holistar

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.

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

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...!

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.

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.

 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.

〈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.)

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~♪