Tsukiuta. Boys’ 4th Season CD 2 – Shigetsuya Drama (1)

[nebulancer]

 

Summary – “King.” That phrase has distanced itself from him recently. However, due to his performance acting in a certain commercial, Hajime starts being called that from his surroundings again. Strangely enough, he doesn’t feel repulsed from being called it. In place of that, he remembers a memory from the past of when he argued with Haru. In his high school years, when he didn’t want to be considered the King any longer. Such a past is connected to the present.

 

Hajime-san gets more and more busy with what’s become his main occupation. He temporarily stops in place, thinking about his memories with Haru-san. And you might find out the type of part-time job he secretly did during his high school years?  

1. Drama – "Long Time No See, 'King'"

 

Interviewer: With this, the interview has come to a close. Hajime-kun, Haru-kun, thank you so much for your help today.

 

Hajime: Thank you for your help.

 

Haru: Thank you for your help!

 

Interviewer: Well, goodness! You two seem to be getting even busier and busier these days!

 

Hajime: Thankfully, we were somehow able to successfully graduate university, so now we’re focusing solely on work. Perhaps this is thanks to us having more flexibility when it comes to our time.

 

Haru: It’s easier to put together our schedules now, so we can do more things. We’re giving all sorts of things a try. Don’t you think, Hajime?

 

Hajime: Yeah. For example, filming in other provinces or commercials with large-scale layouts.

 

Haru: Yeah, like that. We both feel like those projects are a little too good for us, though.

 

Interviewer: Speaking of commercials, though! I watched the car commercial with Hajime-kun that was unveiled the other day...!

These days, they’ve been going with more colorful, pop-like and light themes aimed for the youths, but it seems they went with a dignified and gorgeous theme for yours!

 

Hajime: I heard it was purposely devised to differentiate mine with the others. I hope I’m up to the task...

 

Interviewer: Haha! It’ll be fine, I’m sure! You looked incredibly cool, even from the viewpoint of a man such as myself.

You looked so good that it made me want to get driving, and I haven’t driven in a while.

Did you drive it yourself?

 

Hajime: Only half of it. It seems getting my driver’s license was worth it.

That being said, though, I haven’t driven in my everyday life, so I’m just a driver on paper.

I’m nothing short of grateful for the most cutting-edge video composition programs and editing programs which resulted in the commercial having such quality.

 

Haru: When it comes to driving cars, I’m better, since I’ve taken the car out for a whirl a couple more times than you. Probably.

 

Hajime: Pipe down.

 

Interviewer: *chuckles* You’re fine! ...The line you said in the commercial... “The drive of a king, beyond eras and generations,” was it?

There was a proper regal king-ness to you, fitting for the line. You really are the Black King, after all!

 

Hajime: King... am I?

 

Interviewer: Hmm? ...Ah! I’m so sorry. Did something nag at you?

 

Hajime: Er, no. Back when we debuted, I do believe that I was called that, one way or another. This guy here would be first in line to tease me for that nickname.

 

Haru: Huh~? I wasn’t teasing you.

 

Hajime: Lying to my face, are you?

Still, these past few years, that nickname’s been cropping up less and less. Yet there’s been a resurgence of people calling me that these days.

“King,” or “Monarch,” and the like. I wonder if that’s... the result of that commercial?

 

Interviewer: It could have spurred it on. Everyone, myself included, ended up getting memories dredged back up. It made me think, “Hajime-kun truly is a king!”

 

Hajime: I’m not...

 

Interviewer: You are, though! Truly and honestly. You give off that type of aura.

Coming from someone like me, who does interviews with all sorts of people thanks to my job, I feel something special from you.

 

Hajime: ......

...It’s an occupation where everyone and anyone aspires to be special, so I always feel as if it’d be nice if that were the case.

 

Haru: Um, well! Should we get moving soon, Hajime?

 

Interviewer: Oh, gosh! I’m so sorry. I held you back, didn’t I?

When we get today’s interview transcribed, it’ll be sent to your agency, as always.

 

Hajime: All right. We’ll be in your care. I’m looking forward to it.

 

Haru: Thank you very much!

 

-

 

[A commercial plays.]

 

Hajime: ...?

 

(commercial) Hajime: “The drive of a king, beyond eras and generations.”

 

Hajime: ...King... hm...?

 

Haru: Hajime?

 

Hajime: I’m heading over right now.

 

-

 

[Haru opens the door to Hajime’s room.]

