#but takato is doing a good job at filling that role

[kotaromita]

okay it IS illegal to hurt people but also akito's dad deserves it

so is it really THAT bad?

i mean i've never met the guy and i've only heard a little bit about him in passing

all i know is:

he doesn't get along very well with akito

he REALLY doesn't get along very will with ena

he's a famous painter

a robot burned his house down? and then someone threatened him at gun point right after he lost his house?

um and i think those last things are usually only things you do if someone is like a serial killer or a terrorist or something

maybe it's just because i get along with my dad so well that it's a little hard for me to take in but as long as akito and ena are okay and he and mrs shinonome survived i think that's most important?

[rainbowpacifiers]

Twin Kingdoms (A3! Event story) - Chapter 8

The last few chapters are going to take me a bit longer. Sorry!

Chapter 7 | Index | Chapter 9

Shift: That was the kettle just now? Haruto: Yeah. Shift: The stubbornness and that she's not honest about her own feelings - that's just like you. Shift: Do you not go home to your family at all? Haven't you talked about your hometown in an interview before? Haruto: That was for the "setting" I'd established as Asuka Haruto. I don't go home for either Obon [1] or the New Year, nor do I call. Shift: So not even once have you thought of calling? Haruto: .......

That first Winter after I'd started living alone in Tokyo, I searched for theatre troupes to join while making ends meet with part-time jobs. It was an excessively cold room, in a wooden apartment building. There was a terrible draught and because my futon was thin as well, I caught a cold.

Figuring I'd recover right away, I brushed it aside - and immediately got worse. I suffered because of the fever and wondered whether I'd simply die alone, without anybody knowing and without having achieved my dream. Just when I tried to at least call my mother before dying, the eletric kettle left in a corner of the room suddenly caught my eye.

At the same time, my mother's voice came back to me. This wouldn't do.

If I died because of a worsening cold, I had to at least become a famous enough actor so that it would be featured widely on the news and reach my mother, or there would be no meaning to having thrown away my hometown to move to Tokyo. I picked myself up somehow and drank the tea I'd boiled with the teapot to ward off the coldness, and I braved my cold.

From then on, I worked even harder. I also attended a lot of auditions.

It was then, while I was studying acting and watching the performances of every theatre company on Veludo Way, that I met the GOD Troupe.

I thought of them as the theatre company of fate. A beautiful world like the one I had seen in my dreams since I was young. A sublime and wonderful world filled with all my ideals. From that moment on, I could no longer think of anything aside from standing on that troupe's stage.

At the audition, I showed off my enthusiasm like mad and was somehow allowed to become a trainee... I was a low-ranked student at the beginning and was admonished for my intonation habit again and again, but I desperately fixed it. I even considered that I might not be suited for performances using the standard language, but little by little, my utmost efforts bore fruit, and I was able to be promoted to a regular troupe member.

If I kept working hard like that, I might be able to become the top one day. Then, I would invite my mother to a play with me as lead.

The moment I renewed my determination, an actor who had joined after me named Takato Tasuku rapidly distinguished himself and climbed all the way to the top seat.

We came to act together and I was amazed by Tasuku's acting junkieness and his talent. His genius was overwhelmingly different from mine. As long as Tasuku was there, I feared that I might never be able to reach the top.

Then, I will never be able to invite my mother to a play. Even so, I kept giving it my all and have made it this far, and if I do better than Tasuku does, I will surely surpass him someday. That was my belief, and I continued as an actor.  

One day, all performing actors got harshly scolded by Reni-san. After practice, I left the practice room with everyone and pretended to go home, but carried a key with me and secretly returned to the practice room alone. I was always staying behind and practicing on my own like that.

But for some reason, on that day, the door was unlocked. When I opened the door, Tasuku was there. When our eyes met, he called out to me somewhat happily, "You're staying late too?"

When I looked at him, who possessed a lot of qualities that I didn't and yet, always put hard work in as well, it irritated me.

