oh, checkmate!

Season: Spring

Location: Arcade

Makoto: Heck yeah~ GG…♪

I don’t have any extra work scheduled after school today, so I can finally just have fun playing games at the arcade after such a long time~

Hehe, who’s my next challenger! Come on up! Games are my area of expertise, I definitely won’t lose~♪

Hokuto: Anzu, are there any games you’d like to play? If not, let’s just directly head over there.

Makoto: (Hm? Hold on, those people walking in are wearing the Yumenosaki uniform right…? Wait, aren’t they…)

Hey~ Hidaka-kun, Anzu-chan~! Are you guys here to play games too?

(...Ahaha, they definitely didn’t hear me calling them. The music from the games all around us is way too noisy.)

(Wait, are they heading to the photo booths? …Sounds about right, it seems that Hidaka-kun rarely plays games like this anyway.)

(What if it’s like those classic shoujo manga tropes where the main leads, in order to capture the amazing memories from their after-school date, take some sweet and couple-y pictures in the photo booth… or something like that?!)

(Oooh, when did Hidaka-kun and Anzu-chan become so close? I'm so curious...!)

(I really wanna go over there to check out what’s going on, but I’m in the middle of a battle and it’s kinda rude to quit halfway…)

(Guess I gotta up my game and end this round as soon as possible!)

On the other side of the arcade

Hokuto: Once you choose a photo mode you like, stand in the booth behind those curtains. Then, face the mirror, and follow the poses that are shown.

Haha, no need to thank me. I’m alright as long as I can help you, even if it’s just a bit.

Actually, I’m not particularly proficient with this, but Narukami once brought me and Otogari here during our second year, so I could say that I have some experience.1

Anzu, you want to take an individual shot, right? Would it be better for me to wait for you outside?

You’re saying that it’ll be boring to just take solo shots, so you want to take a few with me first?

Mm, of course that’s alright with me. At the same time, I can use this opportunity to practice my sense for the camera.

During meet-and-greets, some fans like to ask us to take a wefie with them. I would have to put more thought into how I can match and interact with them, and take photos that are satisfactory for both of us.

Even if this might make me seem overly serious, when I’m able to present the most perfect and cool side of myself in any situation—That’s when I’ll be able to say that I’m a qualified idol.

Anzu, you’re agreeing with me? As expected of you, the Producer, who understands us best.

Let’s not waste any more time, and stand properly in front of the mirror. Starting from the first pose…

This hand gesture is the ‘finger heart’ that has been popular lately, right? Actually, when I first saw it, I thought that gesturing through the intersection of the thumb and forefinger looks more like a cross instead.

Hm? Why are you giggling so suddenly, did I just naturally say an extremely funny joke?

In that case, I shall take note of it. Perhaps I will be able to use it when I am on ‘Comedy’ variety shows in the future.

Oh, the countdown has started. Maintain your current pose, and three, two, one—

???: Amazing—!!!

Hokuto: …?!!

Anzu, you heard that too, didn't you? Only that Masked Pervert would make that weird noise!

Makoto: —Hidaka-kun!! W-what did you do to Anzu-chan?! (pulls aside the curtain of the photo booth)

Hokuto: …Huh? Yuuki, why are you the one that appeared? It can’t be that you’re actually that guy in disguise?

Makoto: How regretful for you to say that, as the one standing in front of you is indeed Makoto Yuuki in the flesh…☆

Wait, this isn’t the right time to joke around! This is all Akehoshi-kun’s fault, it’s now an instinct for me to respond when other people crack jokes…

Anyway, Hidaka-kun, you better explain yourself clearly—Why did Anzu-chan shriek so suddenly? And to think that I trusted you too…!

Hokuto: No, even if you ask me this, my mind is completely muddled as well.

Rather than accusing me like that, you’re better off quickly finding the Masked Per—... Hibiki-senpai, who is hiding nearby, waiting for me to make a fool of myself.

Makoto: …? What does this have to do with Hibiki-senpai?

Hokuto: Anzu, did you hear where his voice came from? But the only thing that’s placed there is my school bag.

Wait, it can’t be—Let me check my smartphone.

As expected. “So, did you think that I was by your side? This is a surprise that I have prepared specially for you today, Hokuto-kun~ Amazing☆”

Makoto: Woah, your tone sounds so similar when you’re imitating Hibiki-senpai!

Hokuto: …Even though I know you are complimenting me, I feel a bit unhappy about it.

Makoto: Hm, so going by Hidaka-kun’s speculation, what actually happened was that Hibiki-senpai somehow managed to set your phone’s notification ringtone to ‘Amazing’, which scared you and Anzu-chan?

Phew… I knew Hidaka-kun isn’t the type of guy who would do terrible things to girls.

Hokuto: Your reaction earlier didn’t sound so confident of the fact.

Actually, I bumped into Anzu on the way home just now, so I asked about how her health was these days.

Even though she’s already recovered from the earlier hospital visit, us members of Trickstar are still quite worried. And with my own schedule being this hectic, I rarely ever get the chance to talk to her.

In order to show that she has already regained her spirits, she wanted to try out what Narukami did previously, to take photos in these booths to give to us. So, I brought her here.

Makoto: So she wanted to do this in order to reassure us. My earlier reaction made me seem even more worried, huh? Sorry…

Hokuto: That said, if you already knew that we were here taking photos, why didn’t you immediately join us?

Makoto: About that… I hurried over here after I finished my game, but I saw that the machine was a “Girls Only” one, so I had no choice but to wait outside until you guys came out.

It’s definitely not that I’m some sort of pervert and wanted to secretly peek at you guys or listen in on you guys—It’s not like that?!

Hokuto: Ahaha, so that’s what happened. It’s indeed like you to follow the rules strictly all the time.

However, since Anzu is here, I think it’ll be okay to come inside as long as you’re here as her companion. This opportunity is hard to come by, so let the three of us take some photos together.

Makoto: Anzu-chan, you’re okay with this too? Then, don’t mind if I do~!

I hope that we can invite Akehoshi-kun and Isara-kun with us one day, so we can take a group photo with the five of us…♪

hokuto is referencing the ! gacha story, in the rose garden!

"Hahaha, don’t worry about it too much, aren’t the results what’s most important? If we are able to achieve our goal this way, then isn’t it better if it’s more exciting? Hahahaha, I’m lucky to have you by my side, you’ve been a great help!"

cn proof: arson

en proof: junsweats

chapter masterlist

Season: Spring

Location: School Route

Mitsuru: Yahoo~ The seminar is finally over.

Feels like it was the most exciting one I’ve ever been to~

It was so cool to be able to chat with the panda keepers!

After talking to them, I kinda feel like I wanna try being one.

This way, I’ll be able to cuddle with all the round and fluffy baby pandas, and also race with the big pandas!

Tomoya: Hahaha, then you should be extra careful so you don’t hurt any of them.

Mitsuru: Of course I won’t hurt any of them! Hehe, this is a panda keeper’s most basic requirement.

“In this job, our most basic, yet most important requirement is to be very attentive to the animals”. Mike-chan-senpai, this was what the panda keepers said, right?

Madara: You’re absolutely right, this certainly was what they said!

Good kids should be rewarded, come here… Good boy~

But also, thank you for all your help, Tomoya-san. Mitsuru-san told me that you two helped advertise the seminar after the photo-taking session.

Mitsuru: He even encouraged me before that! Thanks Tomo-chan!

Tomoya: No need to thank me, I’m already really happy to be able to help contribute to your cause.

Also, Mitsuru’s my unitmate, and he’s always been in your care as well, so take this as thanks from all of us in Ra*bits.

I couldn’t leave Mitsuru alone once I saw how dejected he looked back then.

On the other hand, in order to keep the earth from becoming barren, and also to prevent others from feeling the same way as Mitsuru did, I felt that there should be more people participating in this.

I’ve recently also seen many advertisements about animal conservation on television and stuff, so I felt inclined to help.

Madara: That’s great! You’re all such good kids, let Mama treat you to drinks as thanks for all your help.

But Shinobu-san has unit practice, so he couldn’t come. Is it okay if Souma-san brings one back for him later?

I have some matters to settle later, so I’ll have to leave shortly.

Souma: ……

Madara: Souma-san?

Mitsuru: Sou-chan-senpai hasn’t said anything since just now, are you tired from the seminar?

Souma: Ah, you were speaking to me?

I apologise, I was pondering something else earlier. Did you need me for something?

