Tsumugi Tsukioka/MANKAI Party

BIRTHDAY VLOG: Tsumugi

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Izumi	…Alright, finished!
Tsumugi	Great work today as well, Director.
	I brewed some coffee, so please have some.
Izumi	Aw, thank you!
	Don’t mind if I do.
Tsumugi	Have you been working late into the night these past few days?
	Please don’t overdo it, alright?
Izumi	Sorry for worrying you. It’s fine though. I just wrapped up a big task, so I reached a good stopping point.
Tsumugi	I’m glad to hear that.
Izumi	Why are you up at this hour, Tsumugi-san?
	Did you have a hard time falling asleep…?
Tsumugi	I woke up for some reason… err, haha, I sound just like an old man, don’t I?
Izumi	No, no, I get it. That happens to me sometimes, too.
	Once you’re awake, it’s hard to fall back asleep.
Tsumugi	Yes, exactly. It’ll be even harder to sleep if we drink this coffee though.
	But it’s because you were here when I came to the lounge.
	I brewed some partly as an excuse to talk to you.
Izumi	Ahaha. Really?
	Ah. Come to think of it, have you filmed that yet?
Tsumugi	That?
Izumi	The VLOG to show at your birthday event.
Tsumugi	Ah!
Izumi	The theme is a sight you want to show your fans.
	Did you decide what you’re going to do?
Tsumugi	Well, I have a vague idea… more or less.
Izumi	What could it be? Hm~. It’s you, so… something like theatre?
	Ah, or maybe the sight of you doing a street act?
Tsumugi	Fufu. Who knows?
Izumi	What kind of VLOG will it be?
	I can’t wait until it’s been filmed.
Tsumugi	Thanks.
	*footsteps*
	…Huh? I hear someone’s footsteps.
Izumi	Oh, you’re right. Is someone else up too?
	*door ppens*
Tsumugi	Juza-kun.
Juza	‘Sup.
Izumi	You can’t sleep either, Juza-kun?
Juza	Ah, y’see…
	…
Tsumugi	Ah. Hold on, Juza-kun. If you’re looking for pudding, then the one you ate yesterday was the last one, wasn’t it?
Juza	Oh… right.
Izumi	(? How does Tsumugi-san know how much pudding Juza-kun has?)
Juza	Damn it… I ate too many by accident.
Tsumugi	Oh, were they that tasty?
	Maybe I’ll try one too.
	Okay then… would you like to come along, Juza-kun?
Juza	Yeah.
Izumi	Where are you two off to?
Tsumugi	That’s… fufu, it’s a secret.
	Right, Juza-kun?
Juza	Eh? …Right.
Izumi	?
Tsumugi	This is the one you ate yesterday, isn’t it, Juza-kun?
	I think… this one is a different flavour.
Juza	Sorry for makin’ you come with me both yesterday and today.
Tsumugi	Not at all. Thanks to you checking the dates the convenience store sweets go on sale, I’m able to learn a lot and buy them too.
	In fact, I’m the one who should be thanking you.
Juza	Thanks. I’m glad if it’s useful for you.
	By the way, I’m pretty sure this strawberry pudding is only available during the winter season.
Tsumugi	Eh! Really? I’m curious about this one now.
	You really feel the changing of the seasons when you see seasonal sweets like this.
Juza	Agreed.
	Like, have the special winter chocolates hit the shelves already?
Tsumugi	Yes, exactly… ah, come to think of it.
	I wonder if I should replant the flower beds soon.
Juza	Yeah. It’s gotten colder, after all.
	I’ll lend you a hand if you’d don’t mind.
Tsumugi	Are you sure? In that case, I’ll take up your offer and ask for your assistance.

