IDOLiSH7 PART 4 CHAPTER 3

[shionstear]

IDOLiSH7 PART 4

Chapter 3 – Our job

3.1. The road ahead

Mitsuki:

… Farewell… …Nagi Rokuya…

Tamaki:

… I don’t get it.

Sougo:

… Me neither.

Riku:

…me neither.

Iori:

What is this…

Yamato:

…I don’t know what this is but, Onii-san is… this is…

…I’m really angry.

Mitsuki:

Me too!!!

Riku:

Me too! Nagi would never say this…!

Tamaki:

Nagicchi wouldn’t just leave a letter! If he was gonna say farewell, then he’d say it to us and the fans himself.

Sougo:

Let’s make this a case. We can report this, right Manager?

Iori:

Let’s make it rather an international problem. We are national idols. It’s an abuse of authority.

Tsumugi:

…

Iori:

What’s wrong, Manager? Making such a relieved face now?

Tsumugi:

…I’m glad…

Iori:

…

Tsumugi:

You all said, without wavering, that this wasn’t according to Nagi-san’s own will. I’m glad to see your strong bonds…

Mitsuki:

…of course. He loved IDOLiSH7 more than anyone else!

If they didn’t fake Nagi’s handwriting and forced him to write this kind of letter, then there’s no way I’ll forgive them!!

Yamato:

Even if they’re princes or kings, we’ll break into their house and bring him back! Don’t underestimate the sons of samurai!!

Tsumugi:

We’re also contacting their attorney through the agency! But…

Riku:

Did you find out something?

Tsumugi:

Later today you have a performance in a music TV show. We cannot miss that.

Will you be able to sing as 6?

Iori:

It cannot be helped. Shall we say that Rokuya-san is ill?

Tsumugi:

It will probably make the fans worried, but I was thinking of doing that, yes.

Yamato:

Got it. Let’s rearrange the singing parts. We’ll also have to think of the choreography. Everyone come on.

Sougo:

Understood.

Tsumugi:

I’m sorry for all the trouble!

Riku:

It’s okay. Singing as 6 is just so we can sing as 7 again.

Mitsuki:

…! Yamato-san, in today’s show they’ll be there too!

Yamato:

They?

Mitsuki:

ŹOOĻ. Let’s go in earlier and talk to Natsume Minami.

Tsumugi:

Understood! I’ll try to ask for it from my side as well!

Otoharu:

---Tsumugi-kun.

Tsumugi:

Yes!

Otoharu:

Can I talk to you for a minute?

Cut to Otoharu’s office.

Tsumugi:

…

What is the matter, president?

Otoharu:

These are unordinary circumstances. I will not approve of Nagi-kun’s secession. I’m glad the others think the same.

But we have to think of the worst case.

Tsumugi:

The worst case…

Otoharu:

We have to think about what we’ll do when we reach Nagi-kun. And what to do if he’s leaving of his own accord and if we can’t change that decision.

Tsumugi:

… I cannot think about something like that. Nagi-san is, he’s… surely…

Otoharu:

Thinking about a future we don’t even want to imagine, having an answer for every possible situation; that is our job.

This is a very serious and important issue. We did our best, but it wasn’t enough. The party’s complete annihilation. That is what we have to prevent.

We swallow the shock and despair first, and try to make the kids accept it without them breaking apart. That is what we need to prepare for.

[TL note: Otoharu was using gaming terms there, so a “party” in the sense of a party in an RPG for example.]

Tsumugi:

...in other words, you’re telling me to think about a future without Nagi-san, correct?

Otoharu:

I don’t want to let it end just like this either. But I‘m sure there are other difficult circumstances surrounding Nagi-kun. He loved Noth Meir a lot.

If IDOLiSH7 loses a member, will we add someone new? Will they keep going as 6? Will we change their name and start anew?

Please put those thoughts inside your mind. It’s for the sake of finding a way for IDOLiSH7 to continue moving forward.

Tsumugi:

…

Otoharu:

I know I’m being harsh. You were the one to protect the 7 of IDOLiSH7 from the very start.

On the day of the audition, you came head-on to me with a protest. That passion has protected IDOLiSH7 until now.

