Muku Sakisaka/Apprentice Zookeeper

Come Around, Souta-kun

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Izumi	I can’t believe that Citron-kun is good friends with the head zookeeper.
Muku	Yes! I’m really happy that we can lend a hand with taking care of the animals, thanks to him!
	Alright, since I’m the one who is assigned with this task, I’ll do my very best!
Izumi	You’re pretty motivated, Muku-kun.
Muku	Yes, of course!
Zookeeper	Hello~ Are you two the one’s in charge with helping out today?
Izumi	Yes, we’re looking forward to working with you today!
Muku	I’m Muku Sakisaka! I’m looking forward to working with you today! I’ll do my very best to help out!
Zookeeper	Ahaha, you’re pretty motivated! How reliable. Thanks for taking on the task to help out.
Zookeeper	I’d like you two to be in charge of taking care of the red panda, Souta-kun.
Izumi	Ah, could this Souta-kun be the same famously adopted red panda that appears on the news?
Muku	Eh, are you sure!?
Izumi	Yeah, he’s pretty famous for being on the news because of how cute he looks when he’s standing up.
Muku	Really? I’d love to see that…!
Zookeeper	Well, there's actually one problem…
Muku	A problem?
Zookeeper	Lately he’s been reluctant to stand up for some reason, and won’t listen to what I say…
Zookeeper	I don’t completely understand the reason why, maybe he’s in a rebellious phase…
Izumi	I wonder why… I guess red panda’s can also go through rebellious phases, huh.
Muku	Understood! In that case, I’ll do my best to get Souta-kun to stand up before the event starts!
Zookeeper	Thank you! If anyone can befriend Souta-kun, it’s you.
Izumi	Alright, then I’ll also pull in my weight and help out!
Muku	Thank you very much!
	[Later]
Muku	I guess we should start by trying to befriend him.
Izumi	That’s right, we should try to get him to open up to us.
Muku	Umm, it’s nice to meet you Souta-kun! My name is Muku Sakisaka, I’m looking forward to helping you out!
Souta	...
Muku	Umm, Souta-kun, come here~! It’s snack time~!
Souta	...
Izumi	Uhh, he doesn’t seem interested at all… Maybe he didn’t notice?
Muku	In that case, I’ll try to get a little closer! Souta-kun~
Souta	!?
Muku	Wah!?
Izumi	Wah, he got startled and ran away…
Muku	D-don’t be scared, everything’s fine~
Souta	Pui.
Muku	Souta-kun…
	I figured. If the zookeeper was having such a hard time winning him over, then there’s no way I’ll be able to befriend Souta-kun…
Izumi	M-Muku-kun… He just met you, so maybe he’s still shy.
Muku	B-but…
Izumi	If you don’t give up and keep trying, he’ll eventually come around!
	Right? Muku-kun, let’s do our best together!
Muku	…You’re right.
	There will be a lot of people gathering at the event this time around, so I have to show everyone the wonderful sides of Souta-kun…!
	I’ll do my best!

Muku	Hey, Souta-kun.
Souta	...
Muku	I have a really tasty apple, so let’s…
Souta	Pui.
Muku	Umm, then let’s play with this ball!
Souta	Pui.
Muku	He ran away again…
Izumi	He doesn’t seem to be paying much attention to us…
Muku	Sigh…What do we do?
	I want to befriend him, but Souta-kun won’t even look at me…
Izumi	Muku-kun…
Muku	It’s because I’m more useless than an apple or a ball, and my brain is lighter than a dried out bamboo leaf…
	Uuuu…
Izumi	(M-Muku-kun fell to his knees…)
	Don’t feel discouraged, if it’s Muku-kun then you’ll definitely—
Souta	...
	—Pat.
Muku	Eh?
Izumi	Eh, Souta-kun…?
Souta	…Hmph.
Muku	Souta-kun is standing up to put his hand on my head…!
	Souta-kun finally looked in my direction!
	Director-san! Does this mean he opened up to me?
Izumi	Y-Yeah! I think so!
	(Though it seems like Souta-kun is really pitying you…)
Muku	Thank you for showing me such kindness, Souta-kun. I would like to become closer and get to know you better!
Souta	Kyu.
Izumi	(Thinking about it, I think he’s really grown from earlier when he was completely ignoring us.)
	It’d be great if you could keep this vibe going and become closer!
Muku	Yes!

RedBungyMK