shionstear | IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 10

IDOLiSH7 PART 4

Chapter 10 – That time---

10.1. Before dawn

Ryūnosuke:

…Torao-kun…?

Torao, through phone:

…yeah.

Ryūnosuke:

…

Ryūnosuke, thinking:

Wh-wh-what should I do? I’m not getting fooled this time… This is an important time or TRIGGER.

…but he seems kinda…

Ryūnosuke:

… Good evening…

Torao:

…good evening.

Ryūnosuke:

…what do you want to ask?

Torao:

…why did you fool your fans?

Ryūnosuke:

… I can’t talk about stuff like that. I’ll hang up.

Torao:

No… I asked you once when we were drinking, right? I acted as if I understood then, but I really didn’t.

Like to show them a dream, or that it was for your group mates… Explain it once again so that I understand. …if I can accept it, I’ll…

…I feel like… I can apologize for what I did to you…

Ryūnosuke:

… …why so suddenly?

Torao:

…we performed at a festival in Denmark. We were ready for booing, but it went well.

I was glad that I stood on that stage. And by thinking that, I realized that what I did to you might’ve been something horrible…

Ryūnosuke:

…

Torao:

But you’re a liar. You fooled fans and became popular. I also feel like I don’t need to feel sorry for you.

If there’s a reason for why you’ve lied… and if I can understand that… I wouldn’t mind apologizing.

Ryūnosuke:

…

I don’t mind explaining it once again. But it’s the truth that I told a lie.

I was wavering, but even though it was for the sake of the agency and our fans, the fact remains that I fooled everyone. So you don’t need to accept that.

Besides. Me lying and you being a hindrance to our stage are two different things.

Even if you forgive me for lying, I’ll never forgive that we couldn’t sing together as three on that day.

Torao:

…

Ryūnosuke:

No matter how much you reflect on it, no matter how much of a good person you become, you gave Tenn, Gaku and our fans sad memories.

I will never say that I forgive you for that.

Torao:

… I see…

Ryūnosuke:

But.

Even if I won’t forgive you for that day, the fact that you realized how I was feeling and not being happy about your success are two different things.

Torao-kun. Congratulations on performing at an overseas festival. I’m glad you had a good performance.

Torao:

…Ryūnosuke…

Ryūnosuke:

Someday I’ll take the Thunder Dry CM back from you. It was embarrassing, but I kinda got to like it.

Right now, TRIGGER is doing its best too. We’re going to be doing something great soon. So you four do your best as well.

You have a lot of fans. Even if you guys get to dislike yourselves, there’ll always be people that will worry and think of you.

Don’t betray those people anymore.

Torao:

… Yeah…

Ryūnosuke:

Also, from now on, please call after sunrise. The sun hasn’t risen yet in Japan.

Torao:

…got it. … Ryūnosuke…

Ryūnosuke:

Yes?

Torao:

…

Sorry… that I did something terrible to you…

Ryūnosuke:

… Good night, Torao-kun.

Cut to marketplace in Noth Meir.

Mitsuki:

And that was “Kimi to Ai na Night! Overseas Winter Special” directly from Noth Meir!

Riku:

Everyone! Until next week!

Iori, Yamato, Mitsuki, Tamaki, Sougo, Riku:

Bye-byeee!

Staff:

Good, well done! As planned, we’ll add Nagi’s comment in post-production editing!

Tsumugi:

Yes! Thank you very much!

Staff:

Too bad Nagi’s sick, huh? He was from Noth Meir, right? I bet he would’ve showed you around.

Tsumugi:

You’re right… Thank you for worrying about him.

Banri:

Well done everyone! I bet it was cold. Wait in the car until me move places.

Iori:

Okay. It’s amazing…. My eyelashes are frozen. It feels like they’ll stick together if I close my eyes.

Tamaki:

We did that yesterday already. Iorin, you’re all late.

Iori:

What do you mean late? Let us enjoy our Northern Europe experience as well.

Mitsuki:

Ahaha! Iori, bend down. It’s frozen there.

Iori:

Ah… Thank you very much.

