Masumi Usui/Running Through Kyo no Machi

Seriously Angry Saito-san

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Izumi	(For the training camp this time, the members went through various ascetic experiences at the temple lodging, and they were given training in sword fighting—)
	(And on top of that, they filled in as substitutes for the Shinsengumi.
	It was a lot of work, but it became a great experience for them.)
Masumi	…Director.
Izumi	Huh, Masumi-kun.
	What’s wrong?
Masumi	You were nowhere to be found so I came looking for you.
	Since it’s getting dark already…
	And there’s also weird guys causing trouble around.
Izumi	(So he was so worried that he came all the way here to find me.)
	Sorry for worrying you.
	Thank you, Masumi-kun.
Masumi	…I’ll protect you.
Izumi	Yeah, that’s reassuring.
	(Masumi-kun is straightforward as always…)
Masumi	—Director? Is something on your mind?
Izumi	Oh, no. I was just remembering various things about the training camp this time.
	It was a really useful experience, right?
CHOICE 1: How was it for Masumi-kun? [+] Izumi How was it for Masumi-kun? Masumi …It’s true there were lots of things I learned for the first time at the sword fighting practices. And I think the show was good experience too. Izumi Right, right. Masumi And more importantly… I was happy that I could do the ascetic training and walk around the park with you, Director. I'm happy no matter when or where I am as long as I'm with you though. …Hey, did you have fun too? Izumi Of course! Masumi I’m glad…
CHOICE 2: The show was cool. [+] Izumi The show was really cool. Masumi-kun’s Saito Hajime also looked good. Masumi Really? Izumi Yeah! Your sword fighting has gotten better and better too. Masumi I’m so happy… You were watching me closely. If you’re by my side, I can do anything and I can do my best. …I’ll get even better from now on too. So keep watching me, always.
	Director… I lov—.
Izumi	Achoo!
Masumi	!
	Are you ok?
Izumi	Sorry, I’m fine.
	It’s a bit cold at night though, huh?
Masumi	…In that case, I’ll warm you up.
Izumi	Eh?
Masumi	Director—.
Kondo	Oh, you’re here!
	Director-san!
Izumi	Ah, Kondo-san!
Masumi	Tch…
Izumi	Come on now, Masumi-kun.
	Kondo-san, what’s the matter?
Kondo	Ahh, actually, it seems it’ll take a little bit longer for those guys who were done in by food poisoning to come back to work…
	So, I really apologize for this, but could everyone from the Theatre company sub-in for just one more day?
Izumi	Of course we don’t mind!
	We’ll be in your care.
Kondo	Thank goodness! You saved us.
	Same here, we’ll be counting on you.
Izumi	Alright everyone, let’s do our best today as well.
Tsuzuru	Yes!
Chikage	So our main job today is to patrol inside the park?
Izumi	Yes. Each Shinsengumi member has his own area, so please perform while making your rounds around there.
	I guess Omi-kun and Sakuya-kun will patrol around their designated routes as ronin.
Banri	And if there’s any rude fellas there, we’ll get involved ‘n deal with ‘em as ronin.
Azami	It’s like doin’ street acts while callin’ out to the guests, right?
Omi	Doing etudes as a villain, huh… It seems I can make use of my experience from my previous performances.
Sakuya	I’m a bit anxious since I'm not used to this setup…
	But I’ll learn while watching Omi-san and try my best!
Izumi	Yeah! Good luck.
Taichi	Pleeease wait a moment~~!!

