Sakuya Sakuma/Secret Special Training on the Riverside

Misunderstood Tears

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Izumi	And that's a wrap! Great job, everyone!
Crew member	Thank you! And thanks for helping us out so many days in a row, Izumi. It's been a huge help.
Izumi	It was no problem at all. I've been learning a lot myself by helping out here.
Crew member	We hope you'll help during our next production too.
Izumi	Yeah. I look forward to it!
Izumi	(And that concludes my work assisting with today's performance. Time to get dinner ready before my meeting. And after that, there's practice...)
Izumi	(Tomorrow I'm going to be helping with another troupe and then I've got another meeting tomorrow night...)
Izumi	...Yeah, maybe I scheduled too many things this week.
Izumi	I'm back.
Sakuya	Welcome back, director!
Omi	Welcome back.
Homare	A warm welcome home.
Izumi	...Something smells really good.
Sakuya	Oh, it's Omi! He's baking some treats right now.
Omi	Yeah, I'm making almond and chocolate cookies. I also made jello if you're in the mood for something cool instead.
Homare	Jello with fruit in it. A masterpiece, indeed. Sweetness enveloped by sweetness.
Sakuya	You were assisting another troupe today, right? That's awesome!
Izumi	Thanks, Sakuya.
Sakuya	But is it just me, or do you look really worn out?
Izumi	Oh, I'm okay. I'm just more relaxed since I'm at home.
Sakuya	But you look a bit paler than usual.
Izumi	I'm fine. I've got to talk with Sakyo about the budget in a bit, anyway.
Sakuya	Don't you think you've been working a bit too much lately? You should give yourself a break.
Homare	I agree. It's very important to give yourself a breather when you need it.
Omi	That's right. You'll be too tired to do anything at all if you work yourself to the bone.
Izumi	I'm fine, guys! Really. I've been helping out with practices and performances for a while now. And I've always been the healthy type, so--
Sakyo	Nope.
Izumi	Huh?
Sakyo	Sakuya and the others are right. We won't get anywhere if you're passing out from exhaustion.
Sakyo	We can postpone the meeting until tomorrow.
Izumi	But, Sakyo...
Sakyo	Your job as director is to watch over the well-being of everyone in this troupe. Let me remind you that you're part of this troupe, too.
Izumi	Yeah, but...
Sakyo	No buts. Stop being so stubborn and take the night off.
Omi	I'll cook dinner. You've got a busy day again tomorrow, right? You should take it easy for tonight at least.
Izumi	Thanks guys... I guess I'll have to since you're all so insistent about it.
Sakuya	Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you out. Don't hesitate to call on me when you need to!
Omi	Oh, the cookies are ready. Hang on, I'll bring them out.
Sakuya	Ooh, yum!
Homare	Eating freshly baked cookies is a special privilege only available to those present at this moment. Let us savor its nutty flavor.
Omi	Would you like to have one too, Sakyo? They're fresh out of the oven.
Sakyo	...Sure. Guess I'll have one.
Sakuya	Oh man! These are amazing!
Omi	I'll get us some tea too.
Izumi	Thanks, Omi. And thanks for baking these.
Sakuya	Yeah! Time to dig in! Mmm! So yummy!
Homare	Indeed. This sweet smell and chewy texture are truly stirring up poetic inspiration within me!
Izumi	Yeah, these are great! You never disappoint, Omi.
Omi	I'm glad you like them. They say that sweets can help when you're tired, so feel free to have as many as you want.
Sakuya	Yeah! Omi's yummy cookies should help revive you, director!

