It's only been three days since rehearsals began for the Stage Play Adaptation of Tokyo Blade. Nothing particularly bad had happened yet since everything had only just begun, but the author of the manga would be arriving to see progress soon and anything could happen when she arrived.

Among the actors, a few groups had formed based on how many scenes each actor had with each other. There was the leading cast group consisting of Kana, who played Tsurgi, Melt, who played Kizami, and Taiki, who played the protagonist Blade.

Another group was the Lala Lai group, all actors from the Lala Lai Theatrical Company. Taiki was considered to be the best actor in Lala Lai despite not sitting with the group, but a runner-up to his spot was recognized for an ability to mimic any person or character to near perfection. This talent was used in a reality dating show called Love Now not too long ago to mimic Ai Hoshino, publicly known as Ai of B Komachi, a famous idol who lived over a decade ago and was tragically murdered, to win over Aquamarine Hoshino. He remained stoic for most of the filming, but once this uncanny impersonation occurred, he was a totally different person around her.

They ended as the show couple, kissing in the finale, but have kept their relationship mainly for business purposes. Luckily, the two were able to work together again in the Tokyo Blade adaptation.

Stepping away from the Lala Lai group for a moment, she saw Aqua sitting against the wall on the opposite side of the room, alone and radiating a gloomy aura. He appeared to be watching Kana with the leading cast group, and with their history, it wasn't too abnormal for him to be. However, it was enough for her to approach him.

Aqua didn't look her way until she was sitting beside him and asking if he was looking at Kana. In response, Aqua simply said, "Yeah." Internally, he was thinking about how Kana's acting would improve around Taiki, Lala Lai's star. Taiki was good, really good, and Aqua wondered if Kana could get to his level, but he never once thought he was better than either of them. He didn't think he was better than anyone.

There was a battle of who was the best out of all the actors, each of them trying to win, aside from Aqua. "Arima tends to bring her acting in line with those around her," Aqua explained flatly, "now she's onstage with Taiki Himekawa, and she'll start matching his level." Turning his gaze to her, he asked, "You want to outshine Arima, right? At this rate, you'll lose. Big time." Aqua was never one to sugarcoat, but he also looked out for his friends' best interests, including Kana's and hers.