Masumi Usui/Beyond One’s Gaze

If it's the Suit You Choose

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Masumi	Zzz, zzz…
	*bzz, bzz*
Tsuzuru	Oi, Masumi.
	Your phone’s ringing.
Masumi	Ughh… so noisy…
	*beep*
	Hello…
???	“You finally picked up.
	Your voice—were you sleeping?”
Masumi	…
	…Dad?
Misaki	“That’s right. The name displays when your phone rings, doesn’t it? Didn’t you see?”
Masumi	I picked up without looking.
Misaki	“Goodness…”
	“By the way, Masumi. I've transferred some money to your account, so please check it.”
Masumi	…Why?
Misaki	“I think you’re getting to the age when you should own a suit or two.”
Masumi	…I don’t really need one though.
Misaki	“Maybe not now, but you still have your coming-of-age and graduation ceremonies coming up.
	You should buy one at the right time so you won't be in a rush last minute.”
Masumi	What the heck? It’s way too early.
	…But fine.
Misaki	“Alright, talk to you later.”
	*beep*
Tsuzuru	Who was that from?
Masumi	My father.
Tsuzuru	Oh, that doesn’t happen often.
	What did he say?
Masumi	He told me to buy a suit for someday.
Tsuzuru	It’s good to be prepared just in case.
Masumi	…
Chikage	…So I picked up the suit I sent out for cleaning.
Izumi	Ah, that’s the suit we went to look at together the other day—.
Chikage	Stop, Director-san.
Masumi	…What do you mean went to look at together?
Izumi	M-Masumi-kun!
Masumi	Chikage, you went suit shopping with Director behind my back…
Chikage	It was for work and I needed an opinion from a woman’s perspective. So I asked Director-san for a favour.
Masumi	Using work as an excuse isn’t fair.
	…In that case, I’ll ask Director to choose a suit for me too.
Izumi	Ehh?
	You don’t need a suit anytime soon though, Masumi-kun…
Masumi	My father contacted me this morning and told me it’s about time I buy a suit.
	So the timing’s perfect.
	Show me the shop, Chikage.
Chikage	Haha, alright.
	Go ask Director to pick one out for you.
Masumi	Hey, Director, when are you free?
	Does this date work?
Izumi	T-that’s fine for me, but…
	(The conversation’s moving forward so fast…!)
Masumi	Alright, this day’s settled then.
	…I can’t wait.

Izumi	…I feel kind of nervous going to that same store again.
Masumi	…Hey.
	Am I troubling you?
Izumi	Rather than troubled… I’m not familiar with suits either, so I’m a bit anxious about choosing one for someone.
Masumi	If that’s how you feel, then there’s no need to worry.
	I have full confidence in wearing anything you choose, so it’s fine.
Izumi	Ahaha, that’s what I’m worried over?
Masumi	As usual, you’re cute when you smile…
Izumi	Ah, we’re here.
	This is the store!
Store clerk	Welcome.
Masumi	Excuse me. I’m Usui who discussed with you over the phone.
Store clerk	Oh, Mr. Usui.
	We’ve been expecting you.
Izumi	You contacted the store in advance, huh, Masumi-kun.
Masumi	Chikage told me to do that.
Izumi	But Chikage-san’s suit was a fully tailored ensemble, so…
	Wait, are you planning to get one tailor-made too, Masumi-kun!?
Masumi	Of course I am.
Izumi	(This is quite a high-end store, so I’m a little concerned about the pricing.
	They have expensive fabrics and stuff here…)
Store clerk	Now then, I will ask you some questions over here.
Masumi	Go ahead.
Store clerk	How about the fabric for the jacket?
Masumi	Which one do you think?
Izumi	Hmm… this large checkered pattern looks cute.
Masumi	Okay, I’ll choose that one.
Izumi	No hesitation!?
	They have plenty of others though. Are you sure you don’t need to look at more?
Masumi	It’s fine.
	I thought that one was nice too.
Izumi	Well, if you say so, then alright…
Store clerk	Next, please choose buttons from here that complement the jacket.
Masumi	Which ones do you like?
Izumi	Let me see. If it was the fabric from before, then maybe this one…
Masumi	Alright, these buttons will do.
Store clerk	That’s all you have to choose.
	Thank you very much.
Masumi	Thank you.
Store clerk	Now, I will provide you the estimate.
	It comes to this amount, all together.
Izumi	…EH!?
	Masumi-kun, I think it’d be better to keep the price a little lower…!
Masumi	I can afford it, so it’s not a problem.
Izumi	That’s not what I meant. I feel a huge burden when I think about the fact I chose most of the items…!
Masumi	I really do want to go with those since you picked them out for me though...
Store clerk	Pardon me… if you don’t mind, I can suggest some similar articles that are bit more reasonable.
Izumi	Oh, really!
	How does that sound, Masumi-kun…?
Masumi	I understand. I don’t want you to feel burdened.
	Instead, will you choose them with me one more time?
Izumi	Of course!
Masumi	Thanks.
	Okay, I’ll give the more reasonably priced items a try.
Store clerk	Understood.
	Now then, once again from the fabric for the jacket—.

