[player]...To be able to perform as Sara's partner is an unbelievable opportunity for a fan. I'm very happy and willing to do it.
[player]But Don is such an important character in the original work. Will I really be okay?
[Sara]If you're worried that your performance will affect our competition or Soul, then you don't need to worry at all because the decision will be based on my performance and Olevi's performance.
[Sara]If you're worried that you won't be able to memorize the lines, we can get someone to voice the lines for you behind the stage, but we'll need you to do your best to complete the actions on the stage.
[player]That's okay. I still have another month to practice. I'm just wondering why you want me to do it. If you just need a standard performance, then won't someone else be more suitable than me?
I don't think it's because I have any undiscovered acting talent.
[Sara]Although it's an important competition, I don't want the audience to just focus on the contest between me and Olevi. Even if it's more exciting, it won't be fun.
[Sara]So I want you to be my partner. You also come up with ideas that are beyond my imagination, just like when we met the outsiders...
[player]So what you want from me is an element of surprise?
[Sara]That's right. I'm really looking forward to being surprised by you again this time. Also...
[player]Also...
[Sara]...No, nothing. The most important thing is your element of surprise. So, will you help me?
[player]I...
While I'm hesitating, a small black head appears in the left side of my field of vision. Little Miaow comes out of nowhere, jumps onto my shoulder, and stares right at me with its yellow eyes while meowing.
[Sara]Little Miaow, do you also think it's a good idea?
Little Miaow
[Little Miaow]Meow!
[player]Even a cat is encouraging me. I don't think I can say no now. Sara, I'll be in your care for the next month. Please teach me well.
[Sara]Hehe, let's do our best together.
That's how it was decided that I would perform on stage with Sara.
The competition is in one month, so we don't really have that much time left. During this time, Soul performed less frequently than usual to make time for our rehearsals and to give Sara sufficient time to rest and prepare for the competition.
[Ciri]...That's the wrong movement.
[player]I was too slow. I should get up and act like I'm pushing open doors here... Oh, that's wrong. That's what I should be doing when the next part of the music starts.
[Sara]Why don't you take a break first? We'll rehearse these two parts separately later.
[player]No, let's follow the order. I'll go over the script again now.
Carmen's script isn't that long, but the whole play is very compact. If I get distracted during the rehearsal, I won't be able to keep up with the pace of the overall performance.
Over the next few days, I basically return home sweaty every day and fall asleep instantly after showering.
[Sara]The tired way of singing you used just now when we were doing the part with the fiancée is very good because it highlights Don's guilty conscience.
[player]Haha... Actually, I was just singing like that because I'm tired. But if it's good, I'll sing it like that during the official performance.
Although my body is tired, my spirit is very excited, especially as I always continue until I'm exhausted when I practice with Sara.
During this time, I feel myself growing almost every day, which is a truly exciting thing...
[Sara]Ciri, can you get them to play the music again?
[Ciri]Okay.
[player]We've been practicing for almost two hours. Sara, don't you want to rest for a bit?
[Sara]I want to keep practicing while I'm in good condition.
Is this the difference between a professional and an amateur? Sara practices several times as much as me, but her movements are still so clean and performed with ease.
[Sara]Heh!
...Or maybe she doesn't feel tired because she's doing something she loves.
Several days later
Before I know it, there were less than two weeks until the competition.
[Sara]Cheers!
[player]Cheers!
Today, I managed to complete one round of the rehearsal without any mistakes. After practicing, Sara and I eat dinner at a restaurant to celebrate this achievement.
[Sara]You've got such a good memory. You only needed three days to memorize the lines. To think I was thinking of getting someone to say the lines for you. I underestimated you.
[player]It's just because that script is so short. I wish my body can remember the movements like my brain remembers the lines.
[Sara]Didn't everything go well today though?
[player]I was just lucky enough to succeed once. Maybe my movements and positioning will be all over the place again after I wake up tomorrow.
[Sara]Hehe, you're quite harsh on yourself. Actually, you don't need to worry too much about how precise your movements are. It's okay if they aren't perfect.
[Sara]The most important thing about opera is to move in a way that matches the character. If you become your character, the audience will surely feel the charisma of your performance.
[player]Becoming the character... That's actually what I find the hardest.
