Taichi Nanao/Meteor Jewel

The Magical Popularing

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Sakuya	Ah, this webpage has a special article about healing crystals. So there're all kinds of crystals huh.
Yuki	I think I saw a model from a fashion magazine wearing this one.
Sakuya	Woah, such a pretty gem…!
Muku	There are many crystals used as love charms. …Ah! This crystal, it was on a shojo manga I read the other day!
Taichi	A love charm? Which means, if I hold this stone I'll be popular!?
Yuki	Huh? No way, it can't possibly have such an effect.
Taichi	Eeh!! Uugh~, Yuki-chan you're so harsh….
Muku	Look, this page has birth date crystals.
Sakuya	You're right! My birthday is on March so… looks like mine is an aquamarine!
Yuki	Mine is on July, so a Ruby huh. Hmm, it has a nice color.
Muku	Mine is a peridot.
Taichi	Mine is on October so… ah, an opal! Neat~, it's so shiny and pretty!
Izumi	What else do I need to buy…
Sakuya	Ah, Director! You're working hard.
Taichi	Director-sensei, are you going somewhere?
Izumi	Yup, I'm going to buy some props, for one of the theater companies we're helping to.
	It's just that, there's a lot to buy, so I'm looking for someone to help me with the shopping…
Taichi	I'll help you then!
Izumi	Thank you! That's a huge help. I'm counting on you Taichi-kun.
Taichi	Yes! We're off!
Muku	Goodbye!
Yuki	Bye.
Izumi	And we're done with this one. Next is…
Taichi	…Ah.
	A healing crystals store…? Love charm crystals, and birthday crystals…
	Um, Director-sensei! Can I go over there for a sec?
Izumi	Hm? I don't mind… then I'll go to that shop. We'll regroup later.
Taichi	Yes!
Employee	Welcome.
Taichi	Woah~… somehow this store feels so magical~…
	There're so many crystals. And so many colors.
	…Ah! An opal…! It's my birth stone!
	That reminds me that I really wanted a new bracelet~. A bracelet with my birth crystal sounds so cool…!
	Let's see, the price…
	!? So expensive!!
	Uugh… I- I can't buy it…

Taichi	To think that an opal bracelet would be so expensive… huh….
Strange Old Lady	…young man.
Taichi	Eh? You're talking to me?
Strange Old Lady	I saw you looking at the opal in that store. Do you want that crystal?
Taichi	?? Y-Yes. It's my birth crystal, so I'm interested in it…
Strange Old Lady	Then accept this.
Taichi	Eh? It's… a ring with a crystal?
Strange Old Lady	It's an opal ring. It will grant your wishes.
Taichi	My wish?
	It's shining in such a strange color. Err, why…
	Eh!? The old lady disappeared. But she was right in front of me just now.
	What should I do, I ended up taking it. That grandma said it was an opal… I wonder if it's true…
	A ring huh… Well, if I can become popular with it then all is good!
Izumi	Taichi-kun, sorry to keep you waiting!
Taichi	Ah, Director-sensei, welcome back!
Izumi	I bought all the props. Thank you for carrying the bags.
Taichi	Hehe, this much is a piece of cake.
Izumi	Then let's go back to the dorms.
Taichi	Alright!
Izumi	By the way, you went to the healing crystals shop right?
CHOICE 1: What kinda crystals were there? [+] Izumi What kinda crystals were there? Taichi There were some really normal gems too, and healing crystals in all kinda colors! Seems like the effect the healing crystals have is completely different depending on their types, it was fun just reading the explanations on the signs! Izumi Woah, how nice~. You piqued my interest too now. Taichi Then let's go look at them together next! Hehe, looking at healing crystals and gems with just the two of us, it would feel like a romantic date…
CHOICE 2: It has a romantic feeling to it. [+] Izumi Stuff like gems and healing crystals, they have a romantic feeling to them. Taichi I totally get it~! They have a mysterious appeal. Izumi Yup. And there're also stuff like gems language. Taichi My birthday crystal, opal, has meanings like "hope" and "happiness" in gems language, I read it in a magazine. Izumi Is that so! It fits you, Taichi-kun. Taichi Really? Hehe, it's somewhat embarrassing, but I'm happy! I'll bring your way lots of happiness too, Director-sensei~!
Taichi	Hn… Yawns… it's morning…
	…ouch… eh, there's something on top of me…?
	(Ah… it's the ring I received yesterday. I looked at it yesterday before bed and forgot to put it away….)
	*knock knock*
Omi	Taichi.
Taichi	Ah, Omi-kun, morning!
Omi	Morning. You woke up on your own. How admirable.
Taichi	…eh? Y-Yeah, thanks.
	(?? I'm pretty sure I woke up at the same hour yesterday too though…)
Taichi	Yawns… so sleepy…
	Let's see, which soap should I use for my face… the one Aa-chan told me to use…
	Make some bubbles~, there….
Azami	Ooh. Taichi-san, you're washing your face properly.
Taichi	Eh? Ah, yeah. You told me to do it so I'm washing it you know, Aa-chan…
Azami	I mean, you're actually carrying it out.
	Some of the guys here won't do it even if I tell 'em… so compared to them you're admirable.
Taichi	?? I- I see…

