Royal Theater
categoryStory:
place:
ロイヤルシアター
| category | story | ending | Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Memories | Royal Theater | Royal Theater |
[player] Sigh, there are long lines wherever I look... [-] After walking around the amusement park for most of the day, I haven't been able to get on the rides I wanted to, and my clothes are wet. [player] I've finally found a vending machine. Thanks to the advancement of technology, I can pay with my mobile phone. [-] Just as I'm about to raise my phone to pay, an orange high-temperature warning pops up on the screen, which makes me feel a little in awe of the tourists lining up in front of the roller coaster. [Announcement] Hi, everyone, the next Royal Theater performance will start in five minutes. Please make your way there quickly if you want to watch the performance. [player] A stage play, huh...? It doesn't look like there are many people over there. [-] I flip through the amusement park pass in my hands and see that I haven't gotten the stamp for that attraction yet, so I decide to go now since there's no time better than now. [-] A chubby young man who looks friendly is responsible for welcoming people at the entrance of the Royal Theater, and he hands me a program booklet called "Royal Theater Viewing Guide." [Staff] Please follow the rules in the booklet. [player] I know, I know. I shouldn't make any loud noises when I'm watching the stage play. My teacher taught me that in the third grade of elementary school. [player] Don't worry, I always follow the rules. [Staff] Okay then. I wish you a wonderful and delightful experience. Ten minutes later [-] I didn't realize that I would eat my words so quickly... [Julily] (Monotone) Romero, oh Romero, why are you called Romero? [Romero] (Monotone) My dear Julily, my father named me that, and I do not know the reason either. [player] These lines are recited so stiffly and without emotion... [-] I tilt my head and listen to the sounds of many people snoring around me. [player] It's no wonder that so many people are asleep. [-] Although I want to sleep too, when I think about the rules in the program booklet, I pat myself on the face to try to stay awake. [-] Probably because the person in charge of the stage play is also aware of how boring the performance is, on the first page of the program booklet, it is written in bold black shaded letters that the audience should pay attention to the performance for Easter eggs that can appear at any time because only those who answer three or more questions correctly at the exit can get a stamp. [-] But I don't think it's fair to blame the actors for their performance. In comparison with the bustling crowds outside, the theater is so empty that it feels lonely. [-] Most of the audience are busy playing on their mobile phones after sitting down and are obviously treating this theater as a place to rest in the shade. Given the audience's lukewarm response, I can understand why the actors have no motivation to perform. [-] It's only natural that unmotivated actors can't captivate the attention of their audience. To break the cycle, someone will have to display sufficiently exciting acting skills. [???] Hmph... What an ignorant and ridiculous answer. Romero of the Montagu family, are you trying to use the fate of your family as an excuse to cover up your cowardice?! [player] Oh? Acting skills aside, that voice sounds really spirited. [-] Speak of the devil, a cloaked man arrives suddenly on the stage. His entire face is hidden under the hood, and he has a mysterious aura. [-] I look around me. Sure enough, some of the tourists look up from their phones and gaze at the stage curiously instead. [Romero] Eh... Who are you? [???] It doesn't matter who I am. What's important is that you must make a choice! Romero, will you be bound by the silly dignity of your family, or will you fight like a warrior and leave for a faraway land with your sweetheart?! [Julily] What's going on? Has a new character been added at the last minute? [Romero] How would I know...? [Romero] That's enough. Stop with your act now... Ah! [-] The actor who tried to grab the mysterious man with his hands slips and falls, tearing off the mysterious man's cloak. [-] When the actor stands and looks up, he sees a man who is dressed as a bartender looking down at him. [player] Huh...? Huh?! [Audience A] Umm... do these clothes exist in the historical context of this stage play? [Audience B] Geez, look at you making a fuss over nothing. They probably ran out of ideas and decided to add a time travel element to the stage play. [-] The audience starts whispering to one another, discussing this man who is wearing clothes that look and feel incongruent with this stage play. I even hear the sound of people taking photos. I even get the feeling that this commotion has already been posted on CatChat. [-] Meanwhile, the person who caused this commotion is calmly wiping a cocktail glass in his hand like nothing has happened. [player] Even