- Why did Director-sensei call us together? – Taichi asked when he came into the living room.
All of the Autumn Troupe were already there – Juza and Banri were sitting next to each other on the sofa, Azami and Sakyo were sitting opposite them on the other sofa, and Omi was making coffee at the kitchen counter.
- She said she wanted to discuss our new play, - Sakyo explained.
- That's good, isn't it? – Omi walked over and set down a cup of coffee in front of Sakyo. - We'll have enough time to stage it during the summer.
- Hi everyone! Sorry for making you wait! – Director Izumi entered the living room together with Tsuzuru. – Tsuzuru-kun has an idea for your guys next play!
- We thought as much, - Sakyo was businesslike as usual. – So, what's it about?
- It's going to be an adaptation of "The Three Musketeers". I thought it would suit the Autumn Troupe best, - Tsuzuru responded meekly.
- Woah! That's an awesome idea! Neh, Ban-chan? – Taichi became all excited.
- Agree! I'm getting fired up! – Banri's eyes shone with enthusiasm.
- Do you already have a draft script, Tsuzuru-san? – Juza enquired, feeling as enthused as his boyfriend.
- No, not yet. I need you guys to tell me who's going to play what role so that I can… - Tsuzuru began to explain when he got interrupted:
- I'm playing D'Artagnan, - Banri said, putting his hand up. – It's the lead role, right?
- Aah?! Who said you could play D'Artagnan? Don't decide on your own! – Juza objected immediately.
- Duh, the token has spoken. Obviously, I'm a natural D'Artagnan among us. I'm the most handsome, smart, and skilled guy here, so this role can only be mine, - Banri blabbered cockily without noticing that Juza and Sakyo were silently fuming.
- Don't be so mean, Ban-chan! – Taichi snivelled plaintively. – We all know you're the best at everything, you don't need to say it straight like this!
- Settsu, you little!.. – Juza growled in exasperation. Sometimes he wanted to strangle Banri, and now was one of those times.
- Let him, Hyodo. He's enough of a brawler to play D'Artagnan easily, – Sakyo was rather pissed, but managed to keep it together. - Let's decide who's playing Athos.
- What's Athos like? – Taichi wondered.
- Athos is a noble, valiant knight with a troubled past that… - Tsuzuru began to explain but was interrupted again:
- I want to play Athos, - Juza raised his hand.
- I think Juza-kun will be perfect in this role, - Director Izumi approved.
- Yeah, it suits him, I guess. Athos and D'Artagnan start out as duelling opponents, but eventually become best friends, - Tsuzuru added.
- That's just like our Ban-chan and Juza-san! – Taichi said cheerfully.
- However, Athos is very fond and protective of D'Artagnan, - Tsuzuru noted while Juza's mouth hung open.
- Did you hear that, Hyodo? You should learn to be fond and protective of me! – Banri nudged him with an elbow.
- Yeah, already learning, - Juza stroked Banri's head, ruffling his hair.
- Oi, what the hell are you doing? You've messed up my hair! – Banri shoved Juza's hand away.
- Stop clowning, you punks! – Sakyo finally snapped, then adjusted his glasses and continued more calmly: - So, the next is Porthos. As far as I remember, Porthos is very tall and strong.
- That's right. And he likes to eat a lot, - Tsuzuru added.
- Looks like I'll be Porthos, although I don't so much like to eat as to cook, - Omi said with a placid smile. Director Izumi and Sakyo nodded in agreement.
- Alright, the remaining musketeer is Aramis. Can you remind us what this character is like? – Sakyo asked, addressing Tsuzuru.
- Um, he's very attractive, ambitious, and very popular with women, - Tsuzuru said contemplatively.
- Let me play Aramis! Maybe I'll finally become popular with girls! – Taichi entreated. Sakyo rolled his eyes with a defeated look.
- So, Nanao plays Aramis. What are the other roles? – he enquired sensibly.
- Well, besides the main roles of the musketeers, there are also Cardinal Richelieu, Milady de Winter, King Louis XIII, and Queen Anne, - Tsuzuru answered.
- Milady is the main villain, right? Playing an evil woman sounds fun. I wanna try, - Azami said with a devious smile.
- Azami-kun as Milady will definitely be great. Then, how about Sakyo-san playing Cardinal Richelieu? – Director Izumi said softly.
- I don't mind. Alternatively, I can play the king, - Sakyo responded calmly.
- Actually, the roles of the king and queen are minor, - Tsuzuru pointed out. – I guess Sakyo-san's Richelieu will be the most convincing.
- Alright then. The main cast is decided. Now we need to choose two actors from the other troupes to play the king and queen, - Director Izumi prompted.
- Hmm… The only one I can think of to play the king is Itaru-san. He has kingly laid-back aura, - Tsuzuru smiled.
- Ha-ha, that's true, - Banri laughed a bit. – Then Azuma-san will surely be great as the queen.
- By the way, - Azami chimed in. – It's going to be a costumed play, right? Then you guys have to grow out your hair for the roles unless you want to use wigs.
- Hmm, you have a point. – Sakyo drawled out thoughtfully. - Wigs don't look natural, the audience would certainly notice them. It seems like we have no choice but to grow out hair.
- Well, it doesn't apply to me though. My hair is good as it is, - Banri said self-confidently.
- Oh really? Somehow I can't picture D'Artagnan with a bowl cut like yours, – Juza responded wryly. Azami and Taichi snorted, stifling a laugh.
- What'd ya say?! – Banri bristled up instantly.
- Settsu, calm down. Hyodo is actually right, - Sakyo said in a no-nonsense tone.
- It's not a bowl cut, - Banri pouted resentfully, his ears flushed red with embarrassment. He knew Sakyo didn't mean it, but it sounded like the old man sided with Hyodo in trolling him about his fashionable hairstyle.
- Oi, quit sulking. You're our D'Artagnan, ain't you? – Juza put his arm over Banri's shoulders and shook him lightly.
- Shut up, - still blushing, Banri tried to hide a bashful smile as he pushed Juza's arm away. – Alright, let's give it all we got, guys. One for all and all for one! – he held out his hand, palm up.
- One for all and all for one! – the Autumn Troupe echoed in chorus, putting their hands over Banri's hand.
Notes:
I hope it made you smile! Writing this fic, I thought about the relationships in the Autumn Troupe and came up these relationship equations:
Juza + Banri = Love Forever (destined rivals - boyfriends - future lovers and partners)
Juza & Omi = Best Friends (mates, pals)
Banri & Tiachi = Sisters (Onee-san and little Nee-chan:-)
Omi & Banri = Nanny & Kid
Banri & Azami = Onee-san & Rookie
Sakyo & Banri = Teacher & Bad Student
Sakyo & Juza = Teacher & Good Student
Juza & Taichi = Cool Dude & Follower
Juza & Azami = Troupe Mates
Sakyo & Omi = Mutual Respect
Sakyo & Taichi = Teacher & Kindergartener
Sakyo & Azami = Father & Son
Omi & Taichi = Nanny & Kid
Omi & Azami = Nanny & Kid
Taichi & Azami = Extroverted Kid & Introverted Kid
Feel free to comment! ;)