Chapter Text
“Thank you for helping me, Juza-kun. Even if you don't have to, I don't want to be a bother.”
Izumi then said while putting on a sweet smile, while Juza just replied with a small chuckle. His right hand then scratched his back neck awkwardly, as if he was in doubt. Shyly, Juza said. “It's okay..., you see... Director-san, can I ask you a favor?” Juza's words sounded shy, the man with purple hair seemed to take his eyes off from Izumi.
Izumi, who heard Juza's words, smiled sweetly. “Of course, I'm happy to be of help.” She nodded. “But what can I do for you, by the way?” Izumi asked. Juza looked at her with a sparkling gaze, the purple haired man with yellow Iris then grabbed Izumi's hand, pulling the brown-haired woman to walk into her bedroom. Juza also didn't forget to close the door when Izumi and himself were already inside.
“I just need Director-san's opinion on my acting, Settsu's words honestly make me a little ... pissed off.” Juza then said with an awkward laugh. Izumi just chuckled softly when she heard that. “Banri-kun is like that, but don't those words encourage you to be better? That's the positive side isn't it?” Izumi's words made Juza speechless, he looked away. Of course, Izumi's words had a point. That idiot Settsu's words were annoying, but to be honest thanks to that Juza felt more motivated.
He didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't deny it either.
“Juza-kun, are you sure you want my help?” Izumi's question was at least enough to make Juza focus on the brown haired woman. Izumi's face looked regretful. “I mean, I have no talent in acting, and I'm also blind so I can't see your expression and I—”
“I don't care, Director-san is the right person for this.”
Before Izumi could finish her words, Juza's voice cut her off. The brown-haired woman suddenly fell silent, it's not that Izumi doesn't want to help Juza, it's just that she's afraid if she can't help anything. However, Juza's words sounded serious, how could Izumi refuse him? Even though her heart insisted on refusing. “You can't see my face, my expression, but, you can imagine it through my voice, right?” Juza then walked closer to Izumi, to be honest, he wanted to hold the brown woman's hand but he couldn't because he was too embarrassed. “Sound, Voice... is also included in the form of emotional expression. That's what I know.” Izumi couldn't help smiling when she heard Juza saying that.
In the end, Izumi ended up helping Juza.
Even though it was a little difficult because Izumi had to imagine Juza's expression only through the intonation of his voice, she was able to overcome it. Izumi also occasionally corrects Juza's intonation.
Until, without feeling the time has passed so long. Juza decided to end his training session with Izumi. “Thank you for helping me, Director-san.” He said, his tone sounded sincere. Izumi nodded, then said. “No problem, I'm glad if I can help you, Juza-kun.” Izumi replied, with a slightly joking tone. Juza who heard that laughed softly. “Then, good night.” Izumi said in a gentle tone, Juza who heard that made a slight smile then.
“Good night too ... Director-san.” He replied shyly then walked out of Izumi's bedroom.
When Juza arrived in his bedroom. The first thing he saw, ah no, he heard, was Banri looking like he was cursing something ... or someone? “What is that happy face of yours? Gross.” Settsu's words sounded arrogant, Juza honestly felt a little angry when he heard that, but he decided to ignore it. Banri, who realized that his words were ignored, was even more annoyed. “You only escorted Director-chan to her bedroom, why did you take so long? You're not flirting her, are you?” Banri's words sounded mocking, as if he intended to provoke Juza's emotions. However, Juza again ignored his words and chose to lie on his bed, intending to sleep.
On the other hand, Banri felt even more angry.
“Why are you silent, asshole?!” Banri couldn't hold his patience anymore. Juza finally looked at Banri, his gaze showing anger. “So what? Are you jealous that Director-san is close to me?” Juza's words for some reason made Banri speechless. Is he jealous? But, why, what? What is the reason? His relationship with Izumi is limited to that of a Director and her actor. Although they have met in the past, only Banri remembers it. Not with Izumi.
Still, there was no reason for him to feel jealous.
But why?
Why couldn't he deny what Juza said?
Always like this.
Ever since Banri joined Mankai, of course, he could see Izumi all the time. Whenever Izumi was close to a man other than him, Banri felt angry. In fact, every time Itaru, Azuma, or Masumi flirting Izumi, it even made the brown-haired woman blush. Banri felt possessive, he didn't like seeing Izumi showing her cute expressions to other men.
That smile should be for me.
That adorable expression should be for me.
I should be the one who close to her.
Me!
Me!
Banri shook his head. What's up with him today? He chose to bury his head in the pillow, trying to vent his mixed feelings.
Why?
Why is he feeling so upset today?
As usual, the Autumn Troupe held a training session in the morning.
However, this time it went faster because Yuzo had important business that couldn't be avoided. All of the Autumn Troupe members had already walked out, leaving Banri and Izumi still in the room. Izumi was honestly about to walk out, if only Banri hadn't asked her to stay. “Good job, Banri-kun.” Izumi then said to Banri while smiling sweetly. Banri, who saw that was silent. He averted his gaze, pissed off. “Don't... like that.” The words uttered by Banri were not heard clearly by Izumi. “Um, sorry? What are you saying Banri—”
“Don't smile like that! I hate it!”
Banri suddenly shouted, interrupting Izumi's words. Realizing that his words sounded rude, Banri immediately felt very guilty. “I-I'm sorry, Director-chan. I didn't mean like that. I.... I just.... ah, shit!” After saying that, Banri immediately walked out while cursing his reckless actions earlier. Leaving Izumi behind who was in confusion. Tsukioka Tsumugi, who just happened to hear all these things earlier, then walked closer to Izumi while gently stroking the woman's brown hair.
Izumi, was a little surprised when she felt someone's hand brush her hair. “Looks like Banri-kun's mood is a little bad this morning.” Tsumugi said, laughing briefly. Izumi just put on an awkward smile. “I-I see.... have I done something wrong?” Izumi then said, unconsciously about to bite her thumb. Tsumugi who saw that, quickly grabbed Izumi's hand, moving her thumb away from her lips. “It's not good to bite your thumb like that. I'm sure, you haven't done anything wrong Director-san. Maybe something is upsetting Banri-kun today.” Tsumugi's honest words were still not enough to calm Izumi's uneasy feeling.
Therefore, Izumi chose to be silent rather than reply to Tsumugi's words. Not wanting Izumi's mood to turn bad, Tsumugi said. “Take it easy, Izumi.” Tsumugi grabbed Izumi's hand while calling out her name. “You better fill your mind with pleasant things.” Tsumugi then said while dragging Izumi out of the room, intending to take her to the garden in the backyard of their dorm.
Izumi could only smile slightly. “Where are we going, Tsumugi-san?” Izumi asked, a little enthusiastic. “To the garden, the cool air in the morning is very good for you, for us.” Said Tsumugi. Once in the garden, Tsumugi then explained the meaning of the flowers he planted to Izumi. But, even so. Izumi still couldn't forget about Banri suddenly shouting at her earlier.
Hopefully, she really didn't do anything wrong.