icon by saltmilea, header by moonlightsrandomstuff | carrd here Chel/Lucas/Ven | 31 | they/he/it/ey/general pronoun soup | bi | author/actor aspirant | welcome to A3! hell! | Ask me about my stuff: fanfic, OCs, whatever! Current Muses: see "a3! hell”, plus the occasional original content
Chel/Lucas/Ven | 31 | they/he/it/ey or anything listed here (largely for funsies) | EST
Ao3 (romijuli) | Twitter (dqChellion) | discord (bokuranokizuna) | bluesky (chelly-jelly) | carrd here (for more detailed shit) | ship related boundaries/guidelines tumblr edition (primarily a3)
Tranphobes, homophobes, and the like are not permitted here.
Additionally, please don't involve me in shipping discourse and do not assign a particular label to me in this regard. tl;dr shit's complicated and a lot of you are oversimplifying things and/or just being mean. additionally, i will block you if i see you taking real world censorship issues and using them to push a particular "side" in shipping discourse, argue for ao3 as the "last bastion of creative freedom" or whatever, or just otherwise act like fighting over content in fanworks is on the same level as credit card companies making it harder for 18+ original works and their creators to get published and monetized.
Other things of note
Fandoms usually tagged in reblogs; often untagged in original posts (unless it’s a fanwork or some shitpost/ramble i WANT a given fandom to see)
Discussion of longer fics/series I’m working on USUALLY tagged #fic: [name of fic/series], unless a wip was untitled when i started tagging it. (or if it’s tkana. i’m not sure why that one’s special)
Recommended tags in blog search are as follows: former/semi-current hyperfixation tag, current hyperfixation tag, These Three Won’t Leave Me Alone And I’m Making That Your Problem tag, dqxi OCs tag, a3! OCs tag, my darling oc blorbos. May update these later.
If for some ungodly reason you wanna see me yell about professional wrestling that’s what @theater-for-jocks is for. It’s largely incoherent for several reasons but it’s there I guess. i try to keep the wrestling stuff off main but it does occasionally show up here if it's funny enough.
They come in traditional or digital. If you get traditional, I can ship them to you for an extra cost. The size will affect shipping and pricing costs :)
Traditional Examples - 50$ USD base price
Digital Examples - 35 USD base price
Character Sheets - 75$ USD base price
Thank You for reading! Contact me through tumblr or on discord if you are interested :^)!
Like a month ago I messaged a craft group about accessibility for wheelchairs and the answer I got was “there’s a lot of stairs but we have cute boys who can carry you”.
And it’s…not good. As a wheelchair bound person I largely depend on people when I want to go out and do *anything* so I’m used to it, I laugh it off, make an annoyed post about it and off I go. But I wanna just say a thing real quick.
Even if I wasn’t gay, wasn’t a survivor scared of men, getting help as a disabled person is just…Not a pleasant thing to us! Imagine for a sec how you’d feel being carried up a flight of stairs. You’re a grown person. You’re being touched in an awkward way. You’d rather do it yourself. You’re So Uncomfortable. It’s not where I look for the beginning of a romantic relationship.
So like…could abled people stop doing this thing where they think helping us in a condescending and infantilizing way is cute? Cause I’m real tired. Just get me a ramp or lift and I’m cool. I don’t need a dating service when I’m just trying to go about my day
sometimes my Beloved Mutuals will rb a post about a certain character archetype and i will have to physically restrain myself from saying “yeah you would say that wouldn’t you”
Im somewhat noticing a trend (well its so far just two works) where a creator who isnt Black will take the oppression of Black people and Black culture and map it onto their non human opressed race. (Like in the movie bright) and im wondering. Is it perhaps something that happens because a lot of non marginalized americans are only familiar with the opression and marginalization of Black people and instead of doinf research, they just decide to lazily use the opression and marginalization of Black people without care or thought? Im not saying this to defend this but more just wondering about the reasoning behind it
I mean... Kind of, yeah. Lmao we were just cackling about Detroit: Become Human and the whole "We have a dream" bit 🤣 and I made a point- and I'll add a little onto it- that depictions like that are what happen when you think protest and oppression are Aesthetic™.
For an easy example: It's one thing to get the overall story, which most Americans do: Civil War, slavery bad, Black people run north, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln Best White President. Or, if you're in the Deep South: War of Northern Aggression, States rights good, Abraham Lincoln Bad Guy.
And then it's another thing to really... Center the voices of the enslaved who had to put in the effort to survive or flee, or die. Most people- myself included- cannot even fathom just how BAD chattel slavery was. No one wants to consider the day to day, just that It Was Bad and there Was a Good Guy to Save The Day.
Or another: Black Lives Matter. It is the most annoying thing on the planet to see people co-opt ___ Lives Matter, #SayHerName, and literally everything else we came up with, only to have minimal to zero actual understanding of what's going on or care about the actual people. And yet... It trends! It gets numbers!
People see the power, the movements, the change behind Black history. They don't see the people, the culture, the history itself. They see the way it can be mirrored onto and become an exciting piece of media, but not... Well, what would actually make that piece of media well written. But if the consumers' care is just as shallow as the creator's... 🤷🏾♀️
Chikage: Sakuya said things were a bit tough because he was playing a student this time.
Tsuzuru: He pulled it off without a hitch. His student vibe and the way he kept up with the conversations were spot on.
Citron: Sakuya was practicing being a student every night~. I also lent him a hand and played pretend after school hangout with him.
Tsuzuru: All that looked like was you manipulating him into doing that with you, Citron-san!
Masumi: He hasn’t changed since he was a student.
Itaru: But he’s definitely gained more confidence since he was a student… and he carries himself with more assertiveness.
