IDOLISH7 PART 5 CHAPTER 5

[shionstear]

IDOLiSH7 PART 5

Chapter 5 - chase new game

5.1. Gradation

At IDOLiSH7’s filming set.

Yamato:

So Anesagi-san got mad and left?

Mitsuki:

Yup. Our manager went after her, but she couldn’t stop her from leaving.

Nagi:

OH… What a sad incident.

Riku:

I see. I really wanted to work together with TRIGGER.

Yamato:

Well it’s not like we’d be working together. They’d film footage separately and then record in a studio, right?

Mitsuki:

Yes, something like that. The guests in the studio would change each time too.

Iori:

But still, to be the main MC for a show where so many different idols appear; that’s amazing, Nii-san.

It’s the same as leaving the idol business’ management to you.

Mitsuki:

No way, I’m just an MC. What do you mean managing the idol business?

Riku:

Like the person with chopsticks takes charge of the hot pot?

Nagi:

Like the person who lines up at the end of the queue holding up a sign?

Iori:

If nothing else, viewers will think of Izumi Mitsuki when they’re talking about idol shows.

That’s a wonderful achievement, Nii-san.

Mitsuki:

Ahaha, thanks.

Iori:

Would it be possible to show me the plans and script some time?

Mitsuki:

Sure thing! You’re really eager to learn, Iori!

Riku:

Don’t be too nervous, Mitsuki.

Mitsuki:

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous at all.

But in that meeting, I understood what the show wants to do and what I should be doing as well.

Nagi:

Cool! Both Yamato and Mitsuki became reliable Onii-san!

Yamato wasn’t nervous either when they talked about the “Mikazuki Ookami” movie. The composure of an elder!

Mitsuki:

Riiight! I thought you’d grumble more like “No I don’t wanna… Someone like me…” or something.

Yamato:

I thought so too. People sure change.

Mitsuki:

You’re one to talk.

Yamato:

But, well, when we had just debuted, I relied a lot on the young’uns. Like with Riku’s singing power, Nagi’s model jobs.

Mitsuki:

And Tamaki and Sougo becoming famous, Iori getting popular with a mature audience too.

Iori:

It’s not like I specialised in that.

Yamato:

We finally settled in so it’s time to let you guys relax for a while.

Mitsuki:

Exactly! We can finally spoil you! Come here, Riku!

Riku:

Yaaay!

Iori:

Huh?

Mitsuki:

Hm?

Iori:

You mention spoiling others and call Nanase-san? I’m your biological brother, you know…

Mitsuki:

Ahahaha! Saying things like that! Hah, so cute!

Iori:

Wah… Haha, don’t tickle me.

Riku:

Iori, you talk about controlling me but you’re actually good at stuff like that.

Iori:

Shh, shut up.

Mitsuki:

What’s up? Why such deep vocabulary?

Riku:

How nice! I wanna meet Tenn-nii too—

Iori:

I told you to call him Kujou-san outside!

Nagi:

What about meeting in private then? You get along well; you can meet whenever.

Riku:

I invited him, but… He told me to focus on work if I’m busy.

What about you? Are you in contact with your brother?

Nagi:

I am. We played othello online the other day.

Though when I secured the four corner pieces, he said the connection was interrupted and ended the game…

Mitsuki:

Lots of things changed but it seems he still hates to lose, huh?

Yamato:

You know, you could go easy on him in othello at least…

Iori:

Speaking of which, your worry seemed to have resolved itself at some point, Nanase-san.

Riku:

My worry?

Iori:

It’s okay if you’ve forgotten. Seems the fanservice was effective.

Riku:

Ah, I remembered. When I was worrying about the energy to love myself declining.

Yamato:

You guys talk about serious things.

Riku:

It’s resolved. Because Sakura-san taught me. How to find your own happiness.

Nagi:

The conversation you told me about once before, yes?

Riku:

Yes, it was a very wonderful conversation. I think I’ll never forget it. I’ll keep remembering all the time.

