Azami Izumida/Long-awaited Sunset

A Flower Bouquet to Give as a Gift

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Kumon	—You see, Azami, Shift and I are gonna hang out together next week!
Izumi	You three really get along, huh?
Azami	Ain’t that just normal?
	*door opens*
Sakoda	Azamiii!
Azami	Eh, Ken-san?
Izumi	Good afternoon, Sakoda-san.
Sakoda	Ah, Director nee-san.
	G’work today!
Azami	What’s up?
Sakoda	Swing by the Chairman’s birthday party next week, Azami!
	I came here today to let ya know about it!
Azami	Right, it was that time of the year, huh…
	But I’ve already got plans with Kumon ‘n Shift next week so I won’t be able to go.
Sakoda	Don’t say that, Azamiii!
Kumon	A birthday party’s an important event, isn’t it!
	We can hang out anytime, so you gotta go!
	I’m sure Shift would say the same thing!
Azami	What’re you just deciding—.
Izumi	The Chairman’s birthday, huh…
	Sakoda-san, is it alright if I tag along with Azami too?
	I don’t want to disturb you guys, so I’ll just greet him and head home.
Azami	Oi, what are you saying now…
	Besides, I didn’t say I’m going.
Sakoda	If it’s Director nee-san, then you’re totally welcome! The Chairman’ll be happy too!
	Don’t say you’ll just greet him and head back—please join the birthday party too.
Izumi	Thank you very much!
	Azami-kun, let’s go celebrate together?
Azami	*Sigh*… fine.
Izumi	What would be good for a present for the Chairman?
Azami	Meh, anything’s fine—ah.
	(A flower shop… That reminds me, my old man was real happy when I gave him flowers in the past.)
	…There’s a flower shop over there, so why don’t we go with flowers?
Izumi	A flower bouquet as a present sounds lovely!
	I think that’s a great idea! Alright, let’s drop by the flower shop?
Azami	Yeah.
Shop clerk	Welcome.
Izumi	I’d like to give a flower bouquet as a present…
Shop clerk	Oh, a flower bouquet? Do you have a specific use for it, or do you have any colours or flowers or so forth in mind?
Izumi	Um, it’s for a birthday present for an older man…
	Do you have any thoughts about the colours or something, Azami-kun?
Azami	Ahh… if I had to say, then it might be nice to add some purple roses.
Izumi	Then please add purple roses.
	I’ll leave the rest up to you.
Shop clerk	Understood.
	Please wait a moment.
	*notification sound*
Azami	Hm? A LIME from Kumon…?
Kumon Make sure you say happy birthday properly!
Azami	(HAH!? There’s no friggin’ way I can say that!)
Izumi	Ah, these white roses are really pretty!
Azami	(…White roses?)
Shop clerk	Thank you very much.
	They’re beautiful and charming, aren’t they?
Izumi	Yeah! Even so, there’s a huge amount of them placed out, huh?
Shop clerk	Yes, many people buy them as gifts for White Day, so a lot of them are shipped over this season.
Izumi	Oh, so that’s why.
	Maybe I’ll try buying some myself next time.
Shop clerk	Please do!
Azami	…
Sakoda	Alright, in honour of the Chairman’s birthday…
	CHEEEERS!
Everyone	Happy birthday, Chairman!
Chairman	Yeah, thanks, guys.
Izumi	Happy birthday.
	Come on, you too, Azami-kun.
Azami	…
	…Congrats.
	Here, for your birthday.
Chairman	Pff, this is the second time I’ve received flowers from you for my birthday.
	…That’s right, there were purple roses in the flowers I got last time too, weren't there?
Sakoda	UuUuh… Azami congratulated the Chairman…!
	And the Chairman looks happy too… I’m sooo glad~… uhu…
Sakyo	Does Sakoda, that idiot, plan on crying every year?
Makita	You say that, but Furuichi’s also happy to see those two like that, aren’t you?
Sakyo	Shut it.

