shionstear | IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 12

IDOLiSH7 PART 4

Chapter 12 – A song by your side

12.1. Pride

In a practice room.

???:

Stop there! That was nicely done. Let’s take a break.

Gaku:

…yes, Tanigawa-san. Thank you very much.

Tanigawa:

In the coming press conference to announce the work it’s also planned to announce the song for “Crescent Wolf”.

Tenn:

…it’s time for it soon.

Ryūnosuke:

It’ll finally be announced…

Tanigawa:

After releasing it to the press it will surely make various rounds in online news, music magazines and by TV show reporters.

I don’t intend to make you answer unnecessary questions, but when the camera is rolling reporters can get pretty self-assured in what they say. Yaotome-kun.

Gaku:

Yes.

Tanigawa:

I heard you left the room during your interview? If you do the same thing at the press conference, I’ll chase you with my car and send you flying.

Gaku:

…

Tanigawa:

You’re this play’s signboard. If you want to overcome Chiba Shizuo’s Mikazuki Ookami you’ll have to become calm.

Gaku:

Understood.

Tanigawa:

You guys are the real deal. You will definitely show your skills on stage. There is absolutely no need to be impatient.

You’re gonna show the people that encountered your songs, right?

What they panicked about and threw away that time, that you are second to none, that you’re still here, radiantly so.

Gaku:

Aren’t you praising us too much?

Tanigawa:

No matter how much I praise you it won’t be enough. The thing TRIGGER lacks right now is praise. But that too will soon come.

Tenn:

Thank you very much for your guidance. To make the play a success as well, we’ll make sure to perfectly perform the song.

Ryūnosuke:

It’s not just for ourselves. It’s also so a lot of people get to know about this wonderful play.

Tanigawa:

Yeah. I’m counting on you.

Gaku:

…a press conference huh.

Ryūnosuke:

Gaku…

Tenn:

Should I switch with you? You are the play’s main role, but you’re also the son of President Yaotome. Everyone is sure to have lots of questions for you.

People have things they’re good and bad at. I don’t want to demand of you to change your personality overnight just to be able to bear with provocations.

Gaku:

It’s okay. I will protect you two. And I won’t let the play’s staff get hurt one bit either.

Protecting you to the end is more important than Yaotome Gaku’s pride; that is what I take pride in.

Ryūnosuke:

…Gaku…

Gaku:

Leave it to me. I am Mikazuki Ookami. I am TRIGGER’s leader.

Cut to Nagi’s room.

Riku:

Well, Nagi. I’ll definitely come to see you with the others again.

Nagi:

…your thoughts alone are enough. Riku, please…

Riku:

Don’t give up!

Nagi:

… Thorvald, take care of Riku. Please take him to the hotel.

Thorvald:

Understood. Your Highness Nagi, I am grateful for everything so far.

Nagi:

What kind of joke is this?

Thorvald:

I have been dismissed by His Highness Seth. I cannot be here anymore.

Nagi:

…

Ah… I’ll be troubled if you’re gone. I shall talk to him about it and…

Thorvald:

No. Do not worry about it. I shall start job hunting today as fast as possible.

Nagi:

Thorvald!

Thorvald:

Please excuse us. Let’s go, Nanase Riku-san.

Cut to palace hall.

Riku:

Please wait, Stalker-san!

Thorvald:

…

Riku:

I mean… Thorvald-san! Are you okay being fired like this? You can’t start looking for a new job right now, right!?

Thorvald:

I can.

Riku:

Eh?

Thorvald:

Does Takanashi Agency perhaps plan on hiring one Noth Meirian guide?

12.2. Locally-hire

In a hotel room.

Riku:

I’m sorry to have made you worry!

Tsumugi:

Riku-san! I’m glad you’re safe!

Iori:

Nanase-san! Were you okay?

Riku:

Yup!

Mitsuki:

And Nagi? Did you get to talk to him?

Riku:

Well, a lot happened…

Tamaki:

Ahh! That stalker!

Thorvald:

… Please call me Thorvald.

Riku:

Thorvald-san has been fired from his job apparently.

Sougo:

Fired!? By Nagi-kun!?

Thorvald:

No. By His Highness Seth.

