
| Tasuku | It will. |
| Homare | Hm, I suppose I am unsatisfactory for the role. |
| Tsumugi | That’s not true, but a shamisen teacher who used to be a geisha is certainly perfect for Azuma-san’s image.[2] |
| Izumi | It won’t seem strange at all! |
| Guy | I think he’d also look good in traditional clothing. |
| Azuma | Really? I’d be honoured. |
| Izumi | Okay, then Azuma-san will be the shamisen teacher, Orin. The ones left are the young master Tojiro, the wagashi craftsman Heiroku, and the assassin Gin.[3] |
| Tsumugi | The young master character is in a romantic relationship with Orin. |
| Tasuku | I think the young master aura fits Arisugawa. |
| Hisoka | ...Like that side of him that’s ignorant to the ways of the world. |
| Homare | You are the last person I wish to hear that from. |
| Izumi | But I do think the role is perfect for you. |
| Homare | Hm... Your words leave me with no choice. I shall be in your care, Azuma-san. |
| Azuma | Fufu, likewise. |
| Izumi | The ones left are Heiroku and Gin; do you have any preferences? |
| Tsumugi | I’m fine with either one. |
| Tasuku | Won’t a wagashi craftsman be difficult for Mikage? |
| Homare | I can’t imagine anything else but him endlessly eating the marshmallows he made himself. |
| Azuma | That won’t be good business. |
| Hisoka | ...I’ll do it. |
| Guy | I don’t think you should. |
| Izumi | R-right. Then Tsumugi-san will be Heiroku, and Hisoka-san will be Gin! |
| Tsumugi | Understood. |
| Hisoka | ...Got it. |
| Izumi | Okay, we’ll start reading lines tomorrow! |
| |
| Guy | ... |
| Citron | <<Guy, you’ll get in someone’s way if you walk and read the script at the same time.>> |
| Guy | Citronia... |
| Citron | I heard. You’re the co-lead, huh? I hope Tasuku flips you into scrape.[4] |
| Guy | You’re right... I won’t improve if he doesn’t. |
| Citron | ...Your honesty feels unsettling. Well, do your very best. |
| Guy | ...Yeah. I will give it my all. |
| |
| Izumi | ——Yes. Yes. I understand. So we’ll see you there—— |
| ...That was the sixth person. |
| (We haven’t even made a proper announcement yet, but there’s already this many ticket reservations by people involved in theater; this hasn’t happened before.) |
| (This is all because Tasuku-san is playing the lead. He really is a renowned existence in Veludo Way.) |
| Tasuku | ——Director. |
| Izumi | ? |
| Tasuku | Do you have a moment? |
| Izumi | Yes. What’s the matter? |
| ——Wait, it feels like this has happened before. |
| Tasuku | Has it? |
| Izumi | Remember, back during the Nocturnality performance? You asked me for another copy of the script because yours had worn out. |
| Tasuku | ——Yeah. |
| Izumi | Fufu. Don’t tell me that it’s all worn-out already? |
| Tasuku | Of course not; I just got it today. |
| I just came to consult you regarding role practice. |
| Izumi | It’s rare for you to ask me for advice. |
| Tasuku | Normally we adjusted things to accommodate the lead and the co-lead, but this time I have to set the guidelines as the lead actor. |
| I wanted to discuss it with you beforehand. |
| Izumi | I see. |
| (As I thought –– because Tasuku-san has plenty of experience, he sure is reliable.) |
| (When they play the lead for the first time, everyone more or less loses their bearings or hits a wall; but this time I’m not worried about that at all.) |
| You really are reliable. |
| Tasuku | Hm? |
| Izumi | Everyone has become used to acting and has gotten the techniques down now, but they all had to start from zero. |
| It was tough as they fumbled their way through being the lead actor; but, as I thought, you’re different. |
| I’m really glad that we have at least one person equipped with plenty of experience and skill like you here, Tasuku-san. |
| Even if you have yet to perform as the lead, you were always supporting us during practice and in the real performance. |
| Thank you very much. |
| Tasuku | ...I should be the one thanking you. |
| I left GOD-za and didn’t have a place to belong, but you gave me a place where I can act, as well as a role. I just wanted to return that favour. |
| Izumi | What favour... You’ve already returned it plenty of times over. |
| Tasuku | —— |
| Izumi | Tasuku-san? What’s wrong? |
| Tasuku | ...No, it’s nothing. |
| Izumi | ? |
