act21side

Ohh, il Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici. That's a hot topic around Volsinii these days.

I... I know the son of Don Bellone!

That's enough talking.

I...

(Now's my chance!)

Ugh, what a pain in the ass. A little trick won't save you.

The rain's not letting up, huh.

Want a bite? After all, this is Siracusa, the land of pizza!

I've ordered all the flavors the gourmet guide said were worth ordering!

At least one of us is in a good mood.

You didn't forget why we came here, didja?

Not like worrying about it's gonna do any good.

We've been asking around. Those guys in the black suits don't ever say anything!

All I heard is that some family by the name of Bellone recently welcomed a guest. I'm gonna head over and take a look around their place.

That scene, though, tsk tsk. The fowlbeasts are probably gonna make a detour once they pass by.

Ain't that all the more reason to worry?

Lemme tell you, our girl's from here. With her skills, she won't get into any big trouble.

Plus, we came here with the expectation that we might not see her face-to-face at all. Isn't that right, Sora?

Mhm.

Plays and operas are a very robust scene in Siracusa. Whether you're in a tavern or in a theater, there are always many performances to be found. Siracusans from all walks of life regard opera as a way to unwind.

They say even the mobsters are no exception.

So I thought, maybe if I could get into a troupe...

Gotta hand it to ya, Sora, quick thinkin' there nabbin' this chance through Monster Siren Records.

Coincidentally, my agent just asked if I was interested in going to Siracusa to develop my career, which I turned down because I didn't want to leave Lungmen.

But even so, ain't Siracusan opera way different from yer usual style?

It sure is. Both the choreography and the singing will pose major challenges. Plus, we're also talking about a completely different kind of stage.

But after seeing my performance, the director said he'd be willing to give me a shot.

Aha... If MSR didn't already have a contact ready to go, I would've had to keep waiting.

Are you sure I'm not gonna wake up to find you also disappeared without saying goodbye?

That's not going to happen!

I'm not even brave enough for that.

Speakin' of which, ain't it time for your meetup with the troupe's artistic director?

You always had these meetings in some kinda company building or theater before. Crazy he wanted to meet ya in a restaurant like this.

That's not completely unheard of. Some people prefer to chat in a more natural, everyday setting to get a better feel for the actor.

An everyday setting, huh.

Poppin' up in Siracusa like this don't feel natural to me in the least. But, all I'n do is hope it goes well.

When we get back to Lungmen, Texas is payin' for three months of boba tea... No, make that six!

Only six? We've got a chance to make her pay through the nose!

Wow, the director actually showed.

H-Help me!

Huh? What's going on?

Look out!

Spectacular! I got some great shots from the rehearsal just now!

How was it, Signor Bernardo?

Not bad.

Really?!

But, not good either.

You're too eager to perform, Lena. It's as if you want ten critics to see twelve different emotions in one of your performances.

But, that's too excessive for my needs.

Just give me one thing, as long as it's yours. Your own grief, your own passion, your own desolation.

It's not easy being an actor. You are not a prop on the stage, Lena, and you should not settle for being a prop either.

S-Si, signor!

Director, the guests from Lungmen have arrived.

Very good.

Are you sure you need to meet with her personally though? She's just a small-time songstress from Lungmen. I can handle this myself.

Loreno, I know that you, as Lena's uncle, have always sought to impede her potential competitors.

But you could try to hide it a little better.

Wait... I'm not trying to hide anything from you at all. It's just that we don't have a particularly deep relationship with Monster Siren Records.

Rather, there isn't a single theater troupe in Siracusa who thinks highly of this agency trying so desperately to wriggle into our market.

But you went beyond expectations in agreeing to the deal to bring one of their singers over to study at our theater.

Both logically and emotionally, this doesn't benefit us at all. And now you're even going to meet her, personally?

It's as you said, Loreno. She is just a small-time songstress from Lungmen, with nothing inherently deserving of my attention.

But, as you will soon see, the 'from Lungmen' part holds a special significance.

Are you talking about...?

(*whispers*)

Thank you. Tell him, don't go overboard.

It's our life, isn't it?

These guys are actually using explosive bolts?!

Are you alright, sir?

I-I'm fine, for now.

But you people... you're foreigners, right?

You shouldn't have helped me. Getting mixed up with those people is a good way to get killed.

Am I the only one who thinks it's mighty strange that there's a murder in broad daylight and nobody seems to care?!

Grr, these guys are tougher to deal with than the gangsters back in Lungmen.

You're only making trouble for yourself, straniera.

What a coincidence. The thing I'm second best at is making trouble for myself.

By the way, the thing I'm best at... is getting rid of those troubles~

You're in Siracusa now.

So what?

So that means you have no idea what you're getting yourself into.

Watch out, Exusiai!

Attacking civilians! Which famiglia are you with?

Have you forgotten our ironclad laws?

Ugh... Talk about bad timing...

No wonder this little runt kept running toward Lavinia's commute.

Let's get outta here.

Get back here!

Judge Lavinia!

I remember you. You're from il Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici... What's going on?

I-I have no idea! I was just heading to work!

From the way those guys were dressed up, they should've known the rules. Then, why...

I'm just a law-abiding citizen. I've never even gotten mixed up with any of the famiglie! Why, why are they still...

Your Honor, don't you think there's been something weird in the air recently?

Are the three of you alright?

I'm fine, but those guys ended up getting away...

Heh, I never expected Siracusa's customs to be so cutthroat.

Foreigners in Siracusa should try to be a bit more careful.

And who might you be?

I am Lavinia, a judge for this city. What about you?

You can call me Exusiai. And she's Sora.