#minitalk

→That’s what I’d expect from you.

Kaoru: Well, I think they had me do the talking since they like what I have to say. The audience enjoyed it too, so I’m probably going to get more offers for talk show appearances…

→Have a cough drop.

Kaoru: A honey cough drop, huh? Thanks. …Fufu, it’s tasty. This bittersweetness is perfect for when you wanna take a load off after work.

→Are you alright?

Kaoru: Fufu, I’m okay. I’m just a little tired. I don’t mind talking, plus it makes me happy when people get excited from what I say.

Mini-talk 2 (The Privilege of Being Good at Conversation):

Kaoru: Hm? “After talking so much, isn’t it troublesome to talk to me?” Ahaha, chatting with you is never a burden. If anything, it’s cheering me up.

→Is that okay?

Kaoru: Ahaha. What sort of question is that? I’m not lying to you, you know? Isn’t it fun and energizing for you too when you talk with a friend or someone you can let your guard down around? That’s how I feel…

→It’s cheering me up too.

Kaoru: Ahaha, thanks. I’m happy to hear that. Until just recently, I often felt charmed by things like that [1]..I wonder what sort of change of heart this is?

→I-is that so…

Kaoru: Going by that response…Don’t tell me you think I’m just flattering you? Come on, I wouldn’t lie to you. Can’t you trust me?

Mini-talk 3 (The Privilege of Being Good at Conversation):

Kaoru: …Oh, our glasses are empty. Since I still have some time until my next job, I think I’ll order another drink. What about you, Producer-chan? Are you going to have seconds? I’ll treat you as thanks for helping me relax with a nice chat.

→I’ll take you up on that…

Kaoru: Yep yep, it’s fine for you to rely on me as much as you want. Of course, I don’t just mean for today; when work is troubling you or something, you can always come to me.

→I should get going…

Kaoru: Really? That sucks, but it is what it is, I guess. Let me show you my gratitude in a different way next time. Good luck on your next job, okay?

→I still have some left over, so I’m alright.

Kaoru: Ahaha, really? I didn’t take a close enough look at your glass. Sorry about that. There’s no rush, so take your time, alright?

Mini-talk 4 (Nostalgic Photos):

Kaoru: Ah, Producer-chan. Take a look at this picture! I was just with Moricchi and he gave me this old photo. …Uh-huh, it’s from the Year End Party UNDEAD did with Ryuseitai [2].

→It was a lot of fun, huh.

Kaoru: Yeah, it was. It was a rare opportunity for our two units to eat at a restaurant like that, but it was nice. It would be nice if we could have another opportunity like that; maybe I should ask Rei-kun about it?

→You filmed a music video too, right?

Kaoru: Yep. I remember I was in super high spirits since you were watching. You gave me a perfect score. I’m supposed to have grown up since then, but I still have to do my best from now on so that you’ll praise me.

→That takes me back.

Kaoru: Then, do you remember us talking outside the restaurant? Ahaha. For better or worse, you can’t forget it…huh. For me, it’s a memory I just can’t forget.

Mini-talk 5 (Nostalgic Photos):

Kaoru: Now that I’m looking back on it, I did a ton of things at Yumenosaki, huh. I can’t believe I wasn’t taking my idol work seriously in the beginning. I never would’ve thought I’d be able to make memories like this with everyone.

→It’s a good thing, huh.

Kaoru: A good thing…yeah, you’re right. I think that if I’d never joined UNDEAD, I’d be leading a completely different life right now. It’s thanks to meeting everyone that I’m able to live like this.

→You never know what’s going to happen, huh.

Kaoru: That’s true. People really can’t predict things like that. I never would’ve thought I’d be able to talk with you like this one day either.

→You meet a lot of good people, huh [3].

Kaoru: There are people you mesh well with and people you don’t…that sort of thing, huh? Even now it feels a little weird to think things like this but…I think I’m glad that I joined UNDEAD.

Mini-talk 6 (Nostalgic Photos):

Kaoru: Fufu, I talked a little too much. I wonder if being around you makes me wanna be honest…You really are a strange girl. I don’t know if this is the right time, but I’ll say it again. Look after UNDEAD from now on too, okay? I’ll do my best to make you fall even harder for me.

→I’m looking forward to it!

Kaoru: Yep yep, I’ll be sure to properly meet your expectations. I’ll be on a night-time variety show with Koga, so first on the list will be succeeding at that job.

→I’ll be cheering you on.

Kaoru: I was right that you saying things like that really turns up the tension. I’m really pumped up now, so I think I’ll go to the break room and practice my dance moves.

→I’ll be watching.

Kaoru: Ahaha. Just from those words alone, I feel like I can do my best. It’s probably the same for everyone in UNDEAD, so I’ll let them know that you said you’ll be watching us.

TL Notes:

[1]: I translated this and compared it to numerous sites which kept giving me conflicting things, so I’m not 100% sure this is correct.

[2]: referring to the Radiant Hot Holiday Party event (https://ensemble-stars.fandom.com/wiki/Radiant%E2%98%86Hot_Holiday_Party)

Although there is a demand for UNDEAD’s merchandise, we were unable to think of any good ideas. After discussing it for a time, we concluded our meeting.

→ Good work.

Rei: Kukuku. Being rewarded for my efforts by you is making me feel strangely energetic. You appear fatigued as well, little miss. Get some proper rest while you can.

