Masumi Usui/Handsome Casse-Noisette

Your Very Own Nutcracker Doll

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Izumi	I’m gonna be late again…!
	(Even though I promised to go with Masumi today to buy decorations for the Christmas party…!)
Masumi	…
Izumi	Masumi-kun!
Masumi	Ah…
Izumi	Sorry for the wait, Masumi-kun…
	Sorry, you were cold, right?
Masumi	I’m fine.
	Because I was thinking about you.
	…And also since you came running for me again.
Izumi	(Something like this happened last year too, right…
	I feel guilty for always making Masumi-kun wait…)
Masumi	So then, let’s go. Director.
Izumi	Yeah, let’s go.
	It’s crowded here, just like I thought it'd be.
Masumi	…!?
Izumi	Masumi-kun? What’s wrong?
	Woah! It’s a huge nutcracker doll!
	It’s almost as tall as us…
Masumi	…I’m bigger.
Izumi	You don’t need to stretch yourself out and compete with it!
	Ok, first off, let's choose the things Kazunari-kun asked for.
	I wonder if the tree corner is over there?
Masumi	I’m bigger than that doll…
Izumi	Anyways… I thought this last year too, but there really are a ton of Christmas supplies here.
CHOICE 1: It’s exciting just looking at them. [+] Izumi It’s exciting just looking at them. Masumi When I see your eyes sparkle at the Christmas decorations… my heart races. Izumi Look at the decorations, not me, ok? Masumi Also, I’m so happy and excited when I realize I can spend Christmas with you too… my chest tightens. I’ll prepare a present that'll make you happy and make it a romantic Christmas. Look forward to it. Izumi Geez… I got it, I’m looking forward to it.
CHOICE 2: Which decorations do you like, Masumi-kun? [+] Izumi Which decorations do you like, Masumi-kun? Masumi I’ve never really thought about which ones I like, but—. I think this sparkling star ornament suits you. Izumi Me? Masumi Yeah. If you hold it in your hands like that, you look like an angel. Izumi T-that’s too much praise! Masumi It’s not too much. You’re always as pretty and cute as an angel. *Sigh*, I like you…
Izumi	(I guess we were able to buy all the decorations, more or less.
	After is—)
	Ah, this… is the mini version of the large nutcracker doll that was displayed at the entrance earlier.
	It’s so cute. …It’s probably fine if I buy one for myself.
	Which colour should I choose…
	Alright, I’ll go with this little guy clad in red!
Masumi	…Director, the cashier?
Izumi	Right, let’s go pay.
Cashier	Welcome.
Izumi	Here you go.
Masumi	…!
	That’s…
Izumi	Ah, the nutcracker doll?
	It was cute so I bought one for myself.
Masumi	…You don’t need that doll.
	It’s fine as long as you have me.
Izumi	Enough, won't you stop competing with the doll?
Masumi	...

