Hatsue | I’m sorry it’s so cramped in here. Aren’t you surprised that Usui’s home looks like this? |
Izumi | No… well, that’s…. |
Hatsue | Fufu, you can be honest. Misaki couldn’t believe it when he saw this room for the first time. |
Izumi | (Misaki is Masumi-kun’s father’s name… So he’s her son.) |
Hatsue | I used to live in a high-rise apartment that Misaki provided, but it just didn’t feel right—it was too fancy for me. |
| When I told him I’d live here instead, he was appalled. In the end, he told me to do as I pleased, and we haven’t spoken since. |
| He probably got tired of me because I had been nagging him for a while about how he was raising Masumi. |
Izumi | How he was raising Masumi-kun…. |
Hatsue | ...My child changed after his company became successful. |
| He was swamped with work and neglected his private life and family. |
| More than a fancy home, what Masumi—no, what Misaki really needed was the warmth of his family... |
Izumi | …. |
Hatsue | Ah, excuse me for rambling on about myself. |
Izumi | —No, it’s fine! |
Hatsue | I heard you needed to speak with me about Masumi…? I hope I can be of help. |
Izumi | Actually… |
| |
Hatsue | I didn’t know he started acting. And he’s living with his troupemates in a dorm…. |
Izumi | Masumi-kun had a rough start with everyone, but now we all get along. |
Hatsue | I see… I’m sure he has much more fun living with everyone than he does living alone. |
| He’s an emotionally clumsy boy, and he didn’t have many friends, so I was worried about him, but… I’m so glad. |
Izumi | (Hatsue-san really loved Masumi-kun….) |
Hatsue | When we lived together, I naturally ended up looking after Masumi most of the time. I really adored him. |
| But after Misaki cut off ties, he wouldn’t even tell me where he lived. So I couldn’t even see him anymore…. |
| If I had endured, Masumi might not have been left to live on his own—I always regretted that. |
| Truly, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I’m grateful to you all for accepting Masumi as one of your own. |
Izumi | No, we haven’t done anything…. |
| ...And Masumi-kun was ordered to move to America, where his father resides, in two days’ time. |
| His father made arrangements for the move without a word to Masumi-kun.... |
| At this rate, Masumi-kun will have to go to America against his will. |
Hatsue | Misaki did…? |
Izumi | Masumi-kun said he wants to remain in the troupe, and we all want Masumi-kun to stay with us. |
| But we can’t win against his father, who is tied to him by blood. |
| Hatsue-san, could you please help us? Please! |
Hatsue | ...I wonder if you can call me Masumi-kun’s real family. |
Izumi | Eh…? |
Hatsue | I don’t think family is a bond that is defined just by blood—it’s a much, much deeper bond. |
| I am Masumi’s grandmother, but I have no right to call myself Masumi’s real family. |
Izumi | But… |
Hatsue | I think Masumi must feel closer to all of you, the people he lives with and strives towards a goal with. Isn’t that what family feels like? |
Izumi | —. |
Hatsue | I’ll try my best to do what I can. But please have more confidence in yourselves. You all are the “family” Masumi-kun relies on now. |
Izumi | …. |
| |
Izumi | (Masumi-kun is leaving for America tomorrow… I need to think of a way to stop him before that.) |
| (Hatsue-san told us that, but what can we do for him…) |
| *Door crashes open* |
Tsuzuru | Director, there’s trouble! |
Izumi | ? |
Tsuzuru | Masumi’s luggage is gone. |
Izumi | Eh!? What do you mean!? |
Tsuzuru | Please, just come. |
| |
Tsuzuru | Everything was gone when I woke up. He left his furniture, but he took all his personal belongings… |
Izumi | Did he… leave a day early…? |
| (Masumi-kun said he didn’t want to make any more trouble for us. Did he leave without a word because he knew we would stop him…?) |
Tsuzuru | Dammit. You’re always making unnecessary comments—why didn’t you say anything at a time like this? |
Sakuya | Is something wrong? |
Citron | It’s good morning~. |
Itaru | Yaaawn. Morning. |
Izumi | Itaru-san, what time is the first flight to America this morning!? |
Itaru | Wah!? One sec. |
| ...The earliest flight should be at 11. |
Izumi | (It’s still 6 AM… We can make it if we head to the airport now—.) |
Sakuya | Masumi-kun left already!? |
Citron | He’s a day off. Masumi is hatterbrained. |
Tsuzuru | Scatterbrained. And it was probably on purpose. |
Itaru | So he planned to leave without saying a word. |
Izumi | —Everyone, get ready to go right now! |
| We might still make it on time… Let’s get the other troupes and pick him up together! |
Sakuya | Yes! |
Citron | It’s gotcha! |
Tsuzuru | Yeah! |
Itaru | K. |
| |
Izumi | Everyone in Spring Troupe is here—wait, where’s Chikage-san? |
Itaru | Ah, he’s…. |
Chikage | Good morning. |
Izumi | Chikage-san, you were out? |
Chikage | I had to stay overnight for work. Are you about to head out together? |
Izumi | We’re all going to pick up Masumi-kun together. |
Chikage | I see…? |
Izumi | Chikage-san, please come too. |
Chikage | ...No, I think I’ll pass. I’m a new face, after all. He’ll be happier if you guys go. |
Izumi | Everyone needs to go. |
Chikage | Why? |
Izumi | Because we’re all… Masumi-kun’s family. |
Chikage | …. |
Izumi | Please hurry. |
Chikage | I get it. |
Tenma | Summer Troupe is ready. |
Tsumugi | Winter Troupe is also ready. |
Banri | Autumn Troupe is set to go. |
Izumi | If you don’t have a vehicle, please ride with Sakyo-san, Itaru-san, or Tasuku-san! |
Omi | Those of us with motorbikes will ride them to the airport. I’ll lead. |
Izumi | Please! |