→ Then the others are…

Rei: They each had their respective jobs to attend to, so we concluded our meeting and went our separate ways. Koga has a radio gig, Kaoru-kun has to film a TV program, and Adonis has a photoshoot for a magazine.

→ That sounds tough.

Rei: Indeed. To be honest, I initially thought that it would not take quite so long to complete, but it appears that it will require a fair bit of thinking to come up with something that is both unique to our unit and is something our fans will enjoy.

Mini-talk 2 (New Goods):

Rei: The staff showed me what sorts of goods have been popular recently, but you can truly make just about anything nowadays. Goods like uchiwa fans[1] and badges, to household items and groceries…I am truly amazed by how wide the range is. Little miss, if you were to make our goods, what sort of things would you make?

→ What about plushies?

Rei: Plushies, hm? I believe we already have those available, but…Hm, what about ones you can change the outfits of? It would be quite interesting if we were to make a number of different costumes for them.

→ Something like an alarm clock…

Rei: A clock is a clock, but you’re proposing something that has our unit’s songs or members’ voices on it…? I am uncertain as to how much demand there is for such a thing, but I think our fans will enjoy it.

→ I think candy would be good.

Rei: Candy flavored after our favorite foods, rather than normal candy, would be interesting. In my case it would be tomato juice, and for Adonis-kun it would be meat flavored. Kukuku, it seems we will be able to make candy in an assortment of flavors.

Mini-talk 3 (New Goods):

Rei: Hm, discussing these things with you was quite helpful. I intend to make good use of your advice in the next meeting. To show my thanks, may I treat you to a drink? Is there anything you wish to drink?

→ Your feelings are enough.

Rei: Oh my, you needn’t be shy. Or do you mean that you aren’t thirsty? While you may not consider it an important matter, it’s different for me.[2] Obediently accepting kindness is the key to being loved, you know.

→ I’ll have a tomato juice, please.

Rei: Hm? Is that not my drink of choice? I see, you’ve become hooked on tomato juice recently. I’m delighted that we can share that.[3]

→ I have a drink, so I’m alright.[4]

Rei: Hm, you have some tea in your water bottle, do you? It’s economical and good for the environment, both of which are good things. In that case, shall I buy you some candy to go with your tea? Let’s have ourselves a tea time.

Mini-talk 4 (Reviving Memories of the Past):

Rei: Hm? Did a student of Yumenosaki pass by just now? I feel quite nostalgic seeing that uniform…Kukuku. I’m recalling you coming to the Light Music Club room…

→ It wasn’t that long ago, you know.

Rei: While that may be so, when I reminisce like this, it feels like something long past. Your face has become more reliable as well, little miss.

→ That happened too, huh.

Rei: Trickstar came bursting in in search of you…and the rest is history. Even now it feels nostalgic…As more time passes, I believe it will grow to feel like ancient history.

→ You remember that?

Rei: Kukuku. Of course. It is still too early for me to go senile. Even when a decade and more have passed, these are memories that will never fade.[5]

Mini-talk 5 (Reviving Memories of the Past):

Rei: I recall all the different activities I partook in at Yumenosaki…I was a butler at the school festival, and I was not permitted to abstain from the Halloween Party and Return Gift Festival. Each memory is so rich that several days would pass before I finished reminiscing.

→ I want to reminisce with everyone.

Rei: Together with UNDEAD, hm? That is quite the charming proposition. We shouldn’t remain trapped by the past, but there is no need to disregard it either.[6]

→ Did you have fun?

Rei: It was a wonderful time, so much so that a singular word like “fun” fails to encapsulate it. Although when I say that it makes it seem as if it’s over. UNDEAD is still far from finished. I'm certain we will create more and more memories.

→ If it’s alright, you should come to the school next time.[7]

Rei: I see, it would be nice to visit the school, given that it has been some time. While alumni do not typically tour the school, it should be alright so long as I’m discreet…

Mini-talk 6 (Reviving Memories of the Past):

Rei: Now then, I do believe we ought to cease standing about talking. We both have obligations awaiting us. You were on your way to…I see, you were going to that studio over yonder? In that case, since we are already en route, shall we enjoy a leisurely chat before we must part?

→ How have things been?[8]

Rei: Me? Or UNDEAD? Well, either is fine, but I hope you will tell me how you have been afterwards.

→ I’d like some advice about work.

Rei: Hm? If it is advice you seek, then would it be acceptable to take some time tomorrow to discuss that, rather than discussing it while we walk? Hm? “It’s not that important,” you say? In that case, I shall listen until we reach your destination.

→ There’s a shop I’d like you to check out.[9]

Rei: Oh? Is there a shop you recommend en route? When you say that it’s something I’ll enjoy, I cannot help but be greatly intrigued. I would be delighted if you were to tell me when we pass it.

TL Notes:

[1]: A type of fan popular among fans (ha). They look like this!

[2]: I think he means it's important that he returns the favor to the player.

[3]: lit. "I'm glad we were able to become comrades in this"

[4]: The Japanese ends with "so..." but the implication is "so I'm alright." Japanese is a more indirect language than English, so I added the "I'm alright" to the translation to make the meaning clear.

[5]: lit. “It’s not something that will fade from my memory even if a decade or more passes”

[6]: “We shouldn’t just reminisce, but it isn’t necessary to be cruel to the past either.”

[7]: Another case of Japanese being a more indirect language than English. The Japanese only says “If it’s alright, then, next time…,” so I added the “you should come to the school” to make it clear in English what the player is suggesting.

[8]: “I’d like to know how you’ve been recently.”