Masumi Usui/Garrison Captain's Determination

Blind Knight's Training

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Masumi	…
Tsuzuru	What’cha looking at?
Masumi	The profile sheet.
Tsuzuru	Ahh, the one Director was talking about the other day?
	You’re going to act as chess pieces while looking after the guests at a huge chess facility, right?
	Which role do you have?
Masumi	My set-up’s written as “a knight who’s fiercely loyal to the King, but lazy”.
Tsuzuru	Fiercely loyal but lazy? What kind of setting is that…
Masumi	The only one I pledge my loyalty to is her.
Tsuzuru	Ahh… when I think about it, it's just like you—loyal to Director but can’t be bothered by everyone else.
Masumi	I want to show her that I can play this role properly.
Tsuzuru	Even if you say you want to show her…
	As the closest person to consult, you could ask Director for help with your role study… no, but that would cause her trouble…
Masumi	…I’m heading over to Director.
Tsuzuru	O-oi! Don’t bother her—ah, and he’s gone…
Izumi	Alright, I’m done with the paperwork for now… there.
	*knock, knock*
	Yes?
Masumi	Do you have a minute, Director?
Izumi	Come in.
	*door opens*
	What’s up, Masumi-kun?
Masumi	I’d like you to lend me a hand in preparing for my chess role.
Izumi	To prepare for your role… oh yeah, you’re playing the loyal but lazy knight, right?
Masumi	Yeah. I'll pledge an oath to you every day starting now, so tell me if there's anything you want me to follow or do.
Izumi	O-oh, I see…
	…But Banri-kun is the King this time, isn’t he?
	If you're going to pledge an oath for role study, then don't you think it’d be better to do it to him?
Masumi	That’s true. But I’d like to start by swearing a vow to you.
	The head of the dorm is you, after all.
Izumi	(Umm… well, it’ll be role study…)
	Okay, then can you play the knight who’s loyal to the King on the day of the event?
Masumi	No problem.
Izumi	Alright, in that case, let’s give this a shot starting tomorrow!
Masumi	Sure.

Masumi	Is there anything you’d like me to do, Director?
Izumi	Let me think…
	Oh, can I ask you to go shopping?
Masumi	Leave it to me.
Tsuzuru	Is Masumi preparing for his role with Director as the King?
Itaru	Ahh, for that chess thing…
Izumi	Get the items on this list, okay?
Masumi	Sure. I’m heading out.
	*leaves*
Itaru	Aren’t you being a bit soft on him, Director-san?
Tsuzuru	He’s been going shopping a lot, you know?
Izumi	Hmm, is there anything else I could ask though?
Itaru	You can ban something, for example.
Tsuzuru	That could be really depressing depending on what it is…
Itaru	But actual kings might be way more unreasonable with their requests, wouldn’t they?
	At least the King I encountered before was more of a tyrant…
Izumi	Ahaha… with Sakyo-san, it was definitely…
Tsuzuru	I’m with him. If Masumi’s preparing for the role of the King’s loyal knight, then you might as well push an unreasonable demand on him.
Izumi	He’ll follow the King's orders no matter what it is, huh…
	Alright, I’ll give it some thought.
	We’re having curry with winter veggies today!
Yuki	The ingredients may be different than usual, but it’s still curry.
Tasuku	More like we’ve had curry for the past three days now.
Itaru	I think I dreamed about curry this morning.
Masumi	You curry is delicious everyday.
Izumi	…Ah. You’re banned from curry today, Masumi-kun.
Masumi	…!?
Izumi	I actually really do want you to eat it…
	But I thought this could be role study too. So can you do that for me?
Masumi	…I got it.
Itaru	Ah, this kinda ban.
Yuki	This is for role study?
	That’s only harsh according to your standards.
Tasuku	But not being able to eat Director's curry is torture in its own way for Usui.
Itaru	I mean, true.
Omi	I heard about the situation from Director, so I’ve prepared a separate dish for you, Masumi.
Masumi	…Thanks.
	…
Yuki	…It’s hard to eat.
Tasuku	…What’s with this mood?
Itaru	…
Izumi	(I feel bad for Masumi-kun. But it’s for role study, so it has to be this way.)
	(I have to steel myself and become the King…!)
	I’m looking forward to how your King will turn out too, Banri-kun.
Banri	It’s just a lil bit more until the day of the event, huh?
Masumi	…
Izumi	Ah, Masumi-kun.
Masumi	What should I follow today, Director?
Izumi	Let’s see…
	Alright, starting today, you’re banned from talking to me for one week.
Masumi	…Ehh?
	Not a word for a week…?
Izumi	Yep, not a peep.
Masumi	…
Banri	…Ain’t that a bit harsh?
Izumi	(Masumi-kun looks depressed…)
	(Banri-kun’s right. Maybe I did go a little overboard…)
Masumi	…What you say is absolute, so I’ll do it.
Banri	I’m the King for the event though.
Masumi	Alright, see you in a week…
	*walks away*
Banri	Tch, he ignored me!
Izumi	…I’m sorry! Just forget what I said!
	I-I mean, communicating with all the members is also part of my job, right?
Masumi	…! I got it.
	I’m your loyal knight after all.
	I'll listen to whatever you say.
	You can tell me anything you want.
Banri	Bruh. I’m the King, you know!
Izumi	Ahaha…

Anna