Tsuzuru Minagi/Rising Dragon Carrying Prayers

Passing Outstanding Talent

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Tsuzuru	…Is this right?
Azuma	Yes. I think you’ve improved.
Izumi	The prayer dance requested by the shrine is really shaping up.
Tsuzuru	I’m glad if you say so.
Azuma	The real performance will be a sword dance in a separate garden, right?
	I’d love to go watch as well.
Tsuzuru	I’m happy to hear that, but I feel nervous no matter how many times I show it to you.
Azuma	Really?
Izumi	Your movements are very refined, Azuma-san. It feels refreshing, especially when you’re performing a dance.
Azuma	Ah. That reminds me, Kazu told me that the other day as well.
Tsuzuru	Did Miyoshi-san ask you to watch over his dance practice too?
Azuma	Yes. It appears Yuki heard that I’ve dabbled in traditional Japanese dance before, so he asked me for a favour.
Izumi	And in this case, Tsuzuru-kun heard about that from Kazunari-kun and also asked Azuma-san for help, right?
Tsuzuru	Your advice is really accurate and a lifesaver, Yukishiro-san.
Izumi	You’ll be perfect in the show if you keep practicing at this rate, Tsuzuru-kun!
Tsuzuru	Ah, well…
	Actually, there’s something I’m a little worried about.
Izumi	Eh, there is?
Tsuzuru	I only get to wear my performance costume when I practice in the garden. But my movements become awkward when I have it on…
Izumi	The costume is like a traditional Chinese outfit, right?
Tsuzuru	Yeah.
	It’s more fluttery compared to a regular kimono, so it’s easy for the hem to get caught.
Izumi	Hmm… but I think it’d be hard to take the performance costume out for each and every one of your practices though.
Azuma	In that case, what about Chinatown?
Tsuzuru	Chinatown?
Azuma	Yes. In Kyoto, there are tourist spots you can walk around dressed as a maiko or rent a kimono, right?
	I bet there are shops in Chinatown that rent out traditional Chinese outfits in a similar manner.
Izumi	You have a point.
	…They might have one at that Chinatown!
Tsuzuru	I see.
	I’d like to go since I bet that would help me right now. But…
Izumi	But?
Tsuzuru	It’s just—a single guy walking around in a rental outfit would be a bit…
Azuma	In that case, why don’t you go with him, Director?
	It sounds like you’ve been there before.
	I’m sure the rental outfit would look great on you too.
Izumi	Eh, me!?
Tsuzuru	It would feel reassuring to have you wear one with me.
Izumi	Uh… I’d feel a little embarrassed, but it’s for your dance.
	Alright, I’ll wear it with you.
Tsuzuru	Thanks so much.
	Wow, it’s bustling.
Izumi	It might’ve been this busy when I came here for the Chinatown Theatre Festival.
Tsuzuru	Does that mean something’s going on here today?
Izumi	Maybe.
	We might be able to see something if we take a walk around.
Tsuzuru	Yeah.
	Anyways, we have to find some costumes.
Izumi	Right. I wonder if the shop is in that direction?
	Ah, it’s here!
Store clerk	Welcome.
Tsuzuru	Excuse me, we’d like to request some rental outfits.
Store clerk	Yes, right away. Please take a look here.
Izumi	Wow, amazing!
	There’s so many colourful outfits…!
Tsuzuru	Heh, there’s lots of different kinds too.
Store clerk	This store carries a variety of designs, so I am certain you will find something to your liking.
Tsuzuru	With this selection, they might have something close to my dance performance costume.
Izumi	Right. Let’s search!
Tsuzuru	Yeah.