If you’re not up for the task, I’ll leave it to Banri-kun to come up with a countermeasure.

Counting in his own experience, it’d be the second time a member leaves. I’m sure he’d be able to find the best solution. Though it’ll make him go through painful memories.

What will you do, Tsumugi-kun?

Tsumugi:

… …I will.. …think about it…

I’ll be the one to think of an IDOLiSH7 without Nagi-san…

Otoharu:

…alright. Thank you very much.

It’s just for the worst case. I want us to do our best until the end so we can say “Ah, I’m glad I didn’t have to do that.”.

Tsumugi:

…yes…

Cut to blue sky.

Tsumugi, thinking:

What the president said was reasonable.

When building a house, full of excitement, I have to be the one to think seriously about how to prevent a fire and think of evacuation routes.

To think about an IDOLiSH7 that lost a member.

Singing as 6?

Adding someone new?

Change the name and start anew?

How to tell the others about an IDOLiSH7 without Nagi-san?

How to tell the fans?

I’m thinking and thinking, but I have no answer.

I didn’t want to find an answer.

That IDOLiSH7 wouldn’t be IDOLiSH7.

Because everyone believed that there was no way that it’d change, like the legend of Zero.

Tsumugi:

…Nagi-san…

Cut to ŹOOĻ’s dressing room.

Touma:

Huh!? What’s with this schedule!?

Haruka:

What’s wrong?

Touma:

Ryo-san did say that he had some sudden jobs come in for after today’s TV show but…

Me and Mina in a reportage about binge eating and Tora and Haru in a show about asking for advice via phone call?

Torao:

Is he trying to harass us…?

Haruka:

He totally is…

Minami:

It seems like it…

Touma:

Put aside our binge eating, will you guys be okay with giving advice!? Won’t that go up in flames!?

Torao:

Well, it should be okay right? I only say the truth anyway.

Haruka:

Yeah, I always say what I think.

Touma:

Ahh… It’ll definitely go up in flames…

Minami:

Ryo-san is like a child, isn’t he? And it’s probably because you said too much the other day, Inumaru-san. So, what should we binge eat?

Touma:

Ramen.

Minami.

Perfect, I like ramen. Let’s not forget to bring hair clips.

Torao:

Haruka. Should we like practice giving advice once?

Haruka:

How do you wanna practice that?

Torao:

How about you ask me “what do I have to do to make some friends?”

Haruka:

Don’t decide on other people’s troubles!! Also I recently made a friend to refill our lives for each other!!

Torao:

Heh, good for you!

Minami:

My, congratulations.

Touma:

Well done, Haru! Bring them with you someday!

Haruka:

Stop!! Don’t make it sound like that!! …ah right, Minami. Did you contact Osaka Sougo?

Minami:

I did not. The Takanashi agency tried to contact me as well, but this has nothing to do with me.

Haruka:

I see…

Knock knock.

Minami:

Oh, it seems someone is---

Door opens.

Yamato:

Hello. Looking forward to today. Natsume-chan, you’ve got a minute?

Mitsuki:

There’s something I wanna ask you!

Riku:

Do you know anything about Nagi!? Like where he is or what happened!?

IDOLiSH7 surrounds Minami.

Minami:

What is this, all of a sudden…?

3.2. Logical sorrow

Haruka:

Hey! Wait! What do you think you’re doing just barging into other people’s dressing rooms!? Don’t surround Minami…!

Tamaki:

Sorry Isumin! But we wanna ask him something about the code in SakuraMe!

Torao:

Code? What’s this about, Sougo?

Sougo:

There’s a strange code hidden in our lyrics. It seems Natsume-san knows something about it.

Torao:

Really, Minami?

Minami:

Who knows?

Yamato:

Natsume, please talk to us. We’re not gonna do anything.

Minami:

Obviously. Why would you have to do something against me?

Sougo:

You know something about the lyrics, do you not?

Minami:

I don’t know.

Iori:

Did you write those lyrics?

Minami:

Who knows?

Riku:

Please tell us!

Minami:

…

Riku:

… Touma-san!!

Touma:

Don’t come to me every time!!!

Riku:

S-sorry… I just… It’s because you’re kind…

Touma:

I told you I’m not… But, well… Isn’t it okay if it’s just talking, Mina?