the most professional bartender doesn't have a reason to carry a cocktail glass with him... Hold on, that's not what I should be complaining about right now! [-] Why is Natsuki Shinomiya on the stage?! [Romero] Wh-Who are you? [Natsuki Shinomiya] I'm just a bartender who is passing by. I've come to save a relationship that is about to be destroyed. [Romero] I don't understand what you're saying. Stop messing around on the stage! Get down! [Natsuki Shinomiya] Only characters who belong to the stage should stand on the stage! [player] But didn't you barge in suddenly...? [Romero] You have nothing to do with this at all and even barged onto the stage. What are you talking about? [player] Indeed, I'm a bartender who barged onto this stage by accident, but I know the tragedy that is coming. My arrival is a deux ex machina! [player] I wonder how he can speak so confidently about his interruption on the stage... [Romero] Do you think you can get away with it just by saying something cool...? After all, it doesn't make any sense for you to get on this stage, right?! [player] Whether it makes sense or not is for the discerning eyes of the audience to decide... Just think! You're wearing gorgeous and handsome clothes, yet you're muttering lifeless lines like the walking dead and haven't considered how you can change your future... [player] Is such a boring existence qualified to stand on this stage?! [Everyone] No! [Everyone] That's right! Make them get off the stage! [-] Natsuki Shinomiya spreads his hands while facing the stage, and the audience below the stage starts to boo in agreement with his point of view. [Julily] Wh-What else can we do? Are you telling us to not follow the script? [Natsuki Shinomiya] Why not? We should write the script of our own life ourselves. That you're still struggling over something so meaningless is ironclad proof that you've failed to devote yourself to this stage! [player] It's important to devote yourself to the stage, but... [Romero] You're making it sound easy to deviate from the script and rely on improvision... [-] ...Although Romero might not be a good actor, he is an expert at taking the words right out of my mouth. [Audience A] Are they going to stop the show now? Can the male and female leads do it or not? [Audience B] They can stop if they want. Whatever they're doing isn't as interesting as what this bartender is saying anyway. [Romero] Umm... [-] Although Natsuki Shinomiya's confusing but awesome-sounding words have made everyone a little excited, I can already see the scene of the security guards taking him away from the stage in my head... Just as I'm thinking this, I suddenly see Fuyumi Shinomiya run out from the backstage in a hurry. [player] Don't tell me you're here to join them?! [Fuyumi Shinomiya] (whisper) Brother, you've gone too far! You left without saying anything and even came here to cause trouble. [Fuyumi Shinomiya] I'm really sorry for the trouble my brother caused. I'm taking him away now! [Natsuki Shinomiya] Wait up, my sister! This is a critical time. It won't be too late to leave after I've completed my mission! [Fuyumi Shinomiya] Stop saying stupid things like that. It'll be bad if we don't leave quickly before the security guards come! [Romero] Stop right there. Do you think you can just walk away like this after saying all those grand things? [Fuyumi Shinomiya] Huh? Shouldn't you guys be the ones who want us to leave the stage the most right now?! [player] Yes, and even if you want to hold him responsible for interrupting the performance, there shouldn't be anything he can do. [Julily] Well... let's just forget about it and start again from the beginning. [Romero] We can't just let it slide like this. Didn't you hear what he said? Julily, he's our last hope. This is our chance to change our destiny! [Julily] Huh? [player] ...Huh? [Romero] My friend, although this is our first meeting, you're absolutely correct. After enduring disappointment after disappointment, I may have become a puppet who has given up on trying to improve and used my helpless fate as an excuse for my laziness. [Romero] To be honest, I envy you. You're someone who has accidentally barged onto our stage while passing by, but you've made this stage the center of people's attention. So please don't be in such a hurry to leave, my friend! This stage still needs you! [Julily] ...I'm begging you too! Mr. Unknown Bartender, please keep your promise and give me and Romero a different future. [Fuyumi Shinomiya] Are you saying... that you want my brother to continue to participate in the stage play? [Natsuki Shinomiya] Hmph! Very well then! Since your minds are made, let's not waste any time. Let's embark on the lonely boat of fate and sail towards the end of this journey of gratitude and grievances! [Fuyumi Shinomiya] ...Okay then. Finish the show, brother. [Natsuki Shinomiya] My sister, where are you going? Those who have stepped onto the stage can only leave after the curtains drop. I've already reserved a