Hisoka Mikage/Serpent God's Beloved

THE DANCE OF THE SERPENT GOD

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Izumi	Tsumugi-san, I finished watering the flowers over there.
	Is there anything else I could do to help you?
Tsumugi	Thank you. In that case, how about…
Taichi	Gyaaaa-!
Izumi	T-Taichi-kun? What’s wrong?
Taichi	Director-sensei, don’t come here!
	A-A serpent…!
	There’s a serpent close to Hisoka-san! It’s dangerous!
Izumi	Eeh!
	(I-It’s true! Next to Hisoka’s foot…!)
Tsumugi	W-What should we do? Hisoka-kun hasn’t noticed the serpent, and he seems to be asleep…
Hisoka	Ngh…
Izumi	Ah, he woke up!
Hisoka	…So noisy… what is it?
Izumi	Hisoka-san, don’t move! It’s dangerous!
Taichi	That’s right! Just keep trying to pretend you’re dead!
Hisoka	I don’t remember doing something like that, but okay…
Izumi	I said it without thinking, but is it the right thing not to move against a serpent…?
Tsumugi	I’m not sure about it… however, I haven’t seen that serpent doing anything harmful until now…
	*Ding dong*
Izumi	A guest at a time like this!?
Taichi	We don’t have time for that now!
???	Excuse me–! Is there anyone home–?
Tsumugi	…I guess the best would be to go and open.
	Taichi and I will think about what to do with this.
Izumi	Thanks and sorry. I’ll leave for a bit.
Taichi	Uuh… Director-sensei, please come back soon!
Izumi	I’m sorry, we are a bit busy at the moment…
Male	I apologize for interrupting. I’m looking for a serpent…
Izumi	A serpent!? Actually, there’s one here in the courtyard…!
Male	Seriously? That serpent might be the one I’m looking for!
Izumi	We were wondering what to do… however, come this way, please…!
Male	Aah, there you are…! I’m glad…!
Taichi	That’s so neat! He caught it in no time!
Tsumugi	I thought it could be tame since it didn’t show signs of attack if you stayed still.
Izumi	I see.
Hisoka	Is it alright if I move now…?
Taichi	Sure! I’m glad you’re okay now, Hisoka-san…!
Male	I apologize for the inconvenience caused. I’m in debt for your help…!
Izumi	There’s no need. I’m glad you could find it with no trouble. Do you take care of that serpent?
Male	Yes, we take care of it in our shrine.
Izumi	Shrine…?
Male	Pardon me, I forgot to introduce myself…
	I’m a priest in the shrine where we worship the serpent protector god.
Izumi	So you were a priest!?
Priest	Yes. I noticed this morning our serpent wasn’t there, so I hurried up to find it.
Tsumugi	I understand now. Even so, I’m glad you found it without trouble.
Taichi	I thought my heart would stop when I saw it close to Hisoka-san’s foot…
Hisoka	Indeed, that was an awful scream.
Priest	By the way…
	How we met feels like fate… may I ask you a favor?
Tsumugi	To us?
Priest	Yes. I would appreciate it if you could listen to my request. Please, I’m begging you…!
Izumi	Ah, there’s no need to bow to your head…! Let’s enter to hear the request.

Izumi	Then, do you want to ask us…?
Priest	Well, our shrine will hold a festival in a few weeks.
Taichi	That’s great! It sounds fun!
Priest	Every year at the festival, we do a dance on stage to pray for an auspicious year. It’s called the dance of the serpent god
	For the serpent god’s role, we always cast someone from the general public… However, we haven’t found someone who fits its image this year.
Izumi	I see, it must be crucial in that kind of dance.
Priest	That’s why I would like to request your help with the dance if that’s not much trouble.
Hisoka	Mine…?
Taichi	Awesome! You would be cool as the serpent god!
Priest	As soon as I saw you, I knew only you could be the serpent god this year.
	If you feel suspicious of this sudden request, I could guide you to the shrine so you can feel at peace.
Izumi	(The priest is a polite person, I wouldn’t think he is lying to us…)
Tsumugi	I would agree. It might be a good experience.
Izumi	What do you think about it, Hisoka-san? I also think it could be good for acting, but it’s up to you…
Hisoka	…Then, I’ll do it.
Priest	Thank you very much!
Homare	So Hisoka-kun practices his dance in this shrine, I see.
	Hmm. A quite elegant one, if I must say.
Izumi	Yes. He seems to be practicing today too.
Azuma	I’m excited to see what kind of dance he will do.
Tasuku	Right there is Mikage, right?
Hisoka	Munch, munch…
Tsumugi	You’re eating marshmallows… Are you on your break, Hisoka-san?
Hisoka	Mhm.
Guy	Those marshmallows are different from the ones you always eat.
Izumi	Did the priest give them to you?
Hisoka	He did. He prepared lots of them for me. Unlike Arisu’s marshmallows, these aren’t cheap.
Homare	Pardon you! How could you say that when I’ve brought you some of them?
Hisoka	I’ll eat those later. I’m taking them.
Homare	Oh my… what a selfish little one you are.
Tasuku	The stage’s festival looks well made after all. Judging from what you said, it felt like a new type of scam…
Tsumugi	Tasuku always doubts those suddenly suspicious talks.
Tasuku	It can’t be helped. They sound unbelievable.
Guy	I can understand how Takato feels, though. To be honest, I was dubious about it as well.
Azuma	Why were you willing to be the serpent god, Hisoka?
Hisoka	…Because Tsumugi and Director said it might be a good experience.
	The priest also asked me personally to do it.
Azuma	Fufu, I see. Your motivation is good too.
Izumi	Oh, right. I heard there’s a space to ask about your worries to the serpent god…
Guy	Mikage will do that?
Hisoka	Mhm. I often forget my worries when I sleep. I guess it will be okay if I answer that.
Tasuku	…No, it won’t. Don’t answer that.