Mitsuki:

You sound cracking.

Iori:

We’re below zero after all… Oh right, Nii-san. Mom said she wants a fancy cup as a souvenir.

Mitsuki:

‘Kay. Then let’s look for it when we’ve got free time. Sometimes you gotta make an effort and show filial piety huh!

Iori:

Haha… You’re right. Dad wants a matching one as well.

Mitsuki:

Got it!

Yamato:

…

Mitsuki:

Yamato-san, what are you looking at? You should buy something for Chiba-san as well.

Yamato:

Ah… Yeah, I’ll just buy something.

Banri:

Riku-kun, drink some hot tea. But don’t burn yourself.

Riku:

Okay. Is it a sour one?

Banri:

Ahaha. It’s not. It’s rooibos tea.

Staff:

Uhm, Ōgami-san… On this picture, is this…

Staff:

Idiot, don’t. Well done today!

Banri:

Hm? Well done. …ah, Sougo-kun, Tamaki-kun, stand next to each other. I’ll take a picture for SNS.

Sougo:

Understood.

Tsumugi:

Since we finished on time as planned, you’ll have free time in the afternoon. Shall we go to the venue that Kenneth-san told us about?

We may not meet Nagi-san, but we could meet someone in charge and maybe talk to them.

Mitsuki:

Yeah, let’s go!

I want to save Nagi and let him meet Sakura-san quickly. We only have a limited amount of time too.

Iori:

Because we have to shoot the new MV as well. I want to at least hand over the data of our new song.

Riku:

Yes. Maybe there’s someone that knows Nagi, so let’s go!

And maybe, if we’re lucky, we’ll even get to meet Nagi, if he goes there to inspect the venue…

Cut to front of a big building.

Aya:

Kujou-san, it’s unfortunate we didn’t get to see the aurora yesterday, isn’t it…?

Kujou:

You’re right. But during our stay here, I’m sure we’ll get to see it at least once.

Aya:

You’re right!

Kujou:

…so this is the venue of the music festival. I wonder if we can go look inside if we ask someone.

Aya:

Shall I go ask someone?

Kujou:

Please. I want to know which audio equipment they have. Thinking of work even though I came to the northern ends.

Aya:

I think you’re wonderful when you’re passionate about work. Uhm… I-I love you!

Kujou:

Thank you. Since I feel bad for making you tag along to me all the time, let’s go to places you like tomorrow, Aya.

Is there something you want or want to see?

Aya:

As long as I’m with you, everywhere is fun to me!

Kujou:

I see. You’re a good child after all.

Aya:

Ehehe…

10.2. Warning

On a snowy street.

Haruka:

Cold! Noth Meir is cold…!!

Touma:

Denmark was cold too, but this doesn’t compare huh. But the scenery is really pretty.

Minami:

Noth Meir has a high sense of fashion, furniture and buildings. No matter what you look at you won’t get tired.

Torao:

I have no time to enjoy the scenery in this cold. I wanna drink hot wine…

Touma:

That’s because you didn’t go to bed early last night. Where were you calling someone that late?

Torao:

Japan.

Minami:

Even with a 7 hours difference? I’m jealous that you have a cute girlfriend that would answer your calls that early in the morning.

Torao:

It was no girlfriend. And I was told not to call that early anymore.

Touma:

Make her your girlfriend. Don’t play around too much.

Torao:

No, really…

Haruka:

Seriously. Even after that concert you only think about girls.

Torao:

You don’t believe me huh?

Haruka, Touma and Minami:

Obviously.

Minami:

…this is it. The café in which I met Sakura-san.

Torao:

But it’s closed. And here I thought I’d get to drink some hot coffee…

Touma:

The café in which Zero’s composer played the piano huh… I bet this became quite the subject in Japan, right?

Haruka:

Where is Sakura Haruki? Even the house he lived in that we visited earlier seemed like no had ever been there.

Minami:

You’re right… Ah…

Noth Meirian:

<Minami, Minami is that you?>

Minami:

<Ah, it’s been a long time. Have you been well?>

Noth Meirian:

<Yeah! Thanks to your advice business with Japanese companies went well too!>

Touma:

…an acquaintance? What are they saying?

