Black Snow - La Mort 1

[iridesenescence]

Writer: Kino Seitaro
Season: Winter
Location: Starmony Halls 1F Corridor
Proofread by allegiantheart and Sophie

[ Sometime in mid-January ]

Ritsu: Whew. Today's practise was tough as well...
I'm exhausted. My body's all worn out~ I wanna get in bed and rest already.
Oh, right. Mikarin said he's off of work today. I’ll get him to pamper me, I bet that'll do wonders for my exhausted body... ♪

[ Scene cut ]

Ritsu: Ehehe, Mikarin, I'm home~ ♪
I'm really tired today, so pamper me lots, okay~ Hug hug ♪


Rei: Oh, so the cold has made you yearn for me too, Ritsu? Your onii-chan will happily pamper you as much as you want ♪
How should I pamper you? Would you like headpats, or perhaps hugs? ♪


Ritsu: ... Huh?

Rei: "Huh"... So you want hugs!
Sure thing, Ritsu~ ♪ Your onii-chan will give you pleeenty of hugs ♪


Ritsu: Wagh, wait, sto—!
Augh, get off of me! I don't ever recall giving you consent, anija!
Besides, I've told you not to come to my room! Are you a bug or something? You're so gross and annoying!
If this is what it's come to, I'll show my hand too...!


Rei: I give, I give! Spare me, Ritsu! Chokeholds are highly effective on me...!

Mika: Nnah, Ritsu-kun’s goin’ for the chokehold?!
What happened here? The two of ya are brothers, so shouldn’t ya try an' get along~?

Ritsu: No, you gotta be strict and unbiased when dealing with trespassing deviants.
Anyway, Mikarin. Could you explain what anija is doing in my room?
If this guy came in without actually having business with me, I'll have to deal with him appropriately.

Mika: Ah, right! I forgot 'bout it in my shock, but it sounds like Sakuma-senpai's got somethin' to tell you.

Ritsu: Something to tell me...?

Rei: Yes, so if you would please release me from this chokehold...
You were so skilled at that technique that I couldn't tell you sooner. You recall participating in the P-association's auditions the other day, correct?
The little miss requested that I inform you of those results.

Ritsu: Audition... Ah, you mean the results of "La Mort" are already out?
The idol projects organised by ES are absurdly quick to book our schedules. But if it's just about letting me know the results, they could've done that on Hold Hands, right?
I know Anzu's busy, but she didn't have to go out of her way to get you to do this.

Rei: Well, it seems it's not quite so simple. The role you've been given is in direct opposition with my role.

Ritsu: Wha— no way.
Didn't you audition for the same role as me? I didn't think we'd end up performing together...?

Rei: Neither did I, but it appears that the director had other plans.
On the day of the auditions, they approached me for a separate discussion, and I was asked to try acting as the main character.
And when I did — I ended up earning the position of the lead role.
I wasn't expecting this either, but this story revolves around "grim reapers" who fit well with the colour black. Perhaps this is our fate as brothers... ♪

Ritsu: No, this is no laughing matter...! Why do I have to perform together with you?!
I can put up a front on variety shows and stuff where there's a camera on me, but if we're performing together, that means I'll have to see you for several days...
Ugh, I already hate the thought of having to be all buddy-buddy with you, but imagining you clinging to me the whole time we're filming is just unbearable...!

Rei: Well now, don't be so pessimistic... Perhaps the director noticed how tsundere you act towards me?
Regardless, the little miss was expecting great things when she requested for me to pass this message. Take some time to think it over — will you work to meet those expectations, or will you reject this offer?
You won this role while in direct competition with me. The responsibility of the decision lies with you.

Ritsu: Wha~? Thanks to you, this news feels like a slap in the face, though.
Anyway, if that's all you've got to say then leave already. You're not all that free either, are you?

Rei: Yes, I was intending to even without you saying so.
... Ah, that's right. I had a look around your room while I was waiting, and I can't say I approve of you disposing of magazines in the dustbin.
If you don't send them for recycling, you're harming the earth, you know?

Ritsu: Yeesh, what's this about the earth... Don't suddenly go spouting all sorts of conscientious stuff.
Wait, actually, don't just snoop around in people's rooms. What would you do if you found porn magazines or something?


Rei: My, so you've grown into a man too, Ritsu...! What a cause for celebration ♪

Ritsu: You know, some people would be seriously scarred by that?

Rei: My apologies — it's been a while since we last talked, so I ended up getting carried away. It was merely a joke.
I shall bid you farewell here. I hope for your favourable reply ♪

Ritsu: Geez. Butting his head into every part of my personal life... Nothing good ever comes out of interacting with anija. Don't you agree, Mikarin?


Mika: Nnah, m-me...?
Mm~mm. 'S kinda hard for me to answer, but that's just what family's like, ain't it?
You live yer days together and can bother each other without feelin' bad 'bout it. Or maybe 's just 'cause I'm from an orphanage that I think that way.

Ritsu: I think it's kinda outdated to excuse being a nuisance just because you're family, though.
Well, in an actually serious situation, I wouldn't complain. But I don't want people to know me as the younger brother of "that Sakuma Rei". Anija and I are both our own people.

Mika: 'S that mean you're gonna reject the role? Feels kinda like a waste to me though...?
Ya said so before the audition, didn'tcha? That "I'm gonna win this role and then brag about it so much that anija goes nuts"~
Ya managed to land the role ya wanted, so I think ya should be proud of that ♪

Ritsu: Mm~ I guess that's true. And it'd be pretty rude to reject a job that's already been settled.
Mmgh, I'm gonna stop thinking about it for today. No matter what I choose, it feels like I was forced into it by anija.
Fufu. More importantly... It's a waste of time thinking about anija any more than this; I'm gonna have you pamper me to make up for it, Mikarin~
So c'mon, put some sweets in my mouth ♪


Mika: Ahaha, ya sure are a spoiled kid, Ritsu-kun~
Well, if yer fine with me, I'll pamper ya as much as ya like ♪

Prologue || La Mort 2
Story Masterlist