Banri:

I-I’m curious, but let’s leave this for later. The photo shoot for a magazine is about to start, I’m glad you made it in time, Riku-kun.

Yamato:

Well then tell us while we’re on the move. What should we do with that gu---Thorvald-san? Is it okay to take him along?

Iori:

He may be a spy. It’s weird to let go of close people right when they’re busy with the ceremony.

Thorvald:

I agree. So, what will you do?

I don’t mind staying behind, but I would accept being your driver. Depending on the location, I might be able to show you a shortcut too.

Tsumugi:

I am incredibly sorry for asking but… what was he reason for you to be fired?

Thorvald:

I asked His Highness Seth for advice after seeing His Highness Nagi cry. He then told me to never appear before Him ever again.

Tsumugi:

…

We will hire you.

Thorvald:

Thank you very much.

Mitsuki:

You acted as Nagi’s ally then! Thank you, stal---Thorvald-san!

Banri:

Then I shall leave the driving to you. I can’t quite get used to left hand driving. This is where we’re supposed to go.

Thorvald:

Leave it to me.

Short ringtone.

Sougo:

A message from Midou-san… He wants to meet and talk about something.

Mitsuki:

We have some free time this afternoon. We also promised to meet with Kenneth-san, so why not meet in his store?

Sougo:

Understood. I’ll let them know.

Iori:

Well then, let’s go. Nanase-san, hurry!

Riku:

Okay! I wanna say one thing first, can I?

Iori:

What is it!?

Riku:

Nagi said he wants to be with us!

Iori, Yamato, Mitsuki, Tamaki, Sougo:

…

Riku:

He said he didn’t wanna make promises he may not be able to keep, but he wants to sing “Hatsukoi Rhythm” with us!

[TL note: The song title translates to “First Love Rhythm”.]

Iori, Yamato, Mitsuki, Tamaki, Sougo:

Yaaaay!!

Mitsuki:

Yes…! We finally got to hear it…

Yamato:

Just what I thought! Seriously, making us feel anxious like that.

Tamaki:

Then we don’t need to hold back anymore right!? We’ll definitely, definitely take him back!

Sougo:

Yes! We won’t make it a promise he can’t keep. Let’s stand on stage together as seven again.

Iori:

Indeed. Let us perform as seven at Black or White.

…I’m glad… This way, IDOLiSH7 won’t end…

Tsumugi:

…I’m really glad…! Let us all go back to Japan with Nagi-san!

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

Yeah…!

Thorvald:

… Haha…

Cut to Kenneth’s bakery.

Kenneth:

<Oh, Thorvald!>

Thorvald:

<It’s been a while, Kenneth-san.>

Kenneth:

Thorvald:

Kenneth:

<That’s the spirit!>

Thorvald and Kenneth:

Cheers!

Sougo:

Drinking wine during daytime…

Yamato:

No matter the country it seems you’ll drown your worries in alcohol after being fired huh…?

Banri:

Even though I wanted to ask him to drive for us in the afternoon too…

Tsumugi:

Thorvald-san. I have already asked you in the car, but could you possibly tell us more about Nagi-san’s circumstances?

How can Nagi-san become free? What is it that we can do…?

Thorvald:

Understood. To fully grasp His Highness Nagi’s situation, there are two things you need to know first.

12.3. Hollow heart

Tsumugi:

Thorvald-san. I have already asked you in the car, but could you possibly tell us more about Nagi-san’s circumstances?

How can Nagi-san become free? What is it that we can do…?

Thorvald:

Understood. To fully grasp His Highness Nagi’s situation, there are two things you need to know first.

First. Noth Meir’s political situation. His Highness Nagi caused a social revolution in Noth Meir.

Officially it was presented as an achievement brought by His Highness Seth and other politicians, but the majority of the people know that it was His Highness Nagi that brought them better living.

His Highness Seth tried to switch His Highness Nagi’s popularity into popularity for the Noth Meir Royal House and ended up supporting a group that wants to restore the imperial rule.

Iori:

They wanted to concentrate the political power around the royal house like in the feudal age?

Kenneth:

Hm… It is not like that was his ambition. He probably wanted to make His own fame reverberate in the country more than Prince Nagi’s.

