holistar

Location: StarPro Office (Birthday)

Hiiro: Happy birthday Tatsumi-senpai.

I’m happy we can spend this day together! As friends, as unit-mates, let’s celebrate as much as we are able!

Tatsumi: Thank you very much Hiiro-san. You always convey your feelings in such a direct manner.

Let’s continue to enjoy our time together as ALKALOID.

Hiiro: Certainly! I want to have many more lives together and let everyone know more about us as a unit.

Tatsumi: Indeed. Let us pray for a prosperous future. Amen...♪

Location: StarPro Office (Birthday)

Aira: Happy birthday Tattsun-senpai♪

Tatsumi: Ah, Aira-san. Thank you for the wonderful surprise today*. I didn’t expect you all to sing such a song for me. It’s a song I’ve heard many times, however this was a fresh and delightful take on it.

Aira: Fufufu, it’s your birthday and I love you sooo much Tattsun-senpai, so I wanted to do something special! I’m super happy you enjoyed it♪

To be honest, I also prepared a present for you that’s just from me... here you go!

Tatsumi: Inside this frame is... why, it’s a photo of ALKALOID taken when we were practicing together?

Aira: Yup, I asked Anzu-san to take some photos and she took a bunch! We all have such happy smiles, huh?

Tatsumi: Yes, indeed. It makes me happy just looking at it. Thank you very much Aira-san♪

*Alkaloid sang one of Tatsumi’s solo-era songs for him

Location: StarPro Office (Birthday)

Mayoi: H-Happy birthdayyyyyyy!

Tatsumi: Thank you Mayoi-san. By the way, I apologize for surprising you when I suddenly spoke to you yesterday.

Mayoi: N-no! Um... I, yesterday I was very happy when you told me you were looking forward to today’s party.

B-but I was so afraid that I would spoil the surprise that everyone was preparing if I said anything…

So I escaped by running away from you... For someone like me to act so impolite, I-I’m terribly sorry...!

Tatsumi: Fufu, please don’t apologize for such a thing. You all worked very hard to surprise me, and for that I’m overjoyed♪

Location: StarPro Office (Birthday)

Eichi: Happy birthday Kazehaya-kun.

Tatsumi: Eichi-san, you’re quite a busy person, thank you for attending the party♪

Eichi: Fufu, don’t be so formal. I want to celebrate the birthdays of colleagues from the same agency as often as I can.

I’ve prepared some special black tea for you today. If you don’t mind, how about I brew you a pot?

Tatsumi: That sounds like a lovely idea, I would enjoy that very much.

Eichi: Fufu, I’m glad to hear that, I put a lot of thought into this gift. As the star of today’s show, and as a member of ALKALOID on your way to success, I’d like to congratulate you and wish you well in your future endeavors♪

Location: StarPro Office (Birthday)

Midori: Um... happy birthday Kazehaya-senpai.

Tatsumi: Takamine-san, thank you for coming.

Midori: Yes, you’re so kind to me in Gardenia activities, and you came to my birthday party as well, but maybe you would have preferred if someone else came instead of me…

Tatsumi: No, I’m delighted you showed up. I hope we can become good friends.

You still haven’t told me very much about those mascot characters that you adore so much.

Midori: T-Thank you. I can tell you all about a number of mascot characters, so let’s talk about them again sometime...!

Location: Starmony Dorm 1st Floor Passage

Mayoi: (Oh no… I accidentally ended up pulling an all-nighter, and it still isn’t perfect.)

(Something like this would only make Shinobu-kyun sad. I can’t bear to take the smile from such a pure soul…!)

(I have to do something… but I’m running out of time...)

Niki: This smell… Ah yup, it’s gotta be Mayo-chan! What’s up~?♪

Mayoi: Hello Shiina-san...

Eep! W-Why are you sniffing me!?

C-Could it be that I smell terrible? I’m sorry, there’s a reason for...

Niki: Nope, you smell a li~ttle different than usual. It’s such a shame, ‘cause you always smell like you’d be sooo tasty.

Wait here for a sec, I’m gonna go get something good♪

Mayoi: A-Alright, I’ll wait...

(What could “something good” be... Perhaps something related to my smell?)

(...Speaking of that, Shiina-san says I seem like I’d be delicious, but一)

Niki: Thanks for waiting! Please use this oil and butter♪

Mayoi: Oil and butter…?

Niki: Yup! Prep work is important y’know~

Mayoi: (“Prep work” couldn’t possibly mean... he wants to eat me?!)

(If I get eaten now, I’ll end up breaking the promise I made with Shinobu-kyun. Oh no, what should I do…)

(...I’ve got it!)

I-I’m sorry. I have something I need to take care of right now...

Niki: Something to take care of?

Mayoi: Yes. It so happens that Chief has asked me to create a diorama.

I was so immersed in creating an ideal paradise for Chief and I, I forgot all about sleep and food. Even so, it still falls short of my ideals.

But compromise is unacceptable. Chief requested this of me, so I want to give him the best diorama that I can!

Though if things go on like this then I won’t finish it in time. I just can’t let Chief down!

Shiina-san, please help me create this diorama! I’ll do anything in return, I’ll treat you to breakfast or lunch or dinnerrrr!

Niki: Sure, I’ll help out. I’m super happy you’re gonna treat me, but more importantly, I can’t leave poor Mayo-chan alone as he’s getting less and less tasty♪

Mayoi: T-Thank you so much! Now, let me show you to my paradise...♪

Location: Starmony Dorm Common Room

Niki: Ooh, this is the real deal~ Everything is so detailed and realistic.

No wonder it’s taking so long to finish it.

Mayoi: Fufufu, that’s because it’s Chief and I’s paradise...♪

This smaller, separate building will be used as a ninjutsu training area. The garden has a pool for practicing water-style jutsu¹.

This small window in the main building is a little “peeping window” just for me. From here, I can watch Chief when he’s in the pool.

Niki: You’re just gonna watch? You won’t join him?

Mayoi: I-I could never. If Chief insisted then I would be happy to do so, butー Ahh…! Just watching him from a distance is enough for me.

Niki: Hmm, I think you’d have fun together, though~

Mayoi: (Is that right? Err, I feel like Shiina-san and I have different standards of what’s fun...)

(And… I don’t want to mention it, but why is he rubbing oil on my skin…?)

(Could it be that he’s seasoning me? I-Is he going to eat me after all?!)

(You can eat me, but at least let me finish this diorama first. I need to, for Shinobu-kyun…!)

T-this is my plan for the design. Shiina-san, would you please work on this part?

Niki: Yup, I’m on it~

Mayoi: (Both of my arms have been coated in oil....Hm?)

This oil smells sweet.

Niki: It smells good, right? It’s from a cosmetics set that a fan sent me. You only need to use a little bit, and it’ll make your skin super smooth.

Mayoi: A cosmetics set… Um, you mean you aren’t going to eatー

Niki: Eat this coconut oil? Even I wouldn’t try that, it’s not edible y’know~

Well, it smells so good that it makes me want to eat it, so I don’t really use it.

So I’ll give you the rest, it’s all yours! HiMERU-kun says that idols should take care of their skin.

Mayoi: I-I see. Thank you very much…

(I was a bit alarmed, but he isn’t going to eat me after all. Thank goodness...)

(But now isn’t the time to be relieved. The diorama still needs to be completed, so please hold on a little longer Shinobu-kyun…!)

Niki: Now we just have to decorate the roof and it’s done…! Phew, we somehow managed to finish it~♪

Mayoi: Yes, it’s all thanks to your help.

I’m impressed by your dexterity. Have you ever made a diorama before…?

Niki: Nope, this is my first time. Maybe all my experience doing things like cutting ingredients, or making marzipan for sweets came in handy.

I always prioritize making filling meals, but it could be fun to make an elaborate looking candy house like this once in a while~

Mayoi: A house made of sweets…! I’d love to live together with Shinobu-kyun in a place like that. I’d be the witch, and Shinobu-kyun would be… fufufu.

Shinobu: Shu-tatata!² Apologies for keeping you waiting~

Oh, what a splendid diorama~ As expected of Mayoi-dono♪

Mayoi: T-Thank you. I put my heart and soul into it, since it’s for you Shinobu-kyuーChief♪

Shinobu: Mhm, this will be quite impressive even when it’s broken.

Niki: Huh, you’re gonna break it?

Shinobu: Indeed, we’re planning to use it in a Ryuseitai PV. We’re going to make a spectacle of the destruction, with explosions and such一

Mayoi-dono, why do you look so troubled?

Mayoi: I...It’s nothing, don’t worry about me. Fufu, fufufu...

(I was so caught up in the request to “create a paradise” that I completely forgot it was going to be destroyed!)

(It was my heart’s desire to help Chief, but...)

My paradise… Our utopia for just the two of us is going to be...

Niki: Nahaha… I’ll help you out again, so cheer up! Your delicious smell is getting all spoiled again~

Ah!一but first I’ll accept my reward! Food~ Food~♪

Mayoi: O-Of course. Please eat as much as you’d like...

The title "The Cook of Many Orders" is a reference to “The Restaurant of Many Orders”, a short story that follows two guest's trip to a suspicious restaurant.

The restaurant has many requests for them before dining can begin, such as "please remove your outerwear", or "please rub this cream on your body", as they are the ones on the menu.

¹ Used for getaway or infiltration, this refers to ninjas concealing themselves underwater and breathing through a hollow stick of bamboo like a snorkel.
² Shinobu is saying his ninja run SFX aloud.

Location: Shopping District

〈Early June, the shopping district near Yumenosaki〉

Kaoru: (Ugh, this sucks.)

(Lately every day is wasted on entertaining higher-ups.)

(I understand that this is what we have to do right now, ’cause they’re all big names around the office and stuff, but we’re really doting on them. It’s like caring for the elderly.)

(If it was a cute girl instead… well, even if I was the one treating her it would still be a good time, but...)

(Agh, but I’m not even good at that lately either… Every time I see Anzu-chan I get super awkward.)

(I feel like I was off my game around the time of Repayment Fes. Like, am just some kind of boring guy who sits around and sighs all the time?)

(Maybe I deserve it, but I’m just not content with my life at a~ll.)

(Maybe I should get a pet and end up like all the other lonely members of society.)

(I’m pretty sure Starmony Dorm doesn’t have a rule against pets or anything; sometimes I see Leon-chan and all the other animals runnin’ around the huge courtyard outside the dorms.)

Koga: ………...

Kaoru: (Hm? Well, speak of the devil, I found a doggie. I wonder what he’s up to? He isn’t in his uniform and it’s pretty late at nightーno way he’s on his way back from school.)

(There are a lot of live houses and stores selling instruments around here. Maybe he came to get some maintenance done on his guitar.)

(Ahh, the live house… Right, that was another thing that was bugging me. No matter which way I look, I just see things to get stressed out by~ Man, it sucks to be a working adult.)

Koga: … Tch…!

Kaoru: (Hm? Kinda looks like he’s arguing with someone?)

(I thought about teasing him a little to distract him from his worries, like Senacchi does to underclassmen, but it really doesn’t seem like the right time for that.)

(Anyway, well, after seeing him like this I can’t just ignore him.)

He~y Koga-kun♪ What’cha doing in a place like this? Taking Leon-chan out for a walk?

Koga: Huh…? Look who we have here, if it ain’t Hakaze-senpai. You’re already graduated, the hell are you doin’ wandering around here?

Anyway, don’t be callin’ Leon “-chan” so damn easily. If you wanna be tight with him then ya gotta get my permission first!

Kaoru: Ahaha, you’re like an overprotective father♪

Koga: Hah? Ain’t it natural to wanna protect my pack?

Whatever, you’re actin’ way too familiar with Leon! You should be treatin’ him more like some kinda treasure that only gets shown to the public every thousand years!

Kaoru: Geez, he’s got such a look in his eyes...

Anyway, my family lives around here. Lately I’ve been having issues with the underground live house that I manage.

It’s easier to just talk to my dad about it directly, and while I’m here I’m just going to take a trip home for a few days.

Koga: Huh? Ain’t ya exaggerating a bit? Sayin’ it like it’s some big thing to go home when your family lives so close to the dorms?

Well, whatever. You guys listen the hell up and greet my senpai properly! He’s pretty flaky, but he’s got a lot of clout around here, so he ain’t a bad guy to have around~

...Hey!

Tch. They just took what I gave them and left.

Damn kids these days have no manners, right Hakaze-senpai?

Kaoru: Uh, you’re gonna say that, Koga-kun?

I don’t know if I should be asking... but there’s a chance it’s something dangerous so I’m just going to ask. Koga-kun, what are you doing here?

