IDOLISH7 PART 5 CHAPTER 2

[shionstear]

IDOLiSH7 PART 5

Chapter 2 - Like a train window

2.1. Someone who’s experienced loss

Tsumugi:

Uhm… I’m sorry that you had to hear that…

Kujou:

What do you mean?

Tsumugi:

The things about Haw9-san, because that’s you.

Kujou:

Ah… But no, it’s just as he said.

I’ve come to praise you. It was truly marvellous.

Tsumugi:

Th-thank you very much…

Tsumugi, thinking:

I was praised by the director who worked for the legendary idol Zero’s stages…

I’m happy… There’s nothing happier for me than to be allowed to involve myself with stage direction.

But to bow down with spirit and thank him with a smile…

I know too many idols that Kujou-san has hurt…

Taken away and in by Kujou-san, Kujou Tenn-san and Riku-san were pulled apart…

After finally being reunited with Aya-chan, Tamaki-san still couldn’t live together with her because he adopted her…

The suspicions of him being involved in the lighting accident that struck Yuki-san and Banri-san…

Isumi Haruka-san, who deeply hated Kujou-san…

I’m sure that he was someone who cared a lot for idols and their fans.

Even though that’s what I, without doubt, feel every time when I watch a Zero show…

Kujou:

I want to ask you something.

Tsumugi:

Me too… There is something I want to ask you as well.

Kujou:

Yes? Who shall go first then? How about we decide with rock-paper-scissors?

Tsumugi:

With that? Understood.

Let’s do that then.

Kujou:

Rock, paper, scissors…

Tsumugi:

…

Kujou:

…

Do we not need to start like that?

Tsumugi:

Ah, yes, let’s do that!

Kujou:

All right. Rock, paper, scissors. Shoot.

Tsumugi:

I won…!

Kujou:

I lost… After you then, Takanashi-san.

Tsumugi:

Understood. Then if you’ll allow me…

Why did Zero disappear? Do you really not have any clue?

Have you ever thought that… it might’ve been your own fault?

Kujou:

…

Tsumugi:

…did I anger you?

Kujou:

No. I just wasn’t expecting three questions. Very well, I shall answer them.

First, I don’t know. Second, I thought I did, kept on thinking about it but in the end didn’t come up with an answer.

I stopped thinking about it when I started blaming myself and others.

Third, even if I was responsible for it, the one to disappear without even talking about it was Zero.

In the end, it was Zero who lacked professionalism. He broke the promises he had made with his beloved fans, friends, and staff members.

Tsumugi:

…so Zero was the one at fault?

Kujou:

Obviously.

Tsumugi:

…but wasn’t there anything off that you could’ve noticed before he disappeared…?

Kujou:

…

Tsumugi:

I’m… I’m not trying to blame you. If that’s how it sounded to you then I apologize.

Tsumugi:

…I’m just… asking for advice. IDOLiSH7 is doing very, very well right now. It’s almost scary how well everything is going.

But it feels like I’m overlooking something… As if I’m about to lose something important. I feel anxious.

Kujou:

…continue.

Tsumugi:

It might be because we’re all so busy. Maybe because we now get to work with so many different people for so many different jobs, so our responsibilities grew a lot too…

Or maybe because we’ve experienced so much that we’ve gotten used to being hurt and overcoming difficulties.

Maybe we’ve become the professionals you speak of, Kujou-san. Even if they get hurt, even if they’re having a hard time, they’ve learned to smile regardless of the pain whenever they get on stage.

Kujou:

And what makes you anxious?

Tsumugi:

…IDOLiSH7 has a charm that’s unique to them. An IDOLiSH7ness, so to speak.

Kujou:

That is something all idols carry within themselves.

Tsumugi:

But still, sometimes… It feels different from what it used to be. I can’t really express it well…

It feels like that IDOLiSH7ness that they all had naturally…

Slowly, very slowly…

It’s starting to feel like they’re merely telling themselves to act like IDOLiSH7 now.

Kujou:

…

 

2.2. Definition and disposition

Backstage.

Staff:

Well done! It was awesome!

Riku:

Wah! Thank you very much!

Tamaki:

Did you see my improv there? Wasn’t it super cool!?

Staff:

It was! As expected of Tamaki-kun!

Tamaki:

Yes! I got praised!

Sougo:

Isn’t that great, Tamaki-kun?

Staff:

Thank you for your hard work! Sorry to barge in just after you’ve finished, but may I take a picture for SNS purposes?

Mitsuki:

But of course! Come on guys, let’s go!

Yamato:

Ah, I wanna drink…

Iori:

Nikaidou-san, didn’t we say no drinks until the last day?

