Muku Sakisaka/Yearning for the Horizon

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Muku	Thanks for waiting! Yuki-kun, let’s go home.
Yuki	Yeah, good work.
Muku	...
Yuki	What are you suddenly spacing out for?
Muku	I was just thinking, there’s not much time left where I can come pick you up like this, Yuki-kun.
Muku	I guess thinking about that made me feel kind of lonely all of a sudden…
Yuki	Just because we’re already in our 3rd year doesn’t mean you should jump the gun and say that there’s not much time left.
	More importantly, let’s hurry up and go home.
Muku	Ah, wait up!
	[Later]
Muku	Sorry Yuki-kun, could we stop by the bookstore real quick?
Yuki	I don’t really mind. Has a new shoujo manga been released?
Muku	Yeah. A new volume of this shoujo manga I’ve recently been into was released today.
	The drama adaptation of this manga is releasing soon so I’m really looking forward to it…and Tenma-kun is also going to be making an appearance.
Yuki	Speaking of which, I think I heard Tenma talking about something like that last night.
Muku	Tenma-kun is going to be playing the role of the protagonist's rival, a sadistic student council president who is known as “the demon lord.”
	The way the demon lord becomes attracted to the always smiling heroine is just the best…!
Yuki	Yeah yeah, I’ll listen to your explanation in more detail later tonight. Anyways, we’re going to the bookstore, right?
	[Mankai Dormitory]
Izumi	…Huh? Muku-kun’s not here.
	(Even though Summer Troupe’s all together, it’s kind of unusual seeing that Muku-kun’s the only one not here….)
Kazunari	If you’re wondering ab Mukkun, he’s in our room reading the latest edition of this shoujo manga. He’s been hella into it lately!
Tenma	Do you have something for Muku to do?
Izumi	Yeah. The editorial department for「BE.MINE」reached out to request a scenario for Muku-kun to do…
Muku	…Ahー That was so interesting!
Kazunari	Oh, Mukkun. You already finished reading your manga?
Muku	Yeah. It was so interesting that I finished reading it in one sitting. The demon lord was especially cool in this latest volume….
	I’m really looking forward to Tenma-kun’s rendition of the demon lord in the drama!
Tenma	Yup, keep your hopes up and look forward to it.
Kazunari	Eh, that demon lord!?
Kumon	Tenma-san, you’re gonna be a demon lord!? WOW-, so cool! That’s great-!
Muku	The demon lord isn’t the role of an actual demon, it’s a nickname for a character in this shoujo manga I’ve been into recently.
Izumi	(Fufu. Everyone in Summer Troupe is getting along great, as usual.)
Tenma	Speaking of which, Director. Didn’t you have something to tell Muku?
Muku	Eh, me?
Izumi	Yes yes. It’s about the 「BE.MINE」 photoshoot. They have requested a scenario for you to do…
	“A drama to watch together with a boyfriend,” is what they’ve decided on!

Muku	A drama to watch together with a boyfriend…
Izumi	Oh, what’s wrong? Are you not able to imagine how to act out the scenario?
Muku	No! I think it’s a wonderful scenario… I’m just not sure if I’ll be able to play the role of a boyfriend…
Kumon	Don’t be nervous, I bet you’ll be able to act out the role of a super cool boyfriend!
Tenma	Yeah. Even if you don’t have the confidence right now, there’s still enough time for you to practice before the shoot, isn’t there?
Izumi	Of course, I’ll be there the day of to support you so feel free to let me know if you need anything.
Muku	Ah, thank you so much. I’ll make sure to work hard so that the photoshoot goes smoothly!
	[Later]
Kumon	Phew
Muku	How was it? The manga that I recommended to you, that is…
Kumon	It was super interesting! Like, Muku’s synopsis was so good that I was super stoked from the start of the first volume!
	Seriously, this manga is super fun to read!
Kazunari	Right?! I was also reading the latest volume yesterday, and was so curious about what happened next that I only got 8 hours of sleep!
Tenma	No but, sleeping for 8 hours is enough though.
	Well, I also read it before we started filming, and I can see why this manga is so popular to the point of it getting a drama adaptation.
Yuki	Yeah. Even though it’s a traditional romcom, it had some touching moments that made it a pretty interesting story.
Misumi	The demon lord was super cool~. Muku, thanks for telling us about such an interesting manga.
Muku	Eheheh, you’re very welcome. I’m really glad you all had a fun time reading it.
Kumon	Now that I’m prepared, I’m super stoked for the drama!
Muku	Ah, looking at the time, I think the drama is about to start soon. I’ll turn the TV on.
Yuki	Come to think of it, the scenario for Muku’s photoshoot is watching a drama together with a boyfriend isn’t it.
	Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity for you to practice?
Muku	Oh. You’re right, I guess I could.
Kazunari	Alright then, this is the perfect opportunity to practice! Since Mukkun’s playing the role of a boyfriend, that is…
	“Try thinking of us as girls, starting now! Right, Kyuu~”
Kumon	That’s supposed to be me!?
	“Um… I…. wait no…. I am called Kyuu. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Tenma	Why is your character the impersonation of a young lady!?
Yuki	These characters are definitely too much. If they keep this up, it’s going to be hard for Muku to act as a boyfriend.
Muku	"That's not it at all. I think it’s wonderful that Kyuu-san is always bright and energetic.”
Misumi	“I also think that Kyuu is cute~”
Kumon	“Yay-! Muku and Sumi-san, thank you so very much!”
Muku	“Eheheh, you’re very welcome!”
	But, at this rate won’t me, Misumi-san and Kyuu-san end up in a love triangle?
Misumi	Yayyy! It’s a triangle~!
	No no, this type of triangle is definitely trouble! But, it was so interesting that I couldn’t focus on the drama…!
	[Later]
Muku	…Ah, Director-san.
Izumi	Muku-kun, you’re still up huh.
Muku	Yes. After reading my manga for so long, I feel completely awake so I was thinking of brewing some warm tea or something…
	Is what you’re watching right now, perhaps Tenma-kun’s drama from yesterday?
Izumi	Yeah, I got home kind of late yesterday and couldn’t watch it in real time, so I thought I should watch the recording instead.
Muku	Um, would it be ok if I were to watch with you?
	It was really fun watching it yesterday, so I thought it would be nice if I could watch it one more time.
Izumi	Of course. I just started watching it so you’re just in time.
Muku	Thank you so much! In that case, I will also brew some tea for you, Director-san!
	[Later]
Muku	...
Izumi	...
Muku	Ah, the demon lord…!
Izumi	Fufu. Tenma-kun’s demon lord is pretty cool.
Muku	Yes, Tenma-kun did a really good job acting here.
	Come to think of it, us watching the drama like this is kind of like the scenario I have to do this time around.
Izumi	Oh, you’re right.
	(Muku-kun seemed a bit nervous before, so I should do my best to support him on the day of the photoshoot.)
Muku	...
	[After Watching the Episode]
Izumi	Ah- that was so interesting! I hope I can watch it in real time next week.
Muku	I would love to join you again when that time comes.
	And… thank you very much for today. Because of you, I think I was able to practice a bit for the photoshoot.
Izumi	Eh, but I wasn’t doing anything other than watching the drama though?
	(He’s saying that this is just like the situation he has to do for the photoshoot, was Muku-kun practicing while watching the drama this whole time!?)
Muku	But, this really helped me practice! I’ll make sure to use what I learned today and do my best during the photoshoot!

