#c:citron

[thatsaweirdwaytospellundead]

Winter Troupe’s 7th Play: Hotel Compass 3/ 4

In a certain region, in a certain town lies Hotel Compass.

Established over one hundred years ago, the hotel sits far from popular tourist destinations and even the nearest train station. Unfortunately with its poor location, competing hotels have quickly snatched up many potential guests and this once grand hotel has begun to fall into disrepair.

The hotel has also been short staffed for quite some time, forcing the owner, Owari, and manager, Tsuzuki, to perform the majority of the maintenance and upkeep of the hotel. They spend each day tending to the needs of their few, but always eccentric guests.

Characters

Note: The theme of this play is “compass” with all the characters have direction-based names. I have included the character’s names in Kanji along with the double-meaning.

Azuma as Owari (尾張, sounds like “終わり, End”)

Guy as Tsuzuki (津々木, sounds like “続き,Continuation”)

Homare as Higashikawa (東川, East river)

Tasuku as Minami (三波, sounds like “南, South”)

Hisoka as Nishi (西, west)

Tsumugi as Kitami (北見, north view)

Due to the length of this play, I will be posting it in 4 parts.

[ Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 ]

Owari

Hey, is Mr. Minami alright?

He’s been sitting in the same position at that table for a while now.

I think by now its time to lay down the pen for a bit.

Tsuzuki

Really now...

Owari

Mr. Minami.

Is everything alright?

Minami

That’s it...

Yessss....

It’s all coming to me now...

HUH?

What is it?

Owari

Oh, is there anything we can do for you?

Minami

Some coffee please.

Owari

Right away, sir.

Tsuzuki, if you please.

Tsuzuki

It will be ready right away, sir.

Minami

My brush is flying.

My zest for life is overflowing...

I can still write my novel!

Owari

I am glad to hear that.

Minami

Oh, hey Kuroda!

Owari

...?

Minami

I have finished my rough draft, wanna see?

Hello, hello, Kuroda?

I have finished my rough draft so aren’t you gonna come have a look? 

Huh, what? You’re at my house?

Wait, you’re not at the hotel!?

Huh, uh no it’s nothing.

Understood. I’ll email you right away.

Yes, I am alright.

There is no problem at all.

This is going to be my next masterpiece!

Owari

So Mr. Kitami had nothing to do with Mr. Minami after all...

After eavesdropping on Nishi’s story, Minami is suddenly filled with inspiration and begins writing again.

Whilst writing, Minami also feels his will to live flowing back into his body.

Kitami appears and Minami tells him he is finished with his rough draft, however Kitami seems perplexed and simply walks away.

After a phone call with his editor, Kuroda, Minami realises that he had mistaken Kitami for his editor after all.

Owari

Sigh...

Finally some time to catch my breath.

Tsuzuki

Today has sure been eventful.

Owari

I feel like we have had more troubles than we have guests.

Owari: Why does it feel like our hotel is filled with only the most eccentric of guests?

Tsuzuki

Well our hotel is a place for lost travelers to come and rest after all, right?

Owari

Lost travelers, huh?

I feel like I’m the one who’s lost my way.

I’ve been slaving away trying to take care of the hotel that’s been around since my grandfather’s time, but for what?

After my wife and children walked out, I feel as if I have been working my ass off for nothing.

This hotel has been so dead ever since they left.

Does that mean I’ll be the last owner of this hotel?

I should really just quit before it’s too late.

But I don’t think I could bring myself to really do it.

This is the worst.

Well, no use dwelling over it now I guess.

I suppose if things keep going downhill we’ll just have to file for bankruptcy.

Tsuzuki

There are a lot of people that depend on this hotel.

Tsuzuki: If Mr. Minami could get back on his feet, I don’t see a reason why we couldn’t do the same.

Owari

I suppose you’re right.

That evening, Owari takes a moment to catch his breath and take a much needed break. Owari complains that he feels like their hotel has been taken over by only the most eccentric of guests. Tsuzuki tells Owari that their hotel is a place for lost travelers to stay.

