IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 19

[shionstear]

IDOLiSH7 PART 4

Chapter 19 – Winter view

19.1. Entrusted mystery

 

 

At Kujou’s house.

Kujou:

Hmm…

Aya:

Kujou-san, I made dinner!

Kujou:

Ah… Thank you. I told you to get some takeout meal, you didn’t have to.

Aya:

Yes! Though I don’t know if it will please you!

Kujou:

It’s your oden. I’m sure it’ll be good.

Aya:

It’s beef stew!

Kujou:

Wah, I’m happy.

Aya:

It’s almost time for JIMA, right? I wonder if Haru-chan’s group can win…

Kujou:

They probably will, since there are no rivals for them. I guess ŹOOĻ and IDOLiSH7 will battle each other.

Aya:

Haru-chan and Nii-chan…

Kujou:

Who will you support?

Aya:

I want both of them to win… I know that Haru-chan was doing his best. And I’m sure Nii-chan did his best too…

Kujou:

You’re right.

Aya:

Kujou-san… I don’t mind what Haru-chan said before.

Kujou:

Haruka? What did he say?

Aya:

That you’ll abandon me.

Kujou:

…

Aya:

Even if you do, if I don’t abandon you then we can still be together, right?

Kujou:

I wonder. Zero abandoned me and I couldn’t be with him anymore.

Aya:

He did…?

Kujou:

He did, didn’t he? He just vanished one day. Even though I thought we’d always be together.

I thought he was happy, because I was supposed to know everything about him. I was the one to produce the most for him.

But looking at Haruki’s posthumous work, I slowly don’t know what to think anymore.

Aya:

Sakura-san’s posthumous work…

Kujou:

Yes. Apparently, it’s a song that Zero asked of Haruki right before he vanished. Haruki spent half his life completing it.

Aya:

…this…

Kujou:

I wonder what this means?

Cut to TV show.

Variety Show Host:

Today’s guest is Nanase Riku-san from the quite popular idol group IDOLiSH7!

Riku:

Thank you for having me!

Host:

How cuuute! And good looking! This kid’s pretty high on the celebrity popularity rankings!

Riku:

Ahaha! Thank you very much!

Host:

You really are how you look like, riiight? When I went to greet him in the green room too, he was humble, polite and admirable…

And when I was going back, he tripped over nothing!

Riku:

Ahaha… Shh, that’s a secret! Don’t tell anyone!

Host:

Ahaha! He even delivers the punchline perfectly!

Being such a natural airhead you want to find out if he has another side to him, right? So?

You probably have someone that annoys you or you can’t deal with, right?

Riku:

Eh? I wonder? I think you can’t not have someone like that…

Host:

Who, who, who?

Riku:

Ahaha! I can’t think of anyone right now, but… There’s times where I say ‘Ah, how annoying!’ at my group mates too.

Host:

Who?

Riku:

Eh? I tell everyone, but maybe mostly to Iori…?

Host:

Ah! Iori-kun! IDOLiSH7’s first era center! The cool kid!

Riku:

Ah…

Riku, thinking:

He’s not the first era center though, but well, I don’t think I need to correct him? I wonder if they’ll get mad at me later.

Riku:

Yes! Iori is very cool! He knows how to handle things even though he’s younger and he often scolds me.

Host:

Ah, so you can’t deal with people that scold you? Understandable, since you’re so kind!

Riku:

Uhh, I wouldn’t say I can’t handle---

Host:

Then, which type of person don’t you like to deal with? There must be some, right? Right?

Riku:

…

Riku, thinking:

Crap, I can’t think of anything. Was this part of the meeting?

Host:

There isn’t!? Uwah, what a good kid…! Someone make him a natural monument and protect him!

Riku:

No, I’m not, I… If I had to pick one, uhm, because my job is singing…

I can’t really deal with people that use too much perfume.

Cut to street at night.

Newscaster:

Fabric softener against strong perfume. Damage caused by perfume is now a hot topic.

Man:

It bothered me before too. But I felt bad for the girls, so I didn’t tell them…

Man:

It never bothered me. My wife likes perfume too. But I guess there’s people that don’t like it.