Taichi	Hmm, I wonder what's going on. Even in school the teachers complimented me nonstop~…
	…hm? There's something in my pocket…
	What the! It's the opal ring. I was spacing out in the morning and took it with me.
Izumi	What curry should I make today…
Taichi	Ah, Director-sensei! Good job today! Shopping?
Izumi	Taichi-kun, how was school? Yup, I'm going shopping for dinner.
Taichi	Then I'll go with you, I'll help you with the bags!
Izumi	Really? Thanks. Then I'll take you up on that.
	I'm so happy we could buy things that were on sale too! Thank you for helping, Taichi-kun.
Taichi	Feel free to call me anytime if you need something again!
	Oh, that's right. You know, for the whole day today, somehow so many people were complimenting me.
	Even though I wasn't doing anything special… hmm, I wonder why…
Izumi	It might be that things you're doing unintentionally, are actually always helpful for someone else.
	So maybe that's why they're all complimenting you.
Taichi	For someone else huh. Ehehe, I hope you're right~.
	Yawns… hmm, it's morning~.
	…eh? The ring isn't here.
	I'm pretty sure I left it here. Where can it be…
	*knock knock*
Omi	Taichi, good morning.
Taichi	Ah, morning Omi-kun.
	(Hehe, will he compliment me again?)
Omi	…hm? What's wrong? Breakfast is ready, you should eat it before it gets cold.
Taichi	(Eh?)
	Y-Yeah. I'll go after I wash my face.
	(He didn't compliment me… but I guess that would be the normal reaction)
	Awright, this face washing foam…
Azami	Taichi-san, that's hand soap you know.
Taichi	Eh!? But when I used it yesterday… you complimented me right Aa-chan?
Azami	Huh? No way in hell. Rather I told you to use this one for your face.
Taichi	(Eeeeh!?)
	(Hmm, yesterday I got complimented a bunch both in the dorms and at school, but today was normal, as though it all was a lie…)
	(…thinking of which, I was complimented right after I received that ring--)
	(But once I lost it this morning, I wasn't complimented at all. And it looked like Aa-chan didn't even remember what happened yesterday)
	(Ah! Maybe because the ring made my "I want to be popular" wish come true, it disappeared or something…!?)
	But like… that popularity was different from what I had in mind…
Izumi	What should I make today…
Taichi	Eh? Director-sensei, shopping again?
Izumi	Taichi-kun!
	Yup, Omi-kun told me he would be late today, so I'm in charge of dinner instead.
Taichi	I see. Then I'll help with the shopping!
Izumi	Really? But you helped me yesterday too. Sorry about that.
Taichi	Eh!? D-Director-sensei, you remember…!?
Izumi	Eh!? It happened yesterday you know, of course I remember!
Taichi	Y-you're right…!
Izumi	Not just yesterday, but also how you helped me with the props--.
	I clearly remember how you always help me with all kinda stuff, Taichi-kun.
	You're a huge help, really. Thank you for everything.
Taichi	…!
	Hehe, then today I'll help you with cooking too!
Izumi	Ahaha, thank you. Then, maybe I'll cook your favorite today.
Taichi	Really!? Yay~!
	I'll always help you with whatever you need, Director-sensei!

Hoshiko