IDOLISH7 PART 5 CHAPTER 1

[shionstear]

IDOLiSH7 PART 5

Chapter 1 - Era

1.1. Live venue

Tsumugi, thinking:

One legend announces their end—

And a new one starts right now.

Cut to a live stage.

Tenn:

Welcome, everyone! To the place that shines the brightest in the world tonight!

Audience:

*screams*

Tenn:

We finally met. I was looking forward to this day for so long.

You all wanted to meet me too, didn’t you?

Audience:

*screams*

Tenn:

Now! Come and call my name!

Audience:

Zero…!

Zero…!!

The legendary idol Zero has come back…!

Cut to Riku backstage.

Riku:

…Tenn-nii…

Cut to in front of Zero Arena.

Tsumugi, thinking:

A few months earlier…

Woman:

It’s almost time for IDOLiSH7’s concert, I’m so looking forward to it!!

Woman:

Same!! I’m happy we got such good tickets! Can’t wait to see Tamaki-kun live and in colour!

Woman:

I wanna see Yamato-san clean his glasses live!!

Woman:

Also, didn’t their concert audience like, grow a lot?

Woman:

I know what you mean! There’s everything from couples to families! They’re like national-level idols!

Child:

Papa, can I see the real Mikki?

Father:

Of course. You’ll be able to see Riku-kun and Iori-kun too.

Child:

Will they notice me if I wave my hands?!

Father:

Hm, I wonder. Do your best waving.

Child:

Yeah!

Grandma:

Sougo-kun is purple? Nagi-kun is yellow?

Girl:

Exactly! And if you push here then the colour changes!

Grandma:

Ohh, how pretty! But hey, look. Look at your grandma’s socks.

Girl:

They’re the colours of your oshi!! I feel you!

Man:

Whoa! There’s lots of men that are on their own too!

Man:

Yeah! And look over there, that group that’s running over there is all men too…

Man:

…!? Wait, isn’t that TRIGGER!?

Man:

TRIGGER!? No way, you must’ve mistaken them. Even if they were invited, they’d probably come by car.

Man:

Yeah, you’re right…

Cut.

Tenn:

…hah… hah…

Anesagi-san, please excuse us for having made you wait.

Kaoru:

Seriously, you barely made it in time! What in the world happened for you to be late!?

Gaku:

…hah… You see, when we were on our way here, we encountered some terrorists that were carrying a bomb around…

Kaoru:

Terrorists?

Ryunosuke:

…hah, yeah. It didn’t become a catastrophe by a hair’s breadth. I’m glad everyone is safe…

Kaoru:

…

Hah, not again. Could you just stop stealing Yotsuba Tamaki’s really unfunny trademark gag?

Ryunosuke:

No but it’s the truth!!

Gaku:

What do you mean trademark gag?! We risked our lives to protect the peace of the city!

Tenn:

Anesagi-san, I know it sounds unbelievable, but it really happened. We were being questioned by the police until just n—

Kaoru:

Even you, Tenn. Come on, it’s starting soon! Let us hurry!

Gaku:

But it’s the truth!!

Tenn:

Well, I can’t blame anyone… I find it rather unbelievable too.

Ryunosuke:

There probably aren’t many idols that come across such a situation, huh?

Tenn:

Of course not.

Gaku:

I’m sure we’re the first ones. But anyway, a solo concert at Zero Arena, huh?

They’ve sure grown a lot, IDOLiSH7.

Ryunosuke:

You’re right.

Tenn:

…

Nothing has changed, no matter if I’m the one being chased or if I’m the one chasing.

You are my rival. Isn’t that so, Riku?

 

1.2. Bustle of the staff seats

Inside Zero Arena.

Spectator:

Hah… I’m already so excited and it hasn’t even started yet…!

Spectator:

Me too, I’m already nervous… And I’m not even the one performing… Ah, look, look!

Spectator:

What is it!?

Spectator:

Over there! On the staff seats, isn’t that ŹOOĻ!?

Spectator:

You’re right!! Wow, the group they battled in Black or White came to watch them? My feels…

Spectator:

Same!! I’m gonna cry!! The four of them together!! Getting along!!

Spectator:

Ah, Natsume-san is handing out something. I wonder what that is…?

Minami:

Everyone. Can I have your attention please?

Touma:

…hm? What’s up, Mina?

Minami:

Which wristband would you like to wear?

Touma:

What do you mean “which wristband”…?

Minami:

The goods for this IDOLiSH7 concert contain wristbands of every members’ colour.

And I have brought them all with me.

Haruka:

Minami, you always carry everything with you, huh.

Shirou:

Even though I’m your manager, you always help me out by being so prepared.

Torao:

So you’re empty-handed?