Koga: Huh? What’s it to ya, graduated senpai?

Kaoru: Yeah, I know it has nothing to do with me. I’ve graduated from Yumenosaki, but still, that doesn’t mean UNDEAD was disbanded.

I’m worried because it seemed like something criminal was going on. It looked like you were handing some envelopes to some sketchy-looking kids, but...

What was that that you gave them? Money or something? Are you getting bullied at school, and they’re extorting money from you?

Koga: Hah? Don’t be stupid, you really think I look like some weakling?

Kaoru: Anyone can get bullied, weak or strong.

No matter how strong you are, standing out makes you a target if you’re on your own. You know all about what happened to Rei-kun, one of the Five Eccentrics, don’t you?

Koga: Why are you callin’ that guy “Rei-kun” so casually?

Kaoru: Eh~? Do I have to treat him like some kind of treasure that only gets shown to the public every thousand years?

I mean, I’m sure he wouldn’t like something like that, right?

Fufu. The fact you’re worried about names and little details like that is proof you’re exhausted. Koga-kun, you’re stressed out, aren’t you?

C’mon, wanna go eat somethin’ yummy with your onii-san?

Koga: The hell? You were just on your way home! Don’t wander around, hurry up and get home to your family!

Anyhow, quit acting like some know-it-all senpai and get your damn nose out of other people’s business. This is my problem.

Kaoru: ………...

Location: Infirmary

〈A few hours later〉

Aira: (............)

(—Ah, I fell asleep.)

(Fufu. I slept well for the first time in so long. Maybe I was able to calm down and relax because I had a chat with Tattsun-senpai before I fell asleep. )

(Papa gently lulled me to sleep and I went to beddy-bye. What am I, a baby?)

(Anyway, I guess it was worth it to come all the way to the ES infirmary, huh.)

(Sagami-sensei is now a part of the Producer Association, so he isn’t working at the Yumenosaki infirmary full time anymore.)

(Sagami-sensei was super chill, but the new guy is totally strict and serious...)

(He gets mad when us students skip class in the infirmary and says stuff like, “It’s a student’s duty to study.”)

(That’s “correct”, but some people can’t be saved just by doing what’s correct.)

(Besides, sleeping in the classroom is out of the question. I got all famous from MDM, so it feels like everyone has their eyes on me...)

(Especially since our test results came out, and now everyone knows I got a terrible score.)

(I always feel like everyone around me is laughing at me.)

(Like, “You’re just an underachiever after all”, “And yet everyone’s making a big deal out of you just ‘cause you’re in this up-and-coming new idol unit”.)

(“Don’t push your luck”, “Why do you get this opportunity?”, “It’s not fair that it’s just you!”)

(It feels like they’re all saying things like that... I’m sure I’m just imagining it though, all of my teachers and classmates are nice people.)

(But, behind everyones’ smiles, I feel like there are some nasty emotions swirling around.)

(After all, I’ve been that way for a while. I tried my best, but I couldn’t get my name out there and make my dreams come true, I couldn’t be the idol I always wanted to be...)

(That’s how I felt every time I saw idols on TV.)

(I always thought “It’s not fair!”)

(Or “Why him and not me?!”)

(............)

(...I’m just a hopeless, ugly duckling)

Tatsumi: —Did you have a bad dream?

Aira: ……!? Y-You startled me! I thought my heart was gonna stop. Why do you always catch me off guard like that, Tattsun-senpai!?

Tatsumi: Pardon me. That wasn’t my intention in the slightest; it seems I have a bad habit of stepping in without considering the other party’s feelings. I’ll try to be more careful from now on.

Aira: Mhm… It’s okay though, I know you don’t mean any harm.

More importantly, were you watching me sleep that whole time…!? It’s embarrassing to have you looking at my sleeping face.

Tatsumi: Why are you so worried about this now? Were we not sharing a room throughout our summer break?

Aira: Some things are embarrassing no matter what! Like how Kohakucchi calls me “Rabu-han”¹...

Tatsumi: I see. By the way, I haven’t been watching you all day. In fact, I was working on a solo job until just now.

To be specific, it’s a minor role in a drama.

There was a sudden job opening, so I was in a rush to read the script and perform the role.

I won’t know the result until it airs, but I believe I did the very best I could.

Aira: Oh~ What’s the title of the drama? I’m definitely gonna watch it♪

Tatsumi: Fufu, I’m just a minor role without a title.

If I’m well received, it seems I may be given an official role as part of the regular cast.

However, recently ALKALOID has become quite busy, and I wouldn’t want to spread myself too thin.

Aira: S-Sorry, we’re dragging you down, aren’t we?

Tatsumi: Why would you say such a thing… The only thing holding me back is the pain I’ve suffered for my foolishness long ago.

No, even that tribulation will encourage the me of the present to reach even greater heights. It is a trial given to me by God— In other words, I believe it was love.

Aira: Hm~m, I think it’s pretty powerful, or like convenient, to pin it all on God when you’re troubled.

I shouldn’t say it’s convenient, but—

Tatsumi: No, that is what faith is all about in the first place. Faith is the key to deciphering and accepting the complex and mysterious aspects of our world.

The only difference is whether it is God or science that backs it up.

Aira: ...I’ve been thinking about this for a while now; despite the fact that you say a lot of religious things, it doesn’t really seem like you believe that God exists.

You explain things really clearly, like kinda scientific? It’s totally different from the image I had of someone who was religious.

Tatsumi: Fufu. Would you rather I say something like, “Those who don’t believe in God shall perish!”?

Incidentally, regarding the topic of the existence of God, I think everyone is quite preoccupied with the argument of if this being called God is real or not.

However, is there truly any meaning to such a discussion?

Even if this being called God truly does not exist on this earth, the current state of the world is being rewritten by those who believe in Him.

Churches are built, lifestyles are changed, and even wars are waged by those people. With God as the reason, and God as the argument, and God as the foundation for everything—

And I believe the power to change the world is called God.

No matter how much evidence is put forth that the being called God does not exist on this earth, that is no basis to deny the power of God.

Aira: ………...

Tatsumi: Pardon me, that is not the proper conversation to have with a child who has just awoken from his much needed rest. I’m sorry, this is a topic I’m quite interested in, so I got a bit carried away.

Aira: W-Well, I often drag you into my conversations about idols.

Tatsumi: Yes, you’re always teaching me new things.

When you're always living in a closed off world, one ends up forgetting to look at things from an objective point of view.

No. An outsider's perspective is difficult to come by, so ES formed the unit system and such to alter that status quo.

Through comparing ourselves to each other, we can learn more about ourselves.

¹ Kohaku and Aira were internet friends before they met at ES, but they didn't realize that the other was their internet friend upon first meeting. After they realize who the other is, Kohaku starts to call Aira how he called him online, Rabu-han

Location: ES Hallway

〈A few days later〉

Aira: (Mmn~... I’m in trouble, what do I do?)

(This "ALKALOID Project" that Anzu-san is going to be in charge of producing for us, it seems like the content and everything can be decided at her discretion.)

(Because of that, Anzu-san can make whatever kind of live we want into a reality for us...)

(She promised us that she’d accommodate our wishes to the best of her ability in terms of what kinda live we wanna put on.)

(So we’re going to come up with a proposal of sorts and submit it to her within the next few days.)

(I wonder if this is sort of an apology from Anzu-san, since we were being manipulated by the agency’s wishes up until MDM...)

(Maybe she feels like now is the time for us to spread our wings of our own free will.)

(But until now, we’ve been soldiers that have had to do the best with what we were given, and follow orders to a T from the higher-ups .)

(I don’t know what to do if I’m suddenly told that we can do whatever we’d like.)

(I thought everything would just fall into place if we overcame the challenges surrounding MDM, but that’s totally not the case. Life is so hard...)

Location: Infirmary

Aira: ‘Scuse me.

Sorry Sagami-sensei, do you mind if I rest in here again?

I know I should be at school right now, but if I’m there I’ll just feel so uneasy—

Tatsumi: What do you mean by uneasy? There’s quite a bit of construction going on these days, could it be the noise that’s troubling you?

Aira: W-What!? T-T-Tattsun-senpai! What are you doing here?

Tatsumi: Why am I here? Is this a question of philosophy, or perhaps religion?

Aira: N-No, um, I’m just asking normally. I mean, why are you... physically here?

Tatsumi: Yes, In any case, I see what you’re trying to say.

Incidentally, I generally have my leg checked in this infirmary before we take on any work.

It’s been bad for a while, especially because I overworked it around MDM.

Aira: Oh yeah, Tattsun-senpai has a bad knee right? Is it doing ok?

Tatsumi: Yes. I will never fully recover in my lifetime; however my leg is healing enough so that I may live a normal life.

My occasional severe pain appears to be psychological in nature, and the tissue and such of my leg seems to be like that of a normal person’s.

Aira: I-It’s a little late to ask, but is there anything I can do, like anything I should be careful about when working with you?

Tatsumi: No, so long as you always remember to show me the kindness you have now, I’ll ascend right to Heaven♪

Aira: If you go to Heaven that means you’ll be dead y’know! I’m worried about you...

Tatsumi: Thank you for the concern, though I’ve been in a state of disrepair from the beginning, so it’s nothing to worry about now. What brings you to the infirmary, though?

Aira: O-Oh, um… I haven’t been feeling well, I messed up on stage the other day and all.

Tatsumi: Fufu. I covered for you before the audience realized your mistake, so there should be no problem, correct?

Aira: Yeah… Thanks for all your help with that. But now I feel like if I don’t snap out of it I’ll make the same mistake again. It’s scary.

I’ve been thinking and thinking about it, and getting nowhere. I’ve barely been sleeping at night...

I felt like I’d be trapped in a vicious cycle of feeling under the weather, so I thought I’d at least try to take care of my lack of sleep.

Tatsumi: Hm, so you’ve come to rest in the infirmary? Are you not sleeping well in your dorm room?

Compared to the old dormitory we spent summer break in, our current building has too many luxurious amenities for me to feel at home either.

One should be satisfied without desiring more wealth than necessary. It wouldn’t be prudent to become used to a life of luxury, no?

Aira: Mmn, yeah. I’m still not used to my room. My roommates are both such famous idols¹ that I’m always so nervous when I’m around them.

Tatsumi: Hm. I’ve heard rumors but— If it’s truly at the point where it’s negatively affecting your life, how about I reach out to the person in charge and get our rooms switched?

I feel I’ve become good friends with my roommate Koga-san, we’ve had a wonderful time talking about the teachings of the gospel and such, so it would be a bit of a shame. Needs must when the devil drives.

Aira: Huh… Goth spell?

No, no. I just get a little nervous of my own accord, but it’s no big deal.

If I leave like “I’ve had enough!” then it’s gonna seem like it was my roommates’ fault.

That’s totally not it, my senpai are nice… And it’s just such a pain to go through the moving process y’know?

Though I’d kinda like to see the leader of the Five Oddballs of Yumenosaki share a room with the Reimei Revolutionary; you guys would be so powerful that you could probably take over the world.

Tatsumi: Fufu, I have no interest in world domination. I find it a bit of an exaggeration to be called a revolutionary.

I was simply doing what needed to be done.

¹ Aira's roommates are Eichi and Rei. Coincidentally, Tatsumi does not like either of these people.

English

(A) My envy can't be hidden beneath this guise of indifference

Every day is spent foolishly running in circles

(A+H) Let me flutter my ornamental wings— Ah

(A) And my spiteful antics continue

(T) Making snap judgements then regretting them just as fast

But I know in my head it's right

(T+M) My resolve will be tested although

It looks like I'll be defeated

Again today I'm

(All) Living on the edge

I'm hanging on and dancing

Crawling on my hands and knees

I rip off these wings and scream even louder

Even if I get laughed at for being so desperate

Though my heart seems like it might break

There's no way i'm calling it quits

Living on Living on Living on the edge

(T+A) Dancing dancing on the edge

Romaji

(A) mukanshin butta tokoro de kakushi kirenai senbou

kakko tsukazu ni karamawatteru mainichi de

(A+H) okazari no hane o hiratsuka sete Ah

(A) akirame waruku odokeru

(T) nandatte kimetsukete sugu ni koukaishitero

seiron nanda atama ja chanto wakatteru

(T+M) sorenari no kakugo o tamesarete wa

furiotosaresou ni

kyou mo

(All) Living on the edge

dakedo sugatte sonde odotte

isso haitsukubatte

hane o chigitte motto sakende

hisshi datte warawaretemo

oresouna kokoro de sore demo te nande

oriru ki mo sarasaranai

Living on Living on Living on the edge

(T+A) Odore odore on the edge

Kanji

(A) 無関心ぶったところで　隠しきれない羨望

かっこつかずに空回ってる毎日で

(A+H) お飾りの羽をひらつかせて　Ah

(A) 諦め悪くおどける

(T) 何だって決めつけて　すぐに後悔してろ

正論なんだ　頭じゃちゃんと分かってる

(T+M) それなりの覚悟を試されては

(T) 振り落とされそうに

今日も

(All) Living on the edge

だけど縋って　そんで踊って　

いっそ這いつくばって

羽をちぎって　もっと叫んで

必死だって笑われても

折れそうな心で　それでもてなんで

降りる気もサラサラない

Living on Living on Living on the edge

(T+A) 踊れ踊れ　on the edge

Location: Hanging Garden

〈A few hours later, in the evening〉

Mayoi: Fufu. Our break has ended, so shall we wrap up today’s lesson here?