Shift: So, did you end up practicing with Tasuku-san? Haruto: No way. I told him I'd left something behind and went home. Shift: That's so like you. Haruto: After that, I thought that I couldn't surpass Tasuku with just the amount of practice alone, so I listened to every word Reni-san said and worked hard to gain his trust. Haruto: I also tried my best at fanservice for customers, which Tasuku was reprimanded about most by Reni-san. Haruto: I was planning on someday overtaking him by slowly increasing the things I could win at outside of acting. Haruto: But that was the very moment when Tasuku suddenly left the GOD Troupe. Haruto: And with the kind of look that seemed to have no regrets whatsoever, he just threw away the top seat that I'd wanted so much and worked hard enough for to bleed. Haruto: After that, I lost to him in two act-offs, too. Haruto: With the collaboration play, I thought the time had finally come, but in the end, the result is the same. Haruto: Tasuku keeps growing as an actor, gets complimented by Reni-san and as always, doesn't slack off. Haruto: Someone who already has talent, gets to be a junkie about effort too. No, he who already has everything, even has the talent to work hard. Haruto: If I can't win against him with talent, and can't win with the amount of effort.... I might never be able to catch up to him in my entire life. Haruto: ....Argh, I had no intention of talking about this. Shift: I realised immediately that you were a hardworking person, Haruto-san. Shift: I don't think of it as bad at all, and when I look at people who do their best, it makes me like them even more. Haruto: It is my own practical branch of learning to not want to show my no. 1 rival my hardworking appearance. Shift: Even if that's the case for Tasuku-san, you don't have to conceal your efforts from me, who will be standing on stage with you together forever. Shift: Instead, if looking at you can make me think of trying even harder, I might want you to show me your hardworking appearance. Haruto: ....Alright, I shall do that for you. Though it's a pain. Shift: Do you have to say it like that?~ Shift: Oh, that's right! This is a message from Tasuku-san. Haruto: What? Shift: "Since the rehearsals for this performance started and I got to practice with you after a long time, I have been inspired once again." Shift: "Your efforts day by day, and your attitude to perfectly fix what Reni-san has pointed out until the following day..." Shift: "Playing the co-lead alongside a lead with a high level of awareness is rewarding and fun." Shift: "To me, Haruto is a rival that I don't want to lose against, and that is something that hasn't changed since my time at the GOD Troupe, so get some good rest and return soon!" Haruto: --. Shift: Ah, right, Tasuku-san told me to buy some ice cream, so I got some. I will put it in the freezer. Haruto: Why ice cream in this goddamn cold? Shift: It's delicious when you eat it right after getting out of the bath. Please have some congee before it gets cold. Haruto: ...Thanks for the meal. Haruto: ...I haven't had porridge since my mother made it for me when I was sick. Shift: It was on my mind when you were talking about the eletric kettle before, but... Shift: I'm sure your mother is wishing for you to succeed as an actor and is curious about your acting. Haruto: I was thinking of inviting her once I'd been selected for the lead role someday.... Haruto: But I didn't really feel like inviting her to a play with me as lead that came around as a windfall because Tasuku quit the GOD Troupe. Haruto: And immediately after that, I was demoted. Shift: This is just a guess, but "Fervent Islands" was on a national network, so wouldn't she have seen that? Haruto: I didn't tell her I'd appear, so unlikely. Shift: I'm sure she did. I'm sure she watched it over and over again. For a while, my mother would watch it every night with my little brother. Haruto: ...... Shift: I'm sure she'd happily come to see our new play too. Since you're the lead. Haruto: It was sold out on the spot. Anyway, there's no way she could get a ticket. Shift: We'll send her an invitation then. Haruto: No, we won't. Stop poking your nose into other people's family matters. Shift: ....Sorry, I was too pushy. Haruto: ...But it might be nice to stand on stage with her planning to come. Feels motivating. Shift: That's right! Shift: So, as for my reasons for aspiring to be an actor.... Haruto: I'm done eating the porridge, so I'm going to sleep. Shift: Aww, how mean. Haruto: Tell me all about it next time. Shift: Got it. Get some proper rest!~

_______________

[1] A Japanese festival celebrated in summer to honour the spirits of ancestors.

