Tsumugi Tsukioka SSR - A Peculiar Grim Reaper [Backstage Translation]

[mimosacafe]

"I tried out this whip prop a while back and, just out of curiosity, I tried hitting my arm with it..... It hurt so much that the mark it left stayed red for a whole day.

"The Tsukioka Circus - PART 1”

Homare: Tsumugi-kun, I hear you are doing a circus ringleader role this time, yes?
Tsumugi: That’s right. Specifically, with all of the members playing as grim reapers.
Homare: If you are ever troubled, you are welcome to come to me for advice. As I’ve done a ringleader role myself, I’m certain I can be of help if you need it.
Tsumugi: Thank you for the offer.
Izumi: But with everyone playing as grim reapers, won’t it be troubling to have too many eccentrics in one place?
Tsumugi: It probably would. It only makes me wonder— If the circus cast is full of grim reapers, what kind of demeanor would their top member give out?
Izumi: Hmm… I imagine showing some aura of majesty would be good. Like having the disposition to force things onto others, if that makes sense…
Homare: In that case, how about presenting the intention that you would give punishment to those who don’t listen to your orders? Might be suiting for a ringleader of Grim Reapers.
Tsumugi: Giving punishment, huh? A grim reaper would likely be merciless in that regard, you’re right.
I was wondering how I should go about doing role studies this time. I suppose I could start with the idea of “majesty” and “disciplinary action” and then go from there.
Izumi: Sounds good! Ah, but how will you role-study the “disciplining” part of that?
Tsumugi: It’d be difficult without a partner to play it with, but finding one is just as much of a problem.
Homare: Then how about making up your own circus for the time being of this role study? Instead of focusing on the grim reaper aspect of it.
Tsumugi: That’s a good idea! You made your own circus before as well, didn’t you, Homare-san?
Izumi: The one-liner acts, right? ^[1]
Homare: For Tsumugi-kun’s circus, it’d be a good idea to choose members who’d normally be too much for even you to control.
Izumi: That’s true… If they are more willing to oppose you, then it’d be a good leeway to practice the disciplinary act of the role study, too.
Tsumugi: You’re right. I’m gonna try asking any members that would fit the bill then.
(Someone who would oppose me and are out of my control… Is there any member like that—)
Banri: Man, what the FUCK!!
Izumi: Woah! That made me jump!
Homare: Oh dear oh dear, it would seem Banri-kun and Juza-kun are starting a fight again.
Tsumugi: A fight…. Ah! That’s it!
(If those two are quick to start fights, then they might just be the kind of rebellious and uncontrollable types I’m looking for.)
I’m gonna go head over there for a bit.
Izumi: EH?! Tsumugi-san!?
Homare: It seems he has found some members he wants to drag into the Tsukioka circus.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —


Tsumugi: Hello, you two. Sorry for barging in the middle of your fight.
Banri: Huh??
Juza: Tsumugi-san….?
Banri: …Do you need us for anything?
Tsumugi: I have something to ask of you two, actually.
Banri: Tsumugi-san barging to say something in the middle of our fight… Doesn’t this feel like deja vu? ^[2]
Juza: Sure does….
Banri: Anyway, what was it that you wanted?
Tsumugi: Right. I was hoping to ask you guys… Would you care to join the Tsukioka Circrus?
Banri & Juza: …”Tsukioka Circus?”

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"The Tsukioka Circus - PART 2”

Banri: What do you mean by us joining the “Tsukioka Circus”....?
Tsumugi: I’ll be playing the role of a circus ringleader soon, so I figured I’d form together my own circus troupe for the sake of role study.
I’d invite members outside of Winter Troupe, then test out my act as ringleader with everyone altogether.
Juza: And that led you to us….?
Tsumugi: Right. So, will you join in?
Juza: If that’s the case, it’s no problem at all. If I can be of any help, I will.
Banri: Count me in too.
Tsumugi: Great to hear! Thank you.
(I don’t want them to switch into a specific role mindset, so I have to keep the rest of the details a secret for now if I need them to act as themselves instead.)
Banri: Though, I might end up being the superior member of this troupe. More than Hyodo, that’s for sure.
Juza: Hah? It’s a circus troupe, so someone like me who can do sugar boxes is the one who’s gonna be on top instead.
Banri: Like hell you are. Ain’t no way I’d forget your stupid cigar box hitting my head! ^[3]
Juza: You seriously still have a grudge against my rehearsals from back then?
Banri: HA? That’s no way to talk to the victim of your mess-up!
Tsumugi: (Ah! They started fighting again! But wait, this could be my chance for the role study…!)
Oh dear….. Are you two fighting again? As the ringleader of Tsukioka Circus, I can’t just leave you two on your own like this, can I?
Juza: Eh……..
Tsumugi: You two let the tide of your emotions run through your mouths, and that’s why you’d get into fights immediately. Am I wrong?
From now on, I suggest both of you should think twice before letting the rest of your words spill. Do you hear me?
Banri: Ah……..Yes sir, sorry sir.
Juza: It’ll be as you say, Leader. We’ll be careful.
Tsumugi: (....H-Huh?)
Uhm…. Yes, I hope you will.
(....I thought I was pouring oil, but I ended up dousing the fire instead.)
(Well, it’s only the first day. I’ll keep trying hard with my role study from here on.)