Nagi:

OH! It’s your very special reward! Like for me it’s Kokona…

Mitsuki:

Alright! Once our concerts are over let’s watch Kokona-chan!

Staff:

Ahahaha!

Cut back to Tsumugi and Kujou.

Tsumugi:

…there was the idol boom, but because of sad incidents happening as well, the number of people who misunderstand idols grew as well…

It may be that they’re just trying their best to not hurt their fans and friends anymore.

Children that are worrying about their future and further studies, people that experienced difficulties in their private lives…

People that are doing their best to not let go of a chance, even though they’re already busy with increasing work…

Nonetheless, they keep on smiling. To protect the IDOLiSH7 that fans and staff came to love.

Is that a normal thing for idols that take care of their image while working?

Or is that a distorted image?

Having days in which they can’t be themselves, in which they’re made to act like themselves… The fact that they’ve become able to act…

Is that growth? Or is it the same as putting on constrained and uncomfortable clothes?

Kujou:

…

Tsumugi:

To make people smile, idols have to be always smiling themselves, no matter when, no matter what.

Tsumugi:

But…

Kujou:

That is not the effort and duty of a professional. It’s their disposition.

The moment a real idol on stage is basking in the cheers of the audience, is like a flower that has been watered and starts to bloom.

No matter how worn out they may be, in that moment they take back their place to be; they take back who they are.

If they’re flowers that can’t bloom after standing in the dazzling spotlight and being showered by the fans’ cheers and the staff’s expectations…

If that’s what you’d call constrained clothing, then they were never idols to begin with.

They may as well descend the stage and disappear like Zero did. To a place where no light reaches, beyond even darkness.

Tsumugi:

…idols have times when they worry and are tired too, don’t they?

Is that what you told Zero too? That he always had to smile on stage…?

Kujou:

I didn’t. He was smiling even if I didn’t tell him. He seemed happy from the bottom of his heart.

He was the perfect idol.

Tsumugi:

…perfect…

Kujou:

…it’s time for my question. Do you still think you can create idols that overcome Zero?

Tsumugi:

…

Kujou:

Your answer? Back then your vigour was splendid. Did you get cold feet?

Tsumugi:

…do you think idols that overcome Zero are happy?

Kujou:

Why wouldn’t they? They get to destroy an old legend and create a new one.

This time for sure, I’ll be able to watch a never-ending dream. I will prove that I can produce an idol who overcomes Zero.

This summer, you see.

Tsumugi:

…

Kujou:

I feel sorry for you, but it’s my win. Well then, until another time.

Tsumugi:

Kujou-san.

Kujou:

What?

Tsumugi:

Thank you very much for coming to watch IDOLiSH7’s concert.

Kujou:

…don’t mention it. I also wanted to hear Haruki’s songs.

 

2.3. Irreplaceable things

Night outside.

Kaoru:

Was it okay for you to not go greet them backstage?

Gaku:

Yeah. If there’s something I wanna tell them I can do it anytime.

Ryunosuke:

Today’s concert was nice, wasn’t it? They were on their own on that big stage, but IDOLiSH7 didn’t lose.

Tenn:

We’re not losing either.

Next time we go to Zero Arena will be for TRIGGER’s solo concert. Isn’t that right?

Gaku:

Yeah, of course!

Ryunosuke:

Yes! Let’s shake up Zero Arena ourselves next time!

Kaoru:

You will make it happen in no time. And when you do, you’ll make them say that Zero Arena is too small for TRIGGER.

Listen. You might feel like you’ve been overtaken, but there is absolutely no need to feel stressed.

Ever since you became independent from the agency, you’ve had one success after the other.

You’ve created countless miracles and moved everyone in Japan.

“Crescent Wolf” was a success, even your countdown concert that was on at the same time as Black or White was a huge hit.

You’ve resurrected TRIGGER even though everyone was saying you were done, that you were gone!

Gaku:

Anesagi…

Kaoru:

Well done. It’s not something just anyone could do. I am truly proud of you.

Tenn:

…thank you very much, Anesagi-san.

Ryunosuke:

Being told that again makes me happy…

I’d be lying if I said I can’t remember the loneliness when I look up at the stage, but…

When I see the faces of you three, I remember all the irreplaceable things that I’ve acquired.

Gaku:

You’re right. Like when we were nervous taking that audition…

Tenn:

Or when we marched into the Yaotome Agency Fes. All those experiences are like a treasure.

Kaoru:

Go and acquire Zero Arena and the Black or White Overall Winning Award someday too.

Fufu… But for now, let’s do the things only you can do.

