Trip Show 3

Tomoya: Hmm... feels like there’s deeper meaning behind that.

Come to think of it, you and your little brother act like each other up on stage, too. Guess you know all about pretending to be someone else.

Hinata: You bet. No one in the entire universe can beat me when it comes to acting like Yuuta-kun, since I’m his big bro. It’s not quite the same as becoming someone else, but still.

Tomoya: Buchou said something similar, like just saying the lines doesn’t make you that character, or something like that.^[1]

You have to absorb the rule into your very soul.

It’s so hard, but I’m trying my best. Just you wait, I swear I’ll become the crossdressing princess!

I’m gonna be on stage with Hokuto-senpai, so I can’t drag him down with a shitty performance.

Hajime: I’m rooting for you, Tomoya-kun. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.

...But, um, try not to get so into your role that you forget who you really are, okay? I get worried because of your insecurities.

Tomoya: Don’t worry about that... No matter what role I play on stage, I’ll always go back to the same old me once I get off.

‘Cause I know I’ll always have my best friend waiting for me there ♪

Hokuto: ......

Natsume: What’s with the long face, Hokke-kun? ♪

Hokuto: ...Sakasaki. How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?

Natsume: Hmmm? That’s what Baru-kun calls you, though; is he an exception?

You could at least let me give you a nickname, since we’re such good friends ♪

Hokuto: Since when are we friends...? For the record, I’ve told Akehoshi just as many times not to call me “Hokke.”

But that guy is terrible at listening to people.

Natsume: That he is. Baru-kun doesn’t listen to people.

However, he will hear you out if you truly want him to.

In̯ h̦iͣ̔͠s eͅyes̹̥,̈́ y̶͖͠o͐ṵ a̎r̛ͧ̋ęͣ͞ a̸͓ͩ ra̴͆̐r̫̣e hu̼m̋̃a̶nͤ who͕ cͤa̬͔̕ṉ͖́ s͑͋̿ta͍͙̱nd a͆s̳ hi̋͜s̾ e̬ͅqų̻ą͖̋l͙͇._̸^[2]

Hokuto: ...What did you want with me anyway, Sakasaki? You don’t usually involve yourself with me. Or rather, you don’t usually even respond when I need something from you.

Natsume: I am a free man; I decide how I want to spend my time.

Time is money, as they say... so stealing someone’s time would be an act of theft.

Hokuto: You always have an excuse.

But that doesn’t answer my question. And either way I’m still eating, so you’ll have to wait. My grandma says it’s bad manners to talk with food in your mouth.

Natsume: Ahaha, you’re so cold to me. We’re classmates, aren’t we? We should get along ♪

Hokuto: ......

Natsume: Hmph. You’re ignoring me? But it’s useless to plug your ears or look away in matters of magic. ...I’ve been entrusted with a message from Wataru-nii-san.

Tomoya-kun has accepted the challenge to prepare for his role without shying away, so he wants you to practice, too.

Hokuto: I already know that much without you coming out here to tell me. Tomoya has a strong will, so I know he’ll overcome this ordeal.

Natsume: Y̙̯̰e̦̮t̶̬ y̼̬oú̀ ȧ͚͚re̲ we̪̅ak,̵̦̃ s̼̯̩o̠̕̚ yȏ̻u r̰͗͜á̬ͩn aw̺͂̚a̤̬̭ỹ͔̀.̃͝^[3]

Hokuto: ...That was when I was a first year. Now I understand how important it is to get into character.

Natsume: Would that I had seen Hokke-kun in a dress... He forces new students to “prepare” for an idiotic “role” to test their mettle, right?

What a hilarious tradition.

Hokuto: It’s decent practice, though. Professional actors in both film and theater do similar things.

Natsume: They’ll even put on weight just to fit their roles. So are you not dressing up this time, Hokke-kun?

Hokuto: There are also many plays that focus more on everyday life, so I’m focused on developing my knowledge and skills in that area.

Even if I put on a different costume, I’m still me. It’s my nature to approach each role as if I’m playing myself.

Natsume: So that’s why I found you eating Western food in the garden terrace. You usually prefer Japanese food brought from home...

Apparently my conversation with you has been fruitful; all my questions have been answered ♪

Hokuto: Did Buchou ask you to make sure I was taking my training seriously?

With SS approaching, I haven’t been able to do much with the drama club, either.

I’m pretty sure that if I can’t stay committed, I’ll be dropped from this role.

When Buchou and his doves are watching, I get too self-conscious to say or do anything out of the ordinary. I’m sure that’s why he asked you to check on me.

Natsume: Your mind works in fascinating ways. I will neither confirm nor deny this. The truth will remain in the dark ♪

All that I can say for now is:

T̳̙h̎̓̕a͋͟ͅnͦk̰̳͑ y̢͔o̓u foͭ͗rͪ t̤ͯ̏hḛ͕̌ m̞eal͔.͔^[4]

Hokuto: ...Oh. Hey, Sakasaki. You ate my fried shrimp, didn’t you?

Natsume: I have quite a lot of expenses this month, so I’m trying to save on food costs where I can. If you don’t finish your food quickly, you’re going to be late for class. You wouldn’t want to be tardy, now, would you... class president? ♪

Hokuto: ...Why are you always so weird? That must be why that Masked Pervert likes you so much.

Natsume: The feeling is mutual, actually. Perhaps we ought to engage in a little friendly rivalry, us both being the magician’s apprentices.

Well, then. I’m sure we will meet again, Hokke-kun, when the time is right... ♪

Hokuto: Hmph. More like in a few minutes, since we’re classmates.