Tatsumi: Indeed, today it feels like just a test drive, as if we’re just taking the car out for a spin… Everyone did a great job today♪

Mayoi: Eek!? Tatsumi-san… recently driving-related metaphors have been cropping up in your speech a lot, but you couldn’t possibly mean…?

Tatsumi: So you’ve noticed? My life has become more stable as of late, so I’m considering purchasing my own car— with my parents’ permission, of course.

For that reason, I’ve only had cars on my mind recently.

Mayoi: Eeeek! Scaryscaryscary— cars are so scary!?¹

Tatsumi: Fufu. What’s the matter with you Mayoi-san, is it really so frightening...♪?

Hiiro: Phew, I worked up a good sweat! Great work everyone! Aira, it isn’t good for your muscles to sit down directly after a strenuous workout.

Aira: Shut up, fitness nerd. Huff huff... Tattsun-senpai called this a test drive? Are you kidding? I’m totally exhausted already.

Mayoi: Fufu. Aira-san’s body is still a work in progress. Of course, that’s also very adorable... ♪

Hiiro: If you’re working on your body then protein is a must! I’ve been exercising so much that I’ve become quite hungry. It’s about time for dinner, so how about we all get food together?

Tatsumi: Shall we? It’s been quite difficult to sit around the dinner table together since we officially moved into Starmony Dormitory...

During summer break we always dined together, so now it feels a bit lonely to be apart.

Mayoi: Yes, fortunately ALKALOID is doing well and we have plenty of L$.

Though I still find myself exhibiting self-restraint... Sometimes I catch myself thinking things like “Eating out is expensive!”, even if only for a second.

Tatsumi: Fufu. It would certainly be less expensive to dine in the staff cafeteria at ES, yes?

Hiiro: Then I want to eat that thing— umm, the omurice!

I wonder if my roommate Shiina-san remembers that I like it. Recently, he’s been making it for me without even taking my order first! “This is your go-to, right?” he says!

Aira: …………

Tatsumi: Naturally Aira-san is invited as well; would you care to go eat dinner with everyone?

Of course, if you’re exhausted from practice, please feel free to return to the dormitory instead—

Aira: Huh? Oh, um, it’s totally ok! Let’s go eat! Honestly I’m feeling pretty tired, but not too tired to eat some food.

Tatsumi: Fufu. I don’t know why you’re so tired after we’ve taken a break. Please take a rest when it’s the proper time to do so.

Even God rested on the seventh day of creation.

Aira: Ugh… I’ve never had much stamina to begin with, and lately I haven’t been getting enough sleep due to this ketchup guy!

Hiiro: Fufu. I feel like I’m the only one being blamed for this, but I think you’re also an undeniable ‘ketchup guy’ yourself for covering me with it in the first place.

Mayoi: Then you’re the ketchup brothers.

Hiiro: Now I really have a craving for omurice!

Aira: Now you’re just making up weird characters, Mayo-senpai… Anyway, I’m sorry I worried you guys.

That’s why I want to become more competent, just enough that you guys won’t be concerned about me. On the contrary, it seems like a vicious cycle where I keep going in circles and worry you anyway. Ugh, I’m just hopeless.

Hiiro: It’s okay Aira! If you were truly hopeless, then I would perhaps be even more hopeless than you!

Aira: You’re always telling me things like that Hiro-kun… but what difference does it make if you’re more hopeless than me? We’d both be super hopeless anyway, right?

Tatsumi: Now now… let’s stop belittling ourselves. We are all equal in God’s eyes.

(However, MDM truly saved us. We’ve played numerous lives and gained support from fans...)

(Normally one would get rather carried away— therefore it’s essential to constantly check your behavior so that doesn’t happen.)

(But in regards to Aira-san in particular, he can’t seem to break his self-deprecating habits.)

(An inferiority complex that has been deeply ingrained in your mind for many years is quite difficult to get rid of.)

(For this reason, the other day I consulted with the StarPro higher-ups— or rather, Eichi-san, one-on-one. Perhaps it would be beneficial to analyze the matters we discussed.)

(Eichi-san completely manipulated us until the MDM, so I would honestly prefer to distance myself from him for a while.)

(But he’s almost like our direct supervisor, so we can’t afford to get on his bad side and end up fired.)

(Of course, I’ll listen to everyone else’s opinions prior to making a decision.)

(As Eichi-san suggested, perhaps it would be a good idea to participate in the project by one of ES’s top producers, Anzu-san.)

(If it’s Anzu-san’s project then it will have a high success rate, and if we do a splendid job, then Aira-san will surely build some self-confidence as a result.)

(If there are problems that cannot be solved by idols alone, then it makes sense to ask agencies or producers for assistance in resolving them.)

¹ A reference to Motor Show, where Tatsumi drove with ALKALOID as his passengers. Tatsumi is a terrible driver and quite oblivious to that fact.

!! CONTENT WARNINGS: mentions of ritual suicide !!

Location: ES Live Stage

＜Mid-September, onstage the ES Live “R2”＞

Hiiro: ”Everyone, go forth!”

Tatsumi: “Hallelujah…☆”

Mayoi: “Ufufufu, have you already learned the rules of playing cards? Understand the variety of cards in your hand and use them to your advantage!”

“By the way, I’m embarrassed to say your suit of clubs is me, Ayase Mayoi!”

Tatsumi: “I am the diamond, Kazehaya Tatsumi♪”

Hiiro: “I am, of course, the spade— Amagi Hiiro!”

Aira: “......”

Tatsumi: “...!? And naturally this is the heart, the lovely Shiratori Aira-san!”

Aira: ...Oh shoot, I totally zoned out.

Tatsumi: (Whispering) It’s alright, I’ve covered for you. Let’s begin the song before the audience becomes suspicious.

Aira: (Whispering) ...U-Um, I-I’m sorry.

Tatsumi: (Whispering) Please don’t fret about it.

“With that, please enjoy ALKALOID’s debut song, ‘Tsubasa Moratorium’!”

Mayoi & Hiiro: “♪~♪~♪”

Aira: “~...♪”

Location: Dressing Room

＜A few hours later, immediately after the live in ALKALOID’s dressing room＞

Aira: —I’m sooo sorry!

Uwaah, why the heck did I make such a careless mistake!?

We’ve been getting better and better lately, but I almost screwed up and ruined our live!

This is the greatest mistake of my life! Exposing such dishonor to the public brings disgrace to a samurai. I shall honorably commit seppuku…!

Hiiro: In that case, if you don’t have someone to properly and cleanly behead you, then you’re going to suffer for quite a long time.

Mayoi: Eek, the way of the samurai is scary! Let’s stop this conversation, Hiiro-san; Aira-san, please calm down!

Lately, just hearing such an archaic way of speaking¹ is enough to get me terribly excited on reflex!

Tatsumi: Mayoi-san, won’t you please calm down as well?

In any case, this show as a whole ended up being a success. Of course you should reflect on it, but please don’t let worry consume you.

Hiiro: That’s right, I’ve made countless small mistakes as well!

If Aira is to be criticized then I should be criticized as well, if not more. I can’t wait to be able to give a flawless performance like Mayoi-senpai and Tatsumi-senpai!

Tatsumi: Fufu. Hiiro-san, there is no need to rush. There are no shortcuts anywhere, and hard work always pays off.

Hiiro: Indeed, and I’ll amen to that!

Mayoi: Fufu. Hiiro-san, you’re so worked up right after a live. It’s cute...♪

I-I mean, u-um…Aira-san too, you don’t have to dwell on this too much, you know?

We’ve been working since MDM to make a name for ourselves by actively performing lives.

Now we’ve gained a steady following and secured a position where we no longer need to be concerned about being fired.

And that’s probably why you let your guard down. When you think to yourself that things are finally stable and you’ve adjusted well, that’s when careless mistakes tend to increase.

Rather, it could be said that it’s my mistake for not saying anything beforehand and giving you a warning in advance. I’m sorry Aira-san, I’ll wipe away all of your sweat as an apology...♪

Aira: I can do that myself. Uuhn, I’m happy that you’re comforting me, but don’t spoil me too much.

I’m mad at myself for messing up something so important; I’ve always been like this.

Tatsumi: Fufu. Humans are not almighty gods, everyone makes mistakes you know. Come to think of it, Aira-san, you probably don’t have much experience with live performances yet, do you?

You can’t help but be a bit clumsy if you’re only starting out.

Mayoi: Fufu. You know a lot about idols, so it seems like you have a wealth of experience.

However, if you think about it, you’re a newcomer who just debuted, right? Well, it’s the same for me, but...

Aira: Uu. That’s right. I’m just a huge idol otaku… My real world experience is about Hiro-kun-level, so I’m still getting used to it.

Hiiro: Aira, just now you used “Hiro-kun” as a synonym for “the lowest”, did you not? Rather than “Hiro-kun”, perhaps you meant to say something like “Zero-kun”, isn’t that amusing?

Mayoi: …(has a laughing fit)

Tatsumi: Fufu. At any rate, you three are beginners and I’m returning from a hiatus; we are unable to behave the same as other shining idols in our current position.

We are the “underachievers”. However, if we work hard and don’t give up, we will wipe away the ruthless stigma that was stamped upon us.

This experience, this story, is not so fleeting that it can be ended by a single failure.

So truly, there is no need for you to look so gloomy Aira-san.

Aira: …...

¹ Aira uses "gozaru" when he says he will commit seppuku. Shinobu also speaks in this manner.

Location: Starmony Dorm Common Room

Niki: ...Gone, gone gone gone, it’s all gone! The spare food I stored here is all gone… even the spare’s spare is gone!

This is crazy. It has to be some kind of mistake, or maybe I’m hallucinating!

I was supposed to have a stash of food in here! I even refilled it sometime last night一

No way… maybe the food was afraid of being eaten by me and it ran off into the night?

No no, that’s impossible. Ugh, I’m so hungry I’m turning into an idiot.

(Aah, I’m already at my limit... this is bad. I’m so dizzy, I’ve gotta get something in my stomach as soon as possible!)

(At this rate I’m gonna use up all my strength before I even make it to Café Cinnamon. If that happens then I’m just gonna rush into the kitchen and start eating all the condiments.)

(Sugar! Carbohydrates! Calories!)

...Urgh!?

(I tripped over my own feet… Jeez, it’s all because of my hunger.)

(Ugh, I’m losing strength… Am I gonna die here? My life flew by so fast.)

(Uwah, I’m seeing the faces of everyone in Crazy: B… Is this what it means to have your life flash before your eyes?)

(HiMERU-kun was… an elegant person who always gracefully ate every last grain of rice.)

(Kohaku-chan’s eyes lit up when I served him foods that were a little peculiar. It was real interesting to see him react in such a unique way.)

(Rinne-kun...)

(I… can only think of all the times he’s annoyed me.)

(I can’t think of a single good memory right now.)

(On the contrary, I can totally hear him laughing his usual “kyahaha☆” at how I’m on the brink of death…!)

(Am I really going to end my life being wrapped around his finger? I’ve gotta try to live no matter what!)

Gotta crawl to… the kitch...en....

Hiiro: (~...♪ Today is a great day. I can’t believe Nii-san—)

(Hm? Someone appears to have collapsed, but that’s…)

Shiina-san? Are you alright? If you can hear me, please say something.

Niki: (Sniff sniff)…

Hiiro: ……?

Niki: Ha…

Hiiro: Ha？

Niki: Hand it overrr!

Hiiro: Uwah!?

You’re trying to bite my hand! What’s wrong with you?

Niki: (Panting)... It smells so good. Hand… hand your food over...!

Hiiro: Oh, are you hungry? I can’t give you my body; however, I can give you this bread instead.

Niki: A pastry!? So that’s where the sweet smell was comin’ from. Munch munch...

