Sakyo Furuichi/MANKAI Birthday

The Promise Under the Night Sky

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Taichi	Let’s begin the first consultation meeting for Sakyo-nii’s birthday present~!
Izumi	(Taichi-kun looks like he’s having fun....)
Taichi	Getting straight to the point: what will make Sakyo-nii happy?
Banri	The first thing that comes to mind is bubble wrap. We can give it to him like, here, please use this when you’re stressed.
Taichi	What about a shoulder massage coupon? Sakyo-nii seems pretty tired lately.
Juza	What else... a mountain of gingko skewers?
Omi	Haha, these are all inexpensive ideas.
Banri	I know he’s gonna yell at us for wasting money if we try too hard and get him something pricey, after all.
Izumi	Ah, good point....
Juza	He always takes good care of me, so I wanna give him something nice, but....
Omi	It’s hard coming up with a reasonably-priced gift that’ll make Sakyo-san happy....
Izumi	We still have time till his birthday—I don’t think we need to decide in a hurry.
	If everyone thinks long and hard about their gifts, I’m sure Sakyo-san will be happy with whatever we get him!
Banri	...Director-chan is right. Let’s come up with ideas on our own and present them when we meet up next time.
Omi	Agreed. I think that’s a good idea.
Izumi	(A present for Sakyo-san. What should I get him....)
Taichi	Then we’ll talk about it next time. That’s it for today’s meeting—.
	*Door opens*
Sakyo	I’m back.
Izumi	Sakyo-san!?
Taichi	Y-you’re back early.
Juza	...W-welcome back.
Sakyo	Yeah... So what are you guys plotting this time?
Juza	!?
Sakyo	You’re acting strange. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?
Izumi	(H-he has a sharp eye as usual...!)
Taichi	Wh-what are you talking about, Sakyo-nii! Why would we be plotting anything!
Omi	That’s right. We were just surprised.
Sakyo	...Then that’s fine.
Izumi	(Huh? He’d normally keep pressing, but he backed down pretty fast.)
	(Sakyo-san must be really tired. I wonder if he’s okay...)
Sakoda	Hello, excuse me!
Sakyo	What’s wrong, Sakoda. Is it a new job?
Sakoda	It’s not! I have a message from the chairman: make sure you take next week off!
	“You’ve been working nonstop lately and haven’t gotten any rest. Make sure you take some time off to relieve your fatigue”!
Sakyo	I’m not tired. I’m fine.
Sakoda	Don’t lie, aniki. You need to rest.
Sakyo	....
Izumi	Resting is also part of your job, Sakyo-san.
Banri	Director-chan is right. You’ve been looking really pale these past few days, you know.
Taichi	You can go back to working hard when you feel better!
Juza	...Don’t push yourself.
Sakyo	...Sigh. Fine. I’ll take a break.
Sakoda	You finally said yes! Thanks for your cooperation, Director-nee-san and company!
	I’ll be taking my leave now. Thanks for having me! Promise me you’ll rest, aniki~!
Sakyo	...Geez. You’re so loud.

