Masumi Usui/Busybody Ventriloquism

A Great Resemblance? Ventriloquism of Tsuzuru

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Banri	So, what're we doin' about Masumi’s ventriloquist doll?
Masumi	A doll of Director works.
Yuki	The psycho stalker’s still saying that…
Chikage	He sure doesn’t waver.
Homare	Masumi-kun is truly determined.
Masumi	…
Yuki	*Sigh*… Can’t you hurry up and decide already?
	I want to make it soon too.
Izumi	Huh, has everyone gathered for a meeting?
Banri	Masumi, even though you’re the one who’s gonna do the ventriloquism, you can’t ask for a doll of Director.
Masumi	I won’t do it if it’s not Director’s doll.
Izumi	I see…
	(Oh, right… these members were the red team, right?
	I never thought that this would be what's going on.)
Chikage	It’s fine if it’s only performed in front of the members here, but it won’t make sense if he does the ventriloquism with Director-san’s doll in front of an unspecified number of people.
Izumi	Right, right. Since we’re going out of way to make the doll, wouldn’t it better if it was somebody else and not me?
	Like, for example… someone from the Theatre troupe!
Masumi	…
Yuki	Your face looks dissatisfied.
Banri	Hahh… What should we do?
Homare	If possible, I think it would be better if Masumi-kun performs something that's easy for him to pull off.
Chikage	…In that case, wouldn’t Tsuzuru work?
Masumi	…Why?
Chikage	If it’s Tsuzuru, then you’ve spent a lot of time together sharing a room and you understand his speaking tone and habits, don’t you?
Homare	Indeed, you have a point there.
Izumi	Yeah, that might be a good idea!
	Also, Masumi-kun, you’re really good at imitating Tsuzuru-kun, right?
	Like that time before when you were controlling Tsuzuru-kun from behind when he collapsed after finishing the script—.
	I really thought Tsuzuru-kun was moving and I was so surprised.
Masumi	If you say so.
Banri	An immediate answer.
Yuki	He’s seriously way too simple.
Chikage	Well, it’s a relief Masumi agreed.
Izumi	Ahaha…
Yuki	So we’re going with a doll of Tsuzuru, right?
	Alright, I’ll start making it right away.
Izumi	I’m looking forward to it, Masumi-kun.
Masumi	Yeah. I’ll improve even more for you…
Tsuzuru	…Mm, mm mm.
	…I've overslept. It’s because I stayed up pretty late yesterday writing my report, huh…
Masumi	…
Tsuzuru	Uwahh!? M-Masumi!?
Masumi	…
Tsuzuru	…Don’t tell me you've been watching me this whole time?
Masumi	For a little while.
Tsuzuru	W-what is it? Did something happen?
	You should wake me up in that case.
Masumi	It’s nothing.
Tsuzuru	…?
Homare	Ahh, Tsuzuru-kun, Masumi-kun.
	Good morning!
Tsuzuru	Good morning.
Homare	I see Masumi-kun is with you.
Tsuzuru	Yeah, for some reason Masumi’s been following me since the moment I woke up…
Masumi	…
Tsuzuru	He keeps looking at me like this…
Homare	Oh…?
	*sink turns on*
Tsuzuru	Towel, towel…
Masumi	…Here.
Tsuzuru	A-ahh, thank you…?
Homare	It’s as if he’s an attendant.
	Well then, Masumi-kun.
	Could you hand me that towel over there as well?
Masumi	…
Homare	Are you ignoring me!?
Masumi	I’m busy right now.
Homare	Aren’t you just watching Tsuzuru-kun!
Tsuzuru	What in the world is going on...

Tsuzuru	Itadakimasu.
Masumi	…Itadakimasu.
Omi	Does anyone want something to drink?
Tsuzuru	Ah, I’ll go get them.
Omi	Thanks, sorry about that.
Masumi	…I’ll go too.
Tsuzuru	If Masumi wants a drink too, I’ll get one for you at the same time.
Masumi	No, I’m good.
	What about you?
Tsuzuru	Eh, me?
	I was gonna get some tea…
Yuki	Then I’ll get tea too.
Kazunari	Me too, Tsuzurun!
Omi	That being said, Masumi’s awfully clingy to Tsuzuru today, huh?
Kazunari	Right~! I thought so too!
	They’re super buddy-buddy~!
Tsuzuru	I wouldn’t really call it that…
Yuki	It looks like a chick following a mother hen.
Tsuzuru	I don’t remember turning into a mother hen though…
Kazunari	It seems fun so I’ll cling to Tsuzurun too!
Tsuzuru	I’ll pass!
	Haa, I’m exhausted…
Masumi	…
Tsuzuru	I'm not planning to ask you the reason for this anymore, alright?
	If you're gonna be this way, then I don't care either.
Masumi	You don’t need to worry about it.
Tsuzuru	…*Sigh*.
	Alright then, I guess I’ll continue my report.
Masumi	…
	…Director.
Izumi	Ah, could that be the doll of Tsuzuru-kun?
Masumi	That’s right. I practised.
Yuki	You’ve been watching Tsuzuru a lot these days, right?
Banri	So, think ya got it down properly?
Masumi	I want you guys to check it for me right now. Director too.
Izumi	Me? Sure, but…
Chikage	Then let’s see what you’ve got, shall we?
Banri	Right.
	*door opens*
Tsuzuru	Phew…
Izumi	Ah, Tsuzuru-kun.
Banri	Nice timing.
Tsuzuru	What do you… uh, what's with that doll!?
Yuki	It’s the Tsuzuru doll I made.
Tsuzuru	Um, why me!?
Chikage	Now, now.
Banri	Since you’re here, why don’tcha watch the results of Masumi’s practise too?
Tsuzuru	WHAT PRACTISE!?
Yuki	It’s fine, just sit here.
Tsuzuru	What in the world is going on…
Masumi	Now then—.
	“…Mm, mm mm.”
Izumi	That’s… Tsuzuru-kun thinking about something?
Masumi	Nope.
Tsuzuru	Is that an impression of me!?
Banri	Got it, it’s Tsuzuru worried over the script?
Yuki	Tsuzuru when he can’t keep up with Citron’s jokes.
Masumi	Nope. It’s Tsuzuru the moment he wakes up in the morning.
Tsuzuru	What the heck is that?
Masumi	…Next.
	“…”
Banri	…He’s touching somethin’?
Izumi	What is that…
Chikage	He’s moving the arms a lot.
Banri	Tsuzuru stretching?
Masumi	Nope.
Izumi	When he’s making food?
Masumi	This is Tsuzuru before he writes a report.
	Tsuzuru rolls his shoulders like this.
Tsuzuru	So detailed!
Banri	Hol’ up, that has nothin' to do with ventriloquism, right?
Chikage	Plus his perspective is unique too.
Yuki	I feel like this won’t make sense to anyone except Masumi.
Izumi	That’s true…
Tsuzuru	Haven't I been completely caught up in this by accident!

Anna