kumakuma | Entries tagged with butterfly

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〈Location: Nap Room〉

Tsukasa: …………

(......mmn. Ah, it seems I fell asleep.)

(I had a nostalgic dream.)

(Back then, Sena-senpai never smiled in front of me, not even once.)

(He only smiled on stage for the fans, because it was what they wanted to see―)

(I wonder if he thought of me as a hindrance. I was always relegated to being one step behind everyone else……)

(I wasn’t able to see it at all.)

(But today, I saw Sena-senpai laughing loudly and unreservedly.)

(Being in a present where we can both laugh and cry, it’s like a dream…… I’m happy.)

(Calling me by the wrong name on purpose and bullying me when we meet… none of this will change.)

(Whilst the things Sena-senpai says are scathing, he never kicked me out for his own interests.)

(If you keep trying and refuse to give up, he will accept you in the end.)

(When you look at him from behind, he is always dignified, proud and unyielding...... He’s strong, kind and beautiful, much like an idealised image of a knight- I admired that.)

(Well, given that…… I still can’t readily accept the way he turns all strange when he’s in front of Yuuki-senpai.)

(As for me, he needs to be kinder and more comforting. I do need a break every once in a while……)

(As for Sena-senpai, it was him doing ‘that’ that was troubling Yuuki-senpai.)

(Thank you, Yuuki-senpai. Although it was just an act, for a brief moment, I was able to walk in your shoes and come to an understanding……)

(Even if he isn’t spoiling me on the surface, I am still living a blessed life.)

(Rather than having my hand held every step along the way, I was able to perform to the best of my ability.)

(No. Being able to do the things I want to do, that alone makes me fortunate.)

(There is no end to desiring what we do not have, but…… as long as they are attainable, we should persevere, raise our voices and take the things we want for ourselves no matter what.)

(That’s what it means to become an adult, after all.)

(We cannot remain as miserable caterpillars forever. Nor can we stay as an armoured chrysalis.)

(Let’s emerge from this as beautiful, noble butterflies who will soar through the skies.)

Izumi: …...Yuu~kun, are you awaake?

Tsukasa: Gyah!? Um, I’m Suou Tsukasa! Since I slept together with Yuuki-senpai on the pillow as we planned, we’ve swapped back around!

Izumi: Hmm. Then I guess I no longer have a reason to treat you nicely……

Just how much longer are you going to sleep next to Yuu-kun? Shouldn’t you be getting up already? You’re in my spot, you know?

Tsukasa: Ngh…… That unfair attitude is even more annoying now, given the difference between how you were behaving earlier.

Makoto: Mmmnn…… ?

Izumi: Oop. If you make all that fuss, you’ll wake Yuu-kun up.

He’s probably tired from training hellishly for the ‘SS’ every day, so let’s let him rest well, alright?

You too, Kasa-kun. It’s a day off today, so you should sleep a little longer, hm?

Sleep is good for your looks. That’s why if you see here…… Kuma-kun’s got skin like a newborn baby ♪

Ritsu: Zzz, zzz…… ♪

Tsukasa: Hmm? Why is Ritsu-senpai also asleep?

Izumi: He said that he got hit by a bout of drowsiness when he looked at Kasa-kun and Yuu-kun~ or something.

Because you guys were using his favourite pillow, it was soo~ annoying when he decided to go to sleep in my lap. Well, I did kick him off.

Tsukasa: Fufu. Would it be alright for you to be a little nicer to your friends? People will get fed up with you, and you’ll be misunderstood and hated, you know?

Izumi: Hmph. If you’re already this disillusioned, I guess that means I didn’t love you…...

I’ve always just said my farewells and never really got attached to the other person, since it just makes letting go harder.

It was all to avoid that grief. I was just trying to protect myself.

It’s no use, huh…… No matter how awful I was to you guys, you didn’t leave.

I wonder if I should have prepared myself and confronted this earlier, without thinking of when I have to say goodbye.

Because I was always losing the people around me, I came to realise how serious it was.

Tsukasa: …...You have yet to lose us. Although you seniors are graduating, this is not goodbye― we will protect ‘Knights’.

That is why there is no need to worry, senpai. Please smile. There is nothing for you to be sad about.

Izumi: Haha. I see you’re as insolent as always. You really know what to say, huh?

Well that’s fine. …...Kasa-kun, one of these days, I’ll tell you all the things I’ve kept secret.

I was trying to show off, so I hid everything that might hurt my reputation, but― you have a right to know.

