 |
The Star Has Arrived! |  |
Kaoru
"Oh, Moon. Let your fleeting light glow upon me...!"
Misaki
Wow~... That's really good, Kaoru-san.
Tomoe
Maybe that's because the show is right around the corner. Her acting is starting to get a lot more intense, isn't it?
Hagumi
Mhm, mhm! I feel like I can really see the moonlight!
Himari
Wh-what do I have to do to be able to act like that?!
Kaoru
Fufu, I appreciate the kind words, everyone.
Kaoru
You'd like to know how to act like this...? Let me see... For me, I'd say more so than acting, it's that the spirit of the character descends upon me.
Kaoru
I take the thoughts and feelings of that character as they are, and I move as they dictate.
Tomoe
And that's why your acting is so natural...? It's pretty crazy that the character just comes to you like that.
Himari
But it doesn't sound like something any normal person could imitate... Ohh~, I wish I could be a better actress...
Kaoru
Ahh, Himari-chan. What a wonderful willingness to improve. Your heart has a desire to reach new heights. How very fleeting and beautiful it is...
Himari
N-no... That's too much praise for someone like me... But I will work hard and learn how to act well!
Kaoru
Fufu, charming. I've an idea. If it's your acting you'd like to improve, might I suggest some improvisational theater?
Misaki
Improvisation...? Does that mean you do all of your acting completely unscripted?
Kaoru
Indeed. You lose the script and find a way to progress the story as a group. It'll develop in many unpredictable ways, helping you train your brain to be more spontaneous and flexible.
Tomoe
Interesting... So no script, all ad-lib, right? That sounds kinda fun!
Himari
That means you don't know how the story will turn out until you actually do it!
Kaoru
It's a training method that the theater club has implemented. Without a doubt, it will improve your acting. If you want, we can try it out now.
Hagumi
Yeah, okay~! I wanna do it too!! Mii-kun, you do too, right?!
Misaki
Nope, I'll pass... I'll be right here, watching. You go ahead and have fun, Hagumi.
Kaoru
In improvisational theater, you start by deciding on a very basic situation. Afterward, everyone will freely perform according to the context that was given.
Kaoru
The lines are completely unplanned, allowing you to practice how to create a natural conversation as well. Committing that point to memory may be beneficial.
Himari
O-okay...! I'll try my best!
Kaoru
No need to be so stiff about it. First, it's essential that we feed off of each other's acting to continue our improvisation, so I'll begin by conveying to you what sort of roles we're trying to play.
Kaoru
Now, let us raise the curtain on this show! The setting of our performance shall be, hmm... A snowy mountain lodge!
Kaoru
... Oh my, what an incredible blizzard! The fierce chill of this snowy evening could freeze not only one's body, but also their very soul...
Hagumi
Whoa~, awesome! Kaoru-kun actually looks cold!
Misaki
Seeing that level of acting up close is enough to put you on edge... Are they sure they can handle that...?
Kaoru
I somehow found my way to the lodge and escaped the snow... Oh? Seems there are already other customers here. Who are you?
Himari
Huh?! U-us?! We're~... Uhhh, well the blizzard was so strong that, uhm...
Tomoe
Y-yeah, it was snowing so hard outside that we didn't even think before running in here. Uhhh, yeah. So we're... j-just people! No, wait wait, hold on... Uhhh, we're village people!
Himari
R-right! We're villagers! And we stopped here so we can warn... w-ward... Huh? W-w-w-worm... W-wahhh~!!
Misaki
Sh-she's stumbling all over her words...! Just like I thought, she is nervous!
Kaoru
Take a breather, little village ladies who have fled the blizzard. There's no longer need to worry. The prince of the great Hello, Happy Land is here.
Tomoe
Huh...? L-like royalty?
Himari
Wow, it's a prince~!! I thought you looked really elegant! That explains it!
Misaki
H-hold up, Uehara-san accepted that way too easily?! Why would a prince be on a snow-covered mountain? Was there some sort of accident?
Hagumi
Ramen~, ramen~, get your hot and yummy ramen~! Hey hey~, Prince-y! Here's your bowl~!
Kaoru
Ahh, there it is! I've been waiting! I'd like for you to also provide some warm, fleeting ramen for these young ladies!
Misaki
... Hagumi works at a ramen shop?! And she and the prince know each other?!
Hagumi
You got it! We have a whole bunch. Eat up, everyone!
Himari
Wow~, this looks so amazing! Tomoe, I bet we'll feel much better after eating this!
Tomoe
Y-yep, you got that right! Now if only we could safely escape from this mountain...
Misaki
Wha- This world they created is all over the place. Are they seriously gonna ignore that and just keep going...?!
Kaoru
Would your village happen to be at the base of this mountain? That is where my country lies, but I don't believe we can walk back in this snow...
Hagumi
If that's the problem, you can just use this ramen bowl once we're done eating to slide down it!
Kaoru
Such a spectacular suggestion! I expect nothing less from an individual who works at the greatest ramen shop in my country! Oh, so fleeting...!
Hagumi
Well it is big enough to become a sled! We only need one for all of us to fit!
Kaoru
Now then, has everyone entered the bowl? Let us go! It's time to liberate ourselves from these hilly blankets of snow!