Mitsuru: Mike-chan-senpai was actually asking if you could bring a drink back for Shinobu-chan later.

Souma: Mm, that is fine with me. I do not have any engagements later, so I am able to deliver the drink to Sengoku.

Madara: Okay, let’s go to the store then!

Mitsuru: Dash dash dash~ I’m gonna be the first one there~☆ I won’t lose to Mike-chan-senpai this time!

Tomoya: Hey, Mitsuru! Don’t run on the road, it’s dangerous! Stop right now!

Mitsuru: Hahaha, I’ll stop if Tomo-chan catches up to me~

Souma: We should catch up to them as well.

Madara: Souma-san, hold on.

Souma: Hm? Mikejima-dono, is something the matter?

Madara: You feel a bit off, so I was wondering if something was bothering you.

You were working really hard advertising the activities as well.

Although, you’ve always been a hard working kid.

But the Souma-san I’m seeing now isn’t the one I’m used to.

Of course, I could just be imagining it.

Souma: No, I actually am not worrying about anything.

Because I rear horses at home, I have always been compassionate towards animals and the like.

So I was wondering how my life would change if I did not have them around me.

If one day, they became endangered like the pandas, would I only be able to see them in an enclosure, or through a screen?

Because of this reason, I felt a greater compulsion to put in my best effort for this activity.

A samurai’s fate is to protect others, and so this precisely is my battleground.

I should do my part to protect the animals, so I can fulfill the duty of a samurai.

Madara: Hahaha, so this was what’s on your mind. You’re such a good kid~

Souma: Hey, I have told you already to stop messing up my hair!

Madara: Okay okay, but we really should catch up with the others, those two have already walked far ahead~

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Season: Spring

Location: Audiovisual Classroom

Souma: I understand that we have to gather material for the seminar, but is there anything specific that we should focus on?

Madara: About this, we have to wait for Mitsuru-san and Shinobu-san to let us know the results of the session first.

I’m so excited to see exactly which contestant will gain victory in the end.

But I caught a glimpse of the number of signatures behind each standee as we were leaving, so I roughly know which ones are likely to win.

So, I already gathered some information on those animals that were in the lead.

Oh, speak of the devil. Mitsuru-san is calling me right now.

Hello? Mm, okay, thanks for your hard work~

You and Shinobu-san can just finish up there. Hahaha, there shouldn’t be many people left anyway. You’ve helped me out a lot, Mama will repay you nicely later~

Yes, Souma-san and I are about to begin choosing the material for the seminar. Mm, I’ll see you later, bye bye~

Sorry, sorry! I’ve kept you waiting, Souma-san.

The results are out! Come come, let me formally announce the winner of the photo-taking session~ It’s Mr. Panda☆

Souma: Does this mean that we should search for information regarding the giant panda?

Madara: You’re absolutely right. However, the videos that I collected already contain a lot of information on the panda, so we should first check if we can use it.

But if Souma-san has any suggestions, feel free to tell me.

Souma: Mm, alright.

Madara: Then, let’s start.

Madara: ……

(Mm, this section is on the giant panda’s current situation… This section is about their habits.)

(This should be enough information, but why does it feel like something’s missing?)

Souma: (Mikejima-dono has such an unusually earnest expression on his face. Seems like even he is taking this activity seriously.)

Mikejima-dono, I feel that the material from these videos should be enough for the seminar, what we have now fits all the criterias to run one.

Madara: Criterias, huh…

Ah, Souma-san, you’re a genius! Hahahaha, have I finally realised what’s missing?

Souma: Huh? Mikejima-dono, I did not do anything in particular, why are you praising me?

Madara: It’s because you’ve reminded me of the criteria that a seminar needs to meet.

Usually, people’s first impression of a seminar would be that it’s stiff and boring, so we have to do something to make it more interesting.

Souma: More… interesting? I am afraid that I do not follow.

Madara: Well then, to phrase it a bit differently, what’s the content that you want to see the most?

Souma: In my case, I would like to know more about what actions others are currently taking to increase the panda population.

I feel that just stating some statistics invokes a sense of detachment from the issue. However, if I am able to see the people who are putting in effort to conserve these animals, and learn about what exactly they have been doing, I will be able to feel empathy for them more easily.

Madara: There are many organisations that are involved in the conservation of pandas, but those who frequently interact with them are…

Ah, panda keepers!

This is an ordinary, yet mysterious occupation, so people are bound to be curious about the details of it. However, having this job certainly involves the most amount of interaction with the pandas.

It’d be great if we were able to connect with these keepers, and ask them to interact with the participants!

Souma: But is it possible for us to carry this out?

Madara: There’s only one way to find out, leave this to me! Let’s make this seminar just as lively as a festival~

Souma: If that happens, can it still be considered a seminar…

Madara: Hahaha, don’t worry about it too much, aren’t the results what’s most important? If we are able to achieve our goal this way, then isn’t it better if it’s more exciting?

Hahahaha, I’m lucky to have you by my side, you’ve been a great help!

Souma: But I feel as if I did not do anything much…

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Season: Spring

Location: Staircase

Mitsuru: Haa…

Tomoya: Hmm? Mitsuru? Why are you here?

I heard that you went to help Mikejima-senpai, are you done with that already?

Mitsuru: Mm… Mike-chan-senpai called us to tell us that time’s up, so Shinobu-chan and I went to put away the standees… I guess you could say that I’m done with work…

Tomoya: Since you’re done already, why do you look so unhappy? This isn’t the usual Mitsuru we know.

Was it too tiring?

Mitsuru: No, it’s not that.

After the session ended, Shinobu-chan and I added up the number of signatures behind each standee.

We found out that people seem to like the panda best, so we told Mike-chan-senpai the results.

After that, I went to check out stuff about pandas, and I learnt that even though pandas are so cute, being all round and cuddly, there aren’t many of them.

Not only the pandas, but also some big cats, elephants and many others too. Even then, they’re still being hunted by humans, and if this goes on…

I don’t even know if we can see these animals next time, and they weren’t even bad to us…

Tomoya: But aren’t you working right now for that exact cause?

Mitsuru: But is what we’re doing really enough?

The world is so big, it seems like what we’re doing is super useless.

It might even be no use at all.

Tomoya: Hmm, it’s not that I don’t understand how you feel, but you should look at this in another way.

Mitsuru: Another way? Tomo-chan, what other way did I not think of?

Tomoya: Because we, as humans, can make an effect on something together.

Just like us Ra*bits, each of our individual efforts will contribute towards our overall performance.

You and Mikejima-senpai’s efforts have already influenced many people in our school.

What you said might be true. Compared to the entire world, your efforts might be insignificant, or even completely useless.

It's just like how a drop of rain that falls into an ocean might not even create as much as a ripple.

So what I'm saying is that I understand what you're saying.

But you didn't think about the fact that there are many people all over the world that are working hard to protect the animals, and this beautiful planet.

At this moment, we should believe that there are also others putting in effort for this very reason.

They will influence others around them, and attract them to join their cause.

In the end, they will influence others in their own way, no matter where they are.

When we combine everyone’s tiny efforts, we’ll be able to create a ‘storm’ over this ‘ocean’ that we call Earth. With that, the resulting effect we have on the world goes without saying.

And of course, this doesn’t mean that each person’s contribution isn’t important.

We’ll only be able to exert our influence if each and every person puts in effort.

What you and Mikejima-senpai are doing is exactly what both the origin and driving force of this ‘storm’ is.

These kinds of amazing goals that are achieved by the combined efforts of normal people really moves me.

So Mitsuru, I believe that you can do it!

Mitsuru: Oh! Tomo-chan, I get it now, I’ll definitely make this storm stronger!

Tomoya: Mm, seems like you’ve figured things out. Now this is the Mitsuru that we know.

Mitsuru: Even though the photo-taking session is already over, I’ll continue spreading the word so that even mo~re people will know about this seminar! Dash dash dash~☆

Tomoya: Hold on! Mitsuru, let me help too.

Mitsuru: Thanks Tomo-chan! This way, the storm will get a bit bigger!

I wonder how Mike-chan-senpai and Sou-chan-senpai are doing on their side.

Even then, we can’t lose to them, right? Tomo-chan, let’s do our best!

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Season: Spring

Location: Field

Mitsuru: Come here everyone, let’s become cute little animals and take some pictures~

Madara: Yeppp!! We have here the friendly Mr. Panda, and also the lovable little koala!

Mitsuru: Mike-chan-senpai, there are some students looking this way.

