[BSTS] Sinju Casting Series 5* Card Story
Chapter 1
-path background-
narration: That day, the poet was walking down a pathway. It was the same walk she always went on, she knew the paths like the back of her hand. However, that day was different. When she turned down the route she always took, she was met with scenery she'd never seen before.
The poet kept walking.
Maybe if she kept going, she'd find the familiar path again. She’d turned down the route she usually did, so surely the path would eventually meet back up with where she usually walked.
-shop front-
??? (sinju): My oh my, I haven't seen you in a while, dear customer. Welcome to my store.
narration: The man introduced himself as the store’s shopkeeper. His eyes twinkled like beautiful glasswork as he spoke to the poet.
??? (sinju): If anything catches your interest please do take a look. This sweet and shiny candy is our specialty.
-outside starless, day-
cat: Meow~
saki: Hm? Was that a cat just now?
-saki looks around for the cat-
-sinju appears-
sinju: Saki-chan, over here.
saki: Oh, Sinju-san.
sinju: I saw you standing out here so I couldn't help but call out. I’m happy I get to see you before our show today. Were you looking for somebody just now? You were glancing around.
saki: Oh um, I thought I heard a cat meowing so I was trying to find where it came from.
sinju: A cat… Ahaha, you're just like the poet from ‘Trick or Truth’. In that case, if you follow that cat’s voice something amazing might happen.
In Team P’s adaptation of the story, you and the rest of the guests are a poet who gets lost in a town full of cats. And all the residents of that town want to do is entertain you and make you feel welcome.
saki: I see… So you think that cat was trying to invite me to the town?
sinju: Yeah, I’m sure it was! That cat’s a nice guy. However, there are some within the town that are the complete opposite. I need to make sure you aren't returned back… Oh, right! I have something I want to show you, could you wait for me in the office?
-starless office-
-sinju appears in his stage outfit (with cat ears)-
sinju: Welcome, Saki-chan.
saki: Oh that was fast. You're already here, Sinju-san.
sinju: Yeah I guess so, don't just stand at the door, come on over. I’ve got glass coins and marbles, paper balloons and kaleidoscopes. They're all stunning aren't they? I wanted to show them all to you.
saki: Woah, you have so many things! It's like you're running a shop.
sinju: Exactly, that's because I’m the shopkeeper. I have to make sure I stock my shelves with fascinating goods. Beautiful things that sparkle catch your eye make you want to keep staring at them, right?
Here, Saki-chan, try looking into this kaleidoscope.
-kaleidoscope background-
sinju: How is it?
saki: It's really pretty. The colours and patterns are spinning around.
-shop front appears within the kaleidoscope-
sinju: The Cat Town is beautiful like this kaleidoscope. No matter where you go it's nothing but gorgeous sights, you could walk around forever without getting bored, it's endless. You’ll want to gaze at all it has to offer forever.
-black screen-
sinju: .oot ysae siht erew traeh ruoy otni gnizag ylno fI…
[...If only gazing into your heart were this easy too.]
-starless office-
saki: …Huh?
-saki looks around the empty office-
saki: Where did Sinju-san go?
-sinju rushes into the room (stage outfit without cat ears)-
sinju: –Ah, the props were in here already! Sorry for making you wait so long, Saki-chan! I wanted to show you all of these things along with that kaleidoscope. I was certain I left them in the storage room so I was looking around in there.
saki: O-oh no, it's fine. I wasn't waiting… that long.
saki: (Was that not Sinju-san just a moment ago…?)
-
Chapter 2
-starless stage-
shopkeeper: “Here you go, feel free to sample whichever one of these sparkling candies you like. You won't know boredom until you've enjoyed yourself to the fullest and tried everything.
Though, even one hundred years probably wouldn't be long enough to try everything that this town has to offer.
Like the flick of a cat’s tail you should wave away the concept of time itself. Pain, sadness, despair… Emotions like that don't suit this town. Just wave it all away and enjoy yourself.”