Chapter 7 | Index | Chapter 9

[chiaki-translation]

A3! SR Tasuku [One Who Blocks The Way] Backstory

Next one is Tasuku~ Actually I’m very amused by this backstory, Winter Troupe is really making a ruckus for no reason and it’s very interesting to see.

Summary:

Tasuku’s having difficulty trying to think of a role study for his upcoming role, when Winter Troupe suggests something, chaos ensues......

Anyway, as always, I’m referring to this card:

Disclaimer:

A3! is owned by Liber entertainment

Devil’s Tamagoyaki

Translator’s note: Wankosoba is a Japanese style soba eating competition.

 Tasuku

--a soul without divine protection, it is the best nourishment for devils.

Fyuh……

Tsumugi

Tasuku, dinner is ready.

Tasuku

Yeah, I’ll come over soon.

Tsumugi

As usual, you are very motivated.

Tasuku

I have to be able to show it with a different expression from you.

That line still has a lot of room for improvement.

Tsumugi

Haha, soon you will have a lot of scribbles in your script again.

 *shifts to dining room*

Azuma

Here, jajaan!

Guy

…. Munch munch

Homare

Guy-san, that’s the way.

Look, even Hisoka-kun is waking up. Come and look at Guy-san’s performance and eat marshmallow.

Hisoka

……I

Guy, do your best.

Tsumugi

Wankosoba?

Tasuku

Why are you guys doing wankosoba?

Azuma

It’s a part of role study for Guy.

Homare

That’s because this time, Guy’s role is a devil who likes to eat.

When we’re talking about eating a lot, it can only be wankosoba.

Tsumugi

Ah, so that’s it.

Azuma

How is it, Guy?

Can you still go on?

Guy

Yeah, no problem.

Homare

Honestly, you did a good job in eating those.

Ah, an inspiration for another poet has struck me!

You who has been slurping noodles, looks more like a poodle than an idol.

Listen to the sound of the soba, let’s slurp it all~!

Hisoka

Alice….. You’re noisy.

Azuma

Guy, good work.

Is your stomach alright?

Guy

Yesh, that was a good role study.

I’m grateful, Yukishiro.

Director

Eh, what’s Winter Troupe doing gathering around here?

Azuma

Welcome back, director.

We were helping Guy to study his role.

Director

Role study?

Guy

Yeah, Yukishiro offered to help me and I just did wankosoba.

Homare

Guy-san’s eating is truly splendid.

It was enough to struck me with a lot of inspiration for my poem!

Director

Sounds interesting. I wished I had seen it earlier.

Homare

Then why not we challenged it with everyone this time and kantoku-kun can help to serve the food! Of course, Hisoka-kun will also join.

Hisoka

……No way.

I’ll participate if it’s wanko-marshmallow.

Tasuku

Isn’t that just the usual thing.

Azuma

Fufu, then Hisoka will start first.

Guy

By the way, what are you doing for your role study, Takato?

Director

Tasuku-san has a role as a passionate devil right.

Tasuku

Yeah.

I have thought of some things, but I haven’t done any serious role study.

Homare

Hmm. A being driven by passion……

Then, how about making a switch with passion?

Tasuku

Switch with passion?

Azuma

Maybe it’s the kind when you switch your personality when you do something special?

Tsumugi

I see, that sounds nice.

For example, this leftover tamagoyaki from dinner……

If you eat this, you might be able to feel the passionate emotion and awaken the devil inside you.

Tasuku

What kind of setting is that.

Azuma

It might actually be a good role study it seems.

Tsumugi

Since we’re here already, why don’t we try it?

Tasuku

Ah…. I guess I have no choice.

--Munch munch.

……

Ugh--!

Director

Ta, Tasuku san…��?

<End of Part 1>

Tasuku

…… Hoo, interesting.

It looks like there are a lot of delicious looking humans over here.

