You mean volunteering?
It's a festival staged by the city and our budget is rather low.
If it's a tedious job, then we're not interested.
Not at all. It'll be something along the lines of a school arts festival.
It would be impossible with the residents of this apartment.
We have a script though!
Or, if you prefer, you can simply hold the script and read it aloud.
No, that's not what I meant.
The residents here aren't normal.
Is there any way you could get them to change their minds?
The women here aren't that great though.
Are there many women here?
I'm the only man.
Ah well, they're really just women in name.
What do you mean?
It's like... they are women.
But then again, they're not. cene change allows it}
Are you saying they were once men?
That's not it.
Their lesbianism is quite fine, then.
Lesbians? That's not it at all!
Really?
They're quite cruel.
Who is?
If you're fine with us, we'll participate.
Really?
There's no way I'd participate in something like that.
It seems interesting though.
No... Tamaki-san, I'm at my limit...
This lady here is quite charming. g and now fixed}
I'm sure the stage would light up if she were on it.
What?
Are you talking about me?
The one dressed in black here.
That?!
What do you mean by "that"?
Could you by any chance join our play?
I'm quite the sinful woman. to herself}
In more ways than one.
It's the truth.
If possible, we'd like to perform a musical this year.
There's no way...
We have to sing?
The lines are all incorporated into a song.
Singing, is it? I wonder what I should do.
I'll end up as the leading actress.
What's with that confidence of yours?
I used to be in a children's choir.
No way!
Is there even supposed to be a play at the Marutomi Park festival?
Ginko, would you like to see it?
Me?
Yeah.
A festival, huh...
I think it'll be fun.
How so?
That's because the residents of Samidare Apartment are going to reenact it.
Doesn't it sound fun?
Maybe I should go see it.
Even Yamie-san plans to sing.
A woman who awaits and believes in the return of her husband who was sent off to war.
This is a significant role.
It has to be me.
Well, I suppose so. I'll let you have it this time.
By the way, you wouldn't happen to have more vibrant clothing, would you?
You know, these very clothes are my mourning
Enough of that story.
Hey, what about me? What about me?
You can't stand out too much, so...
How about a pine tree?
Davide can play that role!
I still have to ask Benika-san first to see if you can even be in it.
I see.
A musical? You'll be singing?
Where at?
Marutomi Park.
There'll be about fifty spectators.
Taking into account the people going to the festival as well, it'll be quite a large amount.
And how is the area itself?
Dangerous.
It's not even worth your consideration.
I think it'll be a worthwhile memory for Murasaki though.
That's not the issue here!
I got it.
She can participate.
Really?
Benika-sama, it's too dangerous! If she's found...
Why not? Memories are precious, you know.
That's an okay, right?
About that...
There is a slight chance that Yayoi shall be going to the park.
Yes.
If something arises, I'll leave it to you.
Yes, please excuse me.
Is there a new job?
That's a secret.
"Believe in your wings,
and fly up into the heavens above!"
"You can fly!"
"I'll be going there possible, time so that there aren't overlapping lines.}
Hold it, hold it!
Something's strange!
You think so?
Isn't there some strange sound mixed in?
I thought it was fine.
Let's try it again. We'll take turns.
You can start off, Tamaki-san.
"We can fly to the ends of the horizon."
All right, Murasaki.
"Believe in your wings, and fly up into the heavens above!"
Yamie-san.
"You can fly!"
"I'll be going there too!"
See?
Now I know who's off too.
Um...
Yamie-san?
Was there something peculiar?
You're terrible!
What?
No, that's not it.
How about you just tell her the truth?
You're terr
Murasaki.
What's the problem?
Ah, no, it was only a minor problem.
You're terr
Listen here.
Murasaki!
I'm terrible?
It was just a minor problem. Just a minor one!
Hey, hey, listen up.
Let's change roles.
No one else but me can play this role.
You're right.
It's impossible.
You're terr
I told you.
You tell her, then.
Go on, tell me.
Y-Your pitch is...
You're terrible!
There you have it.
It can't be!
You were just a little off. Just a little !
It's not even a play where an idol has the leading role.
So, this level is just terrible.
And who told you to treat me like an idol?
Tamaki-san...
That's not what I meant.
How unpleasant. I'm done here.
Y-Yamie-san!
I'm begging you.
I've had enough.
Let's practice in the hallway.
Individually?
It's like a supplementary class!
Supplementary?