Gaku:

Wow that expression… You have a new job for us, don’t you?

Kaoru:

Yes. I will tell you more once I know the details. But if we make this happen, then TRIGGER will go down in history, no doubt.

It would be no exaggeration to say that TRIGGER would inherit Japanese idol history.

Ryunosuke:

Inherit Japanese idol history…? If we’re talking about that, then…

Gaku:

Zero.

Tenn:

…

Gaku:

Do you know anything, Tenn?

Tenn:

…no, I don’t.

Gaku:

I see.

Tenn:

…

Cut to backstage.

Shirou:

IDOLiSH7’s concert was good, wasn’t it? I’m sorry that there was no time to go greet them.

Touma:

Don’t worry, we have to go to that TV station now, right?

Haruka:

I’m all fired up, so I’ll sing however much I need to.

Minami:

How reliable.

Shirou:

Ah…

Torao:

What is it?

Shirou:

Please go on without me. I have to say hello to someone.

Torao:

…? Alright.

Shirou:

Rinto-san. Rinto-san!

Okarin:

You’re TSUKUMO’s Utsugi-san… Thank you for your support. I was surprised to be called by my name.

Shirou:

Ah, forgive me. I thought that this way there would be no confusion with your brother and Okazaki Agency’s president…

Okarin:

Well, we’re both Okazaki after all.

Shirou:

How does everyone call you if I may ask?

Okarin:

I think it’s just President Okazaki and Okazaki-san.

Shirou:

Understood, then I shall do the same. It seems it’ll be going smoothly thanks to you, Okazaki-san. That project.

Okarin:

Really? There are some people that still hold a grudge at TSUKUMO, right?

Shirou:

Exactly. That’s why I don’t really want this project to be centered around TSUKUMO.

Originally, I was hoping that Okazaki Agency could be the one to lead it.

Your reputation has been falling too because of gossip, hasn’t it?

Okarin:

Yes, thanks to TSUKUMO.

Shirou:

…

Nothing I could say can make up for that, but could we let bygones be bygones for the time being? So that we can have a constructive and positive conversation.

Okarin:

…well, yes, you’re right. And it’s not like it was your fault either.

Shirou:

Yes, that’s right. Well then, this is my suggestion…

Cut.

Okarin:

…ehh!?

Shirou:

Doesn’t that sound good?

Okarin:

Well it does, but we’re already quite busy, and…

Shirou:

We will fully support you of course. TSUKUMO created a scandal, this is for the future of the idol business.

Okarin:

Understood. I too will support that proposal.

Let’s make this plan a success and regain the trust of the idol business.

 

2.4. Their time as 7

In a fancy looking restaurant.

Tsumugi, thinking:

I don’t want IDOLiSH7 to end. What can I do to avoid that…?

Spread the wings to fly over idle days…

Or let the wings rest…

Staff B:

Cut! Check the camera. Manager-san if you’d please!

Tsumugi:

Yes! On my way!

Riku:

It’s so much fun to appear in a drama with all seven of us!

And we all have to wait the same amount too. Iori, what’re you doing?

Iori:

Homework.

Riku:

I’m technically your senpai by a year so should I take a look at it?

Iori:

You’d better use that time to memorize all your lines, rookie.

Riku:

The rookie is just my role in the drama!

Sougo:

“Auberge La Plage”. To make this auberge into the set… The script for the drama is really interesting, isn’t it?

Iori:

Yes. It’s close to being situational comedy, but you get curious about how it continues in each episode.

Sougo:

Your role as the young owner of this auberge and son of a deceased wealthy person fits perfectly too.

Iori:

I feel reassured receiving the seal of approval from the son of a wealthy person.

Riku:

Sougo-san, your role as the restaurant’s sommelier and hall attendant is interesting too! Even though you immediately get drun—nnhgm.

Sougo:

Shh, don’t tell anyone. I’ve been doing better lately.

Iori:

Are you sure? When you went out with Nikaidou-san because you wanted “to study wine”...

Riku:

I like the somewhat childish Sougo-san!

Tamaki:

Hey! Did you see that!?

Sougo:

I didn’t! But it was in my field of vision!

Tamaki:

Then look! Yama-san and I were amazing!

Riku:

Ah, that scene where Yamato, as the manager who’s good at maintenance, teaches Tamaki, a part-timer.

Iori:

What was amazing?

Yamato:

It wasn’t anything amazing! I just managed to do the scene where I have to nail in several nails one after the other in one take.

Tamaki:

He was like, bam bam, like when you pound mochi!

Riku:

And no fingers were hit?

Tamaki:

Nope. We were super in sync, right, Yama-san?

