Muku Sakisaka/Ikenai Fantasy

Yaksha's Guidance

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Citron	Everyone has gathered together tonight for the Chief Priest and I.
	We’re very grape-full.
Tsuzuru	It’s grateful!
	I’ve heard that phrase before…
Sakuya	Good evening, Chief Priest!
Chief Priest	Good evening, everyone.
Chikage	Thank you again for last time.
Masumi	What do you need today?
Itaru	Seeing as the Chief Priest is here, could it be…
Chief Priest	Yes, I paid you all a visit to inquire about the test of courage at my temple.
Itaru	Called it.
Sakuya	Does that mean you haven’t gathered enough volunteers again this time?
Chief Priest	That is part of the reason. But the test of courage that all of you helped with went over so well, I definitely wanted to ask you again.
Tsuzuru	So, Chikage-san’s yaksha is a must?
Chief Priest	Oh, no. The focus this time isn’t angled so much on scaring people, so it’s not a necessity.
	Of course, he is welcome to participate though.
Chikage	…I see.
Chief Priest	That being said, I will leave the selection of the participants to you.
	Here is the schedule, so please consider it.
Citron	Got it!
	Leave the rest to us!
Chief Priest	Thank you very much.
	Now then, I shall excuse myself.
	*door closes*
Itaru	Alright, what should we do?
Sakuya	I’m sorry, I have work that day…
Masumi	I’ll do it if Director tells me to.
Tsuzuru	Geez, you…
Itaru	Why doesn’t senpai go again?
Chikage	It doesn’t sound that intense, so isn’t it fine leaving it to someone other than me?
	Besides, neither of us can make it then.
Itaru	Ah… The chaotic meeting day…
	Every department is mysteriously busy on that day.
Citron	What about Tsuzuru?
Tsuzuru	Sorry. I have something to do for school that day, so I can’t make it either.
Citron	Hmm, what a pickle.
	No one in Spring troupe can go…
	*door opens*
Muku	We’re home!
Yuki	We’re back.
Sakuya	Welcome home, Muku-kun, Yuki-kun!
	You’re late today, huh?
Muku	We had a long talk with a teacher and time just slipped by.
Yuki	What are you doing gathered together here?
Sakuya	So, actually…
Citron	And that’s why we’re looking for a demon who will participate in the temple’s test of courage.
Tsuzuru	Last time, Spring troupe helped out with Chikage-san as the highlight. But all our schedules are tight this time.
Yuki	Ah, that look we used as reference for the Genpei show, right?
Muku	Chikage-san as a yaksha…!?
	Wow, I just know he looked cool!
Chikage	Well then, how about Muku becomes the yaksha this time?
Muku	EHH!?
	N-no way. The difference between my yaksha and Chikage-san’s will be like heaven and earth, or like going to the bottom of the earth to Brazil…!
Yuki	Calm down.
Itaru	But I personally wanna see Muku as a yaksha.
Masumi	He’ll be a different type from Chikage.
Sakuya	I’d love to see Muku-kun’s yaksha too!
Citron	Me too!
	I definitely want Muku to take it on!
Muku	If all of you say so, then…
	I’ll do it!
Itaru	I have high expectations. Send pics, pls.
Tsuzuru	That helps a lot.
	Thanks, Muku.
Muku	E-excuse me, Chikage-san!
Chikage	What is it?
Muku	I’d like to consult with you for my yaksha role study, so won’t you accompany me for practise?
Chikage	Of course, no problem.
Muku	Thank you very much!

Muku	Tenma-kun, Kazu-kun. Thanks for coming for my yaksha practise today.
Tenma	I don’t mind, but…
	W-why are you purposely practicing in the courtyard at night!
Kazunari	It’s fine—it sets the mood!
	Anyways, I totes can’t wait to see your yaksha, Mukkun~!
Muku	I’m glad to be working with you today, Chikage-san.
Chikage	Same here. Well, the Chief Priest did say it doesn’t have to be that scary this time.
	I suppose, for now, you’re clear if you just scare Tenma.
Kazunari	Exactly! Take it easy!
Tenma	Why am I the standard!
Chikage	Now, now. Think of this for Muku too.
	…Muku, lend me your ear for a second.
Muku	What is it?
Chikage	…
Muku	Eh, but…
Chikage	Alright, go ahead and try it.
Muku	I-I understand…!
Tenma	Hm?
Muku	“To think you would appear in front of me so shamelessly…
	Foolish human, I shall tear you limb from limb…!”
Tenma	UWAHHH—!?!?
Muku	W-was that alright…?
Kazunari	That was legit AF, Mukkun!!
Chikage	Yes. I think your expression was superb as well.
	Tenma’s shaking in his boots.
Tenma	I-I was just a little surprised, is all!
Muku	Okay, in that case, I’ll do my best this way!
	It’s finally time.
	I’ll do my best for my yaksha role…!
Child A	Grams, it looks like there’s someone there. I’m scared…
Old woman A	Don’t worry. Grams will protect you.
Muku	…Huh? It’s a little girl and her grandmother. What Chikage-san taught me to prepare for my role might be too scary for those two…
Child A	Ah, there’s someone over there!
	I’m so scared, Grams!
Muku	“Oh my, what ever is the matter? If you walk here late at night, then you might get gobbled up by a bad~ demon like me.”
Child A	Grams, is this demon an evil one…?
Old woman A	Let me see. He’s a kind-looking one.
Child B	Is that a demon over there, Gramps!?
Old man A	Oh my, it appears so.
	Aren’t you cold dressed like that, little demon?
Muku	“N-no need to worry about me. You never know what kind of demons will appear if you wander around in such a deserted place.”
Old man A	Thank you for the warning, little demon.
Child B	I’m glad he’s a nice demon!
Old man A	This is for you.
	You look cold, little demon. Wrap yourself in a blanket too.
Muku	“T-thank you, human.
	Please watch your step as you descend the mountain.”
Yuki	…Muku was supposed to be around here, right?
Kazunari	Yep! I wonder if he’s a scary~ yaksha, just like he practiced!?
	…Wait, huh?
Senior A	You be careful as well, little demon.
Child C	Can we go home together, Mr. Demon~?
Yuki	Uh, rather than being scared of him, it looks like he’s really being fawned over…
Kazunari	Ooh, I see~! Chikachon said not to make it too scary since this is aimed at children and the elderly~!
Yuki	Then I guess it was good that Chikage couldn’t make it.
Kazunari	Yeah, true! M’kay, Itarun asked me for pics, so I’mma snap some and send them to everyone!
Child D	Fufu, demons are so friendly!
	Thanks!
Muku	“No need to thank me. Look, the path back is just ahead. Take care.”

Anna