Minami:

You were moved within seconds it seems.

Riku:

Thank you very much! The truth is…

Short fade-out and fade-in.

Haruka:

…saku, raha, ruki, wohi… …it’s true! It’s a code!

Torao:

Creepy…!! What is this!?

Touma:

…you’ve been singing it all along without realizing it?

Yamato:

Natsume should have noticed it. That’s why you said it, right? Nagi singing that song was wonderful. The highest grade of irony.

Minami:

…

Sougo:

We beg of you, please tell us. We don’t want things to become rough.

Torao:

Isn’t it better if you tell them? When an Osaka says they don’t want things to become rough, they’re thinking of a plan to make things rough already.

Minami:

A dangerous person that seems harmless on the outside huh…

Sougo:

Th-that’s not true! Midou-san, please don’t say things that sound misleading.

Torao:

Acting all upfront is an Osaka specialty as well. They’d approach you with a smile and a kitchen knife in hands at any time.

Tamaki:

You made curry with Sou-chan once too?

Torao:

Curry?

Sougo:

Tamaki-kun.

Tamaki:

Yes. I will not say it again.

Minami:

… You said “where is Nagi”, did you not? Does that mean you don’t know Rokuya-san’s whereabouts?

Mitsuki:

Yeah… He left a letter saying he’d leave IDOLiSH7, but those can’t be his true intentions.

He’s being forced to listen to what the Sakura Haruki’s kidnapper says, isn’t he? Do you know that guy?

Minami:

…

Touma:

Mina. If you know, then tell them.

Minami:

Why are you so good-natured, Inumaru-san?

Touma:

I’m not. If one of you would be gone, I’d do everything to look for you.

Minami:

...

Touma:

You may not understand it, but if you lose a member, that’s what it means.

Riku:

…are you talking about your time as NO_MAD?

Touma:

Well…

I believed we’d keep singing together. Even if they’d say they wanna give up, I’d say we can do it. That they too just wanted to keep singing.

…but then no one was left. Without being able to do anything, it all ended abruptly. I didn’t have the strength nor the words to stop them.

It was lonely. Very much so.

Haruka:

…Touma…

Torao:

…

Riku:

…I’m sorry. I made you talk about painful memories…

Touma:

It’s okay. It’s all in the past now.

Riku:

I’m… I’m happy there’s others that want to sing with you now.

Touma:

Haha… You’re right. Thanks, Riku.

Haruka, Torao & Minami:

…

Touma:

Ah, what were we talking about again?

Minami:

…understood.

Riku:

Natsume-san…

Minami:

If you’re okay with what I know, let us talk. About Rokuya Nagi-san.

Riku:

…

Minami:

Nagi Valhart von Noth Meir.

That is Rokuya Nagi-san’s name in Noth Meir. The Second Prince of the royal family of Noth Meir.

Mitsuki:

…Noth Meir’s prince…

Yamato:

So it really… was true…

Haruka:

What? Prince? Like from a light novel?

Minami:

This is non-fiction. He is part of the Noth Meir royal family. Though presently he has relinquished his rights of and relations to the royal family.

Sougo:

Why…?

Minami:

Because Rokuya-san’s existence has been continuously agitating His Highness Set Ranvalt von Noth Meir’s pride; first prince and heir to the throne.

I assume it’s to avoid conflict?

[TL note: His name has obviously no official romanization yet, but I very strongly assume it’s “Set”. Why? Because in Egyptian Mythology, Set is the god of the desert and storms. And the kanji for “nagi”, though never used in Japanese, does mean “calm/lull of the sea”. And if that doesn’t make for perfect opposites, then I don’t know.]

Riku:

…Set-san…

Minami:

Rokuya-san’s abilities and popularity among the people were higher. From very early on in his life, he was loved by important people from international societies for his linguistic and diplomatic prowess and was the reason of why such a small country like Noth Meir received attention from overseas.

But it seems that inside of the royal family there were a lot of people that didn’t think very well of Rokuya-san for being partially of Asian blood. Among those, His Highness Ranvalt was his sole guardian.

Iori:

…so you mean to say he was a good person?