Masumi	…It’s finally here.
Tsuzuru	What’s that box for?
	Did you order something online?
Masumi	It’s my tailor-made suit.
	She helped pick it out with me.
Tsuzuru	Ahh… that’s nice.
Masumi	I want her to be the first to see it. I’m going to change right now.
Tsuzuru	“First”—I guess me seeing it right now doesn’t count, huh?
Masumi	Look, Director.
	The suit from the other day arrived, so I put it on.
Izumi	Wow, you look cool!
CHOICE 1: You look mature. [+] Izumi As expected, you look more mature than usual with a suit on. Masumi Really? Do I look mature enough that we complement each other when we stand side-by-side? Izumi You might look a little closer to my age than you normally do. Masumi If we look like we match when I wear this suit, then I’ll keep it on forever. Izumi No, no. That’s not what I meant…! Masumi …I’m joking. You’re cute when you’re flustered too.
CHOICE 2: How does it feel on? [+] Izumi How does your first tailored suit feel on? Masumi The fabric that you picked out feels really nice against my skin. It’s also surprisingly easy to move in even though it’s tight. Izumi I see. It really is better when it’s made to fit your body, huh? Masumi Rest assured. I’ll make sure to have your wedding dress tailor-made when it’s time. Izumi Eh? Masumi Just like this suit, we'll choose the design and all the materials from the beginning together. I can’t wait already. Izumi H-hold on, Masumi-kun! I didn’t say “yes”, you know!?
Masumi	I felt happy when you told me I looked cool just now.
	I’ll become even cooler for you, so—.
	*door opens*
Citron	Masumi~!
	We heard from Tsuzuru that you’re wearing your order-made suit!
Sakuya	Wow, Masumi-kun. It looks amazing on you!
Citron	You look great~!
Masumi	…*Sigh*. We were finally alone together, and yet.
	*door opens*
Itaru	We’re home.
	Oh, Masumi. What’s up with that get-up?
Chikage	We’re back.
	Ahh, could that be the suit you got tailored?
Masumi	Yeah.
	Director chose it for me, so I was able to buy something pretty nice.
Chikage	That’s great to hear.
	I suppose it was worth introducing that store to you.
Masumi	Yeah, thanks.
Itaru	It looks surprisingly good on you, huh?
Masumi	Go away.
Itaru	Ehh, harsh much? That was a compliment…
Citron	You should’ve put a bit more feeling into it, Itaru.
Itaru	That was full of my feelings though.
Sakuya	Ahaha, I’m sure Masumi-kun understood what you meant.
Tsuzuru	By the way, Masumi. Seeing as you’re wearing it, why don’t you send a picture with the suit on to your dad?
Masumi	There’s no need.
Izumi	But you took the chance to buy it since your dad told you it was about time, right?
	Plus, I think it would be better to send a picture at least.
	More than anything, I’m sure it’ll make him happy.
Masumi	You’re even thinking about my father, Director…
	Is that because you consider him as your own future father?
Izumi	No, I don’t! But you should show your dad how cool you look in the suit, Masumi-kun.
Masumi	I got it.
	If you say so, then I’ll send a picture.
Izumi	Alright, let’s take one right now!
	Stand up straight so we can get a good look at your suit—.
Masumi	Like this?
Izumi	Yes, perfect!
	Here I go—say cheese!
	*click*

Anna