Haruka & Torao:

I dunno.

Touma:

Didn’t you say you knew English?

Haruka:

But that’s not English. Isn’t it Noth Meirian?

Torao:

Probably an acquaintance or something, and they haven’t seen each other in a while and hugged or something.

Minami:

Noth Meirian:

<…I’ll act as if I didn’t hear that. He was a good guy, but he definitely got involved in something bad.>

Minami:

Noth Meirian:

<…I’m in a hurry, so. See you, Minami. Let’s go have dinner with your friends next time.>

Minami:

<Please, couldn’t you tell me? I won’t cause any troubles for you.>

Noth Meirian:

Minami:

<…>

Noth Meirian:

Minami:

<You’re annulling your promise?>

Noth Meirian:

<…that’s not what I…>

Minami:

<Ah, no, I’m not blaming you or anything. I just remembered an old tale…>

Noth Meirian:

<…an old tale?>

Minami:

Noth Meirian:

<…>

Minami:

Noth Meirian:

<M-maybe… I’ll talk about it after all?>

Minami:

<My! Are you sure? I really just remembered that tale.>

Noth Meirian:

Minami:

It seems like we’ll be able to ask him.

Touma:

Oh, nice! People that are gentle like Mina can talk to others really easily.

Haruka:

Because he seems so kind.

Torao:

Feels good too.

Minami:

Fufu. You make me blush.

Cut to a hall in the palace.

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<I’ll go. There’s something I want to confirm directly myself. They’ve been invited haphazardly. We’ll need to raise the security levels.>

Thorvald:

<You’re right… The young group that His Highness Seth has been supporting seems to be discontent.>

Nagi:

Thorvald:

<Why don’t You leave that puppet behind?”

Nagi:

<Why?>

Thorvald:

<Isn’t it inapproria--->

Nagi:

Thorvald:

Door opens.

Seth:

<Nagi.>

Nagi:

<…is something the matter?>

Seth:

<Nagi. Thank you for restoring the Noth Meir royal music festival.>

Nagi:

<…Dear Brother… If it weren’t for this, I would always, for Your sake…>

Seth:

Nagi:

<…isn’t that because you’re shallow and foolish? Noth Meir isn’t your toy box.>

Seth:

<You’re right. It was always yours. Surely, you’re feeling great, right Nagi?>

Nagi:

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<…if only my Dear Brother were a person like Kokona. If you were able to use omnipotent magic to save troubled people and let them live in happiness.>

Seth:

Nagi:

Seth:

Nagi:

Seth:

Nagi:

Seth:

<…talking to you is a waste of time it seems. It’s like I’m hearing the language of a different world.>

Nagi:

<…for me as well. It’s very saddening, isn’t it?>

Seth:

Nagi:

<…>

Seth:

<Aren’t you happy?>

Nagi:

Seth:

<No, it has not. But the young people that follow me hold Noth Meir’s power very dearly.>

Nagi:

<And?>

Seth:

Nagi:

<…>

<…you were drunk on momentary admiration again and supported a dangerous group of young people, didn’t you? But then you stopped suddenly. And lost interest.>

Seth:

<Yes. I lost interest.>

Nagi:

Seth:

Nagi:

<…>

Seth:

Nagi:

<…thank you very much, Dear Brother. Thorvald, prepare for the inspection.>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<Yes. And it’s necessary to raise the security levels even further.>

Seth:

Nagi:

Seth:

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<What?>

Thorvald:

<They’re wearing thick clothing, so their appearances are unclear. But they haven’t left despite the bad weather.>

Nagi:

Thorvald:

Seth:

Nagi:

10.3. Reunion amidst the blizzard

In front of the venue.

Tamaki:

C-c-c-cold…

Yamato:

Ahhh, it’s cold… Should we go back to the café and switch with Mitsu and the others?

Tamaki:

I’m still okay… If we’re not here we can’t see the entrance to the venue, right?

Yamato:

If the café were on the front. We could be looking out of the window.