Madara: Welcome, welcome! Feel free to take photos with the animals you like~

But I hope that you can also sign behind the standee of your choice. You’ll be helping us with our conservation work too.

Shinobu: Hm? If I had seen correctly, that’s Mikejima-dono over there, right? What’s he doing?

Souma: It seems like they are doing some sort of activity?

Shinobu: We should go take a look, we might be able to help him.

Mikejima-dono~!

Madara: Ah, it’s Shinobu-san and Souma-san, what a delight! Come here, take some photos!

Souma: Please do not pull me, I can walk by myself! And do not drag me to participate in something suspicious!

Mitsuru: Sou-chan-senpai, this isn’t some strange thing, Mike-chan-senpai is doing a really good deed! Blah blah blah, basically this and that happened, so now we’re here taking pictures with these standees.

Shinobu: So that’s what happened… Distributing questionnaires and flyers was too inefficient, so Mikejima-dono prepared this activity.

This way, you’ll find out everyone’s favourite animals, and advertise the seminar at the same time.

As expected of Mikejima-dono! You were able to come up with such a fantastic idea, I really admire you!

Ah, would it be alright for me to help? This sounds quite meaningful!

Souma: Mm, I would like to help too.

Madara: I’d be overjoyed! I didn’t expect help from so many cute children, I’m sooooo happy!!!

But first, go take a picture with one of the animals. After all, you’ll understand the work better by participating in it—and you’ll be able to help more too.

Souma: Even though you speak with logic and reason, I am sure that you are trying to seize the opportunity to make us do something strange.

Madara: Of course not, I just want to see Shinobu-san and Souma-san’s smiles, that’s all♪

Here here, first sign your name on the back of the standee you’ve chosen.

Souma: (Hmm? There are a lot of signatures on the back. It seems that Tenma and Mikejima-dono have been working very hard.)

(I have to work hard later as well for more people to know about this.)

Madara: Hmm, Souma-san, what’s wrong? You can’t find a place to sign?

Souma: N-no, I am fine. There, I have signed.

After that, I just have to place my face in here, right?

Madara: Yep yep, don’t look so serious, give me a cute smile♪

One, two, cheese♪

Mm, not bad. Come pick one of these as a gift for participating in this activity.

Souma: They all look rather cute. Hmm… This one will do.

Madara: A panda plushie? Haha, turns out that Souma-san also likes these cute items, what a surprise~

Souma: Do not pat my head like that! I just chose it because I thought that my younger brother would like these sort of cute items!

Madara: Haha, so that’s why, what a good brother you are.

Souma: Ugh, really, now my hair is all messed up.

Madara: Now it’s Shinobu-san’s turn, come on, let Mama take a picture of your smiling face too.

Shinobu: Mikejima-dono, I’m already here!

Madara: Yes yes, now say cheeeese~

Time: After some time

Souma: Everyone come take some pictures, and please support us in our efforts to protect the animals~

There will also be a seminar in a few days about animal conservation, I hope everyone will be able to attend!

Shinobu: (Kanzaki-dono is really doing his best, and many people have already come to participate in the activity.)

(I have to put in more effort too.)

There are many cute animal standees with me too, if you like these animals, please go ahead and take some photos with them!

Madara: What dependable children~ Anyways! After we’re done here, would you like to come with me to the audiovisual classroom?

There’s still some research for the seminar that needs to be done.

Souma: It would be my pleasure.

Madara: Glad to see you so enthusiastic today, Souma-san.

Well then, it’s decided. Once we leave, can things over here be left to Mitsuru-san and Shinobu-san?

Mitsuru: Leave it to me!

Shinobu: I’ll work hard too in order to pay back Mikejima-dono’s kindness!

Madara: Alright, let’s all do our best!

It was great to be able to meet all of you!

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Season: Spring

Location: Field

Mitsuru: Haha, Mike-chan-senpai, I’ve overtaken you, looks like I’ll be the first to reach our destination~♪

Maintain this speed, and dash, dash, dash☆

Madara: If that's the case, I should take this seriously too. But Mitsuru-san, you should be careful and not let the questionnaires drop everywhere.

Full speed ahead! Watch out, Mitsuru-san, I’m about to turn the tables.

Mitsuru: Haa… Haa… This is so annoying, I lost again…

I can’t accept this, let’s race again!

Madara: Hahaha! Don’t drag me like that, if we race again, we won’t have enough time to pass out these questionnaires. It’s better if we do it quickly.

Ah, is that Anzu-san?

Anzu-san, here, here! Mama is over here~

Mitsuru: Nee~chan, g’morning! Hey, could you help us fill in a form?

Hmm? You’re asking us what we’re doing? We’re protecting animals~

Madara: Haha, Anzu-san looks really confused. Let Mama explain~

I have a friend who wants to organise a seminar about animal conservation in Yumenosaki Academy, and I was originally helping him with some of the planning.

After that, I ran into Mitsuru-san, and once he heard about this, he insisted on helping me, so we’re preparing the questionnaires right now.

Haha, following the norm, we should be passing out flyers for events like this, huh?. As expected of Anzu-san.

However, since there are way too many rare animals, my friend wants to present on animals people are interested in, and then lead to talking about the situations of other animals.

Know your enemies as you know yourself![1]

Once we understand the types of animals that others are interested in, we can focus on those to attract as many people as possible to attend. This is why we’re handing out these questionnaires.

Haha, taking notes because you find this useful? Mama feels very happy that you’re so eager to learn~

Since you’ve filled up the form, I’ll pick a small gift for my darling daughter.

Hmm, since you wrote about pandas in the questionnaire, here! A panda-ear headband! Come, come here, Mama will put it on for you~

No need? You’ll try them on later?

Haha, as expected, it does suit you, you look very cute wearing them. Hmm? You want to help us hand out these questionnaires too?

You have some work to do now, right? I accept your kindness, but you should really focus on your own tasks first.

Mitsuru: Yep! Nee~chan, you should go do your work, Mike-chan-senpai and I should be able to finish handing these out, so don’t worry.

Hehe~ Nee~chan praised me for being a good kid~

Madara: Exactly, Mitsuru-san is indeed a good kid! Once he heard about my situation, he rushed to help me. To tell you the truth, there’s still many things I have to handle, so he’s already doing me a big favour.

Mitsuru: Actually, I don’t have much to do right now, so I’m pretty bored. Also, this looks like fun, so it’s okay, I don’t mind!

Madara: Haha, good kids deserve to be rewarded! Here, good boy~

Hmm? Anzu-san, you’re going to work first, but you’ll come back to help us after that?

Haha, alright, alright. Helping others no matter how busy you are is just like you huh~ We’ll be cheering you on for your work too!

Mitsuru: Yes yes! Anzu-nee~chan, let’s do our best~♪

Madara: She’s gone. But really, I have to thank you, Mitsuru-san.

Mitsuru: Hmm? Mike-chan-senpai, it’s really no biggie! Handing out these forms is fun! You’re also my team captain, so helping you is something that I should be doing.

Madara: I’m not only referring to that. Actually, there really is still much to do, but it’s great that you were able to assure Anzu-san by telling her that we’ll be able to finish it.

After all, if you told her that we have many more things to do, she definitely would not stand by and watch. If she did that, she’ll definitely affect her own work.

Mitsuru: Hm? What else is there to do besides passing out questionnaires?

Madara: Let’s see, we still have to print and hand out flyers, find material for the seminar… In any case, let’s just quickly distribute these questionnaires.

Mitsuru: Yup, we can't let our troubles get the better of us!

Madara: That’s the spirit! Let’s do our best!

However, I feel that distributing the questionnaires to people one-by-one is quite inefficient… Let me think of a better way to do so?

Hehehe, I got it! Mitsuru-san, let’s go.

Mitsuru: Huh? Mike-chan-senpai, what are we gonna do? Tell me too~

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cn proofing: arson eng proofing: junsweats

"Well then, I’ll keep the luck that’s been presented to me by the Tea Club. I will treasure this luck well, and I hope that it will bring Knights—no, bring all idols more glory."

cn proof: sheepish

en proof: honeyspades

chapter masterlist

chapter 1

Season: Summer

Location: Garden

Tsukasa: (Very good. With this, Yumenosaki’s lessons are completed. Now I just have to memorise the script for my next job, and all of my tasks for today will be complete.)

(Even though there is still plenty of time left until the official rehearsal, it’d be safer to prepare earlier in order to prevent the risk of failure.)

