Short stories unlocked when you reach high intimacy level with the two girls involved.
Written by: Akira
Not available in Ensemble Girls! Memories.
Ruka & Yuki
The Poet and The Gamer
Title note[1]
> Arcade
Ruka: (fidgets) (I wonder if Kitagawa-san is around.
She seems to frequent at arcades. Since she accompanied me to the karaoke the other day… I want to play with her at the place she likes this time, the arcade.
It’s less of a thanks and more that I wanna do friends things with her… I mean, we’re not friends yet. But I do want to get along with her.
She gives off the same scent as me.
But we’re from different classes. I couldn’t casually ask her out, and we’re not even at that level yet.
If I start acting like we’re friends, she might find me unbearable.
Ahh… this situation feels so much like a ballad! In a bustling town, a lone woman seeks for the figure of her beloved! Ahh, I can write – wonderful lyrics! ♪
Umm, where did I put my notepad~…)
Yuki: “What are you doing?”
Ruka: “Eep!? Th-That surprised me! Oh – Kitagawa-san!”
Yuki: “Yeah. Hey, I’ve been seeing you at the arcade lately. You’re, umm… Tsukinaga… san?”
Ruka: (S-So she only vaguely remembers my name? Does she have that little interest in me~? When I’m so interested in her!)
Yuki: “Wh-What is it? Why are you staring?”
Ruka: “Ah! Sorry, Kitagawa-san. I was thinking about you, so I was surprised that you suddenly popped out in front of me.”
Yuki: "Thinking… about me? Why?
Did I do something to you…?"
Ruka: “Ah, umm, it’s nothing big. It’s just well, you’re always at the arcade, Kitagawa-san, so… so I… Sorry! I’m being gross, aren’t I?”
Yuki: “I don’t think you’re gross or anything. …want melon soda?”
Ruka: “Th-Thanks. I’m actually not too good with carbonated drinks, though.”
Yuki: “Huh. But, I like it; the sensation of something exploding inside my mouth.”
Ruka: “I-If Kitagawa-san likes it, I wanna learn to like it too. (gulp, gulp)”
Yuki: “Fufu.”
Ruka: “Eh? Why did you laugh? Wow, it’s so rare to see Kitagawa-san with a smile…♪”
Yuki: "Sorry, I guess that was rude. But, it was funny how your brows jerked as you gulped down the melon soda. I couldn’t hold my laugh, sorry.
Ca-Can you do it again? I want to see your brows turn up and down like before."
Ruka: “Eh, eh!? I did that? How did I do it… Nn~ Nnggh~?”
Yuki: “No, they’re not moving at all. Maybe I got the commands wrong; that’s interesting. Don’t be so nervous, relax… Here, drink some melon soda♪”
Ruka: "I-If I drink that much soda, I’m going to burp. And I can’t drink up what’s yours, Kitagawa-san.
Umm, Kitagawa-san… T-Thanks."
Yuki: “…Why are you thanking me?”
Ruka: “Well, I was happy you came up to talk to me… Did you need something, Kitagawa-san?”
Yuki: “No, I was just wondering what you were doing alone. I’m sorry, did you actually come here with somebody?”
Ruka: “N-Nuh-huh. I don’t have many friends.”
Yuki: “Me… neither.”
Ruka: “Ahaha. But on your own, you give off a ‘solitary’ feeling, Kitagawa-san; I’m more just ‘all alone’.”
Yuki: “No, we’re the same. I’m ‘all alone’ too.”
Ruka: “But Kitagawa-san, aren’t you on good terms with your… classmates?”
Yuki: "Well. At school, everyone is starting to talk to me a lot.
But the girls in 1-A are all good girls, it’s hard to invite them to play at the arcade. Plus, I’m the only one really good at games, so I don’t know if I can so casually ask people to play me."
Ruka: "Oh~ B-But you can ask me out anytime! I’m probably gonna get in your way since I’m bad at games, but you can invite me if you’re feeling lonely, okay?
I want to be friends with you."
Yuki: “Th–Thanks. You’re hard to ask out too though, since you seem busy with your club.”
Ruka: "That’s not entirely true~ I can’t play instruments, so I barely have anything to do at the club. Though in exchange for that, I work hard on composing the songs.
You’re good at games, aren’t you Kitagawa-san? I’m so jealous, that you have something you’re good at. I mean, I know I just have to work hard to learn a skill myself, but…"
Yuki: “Yup, leveling up your skills is important. …Can you come over here?”
