Chikage Utsuki/MANKAI Encore

Encore: Oswald

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Chikage	Is this all my luggage?
Sakuya	I'm done moving the props !
Itaru	I'm tired of carrying all these stuff. Can we just finish this tomorrow?
Izumi	We cannot do that. We're going to take a break soon.
Citron	Director is so squid.
Tsuzuru	You mean, strict? Also, you intended to praise her, right?
	Hm? By the way, have you seen Masumi?
Theater Staff	If you're looking for the young boy with black hair, he went to the dressing room. I'll take you there.
Masumi	zzz.....zzz....
Tsuzuru	He's sleeping. Moreover, he's curling up on that futon so comfortably.
Chikage	Why would there be a futon in the dressing room?
Theater Staff	Ah, that futon is originally part of the theater's fixture. Feel free to use it whether as a props or for napping.
Izumi	Eh? Is it really okay?
Itaru	Then, let me jump in too.
Citron	Me too! I also love futons! I feel sleepy whenever I see one... oof!
Sakuya	Ehh? Everyone's going to sleep?
Itaru	Futon is a prohibited dangerous item. It casts drowsiness powerfully. There's no escaping once you get caught in its grasp.
Chikage	Just say that you're lazy.
Tsuzuru	No doubt about that.
Itaru	But senpai, wouldn't it better if you'll just join us sleep? Your schedule has been really hectic lately.
Izumi	Is it?
Chikage	That's unnecessary.
Sakuya	Were you busy with your job too, Chikage-san?
Chikage	Well yeah. I'm a little busy but I'm a short sleeper. I tend to sleep for shorter periods so there's no need to worry about it.
Sakuya	....
Chikage	We should start prepping soon. ---Come on, Masumi.
Masumi	Hn...
Izumi	(Chikage-san...Will he be okay?)
Izumi	We're finished with the preparations. Everyone, thank you for your help.
Tsuzuru	Good work.
Citron	G'd work~
Itaru	All that's left is for us to enjoy the performance. Where should we go after this? Sightseeing? How about let's try some gourmet food?
Chikage	So soba noodles is not an option, huh.
Citron	Me ! me! I want to eat acne.
Sakuya	Acne?
Citron	My bad, I mean uncle.
Masumi	I don't think that's it.
Chikage	I think he means oyaki.
Citron	That's it.
Izumi	I don't mind eating gourmet food but I wonder if there's a place we can visit as a good reference for role making?
Itaru	You mean, a magical place for Oz's role making?
Tsuzuru	There's no such thing as that.
Sakuya	I agree.
Theater Staff	How about everyone try a hot air balloon experience?
Tsuzuru	Hot air balloon?
Theater Staff	You'll just have to get up early but there's a place nearby where you can ride hot air balloon. You will use a hot air balloon on stage this time, right?
Sakuya	Wow! I want to try it! How about you, Chikage-san?
Chikage	That might be a great idea.
Sakuya	Ahh, but Chikage-san. You couldn't get much sleep. Getting up super early in the morning might--
Chikage	Let's do it. It's not like we can experience riding hot-air balloons every day, right?
Sakuya	Eh? b-but...
Chikage	Oz and Rick rode a hot air balloon, so why not try riding it ourselves too?
Sakuya	You're right !
Izumi	Everyone, what do you think?
Itaru	I don't want to get up early.
Citron	I promised to meet up with Taka-san tonight so I might not be able to get up early tomorrow.
Tsuzuru	Who the hell is Taka-san? !
Citron	An uncle I recently got along with. I'm sure we're gonna drink till late at night so me and Tsuzuru might not be able to make it.
Tsuzuru	Wait? Me too?
Citron	I promised him that Citrun will put up a show.
Tsuzuru	Seriously? Deciding everything all by yourself..
Izumi	This might be a great chance. How about you two, the leading actor and co-leading actor, ride it together?
Chikage	What do you think, Masumi?
Masumi	If director ain't tagging along, I don't want to go too.
Chikage	I see. It's decided. Two of us will try the hot air balloon experience tomorrow.
Sakuya	Yup! I'm looking forward to it!

