Die by the Sword/Episode 9

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Die by the Sword
Episode 9

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Tasuku ... Tsumugi Oh, you’re still awake. Tasuku Yeah. The leaders meeting took a while today, huh. Tsumugi We got a little too excited talking about the troupe’s next event. Were you reading something? Tasuku Just a bit. Tsumugi It’s finally the first day tomorrow. The final catch-up practice sessions were a little too hard. Tasuku You also agreed to do it. Tsumugi I guess so. Tasuku ... Tsumugi Where are you going? Tasuku I’m going to run for a bit. Tsumugi See you later. Tomorrow is the real performance so take it easy. Tasuku I know. Tsumugi (...I wonder if he really does. Well, he’s probably just restless he can’t sit still.) —— (This was the letter Tasuku was reading... A questionnaire?) (Come to think of it, it looks like the questionnaire that was inserted between the pages of the script when he got those stuff from his family.) (Geez, won’t he lose it again if he just carelessly leaves it on the floor like that?) (I’ll go leave it on the desk.) ——Huh? This is... Guy ... Tasuku ...Guy-san? Guy Takato. Those clothes–– Are you going for a run? Tasuku I could ask you the same thing, Guy-san. Guy I couldn’t settle down. Tasuku Me too. Do you want to run together? Guy I’ll go with you. Tasuku ... Guy ... Tasuku This pace seems easy enough. Guy We can run at your usual pace. Tasuku In that case, I won’t hold back. Guy ... Tasuku Come to think of it, right after you joined the troupe, we went running together. Guy Yeah... In order to get to know you. Tasuku So, what did you think? Guy I concluded that you were a theater nerd. Tasuku Well, I won’t deny that. Guy But my impression of you has changed a little. That part of you that’s obsessed with theater hasn’t changed, but I thought you were more the type of person who wasn’t interested in others. It seems that you surprisingly love your comrades... you surprisingly love the Winter Troupe. Tasuku —— I won’t deny that either. Guy My acting is still inferior compared to yours and the others’. But I will act out a Kojiro that I can do, to the best of my ability. Since I’ve decided to do that, I will come at Musashi as if I’m really about to kill him. Tasuku That’s just what I’m hoping for. ...My impression of you has changed too, Guy-san. Guy ? Tasuku You love acting more than I thought, and you’re pretty competitive. Guy I won’t deny that. Tasuku Heh. Tasuku ... Izumi (Tasuku-san feels different from the usual.) (Is he nervous...? No, that’s not it. He’s concentrating. This aura makes it hard to interact with him... He’s getting into Musashi’s character.) Homare Are we not forming a huddle? Azuma It doesn’t seem like it. Homare Even though I took the trouble to come up with a splendid huddle. Tasuku-kun, have a look at this magnificent pose—— Tasuku ——Don’t stand behind me. Homare —— I-I was nearly killed by that gaze alone...! Hisoka ...Because you were doing something unnecessary. Tsumugi Haha. Guy Let’s go, Musashi. It’s almost time. Tasuku ...Yeah. Musashi “It’s pouring...” “...*sigh*” Orin “Who’s there?” Musashi “Sorry, but I want to borrow the front of your house for a little while.” Orin “You will get wet if you stay there. Please, come inside.” Musashi “But...” Orin “Come in.” Musashi “Thank you.” Orin “Come by the fire.” Musashi “No, I’m fine here.” Orin “Please don’t worry. My shamisen students visit me frequently, so no one would think of it as strange.” Musashi “...You shouldn’t trust strangers too much.” Orin “I have confidence in my judge of character. Here is a towel.” Musashi “...Thank you.” “...You’re a shamisen teacher?” Orin “Yes. My name is Orin.” Musashi “You live alone in this house?” Orin “Yes. Ever since my husband died.” Musashi “I see.” Orin “Are you on a journey?” Musashi “Yeah. For a long time... I’ve been searching for a place to die.” Orin “It seems like the rain will let up soon.” Musashi “Yeah. Thanks for having me over for the night.” Orin “Um... I have just one request.” Musashi “If it’s within my capabilities.” Orin “The truth is, a certain person has been treating me with kindness and it always brings me pain, but I find it difficult to refuse him...” “Can I ask you to relay a message to him in my place?” Musashi “In other words, his romantic advances have been troubling you so you want me to drive him away.” Orin “They are no romantic advances... They’re just acts of kindness.” Musashi “...Got it. I’ll repay you for giving me a meal and a place to spend the night. I’m Musashi. Miyamoto Musashi.” Izumi (Azuma-san playing a female role seems so