A3! Translations

Sakuya: Yawn… I’m getting kinda sleepy.

Tenma: We did get up pretty early. It’ll still be a while until we get there, so why don’t you just get some sleep?

Sakuya: Yeah, maybe I should do that. Sorry, I’m gonna rest for a little bit.

Tenma: Yeah, sleep well.

Sakuya: Zzz…

Tenma: ( …Shooting is just around the corner, so I guess I’ll start digging into the movie script.)

*Page turns*

Tenma: (This one scene is still really standing out to me, no matter how many times I read it.)

Tenma: (After hearing from a friend about a photo session with an idol, I decide to do my own photo session on White Day…)

Tenma: (Basically, as a way of being like ‘if you gave me chocolates for Valentine’s Day and want a return gift, come over here’…)

Tenma: (Maybe that’s just the tradeoff of being so popular from your looks alone, but the character I’m playing really does have some crazy ideas.)

Tenma: (I’ll have to work out a few more details before I can really take on this role…)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tenma: I’m glad it didn’t end up snowing even though they said it would.

Tsumugi: The sky does still look kind of iffy, though, so it might end up snowing any minute now…

Yuki: Yeah, it does look a little off.

Izumi: Whoa, you guys got here fast!

Banri: Oh, looks like Director-chan’s here.

Tsuzuru: Well, we did head out as soon as we dropped our stuff off.

Izumi: Gotcha. Well, why don’t we head over to the event venue right away, then?

Sakuya: Yeah!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: Whoa, it really is snowing!

Yuki: According to the forecast, it looks like it should stop soon.

Tsumugi: We don’t usually see snow like this in Veludo, so it’s kind of a refreshing change.

Banri: Damn, didn’t realize there was a park this close to the venue.

Tenma: The relaxing atmosphere is pretty nice.

Tsumugi: It is spring, so it seems like the cherry blossoms are getting ready to bloom.

Izumi: If only it had been a month later, we might’ve been able to see them. …Ah, it looks like the entrance to the venue is this way.

Tsuzuru: Alright, let’s head in that direction.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: There don’t seem to be any issues with the lighting or sound systems.

Yuki: Everything’s set with the costumes and makeup, too.

Tsuzuru: Not seeing any problems over here.

Izumi: Thanks.

Sakuya: Since I finished checking the stage decorations fairly quickly, I asked one of the staff members to show me around some of the equipment rooms and whatnot.

Sakuya: It looks like they have all sorts of things to use as equipment here that were donated or otherwise given to the venue.

Sakuya: They’ve got party supplies, stationery, display panels… and they even had tripods and film, too!

Banri: Huh, it’s kinda odd to find stuff like that layin’ around a venue like this. That reminds me, the stuff for the raffle’s supposed to be gettin’ here tomorrow, right?

Tsumugi: Yes. It’ll be cutting it a bit close, since we made the decision to do the raffle so late.

Tenma: We’re the first ones hosting the event, so why don’t we check over things one more time?

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: The stage decorations were really cute!

Izumi: They really do have that White Day feel. Are they the same for the other teams?

Tenma: The other teams have the same decorations, just with slightly different colors to better match the costumes.

Izumi: Gotcha. I can’t wait to see the other teams’ decorations.

Yuki: Hey, the snow’s stopped.

Tsuzuru: Oh yeah, you’re right… Just like the forecast said.

Tsumugi: Yes. Let’s just hope the same goes for tomorrow…

Banri: Aight, what’re we doin’ after this?

Izumi: Since we’ve come all this way, why don’t we get something to eat somewhere and look around the area a bit?

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: Dinner was really good!

Tenma: It really is nice visiting different regions and trying foods that you can only really eat there, isn’t it?

Izumi: Yeah, I’m definitely satisfied.

Tsuzuru: …Now that I think about it, isn’t this bridge considered an important cultural landmark?

Tsumugi: Yes, I think it is. I saw something about that in the guidebook.

Banri: Huh, I guess it does look pretty nice from this angle.

Yuki: It really stands out with it being night, too.

Sakuya: …Right, my camera! I brought it with me because I thought I’d take some pictures.

Izumi: Ah, so you brought an instant camera, too!

Sakuya: Yeah! Since it prints the photos right away, I was thinking of taking a picture of all of us as a team as a memento of our regional trip and then giving it to you guys.

Izumi: I see. I actually ended up leaving mine at the hotel today…

Izumi: I thought I might take some pictures of you guys in your costumes and use them for something, so I brought my camera, just in case.

Izumi: Hehe, but I guess since you brought yours with you, I didn’t actually need it anyway!

Sakuya: That’s not necessarily true! We can take way more pictures with two cameras!

Tenma: Exactly. Photos look different depending on the photographer’s point of view, so it could be nice to have two people taking them.

Izumi: I suppose that’s true.

Sakuya: Well then, I’d like to take some pictures of you guys. Tenma-kun and Tsuzuru-kun, you can be first!

Banri: Imma take some pics of the bridge with my phone in the meantime.

Yuki: That’d be the perfect sorta thing to post on Inste.

Izumi: (…I’m glad that it seems like they’re all able to have some fun doing a bit of sightseeing.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Yuki: Good thing it turned out to be sunny.

Tenma: Great weather for an event.

Tsuzuru: Hopefully it doesn’t start snowing.

Tsumugi: I am a bit worried about that.

Sakuya: But I’m still really looking forward to the event!

Banri: Team Four’s event is the first outta all of ‘em, so we’ve gotta make a damn good one.

Izumi: Hehe, exactly. Well, let’s head to the venue.

Tenma: (I was thinking of heading back to my room, but since they’re working on making the final adjustments to the costumes there now, I’ll just read my script here.)

*Page turns*

Tenma: (Oh, okay. So I lost the note with the names of the people who gave me chocolates, and now I don’t know who I’m supposed to give thank-you gifts back to.)

Tenma: (…And then a friend of mine eagerly tells me about a photo session with some idols at their Valentine’s Day concert.)

Tenma: …So is that supposed to be a clue to the answer?

Tsumugi: Ah, Tenma-kun. Are you reading the script for your movie?

Tenma: Yeah, they just got it over to me, so I thought I’d skim through it.

Tenma: By the way, how did the reservations go for the photo shoot locations for the merch raffle?

Tsumugi: We were able to get everything reserved just as we hoped. We’ve already ordered the decorations for the studio, too.

Tenma: So you’ve got it all taken care of? Thanks, Tsumugi-san.

Tsumugi: It was nothing. The studio’s going to look almost like a Western-style castle, so I’m looking forward to the photo shoot.

Tenma: Right? It’ll match nicely with the costumes, so I’m sure the pictures will be great.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tsuzuru: Masumi and Kumon, what are your guys’ teams gonna do at your events aside from the performance?

Masumi: We’re planning on doing magic.

Tsumugi: I’m sure the guests will love that.

Kumon: We’re thinking of playing some games, like picture shiritori!

Yuki: Ooh, that sounds fun.

Izumi: I bet that’s going to be a blast.

Tenma: (Maybe I should talk to them about the shoot, given that the rest of Team Four and the director are all here right now…)

Tenma: So, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you guys…

Izumi: What’s up, Tenma-kun?

Tenma: I already talked to Sakuya about it, but…

Tenma: Nothing’s set in stone yet, but the day of my movie shoot might end up being the day before the event.

Izumi: Wait, really?

Tenma: And if that ends up being the case, I know it’s gonna cause some problems for the rest of the team.

Tsumugi: It won’t be any trouble at all.

Masumi: Not like you can help it, given it’s your job.

Yuki: Yeah, and if it’s just the day before, you should still be fine.

Tsuzuru: We’re only doing prep stuff and double-checking things the day before; we can always just do rehearsal stuff the day of.

Izumi: I obviously can’t be a complete replacement for you, Tenma-kun, but I’ll do what I can to help with checking things over and giving support.

Banri: So, if that ends up happenin’, just leave everythin’ to us and focus on givin’ it your all with your work.

Sakuya: Yeah, just leave it to us!

Kumon: I know I’m not on your team, but I’ll still pray to God that you don’t end up having to work the day before, Tenma-san!

Tenma: Thanks, guys. I’ll let you know when the schedule’s finalized. 

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: The bromides we’re selling are done, guys!

Sakuya: Whoa, they look great!

Tsumugi: I knew the studio would be wonderful. The balcony is a nice touch.

Omi: That balcony was a bit tricky to work with, but it was a good experience, and I’m glad I was able to get some good shots.

*Phone buzzes*

Tenma: …It’s Igawa. I’m gonna go take this real quick.

*Door closes*

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tenma: …Really?

Igawa: “Yes! It seems some of the other actors also had scheduling conflicts with the date they proposed as well…”

Igawa: “The date has been set to be after your White Day event. You won’t have anything to worry about!”

Tenma: Got it. I’ll be able to just focus on the event now.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Door opens*

Izumi: Ah, Tenma-kun. Did everything go all right with your phone call with Igawa-san?

Tenma: He was calling to tell me about the movie’s shoot date, and there shouldn’t be any issues.

Sakuya: When is the movie’s shoot date?

Tenma: Seems like it won’t be the day before the event after all.

Sakuya: So, you’ll be able to come with us the day before? That’s great!

Tenma: Yeah, sorry for worrying you guys.

Izumi: Don’t worry, we’re just glad we’ll be able to have everything ready the day before. Let’s really focus in to give it our all with the event!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tsumugi: So, do we have everything all set for the final check for the event the day after tomorrow?

Tenma: Seems good to me.

Banri: If there ain’t anythin’ else, think we’re good to call it here.

Yuki: We do have to get going pretty early tomorrow.

Sakuya: Oh, this isn’t really related to the event itself, but… I’ll be taking an instant camera with me, so let’s all take pictures together when we’re there!

Tsumugi: Yeah, of course. This is a great opportunity to take lots of pictures.

Sakuya: Yeah, I can’t wait!

TV: “Now then, here’s the forecast for the coming days.”

Tsuzuru: Wait, that’s where we’re headed tomorrow, isn’t it…?

Tenma: I knew the forecast said it was gonna be cloudy through tomorrow, but I didn’t think it was gonna end up predicting snow.

Sakuya: I hope it won’t be a problem for the event…

Tsumugi: It’s March, so it’s not like it should snow enough to stop the trains or anything.

Banri: I just checked, and it doesn’t really seem like it ever snows all that much around this time accordin’ to past years, so I think we’ll be fine.

Tenma: Really? Then yeah, it seems like we’ll be fine.

Tsuzuru: I know it’s been said, but it really is surprising that all the leaders ended up on the same team.

Yuki: Right? If it weren’t for the stream, people probably wouldn’t have believed us when we told them things were decided at random.

Sakuya: Ahaha, yeah. We were just as genuinely surprised by it happening as everyone else was.

Banri: It was thanks to that that the stream generated way more hype than we thought it would, though.

Yuki: Ah, by the way… I’m still working on the requested costumes, but I should have some prototypes done soon. I’ll show them to you once they’re done.

Yuki: Since I’ve got more hands this time around, we could even give each team a different team color.

Tsumugi: You’ve got someone other than Taichi-kun?

Yuki: Masumi.

Sakuya: Wait, Masumi-kun!? That’s surprising!

Yuki: I offered to teach him how to make a wedding veil if he helped out, and he immediately said he would.

Tsuzuru: Yeah, that tracks.

Banri: For real. If there’s anyone who’d accept a deal like that, it’s Masumi.

Yuki: Anyway, I think we’d be able to change the colors for each team and still make it in time for the merch photoshoot.

Tenma: Whatever the reason, it should be good if it meets the deadline.

Sakuya: Yeah. Well then, next we should talk about what we should do for the event… I mean, obviously, we want to do a performance, right?

Banri: Right, a performance is a must.

Tsumugi: So it’s just a matter of what we do for it.

Tsumugi: Should it be scripted, or should we do some kind of improv performance like an etude…

Tenma: Since each team is gonna put on their own performance, it’d probably be a lot for Tsuzuru-san to write individual scripts for all of them.

Tsuzuru: Yeah, I don’t have a whole lot of extra time, so doing scripts for each team would probably be a lot.

Tsumugi: If that’s the case, then it wouldn’t be fair to prepare something just for our team.

Tsuzuru: Then what if I just write a short script for all of the teams to perform?

Tenma: Like a quadruple cast?

Yuki: Huh, so we’d have four different casts for the same play? 

Banri: But don’t we have fans who come to see more than one of our performances? ‘Course, just the change in cast could be interestin’ enough, I guess.

Sakuya: That’s fair… but if they’re making the effort to come to more than one event, I’m sure a lot of our fans would like to see different plays.

Tenma: So, should we just do etudes, or would it be better for each of the teams to come together to create their own scripts?

Tenma: That way, the contents of the performances won’t be the same, and it won’t put a strain on Tsuzuru-san’s workload.

Tsuzuru: But don’t the rest of you guys have your own event preparations to do? Wouldn’t that make it kinda unrealistic for everyone to come together and write a script?

Tsumugi: That’s true…

Sakuya: So, why don’t we go with doing etudes, then?

Sakuya: And, since it’s a little nerve-wracking to go in with nothing at all, what if we just came up with a theme and rough setting to work with?

Tsumugi: Ooh, that could work. With etudes, you never know where the story will take you, so it’s something that both the fans and we as the ones performing can have fun with.

Tenma: Okay, so we’ll do etudes for the performance. What else?