-applause-
-outside convenience store, night-
sinju: Sorry, I’ll just run in and buy the stuff that I need real quick!
saki: It's ok, you don't have to rush. I’ll wait.
-sinju runs into the convenience store-
cat: Meow~
saki: Ah, I can hear another cat…
-saki looks around-
-sinju comes back-
sinju: Thanks for waiting, Saki-chan!
saki: Woah, that really was quick. What did you need to buy?
sinju: Just some cheap candy. I wanted to reward myself after a job well done in today's show. Let's eat them together, I bought all sorts of stuff so pick whatever you want.
saki: Thanks. I’ll take one of the hard candies then.
sinju: Oh good choice. The way hard candies sparkle in the light is so pretty. I’ll start with the tablet candy then. Did you know you can make a whistle noise with these?
-sinju blows into the candy like a whistle-
saki: Wow, you're good at that…!
sinju: I’ve been practicing since I was a kid. (eats the candy) Mm, yep, it's nice and sweet.
saki: I’ll try mine too… Fufu, it's sweet as well.
sinju: I might try eating this by letting it dissolve in my mouth instead of just biting into it right away. Or not… Getting all excited over cheap candy like this is pretty childish of me, isn't it?
saki: I don't think so, I’m having fun too. It's like you said in the show ‘you won't know boredom’.
sinju: Really? Do you want to stay here forever?
-crunching noise-
sinju: Ah… the candy dissolved.
saki: Mine has too. It's kind of sad once it's gone.
-there's a flash of light and cat ears appear on sinju’s head-
sinju: It makes you want more, right?
saki: Huh…?
sinju: I’ll give you whatever you want, try whatever you like.
-store front background-
narration: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. All of these bottles are filled to the brim with shiny, sparkling hard candies.
shopkeeper: “Oh, welcome. So you really came. You don't need to worry, I was the one who invited you here. I’ll make sure to treat you well.”
“Here you go, feel free to sample whichever one of these sparkling candies is to your liking.”
“Though, even one hundred years probably wouldn't be long enough to experience all this town has to offer. It's probably not even long enough to try all of these candies.”
“That's why you should just take your time and relax… Oh, I know. This may be sudden, but how about you live here?”
shopkeeper: “This is a great place isn't it? I can guarantee that you won't know the definition of boredom for as long as you're here.”
-bridge underpass, night-
saki: Sinju-san, are you sure this is the right way? It's pretty dark around here.
sinju: Don't worry, cats can see in the dark. And I’m the Cat Town’s shopkeeper cat.
saki: …True, the way you played the shopkeeper cat in today's show was enchanting.
sinju: The shopkeeper's duty is to invite the poet into the town and entice her to venture in even further.
saki: Invite the poet into the town… I see. I’ll follow you, Sinju-san. Since even if we were to get lost on a dark pathway, I’d feel safe with you beside me.
sinju: I… wouldn't say that so confidently.
-full moon background-
sinju: Cats are fickle creatures, they might not reciprocate your feelings. We’re fickle and selfish… And yet there isn't a single thing I want to do.
-sinju’s cat ears appear again-
sinju: Because, that is part of my duty.
saki: (Ah… It happened again. Why…?)
sinju: On the other side, one's duty is their everything. If I take a single misstep, everything will shatter. So, that's why I don't have any desires of my own.
-black screen-
sinju: …syawla m’I yhw s’tahT .uoy morf trapa eb ot tnaw t’nod I .eil a s’tahT
[That's a lie. I don't want to be apart from you. That's why I’m always…]
-bridge underpass, sinju’s ears are gone-
saki: Sinju-san…?
sinju: –It's nothing, don't worry. This is the right way, it'll be ok, just follow me.
