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All of my translations are tagged by story or category and can be found below.

Ensemble Stars

Event/Gacha Stories

Sweets Box (Ch. 1, 3, 5, and 7, collaboration with Mika_Enstars)

Date Plan (Ch. 7-14)

Underdoctor (Complete)

Submarine (Collaboration; complete)
Unification by Force (In progress)

Butlers (Collaboration; dropped)
Twin Peaks (Collaboration; complete on mika_enstars' blog)
ABYSS (In Progress)

PAGE 3

The Appeal of Engaging With This Work That Grows More Fascinating As More Is Revealed

In the previous interview, we heard that in the first iteration of the project, the protagonist was an older adult. We would like to inquire about the particulars involved in both the game, “SMT IVF,” and the transition from that previously established aspect.

Doi: This time, we’ll present this illustration of the protagonist from the early stages of the project for the first time. (Illustration below). Though you may be able to understand this fact just by looking at the illustration, this image was ultimately reflected in Asahi’s father; Asahi inherited the pilot-style attire from him. In the initial stages of the project, the approach we took to the story was that of an adult protagonist, Nozomi, and Navarre journeying together—we’d yet to conceptualize the other companions.

Kozuka: I had seen the project proposal at that time as well, but they were also considering making Navarre the protagonist for a short while, and, although it’s MegaTen, they were coming out with dramatic parts that were a bit “slice-of-life”-ish, so it proved to be quite challenging content—I was puzzling over what music would be suited for such a story.

Yamai: With regards to the sequence of events prior to the beginning of the major conflict of this work, Jonathan had become the seraph Merkabah, Walter had consecrated himself to the Demon King Lucifer, and Flynn and Isabeau had come to bear the respect and aspirations of the people of Tokyo on their backs. Out of all of those samurai, it was only the failure Navarre who had been unable to accomplish anything. Which is exactly why we thought that we’d dig even deeper into his character.

Oyama: However, there was some mixed reception in-house to the idea of intertwining Navarre with the main characters, so I recall, contrary to expectation, being stirred into action by the phrase “You hate him that much? Then I’ll just make him a ghost!”

Yamai: The theme we wanted to depict in this project was “growth from failure,” so myself and Mr. Oyama were both Navarre stans1 to a degree (laughs). However, if it were to be a completely new work, Mr. Doi wanted to create a protagonist who could stand alongside Flynn. We also reconsidered the idea of making the protagonist an adult, determining that if we were to depict a theme of growth, boys and girls would be much more suited to that—thus, ultimately, the work settled into what it is today.

—So the other companions came to be after you decided to make the protagonist a child, then?

Doi: To give you a glimpse into the change in setting, initially, Asahi had much more of a strong-minded personality, and Toki was a frail shrine maiden of the Ring of Gaea, and such—so there was a considerable change. As everyone was pitching their ideas on what kind of partners we should add to make the drama more interesting for the protagonist, I drew various concepts for them. And as the construction of the scenario and systems progressed, the character’s settings and roles began to solidify.

Yamai: One of the reasons we changed Asahi’s personality to a braver one was because every character that surrounds her, including the protagonist who returned from the dead with the strength of the demon god Dagda, is a superhuman being. Amidst all of this, we found ourselves wanting to include a character who was almost an ordinary person while still making her into a childhood friend who stood close to the protagonist.

—In regards to Toki, she wasn’t an assassin at first, yes? Her “true face” is also quite striking.

Doi: I knew that I wanted to illustrate some sort of gap, so I had her wear a mask to hide her true face, as well as having her give off the unapproachable aura of the Ring of Gaea that she’s a member of. Even so, I aimed to bring about the charm and appeal that you’ll discover when a girl like that opens up her heart.

Yamai: Also, as for why she’s an assassin—The Ring of Gaea is an influence that holds the chaotic ideology of “it is those with strength who survive.” However, since those associated with them are humans, there are also likely cases of married couples who enter the Ring and sacrifice their children to it. Toki’s upbringing, of course, was within this environment, and thus was very unusual.

Doi: As for the gap aspect, that also has a backing in Hallelujah showing a sort of “awakening.” At the start of the project, we had him as half-Japanese and half-Black. We thought, “Naturally there’d be foreigners in this closed-off Tokyo, so if a child like this made an appearance, it could show the current status quo or idiosyncrasies of this world or something.” Afterward, once we established him to be a member of the Ashura-Kai, he became half-human and half-demon. I was asking for ideas on how to portray Hallelujah’s “awakening” in a way that’d fire everyone up, and I expressed that to the staff who were helping me with my work. When it came to the hair color and such, they just switched through the options on the computer super fast, and when I thought “that’s the one!” we discussed it together.

—So the player’s impression of both Toki and Hallelujah changes the more they play the game. Especially with the depiction of the Tokugawa Mandala surrounding them…

Yamai: Throughout a series of events, Toki comes into contact with the Aether, which elicits many emotions such as that of lust, and that later causes her hidden side to peek through again and again. (laughs). That serves as the background for some drama as well. To begin with, on top of that scenario, a situation occurs where the Demon Summoning Program becomes unusable, yet there also exists in this world a force that can transcend the program and summon demons. On top of that, if we look back at Japan’s history, during the Edo Period, this country was closed off to the rest of the world and was forcefully opened in its final years. Furthermore, there’s also the interpretation that Japan’s ancient gods ended up being encroached upon by gods and demons of other countries and that we should push back against that encroachment. When in reality, there are plenty of temples all over Japan that worship those kinds of unsavory things. The Divine Powers that appeared for the first time in SMT IVF used the Tokugawa Mandala, composed of the five Fudo temples located all over Tokyo, like a mystical barrier to seal off the Demon Summoning Program. By no means was this an event that was created for the sole purpose of making Toki do or say something provocative—when we were deciding who would be the best at practicing self-restraint when their heart was assailed by the desire that comes from being touched by the Aether, we came to the conclusion that Toki, as an assassin from the Ring of Gaea who was raised to discard her emotions as much as possible, would be the most suitable.

PAGE 4

—The demon Krishna, leader of the Divine Powers, had quite a strong impact within the story as well, wouldn’t you say?

Doi: For me personally, Krishna was the one who I designed to be closer to a human, rather than a god or a demon. The reason for that is that he’s in a position where he’s appealing to mankind for “salvation,” and so we thought that it would be better suited to our goals to have him take the image of someone who meets the humans halfway rather than someone divine. Originally, in the form where he’s depicted as a god of Hindu mythology, the color of his body was blue, as opposed to black, which is considered impure. However, if he were to retain his blue color after taking a human form, he would be feared, so we gave him brown skin in this work. Even so, we wanted to leave remnants of that blue-skinned image behind, so we kept that element in his hair color. The fact that he’s clad in Western-style clothing in this work is intended to capture the hearts of people today, and it’s also historically grounded in the British rule of India.

Kozuka: As for the sound design, we gave all of the other gods and demons a voice effect that gives them an otherworldly feeling, but it’s only Krishna whose voice we left as human-like, yet powerful.

—I see. I suppose that means that hundreds of years before Krishna’s resurrection in this work, when he was in this world, he took a different form than he currently has…?

Doi: That’s how I think of it. To add on, this is only one interpretation of the work, but I believe that the “Vishnu Flynn” who makes an appearance in the story is closer to Krishna’s original form.

Yamai: There’s the dimension that the gods of “SMT IV” and “SMT IVF” have established their power and existence due to the faith and recognition of humans, which is very unique compared to other related MegaTen games. In a sense, the gods are in a scramble competing for the attention of humans, but it’s difficult to truly move people’s hearts by simply forcing them to say something. In this work, Lucifer and Merkabah both take human forms, and that’s one reason why.

Doi: You can see a trend among angels who want to gather the faith of humans in that those towards the bottom will have a form more similar to a human, and the higher they rank, the further detached from humanity they become—you can think of that as another reason.

Yamai: Of course, this is the world of “SMT IV” and “SMT IVF,” so even if there is a next installment, it won’t necessarily be the same.

—

TL Notes

1: The original Japanese word used is oshi, which literally means “to push for/support.” However, in fan culture, oshi has grown to be used in a similar way to “stan”—a Navarre oshi would be considered a Navarre stan, and someone saying their oshi is Navarre would be equivalent to saying that he is their favorite/bias.

Kuro: —A-one, a-two, a-three four ♪

(Nice. Finally back to normal for the most part. It’s been a minute since I’ve held on for this long; kinda feels like I’m an old man.)

(Nah, it’s probably just that all the fatigue I’ve been holdin’ on to up to now is all rushin’ out of me at once. Now that I think about it, I’ve been doin’ nothin’ but bitin’ off more than I can chew since high school.)

(Gotta try and look nice and stand up tall, just like a good kid would, after all.)

(I just kept pushin’ out my chest so I’d be able to face my ma in heaven.)

(I wanted to be a decent human being so people wouldn’t look down on me.)

(At this point, though, no matter how well I put on the “good kid” act, it just seems like it’s not gonna make up for all the times I screwed up in the past.)

(Still. I’m never gonna do it again.)

(.......)

(But you know what? Not too long ago, durin’ the Unification by Force live, I got recognized and praised by the big shots, and it felt like a reward.)

(Made me feel like all this effort I’ve put in up till now hasn’t been in vain. I felt like I was on top of the world, like some brat who’s bein’ praised by his parents.)

(I finally let loose, and it’s like all that fatigue and pain I’d been actin’ like wasn’t there up to that point came pourin’ out all at once and left me drowning.)

(That, combined with the fact that I’m prone to motion sickness, led me to be in some seriously bad shape—I’d say.)

(So that’s it, huh? Probably.)

(These circumstances aren’t helpin’ either. It’s too damn pretty, Okinawa—this place is paradise on earth. Bein’ here, I just let my guard down without realizing—)

(I won’t have the guts to push myself to my limit.)

(My legs have gotten all limp ‘n squishy, and I can’t do jack about it. ‘S not like we came here on vacation—and still.)

Souma: Kiryuu-dono~!

Kuro: Hm? Oh, Kanzaki, what’s wrong?

Souma: I should be the one asking that question. You had suddenly disappeared, and so I was quite worried.

Though unlikely, I had begun to think you had been kidnapped by an adversary.

Kuro: Kidnapped? What am I, some damsel in distress? If anyone’s kidnappin’ anyone, I’m sure they’d go for someone a little easier to carry.

Besides. People talk about this like it’s war or somethin’, but we’re really just doin’ a live showdown. No one’s gonna do anything illegal like kidnapping or stuff like that. Probably.

Souma: Nay, you must not be negligent. I have heard rather suspicious rumors from all throughout the country.

Kuro: Ah, must be from Mikejima. Plus, there’s Trickstar and all them—seems like they’re causin’ a lot of trouble for nothin’ again, huh?

Seems like those guys have been talkin’ about makin’ a tour of the whole country. There’s no way they’d fly from Hokkaido to Okinawa, straight through the islands, right?

Souma: If that were the case, it would become quite a nuisance indeed. Even so, they cannot decipher the meaning behind words or actions.

Nevertheless, they, too, have surely become aware of the fact that they, as previous victors, have been shunned—

I doubt that they would resort to such bothersome behavior as rampaging throughout every nation of the country. If they were to repeat the same mistake, they would be but simple fools.

And those who are mere fools will certainly never once be able to achieve the incredible feat of standing atop the industry.

Kuro: Haha. To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised no matter what those guys do.

Souma: Mhm. Even so, it is no use talking about them now—they are not here. We should devote ourselves entirely to our own competition.

Kuro: We should, yeah. Just did some light jogging to make sure, but it looks like I’m mostly back in shape, so… Keep me busy from here on out.

Souma: Understood. Although, if I am to be honest, I do not wish to overwork you—even though you have regained your good health, Kiryuu-dono, you are still in the process of recovering.

Kuro: Hmm. But I’ll get even sicker if I just keep layin’ around doin’ nothin’. I gotta get some exercise in.

Plus, I feel like the burden’s all focused in on you guys ‘cause I couldn’t move right. Somethin’ like that will make you run outta steam by the time you get towards the end.

Souma: Hmm… I am a disciplined person, but setting myself aside, Hasumi-dono does seem to be quite drained.

Nevertheless, this is an essential undertaking. It is precisely according to plan—we continue to fight on successive fronts, at every beck and call of the veterans at RhythLin—

That alone would have been quite a difficult task—however, our opponents have all been extremely powerful people—such as the elites of CosPro. Even having earned the support of the veterans, not a single battle has been easy.

We have always approached the scene of carnage with the intent to emerge victorious at any cost.

← Previous | Cover | Next →

Location: Yumenosaki Marine Biology Club Room

Kaoru: Jeez, you really ran into some bad luck, Souma-kun!

Souma: ……

Kaoru: I was, like, seriously stunned. I drop by this club room for the first time in a while, and there you are, all passed out on the floor and covered in blood.

I thought there’d been a murder or something. I even called out for the police.

Souma: …You are as pointlessly boisterous as ever, Hakaze-dono. What do I have to do to get you to shut that mouth of yours?

