Written by: Akira
Timeline: Summer, Winter
Proofread by gold (@star_goldfish).
Part 1 | Part 2
Revival
Revival / 7
Timeline: Summer
> Rooftop
< One month later >
Akiomi: “Mm-hmm.
Thank you for the explanation, Transfer Student-san.
I scanned through the reports you put together for that writer person. They were well-written; I’ve gained an understanding of the situation.
Even an outsider like me could grasp the general flow of Project-Saga, thanks to you.
In summary, Jin and the kids safely got Rain-bows or whatever its name approved as a temporary unit…
And they’ve been meeting up routinely for the last month.
Yet, they seem busy enough with their own matters.
So gathering once a week for lessons seem to be all they’ve managed. Well, that’s just how unusually slack the project is.
Rather than proper idol work, it’s feeling more like something they’re doing together as a hobby.
Well, it seems to work as a nice enough breather for the kids. And it looks like a lot of fun from the side; almost enviable, really.”
Jin: “Switch with me if you think I’m so enviable, Akiyan~ Ahh, don’t wanna move…”
Akiomi: “Jin. If you insist on rolling around, do it on another bench or on the ground. You’re interrupting my lunch.”
Jin: “Why are you having lunch here anyway? We can’t focus with you staring like that.”
Akiomi: “Hmph. I was a little worried, you see, if Sagami-sensei was practicing seriously like he should.
I just want to observe while taking lunch. I don’t intend to interfere, so don’t mind me.”
Jin: “Nah, I can’t not mind with that aura of dissatisfaction seeping out of you.
…oh? Akiyan, is that a lunchbox packed with a wife’s love I see?
Gimme a bite. I’m running outta gas after all that working out… (munch, munch)♪”
Akiomi: “Hey now! Stop picking at my lunch.”
Hokuto: “What are full-grown adults doing arguing like schoolgirls?
Stop skipping out, Sagami-sensei. Come back to the lesson.”
Jin: “Uukh~ You youngsters are so full of energy it’s blinding me. I can’t open my eyes.”
Hokuto: “Don’t sleep. If you do want to rest, don’t just lie down without cooling down first; it’ll affect you tomorrow. You’re not young anymore, Sensei.”
Akiomi: “Fufu. It must be hard on you, Hidaka-kun.”
Hokuto: “Ah, Kunugi-sensei – good day. Sorry for interrupting your meal; have you come to see how we’re doing?”
Akiomi: “Yes. While I can’t say I have that much free time myself, it’s been on my mind whether Sagami-sensei is taking this seriously like he should…
… not to mention the weird order the higher-ups just gave me.”
Hokuto: “Higher-ups? Weird order?”
Akiomi: “Don’t mind it. So far, it’s only been the delusional elderly letting their persecution complex get the better of them.”
Hokuto: “…? I’m not sure I understand. But since you’re here, can you tell us when you pick up anything weird about us while watching?
Sagami-sensei has his hands full just making sure he’s properly acting like an idol, so he hasn’t been giving us many directions.
I’m worried whether or not we’re doing this right; if we’re really fine like this.”
Chiaki: “It’s fine, it’s fine! No problem at all! We’re steadily becoming a unit!
You feel the same, right Himemiya!? Is your youth burning with flames!?”
Touri: “Stop bothering me every second…
Ahh geez, I’m so tired. fine’s lessons may be hard and taxing, but Rain-bows’ are such a mental drain.”
Akiomi: “Oh, Morisawa-kun, Himemiya-kun. Good work to the both of you.
I’m sorry, really, that you have to get dragged into us grown-ups’ troublesome affairs… It must be a lot of work, having to deal with Sagami-sensei?”
Chiaki: “No, this is a chance like no other to me! I am savoring every moment of it, sir!
But it seems to be a little hard on Himemiya’s stamina. Are you okay? Take some rest when it gets too much.”
Touri: “Don’t make fun of me. It does get tough on days when I have fine work after school and Rain-bows practice for lunch break, since I get no chance to rest…
And I haven’t fully adapted to life at Yumenosaki yet.
But, President is actively supporting this plan.
And it doesn’t look like I can get away from you troublesome bunch even if I whine… so I’ll just have to find the resolve… no, I’ll just give in and do my best.
Ahh geez. Why did things end up like this…”
Chiaki: “Fuhaha! You’re such a hard worker, Himemiya! I will affirm you with every fiber of my being! There, there, there♪”
Touri: “Umya!? Stop clinging to me, it’s stifling! Are you asking to get bitten!?”
Akiomi: “Ahaha. Surprisingly, you all seem to be getting along well.”
Hokuto: “Yeah. What happened in DDD put some distance between me and Himemiya, but…
Morisawa-senpai has been acting as the bridge to connect us all, which makes things peaceful.
That must be the skill of a leader. I have to learn from him.
…well, officially, the leader of Rain-bows is not Morisawa-senpai, but Sagami-sensei.
Hence – stop lazing around and get to work. What’s a leader who won’t set an example?”
Jin: “Okay, okay… We only have once a week, and only during lunch break, to gather.
There’s little time for anything, so we have to use what we have efficiently.
I know that. But this little old man’s dead tired. No idea how my younger self endured a life of this.”
Akiomi: “Didn’t you have an even more taxing schedule, as a youth?
You supported the whole industry on your own… Watching by your side, I admired you for how much of a superhuman feat it was.
But I never managed to imitate you, in the end.”
Jin: “Hmph. After realizing that making an individual shoulder everything will crush them under the weight, spreading the load between members of a unit has become the trend, right?
I wanna leave the hard work to the young’uns, seriously.”
Akiomi: “Goodness. To think you’d reach your limit so soon, Jin. Are you sure you will be fine, going forward?
…I suppose I should really stop acting like an observer and move onto the support. That’s what the higher-ups ordered, anyway.”
Jin: “Eh, what? Did I just hear you say something ominous, Akiyan?”
Akiomi: “No. It’s my business – don’t mind it.”
Revival / 8
Chiaki: “All right, that’s enough for breaks! There’s no point to us moving forward without you, so please come back so we can do our best together, Sensei!”
Jin: “Uukh~… I’m supposed to be the mentor, but I feel like I’m being enslaved by my disciples.”
Hokuto: “If you want to be respected as a mentor so much, show us how you live up to the title.”
Jin: “No choice, eh… Gotta hang on for a little longer, I guess.
Alright, gather around, kids. I’ll tell you about our coming plans.
We’ve run over the standard lessons every week so far, and we’ve finally become somewhat watchable. I think. Probably. ”
Hokuto: “That’s where you were supposed to say it with certainty to boost our confidence.”
Jin: “Boy, you ask for a lot… Anyway, we’re going nowhere just sticking to lessons.
With Project-Saga articles getting stale, Mr. Writer’s troubled and I’m getting lazier.
So. I’m thinking we should hold a live next month.”
Chiaki: “Ohh, a live show! So it’s finally time for the world to see us Rain-bows…☆”
Touri: “Uukh. I don’t want anyone to see. I want to bury away the reality that I’ve ever been involved with these people.”
Jin: “Well, I’m sure you guys have your own opinions. But you know that live shows are the most straightforward idol activity there is.
We only have the minimum war funds that were provided at our formation, but if we hold official DreamFests, we’ll be rewarded according to our results.
Though in our case, I guess we won’t have much to do with the money even if we get a lot.
But if we have a bigger budget, we won’t have to make do with the rooftop; we can rent official lesson rooms.
The quality of our lessons will increase, and so will our efficiency; we’ll get to produce more results even with our limited time.”
Chiaki: “Hmm. That’s true; even with muscle training, they say your growth rate is higher when you use the newest facilities and equipment.”
Hokuto: “Speaking of which, why are we practicing on the rooftop? Isn’t this place restricted…? Is it okay?”
Jin: “Of course. Who do you think I am? I’m a teacher.
A teacher’s an exception, so on the condition that I keep you guys under my watch… I get the permission to rent out this place for our practice.
In fact, since it’s usually off-limits, nobody uses it.
And that means we won’t be bothering other units; it’s very convenient as our practice location.”
Touri: “Nn~ I like it, since the view is nice.
But the only reason we haven’t had problems is that we’ve had nothing but clear weather. Won’t it be really nasty if it rains?”
Jin: “Yep. It won’t be for a while, but the rainy season will come.
I wanna gather enough money so we can take shelter right away when the weather isn’t on our side.
We can borrow an empty classroom for no fee,
but since it won’t be soundproof, we’ll be bothering other people, and the environment’s just not made for efficient practice.”
Chiaki: “I see. Live shows will help get us the funds needed to avoid that.
So an investment for the future. I expected no less, Sagami-sensei… always planning for the long run♪”
Jin: “Yeah. We can gather an audience by holding a live, which means an increase of fans.
There’s not much point to Rain-bows gaining fans, but you guys gaining higher appraisal and popularity independently shouldn’t be a bad thing at all.
Your units will benefit from it too.
You don’t seem very willing, Himemiya – but I hope you can consider that your drive to continue working as Rain-bows.”
Touri: “…”
Jin: “Plus, it’s a national magazine that serializes Project-Saga.
Depending on how it works out, you could sell your name to a wider audience than just Yumenosaki Academy’s.
This should be especially relevant to Hidaka, who’s gonna compete in SS.
SS gathers fans from every nook of the country, so you’ll benefit from gaining even just a little more fame.
Since the magazine serializing Project-Saga doesn’t just cover idols, you’ll get to appeal to an audience who aren’t usually interested in them.
You don’t usually get to reach out to that demographic if you just do regular work…
So if you can sell your name there, you may get a step or two ahead of other idols.”
Hokuto: “Hmm. I’ve been thinking that we’ll need to lay the groundwork for SS.”
Chiaki: “Right! Necessity is the father of success! When your goal is clear, it becomes a lot easier to move!”
Jin: “Well, we’re a temporary unit that came outta nowhere.
We don’t even have funds; calling over a bunch of audience for a showy live’s just a dream within a dream.
So don’t get your head in the clouds. What I just described are things that may be possible if things turn out well.”
Touri: “Hmph. Of course it’ll turn out well. I’m here.”
Hokuto: “That’s a lot of confidence. Well, I don’t have the slightest intention to fail either.”
Chiaki: “Right! I’m getting psyched~! Our current goal is a live show! And the first move we should make to achieve that is… what could it be, Sagami-sensei!?”
Jin: “You guys are beyond dependable. Good boys.
I can rest easy thanks to you. When it comes to to preparing for live shows, though, I’m sure you kids have more experience and knowledge than I do.
So specifically, what do you guys think we need to do from now on?”
Hokuto: “You’re so unreliable, Mentor. This is the part where you should boss us around with a multitude of orders.”
Jin: “That’s not my character… and you’ve probably forgotten, but I’m a retiree, a relic of the past.
I think we’ll encounter less problems if I emulate your methods, as you kids are still active in the field.”
Touri: “That’s true… Um, so you see, if we’re holding a live show, we’ll have to call in lots of audience first!
President’s very cooperative with Project-Saga for some reason, so he’ll probably promote us if I ask?”
Hokuto: “No, we need to come up with a program first. There’s no point in gathering people if we have nothing to show.”
Chiaki: “Yeah, deciding what we’ll perform will help in the promotion, I’m sure.
