IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 6

[shionstear]

 

IDOLiSH7 PART 4

Chapter 6 – Step of courage

6.1. Omen of the beginning

 

 

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:

Are you calm Iori?

Iori:

Eh?

Riku:

Are you really calm when telling me that it’s okay to be happy even if others are unhappy or they’re being deceived?

Iori:

… Nanase-sa---

Riku:

See I told you! At first it’s just a shower rain. And when before you notice it becomes a flood that destroys the world.

What’s with your expression, Iori. Even if the world should sink to ruin, you’re making me a super star, right?

It’s okay. I’ll become your super star. I’ll show you a view you’ve never seen before.

Though in the end, I’ll disappear as well.

Riku’s sprite vanishes.

Iori:

…! Nanase-san…!

Riku’s voice:

Leaving behind just a legend, just like this…

Cut to Iori’s bedroom.

Iori:

...ugh, a dream…?

… I know that was a more or less overbearing reasoning. But, what should I have said then?

…Nanase-san is not Zero… He won’t disappear like Zero.

Cut to dorm living room.

Riku:

A rabichat from Tenn-nii… The Osaka tour is going well he says!

Mitsuki:

Hee! That’s nice!

Yamato:

Must be tough to go from one small venue to the other, but it’s them after all. They’re entertaining the local guests.

Riku:

Yes!

Iori:

…

Iori, thinking:

And anyways, Nanase-san is being influenced too much by Kujou-san.

That’s why I had to say it like that. Aren’t 70% of the reasons for your stress-related attacks due to Kujou-san?

As long as he’s mentally fixed on Kujou-san I won’t be able to guide him properly… If he’d just switch that fixation to me instead.

I don’t want him to do as I say, but I want something like magic, a method to raise his spirits when he’s down.

As expected, I need an item that is like “King Pudding” to “Yotsuba Tamaki”…

Tamaki:

Ah? Iorin, are you mocking me?

Iori:

I am not.

Riku:

Oh by the way, the other day, Iori was really cool! I was feeling down and he did fan service for me!

Iori:

Nanase-san…!!

Mitsuki:

Hee! What kind of!?

Riku:

“Raise your head. BANG!” he said.

Mitsuki:

Cool!

Tamaki:

Cool! That could be popular!

Iori:

Nanase-san!! Please don’t talk about it!!

Riku:

But you were so cool!

Yamato:

Sou. Raise your head.

Sougo:

Eh?

Yamato:

BANG!

Sougo:

Yamato-san, you’re so cool…

Yamato:

This’ll get popular, yes.

Iori:

Nikaidou-san, don’t let it become popular!!

Yamato:

Ah, Riku’s new CM.

Riku:

Eh!? How embarrassing!

Iori:

Ah. The CM about an SNS service, right?

Riku’s voice from the TV:

Hey, don’t you want to become a member with me!?

You can become a member in groups of up to 7 people and share rabichat stickers, music, manga and videos!

Let’s all start your own sth-sth-ish7!

Yamato, Mitsuki, Tamaki and Iori:

Let’s go!

Riku:

Don’t make the same pose as I did in the CM!!

Yamato:

I feel like I had to.

Mitsuki:

Isn’t it nice. Let’s start sth-sth-ish7!

Riku:

How embarrassing…!

Tamaki:

This thing is popular in school.

Riku:

Ah, really!?

Tamaki:

Yes. I was asked if I wanted to join Sweetsish7.

Mitsuki:

Sweetsish7!?

Tamaki:

You have to like decide on a group name.

Riku:

Yes yes. the people at the advertising agency though It’d be nice if it became popular.

Mitsuki:

Let’s create one too when Nagi comes back. What should we name it?

Yamato:

Well, IDOLiSH7, right?

Tamaki:

That name was already being used.

Iori:

Eh!? We’re the originators and we can’t use it!?

Tamaki:

EEDOLiSH7 was still available.

Iori:

Not idols but a well…

[TL note: Okay this just doesn’t work in English, so: the name IDOLiSH7 (aidorisshusebun) was taken, but not the name idorisshusebun. And “ido” can mean “well”.]

Tamaki:

Oh and IDOLiSHSeven was taken too.

[TL note: Yet again, doesn’t work in English: here Tamaki says that “aidorisshusebuso” is taken too. Since, as you may have seen once already, the katakana for “n” and “so” look quite similar.]

