Gambit - King Slayer Chapter 1
Mar. 28th, 2024 09:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shivalriesSeason: Spring
---
T/N: Certain parts of this story are not written as dialogue, but as lines from a diary over a black screen, occasionally interrupted by Ritsu's notes ("Editor's Note"). I tried a slightly different formatting to make these bits more readable. Just remember the Editor's Notes are Ritsu's thoughts, not mine!
---
The Black Excerpts (Transcription)
Author: Unknown (Tsukipi~?)
Editor: Ritsu Sakuma, widely known as the cutest person in the world
—Today is a very important day for me.
At Yumenosaki Academy, I will finally achieve the dream I've had since I was a kid.
With my (...), I'll make everyone (...).
Doing that is my (...).
*Editor's Note: From the top, the missing words might be "music" or "singing", then "smile" or "happy"? And in the final blank, maybe "dream"? (Doesn't seem to fit the space, though).
—Maybe people would laugh at me for having such stupid and childish thoughts. Actually, my own family already laughed at me for it and opposed me coming here.
But I don't want to give up on my dream, no matter what.
So now here I am, aiming to become an idol.
---
Location: Studio
(Flashback. Year 1 of ES' establishment, April.)
Tsukasa: My apologies for my tardiness...
If you'll allow me an excuse, matters at home are very chaotic right now.
Arashi: Well, goodness! I wouldn't be surprised if Ritsu-chan came late, but it's rare for you, Tsukasa-chan.
When you say "chaotic", what do you mean? More of those special bourgeois problems that a lower-middle class plebeian like me couldn't possibly understand?
Tsukasa: I sense something other than concern in your words, but... Yes, I suppose it is something like that.
I believe I've mentioned this before, but due to my father's poor condition, the Suou family headship has been entrusted to me.
Naturally, that comes with all manner of paperwork and procedures, as well as sorting out the business affairs handed down to me from my father. As such, I've been torturously busy.
Arashi: Oh gosh, you've really been working your little butt off! Are you alright?
All those family matters sound like a total drag, and on top of that, you have to do your King duties for Knights as well!
I can't do anything about your home situation—and I probably shouldn't, anyway—but if you need help with work, I can shoulder some of the weight for you...
If you're feeling overwhelmed, lean on me, okay? We've got each other's backs.
Tsukasa: Thank you very much. Heh, supporting and aiding one another feel like rather strange concepts for Knights.
Arashi: We do swear by individualism, after all—at least, last year we did.
Starting this year, Knights will aim for a warm, at-home atmosphere at work, where we're all very close and love each other!
Ritsu: Nacchan's getting gross and mushy again...
Arashi: What's so gross about that?! Isn't it important that we get along?
I can't believe that's the first thing you say to me today, Ritsu-chan! Ever the cynic, aren't you!
Ritsu: I don't have to respond to get you to go off about whatever you want, Nacchan. Talking with you is so easy...♪
Arashi: At least make eye contact when you're talking to someone, geez! ...What are you reading so intensely over there anyway?
Ritsu: Hm... Dunno, really. Looks like somebody's diary.
It showed up when I was going through our stuff. I'm not really that interested... Just gave it a skim so I could figure out who it belongs to.
Arashi: Right, that happens all the time when moving. When you're taking stuff out of the boxes you packed, it's so easy to come across old books or photo albums and get absorbed in nostalgia.
Ritsu: Yep. And today is the day we set to move our stuff from the Yumenosaki studio to this place.
We just threw all our stuff in boxes without really looking, so it's kinda fun opening them up and seeing what kinds of unusual treasures are in there.
Tsukasa: Ah, yes, we've come here today to finish our moving procedures.
That is, to move our base from Yumenosaki to ES.
For one reason or another, ES has been giving us favorable treatment—making it possible for us to create a base of operations inside the ES building in exchange for a certain amount of L$.
Ritsu: Everybody wants a place to settle, right? The agency's "adult workplace" vibes are a little suffocating, so that creates a need for a cozy nest where we can put up a kotatsu and loaf around.
Tsukasa: I would prefer you restrain from "loafing around" at work.
Ritsu: I mean, it's not like the studio at Yumenosaki is gone, and if we really wanna have a break, the dorms are right there...
Tsukasa: Right. In the end, Knights' second stronghold here is but a simple, makeshift base.
Arashi: We pretty much made the Yumenosaki studio our squatting ground last year, after all. It's gotten to the point where I feel like I can't relax unless we're in this kind of place.
Having done modeling since I was little, studios like these are what come to mind when I think "workplace"... Plus, I've always felt more comfortable at work than at home.
So to be honest, I'm completely in my element here... but what about you two? If there's anything you need, I can go ahead and add it to our order.
Ritsu: Mmm... For now, I need a fridge full of ingredients for desserts, some cooking utensils, a comfy futon, a pillow, and a Ma~kun.
Arashi: They don't sell Ma~kuns at stores.
Tsukasa: So you truly intend to set your roots here? Might I remind you, this place is only a makeshift base meant for taking breaks every now and—
Ritsu: ...Hm?
Tsukasa: ? What is the matter, Ritsu-senpai? When you are being lectured, I must ask you do your very best to listen.
Ritsu: Someone's coming.
Tsukasa: Someone's coming? Could it be the workers helping us move our boxes from Yumenosaki? Ah, but, from what I can see, all of our belongings are already here.
Ritsu: Mmnn... I dunno why, but it kinda smells like trouble.
Ugh, hope it's not. Thought I could finally kick back and relax in peace after surviving all that drama at the end of last year...
