Love365, Our Two Bedroom Story: Tsumugu
Mar. 21st, 2020 05:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alias_sqbrThe protagonist ends up forced to secretly share a house with a workmate. Tsumugu is coldly professional at work, but a penny-pinching slob at home. I really didn't like him at first but it was free and he grew on me. He's a tsundere jerk, but MC is a little tsundere herself, by Love365 standards, and their bickering was kinda cute.
I wasn't feeling inspired to write this up, and was only just barely invested enough to keep reading even though it's free. But now he's annoying me and I feel like complaining to someone so LUCKY YOU, FUTURE READERS WHO CLICKED UNDER THE CUT, I CHOOSE YOU.
So! MC is a journalist working for Chess Monthly but on Tsumugu's route gets promoted to work on the company's flagship Serious Current Affairs magazine Seasonelle. All the guys there are LIs and are inclined towards friendly banter with each other and her.
She meets her mum's new husband, a nice man with a son...who is actually one of her workmates! And due to somewhat implausible shenanigans, they end up forced to share a house! But their other workmates must NEVER KNOW.
I misremembered which guy was free so played the start of her grumpy boss Akiyoshi, he was sort of sweet under the shouty bluster. But the actual free route is "the weird new guy", Tsumugu, who is her step-dad's nephew rather than son.
At home, Tsumugu speaks Kansai dialect, commonly associated with Osaka and usually translated into English as Southern US accent. The way Kansai speakers are written in Japanese media reminds me of the way US characters from Brooklyn are associated with a brash, working class tone and fast paced humour, though there is also that "straight speaking hicks from a warm climate" thing you get with Texan characters. (I assume people actually from Osaka are as happy about this as Texans are)
Tsumugu's polite, polished work persona is so different to his sloppy, Osaka-by-way-of-Texas-accented whiny self at home that MC hasn't realised they're the same guy. He's just two different kinds of ass, though: at home he's such a selfish penny pincher he charges her rent even though he's there rent free and she was invited to live there by her step-dad, and charges her $2.50 for a $1.50 packet of instant noodles 'for labour'. And at work he is trying to 'help' with her first current affairs article by taking over and only letting her do busy work.
Home!Tsumugu vs Work!Tsumugu:
The way his work persona cracks with a brief intense glare every time he's reminded that she can't tell he's the same guy is funny though. And he's not sleazy, when she falls on top of him at home and her top falls open (OTOME) he just grumbles and says he needs compensation for the stress (and accepts a cup of coffee as payment)
MC: Sorry I'm using the table for all this research, there's someone at work I want to prove myself to.
Tsumugu: Sure, do your best or whatever. Where's my rent money?
And then the next day at work he agrees to let her be an equal partner.
Tsumugu: I wasn't trying to steal your article I just didn't want to give a woman too much work :)
MC: (I wish I could figure out what's going on underneath that fake smile...)
When the other guys see MC trying to invite Tsumugu to lunch they tease her about being into him, but when she says she's just trying to befriend him and figure him out all agree he's stand-offish and wish her luck.
One thing both Tsumugus have in common is making awful puns and being annoyed and surprised that noone laughs. MC thinks "So many men are into bad jokes these days", come on MC. He's not even using a fake name, home!Tsumugu just never told her his given name and she was like "Huh Kido must be a more common surname than I thought".
Haa MC finally seesClark Kent home!Tsumugu with his glasses off and hair pushed back and her first thought is "Whoa he's beautiful" only then followed by "WAIT THAT'S TSUMUGU"
MC: So, uh, Tsumugu...do you have any brothers? And are you...from Kansai?
Tsumugu, in standard Japanese: You're full of questions today :) Do I speak like someone from Kansai?
MC: ...no...
But eventually he pins her against the wall with a mean smile and says "Dang. Wasn't expectin' you to figure it out so quickly. But listen here, missy, you treat me at work the same as always. Say anythin' in these offices that don't need sayin'...and I'll charge you twice as much for rent."
Haaa, as threats from dating sim LIs who have the MC pinned against a wall go that's almost cute.
Tsumugu: Now, shall we return to our duties? :)
She angrily confronts him at home but he says it's none of her business how he lives and didn't tell her because he knew she'd freak out.
MC: How would all the girls at work who like you feel if they knew the truth?
Tsumugu, putting on his work voice: I don't know why MC is saying these awful things, it must be because I turned her down...plus, you want 'em to know you live with me?
MC: Ugh. Don't you get tired of changing your hair and accent?
Tsumugu: Nope. Don't you get tired of poking around other people's business? :P
Oh god I have the chance to make fun of his accent. I'M NOT DOING THAT, GAME.
MC: I bet you have trouble keeping girlfriends with that personality of yours.
