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shivalriesSeason: Spring, one year ago
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Location: Private Hospital Room
Leo: Wahahaha! I'm here to visit you, Tenshi!
Eichi: Oh, if it isn't Tsukinaga-kun... Heh, seems my room's a popular destination today.
Tsumugi: Hello there, Tsukinaga-kun ♪
Leo: Oh, it's Oba-chan! Hey there! Got somethin' for me?
Tsumugi: Um... Could I ask you to stop calling me "Oba-chan"...?
Eichi: I'm more curious about what exactly he's expecting from you...
Leo: Wahaha! This guy gives me something literally every time I see him! Like, protective charms and stuff!
Eichi: Ah, his odd little habit. This is the first time I've seen someone accepting his trinkets so earnestly.
Leo: Really? It's always nice to get a gift, though!
I've been getting a lot of presents from my fans and stuff recently, too. I'm totally rich now!
Like this, look! I got some flowers from a fan staying at this hospital! Anybody got a vase?
Gotta give 'em water or they'll wilt! I can't let a gift waste away right after I get it!
Eichi: Hehe, seems like you've been busy as a bee lately, Tsukinaga-kun.
Leo: Yeah, for real, I can barely believe it! You were so right, Tenshi, it kinda freaks me out!
The previous leader—the guy from our Backgammon era—got caught up in some scandal and dropped out of school...
But ever since I got singled out as the successor, things sure have been changing.
Why me, anyway? Well, I'm glad I could change our name back to Chess, I guess!
But don't we have a bunch of other amazing picks in our unit, like, I dunno, Sena?
Eichi: Ah, right, if anyone, Sena-kun might've been a slightly better choice.
He would go so far in the proper environment; what a waste that he's remained in obscurity by mixing with the likes of Backgammon.
Leo: Don't put 'em down like that! Everybody's been doing their best!
Eichi: You truly think so? You're very generous with the good faith you offer others, not that it's a bad thing...
But it has allowed those nobodies who can do naught but eat to gorge themselves on your talents.
For instance, by simply being in the same unit as you, they've been provided at no cost with the masterpieces you brought into being.
They've seen you as easy prey, drinking up the sweet nectar you produce.
I had no stake in the matter... but I could not stand to watch, so I did a bit of meddling.
You see, the Tenshouin Zaibatsu is Yumenosaki's greatest investor. I can bend things to my whims, to a certain degree.
Leo: Mmgh, I don't get all that complicated stuff, but if you're not involved, then lay off! I'm gonna do whatever I want, whenever I want!
Eichi: That's precisely the attitude that led you to become a seedbed for imbeciles rather than leveraging your talents, is it not?
Leo: Rrrghh, stop talking shit about them! I came here to visit you, but if that's all you wanna go on about, then screw you! I'm outta here!
Eichi: Ah, wait... we haven't yet finished the chess match we'd started to busy our hands with during our hospital stay.
It's been on my mind. Why not play a round?
Leo: You can go play with Oba-chan, 'cause I'm busy! For some frickin' reason, there's been so much infighting that keeps splitting Chess into tinier and tinier pieces! There's war practically every day!
And I came here to catch a break from dealing with that day after day! I wanted to hear you sing my songs with your pretty voice, Tenshi!
Eichi: Oh, you've written yet another piece? What an incredible pace. A true genius, you are ♪
Leo: I know I am! But I want my talent to be used for happier things, if it can!
That's the whole reason I wanted to be an idol—like, ugh, what the hell!
I'm always on edge! Everything's so suffocating these days!
Eichi: Whoa— What are you doing, Tsukinaga-kun? You aren't thinking of leaping out the window, are you?
Leo: Wahaha! Well, it's closer than the door! Off we go~ ☆
Leo: And he sticks the landing, folks! 10 outta 10! See ya later, Tenshi! I'm goin' home! [1]
If I remember, I'll come back and finish that chess game with you someday for sure! You just focus on getting better!
