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〈Location: Nap Room〉

Tsukasa: So I’m not sure where Izumi-san draws the line between ‘friend’ and ‘stranger’.

Even though Izumi-san calls himself ‘onii-chan’, and for some reason treats me like his little brother,

I-it doesn’t seem like you consider Suou-kun part of the family…… He’s the ‘youngest child’- that’s what ‘Knights’ calls him, isn’t it?

In the same way, you’re supposed to be thinking of them like they’re your family, but you’re hard on Suou-kun and you spoil me. You’ve got it mixed up and I don’t get why. It makes me a little sad.

That’s why I say it’s unfair. On the surface you talk about how it seems like you’re all a family, but you’re not taking it to heart.

If it’s merely meant to be a joke, then you shouldn’t have called them your family in the first place.

F-family’s really important to Suou-kun, you know. He’s always abided by his family’s principles, because he’s proud of it, and he loves them.

So he thought that he should come to love ‘Knights’ in the same way…...

That’s what I believed, but seeing how you act towards me, it was like having cold water thrown on my reverie.

Izumi: ……….

Tsukasa: That’s why-? Umm, huh…...what was I saying?

Makoto: …...We each had our respective complaints like this, so I felt that by swapping bodies, we would be able to get rid of them.

If I took on the appearance of Yuuki-senpai, an unknowing Sena-senpai would treat me as if I was Yuuki-senpai.

Even though we’re not family, he would excessively spoil me as if I was, right?

He would tell me that I’m important, that he loves me to the point where it becomes irritating.

Tsukasa: Mm…… Then on the other hand, with me looking like Suou-kun, Izumi-san would treat me like how he treats Suou-kun.

He would act like a cool and reliable senior, without all the overprotectiveness and excessive meddling.

Makoto: Yes. That’s right, no….. that’s exactly right.

Yuuki-senpai can stand up and walk on his own, so you do not need to care for him any more than is necessary.

I believe he wants you to leave him alone to some extent. The ‘SS’ is coming up, so this is a very important period for him.

He wants you to watch over him without interfering.

Tsukasa: I get that you’re worried. After all, ‘Knights’ is on the rise, but you don’t know if you’ll have the carpet ripped out from under you, like that time during Halloween.

I want you to care less about others and look at your own group.

‘Knights’, who have nowhere to turn for comfort...... They need Izumi-san, their reliable senior.

And yet. Even though Izumi-san might actually value ‘Knights’, it sure doesn’t show through in his attitude.

Being abusive every time he opens his mouth, and always saying things like how it’s fine if the group quits, or ‘don’t bother me’~

Izumi: I-I haven’t been saying that sort of thing recently, though?

Tsukasa: But. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve said it, it can’t be forgotten even if you’ve only said it once.

I wonder if you’ve still got the same attitude even now, since I do doubt you every now and then.

Makoto: Hm. Please clearly say what you want to say without getting emotional. We are trying to solve our problems seriously after all.

Don’t just reject it- we aren’t trying to hurt you.

It’s not as terrible of a thing as you’re worried about, so don’t brush it off. Please live honestly without being afraid.

…...well, we should have told you all this properly even if we had not swapped bodies.

However, we should probably end the conversation here, as it’s becoming rather convoluted.

Izumi: Mm…… Well, now that I understand both of your feelings, I’ll try to reflect on myself a little

Leaving that aside for now, we need to do something about this ‘body swap’, don’t we?

I get it. From now on, I’ll be careful to consider your feelings before I do something, so…...

Let’s get you back to normal if we can. You can’t stay like that forever, right?

Makoto: Yes. Even though we each had our grievances, we do not wish to abandon our own bodies.

We did not think that we would actually swap with each other― it was mostly meant to be a joke.

Tsukasa: Y-yeah. ‘Trickstar’s got the ‘SS’ from now on.

There’s no way I can perform in Suou-kun’s body…... It’d definitely be better if we swapped back.

(small voice) Um, Ritsu-senpai? What should we do? I can’t find the pillow?

(small voice) The plan was to get revenge on Izumi-senpai by getting him a little flustered, then we would show us sleeping on the pillow and returning to normal…...?

Ritsu: (small voice) Hm. Sorry, it seems we didn’t account for this happening.

Izumi: Hey, what are you guys whispering secretly about? I thought we were done with that, since you’ve said everything you wanted to say, right?

Then, to get you back to normal fast, you just need to switch again.

If we use this demon’s pillow and have Yuu-kun and Kasa-kun sleep together…….you’ll probably go back to normal, right?

Then that'll be problem solved. It’s easy, isn’t it? Hurry up. Making so much fuss about nothing. I want to wrap this stupid thing up quickly and get back to my training, you know?

You’re coming too, right Kasa-kun, since you’re never doing anything useful?

Makoto: Haah…… Be that as it may, it seems that we may have a problem.

The pillow, we can’t find it.

Today being cleaning day for the nap room…… and given that the pillow was in a state of disrepair due to old age, I would presume it was taken with the rubbish and thrown out?

Izumi: Eh? Then what should we do? Are you going to stay swapped forever?

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〈Location: Nap Room〉

Izumi: …...Hmm, you guys even talked about complicated things like that?

You became good friends even though you don’t know each other? Kasa-kun, didn’t you hate ‘Trickstar’, saying how they’re such an aggravating group?

Tsukasa: No, um…… I don’t think he hates them per se.

Makoto: Yes. We’re usually rivals, aren’t we, ‘Knights’ and ‘Trickstar’.

Since we’ve fought so many times, we can’t help but feel hostile or be on edge around each other.

But it’s true that, having had a chat upon waking up, we were able to come to an understanding.

It was really just me who was acting like I had something against them all along.

Tsukasa: Yeah…… But as we talked, we started complaining about things like Izumi-san, so we decided to just put all our reservations out there.

Izumi: Excuuse me!? What, so you mean that you became good friends after happily bad mouthing someone? Isn’t that too base? Just tell me if you have a personal problem with me?

Backstabbing like this is the one thing I can’t stand. Soo~ annoying!

Tsukasa: Mm. You’d definitely react like this, so it’s difficult to bring up any problems directly to your face…...

I know you’re a little unhappy about it, but we definitely weren’t trying to pick a fight with you, Izumi-san.

Makoto: Yes. However, we got a little worked up whilst we were complaining to each other……

Our dissatisfactions overflowing, we decided to carry out a petty idea of ours.

Thinking back on it now, we were probably still half asleep……

With our impaired judgment in such a state, we had thought ‘that’ had been a magnificent idea.

Tsukasa: Mm. On top of that, we certainly didn’t think ‘that sort of thing’ would actually work. It was just for fun- we just wanted to play around a little.

Izumi: Hmm~, and what’s ‘that’? What’s that thing you're talking about?

Your explanation is absolutely terrible. Isn’t it an essential skill for idols to be able to communicate things clearly to other people!?

Makoto: That is true. But Sena-senpai, relieving your stress by lecturing people is a bad habit of yours, you know?

Even though what you’re saying is correct, taking your frustrations out on us ruins our moods too, you see?

Tsukasa: Yeah. We can’t take it anymore. It’s such a bad habit.

Izumi: You’re noisy…… Fine then. As you wish, I’ll stop with my immature attitude and not think ahead for you guys.

Could it be that the thing you’re talking about is ‘body-swapping’? Is that it?

Makoto: Yes. To be honest, Ritsu-senpai’s beloved pillow was said by his family to be a cursed item from ancient times…...

I heard that a very long time ago, it was used by demons like the succubus or makuragaeshi¹.

Tsukasa: That’s right, that’s right. There are a lot of legends surrounding this pillow…… Like how if anyone other than its rightful owner, Ritsu-kun, uses it, their whole body will break out in a rash.

Ritsu: Mhmm, if you use my pillow without my permission, you’ll be cursed~...... ♪

Makoto: Fufu. And another one, for instance, is that if two people sleep on it together, their personalities will be switched.

This time, we were hoping for that effect.

Izumi: Demons, huh…… Are you serious? Are you an idiot?

Last time I checked, you weren’t little kids who still believed in Santa, so shouldn’t you be taking this sort of occult talk with a grain of salt?

Makoto: Yes. We were partially in doubt, so we were thinking of trying it out……almost like a sort of joke.

We would resolve each other’s concerns while our bodies were swapped.

Tsukasa: Yeah. Suou-kun was saying earlier how we were both half-asleep, and that made us think that such an idiotic plan was a great idea.

Izumi: Ah~, I sort of get that……

When I was a kid, I also did something stupid while I was half asleep. I didn’t like the shape of my eyebrows when I saw them in the mirror, so I was going to shave them off completely.

I thought it’d be easier to get rid of them and draw them on instead of having to fix the hairs one at a time…...

Well, I came to my senses and quickly stopped myself before I actually did such a stupid thing.

I suppose it doesn’t matter. But more importantly……what issues do you have with me?

Tell me, why did you think ‘switching bodies’ would let you clear things up?

Makoto: Yes. Given the current situation, I’ll state everything clearly.

It seems Yuuki-senpai dislikes the way that Sena-senpai is always all over him and excessively meddles in his affairs.

Even though he told you that at Halloween, he’s annoyed that there has been no improvement in your attitude towards him.

You say you understand Yuuki-senpai’s feelings and you respect his wishes, but those are just words.

And yet at the same time, you openly express your own thoughts and shamelessly demand understanding from others so you receive affirmation and comfort.

He thought you had changed. Instead, you seem to think you have been forgiven, and you became even worse than before…...

And those, for the most part, are Yuuki-senpai’s complaints.

Izumi: Hnn? I mean, I’m sorry? I’m bad at changing quickly, you know?

I was so happy that you weren’t rejecting me like I thought you would…… I guess I was overconfident?

F-for once I was trying to be considerate!

Rather than having you suddenly saying “Let’s be strangers from now on” and decisively keeping your distance from me…...

I suppose I should have tried harder to understand what Yuu-kun was saying that time, shouldn’t I?

Makoto: …...He put up with it since he felt that he should be grateful to you for looking after him.

It seems Yuuki-senpai wants to say that he does have his limits, so let’s put an end to this.

Tsukasa: Yep. On top of that, it seems Suou-kun still has his dissatisfactions. Even though Suou-kun’s supposed to be in the same group, Izumi-san’s demonically cold, strict and harsh towards him.

If we’re talking about me or a stranger, he spoils us and helps us kindly. It’s not really the unfairness that’s the issue, it’s more that Suou-kun doesn’t understand why you do it.

Izumi: …...hah? As it stands, I do intend to be a little nicer towards Kasa-kun if the situation calls for it.

But it’ll do no good to just spoil him. It’s a hundred times better to be strict on your friends and lenient on strangers, you know?

Notes:
¹ Makuragaeshi - The makuragaeshi is a Japanese yōkai. They would come at night to one's pillow side and flip over the pillow (from Wikipedia)

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〈Location: Nap Room〉

〈Several minutes later〉

Izumi: Excuse me, I’m coming in~...... ?

Ritsu: You don’t need to lower your voice like that, Secchan. If I’m right, today’s the day they clean the place, so I don’t think there’d be anyone sleeping here.

Izumi: Hah? Even still, this is just basic manners, you know?

Makoto: Fufu. You’re unexpectedly ‘proper’ in that regard, aren’t you, Sena-senpai.

Tsukasa: Yep. So ‘proper’ that he seems like a sister-in-law every once in a while.

Izumi: Who are you calling a sister-in-law?

If you guys don’t have basic manners, you’ll be cast out from adult society right away, you know? Don't you understand that you should be learning from me?

Ritsu: Fufu. In any case, this is the nap room in question. We came here since it might make explaining the circumstances easier, so……

Su~chan and ‘Yuu-kun’, could you reenact what happened when you two switched bodies?

Tsukasa: Ha…… Um, if I remember correctly, we were sleeping in this corner here.

Makoto: Yes. I was lying down by the wall, where Yuuki-senpai was at the time.

Yuuki-senpai was already sleeping over here, after which I came in and fell asleep too. I believe that’s how it went.

Tsukasa: Yep. That’s right. Because Ritsu-kun insisted that the futon in this corner was his own and monopolised it…...

Nobody else uses it. It's like there’s some sort of unspoken agreement.

