Tasuku Takato/Growl Growl☆Mode

Getting into a Non-Human Role is a Struggle, Growl!

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Tasuku	...
Tsumugi	...Huh? Why the serious face, Tasuku?
Tasuku	I'm dressing up as a werewolf this Halloween, right?
	I was going through movies and books featuring werewolves so I can get into character.
Tsumugi	I see. You're serious when it comes to your role as always. Think you'd be able to grasp the role?
Tasuku	I'm actually having trouble with that...
Tsumugi	Is that so... The costume isn't done yet, and there's no script this time after all.
	Say, Tasuku, want to go on a walk for a change of pace? You might be able to come up with a good idea that way, instead of keeping at it like this.
Tasuku	You're right... I guess my way of thinking would change if I get some fresh air.
Tsumugi	I'll get ready so that I can head to work while we're at it, since I have my tutor job today. Wait here for a bit.
Tsumugi	It's not too hot and not too cool today... It's perfect for a walk.
	You often go for a run, but taking a leisurely walk like this isn't bad once in a while, right?
Tasuku	Yeah. You actually find things that you don't notice when you're running.
Tsumugi	Right. Like noticing new shops, or finding posters of new performances.
	...Ah. Look, Tasuku. In front of the convenience store.
Tasuku	What? ...They're doing some type of lottery.
Tsumugi	“Gather Up, Animals of the World! Juhachiban Kuji,” it says. ...The first prize is a wolf plush toy!
	That's perfect. Why don't you give it a try?
Tasuku	What? I want to get into character for a werewolf role, not a wolf.
	Besides, what would I even do with a plush toy.
Tsumugi	Yeah, but still. The word “wolf” is in “werewolf” so it's not completely unrelated, right?
Tasuku	That's... You have a point.
Tsumugi	It looks interesting, come on! Let's give it a shot!
Tasuku	This isn't even for role practice; you just want to draw lots, don't you?
Tsumugi	Excuse me, can I get one ticket for this lottery draw?
Shop Attendant	Of course! That will be 600 yen!
Tsumugi	I'll pay for it as a way to cheer you on for your role practice, so come on Tasuku! Do a pull!
Tasuku	I don't have a choice... Okay, I'll go with this one.
Shop Attendant	Ah! There it is! Congratulations!! You won the first prize!!
Tasuku	...!?
Tsumugi	Huh, really!? Tasuku, you're amazing...!
Shop Attendant	The first prize is this wolf plush toy! Here you go!
Tsumugi	Wah, how cute. Come on Tasuku, accept the plush toy!
Tasuku	Y-yeah.
Shop Attendant	Thank you very much!
Tasuku	...What do I do with this.
Tsumugi	You won it, so you might come up with something if you practice your role together with that plush toy? Fate must have meant for this to happen.
	...But still. It's a wolf, but that plush toy is really cute and a little fancy.
	You carrying something like that is a bit of a gap – or probably more like, amusing... Ahaha.
Tasuku	Look, you're the one who told me to do a draw! ...*sigh*...
Tsumugi	Sorry, sorry.
	...Ah, it's already this time. It's almost time for work so I'll go now.
Tasuku	What? I have to go home with this plush toy by myself!?
Tsumugi	Of course. It's in a bag so it'll be all right. I'll be on my way now then. Good luck at practicing for your role, Tasuku!
Tasuku	O-oi...!