Misaki
Not only is that bowl way too big, but apparently, it just stopped snowing...! Ugh, forget it! At the very least, can you create an ending that makes sense?! That's all I ask...!
Kaoru
What's that...?! You're actually the missing princess from the nation over?! I simply cannot believe you'd be disguised as a villager from my country...!
Misaki
... N-nope. It's actually just getting worse...!
Kaoru
... And so, the prince and the others went on a joyful journey to find ramen...
Hagumi
And they all lived happily ever after! Hmm~... I'm glad we could put together such a good story!
Tomoe
Man, that was awesome! It felt kinda like it was getting easier to talk as we went, and things just kept becoming crazier and crazier!
Himari
Mhm, it was fun being able to act together with everyone! And I realized that the story wouldn't go anywhere if we were too embarrassed... I feel like I'll be more comfortable acting in front of people now!
Misaki
Yeah. That story was complete madness by the end, though...
Kaoru
Fufu, it's a joy to act, is it not? If you've truly come to understand that as I do, then I am pleased.
Kaoru
Obviously, I'm delighted by all of the little kittens who fancy my acting... However, I must not forget that I'll be on stage together with you all.
Kaoru
And to be able to share these sentiments with my friends is... something both fleeting and euphoric, is it not...?!
Himari
Kaoru-senpai...! I'm gonna work even harder now! And I'll be doing it for you too!
Kaoru
I appreciate that, Himari-chan. Now, shall we raise the curtain of improvisational theater once more?! Misaki will accompany this time, correct?
Misaki
What?! I will?!
Kaoru
All of that squirming around earlier tells me you have an itch to participate that you must scratch, no? Come! We shall create a wonderful story, together!
Misaki
... Nah, I'd call this more of an irritation than an itch!
Transcript
Kaoru
Greetings, BanG Dreamer-san, Marina-san. Are you two also indulging in a free-spirited journey alongside the wind?
Marina
Ahaha, not exactly. We're on our way to buy more studio equipment. Taking a walk, Kaoru-san?
Kaoru
Indeed. I am on a tranquil and leisurely stroll. Appropriate, after being somewhat busy not too long ago.
Kaoru
I am in the midst of relishing this day of freedom... by aimlessly walking around town and getting a feel of the breeze.
Marina
Oh, did you have a lot going on at school?
Kaoru
Correct. We presented a musical on White Day for the little kittens who are always supporting me.
Kaoru
While it was but a brief moment because it was based on a Hello, Happy World! song, I'd say we accomplished the creation of a production most fleeting.
Kaoru
Tragic enough to grip one's heart, filled to the brim with smiles comparable to flowers, flowing with passion hot enough to burst into flames! How very fleeting...! Ahh, my soul trembles at the memory of it all!
Marina
Uhhh... What part of that is "fleeting"...?
Kaoru
Fufu... Your reactions are not unlike that of Misaki. She frequently tilts her head and questions what exactly is fleeting.
Kaoru
Well, that aside, the little kittens I invited to the show were satisfied with it, and all those who lent me a hand seemed to have enjoyed themselves.
Kaoru
To think that everyone involved could be pleased in the end... That makes me believe that we forged the ideal performance.
Kaoru
I've gifted many a kitten with a variety of presents on White Day before. However... I may have provided the most marvelous White Day gift of all this time around.
Kaoru
... Fufu, BanG Dreamer-san, you're interested to know what my previous presents have been, are you?
Kaoru
It's my pleasure to satisfy your curiosity. Let us see. Not too long ago... I brought my little kittens to a restaurant, a favorite of mine, and we had a tea party of sorts.
Marina
Wow, what a fancy way to give back to them on White Day. That's just about what I'd expect from you. I imagine they were happy?
Kaoru
Indeed. They were all taken aback when they learned it was a place with an all-you-can-drink setup. However, I could see how delighted they were as they went through the many different soft drinks.
Marina
Th-that's not really the kind of restaurant I was imagining...
Kaoru
I've also had a poetry reading. I let them listen to my recitation of Goethe poems I'd been deeply moved by. What an excellent time that was...
Kaoru
And after I finished reading the collection of poems, they sat with their eyes closed, impressed by the works. Some of them even nodded as they attempted to digest what they'd just heard.
Marina
Are you sure... they weren't sleeping...?
Marina
E-either way, that's amazing Kaoru-san! Hosting events for your fans to enjoy like that!
Kaoru
Amazing, I am not. Are we all not happy to see someone else's joy?
Kaoru
And I am even more thrilled when the charming princesses who adore me greatly are the ones who are pleased.
Kaoru
Presently, I can only provide said joy to the little kittens around me, but one day, I hope to do the same for people around the world.
Kaoru
... BanG Dreamer-san. No need to say a word! I have your support, I know.
Kaoru
And of course, I shall make that desire a reality. After all, Hello, Happy World! is composed of the most magnificent members, as well yours truly, overflowing elegantly with talent...!
Kaoru
Nothing should be impossible for us. Don't you agree?
Marina
Fufu, when you say it that confidently, it really does feel like you can do anything.
Marina
We'll be cheering you on too! Good luck with your dream of making the world smile!
Kaoru
I appreciate that, BanG Dreamer-san, Marina-san! Fufu, be sure to expect big things from us!