It's what kids are forced to do if they can't keep up with their studies.
Hey, if you think I'd just keep quiet and listen
You're not keeping quiet though.
Let's leave them alone and go, okay?
Don't treat me like a child who can't study.
You rotten mandarin!
Mandarin?
You call kids who can't study rotten mandarins.
Enough already!
Let's go outside, Yamie-san, okay?
Mandarin, mandarin!
Mandarin!
What's a mandarin?
Rotten mandarin!
The one that's sweet and sour.
Mandarin, mandarin, mandarin!
Not that! What I'm asking is...
Mandarin!
Looks like it's not going so well.
Was my singing to your liking?
Yeah, you were really good.
Did you go someplace to learn?
My mother taught me.
My mother was always smiling gently when she sang.
She taught me many songs.
I'm sure you'd want your mom to see the play, then.
That's impossible.
Why?
Anyway, let's practice.
"You can fly!"
"I'll be going
Weren't you in a children's choir before?
Yeah.
When I was in elementary school, a girl across the street named Jun-chan was in it.
Jun-chan? From across the street?
Who's that?
We used to play together a lot.
She was really talented. d}
So it was just her in the choir, then?
There were quite a few others in it as well.
And yourself?
Do you believe I was the kind of girl who would be a part of something like that?
You lied to me.
Lately, instances of children breaking the law have become rather frequent.
People then say things like, "I never imagined that someone so kind could be a criminal," right?
Yes, that's right.
So, is this somehow related?
I blame the times.
Stop blaming it on the times.
Maybe it's the government's fault?
Who's the current Prime Minister, then?
Translator's Note: A famous female enka singer whose influence was at its peak around the post-war era of modern Japan.
Misora Hibari.
Let's look for someone else.
How?
I'm really sorry for bringing this up all of a sudden.
Watch carefully.
When men are being scolded, they become timid even though it's just over the phone.
You're right...
You're a real lifesaver. I'm really grateful.
It seems my type of voice is needed after all.
I'm not very satisfied with this.
Shall we go practice, then?
"You can fly!"
"I'll be going there too!"
We're screwed.
We're really screwed.
I was much better, wasn't I?
It can't be...
What's wrong?
You're terrible!
Hey, this is a pretty difficult part, huh?
I thought it was a bit hard for me to sing too.
Right?
It all depends on how you say things, huh?
Aren't you treating her a bit differently than how you did with me?
I think I'll be able to clear it though.
You can. I'm sure you can!
Come on. Let's practice.
"You can fly!"
"I'll be going there too!"
It's impossible after all, isn't it?
It sounds like I'm not on key with the others.
You think that's the problem?
What do you think, Shinkurou-san?
This is bad.
Really bad. Really, really bad.
Shinkurou-san?
Why?
I can't accept your reason for kicking us out of the room!
I think it's okay.
We'll just get dragged down if we stay with the terrible singer.
It's so tough when you can't communicate in Japanese.
"I'll be going there too!"
Excuse me.
Could you try copying me and singing?
We'll sing it by the book.
I see. So what should we make your part be?
That's not what I meant.
Sounds like he's in a rough position.
"We can fly right away!"
"Up into the heavens above!"
That's not right, Yuuno-san.
You won't be able to sing if you're shy.
That's not it.
It should be more like this.
What are they doing?
The climax came earlier than I thought!
Shinkurou-san.
That scene isn't...
Leave it to me.
What?
Yuuno-san, we've got to practice the vocal parts.
You shouldn't stop the flow, Shinkuoru-san.
What a pity, huh, Davide?
Are you waiting for your boyfriend or something?
You're young, so you should pick a more luxurious hotel.
That's not it.
So you're going to work now?
I'm not waiting for any company.
If you were, you'd be off having dinner already.
Right.
Are you free now?
Can you sing?
Sing?
If it's singing, my personal record is a 95 in karaoke.
Really?
It's a karaoke score.
Try singing for a secondcut the line for no overlaps}
No.
Just a bit.
Just a bit, then.
Right.
"Even so, are you sure?"
"It's a forbidden love which you brought to me after all."
"The ring is cold."
I'm aware that I have a minor problem.
A minor one?
You seem to be available.
I'm not.
Hey!
If you want me to beg, then I can.
Teach me.
N-No...
Please, teach me.
"There are also things that you should not cast aside."
Stop, stop!
It's not just a problem with your singing ability.