Man:

Nanase Riku said it, right? You have to be brave to say that, since it’s such a popular product. Not bad.

Woman:

When I heard it bothered Riku-kun I thought to myself I have to be careful with it too!

Woman:

I use it, but only to some extent. Though I wonder about people that overuse it. Since there’s people with allergies too.

Woman:

I like perfume and I’ve been collecting it, but lately I’m scared of putting any on. Ahaha, feels like people might get mad at me.

Perfume store salesperson:

I wouldn’t… go as far as to say that sales decreased, but lately people seem to prefer buying lighter odours.

Haha… An idol’s influence is amazing, isn’t it?

Cut to street during the day.

Woman:

Wasn’t there someone with super strong perfume on the train earlier!?

Woman:

There was! So thoughtless! Don’t they know what Riku-kun said on TV and what’s been on SNS lately?!

Woman:

Exactly! If they’d ride together with a singer or idol, they’d totally bother them!

Woman:

Ahaha! I doubt celebrities ride trains though!

Woman:

Ahaha! Yeah!

Cut to a café.

Woman:

Hey, didn’t Riku-kun’s face stiffen up when he was asked about Iori-kun?

Woman:

I was thinking about that too… They seemed to have argued before too. Heard they don’t get along.

Woman:

Eh, I’m shocked… But Iori-kun seems like a perfectionist. Like he couldn’t deal with Riku-kun…

Woman:

But he praised Riku-kun before too… Like when he became the center again.

Woman:

Really? Can you see that on the concert’s DVD or something?

Woman:

No, it’s not on there.

Woman:

Then we can’t know for sure.

Woman:

You’re right.

Woman:

But I don’t think Riku-kun is wrong.

Cut to i7 dorm.

Riku:

Yawn. Morning…

Iori:

…

Iori, thinking:

That expression… Good, he didn’t check SNS like he promised.

Iori:

Good morning. Your ride is here already, what about breakfast?

Riku:

I’ll eat in the car…

Iori:

I’ll make you some tea. Warm up your throat a bit.

Riku:

…

Iori:

What is it, staring like that?

Riku:

In the TV show the other day they praised you. Said you were cool.

Iori:

Is that so?

Riku:

Ahaha, you’re blushing.

Iori:

I am not.

Riku:

They asked me if I had people I don’t like so I didn’t know what to do.

When I said I had no one they told me I was a good kid, but that felt weird somehow. I wonder what I should say in times like those.

Iori:

People that ask others about which people they don’t like.

Riku:

Ahaha. That’s very like you. I can’t think of something like that on the spot.

Iori:

Haha… And that is very much like you. Well, if the fans think it’s referring to themselves then they get hurt, so it’s best to try and not make it like a personal attack.

Riku:

A personal attack…

Iori:

From now on, okay? This time it was okay. Here you go. It’s hot so don’t burn your tongue.

Riku:

Was someone sad?

Iori:

It’s okay. If you’re late then the people on set will be sad. And let’s fix that bed hair a bit too, shall we?

Riku:

Eh? But I looked into the mirror before!

Iori:

It’s on the back, here.

Riku:

Ahaha! That tickles!

19.2. Ripple

 

 

In a green room.

Momo:

It’s a social phenomenon.

Yuki:

What is?

Momo:

Riku’s thing. What he said about perfume.

Yuki:

Ah. I wanted to raise my popularity with Riku-kun too, so I changed my shampoo.

Momo:

You’re kidding!?

Yuki:

Yeah. It was okay until now so all’s good, right?

Momo:

It seems like something that would bother him. Let’s try not talking about it.

Yuki:

Wouldn’t he dislike it more if we acted like we didn’t know? Even if we don’t, I’m sure someone already did.

Momo:

Not necessarily. There’s no one among their managers and stuff that would go on about negativity like that.

If they don’t look at the news they won’t notice. Even when that rumour about my love life came out you only noticed after half a year and came to nervously ask me about it.

Yuki:

I didn’t ask nervously. I thought you had something to tell me and I asked you without hesitation.

Momo:

You added a line like ‘you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want’. I was scared, like ‘what did I do!?’!