(Moreover, Onee-sama has extremely high expectations for my performance in this job. For the sake of Onee-sama, as well as Knights’s multitude of supporters, I have to take this job seriously, and not slack off at all costs.)

(...Even then, despite continuously focusing on my work for a few hours, I still got rather Distracted a number of times.)

(Since this year, I’ve gradually taken over some of the Suou family’s business. At the moment, everything has been going smoothly, and I have the confidence and will to be able to continue my family’s legacy. Despite these facts, I still have doubts about my ability to adapt to the sudden change in roles like this.)

(Not only that, I’ve also been expending a lot of energy due to the many new recruits in Knights. With all this pressure weighing me down, my free time has been greatly reduced. I don’t even have enough time for my individual training.)

(Hence, I have taken advantage of my rest day to hide in this secluded corner by myself so I can finish up my remaining tasks.)

(However, humans are essentially not robots made out of steel and metal. Sure enough, we would naturally feel fatigued after working for long hours.)

(Or is it that I’m not yet mature enough, and hence would have all sorts of worries?)

(...Sitting here and daydreaming would not be of any help to the future Tsukasa. It’d be better for me to quickly finish memorising the script so I can return.)

(Let’s see, this script is an adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s works— How fitting for Knights’s image…)

Ahem, “Stars, hide your fires,”…[1]

Ritsu: —Don’t let the light disturb my sleep.

Tsukasa: …?!

(Haa, what a close call… I got a shock and almost made a weird sound. That would be most Ungentlemanly of me. Anyway, who on earth is rude enough to purposely hide in such a secluded space and make a sound to scare me like that?)

Ritsu: … I was wondering who was making so much noise over here. So it was just you, Suu~chan?

Tsukasa: Ritsu-senpai? When did you arrive here?

Ritsu: Let me think~ It was probably still when the sun wasn’t so big? The summer sun is still as cruel as always. There’s no way for me to sleep peacefully at all.

But it’s convenient with Suu~chan here. Can you scooch a bit to the right? That way, you’d block the sunlight streaming directly onto my face~

Tsukasa: Ritsu-senpai, please do not use me as a Sunshade.

Ritsu: What~ But if I don’t, all the height you grew this year would go to waste.

Tsukasa: This is evidence of my growth. Rather than having me block the sun for you, is it not simpler to just move elsewhere? If you continue to lie here, you will block others from passing.

Come, please give me your hand.

Ritsu: Ugh, so troublesome… But it’s already so late. I might as well get up now~

Tsukasa: Following what you mentioned earlier, you were already sleeping here since early morning— even earlier than me?

Ritsu: Probably. While I was sleeping, I suddenly heard the sound of paper flipping nonstop. When I woke up, I saw you reciting your lines. With that said, I didn’t purposely hide in a dark place to scare you~

Tsukasa: Ahem, even though I was not frightened, a Prank is indeed not very befitting of a knight, so hearing you say that makes me relieved.

However, if I recall correctly, you do not have any work or training today, so why are you sleeping here in the first place?

Ritsu: Let’s see~ It’s because I was supposed to meet with someone here this afternoon~ Running around so much would be way too troublesome, so I came earlier~

Tsukasa: You’re meeting with someone here?

Ritsu: It’s about time they arrived. You see, over there—

Eichi: Tsukasa-kun, what a coincidence to meet you here♪

Hajime: Good afternoon Ritsu-onii-chan, Suou-kun~

Tsukasa: Tenshouin-onii-sama and Hajime-kun. Turns out that today is the Tea Club’s—Or should I say, it’s a day where you three are getting together to drink tea?

Eichi: Haha, let’s call it that. Ever since I graduated, I haven’t heard the name ‘Tea Club’ in a while. It makes me feel a bit nostalgic.

Hajime: Mhm, ever since the establishment of ES, Eichi-onii-chan has been so busy that I barely ever even see his shadow, let alone have the opportunity for us to meet up for some tea.

Eichi: Could it be that Hajime-kun was feeling lonely? Then I’m very sorry about that♪

Ritsu: Even though Ecchan’s saying sorry, how does his tone not sound apologetic at all?

Hajime: Eichi-onii-chan, you don’t have to apologise. After all, it’s not just you. Since spring this year, both Ritsu-onii-chan and I also have fewer opportunities for us to sit down and relax with a cup of tea.

I’ve also become a senior for all the new first-year students, so I’ve been busier nowadays. Ritsu-onii-chan has been too, of course.

So it makes me very, very happy to be able to be like this now, having my two onii-chans with me drinking tea together.

Ritsu: When you say it like that, I’m also starting to miss last year. Even though a lot of things happen at school all the time, this place is always really calm, so I’m able to sleep peacefully here~

Tsukasa: Pardon my bluntness, but Ritsu-senpai is able to sleep peacefully anywhere.

Ritsu: It’s not the same, Suu~chan.

Also, I really missed Ha~kun’s flower tea. (sniff sniff) It has a very relaxing scent.

Hajime: I actually did bring flower tea with me. You could guess by its scent?

Ritsu: A cat’s nose is always very sensitive~ So is a vampire’s~ Other than the scent of flower tea, there’s also something that smells very sweet. What is it?

Hajime: On my way here, I passed by Mitsuru-kun’s favourite bakery, so I bought some bread to bring here. Even though it’s not anything particularly expensive, it tastes wonderful.

Because of all the support we get from our fans, Ra*bits has gained some popularity, and some people even specifically come to support us. Now I have ample money and can buy full-priced items with no worries~

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cn proofing: sheepish eng proofing: honeyspades

Season: Summer

Location: Garden

Eichi: Hajime-kun also brought desserts? Great minds do think alike♪

Ritsu: Huh, seems like I’m the only one who came empty-handed? If I knew that everyone else was bringing something, I would’ve brought my exquisite and delicious homemade desserts~

Tsukasa: If it’s Ritsu-senpai we’re talking about, maybe it’s better for you to come empty-handed…

Eichi: I brought desserts that were gifted by one of StarPro’s business partners. They gave us a large variety, so there’s enough for us to enjoy a pleasant afternoon together. Tsukasa-kun, try some as well.

Tsukasa: Hmm, are these the lucky sweets?

Hajime: These are such exquisite sweets. Do you recognise them, Suou-kun?

Tsukasa: Narukami-senpai mentioned that these sweets are from an old store and are handmade in a limited quantity. It’s supposedly very popular with young people.

However, the Suou family’s partners seldomly prepare sweets as gifts, and it’s quite inappropriate for me to queue for snacks just to satisfy my cravings… So I’m not exactly sure what sort of sweets these are.

Eichi: According to the supplier, there is one sweet among the rest that contains a special filling in the middle. The one who eats the sweet with the special filling will receive good luck for an entire year.

Ritsu: Eating it gives you good luck…? It feels like we’re eating food meant for the Lunar New Year.[1] Wasn’t it still summer this morning? Don’t tell me we’re celebrating the new year already?

Eichi: Haha, these kinds of items certainly do make people think that some things have a bigger meaning than they really do, but sometimes, people accept this way of thinking instead.

I do feel that these vague concepts of ‘seeking luck’ are just a means of escaping reality for the ordinary person. However, using these just as a bit of teatime entertainment actually provides us with some joy instead.

Anyway, we have sufficient leisure time today, so I’m very interested to see who will be the one to eat that special sweet. Tsukasa-kun, seeing as you do not have any work later, would you like to join us?

Tsukasa: Ah… Tenshouin-onii-sama, as much as I would like to accept your invitation, I would have to decline. I was planning to memorise my script for my next job.

Ritsu: If I remember correctly, you’ll only need to use this script next month right? You don’t have to rush.

Tsukasa: Ritsu-senpai is right, but my initial plan was to finish memorising this script by sundown. Changing my decision because of the temptation before my eyes would be going against a knight’s code of conduct.

Eichi: Such unwavering determination. Well then, good luck Tsukasa-kun, we’ll cheer you on while enjoying our delicious desserts♪

Tsukasa: “The night is long that never finds the day…”[2]

Eichi: Mm, as expected of Hajime-kun. The tea he brews is as delicious as always.

Hajime: Hehe, I’m happy as long as Eichi-onii-chan likes it~ The taste of the tea hasn’t changed, right? The tea leaves I used this time were roasted from the flowers I grew myself.

Eichi: There isn’t any difference, it still tastes very comforting. It’s very delicious when I pair it with the bread that you bought.

