Final day of the school festival. The hall is packed. Laughter and chatter echo as students gather for Tomo’s surprise skit. Yuuji stands backstage, arms crossed, skeptical.

Yuuji:
“I’m not acting.”

Tomo (grinning):
“You say that like I gave you a choice.”

Kanae is in costume—a ridiculous oversized lab coat and fake mustache. Haruka’s dressed as a tree.

Haruka (muttering):
“…Why am I a tree again?”

Tomo:
“Symbolism. Trust the vision.”

The skit begins. It's a chaotic, over-the-top parody about time travel, heartbreak, and school lunch politics. The crowd is in stitches.

Yuuji, forced into the role of “Emotionless Robot #2,” deadpans every line. It makes the audience laugh harder.

Yuuji (flatly):
“Beep boop. I have no soul. I just want curry.”

In a twist scene, Yuuji goes off-script—accidentally. Instead of the joke, he ad-libs:

Yuuji (serious):
“But maybe… even robots feel something eventually.”

The hall goes quiet for a bit.

Silence breaks into applause. Tomo blinks, stunned.

Haruka smiles softly. Kanae bites her lip, heart skipping.
Yuuji stares at the crowd. Then laughs—a small, real laugh. The first in years.

Tomo puts an arm around Yuuji after curtain close.

Tomo:
“Who knew? You’ve got comedic timing and unresolved trauma.”

Yuuji (dryly):
“Thanks. I think.”