Chikage Utsuki/Apathetic Bridal

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There's no romance

Backstage Stories
Itaru(Well then, I guess I'll head out for that outside work.)
Itaru(It's raining outside... It really feels like the rainy season's started...)
TogawaChigasaki-kun, do you have a minute?
ItaruOf course.
TogawaAs support for a client, you've helped out with making a wedding pamphlet before, haven't you?
ItaruAh... Now that you mention it, yes.
TogawaYou were a great help then. The other party was also very pleased to have been able to make such a good pamphlet.
ItaruI'm very glad to hear it.
Itaru(... I have a bad feeling about this conversation.)
TogawaSo actually, that company will soon be hosting a bridal fair. If you're available, I'd like to ask you to attend it.
Itaru(Sigh, I knew it...)
ItaruI'm sorry, but I don't have someone to take with me, so...
TogawaOh, the model that you brought along last time wasn't your girlfriend?
ItaruHuh?
TogawaThe model that acted out the role of the bride for the pamphlet. I've looked at the test pictures, too.
TogawaYou two looked like you were close, so I thought that you'd brought along your girlfriend.
ItaruAh—, no, she's...
Itaru(Now that I think about it, Director-san is currently supposed to be my older sister, and on top of that she's supposed to be going out with Senpai.)
Itaru(Thinking about it now, it's a pretty chaotic situation... Well, whatever, I'll just keep it simple and say that she was just an acquaintance...)
TogawaOh, so you mean...
ItaruExcuse me?
TogawaFor men and women, where there are encounters, there are also partings.
TogawaI understand, I'll try to ask someone else. ... Oh right, he should be good.
Itaru(It seems like he's misunderstanding the situation, but if he's giving up, then I guess it's fine.)
Itaru(I don't know who's gonna be the one taking a hit in my place, but well, I wish you luck.)
Chikage(... What is this feeling? I think something bad's about to happen.)
ColleagueUtsuki-san, Togawa-san is asking for you.
ChikageUnderstood, I'll see him now.
Chikage(What does Chigasaki's department's boss want to talk to me about?)
ChikageI'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Can I help you with something?
TogawaHere, I'll give this to you.
Chikage... A brochure on a bridal fair?
TogawaYou have a fiancée, don't you?
Chikage(... Oh, he's talking about that incident around Valentine's Day. That time that I got Director-san to act like she was my lover.)
Chikage(It seems like Director-san has also become Chigasaki's older sister as well, but this guy doesn't seem like he knows that much.)
ChikageNo, we aren't engaged yet. We're just going out while planning to get engaged one day.
TogawaHuh, is that so...
TogawaBut this might be a good opportunity for the two of you. If you bring her along to an event like this, don't you think she would be happy?
ChikageI'd feel bad if I put unecessary pressure on her by taking her there.
Chikage(—Though, it's pretty obvious that this isn't for my sake, but for the sake of making a client happy or something.)
Chikage(No matter how much I tell him "no," it's pointless, I'm sure.)
ChikageAlright, I'll ask her. Thank you for this brochure.
Chikage—And so, will you accompany me for just one day?
IzumiThis is because you took advantage of that lie...
ChikageSorry, sorry.
ChikageWell, to be honest, I have 0 interest in a bridal fair.
IzumiI'm not interested, either.
ChikageI figured. After all, our director has no interest in things outside of plays and curry.
IzumiUgh... Well, I can't deny it.
ChikageBut of course, if you accompany me, then I'll give you something as thanks—or more like, I'll give you something as an apology.
IzumiHuh, something from you, Chikage-san? That's something that I could get my hopes up for...
ChikageWhether it's a curry shop that I haven't written about on my blog yet, or a specialty shop that sells spices only known to people in the know, you can have whatever you want.
IzumiReally!? They're all so appealing that I can't choose...
ChikageWell, when you decide what you want, tell me what it is.
ChikageOh, and also... Let's keep this a secret between us. Especially from Masumi.
IzumiAh... Yeah, I'll keep it a secret.
ChikageAs long as Masumi doesn't find out, then I'm sure this won't be too troublesome.
Izumi... Are you sure? Because I kind of have a bad feeling about—.
ChikageStop right there. Director-san, if you say it out loud, you'll jinx us, and we'll be doomed.
Izumi... Okay.
ChikageToday, it seems like they'll be having a bridal fair on a civil wedding as their model case.