spot for you on this lonely boat of fate. [Fuyumi Shinomiya] Eh?! Me? But I'm just passing by! You guys should have your fun without me! [-] Natsuki Shinomiya ignores his sister's struggling and forcibly leads her to the center of the stage where he continues to maintain the momentum that has allowed him to control the venue and continue the performance. [player] Hmph, Fuyumi, you're still too naive. [Fuyumi Shinomiya] S-Save me... I won't end up a social pariah, right...? [-] Although the story becomes really confusing on the stage... no, it's more accurate to say that the story has become a complete mess after Natsuki Shinomiya takes the lead. [-] But the actors have regained their passion for performing, and the audience have put down their mobile phones and started to watch seriously. Even the person who had started to talk in his sleep next to me is now sitting upright in his seat. [-] The story ends well for everyone both on and off the stage. [-] After watching the absurd stage play in which Romero and Julily, led by the bartender and his little sister, escape from the pursuit of their families, climb the mountain of death, and establish their ideal home on the other side of the starry sky, I walk to the exit to get my stamp while wondering who am I, where am I, and what did I just see? [Staff] What is the final ending of Romero and Julily? This is a really simple question. It's basically a free point. [-] The same chubby worker is at the exit, but he seems less friendly now. [player] Th-They established their ideal home on the other side of the starry sky? [Staff] Wrong. Moving on to the next question, did Romero receive any kind of help from others when he was courting Julily? [player] I don't know if it was kind or not, but a bartender and his little sister did help them. [Staff] A b-bartender? There are fewer than three questions left. I can't give you a stamp. [-] Is that supposed to be my fault?! It's not, but who can I blame?! [player] Can I still get the stamp? [Staff] Yes, you can. The next performance starts in ten minutes. You can return here after watching it to answer the questions. [player] I see, thank you. [-] I open the navigation app of the amusement park and sigh after seeing that the other attractions still have really long wait times. [player] Is this a sign that I'm destined to watch the next show...? Hmm? Is that Hannah? [-] A familiar figure is arguing with the ticket inspector at the entrance of the theater. [player] Hannah, has something happened here? [Hannah] Oh! PLAYER, you're just in time! [Hannah] This person is bullying me! He won't let me enter! [Ticket Inspector] Sigh... Lady, I've told you several times already. This isn't the entrance for actors! [-] I look at the electronic display and see that the name of the next performance is "A Lion's Game of Thrones." [player] ...Okay, I think I know what's going on. You should all calm down. This is just a misunderstanding. [-] I explain the situation to the ticker inspector and ask the staff to help prove that Hannah isn't an actor in an animal suit and finally manage to bring her inside with me. [Hannah] Thanks for helping me. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here. [player] You're welcome. [player] According to the "Royal Theater Viewing Guide," this stage play is performed in a foreign language. I can translate for you if there's anything you don't understand. [Hannah] Cool! PLAYER, you're so kind! But it doesn't matter if I don't understand. Miss Onodera said that the most important thing when it comes to appreciating a stage play is to feel the story with your heart. [player] I see. That makes sense too. Even if you don't understand what they are saying, you can guess what's happening in the story just by looking at their expressions and movements. [-] A Lion's Game of Thrones is a story about how a lion who, with the help of his companions, gets revenge on his uncle who usurped the throne from his father. As soon as the performance starts, I hear an exclamation from Hannah beside me. [Hannah] Wow! I hear some really familiar sounds! [player] Familiar sounds? Are you talking about the animal sounds in the background music? [Hannah] Yes! My people all talk by making those sounds like that! [player] Haha, do you feel like you've returned home? [Hannah] But they say such strange things. They just said that it's raining, but now they are saying the weather is really nice. [player] Umm... These are just random sounds recorded by the production team to set the mood. Don't take it too seriously. [-] Despite my reminder, the animal cries continue to distract Hannah and make it difficult for her to understand the story. [Narrator] (foreign language) The young lion looks left and right on the edge of a cliff, completely oblivious that this is a trap. Only when he is in a desperate situation does he realize that his close relationship with his uncle is a lie... [Uncle Lion] (foreign language) My dear nephew, you're just as stupid as your