_RETURN_TO_ROUTINE
(Vol. 2 Track 2)

Kurono: (stretching) It’s gotten quite late. I should probably wake up Akane-san and make breakf— Huh? (sniffing) It smells like cigarettes…

Mashiro: (sleeping soundly)

Kurono: I should have guessed… Oi, Mashiro!

Mashiro: (peaceful breathing)

Kurono: How many times do I have to explain that this isn’t a hotel…! Just waltzing in here whenever he likes… Fine, whatever. Waking up Akane-san is far more important that dealing with this lowlife.

[sfx: Kurono walking, knocking on door]

Kurono: Good morning, Akane-san.

[no response]

Kurono: Hm? Akane-san…? 

[sfx: door opened by Kurono]

Kurono: Sorry to bother you, Akane-san…! He isn’t here…? Where else could he be, at this hour? 

[sfx: footsteps, Kurono picking up the phone, dialling – phone rings out with no response]

Kurono: No use, he’s not picking up…

[sfx: hanging up]

Kurono: Oi, Mashiro, wake up! I can’t find Akane-san anywhere! …I’ve had enough, get up already!

[sfx: Kurono shaking Mashiro awake, Mashiro’s bass clunking]

Kurono: A bass guitar? Here?

Mashiro: (sleepily) Hey… You shouldn’t go touchin’ people’s instruments without asking…

Kurono: What, you’re awake?

Mashiro: (stretching) You did just throw me around, after all.

Kurono: You’ve been sleeping here sprawled out all morning. More importantly, do you know where Akane-san went?

Mashiro: No clue how I could, given I only just woke up.

Kurono: And you didn’t hear anything? Any kind of hint?

Mashiro: (yawning) Nah. No clue.

[sfx: Mashiro getting up, walking off]

Kurono: (nervously) Akane-san, where could you be? Even if I just had an approximate location…

Mashiro: Oh, here we go again. Always doting on Akane-sama like you’re his mom or something.

Kurono: It’s not like that, I’m only…

[sfx: Mashiro opening the fridge]

Kurono: Hey! Don’t go stealing from our fridge!

Mashiro: But I’m hungry~! … Actually, hold on, what’s with all these fancy-looking cured hams?!

Kurono: Don’t take what doesn’t belong to you!

Mashiro: Oh, c’mon! You’re treating me like a genuine thief…

Kurono: You might as well be one! Crashing here uninvited in the middle of the night, then rummaging through our belongings… If you’ve had your fun, then just go home already!

Mashiro: (sighs) It’s my bad for coming so suddenly. But I already told you yesterday, didn’t I? I can’t go back to my place at the moment! 

Kurono: Karma comes for everyone eventually. That’s what you get for wandering around until late.

Mashiro: No, that’s not it. It’s not that I missed the last train. It’s, uh… Well, if I went home right now… there would probably be a girl ready for a fight standing outside my door!

Kurono: ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!

Mashiro: Gah, my ears…

Kurono: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? You’re Rubire’s bassist, don’t you care about that?!

Mashiro: I do! Of course I do! … But when you’re as wonderfully popular as I am—

Kurono: ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!

Mashiro: Jeez, you don’t need to say it again…

Kurono: WHAT’S WRONG WITH CALLING AN IDIOT AN IDIOT, YOU IDIOT!?

Mashiro: Agh… Fine, yeah, you’re right! It’s only fair, isn’t it.

[sfx: Mashiro walking away]

Kurono: Where do you think you’re doing!?

Mashiro: Where? Hah. Didn’t you tell me to go home already?

Kurono: (surprised noise for some reason) Well, that’s…!

Mashiro: I’m getting real hungry, so I’ll head in that direction and find something to eat. I’ll just kill time before we meet for work.

[sfx: Mashiro grabbing his things and leaving]

Mashiro: See ya around! Say hi to Akane for me.

…

Kurono: It’s too early for this, why does he… (sigh) It’s always the same with him… Hm…?

[sfx: Kurono picking up a pack of cigarettes]

Kurono: Cigarettes? 