Kaoru: You don’t look too great, Souma-kun. You okay? You anemic?

Souma: I am ashamed. Ashamed that I have been seen in my most unfortunate state by you, of all people.

Kaoru: No no, there’s nothing to be ashamed about, okay? It was just an accident, yeah?

What was it… You were cleaning the club room, and then some kind of vase or something fell on you from above and hit you square in the head, right?

Souma: Mhm…. It truly was a great misfortune.

Despite the fact that, unlike you, things tend to go quite well for me on a daily basis.

Kaoru: Hey, I’m taking things pretty seriously these days—really, really. So much so that my older fans are even spreading a theory that I’ve been replaced by another person.

Souma: Hmph. You are not a different person. You have always been frivolous, but you have always been good-natured as well.

It appears to me that those who spread such a rumor do not truly understand who you are as a person.

Kaoru: So you understand? Who I am as a person?

Souma: …I don’t. I never have, and I never will.

For an obstinate blockhead such as myself, understanding others is beyond even my wildest dreams.

Kaoru: What’s wrong with you; you’re so gloomy! Looks like the Marine Biology Club is as unpopular as ever, so are you just feeling lonely all by yourself? Should I drop by more often for you?

Souma: I do not want your help. You are so irritating.

Kaoru: I’m just worried about you.

Souma: I am not so far gone to warrant your concern.

More importantly, you coming by the club room like this must have been some sort of fate, Hakaze-dono.

You may help me clean the club room. This needless accident caused me to lose consciousness, and the room is all the more disorganized for it.

Kaoru: Ugh, what a pain…

Kaoru: Uh, yes, mhm, got it, got it! I’ll help!

Don’t scowl at me like that, it’s scary. People will misunderstand you, you know?

Souma: I was not scowling at you. It is simply this vase that hit me a short while ago—I feel as though I recognize it from somewhere, and so I could not help but stare in my examination.

Ah, right. I recognize it from the funeral venue from that day.

This vase is the spitting image of one I saw at that funeral venue—no, I believe it is the same vase.

Kaoru: Huh, hold on a second here…? A vase from a funeral venue? Doesn’t that mean…?

Souma: Mhm. This very well may be an urn.

Kaoru: Ewwww… Why is something like this in our club room?!

Souma: The previous club president—that is, Shinkai-dono—may have forgotten it here.

No, no matter how much he lacks common sense, I doubt that he would take such an important item outside of his home without a second thought.

Hmm, this is a mystery indeed.

No, it is him who is, and has always been, a mystery to me.

Kanata: Zzz, zzz…♪

Madara: God~, God~, wake up.

Kanata: awa…

kanata told you already, mikejima. kanata is not a god yet.

Madara: Mhm, you’re not a god, you’re a baaaby. Why were you sleeping?

Kanata: kanata doesn’t know either. kanata fell asleep without realizing.

kanata is easily influenced by other people. kanata is easy to pollute, like water.

so because this kid is sleeping next to kanata, kanata fell asleep… maybe.

Souma: ……

Madara: I wonder who this kid is, anyway. He was about to touch God, so I punched him without thinking about it, but…

Well, it’s whatever. More importantly, we’re all set here.

Just as we planned, the grown-ups said they’re starting to discuss and decide on the plans they have from here on out during the reception.

Now, we should be able to sneak off and go find the corpse.

Kanata: kanata can see mom?

ah, no. kanata should not have called her mom. they will get mad.

Madara: It’s weird that they get angry. What’s wrong with calling your mom Mom?

Kanata: but. mom is a god, so…

…if she’s a god, then… why did she die?

do you know why, mikejima?

kanata doesn’t know why.

Madara: I dunno why either. I’m an idiot, soooo.

Unlike my sister, I’m bad at everything. She always gets mad at me for saying that.

Kanata: everyone is always getting mad. at kanata, and at mikejima too.

Madara: Mhm. That’s why we’re friends.

Souma: Mm… Hm?

Madara: Agh, this won’t do. Looks like this kid is gonna wake up.

Should I punch ‘im again? Have fun in the world of dreaaams ♪

Kanata: s-stop doing scary things. when kanata sees you hit people, kanata’s heart jumps.

and this child did not do anything bad. you should not… hit him.

Madara: Got it, got it. Whatever God saaays ♪

Souma: …W-who are you two? What kind of people are you?

Madara: Oh, shoot. Looook, he’s awake!

Souma: You… you scoundrels… I’ll call an adult!

Madara: We can’t have that.

Fuhaha. Looks like I’ve got no choice, I’ll have to kill you to keep your mouth shut!

Souma: Y-you are going to kill me? Y-you, youuu, you barbarian!

Madara: What’s up with you? You talk weird.

God’s weird too so, am I the only normal person here?

I knew that already, though. It’s all reaaally crazy, this whole thing.

← Previous | Cover | Next →

Season: Winter

Location: Funeral Venue

Souma: I am freeee!

(Well, what should I do?! Think, Souma! Half an hour remains of the free time I have been given! That means, um, basically, thirty minutes!)

(I have to use this time right and do… do something! I cannot waste it!)

…But I’m hungry right now, huh.

I feel like Father forgot to feed me.

(What should I do? You cannot fight on an empty stomach.)

(Usually, it is Mother who makes the meals, but… She is going to give birth to my adorable little brother soon.)

(She is pregnant or something like that, so she cannot move. So I have no choice. She cannot drag her heavy body such a great distance to this place.)

(No matter that it is the…funeral. Of a great person that our clan cannot ignore.)

(Right, it seems that someone has passed away.)

(And it seems like that person was a really special person, and someone who was really important to us.)

(No, they got mad at me for calling her a “person,” huh?)

(That person was supposedly “God,” so…)

(...A god’s funeral? Gods can die too? Huh?)

(Well, when you die, you die! Mother and Father would never say something that isn’t true!)

Wah, thinking makes me hungry. I am starving. Not even the great Taikō1 would think it possible to have the bitter experience of starving to death in this affluent modern-day Japan.

(I wonder if I should ask Father to make food for meee…. But he seems busy, and he always says that men must not ever enter the kitchen…)

(Mm. If that is the case, then I suppose I have no choice but to look for food by myself after all.)

(If I look, surely there must be some kind of insect or animal that can serve as nourishment here.)

(Nay, now that I have looked, I see that there is food lined up all around me.)

(Could I be hallucinating?)

(I do not really get it, but this must be a divine favor! So this means, umm, God has saved me!)

(I shall graciously accept.)

(...But is it alright for me to just eat this without asking? Will I get scolded? But no one else is here, so I would not be able to get permission anyway, so…?)

(And waaah, I’m so hungry!)

Well, thank you for the food!

Munch, munch… Ugh, it’s so strong. Mother’s food is much more bland than this.

(Ah! Someone’s coming! Nooo, it will be so embarrassing if someone catches me stealing food! This is abhorrent conduct, unbefitting for the child of a family of warriors!)

(I—I have to hide… There’s a tablecloth on this table, so if I go under it, it should hide me.)

(Hurry, Souma! Gooo!)

Kanata: —wah, huh?

Souma: …?!

Kanata: hm? hmm? hmmm?

Souma: …? …?

(What? Who? Monsteeer!)

(What is this, this figure? It does have a strange appearance, but… …?)

Kanata: is someone there? mikejima?

Souma: (Huh? What? Did it say something?)

(What a strange-sounding voice… I could not quite make it out.)

Kanata: ….mikejima.

no, not mikejima. you smell different.

*lick*… mhm, and taste different, too.

Souma: Hyaaaa?! What are you doing? Are you a yōkai?

Kanata: who are you?

Souma: Wh-who are YOU? What are you doing in a place like this?

Kanata: kanata is not doing anything.

in a sense, kanata is doing nothing.

Souma: ? ? ?

Kanata: do you not understand, o child of humans?

is it hard to understand, what kanata says?

Souma: Ka, katana? Nay, you said “Kanata?” What is that…?

Madara: —Have no fear, Mikejima is here!

Souma: Wah?!

Madara: Whooopsie-daisy, I just hit him really hard, but who is this kid anyway? Do you know him, God?

Kanata: kanata is not god yet, so kanata does not know anything.

also, you are late coming back, mikejima.

Madara: Sorryyy, I was looking around to find a way to sneak in, but I had a hard time, sooo—

Souma: (Wh-who is this? Who are these people? They look like kids around my age, but…?)

(Ahh, this is bad. I was feeling hazy enough already because of my empty stomach, so now with the impact of the punch, I feel faint…)

(D-defeat. Going to… faint…)

(......)

Cover | Next →

TL Notes:

1: Likely referring to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

ABYSS

After finding a mysterious vase in the Marine Biology Club Room, Souma begins to reminisce, recalling a strange organization known as ABYSS. Just what was the ABYSS that Kanata, Souma, and Madara experienced thirteen long years ago?

Content Warning: This story contains the following:

Mentions and depictions, implied and direct, of child abuse and neglect.

Discussion of cults.

Mentions of death.

Season: Winter

Author: Akira

Characters: Kanata, Souma, Madara, Kaoru

Translated by verdantgrove
Proofread by kuma829

Chapters

The ▇▇ Ocean that Trickles Downward: Ch 1 - Ch 2 - Ch 3 - Ch 4 - Ch 5 - Ch 6 - Ch 7 - Ch 8 - Ch 9 - Ch 10 - Ch 11 - Ch 12

Epilogue: Ch 1 - Ch 2 - Ch 3 - Ch 4

Short Story 1

Hidden Relics and the Man Who Hid Them

Mito Yoko

A single notebook rests in the man’s hand. That aged notebook is just one of the relics the man found in his former residence…it’s the memoir of a certain woman. The man places his fingers atop the warped cover just as he always does, and sets foot into the world of the memoir…

—

Feb 12

Hallelujah found a pen and a notebook. He said it was a present for Mama. I used this when I was study-ing1 with Angel. How long ago was that again? Hallelujah’s four now, so… No, no. I don’t wanna think about it.

Angel complimented my handwriting. He said “it’s not very well done, but repetition is key.”

Writing a diary so he compliments me again.

Feb 13

Three visitors. Ashura Kai came to collect the money, and give us food rashions2. A little more than usual, thanks to the work I did. Mama will work hard for Hallelujah.

Feb 14

Zero visitors. Big fire in Shibuya. Scary.

Humans are scarier than demons. Angel…

Feb 15

Four visitors. Tired.

Feb 16

Visito

May 2

Forgot about the diary. Writing every day is hard.

Jun 13

Ashura Kai came to collect the money. Guy in charge is annoying.

Luckily visitors were nice today.

Jun 15

We got canned food from the guests3. Hallelujah was super happy. But… I didn’t know what to say when he asked me “what’s a backblue4?”. If Angel were here, he would have told him. Have to study.

Jun 20th5

Hallelujah keeps yelling about wanting to go outside. Even though it’s dangerous up there. Even though I’m doing my best to live down here for him.

Jul 4th

Hallelujah and I talked about Papa. “Samyaza”... I get shy just saying his name. I’ll keep what really happened a secret for now.

He asked me, “why isn’t he with us?”

Why, I wonder?

Jul 15th

Ashura Kai came to collect the money.

Seems grades are good. Oh dear.

August6 15th

The Ashura Kai7 came to collect the money. I ranted to a friendly guest, and their response was “poor thing.” They said I was such a poor thing, having to work and take care of a child at the same time.

Am I really a poor thing?

August 16th

Was all guests I hated today. But have to stay strong. For Hallelujah.

Sep 98

Wrong. Something, wrong. Head spinning. Get mad when I look at Hallelujah. How can he laugh when I’m suffering this much?

But all this suffering is for his sake.

He looks just like me and I hate it. Hate everything.

September 15th

Collected the money.

I’m mad. Can’t even look at Hallelujah.

September 2

September 21st

I hit Hallelujah yesterday.

He kept asking questions about my work, and I said “you know it’s all your fault” and hit him.

I even blurted out “it’s your fault Angel went away too.”

I’m awful.

September 30th

Hallelujah threw up.

While I was cleaning it up, he cried “sorry, sorry.” I said “you’re a lot more serious than you were when you were a baby,” and it made me laugh.

I felt like that was the first time I’d laughed in a long time.

Then Hallelujah laughed too.

He laughed for me, even though I’d done something so horrible.

For some reason, it made me want to cry.

October 1st

I’m thinking as I watch Hallelujah sleep.

Hallelujah’s name was given to him by Angel.

It means “gratitude.”

I was really happy, so I tried my best to remember how to write it, even though it’s hard to spell9.

How the hell did I forget that? I’m such an idiot.

October 3rd

I hit Hallelujah and managed to say “sorry.”

He forgave me with an “it’s all righty.”

He patted me with his tiny little hands.

Sorry. Love you.

October 15th

That guest again. Always telling me I’m a “poor thing,” so annoying.

October 21st

I still have a lot of mixed feelings about Hallelujah.

But I’m not angry at him. Luckily.

Nov 1510

What am I gonna do? Hallelujah hit the man who collects the money. I got hit, then Hallelujah, he turned into something not human, got scary strong, then that guy, he wouldn’t move. Ashura Kai—no, oh my God, this isn’t what you should write in a diary.