Mitsuki:

Then how about WILDOLiSH7?

Yamato:

You sound like an old man…

Sougo:

Ah… It’s almost time. I’ll head out for a bit.

Mitsuki:

Where are you going, Sougo?

Sougo:

It’s only temporary, but I’ve made a song. I wanted to let the people at the recording studio listen to it.

Tamaki:

Ohh! Have fun!

Mitsuki:

I see! That’s amazing, Sougo! I want to listen to it too, but I’ll wait and look forward to listen to it together with Nagi!

Sougo:

Okay! Well then, I’m off.

Riku:

Sougo-san is amazing… He said he wanted to make a song and actually made one.

Iori:

He seems to be suited for it, right? He doesn’t seem to be worked up about it either…

Sougo:

…ouch!

Tamaki:

Sou-chan!?

Riku:

A-are you okay!? That was a really loud noise just now!

Mitsuki:

Did you walk into the front door!?

Sougo:

Ahaha! I was spacing out… I’ll be going now!

Door closes.

Riku:

He walked out with the right arm and foot at the same time…

[TL note: Not entirely sure, but this may be a reference the “nanba walking”, in which the swinging arm is on the same side as the stepping leg, unlike the “normal” way of walking.]

Tamaki:

To walk into the door that you use every day…

Iori:

He must be quite nervous then…

Yamato:

Haha… But that’s good. That Sou said that he wanted to do something of his own accord and is challenging it straightforwardly.

Mitsuki:

You’re right. Someday I want him to not only make MEZZO” songs but also some for IDOLiSH7.

Riku:

I wanna hear those! And it’d be nice to meet Sakura-san until then and tell him our thanks. Thank him for all those wonderful songs.

Cut to a dressing room.

Audition participant:

Ah… I’m nervous…

Audition participant:

Amazing how many people there are, even if this wasn’t open to public… But still, I doubt we’ll fail in the first round.

Audition participant:

Eh… Hey, look.

Audition participant:

Huh, is that TRIGGER…?

Gaku:

…

Ryūnosuke:

…

Tenn:

…

You’re nervous, right?

Gaku:

Yes.

Ryūnosuke:

Me too…

Tenn:

Me too.

…it’s been a while since I was this nervous…

Ryūnosuke:

…what if only you two pass and I’m the only one to fail…

Gaku:

Stop, I had a dream about that yesterday.

Tenn:

Gaku, you’ll be alright. Among us three you’re the one with the most drama experience.

Ryūnosuke:

Yes, you’ll be fine.

Gaku:

Stop! Don’t pressure me!

…hah…

…that kinda made me laugh… I’m really nervous, but this is also a lot of fun.

Ryūnosuke:

I feel you… My heart is about to explode, but this time right now is very precious.

It feels like I’m risking all of my life right now, for this very moment… It makes me feel very alive.

I’m walking my own life with my own feet.

Tenn:

You’re right… It’s scary, but exciting. I want to test myself.

It’s like when the person you care for opens a present you’ve made with all your might.

Gaku:

It’s like going on a journey to a foreign place. It’s crazy scary, but crazy fun too. …okay, I calmed down.

Tenn:

Unfair. Hey, come quick, draw person on my palm.

Ryūnosuke:

A charm to make you calm down? How cute. Alright.

Gaku:

If anything, write down our names.

Tenn:

Ahaha! Your names have too many strokes, it’d probably tickle.

Staff:

---No.99, Kujou Tenn-san.

Tenn:

…, yes!

Ryūnosuke:

Do your best!

Gaku:

You’ve got this.

Tenn:

Yeah.

Pleased to work with you.

 

 

6.2. Impatience

 

 

Staff:

---No.99, Kujou Tenn-san.

Tenn:

…, yes!

Ryūnosuke:

Do your best!

Gaku:

You’ve got this.

Tenn:

Yeah.

Pleased to work with you.

Door closes.

Audition participant:

…man, you can feel really sorry for TRIGGER. Without that scandal jobs would probably come to them just by waiting.

Audition participant:

I wonder…

Audition participant:

Eh?

Audition participant:

They look kinda lively. They’re looking after the back of their member and stuff. Like, they’re just people that are chasing their dreams, like us.