Ritsu: Mhmm. Even though they’re cleaned regularly, sleeping in a futon that might have someone else’s scent on it is gross.

I tell all the new people who come in here not to use this one.

Izumi: Haha, it seems you’ve completely become the lord of the nap room, huh…… Someone sure thinks they’re super important- is what I'd be saying, but I suppose it’s just like Kuma-kun to do something like that, isn't it?

And it’s just like Kasa-kun to use Kuma-kun’s special bed without hesitation ♪

Tsukasa: I mean, Suou-kun would have used a different bed if there had been another empty one, right?

Makoto: Yes. I’m very sorry for what I did earlier, but it was rather crowded today, and all the beds were taken. As such, there was no other choice.

So as to not wake up the other people who were sleeping, I walked over to the wall as quietly as I could…...

took my blazer off so that it wouldn’t become wrinkled, and lay down.

Tsukasa: Fufu. It’s pretty rare for us to sleep away from home, so it was rather exciting.

Izumi: …...Well, we don’t really use the boarding houses. Kasa-kun’s family’s pretty strict, so he has a hard time getting permission to spend the night elsewhere.

Tsukasa: Yep. ‘Trickstar’s had a lot of opportunities to do that while we were touring the country, so Suou-kun was probably jealous……

Makoto: Fufu. We seem to have gone off track. In any case, that’s how we came to be sleeping side by side……

I do believe it was Yuuki-senpai who woke up first, right?

Tsukasa: Ah, yeah. I slept earlier…… so I woke up earlier.

Suou-kun was tossing and turning a lot in his sleep, so he'd rolled over here at some point, and we ended up sleeping together.

I-it was probably because…… he normally sleeps in a bed, so he wasn’t able to sleep well in a futon.

Makoto: Yes. I suppose Yuuki-senpai was surprised when he awoke and heard my breathing right next to him.

He let out a small shriek, and that woke me up as well.

We were both a little flustered at the time, weren't we?

I apologised for my tossing and turning, to which he assured me that it was alright. Then we talked about how we both came to be using the nap room.

Tsukasa: Yep. Of course, the people around us were still asleep, so we had to whisper. It felt like we were telling secrets to each other.

Izumi: What, I want to be in that sort of situation with Yuu-kun too.

But that's not the point…… Normally, it’d be pretty suspicious for you guys to use the nap room, so why were you there?

Tsukasa: Ah, since we’re preparing for the ‘SS’, I was staying back for a lesson. I fell asleep near the other ‘Trickstar’ members.

Makoto: Yes. As expected, as Anzu…… onee-sama is a lady, she went home to sleep like she usually did.

As for Akehoshi-senpai, he said he didn’t want to leave his mother alone, so he went home.

Izumi: Hmm…… Now that you mention it, that orange-head only has his mother huh.

Makoto: Yes. It’s the same with Yuuki-senpai. Perhaps they became good friends because they were able to empathise with each other.

In any case, whilst Yuuki-senpai had been staying here since the night before, I only came to take a nap early this morning.

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but as I am inexperienced and my physique is lacking, I was rather fatigued…...

I had thought it would be good if I met Sena-senpai for some personal training at school, but given that I had no energy, I decided to recover my stamina first.

Tsukasa: Yeah. Having heard of the nap room from Ritsu-kun, Suou-kun thought he’d give it a go……

It seems he was interested in the idea of sleeping in a futon.

Izumi: Kasa-kun sure has an interest in what commoners do.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be curious, but…… just what could you be dissatisfied with, living the gorgeous lifestyle of a young master?

Tsukasa: I don’t think there’s anything Suou-kun’s particularly unhappy with. But from what I heard, it’s not exactly the rich-kid life that everyone imagines it to be.

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〈Location: Studio〉

〈Several minutes later〉

Izumi: Hmm~...... I think I get it. I’m still not convinced at all, but I’ve caught the gist of what happened.

‘Body-swapping’, huh. How’d you end up in that sort of stupid situation?

Makoto: Yes. We came here wanting to explain that. We, however, were not expecting Sena-senpai to be here…...

We were hoping that Ritsu-senpai would help us.

Ritsu: Hmm~, me? I suppose I am a vampire who exists beyond common sense, so I have knowledge and understanding of this sort of incomprehensible phenomenon ♪

I’m feeling tired from ‘Knights’ activities increasing so quickly, though.

My cute juniors were thinking I would be able to help them…… In any case, we’re free now, so Secchan might be able to help come up with a solution as well.

Izumi: Hah? “In any case, we’re free now,” did you say? Can’t you see that I’m focusing on my personal training?

Well, whatever. Putting Kasa-kun aside for the moment, I’m worried about Yuu-kun, so I want to get this sorted without wasting any more time. Let’s finish this quickly, shall we?

And plus, it seems there’s not much use in me complaining about it, is there?

First of all, let’s get things straight. Um……. you’re Kasa-kun?

Makoto: Yes. There’s no need to confirm that, though. I’m sure every action of mine exudes elegance ♪

Izumi: Is that right? If that half-wit Kasa-kun was actually behaving elegantly, I’d be doubting the legitimacy of this body swap.

Tsukasa: ……! You- how far will you go to belittle oth―

Makoto: Don’t be so disrespectful! Please correct yourself, Sena-senpai! With what you just said, you’ve not only tarnished mine but the honour of the entire Suou family!

You think so too, don’t you, Yuuki-senpai? It’s awful, isn’t it, that every single time……. this person is far more condescending than is necessary!

Tsukasa: Eh? A-ah, yeah……?

…...Th-that’s right! You’ll be misunderstood and hated because of how cynical you are, Izumi-san!

Izumi: Hmph…… Being hated by someone won’t bother me at all? I know I’m the best.

Makoto: Just where do you get that confidence from…..?

Izumi: You’re too noisy. Let's get back to the topic at hand. And you’re…… Yuu-kun?

Tsukasa: Yes! Ah I mean, yep…… I’m Izumi-san’s beloved ‘Yuu-kun’! I think you should spoil me lots!

Izumi: Hah? I thought you hated me spoiling you as your onii-chan.

You keep changing what you’re saying…… it’s confusing, you know?

So in other words, what exactly did you want me to do? Get to the point. Soo~ annoying!

Ritsu: (Ah, Secchan’s starting to lose patience……)

(That guy’s act is falling apart faster than I thought. I wonder if it’d be better if we moved on faster?)

Come on now…… I get that it’s confusing, but it’s no use arguing with your friends, you know. First, we’ll need to do something about this troublesome situation, won’t we?

They must have some reason in coming to me for help, so I’ll listen to their whole story……

So could Secchan shut up and not make any unnecessary remarks for the time being?

Izumi: Fine fine. Well it seems this has nothing to do with me, so I can go home, right?

Tsukasa: Y-you can’t go home Izumi-san. It’ll be troubling for us since we won’t be able to carry out ou―

Makoto: Hm. Then I will humbly be the one to explain the situation.

This situation began this morning in the nap room when I was sleeping together with Yuuki-senpai―

Izumi: And stop! What was that, why were the two of you sleeping together?

How cruel, Yuu-kun, doing that even though you hate your onii-chan and avoid him like he’s some bug!

Makoto: …... I do not really think he hates you. It is probably just the fact that he finds all the clingy and illogical skinship you lay on him strange.

Tsukasa: Well, to be honest, I do think it’s a bit weird for men to be overly touchy with each other.

We didn’t have a choice this time, though- the futons in the nap room were all taken.

Makoto: Yes. We were in different futons at first, but the moment we rolled over, we ended up sleeping next to each other.

It was an accident, and definitely not my intention.

Izumi: Hey, hold on a sec? Before that, what’s the nap room?

We have something like that?

I know that if you got permission beforehand you could stay overnight at the school for lessons and things, but I thought it was just setting a rental futon in an empty classroom and sleeping there, wasn’t it?

Ritsu: Ah, Anzu had it implemented properly a little while ago.

She built a proper system for staying overnight at school, approached the student council with it, and got permission.

As for the school faculty, knowing that everyone who was staying back would all be in one place would make managing it easier.

It seems that Ecchan gave permission, along with a few conditions.

One of the empty classrooms would be designated as the nap room, and after all sorts of adjustments were made, it was opened to the public.

You need to pay a small fee to stay, but it’s not a lot of money.

The futons and stuff are regularly washed by the ‘school’s part-timers’, so it’s clean and it’s quiet…...

The air conditioning is also perfect so you can sleep really comfortably- I use it a lot.

Izumi: Hmm. Anzu’s done a lot of things, hasn’t she, even though she probably didn’t have much time to spare, with it being just before the ‘SS’ and all.

Well whatever, now I know we have this sort of facility. Personally, I think something like that’s pretty helpful and convenient.

But really, Kuma-kun…… You’re always sleeping so peacefully somewhere out in the open.

I always thought it would be better for you to rest properly in a warm futon?

Ritsu: Mm yeah. Anzu thought the same, so she said the first few times I used the nap room were free.

That she would pay for me for now.

She said something about it being better than me sleeping outside somewhere and catching a cold. Words like that really make you feel grateful, don’t they? Kindness is everywhere…... ♪

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〈Location: Studio〉

Izumi: ~...... ♪

♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪

Ritsu: Un, deux, trois ♪ An, dou, twah~...... ♪

Izumi: O~i? If Kuma-kun could join the lesson too instead of just subtly clapping along?

It’s no good if you’re just lying there you know, soo~ annoying!

Ritsu: Yep, I’ve received today’s “soo~ annoying.”

And with that, we’ve hit 17 times this month. The frequency’s dropped recently, are you alright? Are you sick, Secchan?

Izumi: I was wondering what notes you were taking…… If you’re at a loss for what to do, then join the lesson.

Come on, get out of the kotatsu! You’ll grow mold!

Ritsu: Secchan’s like a mother sometimes…... It’s so cold that any living thing’ll be completely annihilated, so mold’s not going to grow, you know?

Izumi: You’ll get warm if you move won’t you, so come on, up! Could you not make so much work for me every single time!?

Ritsu: Uu~...... Rather, it’s been a long time since ‘Knights’ had some time off, so I think it would be better if we didn’t have a lesson.

Let’s rest properly during our break. Secchan’s serious huh?

If you keep at it regardless of how tired you are, you’ll collapse. There’s no sense in rushing ahead by yourself, you know. Let’s keep in line with everyone else.

…...Saying something like tha~t is uncharacteristic of ‘Knights’, isn’t it?

Izumi: Hmph. Well, it’s not like we haven’t been overly friendly recently.

Getting dragged down by a good-for-nothing irritates me to no end, so can you guys follow my lead and put in a little effort?

Ritsu: I’ve also been working hard recently though. Come on, acknowledge my efforts. Praise me.

That’s what Secchan lacks. Give me more carrot please ♪

Izumi: Hah? The other guys are being too soft on you, so I have to be the one relentlessly shaking the stick, don’t I?

Well, whatever. Leaving behind the guys who don’t have motivation…... I’ve always done things that way.

I’m resuming the lesson, so don’t butt in and get in my way, alright?

Ritsu: Yep yep. I won’t be an inconvenience~, so do as you like, hm~ ?

(Geez, come on. With how Secchan’s going, it won’t be long before he gets sick……)

(Well, it can’t be helped. Old habits die hard.)

(But especially since ‘Ousama’s back, the scope of our activities has expanded, and it’s become busier.)

(It seems like Secchan’s exhausted both physically and mentally…… I just want him to rest properly.)

(That stupid plan ‘those kids’ came up with, it’d be good if it goes well and Secchan gets to rest, wouldn’t it?)

Izumi: …...hmm? Huh, it got a little noisy outside? What’s this, footsteps?

Ritsu: (Oh, I wonder if ‘those kids’ have arrived?)

(I’ve finished secretly setting up all the peripherals inside the kotatsu here, it looks like that’s all the prep done~ ?)

(Fuhaha~ ♪ The fun, time-wasting plan, operation ‘Dream of the Butterfly’…..start!)

Makoto: E-excuse me! Fellow ‘Knights’, are you in here!?

Izumi: Wah, Yuu-kun! What is it, did you come here to see your onii-chan!?

Makoto: ……….

Izumi: H-huh? What a weak reaction!

Ah…… that’s right, you dislike it when I treat you like I’m your onii-chan, don’t you? Sorry, I’m not really one for changing my ways quickly, you know?