Tsumugu: You ain't much of a prize yourself, not many men wooin' you. Always yak yak yak.
MC: I've had a few suitors, actually!
Tsumugu: Well no bringing men to the house it's forbidden!
MC: No girls from work, either!
Tsumugu: Pfft. Love is a waste of money. Especially office romance.
Ok this is kind of cute. Normally MCs with asshole LIs are Sad and Confused but she's just annoyed and seems to kinda enjoy arguing with him.
Eating breakfast with work!Tsumugu, MC notices how his posture and accent etc are different, and is annoyed to find herself noticing how hot he is (I think home!Tsumugu is hotter but ok)
MC: Isn't it stressful maintaining these personas?
Tsumugu: I've been doing it for so many years it's my way of life.
MC realises Tsumugu keeps mysteriously vanishing from work, so follows him, and discovers his dark secret...NAPPING.
MC: I wish I had a marker to scribble on his face...
Tsumugu wakes up and pulls her close, implying he's going to kiss her then flicking her on the forehead. When she gets annoyed he points out she was talking about scribbling on his face, which, fair.
At work he give a lot of critical feedback on her article, causing her to stay late fixing it, but she has to admit his criticisms are all justified and she feels herself improving as a writer. At home, she notices him watching a manzai comedy duo she likes and he's annoyed to realise they have the same taste in comedy.
I've been watching Lovely Complex, which has a screwball comedy manzai-y couple from Osaka speaking Kansai dialect, I wonder if this is going for similar tropes.
MC: Sure he's a cold-blooded, stingy, snarky little weirdo, but maybe I'm starting to enjoy spending time with this Kido Tsumugu guy...
Everyone is supposed to share rooms for an upcoming work trip to Kyoto (which is in the Kansai region), MC is assigned a single since she's the only girl, but Tsumugu tries to quietly get out of it...until he finds out they're going to a famous sukiyaki restaurant? (At the time I thought there'd be more to it but no...he just really likes sukiyaki)
Heh, work!Tsumugu's casual look is way more buttoned down than home!Tsumugu. He wanders off and MC follows him thinking he's lost, by the time she realises he's actively trying to get away it's too late and she's stuck going with him to a temple. He politely tells the taxi driver she'll pay lol.
As they wander around and talk about Kyoto traditions, Tsumugu grudgingly admits he's from Osaka but went to Kyoto for college. MC says he doesn't have to keep speaking standard Japanese and he switches. She feels a little giddy knowing only she gets to see this side of him, even if he's an ass.
He takes her to his favourite cafe and she says she's glad he seems to finally be happy on the trip. He mutters that he doesn't like getting cosy with coworkers and doesn't suit the friendly vibe in the office. MC's the noisiest in the bunch, but he doesn't feel like he has to be as on guard around her. MC feels her heart speed up and is all "NONO I CAN'T LIKE TSUMUGU" haha.
A college friend of Tsumugu's happens by and asks if MC is his girlfriend, they both immediately shout "NO". The guys make plans to catch up and MC realises she's never seen such a soft friendly look on Tsumugu's face before, aw. Oooooh and he mentions that's Tsumugu's ex is getting married soon.
MC: (I probably shouldn't ask...)
Tsumugu: Why you starin' at me?
MC: Just thinking that even you have had a girlfriend!
Tsumugu: Bet I've had more lovers than you >:(
MC: So why did you break up? Because you moved to Tokyo?
Tsumugu: It's a funny story, actually. She was two timin' me with some rich pre-med guy and then dumped me. Guess if they're gettin' married they were meant for each other. Good for her :)
That night MC worries about how Tsumugu's doing for a moment, but decides she should just enjoy having a nice room to herself...until he shows up and invites himself in, flopping in front of the TV and eating her snacks.
He says the others are too messy for someone "delicate" like him and he's not comfortable showering around them.
MC: So you're using MINE???
Tsumugu: Yeah, you fixin' to join me? ;)
MC: JERK >:(
Haa I had the option to say yes, kinda curious to replay the scene and see what he says (even though I can play all the endings regardless I've been following a walkthrough to get the most 'in character' moments)
Haaa...he just smiles and starts taking off his clothes and she freaks out.
While he's showering there's another knock at the door: MC's cheerfully drunk workmates inviting her to come hang out.
Workmate: Wait, I hear someone in the bathroom...do you have a MAN in there? :D
MC: Uh...it's my female friend from Chess Monthly!
Workmate: Aw, that's boring.
Tsumugu: Hey MC, get my glasses.
Workmates: :O
MC: D:
Workmates: That was Kansai dialect! You picked up a LOCAL man!!
MC: No, that's...uh....
Workmates: Have fun! ;D
Tsumugu, topless: Hey, where are my glasses >:/
MC: HERE, YOU PERVERT >:(
She tells him what happened and he just says "Long as they don't know it was me it ain't no problem" and starts putting on his sweatpants.