-
Chapter 3
-fast food restaurant-
sinju: Phew, I’m full. I just can't resist a delicious meal.
saki: I ate a lot too. It was so good.
saki: (Sinju-san is acting normally today. I guess he really was just studying for his role the other day.)
sinju: Should we head to the next stop?
saki: Sure. We still have time before we need to return to Starless.
sinju: Return, huh… Hey, how about we head to the arcade next? Let's forget the time and enjoy ourselves.
-side street, evening-
sinju: That was so much fun! I had a blast.
saki: Fufu, that rhythm game was a lot of fun.
sinju: …Say, Saki-chan, you should stay with me like this. As long as you're with me, you won't experience anything painful or sad. You had fun hanging out with me today, right?
saki: Yes, of course I had fun… But we need to return to Starless soon. See, the sky is red because the sun has started to set.
sinju: (gasps) The sky is red…You're right.
cat: Meow~
saki: Ah, another cat–
-white flash, sinju’s cat ears appear-
sinju: (gasps) (he looks distraught)
sinju: They're coming… They're coming to get you. At this rate they'll take you back…! We can't stay here, come this way, quickly!
-store front background-
narration: Shiver, shiver, shiver. The poet began trembling. Cats, cats, cats, cats. Everywhere she looked there stood a cat. Meow, meow, meow, meow. All she could hear was the sound of the cat's cries.
One step, two steps, three steps.
The further the poet retreated back, the further the shopkeeper’s round pupils narrowed into crescent moons.
shopkeeper: “You enjoyed your time here, didn't you? Then you should stay here forever. If you were to desire it, then all of this could become the real deal.”
“Or could it be that he is the one who you desire?”
-behind starless, evening-
sinju: (catching his breath) Sorry for making you run so suddenly.
saki: I-It's ok… I’m fine. We should've made it in time for your show. Let's head inside, Sinju-san.
sinju: …Once I let go of your arm, you'll continue forwards and the show will begin. Once the show begins, you won't be lost anymore, you'll be saved. Our connection and the bond we’ve shared up until now will return you to the place where you belong.
Because you're a human who belongs in the world of this side. Unlike me.
saki: Whether you belong here or not doesn't matter. Since you're here right now…
sinju: No, that's not what I meant. I’m from the other side, I don't have anything to call my own. That connection and bond I just spoke of, I didn't have anything like that with you to begin with.
Unable to meet you first, I didn't even have a collar. Unlike him, no one wanted to pet me. Who am I? Even though I wanted to ask that… I couldn't. Because my duty is all I have. I don't even have a name for someone to call me by.
-white flash, cat ears appear-
sinju: …The side I’m from, the other side, it's nothing but an illusion. Everything about it is fake, it's all just make-believe. But, as the lies continued to pile up… Like your world, I wanted to make the world that I’m from real.
-black screen-
sinju: .dab os laer eb ot detnaw I .uoy ot ecnetsixe tnatropmi tsom elgnis eht eb ot detnaw I
[I wanted to be the single most important existence to you. I wanted to be real so bad.]
-behind starless-
cat: Meow~
saki: (There's another cat…. is it calling out to me? But, from where–)
-sinju steps forward and hugs saki close-
sinju: Don't look. Don't listen to it. Please, for now just look at nothing but me. Feel my body against yours, not anyone else's. Just me. The red sky, the crack between our worlds, none of it matters. Just stay in my arms and pretend you haven't noticed any of it.
saki: Sinju-san…
sinju: Please, for just a little longer. Until I let you go… allow me to be ‘real’ to you. That way, I’m sure I’ll be able to send you off. All I want is for you to be happy, you who I love so dearly.
-
Chapter 4
-store front-
shopkeeper: My oh my, I haven't seen you in a while, dear customer. Welcome to my store. How about taking one of these sparkling candies to commemorate your visit? They're just as sweet as they are beautiful.
…Did you like it? In that case I recommend checking out this kaleidoscope next. Here, try looking inside, I’m sure that you'll also– (coughs) What I meant to say is, if anything catches your interest, please do visit my store again.