Hiiro: Wow, you absolutely devoured that.

I’m sorry, I wish I had more to give you.

Being given this bread made me so happy that I was satisfied with only receiving one.

Niki: It’s okay. That pastry you just gave me was filled with calories♪

Ahh, all of my energy is coming back… That was seriously the worst~ I was totally ready to die.

Thanks Otouto-san! I’ll never forget this! You saved my life!

Hiiro: It’s only natural to help someone in trouble. In any case, I’m very relieved to see you back to normal.

You looked like a wounded animal earlier. Did you eat something bad?

Niki: Nope, it was the opposite. I always get like that when I’m hungry.

My mind goes blank, and I can only see the people around me as pieces of meat. When I go past a certain point, I lose control.

I’ve been hoping to somehow fix it myself, but it’s so hard...

Hiiro: Hm, what a strange constitution you have. I’m not a doctor so I can’t heal you, but I can care for you.

If I see you hungry, I’ll be sure to give you some food.

Niki: Ahaha. That’d be a big help.

By the way... I’m a little curious, where’d you get that pastry?

I often buy this kind because it fills me up, but stores near Starmony Dorms don’t carry it, do they?

Hiiro: I got it from Nii-san, so unfortunately I’m not able to tell you where it’s from.

Niki: By "Nii-san", you mean... Rinne-kun…?

Hiiro: Yup. Amagi Rinne is my one and only Nii-san. I ran into him on my way back to Starmony Dorms, and he was carrying a lot of food.

I told him to be careful not to drop any, and he handed me this piece of bread saying, “It’s no problem, don’t worry about it.”

Niki: A lot of… food…?

Hiiro: Yup, I was so happy! Nii-san has changed since leaving our village, but thankfully he still has a kind heart.

It would be a waste to eat it on the spot, so I decided to treasure it, but I’m glad I was able to save Shiina-san’s life.

I’m sure Nii-san would be so happy if he knew that...♪

Niki: (So my emergency food vanished because...)

Rinne-kun, you idiotttt!

Location: Radio Recording Booth

Rei: “Welcome to ‘Idol☆Hijack’! Good evening, my beloved listeners. I’m your host, UNDEAD’s Sakuma Rei.”

Kaoru: “Hey everyone~ How we all doin’ tonight? This is UNDEAD’s Hakaze Kaoru coming at you live from the studio.”

“Crossing the boundaries of our agencies, this is the radio program brought to you by a different unit every month: ‘Idol☆Hijack’!”

“As you know, this month’s hosts are UNDEAD, and today’s show will be Rei-kun and I.”

Rei: “Kukuku, we’ll converse with you until the break of dawn♪”

Kaoru: “This is a thirty minute program; we’re not even gonna be here until the break of dawn.”

“Our time may be short, but it’ll be packed with content—so stay tuned!♪”

“Well then, let’s get to it! First up is our usual ‘Message Relay’!”

Rei: “Last week’s hosts Adonis-kun and Koga have left us some messages. I do wonder what they’ve written; my heart is already racing in anticipation.”

“First is the message from Adonis-kun, ‘Let’s all go out for meat sometime’... is what it says.”

Kaoru: “That’s... not really something you’d go out of your way to say on a radio program, is it?”

Rei: “I suppose these days we’ve all been quite busy, haven’t we? The four of us don’t have as many opportunities to eat out as a group anymore. Perhaps he’s just dying to have a meal together?”

Kaoru: “I see... In that case, let’s rearrange our schedules and all go grab a bite together!”

“Anyway! Thanks for the message Adonis-kun.”

“I’ll read Koga-kun’s message next.”

“‘Put on some of my music!’... Okay. That wasn’t even a message, just a request.”

Rei: “A plea from Koga? Oh, whatever shall we do~?”

Kaoru: “Both of these are more fit for a conversation rather than a message for the ‘Message Relay’. Well, I guess this sort of thing is pretty in-character for both of them.”

“Anyway, thanks for the messages you two. Rei-kun and I’ll be leaving messages for the hosts of next week’s broadcast.”

“I’m planning to write an actual message, so you two should pay attention to how it’s done~!”

Rei: “I have quite the request set aside for you, so you’d better prepare yourselves for what’s in store! ♪”

Kaoru: “Ooh, how scary. Let’s get back on track and go through some mail, yeah? Rei-kun, read this one.”

Rei: “Hm, here we have a letter from a young lady who goes by the alias ‘Love Swan’¹. Thank you very much for the mail, Miss Love Swan♪”

“Good evening, I love to listen to this radio show! I’m a high school student who absolutely adooores idols, and I have a question for you guys!”

“To get right to the point, what’s important to you in your work as an idol?”

“Please let me know. I’ll be cheering you guys on!... And with that, the letter ends.”

Kaoru: “What an enthusiastic letter. That kid must really love idols!”

Rei: “However… The style of writing was a tad masculine², was it not? Could it be that our Miss Love Swan is a boy?”

“Ah how careless of me; I just referred to them as Miss again.”

Kaoru: “Ahaha. Miss is probably fine, right? That’s kinda your thing, and they didn’t specify a gender anyway.”

“What’s important to me in my work as an idol, huh? Hmm... ”

“There’s a lot of things, but if I had to pick one I’d say to take every job seriously.”

Rei: “Take every job seriously...?”

Kaoru: “Yeah. Oh, were you just thinking that doesn’t suit me?”

Rei: “No, I’m not disagreeing with you. I’ve known for a long time that you’re a serious person Kaoru-kun.”

“You may speak casually, but you always go above and beyond in your work. There’s no denying the serious look in your eyes while we’re on a job. You’re very reliable.”

Kaoru: “Hold on, where’s all this praise coming from?”

“U-um, back to what I was saying. You have to take every job seriously, but—”

“—it’s not really hard to do what I’m doing. Even a high school student like you would be able to handle it, Lil’ Miss Love Swan!”

“Like, just be friendly to your friends and teachers, and don’t be late to class, and be sure to prep and review all your lessons and stuff.”

“I think it’s important to do your best even when it comes to trivial stuff like that without any complaints, you know?”

“Some people neglect things like that when they start to make it big.”

“If an idol can’t even appreciate those who support them behind the scenes, how can they treasure the fans cheering them on?”

“I want to always cherish these feelings of gratitude so as to not forget them.”

Rei: “Hm, a serious comment from a serious Kaoru-kun.”

Kaoru: “Don’t make fun of me. What do you say then?”

Rei: “Me? Well...”

“I suppose challenging myself to new things is very important to me.”

“It’s very easy and safe to show off what you’re good at. You won’t get into any trouble and you’ll maintain the status quo.”

“However, you will never grow if that’s all you do. In the worst case scenario, your audience will lose interest in you.”

“Fortunately, there are a wide variety of jobs for idols. Sometimes you run into difficulties, and sometimes you must face your own limitations.”

“But if you rise to the challenge, you could meet a whole new you. Those kinds of moments are enjoyable.”

“Miss Love Swan, do you have any dreams for your future? Please do your best to make your dreams come true, whatever they may be. I’m rooting for you.”

Kaoru: “There’s no way you can make fun of me for being serious with a comment like that.”

Rei: “Kukuku. A question is a question. Oh my, it’s about time for a commercial break.”

“After this commercial I shall relax and speak of something less serious. Well then, let’s play a song.”

“Now, to fulfill a request from Koga, here’s RIOT WOLF...☆”

¹ It's Aira! 'Love' from his usual catchphrase, and 'Swan' from the kanji in his last name (白鳥)

² Aira used the masculine pronoun 'ore' when he called himself a high school student.

Location: Starmony Dorm Courtyard

Koga: Oh~ Sorry for bein’ late. We brought sweets n’ suzuki grass~♪

Makoto: ...Sorry to keep you two waiting.

Adonis: Oogami, Yuuki, you’re here.

Hm? Is something wrong Yuuki? You look unwell— I mean, you look completely worn out.

Makoto: ...Ahaha, I’m fine. I just kinda felt my life flash before my eyes. I had flashbacks to last time...

Adonis: ? Ah, by the way, I have something to tell you two. A little while ago, I was able to see a rabbit do a large jump.

Koga: Oh yeah~? Glad ya got to see it, Adonis. That’s super rare♪

Makoto: I’m really glad…If you told me you missed it, I think I’d collapse on the spot.

Nazuna: Yup yup♪ That’s right, for various reasons...

Hey! The party isn’t over yet! Let’s eat some delicious food and view the beautiful moon☆

Koga: Oh yeah! C’mon, eat up Wimpy Glasses! You were pretty much the star today.

Makoto: Ah, yeah.

Adonis: Nito-senpai, Oogami, Yuuki, thank you.

Nazuna: Thanks for what? Is the moon-viewing really that fun?

Adonis: It is, but…thanks to you three I was able to see something truly magical.

I know it’s just a story that rabbits live on the moon. We have a similar tale in my homeland.

The patterns of the lunar maria¹ are compared to various animals in different countries.

Makoto: E-Ehhhh!?

Koga: Haaa? You knew!?

Adonis: Yes. The three of you made that folktale into reality, along with my dream, so for that I thank you.

You three put this all together, didn’t you?

Nazuna: Wait a minute. U-Umm... If you knew it wasn’t real, why did you pretend to think so...?

Adonis: ? It’s what you told me to do in the library?

When a friend tells you a joke, you “do your best to play along”. I was told to joke around once in a while, so I gave it a try. Was it still not good enough?

Koga: Gaaaah!

Adonis: What’s wrong Oogami? Why are you mad?

Koga: If you’re tellin’ a joke, you gotta say it was a damn joke. There’s no point if people take it seriously!

Adonis: Hn? Is that so?

Hmm… It’s still difficult… Jokes are complicated.

Koga: Are you serious!

Nazuna: Fufufu, ahaha! Ado-chin totally got us~ Ahahaha.

Koga: Damn it. This is peak Adonis. It’s like all the life drained outta me in an instant.

Makoto: Ahaha. Me too. My jump was no good, but it was funny, so I’m at the point where I don't really care.

Adonis: Fufu. Jokes are quite fun. Time spent laughing with friends is very precious.

Nazuna: Yeah? Did it put you in a better mood? I was able to see you smile, so I’m pretty satisfied too♪

Adonis: I see, you were trying to cheer me up. Thank you.

I work hard everyday for the sake of my country, but I don’t actually feel like I’m moving forward. There are times when I can’t help but look back.

When I think of everyone else in my country, I worry if it’s alright that I’m the only one that feels happiness.

But today, this place and the gentle moonlight have eased my worries.

Now I just have to believe in this path and move forward one step at a time.

Koga: Hmph, you’ve made plenty of progress.

And besides, you can just count on us when it gets tough. We got your back.

Well, I know how much your homeland means to you, but still...

Makoto: Oogami-kun, you can’t get Otogari-kun to depend on you so you’re sulking, huh?

Koga: I’m not sulkin’! Don’t make shit up, Wimpy Glasses!

Adonis: How much my country means to me...

When I visited my homeland in the spring, I thought about Undead and everyone else at the dorms and felt lonely. I missed everyone.

This place means a lot to me too. It's almost like another homeland.

I suppose my steps are very small compared to the passage of time itself.

Maybe things will have changed by the time I reach my goal. Hopefully they will have changed for the better, but I just don't know.

Still, I'll move forward without fear. I have reliable friends by my side, so I'll be alright.

Nazuna: There’s a traditional Japanese poem that goes like:

“I gaze up at the sky and wonder

is that the same moon

that shone over Mount Mikasa

at Kasuga

all those years ago?” ²

Ado-chin, have you heard of it?

It means, I gaze far off into the sky and see the moon. I wonder if it’s the same moon that rose in Kasuga, my hometown, in the mountains of Mikasa.

Maybe the next time you go somewhere you have memories of, it will have changed.

But no matter how different it looks, the moon that floats in the sky is the only thing that will never change. It’s the same moon you saw with your family all those years ago. Some things will never change.

If you think about that, it gives you hope, right♪

Adonis: Yes, you’re right. I’m grateful that the moon I saw in my homeland is the same moon we are able to look up at tonight.

¹ The dark spots on the moon.

² This is a real poem ,「天の原…」. English translation is taken from here.

Location: Starmony Dorm Courtyard

Nazuna: Ado-chin, sorry to keep you waiting~!

Adonis: It’s fine, I just got here.

Hm? You’re carrying a lot, let me help you.

Nazuna: Oh, thanks♪ I prepared dango, drinks, and a telescope for moon-viewing. It ended up being a lot to carry, so thanks for the help.

Adonis: I also brought meat. Let’s eat it together with everyone.