Well, if I complain, Banri-san won’t hesitate telling me to wait until right before I freeze to death.

Tamaki:

Hm? Yama-san. That old guy over there is looking over here again.

Yamato:

Ahh… Well you’d get curious if some guys stand outside on such a cold day. I wonder if he could feel pity for us and invite us to tea or something.

Mitsuki:

Cooold…!!

Sougo:

It really is cold…!

Tamaki:

Mikki, Sou-chan! Touch my face! Defrost it!

Mitsuki:

Uwah, how cold…! Let’s switch. Enter the c-c-café.

Sougo:

It got colder once the w-w-wind appeared. I’m glad we stopped Riku-kun from coming, even though he wanted to come as well…

Yamato:

Ahh… Well then, sorry, but we’ll go inside. Come on, Tama.

Tamaki:

‘K-k-k-kay.

Yamato:

C-c-c-cold… It was only a feeling at the start, but I think 20 more minutes would be my limit…

Sougo:

…it doesn’t seem like we’ll get to meet N-N-Nagi-kun by chance, right?

Mitsuki:

Your t-teeth are chattering. No wonder you’d dislike summer in Japan if you lived in a region like this.

Yamato:

T-T-Tama! What are you doing!?

Tamaki:

A snowman for R-R-Rikkun…

Yamato:

It’s okay! We’ve seen more snow than we possibly could!

Mitsuki:

H-hey! A car just stopped…

Yamato:

Eh?

Sougo:

Is that a taxi…?

Car door opens .

Touma:

…come on, get out.

Torao:

No… Impossible… I’ll just go to the hotel…

Haruka:

C-cold… Can’t we do this tomorrow? The temperature sunk suddenly!

Minami:

…the wind is strong… And no. The ones that wanted to see the venue were you two, weren’t you?

Torao:

Saw it now…

Haruka:

I just saw it…

Minami:

Please don’t speak with such a weak voice.

Touma:

Get out, now! Kids are children of the wind!

[TL note: A Japanese saying. It means that children are said to always play outside, no matter the weather.]

Car door closes.

Haruka:

Ahhh…! Cold…!

Tamaki:

Isumin!!

Haruka:

…Yotsuba Tamaki…!? Hey…!? What are you doing!?

Tamaki:

O-o-oshikura Manjuu…

[TL note: Oshikura Manjuu is a Japanese game that is played on cold days in order to get warm. You gather in a circle, facing outside, and try to shove each other away with your back. Only properly playable if you have three or more people.]

Haruka:

Are you kiddi--- Ah, here. Stand here. Like a windbreak.

Tamaki:

And where is my windbreak!?

Torao:

Ahhh, I wanna go home…

Mitsuki:

Ź-ŹOOĻ! What are you doing here…!?

Touma:

I-IDOLiSH7? Are you perhaps here because of Rokuya…?

Sougo:

Y-yes. Are you here due to a job?

Haruka:

We were appeared on a festival in D-Denmark. The Red Hill Festival one.

Sougo:

Eh…!? RedFes!? That’s amazing…!

Torao:

You like th-that kinda stuff? The audience was freaking scary. People climbed onto other people…

Sougo:

A diver yes… It’s been my dream to make a dive at RedFes too.

Torao:

So you really just wanna stand above other people huh? Must be the Ousaka blood…?

Sougo:

Artists that appeared at RedFes… Amazing… I’m suddenly not cold anymore!

Torao:

No way! Ah, whatever. Let’s go back!

Touma:

You s-s-still didn’t see it!

Strong gush of wind.

Haruka:

Uwah… what a strong wind…! Yotsuba over here! Stand here I say! Don’t lift me…!

Tamaki:

…Isumin, you’re convenient. Become my shield!

Haruka:

I will not…!!

Yamato:

Let’s go to the c-c-café! There’s one over there!

Minami:

…let’s move for starters. A blizzard is coming…

Mitsuki:

…amazing… it looks like a disaster in the city…!

Sougo:

Wait…! Several cars are headed here…

Torao:

… Those are expensive cars…

Yamato:

Hey… Scary looking people are coming over here…

Short fade out and back in.

