Masumi Usui/MANKAI Glitter

To ARIES: Masumi

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

TV	“A popular romance novel, now adapted for the big screen!”
	“I'm in love with you! I’m younger than you, and I might not be reliable… But I love you!"
Masumi	………
Muku	Ah! It’s the commercial for “I Will Deliver This Love”, right?
Masumi	They’re the same ages as Director and I…
Muku	Wahh, that’s wonderful that the two protagonists are the same ages as you two!
	Haaah, what if the same thing in the movie actually happens…!?
Masumi	!
	(…It might become reference for my future with Director.)
Citron	Masumi, we’re coming in!
Masumi	What do you want at this hour?
Tsuzuru	I called everyone over.
Masumi	Hmmm.
Tsuzuru	You sure don’t sound interested!
	It has something to do with you, you know?
Masumi	Me?
Tsuzuru	It’ll be your birthday soon, right?
	That’s why I called everyone over to choose the place we should go together.
Sakuya	Do you have somewhere you’d like to go, Masumi-kun?
Masumi	I don’t really have anywhere I want to go with you guys.
	If I’m going, then going with Director is fine.
Itaru	That's Masumi as usual.
Chikage	He doesn’t waver, huh?
Citron	We want to celebrate for Masumi too!
Itaru	In that case, we’ll invite Director-san too.
Masumi	I’ll go if Director comes.
Tsuzuru	Ok, then all of us, including Director, will go somewhere.
Chikage	Do you have anything in mind—like shopping for clothes for example?
Sakuya	Anything is fine!
Masumi	Anything…?
	Ah.
Citron	Do you have an idea?
Masumi	I've been wanting to go watch a movie.
Chikage	Then let’s go with that.
Tsuzuru	But it doesn’t feel like a celebration if we only watch a movie.
Citron	Your cow is wrong with eating while discussing our impressions with each other after the movie!
Itaru	You can’t go wrong.
Sakuya	That’s true, let’s go out to eat afterwards!
	Masumi-kun, do you have anything you want to eat?
Masumi	I wanna eat fresh spring rolls.
Chikage	Well, there is a Vietnamese restaurant close to the movie theatre.
	How about I make a reservation there?
Itaru	Alright, we’ll leave the restaurant to you.
	I’ll buy the movie tickets.
	Masumi, which movie did you wanna watch?
Masumi	“I Will Deliver This Love”.
Sakuya	That’s the romance movie you see in the TV commercials these days, right?
Citron	Sounds interesting!
Itaru	Huh? But that movie’s about…
Masumi	What?
Itaru	Uh nevermind, it’s nothing.
Tsuzuru	But it’s kinda unusual for Masumi to say that he wants to watch a romance flick.
Sakuya	That’s true.
Masumi	I’ll use it as future reference for Director and I.
Chikage	So that’s why, huh?
Citron	He never changes!
Itaru	I see. ...I hope it'll be helpful though.

