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dialovers-translations · 2 years

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DIABOLIK LOVERS MORE CHARACTER SONG Animate Tokuten Drama CD ”Mr. Vampire’s Gloomy Working Lifestyle”

Original title: ミスターヴァンパイアの憂鬱なるバイト生活

Source: DIABOLIK LOVERS MORE CHARACTER SONG Animate Tokuten Drama CD ”Mr. Vampire’s Gloomy Working Lifestyle” [CD not owned by me]

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Toriumi Kousuke, Kaji Yuki, Takahiro Sakurai, Kimura Ryouhei, Kishio Daisuke

Translator’s note: This CD has been mentioned so many times to me as the elusive ‘Shuu works as a cashier’ CD and finally I got the chance to translate it! Up till now, only a short sample clip was circling the internet, but one of my wonderful followers purchased the CD and shared the audio with me. uwu Even though this CD doesn’t have a lot of my favorite (aside from Shuu), I still enjoyed it a lot! It was so much fun to imagine the absolute chaos breaking loose as these 5 Vampires try to run a convenience store.

ーー NOW FOR THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM. Am I tripping or does Azusa sound totally different in this track??? His voice sounds a lot softer? Or like more high-pitched??? Azusa stans back me up here.

→ LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

*Ding・dongー Ding・dongー*

Ruki: Please excuse us.

Ruki closes the door.

*Rattle*

Ruki: Haah...

Shuu: Pwaah...What a drag...

Ruki: Oi. Sakamaki’s eldest.

Shuu: What? I’d like to go home as soon as I can.

Ruki: My younger brother caused trouble this time. Allow me to apologize as his older sibling.

Shuu: Haah...? I honestly don’t give a damn...Or are you trying to say that I should apologize as well? ‘I’m sorry that my stupid, foolish little brother caused trouble’ or something like that?

Ruki: Not at all. I don’t expect you to have such common sense. It’s just...

Shuu: ‘Just’...?

Ruki: How are you going to deal with the bill for the broken window...?

Shuu: That idiot Ayato is the one who broke the window. It’s none of my business.

Ruki: You still dare call yourself his older brother? Besides, it doesn’t work like that, you know? You’ve seen this document as well, haven’t you?

*Flip*

Kou: Hmm~~? What’s this?

Ruki: Kou! How long have you been standing there?

Kou: Geez, how rude! I was so kind to wait for you out here after I heard that you had been called to the student counseling room! Right, Azusa-kun?

Azusa: Mm...Kou said the three of us could go home together. Besides, we were worried as well...

Shuu: Seems like you guys are as close-knit as always. It’s almost making me gag.

Azusa: Ruki. Were you scolded?

Ruki: It wasn’t directed towards me. You remember that Yuma and Sakamaki Ayato got into a fight yesterday, right? It was about that case.

Kou: If I recall correctly, it was some really silly argument about who had to step aside and make place for the other in the hallway, right? ...So that’s why the big brother duo was summoned.

Azusa: It must be rough to be the oldest...So, Ruki? What’s on that piece of paper?

Ruki: We were given it by the student counselor earlier.

Kou: Okay, read it out loud, Shuu-kun.

Shuu: Haah? Why me?

Kou: Because I’m pretty confident you’ll fall asleep if you’re not the one talking.

Shuu: ...

*Flip*

Shuu: ...’We demand a reimbursement for the broken window and other damage dealt by Sakamaki Ayato and Mukami Yuma’...It says.

Azusa: In other words...They want the two of you to compensate for the broken goods...?

Ruki: Exactly. Since both parties were deemed equally responsible, the costs were split at the very least.

Kou: It’s still bad either way, right? What are you gonna do?

Shuu: Well...I’m sure it’ll fix itself eventually. I’m heading home.

Shuu walks away.

Kou: As to be expected, Mr. Rich Boy has nothing to worry about. ...Judging from the destruction those two caused yesterday, I’d imagine it’s a lot of money to pay, right?

Ruki: I can only assume they will end up relying on that man to get them out of this mess. Good grief...This is exactly why I cannot stand aristocrats.

Azusa: What will we do, Ruki? Do we have that much money to spare...?

Ruki: This is Yuma’s responsibility, and in other words, my responsiblity as his older brother as well. I cannot rely on that man. Especially not in our situation.

Kou: Do you have another plan in mind?

Ruki: If not, we can simply come up with something. Kou, Azusa. The two of you will lend me a hand as well.

Kou: Eeeh~?

Ruki: I won’t force you, but know that means there will be no Vongole Bianco on the menu for the next three months.

Kou: Eeeehーー!? What!? That’s too much! My Vongole-chan has nothing to do with this!

Ruki: At present, the purchase of clams required to make the dish put quite a bit of strain on our overall family budget. If you are willing to give that up so we can use that extra money to pay the bill, you don’t have to help out at all.

Kou: How could you! This is unreasonable!

Azusa: How about Vongole Bianco without clams?

Kou: Do you even know what ‘Vongole’ means, Azusa-kun? It means ‘clams’! A Vongole without clams wouldn’t be a Vongole anymore!

Ruki: Azusa. You will help out as well. Okay?

Azusa: ...Mm. Of course. Brothers should have each other’s back...right?

Kou: Aaah, fine, fine! I get it. There’s no way I’m holding off on Volgole, so I’ll help out as well.

Azusa: But, Ruki...How are you going to earn money?

Ruki: There is only way...We are getting a job.

*TIMESKIP*

A customer leaves the store.

Ruki: Thank you for your visit.

Kou: Thank you for your visit~!

Azusa: Thank you...for your visit...