Minami:

I do not know. I hear that he only wanted to use Rokuya-san’s popularity.

Mitsuki:

…now that you said it, he once told us that he was on bad terms with his siblings…

Minami:

His Highness Ranvalt wants to revolutionize Noth Meir. But for that he needs Rokuya-san’s popularity. That may be why he took Sakura-san hostage.

Sakura-san predicted such a future and vanished from Nagi-san’s side.

Haruka:

…Minami why do you know all this? Does everyone in Noth Meir know about this?

Minami:

No. They believe the royal family to be ideal and brimming with love.

Yamato:

Then why…

Minami:

I’ve heard from Sakura-san. For a short period of time I was living together with Sakura-san.

Mitsuki:

Sakura-san… You mean Sakura Haruki!? You know where he is!? Nagi’s been looking for him all the tim---

Minami:

I do not know where he is at the moment. It says he’s being held hostage, doesn’t it? Sakura-san is under control of the Noth Meir royal family.

Even though he’s weak to sickness and doesn’t have much time left, only because he was dragged into the esteemed affairs of Rokuya-san!

Touma:

M-Mina…

Minami:

Please excuse me, but now that it’s come to this I feel relieved.

To threaten Rokuya-san His Highness Ranvalt must plan to keep Sakura-san alive. He’ll probably make that obstinate blockhead receive medical treatment.

If Rokuya-san thinks of Sakura-san as a beloved friend then he will not be returning to Japan. Not as long as Sakura-san is alive.

Isn’t that probably Rokuya-san’s wish as well? He’d want to attend to his friend’s last moments, and there’s also a lot of problems in Noth Meir at the moment.

I think there was no other way then to leave IDOLiSH7. For his beloved motherland and for his friend.

Riku:

… That’s…

Door opens.

TV staff B:

Please excuse me ŹOOĻ. Is IDOLiSH7 here… ah, you are! I’m glad!

It’s almost time for your performance! You should probably head back!

Yamato:

…understood. Let’s go. Sorry for taking up your time, Natsume.

Minami:

By no means.

Door closes.

3.3. Smiles on the front, tears on the back

Everyone:

…

Tamaki:

…i-it’s gonna be okay…!

Mitsuki:

…Tamaki…

Tamaki:

Nagicchi will come back! And if there’s a reason why he can’t come, then we’ll go and help him!

Riku:

R-right! If that person called Set-san is holding Sakura-san hostage, we just gotta talk to him and solve everything!

Iori:

We’re talking about the first prince of Noth Meir here?

Riku:

But, there’s no other way, right!?

Sougo:

…Nagi-kun… I wonder what Nagi-kun thinks about this…

Riku:

Eh…

Sougo:

Unlike me, it’s not like he didn’t want to return home. He loved both Noth Meir and Sakura-san. Maybe he…

Mitsuki:

…he’d want to leave IDOLiSH7…?

Sougo:

I don’t want to think that’s the case, but… If I had known my uncle wouldn’t have had much time left, I would’ve liked to spend more time with him…

We may even inconvenience him by thinking it’s only obvious for him to return. …he is very caring after all…

Mitsuki:

… That’s…

…I know that he loves Noth Meir and Sakura-san, but, still, that’s…

Yamato:

Don’t look so gloom. We’re about to see our fans.

They’ll be worried when they see Nagi isn’t with us. Nothing is decided yet so we can’t make them worry.

Mitsuki:

…yes. You’re right.

Yamato:

Riku. Tonight’s talk will be centred on me. You can’t hide anything.

Riku:

Understood…

Yamato:

Smile. Nagi will come back. Smile while thinking about that.

Riku:

Understood.

Yamato:

What’s the excuse for Nagi not appearing?

Iori:

Influenza. If we just say he’s not feeling well, people will start asking for the exact condition he’s in.

Yamato:

Influenza huh. At most one week. If this isn’t solved in a week, we’ll have to think of something else.

Tamaki:

…we’re gonna lie to our fans?

Yamato:

Did you forget what Onii-san has told you before? Everyone who appears on TV is a liar.

Tamaki:

…

Yamato:

But, this isn’t a meaningless lie. It’s to protect ourselves nor for show. It’s to make our fans smile, that’s our and Nagi’s job.