Ruka: "W-What is it? Wawa – don’t pull my hand~?
Kitagawa-san, your hand is so soft and squishy. You’re like a hardcore gamer, so I thought your hands would be hard from pushing buttons too much."
Yuki: “Same with you – soft and squishy. I thought people who play music get a lot of calluses. Oh, but you said you don’t play?”
Ruka: “I’m practicing it, I guess… Ehehe, I’m holding hands with Kitagawa-san. I’m so happy♪”
Yuki: “Nn… Um, if you have some time, can you spend it with me?”
Ruka: “What is it~? Are we playing games together?”
Yuki: "Yeah. Please, can you play with me? I don’t know if they changed their management or what, but there’s been an increase in machines for couples here.
They’re for normies and girls who don’t usually play games. So the difficulty level is so casual. I don’t like it.
But, I sort of made it my mission… to gain the highest score and place at the top of the ranking, in every machine in this arcade that records player scores.
I want to be the highest scorer even for the casual games. But I can’t play them on my own, since they’re for couples.
I mean, I can be a kill-joy and play two roles on my own, paying for two and all… but I want to go by the rules when I can. Will you help me?"
Ruka: “S-Sure. If I can be of help to you, I will.”
Yuki: “Thanks. Ah, all the machines here are the for-couples games. Which do you like? I guess Tsukinaga-san would prefer rhythm games?”
Ruka: “Ah, I want that car one! You know, my big brother drives a car… and he always looks so cool doing it, so I wanna get a driving license when I grow up. This is for practice~♪”
Yuki: “I think you can’t practice real life stuff with games… but racing game it is. OK. I asked you, so I’ll pay your share too. I’ll be inserting the coins then.”
Ruka: “Ah! I want to pay my own share. I can’t enjoy the game from the heart if the money didn’t came out of my own pocket. Umm, I just need to sit here, right?”
Yuki: “Yeah. …ah, so we’re sitting side-by-side. Well, it is for couples. It says one will be driving and the other will be assisting. Which do you want to do?”
Ruka: “Can I drive? I wanna go at top speed~ I’ll try not to get us into accidents!”
Yuki: “Mmn~… I’m pretty good at racing games, so it’s better that I’m the one driving if we’re aiming for a high score… but oh well. You can drive. I’ll assist with all I have.”
Ruka: “Okay. Ah! We can pick a car. I wonder which one’s good~ I want a cute one.”
Yuki: "Pick based on its specs, not looks. The ones tailored for beginners are usually not ideal for scoring.
But I guess it’s okay. That’s what techniques are for; to cover up what the specs lack."
Ruka: “Ah, it can take our pictures, Kitagawa-san! Make a peace sign! Peace~♪”
Yuki: "Peace…♪
Ahaha. Maybe I should forget about scores and enjoy games for what they are once in a while…♪"
Seira & Suzu
Seraphim and Lucifer
Title note[2]
> Empty Lot (Night)
Seira: “~…♪”
Suzu: “Sera!”
Seira: "Mmn? Oh~ Kuro-chan♪
You came at the perfect time, you know~ Sing with me! We have a Rock Band Club live coming up, right? Didn’t you mention that on your last visit, Kuro-chan?
But I saw the music sheets, you know… and some parts looked pretty difficult, so I’ll teach you how it works! Kuro-chan, I thought you may be having trouble with it since you don’t specialize in singing~♪
So I will teach you! Cuz I’m the leader of the band! Hehe…♪
Let’s sing, sing with me! Hey, Kuro-chan…♪"
Suzu: "Sera… Sorry, gimme time to catch my breath.
Huff, haah… Aah, I’m beat. I was looking all over for you. I searched all the places I thought you’d be; I didn’t think I’ll end up finding you at the empty lot right beside the hospital.
Don’t make us worry too much. I’m not your family or your lover, so I don’t have the right to demand anything from you. But I’ll still say this:
Treasure yourself more. Please, Sera.
You’re sitting down at this kind of place because you couldn’t move after escaping out of your room, right…? That’s a given. You’re in no condition to be up and about.
Let’s go back to the hospital. You need to rest on a bed."
