Masumi Usui/Kneeling Vow of Love

Kneeling Vow of Love

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

	(Sound of bells)*ring*……*ring*……
Masumi	……! Right, I……
	(I proposed to the director……and I was finally accepted.)
Izumi	What’s wrong, Masumi-kun? You’re blanking out, you know?
Masumi	No, I’m not. I was entranced by you in a wedding dress.
	……You’re really stunning.
Izumi	Really? Thanks.
Masumi	(I’ve seen it even in my dreams, our wedding ceremony……Director, I’ll definitely make you happy—)
Izumi	……Er…………
	But…… why are you……
Masumi	……?
	(Why is she making a face as if she’s about to cry……?)
Izumi	Why are you in a uniform……?
Masumi	—!?
Izumi	To you……marrying me…….so you think that it’s something that a uniform would be enough for.
Masumi	No, that’s not it——
Izumi	Masumi-kun, you……
	Masumi-kun, you……!
	I hate you!!!!!!
Masumi	……!?!?!?!?!?!?
	Wait! Director, I……!
	——!? ……It was a dream huh……
	(Even though it was finally my wedding ceremony with the Director……)
	…………
	(But——)
	( I honestly did hear her say “I hate you”. If she really says that to me in reality, I……)
	…………
	(This nightmare must be because of my lack of love for the Director……)
	“Director……I wish you’d accept my love……I’m serious.”
	This won’t do……it’s absolutely not enough at all.
	(Come to think of it, I saw from the television once that women adore romantic situations……)
	(Romantic…… romantic……)
	(Something that a woman adores……)
	(——Something like a prince?)
	…………
	( If so then I should do it more like this……with a kneel……)
	“Director……no, princess……I can’t think of anyone else but you as my princess.”
	“That’s why, will you accept this ring? I’ll definitely……make you happy.”
Tsuzuru	Yaaaw~n……Hm? Masumi? What are you doing so early in the morning?
Masumi	Practicing.
Tsuzuru	Eh, for a play? That’s unusual.
Masumi	No. I’m practicing how to give the engagement ring to the Director.
Tsuzuru	Haa? Engagement……In the very first place, you aren’t even going out with the Director, are you.
Masumi	It’s alright. I’m serious about it.
Tsuzuru	I didn’t mean that either.
	Haa……you really never learn.

Izumi	Hmm……taste-testing tickets for a curry fair……what should I do.
	It expires today too……
	(Even though it’s really conveniently located at the shopping mall’s lobby, everyone said that they had matters they had to attend to today……)
	Haa……
	(And here I thought that it was a great opportunity for everyone to finally understand the splendor of curry……)
	Ah! Morning, Masumi-kun.
Masumi	……Morning.
Izumi	(Huh……? Masumi-kun…he seems a little down……)
	(Let’s try inviting Masumi-kun since it’s free……! He might cheer up if he has some delicious curry too!)
	Say, Masumi-kun. If you don’t have any plans for today, how about going to the curry fair at the shopping district together with me?
Masumi	……!
Izumi	(Huh? He’s not reacting well to this……?)
	Um, if it’s inconvenient—
Masumi	I’ll go.
Izumi	Eh……? Is it alright?
Masumi	It’s alright. I have a day off today.
Izumi	I see, thank god! Thanks!
Masumi	Director telling me “I hate you” was a dream……and this is reality……
Izumi	(……? Did Masumi-kun say something?)
	(But well, I’m glad that the taste-testing tickets didn’t go to waste in the end.)
	I’m glad that you came along with me!
Masumi	…………!!!?
Izumi	Hm? What’s wrong, Masumi-kun.
Masumi	To think that you’ll be happy just by me going along with you……
	I’m glad to be invited by you to a date.
Izumi	(Masumi-kun’s misunderstanding something, isn’t he!?)
	E-Err, you see Masumi-kun——
Banri	Morn—
Muku	Good morning!
Izumi	Oh……morning everyone! Breakfast is gonna be done soon so please wait a little.
Sakuya	I’ll help out!
Banri	Me too……wait, huh? Masumi? You’re making a really pleased expression.
Muku	Could it be that something good happened?
Masumi	It happened.
Banri	Ah—……Okay, I see. Good for you.
Izumi	(Umm……Well, I guess it’s better than his depressed expression earlier.)
	Masumi-kun, we’ll go out in the afternoon, okay?
Masumi	Got it.
Izumi	Amazing! It smells like curry no matter where we are in the shopping district……!! Haa……I’m so happy……!
Masumi	Director……you’re cute. I’m really happy too.
Izumi	Say, which curry are you interested in? Look, the store’s information is also written down on this curry map.
Masumi	……!!? You’re so close to me……and you’re being really aggressive today.
Izumi	But I won’t be able to see the words since it’s small if I don’t do that, right?
	Oh, look! There’s even sweet sake curry and wild vegetable curry!
	I’m at a loss as to which I should choose!
Masumi	I’m fine so long as I’m with you.
Izumi	Hmm……I’m curious about those types of curry I’ve never eaten before though……Well then, I guess I’ll settle for this!
Masumi	The world’s most delicious peach curry……?
Izumi	Yup! Doesn’t it kind of catch your attention?
Masumi	I like that part of you which is a little weird too.
Izumi	The contents of curry is an unknown encounter everyday. They cause unexpected chemical reactions within itself even if the ingredients are a little different!
	Come on, let’s hurry and go!
Masumi	……Yeah.