Makoto: …...Yes. I know that very well. Although in saying that, please put more effort into changing without me having to repeat myself several times.

And yet normally, I would be scolded by you for that.

Izumi: Eh, what’s with the ‘I’? I mean, could you please stop speaking in that superficially polite way like our damn brat?

I’ve told you many times there’s no need to speak formally when we’re in private~, Yuu-kun ♪

Makoto: …...ohohoh. Superficially polite. So that’s how you think of me, Sena-senpai.

Even though I was merely conducting myself with decorum and etiquette when facing my seniors.

Ritsu: (Ohh…… Perfect, as expected. It seems there’s no need for my directions here, huh?)

(But just one person talking isn’t convincing.….. As for ‘one other person’, I’ll also have to give them lines properly suited for the situation.)

(They’re receiving my instructions by the devices in their ears! Ahh busy busy…... ♪)

Tsukasa: …...um. Ah~ ahem.

Izumi: Hm? Oh, Kasa-kun…… you’re here? I told you we were having a break today didn’t I, or did you come here to do personal training like me?

Tsukasa: Ahaha. That’s definitely a different attitude. You’re so cold and harsh to people other than me…...

Heeh, it’s all sorts of fresh and amusing.

Izumi: Hmm? Hey, what’s with that way of talking? Kasa-kun, did you just refer to yourself with ‘boku’?

Tsukasa: So…… You don’t get it, do you, Izumi-san.

Izumi: “Izumi-san?” Aren’t you being a little overly familiar? How about you watch how you speak to me, brat?

Tsukasa: There it is. Ah~, I get how Suou-kun feels, of course he’d be offended by this.

When you’re with me, you spoil me with a soft voice, but you’re so harsh with the other kids―

Izumi: U..….m? Did you say “Suou-kun”? You’re Suou-kun aren’t you, Kasa-kun?

Makoto: Yes. I’m not ‘Kasa-kun’, but ‘Suou-kun’. I’ve told you many times to call me by that instead.

In any case, since you seem confused, I will explain the situation. Well, although I think it is hard to believe―

To tell you the truth, I, Suou Tsukasa, seem to have swapped bodies with Yuuki Makoto-senpai.

Next Chapter >>

〈Location: Airport〉

〈The next day〉

Leo: No matter when you come, the airport’s always so spacious~ !

The melodies are coming to mind just from thinking about people coming and going in the background. Aah, I wanna compose!

Izumi: Have a little more self-control. It was Leo-kun who said he wanted to see me off at the airport, wasn’t it.

Leo: Wahaha. And here I am at the airport, am I not? With that, you’re dismissed!

Izumi: Saying something like that again…… Are you sure you didn’t just come to the airport to play~ ?

By the way, are the other members still not here yet?

We’ve already found d’Artagnyan’s foster parents, but it seems like it’s taking a while to hand him over.

After all, if they’re handing it to ‘Knights’ newcomers, it’s only natural that I get priority, right?

Leo: Don’t talk like it’s all they can do to send off an old soldier~ If those guys are busy, I’ll just see you off by myself.

Izumi: No, but we’re not as old as an old soldier, are we?

…...well, after you graduate high school, you’re instantly roped in with the adults~ It’s not like I don’t know that sort of feeling.

This time, like an adult, I’ll go home without wasting time.

There's no need to get emotional every time I go overseas. I know we’ll be meeting sometime soon.

Leo: That’s right. The position of students― we’ve already transcended that sort of human relationship system, haven’t we~ ?

As long as we’re alive somewhere in the world, we’ll always be able to meet, no matter when or where we are.

Izumi: …...if you put it that way, boarding starts in an hour. I should check in my luggage and head to the gates soon.

It’s a shame that Kuma-kun and the others weren’t able to come, though. They just won’t be getting any souvenirs to make up for it―

Ritsu: Wait, Secchan!

Izumi: Oh?

Tsukasa: Haah, haah…… Aah, I’m relieved. We made it just in time……

Arashi: Sorry about that. It had gotten late after we regretfully said our goodbyes to d’Artagnyan.

Leo: Aren’t you glad you made it on time~ ? Because if you guys didn’t come to see him off, Sena was saying it would be fine that you guys didn’t get souvenirs, you know? Safe by a hair!

Arashi: You were going to buy us souvenirs? In that case, Izumi-chan, buy me some duty-free cosmetics, please ♪

Ritsu: I’m good with anything. If I have to pick, maybe black tea?

Tsukasa: Then, I’d like some cookies from overseas please. Something that would go well with black tea would be good ♪

Izumi: Aren’t you being too shameless for running late and having only just made it~ !? And anyway, isn’t it fine for you to buy those yourself, Naru-kun~ ?

Arashi: No, it’s not fine. Especially those from overseas ♪

Izumi: And rejected~. I’ll leave Naru-kun’s souvenir up to my good sense and budget.

And for the other two, I’ll just pick whatever I feel is good.

…...ah, I wanted to ask Kuma-kun something at the very end. The problem was settled with no hard feelings?

Ritsu: Yep. All sorts of inconveniences popped up but…… ‘Knights’ is more solid than I thought.

As long as we continue with our activities, I think more problems will arise. But I’ll treat them with a more level head next time

The situation with the newcomers, the situation with d’Artagnyan, and any problems that come up in the future, taking everything into account― I’ll do my best as ‘Knights’ advisor.

Arashi: Ufufu. Considering all that, the mood fell while we were saying our goodbyes to d’Artagnyan, didn’t it?

Tsukasa: Fufufu. It really wanted to see you seniors. Ritsu-senpai and d’Artagnyan were especially affected ♪

Ritsu: S-shut it! Don’t tease me! These past few days, I've been going crazy because I was together with it― that was just because I wanted to tickle its fur!

Izumi: Hhmm. I’m relieved to hear that. Just be careful that the problem doesn’t start up again, won’t you?

Ritsu: I’ll keep that in mind. So you can rest assured, Secchan.

Arashi: Bye-bye. I’ll be expecting a souvenir ♪

Leo: See ya! I’ll call you if something happens again!

Tsukasa: Leo-san, if you do that sort of thing you’ll ruin Sena-senpai’s health you know?

Leo: Nah, I think Sena’s gonna come back while throwing profanities.

Wahaha, having both positions of idol and model is a difficult path to take. Which will he choose in the end~ ?

Izumi: Leo-kun’s the same though. You’re also being both a composer and an idol aren’t you?

Tsukasa: Fufu. I was probably needlessly worried about ‘Knights’ seniors' vitality.

Well then…… safe travels. Sena-senpai.

Izumi: See you guys. Work hard and don’t slack off while I’m gone, alright?

Arashi: Ufufu. Well, that’s seeing him off done, Suou-chan?

Ritsu: That’s right. As ‘Ousama’, give us our next order.

Tsukasa: Yes, Of course.

Let’s return to the ES Building and get started on our lessons immediately.

In order for us to teach our juniors at Yumenosaki, we cannot neglect our own performance.

‘Knights’ new knight story― it is just beginning.

…...isn’t that right, my seniors ♪

〈Location: ES Garden〉

〈Several days later〉

Ritsu: Hafuu, I’m tired……

The interviews with the foster parent candidates sure took up a lot of energy. I’m glad that everyone thought that the people at the interview seemed like ‘good people’.

But d’Artagnyan…… You’re a guy that gets pretty intense when it comes to your preferences, huh?

Despite your attachment to ‘Knights’ members, why is it that you’ll threaten someone else with your fur on end. Could it be that you’ll be lonely if you can’t see me anymore?

Ahaha. I’ll be troubled if you stare at me so intently.

Even though you’re giving me those eyes, I can’t keep you. Right now, all I can do is hold you.

A lot of newcomers joined ‘Knights’, and Tsukipi~ and Secchan graduated from Yumenosaki.

In this situation, I’m the most senior knight at school.

Something like getting involved with and saving everyone, no matter who― I can’t perform a role like that without anija. On the contrary, I want to protect the relationships I have right now with everything I’ve got.

Instead, by my picking you up, I’ve probably gone over my limit.

If that happens, then you’ll also become unhappy. You understand, don’t you, d’Artagnyan?

Mn…… You’re asleep. When did you……

Well, that’s fine. This one’s smart, so you’ll understand properly, won’t you.

More importantly. The newcomers that were told to leave by Su~chan, I wonder if they’re doing well?

…...hello. It’s me.

No. I’m sorry too. The introduction of the other ‘units’ at Yumenosaki was pretty meddlesome, wasn't it?

If you want to, I’d be happy if you kept me company as well tomorrow……

Eh? It’s already enough? Is that alright……?

You want me to look at ‘WholeHands’?

Y-yeah. I got it. Then, I’ll be back in a bit.

…...a video? This is, no. If I’m not seeing wrong, it’s that, huh.

The newcomers’ dance video’s been put up on ‘WholeHands’.

“Having reflected on what happened the other day, could you please come back to ‘Knights’ once more”......?

Fufu. I see that’s how it is…… ♪

…...Ah, hello. Sorry again.

I saw the dance video. This was after a lot of lessons, wasn’t it. They’re moving better than before.

As far as I can see from the video, I think it’ll be alright for them to come back to ‘Knights’.

Is it okay even if they’ve quit once already, you say……?

Ahaha. If that’s the case, then you wouldn’t have sent the video in the first place, would you? On top of that, it showed the extent of such a lesson.

Yep. I think I’ll mediate for Su~chan.

Reflecting then working hard in their lessons to at least prove themselves to us seniors, that sort of spirit― there’s no doubt they’re worthy of being in ‘Knights’.

Don’t be ashamed. Rather, even though I’m a senior, I feel sorry. If that’s true, I should have taken care of it at an even earlier point.

―Like Athos, who guided d’Artagnan.

Huh? You don’t know ‘The Three Musketeers’? Is this the ‘generation gap’?

No. You don’t have to go out of your way to read it, it’s our story right now.

You’ve done your best, thanks for your hard work. Well then, I’ll talk to you again.

(......I’m glad. The other members who’ve seen the video will also give positive responses.)

(It seems there’s no need for me to go to the trouble of mediating this, is there?)

Perhaps d’Artagnyan’s not an unlucky black cat, but a black cat of fortune that brought me a message.

‘Don’t take the novice knights’ spirits lightly’...... something like that

…...That’s it.

“Emergency contact. If there is anyone amongst ‘Knights’ members who wishes to keep a cat, please contact us. Newcomers should also feel free to ask.”...... there.

With this, I think I’ll still be able to take care of you from time to time…… Then the selfish cat here will also be satisfied, won’t you?

Since I’m just one person, I can only hold you with my own two hands. If you were in ‘Knights’, surely there’ll be many more people who will hold you.

Thank you for making me realise that, d’Artagnyan.

Stories

Kohaku

Kohaku: Rinne-han, happy birthday.

Rinne: Kyahaha! You came to celebrate my birthday, huh.

Aren’t you an obedient kid, Kohaku-chan ♪

Kohaku: Don’t call me ‘chan’. You speakin’ like that really gets on my nerves.

Besides, it ain't that much trouble. Since yer our leader, it’s not like I can just not celebrate it, right?

Rinne: Well whatever your reasons, since you came, there’s no harm in havin’ fun ♪

HiMERU

HiMERU: ―happy birthday.

HiMERU came to celebrate Amagi’s birthday.

Rinne: Thankyou, HiMERU. Havin’ you come and celebrate it sure turns the mood euphoric, doesn’t it? Kyahaha!

HiMERU: HiMERU doesn’t understand why you’re laughing at your own words but―

Rinne’s good spirit is understandable. It’s because a party’s being held for you.

Rinne: C’mon, you oughta join in the racket! The idiot who’s dancin’ and the idiot who’s watchin’, well since they’re both idiots, there’s no harm in dancin’...... ♪

Niki

Niki: Rinne-kun, happy birthday~ ☆

I brought more food. I want you to eat as much as you want.

Rinne: Oh, if it ain’t Niki! You're still workin' for me at the party. You're really a servant huh.

Put the food down followed by your wallet, since I’m gonna eat, y’know ♪

Niki: Why's that the case! I’m not handing my wallet over to you!?