Tsuzuru: You sure are right about that.
Izumi: Alright, let’s head on back to the green room.
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
*Door opens*
Staff: Sakuma-san is right in here. Go on ahead.
Citron: Thank you muchly!
Sakuya: —Ah!
Izumi: Good work out there, Sakuya-kun.
Itaru: GG~.
Sakuya: Guys! And Director! You came. Thank you so much!
Izumi: Of course. You were the one who originally invited us…
Tsuzuru: It just suddenly worked for everyone’s schedules today. Sorry, we didn’t let you know sooner.
Citron: It was all thanks to Itaru and Chikage’s hotspot overtime~.
Masumi: Nonstop, not hotspot.
Sakuya: Wait, what!?
Itaru: Hey, working overtime for this is worth it.
Chikage: I agree.
Itaru: By the way, you’re ending with a matinee today, right?
Sakuya: Yeah, I am.
Itaru: Cool, we can all tell you what we thought when we go out for dinner later.
Sakuya: We’re going out for dinner?
Citron: Yes~! We have all been watching you work very hard for your guest performance.
Tsuzuru: We were talking about going out for dinner today, partly as a way to celebrate all your hard work. …Er, we weren’t able to get in touch with you about that either.
Masumi: Nothing we could do with it being so sudden.
Sakuya: Wait, really!? Thank you so much!
Izumi: Well, I think I’ll be heading back home before you guys.
Masumi: Wait. Come with us.
Izumi: Huh?
Chikage: I’m sure Sakuya would love to hear what you thought, too, Director-san.
Sakuya: As long as that’s okay with you, Director!
Citron: Yes. And Itaru and Chikage are paying. It would be spaced if you did not come!
Itaru: A waste? Wait, hold on, Director-san, you’re fine, but Citron, you’re contributing to the bill at least a little bit.
Masumi: …Anyway, that’s what’s happening.
Izumi: Ahaha. Well then, I guess I’ll tag along.
Sakuya: Yeah, please do! Hehe, I can’t wait.
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Everyone: Time to dig in!
Sakuya: Whoa…! This napolitan has so many mushrooms in it. It’s really good!
Citron: Ooh, this Japanese-style soup is also very yummy~.
Masumi: These Vietnamese spring rolls aren’t too bad. Try some.
Izumi: Thanks, Masumi-kun.
Employee: Thank you for waiting. Here is your mentaiko fried chicken, truffle potatoes, and…
Tsuzuru: T-They’re still going… Citron-san, did you order ALL of this again!?
Citron: Today, it is all Itaru and Chikage’s beet.
Itaru: I was debating where to go, but… this mysterious restaurant that has just about everything was definitely the answer.
Chikage: You found a good spot.
Izumi: Oh, right. That reminds me, have you decided on where you want to go for your birthday project, Sakuya-kun?
Tsuzuru: This time around, the project is to celebrate while fulfilling the birthday person’s requests with the other members of their troupe.
Masumi: By the way, whenever we do that, we’re also taking some off-shots to include in the birthday bromide sets.
Sakuya: I actually haven’t decided on my request yet…
Itaru: Well, between you constantly taking guest performances and rehearsals, you have been pretty busy.
Chikage: It’s not an issue if you haven’t decided yet.
Citron: Ooh, Sakuya, is there anywhere you want to go? You can just say wherever comes to mind without worrying about the project.
Sakuya: Hmm…
Sakuya: It’s not that I don’t have somewhere I’d like to go. I just don’t know if there’s room in the budget for it, though…
Tsuzuru: Wait, do you mean—?
Itaru: …
Chikage & Citron: …
· ❀ —– ٠ ❀ ٠ —– ❀ ·
Chikage: …
Chikage: That reminds me, isn’t there a place in Hokkaido where the latest-blooming cherry blossoms bloom?
Citron: I know of that place! I want to go see the cherry blossoms there with everyone~!
Sakuya: Huh…?
Itaru: It’s a little early, but why don’t we go there to scout out some cherry blossom viewing spots?
Masumi: I wouldn’t mind that.
Tsuzuru: I’d be up for that too, but… is there room in the budget for that?
Itaru: Ahh, that shouldn’t be a problem. I heard from Winter Troupe that they just covered anything that went over out of their own pockets. We’ll cover whatever goes over.
Chikage:
Izumi: (Both Itaru-san and Chikage-san seem totally ready to take care of the whole thing!)
Tsuzuru: Well, I think it’s a great idea then. …What do you think, Sakuya?
Tsuzuru: Ah, but it’s not like anything we’ve said is set in stone.
Sakuya: …Are you sure that’s okay?
Itaru: If you’re okay with it, we’re okay with it.
Sakuya: The place I’ve been wanting to go with everyone is… the place where I was born.
Sakuya: The place I went to alone, and where you all came to pick me up. I was thinking that… it’d be nice if we could celebrate there.
Izumi:
Sakuya: Yeah! Thank you so much!
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Citron: We are here! Humongous Hokkaido!
Masumi: So loud.
Tsuzuru: You sure got fired up fast.
Azami: I came along ‘cause I’m the one in charge of doin’ the off-shots, but… really feelin’ like I’m kinda outta place.
Sakuya: You don’t have to be like that! If anything, we should be apologizing to you for making you come along.
Azami: The hell are you apologizin’ for? We all came here to celebrate you today, Sakuya-san.
Azami: I’m gonna be focused on takin’ pics of you, so just have fun like you usually would.
Sakuya: Azami-kun… thank you.
Citron: Azami, I want you to take looooots of pictures of us!
Citron: And I will also take looooots of pictures of you to send to Sakyo.