[sfx: Kurono removing a cigarette, taking a few tries to light it, taking a drag and…]

Kurono: (coughing and spluttering uncontrollably)

[sfx: cigarette being stubbed]

Kurono: (strained) Guh, how could anyone enjoy that? …I really, really don’t get it.

…

Mashiro: Gan-chan!

Iwahara: Sorry, Mashiro, have you been waiting?

Mashiro: Nope. I just got here too.

Iwahara: Perfect, a model response. Still, this counts as arriving early, for you. 

Mashiro: Surely turning up last minute for our very first meeting would leave a bad first impression, right?

Iwahara: Maybe you could consider arriving this early in the future too?

Mashiro: Woah, don’t push your luck.

Iwahara: (laughs) It’s that building over there. Let’s head in.

…

Producer: Ah, Iwahara-san! 

Iwahara: Nice to see you again.

Producer: Thank you for taking the time to meet with us.

Iwahara: No, thank you! Apologies for keeping you.

Producer: Oh, you must be Fuyuki Mashiro-kun, yes?

Mashiro: Pleased to meet you.

Producer: Same here. I’m here as the Sound Producer for this project.

Mashiro: May I have your card?

[sfx: Producer presenting his business card]

Mashiro: Thank you very much.

Producer: I’ve been hearing a lot about Rubire from all over! Thank you for helping us with this project despite your busy schedule. 

Mashiro: Ah, not at all, thank you. It’s an honour. 

Producer: Our guest seems to have high hopes for you.

[sfx: door opening]

Producer: Oh, speak of the devil! The princess has arrived.

Musician: Fuyuki-san!

Producer: Oh, do you two already know each other?

Mashiro and Musician: Nope…! (giggling)

Musician: This is our first meeting! Right, Fuyuki-san?

Mashiro: Yes! Surely I would remember if we had met before, especially a lady this beautiful ~

Musician: (giggle) Oh, stop it, you’re making my heart flutter! You sound like a prince!

Mashiro: Well, our band leader is a king inside and out! Sadly, I’m just a commoner. I should introduce myself, I’m Mashiro Fuyuki. Nice to meet you.

Musician: You too, nice to meet you. …And, you?

Iwahara: I’m Rubia Leopard’s manager, Iwahara. 

Musician: Ah, their manager, right! Sorry, you’re so good-looking, I assumed you were a bandmember!

Iwahara: Not to worry. Thank you very much. (amused) If Fuyuki does anything rude, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Mashiro: Gan-chan, rude!

Musician: (giggling) I will! Ah, thank goodness. You two are so easy to talk to. 

Producer: (laughs) What, you were nervous?

Musician: I was! We’re talking about Rubia Leopard’s Mashiro-san here!

Mashiro: I was definitely more nervous than you were!

Musician: Come on now, you have nothing to worry about! We’re the same age, after all!

Mashiro: Really? Is that right?

Musician: I debuted when I was quite young! Maybe I’m starting to look old…

Mashiro: Absolutely not! Not even a little! I was just nervous because you’re my talented senpai!

Musician: Really, is that right?

Mashiro: Nothing but the truth!

Iwahara: Sorry to interrupt… I have another meeting to attend, I’ll need to be leaving soon.

Musician: Ah, I’m so sorry! I didn’t even end up talking about the project…

Iwahara: No need to apologise! I’ll leave Mashiro here in your care, so you’re free to do whatever you like with him.

Mashiro: Wh- Gan-chan! What gives?!

Musician: (giggles) Understood!

Iwahara: Don’t cause any trouble while I’m gone, Mashiro. 

Mashiro: Loud and clear… You’ve got no faith in me!

Producer: Ah, Iwahara-san, could I talk to you about something for a moment?

Iwahara: Yes, of course! What’s the matter?

[sfx: Iwahara and the producer walking away]

Musician: Uhm…

Mashiro: Hm? Yes?

Musician: Is it alright if I call you Mashiro-san?

Mashiro: Of course! We’re same age after all, aren’t we?

Musician: Very well, Mashiro-san! Thank you again for working with me.

Mashiro: Thank you for inviting me! Let’s make something great together, yeah?

Musician: I’m just so happy! For this project I only invited musicians I have a personal interest in.

Mashiro: …A personal interest?

Musician: Exactly. A personal one.