Rinne: What’s with that attitude comin’ from my celebration partner? You wanna celebrate me dontcha, Niki ♪

Shu

Shu: Amagi, it would appear that today is your birthday?

Rinne: Shu-kun, I’m so happy you decided to come and celebrate my birthday!

Shu: Non, I was merely passing through by chance. I didn’t know it was your birthday until just then.

However, it would be nonsense to just go home without doing anything after having come all the way here.

I should probably say some congratulatory words then. …...Happy birthday, Amagi.

Rinne: It was probably fate that you were just passin’ through then eh? Since you’re here, let’s go have fun…… ♪

Yuta

Yuta: Amagi-san, happy birthday.

Rinne: Thankyou, Yuta-kun. C’mere. How bout you gamble with me?

Yuta: Eeh, you’re still gambling even at your own birthday party?

Rinne: Of course. Life’s a gamble, how borin’ it’d be if it were bland ♪

How should we play…… since you’re just startin’, how ‘bout dice? Even or odd, if you get it, you win.

Yuta: Alright, I’ll do it. Since I’m playing, I’m going to try to win ♪

Mini Talks

1

Rinne: Hmm? Who is it? The guy who’s pokin’ my back……

Oh, it’s ‘Producer’ onee~san. What’s up, you wanna play some bets with me?

Niice, I’ll play with you. But there’s no problem if I take it all, right? Kyahaha ☆

There’s a birthday today.

Rinne: You remembered. As expected of ‘Producer’.

On a birthday, even the gamblin’ god’s probably in a good mood. Days like today are reserved for gamblin’ from mornin’ till night ♪

There’s a birthday party so I can’t do that? Alright, I get it, so you can stop pullin’ on me already!
_____________________________________________

Rinne: It’s onee~san’s birthday huh, happy birthday!

…...hmm, it’s not onee~san’s, but mine?

My bad my bad ♪ Well, whoever’s it is, doesn’t change the fact that we’re celebratin’!

Did you forget your promise?

Rinne: No, I remember. Yep yep, I remember it rea~lly well.

…...but what was it again? I remembered up until earlier, and then I forgot ☆

Ah, my birthday party huh. That’s why there’s all these decorations around ♪
_____________________________________________

Rinne: Of course I remember. Today’s my birthday party, isn’t it.

…...I’m at the wrong meetin’ place? Oops, that’s a bit rude of me ☆

Well, we ended up meetin’ at the venue though. Forgive me, won’t you, onee~san ♪

2

Rinne: Onee~san, won’t you go a round with me?

Whaat, the rules are simple. Out of these two cakes, you pick the one with spices in it, you lose.

See, easy innit ♪ So so, which one’ll it be?

Well then……

Rinne: Then this one’s mine. Let’s ea~t.

S-spicy!? W-water…… (cough cough)

Fuaah~ that was spicy. Seems like this match goes to onee~san.
_____________________________________________

Rinne: …...Bingo! Seems onee~san pulled a blank¹, huh?

It’s just ‘cause the goddess of gamblin’s smilin’ on me. Love you, Miss Goddess ♪

Here, have some water. There’s more where that came from, so drink as much as y’like.

I won’t gamble.

Rinne: Tsk. How borin’.

Well, whatever. If onee~san won’t take me on, guess I’ll just call that bastard Niki instead.

See ya, onee~san ♪
_____________________________________________

Rinne: What a stiff, uptight person.

Then again, if you weren’t so tough, then you wouldn’t be fit to be my ‘Producer’~

If you think like that, then me ‘n onee~san have pretty good chemistry, right? Kyahaha ☆

3

Rinne: Could it be that the day where I celebrate my birthday’s come round, I wonder.

I’ve gotten used to the “please pay me back”s but I haven’t been told “congratulations” like this?

You never know what’s gonna happen in life huh?

It’s like gambling.

Rinne: Oh. Did onee~san awaken to how fun gamblin’ is?

Niice, I’ll properly teach you everythin’ about ‘the fundamentals’ of gamblin’.

…...whaat, that’s not it. That’s disappointin’.
_____________________________________________

Rinne: That’s right. Life’s exactly like gamblin’.

Though it might be stable, any little thing and it’ll start shakin’ like a leaf.

That’s why it’s interestin’..... ♪

Let’s celebrate it again next year.

Rinne: Gyahaha, so in other words, I can expect somethin’ next year too? Niice, things are gettin’ interestin’ ♪

Ah, you don’t have to tell me what’s gonna be done though? Please, surprise me.

Not knowin’ which way it’ll fall, that’s life!
_____________________________________________

Rinne: For next year’s birthday party, how ‘bout we go open a casino overseas?

Eh, that’s impossible? I think if it’s you, that much can be done.

Because you work hard, y’know. Have a think about it, capable ‘Producer’ ♪

Notes:
¹A non-winning lottery ticket

〈Location: Simple Studio〉

Izumi: …… and that’s how this whole foster parent searching thing started?

Tsukasa: Yes. If this goes on, ‘Knights’ activities will be affected. And I want to find d’Artagnyan some good foster parents.

Ritsu: I’m sorry about before, Secchan.

I was hung up about not having done anything for ‘Knights’ newcomers, so I want to at least find d’Artagnyan a good home.

Izumi: Hhmm. Well it’s fine if it makes Kuma-kun feel better, right?

Since I’m so generous, I’ll count what happened yesterday as water under the bridge, so you should be thanking me, you know?

Ritsu: Fufu. My thanks to you is greater than the whole of the Mediterranean Sea. …...Isn’t Florence somewhere around there?

Izumi: Florence is inland, so there aren’t any seas next to it. Kuma-kun’s been overseas, but you’re surprisingly ignorant when it comes to geography?

Ritsu: Ahaha. That’s because I’m usually asleep from jet lag.

Leo: Wahaha! Art is an explosion…… ☆

Izumi: …...why’s Leo-kun suddenly drawing pictures? It’s some sort of abstract art and it’s pretty creepy at that?

Leo: This? I wanted to try making an eye-catching description of d’Artagnyan!

What do you think, Sena? It’s cute, isn’t it~?

Izumi: Cute……? Can you give me a detailed explanation of how it’s cute?

Leo: You don’t get it~? Even though this is all the drawing skill I can muster!

Arashi: You’ll just have to overlook it, Sena-chan. You know there’s that saying that “the heavens never grant two things to a person”.

Since this is also a request from ‘Ousama’. Isn’t that right, Suou-chan?

Tsukasa: Yes. Naturally, as ‘Knights’ leader, I should be taking the initiative to find a solution. In this sort of situation, throwing people at the problem is appropriate.

From the countless number of foster parent applicants, let’s search for the one who seems like they can properly care for it.

Nobody gets to choose their birth parents, so we have to choose parents who are well suited to raise it.

Arashi: Ufufu. Even though I’m already keeping kitty cats, every kitty is cute. We absolutely have to find it a wonderful owner…… ☆

Leo: I’ve also gotten used to going to the archery club and caring for Little John, so it’s fine to count on me~ ♪

Tsukasa: You seniors are all so reliable. …...Sena-senpai, could you also look through these documents?

Izumi: Fine fine. If you’ve already set this much up, it’s not like I have much of a choice.

On that note, since I’m helping, I won’t forgive any half-assed work. And don’t you forget it.

Leo: Yep yep. As expected of the new ‘Ousama’! Reasonably solving the people’s problems, looks like the days of my reign are over~ ♪

That’s right, why doesn’t ‘Ousama’ also draw a portrait of d’Artagnyan~? ‘Ousama’ has an interest in art!

Arashi: Suou-chan. After you make the portrait, could you come and help me as well? I have to prepare a lovely photo for d’Artagnyan-chan ☆

Tsukasa: Of course. As ‘Ousama’, handling that much is easy.

Izumi: If that’s the case, ‘Ousama’, could you run over to the convenience store and buy me a drink? I’m thirsty since I rushed here right after finishing my lunch, you know?

Ritsu: Ah, can you get one for me as well? I haven’t eaten anything since this morning.

Tsukasa: Senpais…… Could you not use my obligations as ‘Ousama’ to make me run your errands?

Come on now. If you have the time to make banter, please read these documents. There are still a lot of documents left.

Leo: Ohh~? Is the new ‘Ousama’ ignoring the dissatisfactions of his people?

Tsukasa: S-so it seems…… I agree with you. ‘Ousama’ only exists for the people…...

But I can’t say something like that! Please supply your own drinks by yourselves!

Leo: Uwoh! Please stop this madness! We don’t want to be purged over a reason like this, so we’ll agree with you!

Tsukasa: Hrm…… Then can you please also keep the teasing to a minimum?

Ritsu: in any case, this is getting pretty long, so let’s take a break for a moment.

I wonder if d’Artagnyan’s also hungry- it’s been walking restlessly around the studio.

Hey come here, d’Artagnyan. I’ve prepared some food for you…… ♪

Arashi: Ara, Ritsu-chan. It seems all that aggression was a lie. You’ve become pretty good friends, no?

Ufufu, let me feed it too ♪

Ritsu: Fufu, I’ll let you go after me…… ♪

Izumi: What’s with that parental act. Just when did the two of you become such good friends?

Ritsu: Umu. We had a midday nap together, and I’ve come to understand d’Artagnyan a little better.

Could it be that it’s lonely, I wonder……?

Izumi: It’s lonely……?

Ritsu: Yep. Even though I was in the garden together with d’Artagnyan, it was reacting to people’s laughter. It was staring fixedly at them like it was jealous.

So could it be that d’Artagnyan possibly came to depend on 'Knights', who was at the center of the gathering, like the live― that’s what I thought.

Ahaha…… Saying all that, I probably projected too much though?

Arashi: Nah. I’m sure that’s right ♪

Even though it’s only been a little while, let’s become good friends, d-Artagnyan-chan.

Us brave knights, we’ll take you to a place where you can be happy.

〈Location: Meeting room〉

Ritsu: Zzz zzzz…… ♪

…… hhh. Huh, it’s already morning? I don’t feel like I slept enough at all, though?

-oya? Where is this? This isn’t my bed at home?

Well, whatever, this is fine…… More importantly, back to sleep ♪

Good ni~ght, zzzz―

Ngh!? Hey~ what was that for? My head isn’t a bug, so can you not hit me with a rolled-up magazine?

Nn? If it isn’t ‘Producer’. Heyo~ ♪

What’re you doing in a place like this? You’re still working? You really like work, don’t you?

Me? I’m taking a midday nap…… Yumenosaki had nap rooms, but ES doesn’t, so it’s pretty difficult to find a place to sleep, you know?

‘Producer’, it seems you’ve got a reasonable amount of influence here. Come up with a good enough reason so they’ll make a bedroom in the building for me.

With a soft, clean bed and pillows prepared…… ♪

Pretty sure it’s the ‘Producer’s job to grant an idol’s wishes.

I can’t rest properly on a hard chair like this. If we’re talking about maintaining our physical conditions, it’s a problem, no?

Huuh, then it’s better to sleep at home? Is that so……?

My home is somewhat far from here. I don’t get why Ecchan built the building in such a place either. He wasn’t thinking about my convenience at a~ll.

He was considerate enough to set up a base overseas for Secchan and the others, and then prepared things like a free-of-charge airport for idols and a private jet……

It’s favouritism is what it is. I want him to think of more measures that would be of use to me.

Day after day, I end up using all of my energy just getting to Yumenosaki.

What’s more, having to ride multiple trains to get to the building is such a pain. I’m waiting for a teleportation device to be invented, like in sci-fi.

The dorms are closer I suppose, but since anija moved in earlier, I’ll look like I’m copying him. I don’t want that……

My bed at home’s customised perfectly to how I like it, so if I move, I’ll have to start over from scratch with the ones in the dorm. That’s too much effort.

A~ah…...There are only troublesome things in this world.

If I were to be more successful as an idol, I guess I’ll also have to become more self-centered so I can keep going.

Since ‘Knights’ is restructuring, things have started to get unstable. And for the most part I’m still riding anija's coattails.

The way forward’s too long and steep. It’s discouraging…… Ick. You can’t sleep well if you keep taking up arduous things.

…...oops. Sorry, sorry, I got caught up in complaining. With how it looks having ‘Producer’ here, it seems like a meeting doesn’t it?

We are meeting? That’s true, and you’re even holding some documents under your arm.