Sakoda	It’s about time to wrap things up!
Chairman	Sorry about today, Director-san.
	You brought that brat Azami along with you, right?
Izumi	Oh, no, I only came to celebrate because I wanted to.
	Thank you very much for letting me join in with you all.
Chairman	Well, I’ll just leave it at that.
	Same here, thanks.
	Oi, Makita.
	That reminds me, we had somethin’ to give Director-san, right?
Makita	Right, I’ve got it ready here.
Izumi	(What could it be…?)
Makita	Nee-chan, take this.
	They’re in return for Valentine’s day.
Izumi	Eh, these are… wagashi?
	Is it alright to take this many?
Sakyo	All the members got something from you, right?
	That has everyone’s share in it. Don’t worry and just accept ‘em.
Izumi	If you say so, then I’ll gladly take them.
	Thank you very much!
Azami	Amazin’, the paper bag’s full of them…
	And there’s also a huge box inside.
CHOICE 1: It’s refreshing and I’m happy. [+] Izumi I don’t usually receive wagashi for White Day so it’s refreshing and I’m happy. Azami The one who chose ‘em was probably my old man. He’s liked that wagashi shop since forever. Izumi I see. …Fufu. Azami What? Izumi I was just thinking you really remember the things that the Chairman likes, huh? Azami Whaa—that’s not what I meant or anythin’! The wagashi from that shop have always been at our house so I just knew, ‘kay?
CHOICE 2: All of them look tasty. [+] Izumi All of them look tasty. It’s fun to choose which one to eat when there’s so many different kinds in the box like this, right! Azami I’m glad it looks like you like 'em… but don’t eat too many at once. Your skin’ll get rough. Izumi They’re wagashi, so isn’t it alright to overeat a little? Azami No, it’s not good to eat too much of any food, no matter what it is. It’s fine if you’re eating a balanced diet though. Izumi …Yeah, that’s true. I’ll eat them carefully so my diet doesn’t become unbalanced! Azami Yeah, go for it.
Makita	Anyways, Bon-chan received somethin’ for Valentine’s day from Director nee-chan, didn’t you? What are you gonna give her for White day?
Azami	HA!?
	…I haven’t really thought of anythin’ yet!
Makita	Oh…?
Azami	What’re you smirking for?
	‘Sides, it’s none of your business anyways, Ichiro-san!
	I’m going home.
Izumi	Ah, I’ll get going too then.
Sakoda	Stay longer, Azami!
Sakyo	If Bon’s staying, then I’ll take Director-san back.
Izumi	Eh, I’m fine on my own.
	You have an opportunity like this, so please take your time, Sakyo-san.
Sakyo	You plan on draggin’ all those heavy wagashi home all by yourself?
Azami	That’s why I said I’m going home.
	…’Kay later, Ken-san.
	I’ll carry this bag.
Izumi	T-thanks.
	Wait, hold on, Azami-kun!
	Alright then, thank you very much for today.
	Please excuse us!
Sakyo	…Yeah, take care.
Shop clerk	Welcome.
	…Oh my?
	Hello.
	Are you looking for something today?
Azami	Yeah…
	I’d like you to make a bouquet with the white roses over there.
Shop clerk	Ahh, those white roses! I understand.
	How many stems would you like?
Azami	How many… how many do you usually use?
Shop clerk	Let’s see, a lot of customers ask for 3 flowers at this time of the year.
Azami	3, huh…
	(That’s not enough for a bouquet.
	…I’ll just go for double that.)
	Then I’ll ask for 6.
Shop clerk	Understood.
	Please wait a moment.
Azami	(Come to think of it, they didn’t ask me what I’m using it for like the last time we came…)
Shop clerk	My apologies for the wait.
	What do you think?
Azami	Yeah, it’s nice.
Shop clerk	Then I’ll hand it over to you over here.
Azami	‘Preciate it.
Shop clerk	I hope she’ll like these white roses.
Azami	Eh?
Shop clerk	Your companion was looking at these flowers really eagerly when you came last time, right? I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.
Azami	!
	...Thanks.

Anna