Part 1

—Well then, allow me to walk you through how this device works.

I would've loved to be there myself, but my schedule is tied up that day.

No, no, thank you so much for not only planning the production but for setting up the equipment too.

Even with such a tight schedule, you still managed to get everything ready.

Thanks a lot.

It’s not every day you get to direct for a reading performance.

I had a wondrous time working on it.

Now, about the device—I've set it up so you can control everything with this remote.

There are a variety of effects prepared, but everything’s consolidated in here, so you won’t have to worry.

So everything can be controlled just with this? That’s amazing......

Fufu, as long as you set up the equipment properly, there shouldn’t be any issues.

I see.....

Is something on your mind?

Ah, um..… Since I’ll be reading at the same time, I’m a little worried about handling the controls.

Don’t worry, I’ve already thought about that.

I’ll explain while we run some tests.

Ah...... Thank you so much.

Alright, let's try out the snow effect first.

This is for the snow country the protagonist first arrives in, right?

That’s right.

The beginning seems like the perfect time to use it.

This part of the book: "The very first land they arrived in was a cold, chilly country covered in blankets of snow."

Let’s trigger the effect right after this.

By making the snow country's introduction stand out, we build the audience's anticipation for what's to come.

Since that’s Mochizuki-san’s section, I should probably be the one to handle the controls for that scene.

That’s what I was thinking too, so I put together a list of who operates what in each scene.

Ah..…! With this, I think I’ll be okay..…!

Fufu, that's good to hear.

Alright, let’s boot it up then.

Mochizuki-kun, could I ask you to handle the controls?

Eh, you want me to do it?

Of course. It’s easier to get the hang of it if you try it yourself.

O-Okay…... Let’s see, the snow switch is..… Oh! This one!

Ah.....

Wow...… it’s really snowing...…!

Yeah. It looks lovely.

It is. But…...

Is something wrong?

No, it’s just…. there’s way more snow than I expected.

Really? I think it looks really striking and beautiful though......

Yeah. It’s making too much of an impression. The kids might focus more on the snow than the story.

Our audience are elementary school kids. They're bound to get distracted by a display such as this.

Right. The more energetic ones might end up trying to snatch the snow out of the air.

Yes. We should adjust it so there’s less snow.

I want it to fall softly, like a fleeting dream, disappearing before it even touches the ground.

I appreciate your patience, but I’ll have it adjusted before the event.

Ah, no.....

I had no idea how much thought you put into your directing process like this.

It’s really amazing.

Fufu, the magic of directing lies in how well one can uplift the leading role, after all.

Too much or too little, and the direction loses its impact. Sometimes, it can even becomes an obstacle.

That’s exactly why a director has to be meticulous. That’s the beauty of it.

I’ll do my best to turn this into an unforgettable experience for all the children attending.

Thank you so much...…! I’d love to properly thank you once this is over.

If this direction helps make the event truly special, that would be the best thanks I could ever ask for.

As a director, there’s no greater joy than helping put on the greatest show.

Yeah. Of course, we plan to make this a great event.

Y-Yes! I’ll do my very best!

Now then, we’ll need to make some careful adjustments.

Would you be able to set aside some time for another test later?