That’s our skill, our responsibility. Be proud, carry it through.

Tamaki:

‘Kay.

Yamato:

It’s okay. Onii-san will even enchant the great Yama who pulls out your tongue if you lie.

[TL note: In Japan there’s a saying that goes “If you lie, Lord Enma will pull out your tongue.” to make children tell the truth. Enma/Yama judges the dead in Buddhist mythology.]

Cut to TV show.

Mister Shimooka:

And our next guests are IDOLiSH7! …is what I want to say, but I’ve heard Nagi-kun has influenza?

Audience:

Ehhhh!

Yamato:

That’s right. Though due to his positivity he himself feels good. Yamato impersonating Nagi. "I want to meet you all!” he said.

Audience:

Ahahaha!

Mister Shimooka:

It’s been going around lately, huh. You take care of yourselves too!

Mitsuki:

No worries! We’re all A-Okay! We’ll sing and dance for Nagi too!!

Mister Shimooka:

You’re all full of vigour aren’t you! Not that you’ll end up taking over Nagi-kun’s part, right! Hahaha…

Mitsuki:

Ah… ahaha! But, the one to sing and dance his parts has to Nagi, like… There’s no one else capable of it.

Audience:

*scream*

Yamato:

Man, why so serious, Mitsu.

Mitsuki:

…sorry sorry!

Mister Shimooka:

By no means! I hope he gets better soon. Tell him to take care, will you?

Yamato:

Thank you very much, I’ll make sure to tell him.

Audience:

Take care!

Get better soon!

Nagi-kun, I wanted to see you!

Yamato:

Sorry! Thanks! I’ll tell him!

Audience:

*scream*

Mister Shimooka:

It’s a shame Nagi-kun couldn’t come, but let’s hear them sing as six! IDOLiSH7 with “Nanatsuiro REALiZE”!

Short fade-out and fade-in.

Riku, thinking:

We danced as six.

The view without Nagi felt hard to understand, but I was relieved when the worried fans started smiling.

But after that I felt weird. I didn‘t want to feel okay singing as just six.

I want them to say we’re not enough like this. Even though I want to smile for everyone., I don’t want to smile.

Even though I don’t want to smile, we have to smile for Nagi too.

This is just… a mess.

It was a first for us.

Hey, Nagi. This isn’t perfect at all. “Riku” meaning 6… doesn’t connect us.

You can’t be left out.

Touma-san’s words came to my mind. I believed we’d keep singing together. Even if they’d say they wanna give up, I’d say we can do it.

Without being able to do anything, it all ended abruptly. I didn’t have the strength nor the words to stop them.

It was lonely. Very much so.

Yamato:

Thanks!

Iori:

Thank you very much!

Audience:

*scream*

Riku:

…thank you very much!

Audience:

*scream*

Riku, thinking:

When the lights turned off, we all looked down, not being able to bear it.

Mitsuki’s shoulders shivered, Tamaki’s breathing became more intense.

Mitsuki:

… … …ugh…

Tamaki:

… hah… Ugh…

Riku, thinking:

Iori and Sougo-san too, looked down to the floor with uneasiness.

Iori:

…

Sougo:

…

Riku, thinking:

My eyelids turned hot and I firmly pressed my mouth shut.

Riku:

… …Nagi…

Riku, thinking:

As if he was angry, Yamato-san was looking at where Nagi was supposed to be standing.

Yamato:

…

…Are you happy?

Cut to backstage.

Touma:

…

Haruka:

…Minami, are you okay?

Minami:

What do you mean?

Haruka:

Because you were yelling earlier.

Minami:

…I was not.

Touma:

…that guy, Sakura-san, are you okay not going to see him? He’s sick, isn’t he?

Minami:

It’s Noth Meir. It’s not a place you can just visit freely. And I’m sure His Highness Ranvalt is hiding him anyways.

Torao:

Couldn’t we got after the festival in Denmark? I don’t mind arranging things.

Minami:

What are you…

Torao:

A place to stay. There’s a Midou hotel in Noth Meir.

Minami:

…

Touma:

Yes! Let’s ask Ryo-san if we can find time in our schedule before or after the festival and---

Haruka:

Touma, you just made him angry the other day! I’ll talk to him. Minami, you want to see him right?