Car door opens.

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<Understood. What about the questioning of the suspicious people?>

Thorvald:

<They’re doing it right now.>

Car door closes.

Cut inside the car.

Nagi:

Thorvald:

Nagi:

10.4. Beloved voice

Security guard:

{Don’t move!}

Yamato:

Wh-wh-what should we do?

Minami:

Please don’t move. I’ll handle it.

Security guard:

Minami:

Security guard:

<Don’t lie. You were here an hour ago already.>

Minami:

Tamaki:

…S-S-Sou-chan, this is bad.

Sougo:

…h-how bad? If possible, not bad would be better right now.

Tamaki:

On the waist of the old guy… there’s a gun…

Sougo:

Y-you’re right…

Tamaki:

And there’s one more bad thing.

Sougo:

So there’s more…

Tamaki:

I really need to go to the toilet.

Sougo:

C-can’t you hold it, Tamaki-kun…

Haruka:

I wanna go too…

Touma:

Let it leak. It’ll freeze instantly.

Torao:

…that’s an impossible suggestion…

Sougo:

Because you were raised very properly…

Mitsuki:

Though better than being shot and dying. Tamaki, if it comes to it…

Tamaki:

You’re kidding…

Mitsuki:

It’s okay! I won’t tell anyone.

Touma:

Haru you too. If it comes to it…

Haruka:

Don’t wanna! This guy will definitely tell it around school…

Tamaki:

I won’t. I definitely won’t. This is the promise of a man.

Haruka:

Really?

Tamaki:

Yeah.

Yamato:

Hey, that’s not something idols should talk about.

Security guard:

{Shut your mouth!}

Minami:

Please be silent! Don’t say unnecessary things!

Yamato:

…why is only Onii-san getting yelled at…

Mitsuki:

Because you have the face of a villain…. Ah…!

Yamato:

Mitsu, shut it!

Mitsuki:

…that car…!

Tamaki:

Eh?

Mitsuki:

It’s Nagi! Nagi is there…!

Yamato:

Seriously!? Where…

Mitsuki:

On the back seat of that car! Look!

Security guard:

{Don’t move!}

Minami:

Izumi-san don’t move!

Mitsuki:

It’s Nagi! I’m sure of it! We finally met…!

Natsume! Talk to that guy! Tell him we’re Nagi’s friends! That we came to see him!

Minami:

…I doubt he’ll be convinced. We’re being suspected right now.

Mitsuki:

Wh… Why…?

Minami:

Put your hands on your head. And slowly walk towards the wall. Don’t say anything unnecessary.

Torao:

...are you serious…

Tamaki:

…and the t-toilet…

Sougo:

Hang in there a bit more…

Cut to inside of the car.

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<…>

<…I feel like I just heard a familiar voice.>

Cut back outside.

Security guard:

<…okay put your hands down.>

Minami:

…hah… It seems we can put our hands down now.

Touma:

Ha… That surprised me…

Torao:

Did something happen? This is too much; we were just passing by.

Minami:

It seems they have strengthened their security. They thought it was suspicious to stay in front of the venue for over an hour in such a bad weather…

Mitsuki:

… …Nagi…!

Yamato:

Mitsu! Wait…!

Security guard:

<Stop! Don’t move!>

Minami:

Izumi-san! Don’t run! They’re still being alert…

Security guard:

{Freeze!}

Haruka:

… he took out his gun…! Hey! This is bad!

Sougo:

Mitsuki-san…!

Tamaki:

Mikki…!

Yamato:

Mitsu…! Mitsuki…!

Cut back inside the car.

Thorvald:

<… Your Highness, crouch down!>

Nagi:

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<It’s a small stature. It might be a child. Stop, don’t take out the guns!>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<…>

Cut outside again.

Thorvald:

Car door opens.

10.5. Heartbeat

Thorvald:

<… Your Highness, crouch down!>

Nagi:

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<It’s a small stature. It might be a child. Stop, don’t take out the guns!>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<…>

Cut outside again.

