Tsumugi Tsukioka/VIVID WINTER

NIGHT FLOWER ~Narcissus~

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Azuma	It’s not often that you’d call everyone to a place like this, Tsumugi.
Homare	Are you perhaps about to disclose a secret you cannot tell anyone——
Tsumugi	No, that’s not it... I just thought this was the perfect place for what I’m going to talk about.
Guy	I’ve been to this cafe with Tsukioka before. Compared to back then... the flowers look more beautiful to me now.
Tsumugi	Guy-san... I’m happy you feel that way.
	Ah, everyone, let’s order some drinks first.
Tasuku	Yeah. I’ll get a black coffee.
Azuma	As for me... Ah, maybe I’ll get this one.
Homare	I shall order black tea, of course.
Hisoka	Marshmallows...
Tsumugi	Fufu, marshmallow hot chocolate for Hisoka-kun, right?
Tsumugi	Is this everything we ordered? I’ll get right to the main subject then.
	Apparently there will be an event called “Midnight Garden.” It’s an event where guests would be able to enjoy the botanical garden at night——
	We were asked to perform improv acts while walking around the garden.
Hisoka	Just Mankai Company?
Azuma	It’s certainly perfect for our theater company.
Tsumugi	Each day a different group of three from each troupe will participate; in addition to the troupe leader, we’ll need two more people.
	The event is held during the night and it’s pretty short notice, so I want to take everyone’s work circumstances into consideration...
Guy	I see. That day works fine for me.
Azuma	Sorry, I have plans that day...
Homare	I have an autograph session that day. I’m sorry.
Hisoka	Zzz... I can’t do it either... Zzz.
Homare	Hm, only the marshmallows have disappeared from your drink.
Tasuku	I’m free that day.
Tsumugi	That’s great, we have just enough people. Shall we go with these members then?
Tasuku	Sounds good.
Guy	Yeah, let’s give it a try.
Tasuku	Has it been decided what type of roles we’re doing?
Tsumugi	The premise is flowers transforming into humans at midnight. Apparently we’re free to choose which flower we’re acting as.
Tasuku	A flower, huh... Sounds difficult.
Tsumugi	And so, I listed a few examples of flowers from the four seasons. The Winter Troupe will be in charge of the winter flowers, of course.
	I’d like for us to decide who’s going to do which flower now...
Guy	Which flowers did you choose?
Tsumugi	Narcissus, orchid, and ranunculus.
Guy	Ranunculus, huh...
Tsumugi	Do you like that one?
Guy	...Yeah, I do.
Tsumugi	Fufu. I actually thought you’d say that. I’ll leave the ranunculus to you then, Guy-san.
Guy	Understood.
Tsumugi	The ones left are the narcissus and the orchid... Tasuku, is there one you’d prefer?
Tasuku	Either one is fine. Flowers are flowers. Choose the one you like.
Tsumugi	Hmm, they both seem interesting...
Tasuku	Then you’ll never get to decide...
Homare	In that case, why don’t I choose the one that suits you!
Tsumugi	You will, Homare-san...?
Homare	Mhm. My artistic sense shall choose the perfect flower for you.
	Hmm... The narcissus’ simplicity yet firm presence is Tsumugi-kun.
	The orchid’s majestic and dignified appearance is Tasuku-kun. How about that!
Hisoka	You’re right on the mark, for once.
Homare	When did you wake up, Hisoka-kun?
Azuma	I also think that’s good.
Tsumugi	For some reason, being told that is embarrassing...
Tasuku	In any case, it’s settled.
Tsumugi	So I’ll be the narcissus, Tasuku will be the orchid, and Guy-san will be the ranunculus.
	We’ll be checking out the location with the Director soon, so I’m thinking we should grasp the image of our characters there.
	I’ll also give you the illustrated reference books I recommend.
Tasuku	Okay.
Guy	Understood.
Tsumugi	I thought I’d be able to think of something, so I ended up coming here...
	(I thought I understood the narcissus, but I didn’t think I’d be acting out a role with that flower as the theme...)
	(Plus, the meaning of the narcissus in floriography kind of reminds me of myself in some ways...)
	(When I think of it that way, I somehow feel a lot closer to the narcissus.)
	...
	(The orchid is the queen, so like Homare-san said, it’s perfect for the majestic Tasuku... He’ll probably get angry at me if I tell him that though.)
	(But the truth is, when we were left to choose between the narcissus and the orchid, I actually did think the orchid would suit Tasuku better.)
	...All right. I’ll do my best in the narcissus role.

Izumi	Wow, it looks so magical!
Guy	Yeah, it’s very beautiful.
Tsumugi	Where should we start?
Tasuku	We probably want to look at different places, so why don’t we each go on our separate ways until it’s time?
Izumi	You have a point.
Tsumugi	Okay, then let’s meet back here when it’s time.
Guy	Understood.
Tasuku	Got it.
Izumi	(Wah, this flower is so cute...)
Tsumugi	...
Izumi	(Ah, it’s Tsumugi-san. He’s staring at the flowers intently...)
	...Tsumugi-san.
Tsumugi	“——It’s been a long time since we’ve been together like this.”
Izumi	(Huh? He’s already in character...?)
	Umm... Have we met before...?
Tsumugi	“I suppose it’s understandable that you’ve forgotten... You were still very young back then after all.”
	“Although you may not remember them, those memories will always be unforgettable to me.”
Izumi	(...For some reason that makes me feel bad...)
	I can’t seem to remember; I’m sorry...
Tsumugi	“Don’t be. Just the fact that you returned here... makes me incredibly happy.”
	“I wish from the bottom of my heart that we can be together like this again.”
	——I’m sorry. I just wanted to try it out... What do you think...?
Izumi	It made me sad, but I felt that I wanted to see you again; it was very lovely.
Tsumugi	Really? I’m glad to hear that.
Izumi	What made you decide that your character would know the other person from the beginning?
Tsumugi	Part of it is my personal opinion, but...
	In the language of flowers, the narcissus means “I want you to love me again” and “return to my side.”
	Not only would they know the other person from the start——
	A lot of aspects made me think that their partner has gone off to a place where they can’t see them again...
	I can empathize with that in some respects.
Izumi	Empathize?
Tsumugi	It reminded me of myself, back when I wanted to act once more and stand on the same stage with Tasuku again.
Izumi	I see. That’s why you talked to the other person as if you knew them from the start.
	...I’m sure it’s precisely because your wish has come true, that you’re able to do that act now.
Tsumugi	It’s a little embarrassing saying it myself... but you may be right.
Guy	Director, Tsukioka. So this is where you were.
Tsumugi	Oh, you two. I was just showing the Director my performance.
Izumi	Tsumugi-san’s acting was so lovely.
Tasuku	Really? Show it to me too.
Tsumugi	...Showing it to you would be embarrassing.
Tasuku	What are you saying now after all this time...

maria