Fufu, we’re improving our reasoning skills to settle this situation with me moving as little as possible~ ♪

Well, it seems that I’ll be in the way if I sleep here. Sorry, sorry, I’ll move somewhere else.

But then again…… it’s raining outside today, so it’ll be difficult to use the beds on the rooftop or the emergency stairs huh?

Hm? What’s this, why are you giving me this…… key? You’re giving me a key?

What’s this key for? Hmm, it’s the key for the ‘Producer’s lockers?

There’s a sleeping bag inside, so I should use it and sleep on the sofas in the office?

‘Producer’, you also take naps often during the busy season?

Eh~...... Even though I’ve said it plenty of times, go home and sleep properly.

If you live like that, you’ll age faster and ruin your body, and then your blood will taste bad, you know?

No, I don’t want you taking this like it's some sort of ‘vampire persona’ joke. So properly, as an individual…...

As Sakuma Ritsu, I'll give you this advice with love.

Take care of yourself. Please, promise me.

Really, I don't want you risking your life for the sake of helping others.

I say that because I know an idiot who wore themselves out keeping up that selfless devotion of theirs.

After all, idol work is merely a way to earn money. Being a ‘Producer’ is the same as that.

Then, do you know for what purpose it is that you're making that money?

Most likely in order to have a happy life, huh. But if you ruin your body while chasing that, then that defeats the purpose doesn't it?

Though you've probably been told that sort of thing so much by other nosy people that your ears are going to fall off, huh?

…...hm? That goes for me as well, you say?

I should also take better care of myself? If I sleep in this sort of place I’ll catch a cold and my joints will hurt, so I should sleep at home where it’s warm……?

Hoho. Aren't you being rather cheeky, saying that with the social standing of a fledgeling 'Producer'.

But I don't altogether dislike it, this tomboyish attitude of yours ♪

Fufu. I got it, let's both take care. Let's live a long life and have lots and lots of happy times.

Yeah. It’s a 'promise' then, ‘Producer’...... ♪

Next Story >>

〈Location: BIGBANG Stage〉

Subaru: ‘Yep! Let’s shine brighter and brighter. Let’s shine even brighter than the ‘SS’ medal and the stars in the night sky!”

“I think that was my father’s and that is every idol’s true wish.”

“I don’t mean that we just wanted to win the fight, that we just wanted the rank and title―”

“―I want to shine more and more and more!”

Mao: “As of right now, we can’t do much else apart from sing and dance. We’ve been focused solely on that so we could survive.”

“But― from now on, I want to learn about all the other things we can do and use these experiences to fuel us.”

“It’s really starting from here on out. Right now, we may only be a small spark, but I believe that someday, we will shine brightly enough to even illuminate all of outer space.”

Makoto: “Fufu. To be more specific, we’re utilising the budget and broadcast time slot we were granted for our original ES introduction project.”

“We’ll do as many lives as possible.”

Hokuto: “That live’s name is ‘BIGBANG’. The stage that everyone is currently gathered here for.”

“So we will continue to sing, dance and perform with confidence.

Makoto: “On that stage, we’ll be inviting the other idols. We’ll welcome any idols from ES, so if anyone wants to join, give us a shout.”

Subaru: “Yep, we want them to fight with us! Mmn, I’m saying I want everyone to shine together! Of course, any performance fees will be coming out of the budget we were allocated for this job!”

“On top of that! We will be holding ‘BIGBANG’ in the style of Yumenosaki’s showdown that we’re all familiar with!”

“If anyone’s able to win against us, we’ll give them our victory medal from the ‘SS’!”

Mao: “To that extent, it’s like a champion’s belt. Having to give it up as well makes it feel like the real deal……”

“I suppose everyone might be thinking that that would include the excellent ‘Producer’ Anzu as well…”

“Well, it seems like that won’t be necessary? Since of course, we don’t plan on losing in the slightest ♪”

Subaru: “Yep! Since that’s the case, come at us, ES’s idols! We’ll take on your challenge anytime, anywhere!”

Hokuto: “Umu! If you don’t want newcomers like us to get too arrogant, come and take it from us!”

Makoto: “We’ll defeat you all with all our might! We won’t run away. We’ll confront you head on!”

“It doesn’t matter who our opponent is, we’ll take them on with everything that we’ve got!”

Mao: “We’ll prove our existence with the light radiating from this clash! And at the same time, it will become the ES and idol introduction we were requested to do!”

“That was how we were recognised! Even though we were complete newcomers, we were given the name of ‘strongest and best idol’!”

“This is the only way we know of doing things !”

“So let’s do it! Let’s do it with all our might! Let’s do whatever we want to!”

“That― is what ‘Trickstar’ is!”

Hokuto: “That’s right, we are ‘Trickstar’! Glittering stars who are the keys of the story.”

“It doesn't matter if you're the protagonist, the villain, the side character or an extra. You could be a prince, or a princess, even. Feel free to jump on stage and join us.”

“We’ll show you how we shine! No, let’s shine together!”

Makoto: “We’ll broadcast every detail of this clash in what time we have! We’ll be going into the red by doing this normally, so we’ll use the income we get from this as working capital.”

“For this program, especially in areas like advertising and data collection, we’ll also be trying to do them in many different idols’ styles!”

“That’s everything I came up with! This way, we’ll also be learning these idol activities one by one!”

“We’ll grow as people, as idols!”

Subaru: “This way, we’ll become real idols! Let’s have fun getting there together with everyone! Let’s jump straight into it, into ‘BIGBANG’......!

“Come come! Come to our stage! We―”

(―dad as well!)

“We want to sing, dance and sparkle! We want to be idols always and forever!

"After becoming the idols we love so much, we won’t stop being one!”

"Please support us! In this life, let’s rejoice in the starting of ES’s new story together!”

"Each day will be happy, we guarantee it!”

"We’ll prove it! On this stage! First off, by our singing and dancing!”

"One more time! Feel our explosion, ‘BIGBANG’...... ☆”

"Let it sound, our ensemble! From here on, our new chapter as idols begins!

"♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”

<< Previous Chapter

〈Location: BIGBANG Stage〉
〈Ten or so minutes later〉

Subaru: “Feel our explosion, ‘BIGBANG’......☆”

“Everyone~, thank you for coming to ‘Trickstar’s stage today! I love you, chuu chuu ☆”

“And without further ado, first up, the song we prepared especially for this―”

Hokuto: “Wait wait. Don’t forget about the program so quickly, Akehoshi. Even though Isara went to all that trouble earlier to plan everything out for us.”

Before we start singing, since this is so out of the blue, we should nicely explain to everyone what ‘BIGBANG’ is so they can understand what’s going on.

Subaru: “Eh~? But I want to sing! I don’t want to wait!”

Mao: “No, it’s fine. I thought it would come to this. It always does.”

Makoto: “No no, let’s explain it to them properly?”

“We’re company people now that we’ve become members of ES, so what would people think of us if we just do whatever we wanted like small children? Honestly?”

Mao: “Ahaha. Well, doing things on stage in such a disorganised way is most definitely not allowed.”

“That’s also like us though…… Subaru’s looking like he can’t wait any longer, so we’ll just briefly tell them what we have to.”

“Um~ ahem. Originally, ‘Trickstar’ was given the role of introducing all the idols affiliated with this idol utopia― ES.”

Makoto: “Yep, we made announcements for that on places like the internet beforehand. At any rate, we don’t plan on ignoring that completely, so everyone can rest assured.”

Subaru: “But! It’ll be boring if we just do a normal introduction, right?”

“I think we should do it like a salesperson, an ‘introduction’ befitting idols~ don’t you think?”

Hokuto: “Umu, a ‘Trickstar’-like introduction huh. Since we’ve mostly been doing live-centric activities.”

“Standing up stiffly with a microphone in hand and explaining ourselves with a speech― we’re not familiar with that sort of normal way of doing things, and so we’ve concluded that we won’t be able to properly fulfil such a role.”

Mao: “I’m a little partial to that sort of thing though. It seems like a food review show.”

“But you could say it feels like everyone’s gotten used to such a ‘common idol activity’~”

“Getting too far ahead of ourselves and wearing unfamiliar clothes to pretend we’re like the ‘popular idols’ is also impossible.”

“We’ve only been formed for less than a year, so we’re still novices.”

“One way or another, our faults would be exposed. I think everyone would be disappointed by the unseemly, disgraceful sight they find before them.”

“We wouldn’t want to see such a thing, and we don’t want to show it to you either.”

Subaru: “Yep! We only want to show you the shining side of us! I want to see everyone’s sparkling, satisfied smiles when they look at us!”

Makoto: “Fufu. Even though we look like we’ve got it all together right now, come to think of it, it really hasn’t been all that long since we were properly formed……”

“If we’re talking career length, ‘Ra*bits’ and ‘2wink’ are called promising rookies, but they’ve been around for about the same time as us, or even a bit longer.”

Hokuto: “Umu. But we were put in charge of introducing ES, because we were considered to be idols who could fulfil that role.”

Mao: “Yep. We talked and thought about it at length, the reasons as to why that would be the case. We’re always saying things like this. Don’t you think we’re coming off like we like idols too much?”

Subaru: “That’s not a bad thing though, is it? It’s better to be full of ‘love’!”

Makoto: “Fufu. We considered all sorts of things, thinking “is this it?”, while we were trying to understand their reasoning.

“We're inexperienced newcomers, so why didn’t they pick someone who was better suited to being the idols' representative to introduce ES?”

Hokuto: “Was it merely due to our agency having twisted a few arms? Was it favouritism? Was ES just really understaffed? Without other suitable prospects, were we selected by method of elimination?”

Subaru: “But those weren’t the reasons, were they? No, we were given the job because of who we are!”

“There were many idol graduates out of Yumenosaki who were like my father- so many like glittering stars. And out of these idols…...”

“We were the only ones to have won the greatest festival of the idol industry― the ‘SS’.”

“To stay true to our reputation, here in this brief moment, we’ll prove to you our rank of ‘strongest and best idol’.”

“It’s like a champion’s belt, a sparkling medal.”

“It’s thanks to so many miracles, so much effort and so much support from our friends and our fans around us that we were able to stand at the top.”

“This job was entrusted to us because of our accomplishments.”

Hokuto: “Well, if you think about it, it was the obvious truth.”

“Once again, there was no need for our worrying and talking. We were shown clear rationale from the very beginning."

Mao: “But. It seems like we’re saying weird things……”

“Although we became the ‘strongest and best idol’, we still don’t have that proper ‘idol’ feeling.”

“In terms of fighting, we only won the ‘SS’. We’re still inexperienced in regular idol jobs like doing food reports. We’re just rookies who don’t have enough experience in many things.”

“By waving around our shiny medal, we only hidden our weaknesses behind its radiance.”

“......We don’t mean to say that we’re actually just fooling everyone, that we’re really just good-for-nothings, though.”

“What we want to say is this. We want to become men who are suited to wear this medal― so that nobody can tell us otherwise. We want to become shining idols. We want to become the real deal.”

<< Previous Chapter

Next Chapter >>

〈Location: BIGBANG Stage〉
〈Some time passes, several days later〉

Makoto: H-heeeeeeeeh…… There are so many more spectators than I imagined, even though I felt like we did nowhere near enough advertising.

To think that so many people are expecting great things from us.

With things like this, we absolutely cannot fail― I want to answer them and make them come true, everyone’s hopes and wishes.

Hokuto: Umu. It’s a great success. Even though we only had an extremely short preparation period― well, for us, ‘Trickstar’, this is pretty normal.

Mao: Ahaha. You guys always want to do whatever you come up with in the moment.

Well. That’s just how we are.

…...how about it, Subaru, is this enough for you?

Subaru: ……….

……..I don’t know.

Mao: I see~, you don’t know, huh? Well, it’s not like you’re an omniscient god after all.

Subaru: Yep. But my heart’s really pounding.

That’s it that’s it, that was it― it was always this sort of feeling. Us, ‘Trickstar’.

Always doing things excitedly with our hearts pounding, always sparkling!

Hokuto: Don’t talk in onomatopoeia.¹

Subaru: Ahaha. You sure have a lot of complaints, Hokke~...... What do I need to do to satisfy you?

