Azami Izumida/Imprisoned with Hands and Feet Bound

LIFE-OR-DEATH ESCAPE STRATEGY

Backstage Stories

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Kumon	You know, today in class, I took a poll about “what’s your favorite type of ramen?”.
Azami	Yeah, but why?
Kumon	My friend and I were arguing about our favorite type of ramen, and we decided to do a poll about it.
	Which one do you think won the first place?
Azami	Hmm, pork belly ramen?
Kumon	Buzz. I thought the same as you, but the correct answer is soy sauce ramen!
Azami	Ah, a classic one. And the second place?
Kumon	Miso ramen! And here I thought pork belly ramen would be second. All that talk about ramen made me want to eat one so bad.
	Do you have to practice for the autumn troupe play as soon as you come back today?
Azami	Yeah. If don’t come back fast, I won’t make it.
Kumon	I see. What a shame. But I’m jealous knowing you play as siblings with my brother again~
Azami	Well, even if they are siblings, they have this complicated relationship…
	You two don’t need to be siblings on the stage, both are real brothers already.
Kumon	This and that are different! Maybe I get to see a good side of him I usually don’t if I play as his little brother!
Azami	Just how much you like your brother…
Kumon	Well, I’m not only excited about it because my brother is the lead. You’re the co-lead, Azami. Do your best!
Azami	Sure.
Izumi	Then, we’ll end today’s meeting here.
Taichi	Oh, right. Here, here!
Izumi	What is the matter?
Taichi	From now on, we’ll be packed with practices for “South Hill Prison” even on weekends.
	So I want to do something as a small break and also role study!
Sakyo	A break again?
Omi	Well, if it also serves as role study, I think it’s good.
Banri	The practices are going well too.
Azami	But, what can be a prisoner role study?
Taichi	Cops and robbers, of course! I really want to play it!
Izumi	Cops and robbers?
Juza	…don’t you call it robbers and cops?
Azami	I’ve also heard it like that.
Taichi	Everyone in my elementary school called it cops and robbers. What about yours, Ban-chan?
Banri	I can’t remember. But cops and robbers sound better.
Azami	(Ain’t you just saying the opposite to Juza-san, Banri-san?)
Taichi	And Sakyo-nii?
Sakyo	I can’t remember either, but I think cops and robbers.
Taichi	And Omi-kun!?
Omi	Oh, well… I think some guys said it in both ways, but I’ve said it as robbers and cops…
Banri	If you search on the internet, it says it’s different in some regions, but both ways are common.
Azami	So it doesn’t matter how you say it.
Taichi	We’re perfectly split on what to call it… I know!

Taichi	Then, the first autumn troupe’s cops and robbers and cops showdown is about to begin!
Omi	So you mixed both?
Banri	That’s so long.
Sakyo	Well, although it’s a game, there’s no such thing as losing.
Azami	That’s our line.
Banri	Your the first I’m dragging, Hyodo.
Juza	I’d like to see you try.
Taichi	3, 2, 1… start!
Azami	How did we end up like this…
Omi	Come on, it might give us a hint for role study. It seems good for building stamina too.
Juza	Yep.
Omi	Now, if we get caught by the police, we’ll be silently taken to the prison that is the training room…
Juza	If the three of us are in prison at the same time, it means the thieves lose.
Azami	If anyone gets dragged, he can escape without being seen by the police.
	Anything goes, except injuring the opponent. If you’re tagged, you go without putting a fight. And, the escaping range is only the dorms.
Juza	If we escape for a whole hour, it’s our win.
Omi	Sakyo-san reminded us several times to not break anything, so be careful.
Azami	Well… I definitely feel like someone like Taichi-san would carelessly destroy stuff.
Juza	For now, I’ll hide over there.
Omi	It’s better if we are separated. So I’ll go to the second floor.
Azami	Got it.
Juza	If any of you get caught, I’ll go to the rescue.
Azami	We’re counting on you.
Omi	…Juza is very enthusiastic.
Azami	Well, the winners get the right to request you anything for dinner, Omi-san.
	(If by chance we end up with a sweet full course meal, I’ll have to stop him for the sake of his skin…)
Omi	Then, be careful by yourself.
Azami	Same for you.
Omi	Of course.

Azami	Shoot… really?
Banri	Game over.
Sakyo	This is the end for you.
Taichi	Stay quiet while I attach the rope!
Azami	Focusing only on me, how mean…
Sakyo	This is a strategy.
Banri	Then, let’s go for the next.
Taichi	Ah, I tied A-chan to make it hard to escape!
Banri	Hurry up. Hyodo is the next.
Taichi	Roger!
	I’m so sorry, A-chan…! I’m in the mood for spicy food tonight. I want it no matter what!
	So stay here quietly!
Azami	…are you serious? This is a bit too much.
	*they go out*
	(Tsk. It was shocking enough that shitty Sakyo caught me, and when I thought of escaping, this…)
	(If they went with that strategy, maybe they’ll use something as tough with Juza-san and Omi-san.)
	*a knocking sound*
	?
	(The sound comes from the window…)
Juza	…
Azami	Juza-san?
	(He’s beckoning… he wants me to go there?)
	This is quite tough, but somehow…
	Now, the window’s lock…
	Nice, it’s open…!
Juza	I’ll save you right away.
Azami	I’ll leave it to you.
Juza	This rope is pretty tight…
Azami	That’s because Taichi-san tied it carefully. He said something about spicy food…
Juza	…Shh. I hear voices.
Banri	“Shit, Hyodo is nowhere.”
Taichi	“What if he went to save A-chan!?”
Sakyo	“We’ll have to verify it.”
Azami	This is bad. Juza-san, escape.
Juza	You play my younger brother’s role, right? I’m not leaving behind my brother. I’ll save you.
Azami	—
Taichi	Ah, he really was here!
Banri	He came here to be caught, how hopeless he is.
Sakyo	You are under arrest, Hyodo.
Juza	…okay.
Omi	Here. Mapo tofu, dandan noodles, and spicy shrimps as you requested.
Taichi	Ye~y! The mid-spicy foods I wanted!
Juza	…they are all red.
Omi	These ones have a moderated amount of spiciness.
Juza	Thanks.
Kumon	So today the autumn troupe played robbers and cops? How nice! How was it?
Azami	Well, we got to feel like prisoners.
Kumon	And my big bro? Was he cool!?
Azami	Ah… I guess I can say that of him. He’s simply a good brother.
Kumon	You also get how amazing he is, Azami!? Now, you’ll enter the Juza Hyodo Fan Club, right?
Azami	I ain’t doing that.
Kumon	Ehh!

Moonlight