Juza Hyodo/Relaxing Slow Life

Beware The Coming and Going of the Sloth

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Juza	….
Sakuya	Juza-kun is making such a difficult face reading his script…
Taichi	What script is that?
Juza	Ah… it’s the script for my guest performance.
	I was able to get a role in this theatre company run by Yuzo-san’s acquaintance.
Sakuya	A guest performance? That’s great!
Taichi	What will you be playing as?
Juza	…. A sloth.
Taichi	A sloth!?
Sakuya	Now I’m curious about the story…!
Juza	It’s a story about animals fighting to protect their homeland.
Taichi	Eh… that sounds interesting!
Sakuya	To have to study how a sloth behaves sounds a little challenging however…
Juza	I’ve read the script over and over but I still can’t really get into my role.
Taichi	If that’s the case, shall we go see the real thing at the zoo?
Juza	The real thing?
Sakuya	I think you’ll certainly be able to learn how it moves if you see it in action!
Juza	That’s true… let’s go.
	[At the zoo]
Taichi	I found where the sloth is!
Sakuya	You’re right, it’s up in the tree over there!
Juza	…
Sakuya	What’s wrong, Juza-kun?
Juza	No it’s just… Is it really alright coming all the way here?
Taichi	Of course! And it’s fun being at the zoo!
Sakuya	Who knows, this may be helpful for future performances.
Juza	Is that so… thanks.
Sloth	…
Sloth	…
Taichi	Huh… the sloth hasn’t moved a single bit!
Sakuya	It hasn’t moved at all beyond leisurely snacking on its grass…
Juza	…
	Why don’t the both of you explore the place, I’ll be here for a while longer.
Sakuya	Eh!? But-
Juza	I came here for the sloth after all. I’ll be observing it a bit more for my role.
Taichi	Alright, I’ll take you up on that! Sakuya and I will head over there!
Sakuya	See you later!
Juza	Yeah.
Juza	…
Sloth	…
Juza	…
Sloth	…
Juza	!
	[In room 104]
Banri	When the hell are you going to sleep till? Don’t we have morning practice.
Juza	Zzzz
Banri	Don’t pretend to be asleep! I know you’d be grinding your teeth really noisily if you’re out for real!
	Whack
Juza	…
Banri	I knew it, you’re awake.
Juza	…. shut up…. I’ll…. get going….
	….
Banri	What’s with moving like you’re injured all over? Are you fucking around?
Juza	….
Banri	Tch. I don’t know what you’re doing but don’t be late for practice.
	I’ll be off first.
Juza	Not enough…. more….
	[Practice Room]
Izumi	We’ll end the practice here. Good work, everyone.
Taichi	Good work! Ah, I’m hungry!
Omi	Today’s breakfast is poached eggs and open sandwich. I’ve prepared dessert as well.
Taichi	Awesome! Juza-san, let’s go now… eh!?
Juza	….
Sakyo	What’s with that tortoise-like movement.
Azami	Juza-san, is something wrong?
Omi	He was normal during practice though?
Izumi	Juza-kun, are you feeling unwell? You didn’t injure yourself or something…?
Taichi	Ha!
	Juza-san, could it be you are getting into your sloth role?
Juza	….
Omi	Oh he nodded slowly.
Azami	What’s with this role study.
Taichi	Actually-
Taichi	-and that’s what happened.
Sakyo	So that’s how it is.
Banri	Ah that’s why Hyodo was being freaking weird early in the morning.
Omi	I see. Good luck on preparing for your role, Juza.
Banri	I guess this means I can easily beat the shit out of Hyodo now, huh.
Juza	…..I will definitely…. not lose… to you….
Banri	You’re still at it?? Just talk normally!

Kazunari	Thanks for the food~!
Kumon	It was as delicious as ever!
Omi	That’s great to hear. I’ve prepared dessert as well. It’s lemon pie today.
Kazunari	That’s sick! Looks good~! I’m digging in!
Citron	This really melts the spot!
Omi	You mean, hits the spot?
Muku	Hm? Ju-chan, you’re not eating?
Juza	Yea, I am-
	!
	….
Kumon	Eh, Niichan what’s wrong?
Citron	It’s a butterfly phenomenon! The flow of time has slowed for Juza!
Banri	Did you mean a supernatural phenomenon.
Omi	Haha, Juza is now preparing for his role. Seems like he’ll be playing a sloth as a guest performer.
Juza	…yep.
Kazunari	What, that sounds interesting!
Citron	I’m doing it too!
Banri	The lemon pie’s going to be finished at this rate if you’re going to keep up that sluggish pace.
Juza	!
Kumon	Hey! Banri! Stop picking on my brother!
Omi	It’s all good. I’ve saved a portion for Juza.
Juza	…thanks.
	[At the baths]
	I’ll… be getting out… now….
Azuma	Okay. It’s rare for Juza to take it slow in the baths. I had a good time chatting with you about many things.
Juza	…yeah.
Banri	Tch, just the person I didn’t want to see.
Juza	Shut up…..
	….
Banri	….
Juza	….
Banri	Would you close the door already! It’s cold out there!
Juza	I am…… closing it now……..
Banri	Too slow! Are you trying to annoy me!
Azuma	Haha. Juza is perfectly in character even as he leaves.
	[Mankai dorm living room]
Citron	Juza, I’ve looked up on sloths as well! Do you know how they move on the ground?
Juza	? …no idea.
Citron	Like this!
	….
	drag… drag…
Juza	… crawling like this…
Citron	If you are to…. play a sloth…. do this as well… Juza…!
Juza	…got it.
Tsuzuru	I’m back.
Citron	Welcome back…. Tsuzuru….
Juza	… yeah.
Tsuzuru	Wah! What’s happened to the both of you!?
Citron	We are… moving like a sloth…
Juza	…yeah
Tsuzuru	Not sure if that’s a sloth or a zombie! People can easily mix that up!
	[In the kitchen]
Izumi	Is the fire alright like this?
Omi	Hmm, let’s set it to a lower flame. It should be done in time for dinner.
Juza	… Omi-san… Director…I’ll help…
Omi	It would be difficult if you’re moving like that, Juza. It’s alright, you can just sit over there.
Juza	… Alright… I’m sorry…
Izumi	Omi-kun, shall i cut up the cabbages?
Omi	That’ll help. Do put them into that pot when you’re done.
Juza	….
	I guess I’ll help out after all.
Izumi	Eh? But…
Juza	I can’t just sit still like this.
CHOICE 1: That’s just like you [+] Izumi Fufu, that’s just like you, Juza-kun. Juza Really? Izumi Yup. It’s typical of Juza-kun to get really serious in preparing for your role. Juza …I’m not that skilful, so i have to try every means in practice to grasp my role. Izumi Everyone has a different way of preparing for their roles, so it’s alright to try things out to see what fits you. Juza …yeah.
CHOICE 2: Thank you [+] Izumi Thank you. You’d be of great help. Juza It’s nothing much. There’s also no point if i’m causing trouble for everyone when i’m getting into my role. Izumi Fufu, you’re a kind person, Juza-kun. Juza It’s nothing… this is normal.
Tsuzuru	Ah, Juza has gone back to normal.
Juza	Yeah. I can’t help Omi-san and director otherwise.
Citron	I had fun imitating the sloth with Juza! i want to crawl around like that again!
Tsuzuru	Please reconsider doing that easily-misunderstood action…

Mayu