Shuu: ...For your visit.

Kanato: (mumbles) Thank you for your visit...

Ruki: You need to speak up a little, Sakamaki Kanato! Also, do something about your expression. An employee is expected to show a friendly smile!

Kanato: Thank you very much for the useless information. ...Anyway, could you give me an explanation first? What is this about?

Kou: What do you mean? We’re just five Vampires working a part-time job at a convenience store?

Kanato: I can tell that much. What I want to know is why I’m included in this farce as well.

Azusa: It’s not just you, Kanato-san...Shuu-san is here too.

Kanato: That hardly makes any sense either, does it? What is the individual who is the least likely to be associated with labor doing here?

Ruki: I have to admit, that struck me as odd as well. ...Why are you here as well, Sakamaki Shuu?

Kou: You guys can simply ask your papa for help and he’ll hand you the money just like that, no? So I don’t understand why you’d bother getting a job...

Shuu: It’s the exact opposite...Rather than giving us the money we need, he decided that we wouldn’t get any money at all this month. He told us that we shouldn’t rely on our parents to solve our problems, but take responsiblity and fix the mess ourselves.

Kanato: Hold up...Is that why the selection of food at dinner has been so sparce as of late?

Shuu: I guess so. I mean, we’re Vampires so we don’t exactly need food to survive, but you guys like to eat anyway, right? Stuff like sweets or takoyaki...

Kanato: No wonder I couldn’t find a single snack in the house...In other words, this is all Ayato’s fault, correct? I understand the situation. ...I understand, but I don’t agree with it. Why do I have to cover for something Ayato did?

Shuu: Beats me...I guess you were the one with the most free time on hands?

Kanato: ...!! Do not be ridiculous. In that case, Ayato or Subaru seem like much better candidates, no? For one, shouldn’t Ayato be the one taking responsiblity since he is the one who did it?

Shuu: Agreed...I would have made him do the work as well, if it wasn’t for the fact that he’s currently imprisoned in the dungeon as his punishment.

Azusa: Ayato-san...is locked up?

Shuu: By the Old Man. He’s also not allowed to have any takoyaki for a whole six months.

Kou: Uwah~ In my case that would be half of year with no Vongole Bianco. No way, I wouldn’t survive! I actually pity Ayato-kun for once...

Azusa: That man...must be quite mad.

Kanato: Then what about Subaru?

Shuu: Subaru and Laito were dragged off by Reiji. You’ve heard him talk about this special bargain sale as well, right? Apparently there’s a limit per person, so he needed some extra reinformencements. Since you refused to go with them, it also meant you were the only one left at home.

Kanato: ...I basically had to choose between a rock and a hard place though.

Ruki: Meanwhile Yuma is currently under house arrest. I assume he is working on his letter of apology as we speak. Therefore, the three of us have decided to step up instead. ...That being said, I did not expect to find the eldest of the Sakamaki’s here after he already neglected his responsiblity once. What has caused this sudden change of mind?

Shuu: ...Shut up. I have my reasoning.

Ruki: Reasoning, huh? Well, in that case, I will make sure that you help us out here. We will only make it harder on ourselves by constantly bickering.

Azusa: If we cause an issue here as well...Not only will we not get paid for the job...but compensation fee will only increase...

Kou: Oh don’t worry~! If we just give it our everything today, we’ll have the money we need in no time!

Kanato: Why are you guys so motivated anyway? I don’t understand at all.

Ruki: We personally know what it’s like to have to survive with little money after all.

Kou: As well as how hard it is to go without food for multiple days.

Azusa: If we can earn money by doing something as easy as this, we’d honestly work around the clock...

Shuu: It sounds serious coming from you guys, so cut it out.

Kanato: That might be the case, but this just isn’t for me. I’m going home. If we don’t have any money at the moment, then Shuu will simply have to provide it. He may be a lazy sloth, but he’s still the eldest of the family. Therefore, it’s his duty to take responsibility, isn’t it?

Shuu: Be my guest. However, just know that there won’t be any afternoon snack for you from tomorrow onwards.

Kanato: ...!! You’re playing it dirty, Shuu! Are you taking my sweets hostage!?

Shuu: I heard that the amount of money we have to spend on your snacks is no joke. Reiji was crying over it.

Ruki: You should provide for your own food. You should take a lesson from Yuma who grows his own crops.

Kou: That being said, the money we have to spend on his sugar cubes isn’t just a little bit either.

Azusa: The same goes for your clams, right...?

Shuu: What will you do, Kanato?

Kanato: ...Fine! I understand! However, only for one day. Furthermore, don’t give me any of the troublesome work.

Azusa: Kanato-san...You must want to eat sweets that badly.

Somebody enters the store.

Azusa: ...Ah. We’ve got a customer. ーー Wait. Huh?

Kou: Who do we have here...~? If it isn’t M-neko-chan! What brings you here? Dong groceries?

Shuu: Why are you here...? Don’t tell me, did Reiji send her here...?

Kanato: Hah! ...I bet she came here after he asked her to keep an eye on us to see whether or not we’re doing a proper job? She’s so gullible, she’ll do anything people ask of her without questioning it.

Kou: Wow~ Those are some pretty harsh things to say to a customer, don’t you think, Kanato-kun?

Kanato: She does not count as a customer as long as she hasn’t taken anything from the shelf, let alone bought something.

Ruki: Haah...Sakamaki Kanato. As I expected, we’ll have you work in the back. I can’t allow someone who doesn’t know how to be friendly stand at the register. It’ll affect the store’s reputation. Azusa, you help him out.

