Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 9 - Part 4: The Awakened Playwright

Disclaimer: While translations have already existed for this story from both official and unofficial sources, I am writing this as a complete clean-room implementation, ie I am writing this translation/novelistion with absolutely no knowledge of existing translations. This is purely only for completeness as I feel that it is not right to leave an existing translation incomplete. Once the series translation is complete, I will return to other ideas such as my unwarranted opinions on random stuff that I encounter. 

This story continues from Part 3: The Former Idol

Part 4A

Yet another day for Rui. Today's lessons were perfect for Rui and she had enough time for revision as well, but then she remembers that there is no more practice at Theatre Performance. It's been a long time since the rest of Theatre Performance have met up. The door opens, and Ukaji-sensei enters the room. Ukaji-sensei asks if there is anyone free after class. The rest of the class reply that they either have club activities or some other practice session scheduled, so Ukaji-sensei asks Rui instead. Rui was flustered (as she always is), and is led out of the classroom by Ukaji-sensei.

Out at the courtyard Rui finished up the pruning work on the trees. Ukaji-sensei thanks Rui for the help, commenting that it is nice to be tall. Rui expresses surprise that there is a Paulownia tree right here in the courtyard. Ukaji-sensei answers that every year, as the new students arrive in school, they plant a Paulownia sapling in the courtyard. Though it has been getting difficult to get new saplings to plant recently, it's a tradition Rinmeikan would like to keep, what with being the symbolic tree for the school. They have been keeping up that tradition for a century after all.

Rui muses about the traditions that Rinmeikan had, and Ukaji-sensei goes silent. After a while, Ukaji-sensei laments that all the members of Theatre Performance must be hating her right now and the decision handed down by the school board. As Rui is suprised by that sudden admission by Ukaji-sensei, Ukaji-sensei apologise and brushes it off. She then asks if everyone in Theatre Performance are doing well right now. Rui admits that she has not been seeing the rest of Theatre Performance ever since the department was shut down. Ukaji-sensei expresses her apologies, and then asks about Yuyuko. Rui perks up, only to realise she hasn't actually heard from Yuyuko either.

Meanwhile in class, Yuyuko is sleeping. This is not lost on her classmates, who comment about how she has been sleeping in class since breaktime started. What a strange girl, they were thinking. Completely unlike Rui. But better not talk too loud because she might hear them both. Or not. Turns out even though Yuyuko is sleeping, she can hear all of them talking about her. Without Theatre Performance, she is basically taking her time studying the classics and sleeping in class. Probably a good change of pace, but she is starting to get bored. She wonders if this has how she has always been without the power of theatre performance. Was she really that boring before being a Stage Girl?

Over in the archive room of Theatre Performance, Fumi enters the room after her obligatory introduction, followed by Ichie, only for Fumi to scold her for being too loud. Sure, traditions have to be followed, but there is still a need to be subtle about this before the teachers get wind of this. Then Tamao enters the room with her introduction, which surprises Fumi because Tamao is equally loud as well. Tamao replies by saying that it's better to try to act normal instead of trying hard to be sneaky. When asked what they are going to do if they were found out by the teachers, Tamao replies that they are just going to say that they were cleaning up the room anyway. Besides, that was the assignment they were originally given.

And so they begin the meeting to write the script for the Rinmei Chronicles. They don't have much time: in only a few days they will have to hand over the classroom whether they are done or not. Fumi wonders if they have enough time for this. Not like they have a choice in the matter: it's complete the Rinmei Chronicles or never. Ichie is exhilarated by the prospect of running against the clock, and starts off by asking which era they would like to set this script in: Heian, Kamakura, Sengoku, or maybe even Bakumatsu? Tamao has not decided on the era setting, but she knows it has to be something that expresses their dynanism. It's a concept that Fumi wonders about. Tamao continues that it has to be a play that will test everything they are. She laments that they have been through easy times, and they have never had the need to give their all. Now they have lost it all, and that's where they find what's important to them. All that foolishness, optimism, and naivete, all that they were has died, and from the ashes they will be reborn. That is the play Tamao wants to produce. Ichie agrees, saying that this is perfectly the atmosphere that the Rinmei Chronicles has always been. Fumi then draws up a basic plot and asks if this would work. Tamao agrees with the plot, saying that even though it would take time, this can work out. Ichie sighs and says that it would have been great if Yuyuko was here. Fumi agrees, saying that Yuyuko has always had the gift for hitting the important points in scripting, but Tamao reminds Fumi that they are not to drag Yuyuko into this unnecessarily. Besides, Tamao has faith that they can still work something out with just the three of them. Ichie agrees with this, and they start working on the script.