Nagi:

I’m sure Haruki is happy about that.

Mitsuki:

A lot has changed, but the ones to change the most were those two, right?

Yamato:

Who?

Mitsuki:

Those two over there, look.

Yamato:

Tama and Sou, huh?

Riku:

They’re laughing so much. I wonder what they’re talking about. It looks like so much fun!

Nagi:

When you’re looking from afar, they really do look like siblings.

Mitsuki:

Ah, they noticed and are waving now. Heeey!

Tamaki & Sougo:

Heeey!

Riku:

Ahaha! They waved in sync.

Yamato:

As if it were a choreo.

Iori:

We have changed as well, haven’t we…

Nagi:

Yes. It’s like time flew by at the speed of light.

Hiii!

Tamaki & Sougo:

Hiii!

Short fade to black.

Sougo:

…this Italian Le Marche wine has been made from grapes harvested in November…

Tamaki:

Sou-chan, listen. Some time ago I heard Boss and Ban-chan talk about something.

Sougo:

The complexity and smoothness is… eh? What?

Tamaki:

Boss and Ban-chan were talking. About our dorms.

Sougo:

About our dorms?

Tamaki:

Yeah.

Sougo:

About how fans keep coming to our dorms?

Tamaki:

How it might be bad if we don’t move soon, ‘cause neighbours and police officers were warning us already too.

Sougo:

I see… We’ve grown used to the place, but if there’s no other choice.

Tamaki:

Nothing we can do?

Sougo:

Eh?

Tamaki:

You said there’s nothing we can do? Really? And anyways, is that all?

Sougo:

We can’t cause problems for others, right? And even if we move, we just…

As seven…

Tamaki:

They said, if we move the same might happen again, so we could get separated.

Sougo:

…

Tamaki:

You get it? We’ll be separated?

Sougo:

…it’s nothing set in stone yet. Maybe it’s not even about next year or the year after…

Tamaki:

What if it was right now?

Sougo:

…when we get back to the agency, let’s ask Banri-san.

Tamaki:

Sou-chan, can you live when we’re all separated?

Sougo:

Don’t ask me now. We’re about to film, I have to focus…

Tamaki:

…

Fine. Look here.

Sougo:

What?

Ahahahaha! What’s with that face…!

Tamaki:

Hehe. A new way of making faces at others that I came up with.

Mitsuki:

Heeey!

Tamaki:

Ah, Mikki is waving.

Tamaki & Sougo:

Heeey!

Sougo:

Did you tell anyone else about this?

Tamaki:

You’re the first.

Sougo:

Okay. Don’t tell the others yet.

Tamaki:

Yeah, that was my plan.

Nagi:

Hiii!

Tamaki & Sougo:

Hiii!

 

5.2. Anticipation (Anxiety)

At Okazaki Agency.

Momo:

So that’s what happened with Kaoru-chan… So TRIGGER won’t appear in the documentary?

Okarin:

I wonder… They said they’d keep trying.

Yuki:

Don’t you think it’s impossible for him? He fought with me, the showbiz world’s number one gentle person.

Momo:

But he’s not a bad guy! He just wants to make the show exciting and support us!

Yuki:

I mean, I get that but…

Momo:

I wanna work with TRIGGER. It’s fun to do stuff with them, and I think there’s worth in it too.

I wanna bring them to the fans that can’t go to concerts and plays.

And like, they’re way cooler now than when they were with Yaotome Agency! Everyone would be surprised!

I like surprises like that.

Yuki:

TRIGGER aren’t amateurs. They’ll know what’s best for them.

Momo:

Yes… you’re right.

Yuki:

So, what about our new plans? Something that won’t interfere with the documentary that we were gonna do with “Next Re:vale”?

Momo:

Right! You said the proposal had arrived. I wanna read it before our meeting.

Okarin:

Let me explain it myself. I’m confident that you two will enjoy it a lot.

