Date Plan: Epilogue - 1

 Location: √AtoZ Stage

<A few days later, on the day of the PV recording for ES’s interdepartmental project.>

Kaoru: Hey guys, you all changed?

Mitsuru: Mhm. These clothes are kinda hard to move in, but they look super cool~☆ 

Ehehe. These are way different from the stuff I usually wear for Ra*bits ‘cause they’ve got a grown-up feel to them, so it’s all new and fresh. It really feels perfect for the interdepartmental project! ♪

Niki: Yeah. I get that. In Crazy:B, we’re always wearing loose and casual stuff too, so I guess you could say this kind of costume really makes me straighten up.

Nahaha. So this is that “out of the ordinary” vibe that Hakaze-kun was talking about, huh~♪

Chiaki: Sure thing. Wearing different kinds of costumes like these must feel strange, especially for you, since your unit Crazy:B only formed just recently.

Niki: Yeah, if we wore clothes that were this neat and respectable, Rinne-kun could do us a favor and straighten up too.

I’m just kidding, though. Well, we’re us, so I couldn’t imagine pulling off an image change or anything like that at this point.

I’ll just have as much fun as I can for now~♪ I added some special feelings into my date plan, stuff that you’d expect to find at a three star restaurant!

Kaoru: I’m glad everyone was on board with the production I proposed. I think that this is gonna be full of stuff that anyone can enjoy thanks to that.

Although, I didn’t even need to pitch in at all when it came to you, Sakasaki-kun.

It was pretty smart of you to include a surprise worth remembering at the end of the date.

Natsume: Fufu. I am a magiciAN, after aLL. Devising a way to ensure that such lovely memories become lasting ones is only naturAL.

Kaoru: Ahaha. You really saved me.

Since you’re always treating Aoba-kun from your unit so harshly—

I was really worried I’d have to help you brainstorm your date plan too, y’know ♪ 

Natsume: That mophead really is meddlesoME, you knOW. Well, he came up with a good idea after I hit him a few timES, so I suppose it was worth iT.

Kaoru: Huh? Sakasaki-kun, you asked Aoba-kun for his thoughts? I was so sure you came up with that whole thing yourself…

Natsume: WeLL, to an exteNT. The things he says do have merIT, about once every hundred timES.

More importantLY, it seems as if they’ve finished testing the equipmeNT.

Our time together as “Date Plan Idea Squad” has gone by quickLY, and this recording will bring it to an eND.

Niki: They kinda just threw us all into a unit last minute, but somehow this has got me super emotional, you know~?

I’ve pretty much only done idol work with my own unit before, so this feels pretty weird.

Mitsuru: Mhm! This group’s super different from Ra*bits, so it was fun! I feel like even I got to be all grown-up too!

Chiaki: This is certainly a big change from the unease we all had at the beginning of the project. You’ve all got such a good look in your eyes! 

But there’s no time to get sentimental like this now. We have to shoot the opening together first.

Kaoru: Each of us will reenact the most exciting scene of our date plan, and then after that we’ll go into filming the song and choreography… This is the most important part.

Chiaki: Yep. Well, then, let’s dispatch— Did everyone bring their props?

Mitsuru: Of course! I got everything all ready!

Kaoru: My prop is this bouquet right here...☆ 

Ahaha. The art director did a really good job on this. I’ve never seen a bouquet this nice before ♪ 

Mitsuru: Ooh. That bouquet is super-duper cool~! Is that what you’re gonna use in the shoot, Hakaze-senpai?

Kaoru: Mhm. I tried to make sure my date didn’t make me come off too cold. This is to convey all the love I have for my beloved fans ♪ 

Well, it sounds like Anzu-chan’s calling us. Shall we?

(...Watch me closely, Anzu-chan. I’ve done everything I can.)

(In all honesty, there were moments in the preparation stage where I complained.)

(But I’m okay now. Because I’ve got some reliable allies— They’re called “Date Plan Idea Squad.”)

(I’ll do this job the best I can, as the idol Hakaze Kaoru.)

(You requested me for ES’s first interdepartmental project—)

(And in order to make this project a success, you worked yourself to the bone—) 

(So I want to make it so all your effort was worth it.)

Chiaki: “I made a date where my feelings shine through. I want to make you smile from the bottom of your heart, with this date plan that I made with you in mind!”

“We’ll go to all kinds of places together on this exciting, heart-pounding amusement park date ☆”

“Like roller coasters, and hero shows, and ferris wheels! As long as I’m with you, the day will fly by!”

Natsume: “I’ll make today into a day that you won’t be able to forget as long as you liVE. By all meaNS, enjoy this dreamlike moment that I’ll bestow upon yOU.”

“And of courSE, I’ve prepared an exceptional surprise for you as weLL...☆”

Mitsuru: “Leave all your shopping to me! I’ll dash dash around and escort you~☆”

“No matter how many of our favorite things we end up buying, I can carry all our bags, so don’t worry ♪”

Niki: “If you get tired of walking, let’s enjoy some tea together ♪”

“And of course, dinner will be a full course meal made by yours truly! I swear by my pride as a chef that I’ll give ya the best flavors ever~♪”

“I’ll treat ya to some sweet desserts that’ll cure all the day’s weariness too!”

Kaoru: “And after dinner, we’ll go and look at the night sky.”

“I’ll convey to you… my true feelings.”

← Previous | Cover | Next →

Proofread by 310mc and Amagiiz.

Date Plan: Epilogue - 2

 Location: Performing Studio

 

<A few days after the shoot>

 

Kaoru: Whew… Now that the interdepartmental project’s over, I’m exhausted.