Taichi	Why am I the princess again!?
Banri	Haha, it looks good on you so ain’t it fine?
Masumi	…It doesn’t feel off.
Izumi	S-sorry.
	Taichi-kun’s princess was well received, so.
Sakyo	‘S also too late to become a ronin now. You’ll combine your role study as a princess with practice this time around, so play your part well.
Taichi	I mean, it's not that I don't get why I gotta study for this kinda role, but~...
Izumi	You play the role of a princess who’s cute and feels friendly.
	I think this is a performance only Taichi-kun can pull off.
Taichi	R-really…?
Izumi	Yes!
Taichi	I see…
	Alright, I’ll play the role of the princess perfectly!
	I’ll put on a performance that’s so popular, it won’t lose to the Shinsengumi!
Citron	Yooo, Taichi!
	That’s the skillet!
Tsuzuru	That’s the spirit.
Izumi	Alright then, I’ll distribute the papers with the designated posts written down on them.
	Please head towards the place that’s written there.
Itaru	Roger.
Juza	Our station’s the ninja’s residence, huh?
Azami	I’m at the street of tenement houses.
Masumi	…
Izumi	…?
	Masumi-kun?
Masumi	What are you going to do?
Izumi	I’ll go around the park while taking a look at how everyone’s doing.
Masumi	Then I’ll do that too.
Izumi	You can’t do that.
	Masumi-kun, you have your own designated post, right?
Masumi	You’re the only one I’m protecting.
	So it’s no use protecting a place if you're not there.
Itaru	A guy who actually says that kind of line exists…?
	I’ve heard it in games before, but this is my first time hearing it IRL.
Chikage	Well that’s Masumi for you.
Tsuzuru	It can’t be helped, I’ll bring him along by force—.
Izumi	Masumi-kun.
	Today you’re Shinsengumi’s Saito Hajime.
	So perform your duty properly. I’m also anticipating seeing Masumi-kun in action as Saito Hajime.
Masumi	…You’re anticipating it?
	—I understand, I’ll be off.
Citron	Ohh, well done, Director!
Sakuya	As expected of Director!
Itaru	Director-san’s the only one who can keep Masumi in check after all.
Chikage	That’s right.
Tsuzuru	Good grief…
Izumi	(Yep, everyone’s doing a good job of making their rounds.
	It also looks like they’re getting good reception from the guests, so I’m relieved.)
	(It’s almost break time, huh… I wonder if I should take a rest at the teahouse…)
???	Aren’t you super cute, princess~!
	Are you havin’ tea now? Hey, hey, how ‘bout we join you?
Izumi	(…Hm?)
Taichi	Ahaha… I-I must decline~.
Izumi	(Taichi-kun's tangled up with some guests…!)
Taichi	I’ve gotten separated from my attendant…
	So I must return to my residence now.
Man A	Aw, don’t say that!
	Stay here with me ‘til your attendant comes lookin’ for ya!
Izumi	(He can’t move very well in that princess outfit and he can’t break character in a place where other customers are watching…)
	U-um! I’m very sorry to interrupt.
	The princess has to move along to her next arrangement.
Taichi	…!
Man A	Huh, her attendant? Or a staff member?
Man B	Hold on, this girl’s cute too, eh!
	I’ll treat ya so let’s have tea together! Do y’all like sweet stuff?
Izumi	Please stop this.
	I’ll call for the Shinsengumi!
Man A	Ahaha, how adorable!
	Hey now, come over here!
Izumi	…Uwah!?
Man B	Why’re you huggin’ her shoulders—ain’t that sly!?
Man A	Hahaha.
Taichi	Ughh, I’m at my limit—.
???	Oi.
Izumi	!
Masumi	Get away from that girl.
Man A	Hey…
Masumi	I said get away from her. Couldn’t you hear?
	A lawless ronin who disturbs the capital.
	It seems you wish to be sliced by my katana.
	*unsheathes sword*
Man B	Eeek…!
Izumi	(M-Masumi-kun… he’s acting as Saito Hajime who calmly cracks down on lawless ronin, but…)
Taichi	He’s super pissed…
	His eyes are serious…
Man A	O-oi.
Man B	A-ahh.
	Sorry ‘bout that, we’ll be going now!
Man A	Excuse us!
Masumi	…I won’t let you get away.
	*runs off*
Izumi	EHH!?
	Masumi-kun!?
Taichi	This looks bad!
	Director-sensei, we should run after them too!

