Shidah_Hime

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Outside the Mega Sphere Tower

About one hour later…

Yuuta: …I’m all good to leave the equipment here?

Oh, no worries at all! I just couldn’t walk past after seeing someone in trouble!

There’s nothing else you need help with? Alright, I’ll be heading back then!

Thank you for all your hard work today! Please continue supporting 2wink in the future, okay?

Hinata: Ah, there you are, Yuuta-kun! You disappeared, so I was looking all over for you~!

…Huh? Why are you over in a place like this?

Yuuta: I was just helping out a staff member. They looked like they were struggling to carry everything by themselves.

Hinata: You should’ve asked me to help, too! We’re two-in-one, aren’t we? ♪

Yuuta: …You sure seem to have a lot of energy, Aniki.

Hinata: ‘Cause today’s live was a huge success!

The audience’s response was really great, too! So I think we were able to introduce a lot of people to us 2wink!

Who knows, we might find ourselves flooded with offers when tomorrow comes!

Well, I don’t expect things to go that smoothly… But still, I’d love for this to continue. Us working together and having fun, just like today!

Yuuta: Do you really?

Hinata: …Huh? What’s wrong, Yuuta-kun? You suddenly stopped walking…

Yuuta: …Hey, do you really feel satisfied with how today’s live went?

Hinata: Wha? What do you mean?

(What’s wrong…? Yuuta-kun looked so happy, smiling during our live, but… With the sun at his back, I can’t really see his face right now…)

Yuuta: I wasn’t satisfied with it at all, you know. I can’t accept a lackluster performance out of that, not out of “Aoi Hinata”.

Hinata: Huh, what’s with all that? Do you think I wasn’t giving it all that I’ve got?

I did put in my 100%, you know…? But, next time, I’ll—

Yuuta: “Next time” is too late. Because that means you didn’t do well enough for the attendees that came in today.

Just to confirm. We—2wink, want to become top idols, no?

Hinata: Of course! That’s why, even with my packed schedule, I’m doing my best with my work…

Yuuta: Ah, I knew it. What I was doing wasn’t the wrong thing to do at all! ♪

Hinata: Yuuta-kun?

Yuuta: …You know, Aniki. You swallowed that lie of mine, about doing it to give you a break, all without a second thought, didn’t you?

Hinata: …Wha?

Yuuta: The real reason I was swapping out with you isn’t because I was worried about your poor health.

—I did it because I thought I could be “Hinata” better than you could.

Hinata: H-Hold on a second! What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?

Yuuta: If we want 2wink to find success, then we need to make “Hinata”, whose currently flaring up in popularity, to actually make an overwhelming impact.

You went on and on to me about this ideal world of yours, how you don’t want me to stay hidden in the shadow of “Hinata”’s fame and all that, but, you know… if you ask me, that’s just way too naïve.

Hinata: Naïve…? But, I just wanted to… Together with you—

Yuuta: Is this or is this not a make-or-break moment for 2wink? If we want to succeed, we can’t afford to make talk of overly-optimistic, rose-colored nonsense.

I’ve… faced reality, Hinata-kun.

Yuuta: (Back then, you used to take me by my hand and lead me to where it was warm… That Aniki from that time had shone even more brightly.)

(So there was always this mysterious feeling—That as long as Hinata-kun was there, everything would be alright.)

(But, the Aniki right now is…)

Hinata: …T-Then, what’ll happen to Yuuta-kun?!

If you completely took my place, and started all doing my jobs, then… “Aoi Yuuta” will disappear from the world!

Yuuta: It won’t.

After all, “Yuuta” is beginning to sell well, too.

Hinata: Huh…?

Yuuta: On my end, I’ve been making the most of my individualities—which are different than yours—and getting work done and producing results as “Yuuta”. I’m gradually gaining recognition in the industry, too, you know.

I’m getting everyone to see my good qualities and recognize me, and yet… To think the one person who I want to notice them most hasn’t one bit.

Hinata: … …

Yuuta: You’ve been so wrapped up in chasing that ideal of yours and fussing over me that you’ve completely lost sight of what’s going on around you, haven’t you?

Always thinking like, “I’m the only one who’s popular”, “I have to take the lead for Yuuta-kun”… Forever stuck in the past.

Even though I’ve been standing by your side for so long now, Aniki. …You haven’t been paying attention to what “Aoi Yuuta” has become able to do one bit.

Seriously, Aniki. You don’t get anything at all.

Hinata: Y-Yuuta-kun… I’m sorry, I…

Yuuta: So you see, Aniki… If you can’t become the perfect “Hinata-kun”, then I’ll do it for you.

I can’t stand to let the value of the you I believe in and love be dragged down any further.

I’m done swapping in and out for you for work. Starting now, I’ll be “taking over” for you, Aniki.

You see, I have been putting in preparation work in case this happened.

Like how I gave you perfume so we’d smell the same, and I’ve been getting used to your sense of taste, too. And outside of work too, I’ve been pretending to be “Hinata” even in personal life…

Hinata: What…?

Yuuta: You never realized? I got to befriend Tsuzura-san, too, you know.

“I’m” not really good at forging relationships, so I was a bit worried, but… By thinking about how you would do it, Aniki, I managed to pull it off.

And I think I’m on track with getting along with Tetora-kun as well…♪

Hinata: … …

Hinata: …I don’t want this.

Yuuta: Why not? Didn’t you say you’d happily give up your own existence for my sake, Aniki? You used to aaalways say that, you know.

Hinata: That’s…

Yuuta: …Well, I suppose you wouldn’t. I can’t imagine it feels nice to be told someone’s gonna be taking your place.

—But I’m going to be doing it anyway, okay? That’s what you’ve aaalways done to me, after all.

You’ve always ignored what I want and did as you pleased, no matter what I said, so I figured this time, it’s my turn to do the same to you.

See? I told you I was a bad kid.

Ahh, what a relief! I actually managed to get completely ahead of you this time!

Hey, Aniki, how’s it feel to have your entire being taken away from you?

Hinata: … …

Hinata: (…I… I can’t breathe.)

(Everything I’ve done, thinking it was for Yuuta-kun’s sake… Have my own selfish ideals warped his heart to this extent?)

(He’s supposed to have the same face as me, but… Yuuta-kun, with his cold smile, looks like a completely different creature…)

…Then, where will you go, Yuuta-kun?

Yuuta: I’m not going anywhere.

Even the setting sun rises again when dawn comes, right? It’s the one and same “sun”, after all.

We’re two halves of the same whole. So let’s walk down that bright, sun-bathed path together, okay? …Hinata-kun. ♪

[ ☆ ]

[ ♪ ]

Hiyori: ......

(Though the roads are this packed, I can't hail down a car.)

(...How unsightly. Trying to leave the country without a word to Ibara or Nagisa-kun... It's like I'm skipping town.)

Hiyori: Ahaha. And here I thought the concept of "skipping town" was a world removed from me.

Ahh, dear me. I feel so miserable and pathetic that my chest aches... It hurts.

Hiyori: ...So I'm getting in the way of Jun-kun's progress, am I.

I never thought this would be the way I'd have to confront the hard truth of that fact.

Hiyori: I've long been aware that Jun-kun improves at a remarkable pace.

Just experiencing what it's like to perform by that boy's side, you'd be hard-pressed not to acknowledge it

Up until now, I'd always watched over that progress by his side with a smile. How wonderful, you should be so proud of your improvement, or so I'd lovingly praise him.

The difference between us was once great enough that I could put on an air of superiority.... but any leeway for that is now long gone.

Perhaps Jun-kun's father saw through that arrogance of mine

Hiyori: And the one who's gotten carried away... is actually myself

Hiyori: What a sorry sight I am. I absolutely can't allow Jun-kun or Nagisa-kun see--

Jun: — Ohii-san, I've found you!

Hiyori: ....Huh? Jun-kun?

Jun: Pant... Pant... You're seriously such a handful, you know that?

I'm already so wiped, but who'd have thought you'd having me running around like this even then?

Hiyori: ...Jun-kun, what are you doing here?

Jun: That should be my line, y'know~?

Geez. you got the other two all worried, Ohii-san. Suddenly vanishing with your luggage and all...

Hiyori: ....!

Jun: Huh? Wait, Ohii-san! Why are you running!?

Jun: Ugh, seriously. I won't let you get away!

Jun: ...hup! I've gotcha this time!

Hiyori: ....Come now. Do stop holding onto me with all your might.

