verdantgrove

Location: Performing Studio

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 ♪