Nazuna: Meat? Ahaha. This’ll be a luxurious moon-viewing~♪

Adonis: By the way, Yuuki and Oogami didn’t come with you? They still haven’t arrived.

Nazuna: Ah, the two of them will be late. They’re still getting ready.

Adonis: Getting ready? I thought we prepared everything for moon-viewing… is there still more to do?

Nazuna: Ah…! U-Um… R-Right! Suzuki grass¹! We’re all out of suzuki grass. We totally need it for the moon-viewing~

Adonis: Hm. Is that so? I regret not preparing that. I’m sorry, I was unaware.

Nazuna: Don’t worry, the two of them wanted to get some, that’s all.

It seems like Koga-chin and Mako-chin will arrive after they get the suzuki grass, so we can start the moon-viewing without them.

Adonis: I understand. Is there anything I can assist with? That telescope looks difficult to assemble, let me help.

Nazuna: Eh? N-No, I can do it myself. I know how to put it together, so it’ll be faster if I do it alone.

(Yikes… I have to mess with the telescope, so I can’t let Ado-chin touch it.)

Ah, I’d be really grateful if you could lay out all the food though~

Adonis: Really? Alright. I’ll arrange the food.

Nazuna: Thanks~

(Yes! While Ado-chin is concentrating on the food… I’ll prepare the tripod and set up the telescope on it. Then I just have to adjust it so it has a nice view of the moon...)

(Yup. This should be perfect for seeing Mako-chin’s jump.)

Adonis: Nito-senpai, I’ve finished preparing the food. How are you doing with the telescope?

Nazuna: All good over here~! Let’s start♪

Adonis: Ah. I’m glad it was clear today. I can see the moon very well. It’s so big and beautiful.

Nazuna: It is, huh~ I’m really, really glad it’s not cloudy!

(If it was cloudy, then the image of the moon that Natsume prepared for us wouldn’t look right at all.)

Location: Starmony Dorm 2nd Floor Passage

Koga: Hey, you’re still lookin’ gloomy, Wimpy Glasses.

Makoto: On the contrary, I’d be scared of someone who can smile in a situation like this.

Koga: If it were Akehoshi, he’d love to do this jump.

Makoto: Ah, if it were Akehoshi-kun he’d certainly show us a dynamic jump...

Koga: You’re in the same unit as him, so you should’ve learned by observin’. Give us a dynamic jump and be the star in Trickstar!

Makoto: Why do I feel like that sounds really ominous? Becoming a star would mean I’ve crossed over to the afterlife, wouldn’t it?

Koga: I said I’d guarantee your safety. I got a mat all ready for ya on the ground.

I’ll double check the straps of your harness. You should thank me for bein’ so nice to you.

Heh… last time ya put this on it was for some special trainin’ to crush the student council, yeah²?

Makoto: Yeah. We had a lot of people helping us out. It was a desperate time. It really brings back memories.

But I definitely wasn’t expecting to wear this again today...

Koga: Yeah, back then it was for a big war that left both our allies n’ enemies covered in blood.

—This time it’s for a friend, so we got some motivation from that.

Makoto: …………

Yeah, that’s right. In that case, this time is way more tolerable than the last.

Koga: Yeah, safety looks good! Go get ‘em, Wimpy Glasses.

It’s almost time. I’ll head down to the mat just in case.

Makoto: Okay, I’ll try my best.

…………

...Huh? Oogami said some nice things and I totally went along with it

But no matter how I think about it, isn’t this whole idea crazy…?

Location: Starmony Dorm Courtyard

Nazuna: (It’s almost time…)

Ah. Ado-chin, come take a look through the telescope! You can see a huge moon! A su~per huge moon!

Adonis: Is it alright if I look? I don’t mind if you take a look first...

Nazuna: I got a good look when I was setting it up. Besides, I think the rabbits will come out soon.

Adonis: Hm? Do the rabbits come out at a fixed time? They’re quite organized...

Nazuna: Agh— T-The rabbits have lives too. They probably have a specific time for jumping or something~

Adonis: Hm, I suppose so. Even the rabbits have lives. We just have to impose that kind of common sense on them as well.

Nazuna: Yep yep! That’s it! Hey, if you don’t look soon you’re gonna miss the big moment~

Adonis: If you insist. I just have to look through here?

Wow. It’s amazing… Is this what you’d call picturesque? A beautiful, majestic full moon...

Nazuna: Yup. Taking a look at this kind of scenery is really calming. It feels like all my worries and unpleasant thoughts are flying away.

Ah. The rabbits are gonna jump really suddenly, so don’t miss it, Ado-chin~

Adonis: Is that to? I understand. I don’t want to miss it, I don’t even want to blink—

Makoto: I’m a rabbit~ OwaAAAAAaaa…!?

Adonis: A-A rabbit! Nito-senpai! A rabbit just jumped!

Nazuna: (! Good job Mako-chin...!)

Adonis: That’s incredible. A rabbit really jumped!

Nazuna: I’m glad you saw it~ It’s the moment of the century!

Adonis: Yes! The rabbit’s jump was like that of a human. It was like a character from a game Yuuki played a while ago—— Umm, there was a character who eats a mushroom and gets bigger, and he jumped like that.

Nazuna: Eh? Ahaha… Maybe even the rabbits are excited about the beautiful full moon~? Ahahaha...

¹ This is the type of grass in the bloomed Adonis and Nazuna CGs.

² Again, a reference to the Ensemble Stars! main story.

Location: Starmony Dorm Common Room

〈On the night of the moon-viewing〉

Makoto: W-We’re really doing this…? You even pulled out this relic of the past¹.

Koga: Once a man decides to do somethin’, he doesn’t whine and complain about it!

Anyway, glad we still had this thing sleepin’ in the depths of the clubroom♪

Makoto: Hey, can we think this through one more time…? This is absolutely crazy.

Koga: Oi, don’t move! You’re in big trouble if I don’t put this thing on properly!

From the start, we decided who’d do this fair and square with a lottery drawing, and you’re the one who won.

Makoto: Y-Yeah…! You’re right, but I didn’t expect to suddenly win!

Nazuna: Mako-chin, I’m gonna tighten this up a little. Here we go~

Makoto: G-Gaaaah!? That’s way too tight! My insides are gonna get squeezed out~!

Nazuna: S-Sorry! I thought it’d be better that way. Let me loosen it okay一

Yes, done☆

Koga: Yeah, you’re all ready, Wimpy Glasses! Jump as hard as you can!

It’s bungee time!

Makoto: Uu… I can’t believe I’m wearing this again so soon.

Nazuna: Oh, I’m forgetting something important! Mako-chin, you gotta put these on一 Oh, it totally suits you!

Makoto: There’s no way this’ll fool anyone… There’s nothing rabbit-like about me, it’s just me with some bunny ears… Just Makoto Yuuki...

Koga: Oh♪ All your tremblin’ is really makin’ the look come together, you’re just like a little animal♪

Makoto: Uu…

Nazuna: Hmm. All that’s left is to bring this to where Ado-chin is, right?

Makoto: Uwah… You borrowed a huge astronomical telescope?

I don’t know about this… If I’m seen through something like that, it’ll be even more obvious I’m not a rabbit.

Nazuna: It’ll be okay! This is a telescope that I asked Natsume-chin to modify.

If you look into it you’ll see a fake moon, and then it’s supposed to superimpose an image of Mako-chin on that.

In order to not give it away, you’ll get turned into a CG rabbit. So act like a rabbit, okay~?

Makoto: Wow~ Sakasaki-kun can make something like that? Amazing.

Ah, come to think of it, he made a VR game a while ago. It’s like an application of that and motion capture, huh?

...Wait, then why not just have him make a virtual character for us to begin with? That way I don’t have to bungee jump?

Koga: You idiot! The bungee jump is the highlight of tonight's moon-viewing!

If you jump with all your might it’s way more realistic. It's the same as a live, like when all the silver tape falls down around ya during an encore.

Makoto: I have no idea what you’re talking about Oogami-kun! Every second of a live is exciting! Even without all the jumping, you gotta put on an exciting show!

Wait, are you sure you aren’t enjoying this…? For some reason I just have the feeling that you are...

Koga: Tch, shut up Wimpy Glasses.

You anxious about somethin’? Worried if it’s safe? Don’t worry, I tried it out myself, so I can guarantee ya it’s totally safe.

Makoto: Eh!? You tried it out!?

Koga: Yeah, once. It’d be nuts to try it without testin’ it first?!

Makoto: ...If you have enough common sense to do that, then why are we going through with this stupid plan? I just don’t get it!?

Koga: Shut up~! It’s more fun this way!

Makoto: So now your real intentions are coming out! You’re enjoying this, aren’t you!? If I had the choice, I wish you’d kept that a secret until the end.

Nazuna: Ahaha. Oops, you guys’ manzai act² is funny, but I gotta go meet Ado-chin now. I don’t want to be late.

Makoto: Uu. This isn’t a manzai act~...

Nazuna: Sorry, sorry. I’m leaving the rest to you guys. I’ll go take care of everything with Ado-chin!

See you guys later!

Koga: Yeah! Good luck out there, Nito-senpai.

Makoto: See ya.

Koga: C’mon, let’s head upstairs. We got all our stuff ready to go on the roof.

Makoto: (Sigh)…

¹ Koga also made Makoto bungee jump in the Ensemble Stars! main story.

² A type of Japanese comedy routine with two performers—a straight man (tsukkomi) and a funny man (boke)—trading jokes at great speed.

Most of the jokes revolve around mutual misunderstandings, double-talk, puns and other verbal gags.

Location: Starmony Dorm (Tatsumi & Koga's Room)

Makoko: ...I’m sorry.

Koga: Geez… Well, it’s Nito-senpai’s fault in the first place. This is becoming a pain in the ass.

Nazuna: Uu… I’m sorry.

Makoto: Come to think of it, you mentioned Otogari-kun was lonely, what was that about?

Nazuna: We were looking at a photobook together and ended up seeing a photo of a place Ado-chin had gone moon-viewing with his family.

But when conflict arose, that area had to be sealed off. He was making a super wistful face as he said it.

Surely he left behind people who are precious to him in his unstable homeland, and he can’t visit the places that hold memories for him, either.

I was born and raised in a peaceful country, so I can’t say I totally understand what Ado-chin is feeling… that would be a little presumptuous of me.

So I selfishly tried to calm him down and ended up lying— I mean, it was supposed to be a joke. Anyway, I ended up telling him there was a rabbit on the moon.

I just wanted Ado-chin to have a happy smile, not a sad one.

And then all this happened...

Koga: ...Ah~ He did visit home a while ago, so maybe he’s feelin’ a little homesick or somethin’.

You really should’a told us something like that at the beginning, Nito-senpai. You know how Adonis is. You could’a gone to me about it, I’m sure there’s somethin’ else we could have done.

Nazuna: ...Ahaha, I’m sure I could’ve done a lot of things better. Sorry for getting the both of you into this mess.

Koga: What’s done is done~ We just gotta think about where to go from here!

Makoto: Yeah. Let’s figure out how to get through the moon-viewing.

Nazuna: That’s right. But what should we do?

Makoto: Hmm~... I was the only one who said I could see the rabbits, so what if, for example, I’m the only one that can see them?

Koga: Huh? No matter how you try I don’t think that’s gonna work.

Adonis has good eyesight, so it’d be weird if you were able to see rabbits with your terrible vision and he couldn’t.

Makoto: Thats, um… because of something like the magic of the full moon~?

Koga: The hell, you think you’re Sakuma-senpai or somethin’? Then he’s gonna ask about the magic, and we’re gonna dig ourselves even deeper into this! Don’t make this even more complicated.

Nazuna: What about if we use a plush rabbit? I have one that Ra*bits used a while back. We can move that around and make it look like a rabbit on the moon.

Koga: Adonis isn’t a toddler y’know~! If you try and put on some puppet show, he’s gonna see right through it.

We just need somethin’ super realistic. Our ultimate goal is to make Adonis think there are rabbits on the moon, yeah?

Makoto: Do you have any ideas Oogami-kun?

Koga: … What if we launched Nito-senpai’s pet rabbit to the moon?

Nazuna: You look all confident and that’s what you say~!? If you do anything to my beloved rabbit I will never, ever, ever forgive you~!

Koga: I-It was just a joke, don’t get so mad. My bad, aight? I’m kind to animals, I’d never do somethin’ like that.

Makoto: Humans are technically animals so I was hoping you could be nice to me too...

Koga: Hah? The hell are you talkin’ about?

Makoto: Umm, nothing! It’s nothing!

Koga: Oh, then do you have any good ideas?

Makoto: Eh? Me?