Azusa: Mmh. But...What should we do?

Ruki: You can start by refilling the drink section in the back. Don’t shake the carbonated ones under any circumstances. Understood?

Azusa: Roger. ...You really know everything, don’t you, Ruki?

Ruki: I made sure to have the shop owner fill me in on everything we would need to know beforehand. Right now, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to call me a true ‘convenience store connoisseur’.

Shuu: ...You know, sometimes I wonder if you guys’ older brother is actually just a big idiot?

Kou: Ruki-kun is just very serious about the duties given to him.

Azusa: Well then, let’s go...Kanato-san.

Kanato: Haah...Why do I have to do this?

Kanato and Azusa walk away.

Shuu: ...So, what are you actually here for?

You explain.

Shuu: It’s a coincidence? I mean, this convenience store is close to our campus but still...

You ask what they are doing here.

Kou: The five of us? ...As you can see, we’re currently at work~

Ruki: We have our reason to be here, just don’t think about it too hard.

Shuu: You’re here to buy something, right? Then get it over already and be on your merry way. I’m working right now, so I don’t have time to give you attention now.

You walk towards the shelves to grab your groceries.

Ruki: I did not expect Livestock would drop by...

Kou: However, this is perfect, no? Shuu-kun~ Why don’t you practice using the cash register with M-neko-chan?

Shuu: Hah...? Why me?

Ruki: Right. You might come off as rude towards someone who doesn’t know the situation. She’s the perfect practice buddy.

Shuu: ...What a pain.

You return to the register.

Kou: Ah, look! Here she comes!

*Thud*

Shuu: ...And of course she picked out half of the store.

*Rustle rustle*

Shuu: Magazines and sweet pastries..Hah. A bottle of vegetable juice which is ‘packed with iron’, huh? ...Are you picking a fight with us, perhaps? If you want this stuff so badly, go ahead and scan it yourself. Why do I have to use energy on the things you want to buーー

*THUD*

Shuu: ...Ow!

Ruki: My sincere apologies, miss.

Shuu: ...What are you doing?

Kou: I mean, it’s the only way to get you to actually work, right? It’s the same thing as when they smack a slow horse with a whip to get it to go faster.

Ruki: By the way, Reiji has asked me to make sure you actually do something. He even gave me permission to smack you with a whip if you showed no signs of motivation.

Shuu: Reiji, that bastard...I can’t believe he’s been sneakily planning all of this behind my back...

Kou: Come on, you’re making our customer wait!

Shuu: Che...What a pain. I just have to do it, right?

*Beep*

Shuu: That’ll be 180 yen for this...

*Beep*

Shuu: and an additional 218 yen for this one...

*Beep*

Shuu: 580 yen for this...

Ruki: Oi, there’s a packed lunch amongst her items. You haven’t forgotten what to do in this case, right?

Shuu: I don’t need to heat this up for you, right? Someone like you doesn’t deserve any better than cold fooーー

*THUD*

Shuu: ...Ugh!

Ruki: Nevermind. Kou. Show him how it’s done.

Kou: Okay~! Guess it’s my turn now~!

*Rustle*

Kou: Sorry for the wait, miss. Would you like me to heat up this lunch box for you?

You nod.

Kou: As you wish! A few minutes, please.

Kou puts the bento box in the microwave oven.

*Beep beep*

*BZZZT*

Kou: Would you like me to put the packed lunch in a different bag?

You nod again.

Kou: Okay! Oh, could I perhaps recommend to you this limited edition ‘Bloody Chicken’?

*Rustle*

Kou: (whispers) You see, I had a little nibble earlier and it was delicious! So good, I really want you to give it a try as well! What do you think? Would you like some?

Ruki: How’s that, Sakamaki Shuu? This is how you’re supposed to serve customers. You have to capture the customer’s heart and prompt them to purchase your goods. Kou truly makes for the perfect employee. As to be expected of an idol.

Shuu: Rather than the perfect employee, I think you meant to say that he’d make for a perfect scam artist? ...Besides, he just admitted to eating some of the store’s food earlier. You’re allowing that?

Ruki: ...!! Kou...!?

Kou: Don’t worry, Ruki-kun~! I only had the piece which I accidentally dropped when putting everything into the frier, so I didn’t take any of the store’s goods.

Ruki: Fool! Every loss counts! That is the spirit of any salesman! Remember that well!

Kou: Geez, I’m sorry! Besides, we’re only part-time workers so how much the store sells doesn’t actually matter to us, right? No need to get so upset.

Ruki: Do not spout such nonsense! While we may only be temporary workers, now that we’ve been entrusted with this task, we cannot afford the store to suffer any loss!

Shuu: Was that guy really born rich?

Kou: Ruki-kun’s a wordly-wise man after all.

*Thud thud*

Kanato: (muffled) Aah! God!! How many times do I have to tell you...!?

Kou: Seems like they’re having an argument back there...

Kanato: (muffled) Whatever! You’ve done enough! I’ll take it over from here!

Ruki: I’d love to go check up on them, but seems like we don’t have the time for that.

More customers enter the store.

Ruki: We can’t step away from the register.

...Hm. Oi, Livestock! Go take a look in the back!

You nod.

Shuu: Are you sure you can give an outsider permission into the store?

Ruki: It’s no problem. I have already taken measures.

Kou: We’re counting on you then. Good luck~!

You leave for the back of the store.

*TIMESKIP*

Kanato: Haah...Once again, not that one! How many times do I have to tell you

Azusa: But...

Kanato: No buts! ...Azusa, do you even have the will to work?

Azusa: I do. ...If anything, you’re the one who was lacking motivation, no?