Yuki:

Really?

Momo:

You only remember the cool parts about yourself! I mean, you are cool!

Yuki:

True.

Momo:

Ehehe. …Black or White is around the corner too, so I hope Riku-kun doesn’t get hurt in some way.

I heard he was pretty down when they switched centers… And there’s his sickness too.

Door opens.

Mister Shimooka:

Momo-kun, Yuki-kun. Do you have a moment?

Momo:

Oh, any progress?

Mister Shimooka:

It’s not confirmed yet, but… It looks like TSUKUMO isn’t in arms with the JIMA and Black or White people. It’ll be a fair battle.

Momo:

Seriously!?

Mister Shimooka:

There’s that guy, you know. The producer Yuki-kun had a pity fight with.

Yuki:

Don’t call it a pity fight. I properly convinced him. I won.

Mister Shimooka:

Ahaha! Well, that guy. He knows a lot of people and is trustworthy, it seems he proactively did some stuff.

We’re on a roll. Now only the TSUKUMO coup d’état has to go well.

Momo:

Leave that part to me. They’re motivated over there too.

Mister Shimooka:

Also, this is just a rumour, but… It seems that someone from Hoshikage Agency failed to get ŹOOĻ on their side.

Momo:

Did Ryo-san interfere?

Mister Shimooka:

It seems they refused of their own accord. Even with a president like that, a big company must be great for young people like them.

Though it’s hard to believe that they’re faithful to Tsukumo-san…

Momo:

I think I understand them… It gets harder to get away the more you wait.

Yuki:

Why?

Momo:

I don’t have any intention to defend Ryo-san, but he somehow reminds you of your unrewarded self.

He’s a kid, flapping with arms and legs, throwing a tantrum. Like, ‘I want to have that. If it’s not that then I hate it.’

If you’re not rewarded, if you don’t receive happiness, you start thinking that it’s not yours but someone else’s fault. He couldn’t do anything but scream about his discontent and hate.

But because he carries power and is clever, those arms and legs end up destroying their surroundings. And he’s also skilled.

Yuki:

Do you feel compassion for him?

Momo:

I don’t. He did things to both you and Ban-san. He’s nothing but my enemy.

He probably… just wanted to be friends with me. That’s what he would do.

Cut to a meeting room.

Reporter:

…are you really sure about this?

Touma:

Yes…

Reporter:

Understood… Then I will…

Touma:

…yeah. Sorry. And thanks for everything.

Reporter:

Before I go… Your song at Red Fes was the best.

I will write the article, but I hope you’ll let me see a concert like that again some time.

Because I became your fan.

Touma:

…thank you very much. They’ll be happy to hear that.

Cut to practise room.

Gaku:

…

Ryūnosuke:

Good work today.

Gaku:

Yeah.

Ryūnosuke:

Still thinking about the president?

Gaku:

Well. But not because he’s my parent, it’s because we owe him.

He told us to go independent when we didn’t know what to do. I’m not satisfied if he gets the short end of the stick.

Ryūnosuke:

You’re right…

Gaku:

…nah I’m lying after all. It’s also because he’s my dad. Though he really only made me angry.

But I’d rather have him look self-important than disheartened.

Tenn:

Then what if we participated in the YAOTOME Fes.?

Gaku:

Tenn…

Tenn:

As secret guests. It won’t change much for the viewers, but it’ll solve the misunderstanding of our relationship with them.

The president might not agree to this idea and we might cause trouble for the stage play right now. It definitely isn’t my best suggestion, but…

We could pay him back.

Gaku:

…

Not necessary.

Ryūnosuke:

Gaku…

Gaku:

I still didn’t see him change. I’ll only help out when he does.

If he doesn’t change to treat his talents and guests properly, then this is nothing more than sentimentality.

Sentimentality means nothing. If his trust doesn’t return it might just mean that he doesn’t understand it.

Ryūnosuke:

I think he does understand. When I sang alone, he told me that it was a good song.

He even lowered his head and apologised.

Wanting to treat someone with care and knowing how to do that are two different things, aren’t they?

Tenn:

You’re right… He’s someone that always tried to control others after all.