From now on, ‘Knights’ is in the hands of you juniors. Like Kuma-kun said, I wouldn’t want to leave any hard feelings behind.

But. That’s something for later……For now, relax and go back to sleep with your mouth hanging open like an idiot.

You’ll be a second year from now on, so you’ll be a senpai, won’t you?

Exercise that right when you’re still a kid…… We’ll protect you while it’s still alright for you to whine and complain.

And when you’re an adult, you should talk yourself up like I do.

We’ve all cried over our mistakes as kids at some point, but you bury that sort of pathetic past at all costs.

It’s better to put up a front. And then you get a stupid brat who you've fooled and idolises you completely to come along and scoff at your heart.

It’s honestly so ridiculous, you can't help but laugh…...

Go to sleep now and dream of that day. Grow up quickly― Suou Tsukasa-kun.

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〈Location: Soundproof Practice Room〉

〈Early spring, right after Suou Tsukasa joined ‘Knights’〉

Tsukasa: Excuse me!

Izumi: …………

Tsukasa: Um? You’re Sena…...senpai, correct?

I have come to the lesson as was agreed upon. Even though I’m not very good at anything, please give me your guidance and encouragement!

Izumi: …………

Tsukasa: (...... ! He’s ignoring me!? What a cold person. I thought idols were supposed to be nice people who made others happy?)

(Then again, I’d resolved myself to join them because of their dignified behaviour, not for their flattery……)

(But even if we disregard how they act on stage, this sort of normality is still a little outside of my expectations.)

(Earlier, I did consider the possibility of this happening. But it has been a dream of mine to be worked hard by strict seniors, so I don’t really mind.)

(In order to improve myself and not idle away my precious youth―)

Izumi: …...Hey, new kid, why don’t you get changed and start warming up instead of just standing there?

Or are you so hopeless that I have to give you a list of what you need to do from one to ten?

How troublesome…… In any case, with the brats that we’ve been getting recently, when you don’t reward every little thing they do, they immediately get put off and quit for some reason.

Tsukasa: Um…...? I’m sorry, are you telling me to decide on what I should do by myself~ ?

Understood! But as I am a complete beginner, I am a little lost……?

Izumi: Hm. Then just copy me, but don’t get in my way, got it?

Tsukasa: Huh…… Speaking of which, are the other members absent? I was hoping to formally introduce myself to them?

Izumi: Who knows? We’re all individualists here, so we don’t really keep in line with each other~.

We haven’t come up with a working schedule, so we just show up to the practice room we’re renting whenever we feel like it.

Tsukasa: I-is that not an inconvenience? In the event of a live, would the fans not be disappointed if a member was absent…...?

Izumi: That’s why you have to train yourself until you can handle performing a live perfectly even if it’s just you on your own.

…...Hey, if you just want to chat, could you leave? You’re an eyesore.

This isn’t a friend group, so if you want to play at making friends, it’s not too late…… Why don’t you go somewhere else?

‘Knights’ has been on the decline for some time now, so you won’t be riding our coattails, you know?

Tsukasa: I-is that so? But what about that magnificent, dreamy live you held just the other day……?

Izumi: Hmph. Well, that’s the look we were going for.

Tsukasa: P-please allow me to help out as well!

Izumi: How insolent. That’s easy for you to say, but if we’re actually talking about helping…… what exactly can you do?

We have no need for a half-wit who can’t be of immediate use to us. You’ll likely be crushed before you know it, hm?

I won’t say anything bad, so honestly, it’d be better if you changed your mind right now…...Kasa-kun?

Tsukasa: K-kasa-kun?

Izumi: Oh, did I get your name wrong? I don’t really remember it because I’m not all that interested.

Tsukasa: (My name is Suou Tsukasa. I am a descendant of a proud military family. I am Tsukasa― of the Suou family.)

(Is what I want to say. But I can’t open my mouth because it feels like no matter what I say, it won’t make a difference…… Am I really this spineless?)

Izumi: …...Hey, Kasa-kun, it’s not like I care, but why were you thinking of joining ‘Knights’?

Tsukasa: I’m sorry? Excuse me, are you saying that …… I’m not fit for ‘Knights’?

Izumi: Hah? Nobody’s saying anything like that. It’s just something I should know before deciding on whether you’ll be allowed to join or not, right?

Say, couldn’t you have gone without picking ‘Knights’ of all groups……?

Tsukasa: Please don’t talk about ‘Knights’ like that.

