(Sutamai) Special Feature, 2D Star Volume 12

[nhp]

The ideal adult male and the gap towards it

 

Summary: As men working in the underground society, they’re the talk of the town. The Kujo Household is here with us once again! Among the five of them, four are almost or around 30-years-old and we’ll be asking them about their ideal male image and how far away they are from it. For the one and only high school student, Yamazaki Kaname, we’ll be hearing from him about the seniors he looks up to.

 

Characters: Kujo Household

 

 

“Which one of these is most important: one’s wealth, strength or mentality!?”

 

The main theme of this issue is “adult men” so please tell us what male image makes you think of someone as an adult.

 

Shindo: A man who is financially independent. 

 

Kaname: That was spectacularly declared.

 

Kujo: Money is certainly important, but is it not difficult to call someone an adult unless they have the mentality to go with it?

 

Miyase: That’s true. I admire people who are stable in both aspects. Also…… Men who are not clumsy are ideal as well.

 

Kirishima: Ain’t that fine? Being clumsy is what’s great about you, Miyase.

 

Miyase: Haha, thank you. Well then, what does our high school student think? Kaname-kun?

 

Kaname: Aren’t people over 20-years-old adults?

 

Shindo: That’s legally speaking.

 

Kaname: So looking at it the other way, a sloppy person is probably the last thing I want to become, even after turning twenty.

 

Shindo: Then to you especially, Kirishima isn’t an adult. 

 

Kirishima: Huh? Why’s that? Actually, ain’t the most important thing how strong you are in the end? Doesn’t matter how rolling you are in mind and money, if you can’t protect what’s precious to you with your own strength then there’s no point.

 

Kujo: I’m in favour of that line of thinking, Kirishima.

 

Kirishima: Thanks for the support, Kujo-san!!!

 

Well then, for everyone here who is legally an adult, do you think that you come close to being your ideal man?

 

Kirishima: Heck yeah! Cause I’m a man who practices what he punches.

 

Everyone: …… 

 

Kirishima: Huh? Why is no one saying anything?

 

Kaname: I’ll correct it just in case. It’s “practice what you preach”.

 

Kirishima: What’s that mean?

 

Shindo: …… Sigh. It’s a waste of time to bother with Kirishima. What about you, Miyase? Are you close to your ideal?

 

Miyase: …… The thing is, yesterday… I accidentally knocked over all the fruit tarts that I finished making. So I still might be a long way away from it.

 

Kujo: If I’m correct, the snacks we had for that day’s teatime were the ones we were keeping in reserve. I believe it was called…… 

 

Kaname: Caramel Gorn*.

 

{T/N: a reference to Tohata’s Caramel Corn (cheese puff) brand.}

 

Kujo: I remember it being quite dainty. 

 

Miyase: I thought that you would be pleased by it, Kaname-kun. I was right to have bought some for stock. Plus, the packaging for it is also very adorable. Isn’t that right, Shindo-san?

 

Shindo: Yeah, that bright red bag, and those exquisitely placed round eyes…… No, wait, why are you asking me?

 

Kirishima: Speaking of snacks, man, there’s a hecking tasty one lately—

 

Kaname: Hey, the conversation is going astray. If we continue at this rate, then everyone’s going to start looking like anything but adults.

 

Miyase: Oh, I’m sorry. We unconsciously ended up talking like how we normally do…… 

 

Kujo: Isn’t it counterproductive to reveal that this is how it usually is for us?

 

Kaname: …… Anyway, I’m going to move on. What about you Kiyoshi-san? About whether or not you’re close to your ideal image.

 

Shindo: No, because there are medical treatment fees that even I’ve failed to recover. I can’t very well say that I’m exactly my ideal until I’ve thoroughly finished collecting that without leaving a single yen behind. 

 

Kaname: …… Is that really your ideal? 

 

Shindo: Of course. Listen up, Kaname. So long as you have money, you can pretty much do anything. People who say there are more important things than money are generally those who are only living through rose-coloured glasses. The people that you can truly put your faith in are the ones who understand what’s most valuable—

 

Kujo: Shindo. Kaname is part of the next generation that will experience and learn things for themselves.

 

Shindo: ………… You’re right. He’ll start having a taste of reality whether he likes it or not. Please move onto the next question.

 

In your eyes, Kaname-kun, who do you feel is most like an adult?

 

Shindo: Me, I reckon.

 

Kirishima: Nah man, it’s me!

 

Shindo: Kirishima, enough with the poor jokes.

 

Kirishima: You too. Don’t go saying something impossible with a serious face.

 

Shindo: What was that?