He may not know how to do it without controlling others. …I’m the same.

Gaku:

You?

Tenn:

I mistook me wanting to protect Riku and Kujou-san as affection.

But you called me disparaging…

Gaku:

I didn’t say disparaging.

Tenn:

And because of that I didn’t know anymore. And it was the same with our fans. I didn’t just want to give them something good but protect them.

But when we sang in the rain… I felt like the fans where stronger than me. Even though I wanted to protect them, they were protecting me.

It’s not like I wanted to belittle them. But both our fans and Riku were so much stronger than what I thought…

There were times where I didn’t know what to do. Even though I wanted to be their prince, it felt like my job had been stolen away.

Ryūnosuke:

You’re a cool prince, Tenn. Because you’re a wonderful prince everyone wanted to support you.

Tenn:

That makes me really happy. Though I’m not used to it…

Gaku:

Well, because you’re a showoff after all…

Tenn:

I don’t want you telling me that.

Ryūnosuke:

Let’s hope it goes well. For both Yaotome Agency and ourselves…

So that we can work together someday again.

Door opens.

Staff:

Uhm, excuse me, TRIGGER. You have guests…

Gaku:

Guests for us…?

19.3. Crime and self-admonition

 

 

At a practise room.

Minami:

…I’m glad you could have a talk with him. Thank you very much, Inumaru-san.

Touma:

…you too. Sorry I couldn’t bring you along, he said he didn’t want it to draw attention.

Haruka:

It’s okay. I thought it’d be no problem if it’s you.

Touma:

…

Haruka:

What?

Touma:

Haha… Thanks. I’m really happy.

Torao:

The article gets published on the day of JIMA. That might become our last concert.

If so, come along.

Touma:

Come along to what?

Torao:

A lesson. I wanna do it properly for the end at least.

Haruka:

Not the end. The beginning. And if you say so, I won’t go easy on you, Torao. Nor you Touma or Minami.

I will raise you all to my level. You ready?

Touma:

Now we’re talking.

Minami:

I don’t mind.

Torao:

Please be gentle.

Short fade out and in.

Touma:

Hah… hah… I can’t…

Torao:

Hah, hah… Oxygen…

Minami:

Hah, hah… Water…

Haruka:

…this was just the beginning! We only got our bodies moving! If you surpass your limits it’ll feel good!

Remember it with your body, don’t think about it. Once your body gets used to moving, you can think about it, move and get better.

Touma, Torao and Minami:

Impossible…

Haruka:

We’re gonna go apologise to TRIGGER before JIMA, before the article gets published, right!?

Touma, Torao and Minami:

…

Haruka:

Give it your all! If you don’t surpass your limits even once you won’t have the guts to meet them!

Stand. I’ll teach you everything that I know. I’ll hammer everything into you.

I don’t have hopes or dreams or sparkly things. Nor things like rainbows or stars, but…

The bitterness I’ve tasted could be a guidepost for us to move forward.

Without being mistaken anymore, without wavering anymore, not for anyone’s sake; surpass your own limits here and now!

If you can do it, I’ll pat your heads.

Torao:

…agh, bring it on… I’ll squat just like you.

Haruka:

Oh, let’s see you do that. Make sure to not sit down.

Minami:

Hah… One more time, please.

Touma:

Haru…

Haruka:

What?

Touma:

I’m glad to be singing with you.

Haruka:

Hmph…

That’s my line, idiot.

Cut to a hallway.

Torao:

This is where TRIGGER practises for “Mikazuki Ookami”…

Minami:

Yes. I asked someone from Hoshikage Agency so there is no mistake.

Touma:

The article must be going around by now too… Let’s have a proper talk and head to JIMA. Even though they may not even let us in.

Hey, Haru…

Haruka:

…

Touma:

Why are you hiding behind of Tora…?

Torao:

What’s wrong, Haruka? Are you shaking?

Haruka:

M-my feet froze…

Minami:

…you cried a lot after talking with Kujou-san after all…

Haruka:

…it’s okay… I can do this, I will do this…

Touma:

…Haru…

Haruka:

…hah… This is scarier than bungee jumping…

Tenn:

What is?