But I want to calm down.

Hallelujah can’t stop shaking even though I’m hugging him tight.

Hallelujah was just helping me. He didn’t do anything wrong. That’s it, Hallelujah didn’t do anything wrong.

Hallelujah did not do anything wrong.

Hallelujah cried himself to sleep. Thank God.

It was hard, but I made up my mind.

We’re going to leave the Underground. I thought I wouldn’t survive if I wasn’t here. But that’s wrong.

I have everything Angel has taught me. It’ll be okay.

Leaving before the stores open is a matter of life or death.

I’ll keep Hallelujah safe.

—

“They sure do change easily, these ‘humans.’”

The man's cold and emotionless words reflect his hardened features as he emerges from the glow of the streetlights. And yet, for some reason he couldn’t place, when his eyes catch sight of these words of determination written in smudged letters, his hand stops. The man had never once thought about why that was.

Just as his hand stopped, he checked his smartphone for new notifications, but… The name which he hoped to see was still not there. Ignoring the many voices seeking out his direction, the man turns his attention to the rest of the memoir.

This memoir tells the tale of a mother and child desperately searching for a way to survive. Silently, the man continues to read…

—

May 19th

Our life on the surface has been going smoothly, thanks to us handing out Reds. I’m less worried about the demons. Hallelujah will be 10 soon. Seems like he’s made a friend called Chiro. I wonder what kind of kid they are?

June 12th

We got canned food as payment for the Reds!

Hallelujah was on the edge of his seat before we even opened it. He looks happy eating the fruit. I’m glad.

June 13th

Hallelujah fell asleep hugging the empty can.

It made him that happy?

June 15th

Studying with Hallelujah. I want to tell him everything Angel taught me.

June 28th

Hallelujah made me mad. It was because he took out that empty can when we were collecting relics. Is that thing his prized possession…?

June 29th

Making up with Hallelujah. I promised I wouldn’t put my hands on him without thinking anymore. Sorry, Hallelujah.

July 10th

I know what Hallelujah’s friend is now. It was a shock.

July 12th

I ran into that guest from our time underground. I wished they’d shut up about wanting me to come back to the city or wanting to look after me. Not to mention they told me how sorry they are for me again. I’m mad/pissed.

July 18th

Hallelujah has gotten good at looking for relics.

I told him “you’d be fine doing this on your own at this point” to praise him, but that made him extremely grumpy. Why??

July 20th

That guy’s here again. Ugh.

Even though Hallelujah’s forgotten what happened that day.

July 22nd

Hallelujah doesn’t seem to like studying. He said it was because he was gonna play with his friend, then ran off(, trying to get away). Where’d this come from?

If only Angel were here at a time like this…

August 22nd

Had a conversation with a grumpy Hallelujah.

Studying is essential for proper judgment.

It’s essential in order to decide for yourself what’s important to you. Just like how I decided to believe Angel. …I wonder if I got through to him?

September 2nd

I found out why Hallelujah was acting so strange.

That man told him things. Things like “it’s my fault you got driven above ground” and “they want to get rid of me.” What the hell? Sure enough, humans are the worst. Way, way worse than demons!!

I want to explain. But what should I say?

September 5th

That guy has been loitering around us again.

Hallelujah is still feeling down too… Worried.

September 30th

I was debating whether or not to do this, but I’m going to tell Hallelujah.

That Angel really is an angel.

That he’s not human.

And… about what happened that day.

Tomorrow I will tell him. Angel, give me courage.

October 1st

The conversation went awful. “You’ve been giving me special treatment ‘cause I’m not human,” and “I can tell my dad was more important to you.” …I had thought it’d go like that.

October 3rd

Hallelujah’s in his room with Chiro, and he won’t come out.

If I was Angel, what would I do? …Maybe It’s because I’m always like this that it seemed like his dad was more important to me.

I have. To think.

October 4th

I’m rereading through this diary and thinking. I’ve written everything here, whether it’s the things that made me happy or the things that caused me pain. It’s really true that I hated that child. It’s really true that I loved him, too.

All of it. It’s all true.

October 5th

Received a summons from that man. I’m scared, so I’m bringing that weapon I snatched back then. I wonder; can I use it?

I want to talk with Hallelujah when I get home.

I’ve finally settled on what I want to say.

I like Hallelujah.

I love Hallelujah, because he’s Hallelujah!

I didn’t ask for us to make someone I could cherish other than myself just so I could abandon him.

When I had a chance encounter with Angel and was blessed with Hallelujah, I was really, truly happy.

I just wanted to do a good job of getting this happiness across to him, too.

…Can I even get that across to him? I’m an idiot, so I doubt I can.

But I’ll tell him as many times as it takes. Angel told me that repetition is key, after all.

Well, I should head out soon. …I know you probably wouldn’t give me a reply to this, so I’ll write it here.

See you later, Hallelujah.

—

The memoir ends there, and the aged notebook does not speak further. But the man knew. He knew of both the woman’s abrupt and miserable end and of the whereabouts of the child who lost his mother’s protection…

“Mr. Abe, it’s an emergency!!”

The man who was called—Abe, furrowing his brow, would go to respond to the insolent trespasser.

“Understood. The ‘final battle,’ yeah?”

Yes, at last, the curtain has risen on the battle between God’s Chariot and the Demon King. As Acting Chairman, it is his duty to finish this play, and yet…

“...Not a word from him.”

There were still no notifications from the person he longed to see—from Hallelujah.

That made one thing apparent—estrangement.

“Guess ya found yer angel… Eh, Ayako?”

Abe—the fallen angel who was once called an ‘angel’—imagined a future in which he would stand opposite his own son…and laughed.

<Fin>

TL Notes:

Studying is written in katakana here. It shows unfamiliarity with the written word.
Half of the word is written in katakana here, and the other half in kanji. I chose to portray this as a misspelling, as someone new to writing would be just as likely to misspell the word “rations” in English as they would be not to know the first kanji of the word haikyuu (rations) in Japanese.
Mama writes the word okyaku (visitors/guests) in kanji for the first time here. I marked this with a switch from “visitors” (neutral connotation) to “guests” (more respectful connotation of welcomeness).
Hallelujah seems to have flipped the kanji in the word “blueback (fish)”（青魚 lit. blue fish）to 魚青 (lit. fish blue); I had him flip the word “blueback” to “backblue” in the same manner. He likely read it left to right instead of right to left.
Before this date, the days were written in hiragana. This marks the switch to the use of kanji for each day. I decided to portray this by typing the numbers in proper date format (e.g. 20th instead of 20).
Before this date, the months were written in hiragana. This marks the switch to the use of kanji for each month. I decided to portray this by typing the months spelled out instead of abbreviated.
Rather than writing the “Ashura” in “Ashura Kai” entirely in hiragana as she had been doing previously, Mama writes the first kanji in “Ashura” here for the first time. I decided to portray this by using the article “the” to make it a more complete sentence, thus similarly showing a progression of education.
Mama returns to writing the date entirely in hiragana here in her distress.
Referring to it being difficult to write the kanji for gratitude (感謝). I paralleled this to spelling the word.
Same as TL note 8.

English

I’ll put them into words. All the things I want to do,

and all the things I want to say, I’ll say them all.

How should I convey my feelings?

There’s no chance it’ll go well…

Will I reach you?

I want you to know what my lonely self dreams of

You don’t have to see me, just call my name

Right now I’m a colorless “transparent girl”

The memory of when that girl was a friend was so nice

There were always smiles all around

Then the day suddenly came

where I disappeared from everyone’s eyes

The sky I saw from the classroom window…

I’ll put them into words. All the things I want to do,

and all the things I want to say, I’ll say them all.

How should I convey my feelings?

There’s no chance it’ll go well…

Will I reach you?

I want you to know what my lonely self dreams of

You don’t have to see me, just call my name

Right now I’m a colorless “transparent girl”

Secretly he was on my mind. His profile,

could I get his attention? If our eyes met right now…

I’m so indecisive. This is bad, what should I do?

Maybe if I could take a hint, even I would gain my colors?

I’ll put it into words. Say that I love you out loud.

I don’t want to go on like this. This opaque1 moment

will change. I’ll call out for you in my own way.

So please. Notice me.

Though I’m a little anxious

I won’t be afraid of wanting this

It’s okay if no one sees me

I want only you to see this “transparent LOVE.”

1: "futoumei", not transparent

Romaji

kotoba ni shiyou. shitai koto mo

iitai koto mo zenbu iou yo.

omoi wa dou tsutaetara ii no?

umaku dekisou ni nai…

kimi ni todoku ka na?

kodoku na boku no yume wo shitte hoshii yo

mienakute mo ii namae wo yonde

ima wa iro no nai “toumei girl”

ano ko wa tomodachi omoide ii naa

mawari wa itsudemo egao ga atte

sono hi wa totsuzen yatte kita

minna no me kara boku wa mienaku natta

kyoushitsu no mado kara mita sora

kotoba ni shiyou. shitai koto mo

iitai koto mo zenbu iou yo.

omoi wa dou tsutaetara ii no?

umaku dekisou ni nai…

kimi ni todoku ka na?

kodoku na boku no yume wo shitte hoshii yo

mienakute mo ii namae wo yonde

ima wa iro no nai “toumei girl”

hisoka ni ki ni naru yo. kare no yokogao ga,

hanashikakete mo ii? ima me ga aeba…

yuujuufudan na no. yabai, dou shiyou?

kuuki wo yomereba boku ni mo iro ga tsuku no?

kotoba ni shiyou. suki wo koe ni shite

kono mama ja iya. futoumei na ima

kawaru yo. bokurashiku kimi wo yobu

dakara sou. kidzuite ne.

sukoshi fuan mo aru kedo

hoshigaru koto ni kowagaranaide

dare ni mo mienakute mo ii no

kimi dake ni mite hoshii “toumei LOVE”

Location: Okinawa Qualifiers Stage

Kanata: all of the Believers in this Region were frightened. surely you know the Reason, right, souma?

a War had begun here in Okinawa. a Tragedy, one where people were hurting and killing each other.

although this is just a simple Live Showdown, war is war.

there is Hostility and Hatred, Sadness and Jealousy—all of the bad Emotions that you can imagine are all jumbled together here.

Souma: And these negative emotions are what this “villain” feeds on, yes?

Kanata: yes. these bad Feelings, the ones that corrupt Human Beings… they pollute this World, Corrupt it, and force people into Madness.

that is the Villain. our dreadful Enemy.

also. there have been countless Tragedies in Okinawa, since the beginning of time.

even true Wars have broken out, and much Blood has been spilled.

the Blood shed by those Victims, the Screams wretched out from their throats, the Despair and Hatred that were muddled together—

the Villains who escaped to this Land Multiplied greatly. and those Villains still survive to this day.

Souma: Is that true?

Kanata: well… i do not know if the Villains themselves exist in real life, or what they might actually be—it is like a Fairy Tale.

but. there are some Believers in this land who still accept this as truth, and they asked me for Salvation, because i used to be a God.

saying, “i’m scared, please do something, please save us”—

they begged me, just like that. i could not Ignore them.

i cannot leave people who ask to be Saved to Die without doing anything to Help them—not because i am a God, but because i am a Hero.

and. because i was a God, i knew a Way to get rid of the Villains.

by doing Lots of fun things with a big shining Smile, and blowing all the Bad Feelings away.

and by Offering a Song and a Dance on the Stage—

Souma: I see. That is the reason why we have changed the course of the war in this land, and thus why we are holding this pleasant live together, then? Indeed, this is certainly a ceremony of our religion.

It is one that is necessary in order to destroy any “villain”. So you have held the ceremony correctly by moving me to action?

Kanata: yes. everyone almost certainly doesn’t want to make me do Godlike things, but…

i can do it, so i did. i cannot just Act like i don’t know a Way to save everyone when i do.

am i wrong, souma?

Souma: ……

Kanata: if you think i am wrong, please, slice me to pieces with your Blade. you have that Right, only you.

even the worthless Traditions that have no place in this Day and Age…

you are the child of a Family who has always defended those Dearly.

i, and i alone, will not Deny you of that Duty you hold as a Kanzaki.

i was once just as Strange as you, so i have no right to Deny you of that—

because we believe that “everyone is different, and everyone is good”.

Souma: …“We” being Ryuseitai?

Kanata: yes. the Ryuseitai who i know, and who i love.

Souma: And we as AKATSUKI believe the same. Once I was but a bloodstained blade for the sake of revolution.

But it is different now. I have changed, Shinkai-dono.

We, too, are just like you.

The true desire that we now hold and cherish is not war. It is our destiny as idols to sing, and to dance, for the fans who have gathered here.

Nay, as idols, that is our joy; it is our justice.

How can we—can I—possibly have reason to deny our very way of being? We share a common interest; we have not a single reason to hurt one another.

Kanata: ……♪

Souma: So let us dance, Shinkai-dono. Let us sing, with all of the joy in our hearts.