Izumi	Here you go Ichiro, here's your food~
Ichiro	...
Izumi	(Hmm... My friend asked me to look after their dog for three days, but.)
	(He's not being friendly with me, and he's not eating his food... What should I do?)
Tasuku	I'm home.
Izumi	Ah, Tasuku-san, welcome back!
Ichiro	...
Tasuku	A puppy...? Why is it here?
Izumi	My friend wanted me to look after him for three days. His name is Ichiro-kun.
Tasuku	I see.
Izumi	Huh? Tasuku-san, what's with that plush toy?
Tasuku	This is––
Izumi	So that's what happened! It's amazing that you won first prize!
Tasuku	I didn't think I'd win it either.
Ichiro	...*bark*! *bark bark*!
Izumi	Huh? What's wrong, Ichiro?
Tasuku	Do you want this? Here.
Ichiro	*bark*!
Izumi	Eh, Tasuku-san, are you okay with giving him the plush toy!?
Tasuku	I don't think I can practice my role with it anyway.
Ichiro	*whine* ♪
Izumi	He seems to like the plush toy a lot.
Tasuku	Is that so. That's good. ...There, there.
CHOICE 1: Do you like animals? [+] Izumi Tasuku-san, could it be that you like animals? Tasuku Well, I don't dislike them. Especially dogs. Tsumugi has one at home and I often played with him. Izumi I see. Ichiro must be happy to be petted! Ichiro *bark*! *whine* Tasuku ...Haha, what. You're a spoiled one. Izumi (He's laughing with a gentle expression. Tasuku-san making this kind of expression might be a little rare!)
CHOICE 2: I think Tasuku-san and Ichiro are a bit alike. [+] Izumi ...I think Tasuku-san and Ichiro are a bit alike for some reason. Tasuku What? What's with that. Izumi Look, Ichiro is a husky with a clearly defined face, right? Tasuku-san also has defined eyebrows, and I think the calm look in your eyes is similar. Tasuku Come to think of it, I feel like Miyoshi has told me that I'm like a big dog. Well... I'll take that as a compliment. Izumi Of course it's a compliment!
Izumi	Ah, when you left the plush toy beside him he started to eat his food! Thank goodness!
Izumi	Okay, I'll go do some shopping for dinner. I'm sorry, but can I ask you to look after Ichiro-kun in the meantime?
Tasuku	Yeah.
Izumi	I'll leave him in your care! Well then, I'm off.
Tsumugi	I'm home.
Tasuku	Ah, welcome back.
Tsumugi	Huh? Tasuku, you're by yourself?
Tasuku	No, Ichiro's here too.
Ichiro	*bark*!
Tsumugi	Ah, a dog! What happened?
Tasuku	Apparently the Director is looking after him for a friend.
Tsumugi	Huh, is that so. I think it's still a puppy? A boy, right?
Tasuku	Seems like it.
Tsumugi	So you gave the plush toy to Ichiro-kun. Haha, he seems to like it.
	...Ah!
Tasuku	What's wrong?
Tsumugi	Tasuku, now is the time for you to get into character!
Tasuku	What?
Tsumugi	Why don't you try using the plush toy so that you and Ichiro-kun can understand each other?
Tasuku	...I don't get what you mean...
Tsumugi	Watch, Tasuku. Ichiro-kun, can I borrow that plush toy for a bit?
	“I'm Jiro, growl! What's your name, growl?”
Tasuku	Oi, there's no way you can understand each other with that.
Ichiro	*bark bark*!
Tsumugi	“I see, growl. So you're called Ichiro-kun, growl! Nice to meet you, growl!”
Ichiro	*bark*!
Tasuku	You've got to be kidding...
Tsumugi	See, Tasuku? It's working! You try it too.
	Communicating with animals might be able to give you some hints regarding werewolves. Here you go.
Tasuku	Y-yeah. ...*clears throat*
	“Play with me, growl.”
Ichiro	*bark bark*!
Tasuku	...!
Tsumugi	See!
Tasuku	“Then, what should we play, growl? That's right, let's play tag, growl.”
Izumi	Well then, I'll go return Ichiro-kun to my friend's place now.
Tsumugi	Yes. Please take care.
Tasuku	Yeah, and take this plush toy with you. He seems to like it after all.
Ichiro	*whi~ne*...
Tsumugi	Jiro-kun is with you, so it won't be lonely. Let's play together when we meet again, okay?
Izumi	Jiro-kun?
Tsumugi	Yes. It's the name of this wolf plush toy.
Ichiro	*bark* *whine, whine*...
Tasuku	...I'm sure we'll see each other again somewhere, growl.
Izumi	Huh? ...Growl?
Tasuku	!
Tsumugi	Ahahaha, Tasuku...!
Tasuku	S-sorry. I often used Jiro to communicate with Ichiro when I played with him...
Izumi	Ahaha, I see.
Tsumugi	Fufu. Well then Ichiro-kun, see you later.
Tasuku	See you.
Ichiro	*bark bark*!

maria