Souma Feature Scout: After the Summer Rain - 1

After the Summer Rain— Chapter One

Location: Inside ES Elevator

Author: Yuumasu

Season: Summer

Keito: (Phew… Finally, the elevator’s here.)

(Are there a lot of people trying to use it right now? It took more time than usual for it to arrive.)

(Well, I’m not in any rush, so that’s fine by me. Although I should probably take into account the time I lost from waiting for the elevator.)

(I’ll press the button to go to the tenth floor, and… Hm?)

Is that you, Anzu? How long have you been here?

So you were waiting for the elevator just behind me, you say? You have just as little presence as ever.

Well, moving on. What floor are you going to? I’ll press the button for you, since it looks like you’ve got your hands full with your bags.

The twelfth floor… That’s RhythLink’s office. Have you been requested for a new job?

A personalized outfit, you say...Oh, so Kanzaki is up next? And the bags you have are all materials for the outfit?

So you say you scraped up as many Japanese-style materials as you could, huh. Hmm… Mind if I take a look?

...Hm, not bad. These all seem like things Kanzaki would like. As long as you have things like these, you can likely make something nice out of them.

Actually, though, you might have too much; you two could get lost trying to decide on which options to go with.

Though I wouldn’t go so far as to call this a once in a lifetime opportunity, this costume will be one-of-a-kind. So please, I want you to lend him your strength.

Mhm, good answer.

Meanwhile, it seems we've arrived at the tenth floor. This is where I get off.

If you come across any trouble while making Kanzaki’s personalized outfit, feel free to come to me. Well, Anzu, I’ll be off.

Location: RhythLink Office

Souma: Oh, Anzu-dono! I am pleased you came.

In truth, I was so looking forward to our meeting that I had quite some trouble sleeping last night.

My roommate, Sengoku, taught me some breathing exercises in hopes of urging me towards a peaceful sleep, but he wound up falling fast asleep while he was teaching them to me...

Suou, who was also practicing the breathing exercises with us, fell asleep as well, and then it was only I who was left behind to greet the dawn.

...Oh, you mustn’t worry. The art of sleeping while one is standing is a Kanzaki family secret which I have long since acquired, so I have the opportunity to do so when I have a spare moment to recuperate.

Leaving that aside, I would like to discuss my personalized outfit.

You had contacted me on “Hooruhanzu” to say that there was something that you had wanted me to see. What is it that you would like me to review?

...I see. Then all of these goods are for me? They are materials with a traditional Japanese design, you say?

Hmm… They are all so charming and spectacular that it is difficult for me to choose.

Anzu-dono, among these, are there any in particular which win your favor? I would like to begin by taking a look at those.

Ooh, a gold haori. If I were to array myself in this, one would likely be able to spot me from quite a ways away.

The materials for the garments? There is nothing that I am particularly picky about, but… There are a few materials that feel especially nice to the touch.

This is a “sampuru”? ...Ooh. It is almost as if I am petting a long-haired cat.

Fufu. If I close my eyes, I can almost hear a “meow” ♪

Hmm, by the way, these marks that are drawn on the material...

I see. So you had prepared some recommendations in advance for me, then.

I am grateful that there are so many options. But on the other hand, there are so many contenders for me to choose from that I am lost on what to choose…

Hm? What is it, Anzu-dono? Why are you laughing? Is it perhaps that I said something strange?

Ah, Hasumi-dono said the same thing just a short while ago, you say?

That is just as I would expect of Hasumi-dono; he knows me remarkably well.

However, it is truly difficult to narrow down the contenders and decide which I should discard. Whatever shall I do…

“Picture what you want to wear in your head, and then we can go with whatever outfit you want to wear the most,” you say… Understood. I shall begin brainstorming at once.

(...Hmm. All of these are much too elegant for me to wear.)

(No matter which one is chosen for me, I shall have no complaints. It is Anzu-dono’s choice. I am sure it will suit me well.)

(However… Are these outfits truly me?)

(It is less so that I will don my outfit, and more as if I am being dressed in an outfit, is it not…?)

(I shall wear the costume that is prepared for me as I am told, as I have already done so many times before, but… Why is it that I am so lost now?)

(...)

(...Ah, right. I know a costume that shall suit me well—I would like to wear it, and so I shall request to do so implicitly.)

(Whether or not it is permissible for me to do so, I cannot yet conclude, but…)

...Ah, my apologies for my silence. Although I have a suggestion, first I would like for you to allow me to take these with me and examine them carefully.

As for now, I need more time.

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Proofread by Sei and Gigi.

Souma Feature Scout: After the Summer Rain - 2

After the Summer Rain— Chapter Two

Location: Staff Canteen

Author: Yuumasu

Season: Summer

Keito: ...Anzu, is it alright if I sit with you?

Yes. I know it’s not crowded here right now. Actually, practically all the tables are vacant.

To be honest, I just had something that I wanted to ask you. May I?

