shionstear | IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 5

IDOLiSH7 PART 4

Chapter 5 – Anyone to someone…

5.1. Four singers

Staff:

ŹOOĻ, please be on standby!

Touma:

‘Kay.

Audience:

*scream*

ŹOOĻ…!

Touma:

Those are the voices of our fans. Let’s put our all into it tonight too!

Haruka:

…

Torao:

…

Minami:

…

Touma:

Are you still fighting?

Haruka:

Not really. Torao, show me the hotel’s pamphlet. The one of Noth Meir’s suite room.

Torao:

Sure. It’s a hotel with a nice atmosphere. It’s lucky we can stay there for free, but it appears someone is bothered by it.

Minami:

What troublesome people you are…

Haruka & Torao:

Huh!?

Minami:

Excuse me. I was just talking to myself.

Haruka:

But you’re the one with a troubled expression! Being bothered by it all the time, idiot! ---Ah, sorry. Talking to myself.

Touma:

Stop fighting! We’re about to perform!

Torao:

So what!? We’ve always been in pieces from the start.

Touma:

…

Staff:

ŹOOĻ, it’s your turn!

Touma:

…come one, let’s go!

Cut to stage.

Audience:

*scream*

ŹOOĻ…! I wanted to see you…!

Haruka:

I’ll make you listen to us! “Poisonous Gangster”!

Audience:

*scream*

Touma:

…

Touma, thinking:

What is this… We’re running around in circles, as if we can’t walk forward amidst all the greed and cowardice.

Like a barren merry-go-round.

Minami, thinking:

Don’t just casually intervene. If you do, you respect my current self. And by doing so…

Torao, thinking:

Expect something from me. Ask me to help you. If you do, then whatever may come…

Haruka, thinking:

Take care of my words, of my feelings. Don’t reject them so easily. If you do…

If you do… What awaits is… well, I can’t say it after all this time, it seems stupid.

Torao, thinking:

Yeah. Whatever.

Minami, thinking:

Even though you don’t care…

Torao, thinking:

No one will listen to my true self.

Haruka, thinking:

Being thought of won’t make you being cherished.

Minami, thinking:

I don’t want for someone like that to get closer to what I hold dear within myself.

Touma, thinking:

We got too used to not being desired and to things we don’t desire.

And because of that, somewhere in our hearts, we couldn’t stop aiming too high.

Torao, thinking:

Someone…

Haruka, thinking:

Someday…

Minami, thinking:

Please…

Touma, thinking:

We forgot what we even wished for.

Audience:

*scream*

Cut to Tsukumo’s office.

Tsukumo:

… “Young, wise advisors of the showbiz world, ŹOOĻ”? What?

Torao:

I dunno. Sound lame…

Tsukumo:

Even though that was supposed to be a TV show to punish you…

Touma:

The ramen was nice, huh!

Minami:

Indeed.

Touma:

Next time, Haru and Tora can go too. Together with Mina…

Haruka & Torao:

Hmph.

Minami:

My my, it seems I’m being disliked. How very unfortunate.

Touma:

You guys, stop it already and make up…

Tsukumo:

What what? You had a fight? Let’s do it like a witch’s trial and everyone can attack the one who did the worst thing!

Torao:

No worries. We get super along.

Minami:

We do. There is no need for concern.

Tsukumo:

Boooring… I wanna do a good job at making you feel bad after all. Say, what do you guys dislike?

Torao:

Pretty people.

Haruka:

Cake.

Minami:

Consecutive holidays.

Touma:

Huh? Tora you like pretty people, Haru likes sweet stuff and who would dislike consecutive holidays?

Haruka & Torao:

…exactly!!!

Minami:

Inumaru-san… What are you doing, living such an honest life? Do you want to pile up benevolence for the hereafter…?

Touma:

I-it’d be better to have some, right?

Tsukumo:

Hmpf! Well whatever. In any case, you’ll be bombarded with raw eggs at Denmark’s Fes anyways.

Torao:

I really don’t like that… Raw eggs…

Haruka:

If they’re gonna do it anyways, can’t they drench them in custard or something first…

Touma:

Don’t worry! I said we’d go bathe in applause, right! Believe in our skills!

Haruka, Torao, Minami:

Ehhh…

Touma:

Believe god damn it!!

Tsukumo:

I was thinking of giving you one week off after the festival in Denmark, but Minami, you’d hate that right?

