So the second Double Score game came out on August 30, which means time for more short stories! The Limited Edition booklet of ～Cattleya×Narcissus～ contains two short stories. No illustrations this time, but still cute. ヾ(✿❛◡❛o)ノ
These are the stories from before the flowers of love bloomed for them. The first one, “Our Beginning”, focuses on Shirosaki Rio, Seiya and Tomu. The second one, “Absent-minded Glasses, Serious Glasses and Lo—(cut off)” features Saiga Rui, Tachibana Ryuusei and Sano Fumiya. Full translation of the short stories under the cut. Thanks to Mitsu for sharing the scans. ❤
Our Beginning
LADY MAGIC is as crowded as usual. The princesses who are charmed by the number one host, Riou, and the number two, Seiya, are always visiting the shop.
…or at least that’s how it’s supposed to be.
Today, both of them have to accept being the runner-ups.
Maybe there’s nothing they can do about it.
Because a national idol, Tomu, is visiting the shop.
Riou is wearing a really sour expression.
Because the princesses’ attention are all directed to Tomu.
Rio:
“Tomu. I’ve told you not to come here. My princesses get distracted if you do.”
Tomu:
“Sorry~ But Rio, you’re the one who told me to bring this over quickly, so I came here in a hurry. I want you appreciate it.”
Tomu puts a giant bag on the table. Rio’s expression turns radiant upon seeing it.
Rio:
“T-This is… Could it be!?”
Tomu:
“Right! You said you’re busy, so I went to an anime shop, stood in line, and drew the lottery for you.”
Rio:
“S-S-Seriously!!!? Your ability to blend into the crowd is as amazing as always, but… I’m eternally grateful to that skill!! Thanks, Tomu! C-C-Can I see it?”
Tomu:
“Why not? It’s yours, anyway.”
Rio checks the contents of the bag with trembling hands.
Then he keeps glancing back and forth between the bag and Tomu.
Rio:
“To-To-To-To-Tomu!? Seriously!? How did you get the first prize!? Did you get everything!?”
Tomu:
“Hehehe, be grateful to an idol’s fortune in lottery! Ah, but I couldn’t get the one they give to the last customer. Sorry.”
Rio:
“No, no. That’s fine. It’s alright. Ahh…!!! Really, thanks, Tomu!!!! You’re the best friend I ever had!!”
Blushing and trembling with emotions, Rio hugs the bag.
Rio:
“…I wanted the first prize figure… I’ll put it in a case and place it in the best spot at home…”
Tomu:
“I don’t know that anime. There’s a lot of handsome guys, so it looks like a title for girls.”
Rio:
“I’ll lend it to you next time! Or should we have a screening party at my place?”
Tomu:
“Ah, sounds nice. Let’s do it.”
Rio:
“It might be for girls, but it’s fun! As they romance the heroine, they get to fight aliens and espers…!!!”
Seiya:
“Shut up, Rio! You’re annoyingly loud!”
As Rio excitedly talks about the story, someone kicks the table.
Seiya, who’s clearly in an extremely bad mood, is glaring at them.
Tomu:
“Ah, Seiya-san. Good evening!”
Seiya:
“Don’t come to a host club, idol.”
Tomu:
“I told you, I do feel bad. But it’s for friendship☆ I’d appreciate it if you let this slide~”
Seiya:
*sighs* “Fine… Hey, the anime otaku over there. Tomu is here as your guest. Serve him properly.”
Rio:
“I know… Isn’t it fine to enjoy the prize for a bit longer~?”
Seiya:
“Do your job, damn it.”
Seiya glares at Rio, who’s gently hugging the bag, and sits next to Tomu.
Seiya:
“Hey, Tomu. I heard you’re going to have a Dome Tour next?”
Tomu:
“Ah, yes. Are you going to come?”
Seiya:
“I’m absolutely not interested, but my guests want to go. Can you provide some tickets? I’ll repay you.”
Tomu:
“You don’t have to. I’ll prepare the tickets then! The venue is large this time, so I think I can provide some seats. In fact, I want to thank you for bringing more audience! I already feel super worried now~ Can I fill the Dome? I think it’s still too early for me.”
Rio:
“But it’s difficult to get tickets for other venues, right? I think it’s the right decision.”