Misumi	Thanks for the food!
Izumi	Thanks so much for making dinner tonight, Omi.
Omi	No problem. You go ahead and get a good rest tonight, director.
Sakuya	Oh, let me help clean up!
Azuma	Are you not feeling well tonight, director?
Izumi	Oh, no, I'm not sick or anything--
Omi	She's been working herself like crazy recently, so we're making her take it easy tonight.
Kazunari	Ohhhhh! That's valid.
Misumi	Thanks for everything you do, director!
Azuma	Self-care is definitely important.
Azuma	I have an idea. How about I sleep with you tonight?
Kazunari	Now hold up!
Kazunari	If she wants someone to sleep with her tonight, I could--!
Izumi	Yeah, no. For both of you.
Kazunari	So cold I got the shivers!
Azuma	That's too bad.
Misumi	I'll give you a triangle to help you recharge your batteries!
Izumi	That is certainly some triangle. ...But what is it?
Azuma	It seems like some kind of triangle-shaped aroma stone.
Misumi	It is! And it smells really good! This should get you feeling refreshed in no time, director!
Izumi	Ohh, thanks! I'll try using it later.
Kazunari	Awesome! That's one high class triangle! And here I thought Sumi only collected triangle-shaped junk!
Misumi	Triangles are life!
Sakuya	Whoa, you're right! It really does smell nice!
Omi	Okay guys, let's give her some space. You know she's tired.
Sakuya	Oh, sorry! I hope you have a relaxing evening, director.
Izumi	No worries! And thank you, guys.
Azuma	Make sure to take advantage of this and really get some R and R tonight
Izumi	(...So I said, but it's a bit too early to be going to bed. But now that I have nothing to do, it's like I can't relax.)
Izumi	(I'd feel bad actually working after everyone was so concerned for me...)
Izumi	(Oh yeah! I've got a huge backlog of shows I recorded but never got around to watching.)
Izumi	...I guess it won't hurt to take the time to catch up on some TV.
TV Narration	"4-year-old Yuta is going to be running his very first errand for his mommy! Will he manage to suceed in his shopping mission?"
Izumi	(Aww, look at the way he's bravely trying to hold back tears. He kinda reminds me of Muku.)
Izumi	(And this next kid reminds me of Sakuya. Look at those big eyes and how cheerful he is!)
TV Narration	"Kaede misses his mom, but he won't give up! He doesn't cry, even after tripping and falling!"
Izumi	You can do it! You've come so far...!
Izumi	Wah... Those kids were so courageous and now I'm crying...
Izumi	They were so devoted to achieving their goals... okay, now I'm crying WAY too much...
Izumi	Where are the tissues... Huh? It's empty?
Izumi	I think we should have another box around here somewhere.
Izumi	Maybe here?
???	Director...?

Sakuya	Director...?
Izumi	Sakuya? What are you doing up at this hour?
Sakuya	I was practicing on my own. What about you though? I thought you already went to bed.
Izumi	Oh, about that, I...!
Sakuya	Director... Are you crying?
Izumi	Huh?
Izumi	(Oh right, I was crying about those adorable kids!)
Sakuya	Did something happen?
Izumi	Um, uh...
Izumi	(I can't tell him I was crying over some TV show, way too embarrassing... Okay, time to make something up.)
Izumi	No, I'm fine. It's just...
Sakuya	......
Izumi	Sakuya?
Izumi	(...Ok, why is he so close now?)
Sakuya	Please don't cry...
Sakuya	I may not be able to bake delicious cookies like Omi and I may not be smart like Sakyo. But I want to help you out in any way that I can. Don't you think you can depend on me? Or...
CHOICE 1: I depend on you a lot. [+] Izumi O-Of course I do! Izumi I know how hard you work as the leader of the Spring Troupe. I depend on you a lot. But, uh... Sakuya Then let me help you! I want to be there for you even more than before! I hate the thought of being unable to do anything when you're feeling sad. That's why-- Izumi Look, sorry Sakuya, but you've got the wrong idea--
CHOICE 2: Now it's gonna be even more awkward to tell him... [+] Izumi (Oh dear, now it's gonna be even more awkward to tell him...) Sakuya ...I knew it. I'm pretty unreliable, aren't I. Sakuya B-But...! I'll work hard so that one day you'll see me as someone you can always depend on! So please don't bottle up your emotions! I promise that one day I'll be more mature and then I'll-- Izumi W-Wait! Sakuya, you've got the wrong idea--
Sakuya	Director..?
Izumi	Listen, the truth is that...
Sakuya	You were crying because of a TV show?
Izumi	Yeah...
Sakuya	I'm so sorry! I completely misunderstood!
Izumi	It's okay! Really, I'm the one who should be apologizing. I just felt so embarrassed admitting that I was crying over 4 year olds on TV.
Sakuya	Don't blame yourself! I can't believe I just jumped to conclusions like that.
Izumi	But... I was happy to hear how you felt. You sounded really cool just now, you know.
Sakuya	What?!
Izumi	I know I said this already, but I do know I can count on you. I promise that I'll keep you in mind next time I have something on my mind, okay?
Sakuya	O-Of course!
Sakuya	Feel free to come talk to me anytime you need it! I'll be your pillar of strength whenever you need it!
Izumi	Thank you. And the same goes for you, you know. I'm here if you ever need a listening ear.
Sakuya	Okay! A-Anyway, make sure you get some sleep!
Sakuya	Um, and if you're having trouble falling asleep, I wouldn't mind lying down with you until you do...
Izumi	I'm fine! Really!
Sakuya	You sure? Well, feel free to let me know if there's ever a time when you're having trouble falling asleep.
Izumi	...Yeah, okay. Thanks.
Izumi	(Why do I have a feeling that Sakuya's being corrupted by Azuma...)

Rumi