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nebulancer
2. Drama – “Kuchinashi no Hana”
[Someone plays the biwa.]
Sei’s Grandmother: “Enough! Once more, starting from there.”
Sei: “What... Again...?”
Sei’s Grandmother: “Don’t question me, and answer me properly. I am not your grandmother right now. I’m your master, understand?”
Sei: “Ngh... Yes, ma’am. But... could I finish up after one more try? I have a drinking party with the people in my seminar after this...”
Sei’s Grandmother: “Get into position!”
Sei: “Nrk—Yes, ma’am.”
[Someone plays the biwa.]
-
Sei: “*groans* It’s finally over...”
Minato: “*chuckles* You were really put through the wringer back then, Sei?”
Sei: “Minato-san... Grandmother is always so kind, but when it comes to dancing, she becomes so unbelievably strict.”
Minato: “Hehe. The master wants you to succeed the school. Think of her harshness as her expectations for you. Hang in there, would you?
I like the way you dance, too. You have natural flair.”
Sei: “Erm... Uh...”
Minato: “That was meant to be a compliment! What’s with your expression?”
Sei: “Umm. An expression that says, ‘I don’t know how I feel about being told I have talent for traditional Japanese dance.’
You know... our country’s traditional dances...”
Minato: “Mmhmm?”
Sei: “They’re not like kabuki or noh. There’s a strong impression that it’s mostly women performing them.”
Minato: “It doesn’t make you happy to hear you have a talent for it?”
Sei: “Ah—Um, sorry. This isn’t something I should be telling my senior disciple, is it? Minato-san, your dancing is beautiful and cool. But... ...But, I...
I just feel so... embarrassed...”
Minato: “*chuckles* ...Gotcha.”
-
Minato: “...Here you go.”
Sei: “...This is...!”
Minato: “You remember seeing these before, right? They’re the folding fans that the master used.
Her last words were... ‘I can imagine Sei dancing with these.’”
Sei: “...Ngh... gh... Grandma...
*choking up* Grandma...!
I... *sniffs*
I...!”
-
[The kettle boils.]
Aoi: *humming Kuchinashi no Hana* ~♪
Yoru: Sorry to keep you waiting! Thanks for having me.
Aoi: Welcome. I just steeped the tea.
[Aoi sets down cups, and Yoru takes something out.]
Aoi: Hm? What’s that?
Yoru: I made cookies as refreshments to bring to work yesterday. I got too fired up, so I made way too many extra...
I thought that you could possibly help me finish them~?
Aoi: I will respectfully lend you my assistance~
Homemade snacks, huh? You’re hardworking, as you’ve always been.
Yoru: Of course, since I’m the chairman of the Setsubun Cheerleading Committee. ✨
Aoi: I said been, not bean.
Yoru: Ahaha! Still, I could say that right back to you. You also make homemade snacks to bring to work, don’t you?
Aoi: Mmhmm. When I was in the middle of saying that, I realized, “Oh. I do that too.”
I can stop thinking when I’m moving my hands, making sweets or cooking. Heh, I guess it’s a way for me to avoid reality.
I cook even more when I’m stressed... and I feel bad that I’m wasting when I can’t eat it all, so I eventually have to offer it to people around me.
Yoru: I felt that~ *chuckles*
Aoi: Because of that, people have completely gotten the impression that I love cooking.
Yoru: But you actually do, don’t you?
Aoi: I guess so. Heh.
Aoi, Yoru: *laugh*
Aoi: Ah, I think it’s about ready. There we... go.
[He pours tea.]
Aoi: Here.
Yoru: Thanks.
Aoi: All right, then! For tomorrow’s photoshoot... er, what do we say here? Cheers?
Yoru: Fufu. Cheers! Thanks for the drink.
Aoi: I’ll take a cookie, too. Thanks for the snack~
Yoru: Wow, this smells incredible! This is a great tea.
Aoi: You can tell? Shu-san recommended it to me.
Yoru: That sounds about right. I mean, it’s this tasty!
Aoi: Mm. Yoru, your cookies are fantastic, too.
Yoru: Thanks! Well, then~?
Aoi: Talking about it again, but... Yoru and I, being image models?
Yoru: We were both surprised, weren’t we?
Aoi: What’d You have to say about it?
Yoru: The very first thing he said was, “Why wasn’t it me, dammit!?”
Aoi: I can imagine...
Yoru: *chuckles* Jokes aside, he’s rooting for me. Y’know, like, “Do it right!”
It motivated me. What about Arata?
Aoi: He went, *imitates Arata* “Gotta take a commemorative pic in front of the billboard.”
Yoru: I can imagine!
Aoi: When I asked him, “The real thing isn’t good enough for you?” He responded with...
*imitates Arata* “It has to be with a big Aoi-kun. That’s the important part.”
Apparently. ...It’s not like it’s a given that I’ll end up being on a billboard, though~
Yoru: Oh, that’s true! Fufufu.