Banri: I mean, people usually love to hear us sing, right?

Sakuya: That’s another good idea! What if also…

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Igawa: Sorry for the wait, Tenma-kun! This is the rest of your movie script.

Tenma: So, they finally finished it. Thanks for going out of your way.

Igawa: It was nothing.

Tenma: Do you know when they’re planning on shooting?

Igawa: About that… they suggested the day before your White Day event as a possible date.

Igawa: So, I asked them about rescheduling for that day, but so far, they’ve only said that they’re discussing it…

Tenma: Gotcha. We’re planning on heading there the day before the actual event, so having it then would be kinda a problem…

Igawa: I see. I’ll be sure to emphasize that to them again.

Tenma: Sorry about all of this. Please do.

Igawa: No, none of this is your fault, Tenma-kun, so please don’t apologize. Anyhow, it’s about time for me to start heading back to the agency.

Tenma: Got it, take care.

*Car drives away*

Sakuya: …

Tenma: Sakuya?

Sakuya: Ah, sorry. I really didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but… were you talking about a shoot for your movie just now?

Tenma: Yeah, I was planning on telling you guys, but there was a delay with writing the script, so the movie’s shoot date got pushed back.

Tenma: Except it sounds like the new shoot date they’re looking at is the day before our White Day event.

Tenma: Igawa’s trying to work something out with them right now, but… worst-case scenario, I might have to push the late-night arrival the day before to be the day of instead.

Sakuya: It’d really suck if you end up having to do that…

Sakuya: I’ll pray that your shoot day won’t end up being the day before our event.

Tenma: Heh, I’m counting on you.

Sakuya: Yeah, I’ll do what I can!

Sakuya: Ah, but… if it ends up being the day before, I’ll take care of all your preparation things too, so don’t worry about that!

Tenma: Thanks, you’re a lifesaver. Wait, but weren’t you just on your way out?

Sakuya: Ah, right! I was supposed to be running an errand for the director! Well, I'll see you later!

Tenma: Yeah, see you.

*Sakuya runs off*

Tenma: By the way, I still haven’t gotten the last script for the movie yet. When do you think it’s gonna come?

Igawa: About that… apparently, they’ve been running into a lot of issues with it. Because of that, it’s possible that the final day of the shoot will be pushed back.

Tenma: It being pushed back wouldn’t necessarily be the worst thing, but it might become an issue if it overlaps with the White Day event…

Igawa: That’s a good point… If that happens, I’ll talk things over with the movie people.

Tenma: Yeah, please do.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Banri: —And the streamin’ setup should be like this.

Tenma: Got it. Thanks, Banri-san.

Tsumugi: You even gave us an extra hand by giving us a script that outlines the course of the stream. Thank you.

Sakuya: Truly. It’s really clearly written out!

*Door opens*

Kazunari: Good worksies, gang~!

Sakuya: Good work, Kazunari-san!

Tsumugi: How’s the preparation for the stream going? We just finished up with our meeting, so is there anything we can help with?

Kazunari: Don’t worry about it. Director-chan and Itarun are working on the final check as we speak.

Kazunari: Just thought I’d check in on y’all about a few things while I’m at it.

Banri: …You talkin’ about the surprise?

Kazunari: You betcha. We’re all getting things together over there. I’ll send y’all more of the deets over LIME.

Tenma: Gotcha. Thanks.

Izumi: Itaru-san, are we about ready to start the stream?

Itaru: I think so. You got the lots and darts, Kazunari?

Kazunari: You bet I do!

Izumi: Sakuya-kun and the others seem like they’re ready to go, so let’s get the stream started.

Sakuya: Yeah, we’ll do our best!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: Hello, everyone! We’re MANKAI Company!

Tenma: We’ve got something we want to announce today, so we figured that us four leaders should hold a stream.

Tsumugi: Whoa, the comments are flying in so fast all of a sudden. Thank you for all the comments, everyone.

Banri: Based on the comments, it seems like all of y’all wanna know what our announcement is as soon as possible.

Sakuya: Well then, let’s get to announcing it right away!

Sakuya: So… In order to convey how thankful we are to all of you for always supporting us, we’ve decided to hold a White Day event!

Tsumugi: Looks like everyone’s happy.

Sakuya: Yeah, the comments are flying in even faster…!

Tenma: I’ll get into explaining the details of the event right away.

Tenma: This time around, we’ll be splitting up into teams of six and holding events in different regions. Also, the teams won’t be our usual troupes this time, they’ll be shuffled.

Banri: Now, I’m sure y’all are wonderin’ about how we’re gonna divide up the teams and choose where we’re going. For that, we thought we’d decide usin’ lots and darts.

Sakuya: Be sure to keep on watching until the end to see what happens with the teams and locations!

Tenma: First, we’ll start by drawing lots to divide up the teams. Alright, why don’t you draw a lot from this box, Tsumugi-san?

Tsumugi: Yeah, I can do that. I wonder whose name I’ll draw… Ah, it’s Juza-kun!

Tenma: So the first member of Team One is Juza-san.

Banri: Aight, I’ll go next… Oh, looks like Team One’s second person is Chikage-san.

Tenma: We’ll keep on drawing names like this. And the third person is…

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Banri: And finally, the six people for Team Four are Sakuya, Tsuzuru, Tenma, Yuki, Tsumugi-san, and me.

Sakuya: That’s all for dividing up the teams!

Tenma: Never would’ve thought all of us leaders would end up on the same team.

Tsumugi: It’s rare for all of the leaders to end up together for events, so this one should be a breath of fresh air.

Banri: Aight, next up is deciding on the locations with darts. You ready, Kazunari?

Kazunari: Yep, yep! Onto the next segment~!

Tenma: Seems like everyone was surprised to hear Kazunari’s name mentioned. We had him help us with preparing the darts.

Banri: If we made the target, there’s a chance we coulda remembered which locations were where, so we had Kazunari make it instead.

Sakuya: Itaru-san is also helping out with the stream from behind the camera, by the way!

Tsumugi: There are lots of comments coming in thanking both of you for your hard work, Itaru-kun and Kazu-kun.

Itaru: Thanks, I do my best.

Kazunari: Thanksies, y’all! Alright, now that I’ve got things set up, lemme explain the darts to you guys~!

Kazunari: This panel here has papers with the names of all the prefectures attached to it in random locations, and these four guys are gonna throw the darts at it.

Kazunari: Since there are four teams, each person gets one throw. If you miss or the dart doesn’t stick, you’ll get another shot!

Sakuya: Got it!

Banri: Aight, let’s get things started. You’re up first, Sakuya—.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Kazunari: Aaand, that’s everything~!

Tenma: That was pretty chaotic.

Tsumugi: But I’m glad we were able to do everything without bias.

Banri: Just hang on a little bit longer for info about the dates, times, and ticket details.

Sakuya: I can’t wait to be able to meet everyone at the event!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Itaru: GG.

Kazunari: Good worksies~!

Izumi: Good work, guys. The stream sure was lively!

Sakuya: Yeah, the comments were coming in so fast that I couldn’t keep up, but I’m glad that it seemed like everyone was having fun!

Itaru: This stream probs let our fans feel like they were part of the event planning, too.

Banri: Right? I bet this got them even more excited to participate in the event.

Tsumugi: But that also means that their expectations for the event have probably been raised.

Tenma: Yeah, that’s why we’ve gotta give it our all while preparing so that the event turns out well.

Sakuya: Yeah, you’re right. We’ve gotta work our hardest so that everyone can have fun!

Kindergartener: Bye-bye, Sensei!

Sakuya: Yeah, see you!

Principal: Good work. Do you have a minute, Sakuya-kun?

Sakuya: Is something the matter?

Principal: Well, you know how it’s nearly Children’s Day? I was thinking about putting together some kind of event in celebration of that.

Sakuya: I see! Have you decided on what you want to do yet?

Principal: How does making paper helmets and swords with the kids, and having us teachers put on a little play about Kintarō sound? (1)

Sakuya: I think that’s a great idea! I’m sure they’d all love that.

Principal: Hehe, thank you. Well then, there’s something I’d like to ask you to do…

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Door opens*

Izumi: I’m back.

Izumi: (Well, I suppose it is pretty late, so there probably isn’t even anyone left in the lounge.)

???: Ah, Director! Welcome home.

Izumi: Whoa, a bear costume!?

Izumi: …Wait, that was your voice, right, Sakuya-kun? What are you doing wearing that thing?

Sakuya: Sorry for startling you. The daycare is actually doing a little event for Children’s Day, and, as part of that, we’ve decided to put on a short play about Kintarō, and…

Sakuya: They asked me to play the role of the bear.

Izumi: I see. So, you’re practicing for that by wearing that bear costume.

Sakuya: Although, I guess I might be getting a little ahead of myself, considering the script isn’t even done yet.

Izumi: That reminds me, didn’t you also borrow that costume for practice that other time you played a bear in a guest performance? (2)

Sakuya: Yeah. I got permission from Juza-kun to use it this time, too.

Sakuya: But it’s been a while since then, so I wanted to give myself a bit of a refresher on how to move more like a bear and how to give off a sense of power while I had the time.

Sakuya: And I really want the kids to enjoy the play, so I thought it’d be good to make use of this opportunity…

Izumi: (That’s just the kind of thing I’d expect from Sakuya-kun.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Choose!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Option 1: Is it hard performing in a costume like that?

Izumi: Performing in a full-body costume like that has got to be hard, right?

Sakuya: You’re right about that. Since you can’t change your facial expressions, you’ve gotta convey emotions using your whole body, which takes a little bit of practice.

Sakuya: But that’s what makes the whole thing so rewarding and interesting.

Izumi: Hehe, I getcha.

Option 2: What kind of bear are you going to be?

Izumi: Have you already thought about what kind of bear you’re going to be?

Sakuya: Well, so, the last time I played a bear, I did my role study to help me play a bear with a more cutesy feel, but…

Sakuya: Since this time, I’m playing the bear in Kintarō, I want to play a bear that’s fittingly big and strong.

Izumi: Otherwise, you wouldn’t be helping to highlight how strong Kintarō is as the protagonist.

Izumi: That said, it’s getting pretty late, so shouldn’t you call your practice here for the day?

Sakuya: That’s a good point. I’ll go get changed, then!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tenma: Man, I ended up getting back way later than I thought I would with the shoot running longer than planned. …Hm?

Sakuya: Ah, Tenma-kun! Welcome hom…

Tenma: !?

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: …I get it. So, you ran into Sakuya-kun wearing that costume.

Tenma: Yeah, and it startled me because he just came out of nowhere…

Sakuya: Sorry, Tenma-kun.

Tenma: Nah, you’re fine. I just wish I had realized it was you sooner rather than later. This isn’t the first time this kinda thing has happened, after all.

Tenma: That said, next time you’re doing a role study like this, I’d really appreciate it if you could let me know about it in advance.

· ❀ —– ٠ ❀ ٠ —– ❀ ·

*Door opens*

Izumi: (Hm? Those voices…)

Sakuya: “I’m the strongest outta everyone on this mountain. If you don’t do what I say, I’ll show you just how mean I can get!”

Citron: “Let’s solve this with a sumo match. If you lose, you’ll have to do whatever I say!”

Sakuya: “There’s no way a rabbit could beat me! Rargh!”

Citron: “I’ve been defeated~! I yield~!!”

Muku: “Bear! Why don’t you try fighting me next—?”

Izumi: (So it is Sakuya-kun and the others. Looks like they’re doing an etude, but…)

Muku: Ah, Director-san. Good work.

Izumi: Good work, guys. Are you guys maybe practicing for the short Kintarō play?

Sakuya: Yeah. When I told them about the script I got yesterday, the two of them offered to help me practice.

Citron: It is a thrilling battle story where the strongest bear of them all takes down the other animals one after one in sumo matches!

Muku: It’s a wonderful story where Kintarō defeats the bear in the end, which brings everyone together as friends.

Sakuya: …Yeah! If you’d like, why don’t you join us, Director?

Izumi: Wait, me?

Citron: I was also going to play the role of Kintarō’s monkey friend along with the rabbit, but you can play that part instead!

Izumi: Hmm, I’m still not sure if I’m really cut out for it, but… Oh, what the heck, I might as well join since I’m already here.

Muku: Yay, thank you so much.

Sakuya: The monkey is supposed to be a character that challenges the bear to a sumo match and ends up losing, just like the rabbit Citron-san is playing, but…

Citron: Since it is the director playing the monkey, it could be interesting to make some changes to the details from the original script!

Citron: For example… what if it were a story where the monkey is almost forced to become the bear’s bride as a punishment for losing the sumo match?

Muku: Are you saying that we should add a romantic element? That sounds like fun…!

Sakuya: That would be an interesting take on Kintarō that no one has ever done before!

Citron: That is not all. We could also say that, actually, the monkey has had a crush on Kintarō ever since they first met~!

Muku: And it’s only when the monkey is about to be snatched away by the bear that Kintarō realizes for the first time that he likes the monkey too!

Izumi: But are you sure that I can handle such an important role?

Sakuya: You’ll be just fine, Director! I’ll even really give it my all while stealing you away as the monkey.

Muku: You sound so cool, Sakuya-kun…!

Izumi: Hehe, is that so? Well, why don’t you get right to giving it your best shot?

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: Good morning.

Sakuya: (Huh? Why does the principal have such a troubled look on her face…?)

Sakuya: Did something happen?

