Tsumugi Tsukioka/HOTEL COMPASS

Temporary Mask

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Tsumugi	Yuki-chan, Muku-kun, good morning. Are you going to school now?
Muku	Yeah!
Yuki	Good timing. When I come back from school later, let me measure your face for the mask.
Tsumugi	Alright, understood.
	Safe trip both of you.
	Be careful on your way.
Muku	I’m off!
Yuki	We’re going off.
Tsumugi	Thanks for the food.
Yuki	You’re done with dinner?
Tsumugi	Yeah.
Tenma	I’m home.
Tsumugi	Ah, Tenma-kun. Welcome back.
Yuki	You’re back early today.
Tenma	The shooting went smoothly.
	Hmm? Is that the script on the table?
Tsumugi	Yeah. It’s the script for Winter Troupe’s upcoming performance.
Tenma	Speaking of which, Tsumugi-san’s role this time is a man who always wear a mask right.
Tsumugi	Yeah, he always put on his mask, there must be a good reason behind it though.
	I haven’t really played a character with mask before so I’m looking forward to it.
Yuki	It’s true, it’s kind of an unusual role.
Tenma	By the way, we never wear mask for Summer Troupe performance too.
Yuki	We’ve hidden the mouth several times for Summer Troupe’s performance, but we’ve never worn a mask at all.
Tsumugi	Depending on how you use the mask, it can be interesting even in comedy.
Yuki	Oh yeah, just in case, do you have any image for the mask design?
Tsumugi	Hmm…. I think it’s good as long as it fits the costume.
	I’ll leave it to you, Yuki-chan.
Yuki	Understood. Then, should we get to the measuring?
Tsumugi	Yeah.
Tenma	Measuring?
Tsumugi	He’s measuring my face and head for the mask.
Tenma	Ah, so that’s what it is.
Yuki	The measurement’s done, maybe I should start making the pattern now…
Tenma	It’s not here, hmm, where did it go…?
Yuki	…What are you doing?
Tenma	…Nothing.
Yuki	Hmm, well, whatever.
Tenma	Sigh, I didn’t think it will take so long to find…
	I guess I should just go and pass it to Tsumugi-san.
Homare	Hmm? Tenma-kun, what’s that in your hand?
Tenma	Ah, Arisu-san. It’s a Hyottoko mask.
	I heard that Tsumugi-san’s role in the next performance will be a man who wear mask all the time.
	Even in practice, I think it’s a good idea to put on something so you can get the atmosphere out.
Homare	Sounds wonderful!
	I also have a mask, I’ll go and bring it here immediately!
Tenma	Tsumugi-san, take this.
Tsumugi	…Hyottoko mask?
	It’s the one you wore during Summer festival right, it’s so nostalgic.
	But, why are you giving it to me?
Tenma	It’s good to have a mask even in practice right.
Tsumugi	Eh, then you mean…?
	Th, thank you. Let me try it out in a bit.

Tsumugi	…Like this?
Tenma	Looks good.
Tsumugi	The view gets narrower, so it might be a good idea to get a good grasp of the surroundings.
Muku	Woah!? Hyottoko!?
Tsumugi	“Fufu–. Today too, I’ll keep litting the fire in the furnace!
	Ah, the smoke…!
	Uhh, my face becomes black now… Ah, uwaah, hot hot hot!”
Muku	Ahaha, it’s Tsumugi-san wearing a mask!
Tsumugi	Yeah, you’re right. I’m glad you laughed.
Omi	Tsumugi-san, I heard that you’re looking for something to wear on your head…
Tsumugi	Eh!? Who did you hear that from?
Omi	Homare-san.
Tenma	Ah right, I met Homare-san just now and we talked about the mask…
Tsumugi	I see…
	Then, is it that Omi-kun also brought something for me?
Omi	Ah, yeah. I only have this for the time being.
Tsumugi	This is, a pro-wrestling mask?
Omi	Please use it if you feel like it. I haven’t used it even once so it’s still in a pretty good condition.
Tsumugi	Eh, is it alright for me to use it then?
Omi	I have it, but I don’t really have the opportunity to use it anyway.
Tsumugi	Thank you. Then, let’s try it out.
	…Ho, how is it?
Muku	You look strong, it’s so cool!
Tsumugi	Really? I’m glad then.
	Hmm, if it’s a pro-wrestler then…
	“I will definitely win this match! You should know of my strength! I will defeat evil with this hand!”
	Like this?
Homare	*clapping*
	That’s wonderful, Tsumugi-kun!
Tsumugi	Eh, Homare-san!?.
Hisoka	Your acting just now really fits the mask.
Tsumugi	So Hisoka-kun saw it too.
	I’m a bit embarrassed now…
Homare	Next up, by all means, please act with this mask I got for my writing!
Hisoka	I was also told by Arisu to bring something too.
Tenma	Everyone brought different kinds huh…
Tsumugi	Ah, thank you so much.
	Then, I’ll start from Homare-san’s mask.
	How is it…?
Homare	Tsumugi-kun, it fits you very well!
Tsumugi	“…My beauty, is second to none.
	And the proof, is that the King has chosen me and no one else!”
	Like this?
Homare	Even with its position as a queen, it was able to act without worries.
	I’m sure my mask will be very rejoiced!
Hisoka	Next one is mine.
Tsumugi	This is Hannya’s mask right.
Muku	As I thought, it’s kinda scary looking at it up close…
Tsumugi	Muku-kun, it’s fine.
	It’s me behind the Hannya, so don’t worry.
Muku	You’re right…!
	I’m looking forward to Tsumugi-san’s acting!
Tsumugi	Fufu, thank you.
	Then, let me try it.
	“That woman, rob me of the one person I love.
	I hate it, I want to curse that woman to death…”
Tenma	Tsumugi-san’s amazing.
	Whatever mask you wear suits you.
Hisoka	Yeah, when the mask changed, the atmosphere around Tsumugi changed with it.
Omi	The fear for the Hannya is really conveyed huh…
Muku	I know it’s Tsumugi-san, but I’m still a bit scared…
Homare	I’m going to see you in my dream, Tsumugi-kun!
Tsuzuru	I heard that you’re doing some mask fitting…
	Eh, what? What’s this?
Tsumugi	Yeah, Homare-san’s mask is the best fit for the role this time.
	So, let’s go with this.
Muku	It will get dirty if you wear it every day though, why not change it around each day
Omi	Yeah, that might be a good idea.
Tsuzuru	Wait wait, that’s not fine at all!
Tsumugi	Ah, Tsuzuru-kun!
Tsuzuru	It might be interesting to see that kind of thing appear in the performance, but it doesn’t suit the role this time!
Tsumugi	…Yeah, as I thought, it’s not a good idea to put on something that doesn’t suit the role even in practice.
	When the proper mask is ready, I’ll put it on.
Tsuzuru	Eh, practice?
Tenma	What were you thinking?
Tsuzuru	Ah… I thought it’s the mask fitting for the one to be used for the script…
Homare	Hmm? Did I forget to tell you?
Tsuzuru	Arisugawa-san, please don’t forget such an important thing!
Homare	My bad.
Tsumugi	Ahaha, I’m glad I could explain it to Tsuzuru-kun before more weird misunderstandings happen.

Chiaki