Izumi	I’m looking forward to working with you today.
Muku	I’m looking forward to working with you…!
Staff	I’m looking forward to working with you two as well! We’ll call you over when we’re done setting up, so please wait a little bit longer.
Izumi	…Muku-kun, are you ok?
Muku	I’m sorry. When I think about the photoshoot, I start getting a bit nervous…
Izumi	(Today’s photoshoot is different from usual since Muku-kun’s alone, so he must be really nervous.)
Muku	Oh right, a time like this calls for that charm…!
Izumi	Charm?
Muku	Yes, this is it…
Izumi	(Ah, just by looking at this charm, Muku-kun’s mood has changed all of a sudden.)
Staff	We’re done setting up. Sakisaka-san, please make your way over here!
Muku	Well then Director-san, I’m off.
Izumi	Yeah, good luck!
	(That charm… I wonder if it’s something really special to Muku-kun.)
	[On Set]
Cameraman	Alright… next let’s try a look of admiration towards your girlfriend sitting next to you, could you try doing that please?
Muku	O-ok. I’ll try!
File:Muku BE.MINE ver.MUKU 1-1.png
Muku	...
Izumi	(Ah...)
	(The expression on Muku-kun’s face looks so warm and gentle right now. Just like always, it’s a wonderful smile but it also makes him look a bit more mature.)
Cameraman	…Yeah. That’s really good! The feelings of really caring about your girlfriend really came through.
Muku	Do you really think so? Thank you so much!
Cameraman	Alright, next let’s try…
	[After the photoshoot]
Izumi	Muku-kun, good work! I’m glad the photoshoot ended successfully.
Muku	Yes, I’m really glad… I was thinking I should express my gratitude towards everyone later.
Izumi	Everyone?
Muku	The charm from before, it was a gift from everyone in Summer Troupe for today’s photoshoot to go well.
Izumi	So that was it. The photoshoot was a huge success, so I guess the effect of a charm is really something else!
Muku	But, it wasn’t just that… The photoshoot was such a success because of you too Director-san.
Izumi	Eh, because of me?
Muku	Yes. When the Cameraman-san asked me to make a loving expression while thinking about my girlfriend…
Muku	I ended up smiling because I thought about the time when I was watching the drama with Director-san.
Muku	And so, I got praised by the Cameraman-san!
Izumi	(That mature looking smile, he made that expression while thinking about me…)
CHOICE 1: I’m glad you could make good use of that moment. [+] Izumi So that was it. I’m really glad you could make good use of that moment, Muku-kun. Muku Yes, I was a bit nervous when we started, but after thinking of that moment I was able to smile naturally. I think it was definitely because I had such a great time watching the drama with you Director-san. Izumi Fufu, I also had a great time discussing my thoughts with Muku-kun while watching the drama.
CHOICE 2: You had a really great smile on your face. [+] Izumi You had a really great smile on your face in the moment, Muku-kun. Muku Is that so? I’m so glad…! Izumi Yeah. I bet your fans will be really pleased when they see those pictures, Muku-kun Muku It’s a bit embarrassing, but if they’re glad to see them I’ll be really happy.
Muku	Oh, it’s almost time.
Izumi	You’re right! We need to get home quickly…
Muku	I don’t think we’ll be able to make it in time for the start of the drama…!
	[Mankai Dormitory]
Kazunari	Damn, I was so excited to find out the continuation of the drama from last week that I only slept for 8 hours yesterday~!
Tenma	No but, sleeping for that long is enough though…
Kumon	Forget that, the drama is about to start, we have to turn the TV on!
Yuki	…Muku and Director still haven’t come home huh.
Misumi	Could the photoshoot be taking longer than expected~?
Izumi	We’re home!
Muku	W-we made it…!
Misumi	Ah, welcome home you two~!
Tenma	Good work, did the photoshoot go well?
Muku	Yeah, thanks to all of you it went well!

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