Minami:

I just came to love it.

Tsukumo:

Well then, how about Hawaii. Everything’s ready, it’s an important time, we don’t wanna have troubles with a spy or something right.

I mean you, Touma.

Touma:

… …what are you planning?

Haruka:

…uhm, is somewhere else than Hawaii okay too?

Tsukumo:

Where? Dubai?

Haruka:

Noth Meir.

Minami:

…Isumi-san.

Tsukumo:

Noth Meir? That lacklustre northern country Minami studied abroad in?

Haruka:

This doesn’t have anything to do with Minami. There’s one of Torao’s hotels. I wanna use a huge suite room.

Tsukumo:

Hee… So you wanna take a shower at papa’s hotel to clean off the raw eggs while crying your eyes out? Sounds good to me.

Torao:

…

…get your shit together, Ryo-san. I don’t mind dropping everything.

Touma:

Tora!

Tsukumo:

Hee, turning tail and running away? The oh so popular Torao-kun isn’t used to being hated, now is he?

Torao:

Exactly. You’re way more suited for it. Do you enjoy tormenting even relatives?

Tsukumo:

Relatives? Who?

Torao:

… I didn’t come along to be tormented. If you don’t change your attitude, I’ll qui---

Tsukumo:

Quit if you want. It’s not like I need you either. Clap clap, job well done.

Touma:

Ryo-san!

Torao:

… you were the one who asked for help!

Tsukumo:

Well I didn’t think you’d be this useless. What is this, a publicity stunt in your living room? Self-conscious much?

Torao:

…is that so, huh! Well bye!

Touma:

Wait! To---

Haruka:

You’ve gotta be kidding!! Ryo-san and Torao, shut the hell up!!

Minami:

…Isumi-san…

Haruka:

Didn’t you say we’d beat TRIGGER!? They’re still there! They’re still singing!!

Don’t just let it end on your own…!!

Tsukumo:

…

Haruka:

Torao. I will have you stay until the end.

Torao:

…

Haruka:

Ryo-san.

Tsukumo:

…what?

Haruka:

Take an interest in me, in us!

Tsukumo:

…

Haruka:

I don’t care about the trivial things… I don’t care about Nanase Riku nor Kujou Tenn! Didn’t you say I was above Kujou Tenn!?

Support us! Praise us! Look at us properly!!

Tsukumo:

Haha…

You lot, you’re not properly looking at me either, are you? What are you talking about, after all this time?

Haruka:

…

Tsukumo:

We just use and throw away each other. Ah, Minami, quickly write a new song for the Fes, okay?

Door closes.

Haruka:

… …shit…!

…and you too… I’m never anyone’s number one. I’m not important for anyone!

Torao:

… Don’t cry…

Haruka:

… shut up! Saying you quit like it’s nothing! Idiot! You’re an idiot, Torao!

Minami:

…please calm down, Isumi-sa---

Haruka:

And you too! Even though we talked about Noth Meir for your sake, you react as if it’s a bother!

Then tell us what you want us to do!! And if there’s nothing, don’t make such a displeased face!! Even though you're an adult, what's with that arbitrariness and selfishness!!

I hate everyone of you!!

Minami:

…

Touma:

…Haru.

Haruka:

Shut up…!!

Touma:

I do think you’re above Kujou Tenn.

Haruka:

…

Touma:

I do think that you’re an amazing guy. That I can do it if it’s with you… That I want to sing together with you.

Haruka:

…ugh… …uu… …shit…

Touma:

Mina… I have an idea for the next song…

Minami:

…what is it?

Touma:

Let’s sing it as four.

Minami:

…

Torao:

…

Haruka:

…

Touma:

Tora and Mina not only as performers, but on the front together with Haru and me. And then sing as four.

Let’s go bathe in applause, as four.

5.2. Connected wish

Audience:

Will Nagi-kun come today!?

He will! It’s been ten days since he took a break! The influenza should be healed!

You’re right! I wanna see him fast!!

Riku:

Good evening, we’re IDOLiSH7!

Audience:

*scream*

Host:

Good evening! Oh! Even though you’re called IDOLiSH7, you’re just 6!

Audience:

Eehh!!

Yamato:

I’m sorry! The loudest of us is resting…

Audience:

Still the influenza!? Is Nagi-kun okay!?

Mitsuki:

No worries! We just want to make sure and let him rest enough!