[player]From the script, I can understand that Don is so in love with Carmen that he's gone crazy, but it's totally different when I play his character. I'm not confident that I can fully understand him. Maybe that's why I hesitate at some of the more intense parts of the plot.
Such as... when Don kills his lover. Even if it's just an act, without being able to deeply feel the emotions of the character, I feel like my performance in that scene is almost meaningless.
[player]In comparison, Sara, you're really amazing, and your performance is really natural. I finally understand why the gaffer and the others are so confident about this competition. Like they say, you are just like Carmen.
[Sara]...Do you really think so?
The fleeting bitter smile I saw the other day appears clearly on Sara's face.
[player]Sara? I... Did I say something wrong?
[Sara]No, you didn't. That really is what many people think about me.
[Sara]I just don't really understand what they mean specifically when they say I resemble her.
I've known Sara for a while, but this is the first time I've seen such an anxious or even lost expression on her face...
[Sara]I understand that I share some characteristics with Carmen, but we're ultimately two different people. That's why I can't help but wonder if the resemblances I'm thinking of are the same things others want to see in me.
[Sara]Other people's expectations are really heavy... I want to respond to their expectations as much as possible and become the Carmen in their hearts, but I don't know if what I'll show everyone is just my conceited idea of what I think they want to see.
[Sara]I can't help but get a little nervous whenever I think about this recently.
[player]...Sorry, Sara. I didn't realize I was stressing you out.
I finally understand why Sara is acting so strangely when Olevi said who else but her can play the role of Carmen. I never considered that these compliments would become her burden...
[player]Now that I think about it, these compliments are a little rude. Sara, you are you. You don't need to resemble anyone else. The person I want to see on the stage is you, not Carmen.
[player]I think you're great the way you are now.
[Sara]Ahaha, if you start saying things like that, I also need to apologize to you.
[player]Hmm?
[Sara]You asked me why I wanted you to play the role of Don. The element of surprise is just one factor. Another factor is... I felt that your fondness for me is similar to Don's fascination with Carmen.
[Sara]But it looks like I was being rude too. You are you. You aren't Carmen's Don. You're my customer.
[player]...Haha, then it's a tie. To be honest, I'm quite happy to hear this.
[Sara]Why is that?
[player]Because we have the same troubles and are letting go of our expectations for each other at the same time. Don't you think this is worth toasting to?
[Sara]It is indeed. Cheers.
[player]Cheers.
I feel like I understand Sara a little bit more. We seem to have become closer...
After dinner, I take Sara back to the troupe.
[player]Sara, if something unexpected happens and Olevi wins, will you really go to Musae?
[Sara]Oh, do you think I'm just joking? If I lose, of course I need to abide by the agreement. Will you be lonely if I go to another troupe?
[player]Although it's a little mean to Ciri and the others to say this, as your fan, Sara, it doesn't matter to me where you go. And rationally speaking, I would actually recommend that you go to a larger and more promising troupe.
[Sara]Then why don't you want me to lose?
[player]Huh? Have I ever said that I don't want you to lose?
[Sara]You haven't said it out loud, but that's the feeling I get from you.
[player]Haha, to be honest, yes, as your diehard fan, I don't want you to lose at all. No, what I mean is, I can't imagine you losing to her.
[Sara]Oh... Now I really have to win, or else I'll be letting you down.
[player]I won't apologize this time. I'll do everything I can to help you and achieve my goal.
[player]Even if you're right, what if I can't become the character in the end? I can only pray that the audience will ignore me and only focus on your contest with Olevi.
[Sara]Haha, you don't need to force yourself if you can't.
[player]But didn't you just say that it's very important?
[Sara]Yes, but didn't you say that what you want to see on the stage is me? The only person I can show to the audience is myself.
The only person I can show to the audience is myself.
[Sara]...What do you see when you look at me now?
[player]Um... How should I say this...
[Sara]It's alright. You don't need to tell me now. We can revisit this again before the competition.
[Sara]If you find an answer, maybe we'll both know what to do to complete our performance.
[Sara]I'll be okay from here. Good night. Don't forget the homework I gave you, hehe...
[player]Sure, good night, Sara.
It's already after eleven o'clock by the time I get home, but I'm not sleepy at all.
After showering, I sit on the bed and flip through the script of Carmen again.
To play a character well, I definitely need to feel the same way the character does.
