Easter Night - Chapter 11

[bakemonoremy]

Location: Handicrafts Clubroom (Night)

Mika: Zzz…♪

Tsumugi: Oh my, Mika-kun. Seems he got so tired he fell asleep, huh.

It’d be bad if he caught a cold, so maybe there’s a comforter somewhere… Hm? I was sure there was one somewhere around here. Hmm~, it’s not here, is it?

Um, Shu-kun. Could you tell me where you put the comforter? It may be early spring, but it still gets cold at night.

We said we’d pull an all-nighter, but at this rate one’s efficiency will drop. Rather than enduring the drowsiness to keep working, it’s much better to go to sleep.

I’m not sleepy yet so I’ll keep at it a little while longer. How about you, Shu-kun? Shall I pour you some coffee to fight it off?

...Oh, there isn’t any.

All I see are expensive-looking tea leaves and expensive-looking tea cups. I wonder if it’s okay for me to touch them without asking?

I fear that if I dropped them and they broke, I’d be charged a sum of money in reimbursements I couldn’t possibly afford.

Shu: ………

Tsumugi: Shu-ku~n? It’s no good to ignore people like that, you know.

You may be talented, but if you can’t even learn to force a smile, you can’t become a member of society.

Even if you hate me, at least have the composure necessary to reply to me when I ask you something. Otherwise you’ll end up wasting your talents, you know?*

Shu: Hmph. If you have the time to chatter, get your hands moving instead. It seems like you haven’t progressed in the slightest for a while now. I do wonder how you intend to make it in time for the live like this.

Tsumugi: Ahaha, I can finish in time if I try my best. The kids from Switch are waiting for me, after all.

I’d like to go to the practice room to go cheer them on right now, but if I gave up here I’d be too ashamed to face them.

We’d be done much sooner if Shu-kun didn’t keep ordering retakes, you know? You’re so picky it’s abnormal.

But since I was the one who asked for your help in the first place, I’m not going to complain.

Shu: The word “compromise” doesn’t exist in my dictionary. Well, Kagehira is going to be the only one standing on stage this time though.

Since that failure of a doll is a member of Valkyrie, if that thing shows bad behavior we’ll all be held responsible for it.

Even if I called it child’s play, I still won’t cut corners. And you said something about being too ashamed to face them, so it’s not like you intend to compromise either.

Wouldn’t you agree that pushing something you can’t even do yourself onto someone else is just the lowest kind of deed?

Tsumugi: You’re right, so let me apologize honestly. I am sorry, Shu-kun.

Shu: The way you bow your head as subserviently as a click beetle** is unsightly.

...I’m amazed by how skilled you are at using a sewing machine. I guess I am looking forward to the finished product just a little.

Naturally, this in no way means I intend to fraternize with you.

Tsumugi: Thank you very much, Shu-kun. For now, just hearing those words makes me very happy ♪

Fufu. So this is the outfit Mika-kun is going to wear during "Easter Night". Just as expected of Shu-kun, since you fuss over even the smallest details, it’s very educational.

...I doubt you’ll answer even if I ask but. Will you allow me one question?

You say that Mika-kun is the only one who will perform at "Easter Night", but you’re also making an outfit for yourself, aren’t you, Shu-kun?

In case of unforeseen circumstances, you intend to use it in order to prevent the sparkle from leaving Mika-kun’s eyes because you’re worried about him, right?

Shu: ...What would you know about me. Feel free to speculate all you like. However, I dislike the way you look at me as though can see right through me.

Since you seem to have forgotten about it, let me issue you a warning: You are a traitor.

So don't you dare make that face, as if nothing ever happened, after doing such things to us that still make my stomach turn in anger when I remember them!

Aah, how annoying. I regret agreeing to assist you with this.

Seriously, why didn’t I just refuse you when you came to ask for help.

Of course this goes for the live as well, but I didn’t exactly feel like sewing this either…

Tsumugi: Isn’t it because that child you treasure so much told you he wants to participate in "Easter Night", Shu-kun?

Well, whether you’re aware of it or not, I think I would’ve prayed to deaf ears otherwise.

Shu-kun, it was fun getting to talk with you a lot for the first time in a while. Let’s do it again sometime.

Even if you just one-sidedly hear me out, that already makes me happy ♪

Shu: ……….

Tsumugi: (Ahaha, he completely hates me, huh~. He turned his back to me.)

(Now then. Where did I leave off… Aah, Mika-kun sewed the sleeve caps on.)

(He might’ve said he’s still inexperienced at sewing, but his stitches look beautiful.)

(Well, that said it’s shockingly rough considering he made it while looking at the design drawings. Really makes me wonder.)

Tsumugi: (I suppose I’ll fix it myself. But if I unstitched it and sewed it again it’d show, so I better do it in a way that won’t stand out… Oh?)

(What a beautiful full moon~. It’s shining so bright I might be able to work without even turning on the lights.)

(If today is a full moon, that means "Easter Night" is going to be on Sunday. Between sewing and practice there really isn’t any time to slack.)

(From here on out I’ll stop focusing on my thoughts and concentrate on sewing. Alright, I’ll do my best~!)

Shu: ………….

(Hmph. “You’re also making an outfit for yourself, aren’t you, Shu-kun?”... What a worthless question.)

(I won’t go back on my word. There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that I’ll be performing in "Easter Night".)

(It’s a most unpleasant feeling to be dancing in the palm of that guy. I’m preparing not only Kagehira’s outfit, but a set for myself as well.)

(That thing is an idiot after all, so it’s not unlikely he’ll make a blunder during the performance. And if that happens, we need a person to go and take care of the matter.)

Shu: (It’s an inevitability to look for a recreational facility to retreat from the stressful public.)

(Western countries already stereotype the Japanese as a people of overworkers.)

(I hope for Kagehira as well, that this will prove to be a moment of relaxation for him.)

(...I don’t believe the moon has the power to influence my mind, but I wonder if I’ve gotten sentimental. Otherwise I wouldn’t be having these feelings.)

(...My cute Nito. I wonder if you’re also gazing at the same moon right now. Knowing that would be enough to bring just the slightest consolation to my heart.)

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*This is my personal impression, but it appears that Tsumugi is talking to Shu in the kind of tone you’d talk to a child with, ie. talking down to him here.

**The word click beetle (米搗き飛蝗) is an expression used for obsequious people.