Minami:

I didn’t say that, did I?

Haruka:

…

Torao:

Why are you irritated? That person isn’t feeling well, right? What’s wrong with wanting to see them?

Minami:

Sakura-san was my friend only for a certain time. He didn’t listen to my warnings. There’s nothing to be done anymore.

Torao:

Nothing? Even though he’s still alive? Did you part after a disagreement?

Minami:

What are you gonna do once you know?

Torao:

… Nothing much…

Minami:

If you’re not even interested, don’t give suggestions and ask for ideas like this is about your lunch.

On the terrace if it’s sunny, sitting by the window if it rains. You do you, as you please. I won’t stop you.

But this is my problem. I’ve been thinking about it for almost a year and decided to let it end. Don’t push the rewind button as if it’s nothing.

Torao:

…

Haruka said that because you don’t look as if you’ve let it end. And to me too, you don’t remind me of a woman that let it end.

Haruka:

Exactly! …what do you mean woman that let it end?

Touma:

Haru that’s something you don’t need to know yet.

Minami:

What do you even know? What do you want to do once you know? What can you even do?

Torao & Haruka:

As we said…

Minami:

Understood. I’ll say it clearly. Unrelated people shouldn’t talk as if they know everything.

It’s a bother.

Torao & Haruka:

…

Touma:

Mina, you don’t have to say it like---

Torao:

…hmph. Is that so?

Haruka:

…is that so! Then do what you want!

Touma:

Come on, you guys too…

TV staff:

ŹOOĻ, you’re on!

Minami:

…let us go.

Cut to stage.

Audience:

*scream* ŹOOĻ…!

3.4. Moody turning point

TV voice:

That was ŹOOĻ! Our next guests are…

Yuki:

…so Nagi-kun has the influenza huh. They live in dorms so preventing it seems hard.

Momo:

I wonder if it’s really influenza… Everyone’s expressions were kinda…

Yuki:

Weird?

Momo:

Yes… I’m a bit worried.

Door opens.

Okarin:

Momo-kun, Yuki-kun, do you have time right now? I want you to meet someone.

Momo:

Someone? Who---

Well-built foreigner:

HELLO

Momo:

A macho man!

Yuki:

A macho man came!

Okarin:

Your personal bodyguard.

Re:vale:

You’re kidding!!

Okarin:

His name is Bob-san! No worries! He has abundant experience. You can rest reassured!

He’s been already working in America, England, China and even Noth Meir!

Bob:

Hajimemashite.

Momo:

It’s nice to meet you! Amazing muscles! What training do you do!?

Yuki:

They are. And so firm.

Okarin:

Uhm, he’s rather shy, so please don’t touch him too much…

Momo:

Well then, now that we have a reliable bodyguard, let’s head to the finale.

Yuki:

Yes. Did you talk to Shimooka-san?

Momo:

He said he’d always lend us a hand! What about you?

Yuki:

I’ll check right now. Okarin, can you get me my phone?

Okarin:

Please don’t do anything careless…

Momo:

No worries, no worries! Ah, Yuki. Shimooka-chan said to better not deal with the “Red Flag”. That it has a bad business conditions.

Yuki:

Even though it’s PUB-ish? Then, which is okay? …ah, hello?

Momo:

Hmm… “Happy Hour”!

Yuki:

This is “Happy Hour”’s Yuki. Haha… I just changed my name. Yes. It’s about the Anti-TSUKUMO Alliance.

Yes, I’d like to bring Mister Shimooka-san and one more. Also Momo and, uhh, Bob too.

When do you have time, Shizuo-san?

Cut to a living room.

Fan girl:

I hope Nagi-kun is okay… I’m sorry that he has the influenza. IDOLiSH7 with only 6 members feels kinda lonely…

Big sister:

…I’m back…

Fan girl:

Welcome home. You’re late so you missed the TV show!

Sister:

I had overwork ugh… My superior changed so everything was just chaos…

Fan girl:

I see. But more importantly, Nagi-kun has influenza! Riku-kun sang Nagi-kun’s parts!