Still, we’re a temporary unit. We have no song repertoire to choose from.”
Hokuto: “Right. I’m not sure about using Trickstar or Ryuuseitai’s – our original units’ – songs as they are.
Each unit has different kinds of tunes and dances to suit the group’s style and direction, after all.”
Touri: “Eh~? But I wanna sing fine’s songs!
More like, I haven’t even practiced fine’s songs perfectly, so even if you make a lot of new songs now, I’m not gonna remember all of them!”
Hokuto: “Hmm. Of course. Most of fine’s songs seem difficult.”
Chiaki: “I have an idea. What if we rearrange our existing unit songs to suit Rain-bows’s style?
Of course, we’ll need to get permission from our respective units first.
But it’s fastest and easiest to use the weapon we’re most used to, as a rule.”
Hokuto: “Hmm. So using rearranged versions of our existing songs as our main weapon while adding a few original songs on top of them… would be the safest strategy, I guess?”
Revival / 9
Hokuto: “Anyway. So what we need to hold a live show is: songs, choreography, and then… costumes?”
Chiaki: “Right. We’ll start by putting together a program, see how it works out, and do some fine-tuning to find a balance. We have to bring out some sense of unity so we have a basis for designing the stage and costumes.”
Hokuto: “Oh. The transfer student’s eyes lit up. Do you want to make the costumes?
I have faith in your skills, and it’ll be cheaper than buying order-made, so we certainly appreciate it if you’re willing to make them…”
Chiaki: “Yeah. I thought about asking my close friend, Kiryuu, for the costumes like usual, but I’ll leave it to you if you’re up for it, Transfer Student.
Kiryuu said he’s been busy with the commissions heaping up lately, too.”
Touri: “Umm, you guys are moving along so rapidly that I dunno what to say… wait a minute.
Okay, so we have a solution for costumes – then the problem is where to get new songs?”
Hokuto: “I can ask my father’s acquaintance to compose a song.
They already helped out during the revolution though, so I kind of hesitate to ask again.”
Chiaki: “Right. Well, at worst, we can use some of the cheap songs that are up for rent.”
Touri: “Rent… songs? There’s something like that?”
Chiaki: “They don’t use them in fine? There’s a paid plan for borrowing songs to be used for lives or classes; I think it started sometime last year…
Not everybody can make a new song each time they hold a live, so they provide this convenient system.”
Touri: “Oh… I had no idea. It’s really like commoner culture, huh.”
Hokuto: “I was thinking – since Sagami-sensei is part of the team…
What if we use Sagami-sensei’s old hit songs, or rearrange them?”
Chiaki: “Aah, true, reviving old idols is what Project-Saga’s all about.
Having nostalgic songs may be nice; it’s important to have tunes that suit the project’s goal.
And if it’s Sagami-sensei’s hit songs – they’re my favorites to sing at karaoke, so I can perform them immediately.”
Touri: “Ah… Morisawa-senpai, do you like karaoke?”
Chiaki: “Hmm? Do you like karaoke too, Himemiya? Ah, but that’s not possible; you’re a well-off young master, after all.”
Touri: “No, I li… ne-never mind!”
Jin: “Nn~ Well, they may fit Project-Saga, but all my songs are pretty out of date if you listen to them now, y’know… are you guys sure?
Aren’t they lame and unbearable to hear, for modern kids?”
Chiaki: “It’s okay, Sagami-sensei! Masterpieces transcend time…☆”
Jin: “Nngh, I personally don’t wanna drag you youngsters into us old men’s fondness for nostalgia…
But I’ll look into it; remaking famous old songs isn’t so rare in the music industry.
It’s just, even though they’re part of my repertoire, I don’t hold the copyrights.
Some songs may have difficult terms of use, or demand crazily high fees.
In case of these problems cropping up, we should look to composing new, modern songs like normal.
I’ve said this over and over, but Project-Saga’s a low-budget plan and we have no money.”
Touri: “Yeah, that’s the problem. We’re like paupers or something… But that’s why I wanna pull off the live and raise lots of funds.
I think I’m starting to get motivated. Being an idol really is all about performing in live shows.”
Jin: “But that’s not the only thing constituting idol activity.
With promoting the live show, servicing the fans, being interviewed by Mr. Writer, and getting your pictures taken… you’ll get to have a full course of idol-like experience.
I pray that those experiences will turn out to be of use on your original paths.”
Touri: “Fufu. Actually, since in fine, I have my hands full just catching up to my seniors…
I think it might be pretty new and fun that I get to decide everything from square one with the team and do normal idol stuff like this.”
Chiaki: “Yeah. I’m having fun too. I have no dissatisfaction towards Ryuuseitai, but it’s gotten further dyed in hero themes because of my hobby…
So I’m happy I get to act like a straightforward, normal idol; feels like if I’ve become a newbie all over again.
Actually, I’m kinda worried that I’ve gotten so set in my hero ways that I’ve lost the ability to act like an idol.”
Hokuto: “We ran over the basic lessons so that wouldn’t happen, right?
… I also think it’s a happy thing, that I get to forget revolutions and personal enmities, and perform as an idol in my natural state.
An idol isn’t about defeating enemies or changing the world – it’s about singing and dancing to satisfy the audience in front of you.
I feel like I just got reminded of that very natural thing.”
Jin: “You’re not supposed to forget it. It’s important, you hear me?
Nah… as long as you guys don’t forget, you will always be idols.
You can keep standing on stage, for as long as you’re sought for.
I’ve thrown away that right with my own hands, but I think if it’s you guys – you won’t end up like me.
… huh, wait? I just noticed Kunugi-sensei’s gone?”
Touri: “Huh? You’re right… But lunch break is gonna end soon, so he’s probably just done here?”
Jin: “Nn~ Seriously, what did he come here for…? Just to gawk?
Well, who cares. Lunch break is ending… so let’s pack up and disperse, guys.
Don’t be late to your classes; the other teachers will bawl me out if you do.”
Hokuto: “Hmph… Geez, just when I thought you said something pretty nice, you have to be like that.”
Jin: “Ahaha. But the little unfortunate sides to people are what exactly gives them a lovable, human touch, you don’t think? No?”
> Hallway, 2nd Floor
Akiomi: “…Yes. Yes.
Right. I’m sorry we have to speak over the phone – Sagami-sensei may pick up on us if I summon you through a school-wide broadcast…
But if it’s necessary, we can meet up so I can explain in person.
Not necessary? That’s good. It’s quite troublesome to have to find you and speak to you directly.
Yes, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m thinking of getting involved in Project-Saga.
They’re too relaxed, too comfortable, with no sense of danger at all.
I believe they need a little stimulation from the outside. Yes, that’s how living beings grow, after all.
Of course. Come to the faculty office after school. We will need to pick out some kids to be our ‘teammates’…
Yes, if you have no problem with it, then please do get the children I recommended.
Fufu. You have my thanks, Mikejima-kun. …Yes, in the end – main characters do need archrivals.”
Revival / 10
> Faculty Office
< Same day, afterschool >
Madara: “Excuse meeeeee☆
Hahaha! As I swore to upon [the altar of God], I kidnapped… I mean, properly gathered some ‘teammates’ and arrived to save the daaay! This what you need, right, Kunugi-sensei!?”
Mika: “Nngaaah~!? Wh-What’s happenin’, all of a sudden!? Where are ya plannin’ ta take me? Save me, Oshi-san! I’m bein’ kidnappeeeeed!?”
Sora: “<HaHa~♪> Being carried on someone’s shoulder like this feels like flying in the sky~”
Akiomi: “You children. Be quiet in the faculty office.
But well, you’ve gone above and beyond my expectations, Mikejima-kun. I thought you would need a little more time.”
Madara: “Hahaha! [Quick as lightning]! If you come out with the same results regardless of the time you take, then faster is better, right?
I set aside my other business to prioritize this! I think that’s worth praise!”
Akiomi: “Sure. Since you’ve lived up to my expectations, I can forgive a little lack of manners.
… you’re a student preparing for university entrance exams. Let’s be more mindful of the language you’re using while speaking to someone above you.”
Madara: “Ahaha! Nonseeense! In my defense, I properly do that for the necessary people, you knoow?”
Mika: “Wai—err? Before ya start chattin’ around, can someone explain what’s goin’ on first!””
Madara: “Hahaha! [Preposterous]! Don’t think with your head – feel it with your soul!”
Mika: “Auau, I don’t get what this person’s sayin’! His voice is unnecessarily loud, an’ he’s scary! The exact type of person I’m not good with!
Ha-Harukawa-kuuun…? Harukawa-kun, do ya know what’s goin’ on?”
Sora: “Even if you ask Sora… but, this big person does not seem to mean us any harm, so—
There’s no need to be so scared~ Kage-niisan♪”
Mika: “I-I think kidnappin’ someone without a word is normally considered ‘assault’!?”
Madara: “Hahaha. You two, tone down your voices a bit. Kunugi-sensei said to ‘be quiet’, didn’t he? Let’s obey the teachers when we can♪”
Mika: “Nngaah, I got scolded! I got reprimanded by a criminal…!”
Sora: “<HiHi~♪> So that’s how the rule goes~? Then Sora will be quiet!”
Madara: “There, there. Err, Kunugi-sensei, where do these two need to be delivered to?
Should I just chuck them somewhere in that lounge space with the sofa?”
Akiomi: “Yes, like that. … but with a little more care, if you can.
You may become ‘teammates’ going forward, so you shouldn’t treat them in a way that’ll make them hate you.”
Madara: “Hahaha. I’m a solo unit; I have no idea how to treat teammates♪”
Akiomi: (Geez… perhaps I’ve made a mistake. Mikejima-kun is incredibly outstanding as manpower, but I see he’s the same troublemaker as ever, messing up the school’s order.
Hmph. Ah well, all we need to do is keep up appearances until Project-Saga quiets down.)
”You kids, sit down there. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Mika: (Di-Discuss? What is it? Is he gonna say ‘Do proper work!’ and scold me again…?)
Akiomi: “…well, just relax. I believe it won’t be a bad talk for you at all.”
Sora: “That sounds very interesting~ Then Sora will get down to the floor to sit! Excuse me~ Kurun-kurun-kurun… _pah_☆”
Madara: (Ohh? I held onto him pretty strongly so I wouldn’t accidentally drop him and get him hurt, but… he slipped away so easily, huuh?
Sora-san, was it? I don’t have much on him since he’s a first year – I wonder what sort of boy he is?)
Mika: “U-Umm. Mikejima… -senpai, was it? Can ya put me down too? I hate not bein’ able to move on my own! If someone’s gonna manipulate me, it has t’be Oshi-san!”
Madara: “Ooh, pardon me pardon me! I’ll put you down theen! Heave-ho~♪”
Mika: “Nnhya!? So violent! Couldn’t ya treat me with more care…?”
Madara: “Hahaha. Sorry, sorry. Got to remember to be gentler with younger children; I’ll properly treat you like a princess next time, so rest easy♪”
Mika: “Nngah, you don’t hafta treat me like a princess, but at least treat me like a doll. What are ya gonna do if you get me cracked, sheesh.”
Sora: “<HuHu~♪> Kage-niisan, do your bones crack easily? You have to consume the essential nutrients!”
Madara: “Right! Drink more milk; milk!”
Mika: “Uukh. I’m not the one who decides what I get ta swallow.”