Tsukasa: ... “Truth needs no colour, like how beauty needs not be concealed”[3]... (can’t help but pause)

Ritsu: Ooh, the desserts that Ecchan brought are so delicious. (munch munch) The cakes that I bake are still nicer, though.

Hajime: I haven’t eaten that special sweet yet. Have either of you two eaten it?

Ritsu: I haven’t. It could be that anything to do with ‘luck’ doesn’t go together with vampires~

Eichi: Me neither. Which dessert could it be hidden in? I’m curious.

Hajime: Well, with us just sitting around talking and eating, one of us is bound to end up eating that lucky dessert pretty soon, right?

Ritsu: That’s right. But if that happened, I wonder if Suu~chan would be able to make it~

(Judging from how I heard his voice while I was still half-awake, Suu~chan should’ve already been working here for quite a while. He should rest for a while too, right…?)

Tsukasa: ……

(Why is it that since I’ve started, I’ve been feeling someone’s gaze on me? I also keep smelling sweets…)

Ritsu: Mm—— (stares)

Tsukasa: R-Ritsu-senpai, why are you moving so close to me and staring at me like that while you’re holding a sweet?

Ritsu: Suu~chan, how about resting for a while and eating a dessert or two?

Tsukasa: ...N-no need. Please allow me to memorise these lines first.

Ritsu: You look uncertain. Are you sure you don’t want any~?

Tsukasa: I will not change my decision. Ritsu-senpai, please enjoy the dessert by yourself first. (backs away)

Ritsu: Fine~ You’re still so cold to me…

Tsukasa: …”This above all: To thine own self be true”... [4]

Ritsu: (munch munch) Ah, what a shame, this isn’t the lucky dessert either. These taste really good, but I’m starting to feel a bit sick of eating them already.

Tsukasa: Ritsu-senpai! What on earth are you doing!!

You’ve kept trying to tempt me with the desserts since just now! Aren’t you being rather Mean to me? I’ve been trying to hold back my temptations for so long…

Even then, I will not change my decision. Ritsu-senpai, please give it up!

Ritsu: …You’re this determined?

Tsukasa: Please do not test me anymore. A knight’s will is unwavering.

Ritsu: Ahaha. Let me help you then♪

Tsukasa: Ritsu-senpai, what are you planning this time?

Ritsu: If you memorise lines by yourself, it’s easy to get them mixed up, right? If I coordinate with you, you’ll be able to memorise them much faster.

Why do you look so surprised? I feel kinda hurt now, you know?

Tsukasa: But Ritsu-senpai, aren’t you enjoying your afternoon tea right now?

Ritsu: I’ve been getting sick of eating the desserts since I haven’t been able to eat the lucky one yet. I’ll be using the lines you’re memorising as well, so I’ll take this as an early rehearsal~

Let me see, “Is’t nights’ predominance or the day’s shame”[5], isn’t this pretty good? Next time, I won’t have to worry about people disturbing my sleep.

Tsukasa: (sighs) Really, I hope that you don’t fall asleep when I practise with you again later.

Time: Ten minutes later

Eichi: Tsukasa-kun, welcome back~

Tsukasa: Onii-sama, Hajime-kun, you were waiting for us all this while?

Hajime: We weren’t really specifically waiting for the both of you. It’s just that time flew by so quickly while we were drinking tea and chatting. The tea is still warm, let me pour some for you two~

Ritsu: It seems like the desserts were barely touched, though. Here, Suu~chan.

Good thing that Secchan is still overseas, so you can eat all that you want this time~

Tsukasa: I won’t just gorge myself with desserts without refrain… Ooh, these are exquisite Delicacies. The fragrance is dense yet not particularly sweet—it feels like my tongue is melting!

Just as expected, desserts eaten after finishing work are indeed the most delicious!

Hajime: Wait a minute. Suou-kun, the dessert in your hand…

Tsukasa: Hmm?

Wait, this filling…? Could it be that this is the lucky dessert that contains the special filling?

Eichi: Seems like it.

Ritsu: Oh? This means that you're the luckiest person among us this year. Congratulations Suu~chan, remember to pass some of your good luck to us~

Tsukasa: T-this is so Unexpected. I just randomly picked the dessert right at the top. Furthermore, I only coincidentally joined your tea party, so this piece of dessert should have been eaten by one of you…?

Hajime: So this means that Suou-kun really is the luckiest.

Eichi: That’s right, Tsukasa-kun. Rather than the luck brought by this dessert, it’s more important to believe that the luck originally belonged to you. So, calmly accepting it is alright♪

Ritsu: Declining such an obviously good result like that isn’t like you at all, Suu~chan.

Tsukasa: Luck, huh…

Rather than obtaining this lucky dessert, what makes me feel lucky is being able to enjoy afternoon tea with the three of you.

Well then, I’ll keep the luck that’s been presented to me by the Tea Club. I will treasure this luck well, and I hope that it will bring Knights—no, bring all idols more glory.

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cn proofing: sheepish eng proofing: honeyspades

during the lunar new year, people eat certain foods that are believed to bring good luck! examples of this include dumplings and fish.

tsukasa is now reading a line said by malcolm in act 4 scene 3 of macbeth

this line seems to be adapted from shakespeare’s sonnet 101! but the original line is,”Truth needs no colour, with his colour fixed; Beauty no pencil, beauty’s truth to lay; But best is best, if never intermixed’?” (line 6-8) sry im not a literature person

this is a line said by polonius in act 1 scene 3 of shakespeare’s hamlet! just how many shakespeare works are included in their script…

Location: ES Hanging Garden

One day in September, at a corner of the ES hanging garden

Leo: ♪~♪~

(Hm~... Nonono, it’s not this feeling either! The variation on this one is sooo boring!)

(Wuuahhh! My eyes! My hands! My brain! I don’t care what part of my body, just help me think of something! Anything!)

(I came back to Japan specially for this commission, but now I can’t even think of the most suitable melody…!)

(Ahh, why won’t inspiration come to me! You abandoned me so coldly even though I need you the most right now!)

…Gwah?!

Owowow! Which horrible guy suddenly knocked my head! Don’t you know you can’t hit geniuses’ heads however you like! You’re interrupting the birth of a world-famous masterpiece!

…Oh. What the heck, it was actually just a broken branch.

Hold on, is this how Newton felt when he was smacked by the apple? Or is being knocked on the head by something falling from a tree just a genius’ destiny?

Uwa?! Turns out that this time it wasn’t because of gravity, but a sudden gust of wind!

My music scores! Don’t take this chance to escape! You hear me? I’m gonna stop you dead in your tracks!!!

Madara: Ah, I almost crashed into you head-on, what a close call~

Oh, if it isn’t Leo-san! Even though being energetic is a good thing, you still have to be aware of your surroundings when you’re running!

Leo: Sorry Mama! My scores suddenly got blown away by the wind, so I’m racing the wind for them right now!

Madara: If that’s so, let Mama help you too! In the words of Mitsuru-san, I’ll dash dash dash—☆

Leo: Wahaha! As expected of Mama, you managed to get back all my scores in the blink of an eye! Thanks Mama! I love you!

Madara: Hahaha! After all, I was the captain of the track and field club, racing and things like that come natural to me! It’s a piece of cake♪

However, I remember that you should’ve gone back to Florence a while ago, why’re you back so soon?

Leo: I actually got a commission to compose an original soundtrack for a TV show! Anzu contacted me saying that it’ll be easier for me to discuss the details with the client in person.

Also, the style of this show is really strange and interesting, so I didn’t hesitate to agree to it. I bet Mama can’t guess the theme of the show~

Madara: Oh? You look like you’d be suited to host variety shows, Leo-san! My curiosity has been totally piqued! It can’t be about festivals, right? You know I love those!

Leo: Hehehe, it’s definitely not that simple! It’s a historical drama with superpowers☆

Madara: Historical drama? I’ve only heard of a really famous drama called ‘Vampire Shogun’, is it similar to that?

Leo: Not really! This drama focuses on a group of mysterious individuals with superpowers, following them through their trials and tribulations, all while set back in time! It’s sooo unique and never-before-seen!

Anzu said that from the moment she received the offer, she knew that I’d like it. She knows me so well♪

But even though I came back in a mad rush, I’ve somehow landed myself in a slump… Ugh, I usually have so much inspiration flowing, but where has it all gone during a crucial moment like this?!

Hm, when did it get this dark? Did we talk all the way until nighttime without me realising?