IzumiWow, everything is so gorgeous...!
ChikageEven though you said that you weren't interested, you seem to be enjoying yourself quite a bit. Well, everyone else around here is the same, though.
IzumiW-Well...
IzumiA happy wedding ceremony is something that I admire, after all... I just can't help but get excited.
ChikageHmm. Oh, right. Director-san, come here for a bit.
Izumi?
*click*
Izumi!?
ChikageYep, this looks good.
IzumiWhat's come over you, taking a picture all of a sudden?
ChikageIt's proof that we came today. Just in case, you know?
IzumiI see.
ChikageIt looks like the mock wedding ceremony is starting soon. We should get moving.
Izumi(There's a lot of things listed in this pamphlet I received. Oh, you can look at rings at this wedding hall's joint jewelry shop, too.)
IzumiWow, this diamond ring looks so elegant...!
ChikageDon't tell me that you want that as your reward?
IzumiNo, no, I could never... If I were to wear a ring this expensive, I would be too terrified to move.
ChikageI can picture that.
Izumi(Now that we're talking about rings... Chikage-san always wears the same one.)
Izumi(It's become such a natural sight that I haven't thought about it too deeply, but I wonder if he's wearing it to be stylish? Or maybe...)
Izumi(I'm really curious... But it's kind of hard to ask him about it.)
Staff MemberWe will be starting the wedding ceremony momentarily.
IzumiEven though I know this mock wedding ceremony isn't real, I still can't help but feel touched by watching it...
ChikageReally? Because to me, the groom and the bride are just pretending to look at each other, when in reality they're staring right through the other, and so the feeling that this is all faked is coming through.
IzumiI was mistaken to talk to you about it.
Bridal Model...
Izumi?
Izumi(...Just now, I thought I saw the bridal model's gaze directed over here... I wonder if I was just imagining it.)
Staff MemberContinuing on, we'll be starting the bouquet toss now!
ChikageSince we're here, why don't you join them? It's a mock bouquet toss, though, so I doubt there's any benefit to it.
Izumi(He has no imagination...)
IzumiI won't be joining. After all, you're right; I don't think there's really any benefit.
Bridal Model...
Izumi(There it is again. I'm sure the bride is looking over here...)
IzumiUm, Chikage-san, from a little while ago—.
Staff MemberAlright then, go ahead!
Bridal ModelHere we goo!
WomenWaa—!!
Izumi!?
Izumi(Why is the bouquet coming over here!? If I reach out, then maybe I can—)
Izumi—!
Chikage—Careful.
IzumiWaa...!
ChikageAre you okay?
IzumiYeah, thank you so much...
IzumiI immediately reached out for the bouquet when I saw it, but if you hadn't been here, I would have had a magnificent fall right onto my behind—.
Staff MemberFor both the girlfriend and the boyfriend, nice catch! Both of them holding each other close and not letting go is so great~.
Izumi... Holding each other close and not letting go?
Izumi—! Chikage-san, please let me go!
ChikageAlright, alright.
Bridal Model...
Izumi(Again. I wonder what she wants...?)
Chikage...
Izumi(Even this wedding hall's restrooms are pretty. They were really particular about the designs.)
IzumiUmm, Chikage-san is... Huh? That person he's talking to, isn't she the bride from before...?
ChikageSorry, but I'm not interested. You should try for someone else. ... Goodbye.
Bridal ModelAh...
ChikageSorry. Let's go, Izumi.
IzumiUh, um, okay.
Izumi(I see... The reason why I kept feeling her gaze was because she was staring at Chikage-san...)
IzumiChikage-san, that bouquet from earlier was thrown to you, wasn't it. You really are popular—.
Chikage...
Izumi(Oh, that's right... He always treats me normally so it slipped my mind, but Chikage-san hates women.)
Izumi(Having a woman come onto him probably put him off...)
Izumi(In the first place, he's been surrounded by girls all day today...)
ChikageDirector-san, what's the matter?
Izumi... It's nothing. Um, Chikage-san, we can—.
Master of CeremoniesWell, then, let's all please send the bride and groom off with a warm round of applause and a flower shower.
Bride's FamilyCongratulations!
Groom's FamilyWishing you both lots of happiness-!
ChikageThat's—.
IzumiWow, it's a real wedding ceremony!
