Masumi Usui/Feelings That Can Melt Ice Cream

Ice Cream Shaped Toy

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Izumi	Ah, I forgot to buy jam!
	I wanted to use it as a secret ingredient in the curry, but it looks like what’s left isn’t enough…
Masumi	I’ll go buy it.
Izumi	Eh, really?
	That helps a ton, thanks!
Masumi	If it’s for you, then this is nothing.
	Do I just buy the same one?
Izumi	Yeah. They sell them at the supermarket, so can I ask you to get the largest size this comes in?
	Ah, also, if they have apple jam of the same series, can you get that for me as well?
Masumi	I got it.
	I’ll go buy them right away, so wait for me.
Izumi	Thanks, and see you!
MasumI	(It’s a relief they had the same one.
	I’m glad I won’t disappoint her.)
Store clerk	We are currently offering one free lottery turn with every purchase receipt of 1000 yen or over.
Cashier	You spent more than 1000 yen, so if you’d like, please draw the lottery at the event site in the shopping district.
Masumi	…
	(I wanna go home and deliver the jam as soon as possible, but—)
	(Director does these kinds of things all the time…
	So it might be better to do it and then head back.)
Staff	You get one shot.
	Now then, please draw one from this box.
	*draws*
Masumi	…
Staff	Ah, you got 5th place.
	The prize is this “Ice Cream Punch” here!
Masumi	(What the heck? An ice cream shaped toy…?)
Staff	Congratulations!
Masumi	…Thanks.
	I’m home.
	Are these ok?
Izumi	Welcome back!
	Yep, perfect! Thanks.
Masumi	That’s great.
	I’m glad I was able to help you…
Izumi	Huh, Masumi-kun.
	What’s that you’ve got in your hand?
Masumi	I got it from the lottery at the shopping district.
	It’s ice cream or something.
Izumi	Woah, it’s an Ice Cream Punch. That takes me back!
Masumi	You know of it?
Izumi	Yeah, I played with them a lot when I was a kid!
Masumi	How do you play with it?
Izumi	Oh, you see, when you press this button that’s on the cone—.
	*shoots out*
	Look, the ice cream part flies out!
Masumi	!
Izumi	It has a string attached to it, so you can put it back and play as many times as you like.
Masumi	You’re also cute when you’re playing happily with the toy…
	Tell me more.
Izumi	Ehh!? There’s nothing else to teach you!
	This toy is just that simple to play with.
Masumi	…I see. Ok then.
	Just seeing you have fun teaching me is enough.
Tsuzuru	……
	*door opens*
Masumi	…
Tsuzuru	Welcome back.
	I heard from Director you went shopping?
Masumi	Mhm. She asked me to buy some jam.
Tsuzuru	Right, Director’s in charge of cooking today.
Masumi	The curry she’s making using the jam I bought… I can’t wait.
	(I wanna eat Director’s curry already… hm?)
Itaru	Well, well, this is a sight for sore eyes.
Azuma	I remember theese used to come as extras with kid’s meals when I was little.
Tsumugi	I feel like I saw them around at fairs all the time back in the day.
Masumi	(They’re talking about that toy…)
Izumi	Ah, Masumi-kun.
	Where’s Tsuzuru-kun?
Masumi	Still in the room. He said he’s going to eat after he gets to a good spot to stop in his assignment.
Izumi	I see, thanks.
Masumi	Yeah.

Tsumugi	Hey, Masumi-kun.
	Can I borrow this Ice Cream Punch for a second?
Masumi	Go ahead.
	*shoots out*
Tsumugi	This is all there is to it, but I played with it so many times when I was a kid.
Azuma	That sure brings back memories.
	Can I give it a try as well?
Masumi	Mhm.
	*pop*
Azuma	It’s a bit interesting playing with it after such a long time.
Itaru	Which one? Can you also lend that to me?
Azuma	Yeah, sure.
Itaru	Ok cool, I’ll just borrow it for a sec and…
	*pop*
	Ahh, right, that’s the stuff.
Izumi	Hand it to me next.
Itaru	Sure, here you go.
Izumi	Thank you very much.
	*pop*
Izumi	This really does take me back.
	It's pretty fun giving it a try after such a long time!
	*pop*
Masumi	…*Sigh*.
Itaru	Masumi’s gaze is about to bore a hole through Director.
Izumi	Ah, did you want to play with this too, Masumi-kun?
Masumi	Nope.
	I was just watching since you look like you’re having fun.
CHOICE 1: There’s lots of other ones [+] Izumi There’s lots of other simple but fun toys like this, you know? Masumi Like what, for example? Izumi Umm, like the Blow-up Pipe… for example. Masumi What’s that? Izumi It's a toy that has a basket at the end of a tobacco pipe, and a ball floats when you blow on it... I think it's easier to understand if you see it, so why don't we go to a store that sells them? Masumi ! A date with Director… There’s no way I’d refuse your invitation. Izumi Errr… It’s not a date, but let’s go next time!
CHOICE 2: It’d be great if we could play together [+] Izumi I see. It’d be great if we could play together… Masumi It’s fine. I’m happy just watching you having fun, Director. You're the absolute cutest doing those simple movements over and over again with a smile on your face... Izumi (I think he’s complimenting me, but it also feels kind of questionable…) Masumi ? What’s wrong? IzumI Ah, nope. It’s nothing! It was fun playing with an Ice Cream Punch for the first time in a long time. Thanks, Masumi-kun! Masumi You’re welcome.
	(Director really looked like she was having fun playing…
	I had my doubts, but I glad I did that lottery.)
Tsuzuru	Damn it. My assignment isn’t even close to being done.
	I'm getting sleepy and I'm losing concentration...
	*pop*
	Hm?
	What’s up with that?
Masumi	I drew and won it from a lottery at the shopping district.
Tsuzuru	Heh, it’s rare for you to be interested in something like that.
Masumi	It’s because Director looked like she was having fun when she was playing with it.
	…More importantly, how’s your report?
Tsuzuru	…Not done yet.
	Sorry about this, Masumi, but can you wake me up if I happen to fall asleep while I’m working?
Masumi	…
	Got it.
	I’ll wake you up if you fall asleep.
Tsuzuru	Eh, really? I didn’t think you’d agree…
	But that helps.
	Alright, I’m counting on you.
Masumi	Mm.
	(I can probably use this since the string is long and it flies out fast…)
Tsuzuru	Zzz, zzz…
Masumi	(Ah, he’s sleeping. With this Ice Cream Punch, I’ll…)
	*pop*
	…He’s not waking up.
	Wake up.
	*pop*
	…
	*pop*
	……….
	*pop*
	He’s really not waking up.
	(Now I’m feeling sleepy too. I’m going to sleep…)
Tsuzuru	UWAH, IT'S MORNING!?
Masumi	Mm… shut up, Tsuzuru.
Tsuzuru	Masumi, why didn’t you wake me up!
Masumi	I did several times with this.
	It’s your fault you didn’t get up.
	*pop*
Tsuzuru	Uh, there’s no way I’d wake up with an Ice Cream Punch!
	I mean, look, the ice cream part is a sponge!
	Ugh, I’m the one who asked so I guess I can’t complain…
Masumi	…I’m sleepy.
Tsuzuru	Will I finish the assignment in time if I go all out starting now…?
	Uhhh…
Masumi	Zzzzz…

Anna