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shivalries) wrote2022-10-25 04:24 pm
shivalries) wrote2022-10-25 04:24 pm
Entry tags:
Sunshine - Prologue
Season: Summer
---
Location: Tearoom
(Mid-July, in the dorms)
Tsukasa: Thank you for your patience. Kanzaki-senpai, Otogari-senpai—your tea.
Souma: Many thanks. ...Mm, your skill with tea is commendable.
Adonis: Yeah, the gentle bitterness makes it delicious, though I can't comment on the finer details. I'm not as well-trained.
But if Kanzaki thinks you did well, then that speaks for your ability.
Tsukasa: I'm very glad to hear that. ...I never thought the day would come that I would serve tea in such a casual setting.
To me, the art of tea has always been a form of training to cultivate oneself.
Adonis: Oh, right. Back when Kanzaki held a tea party to attract new members to our circle, you said you had some knowledge on the subject.
Tsukasa: Yes, as a descendant of a warrior family, I have accrued experience in each of the arts we are required to know.
I completed most of my training before entering Yumenosaki, and now the only two things I still practice are tea ceremony and horsemanship.
Due to my schedule, though, I have not had the time to do either of late. It relieves me to know that I haven't lost my touch.
Adonis: Hm. You really are just the kind of person Kanzaki had been looking for.
Tsukasa: Me? Truly?
Souma: We may consider ourselves a tea ceremony group now, but in the circle's first flushes, our aim was to appreciate all facets of Japanese culture.
Adonis-dono, however, felt that hurdle was too high—'twas then we sought to make tea ceremony our main activity.
Experienced tea-goers are not the only ones welcome, however. Any and all who know or wish to know the way of tea are considered our brethren.
'Twould most please me to see us all join hands and spread the joys of Japanese culture together.
Tsukasa: Heh, certainly. Though unfortunately, Mikejima-senpai seems too busy to join us very often.
As a loyal member, I shall use what power I have, however small, to widen our circle.
...By the way, Otogari-senpai. You've been glancing over at me for a while now. Is something the matter?
Adonis: Sorry if I bothered you. I was just observing you. You seem to be troubled by something.
Tsukasa: Troubled...?
Souma: So you have sensed it too, Adonis-dono? I've noticed the same.
While you seem to have composed yourself whilst preparing our tea, Suou, there was a weariness upon your face when you entered this room.
You held firm, so I dared not interject. Still, I presume there is no longer a need for hesitation, now that Adonis-dono has breached the topic.
Share with us your troubles. In times of yore, the tearoom was a place of private conversation. I swear that no word said within these walls shall reach unwitting ears.
Adonis: Yes. We'll keep your secrets safe.
I remember you dealing with a dispute during the Tanabata Festival recently. Is that still going on?
Tsukasa: Your worry is appreciated, but unnecessary. That has been resolved, for the most part.
I do believe our protests have led to results. Treatment of our new recruits has noticeably improved.
Even so, they have yet to make their presence well-known on campus, though it is far better than being faced with bare disdain.
Neither popularity nor skill can be earned in a day. I shall raise them with a firm hand so that they will be an asset to us.
The current problem lies instead with my seniors of the previous generation. Occasionally, we receive requests for the five of us, which I'm very grateful for—
However, with those two living abroad, I am unable to accept such work immediately. All too often I am left with no choice but to delay it.
While I'm glad my seniors have been returning to Japan much more often than I anticipated, they only ever notify me just before they arrive.
And by the time I think to look, they've left the country again. This has happened many a time. I am yet at their mercy, as I have always been.
I am setting a poor example as King.
Fortunately, Onee-sama— the Producer has shown she wishes to help us, but she is so busy with her own matters that I would not wish to add to her burdens.
Nevertheless, I cannot manage it by myself... My immaturity vexes me.
Souma: Hm... I understand the desire to take the reins alone, but it shall come to naught if fighting as a one-man army leads only to your downfall.
What say you to summoning your fellow unit members to have a discussion instead?