Rio asks one of the younger hosts to carry the bag to the backyard so it won’t be destroyed by Seiya, then he turns to talk to Tomu. Tomu folds his arms and hums in thought.
Tomu:
“Really? But it makes me happy if it’s easier for people to get the tickets… Yeah, I’ll do my best!!”
Seiya:
“Well, I don’t care about what you’re gonna do though. Help me with the tickets, Tomu.”
Tomu:
“Okaaay!”
Seiya:
“…anyway, you seem to be able to keep up with Rio’s otaku talk.”
Tomu:
“Huh?”
Seiya:
“You were calm during the conversation earlier too, right? It’s impossible for me. I either get pissed and punch Rio or break the anime DVD. I just shut him up.”
Rio:
“Seiya is too impatient, even though I’ve been explaining the brilliance of anime, manga and games in details. Miyabi and Taiga are addicted, you know?”
Seiya:
“Are you an idiot!? I’m always telling you, over and over again, don’t involve the hosts below us!!”
Seiya’s fist lands onto the top of Rio’s head.
As Rio endures the pain in silence, Tomu pats his head and smiles at Seiya.
Tomu:
“Well, maybe I’ve gotten used to it. Back in high school, this happened everyday. Besides, we probably wouldn’t get along so well if Rio wasn’t an otaku.”
Rio:
“Right? Back when we first met, I even ignored Tomu completely.”
Tomu:
“Ahh, it’s so nostalgic.”
Seiya looks dazed as he listens to their conversation. Seems like he finds it surprising.
Seiya:
“…ignoring completely? Rio did that to Tomu? …looking at you guys now, I can’t even imagine.”
Rio:
“I thought so. Umm, when was it again?”
Tomu:
“On our first year of high school.”
As they talk about how nostalgic it is, Rio and Tomu start telling Seiya about what happened during their first year of high school…
Tomu:
“You’re late, Rio! It’s already lunch break, what were you doing!?”
Lunch break.
After falling asleep twice, Rio finally went to school and was greeted by a sulking Tomu.
Rio:
“Oh, Tomu. It’s been a while since you came to school, isn’t it?”
Tomu:
“It is! It’s been a month!! And yet you weren’t there when I came to school!! What is it!? Say ‘Tomu, it’s been a while! I missed you!’ and give me an enthusiastic welcome like everyone else!”
Rio:
“No way. That’s creepy.”
Rio went to sit beside Tomu, who was shaking the desk as he spoke.
Rio:
“So? Are you done with work?”
Tomu:
“No! Not done! Not at all! I’ve been asking them to let me go to school for a month, so they finally gave me the permission today. Ahh~ I feel relaxed at school.”
Tomu then hugged his desk, while Rio sighed and gave him a wry smile.
Rio:
“Well, you’re about to have your first concert tour after all. It can’t be helped if they’re driving ahead with full power.”
Tomu:
“I know that, but still… I want to see my friends~”
Seeing Tomu pouting, Rio found it hard to believe that he’s an idol who was soaring to popularity.
(After moving, I only chose this school because it’s the closest to my mansion… I never thought I’d end up being classmates with an idol.)
As he comforted Tomu, who was complaining that he had no private time due to his busy schedule, Rio told him to do his best and remembered the past.
Rio first met Tomu at the opening ceremony.
For high school, Rio went to a school that his mother admired. It has an escalator system and covers elementary school, junior high school, high school and university levels. He took the exam thinking he’s going to fail, but he ended up getting accepted.
“Tuition? Oh no, don’t worry! I’ve saved up properly just for Rio! I’m so happy! My son is going to enter a school I admired… You’re the best!” Rio’s mother was really happy, and Rio was satisfied too—thinking it was a way to show his devotion as a son.
The first person Rio met in that school was Tomu. They sat next to each other, and Rio learned that Tomu came from the school’s junior high level. It was the same for about 80% of the class, so there were only a few students who entered the school by taking the exam like Rio.
That might be why after introducing themselves to each other, Tomu was rather wary of Rio.
(Why is he so tense? Is it because I came from a different school, so he doesn’t see me as a friend? Well, not that I mind. I don’t want to get involved in anything troublesome either.)
Rio decided to ignore Tomu.
At the time, he didn’t realize that Tomu is an idol.