Hours pass, and the sky darkens. Unfortunately they are not much closer to completing the script. Fumi points out that if they put an element in the script they will conflict with an earlier part of the script, but Tamao points out that earlier part has elements they cannot remove either. Fumi asks how they are going to keep that consistency, but Tamao replies that they cannot make things perfect anyway and it is going to be ad-libbed anyway. Fumi then points out that the transition Tamao put in is not going to be very convincing when paired with the measure that is already there. Tamao then replies that this part will be balanced out by the rest of the script, only for Fumi to counter which part of the script specifically. Such roughness can only be accepted if the rest of the script really is much better in comparison, and it doesn't look like the script is in good shape in the first place. The three people are at their wit's end. They have been running in circles trying to catch bugs in the script, and Ichie's head is starting to smoke from that. Fumi takes the chance to burn Ichie even more by saying that is because Ichie hasn't been using her head in the first place. Since this is not going to be resolved in any time soon, Fumi suggests adjourning for now, while Ichie uses her horoscope ("Do not push yourself too hard") to support that statement. Tamao disagrees, saying that they just have no time, but Fumi counters by saying that it's not like they have unlimited stamina, and clearly burning themselves right now is not going to get themselves any further than where they are right now. After thinking for a while, Tamao relents, and adjourns the meeting for the next day.

After they leave, Tamao opens the screen door to the practice room. Tamao apologises to Fumi and Ichie. Even if it might really burn her out, she really doesn not want to waste time on this project. She has to get that play done, no matter what. 

Part 4B

It's middle of the night in the Theatre Performance practice room, and Tamao is practicing her lines.

"Ha!"

"This is my resolve! With this sword, I will regain my freedom and my honour!"

"And we will achieve our ideals-"

...that was way too clichéd, thinks Tamao.

Yuyuko then speaks up.

"'Can't communicate your resolve'...you mean?"

Yuyuko instantly recognises that this is a new Rinmei Chronicles production.

Tamao is surprised by Yuyuko's sudden appearance.

"Didn't you say that 'Your own body is an important asset'? Then what are you doing here alone... Fumi-senpai and Ichie-senpai are going to be mad at you."

It is clear Yuyuko has been watching Tamao from the beginning, but with Tamao being so into things, Yuyuko has been thinking it was inappropriate to interrupt. Yet, it almost seems nostalgic now. Now the performers and the audience have switched places. Though much has happened since and it seemed so far back, it was hard to believe that barely a year has passed.

Anyway, Yuyuko does have something quite important to talk to Tamao about, even if time is of the essence here. And with that, she declares that she wants to help in writing the Rinmei Chronicles with the rest of the team. She is not going to stand by as Tamao pours her heart out for this play. Tamao thinks for a while, but rejects the offer. Yuyuko is enraged by this rejection, but Tamao tells her that for this production, she has to sacrifice herself and be reborn once again. To throw away the foolishness of the past, to thrust herself against the school's decision, no matter the potential punishments of doing so. She doesn't want to drag the first years with her on this possibly disastrous journey. But Yuyuko insists. The decision for Yuyuko to stay away from the stage is not for Tamao to make lightly, and besides, Tamao has been supporting Yuyuko all this time. Tamao and Fumi have helped cultivate Yuyuko's love for stage performance, and now with the disbandment of Theatre Performance, she is not going to stand by and let Tamao stop her from helping with the Rinmei Chronicles.

The screen door opens, and Ichie speaks out: "So here you are!"