Re:vale:

Ohhh.

Momo:

Okarin, good job.

Okarin:

It’s because I received so many opinions. You’ve told me that you were exhausted at the end of last year.

Furthermore, there’s your new album and a nationwide tour coming.

So because you said you wanted to take it easy until then, I did my best to avoid any difficult jobs!

Momo:

Okarin the talented!

Yuki:

The best.

Okarin:

Thank you very much!

Momo:

So, what’s the plan!?

Okarin:

To create a new song while living on an uninhabited island for a month!

Re:vale:

An uninhabited island!?

Okarin:

Yes!

Momo:

An uninhabited island as in an uninhabited island?

Okarin:

An uninhabited island.

Yuki:

Does that not fall under difficult jobs!?

Okarin:

No worries! You won’t be camping outside; we’re building a log cabin!

Momo:

Amaaazing!! An uninhabited island for an entire month?! I’ll be able to fish so much!

Okarin:

You can!

Momo:

Yeaaah!

Yuki:

Wait. If we’re in a log cabin, therefore indoors, can’t we do it in the city? Won’t there be bugs?

Okarin:

I thought you could give your undivided attention to composing while being refreshed in a natural environment.

Yuki:

Then I’ll stay home. I’m surrounded by mountains and the ocean already.

Momo:

I’ll take care of the bugs! Doesn’t it sound exciting to be together on an uninhabited island for one month?!

Yuki:

I’m sure there’ll be staff.

Okarin:

They’ll go home at night. Because it’ll be hot and full of bugs.

Yuki:

Wait what, hang on!!

Momo:

I’ll fan you all night long! The stars will be pretty too!

What if we coincide with a meteor shower? I wanna sleep on the beach next to each other while looking up at the night sky!

Yuki:

Planetariums exist. Why an uninhabited island?

Momo:

Real stars are better! Why not an uninhabited island? I’ll be super reliable!

Yuki:

I’d feel less guilty pushing a button to get cooled by my aircon than having you fan me all the time. I wanna be more gentle to you than to the earth, Momo.

Momo:

Yuki, ikemen!!

Okarin:

Please choose your words concerning environmental issues more carefully as we might not receive offers for house appliance commercial ads anymore.

Momo:

Is there an aircon in the log cabin?

Okarin:

Well it’s an uninhabited island so.

Yuki:

It’s impossible without an aircon! Global warming exists!

Okarin:

No problem! It’s planned to end before summer! It’d be dangerous if a typhoon came after all!

Yuki:

What about the seasonal rain front? I’m precautious about the rainy season.

Momo:

Lies. You always forget your umbrella. You’ll get lots of inspiration for the new song if you’re surrounded by nature!

Yuki:

What about you?

Momo:

Eh?

Yuki:

You said you’d write the lyrics. This time too, right?

Momo:

Yeah… I wanna give it a try.

Yuki:

Well, let’s do this then. If Momo is doing his best, so will I.

Okarin:

Remarkable, Yuki-kun!

Yuki:

Well. When I’m composing, I do go on drives to get a change of pace too, so…

Okarin:

Exactly! It’ll be a nice change of pace. There’s a barbecue set too!

Yuki:

Did you hear that, Momo? You like that, don’t you?

Momo:

Ahaha! Yeah! …right, while you’re composing, I have to write the lyrics.

Yuki:

Doing it at the same time might be difficult, so you can write them first too.

Okarin:

Didn’t something bad happen the last time you said that?

Yuki:

Only because the artisanship was bad.

Momo:

That’s right… Sometimes you got angry when you left the lyrics to someone else…

Like they had no sense for vocabulary, or that they shouldn’t lengthen the sound on the dakuten, or that they should start with music classes again before coming back…

Yuki:

It’s not because songs for music class are for children. It’s because the high and lows of the melodies match the accents of the high and lows of the vocabulary used.

Momo:

Is that how much you expect of me?