Owari confesses to Tsuzuki that he also feels lost. He reveals that his wife and children had all left him some years ago. Owari wonders if he can even continue to keep his grandfather’s hotel open or if he will become the hotel’s last owner. Tsuzuki tells Owari that there are many people that depend on the hotel.

Detective

....

Owari

Welcome.

Detective

We are with the police. Could we have a moment of your time?

Higashikawa

Huh!?

Detective

Have you seen a man who looks like this?

His name is Hashima Ryou.

He is wanted on account of murder.

A man who looked like the suspect was last seen at this hotel.

Owari

Suspected murderer...

I don’t think I have seen anyone that fits that description...

I think I would have remembered if I saw someone with hair like that.

Detective

Some features may look a little different to this image.

Well if you have any leads, please contact us right away.

Owari

Understood.

Higashikawa

By the way...

If they’re looking for someone suspicious maybe that Mr. Kitami has something to do with it.

Owari

Well we just haven’t seen his true face.

.... It does seem suspect.

AH!

Higashikawa

What is it?

Owari

It’s just Mr. Nishi said earlier that one person will disappear from this hotel.

Higashikawa

HUH!?

WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?

WAS HE ANNOUNCING HIS PLAN TO MURDER SOMEONE!?

Owari

Maybe...

Tsuzuki

What’s going on?

Higashikawa

Big SOS, Tsuzuki!

We have a murderer amongst us! ALLEGEDLY!

Tsuzuki

A murderer you say....

Higashikawa

And on top of that, someone in this hotel is going to die, probably!!!!

Owari

I think you’re overthinking it.

Higashikawa

We need to see Mr. Kitami’s real face!

I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight if we don’t!

Owari

However...

Higashikawa

The police did tell us to tell them if we had any information. We gotta try at least!

Owari

And what will we do if he is the murderer?

Higashikawa

Then I’ll let Tsuzuki take the wheel!

Kitami

....

Higashikawa

Mr. Kitami!

Kitami

-- 

Owari

Hey, Higashikawa.

Higashikawa

Sorry to bother you, but we just got a visit from the police. We were wondering if you could take off your mask and--

Kitami

-- AH!!!

Tsuzuki

STOP RIGHT THERE!

Higashikawa

But Tsuzuki!

If we don’t see his real face--

Tsuzuki

There is no need for that.

Because, I am the one the police are looking for.

Higashikawa

HUUUUHH!!!?

Tsuzuki

I apologise for causing trouble.

I will now go turn myself in to the police.

Owari

So you’re saying you really are....?

Kitami

....So we meet at last, Hashima.

Owari

HUH?

Tsuzuki

You are--

Kitami

I am the son of Shimoi, the man you killed.

Tsuzuki

That you are...

I can see it in your face.

Higashikawa

I-Is this some sort of plot to avenge his father!?

Owari

RUN, TSUZUKI!

Kitami

Not at all.

Actually I wanted to give my thanks to Hashima....

Owari

Thanks?

Kitami

My father, Shimoi, was truly the most despicable type of human being.

He was known for committing numerous frauds, blackmail, and extortion, he even was violent towards the rest of our family. He was the type of person who was really just asking to be killed.

I felt so relieved when I heard the news of my father’s death.

It felt as if I was finally released from hell.

Tsuzuki

No one deserves to die.

I am no better than him as I am a man who has also attempted to run from his sins.

Kitami

But you are the one who saved my life.

Tsuzuki

---

Kitami

I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am, Hashima.

Just in case anyone staying at this hotel knew who you were, I made sure to wear a mask so as not to draw any further suspicion. I am truly sorry for all the trouble I have caused.

Tsuzuki

No, the secret would have gotten out eventually.

It is not like I could run forever.

The time has come.

It is a good thing we had this chat.

That evening, the police came to look for a suspected criminal. Owari recalled Nishi’s words and wondered if the two are somehow connected and if Nishi really knew a murder would happen.

Naturally, Owari and company first suspect their masked guest, Kitami. However, when they went to try and apprehend him, Tsuzuki makes a startling confession that he is the murderer. Owari and company are left in shock.

Kitami then removes his mask and reveals that he is the son of the man that Tsuzuki had murdered.