Fumi is with Ichie as well, and she is equally disappointed at Tamao for ignoring her own words. Ichie mentions that Fumi had the intuition that Tamao would turn back and stay at the school, only to notice Yuyuko and be surprised at her presence. Fumi is also surprised at Yuyuko's presence (though we do know Yuyuko is a night owl so it's not that surprising). Turns out Yuyuko already knows that they have been trying to produce the Rinmei Chronicles behind Ukaji-sensei's back, and that's why she has already written the script for the Rinmei Chronicles based on the other three's requirements. This was the least she could do for the team. Tamao is surprised that Yuyuko did this all by herself. Yuyuko replies that this was not completely a solo job: she talked to her colleagues and audience at the rakugo hall she works at and found out about the Rinmei Chronicles. It was with their guidance that she was able to write the script for the Rinmei Chronicles.

Ichie was surprised, considering they only decided on the Rinmei Chronicles only a short while ago, and Yuyuko has already completed the script in that amount of time, but Yuyuko replies that it was not that impressive an accomplishment considering she had to pull a lot of all-nighters to get the script done (just like the times I stay late to get this translation completed). That being said, this was still completed with all her effort. With that, Yuyuko requests once again that she would like to be part of the production together with the rest of them. Whether it is in scriptwriting, or acting, she wants to give her all, and stand on stage with all of them.

Ichie and Fumi were moved by this. Yuyuko then continues that she loves rakugo and classic stage arts, and even if few today can appreciate them, this was the reason she went into Theatre Performance. Tamao has complimented the rakugo that she has conducted. Through the compliments and criticisms, and the times she stood on stage, she felt that she had grown in experience. And this is why she wants to perform, yet again, on Rinmeikan's stage. Even if she sleeps in class and likes unconventional things like the classics, and is all around unimpressive, the stage which her seniors have built is where she shone on. And this is what she will defend, with all her effort.

Tamao listened intently, and realises this is Yuyuko's resolve. To appear on stage, no matter in what way. Ichie agrees as well, understanding well that Yuyuko is indeed a Theatre Performance girl after all. Tamao asks if this is fine with Yuyuko, since this is going to be against school direction. But Yuyuko is not going to stand by, because Rinmeikan without theatre is like a rakugo without a punchline: there's just no point to it. And with that Yuyuko makes her proclamation:

ひとつ　人には秘めたる思いも
ふたつ　舞台が結わえてくれた
みっつ　未来の戯曲のために
魅せます　古典の心意気！
凛名館女学校　演劇科 田中ゆゆこ！
命かけたる正念場　いざご覧あれ！

First, are the thoughts hidden within us
Second, are the ties that bind us on stage
Third, are the duties we hold for the future of our performances
And thus they shall enchant, the spirit of the classics!
Rinmeikan Girls School Theatre Performance - Tanaka Yuyuko!
And so we shall show them - the performance of our lives!

...and then she falls asleep. She's reached her limit, and it's time for her to rest. Fumi comments that she really has pushed herself too far, but Tamao comments that she has finally understood Yuyuko's resolve. Ichie also weighs in that this has to be the first time she has seen Yuyuko work that hard before, though as Fumi notes, she's still her usual self when she is asleep. Yuyuko has heard it all, and is welcome for any more compliments. A weird way to talk in her sleep, Fumi comments, and Tamao thanks Yuyuko for all the effort she has put in. She quietly tells the rest of them that they will start the production with Yuyuko's script as the base. They cheer, and Yuyuko joins them as best as she can.

The next day, they are at the Theatre Performance classroom discussing about their roles. Tamao directs Fumi to start off her line from a lower position, since this will give a stronger presence for the impactful lines that will be coming up in the later half of that line. Yuyuko's notes have really helped with making the direction easier, and Yuyuko is definitely basking in all the compliments. Tamao then asks about the outfits, and with the clear direction the script has given them, she has a better idea on what to do with the outfit designs and would be able to make it for the performance. Fumi is also able to work on the backgrounds with the script. Tamao is now able to properly direct the process, but she is still missing something.

