Sakuya Sakuma SR 【Tin-Plated Memories】/Backstage Story

First Guest Appearance Part 1
[Mankai Dormitory Lounge: Afternoon]
Izumi	Okay, so I've gotta check the props and the staging...and the meeting time with the stagehands...
Izumi	Ugh, so busy...
Izumi	(Not only are preparations for the Spring Troupe's play in full swing...)
Izumi	(But the other theater troupe I always help out with is putting on a play on their own at the same time.)
Izumi	They always help us out, too. I want to lend them a hand, but I do need to prioritize the Spring Troupe's play... What should I do?
Sakuya	Hi, Izumi!
Izumi	Hey, Sakuya! You just got back?
Izumi	...Actually, you seem a bit down. What's up?
Sakuya	O-oh, sorry! I didn't realize I was so easy to read...
Izumi	Is everything okay?
Sakuya	Uhh...
Izumi	I just made some tea. How about we sit and have a chat?
Sakuya	Thank you!
Sakuya	So, basically... After talking to my friend, I've started thinking about where I'm going in the future.
Izumi	(I guess Sakuya's at the age where he has to start thinking about these things. I wish there was some sort of advice I could give him...)
Izumi	(But this is a problem he has to work out on his own. And considering his family situation...it's not so cut-and-dry.))
Sakuya	Could I get your advice about something?
Izumi	Of course! You can ask me anything!
Sakuya	Actually, it's more of a request. You see...
[Time Skip]
Izumi	Funny enough, this is perfect timing! I know just the place!
Sakuya	Really?!
[Other Theater's Stage]
Izumi	This is Sakuya Sakuma.
Sakuya	U-um... Nice to meet you!
Sakuya	I, uh... Starting from tomorrow, I'll be helping out in place of Izumi.
Actor A	Thanks for coming to help out. No need to be so nervous, haha.
Sakuya	R-right!
Actor A	Let's get right into it, then. I'll start by explaining the props and set pieces we have.
Izumi	I'll be helping today, too, so no pressure. Come on, Sakuya.
Sakuya	Okay!
[Time Skip]
Sakuya	So I move this set piece in after this scene, right?
Actor A	Yep. Oh, and it's easier to carry it like this.
Sakuya	Oh, okay! Thanks!
Actor B	Sakuya, when you're finished over there, can you help with the lights?
Sakuya	Sure! I'll be right there!
Sakuya	Hey, let me help you carry that!
Actor C	Thanks! You're a huge help. You said your name was Sakuya? You're certainly keeping yourself busy!
Izumi	(I'm so glad everyone seems to have taken a liking to him.)
Lead	Thanks for today, Izumi.
Izumi	Not at all!
Lead	You brought in a really good kid. He's really trying his hardest to remember everything.
Izumi	That's Sakuya for you! He's a hard worker, and he puts his all into anything he does.
Izumi	He actually came to me asking if I knew of any theater troupes he could help out at.
Lead	Really? Why's that?
Izumi	Oh, that's because...
Past [Mankai Dormitory Lounge: Afternoon]
Sakuya	I want to keep working in the theater business for as long as I can!
Sakuya	So I want to know even more. No, I want to know everything about it! Please help me out, Izumi!
Present [Other Theater's Stage]
Lead	Wow, he really is a passionate kid, huh?
Izumi	(I hope Sakuya gets some good experience from working here.)

First Guest Appearance Part 2
[Mankai Dormitory Lounge: Evening]
Izumi	(It's been two weeks since Sakuya started helping that other theater troupe. Their show has started its run, and it sounds like Sakuya's been working hard.)
Izumi	Sakuya, are you doing okay? You've been helping the other troupe after school, plus weekends, and you've still had to keep up with our rehearsals...
Sakuya	I'm fine! I've been learning a lot, and everyone over there is so nice. I'm having a lot of fun! I'm glad I can help them!
Sakuya	Oh, yeah! You'll never guess what happened today! I've gotten more used to setting up the props, and...
Izumi	(He's always so excited to tell me about his day when he gets home, I've found myself looking forward to his stories every night.)