Owari and company tell Tsuzuki to run for fear that Kitami had come to avenge his father. To everyone’s surprise, Kitami tells the group about his father’s awful behavior in life and in fact felt relieved upon hearing news of his father’s death.

Kitami continues to explain that he came to the hotel to thank Tsuzuki for his actions. However, to avoid raising suspicion from the police and others at the hotel, Kitami wore a mask.

To be continued.... Read part 4 here!

[thatsaweirdwaytospellundead]

The Royal Family’s Beloved Royal Blue 11/11

Summary: Mankai Company agrees to do a performance at a gem exhibition upon request from Tsuzuru’s brother, Tadoru. Citron wants to show a precious gem from Zahra at the exhibition so he entrusts Mika to bring it to Japan. The only problem is there is also a gem thief who follows Mika to Japan….

Note: Please make sure you have read the main story up until Act 8 and Harugaoka Quartet event!

This is a 10 part story with an epilogue.

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7] [Part 8] [Part 9] [Part 10]

Epilogue “A present for my cute little brother”

Azuma

Everything wrapped up smoothly; the performance, the gem affair, and the exhibition itself. Good work everyone, especially Mika.

Chikage

[He said, good work everyone, especially Mika.]

Mika

[It was all thanks to everyone’s support. Thank you so very much.]

Chikage

[You will be heading back home soon, right?]

Mika

[Correct. However, before I head back, I will buy a souvenir for Prince Tangerine.

Actually, Prince Tangerine had expressed his desire to come to Japan, which is why I wanted to bring something back for him.]

Citron

Oh, if you are going to do that, let me come along to help choose something!

I want director and everyone else to help too! Let’s all work together to find Tangerine a souvenir!

Muku

Yes! If you would like, I would love to come along and help!

Izumi

Oh, nice. So then, let’s all go buy him a souvenir.

Mika

[?]

Chikage

[So everyone has decided that they will come with you to buy a souvenir for Prince Tangerine.]

Mika

[Thank you very much. I think Prince Tangerine will also be pleased.]

Muku

A souvenir for Prince Tangerine….. What should we get?

Izumi

Something Japanese-style would be good right?

Sakyo

Hmm, yes.

Juza

…. Well he’d probably like some snacks.

Muku

Wagashi might be good! Something like a wagashi and matcha set.

Chikage

[*translating for Mika*

... They said.]

Mika

[I see. I have heard that wagashi and matcha is very good combination.]

Citron

Yeah~ It’s not a bad idea, but I was hoping for something with more of an impact!

Chikage

An impact you say….. I brought up giving him a figure earlier.

Azuma

Well, how about a folding fan?

Sakyo

If you get a Japanese-style painting made, that may give you the impact you want.

Izumi

Maybe something with an aroma would work.

Chikage

[How about a folding fan?]

Mika

[It’s good, the prince likes folding fans too!]

Citron

Yeah, those all sound alright, but I kinda wanted something with a more interesting flavour.

Muku

Interesting flavour….

Izumi

Yeah, this is kinda difficult…

Azuma

Anyhow, what kind of things do you think the prince would like?

Citron

Hmm well~ Something Japanese-ish, something with impact, something with an interesting flavour, something he can use….

Sakyo

So that’s it.

Citron

Oh! I don’t want you to get so frustrated about this! I just got the idea stuck in my throat!

Juza

Like some small fish bones....

Chikage

Then get it out.

Citron

…. HA!!

I got it! This is the souvenir I will give Tangerine!

Muku

Huh?

Azuma

That’s… a T-shirt?

Chikage

It says “Sweet Shrimp” in big letters up and down

Citron

Yes!

Izumi

O-Of course this is it…

Mika

[This… Prince Tangerine told me he wanted this before!]

Chikage

He said that Tangerine had said he wanted this earlier.

Izumi

HUH!?

Citron

It seems like something Tangerine would like!

Mika

[As expected of Citronia.

And umm, I am sorry to ask yet another favour of you but…

Would it be alright if I got a matching handkerchief from the same set for myself?]

Citron

[Of course, let’s buy them together!]

Mika

[Thank you so much, I am happy!]

Sakyo

So it seems like our serious thinking was all for nothing.

Chikage

Haha, seems like it.

EVENT STORY END