| *Door opens* |
| Chikage | .... |
| *Thump* |
| .... |
| Itaru | —Where are you headed with your suitcase at this late hour, senpai? |
| Chikage | ...We have a performance tomorrow, but you’re still up, Chigasaki? |
| Itaru | I was collecting my login bonuses. |
| Chikage | I’m going to lend someone this suitcase, so I was thinking of getting a different one. |
| Itaru | ...Then I’ll clean up a bit so there’s more shared space in this room. |
| Since you’re the best kind of roommate I could ask for, senpai. |
| Chikage | —That will help. |
| Then I’m off. Good night. |
| *Door closes* |
| Itaru | ...But you don’t even intend to come back. |
| *Phone rings* |
| Hey. Sorry, Sakuya, were you asleep? |
| |
| Chikage | .... |
| Sakuya | —Please wait! Chikage-san! |
| Chikage | .... |
| Sakuya | Where are you going? |
| Chikage | I’m just visiting my older sister. |
| I need to lend this suitcase to my nephew. They just got in touch this afternoon, so I was pretty surprised. |
| I have to bring it today, because his flight is tomorrow—. |
| Sakuya | You’re lying, right. |
| Chikage | —. |
| Sakuya | Please tell me the truth. |
| Chikage | I thought you were the easiest one to fool, but you see right through me when it counts, huh. |
| There’s no reason for me to be a part of this troupe any longer. That’s why I’m leaving. I stood on stage just like you asked; isn’t that enough? |
| See you—. |
| Sakuya | Please wait. |
| Let’s do our usual coin toss battle. |
| Chikage | ...Coin toss battle? |
| Sakuya | If I win, please listen to one request. |
| Chikage | Have you forgotten that you’ve never won? |
| Sakuya | If I lose, I won’t hold you up any longer. |
| Chikage | ...Fine. |
| *Flips a coin* |
| ...Here. Which hand is it in? |
| Sakuya | .... |
| Chikage | Can’t tell? |
| Sakuya | .... |
| Chikage | Then that’s the end of our game. |
| Sakuya | ...I don’t think it’s in either hand. |
| Chikage | That’s not an answer. |
| Sakuya | Because I don’t think you’re the kind of person who would leave a game you definitely don’t want to lose to a one-half chance, Chikage-san... |
| Chikage | ...Sigh. |
| Sakuya | Please show me your hands. |
| Chikage | You’re correct. |
| Sakuya | It’s my win, then. |
| Chikage | Spare me. |
| You saw my acting today. It was pathetic, there’s nothing I can do. |
| If we keep going like this, I’ll ruin the whole troupe’s reputation. I’ll just get in your way. You should go with a different lead actor. |
| You practiced with standbys from other troupes, right? Then they should be able to take the stage. |
| Sakuya | It’s not just about the performance. I don’t know why, but I can’t leave you alone right now, Chikage-san. |
| ...You’ve changed, Chikage-san. |
| Before you disappeared, you were trapped in an even thicker shell. Nobody could touch you; we didn’t know what kind of person you were. |
| But there must’ve been a reason you had to be like that, right? |
| I knew that, but I couldn’t help you. That frustrated me. |
| Now it’s different. I know you’re really hurt; I know you’re mourning. It’s like you’ve found yourself lost and alone. |
| Is there nothing we can do for you? Is it impossible for us to help you? |
| Everyone is worried about you, Chikage-san. Director, Itaru-san—. |
| Chikage | Why do you guys need to worry about me? |
| Sakuya | Because—aren’t we family? |
| Chikage | —. |
| ...I can’t be part of your family. I betrayed you once. I have no right. |
| Sakuya | Chikage-san—. |
| Chikage | But I’ll keep the promise from our coin toss. I don’t intend to commit any more crimes. |
| Sakuya | Really!? |
| Chikage | You just need me perform pathetically on stage like an awkward fool till the last day, right? |
| Sakuya | No. That’s not what I want. |
| Chikage | Then what—. |
| Sakuya | Could you please wait here for a bit? |
| Chikage | ? |
| |
| Sakuya | Heave-ho—there we go. |
| Chikage | —. |
| Sakuya | —Woah. That was close. I almost dropped it.... |
| Chikage | What are you doing? |
| Sakuya | I brought a futon and a pillow for you, too, Chikage-san! Let’s sleep on the stage together! |