Not as a god, nor as a blade, but as idols who exist in even the farthest reaches of the earth.

With our beloved companions, and for all those to whom we are beloved.

“♪~♪~♪”

Kanata: …yes. that was it. that was the way you once were.

a long time ago, i Hated meeting with the Believers.

i didn’t understand what they were saying, and i was afraid, seeing Living Things who i thought were different from me—

but. you, and only you, Clinging onto a big sword like it were something dear and shaking like a leaf, Greeted me—

you were cute, not scary, and i liked you.

you always made me Feel so calm.

both Now, and Then, and surely in the Future, too, that alone is the Same. you are a cute kid who can always make me Smile.

souma. from the moment we first Met, you were That Kind of Kid to me.

just looking at you makes me happy… you are my favorite good boy ♪

“♪~♪~♪”

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Location: Okinawa Qualifiers Stage

Souma: In any case. I acted in accordance with your request, Shinkai-dono. I changed the course of the battle that had transpired, persuaded Hasumi-dono and the others, and thus, we have held this joint live—

Kanata: yes. Thank You for listening to me, souma.

Souma: But of course. Although, I do have a few doubts.

Supposing that this joint live is all simply a bundle of lies—

If, perhaps, you had planned to gain wealth and the fruits of battle with the veterans wrapped around your finger, and then swallow our unsuspecting selves whole…

That scenario would be truly awful. I would be but a half-witted guppy who had taken the bait and been successfully reeled in.

Kanata: ……

Souma: The one who organized this joint live and set forth its rules is you, Shinkai-dono.

If you were to abuse such a position, it would be a simple undertaking to enchant us as though you were a ghoul, deceive us, and then dispossess us of every single thing.

Kanata: souma, you have become a cynical child, haven’t you…? is this because of that Temple Guy?

Souma: Hmm. I had hoped you would praise me for pondering the matter carefully.

Kanata: okay. i’ll praise you for that part. good boy, goood boy ♪

Souma: ……♪

Kanata: but. even though i am a no-good Hero, it makes me Angry that you think i might do something Bad enough to be suspicious of me and call me a Ghoul.

Souma: …?! …?!

That hurts! Please do not rub your fist on my head as though you are scolding a small child?! I have grown a great deal since then!

Kanata: you have. when i first saw you, you were such a cuuute little fishie~ you’ve gotten so big, souma.

Souma: Though I have lost to you, Shinkai-dono. The first time I had caught a glance of you through the bamboo blinds, I had thought you were such a petite little princess, just like a pearl.

Kanata: i am not a Princess~ if i was, i would turn into Seafoam.1

but, well, at that time, our Voices had not changed yet. you could not tell the difference between Genders; i couldn’t either back then.

Souma: Gods, by nature, are beings that transcend gender, after all.

Kanata: yes. since then, many Moons have passed—

us Reuniting at Yumenosaki, and thus singing Together, is a little bit Astounding.

i never Imagined something like this would happen back when i was a God.

if by some chance, there were really a God in this World—

then why Is It that they bestowed upon us such a Fate?

it is like we were made to reunite by chance, and then put into the same Club, like we were made to be friendly with each other, hm?

though i wish, at least, that you weren’t such a Good Boy.

i wish that you had been a child who was much like a well-honed Blade, one who would Kill me without hesitation.

if you were, you could have saved yourself a lot of pain.

poor, poor souma.

Souma: Is that an insult to me, Shinkai-dono?

Are you saying that I have rusted; that I have become weak?

Kanata: no. i did not mean to Insult you; you are a Strong Child. that is the Truth, no matter how many Lies are in this World.

even so. no matter how strong you are, there are times when you will break.

i am worried, souma.

Souma: ……

Kanata: aah… a looong time ago, people were probably thinking the Same thing about me, huh? even though we are Human Beings just like everyone else—

it is sad and Pitiful for someone to Selfishly decide that you are a God or a Blade rather than to recognize you as a Human Being.

at least, if that is the way you have chosen to Live… i pray that you will not know Pain because of it.

if, by any chance, there really were a God in this World, i would pray for That. with all of my heart, and all of my love.

souma. you are diligent and strong, and you are a cute kid. may your Life as a Human, somehow or other, have many Blessings.

Souma: ……

…I suppose I should not refuse your kindness by saying that “prayers are no food to ease my hunger.” I shall gratefully accept these feelings of yours, Shinkai-dono.

Kanata: yes. prayer will not do anything, but that also means it will not do anything Bad, so.

it is simply temporary Peace of Mind. and that is Necessary for Human Beings.

that is why there are Idols in this World.

also. Religion, too, exists for that purpose.

it is because there is So Much pain and exhaustion that anyone would cling to something that could Ease their heart.

and in that way there was a Religion born here in Okinawa, too.

it looks like it is a Religion that shares the same Roots as ours, but it Branched Off long ago.

it seems to be that, a long, long time ago, there was a group of Believers who made their escape from Persecution. those people secretly held their Faith here in Okinawa—

and it mixed with the Religion that has been in Okinawa for a very long time… it became a single Faith, and it seems to remain to this day.

there were Records like that left behind in that Tabooed Cave and that Seafood Restaurant.

there were many things written there, in an Ancient text that only a God could read,

i think it sounds like a simple Fairy Tale now, but…

there are people who Sincerely believe in that. and i could not make light of the Feelings of such people.

Souma: ……

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TL Notes:

1: A reference to the original version of “The Little Mermaid.”

Location: Okinawa Qualifiers Stage

Chiaki: “♪~♪~♪”

Kuro: “~...♪ Yo, Morisawa. How about a duet while we’ve got the chance?”

Tetora: “Ahh, that’s not fair! Morisawa-senpai just keeps stealing everything that matters to me…!”

Shinobu: “Awawa, your microphone is on, Tetora-kun! We’ll get flamed online again if you throw careless remarks like that! Don't get involved with Morisawa-senpai! Just keep your eyes only on me!1”

Midori: “That’s also gonna cause its own kind of misunderstanding…”

Keito: “You guys, be serious. Birds of a feather flock together—and as such, don’t let yourself get influenced by Ryuseitai, Kiryu. Be true to our rough-and-tough style.”

Kuro: “Hah? What’s the point of a joint performance if we’re just gonna stick to ourselves without influencin’ each other?”

Keito: “Guh… I know there’s nothing I can do about it, but nobody is listening to me this time around. It feels so lonely.”

“No, I should reflect on myself for being so naive in thinking that you guys would always listen to me.”

“I was completely ignorant to the stress you must have felt all this time, due to how I would always do as I lik—”

Kuro: “Oh, zip it! Quit lookin’ so gloomy! Don’tcha know the main rule for idols is to smile on stage? So c’mon now! ♪”

Chiaki: (Heheh, Kiryu’s incredible as always. He’s always so sincere about being an idol.)

(...I want to do the same—Let’s start from there.)

(We aren’t back to square one, and we haven't lost anything, either… We’ll go back to our baseline, and build up from scratch.)

(I’m good at that sort of thing, and I already know that everyone in Ryuseitai will work hard alongside me.)

(I’ll never, ever forget the moment you guys rushed over to help me clean up that day, like it was the most natural thing to do. It meant everything to me.)

(The heroes I’ve waited so long for had finally arrived.)

Souma: —Hm. Somehow, this atmosphere feels much like that of a grand finale.

However, there are things I do not understand, Shinkai-dono.

Kanata: yes? me?

Souma: Mhm. Even at this stage, I still do not understand what exactly you wished to do.

Being in a state in which I could not receive orders from Hasumi-dono, I desired the guidance of others—and so I did as you had asked of me.

Hasumi-dono and Kiryuu-dono are my role models, my beloved and respected seniors, and my masters.

Although the respect I hold for you is of a different variety, you play the same role for me—you are a magnificent being who is worthy of my obedience.

Therefore, I followed your orders without hesitation. I changed the very nature of the conflict unfolding in Okinawa and made it as laid-back as a variety television program.

We have won many victories in Okinawa and acquired much wealth, and so we have the ability to do that much. Our hostile adversaries, such as those at CosPro, have already retreated in order to limit their losses as well.

Moreover. Because of that, we are holding this peaceful live together. All of these results are in keeping with your request, and yet—

I do not understand your intentions. Have you simply grown tired of war, and you only wish for peace?

Kanata: hmm~, something like that.

to be honest, i let Ryuseitai move freely while Chiaki was gone. or, i should say, that is what they wanted.

Souma: Haha, so that was the kind of order you were given. Something along the lines of “While Morisawa-dono is absent, Shinkai-dono must lead Ryuseitai”, hm?

Kanata: not exactly, but it is something like that.

actually, tetora, midori, shinobu—i had them each manage Ryuseitai.

i persuaded them into doing that by subtly giving them Guidance.

that is often seen in Tokusatsu Shows. it is normal for the Focus and the Characters to change every episode.

and that is the Ryuseitai i wanted. they correctly carried out my Directions and managed Ryuseitai.

it would be a pity if the burden was forced mainly onto chiaki, or tetora, alone. hmm, that would be unreasonable, after all.

i would have liked to maintain Balance like that, so this Order i received was a good opportunity for me.

Souma: Yet it is unclear to me why the steering committee would give you such an order.

Similarly, in our case, the leader who usually holds the reins was ousted from the center of our unit—

There appears to be a tendency to attempt to coax them into delegating their full authority to someone else. The intent behind this is unclear.

Kanata: the Leader’s Plan of Action tends to decide the Unit’s Course of Action, after all…

don’t you think that they just wanted to try and change the Atmosphere, even if only for the duration of SS?

by doing that, they avoid people getting Stuck in a Rut. they avoid people giving up.

Souma: So that is their business strategy, then? I see; this is very typical of Ensemble Square—it is a for-profit organization, after all.

Kanata: there may be other Reasons, but by now, i am not sure… it is a relatively unimportant Point.

what is important is that i made Ryuseitai act Freely, even if only Temporarily.

by doing so, i was Controlling all of them by making good Use of the Power i had gained.

i gave my Children casual Guidance… and on top of that, i gave you Orders as if i am someone extraordinary.

Souma: You are, in truth, extraordinary, so I see no issue in you carrying yourself as though you are. Rather, I feel quite strange hearing you, whom I love and respect, abase yourself as such.

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The first half of this chapter was translated by 310mc.

TL Notes:

1: Alongside the switch to no ninja-talk while on stage, Shinobu uses "boku" here instead of his usual "sessha" (the more ninja way to refer to oneself)

Location: Okinawa Qualifiers Stage

Souma: Hehe, a late appearance is often attributed to the leading role ♪

Kuro: Ooh. Our bad, Ryuseitai—we got into a little disagreement during the costume fitting.

Keito: That’s because I hadn’t agreed to it yet, Kiryuu! I just shelved the matter for now because I didn’t think we should argue to the point of keeping the audience waiting!

I'm wholly unsatisfied with this! It’s incorrigible!

Why did I have to wear a costume prepared by management for Okinawa’s preliminary rounds instead of the one Kiryuu made?!

Didn’t they just admit at the Unification by Force live that the costumes you make are the best of the best?!

Kuro: Don’t just twist their words like that, it ain’t that big of a deal…

I made those right before we left once I found out we were gettin’ sent to Okinawa—I was really rushin’ while designing ‘em, so they’re just all thrown together.

Seems like the ones we’re wearin’ now were commissioned by ES from the locals in Okinawa for us.

They fit with the local climate, plus they’ve got an Okinawan feel to ‘em—they’re good costumes that are really gonna please the tourists.

I feel real honored to get to wear these.

I’m not so childish that I can’t stand it if I’m considered anythin’ other than “the best”—you ain’t either, right?

Keito: Don’t fundamentally negate the very purpose of SS.

Kuro: I mean, the point of SS has kinda been goin’ against the times, hasn’t it? Everyone gettin’ along on even grounds, holdin’ hands, and gettin’ the first prize—that’s been the trend these days, yeah?

Keito: That’s true, but that’s just the way SS is; there’s nothing we can do about that.

Kuro: Yeah, but still. I feel like they’re makin’ a lot of arrangements toward these kinds of events that go against the current to make sure that SS runs smoothly.

I’ve been keepin’ an eye on the breaking news comin’ from the other regions. A lot of the orders are stupid, but—

The “secret orders” in particular seem like they were made to force us into fightin’.

It seems like it’s all a plot to make sure SS goes perfectly accordin’ to plan.

Souma: Hmm. Now that you mention it, it does seem like that.

I had heard a rumor that Hidaka-dono of Trickstar was given a secret order that dictates “you must not disobey orders given by management”, as they never know what he might do.

This is likely a directive meant to eliminate uncertainties and ensure that everything proceeds without incident.

When I think of Hidaka-dono’s feelings, I cannot help but feel sympathy for him. I, too, faced great difficulty having full authority over AKATSUKI abruptly left in my hands due to what I suspect is Hasumi-dono’s secret order.

I was forced to conduct myself in a way with which I lack experience, and so I struggled greatly. In the worst-case scenario, I may have ended up unable to do anything at all.

Truly, it was almost as though you were placing a blade in the hands of an ignorant child.

