DanMachi: It's destined to lose its self.

Kopii didn't know when exactly, at what precise moment, this long-awaited performance would begin, only that evening had already, certainly, taken its place, filled with anticipation. But the stage remained silent, as if waiting for its moment. A deep, endless melancholy gripped him as he simply stood waiting, devoid of any choice. He was drowning in a vast human sea, seeing no end to this colorful crowd: humans, gods, demigods, elves… Why were there so many of them? Could the performance really be so magical that it attracted such diverse spectators?

"Miyah-sama, how much longer do we have to wait?" Kopii asked, addressing Miyah, who seemed engrossed in what was happening. He kept his gaze fixed on the stage, as if focused on an important detail.

"Kopii, you need to learn to wait," Miyah replied, without changing his position. "Why are you in such a hurry? You decided to take a day off today, don't forget that. Relax and enjoy yourself."

"Yes, Kopii, Miyah-sama is right, just relax," Naaza added, glancing at him.

"Okay," Kopii mumbled, and looking into her sleepy eyes, he realized that he also needed to relax. But every second stretched on unbearably slowly, like an eternity. He shifted from foot to foot, feeling his tension constricting his shoulders, creating discomfort. The crowd surged around him like a living ocean, filled with whispers, laughter, and impatient chattering. Kopii tried to find something interesting in the faces of those around him, but turning his gaze from the stage, he noticed that they all looked equally focused on the scene, anticipating the start of the performance.

Suddenly, the murmur of the crowd died down, and Kopii, like a spring, directed his gaze to the stage. "Finally!" he exclaimed in excitement.

"Quiet, Kopii," Miyah whispered to him, and Kopii felt that he had attracted attention.

"Sorry, Miyah-sama," Kopii said in a whisper, feeling other people's gazes on him. He lowered his eyes, disliking attracting the attention of those around him. But soon all eyes were once again drawn to the stage. A bright light flashed, causing the crowd to freeze in anticipation. Fanfares echoed across the square, announcing the beginning of the long-awaited event. A figure in sparkling clothes appeared from behind the curtains, and the magical voice of the announcer, amplified by magic, resounded over the crowd:

"Ladies and gentlemen, lords and ladies, gods and heroes! We are pleased to welcome you to our performance!"

"Heroes," Kopii thought, "too grand a word for the nobodies who descend into dungeons for money and glory. Someone like me will never be a hero…" But he pushed these thoughts aside, striving to absorb, to devour what was happening on stage, as if it were a unique moment.

The performance began with dances, and Kopii, mesmerized, absorbed a part of this magical atmosphere. Graceful figures, woven from light and shadow, glided across the stage, telling a dynamic story about the creation of the world. The music, like an invisible spell, captivated, and the costumes amazed with their beauty and detail. Kopii couldn't take his eyes off it, even though he tried to remain skeptical, self-critical. Something in this spectacle really grabbed him and awakened emotions.

The dances were followed by acrobatic numbers that made the crowd hold their breath. Agile acrobats performed incredible feats, defying gravity itself. Kopii involuntarily admired their skill, although he wouldn't admit it aloud, preferring to hide his feelings. He didn't understand how it was possible to achieve such a degree of control over one's body, being in complete harmony with the surrounding space.

Suddenly, a jester jumped onto the stage. His jokes were simple and unsophisticated, but the crowd laughed to tears as if he were the best comedian in the world. Kopii didn't understand what was so funny, and tried not to stand out from the crowd of viewers. He was just waiting for it all to end. He wanted to go home, to his quiet and peaceful room, where there would be none of this.

"If this is all, then it's not as impressive as Miyah said. He can't be exaggerating that much. Or is this a different troupe? Perhaps different ones really come here."

No matter how bored Kopii was with the jokes, he couldn't leave because of the huge crowd. "Why are there so many of them? Did everyone come to see this? Maybe this isn't the end of the performance yet?"

"Miyah-sama, when will it end?"

Miyah looked at Kopii with some understanding and replied:

"Still a long time, Kopii. The most interesting part will be at the end, don't lose hope."

"What will be there? Another jester?" Kopii said with dissatisfaction.

"No, Kopii, there will be a real play," Miyah added with a slight mysterious smile.