There was only one reason for this.
It was because Rio is an otaku.
Rio has no interest in real idols, not to mention it’s a guy.
Even if he does have such interests, it would be towards 2D idols only.
When he was small, Rio did have friends to play outside with… but he spent most of his time alone at home. In order to ease the loneliness, he often watched TV.
Of course he wouldn’t understand dramas, so he watched anime instead.
He got completely absorbed and watched them.
Soon after that, his mother gave him a game console for his birthday present, and he got absorbed into the world of games too from there.
Eventually, he started using his allowance to buy manga and got addicted again.
Anime, game and manga erased the loneliness in his childhood.
That was the trigger.
And now, Rio has grown into a fine otaku.
He even tried his hands at doujinshi. So much that he made a homepage to publish his works on. Thanks to that, he got a bunch of net friends and doesn’t feel lonely anymore.
That’s why even if he couldn’t make any friends at school, it wasn’t really a problem for him. From there he was ignoring Tomu for a while, but…
One day during break time, Rio was busy playing a game on his phone. Tomu, who saw this from the side, looked really surprised and moved closer to him.
Tomu:
“…ahh! I knew it! I failed the mission to get the clothes your avatar is wearing, so I couldn’t get it! How did you clear it!?”
Rio:
“……… Um……… Sorry. Uh, I didn’t get it on my own. Because I bought cash, did the gacha and used the limited item.”
Tomu:
“Ahh… Just as I thought. We didn’t have any other options, did we? I thought it’s impossible to clear it in such a short period of time… Hey, mind if I take a closer look?”
Tomu smiled. It seemed like his wariness, whatever the reason was, has vanished. It left Rio with no more reason to ignore him. If the other party is seeking for contact, then only has to answer it.
Rio:
“Here.”
Rio handed his phone to Tomu. Upon seeing how Tomu stared so intently at the display screen, Rio couldn’t help but laugh.
Rio:
“So you like it too, Tachibana?”
Tomu:
“Yeah!! Mobile games are the best way to pass time when you’re moving, or during waiting time. Uwah! Shirosaki, your level is so high!!?”
Rio:
“Rio is fine. I feel uneasy when people call me by my surname.”
Tomu looked surprised to hear Rio’s reply, but then he smiled and nodded.
Tomu:
“Roger! Then you can call me Tomu too, Rio!”
Rio:
“Well then… Tomu, want to know an effective way to gain levels?”
Tomu:
“Oh… Ooooooh…!! Yes please, master!!!!”
As long as there’s a trigger, they’ll become friends in no time. The distance between Rio and Tomu got much closer because of this. From there, they found a common interest in games and quickly became close friends.
About three months later, Tomu came to stay in Rio’s place so they can play games together. They watched TV while having their meal… and Tomu appeared in a music channel. Rio’s croquette fell from the table.
Tomu:
“What are you doing, Rio~?”
Rio:
“…Tomu. Is that… you?”
Rio’s fingers trembled as he pointed to Tomu, who was wearing his idol costume on TV. Tomu ate a croquette as he answered.
Tomu:
“Yeah. I got a new song, so they sent me there. From here, that costume’s color looks a bit dark because of the lighting. I’ll tell the director next time.”
Rio:
“………are you an idol?”
Tomu:
“Yeah… Pfft! So you didn’t realize it after all.”
Rio:
“I didn’t realize… No, I usually don’t watch TV unless it’s for anime. Anyway, sorry!”
Tomu:
“It’s okay. Your reaction feels fresh for me.”
From the channel, Rio found out that Tomu’s popularity as an idol was climbing up at the moment.
Rio:
“I see… That’s why you were so wary of me at first. When someone from another school came and sat next to an idol, they’d normally make a fuss.”
Tomu:
“Uhh, sorry about that! Back then I didn’t want people to make a commotion over me. It wasn’t just you, Rio, but after that I really felt bad for being rude. Sorry.”
Rio:
“Don’t worry about that, now we’re playing as friends anyway. Come on, let’s finish the food and play games! Wanna play a fighting game next? It came out last month, the one with mixed martial arts! I never really had a match with another player~”
Tomu:
“Sounds good, let’s do it!!”
They nodded at each other and continued eating their dinner.