Sakyo	....
Izumi	Huh? It’s rare to see you reading the paper in the afternoon, Sakyo-san.
Sakyo	...You guys were the ones who told me to rest.
Izumi	Good. I’m glad you remembered.
Sakyo	How can I forget with all these guys nagging me?
Izumi	Do you plan on staying in the dorms all day?
Sakyo	Yeah. I don’t have any other plans....
Izumi	(No plans.... Ah! Then maybe I can....)
	Sakyo-san, could you please lend me some of your time later today?
Sakyo	That’s fine. What is it? Troupe-related work?
Izumi	No! Sakyo-san, your birthday is coming up, right?
	You’re always good to me, so I wanted to give back to you.
Sakyo	Oh. I’m not doing it because I want you to thank me.
Izumi	But I still want to thank you! And celebrate your birthday!
Sakyo	Fine, fine.
Izumi	Sakyo-san, is there anything you want to do? Anything that interests you?
	If you don’t mind my company, I’d gladly go anywhere with you!
Sakyo	...Hmm.
	...Now that you mention it, there was a movie I was interested in.
Izumi	Really? Then let’s go watch it!
Izumi	Good timing! The movie is starting in ten minutes.
Sakyo	Looks like we can get pretty good seats, too. Let’s head inside.
Izumi	What’s this movie about, Sakyo-san?
Sakyo	I haven’t done much research. But this director produces lots of interesting movies, so I make sure to watch everything they do.
Izumi	I see! I’m looking forward to it.
	(Oh, since we’re here, I should get some popcorn and drinks.)
	Sorry, I’m going to head out to the lobby for a bit. Please wait for me here.
Sakyo	Got it. Make sure you’re back for the opening scene.
Izumi	Thanks for waiting!
Sakyo	That took a while. What were you....
Izumi	Ta-da~! Since we’re at the theater, we might as well have some popcorn and drinks, right?
	Do you want hot coffee or iced coffee, Sakyo-san? I bought both, so pick whichever one you like.
Sakyo	You... Don’t waste money on this sort of thing.
Izumi	Come on. This is one of the reasons movie theaters are fun.
Sakyo	...Sigh, fine. Give me the hot coffee.
Izumi	Here you go.
Sakyo	...I should express my appreciation. Thanks.
Izumi	Eh? Did you say something?
Sakyo	I didn’t say anything. The movie’s going to start. Look at the screen.

Izumi	That was a really good movie!
Sakyo	Yeah. That was definitely a hit.
Izumi	Agreed! I mean, you even laughed in the middle of it, Sakyo-san!
Sakyo	...What are you talking about.
Izumi	You don’t need to hide it. I laughed at the same scene.
	Maybe we have the same sense of humor!
Sakyo	...Maybe.
Izumi	But it really was a good movie. Now I want to watch the director’s other films too.
Sakyo	I have a couple on DVD. Want to watch them next time?
Izumi	Yes, please! When I’m done watching, let’s talk about the movies like this again!
Sakyo	Yeah. I’m looking forward to it.
Izumi	Phew. I want to stay immersed in the movie for a little longer—it feels like a waste to just go home now.
Sakyo	Then let’s walk home instead.
Izumi	Can we? Thank you!
Izumi	Woah...! Sakyo-san, look! The illuminations are beautiful!
Sakyo	It’s a little early, but it looks like it’s a Christmas advertisement.
Izumi	It’s already that time of year... Can we take a look?
Sakyo	Yeah, sure.
Izumi	It’s wonderful... I feel like I’m in a world of dreams.
Sakyo	That’s an uncharacteristically romantic line coming from you.
Izumi	Excuse you! Sometimes I’m in that sort of mood! You’re too realistic, Sakyo-san.
Sakyo	When you get older, you have less and less time to think about romantic nonsense.
	...Sigh. I’m getting another year older, huh. I’m gonna be an old man in no time.
CHOICE 1: Don’t worry, you’re still young! [+] Izumi Don’t worry, Sakyo-san! You’re still young! Sakyo Don’t try to comfort me like that. It hurts even more.
CHOICE 2: Make sure to take care of yourself. [+] Izumi You’re not young anymore, so take of yourself. Sakyo Tch. Don’t treat me like an old man. I’m doing just fine.
Sakyo	But I guess time flew even faster this year because I got to spend it with you guys.
Izumi	...Fufu. I’m sure everyone in the troupe would be delighted to hear that.
Sakyo	...Don’t you dare tell them.
	More importantly, don’t you want to look at the illuminations? You were the one who said you wanted to come here.
Izumi	Ah, that’s right... No matter how many times I look at it, it’s still so beautiful.
	I would love it if we could watch the illuminations together next year as well.
Sakyo	You say that, but you’re probably going to forget again.
Izumi	I won’t forget!
	Fine, then. Let’s come here together for your birthday next year, Sakyo-san!
	It’s a one-year promise. Make sure you don’t forget it, Sakyo-san.
Sakyo	...Geez. You make it sound so easy.
	But now that you’ve made a reservation for my next birthday, I guess I have to work hard and take care of myself.
Izumi	Yes! I’m looking forward to it!

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