 

Kirishima: Oi, Kaname. It’s gotta be me no matter how you look at it! Have you ever seen anyone as strong as yours truly!?

 

Shindo: Don’t be ridiculous. Kaname, you should be able to comprehend my excellence. It’s okay, go on and honestly say that it’s me.

 

Kaname: …… 

 

Miyase: Umm…… Kaname-kun’s gone completely quiet.

 

Kujo: He most likely does not wish to be caught up in something troublesome. Remaining silent is also an option.

 

Kaname: …… Kujo-san might be the most adult one here.

 

Shindo: What…… Why is that?

 

Kirishima: Nah, it was right to say Kujo-san. I can accept being second place there then. 

 

Shindo: Who said anything like that? If Kujo is first by all means, then there’s no mistaking it that I’m next. 

 

Kaname: I thought that by answering with Kujo-san, things wouldn’t get any worse. But it has, huh. 

 

Kujo: Regardless of whatever reason behind it, I appreciate that you mentioned me.

 

Kaname: But I think that unbalanced diet of yours alone is childish too. Eating nothing but liver… You’re consuming way too much iron however you twist it. 

 

Kujo: …… 

 

Miyase: Haha. Seeing as the head of the household has lost his edge, please move onto the next question. 

 

Well then, is there a mannerism or part of the body that you think is cool from a male perspective?

 

Kirishima: Obviously, that’s Kujo-san!

 

Shindo: Listen to the question carefully. We’re talking about a mannerism or part of the body that you admire.

 

Kirishima: You say that, but still. Everything about Kujo-san is cool. The way he does things is amazing in every way.

 

Miyase: By mannerism, would that mean a beautiful way in which one carries themself?

 

Shindo: No doubt, I admit that the way Kujo holds himself up is comely, but…… 

 

Kujo: As the figurehead of this household, I simply cannot bring shame to those who support me after all. I am well aware that polished behaviour is the very least of appearances.

 

Kirishima: That’s Kujo-san for you, alright!

 

Miyase: You’re always thinking of us.

 

Kaname: What about you, Go-san? Don’t you have any mannerisms that you look up to?

 

Miyase: Let’s see now…… I actually slightly admire how you were holding your glass during dinner, Shindo-san. 

 

Shindo: How I was holding my glass?

 

Kirishima: Men gotta grab their drinks and scull it in one go!

 

Kaname: That’s in your case, Koya-kun.

 

Kujo: Could you try and reenact it for us, Shindo? There’s a glass perfectly right here.

 

Kaname: Why is there a glass so conveniently coming out of nowhere?

 

Miyase: Haha, it’s a grown-up thing, Kaname-kun.

 

Shindo: Guess there’s no helping it…… Like this?

 

Miyase: Hmmm. I get the feeling you’re more strained than usual…… Could I get you to try and relax your fingers a little bit more, and hold it while sighing?

 

Shindo: Sighing?...... Hah, phew. Like that?

 

Miyase: Umm…… Could you please make a bit more of a laid-back expression?

 

Shindo: Laid-back…… 

 

Kaname: Isn’t this just turning out to be Kiyoshi-san’s atmosphere and not the way he holds his glass?

 

Kujo: We could always explain it here what sort of state Shindo is in right now?

 

Shindo: I’d rather you not.

 

(LOL) This is the last question. What do you hope to not lose even after ageing?

 

Kirishima: My strength!

 

Shindo: Money.

 

Kaname: Nothing in particular.

 

Miyase: Perhaps my love for flowers.

 

Kujo: These forever moments with the people here.

 

Miyase & Kaname & Shindo: …… 

 

Kirishima: …… Uuh *sniffles* Kujo-san.

 

Kaname: I’ve got to hand it to you there. Or rather, that part about you sure is sly.

 

Shindo: Yeah, my sentiments exactly.

 

Kujo: All I did was answer with my true feelings.

 

Miyase: If that’s how you feel inside, then I will do my utmost best for that sake.

 

Kaname: That might not be such a bad idea either.

 

Shindo: I am Kujo’s treating doctor after all. As long as that role is mine, then it’s my duty to also stick around.

 

Kujo: This is no more than my own personal opinion, but everyone in the Kujo Household is an adult with their own various strengths and weaknesses. I’m hoping that we can spend our days in the mansion while shouldering and completing each other from now on too. Although first things first, let us all wait in great anticipation for the day when Kaname grows into an outstanding man.

 

Kaname: Outstanding…… Even if you go ahead and get your hopes up… 

 

Kujo: It is out of the question to not have expectations. Because in the end, you are a man of the Kujo Household as well.