MC: THIS IS YOUR FAULT AND YOU ARE FIXING IT
Tsumugu: It'll look worse if I try to defend you. Since I snuck off they probably already assume I'm with a woman. Which is fine since I'm a man :) But if they think I slept with you they'll question my tastes.
MC is pissed, especially when he steals her futon, but just grabs the extra from the cupboard and fumes impotently. He does mutter "sorry" as he's falling asleep but come on dude you can do better than that.
The next day she tells her workmates the man was a former male colleague who needed a shower.
Workmates: No need to make excuses! And you know, Tsum-tsum, you went missing too...were YOU the guy?? What a twist! :D
Tsumugu: That would never happen :)
Workmates: Well you are popular with the girls, bet you pick up a lot, eh?
MC: Actually I saw him watching tv in the lounge.
Tsumugu: ..you saw me, how embarrassing. There was a political discussion I wanted to watch.
At home, her real estate agent says a new place is available.
Tsumugu: You know you coulda just told them I was buggin' you. I never asked for your protection, don't expect me to thank you.
MC: I got the feeling you were having a hard time. I'm not going to get mad or put you down now.
Just because he was having a hard time doesn't mean you can't still get angry, MC!
Tsumugu, leaning closer: You got a crush on me or something?
MC: As if! Why would I?
Tsumugu: My face, my salary...women go for that kind of thing.
MC: Some women, maybe. But your job is your life.
Tsumugu: Well, good. Don't want someone like you interested in me.
MC: (Someone like me?!) You know, the way you keep teasing me, maybe YOU have a crush on ME.
Tsumugu: ...
MC: Uh. I was just joking around...
Tsumugu, in work mode: Yes, I like you :)
MC: What.
Tsumugu: Did you think I was really gonna say that? Your face is the only joke we need around here.
They insult each other some more and she says she's glad she found out how he really felt before she moves out at the end of the month, then storms off to her room.
At work they manage to stay coldly professional...until they run out of work conversation and he gets pissy that she refused to make breakfast. She says she's on strike so that night he cooks a fancy meal...from cheap vegetables and leftover bread. He cheerfully waxes lyrical about all the money-saving tricks he used, then says, blushing slightly, "I'll be in hot water if you keep that strike going. I'm trying to butter you up. *cough* I was being childish. Sorry."
She apologises too, and they have a nice conversation with a little good natured teasing.
The next day they interview a woman who was arrested for being part of a scam they're doing an article on. MC is surprised to find a nice, sad, poor old woman, who was caught in the cycle of poverty and taken advantage of by the still unknown mastermind behind the scam. Tsumugu is unusually quiet so MC does most of the talking.
MC: That was heartbreaking. Though it seems presumptuous for me to say when I've never known hardship.
Tsumugu: ...
They bump into the woman's young son...only for Tsumugu to snap out of his stupor and stop the boy from shoplifting some cookies, dragging him outside for a moderately kind hearted scolding.
Tsumugu: Do you want to be a thief and make your mother cry? Your father left so things are hard, but if you work hard when you grow up you can make money and make life easier for your mother. If you do your best you'll be happy, I guarantee it.
And then he buys the boy the cookies as a reward for promising to never steal again.
MC: I've seen a new side of you.
Tsumugu: I'm just used ta dealing with young 'uns >.>
Ha my choices are "do you have siblings" and "Do you have children". Considering he's plausibly also the son of an absentee dad I imagine the second one wouldn't go down well...
He says he took care of his younger siblings while his mother worked, then ruffles MC's hair and says if she keeps staring he'll have to charge.
MC: What are you, a buddha now?
Tsumugu: Nah, guess not :)
She bumps into Tsumugu's college buddy, who says "it was strange seein' him with a woman in the day time" since he only does one night stands.
Buddy: You know how he lost his parents young and had to work odd jobs during college to support his siblings...so he ain't got time for any fun, let alone romance.
His ex pursued him at work and said she liked him just the way he was, too busy working to pay attention to his appearance, but then cheated on him and said she was only after the most good looking man with the most promising future. After that he started dressing nicer but he never dated again.
Buddy: He tried to laugh it off but he never wants to make anyone worry.
She's extra nice to Tsumugu and they have a fun evening until he asks why she's being so nice and she tells the truth. He gets angry, pinning her against the wall and asking if it's pity or if she's in love with him after all.
MC: I...don't...dislike you? It's not hate, or like...
Tsumugu: You tryin' to seduce me? I can support myself now, and compete with the other guys around you with looks...but unfortunately, this here is the real me. You should try someone-
MC: That's not why I said it! And stop trying to make yourself out to be a horrible person! Sure we've had misunderstandings because I took your words at face value. But your cynical tone is just awkwardness.