Kanato: Hah! I still don’t have any at present.

Azusa: Mmh. But, I’m happy...That you’re helping me like this...

Kanato: I’m not doing it because I want to. I just have no other choice when working with someone as incompenent as you. Come on! Why don’t you try moving your hands instead of your mouth?

Azusa: Ah...Yeah. Then I’ll open this box next, okay?

Azusa cuts open the box.

Azusa: There we...go...

*Rustle rustle*

Azusa: Ah...Ow...Fufu...I cut myself...

You rush towards Azusa.

Azusa: Huh? ...You came here...Aah...This injury? Don’t worry...It’s nothing serious.

Kanato: Did you cut yourself again? How many times have you done it now, Azusa?

Azusa: Fufu...I’m sorry, Kanato-san. My hand slipped...

Kanato: The items are safe, right? Don’t tell me you got blood on them?

Azusa: No need to worry about that. I made sure to cut myself on the other side.

Kanato: ...Good. Now hurry up and wrap a bandage around it so you can get back to work.

Azusa: Roger~... Fufu...Fufufu...I wonder what name I should give this cut? ...I know. I’ll call you ‘Lily’. I doubt it’ll leave a permanent scar but...I look forward to spending time with you until you heal, Lily...~

Azusa walks away to tend to his injury.

Kanato: You’ll help me out until Azusa returns. It isn’t anything difficult, really. All you have to do is get the cans of juice from these boxes and place them on this shelf over here. I’m sure even someone like you can handle that, right?

We’ve barely made any progress because Azusa kept on having to take a break every time he hurt himself. Come on, get to it already.

You start helping out.

*RIIIIP*

*Thud thud thud*

Kanato: One second. Which cans did you put in that row just now?

You answer.

Kanato: No! That row is for the canned coffee in the box next to that one. For one, when putting down juice marketed towards children, it’s common sense to put them on the lower shelves, is it not? I can’t believe you would place them all the way on top. You really never think when you act, do you?

*Rustle*

Azusa: It’s quite admirable...how much thought Kanato-san has put into this, don’t you think? Don’t you think he should become the shop owner?

Kanato: Please do not start spouting nonsense from the second you’ve returned, it grinds my gears.

Azusa: I’m sorry for having you take over my job...I’ll do the rest, okay? Thank you.

You hear commotion in the back.

Azusa: Hm...? What could be happening...?

Kanato: It is awfully noisy. Let’s go take a look. Come on, you’re joining us as well.

The three of you return to the main part of the store.

*TIMESKIP*

Azusa: Oh...Look at all those customers...

*Rustle rustle*

Azusa: Ugh...Excuse me...Could you...let us...through...?

*Rustle rustle*

Kanato: ...Ugh...

*Rustle*

Kanato: What is this ruckus about, Shuu?

Shuu: Don’t ask me. It happened before I knew it.

Kanato: Haah...Were you sleeping while standing again?

Ruki: It seems like people found out that Kou is working here. Female customers have been coming in one after the other ever since.

Azusa: As to be expected of Kou...He’s super popular.

*Rustle rustle*

Kou: Wait, wait! It’s dangerous, so don’t push! No need to rush, Kou-kun won’t run away~ ...I’m sorry for giving you all a shock. I’m working here with my brothers today due to certain circumstances. I’d rather not have this become a big deal so will you please cooperate? It’s a personal request from your beloved Kou-kun~? Of course, if you’re all good girls...you’ll get a reward afterwardsーー Okay~?

He winks as the girls go crazy.

Kanato: Excuse me...? Why is he only making it even more noisy?

Shuu: I don’t care how, just do something about this. I’m going to become deaf at this point.

Ruki: Hm? Now that you mention it...Where are your earphones?

Shuu: ...They were sold to a pawnshop.

Ruki: Hah?

Shuu: They’re waiting for me at a pawnshop right now.

Azusa: So that’s why you want money, Shuu-san...

Kou: Okay, okay, no pushing! Now form a queue! One person at a time! ー Ah! Don’t drop any of the goods!

Ruki: I cannot watch this any longer.

Kanato: Agreed.

Azusa: Ruki? Kanato-san?

*THUD*

Kanato: Shut up, you inferior human vermin...!!

Kou: Kanato-kun! They’re customers, rememーー

Ruki: It is fine, Kou. Anyone who can not even properly stand in line doesn’t have the right to be treated as a customer.

Listen up, livestockーー!! Right now, you lot cannot even be called human. You are nothing but pathetic livestock gathering around a delicious treat!

Azusa: Ah...Seems like Ruki has finally neglected his responsiblity as an employee as well...

The crowd grows even more restless.

Kanato: Aah...Will they please just shut up already? It’s too loud...!! In this case, I guess I have no other choice but to crush them one by one...

*Rustle*

Kanato: ーー You, over there! Why are you over at the register when you haven’t even picked anything from the shelf yet!? If you want to pay with Kou that badly, then at least start by putting something in your shopping cart!

*Rustle*

Kanato: Meanwhile you messed up the order of the products, didn’t you? I’m the one who put in effort to organize them earlier, you know? Unforgivable...

Ruki: Anyone who commits a misconduct in this store from here on out will receive a fitting punishment. We take no complaints. After all, you are not customers, but livestock! Those who have understood this message and wish to pay for their purchases, please form a proper line and wait for your turn.

Kanato: Shuu...Don’t be spacing out and go stand at the cash register over there. You don’t think you can rest while all of us are working, do you?

Shuu: What a drag...

Ruki: Azusa. You go and keep an eye on the livestock waiting outside of the store. So they don’t cause any issues for the people passing by.

