Tenma Sumeragi/MANKAI Memory

Childhood Memory: TENMA

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Tenma	I’m home. Sorry I’m late.
Izumi	Welcome back, Tenma-kun.
Tsumugi	We didn’t wait that long so it’s alright.
	Good job with work today.
Tenma	Yeah, thanks.
	…Hmph.
Banri	What’s up? You’re in a good mood, eh?
Sakuya	Did something nice happen?
Tenma	You can tell?
	Well… kinda, yeah.
Tsumugi	Oh, really? What happened?
Tenma	Ah, no, I can’t say yet.
	It’s just my… how do it put it?
	Ah, no, it’s nothing.
Banri	It sounds like you wanna say it really badly though.
Izumi	Ahaha. But I really am curious now.
Tenma	I’ll just say I got a nice job.
Sakuya	Oh, I see! Congrats!
Izumi	I can’t wait to hear what kind of job it is.
	Do your best, Tenma-kun.
Tenma	Yeah, of course.
Sakuya	Alright, let’s start the leader’s meeting since everyone is here!
Tsumugi	Please go ahead.
Izumi	So, first on our agenda are the birthday bromides.
Banri	Ahh. We’re gonna make and sell commemorative bromides during each member’s birthday month, right?
Tenma	They made Misumi’s the other day.
Izumi	Yeah. Kazunari-kun and Omi-kun on the troupe’s creative team are putting in a lot of effort working on them for us.
	The photos came out really great. And we used some unused items from the storage room as props, so it didn’t cost as much as we expected.
Banri	That money grubbin’ accountant Sakyo seems satisfied too.
Sakuya	The next photoshoot will be Tenma-kun’s, huh?
Tenma	Yeah. I’m also a pro at photoshoots, so just leave it to me.
	I’ll definitely make the absolute best bromide there is.
Banri	Well, ain't someone full of confidence?
	You really are in a good mood, huh?
	You must’ve gotten a pretty great job.
Tsumugi	Fufu, good for you.
	I’m looking forward to it as well.
Izumi	(Just what kind of job could it be that makes Tenma-kun this happy?
	I’m kind of excited about it too.)
Tenma	The birthday bromide photoshoot…
	Come to think of it, there was a rule that you have to choose one accessory that you’ll use for the shoot yourself, right?
	The theme is a memorable item from before you came to the dorm…
	(Before I came to the dorm, huh… did I have anything…?)
	…I’ll think about it while looking at my bonsai trees.
	(Bonsai…)
	Hm…
Kazunari	What’re you smirking about~?
Yuki	Gross.
Tenma	UWAHHH!?
	W-when did you two get here!?
Yuki	When you stared staring at your bonsai.
Kazunari	But I’m glad you’re in your room, Tenten!
	We just had a meeting for the b-day bromides.
Tenma	Ahh, I was just thinking about my accessory for that.
Kazunari	Ohh, nice timing!
	I bet the bromides taken with hot star Sumeragi Tenma’s treasures on them will fly right off the shelves~!
Yuki	Whatever the hack actor’s gonna choose is gonna reek of celeb anyways, right?
Tenma	Are you looking down on me!?
Kazunari	Alrighty then, about the photoshoot schedule.
	I was thinking I wanna do the shoot around this here~, but what’s your work schedule like?
Tenma	Well, I’m pretty sure—.
	—Yeah, I knew it.
	That won’t work, so next week is better.
	Hmph, I’ll be in a different shoot.
Kazunari	I see~. Gotcha!
	…Hey, isn’t Tenten kinda in a good mood?
Yuki	Does it have something to do with that shoot?
Tenma	I can’t say yet… but anyways, it’s an important job.
Yuki	You’re still smirking. Gross.
Tenma	Oh, shut it! It’s not gross, ok!
Kazunari	Ok, ok~. Then I’ll check if the studio’s free next week, ‘kay?
Tenma	Yeah, I'll be counting on you.