"A play?" Kopii asked, now more intrigued.

"That's all, Kopii, just enjoy the process."

"Okay," Kopii agreed.

A play… But on what theme? There are so many: war, hunger, books, legends, fairy tales… He would like it to be interesting, at least a little. Now Kopii had a faint glimmer of interest in what awaited him in the finale of this performance, which had not yet begun and contained many mysteries.

How long… How many jokes does he have left? He just can't stop. I still don't understand what's so funny. What a load of drivel… All his interest in the finale evaporated. He regretted more and more that he had agreed to come here. But he was reassured by the fact that there were so many people here. Surely they weren't standing here for nothing… probably.

Kopii shifted from foot to foot again, trying not to pay attention to the jokes, which seemed to be getting more and more stupid and inappropriate. He glanced stealthily at Miyah and Naaza, trying to understand if they shared his dissatisfaction. Miyah had a completely calm expression on his face, and seemed to be enjoying what was happening, while Naaza still looked at the stage with half-asleep eyes, enjoying the moment.

Even Miyah was getting bored of listening to the jokes, although at first he had been laughing out loud, and his laughter echoed through the crowd. Finally, the jester finished his performance, and the crowd burst into applause, enthusiastically supporting the performer. Kopii sighed in relief, hoping that the most agonizing part was finally over. The light went out on the stage, and in the ensuing silence, the sounds of tuning instruments were heard, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and intrigue. The curtain slowly crept up, revealing magnificent scenery to the viewers.

Actors in luxurious costumes appeared on the stage, and a new story began. Kopii didn't immediately grasp the essence of what was happening, getting lost in the streams of his thoughts. This was already the second story, but in Kopii's eyes they were boring and meaningless. He couldn't resist asking Miyah how many scenes there would be, and he replied: "Three. The next one is the last." "Finally, I'll be home soon," Kopii thought. It was getting colder outside, and he wanted it to end soon, so he could come to his senses.

Finally, the second performance ended, and the third began. At first, it was a love story, deep and touching - a story about a hero. "Finally something interesting," Kopii thought, listening intently to the plot. He didn't know where those two plays were taken from - from old books or local stories - but, frankly, he didn't care. But even he knew this story, the story of a hero.

Kopii listened to the story to the end with that very interest, wanting to understand how much they had changed it compared to what he had been told as a child.

The climax arrived. The hero saves the city from the black dragon, knocks out one of its eyes, but dies himself, leaving behind only a bright memory. He saved everyone, but failed to save himself. Sad, but it's a well-known story. But they revealed and presented it well, adding color and emotion. At least something interesting in today's performance. It was a good pastime, if you don't count the idiotic jokes for the older generation and the lack of intrigue. Probably.

The actors gave a farewell speech, and the crowd began to disperse. Kopii, Naaza, and Miyah headed towards the blue pharmacy, anticipating what would happen next. Kopii walked silently beside Miyah and Naaza, remaining immersed in his thoughts.

"Finally, we're home. Miyah-sama, that was a rather boring performance," Kopii mumbled with slight dissatisfaction.

"No-no, Kopii, boring for you, but for me - fascinating and informative. At least some variety in your routine life. Kopii, you need to be able to relax and enjoy simple things."

"Okay, I understand, Miyah-sama… Well, I'm going to go to sleep. Good night, Miyah-sama, and to you, Naaza."

"Good night."

"Good night."

When Kopii went up to the second floor and entered his room, he was too lazy to undress. He lay down on the bed in his clothes, turned on his back and looked at the ceiling, immersing himself in his thoughts.

"A hero…" Kopii didn't understand heroes. He didn't understand why they do all this. Here he is, having sacrificed himself for the city, left alone with eternity and died. And what did it give him in the end? After much deliberation, Kopii came to one conclusion. He just wanted peace, he believed in everyone, and died for it. Perhaps he never even considered himself a hero. He was just a person who wanted to see happiness on the faces of those he saved. Just because he liked seeing that happiness. A hero always saw the good, even in the darkest situations. "I'll never be a hero," Kopii thought, and with these heavy thoughts, he finally fell asleep, plunging into the world of dreams.