Azami: You will NOT!
Chikage:
Azami:
Itaru: Sorry for the wait. The rental car’s all ready to go.
Tsuzuru: Thank you. Well, let’s head out.
Sakuya: Yeah!
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
*Car driving*
Sakuya: …
Citron: Are you feeling nostalgic already?
Sakuya: Yeah. But it’s different from last time…
Tsuzuru: I mean, we are all going together this time around.
Masumi: Too crowded.
Azami: I know, right?
Chikage: Haha. But I’m sure Sakuya thinks it’s better this way.
Sakuya: Yeah. Back then, I had made it this far all on my own. I mean, obviously, I knew what I was getting into when I set out on my solo trip, and it was a really great experience.
Sakuya: But now that we’re all able to go together this time… I’m really realizing just how happy that truly makes me.
Itaru: Yeah.
Masumi: …Yeah.
Chikage: Well, we’ll be there soon.
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Sakuya: Wow…!
Sakuya: Amazing… the sky is so starry…
Azami: This really is the same place that was on the postcard you sent us, Sakuya-san.
Azami: So you really sent it from this far away.
Itaru: Whoa, you can really see the stars clearly.
Tsuzuru: I’m pretty sure it rained here yesterday, so maybe that’s why.
Citron: What nice timing. It must have been thanks to Sakuya’s good luck.
Sakuya: —.
Sakuya: (It’s already almost my birthday. And I’m getting to celebrate it with my current precious family this year too.)
Sakuya: (Dad, Mom… Thank you for bringing these people into my life.)
Sakuya: (I really am happy.)
Sakuya: …Ah, right.
Sakuya: (The coin that Chikage-san gave me as a good luck charm before I went on my solo trip.)
Sakuya: (If I hold it up like this, the moonlight reflects off it… It really is super pretty.)
Chikage: …You looked at it like that back then, too, didn’t you?
Sakuya: Yeah. …But unlike back then, I’m not feeling so lonely.
Chikage: I see… I’m glad.
· ❀ —– ٠ ❀ ٠ —– ❀ ·
Azami: …Still can’t believe that you actually came all the way out here on your own, Sakuya-san.
Sakuya: Ahaha… I might’ve been traveling alone back then, but it was still fun in its own way.
Sakuya: But I realized something on that trip.
Sakuya: I really can’t just live alone after all…
Sakuya: Both when I was born and when I was on my trip, I’ve come this far thanks to the support of all of the people watching over me.
Sakuya: They call it a solo trip, but I was never truly alone. I learned that on my trip, too.
*Citron moves closer to Sakuya*
Citron: …That is what it means to be human.
Sakuya: Wah… hehe, yeah.
Sakuya: (The hand Citron-san is patting my head with is so gentle and warm. This warmth is another thing that I wouldn’t know if I were alone.)
Tsuzuru: A person can’t live alone. Just like how even a play can’t exist without an audience.
Masumi: …I agree.
Azami: Kinda unexpected to hear that comin’ from you, Masumi-san.
Masumi: I can’t live without Director.
Tsuzuru: Ugh, yeah, yeah, we get it.
Itaru: That’s our Masumi.
Azami: Y-You just let him get away with that!?
Masumi: …And you guys have been supporting me, too, I guess.
Sakuya: Masumi-kun…!
Citron: You think so too, right, Itaru and Chikage?
Itaru: I mean, I guess so.
Chikage: I won’t deny it.
Azami: …This is sorta makin’ me realize how much I respect you, Sakuya-san.
Azami: You don’t gotta be someone who comes in and takes charge to be a leader.
Azami: You’ve made me realize that there’s also leaders who bring people together just by bein’ there for them like you do, or somethin’ along those lines…
Citron: Ohh, Azami… are you giving him a compliment?
Azami: I mean, yeah, ‘course I am. …And, I dunno, he just really pays attention to the people around him.
Itaru: Looks like we’re getting a sudden Affection UP moment from Azami.
Azami: That said, I do think everyone coddles him a bit too much.
Azami: The Sakuya-san I’ve always known has always seemed a lot more dependable than that—not quite like an older brother, but… I dunno, he’s always just seemed more mature to me for some reason.
Sakuya: Wait, really!?
Masumi: No way.
Citron: Exactly. No matter how old you are, you will always be my son, Sakuya~.
Tsuzuru: Well, I guess it’s about time for us to give that to you.
Sakuya: That?
Tsuzuru: Sakuya.
Everyone: Happy birthday.
Citron: It is a present from us!
Sakuya: Aww… thank you so much!
Sakuya: Can I open it?
Itaru: Have at ‘er.
*Sakuya opens the present*
Sakuya: …! This is…!
Citron: It is a dressing room noren! (1)
Tsuzuru: You’ve been getting asked to do more and more guest performances, and, as Spring Troupe, we’re all really proud of you.
Itaru: But we don’t want you to feel homesick when you’re off giving it your all at other theater companies.
Chikage: And this is so that you can really spread your wings when it comes to acting. So we got you this with that hope in mind.
Sakuya: —.
Chikage: I’m guessing you already know when your next guest performance will be?
Itaru: Feel free to use it then.
Masumi: Ordering it was a pain in the ass, so he’s using it whether he likes it or not.
Tsuzuru: Okay, you didn’t have to put it like that… I mean, I know there was a lot that went into it, but still.
Citron: Ohh, we have put our poor Masumi through too mulch.
Masumi: Much.
Tsuzuru: Your order was pretty detailed, Citron-san~.
Citron: It was a noren for our beloved Sakuya, so I wanted it to be just right!
Sakuya: …I’ll definitely bring it with me. Thank you so, so much!