Tsumugu: You're overestimating me.
MC: I've learned from you at work, and I respect how hard you've worked to-
Tsumugu, banging the wall then walking away: If I keep listenin' to you I'll go crazy! The world isn't as nice as you think it is.
He turns away and tells her his POV on his life. His father was a deadbeat who only visited for money and to get his mother pregnant. His mother was "a meddler" who worked herself to death trying to cover his dad's debts. So Tsumugu started working in junior high, and got scholarships for highschool and college. "I got me a girlfriend and thought normal life was within my reach...I'd skip meals to get my girl presents and such...looking back I see what a damned fool I was :)" After that he developed his work persona 'as a way of gettin' through life', and with good looks, education etc found it pretty easy to get women by being a little friendly. But it's tiring being 'a good boy' 24-7. "I've just gotta work hard and save up until the young 'uns can stand on their own two feet. Then I can live however I damn well please." "Just so you know, far as I'm concerned women ain't nothin' but expensive playthings. And a woman from work would just be a hassle. You're just someone to argue with, and once you move outta here you'll just be a coworker."
Walkthrough: "I'm not going to give up."
Me: :/
MC: I don't mean romantically. I'm going to change your way of thinking.
Me: :)
I mean I do ship it, but I really like her current ambivalence, makes me more at peace with him still being kinda a jerk.
He tells her he hates meddling women and storms out. And then the next day at work he refuses to break character or discus anything that isn't work related, as if home!Tsumugu doesn't exist.
MC: Tsumugu, why don't you come home? What should I do with the rent money?
Tsumugu: I'm afraid I don't know what you're referring to :)
She sadly decides he must hate her now, and be planning on staying away until she moves out. The house feels lonely and quiet. And then at work he says she can write the rest of the article alone.
She chases after him, refusing to let it go, and he gets so upset he starts talking in Kasnsai dialect despite himself.
MC: This is the Tsugumu I know, not some distant cold salaryman! Can't you treat me the same as you used to?
Tsumugu: I can't.
MC: Then can you at least work with me on the article? You've taken the lead all this time, it feels wrong for you not to see it to the end.
Tsumugu: Fine. But just the article, ya hear?
They work together to finish it, him offering harsh but fair concrit and sometimes letting himself cheerfully tease her a little. She sadly thinks she'll probably never see this side of him again.
Work throws a belated welcome party for Jun and Tsumugu at a bar run by a gay italian stereotype which is I think the first queer character I've seen in a Love365 game. Their workmates try to figure out why the two of them have been distant then get them both drunk, and MC is left taking a sleeping Tsumugu home after saying she "lives in the same direction". He briefly wakes up and tells her to leave him alone, then goes back to sleep. She whispers to herself "Why won't you come back? We fought sometimes but I enjoyed the times we shared. I'm so lonely in that house without you..."
She barely stops herself from stroking his hair and realises...she does like him after all. She falls asleep beside him and wakes to him bustling her towards a taxi. He refuses to get in with her, so she shouts "I'm moving out after tomorrow, I've played along with all your selfishness until now...so you better come to breakfast! Please..."
When she finds out he paid the taxi fare in advance she thinks about how he's not a cheapskate for things that matter. The next morning she makes breakfast for two, and waits...
Happy Ending:
He arrives with minutes to spare and barely pretends not to enjoy her cooking. He's almost normal at work but can't quite cover his self consciousness. She asks him to come by that night for the key.
(And then I had a nap before writing this up oops so I kinda forgot it)
She's sad but trying to put on a brave face, he gets increasingly irritable and refuses to take the rent. He talks about how when they met he just wanted to take over her article for the prestige, and found her arguing with him annoying. But... then he was impressed by her work ethic and straight forward honesty. Eventually he felt like he had to leave the house or he'd fall for her. Blushing, he awkwardly asks her to stay, and be his girlfriend, and it's all very sweet.
Good Ending:
MC finds Tsumugu napping on the roof. He tries to play it cool, saying he wouldn't mind if she stayed and wouldn't even charge her rent.
MC: You want to be roommates?
Tsumugu: We should start with a new relationship.
MC: Friends?
Tsumugu: HOW ARE YOU SO DUMB.
MC: Tell me what you mean, then!
Tsumugu: NNnnng.......I like you!
They cutely banter a little more with him being prodded to actually ask her out and talk about why he likes her.
Epilogue:
I played the first, free episode. It was cute, Tsumugu notices her mooning over him at work and whispers that he'll have to give her private poker face lessons at home, then sends her an email inviting her to go home with him so they can buy food on special for dinner. He says his pride as a man won't let the woman he loves pay him rent, so she says they can put the money in a special savings account to buy stuff for the house or special occasions.
