| Taichi | What I remember is a gaze that looked right through me. |
| I felt as if I had become an invisible man upon the stage—. |
| |
| I admired GOD-za; after just barely passing their audition, and doing everything I could to keep up with their Spartan lessons,
I finally managed to stand on stage a few times as an ensemble cast member. |
| No matter how many times I auditioned within the troupe,
I couldn’t get a role with a name; at most, I had one or two lines.
I spent every day standing in the corner of the stage. |
| That day was the final performance. I was helping clean up GOD-za’s theater after the show. |
| When I closed my eyes, the endless curtain call and the full audience drifted into my mind.
Tasuku-san, the top star who bowed over and over again front and center stage, was shining; his whole body brimmed with confidence. |
| Tasuku-san, the lead who stood center stage and performed with all his might while facing the audience. |
| I was supposed to put on my performance at the end of the show, but I repeatedly felt like I couldn’t take my eyes off of Tasuku-san. |
| I wonder if I can shine center stage like that one day too—.
If that day ever comes, would everyone applaud for me—. |
| Would my first crush praise me and tell me that she sees me anew—. |
| |
| I drifted off in those thoughts, and before I knew it, I was standing at the center of an empty stage, at position No. 0. |
| No. 0—the center standing position where only the top star was allowed to stand.
As if in a trance, I faced the empty audience and spoke the same lines as Tasuku-san. |
| But I tripped up on my lines midway, and that was when I heard laughter from the wing of the stage. |
| “This might be the first time in history that such an uncharming actor stood at GOD-za’s No. 0.”
“I-I’m sorry, Reni-san! I—.”
“You think you have any right to stand at No. 0...? How presumptuous.” |
| “——.”
“You simply have no charm whatsoever. Nobody will look at you even if you stand on stage. You’re an actor fit to stand in the corner.” |
| “A worthless actor—a nobody among nobodies—has no right to stand center stage.”
“....” |
| “There’s only one way you can get a role... Nanao Taichi, make yourself useful as my pawn.” |
| |
| Taichi | “...Later on, Reni-san told me about his plans to ruin MANKAI Company’s performance.” |
| “I followed Reni-san’s instructions and joined the troupe as a spy, hid the props—the pistols... and ripped apart the costumes....” |
| Izumi | .... |
| Taichi | “But everyone acknowledged that this was where I belonged. I worked hard all this time because I wanted to be with you guys, because I wanted to give back to you, but....” |
| “Taking part in performance after performance with all of you—with Autumn Troupe—seeing how everyone handled their lead role—standing by your side, I always thought, you guys are so bright; it’s blinding.” |
| “It’s same way I felt when I saw Tasuku-san back then....” |
| “I could never shine like that. No matter what I do, I don’t stand a chance against everyone in Autumn Troupe.” |
| “Honestly—I don’t even have the right to stand on stage as the lead instead of one of you guys.” |
| “Because I’m a dull actor only suited for the corner....” |
| .... |
| ...The end. |
| .... |
| Juza | Taichi. |
| Taichi | ——. |
| Juza | You don’t stand a chance against us no matter what you do? That’s a lie. You’re better than me at comedy. |
| Taichi | Eh...? |
| Izumi | Taichi-kun, you have an amazing talent: you always make Autumn Troupe feel brighter as its moodmaker. |
| Taichi | Director-sensei.... |
| Sakyo | You’ve been involved in theater as an actor for longer than anyone else in this troupe. That experience isn’t a waste; you’re steadily putting it to use. |
| Banri | Who cares if they were minor roles—having that much experience is huge. And all the hard work you’ve put in—isn’t that also part of your strength? |
| Azami | Honestly, if we’re talking about winning and losing, I can’t copy your communication skills, Taichi-san. |
| Sakyo | You don’t have many friends, after all. |
| Azami | I don’t want to hear that from you. |
| Omi | We’ve all been saved by your brightness and kindness over and over again, Taichi. Isn’t that also an admirable strength? |
| Taichi | Guys.... |
| Juza | ...You might not have been the kind of actor who could stand center stage at GOD-za, but who cares? |
| Banri | Where do you belong, Nanao Taichi? |
| Taichi | ——. |
| |
| Banri | Where do you belong, Nanao Taichi? |
| Taichi | —Eh? |
| Banri | Are you Nanao Taichi of GOD-za? Is that who you truly are? |
| Taichi | I’m—. But I can't ask for that much—. |
| Banri | It’s fine, just say it. |
| Juza | You just need to tell us where you feel you truly belong. |
| Izumi | It's all right, Taichi-kun. |
| Taichi | I’m—. |
| |
| Taichi | MANKAI Company’s... Autumn Troupe’s Nanao Taichi! |
| Juza | Then just believe in us. |
| Taichi | ——. |
| Banri | Didn’t I say that we think you’re good enough? |
| Sakyo | You fool around all the time, but everyone here knows from acting with you how fine and elaborate your acting is. |
| Izumi | Taichi-kun, everyone here—the very people who stand on stage next to you—recognize you like this. |
| Omi | We acknowledge and believe in the man who is Nanao Taichi. But you’re telling us you still refuse to acknowledge him and believe in him? |
| Taichi | —N-no! I believe in him! |
| I can’t not believe in the person who you guys—my favorite people—believe in.... |
| Izumi | Taichi-kun.... |
| Taichi | Thanks, guys... Thank you for recognizing me as the lead. I’ll definitely pull through proudly...! |
| Banri | Alright~. |
| Juza | That’s the spirit. |
| Sakyo | Geez, you’re so much trouble. |
| Azami | We’re counting on you, Taichi-san. |
| Omi | Let’s work hard. |
| Taichi | Yeah! |
| Izumi | (Thank goodness... Taichi-kun doesn’t look lost anymore.) |
| |
| Taichi | ...Phew, I’m tired. |
| Omi | Good night. |
| Taichi | Good night! |
| (...Huh? There’s a message.) |
| (A LIME from mother. Umm, about the New Year’s greeting card...?) |
| ...Eh? Seriously...? |
