Section 3: The Ideals and Reality of Being a Role Model (2/3)

We did it! We reached our target amount!

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Here, Big Boss! I brought you some rice balls!

Oh. Thank you, Daikokuten. But, um, we were just about to head back...

Really!? How foolish of me. I wish I could crawl into a hole. I'd even dig one myself...

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Same here, Senpai! I'd be glad to accept these rice balls!

Oh, that's great to hear! Go on then, dig in.

(Blowing to cool hers down) Oh wow, these are fresh out of the rice cooker! 'ey're 'elishoos!

Rice balls are the only thing we really know how to make. It's too bad the real Daikokuten isn't here. I'm sure he'd be much more helpful...

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Oh, yes! He's as majestic as he is magnanimous! Though, I would be mortified at the thought of ever slighting

Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh!

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Oh! I'm sorry. Just a flashback...

Daikokuten may be known as a god of fortune now, but he first came to prominence as Mahākāla of India...

That must mean he's both incredibly strong...and incredibly fearsome.

A lot of things go over my head, but knowing you, Big Boss, I'm sure you and the real Daikokuten would get along great!

At least, I think so...

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Big Boss...!

Eep! I think I'm about to multiply!

(If they multiply so easily...what would that mean for Chaldea's food stores?)

Félicitations! Now I can give everyone their bonus!

Wow, so much!? Uh... Ehehe. I mean, it's a lot for a commoner like me...

...but what about you, Your Majesty?

Oh, yes. I'm happy to take it. It's a sign of respect, after all.

Say, I know. Why don't we use this windfall to have a little tea party with all the others?

Here, I'll put up a monument to commemorate our movie's success!

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It's okay. As long as I have my delightful employés and the support of my fans, nothing can stop me!

Does that mean you're off to make another movie?

Yup. That's my job. No...our job.

Oh my, I'm so jealous. I don't know what we're all going to do now...

We were summoned to perform in this movie. It may not have been the kind I would have preferred...

...but now that we've finished our performances, our job here is over.

Don't worry. You're all my precious employés. All you have to worry about is doing your best to help me.

I'll worry about what exactly that should entail. That way, you don't have to think about what you need to do, right?

Well... I guess that's true...

If there's anything you're concerned about, just ask, and I'll answer.

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Of course. What is it?

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I... Well...

That ain't ever gonna happen!

Shut up, Mike.

No way. This trap ain't shuttin'. Got doubts 'bout our leader here? Ha! Then you listen to me, and listen good.

A leader's always right. That's why they lead and why others follow, y'hear?

Every leader claims that. And they all constantly make mistakes.

Wrong. Ain't no mistakes. There's just winners and losers. If yer luck runs dry, that's it! It's the hangman's noose for ya!

Isn't that awfully shortsighted?

That's enough, Mike!

...Sorry about that, Fujimaru. To answer your question

It's okay. We don't need to know.

...Huh?

I believe in you. After all, you know the responsibility that comes with being a leader, right?

...Yeah, I do. Thank you, Marie Antoinette.

I promise I'll be a good leader. I'll do everything I can to make you proud of me, right to the very end.

So I hope I can keep counting on your support!

That sounds great. I can't wait to see the world you'll build!

Don't worry! I won't let you down!

...

Now let's head to the next town!

Next stop: Cincinnatiii☆

So we're driftin' on down the Ohio River then, huh? Well, I do declare, that sure takes me back. Can hardly wait to see my ol' stomping ground. My yesteryear kingdom!

Would you just SHUT UP, Mike!?

(Huff... Huff...) This should be the place...

"Turtles are surprisingly..."

"...nimble flyers." Are you with the Railroad?

Sure am. I've got the fastest wings in the world, and I'll use them to take you up to the sky.

Huh!? You're gonna take me?

You nervous? Or you got some kinda problem?

N-no, it's not that. It's just, I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling about this...

And you were right to.

You're

I just wanna catch you and be done with it. Don't make this hard for me, little bird.

Oh, no you don't!

...Have we met before?

Beats me. But after today, you'll never see me again. Now, bring it!

You're on!

Nooo!

...So what happens next?

That's what we came to this town to figure out. But...

I don't care what you say! I'm never doing another drama again!

I can't say I don't understand the feeling. The casting decisions feel like some kind of sick joke.

They worked, though. The film's a critical success☆

Man, capitalism is a cruel and unforgiving mistress, isn't it? But, oh well. If there's work to be done, this old man'll get it done.

Are you sure about this, Big Brother!?

Hey, we're Servants, remember? It's our job to do exactly as we're told.

That said, there's nothing wrong with complaining a bit. And boy, have I got some complaints about this job.

You said it! We need to vent all this frustration! How about going a few rounds!?

... ...

Fine, fine! I'll join in, too! On my brother's side, of course!

Oh, all right.

Feeling much better after that fight, so I guess we can get back to filming!

Huh? I'm not going back!

Guess you're getting recast, then.

What!? Then, I'd be...!

Miniseries like this have roles recast all the time.

Problem is, new actors are a bit hard to come by these days...

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Want to take over for Paris, Fujimaru? How about you, Mash?

N-no, thank you!

I figured as much☆

What do you say, Supervisor?

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Don't make decisions like that without me, Rider. I'm still the leader here.

So what? That means you get to call all the shots?

Of course. And if I have to, I will.

But you're still one of my trusty employés, Paris. I won't start filming the next series until you're satisfied.

Th-then it's never going to happen. I'll never sign off on this story!

So what kind of story would you sign off on? Let's figure out a direction you'd be happy with.

...Really? Are you sure?

That's why I came here! Let's hash it out until we have the best possible story for your performance.

But to do that, we'll need more funding. Fujimaru, Mash, would you mind?

So this is what the shoestring approach looks like from the inside.

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