Title: Distance from Admiration
Characters: Rui, Nene, Tsukasa, Emu, Luka (Wonderland Sekai version)
| Event Story | Episode 1 ・ Episode 2 ・ Episode 3 ・ Episode 4 ・ Episode 5 ・ Episode 6 ・ Episode 7 ・ Episode 8 |
| Side Stories | Rui |
Part 1
Rui's Room
Rui
(…The script is slowly taking shape.)
(But I'm conflicted…)
(Should I amp up or tone down the intensity of this scene? An intense portrayal is needed for the emotions I want to express here, but-)
It's already morning…? I ended up pulling an all-nighter even though it's a day off.
My messages are piling up too…
*Phone tapping*
Nene's Message
"Making progress on the script? Don't push yourself to the point of collapsing."
Emu's Message
"Delivery for Rui! Keep-it-up-you've-got-this Beam!
Tsukasa's Message
"I'm always up for a chat if you ever feel like catching a break!"
Rui
Guys…
*Phone ringing*
Rui
From Tsukasa…?
*Phone tapping*
Rui
Hello? Is something the matter?
Tsukasa
"Hope this isn't too sudden of a question1, but are you at home today?"
Rui
That's the plan. I do want to work on the script after all.
Tsukasa
"That means you don't mind if I come over with Emu and Nene now, right?"
"We won't get in the way of your work at all. We just have a few things to pass to you."
Rui
Sure, I don't mind.
Tsukasa
"Oh, that's great to hear! I'll let you know when we arrive. See you later!"
*Call ends*
Rui
(Things they want to pass to me? I wonder what?)
(I'm curious…but it's time to stay focused on my work now.)
2 hours later
Emu
Wowie! It's even messier than the last time we came over!
Rui
That's because I haven't been able to find the time to clean up recently.
Oh, watch your feet if you're going to the sofa to sit. There are lots of things scattered around.
Tsukasa
Is it even possible for us to reach the sofa in the first place…?
Nene
I'll just shift whatever's on the floor to the corner anyhow, okay?
Rui
Sorry for making you do that much as a guest.
Nene
Forget that, haven't the dark circles under your eyes become really prominent again?
Emu
Are you sleeping properly, Rui?
Rui
Well, I take naps whenever I can. But I did pull an all-nighter by accident today…or rather, yesterday.
Nene
Thought so. You're not eating properly either, are you?
Rui
Now that you mention it… I don't think I've eaten anything since yesterday afternoon.
Once I start working it just slips my mind entirely, you see. It doesn't really faze me since I'm focused in the moment, though.
Tsukasa
This is the textbook definition of forgetting to eat and sleep.
Goodness gracious… Coming here really was the right call.
Nene
Here you go. Refreshments.
This contains stuff like snackable supplements and drinks that you should be able to consume even while you're working.
We know that you have a really rough schedule for your assignment, but you still have to take proper meals.
Rui
…Yeah. Thank you, I'll keep that in mind.
Emu
This is also for you! We brought lots and lots of candy!
Rui
Is this bag full of…just ramune?
Emu
Ehehe! We bought all sorts of ramune for you~!
We thought that you could cheer up even when you're busy if you had loads of types!
Rui
Hehe! That's true. Having this much ramune is a delight.
Nene
Don't take this to mean that you can use ramune alone to fill your stomach, though.
Rui
I know.
Tsukasa
Last of all, it's my turn.
We got you some things that could help you sleep better since it doesn't seem like you've been able to sleep well lately.
So first, here's an eye mask to improve your sleep quality even if you're just napping.
Rui
Oh? It's the two-in-one kind that can be warmed or cooled.
Tsukasa
Yeah! Give it a try when you feel exhausted after toiling away on the script.2
I also got you…some background music that will lull you straight to dreamland.
Rui
Oh, this is…a CD.
Tsukasa
It's a collection of piano pieces that I also listen to from time to time. It contains songs that are based on the night.
Use it to rest your mind and body before diving back into your work.
Rui
…Thank you. I'll be sure to give it a listen.