Citron: Ohh, you must be very happy with your noren. You have hugged it so tightly that it is now all wrinkly!
Itaru: …Alright, should we start heading to the inn?
Chikage: We should. It’ll take us a bit to get from here to there.
Tsuzuru: It’s stuff like this that makes you really feel just how big Hokkaido is.
Citron: I am hungry~!
Masumi: Sleepy.
*They walk away*
Sakuya: Let’s head back, Azami-kun!
Azami: …Y’know, Sakuya-san… you really are loved.
Sakuya: …Yeah, maybe.
Sakuya: If this had been way back when, I would’ve said that wasn’t the case, but now…
Sakuya: I don’t want to dismiss the feelings of the people who say that to me, so I’m trying to see it like that.
Sakuya: I’m sure that my mom and dad feel that way, and all of the people who have been there for me along the way, too.
Sakuya: And that goes for you too, Azami-kun.
Azami: Huh? I’m not…
Sakuya: Ah, umm, maybe it’s not so much love for you… maybe it’s more like a feeling of appreciation…
Azami: …Well, it ain’t like my own dream can come true if I don’t got someone to do makeup on.
Sakuya: Huh?
Azami: I’m sayin’ I appreciate you too…
Sakuya: Ahaha. I guess we’re in the same boat then. Let’s keep this up from now on.
Azami: Yeah.
Azami: (Guess this is just the kinda guy Sakuya-san is.)
Tsuzuru: C’mon, Sakuya, Azami~.
Citron: Hurry up and get in! Masumi is going to fall asleep~.
Azami: Ready to go?
Sakuya: Yeah!
• • •
Notes:
(1) Noren are traditional Japanese fabric dividers that are usually hung in places like between rooms, on walls, in doorways, or in windows.
she/her tsuzuru? (not disagreeing, just curious if there's an elaboration)
Short version: fun :)
Long version: I accidentally hit Tsuzuru with my transfem beam in a roleplaying thing (there was a “free bottom surgery” joke and I typed faster than I thought) and it did something to my brain chemistry. Usually it doesn’t generally escape that space (or like discussions with friends) but this birthday card got me feeling something man. And then the other two things were too funny not to share.
It’s not something I’m arguing in terms of like canonical intent or whatever, but I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to say that Tsuzuru just hasn’t really had the time to think about gender, or process certain things, so I think there’s a lot of open ground for “aw shit, gender”. Kinda like that “I’m probably nonbinary but I have a job so idc about that right now” post in a way.
Oh sorry I forgot a possibly-important bit to this in that it may have been in the back of my mind when this all started but Tsuzuru’s en dub va is transfem! Wheeeeee
Okay I tried this earlier and tumblr decided it hated me so LETS TRY AGAIN…I have a lot of these
Transfem izumi. Also she ain’t straight
Tsuzuru isn’t straight and maybe isn’t cis but Tsuzuru sure isn’t analyzing it until they take a break. So sometime after literary impasse they freak out about it for like a week. (Unless he’s a trans guy in which case he dealt with that like years ago)
Genderfluid citron I feel it in my soul
Aroace tenma, something something contrast between teen heartthrob and complete uninterest
Trans guy Kumon!!!
Agender banri
Juza is some flavor of transfem to me BUT I think she specifically presents kinda like Sailor Uranus or Cure Chocolat. Or a short haired Utena. You know, the princely girl archetype?
Transmasc Sakyo I feel it in my SOUL
idk what Tasuku’s gender is. Tasuku also doesn’t know what Tasuku’s gender is.
⚠️ Content warning: The play section of this episode contains discussions of topics related to corrupt law enforcement and domestic terrorism, as well as a very brief mention of suicide. Please proceed with caution if these are sensitive subjects for you!
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Izumi: Just as I suspected, you all look really cool in your costumes! And it’s a fresh look for Spring Troupe.
Chikage: This is the first time we’re all wearing matching uniforms, isn’t it?
Sakuya: Even for the Mankai performance, mine was a little different from the rest of your guys’.
Izumi: (When I read the script, I wasn’t quite sure how things would turn out, but I’m sure that this has become a performance that will let Spring Troupe break out of their shells in their own unique way without a hitch.)
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Itaru: Police, white-collar crime, and a terrorist incident… The direction you ended up going in emphasizes social issues quite a bit, huh?
Tsuzuru: I decided to give it a shot, thinking of it as my own take on a social commentary.
Chikage: I’m a little surprised there wasn’t really any action in it.
Citron: Even if we carry weapons, we will not actually fight with them!
Itaru: Dodged a bullet there…
Tsuzuru: If it were any of the other troupes, I probably would’ve considered it more, but…
Tsuzuru: I just sorta had the feeling that wouldn’t have been in line with Citron-san’s or Spring Troupe’s usual style.
Masumi: So, in the end, we’re breaking out of our shells by embracing the socially conscious vibe that’s typical of Spring Troupe.
Chikage: This wouldn’t have been the kind of thing we would’ve tackled in the past.
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Izumi: (Following in the footsteps of Winter, Autumn, and Summer Troupe, Spring Troupe was also able to take on some challenges that only they could. All that’s left is for the curtains to rise without a hitch.)
Citron: Director!
Izumi: ?
Citron: It is time for us to form a circle!
Izumi: Oops, my bad.
Citron: Everyone, thank you all for going along with my selfishness this time.
Citron: Thanks to you, not only the Sakura Project, but my career as an actor will continue for a very, very long time to come.
Citron: Let us get along for EEETERNITY~!
Sakuya: Yeah, let’s!
Citron: And now it is time for a chant inspired by cherry blossoms! Spring Troupe, buru, buru~!