Juza	…Eh?
Tsumugi	Here, the camera.
Juza	This is…
Tsumugi	Fufu. What I wanted your assistance with was shooting the VLOG for my birthday event.
Juza	I see.
	(Well, garden centres are necessary for takin’ care of flowers. Maybe Tsumugi-san wants to show that.)
	Aight. I’m gonna start filmin’ now.
Tsumugi	Yes, please do.
	…Hi there, everyone. It’s Winter troupe’s Tsukioka Tsumugi.
	I asked Juza-kun to film for me.
Juza	Autumn troupe’s Hyodo Juza here.
	Thanks for havin’ me.
Tsumugi	Today, I thought I’d take a look at flower seeds and seedlings to plant in the courtyard.
Juza	…Are all the flowers in the garden chosen by you, Tsumugi-san?
Tsumugi	I pick the flowers most of the time, but I also plant flowers that others have given me or want me to raise.
	I know!
	Is there any flower you’d like to plant, Juza-kun?
Juza	I… I dunno much about flowers… so I’m good.
Tsumugi	Now, now, don’t say that.
	We came all the way here, so try picking one out.
	Even if you’re not sure, you can just look at the sample pictures and say you’d like to grow that one.
Juza	Okay…
	…This blue flower’s nice.
Tsumugi	…Blue daisies?
Juza	…Did I pick something weird?
Tsumugi	Not at all.
	I’ve gotten that same flower from someone before.
	Why did you settle on that flower?
Juza	…It’s blue and pretty. And for some reason, I thought it was like you, Tsumugi-san.
Tsumugi	Eh?
	I feel kind of shy when you tell me that…
	Well, you chose this one, so let’s take this flower home too.
	Alright, shall we go ahead and transplant them?
Juza	I’ll help too.
Tsumugi	Don’t worry about it. You’re in charge of filming today, so please handle the camera.
Juza	…’Kay.
Guy	…Hm? Tsukioka, are you tending to the garden?
	I shall lend you a hand.
Tsumugi	Ah, Guy-san. I appreciate it.
Guy	Shall I bring this soil and pot over?
Tsumugi	Thanks.
Juza	You’ve got skills.
Guy	I assist Tsukioka like this from time to time, after all.
	I myself get a feel for the four seasons when I help out here.
Sakuya	Tsumugi-san, are you transplanting flowers?
Muku	We’ll help too!
Tsumugi	Thank you. In that case, can you two please repot this pot here?
Sakuya	On it!
Taichi	Oh, it looks like a party over here!?
	Let me join you guys too!
Kumon	Me too, me too~!
Kazunari	These flowers are cute af!
	Snapsies ☆
Azuma	Oh my. Are you filming, Juza?
Juza	…Yeah. Did all of you come to look at the flowers too?
Azuma	Yes. I heard Tsumugi was doing some replanting, so I wondered how that was going.
	Thanks to Tsumugi and the others, the courtyard is always beautiful and very comfortable.
Tsuzuru	I totally agree.
	I come up with ideas and relax here all the time too.
Muku	Wow, these flowers are so pretty.
Sakuya	They’re a gentle blue and remind me of Tsumugi-san.
Tsumugi	Thank you. Juza-kun said the same thing earlier.
	…Right?
Juza	…Yeah.
Guy	Does this look alright to you?
Tsumugi	Yes, thank you so much.
	I was able to transplant them neatly thanks to everyone.
	This is how it turned out!
	What do you think?
Juza	Amazin’. Even I can see the difference.
Homare	My, my. Marvelous job, everyone.
	What do you say to teatime?
Citron	Omi made a huge load of sweets~ 𝅘𝅥𝅮
	Come now, gather around and eat up!
	First come, first served!
Taichi	Wow, it smells awesome~!
Kazunari	Yay! Snack time with everyone 𝅘𝅥𝅮
Muku	There’s so many different kinds of cookies.
	They look delicious!
Omi	I have scones and jam over here too.
Juza	…There’s so many smiling faces… around Tsumugi-san.
Tsumugi	This is the place I wanted to show everyone.
	I wanted to show off the flowers, but I also love everyone in the Company who gather here.
	Chatting casually and doing events like this…
	See? It makes everyone smile, doesn’t it?
	Offstage—this sight, this spot, is a very important place for me.
	Of course the stage where I act is precious. But apart from that, this is also a special spot that I love.
Juza	Yeah. I feel like I know what you mean.
Tsumugi	Alright, let’s finish the VLOG here and have some snacks too.
	Fufu, we better hurry or else there will be none left for us.
Juza	Yeah.