Shirou:

I’m wearing a concert shirt underneath. Once it starts, I’ll take off my dress shirt. It’s part of my business manner.

Torao:

…is it now.

Haruka:

Minami, who gave you the wristbands? IDOLiSH7’s manager?

Minami:

No. Both Nikaidou-san and Rokuya-san gave me one set each.

Touma:

So they overlapped. Don’t they talk about what they gave to whom in their dorm?

Minami:

It seems they’ve been quite busy recently.

Torao:

You didn’t get any, Haruka? Two of them are your classmates after all.

Haruka:

Nope. They’re both unsensible, in different ways.

Minami:

Well then, Isumi-san. I shall give you Izumi-san’s and Yotsuba-san’s wristbands, okay?

Haruka:

…n-not like I want them or anything…

Touma:

I guess I’ll take Riku’s and Sougo’s then?

Torao:

So you’re in charge of Sougo? Not me?

Touma:

Eh? Is that bad? I thought, you know, since we’re the same age.

Torao:

Same age, huh? Well sure, I’ll take Izumi Mitsuki’s then.

Minami:

Understood. Here for you.

Touma:

Thanks.

Torao:

Thank you.

Haruka:

If I put these on… If they notice them, they’ll definitely start grinning.

Minami:

…? What’s wrong, Utsugi-san? Do you want me to read your palm?

Shirou:

Do I not get one?

Touma, thinking:

He wants to join in too…

Torao, thinking:

So he’s the type who wants to join in, huh?

Haruka, thinking:

I really can’t read this Utsugi-san…

Minami:

Well then, you can have Nikaidou-san’s…

Shirou:

Thank you very much.

Well then, let’s learn. Let’s learn from IDOLiSH7’s solo concert on the holy ground of idols, Zero Arena.

Today’s the first day. There’ll be a special guest too, so I’m sure it’ll be exciting.

Torao:

A guest? Who?

Shirou:

Please do look forward to it until they appear.

Touma:

…I think I can imagine.

Minami:

I see… Once they appear the arena might overflow with immeasurable cheering.

Torao:

Ah… I got it now too.

Haruka:

Hmph… Not like I care. I’m only a bit frustrated.

Minami:

Frustrated?

Haruka:

They are secret special guests and we’re just on the staff seats.

Doesn’t that mean we’re not eligible as comrades in arms yet? Well bring it on.

Minami:

Fufu. Don’t you mean lonely, rather than frustrated?

Touma:

It is frustrating. I get it.

You wanna be recognized and relied upon. Someday.

Haruka:

…yeah.

Torao:

It’ll come true, eventually. For now, let us experience how big of a scale they are.

The top idols Re:vale’s surprise.

 

1.3. Too Special Guests

Momo:

I’m so happy to be a secret guest for Ainana-chan’s concert, don’t you agree, Yuki?!

Yuki:

I do, Momo.

Momo:

When they came to greet us earlier, they looked so fired up already! Looks like it’s gonna be a good concert.

Well it’s the first day after all, but let’s do our best to keep up this energy until the last day!

Yuki:

Please, there’s no way not to get excited when we’re on stage.

Momo:

Yuki, you’re sooo cool!!

Yuki:

I know.

Okarin:

As always, you think of your kouhai; quite reliable, aren't you? Momo-kun, Yuki-kun.

Momo:

Okarin.

Yuki:

I know you just praised us, but you look like there’s something else you want to tell us.

Okarin:

Haha, can you tell? IDOLiSH7’s solo concert is a very, very wonderful occasion, but…

Re:vale:

But?

Okarin:

IDOLiSH7’s current influence is, quite frankly, staggering.

Re:vale:

…

Okarin:

Wouldn’t it be better if you went at it with the mentality of eating up IDOLiSH7’s audience rather than just exciting them—

Momo:

Omnomnom!

Okarin:

Huh, what?!

Momo:

I’m eating you up. Omnomnom!

Yuki:

Nomnom.

Okarin:

P-please stop! Don’t gnaw on me…!

Momo:

Celebrations should be celebrated. I want to congratulate them properly!

Okarin:

I know that of course, but!

Yuki:

But well, Okarin has a point.

Momo:

Like what?

Yuki:

We once told them to “come catch up to us”.

Momo:

Yes, I remember.

Yuki:

And they did. By gaining experience and skills.

Momo:

They sure did…

Yuki:

Then maybe we should stop playing the good senpai already…

Momo:

…and justifiably treat them like rivals now?

Yuki:

Yes.

Momo:

…I see… Feels kinda lonely though. Like your cute younger brothers becoming independent.

Yuki:

You did always dote on them after all.

Momo:

It’s not just that… Everyone in IDOLiSH7 has been helping us out all the time, right?