She's annoyed he only says "hey you" rather than her name and he jokes about when she'd rather he be more straightforwardly romantic, but he gets blushy and self conscious whenever he tries to be emotionally honest.
I wasn't feeling inspired to write this up, and was only just barely invested enough to keep reading even though it's free. But now he's annoying me and I feel like complaining to someone so LUCKY YOU, FUTURE READERS WHO CLICKED UNDER THE CUT, I CHOOSE YOU.
So! MC is a journalist working for Chess Monthly but on Tsumugu's route gets promoted to work on the company's flagship Serious Current Affairs magazine Seasonelle. All the guys there are LIs and are inclined towards friendly banter with each other and her.
She meets her mum's new husband, a nice man with a son...who is actually one of her workmates! And due to somewhat implausible shenanigans, they end up forced to share a house! But their other workmates must NEVER KNOW.
I misremembered which guy was free so played the start of her grumpy boss Akiyoshi, he was sort of sweet under the shouty bluster. But the actual free route is "the weird new guy", Tsumugu, who is her step-dad's nephew rather than son.
At home, Tsumugu speaks Kansai dialect, commonly associated with Osaka and usually translated into English as Southern US accent. The way Kansai speakers are written in Japanese media reminds me of the way US characters from Brooklyn are associated with a brash, working class tone and fast paced humour, though there is also that "straight speaking hicks from a warm climate" thing you get with Texan characters. (I assume people actually from Osaka are as happy about this as Texans are)
Tsumugu's polite, polished work persona is so different to his sloppy, Osaka-by-way-of-Texas-accented whiny self at home that MC hasn't realised they're the same guy. He's just two different kinds of ass, though: at home he's such a selfish penny pincher he charges her rent even though he's there rent free and she was invited to live there by her step-dad, and charges her $2.50 for a $1.50 packet of instant noodles 'for labour'. And at work he is trying to 'help' with her first current affairs article by taking over and only letting her do busy work.
Home!Tsumugu vs Work!Tsumugu:
The way his work persona cracks with a brief intense glare every time he's reminded that she can't tell he's the same guy is funny though. And he's not sleazy, when she falls on top of him at home and her top falls open (OTOME) he just grumbles and says he needs compensation for the stress (and accepts a cup of coffee as payment)
MC: Sorry I'm using the table for all this research, there's someone at work I want to prove myself to.
Tsumugu: Sure, do your best or whatever. Where's my rent money?
And then the next day at work he agrees to let her be an equal partner.
Tsumugu: I wasn't trying to steal your article I just didn't want to give a woman too much work :)
MC: (I wish I could figure out what's going on underneath that fake smile...)
When the other guys see MC trying to invite Tsumugu to lunch they tease her about being into him, but when she says she's just trying to befriend him and figure him out all agree he's stand-offish and wish her luck.
One thing both Tsumugus have in common is making awful puns and being annoyed and surprised that noone laughs. MC thinks "So many men are into bad jokes these days", come on MC. He's not even using a fake name, home!Tsumugu just never told her his given name and she was like "Huh Kido must be a more common surname than I thought".
Haa MC finally sees
MC: So, uh, Tsumugu...do you have any brothers? And are you...from Kansai?
Tsumugu, in standard Japanese: You're full of questions today :) Do I speak like someone from Kansai?
MC: ...no...
But eventually he pins her against the wall with a mean smile and says "Dang. Wasn't expectin' you to figure it out so quickly. But listen here, missy, you treat me at work the same as always. Say anythin' in these offices that don't need sayin'...and I'll charge you twice as much for rent."
Haaa, as threats from dating sim LIs who have the MC pinned against a wall go that's almost cute.
Tsumugu: Now, shall we return to our duties? :)
She angrily confronts him at home but he says it's none of her business how he lives and didn't tell her because he knew she'd freak out.
MC: How would all the girls at work who like you feel if they knew the truth?
Tsumugu, putting on his work voice: I don't know why MC is saying these awful things, it must be because I turned her down...plus, you want 'em to know you live with me?
MC: Ugh. Don't you get tired of changing your hair and accent?
Tsumugu: Nope. Don't you get tired of poking around other people's business? :P
Oh god I have the chance to make fun of his accent. I'M NOT DOING THAT, GAME.
MC: I bet you have trouble keeping girlfriends with that personality of yours.
Tsumugu: You ain't much of a prize yourself, not many men wooin' you. Always yak yak yak.
MC: I've had a few suitors, actually!
Tsumugu: Well no bringing men to the house it's forbidden!
MC: No girls from work, either!
Tsumugu: Pfft. Love is a waste of money. Especially office romance.
Ok this is kind of cute. Normally MCs with asshole LIs are Sad and Confused but she's just annoyed and seems to kinda enjoy arguing with him.