Izumi	The curry was really delicious—! ——Whoa, aahh!
	This is “Kareko-chan”……!
Masumi	Kare……?
Izumi	“Kareko-chan”! It’s famous with those who love curry. It’s a character that was made based off curry.
Masumi	Hmm. I think that you’re cuter though.
Izumi	Since there are many stalls here, I guess I’ll get some souvenirs for everyone seeing how we’re already here and all.
Masumi	……If that’s what you say……
Izumi	(Oh, this keychain’s Kareko-chan’s best friend “Kare-otoko-kun”. Kare-otoko-kun’s cute too……)
	(Wait……huh?)
	(Taking a closer look at it, it kinda resembles Masumi-kun a little……?)
	(——Oh. Right, I just thought of something good!)
	Sorry for keeping you waiting—
Masumi	I’ve not been waiting that long. Have you gotten the souvenirs?
Izumi	Yup! I’ve bought them. And also—— here!
Masumi	Eh? A key-holder……? Moreover, this character that’s hanging from it……
Izumi	It’s Kareko-chan’s friend known as Kare-otoko-kun. As thanks for accompanying me today, I’m giving it to you as a present!
Masumi	……!?
Izumi	(Huh? I wonder what’s up with Masumi-kun. Won’t he accept it……?)
	Could it be that Kareko-chan would have been a better choice?
Masumi	No, it’s just that I got you a present too……I thought that you’d be happy since you said that it was cute earlier.
	Here, take this.
Izumi	Eh?
	Wow, a Kareko-chan key-holder! Is it really okay!?
Masumi	Yeah.
Izumi	Thanks, Masumi-kun!!
	But, to think that we both bought key-holders for each other……
CHOICE 1: What an amazing coincidence. [+] Izumi What an amazing coincidence. Masumi Yeah……I feel like this is the happiest thing that has happened in my entire life. Izumi Not at all, you’re exaggerating……
CHOICE 2: It feels like we have mutual understanding, doesn’t it! [+] Izumi It feels like we have mutual understanding, doesn’t it! Masumi Of course……we’re connected by fate. I’m the one who knows how you think best. Izumi (Masumi-kun’s way of thinking goes beyond my level of understanding though……)
Masumi	Thanks, Director. I’ll treasure this key-holder greatly.
Izumi	I’ll treasure it too!
Masumi	And also……
Izumi	……?
Masumi	I will treasure you even more. I’ll show you that I’ll become a more suitable man for you……I’ll try even harder.
Izumi	Eh……?
Masumi	That’s why……I want to have a date together with you like this again.
Izumi	Eh!? W-Wait a minute.
Masumi	Director……please go out with me with the intention of marriage—
Izumi	(H-How did things come down to this……!?)
Old Man From The Shopping District	Lucky draw~! Participation rights are given to people who have a receipt of more than 1000 yen from this shopping district~!
Izumi	Ah, Masumi-kun! It’s a lucky draw!
	Let’s try a draw with the receipt we got from the souvenirs!
Masumi	…………!
	Grabbing my arm so suddenly like that, you’re really being aggressive today……it’s cute.
Old Man From The Shopping District	Welcome! You’ve 2 tries from the receipt you’ve shown!
Izumi	Well then Masumi-kun. How about we draw once in order?
Masumi	Okay.
Izumi	I’ll start first……here I go!
Old Man From The Shopping District	Too bad! So you get a packet of tissue for participation. Next is the brother’s turn!
Masumi	I’m next……?
	……It’s gold.
Old Man From The Shopping District	Ohh! It’s the first prize!! Jackpot, “A pair of Curry Exhibition admission tickets”—!
Izumi	A curry exhibition!?!?!?
	H-How nice……I’m really interested……
Masumi	Director, how about we go together?
Izumi	Eh!? Really!? Is it really alright!?!?
Masumi	Yeah.
Izumi	I want to go! Please let me go by all means! Yay—! It’s the curry exhibition~!
Masumi	A pleased director is really cute after all……I’ll definitely make the proposal a success on the next date.

Ran