#bsts sotetsu

saki: Hinata-san has really been trying his best though. He’s been earnestly following Rindou-san’s guidance.

sotetsu: Rindou’s good at doing that, but well, who knows if it’ll be very effective on Hinata.

saki: You sound like you’re talking from experience.

sotetsu: Hm? Well yeah, I did used to be a member of P after all. I more or less know how Rindou runs things.

saki: Is that so… I can’t really imagine what you’d be like as a member of P.

sotetsu: I had quite the reputation y’know. The guests would often call me the ‘back alley bad boy prince’.

saki: Bad boy prince…?

sotetsu: Well I’m not exactly what people picture as a typical prince, therefore I’m a devious one. I got told all the time that the typical sparkly ‘prince’ image didn’t suit me.

saki: Fufu, what kind of prince were you then?

sotetsu: Who knows… Definitely not the knight in shining armour type.

saki: Meaning?

sotetsu: Team P’s aesthetic is all dazzling and refined, right? Even though that’s what most of the guests were looking for… There was a guy like me who liked to play with fire among them. Tempting the curious guests away from the well lit streets and into the darkness of the back alleys.

saki: So even whilst you were on Team P you were still the same old Sotetsu-san?

sotetsu: Yep.

saki: Huh, I wish I could’ve seen it.

sotetsu: Hahaha, did you not hear what I just said? Or are you also someone that likes being led astray? But well… I can’t show you what I looked like in an actual show, but there’s probably still some photo cards left laying around in a box somewhere.

-

chapter 2 -starless storage room-

sotetsu: I didn’t think you’d actually come here to try and find an old photo card. Your tastes are just as strange as mine.

saki: I’m just curious, can you blame me?

sotetsu: I don’t think it’ll be that interesting. My costume was different sure but I don’t think I’ve changed much otherwise.

saki: Is that so?

sotetsu: Well compared to some of the other guys here that is. Some of the others have changed heaps since the early days. Like Sinju for example.

saki: Sinju-san? How was he different in the past?

sotetsu: He was like a cornered dog, barking at anyone that came near.

saki: Huh? Sinju-san was?

sotetsu: This is when he had first joined. I guess he was stressed out since he wasn’t able to keep up at all during practice. He even tried snapping at me a couple times.

saki: That’s pretty surprising…

sotetsu: To me he looked like nothing more than a puppy that wanted to play though. Oh hey, I found one. Here, take a look.

-cg

saki: Woah, you really are wearing a P stage costume…!

sotetsu: What were you expecting? And so? What do you think?

saki: …It’s a little strange.

sotetsu: Hey now, are you saying it doesn’t look any good on me?

saki: No, that’s not what I meant. I was just thinking that even in P’s outfit it still looks just like you, Sotetsu-san.

sotetsu: See? I told you. Not much has changed about me since then.

-cg gone

saki: I’m happy I got to see this photo.

sotetsu: Hm?

saki: It’s not that I didn’t believe you… I just wasn’t able to imagine it.

sotetsu: Kuku, is that so? Meaning my current image is too strong for you to imagine anything else, huh? Still, I didn’t think you’d be satisfied with just a photo. How about I go and dig up my old stage costume for real?

saki: Huh? Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?

sotetsu: I’ve put on more muscle since then but I think I can still fit into it no problem… Probably. What do you say?

saki: Well…

sotetsu: Hold on, don’t go saying that you want to see it, I’m obviously just joking here. (smirking) Instead, you can ogle the present me all you want. Isn’t that more than enough?

Unei: Well.....I've already prepared the Team C logo and ordered the costumes.

Unei: Ugh! There is too much to do~.

Kei: If you have time to whine, move your hands.

Unei: Ugh~~.

Gui: Unei, good luck.

Unei: Please think of it as someone else's problem.... and Gui help me too~.

Gui: Me? What should I do?

Kei: It's your job, don't rely on others Unei.

Kei: Gui, you should attend the meeting.

Gui: I understand.

Sotetsu: So, you are the one in charge this time, Kei.

Kei: Ah, that's right. Now is the time to offer new entertainment to your customers.

Ginsei: Are you okay? Isn't it too fast?

Ginsei: The pace of various performances is faster than it was in the past, and I hear that the audience is confused.

Ginsei: Maybe it's okay to slow down a little.

Kei: I'm not in a hurry, but this is something I cannot control.

Kei: When people in various positions want to gain their own benefits, things can only move at their own pace.

Sotetsu: Ginsei's selling point is that he is customer-friendly. With this system, that's an advantage.

Ginsei: That is not my intention -

Yoshino: This time it's a little harsh. It's a test for us as a cast.

Gui: Will any rules change?

Sotetsu: Somewhat. It's called "borderline".

Yoshino: The rules may change, but going on stage will be the same as always Gui.

Ginsei: This time, everyone will be given a point quota, right?

Ginsei: It's not an individual or team showdown. It's not even a cast ranking.

Sotetsu: In short, it's a "leg cut". It means sifting through the cast.

