kumakuma

〈Location: Simple Studio〉
〈2 hours later〉

Suou: The cat didn’t let go during the retrospective after all.

In the end...... fufu. It’s pretty cute isn’t it, sleeping so soundly on Ritsu-senpai’s lap ♪

Ritsu: It’s not cute at all...... It’s hot and it’s noisy when it meows, it’s a terribly unlucky black cat.

Leo: Oi, don’t just call the cat 'cat'! We gave it a name earlier, didn’t we~?

It’s 'd’Artagnyan¹'! Our newest knight who has been drawn in by us ‘Knights’!

Ritsu: Huh. 'd’Artagnyan' is a good one. But weren’t you saying something like 'Nekojiro'?

Suou: I’m pretty sure Sena-senpai rejected it and said a name like that “has no sense”.

Izumi: That’s right. Leo-kun really has no naming sense. The others we had were things like 'Catty' and 'Nekosuke'......

Thanks to that, I’d thought about going home so many times.

Arashi: But we did manage to hold the retrospective properly, so you shouldn’t get angry ♪

Izumi: Yeah yeah. If I recall, several of the newcomers ended up quitting?

Suou: Yes. The ones who imagined ‘Knights’ to be something else stated they were leaving.

At the very least I would have liked to see them really get involved, like d’Artagnan― d’Artagnyan here.

Arashi: Aren’t young people these days bad at that? I think it’s that they’re denying the problems they’re facing without listening to each other……?

Izumi: You’re still young yourself, Naru-kun. If you’re saying that, then doesn’t that make us OBs² old people~?

Arashi: Oh dear. Don’t you think I’ve taken on a senpai-like air?

But if you think back on it, ‘Knights’ has been quarrelling for ages.

It might even act as a strong incentive for mature children― in other words, I think Suou-chan’s judgement is correct.

Leo: Yep. Stuff like deciding on the newcomers, we’ll leave that to ‘Ousama’ Suo~.

So, it’s like a guy that comes back to prove himself after being told to quit will come back better than before. Suo~ is that type of person, right~?

Suou: Ahaha. I’m embarrassed……

In that sense, then d’Artagnyan’s a rising star who came from the countryside.

Ritsu: No no. Don’t just up and make it a member of ‘Knights’. I’ll end up suffering.

Leo: If you put it that way, then you’re Athos³, Rittsu! As the oldest of the Musketeers, you’ve gotta take care of the newcomer!

Ritsu: Can you not turn me into a character just like that? I’ll be really inconvenienced.

This cat― d’Artagnyan what does it see in me? Sure, I take naps during lunch, but I’m not seeing the resemblance between me and a cat.

But just kicking it out with no good reason is a bit too heartless, if only there was some way it would move away by itself.

Arashi: Right. All this time it’s been clinging to you weirdly― could it be that it finds Ritsu-chan’s scent comforting?

If that’s the case, shouldn’t we think about it this way? It might be satisfied with something that has Ritsu-chan’s scent on it...... ☆

Ritsu: Huh, I see. Something that’s got my scent on it, huh?

......How should I put this, I can only come to an unpleasant conclusion.

Suou: An unpleasant conclusion......? Could it be you’ll be terribly saddened once you’re free?

Ritsu: No. I’m happy I’ll be free, but the only thing in this simple studio that has my scent on it......

Suou: The thing that’s always in this studio is Ritsu-senpai’s favourite blanket...... isn’t it?

Ritsu-senpai. If we give the cat the blanket, it’ll probably let go of you, so should we give it a try?

Ritsu: No way, no way. I really like that blan―

Uwah!?

Ah, wait! Don’t suddenly pounce for my blanket you idiot cat!

Suou: Aaah......! That’s no good, the cat’s mistaken Ritsu-senpai’s blanket for a toy!

Please stop! You haven’t gotten permission to touch it yet?

......it’s not listening to a word. As they say, cats really just do what they want.

Ritsu: Ughh, I underestimated how fast this guy is......!

Give it back……! I don’t want such an unlucky black cat to use my blanket......! Everyone else, help me out here! I’m gonna take my blanket back......!

Leo: Oi oi. There’s no need to get so worked up over something like this right, Rittsu?

I know it’s a bother but if you get violent in here then it’ll be dangerous, no?

Ritsu: Nope, I really like that blanket! I really will not allow it to use it so unreservedly.

Ah, don’t sharpen your claws on it! Why is this happening to me, this stupid cat is―

Suou: Sorry, Ritsu-senpai. I apologise for making such a big fuss over something that could have been solved simply. If necessary, I’ll compensate you afterwards.

That being said, please calm down, Ritsu-senpai.

From here on we should concentrate on the lesson, since it would be wasteful if we don’t properly use what little time we have left before Sena-senpai has to leave again.

Ritsu: Doing something like cutting off someone who has gotten close to you just because they’re a hindrance......

If it has to come to that, then it’s much better to have just stayed far away in the first place!

That’s why I hated it! This guy, acting so brazenly without knowing anything…… I should have made my refusal clearer......!

Otherwise the only conclusion is for everyone to hurt each other. So―!

Suou: Ritsu-senpai...... P-please calm down! You're being a little strange today?

Calm, calm ......♪ Hey, this isn’t like the usual Ritsu-senpai.

Ritsu: But......!

Izumi: ......Kuma-kun, that’s enough.

Ritsu: Secchan......?

Izumi: Are you okay, Kuma-kun?

I have bad days too, but today’s the day me and Leo-kun― ‘Knights’s OBs are here together?

If you make a racket it’ll ruin the mood you know?

I don’t know if it was because of the cat, but you couldn’t concentrate during the retrospective, could you?

If you’re really not feeling it, maybe it’ll be better if you go take a nap like you always do?

Or, how about you explain yourself to me and Leo-kun? Maybe it’s better now that the generation's changed, us OBs should just hurry up and retire?

Ritsu: No, that’s not what I said―

Leo: Sena, I’m going to have to stop you there.

Rittsu’s in the wrong for getting worked up, but we shouldn’t be making light of it you know~?

Izumi: I know what you mean, but it’s just that don’t you think they’re being rude given that we’ve finally come home after so long?

You know how hard it is to make a round trip between Florence and Japan, right, Leo-kun?

Leo: I know I know. The oh-so-long trip to Japan is really difficult!

But, if you keep fighting, then it can’t be helped. Let’s leave it for today. This isn’t a place where you should just pull out your sword, this is a retrospective.

Izumi: ......Hmph.

Suou: I’m sorry, Sena-senpai. I wasn’t considerate enough.

As Leo-san suggested, let’s end it here for today. Ritsu-senpai, you’re okay with that too, right?

Ritsu: Yeah. I’ve cooled off a little now.

Sorry I went overboard...... I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.

Notes:
¹ d’Artagnan is the protagonist of story of The Three Musketeers

² OB standing for 'old boys' or alumni/ graduates

³ Athos is the oldest of the Three Musketeers and is very protective of d'Artagnan in the story

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