Sakuya: Blooming!
Masumi: Blooming?
Tsuzuru: We’re doing this now!?
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Cast (1)
Sakuya - Katsuragi
Masumi - Hasebe
Tsuzuru - Suwa
Itaru - Fujiwara
Citron - Mononobe
Chikage - Taira
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
*Buzzer sounds*
Narrator: (The Nation of the Sun has long been divided into East and West since the war. While spies from both countries secretly probe each other’s affairs…)
Narrator: (The Special Duty Police Force—commonly known as the Special Force—operated independently of the regular police agencies and kept a watchful eye on public order.)
Narrator: (Special Police Operations Division Two is composed of elite officers who have survived the rigorous training of the Special Police Academy.)
Narrator: (This morning began with the sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled…)
Mononobe: “That reminds me, which one of you ate my dango?”
Hasebe: “It was still there as of yesterday afternoon.”
Taira: “Wasn’t me.”
Fujiwara: “Are you sure that you didn’t eat them yourself and forgot?”
Mononobe: “Hmm… Now that you mention it, I feel more confident that…”
Mononobe: “Ah, riichi.”
*Mononobe places a tile down*
Fujiwara: “…”
Mononobe: “What?”
Fujiwara: “Ron.”
*Fujiwara places a tile down*
Mononobe: “Aghhh…”
Fujiwara: “You’re slipping, Mo-san. Couldn’t you tell that’s what I was aiming for?”
Taira: “It was plain as day.”
Hasebe: “No doubt about that.”
*Door opens*
Suwa: “Good work. I’ve got dango.”
Taira: “Perhaps we’ve found our culprit.”
*Door opens*
Katsuragi: “—Good morning. I am Yuushi Katsuragi, and I have been assigned to this position effective today.”
Mononobe: “Suwa-kun, um, is it possible that you’re the one who…”
Suwa: “I’ve got anko and mitarashi, which do you want~?”
Mononobe: “Oh well… I suppose I’ll take the mitarashi, then.”
Izumi: (The laid-back feel that’s incredibly out of place for a special police force is the very essence of both Spring Troupe and Citron-kun himself.)
Katsuragi: “Good morning.”
Mononobe: “Yes, sorry. Erm, Katsuragi-kun, was it? Are you sure you were assigned to our division?”
Katsuragi: “I was assigned to Special Police Operations Division Two.”
Mononobe: “I see…”
Katsuragi: “…You see?”
Fujiwara: “And you said you’re starting today?”
Mononobe: “Is that what you said…?”
Katsuragi: “…”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
*Door opens*
Station Employee: “This guy was just hanging around the station, so someone get Mononobe-san over here.”
Man: “Let me go. I was told I could go home now! I just don’t know where the exit is!”
Mononobe: “Ahh, it’s you, from earlier—did you fill out the paperwork?”
Mononobe: “You can go now. Would you like some dango?”
Station Employee: “Wait, really?”
Mononobe: “Please show him the exit.”
Man: “That’s what I was saying!”
Station Employee: “Here, right this way.”
Man: “Tch, this is why government dogs are useless.”
Katsuragi: “—I’ll make sure things are secure.”
Mononobe: “Please do.”
Katsuragi: “However, there was definitely an error in his statem—.”
Mononobe: “That’s no problem at all. His offences were only white-collar ones.”
Katsuragi: “It was still undoubtedly a crime. How is that not a problem?”
Mononobe: “Ah, would you like some dango, Katsuragi-kun?”
Katsuragi: “I would not. Shouldn’t playing mobile games during work hours also be prohibited?”
Mononobe: “I forgot to collect my login bonus.”
Fujiwara: “New event starts today, Mo-san.”
Mononobe: “I can’t wait.”
Katsuragi: “More importantly, we need to arrest that white-collar criminal from before.”
Hasebe: “Chill, rookie. This is the real world, not some spy movie.”
Mononobe: “While people still go on about the East versus the West, those days are long gone. It’s just a relaxed, no-strings-attached kind of relationship between the two nowadays.
Katsuragi: “What kind of idiotic—?”
Izumi: (Sakuya-kun’s Katsuragi throws a wrench into the laid-back atmosphere… He really ended up coming into his own in his role as the one who keeps things moving.)
Izumi: (He blends seamlessly into his surroundings without being too assertive, yet he still radiates a striking brilliance…)
Izumi: (Maybe that’s exactly the kind of identity Sakuya-kun was looking for—the one that’s truly ‘him.’)
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Suwa: “I know they call it patrol and all, but really all we’ve gotta do is give things a quick once-over, grab some tea, and head back. It’s super lowkey, y’know~?”
Katsuragi: “Tea… is that some sort of code word?”
Suwa: “Tea is tea. We’ll stop for some tea at a café and then head back. That’s all~.”
Katsuragi: “You’re joking, right?”
Suwa: “Wait, did you really think patrol was like a serious thing…?”
Katsuragi: “Why would I think otherwise?”
Suwa: “Right~, but at our precinct, pretending to be busy is more important than anything else. You’ll get used to that eventually, newbie.”
*Person runs by*
Katsuragi: “What is that?”
Suspicious Man: “Tch.”
Katsuragi: “I’m going to have to ask you to tell me about it in more detail back at the precinct.”
Suwa: “So sorry, man, we didn’t mean to scare you.”
Katsuragi: “Please look, Suwa-san. Those are the ingredients for a bomb. We must get permission from the chief to request his voluntary cooperation to come in for questioning.”
Suwa: “Ahh, really don’t recommend going down that path, bud~.”
*Radio static*
Katsuragi: “This is Katsuragi. Chief, I’ve located an individual in possession of explosives. I’m requesting your approval to bring him in for voluntary questioning.”