Izumi	I never thought that I’d be invited to the movie too.
Masumi	It’s because I didn’t want to go without you.
Itaru	That’s what he said, so we also got Director-san to come along.
Tsuzuru	It’s a request from today’s main lead.
Izumi	Ah, I see.
CHOICE 1: I’m happy that you invited me. [+] Izumi I saw the commercial for that movie and was a bit curious about it too, so I’m happy that you invited me. Masumi You too…? Maybe we really do get along well. Tsuzuru Your motive for watching it seems different though. Izumi I can’t wait to see what kind of film it is. Masumi I’ll enjoy any movie if I’m with you. Izumi But I’m kind of surprised you chose a romance flick, Masumi-kun. Masumi Tsuzuru and them said the same thing… But I’m glad if you got to know a part of me that’s slightly unexpected. Izumi Fufu, there’s still sides of you I don’t know, hm?
CHOICE 2: I’m not bothering you guys, am I? [+] Izumi I’m not bothering you guys, am I? Masumi There’s no way you would. Rather, it’d be great if it was the two of us. Itaru I thought you’d say that. Chikage He doesn't betray our expectations. Sakuya Ahaha… That sounds like Masumi-kun, alright. Citron Masumi, today’s a day to have fun with all of us! Izumi That’s right. We’re celebrating Masumi-kun’s birthday today, so let’s all have fun together! Masumi …Alright.
Izumi	There’s still a bit of time until the screening starts.
Sakuya	Itaru-san, our seats are…
Itaru	They’re numbers 12~18 for the premium box seats.
	These seats are the best since they’re wide, and they’re right in the middle of the theatre.
Izumi	We’re sitting in premium box seats—that’s amazing!
Tsuzuru	This might be the first time for me.
Citron	Itaru splurged!
Itaru	Well, it’s a birthday celebration, right?
Masumi	I’ll sit in the seat next to Director.
Itaru	Sure, sure. Masumi’s beside Director-san.
	Here's your ticket.
Chikage	It looks like our seats are here.
Masumi	This spot is amazing; it’s easy to see, and Director is right beside me.
Tsuzuru	I’m beside you too, you know?
Izumi	You're right that it’s really easy to see from here.
Sakuya	The chair is cushy too!
Citron	That’s the premium box for you!
Itaru	If you guys are that happy, then I’m glad I secured the reservation on the premium box seats.
Chikage	I think the cinema ads are about to start.
Masumi	(This movie will show me Director and I's future together…)
	I can’t wait to see what kind of story it’ll be.
Izumi	Fufu, same.
Masumi	…
Izumi	Are you ok, Masumi-kun…?
Masumi	Why did it end like that…
Itaru	As I thought, it had a tragic love ending.
Sakuya	You knew, Itaru-san?
Itaru	Well, it’s because I'm familiar with the original work.
Masumi	Why didn’t you tell me?
Itaru	I didn’t want to dampen your spirit since you said you wanted to watch it, and sometimes the ending gets changed when a work gets adapted into a movie, right?
	Also, more importantly, that would’ve been a spoiler.
Masumi	…
Sakuya	It’s true that the love was tragic, but the story was great, right?
Izumi	Yeah, I was moved.
Tsuzuru	It was really educational for me as well, as a scriptwriter.
Citron	At the end, the screen was soaked with tears~!
Masumi	I'm not gonna use that as reference.
	I’ll never forgive you for not telling me it was a tragic love story.
Itaru	I was just avoiding spoilers though.
Izumi	Reference?
Tsuzuru	Ahh, it’s nothing.
Chikage	Now, now. Let’s pull ourselves together and go eat fresh spring rolls?
Sakuya	Yeah, I’m starving!
Citron	Let’s go!
Izumi	Come on, aren’t you coming, Masumi-kun?
Masumi	I’m going. I’ll go anywhere if it’s with you.
Izumi	That tasted great—!
Citron	Both the fresh spring rolls, and tom yam-chan were the best!
Tsuzuru	Who’s tom yam-chan!
	It’s tom yam kung.
Sakuya	That reminds me, you have to make a wish to the Hello Celestial Sphere when we get home!
Masumi	…Right, there was something like that too.
Tsuzuru	The Hello Celestial Sphere is an item where if you make a wish to it during your own birthday month, it’ll make that “what-if world” come true for just one day.
Chikage	That's what they say.
Izumi	Have you decided on a wish, Masumi-kun?
Masumi	I’ve chosen, more or less.
Itaru	I mean, I can pretty much guess what Masumi's wish will be.
Tsuzuru	Right?
Masumi	…I definitely don’t want to end up in a tragic love story with her.
Izumi	We’re home.
Citron	We are back~!
Omi	Welcome.
Izumi	Are you preparing dinner, Omi-kun?
Omi	Yeah, I’m just making it now.
Izumi	Then I’ll lend a hand too.
Omi	That helps.
Sakuya	Alright, I’ll bring the Hello Celestial Sphere over so please wait here, everyone!
Itaru	Roger that.
Sakuya	I’ve brought the Hello Celestial Sphere.
	Make a wish, Masumi-kun.
Masumi	…I got it.
	Hello, Oh, Stars of Aries… I want to become Director’s significant other.
	And also, I want to experience a dramatic, unforgettable love...