Akiomi: “Fufu. I told you children to be quiet – but well, I guess I shouldn’t expect any different. You’re at the age where the slightest things can seem funny.
In any case. Let’s begin our talk; I’ve prepared tea and snacks, so feel free to sip and nibble on them.
If you don’t waste time on banter, we can get the talk over with quickly.
The reason I gathered you all here today… is because I want you to take on a certain campus part-time job.”
Mika: “Nngaah~? What, is that what this is…?
Then ya could’ve said from the beginnin’. Ya don’t have to kidnap me by force; I would’ve come if I got called normally.”
Sora: “<HaHa~♪> But Sora had fun! It’s just since Sora got carried off right in the middle of Game Club activity, Shisho may be worried~”
Madara: “Hahaha. I’ll speak to Natsume-san later. To Shuu-san too.
I have some ties with the Five Oddballs, and they’re a reasonable bunch, so I’m sure they’ll understand.
Let me apologize for being rough with you two. But it was my duty to gather and take you to the faculty office within today.”
Akiomi: “You didn’t have to force it if it looked to be impossible.
But there’s nothing that can be done about that now; and I’m grateful that you gathered the kids I asked.”
Madara: “Okay! Since my business here is done, can I go?”
Akiomi: “No. You need to sit down too, Mikejima-kun.
You can act the lone wolf if it pleases you, but I cannot let an irregularity like a ‘solo unit’ roam free forever.
Take this chance to get used to working in a team. In the coming era, idols won’t be able to live alone.”
Madara: “Hahaha! That goes for any era and everyone, even non-idols!
Can you consider my feelings in choosing to be alone, even among other humans who live in packs?
Ah well! This is work too – no, a festivaaal♪ Then it’s just manners to enjoy it!
I’ll thank you for granting me this chance to get involved with Yumenosaki Academy’s main storyline, for I haven’t been able to do so until now!”
Akiomi: “Main storyline? No, an extra side story is probably the most this can be. An event that’s set off outside of the narrative; a subplot that won’t matter either way.
But it ‘may end up different’, so I intend to make a move in the early stages. That’s what I called the three of you over for.”
Madara: “Right! Get a walking stick before stumbling! Get three sticks for sustainability!”
Akiomi: “I think you mean pillars, for the second one?”
Revival / 11
Mika: “I-I can’t follow at all… Uhh, umm, what’s that mean? Harukawa-kun, do ya know?”
Sora: “<HiHi~♪> Sora doesn’t know what it means, but Sensei is giving off a fun ‘color’~ It’s usually hidden somewhere hard to see, but it shines with seven colors today!
Sensei, is that your true ‘color’?”
Akiomi: “What are you talking about? Anyway, as I’ve said before… I’ll need you to take part in a campus part-time job.”
Mika: “I-It feels like there’s not goin’ to be a choice… Do we have a right to refuse?
I wanna get more activity funds, so of course I’m happy t’participate in campus part-time jobs, but~?”
Akiomi: “You can refuse, but I don’t recommend it.
Mikejima-kun, Kagehira-kun, Harukawa-kun… the academy keeps a watchful eye on you due to your repetitive problematic behaviors.”
Mika: “Eh, no way? But I swear I haven’t done anythin’ wrong…”
Akiomi: “I know. But even when you haven’t done anything bad, those who provide no benefit to the big picture are weeded out; that’s simply how it goes in the world of adults.
This isn’t compulsory education either, so they can’t afford to keep freeloaders around forever.
Kagehira-kun, you’ve been skipping classes to do part-time jobs, haven’t you? You are what society normally calls a delinquent.”
Mika: “De-Delinquent? That’s not it, I just need to gather funds f’r Valkyrie…
I always try to attend classes too; even if I usually get too tired an’ end up sleepin’ through 'em.”
Akiomi: “Take the classes properly; at least study your tuition’s worth.
Consider the feelings of the teachers who have to drone on and on in front of sleeping children because they’re duty-bound to hold a lecture.
It isn’t only aggravating and saddening – it feels hollow after a while.”
Mika: “Uukh. I’m sorry… Th-That’s such a deserved reprimand I can’t argue back.”
Akiomi: “Well, you are still among the better ones, Kagehira-kun.
The bigger problem here is Mikejima-kun, who has probably broken about every school rule there is, and Harukawa-kun, who keeps doing bizarre things such as climbing the school walls.”
Madara: “Hahaha! [Free and uncontrolled]! I won’t be stopped from acting however I want!”
Sora: “<HuHu~♪> I’m sorry! When scolded, apologizes!
But it doesn’t say anywhere in the school rules… that we must use the corridors and stairs during transit instead of climbing the walls, right~?”
Akiomi: “Well, you two certainly know how to argue back… Don’t misunderstand. I am not your enemy.
In fact, I am talking to you because I want to protect you and do something for you.
The three of you have some form of connection with that ‘Five Oddballs’ group, yes?
In the last quarter of last year, that name was another word for ‘troublemakers’. The academy doesn’t think well of them.
The idol trade is all about fame, and faith. It isn’t smart to let any source of bad reputation roam free.
Although the Five Oddballs are incredibly excellent idols, so the academy seems to be unwilling to let go of them either.
However, as people related to them, you may turn into targets of criticism and attack.
You do not want to cause problems for each of your important people, I believe? Then reflect on your actions and fix your behaviors.”
Mika: “…”
Akiomi: “Anyway. If you accept the part-time job I’m about to offer you, I promise to have your backs.
As long as you don’t cross the line, I can feign ignorance towards any of your problematic behaviors.
I am in charge of student guidance – so I can offer you my connivance, to some extent.”
Madara: “Oh, a backroom deal? What a bad, bad teacher you are; I don’t dislike that♪”
Mika: “Eh, eh? What’s that mean? I still can’t follow!”
Madara: “Hahaha. This is what Kunugi-sensei is saying… if we lend him a hand, he’ll write off all of our problematic behaviors so far.”
Akiomi: “I’m not writing them off. But well, I will be lenient.
I will also negotiate with the other teachers and convince them – no… I will become your ally.”
Madara: “And you ask us to be your soldiers in exchange? Using someone’s weakness against them for your exploits – that’s what the mafia does, you knoow♪”
Akiomi: “It doesn’t sound like a joke coming from you, Mikejima-kun.”
Mika: “Nngaah~? I don’t really understand, but that smells like serious trouble! Wh-What are you gonna make us do… Kunugi-sensei?
I’ll hafta say no to gettin’ involved in crimes! I don’t want Oshi-san t’get a scratch on 'is record because of me!”
Akiomi: “Fufu. How could I involve my dearest students in criminal acts? I’m in the position where I must actively stop you when I catch you in one. Don’t make light of me.
Anyway, the content of this part-time job is easy. I need you to form a temporary unit.
The unit name will need to be thought through together, but I plan for us to use ready-made songs and costumes…
So hopefully, it won’t be too much of a workload for you.”
Sora: “Nnn, ‘temporary unit’? Not a word Sora’s heard~?”
Akiomi: “Right, first years would have no idea, I suppose… I will explain it to you later. However, this temporary unit will have to perform in a certain live show next month.
Until then, you are prohibited from taking other on-campus part-time jobs; you will devote yourselves to unit lessons.
Of course you don’t mind? You will have to take more idol-like jobs like this, instead of cleaning the rooms or doing laundry.
I will also pay you the money you probably would have gained had you spent that period doing part-time jobs.
And as I’ve mentioned, I will overlook your problematic behaviors, to some extent.
What do you think? This isn’t a bad deal at all, is it? Will you accept?”
Mika: “Eeehh~ Honestly I don’t wanna be part o’ another unit besides Valkyrie… but based on the talk so far, I probably can’t refuse?”
Akiomi: “Why, yes. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s an order. You must obey your teacher, you see.”
Madara: “Hahaha! [What arrogance]! It makes me want to resist for no reason, but there does seem to be no disadvantage to accepting?
Even if it doesn’t settle well with me to have my free will stolen away and dance to someone else’s tune.
I don’t mind agreeing. I was thinking to comply with the unit system and work in one just once, rather than just observing from the side.
Experience is the best teacher, right? I’m sure it won’t go to waste.
Know your enemy, know yourself, and you shall win a hundred battles. I was thinking to get a direct feel of the logic that currently governs this academy.”
Sora: “Nn~ Sora will be happy just being able to sing and dance while having fun, but can Sora confirm this with Shisho first?
Discussing with Shisho before making hard decisions has become Sora’s style lately~”
Akiomi: “Yes, well, I don’t mind if you take it home with you and think it through first.
Just keep in mind that the live show is in a month; we don’t have much time to spare.
If you spend too much time thinking, we’ll lose the time we could’ve used on doing lessons, so I advise you to give me an answer as soon as possible.
Still… do give it proper thought before making the decision. I said it was an order, but the freedom to comply with it or not still lies with you.
I can force you… but this time, I won’t.
For the time being, this case doesn’t seem to demand such desperate measures. Not a do-or-die that will decide the direction of anyone’s life; nothing but a comparatively irrelevant, silly story.”
Mika: “…”
Revival / 12
> Rooftop
< Approximately a week later, Rain-bows’ activity day >
Touri: “Bon appetit~☆
(munch, munch, munch) ♪ It’s delicious as always! Slave No.2’s the one who prepares our lunch, right?
I think she’s becoming better and better~ Give it a little more time and maybe I wouldn’t mind hiring her as my house cook?”
Hokuto: “…Slave No.2?”
Touri: “Ah, the transfer student. My Slave No.1 is Yuzuru, so she’s No.2.”
Hokuto: “I’m really not one to say, but be more respectful to your elders. And don’t speak while eating; it’s poor manners.”
Touri: “You’re so fussy~ Stop sounding like Yuzuru.”
Hokuto: “Heh. Fushimi asked me to keep an eye on you, so it suits me perfectly that I ‘sound like Yuzuru’.”
Touri: “Gehh, don’t just be friends with my slave without permission… darnit, Yuzuru, this is a betrayal to fine.
Well, I don’t actually mind. Hidaka-senpai, you’re nowhere as noisy as Yuzuru.
I dunno what you’re holding back for, but you don’t meddle with me too much, so I don’t find you so grating.”
Hokuto: “…If you wish, I can be a lot harsher with you. I still don’t fully grasp how I should deal with my juniors; I’m not sure how much distance to keep.
But I wouldn’t mind constantly badgering and babysitting you around the clock, you know… Princess?”
Touri: “Uehh? What the heck? Don’t give me weird titles!”
Hokuto: “? Isn’t it your nickname? That’s what buchou said.”
Touri: “Buchou? Ah, that Long Hair?”
Hokuto: “Yeah. When I told him about Rain-bows during club, he told me ‘You must escort the Princess properly, Prince♪’ or something along those lines.
It seems buchou is also cheering us on.”
Touri: “Are you sure~? That sounds like he’s making fun of us. I still have no idea what goes on under that long hair of his.”
Hokuto: “I have no idea either. …but anyway, you can call me by a nickname too.
We’ve become comrades through some trick of fate; I’d prefer that you don’t keep up a hostile act because I’m an ‘enemy’ or ‘traitor’.
Also, I thought this after watching Akehoshi – calling each other by nicknames will make us seem like we get along really well. Isn’t it nice?”