Aoi, Yoru: *sigh* ...
Aoi: In the past, if you’d told me that I’d be on a huge billboard, attempting to look cool... I would’ve gone right past “surprise” and right into “terror.”
Yoru: What?
Aoi: Even though I’m called a “prince,” being stylish is completely different from that, right? I’ve never thought that I, myself, am stylish.
That’s why I feel like I’m getting ahead of myself for accepting this offer... I guess you could say that I end up worrying about unnecessary things, like, “Would actually stylish people laugh if they saw me?”
Anyway, I think I was going around in circles.
Yoru: Aah... I felt the exact same way.
To me, “being stylish” is someone like You or Arata. I saw it as something that only brilliant groups of people are allowed to do.
I’d thought that someone as dull and plain as me was worlds apart from that.
...No, I’d convinced myself that was the case. It made me feel embarrassed that even when I had an interest in it, I couldn’t say so...
Aoi: Just like the protagonist of Kuchinashi no Hana. It’s not a fixed rule that traditional Japanese dance should be women-only, but he was biased due to the impression it gave off. He was incredibly concerned about how others viewed him.
Yoru: He actually loved dancing, but he couldn’t accept it—he didn’t want to accept it.
Aoi: Mmhmm. And while he was stuck floundering in one spot, he had to send off someone precious to him. He couldn’t show her the best dance he could manage.
Regret. Despair. And... getting back on his feet.
Yoru: Just like how we are right now, huh?
Aoi: Hehe. I guess so.
While we’re busy worrying about various things, time and our surroundings continue to change. It won’t wait for us.
So that’s why we have to get moving ourselves.
Yoru: There are also times when others’ gazes of us construct the way we see ourselves.
Aoi: Yeah, exactly. The things people tell you temporarily might become a given in due time, or we might forget them over time. It’s not good to worry about them too long.
Let’s treasure the things we want to do and the things we love. We should make ourselves the first priority.
Yoru: Yeah. I want to tell my past self, “It’s a waste for you to think that way.”
It’s fine for plain people to have an interest in fashion. It’s not embarrassing in the slightest. Like, just give it a shot, you know?
It’d be nice if we could express that sort of feeling at tomorrow’s photoshoot!
Aoi: Mmhmm! Let’s do our best.
-
Staff member: Satsuki-san and Nagatsuki-san are coming in!
Aoi: I’ve come from Tsukino Talent Productions. I’m Satsuki Aoi from Six Gravity. I look forward to working with you today.
Yoru: Also from Tsukino Talent Productions, I’m Nagatsuki Yoru from Procellarum. I look forward to working with you.
Staff members: Let’s work well together!
Kurotsuki: Satsuki and Nagatsuki will be in your care today.
Staff member: We look forward to working with them as well. Let’s get right to business and have you start with the outfit fitting and your makeup. I’ll guide you to the fitting room.
We apologize for it being so hectic as soon as you’ve come in.
Aoi: No, it’s no problem. There are many people taking turns to do their photoshoots, after all.
Yoru: Thank you for your hard work, staff members.
Staff member: Thank you for the consideration.
Kurotsuki: Is the photoshoot making good progress?
Staff member: We’re keeping to our schedule. There will be more people entering, so I suppose... we’re only about halfway done?
Aoi: This is only half...?
Yoru: I’m realizing again just how large-scale it all is...
Kurotsuki: You’ve been handling photoshoots with a few people recently, so it sure feels like a real workplace, one that you haven’t been to in a while!
Whew, the way it’s all unorganized, and the energy of it all! I love it~
Yoru: Kurotsuki-san, you like location filmings too, don’t you?
Staff member: Heheh. It’s a bit chaotic, but there’s a flow to things. Please don’t worry about it.
Once things have started, it might end in the blink of an eye.
Aoi: All right. We’ll also do our best to make sure things proceed smoothly.
Staff member: I’m looking forward to it. Here are your fitting rooms.
Aoi, Yoru: Sure.
Staff member: Ah, if it’s possible, could you take in-between selfies to post in the meanwhile?
Yoru: Oh, yes! You’re referring to the selfie we’ll post on social media, as outlined in the summary, correct?
Aoi: We’ll need to take some good pictures, then~
Yoru: Um, yeah... I’m bad at taking selfies, but... let’s do what we can!
Staff member: Heheh. I’m expecting great things from you. Thank you in advance.
Tailor: Thank you for all the hard work! Then, could I have the two of you head inside?
Satsuki-san, please go over here first. And Nagatsuki-san, could you change here?
-
Staff member: Satsuki-san, I’ll guide you to Studio A once you’ve applied your makeup.
Aoi: All right.
Staff member: Nagatsuki-san, you’ll start off at Studio B, so please wait a moment.
Yoru: All right! You got this, Aoi.
Aoi: Mmhmm.
-
Cameraman: All right! Good. Nice.
Keep things as they are, but could you move your face slightly over here?