Yuki:

Not like you can’t do it, right?

Okarin:

Yuki-kun, Momo-kun only just started writing lyrics. There might be something he doesn’t know.

Yuki:

He’ll be fine.

Momo:

Ah… I dunno… Yuki, you’re very strict when it comes to composing…

Yuki:

I’m not. I’ll be gentle.

Momo:

You’re not… You’re as strict as 100 people when composing. Sougo had it rough too…

Yuki:

It won’t get that rough…

Momo:

Don’t get rough at all! Think of Momo-chan! My heart!!

Okarin:

Are you okay, Momo-kun…?

Momo:

I’m getting more and more worried now. What if we have a fight on the island…?

Yuki:

I’m looking forward to it more and more now. Making a song with Momo, reminds me of my student days with Ban.

It’ll be great. Even if we go throat to throat wanting to kill each other, if we get a good song out of it, I’ll be happy.

A Re:vale like that might not be all too bad either.

Momo:

…y-you’re right…

Cut to outside.

Momo:

Okarin, Okarin!

Okarin:

What’s wrong?

Momo:

About the thing from earlier. You think we’ll be okay? What if we have a big fight…

Okarin:

You’ll be alright. No matter how moody he got during composing, he never took it out on you so far, right?

Momo:

That’s because I never meddled with his composing!

Okarin:

…

Momo:

It might’ve been just a fluke for Black or White’s song too. And I got lots of advice from Yuki.

I can’t create a song on equal footing like Ban-san…

Okarin:

Momo-kun… No worries! If you overcome this, your bond will grow that much stronger.

Momo:

What if he starts hating me and wants to break up?

Okarin:

He won’t. Oh, I know! How about you take some young corn seedlings with you?

Momo:

Yes! Yuki loves those! I shall cultivate them… With the power of love…

Okarin:

I’ll prepare some mini tomatoes as well! Do your best, Momo-kun!

Momo:

Y-yes…

 

5.3. Hot coffee

At Ryū’s place.

Kaoru:

Hah…

Gaku:

…you’ve been sighing for a while… Did you know, whenever you sigh, your happ—

Kaoru:

My happiness escapes, right? Well too bad. I was just relaxing while stimulating my parasympathetic nerve system!

Gaku:

Is that so?

Kaoru:

It is!

…haaaaaah…

Gaku:

…

Kaoru:

Haaah…

Gaku:

…if there’s something you wanna say, stop doing that and tell us clearly…!

Ryūnosuke:

C-come on, Gaku! It might be something she doesn’t want to talk to us about!

Gaku:

What can I do, I’m curious why she’s been sighing all the t—

Kaoru:

I’m not sighing!

Gaku:

I’m curious why she’s been relaxing while stimulating her parasympathetic nerve system all the time! Aren’t you, Ryū?!

Ryūnosuke:

Well, everyone has their reasons to relax…

Tenn:

Anesagi-san. If it’s too hard to talk about I won’t force you.

But if we can be of any help to you, please don’t hesitate to tell us anytime.

Kaoru:

…Tenn…

Tenn:

I’ll go make some warm coffee.

Kaoru:

Thank you…

Ryūnosuke:

Oh nice, looks like she calmed down.

Gaku:

How was my and Tenn’s approach any different? Should I have made some hot coffee too?

Kaoru:

There’s no point in hiding it. I didn’t want to have you worry about unnecessary things, but please let me know your opinion.

Gaku:

Something happened?

Kaoru:

They want to make an idol documentary soon and asked TRIGGER to appear as well.

Ryūnosuke:

Streaming on the internet? On TV?

Kaoru:

A TV show. Both IDOLiSH7 and Re:vale and possibly ŹOOĻ will appear as regulars.

The goal of the show is close coverage of an idol’s work off-stage and to show that as clearly as possible, as a way to retake the viewers’ trust.

Not as a vulgar variety show but as a well-meaning, serious plan to maintain the current idol boom.