Touri: “Is there any need to get along…? Well, small fry like Trickstar gotta stick together to survive, I guess.
But each of us has to stand independently as peerless, undefeated kings in _fine_♪”
Hokuto: “Really? Last year, fine was the one making a show of behaving like weaklings sticking together… I guess the times have changed.”
Touri: “…? What? fine were always main characters of absolute justice, right?”
Hokuto: “Is that how it looks from the outside? The result of skilled information manipulation, I guess; talk about detestable.”
Touri: “…?”
Chiaki: “Ooi. The junior duo over there, don’t just get along on your own. Let me in too.”
Touri: “Don’t group us weirdly like that. … you were discussing something difficult with Sagami-sensei, so we were giving you some space, you know?”
Chiaki: “Right. Actually, he told me to explain it to you guys too, so let me have a word.”
Hokuto: “Morisawa-senpai, where’s Sagami-sensei? I only just noticed he’s gone. Can’t he even do explanations on his own… that slothful teacher?”
Chiaki: “Don’t say that. School teachers are busier than we imagine, you know.
He can’t deal with us all the time; just now he had to rush to the infirmary because an emergency patient came.
He said he’ll get us something nice while he’s away, so let’s wait expectantly. Seems like it has to do with the transfer student, who hasn’t shown up today.”
Hokuto: “With the transfer student? Come to think of it, she’s not here today; I thought she was just busy producing other units.
The transfer student’s been focusing on some other work even during class lately… She’s visibly busy; it’s almost hard to call out to her.”
Chiaki: “Hmm… Well, that girl is a hard worker.
Although the Produce Course is still on trial and she’s the only person there, jobs for producer just keep increasing.
At this rate, she’s going to reach her breaking point. As someone who’s usually by her side, you should watch out for her, Hidaka.”
Hokuto: “Yeah, of course, naturally. But the transfer student’s not being forced to work, it’s what she wants to do—
So I’m not sure if I should stop her just because I’m worried she works too much.
Anyway. So what is it that you wanted to explain… Morisawa-senpai?”
Chiaki: “Right. Well, let’s just relax and have lunch as we talk.
Sagami-sensei will come back eventually, possibly with the transfer student. I personally want all of Rain-bows gathered for our discussion.
Two is better than one, three is better than two, and everyone together is better than three.”
Touri: “Hmph. You guys can’t live without constantly herding together or something?
That’s okay, though. Rain-bows activities are mostly such a pain, but the mealtimes are pretty fun…
I have to stay sharp since the lessons are tougher than I thought – but that’s why the mealtime that comes after is my haven~♪
It’s my chance to slow down and breathe. Slave No.2 puts my favorite food in the lunchbox too.
And I don’t have to take ‘Yuzuru’s Table Manners Course’ every time.”
Chiaki: “Himemiya, do you always eat lunch with that kid… Fushimi? Sounds to me like you two are close buddies☆”
Touri: “We’re not… He’s just a servant who has worked at our place a long time; a guy I just can’t get rid of.”
Chiaki: “Really? You sound like you really like him though, bringing him up even when no one asks♪”
Touri: “Sh-Shut up… I can’t help it; I just enrolled so I don’t know anyone else.
Yuzuru just won’t stop coming to bother me despite being from a different year.
No thanks to him, I haven’t been able to widen my social circle much… well, kings are always lonely at the top, though!”
Chiaki: “Fuhaha, don’t worry, Himemiya! We’ll become your friends, your comrades!
No – the bonds have been woven between us, bonds as fellow members of Rain-bows! You won’t be lonely! There, there, there…♪”
Touri: “Stop! Don’t pet my head like you would an actual pet~! You’re interrupting my lunch, I can charge you for royal defamation!”
Revival / 13
Hokuto: “Fufu. It feels so strange that I get to have lunch with Morisawa-senpai and Himemiya like friends… Life is full of things we can’t expect.”
Touri: “Yeah, seriously. Who could’ve guessed?”
Chiaki: “Fuhaha! But that’s why life is precious! Don’t you think so, guys!?”
Touri: “Wow, annoying… How are you constantly hyped like that? The Long Hair from my unit isn’t much different though.
You guys probably just have too much energy… then you could’ve shared some with me.
I’m so lacking in stamina that lately, I’ve started to lag behind fine’s lessons. …I don’t wanna be the thing that locks those people in place.
I didn’t come all the way here to become a burden.”
Chiaki: “…”
Hokuto: “…”
Touri: “Uh, Senpai? Why did you move your dessert jellies into my lunch box?
Sure, I was thinking the lunch needs more sweetness, but I’m not a beggar, okay!?”
Hokuto: “No, sweets are good for stress, you see.”
Chiaki: “That’s right! Build your stamina by eating lots and lots! Promise me this☆”
Touri: “… I was wrong to assume these people would have any sense of tact or delicacy. Yeah, should’ve seen this coming.
Not that I expected much in the first place, but seriously, is that how you react to someone expressing their struggles?”
Jin: “Ooi~ I’m back, guys~ Sorry for leaving in the middle like that… Great to see you’re getting along nicely.”
Chiaki: “Sagami-sensei! Welcome back!
Ohh, so you’re with him, Transfer Student! Good, good! We were lonely thinking you might not show up today! C’mere, come closer♪”
Hokuto: “Don’t beckon her like you would a cat. Pay her proper respect as an equal, a person.”
Touri: “Yeah, Morisawa-senpai can be like that, huh?”
Chiaki: “I don’t want to hear that from you guys… but I’m just not used to girls. I can’t figure out how to treat them.
Up until middle school, there were girls in my surroundings. But I didn’t interact with them much…
I liked playing baseball or the like with my guy friends more than playing with girls.”
Touri: “Huh. Isn’t that okay? … From where I stand, I think you’re blessed to be able to experience an ordinary life like that.”
Chiaki: “Fufu. We both keep asking for something we don’t have, huh?”
Jin: “Haha. You guys have really gotten friendly before I knew it. You forget your shackles so easily… I was like that as a brat too, I think.
Ah well. Transfer Student, give them that thing.”
Hokuto: “That thing? What do you mean?”
Chiaki: “Ah, I’m sorry, Sagami-sensei. I got so into my chat with them that I didn’t get around to explaining.”
Jin: “Huh. Well, it’s fine; getting along is your first priority.
I’ll explain, then. The details of the live show that became our current goal have been mostly finalized. The proposal got officially approved, and they provided us plenty of funds.”
Touri: “Whoa, that’s nice. We’d been thinking so far ahead without sorting ourselves out in the present, I was a bit worried.
I thought in the worst case scenario, I might need to beg from the president or pay out of my own pocket.”
Hokuto: “Hmm, you’re helping out of goodwill, Himemiya, so it wouldn’t feel good to burden you with that.”
Touri: “What are you talking about? It’s enough burden having to give up my precious lunch break every week for this.
And you seem to forget, but I’m not helping out of goodwill or anything.”
Hokuto: “Ah… Right, you were supposed to be the spy the student council president sent.
Are things going okay? Are you properly giving him the reports he wants?”
Touri: “The guy I’m spying on is worrying about me… This is such a weird situation.
I don’t know if President is satisfied, but I’ve been reporting to him on the same day Rain-bows gather.
Plus, President seems to be investigating from various directions himself, including checking out the magazine where Project-Saga is serialized.
He said he’s jealous since we seem to be having fun.”
Chiaki: “Yeah. Surprisingly, this is really fun.
Since I’m not the leader like I’d be in Ryuuseitai, I think that’s allowed me to loosen up and perform more freely.”
Hokuto: “I feel the same. Leader, huh… I really don’t feel the position suits me.”
Touri: “? Rain-bows’s leader is Sagami-sensei, right?”
Hokuto: “Ah no, I became Trickstar’s leader, you see. Just as a formality though; we’re all equal in the group, but…
My work and responsibility increased. I can’t stay like before.”
Touri: “Huh, well, must be tough to be so weak that you don’t even have enough people for things. You have to take up the position even if you don’t have the right attributes, huh?”
Jin: “C’mon boys, stop veering off to unrelated topics at every chance. Well, you kids aren’t much different in my classes either, so I’m used to it.
And you’ll certainly get to learn more by speaking your thoughts plainly and arguing like that, instead of just quietly listening to me talking.”
Hokuto: “Aah… right. Sorry, that was ill manners.”
Jin: “Sure. Transfer Student, have you finished giving them out? Boys, unwrap the packaging and check it out.”
Hokuto: “Hmm… Ohh, this is—?”
Chiaki: “Ohh! It’s our costumes! So they’ve been completed!”
Touri: “Eh?—Ah… This is Rain-bows’s costume? For the live?”
Hokuto: “That’s impressive, Transfer Student. You weren’t even finished with the design last week, but now you’re done sewing them?
Come to think of it, you made the Trickstar outfits for us at great speed as well…
I heard Kiryuu-senpai helped you with those, but you did it all on your own this time, right?
That’s wonderful. I really do think you have a talent for making costumes.”
Touri: “Yeah. I thought it was gonna be some pauper-like costume, but this is pretty neat.
The material seems durable, yet easy to move in? You used a pretty high-end fabric, didn’t you?”
Chiaki: “…”
Hokuto: “Mmu? What’s wrong, Morisawa-senpai? Is it not to your liking?”
Chiaki: “Ah, no… I think the costume is incredible. But this was made before we got the funds, right?
You have to properly demand compensation for the material cost, Transfer Student – I’m worried about you providing things at your own expense!
Also, I was just thinking. This is based on the costume Sagami-sensei used to wear in the past, right?
I thought I’d seen it somewhere before, so I was wondering for a bit where it was.”
Jin: “Ah, you can tell? It would’ve been tough to design from scratch, and it’s part of the magazine’s demand…
They told me to include some elements from the past me, so I asked her to incorporate them in the design.
But of course, replicating my old costume as-is would look old and lame, so the transfer student touched it up.
You guys would look fine, but I’m in my thirties already… I can’t wear fancy dazzling clothes made of primary colors. That’s gonna be embarrassing.”
Hokuto: “Fufu. Come to think of it, you wore really vibrant and ostentatious-looking costumes all the time when you were active, Sagami-sensei. Your entire body shining with gold and stuff.”
Jin: “Yeah. I had to stand out all on my own, and that’s just the sort of era it was.
Showbiz’s in a decline, but there are so many big guns with their mindset still stuck in the bubble economy.”
Revival / 14
Jin: “Well, anyway. That costume’s for trial, so the transfer student’ll remake it if there are any problems. Also, she’s saying she’s willing to make more if you guys want?”
Chiaki: “No, just these are good enough. Rain-bows is a young unit…
If we keep changing costumes while our image isn’t fixed yet, the audience may have a hard time remembering us.”
Hokuto: “Yeah, and it’ll be more burden on the transfer student. She has more work than just making costumes.
This costume is very polished, so I believe there’s no problem with making this our official unit outfit.”
Touri: “Agreed~ Mine probably needs some adjustments though. Actually, I’ve gotten just a bit thinner since enrolling here…
So if you made this based on my data from then, it may be a little too big on me.”
Chiaki: “Mmu? Is that right, Himemiya? You’re dainty enough already… where would you be losing fat?”
Touri: “Yeah, lessons consume a lot of calories – but since I can’t be getting pimples by eating sugar, I’ve been holding back on that.