No matter when, they were always on our side even during times when there was nothing to gain for themselves.

I’m thankful to them, from the bottom of my heart. My feelings of not wanting Yuki and Re:vale to step down from Number One still haven't changed.

But that we have to use the knowhow we acquired in this showbiz world to knock IDOLiSH7, after they have come up all this way, down into the bottom of a gorge is just…

Okarin:

Momo-kun! I didn’t go that far! I wouldn’t say something so heartless!

Momo:

Ah, really?! Thank god! Telling us to eat them up sounded like survival of the fittest!

Okarin:

I never said that either!

Yuki:

Seriously, Momo. You’re a good boy, but because you hang around with bad friends your imagination always runs wild.

Momo:

…

You’re still holding a grudge…

Yuki:

I just worry about you. Alright, understood. I’ll show them my spare trump card on tonight’s stage.

Momo:

What is it?

Yuki:

A backflip.

Momo:

You can do one!?

Okarin:

You can do that!?

Yuki:

No.

Momo & Okarin:

What…

Yuki:

Oops, it’s almost time.

Do your best, IDOLiSH7.

 

1.4. In the spotlight

Staff:

Starting in 5!

Tsumugi:

Looking forward to working with everyone!

Banri:

Guys, do your best!

Mitsuki:

Yeah! I’ll be on my way, manager!

Tsumugi:

Take care!

Yamato:

Looking forward to working with you!

Iori:

Looking forward to working with you.

Staff:

Looking forward to working with you!

Tamaki:

This moment always makes me so excited and nervous!

Nagi:

Yes! No matter how often you experience it, it’s always exciting!

Sougo:

Riku-kun, are you okay?

Riku:

Yes!

…a big stage like Zero Arena just for IDOLiSH7.

To stand in the centre of all that… The pressure of that thought alone might have been enough to break me before, but…

Strangely enough I’m not nervous.

Sougo:

Amazing. You’ve become so dependable, Riku-kun.

Riku:

Ehehe.

Iori:

Don’t lose focus please.

Riku:

I know I know. No worries.

Iori:

…

Riku:

I’ll… We’ll be okay.

Yamato:

Yeah! Let’s go!

IDOLiSH7:

Yeah!

Cut.

Audience:

…the music started…!

Audience:

I wonder where they’ll appear from!?

Audience:

Ah, there…!

Audience:

…it’s IDOLiSH7…!

Audience:

*screams*

Audience:

Iori-kun…!

Audience:

Sougo-san…!

Audience:

Tamaki…!

Audience:

Yamato-san…!

Audience:

Mikkii…!

Audience:

Nagi-kun…!

Audience:

Riku-kun…!

Riku:

Good evening, everyone!

IDOLiSH7:

We’re IDOLiSH7!

Audience:

*screams*

Ah, amazing…! They’re all so cool!!

IDOLiSH7, I love you…!

Yamato:

Well? How does it feel to have Zero Arena exclusively to ourselves?

Audience:

*screams*

Tamaki:

Feels good, right?!

Nagi:

It’s the best! Let’s make it a wonderful night!

Sougo:

Together with the seven of us!

Mitsuki:

Let’s shake up Zero Arena!

Audience:

*screams*

Iori:

Now then, this might be sudden but, we’ve prepared a surprise for you.

Audience:

Eh? Ehh…?

Iori:

Our new song.

Audience:

*screams*

Audience:

A new song!

Maybe it’s that one!? The thing that was a rumour some time ago…

The one about all seven of them appearing in a drama series together!

Audience:

It has to be! Oh no! I’m so happy I might die!!

Iori:

Nanase-san.

Riku:

Yes!

“Auberge La Plage”, the TV drama starring all seven of us, is scheduled to start broadcasting on New Years.

We will also be singing the theme song for it!

Please listen to “Mallow Blue”!

Audience:

*screams*

Cut.

Haruka:

…the cheering is amazing…

Torao:

If Re:vale gets on stage afterwards won’t this break Zero Arena…?

Minami:

This era is demanding IDOLiSH7… 

Touma:

…we’re being demanded too.

Ah… Isn’t that… TRIGGER over there…

Cut.

Gaku:

It’s a nice new song.

Ryunosuke:

Yes… It feels like they’ve grown once again.

Tenn:

…

They’re so dazzling…

 

1.5. Director

Outside Zero Arena.

Passerby:

Ah, an IDOLiSH7 poster. So they’re doing a concert today, how nice.

Passerby:

Do you like IDOLiSH7?

Passerby:

I do! I wanna go to a concert of theirs but I couldn’t get my hands on any tickets.

Passerby:

Well that’s to be expected. They’re incredibly popular after all.

Passerby:

I know, right!? Maybe I’ll join the fanclub!?