I do think there is a momentary success, but… Hah… No. What do you think?

Gaku:

A documentary, huh… I don’t particularly mind. I don’t have anything to hide.

I don’t think our true selves could lower our worth.

And we’d be able to have every single one of our fans see us. Even now, the messages we get the most…

…are about wanting us to go back on TV. That they’re longing for the time where they could always see us.

I want to fulfil the wishes of everyone who's been supporting us. If this is that chance, I'll take it.

This is my opinion. Tenn?

Tenn:

I’m against it.

Ryūnosuke:

I thought you’d say that.

Gaku:

Why?

Tenn:

We’re not supposed to show them our backstage selves. If they’d get to see our sweat, our efforts, they wouldn’t be able to purely enjoy our vibrant performances anymore.

Seeing someone’s efforts and struggles makes you feel compassion and appreciation. But kind people might also feel guilty and apologetic.

The stage is the crystallisation of efforts and struggles. But you’re not supposed to see them before they become jewels.

Gaku:

I see… Not like I don’t get you.

Kaoru:

I agree with Tenn. Maybe because we’re Yaotome people. He was a perfectionist after all.

But the show’s producer thinks it’d be better to show how the current era is being created.

Tenn:

I don’t think that’s wrong either. But it is not my art.

I want to remain an artist. I’ll convey what I want to say with art. And I don’t think effort and struggle are art.

…what do you think, Ryū?

Ryūnosuke:

It’s difficult…

Gaku:

Just say what you think.

Ryūnosuke:

Let’s see… Judging by what you told us alone, the goal of this documentary is to turn idols into humans.

How do I put this, I think I’m the person… whose true self is the most different from the self I’ve put out on TV.

Kaoru:

…you’re right.

Ryūnosuke:

The son of a hotel king, omnipotent in all sports. Smart, sexy, wild… I even stopped thinking of it as myself.

And I felt guilty that I was deceiving our fans too. But…

Now, I think that because they’re such big fans of ours, they realized it already.

Kaoru:

The difference between the fabricated Tsunashi Ryūnosuke and your true self?

Ryūnosuke:

Yes… They knew but didn’t say anything. Like an unspoken promise, or…

An invisible bond.

Tenn:

…an invisible bond…

Ryūnosuke:

Yes.

I never wanted to hurt our fans. I didn’t want to sadden all those adorable, charming, earnest and kind people.

But… Our fans aren’t as weak as I thought them to be.

They take it all in. The pretty things, the ugly things, the lies, the mistakes. And they let us shine.

Like the light sticks… The sea of light we see at concerts.

Tenn:

…I’ve felt the same before. When we sang in the street for the first time…

Gaku:

When you cried.

Tenn:

You don’t have to mention that, do you?

Gaku:

You don’t have to hide it either, right? It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s nothing to be ashamed of either.

Tenn:

…the pictures they took of me that time still haven't appeared on the internet. It’s not like we exchanged any promises.

I wonder what this invisible bond is…

Kaoru:

Isn’t that obvious? It’s love. You’re being loved.

Gaku:

Love, huh…

Tenn:

Love…

Ryūnosuke:

…love…

Tenn:

…I’m sorry, please let us think about it some more.

Kaoru:

Yes. Take your time. No matter what you choose, I will support you.

Do it in your style.

 

5.4. more

Audience:

*scream*

Tenn:

Thank you for tonight!

Audience:

*scream*

Gaku:

Too bad there’s only one song left!

Audience:

Ehhhh…

We want more TRIGGER…!

Ryūnosuke:

Sorry! But come see us again!

Let’s say goodbye with this song! Treasure!

Audience:

*scream*

Cut to backstage.

Kaoru:

Well done out there, it was great today too!

Ryūnosuke:

Thank you very much!

Tenn:

Gaku, Ryū.

Gaku:

What?

Ryūnosuke:

What’s up?

Tenn:

Can you tag along after this?