Then Ukaji-sensei enters the room, which surprises Ichie. Ukaji-sensei is here to check on the cleanup work. Tamao reports that they will be able to vacate the room in due time. Ukaji-sensei then notices the script for the Rinmei Chronicles and questions what it is doing here, and as the rest of the team panics, Tamao explains that this was just something that appeared during the cleanup work, and she explained that she was surprised that it was there considering all records of it were removed according to the seniors. Ukaji-sensei notes that this particular copy looks awfully new, but Tamao explains that this is a copy and that the original is already somewhere safe. Regarding the rest of the information scattered around the room, those were just some things that was left behind and were worth treasuring. And with that, Ukaji-sensei takes her leave. The team breathe a sigh of relief. That was way too close for comfort, but it was impressive that Tamao was able to talk her way out of this. Then again, they are actors after all, no?

It's time to continue work, and when the sun rises the next day, they shall show the world their Rinmei Chronicles. 

Continue on to Part 5: The Wildcard

Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 9 - Part 3: The Former Idol

Disclaimer: While translations have already existed for this story from both official and unofficial sources, I am writing this as a complete clean-room implementation, ie I am writing this translation/novelistion with absolutely no knowledge of existing translations. This is purely only for completeness as I feel that it is not right to leave an existing translation incomplete. Once the series translation is complete, I will return to other ideas such as my unwarranted opinions on random stuff that I encounter. 

This story continues from Part 2: The Exiled Knight

Part 3A

Another day passes in 1st year General Education. Rui is slowly getting used to it, but she still worries about her beloved Tamao-senpai. The doors open and the second year basketballers are here to talk to Rui. Since she no longer has theatre activities, that means Rui is free to join their club, right? Rui flusters as the basketballer pitch their club to her. The basketballers are interrupted by a tennis club member, who are in turn interrupted by a ballet club member, and then a fine arts club member, and then a lacrosse member (this is getting ridiculous), who take turns pulling Rui's arms in the hopes that she will join their club. Rui runs away, saying that she needs to join Tamao.

Meanwhile at the 2nd years, Fumi and Tamao are preparing to practice for the Rinmei Chronicles after class. Rui comes barrelling down, wanting Tamao's help, but Tamao tells Rui to not come to her any more. Rui couldn't stand this anymore, not being in Theatre Performance with Tamao. Just thinking of the days that they are no longer together is too difficult for her. Tamao agrees, saying that those were carefree days, but still, she doesn't want Rui to put her on a pedestal and saddle her with such, and walks away from Rui with Fumi.

Fumi and Tamao arrive at the theatre resource room, which they have coopted as their practice place under the guise of cleaning it up for the inevitable eviction. Tamao tells Fumi not to look at her as if to see if she is happy at what she has done, and Fumi replies that maybe that might not be the best way to reject involvement in superficial things. Yet, Fumi notes that this is still hard on both Rui and Tamao. Tamao continues that even though she said she didn't want Rui to put her on a pedestal, she really wanted to trust Rui with what they are doing, and that Rui did seem to be having quite a bit of trouble. Even so, this has to be done, and Fumi agrees, saying that they should continue with what they are supposed to do.

Over at the rooftop, Ichie sets up her camera equipment for a new program she is filming: Otonashi Ichie's Ichi-ichi-channel. This episode that she is filming is about starting up Rinmeikan's Theatre Performance on her own. In this program, she states that she still doesn't recognise Theatre Performance's shutdown, and so even if everyone says it no longer exists, she will still acknowledge its existence, and that's why she needs her viewers' help to keep it alive, even if she no longer has any performance programs or practice locations. She continues and opens a letter from a certain "Cuisine Maiden":

"Dear Ichie-san, this is the first letter I am sending to you."

After greeting this mysterious "Cuisine Maiden", she continues...

"I found out about your 'Self-officiated Rinmeikan Theatre Performance Start-up Project' from your earlier video. I find it awesome that even though the department has shut down you are still performing on stage."

Ichie thanks the viewer, and explains that this has always been something she wanted to do since leaving the idol industry, and even if her department shuts down it's not like her passion is going anywhere.

