Homare Arisugawa/Meet-and-greet Afternoon

A Book with Love

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Izumi	… Fuu.
	(Almost done. I wonder what time it is now.)
	It’s this time already!? I guess I got really absorbed in my work…
	(I’m suddenly really sleepy when I found out it was midnight… I should make coffee.)
	… Huh?
	(Is that a light on the balcony? Who would be up at this time?)
Homare	…
Izumi	Homare-san?
Homare	Oh, Director-kun. Good evening.
Izumi	Someone’s a night owl. Are you writing something?
Homare	Yes. Actually, my poetry collection will be published next month—
	I was thinking about new material to be added in it.
Izumi	Even so, you’re doing this in the middle of the night…
Homare	An idea may come at any moment.
	In actuality, a good idea may come at any place or time for me!
Izumi	I-I see.
Homare	So I am enjoying the breeze of three o’clock, as well as some black tea I’ve especially selected for this…
	I feel as if an excellent poem will come to me this time around.
	… Hah, it has arrived!
	Three o’clock tea time beating, overflowing lime, dancing mayim mayim~!
Izumi	Homare-san, your voice is so loud! Please keep in mind the time.
Homare	Oh, that’s right. Apologies.
Izumi	(Though, his energy doesn’t make it seem like it’s midnight…)
Homare	In addition to the midnight breeze, holding my partner Pierre has brought forth many ideas.
Izumi	Pierre…?
Homare	This quill pen.
Izumi	Ahh, I see. It’s a really nice quill pen.
Homare	—This quill pen is my partner.
Izumi	Partner?
Homare	A poem written by Pierre was the catalyst for making me known as the poet I am.
	Because of him, I am able to be a poet. I suppose you could call him my lucky charm.
Izumi	… So that’s it.
Homare	The world is shifting into the age of the digital, I have started owning devices myself, but—
	Writing with Pierre is still very important to me.
Izumi	That’s good to hear. It seems that quill pen has meaning.
Homare	Indeed indeed! As expected of Director-kun to understand!
Izumi	Shh…! It’s late, remember!

Homare	Everyone, feast your eyes! This is an indispensable book of the ages…!
Muku	What book is it?
Homare	Why, my poetry collection of course! The new edition has been freshly completed!
Izumi	Ah, the book you talked about before, it came out.
Homare	Oh, Director-kun! Yes, the poem I wrote that time has been added. Have a look!
Izumi	“Everyone mayim mayim laissez, my poem, yes, let’s dance” …?
Tasuku	… And as usual, I still don’t understand.
Guy	I am having difficulty as well. I suppose my Japanese isn’t sufficient enough.
Yuki	It’s not Guy’s fault.
Homare	Hmm… I suppose if you only read it once, you wouldn’t really understand the deep meaning behind my poem.
Tasuku	And the meaning is?
Homare	I shall donate this to the dorm then. Whenever you want, please give it a read. Perhaps, you’ll understand the meaning soon enough!
Izumi	Then, let’s leave it in the lounge.
Guy	Thank you, I’ll read it when I have the chance. I’d like to practice more of my Japanese with it.
Yuki	Doubt it.
Muku	Is it already being sold at the bookstore?
Homare	Mhm, the sales are going rather well thankfully. Next week, there will be an autograph session at the bookstore.
Muku	As expected of Alice-san!
Homare	Indeed. For my autograph is as valuable as Shakespeare’s.
Muku	R-really!?
Yuki	No, not really.
Izumi	Ahaha…
Homare	Nonetheless, my autograph isn’t cheap, but the same can’t be said if it’s for the members of Mankai.
	Now, I’d love to hand out my autograph to any of you! Don’t be shy, line up, one by one—
Tasuku	I’m gonna go bathe.
Yuki	Muku, lend me that manga you mentioned before.
Muku	O-okay.
Homare	Wait everybody! What about my autograph…!?
Izumi	(The meeting ended earlier than expected. Since I had some free time, I went to a cafe—)
	(... By the way, there were some recommendations an acquaintance gave to me, I wonder if they have the theatre books at that bookstore over there.)
	(I still have some time, I can just check it out.)
	(Since this place is so big, there has to be a book I’m looking for.)
	(Something theatre related…)
Clerk	Arisugawa-sensei’s autograph session is here!
Izumi	!?
	(Arisugawa-sensei? No way…)
Customer A	“Congratulations to Arisugawa-sensei’s new publication autograph session”!
Customer B	You’re kidding! How exciting~!
Izumi	(I thought so…!)