Gaku & Ryūnosuke:

…

Kaoru:

Take your time talking. Ah, I forgot to tell you. A certain TRIGGER fan said this.

People all over Japan still love TRIGGER.

Gaku:

That line has a nice ring to it. I think the same too.

Ryūnosuke:

It gives you courage, pushing you onward.

Tenn:

Yes… Shall we go then, you two?

Cut to a park at night.

Tenn:

…

Gaku:

First of all, don’t brood over it, Tenn.

Tenn:

Gaku…

Gaku:

I said I wanted to do it, but if you don’t wanna we can turn them down.

It’s always been your policy to not show anyone our backstage selves.

There have been times where I thought you were being ridiculous, but I also respect that part about you.

This isn’t the only chance. We can just wait for the next.

Tenn:

…

Can I talk about the past a bit?

Gaku:

About the past?

Ryūnosuke:

Of course. I’m eager to hear it.

Gaku:

Yeah… me too.

Tenn:

It’s no big deal. It’s from when I was a child, when my brother… when Riku was sick. It was a hard time.

Gaku:

…

Ryūnosuke:

…

Tenn:

For both Riku who was desperately trying to breathe and our parents who did their best to nurse him.

Whenever the attacks became worse, he’d have to go to the hospital… 

Praying while waiting for the sun to rise… So many times.

I was the most light-hearted. But I too had my own little loneliness and hardships.

Gaku:

…it’s the first time you’ve told us.

Ryūnosuke:

It’s normal to have felt like that. You were just a kid back then too.

Tenn:

Haha… Thanks.

I felt lonely and it was painful, but I never showed Riku.

I didn’t want to make him feel even sadder when he was already suffering. I didn’t want to make him feel even more pain.

I think I did well. I hid my sadness, pain and loneliness and was gentle towards Riku.

I don’t care if you say I’m singing my own praises, but I think that’s the reason why Riku can smile innocently now.

If he knew about my solitude and pain, I’m sure Riku would blame his own sickness.

Because he’s such a gentle kid. He might’ve become reserved and only able to laugh shyly.

…I think the same about our fans.

Gaku:

That if they see our other selves, they won’t be able to innocently cheer us on anymore?

Tenn:

What do you think?

Gaku:

I’ll make them cheer for us.

Tenn:

…

Gaku:

Even if I’m grovelling, gritting my teeth, or stained in sweat and mud, I’ll make them say how cool I am.

In the first place, I don’t think of that me as unpresentable. You neither, do you?

I’m sure you’re proud of the weak self that you didn’t show to Nanase.

Tenn:

…Yes. I am.

Whenever he smiles, whenever he says what’s on his mind, I know I haven’t made a mistake.

I became a superstar and protected Riku.

Ryūnosuke:

…maybe it’s the same for him too. He might be shocked to learn that you were hurting, but…

He’d be proud of you. There’s no way he wouldn’t love you after you’ve treated him so dearly.

Tenn:

Do you think our fans will be the same? That we’ll be able to show them miracles, even after they’ve seen our true faces?

Gaku:

We will. Your true self has always moved me after all.

Like a miracle, with your mercilessly true voice.

Tenn:

Haha…

Ryūnosuke:

Let’s give the documentary a try.

Tenn:

…

Yes. Let us show them our everything.

Gaku:

I won’t let them despair even after seeing our true selves. I won’t let them lose the prince they’ve been looking up to.

Tenn:

You’re not a prince, that title’s for me, right?

Gaku:

Then I’ll be the king.

Ryūnosuke:

I’ll kick around both prince and king. I’m the beast after all.

Gaku:

Woo! Nice one!

Tenn:

That one made me shudder.

Ryūnosuke:

Ehehe. Really?

Gaku & Tenn:

The bashful chuckle was too much.

Ryūnosuke:

S-sorry.

Gaku:

Alright, let’s do this! It’s “new game more new game” time!

 

To be continued…