Principal: Oh, Sakuya-kun. The teacher who was supposed to play Kintarō was feeling a little under the weather and had to take the day off.

Principal: It really is a shame, since the kids were really looking forward to it, but it looks like we’ll have to cancel our little play…

Principal: I know you went through all that trouble to practice for it, so I really am sorry, Sakuya-kun.

Sakuya: No, don’t worry, I’m completely fine.

Sakuya: But the kids…

Principal: Exactly. If only there were something else that we could do that all of them would enjoy.

Sakuya: (Something else…)

Sakuya: (…Ah, I know!)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Door opens*

Sakuya: I’m home.

Izumi: Ah, welcome back, Sakuya-kun.

Izumi: You said that today was the day of your event, right? Did everything work out with the little Kintarō play?

Sakuya: Actually… the teacher who was going to play Kintarō wasn’t feeling well and called out sick, so we ended up canceling the play.

Izumi: Oh, no. That sucks, but I guess there isn’t much you can do without a lead, huh?

Sakuya: Yeah. So, instead, I did a little sword-fighting demonstration for the kids using the paper helmets and swords that we made with them.

Sakuya: When I was thinking of what we could do, that was the only thing I was able to come up with.

Izumi: Don’t act like it was just some mediocre idea. I actually think that sounds like it was a really wonderful idea.

Izumi: Your sword-fighting is always so fast-paced and intense, so I bet the kids really had a blast with it.

Sakuya: Yeah, they did. Even the kids who were really disappointed at first when we said the play was canceled ended up with smiles on their faces.

Sakuya: That said, I’m sorry for dragging you into practicing for the play with me, Director.

Izumi: Don’t worry about it. As long as the kids were happy, I say the event was a success!

Sakuya: …Yeah, thank you so much!

• • •

Notes:

(1) Kintarō (金太郎; sometimes translated as “Golden Boy”) is a child with superhuman strength from Japanese folklore. He is said to have many animal friends, and his adventures tell of him doing things like beating bears in sumo matches, fighting monsters and oni, and helping woodcutters chop down trees. It’s a custom to put up a Kintarō doll on Children’s Day in hopes of young boys becoming brave and strong like Kintarō.

*Applause*

Sakuya: Thank you very much!

Izumi: Sakuya-kun was incredible…

Chikage: Sakuya said things were a bit tough because he was playing a student this time.

Tsuzuru: He pulled it off without a hitch. His student vibe and the way he kept up with the conversations were spot on.

Citron: Sakuya was practicing being a student every night~. I also lent him a hand and played pretend after school hangout with him.

Tsuzuru: All that looked like was you manipulating him into doing that with you, Citron-san!

Masumi: He hasn’t changed since he was a student.

Itaru: But he’s definitely gained more confidence since he was a student… and he carries himself with more assertiveness.

Tsuzuru: You sure are right about that.

Izumi: Alright, let’s head on back to the green room.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Door opens*

Staff: Sakuma-san is right in here. Go on ahead.

Citron: Thank you muchly!

Sakuya: —Ah!

Izumi: Good work out there, Sakuya-kun.

Itaru: GG~.

Sakuya: Guys! And Director! You came. Thank you so much!

Izumi: Of course. You were the one who originally invited us…

Tsuzuru: It just suddenly worked for everyone’s schedules today. Sorry, we didn’t let you know sooner.

Citron: It was all thanks to Itaru and Chikage’s hotspot overtime~.

Masumi: Nonstop, not hotspot.

Sakuya: Wait, what!?

Itaru: Hey, working overtime for this is worth it.

Chikage: I agree.

Itaru: By the way, you’re ending with a matinee today, right?

Sakuya: Yeah, I am.

Itaru: Cool, we can all tell you what we thought when we go out for dinner later.

Sakuya: We’re going out for dinner?

Citron: Yes~! We have all been watching you work very hard for your guest performance.

Tsuzuru: We were talking about going out for dinner today, partly as a way to celebrate all your hard work. …Er, we weren’t able to get in touch with you about that either.

Masumi: Nothing we could do with it being so sudden.

Sakuya: Wait, really!? Thank you so much!

Izumi: Well, I think I’ll be heading back home before you guys.

Masumi: Wait. Come with us.

Izumi: Huh?

Chikage: I’m sure Sakuya would love to hear what you thought, too, Director-san.

Sakuya: As long as that’s okay with you, Director!

Citron: Yes. And Itaru and Chikage are paying. It would be spaced if you did not come!

Itaru: A waste? Wait, hold on, Director-san, you’re fine, but Citron, you’re contributing to the bill at least a little bit.

Masumi: …Anyway, that’s what’s happening.

Izumi: Ahaha. Well then, I guess I’ll tag along.

Sakuya: Yeah, please do! Hehe, I can’t wait.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Everyone: Time to dig in!

Sakuya: Whoa…! This napolitan has so many mushrooms in it. It’s really good!

Citron: Ooh, this Japanese-style soup is also very yummy~.

Masumi: These Vietnamese spring rolls aren’t too bad. Try some.

Izumi: Thanks, Masumi-kun.

Employee: Thank you for waiting. Here is your mentaiko fried chicken, truffle potatoes, and…

Tsuzuru: T-They’re still going… Citron-san, did you order ALL of this again!?

Citron: Today, it is all Itaru and Chikage’s beet.

Itaru: I was debating where to go, but… this mysterious restaurant that has just about everything was definitely the answer.

Chikage: You found a good spot.

Izumi: Oh, right. That reminds me, have you decided on where you want to go for your birthday project, Sakuya-kun?

Tsuzuru: This time around, the project is to celebrate while fulfilling the birthday person’s requests with the other members of their troupe.

Masumi: By the way, whenever we do that, we’re also taking some off-shots to include in the birthday bromide sets.

Sakuya: I actually haven’t decided on my request yet…

Itaru: Well, between you constantly taking guest performances and rehearsals, you have been pretty busy.

Chikage: It’s not an issue if you haven’t decided yet.

Citron: Ooh, Sakuya, is there anywhere you want to go? You can just say wherever comes to mind without worrying about the project.

Sakuya: Hmm…

Sakuya: It’s not that I don’t have somewhere I’d like to go. I just don’t know if there’s room in the budget for it, though…

Tsuzuru: Wait, do you mean—?

Itaru: …

Chikage & Citron: …

· ❀ —– ٠ ❀ ٠ —– ❀ ·

Chikage: …

Chikage: That reminds me, isn’t there a place in Hokkaido where the latest-blooming cherry blossoms bloom?

Citron: I know of that place! I want to go see the cherry blossoms there with everyone~!

Sakuya: Huh…?

Itaru: It’s a little early, but why don’t we go there to scout out some cherry blossom viewing spots?

Masumi: I wouldn’t mind that.

Tsuzuru: I’d be up for that too, but… is there room in the budget for that?

Itaru: Ahh, that shouldn’t be a problem. I heard from Winter Troupe that they just covered anything that went over out of their own pockets. We’ll cover whatever goes over.

Chikage: I’m not usually a fan of when you just decide to speak for me on things, but… I was thinking the same thing. Don’t worry about a thing.

Izumi: (Both Itaru-san and Chikage-san seem totally ready to take care of the whole thing!)

Tsuzuru: Well, I think it’s a great idea then. …What do you think, Sakuya?

Tsuzuru: Ah, but it’s not like anything we’ve said is set in stone.

Sakuya: …Are you sure that’s okay?

Itaru: If you’re okay with it, we’re okay with it.

Sakuya: The place I’ve been wanting to go with everyone is… the place where I was born.

Sakuya: The place I went to alone, and where you all came to pick me up. I was thinking that… it’d be nice if we could celebrate there.

Izumi: I think that sounds like a great idea. The main pretense of doing it is for the project, of course, but… make sure you go out there and make some good memories.

Sakuya: Yeah! Thank you so much!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Citron: We are here! Humongous Hokkaido! 

Masumi: So loud.

Tsuzuru: You sure got fired up fast.

Azami: I came along ‘cause I’m the one in charge of doin’ the off-shots, but… really feelin’ like I’m kinda outta place.

Sakuya: You don’t have to be like that! If anything, we should be apologizing to you for making you come along.

Azami: The hell are you apologizin’ for? We all came here to celebrate you today, Sakuya-san.

Azami: I’m gonna be focused on takin’ pics of you, so just have fun like you usually would.

Sakuya: Azami-kun… thank you.

Citron: Azami, I want you to take looooots of pictures of us!

Citron: And I will also take looooots of pictures of you to send to Sakyo.

Azami: You will NOT!

Chikage: Hahaha. It’s hard sticking to just being the photographer, isn’t it?

Azami: You’re the ones who keep makin’ it hard…

Itaru: Sorry for the wait. The rental car’s all ready to go.

Tsuzuru: Thank you. Well, let’s head out.

Sakuya: Yeah!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Car driving*

Sakuya: …

Citron: Are you feeling nostalgic already?

Sakuya: Yeah. But it’s different from last time…

Tsuzuru: I mean, we are all going together this time around.

Masumi: Too crowded.

Azami: I know, right?

Chikage: Haha. But I’m sure Sakuya thinks it’s better this way.

Sakuya: Yeah. Back then, I had made it this far all on my own. I mean, obviously, I knew what I was getting into when I set out on my solo trip, and it was a really great experience.

Sakuya: But now that we’re all able to go together this time… I’m really realizing just how happy that truly makes me. 

Itaru: Yeah.

Masumi: …Yeah.

Chikage: Well, we’ll be there soon.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: Wow…!

Sakuya: Amazing… the sky is so starry…

Azami: This really is the same place that was on the postcard you sent us, Sakuya-san.

Azami: So you really sent it from this far away.

Itaru: Whoa, you can really see the stars clearly.

Tsuzuru: I’m pretty sure it rained here yesterday, so maybe that’s why.

Citron: What nice timing. It must have been thanks to Sakuya’s good luck.

Sakuya: —.

Sakuya: (It’s already almost my birthday. And I’m getting to celebrate it with my current precious family this year too.)

Sakuya: (Dad, Mom… Thank you for bringing these people into my life.)

Sakuya: (I really am happy.)

Sakuya: …Ah, right.

Sakuya: (The coin that Chikage-san gave me as a good luck charm before I went on my solo trip.)

Sakuya: (If I hold it up like this, the moonlight reflects off it… It really is super pretty.)

Chikage: …You looked at it like that back then, too, didn’t you?

Sakuya: Yeah. …But unlike back then, I’m not feeling so lonely.

Chikage: I see… I’m glad.

· ❀ —– ٠ ❀ ٠ —– ❀ ·

Azami: …Still can’t believe that you actually came all the way out here on your own, Sakuya-san.

Sakuya: Ahaha… I might’ve been traveling alone back then, but it was still fun in its own way.

Sakuya: But I realized something on that trip.

Sakuya: I really can’t just live alone after all…

Sakuya: Both when I was born and when I was on my trip, I’ve come this far thanks to the support of all of the people watching over me.

Sakuya: They call it a solo trip, but I was never truly alone. I learned that on my trip, too.

*Citron moves closer to Sakuya*

Citron: …That is what it means to be human.

Sakuya: Wah… hehe, yeah.

Sakuya: (The hand Citron-san is patting my head with is so gentle and warm. This warmth is another thing that I wouldn’t know if I were alone.)

Tsuzuru: A person can’t live alone. Just like how even a play can’t exist without an audience.

Masumi: …I agree.

Azami: Kinda unexpected to hear that comin’ from you, Masumi-san.

Masumi: I can’t live without Director.

Tsuzuru: Ugh, yeah, yeah, we get it.

Itaru: That’s our Masumi.

Azami: Y-You just let him get away with that!?

Masumi: …And you guys have been supporting me, too, I guess.

Sakuya: Masumi-kun…!

Citron: You think so too, right, Itaru and Chikage?

Itaru: I mean, I guess so.

Chikage: I won’t deny it.

Azami: …This is sorta makin’ me realize how much I respect you, Sakuya-san.

Azami: You don’t gotta be someone who comes in and takes charge to be a leader.

Azami: You’ve made me realize that there’s also leaders who bring people together just by bein’ there for them like you do, or somethin’ along those lines…

Citron: Ohh, Azami… are you giving him a compliment?

Azami: I mean, yeah, ‘course I am. …And, I dunno, he just really pays attention to the people around him.

Itaru: Looks like we’re getting a sudden Affection UP moment from Azami.

Azami: That said, I do think everyone coddles him a bit too much.

Azami: The Sakuya-san I’ve always known has always seemed a lot more dependable than that—not quite like an older brother, but… I dunno, he’s always just seemed more mature to me for some reason.

Sakuya: Wait, really!?

Masumi: No way.

Citron: Exactly. No matter how old you are, you will always be my son, Sakuya~.

Tsuzuru: Well, I guess it’s about time for us to give that to you.

Sakuya: That?

Tsuzuru: Sakuya.

Everyone: Happy birthday.

Citron: It is a present from us!

Sakuya: Aww… thank you so much!

Sakuya: Can I open it?

Itaru: Have at ‘er.

*Sakuya opens the present*

Sakuya: …! This is…!

Citron: It is a dressing room noren! (1)

Tsuzuru: You’ve been getting asked to do more and more guest performances, and, as Spring Troupe, we’re all really proud of you.

Itaru: But we don’t want you to feel homesick when you’re off giving it your all at other theater companies.

Chikage: And this is so that you can really spread your wings when it comes to acting. So we got you this with that hope in mind.

Sakuya: —.

