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Awkward Kindness and Warmth
Backstage Stories
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Izumi Make sure I’m not forgetting anything…. Okay.
Tasuku You’re heading out, Director?
Izumi Ah, Tasuku-san.
The script’s finished, and I heard they’ve set a special venue for us around the skating rink. I thought I’d check it out.
Tasuku I was just about to go for a run but, could I join you?
Izumi Are you planning on practicing for the performance?
Tasuku Yeah.
Izumi Figured. Of course you can, let’s go together!
Izumi It’s pretty crowded.
Tasuku There’s more people than last time I came.
Izumi Huh? You’ve been here before, Tasuku-san?
Tasuku Yeah, with Minagi for practice. It might’ve been because we came before winter vacation, but there wasn’t nearly this many people.
Speaking of, can you skate?
Izumi Technically yes, but it’s been so long I’m not sure if I still can…
Tasuku …I see. Don’t hurt yourself.
Izumi Thank you.
Tasuku The skate rental’s over here. Let’s go.
Izumi I’ve got my skates on, I’m ready to go!
Tasuku You’re not wearing gloves?
Izumi Ah! ….I forgot.
Tasuku You should wear some. I’m pretty sure you can rent them over there.
Izumi Okay. Hang on just a little longer!
–Wah!
*thud*
Tasuku ….That was a close one.
Izumi Sorry…!
Tasuku Don’t worry about it. It’s easy to fall if you’re not used to wearing skates, so be careful.
Izumi Okay!
Izumi Thanks for being patient, Tasuku-san. Let’s go!
Tasuku Alright.
Tasuku …..
Izumi (Wow, Tasuku-san is skating so fast…)
You said you wanted to practice, but you already seem more than prepared.
Tasuku Well, I’m just skating normally.
But acting on ice is different from acting on a stage. It’s better for me to be fairly familiar with skating so I can concentrate on my acting.
Izumi I see…
(He’s as stoic as ever… That’s part of Tasuku-san’s charm, though.)
(I think skating side-by-side with Tasuku-san is helping me get used to this.)
I think I’m getting the hang of this! I might even be able to surpass you, Tasuku-san!
Tasuku Oi–.
Izumi Uwah–!
*thud*
Oww…
Tasuku Jeez… don’t get carried away.
Izumi Sorry…
Tasuku Here, give me your hand.
Izumi Thank you.
Izumi (My fingers are getting cold…)
Brrr….
Tasuku Are you cold?
Izumi When I fell, my gloves got wet. They’re a little cold.
Tasuku ……
Izumi Tasuku-san?
Tasuku It’s nothing. Are you ready to go home?
Izumi Huh?
But, Tasuku-san, don’t you want to skate a little more? Don’t worry about me!
Tasuku No, I got enough practice in. Besides, I don’t want you to catch a cold.
Izumi (Maybe this is Tasuku-san’s way of being considerate?)
Thank you. Now, let’s head home.
Taichi The advent calendar’s opened up a lot!
Azuma I thought it would be too small to hold everything, but it seems I’m mistaken.
Tasuku It’s bigger than I expected.
Misumi I drew a triangle on my day~!
Tsumugi Yeah, this triangle symbol on the calendar, that’s Misumi-kun’s day.
Azami I could’ve guessed that.
Taichi Winter Troupe’s advent calendar is about to start~!
Tsumugi You’re right. What did everyone put in it?
Misumi I put a triangle flower~!
Tsumugi Ah, so that’s why you came ask me about flowers.
Misumi Yep! I’m glad Director-san was pleased~.
Azami I put a face mask. Winter dries you out.
Tsumugi Speaking of, I think Juza-san said he put some sweets he ordered.
Azuma Fufu, everyone put what they like.
Taichi Each one is unique, it’s fun to look!
Tsumugi Taichi-kun, what did you put in?
Taichi I put some curry-flavored ramune candy!
Tasuku Curry-flavored…?
Azami That exists?