Audition participant:

Hm yeah, you’re right…

Audition participant:

Haha… Before I wasn’t interested in TRIGGER, but now I could become a fan.

Audition participant:

It’s great to have awesome rivals here too. Let’s do our best as well!

Audition participant:

Yeah, you’re right!

Cut to recording company office.

Recording Company Producer:

Osaka-san, I’ve listened to it.

Sougo:

Thank you very much… …h-how was it…?

Recording Company Producer:

It was amazing. So much that it doesn’t feel like your first work at all. …but…

…for this time it’s, well…

Sougo:

…ah…

N-no good…?

Recording Company Producer:

That’s, the case… …I do think that you did your best in creating it, but…

Sougo:

…I… I see…

…

…u-uhm…

Recording Company Producer:

Yes…

Sougo:

…which part is no good? I’d like to hear your opinion for further work…

Recording Company Producer:

…the song itself is good. And even the unrefined parts can be fixed with some help…

But it is way too different from MEZZO” songs up to now. The listeners probably wouldn’t like it.

Now that MEZZO” is finally doing well, I don’t think a change in style would do it any good.

Sougo:

…

Sougo, thinking:

He’s saying the same thing I once used to.

MEZZO” protects us because Tamaki-kun and I love it.

It’s okay not to take risks. That it’s okay to just love it.

It reminds me of my father for some reason, and pains in my chest.

Recording Company Producer:

I agree to the fact that you start writing songs now, Osaka-san, I’m sure the fans will like it too. And I also know that you’re very honest with music.

I wish to support you as best as I can. That is the truth!

Sougo:

…yes…

Recording Company Producer:

Just… But this song as the first one… Why don’t you try to keep up MEZZO”’s taste a bit more and gradually see how it continues?

I am terribly sorry but…

Sougo:

…

…I understand.

I will rewrite it once more. Thank you very much for your advice.

Sougo, thinking:

I understand. I regretted it once I said it.

But I know what he’s thinking and that he’s honest. He is trying to protect us.

It’s not that it’s sad. And it’s also not unfortunate or frustrating.

It’s just that I’m filled with impatience.

I wonder, am I being honest to myself?

As honest as the recording company’s staff that is trying to protect MEZZO”, even if I end up hurt---

Was I being honest to the song I created, after saying that I want to write songs?

Honest to everyone that is watching over us…

Short fade out and in.

Recording Company Producer:

Hah… I’m so sorry for Osaka-san, now that he finally made a song…

Recording Company Director:

You didn’t pass his new song? It wasn’t bad, and it would’ve been interesting to test! Would’ve been bad to at least try it?

Recording Company Producer:

Interesting alone won’t move anyone. Because MEZZO” and their fans are both important, we have to think carefully about this.

If it doesn’t go well then both MEZZO” and the fans will be hurt. Especially Osaka-san, since he has such a strong sense of responsibility…

Recording Company Director:

But now that Osaka-san has finally challenged it…

If we don’t allow an environment suited for challenges, that important Osaka-san might get crushed under the disappointment.

Recording Company Producer:

Well… I do get that…

There is no right answer but… I decided to protect the current MEZZO”. Osaka-san is still young.

Recording Company Director:

But Osaka-san seems to be a sensitive and serious person, so if we miss the timing he may lose the desire for challenge…

I was so surprised when he said he wanted to write a song! That Osaka-san…! There is no guarantee that his courage and desire will last forever.

When people start moving, the feeling of “it’s now or never” is very important, both mentally and environmentally.

Recording Company Producer:

Hmm…

Recording Company Director:

Hmm…

Cut to small stage.

Audience:

*scream* MEZZO”!

I love Dear Butterfly!

Tamaki-kun! Sougo-san!

Sougo:

Thank you! Thank you very much!

Tamaki:

Thaaanks! Bye-bye!

Audience:

*scream*

Cut to backstage.

Tamaki:

Sou-chan, how was the meeting with the recording people? Did they praise the song?

Sougo:

…uhm…

 

 

6.3. Something that will definitely remain

 

 

Tamaki:

Sou-chan, how was the meeting with the recording people? Did they praise the song?

Sougo:

…uhm…

…I tried rewriting it a bit after that. I thought it might be better if it felt more familiar…

Tamaki:

Familiar? How?

Sougo:

…so that the fans won’t be surprised?

Tamaki:

Let them be surprised. When you told me you wanted to write songs, I was surprised, but also happy.

