Fumi's Short Story
Translation of Fumi's concept art short story (original) for his birthday on June 14th. Story by Shin Towada (JJ lead writer and Ishida's sister). Art by Lownine. I'm not quite sure how to list spoilers for this one so I'll just say I guess no plot spoilers but some general character spoilers? Nothing major though.
The dance room stands empty. If one were to slowly take in a deep breath, they'd feel a sudden chill of loneliness.
Univeil Drama School.
Students here are encouraged to practice every day to prepare for their performances. As an all-boys school, the male and female roles are both played by boys. Classes compete with each other for superiority through their shows five times a year. It drives students to hold nothing back in making their plays the best.
One person now stands in the dance room. Fumi quietly calms his breathing. Apparently also known as Sarafumi Takashina, he's part of the 'transparent' Quartz class and now in his third and final year.
At this school, students in male and female roles are called Jacks and Jeannes. With his eye-catching looks and aggressively seductive charm, Fumi acts as a Jeanne. But he isn't just any Jeanne. Those responsible for lead roles are the ones who truly excel above the rest. The top of the Jeannes is the Al Jeanne. It's a heavy responsibility, but he always acted casually about it.
"Well then…"
Fumi takes out the music player. He presses play and music begins to flow in as if to ward away the silence. Closing his eyes, his body begins to sway slowly, ever so slightly. Vibrations echo through the room from the sound of his feet pressing firmly against the floor and up into the air. He opens his scarlet eyes and catches sight of himself in the mirror.
Al Jeannes can't just be all-around good at everything. They need an undefeatable weapon. For Fumi, the weapon is dance. With every step he swaps between his masculine power and feminine elegance.
Melding into the music, approaching a pure meditative state, a shadow of a person arises in the back of his mind.
(…Tsuki)
Fumi closes his eyelids to search his memories.
(…?)
In that moment, he feels eyes on him.
Those eyes look at Fumi for just a moment before the person turns to leave without saying a word.
(Ugh, this guy is always difficult)
Fumi turns off the music.
"Hey, did you come here for something?" he calls out. The other person stops walking. "Just speak your mind, Kai."
"….I'm disturbing you."
The man of few words is Kai -- Kai Mutsumi. He's also a Quartz student in the same year as Fumi.
"You're the Jack Ace. I wish you'd act more proud about it."
Much like Al Jeanne is the ultimate level of Jeanne, Jack Ace is the top of the Jacks. The two of them form Quartz's leading duo. Kai shakes his head in a refusal as if saying 'I don't want that.'
"I'm not the Jack Ace currently, since we're practicing for the newcomer's performance."
It's the spring season. Just a little while back, those who passed the rigorous auditions entered into Univeil as first-years. The newcomer's performance doubles as both a way to let them try lead roles and to display their talents. Roles have been decided on already and preparations are underway for the show in May.
"If you put it that way, then I'm also not the Al Jeanne."
As the typical leads, Fumi and Kai's duty is to act as support for the new students. Kai shakes his head again.
"Wherever you are, whenever it is, you are always the face of Quartz."
(Despite us both joining Univeil in the same class at the same time and now being the leading duo, you and I are not the same.)
Kai silently urges him with his eyes, standing still as a shadow. A sigh starts to spill out of Fumi's mouth. He gulps it back and shrugs his shoulders so that Kai doesn't notice.
"So, what'd you need?"
"I was told you're needed to consult on the dance for the performance."
"Ahh, that director of ours is the same as always. All right, gimme a bit more time and I'll head over."
Kai turns saying, "sorry for disturbing you,"and leaves the dance room.
After the door closes and Kai's presence fades, Fumi blows out the sigh he was holding in.
"'I'm not the Jack Ace.' Oh for fuck's sake. This guy… Well, I guess it's not all his fault is it?"
Fumi was selected as the Al Jeanne practically the moment he entered Univeil. He was partnered with a student two years older than him, the Jack Ace genius known as the pinnacle of Univeil. The same person who came to mind when dancing in his trance-like state.
--Tsuki Tachibana. That's the name of the genius.
The one who unleashed such dazzling brilliant light while standing on the Univeil stage. Even now, Fumi and the others stand in the shadow of the high wall he built.
Fumi begins to dance again. He spins and spins over and over like the dancer on top of a music box. Wanting to empty out his mind, turning, turning, turning. Twisting around in this dance room filled with such loneliness, he feels as if he might freeze over.
"…!"
Suddenly, he senses feverish heat.
(Ohh, it's that one is it?)
He glances towards the dance room mirror to catch the reflection of one of the new first-years.
This one has a Jeanne face, but strong determined features. He desperately tries to pick up the techniques as he watches Fumi dance, holding himself back to avoid interrupting.
The feverishly passionate gaze feels nice.
The infectious feeling spreads and Fumi's repetitive spinning round and round becomes a dance filled with passion.
(…Since it's for this one)
We completely change even ourselves, don't we? Feelings begin to well up in him, unsure if this is a premonition or a wish. It's all because of this younger student, the one with a face quite resembling the one of that genius.
"…Well now."
Fumi stops his dancing and turns his head.
"How was that, audience?"
The first-year who had been staring at the dance intently as if devouring it, quickly comes to his senses.
"I'm sorry for peeking in without asking!" he says quickly while bowing his head.
"Eh, it's fine. No big deal."
Fumi lightens the mood while slowly taking a step towards the new student.
(TL note: the verb for taking a step forward is 'fumidasu' 踏み出す which feels quite intentional)
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