Sakuya	Fuwaahh! Good morning, Chikage-san.
Chikage	Good morning. You look sleepy.
Sakuya	I'm a bit sleepy. Chikage-san, did you get enough sleep?
Chikage	I did.
Sakuya	.....
Chikage	I'm not lying. --- Look, it's our turn now.
Sakuya	O-okay.
Sakuya	Wow~! We’re flying higher than I expected. The morning sun is so beautiful. It feels like we can almost touch it.
Chikage	haha, indeed. It's pretty impressive.
Sakuya	I wonder, how does hot air balloons fly?
Chikage	Hmm.. The burner is heating up the air inside the balloon. The hot air inside becomes lighter than the cool air outside. It allows the balloon to expand and fly in the air.
Sakuya	Heh.. but flying in the sky is like magic! That's why people were convinced that Oswald is a great wizard.
Chikage	Magic, huh. If you could use magic, how would you like to use it?
Sakuya	Eh? Hmm... Let's see.. I can't think of anything in particular.
Chikage	Haha. Very typical of you.
Sakuya	Then, how about you, Chikage-san?
Chikage	Me? Let's see.. I can't think of anything too.
Sakuya	Ahaha. We're the same.
Chikage	Ah, but if there's a magic that will allow me to freely use any spice I like, it would be really useful.
Sakuya	If it's a magic to use any spice, I'm sure you'll be able to do it.
Chikage	How about you? Isn't there anything you want?
Sakuya	Well... Ah, there's one!
Chikage	??
Citron	Morning !
Izumi	Good morning, Citron-kun. You're early today.
Citron	It's nothing compared to how early director wakes up.
Masumi	What's that?
Tsuzuru	There's a futon on the stage.
Sakuya	zzz.....zzz...
Chikage	zzz....zzz..
Izumi	Fufu, both of them are sleeping soundly.
Citron	Just as I thought, director is the first person to wake up.
Masumi	I want to sleep too.
Tsuzuru	You did nothing yesterday but to sleep.
Chikage	So noisy..
Itaru	Oh, he's awake. Senpai, did you finally obtained some magic?
Sakuya	zzz....zzz...
Chikage	Well, who knows.
Citron	Oh !
Itaru	For real? Do you think I'll obtain magic too?
Citron	I feel like yawning too.
Chikage	Oi! Don't just force yourself in. It's too cramped--
Masumi	zzz...zzz...
Tsuzuru	Let me join too.
Chikage	There's no way six people could fit in a futon for two. I'm getting out--
Citron	Chikage, you can't !
Itaru	Citron's right. Senpai, you're the one who needs sleep the most. Right, director-san?
Izumi	That's right. You will play the lead role. It is part of your job to sleep properly and save lots of strength for the play. That is an order from your director.
Sakuya	zzz...zzz...
Chikage	If it's an order, then I cannot help it. Can you wake me up later?
Izumi	Fufu, of course. Sleep well, everyone.