Sougo:

…

…but, I was wondering if MEZZO”’s fans would be unhappy about such a new song.

Tamaki:

Well, yeah, maybe.

Sou-chan, you made the song because you wanted to, so does it really matter what was before? Isn’t it obvious to change?

I’ll forever love it even if it changes. I’ll stop loving it so don’t change. Aren’t both of those selfish?

Sougo:

… That is…

It may be selfish, but it’s normal. I’d be sad too if the band that I liked suddenly changed, but I want them to like MEZZO” no matter of the song.

Tamaki:

Eh? Why are you mad…?

Sougo:

I’m not mad. But it’s not something that can be answered easily. And I can’t let sales drop just because of my selfishness…

Tamaki:

I don’t get it. ---ah, Yukirin, Momorin!

Momo:

Ah, it’s MEZZO”! Where’s Ban-san?

Tamaki:

Ban-chan is talking to other people. Sou-chan, Yukirin makes songs, why don’t you have him listen to it?

Sougo:

Eh!?

Yuki:

What?

Tamaki:

Sou-chan made a song. A really good one!

Yuki:

Hee. Let me listen to it.

Tamaki:

Sure. Sou-chan, lend me your player.

Sougo:

Wait…! That’s the one I made yesterday…

Yuki:

…

Momo:

And? Yuki! Did Sougo’s genius explode!?

Yuki:

… What is this…

Sougo:

…

Yuki:

This is completely different from the music that Sougo-kun likes. This is an inferior copy of MEZZO” with added current fashion.

Sougo:

That’s…

Tamaki:

Don’t be so harsh! Sou-chan did his best and---

Yuki:

He didn’t, you get it by listening to it. It’s just been assembled to be accepted. You wanted to make such a consumable good?

Sougo:

…

Yuki:

It does contain currently popular styles, but even the popular stuff I made in the past 10 years has kept on changing.

Don’t curry favour with appealing to ratings if you’ve not even established originality. Once current fashion changes you’ll be left with nothing.

Since Sougo-kun seems skilful, if you’d do this from the start you’ll develop a habit of just cheaply completing songs to be on the safe side.

Momo:

Y-yuki- Maybe a bit nicer…

Yuki:

I’m saying it nicely.

Tamaki:

You’re scary!

Yuki:

Obviously! I don't want any half-assed feelings to get into the garden I hold with such pride.

Sougo:

…

Yuki:

Everyone can make an inferior MEZZO” copy. There is no need for you to make one when you’re so busy. Why do you even compose?

Do it properly… I was looking forward to your song. Even if it’s lame, let me listen to the real deal.

Sougo:

… Then…

Could you listen to the song before that one in the playlist…?

Yuki:

Huh? One before?

Sougo:

Yes.

Yuki:

…

Eh, it’s good.

Tamaki and Momo:

Thank goodness…!

Yuki:

Yes. This sounds like Sougo-kun. …hee! It’s interesting. What if you tampered a bit more with this one?

Sougo:

… …hah…

Yuki:

No need to be so nervous, it’s not like I’m mad.

Tamaki:

Yes you were, you were actually scary!! Right, Momorin?

Momo:

No!? He was super ikemen!?

Tamaki:

That word is way too convenient! …but, why? You made two songs? Which was the one I listened to?

Sougo:

…the one Yuki-san listened to at the end.

After talking with the recording company staff, they told me to approach it more to MEZZO”. He said it’d be better not to change things too quickly…

Yuki:

Oh, that means war.

Momo:

Sougo doesn’t do wars! He’s wavering because he wants to listen to everyone’s voices, right?

Tamaki:

Everyone’s voices? Is that necessary if he’s the one writing it?

Momo:

The recording company staff, the fans, you, IDOLiSH7. I do understand what he’s going through.

Scared of being a bother, not knowing if you yourself are right, thinking if it’d be okay to give up here.

Sougo:

…yes…

Momo:

When that time comes, go back to the roots and think about what’s important! What’s the most important to you, what do you want to protect, what do you want to do?

Whenever I’m wavering, I just think about what’d be best for Yuki’s sake and come up with an answer.

I can give up on other things, but that’s the one thing I won’t give up on.

Yuki:

Momo… You’re always thinking about me, aren’t you?

