Tsumugi Tsukioka/MANKAI Glitter

To CAPRICORN: Tsumugi

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Izumi	I’m home~.
Zabi	Woof!
Izumi	Ahaha, Zabi greeted me too, huh? Thank you.
Tsumugi	It looks like he’s finally gotten used to living here.
Izumi	He’s getting along perfectly with the members of the other troupes too, right?
Homare	With Zabi here, I’m starting to miss my Ariel as well.
	I used to play like often this with Ariel, you see.
	Zabi, go fetch!
	*throws*
Zabi	…
Azuma	Fufu, it looks like he doesn’t feel like playing with toys right now.
Izumi	He looks totally relaxed.
Homare	Mumu…
Tasuku	You’re well-behaved as always, huh?
Zabi	Woof!
Guy	As expected, Takato is accustomed to handling Zabi.
Tasuku	Well, this guy’s an old friend to me, just like his owner.
Tsumugi	I’m sure Zabi is happy having everyone play with him too.
	Since I left my parents’ house, I’ve had less time to spend with Zabi so I’m also happy that we’re able to be together like this.
Izumi	You told us you're only taking care of him while your parents are away, but it feels kind of lonely that he’ll be going home soon, right~…
Tsumugi	Ahaha… I was thinking the same.
Azuma	Well then, while we he’s here, how about you go on an outing together with Zabi?
Tsumugi	An outing?
Homare	Come to think of it, an acquaintance of mine just happened to tell me that a limited-time dog café has opened.
	How about you try going there?
	It sounds like a fashionable café according to what I’ve heard, so I believe it’s perfectly suitable for Tsumugi-kun who enjoys cafes.
Tsumugi	I see…
	In that case, why don’t we go together?
Azuma	Us too?
Tsumugi	During this time I’m taking care of Zabi, you’ve all went through various troubles watching over him…
	And I'm sure Zabi will be happy being together with everyone.
Azuma	In that case, Tsumugi’s birthday is also coming up so maybe it can serve as his birthday celebration too, hm?
Homare	Why, I agree.
	I wished to visit that dog café as well.
Tasuku	Doesn’t that sound fine?
Guy	A dog café, huh? That’s a quite an interesting location.
Hisoka	…I want to go too.
Azuma	Then it’s settled.
Tsumugi	Thank you very much.
	Director, if you’d like, how about you join us too?
Izumi	Eh? Is that ok?
Tsumugi	Of course.
Homare	Let us spend a meaningful time together.
Izumi	Alright… I’m down!
Azuma	If such a large number of people are going, then we should go by car after all, right?
Izumi	In that case, should I drive?
	Since I’ll be mingling in on Winter troupe’s private time together.
Tasuku	…No, I’ll drive.
Azuma	Right, I think that’s a good idea.
Izumi	Are you sure?
Tsumugi	Then we’ll leave the driving to you, Tasuku.
Tasuku	Yeah.

Izumi	Woah… What a trendy-looking shop!
Azuma	It’s to be expected, but it’s full of customers who brought their dogs, right?
	It’s a pretty amazing sight.
Zabi	Woof!
Tsumugi	Ahaha, Zabi looks happy too.
Homare	They also have items such as risotto, hamburg steak, and so forth for dogs.
Guy	They’re no different from the food humans eat.
Azuma	We'll have to splurge for Zabi too.
Tasuku	…
Homare	Tasuku-kun, what seems to be the matter?
Azuma	Isn’t it because he feels uneasy in this atmosphere?
Tasuku	…It’s because I don’t really come to places like this.
Tsumugi	That’s true, Tasuku doesn’t have the image of a café-goer, right?
Hisoka	…They have marshmallow pancakes.
Izumi	They really do. They look tasty!
Homare	Good grief, Hisoka operates at his own pace no matter where he goes.
Azuma	The menu for humans is full of choices too.
Tasuku	Azuma-san, saying “for humans” sounds a bit…
Tsumugi	Hmmm, I wonder which one Zabi wants to eat.
Homare	How about this beef stew here?
Guy	The risotto seems delicious too.
Tasuku	Shouldn’t he have the steak?
Hisoka	…Marshmallows.
Azuma	Fufu, sorry, but I don't think marshmallows are the best choice here.
Zabi	Woof! Woof!
Izumi	Everyone in Winter troupe fussing over Zabi… It’s kind of charming.
Shop clerk	Sorry for the wait.
	Here’s the eggs benedict for your pupper.
Homare	This looks appetizing as well!
Tsumugi	I wonder if Zabi will be able to eat it…?
Zabi	*Munch, munch, munch*…
	Arrrf!
Tasuku	…Apparently he likes it.
Tsumugi	I’m glad…!
Homare	Now then, let us eat as well.
Azuma	Even at a dog café, it’s curry as usual for Director, hm?
Izumi	I can’t help but order it if it’s on the menu…
Guy	This omurice is also quite flavourful.
Hisoka	…The marshmallow pancakes are good too.
Homare	Hisoka-kun, be sure to eat your meal properly, not just dessert! I shall share my portion with you.
Zabi	Woof!
Tsumugi	Ahaha, it looks like Zabi’s telling you the same thing.
Hisoka	*Zzz, zzz*…
Homare	My goodness… He’s in this state as soon as we arrived home.
Izumi	Hisoka-san ate something other than marshmallows, which is rare, so maybe he’s full and got sleepy.
Azuma	Though it felt like Hisoka had no choice but to eat it since Homare pushed him.
	All the items on the menu at that café were really tasty, right?
Tsumugi	Yes. Thank you very much for accompanying me, everyone.
Guy	I am the one who wants thank you. That was my first experience at a dog café, but it was a great social lesson.
Tasuku	…Oi, Mikage.
	If you’re going to sleep, then do it in your own room.
Zabi	*Lick, lick, lick*.
Hisoka	…Fufu, that tickles.
Zabi	…!
Tsumugi	Zabi?
Zabi	Woof! Woof!
Izumi	…? Is there something under the desk?
Zabi	Woof!
Tsumugi	That’s… the “Hello Celestial Sphere”?
Tasuku	That thing where if you make a wish in your birthday month, your wish will come true?
Azuma	Didn’t Hisoka have it when he retrieved it from the Autumn troupe the other day?
Hisoka	…I forgot to hand it over before we went to the café.
Homare	So this is Hisoka-kun’s doing!
Hisoka	Because next is Tsumugi’s turn.
Tsumugi	Eh?
Hisoka	…Try making a wish.
Tsumugi	Ummm… What should I wish for…
	I can’t come up with anything when you tell me so suddenly…
Zabi	*Lick, lick, lick*.
Tsumugi	Ahaha, what is it, that tickles.
Azuma	Maybe he senses how Tsumugi feels troubled.
Tsumugi	I see… they say dogs are sensitive to their owner’s feelings, right?
CHOICE 1: Zabi's such a good boy. [+] Izumi Zabi's such a good boy. Tsumugi Since long ago, he's always come to my side like this whenever I felt depressed. We can’t speak with each other, but just being together like this, I feel encouraged somehow. Homare To be connected even without words—it certainly is a bond that transcends species. You two men… No, man and man's best friend, are truly a spectacle to behold! Hisoka …Arisu, Zabi gets spooked when you shout. Homare Ohh, my apologies. I just got excited.
CHOICE 2: Zabi sure loves Tsumugi-san. [+] Izumi Zabi sure loves Tsumugi-san. Tsumugi It’s because we’ve always been together for such a long time. Tasuku Zabi and Tsumugi are like brothers to each other. Guy Yes. I feel a genuine bond between Tsukioka and Zabi. Azuma Fufu, it’s a lovely bond. Tsumugi It’s a bit embarrassing being told so like that but… I’m happy if that’s true.
	It’s alright, Zabi, I’m not sad, just a little troubled.
Zabi	*Whimper*…
Tsumugi	...That's it.

