iridesenescence

Writer: Yuumasu
Season: Summer
Location: Movie Room

Natsume: (... Oh? The room is dark.)
(I thought no one would be here on a weekday night, but it seems someone's beaten me to the punch.)
(This footage is what I was intending to watch... Which means, it's someone with ties to Dramatica?)
(Who could it be? Shu-niisan and Knight-sama are out of the country, so excluding them—)
(... That doesn't narrow it down by much, since there's so many of us. Well, it doesn't matter; I'll just have a look for myself.)
(Approach quietly so they don't notice, and let's see who I've been granted an audience with... ♪)

Natsume: (... Oh my, it's Hokke-kun.)

Hokuto: ... Zzz, zzz...

Natsume: (Looks like he's fast asleep. Well, the music in this scene is soothing, so I can't blame him for being seized by the grip of sleep.)
(He's even snoring... You know, when you leave yourself this defenceless, I don't think you have the right to complain if someone messes with you~?)
(Now then, what should I do? Coupled with how he's usually so cautious around me, I'm getting excited... ♪)
(Doodling on his face? Or messing up his hair?)
(Mmngh, both of those are too ordinary and uninspired. I'm going to go big—)

Hokuto: Mm, mmn...

Hokuto: Unbelievable, it seems I fell asleep. (Yawns)
Mmn? Sakasaki? What are you doing here...

Natsume: My, I wonder. What do you think?

Hokuto: ......
... Ah.

Natsume: Why're you running your hands over your face and your clothes? Are you looking for something?

Hokuto: I'm checking to make sure you didn't do anything to me.

Natsume: I haven't done anything. You woke up before I managed to.
I came here for the same reason you did — to check the footage that's going to be contained in the DVD.

Hokuto: Did you really?

Natsume: Yes, I really did. Trust me... ♪

Hokuto: Your smile isn't trustworthy... But I shouldn't be doubting you without a reason for it. Fine, I'll trust you this time.
I fell asleep halfway the first time, so for your sake as well, let's watch this from the start.

[ Scene cut ]
[Some time after the footage has started playing]

Hokuto and Natsume: ......

Natsume: (... For that scene, I think it might be better to show the full stage instead of a close-up shot.)
(We were at the far end, so not many would notice, but Tomoya-kun acted very well beside me.)
(I suppose it's just a matter of preference, but I can still bring it up.)
(... Mm?)

Hokuto: ......

Natsume: Why do you keep glancing my way? If you've got something to say, just say it outright.

Hokuto: I don't, I'm just impressed. I didn't expect that you'd diligently take notes while checking the footage.
It's surprising since I thought you were quite the irresponsible guy. Do you enjoy checking footage like this?

Natsume: Not at all. In fact, I find it quite the pain. Besides, there're already tons of people checking it, so it wouldn't make much of a difference even if I decided not to.
But once this DVD goes on sale, it'll end up in the hands of many people, and will be preserved for— perhaps not eternity, but still a considerably long time.
I simply decided that it would be best to take this seriously so I don't end up having regrets about it in the future.

Hokuto: I see. This is a good chance, so can I ask you another question?

Natsume: No.

Hokuto: ......

Natsume: Fufufu, when you ask for permission, it makes me want to decline ♪
There's really no need to beat around the bush — just ask whatever question you have.

Hokuto: ... Fair enough.
So why did you join Dramatica, Sakasaki? Half our members have no experience acting, so it's not exactly surprising, but...
Did you develop a love for theater without me realising it?

Natsume: Ahaha, an excellent question... I don't hate it, but I wouldn't devote myself to it either.
The reason I thought of joining was because Shisho extended an invitation to me.
When I chatted him up asking if he'd like to form a "Magicians' Association", I ended up getting scouted instead.
The fact that we receive funding for our activities was a draw to me, and there's no obligation to actually participate in them.
I figured that getting to conduct my experiments under the pretense of preparing materials for the set seemed like more fun, so I took him up on the offer.
These double as trial-runs for the effects we use in Switch's performances too, so it's two birds with one stone... ♪

Hokuto: I see, so that's your intention.

Natsume: Well, what really decided it for me was that "Shisho would be there".
I wanted to get a glimpse of the world as Shisho sees it, and I was hoping that I would have plenty to learn by spending time by his side.
When I heard Shu-niisan would be joining too, I was actually fairly excited for Dramatica's activities...

Hokuto: "Was"? In past tense?

Natsume: Yeah, no thanks to a certain someone.
... When we had our meeting on the first day of activities, I was so ticked off. Because you were there.

Hokuto: It was my fault...? Why?

Natsume: Because I didn't think very highly of you back then. Shisho kept fussing over the Theater Club — and especially "Hidaka Hokuto".
He'd happily go on about "my Hokuto-kun", you know? Even though I met him before you did.

Hokuto: What kind of logic is that?

Natsume: Hah, I don't expect you to understand. After all, you're the one who stole him away ♪

Natsume: ... But that was also in the past. Lately, I've started to understand why he likes fussing over you.
Despite seeming cool and uninteresting at a glance, you're both hotheaded and airheaded.
And when there's something you can't let slide, you charge head on at it — that recklessness of yours is amusing ♪

Hokuto: It's not meant to be.
Well, you're not the only one whose impression has changed through our activities in Dramatica. I'd like to think I understand you a little better than before too.
You're impossible to grasp, just like Hibiki-senpai.

Natsume: Hmmm... On the contrary, since you and Shisho are a~lways saying each others' names, I think you're the one who resembles him.

Hokuto: No, I'm no weirdo. You're the one who resembles him.

Natsume: What, are you implying I'm a weirdo? Don't think that I'll just let that slide.

Wataru: —I suppose this means that all three of us are weirdos together... ☆

Natsume: Shisho?! When did you get here?

Wataru: Fufu, I wonder when it was? I was thinking of checking through this footage too, you see.
Pardon me, I'll be taking the seat in the middle of the sofa! And hup...! ♪

Hokuto: This sofa isn't meant for three... Can't you just use that chair over there?

Wataru: Oh, but if I'm that far away, I wouldn't be able to hug the two of you~ Squeeze squeeze ☆

Natsume: Mmngh... It's stifling, will you let go?
(Well, I doubt my words will make a difference. I'm not one for this sort of interaction...)