Keito: Hmm… Kanzaki, you are skilled at following instructions others give you to a tee and carrying them out with precision, but…

When you’re put into a situation where you’re in charge of everything, you tend to be at a loss, and you struggle to carry out anything at all.

That’s your nature, Kanzaki—we saw it during last year’s Repayment Festival, along with other events.

Perhaps someone who has a vague grasp of that fact issued that secret order in order to make it easier to manipulate us…?

If you were no longer able to receive instructions from me, it would be all the more likely that you would turn to people like the veterans at RhythLin stationed in this region for guidance.

In that case, we as AKATSUKI would move in step with the veterans, and they move as directed by ES.

As a result, everything should have been going exactly as ES’s SS Steering Committee intended.

Yet, thanks to Kanzaki showing his unexpected military genius, we were able to swallow even those veterans whole and have our own way.

Souma: Mhm. Although the situation has changed due to our connection with Ryuseitai, our position at present is by and large a favorable one indeed. After earning the favor of the veterans, we shall take everything by force—

And we as AKATSUKI shall emerge victorious from this ruthless battlefield of Okinawa.

This plan of ours is about to be fulfilled, and even if the veterans were to know our true intentions and resist, at this stage, it would be futile.

They have already been checkmated.

Kuro: Well, I guess that’s a good thing, ain’t it? If we win the preliminary round and move on to the real competition, I can make as many costumes as I want.

Keito: Ah… Maybe it’s because of Kiryuu’s order that he can’t wear his own costumes on stage. Something like “Don’t do any work related to costuming during the preliminary rounds.”

If that were the reason, you could have just said so—but it’s against the rules to do that. Incorrigible.

Kuro: Haha. That’s why I’ve been in such bad shape this whole time; I haven’t been able to blow off steam by makin’ costumes. I’m in front of the fans now, though, so I gotta put on a cool and composed face and puff out my chest.

It’d be awful if I just collapsed all of a sudden, so let’s just do what we gotta do and cut it a little earlier than usual. We can think about all the hard stuff after this is all settled.

On the battlefield, the first one to lose their focus is the first to go.

Well, I guess you can’t really call Okinawa a battlefield anymore, now that those guys in Ryuseitai forced it into peace.

Kuro “♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”

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<Simultaneously, at the SS Steering Committee Headquarters>

Gatekeeper: Tsk—

There are three complaints I’d like to make right now.

First, I’ve been too busy to get enough sleep, so my entire body feels sluggish.

Next, while being in such a state, I, unbecoming of my age, came to blows with an energetic youth, so I’ve incurred a bit of damage from the failure I took.

My whole body, particularly the side of my face where I was kicked, hurts like hell.

Last, absolutely nothing is going how I expected it to.

I heard you were in a similar situation, last year or something like that, and I’m almost surprised you managed to do well—very well, to be frank.

Eh, Anzu-chan? You were the one and only little producer at Yumenosaki, yes?

Every last one of them just has the nerve to do whatever the hell they want without listening to me.

Especially the ones who’ve got more power than they know what to do with or something, they’re a real pain in the ass. They mess with the positions and the movements of the pieces we’ve got on the board without a care in the world for our convenience.

Even though those bastards, just like their idols, have no right to.

The only one who’s making sure things go according to my plan is you—Anzu.

I’m starting to think that you’re a little cute. Alright, alright, come here so that I may lay my head in your lap to soothe this exhaustion of mine.

…I’m joking. Quit looking at me like I’m a dying insect; I’m not interested in you like that.

I am a eunuch, castrated upon the death of my god.

Not a single thing that exists in this world can offer me a shred of solace. Though it’s not like I even want that.

I just want to fulfill that “forgotten dream” that my boss left behind in his final moments before this body of mine wears out into nothing.

It doesn’t seem likely that he’ll praise me for it after I die.

It’s simply to satisfy myself. Everything is.

This may just be the face you put on, but I believe you’ve been influenced by the same kind of motivator. Unconditional love, that seeks nothing in return—

Hahaha. You idiot; you’re so absurd that it’s not even funny.

Cheer up, Anzu. I’m the only one who notices, sympathizes with, and recognizes the value of someone like you.

And then, I’ll release you from the clutches of that shitty, worthless duty you hold.

I’ll force you to do it in a way where you can make excuses after. Just say “scary Mr. Gatekeeper threatened me into it, so I couldn’t get out of it,” or something.

Oh? Why would I do something like that, you ask? What’s the point?

Then I’ll flip that question on you—is there a single thing in this world that has a “point”?

This universe, mankind, idols—what’s the point behind their existence?

There was a time when I had an answer to questions like that—that everything existed to give birth to Boss, to our God, and to keep him alive.

But now I’ve lost the answer to that question. What could be more tragic than this, huh?

I wouldn’t really care if anything and everything were to perish right at this moment, you know?

Oh? “I guess that’s the case for you”, you say? So it’s different for you, hm, Anzu?

So, for you, there’s a meaning behind this world and life itself? Well, how can you say that for certain?

If you’re able to answer that question, tell me in secret, sooner or later. If you’ve given me a convincing answer by the end of SS, I’ll let you go.

And if no answer comes to mind, well, my deepest condolences, but—

As per the contents of our dealings, and as per our contract, you are to be a machine who just nods along and listens only to what I say.

The king has a donkey’s ears…♪1

Ahh. That will be enough for me. You’ll rescue Trickstar from my private jungle, in exchange for me allowing them to be decent idols—

For the duration of SS, all your producer activities have been suspended. Essentially, that reduces you to nothing more than a puppet who can’t leave my side and can only listen to me.

I don’t intend to demand anything more than that, so just be a lamb. As long as you don’t do anything selfish to violate the contract, I’ll be gentle with you.

I know it must be frustrating not to be able to give your all to working with the idols, including Trickstar. I’m sure there are lots and lots of things you want to do, yes?

But you can’t. The faint desire you hold, which cannot even be called a dream, will not be realized.

I’m sure I said this while we were watching the preliminary rounds in Hokkaido—I’m going to stamp out Trickstar.

And you’re a part of Trickstar, too. This SS that I’m responsible for has no need for a supporting role.

Everything will end having gone exactly as anticipated. You can stand back and watch these unwanted developments occur while wallowing in a sense of powerlessness, knowing that you can’t do a single thing to intervene.

Just looking at you like that gives me a feeling of satisfaction. I feel that same sense of relief and delight that a caffeine addict feels every time they drink their morning coffee.

That’s all there is to it. I don’t have any ulterior motives or anything hidden beneath the surface—you’re just a tranquilizer to me, nothing more.

Even though you’re surely a symbol of hope, a goddess of victory, for Trickstar and whatnot—

The gods and deities of differing religions are rarely more than an unintelligible pattern painted onto clothes and such.

Nevertheless. In the eyes of those who believe in that god, they are a presence that cannot be ignored. That’s right, they can’t be ignored—that’s the important part.

In the region of Okinawa, Shinkai Kanata was enshrined as a god. If such information were to reach the idols, along with some degree of credibility—what would that guy do?

“That guy” being the one who had the nerve to kick the side of my face. Mikejima Madara.

The faith that he abandoned everything in order to desperately try and destroy suddenly having a revival in the far reaches of the south…Knowing that, he wouldn’t be able to remain calm.

Even if he has to throw everything away, he might fly all the way to Okinawa to ascertain the truth.

While he’s wasting his energy like that, the “Boss’s Secret” that he’s been chasing will slip right through the cracks of his fingers—

That’s why I’m raising this false alarm—to keep Mikejima Madara in check.

I had thought that if such misinformation were conveyed to Morisawa Chiaki, he would be in a position to contact Mikejima Madara, but…

It’s gone terribly.

It seems as though Morisawa has developed a subconscious level of distaste and rejection towards ES and the agency due to the discord that surrounded the recent Comet Show.

I heard that Morisawa was the type of person who’s honest to a fault, so I thought that he would believe the misinformation and act without taking a moment to question it. But he’s surprisingly cautious and quick-thinking.

He’s not the idiot hero that the public sees him as or that his looks suggest after all, hm?

What a pain in the ass. Absolutely nothing is going according to plan.

I don’t have the sensibility to think such a thing as “it’s exactly the unexpectedness that makes it interesting.”

Any more than this will certainly not stop my discomfort level from increasing, so I’ll leave my intervention in Okinawa here.

I’ve sown the seeds, and if they sprout well, we’ll reap the profits—

For the time being, the preliminary rounds in Okinawa are proceeding exactly as planned, and tremendously in line with my ideal.

I don’t want to spoil everything by intervening in a strange matter either, so as long as nothing happens, it should be fine to leave things to chance from here on out.

In war, the strongest take the victory, and the strongest survive. Ahh, just like that, you idols.

This is what SS is for; this is worthy of idols.

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TL Notes:

1: This is a reference to a children’s tale, “The King With Donkey Ears.” In this tale, there is a king with donkey ears, which he is ashamed of, and his hairdresser is the only one who knows of these ears. The king threatens to send the hairdresser to prison if he reveals this secret to others. In this scenario, Anzu is like the hairdresser—Gatekeeper holds power over her through the form of their agreement, so she cannot speak out of turn, or she will face consequences.

Location: Ryokan for use by ES Idols, Ryuseitai’s room

Shinobu: Let me see… So we’ve been sharing information with AKATSUKI in the hopes of potentially forming an alliance.

Initially it was left in my hands, but this time it seemed more convenient for Morisawa-dono to carry it out, and so he took my place.

Chiaki: Mhm! I’ve been popping up in various places throughout Okinawa, gathering information, and communicating it to the right people—like Ninjaman!

Shinobu: Ninjaman! So cool…☆

Midori: Really doesn’t feel that way to me…

But hmm… So that means it was all an unfortunate misunderstanding…?

Kanzaki-senpai heard some suspicious news and believed it, but the only thing he did was something weird… But why did he have such a strange reaction to it anyway?

If I heard the same news, I’d be like, “Enshrined as a god? What the heck are you talking about?” or something like that—

Kanata: i think you would. but souma couldn’t Ignore News like that.

if i went back to being a God, that child would have a Problem to confront.

Tetora: What do you mean by “problem”?

I’m sorry I don’t get it! Kanzaki-senpai, he’s a member? Believer? Of your religion? Well, that’s what I heard, but…?

i think “Believer” is the Wrong Word. that child is from a Powerful Family, and he has a special Role to play.

that role is, when i—when God loses control, he must Bury1 that away.

Shinobu: Bury? Do you mean to bury information away from the eyes of the media?

Kanata: no. i mean, that he must “Kill” that god.

Midori: K-kill…?!

Kanata: so. souma, thinking that i had returned to Godhood, likely grew Uneasy. since i’ve become a Human now, that child—

he has not been able to fulfill his Duty of tearing god to pieces and killing him. because that child is meant to kill God, not a Human.

if he had a chance to Kill me, i think the last one would have been during the battle of the sea god.

that child, he missed the perfect Timing.

he let things gradually come to an end without fulfilling his Duty.

if i were to return to being God again, that child might have to carry out his Duty someday.

because he was born solely to kill God if the worst were to happen.

and if i went back to being God, that Day might someday come—

that was what he thought, and it made him scared, so he acted Recklessly.

to check if what he heard was true, he swam a long, long Way, to where I was.

he is a foolish kid, really. like a small Child waking up from a nightmare

but still. i was happy. if souma didn’t hold any sort of Affection for me, he would not have been so Shaken.

he would have probably carried out his duty, indifferently, like a Robot—without Feeling a single thing.

he would have gutted me like a Fish.

but. that child holds me Dearly in his heart; it is because he loves me that he caused such chaos.

he was so scared of even the tiniest Possibility that it could happen that he could not contain himself.

when i think of how souma was Feeling then, aah—

i can’t help but think that he’s really, sooo cuuute…♪

Tetora: Hmm. I can’t really understand half of what you said, ‘cause it’s always hard for me to listen when you say things in long sentences, but…

To make a long story short, all the drama that happened earlier was just some kind of unfortunate accident, right? You said that Kanzaki-senpai just went a little out of control ‘cause he heard some unreliable news.

Kanata: yes. the news that i was being enshrined as a God has no Truth to it at all.

it’s just that i heard something that caught my attention from the people of the local Religious Denomination—

i thought i should have a proper Conversation with them, so i made you all stay Home, and i just went to meet with the people in the Religious Group.

Midori: You’re doing it again, you’re keeping us out of the loop—

n-no, that’s not it. that place is Sacred, so normally it’s an area for “Authorized Personnel Only.”

i just received Special permission and was allowed to go in. there was something i wanted to see, but they said it was only in the depths of that Tabooed Land, so—

Shinobu: By the way, “tabooed land” is a place where the general public isn’t allowed entry, to put it roughly.

Surprisingly, there are many places like that all throughout the country—and in many cases, they are sacred religious grounds or something of the sort.

Midori: You know a lot about this, huh, Shinobu-kun…?

Shinobu: Hehe. My Mayoi-dono is quite well-versed in occult tales like those, so it is only natural that I’ll obtain some knowledge when we exchange a dialogue.