Chikage: I’m guessing you already know when your next guest performance will be?

Itaru: Feel free to use it then.

Masumi: Ordering it was a pain in the ass, so he’s using it whether he likes it or not.

Tsuzuru: Okay, you didn’t have to put it like that… I mean, I know there was a lot that went into it, but still.

Citron: Ohh, we have put our poor Masumi through too mulch.

Masumi: Much.

Tsuzuru: Your order was pretty detailed, Citron-san~.

Citron: It was a noren for our beloved Sakuya, so I wanted it to be just right!

Sakuya: …I’ll definitely bring it with me. Thank you so, so much!

Citron: Ohh, you must be very happy with your noren. You have hugged it so tightly that it is now all wrinkly!

Itaru: …Alright, should we start heading to the inn?

Chikage: We should. It’ll take us a bit to get from here to there.

Tsuzuru: It’s stuff like this that makes you really feel just how big Hokkaido is.

Citron: I am hungry~!

Masumi: Sleepy.

*They walk away*

Sakuya: Let’s head back, Azami-kun!

Azami: …Y’know, Sakuya-san… you really are loved.

Sakuya: …Yeah, maybe.

Sakuya: If this had been way back when, I would’ve said that wasn’t the case, but now…

Sakuya: I don’t want to dismiss the feelings of the people who say that to me, so I’m trying to see it like that.

Sakuya: I’m sure that my mom and dad feel that way, and all of the people who have been there for me along the way, too.

Sakuya: And that goes for you too, Azami-kun.

Azami: Huh? I’m not…

Sakuya: Ah, umm, maybe it’s not so much love for you… maybe it’s more like a feeling of appreciation…

Azami: …Well, it ain’t like my own dream can come true if I don’t got someone to do makeup on.

Sakuya: Huh?

Azami: I’m sayin’ I appreciate you too…

Sakuya: Ahaha. I guess we’re in the same boat then. Let’s keep this up from now on.

Azami: Yeah.

Azami: (Guess this is just the kinda guy Sakuya-san is.)

Tsuzuru: C’mon, Sakuya, Azami~.

Citron: Hurry up and get in! Masumi is going to fall asleep~.

Azami: Ready to go?

Sakuya: Yeah!

• • •

Notes:

Citron: Should I pack the onigiri now?

Itaru: Yeah, go ahead.

Chikage: What’s with this heart-shaped container packed with curry?

Masumi: It’s for the director.

Tsuzuru: Hold on, she has other things to do, so she isn’t even coming!

Masumi: Well then, I’m not coming. I’ll bring the director her lunch.

Tsuzuru: You ARE coming!

Itaru: Yeah, don’t go upsetting Spring Troupe’s harmony.

Sakuya: I’m packing fried chicken. Should I put all of this in?

Citron: That is a lot~!

Chikage: Half of it is extra spicy. It’s for me, but the rest of you are welcome to have some if you want.

Sakuya: Wait!? Some of this tastes different!? I just mixed all of it together!

Itaru: And now we’re playing Russian roulette.

Tsuzuru: Should I throw in this takoyaki, too?

Citron: Yes! In addition to normal octopus, there are also cheese, chocolate, marshmallow, cookie, and all sorts of other unique flavors of takoyaki.

Citron: You will be lucky if you get one of the rare ones!

Itaru: That sounds equally as terrifying.

Chikage: If it’s spicy, that sounds like a win to me.

Omi: Do you need any help with making you— Whoa, seems like you’ve got some pretty interesting bentos there.

Taichi: This is always where you can really see each troupe’s unique style come through.

Omi: But are you really packing bentos to take on a picnic when it’s this cold out?

Citron: We are going to view the cherry blossoms!

Taichi: Cherry blossom viewing!?

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Citron: I cannot believe the sun has already set.

Tsuzuru: And who was the one who suddenly roped us into making bentos?

Sakuya: I was worried that the flowers would be gone by now, but it seems like they’re still doing okay.

Chikage: I guess it’s really not that much of a surprise that not many people go cherry blossom viewing for fuyuzakura.

Itaru: It’s pretty nice not having to worry about saving a spot.

Citron: There is still a little snow left, so it is like we are also snow blossom viewing! (1)

Sakuya: It really is wonderful being able to see both at the same time!

Masumi: Cold.

Itaru: And that’s why this time we’ve got blankets and insulating sheets to boost your Freeze RES! 

Chikage: We’ve also got a heater.

Masumi: I’ll just sit by the heater.

Sakuya: That’s amazing! It really does make a difference when you’re wrapped up in a blanket.

Tsuzuru: It is pretty cozy.

Citron: Thank you again, everyone. It is thanks to you that all my selfish wishes about the play and cherry blossom viewing came true!

Itaru: Even if you call yourself selfish regarding the performance, I think you fulfilled your responsibilities as the lead just fine.

Tsuzuru: It ended up being a play that was really fitting of you, Citron-san.

Sakuya: That reminds me… there’s something that I’ve been kinda wondering about the scene where Mononobe talks about his sense of justice.

Sakuya: During that scene, it sorta seemed like it wasn’t just Mononobe, but that you yourself were also thinking of someone… or was I just imagining things?

Citron: You were not imagining it. I was thinking of the faces of many people from Zahra.

Citron: My brothers, Guy, and… my mother.

Sakuya: Your mom…

Tsuzuru: I heard that she was a commoner from Guy-san, but what’s she like?

Citron: To be honest, I do not know very much about my mother either.

Citron: After becoming the crown prince, I was separated from my mother and raised by a wet nurse, and I spent every day studying with my tutors.

Citron: My mother also seemed to be avoiding me for some reason or another, as if she were hesitant to get close to me.

Citron: Before I knew it, I heard that she had left the palace and returned to her hometown.

Chikage: She could’ve been pressured to do so by those around her.

Citron: When I think about it now, I believe my mother was also in a difficult position.

Citron: When I put those artificial cherry blossoms in the garden, perhaps my mother saw herself in them.

Citron: Perhaps she found herself stuck, unable to take root, unable to wither away, unable to bloom anew…

Citron: …Of course, that is just my own imagination.

Masumi: Can’t you get in touch with her?

Citron: I know that I would be a bother. It is best that I leave my mother alone.

Citron: She was never really cut out for life in the palace to begin with, so I think she is doing just fine in her hometown. That is enough for me.

Sakuya: But, maybe if cherry blossoms bloom in Zahra… your mom will get to see them too.

Tsuzuru: Maybe she also remembers your artificial flowers. If she does, I’m sure she’d be happy.

Citron: That may be true… I hope that is the case.

Itaru: This is the first I’m hearing about your mom, Citron.

Citron: That is because it is a little embarrassing that, even though I am Spring Troupe’s mother, I do not know my own mother!

Citron: I have just been taking inspiration from anime and manga. Just like Itaru.

Itaru: I’m more of a ‘learned things from video games’ kinda guy.

Citron: Anyway, our bentos are going to freeze! Let us quickly have a toast!

Chikage: I guess toasting with hot tea is probably our best bet.

Tsuzuru: Yeah, I’m not exactly craving an ice-cold beer right now.

Masumi: There’s also amazake. (2)

Sakuya: That sounds good!

Citron: I will have some too!

Citron: Well then, good work on our twelfth performance! Cheers to the fuyuzakura!

Tsuzuru: Cheers!

Chikage: Drinking while watching the snow; it almost feels like we’re Winter Troupe.

Citron: We have all gotten older like them~.

Tsuzuru: I dunno if they’d be thrilled to hear you saying that.

Masumi: You’re the only one who’s turning into an old man.

Itaru: You’re obviously as young and carefree as ever.

*Phone buzzes*

Citron: Ah, it is Tangerine.

Sakuya: Since we’re here, why don’t you show him the fuyuzakura?

Citron: I will do that!

*Phone beeps*

Citron: Hello!

Tangerine: 《Are you out somewhere right now, Brother? I apologize.》

Citron: 《It’s no problem at all. If anything, your timing couldn’t have been better. Is something wrong?》

Tangerine: 《I’m really, truly sorry that I wasn’t able to attend your performance in person due to my official duties.》

Citron: 《You don’t need to worry about that. I think it’s admirable that you’re fulfilling your official duties. As your older brother, I’m proud of you.》

Tangerine: 《Brother… thank you so much.》

Citron: 《How is the Sakura Project coming along?》

Tangerine: 《The Zahran research team is steadily making progress with their preparations.》

Tangerine: 《There’s still a long way to go, but we’re beginning to establish a cooperative relationship with the people on the Japanese side of things.》

Tangerine: 《In the long run, I think this is going to have a positive impact on cultural exchanges between the two countries in a broad range of areas.》

Citron: 《That’s exactly what I was hoping for.》

Citron: 《Although, if things happen too quickly, there’ll be no reason for Orange and Navel to come over here, so this is probably alright for now.》

Tangerine: 《Hehe, I guess so. It seems that they also watched the stream of your performance, Brother.》

Citron: 《Is that so?》

Tangerine: 《I really hope you’ll make another Zahra performance happen someday.》

Citron: 《I’ll be sure to.》

Tangerine: 《Well then—sorry for interrupting your outing.》

Citron: 《Hold on, there’s something I want to show you. I’m switching to a video call now.》

Citron: Tangerine, these are fuyuzakura! They are cherry blossoms that bloom during the winter!

Tangerine: “!!”

Sakuya: Good evening, Tangerine-kun! Spring Troupe is in the middle of snow blossom viewing right now!

Tsuzuru: Can you see them~!?

Masumi: It’s way too freaking cold.

Itaru: Long time, no see.

Chikage: We’re looking forward to your next visit here.

Tangerine: “Good eeving, everyone!”

Masumi: It’s ‘good evening.’

Tangerine: 《So, the rest of Spring Troupe has been with you this whole time. The snow and the cherry blossoms are truly beautiful.》

Citron: 《I’m glad you got to see them.》

Citron: Well then, bye-bye!

Tangerine: “Yes! Harewell!” 

Chikage: Farewell.

*Phone beeps*

Sakuya: I can’t wait for there to be cherry blossoms in Zahra.

Chikage: We’ll have to go there for some cherry blossom viewing once they bloom.

Itaru: What if we’re frail old men who can’t really travel by the time that happens…?

Masumi: Easy. We leave you behind.

Tsuzuru: You could’ve hesitated a little!

Chikage: That was obviously directed at us.

Citron: Just in case you cannot make it, we will bring you some substitute cherry blossoms instead.

Sakuya: Substitute cherry blossoms?

Citron: You and I will put on a sakura performance, Sakuya! The two of us will play a sakura tree!

Sakuya: O-Oh, okay!

Tsuzuru: Whoa, hey, don’t just agree to that! That kinda nonsense would be a real pain in the ass for me to write a script for…!

Itaru: Maybe I should play a gerbera.

Chikage: I guess that means I’d be playing a lily-of-the-valley. And Masumi would be a violet.

Masumi: I don’t care as long as I don’t have any lines.

Tsuzuru: Wait, really?

Tsuzuru: —No, absolutely not!

Sakuya: Ahaha!

Sakuya: Oh—looks like it’s started snowing.

Citron: And the cherry blossoms keep bravely blooming. They really are incredible flowers.

Sakuya: It’s so pretty…

Citron: It is still a little while until spring will be in full bloom with all kinds of blooming flowers, but… that is exactly why I look forward to it.

Itaru: Next spring is the Fleur Award, huh?

Sakuya: Let’s fully bloom for the Fleur Award!

Citron: Of course!

[ ⇠ Previous Part ] [ 🌸 ]

• • •

Notes:

(1) The wordplay doesn’t work as nicely in English here, but Citron says “雪花見” (yukibanami) as sort of portmanteau of “雪花” (yukibana, snowflake) and “花見” (hanami, cherry blossom viewing).

⚠️ Content warning: The play section of this episode contains discussions of topics related to corrupt law enforcement and domestic terrorism, as well as a very brief mention of suicide. Please proceed with caution if these are sensitive subjects for you!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: Just as I suspected, you all look really cool in your costumes! And it’s a fresh look for Spring Troupe.

Chikage: This is the first time we’re all wearing matching uniforms, isn’t it?

Sakuya: Even for the Mankai performance, mine was a little different from the rest of your guys’.

Izumi: (When I read the script, I wasn’t quite sure how things would turn out, but I’m sure that this has become a performance that will let Spring Troupe break out of their shells in their own unique way without a hitch.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Itaru: Police, white-collar crime, and a terrorist incident… The direction you ended up going in emphasizes social issues quite a bit, huh?

Tsuzuru: I decided to give it a shot, thinking of it as my own take on a social commentary.

Chikage: I’m a little surprised there wasn’t really any action in it.

Citron: Even if we carry weapons, we will not actually fight with them!

Itaru: Dodged a bullet there…

Tsuzuru: If it were any of the other troupes, I probably would’ve considered it more, but…

Tsuzuru: I just sorta had the feeling that wouldn’t have been in line with Citron-san’s or Spring Troupe’s usual style.

Masumi: So, in the end, we’re breaking out of our shells by embracing the socially conscious vibe that’s typical of Spring Troupe.

Chikage: This wouldn’t have been the kind of thing we would’ve tackled in the past.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: (Following in the footsteps of Winter, Autumn, and Summer Troupe, Spring Troupe was also able to take on some challenges that only they could. All that’s left is for the curtains to rise without a hitch.)

Citron: Director!

Izumi: ?

Citron: It is time for us to form a circle!