Bye-byeeee! Hasta la vista, baby!
~...♪
Eichi: ...And there he goes. As reckless and wild as ever—in and out like a speeding bullet, one could say.
Tsumugi: Tsukinaga-kun's a strange one, for sure... Exactly how you'd imagine a genius would be.
He seems really hard at it these days. The whole school's been bustling with rumors that the pride of Yumenosaki, the veteran unit Chess, is making a comeback.
Eichi: Yes, they've been progressing with surprising speed. Though, Tsukinaga-kun himself doesn't appear very satisfied with it.
They continue to win glory and victory, so I honestly haven't a clue what could be bothering him so much.
Tsumugi: Who knows, really... Speaking of Tsukinaga-kun, though, he's a force to reckon with, isn't he? Why wasn't he chosen as one of the Five Eccentrics?
Don't you want to support him, Eichi-kun? You two seem to be friends, after all.
Eichi: Tsukinaga-kun, an Eccentric? Huh, I hadn't even considered it. He does possess talent that rivals that of the Five Eccentrics...
But... I don't really want to fight him.
It would feel like striking an innocent child who's grown attached to me... A bit wrong, really.
Besides, if my predictions are correct—Tsukinaga-kun may be making leaps and bounds with incredible force...
...but this unending string of conflicts will decorate him with wounds and earn the deep resentment of those around him.
A pillar of spiritual support naturally attracts love and admiration from many—and only once the value of such a figure is inverted... that's when revolution happens.
My methods would not work on someone who has already been exposed to hatred.
Plus, how shall I say—perhaps I simply want to be friends with him. I'm so very fond of the music he writes for me, after all...
---
[1] Originally Leo said "Ultra-C", which was a term used in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Tokyo describing Japan's intention to perform beyond even the highest level "C" of gymnastics. Today, it's a commonly known idiomatic phrase in Japanese. ↑
---
< A Heart Rusting Over Chapter 1 || Masterlist || A Heart Rusting Over Chapter 3 >
---
Location: Private Hospital Room
Leo: Wahahaha! I'm here to visit you, Tenshi!
Eichi: Oh, if it isn't Tsukinaga-kun... Heh, seems my room's a popular destination today.
Tsumugi: Hello there, Tsukinaga-kun ♪
Leo: Oh, it's Oba-chan! Hey there! Got somethin' for me?
Tsumugi: Um... Could I ask you to stop calling me "Oba-chan"...?
Eichi: I'm more curious about what exactly he's expecting from you...
Leo: Wahaha! This guy gives me something literally every time I see him! Like, protective charms and stuff!
Eichi: Ah, his odd little habit. This is the first time I've seen someone accepting his trinkets so earnestly.
Leo: Really? It's always nice to get a gift, though!
I've been getting a lot of presents from my fans and stuff recently, too. I'm totally rich now!
Like this, look! I got some flowers from a fan staying at this hospital! Anybody got a vase?
Gotta give 'em water or they'll wilt! I can't let a gift waste away right after I get it!
Eichi: Hehe, seems like you've been busy as a bee lately, Tsukinaga-kun.
Leo: Yeah, for real, I can barely believe it! You were so right, Tenshi, it kinda freaks me out!
The previous leader—the guy from our Backgammon era—got caught up in some scandal and dropped out of school...
But ever since I got singled out as the successor, things sure have been changing.
Why me, anyway? Well, I'm glad I could change our name back to Chess, I guess!
But don't we have a bunch of other amazing picks in our unit, like, I dunno, Sena?
Eichi: Ah, right, if anyone, Sena-kun might've been a slightly better choice.
He would go so far in the proper environment; what a waste that he's remained in obscurity by mixing with the likes of Backgammon.
Leo: Don't put 'em down like that! Everybody's been doing their best!
Eichi: You truly think so? You're very generous with the good faith you offer others, not that it's a bad thing...
But it has allowed those nobodies who can do naught but eat to gorge themselves on your talents.