 

Haru: Hajime, are you here~? ...Huh? He’s not here.

 

Hajime: Haru, I’m over here.

 

Haru: Hajime...?

Hajime? ...Ah, you’re here.

Sheesh. If you were on the balcony, I should’ve gone to the balcony first and foremost. I wouldn't have wasted my time loitering around the front door.

 

Hajime: *sighs* Gosh, you’re always so... Don’t act like it’s the most bothersome thing to waste even the slightest distance. And in the first place, why don’t you knock or wait for someone’s response before you enter someone else’s room?

 

Haru: Eh? ...Oh, you’re right. Sorry, sorry. I relaxed unintentionally.

Because, Hajime, when you want to be alone, you lock the door, don’t you? If it didn’t open, I would’ve obediently retreated.

 

Hajime: *sighs* Obviously.

 

Haru: Ah. He sighed at me.

Listen, I’m sorry~. I know now, even when dealing with those I’m familiar with, I have to keep up my manners! Right?

*chuckles* ...So, what was it?

 

Hajime: So, what was what?

 

Haru: What were you doing up here on the balcony, Hajime? Aren’t you cold?

 

Hajime: ...I’m not cold. And... I wasn’t really doing anything in particular, either.

 

Haru: Nothing at all?

 

Hajime: Yeah. I was just spacing out.

 

Haru: Hmm. ...Your “spacing out” really is just spacing out. You’re finally in your twenties, so why not have a smoke or some alcohol?

I bet it’d be picturesque.

 

Hajime: And who will I be showing it to?

I’ve smoked several times for socializing, but the smell lingers, so I don’t do it because I like it. I don’t go out of my way to have a stock of alcohol in my room, either.

You know about that already, don’t you?

 

Haru: There it is, the serious response~

 

Hajime: Yeah. I’m serious about this. So? What business do you have with me?

 

Haru: I just came to deliver you something from the office~

Here you go. It’s got scripts, photos, and a bunch of other things they’d like you to check over.

 

Hajime: I see. Thank you.

 

Haru: ...Hey, Hajime? Why don’t you head inside soon? You’ll get the chills.

 

Hajime: Hm? Is it really that cold?

 

Haru: I wonder if people have a higher resistance against the cold if they’re born in winter. Even if you’re all right, I’m the one who’s going to feel cold, so let’s go on inside.

Yes, let’s! Come on, come on~ Let’s get it going~

 

Hajime: *sigh of resignation* Oh, all right.

 

[They head inside.]

 

Hajime: ...I dropped by the office early in the morning, but when did you visit? Haven’t we been together since that interview in the afternoon?

 

Haru: I went right before that. Since my filming ended earlier, I went for a quick meeting with Tsukishiro-san.

 

Hajime: Filming...

Ah, the one where you were acting as a doctor for a drama?

 

Haru: The very same. It’s a medical drama with a female doctor as the protagonist. I’m her colleague. The setting states that I’m a cool, aloof hottie who’s popular with the nurses ♪

 

Hajime: I thought surgeons were supposed to be dexterous?

 

Haru: Luckily, there are little to no scenes where I’m actually doing any treatment. I’m aware that I’m incompatible with needles and string. Back when I was an elementary schooler, my little sisters laughed at the stitches I did on a dust cloth I made for class.

 

Hajime: *chuckles* Despite your appearance, you’re unexpectedly sloppy... or should I say, you’re bad at detailed types of work, after all.

 

Haru: On the contrary, I have to ask. Do I really look like I’d be skilled with those kinds of things?

 

Hajime: At first glance, at least. But, in reality...

 

Haru: I admit it. I’m sloppy and I’m bad at detailed work. I’m not clumsy... or at least, I’d like to think I’m not.

My hands are so big that I’m not meant for doing delicate work...

 

Hajime: Haru~? Did you know? I believe the average person would call that “being clumsy.”

 

Haru: You sure seem amused~ Well, yeah, I guess you seem like you’d be able to pull off anything perfectly. I bet your dust cloths came out artistically flawless, too~

 

Hajime: Do artistic dust cloths even exist?

...Ah... This one’s...

 

Haru: Ah. Pictures from Kisosekai, TSUKIPRO’s huge joint stage with all the talents.

I think those pictures are the ones we’ll be using for the packaging booklet and all the various other things besides.

How’d they turn out?

 

Hajime: ...They’re taken well.

 

Haru: Where, let me see~?

Ahh! You’re right. Mm, yeah, this is great!