[Time Skip]
Izumi	Oh, Sakuya! You're back!
Sakuya	Izumi! I need your help!
Izumi	W-what's wrong?
Tsumugi	Sakuya? Is everything all right?
Sakuya	During the performance today, one of the supporting actors got injured!
Sakuya	Tomorrow's the last performance, and they asked if I could stand in!
Izumi	Really?!
Tasuku	That's pretty sudden...
Sakuya	If I can't stand in, they said they're going to have to change some of the script.
Sakuya	The one they'll have to change in one of everyone's favorite scenes...! I love it, too, and I'd hate for them to have to cut it from their last performance!
Sakuya	But...I'm just there to help out backstage... It doesn't feel right for me to go on stage...
Izumi	Do you have all of the lines memorized?
Sakuya	Y-yeah. I've been watching every day from the wings, so I know them pretty well.
Izumi	I think you should do it, then.
Sakuya	What, really?!
Tsumugi	I agree.
Tasuku	Me, too. You went to help out because you wanted to know more about theater, right?
Tasuku	It'd be just as an great experience for you to have a go at standing in, too.
Tsumugi	Take it from Tasuku. He's always making guest appearances in one show or another.
Tsuzuru	Oh, Sakuya. You're back?
Citron	What is wrong? You all look so cereal.
Tsuzuru	Serious.
Tsumugi	Well, you see...
[Time Skip]
Tsuzuru	Oh, wow. I agree. You should do it.
Citron	You can do it, Sakuya! I'm believing in you!
Tsuzuru	You were a lead role in Romeo and Julius, and you did an amazing job. You should be able to handle a guest role, no problem.
Sakuya	Citron... Tsuzuru...
Sakuya	...Okay, I'll do it! I'll give it a shot!
Izumi	You've got this, Sakuya!
Sakuya	Thanks for all your encouragement, everyone! I feel like I can actually give this a try!
Sakuya	Now that I've decided I'm going to do this, I'm suddenly really excited!
Tasuku	Well, that was fast.
Sakuya	Sorry, I was so panicked, I forgot just how much I love standing on stage!
Tsumugi	Ahaha. That's the spirit. You can do it, Sakuya.
Izumi	I've actually got plans to go see the show tomorrow night. I look forward to seeing you on stage!
Sakuya	Thanks! I feel better knowing you'll be there to watch me. I'll do my best!
Actors	Thank you!
Izumi	(What an amazing show! Sakuya subbed in without a hitch!)
Sakuya	Thank you...!
Izumi	(Aww, the other actors are all patting him on the back. Look at him smile.)
Izumi	(Sakuya always looks his happiest when he's on stage.)
Izumi	(I remember the first time I ever saw him act, way back, before I was even part of the Mankai Company...)
Izumi	(He was the only actor, and his acting was terrible...but he looked like he was having the time of his life.)
[Other Theater's Stage Closed]
Izumi	That was great, Sakuya.
Sakuya	Izumi! Thank you!
Izumi	You seem like you had a good time.
Sakuya	I did! I'm glad I took the leap and stood in for them!
Izumi	So how did it feel, making your first guest appearance?
Sakuya	I feel like I can't even put it into words, but I learned so much!
Sakuya	It felt completely different, being on a different stage with different people...
Sakuya	I was way more nervous than usual, too. My heart was in my throat the whole time.
Izumi	Really? You didn't look nervous on stage at all.
Sakuya	That's probably because everyone really supported me out there!
Sakuya	It also helped so much knowing you were out there watching. I was able to pull myself together because of that.
Sakuya	This is the first time I've ever acted with another troupe...
Sakuya	It made me appreciate the strength and security the Spring Troupe gives me when we stand on stage together.
Sakuya	Everyone's always so supportive, and they help me out so much...
Izumi	Sakuya...
Sakuya	I want to do the same for them! I'll keep learning more about theater...
Sakuya	And I'll make it so that, the next time I stand on stage with the Spring Troupe, I can give the best performance ever!
Izumi	You can do it, Sakuya. I believe in you.
Izumi	(Sakuya's practically shining. I have no doubt he'll go on to become an even greater actor.)
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