Audience:

I see! There’s also a lot of interesting anime right now! Maybe he’s recording them all!

Mitsuki:

No no! This is no anime break!

Audience:

Ahahaha!

Cut to street at night.

IDOLiSH7 fan:

…Nagi-kun didn’t appear today either… even though I came all the way to the viewing.

Nagi fan:

Yes… So he’s still feeling bad…

IDOLiSH7 fan:

It’d be nice if they could tell us when he’ll be back at least. You don’t think he’s in the hospital and they found a new illness right…

Nagi fan:

…please no… But both Riku-kun and Tamaki-kun didn’t seem too cheerful recently…

IDOLiSH7 fan:

No worries! They’re very busy since we’re nearing the end of the year, they’re just on the safe side like Mitsuki-kun said!

Yes! I’m sure he’ll get better fast and show us his cool singing again! I’m sure!

Nagi fan:

…thanks… it’s not even I who is sick, but you did your best to cheer me up…

IDOLiSH7 fan:

Of course! We’ve been supporting them together all the time!

And when Riku-kun and Iori-kun swapped center, you were worried about us too!

That made me very happy! I was unsure about what would happen, but I understood that there’s other people I can share my worries with.

So we should do it like IDOLiSH7, whenever someone is feeling down, cheer them up and support them!

Nagi fan:

Yes…!

IDOLiSH7 fan:

Nagi-kun is alright! I wanna see the cheerful Nagi-kun again soon!

Nagi fan:

Yes! Me too!

Cut to night sky.

Tsumugi, thinking:

We’re connected to other people we don’t know by our same wish.

The fans push our backs and give us comforting words, even though they don’t know about the storm’s true form.

Each of those words give courage to the members of IDOLiSH7.

Cut to Takanashi office.

Riku:

…please win the Black or White as seven.

I’m sad I can’t see Nagi-kun’s cheerfulness. Show me the seven of you together again, okay?

I’ll do my best with my studies too, so even though you might have it hard with just six, bring the happy Nagi-kun back soon, okay?

…yes, we will.

Tsumugi:

Riku-san…

Riku:

There’s a lot of messages from our fans, huh?

Tsumugi:

Yes. I am very thankful…

Riku:

It’s amazing… I can’t put it into words, but it fills my chest. I’m always receiving courage from our fans.

Being loved this much, being cherished this much… We have to fulfil everyone’s wishes, right?

They’re all so kind… Everyone thinking about Nagi, but also Tenn-nii that left the house for my sake…

It makes me think that I have to properly accept their wishes. That is my and our duty.

Tsumugi:

…

Riku-san… I am very grateful for your honest feelings, but… Please don’t overexert yourself too much, okay?

Riku:

Manager…

Tsumugi:

I’m sorry, but I’ve been a bit curious… Before, you have said how Tsukumo-san told you the reason for which Kujou-san left your home, right?

That you wanted to thank him and tell him you’re sorry. But that continuing pretending to know nothing was your sin, right?

Sin… It’s not something you’d normally say.

Riku:

…

Tsumugi:

I don’t think either the fans thinking of Nagi-san or Kujou-san that left for your sake want to drive you into a corner.

Therefore…

Riku:

I know, manager. Everyone, Tenn-nii too, are wishing for mine and our happiness…

But… That’s exactly why. I’m overflowing with feelings that just saying thank you and doing my best isn’t enough.

That what I’m doing isn’t enough.

Tsumugi:

Riku-san…

I am sorry to ask you this now but… are you okay with going to Noth Meir?

Noth Meir’s average temperature is about -3°C. The difference between outside and inside is pretty harsh.

Riku:

No worries! I talked about it with my doctor. I’ll probably get attacks, but I’m taking a lot of medicine with me!

I might cause some trouble though, sorry.

Tsumugi:

Please don’t apologize. I was the one to make this schedule despite knowing about your condition.

We are going fully prepared, but please don’t do anything reckless, okay?

Riku:

Yes! Alright!

I wanna go to Noth Meir fast. I can’t wait to see the country in which Nagi was born…

Iori:

…

5.3. Raise your head

Street at night.

Riku:

… Ah… The stars look pretty…

I wonder what everyone is wishing for.

Iori:

Nanase-san.

Riku:

Uwaahh!! You startled me!!

Iori:

…please don’t raise your voice, you’ll bother the neighbours. It’s already late at night.