[player]Don... I'm reading your life. I'm trying to understand you.
Maybe I'll never truly understand you. I mean, we're two different people after all.
What do you see when you look at me now?
[player]...Sara, do you see me when you look at me?
Or are you seeing Don?
On the day of the competition
[player]T-There are so many people...
On the day of the competition, the venue is already bursting with people even though there's still some time until the show starts.
[Ticket Inspector]Ms. Olevi's appeal sure is extraordinary. All the tickets were sold in the blink of an eye.
Based on Soul's past ticket sales situation, many of the audience should be Olevi's fans—maybe even half of them.
[player]Sara sure is right. We can't take her lightly even if this is our home ground.
[Sara]Hehe, are you feeling nervous?
[player]Of course I am. We'll need to work twice as hard to win over the votes of her fans!
[Sara]Hehe, you're in high spirits today.
[Ciri]Sara, it's time to put on your makeup.
[Sara]Okay. It's almost time for you to get changed too, right?
[player]Yes, I'll be going now. Oh right, Sara.
[player]If... I'm wondering... If Carmen could leave safely, how do you think this play would have ended?
[Sara]If Carmen could leave safely... When you ask me so suddenly like this, I don't have an answer for you.
[Sara]But this is a very meaningful question. I'll think about it.
[player]Sure... You've got this, Sara.
[Sara]Same goes for you. Let's meet again on the stage.
[player]Yes, let's meet on the stage.
Opening time
[Announcer]Thank you for waiting! Soul's special opera performance, Carmen, is starting now!
Act I: Overture
It is the early morning, and there is a steady flow of pedestrians in the square. "I" and a few colleagues are chatting casually while standing guard outside the barracks.
My name is Don, a police officer who just started working here recently. At this moment, I'm sitting on a chair and focusing on making a gun chain.
[Officer]Don, do you think those girls who are rolling up cigarettes in this building are pretty?
[player]Sorry, sir. I don't know. I don't pay attention to these types of things.
[Officer]I know, my friend, it's because you already have a sweetheart, haha!
As we chat, loud noise can be heard from the distance, and my colleagues blow their whistles. Clearly, the noise is made by the female workers of the tobacco factory who are getting off work.
[player]Sir, why don't you find out if they are pretty for yourself?
[Soldiers](chorus) Where is Carmen? Why can't we see Carmen?
After being called out so enthusiastically by the soldiers, Carmen pushes the crowd aside and steps onto the stage.
She holds her head high and dances proudly. The soldiers are all around her, but they are actually just embracing their own desires.
[Soldiers](chorus) Carmen, when will you have a heart-to-heart talk with us? When will you give us your love?
[Sara]Love is like a free bird that none should try to tame. Love is like a vagabond that will never be restrained by the law.
[Sara]Even if you don't fall in love with me, you can't stop me from falling into your arms. But if I fall for you, you better be careful!
As she sings proudly, a flower hits me on the head. I pick up the sweet acacia flower that has fallen to the ground and look blankly at her in the crowd.
[Sara]Hey, what are you doing?
[player]Me? I'm making a chain for my gun.
[Sara]Your chain, hehe... Your chain is a chain that binds my soul!
Carmen laughs and runs off singing "love is like a vagabond..." as the bell of the tobacco factory sounds. The others follow her lead and leave one after another.
The only people left in the plaza are me and the officer beside me.
[player]What's with that look? She knows no shame! If witches who harm others really exist, she would be one of them!
[Officer]Haha! It's a farce, but it has nothing to do with you, Don. You already have a sweetheart.
That's right, "I" already have a "sweetheart"...
Act I, Scene III
[Fiancée]Don, mother told me to tell you that she misses you day and night. She even told me to bring you a kiss and wants you to tell her.
[player]Mother brought me a kiss... Please tell her how much I love and respect her, and please help me bring this kiss to her.
My sweetheart should be simple and kind.
Act I, Finale
[Sara]You want to put me in jail?
[player]I'm sorry, I must do that.
[Sara]...Don, you even threw away the flowers I gave you. You're been bewitched! You already love me, and you can do anything for me!
...I couldn't throw away the flower. I fell under the witch's spell. "I" can no longer say that my sweetheart is that simple and kind girl.
[Sara]Love is like a vagabond that will never be restrained by the law.