ŹOOĻ:

…!

Tenn:

You’re kinda bothering us. Did you need anything?

Touma:

Ah…

Haruka:

Ah… ah… ……

Tenn:

…you look pale. Are you okay?

Haruka:

…I…

Ryūnosuke:

Torao-kun!

Torao:

…Ryūnosuke…

Ryūnosuke:

JIMA is today, isn’t it? What’s wrong?

Torao:

… Uhm…

Gaku:

I know what this is about.

Touma:

…Yaotome…

Gaku:

A reporter came here too. To get more facts.

Touma:

A reporter came to you…

Minami:

…what did you say?

Gaku:

…

I said I don’t know anything.

Touma:

Wha…

Gaku:

Are you guys idiots!? Don’t mess up the order!

If you wanna apologize do it to us first, not the world. Don’t cause unnecessary trouble with an article or whatever.

Touma:

…we… We wanted to do it after taking responsibility. We drove you out of the business world…

We didn’t want to just apologise with saying it, but with properly putting it into shape…

We thought we had to receive the punishment for what we did to you…

I’m really… really sorry that we did something so terrible to you…

Gaku:

I won’t give you any punishment. Because I will never forgive you for what you did. Keep that in mind.

…even so, your fans believe in you.

No matter whose fans they are, I don’t want to see their crying faces ever again. So don’t laugh at them ever again.

Don’t doubt, make fun of and laugh at what supported you, at what you loved.

It only made you feel pathetic, didn’t it?

Minami:

…you’re completely right. Please accept my apologies.

Ryūnosuke:

…but why, after all this time? I got a call from Torao-kun after the festival in Denmark, right?

Touma:

You did…?

Ryūnosuke:

Back then you said sorry, wasn’t that you apologising? Didn’t you tell the others?

Torao:

…

That was something I did on my own… I felt like I forced that upon you.

Ryūnosuke:

You didn’t. I told you I definitely wouldn’t forgive you.

Tenn:

…he sure says scary things with a smile.

Gaku:

…I-I will never make Ryu angry.

Ryūnosuke:

I’m glad you came to tell us directly. But I was surprised when the reporter came. I thought I had said something that was misunderstood.

Torao:

Sorry…

Ryūnosuke:

It’s okay…

Torao:

I was happy about what you said back then… That you were glad it was a nice concert.

But as time passed it just felt like something said to be convenient for me… And I didn’t know anymore…

Ryūnosuke:

…even though you’re this cool, you don’t have much experience with people telling you what they really think, right?

Torao:

…

Ryūnosuke:

You always think whether it’s a lie or the truth. I hope you get to hear lots of truthful things from now on and get used to tell it apart.

And for that you yourself have to try and live without lying. I’ll take care too.

Torao:

…… Yeah…

I’ll do my best… I promise.

Ryūnosuke:

Yes, you can do it.

Tenn:

And, you? Just tagging along?

Haruka:

…

Tenn:

You’re one of the double centers, yet you’ll just hide behind your big bros and be done with it?

Haruka:

…I…

I hated you!!

Touma:

Ha-Haru…!

Tenn:

…

Hah. Gaku. Bring the salt.

Gaku:

Go get it yourself.

Ryūnosuke:

W-why don’t we let him end first?

Haruka:

…I hated you, but I didn’t know anything about you…

Tenn:

…

Haruka:

I didn’t know anything, hated you, despised you, thought you were an unfair and mean guy…

I did something terrible and said a lot of horrible things…

…I’m sorry…

Tenn:

…

Yes. We have practise now so go home, okay?

To be honest, we don’t even see you right now.

If you want to get into our field of vision, give your all against IDOLiSH7 at Black or White and try to win.

You can do it, right? It looks like your pacifier is finally gone.

Haruka:

…

Tenn:

Bye.

19.4. The smile on TV

 

 

At Tsukumo’s office.

Tsukumo:

Huh? The bunch of JIMA judges did? At this eleventh hour?

They sure got confident, huh? I hope they don’t think they’ll be able to sit on the same chairs next year.

Oh well, whatever. It should be okay, with how ŹOOĻ is at the moment.

Yes yes. Bye.