Jun: Please don't ever go thinking you'd win against me in a race, Ohii-san

Jun: Unlike you, I actually work out ♪

Hiyori: .... Oh, the cheek of you, Jun-kun

Hiyori: It's hardly a race between me with my luggage versus you with all your agility, isn't it?

Jun: Haha, that's true. If you'd prefer, wanna have another go at a proper race right now?

Jun: Even without any kind of handicap, I think I'd still win, though?

Hiyori: Ahaha, sounds good. It'd give me another chance to run away, so why don't we do just that?

Jun: I'm joking. As if I'd let you get away.

Hiyori: Well, I don't think I'd win against you, Jun-kun, so there's no point in resisting.

Hiyori: In any case. What's up with those unfitting sunglasses?

Jun: Huh, they don't fit me? They were pretty pricey, y'know?

Jun: Well, I got 'em for the sake of disguising myself, though, so I'm not all that attached to them.

Hiyori: If you bought them as a disguise, then they're even more pointless, no? In fact, they even make you stand out!

Jun: Seriously...? Guess that was a waste of money, then.

Jun: Anyway, why were you running from me, Ohii-san?

Jun: Well, to begin with, why were you here without saying a word to the others?

Hiyori: ...Oh dear. so we've gotten back to the topic

Jun: Dude, it was clear as day that you were trying to avoid it.

Jun: In fact, it's even weirder that you thought you'd be able to avoid it in this situation.

Jun: In any case, is it really that hard to talk about?

Hiyori: ...Not really.

Hiyori: Actually, even I don't quite understand why I was running from you, Jun-kun.

Hiyori: In truth, I ran in the spur of the moment. I can't quite explain it myself, either.

Hiyori: And for that same reason, I ended up leaving the others without a word while not quite knowing why, either!

Hiyori: This overseas climate isn't good for my complexion, and I'm not feeling my best, so I'd like to go back in soon...

Jun: So you're gonna play dumb until the end, huh? Well, let's try a different question, Ohii-san.

Jun: — what did my father say to you?

Hiyori: ......

Jun: There's no way you'd be acting like this if he'd only rejected the Eden performance request, after all.

And if you're going to insist talking outdoors is unpleasant, then let's go back to a hotel.

My old man's in my room... so that's out of the question.

So for now, why don't we go to the room you're staying in?

If we stay out talking for so long at this hour, we're bound to catch a cold~

Location: Hotel Room

Jun: 'Scuse me, coming in... Wait, huh? The others aren't here?

Oh, right, I was so locked in on catching you that I forgot to let 'em know.

In that case, they're probably out looking for you right now...

I'll text them for now to say I've found you.

Alright, then. For starters, won't you tell me just what my old man said to you?

If we're here, we can talk without anyone else listening in, yeah?

Hiyori: I wonder about that? Who knows if someone's planted something to eavesdrop on us.

Jun: Stop trying to avoid the topic already, please. Not to mention there's no need to worry about something like that.

I guess it happened during Absolute, but it's not like Ibara hasn't been staying vigilant after that.

Hiyori: Ahaha. Well, he certainly did go around inspecting all the power points this time.

Jun: Couldja knock it off? You're making it sound so scary...

Jun: Hold up, you're trying to change the topic again, aren'tcha? You're being annoyingly stubborn about this, Ohii-san.

Jun: Give it a rest and spill it, already. It's not like this doesn't have anything to do with me, yeah?

Hiyori: ...Well, you're right. I talked about various things with your father, but...

Perhaps to sum it up, it's that Eden would become a hindrance to you from now on.

Jun: GODDAMN! That shitty old man, he really does spew nothing but bullshit.

Jun: Eden? Become a hindrance to me? There's not even the slightest hint of that no matter how you look at my activities!

Hiyori: ...Is that so? I believe it's the truth, though.

Jun: What...? What's gotten into you, now?

Jun: I'm still a newbie to all this! Folks like me are a dime a dozen in America.

Jun: Honestly, even now I still find it so crazy that I've managed to get this popular...

Hiyori: Come now, you're doing it again. That's your inability to appraise yourself rearing its head.

Hiyori: You say you're still a newbie, but you've long had the ability to overtake even me, you know.

Hiyori: The proof of that is in the fact that Thunderbolt scouted you alone, no?

Jun: ....Even if that's the case, what my old man said is wrong.

Jun: Eden would never become a hindrance to me.

Jun: So, y'know, just pay no mind to the insane nonsense my dad spouts.

Hiyori: ...No. Pay no mind to it? I can't do that.

Jun: Ugh, c'mon! You're being so stubborn, you know that? Ohii-san, what's got you so insistent about...

Jun: — wait, what?

Hiyori: .........

Jun: Wai— Ohii-san, why are you crying!?

[ ☆ ]

✦✦✦✦✦

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Winter

Location: Meeting Room

Yuuta: Ah, great job today, Anzu-san.

Sorry for taking time out of your schedule today. Lemme give you some sweets as a thank you! ♪

No need to be shy! I brought these specifically as a snack for the meeting.

They look spicy? …Well, it was the one I liked the most from our agency’s shelves.

I’ve been selling my character as someone who loves spicy food, so lately our business partners have been giving us gifts like these.

Thanks to that, we’ve had no shortage of spicy stuff! ♪

Well, more a surplus than anything, since I’m the only one who eats them.

So feel free to take as much as you like, Anzu-san!

…Oh, you’d like to finish the Feature Live meeting first?

Don’t be so vigilant, they only tingle a little! I’m not here to play a prank.

Though, getting the meeting done is important, so let’s get started with it.

So, I’ve got a couple ideas for this Feature Live.

Could you give them a look first?

And if any won’t do, feel free to point them out. I really want to make this Feature Live a good one.

You think I’ve gotten quite motivated? Well, I’ve a good reason to be!

‘Cause, the Feature Live isn’t for 2wink, it’s a great opportunity to bring “Aoi Yuuta” out to the forefront.

See, since we’ve appeared on Volcano Island, 2winks popularity has risen quite a bit, right?

But you know how there’s a slight difference in popularity between Aniki and I, Anzu-san?

Yuuta: I’ll say it bluntly. I’m the lesser successful half of 2wink currently.

Doesn’t that piss you off? Well, it pisses me off!

That’s why I want to give Aoi Yuuta a strong impression as an idol here.

My hairstyle’s also been changed too, so it’s a good time to distinguish myself from Aniki.

I want as many people as possible to have “my” existence forever engraved in their minds…

Yuuta: Ah… Sorry, I kinda ended up rambling on by myself.

Huh? Well, yeah, that’s right. They are the feelings I want to cherish most for this live.

…So you’ll rework the plan into something that’ll take my feelings into account? Thank you so much. It’s a huge help.

Hm? For the pamphlet… Ah, the candid photos, right?

I wanna be particular about that too, but I don’t have any good ideas yet. It’s still left blank in the project proposals…

Is it fine if we discuss it later, and maybe get the pictures taken then?

Thank you so much. Alright then, I look forward to seeing you on that day!

Location: SunnySide Convenience Store

A couple hours later…

Yuuta: Hmm, this hot snack is barely spicy!

And I was so excited for it too, since it was made out to be a new recipe with 20% more spice than before~… What do you think, Shinobu-kun?

Shinobu: Cough, cough… P-Plenty spicy… Cough, cough…

Yuuta: Huh, was it that spicy?! Oh geez, hurry and drink some water!

Shinobu: T-Thank you, Yuuta-kun. Cough, cough! Uu, my throat hurts from the spice…

Wait, this is sparkling water! I heard it fizz when I opened it…!

Yuuta: Aw, was I found out? I thought I could trick you if you were in a rush! Seems I was naive!

For seeing through my prank splendidly, I shall gift Shinobu-kun with real water. ♪

Shinobu: Gulp, gulp… Fwah, I-I’ve returned to life, de gozaru…

Uu, I wish you wouldn’t play tricks on me when I’m in need, Yuuta-kun…

Yuuta: Well~, I thought I’d get a better reaction for the shot if I did it like that.

And I did take a picture just now, but… Hmm, this is a dud.

Shinobu: This is the significance of me putting my life on the line?!

Yuuta: It’s because you have a bigger reaction than I do, so you stand out more, Shinobu-kun.

Shinobu: Well of course I do, de gozaru! I mean, since we’re taking candid photos of you, shouldn’t I be the cameraman, Yuuta-kun?