For instance, by simply being in the same unit as you, they've been provided at no cost with the masterpieces you brought into being.
They've seen you as easy prey, drinking up the sweet nectar you produce.
I had no stake in the matter... but I could not stand to watch, so I did a bit of meddling.
You see, the Tenshouin Zaibatsu is Yumenosaki's greatest investor. I can bend things to my whims, to a certain degree.
Leo: Mmgh, I don't get all that complicated stuff, but if you're not involved, then lay off! I'm gonna do whatever I want, whenever I want!
Eichi: That's precisely the attitude that led you to become a seedbed for imbeciles rather than leveraging your talents, is it not?
Leo: Rrrghh, stop talking shit about them! I came here to visit you, but if that's all you wanna go on about, then screw you! I'm outta here!
Eichi: Ah, wait... we haven't yet finished the chess match we'd started to busy our hands with during our hospital stay.
It's been on my mind. Why not play a round?
Leo: You can go play with Oba-chan, 'cause I'm busy! For some frickin' reason, there's been so much infighting that keeps splitting Chess into tinier and tinier pieces! There's war practically every day!
And I came here to catch a break from dealing with that day after day! I wanted to hear you sing my songs with your pretty voice, Tenshi!
Eichi: Oh, you've written yet another piece? What an incredible pace. A true genius, you are ♪
Leo: I know I am! But I want my talent to be used for happier things, if it can!
That's the whole reason I wanted to be an idol—like, ugh, what the hell!
I'm always on edge! Everything's so suffocating these days!
Eichi: Whoa— What are you doing, Tsukinaga-kun? You aren't thinking of leaping out the window, are you?
Leo: Wahaha! Well, it's closer than the door! Off we go~ ☆
Leo: And he sticks the landing, folks! 10 outta 10! See ya later, Tenshi! I'm goin' home! [1]
If I remember, I'll come back and finish that chess game with you someday for sure! You just focus on getting better!
Bye-byeeee! Hasta la vista, baby!
~...♪
Eichi: ...And there he goes. As reckless and wild as ever—in and out like a speeding bullet, one could say.
Tsumugi: Tsukinaga-kun's a strange one, for sure... Exactly how you'd imagine a genius would be.
He seems really hard at it these days. The whole school's been bustling with rumors that the pride of Yumenosaki, the veteran unit Chess, is making a comeback.
Eichi: Yes, they've been progressing with surprising speed. Though, Tsukinaga-kun himself doesn't appear very satisfied with it.
They continue to win glory and victory, so I honestly haven't a clue what could be bothering him so much.
Tsumugi: Who knows, really... Speaking of Tsukinaga-kun, though, he's a force to reckon with, isn't he? Why wasn't he chosen as one of the Five Eccentrics?
Don't you want to support him, Eichi-kun? You two seem to be friends, after all.
Eichi: Tsukinaga-kun, an Eccentric? Huh, I hadn't even considered it. He does possess talent that rivals that of the Five Eccentrics...
But... I don't really want to fight him.
It would feel like striking an innocent child who's grown attached to me... A bit wrong, really.
Besides, if my predictions are correct—Tsukinaga-kun may be making leaps and bounds with incredible force...
...but this unending string of conflicts will decorate him with wounds and earn the deep resentment of those around him.
A pillar of spiritual support naturally attracts love and admiration from many—and only once the value of such a figure is inverted... that's when revolution happens.
My methods would not work on someone who has already been exposed to hatred.
Plus, how shall I say—perhaps I simply want to be friends with him. I'm so very fond of the music he writes for me, after all...
---
[1] Originally Leo said "Ultra-C", which was a term used in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Tokyo describing Japan's intention to perform beyond even the highest level "C" of gymnastics. Today, it's a commonly known idiomatic phrase in Japanese. ↑
---
< A Heart Rusting Over Chapter 1 || Masterlist || A Heart Rusting Over Chapter 3 >