Tenma	This is the site of the photoshoot this time, huh?
Igawa	Yes. This aerial garden surrounded by buildings in the heart of Tokyo… is a popular location that’s been trending these days.
Tenma	I mean, it does have a nice view…
Igawa	It’s beautiful and well maintained, isn’t it?
Staff	Good morning!
Tenma	Good morning.
Photoshoot director	Morning, Sumeragi-kun.
	We’ll be counting on you today.
Tenma	Same here, I’ll be in your care.
Photoshoot director	Your role is a young man who works in a bonsai garden this time. And you’ll encounter the heroine in a small sales space in a corner of this aerial garden…
	It’s a really great help that you took this specialized role of a bonsai artist.
Tenma	Well, bonsai is my hobby so I was really happy I could land this role.
Photoshoot director	Is that so!
	Then I hope this opportunity will lead to more bonsai-related work.
Tenma	Yes, that’s the goal.
Photoshoot director	Ahaha, I see.
	Now then, jumping straight to business, allow me to explain the scene of the shoot today.
Tenma	Right, please do.
Photoshoot director	In the first scene, you start a conversation with the heroine who’s looking at the sales corner…
Tenma	—.
Photoshoot director	Hm? Did something catch your eye… Ahh, the terrarium, huh?
	I thought it’d look good on screen, so the art staff placed it there for me.
	Would it be strange to have it here?
Tenma	Oh, no, I don’t think so.
	…I just remembered I once had something very similar in the past.
Photoshoot director	Oh, I see.
Tenma	Excuse me, please continue.
Photoshoot director	Alright.
	So, the heroine who you strike up a conversation with will…
Tenma	…
Staff	We’re all finished with the shoot today.
	Thank you for your hard work today!
Tenma	Thank you very much.
	Good work today.
Igawa	Good job, Tenma-kun. Both the staff and director complimented your acting, saying it was really amazing.
Tenma	…
Igawa	?
	Did something catch your eye… Ah, that terrarium, right?
	Come to think of it, you had the same thing in the past, didn’t you?
Tenma	Yeah…
	*flashback starts*
Staff A	We’re finished with all the scenes with Tenma-kun now.
	Good work, everyone!
Staff B	Your acting was really great, Tenma-kun!
Staff C	That’s Tenma-kun for you! He even puts adults to shame.
Staff D	Yeah, he’s a genius after all. That was honestly amazing.
Tenma	Thank you very much.
Staff A	Alright then, Tenma-kun, can you wait here for now?
	You can have snacks, juice or whatever you like.
Staff B	There’s cake and pudding too.
Staff C	If there’s anything you want, then let a staff nearby know, alright?
Tenma	Ok.
	(…They’re really fussing over me, huh?)
	(This and that—everything’s just because of mom and dad.
	I bet they think I’m a kid who’s riding the coattails of my parents.)
	Hmph.
	…Hm?
	What’s this? A prop?
	It looks cool, just like a little garden…
???	It’s a terrarium.
Tenma	Dad…
Tenma’s dad	You sure were fascinated by it, huh?
	You've been doing a great job at work lately, so if you like it, I'll ask them to let me buy it.
Tenma	Really!?
Tenma’s dad	Yes.
Tenma	Yay!
	Thanks, dad!
	A terrarium, huh…
Tenma’s dad	… Tenma, right now, you’re the same as the tree in this terrarium—an actor who can only fit inside a small jar.
Tenma	Ehh?
Tenma’s dad	Become an actor who can’t be contained in such a small container, but who dashes up towards the heavens, no matter what comes your way.
Tenma	…Yeah!
	*flashback ends*
Igawa	Something like that happened…
Tenma	I didn’t fully appreciate the meaning of those words back then.
	But I recalled them every time I looked at that terrarium. And when it withered away, I felt like crying.
	Well, it was too long ago so I can’t remember that well though.
Igawa	I see.
Tenma	It’s a memory I’d forgotten until now… but it may have definitely taken root inside of me without me even knowing it.
	…
	Um, excuse me.
Staff	Yes?
Tenma	Could I buy this terrarium?

