Transcript
Maya
Let's see... I think we've pretty much got all the props, right? All we have to buy now is... Hmm...
Aya
By the way, Maya-chan... I know virtually nothing about theater, so this might be a weird question, but... Do you take care of gathering the props every time?
Maya
It actually depends. When a lot of props are required, we get experts to help. But when we don't need many, sometimes we have the performers bring them in.
Maya
I originally was the lightning technician, but somewhere along the way, I ended up becoming the stage director.
Maya
Yeah, there's always one for the Pastel*Palettes performances too! It's the person who gives directions to the other staff members.
Maya
That’s right! The stage director has to take care of everything behind the scenes, so it's a really busy job.
Aya
Okay, I'll do my best! Let's see... Today we are buying all the props we need and having a set-design meeting? Oh, and we have to decide on the costumes!
Aya
That's quite a lot to do... It must be really tough for one person to take care of all of that...
Maya
Well, it's certainly rough, but that's why it's so much fun. I particularly like this type of behind-the-scenes work.
Aya
I believe I wrote a note about them somewhere! ... Ah, here it is! Let's see, the first one we'll need is the prince one? And after that is...
Maya
For the most part, we have costumes from past plays that we can fix up and use. The one we need to think about is the one in the last scene where the main character wears-
Maya
Yeah. The dress I have in mind for this scene is slightly different than the ones we have in storage... So, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what to do.
Aya
Kaoru-san will be coming out in both a prince costume and a dress, right? My question is... is the main character for this play a guy? ... Or is it a girl?
Maya
Well, you see, the main character is actually a girl. However, she lives as a man and dresses the part. That's why she'll appear in a prince's costume first, and then at the end, she'll wear a dress.
Maya
That's why in the last scene when she comes out to do her monologue, I was hoping she could wear a dress that's gorgeous and refined... But we can't afford something like that.
Aya
Oh! What about trying a store that sells party goods? They should have dresses there that aren't too expensive...
Maya
Yeah, but in those cases, you get what you pay for. I'm sorry to say this but those kinds of costumes just end up looking cheap on stage.
Maya
That's how a stagehand would think! I'm not sure if it'll be feasible or not, but let's go check out the fabric store for now!
Rinko
Y-yes... They have a wide range of fabrics here... and other materials, too... I can pretty much get everything I need...
Rinko
That will depend... on the design... Let's see, the outfits I made last time required... about three meters of light-blue cloth... per dress.
Rinko
... Well, Ako-chan is always... there to help me... And I've always enjoyed... this type of work anyway... It's challenging... but also... fun...
Rinko
Uh-uhm... Yukina-san, I'm sincerely happy ...you're trying to get to know us as band members a little better...
Rinko
Unfortunately, I'm not so good at explaining things... Though, I know I can talk about various things once I'm making the outfits... I'm terribly sorry...
Maya
Well, you see, there's a performance coming up for the theater club, so Aya-san and I are making preparations for it.
Transcript
Maya
S-sorry about that...! I'm just nervous seeing faces I don't normally see at the theater club...!
Kaoru
Yukina. Rinko. You must have come here for the sake of seeing me. Please accept my warmest welcome.
Maya
There's no way you'd be a burden! I'm just really thankful the both of you are willing to help us out!
Yukina
This is the perfect opportunity for me since I wanted to see how Rinko makes our outfits anyway.
Maya
Sh-Shirokane-san, you don't have to be so petrified of Kaoru-san! She's pretty much always like this. You'll get used to it eventually.
Rinko
The story goes beyond... the encounters between people... It also delves into the meeting and parting with entire worlds... I was deeply moved.
Maya
Y-you read it that thoroughly?! You're completely correct! The main character grapples with making difficult life choices that are quite thought-provoking!
Kaoru
The story is an abundance of emotions. You'll witness the protagonist endure an array of difficulties, hurdles, and struggles.
Maya
Uhm, can I point out that... difficulties, hurdles, and struggles are pretty much synonyms of each other...
Maya
Okay, we will split the stage into three large sections representing three different stars. And we'll set up the followspots in three different ways.
Maya
Oh, followspots are lighting instruments that project a bright beam onto a performance area. The followspot can really change the whole atmosphere of the stage.
Maya
When it comes to stage design, it's better to have an abstract idea rather than a concrete one.
Maya
We'll need to make around ten long rectangular boxes which can be used as chairs or tables depending on the scene.