Izumi	Whoa, it’s full of stalls!
Homare	It’s kind of crowded, doesn’t it?
Tsumugi	It would have been nice if Taichi-kun could have come too…
Izumi	He was sad since he couldn’t come because of his school event.
Guy	We should buy Nanao a present before going home.
Azuma	Let’s look for one together when Hisoka’s performance is over.
Tasuku	It seems to be about to start.
Priest	Well then, we would like to start the space where you ask your worries to the serpent god.
	If you would like to ask it something, please raise your hand.
Child	Here, here.
Priest	Yes, the lively child there. What is your question to the serpent god?
Child	I always get hungry in the middle of my classes! What should I do if that happens, serpent god?
Hisoka	…Eat a marshmallow.
Priest	Eh? Well… That’s right. Marshmallows suddenly increase your blood sugar levels…
Azuma	Fufu. That’s so Hisoka.
Homare	My my, he only thinks about marshmallows no matter where he is.
Tasuku	Don’t let it slide like that, both of you.
Tsumugi	The priest’s answer could fix it somehow… I guess.
Guy	It would be problematic if the priest weren’t here.
Priest	T-To continue, the next one will be… ah, you over there!
Izumi	M-Me!?
Hisoka	It’s alright. Is there something troubling you?
CHOICE 1: Nothing really. [+] Izumi Uhmm… Nothing, in particular, I guess. Hisoka Are you sure? Izumi Yes. I’m satisfied with everything I have at the moment. Hisoka …I see. I feel the same as you. Every day is fun. Izumi Fufu. I’m glad you enjoy your every day too.
CHOICE 2: Truth is… [+] Izumi To be honest, I’ve been struggling with my curry spice mixtures. I feel like something’s missing or the flavor’s stagnant… Hisoka Curry again… well, that’s typical of you, Director. How about adding marshmallows to it as something new? It will be good for sure. Izumi Marshmallows for curry!? No, wait, what if you think of it as adding sweetness…?… Tasuku Absolutely not. Stop with that.
Hisoka	I will always listen to your problems, Director. Come to me whenever you are troubled.
Izumi	Haha, thanks.
	The ask your troubles space ended without problems.
	I was worried about what could happen for a while…
Tsumugi	Hisoka-kun’s answers were fun to hear.
	A lot of people raised their hands because of it.
Azuma	At last, Hisoka’s dance is next.
Izumi	You’re right. I’m excited about it. He seems to have practiced a lot.
Homare	Well, look at that. I guess it started while you were talking.
Hisoka	—
Izumi	(Hisoka-san’s appearance is very serious, and his silhouette on the stage is perfect. I can tell he gave his best to reach here in a short time…)
Tsumugi	Hisoka-kun, good job up there.
Hisoka	Thanks for coming, everyone.
Azuma	It was a splendid dance.
Guy	I agree. I couldn’t take my eyes away from you on stage.
Priest	Mikage-san, Tachibana-san.
Izumi	Ah, priest. Nice to see you. Thank you for today.
Priest	That’s what I should say. I’m extremely thankful that you accepted my request, even if it was too much to ask.
Hisoka	It was a good experience… I had fun doing it. Thanks.
Priest	I’m glad if you think that way.
	Until the next time we see, I would like to give you this small present.
Hisoka	…! High-class marshmallows…!
Izumi	But this amount…! Thank you, we’ll gladly accept them.
Hisoka	Thanks… I’ll enjoy eating them.
Azuma	Fufu. Good for you, Hisoka.
Tsumugi	Now that Hisoka-kun’s part is over, all that’s left is enjoying the festival together.
Azuma	What should we eat? I’m feeling a bit thirsty too.
Tasuku	Then how about getting some beers?
Homare	How nice it is to drink beer outdoors!
Guy	In that case, how about some ikayaki to go with them?
Izumi	Everyone is pretty excited. Let’s go too, Hisoka-san.
Hisoka	Wait.
Izumi	Whoa…! What’s wrong?
Hisoka	I want one of those marshmallows.
Izumi	Ah, right. Those are your reward. Please, eat them.
	*Hisoka gets closer*
Hisoka	Aah…
Izumi	Hmm… do I have to feed you?
Hisoka	Mhm. Carrying a bag is tiring…
Izumi	Well, since you gave your best… Here, good work today.
Hisoka	Munch, munch… thanks, so good.

Moonlight