You've got to be more expressive.
You know, I'm the cool type among the wicked women.
Can you smile?
I've forgotten how to a long time ago.
The man I used to date...
Enough of that story.
Those clothes aren't fit for your role either.
I can't take off these clothes.
You can't at all?
It's my mourning dress.
I see.
You know, these clothes were
Was it a journalist?
I've already heard that story.
W-Why?
I will teach you a technique that shall be irresistible to them.
W-Why do you know the story behind my clothes?
Shinkurou vowed to protect me, and off he goes...
A man's love is saved in a new file,
a woman's is overwritten.
What does that mean?
Men can have one relationship after another, so their previous ones are backups.
For women, if they find a new man, they can completely forget about their old one.
Maybe I'll sleep in your room sometime.
Sure thing.
Hasn't the story changed?
If it hasn't been going well then maybe we should just go with a different story.
I can't play a city woman and bring out her charm.
All right, we'll change roles too.
What are we going to do?
You'll play the heroine when she was young!
That's good!
"And become light!"
It's no good, I can't even get through to her now.
If we sing together, we can overcome any difficulty!
Right!
We can overcome it if we're together!
Listen, Yuuno-san.
Sing a duet with me.
A duet?
A duet!
Yes!
"Believe in your wings,
and fly up into the heavens above!"
One, two...
"You can fly!"
One, two...
"I'll be going there too!"
"We'll fly together,
and become light."
Shinkurou-san! The enemy has come to attack!
She's an enemy!
Don't be deceived!
Jennifer is an impure woman!
Please listen to my side a bit.
A bit is fine, you can stand and listen too.
Can your love even be saved?
So, let us go and search for tomorrow!
The voices around me resound with deceit.
They're evil voices!
Please give it back! Please give it back to me!
Steal it back, Maria!
Give back my place...
Give back my place... my role...
Your role!
Don't break this confused person.
I despise her!
My dear, you're being fooled!
I love you!
Don't get in my way, impure woman!
Is what he means to say!
Leave us alone!
Just a bit is fine.
Don't get in our way.
And entrust it all to us.
This song is quite pleasant tonight.
Magnificent.
That was the best.
That was great.
Jennifer, you unforgivable woman!
Margaret, you vile woman!
The morning sun is brilliant, Maria!
Huh?
Wasn't it over?
Oh no, you drank too much wine.
That's strange, that was the ending earlier.
It wasn't the same drink, was it?
The one which was poured in when the count arrived.
Don't mention it. I'm tired after being with Margaret.
Sounds like love problems.
Geez, those young ones are in love.
And indifferent to politics.
Who's Margaret in the first place?
Well, we were young once too.
Was there a Jennifer?
Megumi and Shinichi...
It's a Japanese play.
Jennifer!
Jennifer?
How strange. I'm sure this was the meeting place.
Shinkurou-san!
Jennifer!
Don't scare me like that.
It's a Japanese.
I surprised you, didn't I?
Is that woman a foreigner?
I'll surprise you more today, though!
It's a bit off, but she seems like a foreigner.
You get me every time, Jennifer.
No, that's not the problem.
Could it be because of your father?
No, please don't treat me like him.
Kurenai-san.
Uncle!
Could it be this is what you wanted to surprise
No, please let me say it!
I've got it already!
What did you get?
Uncle, hush.
Ah, yes.
That's strange.
Aren't you human?
Aren't you a living human!
I'm not human!
Don't tell me...
You...
No, stay away!
Juuzawa Benika.
I can't contact Shinkurou nor my subordinate.
Was this all your doing?
What are you talking about?
What's this?
It's a lie that there's a musical at Marutomi Park, isn't it?
There's supposed to be a comic show this year.
Not "ah!"
What do you mean?
You don't get to play much, right?
That's why I thought I'd create a chance.
What about the committee members, then?
I hired them.
What about the play?
There isn't one.
How much shame do you think I endured over that trifling thing?
I was happy.
I was able to have an intimate night with Shinkurou-san after overcoming many difficulties.
I had fun too.
Hey! Did you think we'd let it end here?
The woman James chose was tried, judged, and ultimately died.
Margaret and Jennifer's fates have yet to be decided!
So?
The end awaits us!
Stand up!
Rise up!
To where Jennifer is!
To Margaret's chest!
Now, sing!
A new song on a new stage!
Shinkurou!
I'm sleepy.
Next on kurenai:
Women