Azusa: Okay, I understand...

Azusa walks away.

Ruki: You will remain at the register, Kou. However, I want to see no fan service. I don’t want to incur any more chaos.

Kou: Okaaayー

Ruki: Oi, Livestock. ーー I’m not talking to the customers, but to you.

You tilt your head to the side.

Ruki: We’re running low on people, so you’ll help out as well. ...Heh, good thing I predicted this sort of situation and registered you as one of the part-time workers beforehand.

...Listen up, Livestock. If you manage to deal with this rampant group of your peers, I will give you a reward later as well.

*Rustle*

Ruki: Now, get to work, Livestock! For the store! For the money! And for us!

*TIMESKIP*

*Rustle*

Kou: Phew~ Good work, everyone! Geez, a part-time job shouldn’t be underestimated~

Shuu: All of the shelves are completely empty...Did we do the right thing?

Ruki: Apparently we set a new record for sales. There is nothing bad about that.

Azusa: But...It was fun. Right, Kanato-san?

Kanato: ...Hmph. I will never do this again if my sweets aren’t on the line.

Ruki: Well, we received a generous salary because the sales were so good. It should be more than plenty to pay for all of the damages.

*Rustle*

Kou: Huh? M-neko-chan, you didn’t know anything?

Shuu: In short, you’ve been working yourself to the bone for the ‘double idiot squad Ayato and Yuma’. You even risked yourself getting jostled by the crowd of fangirls for them. My consolences.

Ruki: Well, you worked well today as well. We will make sure to compensate.

Kou: All of the money went to the bill though so we’ll have to do it some other way, right?

Azusa: What would you like?

Kanato: Why bother asking? There is only one thing this girl would want.

Shuu: Exactly. Now, come here. Show me your hand.

*Rustle*

Shuu: ...Iron-rich vegetable juice. You wanted this one, right?

Azusa: You missed out on buying it earlier after all...So we decided to purchase it for you.

Kou: Come on, you’ve just finished work, so you must be parched, right?

You take a sip from the vegetable juice.

Kanato: You drank it, right?

Ruki: She sure did.

Shuu: Haha...You really never learn, do you?

They gather around you.

*Rustle rustle*

Shuu: Now your iron levels have been restored...So we can suck your blood without having to worry about it, right?

Kanato: Due to not getting much to eat at dinner as of late...I’m starving...

Kou: So we’d love to quench our thirst with your blood~

Azusa: Sorry...

Ruki: Heh. ...Did I not tell you that I would reward you thoroughly afterwards?

Shuu: You’re tired, aren’t you? We’ll help lull you to sleep...

*THUD*

*SHATTER*

Shuu: Ah...Oi...You’ve got to be kidding me, right...?

Kanato: I’m not the one who bumped into it, so I wash my hands off the matter!

Ruki: Do not try to avert your gaze from reality, Sakamaki Kanato! The five of us share this responsibility.

Kou: Don’t tell me...There will be a sequel to our working life...?

Azusa: Seems like it...

A customer enters the store.

Everyone: Haah...Welcome.

ーー THE END ーー

#diabolik lovers #dialovers #shuu sakamaki #kanato sakamaki #ruki mukami #kou mukami #azusa mukami #diabolik lovers drama cd #diabolik lovers translation

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hiirunakaarchive · 4 years

Text

– to act in haste (pt. 4)

↳ preview

Dr. Sakurai, between acknowledging her company and putting on a smile for the press, let her eyes flit away momentarily from whoever it was she was shaking hands with at that moment. Her lips were pursed in a tight smile in an attempt to keep herself collected amongst the overwhelming attention, and her eyes wandered outside of her immediate surroundings.

And he recognized it. The moment her face fell and her smile faded, he realized that Haruna’s eyes had already met his.

Her lips parted slightly and then back shut at the sight of him, as if to stop herself just before reacquainting with the feel of Dr. Ramsey’s name on her tongue.

“Ethan...?”

↳ (pt 1), (pt 2), (pt 3)

◇ pairing: ethan ramsey x mc (haruna sakurai)

◇ genre: angst, a lot of yearning, maybe a little break in between :/

◇ word count: 3.3k+

◇ tags: @aworldoffandoms, @perriewinklenerdie, @jooous, @senseofduties, @moteestro, @haesselnut, @princessfuzzy12,

◇ author’s note: to the very limited audience who actually enjoy this fic: thank u for ur patience!! this chapter was so mf hard to write and FOR WHAT. after a couple months of sitting on google docs at 4am trying to update this fic instead of doing my schoolwork like i was supposed to, it turns out this chapter is not the finale at all🤡 ive considered incorporating smut into this since those seem to get notes but that’s one of my literary shortcomings so im gonna refrain and save face✨ feedback appreciated, yall know the drill xoxoxo luv u guys

chapter four

Diamonds. Oh, how that woman loved diamonds.

Carbon atoms arranged in a tetrahedral structure. The hardest natural substance on Earth. Yet another natural phenomenon upon which mankind had imposed their shallow, materialistic beliefs.

But he bought one anyway; kept that damn two carat, marquise cut ring in the bottom drawer of his bedside table for five years. The velvet box sat in the dark that entire time, unworn and collecting dust, thus Dr. Ramsey couldn’t help but wonder if it was still suitable for the hospital heiress it was intended for.

“Dr. Sakurai will be present as the keynote speaker.”

Harper regarded Ethan carefully when she said it, far too aware of his and the younger doctor’s history. Ethan met her pensiveness with a simple nod of his head.

“I see. She’s made quite a name for herself.”