Momo:

Of course I am, Yuki…

Tamaki:

There goes the married couple again…

Re:vale:

How cold…

Tamaki:

And Sou-chan? What don’t you want to give up on?

Sougo:

…I…

…

Tamaki:

…

Sou-chan you know, you’re a greedy person.

Sougo:

Huh!? G-greedy…?

Tamaki:

You always try to make everything go well. The things you like, the things you don’t like, wanting the wants to keep on loving it.

You’ll lose something somewhere. I’ve been told that too. I did my best to get praised, but I’ve been told I’m boring if I’m behaving properly.

I lost heart when I was told that but… I gave up on it.

I thought it’s okay to cause trouble for you.

Sougo:

…

Tamaki:

Well, for starters, you can take me out of the count of things that you’d dislike to lose.

Sougo:

Why…

Tamaki:

Well if I say I’ll stay with Sou-chan, I won’t go away right?

Sougo:

… Tamaki-ku---

Re:vale:

Whoo! How cool!!

Momo:

Not bad! Passionate!

Yuki:

Not bad! Youth!

Tamaki:

Shut up Re:vale…

Yuki:

You can take me out of the count as well, Sougo-kun.

Momo:

Me too! Whatever you decide to do, you have my support!

You may be thinking about a lot of things right now, but the current MEZZO” is being loved, trusted and valued!

That’s a really awesome and thankful thing! There’s people that seriously think about you other than yourself.

Sougo:

…yes…

Momo:

Starting to walk in one direction may mean turning your back on something else, but…

As long as there’s a feeling of thankfulness, then someday, surely, you’ll be able to connect again.

Sougo:

Momo-san… …thank you very much… I’ll slowly think about it carefully.

Momo:

Good!

Yuki:

Do your best.

Banri:

Sougo-kun, Tamaki-kun! …ah, Yuki and Momo-kun, good morning!

Momo:

I wish you a good morning, Ban-san!

Tamaki:

Momorin just acted like an actual senpai now.

Momo:

What do you mean like!? Aren’t you getting that wrong!? Ban-san, don’t take that serious!

Banri:

Ahaha! I know. Momo-kun is good at looking after others, you’re a good kid.

Momo:

Ehehe!

Tamaki:

Ban-chan, you’re late huh?

Banri:

Sorry, A weird reporter took a picture of me,

Sougo:

Of you?

Yuki:

Maybe he’ll write about something like “Rokuya Nagi supposedly withdrawn! The new, elderly member!? How’s Nagi-kun’s influenza doing?

Tamaki, Sougo and Banri:

…

Yuki:

Eh? Is it that bad…? S-sorry…

Momo:

Did something happen after all…?

Banri:

Nah… let’s talk about this another time. Let’s go you two.

 

 

6.4. Vapour trails

 

 

Sougo:

Wouldn’t it be okay to tell Re:vale…?

Banri:

I don’t want to make them worry. And we didn’t even tell TRIGGER. We don’t know where information might leak.

Tamaki:

Now that you mention it, we told ŹOOĻ about Nagicchi.

Banri:

Eh!?

Sougo:

But as of now nothing’s been leaked right? They may be keeping it to themselves and not tell Tsukumo-san…

Banri:

I see… I hope it stays this way though. Maybe it’d be better to send them a little something?

Sougo:

I-isn’t it alright? It seems Inumaru-san is taking care of it. Also, a little something for Midou-san… I don’t know if we have the money for that…

Tamaki:

And King Pudding? Isumin said he liked it.

Banri:

King Pudding huh… That may be casual enough, yes. I’ll see what we can do.

Tomorrow it’s finally time for Noth Meir. Are you two ready?

Tamaki:

Yup! I packed everything according to the overseas guidebook you made, Ban-chan!

Banri:

Well done!

Sougo:

Don’t worry about us. Banri-san, please make sure to look after Riku-kun.

Banri:

Thanks… I hope we can all safely meet Nagi-kun.

Cut to Riku’s room.

Mitsuki:

Riku, is packing going well?

Riku:

Yeah. I wonder if this is too much?

Yamato:

It’s one week, so this should be good. And Noth Meir is apparently cold so take care.

Iori:

And the medical certificate of your doctor?

Riku:

I have it. It’s even been translated in Noth Meirian. …hah… Now I’m nervous…

Mitsuki:

Are you okay?

