Juza Hyodo/Clumsy Chocolate

Priceless

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Izumi	Then I'll be going.
Theater member	Yep, thank you! You’ve been a huge help.
Izumi	(Helping in another theater was again a fruitful experience. That kind of play, we've never done something like that so maybe we can use it as--)
	Hm? That sales wagon, I've seen it before…
Customer	Give me one of these chocolates please.
Bear costume	It's 200 yen kuma~.
Izumi	T-This voice--.
Bear?	! Director?
Izumi	So it really is you Juza-kun. Working part time?
Juza	Yeah.
	My break is coming up soon… Director, can you wait a bit?
Izumi	Yup. No problem.
	To think you were working here.
Juza	Omi-san worked here last year so he introduced me.
Izumi	Ah, I see.
Juza	And all the candies here are sweet and delicious. So I wanted to work here.
Izumi	I see. Then I want to hear Juza-kun's recommendations.
Juza	Sure.
	Seems like this macaroon is a new flavor. I tasted it, and it was good.
	If you're lookin' for something more traditional, there're also chocolate chips cookies and bonbons.
Izumi	Heh, they look very cute too.
Juza	It's not just their appearance. They were good too. Seems like it's a popular present.
	There're also tarts, mini cakes and fondue chocolate. They make use of oranges and vanilla, they're very detailed.
Izumi	(He's particularly well-informed… can it be that he has tasted every chocolate here?)
	They all look delicious. I've heard about their popularity.
Juza	's that so?
Izumi	Yeah, the truth is that last year I've helped Omi-kun here.
Juza	I see.
	…my break is over soon. I'll return to my spot.
Izumi	Okay, keep working hard.
	…ah. Since I'm here maybe I'll by some chocos too. Can you tell me more of your recommendations?
Juza	'kay.
Izumi	…um, say. There's something that keeps bothering me.
Juza	What is it?
Izumi	This costume you're wearing…
Juza	Ah, when I said that customers wouldn't get close if the salesman looks like me, Taichi told me to wear this.
	Thanks to that we're selling pretty well.
Izumi	I-I see…? That's good then.
Girl	Mom, I want this bear!
Izumi	Ah, you already have a customer.
Juza	Welcome. This bear chocolate kuma? It's very sweet, I recommend it kuma.
Girl	That's not it. I want you.
Izumi	Eh!?
Juza	!?
Girl	I'm going to buy you and play with you forever.
Juza	…huh?
Girl	Hey, mama, is that okay?
Mother	Let me see…
Izumi	(This family looks well-off, but buying a person, it must be a joke--)
Mother	I wonder for how much they'll sell it to us?
Izumi	(Is she serious!?)
Juza	…

Juza	Sorry, but no can do.
Mother	Why? My daughter says she wants you. I'll pay any amount you want.
Girl	Right! There's no such thing as something I want and can't receive!
Juza	AAh?
Girl	!
Juza	…are you serious.
Girl	W-What is your problem…!
Juza	Listen, you can't buy people's hearts with money.
Izumi	(Juza-kun is talking to that girl eye to eye…)
Juza	If you want me, then come up with something other than money.
Girl	…
	Hey mama, buy me that bear shaped chocolate.
Mother	Are you fine with just that?
Girl	Yes.
Mother	Then, give me all of those bear chocolates.
Izumi	All of them!?
Girl	I don't need all of them.
Mother	Eh…?
Girl	One is enough.
Mother	Really…? I'll take one then.
Juza	It's 800 yen.
Girl	…I'll give you this chocolate.
Juza	--.
Girl	That's all for now. Someday, I'll obtain you for sure.
Juza	Hmph, bring it.
	Sorry for getting you to help me in the end.
Izumi	It's fine. I got chocolates as thanks, and I was happy to be able to talk again to the owner.
	Anyway, I got chills when that girl said she wants the bear…
CHOICE 1: Nothing less from a big brother [+] Izumi The way you persuaded that little girl, honestly nothing less from a big brother. Juza No, I really don't know if that was the right thing to do. If it wasn't for this costume, I might've made her cry. Izumi It's alright. She accepted your words, I think she's a good girl deep down. Juza Yeah, you're right.
CHOICE 2: She was such a cute girl though [+] Izumi She was such a cute girl though. To think she would give you a chocolate when you suggested something other than money. Juza Yeah. But why did she choose the bear chocolate? If a bear eats another bear it's cannibalism right. …is it fine because it's chocolate? Izumi (He's really going there…)
Juza	Back then, I was honestly surprised when she said she wants me, but I think that I would've answered the same even if it was someone else.
	Because right now, there's nowhere else for me except the Company.
Izumi	Juza-kun…
Juza	But, I'll eat the chocolate I received. It's the best chocolate in this wagon. She's got a good taste.
Izumi	(…seems like he didn't get that girl's feelings)

Hoshiko