“You’re taking this surprisingly well.” Dr. Emery observed, raising a brow, “I was expecting a bit of protest in attending, but you seem fine.”

But Dr. Ethan Ramsey was not, in fact, fine.

“Have you seen her?” Harper continued,

“Aurora ran into her in Manila, doing some philanthropy it seems. She looks different, might be the afterglow of success. Might be that boyfriend she brought along too.”

That what?

It didn’t necessarily come as a surprise, but he still stopped listening. He’d tuned Harper out, something about the boy being on Haruna’s research team in Japan, a prodigy that interned at the WHO when he was only fourteen; Harper said they were a good match, but Dr. Ramsey, as a final form of consolation, hoped he’d heard her wrong.

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, because Dr. Ethan Ramsey was far too old and far too calculated to rely on something as subjective as a “marriage pact”. Blurted on a whim, didn’t keep in touch, hell, he wasn’t even sure if he still remembered her face. That shallow promise they made five years ago came with too many uncertainties, and far be it from him to be bitter over her newfound happiness.

So his silence spoke for him, living a life of 52 seconds before Harper noticed he’d gone quiet. He earned a glance from his colleague, Dr. Emery trailing off and sparing him a thoughtful look. Her gaze softened in realization, and she bit her lip regretfully.

“Oh, Ethan, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you still-”

“I don’t.” He snapped.

Bullshit.

He released a long, drawn out breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, collecting himself. But the damage had been done, and nothing he could say would wipe the suspicion off Harper’s face. The rueful shake of her head and the sympathetic pat of his arm told him all he needed to know.

“I mean it.” Ethan said, the excessive sternness of his tone taking away the credibility of his statement.

“Dr. Sakurai is…”

A pause.

“She’s nothing to me.”

–––––

And he was so damn wrong.

Ethan and June boarded a flight to Kyoto two days later, and for the entire duration until the conference, Dr. Ramsey was concerned at his own indifference.

Concerned, but desperate to believe it.

He wasn’t sure what to expect out of seeing her again, but some sick part of him wanted to have fallen out of love with her. Then that meant he wouldn’t have to care at the blatant reminder that she was with someone else. He wouldn’t have to admit that she was probably better off with someone that wasn’t him. Most of all, he wouldn’t have to pretend that the idea of them never getting a second chance didn’t absolutely shatter him.

But it wasn’t that easy. It was never that easy.

Because there he was, standing on the outer circle of a ring of reporters and conference guests that demanded the young doctor’s attention. Like the crowd, Ethan was completely and wholly entranced by her and it was in the moment that he realized–

Haruna Sakurai still meant everything to him.

Her hair had been cut short, its length reaching her chin and dyed a shade alike to walnuts. She wore glasses now and on the bridge of her nose rested thin circular frames that accentuated her ovular face, Haruna’s features fixed in a permanent smize as she charmed the crowd with a polite smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. The woman trickled in ivory and quartz from head to toe, and Ethan’s breath caught in his throat at the memory of how much he loved her.

How much he still loves her.

And he recognized it. The moment her face fell and her smile faded, he realized that Haruna’s eyes had already met his.

Her lips parted slightly and then back shut at the sight of him, as if to stop herself just before reacquainting with the feel of Dr. Ramsey’s name on her tongue.

“Ethan...?”

She looked at him like he was some figment of her imagination, breathing his name like saying it was an anchor to keep the man from disappearing. Dr. Ramsey could almost feel himself unravel if not for the deadwood that entered the scene.

Satoshi Date.

The boyfriend.

God, her fucking boyfriend.

He was stuck to her like glue, a hand protectively encased around her shoulder as Haruna caught herself and resumed in indulging the crowd. She smiled proudly and crossed her arms, everything but her wrists and beautifully manicured hands hiding underneath the cape of her white pantsuit. Her male company, just as charismatic and smartly dressed, entertained the representatives of Big Pharma.

From what Ethan could see, Date was young. Bright. Approachable with an award-winning smile that was almost too friendly for his liking. Together, the doctor and scientist looked invincible and Ethan found himself for admitting that they actually complimented each other.

“What a tool.” He couldn’t help but scoff. “...Spit it out, Hirata.”

Beside him, June’s shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. She brought a hand up to her mouth and turned away, responding between giggles she tried to suppress. Ethan rolled his eyes.

“I apologize, it’s nothing. It’s nothing. Don’t let it bother you, you and Sakurai were always the better- pft.”

Dr. Hirata failed to contain herself and released a snort, shaking her head as she walked away to scout for their seats in the lecture hall. Ethan’s irritant gaze followed her retreating form and his chest bubbled with annoyance as he remained clueless towards the reason behind his colleague’s laughter.

He looked over his shoulder one more time to where Haruna and Satoshi stood, close as ever, and the jealousy weaved knots in Dr. Ramsey’s stomach to the point that he settled in looking for his assigned seat instead. Ethan glanced at his watch; fifteen minutes before the official start of the conference, and from his peripheral vision he could see Haruna beginning to make her way backstage to prepare for her speech.

Finding his spot beside Dr. Hirata, Ethan looked up to the stage, sat in the very front row and directly in front of the podium.

Fuck.

The lights finally began to dim at ten o’clock, and Dr. Sakurai, clad in white, appeared on stage.

The woman’s presence commanded the attention of the room as she made her way to the centre in a powerful stride. The anticipant stillness of the crowd broke and Haruna’s entrance was greeted with a light smattering of applause as she enveloped the audience in warm welcome and a dazzling smile. Ethan watched her with bated breath, wondering when she had become this beautiful.