Maya
Great. Let's aim to do our shop-crew stuff on the weekend after next. All actors are expected to help out on that day, so please be there!
Maya
Oh, right, I'm sorry! Shop crews are the people who construct and assemble set pieces for a performance, but here, everyone does that together.
Rinko
Well, it's just that... I'll be designing the dress... So if possible, I'd like to know what kind of image... Seta-san would like...
Kaoru
And also... passion! The main character will be brimming with emotion as she aims for new encounters... And she'll need a dress with... passion.
Transcript
Maya
Hey, everyone! Sorry to have kept you all waiting! We had an actors' meeting and it ran a bit late.
Kaoru
Please know how sorrowful it was for me to have left you all alone, my dear kittens. I can only imagine how lifeless and dull the room must have been without me.
Kaoru
Oh, I am filled with anticipation to gaze upon the fleeting design you've created. However, before that...
Rinko
I-I'm not sure... if it'll meet your expectations... but here is the design... I came up with...
Maya
Whoa~! This is...!! Th-this is even better than I was expecting! It's amazing!! What do you think, Kaoru-san?!
Kaoru
Fleeting... and brimming with passion... This is everything I've dreamed of in a dress. The very dress I had envisioned!
Rinko
The theme of the play is... meeting and parting... So I thought flowers would be appropriate to represent that sentiment...
Yukina
I think the high slit of the dress is a nice touch. It'll certainly show off a more elegant figure.
Maya
Practically speaking, the slit allows for freedom of movement on stage! It's great! More than great! This dress is fantastic!
Maya
Oh, if we want to make the red of the dress stand out even more... Maybe we should make the backdrop more subdued.
Kaoru
I shall make sure the acting plan will complement the high slit. Without a doubt, this slit design will make the stage shine!
Maya
In that case, how do you feel about this? We can try elevating the stage a little higher! That way, we can make the thigh-high slit stand out even more!
Kaoru
Ahh, Rinko. My gratitude can no longer be expressed by a mere poem. Yes, that's it! Will you be so kind as to dance with me?
Maya
It's done! What do you think? We'll raise the right side of the stage by three steps! And we can easily do this by using platforms and step units!
Maya
Step units are movable steps. They can help the actors get on a platform that has been adjusted for height.
Kaoru
Fufu, I was thinking of the exact same thing. Rinko, it seems that we are rather... compatible.
Maya
I'm not really sure... I mean, I can't deny it completely, though. They're both cut out to be great artists.
Kaoru
Ah, yes, Maya. If we're doing the monologue on here, then I believe the lighting shall be affected...
Maya
Ohh~, I think we're gonna have ourselves a fantastic stage! And it's all thanks to Shirokane-san's dress design! Thank you so much very much!
Aya
Theater is so fascinating! We started off talking about the dress design, and then we went into deciding on the stage construction and lighting!
Yukina
You get an image of one thing, and then it inspires other aspects... Similar to band performances.
Maya
You're right about that! Theater isn't always just about the actors. The world that's presented is brought together by what happens behind the scenes!
Kaoru
Oh, but theater is not about the performers or the stage crew, either. You're forgetting the most important aspect...
Kaoru
Rinko... I have witnessed your incredible talent firsthand. Now, I have but one request to ask of you... Will you oblige?
Kaoru
I must confess, the prince outfit I'll be wearing first does not exactly fit the image I desire...
Transcript
Maya
Hey, everyone! Sorry to have kept you all waiting! We had an actors' meeting and it ran a bit late.
Kaoru
Please know how sorrowful it was for me to have left you all alone, my dear kittens. I can only imagine how lifeless and dull the room must have been without me.
Kaoru
Oh, I am filled with anticipation to gaze upon the fleeting design you've created. However, before that...
Rinko
I-I'm not sure... if it'll meet your expectations... but here is the design... I came up with...
Maya
Whoa~! This is...!! Th-this is even better than I was expecting! It's amazing!! What do you think, Kaoru-san?!
Kaoru
Fleeting... and brimming with passion... This is everything I've dreamed of in a dress. The very dress I had envisioned!
Rinko
The theme of the play is... meeting and parting... So I thought flowers would be appropriate to represent that sentiment...
Yukina
I think the high slit of the dress is a nice touch. It'll certainly show off a more elegant figure.
Maya
Practically speaking, the slit allows for freedom of movement on stage! It's great! More than great! This dress is fantastic!
Maya
Oh, if we want to make the red of the dress stand out even more... Maybe we should make the backdrop more subdued.