Phone call ends.

Tsukumo:

…

…hmph. It should be okay, with how ŹOOĻ is at the moment, he says.

Are you dumb? You’ll just get betrayed again.

Cut to a green room.

Riku:

Good morning!

Iori:

Good morning.

Riku:

Ah! Sougo-san, Tamaki! It’s been a while!

Sougo:

It has. Our schedules never aligned.

Riku:

How’s composing going?

Sougo:

Ahh, don’t ask…

Tamaki:

You don’t lemme listen to it one bit. Come on, just a bit!

Nagi:

Hi! Riku, Iori! I saw the pictures of when you were on set.

Riku:

You did? Iori’s was hilarious, right?

Iori:

What did you send him?

Riku:

You know, the one with the special makeup.

Yamato:

Onii-san saw it too. That looked like hard work, that makeup.

Iori:

It did take about 3 hours. But it was interesting.

Mitsuki:

Guys, get over here! It’s time for JIMA. Let’s watch it on the TV here!

Tamaki:

Oh, I wonder if Isumin wins.

Yamato:

Well, it’s probably gonna be ŹOOĻ this year. Riku, Ichi, want a banana?

Riku:

Yes!

Iori:

Why do you have bananas?

Nagi:

I received them! The oranges are good too.

Tamaki:

You were working with a fruit store, right Nagicchi? I heard their pear sorbet is great, let’s go there.

Sougo:

That sounds nice, I wanna go with everyone. Ah, it started.

Mitsuki:

Whoa, so many people. The audience’s response was amazing when ŹOOĻ appeared.

Tamaki:

It was amazing for us last year too! And there was that too! The huge flowers!

Yamato:

Yeah, very nostalgic…

Mitsuki:

That was from Shizuo-san, wasn’t it?

Yamato:

Probably. …ah, ŹOOĻ is there.

Mitsuki:

They’re really firing everyone up! I mean, the audience might just be easily excited too, but…

Sougo:

They’re more popular than expected. We’ll battle them at Black or White, right…?

Tamaki:

No, we’ll win!

Iori:

Of course we will.

Nagi:

Yes! Let’s win!

Riku:

Ahaha! I’m kinda happy!

Yamato:

How come?

Riku:

This mood! It’s like last year’s Black or White! ‘Let’s do it, let’s win!’

Feels like we become one.

Mitsuki:

…haha. You’re right… We’ve been busy lately.

Tamaki:

Yeah! I wanna watch JIMA, but there’s tons I wanna talk to you about!

Nagi:

Me too! OH! ŹOOĻ is about to say something!

Yamato:

Ahaha. Pick one thing to do.

Sougo:

…uwah… They know how to excite the venue.

Iori:

They really do… We’ll be going first at Black or White, but it’ll be frustrating if they excite the audience more than we do.

Yamato:

As if our center would ever lose to them. Right, Riku?

Riku:

Ehh!? Yamato-san, teach me something you always say please!

Yamato:

I’m gonna embrace you all!

Mitsuki:

That’s Yaotome, isn’t it!?

Sougo:

Would Yaotome-san say that?

Riku:

We’re IDOLiSH7! We’re gonna embrace you!

IDOLiSH7:

Ahahahaha!

Riku:

Come on, you’re not supposed to laugh! You have to scream, just like when Touma-san said it!

Yamato & Tamaki:

Ahhhh, Rikkun!

Mitsuki:

Ahaha! Shut up! We can’t hear them like this!

Nagi:

Haha… Strange. I laughed too much and tears started falling. It’s so much fun.

Riku:

Haha… Me too.

Knocks on the door.

Door opens.

Staff:

Please excuse me! IDOLiSH7, please be on stand-by soon!

Riku, thinking:

Everyone turned around to the staff, as if the magic had just vanished.

We still didn’t hear ŹOOĻ’s song. We still wanted to talk more.

Just a little bit longer…

Yamato:

Yeees, we’re on our way. Mitsu, this is being recorded, right?

Mitsuki:

Yup yup.

Iori:

Let’s watch it when we get back home.

Sougo:

I’ll have to sleep right after getting home. I have an early morning tomorrow…

Nagi:

OH , that’s unfortunate.