natural that you wouldn’t think it’s his first time. His gestures are perfect too.) (It’s always been his forte, but to think that he’s polished his performance to this extent despite the short practice period; it’s the result of his self-training.) Heiroku “Good morning, Orin-san.” Orin “Ah, Heiroku-san. Good morning.” Heiroku “It was raining heavily yesterday.” Orin “It was.” Musashi “...” Heiroku “Is he a new student?” Orin “Yes, well——” Musashi “See you.” Orin “I’m in your care.” Heiroku “...” Izumi (As expected of Tsumugi-san. He managed to effectively express his love for Orin as well as his complex feelings of jealousy in such a short scene; it really left an impression.) Musashi “Excuse me.” Kojiro “What business do you have here?” Musashi “Is the man called Tojiro here? I’m acting as Orin’s proxy.” Kojiro “Orin-dono’s...? Wait one moment.” Tojiro “I am Tojiro.” Musashi “Orin asked me to relay that she will no longer impose upon you.” Tojiro “What?” Musashi “That’s all I had to say.” Tojiro “Wait. Did Orin-san say that?” Musashi “Yeah. You’ll stop following Orin around from now on.” Tojiro “——I do not intend to part with Orin-san.” Musashi “By no means at all?” Tojiro “No.” Musashi “Then let’s settle this with a duel.” Tojiro “A duel?” Musashi “I don’t mind if someone takes your place. Let’s see –– your guard over there. He looks skilled.” Kojiro “...” Tojiro “Kojiro, do you think you can you do it?” Kojiro “Please leave it to me.” Musashi “Then, five days from now, on the sixth hour of the morning at Ganryuu Island.” Kojiro “Understood.” Izumi (Homare-san is also perfect for Tojiro. His likeness to a young master and his strong will together give him a favourable impression. He studied his character well and has good grasp of it.) Musashi “As it’s turned out, Tojiro and I will settle things with a duel.” Orin “A duel...!?” Musashi “His bodyguard is going to duel me in his place.” Orin “I see...” “But I cannot ask you to do something so dangerous...” Musashi “I was the one who suggested it. I can no longer take it back.” “More importantly, Orin, do you really want to part with Tojiro?” Orin “...” Musashi “Just now, weren’t you relieved when you learned that I won’t duel him?” Orin “That’s...” Musashi “If I don’t know your true intentions, then I can’t fight.” Orin “Tojiro-sama is... the eldest son to a large business. He is to inherit the shop sooner or later.” “I cannot allow someone like myself to ruin the life of a person who has a future.” Musashi “So you’re stepping aside.” Orin “Yes.” Musashi “Got it. Once again, I’ll assume responsibility.” Orin “Please, do be careful.” Izumi (And then, several days before the duel——) Kojiro “The right to strike——!” Musashi “——gh.” Kojiro “Hah!” Musashi “*exhale*——” “You’re Tojiro’s—— What do you think you’re doing? Are surprise attacks Tojiro’s way of doing things?” Kojiro “That should be my line.” Musashi “What?” Kojiro “Last night, my master was attacked by someone. It couldn’t have been anyone else but you.” Musashi “You belittle me. I don’t need to do such a thing; I just have to win the duel.” Kojiro “——” Musashi “Did you see what the offender looked like?” Kojiro “No——” Musashi “It appears that you’re a scatterbrain, contrary to your looks.” Kojiro “What——!” Musashi “I’m sure you’re aware of my skill. I have no need for surprise attacks.” Kojiro “...” Musashi “What’s your name?” Kojiro “Sasaki Kojiro.” Musashi “Sasaki Kojiro... I’m looking forward to the day of the duel.” Kojiro “——Wait. Have you any idea who the offender might be?” Musashi “Sorry but, I’m just someone who drifted here. It’s not that I’m not particularly close to Orin either.” Kojiro “I see...” Musashi “See you.” Kojiro “Wait.” Musashi “...What.” Kojiro “You are suspected to be the offender. If this is not cleared up, you will be arrested.” Musashi “I’m used to that kind of ruckus.” Kojiro “Do you not care about the dishonour it will cause your name?” Musashi “What are you trying to say?” Kojiro “...Do you not want to clear away suspicion?” Musashi “So you’re saying that you want me to help you find the offender?” Kojiro “It should benefit you as well.” Musashi “If only you just asked honestly.” Kojiro “Urk——” Musashi “Tonight is your treat. Then we have a deal.” Kojiro “Got it.” Izumi (Yup, Guy-san’s Kojiro has also gotten increasingly better. He’s bold and confident, and his loyalty towards Tojiro looks well on him.) (Guy-san’s acting abilities have really improved in this performance. Plus it seems like his awareness has changed a lot...) (If we can keep this up until the climax, it’ll be a huge success...!)
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