Riku:

Yes! Let’s shoot the MV of our new song as seven! Nagi will have it hard, having to memorize it that quickly.

Yamato:

Yup, so let’s teach him.

Riku:

Yes!

Iori:

Don’t overdo it please.

Riku:

It’s okay. Sougo-san, Tamaki and Banri-san are with me too after all!

Cut to blue sky.

Tsumugi, thinking:

And just like that, taking everyone’s wishes to the heart---

The day for departure arrived.

Cut to Takanashi office.

Tsumugi:

Well then, please be well, Banri-san.

Banri:

You too, Tsumugi-san. Look after Iori-kun, Yamato-kun and Mitsuki-kun.

Tsumugi:

Yes.

Banri:

Once we land we’ll call, okay? Are you nervous?

Tsumugi:

A bit…

Banri:

Me too. Let’s do our best, okay?

Tsumugi:

Yes! I’ll do my best!

Banri:

Well then, we’re off.

Otoharu:

Take care.

Cut to outside of the office.

Sougo:

Riku-kun, do you have your medicine?

Riku:

I have!

Iori:

Nanase-san, muffler!

Riku:

Carrying it.

Iori:

Just to be sure, please take a thinner one into your hand luggage.

Mitsuki:

Here, macarons from our store. Eat them in the plane, okay?

Tamaki:

Nice! If I have snacks then the plane won’t be scary. I’ll take pictures of the macarons and the outside of the windows.

Mitsuki:

Ahaha. A macaron flying in the sky?

Tamaki:

Cool, right?

Yamato:

Listen to what Banri-san tells you. Once we’re done with work we’ll go over there too. Banri-san, please take care of them.

Banri:

Yes. Yamato-kun, you guys take care too.

Riku:

Well then, we’re off.

Tamaki:

We’re off!

Sougo:

Please take care of the rest.

Yamato:

Sure thing. Take care.

Mitsuki:

We’ll be right there too!

Iori:

Have a safe trip.

Cut to busy intersection.

Tenn:

…

Ryūnosuke:

What is it, Tenn? Ah, a vapour trail! How pretty!

Gaku:

Tomorrow we’ll be in Hiroshima. I wonder if we can eat oysters and okonomiyaki?

Ryūnosuke:

I want to go to the Ikutsushima Shrine. Momo-san also said how he had fun visiting the Sandankyo.

Tenn:

We’re not sightseeing.

Gaku:

But you wanna eat Momiji Manjuu right?

Tenn:

I want.

Ryūnosuke:

Ah! A rabichat from Anesagi-san… The results of the second round are out.

Gaku:

Did you see them?

Tenn:

Not yet. You?

Gaku:

Not yet.

Ryūnosuke:

Let’s check on the count of three.

Gaku:

‘Kay.

Tenn:

Understood.

TRIGGER:

One, two, three…

…

Gaku:

…yes! I passed!

Ryūnosuke:

Passed through the second round!

Tenn:

Remained until the end!

TRIGGER:

Wooohhhh….!!!

Woman:

Hey, over there, isn’t that TRIGGER…?

Man:

TRIGGER isn’t like that, right? Must be university students that just got a job offer.

Woman:

Really…?

Tenn:

Hah… finally the last round huh.

Gaku:

It seems we’ll have to sing the theme song. The musical’s theme song probably?

Ryūnosuke:

If they’ll bring out the theme song, we should be able to guess the title too. Maybe it’ll turn into role specific auditions.

Gaku:

Whatever may come, it’s gonna be fun. You two better not fail and follow me until the end!

Ryūnosuke:

Amazing Gaku! You’re really in the mood!

Gaku:

Obviously.

Tenn:

Ahaha! Suddenly overconfident.

…thank goodness, I’m glad…

… Riku, I wonder what you’re doing right now…

Riku, we’re doing our best too. So you do too.

Cut to a market place.

Riku:

…so this is Noth Meir…

 

 

6.5. Home

 

 

Banri:

Riku-kun, come here. Let’s go to the hotel with a taxi. Try not to breathe in too much of the outside air.

Riku:

…yes.

Sougo:

It’s better not to take of your muffler yet. If you cool down to quickly it’d be bad.

Tamaki:

Rikkun, are you okay?

Riku:

I am! …hah…

Banri:

Come, let’s get into the car.

Riku:

Yes.