Hokuto: Hmph. Whatever, it’s fine as long as you’re laughing. Whenever you are, I’m sure that what we picked is the right answer.

It’s frustrating though. Rather than our usual rebelliousness, we’ve fallen into a bad habit of obediently following everything the people above tell us to do.

Mao: Well, that’s what’s good about Hokuto. If we just went and did what completely KY² Subaru wanted to do, we would probably eventually be floating in ES all alone.

Makoto: It’s been a while since I last heard KY being used…… Sometimes Isara-kun seems a bit old-fashioned.

Mao: Hm~mph, it’s because of all the old manga I read that the words I use are like that……

On that note, the new replacement words that Makoto’s beloved internet uses, it feels like the buzzwords are changing so fast I can’t keep up.

Makoto: Fufu. Isara-kun seems like an uncle~ ♪

Well, that’s okay, if I notice you’re using too many anachronisms I’ll tell you. Even if we use different words, everyone is still human, so there.³

Hidaka-kun seems like he can perfectly understand the things that the onomatopoeic and intuitive Subaru wants to say, so surely if we connect our hearts it’ll be alright.

When you communicate and understand each other, you can love each other.

We who have no choice but to be strangers, let’s unite our souls on this stage.

Hokuto: Wait. I can’t understand Subaru’s incomprehensible nonsense in the least.

This time as well, until we’re standing on the stage, I don’t get what that guy’s thinking at all.

Subaru: Eh~? If even Hokke~, I mean ‘Trickstar’ can’t understand me, then there’ll be nobody who can?

Don’t say that sort of lonely thing~, even though I love you guys like this!

Hokuto: If you want people to understand you, please put more effort into being understandable.

Mao: Ahaha. From here it really feels like you’re telepathic. You guys really are weird…...when we’re together like this it gets pretty unbearable, right Makoto?

Makoto: Fufu. But I love it all the same because all of it is what makes it fun. Isara-kun feels the same, right?

Mao: You could say that. Since I’ve known ‘Trickstar’, I almost certainly say that there’s not enough excitement in other ‘units’ and I’d probably find them boring. Despite what I say I don’t hate being caught up in this ♪

Well that’s fine. At any rate, the stage this time― ‘BIGBANG’, is an event that wasn’t originally planned.

Suddenly, we ended up holding a stage we said was unreasonable and had no preparation period for.

Since it feels like a rush job, it’ll be easy to make careless mistakes. Although, you geniuses can probably pull it off smoothly, but normally it’d be pretty difficult.

So. Before the real thing starts, I want to go over everything once. It seems silly to fight over whether we should or shouldn’t talk about a mistake, isn’t that right, Hokuto?

Hokuto: Why are you telling me? I don’t tend to say much, and Anzu’ll be here soon, so you should take those sorts of things up with the ‘producer’.

Mao: No, you’re the leader, aren’t you. You need to take responsibility. Anzu’s already spending all day every day making the things we want to do a reality as it is…...

She seems to be a little inhumanely busy, what with sewing in the gaps between her normal work and devoting all her extra efforts to us.

We can’t just keep dropping anything and everything off onto Anzu. Anzu’s not our mother after all.

Subaru: Ahaha! It’s true though, that Anzu seems motherly! She resembles my mum~ ♪

Makoto: What’s ‘seeming motherly’? Is that like babumi?⁴

Mao: Oh, net lingo. Ah~ so this is how you use that.

Subaru: Fufu, the talk’s derailed, it’s derailed! Weren’t you going to organise things? We're always getting off track, but that's not what we were talking about either right, Hokke~ ?

Hokuto: No, so why are you telling that to me?

Mao: Ahaha. Well, it’s always like this― I’m wanting to talk on and on with you guys about every little thing.

We’re pro idols and the opening time for the stage is coming up.

That’s why I’ll quickly summarise the main points. We’ll get the ‘troublesome but necessary things’ out of the way first, then after that is the usual― we’ll do whatever we want to do.

Hokuto: Umu. Well, it’s necessary. Anzu’s coming this way. Why did she move away once she noticed?

Mao: Mm. Anzu’s become pretty distinguished in the ‘Producer Organisation’ and if she supports any one ‘unit’ too~ much, she’ll get a warning.

Subaru: Ah, I heard something similar from Eichi-senpai. Somehow that person only constantly cares about the overall balance. It’s difficult being high-profile.

Hokuto: Umu. For that reason, let's hope to not obtain titles that would restrict us. It would be like wasting our careers.

Not being able to move freely is the same as not being able to breathe.

Having won the 'SS', our status and reputation have increased, whether we wanted them to or not. With all of that fuelling the explosion, let's take the chance to run through the endlessly expanding skies.

We'll show them that we can survive in an outer space devoid of oxygen. ‘Just living normally’― I mean, it’s not what we want to do.

We are who we are, we should do what we want to do.

Mao: No way, you pay attention to what's going on around you every once in a while? Huh? You're not kidding?

Hokuto: Umu. ‘BIGBANG’ exists for that reason. We will be able to properly fulfill everyone's wishes for us…...

It’s not a project that’s meant to distort who we are, but one where we can shine to our full extent.

Subaru: Yep. It’s a plan that we thought up with Anzu, one we came up with together by drawing from my gloominess.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had fun~, walking on a road I couldn’t see before is much more interesting.

Hokuto: Umu. I thought so as well. Because everyone’s sparkling, we can properly see what we should be seeing.

Makoto: Fufu. We're far from being excessively cautious. We ignored the extravagant iron bridge that was painstakingly prepared for us and crossed the river our own way. That's how it always is for us, for ‘Trickstar'.

Mao: What's more, that was actually the shortest path to take. If we thought about it from the point of view of the higher-ups, you'd probably be at your wits end. o]Or to put it simply, what an unreasonably difficult and troublesome group ♪

―but, that’s what ‘Trickstar’ is.

Notes:
¹ The most part of Subaru’s sentence is made up of the words “doki doki”, “waku waku” and “kira kira” and Hokuto got triggered.

² KY- cannot read the mood.

³ Makoto tacks on ‘reductio ad absurdum’ at the end of the sentence as he’s concluding his ‘argument’ against Isara, but it seemed odd to read.

⁴ Babumi refers to being attracted to the motherly qualities of a character and the speaker feeling like they are a baby to the character.

<< Previous Chapter

Next Chapter >>

〈Location: Meeting room〉

Mao: Until i entered high school, I wasn’t really interested in idols.

If you want to hear a story about Subaru’s family― no, if you see Subaru, you’ll understand what kind of a shining idol his father was.

He was probably someone like Subaru. Someone who loves idols more than anyone else, someone who loves idol activities……

He was like the very concept of an idol, a super idol who anyone could approve of.

But. Even such a father, after he was framed for such an underhanded scheme, he was slandered and ridiculed…… Everything he treasured was snatched from him and he died a criminal.

After that, they avoided giving out his name until the ‘SS’ at the end of last year.

They said he was a blemish on the entertainment world, the absolute worst idol…….

I don’t really know about it so I can’t say anything on it, but I’m sure he loved and was loved by idols more than anyone else.

The idol industry abandoned such a ‘number one’ idol. And ever since, they’ve been looking the other way and pretending it never happened.

Subaru: …...ah, I get what Sari~ wants to say.

Makoto: Yeah. To put it simply, Isara-kun wanted to say that, huh.

Up until just recently, the idol industry seemed to have wanted to cover up the trail of what happened to Akehoshi’s father and have people forget about it.

And now, they’re saying they want us to introduce ourselves with a smile.

At the end of the day, they only gave a simple apology as to how Akehoshi-kun’s father was treated, and are doing large-scale reporting on ES’s important news instead…...

They’re flooding it with all these other topics to try and wash it away. Not only did they not even try to clear the name of the deceased, they’re trying to make everyone forget about the dark things that happened.

They’re covering it up with bright and hopeful stories and ignoring the child who is crying his eyes out in the darkness.

Mao: Yeah. It’s as if they’re trying to say “such a kid doesn’t exist”. But it’s not like it’s that easy to just not exist― in any case, one such person is existing in front of me right now.

Subaru: …….

Mao: Subaru. Do you dislike the idol industry’s attitude towards things, or rather the air about it? You’re probably angry or you hate it, no― are you sad?

I was wondering if that was what was wrong. Negative emotions like sadness or anger, you don’t seem like you’re good at managing them by yourself…...

It was all going on in your subconscious so that was probably why you were stuck in that odd stupor and couldn’t get interested in the project this time, right?

Hokuto: Is that right, Akehoshi?

Subaru: Um…… Mm~, mmm~mm?

Hokuto: Why are you moaning.

Subaru: No, it feels like I touched a part of my brain that I don’t normally use…… It’s like it tickles, it’s a weird feeling.

Ahaha. We’re talking about serious matters and I can’t get used to it, I’m laughing.

Hokuto: Don’t laugh. If you’re sad, cry, if you’re upset, get angry. It’s a right given to any child, and if anyone wants to deny that, we’ll bring them down.

Subaru: Hokke~’s a bit over the top…… Then again, that way of sinking our teeth into irritating people is just like us.

But there’s no concrete enemy this time, so in other words, putting up a fight is pointless.

Instead of that, I’ve come come up with a much better way of blowing away my gloominess. And then after that, some way or another, I’ll be able to get excited.

Hokuto: A way to blow away the gloominess?

Subaru: Yep. I listened to what Sari~ tried his best to come up with….. I mean, everything’s all linked together, explanations are hard! It’s impossible to put into words!

Mao: Ahaha. That’s fine then. Oh look, Anzu’s coming this way.

I feel like if we discuss everything we’ve been struggling to understand with her, we’ll find an answer.

O~i Anzu! Wait, no, ‘Producer’! We’re sorry for always having to trouble you, but we have something we want to share with you, so could you come over for a bit?

<< Previous Chapter

Next Chapter >>

〈Location: Staff Cafeteria〉

Izumi: Aah, come on, soo~ annoying!

I finally come home and this is how I get treated!

Omnom…… Aah, since I’m irritated, there’s no helping eating the fried prawns that I like, right?

Even though I’m still not lifting the ban on fried food. I’m just really annoyed.

Leo: Thanks for the fried shrimp~ ♪ Swap with my wiener!

Izumi: Hey, give it back! A wiener is clearly not on the same level as fried shrimp!

Leo: It’s good to exchange something one for one! We did it overseas for stuff like job introductions right~?

Izumi: How convenient that you forgot that I already thanked you for that earlier!

Arashi: Come on. Don’t make a fuss while we’re eating, both of you. It’s bad manners, you know?

I get that Izumi-chan’s in a bad mood, but since you’re the senior here, it’d be better if you calmed down a little, right?

Izumi: Hhhm. You’re siding with Kuma-kun as well, Naru-kun?

‘Knights’ has changed. A lot of newcomers have joined through Yumenosaki, haven’t they?

Since the amount of members has increased, there’s no need for us nagging OBs anymore, right?

Arashi: Actually it’s the opposite. In order to not let the two of you down, we’ve been working even harder ♪

But with no breathing room, everyone’s ready to snap. You saw it yourself, right Izumi-chan?

Izumi: I suppose so, but you didn’t have to put it that way…...

But losing it over just having his blanket used? I didn’t think he was being backed that far into the corner.

Arashi: Yeah. Well, here's my guess.

There was trouble with the new kids during the live the other day. Since then, Ritsu-chan’s been more pensive than ever, you know?

I might have brought it up a little before, but right now at Yumenosaki, these knights applicants― a lot of juniors who look up to ‘Knights’, have joined.

But― since they can’t keep up with the strict lessons and the required professionalism, a number of them have dropped out before they've even lasted a month.

Admittedly, our best live was the one we held with Leo-kun and Izumi-chan a while back.

All the gears were a little misaligned that day, and Suou-chan recommended the problematic ones to withdraw.

Every time a newcomer drops out, ‘Knights’ performance becomes more stable.

But it’s something else when you push a child who wants to stay to leave. I wonder if that’s what Ritsu-chan was thinking.

Leo: Purging to reach his ideals~? My, what a bold ‘Ousama’!

But, ‘Knights’ is just such a group~. Technically Suo~’s done nothing wrong, you know?

Izumi: Yeah. Personally I’d like to work with guys who are motivated too. If you’re going to be joining ‘Knights’ who’s known as one of the big 3, you’d want to be prepared, no?

