Part 1

(…..Tools, drones, miniature robots, stage design blueprints..…)

(Okay, looks like we're all set for the stage planning.)

(Sakasaki-san went to grab some supplies too….. Since he mentioned picking up chemicals and lab equipment, it might take him a little longer.)

(Still, I never thought I’d get the chance to set up a stage alongside Sakasaki-san, the leader and director of Switch, who's known for their "magical" performances.)

(I look forward to seeing how everything comes together.)

<Heeey, Rui-kun!>

Oh? Len-kun… and KAITO-san too.

<Sorry for the sudden visit. We just wanted to see how things are going with ASTRO FES.>

In that case, you came at the perfect time.

<Huh?>

Actually, I’ll be performing in tomorrow’s collaboration performance with the idols of Ensemble Square.

I was just about to discuss the stage production for the performance.

—With a one-of-a-kind magician.

<Magician.....?>

SorRY, hope I didn’t keep you waiting loNG?

Not at all.

I was just finalizing the setup.

AlriGHT, let’s get straight to our meeting thEN.

Pleasure working with you.

To start, why don't we quickly go over the story?

The premise is a story of two rival ensembles gradually coming to respect each other through their performances.

YEah.

I play a "magician" from "Stella" ensemBLE, while you play the "inventor" from "Worlds" ensemBLE.

Yes.

The two of them compete as rivals, pushing their skills in both music and directing.

HehE, wouldn’t you say that suits us perfectLY ♪

That mEANS..… for the first haLF, we should focus on highlighting our individual specialties for the perforMANCE.

You with your robots and dronES, and me with my "maGIC".

That's right.

What matters most is the finale, when both ensembles set aside their rivalry and come together in a shared performance.

To capture the moment when the two ensembles join hands, I’d like to incorporate a fusion of "invention" and "magic".

I feel the saME. Since we’re collaborating anywaY, I’d like to create something new with yOU.

HMm..… in that caSE, I suppose I’ll grant you a tiny peek behind the curtains of Switch’s staGE.

…..You’re willing to reveal the secrets behind your magic to me?

YEah.

Magic only holds power when it remains a secrET, but if everything stays a mysteRY, we wouldn’t be able to cooperate nOW, would wE?

Rui-kun, as you already knOW, our job is to entertain the audience through "maGIC".

Our "Magic" involves lighting, projectioNS..… and various forms of technoloGY, but for this shoW, I’ll be incorporating a little alchemy of my owN.

I’ll give you a demonstration noW, so pay close attenTION.

Yes.

...........♪

<That magician is mixing up all kinds of colorful liquids in that bottle.>

<Yeah. I wonder what's gonna happen.....>

.....OkaY, everything’s all set uP.

Abra-cadabra, hocus pocus...…♪

…...! This is…...

<Whoa...…! The smoke coming out of the bottle is all sparkly...…!>

........…This really does look like magic.

WhY, thank yOU.

—Like sO. This is just one example bUT, I create magic by using chemical reacTIONS.

Alright thEN, the great "Inventor" who will take this magic—what kind of reaction will you plan to creATE?

…...Let’s see. In that case…...

How about we make an explosion?

......An explosioN?

Yes. We load the chemical into a specially designed air cannon, then launch it.

After a ground-shaking explosion, the magic will then rain down from the sky; that sounds like it'd be a breathtaking scene, don’t you think?

…..AhaHA. They say art is exploSION, after aLL. And from what I’ve heaRD, you certainly live up to your reputation as an eccentric miND.

BuT, I think it’s a great ideA. Looks like we’ll be casting some real maGIC ♪

Thank you.

…..Oh, I know. While we’re at it, let’s add some lighting effects as well—

<......Rui-kun is so energetic today!>

<Hehe, he sure is.>

(Rui-kun probably never had much chance to talk with a director his age.....)

(Maybe he’s just happy to finally have a director friend.)

YEah, this sounds like a solid plaN.

Well thEN, shall we get things rolliNG?

First, can I see the blueprints for the air canNON? Along with the data for the range and other deTAILS.

Understood. I’m sending the file over now.

I sEE. With this desIGN, applying that chemical reaction should work just fiNE.

Let’s get to testiNG.

.......Sakasaki-san, if you don’t mind, may I help with the testing?

Of courSE. As thanks for showing me the bluePRINTS, I'll let you in on a few more secRETS.

That wasn’t exactly my intention, but I won’t complain.

No need to play coy about IT. FrankLY, having a talented assistant is a big help for mE.

—Well theN, let’s begin our magic lesSON ♪

<Whoa! They're gonna have a magic lesson......!>

<Ah, Len! Don’t lean in so much.......!>

HmM? I think I saw something move just nOW…...

<......!>

…..Maybe I’m just seeing thINGS?

<We shouldn’t interrupt them. Let’s head back.>

<If things keep up like this, we’ll be in for one amazing show.>

<Yeah! Ehehe, I can't wait for tomorrow's performance!>