Well, figures I’d lose weight eventually.”
Chiaki: “That’s not good at all, Himemiya – meat is power! Eat lots and build your stamina! I’ll give you the rest of my lunch ♪
Actually, this has eggplants here and there so I just couldn’t bring myself to eat it…!”
Touri: “Don’t push your leftovers on me! I-I’m okay! My body’s always gained fat easily, so I’ll probably restore my weight in no time!”
Jin: “Hahaha. Okaaay, so to sum it up… you guys have no problem with the costume?
The transfer student just went ahead and finished it before I confirmed the design with you guys, so I was a little worried.”
Hokuto: “Don’t make it sound like she’s at fault. In fact, praise her for getting the job done fast.”
Jin: “Sure. Good girl. This goes for the rest of you too, but… I’m so amazed at how rapidly the transfer student’s growing. Young’uns have it so nice.
Anyway, so we have the song and choreography ready through Hidaka’s father’s connections… one of his acquaintances.
Seeing how our lesson today progressed, we can probably get enough practice no problem until the day of.
And if the costume also got the OK, well, we can probably hold the live without excess or deficiency. We’ll still have to work on the pre-advertising and practice the fanservice we’ll be doing, though.
Ah, right. The magazine company did some promotion too, and will bring in audience from outside the school…
Since Project-Saga is steadily becoming a bigger topic, they said we can expect a good amount of people.”
Hokuto: “Hmm. If we have outsiders in the audience, does that mean it’s become an S1-ranked DreamFest?”
Jin: “No way, it’s nothing of that scale. The academy’s treating it like an official DreamFest, but it’s probably more of a special-case match that’s not bound by the system.
Just my intuition, but there will probably be more of this type of thing from now on.
The DreamFest system will probably undergo further transformation, since it doesn’t suit the times we’re in anymore.”
Touri: “Ah, President also said something like that.
He doesn’t show up at the student council office often, but when he does, he gets into a heated argument about the topic with vice prez each time.
And looking like they’re enjoying themselves. …the way I am, I can’t get in between those two yet.
Ah well. Then umm, so the point is, things are proceeding okay? And we just have to give all our effort and focus on perfecting our performance?”
Jin: “That’s right. But I’ve found a little problem, so I was thinking to consult you guys about it.
Well, you see~ I’m not sure why either… but there seems to be another unit that wants to join this live.”
Hokuto: “Hmm. How is that a problem?
It’s not like we wanted to do a solo live no matter what. Having more participants gives it a sense of larger scale, which will help enliven things, right?”
Chiaki: “True that! Fans of the other unit will come too; there are loads of good things! We accept any challenger, anytime…☆”
Jin: “Just where did you guys earn that confidence, when Rain-bows hasn’t achieved anything yet? …well, so anyway, this is where things get funny.
This unit I’m talking about – Kunugi-sensei formed it.
And they have a teacher, a third year, a second year, and a first year gathered… as if imitating what we’re doing.”
Hokuto: “Kunugi-sensei did? I wonder why?”
Jin: “Who knows… Asked him, but he evaded the question. No idea.
Looking at the unit’s formation, maybe he wants to join Project-Saga too?”
Chiaki: “Fufu. Like, I won’t let Sagami-sensei take all the glory! kind of thing?”
Jin: “He’s not supposed to be that type of guy. But anyway, it’s totally beyond me why he formed something like that and…
It’s kinda creepy, so let’s keep our guards up, is what I wanna say.
Kunugi-sensei’s not being himself. There’s a possibility somebody else made this undesirable suggestion to him.”
Chiaki: “Somebody… but who could that be? Don’t tell me – a mysterious organization aiming for world domination is brewing a conspiracy in the shadows of Project-Saga!?”
Jin: “Nope, totally not. Hey, in these times, if you broadcast that kinda stupid nonsense on TV, the watchers will flame you for making things up.
But still, there’s something making me reaaaally uneasy about this… I’ll bug Kunugi-sensei some and poke around.
So that aside. They’re gonna participate in the same live show as us, so we’ll have to make some adjustments to the production to match them.
They seem to desire a live match, so we’ll have to study their style to plan against them, too.
In the event of a match, might will become right, but losing means we’ll profit less.
Project-Saga is supposed to center on us, so it’s gonna be shameful if we lose.
It’s even possible that… we’ll be excused from the project, and they’ll put Kunugi-sensei’s team in the center as replacement.”
Touri: “H-Huuh… Well, if that means I won’t have to waste any more time on this stupid project, that’s fine by me—
But I guess it’ll frustrate me some. I hate losing, so much.”
Hokuto: “Yeah. I feel the same way. Of course, I’ll aim for victory.”
Chiaki: “Fufu. If we can reach a solution by talking it out, that would be best.
But if necessity calls, we have no choice… it’ll be too pathetic if we head out without any preparation, and end up flattened to the ground.
We have to use every hand possible to prepare for the battle. May I know what Kunugi-sensei’s unit is like, specifically?”
Jin: “Nn~ I don’t have much info on them yet. They’re a temporary unit formed later than us… about two days ago, out of nowhere.
So far, it seems like they haven’t done anything as a team.
Using my rights as a teacher, I got to take a look at their formation proposal. Couldn’t pick up more than their unit name and the members, though.”
Chiaki: “That’s pretty useful information already. We may be able to estimate the extent of their ability somewhat, if the members are people we know.”
Jin: “Okay. So err, I’ll start with the unit members. The leader is naturally, Kunugi-sensei.
Unlike me, he hasn’t stopped polishing himself even after retirement, so he’ll be a formidable enemy.”
Touri: “It would be a lot easier on us if you hadn’t stopped training too, Sagami-sensei… Well, I guess it’s weird to ask a retiree to keep doing lessons though.”
Jin: “Nn~ It wasn’t so long ago that Kunugi-sensei retired. I think he simply hasn’t fallen out of the habit.
Me, I’ve pretty much forgotten that I used to be an idol.”
Hokuto: “Don’t forget that. The world remembers even if you forget.”
Revival / 15
Hokuto: “Anyway. So who are the other members of the temporary unit we’re matching up against?”
Jin: “Uuh, I’ll list them in order. The third year is MaM’s Mikejima, the second year is Valkyrie’s Kagehira,
and the first year is Switch’s… Harukawa? I think. With first years, I can’t immediately recall how the kid looks even hearing their name, sorry.”
Touri: “Ah, if it’s him, we’re in the same class. He seems to be something of a troublemaker; the teachers scold him all the time.
Well, all the kids in my class are like that~ I’m the only decent one there.”
Hokuto: “Fufu. But Valkyrie aside, I’m not familiar with the other two units…
Switch – I think that’s the unit Sakasaki from our class made?”
Chiaki: “Hmm. MaM, or rather Mikejima-san I’m personally close with, so I have a good idea what he’s like.
He’s an incredibly capable man. Can probably stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Five Oddballs and Tenshouin.”
Touri: “Haah!? President’s the greatest most excellent strongest top idol there is, okay!?
… huh, wait? What’s the Five Oddballs? You didn’t mean three?”
Hokuto: “Ah… there used to be five of them, so they were called the Five Oddballs.”
Touri: “They were? It feels like I’ve heard the word before, I guess~?
So there are two additional guys that are like our unit’s Long Hair? Ueeehh…”
Hokuto: “Yes. The guy named Sakasaki that I just mentioned was also one of the Five Oddballs.
If that Harukawa kid is in the same unit as him, that may make him the prized disciple of an Oddball.
Needless to say, this also applies to Kagehira who’s still part of Valkyrie, the unit that used to reign at the top of Yumenosaki Academy. He has the favors of another of the Five Oddballs, Itsuki Shuu.”
Chiaki: “Yeah. I’m worried for Itsuki actually, since he hasn’t been coming to school much… but he treasures his comrades a lot, and he excels as a mentor.
I don’t really know Kagehira’s abilities; or rather, I can’t form an image of him even though I’ve watched Valkyrie’s performances multiple times…
He’s probably Itsuki’s cherished pupil who’s received his training. We should pay attention to him.”
Hokuto: “Hmm. The team members seemed as though they were picked out at random, but they all share the feeling of being mysterious powerhouses.
What is Kunugi-sensei planning to do by gathering that kind of people?”
Jin: “Who knows… He fancies himself the bespectacled intellect now, but back in the day, he acted on the fly a lot more than you’d expect.
It could really be a simple whim.”
Touri: “Hmph. Whatever the opponent’s planning, we just have to make them kneel to us by showing off our power, right?”
Chiaki: “Ooh, you’re so dependable, Himemiya! You won’t even flinch in the face of a strong enemy! You’re so cool♪”
Touri: “He-Hehehe… Well, we still can’t let our guard down.
I don’t wanna get caught off guard just because I underestimated the enemy ever again, so we should probably investigate those guys thoroughly.”
Hokuto: “… ah, I forgot to ask. Do those guys have a unit name?
We can’t keep calling them ‘those guys’, so I want to know their name to start with.”
Jin: “Right. Uhh… the thing is, I dunno how to read it. I wrote it down though; is this English? What’s the pronunciation?”
Hokuto: “Give it to me. Uhh, so it’s written <Ba-barrier>. You’re right this is difficult to read. Ba… va-ri-a?”
Touri: “Like bavarois? That’s surprisingly cute.”
Hokuto: “…♪ (looks at Touri and nods satisfiedly)”
Chiaki: “Hmm. I don’t think it’s that. Babari… Bar-ba-ri-an?”
Hokuto: “Barbarian? That’s a disturbing name. Not idol-like at all.”
Chiaki: “Ah, the transfer student’s saying that it may be pronounced like ‘baa-ba-ri-a’!”
Touri: “What language is that? Maybe a made-up word… I feel like I’m trying so hard to look deeply into it that I’m starting to draw a blank.
They probably have better naming sense compared to our cliched ‘Rain-bows’, though.”
Hokuto: “Well, I’m sure they put some deep meaning into it, but it’s hard to tell from just the letters.
So if we’re using the transfer student’s pronunciation for now… I see, this Ba-barrier group is our enemy.”
Chiaki: “Fufu. You seem happy, Hidaka; you get fired up when you have an opponent to beat, huh! I get you! Tickles your boyish spirit, doesn’t it ♪”
Hokuto: “Yeah. I’m starting to realize after hearing people tell me lately: I may be a more aggressive guy than I thought.”
Touri: “You’re practically a dog biting at everybody you come across; a feral dog.
… rather than that, I’m really clueless about Kunugi-sensei. What kind of idol was he before retiring?
If he’s the leader, he should be the one deciding the content of the unit performance and everything else. If we know his tastes and special skills, we may be able to build the right strategy against him.”
Jin: “Okay. Before I get to that, I’ll have to lay out an exposition of the history of idols.”
Hokuto: “Why. Lunch break’s going to end soon, so we don’t have time to listen to your long speech.”
Jin: “Just hear me out here. It’s hard to explain what sort of idol Kunugi-sensei was.
He has a half-baked work history too, so I’d feel bad if he doesn’t get proper evaluation because of it.
This is part of Project-Saga’s goal anyway, so you guys should know at least the basic outline of the industry’s history.