Yuuta: I wouldn’t do anything that’d have you feeling left out, Shinobu-kun! We’re friends, after all. ♪

Shinobu: That’s not a reason…

Yuuta: Yes it is. I wanna get a picture of me with a friend.

You know, like how a candid photo can be of you eating food in front of a convenience store, yeah?

I’ll get to take pictures when discussing it with Anzu-san, but I’d like to get some ideas together myself.

Shinobu: I understand how you feel, de gozaru. That’s why I’m helping you think up some candid photo ideas that’ll help your individuality shine through…

Yuuta: Mmmhm! You’re my best friend, who I can rely on when I’m in trouble! ♪

Shinobu: I’m probably just being relied on out of convenience, but it did seem like you were seriously worried, Yuuta-kun…

And of course I’ll help out a dear friend in trouble!

Yuuta: …Yeah. Thank you, Shinobu-kun.

By the way, you haven’t had your Feature Live yet, have you? If you were to take a candid photo, what would you do?

Shinobu: ‘Course, I’d be photographed as a ninja, de gozaru!

Yuuta: As expected of Shinobu-kun. You get a sense of individuality just by saying you’re a ninja, don’t you?

Shinobu: That’s a harsh way to put it, de gozaru… But it’s what I’ve been working up ‘til now! ♪

Yuuta: I see. What you’ve been working up to, huh…

… (does some juggling with plastic bottles)

Shinobu: Ooh, amazing as always! Isn’t this what you’ve been working up towards?

Yuuta: Hm, maybe. Something like this is more of a 2wink thing, though.

Girl: …

Shinobu: …Hm, it’s a little girl. What’s she doing out here, do gozaru?

Yuuta: Is she an elementary schooler? It’s red around her eyes. Was she crying because she got lost, or something?

(Actually, what is it with this kid? It’s like she’s staring at me…)

Girl: …Yuuta-kun?

Yuuta: Huh? Uh, I mean, I am Yuuta, but….

Girl: I knew it! It’s Yuuta-kun~!

Yuuta: Whoa?! What’s going on?! I don’t know what to do being suddenly hugged like this!

[ ☆ ]

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Spring

Location: Starmony Dorm Room (Tetora, Souma, Shinobu)

Spring of ES’ second year of establishment. In Shinobu’s dorm room at the Starmony Dorm…

Shinobu: Hmhmhmhmmm~♪ (Humming)

(I’m over the moon~! I never would have thought I’d get an offer to do a large-scale event about ninjas!)

(The project director strongly nominated me too—they said I was just the person to have when it came to ninjas.)

(Have my activities as a ninja idol finally begun to bear fruit?)

(If my love of ninjas has become known to loads of people, I’m really glad. ♪)

(If things keep up at this rate, as a ninja idol, I could kick off ninjas becoming all the rage around the world.)

(...Mnn, I can’t just rest on my laurels.)

(This is my chance to convey the charms of ninjas to loads of people! I absolutely cannot afford to fail!)

(I’ll show the best performance ever so that everyone can fall in love with ninjas!)

(I was told that for the event, they wanted me to make use of the stage as much as I could and show the appeal of ninjas)

(So, if I demonstrate some flashy ninjutsu, it should certainly make everyone interested in ninjas too! ♪)

(When it comes to ninjutsu onstage, I’ve done it before in RYUSEITAI events[1], but…)

(If I’m going to the trouble already, I’d like to demonstrate even more advanced stage production than I did those times~)

(But, it’s not my field of expertise, so… Mm. I’ll try looking into it from there before anything else.)

Location: Starmony Dorm Library

Shinobu: (... So, I came to the library on a mission to find some ideas.)

(It doesn’t seem like there’s anything that sticks out in the “New Books” corner, huh~)

(At this point, I’ve got no choice but to put in the work to search for books that seem to be of use.)

(Luckily, it seems like everything in the library is categorized really simply, by genre, so I should be able to find it… quickly, I hope?)

???: Mm, what should I do…

Shinobu: (That voice is…)

As I thought, it was Shino-kun, hm?

Hajime: Ah, Sengoku-kun. I don’t often see you here in the library. Are you looking for something?

Shinobu: That’s right. I’ll be on a stage showing off the charms of ninjas soon, actually!

I wanted to make the show stage great for the people who’ll come to see it, so I was looking around to see if I could find any materials in the library that seemed useful for it.

Because as I recall, there are materials for stage production put in here.

Hajime: I see. So that’s why you look a little happy, Sengoku-kun.

If you’re looking for books about stage production, I believe you’ll find them on the shelf over there. How about I show you?

Shinobu: Really? If you’re sure, I’ll take you up on it then!

Come to think of it, Shino-kun, didn’t you say something was troubling you a second ago?

I distinctly heard you say “What should I do…?” while you were squatting down over there!

Hajime: Ehehe, I didn’t notice you had overheard.

It’s not all too big a deal, but… Could you take a look at the back of this shelf here?

Shinobu: At the back? What could be in a place like this?

Uuu, it’s so dark, I can’t see very well. It doesn’t seem like something fell back here either…

Hajime: You see, there are these strange markings drawn onto the wall hidden behind this shelf.

Shinobu: Markings… Ohh! There really are some markings. Nicely spotted!

Hajime: I happened upon it by chance while I was cleaning, you see.

I don’t know how long it’s been there, but if it’s been there since I began living at Starmony Dorms, I’d think I would have noticed it sooner…

Someone must have drawn it recently. But these markings are too intricate to be considered graffiti, so I was wondering if it’s alright to erase them…

Shinobu: M~mn, it does just seem like ordinary graffiti. I feel like it wouldn’t be an issue to simply erase it…

Hajime: Even if there was a reason for it, I just don’t think it’s right to just draw on the walls like this, so I’d like to caution whoever did this against it…

I guess I’ll just have to ask around to figure out who drew it?

Shinobu: If they don’t feel guilty about it, you might get an answer out of them, but…

Graffiti scribbled in such a weird place like this… I don’t know, it feels like they don’t want it to be found for some reason.

Hajime: That’s true… Hmm, erasing it is simple enough, but what should I do…

Shinobu: …If that’s how things are, I’d like it if you leave this to me.

Hajime: Leave it to you, Sengoku-kun?

Shinobu: Mhm! I’ll try using these markings as a clue to look into whoever drew them!

Hajime: That’d be a great help…! But, what about the books you need for stage direction?

Shinobu: Don’t worry about it. After this matter is investigated, I’ll come back to borrow them another time.

Besides, as a member of RYUSEITAI, I can’t just leave you to your troubles, Shino-kun!

Hajime: Hehe, alright, got it. I’ll be counting on you then, Sengoku-kun.

I wish I could lend you a hand, but I have work scheduled after this…

Shinobu: Don’t worry about a thing.

I’m a ninja, so this kind of investigation is my specialty!

You can rest easy; please leave this to me! ♪

[ ☆ ]

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[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: ES Building Lobby

During the second year of ES’ establishment, in June. At the ES Building Lobby…

Mika: (Nnah~, I finally made it to the ES Buildin’.)

(I heard it was gonna be hot and summery out, but I didn’t expect it to be this hot… I was ‘boutta melt onto the pavement on my way here.)

(Even the candies in my pocket’s gotten all squishy. I’m gonna have t’put them in the fridge fer it to harden later…)

(It feels like heaven in here with the air conditioner on an’ everythin’~! ♪ Stayin’ indoors is the way to go on days like this. Designin’ outfits, and sewin’ ‘em…)

(…Ah, right, I don’t have the time t’take it easy in the cooled air. I’ve gotta discuss with Oshi-san ‘bout what we’re gonna do.)

(It seems he’s come up with an idea fer our Fan ThanX Festival, but I haven’t a single clue what it could be…)

(I sent ‘im a message askin’ what it was, but he didn’t give me a straight answer.)

Mika: (He just went, “It will be more efficient if I just show you!”, just as Oshi-san would.)

(It seems like the other units are doin’ some real extraordinary things. Mystery-solvin’ games[1], and exhibitions showcasin’ unique art[2], fer example…)

(And the game switch made all by themselves was real cool too![3] ♪ I don’t really play games, and I even had fun with it!)

(It’s like ya can do anythin’ that you wanna do! Anzu-chan sure is generous, huh!)

(…Wait, huh? Who is it I should be thankin’ in this case? Since it’s called the “ES Fan ThanX Festival”, should I be thankin’ the big-wigs up at ES instead of Anzu-chan?)

(But, the one handlin’ everything is Anzu-chan, right? Umm…?)