I was saying this earlier, but I’m not just saying this because I want you to like me…...

I’m saying this from my heart. I admire all of you, so I have decided that I will see ‘Knights’ through to the end.

Izumi: Hmm. As I thought, you know nothing of our past, do you?

Tsukasa: Your past? I’m sorry, but before I entered this school, I knew little of idol affairs……?

If necessary, I will do as much research into this as I can, so could you give me a little bit of time?

Izumi: Aah, that won’t be necessary. You’ll age faster if you’re constantly stressing over the past. You’re still young, so move while you can.

The efforts we make when we’re young becomes our assets for the rest of our life……That’s what I believe. You wouldn't want to have any regrets when you’re looking back on things in the future, would you?

Tsukasa: Fufu. There will not be any regrets, because this is the road I chose for myself.

Izumi: There’s your youth showing through. You’re so immature it’s actually soo~ annoying…… Ah, come on, now I’m annoyed because it’s making me feel like I’m getting old.

Tsukasa: ……?

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〈Location: Coffee Shop〉

Makoto: Yes. Fufu, we seem to have troubled you.

(Ahaha. It’s been so long since I joked around with Izumi-san without thinking too much. I’m happy……)

(Mm, it’s fine like this.)

Ritsu: (Hm. I’m glad that he seems satisfied.)

(I was forcibly dragged into this whole thing so they could get Secchan involved, but I wonder if ‘Yuu-kun’ was able to take a good breather?)

(Well, my friends are important to me after all.)

(Su~chan and Secchan, with how things are right now, you should say what you want to say as well.)

(That’s something I haven’t been able to do…… It’s been exhausting, holding it in for so long.)

(Fufufu. At the end of the day, it’s better for family to be close ♪)

Tsukasa: …...You’re in an awfully good mood, Ritsu-kun, for somebody who’s manipulating people left, right, and center.

Ritsu: You have to enjoy the game, okay? Don’t make such a scary face, ‘Yuu-kun’. Since it was my pillow that caused all this trouble, as an apology, this’ll be my treat.

Come on, finish what you were ordering before. I wonder if your favourite food will be here soon…… ♪

Tsukasa: Hmm? Ah, it’s the season-limited parfait!

This coffee shop’s sweets are always spot on. I’ve always wanted to try out their new winter range!

Is it okay for me to eat the parfait? Won’t Izumi-san get mad if I have this many calories?

Izumi: Haha. If I had all this sugar forced into my mouth, I’d throw up. But you seem to like it, don’t you, Kasa-kun?

I was thinking that I should spoil my juniors before I graduate. I won’t get angry, so do what you want, alright?

Tsukasa: Marvelous! I-I’m so happy! So you understand how I feel, right?

I don’t mind that you’re strict when you’re teaching, but really…… I wanted you to spoil me every once in a while because it’s nice!

Uwah, let’s ea……

Nghh!?

Izumi: Heey. Yuu-kun, just what do you think you’re doing, eating the parfait I ordered for Kasa-kun like that?

Onii-chan doesn’t remember raising Yuu-kun to be a kid with such bad manners, hm?

Tsukasa: …...eh? …...Eh?

(......Ah, now that you mention it, we’re meant to be switched!)

(I’m not sure if it’s because Sena-senpai’s unusually perceptive, but he should still firmly believe that we’re in different bodies, right?)

(Gahh, it had to happen now of all times! It had to be the one time that demon of a Sena-senpai is spoiling me!?)

Makoto: Um…… Erm, I’m not particularly good with overly sweet things myself, you see. You can have the parfait if you like, Yuuki-senpai?

Izumi: Hah? What’s wrong, Kasa-kun? Are you feeling sick?

You love sweet things, don’t you~ …...why don’t you just lick a sugar cube like an ant?

Tsukasa: I-I would never do such a disgraceful…… I don’t think he’d ever do that!? You could at least compare him to a beautiful honey-drinking butterfly or something, Izumi-san!

But more importantly! If Suou-kun doesn’t want to eat it, does that mean I can have the parfait……!?

Izumi: Here you go, Yuu-kun.

Onii-chan’s favourite supplements. These are really difficult to find at a reasonable price if you want to buy them, you know?

Come on now, don’t hold back ♪ You take this one with water, and you chew this one, alright?

Tsukasa: (......I can tell from looking at them that they would taste awful! On top of that, aren’t they a little suspicious!?)