Yamato:

Sure were. At this pace we might do some renovations to the dorm too, huh?

Tamaki:

We're gonna build a house!? Coooool, sounds awesome!

Iori:

Nikaidou-san, Yotsuba-san will want to do it for real.

Yamato:

Uhm, then, let’s start by making one for Kinako-san.

Sougo:

Ah, Nagi-kun’s piano scene.

Iori:

It’s that scene with Rokuya-san, who’s a pianist that plays live in the restaurant, and Nii-san, the chef.

Riku:

This part is a bit like a musical, it’s fun! Mitsuki hums while stepping along.

Tamaki:

When Nagicchi plays the piano, it reminds me of Noth Meir…

Sougo:

Ah, Sakura Haruki’s…

Yamato:

I’m glad we got to do a drama together. Even though our schedules got even tighter.

Sougo:

You’re right… Because Nagi-kun wasn’t feeling good.

Riku:

You were worried too, right Tamaki? Because you had no time to talk with everyone in peace.

Tamaki:

That was just me being lonely on my own.

Yamato:

Tama, wasn’t Sou with you?

Tamaki:

Well, Sou-chan had lots of standing-by time and stuff or was busy composing too.

Sougo:

Eh… ah, sorry! I didn’t mean to neglect you…

Tamaki:

Don’t apologize. Isn’t it great that you have something you wanna do?

I gotta find something too… Something I wanna do.

Sougo:

…

Iori:

What about your idol work? Is that different from what you want to do?

Tamaki:

Well I’m an idol already, right? I wanna do something that excites me, like Sou-chan and Yama-san.

Yamato:

Eh? I get Sou, but is this Onii-san excited too?

Iori:

Ah, he didn’t realize it himself.

Riku:

He’s always more excited when doing a drama.

Yamato:

No way, I didn’t notice. How embarrassing…

Sougo:

I’m happy whenever I see you being lively.

Riku:

Ah, Mitsuki started dancing!

Tamaki:

Mikki became really good at dancing.

Iori:

Indeed. He’s amazing.

Sougo:

He’s so cool, even with his small build. I wonder if it’s his spirit?

Tamaki:

Nagicchi seems happy too, I’m glad.

Yamato:

We’ll get to spend more time together until we finish filming after all.

Iori:

This might be the last time we’ll be in a drama together.

It was the same for TRIGGER, wasn’t it? The more famous they became, the more often they were cast individually.

Riku:

Well, just like with Yamato-san and MEZZO, they had dramas of their own too. And you and me as well.

Tamaki:

Cat-eared Iorin!

Iori:

It was a wolf.

Sougo:

We can’t know for sure that it’s our last time as seven, but the opportunities for it might keep on decreasing from now on.

We have to fully enjoy these times…

Yamato:

You’re right… And we’ll all eventually find something we wanna do…

Tamaki:

I wonder.

Yamato:

We will.

Tamaki:

Unlike you and Sou-chan, it’s not like I joined the show business world because there was something I wanted to do.

Sougo:

I know, but… You like dancing and moving your body, right?

Tamaki:

Yeah, I do, but.

Riku:

…I…

Iori:

…what?

Riku:

I really love the times we spend together like this…

Yamato:

Well… So does Onii-san…

Mitsuki:

Hey guys! Did you see that!?

Nagi:

Mitsuki’s and my scene was amazing!

Riku:

Ahaha! We did see it!

Tamaki:

Mikki, your dancing was super cool!

Sougo:

Nagi-kun’s piano playing was great too!

Mitsuki & Nagi:

Yaaay!

 

2.5. New work

At TSUKUMO.

Shirou:

Good morning. ŹOOĻ will be appearing in a new drama series.

Touma:

A drama series?

Haruka:

All of us? Not just Minami?

Shirou:

Exactly. Does anyone besides Natsume-san have acting experience?

Haruka:

I have appeared in musicals before.

Touma:

A tiny bit, with the group I was in before…

Minami:

Which means, only Midou-san is inexperienced, yes?

Torao:

Looks like it.

Shirou:

Let’s have you take some acting lessons soon.

The title is “BLAST”. I’ve been calling it a drama series before, but the plans include a game and movie adaptation as well.

It’s about a so-called death game. Based on the remake of a popular overseas game, the story takes place in the ruins of a future Japan.

Haruka:

Sounds cool! Like one with zombies?

Shirou:

There are no zombies. The enemies are humans. Everyone who did their best surviving fights each other to the death.

Touma:

Wait, so we’re not on the same team?!

Shirou:

You do work as teammates, but you’ll backstab each other, take advantage of one another. It’s as complex of a story as human relationships.