Seira: "Mmn? Go back – to the hospital? You say such strange things; the Rock Band Club is my home! Because I’m the leader of the band! Ahaha! ☆
Oh, you’re such a worrywart, you know, Kuro-chan! I’m fine! Look, I can probably even fly right now…☆ Look at my wings flapping! Flap-flap~♪
Hau!? Oowww, I fell! I hit my head! Ahahaha! ☆
Ahahahaha! Is it because I’m also a broken-winged Lucifer that I can’t fly, since my wings are broken? I completely forgot! Ahahahahaha…☆"
Suzu: “Sera…?”
Seira: "Aha, haha… Oh Kuro-chan, why are you wearing that kind of face? We’re going to hold a live! It should be the happiest feeling ever, right?
It’s been a while since I last stood on a stage, so I’m worried that I might not sing well! That’s why I practiced! I have the lyrics and everything down pat now! ♪
You see, my doctor kept stopping me when I tried to practice. So I did my best to get out of there, many times. I couldn’t bring the instruments though, so I’ve only practiced my singing, you know~?
I’m good at singing, after all! I’ll let you hear! Lalala~…♪"
Suzu: “Sera…!”
Seira: “Kya~ Oh Kuro-chan, don’t embrace me so tightly! You’re suffocating me~ (cough, cough) What’s wrong? Geez, have you regressed to the old baby Kuro-chan~? ♪”
Suzu: "Sera… I feel bad for you, but I can’t let you stand on stage.
When I hug you like this, I can tell. You’re cold as a corpse. Your face is white as sheet too – it’s because your organs aren’t doing their job.
You’re gravely ill. It’s almost a miracle that you’re alive.
You may be temporarily ‘feeling okay’ thanks to your medications.
But I asked your doctor. He said your illness is worsening… Your medications increased, so the side effects must be tormenting you. You can’t stand properly with all the nausea and dizziness, right?
Do you really think… you can stand on stage, perform, and sing in that state?
Sera, listen to me. We can hold live shows anytime. So can you give up on this one?"
Seira: "…
…Why?
Ufu, fufufu… You ‘can’t let me stand on stage’, Kuro-chan? ‘Give up on this one’? Who do you think you are~? Kuro-chan, you’re my sub-leader, right?
And I’m your leader, right? I taught you everything! Songs, music – everything!
You couldn’t even do anything! Just a freaky girl who only ever stared at me from the corner of the classroom!
So why are you being so mean to me… hey, Kuromori-san?"
Suzu: "Sera… Yeah, it’s just as you said.
I can’t do anything without you. You were the one who clasped my hand, hugged me… and led me to that shining stage.
I bet my middle school self wouldn’t believe even if I tell her. That I would get to be treated like a friend by the radiantly sparkling girl I admired… I’m the luckiest girl.
I’m so blessed… So I want to split my happiness with you."
Seira: "Kuro-chan… I-I’m so sorry. That’s not it, I didn’t mean to say such cruel things to you! I love you, Kuro-chan! I love you, love you so much…!
So… okay? Don’t take it from me! Please! These days, I can barely even stay awake! I have nothing but singing anymore! Singing, playing music… and then nothing!
They’re the only things connecting me to this world! Do you know my middle school friends won’t even visit me anymore!? Can you believe that? And I was so popular back then!
Like I was the center of the world. Always smiling and enjoying my days… But it’s aaaall gone now! Ahahahaha☆
All I have now is Kuro-chan… and the Rock Band Club! So… okay, Kuro-chan?
Let me sing! I want to sing! I want to siiiiiiiing…!"
Suzu: "Ngguh… Stop kicking about, Sera! Uukh, my eyepatch got torn away.
I’m asking you, calm down! It’s not me I’m worried about – you’re hurting yourself! I can’t stand to watch… Please, listen to me, okay?
I love you too, Sera. Love you so, so much… When Anzu-chan went away, I couldn’t accept reality. I said so many cruel things to her, after all.
I didn’t even get to say sorry… and yet, she left. But it should’ve been the hardest on her, not me. I’m so useless. I can’t do anything, I have no worth living.
But then you picked me up, Sera. You invited me to the Rock Band Club… and gave me somewhere to belong. I could heal the scars in my heart little by little.
Now it’s your turn – no, I’ll save you this time, Sera. I’ll do anything, even offer up my heart for you. You can hit me, insult me, do anything you want if it makes you happy.
So please, hang on for a little longer and focus on your treatment… Even if it takes years or centuries or millennia… I’ll keep waiting for you. I’m with you even to the bottom of hell.
Please. This is the only thing I’ll ever ask. Don’t take Sera away from me. I’m the same; I only have my songs and music and… the Rock Band Club."