Izumi	Fufu, everyone's looking good. I guess it's because everyone had plenty of sleep.
Chikage	It's all thanks to Sakuya.
Sakuya	I'm quite surprised when I woke up 'cuz everyone were sleeping together with me.
Itaru	We were surprised too when we came to the theater and saw the two of you sleeping soundly on a futon.
Citron	So it's all Sakuya's magic?
Sakuya	I didn't do anything. It seems like Chikage-san couldn't get enough sleep. I wanted to do something about it. So I thought, it'll be comfortable to sleep on the stage together. Chikage-san, thank you for listening to my request.
Chikage	Likewise, I also think it's possible because of Sakuya's magic.
Izumi	fufu, Isn't it a wonderful kind of magic?
Tsuzuru	That's right.
Masumi	I'll cast magic on you too. A magic of love that's going to last for a lifetime..
Izumi	I'd appreciate if you'll refrain from doing that now. Look, The performance is about to start.
Chikage	Everyone, Let's turn this theater into a magical place everyone will never forget!
Everyone	Yeah !
Izumi	(After being blown away by tornado, Oswald met Rick, a boy in the country of Oz)
Rick	Are you Oz-sama? The Great Wizard of Oz, Oz-sama !?
Oswald	Wizard?
Rick	I saw you using magic to fly above the sky a while ago.
Oswald	Oh, that's...
Oswald	Ah, wait. I can go along with this.
Oswald	Now, put on this glasses and open your eyes.
Rick	Woah ! The city turned green!
Oswald	That's right. I transformed the whole city into emerald using magic. From now on, This city will be called the "Emerald City."
Izumi	( Chikage-san who is now standing on the stage has truly became an actor who can mesmerize and entertain the audience while he himself, is enjoying the performance.)
Rick	Oz-sama. Can we..
Oswald	Can we, what? Oh, that's right. You mentioned that you wanted me to defeat the wicked wizard.
Oswald	My stomach is not in good condition today.
Rick	Oz-sama, how about today?
Oswald	My head is not in good condition today.
Rick	Oz-sama. How about--
Oswald	My glasses are not in good condition today.
Audience A	Pfft --
Audience B	Ahahaha!
Izumi	(He's syncing perfectly with Sakuya-kun. I'm worried at first since he's not making any eye contact but he's doing well now)
	( In the end, Oswald has no choice but to embark on a journey. He then visited the wizards of North and South first before setting off to visit the wicked wizards. He tricked them into blessing him by telling clever lies.)
Wizard of the North	Now I, the Wizard of North bestow upon you, Wizard of Oz, a blessing.
Wizard of the North	From now on, Nobody can hurt you.
Oswald	Nobody?
Wizard of the North	Yes. However keep in mind, my magic cannot affect those wizards who are stronger than I am. My magic cannot affect the Wizards of East and West.
Oswald	Useless.
Wizard of the North	Did you say something?
Oswald	No, it's nothing. Please excuse me, then.
Izumi	(Citron's interaction with Chikage-san is rather carefree but you can feel the warmth between them)
Wizard of the South	Here's my blessing for you.
Oswald	What kind of blessing it is?
Wizard of the South	It is the blessing of the rain. It is useful during dry weather.
Oswald	Sigh... Why everyone's so useless.
Wizard of the South	What?
Oswald	Nothing at all. Excuse me.
Izumi	(Masumi-kun is daring as usual but Chikage-san is keeping up with him.)
Oswald	The Wizard of the West has been acting suspicious lately. It seems like he's trying to steal a land that belongs to the Wizard of the East.
Wizard of the East	There's no way he would betray me.
Oswald	It would be too late to find out whether it's the truth or not. Be careful.
Wizard of the East	Just in case, I'll fortify my defense.
Oswald	I can prevent the Wizard of the West from getting here from the capital.
Wizard of East	Really? You will do that?
Izumi	( The Wizard of East was suspicious at first but was ultimately coaxed with Oswald's clever lies. Their interactions are not far from their usual self. )
Oswald	Greetings, Wizard of the West. My name is Oz. It seems like the Wizard of the East is plotting to attack your territory.
Wizard of the West	What?
Oswald	Now that you mentioned it, it looks like he's fortifying his defense lately.
Oswald	So you can tell?
Wizard of the West	I may have one eye but I can see everything.
Oswald	I can help you prevent his attacks from the capital.
Wizard of the West	You? Why would you do that?
Oswald	If the strongest wizards fight each other, it's going to ravage the entire country.
Wizard of the West	Hmph. Do what you want.
Izumi	( Itaru-san has a good tempo as usual. Chikage-san and everyone in Spring troupe is getting along with each other. Because of that, everyone is so in sync with each other while performing.)
	(Eventually, Wizard of West challenged Oswald to a magical duel. Oswald pretended to grant Rick a magic. Rick then set off on a journey to defeat the Wizard of West on his own.)
Oswald	Wait.
Rick	Huh?
Oswald	Are you really going?
Rick	Yes !
Oswald	....
Oswald	Such an idiot.
Oswald	Not the the hindrance is gone, all that's left for me is to escape with my balloon. I had a comfortable life staying here but I refuse to get dragged into bigger troubles.
Oswald	....
Oswald	I wonder what happened to him.
Izumi	(Oswald's worried expression has gotten better than it was at the premier. All thanks to the time Chikage-san and Sakuya-kun spent together.)
Oswald	I have something important to do. I must return to my country.
Rick	Something important....
Rick	I understand. There are still many people who are waiting for Oz-sama's help, right? I won't stop you.
Oswald	----
Rick	Me and everyone, we will all be waiting for your return, Oz-sama!
Oswald	Thanks.
Oswald	I will be going now. Please make sure no realizes that I have left.
Rick	Leave it to me!
Izumi	(Oswald and Rick stared at each other. It only lasted for a while but it felt really warm.)
Chikage	pf..
Izumi	(Oswald's smile just now... Did Chikage-san smiled for the sake of performance or he's purely smiling for Sakuya-kun? )
Chikage	Maybe, I've became a fool too... just like him.
Izumi	fufu, I wonder if you did.
Audience C	I'm moved to tears !
Audience D	Oz's and Rick's last scene is so warm!
Sakuya	We did it, Chikage-san!
Chikage	All thanks to Sakuya's magic.

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