Alright. Well, then, allow me to take a seat first. The thing that I wanted to ask you is— 

What’s that? You had something you wanted to ask me as well?

Okay, you go first. My question is nothing important; it’s essentially just idle talk.

...Hm? You haven’t settled on a design for Kanzaki’s personalized outfit yet? On the contrary, the circumstances are unusual, you say?

Hmm, so that’s what happened…

Would I happen to have any ideas for Kanzaki’s personalized outfit, you ask? No, I don’t. Besides, that was the topic I wanted to ask you about.

It is Kanzaki. When he settles on a design, he’ll probably contact you immediately. And still, not even a word from him…

I had planned to ask if you had come across any trouble. I understand the situation now, thanks to talking with you.

Actually, we have a dance lesson shortly after this. Perhaps it’d be better for me to try asking him what happened.

Location: Dance Room

Souma: What? So that is what happened in the staff canteen...

Keito: Yeah. Anzu was worried that she might have done too much.

Souma: Such a thing is impossible. If I have any problems, that is not the fault of anyone else— it is mine and mine alone.

Keito: Oh… What on earth are you so worried about? Tell me, Kanzaki.

Souma: ...In truth, I was thinking that I would like to include the Kanzaki family crest in my personalized costume.

Keito: I see, so it’s your family crest, then? How very like you. Well, you can feel free to give Anzu a drawing of it. I’m sure Anzu would be able to add the crest to your costume without any issue, no matter its complexity.

Souma: Yes. I know that well. But… To begin with, my family crest is rather difficult to use.

Keito: Difficult…? If you decide on a pattern you’d like to use, that shouldn’t be why you’re feeling lost. What’s troubling you?

Souma: Hasumi-dono, please allow me to ask this one thing of you. Do your parents approve of your being an “aidoru”?

Keito: Ah, I see. Of course they do. ...Huh?

Wait, are you just now facing some sort of opposition from your parents?!

Souma: That is not it. As I mentioned before, both my mother and my father have shown somewhat of an understanding of my being an “aidoru”.

The problem lies with my other relatives. To this day, it seems as if there are still some among them who do not think of “aidoru” in a positive light.

Although there is a way for me to use the seal without permission, I would like to avoid any sort of coercion as much as is possible. If I do not earn the approval of all of my relatives, the meaning of wearing the Kanzaki family crest shall be lost.

Above all else, both my family and my being an “aidoru” are beloved things which have helped me to grow. I would like to repay my debt of gratitude to both of them.

Keito: Hmm, so that’s how it is…

My family are monks, but they’ve deemed it acceptable for me to follow the path of an idol. So that’s why I can’t fully understand the root of your worries.

I can’t pretend that I completely understand, nor can I get all sappy and comfort you. That’s something for you to figure out for yourself...

But I can give you my support. Didn’t you try to get through Repayment Festival all by yourself?

It’s alright. I know for a fact that you’ll be able to cut your own path.

Souma: Hasumi-dono…

Keito: Even now, I can still remember the state you were in then. Just as Kiryu and I came together, your face went to pieces with tears.

You vowed then that you would not let Akatsuki fall, that you would protect it until the very end— 

Your words made me happy. I was overcome with emotion at how far you had come. You’ve grown to be strong; I’m proud.

As long as you’re there, Akatsuki will shine more than ever before. I believe that from the bottom of my heart.

From now on, with those feelings, I’ll protect the “idol” Kanzaki Souma.

Only a heartless demon would be unable to appreciate your passion. I have no doubt that you’ll be able to continue on toward great things.

Souma: Thank you, Hasumi-dono… Your words have touched my heart deeply.

...Families of warriors and warriors alike may both be regarded as antiquated, but that is not the truth.

No matter the time period, life is a battlefield rife with pain and suffering1.

Precisely because I am an “aidoru”, I have no choice but to carry my own version of the Kanzaki spirit on my back, and push forward!

Hasumi-dono! I am grateful for your advice. I, Kanzaki Souma, shall certainly convince my family to permit my usage of our family crest!

Location: RhythLink Office

<A few days later>

Anzu-dono, I had heard that the materials for my personalized costume had arrived; is that true?

Ooh, what a fine ream of fabric. The texture is wonderful, not to mention it is fascinatingly elegant. And the Kanzaki family crest is portrayed perfectly.

This fabric was made at a clothing store which I have cherished deeply since I was a child. There is not a single fabric that is more suitable for me to wear. Ahh, how deeply I shall long for the completion...♪ 

My personalized costume shall be my armor as I run through this battlefield of life. Anzu-dono, I leave this to you.

TL Notes:

 

1: When Souma says that “life is a battlefield rife with pain and suffering”, he compares life to a battlefield that contains in it the Buddhist concept of “the seven misfortunes and eight hardships.” Read about the seven misfortunes here and the eight hardships here.

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Proofread by Sei and Gigi.