(Well, I’ll just have’ta thank both of ‘em. —And to Oshi-san too, o’course!)

(‘Cause the reason I’m able to even be an idol like this is all thank t’Oshi-san. The me I am now wouldn’t exist if it weren’t fer him.)

(So, fer Valkyrie’s ThanX Festival, I want to do it exactly as Oshi-san likes.)

(I’m so excited to hear what he came up with. I bet it’s real amazin', this is Oshi-san we’re talkin’ about, after all…♪)

Location: Dressing Room

Mika: S’cuse me~… Ah, there ya are!

That’s some beautiful rosework ya got there, Oshi-san. What’cha makin’?

Shu: Oh, Kagehira. This here is a prototype for a decoration for the outfit.

Mika: Outfit… Could ya mean the outfit for the Fan Thanx Festival?

Shu: Correct. I wish to incorporate roses into its outfit. I’m surveying materials and their textures and the like.

Mika: Ya really love roses, huh, Oshi-san? There’s so many arrangements ya can do usin’ roses as a motif, huh.

Ya can change how it looks dependin’ on how much dimension ya give it, and changin’ its color and its number gives it further meanin’ too, huh?

Shu: That’s right. Red symbolizes passion, white, purity, and yellow, friendship. A single rose represents love at first sight, and eleven, a treasured love…

And if you are to propose, you should prepare twelve roses. The proposed, rather than respond with a “yes”, instead communicates it traditionally by taking a rose and returning it.

That being said, all of these are simply meanings appropriated upon the rose by humans after the fact. The rose itself was not borne into existence to such purposes..

Mika: Nnah~… Hearin’ it like that makes it kinda strange, huh.

The world’s so big, yet somethin’ added on after the fact’s been widely accepted as a common sense of sorts.

Shu: Hmph. It all ultimately comes down to what is most convenient for humans, isn’t it?

Even feelings that cannot be described by words can take shape in the form of flowers. Quite convenient, is that not?

However, that means that those meanings are at the fore, leading to misunderstandings.

Mika: I get’cha. I only started considerin’ those things after I became an artist, fer example.

Once, when I casually presented an artwork o’mine, someone started countin’ the roses in it. I was shocked ‘cause I didn’t understand it at all.

Come t’think of it, Oshi-san, ya gave me chocolate roses at Chocolat Fes, didn’t ya?[4]

At that time, I had accepted it without knowin’ much ‘bout those things. I wonder if there was a meanin’ behind it?

Shu: Who can say? What truly matters is how you felt upon receiving it.

In any case, finding meaning in the mundane is the very essence of what it means to be human.

The rose is a blossom that possesses both beauty and pain. It is splendid, yet unafraid to bear its thorns.

Unable to stand on its own, it uses its thorns to entwine itself with other plants to provide itself support. It is nothing more but a mechanism for its survival, yet…

Humans seek out meaning, even in those thorns. Such as intangible emotions such as love, devotion, or even pride.

A story is imbued to where there was none, and emotions are entrusted unto it. That is precisely what constitutes “art”.

Mika: Hmm… So yer sayin’ that… As it is, this rose decoration is beautiful, but…

The reason I see it as somethin’ so special is because it is filtered through my own lenses of it bein’ somethin’ Oshi-san created…?

Shu: That’s a rather rough-hewn way to put it, but if I were to borrow your vocabulary, yes, that would be about how I would put it, Kagehira.

…This material is too pliant. It won’t be suitable for the outfit I have in mind.

Mika: Are ya gonna throw away that rose? Could I have it instead, in that case?

Shu: I do not mind, but… Goodness, you just ask for anything, don’t you?

Mika: Nfufu, but ya made it, Oshi-san. Anythin’ ya make is a treasure in my eyes. ♪

By the way, Oshi-san, there’s somethin’ that’s been on my mind fer some time now…

What's that over there? It’s hard not t’notice, bein’ covered in such elegant red silk and all.

Shu: Hmm… Yes, this makes for a good time to pivot to the ThanX Festival, doesn't it?

This is the palace I have designed from the ground up for our Valkyrie’s ThanX Festival to be held at.

Mika: A palace…?

Shu: Indeed. Here is the diorama for it.

Mika: Whoa...! This palace is real extravagant! It’s got fountains and pavilions… It reminds me of the palace ya took me to in Paris.

Yer thinkin’ to get this built fer real? Rather than rent a venue or somethin’?

Shu: That is right. According to the notice, “budget is not a concern”, you see. Meaning, I am at right to spend generously and without constraint…♪

Money, to the artist, is an issue they cannot be separated from. By the year, our performances have become more extravagant as the years pass, but there we are always dealing with financial constraints.

Fortunately, we make up any expense deficit through sales through the live, but, even so, ‘tis not enough for us to reach our ideal.

Our performances are akin to constructing a world of its own. Only when our song, outfits, and staging entwine in perfect harmony can our performance be considered complete.

And that is exactly why we absolutely cannot compromise. But as unfortunate as it is, we are bound by the shackles we call money. And without this necessary resource, our ideal will remain but a pipe dream.

As such, let us make full use of this for Valkyrie’s ThanX festival.

We shall pour this money into creating our grandest stage yet—we shall build our palace, and host a magnificent feast for our fans!

We shall hold a celebration filled with music and art for three days and three nights, just as the royals and the nobles once did!

This will be our way to express our gratitude! Kakaka…♪

[ ☆ ]

story directory | next →

Likely referring to UNDEAD’s Thanx Festival, featuring a mystery escape game.

Likely referring to 2wink’s ThanX Festival, an exhibition featuring an array of optical illusion art.

You too can play Switch’s Thanx Festival game, right here!

Nazuna: You make it sound like it was ages ago. Arashi-chin graduated, what was it, a month ago?

Arashi: That's true, but. You know, we've been living in the dorms since last year, right? Since we moved to the dorms, we hardly pass by here anymore.

I'm remembering a lot of things. Since it's cherry blossom season, I seem to be feeling sentimental.

Chiaki: Yeah. This area holds a special place in my heart as well. There was a time when I used to do the "morning greeting campaign" under that streetlight over there.

Arashi: That kind of thing happened too, didn't it? I vaguely remember it.

Chiaki: What!?

You remembered me even though we never had the chance to meet...... I'm so moved!

Arashi: You're being so dramatic. I said "vaguely," didn't I? It was memorable, so it just stuck in my mind.

You were wearing the "Ryuseitai" costume and energetically greeting people passing by. Even if I didn't want to, I'd remember it.

Nazuna: Ahaha. Still, I think it's something that makes Chiaki-chin happy.

Knowing that his activities are remembered in someone else's memory ♪

Chiaki: That's right! Everything has an end. Even a hero show will come to an end after a year.

However. The hero's deeds remain in our hearts forever and continue to give us courage even now.

Thank you for remembering me back then, Narukami! Handshake......☆

Arashi: You're welcome. Geez, you always talk about heroes whenever you get the chance.

I feel like I've heard enough for a lifetime just today.

Nazuna: I heard a lot about it at Chiaki-chin's house too~ The conversation was so lively that a viewing party was about to begin—

......So, shouldn't we resume filming soon? We're quite far from Chiaki-chin's house now.

Arashi: Sure thing. Staff, could you please start the shoot? ~♪

"Well, well. Did you enjoy 'Surprise! Idol's Room,' where we introduce idol homes?"

Chiaki: "Yes! It was fun to showcase a lot of things I like! Thank you so much for coming today......☆"

Nazuna: "Arashi-chin was talking to the viewers, you know~? But well, as the person in charge of the program, I'm happy you're pleased."

"As you all know, in this program, we introduce the homes of idols, and—"

"It's a relay system where the guest of that episode introduces the next idol who will show their home. So, Chiaki-chin, can I ask you to do the introduction?"

Chiaki: "Leave it to me! Now, everyone, the long-awaited next guest is—"

"My reliable companion! It's Kanata Shinkai from 'Ryuseitai'......☆"

>A few days earlier. Inside the TV station, in the dressing room of the talk show "Sekirara no Yakata".<

Arashi: —Sorry to keep you waiting, Nazuna-chan. I got us some drinks.

Also, the staff gave us a treat saying, "Please enjoy it, everyone." I'll leave it here.

Nazuna: Thank you...... but this is quite extravagant, isn't it?

I was surprised last time too. I feel like the treatment is getting better with each recording session.

Arashi: You're right. If you were given something like this, you'd naturally think that way, wouldn't you.

Does that mean our program is just that popular?