Mononobe: “Ahh~, no can do. Please let him go immediately.”
Katsuragi: “Why? He is very clearly in possession of dangerous items, so—.”
Mononobe: “That’s okay. I will not be granting you permission to bring him in for questioning.”
Katsuragi: “That’s hardly a valid excuse.”
Mononobe: “Sorry, in the middle of an event…”
Katsuragi: “Please wait.”
*Radio static*
Suspicious Man: “Can I go now?”
Suwa: “You can~. Thank you so much for your cooperation~.”
*Man walks away*
Katsuragi: “Unbelievable. Such negligence is inexcusable.”
Suwa: “I told yo~u. Why don’t we grab some coffee over there and head back? My treat.”
Katsuragi: “I respectfully decline.”
*Katsuragi walks away*
Suwa: “Dude, seriously~?”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
*Door opens*
Katsuragi: “Chief, why didn’t you grant me permission to bring that individual in?”
Mononobe: “Whoa, hey, we can discuss that later… More importantly, good work out there on patrol. It’s almost time to head out.”
Katsuragi: “Head out for…?”
Mononobe: “Your welcoming party, of course.”
Katsuragi: “What?”
Taira: “I’ve made a reservation at our usual place.”
Mononobe: “Thanks.”
Fujiwara: “Way to go, drinking party leader. You’re so dependable~.”
Katsuragi: “Forget about that. That guy from before, we have to—.”
Hasebe: “Don’t be such a kissass just because you wanna get ahead. It’s not a good look on you, rookie.”
Katsuragi: “—.”
Fujiwara: “Well, I get how you feel, Katsuragi-kun. Don’t take it personally, that’s just how we roll around here.”
Suwa: “Exactly~, I told him that too~.”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Katsuragi: “Why are things like this… this can’t be… why’d I even join the Special Force in the first place…”
*Katsuragi slumps over*
Mononobe: “Looks like Katsuragi-kun’s a lightweight.”
Katsuragi: “How am I going to survive in this sort of environment… uueugh.”
Mononobe: “Why did you join the Special Force, Katsuragi-kun?”
Katsuragi: “…Ten years ago, when I was a student, I got caught up in a terrorist attack… and that’s when I was saved.”
Mononobe: “Ten… years ago…?”
Fujiwara: “Wasn’t that the Yamaue Station incident?”
Katsuragi: “Yes. I was about to be crushed by rubble under the overpass near the station when a Special Force officer rushed to help me.”
Mononobe: “Was… that me?”
Fujiwara: “It must’ve been you, Mo-san. Wasn’t that what got you your certificate of honor?”
Katsuragi: “What…?”
Mononobe: “I was actually promoted for that…”
Mononobe: “I evacuated because the front line was dangerous, but then I found out that’s where the bombs had been planted. It was most definitely a shock.”
Fujiwara: “Don’t you mean, MOst definitely a shock, Mo-san?”
Mononobe: “Ahaha, you’re awful. I didn’t even say anything that clever.”
Katsuragi: “…”
Taira: “You good there, rookie? It looks like the light just faded from your eyes.”
Hasebe: “You can quit if you wanna quit. We’ve got more than enough people.”
Katsuragi: “…The team atmosphere can change if the leader changes.”
Taira: “Oh, that’s quite the confidence you’ve got, rookie.”
Suwa: “You’re full of ambition, I’ll give you that~.”
Fujiwara: “Might wanna watch out for your position, Mo-san~.”
Hasebe: “It’s absolutely inexcusable to disrupt team harmony. Isn’t that right, Chief?”
Mononobe: “Not at all~. I think having his sort of motivation is a good thing.”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Dango Stand Owner: “Here you are, six mitarashi dango. Thank you as always.”
Mononobe: “No, no, thank YOU for always having your delicious dango.”
Dango Stand Owner: “The cherry blossoms should be blooming soon. Will you be visiting his grave again this year?
Mononobe: “Yes, that’s what I’m planning on.”
Dango Stand Owner: “Well then, come by when that day comes. I’ll have dango for two ready.”
Mononobe: “Thank you so much.”
Dango Stand Owner: “Ahh, but… it looks like the weather’s going to be getting rough, so stay safe.”
Mononobe: “Thank you. I will.”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Hasebe: “Chief, can we talk about the rookie for a moment…?”
Mononobe: “What’s the matter?”
Hasebe: “Lately, we’ve been getting complaints that his style of enforcement is too strict. They’re saying he’s just like one of the old-school Special Force officers.”
Taira: “Now that you mention it, the old woman at the dango stand said she found him a bit intimidating, too. It’s not as much about the rookie himself as it is the impact he’s having.”
Mononobe: “I see…”
*Door opens*
Katsuragi: “Katsuragi, reporting back.”
Taira: “Oh, speak of the devil.”
Katsuragi: “Chief Mononobe, I’d like you to grant me permission to interrogate Kanda.”
Mononobe: “Denied. Please release them immediately.”
*Siren sounds*
Announcement: “Requesting emergency dispatch. A report has been received that a bomb has exploded near the Aisaka River. No injuries have been reported, but the possibility of a terrorist attack has not yet been ruled out.”
Announcement: “The Operations Divisions should proceed to the scene immediately.”
Katsuragi: “—.”
Mononobe: “Please release Kanda immediately.”
Katsuragi: “We don’t have time for that now—besides, there’s a possibility that Kanda may be involved somehow.”
Mononobe: “Their release comes first.”
Katsuragi: “—You’re out of your damn mind!”
*Door closes*
Fujiwara: “What should we do about the emergency dispatch, Mo-san?”