Arashi: Mm. That’s what I would like as well, but― you can’t really say this sort of thing is a peaceful way of solving things, right?

Since Ritsu-chan was worried for ‘Knights’ back when things were unstable, don’t you think this might be dredging up those memories?

Leo: Wahaha, that’s because Rittsu’s a nice guy~ ♪

Izumi: Being the arbitrator whenever ‘Knights’ was at risk of breaking apart― but that sort of kindness can be harmful too, I feel.

For the preservation of the group, you need discipline. That’s what the ‘Ousama’ next to Kuma-kun― Kasa-kun is demonstrating by what he’s doing.

Speaking of, where is Kuma-kun? He said he was going to cool his head then up and went somewhere.

Arashi: Suou-chan’s just gone to find him, so let’s contact him.

…...ara? Can the two of you look at ‘Hold Hands’? It looks like we got a message from Suou-chan just now.

Leo: What is it what is it……?

Izumi: I want you to help me find foster parents for d’Artagnyan? What on earth is he on about?

Leo: That guy’s got his own way of thinking, no? In any case, let’s hear what he wants to say ♪

Come on let’s go. Sena, Naru!

Izumi: No, hold on. I haven’t finished eating lunch yet.

Good grief. Can you not get excited over every little thing that happens? Do you want to be manipulated like that~?

Arashi: Ufufu. This is more like ‘Knights’ now isn’t it?

After all, knights always have to follow the authorities.

<< Previous Chapter

Next Chapter >>

〈Location: ES Garden〉

Ritsu: ......

(The thing I was afraid of ended up coming true.)

(It’s my fault that ‘Knights’ ended up fighting again. Just how did it get so bad?)

(If only this cat hadn’t been there. No, I should have been calmer.)

(It would have been better if I had analysed the situation calmly like I usually do and brought it to a positive conclusion.)

(That’s how we’ve been overcoming all the crises we’ve had up until now.)

(But, as I thought, the number one reason is―)

(I still haven’t gotten over the newcomers getting dropped.)

Haah, d’Artagnyan’s still sleeping. Honestly, I’m jealous of how peaceful he looks.

Suou: Ritsu-senpai, you’re here, as I expected.

Ritsu: Hmm? Ah, Suu~chan.

I’m really sorry about earlier. But could you leave me alone?

I’m going to sit here and reflect on my actions until this stupid cat wakes up. If I ignore the cat in the studio and it gets restless, it’ll probably be even more troublesome.

Suou: Fufu. Despite what you’ve been doing, you’re actually really kind to animals, Ritsu-senpai.

Ritsu: Mmn, that’s not it...... Anyone would be annoyed if their midday nap was interrupted, right?

So I’m taking the opportunity to also serve out my self-reflection over all the fuss I kicked up earlier. If you’re taking a nap, then you won’t be able to cause any damage.....?

Suou: Let’s put that aside for the moment. I want to imitate Ritsu-senpai’s kindness.

Ritsu: You give me too much credit, Suu~chan.

Suou: Is that so? But I’m thinking that I do actually want to learn from Ritsu-senpai's attitude towards things.

Oops, I’ve gone off on a tangent. Is it alright if I borrow some space, unless Ritsu-senpai doesn’t want me to?

Since we’ve stopped the retrospective halfway, I was thinking of doing some 'things that I should be doing' in my spare time.

Ritsu: Uwah, what’s with that big pile of documents...... Is that work from New Dimension?

Even though it’s something you don’t have to do outside, you’re going to stick around here with me?

Suou: No. It’s work that I have to get Ritsu-senpai’s input on.

Ritsu-senpai. You wouldn’t mind if we started searching for foster parents for d’Artagnyan, right?

Ritsu: Search for foster parents......?

Suou: Yes. It hurts a little to do this with my seniors getting all attached to it, but.

So far it’s been causing problems for ‘Knights’ activities, and plus, Ritsu-senpai isn’t particularly fond of it either, right?

I’ve checked with the police and it doesn’t seem like anyone’s lost their pet cat.

These are documents from the not-for-profit organisation that searches for foster parents, as well as information on people who’ve expressed their wishes to be foster parents.

Ah, Arashi-senpai and Sena-senpai will be the mediators, so you don’t have to worry ♪

Ritsu: Why are you going so far for me......? I started the trouble after all.
There’s no need for Su~chan and Nacchan to go out of your way to help, you know?

Suou: No. I can’t just overlook this. I’ve noticed Ritsu-senpai’s distress after that dispute earlier.

Rather― I’m sorry that it took me so long to notice.

I was trying too hard to be an ‘Ousama’ that controlled the knights. As a result, a number of newcomers ended up being dropped.

At the very least I should have given them a proper explanation before they officially joined.

Ritsu: Mmn, no, I should be the one apologising.

Since I’m a senior, I should have been able to do more. Instead, I just went with what the new ‘Ousama’ said, I was being too passive.

If that was the case, then I should have been more outspoken.

On top of that, I didn’t tell anyone about my dissatisfaction and then just blew up at everyone― I’m really sorry.

......honestly. Su~chan’s grown. Good boy~ good boy~ ♪

Suou: Owah? Patting my head is not enjoyable Ritsu-senpai!

We’re not children anymore, just what are you implying, doing something like this……

Ritsu: I don’t mean anything...... just expressing my gratitude physically.

I’m just happy that as the new ‘Ousama’, Su~chan’s being so considerate.

Suou: ? If you're not, then as a leader, wouldn’t that just be incompetence?

Ritsu: Doing all the things that are normally taken for granted, it’s one of Su~chan’s virtues. Of course, I’ll thank Nacchan as well.

To be honest, I was at my worst today― I’ll tell you the truth, I had a dream about ‘Knights’ newcomers dropping out.

I’m scared of how we’ve been doing things- hurting other people while we move forward.

I had a nightmare and then saw the black cat as some sort of messenger of misfortune and I lost it― really, how immature of me.

Suou: Being afraid and being doubtful, these sorts of things happen to everyone.

In fact, isn’t ‘Knights’ a unit that has gone through their fair share of complications?

Especially if it’s the Ritsu-senpai who knew the ‘Knights’ from before I joined- there were far more troubles then, wasn’t there?

History likes to repeat itself, so it is difficult to move on without getting hurt―

But, humans are constantly learning. So this time, we’ll just have to try our best to make sure we don’t stain our hands with blood, isn’t that right?.

Ritsu: Ahaha...... I’m glad you're trying, but you’re comforting me with impossible ideals. That sort of thing, that’s rather mean of you, Su~chan ♪

Hey Su~chan. Let me help with searching for d’Artagnyan’s foster parents.

Suou: ...... is that alright?

Ritsu: Yeah. It doesn’t seem right if my kouhais are doing all the work and I’m not doing anything. If you like, I can look after it until you find a foster parent.

But this isn’t meant to be atonement. It just doesn’t feel right leaving it alone― a new knight with no-one to depend on, I want to find it a place to belong.

Suou: Thank you for your cooperation, Ritsu-senpai.

Oya. It seems d’Artagnyan’s woken up. Fufu. It’s shaking its tail happily ♪

Ritsu: Oh. I guess I misjudged you, d’Artagnyan. You’re surprisingly cute when you shut up......?

Suou: Fufu. If it’s this cute, then we’ll be able to find foster parents for it pretty quickly. Let’s go find a home for it.

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〈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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〈Location: Simple Studio〉
〈2 hours later〉

Suou: The cat didn’t let go during the retrospective after all.

In the end...... fufu. It’s pretty cute isn’t it, sleeping so soundly on Ritsu-senpai’s lap ♪

Ritsu: It’s not cute at all...... It’s hot and it’s noisy when it meows, it’s a terribly unlucky black cat.

Leo: Oi, don’t just call the cat 'cat'! We gave it a name earlier, didn’t we~?

It’s 'd’Artagnyan¹'! Our newest knight who has been drawn in by us ‘Knights’!

Ritsu: Huh. 'd’Artagnyan' is a good one. But weren’t you saying something like 'Nekojiro'?

Suou: I’m pretty sure Sena-senpai rejected it and said a name like that “has no sense”.

Izumi: That’s right. Leo-kun really has no naming sense. The others we had were things like 'Catty' and 'Nekosuke'......

Thanks to that, I’d thought about going home so many times.

Arashi: But we did manage to hold the retrospective properly, so you shouldn’t get angry ♪

Izumi: Yeah yeah. If I recall, several of the newcomers ended up quitting?

Suou: Yes. The ones who imagined ‘Knights’ to be something else stated they were leaving.

At the very least I would have liked to see them really get involved, like d’Artagnan― d’Artagnyan here.

Arashi: Aren’t young people these days bad at that? I think it’s that they’re denying the problems they’re facing without listening to each other……?

Izumi: You’re still young yourself, Naru-kun. If you’re saying that, then doesn’t that make us OBs² old people~?

Arashi: Oh dear. Don’t you think I’ve taken on a senpai-like air?

But if you think back on it, ‘Knights’ has been quarrelling for ages.

It might even act as a strong incentive for mature children― in other words, I think Suou-chan’s judgement is correct.

Leo: Yep. Stuff like deciding on the newcomers, we’ll leave that to ‘Ousama’ Suo~.

So, it’s like a guy that comes back to prove himself after being told to quit will come back better than before. Suo~ is that type of person, right~?

Suou: Ahaha. I’m embarrassed……

In that sense, then d’Artagnyan’s a rising star who came from the countryside.

Ritsu: No no. Don’t just up and make it a member of ‘Knights’. I’ll end up suffering.

Leo: If you put it that way, then you’re Athos³, Rittsu! As the oldest of the Musketeers, you’ve gotta take care of the newcomer!

Ritsu: Can you not turn me into a character just like that? I’ll be really inconvenienced.

This cat― d’Artagnyan what does it see in me? Sure, I take naps during lunch, but I’m not seeing the resemblance between me and a cat.

But just kicking it out with no good reason is a bit too heartless, if only there was some way it would move away by itself.

Arashi: Right. All this time it’s been clinging to you weirdly― could it be that it finds Ritsu-chan’s scent comforting?

If that’s the case, shouldn’t we think about it this way? It might be satisfied with something that has Ritsu-chan’s scent on it...... ☆

Ritsu: Huh, I see. Something that’s got my scent on it, huh?

......How should I put this, I can only come to an unpleasant conclusion.

Suou: An unpleasant conclusion......? Could it be you’ll be terribly saddened once you’re free?

Ritsu: No. I’m happy I’ll be free, but the only thing in this simple studio that has my scent on it......

Suou: The thing that’s always in this studio is Ritsu-senpai’s favourite blanket...... isn’t it?

Ritsu-senpai. If we give the cat the blanket, it’ll probably let go of you, so should we give it a try?

Ritsu: No way, no way. I really like that blan―

Uwah!?

Ah, wait! Don’t suddenly pounce for my blanket you idiot cat!

Suou: Aaah......! That’s no good, the cat’s mistaken Ritsu-senpai’s blanket for a toy!

Please stop! You haven’t gotten permission to touch it yet?

......it’s not listening to a word. As they say, cats really just do what they want.

Ritsu: Ughh, I underestimated how fast this guy is......!

Give it back……! I don’t want such an unlucky black cat to use my blanket......! Everyone else, help me out here! I’m gonna take my blanket back......!

Leo: Oi oi. There’s no need to get so worked up over something like this right, Rittsu?

I know it’s a bother but if you get violent in here then it’ll be dangerous, no?

Ritsu: Nope, I really like that blanket! I really will not allow it to use it so unreservedly.

Ah, don’t sharpen your claws on it! Why is this happening to me, this stupid cat is―

Suou: Sorry, Ritsu-senpai. I apologise for making such a big fuss over something that could have been solved simply. If necessary, I’ll compensate you afterwards.

That being said, please calm down, Ritsu-senpai.

From here on we should concentrate on the lesson, since it would be wasteful if we don’t properly use what little time we have left before Sena-senpai has to leave again.

Ritsu: Doing something like cutting off someone who has gotten close to you just because they’re a hindrance......

If it has to come to that, then it’s much better to have just stayed far away in the first place!

That’s why I hated it! This guy, acting so brazenly without knowing anything…… I should have made my refusal clearer......!