Nazuna: That's right~ I never imagined that the program we're in charge of would become such a hot topic.

Arashi: Me too. At first, it was a mini program of about five minutes, and both the name and purpose were different from now.

Nazuna: Yes, yes. It was a project titled "Attention! Idol's Treasure," where guests were asked to bring their important personal belongings—

"Since I don't want to take it out, I want you to come see it at my house". The guest's request prompted a program introducing the idol's room.

Arashi: Yeah. There are quite a few fans who want to know what goes on in their idols' rooms, and it doesn't seem like the program is going to end anytime soon......

Nazuna: Hmm, do you feel like there's a problem? I thought we were supposed to be concerned about privacy, like not showing the exterior of the house or anything that might identify the address, right?

Arashi: No, that's fine. The problem is the content of the program.

Earlier, I overheard the staff talking. They said, "We've been introducing too many wealthy homes, and it's starting to feel monotonous."

Nazuna: Ah...... With Tsukasa-chin and Momo-chin, the rich people just keep coming.

Arashi: Yeah. In that sense, it's nice to be able to introduce Morisawa-senpai next.

I was shown a picture of his room. It was very boyish with a lot of Sentai goods.

Unlike at Momo-chan's house, it seems like we won't have to be so nervous next time.

Nazuna: It is getting a bit monotonous, huh...... Come to think of it, it's been nothing but introductions from friends, hasn't it?

Even if we introduce our friends, is it too much to ask to introduce a room with a different direction than before?

Arashi: Isn't it natural to think about making a good program?

It's the staff who actually run the project. However, we're also entrusted with the progress of the program.

That being said, I don't really have any concrete ideas. What should we do?

Chiaki: Bwahahaha! You two, I heard everything!

Arashi / Nazuna: Morisawa-senpai / Chiaki-chin......!?

Chiaki: That problem, I'll solve it for you......☆

-

Rei: Ohh, so this is where you’ve gotten yourself to, Mikejima-kun. I’ve been searching high and low for you for quite some time now, you know?

Madara: Oh myyy, if it isn’t Rei-san. What’s up? Were you looking for me?

Rei: Indeed. It’s about this afternoon’s business. You asked for my help, but left me in the dark as to the outcome. That’s rather thoughtless, don’t you think?

Madara: Whoops! Come to think of it, I have forgotten to thank you! I was sooo caught up in my own thoughts that it completely slipped my mind. 

Let me fix that now: Thank you! The intel you gave me about Anzu-san’s whereabouts and Souma-san’s project earlier was such a great help ♪

Rei: Mmm. So? How fares the outcome of your proposal?

Madara: Siiigh. The outcome? Nothing, nada, zilch. As things stand right now, Halloween is a no-go—my plan didn’t take off at aaall.

That’s why there’s going to be another meeting scheduled the day after to decide whether to go with Souma-san’s proposal or mine.

Rei: Well~, that’s probably the best outcome you could’ve hoped for given the limited time you had to pull it off. But really, Mikejima-kun, you do make a hobby of imposing impossibly tall orders on yourself.

It's the peak of Spring right now, with vibrant sunshine and blooming flowers everywhere. And here you are, stubbornly pushing a Halloween event, which is... to say the least, thoroughly out of season.

Madara: That’s exactly why it’d be fun! Besides, if we’re gonna fuss about something like the season, it’s Autumn in the Southern hemisphere nowww, isn’t it?

If that’s the problem, we could just hold the event in Australia and tadah~! Problem solved!

Rei: Good grief. What a mad stretch of logic you make to justify your whims. Even in Australia, it’s the wrong time of year for Halloween. No matter where you are in the world, everyone knows Halloween is firmly tied to October 31st.

Madara: Hmm? What’s going on here? For someone who helped me out earlier, Rei-san, are you against my Spring Halloween idea now? 

Rei: No, I’m not against it at all. It’s just that I can’t help but voice my dissatisfaction on seeing the unnecessarily complicated path you’re on.

Frankly, I believe this whole business could be resolved most quickly, if only you could just be honest, Mikejima-kun.

Madara: I am being honest, though! I think Anzu-san’s project is amazing, and I reeeally want to make it a reality!

Rei: Ohhh, I don’t doubt that part is true. However, what I’m referring to is something else—more accurately, closer to your true feelings, Mikejima-kun.

Madara: … … Hahaha. It looks like you’ve already figured me out, Rei-san.

Rei: Deducing the motives of others is a specialty of mine. Because, why would you be clinging so stubbornly to Halloween—

Or more specifically—to last year’s Halloween? When I think about what happened back then, the answer becomes crystal clear.

The extreme lengths you go to, Mikejima-kun, are so adorably pathetic and touchingly brave (1). I can’t help but wonder, why are you keeping your true intentions concealed from the young lady Anzu?

Madara: … … Because I don’t want to manipulate her. Using sob stories to tug at her feelings—That’s just … uncool, isn’t it?

I’ve already caused Anzu-san enough grief because of Double Face, not to mention the hurtful things I said to push her away. (2)

Madara: That’s why this time, I reeeally want to make her smile—by using this project, which she poured so much of herself into.

Rei: Huh. Even if, by doing so, you might end up causing her even more trouble?

Madara: Haha~. You reeeally don’t pull your punches at all, do you? However, that train’s already left the station; there’s no turning back now. 

I’ll absolutely make this Halloween project happen, no matter what it takes.

Rei: You really are a stubborn one, for crying out loud.

Just so we’re clear, this is the last time I’ll be helping you on this.

I do want to support you, Mikejima-kun, but as someone from the same agency as Kanzaki-kun, I cannot in good conscience undermine his endeavour. 

Besides, if you’re aiming to be my successor, I expect you to be able to handle this level of adversity on your own.

Madara: Of course! I don’t plan to keep relying on you forever, Rei-san. This is something I want to do for myself after aaall—

Chiaki: —OHHH! There you are, Mikejima-san!

Madara: Hmm? If it isn’t Chiaki-san and Kaoru-san. Are the both of you looking for me tooo?

Chiaki: That’s right! I’ve heard all about your Halloween project from Hakaze. We thought you might need some help, so here we are!

Kaoru: For the record, I’m only here because Moricchi dragged me along, okay~?

Chiaki: Haha! Don’t be like that, Hakaze. You were curious about Mikejima-san’s fixation on Halloween too, right?

Kaoru: Well, I don’t deny that… ...

Madara: Nope. I appreciate your kind intentions, Chiaki-san, but I’m not in any trouble at aaall. There’s no need to help me out with anything. 

Rei: Now, now, Mikejima-kun. It isn’t good to lie. Weren’t you just agonizing over how to get your proposal approved?

Madara: You’re sooo heartless, Rei-san. I reeeally wish you wouldn’t out the fact that I’m struggling so promptly like this!

Rei: For crying out loud. You should tone down on your secretive ways, Mikejima-kun. You have a bad habit of trying to take on everything and solve everything on your own.

Kaoru: Huh? … ... (stares at Rei) 

Madara: ... … … (also staring at Rei) 

Rei: Wh-what is it, you two? Why are you staring at me like that?

Kaoru: … … Hahhh. Take a moment to reflect about what you just said, why don’t you?

Rei: In any case, Mikejima-kun, you should trust the people around you more and be honest about your true feelings.

Your motivations this time aren’t anything you should be ashamed to share with others, at any rate.

Madara: Urmmm. You mean my pathetic need for self-satisfaction?

Chiaki: Whatever it is, you can count on us, Mikejima-san! I’m all in to support you, no matter what!

Kaoru: That goes for me too. I’m already involved to this extent. Might as well see it through to the very end, right? 

Besides, in your words from this afternoon, I’m “an honorary member of this merry gang” already, right?

Madara: Haha, I can’t argue with that logic, Kaoru-san.

Good grief. There’s absolutely no need for your meddling in this matter at aaall, but... I guess I’ll show Rei-san some face this time.

Promise you won’t laugh when I tell you what my goal is, okayyy? 

Chapter 3 / Chapter 5

Lupine Halloween Masterlist

(To be continued)

Translator’s Notes

Rei describes what Madara is doing as いじらしい (ijirashii) which is a unique term that exists in JP. Some dictionaries explain it simply as ‘adorably pathetic / endearingly pitiful’ while others explain it further as the emotional state of deep sympathy, admiration and sadness you feel when witnessing someone being endearingly pitiful, brave, and touching in their struggling efforts despite their weakness / vulnerability, which evokes respect and a desire to support that someone.  (Example: Hinata Shouyo’s first and only middle school match where he and his 2 inexperienced friends and 3 newbie freshmen went up against Kageyama Tobio's powerhouse school and got crushed despite valiantly trying their best, prolly.) 

