Tsumugi Tsukioka/Hospitality Bunny

Rabbit Training

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2

Misumi	Bunnies like it when you touch them here~ But there are lots of ones who don't like being rubbed in this area here…
Tsumugi	I see. So I should be cautious with the area around the tail, then? I heard that cats like being scratched around that part, but I suppose it's different with each animal after all.
Misumi	Also, they don't like being touched by a hand that has a smell on it.
Tsumugi	Really now? Looks like I should be careful when using my hands after I've had a meal, too.
Muku	Waah, what a cute little bunny plushie!
Misumi	Ah, Muku~! Tsumugi was asking about bunnies, you see~
Muku	Is that so? It feels rare to see that it's Tsumugi-san who's being taught this time…
	Ah, is this for that bunny concept cafe? The one you're helping Banri-san with?
Tsumugi	That's right. You see, we had some training earlier, and——
	—— —— —— —— FLASHBACK —— —— —— ——
Owner	In the terrace area, guests will be allowed to be accompanied by their rabbits.
	You can take the rabbit in these baskets here as you guide the guests to their seats. After that, please explain to them about our exclusive menu.
Tsumugi	(I know the concept cafe is themed after rabbits, but I'm surprised they'd let you enjoy the cafe with the rabbits as well.)
Owner	Rabbits are very delicate creatures, so please keep in mind the details of how to handle them by asking their owners.
Tsumugi	Understood.
Owner	I've brought my rabbits with me, so how about some practice right away? First… Let's have Tsukioka-kun try.
Tsumugi	Oh. Alright…!
	……..
Owner	Tsukioka-kun?
Tsumugi	Uhm… How should I hold it…?
	—— —— —— —— FLASHBACK END —— —— —— ——
Tsumugi	Looking back, I probably should've tried to be more relaxed around them.
	I've never had many chances to touch rabbits before, so when I was reminded to be delicate with them, I stiffened up.
Muku	I think that's a nice trait of yours, though, Tsumugi-san.
Misumi	Yeah! You're really kind, Tsumugi~
Tsumugi	Thank you. Rabbits really are different from dogs, aren’t they?
	Thanks to Misumi's lessons, I've gotten a better understanding of them now… But I'm pretty sure that I'm still missing something.
Misumi	Eh? You think so…?
Tsumugi	Mh-hmm. Since I have to play a butler role while working at the cafe, I have to act civil and proper towards the rabbits too.
	It'd be nice to find a way to put that into practice, though…
Muku	——Ah! In that case, I know just the place!

Misumi	Woooow~! Look at all the little animals they have here! They're all so cute.
Tsumugi	I didn't even know pet cafes for small animals like these were a thing... Good thinking, Muku-kun.
Muku	I've actually been looking them up since I was hoping to pet some hedgehogs. I'm glad that it could be useful to you, too, Tsumugi-san.
Tsumugi	Thank you again. Pet cafes like these would have animals who are already used to people, so even a beginner like me won't have much to worry about.
Misumi	But I don't see any bunnies around…
Muku	Maybe they're on break time?
Tsumugi	Uhm, excuse me. We were hoping to meet some bunnies here. Can we ask where they are?
Clerk	We only have one healthy bunny out today, so… Ah, it's over there behind the sofa.
Tsumugi	Oh, I see it. Fufu, it's so cute.
Clerk	He is, isn't he? …But Rabitta-kun here is often fussy, even among the other bunnies. It might take a while for him to open up to others, so I apologize for that…
Tsumugi	It's alright. Thank you for letting us know.
Clerk	If you need anything else, please feel free to call us.
Tsumugi	(This challenge got much harder already, I see. But I've learned a lot from Misumi since I first tried during the cafe training, so I should be able to do this better now.)
	(The first step is to keep a low profile while watching over it.)
	…..
	(It doesn't seem like it's keen on running away. Maybe now's a good time to give it some feed?)
	Here, have some of these… Ah! It ran off…
	(It'll only get stressed out if I chase it around. Should I try to wait ahead of it until it feels like approaching me?)
Misumi	Ah~! Little bunny came over! Hey there, let's play~!
Tsumugi	Misumi-kun!?
Misumi	Mh-hmm~ Sure, we can play whatever you want to play~
Muku	Its tail is wagging… Does that mean it's happy?
Tsumugi	That's right. I've read on the net as well about how bunnies wag their tails when they're in a good mood.
	(Rabitta-kun is reaching its head out to Misumi-kun. If I remember correctly, that means——)
Misumi	You want a head pat? There, there.
Tsumugi	As expected of you, Misumi-kun. The clerk said this bunny is fussy, and yet you managed to befriend it entirely.
Misumi	He isn't fussy at all~ He just wanted people to pay attention to him! He actually really loves to play~
Tsumugi	Eh, really now?
Misumi	Yep. It's important to know how to treat them to care so that they don't get wary of you. But it's also a must to watch this little one properly.
	Bunnies have all kinds of souls and personalities too, after all.
Tsumugi	I see… You're right about that.
	Rabitta-kun, would it be alright for me to play with you, too?
	(Ah, it's sniffing my hand. This gesture must mean——)
Misumi	"A head pat first!", he says.
Tsumugi	Okay.
Misumi	There's already this many customers outside the store, but it seems just as lively inside as well~!
Muku	Ah! The person setting the table over there is Tsumugi-san, isn't it?
Tsumugi	Thank you very much for waiting, my lady. Here is your carrot scone and black tea set.
Muku	Waah~! Tsumugi-san as a butler is so cool and proper…!!
Misumi	He's gotten better at handling the bunnies, too~
Muku	Right? This must be the result of his special training——
	*BUNNY DASHES*
Staff	Wah!
Muku & Misumi	!?!
Staff	I-I'm so sorry! I'll get Usapyon-sama to his basket right away…!
Muku	Ah, that bunny must've escaped from its basket…
Misumi	Ahaha! It looks like it's enjoying itself at the garden lawn~
Staff	Usapyon-sama, over here—— Ah!
Customer	Come on, Usapyon-chan. Be a good little bunny, alright?
	*BUNNY DASHES OFF*
Misumi	Should I go help them out~?
Muku	…Ah! Wait a moment, Misumi-san.
Tsumugi	—Usapyon-sama, it's almost time for your meal. I've prepared some apples just for you; would you like to partake in them?
	Did you have fun playing in the garden? You must be starving after running around the place. Here, have some.
Staff	The rabbit is listening to what he's saying. Tsukioka-san is amazing…
Tsumugi	Did you like the apple, then? Now, please come inside the basket.
Misumi	Way to go, Tsumugi~!
Tsumugi	…!? You two came to visit? I'm glad, it's thanks to you two—
	Ahem… Please excuse me.
	Please, allow me to be of service to you and your precious bunny, young masters.
	Now then, would you like to have a refill on your tea?
Muku & Misumi	Yes, please!

Dita