IzumiThe bride and the groom, along with their families, all look so happy... Even though it should be obvious, it's clear that a real ceremony is nothing like a mock ceremony.
ChikageYeah, that's true.
Chikage...
Izumi(Chikage-san's staring at them, but... I wonder what he's thinking about.)
IzumiShall we head home soon?
Chikage... Sorry for making you worry about me.
IzumiYou don't have to apologize. To begin with, you did say that you weren't interested in the bridal fair.
ChikageWell, I guess...
Izumi?
ChikageI definitely can't picture myself getting married, and I'm not interested in it at all, but—.
ChikageSeeing that family back there made me think that maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
IzumiHuh...
ChikageThe bride, the groom, and their families were all laughing so happily.
ChikageIf you can see the people most important to you look like that, then there might be meaning in getting married—maybe.
IzumiBut that's... That wouldn't be for your own sake...
ChikageThere's a reason for me to do it, and even for marrying someone, it doesn't 100% have to be for your own sake, right.
ChikageFor all the people out there in the world who marry their partners, I don't think they necessarily marry thinking it's just "for their own sake."
IzumiWell, that might be true, but... But that just feels sad.
ChikageWell, right now, that's the kind of thing that marriage is to me.
ChikageIn the end, it's up to an individual's values. After all, my own happiness is not as important to me as my family's happiness.
Izumi(That's just like Chikage-san...)
Chikage—Well, have you decided what you want in exchange for today? If you want to eat at a curry place, then we can stop by on our way home.
IzumiHmm...
Izumi... Actually, I want to buy some things at the supermarket.
ChikageHuh?
IzumiLet's make curry together and eat it with everyone. That can be your way of thanking me for today.
ChikageThat's just regular old dinner.
IzumiMore than a delicious curry shop or a special spice, and even more than an expensive accessory—.
IzumiFor the me of right now, this is most important. This is part of my own values!
Chikage—.
ChikageDirector-san, you're really a weirdo.
CHOICE 1: "I enjoy making curry with you" [+]
IzumiI enjoy making curry with you, Chikage-san.
ChikageThen, to make today's dinner special, let's put in the specialty extremely spicy spice I blended together...
IzumiHuh!? If you do that, it's going to be too spicy, and no one's going to be able to eat it!
ChikageJust kidding. Let's use the spice I restocked a little while ago. Director-san, you really liked that one, didn't you?
IzumiYou remembered?
ChikageOf course. I always make sure to remember the things that you liked.
CHOICE 2: "Chikage-san, you're weird, too" [+]
IzumiChikage-san, you're weird, too.
ChikageWell, I can't deny that.
ChikageAs people who are like oddities... We might suit each other pretty well, huh?
IzumiWha...
ChikageAs a weird pair, let's show off our cooking skills for tonight's dinner.
ChikageWhen you announce that tonight is going to be curry, too, I'm sure everyone will be disappointed. But, just like usual, I'm sure that in the end everyone will be storming in for seconds.
IzumiHaha, that's right!
ItaruHuh? Senpai, do you have something you need from this department?
ChikageYeah, I forgot to tell you, but actually—.
Itaru... You went to a bridal fair with Director-san?
ChikageI was invited by your boss. Should I have told you about it?
Itaru(To think that Senpai was the one who was forced to go... Somehow, I have a really bad feeling about this...)
TogawaOh, Chigasaki-kun and Utsuki-kun. Good morning.
ItaruGood morning.
ChikageGood morning.
TogawaUtsuki-kun, how was the bridal fair that you went to the other day? If it's alright, I'd be happy if you could show me even just a picture.
ChikageOf course, here you go. It's something that I took with my girlfriend, so I feel bad, but...
TogawaNo, no, it's fine.
Itaru(Hm? Now that I think about, didn't Boss say that he saw a picture of me and Director-san...)
ItaruUm, please wait a sec—.
Togawa... Hm?
Chikage?
TogawaThis girl, she's...
Itaru(Game over...)
TogawaNo! It's nothing. You two... have quite the complicated relationship.
TogawaThank you for showing me this picture. I'll be going now.
ItaruSigh— are you for real...
ChikageWhat?
ItaruAnother setting has been added to the list, and our relationship has just gotten a lot more complicated, I think...
Chikage... I think I get the gist of it.
ItaruWe should make a relationship diagram soon.
ChikageYeah.


Kou