Masumi	HALT!
Man A	H-he’s persistent!
Man B	How long is he gonna follow us!?
Guest A	What’s that, what’s that?
Guest B	Maybe some kind of show?
Masumi	…I’ve got you, you ruffians.
Man A	Eeeeek! W-we’re so sorry!
Man B	We won’t do it anymore! P-please forgive us!
MasumI	I told you I won’t forgive you.
Man A	No way…!
Izumi	*Pant, pant*…!
	W-we finally caught up…!
Taichi	R-runnin’ in a kimono's way too tough…!
Juza	Oi, did somethin’ happen?
Sakuya	Are you alright!?
Izumi	Everyone else came, huh?
Taichi	Actually—.
Tsuzuru	I get that he saved you two, but as expected, this is going way too far.
Citron	Masumi’s seriously angry?
Taichi	But I’m not quite sure what made Masumi-kun so mad…
Sakyo	Oi, the hell are you guys doin’?
Itaru	Ah, Sakyo-san.
Sakyo	Did somethin’ happen?
Masumi	…Those guys wrapped their arms around Director’s shoulders.
Tsuzuru	…Hah?
Masumi	Even though I failed last night…
	I can’t forgive those guys for beating me to it.
Izumi	Last night?
	…Ah, come to think of it…
	*flashback starts*
Masumi	…In that case, I’ll warm you up.
Izumi	Eh?
Masumi	Director—.
Kondo	Oh, you’re here!
	Director-san!
Izumi	Ah, Kondo-san!
Masumi	Tch…
	*flashback ends*
Izumi	(Does he mean back then…!?)
Tsuzuru	Isn’t that entirely just your personal grudge?
Masumi	That’s why I had to—.
Chikage	This is bad, Masumi’s forgotten his role.
Sakyo	—Have you gone mad, Saito?
Masumi	…She’s an important person to me. I’m losing my mind.
Taichi	As expected, Sakyo-nii, nice follow-up!
Masumi	Please concede on this matter.
Sakyo	I cannot step aside.
Masumi	Then I will cut you down.
	*unsheathes sword*
Sakyo	…You leave me no choice.
	I will bring you to your senses. Come.
	*unsheathes sword*
Masumi	Haaa!
	*clashes*
Izumi	Wait, you two—!
Guest A	Ehh, a duel between Hijikata and Saito?
Guest B	It looks like it’s over a woman.
Guest C	Woah, their swordfight is epic!
Izumi	Aren’t they adding whatever details they want to the setting!?
Taichi	On top of that, a crowd has gathered~.
Itaru	But you can’t deny that it’s a hot turn of events.
Juza	Those two’s swordfighting… ain’t nothin’ to scoff at.
Citron	It’s the result of our training camp!
Izumi	No, no, that part’s fine and all but they’re going overboard!
	F-for now, we have to stop them!
	The one who would be able to jump into their swordfight is…
	Chikage-san…!
Chikage	If even Yamanami entered the fray, then it’d be chaos, wouldn’t it?
Izumi	That’s true…
	(Having a ronin appear seems like it’d be a stretch too… What should I do…)
Itaru	…Ah.
	I have a good idea.
Izumi	Eh?
Itaru	Lend me your ear.
	…
Izumi	A-are you sure?
Itaru	It’s fine so give it a try.
Izumi	(I don’t know if this will work, but I have to try anyways. …Here goes!)
	—KYOKUCHU HATTO! One, private conflicts are forbidden!
	Those who violate the rules shall commit seppuku!
Masumi & Sakyo	—!!
Masumi	…
Sakyo	…
Izumi	T-they really backed down…
Itaru	See?
	*applause*
Guest A	That was interesting!
Guest B	Saito-san was splendid!
Sakuya	It’s a big hit with the guests too!
Taichi	All’s well that ends well, isn’t that right?
Masumi	…If it’s your order, then I’ll commit seppuku.
Izumi	EH!? H-hold on, Masumi-kun!
	Calm down!
	Ummm—Ah, thank you for saving me earlier!
	I was happy you came rushing in for me.
Masumi	Really?
	…Was I able to protect you?
Izumi	Yes!
Masumi	…That’s great.
Chikage	Has this been settled peacefully?
Citron	That’s our Director!
Tsuzuru	Director’s the only one who can stop Masumi after all, huh…

Anna