Tenma Sumeragi/Grooming Lesson

Role-Building with a Black Shiba Plush

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Tenma	It feels nice to buy lots of clothes.
Banri	I was able to get those new shoes I've been looking at... Say, we still have some time. Isn't there an arcade nearby?
Tenma	Oh, that sounds good.
Banri	Now then, what to play.....Ah!
Tenma	Hm? What's wrong?
Banri	Over there, do you see that?
Tenma	Heh, a dog plushie crane game?
Banri	Which one do you want? I'll get it.
Tenma	What? I didn't say I wanted one.
Banri	You're playing a dog in your next role right? Wouldn't it be a good idea to have that sort of thing?
Tenma	I see... Well, surely it's fine to have something like this if it's for role-building.
	Alright, Banri-san. Go get it.
Banri	'Kay. Which one?
Tenma	I want that black Shiba Inu.
Banri	Okay~. For Tenma's role, the black Shiba.
	First, move a little closer to it...Ah, is it gonna budge?
	Next is like this, and there it is.
Tenma	It lifted!
Banri	See? Got it.
Tenma	In the blink of an eye too... Banri-san is amazing…
Banri	No sweat~
Tenma	As expected, thank you.
Tenma	Muku, you're here.
Muku	Oh, Tenma-kun.
Kumon	Huh? Tenma-san what's that?!
Muku	Waah~ It's a black Shiba Inu plush. It's so cute.
Izumi	What's going on?
Tenma	I asked Banri-san to win this in a crane game since it can be used it for role-building.
Izumi	(A stuffed animal for role-building? That would be a little unusual for Tenma-kun.)
Muku	Is it for me?
Tenma	It's for me. Since I can't have a real Shiba Inu, I'm going to use this plush to understand a dog's feelings.
	I did some research, and it seems that fur grooming is one way to communicate.
	...I mean, it's a stuffed animal, but it's still better than nothing.
Izumi	So that's it. Tasuku-san used a wolf plush as role-building before too, so I think this could be helpful.
Muku	Tenma-kun, please hold on a moment.
	Here you go.
Tenma	Thank you.
Muku	You're welcome! It's important to brush your puppy's fur every day.
Kazunari	OK~! Let's let William and Tonapon dry next to each other.
Muku	The weather is nice today, so they should dry pretty quickly. Fufu, they seem to enjoy being in the sun.
Tenma	Hm? What are you doing out here?
Kazunari	We're washing and drying Mukkun's William and my Christmas buddy Tonapon!
Tenma	Heh, you even wash stuffed animals?
Muku	Why doesn't Tenma-kun try it too?
Tenma	Alright. I'll have to try next time.
Muku	Speaking of, what's your plush's name?
Tenma	I didn’t name it.
Kazunari	Eh~ You totally have to give it a name. And for starters, it has to be a cute one!
Tenma	I-Is that so? ...Well, I guess you would name a real dog too.
	Then... how about Rio?
Kazunari	Say, that's the name of Tenten's upcoming role!
Muku	The plushie is even a black Shiba Inu too, isn't it.
Tenma	Yeah.
Muku	If you cherish it like this, it’ll visit you in your dreams.
Tenma	I doubt that. I cherish my bonsai and yet I've never dreamed of them.
Kazunari	Maybe they're still lacking in love?
Tenma	!
	...Get Rio. Please teach me how to groom.

Tenma	(I’ve checked over the script for tomorrow. I should probably go to sleep now.)
	...Zzz.
???	…Te…ma-kun….Tenma-kun.…
Tenma	Mm…?
Rio	Tenma-kun!
Tenma	!? You’re…Rio?!
Rio	That’s right!
	Hey, your brushing, it hurts a little, so be gentler!
Tenma	I-Is that so…?
Rio	Uh-huh! That’s my request!
Tenma	…..Ah!
	Just now was… a dream?
Tenma	(If you cherish it, it’ll visit you in your dreams…was what those two said true?)
Izumi	Tenma-kun, good morning!
	I asked Yuki-kun, and he said you’ve been diligently brushing that stuffed animal’s fur every day.
Tenma	Huh? Y-Yeah.
	I’m growing attached to him, and I’m trying to keep his fur tidy but… Rio was in pain.
Izumi	Rio?
Tenma	That’s the stuffed animal’s name.
Izumi	Oh, you gave him a name. But, in pain…?
Tenma	Nevermind, its nothing.
Tenma	Brushing more gently…is this right?
Yuki	Turn off the lights when you go to bed.
Tenma	Okay, goodnight.
Yuki	Goodnight.
Tenma	…This is hard to get used to.
	For now, Rio’s coat is brushed. Now I can sleep.
	...Zzz.
Rio	Tenma-kun!
Tenma	Rio...!
Rio	Thank you, your brushing felt good! You tend to me gently now…You’ve improved!
	I’m relieved~. I’ll continue to ask for your help after this!
Tenma	Okay, I understand.
Tenma	….! Another dream….
	….But, that’s right. It didn’t hurt him? I’m glad that much is good.
Tenma	Well, I’m off. Rio, listen to what the Director tells you.
Izumi	(Tenma-kun just spoke to a stuffed animal!)
Banri	Tenma’s plush… oh no.
Taichi	What’s wrong with Ten-chan!?
Guy	Is something troubling you?
Tenma	This is just for role-building! Don’t look at me like that!
Banri	….If somethings wrong, you can talk to us.
Guy	Do you need to relieve stress?
Tenma	Hah… What am I supposed to do…
Tasuku	I’ve done role-building with a stuffed animal like Sumeragi before.
Tsumugi	Sometimes you can find ways to build a role in unexpected places, and you should be open to try anything, after all.
Tasuku	Yeah, exactly.
Tenma	Tasuku-san, Tsumugi-san… I knew you two would understand.
CHOICE 1: Were you able to understand the feelings of your role? [+] Izumi Were you able to understand the feelings of your role? Tenma Yeah. What Rio thinks of when he’s being brushed or petted…If the owner calls out to him a certain way, how would he reply. The image in my head reaches so much further than I imagined. I have Rio to thank for that. Izumi Well, I’m glad your role seems to be going well.
CHOICE 2: Rio’s fur looks so fluffy. [+] Izumi Rio’s fur looks so fluffy. Tenma Hmph, naturally. I brush it every day. It feels nice to touch, why don’t you pet him? Izumi Is that okay? Well then… Wow, it’s so fluffy and silky! It feels wonderful. Tenma I’m getting used to brushing. Also, like I said the other day, when I groom his fur, I grow more attached. Izumi (Tenma-kun looks so happy petting Rio.)
Tenma	There, there, Rio. You’re a good boy.
Juza	I need to reach that level, too.
Banri	That’s going too far.
	At the time, I was joking when I said a plush would be good role-building material… I seriously never thought he’d actually use it.
	But, in the end, I’m glad I did because it was actually useful…I think…?

bayli