Sister:

I wanna have influenza too…

Fan girl:

Working adults have it hard huh. …ah, ŹOOĻ are guests in the next show too. Well, I’ll go to my room.

Sister:

Not watching?

Fan girl:

Well they could be the opponents of IDOLiSH7 in the Black or White! And they felt weird when they appeared in IDOLiSH7’s show!

Door closes.

Sister:

And there she goes… …well, I understand her… But, handsome guys are a heart’s health preservation…

Ah… it’s not all of ŹOOĻ, only Isumi Haruka and Midou Torao.

They look super pissed… Phone consultation? Can they do that?

… I do like Midou Torao’s face though…

Cut to TV show.

Haruka, thinking:

Minami you idiot. Super idiot. Ultra idiot. I won’t worry about you anymore, definitely. Just mope like a child, idiot.

Torao, thinking:

Even though people just wanted to help you, idiot. I even told him I could help with a place to stay, that idiot. Next time I will be the one to tell him he’s a bother, idiot.

Host:

W-weeell! We’re only used to entertainers coming to our show, suddenly having handsome idols here makes the studio go topsy-turvy.

Haruka:

I see.

Torao:

And?

Host:

H-how cool, huh!? Uhm, then, let’s quickly get to our first consultation! Now then, connect us!

Cut to dressing room.

Touma:

Dear god… Please let them say the things they wanna say as volubly as possible and don’t let them make things worse…

Minami:

Aren’t you asking for the impossible?

Touma:

Mina…

Minami:

It burns, only ashes remain, that's the end. No matter how much you care about something, that doesn’t mean you’ll be cared for in response.

No matter if it’s members, friends or strangers. They won’t love as much is return.

Touma:

…

It doesn’t have to be the same amount. I like ŹOOĻ.

Even if you guys don’t turn around, I like ŹOOĻ.

Minami:

…Inumaru-san…

Cut back to studio.

Host:

Our first counselee is “I love Torao-kun”-san! Ah, aren’t you glad! The person you admire will hear your worries!

Counselee’s voice through the phone:

Yes… I’m really happy!!

Host:

What’s your worry?

Counselee:

There’s this senpai at my work place that doesn’t get anything done but is acting high and mighty, and I just can’t take it anymore, it’s making me wanna quit but, don’t you, like, have a good idea how to solve this…

Host:

Ahh, yes, these things happen! Torao-kun, do you have some kind of advice?

Torao:

Just quit then.

Counselee:

Eh?

Torao:

If you can’t take it and it’s making you wanna quit, why don’t you just quit then?

Counselee:

Qui… But, that’s a bit…

Torao:

Why can’t you?

Counselee:

…well I have living expenses…

Torao:

Well it’s that person that can’t do their job right? If you can do it, there should be plenty of other places that could hire you right?

Or is it actually you that can’t do your job?

Counselee:

…

Torao:

If that’s not it, just quit. …is this okay as an answer?

Haruka:

I guess?

Counselee:

Wai… Quitting isn’t that simple… I’d appreciate if you don’t say irresponsible things though…

Torao:

Irresponsible?

Counselee:

…

Torao:

Huh!? Isn’t that obvious? Why should I be responsible for your life!?

Haruka:

…wah, he said it…

3.5. One’s path

In a ramen shop.

Touma:

Please don’t let it go up in flames…

Minami:

Inumaru-san. Don’t stop moving your hand and please eat. This is only the fourth bowl.

Cut back to TV show.

Host:

T-t-torao-kun, saying that is… That’s not the point of this show…

Torao:

It’s your job and your life, right? If you don’t take responsibility for it no one will. No one will do maintenances, no one will update it.

You yourself have to make it work. And for that you don’t have to hold back or anything.

Counselee:

…ah…

Torao:

If you don’t wanna quit, just tell your senpai or whoever to stop acting all high and mighty.

Just because they’re your senpai doesn’t give them any right to act like that, correct?

Counselee:

…you’re right…

Torao:

Well then you are right. It’s upon you to right their wrong. And if they don’t change, they’re just an idiot.

Counselee:

S-so it’s okay to not care about them too…?

Torao:

Sure. What should you worry about things that displease you? If it’s displeasing or not, you’re gonna do the same job right? So think about something to daydream about.