Tamaki:

Meaning? He did it even though he didn’t want to?

Yamato:

Uhh… how to say it… For example, Ichi gets full scores at a test, right? So we praise him, right?

It’s like, after that, you want to be praised too so you end up saying something like ‘In the next math test I’ll get full scores too!’… something like that?

Tamaki:

Wouldn’t say that. I can’t get full scores.

Iori:

‘The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing’ is what they say. You’re clever, Yotsuba-san.

Tamaki:

Yay! I didn’t do anything and got praised.

Thorvald:

Secondly. His Highness Seth’s objective. His goal right now is the success of the Valsinor Ceremony. But…

Sougo:

But…?

Thorvald:

He has already lost interest in it… If something He starts doesn’t go well, He ends up relying on His Highness Nagi.

And then He starts resenting His Highness Nagi for having robbed Him of His own joy. His Highness Seth’s objective cannot be expressed in one single word.

Sougo:

Now that you mention it, Nagi-kun said it too. That he becomes necessary and becomes unnecessary…

Mitsuki:

Isn’t he just dragging Nagi’s feet around? That guy’s incredibly inconsiderate!

Riku:

I thought so too… But he honestly worries about Nagi, it’s not like he just straight up hates him.

Thorvald:

That is true…

Kenneth:

OH… I agree as well… His Highness Seth is not someone that doesn’t know kindness.

Iori:

He takes hostages and threatens others!? It’s one thing if he likes him but can’t tell him face to face, so he ends up lecturing him sternly instead though…

Sougo:

What a weirdly specific example.

Iori:

Cough. There was no hidden meaning. I just thought a specific example would be easier to understand.

Riku:

I’d prefer a person telling me they like me normally rather than being lectured sternly…

Iori:

That person isn’t doing it because they like it! It’s necessary to achieve their goal!

Riku:

Y-you don’t need to take it so seriously…

Tamaki:

What a complicated guy.

Iori:

Huh!?

Tamaki:

Ah, no, I mean Nagicchi’s brother.

Iori:

Ah. Yes. I completely agree.

Tamaki:

Like, it feels complicated. Wouldn’t you understand it Sou-chan?

Sougo:

Me?

Tamaki:

When you wanted to make up with me, you destroyed the door to my room and made a document listing my complaints and stuff.

Iori:

That is indeed intricate.

Riku:

Sougo-san, when you want to make up with me, please don’t destroy my door and tell me directly.

Sougo:

Wait. Tamaki-kun, that explanation is way too simple. They’ll misunderstand.

Tamaki:

What do you mean misunderstand? You’d understand threating someone while being worried right? You’re similar.

Sougo:

It’s different! How rude! That was the result of me trying to understand you better and work together. That’s love between friends.

Tamaki:

Love between friends…?

Sougo:

Love between friends.

Mitsuki:

MEZZO”’s love sure is hard… Hmm, wouldn’t you understand, Yamato-san?

Yamato:

Me!?

Mitsuki:

Even though you really really really love us, you spoke sharply and left the dorm and stuff.

Yamato:

That was because you bastard hit me though!?

Riku:

I’m happy! You’re not denying the part that you really really really love us huh!?

Yamato:

No… I mean… You know, uhm…

Mitsuki:

See. You really really really love us but you’re just not being honest.

Thorvald:

I understood.

Mitsuki:

Eh!? You did!? About Seth-san!?

Thorvald:

I really understand IDOLiSH7’s correlation chart now.

Mitsuki:

That!?

Thorvald:

He is a tsundere.

Yamato:

Stop, don’t point at me! Nagi don’t teach him weird words!

Thorvald:

He is a tsundere too.

Iori:

I-I’m not! That’s Osaka-san!

Sougo:

I am? I don’t quite understand, but if you’re okay with me, I’ll do my best to fulfil that role…

Tamaki:

No no. Sou-chan doesn’t dere.

Sougo:

You won’t know if we don’t try. I’ll do my best in these unusual times.

Tamaki:

I said no! We don’t know what a guy that breaks a door to make up would end up destroying when he’s trying to dere!?

Sougo:

So this is about destroying things?

Tamaki:

No!

Kenneth:

I’m glad my prince isn’t the center. If he were the center of this constellation of people, mental health and public order would turn into scrambled eggs.

Riku:

I’m glad! I’m the center, but I love scrambled eggs!

Yamato:

Riku is an excellent neutralizer huh?

Mitsuki:

But really though, I don’t get it. What does that Seth guy want to do?

Even if we take Nagi back, it’d be troublesome if Seth would take him away every time he does something new, right?

I wish this would go as smoothly here in Noth Meir as it did with Re:vale.

Tsumugi:

You’re right… If only there was a way to solve this…

Thorvald:

…His Highness Seth is fundamentally a kind person. But His position as the crown prince and His comparison with His Highness Nagi…

I think several things overlapped and turned His Highness Seth into a coward…

Mitsuki:

…I see. He may have given up on getting to like himself.

Riku:

Getting to like himself…?

Mitsuki:

Yeah… How to put it, if the times you feel down start piling up, you stop being able to expect fun things from yourself.

There are times, when you get careless, that you think little of yourself, that you don’t care about your own happiness.

Riku:

…your own happiness…

Iori:

…

Mitsuki:

He’s a prince so he couldn’t do the things he wanted to, so he supported Nagi and others. But when they succeeded, they drifted away from him.

Having to see various people depart and being the only one always left behind… it’s lonely…

But, even then, if he’s scared of doing something himself, maybe he tried to like himself again by supporting and being kind to Nagi.

I thought about it too after all. That Iori would be way more fit to be an idol than someone like me.

Iori:

…Nii-san…

Mitsuki:

But I think, if only Iori would’ve succeeded as an idol, my dream wouldn’t have been fulfilled and I wouldn’t be able to face him again.

Telling him what to do as an idol, guiding him, being consoled as his only ally…

I might’ve spent my time deceiving myself, not being able to face my own bitter feelings.

Iori:

…you wouldn’t do something like that, Nii-san. No matter how sad or frustrated you’d be, you wouldn’t threaten anyone as to control them.

Mitsuki:

Of course, I wouldn’t take hostages and threaten people. I’m just talking about how I kinda get it. Ah, if only we could talk to Seth.

Thorvald:

What would you do if you could talk to His Highness?

Mitsuki:

Do some frank talking.

Yamato:

Better not. When your opponent doesn’t talk frankly, your fist comes out, doesn’t it, Mitsu?

Mitsuki:

Holding it against me!?

Yamato:

I was never even hit by my own dad! I’m a young master ‘kay!!

Iori:

Nii-san being captured due to lese majeste would be bad. …Thorvald-san.

Thorvald:

Yes.

Iori:

Couldn’t you get a hold of Sakura-san’s whereabouts? As it stands now, if we free Sakura-san, then Rokuya-san will return to IDOLiSH7.

Riku:

But we just talked how it’d be bad if he does take Nagi back again and again.

Iori:

Solving the problem’s roots would be ideal, but we have no time. Going by the schedule we have to start shooting for the MV tomorrow.

Banri:

Worst case, we could also edit in Nagi-kun later but… It’s something the fans are looking forward to.

It’d be great to shoot as seven.

Thorvald:

…if it’d be for a few hours, I could maybe work out a solution for shooting.

12.4. Too suitable human resources

Thorvald:

…if it’d be for a few hours, I could maybe work out a solution for shooting.

Mitsuki:

Really!?

Thorvald:

Tonight there is a goodwill party. I assume that people wishing for His Highness Seth’s support will also appear.

If His Highness Seth finds someone interesting, He will invite them into the parlour and have a pleasant talk with them until late at night.

I believe He wouldn’t think about His Highness Nagi during that time. Where will the shooting take place?

Banri:

A small castle that can be loaned. I confirmed it on a map, and it seems to be a bit away from the capital.

Thorvald:

Then why not use Noth Meir’s palace? That way it wouldn’t take any time to move either.

Banri:

Is that okay!?

Thorvald:

Yes. Except for the residential areas of the royal family, it is permitted to film for non-governmental matters such as movies and ads.

And His Highness Seth doesn’t care about which group exactly gets permission. I shall tell the people in charge.

