Tsuzuru Minagi/Honest Jiangshi

An Invitation to a Chinese-Style Haunted House

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Izumi	(Hmm, what to do…)
Tsuzuru	Director, you're making a complicated face. Are you troubled over something?
Izumi	Ah, Tsuzuru-kun! Great timing!
	Tsuzuru-kun, are you fine with haunted house attractions and the likes?
Tsuzuru	Well, it's not like I can't enter them. Did something happen with haunted houses?
Izumi	Yeah. The truth is, a friend from my previous theater group consulted with me about someone who can do a monster role for a limited time in a haunted house…
Tsuzuru	A monster role?
Izumi	Yup. But, there are people who can’t handle these kind of things right? That's why I was trying to think about someone who would be interested and who wouldn't be scared.
Tsuzuru	Ahh, I see. Thinking of it, people like Muku or Taichi would be definitely scared.
Izumi	Right?
	By the way the theme of the haunted house attraction is "Chinese", and the role is of a Jiangshi.
Tsuzuru	Hehh! A Chinese style haunted house and a Jiangshi role, somehow it sounds interesting!
Izumi	If it's fine with you Tsuzuru-kun, how about you do it?
Tsuzuru	Fine by me. I'm interested in how it's going to be like, and seems like it'll be helpful.
	On top of it, this month I had lots of expenses, I was thinking about taking up more part time jobs, so you asking me to do it is really helpful.
Izumi	That's great! Thank you for accepting it, Tsuzuru-kun!
	You're tall Tsuzuru-kun, if you become a Jiangshi you'll really leave an impact. I'll definitely go to see you in the haunted house!
Tsuzuru	Alright! Until then I'll completely get into the role, and make sure to scare you with everything I've got.
Izumi	Ahaha, I have great expectations!
	(It's been already one week, since Tsuzuru-kun has started to work in the haunted house…)
	(Seems like the reputation of Tsuzuru-kun's haunted house, is really good. I'm free today, so maybe I'll go)
	(But as expected I'm a bit scared to go alone, so I'll try looking for someone who would like to go together…)

Tsumugi	Ah, Director. Hello.
Izumi	Tsumugi-san, just the person I've been looking for! Can it be you're free today?
Tsumugi	Right. I don't have any special plans today, is there something going on?
Izumi	Yes! The truth is--.
Tsumugi	Tsuzuru-kun is doing a hopping vampire in a haunted house? Fufu, sounds interesting. I want to go by all means!
Izumi	That's great! Then, let's go right away!
Tsumugi	Then I'll go back to my room for a bit to get ready.
Yuki	I'm home.
Izumi	Welcome back, Yuki-kun!
Yuki	Say, person from Planet Curry. I heard you talking just now, did you say you're going to a haunted house?
Izumi	Yup. Tsuzuru-kun is working part time in a haunted house, I was talking with Tsumugi-san about going!
	If you're interested Yuki-kun want to come along?
Yuki	I want. The costumes in a haunted house, I want to take my time and look at them properly for once.
Izumi	Is that so. Then, it's settled! Once you're ready, let’s meet here!
Yuki	Got it.
Izumi	…i-it's got that feel more than I thought right.
Tsumugi	Yes. The temperature too, seems like it's adjusted so it's chillier than outside.
	It's really well detailed. As expected from a popular haunted house.
Yuki	It's the first time I've entered a Chinese style haunted house, but surprisingly the costumes, the decorations and the props are artistic, it might be surprisingly interesting.
	Here, look at that. It's carefully elaborated to make it look like it's really old.
Izumi	(The both of them, are so calm…)
Ghost actor	Ouuu…!
Izumi	T-There it is!
Yuki	Woah, what's with this quality? Is it really handmade? The stitches are really neat, and the cloth is made from good material.
Tsumugi	I see, first they make you turn your attention to the top on purpose, so that when it appears suddenly at your feet the amount of surprise is increased.
Ghost actor	….
Izumi	…um, somehow I'm sorry.
	(I wonder why, maybe it's because their way of enjoying themselves is a bit off, but I'm also not so scared anymore…)
???	--you.
Izumi	Hm? Did you say something?
Tsumugi	I didn't say anything.
Yuki	Me neither.
Izumi	Eh? Then just now whose voice was--.
???	-fouuund you.
Izumi	Eeek!? W-Who is it?
???	I'm just—next to youuu!!
Izumi	Kyaaa!?
Yuki	--ah, if it isn't Villager C.
Tsuzuru	Eh.
Tsumugi	Ah, you're right. So that was your area Tsuzuru-kun.
Tsuzuru	Y-Yuki and Tsumugi-san, and even Director!? You came!
Izumi	Y-Yeah. I heard that you were doing your best Tsuzuru-kun, so we came to see how you're doing but…
Yuki	Heh, the quality of your costume is pretty high too. Let me look at it closer. Here, come closer.
Tsuzuru	Eh, ah, okay.
Tsumugi	Right Tsuzuru-kun. About the way you tried to scare us just now, I think your timing was a bit too fast.
	I think that if you intentionally leave a pause, and then come out to startle when the nervousness is at the peak, it'll induce more fear.
Tsuzuru	Eeeh… I was seriously just got called out…
Izumi	I-It's all good Tsuzuru-kun! I was startled and… I-I, was really, scared…?
Tsuzuru	Huh… you don’t have to force yourself to back me up. It'll just make me feel even more depressed.

Notes

Hoshiko