It’s the old man’s favorite nostalgia time; sit tight and listen… Sagami-sensei is starting a class♪”
Chiaki: “We’re in your care! Ahh, this is great! To think I would hear the facts of history directly from a person who lived through it…☆”
Hokuto: “I’m not very interested. The past is the past, and we live in the present.”
Touri: “Yup. The future’s the most important anyway.”
Jin: “And that present and future of yours are continued from the past, okay? There seems to be someone scheming something behind this project—
And their reason for action is likely deeply rooted in the past. If not, they wouldn’t have staged a revival of retired idols after all this time.
I’m decrepit and my vision is blurry; I can’t get a clear view on what we’re getting wrapped up in.
But if I fill you guys in on the background knowledge you don’t have and see things from a new point of view, I may be able to pick up on things I didn’t before.
In the entertainment industry, the murky past gets hushed up and fades with the passage of time until it’s completely forgotten…
But I wouldn’t know what to say to the predecessors that way, so I wanna pass on the stories when it’s possible.”
Chiaki: “I understand! Kamen R*der also periodically does recaps of past series to remind us of history!”
Jin: “Stop relating everything to tokusatsu. …well, that doesn’t matter; I’ll give you a simple summary of the history of the idol industry.
First, there was one idol. Put bluntly, he was like God. He created all the things that became the foundation of the present idol business.
Here’s an example. There was a year-end festival that used to center mostly on general celebrities and musicians, where idols were included only as accessories…
…and somehow, he managed to transform it into an event completely by idols and for idols.
That’s SS, which is still being held even now.
He also caused countless other revolutions, large and small. Before, idols were just part of the broad definition of musician…
…like a niche branch, but he made the industry flourish and prosper like its own genre.
Before that, of course there were people who referred to themselves as idols, or got referred to as one…
… but he singularized the existence known as an idols, redefining them into a special presence different from the rest.
The word ‘idol’ carried entirely different connotations before and after that person appeared.
This is difficult to understand for people who weren’t there to witness it; it’s from before I was born too, so I’m just repeating what my seniors told me.
But it seems he really changed everything. History was stirred, and the world was overturned completely at the hands of a single person—
Compared to the achievements that person left behind, what I pulled off has no worth at all.”
Revival / 16
Hokuto: “…Did such a person really exist? I can’t believe it so easily; it sounds like some exaggerated legend to me.”
Jin: “Well, figures. Rumors always come with exaggerated details.
Nobody can say what really happened except the people who actually lived through the change.
Anyway, it may sound like a myth, which may or may not contain historical truth…
But that person did exist, and he retained a strong influence even in his later life.
He was active for a long time as an idol, and became a magnate who controlled the industry from the shadows upon retirement, I heard. Well, this is also pretty much an urban legend.
Apparently, when I was active, that person was still holding on, just barely…
…and he stretched out his tentacles to many fields outside the idol industry, reigning over everything from the shadows and in the light.
Like a ringleader of the industry, a Godfather. …I guess kids these days don’t know a movie that old anymore?”
Touri: “…I might’ve heard of him before. His name often turned up in social parties; it seems he also had a strong power over the stock market.
Yeah. The timeline matches up, I think. Since you said it was when you were active, that means about ten years ago, right, Sagami-sensei?”
Jin: “Yep. I retired at around 22 years old, so roughly around that time. Huh, I was skeptical too, but…
I guess someone like that could’ve existed for real; someone with such outrageous power.
So anyway, that was the dawn of history. The root of the current idol business, of the present.
The Genesis, if this were the Bible. The part where God said, Let there be light.
So Let there be idols, in his case? That person was obsessively in love with idols.
All so idols would be elevated to greater heights, so their domain would spread even wider—
So the masses would acknowledge them, seek for them— He did everything in his power for that, even on his deathbed.”
Touri: “… that’s just like Eichi-sama.”
Jin: “Nn? Did you say something, Himemiya?”
Touri: “Ah, nothing… But he’s gone, right? Doesn’t that mean he has practically nothing to do with us?”
Jin: “The thing is, not necessarily. That person’s power and treasury were divvied up to various factions and handed down over time… They became the pillars of the current business.
There were also many idols that kinda took on his position as a godlike, monumental idol.
I heard rumors about how SS was, put bluntly, an event to search for someone to assume that position.
Since long ago when that person was alive— no, since the time when he was still active, he had always sought for someone suitable to succeed his position.
Well, that goal’s been lost, and SS has simply become a ‘fancy annual festival’.”
Hokuto: “…Oi. Don’t say something that would make me lose my motivation for SS; I’m a participant.”
Jin: “Ahaha. Well, SS is still the largest-scale festival held by the idol industry, be it now or back then…
It may have lost its original purpose somewhat, but its value has never fallen.
The number of fans looking forward to the event has in fact increased compared to when that person was active. And as long as the fans are happy, that’s an idol’s justice, right?”
Hokuto: “Hmm. Well, you’re right.”
Jin: “I am. Anyway, that person… the original super idol retired and disappeared from the stage.
After that, he kept controlling things from the shadows, exercising more power than anyone had the right to…
…but that brought the need for someone else to stand on stage in his place.
An advertisement tower; a totem; the face of the industry that everyone would immediately think of when they heard the word idol.
He needed the next super idol.
That’s why after he vanished from the stage, a single man… a super idol would be placed to stand there, substituted again with each era.
With that person’s support, generation after generation of super idol shone intensely as the sun of the business.
Their fans would undergo change with the times, but they would unchangingly entertain them and gain their love.
Such a blissful period continued, for a long time.
A lone super idol rose from the horizon high into the sky and sank again; this circle repeated.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing, even if each period was blessed with an excellent super idol who suited the title.
But the original super idol was so great, none of them could hold onto the position for long, or so I heard.
Apparently, there were even dangerous times where the super idols kept getting switched out for new ones without even a year passing.”
Chiaki: “…I feel like I’m listening to a lecture about the emperors of Ancient Rome.”
Jin: “Ah, I think your impression is about right.
Some godlike existence founded an empire, and era after era… an emperor was appointed by the god to reign for a period.”
Hokuto: “The divine right of kings was a story made up by later Rome; a political doctrine, but… I know what you’re trying to say.”
Touri: “Huh, if it’s anything like the Roman Empire, keeping the people ignorant for easier rule eventually became the norm and backfired.”
Jin: “Right. That’s not off the mark, in fact, but we’ll talk about that later.
Anyway, so that’s the history of the idol industry. There were good times and bad times.
As an example of the good times, we can take a look at Hidaka’s dad’s era.”
Hokuto: “…what, my father?”
Jin: “Hey, what’s with that fed up look on your face each time your parents get brought up? Your dad is an incredible man… Respect him more, kid.”
Hokuto: “…I do respect him – the minimum amount necessary.”
Jin: “Haha. Must be hard for the Hidaka couple, their only son being stuck in a rebellious phase.
Anyway, your father being the top idol of a past era is historical fact.”
Hokuto: “Yeah. That’s what troubles me; his light is too bright.”
Jin: “Y’know, you say some strangely smart things lately.
Well anyway, so while Hidaka dad was reigning, there were no big problems in the idol industry.
The world prospered, the people submitted to joy and bliss, and everything was radiant with light.
Until a certain person appeared, the super idols more or less did their part well.
At the very least, it was unthinkable for a situation that could turn over the entire industry to happen.
Because the original super idol set it up to be that kind of system.
But the times were rapidly changing,. Even with the strings that person pulled from the shadows and the super idols doing their best, they couldn’t catch up with the world anymore.
With every moment, the state of the world underwent transformation; there were many eye-opening technological discoveries just in the media…
Even a system created by an ultimate genius couldn’t survive the stormy waves of that era unscathed. It was showing its age, really.
That’s when the case of ‘that Akehoshi’ happened.”
Hokuto: “Ah… So that certain person you mentioned really was—”
Chiaki: “—‘That Akehoshi’, huh?”
Touri: “Eh? Eh? What’s ‘that Akehoshi’ about? Who? Akehoshi is that overloud and obnoxious guy in Trickstar, right?”
Chiaki: “… not that Akehoshi, even if he’s not unrelated. Well, don’t look too deeply into it. It’s all in the past.”
Touri: “…?”
Jin: “Yeah. Anyway, so as that person reached a tragic end, the idol business also fell into dark times.
Nothing would go well, society spat on us and turned its back; it was a dark, cold period that nobody in the industry wants to look back on, probably.
The super idols had shone like sparkling stars, but the curtain had to fall on the radiant times they’d sustained and amassed.
The idols’ golden era is nothing more than a ghost of the past, something only depicted in mythology or history now.
The winter is still going on, even now. A lot of time has passed since that case happened, we’re entering a new generation, and everybody’s starting to forget…
But the system that supported the idol business is busted; we’re just hanging by a thread, barely managing to slow down our ruin.”
Revival / 17
Chiaki: “… it’s exactly because we’re living in such cold times – that your existence as the idol who restored the lost radiance to the industry even for just a moment was like a miracle, Sagami-sensei.”
Jin: “Yeah. I probably shouldn’t be saying this about myself, but it probably was a miracle. But miracles are called miracles because they don’t happen that often.
I worked real hard and managed to prolong its life some, but this business is suffering from a fatal wound.
We can’t do anything about it. It went right back to where it started as soon as I retired anyway.
It’s really weird to say this about myself, but I was the last super idol.
After that, the industry was just overrun by a disorderly mob; with no super idol to lead them, nor any of them achieving enough to rise as the next one…
Like Himemiya said, it pretty much became an era of the ignorant masses.
That original super idol passed away, too. There’s no one to stand at the top, the magnate who would support the industry’s gone from the world…
Now it’s just filled with robbers scavenging for ancient relics and treasures in chaotic ruins that nobody rules. That’s the sort of sad time we live in.
What do people call this stuff again? Post-apocalypse?
I mean, when I watched a movie with that catchphrase, I seriously went ‘Wow, it’s the idol business’ in my head.”
Chiaki: “The world after the end, a post-apocalypse… Are we really in such a horrible times? I personally don’t want to think that way.”
Jin: “Well, I feel like I exaggerated some things there. But in summary yeah, that’s the present we’re in.
Going back to our original topic; Kunugi-sensei was somebody who was born to such wintry times…
… and had the bad luck of appearing after the Super Idol Sagami Jin, the industry’s first bright topic in a long while.
It’s not so strange he’d seem duller in comparison.
He had passion, and maybe about the same amount of talent as I did. But he couldn’t bud because he was born to the wrong times.
It was a wasteland with no sign of life; no flower could’ve bloomed there.
The momentary boom I brought seemed to attract some sort of movement trying to revive the industry and make it prosper again…
… but that also caused the mechanisms and the mood of the business to be constantly on the change.
Nobody could’ve made the best out of their gifts. Plus, he went so far as to discover some admiration for me, becoming fixated on an outdated mindset…
So the constant shifting of the times threw him in for a loop, and after a long while of clinging onto the business, he had to retire with an unsatisfactory track record.
Which made him who he is. He’s gone through a lot – much more than I have.
He’s the studious type, so he’s knowledgeable on the golden era of idols.
And he has experienced those dark times that were much like a bubbling witch’s cauldron… he’s a living witness of it.
He knows the bitter and the sweet. And he’s been unrewarded despite his great efforts; he’s got a taste of failures and how irrational things can be.
That’s why he’s fit to be a teacher.