Otherwise the only conclusion is for everyone to hurt each other. So―!

Suou: Ritsu-senpai...... P-please calm down! You're being a little strange today?

Calm, calm ......♪ Hey, this isn’t like the usual Ritsu-senpai.

Ritsu: But......!

Izumi: ......Kuma-kun, that’s enough.

Ritsu: Secchan......?

Izumi: Are you okay, Kuma-kun?

I have bad days too, but today’s the day me and Leo-kun― ‘Knights’s OBs are here together?

If you make a racket it’ll ruin the mood you know?

I don’t know if it was because of the cat, but you couldn’t concentrate during the retrospective, could you?

If you’re really not feeling it, maybe it’ll be better if you go take a nap like you always do?

Or, how about you explain yourself to me and Leo-kun? Maybe it’s better now that the generation's changed, us OBs should just hurry up and retire?

Ritsu: No, that’s not what I said―

Leo: Sena, I’m going to have to stop you there.

Rittsu’s in the wrong for getting worked up, but we shouldn’t be making light of it you know~?

Izumi: I know what you mean, but it’s just that don’t you think they’re being rude given that we’ve finally come home after so long?

You know how hard it is to make a round trip between Florence and Japan, right, Leo-kun?

Leo: I know I know. The oh-so-long trip to Japan is really difficult!

But, if you keep fighting, then it can’t be helped. Let’s leave it for today. This isn’t a place where you should just pull out your sword, this is a retrospective.

Izumi: ......Hmph.

Suou: I’m sorry, Sena-senpai. I wasn’t considerate enough.

As Leo-san suggested, let’s end it here for today. Ritsu-senpai, you’re okay with that too, right?

Ritsu: Yeah. I’ve cooled off a little now.

Sorry I went overboard...... I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.

Notes:
¹ d’Artagnan is the protagonist of story of The Three Musketeers

² OB standing for 'old boys' or alumni/ graduates

³ Athos is the oldest of the Three Musketeers and is very protective of d'Artagnan in the story

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〈Location: Simple Studio〉

Leo: In any case, he’s late, that Suo~!

He gets angry when I come late so I came early today. What a troublesome guy!

Izumi: Honestly. It’s unbelievable that he’s wasting my precious time! Soo~ annoying!

Could it be that Leo-kun’s wanderlust infected Kasa-kun?

Leo: Eh? What what? That’s an interesting idea~ Sena!

Wahaha. It’s the fate of ‘Knights’s leader to be cursed by wanderlust!

I was tormented by the curse for many years and in the end Suo~’s inherited it......☆

Arashi: If such a curse existed, it’s becoming a real nuisance.

A~ah, I’m really glad I wasn’t the one to take over the title of ‘Ousama’.

Izumi: Really though. You say that like it’s a joke, but what about that fight you had over the throne in ‘Requiem’? Isn’t that putting it too lightly?

Whatever. If ‘Ousama’ becomes overly authoritative, it’ll be a new kind of difficult.

Leo: Yep yep. Unless it’s an ‘Ousama’ who brings happiness to his people!

Unless, ‘Ousama’ is completely alone. In which case me leaving the throne to Suo~ would become kind of meaningless you know~?

Izumi: Nevertheless, that doesn’t give him the right to be late. Really, just where the hell is he......?

You’ve seen my schedule in my phone haven’t you, Leo-kun? You know how I can’t even stay in Japan for a week, right?

Leo: I’ve seen it, but-

If you’re so concerned about your schedule, then why don’t you marry it!¹

Izumi: No, I don’t think you understood what I meant.

Suou: (Wheeze) Haah...... Sorry to have kept you waiting everyone.

Leo: Oh? Speak of the devil!

Izumi: Kasa-kun, you’re already 30 minutes late. What is the meaning of this?

Suou: Please excuse me. I was going to go call Ritsu-senpai but I got involved in a little incident.

Arashi: A little incident? Speaking of, I don’t see Ritsu-chan here, did something happen?

Suou: Yeah. To be honest―

Ritsu: I told you to let go of me didn’t I! Why can’t you understand me you stupid cat......!

Do my clothes smell like catnip......?

Suou: ―a stray cat got attached to Ritsu-senpai and won’t let go of him.

Izumi: Unbelievable. This is why you were late?

This is your best excuse? Now why don’t you tell me why you were actually late?

Ritsu: I’m sorry. This guy absolutely will not let go of me. The ES building strictly forbids animals, so it must have had a hard time getting in.

Izumi: There’s got to be some way to pull it off? Come on. If you hold it by the neck like how a parent cat carries a kitten―

Owah. This guy tried to scratch me! If you were human and you tried to hurt a model’s skin, you’d have to pay compensation, you know~?

Leo: Wahaha. You’re scaring the cat! It looks so funny with its fur all standing up on end~♪

Aah, inspiration is flowing!

How about “I stepped on a cat~ intense version”, that sort of song~? Umm, gimme something to write with something to write with…...

Arashi: Come on. Let’s not get irritated alright, Izumi-chan? Don’t you go making it worse too, Leo-kun.

Hey hey, let’s just move on and start the retrospective.

Suou: That’s right, Narukami-senpai. I’m thinking, if we just ignore the cat, it’ll most likely let go.

Well then, Narukami-senpai, can you play the video of the live?

Arashi: Yeah. It’s ready like you asked for.

Ufufu. Everyone is excited to see our charm ♪

Leo: Hold it! The video right there!

Arashi: ? What is it, Leo-kun? Did you find a mistake?

Leo: No that’s not it! Look here, at the front row seats!

Ritsu: I don’t see anything……? You’re not going to say something like "My level of inspiration's finally high enough to let me see ghosts" are you?

Leo: Over here, look reaally closely by this fan’s feet. Look, it’s a little hard to see since it’s black, but you can just make out Rittsu’s beloved cat!

This guy, it saw Rittsu at ‘Knights’s live and came to meet him!

Ritsu: Haa……? No way it’d be something so unrealistic…...?

Owah, what? Don’t suddenly start licking my cheek~?

Suou: Such a reaction, it probably really did come to meet ‘Knights’.

Isn’t it just the cutest? It probably fell in love with Ritsu-senpai’s brave figure at the live ♪

Arashi: Ufufu. Ritsu-chan’s a lot like a black cat, so maybe it sensed that the two of you were similar and became your fan?

Look here. Even though it’s a stray cat, it’s fur is surprisingly clean ♪

Ritsu: Don’t say things so nonchalantly! This absolutely is no longer your beloved retrospective at all! Secchan, you too, isn’t this taking up your precious time......?

Izumi: Well, ‘Knights’ cherishes their fans after all.

If you’re getting so much love, then don’t think too hard on it, alright? I’ve already given up...... ♪

Leo: Is that so~? Then you’ll just have to let the cat do as it likes until it’s satisfied, Rittsu ☆

Ritsu: Ughh, can you guys stop thinking “It’s a cute cat, so let's let it do whatever it wants”!?

To me it’s an unlucky black cat! Aah come on, what a disaster……!

Notes:
¹ the Japanese says ‘become Schedule-san’s child’, but ‘why don’t you marry it’ feels like a more accurate English version

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〈Location: Dance room〉
〈About 10 minutes later〉

Mao: O~i, Subaru~? Sorry for springing this on you suddenly, but I guess I’ll be doing some self-training after a―

(―h-huh? I checked on ‘Whole Hands’ and it said Subaru had reserved this room for a lesson but……)

(He’s not here, and there’s no music playing or anything.)

(Maybe I got the wrong room. No, that can’t be right, ES automatically locks the doors to unused rooms…… It looks like Subaru’s bag is there, so he should be here somewhere.)

Subaru: ~...... ♪

Mao: (Oh. Subaru’s here after all. That guy, what’s he doing in the corner over there…… I couldn’t see him since he was hidden by the curtains. Guess I didn’t notice him.)

Subaru: ――――

Mao: (......even though he’s alone, he still looks so picturesque, that guy. Normally he’s the one cracking jokes, but when he’s alone he seems almost intangible― it’s pretty scary.)

(With the light reflecting off him, he’s sparkling, huh.)

(Wait, that sounds a little distant. …...Haha, I guess I fell right back into that inferiority complex of mine back when I used to call myself things like ‘only a flashlight’.)

Subaru~! Come on, can’t you hear me? Don’t ignore me, it’s lonely~ ♪

Subaru: ―Uwah? Oh~ it’s Sari~! He~ey ☆

What’s up? Didn’t you say you were going to finish up the work that’s been piling up at the Student Council?

Mao: Yeah. Well, stuff happened here and there, so it’s fine for me to come to the lesson now. Is it alright if I join you?

Since we’re in the same ‘unit’ and all, if we each borrow different rooms, it’ll cost us a lot, right?

Subaru: Of course, of course, I welcome you with open arms! In any case, I was getting lonely by myself, so I’m happy~. So what did you want to do? Tell me what you want to do, Sari~! I’ll do it with you!

Mao: Ahaha. Since you’re that excited, you must have been really lonely huh…… Sorry Subaru, we haven’t been able to meet up with everybody recently.

Subaru: Nah, it can’t be helped. Sari~ doesn’t have anything to apologise for. I believe that one of these days, we’ll surely get together again― standing on the same stage.

So I’m fine.

Mao: I see? Then what was with the whole ennui thing you had going on recently huh~, you little trickster?

If you have something on your mind, or something’s bothering you, then you have to say it. You tend to explode suddenly, but every time we all get caught up in it― then it becomes a really big inconvenience.

Subaru: Mm~...... I didn’t know that.

Mao: So you didn’t know~

Subaru: Yeah. But really, there’s nothing that I’ve been dissatisfied with or worried about recently. I’m shining alongside everyone in a sparkling place I couldn’t even imagine this time last year.

I get to introduce the idols and ES that I love for the job this time.

It seems like a good project that’ll make everyone smile, and I don’t have all that much experience with this sort of thing, so I think it’ll be interesting.

Mao: Mm. No matter if it's the unknown or the sorts of challenges that nobody else wants to do, we’ve always overcome it. The revolution at Yumenosaki, winning the ‘SS’―

Since we’re so used to doing such high-profile jobs, will we still do a good job when it comes to a simple job this time?

It feels like we’re being used by Tenshouin-senpai- we who’ve been against the system all this time, it’s not like us, is it?

Subaru: No….... Rebelling against the system, against the adults like that, that was mainly for Hokke~, wasn’t it?

Revolution is just a means to achieve what we want, it’s not our end goal, and it’s not what we were built on.

I understand it a lot better now, Tenshouin-senpai’s dreams are our dreams. For us to shine even brighter, I’ll wholeheartedly cooperate.

If we’re talking about introducing ES, there are many other idols who are more qualified than we are~

I can see the logic behind getting us, whose popularity has skyrocketed thanks to the ‘SS’, to do it.

But…… Somehow~ it doesn’t feel right. I’m not excited at all. It feels like I’m walking around in another person’s body.

Mao: Ah~ I sort of get it. At school, I only get called by my titles of ‘president’ or ‘club leader’.

At home, my little sister called me by name when she said “Mao~, clean the bath.” and I almost didn’t react for a second.

Subaru: Ahaha. Sari~ as always, your little sister treats you too harshly.

Mao: Noo, it’s better to not ignore her, and anyway, recently, I’m starting to think her prickly attitude is sort of cute.

She’s usually pretty bad-tempered but on the odd occasion where she’s being sweet, it makes me a hundred times happier….... Mm, but now I’m just rambling.

Perhaps since all we’ve been doing has just been blindly forging ahead, immersed in the middle of the climax of our story, we now have to stop and take a good look at ourselves.

Just what kind of idol is ‘Trickstar’? Before, we were nobodies, but now, we’re somebody.

What is it that makes us who we are?

After we’ve made sure of what it is, we should come to an agreement and do something that is ‘us’.

I’m sure Subaru’s lack of enthusiasm will disappear, because we’re starting to walk the path of ‘our life’.

It’s perfect that Anzu’s said she’ll be joining us from now on. Let’s get everyone to sit down properly and have a heart-to-heart.

The stars are drawn together by gravity, but will eventually be washed away by a strong enough current.

We are ‘Trickstar’. Our way forward can’t be predicted by anyone, but we can draw our own paths. Together with everyone, while we shine.

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