pukanavis | Entries tagged with jun

Summary
"A few days have passed and Jun takes a fall on the side of the road during a sudden downpour. Just as he did the last time, Reiji makes an appearance."

Location: Shopping District

Reiji: You've done nothing to hurt me. There's no need to apologize.

Jun: But...

I've never been good with people, I'm just a nuisance to everyone around me...so I thought I'd been a bother to Karasuma-kun too...

It's my fault you're looking at me like that...I'm sorry.

Reiji: ...

ーFlashbackー

???: 'S okay, 's not a big deal.

It was a dream, an amazing dream. But we all gotta wake up from our dreams eventually. Ain't that what father used t' say?

So please...don't cry so much...Reiji.

Reiji: Butー I didn't want you to give up on your dream.

ーFlashback endー

Reiji: ...

People like you are what they call "weak".

...The "weak" will always be "exploited".

...I refuse to be "weak" like you any longer.

I'll be on the side that "exploits".

If you don't wish to be ripped to shreds, then stay away from me and Epsilon Phi.

Location: Epsilon Phi Share House

(Door opening)

Reiji: ...

Tadaomi: You're back, Reiji-kun

Reiji: I am.

Tadaomi: ...Reiji-kun, you're making the same face as before. Did you see Suzaki-san again?

Reiji: You're the same as ever... try laying off the human observation sometimes.

You might research the wrong person and discover something you'd wish you hadn't.

Tadaomi: Something I wouldn't want to know?

Reiji: ...I found myself holding back a hand from a fallen person I'd helped before.

I acted kindly initially but showed my true nature the second timeー

...But the old me wouldn't have hesitated to reach out to someone that needed it.

(I wear so many masks, I thought my "true self" was hidden.

But before I realized it, my "true self" had been replaced by a mask too.

ーNii-san, I'm sure my "past self" will never return.

If only I didn't know that)

Tadaomi: Reiji-kun is showing weakness...how rare.

Reiji: ...That guy who accepts his own fragility must be rubbing off on me.

( ...I shouldn't have given him that warning, either.)

It seems rainy days still cause a change in me.

Tadaomi: Are you okay?

Reiji: Of course.

I won't let my dreams die as mere fantasies.

For that I will ensure that Epsilon Phi is the victor of LRFes. I'm prepared to use any means possible.

(The screen fades to black)

Reiji: No matter how heartless of a mask I must wearー

Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue

Summary
"Jun returns to his share house and tells Tomoru about the events of his day. Even though Reiji was kind to him, Jun feels like he got on his bad side..."

Location: Fantome Iris Share House

Tomoru: So that's what happened...

You got caught in the rain, tripped over an empty can and landed in a puddle of waterー

Jun: Don't make me hear it again! I'm so disappointed with myself!

Tomoru: Well, it's just the same old you.

And I suppose you couldn't refuse the invitation to go have a chat at the share house?

Jun: ...Yeah.

Tomoru: But the kid was from Epsilon Phi...that would've made Feli-san worried.

Jun: Felix-san?

Tomoru: I've yet to hear the full story...

Tomoru: ...What kind of person did Karasuma-kun seem like to you?

Jun: He speaks very politely, even to someone like me. He treated me kindly.

But sometimes it felt like he was looking at me like I was a piece of moldy bread...it was probably just my imagination...ahaha.

When he smiled it didn't feel real, and his eyes... they're cold and frightening.

It reminded me a little of my sister...somehow...

Tomoru: I see...

Jun: I'm so pathetic even though I'm an adult.

Tomoru: Yeah, I won't deny that.

Well...I can't say I'm much different...

But we all have our weaknesses, right?

Jun: ...Right.

Location: Shopping District

Jun: Hah...hah... I-I should've listened...

It wasn't supposed to rain!? It's been sunny until now!?

Jun: No, no...ugh, so unlucky...wah!?

(Splash)

Jun: Ouch...why is there a plastic bottle here... ugh, I'm getting deja vuー

Jun: ...

Reiji: You never learn, do you?

Jun: K-Karasuma-kun

Reiji: ...

Reiji: I can't understand you

Jun: Huh?

Reiji: You were born with both incredible talent and a lucky upbringing, so why did you turn your back on it all and let it go to waste?

Why would you come running back to something you once threw away?

Jun: I-I...

Reiji: Blaming it on bad luck seems to be one of your favorite things to do.

Please don't joke around. You've got plenty of good luck.

And yet you can't even begin to understand how fortunate you are.

Jun: ...I...I'm sorry.

Reiji: Why are you apologising?

You've done nothing to upset me. There's no need to apologize.

Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue

Summary
"Reiji is frustrated by how Jun runs away from his family and environment, and Tadaomi shares some shocking words."

Location: Epsilon Phi Share House

Tadaomi: ...Suzaki-san didn't try to become a pianist like his older sister.