After that, they got completely absorbed in the game and didn’t sleep at all until Rio’s mother came home in the morning…
Rio:
“Hey, hey! How about this lower kick, mid-punch to the body and special move—Omega Beam!!!!”
Tomu:
“Uwaaah! T-That’s unfair, Rio! That combo is terrible! You’re a demon! Damn, just you see! I’ll give you this super special move!!!”
Rio:
“Oh no! I won’t get hit that easily!! You’re just an idol! You can’t win against a game otaku like me!!!”
Tomu:
“Uuuh~! I won’t lose!!”
Rio:
“…I see. Those were our ordinary days. It was tough for you, Tomu.”
Seiya gets a bit teary-eyed and puts one hand on Tomu’s shoulder.
It seems like he truly feels sorry for Tomu.
Tomu:
“Oh no, it was fun so no problem!”
Rio:
“So you don’t deny that it was tough.”
Tomu:
“Ehh? That’s because, Rio… That, what was it called? The doujinshi convention held in a large venue. You said it won’t do if they get sold out, so you made me run and buy stuff from the popular circles. It was tough! I stood in line all day from the morning!”
Rio:
“It was a good way to build stamina for your concert, right? ☆”
Seiya:
“No way!! Don’t involve people… or rather, don’t drag an idol into your hobby!!”
Tomu:
“The most embarrassing one was when I stood in line to a circle for girls.”
Rio:
“Oh, right. Tomu, are you free this summer? I’m going after the limited goods at the company booths next time, but I don’t have enough power. Help me. I want Candy☆Nyan Nyan’s limited trading card no matter whaaat!!!”
Seiya:
“…wouldn’t it be better to reconsider your friendship, Tomu?”
Tomu:
“Well, this is Rio’s charm… point? after all.”
As Rio started talking loudly about how important and wonderful trading cards are, Seiya stared at him in disbelief while Tomu, for some reason, nods and agrees.
LADY MAGIC is peaceful? too today.
Absent-minded Glasses, Serious Glasses and Lo—(cut off)
(…I can’t find it)
Rui is on his hands and knees, pushing aside the bushes in the courtyard. Similarly to him, Ryuusei and Fumiya are also searching with a serious face. Rui glanced aside to check Fumiya’s expression. He looks white as sheet, probably because his blood is running cold.
(We have to find it quickly, or else Sano-sensei might faint!)
Rui puts himself into it and carefully throws his glance at all directions.
In April. Rui was appointed as a modern literature teacher in a coeducational high school.
For him, it was a fresh start. Maybe it’s because he was nervous, but his greeting speech in front of the whole school and teachers turned out terrible. He choked multiple times, and he couldn’t say the words he wanted to say. The two teachers who joined the school at the same time as him, however, delivered reliable and magnificent greetings.
One of them was the math teacher, Tachibana Ryuusei.
The other was the infirmary doctor, Sano Fumiya.
(We’re close in age… but they’re much calmer than me.)
Rui stared at the two them with envy.
After the greetings are over, Rui tried talking to them in the hope of becoming friends, but it was meaningless. Fumiya looked like he found it troublesome just to greet him back. Ryuusei gave him a serious reply, but his words were stiff and his expression didn’t change.
(…I guess this is what unapproachable means.)
Thinking that he’ll talk to them again at a better timing, Rui went with Fumiya and Ryuusei to hear the head teacher’s explanation of the school.
After school, three days later.
The head teacher asked Rui to deliver a document for Fumiya, and so he went to the infirmary. As he walked inside, Rui closed the door behind him and talked to Fumiya, who was working on his computer.
Rui:
“Good afternoon, Sano-sensei. The head teacher asked me to give you a document, so I brought it~”
Fumiya:
“Okay. Just put it on the table.”
He didn’t even turn around.
Sensing the “I won’t deal with someone like you” vibes from his cold answer, Rui’s face twitched.
(Hmm… I want to be friends since we’re from the same period and all… but seems like it’s still difficult.)
For things like this, you can only put more time into it and gradually approach them.
Rui sighs and bows his head towards Fumiya’s back.
Rui:
“Well then, I’m leaving it here. I’m sorry for disturbing you at work.”