I doubt anyone wants to hear me bragging about my past, and honestly it’s worth nothing in these times—
But his stories of failures and hardships are the sort of tragedy the world still overflows with.
He just doesn’t want the kids to repeat the same mistakes he did.
Probably. That’s why when he says ‘Don’t come this way!’, it probably really does mean that way’s doomed.
That’s something I can’t tell you; hard facts only Kunugi-sensei, as someone who couldn’t become a super idol, can teach.
So children, lend an ear to what Kunugi-sensei tells you. Well, both Kunugi-sensei and I are still relics of the past, maybe even ghosts…
At the end of the day, you guys who are living through the present in real time should think with your head and choose the path you wanna live on your own.”
Chiaki: “I see. I will etch that advice into my heart. But haven’t we strayed awfully far from the topic?
How did we end up with a grand history class when we started out asking about Kunugi-sensei’s abilities?”
Jin: “Ahaha. I thought you might misjudge him if you don’t know firsthand what his standing was in history and what sort of times he lived through.
He’s got a mediocre track record and I often joke about it…
But I want you to know he had every capability to succeed; that he didn’t was the fault of the times he lived in.
In fact, since he was from a time when the entire idol industry was struggling desperately to pull through…
He’s far richer in experience than I am.
Unlike me, he formed a unit, and he also had to work as a comedian for some time.
Sure, he’s evaluated about average in pretty much all those fields, save for singing – thanks to having that pretty voice as a weapon – and gravure.
But that conversely means he’s at least average in everything.
He’s an all-rounder; so if you only build a strategy to deal with his singing 'cause you think that’s what he’s good at, you’re prolly in for a painful experience.”
Chiaki: “Does that mean there’s no way to plan against him? Then what was this long talk for…?
Well, I did learn a lot of facts I didn’t know before.”
Jin: “Yup. I said in the beginning, didn’t I? That I’m gonna ‘start a class’. So if you learned, that’s great.
I know it’s annoying having to sit through a middle-aged guy rambling about the past, but somebody’s gotta pass on this stuff.
They’re nothing so noble or pretty as to be called heroic epics, but…
It’s the history of the world I offered up my youth for, the same world you guys are currently living in.
You won’t lose anything from hearing about it. Just to be clear, everything I said was real. Maybe I exaggerated… but I’m a school teacher, I don’t teach lies.”
Touri: “…”
Jin: “Nn? What’s wrong, Himemiya? You look disturbed. I guess my talk’s boring for children, after all?”
Touri: “Nuh-uh… I didn’t have the slightest idea about anything, so I think it’s nice that I got to hear all of that. I wasn’t interested in idols at all, in the past.”
(…I see. So this is the present we’re living in. That’s why Eichi-sama is an Emperor and a top idol. That’s why he’s called that way…
Is he planning to become a greater existence, to stand at the top as a ‘super idol’, and bring the radiant golden era back to the idol industry?
No? Eichi-sama doesn’t seem to like being called Emperor, does he…?
Of course. Lowering the curtain on the old era to make a new world… so fine.
If it’s Eichi-sama, he can definitely reach greater heights than those many super idols in history.
He can become as great an existence as that godlike ‘original super idol’, or maybe something more.
No, he’s definitely working hard for that already…
Sagami-sensei only explained the broad scope of history, so I don’t have a grasp on the current state of affairs.
Like I got to study world history but only left with a vague idea on contemporary history. But Eichi-sama’s standing at the head of that – fighting on the frontlines, even now.
I’m still lacking, but I wanna grow more and more so I can support him.
I insisted despite Papa and Mama’s opposition and enrolled to Yumenosaki, all for that.
Well… even if I’m being made to take a pointless roundabout path and act as Rain-bows now.)
Chiaki: “Mmu? What’s wrong, Himemiya! You seem tired!
Your head must’ve hurt from hearing so many difficult topics in one go! To tell the truth, I’m the same! We’re the same; it’s great to be the 'same’♪”
Touri: “Shut up~… Rather than that, it’s about time for the bell to go.
Shouldn’t we like, start cleaning up and return to class? I don’t wanna be late and end up with a scratch on my record.”
Chiaki: “Oh what, don’t take it to mind! A scratch on the body is a man’s badge of honor☆
… but I guess I can’t be saying that. We only meet once a week during lunch break, so there’s just so little time for anything.
It’s vexing, especially when there’s plenty of topics and lessons to catch up on.
Ahh, if only there were 48 hours a day! If only a day would last as long as I wish it!
But I’m no god, so I can’t change the speed at which the sun rises and sinks!”
Touri: “… stop spouting nonsense and let’s leave for class already.
Geez, I want nothing more than rush to Eichi-sama’s side and support him, so I wonder why I have to waste my time this uselessly… ♪”
Revival / 18
> Handcrafts Club Room
< A few days later, after school >
Shuu: “… thus, the idol business entered a long period of cold winter, and all was covered in dark clouds.
Super Idol Sagami Jin brought a momentary prosperity, but any harvest it came with has been eaten up and exhausted…
The industry has struggled to rise beyond its demise to no avail, and despite the many policies they coined as easily as administering drugs, none of them bore fruit.
The idol business has become a mere shell of its former self. What we have now are maggots who have made a nest out of what leftover meat remains – gorging on it and making it all fester…
Once, an incredible man akin to a god built a millennial kingdom by the name of the idol industry, but the curtain will soon fall on it completely.
So before that could happen, I, Itsuki Shuu, thought to become the savior that would open the eyes of the foolish masses to the greatness of art and fill the world with radiance—
Become the unsinkable sun that lights up the world once more and saves all things in existence…
Yet, ahh, what a tragedy! People were so foolish they couldn’t recognize the last hope left in this doomed world when they saw one; and exiled to the wastelands I was!
Kakaka! The foolishness of it all makes me laugh! How ironic and preposterous fate is, don’t you think!?
Great talents such as I and the other Five Oddballs, the only people I consider equals, had appeared once more – and yet!
God and fate have forsaken us!
By the hands of that self-proclaimed Emperor, that accursed Tenshouin, the fake Messiah! Everything fell into decadence! Hope is lost!
From hereon, we are trapped in a world of void where the light of art does not exist! Ahh, the revulsion! I don’t want to live even for a second in such a world!
No! In fact I dare say this world does not deserve my breath! God is dead…!
So go ahead, do the rest on your own, you revoltingly unintelligent, worthless inerudites!”
Mika: “…♪”
Shuu: “KAGEHIRA! What flaccid face are you making!? Know of the damage you’re doing to your only good point which is that relatively fine face!
All of you never cease annoying me…!”
Mika: “Ouch!? Don’t throw the stuffed toys~? I feel bad for 'em~
Your master’s so violent, isn’t he… There, there. Pain pain go away~♪”
Shuu: “Hmph. For a failure like you to console a stuffed toy far more well-made than you, as if you’re above it – I haven’t seen a sight more laughable!
You should learn from that stuffed toy, Kagehira! A stuffed toy can soothe whoever sees it, but you aggravate me with just a look!
Be more mindful of your appearance! First of all, why are you still wearing the winter uniform, when it is already time to change to summer!?”
Mika: “Nngah~…? Aah, I forgot about that completely. I ended up wasting a lot of time gettin’ wrapped up in Ba-barrier’s formation process.
Ehehe. Thanks a bunch for remindin’ me that it’s time to change ta summer uniform, Oshi-san♪”
Shuu: “Don’t get happy over being insulted! Aah, you annoy me so much! If hatred could kill…!”
Mika: (Nngah~… Oshi-san’s more furious than ever t’day. Did I press a weird switch or somethin’?
Since I’m gettin’ involved in Project-Saga, I was told I need to study up on the history o’ idols…
…so I brought it up with Oshi-san who seemed like he would know, not expecting 'im to actually answer.
But then he went ahead an’ droned on for… two hours straight, huh?
I’m surprised by how much Oshi-san knows. He must’ve liked idols f’r a long time.
That’s why he worked hard; so the festerin’ idol industry, the world he liked, could be rebuilt again.
That’s Valkyrie, that’s the Sovereign… that’s the top idol, Itsuki Shuu’s way of life.
He’s a great man. Me, I’ve never thought a thin’ while chasing after Oshi-san’s back.
Never thought about wantin’ to know how this world came to be…
Not even havin’ the slightest idea of the workings of an idol, the very figure I’m aimin’ to be.
Well, ya can work a computer without knowin’ how ta program.
That’s how it is, but I’m probably… one of the ‘inerudites’ Oshi-san hates so much.
When I think of it like that, it’s so pathetic. I need t’change for the better, even if just a bit.
And be like Oshi-san. …Inside the dark times, Oshi-san arose, wantin’ to make a change, even on his own.
Yet fine beat 'im and cut off that dream for good.
I don’ think I can forgive that, after all. If the people we lost to are at least anythin’ like Oshi-san—
People with the desire to aim for a bright future, that’s at least one good thing.
But are they? I can’t tell. I’ve only been doin’ campus part-time jobs; like a hermit, I’m barely involved in the affairs of the academy.
We’re completely left behind by the flow of history…
After he talked history t’me, I think I can feel the reality o’ it better: that we’re currently livin’ in a place unrelated to the main storyline.
We were like main characters before… an’ we could’ve possibly been the ones to lead the future direction of history.
But our path got blocked. And I honestly think that’s frustratin’…
I don’t care ‘bout me, but I can’t stand history movin’ forward without Oshi-san bein’ included in there.
What can I do so this person will stand up again?
I guess there’s nothin’ but gatherin’ more funds for now… startin’ with holding lives as Ba-barrier.
Yeah. When I get into this mindset, I think this job stops bein’ nonsense I’m just gettin’ wrapped up in and becomes somethin’ more meaningful.
Right now, I’m becomin’ a cornerstone of future history the way it’s meant t’be.)
Revival / 19
Shuu: “Ahh, how deplorable! What a waste of time!
My life is being taken away from me, meaninglessly! Why!? Does God not desire my presence, nor the resuscitation of the idol industry!?
Ah, talking about the history of idols made me needlessly irked!
Shouldn’t I, Itsuki Shuu, be exactly what the world needs right now!? And yet that accursed Tenshouin—!”
Mika: (Nn~ I’m glad Oshi-san is talkin’ a lot today, but won’t he end up hoarse, screamin’ at the top of his lungs like that?
I’m worried… I mean, compared to how down in the dumps he was at the end of last year, it’s still good ‘cause we’re properly holdin’ conversations, but—
It’s kinda more like severe mood swings? I think this isn’t the part where I should celebrate him being ‘back to the good ol’ energetic Oshi-san!’ or anythin’ like that.
… well, bein’ mentally unstable like that is more like an artist though♪)
Shuu: “What is it? If you have something to say, say it plainly, Kagehira!”
Mika: “Nothin’… Thanks, Oshi-san; I learned a lot. I wasn’t interested in idols at all, so I had no clue about any of that stuff.”
Shuu: “Hmph. And what on Earth was a person with no interest in idols doing, enrolling to Yumenosaki Academy?”
Mika: “Eh!? You want me to spell it out? Oshi-san, you tease…!”
Shuu: “Why are you blushing? You creepy doll!
Still, I suppose that’s inevitable. I’ve known since the start that you have no brain inside that skull; discovering that you know nothing does not surprise me the slightest.”