Izumi: Oops, my bad.

Citron: Everyone, thank you all for going along with my selfishness this time.

Citron: Thanks to you, not only the Sakura Project, but my career as an actor will continue for a very, very long time to come.

Citron: Let us get along for EEETERNITY~!

Sakuya: Yeah, let’s!

Citron: And now it is time for a chant inspired by cherry blossoms! Spring Troupe, buru, buru~!

Sakuya: Blooming!

Masumi: Blooming?

Tsuzuru: We’re doing this now!?

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Cast (1)

Sakuya - Katsuragi

Masumi - Hasebe

Tsuzuru - Suwa

Itaru - Fujiwara

Citron - Mononobe

Chikage - Taira

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Buzzer sounds*

Narrator: (The Nation of the Sun has long been divided into East and West since the war. While spies from both countries secretly probe each other’s affairs…)

Narrator: (The Special Duty Police Force—commonly known as the Special Force—operated independently of the regular police agencies and kept a watchful eye on public order.)

Narrator: (Special Police Operations Division Two is composed of elite officers who have survived the rigorous training of the Special Police Academy.)

Narrator: (This morning began with the sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled…)

Mononobe: “That reminds me, which one of you ate my dango?”

Hasebe: “It was still there as of yesterday afternoon.”

Taira: “Wasn’t me.”

Fujiwara: “Are you sure that you didn’t eat them yourself and forgot?”

Mononobe: “Hmm… Now that you mention it, I feel more confident that…”

Mononobe: “Ah, riichi.”

*Mononobe places a tile down*

Fujiwara: “…”

Mononobe: “What?”

Fujiwara: “Ron.”

*Fujiwara places a tile down*

Mononobe: “Aghhh…”

Fujiwara: “You’re slipping, Mo-san. Couldn’t you tell that’s what I was aiming for?”

Taira: “It was plain as day.”

Hasebe: “No doubt about that.”

*Door opens*

Suwa: “Good work. I’ve got dango.”

Taira: “Perhaps we’ve found our culprit.”

*Door opens*

Katsuragi: “—Good morning. I am Yuushi Katsuragi, and I have been assigned to this position effective today.” 

Mononobe: “Suwa-kun, um, is it possible that you’re the one who…”

Suwa: “I’ve got anko and mitarashi, which do you want~?”

Mononobe: “Oh well… I suppose I’ll take the mitarashi, then.”

Izumi: (The laid-back feel that’s incredibly out of place for a special police force is the very essence of both Spring Troupe and Citron-kun himself.)

Katsuragi: “Good morning.”

Mononobe: “Yes, sorry. Erm, Katsuragi-kun, was it? Are you sure you were assigned to our division?”

Katsuragi: “I was assigned to Special Police Operations Division Two.”

Mononobe: “I see…”

Katsuragi: “…You see?”

Fujiwara: “And you said you’re starting today?”

Mononobe: “Is that what you said…?”

Katsuragi: “…”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Door opens*

Station Employee: “This guy was just hanging around the station, so someone get Mononobe-san over here.”

Man: “Let me go. I was told I could go home now! I just don’t know where the exit is!”

Mononobe: “Ahh, it’s you, from earlier—did you fill out the paperwork?”

Mononobe: “You can go now. Would you like some dango?”

Station Employee: “Wait, really?”

Mononobe: “Please show him the exit.”

Man: “That’s what I was saying!”

Station Employee: “Here, right this way.”

Man: “Tch, this is why government dogs are useless.”

Katsuragi: “—I’ll make sure things are secure.”

Mononobe: “Please do.”

Katsuragi: “However, there was definitely an error in his statem—.”

Mononobe: “That’s no problem at all. His offences were only white-collar ones.”

Katsuragi: “It was still undoubtedly a crime. How is that not a problem?”

Mononobe: “Ah, would you like some dango, Katsuragi-kun?”

Katsuragi: “I would not. Shouldn’t playing mobile games during work hours also be prohibited?”

Mononobe: “I forgot to collect my login bonus.”

Fujiwara: “New event starts today, Mo-san.”

Mononobe: “I can’t wait.”

Katsuragi: “More importantly, we need to arrest that white-collar criminal from before.”

Hasebe: “Chill, rookie. This is the real world, not some spy movie.”

Mononobe: “While people still go on about the East versus the West, those days are long gone. It’s just a relaxed, no-strings-attached kind of relationship between the two nowadays.

Katsuragi: “What kind of idiotic—?”

Izumi: (Sakuya-kun’s Katsuragi throws a wrench into the laid-back atmosphere… He really ended up coming into his own in his role as the one who keeps things moving.)

Izumi: (He blends seamlessly into his surroundings without being too assertive, yet he still radiates a striking brilliance…)

Izumi: (Maybe that’s exactly the kind of identity Sakuya-kun was looking for—the one that’s truly ‘him.’)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Suwa: “I know they call it patrol and all, but really all we’ve gotta do is give things a quick once-over, grab some tea, and head back. It’s super lowkey, y’know~?”

Katsuragi: “Tea… is that some sort of code word?”

Suwa: “Tea is tea. We’ll stop for some tea at a café and then head back. That’s all~.”

Katsuragi: “You’re joking, right?”

Suwa: “Wait, did you really think patrol was like a serious thing…?”

Katsuragi: “Why would I think otherwise?”

Suwa: “Right~, but at our precinct, pretending to be busy is more important than anything else. You’ll get used to that eventually, newbie.”

*Person runs by*

Katsuragi: “What is that?”

Suspicious Man: “Tch.”

Katsuragi: “I’m going to have to ask you to tell me about it in more detail back at the precinct.”

Suwa: “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whatcha doing there, newbie~?”

Suwa: “So sorry, man, we didn’t mean to scare you.”

Katsuragi: “Please look, Suwa-san. Those are the ingredients for a bomb. We must get permission from the chief to request his voluntary cooperation to come in for questioning.”

Suwa: “Ahh, really don’t recommend going down that path, bud~.”

*Radio static*

Katsuragi: “This is Katsuragi. Chief, I’ve located an individual in possession of explosives. I’m requesting your approval to bring him in for voluntary questioning.”

Mononobe: “Ahh~, no can do. Please let him go immediately.”

Katsuragi: “Why? He is very clearly in possession of dangerous items, so—.”

Mononobe: “That’s okay. I will not be granting you permission to bring him in for questioning.”

Katsuragi: “That’s hardly a valid excuse.”

Mononobe: “Sorry, in the middle of an event…”

Katsuragi: “Please wait.”

*Radio static*

Suspicious Man: “Can I go now?”

Suwa: “You can~. Thank you so much for your cooperation~.”

*Man walks away*

Katsuragi: “Unbelievable. Such negligence is inexcusable.”

Suwa: “I told yo~u. Why don’t we grab some coffee over there and head back? My treat.”

Katsuragi: “I respectfully decline.”

*Katsuragi walks away*

Suwa: “Dude, seriously~?”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Door opens*

Katsuragi: “Chief, why didn’t you grant me permission to bring that individual in?”

Mononobe: “Whoa, hey, we can discuss that later… More importantly, good work out there on patrol. It’s almost time to head out.”

Katsuragi: “Head out for…?”

Mononobe: “Your welcoming party, of course.”

Katsuragi: “What?”

Taira: “I’ve made a reservation at our usual place.”

Mononobe: “Thanks.”

Fujiwara: “Way to go, drinking party leader. You’re so dependable~.”

Katsuragi: “Forget about that. That guy from before, we have to—.”

Hasebe: “Don’t be such a kissass just because you wanna get ahead. It’s not a good look on you, rookie.”

Katsuragi: “—.”

Fujiwara: “Well, I get how you feel, Katsuragi-kun. Don’t take it personally, that’s just how we roll around here.”

Suwa: “Exactly~, I told him that too~.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Katsuragi: “Why are things like this… this can’t be… why’d I even join the Special Force in the first place…”

*Katsuragi slumps over*

Mononobe: “Looks like Katsuragi-kun’s a lightweight.”

Katsuragi: “How am I going to survive in this sort of environment… uueugh.”

Mononobe: “Why did you join the Special Force, Katsuragi-kun?”

Katsuragi: “…Ten years ago, when I was a student, I got caught up in a terrorist attack… and that’s when I was saved.”

Mononobe: “Ten… years ago…?”

Fujiwara: “Wasn’t that the Yamaue Station incident?”

Katsuragi: “Yes. I was about to be crushed by rubble under the overpass near the station when a Special Force officer rushed to help me.”

Mononobe: “Was… that me?”

Fujiwara: “It must’ve been you, Mo-san. Wasn’t that what got you your certificate of honor?”

Katsuragi: “What…?”

Mononobe: “I was actually promoted for that…”

Mononobe: “I evacuated because the front line was dangerous, but then I found out that’s where the bombs had been planted. It was most definitely a shock.”

Fujiwara: “Don’t you mean, MOst definitely a shock, Mo-san?”

Mononobe: “Ahaha, you’re awful. I didn’t even say anything that clever.”

Katsuragi: “…”

Taira: “You good there, rookie? It looks like the light just faded from your eyes.”

Hasebe: “You can quit if you wanna quit. We’ve got more than enough people.”

Katsuragi: “…The team atmosphere can change if the leader changes.”

Taira: “Oh, that’s quite the confidence you’ve got, rookie.”

Suwa: “You’re full of ambition, I’ll give you that~.”

Fujiwara: “Might wanna watch out for your position, Mo-san~.”

Hasebe: “It’s absolutely inexcusable to disrupt team harmony. Isn’t that right, Chief?”

Mononobe: “Not at all~. I think having his sort of motivation is a good thing.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Dango Stand Owner: “Here you are, six mitarashi dango. Thank you as always.”

Mononobe: “No, no, thank YOU for always having your delicious dango.”

Dango Stand Owner: “The cherry blossoms should be blooming soon. Will you be visiting his grave again this year?

Mononobe: “Yes, that’s what I’m planning on.”

Dango Stand Owner: “Well then, come by when that day comes. I’ll have dango for two ready.”

Mononobe: “Thank you so much.”

Dango Stand Owner: “Ahh, but… it looks like the weather’s going to be getting rough, so stay safe.”

Mononobe: “Thank you. I will.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Hasebe: “Chief, can we talk about the rookie for a moment…?”

Mononobe: “What’s the matter?”

Hasebe: “Lately, we’ve been getting complaints that his style of enforcement is too strict. They’re saying he’s just like one of the old-school Special Force officers.”

Taira: “Now that you mention it, the old woman at the dango stand said she found him a bit intimidating, too. It’s not as much about the rookie himself as it is the impact he’s having.”

Mononobe: “I see…”

*Door opens*

Katsuragi: “Katsuragi, reporting back.”

Taira: “Oh, speak of the devil.”

Katsuragi: “Chief Mononobe, I’d like you to grant me permission to interrogate Kanda.”

Mononobe: “Denied. Please release them immediately.”

*Siren sounds*

Announcement: “Requesting emergency dispatch. A report has been received that a bomb has exploded near the Aisaka River. No injuries have been reported, but the possibility of a terrorist attack has not yet been ruled out.”

Announcement: “The Operations Divisions should proceed to the scene immediately.”

Katsuragi: “—.”

Mononobe: “Please release Kanda immediately.”

Katsuragi: “We don’t have time for that now—besides, there’s a possibility that Kanda may be involved somehow.”

Mononobe: “Their release comes first.”

Katsuragi: “—You’re out of your damn mind!”

*Door closes*

Fujiwara: “What should we do about the emergency dispatch, Mo-san?”

Mononobe: “Division One should be able to handle it. Everything should settle down soon enough, given the location.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Katsuragi: “What is the meaning of this? How can you just ignore a dispatch request like that…?”

Suwa: “Hey, don’t worry about it. In the end, it turned out to be just a one-off thing, like the chief said~.”

Hasebe: “You’re the reason this all happened, rookie.”

Katsuragi: “—What do you mean by that?”

Taira: “Kanda is a major figure in an anti-government organization. He means that if you had handled things any more poorly, it could’ve escalated into a serious incident.”

Katsuragi: “You can’t carry out the Special Force’s mission while trying to please  anti-government organizations.”

Mononobe: “I suppose you do have a point, Katsuragi-kun, however… it is important to listen to the voices of those who are silenced from time to time.”

Katsuragi: “Are you planning on taking their side? Violence of any kind should never be tolerated.”

Mononobe: “As for the latter half of what you said, I wholeheartedly agree.”

Katsuragi: “Then—!”

Katsuragi: “…I’ve had enough.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Fujiwara: “Want some tea?”

Katsuragi: “…”

Fujiwara: “You’ve got a strong sense of justice, Katsuragi-kun. Neither you nor Mo-san is wrong. It’s just your way of going about things that differs.”

Katsuragi: “Back during that terrorist attack I was caught up in, I lost a friend of mine. I will never tolerate terrorists.”

Fujiwara: “…I see.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Mononobe: “Taira-kun, Suwa-kun, do you have a moment?”

Taira: “What is it? If it’s about the mitarashi dango, you yourself ate that this morning.”

Suwa: “And I’ve already placed the order for lunch to be delivered~.”

Mononobe: “I would like your help with something.”

Taira: “…”

Suwa: “…”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Taira: “Welcome. Please pull your car in over here.”

Suwa: “I seriously never thought we’d be asked to help out at the dango stand~.”

Dango Stand Owner: “My apologies. We’re always just so short-staffed on days when people are viewing the cherry blossoms.”