 

Fufu. Today’s the first UNDEAD meeting in a while, huh? It’s been some time since we’ve all had the chance to get together, so I’m excited~ ♪

 

‘Scuse meee~ ♪ 

 

Rei: O~ioioioi (crying sounds). Kaoru-kuuun…

 

Kaoru: Nwah!? Rei-kun, what’s wrong? You seem even more down than usual today.

 

Rei: Sob, sob… It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other last, and so I’ve missed you dearly.

 

Kaoru-kun, I was so awfully lonely without you around, you know~?

 

Besides, I heard a rumor that you were having quite the difficult time with the interdepartmental project.

 

 

You do know that if you were struggling, you could have come to me for help, but you’re just a cold-hearted man.

 

Kaoru: Huh? You wanted me to that badly?

 

You always seem so busy, being RhythLink’s Assistant Idol Representative and all, so I hesitated to ask.

 

Rei: So cold. I may be everyone’s idol, but if you needed anything at all from me, I would have rushed to your side, and yet… My popularity is plummeting indeed.

 

Kaoru: Sorry, sorry. Stop pouting so much, okay~? I can’t just be tugging on your coattails forever, so.

 

Rei: Uu. Loneliness is loneliness all the same, but oh well.

 

At any rate. I heard talk of the good reputation of your work, and I remember having thought, “how impressive of Kaoru-kun”.

 

Especially considering you were able to guide the project to success without so much as an inkling of help from me or anyone else.

 

Even within ES, the project’s reputation is just as good, and so it seems as if they’re considering giving the interdepartmental project another go ♪

 

Thanks to you, there’s also been word of new project offers reaching RhythLink.

 

I believe this is where I’m supposed to say “well done”.

 

There, good boy. You did splendid work as a leader, Kaoru-kun. This is something worthy of high praise, as one of the two leads ♪ 

 

Kaoru: Ahaha. It wasn’t just me; it was a team effort.

 

It was a team with a weird name called “Date Plan Idea Squad”, and there wasn’t any shortage of confusing things, since this was a job full of firsts, but… I’m really glad I took it on, I think.

 

Rei: You truly have grown, Kaoru-kun. While humility is a virtue— 

 

I believe it’s quite alright to acknowledge one’s accomplishments every once in a while, hm?

 

Because you are not simply an idol following in the footsteps of Sakuma Rei, but one who can stand alongside him, together as two leads.

 

Kaoru: Thanks, Rei-kun.

 

Even so, this is disappointing, huh? Date Plan Idea Squad is done with all our work, so it feels like things are going back to normal now.

 

When Koga-kun and Adonis-kun get here, I’ll finally be UNDEAD’s Hakaze Kaoru again, huh?

 

Rei: Hrmm. Kaoru-kun, are you trying to say that you feel a deeper attachment to some temporary unit, whose origins you’ve not even the slightest clue of, than your very own UNDEAD?

 

Kaoru: Ahaha, you’re still at it… Don’t get so upset, alright?

 

That’s not what I meant— It’s just that we disbanded as soon as the shoot was over. If I could have done anything then, it would’ve been to put a proper end to things.

 

But everyone else who participated in the interdepartmental project has got such packed schedules, so…

 

I figured it'd be kind of a pain to try and plan a closing party at this point ☆

 

Rei: You’ve truly, thoroughly matured, Kaoru-kun.

 

Though if you may perchance allow me to be brutally honest with you— There’s something you’ve overlooked.

 

Kaoru: Huh…?

 

Rei: You did used to skip practice, so I cannot say in confidence that you’re absolutely free of any flaws.

 

You were a man akin to a fickle summer breeze, one whom I was unable to reach.

 

And what about now? Are you saying that you’ve now become a member of society, and thus in turn become a man who walks as carefully as he can with his feet on the ground?

 

...At times, it’s important to be assertive as well. Perhaps becoming a member of society made it so you toned down that old, vigorous skirt-chaser personality of yours.

 

But this time around, it doesn’t seem to be as though you’re too distanced from your colleagues to extend to them a small party invitation, hm?

 

By putting on your best behavior, you’re simply feigning politeness.

 

If you want to put a proper end to the interdepartmental project, you’d best do it yourself. That’s why I suggest you plan a grand closing party.

 

Kukuku. However, it’s an entirely different problem if you are simply too tired to think up yet another plan after all those of those date plans...♪ 

 

Kaoru: …

 

You’re right. I didn’t notice.

 

You really told me what I needed to hear, Rei-kun. Or maybe I should say that recently, I’ve forgotten all that freedom I used to know so well.

 

Why is that, I wonder… Maybe this is growth— no, maturity.

 

Maybe I felt like that now that I’ve become a member of society, I’ve been dressed up in a suit that’s nice and mature.

 

Rei: Kukuku. Being dressed in a suit by another person is something that you should only ever experience on stage. Because your existence is like that of a feather floating freely in the breeze, never to be restrained by anyone.

 

Kaoru: Mhm. The interdepartmental project touched my heart, though, really.

 

Becoming a working adult may have changed my role in life, but… That doesn’t mean I need to be all awkward and hold back so much.

 

Because I’m a guy who can’t be held back— because I’m Hakaze Kaoru.

 

Rei: Mhm. That’s good, Kaoru-kun.

 

As you change, your surroundings shall begin to change with you.

 

Because much like a billowing wind that’s sometimes gentle, sometimes harsh— you have much greater influence than you think ♪

 

 

Kaoru: Alright. Now that that’s decided, I’ll hit everyone up on Wholehands right now...♪ 

 

Moricchi and Sakasaki-kun, plus Shiina-kun and Mitsuru-kun— And Anzu-chan.

 

I’ll turn and face all the people that I had an impact on this time, and I’ll set up the greatest plan out there for them.

 

Because I’m the captain of the Date Plan Idea Squad, no matter what...☆ 

← Previous | Cover

Proofread by 310mc and Amagiiz.