Reiji: He participated in a number of competitions however there were no noteworthy outcomes to them.

Tadaomi: Hmm...how strange.

Reiji: His performance was weak. It seems he'd often find himself in trouble.

Even so, that doesn't change how blessed he was to be brought up in such an environment.

Tadaomi: ...

Reiji: He began playing guitar in his third year of middle school and never participated in another piano competition after that.

Later on he chose a path that would distance himself from music.

After graduating university, he returned to the music industry as a salesman however he resigned a year later.

After that he became a shut in and got sucked into gaming.

Then his friend, Kurokawa Tomoru, invited him to join Fantome Iris...

Did he run away? Or was he simply unable to keep going?

He had both talent and a blessed upbringing...it's a funny story if you think about it.

Tadaomi: ...

...It sounds as if Reiji-kun is "jealous" of Suzaki-san and unable to forgive him.

Reiji: What? Me jealous of Suzaki Jun...?

Tadaomi: I know you well, after all, Reiji-kun.

He was talented from birth, and even had luck with the circumstances he was raised inー

But he threw it all away and said farewell to his musical journey.

Reiji: ...

Tadaomi: Ahh, that's right. He didn't say farewell, did he? "That person" gave up and let themselves waste away.

But, even so, in Reiji-kun's eyes it was an "escape"ー

Reiji: Don't act like you know what you're talking about!!

Tadaomi: ...

You're right, Reiji-kun. I'm sorry

Reiji: No...

...I have no thoughts in relation to Suzaki Jun. I fail to understand him.

(Reiji leaves)

Tadaomi: No thoughts...?

Why do humans lie, even to themselves?

Location: Fantome Iris Share House

Jun: I'm back...

Tomoru: There you are, Jun. You said you were only going out for a little while but it started getting late...oh?

Why's your hair so disheveled? You're clothes are covered in mud too. Did you fall over again?

Jun: Mud? ...Ah, you're right.

Ah, wait... I intruded while in such a state? I was sitting on that fancy looking sofa!?

Tomoru: Fancy? Intruded?

Jun: Well, earlierー

Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue

Summary
"Reiji learns of Jun's past. In Reiji's eyes, Jun is someone who was born with talent but once threw it all away."

Location: Epsilon Phi Share House

Reiji: (ーHe speaks timidly with a wary demeanor yet is untamable and aggressive when on the guitarー

They're complete opposites yet he's not acting...?

...It doesn't make sense)

May I ask you one last thing?

Jun: O-Okay?

Reiji: How long have you been playing music?

Jun: ...For as long as I can remember.

My parents and older sister are all entangled within the world of music, so I thought I'd be the same...but I couldn't have been more wrong...

It was back when I had quit my job and completely shut myself away from music that Tomoru had reached out to me.

Reiji: Then you joined Fantome Iris?

Jun: Yeah. But even now it still feels like a dream sometimes. Maybe this all just a big happy dream.

Reiji: ...

ーLaterー

Jun: Ah...it's getting late.

I should get going. Um...thank you for the towel, and everything else.

Reiji: Of course. Take care.

(Jun leaves)

Reiji: (ーSuzaki Jun.

He's talented but he'd given up on the world of music in the past.

"Maybe this all just a big happy dream," he says?)

ーFlashbackー

???: It was a dream, an amazing dream. But we all gotta wake up from our dreams eventually. Ain't that what father used t' say?

ーFlashback endー

Reiji: ...

(Why are the words of "that person" coming back to me...?)

(Door opening)

Reiji: !!

(...Someone's returned.)

Tadaomi: I'm back, Reiji-kun

Reiji: ...Oh.

Tadaomi: ...? Did you have a guest?

Reiji: How observant. Fantome Iris' Suzaki Jun came by.

Tadaomi: Really... that's quite strange.

Suzaki-san doesn't seem like the type to go and visit someone. That must mean that Reiji-kun invited him.

Did you want to speak with him about something?

Reiji: It's a long story.

Well, I thought I could get some inside intel that would aid us in the future...

Tadaomi: What kind of person was Suzaki-san?

Reiji: Well...

(Ping ♪)

Reiji: A notification?

Tadaomi: What is it?

Reiji: Further information on Suzaki Jun.

I was rather keen to find out deeper intel on him so I sent out a request for it.

...

Apparently he was born into a household of musicians. His older sister was a famous pianist.

Tadaomi: Oh... so I suppose Suzaki-san's talents run in the family.

Reiji: Talent? So you feel the same way, Tadaomi.

Tadaomi: It's easy to conceal yourself within Fantome Iris' powerful personalities.

...Suzaki-san didn't try to become a pianist like his older sister.

Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue

Summary
"Reiji invites Jun to his share house. He attempts to get information out of Fantome's composer but..."

