A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA (淡島百景)

A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA

Saori Yamagata & Mikako Takeuchi

Wow, look at you!

You've really moved up in the world, staying in such a fancy hospital room.

I am the cash cow, after all.

Well, sure, I guess.

Oh, this is from the boss, by the way.

Ah, that's sweet.

I've already received some pretty flowers.

I appreciate it.

You're saying that with such a gloomy look on your face.

Am I?

Well, getting canned while you're here would sting for sure.

Wait, you're not leaving?

You seem like you want someone to talk to.

Talk about timing...

I thought I'd finally gotten the role when the cast was announced,

but it can slip your grasp just like that. That's what's so scary about this world.

"This world" is telling you to get some rest for now.

I guess I just have to believe that.

Have you heard anything about the new cast?

Yeah.

Mikako, right?

Feels like it was meant to be.

Saori!

So the double casting's been announced.

You were already tapped for it, right?

Well, yeah. You were too, right?

Yeah.

Looking forward to it.

Likewise.

Oh no! You have a terrible fever.

Are you okay?

Your face is red, and you're sweating like crazy.

So what?

You should've performed yesterday if we'd known this would happen.

What's the use in complaining about it now?

Sorry.

We're only performing for two days.

You did the first.

Now it's my time.

Did you think you'd get another turn on the stage?

I would never think that way!

Sorry.

The fever must be getting to me. That was nasty.

Forget I said it.

I understand.

It would be embarrassing if I were to collapse onstage

when I'm not even out of school yet.

Please don't laugh at me, even if anyone else does.

I would never.

Mikako never collapsed.

Though she apparently had no memory of what happened during the roaring applause.

Ueda

Takeuchi

Come in!

Is Mikako okay?

If she's sleeping...

I think she's all right.

Senpai, Yomogida-senpai and Yamagata-senpai are here.

Okay.

I'll leave you with her.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Thanks.

You don't need to get up! Stay in bed!

I freaked when I didn't see you in the nurse's office.

I thought I'd be able to relax more in my own room.

You're sick. You need to get some sleep.

Here.

I just came to bring you these.

Thanks.

I'll arrange them later.

Already graduation, huh?

It went by so quickly...

Yeah.

"Let's all take the stage together."

"Every one of us has to be there."

Despite what she said, Mikako was the first one absent.

Did you hear about Mikako?

No.

Only that she's in the hospital.

We eventually got news that she was fighting illness,

and gradually, we stopped bringing her up.

You know, though...

Yeah?

About the graduation performance...

Do you think that was really just the flu?

You think it might have been early symptoms?

I don't know, but I'm not even sure what to say to her.

That's how we were.

We worried about her as we abandoned her.

Our guest today is Mikako Takeuchi-san!

Listen to those cheers!

You sure are popular.

Oh, please.

Only because of that famous drama.

I understand you have an unusual history, Takeuchi-san. Isn't that right?

You graduated from the Awajima Revue School

before entering the Awajima Revue Troupe.

Wow, I thought everyone would have known that.

Of course not.

I wasn't there for very long.

Right. You fell ill soon after you joined and took some time off.

I wouldn't call it time off as much as I would retirement.

Mikako Takeuchi's History

1. Awajima Revue

2. Shocking departure

3. Return to show biz

Indeed, but now you've returned.

And I hear it was your encounter

with the latest director that inspired your return.

That's right.

It all started with a stage director named Miyajima-san,

though I really only am here to fill in this time.

I'll do my best to do justice to Yuki Kaburagi-san's work while she recovers.

Mikako Takeuchi & Saori Yamagata

I worry, you know?

You're so frail.

I'm sorry.

Everyone's trying to send you off with good cheer.

I just can't seem to shake my concerns.

It's fine.

I couldn't blame my mother for being worried.

Mikako-chan, your mom's here.

What were you looking at?

An airplane.

Is that right?

You wanted to become a flight attendant, didn't you?

What kind of book is it today?

Do you have manga?

I sure do!

I didn't know what to get you,

so I asked the lady at the bookstore what she likes.

A girl who shared the room with me had passed away just prior.

Sakusaku Town

The Awajima Revue Troupe's New Performance

Spring Lunches You Won't Want to Miss

Top Cherry Blossom Spots!

Maybe I ought not to have shown her that issue...

Why not?

You could say it's part of the reason she got better.

I know, but...

How pretty!

They're putting on a show at Green Hall nearby next month.

I wanna go!

Do you really want to?

Yeah! I wanna see it!

Well, then let's get you back on your feet so you can be discharged by then.

My mother brought me all sorts of entertainment to keep me distracted.

As bored as I was living in the hospital, all of it drew my attention.

But it was the Awajima Revue that captured me the most.

Have you got everything?

Yup.

I already sent the important stuff ahead.

Oh, please don't cry.

Sakiko-san's such a crybaby.

I'll make sure she gets there safe and sound.

You're sure you got everything, yeah?

I said I did.

Maybe I should have let Mom come with us.

Nah.

She'd cry so much, they'd have to shut the trains down.

She decided to stay home specifically because she was afraid of that.

But...

It's fine, it's fine!

We just have to show her that you're working hard,

and she'll feel better in no time.

Okay.

Road Safety

Now I'm crying.

It really does run in the family, huh?

It's a double casting, right?

It has to be those two for sure!

Please call for assistance

Pardon me! I'd like to use the phone.

Sure.

Mom?

Yeah, I got the double-cast part!

Come on, please stop crying!

They told you in the staff office, didn't they?

You could have just used the phone there.

No! I mean, I just felt shy about calling in front of the teachers.

Congrats. Break a leg.

Thank you.

Here.