Riku:

It’s because you just suddenly started talking to me!? …where were you? In the office? Did you trail me with your nose since you’re a wolf boy?

Iori:

Don’t mix this up with the drama please. It wasn’t my intention to eavesdrop, but it was hard to enter…

I heard you talking to the manager.

Riku:

Ah…

Iori:

…

Uhm… cough.

There’s a saying that goes “home is wherever one lays one's hat”. It means that however you live, there will always be a place to burry your bones…

[TL note: The saying in Japanese literally says “wherever there are humans, there are burial places”.]

Riku:

Are you telling me to go die in Noth Meir…?

Iori:

No! If you generalize this saying’s meaning, then it means you should leave your hometown for the wide world, without wavering or worrying…

Riku:

Iori, you suck at consoling others huh… You were trying to console me, right?

Iori:

… Well, yes.

Riku:

Ahaha! Thanks!

Iori:

…you’re welcome. Did something happen with Kujou-san? What’s this about the reason for him leaving your home…

Riku:

… I think you’d scorn me if I tell you…

Iori:

I will not. …probably. Though I think I won’t. But I can’t affirm it. I’m sorry.

Riku:

You’re so honest… Though I’m happy that you are. …kind of a bit like Tenn-nii.

Iori:

…

Riku:

…it’s not like Tenn-nii left because he wanted to.

Our store had debts, I was always in and out of hospital, so for giving us money, Kujou took him with him.

And despite that… I said stuff like “that guy”. I just got mad at Tenn-nii. Even though he was all alone because of me…

Iori:

That is… within expectations, right?

Riku:

Within expectations!?

Iori:

He’s overly meddlesome and overprotective of you. It fits him to a tee, rather than it being for his own promotion.

Riku:

… Even you understand it, something I never understood…

Iori:

Nanase-san…

Riku:

…

Iori:

Well it’s not your fault. You’re just slow. Not all too smart either. Simply an idiot…

Riku:

No need to be disparaging!

Iori:

Kujou-san is to blame too. He knew you were that kind of person and left without saying anything.

Riku:

It’s not his fault!

Iori:

Even if it wasn’t, he still messed up. His plan was to make you happy, but as a result, you are hurt right now, aren’t you?

Riku:

It’s not like he had a choice! He was a kid too you know!

Iori:

Why are you rebutting everything I say! Do you want to be consoled or not? I’d like you to be clear!

Riku:

I want to be consoled!! But I don’t wanna listen to you badmouthing Tenn-nii! And I also don’t want to yell at you…

Iori:

…

Riku:

…when I heard that Tenn-nii left for my sake, to be honest, I was… a bit happy.

That he’s not the type of person to abandon his family. That he’s the Tenn-nii that I always saw in him. But…

When I heard Tenn-nii’s circumstances, I feel like I started to like myself even less than before already.

Iori:

… less than before?

Riku:

…because I’m inconsiderate and heartless. I’m just being spoiled and hold others back. I’m not someone that should be loved by others…

A girl that came to the dorms to see me was warned by a police officer…

Or they used all their savings to come to a concert while fighting with their families…

Just like when Tenn-nii left, other people’s lives are being moved because of me. How am I supposed to answer those feelings?

When we debuted, I sang for my own dream.

Now, if I’m not doing it for someone else’s dream, I get this guilty feeling… As if there is nothing inside of me…

Iori:

…

…I understand it now. With Kujou-san’s case as a trigger you started to loathe yourself.

You are bewildered because you lost your self-esteem and think others keep on showing you undeserved kindness.

You were loved by Kujou-san, but you made him lonely. On top of that, you’re loved by the fans, even though you’re tricking them in regards to Rokuya-san.

And the bad timing just keeps going on. It was unlucky.

Riku:

…you sure can say that with a calm face.

Iori:

With which face should I tell you then?

Riku:

So you just analyse me like you do with sales and fashion!? What do you mean it was unlucky!?

Iori:

Because it’s not your fault! It’s not like you didn’t know it because you wanted to or are tricking them because you like it.

Riku:

Could you say you’re not to blame if Mitsuki were to leave for your sake!?

Iori:

I could not! I’d start to hate myself! That is why I’m saying it in your stead!

Riku:

I don’t get it at all!!

Iori:

… No matter how much you shall blame yourself, I will forever defend you.

You are currently undergoing shocking events one after the other and that’s lowering the energy to love yourself. If it’s low, I’ll compensate for it.