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —


Tsuzuru: Ah! Tsukioka-san! Do you know where Miyoshi-san is!?
Tsumugi: Ts-Tsuzuru-kun!? You’ve got the eyes of a killer, what happened?
Tsuzuru: Miyoshi-san ate my pudding without my permission! Again!
Tsumugi: Is that so? Are you sure it wasn’t like last time when the suspect actually turned out to be Juza-kun? ^[4]
Tsuzuru: No, this time it’s Miyoshi-san for sure. I have Furuichi-san as my eyewitness.
Tsumugi: I-I see…
Tsuzuru: I’ve been wanting to eat that pudding so bad. It took me so long to decide on it too, since one piece of it was worth 3 times the regular.
As soon as I got my salary from my part-time, I went ahead and finally bought it. And now…..
Tsumugi: Is that so… That’s such a shame then…..
Kazunari: Woah, you two have the most serious looks on your faces! What’s wrong?
Tsuzuru: FINALLY FOUND YOU! MIYOSHI-SAN!
Kazunari: WAH! YE-YES!? What’s gotten you all wound up, Tsuzuroon?!
Tsuzuru: Miyoshi-san, you went and ate my pudding again, didn’t you?
Kazunari: HUH!? So that pudding was yours!?
Tsuzuru: It was! Agh, and I was so looking forward to eating it too…..
Kazunari: Sorry!! I had no idea it was yours! Really!!
Tsumugi: Sorry for butting in, but what exactly happened?
Kazunari: See, Mukkun bought some pudding on his way home from his outing today. I thought the one I got was one of those.
Tsumugi: Then… Is it possible that two kinds of pudding were left in the fridge?
Tsuzuru: Ahhh… I do remember seeing some more pudding at the very back of the fridge. I suppose if that’s the real reason, it can’t be helped…
Tsumugi: (...The mood has gotten awkward now.)
(I thought of a way to make things end peacefully here, but if I were to do that, I wouldn’t get a chance to practice my role study…)
(Hmm…. I feel bad for Tsuzuru for doing this, but this is for the sake of my role, I have to purposely come up with a method that even Tsuzuru would hesitate to do.)
In that case, if you want to reconcile, why don’t you two go and buy the same pudding again— but together this time?
Tsuzuru: Ehh…. With Miyoshi-san?
Tsumugi: If you guys don’t want to make amends even worse than it already is, then I think this would be the best way.
Kazunari: That’s an awesome idea, Tsumu-tsumu!
Tsumugi: Fufu, you think so?
Kazunari: Let’s get going then, Tsuzuroon! I’ll even buy you two of those pudding packs as an apology!
Tsuzuru: Well…….I suppose that’s fine. But seriously, I’m fine with only one pack.
Kazunari: FR? Then I’ll welcome that kindness before you change your mind! Time to head out!!
Tsuzuru: AH! Hang on a minute!! Tsukioka-san, thanks again for the help.
Tsumugi: No trouble at all. Take care.
[FOOTSTEPS RUNNING OFF]
Tsumugi: They didn’t even try to oppose the suggestion, but it’s good to see those two back to their usual selves

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"The Tsukioka Circus - PART 3”

Tsumugi: (SIGHS)....
(Ever since that situation, I tried to see if I could get any sort of resistance out of the usual confronting pairs like Tenma-kun and Yuki-chan, or even Sakyo-san and Azami-kun…)
(But every time, I’d wind up settling their disagreements with each other. I never got the chance to invite them to join the Tsukioka Circus.)
(In the end, the only members I have are still just Banri-kun and Juza-kun...)
Why is it that every fight somehow gets resolved every time I pry into them…
Izumi: Is anything wrong, Tsumugi-san? You’ve been looking pretty down over something…
Tsumugi: Ah, Director.
Izumi: Well, I asked, but I’ve been hearing all about it! You’ve been mending quarrels within the dorm one after another, right?
Tsumugi: Ahaha… Yes, that’s me. Though it seems the results got steered differently from my intentions…
Izumi: So… I take it the role study hasn’t been going that well?
Tsumugi: You can say that…
I’ve been trying to talk to people to get some acts of defiance out of them, but everyone kept taking my words so honestly…
Before I knew it, all of the arguments were settled better than I would’ve expected.
Though, I suppose being able to resolve any kind of argument isn’t exactly a bad thing.
Izumi: So that’s the case… I do get how everyone feels though.
Tsumugi: Eh?
Izumi: It probably has something to do with Tsumugi-san’s character as a whole. It’s because you’re you that they were able to resolve things well.
No matter what kind of people are involved, the ability to resolve their arguments is already part of one of your strengths, Tsumugi-san.
Tsumugi: I see…. I truly never noticed that.
When you put it like that, I can see it now. It kinda makes this role study worth it in the end.
Izumi: My pleasure!