father. You even chose the same place to die! [Lion Prince] (foreign language) Oh primeval gods, why have you punished me by making me the nephew of this despicable villain?! [Hannah] That's so cruel... He just ate one piece of jerky. Is it really necessary to kick him off the cliff?! [-] This is clearly supposed to be a heart-wrenching story of betrayal, but thanks to the animal cries in the background, Hannah seems to think that the lion prince is being kicked off the cliff as punishment for angering his uncle by eating something he shouldn't have. [-] Another example... [Narrator] (foreign language) Looking at the forest that has been ravaged by the hyena clan, the lion prince could no longer contain his anger. At the same time, his enemies are surprised to find that they had failed to kill the prince... [Uncle Lion] (foreign language) Roar! Damn it! You... You're actually still alive?! [Lion Prince] (foreign language) I'm going to rip off your hypocritical mask, uncle... No! You're not worthy of being called that anymore! [player] The background music is amazing! Especially the howling of animals, which makes it seem like the lions are biting each other at the same time. [Hannah] Huh? Aren't they saying that they'll have dinner? Why did they start fighting? [player] ...I'll explain the situation to you. In this part of the story, the lion prince has returned home and has come after his uncle for revenge. [Hannah] Oh, so that's what's happening. [player] By the way, what message was being conveyed by the roars in the background earlier? [Hannah] Have you had dinner yet? Why don't you come to my place and sit for a while? [player] Oh, I understand now. [-] I don't understand it at all... Why do the animal roars in the background sound so fierce when they are just saying trivial domestic things?! One hour later [Hannah] Thanks so much, PLAYER. I wouldn't understand the story at all if you weren't with me. It really is difficult to understand a performance with your feelings alone... [Hannah] ...Oh, Miki just called me. She wants me to go to her. [player] Wait up! Aren't you going to answer the questions to get the stamp? [Hannah] After thinking about it, Miki's mission is more important. I'll get the stamp next time if I get the chance. [Hannah] See you next time, PLAYER. [player] See you next time. [player] It's you. [Staff] It's me. [Staff] It's you. [player] It's me. Speaking of which, there are so many people, so how did you manage to remember me? [Staff] It's because you're the only person who has come here to answer the questions for the stamp. [-] I see the same chubby worker again, but he doesn't seem friendly at all now. I take a deep breath. [player] I'm ready to answer the questions. [Staff] Okay. Question one. Which of the three following sounds is made by an angry lion? [-] Roar–! "Roar–!" "Roar–!" [player] Hold on, are they supposed to be different? How could I, a human, understand the language used by lions? [Staff] It looks like you won't get a point for this question. Question two. Which of the following sounds is made by a rabbit when it sees a lion? [-] Hop hop–! "Biong biong–!" "Whoosh–" [player] Wh-what? Can Rabbits cry out loud? Rabbits can actually cry out loud? [Staff] It looks like you won't get a point for this question either. Question three... [player] Before you go on, can you tell me if all the questions are like this? [Staff] Bingo! [-] I'm starting to regret it. If I knew this would happen, I would have made Hannah stay and answer the questions with me no matter what! [player] Let's get straight to the point. When is the next performance? [Staff] In 15 minutes. [-] On my way to the third performance, I buy a cold drink to calm myself down. [-] It turns out that this decision was completely wrong... [player] I'm so cold... [-] The third performance is called, "Tralala Snow Fairy." The story takes place in a white kingdom that is completely covered by ice and snow. The eldest princess, who has the power to control snow and ice, has been spurned by the people due to an accidental mistake, and she has fled to a city of ice in the mountains after being disheartened. [-] Her little sister, the second princess, risked her life by crossing the snow-capped mountains and finally managed to open her older sister's heart. [-] To give the audience a more immersive experience, the air conditioners are blasting cold air into the theater at full power. I wrap myself up in a blanket provided by the staff and curl up on my chair while watching the performance. When the performance ends, I note that the ice cubes in my cold drink still look the same as before. [player] However, no one suddenly barged onto the stage this time, and I don't need to provide a commentary for the entire performance either. The actors put a lot of heart into their performance, avoiding any dull moments that might lull the audience to sleep... Somehow, I actually find that I'm not used to watching such a normal performance. [player] I'm a little