Gui: Select people. Is that what you mean?

Sotetsu: Exactly. Hey, Kei, how many people do you want to keep?

Kei: That's not for me to decide. Just follow the customer's decision.

Kei: There is no point in putting a cast member on stage that no one wants to see.

Gui: My master told me to always assess how useful a tool is.

Yoshino: I wonder if I'll reach it a little. We are humans, not tools.

Gui: .......It's the same.

Sotetsu: It's not a big deal, it just makes the cast rankings more severe.

Sotetsu: Anyone can pass if their score exceeds a certain value. On the other hand, if no one can pass the exam, everyone will fail.

Yoshino: I think the key point is how well customers remember you.

Yoshino: Ah.....if that's the case, wouldn't the recently joined cast members be at a disadvantage?

Kei: I think you have a lot of leeway Yoshino. I can't believe you worry about others.

Yoshino: .......That's not the case.

Sotetsu: When it comes to new customers, it doesn't matter if they've [T/N - the cast] been here before or not.

Yoshino: Kei, if we don't cross the Borderline, are we really going to be fired?

Kei: I won't let that happen. Haseyama seems to want to fire everyone.

Kei: I also have no intention of assigning a stage to a cast member who cannot capture the hearts of the audience.

Ginsei: .......I don't want to fall off.

Ginsei: Kei, what is Team K's next performance? We have to practice.

Kei: During this period, each team will select one performance and perform multiple times within the period.

Kei: If it were a performance for Team K, it would be "During the Demise".

Ginsei: Huzzah. Standard numbers are easy to do.

Kei: W with "Breakin' it faster", P with "Over the Rainbow", B with "Solar Eclipse".

Sotetsu: What about Team C?

Kei: They will play Team C's performance. It will be treated as a preview performance.

Sotetsu: Does this mean that Team C will not be officially launched unless it receives a certain amount of support during this period?

Sotetsu: That's severe. As expected, there will be enough time to prepare.

Ginsei: There may be a difference between us and other teams. Mokuren....seems very strange.

Kei: Yes, it's not fair unless the conditions are the same. That's why I want you to sweat too.

Kei: All of you will be asked to perform for other teams.

Sotetsu: .....HA? What are you saying?

Ginsei: Aren't we, as Team K, going to play "During the Demise"?

Yoshino: .....Ah!

Yoshino: By any chance, does this team that the team will be shuffled this time?

Sotetsu: Correct. If we can't do that much, we won't be the same as usual.

Kei: What, you guys are old timers, I'm sure you've done everything, expect B, in the past.

Kei: It's not a big deal, just the members are changing.

Sotetsu: It's easy to say. Will you go that far?

Kei: There's no law to say I shouldn't do that.

Yoshino: This means that some members will be standing on the same stage for the first time.

Yoshino: It's even worse than expected.....The posters and flyers are for 5 performances, right?

Kei: Don't let that happen.

Kei: Unei will provide the starting lineup for each performances. Reflect on it.

Unei: .......Wait a minute! What do you mean, I haven't heard about this!

Unei: No way, I have to get ready now~~?

Sotetsu: Hahaha, good luck, Unei.

Ginsei: We just heard that, and preparations are about to begin.

Yoshino: I wonder who I will be on stage with. What should I do, will I be able to do it well?

Gui: I'm not sure, but should I stand on stage?

Ginsei: Gui is simple. If I may say so, yes.....

Sotetsu: Maybe it's better to not think about it that much.

To be continued.....

pt. 1 ??? Hey there, cute little princess. Do you want to have tea with me at the café? MC (Is someone trying to flirt with me?) (Just don’t look back, and keep walking.) ??? Hey hey, it’s incredibly rude to ignore someone, MC. MC Sotetsu-san...! Sotetsu I even tried using a new flirting tactic too. MC Sorry, I thought you were a stranger. Sotetsu Don’t sweat it. Actually, I’m relieved you didn’t look back because you thought I was a stranger. You’re heading to Starless too, aren’t you? MC Yep. Sotetsu Well, let’s go together then. MC Are you working today, Sotetsu-san? Sotetsu Nope, we have a line-distribution meeting later in the afternoon. Oh yeah, MC. You should come watch the lesson later. If that happens, I’ll feel a bit more motivated. MC I’d be happy to watch over the lesson, but wouldn’t it be too much of a burden? Sotetsu Don’t you want to know the role I’m going to be playing now? MC I do. Sotetsu I’m a gentle, rich man who loves his wife above everything else. But my bride eloped with Leonardo, who is played by Kei. MC That’s very painful. Sotetsu Right? If given a chance, would you rather choose me over Kei? MC Uhm... Sotetsu Hey, hey. Even if it’s a lie, you should’ve said yes.

pt. 2

Sotetsu You...are you just going to throw me away? ...I refuse to accept that. If you’re going to run away with that man, then that means this ring... MC (Did...did he swallow the ring?) Sotetsu (choking sounds) And with that, our vow is eternal...