Madara’s harsh words to Anzu were said in Antique Legend Epilogue 3 (January 2021) as he walked away from her. This kicked off a long period (also known as the MadaAnzu divorce) where Madara kept his distance from Anzu until the Poltergeist/New Color event (January 2023, so for about ~2 years). During their estranged period, some mentions of Madara + Anzu can be found in - Hidden Beasts , - his FS1 3* Idol Story As an Elder - Myriad of Colours and Flowers (starts from ch 5) - Secret Service Ch 8 and Epilogue 4 (where Madara's efforts to protect Anzu and his sister Maguro while so many people were threatening to destroy him, especially in the 5 Epilogues, are very overlooked) - and Poltergeist . There is Last Mission as well, where she kicked him after he (jokingly) suggested they get married. Interestingly, in Madara's FS2 (30th March 2024), their dialogue indicated they had already reconciled with each other, but now we have Lupine Halloween (November 2024) set slightly before FS2.

Kohaku: …Huh? I feel like the sweets line-up has changed from last week.

Kohaku: Niki-han, have you been messing around with the menu, by any chance?

Niki: Oh, I’m impressed you noticed~ That’s right!

Niki: It's June now and it’s starting to feel summery, isn’t it? So we’ve started serving a menu to make you feel refreshed.

Niki: Not just sweets - we’re planning on offering a few more main dishes too. Cold pasta and such.

HiMERU: ―Indeed. Instead of always serving the same thing, you make adjustments to suit the situation.

Niki: Of course. On hot days, you'd rather quench your thirst with a cold drink than a hot one, right? The food you want to eat is also affected by the season and the temperature.

Niki: In that case, the right thing to do is to adjust the menu to match. So a chef’s job is to meet the customers’ needs.

Niki: While maintaining the flavour of our regular menu and our signature dishes, we try new things too. That’s the trick to surviving the dog-eat-dog food and drink industry!

Niki: Just kidding. I’m just repeating the manager at Cinnamon! Nahaha ☆

Niki: Or maybe I should say, half the year is almost gone. Since I became an idol, it feels like the time passes quickly.

HiMERU: That’s not a bad thing. It’s proof you’ve been living a fulfilling life.

Niki: Eh~ But in my case, I’m just doing my best to live each moment somehow.

Niki: Still, I'm happy just being able to eat my fill every day. In order for that happiness to continue, I have to do my best in moderation at idol activities too~

Rinne: To achieve that, we have to make the Fan ThanX Festival a success.

Rinne: Niki, something to eat. And water.

Niki: You just show up out of nowhere and say that? Are you some spoiled brat? (1) Your way of asking is so sloppy!

Niki: Well, I knew you’d say that, so I was already prepared. Here, water and snacks.

Rinne: Oh. As expected of Niki, his coldness is seeping into my body……♪

Rinne: So? How far along is the Fan ThanX Festival presentation?

Kohaku: We haven’t started yet. We’ve been waitin’ for Rinne-han for ages.

Rinne: Oops. Let’s get started then. What plan have you brought, Niki?

Niki: What I suggest is Crazy:Buffet!

HiMERU: ……? What’s that?

Niki: I’m glad you asked ♪ As the name suggests, Crazy:Buffet is an event where you can enjoy food in a buffet format.

Niki: Idols can't survive without fans who support them. Humans can't survive without food either. Soー

Niki: The idea was to serve food to show our gratitude to both the fans who support us and the food that sustains our lives, as a true “thanksgiving” event.

Niki: Food isn’t just something to fill your stomach. It has the power to do things like put a smile on people’s faces and make them feel warm inside.

Niki: That’s why I thought I’d repay everyone who supports me through cooking.

Niki: In Crazy:Buffet, the four of us will show off our skills and personally serve up a feast.

Niki: The food will be buffet style, and the plan is to have a variety of international dishes! From Asia to Europe, America, the Middle East……

Niki: The ticket is like a passport, and you get a stamp when you eat a dish or something.

Niki: It would be fun to introduce a fun element like travelling the world through food, too ☆

Niki: Anyway. That’s my suggestion! Crazy:Buffet will fill both your stomach and your heart at the same time. It’s sure to be the best event ever ☆

HiMERU: …… HiMERU sees. That’s a very Shiina-like plan.

Kohaku: Yeah. I think the idea of expressing gratitude through food was conveyed well. A world-travel kinda direction would be interestin’ too.

HiMERU: Yes. HiMERU thinks it’s a good idea to combine one’s strengths with the theme of the Fan ThanX Festival. At least, it doesn’t seem so bad–

Rinne: No good, try again.

Niki: Eh?

HiMERU: Amagi……?

Rinne: Heyy, Niki. Have you completely forgotten who the main character is this time?

Rinne: This is a Crazy:B event, right? But if you open the lid and look inside, it’s all your specialty.

Niki: Ugh. I don’t need you to tell me that……. Isn’t it obvious what would happen if I came up with it on my own?

Rinne: Are you being defensive? If you’re aware of it, bring something decent. If you’re just listing things you want to do, write them down in a diary or something.

Rinne: The fans expect us to be “like” ourselves as idols. It’s worth showing that.

Niki: ……

Rinne: So no Crazy:Buffet and no cooking.

Rinne: Well, it wasn’t a terrible idea. As Niki’s plan, that is ♪

Niki: Roger that.

Niki: I'm going to do the dishes in the kitchen for a bit.

Kohaku: Ah, Niki-han…

Kohaku: Rinne-han bein’ harsh on Niki-han is nothin’ new, but surely that was a bit too far?

Kohaku: He tried his best to do somethin’ he’s not used to, and it wasn’t a bad idea, right? You don’t have to put him down like that. (2)

Rinne: Gyahaha. Isn’t Kohaku-chan sweet? That was just a little joke ♪

Kohaku: It’s not little. That seemed like a pretty big deal, actually. (3)

Rinne: You think so? They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (4), right? It won’t work for him unless you do something like that.

HiMERU: In other words, Amagi has high expectations for Shiina.

Rinne: That being said, what Niki came up with was a “safe bet” (5). To be honest, just between us, I think the fans would've enjoyed that idea to an extent.

Rinne: But, thing is, we’re not the type of meek, well-behaved unit that would be satisfied with such a lukewarm event.

Rinne: How can we make the fans truly happy, and how can we make it the wild party (6) you'd expect from Crazy:B?

Rinne: That's what I think the Fan ThanX Festival is about.

Kohaku: Ah, I see… No matter how you say it, you're really thinkin’ this through, aren't ya?

Rinne: Obviously. Well, even if I seriously preached to Niki, it wouldn't have any effect on him.

Rinne: Putting him down while teasing him works best.

(1) Niki calls him ドラむすこ (ドラ息子), a lazy or useless son, the kind who profits from his parents but does nothing to contribute.

(2) I can’t quite figure out the nuances of what Kohaku is saying here, but either way he’s clearly not a fan of Rinne’s response to Niki.

(3) The adjective Rinne used for his “little” joke more literally means “light”: Kohaku responds that it was quite “heavy”, as it obviously weighed on Niki.

(4) The actual proverb Rinne uses refers to a lion dropping its newborn cub into a deep valley and only raising it if it’s strong enough to crawl out. In other words, you need to pass a hard test to grow up.

(5) The Japanese expression refers to a “safe” mahjong tile that can be discarded without benefitting the opponent. Both the Japanese and English here play quite nicely into Rinne's gambling hobby lol

(6) He talks more about messing around than a party specifically, but I was struggling to make that make sense in English in a way that felt Rinne, short of just calling it crazy shit. Basically, Rinne wants the Fan ThanX Festival to reflect Crazy:B’s usual level of insane nonsense and shenanigans.

as the title said, episode 1,7,9,10 only out of 12 Official Site / Subs to Episode 'Telephaty' only from Season 1

softsub (4 episodes released) please login / signup first before joining buymeacoffee OR trakteer

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hardsub (4 episodes released) ep1 (for non) ep7 (for kurokawa soya) ep9 (for nakamura tomoya) ep10 (for nakajima ayumu)

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notes the title of episode 7 is 宇宙(そら)からのオトシダマ (sora kara no otoshidama), otoshidama (お年玉) in general context means the new year's money for kids which is one of the contexts in this particular episode too, however one more context that i caught from this episode is that the "otoshidama" could be taken as "otoshi (落とし)" + "tama (玉)" as in "dropping/falling ball" that is similar to falling star phenomenon, so the title could be interpreted as "falling ball from the sky", i assume the "otoshidama" was written in katakana because of this double context so i kept the "otoshidama" as it is in the title translation

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[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Mountain Forest

On a particular mountain—…

Natsume: Sora, reply if you can hear mE! I’m right heRE!