Eating breakfast with work!Tsumugu, MC notices how his posture and accent etc are different, and is annoyed to find herself noticing how hot he is (I think home!Tsumugu is hotter but ok)
MC: Isn't it stressful maintaining these personas?
Tsumugu: I've been doing it for so many years it's my way of life.
MC realises Tsumugu keeps mysteriously vanishing from work, so follows him, and discovers his dark secret...NAPPING.
MC: I wish I had a marker to scribble on his face...
Tsumugu wakes up and pulls her close, implying he's going to kiss her then flicking her on the forehead. When she gets annoyed he points out she was talking about scribbling on his face, which, fair.
At work he give a lot of critical feedback on her article, causing her to stay late fixing it, but she has to admit his criticisms are all justified and she feels herself improving as a writer. At home, she notices him watching a manzai comedy duo she likes and he's annoyed to realise they have the same taste in comedy.
I've been watching Lovely Complex, which has a screwball comedy manzai-y couple from Osaka speaking Kansai dialect, I wonder if this is going for similar tropes.
MC: Sure he's a cold-blooded, stingy, snarky little weirdo, but maybe I'm starting to enjoy spending time with this Kido Tsumugu guy...
Everyone is supposed to share rooms for an upcoming work trip to Kyoto (which is in the Kansai region), MC is assigned a single since she's the only girl, but Tsumugu tries to quietly get out of it...until he finds out they're going to a famous sukiyaki restaurant? (At the time I thought there'd be more to it but no...he just really likes sukiyaki)
Heh, work!Tsumugu's casual look is way more buttoned down than home!Tsumugu. He wanders off and MC follows him thinking he's lost, by the time she realises he's actively trying to get away it's too late and she's stuck going with him to a temple. He politely tells the taxi driver she'll pay lol.
As they wander around and talk about Kyoto traditions, Tsumugu grudgingly admits he's from Osaka but went to Kyoto for college. MC says he doesn't have to keep speaking standard Japanese and he switches. She feels a little giddy knowing only she gets to see this side of him, even if he's an ass.
He takes her to his favourite cafe and she says she's glad he seems to finally be happy on the trip. He mutters that he doesn't like getting cosy with coworkers and doesn't suit the friendly vibe in the office. MC's the noisiest in the bunch, but he doesn't feel like he has to be as on guard around her. MC feels her heart speed up and is all "NONO I CAN'T LIKE TSUMUGU" haha.
A college friend of Tsumugu's happens by and asks if MC is his girlfriend, they both immediately shout "NO". The guys make plans to catch up and MC realises she's never seen such a soft friendly look on Tsumugu's face before, aw. Oooooh and he mentions that's Tsumugu's ex is getting married soon.
MC: (I probably shouldn't ask...)
Tsumugu: Why you starin' at me?
MC: Just thinking that even you have had a girlfriend!
Tsumugu: Bet I've had more lovers than you >:(
MC: So why did you break up? Because you moved to Tokyo?
Tsumugu: It's a funny story, actually. She was two timin' me with some rich pre-med guy and then dumped me. Guess if they're gettin' married they were meant for each other. Good for her :)
That night MC worries about how Tsumugu's doing for a moment, but decides she should just enjoy having a nice room to herself...until he shows up and invites himself in, flopping in front of the TV and eating her snacks.
He says the others are too messy for someone "delicate" like him and he's not comfortable showering around them.
MC: So you're using MINE???
Tsumugu: Yeah, you fixin' to join me? ;)
MC: JERK >:(
Haa I had the option to say yes, kinda curious to replay the scene and see what he says (even though I can play all the endings regardless I've been following a walkthrough to get the most 'in character' moments)
Haaa...he just smiles and starts taking off his clothes and she freaks out.
While he's showering there's another knock at the door: MC's cheerfully drunk workmates inviting her to come hang out.
Workmate: Wait, I hear someone in the bathroom...do you have a MAN in there? :D
MC: Uh...it's my female friend from Chess Monthly!
Workmate: Aw, that's boring.
Tsumugu: Hey MC, get my glasses.
Workmates: :O
MC: D:
Workmates: That was Kansai dialect! You picked up a LOCAL man!!
MC: No, that's...uh....
Workmates: Have fun! ;D
Tsumugu, topless: Hey, where are my glasses >:/
MC: HERE, YOU PERVERT >:(
She tells him what happened and he just says "Long as they don't know it was me it ain't no problem" and starts putting on his sweatpants.
MC: THIS IS YOUR FAULT AND YOU ARE FIXING IT
Tsumugu: It'll look worse if I try to defend you. Since I snuck off they probably already assume I'm with a woman. Which is fine since I'm a man :) But if they think I slept with you they'll question my tastes.