Madara: Hahaha! Certainly, time passes rea~lly quickly when I’m with Leo-san, but it’s still the afternoon.

It looks like it’s going to rain. Look at how dark those clouds are! The weather forecast said that there was going to be a storm today, but it was so sunny just now that I was starting to think that the prediction was wrong.

Looks like you didn’t bring an umbrella either, so should we quickly head back?

???: Meow~

Madara: Hmm? If I heard correctly, there seems to be a ‘meow’ coming from somewhere?

Leo: Mama, look up there, there’s a little black kitty on the tree!

Madara: Oh, you’re right! How strange, this is the twelfth floor, and the ES building also doesn’t allow animals to be on the premises, so why would there be a kitten here?

Leo: Uchuu~ Are you also a wandering artist on a journey, searching for inspiration? Wahaha☆

But it looks like it’s about to rain any second, won’t it be dangerous to stay outside like this in such a high place? Kitty, quickly come down, I’ll catch you safe and sound~

Black kitten: Meow…

Leo: ...It doesn’t seem to be scared of us, so why won’t it come down? It can’t be that it doesn’t know how to, right?

Madara: Looking at its listless expression, it’s highly possible. It’s actually also really common for kitties to get stuck in trees.

Ah, it’s starting to rain. Looks like we’ve got to hurry. No matter if it’s a human or a cat, getting drenched by the rain and being blown by the cold wind makes it really easy for us to fall ill.

How about we split up? I’ll stay and watch the kitten, so could you go inside and fetch an umbrella?

Leo: No problem! Just wait here, Mama! I’ll be back in a flash!

Madara: Okay~ Looks like it’s time for Mama to show off his skills! Be a good little kitten and stay there, I’ll climb up! Here I go~!

Black kitten: Meow~

Madara: Don’t be scared, I’m just here to save you, you know? Come, scooch over here just a bit…

You’re doing so well, good kitty~ Just like this and you’ll be in Mama’s safe and warm embrace♪

Leo: Hey~ Mama, I’ve brought an umbrella!

What? How could you do this! Sending me away to avoid the rain, but going to save the kitty all by yourself in the end? You’re all wet now!

I’m going to be rea~lly mad if you get sick just ‘cause you decided to act all on your own!

Madara: Ahaha, sorry. I didn’t expect the rain to be so heavy either, so I had originally thought that acting quickly would be alright.

Even then, thank you for worrying about me. Relax, I’ll be perfectly fine♪

Leo-san, here. You should take the kitten under the umbrella first. If it got wet because of my clothes, all that effort to protect it from the rain would go to waste.

Black kitten: Meow—

Leo: W-wah?! Nooo, why would the kitty suddenly scurry away?!

Madara: Hahaha, that lil’ guy ran into the building like he was running a hundred-metre sprint. That amazing explosive force happened in the blink of an eye, I couldn’t even keep up with it!

But I feel a bit delicate now, like a mother who puts in a lot of effort, and yet is misunderstood by her child…

Leo: Don’t worry Mama, you still have me by your side! I understand you!

But if that kitty makes a mess in the building, it’ll definitely get taken away. We should find it quickly!

Location: In a corridor of the ES building’s twelfth floor

Leo: Huu.. Huu… How did it run so fast, it disappeared in a flash. Oh kitty kitty~ Where are you—

Madara: Kitten~ Mama is here—

Hmm… It’s quite inefficient to rely on just the both of us to find the kitten. Why don’t we send a message on HoldHands to get those who’ve seen the kitten to notify us?

Leo: Oh right! I’ve been chasing the kitty all this while so I didn’t even consider something like this!

Let me see… Phone… Phone… Where are you…

Madara: Hmm? It can’t be that you’ve lost your phone once again, right? It’s not exactly a good thing if people are too reliant on our phones in these modern times, but you should keep it safely with you so you can quickly contact someone, right?

Leo: Haha, what you’re saying now sounds super familiar! Oh right! Suo~ also nags me about this all the time!

…Oh, nice! My phone has been in my pocket all this while☆ Beep boop, and… sent!

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Location: ES lounge

Madara: What an amazing coincidence! Looks like Chiaki-san is in the lounge too, sorry for the interrruptionnn☆

Chiaki: Fwahaha! So many people came out of nowhere, it became so lively! Are you guys stuck inside because of the sudden downpour too?

Black kitten: Meow~

Chiaki: ...Hm? Is someone imitating cat noises? It sounds super realistic!

Eichi: Fufu, too bad, but it really is a kitten that’s meowing. I think it’s saying hello~

Chiaki: Oh! Tenshouin, when did you adopt a cat? It looks so cute, sitting all snug in your arms like that!

Eichi: Oh, this kitten isn’t mine. However, it seems to really like me. It’s been glued to my side ever since I picked it up♪

Leo: Huhhh~? It's obviously the other way around—You're the one who refuses to let go of the kitty!

Madara: That’s right! We’re the ones who saved the kitty cat from the tree, so shouldn’t it like us more?

Eichi: But in the end it came to our side, didn’t it? And wasn’t it because you two scared it that it ran into the building in the first place? Keito, I’m right, aren’t I?

Keito: Why are you three even squabbling about such a trivial matter? How incorrigible. Act your age, not your shoe size.

Keito: In any case, only the cat knows who it likes—There’s no use in quarrelling over it.

Leo: Tenshi! You gotta let go of the kitty first!

Eichi: Hehehe, make me~♪

Chiaki: Uhh… why'd you guys start arguing all of a sudden? As a hero of justice, I cannot just stand by and watch!

Okay~ Since this verbal argument is going nowhere, why don’t we let this cat choose which of you guys it likes best? ‘Meow-semble Stars’, NYA!!

Madara: Haha! If it’s a competition, Mama won't lose so easily! Give me your best shot!

Eichi: You took the words right out of my mouth~ Prepare to suffer a crushing defeat♪

Leo: I found some milk for you, kitty! You’ll only have strength to play once you’re full! Wahaha☆

Keito: Wait a minute, why are you suddenly holding a competition? Besides, what kind of name is ‘Meow-semble Stars’?!

Leo: [Is pouring the kitten some milk, and is not listening to Keito at all.]

Madara, Chiaki: [Are discussing the rules of the competition, and are not listening to Keito at all.]

Eichi: [Is gleefully staring at the kitten, and is pretending to not have been listening to Keito at all.]

Keito: ……

Chiaki: Then let me summarise the rules of the competition! Each person will have one chance to do anything to get the cat’s attention, and once everyone has had their turn, the winner will be decided based on it’s reaction!

Competitors, you have ten minutes to prepare! I’ll take care of the cat in the meantime!

Come here, kitty! Drink up, so you’ll grow up big and strong! Huhaha☆

Ten minutes later

Chiaki: Well then—I officially declare the start of ES’s first ‘Meow-semble Stars’! I am Morisawa Chiaki, your judge and commentator for today! As a hero, I will be judging this competition fairly!

Our first contender is Tenshouin! Let us eagerly await his performance!

Eichi: Fufu, I’m sure I have an advantage. After all, I have already been acquainted with the kitten for a while, so we must have formed some kind of bond.

Moreover, I searched the Internet for what could be a kitten’s favourite video. Come look, there’s many fishies swimming around over here♪

Black kitten: Meow…?

Chiaki: The kitten seems to be quite uninterested in the video. Look at how it’s head is cocked towards Tenshouin, it’s obvious that it’s confused at how it should react.

Eichi: Since this electronic device isn’t working… Here, try grabbing this feather, and let me admire you, an adorable kitty, jumping around here and there♪

How’s this? It’s just out of reach—

Chiaki: Huh? The kitten surprisingly was able to grab the feather out of Tenshouin’s hands, and firmly trap it on the ground in one shot!

Eichi: …? …?

Chiaki: It seems like Tenshouin has fallen into a dejected mood, but what a shame—His turn is over! Next up, Mikejima-san!

Leo: Wha?! Mama, where did you find these anchovies? That’s cheating!

Madara: Hahaha♪ I remember that Anzu said that she left some low-fat and low-sodium snacks in the lounge, so I found them!

Well then, little kitty, come and guess—which hand is hiding an anchovy? Is it in my left hand, or my right hand?☆

Ah, you’ve unexpectedly guessed it right! What a smart kitty, Mama will reward you with another anchovy~♪

Leo: Wahaha, Mama seems to have a kind, motherly aura surrounding him☆

Chiaki: Mikejima-san seems to be enjoying himself! The vibe is great!