Torao:

Who survives until the end?

Shirou:

Here’s the script. Please do give it a read, it was very good.

Touma:

Heh! I’m excited! I wonder what kinda role I’ll get.

Page flips.

Touma:

Main character, Sakaki Shuu… Inumaru Touma… I’m the main protagonist?! Not Minami?

Minami:

I think this role fits you well, Inumaru-san. A young man looking for his younger brother from whom he has long been separated. Unsociable, likes solo operations.

Haruka:

I’m Sakaki Shou, the brother Touma’s searching for.

The main protagonist’s little brother. He was a kind kid, but is now ruthless, as if he isn’t the same person anymore and now focuses on getting points in the game.

Touma:

Eh… I’m shocked. Why did he change?

Haruka:

Why would I know…

Torao:

I’m Hyoudou Naomasa. Someone like Touma’s rival, it seems.

A former police officer with a sense for justice. He tries to protect participants who don’t intend to fight.

Because he’s rather careful, he often butts heads with the protagonist who easily does reckless things. Eventually they become friends though.

Touma:

So I’m the cool protagonist and Tora’s the kind and careful rival. Sounds fun.

Torao:

It does?

Touma:

Well I feel like I’m 1000 times more careful than you are.

Haruka:

Maybe that’s true if you just look at your faces?

Minami:

Midou-san is the careful type too. I do agree with Isumi-san, but when things start getting rough, he becomes reliable.

Torao:

What about you, Minami? What’s your role?

Minami:

Nagato Kyouya. A fainthearted looking architect who helps out the protagonist. Gives him advice about constructions and terrain, leading the protagonist to victory.

Touma:

In reality he’s part of the game’s organizers and possesses high latent battling prowess. Accompanies the protagonist for a certain goal.

Torao:

Ah, the backstabbing guy.

Haruka:

Sure is.

Touma:

I’ll be betrayed…

Minami:

Now now, that’s not necessarily what’ll happen.

Torao:

So who survives at the end?

Minami:

Don’t point at me, Midou-san.

Shirou:

It’s a secret. Look forward to finding out while reading.

Minami:

But it seems there’ll be a lot of action. I’ll have to prepare myself for that.

Torao:

Action, huh. Sounds good.

Shirou:

Ah, stuntmen will do the dangerous scenes, so there won’t be anything too challenging for you.

It’d be worse if something happened, let’s make sure that you don’t get hurt.

Touma:

Oh thank god! Now I feel relieved.

Haruka:

Ryo-san would just make us bungee jump out of nowhere.

Torao:

Ugh… Right.

Minami:

Midou-san?

Torao:

Nothing. Looking forward to “BLAST”.

Minami:

… ŹOOĻ will be singing the theme song too, yes?

Shirou:

Yes. Natsume-san if you could.

Minami:

Understood, leave it to me. I'll compose a song for our revenge at Black or White's return match.

Cut to Takanashi Agency.

Otoharu:

Tsumugi-kun.

Tsumugi:

President, is something wrong?

Otoharu:

A big job just came in for Yamato-kun.

Tsumugi:

For Yamato-san… is it? I’m happy to hear that, but his schedule is overflowing.

If we increase his solo work even more, I believe it’ll lead to decreasing his work within the group…

Otoharu:

Of course, it’ll depend on whether we’d be able to balance it with the group’s work and if he himself wants to do it or not.

But I believe this job would lead to the establishment of “Nikaidou Yamato” as a celebrity.

Tsumugi:

…

What kind of job is it?

Otoharu:

It has been decided that the movie “Mikazuki Ookami” will be remade. It’s a request for the main protagonist, Tsukidate Shinpachirou.

Tsumugi:

…”Mikazuki Ookami”... Chiba Shizuo-san’s greatest work and the musical TRIGGER did recently…

Otoharu:

Yes. For the Japanese, “Mikazuki Ookami” is the greatest, eternal hero.

I’m sure it’s also thanks to TRIGGER’s successful musical that this even became a possibility.

Tsukidate Shinpachirou’s soul, given birth by Chiba Shizuo, has been handed over to Yaotome Gaku-kun and now finally reached Yamato-kun.

Tsumugi:

Amazing… Yamato-san…

Otoharu:

Yamato-kun isn’t losing to either of them; neither to his retired father nor to TRIGGER’s Yaotome-kun.

If possible, I want to present his acting, through the screen, to the entire nation.

To overcome both the agency’s and IDOLiSH7’s constraints and become part of Japan’s movie history.

Tsumugi:

…

Understood. I will talk to him about this.

To be continued…