Adonis: I agree with Kanzaki. I don't know what rules Knights go by, but I'm sure your unitmates wouldn't be so cold as to pile everything on your shoulders.
They've been with you through hardships already. This is exactly the time when you should be asking for their help.
Tsukasa: ...I suppose you're right. Were I in their position, I imagine I'd hound them with questions as to why they never relied on me sooner.
I shall try to have a talk with them. Thank you for hearing me out, Kanzaki-senpai, Otogari-senpai.
---
Location: Park
(Later)
Tsukasa: (After this, I have a radio recording. Once that's finished, a meeting back at the agency...)
(I cannot seem to find the timing to tell Knights that I wish to speak with them.)
(It would be a simple matter to tell them over Hallhands, but they may not perceive it as a serious message in text.)
(Perhaps I should try giving each of them a call instead. First, Leo-san, as he's the most difficult to get ahold of—)
(...Ah, Sena-senpai would be the better choice. Leo-san is over there with him, after all.)
[Phone ringing]
Tsukasa: ......
...Mngh, no response. Maybe he is otherwise occupied.
(Ah! I've gone and completely forgotten about the time difference! It's still very early in the morning over there, so naturally he wouldn't be able to answer the phone.)
(...And here comes the return call. I expect a lecture the very moment I pick up...)
Izumi: "Hello? It's me."
Tsukasa: My sincerest apologies! I did not consider your situation when I called!
Izumi: "What? The hell are you talking about?"
Tsukasa: I had thoughtlessly attempted to call you at such an absurd hour of the day.
Izumi: "Oh, that... Yeah, you're right, it's tooootally obnoxious."
"But don't get bent out of shape over it, alright? If we have to worry about timezones for every little thing, we'd get nothing done."
"I'd be mad if you were just prank calling me, but you called for a proper reason, didn't you? Go on, tell me."
Tsukasa: But...
Izumi: "Get on with it already. If we hang up now, I won't be able to get back to sleep because I'll be lying there wondering what's going on."
---
Masterlist | Sunnyside Chapter 1 >
---
Location: Tearoom
(Mid-July, in the dorms)
Tsukasa: Thank you for your patience. Kanzaki-senpai, Otogari-senpai—your tea.
Souma: Many thanks. ...Mm, your skill with tea is commendable.
Adonis: Yeah, the gentle bitterness makes it delicious, though I can't comment on the finer details. I'm not as well-trained.
But if Kanzaki thinks you did well, then that speaks for your ability.
Tsukasa: I'm very glad to hear that. ...I never thought the day would come that I would serve tea in such a casual setting.
To me, the art of tea has always been a form of training to cultivate oneself.
Adonis: Oh, right. Back when Kanzaki held a tea party to attract new members to our circle, you said you had some knowledge on the subject.
Tsukasa: Yes, as a descendant of a warrior family, I have accrued experience in each of the arts we are required to know.
I completed most of my training before entering Yumenosaki, and now the only two things I still practice are tea ceremony and horsemanship.
Due to my schedule, though, I have not had the time to do either of late. It relieves me to know that I haven't lost my touch.
Adonis: Hm. You really are just the kind of person Kanzaki had been looking for.
Tsukasa: Me? Truly?
Souma: We may consider ourselves a tea ceremony group now, but in the circle's first flushes, our aim was to appreciate all facets of Japanese culture.
Adonis-dono, however, felt that hurdle was too high—'twas then we sought to make tea ceremony our main activity.
Experienced tea-goers are not the only ones welcome, however. Any and all who know or wish to know the way of tea are considered our brethren.
'Twould most please me to see us all join hands and spread the joys of Japanese culture together.
Tsukasa: Heh, certainly. Though unfortunately, Mikejima-senpai seems too busy to join us very often.
As a loyal member, I shall use what power I have, however small, to widen our circle.
...By the way, Otogari-senpai. You've been glancing over at me for a while now. Is something the matter?