Mononobe: “Division One should be able to handle it. Everything should settle down soon enough, given the location.”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Katsuragi: “What is the meaning of this? How can you just ignore a dispatch request like that…?”
Suwa: “Hey, don’t worry about it. In the end, it turned out to be just a one-off thing, like the chief said~.”
Hasebe: “You’re the reason this all happened, rookie.”
Katsuragi: “—What do you mean by that?”
Taira: “Kanda is a major figure in an anti-government organization. He means that if you had handled things any more poorly, it could’ve escalated into a serious incident.”
Katsuragi: “You can’t carry out the Special Force’s mission while trying to please anti-government organizations.”
Mononobe: “I suppose you do have a point, Katsuragi-kun, however… it is important to listen to the voices of those who are silenced from time to time.”
Katsuragi: “Are you planning on taking their side? Violence of any kind should never be tolerated.”
Mononobe: “As for the latter half of what you said, I wholeheartedly agree.”
Katsuragi: “Then—!”
Katsuragi: “…I’ve had enough.”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Fujiwara: “Want some tea?”
Katsuragi: “…”
Fujiwara: “You’ve got a strong sense of justice, Katsuragi-kun. Neither you nor Mo-san is wrong. It’s just your way of going about things that differs.”
Katsuragi: “Back during that terrorist attack I was caught up in, I lost a friend of mine. I will never tolerate terrorists.”
Fujiwara: “…I see.”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Mononobe: “Taira-kun, Suwa-kun, do you have a moment?”
Taira: “What is it? If it’s about the mitarashi dango, you yourself ate that this morning.”
Suwa: “And I’ve already placed the order for lunch to be delivered~.”
Mononobe: “I would like your help with something.”
Taira: “…”
Suwa: “…”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Taira: “Welcome. Please pull your car in over here.”
Suwa: “I seriously never thought we’d be asked to help out at the dango stand~.”
Dango Stand Owner: “My apologies. We’re always just so short-staffed on days when people are viewing the cherry blossoms.”
Suwa: “Just think of it as our way of thanking you for everything~.”
*Taira moves next to Suwa*
Taira: “Take note of that customer’s face and their license plate number.”
Suwa: “Huh? Ohh~, gotcha.”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
*Siren sounds*
Announcement: “Requesting emergency dispatch! Multiple explosions have occurred! Deploy all emergency forces!”
Announcement: “Please send backup to Akaba-cho!”
Announcement: “There has been significant destruction done to Yamakawa-cho! Requesting backup!”
Taira: “What’s the situation?”
Hasebe: “I haven’t received instruction of any sort!”
Suwa: “I can’t get in touch with the chief or Fujiwara-san~.”
Taira: “That’s normal for the chief, but Fujiwara-san as well…?”
Hasebe: “What do we do? For things to have gotten so out of control so quickly—our deployment plans must’ve been leaked…”
Taira: “I can’t believe this…”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Fujiwara: “Yamakawa-cho has been devastated. We’re gathering in Ueda-cho.”
Katsuragi: “Fujiwara-san? What on earth is going on…?”
Fujiwara: “Oh dear, it seems I’ve been caught.”
Katsuragi: “Fujiwara-san, were you the one leaking information? Why in the world—?”
Fujiwara: “…Katsuragi-kun, was the name of your friend who died in the terrorist attack ten years ago Naoshi Konoe?”
Katsuragi: “—Yes, but I don’t see how that pertains to now.”
Fujiwara: “Konoe-kun was my nephew.”
Katsuragi: “—.”
Fujiwara: “I hate terrorists just as much as you do.”
Katsuragi: “Then why are you—?”
Fujiwara: “In the past, the Special Force’s ties to anti-government organizations were even closer than they are now.”
Fujiwara: “The reason why that incident back then resulted in the amount of damage it did was because the Special Force wanted to take credit for the great deeds they did because of it.”
Katsuragi: “As if I would believe something so…”
Fujiwara: “Use your head and think about it. Do you really think the current state of things around here is just because that’s how Mo-san wants it to be?”
Katsuragi: “—.”
Fujiwara: “If both sides are corrupt, I might as well side with the anti-government faction. The Special Force doesn’t have the power to change a damn thing.”
Fujiwara: “Why don’t you join us, Katsuragi-kun?”
Katsuragi: “I—.”
Fujiwara: “Just consider it.”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Katsuragi: “—Wh.”
Mononobe: “Katsuragi-kun, don’t go that way!”
Katsuragi: “Chief Mononobe…? Where have you—?”
Mononobe: “I was running around trying to get away from a rather dangerous situation.”
Mononobe: “The residents of this area have already been evacuated. You should evacuate to Yokote-cho as well. It is safe there.”
Katsuragi: “—Ten years ago, were you also pretending to run away like that while guiding people to safety…?”
Mononobe: “It didn’t work then, though.”
Katsuragi: “Why did you help me, both ten years ago and now?”
Mononobe: “I wanted a job where I could protect the people right in front of me. This is how I do that.”
Katsuragi: “The people right in front of you…”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Suwa: “An incident of this magnitude without any injuries among the general public~? It’s a miracle.”
Mononobe: “It’s not over yet.”
Taira: “I’m guessing that means that everything’s already been settled.”
Mononobe: “Yes, thanks to both you and Suwa-kun. But please do me a favor and pretend to be working for a little longer.”
Katsuragi: “Chief Mononobe. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about regarding Fujiwara-san…”
Mononobe: “Why don’t we stop by to see the cherry blossoms while we’re out on patrol?”
Katsuragi: “No, what I have to tell you is more important than—.”
Mononobe: “I’ll treat you to some dango.”