hungry. It should almost be time for lunch. What should I eat after getting my stamp? [???] Oh, it really is you, PLAYER. [player] Eve? It's such a coincidence to see you here. [Eve Krist] I was sitting two rows behind you. I thought your back looked familiar when I entered earlier, but I didn't come over to greet you because the performance was about to start and I didn't want to disturb the other people. [player] Do you feel less homesick after watching this performance? I remember that Northland is also a place where it snows heavily all year round. [Eve Krist] Speaking of that, some of the folk customs mentioned in this stage play and some decorations on the stage feel very familiar to me. Could it be that someone in the production team knows Northland very well? [player] Let me see... According to the "Royal Theater Viewing Guide," when the script was written, a church in One Han City helped out with the folklore and stage settings. [Eve Krist] Really? I thought I was overthinking things... but it really is her, right...? [-] This is bad. I forgot that Eve and Lily Kitahara still haven't reconciled yet. I've reminded her of some painful memories. [player] Umm... it's almost time to eat. Would you like to go grab a bite together? [Eve Krist] Haha, don't worry about me. I'm fine. [player] I haven't said anything to anyone. [Eve Krist] I'm not very good at lying, but PLAYER, you're worse than me when it comes to hiding your thoughts. Everything is written on your face. [Eve Krist] Don't worry, I'm just thinking... Is Lily also waiting for someone who can melt her heart to visit her city of ice? [player] ...Who knows? It's not easy to guess what that nun is thinking. [player] But it takes fire to melt ice. I happen to know a swordswoman who has flames that can cleanse the darkness like the Vermilion Bird and can also provide warmth to others. [Eve Krist] Pfft– You're making me a little embarrassed... Well, I'll try again after I get back! I guess you can say that I can't wait to talk to Lily again. [player] But before that, we need to clear the most difficult challenge in this amusement park! [Eve Krist] Huh? [Staff] You're here. [player] I'm here. [Staff] You're a person of your word. [player] ...How did you know? [Staff] Because you're here. [-] The staff turns to look at Eve next to me, then he nods at me. [Staff] You've even brought reinforcements. [player] Hmph! I studied every detail of the performance this time, so I can't lose again. Ask away! [-] To my surprise... Lily Kitahara actually provided all the questions this time, and the questions about the folk customs of Northland are right in the middle of a blind spot in my knowledge. [-] I look gratefully at Eve beside me who answers all the questions with ease and shed tears of gratitude for this chance encounter arranged by the powers above. [Staff] Congratulations to both of you for passing this challenge. I've stamped your booklets, and here are two coupons that you can use to get a free meal at "Nyaa Nyaa Diner." [player] Phew! I don't have to watch a fourth performance now! Farewell, Royal Theater! I'm never coming back here again! [Eve Krist] PLAYER, what are you going to do now? [player] Didn't I tell you earlier? I'm going to go eat something. [Eve Krist] So that wasn't something you said to change the subject? [player] It was, but it's also true too. Listen to that. My tummy is rumbling again. [Eve Krist] Haha, you're right. [-] After looking at the coupons in our hands, Eve and I look at each other and decide to go to Nyaa Nyaa Diner for lunch since we have these free coupons. [-] Nyaa Nyaa Diner [player] Ugh... This is a stinky tofu daifuku... [Eve Krist] Wow! I didn't expect to see this here. [player] Could this be... the same stinky tofu daifuku that I know about? [Eve Krist] I heard that this restaurant has gathered a number of special dishes from all over the place, and the menu even credits the sources of these creative inspirations. [-] I look at the menu again after listening to Eve's words. Sure enough, written next to "Black-Hearted Daifuku" are the words: "Technical support kindly provided by the One Han City Asaha High School Pastry Club." [-] I wipe the sweat from my forehead and scan the menu carefully for the names of people I know, such as Miki Nikaidou or Yui Yagi... [Eve Krist] What else should we order...? The durian-flavored spicy soup looks good, and I kind of want to try the red date-flavored soda. Shall we order one of everything on the menu? [player] Don't order too much. Just order what you can handle. Who knows what chemical reaction these foods might cause when they are all placed on the table... [-] After tasting each dish as they arrive, I feel relieved to find that they aren't unpalatable even though they all taste a little strange. However, I think I'm more tolerant than most people, so my take might not match the majority's. [player] (whisper) I hope this restaurant can make ends meet and continue operating after it opens officially... |