Izumi	Ok, let’s start rehearsal.
Masumi	(Director hasn’t changed from her usual self…
	I knew it, there’s no way that kind of tool would grant my wish.)
Izumi	We watched a romance film yesterday, so how about we try doing some romance-themed etudes today?
Sakuya	Great idea!
Citron	Sounds interesting!
Chikage	We rarely do romantic etudes so that sounds fine, doesn’t it?
Itaru	I agree.
Tsuzuru	I wanna try it too.
Masumi	(…I feel like their reactions are different from usual.
	Something's off…)
Izumi	Masumi-kun will play my boyfriend!
Masumi	!
	I’m playing your boyfriend…?
Izumi	Yeah!
Masumi	It's not the real thing, but I’m happy to be chosen by you.
Izumi	Alright, then let’s get started right away.
	I was really looking forward to our date at the park today~.
Masumi	I’m happy I get to go on a date with you too. Love you.
Izumi	Me too.
Itaru	Hold on!
Izumi	!? Itaru-san…?
Itaru	I lost you, but then I realized how precious you are to me!
	Let’s start over one more time, Izumi!
Masumi	What are you saying? She’s mine.
Izumi	…Sorry, Masumi-kun.
	The truth is, I couldn't forget about Itaru-san, even now!
Masumi	Eh…
	I don’t like this conclusion. Start over.
Izumi	Ok, let’s try it one more time from the top.
Masumi	(…Itaru appeared when we went to the park. I’ll choose a different location next.)
	I’ll buy you the clothes that you like.
Izumi	Really? I’m so happy!
Masumi	I think this would look nice on you.
Chikage	You sure have no taste. This here would suit her more.
Izumi	Oh, true. I think I like this one better too!
Masumi	Eh?
Chikage	I’ll choose the outfit for you that suits you best. Come here.
Izumi	Ok!
Masumi	(Dumped again…)
	Let’s redo it one more time.
	(An outside setting is no good…)
	For the next scenario, I’ve called Director over to my house.
Izumi	Sure, I got it.
	This is the first time I’ve been to your home, right, Masumi-kun?
Masumi	Come in.
Izumi	Thanks, sorry for the intrusion.
Sakuya	Welcome home, Masumi nii-chan!
	Is that person nii-chan’s girlfriend? Can I play with you too?
Masumi	(…If he’s my little brother, then I don’t need to worry about him taking Director away, right?)
	Yeah, sure.
Sakuya	Really!? Thank you!
	Onee-chan, are you going home already? I wanted to play more though.
	I fell in love with you, Izumi onee-chan.
Izumi	He's so cute…! Sorry, Masumi-kun.
	I can’t say no to Sakuya-kun’s confession!
Masumi	Another heartbreak…
	One more time, from the top.
	This time, Director and I are taking a stroll for our date.
Izumi	Nice weather today, huh?
Masumi	Yeah, it’s a beautiful day for a walk.
Citron	IZUMI!?
Izumi	EH!? What are you doing here…
Citron	Who is that man?
	How dare you cheat even though you have me!
Masumi	What does he mean? I'm not your first choice?
Izumi	Masumi-kun… I’m so sorry!
Masumi	Why me…
	…One more time.
	Where should we go today?
Izumi	I’ll go where you want to go!
Masumi	Then…
Tsuzuru	So you were here, Izumi?
	I’ve been looking for you.
	I kept quiet about it, but… I’ll be heading abroad next month.
	That why I wanted to confess to you before then…
	I’ve been pretending that we’re just childhood friends this whole time, but I’m actually in love with you.
	I want you to come overseas with me…!
Izumi	Tsuzuru-kun…
Masumi	(This flow… will probably lead to another tragic end.)
	…You can choose who you like.
Izumi	Eh…?
Masumi	I love you so much, Izumi, so I don’t want you to go.
	But… You should choose the person who you truly want to be with.
Izumi	Masumi-kun…
	…You’re the only one I love, Masumi-kun.
	I want to stay by your side forever.
Masumi	…!
	(I know it’s just an act, but I want to hug Director right now.
	But I can’t do something like that…)
	(No, well, it’s an etude so maybe it’s ok if I hug her just a little…)
	…!
Tsuzuru	Oi, Masumi! Are you half-asleep!?
Masumi	!
	Too close, get away from me.
Tsuzuru	You get away! Don’t hold on to me!
Masumi	…*Sigh*, worst morning ever.
Tsuzuru	You… Even though I was worried and came over to check on you since you were tossing in your sleep...
Masumi	…Was that a dream just now?
Tsuzuru	Did something happen?
Masumi	It’s nothing.
	(Even though it was a dream, I learned a lot from it, both in a good sense and bad sense.
	I’ll use that as reference for my future with Director.)

Anna