Sora! Sora! PleaSE, say somethiNG—

Tsumugi: —Please wait, Natsume-kun!

Didn’t I just tell you? You need to calm down too! If we keep going like this, we’ll end up no different than Sora-kun!

Natsume: There’s no time to be so easygoING! Aren’t you worried about Sora, Senpai?!

Tsumugi: I’m worried about him too, you know! But you’re important to me too, Natsume-kun!

We don’t know for sure if Sora-kun’s on this mountain. Even if he was, I can’t just let you do something so reckless.

We’ll both get lost if we’re not careful. There’s just no logic in that, is there?

Natsume: …Even stiLL, I can’t just sit around and wait like thIS.

Because, the reason Sora-kun got spirited away[1] is because I took my eyes off of hIM.

Natsume: I wasn’t supposed to let him feel lonely anymoRE. I had sworn I wouldn’t make that mistake agaIN…!

Location: Starmony Dorms Hallway (1F)

A couple weeks ago, June, during ES’ second year of establishment. At the Starmony Dorms…

Sora: HaHa~! Kan-chan’s finally left his dorm room~!

Kanna: …I see you all from Switch have plenty of time to spare. Having time to spare is essentially time wasted.

Natsume: And who do you think is to blame for thAT? We had to wait for you to leave your rOOM.

Kanna: Shouldn’t you have just knocked to see if was in the room, then?

Tsumugi: Oh no, we did knock, actually. But you didn’t come out, so we were troubled.

Natsume: Is your dorm maTE, Kazehaya-senpai, still in the rOOM?

Kanna: I’d hoped you would have given up and headed back after I’d pretended to not be home.

Tsumugi: Ahaha… So you admit to having ignored us, huh?

Kanna: Anyhow, just what is it you need from me?

Sora: Would Kan-chan like to play a game with Sora and the others?

Kanna: No thanks.

Tsumugi: W-Well that was quick. Do you not like games, Kanna-kun?

Kanna: No. I find playing games to be a waste of time.

Sora: Sora heard that from Kan-chan before~! It’s why Sora is here to show Kan-chan how fun gaming is!

Kanna: Is that so? No thanks, it sounds like a hassle.

Sora: B-But…! Uu, Kan-chan is hard to convince, huh~. Kan-chan is like a boss with no weaknesses.

Natsume: FuFU, and debuffs need to be used in order to defeat those types of bossES, rigHT?

I had forecasted Kanna-kun would give an answer like thAT.

I also understand the idea of not wanting to waste energy on things that are unnecessary in your liFE, you sEE.

Tsumugi: Don’t show sympathy for something so sad~! There’s value in time dedicated to relaxation and taking it easy, you know?

Natsume: Senpai has a point too, of courSE. That’s why there’s even a demand for entertainment things like games and idoLS.

AnyhOW, Kanna-kun looks like he wants to slip back into his room if we keep talking meaningless taLK, so let's get to the poiNT.

Let’s just say that there are benefits even you can get out of thIS, tOO.

Kanna: I’m delighted to see you are aware it was meaningless taLK. So, what are these benefits?

Natsume: Right nOW, we are currently developing our own game for the ES Fan ThanX Festival.

Sora: HiHi~! It’s an indie RPG masterpiece made by Shisho~!

Tsumugi: We were informed by Anzu-chan about the Fan ThanX Festival a while back, and Natsume-kun and Sora-kun have been working on it in secret behind the scenes.

Natsume: That’s riGHT. As we were working on its developmeNT, Senpai was so busy with issues around the agency that he didn’t help us out one bIT.

Tsumugi: W-Why must you hold such a strong grudge…

Natsume: As we were working our asses oFF, you kept causing troublesome probleMS, such as getting fired as vice president and then disappeariNG.

If you at least feel a bit bAD, could you at least lend a haND?

Tsumugi: Ahaha… I’m really sorry about that. I’ll help out as much as I can going forward, okay?

Kanna: You seem to have digressed, so I’ll be excusing myself here.

Natsume: OoPS, soRRY. AnyhOW, I want you to test out the game we’ve made for the ES Fan Thanx Festival.

Kanna: I do not believe there is a single thing to be gained from playing a game you’ve made, Sakasaki-san.

Natsume: You say such rude things so openLY, don’t yOU? WeLL, I knew you were the type to say things like thAT.

Regarding the gaME, you are correCT. BUT, what about in regards to the ES Fan ThanX Festival?

Kanna: …

Natsume: All idols that belong to ES are required to participate in the Fan ThanX Festival. The newly-debuted Esupuri is not an exceptION.

It’s a rather reckless thing to ask a newcomer to do out of the blUE. Not even a month has passed since your debUT, yet they want you to thank your faNS…

Kanna: That’s right. I question the sanity of those entrusting such a project to new idols who don't even know how to make right from left of things.

Natsume: ExactLY. You might feel lost if you don’t know how to proceed with such a projeCT. So—

Kanna: —by helping with Switch’s project, we can gain insight on how to approach the Fan ThanX Project?

Natsume: It helps how quickly you pick up on thinGS. We want at least one person to give us their opinion on our gaME.

You get to siphon the project-planning now-how from uS. Not a bad traDE, is iT? How about iT?

Kanna: I believe I could solve the now-how issue by consulting Anzu-san or Nice-san. However…

Understood. If there is a benefit from doing so, then I shall accept.

Natsume: Oh, you agreed surprisingly quickLY. I expected there to be more push-back from yOU.

Kanna: Protesting further would be a waste of time.

I originally had been planning to acquire advance knowledge for the Fan ThanX Festival.

I was planning to refer to the projects from the respective ES units that have already participated, but an actual collaborator is hard to beat.

That way, information can be acquired quickly without going through the hassle of communication.

Natsume: I’m grateful for your cooperatiON, bUT… WoW, you’re really not all that cute of a junIOR, hUH…

[ ☆ ]

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ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ< The next day. >

Aira: Hmm~... I think I said too much to Tattsun-senpai yesterday.

I initially told him he could do whatever he wanted, but I ended up saying all those things to him. I’m the worst…

Hiiro: …………

Aira: Wait a minute! You weren’t listening to me, were you, Hiro-kun!?

Hiiro: …Oh, sorry, Aira. It’s nice and warm today, so I’m a bit out of it.

But I know what you were talking about. You were talking about Tatsumi-senpai, right?

That’s all you’ve been talking about since yesterday, so I remember. You kept saying how you wanted to apologise to him.

Aira: D–Don’t say it so calmly like that. You’re making it sound like I’ve been repeating myself since yesterday…! Well, I guess that is true, though.

Tattsun-senpai was so kind to support me during “Feather Touch”, so I feel bad that I gave him my opinion on something trivial.

Hiiro: I don’t think it bothers Tatsumi-senpai that much.

Aira: It bothers me!

*Sigh* Hiro-kun won’t listen when I’m talking to him and Mayo-san isn’t around… What should I do with my emotions…?

Hiiro: Don’t feel so down, Aira.

I’m sure our suspicions would’ve still remained if we went through with that version of “UNDYING”.

You said what you wanted to say and Tatsumi-senpai respected your opinion. You can just leave it at that, right?

Aira: Don’t make it sound so simple~...

Mayoi: Hiiro-san, Aira-san. So you two were here…!

Aira: Eeek!? A head has poked out of the hedge!?

Hiiro: It’s just Mayoi-senpai.

Aira: Oh, it’s Mayo-san… you gave me a fright.

Mayoi: Uuu, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I startled you, didn’t I…?

Aira: Yeah. You’re elusive as always, huh.

So what were you doing in the hedge? Is it comfortable there?

Hiiro: How novel. Shall I try it out as well?

Mayoi: No, it’s not comfortable at all! It’s prickly and it feels strange, so there’s no need for you to be in here! I shall come out myselffff!

I… think I said some horrible things to Tatsumi-san yesterday. So it’s been on my mind since.

What do you two think? Was it really careless of me to say those things!?

Aira: Oh, well…

Hiiro: Hehe. It seems both Aira and Mayoi-senpai had the same troubles.