Suwa: “Just think of it as our way of thanking you for everything~.”

*Taira moves next to Suwa*

Taira: “Take note of that customer’s face and their license plate number.”

Suwa: “Huh? Ohh~, gotcha.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Siren sounds*

Announcement: “Requesting emergency dispatch! Multiple explosions have occurred! Deploy all emergency forces!”

Announcement: “Please send backup to Akaba-cho!”

Announcement: “There has been significant destruction done to Yamakawa-cho! Requesting backup!”

Taira: “What’s the situation?”

Hasebe: “I haven’t received instruction of any sort!”

Suwa: “I can’t get in touch with the chief or Fujiwara-san~.”

Taira: “That’s normal for the chief, but Fujiwara-san as well…?”

Hasebe: “What do we do? For things to have gotten so out of control so quickly—our deployment plans must’ve been leaked…”

Taira: “I can’t believe this…”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Fujiwara: “Yamakawa-cho has been devastated. We’re gathering in Ueda-cho.”

Katsuragi: “Fujiwara-san? What on earth is going on…?”

Fujiwara: “Oh dear, it seems I’ve been caught.”

Katsuragi: “Fujiwara-san, were you the one leaking information? Why in the world—?”

Fujiwara: “…Katsuragi-kun, was the name of your friend who died in the terrorist attack ten years ago Naoshi Konoe?”

Katsuragi: “—Yes, but I don’t see how that pertains to now.”

Fujiwara: “Konoe-kun was my nephew.”

Katsuragi: “—.”

Fujiwara: “I hate terrorists just as much as you do.”

Katsuragi: “Then why are you—?”

Fujiwara: “In the past, the Special Force’s ties to anti-government organizations were even closer than they are now.”

Fujiwara: “The reason why that incident back then resulted in the amount of damage it did was because the Special Force wanted to take credit for the great deeds they did because of it.”

Katsuragi: “As if I would believe something so…”

Fujiwara: “Use your head and think about it. Do you really think the current state of things around here is just because that’s how Mo-san wants it to be?”

Katsuragi: “—.”

Fujiwara: “If both sides are corrupt, I might as well side with the anti-government faction. The Special Force doesn’t have the power to change a damn thing.”

Fujiwara: “Why don’t you join us, Katsuragi-kun?”

Katsuragi: “I—.”

Fujiwara: “Just consider it.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Katsuragi: “—Wh.”

Mononobe: “Katsuragi-kun, don’t go that way!”

Katsuragi: “Chief Mononobe…? Where have you—?”

Mononobe: “I was running around trying to get away from a rather dangerous situation.”

Mononobe: “The residents of this area have already been evacuated. You should evacuate to Yokote-cho as well. It is safe there.”

Katsuragi: “—Ten years ago, were you also pretending to run away like that while guiding people to safety…?”

Mononobe: “It didn’t work then, though.”

Katsuragi: “Why did you help me, both ten years ago and now?”

Mononobe: “I wanted a job where I could protect the people right in front of me. This is how I do that.”

Katsuragi: “The people right in front of you…”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Suwa: “An incident of this magnitude without any injuries among the general public~? It’s a miracle.”

Mononobe: “It’s not over yet.”

Taira: “I’m guessing that means that everything’s already been settled.”

Mononobe: “Yes, thanks to both you and Suwa-kun. But please do me a favor and pretend to be working for a little longer.”

Katsuragi: “Chief Mononobe. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about regarding Fujiwara-san…”

Mononobe: “Why don’t we stop by to see the cherry blossoms while we’re out on patrol?”

Katsuragi: “No, what I have to tell you is more important than—.”

Mononobe: “I’ll treat you to some dango.”

Katsuragi: “No, that’s really not what I want…”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Mononobe: “I know today is the anniversary of your death. I apologize for bringing someone else along.”

Katsuragi: “Whose death…?”

Mononobe: “This is the grave of a dear friend of mine when I was in school. He is to me like what Konoe-kun is to you, Katsuragi-kun.”

Katsuragi: “—.”

Mononobe: “…My friend and I were aiming to join the Special Duty Police Force together. But at some point, our paths diverged.”

Mononobe: “He began getting deeply involved with anti-government forces, and I started to distance myself from him because I was appalled by the person he was becoming.”

Katsuragi: “So, was the terrorist attack back then also when he…?”

Mononobe: “No, he took his own life while he was detained.”

Katsuragi: “Huh…?”

Mononobe: “I had been the one who ratted him out after he had reached out to me, saying he wanted to talk for the first time in a while.”

Mononobe: “I wanted him to wake up. I wanted things to go back to the way they used to be. But that was all just my own ego getting in the way. All I ended up doing was backing him into a corner.”

Mononobe: “As a Special Duty officer, I did the right thing to protect the citizens. However, it was at the cost of my friend’s life.”

Katsuragi: “…I heard a rumor that the Special Duty Police Force has terrorist connections. Is that rumor really true?”

Mononobe: “Yes, unfortunately, it is. When my friend heard about that rumor, he gave up on becoming a Special Duty officer. As for me, I remained.”

Mononobe: “I suppose my friend must’ve felt betrayed. I understand exactly how he must’ve felt.”

Mononobe: “But I couldn’t just pretend that the feelings I’d believed in up until that point never existed.”

Mononobe: “That was the only reason I joined the Special Duty Police Force. I ran away from facing things. As a result, I ended up losing a close friend…”

Mononobe: “Things would be much easier if there were one single, universally accepted idea of justice. However, that idea is nothing more than a delusion.”

Mononobe: “All we can do is confront our own sense of justice, clash with others, and find ways to compromise.”

Katsuragi: “Does that mean your sense of justice is being able to help the people who are right in front of you, Chief Mononobe?”

Mononobe: “Yes, so, as long as there’s no pressing conflict, I’ll tolerate him. I think he knows that as well.”

Katsuragi: “…”

Mononobe: “Did that answer your question?”

Katsuragi: “It did.”

Izumi: (Even though his role is to protect the nation and its people, Mononobe speaks of his conviction to choose to protect the people right in front of him…)

Izumi: (When Tsuzuru-kun asked Citron-kun if it was okay for him to be saying things like that as a government official, Citron-kun said that being an actor gave him a freedom of speech that nowhere else had.)

Izumi: (It’s precisely because he’s up on stage that Citron-kun can become anything and go anywhere he pleases.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Mononobe: “Riichi.”

*Mononobe places a tile down*

Fujiwara: “Ahh, looks like you’ve done it again, Mo-san.”

Mononobe: “Huh?”

*Taira places a tile down*

Taira: “Ron.”

Mononobe: “Aghhh…”

Fujiwara: “You had to have known that was coming~.”

Hasebe: “Taira-san completely kicked your ass.”

*Door opens*

Katsuragi: “What are you all doing…?”

Mononobe: “Morning mahjong. It’s part of our daily routine. Did you not already know that?”

Katsuragi: “No, I knew that, but what about the matter regarding Fujiwara-san…?”

Mononobe: “Why don’t you join us next round, Katsuragi-kun?”

Katsuragi: “—.”

Mononobe: “I’ll teach you how to play mahjong.”

Fujiwara: “You’re just looking for someone weaker than you to join, aren’t you, Mo-san?”

Mononobe: “What? No, I would never.”

Katsuragi: “…So, that’s how things usually go for you, Chief Mononobe.”

Mononobe: “Huh? That’s not true. I usually win a little more than this, and…”

*Katsuragi takes off his hat*

Katsuragi: “I’ll be in your care.”

Mononobe: “Of course. First, you need to memorize the types of winning hands.”

Taira: “Something tells me he meant something completely different.”

Hasebe: “Just so you know, don’t even think about trying to climb the ladder by sucking up to the chief. It’s just wishful thinking.”

*Door opens*

Suwa: “I’ve got dango.”

Mononobe: “Ah, that reminds me, what happened to my…?”

Suwa: “I got three mitarashi dango for you, Chief.”

Mononobe: “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter… thank you.”

Izumi: (I heard that Citron-kun was the one who requested a scene with the cherry blossoms this time around, so I’m sure that cherry blossoms will be in full bloom in Zahra someday, too.)

Izumi: (I’m sure that if anyone can make them bloom, Citron-kun can.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Applause*

Citron: Thank you very much~!

Sakuya: Thank you so much!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Guy: …

Izumi: (Thank goodness… We were able to pull off Spring Troupe’s twelfth performance thanks to not only the current Spring Troupe, but more specifically, the current Citron-kun and Sakuya-kun.)

Izumi: (With the whole company deciding to take on challenges to break out of their shells for their twelfth plays…)

Izumi: (Each troupe did things in their own way, took on new challenges, succeeded, and grew.)

Izumi: (After this, it’ll be about time for the Fleur Award final round to begin.)

Izumi: (With the stage that Dad built, we’ll officially win the Fleur Award this time…)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: (And all 24 of them will fully bloom!)

[ ⇠ Previous Part ] [ 🌸 ] [ Next Part ⇢ ]

• • •

Notes:

*Citron opens his eyes*

Citron: Cherry blossoms…?

Sakuya: These are fuyuzakura, and they’re in full bloom. Unlike the cherry blossoms that bloom in the spring, these ones have flowers that are apparently naturally small, and not too many of them bloom…

Citron: They are still beautiful… It seems as if they are faintly glowing in the bitterly cold atmosphere…

Sakuya: They’re incredible, aren’t they? I can’t believe that it’s possible for them to bloom in a place like this. I used to think that cherry blossoms wouldn’t bloom without the warmth of spring.

Sakuya: …But even in such a cold, harsh environment, some cherry blossoms still bloom.

Sakuya: So I’m sure you’ll find Japanese cherry blossoms that’ll bloom in Zahra, too.

Citron: —Fuyuzakura, also known as kobazakura. A hybrid between mamezakura and oshimazakura that blooms twice a year…

Citron: I had looked into it before and knew that there are types of sakura that bloom in the winter. But this is the first time I am actually seeing them.

Citron: They are much more beautiful and wonderful than they are in pictures. I feel that even more, being surrounded by this atmosphere.

Citron: …There are just some things you cannot understand unless you see them with your own eyes.

Citron: I had forgotten the importance of that. Even though I should have known this about Japan best of all.

Itaru: Hey, Citron, why are you so passionate about cherry blossoms?

Citron: …Simply because cherry blossoms are the flower of Japan; to me, they are Japan itself. That is why other types of cherry blossoms just won’t do.

Citron: When I was little, I tried placing some artificial cherry blossoms around the courtyard, but they just did not look right at all.

Citron: But… what matters is not planting the flowers, it is nurturing the seeds.

Chikage: ‘Every one who enjoys thinks that the principal thing to the tree is the fruit, but in point of fact the principal thing to it is the seed—.’ (1)

Chikage: It’s a quote from Nietzsche.

Citron: What matters is not the result. It is the effort and actions one takes to get there, and the possibilities one creates for the future… That is what my mother taught me long ago.

Sakuya: —.

Citron: I knew it would not be easy, but before I had even realized it, I had found myself chasing nothing but results.

Citron: Although these are Japanese cherry blossoms, just like the fuyuzakura, crossbreeding may be able to produce a variety of them that can bloom even in the warm climate of Zahra…

Citron: If that were to become a reality, it would not only benefit Zahra but also pave the way for a future where cherry blossoms will bloom in other countries as well.

Sakuya: Your mother must be a wonderful person, Citron-san.

Citron: As her son, I am a failure. I have realized this far too late.

Citron: I, of course, cannot achieve this ideal on my own. And the other stakeholders may object to this as well.

Citron: But they are all professionals as well, and if we sit down together, listen to each other’s opinions, and talk things through, I am sure we will be able to reach an understanding…

Citron: It may take some time, but this is the path I have decided to take.

Tsuzuru: The path ahead of you might be a long one, but I’m sure you’ll make it, Citron-san.

Masumi: You eventually made it to the place you had always dreamed of going to when you were a kid, so I’m sure you’ll be able to figure this out if you put in the same amount of time you put into that.

Citron: That is true. Haste is based!

Itaru: Makes waste. But yeah, I think that’s great.

Chikage: Making such a self-indulgent wish come true is exactly what you do best, Citron.

Sakuya: If it’s you, Citron-san, I’m sure you’ll be just fine. No matter how long it takes, all of us in Spring Troupe will be right by your side, cheering you on!

Citron: Thank you!

Masumi: —Achoo. Cold. I’m done.

Itaru: Oh, is it snowing?

Sakuya: Whoa, it is! It goes perfectly with the fuyuzakura!

Citron: It is the most lovely scene!

Masumi: Okay, that’s enough. Let’s hurry up and go home.

Chikage: If he gets sick, it’ll impact the performance.

Citron: How unfortunate.

Itaru: Let’s come back here after we’re done with the performance. I’m pretty sure they’ll still be blooming by then.

Tsuzuru: I like that idea.

Citron: It is a promise!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tsuzuru: Urgh, so cold… need to get in the bath fast…

Citron: Tsuzuru, I have a request for the script!

Tsuzuru: Seriously? And you’re telling me this now!?

Tsuzuru: Well, I guess I’ve got some things I wanna discuss with you, too, so I guess this isn’t the worst timing.

Tsuzuru: Okay, let’s talk it over in the bath.

Sakuya: Hey, guys, what should we put in the bath?

Masumi: Forest woods.

Tsuzuru: Yuzu.

Itaru: Herbal.