Guy

I took him an instant to get into his role.

Hisoka

…… as expected from the theatre-idiot.

Tasuku

Then, who will be the first among you?

….. You over there.

Your soul looks delightful.

Director

Eh, me!?

 Choice 1: I’m not delightful in any way!

Choice 2: Wake up and open your eyes!

[

[

Choice 1:

Director

I, I’m not delightful in any way even if you eat me!

Tasuku

I can tell that you have the scent of a high-quality goods.

Director

Scent of a high-quality goods…?

Tasuku

Your heart that believed in your comrades, the strength to stick to your will…

What you have is, such a pure and noble soul…

Director

(What is this, the way he said it is pretty scary, but I’m somehow happy…)

Tasuku

You’re so scared that you can’t say anything huh?

Then, just stay right there and give your soul to me.

]

]

[

[

Choice 2:

Director

Please wake up and open your eyes, Tasuku san!

Tasuku

Who is this Tasuku guy?

--- My name is Satan and there is no one that can stop the overflowing passion inside of me.

Director

(Ah, it’s pointless, there’s no way I can reach him when he’s in this state.)

Tasuku

I can’t get enough of that fearful look.

Human, let’s see you beg for your life.

Well, no matter how much you cry, I won’t let you run away.

]

]

Tsumugi

Director!

Please remember the sister’s power that’s sleeping inside of you!

Director

Eh, si, sister…?

Azuma

This is the time to release your power.

Director

(I think I just gets roped into this etude……!

If, if it’s like that then I have not other choice……!)

Dear Satan, calm down!

Tasuku

Ugh……

Guy

Did we get him?

Tasuku

--- That won’t work.

Do you think you can beat me with that measly power of yours?

Director

(It’s no use……! Then at this point, maybe Tsumugi san who were acting as exorcist can……!)

Tsu, Tsumugi san--!

Tsumugi

You finally showed yourself, you devil.

By calling the power of the exorcist, I will eliminate you.

Disappear! Hah!

Tasuku

Ugh, uwaaaghh!

Damn you, exorcist……

But this body is nothing but a vessel. I just need to find another suitable vessel for my soul to enter.

---You over there, that’s  just nice

Azuma

Me?

Tasuku

I cannot die. I will be resurrected from the new vessel.

Azuma

Yareyare. I have no choice but to join this now.

Ugh…..!

Kuh, haa, haa….

So this is the new vessel, not bad at all.

I have received new power.

My comrades, let’s gather together and die for me--!

Tsumugi

What--!?

Th, this is……!

Hisoka

Who is it who summons and calls my name……

You exorcist who has brought my anger, I’ll let you pay with your death.

Homare

Hahahahahaha, you weak exorcists, can you stop this magnificent self?

Guy

Playtime is over. I’m hungry.

I wonder who will fill this hunger of mine.

Tsumugi

Ugh…… If it continues like  this--!

Lend me your power, my fellow exorcist.

Tasuku

Geez…… You only called me out during a pinch.

Do you really need me to lend my power once more?

Director

(Why is Tasuku san suddenly resurrected as an exorcist……!

Somehow this situation has become very amazing…….)

Muku

We’re home!

Kumon

--n?

Tenma

What are you guys doing?

Tasuku

Run away! Humans like you guys will just become the devil’s food!

Tenma

Hah?

What do you mean by that, Tasuku-san?

Yuki

What’s this situation.

Muku

Ehh!? I don’t know what’s happening but, everyone’s atmosphere here are scary……!

Director

When you eat a tamagoyaki, you awaken the devil inside you.

Well, this is that kind of etude……

Kumon

Devil!?

Sounds cool-, I’ll do it as well!

Can thou hear me?

Your soul is already mine.

Tsumugi

Ugh, against this many devils,  if only I can take one down……!

Tasuku

Don’t just give in to numbers, I will just do what I can.

Prepare yourself, devils.

Yuki

Hah…… What are you guys doing, please behave like a good adult.

Director

But this etude, how are we going to end this!?

<End of Part 2>