▶︎ CHOICE 1: It’s just like you, Tsumugi-san.
Izumi: In fact, I think this role study was done in a way that’s very much like you, Tsumugi-san.
Tsumugi: Very much like me, you say…? Fufu, you might be right about that.
If it’s like that… Then I should try to give more thought to making a ringleader character that’s much like me after I apply whatever I’ve learned from this experience.
I’ll look back at all the conversations once more to try and deepen my understanding of the role.
Izumi: (As usual, when it comes to acting, Tsumugi-san is endlessly strict as ever with himself…!)

▶︎ CHOICE 2: : Thank you as well.
Izumi: I’d like to thank you as well.
Tsumugi: Eh?
Izumi: After all, you still helped settle the arguments within the dorm, didn’t you?
Tsumugi: I wouldn’t put it that way…! I just happened to be doing it for the sake of role study.
Izumi: Even so! The mood in the dorm has gotten better thanks to you, Tsumugi-san. That’s why I’m expressing my gratitude to you now.
Tsumugi: Well. As long as it’s made you happy, Director, then I’m glad to have helped.


Tsumugi: I sincerely wanted to try getting people to oppose me and get disciplined as part of the role study.
But even if I never got to the disciplining part, I still think it became a good chance to confront my ringleader role.
Izumi: We’ve got Homare-san to thank for this role study suggestion.
Tsumugi: Indeed. But it’s not just Homare-san. You took part in it just as much, Director.
Izumi: Me?
Tsumugi: It was both of you who listened to my worries, after all. So, thank you.
Izumi: It’s no big deal at all! But still, you’re welcome.
Tsumugi: It’s too bad, though. I was looking forward to saying a line fitting for a Grim Reaper ringleader. “If you do not follow my orders, I’ll have to discipline you!”, or something of that vein.
Izumi: Your chance will turn around soon enough, I’m sure of it!
Tsumugi: You think so…?
Taichi: Haaaaaa… I’m exhausted.
Izumi: Taichi-kun, whats the matter?
Taichi: Banri-kun and Juza-kun started fighting again, see… They were literally about to throw hands so Omi-kun and I tried our best to intervene!
Tsumugi: I see. So those two are at it again, huh…..
(Wait. This might be it— Maybe I could finally try giving them disciplinary action with this…?”

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Tsumugi: You both understand the reason why I called you here, yes?


Juza & Banri: …..
Tsumugi: Honestly… You two start fighting like it’s nothing. This time you even went as far as involving Omi-kun and Taichi-kun into your mess….
Did I not tell you to think twice before you start making a fuss?
Juza: …..You did, sir.
Banri: Very sorry, Leader.
Tsumugi: (...These two are already so well-behaved that they’re apologizing right away. Even though what I want is for them to not listen to my orders at all….)
(... No choice.)
Now then, for being such troubling members, it seems punishment is in order.
Sit on the floor right there, you two. If you do not follow my orders, I’ll have to discipline you.
(That should do the trick, right? Alright you two, let me see you defy me with all your will—)
Banri: Yessir.
Juza: On the floor here, right….?
Tsumugi: H-Hold on a second! You two seriously aren’t gonna just go along and kneel on the floor that easily, right…!?
Juza: ??
Tsumugi: I’m begging you two, at least show some resistance!
Banri: Even if you say that……
Juza: There’s no going against the Ringleader’s words.
Tsumugi: Still….!!!
Tasuku: …(SIGHS) What on earth are you up to this time, Tsumugi….
Tsumugi: Eh, Tasuku!? How long have you been here!?
Tasuku: Just a little while… Settsu, Hyodo, sorry that you two got involved in one of this guy’s nonsensical role studies.
Juza: S’all good.
Banri: This much is no problem at all. Though, Tsumugi-san is probably the one who’s the most into it.
Tsumugi: Uuu……
Tasuku: Good grief. I understand getting absorbed into your role study, but you’re overdoing it this time. Look at the people you’re troubling with it.
Tsumugi: You’re the last person I want to hear that from.
Tasuku: ‘Scuse me?
Tsumugi: ….Banri-kun, Juza-kun, I’m sorry for having you guys follow my unreasonable demands.
I wanted to try giving disciplinary action pretty badly since I’m supposed to play a ringleader of a Grim Reaper circus.
Banri: It's all chill…. But y’know, that last part seemed pretty much like how a Grim Reaper ringleader would act, didn’t it?
Juza: Yeah, I think you’ll be able to keep your fellow Grim Reaper members in line with that act.
Tsumugi: (Banri-kun and Juza-kun are truly the sweetest kids, aren’t they?)
Thank you again for playing along with my role study, you two.


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[1] From Homare's Luminous Circus SSR Backstage: "A Tent of Dreams"
[2] From Tsumugi's Gymnasium gacha SR Backstage: "Becoming Room 104’s Underling!?"
[3] From Juza's R&W Kakushigei/Hyakka Ryouran gacha SR Backstage: "Elated Cigar Box"
[4] From Tsumugi's Chess gacha SR backstage: "Clergyman's Counsel"