Tetora: So even the things that pervy-looking guy talks about are suspicious, huh…?

Shinobu: “Pervy-looking guy”?! M-Mayoi-dono is a good person, okay~? Whenever I am feeling disheartened, he makes me laugh by wriggling around and breathing heavily, or something!

Tetora: That’s what I’m talking about, though?

Chiaki: Hmm. It sounds like misunderstandings and miscommunications have been happening one after another all because of misinformation, and that’s led to some strange things happening.

I feel like it’d just end up as a funny story if that were all there was to it, but I feel a little uneasy. Why was there something that caused a misunderstanding in the message Sengoku sent me in the first place?

Shinobu: I-I just wrote something like, “It looks like Shinkai-dono is meeting with some people from a religious party to talk,” did I not?

It was sudden, and I did not know what it meant, so I figured that Morisawa-dono might have some idea because he has known Shinkai-dono for a long time… I thought I would just try and ask him.

Huh? But now that I’m looking at my phone, it does say something about Shinkai-dono being enshrined as a God?

Wow, did I send something like this…?

Chiaki: Hmm. Maybe Sengoku could have just remembered wrong and sent a strange message by mistake—I’d hope that’s the case.

If not, then this is a pretty concerning situation.

Midori: What do you mean…?

Chiaki: The intent behind it is unclear, but there is a chance this message was overwritten by someone interfering from the outside—on this smartphone provided by ES for our exclusive use.

Only ES could possibly do such a thing—they supervise both the provided smartphones as well as HoldHands.

Plus, the contents of the rewritten message were exactly the kind of thing that would lead Kanzaki-kun to go off the deep end.

In other words. It’s possible that someone in the upper ranks of ES who knows us well and can even intervene in the contents of HoldHands messages attacked us due to harboring ill will.

Kanata: attacked us…?

Chiaki: Mhm. I feel like I’m overthinking it, declaring it as an attack when it’s such a vague alteration that they might not have known what it would lead to, but…

It could just be a simple prank, but if it is an attack, that would be beyond terrible.

We’re ES Idols. If ES were to hold ill will towards us and bare their fangs, I’d say that would be the absolute worst possible development—enough to upturn heaven and earth alike.

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TL Notes:

1: The word Kanata uses here is “kakusu.” In the way he intended it, it is an archaic verb meaning “to behead.” However, Shinobu interprets it as the modern day verb “kakusu,” meaning “to hide or conceal."

Kanata: ……

(? it is a little noisy Outside, hm~?)

(that’s nooo good, causing a Racket in a Sacred place will—)

(hmm~? these Voices, could they be the children from my Ryuseitai?)

(even though I told them to stay safe at Home…)

(these days, none of them are doing as they are Told at all. is this the Rumored Rebellious Phase?)

(that is, the birth of the Ego… independence, as a single Human Being.)

(somehow, it makes me remember the past. i was just like those kids, the same Age, when—

(......?)

(i… i can hear some kind of strange Noise. the sound of something breaking…)

(i wonder if someone is Playing Soldiers again somewhere?)

(that would be no good either. sometimes it is meant to be Fun, but there are other times when it goes beyond Joking around.)

(ohhh well… i have to stop this.)

(Because That Child, he will listen to Anything i have to say. unlike ryuseitai’s children, he probably has not reached his Rebellious Phase yet—)

Shinobu: I’ve already told you, it’s not allowed, Kanzaki-dono, okay?! The area from here on is off limits!

Souma: Get OUT of my way! What authority do you hold that you can obstruct my path?!

Tetora: Ugh, we don’t have any authority here! But no member of the general public is allowed past this point, it says so in the guidebook!

Souma: This is far from my concern! As Hasumi-dono says, if the law becomes a nuisance, then change it! Send me the greatest man in this land; I shall convince him to bend the law to my will!

Tetora: That’s way too dangerous of a plan, okay?! H-hey, Midori-kun, don’t just stand there and watch, help me stop Kanzaki-senpai!

Midori: I don’t wanna… I’m scared… I don’t wanna get close to someone waving around a sword like that…

Shinobu: I-it’s Kanzaki-dono, it will be fine! He would never do anything to hurt another person!

Midori: No way… Just the image of someone waving around a sword is too scary, it’s left a wound carved in my mind… If anything, I’m surprised you two can go up against him while staying pretty calm…?

Shinobu: That’s only because I’m familiar with Kanzaki-dono and his temperament!

Tetora: If I use my karate, I wouldn’t be able to beat him, but I’d at least buy us some time…!

Midori: No, I’m telling you that’s gonna be dangerous, so you shouldn’t risk getting involved, right…? We can just let him go, we don’t know what’ll happen to him anyway, so…?

Souma: Takamine is right! You two, stay back! You shall hurt yourselves!

Midori: Ah, he remembered my name…♪

Shinobu: Of course he did! Kanzaki-dono is a respectable upperclassman; he is friendly to those younger than him—he always looks after me with utter kindness!

Which is exactly why I simply cannot stand silent and watch as such a wonderful person strays from his good path before my very eyes!

Tetora: What Shinobu-kun said! Gahh, we won’t let you pass even if we die here!

Midori: Stooop it, don’t lump me in your “we” if you’re gonna do something so stupid, okay…? Everyone in Ryuseitai is always like this…

(Not these days, though… I mean, this is kinda like the old Ryuseitai, back when I loved it—)

Souma: Agh! That's enough; this is not the time for me to pay you any mind!

Tetora: It’s not enough! I’m not going to move an inch until you give me a good reason!

Shinobu: Hey, Midori-kun, it’s your turn to do that signature move you showed off at MDM!

Midori: Nonono, no way, the “Takamine Barricade” is powerless if the other person’s got a sword or some other kind of weapon!

Kanata: —cut it out.

Souma: ……?!

(...What a terrible blunder! I was so preoccupied with these children of Ryuseitai that I failed to even notice Shinkai-dono approaching from behind!)

(It cannot be… Have the members of Ryuseitai dared to go so far as to orchestrate this horseplay…?!)

Tetora: Wahh, you scared me?!

Shinobu: Shinkai-dono, you always, always come out of nowhere like that!

Midori: And you’re a big guy, Shinkai-senpai… but even then, there are times it seems like you’ve got no presence, like you’re a ghost—

Kanata: i am not a Ghost~. if i was, chiaki would Hate me.

Souma: Sh-Shinkai-dono—

Kanata: souma. i thought it was you. the So in Souma should stand for “Sooo Noisy.”

Souma: I-I am deeply sorry for the trouble I have caused you! However, I had heard some dreadful news from Morisawa-dono, and—

Kanata: from chiaki? what is he doing? is he just wandering around aimlessly, trying to put the task of watching the Children onto me…?

Souma: I-I do not think it is the case that he is doing anything “aimlessly.” More importantly, umm… it is terribly difficult for me to ask this, but—

Shinkai-dono, is it true that you have been enshrined as a god once more?!

Kanata: huh…?

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Location: Beach in Okinawa

Souma: And thus, we have not suffered in vain—we are steadily reaping the fruits of our labor.

Kuro: I’m with ya. The CosPro people were givin’ off such a strong presence from the moment they came to Okinawa, and now even they’ve been shoved into the stampede and trampled, and all they got the nerve to do is moan and groan about it.

Well, I guess doing nothin’ but losing day after day has to have killed their morale. I bet they’d only been fighting chill, easy-win battles until we started takin’ action.

Souma: Every single thing has abruptly begun to go wrong, and so they sulk.

They did not enter having any such reason to fight with urgency. Having accumulated loss after loss, they are not willing to fight to the point of being burdened with scars of disgrace and shame.

Kuro: Well, they’re not gonna be able to fight for their life with some flimsy motive like “the glory of ES.”

The guys who came here to Okinawa who don’t know what it’s like to struggle are gonna get snapped in half just like that by even the smallest setback or failure.

There were more of those kinds of people than you could count at Yumenosaki back in the day. They came here to get pampered, and yet they get forced to gulp down muddy water—they’re gonna get sick of it.

Souma: Still, it would be pitiful to compare them to former Yumenosaki students. There are various indications that those at CosPro have been ordered by higher-ups to retreat (and refrain from pushing themselves beyond their limits) when they find themselves at a disadvantage.

They are rational—or perhaps I should say they are businesslike.

Those at CosPro are quick to cut their losses, and thus I anticipated that they would hastily retreat were we to deal the first heavy blow.

Kuro: (That’s right, isn’t it… So far everything is going exactly as Kanzaki expected.)

(He was persistent enough with that winin’ and dinin’ that he won the trust of those RhythLin veterans and earned a position high enough to be trusted with strategy. And then he reaped the rewards of those battles without a hitch—)

(Kanzaki made those veterans think that things would go perfectly if they left them up to AKATSUKI. That’s about as great of an outcome as it gets.)

(Now they’ve left us to play soldiers for them, and they’re livin’ it up on their nice and peaceful Okinawa vacation.)

(Well, that’s probably a hundred times better than killin’ each other on the battlefield, but still.)

(If we’re up against veterans as careless as them, it’ll be easy to catch ‘em off guard (and betray them).)

(Smooth-talk them out of the SSL$ they’ve earned up to this point, under the guise of keepin’ it as a war fund or somethin’—)

(And if we make off with it, we as AKATSUKI would be able to come out as the sole winner—no one could ever hope to compete.)

(And if we get accused of stealin’ the money, we can just say that was the order we got, and we had no other choice—or some other lie like that.)

(We can get out of it well enough without any future trouble by makin’ excuses.)

(That kind of strategy—that was the plan. And it’s goin’ damn well so far.)

(What we’re doin’ is just like one of those bank-transfer scams that target the elderly, but…)

(To win and move on to the next round here on this ruthless battlefield of Okinawa, we might have to be a little cunning like that.)

(‘S pretty surprising—shocking, even—that Kanzaki, of all people, would go that far.)

(He is a real good fighter, and he’s the kind of guy who will go all in on something once he puts his mind to it.)

(I wonder. If this guy that got pushed out of the way during the War had shown off the same military genius then that he’s showin’ us now—)

Souma: ? What’s the matter, Kiryuu-dono? Could it be, is there something on my face?

Kuro: (Haha. Talkin’ like he doesn’t know. He looks harmless, like some pretentious teenager, but…)

(This guy’s family used to be synonymous with violence itself in this country—he’s a descendant of warriors.)

(And even in this day and age, with violence bein’ frowned upon—he kept that sword polished, and never let it rust.)

(He’s a vicious warmonger. I’m sure he’s been forced to study and train that way since the moment he was born—)

(Everyone, including AKATSUKI, has been lookin’ down on him—or rather, for some reason, we just think of him like some silly samurai idol or somethin’, wielding his sword, and nothin’ more.)

(But he just hasn’t had a chance to show off the military genius he inherited from his ancestors until now—)

Souma: Kiryuu-dono.

Kuro: Huh? Wh, what is it?

Souma: Nothing—I was simply concerned, as you seemed to be in some sort of daze. It is just as I had thought—you are still not feeling very well, are you?

Kuro: No, no, I’m fine. Even if I wasn’t fine, though, it’s not good for you to poke around in my business.

Souma: Hmm. Now I cannot tell if you are truly alright or not.

Kuro: (Haha. He’s got a cute little pout on his face—he’s kind of like a kid in that way.)

(The more innocent a kid is, the more likely they are to do cruel things without batting an eye, huh? I gotta keep a close eye on him so he doesn’t go down the wrong path.)

(I don’t want him to screw up and be full of regrets like I am.)

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Location: Ryokan for use by ES Idols

Kuro: Kanzaki. It’s not like I got the same order as Hasumi, so if ya got any doubts about your judgment for any reason, just throw them my way. I got your back, at least.

Souma: Kiryuu-dono, it would be acceptable by anyone’s standards if you were to decide our course of action and order us to implement it, you know?

Kuro: Huh? Don’t let an idiot like me make the important decisions. Not my place to use my head like that and make everything a mess.

Besides. Whether it’s an order or a secret order, if it’s somethin’ like “Let Kanzaki decide AKATSUKI’s course of action”—

If I’m the one to choose, that’s when we’re out.

And if we get punished for disobeyin’ those orders, it’ll get real difficult for us to win in this ruthless battlefield that is Okinawa that’s got nothin’ but strong competitors.

Don’t ya think so?

Souma: Kiryuu-dono, I do not think you are as unintelligent as you say you are.

Kuro: Haha. I’ve been thinkin’ like crazy to make up for my lack of wisdom. I’ve just been lyin’ on the futon aaall day, so I’ve had a lot of free time.

Souma: Hmm. In that case, I should learn by observing you, whom I cherish and respect, and devote myself entirely to squeezing every ounce of this lacking wisdom from myself that I can.

I know, I know… I’ve prepared myself. I will try to think “like crazy.”

Keito: Ah, good luck. I’ll help you as much as I’m able to, and I’ll do whatever you order me to.

Kuro: Haha. Make him do hara odori1 for no reason, Kanzaki. Chances like this don’t come along often.

