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shivalries) wrote2025-06-21 10:28 pm
shivalries) wrote2025-06-21 10:28 pm
Mesmerizing Modulation - Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 3
Season: Summer
---
Location: New Dimension Lobby
Leo: Forbidden from entering? Oba-chan? Isn't he the vice president?
Why? What did Oba-chan do?
Tsukasa: It was a decree from the president himself.
...Ah, were you aware that our president has returned?
Leo: Yeah, I know that much. It was in the agency chat, plus you sent me an email about it.
Tsukasa: That's good to hear. Knowing you, Leo-san, I had predicted it would turn into a great fuss if you were to bump into the president here without knowing the details.
While I'd like to bring you to greet him, he is unfortunately away on a business trip at the moment. We'll have to wait until next time.
Leo: Okay, so? Why did the pres ban Oba-chan, then?
Did Oba-chan get demoted or something? The pres put him on leave because he was in the way? I won't stand for that.
Tsukasa: Let's not jump to conclusions. This is a temporary measure to secure a better future.
To put it simply—Aoba-senpai was working far too hard, and the agency relied on him far too much.
We managed to stay afloat even so, but were anything to happen, everything would have collapsed. That is how much everything was dependent upon Aoba-senpai.
So, once the president returned, it was determined that we should change our system so that we do not leave so much in Aoba-senpai's hands. And thus, he was dismissed from his position as vice president.
As the agency is still in a transitional phase, Aoba-senpai has been asked to refrain from entering. After all, seeing his face might make one want to rely upon him once again.
He was never in the way—quite the opposite. Aoba-senpai remains an irreplaceable part of NewDi to this day.
Leo: Oh, okay. Y'know, now that I think about it, every time I dropped by the agency, I'd pretty much always see Oba-chan here. I remember it well 'cause he'd give me something every time he saw me.
Now I get why he's not allowed in! It all makes sense!
So, Oba-chan, if you're banned from the office, why are you here?
Tsumugi: Mmm... Well, I don't really know, myself.
I'd been trying to fill my time with walks and naps, but before I knew it, I was already heading toward the agency.
Tsukasa: ...Like a homing instinct of sorts?
Tsumugi: It might be. I mean, I've spent a lot more time here than in the dorms.
I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do, either, so I thought maybe I could just spend some quiet time sitting at my desk. ...Is that not allowed?
Tsukasa: ...I am sorry. I cannot say for sure.
As I mentioned, the president is currently away on business. And... your desk is...
Tsumugi: Hm? What about it—
Wh-What?! Wait a moment! Why is there caution tape all around my seat?!
Tsukasa: A parting gift from our president. This is apparently his safety measure to keep you away from work should you return here.
Leo: Wahaha! Wow, looks just like a crime scene! Makes me wanna put blood splatters everywhere ☆
Tsukasa: Now that you mention it...
Leo: You get me! Hey, got any fake blood on you, Suo~? Ketchup'll work too.
Tsukasa: I'm afraid I have neither. If you want ketchup, you can go to the dining—
No, wait a moment, what on earth are you thinking?
Do not do this, do you understand? Cleaning it up would be a disaster.
I'll be sure to remove the caution tape later, as it certainly is a frightful sight...
Aoba-senpai—my apologies, but I cannot allow you to return to your desk. I do not have the right to decide otherwise.
Tsumugi: ...I see. Then what should I do with myself?
Is my only option to just sit in silence and let the time pass?
Tsukasa: ...
...Very well. I shall lend you Knights' Leo-san.
Leo: Huh? Me?
Tsukasa: Yes, you. You flew here to Japan without much of a goal, correct?
It should be but a simple task for you to keep Aoba-senpai entertained.
Leo: Hey, you're right! C'mon, Oba-chan, let's hang out! I'll help you kill time!
Tsumugi: Is that alright?
Leo: Yeah! Seems fun, anyway!
Tsukasa: Alright. Now that you two have your plans sorted out, I shall take my leave.
Leo-san—be sure not to show Aoba-senpai any discourtesy.
Leo: You can leave it to me! See ya, bye-bye ☆
Anyway, Oba-chan, you really look fresher! It's amazing how much a haircut can change your whole image.
Tsumugi: You think? After cutting my hair, I got some new promo photos taken.
I wanted a change, so I tried to go for a sharper expression... But I don't really know if I've actually changed all that much.
Maybe it's because I haven't changed much on the inside. After losing my vice president position, it just feels like I just replaced bits of my regular life with blocks of free time.
I realize that humans are very good at adapting to their environments... but even then, I'm having trouble filling in the empty spaces.
Everyone was talking about it when I got my haircut, but now even the fans seem to have gotten used to it already.
Leo: Hmm...
You know... you might be the only one who thinks you haven't changed, Oba-chan.
Tsumugi: Huh...?
Leo: I don't know what led up to the decision, but you cut your hair because you wanted to take a step in a better direction, right?
Maybe that first step was small, and it's hard to see how you've changed, but taking that step at all is really awesome of you.
Everything after that, you can take it slow. You'll change, I know it—even if it's so slow you don't notice it happening.
That's how most things are, right? You don't see huge growth after taking just one step, and sometimes, you'll stumble and fall right after.
But overcoming that over and over again is how you become the best version of you.
Tsumugi: Thank you, Tsukinaga-kun. I didn't expect to be encouraged like this.
I've put in a lot of hard work so far, so I get what you're trying to say.
...You're right. The haircut was just a turning point. How I change from here is up to me.
I went out and took that first step. I have to do my best so I don't regret it.
Leo: Yeah! Do it! I'm rooting for you!
If you're having trouble with anything, just let me know, okay? I'm here to help ♪
Tsumugi: Trouble, you say... Well...
