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shivalries) wrote2024-02-27 10:01 pm
shivalries) wrote2024-02-27 10:01 pm
Entry tags:
Monochrome Checkmate - The Killer's Anthem Chapter 1
Season: Spring, one year ago
---
Location: Shared Hospital Room
Eichi: ~...♪
Tsumugi: You're looking well today, Eichi-kun ♪
Eichi: Hm? Oh, er... Who were you again?
Tsumugi: That stings! Try not to forget me, please! It's Aoba, from your class!
Eichi: Ah... Tsumugi Aoba-kun, was it? A simplistic, yet lovely name— my own sounds rather ostentatious no matter what I do, so I certainly envy yours.
Tsumugi: Ahaha, I see what you mean! It's like somebody could announce, "Eichi! Tenshouin!" and you'd walk in strutting like a samurai commander.
Eichi: Heh, if I'd actually been born in the Warring States period, I've no doubt I'd be dead in a matter of days. The weak are to be culled—that is but nature's law.
But as I was born in modern times, I can look forward to a longer life—even go on to conquer all under heaven if within my means. [1]
...That aside, what business do you have with me?
Tsumugi: Oh, uh, just a moment, please! My mind's still trying to catch up with all the dense information thrown my way!
Eichi: I hear that a lot. It's fine, there's no need to force yourself to respond.
A simple "I see!", "Interesting!", or "I completely agree!" would suffice for most.
Tsumugi: Well, if you ask me, that feels a little empty... I'd rather try to understand what the other person is saying, if I can.
Eichi: I doubt that's possible. I don't mean to question your intellect; it's just that "mutual understanding" is little more than an illusion.
It is but a fool's endeavor to wish for something that is functionally impossible.
It is a desirable attitude, though, in my opinion. Most who speak with me resort to servility or flattery...
Few truly attempt to understand me. Heh, I've taken a liking to you ♪
Tsumugi: I'm so glad to hear that! I'd love to get to know you better, since we're going to be classmates starting this spring ♪
Eichi: Right, so we are. I wasn't able to attend school very often last year due to being in the hospital, but I've made slow and steady progress with my condition since then.
I should be able to lead a healthy, wholesome adolescence starting this year.
I'm quite looking forward to it. There's so much I want to do.
Since I'm not familiar with many things at school, it'd be a great help if you could show me around... Aoba-kun ♪
Tsumugi: Oh, just "Tsumugi" is fine! We can be casual with each other! I'm not that fond of using my last name, anyway ♪
Eichi: I can relate. I suppose you're not exactly close with your parents?
Harboring distaste for one's own bloodline would naturally result in an aversion to using the same name as one's parents.
Tsumugi: Oh no, we get along just fine!
It might be just one-sided love on my part, but the very act of birthing me is a favor I could never repay!
It's just that, "Aoba-kun" aside, "Aoba-san" kind of sounds like "Oba-san". [2]
I used to get bullied for that in the past~♪
Eichi: You bring it up so casually—you've got some surprisingly odd quirks. ...I'll keep that in mind, Tsumugi.
Tsumugi: Thanks! By the way, I'm our class rep, so... really, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
Plus, our homeroom teacher asked me to take care of you, Eichi-kun.
In fact, I dropped by today to give you these handouts we've been saving for you.
There's also a notebook with all the stuff that's been written on the blackboard, too, so you can use that if you like ♪
Eichi: Thank you. My, these are certainly some very diligent notes...
Tsumugi: Diligence is my only virtue, after all~ Sorry, it must be hard to read my cramped and tiny handwriting.
I didn't know what you'd need, Eichi-kun, so I just wrote down everything the teacher said.
I even looked up and added extra info for anything that wasn't fully explained in class.
Eichi: To great waste, I must say. I know most of this material already...
But it's interesting that you even noted down other students' conversations during class. Now this could be valuable information.
You've been a great help, Tsumugi.
Now I understand why you're here—you've come to visit me as our class representative.
It's been a long time since I last experienced this, hehe ♪
I've been in and out of the hospital since childhood, so I've grown tired of visitors...
I even ordered my attendants to bar anyone from entering my room.
But recently, they moved me from my own room into this shared ward... It would be problematic to try to prevent everyone from stepping inside.
Other patients here have visitors too, after all.
Tsumugi: Heh, I'll have you know I have a talent for being overlooked! I guess I have no presence, huh?
Eichi: How does that work when you're an idol?
...*cough, cough*
Tsumugi: Whoa, are you okay? Sorry I kept rambling! I really shouldn't be wasting your energy like this, I'll get out of your way in a second!
If you'll excuse me, then. Hope to see you at school soon, Eichi-kun!
Take your time and get well soon... I'll do whatever I can for you, so please don't hesitate to ask!
Eichi: Got it. Thank you, Bluebird of Happiness ♪
Tsumugi: Huh, what does that mean? Sorry, I don't quite understand!
Eichi: "Ao" means "blue"; add "ba", and it sounds like "bluebird"...
It seems you have some negative associations with your last name, so I've offered a more positive interpretation. Would this suffice as thanks for your kind visit?
I hope we'll get along, Tsumugi. ...I'd really like you to be my friend.
---
[1] Eichi's turn of phrase "conquer all under heaven" (天下を取る, tenka wo toru) was likely chosen to deliberately evoke the imagery of historical monarchs, probably to play off Tsumugi's comment about samurai. The phrase has its roots in ancient Chinese texts and has seen much use throughout East Asian history. ↑
[2] "Oba-san" literally means "aunt". If you're familiar with Asian cultures, you probably know that this can be used to refer to *any* woman who seems about middle aged and old enough to be someone's auntie. Not exactly flattering, especially for a young boy like Tsumugi :') ↑
---
< Prologue || Masterlist || The Killer's Anthem Chapter 2 >
---
Location: Shared Hospital Room
Eichi: ~...♪
Tsumugi: You're looking well today, Eichi-kun ♪
Eichi: Hm? Oh, er... Who were you again?