Koga: Aren’t glasses for the real brainy types? Why don’t you prove to us that those glasses aren’t just for show?

Makoto: No no, my glasses are totally real, they have a prescription and everything!

——That was just a joke! Don’t glare at me with that scary face~

Uu… Akehoshi-kun would totally play along at times like these.

I don’t know if this can be called an idea, but we want to give Otogari-kun the illusion that there are rabbits on the moon. So...

First, we have to knock him out. Then we lock him in a room that’s decorated to look like the surface of the moon, and it’s filled with rabbits.

That’d definitely work, right?

Koga: …………

Makoto: Huh? Oogami-kun, why are you looking at me like that? I was just thinking it through as if I was Otogari-kun. Was it a bad idea...?

Nazuna: Mako-chin…how on earth did you come up with that…?

Makoto: Huh? It just seems like it would make sense… I just thought of what someone would do if I were in Otogari-kun’s place and they wanted to accomplish their goal at all costs?

Koga: …I kinda feel sorry for you.

Anyhow, we are not doing that! Hell no! The premise alone is ridiculous. Knock Adonis out without him noticin’? What are you, an assassin?

Makoto: I guess you’re right, huh~ But nothing is more believable than seeing it with your own eyes...

Koga: A rabbit hopping on the moon… seeing a… rabbit… hopping...

Hm?... Oh yeah, maybe we can use that thing…? We’ll ask him for help and…(mumbling)

Makoto: W-What? Oogami-kun? Why are you staring at me like that? Why do I have a really terrible feeling about this…?

Koga: Hell yeah! I just got a great idea, listen up!

Location: Starmony Dorm Courtyard

Makoto: Hello Otogari-kun~ I’m here for the tea ceremony.

Adonis: Thanks for coming, Yuuki.

Koga: Hey Wimpy Glasses! You’re late!

Makoto: E-Eh!? But I arrived before the time we planned to meet!?

...Oh, Nito-senpai is here too! Oh no, I’m sorry! You guys were waiting for me, weren’t you?

Nazuna: I-It’s fine…But hurry up and sit down, I don’t know if I can wait any longer...

Makoto: Huh? You and Oogami-kun look pale…? What happened?

Nazuna: M-My legs are ashleep...

Adonis: Hm? I had thought you two weren’t talking much, is that why?

Koga: Yes, damn it!

Adonis: You don’t have to be so formal. Relax your legs. I’m trying to entertain you, not make you suffer.

Nazuna: Thanks Ado-chin… Koga-chin, let’s take him up on that and get more comfortable.

Agh! ...My legs are still asleep~!

Koga: Guaaa~a...

Adonis: Are you two alright? At first I was also not good at sitting in seiza¹, so I understand how you’re feeling.

Are your legs really that numb?

Koga: Gyah! Don’t poke my legs while sayin’ you understand how it feels! It hurts!

Adonis: I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was that painful for you two.

Makoto: Ahaha...this is turning into a disaster, but maybe it’s a little refreshing to see you like this, Oogami-kun.

Koga: Damn it~ Can’t you sympathize with other people’s problems!? I’d love to give you a rolling sobat², but my legs are asleep~!

Makoto: What’s with that crazy look in your eyes!? I’m so glad your legs are numb...

Adonis: Oogami, it’s not good to blow off steam with violence.

Ah, Yuuki please sit down comfortably too.

Makoto: Oh, okay! I’ll just switch to seiza when it’s time for tea.

Adonis: Now that we’re all here, let’s begin³.

…...

Makoto: (Whispering) Wow… There’s hardly a sound. It’s so quiet.

Koga: (Whispering) He’s goin’ real slow and wipin’ down his tools one by one~ It’d be a lot faster to just put some elbow grease into it.

Nazuna: (Whispering) Koga-chin, you totally don’t understand the spirit of the tea ceremony~ Ado-chin is doing fine.

Makoto: (Whispering) Oh? Nito-senpai, do you know a lot about tea?

Nazuna: (Whispering) Eh? No, not at all… I read up on the etiquette on the internet since Ado-chin invited me.

Koga: (Whispering) What. I thought you knew all about this stuff.

(Whispering) For someone who said he had no confidence, Adonis is actually lookin’ pretty damn good.

Nazuna: (Whispering) Yup. He practiced a lot~

(Whispering) We were told to relax our legs, but it still feels so authentic that it’s making me nervous… What do I do?

Uwa!? He’s offering me the tea bowl but…M-Me!? I’m the first one!?

T-T-Thank you, I’ll take the bowl…!

(Umm, u-um? I’m so nervous I can’t think straight…! What else did I read on the internet?)

(Ah! Right. I’ll move the tea bowl so my lips don’t touch the front when I drink—)

(But with this simple bowl it’s hard to tell where the front is...!)

(Gotta calm down~ Just think it through, the front was probably facing me when I took the bowl, so if I turn it...)

T-Thank you for the tea… (gulp)

(Agh!? I-It’s bitter…!)

(Is tea really this bitter!? Matcha flavored things are way more sweet!)

(Gulp)

(Uu~... I expected it to be sweet so it feels even more bitter~)

U-Um. Ado-chin, that was... delicious.

Adonis: Fufu. Don’t worry about it, bitter is written all over your face.

Nazuna: Eh!? N-No, not at all?

Adonis: The first time I drank it I honestly thought it was bitter too.

But after having it a few times, I began to realize the delicious flavor in the bitterness.

Then I started to find the bitter flavor delicious. It’s strange, isn’t it?

Nazuna: Eh~ Really? The world of tea is really deep~

Adonis: Yes. I find it interesting that there’s always something new to discover, no matter how many times I drink it. It’s the same as your studies at college.

Speaking of college, have you made progress on your report?

Nazuna: Nn~ Well, I’m making progress little by little. I think I can finish by the due date.

Adonis: Is that so?

Makoto: Is this report one of Nito-senpai’s college assignments?

Nazuna: Yep. It’s a report on Japanese customs. I’m doing some research on moon-viewing.

Koga: Oh yeah, I guess it’s that time of year.

Makoto: If that’s how it is, then why don’t we go moon-viewing together? We can all bring dango and sweets.

Adonis: I think that’s a great idea, it sounds like fun… Perhaps we can see it? Fortunately, I have good eyesight.

Makoto: ? What is it?

Adonis: Have you and Oogami heard? Truth is, it seems there’s a rabbit on the moon.

Nazuna: ...Uwah!?

Makoto: Eh!? A rabbit!?

Koga: Ahaha. Adonis, don’t be crazy~ That’s just a stor—

Nazuna: H-Hey Koga-chin!

Koga: Whoa!? T-The hell you doin’? That startled me!

Nazuna: (Whispering) Shh, Koga-chin! I told him that as a joke, but he took it seriously, and now Ado-chin really thinks there’s a rabbit on the moon!

Koga: (Whispering) So it’s you that’s been teachin’ Adonis this weird stuff!

Makoto: (Whispering) U-Umm, but leaving out some of the info like that is… Wouldn’t it have been better to just tell him it’s an old folktale?

Nazuna: (Whispering) I thought about that, but even if it’s a lie it totally cheered Ado-chin up… I just didn’t want him to feel so lonely about the moon-viewing anymore.

Makoto: (Whispering) Lonely?

Nazuna: (Whispering) Anyway, just play along! Please!

(Whispering) When Ado-chin starts to realize it’s not real, I’ll tell him the truth.

Adonis: Hm? Is something wrong with the three of you? What happened?

Koga: I-It’s nothin’~! Don’t worry about it!

A-Anyway. That’s right, the rabbit! There’s a ton of rabbits on the moon~ Ain’t that right? Wimpy Glasses!

Makoto: ...E-Eh!? You’re bringing me into this?

Ah~ Y-Yep, that’s right! There’s a lot of them~ I see them every year!

Adonis: Oh? If that’s the case then I definitely want to see them. I’m looking forward to the moon-viewing♪

Makoto: (W-What have we done! W-What do we do now!?)

¹ The formal way of sitting. You place your knees on the floor and rest your butt on the heels of your feet. The top of your feet should be flat on the floor.
It doesn't sound bad, but doing it for a while isn't pleasant unless you're used to it.

² A jumping, spinning, back kick often seen in wrestling/video games.

³ The host starts by cleaning their tools (tea bowl, bamboo whisk, etc.) one by one in front of their guests. Then the host prepares a bowl of green tea for the guests by whisking matcha powder and boiling water.
The host does not drink the tea, but everyone else drinks from the same tea bowl, rotating it slightly to avoid putting their mouth on the same place as the last person.

!! CONTENT WARNINGS: mentions of war !!

Location: Dormitory Library

Adonis: Will this book do?

Nazuna: Uu… Thanks.

Adonis: By the way, why do you need all of these books?

You can’t read multiple books simultaneously. If you borrow them one by one, it’s less for you to carry as well…

Nazuna: Ah? I’m not going to read them cover to cover…I’m going to use these books as reference for a college report, so I want to borrow as many as I can.

Adonis: I see, so it’s for an assignment for college?

Nazuna: Yup. At college you can take electives from various departments.

Looking at the syllabus, I thought the sociology department’s lectures sounded kind of unique~ They seemed interesting so I took one♪

Adonis: Other departments? At college you can choose the classes you want to take? College studies sound interesting.

Nazuna: That’s right. Also, unlike studying in high school, there’s not just one answer to things. It’s pretty neat that sometimes there’s no correct answer.

Your own thoughts and ideas can be the answer. I guess that’s called diversity? That kind of thing is accepted.

There are a lot of eccentric professors. This is the first time I’ve thought that learning and knowing things were fun.

But it’s difficult to balance being a college student and an idol~ Oh well, I’m having a good time at least♪

Adonis: It’s good to broaden your knowledge. My mother used to say it would make you prosperous.

You gathered a lot of books about Japan earlier...What are you writing a report on?

Nazuna: Hn? Oh, I’m writing a report on Japanese customs. It’s that time of year, so I thought it’d be good to do a report on moon-viewing.

Adonis: Moon-viewing? If I remember correctly, there’s a custom of having tea while moon-viewing. I feel like it’s called a moon-viewing tea ceremony…

Nazuna: Moon-viewing and tea! That’s nice, it sounds soothing ♪

Come to think of it, you said you were practicing the tea ceremony. Why? If you want to practice, wouldn’t it be better to do it with your circle?

Adonis: The other day I promised Yuuki that I would make him tea.

He said he would drink my tea, but I don’t have much experience in making tea yet. I was practicing in order to perfect that.

Nazuna: Hmm. The world of tea~?

It would be nice if I could include something about tea in my report. Maybe call it the world of wabi-sabi¹? It seems like that could relate back to the topic of Japanese customs?

Adonis: Hmm, true. There are many Japanese customs that value that concept.

In that case, won’t you also participate in my tea ceremony?

Nazuna: Huh? Can I?

Adonis: Mmhm, I’d like to make tea for many people. I’m also asking Oogami to come.

Nazuna: I see. Then I’ll be sure to attend♪

Adonis: Yes, then I’ll do my best to make tea for everyone.

Nazuna: Ahaha. Rather than ‘wabi-sabi’, this feels like we’re getting all fired up.

Adonis: Fufu. You’re right, this won’t do.

Nazuna: Oops. We’ve been so busy talking that I haven’t found any books for my report. Gotta hurry up.

Adonis: Let me help you find a book about moon-viewing一 Would a book like this be useful?

Nazuna: Hmm? Which one?

Ah, that one has a lot of photos, so I don’t think I can use it as a reference. I do like to look at photobooks of landscapes though~

Adonis: I feel the same. Looking at beautiful scenery makes me feel at ease. It’s too bad you can’t use this book一一

This place is...

Nazuna: Nn? What’s up, Ado-chin? Do you know the place in the photo?

Uwah~ this sure is a stunning place, though~ It’s like ruins in the desert, like something straight out of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”²!

Adonis: This is a place in my homeland.

In my homeland, we have a tradition somewhat similar to Japan’s moon-viewing. There is a custom to clear your mind and think deeply about the moon.

My family once looked up at the moon from these ruins… how nostalgic.

Nazuna: Wow! So this is a place you have memories of!

Adonis: Yes, but I can’t go there anymore.

Nazuna: Huh? Why!?

Adonis: When the conflict started, the area was sealed off as an off-limits zone… That restriction hasn’t been lifted yet.

Nazuna: …………

Adonis: I’m really no good... I visited my homeland in the spring, but since returning to Japan there have been times when I feel lonely. I’m weak...

Nazuna: No, no! That feeling you think is loneliness is just how much you love and care for your country.

It’s not the same, but I’ve been through something similar, so I sort of know where you’re coming from.