Izumi	It looks great on you, Tsuzuru-kun!
Tsuzuru	…Thanks.
	You look great too, Director.
Store clerk	They suit both of you very well.
	Please enjoy your date!
Izumi	Eh?
Tsuzuru	That’s not…!
	…Well, since we’re here, why don’t we have fun seeing the sights around Chinatown?
Izumi	Okay! I’m with you.
	The manju and bubble tea both tasted amazing!
Tsuzuru	They sure did.
	They were freshly made and delicious.
Izumi	Hm? People are crowding around over there.
	Maybe there’s some kind of event going on?
Tsuzuru	That reminds me. You said there’s lots of people out, so there might be something happening today, didn’t you? Shall we head over?
Izumi	Sure.
Participant A	HA!
	HO!
Izumi	Ah, there’s a signboard that says “Sword Dance Contest”!
	So that’s the reason it was so crowded.
Tsuzuru	Amazing…
Izumi	(Tsuzuru-kun’s absorbed in watching. It’s different from the actual dance he’s going to do, but I guess it caught his eye since it’s still a sword dance.)
Staff	…Hold on, you there.
	The participants are standing by in that area over there.
Tsuzuru	Eh, me!?
Staff	You’re joining the competition, aren’t you? You’re in costume and all.
	Here, take this sword and get going. Quickly!
Tsuzuru	Ehh, you’ve got it all wrong!
	*gets dragged away*
Izumi	…Eh! TSUZURU-KUN!?
Chairman	Now we have our last contender.
	Ahem… please step up, Minagi Tsuzuru-san!
Izumi	(I can’t believe he’s actually going to take the stage.)
	(I have to cheer him on. He just happens to be wearing a similar outfit, plus this is a chance for him to show off the results of his daily practice…!)
	Go for it, Tsuzuru-kun!
Tsuzuru	…Welp, this happened. All I can do is the best sword dance I can pull off.
	…Hah!
	*applause*
Chairman	That was spectacular!
	Truly a wonderful dance!
Izumi	You rocked it, Tsuzuru-kun!
Tsuzuru	T-thank you very much.
CHOICE 1: You were so pro [+] Izumi You were so pro, honestly. I was always watching you practice at the dorm, yet I couldn’t help but feel captivated. Tsuzuru Ahh, but that dance just now also felt different to me than when I practiced. There’s a different feeling of nervousness when a whole crowd has their eyes on me compared to when I’m being watched by Yukishiro-san. Izumi All the guests were taken aback as well. Tsuzuru That’s great to hear then! I’ve gained a little more confidence.
CHOICE 2: How was the outfit? [+] Izumi By the way, how was the outfit? It was fluttery, just like the one you’re actually going to wear. Tsuzuru Oh right. It didn’t bother me at all while I was dancing just now. Look like I got used to it from walking around with it on. Izumi That’s great! That was our goal today. Tsuzuru Right. Both that and spending all day today wearing rental outfits with you… Izumi Eh? Tsuzuru Err, nothing! It’s all thanks to you who strolled around the streets with me! Izumi Fufu. I’m happy if it helped.
Tsuzuru	*Sigh*. It’s over now.
	How did this happen…
Chairman	I apologize for the wait. I will announce the results from the judges!
	This year’s winner is…
	Makato Asano of Team Shin!
	Congratulations!
Tsuzuru	Yep, it’s not me who just jumped in last minute.
Chairman	This year is Asano-san’s miraculous 5th consecutive championship!
	He will be inducted into the contest’s hall of fame!
Tsuzuru	There’s even less way that’d be me…
	Well, I think it was a good experience—.
Chairman	Now then, this year was a close fight with fierce competitors, so a special award was set up for this occasion!
	The recipient is… Minagi Tsuzuru-san!
Izumi	EHH!
Tsuzuru	Eh, me!?
Chairman	Minagi-san, please come this way. For some reason, your team name isn’t listed on the roster. Which group do you belong to?
Tsuzuru	Um, actually… a staff member mistook me as a participant and I was suddenly made to appear. I was just passing by.
Chairman	EHHH, passing by!?
	You see, you were a huge hit with all the judges. However, your sword had a different flair to it so we couldn’t evaluate you with the regular prize—.
	That’s why in this special case, we created a special award just for you.
Tsuzuru	An award just for me…
Chairman	Anyways, your sword handling was superb. You’re not new to this at all, are you?
Tsuzuru	Well, a bit, yeah… I happened to get an opportunity to learn recently, so I was in the midst of practicing.
Chairman	Oh my, you only started recently!?
	That is wonderful! I certainly hope you re-register next year with a sword dance that matches the style of this competition.
Tsuzuru	N-no, I….
	(Now that I think about it, the sword dance that I’m still learning right now has a tradition related to rituals…)
	Was it alright for me to perform such an ancient and honourable sword dance here…!?

Anna