Madara: Good kitty, come into Mama’s arms, just like that! Come, let Mama lift you high up—

Chiaki: What a surprise! The kitten, which Mikejima-san was reaching for, suddenly dodged him with amazing reflexes and scampered away! What an exciting showdown!

Keito: Looks like the kitten doesn’t care about Mikejima anymore after finishing the anchovies… What a bitter defeat, I can’t bear to continue watching him.

Madara: Haa… So was it the anchovies that the kitten liked, and not me? Mama feels hurt…

Leo: Uwahhh, the light disappeared from Mama’s eyes! Pull yourself together, Mama!

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Location: ES lounge

Keito: All right, there’s no need to look as if you've parted from the cat forever. It’s my turn to take the stage.

Even though I’m simply playing along with your buffoonery, since it’s a competition, I’ll still take this seriously.

Fufu. Compared to those superficial tricks, the most commonly used cat toys should be effective.

Chiaki: So that’s how it is! Hasumi has gone the traditional route to attract the kitten, pulling out an empty cardboard box and a ball of yarn out of nowhere! Let’s wait and see if the kitten will be able to resist the temptation to play with it!

Eichi: Oh? Unexpectedly, the kitten didn’t go into the box, but placed the ball of yarn and my feather pen inside.

Keito: Every time it placed something in the box, it turned its head to look at me in particular. I wonder if it wants my praise…? All right then, good kitty… What a strange fellow.

Leo: Wahaha, it kinda looks like a little brownie [1] that comes out in the dead of the night to help kids pack up their toys! The kitty must be the protagonist of some fairytale♪

Puss in Boots… Tom and Jerry… Ahh!! Inspiration is flowing like a flood bursting out of a dam!

I can write now! Whatever I write will definitely produce a masterpiece to be passed down for generations! Oh, super convenient that there’s a feather pen right here! Gimme!

Black kitten: Meow~~

Leo: Hey!!! Don’t let your tail get all tangled up with me while I’m composing, you’ll break my concentration! Go away!! I’ll play with you once I’m done okay!!

Madara: Hahaha, the kitten is persistently using its head to nudge against Leo-san’s hand, I feel pretty jealous seeing it act so affectionately with him.

Chiaki: Looks like the results of the competition are pretty clear! I hereby announce that Tsukinaga is the winner of ‘Meow-semble Stars’! Please give your acceptance speech!

Leo: ♪~♪~☆

Madara: Ahaha, once Leo-san starts composing, he gets completely immersed in his own world.

Eichi: I didn’t expect the results to be determined this way. Even then, thanks to everyone, I had a wonderful time♪

In addition, Keito actually really likes cats too, doesn’t he? Why the tense expression? It’s okay to show it openly.

Keito: … Ahem. Don’t say such unnecessary things. I don’t hate cats, that’s all.

It’s already quite late, we’ve had enough fun for today. Let’s take advantage of the rain letting up—we should quickly head back to the dorms.

According to the rules, cats aren’t allowed to remain in the ES building for long. Tsukinaga, Mikejima, since you two found the cat first, you should take responsibility for it and bring it back to the dorms—

Leo: Wahahaha☆ The melody is flowing non-stop from the tip of my pen! Infinite universes are opening up before my very eyes!

Nobody disturb me while I’m composing right now! Do whatever you want, I don’t care! Just don’t bother me! Go go go, go somewhere else!

Eichi: Oh my, your onii-chan over there is so fierce. Little kitty, why don’t you come with us? You might as well just ignore him.

Black kitten: Meow~~!

Keito: …Although I can’t understand cat language, I’m certain that it just rejected you.

Eichi: Fufu, it’s completely glued to Tsukinaga-kun’s side now. It must be a music-loving cat, hm? Maybe we should have just shown it videos of our live performances instead.

Madara: So that’s the trick! Who can say which unit this kitten will become a fan of?

Eichi: Haha, then we can hold a real ‘Meow-semble Stars’, in order to find out if an idol’s charm is able to capture a kitten’s heart...♪

Keito: How incorrigible. Rather than indulge in your fantasies, you should be doing more practical things. This cat doesn’t seem like a stray, so I’d presume that its owner must be extremely worried right now.

We should do our best to gather information, and contact the owners as soon as possible. That is the best choice for it.

Chiaki: Well said! A hero cannot ignore someone in need of help, and of course this extends to kittens as well! I’ll help to look for the true owner of the cat too!

Madara: Hahaha, you’re all so dependable! Since the kitten doesn’t want to leave this place at the moment, me and Leo-san will definitely take care of it well, and make sure that it doesn’t run off!

Leo: Ahhhh!!! Hey little guy, don’t step all over my music scores! I beg you, please let me concentrate!!!

The ink!! The ink bottle is gonna get knocked over! Mama, come help me quick—

The next morning

Leo: Yaaaawn… The kitten kept tormenting me last night, it was unbearable! I don’t even know when I was able to fall asleep…

Oh, it’s sunny outside! Mr. Sun’s out too! G’morning! Uchuu~☆

Madara: Gooooood morning Leo-san! Let Mama give you a morning hug☆

Leo: Squeeze~☆ The first thing I see when I wake up in the morning is Mama’s smile, how nice♪

Hm? My phone’s vibrating, it’s probably my client pressing me to speed up my progress for my work, huh?

Aghh, sooo annoying! Why can’t this guy just mind his own business! You can just pretend we aren’t behind schedule!

Oh, what? The message was sent by a completely unknown number… Ah! Mama, come look at this picture! It’s gotta be that kitty, right?!

Madara: Oh, you’re right! It’s sleeping so soundly on that cushion. Haha, it looks much more peaceful in the picture than it did when it slept with us yesterday.

Leo: There’s even a message written below the picture! “Thank you for taking care of our kitten”… Oh, I get it! This must be sent by the kitty’s owner!

Tenshi and them must’ve found the real owner of the kitten, so he sent it back while we were sleeping, right?

Madara: Ahaha, actually I wanted to tell you this…

Even though we properly closed the doors of the lounge last night, when I woke up this morning, the kitten was already gone.

I checked the security footage, and it looks like before the sun came up, the kitten ran into the corridor, went downstairs in an empty elevator, and left the building all by itself, just like that.

Leo: Huh~ Can a normal kitty really be able to take an elevator and open doors all by itself…? Is it really an alien that came from Cat Planet?

Actually, have I been dreaming all this while? Am I still dreaming, even now?

Uwahhh?! Then is the song that I wrote yesterday fake too?! What would I do if I ended up losing all that inspiration I tried so hard to find?!

Madara: Calm down, Leo-san! Your music scores are right by your feet! And the Mama you see before you right now is real too! If you don’t believe me, let me give you a biiiig hug!

Leo: Oh! Thanks Mama, I’ve fully come to my senses now! Wahahaha, my scores are still here!

Huh? This mark on the paper kinda looks like a plum blossom, is it a paw print left by the kitty?

Hold on, if I look at them like they’re music notes on a staff, and piece them together… It’s here it’s here it’s here!!!! Inspiration is here☆

I’ve got it! That little guy is actually a musical genius! The goddess Muse specially sent it down to Earth as a spirit to give me enlightenment!

Hmhm~Hm~♪ I’m finally able to add the perfect outro to this song! To celebrate its birth, I’m going to the practice rooms to find a piano so I can play this song☆

Mama, you’re coming right? I want you to be my very first audience!

Madara: Hahaha, what an honour! Leo-san, if we get the chance to, let’s hold another lively concert♪[2]

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cn proofing: eme eng proofing: fortunebanquet

brownies are lil scottish spirits that cleans up and do little chores at night! you can read more about them on wikipedia here! in the original text, leo actually uses the phrase 小精灵, which loosely translates to fairy/elf/pixie/brownie in english. but i decided to go with brownie since it seems the most appropriate! c:

"It’s perfectly identical! Look at the crystal-clear lustre of this jewel, look at how dazzling the light looks when it reflects off its surface—And look at how the size of the jewel is just right…!"

cn proof: eme

eng proof: junsweats

chapter masterlist

Location: Studio

Izumi: Oi, I’m over here.

You’re way too slow. You even made me wait for you to arrive.

You got held up on the way here because you met someone you knew? Hm~ You don’t seem like you’re spouting nonsense…

Nonetheless, you still made me wait, right? I’m your senior, you know? Se-ni-or. You get that?

It means that in all aspects, a senior is of a higher standing than a junior.