Lost in Carmen's bewitching song, "I" embark on a road of no return.
Act II, Overture
[Soldiers](chorus) Hooray! Hooray! Let's all cheer for the matador, Leo!
Amidst the sonorous and powerful beating of drums, Olevi, playing the role of Leo the matador, takes to the stage happily on a black horse like a general returning in triumph.
Female Fan
[Female Fan]Ah! Olevi is here!
The screams of the female fans in the tent are so loud they seem to lift the roof.
[Olevi]I should respond to your toast with a toast of my own, gentlemen, because you are soldiers who resemble us matadors! We take pride in fighting!
Leo picks up a red cloth and unfolds it in front of his chest while staring in front of himself. After a moment, he turns gracefully and continues to sing.
[Olevi]The fully-seated arena is a festive scene. The sound of ecstatic shouting fluctuates... There is a challenge, applause, and noise! It is violent and fiery!
Carmen walks over to Leo with her head held high. The matador smiles and makes the bright red cloth dance in his hands to welcome the challenge of love.
[Olevi]Love is waiting for you, matador!
[player]Olevi is such a talented actress...
Although I don't want to admit it, I would be more willing to choose this majestic matador instead of Don. As I watch Olevi's performance, I become increasingly unsure of whether we'll win the competition.
[player]She declared that she would be able to captivate the audience in just a few short scenes before. It looks like she wasn't bragging about that.
[Sara]Hehe, Olevi is just as talented as she is confident, but I don't think I'm inferior to her in the slightest.
[Sara]You're doing well today, much better than you were in our previous rehearsals. The first few scenes are over, so you just need to keep this up until the end.
[player]Really? That would be great as I won't put the hard work of the last few days to waste.
[Sara]To be honest, I think you're quite talented at acting and also dance well. Will you consider joining Soul officially after this competition?
[player]If I can help you win this competition, then maybe I do have some talent in this area and I could actually consider your proposal.
Joining Soul... She should just be joking to help me relax. Even so, I'm still a little happy to be recognized by a professional like Sara.
[Sara]You should consider it carefully since I'm serious about it.
[player]I-Is that so?
[Sara]It's time for my next scene. You should get some rest while you can. Oh, and don't forget to consider my proposal.
[player]Oh...
She... She was serious?
Act IV, Finale
The performance is nearly over, and the next scene is the most crucial one.
After learning that Carmen now loves another person, on the day of the bullfight, Don comes to his lover in despair and tries to save his love.
This is the climax, the most intense conflict of the whole play. This scene could determine the outcome of the competition...
Outside the bullring, "I" stagger up to Carmen numbly and grab her arm tightly.
[Sara]Let me go.
[player]Is your new lover the one everyone is cheering for?
[player]Carmen, don't leave with him. You... Must you go to him? Do you really love him?
[Sara]I love him. Even if I die, I must say that I love him!
In the bullring, the people stare at the blood gushing from the black bull and burst into applause. "Victory! Victory!" The applause seems to be mocking "me" at this very moment...
[player]If that's the case, then not even my soul will be saved. How dare you throw yourself into his arms shamelessly and mock me together! No! I'll make you bleed before I let you leave me! Carmen, you must be with me!
[Sara]No... No, no! It will never happen!
Carmen breaks free from "my" grasp and throws the ring "I" gave her at me.
[Sara]This is the ring you gave me. Take it! Either you kill me or you... give me freedom!
[player]...
Okay, it's time to make a decision.
I draw a sharp knife while looking at Carmen. There is no trace of fear on her face. She has been fearless from the beginning to the end.
Sara's fearless expression isn't because this is a play and I'm holding a prop. It's because she has become Carmen right now. She is the "outsider" Carmen who bewitches the world in the name of love and would rather die than lose her freedom.
[player](whisper) You're so amazing... Sara. You're so incredible...
Suddenly, I finally understand how Don is feeling at this moment. Like Sara said before, Don is fascinated by Carmen's every move, and I'm also fascinated by Sara's dance. We are just the same.
Can I really kill this person who has enchanted me so deeply?
Memories
[Sara]...What do you see when you look at me now?
[Sara](whisper) Psst, are you okay?
[player]...
Before I make my next move, I need to sort out two things. Who am I seeing right now?
And... How does Don see himself?
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