But did you all really go out of your way to drop by just to give these to me?
Tsukasa
It's only natural to do so for a friend.
Nene
We can't help you with your assignment, but we figured that we could support you through something like this.
Emu
Give it your best shot, Rui! Keep it up!
Rui
(…I'm truly blessed with good friends.)
Thank you, everyone.
I think that this show will turn out different from the ones we've done so far, so I hope you'll look forward to it.
Part 2
Wonderland Sekai
*Rui enters the Sekai*
Rui
(Now then, where could Luka be?)
(I wanted to inform her that my assignment ended without a hitch, but-)
Luka
Zzz… Zzz…
*Footsteps*
Rui
(…Looks like she's sleeping on the bench.)
(Seeing her hug the cloud-shaped cushion again now… She probably likes it very much.)
(It'd be bad to rouse her from her sleep, so I'll wait for a bit until she wakes up on her own-)
Luka
Hmm… Nngh…
…Oh? Rui?
Rui
Good morning. Did you sleep well?
Luka
Hehe! Very well, in fact. And it's all thanks to this fluffy cushion.
Rui
I'm glad to hear that.
Luka
What are you doing here, Rui?
Rui
Ah, I'm here to let you know about the results for my assignment since the presentation has ended.
After all, I did receive advice from you back when I was stuck in a spot.
Flashback to Deeper and Deeper Episode 5
Luka
Right, from that time…
So, did it go well?
Rui
I wanted to be the bearer of good news-
But sadly, there are still issues that need resolving… That's probably the gist of it.
There were parts were evaluated favourably, but the judges' reviews were split as well because of the show's imbalance.
My show's content missed the mark on the criteria of being suitable for showing in Arcland, you see.
I understood very clearly from there that I still have a long way to go.
Luka
I see…
But you look very relieved, Rui.
Rui
That's because I believe I managed to accomplish everything I'm currently capable of.
There are points for me to reflect on, but I have no regrets. I feel that I was able to overcome an immense challenge to me as a director.
Luka
Hehe! If you're able to think that way, then I think that's great.
Rui
Yeah. Setting aside the results, I'm really satisfied with this.
Mm… Yawn…
Luka
Oh dearie, you seem rather sleepy~
Rui
Ah… My apologies. I haven't been sleeping properly as of late.
The fatigue from straining myself probably kicked in all at once.
Luka
That's proof of how just how hard you worked, Rui.
Oh, right. Why don't you rest here for a while? Use this cushion, too.
Rui
Thanks. I think I'll take you up on the kind offer.
*Rustling*
Rui
…Huh. This cushion feels a lot better than I thought it would. Its softness is also just right.
I think I get why you like this too, Luka.
Luka
Hehehe! Right? It's soooo fluffy and feels so good.
Rui
Yeah, it really…
Luka
Let me know the next time you want to use it, okay? I can lend it to you any-
Rui
……
Luka
Rui…?
Rui
……
Luka
Oh my… Looks like he fell asleep.
…This feels somewhat like a reversal of our usual positions. To think that I would be the one watching over a sleeping Rui…
Hehe! Sleep tight, Rui. Sweet dreams.
Notes
つかぬことを聞くis the exact wording Tsukasa says before he throws the question at Rui. I find it hard to translate because its usage has changed over the years, with more younger people using it to mean something more along the lines of “gonna ask you something trivial” (extremely crude translation), rather than the traditional “unrelated to the topic, but i want to ask-”. I hope this conveys the unrelatedness/suddenness of the question at least. (Return to text)
- Here Tsukasa’s exact words are
脚本作りで目を酷使したあとはぜひ使ってみてくれwhich in my own very crude and literal interpretation, directly translates to “try using it (the eye mask) after you wreck your eyes from script writing” which sounds absolutely horrendous so I loosely adapted it to something more natural sounding. I’m not good at Tsukasa’s voice so for all I know this could be in-character for him to say that with a straight face and have no one reacting to it, but it just felt a bit much to me. (Return to text)