Katsuragi: “No, that’s really not what I want…”
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Mononobe: “I know today is the anniversary of your death. I apologize for bringing someone else along.”
Katsuragi: “Whose death…?”
Mononobe: “This is the grave of a dear friend of mine when I was in school. He is to me like what Konoe-kun is to you, Katsuragi-kun.”
Katsuragi: “—.”
Mononobe: “…My friend and I were aiming to join the Special Duty Police Force together. But at some point, our paths diverged.”
Mononobe: “He began getting deeply involved with anti-government forces, and I started to distance myself from him because I was appalled by the person he was becoming.”
Katsuragi: “So, was the terrorist attack back then also when he…?”
Mononobe: “No, he took his own life while he was detained.”
Katsuragi: “Huh…?”
Mononobe: “I had been the one who ratted him out after he had reached out to me, saying he wanted to talk for the first time in a while.”
Mononobe: “I wanted him to wake up. I wanted things to go back to the way they used to be. But that was all just my own ego getting in the way. All I ended up doing was backing him into a corner.”
Mononobe: “As a Special Duty officer, I did the right thing to protect the citizens. However, it was at the cost of my friend’s life.”
Katsuragi: “…I heard a rumor that the Special Duty Police Force has terrorist connections. Is that rumor really true?”
Mononobe: “Yes, unfortunately, it is. When my friend heard about that rumor, he gave up on becoming a Special Duty officer. As for me, I remained.”
Mononobe: “I suppose my friend must’ve felt betrayed. I understand exactly how he must’ve felt.”
Mononobe: “But I couldn’t just pretend that the feelings I’d believed in up until that point never existed.”
Mononobe: “That was the only reason I joined the Special Duty Police Force. I ran away from facing things. As a result, I ended up losing a close friend…”
Mononobe: “Things would be much easier if there were one single, universally accepted idea of justice. However, that idea is nothing more than a delusion.”
Mononobe: “All we can do is confront our own sense of justice, clash with others, and find ways to compromise.”
Katsuragi: “Does that mean your sense of justice is being able to help the people who are right in front of you, Chief Mononobe?”
Mononobe: “Yes, so, as long as there’s no pressing conflict, I’ll tolerate him. I think he knows that as well.”
Katsuragi: “…”
Mononobe: “Did that answer your question?”
Katsuragi: “It did.”
Izumi: (Even though his role is to protect the nation and its people, Mononobe speaks of his conviction to choose to protect the people right in front of him…)
Izumi: (When Tsuzuru-kun asked Citron-kun if it was okay for him to be saying things like that as a government official, Citron-kun said that being an actor gave him a freedom of speech that nowhere else had.)
Izumi: (It’s precisely because he’s up on stage that Citron-kun can become anything and go anywhere he pleases.)
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Mononobe: “Riichi.”
*Mononobe places a tile down*
Fujiwara: “Ahh, looks like you’ve done it again, Mo-san.”
Mononobe: “Huh?”
*Taira places a tile down*
Taira: “Ron.”
Mononobe: “Aghhh…”
Fujiwara: “You had to have known that was coming~.”
Hasebe: “Taira-san completely kicked your ass.”
*Door opens*
Katsuragi: “What are you all doing…?”
Mononobe: “Morning mahjong. It’s part of our daily routine. Did you not already know that?”
Katsuragi: “No, I knew that, but what about the matter regarding Fujiwara-san…?”
Mononobe: “Why don’t you join us next round, Katsuragi-kun?”
Katsuragi: “—.”
Mononobe: “I’ll teach you how to play mahjong.”
Fujiwara: “You’re just looking for someone weaker than you to join, aren’t you, Mo-san?”
Mononobe: “What? No, I would never.”
Katsuragi: “…So, that’s how things usually go for you, Chief Mononobe.”
Mononobe: “Huh? That’s not true. I usually win a little more than this, and…”
*Katsuragi takes off his hat*
Katsuragi: “I’ll be in your care.”
Mononobe: “Of course. First, you need to memorize the types of winning hands.”
Taira: “Something tells me he meant something completely different.”
Hasebe: “Just so you know, don’t even think about trying to climb the ladder by sucking up to the chief. It’s just wishful thinking.”
*Door opens*
Suwa: “I’ve got dango.”
Mononobe: “Ah, that reminds me, what happened to my…?”
Suwa: “I got three mitarashi dango for you, Chief.”
Mononobe: “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter… thank you.”
Izumi: (I heard that Citron-kun was the one who requested a scene with the cherry blossoms this time around, so I’m sure that cherry blossoms will be in full bloom in Zahra someday, too.)
Izumi: (I’m sure that if anyone can make them bloom, Citron-kun can.)
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
*Applause*
Citron: Thank you very much~!
Sakuya: Thank you so much!
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Guy: …
Izumi: (Thank goodness… We were able to pull off Spring Troupe’s twelfth performance thanks to not only the current Spring Troupe, but more specifically, the current Citron-kun and Sakuya-kun.)
Izumi: (With the whole company deciding to take on challenges to break out of their shells for their twelfth plays…)
Izumi: (Each troupe did things in their own way, took on new challenges, succeeded, and grew.)
Izumi: (After this, it’ll be about time for the Fleur Award final round to begin.)
Izumi: (With the stage that Dad built, we’ll officially win the Fleur Award this time…)
· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·
Izumi: (And all 24 of them will fully bloom!)
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• • •
Notes:
(1) All of the play characters share names with different historical Japanese aristocratic/imperial clans.
I bring a real “human lives are more important than animals. Yes, even than your doggo” vibe to the function that the people airlifting dogs out of warzones really don’t enjoy