Seira: “…”
Suzu: "Sera? Did she tire herself out and fall asleep…?
I’ll carry you to the hospital, okay? On my back… You’ll probably be angry with me later, though.
Huff. Uukh, she’s actually pretty heavy. I should build more strength. So that I can support Sera, Ruka and Shizu… so at least we can walk forward even if we can’t fly.
I’ll get stronger, too. So Sera… there’s no reason for you to be feeling anxious or scared. Someday, we’ll all definitely hold a live together with smiles.
Let’s make sure our song and performance reach the heavens. Throw all the curses we can think of at that nasty God. Sera, wouldn’t that be very… rock’n roll?
You were the one who told me that looong ago, Sera."
Azusa & Himeno
Baby Pigeon and Bear Cub
Title note[3]
> Shopping Mall
Azusa: "I’m on a date with Himeno-chan~☆ Date with Himeno-chan~☆
…Huh? Himeno-chan, where are you?
Oh no, Azusa lost sight of her ☆ Where are you~ Himeno-chan? Has Azusa gotten lost again?"
Himeno: “Azusa-chaaaan…?”
Azusa: “Ah, there she is ☆ Himeno-chaaaan, Azusa was so lonely without you! Please don’t leave me alone! Gyuu~…”
Himeno: “Wawa, don’t jump at me like thaat. I’m strong so I can contain you just fine, but we’re drawing attention.”
Azusa: “Ehehe. Himeno-chan would accept even my full-power hugs! So I can tackle you without worry! _Gyuu-gyuu_☆”
Himeno: "Geez, you’re being such a baby, Azusa-chan…♪
Sorry. I walk really slowly, so I end up falling behind when we walk together."
Azusa: "Ehehe. You love to take your time, don’t you Himeno-chan?
Gyuu~…♪ Maybe Azusa should have you carry her in your arms~? And then we won’t lose each other, right?"
Himeno: “I can carry you just fine, but it’s not like you’re hurt, so walk on your own. Geez, you’re not a real infant, you knoow?”
Azusa: “_Babble, babble_♪ Mama Himeno, please coddle Azusa☆”
Himeno: "Ehehe. There, there, you good girl. You’re my treasure, Baby Azusa…♪
But I fear I’ll end up ‘squashing’ you if I’m not careful, so… I’m sorry about it really, but walk on your own, okaay?"
Azusa: "Yees. Azusa doesn’t want to end up minced meat, so she’ll walk on her own☆
But I’m scared of being separated from you, Himeno-chan. So Azusa will be hugging you, okay? It’s fine as long as you don’t hug back, right?"
Himeno: “You’re making it hard to walk, Azusa-chan. What’s wroong? You’re being more touchy-feely than usual. Did something happen? I can hear you out if you have any problems.”
Azusa: "Ahaha. Azusa just doesn’t fare too well on rainy days. They make her feel a little downcast.
There’s no Tennis Club activity on rainy days, after all. There’s nothing to do after school… Azusa feels lonely~ so very much.
So Azusa is saved that you’re coming to shop with her today, Himeno-chan ☆"
Himeno: “But Azusa-chan, you look like you have lots of friends. Isn’t there anyone else who’ll play with you? This is your hometown, right? So you should have middle school friends around.”
Azusa: "No, Azusa wasn’t a very sociable girl back then. Especially as a third year; all Azusa did was study. She had a very gloomy youth.
And Azusa has changed a lot from middle school, so she ended up growing distant from the girls she used to be close to…
I haven’t heard from them since we decided to head to different high schools."
Himeno: "Hmm. So you made your huge debut in high school, huh Azusa-chan?
Come to think of it, you were more fidgety when we first met. You’d stammer and fall silent sometimes, I think?
During Tennis Club practices, there were times I’d be left without a partner because I was too slow… so I called out to you, since you also got left out, right?
That’s how we became friends, wasn’t it?"
Azusa: “Ehehe. You’re always taking care of Azusa, Himeno-chan! Azusa loooves you! Let’s be friends forever! _Chu-chu_♪”
Himeno: "You hug me and kiss me… Azusa-chan, you’re really physical, huh? I’m so strong it scares people away from me, so this is new to me♪
I’m happy. I love you too, Azusa-chan…♪"
Azusa: “Yaay, our love is mutual! It’s okay, Himeno-chan, you can give me a kiss too! Come on, don’t be shy! Azusa will let herself be kissed, with a sparkling smile! ☆”
Himeno: “Nn~ I’ll end up making a dent on your face if I kiss you, Azusa-chan. Stop being silly and look in front of you when you walk, okay?”