Chikage: Osmanthus.

Citron: Everyone is all over the place!

Itaru: Should we just mix them all?

Tsuzuru: I bet you’re the kinda guy who just mixes everything together when you’re at a soda fountain, too.

Itaru: I shudder at the thought.

Citron: Let us compromise and go with cherry blossom!

Masumi: Is the compromise in the room with us?

Chikage: That’s hardly a compromise.

Tsuzuru: That’s just going with what you want!

Itaru: That’s our crown prince.

Sakuya: Ahaha!

Tsuzuru: Oh, right, and about your request, I’m not putting any manzai bits in the script.

Citron: …

Tsuzuru: Wait, are you serious?

*Citron goes over to Tsuzuru*

Citron: …You must be joking!

Tsuzuru: Hey, that’s what I should be saying!

[ ⇠ Previous Part ] [ 🌸 ] [ Next Part ⇢ ]

• • •

Notes:

Itaru: Well then, should we get this emergency family meeting started?

Sakuya: Let’s do it!

Tsuzuru: And is everything taken care of with Citron-san?

Itaru: Just like we planned, Guy-san asked Prince Tangerine for help, and they’re video calling right now.

Masumi: So, what are we going to do?

Chikage: Well, what Citron is facing right now is indeed an issue that he’s facing as the minister of a country.

Tsuzuru: Given that’s the scale of what we’re working with, I honestly can’t help but wonder what a bunch of actors like us could possibly do.

Sakuya: It’d be really nice if there was something that we could do, though…

Itaru: I mean, it’s obviously important to overcome obstacles on your own and stuff, but.

Itaru: That’s what’s so frustrating about it. Especially since we all know how important it is just to be able to give him a little push.

Masumi: I mean, Guy did say that just being there for him would be enough.

Chikage: That said, it’s pretty hard to just ignore the way Citron’s mood has been getting gloomier when we’re all living under the same roof.

Sakuya: Yeah…

Tsuzuru: I mean, you’re right, but what even is there that we can do…?

Itaru: Hmm…

Masumi: We’re back to square one.

Tsuzuru: I am almost done with the script, but there are a few things that I’d like to get Citron-san’s opinion on…

Tsuzuru: But he seems so busy right now that I just haven’t been able to find the right time to talk to him about it. And I haven’t gotten any requests from him either…

Sakuya: Yeah, it really doesn’t seem like Citron-san has time to be reading scripts right now…

Masumi: In any case, it’s pretty obvious that we can’t just offer Citron any direct advice or help, right?

Itaru: Seems like it~.

Chikage: Well then, I guess all we can do is think about what we can do.

Tsuzuru: Okay, so, for now… what if we just take him out to eat as a little break?

Itaru: He already declined on that.

Sakuya: Wait, what!?

Chikage: Well, Citron is surprisingly stubborn, and he has a strong sense of responsibility. When it comes to national work, I guess you really can’t be slacking off.

Sakuya: Even Guy-san said he felt like he was reverting to how he was in the past…

Masumi: If that’s the case, then wouldn’t it be better for us to focus on something related to the Sakura Project?

Itaru: Cherry blossoms, huh… But just where are we gonna find cherry blossoms blooming at this time of year…?

Sakuya: Ah! Well, there are cherry blossoms that bloom in winter! They’re called fuyuzakura, and…

*Typing*

Chikage: Fuyuzakura… It does seem like they’re blooming right around this time of year.

Itaru: Look, here’s a park that’s famous for its fuyuzakura. If we really lock in, we can probably get there in half a day.

Masumi: …It seems like they’re in full bloom at that spot right now, so now would be the perfect time to see them. People who have gone there are posting about it on social media.

Sakuya: You’re all looking things up so quickly…!

Tsuzuru: Yikes, looks like there’s rain in the forecast for the next few days…

Itaru: You know what that means.

Sakuya: We’ve gotta act fast!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Citron: How strange… I was supposed to be sleeping in my bed, but I was kidnapped before I could even react.

Tsuzuru: You’re making it sound like we’re the bad guys.

Masumi: Just call it a surprise.

Chikage: It’s for an international matter.

Sakuya: We’re sorry! We were trying not to wake you up, but…

Citron: Even so, as a prince, I thought I had been trained to react even in my sleep in case of an emergency. How aesthetic of me.

Itaru: I think you mean ‘pathetic.’

Tsuzuru: Back up, that sounds like some pretty intense training you went through.

Chikage: 《By the way, it wasn’t me.》

Citron: 《I only about 30% suspected you.》

Chikage: 《30% is actually quite a lot.》

Chikage: 《Is it maybe possible that you were just so exhausted that your body couldn’t even react?》

Chikage: 《Also, you know those dorms have a way of making you feel so relaxed that it’s almost as if your former self has just vanished into thin air.》

Citron: 《I do get that sense, yes.》

Chikage: 《Holding back on the details, are we?》

Tsuzuru: ?

Itaru: Feel like I caught some bits and pieces of the Zahran.

Sakuya: I feel like I kinda understand, but also kinda don’t…

Masumi: Who cares? Clearly, it’s something they don’t want us to hear anyway.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Itaru: And we’re here.

Tsuzuru: It’s pretty cold out, so make sure you’ve got your jacket on properly.

Sakuya: And be careful not to slip.

Citron: ???

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: Whoa…!

Citron: May I take my blindfold off now?

Chikage: Go ahead.

Itaru: Three, two, one—.

Sakuya: (It’s hard to say my challenge was a success, but… I’m glad I’ll be able to give good news to everyone in the troupe who supported me.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Yokoyama: So it seems like you were interested in other roles too, but just as I suspected, this one was truly perfect for you.

Sakuya: Thank you so much. Did you think that Sakura’s role suited me because we have a lot of things in common?

Yokoyama: That may have been part of it, but that wasn’t the only reason. Way back when, I went to see fuyuzakura blooming amidst the falling snow.

Yokoyama: And I was moved by how they bloom so charmingly while enduring the cold, and I poured that feeling into the role of Sakura.

Sakuya: Fuyuzakura… you mean like cherry blossoms that bloom during winter, right?

Yokoyama: Yes, just like the name suggests, they’re cherry blossoms that bloom from autumn through winter.

Yokoyama: They’re pale pink in color, and their shape resembles the cherry blossoms that you can see during the spring, yet just by changing the surrounding air and scenery, they give a completely different impression.

Yokoyama: They were truly… truly beautiful.

Yokoyama: And your acting reminded me of those fuyuzakura. That’s why I really wanted you to play the role of Sakura.

Yokoyama: Even while watching you perform the other roles during your audition, I couldn’t help but remember those fuyuzakura, and it only made me more certain of that.

Sakuya: Thank you so much. I’ll do my very best!

Yokoyama: Our performance is still a ways off, but I’m looking forward to it. You have another performance with your troupe before that, right, Sakuya-kun?

Sakuya: I do! The script isn’t done yet, so I’m not sure what kinda role I’ll have for it, though…

Yokoyama: I’ll look forward to it. Be sure to do your best.

Sakuya: Thank you so much!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: (Even though I didn’t quite succeed in my challenge to broaden my range, I still feel like I’ve caught a glimpse of my own unique acting style.)

Sakuya: (I guess that alone made it worth the effort. Hearing someone say something like what they said is one of the greatest rewards for an actor. I’d better give it my all for my role as Sakura.)

Sakuya: (And the same goes for Spring Troupe’s twelfth play, too, of course…)

Sakuya: (I wonder how things went with Citron-san’s work. I hope it’s going at least a little bit better…)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Citron: 《Thank you for today.》

Company Employee: 《Likewise. It was an honor to meet with you.》

Company Employee: 《Should there be anything we can do to assist the Kingdom of Zahra, please don’t hesitate to let us know.》

Citron: 《Well, I thank you for your continued support.》

Company Employee: 《We look forward to continuing to work with you.》

*They walk away*

Citron: …Phew.

Citron: (From the looks of things, they don’t seem like they’ll be of much help.)

Itaru: —Prince Citronia.

Citron: How do you do, Prince Itaru? Are you on your way back from work?

Itaru: Damn, being called a prince by a prince is kinda crazy. How did it go today?

Citron: Slowly, but surely~.

Itaru: Gotcha. Well, I feel th— wait, are you good with being lumped in with the rest of us office workers?

Citron: I, too, can speak fluent office worker now.

Itaru: Cool. Y’know, it’s been a while since we’ve stopped for a drink on the way home. You wanna go out for one? I’ll take you to the usual office worker place.

Citron: Do you not have to drive, Itaru?

Itaru: We’ll call a cab. Someone from MANKAI can do it.

Citron: How resourceful of you. But I will have to decline today. I have a mountain of things to do when I get home.

Citron: Just like you with your games, I must get everything completed before our rehearsals for the next performance start.

Itaru: You sure that’s a fair comparison?

Itaru: …But real talk, how are you holding up? You’re our darling mother, so you’re absolutely allowed to rely on us a little more.

Citron: Thank you.

*Notification*

Itaru: Ah, it’s from Sakuya—looks like he got the part.

Citron: Ohh, congratulations! Tonight’s dinner at the dorms will be a celebration.

Itaru: Well then, shall we be well-behaved and get home?

Citron: While we are here, I want to get some office worker gifts.

Itaru: Like what? Like meat and cake and stuff to celebrate?

Citron: Like fancy tarts topped with lots of fruit! 

Itaru: Oh, so we’re going straight for the stuff of royals.

Izumi: (The time has finally come for the Fleur Music Award to be presented… Everything started with AKIVE, and now we’ve made it all the way here…)

Yuzo: I’ll be damned, looks like it’s a full house. The energy in here’s as intense as ever.

Reni: Naturally. It is the one place where all of the year’s most talked-about artists come together, after all.

Izumi: Yuzo-san, Kamikizaka-san! Good work to the both of you.

Izumi: Um, Kamikizaka-san, regarding the recent matter with ╱ERA—.

Reni: I’ve heard more than enough formalities on the matter. Why don’t you bask in the glory of your own idols instead?

Host: Without further ado, let’s introduce this year’s award-winning artists!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Applause*

Host: Next up is…

Host: “AKIVE”!

*Applause*

Host: “6NATZ”!

*Applause*

Host: “FUYNEE”!

*Applause*

Host: “HALOW”!

*Applause*

Izumi: (They all completed their respective assignments, and their new songs became huge hits.)

Izumi: (This all started with that unprecedented situation with the under-the-counter accounting, but all four groups have grown even more since then.)

Izumi: (...At this point, even if something does happen to the agency, they should all be able to manage just fine on their own.)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: …And it’s all thanks to you. …X-san.

Manager: Enough of that, I’m your manager. I’m here to help you all succeed.

Izumi: That said, we can’t just let everything with the agency go undecided like this.

Manager: I couldn’t agree more. Let’s figure out what to do together!

Izumi: Thank you so much!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Host: And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, it’s time to reveal the winner of the Fleur Music Award.

*Lights dim*

Host: This year’s prestigious winner is—.

Izumi: …

*Spotlight comes on*

Host: ╱ERA!!

*Applause*

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: Wh… WHAT!?

Kasumi: U-Us!?

Zen: Well, I thought as much.

Syu: Same.

Hiro: Y-You guys knew!?

Syu: They wouldn’t’ve told us to come wearin’ our costumes if that weren’t the case.

Kasumi: B-But we’re just in the audience…

Hiro: I thought this was just the dress code…

Zen: Hell nah. We’re the only ones in the audience dressed like this.

Host: ╱ERA, please come up to the stage!

Syu: Well, let’s go.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Host: Congratulations on winning the Fleur Music Award!

Kasumi: T-Thank you so much…!

Zen: Thank you.

*Applause*

Tenma: Isn’t that kinda suspect?

Banri: I mean, they did make quite the impact, didn’t they? Under normal circumstances, this’d prolly cause huge backlash, though.

Sakuya: Their comeback concert was a huge success, and their old songs were even so popular that they re-entered the top charts.

Tsumugi: I guess we’ve all still got a long way to go.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: Huhhh…

Reni: Good lord, for it to come to this…

Yuzo: Damn, they coulda given somethin’ to the youngsters.

Izumi: S-Still, they’re one of our former groups, so that’s got to count as winning the grand prize, right…!?

???: As expected, Mankai Entertainment truly is incredible~. Every single one of your idols is unique and truly cool.

Izumi: Thank you so much…

Yukio: Yes, they really do live up to the name ‘Mankai’.

Izumi: Wait… D-Dad!?

Yukio: Hi, you look well.

Izumi: What are you acting so carefree about…!? Where the heck have you been? Was all that stuff about the under-the-table accounting true!?

Yukio: Oh, that. Did you actually believe that?

Izumi: …Huh?

Yuzo: Knew it.

Izumi: Wait, are you telling me…

Izumi: (Was all of that really just one of Dad’s tactics…!?)

Izumi: I-I can’t believe it…

*Thud*

Yuzo: Whoa, whoa, you okay there?

Reni: Don’t worry—it seems like all the stress has left her body.

Yukio: Haha, it was a good motivator, wasn’t it?

Izumi: …You’re the worst! I’m telling Mom!

Yukio: Wait, there’s no need to go and—!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Tsuzuru: …Er, are you sure this is really how you want to end this?

Manager: Uueugh…! Sniffle! Absolutely!

Manager: It’s amazing—a true masterpiece! Let’s ask MIZUNO Enterprises to adapt it into a movie!

Tsuzuru: No, that’s taking it way too far!