So don’t think of yourself as “weak”. That feeling isn’t a bad thing; you should treat it as precious.

Adonis: …Thank you, Nito-senpai.

Nazuna: Hey~! I know that Japan has a saying that “fortune will come to those who smile”, but that sad smile won’t do! You need a happy one or else you won’t have any of that good fortune!

Ah! I got it! How about I tell you an awesome secret about moon-viewing?! I think when you hear this, you’ll be so surprised that your lonely feeling will disappear!

Adonis: A secret about moon-viewing…?

Nazuna: So listen~

Truth is, there’s a rabbit on the moon³~

Just kiddi—

Adonis: What? A rabbit on the moon…!? That’s an incredible secret, Nito-senpai.

Nazuna: …Huh? H-Hey… Ado-chin?

Adonis: That’s truly amazing. I didn’t know the moon had such a secret… I still have much to learn.

Nazuna: H-Huh...?

¹ “Wabi-sabi” is a concept that refers to finding beauty in imperfection. Japanese tea ceremonies used to be lavish, but then there was a shift to a more rustic and simple aesthetic.
For example, a tea bowl that is asymmetrical, handmade, and glazed a deep brown reflects the wabi-sabi aesthetic.

² This is a story in "The One Thousand and One Arabian Nights".

³ There is a Japanese folktale about a rabbit that pounds mochi (rice cakes) on the moon.

Location: Dormitory Library

Nazuna: Hmm, maybe this book…?

Nope… no good. It’s more of a photobook, so I won’t be able to use it for my report.

Ah, maybe this book will do♪ I’ll also borrow this one from the library~ And—

Hm? Maybe I should check out the books at the top shelf of the bookcase over there...

Err… but I wonder if I can even reach up there?

What the heck~! They’re on such a difficult to reach shelf! C’mon, think about all the small people~

…………

Ugh, I made myself sad by saying “small people”.... Well, I guess there must be a stepladder around that I can use to reach them.

Hmm. Just past this bookcase— Uwah!?

Adonis: ……!?

Nazuna: O-Oh my gosh— Ado-chin!?

Adonis: E-Excuse me. Nito-senpai, are you alright? I was crouched down here and you ended up tripping over me...

I caught you right away… but you aren’t injured anywhere, are you?

Nazuna: No worries, I’m fine! I was looking up, so I totally didn’t notice you down there~ Thanks for catching me!

But I was pretty surprised, y’know~? I was so defenseless too. For a moment I thought my head popped right off. Ahaha.

Adonis: What!? Nito-senpai’s head came off because of me…!?

I-I’m so sorry…! I’ll take responsibility and do something about it… but what should I do? If I press it back on will it stick?

Nazuna: Huh!? W-Wait you’ve got it all wrong!

That was just an exaggeration…Y’know how that kind of thing happens in anime or manga!? I’m talking about how when you get so surprised you feel like that’s gonna happen to you too! Don’t take it so seriously~

Adonis: Is that so? I’m glad it was just an exaggeration. I’m not really familiar with things like that, so I didn’t realize, I’m sorry.

Nazuna: Well, I guess you wouldn’t know if you aren’t a big fan of anime or manga~?

All my friends at college joke around like that~ So maybe it’s rubbing off on me too.

Like if a friend of mine makes a joke, I gotta do my best to play along with it.

Adonis: Hm. Is it desirable to have that kind of back-and-forth with a friend…?

Nazuna: Hmm. I dunno if it’s desirable, but it’s nice to have different kinds of conversations.

Sure there are serious ones, but sometimes it’s ok to fool around. Instead of being so serious all the time, why don’t you try joking around a little~?

You might find that to be pretty fun♪

Adonis: Is that so? I understand, I’ll try and act appropriately.

Nazuna: Ahaha. You’re still pretty serious...

Adonis: Huh?

Nazuna: By the way, why were you crouching down there, Ado-chin?

There’s a bowl and a wooden pestle and stuff scattered around here… are you maybe playing house?

Adonis: No. I’m acting as if they’re pieces of a tea set and using it to practice before a tea cere—

Ah, right. Maybe I should try and make a joke at a time like this.

That’s right. I’m playing house, except I’m acting as both the parents and the children...

No, I’d just be lying if I said that. Ugh… making jokes is difficult.

Nazuna: Ah, I’m sorry. That was my bad. I was looking for a serious answer.

Adonis: Is that so? In that case, “I’m practicing before a tea ceremony” is the serious answer.

Nazuna: Oh yeah, ‘cause you’re in the circle “Kaori”, aren’t you? But isn’t it dangerous to practice in a place like this?

Adonis: Ah. That was certainly careless of me, I’m sorry. There are textbooks I can use here, and I thought I wouldn’t get in the way of others.

Oh? Is this your book, Nito-senpai? You dropped it.

Nazuna: Ah! I dropped it when I stumbled just now. Thanks for picking it up.

I guess it’s the library’s book, not mine. I'm having a hard time finding a book that will be a good reference for my report.

Adonis: Is that right. I caused some trouble for you, so if it’s alright with you, I’ll help you look for books.

Nazuna: Huh? It’s fine, you don’t have to worry about that! It’s also my fault for being careless.

Adonis: But that won’t do, I want to be kind to small and weak beings.

Nazuna: Hmph! You’re callin’ me small and weak? I’m your senpai y’know!? I may be short but—— Ah...

Actually… Ado-chin, could you help me out?

Adonis: Ah, of course. Did something suddenly come up?

Nazuna: U-Um... I-It’s the top shelf of the bookcase, I can’t reach...

!! CONTENT WARNINGS: mentions of war !!

Location: Starmony Dorm (Makoto, Adonis, Chiaki’s room)

Makoto: Hmm…? I guess the wise choice would be to go to the battlefront and protect the village...?

Adonis: What movie are you watching, Yuuki?

Makoto: Ah, Otogari-kun, welcome back~ Good job on your work today!

This isn’t a movie; it’s a game that came out recently. I have a backlog of games to catch up on because of work, and I finally have time to play them.

Adonis: A game? I see, so games these days have very beautiful graphics. I thought it was a movie.

Makoto: Fufu, I know right~ Cutscenes really look like live action movies, and recently there have been a lot of open world games. I think these video games can hold their own against movies.

I kinda like old retro games more though. It really feels like I’m gaming~ The pixels and low polygon count are pretty nice.

Adonis: Umm. Open… world? Pixels? By polygon, do you mean the many-sided shape?

Hmm, this is complicated. I don’t quite understand, but you seem to be speaking about game terminology.

Oh? By the way Yuuki, there’s a warrior with a sword at the ready slowly approaching you, is that alright?

Makoto: Uwah!? Oh no—!! Thanks. I totally took my eyes off the screen.

Adonis: You parried his attack and drove your sword into him. An appropriate response to the situation.

Countering is an effective tactic in a battle. It’s particularly effective against beasts with large weak spots.

Makoto: Yeah, counters are a basic strategy even in a game like this. Though, I’ve never done battle with any beasts in real life~ Or should I say, I don’t want to battle any. They would totally destroy me.

Adonis: Is that right? If you used your quick wit and mimicked your character’s movements, I think it would be easy. You’re giving up too soon… give it your all Yuuki.

Makoto: No no, you can’t be serious!? I don’t stand a chance! You’re overestimating wimpy little gamers!

Adonis: I see. So it’s like that, how difficult.

Ah, I’ve just gone and started a long conversation. I’m sorry for interrupting your game, Yuuki.

Makoto: Oh, it’s fine! Or rather, having an audience fires me up. If you’re having fun watching, you’re totally welcome to stay, Otogari-kun♪

Adonis: Is that so? I’m glad, then I’ll stay and watch a bit longer.

These characters are samurai, aren’t they? I’ve seen this outfit in Japanese history textbooks before. It looks like something Kanzaki would like.

Makoto: Yep yep. It’s a story about samurai protecting their country from the invading foreign army.

The main character is hovering between life and death due to the war, and he’ll use any means necessary to take his home back from the invaders.

Adonis: Throwing yourself into the fray of battle to protect your country’s people… That is living as a soldier, not a warrior, how heart-breaking.

In days gone by and days to come, war only gives birth to sorrow…

Makoto: Huh!? Why’d it get serious all of a sudden!? It’s just a game, y’know?

A-ah… right. There’s conflict in your country…

Adonis: Yes, even now my country is covered in the scars of war. It will certainly take time to heal.

Makoto: Mmhm, I don’t like sad things like that either. Wars are never a good thing.

But this is just a game, so it’s alright. Besides, this character I’m controlling is strong~

He’s one of the good guys. I actually feel pretty sorry for the enemies he’s taking out.

The main character is all alone, but he’s super strong and can hold his own against the opposing army— He’s really the epitome of an OP character!¹

Adonis: OP…? He made some kind of post online?

Makoto: Uwah, no way! That’s pretty unexpected coming from you…!?

Otogari-kun knows net slang like that, huh…

Adonis: Ah... I heard the phrase used in passing, and then I asked Oogami and he taught me about it. Did I understand you correctly?

Makoto: Ahaha, sorry, I wasn’t talking about OP like that.

I mean he sounds a little overpowered, he’s strong enough that he could fight off thousands of enemies all on his own.

Adonis: That’s amazing, I’m a bit jealous. I’d like to become someone like that so I can protect the weak.

Makoto: You’re going to become even stronger…? You already look like you’d be a strong enough soldier to me. Like, it wouldn’t even be weird if you were some video game protagonist.

Adonis: Not at all, I’m still weak. I’m no match for my sisters.

Makoto: Umm… I’ve been wondering for a while, but what’s your family like?

Huh? We were talking so much that I didn’t even notice, but I’ve totally annihilated all of the enemy soldiers.

Oh— here’s the boss fight!

Adonis: Hmm, this one looks bigger and stronger than all of the others. His armor is also more intricate than everyone else’s.

Makoto: Yup~ because he’s the boss. But he’s a piece of cake~♪

Oho~ I’ll just guard… and then counter! Spin around aaand— cut him in half! And it’s over!

Yes! Now I’ve beaten this level!

Adonis: Ohh, that took no time at all. You’re amazing, Yuuki.

Makoto: Hehe, well that was only the first boss♪ The enemies will only get stronger from here on in.

Adonis: That sounds like fun. So gaming is one of your hobbies?

Makoto: Hmm? I suppose so… fighting games are my favorite, but I like all games, so I guess you could call it a hobby.

Adonis: That’s nice. I wish I also had a hobby that was easy to explain to others.

I always have trouble when an interviewer asks me about my hobbies. I like to watch small living things, so I answer with that but…

I get stuck if the interviewer asks me to go into more detail.

Makoto: Ahh, I think I get what you mean.

I was the same way until I realized that gaming was my hobby.

I have a lot of things I enjoy doing, but it’s difficult to know if I should call it a hobby. Like, what’s the difference between a hobby or a special skill?

But Otogari-kun, you’ve studied all kinds of things about Japan, right? Has anything come up during that study that could be a hobby?

Adonis: Not really… that was more study than something I would call a hobby.

Makoto: Is that right? Hmm, maybe…

I got it! What about Japanese tea ceremonies²? Otogari-kun, you’re in a circle for that, aren’t you?

Tea ceremony would be an amazing hobby. I’m Japanese, but even I’m not able to do something like that.

Adonis: Japanese tea ceremony? I’m hoping to practice that, but right now our circle “Kaori” isn’t active. Everyone’s schedules aren’t lining up.

Kanzaki made me tea once before; it was delicious. I probably wouldn’t be able to make a flavorful cup of tea like his…

So I would like to practice, but how could I begin if there is no one to try my tea?

Makoto: So that’s how it is… I guess it’s the same with lessons and gaming. Getting an objective opinion is important.

Adonis: It appears so. After all, the true flavor of tea can only be tasted when it’s served to someone else.

Makoto: Hmm, then how about you make me some tea, Otogari-kun?

Adonis: Really? Is that alright? I won’t be troubling you?

Makoto: It’s no problem at all! Besides, I also want to drink some tea♪

Adonis: Thanks Yuuki, I definitely want you to try my tea.

Makoto: Ah, but maybe I’m more of the one troubling you? I don’t know the proper manners or anything, so I might make some mistakes. Is that alright?

Adonis: Of course. There is no need to think so hard about it.

The tea ceremony is all about hospitality. Nothing would make me happier than making tea for a friend.

¹ The original dialog is Adonis misunderstanding 一騎当千(a mighty warrior) for a different 4 kanji compound with the same pronunciation. It's been localized to keep the original feel of the text.

² Japanese tea ceremonies are a ceremonial way of preparing and drinking green tea.