Igawa	Congratulations on finishing your shooting, Tenma-kun.
	Thanks for all your hard work.
Tenma	It was just a minor role though.
Igawa	But it seems they spoke well of you.
	Now a story on the cover of “Friends of Bonsai” isn’t too far away either.
Tenma	Hm, that’s true.
Igawa	Alright, then I’ll be going now.
	I’m sure everyone in Summer troupe are waiting for you, aren’t they?
Tenma	R-really? I haven’t heard anything.
Igawa	I’m sure they’re preparing a surprise for you.
	Please give my regards to Tachibana-san and the others.
	Now then, please excuse me.
Tenma	Ahh, thanks for your help today.
	*drives away*
	(A surprise, huh…)
	Hm? It’s totally dark.
	(Wait, they must be standing by somewhere.
	It can’t be helped, I’ll wait for them.)
	…Uh, where did those guys go!?
	Isn’t it still pitch black in here!!
	(What the heck? Good grief…)
	I’m back…
	*party poppers pop*
Summer troupe	HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Izumi	HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Tenma	UWAHHH!?
	Oh… y-you guys…!
Misumi	The surprise was a huge success~!
Tenma	D-don’t surprise me!
	What the hell; you guys were in my room? Geez…!
Kumon	Did actually you think that you’d get surprised in the lounge!?
Yuki	Did you get depressed when the lounge was just dark and nobody came?
Tenma	N-no, I didn’t!
Kazunari	Ahaha, sorry, fam~.
Muku	Happy birthday, Tenma-kun!
Izumi	Happy birthday!
Tenma	Pff… Yeah, thanks.
Kazunari	We’ve got cake, snacks, and tons of different drinks!
Kumon	It’s Tenma-san’s birthday party with everyone!
Summer troupe	YEAH!
Misumi	You had your drama shoot today, right, Tenma~?
Tenma	Yeah. I’ve finished with my shooting today.
Izumi	Oh, really? Great job!
Muku	It’s the drama you’re playing a bonsai artist in, right?
	It's been getting a lot of attention and Tenma-kun’s really cool in it, so I’m excited to watch it every week.
Kumon	Yep, yep, me too~!
Kazunari	So that was the important shoot you mentioned before, eh~?
Izumi	It’s not often you come by the role of a bonsai artist, so I understand why Tenma-kun was so happy about it.
Kazunari	You found the terrarium you brought for your birthday bromide at that shooting site too, didn’t you?
Tenma	Yeah, exactly.
CHOICE 1: The terrarium is lovely. [+] Izumi The terrarium is really lovely. Tenma Right? I had one really similar when I was younger, and I really liked it. I’d love to go look at different kinds of bonsai and terrariums some other time. I’ll take you with me when I do, Director. Izumi Really? Thanks! I’m looking forward to it.
CHOICE 2: The role of a bonsai artist suits you perfectly. [+] Izumi The role of a bonsai artist suits you perfectly. Tenma Hmph, obviously. Kazunari Tenten looked super enthusiastic in the scene where you were talking about the bonsai! Yuki He was really fired up when he went to the shoot, and he looked ridiculously happy and hype about it. Kumon You had the vibe of a craftsman and you were so cool in a refined way~! Muku Everyone’s going crazy over Tenma-kun’s new charm. Misumi That’s Tenma for you~! Izumi That’d be great if you get more bonsai-related jobs, right? Tenma Yeah, I can’t wait.
Izumi	Huh? Speaking of which, it doesn’t look like the terrarium that was shown in the bromide is in your room…
Tenma	That was a rented prop, so I couldn’t buy it after all.
	I asked them to let me borrow it for just the day of the bromide shoot.
Izumi	Oh, I see.
Tenma	Well, I’ve got my hands totally full caring for my bonsai right now anyways.
Yuki	Hmmm, the value of Sumeragi Tenma’s name still has a ways to go, huh?
Tenma	What’d you say!?
	…But, I can’t deny that I’m still lacking.
	The way I am right now is still stuck in that jar.
	That’s why I’ll improve even more from now on.
	So much that I can’t be contained in any container, no matter how big it is.
Izumi	Yeah, that’s the spirit!
Muku	Tenma-kun’s… so cool!
Kazunari	Weeew! Well said, Tenten!
	Your vibes are totes lit!
Yuki	Good grief, you’re too fired up.
Misumi	You’re amazing, Tenma, amaaazing!
Kumon	I seriously admire you! You’re super cool, Tenma-san!
Izumi	(With everyone in Summer troupe, I'm sure Tenma will become an amazing actor, just like he declared...)
	(That's why MANKAI Company has to grow as well, to be able to support our amazing Tenma-kun.)

Anna