Submarine: Ruthless Battlefield, Okinawa - 1

 

Location: Cruise Ship Deck

Keito: Well. Let’s go over what to expect from the SS qualifying round again until we arrive on site.

Souma: We have nothing else to do while we are in transit, after all. Thus, I, too, believe it is necessary that we prepare ahead of time so that we are able to mobilize immediately upon arrival.

(Moreover, the more Hasumi-dono talks, the more his spirits will rise.)

Keito: As you know, SS is long-established and rich with history, and it’s the idol industry’s biggest live festival. 

Essentially, the idols competing are as abundant as the stars, and the objective is to single out the strongest and most outstanding among them.

The more specific rules change every year, but that concept remains the same.

Souma: Hmm. Well, this year, the competition is held on such a grand scale that it is hardly comparable to years past. Thus, it seems as if the more fundamental aspects of this competition are changing as well.

Keito: Right. First and foremost, it’s required that you be in a unit to participate. I think I can confidently say that that requirement will be an advantage to us, since we’ve already grown so comfortable with the unit system.

However, that also means that solo idols not affiliated with ES are at perhaps too great of a disadvantage...

Us idols affiliated with ES have been separated from our hometown and dispatched to locations all across the country.

As for which unit is dispatched to which region, that was decided by the SS Administration Committee, in which the Producer Association plays a crucial role.

Souma: The selection process for this is still unclear to me. However, as far as my own perspective is concerned, I am relieved—at least for the time being—that those with whom I am acquainted have been dispersed all about the country as much as possible.

Though it is inevitable that I would cross swords with those close to me should the necessity arise, it is far from a pleasant experience.

Keito: Even though you are bound to clash with them eventually.

SS as an event is meant to determine the apex of the idol world. As such, all other idols are enemies—if not competitors—that we must rout.

Souma: You speak the truth about the aidoru industry, though it is only a mere part of its whole. In spite of that, all those who are involved in this industry are indeed our rivals in business.

Keito: That’s right. At this point, even if we were to say that we hate fighting, that we just want to get along with everyone—that’d be absurd, to the point where it’s laughable.

But I digress. All units who have been dispatched nationwide will be conducting all of their idol activities in their respective regions starting now, mid-November, for the next month.

We’ll gain what’s known as SS L$ by carrying out our normal idol activities. At the end of the qualifying round, those who earned the most SS L$ during its duration will win, and will proceed to the final round that’s held at the end of the year.

That requirement is also an advantage for us, since we’re familiar with the L$ system as well.

The idols local to this region likely already have an established fanbase here, so I guess it’s necessary that they be given a handicap like that to level the playing field.

Souma: Mhm. The aidoru local to Okinawa have the advantage of familiarity with their environment, and so it is gravely important to our competition for us to utilize the assets we are accustomed to in order to cut through each and every one of our opponents.

Keito: Mhm. What’s more, if us idols associated with ES win, it’d ensure that ES’s structure is objectively correct.

If we make an unceasing effort and adeptly defeat the idols home to Okinawa who’ve already cultivated a bond with the locals here, it’ll prove the effectiveness of ES’s latest armaments.

In other words, that way we’ll reject the idol industry as we know it, we’ll bring about its end, and then we can show everyone that it’s ES‘s way of doing things that is the most correct and just.

That is how we’d bring about change in this world, but it’s a violent way to do it, hm?

Though, to be completely honest, I’m not one to talk.

Souma: …….

Keito: Well, it’ll be fine. Much to our advantage, we’ve garnered the support of ES, so we’ll make the most of it and come out of this successful.

There’s no shortage of things I dislike about this, but we can’t change the way ES works without winning here and gaining some influence.

Right now, we’re nothing more than subordinate soldiers, so no matter what we say, it won’t be anything but a sore loser’s whining.

We’re not kids anymore. We can’t just foolishly expect that the people around us will care enough to make everything go just how we want it to if we throw a tantrum.

We’ll follow the rules given to us, elevate our social standing, and change this world lawfully and fairly.

In order to do that, it’s essential that we prove both our merit and strength over the course of this qualifying round.

As for how we go about doing that, that’s up to you, Kanzaki. Start thinking about what we should do when we arrive on site while you still have time.

I can’t speak for Kiryu, but I’ll dutifully follow any orders you give.

Souma: U-um, very well… You have been saying such things to me for quite some time, but the intent behind them is unclear to me, and thus, I am utterly bewildered.

Hasumi-dono, it has always been you who has decided our strategy— and many other things for that matter— has it not? Why is it that in a situation as gravely serious as this that you have suddenly decided to entrust such responsibilities to me?

Keito: I can’t say. Figure it out yourself.

Souma: ...Surely this has naught to do with the order you have been given? 

Each of us has been given an individual order that we are meant to follow for the duration of the qualifying round. Orders that dictate what we must do, or what we must not.

In the event that we were to disobey the order we have been given, we will be fined, or something of that nature. Seeing as money is the determiner for who is to win the qualifying round, it is quite a troublesome regulation indeed.

I presume it is the fault of that order you’ve been given that you have been acting so strange, Hasumi-dono?

Keito: Even if that were the reason, I couldn’t confirm it. It’s prohibited to speak of the contents of your order, after all.

But there is one thing I can say. In addition to our standard orders, every unit leader has been given what’s called a secret order.

If you violate your order, you’ll be fined and nothing more, but you’ll receive a much harsher punishment for violating your secret order.

I don’t think it would be this serious for me, but according to some, the consequence you’ll face is no different from capital punishment.

So please, Kanzaki, don’t make me violate it. I’ll do whatever you ask, as long as it’s within my capability and doesn’t infringe upon my order.

Souma: U-um… Understood. Though it may cause me discomfort, I shall not inquire about it too deeply.

(Hmm. Secret orders… To think such a stipulation would also be present. Mine own order is quite asinine, simply stating that I am to refrain from eating seafood during the duration of the qualifying round—)

(And thus I had thought that the orders bestowed upon the other competitors would be just as foolish as mine.)

(In truth, the more standard orders are probably as simple—or rather, as frivolous—as mine.)

(However, these “secret orders”, as they are so called, seem to be quite the cause for concern. I do wonder; would it be apt to think of them as nearly identical to some sort of religious commandment? Cease to follow your order, and you shall not reach heaven, and such.)

(Though, if I were to pick up the clues as Hasumi-dono advised, it should be quite simple for me to make it through safely.)

(However, to make matters worse, we are in an unfamiliar environment, and as such, there are countless things we must do and consider.)

(It shall be significantly difficult when one’s thoughts are already occupied as such.)

(Mmh… And to make matters worse for myself, I am far from skilled at thinking.)

 

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