Tsuzuru: (Besides, if I told Mizuno about this, he’d probably go ahead and actually do it for real…)

Tsuzuru: But still, modeling the idols after all of us… I dunno, it just feels kinda weird, or even creepy…

Tsuzuru: (While the manager is busy sobbing, I’m just going to tuck this thing somewhere where it won’t ever see the light of day…)

Tsuzuru: …Well then, I guess it’s about time for me to start preparing for the Fleur Music Awards… I mean, the Fleur Award.

Izumi: I know you’re all busy with promoting your new song, so thanks for gathering here, guys.

Izumi: So, I’ve got an additional assignment for HALOW.

Sakuya: An Inste Live, right!?

Citron: Given that is what the other three groups did, that is a good reduction!

Tsuzuru: I think you meant ‘deduction.’

Izumi: Hehe, I guess I’ll get right to the point then. I’m planning on having you guys do one right away tonight.

Izumi: Make sure you put on a very HALOW-like stream and make sure to keep winning over your fans!

Izumi: Ah! And tonight’s curry is going to be some of the best I’ve ever made, so no streaming while we eat!

Chikage: Copy that.

Masumi: I can’t wait for your curry.

Izumi: Hehe, I’m glad you’re looking forward to it.

Izumi: (All four of the groups had massive hits with their new releases, so now that I’ve got those worries out of the way, I really can make some of my best curry yet~.)

Izumi: Well then, make sure you do your best, guys. Good luck!

*Door closes*

Itaru: She left.

Tsuzuru: The president sure seemed like she was in a good mood.

Masumi: I couldn’t take my eyes off her with how cute she looked smiling like that…

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Itaru: Calling all the potato chip people~.

Citron: That is meee~!

Sakuya: Me too!

Itaru: Which flavor’s your favorite?

Tsuzuru: I like nori salt.

Masumi: Chicken.

Chikage: I’ll take anything as long as it’s spicy.

Itaru: Lmao, way to come to a consensus, guys. Anyway, and the winner is my ride-or-die—pizza.

Masumi: Rigged.

Itaru: Rude.

Sakuya: Anyway, let’s get our Inste meeting started while snacking on Itaru-san’s potato chips!

Citron: Time to snack!

Tsuzuru: So, what should we do for our Inste Live?

Sakuya: That reminds me, Isuke-san was really thrilled that our new song became such a hit and expanded our fan base even further.

Citron: Then, shall we introduce ourselves again?

Masumi: Well, I guess that could be a good idea.

Itaru: Come to think of it, we used to do streams with all six of us all the time, but we really kinda dropped the ball on that lately.

Tsuzuru: Oh, yeah, you’re right…

Sakuya: In that sense, then, yeah, I think introducing ourselves is probably a good idea.

Chikage: That said, we need to make sure our long-time fans don’t get bored either.

Tsuzuru: It’s… probably too soon to do a gaming stream, right?

Itaru: Yeah, chat would be a nightmare.

Tsuzuru: I can imagine.

Sakuya: What kinds of things do other people do for Inste Lives?

Citron: I will check some video sites for reference!

Chikage: Food-related things are usually a safe bet, but the president already said that we couldn’t do that this time around.

Masumi: ASMR is pretty popular, too.

Itaru: But we’d need dedicated mics for that.

Tsuzuru: And if we were to write it off as a business expense, I can almost guarantee that Furuichi-san would have more than a few gripes about it…

Citron: What about mountain hiking? A collab between HALOW and nature would offer exceptional healing benefits!

Itaru: I’d keel over dead before anyone would be healed.

Chikage: The stream would be over in ten minutes, tops.

Tsuzuru: How do your physical abilities just vanish the second you’re off stage…?

Sakuya Ah! I’ve got something that could be good…!

Sakuya: What if we just lounge around in our pajamas?

Citron: Ohh! What a good idea!

Tsuzuru: That’s definitely something that’s our vibe!

Itaru: People do like us for our family vibe.

Masumi: It’s not half bad.

Chikage: If that’s what we’re doing, it could be a good idea for each of us to bring one of our favorite essential bedtime items to share with the viewers.

Sakuya: That’s a great idea! I’d also be curious to know what kind of things you guys like!

Citron: It is decided! HALOW will do our Inste Live while relaxing on our futons!

Izumi: Looks like everyone’s here. I just got the music for your guys’ new song, so I’ll play it now.

*Mouse clicks*

Itaru: This is…

Masumi: It sounds like a typical idol song.

Sakuya: It’s really refreshing and lovely…!

Citron: Very sparkly!

Izumi: It really has that HALOW vibe to it, don’t you think?

Manager: This time, I made it based on the theme of “first love”!

Tsuzuru: No, you mean X-san made it like that, right?

Chikage: But… this is way beyond just a demo.

Itaru: It’s so polished it could almost pass as being the finished thing.

Izumi: Yep, that’s right! All that’s left is to incorporate all your guys’ feedback as HALOW and do the final mixing, and then it’ll be finished.

Everyone: What!?

Sakuya: So, does that mean that you’ve already decided on this as our new song, President?

Itaru: Did you anticipate that we’d want our song to go in that kinda direction…?

Izumi: Well, of course, I’ve prepared some other demos too, just as an extra precaution.

Izumi: But I still knew that if it was HALOW we were talking about, you guys would find your way to this one.

Tsuzuru: Seriously…

Masumi: You really do know us so well…

Chikage: Never doubt the president.

Izumi: Well then, time for you guys to hurry up and get recording! We’ve got choreography that we still need to drill you on!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Citron: …

*Door opens*

Itaru: GG. Now that you’re changed, wanna get some footage to use as content?

Citron: Ohh, Itaru! Of course, that is a-okay!

Itaru: Ah, were you watching something? Past performance? Or maybe rehearsal prep videos?

Citron: …I am looking at social media. It seems like flames of the RUCHI situation have completely burned everything down.

Itaru: Damn, that sucks. But I’m guessing you meant that the flames have died down.

Citron: …Are you really going to just fade away like this?

Citron: It is true that there may be some risks, but surely streaming was an important place where you could be yourself, Itaru.

Citron: You should not just let that go.

Itaru: …Thanks, Citron.

Itaru: You’re right, it might be a bit of a shame to do that.

Itaru: To be honest, playing the whole princely character is exhausting. And having that place where I could just be myself and enjoy gaming without a worry in the world was important to me.

Itaru: Still, I realized that HALOW is the thing that matters the most to me; it’s the place where I belong.

Itaru: And I’m not just trying to be all brave and macho about it—I really mean it.

Itaru: Plus, from now on, I’m gonna ask all of you guys to play games with me.

Citron: If that is the case, then I will happily play games with you.

*Door opens*

Tsuzuru: You two ready?

Citron: Yes, we are ready to go~.

Itaru: You guys set too?

Masumi: Duh.

Chikage: Well, let’s go then.

Sakuya: Yeah! Let’s show everyone a new HALOW that’s still the same as ever, only even more radiant than before!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

MC 1: Now then, here’s “HARUKOI” by HALOW. Enjoy!

*Lights shine*

Sakuya: ♪~♪~

Masumi: ♪♪~ ♪~

Citron: ♪ ♪~

Izumi: (They’re putting on a dazzling performance that rivals their sparkling costumes and music…)

Chikage: ♪~♪~

Tsuzuru: ♪♪♪~

Itaru: ♪♪~♪~

Izumi: (Just like spring petals dancing in the breeze, or a prince gently reaching out his hand—that’s the six members of HALOW.)

Izumi: Hehe, they’re in full bloom.

Izumi: (I thought the assignment of “returning to what brought them here in the first place” might’ve been a bit too difficult for the six of them, but…)

Izumi: (It’s precisely because the six of them always stick together and look in the same direction that…)

Izumi: (They didn’t let themselves be swayed by the negative opinions surrounding them, and with that, they were able to rediscover where they stand and what makes them so charming.)

Izumi: That said… it really was such a shame that Itaru-san was forced out of the world of streaming, but…

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Applause*

Itaru: (The live TV performance of our new song was a success. …Alright, one thing left to do.)

Itaru: …Citron, mind coming over here for a sec?

Citron: What is it?

Itaru: —And, hup.

Citron: Oof—!

Sakuya: Whoa, Itaru-san!?

Tsuzuru: With the way you usually smile and bow so gracefully, I never would’ve imagined you doing something like that, Itaru-san…

Itaru: …Just let me have this, yeah?

Citron: Of course! Now it is time for us to spin!

Itaru: Whoa, hold on, I don’t think we need to—!

Masumi: What the hell are they doing?

Chikage: Unbelievable…

Izumi: (Seriously… Hehe, but at least it looks like everyone’s having a great time, and they’re all sparkling.)

Sakuya: Umm… to start, why don’t we all share what dreams we have that we want to make come true?

Masumi: Marrying her.

Itaru: Lmao, the instant reply.

Masumi: I’ll marry into her family, and we’ll run Mankai Ent. as a married couple. That’s why I’ve secretly been studying business management.

Tsuzuru: T-That’s actually kinda reliable of you…!

Sakuya: That’s incredible, Masumi-kun…!

Chikage: Just what you’d expect from him.

Citron: That is our Masumi. You are as determined as ever~.

Sakuya: What about you, Tsuzuru-kun?

Tsuzuru: Someday, I wanna write a script for a movie or drama and have HALOW sing the theme song.

Citron: I, of course, want to do many overseas shows!

Chikage: It would be nice to travel around the world on an overseas tour.

Sakuya: I wanna win the Fleur Music Award someday!

Citron: How nice!

Tsuzuru: And that’s the dream we all have as a group.

Masumi: What about you, Itaru?

Itaru: I—.

Itaru: Don’t have anything in particular.

Everyone: Huh!?

Tsuzuru: There’s no way, you’ve gotta have something!

Citron: Boo!

Itaru: Even if you say that… everyone’s already said all the things I could think of.

Itaru: Everyone’s dreams are my dreams, too.

Masumi: Gross, don’t wink like that.

Chikage: Good lord… Well, I suppose that is like you, Chigasaki.

Chikage: And “everyone’s dreams are my dreams” isn’t bad as a concept.

Tsuzuru: I agree.

Sakuya: Now that I think about it… we’ve all still got a long way to go.

Masumi: Yeah.

Chikage: People call us the next generation of national idols, but in reality, we’re still just an idol group that hasn’t quite made a name for itself yet.

Itaru: That’s why we’ve really gotta grab people’s attention with our upcoming song.

Masumi: Yawn…

Tsuzuru: Seriously? We’re having a nice conversation, and you’re yawning…

Sakuya: Yawn…

Sakuya: !! S-Sorry, I just couldn’t help it…

Citron: Yawn~, sleepy…

Tsuzuru: Hearing you guys yawn is making me feel kinda… yawn…

Chikage: Haha, seems like it’s contagious.

Itaru: We still ended up not deciding on anything again, but I’m kinda liking this laid-back vibe.

Itaru: Ready to call it a night?

Chikage: Yeah.

Citron: Goodnight, everyone~.

Sakuya: Goodnight.

Masumi: Zzz, zzz…

Itaru: Night.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Itaru: …

Citron: You are up early, Itaru~. You are really staring at your phone. What are you looking at?

Itaru: Morning. I’m not looking myself up, if that’s what you were wondering.

Itaru: It’s an old video of us. Maybe it’s because we were talking about the past last night, but I just sorta had the urge to watch it.

Itaru: Here, it’s our debut performance.

Citron: Ohh! We are all so young and cute~! But…

Citron: I cannot bear to watch this…

Itaru: Right? Our singing and dancing are abysmal.

Citron: Is this our talk segment?

Itaru: Our greetings are so pure and innocent. Even though we all look a bit younger or seem a bit nervous, we really haven’t changed much from how we are now.

Citron: But you are less princely than you are now, Itaru.

Itaru: Princely… Well, I can kinda see where you’re coming from.

Itaru: (Back then, I was… probably a lot more natural than I am now.)

Chikage: You’re still putting on a persona, but it’s a lot better than it is now.

Itaru: Huh, when did you guys get here?

Tsuzuru: Good morning.

Sakuya: That’s a video from when we first debuted, right? How nostalgic.

Tsuzuru: Urgh, back then, I was so nervous I couldn’t stop tripping over my words…

Chikage: It generally is pretty clear that none of us had quite gotten used to everything yet.

Itaru: It’s true that we’re all clearly newbies there, but more than that…

Masumi: We’re giving it our all.

Itaru: Bingo.

Itaru: Even today, the vibes of our lyrics and costumes haven’t really changed much since then. But we were definitely sparkling more back then than we are now.

Citron: Yes. Both us and the fans who were watching us.

Itaru: …It’s kinda frustrating.

Masumi: Yeah.

Tsuzuru: Agreed.

Sakuya: No matter how old we get or how much experience we gain, we’ll always sparkle brightly and make everyone else sparkle along with us. That’s who we—HALOW—are.

Itaru: If that’s the case, then even our new song’s gotta sparkle, too, doesn’t it?

Sakuya: Yeah!

Tsuzuru: I think so too.

Masumi: Me too.

Citron: Let us all sparkle together!

Chikage: Yeah. It seems like we’ve all come to a consensus. 

*Footsteps*

Izumi: Morning~, you guys are up early. Getting in some morning practice?

Masumi: Morning.

Sakuya: Good morning.

Sakuya: President. We have something to tell you.

Itaru: It’s about our upcoming song.