Butlers - Chalk White Manor - 2

[verdantgrove]

 

Chalk White Manor - 2

Season: Summer

Writer: Kino Seitaro

Location: Inside Helicopter

Souma: Aah... Ahem. 

“The young mistress’s naivete is quite a troubling matter indeed.”

“As a ‘batoraa’ to such a venerable and distinguished noble family, it is my duty that I be more stern in my teaching her discipline.”

“Batoraa”... “Batoraa”?

Nazuna: Oh, you gotta move your lips a bit more―like “butler.” The emphasis is on the first syllable, and then the rest is just flat.

Souma: …”Batoraa”...

Hmm. I am left with a terribly strange feeling about this. Are you truly sure that I shall be able to read this correctly if I do so in this manner?

Lately I have been attempting to adapt my lifestyle to suit that of our modern “guroobaru” society through practicing English, but it has gone far from smoothly.

Nazuna: Hmm~ It’s not something you can learn in a day, so you’ll just need to put in more practice.

Makoto: But I still think your pronunciation’s improved, Kanzaki-kun.

Souma: I thank you. Hearing such words of praise instills in me the feeling that my training is bearing fruit.

However, Nito-dono has quite the strong foundation in pronunciation instruction, and so simply listening to him is quite beneficial to me. Such wonderful skill is only natural to expect of the former chairman of the Broadcasting Committee.

Nazuna: Yep. I was pretty bad at articulation, so I relearned everything from the ground up.

“She sells seashells by the seashore…” Stuff like that ♪

Souma: Ooh. Phrases meant to practice articulation, hm… I have been hearing plenty of those as of late.

Makoto: We read a lot of tongue twisters like that in the Broadcasting Committee. Ahaha, that brings back memories ♪

But I never thought little stuff like that would build up and create a foundation for me as an actor.

After all, live shows were the main focus back at Yumenosaki Academy.

Nazuna: You’re right, it does come in handy in unexpected situations, huh~?

When you first started school, you were so bad at asserting yourself, Mako-chin. But now you’re playing the main character in a movie! I would never have imagined you doing that last year♪

You have really good looks, Mako-chin, so maybe you were actually born to be an actor.

Reciting scripts, and acting according to the director’s wishes―Maybe you’ll get more and more of this line of work in the future ♪

Makoto: No no no, I’m an idol, not an actor!

Souma: There is a saying that “one may be blessed by the heavens with two boons at once”—I believe such a thing may ring true for you.

You are truly quite reliable indeed. I, as well, am not accustomed to work involving acting, and so I shall consult you from time to time.

Makoto: I don’t really think I’m cut out to be much of a consultant, but— 

I get where you’re coming from. Kanzaki-kun, you’re really good at stage combat and action scenes, aren’t you? So you can teach me all about that in exchange ♪ 

Souma: Ah, if that is what you desire, I am quite skilled in that regard. I heard that we shall be fighting with martial arts in this film, and so I expect that my movements shall serve as a suitable reference.

Nazuna: Action guidance from Souma-chin, huh~ Maybe I should take some too.

The story’s about five butlers who drive off burglars targeting their young mistress, after all. If I don’t look strong enough for the part, the whole concept would fall apart.

I can’t let myself get left behind by my juniors in Ra*bits just because I’ve been on hiatus~ I’ll do my best to make up for lost time.

Souma: Fufu. In any case, if the objective is to appear strong, I would have liked to star in a period drama such as “Banpaia Shogun”, my beloved sword in hand...

Nazuna: Didn’t Keito-chin tell you to “leave anything unnecessary for the filming behind” back at the agency~?

Souma: Mhm. Hasumi-dono’s word triumphs all.

However, a warrior’s blade is their very soul. In situations where it is forbidden for me to carry my sword, I feel terribly restless.

I feel almost as though I am being made to live under the Sword Abolishment Edict of the Meiji era...

Makoto: Well, if it’s that bad, why don’t you try doing something else to take your mind off it? How about we all try going through the script together?

Souma: I concur. I would be truly grateful to have your company as I practice.

Makoto: HiMERU-kun, don’t just look at your script all by yourself like that— if you’re cool with it, you should join in ♪ 

HiMERU: —You would like HiMERU to join in? 

Nazuna: Why not? Don’t be shy~ You don’t have to get all buddy-buddy with us or anything, but we’re going to the same filming location anyway, so wouldn’t it be easier on everyone if we did a read-through beforehand~?

Souma: Precisely as Nito-dono said.

There is, unfortunately, no shortage of individuals who view KureijiBii as a great threat. I, too, am rather ashamed of a number of incidents in my own past.

What’s more, I would still like to ascertain whether or not you are someone in whom I can place my trust.

HiMERU: —Hm. Very well. HiMERU was quite apprehensive to speak to you for fear that he would be thought of as an eyesore, if he is to be completely honest.

But he will concede. HiMERU is quite curious to see the extent of all of your acting abilities before we begin filming, after all.

Nazuna: That’s decided then! Let’s read through the script until we arrive!

Let’s surprise Izumi-chin with our super polished acting once he joins us...♪

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Collaboration with moricchiichan. 

 

Proofread by an anonymous contributor and Souta.