MC is pissed, especially when he steals her futon, but just grabs the extra from the cupboard and fumes impotently. He does mutter "sorry" as he's falling asleep but come on dude you can do better than that.
The next day she tells her workmates the man was a former male colleague who needed a shower.
Workmates: No need to make excuses! And you know, Tsum-tsum, you went missing too...were YOU the guy?? What a twist! :D
Tsumugu: That would never happen :)
Workmates: Well you are popular with the girls, bet you pick up a lot, eh?
MC: Actually I saw him watching tv in the lounge.
Tsumugu: ..you saw me, how embarrassing. There was a political discussion I wanted to watch.
At home, her real estate agent says a new place is available.
Tsumugu: You know you coulda just told them I was buggin' you. I never asked for your protection, don't expect me to thank you.
MC: I got the feeling you were having a hard time. I'm not going to get mad or put you down now.
Just because he was having a hard time doesn't mean you can't still get angry, MC!
Tsumugu, leaning closer: You got a crush on me or something?
MC: As if! Why would I?
Tsumugu: My face, my salary...women go for that kind of thing.
MC: Some women, maybe. But your job is your life.
Tsumugu: Well, good. Don't want someone like you interested in me.
MC: (Someone like me?!) You know, the way you keep teasing me, maybe YOU have a crush on ME.
Tsumugu: ...
MC: Uh. I was just joking around...
Tsumugu, in work mode: Yes, I like you :)
MC: What.
Tsumugu: Did you think I was really gonna say that? Your face is the only joke we need around here.
They insult each other some more and she says she's glad she found out how he really felt before she moves out at the end of the month, then storms off to her room.
At work they manage to stay coldly professional...until they run out of work conversation and he gets pissy that she refused to make breakfast. She says she's on strike so that night he cooks a fancy meal...from cheap vegetables and leftover bread. He cheerfully waxes lyrical about all the money-saving tricks he used, then says, blushing slightly, "I'll be in hot water if you keep that strike going. I'm trying to butter you up. *cough* I was being childish. Sorry."
She apologises too, and they have a nice conversation with a little good natured teasing.
The next day they interview a woman who was arrested for being part of a scam they're doing an article on. MC is surprised to find a nice, sad, poor old woman, who was caught in the cycle of poverty and taken advantage of by the still unknown mastermind behind the scam. Tsumugu is unusually quiet so MC does most of the talking.
MC: That was heartbreaking. Though it seems presumptuous for me to say when I've never known hardship.
Tsumugu: ...
They bump into the woman's young son...only for Tsumugu to snap out of his stupor and stop the boy from shoplifting some cookies, dragging him outside for a moderately kind hearted scolding.
Tsumugu: Do you want to be a thief and make your mother cry? Your father left so things are hard, but if you work hard when you grow up you can make money and make life easier for your mother. If you do your best you'll be happy, I guarantee it.
And then he buys the boy the cookies as a reward for promising to never steal again.
MC: I've seen a new side of you.
Tsumugu: I'm just used ta dealing with young 'uns >.>
Ha my choices are "do you have siblings" and "Do you have children". Considering he's plausibly also the son of an absentee dad I imagine the second one wouldn't go down well...
He says he took care of his younger siblings while his mother worked, then ruffles MC's hair and says if she keeps staring he'll have to charge.
MC: What are you, a buddha now?
Tsumugu: Nah, guess not :)
She bumps into Tsumugu's college buddy, who says "it was strange seein' him with a woman in the day time" since he only does one night stands.
Buddy: You know how he lost his parents young and had to work odd jobs during college to support his siblings...so he ain't got time for any fun, let alone romance.
His ex pursued him at work and said she liked him just the way he was, too busy working to pay attention to his appearance, but then cheated on him and said she was only after the most good looking man with the most promising future. After that he started dressing nicer but he never dated again.
Buddy: He tried to laugh it off but he never wants to make anyone worry.
She's extra nice to Tsumugu and they have a fun evening until he asks why she's being so nice and she tells the truth. He gets angry, pinning her against the wall and asking if it's pity or if she's in love with him after all.
MC: I...don't...dislike you? It's not hate, or like...
Tsumugu: You tryin' to seduce me? I can support myself now, and compete with the other guys around you with looks...but unfortunately, this here is the real me. You should try someone-
MC: That's not why I said it! And stop trying to make yourself out to be a horrible person! Sure we've had misunderstandings because I took your words at face value. But your cynical tone is just awkwardness.
Tsumugu: You're overestimating me.
MC: I've learned from you at work, and I respect how hard you've worked to-
Tsumugu, banging the wall then walking away: If I keep listenin' to you I'll go crazy! The world isn't as nice as you think it is.