Yes, like that. Good! We’ll take several like this.
All right. Nice!
Last one. There we go.
...Good work!
Aoi: Thank you very much.
Staff member: Good work, Satsuki-san. We’d like you to change into the third outfit.
Aoi: Understood.
Kurotsuki: Good work out there~! Well done, bud.
Aoi: Haha. Thank you!
-
Yoru: Ah, Aoi!
Aoi: Yoru! Good work.
Yoru: You too. See you later.
Kurotsuki: Hey, Yoru! Before you change, remember to take pics!
Yoru: Ahh! You’re right!
Kurotsuki: Want me to take it for you?
Yoru: Yes, please do!
-
Staff member: Nagatsuki-san has finished changing!
Yoru: Again, I look forward to working with you!
Staff member: Please start with a duo shot of you and Minamiya-san.
Yoru: It’s nice to meet you! I’m always avidly reading your works. I also read your newest publication as soon as it came out last month.
It’s an honor to be working with you. I’ll be in your care today!
Minamiya: Wow... I’m quite pleased to hear that. It’s nice to meet you.
I am Minamiya Seiji. I’m not very accustomed to having my picture taken, so... I plan on doing my best as I rely on your assistance, Nagatsuki-kun.
I will be in your care as well.
Yoru: UWAHH—HAAH—It’s not—Please, sir, please don’t even mention it!
Cameraman: Without further ado, let’s get shooting. Could we get the two of you to lean your shoulders to each other...
Yes, yes! All right, we’re going to start!
-
Staff member: Thank you for your hard work, Satsuki-san. Before you put on your fifth outfit, you’ll have a break.
Aoi: Thank you for telling me. I’ll take you up on the offer.
Yoru: Ah, Aoi! Good work out there.
Aoi: Ahaha. Nice work, Yoru~ Doesn’t it feel like it’s been a long time since we were rushed around this crazy?
Yoru: For sure~ The time we spent was jam-packed with work, so I guess it’d be a given to say that it passed instantly. It also feels like time’s passing very slowly, though.
Feels strange.
Aoi: I felt that. I suppose that goes to show how much we’re focusing, then?
[The door opens.]
Kurotsuki: Hey there, boys! Good work to you two.
Yoru: Kurotsuki-san! Thanks for your hard work.
Aoi: Thank you for our hard work.
Kurotsuki: According to the overall progress, there’s only a little bit left to go. Here. I got water, so drink up and hydrate yourselves.
Yoru: Thank you.
Kurotsuki: Mmhmm.
Aoi: Thank you.
[They gulp down water.]
Aoi, Yoru: Phew!
Kurotsuki: I got the chance to check out the photos that are coming out onto the monitors, and both you boys are turning out very well!
Aoi: Really?
Yoru: I feel like I can relax, now that you’ve said that!
Kurotsuki: For sure. The creative director checked them out with me, and they looked satisfied.
Aoi, Yoru: *giggle*
[The door opens.]
Staff member: Excuse me, Kurotsuki-san. There’s something I’d like you to confirm...
Kurotsuki: Roger that! I’ll be there right away.
Aoi, Yoru: *sigh* ...
Aoi: ...Yoru.
Yoru: What’s up?
Aoi: That fit. It makes you give off a different vibe from the usual. You’re cool.
Yoru: Huh—HWAAAH!? Er—NO—um, it’s not... Wait. What good is there in me acting humble?
...Yeah. Thanks! Personally, I think... I’m sorta rocking this, too.
I thought it looked cool.
Aoi: Fufu.
Yoru: Ehe—Uh! And Aoi, you also look different from the usual. But it looks amazing on you. You’re cute.
Aoi: Hehe~ Thanks. I think so, too.
Aoi, Yoru: *laugh*
Aoi: Let’s take a pair pic.
Yoru: Yeah, let’s!
Aoi: Okay, taking it~
[snap!]
Yoru: How was it?
Aoi: We’ve both got great expressions.
Yoru: You’re right!
Aoi: *stretches* Hmm! ...Looks like there’s a little bit left to go...
Yoru: Just need to hold out a little longer, eh?
Aoi: Yeah. We have to be confident in ourselves till the end, continuing to be both cool and cute.
Yoru: With our own message, in our own way.
Aoi: Let’s make this a challenge that connects to our futures!
Yoru: Yeah!
[They high-five.]
-
[Thunderous applause and cheers.]
Minato: “Sei! You were great out there. You were incredible!”
Sei: “Thank you, Minato-san! It’s all thanks to your help.
I... wonder if Grandma... was also watching me...?”
Minato: “Don’t worry. I’m sure the master is absolutely ecstatic.”
Sei: “Mm...!
...Grandma. Please... keep watching over me, would you?
There are still so many things... that I need to keep devoting myself to. I’ve still got a long way to go, but...
There’s something that only I can convey. With it, I’ll puff out my chest, and I’ll make sure I let it reach you!”
-
(part 1)