"So I have been suggesting... Sorry for making you wait, Ichie [1]. Let's perform together. Rinmeikan's lost theatre play -- The Rinmei Chronicles --..."

As she read up to this point, she figures out something is up. At this point Tamao and Fumi arrive at the rooftop, which shocks Ichie. Fumi asks Ichie what she is doing recording a program on the rooftop, and Ichie replies that recording outside would fit this kind of grandiose program much better. Also, now that they have gone and went into the frame she can't use the footage any more. Fumi then tells Ichie that she won't need to record any more videos. When Ichie asks why, Tamao replies that they will be doing what they have written in that letter. To bring back the lost theatre play -- The Rinmei Chronicles --, they need to enlist Ichie's help. Ichie asks if it is the same Rinmei Chronicles as she was thinking, which Tamao and Fumi are surprised that she knew. Ichie then asks what happened to suddenly make Tamao change her mind, considering she decided to give up when the first announcement was made. Besides, as Ukaji-sensei said, it's not like producing another theatre play is going to stop the shutdown. Tamao agrees, but this is not what she wants. What she wants is not a sound argument, but rather what is the true answer. The failure to stop the shutdown of Theatre Performance may be on the teachers, but the failure to continue the memories of Theatre Performance is on them. Therefore, this isn't just standing on stage, it is a performance that will bring out the most of them, a piercing drama that they will stake their lives on. They will bring back the Rinmei Chronicles. Even through defeat, reluctance, or worries, this is more important than any of them. Tamao implores Ichie to accede to her selfish request. Ichie then wonders if Tamao bought Fumi over with ponzu, to which Fumi replies that it's a bit more than that. Tamao expands on that by saying that it is still a selfish request from herself anyway. Fumi then tells Ichie that it isn't the time for idle talk, which flusters Ichie, who asks why they are performing a play that their seniors have removed over ten years ago. Tamao replies that this is no ordinary re-production of the play. This will be a play that they will bring back, with their passion. This will no longer be any old classic, but a modern, living play that truly belongs to them. Ichie asks how they will achieve that, considering that the original outline has to remain unchanged, and the tale seems a bit too ordinary to keep the audience engaged. Tamao replies that they will design new outfits for this performance, and after the main performance they can even have a singing performance depending on the cast. Of course that includes Ichie's own songs, costume designs and choreography. It is all very surprsing to Ichie, considering that the Rinmei Chronicles ends with all the characters dead, and that is not what the audience want any more. Tamao then replies this is exactly why they need to bring it back. To bring their own rendition to a format considered outmoded. To put their passion and everything on the line to bring back what has been lost. To reach out for something that doesn't appear twice. To shine brightly for this moment, as Stage Girls. For this, there is no performance that show this other than the Rinmei Chronicles.

Ichie then asks where it will be performed, what the script is like, and who will be directing, to which Tamao replies that they will be playing this by ear. Ichie then asks if it is alright doing something on their own without any official approval. Tamao then asks if there is no point in a Rinmeikan without Theatre Performance, if she is going to leave this school if anything happens after this. Fumi adds that besides, Ichie was already trying to bring back Theatre Performance by herself. Tamao then says that this performance would be worth it, even if the price is expulsion. At this point, Tamao does a dogeza, while asking Ichie for her help. This shocks both Fumi and Ichie.

Part 3B

As Tamao keeps her stance, Ichie gets flustered. She wasn't expecting Tamao to go this far with the pleading, or that she was willing to put everything on the line for the final theatre play of Theatre Performance. Ichie asks if her songs and stages are why Tamao have asked for Ichie's help for this case. Though that was the initial idea, Tamao replies, she really was looking for anything that could help in theatre production. Ichie admits that she was initially really puzzled at Tamao's behaviour, but agrees to help with Tamao's plan, and make this theatre production more interesting than they have planned.

