kumakuma

〈Location: Meeting room〉
〈Evening of the next day〉

Hokuto: I see, I get what you’re saying.

That’s pretty cold though. If you’re feeling uncertain for whatever reason, just spit it out- what do you think we’re here for?

I’m pretty insensitive, so if you don’t tell me, I won’t understand you.

Well whatever. In short, how should we deal with the reason behind why Akehoshi can't get pumped up? This isn’t just a problem that concerns Akehoshi alone, it’s a problem concerning all of ‘Trickstar’.

When we’re together, we can outshine any other light. But if any one of us loses that shine, then the light we provide as a whole fades.

Makoto: Ah~...... It’s true that Akehoshi-kun’s been a little down this time.

Subaru: Ahaha. Speaking of, Ukki~, your skin doesn’t have that glow like it usually does? It’s not sparkling?

Makoto: Uu, it feels like I just had my entire existence denied by Akehoshi-kun’s saying “It’s not sparkling”...... There’s nothing I can do about it~, I’ve been playing games all night until it was morning.

Instead, you should be praising me for maintaining my skin’s lustre while the cameras were rolling.

I ate a lot today and slept properly until noon, so I’ve been revived― look, look, I don’t even have dark circles around my eyes ♪

Mao: Ah, you were talking about something like that. The program that Makoto was in the cast for, is it up already? Can we watch it on our phones?

Makoto: Mmn~ no…… It was a live broadcast, but I don’t think you can see the video yet.

But it depends on which app Isara-kun’s got installed.

Mao: Umm…… Oh, it’s this one. There’s a lot of comments. They’re saying things like “Makoto, that serious look on your face when you play games makes my heart race~”

Makoto: Ahaha. It’s because outside of gravure shoots I don’t usually have a serious face on……

Rather, since I was so serious, I couldn’t make any interesting conversation, so I’ve been reflecting on that.

But everyone who was there was really skilful…… it really got all the gamers’ blood pumping ♪

Fufu. As expected, it’s people who are used to streaming are amazingly good at talking while playing games~

It feels like they’re pros. But really, it’s just a hobby you can have fun doing at home…… I forgot I was working. I was inexperienced.

Hokuto: Fufu. Well it seems you had a fulfilling time, Yuuki.

Makoto: Yeah. I found out about a lot of things, it was pretty worthwhile.

Ah, ‘worthwhile Yuuki’¹. I got caught in your bad pun.

Hokuto: Fufu. That’s too bad, jokes are the key to life after all. It’s too late if you realise after you say it.

Mao: Hey, hey, seriously, what’re you on about? I made that ‘chance’ for you by moving onto this topic, but more importantly―

Hokuto: Umu. The problem’s with Akehoshi. Really, what’s going on with you?

Subaru: Eh~, uh~...... I don’t really understand myself. I was sure I could enjoy all kinds of idol activities that we’d get but…...

But somehow this time, I feel kind of gloomy. No~, I wonder if it’s because I’ve been super tired but haven’t realised it.

The other day while I was getting my medical checkup, Sagami-chan said something like “we should thank your parents for raising such a strong child”― he was really praising me.

Mao: …...Uh huh. Since I spoke with Subaru yesterday, I’ve been thinking about a lot of things.

Even things like reading my favourite manga, or hearing my little sister’s complaints about that teacher she hates, none of it really sunk in. I was thinking about Subaru all night while I was lying in bed.

It seems I might even be worse than Hokuto when it comes to sensing other people’s gloominess…...

I’m probably way off the mark, but can I tell you what I came up with anyway?

Subaru: Yeah. If you’ve noticed something, it’s better to say it, since I don’t really know myself. I believe in you~, since Sari~ is always correct ♪

Mao: Ahaha. That’s not true, you always give me too much credit, Subaru…… Well I hope I can meet those expectations.

Hmm, how should I say this. This project seems to be providing us with a way to rise even further in ES― I mean the idol industry.

Hokuto: Umu. Basically, we have to introduce ES and all of the idols who are working under it.

Makoto: Fufu. It’s sort of like those online shopping shows you get in the middle of the night, what with the “Look at the new products we have here!”

Mao: Mm. …… But Subaru’s father― I wonder how I should put it, he died an unnatural death after being abandoned by that same idol industry.

Subaru: ……….

Notes:
¹ Hokuto calls Makoto by his last name Yuuki (can also be read as ‘yuugi’), which is similar to the pronunciation of ‘worthwhile’ (yuuigi)

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