Riku:

…how?

Iori:

I just defended you didn’t I?

Riku:

That didn’t make me happy at all. If anything, it made me angry.

Iori:

Why are you like this…

Riku:

…sorry. Even though you were worried about me… And looking after me…

I’m sorry. Thank you for always thinking of me.

Iori:

No, I…

…isn’t there anything? Like… something to you that is like “King Pudding” to “Yotsuba Tamaki”…

Riku:

You’re relying on items?

Iori:

Tools are humanity’s wisdom, right?

Riku:

Hmm… Try some fan service.

Iori:

Huh!?

Riku:

It might make me feel better.

Iori:

Here? To you!? I don’t want to… why should I…

Riku:

You wanted to console me right! Also, you said you’d control me! Maybe it’ll let you control me!

Iori:

No, there’s no way that---

Riku:

Fan service is humanity’s wisdom too! An idol’s job is to make people happy, right! And I never received any fan service from you!

Iori:

…

Just one second.

Riku:

Yaaay!

Iori:

Ba… bang.

Riku:

…? What even?

Iori:

I-I shot you! The thing Kujou-san does often! You watched that DVD countless times, didn’t you!?

Riku:

Ah. Well your face wasn’t a fan service face at all so…

Iori:

I can’t do a face like Kujou-san…

Riku:

I want to see your version! Do it once more! Ah, my phone…

Iori:

No taking pictures!

Riku:

Ahaha. The office is harsh.

Iori:

Seriously…

…Nanase-san. You are a kind, honest person. That is why Kujou-san and everyone else wishes for your happiness.

Riku:

My happiness…? What should I do? What can I do to answer them?

Iori:

Please stand on stage and sing. I believe you can overcome this. You are IDOLiSH7’s center.

Nanase Riku, center of the idol group that is going to become a legend. Don’t mind trivial things.

Riku:

…

Iori:

Did you calm down?

Riku:

… Yes…

Iori:

Raise your head.

Riku:

What?

Iori:

BANG!

5.4. Council of war

At Takanashi Production’s office.

Tsumugi:

Everyone, please gather. I have gathered information regarding Noth Meir and especially its royalty from our interpreter.

The details can be found in the documents as well, but I shall explain it to you too. And based on that, let us think of a detailed strategy.

Mitsuki:

A detailed strategy huh… Well going to Noth Meir emptyhanded won’t let us meet Nagi.

Yamato:

Well, even the Prime Minister of Japan isn’t someone you can just decide to meet. Maybe if you become as big as Re:vale?

Iori:

Politicians, idols and people in touch with royalty; those are all jobs that have to uphold a certain image. They’ll even be more careful than when meeting their tailor.

Tamaki:

What if we pretend that we’re not idols? No one knows us in Noth Meir, right?

Sougo:

Nagi-kun’s brother supposedly knows us. He was responsible for “Sakura Message”’s lyrics after all.

Yamato:

Set Ranvalt von Noth Meir. …so this guy is Nagi’s older brother.

Iori:

It says he’s a renowned philanthropist loved by the people of Noth Meir. Quite a different image.

Tamaki:

Philanthropist?

Riku:

We did the “Friends Day” right? It’s someone that helps other people when they’re in trouble, like we did.

Tamaki:

He threatens Nagicchi but saves people in trouble?

Tsumugi:

I’m confused by this different image as well… However, Set-san is apparently supporting an organization of young people that wish to bring the political power back to the Royal House.

For that purpose and to make the authority of the Royal House known, it seems that one of his actions consist in reviving an old celebration of the Royal Family.

A ceremony in Valsinor Castle to offer music to the Noth Meirian gods.

Riku:

So it’s like the Royal House is sponsoring a music festival, like a recording company or TV channel would do?

Mitsuki:

More than a festival, it’s a real ceremony. The participating artists are probably amazing people huh… I wonder if there’ll be Noth Meirian composers or something.

Tsumugi:

That is…

Cut to Nagi’s room.

Nagi:

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<Something? I can’t do anything. I don’t remember acquiring magic.>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

Cut back to Takanashi Production’s office.

Yamato:

I see… So they’re feigning respect as to not get involved in governmental trouble.

Tsumugi:

It appears so.

Iori:

Because a cultured person has an opinion of and takes part in political affairs, they feign respect. That is why there are only a few artists announced.