Izumi: Hey, what’s wrong? Do you want to go “Aaah~ ♪” for onii-chan? You’re just like a spoiled little boy…… ♪

Tsukasa: S-so stop treating me like I’m a child!

Suou-kun was the one who said he wanted to be spoiled a little more, so since I’m Yuuki Makoto…...uhhh ummm!?

Izumi: Here, say aaah~ ♪

Tsukasa: Mmph~ !?

Bleeeh? What’s with this bitterness, I was hoping it was going to be sweet since it’s coloured like candy but-!

Peh peh, this is medicine! I’m not sick, so why do I have to take theeese, I just want to eat the parfait~ !

Izumi: Pft…...ahaha, it’s no use! I can’t take it anymore, ahahahaha ☆

Tsukasa: Wh-what are you laughing at? Ahh, I really hate you, ‘onii-chan’...... !

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〈Location: Coffee Shop〉

〈30 minutes later. Having safely retrieved the pillow in question, Izumi and Ritsu are in the coffee shop waiting to meet up with Tsukasa and Makoto, who are running late.〉

Izumi: ……and?

Ritsu: Hm~? Could you be clearer? Making me guess what you want to say from a single “and?” isn’t very nice of you, is it?

Izumi: You’re smart enough to figure it out.

…...Anyway, what’s going on? What are you trying to get at by playing a prank on me?

This morning, you were saying something like “Su~chan and Yuu-kun are going to be doing something weird later, so I’ll just bear with it and play along as best I can”―

It must have been a pretty rare and desperate situation if you of all people were willing to go along with it.

So many times I’ve thought about how stupid this is and whether I should go home halfway or not. Soo~ troublesome.

Ritsu: Ah, did it really come off as desperate? As I thought, Secchan’s earnest at heart, so making it seem like it’s something serious is super effective, hm?

Nice nice. My acting skills are improving. I polished them up so I could be spoiled by other people~ ♪

Izumi: Hah? If you tell nothing but lies, other people aren't going to trust you anymore, you know?

Ritsu: That's fine~ I don't need 'strangers' to trust me.

In any case. Surely Secchan’s sharp enough to work out the purpose behind all this without having me go out of my way to explain it.

I’d say it’s stupid to spell out every little detail when you don’t have to~, but I don’t want to sound like a cliche villain.

Hm. But if I had to say…... we’re more like the villains than the heroes of justice.

Izumi: Then again, I suppose there's no need for an explanation.

The point was to get those damn brats to spit out whatever they were keeping bottled up inside~ right?

Confronting them head on and having a serious talk at this point would be embarrassing. Or rather, it seems laughable.

This time it was ‘body-swapping’…… Since you’re borrowing someone else’s appearance and their point of view,

I guess it makes it easier to bare the things you’d normally keep hidden?

Kasa-kun’s obstinate, uncompromising and tries to show off, so normally, he wouldn’t speak his mind even if it’s something important…...

He’s constantly complaining, but then he hides the really important things. It’s like he’s walled himself off so that he doesn’t get hurt.

Ritsu: That sounds just like a certain somebody …...Well, in any case, it’s basically what you said.

Secchan's going to graduate soon, so before you leave, open up to each other and talk about your real feelings.

If you have any leftover regrets, you won’t even be able to die peacefully.

This time, say your goodbyes properly so there's no hard feelings in the future. My stomach hurts from seeing that sort of thing up close all this time.

Izumi: Hm. It's just graduation. It's not like I’m saying goodbye forever.

Ritsu: Nobody knows what the future holds. Only the gods know when we'll see each other next......

Wasn’t Secchan mistaken about how long ‘Ousama’ would be away for last year?

Izumi: ..........

Ritsu: You should seize the day while you’re still alive. It’s much nee~ded advice from an old vampire.

Izumi: Kuma-kun. I don't know if you're aware, but recently you've been becoming more like your brother.

Ritsu: Hah? You want to die?

......Just kidding. Even though you've said something like that, I don't really feel annoyed. I don't get it myself.

Izumi: You’ve opened up your heart. I’m honestly glad for that. When I ran into you before, you always used to seem like a dead body, you know?

Ritsu: That was around this spring, wasn’t it, Secchan. It didn't seem like I was alive, but recently...... I've been really enjoying each day.

Izumi: All thanks to a group of certain sombodies.

......oh?

Tsukasa: H-he~y! Sorry, Izumi-san, Ritsu-kun! We're late!

Makoto: Fufu. A few fans found us and begged us to give them our autographs. Since we were swapped around, we had a rather difficult time dealing with them.