Location: Shopping District

Reiji: (He appears like a completely different person on stage but this is his true natureー

...Maybe I should look further into this.)

Jun: U-Um...why're you looking at me like that~? ...Something on your mind...?

Reiji: My apologies. I was just thinking about how I'd like the chance to have a chat with you, Suzaki-san.

Jun: Huhh...why me...?

Reiji: Suzaki-san is in charge of composing the songs for Fantome Iris, if I'm not mistaken?

You do a wonderous job at expressing such a unique outlook of the world through your music.

We're both participating in the same competition so I couldn't help but take interest.

If you'll allow it, would you spare me a moment of your time?

Location: Epsilon Phi Sharehouse

Jun: What am I doing...

The rooms feel so unnecessarily luxurious and the furniture looks so expensive that I'm too scared to touch it...ughh...

Reiji: Suzaki-san, here's a towel.

Jun: Ah, thank you

Reiji: I could lend you some clothes if you wish...

Jun: Huh!? Nononono, I couldn't possibly ask for any more help!

Reiji: Well then, I'll go fetch you a hot drink so you don't catch a cold.

Is there anything else I can do for you...?

Jun: ...I wanna go home.

Reiji: Wouldn't it be wise to wait until the downpour lightens up? The period leading up to Fes is crucial so it would be best to not fall ill.

Jun: I-I know!

Reiji: Then, please wait.

Jun: Uwahhh...Japanese people really can't say no~! I'm stupidstupidstupid!

Reiji: (...He's an easy person to manipulate.)

ーLaterー

Jun: Um, Karasuma-kun. It's pretty quiet, are the other members not here...?

Reiji: Indeed. It seems they've all gone out.

Jun: I see.

Reiji: (He's rather anxious for someone his age.

According to my research, he's unemployed but earns a living through cash prizes received by winning gaming tournaments.

He struggles to socialize with people... I assume he's someone that's simply unable to fit in with society.

In the end, this is what his true nature looks like, huh...?

Perhaps my research wasn't needed.)

Suzaki-san, I'm amazed how different you appear when standing on stage as ZACK.

Jun: Ah, yeah. ZACK is me, but also not...

Reiji: ZACK is the one performing as part of Fantome Iris' act, right?

Jun: Well...it's not really like I'm acting...

He gets unleashed when I'm on stage... saying something like that must make me seem pretty lame.

But that's really what it feels like...

Reiji: ...I see.

Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue

Summary
"Reiji is walking in the rain when he happens to run into Suzaki Jun from Fantome. It seems Jun doesn't have an umbrella..."

Location: Epsilon Phi Share House

Reiji: I'm going out for a little while.

Tadaomi: Right now? But it looks like it'll rain soon...

Reiji: I have a meeting I need to get to.

Tadaomi: I see...let's hope it doesn't rain too heavily then. I'm sure you'd hate that, Reiji-kun.

Reiji: ...As long as I don't get soaked then I won't particularly mind.

I don't want the ends of my trousers to get wet either. I'm sure there are many people who would share my feelings on that.

Tadaomi: I suppose so.

Reiji: ...I'll be going now. Farewell.

Location: Shopping District

(Splash)

Reiji: Tch...there's water in my shoes.

(I should've called a taxi once the rain got heavier)

Hm?

Jun: Hah...hah...

Reiji: (That's Suzaki Jun from Fantome Iris... it seems he's left the house without an umbrella.

Unbelievable. There was a 90% chance of downfall this afternoon. Didn't he check the weather forecast beforehand?)

Jun: Wahh!!

(Splash)

Ow...who leaves an empty can just lying around here...? ...So unlucky...

Reiji: ...You really are unbelievable.

Jun: Huh?

Ah, you're...

Reiji: Epsilon Phi's drummer, Karasuma.

It may not be of much aid but please make use of this handkerchief.

Jun: ...Huh?

ーLaterー

Reiji: As I expected, one handkerchief was not enough.

Jun: Y-Yeah. Thank you though.

Reiji: Are you injured? It looked like you took quite a fall.

Jun: I'm fine... I've always been unlucky.

Reiji: ...Really?

It seems you don't have an umbrella on you, did you forget?

Jun: Well... I put it in an umbrella stand while I was shopping but I think someone mistook it for theirs and took it.

I thought I could just buy a new one at a nearby convince store but they were sold out...

I spotted another sign for a convince store and I tried to run over to it butー

Reiji: You tripped over an empty can and fell over.

Jun: Ah, yeah...

Reiji: So you couldn't buy an umbrella, but wouldn't it have been smarter to utilize public transport rather than let your clothes get so wet?

The Fantome share house is in Ikebukuro, is it not? Don't tell me you planned on returning there by foot?

Jun: I-It sure would be a tough walk to make... it's really far... ahaha...

Reiji: Hah...

(...What a headache)

Prologue | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue