shionstear | IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 14

IDOLiSH7 PART 4

Chapter 14 – Kind voice

14.1. Wind and storm

Flashback.

Kujou:

Hey, Haruki.

Haruki:

Yes, Takamasa?

Kujou:

It’d be great if Zero’s songs would travel the world someday, right?

It’d be great if your melody and Zero’s singing, which only reaches me right now, would take flight around the world, wouldn’t it?

Haruki:

That’s wonderful. But when that happens, the song won’t be ours anymore.

It’ll be everyone’s song; for everyone that listens to it and everyone that hums it.

Kujou:

Is that good? Or is that a bad thing?

Haruki:

It’s neither. The wind born from our hands becomes a storm and takes the world.

That’s how this planet started too. A big storm mixed up the bottom of the sea and the peak of the mountains like crazy and birthed life.

It’s an amazing, chaotic, scattered and mixed up energy. Even now that storm wanders this world.

Hundreds of millions of storms clash with each other. People meet, people go their separate ways, something starts, something ends.

Therefore, Takamasa.

Kujou:

Hmm…

Haruki:

Even if our youth ends someday and we go separate ways, there’s nothing sad about it.

We just handed over a storm to someone, somewhere.

Cut back to present, garden of the palace.

Tsumugi:

End of shooting! Well done everyone!

Banri:

Having been able to shoot in such a wonderful place, it seems like it’ll become a great MV.

Riku:

I’m glad! Nagi, how was it? Working as an idol after a long time?!

Nagi:

It was very fun! But I have to go back right now. Before my brother finds me…

Seth:

<…Nagi!>

Nagi:

<…Dear Brother…>

Riku:

Seth-san…!

Mitsuki:

That person is…!?

Minami:

Tamaki:

Isumin! Did you fail distracting him!?

Haruka:

Sorry! He noticed how we checked through the window…

Seth:

Nagi:

Seth:

Nagi:

Riku:

Nagi.

Nagi:

Riku…

Riku:

Translate. Seth-san, we’re IDOLiSH7! We want to take Nagi back home to Japan!

In exchange for that, we will make the Valsinor Ceremony a success!

Nagi:

…wha…

Riku:

Tell him!

Nagi:

Seth:

Nagi:

…I am the one currently taking care of the ceremony. It’s not my brother’s job. That’s what he says.

Riku:

But in truth, it’s something Seth-san wanted to do, right!?

Something Seth-san thought about, for the people of Noth Meir! In truth he wants to do it himself, right!?

Then you have to see it through to the end, Seth-san! It’s okay to be helped by people if you fail, don’t give up until the end!

If not, then no matter how much time passes, you’ll never get to like yourself!

Translate!

Nagi:

…but… …brother’s pride…

Riku:

If you hide your honest words because “he’d get hurt”, then no one can become happy!

Nagi:

…

Riku:

Tenn-nii’s words had hurt me, but thanks to them I grew as an idol a bit!

Learning about how kind Tenn-nii was to hide that secret… I… I came to hate myself. To see my unknowing self as pathetic…

Iori:

…Nanase-san…

Riku:

Of course I love Tenn-nii! So much that I can’t put my thanks into words!

But, at the same time, I want to grow to love myself!

That’s why… That’s why you have to tell him. Even more if you don’t want to hurt him!

There can’t be anyone that wants to laugh about someone’s sadness. Please, believe in Seth-san.

Nagi:

<… Riku says this. If You don’t see this through to the end… Then…>

Seth:

…

Riku:

Did you tell him?

Nagi:

…I did…

Seth:

<…execute those people.>

Nagi:

OH… See, he got angry… I knew he’d get angry…

Seth:

<I’ll let you spend your life in prison! …what do people like yourselves think to know about how I feel!?>

Mitsuki:

…what did he say?

Nagi:

… He…

Minami:

Rokuya-san, it’s probably hard for you to say. I’ll translate.

Mitsuki:

Thanks.

Minami:

His Highness Seth said…

Mitsuki:

…I see…

Seth-san, I understand you. I had no self-confidence either! I was always jealous of my little brother!

Seth:

<…>

Iori:

Nii-san…

Mitsuki:

But in truth I just wanted to love myself and Iori! I always wanted to! Aren’t you the same!?

Believing in yourself, saying that someday someone would praise you… Every time you’d do something, you’d get one step closer to it.

That is something way more worth than success or honour!

Not giving up, beginning something; my self that saw things through to the end put me in the highest spirits that no kind of treasure could ever do!

Seth-san! I want you to achieve that too!

Seth:

<Don’t lump me, the crown prince of Noth Meir, together with you lot! I have to protect my honour for the sake of everyone!>

Mitsuki:

Of course! I cried countless times and grew to hate myself too. I felt pathetic, jealous and sighed.

But you yourself have supported people that were doing their best, didn’t you? You did it because you like people like them, don’t you!?

If you tried your best, then everyone would start to like you! Everyone would want to cheer you on!

Seth:

<…>

Mitsuki:

Fans told me they like me, even though I have no redeeming traits and am uncool! And that’s because I tried the best I could!

There’s nothing else I can be proud of! But this I can say with my head held high! I have always done my best!

There were countless times I wanted to run away, was like “whatever” and got sulky too and it wasn’t the pretty road I had envisioned in my dreams, but!

Right now, I’m the happiest ever! I can think proudly of myself!

Seth:

<…>

<…understood…>

Nagi:

Seth:

<But, until it succeeds, I will imprison these four that have tricked me!>

14.2. Presented conditions

Seth:

Nagi:

Seth:

<But, until it succeeds, I will imprison these four that have tricked me!>

Minami:

Eh…!?

Haruka:

Hm?

Torao:

What?

Touma:

What did he say?

Nagi:

<Understood.>

Minami:

Rokuya-san…! That’s…!

Seth:

Nagi:

Minami:

Wait, Rokuya-san…!!

Seth:

Nagi:

…

Seth:

<So, how are the hopes of success? To which extent are you famous artists?>

Tsumugi:

Known in all Japan, they even won a famous award!

Banri:

They were invited to a Douglas Rootbank concert as well and performed there!

Iori:

You sure are used to promoting us.

Seth:

<Ohh…>

Mitsuki:

We’ll do our best, but you have to do your best too! Don’t leave everything to Nagi, work for yourself!

Seth:

<You, take them away.>

Soldier:

Touma:

Hey hey hey! What’s the meaning of this…!?

Haruka:

Why are scary looking people trying to catch us!?

Minami:

We’ve been put under house arrest until the ceremony succeeds…

Torao:

Are you kidding?

Riku:

Touma-san! I’m sorry for having dragged you into this! We’ll definitely rescue you all!

Touma:

Tha… … …okay! I’m counting on you!!

Haruka:

Huuuh!? Complain a bit at least! And what about Sakura Haruki!?

Minami:

Sakura-san… …for things to have turned out like this, it’s all your fault, Rokuya-san!

Torao:

Hey, stop! Don’t do anything against the law!

Minami:

…please let go of me! I won’t calm down if I can’t slap that face at least once!

Minami runs towards Nagi.

Soldier:

<Stop! What are you trying to do to His Highness Valhart!?>

Nagi:

Natsume-shi. Please calm… …!?

Minami:

…His Highness Seth asked us, whether something had changed about Haruki’s condition.

Nagi:

…

Minami:

The presidential suite wasn’t vacant. His Highness Seth has probably…

Soldier:

<Come!>

Minami:

…

Soldier:

Nagi:

<… No…>

<They’re acquaintances. Handle them with care.>

Soldier:

Nagi:

Soldier:

<Understood.>

Cut to inside palace.

Nagi:

Everyone, are you okay?

Yamato:

Well we are… But what about ŹOOĻ, are they okay?

Nagi:

Yes… He said he’ll leave everything to us and no matter what happens he won’t hate us.

Mitsuki:

Really? It didn’t look like that…

Nagi:

My stubborn brother changed his mind. It was all thanks to you… I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Riku:

Because you’re a good guy, Nagi! Both we and Seth-san like you!

Tamaki:

Yeah! Don’t say such a prince-like thing and do your happy dance as always!

Nagi:

Yes!

Tamaki & Nagi:

King Pudding Pudding!!

Yamato:

Stop! He’s a prince here!!

Iori:

We’ll be imprisoned too!

Nagi:

Right, I remembered. Natsume-shi told me something strange. He said, my brother asked them about Haruki’s condition.

Riku:

Natsume-san and the others didn’t ask Seth-san, but it was the other way around?

Nagi:

Yes.

Iori:

Natsume-san approached Prince Seth by using Midou-san as a person of relevance, right…?

…I see. I understand.

Riku:

Understand? What?

Iori:

Sakura-san’s whereabouts.

Riku:

Eh!?

Tamaki:

Seriously!?

Iori:

Yes. If Prince Seth asked Midou-san and the others about Sakura-san’s condition, then that means…

He thinks that someone related to Midou-san knows about Sakura-san.

And to Prince Seth, Midou-san isn’t an idol but the heir to a luxurious hotel. In other words…

Nagi:

That means that Haruki is in Hotel Mido!?

Iori:

Probably.

Riku:

Amazing, Iori!

Iori:

Fufun. As expected, I would’ve been more suited for the detective role.

Riku:

The wolf role suits you too!

Iori:

Stop that already.

Nagi:

Let’s head to Hotel Mido immediately.

Yamato:

Can you dash off?

Nagi:

No problem ! Now, we’d just need a car…

Car horn sounds.

Thorvald:

Please get on, everyone!

Nagi:

Thorvald…

Riku:

He has helped us! Let’s go, Nagi!

Nagi:

YES!!

Cut to Hotel Mido lobby.

Thorvald:

We have arrived.

Riku:

Thank you for driving, Thorvald-san.

Yamato:

So this is Midou’s hotel…

Mitsuki:

I would never be able to stay a night here with my money…

Tamaki:

Are we okay? Won’t they get angry if we enter?

Iori:

I’d like to say we’re good as long as Rokuya-san is with us… but that might make it more difficult to be honest.

Nagi:

My father likes this hotel and used it often. The presidential suite is on the top floor.

The entire floor serves as a room. Without a key card we won’t be able to enter.

There’s another front desk on that floor.

Tamaki:

So, if we go through the front, they’ll definitely stop us, right?

Thorvald:

No problem. I got in contact with the doctor who once examined Haruki Sakura.

Yamato:

The one Natsume and co. talked about!?

Thorvald:

Yes. He’s staying in the hotel at the moment too and is helping out with the treatment. He will help us get inside.

Please keep that to yourself. If word gets out that he helped us, he will lose his home and job.

Nagi:

If that time comes, I will take responsibility. Let’s go.

Cut to a floor hallway.

Doctor:

Nagi:

…

Mitsuki:

…I’m kinda nervous now.

Yamato:

You’re not the one who should be nervous.

Iori:

It’s Rokuya-san’s benefactor and he was Zero’s good friend after all…

Riku:

I wonder what kind of person he is…

Sougo:

The person who created our songs…

Tamaki:

…it’d be great if his illness wouldn’t get worse…

Doctor:

<It’s this room.>

Nagi:

Door opens.

14.3. Composer

Several flashback scenes start. Their practise room.

Tsumugi:

This will be your debut song!

Riku:

“MONSTER GENERATiON”! It fits us perfectly!

A road, raining.

Iori:

Nanase-san! Please step back! We will…!

Riku:

…I’m okay….! I can still sing…!

Ha… Please listen to it! “Joker Flag”!

On a stage.

Sougo:

This will be our, MEZZO”’s debut song. The title is…

Tamaki:

“miss you…”

At a beach.

Mitsuki:

This is the best! “NATSU☆shiyouze!“

Nagi:

Yes!! It’s our debut song!

In a TV show studio.

Yamato:

I will be the main role of the drama, please look forward to it.

Now please listen to this song. “GOOD NIGHT AWESOME”!

On a stage.

Riku:

Standing on this stage has been my dream for so, so long.

“MEMORiES MELODiES”!

Audience:

*scream*

Cut back to present, on the hallway again.

Tsumugi, thinking:

We received them from Sakura Haruki-san. Countless IDOLiSH7 songs…

While reminiscing about all those songs we arrived on the top floor of the hotel.

Cut to inside of room.

Tsumugi, thinking:

It may have been referred to as a hospital room, but it was a very wide room, in which a skinny man was sleeping.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

On his face, worn out by illness, a surprised expression showed itself.

Haruki:

…Nagi…

Nagi:

Haruki…!

Haruki:

Why are you in Noth Meir…? …ah, is it my fault…?

Nagi:

You’re wrong. I wanted to see you. I came to see you…

…I wanted to see you…

Sobbing .

Haruki:

…me too, Nagi…

I thought this was a dream… I dreamed a lot about you…

Thank you for having come to see me…

Nagi:

… …Haruki…

Sobbing .

Tsumugi, thinking:

Clinging on to the worn out person, Nagi-san was crying, his shoulders shaking.

This person is Sakura Haruki.

The person that created Zero’s… that created IDOLiSH7’s songs.

With their hearts shaking, IDOLiSH7 was gazing at Sakura-san and Nagi-san.

Haruki:

…and they are… your friends, right Nagi?

Nagi:

… …YES…

Haruki:

I’m glad to meet you… I’m Sakura Haruki. Sorry that I’m looking like this.

Until recently ago, I could stand and properly introduce myself. But lately, I couldn’t walk well anymore.

Yamato:

Don’t mention it… Please rest. I’m Nikaidou Yamato.

Haruki:

Yamato-kun. You’re a good man, huh?

Mitsuki:

I’m Izumi Mitsuki! Uhm, I… I’ve always been Zero’s fan! I admired him and became an idol!

Haruki:

Zero? I see… Thank you. If I meet him, I’ll let him know.

Sougo:

I’m Osaka Sougo. I’m… I’m currently studying how to make songs. Your songs help me out a lot.

Being able to have met you is truly… Truly an honour.

Haruki:

A composer, yes? Have fun making them and give them lots of love. I’d like to hear them someday too.

Tamaki:

Yotsuba Tamaki! Nagicchi told me about you. I always wanted to meet you.

Haruki:

I’ve been wanting to meet you too. Thank you for getting along with Nagi.

Iori:

I’m Izumi Iori. We’ve been saved countless times thanks to your songs, Sakura-san.

Thank you very much.

Haruki:

I didn’t do anything. But I’m very happy that you like my songs so much.

Riku:

I’m Nanase Riku. IDOLiSH7’s center.

Whenever I sang your songs, I always wanted to give you my thanks, Sakura-san.

Thank you so, so much for creating such wonderful songs for us and for letting us meet Nagi.

We’re IDOLiSH7!

Haruki:

Thank you… I knew about you from rumours.

I surely caused you a lot of troubles, right? And for you too, Nagi…

Nagi:

…Haruki…

Haruki:

But I’m glad you made it in time. It’s time to part very soon.

Mitsuki:

…that’s…

Haruki:

Don’t be sad… I’m happy.

Well, I mean, I do think it’s a bit too fast. But I have always been living for myself. That’s why I have no regrets whatsoever.

Sure, I held back sometimes too, and there were painful partings too… But that too was all for my sake.

I held back to fulfil my wishes and because I love people, parting always hurts. But whichever pain it was, it was born from myself and it belonged only to me.

No one else can feel it. I’m not letting anyone else feel it… Just as much as my own happiness, so is my own sorrow a treasure as well.

Like a unique book that only exists once in the world, or a unique timbre, or a picture; my life is very beautiful.

Riku:

…Sakura-san…

Haruki:

And you are all the same too.

I and you were perfect since the moment we were born, just as we are, we’re incredibly wonderful.

I’m glad you got to see so many wonderful things… I’m glad that you are Nagi’s friends…

Cut to marketplace at night.

Mitsuki:

…Sakura-san… He seemed like a very kind person…

Sougo:

You’re right… There’s so much more I wanted to talk about to him, but that would’ve put more burden on his body…

Tamaki:

I wonder if Nagicchi is okay. He said he’d stay a bit longer, but…

Yamato:

I’m sure he has a lot he wants to talk about. And Thorvald-san is there too, so let’s just leave them alone for now.

Iori:

Let’s make the ceremony a success. It’ll be broadcasted in different countries of the world as well apparently.

Riku:

Our livestream is on that day too… We’ll finally be able to show Nagi to our fans again.

Iori:

Him being a prince will be found out probably, won’t it…?

Yamato:

We’ll deal with that when the time comes. It’s more important to show our fans that Nagi is doing okay.

Mitsuki:

Yes. They’ve been waiting all this time.

Riku:

We don’t have much time left, but let’s do our best and make it a great stage!

Everyone:

Yeah!

14.4. Special wish

In Haruki’s room.

Haruki:

…they’re good friends, right?

Nagi:

YES …

Haruki:

I remember it… You said you wanted to have friends. And that if you did make some, you’d always stay by their side.

I’m glad your dream came true.

Nagi:

Because you were a stubborn person. You would never stay anywhere, you were like a traveller.

…even now after finally having found you, you’re about to go somewhere again…

Haruki:

I’m sorry… I still want to stay with you, but my condition doesn’t seem to get better.

But I’m praying for your happiness. …you’ve grown so much, Nagi.

Nagi:

…Haruki…

Haruki:

Nagi… My prince. I liked you a lot.

Like a little brother… like a son. Even though we were years apart, you were a special friend.

To have had such a wonderful encounter with you after losing Zero; life sure is interesting. Though it’ll be over soon.

Just like the music that flows during the end credits, you have given light to my life.

Thank you. My irreplaceable person.

Nagi:

…me too…

Haruki:

…

Nagi:

…I won’t cry anymore. The time I spend crying is only wasted. Let’s be like ourselves until the end and have fun.

Haruki:

You’re right… The ceremony you mentioned before, you’ll be singing too, right?

I’ll watch the broadcast from here. How Nagi and his friends sing my song…

Nagi:

…YES…

Cut to Seth’s office.

Seth:

<…and this? How should I do this? How do other countries do it?>

Butler:

<I am afraid I do not know… The one knowledgeable about other countries’ culture was former Minister Kenneth.

Seth:

<…whatever, let’s leave that for later. I took a look at the list of the dining requests, but who should I go dine with first?>

Butler:

Seth:

<…I got it, it’s enough!>

Butler:

Seth:

<It’s because I’m so generous.>

Cut to Kenneth’s bakery.

Kenneth:

OH! Prince Seth…! Extremeattachment…! Extremedelighted…!

Mitsuki:

…? Is that Noth Meirian? What does it mean?

Yamato:

It’s Japanese. Stuff that appears in historical dramas. Something good happened apparently.

But still, TRIGGER is doing Mikazuki Ookami huh? I was surprised.

Mitsuki:

They’re amazing, aren’t they? Yamato-san, did you want to do it?

Yamato:

In ten years maybe. I can’t beat Yaotome right now.

Dog:

Woof woof!

Mitsuki:

Wah…! How cute! What’s with this dog?

Kenneth:

OH! That’s my pet!

Yamato:

Heh… What’s its name?

Kenneth:

It’s Shizuo. Hey, come on! Shizuo!

Dog:

Woof woof! Whimper.

Yamato:

…

Mitsuko:

Why don’t you pet Shizuo’s head?

Yamato:

Wait. I’m not mentally ready to…

Cut to hotel room.

Iori:

Valsinor Ceremony is the day after tomorrow. And the day on which we fly back.

Sougo:

And there’s our TV show too. We gotta do our best… And some quite prominent people will perform…

Iori:

Not bad to have come this far after those conditions we were in. Rokuya-san is far more well connected than I thought.

Tamaki:

Hey, is it okay to let a guest inside the room?

Sougo:

A guest? Who exactly did you meet?

Iori:

This is troubling, Yotsuba-san. We are celebrities and it’s possible for Rokuya-san to come visit us any ti---

Douglas:

HAHAHA!

Iori & Sougo:

Douglas Rootbank!

Douglas:

HEY! IDOLiSH7!

Iori:

Where did you meet him!?

Tamaki:

In the hotel lobby.

Sougo:

I-I-I’ll go wash my hands and rinse my mouth!

Iori:

Osaka-san! We’re not visiting a shrine!

Douglas:

HAHAHA! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Iori:

…th-thank you. He just hugged me…

Sougo:

Aww, how lucky, Iori-kun…

Iori:

Uhm… {Good to see you again…}

Tamaki:

I can talk English too.

Iori:

You cannot talk English no.

Sougo:

What should I do…? I may not get this chance again… Be brave. Say it, say it, say it…

Gi… Gibu mii hagu.

Douglas:

OK! HAHAHA!

Sougo:

*small scream of conflicted emotions*

Tamaki:

Isn’t that great, Sou-chan!?

Iori:

Why don’t you ask him to sign your shirt? Here’s a pen.

Cut to Nagi’s room.

Riku:

Nagi! Are you busy?

Nagi:

Riku. Are you busy?

Riku & Nagi:

There’s something I want to ask of…

Nagi:

You first.

Riku:

ŹOOĻ isn’t allowed to leave until the ceremony is over, right? They helped us find out about Sakura-san.

If possible, I would want them to meet Sakura-san… You don’t want to?

Nagi:

I don’t. But this is just trivial jealousy, right?

Riku:

Jealousy?

Nagi:

If Natsume-shi were to meet Haruki and then he would be closer with him than with me I’d be tearing out my hair and biting my nails.

Riku:

Ahaha! To think Nagi would say something like that! At first, I was jealous of TRIGGER too since they seemed to get along so well with Tenn-nii.

But you probably don’t have to worry. Just like with favourite food and different views, everyone has their precious people.

Nagi:

I understand. I’ll try talking to my brother. Will you listen to my wish as well?

Riku:

Of course!

Nagi:

I can’t leave while preparing for the ceremony. Could you tell me about Haruki’s condition?

Riku:

Sure! I have some free time today so I can go visit him.

Nagi:

Thanks.

Riku:

Anything I should tell him?

Nagi:

Live until you’re 100.

14.5. World of hope

Haruki’s room.

Haruki:

Ahaha! Live until I’m 100. The prince sure has extreme orders.

Riku:

May I take a picture? I wanted to show it to Nagi.

Haruki:

Sure. Make me look good, okay? Did you come here on your own?

Riku:

Thorvald-san drove me. Alright, then in three, two…

Camera shutter.

Riku:

Done! Thank you very much. I’ll send it via rabichat.

Haruki:

Do you still have time? I’m feeling good today. If you want, we can talk a bit.

Riku:

Yes, I’d love to!

Haruki:

Thanks. Being sick is quite boring.

Riku:

I understand you. When I was young, I was always in the hospital.

Haruki:

Is that so? Well then we two fit each other.

Riku:

Ahaha!

Uhm… May I ask you something?

Haruki:

Feel free to.

Riku:

What kind of person was Zero? Was he happy?

Haruki:

He’s not different from you guys. He was happy and he was unhappy. But I liked him a lot.

Riku:

I see…

Haruki:

Why?

Riku:

I was thinking about what you said the other day.

What I want to do… I wonder what my happiness is.

Haruki:

That is a very difficult question. It takes a lot of time to find out. Don’t stop thinking about it even if a pretty person seduces you.

Riku:

Ahaha!

Haruki:

I’ll help you. I’ll deposit 100.000.000.000 dollars on your bank account right now.

Riku:

Eh!?

Haruki:

What do you wanna do?

Riku:

I… I wonder? Buy… a big house maybe? One where I can live with everyone…

Haruki:

Sounds nice. Let’s make it a stately manor with a pool. And you’ll have lots of cute maids that help you arrange your clothes and brush your teeth. What next?

Riku:

Next?

Haruki:

Something that you want. Don’t hold back. There are 100.000.000.000 dollars on your account after all.

Riku:

Uhm, I’ll eat lots of things that I like. And I’d treat everyone too. Having a party each day and invite lots of guests…

Haruki:

Great. How about calling a Hollywood star too, play darts and have your picture taken with them? What next?

Riku:

Travelling maybe? Going around the world, seeing the pyramids, the Angkor Wat and the Nazca Lines.

Haruki:

Seeing the Niagara Falls and going to a casino in Vegas sounds good too. If you buy a private jet you can do that in about half a year. What next?

Riku:

…next…

Haruki:

Let’s keep it going. You haven’t even used up 10.000.000.000 dollars yet.

Riku:

Uhhhm… Oh I know! Transform Takanashi Productions into a multi-floor building. And gift a massage chair to the president and the others!

Haruki:

Build a private building at Tokyo Station and gift them a beauty room. And family and friends get luxurious presents too. What next?

Riku:

Uhhh… … …I kind of can’t think of more anymore.

Haruki:

Then let’s try to get fame.

You’re the number one singer in the world. You’ve received prizes from all around the world and in your room there are countless trophies lined up next to each other.

Riku:

Ahaha! Amazing!

Haruki:

If there are people criticizing you then famous critics will object in your stead. “Not understanding Nanase Riku’s worth is deplorable”.

Well? Feels nice, right? Everyone laughs because of your jokes and every of your scribbles is wanted by the masses.

If you write a message on SNS, millions of people will agree and like it in an instant. Exciting, right? So, what do you say?

Riku:

What I say…?

Haruki:

Something you want to tell the world, something you want the world to accept.

Riku:

…please listen to IDOLiSH7’s songs, I guess?

Haruki:

Of course, the entire world is listening to it. Your hit songs are written down in class books about music and you’ve sang in front of some countries’ heads already too.

What else?

Riku:

… Always like us?

Haruki:

That’s good. All of humanity vows to you. Wedding songs and tunes played at funerals alike are all by IDOLiSH7. They exist next to you.

What else?

Riku:

…

…I don’t know… I thought I wanted everyone to accept us, but now I just don’t know anymore.

Haruki:

Exactly. If you have lots of fortune and honour, you’re happy. They’re power after all, one wants it so much it’s never enough.

But it is foolish to use your precious life just to fulfil your need of that, only because it’s never enough.

If after having done your utmost and have achieved everything, you think back and lament like “Ah, this wasn’t it!” you’ll already be a grandpa. That’d be disappointing, right?

You have to put your life on the line to become happy. And for that, you yourself have to know what your happiness is.

Is it work, is it love, is it family? Why is that happiness to you? And it’s okay if it’s not the same thing for others.

Like wanting to create a giant cheese and nibble at it like a mouse, trying to open up a hole. It may look stupid to others, but that’s okay.

Riku:

… My happiness…

Haruki:

Think about it and do it a lot.

No professor can know. Neither can the teachers in school, nor your papa or mama. Only you are able to find it, your own very important answer.

Now for the last question. It’ll be the complete opposite from what he had until now.

You’re penniless, hated by the entire world. You have nowhere to live and look shabby. Nevertheless, there’s something you want to do.

Are there people that would extend a helping hand?

Riku:

…

…there are…

There are definitely people that would help me.

Not hating me after I’d become worthless and coming to my side to save me; there are people like that.

Haruki:

Those are very wonderful people, aren’t they? They look at your true nature and love you.

Riku:

Yes…

Haruki:

What would you ask of them?

Riku:

…to sing together with me.

I’d ask them to sing together with me, in front of our fans.

Haruki:

Amazing. There are people that would help you after you’d have lost everything and you have something you’d want to do too.

If you can’t call that happiness, then I don’t know what it should be called.

Riku:

…

Haruki:

What you just found is but one part of your happiness. And you’ll be able to find a lot more. The world is filled with hope after all.

It’s okay. Even after you’ve lost everything, you didn’t become unhappy, right?

Don’t be misled by the dazzling world. You won’t become unhappy even if you lose everything. You won’t become happy if you achieve everything.

Because what’s important is what you think, what you feel. Your heart in here is what changes the colours of the world. To black and white. To the colours of the rainbow. The world is how you make it.

How you make it… …make your world shine…

Riku:

Sakura-san, are you okay!?

Haruki:

…I’m okay… I’m looking forward to it, Riku. To the Valsinor Ceremony…

Riku:

Yes… Please listen to it… I’ll sing my best together with Nagi and the others.

Not because we promised Seth-san… But to make my tomorrow, my world shine.

I will sing to become happy.

Cut to hotel hallway.

Yamato:

Sakura-san is unconscious…?

Sougo:

According to the doctor, he may not recover from it. It happens often, he said…

Iori:

His condition was that bad then…

Riku:

Even though I talked so much to him yesterday…

Mitsuki:

The ceremony is tomorrow… Nagi…

Nagi:

…I will perform. I have a role at the ritual and also need to perform as IDOLiSH7.

Tamaki:

But… if something happened to Haruki…

Sougo:

If you’d tell Seth-san, you could stay by Sakura-san’s side…?

Nagi:

…no. I will sing at the ceremony…

Haruki said he wants to hear our song.

Yamato:

…alright. Let’s make this succeed, for Sakura-san too.

Mitsuki:

Let’s ask the doctors to turn on the TV so he can always hear your voice.

Nagi:

…

<Haruki… Listen to my order just this once…>

<Don’t… …die yet…>

Cut to a blue sky.

Tsumugi, thinking:

And thus the day of Valsinor Ceremony came.

To be continued…

Shion

IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 14