Mitsuki:

Will this celebration be okay… It kinda reminds me of our first concert.

Tsumugi:

Ugh…

Tamaki:

If a country sponsors it and only nine people appear, wouldn’t that be bad?

Sougo:

Maybe that’s why they need Nagi-kun’s power. He was good at that press conference as well.

Tsumugi:

It hurts remembering our first concert… But, as with me that time, the sponsors don’t doubt that Noth Meir is being loved.

Nagi-san is a person that can make people love and understand things. As for that, these documents are…

Yamato:

Nagi Valhart von Noth Meir. …Duke? Foreign Minister? Wait, Foreign Minister?

Iori:

A Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Mitsuki:

Huh!?

Tsumugi:

It’s a Noth Meirian tradition to give direct descendants of the Royal Family a court rank and some kind of status.

Yamato:

Ah, that surprised me… I wonder if there are people that are properly voted on. Though, well, I guess the Royal House has a strong saying in that.

Tsumugi:

By the way, the Duke of Noth Meir is allowed to command one division of the Noth Meir Military as its lieutenant general.

Riku:

One division…

Tamaki:

I’m glad I properly apologized that one time I had a fight with Nagicchi.

Riku:

Me too.

But well, if he’s that famous, then wouldn’t there be more than just magazine articles about him? Like rumours or something?

Tsumugi:

Getting into North European news is difficult, but de facto Nagi-san is not of the Royal Family.

Iori:

You’re right… If someone takes up a profession in something other than public business, they are to relinquish their rights of the Royal Family.

Mistuki:

Something other than public business… Like an idol! He stopped being a prince to become an idol.

He told us not to talk about something so important but… He probably thought it would be no problem anymore.

He’s no prince anymore. And no duke or minister either. Just a normal person and one of our friends…

Yamato:

There must be a reason for why he wanted to become a normal person. Putting a threat into lyrics, that doesn’t look like a very harmonious royal family to me.

Sougo:

Nagi-kun’s home… Though I don’t know if it’s appropriate to call it home, but I wonder if the people there wanted for Nagi-kun to come back.

Iori:

I wonder what’ll happen to the Valsinor Ceremony. Will they do it even with low business?

Tsumugi:

About that, there has been some movement a few days ago.

Cut to Nagi’s room.

Door opens.

Set:

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<Brother, if You want the celebration to be a success, please take back Your misunderstanding inducing statement. And also, a written invitation for the performers should--->

Set:

Nagi:

Set:

Nagi:

Set:

<Why?>

Nagi:

Set:

Nagi:

<Brother. They may respect and love us. But we need to respect and love them as well.>

Set:

Nagi:

Set:

Nagi:

<…let us return to the main subject. The performance shall be split in two between classical and pop. The latter will be of the pop-culture section.>

Set:

<Pop-culture? In Noth Meir’s Ceremony?>

Nagi:

Set:

<… What if, following everything you’ve said, there won’t be any performers in the end?>

Nagi:

Set:

<…>

Nagi:

Set:

Nagi:

5.5. Audition

At Takanashi Production’s office.

Riku:

Hee… They suddenly changed it into a two divided system. And they started looking for performers?

Tsumugi:

Yes. The website says to contact them if one wants to participate, regardless of intern or overseas. But there is no guarantee that they’ll accept.

Sougo:

Maybe that’s just lip-service. Since it’s difficult to publicly announce if they’d be allowed into the country one month before the ceremony.

Tsumugi:

That may be it. Also, normally, the vibe of the official website is to showcase Noth Meir’s history and power…

But it has been changed to something friendlier, stating to enjoy music regardless of national borders. It now feels easier for performers and viewers to apply to it.

Yamato:

… It smells like Takanashi Production’s Special PR’s work huh.

Mitsuki:

It does. Hah… I wonder how Nagi is doing…

Sougo:

Poor Nagi-kun… He probably can’t refuse anything since Sakura-san is being held hostage.

Riku:

The day of the celebrations is the last day of our stay in Noth Meir…

Why don’t we try applying for it?

Iori:

To Noth Meir’s ceremony?

Riku:

Well we’re singers too! And maybe we can even meet Nagi.

Tamaki:

But they know about us, right? I wonder if they’ll just say “sure, you can perform”.

Iori:

The possibility of not being accepted is high. Even if Rokuya-san is in charge of organizing it, I doubt they’d just let him do anything he wants.