Clerk	The end of the line of Arisugawa-sensei’s autograph session is over here. Why not have a look inside~!
Izumi	(I can’t see what’s going on inside… but Homare-san seems to be pretty popular.)
Clerk	Get your ticket heeeere! We only have a few left, get it now!
Izumi	(If you buy a book, you can participate in the autograph session.)
	…
Clerk	Thank you for your purchase! Here’s the end of the line.
Izumi	(I bought a book on the spot… I hope Homare-san’s okay with me just suddenly showing up.)
	(But as director, it’s important and a good opportunity to know what the members do outside of the theatre and dorms.)
	(I wonder what kind of face Homare-san will have. Maybe surprise, either way I can’t wait.)
Fan	I’m glad I could meet Arisugawa-sensei! I’ll continue to support you!
Izumi	(Meeting Homare-san who’s being addressed as “Arisugawa-sensei” is a little odd… but it feels a little exciting.)
Manager	Next.
Izumi	Y-yes!
Homare	… Hm? Is that Director-kun!?
Izumi	I happened to be passing by while Homare-san was having his autograph session so I got in line.
Homare	Mm… I wasn’t aware you were one of my “fans”.
Izumi	Ahaha… Well.
Homare	Alright. Then, let’s write a meaningful message, shall we.
	…
Izumi	Ah, that quill pen…
Homare	Yes, I brought my partner Pierre along with me.
	Aaand finished. … Thank you for coming today. Please continue to support me.
Izumi	Of course, thank you so much!
	(I really wasn’t expecting to do that… buy a book and line up like that.)
Homare	Here you are, Director-kun! You have my signed book!
Izumi	Ah, Homare-san. I’m sorry about my sudden appearance today.
Homare	It’s alright. It was surprising, but I’m glad you came.
Izumi	It’s like I set up a surprise, but it was fun in the end.
Homare	Speaking of which, have you read the message I wrote for you?
Izumi	The message? No, I haven’t looked yet…
Homare	It’s on the page after the autograph.
Izumi	“For Izumi-san, with love. Arisugawa Homare.” …!?
	You wrote this!? I didn’t even notice…!
Homare	This cannot be written by anyone else. It is special and only for Director-kun.
Izumi	Homare-san…
CHOICE 1: This is embarrassing. [+] Izumi For it to be special, it’s embarrassing. Homare That said, Director-kun is someone special to me. You are the reason I am here at this theatre. I will forever be grateful to you, you have my utmost respect. With this in mind, I hand this book back to you. Don’t hesitate to bring it anywhere! Izumi (... I bought this for myself.)
CHOICE 2: The handwriting’s different. [+] Izumi This handwriting is different. Does this convey your feelings? Homare Oh, you noticed. I have thought that Pierre was just a lucky charm— However recently, I feel as if my body has been overtaken. Izumi I think it’s because Homare-san treats it as an important companion. Homare I see, you may be right. I suppose I’ll continue to use it carefully in the future.
	Anyway, that book is a moment in the history of Arisugawa Homare, so it is rather valuable.
	I cannot imagine the cost of such an item—please do not be rash and resell it.
Izumi	I wouldn’t do something like that!
Homare	That’s right. Director-kun also has a love for me, that is something I cannot resell either.
Izumi	Love…
Homare	Hah, that’s it! Let love be the theme for the next collection!
	The beginning will be a special poem made with love for Director-kun, so please look forward to it.
Izumi	I-I think I’ll sit out on this one…

petenuso