---
< Prologue || Masterlist || King Slayer Chapter 2 >
---
T/N: Certain parts of this story are not written as dialogue, but as lines from a diary over a black screen, occasionally interrupted by Ritsu's notes ("Editor's Note"). I tried a slightly different formatting to make these bits more readable. Just remember the Editor's Notes are Ritsu's thoughts, not mine!
---
The Black Excerpts (Transcription)
Author: Unknown (Tsukipi~?)
Editor: Ritsu Sakuma, widely known as the cutest person in the world
—Today is a very important day for me.
At Yumenosaki Academy, I will finally achieve the dream I've had since I was a kid.
With my (...), I'll make everyone (...).
Doing that is my (...).
*Editor's Note: From the top, the missing words might be "music" or "singing", then "smile" or "happy"? And in the final blank, maybe "dream"? (Doesn't seem to fit the space, though).
—Maybe people would laugh at me for having such stupid and childish thoughts. Actually, my own family already laughed at me for it and opposed me coming here.
But I don't want to give up on my dream, no matter what.
So now here I am, aiming to become an idol.
---
Location: Studio
(Flashback. Year 1 of ES' establishment, April.)
Tsukasa: My apologies for my tardiness...
If you'll allow me an excuse, matters at home are very chaotic right now.
Arashi: Well, goodness! I wouldn't be surprised if Ritsu-chan came late, but it's rare for you, Tsukasa-chan.
When you say "chaotic", what do you mean? More of those special bourgeois problems that a lower-middle class plebeian like me couldn't possibly understand?
Tsukasa: I sense something other than concern in your words, but... Yes, I suppose it is something like that.
I believe I've mentioned this before, but due to my father's poor condition, the Suou family headship has been entrusted to me.
Naturally, that comes with all manner of paperwork and procedures, as well as sorting out the business affairs handed down to me from my father. As such, I've been torturously busy.
Arashi: Oh gosh, you've really been working your little butt off! Are you alright?
All those family matters sound like a total drag, and on top of that, you have to do your King duties for Knights as well!
I can't do anything about your home situation—and I probably shouldn't, anyway—but if you need help with work, I can shoulder some of the weight for you...
If you're feeling overwhelmed, lean on me, okay? We've got each other's backs.
Tsukasa: Thank you very much. Heh, supporting and aiding one another feel like rather strange concepts for Knights.
Arashi: We do swear by individualism, after all—at least, last year we did.
Starting this year, Knights will aim for a warm, at-home atmosphere at work, where we're all very close and love each other!
Ritsu: Nacchan's getting gross and mushy again...
Arashi: What's so gross about that?! Isn't it important that we get along?
I can't believe that's the first thing you say to me today, Ritsu-chan! Ever the cynic, aren't you!
Ritsu: I don't have to respond to get you to go off about whatever you want, Nacchan. Talking with you is so easy...♪
Arashi: At least make eye contact when you're talking to someone, geez! ...What are you reading so intensely over there anyway?
Ritsu: Hm... Dunno, really. Looks like somebody's diary.
It showed up when I was going through our stuff. I'm not really that interested... Just gave it a skim so I could figure out who it belongs to.
Arashi: Right, that happens all the time when moving. When you're taking stuff out of the boxes you packed, it's so easy to come across old books or photo albums and get absorbed in nostalgia.
Ritsu: Yep. And today is the day we set to move our stuff from the Yumenosaki studio to this place.
We just threw all our stuff in boxes without really looking, so it's kinda fun opening them up and seeing what kinds of unusual treasures are in there.
Tsukasa: Ah, yes, we've come here today to finish our moving procedures.
That is, to move our base from Yumenosaki to ES.
For one reason or another, ES has been giving us favorable treatment—making it possible for us to create a base of operations inside the ES building in exchange for a certain amount of L$.
Ritsu: Everybody wants a place to settle, right? The agency's "adult workplace" vibes are a little suffocating, so that creates a need for a cozy nest where we can put up a kotatsu and loaf around.
Tsukasa: I would prefer you restrain from "loafing around" at work.
Ritsu: I mean, it's not like the studio at Yumenosaki is gone, and if we really wanna have a break, the dorms are right there...
Tsukasa: Right. In the end, Knights' second stronghold here is but a simple, makeshift base.
Arashi: We pretty much made the Yumenosaki studio our squatting ground last year, after all. It's gotten to the point where I feel like I can't relax unless we're in this kind of place.
Having done modeling since I was little, studios like these are what come to mind when I think "workplace"... Plus, I've always felt more comfortable at work than at home.
So to be honest, I'm completely in my element here... but what about you two? If there's anything you need, I can go ahead and add it to our order.
Ritsu: Mmm... For now, I need a fridge full of ingredients for desserts, some cooking utensils, a comfy futon, a pillow, and a Ma~kun.
Arashi: They don't sell Ma~kuns at stores.
Tsukasa: So you truly intend to set your roots here? Might I remind you, this place is only a makeshift base meant for taking breaks every now and—
Ritsu: ...Hm?
Tsukasa: ? What is the matter, Ritsu-senpai? When you are being lectured, I must ask you do your very best to listen.
Ritsu: Someone's coming.
Tsukasa: Someone's coming? Could it be the workers helping us move our boxes from Yumenosaki? Ah, but, from what I can see, all of our belongings are already here.
Ritsu: Mmnn... I dunno why, but it kinda smells like trouble.
Ugh, hope it's not. Thought I could finally kick back and relax in peace after surviving all that drama at the end of last year...
---
< Prologue || Masterlist || King Slayer Chapter 2 >