Whether it's reasonable or not is a separate issue; Japan is a country that takes seniority very seriously.

If you’re not going to adapt to your environment, you’ll get marginalised easily, and might even be targeted by others with an ulterior motive.

However, the guys in this academy are, shall I say, way too eccentric or way too soft-hearted to do anything like that…

All in all, when it comes to seniority, the outrageously casual attitude of many students here could have given you the wrong impression.

It would be of use to you in the future, so I’ll take the opportunity to break the grim truth to you: With your current attitude, you’ll make a fool out of yourself sooner or later, you know?

…Forget it, there’s no point in complaining to your sleep-deprived face so early in the morning.

Did you bring the items? Let me see.

Hm, not bad. Since it’s just an audition, I didn’t expect you to prepare something so grandiose.

You managed to land quite a prestigious commission. Looks like I really did underestimate you a bit♪

“Because the Tenshouin family is involved”?

Hmph, no wonder I thought this commission sounded weird.

Auditions are commonly held in offices or a location that’s arranged by the client, but the jewelry theme doesn’t fit in with the school setting at all.

The client is obviously a big company, but the audition venue is sooo informal. Until just now, I’d already had doubts about the client’s professionalism.

Like, "he's probably someone who doesn't know anything except being filthy rich"?

It’s so troublesome having to work with people who are inexperienced.

They don’t know anything, but they have money, so they can boss us around however they want, making all sorts of weird suggestions and demands, and we still have to make them satisfied.

Haaah? Why didn't I reject this job despite finding it unreasonable?

…Did I just waste my breath saying all that?

We’re still considered juniors in the entertainment industry—I don’t even know if we can be counted as juniors; more like rookies that have barely stepped a foot into the industry.

We don't have the right to be picky about our work, do we?

Besides, we can’t use ‘the client is unprofessional’ as a reason for rejecting a job. We can only beat around the bush and say something like ‘I don’t think I’m suitable for the job’.

And if we always use shoddy and vague reasons to reject a job, who’d even want to collaborate with us in the future?

Others will just think that you’re strange and unenthusiastic about working, and they won’t be willing to entrust commissions to you anymore.

You’ll gradually receive less work over time and enter this vicious cycle until your life in this career comes to an end.

The reality is that no one will try to understand a rookie’s mindset.

You don’t have anything to lose anyway. This is the reality of the industry you want to establish a foothold in, right?

It’s also not that our hands are tied. We have to think of ways to make those ámateurs happy, while producing results that we won’t be ashamed of…

It’s not enough to work hard towards this goal. In the end, it isn’t that hard; you just have to be a bit flexible.

Hey, take it easy. At least we don’t have to worry much about it this time. Since Tenshouin was the one who pulled the strings, the client probably won’t be an idiot, and the job itself isn’t too hard.

Tenshouin… That guy can’t be plotting something again, right…? Anyway, I’m already busy enough as is, I don’t really have time to care about whatever he’s up to.

Having an easier job isn’t a bad thing either. Be a good girl and pass me the props for the shoot♪

I need to prepare myself and think about how I’m going to pose later…

Ah, wait! Where are you going with that jewel!

Yes, the green one in your hand, give it to me!

Ahh, what a gorgeous colour...♪

It’s perfectly identical! Look at the crystal-clear lustre of this jewel, look at how dazzling the light looks when it reflects off its surface—And look at how the size of the jewel is just right…!

Identical to what? Huh, you don’t know?

Seriously, what a disappointment!

I’ve placed Yuu~kun in the hands of you and Trickstar, but you still can’t grasp one of his most splendid features!

Do you get it now? This jewel is the exact shade of green as Yuu~kun’s eyes?!

I thought that only Yuu~kun’s eyes would have a colour this beautiful, but I would have never expected this…

I’ve decided. I’m using this piece as a prop for the audition.

And then I’ll move this way, and that way, in order to make the most intimate poses♪

Hehehe, then I’ll feel like I’m having a shoot with Yuu~kun… Even with Yuu~kun’s current hatred for taking pictures, I still have a chance like this!

Do the heavens also think that I’m deserving of a little reward?

Hm? You think the jewel is also of a similar colour to my eyes?

… Are you still sleeping or what? This colour only belongs to Yuu~kun, I can’t have the same colour as this jewel.

However… If it’s coming from someone as close to Yuu~kun as you…

Does this mean that me and Yuu~kun are still a bit similar?

Fufufu, this is also not surprising. Even if that kid is still unwilling to admit it—In the end, I still am Yuu~kun’s Onii-chan♪

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Location: Classroom

Izumi: Is this the location of the photoshoot?

Okay, we can start once you confirm that there’s no problems.

Me? You don’t have to worry about me, I’m good to go.

Hm~ Speaking of which, I don’t think you’ve really seen me at work.

…You’ve got some nerve to say you have confidence in me.

We aren’t familiar with each other yet, and we’re not on the same page.

If you really think you’re standing on the same battlefront as me just because you’re a producer, that’s just your own wishful thinking.

But since you said that, I’ll show off a bit.

Good, the client has arrived too. I’ll have to go up soon, so just watch closely from the sidelines.

Remember, I’m not ‘escaping’ to the idol world just because I can’t stay in the modelling world anymore, okay?

“Hello, I’ll be in your care today~♪” [1]

“Is this pose alright? Ah, regarding my expressions, due to the concept of the advertisement, I feel that I should not smile.”

“If I display a rather stoic expression, the audience will have the impression that the product has the same aura as its endorser: solid, reliable, and long-lasting.”

“Smiling in the shots would break the impression that we would like to give everyone about our product.”

“Are you in favour of these suggestions? Alright, I’ll maintain the expressions I have at the moment. Then, I’ll hang my jacket over my shoulder…”

“All done.”

“Mm, I’ll have to change up my pose and take a few more shots later.”

“Are these pictures all that’s required? Understood, thank you all for your hard work today.”

… Oi, Anzu, what’s wrong with you? You’re standing there all dumbstruck.

Arashi: Hmm, Izumi-chan, you’re so unromantic. Of course it was because you were sooo focused, and sooo handsome while working just now~

You were super cool, and even I, not to mention Anzu-chan, was staring in awe.

As expected, I absolutely adore the hardworking Izumi-chan the most.

Izumi: Oi, you shi—Tsk!

(The photography staff are still here, so can’t you be a bit more aware of your actions and not hug me like that?! It’s so embarrassing?!)

Arashi: (Hehehe, it’s exactly because there are staff around that Izumi-chan can’t use his usual attitude to talk to me, right?)

(After all, he’s suuuper careful about his public image, so how can he curse and swear at me?)

(Of course I have to use this opportunity to become closer and closer to Izumi-chan♪)

Izumi: (... Are you deliberately using this chance to piss me off? And anyway, what are you even doing here?)

Arashi: (Are you serious? I am a model too, you know. Of course I’m here for the audition.)

(Anzu-chan didn’t tell you? I was commissioned this time too.)

(And also, I do want to fairly and honestly compete with you for once.)

(Izumi-chan… You can’t surely be scared, right? Betcha worried that this job would be stolen by me♪)

Izumi: (Hmph, there’s no need to be riled up by you.)

(It’s just Naru-kun, so try giving it your best shot.)

Ahem, um… Naru-kun, what are you still stalling around for? Why don’t you quickly get changed? Don’t keep others waiting.

Arashi: Oh fine, I know.

Anzu-chan, will you stay here and watch me when it’s my turn? I can’t let Izumi-chan show off all by himself♪

Wait a sec, I’ll be ri~ght back~

Izumi: (Tch, this brat is still as shrewd as ever.)

(Shrewd, yet not horrid to others. Having an excellent sense of propriety is one of Naru-kun’s strengths, I suppose.)

Anzu, what’s wrong? Why do you keep staring at me? I’m not upset.

Whether Naru-kun shows up for this audition or not isn’t my problem. Whether I knew about it or not doesn’t affect my performance.

This is the most fundamental professionalism; no matter what career you’re in, you should understand this.

To tell you the truth, it’s not a bad thing to have someone competing with you at your side.

At the very least, it won’t feel hollow or stupid to put in effort, and you also won’t feel like there’s no meaning in working hard…

Forget it, I don’t know why I’m saying all this to a starry-eyed idiot.

You just continue to work hard. I hope you’ll never have to understand whatever I just talked about.

These are genuine blessings from me, you know? You should be grateful and cherish this in your heart forever.

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cn proofing: eme eng proofing: junsweats