Tsumugi	Does this look alright…?
Chikage	Yes, it suits you well.
Juza	You look cool, Tsumugi-san.
Tenma	Seeing it like this, each troupe’s outfit gives off a different vibe.
Izumi	You look lovely, Tsumugi-san.
Tsumugi	Thank you so much.
	I feel relieved if all of you say so.
Tenma	I’m looking forward to your VLOG.
Izumi	Same here.
Tsumugi	Great! Alright, time to take the stage.
	Thank you very much for coming today, everyone!
Guest A	Kyaaah! Tsumugi-saaan!
Guest B	You look amazing in your outfit!
Tsumugi	Fufu, I appreciate it. I’ll do my best so all of you can have an enjoyable time.
	Now then, I will introduce my guests.
	Chikage-san, Tenma-kun and Juza-kun!
Chikage	Hello. I’m Spring troupe’s Utsuki Chikage.
Tenma	Summer troupe’s Sumeragi Tenma.
Juza	Autumn troupe, Hyodo Juza here.
Chikage	Happy birthday, Tsumugi.
	We will do our best to help you celebrate to the fullest today.
Juza	It’s the birthday of the guy who always takes care of us.
Tenma	All of you, say some words to Tsumugi-san too.
Guest A	Tsumugi-san, happy birthday!
Guest B	Happy birthday!
Guest C	Congrats, Tsumugi-kun!
Tsumugi	…!
	Thank you.
	Fufu. Once again, I’m overjoyed to hear your words.
	Now then, shall we move on from the introductions and dive straight into the VLOG segment?
	*applause*
Chikage	Juza filmed the VLOG this time, isn’t that right?
Tenma	It looks like lots of people are surprised to hear that.
	How come you asked Juza-san?
Tsumugi	Well, that’s… a secret.
Juza	…Yeah.
Tenma	What’s that supposed to mean?
Chikage	Now, let’s not dig too deep into it.
Tsumugi	Thanks.
	“This flower is strong against the cold, so it’s easy to raise.”
	“This flower is an African violet.
	In flower language, it means ‘small love’.”
Chikage	Tsumugi’s flower knowledge always surprises me.
Tenma	That’s Tsumugi-san for you… he knows it all…
Tsumugi	I don’t know everything. I just know because I like them, that’s all.
Tsuzuru	“I’m gonna bring this planter over here.”
Tsumugi	“Yes, go ahead.”
Taichi	“This bag of dirt is pretty darn heavy.
	I’m getting a workout…!”
Sakuya	“Plant the seedling…”
Guest A	It looks like everyone’s having fun~.
Guest B	It warms your heart seeing them working together to take care of the courtyard…
Guest C	It really is a soothing sight~…
Tsumugi	“What do you think this flower is called?”
Kumon	“Hm~. What could it be…?”
Muku	“I saw it being introduced on TV the other day.
	I think that’s a primrose?”
Tsumugi	“Correct. It’s an adorable little flower, isn’t it?”
Juza	Those were bloomin’ well this morning too.
Guest C	So many different kinds of flowers have been planted.
Guest D	What a wonderful garden~.
Muku	“Wow, these flowers are so pretty.”
Sakuya	“They’re a gentle blue and remind me of Tsumugi-san.”
Tsumugi	“Thank you. Juza-kun said the same thing earlier.
	…Right?”
Juza	“…Yeah.”
Tsumugi	As you saw at the garden centre, those blue daisies were chosen by Juza-kun.
Chikage	…
Tsumugi	Fufu. They’re lovely flowers, aren’t they? A certain person gave some to me in the past, so I grew to like them even more.
Chikage	….Oh, really? They’re flowers that suit you.
Tenma	…Did something happen between those two?
Juza	Uh… I have no idea.
Tsumugi	That’s all for my VLOG.
	*applause*
	I was lost over what to do for my VLOG this time. I considered all sorts of different ideas like the garden centre, the dressing room, or even my own room.
	However, I realized what was important outside of acting was this casual, everyday life of ours.
	I love this garden and I replant the flowers in it. But it’s through those flowers that I talk with everyone and have casual get-togethers.
	Everyone who lives at the dorm gathers together naturally, chats idly, and makes plans for events…
	I realized all over again that I love this spot that’s sometimes lively and sometimes quiet.
	I wanted all of you to see those lovely moments too.
	That’s what I thought.
Juza	I think everyone is drawn in by Tsumugi-san’s personality.
	He embodies that sorta daily life, so…
	All of us trust him and call out to him.
Tenma	Yeah. I feel that too.
Chikage	The way you conduct yourself everyday speaks for itself.
Tsumugi	Fufu, I hope so.
	I’ll keep working hard as the garden boss in order to protect this wonderful place!
Guest A	Good luck!
Guest B	Garden boss—that fits Tsumugi-san to a tee!
Guest C	Thanks for showing us! It was awesome!
	*applause*
Tsumugi	Now then, I’d like to take my photo at the very end.
	As for the camera… can I ask you, Juza-kun? You’ve been using cameras lately.
Juza	Sure.
Chikage	The VLOG and birthday event fit Tsumugi perfectly.
Tenma	Yeah. I had a fun and amicable time.
Juza	Me too.
Tsumugi	I really enjoyed my time too.
Juza	Alright, I’m takin’ it.
Tsumugi	Everyone, thank you so much for celebrating with me.
	May unbridled happiness shower down on all of you like flower petals as well.
	*click*

Anna