Muku Sakisaka/Aquamarine Dream

Greeting Card

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Kumon	Muku, have you thought about your return gift for Director?
Muku	Return gift—could you mean for White Day?
Kumon	Yeah!
Muku	That’s coming up soon, huh?
	But I haven’t given it any thought yet…
Kumon	I see, me neither.
	I’m stuck over what to choose… Ah, crap.
	Director’s coming this way!
	Thanks, Muku! Good night!
Muku	Yeah, good night.
	(I have to start thinking about it too…)
	(I wonder what I should pick as a present this year.)
Kazunari	And DONE~!
Muku	Wahh!
Kazunari	Ah, my bad! Did I surprise you?
Muku	Oh, no, it’s fine.
Kazunari	Hey, hey, Mukkun.
	Try opening this card.
Muku	Eh? Ok, sure.
	Wah, a birthday cake sprung out!
	Is this a pop-up greeting card?
Kazunari	Bingo! I made it since a friend’s b-day is coming up!
Muku	It looks like a card sold at a store, but it’s handmade.
	You’re amazing, Kazu-kun.
Kazunari	You could make one too, Mukkun!
Muku	You think so…?
Kazunari	We made a pop-up picture book before, right?
	You make them the same way.
Muku	Ah, in that case, I think I could do it too!
Kazunari	Yep, I know you can!
Muku	(A pop-up greeting card, huh…)
	(Director might be happy if I gave her one together with my White Day present.)
	…I guess I’ll try making a card too.
Kazunari	Mukkun, it sounds like you have someone you'd like to give it to in mind?
Muku	Ehehe, yes, you’re right.
Kazunari	Then you gotta make it!
	If there’s any part of the process you’re not sure about, ask away!
Muku	Right, thank you!
	(I’d like to make the pop-up image something that Director-san likes.)
	(I’ll try finding out what Director-san has been into lately!)
	(Ah, it’s Director-san.
	She’s looking at something on her smartphone…?)
	What are you looking at?
Izumi	It’s a curry information site.
	It has tons of updates, so I’m checking it all the time.
Muku	That’s amazing there’s that many updates!
Izumi	Yeah, you can just feel the love for curry, right?
	There’s plenty of information about popular curries and restaurants too.
	Just by looking at it, I start wanting to eat…
Muku	Fufu, that site makes you hungry, right?
	Um… Director-san, is there something you’ve been into these days?
Izumi	Something I’ve been into recently? Hmmm… Ah!
	Maybe the massaman curry they serve at that café that opened in the neighbouring city.
	It has a rich peanut and coconut milk flavour, and it’s really delicious.
Muku	Oh, is it? I’ll check that out next time!
Izumi	Ah, I have to get going soon.
	It’d be bad if they run out…
Muku	Where are you going?
Izumi	Kareko-chan goods were released so I thought I’d go buy some before they sell out.
Muku	Director-san, you like Kareko-chan?
Izumi	Yep, I’ve been looking forward to this so I definitely want to snatch some up!
	Alright, I’ll be off.
Muku	Have a safe trip.
	(What’s Kareko-chan? I’ll look it up on my smartphone.)
	Search for “Kareko-chan”… Ah, here it is!
	…A cute mascot character for curry?
	It’s curry again.
	Fufu, as expected of Director-san.

Muku	(…What should I do about the pop-up picture? Should I go with Kareko-chan?)
Izumi	Huh, Muku-kun… and William?
Muku	Ah, Director-san! Welcome back!
Izumi	I’m home. What are you doing?
Muku	I haven’t been able to take William out recently, so we’re basking in the sun together.
Izumi	William looks really happy. Can I stay here for a bit too?
Muku	Of course!
	That reminds me, were you able to buy the Kareko-chan goods?
Izumi	They were low on stock and it was battle to get them, but I was able to buy them safely.
Muku	A battle… Good job.
	That’s great you could buy them.
	William says, “take your time and get some rest, Director-san”.
	…Just kidding.
CHOICE 1: Thanks. [+] Izumi Fufu, thanks. William’s so cute, and I feel at ease when I look at him. Muku I’m happy to hear Director-san say so. Izumi You take really great care of William so he’s always fluffy and soft to touch, huh? Muku I’ll keep looking after William so he can continue to stay this way…! Izumi Yeah, keep cherishing him, ok?
CHOICE 2: You understand how William feels, huh? [+] Izumi Fufu. Muku-kun, you understand how William feels, huh? Thanks for letting me know in his place. I feel totally refreshed! Muku Do you mean it? Izumi Yeah! William’s cute and fluffy, and I feel better just by looking at him. When I want to recharge, is it alright if I come see him again? Muku Yes, of course.
	(I know… I’ll use William for the pop-up image!)
	I think it goes like this…
Kazunari	Mukkun, that William’s such a cutie!
	Is that the picture for your greeting card?
Muku	Yes, I was wondering what would work…
	But I thought William might be nice.
Kazunari	You can’t go wrong with William, right? I’m sure she’ll be super happy!
	And just like I thought, there’s curry on the card.
Muku	Could it be, you realized who I’m giving this to, Kazu-kun…?
Kazunari	I mean, it’s that time of the year, so it’s none other than Director-chan, right!
Muku	Wahhh, I knew it!
	Keep this a secret from Director-san, ok!
Kazunari	‘Course, my lips are sealed, so no worries.
Muku	But will she really be happy with this?
	Maybe Kareko-chan would've been better after all…
Kazunari	It’s fine! If it’s made by Mukun, I think she’ll love it no matter what the picture is.
	Also, you made this William legit really well, so be confident!
Muku	Ehehe, that’s true.
	Thanks, Kazu-kun.
	…Finished!
	(I wrote the message too, so now I just have to hand it to Director-san…)
Kazunari	I’m back~.
Muku	Welcome back, Kazu-kun.
	The greeting card is finished!
Kazunari	Ah, it is. It turned out ultra cute!
Muku	Ehehe, thank you.
Kazunari	Hey, hey, Mukkun.
	On that topic, what'd you buy for Director-chan’s return gift~?
Muku	Return gift…
	HAH! What should I do; I haven’t bought anything…
Kazunari	Eh, seriously!?
Muku	I was so focused on the card, I forgot to go buy one!
	I have to go buy something right now…!
	Uuhh, it slipped my mind since I’m a good-for-nothing, dried out apple…
Kazunari	Chill out, Mukkun, you still have time—!

Anna