He turns away and tells her his POV on his life. His father was a deadbeat who only visited for money and to get his mother pregnant. His mother was "a meddler" who worked herself to death trying to cover his dad's debts. So Tsumugu started working in junior high, and got scholarships for highschool and college. "I got me a girlfriend and thought normal life was within my reach...I'd skip meals to get my girl presents and such...looking back I see what a damned fool I was :)" After that he developed his work persona 'as a way of gettin' through life', and with good looks, education etc found it pretty easy to get women by being a little friendly. But it's tiring being 'a good boy' 24-7. "I've just gotta work hard and save up until the young 'uns can stand on their own two feet. Then I can live however I damn well please." "Just so you know, far as I'm concerned women ain't nothin' but expensive playthings. And a woman from work would just be a hassle. You're just someone to argue with, and once you move outta here you'll just be a coworker."
Walkthrough: "I'm not going to give up."
Me: :/
MC: I don't mean romantically. I'm going to change your way of thinking.
Me: :)
I mean I do ship it, but I really like her current ambivalence, makes me more at peace with him still being kinda a jerk.
He tells her he hates meddling women and storms out. And then the next day at work he refuses to break character or discus anything that isn't work related, as if home!Tsumugu doesn't exist.
MC: Tsumugu, why don't you come home? What should I do with the rent money?
Tsumugu: I'm afraid I don't know what you're referring to :)
She sadly decides he must hate her now, and be planning on staying away until she moves out. The house feels lonely and quiet. And then at work he says she can write the rest of the article alone.
She chases after him, refusing to let it go, and he gets so upset he starts talking in Kasnsai dialect despite himself.
MC: This is the Tsugumu I know, not some distant cold salaryman! Can't you treat me the same as you used to?
Tsumugu: I can't.
MC: Then can you at least work with me on the article? You've taken the lead all this time, it feels wrong for you not to see it to the end.
Tsumugu: Fine. But just the article, ya hear?
They work together to finish it, him offering harsh but fair concrit and sometimes letting himself cheerfully tease her a little. She sadly thinks she'll probably never see this side of him again.
Work throws a belated welcome party for Jun and Tsumugu at a bar run by a gay italian stereotype which is I think the first queer character I've seen in a Love365 game. Their workmates try to figure out why the two of them have been distant then get them both drunk, and MC is left taking a sleeping Tsumugu home after saying she "lives in the same direction". He briefly wakes up and tells her to leave him alone, then goes back to sleep. She whispers to herself "Why won't you come back? We fought sometimes but I enjoyed the times we shared. I'm so lonely in that house without you..."
She barely stops herself from stroking his hair and realises...she does like him after all. She falls asleep beside him and wakes to him bustling her towards a taxi. He refuses to get in with her, so she shouts "I'm moving out after tomorrow, I've played along with all your selfishness until now...so you better come to breakfast! Please..."
When she finds out he paid the taxi fare in advance she thinks about how he's not a cheapskate for things that matter. The next morning she makes breakfast for two, and waits...
Happy Ending:
He arrives with minutes to spare and barely pretends not to enjoy her cooking. He's almost normal at work but can't quite cover his self consciousness. She asks him to come by that night for the key.
(And then I had a nap before writing this up oops so I kinda forgot it)
She's sad but trying to put on a brave face, he gets increasingly irritable and refuses to take the rent. He talks about how when they met he just wanted to take over her article for the prestige, and found her arguing with him annoying. But... then he was impressed by her work ethic and straight forward honesty. Eventually he felt like he had to leave the house or he'd fall for her. Blushing, he awkwardly asks her to stay, and be his girlfriend, and it's all very sweet.
Good Ending:
MC finds Tsumugu napping on the roof. He tries to play it cool, saying he wouldn't mind if she stayed and wouldn't even charge her rent.
MC: You want to be roommates?
Tsumugu: We should start with a new relationship.
MC: Friends?
Tsumugu: HOW ARE YOU SO DUMB.
MC: Tell me what you mean, then!
Tsumugu: NNnnng.......I like you!
They cutely banter a little more with him being prodded to actually ask her out and talk about why he likes her.
Epilogue:
I played the first, free episode. It was cute, Tsumugu notices her mooning over him at work and whispers that he'll have to give her private poker face lessons at home, then sends her an email inviting her to go home with him so they can buy food on special for dinner. He says his pride as a man won't let the woman he loves pay him rent, so she says they can put the money in a special savings account to buy stuff for the house or special occasions.
She's annoyed he only says "hey you" rather than her name and he jokes about when she'd rather he be more straightforwardly romantic, but he gets blushy and self conscious whenever he tries to be emotionally honest.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-21 01:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-03-23 02:05 am (UTC)Yes! He could still have stood to be less of a jerk, though, but so it goes.