Ahaha! Kakeru and Koi fit these types of outfits to a tee.

Oh? A rare expression from Kai.

 

Hajime: It seems to me that Arata and Aoi are thoroughly living as their roles here, too.

*chuckles* How nice.

I don’t have many jobs for stageplays, but it was amusing how they completely and entirely made use of the fantastical worldview.

 

Haru: There aren’t many fantasy-themed works in dramas, are there?

 

Hajime: That’s true.

You’re also making an unusual expression.

 

Haru: Oh! Now that’s a strapping man.

 

Hajime: *laughs* Yeah, yeah.

...Oh... What an expression. You really do look like you’d have ulterior intentions and betray the group in the eleventh hour.

 

Haru: Ah, that... Every single time our new visuals come out, fans and staff members say the exact same thing about me.

Somehow, my character’s actually harboring a secret in these settings, so I guess it’s good if I’m keeping the role in mind.

Happened with the drama I brought up just now, too. Since, in the latter half, I end up doing a lot of behind-the-scenes operations.

Do I really give off that vibe~?

 

Hajime: I don’t know about your vibe as the world at large sees you, but it’s true that you’re fit for the role as a result.

If your face is devoid of emotion, and we only see your face, you give off a sharp impression.

 

Haru: Really?

 

Hajime: Yeah. That’s also present when you’re angry.

You’re the type to become emotionless, and you become quieter the angrier you get.

 

Haru: You... really think?

I’ve never been told that often, so I wasn’t exactly aware of it.

 

Hajime: You almost never get angry in the first place. I’ve seen that face of yours once before, Haru.

 

Haru: Ahh... Back when we were in high school, right?

I remember that, too. The first time I genuinely fought with you.

Because Hajime being extremely furious was just so~ terrifying.

 

Hajime: You lie. You weren’t acting terrified in the slightest.

 

Haru: No, no, no! I was just SOOOO terrified, okay? The king himself got furious.

If I didn’t look scared to you, then that means it paid off that high school me tried to show off as best I could, mmhmm!

...I was... genuinely frightened. Because you’re the same; you almost never get angry.

 

Hajime: ... ...Haru.

Do you remember what sparked that argument in the first place?

 

Haru: Eh? ...Umm... uh... Huh? What was it again?

 

Hajime: Yeah, I thought so. Despite that being the essential part, my memory of that aspect remains fuzzy.

The resulting fight we had left such a strong impression on me that it might have overwritten the reason we fought.

 

Haru: *laughs* True! At the very least... I get the feeling it was something we didn’t need to get into such a huge argument over.

 

Hajime: I agree. It was, at most, something that wasn’t worth the argument.

That fight we had would’ve happened at some point. I think the distortions... the warped irregularities... those pent-up feelings in our relationship until then just boiled over in one go.

 

Haru: We had to decide a class event for something, and while we were talking it out, our opinions clashed. And I backed down.

 

Hajime: Yeah. As always, you yielded to me. You gave up your position so easily that it ticked me off. It made me go, “Don’t give in that easily! Cling more tightly to the opinion that you thought up yourself!” I’d said that.

 

Haru: *chuckles* You did. And I was confused.

In my mind, I thought your view was more valid, so I just changed my opinion. I didn’t intend on seeming as if I’d yielded or given in to you.

 

Hajime: It’s because you were always changing your opinion to suit mine, which was wrong to do.

 

Haru: And you were always coming up with answers that I thought were the ideal choice, which was wrong to do.

It’s not like I was concerned about whom that opinion came from. I was just supporting the choice that would result in the best outcome.

Well, that just coincidentally always ended up being Hajime’s opinion...

 

Hajime: Now, at least, I can tell you’re the type of guy to think that way. But I didn’t know that at the time.

I arbitrarily felt as if I’d been betrayed.

I reacted to that feeling too excessively.

...

...I was the one who picked the fight with you, wasn’t I?

Haru. I’m sorry.

 

Haru: *chuckles* Who knew I’d be getting an apology for that after all this time? How many years has it been?

 

Hajime: *chuckles* ...Who knows?

 

Haru: ...Hey, Hajime? I’ll apologize, too. Sorry.

Back then... something about me must’ve disappointed your high school self in some way, right?

You were expecting something of me. And I let you down.

That’s why you got upset.

Sorry.

 

Hajime: You don’t need to apologize for that.

It was an irrational desire of mine.

 

Haru: Desire...?