Title: Nightmare
Characters: Rui, Tsukasa, Emu, Nene, Luka (Wonderland Sekai version), Math Teacher
| Event Story | Episode 1 ・ Episode 2 ・ Episode 3 ・ Episode 4 ・ Episode 5 ・ Episode 6 ・ Episode 7 ・ Episode 8 |
Nightmare
Rui's Room
*Scribbles*
Rui
(I'll lay out the conditions first before drafting and scripting the show.)
The assignment is to create a show from scratch.
The assumption is that it'll be staged in Arcland, and it needs to be entirely original.
And my aim…is to make a show that can be enjoyed by anyone, as well as unite everyone's hearts after they finish watching it.
(Yes, one like Goodbye, Ghost which I saw today.)
Rui
…My aim was the same for my self-introduction show.
And I received feedback that it was boring.
In reality, there is a vast difference between Goodbye, Ghost and what I make…
(It's hard to put it to words…but Tom's play had a certain depth to it.)
(What do I have to do to ensure that I can also express that? That's the issue now.)
Rui
Rescope the direction perspective, delve into the theme… I think trial and error is the only option I have at the moment.
Math Teacher
Remember this formula, because you'll continue to use it a lot even after this. It will also show up in the test.
*Scribbles*
Rui
(It's necessary to be well-versed in the subject in order to depict something with depth.)
For myself… I suppose the subjects that are close to me would include machine production, plays, and student life.
If I combine several elements out of these…
Math Teacher
Sigh……
Kamishiro, solve exercise number 3 from the textbook.
Rui
It's x2 - 3.
Math Teacher
Grr……correct.
Tsukasa looks at Rui
Rui
(I managed to come up with several drafts, but all of them are lack the punch needed for me to settle on any of them.)
(Although they are complete as shows… They also look like amalgamations that were forced into existence using a hodgepodge of elements from existing works.)
(And most importantly… I myself cannot view them as fun shows.)
-I'll start over again.
Several days later
Scramble Crossing
Rui
Looks like we're all here. Shall we head for Arcland, then?
Tsukasa
Yeah! But, you're…
Nene
Rui, have you been sleeping properly?
Rui
Huh?
Nene
Under your eyes. You have dark circles.
Emu
Yeah… Plus, you look kinda exhausted.
Tsukasa
I heard about what you guys have to do for the director course's assignment. You have a really tough schedule, right?
I get that there are times where you want to keep up even if it means you have to strain yourself to some extent. I've been there before.
Just… Remember not to force yourself too much.
Emu
Let us know if there's anything troubling you, okay? We might be able to help out a little!
Rui
…Thank you, everyone.
It's true that I might be a little sleep-deprived since there has been a lot to ponder about for the assignment, but I'm fine.
That's because I found a barrier I have to overcome. I want to try just a little harder.
Nene
…Got it. But don't push yourself too hard.
Rui
Of course.
Night
Wonderland Sekai
Rui
(…I thought that I'd be able to come up with something new by changing up where I work.)
(But it feels as if my brain isn't functioning properly.)
…I even made the others worry earlier in the afternoon.
(The workshop for the actors should be pretty difficult in their own right, too. And they'll have to help me out on my assignment afterwards.)
(If the draft and script fall behind schedule, the amount of time we can afford for rehearsals decreases accordingly.)
Rui
(That's the one thing I want to avoid no matter what…)
(…My thoughts have been a mess for a while now. It's probably because of my sleepiness.)
(…Let me just take a quick nap.)
???
Rui
(-My body…feels heavy.)
(It's as if…something has wrapped round my legs…)
???
"…Hey."
Rui
What's going on? I just heard a voice from somewhere-
???
"Hey. Why do you look away?"
Rui
Look…? What in the world are you talking about?
???
"I'm not going anywhere even if you pretend you can't see me."
"After all, I'm-"
???
…Rui.
Rui, are you okay?
Luka
…Oh, thank goodness, you're awake.
Rui
Luka…?
Luka
I'm sorry for waking you up.
But you looked kind of distressed while you were asleep, so…
Rui
Asleep…
(Ahh, I see now… So that was a dream.)
-Don't be. If anything, the fact you could rouse me from my sleep was a big help.
But Luka, why are you here?
Luka
Hehe! I was planning to sleep on the stage with the plushies~
KAITO made looooots of cushions that look like fluffy clouds for the next show we'll do.
He said that I could use them just for a bit, so I thought of gathering everyone to sleep together.
Don't they look like a nice bed where you can have wonderful dreams?
Rui
I see. They certainly look like that.
Luka
Rui, did you…have a scary dream?
Rui
…Who knows. I don't really remember it.
But there was a peculiar vividness to it- I wasn't able to realise that it was a dream until I woke up.
Luka
I see…
Rui
(But that voice… There is a theory that describes dreams as a representation of the unconscious.)
(If true, then it seems like I've been driven further into the corner than I'd thought.)
Luka
-Hey, Rui. Are you up to solve a quick riddle?
Rui
A riddle…?
Luka
Yeah. I'm sure it'll be a piece of cake for you.
When someone's having a nightmare and doesn't notice that it's all a dream…
What can you do to wake them up?
Rui
……
…Have…someone else wake them up?
Luka
Ding ding ♪ Exactly~
Rui
That's just because it's exactly like my situation earlier.
Luka
Hehe! I told you, it's a piece of cake for you, Rui.
I believe that there are things that people can't notice on their own, and stuff that stay invisible without the help of someone else.
Which is why if you're worrying so much now that you can't enjoy your dreams…
Then it must mean that it's time for you to count on someone else to wake you up, right?
Especially in this case, the people you can depend on are close by, aren't they?
Rui
(…It's true. I've tried everything I could think of.)
(And if I'm unable to find even a hint that could guide me to a solution despite that, then-)
(What I should do is change my approach.)
You're right. I can't stay trapped in this nightmare forever.
I don't know if it'll go well…but I'll try whatever I can.
Luka
Great. Do your best, Rui.