Thorvald:

Car door opens.

Mitsuki:

…Nagi…!!

Nagi:

…… …Mitsuki…

Mitsuki:

Haha… I knew it was you, Nagi! I’m glad! We finally m---

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<Don’t’ shoot! Put your guns down!>

Thorvald:

<…IDOLiSH7…>

Mitsuki:

Nagi, we came to get you! We’re all here in Noth Meir! We came to save you!

Nagi:

...

Mitsuki:

I’m so glad… I was worried I couldn’t see you anymore. But now that we’re here, everything’s okay!

We’ll solve everything! The thing with Sakura-san and with your brother too.

Nagi:

Sobbing sound.

Mitsuki:

What is wrong, why do you look like you’re about to cry…? Say something, Nagi… …Nagi…?

Nagi:

Deep breath.

{Nice to meet you…}

Mitsuki:

…

Nagi:

{Have a nice trip.}

Mitsuki:

…Nagi…?

Nagi:

{Goodbye.}

Mitsuki:

Nagi!? Hey, wait! Where are you going, Nagi!

Thorvald:

Stand back. Stand back please!

Mitsuki:

You. You’re that stalker guy… …Nagi! Wait!

Nagi:

…

Mitsuki:

Wait, Nagi…! Where are you going…!? Why are you acting like you don’t know us!?

Yamato:

Nagi…! Nagi! Why aren’t you looking over here!?`

Sougo:

Nagi-kun, wait…!

Security guard:

<Stop! Don’t get any closer.>

Nagi:

<Don’t do anything rough.>

Thorvald:

<Understood.>

Everyone, please get away. Stand back please.

This is Noth Meir’s Prince Nagi. Tourists as you may be, please don’t do anything rash.

Tamaki:

…I don’t care! Nagicchi! We came here to see you! We came to save you!

Mitsuki:

Hey, why!? All our fans want to meet you too! Please, just talk at least…

Nagi:

Thorvald:

<What?>

Nagi:

Tsumugi:

…Nagi-san…!

Nagi:

…

Riku:

Nagi…!

Iori:

Rokuya-san…

Banri:

…Nagi-kun…

Tsumugi:

We came to say… Please music.

Nagi:

…

Tsumugi:

Please listen to my, to our wish once more!

Nagi:

…

Thorvald:

Riku:

Nagi! Wait…! …cough…!

Banri:

Riku-kun! Don’t breathe in the cold air!

Riku:

But, Nagi is…

Iori:

…

…Rokuya-san…!

Riku:

Iori!?

Security guard:

<You…! Stop! Don’t move…!>

Thorvald:

Please don’t come closer! Don’t move your hands!

Iori:

Rokuya-san take this!

Nagi:

…

Thorvald:

Please get back…!

Mitsuki:

Iori…! Stop! Don’t do anything to Iori!

Iori:

…this is the data of your new song! We’ll be shooting our new MV together with you, here in Noth Meir!

Memorize the lyrics and the song and learn the choreography by heart as well too! In one week’s time, we’ll be going back home together with you!

Nagi:

…

Iori:

Neither I, nor Nii-san, nor the members, nor our manager… No one of us has given up!

We won’t be changing IDOLiSH7’s name. And we won’t be changing the amount of people in IDOLiSH7! Nor will we be adding a new member!

Security guard:

Iori:

Please don’t give up either, Rokuya-san…! What did you say to me when I messed up at MuFes!?

Our heartbeat will definitely never stop! That’s what you said, right…!?

Nagi:

……

Iori:

That time you didn’t give up! So we won’t give up now either! So once again, together…

Security guard:

Iori:

Let’s dance together! Rokuya-san!

Nagi:

…

CG fades out .

Riku:

…Nagi… …cough cough… Hah… hah…

Banri:

Riku-kun…!

Tsumugi:

Riku-san! Let’s go to the café right now…

Riku:

I’m… I’m good… …hah… hah…

Nagi:

<…because of me, Riku is…>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

<… I’ll stop my inspection. Bring him to the car…>

Thorvald:

Nagi:

To be continued…

Shion

IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 10