Aya:

…

Amazing, Nii-chan…

Passerby:

Ugh, to think there’s still people that make a fuss over something like idols.

Aya:

…!

Passerby:

Shh! You’re being too loud.

Passerby:

But I mean, TRIGGER did something bad. Re:vale kinda did too.

Passerby:

Ah yeah, there was something. What was it again…? I dunno, but something happened.

Passerby:

Right? So IDOLiSH7 will probably fuck up eventually too and be gone in no time.

That’s what idols are.

Aya:

…

Excuse me! But I don’t think that’s true!!

Passerby:

Huh, who’s that girl? Kinda cute…

Passerby:

Do you like IDOLiSH7? Ahaha, sorry! I didn’t mean to speak ill of them.

Aya:

Huh? If you weren’t, then why can you just say that they’ll be gone in no time…?

Even though you know nothing about them, nothing about how much they’ve struggled to stand on that stage…

Passerby:

Uhm, uhh…

Aya:

…idiot!

Cut to inside Zero Arena.

Audience:

*screams*

Audience:

IDOLiSH7 is the best…!!

I love you! I’ll follow you for life…!!

Mitsuki:

And now to introduce our secret guest!

Audience:

Secret guest?!

No way, who!?

Mitsuki:

The top idols known throughout the country!

Re:vale!

Audience:

*screams*

*screams*

What, amazing!! I can’t believe this…!!

Audience:

Being able to see both IDOLiSH7 and Re:Vale…!!

Momo:

Hellooo! We’re Re:Vale!

Yuki:

Good evening, fans of IDOLiSH7.

*kiss* I love you.

Audience:

*screams*

Momo:

Yuki ikemen…!!

Yamato:

Hey wait a sec! You’re trying to steal away our fans or what…?

Yuki:

Yes.

Momo:

Sorry, the strategy of our agency.

Iori:

Are you for real!?

Nagi:

Everyone, take care to not have your hearts stolen by them!

Audience:

*screams*

Riku:

We’re not about to lose either! Come on, Yamato-san!

Yamato:

Me!?

Riku:

Please do it!

Audience:

*screams*

Tamaki:

Do your best, leader!!

Yamato:

Wait, hang on! This isn’t my usual role, is it?!

Sougo:

That’s not true, you’re a perfect fit for it!

Mitsuki:

With a whack! Be cool and give it to ‘em with a whack!

Yamato:

Wai—

Audience:

*screams*

Yamato:

Uh… Uhm, then…

What if you kissed Onii-san at Zero Arena? Haha just kidding… Unless?

Audience:

*screams*

Yamato:

…

…fufu…

Mitsuki:

Ah he broke character!

Riku:

Ahaha! Fail!

Audience:

Ahahaha…!

Yamato:

Sorry, sorry!

Nagi:

Sorry, everyone! Yamato is quite shy.

Audience:

*screams*

Sougo:

Ahaha! How cute, Yamato-san.

Tamaki:

Well, can you blame him!? There’s sooo many people here!

Iori:

If we don’t take care, Re:vale will steal the show away.

Momo:

IDOLiSH7-kun is still so fresh!

Yuki:

Should I do it one more time?

Audience:

*screams*

IDOLiSH7:

NO!!

Cut backstage.

Staff:

Well done today! The first day was a big success already!

Tsumugi:

Thank you very much!

Staff:

The audience was full of excitement, but I could also feel IDOLiSH7’s energy!

And you’ve already won Black or White twice, right? At this pace they might reach Re:vale’s level. It’s an honour to be working with you!

Tsumugi:

I’m so happy to hear that. Looking forward to working with you tomorrow as well…!

Staff:

Takanashi-san, you were in charge of stage production, right? It was very good!

It was simple but showed all the idols’ good sides. It reminded me of Zero’s concerts.

Do you know the person who was in charge of Zero’s stage production? Someone called Haw9?

Tsumugi:

Ah… yes, I know them. When I was studying stage production, they helped me out a bit.

Staff:

Ah, I knew it! I guess everyone working on stage production helps each other out, right?

They showed us an exciting never-ending dream, from before the concert even started until it was long over already.

They must’ve been a person who deeply loved idols and their fans.

Tsumugi:

…you’re right…

Staff:

I wonder what they’re doing right now… Ah, sorry, I changed the subject.

What I wanted to say is, if Haw9 had seen today’s performance, I’m sure they would praise you highly. It was the best!

Tsumugi:

Thank you very much! Ah…

Kujou:

…

Staff:

What’s wrong? Ah… Is this person one of your guests, Takanashi-san?

Kujou:

Something like that. Takanashi-san, do you have a moment?

Tsumugi:

…

Yes.

To be continued…