Izumi	We’re home.
Citron	Welcome!
Muku	Welcome back!
Izumi	Kazunari-kun, we bought the things you asked for.
Kazunari	Thanks!
Sakyo	I was sayin’ it’d be fine to use the same decorations as last year though…
Yuki	Trends change, you know?
Azami	Senior citizens don’t have a clue.
Sakyo	What’d you say?
Citron	No, no, no fighting~.
Kazunari	Ohh~! All the ornaments are ultra adorbs~!
	Director-chan and Massu both have a great eye!
Yuki	Heh, isn’t this ribbon colour pretty cute?
Kumon	Huh? This is…
Muku	Wahh, it’s a nutcracker doll!
Izumi	I bought this for myself.
Masumi	…
Muku	How cute. Oh right, speaking of nutcracker dolls, there’s a famous story, right!
Izumi	Yeah, yeah, there's a ballet performance!
Yuki	I’ve heard of it before, but I don’t think I’ve ever watched it properly.
Chikage	If it’s Sakyo-san, then it seems like he’d have a DVD or something, right?
Sakyo	…Well, I do have one.
Kazunari	Srsly!? Then let’s hold a viewing party!
Kumon	That’s Kazu-san for you!
Citron	Sounds fun!
Sakyo	Geez…
	Well, I guess it’s good fuel for our performances.
Masumi	…Where are you displaying that?
Izumi	This nutcracker doll? Umm…
	Since I went out of my way to buy it for myself, I guess my room?
Masumi	…
Citron	Oh, Masumi’s gelled up.
Chikage	By that, don’t you mean jealous?
	Director’s in a tough spot too.
Masumi	Hey, display me too.
Izumi	Yeah, no way.
Masumi	…
Kazunari	‘Kay, let’s use these to decorate the inside of the dorm tomorrow!
Muku	Yes! I’ll also help.
Citron	I will help too~!
Kumon	Me too!
Izumi	Ah, sorry, I have plans to watch a play with my friend tomorrow…
Kazunari	No worries! We’ll decorate it to the max so your jaw will drop when you get back!
Muku	Please enjoy the play.
Izumi	Thanks.
	I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s decorations.
Masumi	…I can’t accept this.
Tsuzuru	Hah?
Masumi	…That doll.
Tsuzuru	Ahh, the nutcracker doll Director bought, huh?
	Are you still talking about that…
	Geez, what’s the point of being jealous of a doll?
	Look, it’s already bedtime so I’m turning the lights off.
	*light flicks off*
Masumi	…
	…More than that doll, I’m…
	…
	(…?
	This is… Director’s room?)
	(…! I can’t move my body…)
	(What's happening? Also, these clothes…)
???	*Yaaawn*…
Masumi	...!

Izumi	Mmm… Huh, morning…?
Masumi	(…! Director…?)
	(Director’s so big I have to look up.)
Izumi	…
Masumi	(She’s coming this way…!)
Izumi	Hmmm… it’s drab displaying the nutcracker doll on its own…
	If there’s any extra decorations, I’ll ask Kazunari-kun to give me some.
Masumi	(Nutcracker doll…?)
	(…! No way…
	Did I become the nutcracker doll…?)
Izumi	Let’s see, what time is…uh, EH!?
	It’s this hour!? I’m late for my meeting!
	*ring*
	Hello! Sorry, I just woke up…!
	What time do the doors open again?
Masumi	(That reminds me, yesterday, Director said she's going to go watch a play.)
Izumi	Got it, see you later!
	*hangs up*
	Crap… I have no time!
	I have to change clothes first…!
Masumi	!?!?!?
Izumi	Ok, ready.
	Alright, I gotta hurry to the station!
Masumi	(It felt like I was closing my eyes for forever…)
	(?
	Some paper fell when Director grabbed her bag just now…)
	(…The stage ticket!)
	(Director, the ticket!
	Damn it, I can barely move my body…)
	(MOVE…!)
	!?
	*clattering*
Izumi	Eh? I heard something fall…
	Ah, the nutcracker doll!
	Oh, my ticket fell too!
	That was close, I was about to leave this behind.
	…Could it be, this little guy was telling me I forgot my ticket?
Masumi	(Her face is so close…!)
Izumi	Fufu, thank you.
Masumi	…!
	(Director’s smiling—)
	…
	…?
Tsuzuru	So you finally woke up?
	Sakuya just came to wake us up.
Masumi	…A dream?
Tsuzuru	We’re helping decorate today, aren’t we?
	Let’s eat breakfast quickly and—.
Masumi	…! Tsuzuru, where’s Director?
Tsuzuru	Eh? If it’s Director, then isn’t she still in her room?
Masumi	…tch.
	*leaves*
Tsuzuru	O-oi, Masumi!?
	*knock, knock*
Izumi	Hm? Come in.
	Masumi-kun?
Masumi	Director, did you bring your ticket?
Izumi	Eh? The one for today, right?
	Of course I put it in my bag… Huh?
	Ahh, I left it on my desk!
	That was close…!
	Thanks! I would’ve forgotten it if Masumi-kun hadn’t told me.
Masumi	That’s a relief.
	...I don't want to lose to that doll.

Anna