Mayoi: You two, Aira-san…?

Hiiro: Indeed. It’s also been bothering Aira since yesterday.

But I don’t think you two need to worry. Giving our frank opinions is also something necessary as we’re in a unit together.

Aira: No no, your mindset is just on another level… He’s someone who has actual achievements to his name.

It was rude of me to give him my opinion.

Mayoi: I completely understand! It was rather rude of me to say those things to him as well…!

I was reflecting on the things I had said during the day before bed… I was in such a gloomy mood, wondering why I said those things! 

Aira: Yeah, I know, right!?

Hiiro: Hmm. I feel as though we’ve gone off on a tangent.

I’ll call Tatsumi-senpai to come over on “Hallhands”...

Aira: Wait, what’re you doing, Hiro-kun? Why’re you calling Tattsun-senpai here!?

Hiiro: I thought it would be best to ask Tatsumi-senpai his thoughts on the matter.

You want to know what he thought when we gave him our opinions, right?

Mayoi: Eeek…! I–I’m not mentally ready yet!

And what if Tatsumi-san says he felt uncomfortable after hearing our opinions…?

Noooo…! I’m so sorry for being aliveeee!

Aira: Ah! Mayo-san’s panicking and circling the hedge! Hurry and delete your message to Tattsun-senpai, Hiro-kun!

Hiiro: Huh? Okay, I’ll delete it then.

I thought it would be best to ask Tatsumi-senpai his thoughts on the matter himself, but I see. So my actions were something bad.

I’ll delete the message– Oh? It’s already been read.

He says, “I’m sorry. I was doing some thinking, so I shall meet up with you all tomorrow.”

Aira: Geeeeeez, Hiro-kun! What have you done!?

Tattsun-senpai is very clearly upset after seeing that message! I didn’t want this to happen…!

Mayoi: I’m scared of tomorrow! I hope it’ll never come!

Hiiro: I didn’t know it was this bad… I’m sorry for sending him a message before understanding the situation.

But I’m sure it’ll be okay.

He’s been an idol far longer than we have. He’s been thinking about how to be an idol since his solo days.

So I’m sure he understands what we want to convey in our opinions too.

He understands what we want to say, but he doesn’t want to ignore our opinions, so that’s probably why his ideas turned out weird.

Aira: …Yeah.

Tattsun-senpai is always working hard for someone’s sake.

It looks like he started this whole project because of what Tenshouin-senpai said to him too. He must be having a hard time juggling the expectations other people have for him and the things he wants to do, right?

Mayoi: Which means… our opinions only served to confuse him further.

Hmm. On second thought, was it really okay for him to agree to our opinions yesterday…?

Aira: But even if he didn’t, do you think he would be happy with that?

He took in our opinions and removed the horror elements…

Mayoi: Then would it be best if he kept the first version of it…?

Hiiro: I don’t think that’s quite right, either.

I think Tatsumi-senpai needs to face his own voice.

This is something he decided to do. In the end, he has to be the one to decide – it won’t be the will of a god or our opinions.

Tatsumi: …………

(Hehe, it’s burning so brightly.)

(The proposal and documents for “UNDYING” are all gone now.)

(Idols do not exist for one sole person’s sake.)

(Now, my selfishness is also gone.)

(I think I can now come up with ideas for the performance together with the others – a performance that’s for “ALKALOID” and also in “ALKALOID’s” style.)

…Farewell.

Hiiro: “UNDYING”...?

Aira: What does that mean? 

Tatsumi: It means “immortal”.

I once injured myself to the point of retirement.

But there were many fans who still supported me despite that.

And the people I met after I was hospitalised – the patients, doctors and nurses – they all prayed for my comeback.

Tatsumi Kazehaya will not perish. I’d like to convey those feelings by holding a concert.

Aira: That’s a really cool concept…♪

Hiiro: Come to think of it, you were working as a solo idol before we formed a unit, huh.

I’m sure the fans who have been supporting you for a long time will be happy.

Mayoi: I–I also think it’s a great concept.

It’s very honest – much like yourself, Tatsumi-san… I think it’ll meet their expectations and make them happy.

M–My apologies. I’m not in any position to decide whether or not it’s in character for you, am I…!?

Tatsumi: No, no. I appreciate you saying that.

I wasn’t sure whether or not this concept would be properly conveyed to you all.

Mayoi: ?

Tatsumi: I’d actually like to incorporate my own personal experiences into the “UNDYING” concert.

Hiiro: Your own personal experiences…?

Tatsumi: Yes. I believe this will be my first time telling you all this story.

I met a ghost while I was hospitalised.

Aira: A–A–A–A ghost…!?

Stop right there! It’s not some horror story, is it…?

Tatsumi: Hehe. I haven’t said anything yet. Please don’t be so afraid.

There were rumours floating around that there were ghost sightings in the ward I was hospitalised in. Even the patients were talking about it and an investigation was also conducted.

Back then, even though I was in low spirits because of my injury, I still had to confront the ghost.

I was only able to muster the courage to face my rehab because we became companions.

If I were to offer such an intriguing story to the fans, then it would also create a topic of interest among them – it would be hitting two birds with one stone.

I figured a story about death and rebirth would be rather fitting for me.

Hiiro: Death and rebirth… That’s quite a magnificent theme.

Mayoi: By the way, what happened to the ghost rumours? It has piqued my interest.

Aira: Eeek!? Why would you bring that up again, Mayo-san!?

I’m definitely not listening to this! I’m gonna block my ears…!

Hiiro: Hmm, so you’re not a fan of scary stories, Aira? You really enjoyed “ES Halloween”, so I thought you liked these sorts of things.

Aira: This is different! I love seeing idols all dressed up for Halloween, but I don’t like ghosts!

Hiiro: Then, would you like me to listen to Tatsumi-senpai’s story and then tell you the non-scary parts?

Aira: No, you don’t need to do that much for me! Knowing you, you’re definitely gonna trigger some of my fears, Hiro-kun…!

Tatsumi: Aira-san, please, rest assured. It’s not that scary of a tale.

I simply heard someone singing at night at the hospital.

Aira: Eeek…!

Mayoi: Someone singing?

Tatsumi: Yes. Every night, I could hear a child singing in the hospital. But whenever I went in the direction of the voice, there was no one there.

I searched for the child several times, but I couldn’t find them. Even when the entire hospital staff went on a search, the source of the voice could not be found.

And so, the rumours of a ghost singing at the hospital came to exist.

But I was saved by that voice when I was in low spirits while I was hospitalised.

The singing of a ghost that had once died was my pillar of support.

It’s a bit strange, but I was in despair, thinking my days as an idol were over, but after hearing that ghost’s singing, it made me wonder if I could sing again.

I’d like to incorporate this story into the concert somehow to make it more enjoyable for everyone, but…

I don’t have any experience planning a concert that’s based on a story, so I’m currently pondering how I can do that.

Mayoi: It’s certainly not a very common type of concert.

But I think the concert will turn out to be a wonderful one if you follow your instincts, Tatsumi-san. I’m just simply helping out, after all…

Hiiro: “ALKALOID” can only be “ALKALOID” with the four of us here. I respect your intentions, Tatsumi-senpai – I’ll do everything I can to lend a hand.

Aira: Y–You don’t have to choose such a scary story… Uuu, I’m getting chills…!

Tatsumi: Hmm. Perhaps I should use another story then?

Aira: No, I’ll help out too.

I don’t really like scary things, but you also supported me when I was planning “Feather Touch”, Tattsun-senpai…

Besides, it’s also something that ended up saving you, so I wanna help. It makes me feel like I need to do things properly.

B–But let’s not have too many scary stage effects!

After all, one of your charm points is that you have this kindness that envelops everyone… If you’re too scary, then the people who come to see the concert will also think your image is different.

Tatsumi: Naturally, I’ll think of you as one of my fans, Aira-san, and I’ll hold back in that regard. Please don’t hesitate to tell me if it’s too much, alright?

…Once the proposal for “UNDYING” has been completed, I’ll go over everything once more.

In order for everyone to enjoy the concert, I’ll be sure to be quite meticulous about the scary factors.

Aira: Thanks. I’m also looking forward to your concert, Tattsun-senpai…

*...Achoo* ☆

Mayoi: A– Are you alright, Aira-san…? You look unwell…

Aira: No, I’m totally fine! I just suddenly felt chilly…

*Achoo, achoo* ☆

Tatsumi: Oh…?