Keito: Kanzaki wouldn’t order me to do something like that—I trust him.

He’s a good kid.

Souma: …….

Mm. I’ve decided.

Hasumi-dono. Kiryuu-dono, as well—once you have returned to good health it will not be an issue, but—from tomorrow on, let us continue to entertain the veterans of the office.

Keito: What are you saying?

Souma: And then we shall gain their favor, and work at their beck and call.

Kuro: What are you talkin’ about, Kanzaki? Just ‘cause Hasumi’s not givin’ you any more orders you wanna go and wag your tail for some big shot?

Keito: Well, hold on, Kiryuu. Let’s just listen to what Kanzaki has to say.

You’re not saying we simply flatter the higher-ups and then take advantage of them, right—Kanzaki?

Souma: Of course I am. What we are aiming for is much like a retainer supplanting his lord; it mirrors the way of life of the Viper of Mino2.

We shall become but one wielder of the great power and influence that is sweeping across Okinawa, and act while utilizing their strength to the greatest extent.

To begin with, the veterans were also quite concerned at the time of our audience with them today—

We shall overthrow those who are associated with the other offices that have been deployed in this region, particularly those in the CosPro office, who hold just as much influence and power as the veterans of our office.

Keito: Hmm. At this point in time, the veterans at RhythLin and the people at CosPro hold roughly the same amount of influence, and it seems like they’re in a state of rivalry with one another.

Is it your intention to upset that balance of power with the support of the former?

Souma: Yes, we shall tip the scales. Though we are but a small force, it is feasible for us to do that much, depending on the way in which we conduct ourselves. In order to do as such, we introduce a third power that is not associated with the other two—

The powers of StarPro, founded by Ryuseitai, and NewDi, as well as those of the local idols in Okinawa, must be mobilized arbitrarily.

Keito: Let me handle the coordination with Ryuseitai; I’ve got an intermediary. That is to say, I thought he might be of some use, so I contacted him in secret earlier today.

I didn’t want to end the incident that happened today with just a simple “it’s nice that we ran into people we know.” So if you want to talk to Ryuseitai, you can go through me, Kanzaki—I won’t make it any worse.

Souma: Understood. This is just as I would expect of you, Hasumi-dono—you are always thinking ahead.

Keito: That’s just because I fuss over the details of things. Ah, no—it’s because I’m a worrywart.

Kuro: Hmm. From what I’ve heard, I get the feeling that Ryuseitai’s well-liked by the local idols for tryin’ to stop the fightin’…

Which is exactly why they were beggin’ me for help earlier.

If we can go through a middleman to get to Ryuseitai, maybe we can make them set some of the local idols in motion too.

Keito: Hmm. Well, at best, they’ll be of help to us.

Souma: This conversation is a villain in itself…

In any case, we shall do as such—first of all, we will cut down all powers other than RhythLin.

And then, in the end, we shall stand as the sole victor at the very summit of RhythLin, and obtain all the spoils of war!

Keito: Exactly as though you’re overthrowing the higher-ups. You were saying something about vipers earlier, but now you intend to turn this into the Tale of a Stolen Country3?

Though maybe you’d have to do something as bold as that to get us to win the preliminary rounds.

This is quite difficult. We’ll have to act while ensuring that the higher-ups don’t pick up on our plans for rebellion, then, sooner or later, we catch them off guard.

If they discover our true intentions, it would be the end of the line for us, and we might be made to do the dirty work they order us to do.

I can’t say I mind that, but is that alright with you, Kanzaki?

Souma: A foolish question. Though you and Kiryuu-dono like to keep me clean, to be painted in blood is a blade’s honor.

Rest assured. I, Kanzaki Souma, am a man who can do more than just simply wield a blade.

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TL Notes:

1: Hara odori is a type of Japanese dance done at festivals in which the face is covered, and a comedic face is painted onto one’s stomach to act as the head as the person dances. It is often used for comedic purposes in Japanese pop culture. Here is an example image:

2: The “Viper of Mino” is the alias given to samurai Saitou Dousan who was known for his ruthless battle tactics.

3: The Tale of a Stolen Country is a 1965 novel written by Shiba Ryoutarou (later adapted into an NHK period drama) that chronicles the lives of Saitou Dousan and Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. There are very few English sources on the novel itself, so I recommend looking into Oda Nobunaga’s history with the Saitou clan if you are interested in learning more.

Location: Ryokan for use by ES Idols

Keito: Agh, I’m so fed up with this! This is incorrigible!

Kuro: Haha. What’s wrong, Hasumi? You’re gettin’ pretty hot-headed, huh?

Keito: What the hell do you mean by “what’s wrong”? Ugh, I’m furious! Kanzaki, get me some tea!

Souma: Yes, sir! Right away!

Kuro: I’m not playin’ this little period drama game—I’ve been stayin’ here by myself keepin’ house, so just explain to me all the stuff you’ve got goin’ on. Well, I guess it could be fun to joke around with each other like that, but still.

Keito: No, wait, I take that back—don’t make me tea. I won’t give you a single order, Kanzaki.

Souma: Huh?! So it is this again, Hasumi-dono? I find it stressful that I cannot be ordered to do anything at all!

Kuro: Haha. We’re way too off-kilter, plus we’re not on the same page anymore—we’re just all out of sync. I’m not feelin’ well, and I still can’t move right, so that’s one reason for it.

Souma: No, Kiryuu-dono, for now, you must rest to the fullest extent. Here, have a cup of tea.

Kuro: Thanks. You’re hard-working, Kanzaki.

Keito: I can brew my own tea, so. More importantly, Kiryuu, I want to share the situation with you as well.

We were verifying the validity of the things we heard from local—Okinawan idols earlier in the day.

Kuro: Well, I guess it’s important to backtrack like that. Whether it’s now or then, this world’s a liar’s village.

Keito: Indeed. I suppose those guys in Ryuseitai will believe anything if someone’s in tears, playing on their sympathies. Although that becomes a virtue in times of peace, wars are sweeping this land right now.

We must be properly informed first, and then decide our course of action. That way, we ensure that there are no regrets.

Souma: Mhm. Be that as it may, we have scarcely any acquaintances within this territory who can serve as a source of intelligence, and thus we struggled considerably merely to verify the current situation.

Keito: Even so, we have a helping hand. We’ve started to contact the other ES idols that have been deployed here—specifically those who are in RhythLin with us.

However, most of them are higher-ranked veterans, so just getting an audience with them was a difficult task.

None of them would go so far as to give up their time to meet with novices of low status within the office like us.

Nevertheless, we share a connection with the veterans of RhythLin through the same office. From their point of view, it should seem as though we’re friends within the organization.

And we haven’t been acting like an eyesore and trying to stop the fighting like Ryuseitai has.

Comparatively, we’ve been well-behaved within the office up to this point—

RhythLin’s veterans have essentially no misgivings towards us.

Souma: Mhm. We took advantage of such a position and endeavored to gather intelligence.

While apologizing to the many veterans for our unpunctuality, we flattered and gratified them, and even went so far as to entertain them at our own expense—

Keito: Ah, we had a pleasant meal…

Kuro: Doesn’t seem like it was “pleasant.” Was it okay? I can’t speak for you, but you aren’t too good with that sort of thing.

I mean, sucking up to the big shots while putting up with power harassment.

Keito: Ugh, it was like lying on a bed of nails. Though that’s all UNDEAD’s Sakuma and Hakaze were doing this spring, and I’m impressed that they were able to bear it.

Anyway. I don’t like it at all, and it was agonizing to do, but we won’t hesitate to do it if necessary.

If you think of this as though it’s an ascetic practice, then it’s inevitable.

Kuro: Haha. I woulda liked to see you with a big grin on your face, buttering up the big shots.

Keito: I’m glad you’re stuck in bed sick, honestly.

Souma: Hehe. In any case, we have been going about our intelligence gathering in that manner—we have gained an understanding of the situation to a certain extent.

Keito: The veterans, drunk on alcohol and their victories, were surprisingly bigmouthed. They rambled on and on, and they told us like they were bragging.

Saying things like “Here in Okinawa, there’s no doubt that ES idols are going to come out victorious.”

Souma: Mhm. It appears as though what we were told by the local idols was largely true.

Apparently, ES idols have been continuously defeating local idols since the preliminary rounds began—such circumstances remain ongoing.

Keito: That’s right. These plentiful achievements and abilities are befitting of the powerhouse that is ES.

Moreover, with the votes and support from the tourists who came to watch the preliminary rounds, the ES idols are proceeding with an overwhelming advantage in the competition.

Kuro: Really? I got the vibe that these veterans were unfamiliar with things like the DreamFes system and the unit system, though.

Guess it’s just like the big shots to finally get off their asses to fight the whole restructuring craze that’s been going on since the summer, right?

Or, well. We should think about it like this: only the people who’ve gotten adjusted to that new system have stayed afloat and made it to the SS preliminaries.

Keito: Yes. The veterans may be just as arrogant as always and have a lot of weak spots to take advantage of, but they are by no means incompetent.

To make matters worse, the powerful ones are operating with the support of the enormous organization that is ES—

This is something that none of these local, half-hearted idols could ever compete with. Needless to say, even we as AKATSUKI cannot go against the veterans by ourselves.

Though maybe if we spent our time as we did during the War, I suppose we could. The SS preliminaries are a long stretch of time, but even then, they’re only a month long.

It’s impossible to hope for some sort of impressive development—like we’re heroes in a shounen manga who managed to gain the strength needed to defeat the main villain with only a short period of training…

We have to fight using the cards we’ve been dealt.

Take that into consideration, and decide what we’ll do from here on out, Kanzaki.

Souma: Agh, as I had asked before, why me…? Though it is foolish for me to remain perturbed about such a thing, is it not?

I understand. Hasumi-dono must have some inescapable circumstances which have forced him to make me the sole person who decides our course.

If these actions are the result of a secret order, I would be seeking an answer that cannot be given to me.

It is my duty to consider my lord’s true intention and act as he wishes. I shall give this careful consideration and attempt to find the most optimal solution, even though I lack the intelligence.

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Content Warning: Mention of sexual harassment in the form of a joke.

Location: ES Dorm Room (Yuuta, Kaoru, Nagisa)

<Same time. Aoi Yuuta’s dormitory in Starmony Hall>

Kaoru: Hmm. Looks like you’ve got a complicated situation going on again, Yuuta-kun.

Yuuta: …….

Kaoru: Huh? Hey, can you hear me? It’s kind of rude to just ignore someone and not even reply when you’re the one who started the conversation, especially if it’s your senior, you know?

Juuust kidding—

Yuuta: Aah, I’m so sorry, Hakaze-senpai! I was a little immersed in my thoughts, so I didn’t hear you! I apologize for my rudeness, hehe~! (kneeling in apology)

Kaoru: No no no, it was just a joke. You don’t have to go that far to say sorry~ We’re roommates, so in a way, we’re kinda like family, yeah?

Yuuta: Family—

I wonder, what is family, anyway...

Kaoru: Whoa, we’re getting deep now... Well, we’ve known for a long time that the whole traditional view of “family” has caved in on itself, so does anyone really know the correct answer to that question these days?

Juuust kidding—

Yuuta: Wow! I didn’t really understand what you just said, but I’m impressed! Only you’d be able to give me such great advice, Hakaze-senpai! You adults have so much life experience...☆

Kaoru: Um, hold on… This conversation’s moving strangely fast, don’t you think?

Maybe I’m going about this all wrong, I dunno~... I haven’t felt all that great about my communication skills lately, you know~?

Yuuta: ...Me too. I do feel like I’m the sort of student who can get along with anyone in my class, more or less, but...

As soon as I start fighting with Hinata-kun, all those communication skills go straight to the trash.

Kaoru: Ah, I get it~ My sister just got married, so I end up acting awkward whenever we talk. It puts this uncomfortable tension in the air.

I mean, obviously I don’t want to hurt her feelings—if anything, she’s as important to me as any treasure in the world. But, it’s like, we’ve been out of touch for so long that we still haven’t really got a hold on how the other acts.

Yuuta: Hmm. My situation is the other way around—the two of us have been stuck together for so long that now I feel like I get anxious whenever we drift even the slightest bit apart.

Kaoru: Mhm. Either way, it’s tiring to deal with—all because they’re so important to us.

Anyway, I’ve heard the gist of the situation, but—it really is just awful by anyone’s standards, huh?

Being a “two-in-one” package is 2wink’s whole selling point, and yet only one of you guys is gonna be allowed to perform… or something like that?

Yuuta: Well, it’s a very popular program, so it seems more like they just don’t have time slots for both of us.

Plus, the unit system still hasn’t really spread into the music industry at large.

No, no—the problem is more that the idol industry stubbornly refuses to let idols work solo—it’s so weird.

Kaoru: Hmm. I get the feeling that what they’re saying is common sense to them, and that maybe our idea of what’s “common sense” is different, huh?

I don’t think they meant any harm by it, did they?

Yuuta: Yeah, they didn’t seem to… I heard that Hinata-kun went and discussed the details of the job with the producer of the program directly.