As Fumi agrees with Ichie, Ichie then continues that she was harbouring regrets all this while, that maybe there was something more that they could be doing ever since she was moved to General Education. Fumi wonders if this is why Ichie hasn't been putting up her livestreams regularly. Ichie continues by saying that it feels like there is something she still has to do. Fumi and Tamao are surprised by this, but Ichie reassures them saying that they are all in this together anyway. And with this, she makes her proclamation:

探して求めた　唯一無二も
選んだ舞台は　断崖絶壁!?
だけどここから　一発逆転
一期一会の　晴れ舞台！
凛明館女学校演劇科　音無いちえ！
聞かせて魅せます　命の響き！

This one and only Stage that I longed for
Turns out to be a steep cliff!?
But from here I turn the tables
And create a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle!
Rinmeikan Girls School Theatre Performance - Otonashi Ichie!
So it shall charm everyone - the music of life!

With this, Ichie accepts Tamao's offer to produce the Rinmei Chronicles together. Fumi and Tamao thank Ichie for accepting the offer.

Later on in the evening, after practice, Ichie is still fired up with this new development, but Fumi reminds Ichie that she still has to keep all this a secret from Ukaji-sensei. Ichie assures them that this secret is safe with her. Tamao remains impressed that Ichie did actually know about the Rinmei Chronicles, especially considering that Rinmeikan hasn't been performing this for a decade and a half at least. She asks where Ichie has heard of it from, and she replies that she was a pop idol in a 110-member group called Sweets Pleats. Fumi interjects saying that it really is a huge group, to which Ichie agrees, and she complains that it was not the stage she was looking for, where she could shine on her own. There is not much room for individuality in that group, and because of the sheer number of people she was basically reduced to being called "the girl with the idiot hair". In addition, all the songs were actually lip-synced when performing on stage. Though Fumi suggests that lip-syncing was quite common when it comes to songs with difficult choreography, Ichie clarifies by saying that all songs were lip-synced. AKB48 these guys definitely are not. Even though everyone has put all their effort in the dance choreography and there is definitely no shortage of performers who can sing while dancing. Unfortunately, while Ichie has voiced out her concerns, many of her colleagues didn't. Instead, they basically just stopped coming to practice sessions. The people in charge also stopped caring, and practice sessions were basically luck of the draw as to whether you get a good practice session or not. When she straight up asked to have everyone sing on stage for their last performance, her final request was rebuffed, and in the end that last performance, like every other, was lip synced. Probably should have just switched on the microphones anyway without even asking the management's permission just to stick it to them, Ichie thought.

Anyway, during an intermission an upperclassman showed her a really old stage performance. Though it is a tragedy where all the main characters eventually meet their end, they truly embodied the value of living in the moment. It was then that Ichie saw the radiance she has been missing. It did not matter that an actor's role had many or few lines, in that moment, under the spotlight, everyone put in their best effort, in their roles and their performance. Yet these performers were not that much different in age to them. Though she did, and still does, enjoy her time as an idol, she was absolutely bedazzled by that performance. She then asked that upperclassman what play this is, and that is how she knew about the Rinmei Chronicles. That upperclassman was a graduate of Rinmeikan Theatre Performance, and that's why she had such a classical video. That is why, when Ichie got to high school she chose Rinmeikan Theatre Performance, but then she found out that the Rinmei Chronicles were no longer in production, she was surprised. But through this she met everyone else in Theatre Performance, and that was fine with her.

Tamao listens intently, and muses that though Ichie was a pop idol, she was guided to theatre performance by an upperclassman who has been through the world of theatre performance. Fumi continues by saying it has got to be fate. Ichie then tells the rest that she doesn't want Theatre Performance to go away, and besides, she has always wanted to perform the Rinmei Chronicles anyway. Tamao laments that they have never known that side of Ichie, and never let Ichie know that deeply about them either. Ichie then replies chirpily that they will bring back Theatre Performance as they laugh together.

Ichie then asks what about Rui and Yuyuko, and Tamao replies that it's not like she can call them in just yet. They still have to be careful about their participation, and as Fumi continues, if they get punished for that, they would rather not drag Rui and Yuyuko down as well. Ichie got the idea, and for now they will begin as a Theatre Performance trio. And with that they will start script writing the next day.

Back at the practice room, the lights are still on, and Yuyuko is in.

Continue on to Part 4: The Awakened Playwright.

[1] Honorific omitted in the original text as well.