Banri:

What an amazing blind spot! Thank you! Let’s arrange it right now!

Sougo:

But will it be alright…? Shooting it behind the enemy’s back inside the enemy’s encampment.

Iori:

You’re right. Even if we’re doing it so Seth-san won’t see, what if he doesn’t find anyone interesting?

Riku:

What about this? We act as if we want his support and grab his attention!

Iori:

We are to shoot our own MV. Furthermore, he might know how we look too.

Thorvald:

You’re right… It is quite likely that he does know the faces of IDOLiSH7.

Yamato:

How unfortunate… If only we could arrange for someone that would grab Nagi’s brother’s attention…

Sougo:

Which type would Seth-san be mostly interested in?

Thorvald:

Let’s see. Someone that has talent, a good physical appearance, is well mannered; someone that would respect His Highness Seth…

Tsumugi:

Someone that has talent, a good physical appearance, is well mannered; someone that would respect Seth-san…

Door opens.

Haruka:

Answer your rabichat! It was difficult to find the store!

Tamaki:

Isumin.

Minami:

Oh my. What a delicious looking bakery.

Touma:

Oh. Should I buy something?

Torao:

You sure eat a lot. Even though you ate that much at the lunch buffet.

Haruka:

Hey, we came to talk. IDOLiSH7. Had any progress?

Riku:

…ah. Good looking, talented people…

Haruka:

What, what’re you looking at?

Yamato:

… are they human resources he’d want to support…?

Mitsuki:

Maybe, if like… they became a bit better mannered…?

Tamaki:

Would this work…?

Sougo:

Midou-san is part of the family of HOTEL MIDO, which also has one in Noth Meir. And Natsume-san can talk Noth Meirian…

Iori:

…I feel uneasy…

Haruka:

Huh? What’re you talking about?

12.5. Breakdown

Haruka:

Playing the role of getting the attention of a prince so IDOLiSH7 can shoot their MV…?

Yamato:

We don’t have anyone else. Can’t we ask you to do it?

Natsume can speak Noth Meirian too. Midou is affiliated with a hotel that represents a country. There isn’t anyone more fit for this.

Touma:

What exactly are we supposed to do?

Sougo:

Act the part of up-and-coming artists that His Highness Seth would want to support and stall him.

Iori:

Having good manners was one of the conditions, right? It’s impossible for these people.

Mitsuki:

Iori. We’re the ones asking. Don’t be like that.

Iori:

…

Haruka:

…

We’ll do it. If we can get close to the prince, we might be able to ask about Sakura Haruki too.

Tamaki:

Thanks, Isumin!

Haruka:

Don’t get me wrong. This is for Minami’s sake. You guys agree too right?

Minami:

Isumi-san…

Torao:

Yeah. I don’t mind.

Touma:

Yes. …though, a prince huh…? I wonder if I can talk well to a prince…

Minami:

I will translate. We’ll have to think of a setting for us that will draw out His Highness Seth’s attention.

Torao:

Like a spy’s mission. Not bad.

Touma:

How unexpected, Tora. You like spies and stuff?

Torao:

… N-not really…

Riku:

I like it! Spy, agent and hero movies are interesting!

Torao:

…

Yeah, might be.

Touma:

Spies come in sets with beautiful women too, huh!?

Torao:

You’re philistine, huh?

Touma:

I only said it because I thought you’d like that! I don’t watch them for the women, I watch them for the hero action!

Torao:

You like it?

Touma:

What, who cares? Sorry that it’s childish.

Torao:

Haha… Isn’t that nice too?

Touma:

You’re laughing. Ah, right! Some people living near the café in which Sakura Haruki worked told us various things.

I wanted to tell you before, but things got crazy and I missed my chance. Mina, tell them please.

Minami:

Apparently Sakura-san collapsed in the café and was brought to a nearby hospital by a person working for said hospital and didn’t return home since.

That person might know something about his whereabouts.

Thorvald:

Understood. If you know the name of the hospital, I shall look into it myself.

Minami:

…can we trust this person? He was together with Rokuya-san, right? He himself might be a spy.

Touma:

You’re right. Why are you here too?

Yamato:

He was fired by Prince Seth. He now works as a guide for our agency.