Whether it’s for better or worse, it seemed to me that he didn’t think much of it.

The producer sounded like he’s stuck in the days where you could make a ton of profit just by airing a TV program without making any effort at all. Feels like the bubble economy days.1

Kaoru: Yeaaah, feels like that industry’s not really caught up with the times.

Or maybe it’s just that the higher-ups in the idol industry have been trained in some weird ways, because they like playing war and politics way too much.

I’m pretty sure the higher-ups in the general music industry could make a profit just by stealing market shares from the declining idol industry.

So I guess it does make sense that they don’t even bother to think up stuff anymore.

Things like this happen all the time, and us idols who are associated with RhythLin are no stranger to this either.

Yuuta: Yeah, I think I know what you’re referring to there. I can tell that you seniors in UNDEAD are starting to get your feet on the ground now, but I was pretty worried about how your unit was doing at first...

I was wondering if you guys were alright.

Kaoru: Well, we’re called UNDEAD for a reason. Don’t worry, everything’s alright. Even if we die, we’ll always come right back to life.

You guys have also learned a lot more from Rei-kun than I have. So you’re like half-vampire now; doesn’t that make the two of you undead too?

So that’s why I think everything will turn out totally fine. ♪

Yuuta: What are you talking about… Even if you’re trying to cheer us on here, it’s hard for me to understand. I’m starting to think that whole thing about you being popular with women is a lie, you know?

Kaoru: Huuuh? The girls loved me for my genuine caring side, y’know? I’d always keep asking them how they’re doing and comfort them no matter how vague I sounded~ Really, really. ♪

Yuuta: Alright, yeah. To be fair, talking to you has calmed me down a lot, Hakaze-senpai.

Kaoru: That’s good. I’m not really used to talking to guys, so I’ve got nooo confidence here—if you were a girl, I’d give you a kiss to calm you down right away. ♪

Yuuta: Noooo, Hakaze-senpai, you sex offender~♪

Kaoru: Don’t you think that’s going too far?!

Yuuta: It’s a joke, just a joke! ♪

Kaoru: Yeah, I know. ...Looks like you really have calmed down. That’s a relief. I guess we’ve got no hope of having a productive conversation here if we can’t understand each other’s jokes.

TL Notes:

1: “Bubble economy” refers to the Japanese asset price bubble of the 1980s, a time period in which real estate and stock market prices were greatly inflated due to excessive optimism about and high expectations for the future. The bubble “burst” in early 1992, and Japan’s economy stagnated afterwards.

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Translated by verdantgrove

Proofread by 310mc and meteorgreen

Location: ES Dorm Room (Hinata, Hiiro, Niki)

Hinata: And that's exactly what makes this so troubling, y'see. We're at a loss.

Hiiro: What's been troubling you?

Hinata: Basically, when we were settling down after our live a few days ago, we were called over by Vice Prez Saegusa.

Hiiro: Ah, the "Iba-nyan" guy!

Hinata: Right, yeah, Iba-nyan! ♪ Looks like his time in Bogie Time left a deep impression on you, Hiiro-kun~. But that guy is definitely someone to keep in mind when you're part of CosPro.

Hiiro: I haven’t met him in person yet, that’s why. And my brother has also ordered me to not get too close to this "Iba-nyan" person.

Hinata: Oof, so he's overprotective too?

But anyways, he approached me about an upcoming job.

Well, it was more like we had the project representative with us. And then we were ordered "here's your next job to do," as you’d usually be told with a new job.

Hiiro: Hmm, that must’ve made it hard to turn down, didn’t it? Nobody could ever say no/decline when pressed by superiors and companies; that “Iba-nyan” person really knows how to negotiate, doesn’t he?

Hinata: Yup, on the plus side, that’s one of the things I trust about him.

But what's really troubling is the job he gave us... Some Volcano thingie? It's a long-running music program, do you know of it, Hiiro-kun?

Hiiro: No, I don't think I've heard of it. I do all sorts of research myself, and Aira also informs me of many things even if I don’t ask about it, but...

The history of the idol industry alone is vast beyond measure, so it's impossible for a single person to catch up with all of it.

Hinata: Agreed, it was the first time I've heard of it too.

Apparently it's been around for a long time, like about as old as Marble Cast[1] that got rebooted recently, give or take. It seems to be infamous for not letting idols appear on it.

So 'cuz of that it wasn't too well known 'til around two years ago when the idol industry was in decline— then, it started gaining power and bridging the gap.

We ourselves were too busy trying to stay afloat, so we didn't really pay attention to that kind of major trend, though.

Hiiro: Shouldn't they be teaching these sorts of things in Yumenosaki? This seems like extremely vital knowledge for us.

Hinata: Yeaaah, our school’s more like a "school full of idols" rather than an idol training school, unlike the schools affiliated with CosPro..

Oh, but ever since they started restructuring the school last year, the curriculum and stuff got a huge overhaul.

Anyways, that Volcano-something is a program that music artists aspire to be on.

Seems like there's lots of people who became huge stars after appearing on it. A gateway to stardom, you could say?

It's a pretty huge deal just for an idol to perform on it, so we should be super grateful to have been given this opportunity.

In essence, it's kinda like an LN author winning the Nobel Prize in Literature, if ya feel me?

Hiiro: Ell-en? No bell..?

Hrmm... I don't know what those words mean, but it sounds to me there isn’t any reason to refuse the order.

It's your opportunity to make a leap forward—if anything, I think it's quite an honor.

There's still a lot I have yet to learn about idols, but...

If you're able to appear on a program that has always excluded idols, you'll be able to draw in people that, much like me, may not know much about idols.

Hinata: Or it might become a public execution. That's what tends to happen when an outsider gets crammed into somewhere they don’t belong.

Hiiro: I see.

Hinata: ...Well, either way, I feel you— I did wanna agree to it without any hesitation.

I assume the Vice Prez prepared this special stage for us as a reward for always working as his henchmen.

And ever since around sometime when the JNLC1 happened, it's been CosPro's policy to take every single opportunity to maximize a job’s profit...

So it didn't have to be us performing on that Volcano thingie.

Yet even though it could’ve been anyone from CosPro, the Vice Prez specifically nominated us.

It could be because we boo-hooed over not being able to perform in Bogie Time, so maybe he’s just trying to make amends with us.

But either way, he entrusted this job to us because he believed in us. It’s a real honor to have that trust, and we've always been waiting for a job like this.

We’ve always wanted to be given an extraordinary stage, where we could shine as the main characters.

Hiiro: Hmm... I don't really get it. The more I hear about it, the more it sounds like a great opportunity, rather than a problem.

As long as it's you two, you'll be able to pull off any job perfectly, right?

Hinata: Ooh, you think so highly of us, Hiiro-kun!

Hiiro: Haha, to us underachievers, you all look so bright from above.

Hinata: I don't think that things like “above” and “below” really exist, when it comes to idols, though... but I’m not gonna say that “everyone is perfect in their own way” like Ryuseitai would or anything.

I just don't think it's worth it to decide who's above and below others, y'know?

But now... That might be exactly what we have to do.

Hiiro: ? Come again?

Hinata: Well, y’see, that Volcano-something has a limitation of sorts, and the condition given to us is that only a single representative for ES can appear on the program.

In other words... 2wink won't be able to perform—only one of them, Aoi Yuuta or Aoi Hinata, will be given the honor.

One of the twins will lose the chance to perform on the program everyone aspires to be on.

The public's perception of us will change too—and it'll create a big difference between "us". I'm terrified of that.

But... This must be something "Yuuta-kun" has always been hoping for.

Hiiro: ...

TL Notes

1: JNLC stands for Japanese Neverland Cup, from the event story Neverland.

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Translated by Mika_Enstars

Proofread by 310mc and meteorgreen

Location: ES Dorm Room (Hinata, Hiiro, Niki)

<A couple days later. Starmony Dorms, Hinata Aoi’s Dorm Room>

Hiiro: I've returned! What a pleasant morning it is!

Hinata: GyaAAH! Come on! What do you mean "this will be a great opportunity for you two," isn't this literally just bullying!?

Hiiro: ? What opportunity?

Hinata: Whoa! Hiiro-kun, could you please not appear behind me out of nowhere?!

Hiiro: Mhm, hiding my presence only to creep up behind a fellow housemate would be quite discourteous, wouldn’t it? Since it would mean I don’t trust the other party.

Hinata: Uh, y-yeah.

Hiiro: I end up doing it anyway out of habit, though, but you would always sense it and notice me anyway.

However, this time, you did not. In other words, you're facing something that's causing you to lose your composure, right? It's unusual for you to speak so loudly to yourself...

If there's anything causing you trouble, I will gladly lend you an ear. I know you'd do the same for me.

Hinata: R-right... Thanks. Then, can you hear me out real quick, Hiiro-kun?

Hiiro: Yes, I shall!

But before that, may I change my clothes first? I just got back from running my routine morning patrol around the building, so I'm sweaty.

Hinata: Why do you do patrols, actually? I'm pretty sure the Starmony Dorms have security.

Hiiro: Mhm, well, think of it like a cat sharpening its claws. If it can't keep its claws sharp, then it won't be able to relax, right?

Hinata: How noble! I also feel I gotta maintain my quality as an idol, so I try to keep a skincare routine and stuff.

Hiiro: You do? But aren't you always staying up all night with Shiina-senpai, eating sweets and playing games...?

Hinata: Huh? Ohh~, did that happen...? You sure remember things well, huh, Hiiro-kun!

Hiiro: Of course—I do have a good memory, after all.

Hinata: Even though one wouldn’t guess it from looking at you, Hiiro-kun...

Anyways, can you listen while you're changing? I want to elaborate on things a bit, too.

Hiiro: Okay. ...Just don't look over here too much, I don't really like showing my skin around others.

Hinata: Hmm? Perfect, perfect, that’s one of the basics of being an idol! ♪ You can't be selling it at a bargain, am I right~?

Hiiro: Yep! Somehow, the customs back at my hometown have been surprisingly beneficial to my idol experience.

I wonder if that is also why idols appealed so much to my brother back then.

Perhaps that's why he felt that becoming an idol wasn't just some daydream, but instead a "cherished aspiration" within his reach.

Hinata: Umm... I get that you really love your older brother, but could you listen to me now?

Hiiro: Okay!

Hinata: So, y’see, a few days ago, I was called over by our Vice Prez. And he told me about our next job.

Hiiro: Mhm. You're getting one job after another, huh. 2wink seems to be in great shape, it's enviable.

Hinata: You think so? But Alkaloid seems to be chuggin' along too—other than Crazy:B, aren't you guys the hottest rookies of the year?

Hiiro: Chuggin' along...?

Hinata: I feel like we were in the same position as yours 'til this summer, though... The "promising rookie group" stage.

Hiiro: ? But doesn't 2wink have a pretty lengthy history in performing arts? I heard you guys have been street performers since you were kids. If that’s the case, then you would have been newcomers back then, right?

Street performers weren’t a thing in my hometown, so it's difficult to imagine what that way of living must be like, but—

If you were performing for money—Doesn’t that mean you’ve been idols since you were kids?

Hinata: It was nothing special, really. Either way, that's why right now you guys are shining enviably to us.

Hiiro: Thank you. As underachievers who started from the bottom up, just being able to stand besides all of you brilliant idols at last brings us hope.

But we can't let our guards down yet. We must stay diligent!

Hinata: Yes, good boy, good boy. It's honestly somewhat appalling just how good you Alkaloid boys are, y'know... You’re sorta like Ra*bits, in a way?

Hiiro: Mhm, they're one of our inspirations, actually. We're not quite aiming for the "cute" image—rather, what we admire is how they achieved their goals.

Hinata: Huuh? You don't admire us 2wink, Hiiro-kun?

Hiiro: Haha, we certainly look up to you guys too, but, needless to say, we can't become "twins" no matter how hard we try.

Perhaps I just feel this way because I'm new to this, but aren't you guys a pretty unique existence? You have a rare individuality that nobody else can replicate.

Hinata: Nn~... But that's also our burden—we have no one else to look up to. Referring to the textbook doesn't do us any good.

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Translated by Mika_Enstars

Proofread by 310mc and meteorgreen

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SMT IVF Post-Release Interview WITH SPOILERS (04/13/2016)

PAGE 3

The Appeal of Engaging With This Work That Grows More Fascinating As More Is Revealed

In the previous interview, we heard that in the first iteration of the project, the protagonist was an older adult. We would like to inquire about the particulars involved in both the game, “SMT IVF,” and the transition from that previously established aspect.

—So the other companions came to be after you decided to make the protagonist a child, then?

—In regards to Toki, she wasn’t an assassin at first, yes? Her “true face” is also quite striking.

—So the player’s impression of both Toki and Hallelujah changes the more they play the game. Especially with the depiction of the Tokugawa Mandala surrounding them…

PAGE 4

—The demon Krishna, leader of the Divine Powers, had quite a strong impact within the story as well, wouldn’t you say?

—I see. I suppose that means that hundreds of years before Krishna’s resurrection in this work, when he was in this world, he took a different form than he currently has…?

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