What do you daydream about?

Counselee:

A-about Midou-san…

Torao:

Then just think about me.

Counselee:

… …y-yes…!

Host:

Ohh! Did you hear that just now!?

Haruka:

…you’re way too simple…

Torao:

Don’t worry about things other people say. If you do worry in the end, quit. Find a place that’s good for you, right now.

You have the right to live happily, there’s a place for you somewhere out there. You are right. Don’t let others bother you.

Counselee:

Bother?

Torao:

Is this okay?

Counselee:

Y-yes…! Thank you very much!

Torao:

You’re welcome.

Host:

Do your best on the job! That was “I love Torao-kun”-san!

How nice! That was some great advice, Torao-kun! At first I was worried, but I almost fell for you too!

Torao:

Heh… Well.

Haruka:

No that was definitely a fluke…

Cut to a living room.

Sister:

…Torao-kun…

… how cool…

Door opens.

Fan girl:

Hey, sis! IDOLiSH7 will… Hm? You’re still watching ŹOOĻ’s show?

Sister:

Ah… n-no? Not really… What’s with IDOLiSH7?

Fan girl:

They’re doing something on SNS for Nagi-kun! Everyone’s uploading a picture of a yellow crane Let’s make one together too!

So that Nagi-kun recovers fully and so that IDOLiSH7 can beat ŹOOĻ at the Black or White!

Sister:

… …y-yeah…

…

Cut to street at night.

Woman:

Tonight’s ŹOOĻ was really good right!? To be honest, I’ve always thought Torao-kun was great…

Woman:

Ehh! But you said your favs are IDOLiSH7! You even asked me to vote for them during Black or White!

Woman:

Well yes but… weren’t they cool?

Woman:

Ehhh…

Cut to another street.

Woman:

Hey, recently, IDOLiSH7 are being really nice, aren’t they?! Nanase Riku was really good on “Friends Day”! I want them to do bigger jobs!

Woman:

Ehh! Didn’t you like TRIGGER! Didn’t you wanna go on their local tour?

Woman:

Well they said getting tickets is hard… Because you can see them more closely than on TV…

Woman:

Ehhh…

Cut to another street.

Woman:

IDOLiSH7 without Nagi-kun was lonely… It’s not like I’m a fan of Nagi-kun specifically, but you know…

Woman:

I feel you! They’re IDOLiSH7 because they’re seven, so if one of them is missing it feels sad!

Woman:

Exactly! That’s why no one should leave right now! I don’t think I could support them the same I do now if that’d change!!

Woman:

I hope he gets better soon so they can sing as seven again!

Cut to Zero Arena.

Tsumugi, thinking:

Changing things and things that change shape…

Is that something we can forgive?

Something we can accept?

The fans and I have been supporting IDOLiSH7 as they are now, a group of seven.

That feeling is so strong, it’s like IDOLiSH7’s dream and my own dream have started mixing together.

That’s why, accepting a changed IDOLiSH7 is---

It’s like forcibly changing yourself. It’s tough. And painful.

I don’t want to make the fans feel this…

Cut to Takanashi Office.

Banri:

…there’s been a lot of messages addressed to Nagi-kun on our office’s official account huh.

Please get better soon and show us how you sing as seven.

I want to see Nagi-kun feeling better again. I wish for Nagi-kun to get better quickly. …and even more like those.

Tsumugi:

…everyone is worried about Nagi-kun, aren’t they…

Was there anything from the attorney’s side…?

Banri:

They’re very unapproachable… And we can’t contact Nagi-kun directly. Though they’ll apparently pay as much money as needed.

I tried contacting something like Noth Meir’s Imperial Household Agency, though I did that with my poor English, so I don’t know if they’ll call back…

Door opens.

Yamato:

Manager, do you have a moment?

Tsumugi:

Yamato-san…

Yamato:

Let’s walk around outside.

Cut to a park at night.

Tsumugi:

Yamato-san… What did you want to talk about?

Yamato:

…

Well, you’re probably desperately thinking about something right now, aren’t you? …about Nagi and us.

I want to talk about IDOLiSH7’s future. As this group’s leader.

Tsumugi:

…

To be continued…