Adonis: Sorry if I bothered you. I was just observing you. You seem to be troubled by something.
Tsukasa: Troubled...?
Souma: So you have sensed it too, Adonis-dono? I've noticed the same.
While you seem to have composed yourself whilst preparing our tea, Suou, there was a weariness upon your face when you entered this room.
You held firm, so I dared not interject. Still, I presume there is no longer a need for hesitation, now that Adonis-dono has breached the topic.
Share with us your troubles. In times of yore, the tearoom was a place of private conversation. I swear that no word said within these walls shall reach unwitting ears.
Adonis: Yes. We'll keep your secrets safe.
I remember you dealing with a dispute during the Tanabata Festival recently. Is that still going on?
Tsukasa: Your worry is appreciated, but unnecessary. That has been resolved, for the most part.
I do believe our protests have led to results. Treatment of our new recruits has noticeably improved.
Even so, they have yet to make their presence well-known on campus, though it is far better than being faced with bare disdain.
Neither popularity nor skill can be earned in a day. I shall raise them with a firm hand so that they will be an asset to us.
The current problem lies instead with my seniors of the previous generation. Occasionally, we receive requests for the five of us, which I'm very grateful for—
However, with those two living abroad, I am unable to accept such work immediately. All too often I am left with no choice but to delay it.
While I'm glad my seniors have been returning to Japan much more often than I anticipated, they only ever notify me just before they arrive.
And by the time I think to look, they've left the country again. This has happened many a time. I am yet at their mercy, as I have always been.
I am setting a poor example as King.
Fortunately, Onee-sama— the Producer has shown she wishes to help us, but she is so busy with her own matters that I would not wish to add to her burdens.
Nevertheless, I cannot manage it by myself... My immaturity vexes me.
Souma: Hm... I understand the desire to take the reins alone, but it shall come to naught if fighting as a one-man army leads only to your downfall.
What say you to summoning your fellow unit members to have a discussion instead?
Adonis: I agree with Kanzaki. I don't know what rules Knights go by, but I'm sure your unitmates wouldn't be so cold as to pile everything on your shoulders.
They've been with you through hardships already. This is exactly the time when you should be asking for their help.
Tsukasa: ...I suppose you're right. Were I in their position, I imagine I'd hound them with questions as to why they never relied on me sooner.
I shall try to have a talk with them. Thank you for hearing me out, Kanzaki-senpai, Otogari-senpai.
---
Location: Park
(Later)
Tsukasa: (After this, I have a radio recording. Once that's finished, a meeting back at the agency...)
(I cannot seem to find the timing to tell Knights that I wish to speak with them.)
(It would be a simple matter to tell them over Hallhands, but they may not perceive it as a serious message in text.)
(Perhaps I should try giving each of them a call instead. First, Leo-san, as he's the most difficult to get ahold of—)
(...Ah, Sena-senpai would be the better choice. Leo-san is over there with him, after all.)
[Phone ringing]
Tsukasa: ......
...Mngh, no response. Maybe he is otherwise occupied.
(Ah! I've gone and completely forgotten about the time difference! It's still very early in the morning over there, so naturally he wouldn't be able to answer the phone.)
(...And here comes the return call. I expect a lecture the very moment I pick up...)
Izumi: "Hello? It's me."
Tsukasa: My sincerest apologies! I did not consider your situation when I called!
Izumi: "What? The hell are you talking about?"
Tsukasa: I had thoughtlessly attempted to call you at such an absurd hour of the day.
Izumi: "Oh, that... Yeah, you're right, it's tooootally obnoxious."
"But don't get bent out of shape over it, alright? If we have to worry about timezones for every little thing, we'd get nothing done."
"I'd be mad if you were just prank calling me, but you called for a proper reason, didn't you? Go on, tell me."
Tsukasa: But...
Izumi: "Get on with it already. If we hang up now, I won't be able to get back to sleep because I'll be lying there wondering what's going on."
---
Masterlist | Sunnyside Chapter 1 >