Azusa: “Yees. Tch, you always put some distance between us, Himeno-chan. It’s so lonely~ Azusa knows it’s because you don’t want to break your surroundings, but still.”
Himeno: "Ahaha. Yeah, especially in this kind of crowded place with a bunch of merchandises lined up… Feels like I might break something by accident. So I end up walking more slowly than usual.
Sorry that I’m slowing you down…"
Azusa: "It’s fine. Azusa has no particular plans – so let’s have a relaxing stroll as we shop☆
There should be a sports equipment shop this way! Azusa’s a local, so she knows her way around this mall☆"
Himeno: “Right. The racket and everything else you’ve been using so far were borrowed from the Tennis Club… but you wanna buy your own equipment now, right?”
Azusa: “Yes. Azusa has become a true Tennis Club member body and soul! So Azusa wants her personal racket and ball! She’ll name them and tuck them in bed with her every night ☆”
Himeno: "Use your racket like a racket, please…
I’ve been playing tennis for longer than you, so I’ll see which one will be good for you. You don’t have much arm strength, Azusa-chan, so I think something light would be nice."
Azusa: “Perhaps so ☆ There was that time Azusa tried out your racket and fell from the weight on her hand, after all!”
Himeno: “Anything lighter than that and it feels like I’m not carrying anything, which makes it conversely hard to use for me… The ones off-the-shelf are really light, so I usually wrap stone weights around them.”
Azusa: “Ahaha. Maybe if Azusa and Himeno-chan’s arm strengths are added together and then divided by two, we’ll both have ‘just about right’. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works.”
Himeno: "Maybe we can be pretty powerful if paired for doubles… Mmn, what’s wrong?
Azusa-chan, why are you looking down? Does it hurt somewhere? I’m sorry, did I break your bone where I touched you?"
Azusa: "No, umm… There are my classmates from middle school. Azusa isn’t very good with situations like this. Back then, Azusa was a really gloomy, plain girl in glasses, you see—
It wasn’t exactly bullying, but all the flashy kids made fun of me in middle school… It will be a pain if they call out to Azusa, so let’s go to another floor before they notice."
Himeno: "It’s okaay, Azusa-chan. I’ll kick up a storm on your behalf if they say anything. So puff out your chest and hold your head high. You’re just making yourself look suspicious like that.
You haven’t done anything wrong, Azusa-chan. You don’t have to run away, or take the longer route for safety. Let’s walk straight. I’m with you, so relax."
Azusa: “Yes… ah, no I can’t! They’re whispering something about me!”
Himeno: “Nn~… Ahaha. ‘That girl is so cute. Is she a celebrity?’, they said.”
Azusa: “What…?”
Himeno: "They don’t seem to notice you were their classmate. Just try waving your hand; they’re not ridiculing you, they’re looking at you with envy.
That’s amazing, Azusa-chan. You’re changing in a good direction. I have to learn from you and grow myself, on my own pace.
Instead of closing my eyes or looking away… I should face my fear and mature like you have. Hey, can we hold hands?
I’ll treat your hand with care so I won’t crush it. Can I, Azusa-chan?"
Azusa: "Himeno-chan… You’re right, thank you. Let’s hold hands ☆
As long as you’re with me, Himeno-chan… Azusa can always put on a sparkling smile ☆"
Himeno: "Right. Your hand is so warm, Azusa-chan. It really is silly to put a distance because I’m too afraid of hurting people.
Can you tell me about your past properly, someday? Like what you said – I can accept everything with my strength…♪"
It’s originally “Poemer and Gamer (ポエマーとゲーマー)”, which rhymes better, I guess [laughs]. Rather than straight-up poet, the loan word poemer seems to have more of an “embarrassing poet” meaning. ↩
To be more literal, “Burning Angel and Fallen Angel (熾天使と堕天使)” or maybe “The Burning One and The Fallen One”? But anyway, Seraphim is what Suzu’s nickname for Seira (=Sera) is short for. And Lucifer is how the rock band club members always read out “fallen angel”, as Seira also does in this story, actually. ↩
Azusa and Himeno are from 1-C, also called the “Zoo Class”, whose member all have a reference to an animal in their surname. Azusa is pigeon/dove (Kobato) while Himeno is bear (Kumasawa). ↩