Staff:

Ah, is it about JIMA? Should we let you know once the winner is chosen?

Tamaki:

Spoilers!

Staff:

Ahaha, I’m sorry!

Riku, thinking:

When I turned back ŹOOĻ was smiling intimately on the TV screen.

While being surprised at their unexpected expression I also felt jealous.

The thing we had last year is over there.

Because we exposed our wounds, our weaknesses we were able to get a hold of something; the bonds we tied, a tiny sparkle.

Right now we’re being pushed out by the era. I wonder where and how far we’ll flow.

Cut to a stage.

Judge:

The Prize for the Newcomers of the Year at the 13^th Japan Idol Music Award, goes to…!

ŹOOĻ!

Audience:

*scream*

Cut to that one living room.

Sister:

Ahhhh!!

Girl:

Big Sis, shut up!

Mother:

You screamed around like this last year too…

Sister:

Ah… I’m glad…!

Girl:

You don’t have to cry about it!?

Mother:

But you were crying too…

Honestly… What in the world will happen at this year’s Black or White at this rate…?

Cut to Yaotome’s office.

Sousuke:

I see… So the tickets aren’t selling at all, huh…

Employee:

Yes… This will be a hard blow. If we stop it now the damage will be less.

And we have to include the huge penalty for contract breach concerning TRIGGER, the repayment for the fan club and more artists separating from us.

If we hold it at a venue of last year’s scale, we will indubitably be in the red. Having said that, we won’t be able to look for another venue now either.

Sousuke:

If we stop the yearly YAOTOME Fes. now then even more people will walk away.

Even if we temporarily cover the expenses, the trust to the agency will never come back.

Employee:

But…

Sousuke:

Even in these circumstances, there are artists that want to perform and fans that want to attend.

If we betray them, we’ll lose everyone that still stands by us.

Employee:

But we’ll go bankrupt at this rate. Are you okay with losing Yaotome Agency?

Sousuke:

…

This will be the last time. I don’t mind red numbers. I want to recover their trust. If I do, then there’s a chance to start again.

Employee:

…what about letting TRIGGER perform? They could appear as guests…

There have been plenty of independent artists that have appeared at YAOTOME Fes. as guests, right?

Sousuke:

TRIGGER isn’t affiliated with us anymore. They have nothing to do with me.

Employee:

But…

Sousuke:

We won’t call TRIGGER. That is all.

Employee:

…understood. Please excuse me.

Door closes.

Sousuke:

Sigh.

Talent productions sure are powerless… They’ve already started working on something big, but if we don’t have selling artists then we can’t do anything.

An agency’s strength lies within achievements and human relationships… I mistook that, which is to be built upon trust, with my own power.

Bankruptcy, huh…? If I at least can make our current artists…

I want them to stay in the business world…

19.5. Business and affection

At a bar.

Kaoru:

I see… So it’s that bad…

Employee:

We’re still trying our best somehow. He bowed down his head to different people… He got a lot calmer.

But it seems he just really doesn’t want to ask TRIGGER for help.

Kaoru:

Well, yes… I’m sure he…

If it weren’t for Gaku he probably would’ve asked TRIGGER for the sake of the other artists; that’s what I think.

I think he was ready for that. And Gaku is the same. If it were an old guy that he didn’t know, he’d say to go help him out.

Employee:

So it really is because they didn’t get along…

Kaoru:

It’s not that they don’t get along. I don’t know what to say. They’re worried but stubborn.

They’re rivals above anything else. They know each other’s pride better than anyone else.

Cut to Ryūnosuke’s apartment.

Ryūnosuke:

…bankruptcy?

Kaoru:

If it really comes to that it will probably be more of a takeover than a bankruptcy, I think.

Tenn:

Where to…?

Kaoru:

It’s not TSUKUMO. Maybe Okazaki Agency could show interest too, since they’re rather new.

Gaku:

…

Even if, he didn’t say that he wanted our help, right?

Kaoru:

He didn’t.

Gaku:

Then it’s none of our business.

Tenn:

I will go.

