Banri Settsu/Actor's Eden

A Surprise Pick-up

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

TV	"Next week, fate will finally take its course--!"
Izumi	I've never seen this drama before, but it's really interesting! I'm curious to see how it continues.
Taichi	Isn't it? The development just makes you hooked, doesn't it!
Kumon	Let's watch this together next week, Director!
Izumi	Ahaha, sure.
Taichi	Oh, wait, you were working before this, weren't you?!
Kumon	Sorry for disturbing you!
Izumi	It's fine, I'm glad I got a good break.
Taichi	That's glad to hear.
Kumon	Yaawn~... I think it's time I go back to my room.
Taichi	Me too! Are you gonna continue with your work, Director-sensei?
Izumi	Yeah, I'm gonna continue my work here a bit more.
Kumon	Don't overdo it, okay?
Taichi	I know I can't help with your work, so I'll at least cheer you on!
	Hooray, hooray, go Director-sensei!
Kumon	Go, go, Director, go!
Izumi	Thanks, you two.
Kumon	Good luck! And good night.
Taichi	Good night~
Izumi	Yaaawn...
	(As soon as it becomes quiet, I feel sleepy...)
	But the two of them gave me encouragement, so I'll try a little harder.
Banri	Huh, if it ain't Director-chan.
Izumi	Banri-kun, did you just get home? It's late.
Banri	I have an assignment to present soon. I've been rather busy with rehearsals and practicin' on my own.
Izumi	I see... Don't push yourself too hard.
Banri	Don't worry 'bout it. You know I'm confident in my physical strength, right?
Izumi	You're right. ...Fufu.
	(Banri-kun is getting more and more into acting. It almost seems like he was lying about himself when he first joined the troupe.)
Banri	...What're you laughin' at?
Izumi	Sorry, sorry, it's nothing.
Banri	Well, if ya say so.
	Are you still working until this late? Make sure not to push yourself too hard, either.
Izumi	Yeah, thanks.
Classmate	Settsu, do you have practice today?
Banri	Ah, I don't have a group practice, but I'm gonna practice on my own.
Classmate	You're sure built different~
Banri	The heck is that?
Classmate	I'm going back, then. Good luck~
Banri	Yeah, see you.
	(Well then, let's go to the lesson room...)
Kazunari	Ah, spot ya, Settzer~!

Kazunari	Good work, Settzer!
Banri	Thanks. Were you also in 5th period?
Kazunari	Yep! Hey, hey, you're done for the day, right? Why don't we go out somewhere and have fun?
Banri	Ah, sorry. I've gotta practice.
Kazunari	Forreal?! Oh man, you just made me feel down in the dumps~
Banri	What's with that?
Kazunari	Then I'll give this for our hard working theater junkie!
Banri	...A lollipop?
Kazunari	I've been really into these lately. It's so good, so you should try it!
	One, two, three~...
Banri	Why do you have that many on you? Well, I'll gladly take 'em.
Kazunari	Well then, do your best~!
Banri	Yeah.
Other Theater Company Member	Thanks for all your help!
Izumi	I also learned a lot. If you need anything again, please let me know.
Other Theater Company Member	Yeah, absolutely. Then please have a safe drive.
Izumi	Of course! Thank you for today.
Izumi	(Phew, it's gotten really late.)
	Uh, the car navigation settings...ah.
	That's right, this place is near Amabi.
	(Banri-kun seems very busy lately, so maybe he's still there. Let's LIME him.)
Izumi Banri-kun, where are you right now?
Izumi	Will he see this...oh, he already read it.
BANRI. Still at uni. What's up?
Izumi I just finished work at a theater near Amabi, and I'm about to drive home.
Izumi If you're about to finish, should I pick you up?
Izumi	Huh, a call...oh, it's Banri-kun.
Banri	"Hey, Director-chan?"

Izumi	Good work, Banri-kun.
Banri	"Where are you right now?"
Izumi	Well, I'm still in front of the theater...
Banri	"Then I'll wait in front of the main gate. Thanks."
Izumi	(He's so polite to go out of his way to give me a call...)
Izumi	Is the main gate around here?
Banri	Good work, Director-chan.
Izumi	You, too.
Banri	I wasn't expectin' you to come and get me. This sure is an unexpected perk for me.
Izumi	Ahaha, it just so happens that the timing was right.
Banri	Well, I'm a bit nervous about you drivin', though.
Izumi	It'll be fine, it'll be fine! Let's go, then.
Banri	Don't get us into an accident, 'kay?
Izumi	Geez, you really don't trust me.
Banri	Just kidding.
Izumi	I don't think we've ridden in a car together like this since you got your license.
Banri	Aah, at that Mini Car Expo.
Izumi	That was surprisingly fun! I even won the first prize in the raffle.
Banri	I was the one who drove that time, so it's the opposite of today.
Izumi	Right, right. You were so good at driving that I couldn't believe you were a beginner.
	...Come to think of it, you were just a high schooler when we first met, huh?
Banri	Huh? Why so sudden?
Izumi	You're now a college student, you've got your driving license, and your acting got even better--
	I just thought that I'm very happy to be able to watch you grow up so closely.
Banri	......
Izumi	I guess that's also the perk of being a director, isn't it?
Banri	...I just did as I was supposed to from the start.
CHOICE 1: You're dexterous. [+] Izumi It's true that you've always been dexterous. Banri I can't keep acting just by being dexterous though, and I've put efforts in my own way. Izumi Yeah, I think you've grown well as a person. Banri You've been payin' attention? Izumi Of course! Banri ...Then, how did I grow as a man? Izumi Huh? Banri ...Nah, it's nothin'.
CHOICE 2: Are you feeling shy? [+] Izumi Hm? Are you perhaps feeling shy? Banri Hah? There ain't no way. Izumi Ah, so you are. You unexpectedly have a cute side, Banri-kun. Banri Give me a break... Wait, oi, weren't we supposed to turn right at this intersection? Izumi Ah! Crap... Banri Haha, I knew you were careless sometimes, Director-chan.
Banri	Anyway, I've got my license, but I haven't been able to take you for a ride at all.
	Call me when you're going to come home late next time. I'll pick you up.
Izumi	Eh, but you're currently using your parents' car, aren't you? I'm not going to make you go out of your way to get it...
Banri	'S fine, I'll take care of that.
Izumi	Don't feel like you have to, okay?
	Even so, it must be hard to stay at school until this late.
Banri	I'm practicin' on my own today. I've been stuck in the lesson room since my lecture ended.
Izumi	Don't tell me you haven't eaten yet?
Banri	Ahh, I forgot. I only ate the lollipops that Kazunari gave me.
Izumi	Then let's eat something together and then go home. I'm actually pretty hungry myself...
Banri	Sure thing. What should we eat?
Izumi	How does curry sound? I'm curious about the new menu that just came out at my favorite curry place!
Banri	Of course you'd suggest curry.
Izumi	Eh~, is that a no?
Banri	...Well, I don't mind. Drive safely.
Izumi	Roger, leave it to me!

Menzo