Kaoru
I shall make sure the acting plan will complement the high slit. Without a doubt, this slit design will make the stage shine!
Maya
In that case, how do you feel about this? We can try elevating the stage a little higher! That way, we can make the thigh-high slit stand out even more!
Kaoru
Ahh, Rinko. My gratitude can no longer be expressed by a mere poem. Yes, that's it! Will you be so kind as to dance with me?
Maya
It's done! What do you think? We'll raise the right side of the stage by three steps! And we can easily do this by using platforms and step units!
Maya
Step units are movable steps. They can help the actors get on a platform that has been adjusted for height.
Kaoru
Fufu, I was thinking of the exact same thing. Rinko, it seems that we are rather... compatible.
Maya
I'm not really sure... I mean, I can't deny it completely, though. They're both cut out to be great artists.
Kaoru
Ah, yes, Maya. If we're doing the monologue on here, then I believe the lighting shall be affected...
Maya
Ohh~, I think we're gonna have ourselves a fantastic stage! And it's all thanks to Shirokane-san's dress design! Thank you so much very much!
Aya
Theater is so fascinating! We started off talking about the dress design, and then we went into deciding on the stage construction and lighting!
Yukina
You get an image of one thing, and then it inspires other aspects... Similar to band performances.
Maya
You're right about that! Theater isn't always just about the actors. The world that's presented is brought together by what happens behind the scenes!
Kaoru
Oh, but theater is not about the performers or the stage crew, either. You're forgetting the most important aspect...
Kaoru
Rinko... I have witnessed your incredible talent firsthand. Now, I have but one request to ask of you... Will you oblige?
Kaoru
I must confess, the prince outfit I'll be wearing first does not exactly fit the image I desire...
Transcript
Maya
Ah, Aya-san! You should always wear heavy-duty gloves when handling lumber! It would horrible if you got hurt!
Maya
Oh, let's have you do something else then... Can you lay down some newspaper on the floor? We'll need it for some other work.
Rinko
Yukina-san... It's easier to cut with the fabric scissors... if you... keep the bottom blade... touching the table...
Rinko
Yes... Also, you never want... to close the points of the scissors all the way... Cut with the middle of the blade...
Rinko
Ako-chan and I... always have a good time working on them... Plus... it's all for the success of Roselia...
Maya
Great job, you two! Is there anything you need? If there is, I'd be more than happy bring it over...
Maya
We ended up asking you to adjust the other costumes for the play, too. I apologize for all the extra work we gave you.
Rinko
No, it's okay because... Yukina-san and Maruyama-san are here... And so are... all the other club members...
Maya
Right now, the actors are having a meeting. But they'll be done soon, and Kaoru-san and the others will join us!
Maya
I-I sure will...! Oh, by the way, Shirokane-san, Kaoru-san mentioned altering the prince costume before. How is that coming along...?
Rinko
I'm still working on that... I made a preliminary design... but I felt there's still something missing...
Aya
Same goes for you, Maya-chan? You're juggling classes, prep for the play and our band practices... You have to make sure you fit some breaks into your schedule, too.
Rinko
I too... identify with that sentiment... I mean... it makes me happy... if I'm able to support those who shine on stage... from behind the scenes...
Kaoru
Most impressive, Aya. It is the finest job of laying down newspaper I've ever had the pleasure of seeing.
Aya
You're being too kind. You're gonna make me blush... But now I feel like I should roll up my sleeves and work even harder!
Maya
Oh! Aya-san, you don't have to use a hammer! It'd be terrible if you got hurt by the claw! In fact, can I get you to paint it, please?
Maya
Hey, you guys got it right! The claw hammer is the most common hammer we use in stagecraft! The curved claw is used for ripping out nails.
Transcript
Maya
Okay... Outfits in the box, check. Toolbox... check! Oh, and those are... in this paper bag! Good! Everything is ready to go for tomorrow's prep.
Maya
Huh? The prince costume? But we went with your first design. I thought you were done altering it...
Rinko
I want to make an adjustment... for the performance... So, is it okay... if I borrow the costume?
Rinko
S-so... I really want to see this through to the end... I don't want to leave anything... unfinished...
Maya
Yeah, I get that. You... No, not just you, but also Aya-san and Minato-san, too. You're all a part of this performance.
Maya
Okay, if I can have you bring it to the dressing room backstage by tomorrow afternoon that would be great!