Fumiya:
“………”
Rui was about to leave the infirmary, feeling down that Fumiya wouldn’t say anything. However, the door suddenly swung open and revealed Ryuusei behind it—standing with a good, proper posture.
Ryuusei:
“…ah. So you are here, Saiga-sensei.”
Rui:
“Tachibana-sensei. Um, do you need something?”
Ryuusei:
“We have to patrol the school now. It seems like the teachers usually do this alone, but since we just came here, we were ordered to do it in pairs.”
Rui:
“Yes, I understand. Well then—”
Fumiya:
“U-U-U-Uwaaaaaah!!!!?”
CRASH!!!!
The chair Fumiya was sitting on loudly fell onto the floor. When Rui and Ryuusei turned towards him in shock, they found him staggering as he backed away from his desk. He’s usually expressionless and doesn’t speak much, but now his eyes were opened wide. He weakly shook his head left and right.
Rui:
“W-What’s wrong, Sano-sensei!?”
Ryuusei:
“Did you make a mistake or something?”
Fumiya:
“I… It’s not something easy like a mistake… This is a matter of life and death for me… Ah… Someone please tell me it’s a lie!! This can’t be happening to me… It must be a nightmare!!!!”
Fumiya covered his face with his palms and fell to his knees. Upon seeing him, Rui and Ryuusei weren’t sure about how they should deal with him. In any case, they should try asking him about what happened. With this in mind, Rui and Ryuusei talked to Fumiya—who was punching the floor with his fist.
Ryuusei:
“Sano-sensei, what happened?”
Fumiya:
“…ah, good question!!! …um, who are you again?”
Ryuusei:
“…Tachibana, we started working here at the same time. I’ve introduced myself to you some days ago, when we met at the staff room.”
Fumiya:
“Sorry. I have no intentions of remembering people I’m not interested in. Serious glasses is… Tachibana, and the absent-minded glasses over there is…?”
Rui:
“S-Saiga!”
Fumiya:
“Saiga. Right.”
Ryuusei:
“………serious glasses?”
Rui:
“Ah, umm! Sano-sensei! What happened!?”
Fumiya:
“…ah. That’s… The precious, precious, precious, PRECIOUS card I always carry with me… I seem to have… dropped it somewhere…!!!”
Fumiya punched the floor again.
Ryuusei:
“Precious card, is it? That must be difficult.”
Fumiya:
“…Tachibana. Stop using formal speech. I don’t like formalities.”
Ryuusei:
“However… we have only known each other for three days. We are also not on casual terms for each other. It would be impolite.”
Fumiya:
“As I said, I don’t like that.”
Fumiya frowned with a really sullen expression. Ryuusei looked like he had something to say, but then he nodded. Probably because he realized that if Fumiya refused to accept him, they would never figure out what’s going on.
Ryuusei:
“…alright. Well then, let me drop the formal speech. If you feel that I’m being overly familiar, tell me. I’ll go back to formal speech.”
Fumiya:
“Yeah, yeah. Ah, Saiga can stay that way.”
Rui:
“Ah, y-yes. Thank you.”
Ryuusei:
“Why is it alright for Saiga-sensei?”
Fumiya:
“Somehow I feel that he ‘needs to stay that way’. Right?”
Rui:
“…eh.”
Ryuusei:
“Why am I not allowed to use formal speech, and yet it’s okay for Saiga-sensei? I don’t understand. Shouldn’t we use equal treatment here?”
Rui:
“Ah, no! If possible, I want to go along with what Sano-sensei said… Even if I was asked to stop using the formal speech, I find it hard to do because of… um, my personality. Ah, but! Both of you don’t have to use formal speech while talking to me!”
Fumiya:
“That’s what I’m doing. Tachibana should do it too.”
Ryuusei:
“But…”
Rui:
“I don’t mind. If I remember correctly, Tachibana-sensei is a year older than me, right? No problem. Besides, the three of us came to this school at the same time. Um, I think if we’re closer to each other, our lives as teachers will be much more enjoyable too.”
Fumiya:
“I’m not interested in being friends… but I need your help right now. Let’s be friends! Nice to meet you!”
Fumiya energetically got back on his feet and shook Rui and Ryuusei’s hands. Then he smiled.
Fumiya:
“Well then, can you help me search for the card?”
Rui:
“Umm… What does the card look like?”