Yamato:

But either way, we can still see how they’d react. And if we’re not accepted, we just know that we can’t approach them upfront.

Mitsuki:

And then what? We gonna sneak into the castle?

Iori:

That would definitely make it an international issue…

Sougo:

We might need special connections too. People of the business world are always busy, they have no time to spare for unfamiliar faces.

It seems difficult though to find someone that’s close to the Royal House.

Tsumugi:

Understood… Let’s try applying first.

Cut to Nagi’s room.

Nagi:

Thank you for your advice. Until we meet again.

[TL note: Nagi talks in Chinese here.]

Hangs up phone.

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<I’m busy.>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<Ah, look! Look! The god-like artist posted an incredibly wonderful illustration as a get-well gift for my Kokona-loving self!>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<Wait. I am setting it as a wallpaper. …okay, what is it?>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

Thorvald:

<IDOLiSH7.>

Nagi:

<…>

<… ah… god…>

<…they didn’t hate me… They’re surely planning to come and meet me… Yes, that must be it…>

<I’m happy… …so happy…>

Thorvald:

<…Your Highness…>

Nagi:

<…I wonder if they’re all well… They’ve probably been worried about me… …I wanna see them…>

Thorvald:

<…will You accept them? We don’t know what His Highness Ranvalt could do.>

Nagi:

<…I know…>

<…I thought of calling them multiple times, but if they’d hear my voice they probably wouldn’t give up. …though they may despise me, they’ll have to give up on me.>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<…I’ll go to bed. Good night…>

Cut to Takanashi Production’s office.

Tsumugi:

…they have declined.

Mitsuki:

Shit…! I bet that Set guy has turned us down! If Nagi had noticed he had definitely accepted us.

Yamato:

We really can’t approach them upfront huh. So next is using connections. Sou…

Sougo:

I tried looking up stuff, but FSC’s connection to Noth Meir is shallow. No company branch offices and they’re not connected to any railroad business either.

Iori:

And Rokuya-san’s mother? She’s Japanese, right?

Tsumugi:

It seems she has passed away. Apparently she wasn’t from a noble family either. She was a designer.

Iori:

Then on the other side, this means there was no one to oppose a commoner to marry into the Royal House…?

Riku:

What about someone that likes Japanese movies and anime? Nagi loves anime, but he once also said how he likes samurai movies.

Tamaki:

Oh! When I was a kid, there was a guy that told me we’ll watch a period drama when I couldn’t watch one!

Mitsuki:

Maybe we’re overlooking something… A person that could become a contact to get closer to Nagi… Ah! What about this guy!?

Riku:

What guy?

Mitsuki:

Bernard Kenneth-san.

He’s already retired, but there have been news about him being in a friend-relationship with Noth Meir’s king and that he’s a fan of Japanese movies. He even bought a Japanese sword once.

It says his favourite movie is “Mikazuki Ookami”.

[TL note: The movie’s translated name would be something like “Crescent Moon Wolf”, but since it’s supposedly a samurai movie (and I can’t shake off the feeling that it’s no coincidence that it’s almost Mitsuki’s name) I decided to leave it in romaji.]

Yamato:

…

Sougo:

Mikazuki Ookami… wasn’t that Chiba-san’s masterpiece mov---

Yamato:

…understood.

I’ll make the connections to get closer to Nagi.

Riku:

Yamato-san….

Yamato:

…even Yaotome can leave his dad’s agency if it’s to protect TRIGGER.

If I’m not courageous now and do everything I can for someone else's sake, I'll regret it for all my life.

I’ll go lower my head to my dad for Nagi’s sake and ask him for help.

There’s nothing frustrating about this, nothing to be ashamed of. If it can make us sing as seven, then it’s nothing regrettable. …nothing to be afraid of.

This is weird huh… I’ve always talked to my dad while avoiding his gaze. But now I feel like facing and talking to him.

Mitsuki:

… Thanks, Yamato-san. You’re a good guy, leader.

Yamato:

Idiot. Stop.

Mitsuki:

Idiot. You’re cool. I wanna show Nagi. He’ll definitely be so happy that he’ll cry…

Cut to small concert stage.

Tenn:

Thank you for tonight, everyone!

Ryūnosuke:

Enjoy our last night in Osaka with all your might!

Gaku:

I can see your faces really well!

Audience:

*scream*

TRIGGER is the best…!

Cut to a street in Osaka.

