holistar

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: 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.

!! 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: …...