!! CONTENT WARNINGS: stalking, perverse language !!

Location: Vocal room

Aira: ♪~♪~♪

(......Hmm~? Something still feels off. I really thought I was in tune, but... )

(I feel like it just doesn’t sound as good as it did when everyone sang together earlier today?)

(I’m gonna listen to the sample recording again.)

~♪ ~♪

……Yeah. I didn’t make a mistake. So what’s going on?

Argh, I don’t get it! I just want someone, anyone, who knows what they’re doing to stay by my side and coach me!

(But… hiring a vocal coach costs money. And being the underachievers that we are, ALKALOID doesn’t have the funds for that.)

(I mean, what am I thinking? It would be crazy to use our precious money to get over my personal worries about something feeling off...)

(Hnn~...... I feel all mopey about this, but I guess that’s life. I suppose I’ll try and ask Tattsun-senpai for help tomorrow.)

(I really wanted to get the hang of this song before our next lesson, though.)

(I mean, Hiro-kun's a total beginner and I already have experience. It’d be so embarrassing if I learned things more slowly than he does.)

(It’s so annoying... I want to train in secret and get good so I can act like his idol senpai.)

Mmhm, I gotta do my best. Just a little more practice and—

Uwah?!

Mayoi: ......(shiver)

Aira: Pyaaa?! There’s something here! Is it a ghost?!

Mayoi: Eek?! N-n-no, I’m not a ghost! It’s me, Aira-san! Me, me! I’m sorry for surprising you! I’m sorry for being aliveeee!

Aira: Ah, Mayo-san! You scared me. Why were you crouching in the shadows?

Mayoi: Eh...? You want to know why? Um, because I like hiding in corners…?!

Aira: Huh? When did you get in here, anyway? And how did you get in? I swear I locked the door!

Mayoi: Fu, fufufu♪ This building has secret entrances and exits everywhere. Plus, I have the master key to almost every room!

I can infiltrate anywhere, anytime…... Fufufufu~♪

Aira: What’s wrong with this building?! So doesn’t that mean that we have no privacy or anything?

Mayoi: Aah, it’s not the building’s fault, I’m the bad one! I’m the one who harbors a repulsive desire to creep around everywhere and peep on people!

Aira: Hn~ It doesn’t feel good to be peeped on. Like, at least say something when you enter a room.

You really scared me, I thought my heart was gonna stop.

Mayoi: Uuu, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I made you uncomfortable, didn’t I?

I truly intended to leave with you none the wiser, but you were surprisingly perceptive and discovered m—

—I-I mean, I was worried about you, Aira-san! I wanted to offer some advice, but I was uncertain if that would be too meddlesome, and while worrying about all of that I missed my chance to escape!

Aira: ...Um, you were worried about me?

Mayoi: Y-Yes! Isn’t that natural? What a twist of fate that we became unitmates! I tempt troubled youths and lead them astray…...

Ah, no… I teach them! Teaching is my specialty!

I’m more or less always coaching them from the shadows, so I’m thought of as one of the many mysteries of this building!

B-But it’s really because I’m just too chicken to meet anyone face to face!

Aira: Ahaha. Come to think of it, I’ve heard a rumor like that before.

Mayo-san secretly helped young idols who stayed late to practice alone by sending them letters filled with advice, right?

Mayoi: Yes! Though I ended up a failure myself, and I’m treated as an “underachiever.”

So it feels a bit like I shouldn’t have the nerve to act all high and mighty and give others advice!

But! I can’t just leave them alone. I should have known I can’t be satisfied with just watching!

From a close enough distance that I can smell the sweaty bodies of troubled youths, I want to cling to them like a shadow and tutor them very attentively…… fufufufufu♪

Aira: …...Yeah. That’s a little nasty, but I guess I get what you’re saying. As long as we’re alive, we’ll always be searching out human connection, after all.

Fufu. So, Mayo-san... since you’re here, how about you give me some pointers?

If I was a prodigy, this wouldn't be a problem for me...... but since I’m not, I'm totally stuck on the most basic things.

…...In the end, I just don’t have any talent, do I?

Mayoi: That face! Please make it againnnn!

Disappointed in yourself and yet waiting for someone to say, “That’s not true,” looking almost like you’re wanting to be spoiled—

Oww!

Aira: …...

Mayoi: I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry I’m nasty! I’m apologizing, so please don’t throw equipment at meeeeee!

Aira: …...I’m actually worried over here, so can you not make fun of me?

Mayoi: Yes, I know! I’m just a filthy rotten pervert who delights in making fun of others’ misfortune! Go on and insult me!

Aira: I seriously don’t have time for this. Mayo-san, I’m genuinely in need of help here.

I’m trying to practice singing, but it just doesn’t sound as good as when I sang together with ALKALOID earlier today…… Why’s that?

Mayoi: Ah, I know the reason! Aira-san, please sing your part on my count! Are you ready? Un, deux, trois♪

♪ ~♪ ~♪

~......♪ (lifting his fingers to the beat)

Aira: ~......♪

…...Huh? What happened, I nailed it just now?

Mayoi: You did♪ ALKALOID’s songs are composed in such a way that everyone’s individual parts come together and increase the overall charm.

It’s an ensemble! The sounds of each person link together, overlap, and make us shine more brightly!

That being so! Singing it alone can’t showcase the true potential of the song!

It’s possible for one person to sing everyone’s parts from beginning to end— but that one person alone can’t bring out the song’s true power!

Aira: Huh, so that’s it……

I thought that maybe it was my own fault that I wasn’t able to get it right. But it wasn’t meant to be sung by one person in the first place anyway, huh?

Mayoi: Yes! I’ve always been watching over you and listening to you sing, so I know there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you!

Please be more confident! Although, your disheartened face is very cute too……☆

Aira: …...Thanks. Anyway, you should have just told me that from the start! Why were you just watching? I wasted so much time worrying about that.

Mayoi: I’m sorry! But to me, the figure of such a distressed youth is the ultimate treat….. I mean, it’s not a treat! Not at all!

Umm, anyway, this sort of thing is meaningless unless you realize it yourself.

This time I was right, but I didn’t know if my intuition had hit the mark or not…...

I felt uneasy about approaching you arrogantly with a, “Let me show you how it’s done!”

Aira: Nn~ But you’ve gotta stop hesitating so much. Next time just give me your advice, Mayo-san.

Your advice may or may not be correct, but it doesn’t do any good to just silently watch, right?

Actually, since we’re unitmates now, I want us to support each other.

Well…… Compared to everyone else I have the least talent, so I think that it’ll just end up with me getting spoiled by the senpai.

That’s okay, right? Mayo-san, you like getting to spoil people, don’t you? ♪

Mayoi: Y-Yess! I love it! Act even more spoiled! Cling to me and whine, “Sensei~” !

Aira: No way~♪

Location: Dormitory Library

Tomoya: There’s probably nobody here right now… ah.

Tatsumi: Oh? If it isn’t Tomoya-san.

It’s unusual to run into you in a place like this, are you also here to do some reading?

Tomoya: No, I’m… um....

Tatsumi: Is something wrong?

Tomoya: I don’t think it’s very good to use the library like this, but…...I actually came here to take a nap. I’ve had a little trouble sleeping lately.

Tatsumi: I see. It’s always quiet here, which makes it quite an ideal place to sleep, doesn’t it?

However, if you have the option to, wouldn’t it be better to sleep in your room? Surely you could have a more restful sleep in a bed.

Tomoya: Well...

Tatsumi: Hmm…… It’s more complicated than that, isn’t it? We can discuss it if you’d like.

Tomoya: Huh? You don’t mind listening to my problems?

Tatsumi: Of course not. I used to listen to the worries of those who visited my parents’ church.

Perhaps it was God’s guidance that brought me here to do some reading so I could meet you.

It’s not very comfortable to stand and talk, so please take a seat over there. I’ll prepare us some beverages.

Tomoya: Oh, I’ll help!

Tatsumi: Please don’t trouble yourself, I can take care of this alone.

Tomoya: Is that so? I’m sorry.

Tatsumi: Fufu, please don’t apologize. I do this because I enjoy it.

……Thank you for waiting, please drink some of this.

Tomoya: Coffee?

Tatsumi: Yes, the caffeine in coffee sets in about thirty minutes after drinking it.

It’s said that if you drink it right before you take a nap, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed.

Tomoya: Is that so…... Thank you, I’ll drink some.

…...Mmn, it’s delicious.

Tatsumi: I’m glad. Now, won’t you tell me what’s troubling you?

Tomoya: Yes. I mentioned it earlier, but lately I’m not getting enough sleep. I feel really stressed, but also…

There are times when I’m alone in the room, but I feel like I’m being watched.

Tatsumi: Being watched?

Tomoya: That’s right. Because of that, my stress is only getting worse and I’m becoming seriously sleep deprived.

I’ve been trying to think about what could be the cause, but I have no idea. Maybe there’s a ghost in my room…...

Tatsumi: Fufu. Goodness, no. I haven’t heard any news regarding sightings of suspicious people either. I’m positive that it’s only your imagination.

Tomoya: Ahaha, of course.

I still don’t know the cause, but I’m glad I spoke to you, Kazehaya-senpai. I feel a little more at ease.

Tatsumi: I’m glad I was able to help you. Coffee also has a relaxing effect, so you should be able to sleep well.

Tomoya: That would be nice…… Since you’ve helped me, I’ll try going to sleep in my room.

Goodnight, Kazehaya-senpai.

Tatsumi: I hope you have pleasant dreams.

(Somehow this reminds me of the confession room at my parents' church. Despite the name, that room was used as a place to consult with a priest, rather than somewhere to repent for sins.

I pray that Tomoya-san can be more at peace after our talk...... Amen.)

Mayoi: Um…… excuse me. Do you have a moment…...?

Tatsumi: Ah, Mayoi-san. Do you need me for something?

Mayoi: “Need” is a little… I’m――I have something I want to talk to you about…… is that alright?

Tatsumi: Of course, what is it?

Mayoi: It’s… it’s actually about my room.

Maybe it’s because I got so used to living with everyone in ALKALOID, but now that I’m in a different room I’m feeling uneasy again.

I’ve been trying to avoid bothering my roommate as much as possible, and I spend my time in the room being perfectly silent…...

But my roommate has barely been sleeping. He looks tired in the afternoon because of it, and I’m getting worried.

Tatsumi: He’s barely sleeping……?

Mayoi: Y-Yes. It seems like it got somewhat resolved a little while ago, but…...

I want to help him somehow, but I don’t know what I could possibly do. I can only watch over him, b-but doing that is……Uwah. I’m truly such a stupid and insignificant creature…...

Tatsumi: (If I remember correctly, Mayoi-san’s roommate is…… I see, now I understand why Tomoya-san felt as if he were being watched.)

By “resolved a little while ago,” do you mean that you were perhaps listening to our earlier conversation?

Mayoi: Y-Yes. I was hoping to consult with Tatsumi-san about this, but Mashiro-san was already there. I was lamenting to myself and I ended up listening in on your conversation..…. I’m sorry…...

I’m aware that Mashiro-san is stressed, and I made my presence unnoticed so he could hopefully get some rest. At any rate I found myself worried, and I couldn't help but quietly stare at him.....

It seems like I made him even more stressed out…...

I think I’ll return to the darkness so that I’m not even more of a bother. If I’m not here, then Mashiro-san will be able to have some peace of mind.

Tatsumi: That won’t be necessary. How about telling Tomoya-san what you just told me?

Mayoi: T-Tell him? Won’t he be afraid…...?

Tatsumi: Doesn’t the fact that you were always watching over him show that you were thinking of him? Tomoya-san doesn’t seem like the type of person to dismiss that thoughtfulness.

Besides, especially since you two share the same room, why don’t you use this as an opportunity to interact with him?

You hid yourself so well that Tomoya-san was under the impression he was alone. If you reveal yourself to him, his discomfort will vanish and his sleep will be bound to improve.

It seems like that isn’t his only cause for stress. If it’s alright with you, how about next time I speak with both of you? The three of us can come up with a plan together.

Mayoi: Y-You’re right. I learned about the importance of interacting with others… the kindness within human beings from ALKALOID…...

It’s a bit scary, but I’ll gather up all my courage and I think I’ll confess.

I’m glad I spoke to you…… Thank you for listening to my concerns, Tatsumi-san.

I have to thank you somehow…… Umm. Ah, but I can’t think of how…...

Tatsumi: I haven’t done anything to warrant thanks.

But, in any case, would you like to have some coffee with me in the common area?

The weather is nice too, how about a leisurely stroll in the courtyard together? We can have a relaxing discussion together, just the two of us.

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