Woman:

Ah! Yesterday’s TRIGGER concert was the best, right!

Woman:

For real! Honestly the best! Being able to see TRIGGER so closely! Ah, I wanna see them again!

Gaku:

The concert in Osaka was really fired up and fun. The audience was really into it.

Ryūnosuke:

I know right! Tenn, what are you looking at?

Tenn:

Chilled syrup. Rokuya Nagi has the influenza, right? I thought he wouldn’t be able to eat a usual souvenir.

Ryūnosuke:

Yes, makes you worry. Anesagi-san even went to buy a charm from Shinnou-san.

Gaku:

Recovery from illness huh. How considerate of Anesagi. When I caught a cold once I just got a nutrition drink.

Tenn:

Maybe because he did a lot for us? For Re:vale it was a takoyaki set, right?

Ryūnosuke:

Ah, wait. I think Momo-san had a request for… Oh? A rabbit chat from Anesagi-san.

Gaku:

What does it say?

Ryūnosuke:

To come back to the hotel immediately.

Gaku:

Tonight we’re relocating, there should be no concert, right?

Tenn:

Maybe something happened… Let’s go.

Cut to a hotel café.

Kaoru:

You guys, there’s big news.

Gaku:

Big news?

Kaoru:

The director from LasDim is apparently making a new musical.

Performers from the acting world and music scene have been gathered together, it seems like it’ll be a large-scale project.

On a large stage for a long period of time, the investment in sponsors is not half-bad either. This will cause a big wave in the world of musicals and stage plays.

Ryūnosuke:

Amazing… What will the musical be about?

Kaoru:

Both title and details are being hidden as of yet. But that is the point.

Even without anything official yet, money and people are moving. No one would invest in a nameless work. That just shows what a powerful work it must be.

Tenn:

…a remake of a masterpiece.

Kaoru:

That is what I was thinking of as well. That someone has acquired the rights to perform a powerful work that everyone knows.

Ryūnosuke:

A powerful work that everyone knows huh. I wonder what it is…

Gaku:

It could be something that was really in fashion once. It’d be easy to make people interested in it if it was in the news.

Maybe a work that won a prize, or it’s the anniversary of someone involved in it.

Kaoru:

The hint is that there are sword fights involved… It’s in the heading of the audition.

Gaku:

Sword fights? So an action musical?

Tenn:

Audition, you mean…

Kaoru:

Yes. I will have you apply to said audition.

And I will have you take the main roles.

Ryūnosuke:

…! We will…

Kaoru:

One male lead role. Two male co-star roles. That is the main cast.

Take them as TRIGGER.

TRIGGER:

…

Kaoru:

I know I’m asking the impossible.

The others are all professional musical actors. And the examiners might have been tricked by your scandal.

And the script isn’t written exactly for you, like it was with LasDim.

But I believe that TRIGGER can do it.

Gaku.

Gaku:

Yeah.

Kaoru:

Tenn.

Tenn:

Yes.

Kaoru:

Ryūnosuke.

Ryūnosuke:

Yes.

Kaoru:

This big stage is the greatest return favour you can give to the fans that followed you all the way to the street concerts.

Apply to the audition from zero, with no agency backing you up and take the roles with your own skills.

It won’t do if one of you passes. It won’t do if two of you pass. The three of you will overcome this hurdle together.

We will show all of Japan that your skills are real!

TRIGGER:

Yes!

Gaku:

Got it… Tenn, Ryu! Let’s catch this big title musical with our own hands!

Ryūnosuke:

Yes! Let’s show them our prowess with body and soul. It’s a simple way of fighting, perfectly befitting of us!

Tenn:

Let’s give the fans who have been supporting us, the best our current selves can do. I want them to be proud of us once again.

That they’re glad to have supported TRIGGER. That they weren’t wrong.

Gaku:

Of course.

Ryūnosuke:

Let’s do this!

Tenn:

…though, I wonder what it’ll be about. It fits the current time, a remake of a big title, a musical with action scenes…

Voice from the TV:

---please take a look! Filling up movie theatre’s for days with no end!

The revival screening that became an exceptional long run and started the retirement of Japan’s big-shot actor Chiba Shizuo-san!

Everyone knows the title! It was a hit all around the world and created a real samurai boom. That masterpiece is…!

“Mikazuki Ookami”!

Tenn:

…

To be continued…

Shion

IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 5