Kaoru:

Tenn…

Gaku:

…

Tenn:

I owe Yaotome Agency. It’ll be a bother if they vanish before I can return the favour.

Ryūnosuke:

I’ll go too. If the president hadn’t scouted me, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Could you make it work, Anesagi-san?

Kaoru:

Ryu… Understood. Thank you…

Gaku, what will you do?

Gaku:

…

…won’t it ruin his line-up if we just appear nonchalantly?

Kaoru:

You people. Who do you think you are?

You’re TRIGGER.

Gaku:

Anesagi…

Kaoru:

Understood. I’ll go talk business.

A lot of people that are interested in TRIGGER will attend YAOTOME Fes. This is publicity.

Go sing your new song and advertise your countdown concert. Aim for a new record in audience numbers!

Cut to a festival ground.

Female singer:

Thank you very much!

Audience:

*scream*

People are excited, but the audience sure is deserted.

It’s a bit sad knowing how it was in other years, right…? Hm…?

MC:

And next we have a secret guest!

They debuted with Yaotome Agency but are now working independently…

Audience:

Eh…

You’re kidding…

Is it…!

MC:

TRIGGER!

Audience:

*scream*

Tenn:

It’s been a while, everyone…!

Audience:

*scream*

Gaku:

I can’t hear you!

Audience:

*scream*

Ryūnosuke:

Good evening! I wanted to see you all…!

Audience:

*scream*

TRIGGER:

“Treasure!”

Treasure! BGM starts playing.

Audience:

*scream*

Whoa… The screaming won’t stop…!

Ahhh! Is this real!? I can’t! To see TRIGGER at YAOTOME Fes.!

So they weren’t abandoned by the agency! They’re still loved…!!

TRIGGER came…!!

Sousuke:

… What an astounding response…

Kaoru:

It’s a nostalgic view, isn’t it?

Sousuke:

Anesagi…

Kaoru:

It’s been a while, President.

Sousuke:

I’m not your president anymore.

Kaoru:

Oh, I know.

Sousuke:

…you have helped us with this one. You have my gratitude, please tell them too.

Kaoru:

Please go tell them yourself.

Sousuke:

…

Kaoru:

Those kids did their best. With the concerts and with “Mikazuki Ookami”.

They’re not the type to want to be praised, but please appreciate their efforts.

They’re still saying that they want to return to Yaotome Agency someday.

And even though they could become stars anywhere.

Sousuke:

…invite to the closing party. I’ll talk there. …just a bit.

Kaoru:

Yes.

Sousuke:

…the audience seems to be having fun.

Amazing, TRIGGER…

Gaku:

Who’s coming to the countdown concert!?

Audience:

*scream*

Ryūnosuke:

Even if you can’t come to the venue, you can watch it for free online! Let’s greet the new year together!

Audience:

*scream*

Tenn:

The era is TRIGGER.

Watch us at New Year’s Eve.

Audience:

*scream*

Tenn:

Let’s yell Happy New Year, okay!?

Gaku:

Looking forward to it!

Ryūnosuke:

Let’s sing our new song together!

Audience:

*scream*

Amazing, TRIGGER… Won’t the flow change like this?

The flow…?

Black or White… Not on TV but with concerts and on the internet…

Crap… They’re too cool…

Gaku:

See ya! Happy to have met you!

Audience:

Gaku…! Gaku-san I love you…!

Ryūnosuke:

We’re counting on you from now on too!

Audience:

*scream* Tsunashi-san…!

Tenn:

Bye-bye!

Audience:

*scream*

Cut to street at night.

Woman:

Wow! TRIGGER appeared as guests at YAOTOME Fes.!

Woman:

You’re right! TRIGGER fans are writing about it on SNS! Man, I wish I went!

Woman:

But I’m relieved! They weren’t arguing with the agency then! I’m glad, Gaku-san…

Woman:

I hope Yaotome Agency does their best too! I really wanna go to TRIGGER’s countdown concert!

Woman:

And Black or White is on New Year’s Eve too, it’s gonna get busy! But I’m really looking forward to it…!

Cut to the night sky.

Tsumugi, thinking:

And thus the season headed towards a new year.

To be continued…