Maya
Huhehe. I really hope you enjoy tomorrow's performance! In fact, I reserved the best seats in the house for all of you!
Rinko
Yukina-san and Maruyama-san... mentioned it, as well... We want to... fulfill our roles as stagehands... to the very end...
Maya
But it's the load-in tomorrow. Besides, it'll be a really early day for us, and it's all physical labor. If any of you get hurt, it'll hinder your band's performances...
Kaoru
Fufu, if our little kittens have so kindly requested... We have not even a single reason to decline, Maya.
Kaoru
We could always use more help with the installation process, no? Not even a single reason to decline. Am I right?
Kaoru
Fufu, leave your worries aside. I trust that our brilliant stage director is not a fool who would put her staff in harm's way.
Rinko
U-uhm... I would... like to see for myself... what kind of world gets created... and the stage we envisioned.
Kaoru
A paper bag... Ahh, you mean this very thing here? The contents are... the performance programs.
Maya
I was a little late in ordering them, but they finally came today. I've included everyone's name under the staff section of the program. Please, go ahead and read it.
Rinko
Huh...? "Costumes: Rinko Shirokane, Yukina Minato"... "Assistant Stage Director: Aya Maruyama"...
Maya
You're all part of the staff for this performance. So it only makes sense for you to come for the installation part, too. Uhm...So, what I'm saying is-
Maya
Uhm, Shirokane-san. I know saying this might be a little weird now, but I'm really glad that we asked you to design Kaoru-san's red dress!
Maya
All our performances up until now, we've only ever altered past costumes. This is the first time we've been able to be picky about what we wanted in an outfit.
Kaoru
Yes, as Maya said, all your costumes are nothing but astounding. Each one is elaborate and exquisite, not to mention unequivocally fleeting.
Maya
That sort of intuition is a bit out of my reach. Perhaps because I'm rigid or more analytical...
Maya
But seeing people like you two, who can create something out of nothing, is absolutely admirable to me.
Transcript
Maya
Oh, Minato-san! Please fold over those blackout curtains by your feet. Otherwise, people might trip over them.
Maya
Hmm. For you, Kaoru-san... Oh, yes! It's about time we assemble the flats, could you help with that?
Kaoru
You ask but a simple task of me, Maya. You can trust that I will assemble the flats in a charming fashion.
Maya
Right, your next job... would be to hand over the lanterns to that crew member on the stepladder. Oh! There are strip lights stage right, so be careful!
Aya
Uhh, the strip lights are these on the floor used to light up the stage? And lanterns are lighting units adapted for stage use... Okay, got it!
Kaoru
Fufu, it would appear the song princess of Roselia is now considerably acquainted with theater terminology.
Maya
A final check...?! That would mean it's done, right?! Great job! Thanks for your hard work! Kaoru-san, come over here so you can give the costume a final check!
Kaoru
Fufu. Ah, the costume so meticulously adjusted by Rinko. I have unyielding faith that it'll be nothing but magnificent.
Maya
But you only started working on it after you came back to get it yesterday...Did you work on it... all night?
Rinko
I got a little bit of sleep... at dawn this morning... There were just certain details... I wanted to make perfect...
Maya
I see! That's why you added this armband! It certainly makes the character look much more courageous!
Kaoru
Moreover, I notice you've adorned the chest with the symbol of a lion. The design elevates the nobility of the character... Now, it looks like the protagonist has the strength of a powerful feline.
Kaoru
This is the very prince costume I have been yearning for. Ahh, and this fleetingness. It's all I've ever desired!
Maya
Say, Shirokane-san... you've not only nailed all the stage terms but you've somehow managed to understand Kaoru-san-speak, too...
Kaoru
Maya, the actors have finished getting into wardrobe. Shall we get the crew ready and start the dress rehearsal?
Aya & Yukina
Obviously! Obviously.
Maya
Ahahaha, you're right. Trying to explain it was foolish of me! Alright, let's get this show on the road! Break a leg!
All
Break a leg!
Kaoru
That's my cue, my little kittens. It pains me that we must be separated, but alas, the green room is where I must go.
Kaoru
I shall. Much appreciated... All of you have toiled long and hard for this play. I shall deliver an outstanding performance worthy of your efforts.
Maya
Backstage crew, in your places! Lighting and sound teams! Preset the stage so it's ready for the audience to enter.
Aya
Wow! The whole mood of this place just changed! It feels like the actual performance is about to start!