Tsumugi	Hello, Oh Star of Capricorn…
	I wish I could understand what Zabi says.
Tasuku	…Is that it?
Guy	However, hasn’t every person who has spent time with a dog or cat wished for that at least once?
Azuma	I think that’s a very lovely wish for Tsumugi.
Homare	Umu, it’s wonderful, is it not!
Izumi	I think it’s a great wish too.
Tsumugi	Ahaha… Well, I’d be happy if it really did come true.
	*Yawn*… Morning, hm…
	(Huh? Zabi’s gone…?)
	(Even though he was here in the room before I went to sleep…)
	(Come to think of it, I promised to walk Zabi together with Tasuku this morning…)
	…Wait, it’s this time already?
	(I really overslept, huh?)
	(Could it be Tasuku took him out on his walk?)
	(…Anyways, let’s quickly get ready.)
Izumi	Ah, Tsumugi-san. Good morning.
	You’re sure taking your time this morning.
Tsumugi	Ahaha… I overslept more than I thought.
	Um, where is Zabi…?
Izumi	If you’re asking about Zabi, I saw him heading towards the courtyard with Tasuku-san a while ago.
Tsumugi	So Tasuku was looking after him after all…
	Thank you very much.
Tasuku	Come on, Zabi! Over here!
Zabi	Woof!
Tsumugi	…Zabi!
Zabi	…! Woof, woof!
Tasuku	Geez… How long were you going to sleep?
	I was just thinking I’d head over to wake you up.
Tsumugi	Sorry, sorry. Thanks for taking care of Zabi.
Zabi	Geez, Tsumugi-kun being a sleepyhead hasn’t changed at all, huh~.
Tsumugi	!?
Tasuku	What’s wrong?
Tsumugi	Just now… it’s like Zabi spoke…
Tasuku	Huh? What are you saying?
	He’s the same as always.
Tsumugi	I-is that so…?
	(That reminds me, yesterday, to the Celestial Sphere—)
	*flashback starts*
	Hello, Oh Star of Capricorn…
	I wish I could understand what Zabi says.
	*flashback ends*
	(Could this really be…?)
Zabi	Tasuku was playing with me earlier~.
Tsumugi	…So he was, huh?
Tasuku	Come on, let’s go for his walk.
Zabi	Hurry up too, Tsumugi-kun~!
Tsumugi	…Yeah!
	…!
Zabi	*Lick, lick, lick*.
Tsumugi	Zabi…?
Zabi	Woof!
Tsumugi	Huh? He can’t talk anymore…?
Tasuku	…What are you talking about?
Tsumugi	You see, Zabi was…
Tasuku	Huh? There’s no way Zabi would speak.
	How long are you going to be half-asleep?
Tsumugi	…
	(I wonder if what happened earlier was a dream just like Tasuku said. But…)
	…Even if it was just a dream, I’m happy I was able to talk with Zabi.
Zabi	Woof!

Anna