Taichi I found some at a candy shop nearby, since Director-sensei loves curry, I figured it was perfect!
Tasuku …I can’t even begin to imagine what that tastes like.
Azuma It sounds interesting.
Taichi Has everyone in Winter Troupe decided on their presents yet?
Tsumugi Well, I’m still thinking.
Azuma I think I’ll put in something that Director and I can use together.
Taichi H-How mature…!
Azuma Hisoka said he was going to make gingerbread cookies, he’s going to eat them with her.
Taichi That’s a lot of sweets~! Oh, Tasuku-san, have you decided on what you’re gonna put?
Tasuku No, not yet…. Well, I have an idea, at least.
Misumi What are you gonna put~?
Tasuku I’m not saying.
Taichi Eh–!
Azuma I wonder what kind of gift Tasuku will give.
Tsumugi I’m curious.
Tasuku Sigh… This is why I didn’t want to say anything.
Misumi Tasuku, here! I’ll give you triangle rocks, so don’t get angry, ‘kay~?
Tasuku No, it’s fine…
Taichi Ehh!? Tasuku-san, are you angry!? I-I’m sorry~!
Tasuku I assure you, I’m not angry.
Azuma Fufu, I’m looking forward for your day.
Tasuku Good grief…
Izumi Oof… I did a lot of shopping. There’s so many bags…
Theatre Company Member “–Rise! Knights of the Holy Night!”
Izumi ….Hm?
It’s a street act! I’m gonna go watch.
Theatre Company Member –Thank you for watching!
*applause*
Izumi (That was funny!)
–Brrr!
(I’ve been standing out in the cold, so I caught a chill…)
Tasuku Director?
Izumi Ah, Tasuku-san! Were you watching the street act too?
Tasuku Yeah, I was just passing by. It was pretty interesting.
Izumi I thought the same thing while I was watching!
Tasuku I want to try and approach like that, too.
Izumi That’s a good idea.
That bag… You also did some shopping, didn’t you?
Tasuku …Well, a little.
Izumi ? Oh, that’s right! I bought a lot of stuff too—Brrr!
Tasuku …We should hurry home. You’ll catch a cold if we don’t. *takes bag*
Izumi Ah, those are heavy!
Tasuku I don’t mind. Besides, we’ll get home quicker if I carry them.
Izumi (Tasuku-san, you may be blunt, but you’re kind.)
Fufu, well then…I’ll take your word for it. Thank you very much!
Izumi The advent calendar, today’s Tasuku-san’s day, right?
Tasuku Yeah.
Izumi Then, I’m going to open it!
Huh? Isn’t this the bag you had yesterday?
Tasuku …..
Izumi ….Gloves?
(But, this fabric is awfully thin for winter clothes…)
They’re a little unusual.
Tasuku They’re made for pro ice skaters.
Izumi For pros!?
Tasuku When we were skating the other day, you fell. These gloves are water-repellent, so even if you fall, your hands won’t get wet and cold.
Izumi (Tasuku-san remembered that?)
Fufu, thank you so much.
CHOICE 1: They seem easy to use. [+ ]
Izumi I can see why pros use these, with the fabric and all. They’re thin and lightweight, so they seem really easy to use.
Tasuku I don’t know what presents women like… I figured this would be practical.
Izumi Yeah, gifts like this are typical of you, Tasuku-san. I’m really happy with it.
Tasuku What’s that supposed to mean… Well, anyways, I’m glad you’re pleased.
CHOICE 2: So my hands won’t get cold even if I fall, huh. [+ ]
Izumi If that’s the case, even if I fall, the gloves won’t get wet and my fingers won’t get cold.
Tasuku What happened the other day was dangerous.
Izumi Ahaha… sorry about that. I want to be able to skate as well as Tasuku-san.
Tasuku It’s safest not to fall.
Tasuku Use them, and get some more practice.
Izumi Eh?
Tasuku ….I plan on inviting you again.
Izumi ….Yeah! Let’s go skating again!