Torao:

Headhunting huh? How skilful. Osaka’s headhunting is so efficient and iron-fisted that it’s scary.

Sougo:

Please, Midou-san. Please don’t say weird things as you did other times already. Tamaki-kun will misunderstand and be scared.

Torao:

But it’s the truth. What a bad man. Seducing a high school kid with a sweet face. What are you planning?

Sougo:

I will get angry soon.

Torao:

Please excuse me…

Thorvald:

This isn’t headhunting. But I am also not a spy. Proving it might be difficult but…

His Highness Nagi loves his home country. But ever since He has returned, He has been in grief all the time.

I want this to be a Noth Meir that loves His Highness Nagi, and for Him to love this country. That is all.

Mitsuki:

Thorvald-san… Thanks. That feeling alone makes me happy!

Minami:

Understood. If you say you’re Rokuya-san’s ally, I shall trust you.

Thorvald:

Thank you very much. Well then let’s get things prepared. Kenneth-san, will you be able to help as well?

Kenneth:

OH … I’m sorry but…

Iori:

As expected, is it bad to go to the palace?

Kenneth:

Mikazuki Ookami’s director wrote on SNS that today will bring big news. So I am monitoring SNS.

Mitsuki:

That’s the reason!?

Kenneth:

OH , it’s a believer’s task! Any other day I would risk my life for Prince Nagi, but it’s been tens of years since any Mikazuki Ookami news!

I will drink and party with my movie friends and wait for the big news. Sorry. I love you.

Yamato:

I feel like Nagi did the same once… But I wonder what the news about Mikazuki Ookami are.

Mitsuki:

Didn’t Chiba-san say anything?

Yamato:

Well I didn’t ask…

Kenneth:

Jesus! You have talked to Chiba Shizuo-san?

Yamato:

Ah, well, only a bit…

Kenneth:

Oh my god…

Yamato:

No, don’t pray…

Mitsuki:

Why not tell him? That you’re Chiba-san’s---

Yamato:

No, it’s awkward…

Riku:

‘Kay! Let’s all do our best, take Nagi out of there and shoot our MV!

Let’s send our MV, as seven, to our fans! Together with the new song everyone is waiting for!

Everyone:

Yeah!

Cut to Nagi’s room.

Nagi:

<Sobbing.>

Nagi:

What’s wrong, Nagi-kun? Crying like that…

[TL note: Nagi is changing sides on the screen, as if it’s two people talking. He talks in Noth Meirian “as himself” and in Japanese “as Kokona”.]

Nagi:

<Ahh, Kokona… Please save me with your magic.>

Nagi:

Of course! What happened?

Nagi:

Nagi:

My, how pitiable! Oookay, with Kokona’s magical power---

Door opens.

Seth:

Nagi:

<…>

Seth:

Nagi:

<…I beg Your forgiveness…>

Seth:

Nagi:

<…no, I wasn’t crying. Just doing some hideous one-man theatre.>

Seth:

Nagi:

Seth:

<Don’t worry. I am with you. I won’t leave you behind like Thorvald and your Japanese friends.>

Nagi:

Seth:

<What?>

Nagi:

<…the thing with Thorvald, and with everyone from IDOLiSH7, and with Haruki; isn’t everything, everything Your fault!?>

Seth:

<Well, depending on the point of view.>

Nagi:

<It’s Your fault no matter from where you look at it! …I was careless… I was almost swayed by the atmosphere…>

Seth:

<Nagi… How about you start changing your mood again soon? Even though I am walking down the path of reconciliation.>

Nagi:

Don’t be fooled! Go away! Nagi-kun’s heart is closed right now!

Seth:

Nagi:

Noo! Flying Kokona…!!

Seth:

<Honestly, no matter how old you get…>

Nagi:

Sobbing.

Seth:

<Don’t sob. Tonight’s the goodwill party. Cheer up, you’re allowed to have fun too.>

Door closes.

Nagi:

<…Kokona…!>

<…>

<Let’s listen to “Hatsukoi Rhythm”… I have IDOLiSH7’s; Haruki’s song…>

<…I am not alone…>

To be continued…

Shion

IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 12