I’m this shop’s keeper. I’ll always be waiting for you here… Probably.
-pathway at sunset-
??? (menou): You can't be here.
-store front-
graceful man (rindou): Oh? Were you perhaps led here by the scent of the incense? Well if it's to your liking, then by all means, please stay.
coquettish man (maica): Hmm, you smell like another man. What a cruel woman you are.
-pathway at sunset-
??? (menou): Come this way, hurry. I’ll help you escape.
-store front-
doubtful man (ginsei): You seem out of breath, your throat must be dry from all that running. Would you like some tea to soothe it?
-pathway at sunset-
??? (menou): Hurry, there isn't any time left. You need to escape before you get trapped in this world! Don't listen to any of the voices trying to lead you astray.
-store front-
shopkeeper: It's pretty here, isn't it? It's nothing but gorgeous scenery for as far as the eye can see. Just like the inside of that kaleidoscope. –Ah.
-glass breaking sfx-
narration: Crawling, crawling, crawling. The moment the poet dropped the kaleidoscope, a swarm of mice appeared at her feet. The mice ran forwards in order to destroy the glass town.
Trembling with fear, the poet screamed. With a dazzling flash of light, she became aware of the countless eyes staring at her.
Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow.
Everywhere she looked there stood a cat. All she could hear was the sound of the cat's cries.
-pathway at sunset-
man (menou): Hurry, follow me! Don't look at anything but me. Whatever you do, don't look back!
-black background-
shopkeeper: !em htiw yatS !og t’nod ,tiaW
[Wait, don't go! Stay with me!]
-dark forest-
narration: Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap. The sound of footsteps in pursuit resounded as the poet ran from the looming shadows. She followed after her pet cat whom she had once lived with. Her pet cat who had sadly passed away.
However, in an instant her feet were caught by the darkness. Her cat continued to run ahead, his figure quickly fading into the distance.
The poet could feel something closing in behind her, but she wasn't allowed to turn around. But she didn't know where the exit was either.
Her vision went dark, her cat nowhere to be seen.
-white flash, store front-
shopkeeper: Hello, you came to visit again. You can't be doing that, the place that you want to go is ‘over there’ right? In that case, you should escape by going straight down this alley way. The exit will be right on the other end of it.
If anything catches your interest, you should come and visit my store again sometime. This is the Cat Town. You don't realise it, but it's a world that resides right next to yours. Well, the extent of my hospitality will depend on how I’m feeling that day though.
(poet bows in thanks)
shopkeeper: This is the first time in my life that someone has thanked me. I need to say ‘thank you’ to you as well.
-shopkeeper steps close-
shopkeeper: I’ve been waiting at this store for you. Waiting and waiting to meet the person I saw smiling on the other side of that single pane of glass. The time that I’ve spent with you here wasn't a fabrication. To me, it was real.
When I curl up in a ball and fall asleep, I’ll always remember this time that I’ve spent with you. I mean it.
So, would you close your eyes for me?
-poet closes eyes-
-kiss sfx-
-poet opens eyes again-
shopkeeper: This kiss as well. It's real. Like the kiss I placed upon them, I’ll be waiting for you on the other side of your eyelids.
Now off you go before I change my mind. Head straight down the path without looking back. Cats are fickle creatures, you’re already aware of that, aren't you?
-poet runs down the alleyway-
-black background-
shopkeeper: This side and that side… These two sides that are both so close and so far from one another can never truly overlap. The me who you saw, and the you who I saw. They were both mere illusions that cannot mix.
…But even so.
-bloomed cg, sinju sadly looking into a fish tank
shopkeeper: Come by again, come and see me again. Anytime you want, allow me to be real while I’m with you. Who am I? You're the one who I want to call out my name the most.
Here in this place that's so close yet so far, on the other side of your eyelids. I’ll be waiting for you forever.
-eyes close-
–end
