Trip Show 2

Tomoya: ......

Hajime: It’s lunch time, Tomoya-kun. What are you doing for—

Oh, you’re still in your dress.

Hinata: You sure are. What, is this some kind of method acting thing?

Tomoya: Pretty much. The Masked Pervert told me I had to wear this from the moment I woke up to the time I went to bed...

And I can’t try to change clothes ‘cause he’s got his pet dove keeping an eye on me.

Hinata: Wow. You’re right, there’s a dove just outside the window.

It’s like a little familiar~ Just what I’d expect from one of the Three Oddballs ♪

But y’know, Tomo-kun, you usually start from the surface level and then work your way down, so this is probably good practice for you, honestly.

When you were helping out at the Chinese restaurant, you got more natural and fluid with things over time, right?^[1]

Tomoya: Urgh. I’m just not great at adapting myself, so I guess I need the costume to help make the role more concrete in my mind, or something...

Or whatever it was that Masked Pervert said.

Hajime: Ehehe. When you wear our Ra*bits costumes, you start acting all cutesy, too. Is that you playing a character, too? It must be tough being in the drama club.

Oh yeah, does that mean you’re playing a princess again? You keep ending up in heroine roles, like princesses or Little Red Riding Hood.

Do you not get to play more princely roles ever? You’re so cool, though...

Tomoya: Nah, it’s just that Hokuto-senpai is the one who plays the prince in the drama club. It has to be him.

He’s even cooler than usual on stage, y’know. He’s just so great at it~ ♪

Actually, I was supposed to play a prince this time, too, which is pretty much unheard of.

The Masked Pervert was going on about how we need to switch things up sometimes to broaden our horizons. It was really promising.

And I was sooo excited to hear that I might get to be a prince alongside Hokuto-senpai... so obviously I jumped at the opportunity and said I wanted the role.

Then the budget was set and the costumes started getting made.

We already booked a performance hall off campus and people are already buying tickets, so I can’t back out at this point.

And then the cat came out of the bag: I was actually cast as a “princess who dresses like a guy for some reason.” Like, you have to be kidding me...

Now I regret ever opening my damn mouth.

Midori: Huh...? But if she usually dresses like a guy, then why are you doing this whole princess thing...?

Hinata: I mean, she’s still a princess, right? Doesn’t matter if she crossdresses.

And it’s not like you get to experience pretending to be someone of the opposite gender every day. I guess it’s fitting. Maybe.

Tomoya: Yeahhh, probably not... I’m sure he just thinks he’s hilarious.

Tetora: Mm. But he’s right, you don’t really know what you’re doing until you actually do it. It’s like sports: practice makes perfect.

All I can do is cheer you on, but I’ll do it with all I’ve got ♪

Midori: Sure... I guess we’ll try to help. Pain in my ass, but whatever...

Tomoya: Ugh. Thanks, guys. I’m so glad this is my class... ♪

Hinata: Nope, nope, nope! If you’re going to practice, then do it right! There’s no going back now! And you said there’s not much time left before the show, didn’t you?

So take this role seriously!

Right now you’re just acting like your plain old self! You’ve gotta get more into a princess-y mindset!

Tomoya: Huh? Urgh... You’re right, but it’s so hard.

I’ve played princesses plenty of times before, but they’re all still girls, y’know? And then on top of that, they’re supposed to be high-class and stuff. I just have no idea how they’re supposed to act.

Hinata: No point racking your brain about it, then! Don’t think, just feel!

Tomoya: Ughhh, why are you going all Spartan on me, Hinataaaa...

You really don’t cut corners when it comes to your performances, huh. You take it all so seriously. I really respect that about you.

Hinata: Well, naturally. It’s how I put food on the table.

Tomoya: Yeah, I know. We’re idols, and we wanted this job, so we have to suck it up and do what we’ve gotta do...

There’s no excuse for running away just ‘cause you don’t like something.

I’ll do my best to prepare for this princess role. Umm, maybe she’d act like this?

O–ohoho! They have no bread? Then let them eat soy pulp!^[2]

Midori: That’s, um, a healthy choice...?!

Tetora: Are they on a no-carb diet...?

Tomoya: Ugh. Yeah, I got nothing. Hajimeeee, gimme some advice.

You’re all buddy-buddy with the student council president and the rich kid from Class B, so you must know all about how aristocrats act.

Hajime: Huh? Ahaha, I don’t know, you really think I’m friends with them...? ♪

Umm, well they always get really happy for some reason when I give them cheap candy ♪

Tomoya: Yeah, that just makes me even more confused about the bourgeoisie.

Hajime: I just mean that, when you grow up in a different environment, I guess you develop different values...?

Something we don’t blink twice at is pretty unusual to other people.

Hinata: Exaaaactly! You just need a little imagination! That’s the crucial matter!

Grab hold of the feelings and mannerisms of someone based on the way they grew up and the people around them!

At least you have a script, so you can start by reading through it carefully.

Try to make guesses and imagine why she would say this line in that scene.

Think about her just like how you’d think about yourself—no, more than that.

If you can get to the point where you’re naturally incorporating her thoughts, habits, and quirks without even thinking about it, then you’ve nailed it.