Tsukasa: Y-yeah. Me signing as ‘Suou Tsukasa’ would make it a forgery.

Izumi: Uh huh. Instead of fidgeting over by the door, why don't you come over here and take a seat?

It’s about time you took notice of the calories you've burned by pointlessly running around, so let's get some food in you―

Since we got back the pillow without a hitch, we’ll take a break and return to school. Then we can get you back to normal…... How’s that sound?

With that, it'll be case closed. ‘And they all lived happily ever after’, right?

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〈Location: School Route〉

〈Ten minutes later〉

Tsukasa: Over here, over here! Quickly, let’s catch up to the garbage truck while it's stopped at the lights!

Ah, come on, why’re we doing this……?

Makoto: Indeed. All of this is completely unnecessary.

In any case, we were able to locate it thanks to Anzu…… onee-sama contacting the person who was in charge of cleaning the nap room for us.

From there, one thing led to another, and we were able to find out where the collected garbage was thrown and where it was being taken.

Since the garbage truck has a fixed route, let’s catch up to it, explain our circumstances and retrieve the pillow.

And then it’ll be case closed at last.

Tsukasa: Yeah. I’m glad Yuuki-senpai’s…… I mean I’m good at gathering information. I can find a solution no matter what happens- I’ll have to learn from that.

There’s nothing I can’t recover from.

Makoto: …...Um~, it suddenly hit me, but the other two went ahead on Izumi-san’s bike, and since we’re just walking, there’s a fair bit of distance between us now―

So we don’t need to pretend anymore, right?

Tsukasa: Ah, that’s right.

Makoto: Mhm. Well, we’ll keep it up until we use the pillow one more time to change back.

But we’ll have to keep putting on a good show so Izumi-san doesn’t notice.

Tsukasa: Yes. I do not have any experience in drama at all……

I kept making mistakes while we were acting, even though I had wanted to play the part of Yuuki-senpai perfectly until we returned to our own bodies.

Like Sena-senpai, it seems I’m no good at changing things up.

Yuuki-senpai’s amazing at it though…… Even though I knew what was happening, I thought you had become a completely different person.

It felt like your personality had changed entirely. ……Is ’Trickstar’ taking on acting jobs?

Makoto: No, not really. Yumenosaki’s idols are focused on live performances, so I don’t have much experience in it either.

But I do get cast in TV shows or movies sometimes, so I’ve probably picked up some skills here and there.

Fufu. That’s why I’m glad I can have this precious experience.

Tsukasa: Yes. I feel the same. Although it was exciting to speak informally like Yuuki-senpai……

I wonder if it would be considered disrespectful.

Makoto: Ahaha. Being so strict with your manners, that’s just like you, Suou-kun.

I’m the opposite. If I have to talk really politely, it feels like I'll bite my tongue. If we’re looking at this from a professional actor’s point of view, I’ve probably made a bunch of mistakes.

Tsukasa: No, it was perfect. I’m jealous.

I’m well aware that this might come off as underselling everyone else, but nonetheless…… you’re unexpectedly talented, you know?

Makoto: It’s not talent, it’s probably experience.

I play a lot of role playing games, and I have to model whatever poses they ask of me for work…… so I’m just used to it.

Tsukasa: You’re so modest. …...That reminds me, when Yuuki-senpai and Izumi-senpai were younger, you used to be models together, right?

Since you’ve been in the entertainment industry since childhood, if you think about it, that makes you my esteemed senior.

Makoto: Noo~, there was a gap where I wasn’t working. When I was a first year like you, I was doing a pretty bad job at my activities too.

Suou-kun was probably taking lessons¹ in the years I spent as a child model.

That sort of upbringing…… those experiences, no matter what they may be, I’m sure you’ll be able to put them to good use in your work as an idol.

If you keep comparing yourself to other people, you’ll sulk over your own shortcomings…… The reality is that you’ll always be jealous of someone.

Tsukasa: Indeed. Needless to say, it’s better to accept the life you are given. After all, no matter how much one yearns for it, a person cannot become a butterfly.

If you’re a child, you become an adult. If you’re a caterpillar, you become a butterfly or a moth. There’s no way around that.

Even if you have a dream where that sort of boring reality can be overturned for a little while…… A dream is still just a dream.

Notes:
¹ 'Lessons' here refers to 'cultural' lessons in dance, music, tea ceremony, flower arranging, etc.

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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.

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