Fumiya:
“The size is quite small. Let’s see… It’s like the one you put into a present…”
Ryuusei:
“I see. Any notable features?”
Fumiya:
“It’s heart-shaped. There’s ‘Happy Birthday’ written in cute letters inside.”
Rui:
“Is it a birthday card you received from someone?”
Fumiya:
“Yeah… It’s from an important girl who I’ve always loved, loved, loved, LOVED all the time ever since she was small. Ah, by the way, the heart-shaped one was from last year. Hehehe. She gave me one every year with a present… Hehehe, so cute.”
Rui:
“I-I see~”
Ryuusei:
“Let’s do our best to find it.”
Fumiya:
“Please! All the cards I’ve got are all in a file at home for collection, but I’m always carrying the one from last year as a charm until my birthday next year. I never thought… it would backfire…!!”
Rui:
“…that… must be hard.”
Ryuusei:
“…must be a misfortune.”
Fumiya was slightly blushing as he happily told them about this. Rui and Tachibana found the way he laughs a bit eerie, and they took one step back.
Rui:
“Ah…!? I found it. I found it, Sano-sensei!!”
Fumiya:
“What!!!?”
It’s when dusk painted the scenery. They find the heart-shaped card soon after they started searching in the courtyard. The card fell under a bench, and Rui was the one who finds it. As he picks it up, Fumiya and Ryuusei rush over to his place.
Rui:
“I wonder if it got blown away by the wind. Here, Sano-sensei.”
Fumiya:
“Ah… Ahhh…!! Thank you. Thank you, Saiga!”
Rui:
“No problem. I’m glad we found it.”
Ryuusei:
“Yeah, really.”
Upon seeing Rui and Ryuusei smiling, Fumiya smiles at them too.
Fumiya:
“This is really important to me… so you saved me. Thanks, both of you.”
Rui:
“Glad to hear that.”
Ryuusei:
“Since Sano treasured the card so much, what kind of person is the sender? Is it your lover?”
Fumiya:
“It’s not. Ah, yes yes. I understand why you’re interested in her. She’s charming after all. I have her picture, so I’ll let you see.”
Even though they didn’t ask for it, Fumiya took out his phone from the pocket on his chest. After opening it, he shows a picture to Rui and Ryuusei. The person in the picture is a lovely elementary school girl with soft, fluffy hair.
Fumiya:
“This is my angel, Mai.”
Rui:
“…eh, umm, an elementary school girl?”
Fumiya:
“Right! Cute, right? Angel, right!?”
Ryuusei:
“Sano. Are you a pervert?”
Rui:
“Perv—!? D-D-Don’t do that, Tachibana-sensei! Don’t be so direct…!!”
Fumiya:
“You’re so rude, Tachibana. I’m not a pervert. As the proof, I don’t care about anyone other than Mai.”
Ryuusei:
“I see. Then you’re not a pervert. I’m sorry.”
Fumiya:
“…heh. I thought Tachibana is a serious, stubborn person who’s dull and uninteresting like Issei… but you have a pleasant side as well. I like it.”
Ryuusei:
“Really? You’re the first person who said that to me.”
Fumiya:
“I feel that you’re a pleasant person once we dig things out of you. Ah, Saiga. You too.”
Rui:
“Eh? M-Me too? I don’t think so…”
Fumiya:
“Alright…!! We found the card, and now we’ve become friends too. Shall we deepen our friendship?”
Rui and Ryuusei don’t turn down Fumiya’s suggestion.
They’re starting to grow interested in each other, there’s no way they would refuse.
Rui:
“That’s a good idea! Let’s deepen it!!”
Fumiya:
“Well then, personally I don’t really like it… but I know a shop that has good food and drinks. Let’s go there. I’m a local resident of this town. I’ll guide you there.”
Ryuusei:
“I see. That’s reassuring to hear. Please do.”
From there, the three of them hold a social gathering at Siesta—a bar run by Fumiya’s friend.
The master, Takuto, brings out a prized drink for them, which ends up causing a huge commotion that involves the reason Fumiya loves Mai a lot, the way Ryuusei acts when he’s drunk, and also Rui’s secret.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that this “exposure” drinking party becomes the reason why Rui, Ryuusei and Fumiya often stick together…