---
< Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 2 || Masterlist || Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 4 >
---
Location: New Dimension Lobby
Leo: Forbidden from entering? Oba-chan? Isn't he the vice president?
Why? What did Oba-chan do?
Tsukasa: It was a decree from the president himself.
...Ah, were you aware that our president has returned?
Leo: Yeah, I know that much. It was in the agency chat, plus you sent me an email about it.
Tsukasa: That's good to hear. Knowing you, Leo-san, I had predicted it would turn into a great fuss if you were to bump into the president here without knowing the details.
While I'd like to bring you to greet him, he is unfortunately away on a business trip at the moment. We'll have to wait until next time.
Leo: Okay, so? Why did the pres ban Oba-chan, then?
Did Oba-chan get demoted or something? The pres put him on leave because he was in the way? I won't stand for that.
Tsukasa: Let's not jump to conclusions. This is a temporary measure to secure a better future.
To put it simply—Aoba-senpai was working far too hard, and the agency relied on him far too much.
We managed to stay afloat even so, but were anything to happen, everything would have collapsed. That is how much everything was dependent upon Aoba-senpai.
So, once the president returned, it was determined that we should change our system so that we do not leave so much in Aoba-senpai's hands. And thus, he was dismissed from his position as vice president.
As the agency is still in a transitional phase, Aoba-senpai has been asked to refrain from entering. After all, seeing his face might make one want to rely upon him once again.
He was never in the way—quite the opposite. Aoba-senpai remains an irreplaceable part of NewDi to this day.
Leo: Oh, okay. Y'know, now that I think about it, every time I dropped by the agency, I'd pretty much always see Oba-chan here. I remember it well 'cause he'd give me something every time he saw me.
Now I get why he's not allowed in! It all makes sense!
So, Oba-chan, if you're banned from the office, why are you here?
Tsumugi: Mmm... Well, I don't really know, myself.
I'd been trying to fill my time with walks and naps, but before I knew it, I was already heading toward the agency.
Tsukasa: ...Like a homing instinct of sorts?
Tsumugi: It might be. I mean, I've spent a lot more time here than in the dorms.
I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do, either, so I thought maybe I could just spend some quiet time sitting at my desk. ...Is that not allowed?
Tsukasa: ...I am sorry. I cannot say for sure.
As I mentioned, the president is currently away on business. And... your desk is...
Tsumugi: Hm? What about it—
Wh-What?! Wait a moment! Why is there caution tape all around my seat?!
Tsukasa: A parting gift from our president. This is apparently his safety measure to keep you away from work should you return here.
Leo: Wahaha! Wow, looks just like a crime scene! Makes me wanna put blood splatters everywhere ☆
Tsukasa: Now that you mention it...
Leo: You get me! Hey, got any fake blood on you, Suo~? Ketchup'll work too.
Tsukasa: I'm afraid I have neither. If you want ketchup, you can go to the dining—
No, wait a moment, what on earth are you thinking?
Do not do this, do you understand? Cleaning it up would be a disaster.
I'll be sure to remove the caution tape later, as it certainly is a frightful sight...
Aoba-senpai—my apologies, but I cannot allow you to return to your desk. I do not have the right to decide otherwise.
Tsumugi: ...I see. Then what should I do with myself?
Is my only option to just sit in silence and let the time pass?
Tsukasa: ...
...Very well. I shall lend you Knights' Leo-san.
Leo: Huh? Me?
Tsukasa: Yes, you. You flew here to Japan without much of a goal, correct?
It should be but a simple task for you to keep Aoba-senpai entertained.
Leo: Hey, you're right! C'mon, Oba-chan, let's hang out! I'll help you kill time!
Tsumugi: Is that alright?
Leo: Yeah! Seems fun, anyway!
Tsukasa: Alright. Now that you two have your plans sorted out, I shall take my leave.
Leo-san—be sure not to show Aoba-senpai any discourtesy.
Leo: You can leave it to me! See ya, bye-bye ☆
Anyway, Oba-chan, you really look fresher! It's amazing how much a haircut can change your whole image.
Tsumugi: You think? After cutting my hair, I got some new promo photos taken.
I wanted a change, so I tried to go for a sharper expression... But I don't really know if I've actually changed all that much.
Maybe it's because I haven't changed much on the inside. After losing my vice president position, it just feels like I just replaced bits of my regular life with blocks of free time.
I realize that humans are very good at adapting to their environments... but even then, I'm having trouble filling in the empty spaces.
Everyone was talking about it when I got my haircut, but now even the fans seem to have gotten used to it already.
Leo: Hmm...
You know... you might be the only one who thinks you haven't changed, Oba-chan.
Tsumugi: Huh...?
Leo: I don't know what led up to the decision, but you cut your hair because you wanted to take a step in a better direction, right?
Maybe that first step was small, and it's hard to see how you've changed, but taking that step at all is really awesome of you.
Everything after that, you can take it slow. You'll change, I know it—even if it's so slow you don't notice it happening.
That's how most things are, right? You don't see huge growth after taking just one step, and sometimes, you'll stumble and fall right after.
But overcoming that over and over again is how you become the best version of you.
Tsumugi: Thank you, Tsukinaga-kun. I didn't expect to be encouraged like this.
I've put in a lot of hard work so far, so I get what you're trying to say.
...You're right. The haircut was just a turning point. How I change from here is up to me.
I went out and took that first step. I have to do my best so I don't regret it.
Leo: Yeah! Do it! I'm rooting for you!
If you're having trouble with anything, just let me know, okay? I'm here to help ♪
Tsumugi: Trouble, you say... Well...
---
< Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 2 || Masterlist || Dazed, Dazzled, Dreaming Chapter 4 >