Tsumugi: That stings! Try not to forget me, please! It's Aoba, from your class!
Eichi: Ah... Tsumugi Aoba-kun, was it? A simplistic, yet lovely name— my own sounds rather ostentatious no matter what I do, so I certainly envy yours.
Tsumugi: Ahaha, I see what you mean! It's like somebody could announce, "Eichi! Tenshouin!" and you'd walk in strutting like a samurai commander.
Eichi: Heh, if I'd actually been born in the Warring States period, I've no doubt I'd be dead in a matter of days. The weak are to be culled—that is but nature's law.
But as I was born in modern times, I can look forward to a longer life—even go on to conquer all under heaven if within my means. [1]
...That aside, what business do you have with me?
Tsumugi: Oh, uh, just a moment, please! My mind's still trying to catch up with all the dense information thrown my way!
Eichi: I hear that a lot. It's fine, there's no need to force yourself to respond.
A simple "I see!", "Interesting!", or "I completely agree!" would suffice for most.
Tsumugi: Well, if you ask me, that feels a little empty... I'd rather try to understand what the other person is saying, if I can.
Eichi: I doubt that's possible. I don't mean to question your intellect; it's just that "mutual understanding" is little more than an illusion.
It is but a fool's endeavor to wish for something that is functionally impossible.
It is a desirable attitude, though, in my opinion. Most who speak with me resort to servility or flattery...
Few truly attempt to understand me. Heh, I've taken a liking to you ♪
Tsumugi: I'm so glad to hear that! I'd love to get to know you better, since we're going to be classmates starting this spring ♪
Eichi: Right, so we are. I wasn't able to attend school very often last year due to being in the hospital, but I've made slow and steady progress with my condition since then.
I should be able to lead a healthy, wholesome adolescence starting this year.
I'm quite looking forward to it. There's so much I want to do.
Since I'm not familiar with many things at school, it'd be a great help if you could show me around... Aoba-kun ♪
Tsumugi: Oh, just "Tsumugi" is fine! We can be casual with each other! I'm not that fond of using my last name, anyway ♪
Eichi: I can relate. I suppose you're not exactly close with your parents?
Harboring distaste for one's own bloodline would naturally result in an aversion to using the same name as one's parents.
Tsumugi: Oh no, we get along just fine!
It might be just one-sided love on my part, but the very act of birthing me is a favor I could never repay!
It's just that, "Aoba-kun" aside, "Aoba-san" kind of sounds like "Oba-san". [2]
I used to get bullied for that in the past~♪
Eichi: You bring it up so casually—you've got some surprisingly odd quirks. ...I'll keep that in mind, Tsumugi.
Tsumugi: Thanks! By the way, I'm our class rep, so... really, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
Plus, our homeroom teacher asked me to take care of you, Eichi-kun.
In fact, I dropped by today to give you these handouts we've been saving for you.
There's also a notebook with all the stuff that's been written on the blackboard, too, so you can use that if you like ♪
Eichi: Thank you. My, these are certainly some very diligent notes...
Tsumugi: Diligence is my only virtue, after all~ Sorry, it must be hard to read my cramped and tiny handwriting.
I didn't know what you'd need, Eichi-kun, so I just wrote down everything the teacher said.
I even looked up and added extra info for anything that wasn't fully explained in class.
Eichi: To great waste, I must say. I know most of this material already...
But it's interesting that you even noted down other students' conversations during class. Now this could be valuable information.
You've been a great help, Tsumugi.
Now I understand why you're here—you've come to visit me as our class representative.
It's been a long time since I last experienced this, hehe ♪
I've been in and out of the hospital since childhood, so I've grown tired of visitors...
I even ordered my attendants to bar anyone from entering my room.
But recently, they moved me from my own room into this shared ward... It would be problematic to try to prevent everyone from stepping inside.
Other patients here have visitors too, after all.
Tsumugi: Heh, I'll have you know I have a talent for being overlooked! I guess I have no presence, huh?
Eichi: How does that work when you're an idol?
...*cough, cough*
Tsumugi: Whoa, are you okay? Sorry I kept rambling! I really shouldn't be wasting your energy like this, I'll get out of your way in a second!
If you'll excuse me, then. Hope to see you at school soon, Eichi-kun!
Take your time and get well soon... I'll do whatever I can for you, so please don't hesitate to ask!
Eichi: Got it. Thank you, Bluebird of Happiness ♪
Tsumugi: Huh, what does that mean? Sorry, I don't quite understand!
Eichi: "Ao" means "blue"; add "ba", and it sounds like "bluebird"...
It seems you have some negative associations with your last name, so I've offered a more positive interpretation. Would this suffice as thanks for your kind visit?
I hope we'll get along, Tsumugi. ...I'd really like you to be my friend.
---
[1] Eichi's turn of phrase "conquer all under heaven" (天下を取る, tenka wo toru) was likely chosen to deliberately evoke the imagery of historical monarchs, probably to play off Tsumugi's comment about samurai. The phrase has its roots in ancient Chinese texts and has seen much use throughout East Asian history. ↑
[2] "Oba-san" literally means "aunt". If you're familiar with Asian cultures, you probably know that this can be used to refer to *any* woman who seems about middle aged and old enough to be someone's auntie. Not exactly flattering, especially for a young boy like Tsumugi :') ↑
---
< Prologue || Masterlist || The Killer's Anthem Chapter 2 >