“It warms my heart to see so many familiar faces.” She began.

Her kind eyes scanned the audience and Dr. Sakurai’s gaze fell momentarily on Dr. Ramsey, conflicted, before getting to the punchline of the joke.

“Forgive me when I say I wasn’t expecting so many of you to still have a full head of hair the next time we met.”

–––––

The next 45 minutes passed that way, with Haruna completely and wholly engaging the crowd as she shared knowledge and humour, establishing a pleasant tone for the remainder of the conference. Ethan could sense the nearing end of her speech as Haruna began to smoothly transition from the central theme to her concluding words.

“A very important person to me once said that as doctors, all we do is delay the inevitable-”

Ethan leaned back in his seat, arms crossed and with a valiant effort, careful not to let his emotions betray the nonchalance in his face. The reminder of that lesson he taught her so long ago revived something in the older doctor that he thought had died when Sakurai left for Japan.

Then he remembered her obsidian hair dipped in red. Her long delicate fingers that he held in his when they first met, steadying the tremor before saving a life. He remembered her downcast eyes when he reprimanded her over a patient, and the embarrassment in her voice when she admitted to crying in the storage room.

Now here she stood, six years later. Confident. Unshaken. A poetic opposite of the young intern he once knew.

“—to healthcare professionals,” The sound of Haruna’s voice interrupted his thoughts, “one word immediately comes to mind when discussing the inevitable.” She said the words with air quotes.

“Death. Mortality. Demise. I always found it ironic how we, doctors who so value life, were the very crowd who imposed such negative connotations on the word.”

“We follow the paved path of the Inevitable because it’s the only one we know. It provides a definitive answer. But inevitably, we grow tired of this tedious destination. We inevitably seek more, strive for more and thus deviate from that paved path and become drawn to the unexplored dirt road; you find that it leads to so much more. My research team has offered me invaluable guidance on this road to the unknown, which is why I’m proud to officially announce that the Sakurai Medical Centre has discovered a cure for multiple sclerosis.”

And a stunned silence instilled itself into the audience.

Ethan stared at her in silent disbelief. Hirata’s jaw hung open before she threw her head back in proud laughter and clapped. Suddenly, a frenzy ensued with the commotion of the crowd, the entire room suddenly engulfed in cameras and flashing lights and the vocal disbelief of the fellow doctors around them. Haruna held up a hand and the guests, still buzzing with excitement, toned down to audible murmurs.

“I will answer any questions anyone might have about this medical feat throughout the day, but as I conclude this speech I’d like you all to do one thing–”

“Question yourself. Question the world. Challenge the things thought to be set in stone, and when all is said and done, ask yourself-”

Haruna looked meaningfully at the hundreds of people seated in front of her, a sharp tension emanating in the room as her cat-like gaze scrutinized the crowd. Her eyes finally fell on Dr. Ramsey, and the hold of her stare made it clear that this was no accident. She directed her query at her former lover and in a voice dripping with purpose demanded an answer.

“Is the inevitable really as dreadful as we might think?”

And he could do nothing but applaud.

–––––

The continuous ticking of the clock in Ethan’s hotel room was the only sound that intercepted a dead silence. Alone yet with his thoughts, he packed his luggage in preparation for his flight the next morning, pondering his weekend in Japan.

They met at the evening reception. Purely coincidence. She stood alone at an accent table, her back to him with a flute of rosé, and he approached her in an honest mistake.

“June.” Ethan sighed exasperatedly. “It wouldn’t have killed you to wait two minutes instead of making me scout you out in this crowded room for your damn blue dress-“

“Hey, I happen to like this damn blue dress.”

Then he found himself met with pearls and a gown of charmeuse silk. She came to him in the shade of blue orchids, her gown pooling at the floor like a blossom at its prime and Dr. Ramsey remembered just how perfect she’d always been.

They spoke. Briefly. Awkwardly. Watching their words like untested waters though the two were the furthest thing from strangers.

“Hi.”

Was what she said.

“...Hi.”

Was how he responded.

Then he couldn’t look at her. She was within arms reach, too easy to pull towards him and trap against his chest. Too easy to blurt out something he’d regret with her just close enough to hear it. Too easy to meet her eyes and remember that she was with someone else.

So he brushed past her, putting as much distance between himself and Dr. Sakurai before he lost himself. Before the crushing weight on Ethan’s chest pressed on until the words piggy-backed the next breath he released.

I still love you.

And he should have let it, because he hasn’t seen her since.

Zipping up his luggage and setting it upright, the sudden sound of Ethan’s default ringtone reverberating through the room made him jolt. He snatched his phone off the bedside table, eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, only to relax as he saw Naveen’s name flash across the screen for a FaceTime call.

“You have work.” Ethan observed, unimpressed upon recognition of Naveen’s office from the background.

“Which starts in an hour, I’m simply early! Speaking of work, administration wants you to bring back souvenirs.”

“By administration, you mean yourself.”

“Humor me a little. Dr. Tanaka tells me they have exclusive KitKat flavours and I’m absolutely beside myself with curiosity. Pick up a pack or two, your retirement gift to me.”

Ethan sighed in surrender.

“...What flavour do you want.”

“Dr. Tanaka recommends Hokkaido melon with mascarpone cheese, but I also recall June mentioning sakura matcha latte. I’ll leave it up to you.”

“What? You can’t possibly expect me to find such arbritary— hello?”

So fate let him out onto the Kyoto streets, into a grocery store, towards the snack aisle and right in Haruna Sakurai’s line of fire. She was on her way to the cash, he was still searching for those fucking KitKats, and they lightly bumped shoulders before meeting each other’s eyes for a polite apology.