Cut to hotel room.

Riku:

…cough, cough… …I’m sorry, Banri-san…

Banri:

It’s okay. It was planned for you to rest in the hotel anyways. Don’t worry about it and rest a bit.

I’ll be heading to the location of the TV show with MEZZO” now, so if there’s anything, call me on my phone.

Even if someone knocks on the door, don’t open it. Noth Meir’s public safety may be good, but we never know what could happen.

Riku:

Hah… Understood…

Tamaki:

Ban-chan, we can go on our own so it’s okay.

Sougo:

Please stay with Riku-kun. Before you became manager you dealt with all of us after all.

Banri:

…you sure?

Riku:

…hh, it’s okay… If I lay down it’ll be okay… I’m an adult already too after all…

Tamaki:

It doesn’t matter if you’re an adult or not when you’re sick. I feel uneasy if you’re not okay, Rikkun. Stay with Ban-chan for us.

Sougo:

Yes, Riku-kun. And we too, we’re sorry we can’t stay with you in times like these.

Banri:

Riku-kun, I’ll bring them there and come back to the hotel then. Can you wait on your own until then?

Riku:

…hh… …it’s okay… I’ve mostly calmed down already, so please go with them, Banri-san…

Banri:

But…

Riku:

It’s okay! It’s really okay! …Sougo-san and Tamaki, thank you.

Tamaki:

Rikkun…

Sougo:

…okay. If there’s anything, please call us immediately okay?

Riku:

It’s okay! Thank you! …hh, take care…!

Door closes.

Riku:

Hah… …cough, cough… …I hope the attack goes away quickly…

Nagi… I’ve come to Noth Meir…

Cut to dressing room.

Mitsuki:

They’ve landed safely. Riku had an attack, but everything’s okay now.

Iori:

I see… If I remember correctly, MEZZO” is shooting their TV show already, right?

Yamato:

Well done today. My recording ended so I’ll head out earlier. Tell our manager for me.

Mitsuki:

But we could go together… Ah, I see.

Iori:

You’re going to see Chiba-san, yes?

Yamato:

Today’s the only day we can meet. I’ll be off and back before it’s time.

Mitsuki:

Do you have a small gift with you?

Yamato:

I don’t need one.

Iori:

Nikaidou-san, please do your best.

Yamato:

Yeah. See ya later.

Mitsuki:

… It seems he’s less nervous than I thou---

Yamato:

Ouch!!

Iori:

He walked into the door right in front of him…

Mitsuki:

That’s a scene I’m seeing often recently huh…

Yamato:

Ahaha! Bam! Man, that was some noise! Ahahahaha! ……I’m off.

Iori:

… wait, was he wearing his shoes on the wrong sides…?

Mitsuki:

Are you okay, old man…

Cut to front gate of a big, traditional looking manor.

Mister Shimooka:

Hah… that was nervewrecking…

Momo:

Liar. Shimooka-chan, you drank quite a bit.

Mister Shimooka:

I wouldn’t have been able to deal with it otherwise. Going into the house of such a bigshot actor…

Yuki:

But thanks to it, we got a nice talk. I feel like I became Sakamoto Ryouma.

Mister Shimooka:

I hope it’ll go well, just like Isshin.

Momo:

Sakamoto Ryouma? The guy who said “The enemy awaits at Honnō-ji!”?

Yuki:

Wrong! The guy who said “Let Japan daybreak!”. …oh?

Yamato-kun?

Yamato:

…Yuki-san…

… Hello…

Yuki:

Haha… We drank quite a bit. But I think you can still talk to him. Go on.

Yamato:

…yes.

Momo-san, Mister Shimooka-san, please excuse me.

Mister Shimooka:

Hello. Is Nagi-kun doing better already?

Yamato:

Uhm… we’ll make him better from now on.

Mister Shimooka:

…?

Momo:

And he’s gone…

Mister Shimooka:

…now I wish we would’ve stayed a bit longer.

Momo:

Why?

Mister Shimooka:

Well, we would’ve seen his overwhelmed self. Shizuo-san was just talking about Yamato-kun after all.

Yuki:

Haha… Well, let parent and child on their own for now.

Cut to a tatami room.

Yamato:

… Please excuse the intrusion---

…

…I’m back.

Chiba Shizuo:

…Yamato…

 

 

To be continued…