“Ah, I’m sorry-“

“My apologies-“

And they both froze.

At first, they refused to acknowledge the familiarity in each other’s voice. She spoke in Japanese, but he recognized her assertive tone. Firm but pleasant, like running your hands across a velvet seat. She had a unique accent given her history of travel, and Ethan remembered how much he used to love hearing her talk.

It was the English for her. They weren’t too far off from the hotel where the conference was held, so Haruna immediately deduced that the stranger was one of the guests. But she knew Dr. Ramsey’s voice. All too well. His words uttered in low timbre, deep and rich like fertile soil that only further nurtured her adoration for him. The articulate nature of his speech that would substantiate the validity of his advice. Intimidating delivery of his words that grabbed her attention in fistfuls. It wasn’t until Haruna had her own intern that she became aware of how much she had begun to sound like him, and it was then that she realized she loved hearing him talk too.

“Dr. Ramsey.” Haruna didn’t bother to mask the surprise in her voice. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

The collectedness in Dr. Sakurai’s voice almost irked him. She looked nothing short of amicable, pretending like Saturday evening never happened where he fled from her after a one-word exchange. And her nonchalance, amidst Ethan’s struggle to find words, rapid heartbeat and sandpaper-dry throat, was only further confirmation that she moved on from their past.

“We’re on the same boat, Dr. Sakurai. I wasn’t expecting to be here but you know how Naveen is.” He struggled to maintain the apathy in his voice.

“Let me guess, KitKats?”

“Right on the nail. He’s looking for–”

Ethan stopped himself as Haruna turned to the shelf on her right, dragging a finger across the plastic wraps before swiftly plucking several packages out from under each other and tossing them into his basket. He peered into his bin of potential expenses and looked up at Dr. Sakurai as she tossed one more his way.

“Rook- Dr. Sakurai, Naveen is going to end up with diabetes.”

She retracted her hand from another pack and glanced at him once, then to his near-full basket in something alike to realization. Then she laughed. Like, really laughed. Her disciplined features melted into a toothy grin, replaced with something youthful. Something real. Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose to hide his own smile beginning to form.

“Oh, I’m sorry-” Haruna gathered herself as she breathed out a chuckle. “You know how much of a sweet tooth he has.”

She tilted her gaze up to meet Ethan’s eyes, an almost distant look brewing on her face until she caught herself and her smile faded.

“But it wasn’t all for him.”

Ethan raised a brow, and the female doctor’s attention flickered to the pack she last threw into his basket. He looked down, and his forehead creased with inexplicable conflict.

“That one’s for you. Didn’t you really used to like those back then?”

Yuzu flavoured KitKats. She used to love those, and he wondered if she still did. They were saved for special occasions and only shared with special people, but those “care packages” Haruna’s doting parents sent every once in a while from Japan never lasted. The original five that shared the penthouse used to come with snack sized versions, and Dr. Ramsey had to hide his in the drawer of his desk.

She would loiter in his office sometimes during her break, sitting across from her mentor as they passed the time talking.

“Snacking in my office? I’ve grown too lenient with you, Rookie.”

She popped a piece into her mouth and grinned with full cheeks.

“So you have.”

“Yeah… your influence– don’t get ahead of yourself.” He rolled his eyes good-naturedly as Haruna pressed a hand to her chest in faux flattery. He failed to suppress a smile and she returned her own, the awkwardness and the tension slowly alleviating between the two of them.

They grew silent, but it was a comfortable silence. The two doctors shifted on their feet, waiting for someone make the first statement, and Ethan racked his brain for words to say. What could he say?

“I meant to congratulate you,” He settled.

“These past five years have been good to you, Haruna. You’ve accomplished something great.”

Her smile widened at her ex-mentors praise.

“Thank you, I had an amazing team behind me.”

And as if on cue, the shrill marimba ringtone sounded in the air and made them both jump. Dr. Sakurai’s recognized it as hers and patted around her sweatpants, fishing her phone out of her pocket. Looking at Dr. Ramsey apologetically, she accepted the call and pressed her phone to her ear.

“Toshi?”

And the bitter reality settled back in. She turned her back to him, mumbling in rapid Japanese and Ethan breathed in deeply. Starting towards the cash register, he snuck past Haruna quietly, squeezing her shoulder in goodbye. A subtle alarm weaved itself into her features, and her gaze followed his back, unable to leave the call. Ethan rushed through the payment and took long strides out of the grocery store, pulling on the collar of his sweater as his throat began to constrict.

Get back to your damn hotel and finish packing your things. You’re going to get on that plane tomorrow morning, start work the day after and start forgetting about Haruna Sakurai.

He exhaled in a long breath. He could do this.

“Dr. Ramsey…?”

He could do this.

“Didn’t you really used to like those back then?”

He could do this.

“Is the inevitable really as dreadful as we might think?”

He couldn’t fucking do this.

Ethan slowed to a stop, and he cursed at himself. For developing feelings towards the one person he shouldn’t have fallen for. For being the root of the cause in this mess they entangled themselves in. For loving this woman so damn much that his own medical expertise couldn’t suffice in explaining the tight feeling in his chest whenever he missed her. Whenever he saw her.

Dr. Ramsey looked up to the sky, met with a streetlight hovering above his head and despite himself, he laughed.

He just couldn’t forget about Haruna Sakurai.

“Christ, I’m too old for this.”

And back towards the direction he came from, he began to run.

#choices #playchoices #open heart fanfiction #open heart #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey fanfiction #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey x mc

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