Mika: “H-Harsh… I know history if it’s the latest stuff. I was directly involved in the dispute last year, after all.
Uh, well, though I won’t know what ta say if you tell me to explain in detail.”
Shuu: “Hmph. You don’t call that knowing.
I think this every time, but… you only expose how much of a fool you are with every word you speak, so you should absolutely keep quiet.”
Mika: “Uukh… I know, but since I’m a fool, I hafta speak up and ask, so ya can teach me what I don’t know, Oshi-san. You know everythin’, after all. Ehehe ♪”
Shuu: “Hmph. You get happy whatever I say; insulting you is such a waste of energy.
You can’t even fulfill the role of a straw doll to become an outlet for my stress… you good-for-nothing.”
Mika: “Nngah~… I’m sorry, Oshi-san. I’m not movin’ like you want me to…?”
Shuu: “Hmph. I don’t mind; I never expected anything from you in the first place.
Well anyway. All that animated yelling isn’t what I’m used to, so I’m tired; I will rest for a bit.
… that costume you’ve been giving all your life sewing despite your astonishing clumsiness – does it require my aid?”
Mika: “Nngah? Eh, you’ll help?”
(I-I’m so happy… Oshi-san can be really nice once in a blue moon.
Don’t tell me by talkin’ at length, he was actually lookin’ for a chance to bring this up with me?
He’s been looking for the perfect timing to offer his help, the whole time? Couldn’t be; but it’d be so nice if that was the case.
That’d make ya a far ”clumsier” guy than I am, Oshi-san ♪)
Shuu: “… what is it? You must have come upon an idea not only wide of the mark but irksome too! It shows on your face!”
Mika: “Nope. Just, ya really don’t change, Oshi-san.
You’re still the same guy who helped sew my present for Nazuna-nii in secret, looong ago… the same Oshi-san that I love♪”
Shuu: “Is that how I look to you? Then I suggest you take the opportunity to switch out those eyeballs for new ones; you’re not seeing reality properly.”
Mika: “Fufu. … so ya know, Oshi-san? I’d actually appreciate it a lot if you’d help. I’m not used to sewin’ the normal way.
Because I don’t get the basics, I dunno which goes where.”
Shuu: “Hmph, despite always watching by my side? They say an acolyte before the temple’s gate will recite scriptures he hasn’t learned, but I see that saying is mistaken.
… in the first place, why must your hands seem so untrained to needlework?
You are keeping me on edge, it’s irritating. At least do it somewhere I can’t see you.”
Mika: “Nngah~… That’s difficult, 'cause I’m always with ya, Oshi-san.
Um, anyway. So I already mentioned it, but I’m gonna participate in a live show as part of a temporary unit called Ba-barrier.
I just… got swept with the flow somehow—”
Shuu: “Hmph, temporary units… An ugly system the third-rates thought up using every last drop of their nonexistent wisdom after countless excuses, all to correct their error.
… I’d like to confirm one thing just in case: this live will be your only work for this temporary unit, correct?”
Mika: “Yeah. That’s what I heard. Though they also said that we may get together again if we’re received well or another chance pops up in the future.
But personally, I don’t wanna work too much in ano’er unit besides Valkyrie.
And Mikejima-senpai and Kunugi-sensei scare me… even if Harukawa-kun’s an adorable, nice kid.”
Shuu: “Hmph. Project-Saga, was it? What a strange story. I don’t understand your group’s position either.
Why go out of your way to intrude in such a troublesome matter?”
Mika: “I dunno… For me, it’s nothin’ but a profitable campus part-time job where I get ta gather a lot of money in a short time.
But Kunugi-sensei seems to have a lot in mind.
The team’s formed outta nowhere though, so there hasn’t been much preparation on our part…
Most of our songs are rented, an’ costumes I’m just randomly sewing toge’er at my own expense.”
Shuu: “Randomly – sew costumes? Did I hear you right, Kagehira?”
Mika: “Ah no I mean! L-Like the good sort of randomness, ya know~!?”
Shuu: “Hmph. They have rental costumes as with rental songs, and there is also the distributed academy idol outfit… Is there any need to make a new one from scratch?”
Mika: “Nn~ The Rain-bows unit that we’re apparently goin’ up against is gonna appear with new costumes Anzu-chan made, so we’ll seem unpolished jus’ wearing the academy shared outfits, right?
That’s what Mikejima-senpai was sayin’.
He seemed to want ya to make the costumes, Oshi-san, but I pleaded wi’ him so he’d back down.
Oshi-san, ya don’t like makin’ costumes for outside people, right?”
Shuu: “Naturally. My talent does not exist for the masses’ fast consumption.”
Mika: “Yeah. So then he said I should be able to sew too since I was in the handicraft club…
And before I knew it, I got tasked with making the costumes in your place, Oshi-san.”
Shuu: “'Before you knew it, somehow – that’s all you keep saying. You doll with no will of your own… Well, you’re reaping what you’ve sown, so feel free to suffer through the hard work on your own.”
Mika: “Okay. I’ll do my best. Thanks a bunch for havin’ my back, Oshi-san.”
Shuu: “When exactly did I say that? Such convenient ears you have; I’m impressed.”
Mika: “Right… H-Huh? The needle won’t move?”
Shuu: “You fool! Choose the right needle and technique to suit the materials you’re using! You’re hurting the fabric and your fingers, you scatterbrain!
Give it to me! I’ll do the difficult parts!”
Mika: “Oshi-san… Ehehe, so you wanted ta help, after all?”
Shuu: “Non! Don’t misunderstand me! Despite everything, you’re part of Valkyrie – your shame becomes my shame!
And I cannot stand that, that’s all!
All costumes I have a hand in must be perfect and beautiful! Never anything else!”
Mika: “Of course. So I won’t hurt Oshi-san’s name or Valkyrie’s… I’m gonna give it all I’ve got too♪”
Revival / 20
> Rooftop
< 12 years ago >
Jin: “…”
Akiomi: “Sagami-senpai! I saw the tokusatsu show this morning!
The featuring of the Sagami Jin seems to be growing into a hot topic! The fan sites are really heating up and —”
Jin: “…”
Akiomi: “…Senpai? Can you please answer? Am I annoying you?
? This smell – it can’t be…!?”
Jin: “…”
Akiomi: “Hold on! What do you think you’re doing, Sagami-senpai!? You disappoint me!
All this time, I hung onto the belief that those magazine articles were mistaken! But to think I’d catch you smoking-----!
Y-You’re just about to go on a children’s tokusatsu show, right!? That won’t be good for their education! No, in the first place, idols who smoke are…!?”
Jin: “…Ooi, Akiyan. Stop having weird misunderstandings; don’t you ever get tired panicking all the time?”
Akiomi: “Wh-Who do you think is causing me to be this emotionally unstable!?”
Jin: “Eh~? You mean it’s my fault? You guys are the ones making a fuss over my every action, right?”
Akiomi: “Uukh. I wish I could say something that haughty too…
You’re absolutely right; you are a super idol that nobody can avert their eyes from. So please, pay more attention to your words and actions.
You are the miracle this stagnant business has long awaited.
The miracle, hope, and dream; so please don’t let it all go to waste by your own hand.”
Jin: “You’re making me feel like Sup*rman here… That’s what you say now, but you’ll turn on me the moment I become a liability to showbusiness, won’t you?”
Akiomi: “…If it comes to that, I will protect you even if it means putting my life on the line, Sagami-senpai.”
Jin: “Ahaha. As if you’d even make for a decent shield.
… You’re a pretty good guy, so you should become happy. Don’t ever get dragged down and lose your job with me; I won’t be able to sleep soundly at night if that happens.”
Akiomi: “Why? Do you have plans to lose your job in the near future? I smell smoke, but you aren’t actually smoking, are you?”
Jin: “Nope. It’s fall, so I was roasting sweet potatoes. See? I did this with my family all the time back in grade school.
With the inpatients too. I just got a rush of nostalgia all of a sudden.”
Akiomi: “Reaally? I think I smell something other than sweet potatoes…?
Rather than that – I know you’re pretty much here all the time, Sagami-senpai, but the rooftop is actually off-limits, okay? There’s also the risk of a fire breaking out, so be careful.
Plus, the magazine companies are starving for gossip lately, you know. I fear they’re going to write ‘Super Idol Sagami Jin, kindling a flame on his school’s roof!?’ about you.”
Jin: “Kindling a flame. Haha. They wouldn’t be lying.”
Akiomi: “Yes. That’s their usual trick. And they’ll attach misleading pictures just to make it all the more convincing.
Add some sensational caption, and they’ll be able to sell as many copies as they desire.”
Jin: “You’re a mannerly kid for the most part, so why are you so sharp toward magazines and just magazines? Did something awful happen to you as a gravure model or something?”
Akiomi: “Hmph. Well, there were as many awful things as stars in the sky. No, there are.
They used to praise me as ‘An incarnation of beauty that came down from the heavens!’ but the moment I converted to being an idol, they started insulting me and making me into a bad guy.
Keeping a credible writing style all the while. Well, it’s true I haven’t produced any results, so I can’t argue…
But that’s what makes it all the more frustrating to me.”
Jin: “Then stop reading those articles; they don’t matter.
…Haven’t we both been great moneymakers for the press, though? Why go out of their way to publish articles that put us down despite that?”
Akiomi: “Because it sells better that way – why else? Magazine companies never spare a thought for the big picture or the idol industry.
Anything goes if it’ll give them better sales. They’re insects, worms.”
Jin: “You really become harsh when it comes to magazines, Akiyan.
You just affirm me 100% whatever I do… so I’m glad actually, to know that even you have something you hate; makes you feel more human.”
Akiomi: “What does that even mean? …oops, I ended up getting lost in conversation like always.
I have business, actually; the members of Ryuuseitai were looking for you.
I’m sure it’s because you’re cast in a well-known tokusatsu show now, Sagami-senpai. Maybe they want to earn some benefits from your fame?
Ryuuseitai is a group relying on the concept of being heroes of justice. I think they want to attract fans by inviting a real hero onto their stage.”
Jin: “Nah, I’m not a real hero either. I act like one on TV…
But the ideals and pretty words spoken there are read out from a script.
I doubt anybody believes it, even in the studio. It’s all just lip service the dirty adults cooked up to fool brats who can’t see reality for what it is yet.”
Akiomi: “No… I heard tokusatsu shows have found a wider audience recently, with adults growing to be able to enjoy them too.
That’s why an ikemen idol like Sagami-senpai has been added to the cast.”
Jin: “Ikemen idol, he says… If you ask me, it’s not the genre becoming mature but everybody mentally de-aging.
And so, squealing over kiddie stuff.”
Akiomi: “Fufu. Sharp-tongued as ever…
But please don’t ever say that in front of your audience. If it gets unbearable, you can vent to me to loosen up.
Everybody sees a dream in you. Even if that may be against your wishes…
I’m here to listen anytime, so don’t escape to smoking as a distraction.”
Jin: “I told you I wasn’t smoking, I was roasting sweet potatoes. …There. Want one, Akiyan?”
Akiomi: “I don’t, it’ll make me fat. The magazines will make me into another showy headline: ‘The Sparkling Prince, Fattens Like a Pig After Becoming an Idol!?’”
Jin: “I think you worry too much~ Y’know, you look like somebody who’ll go bald with age.”
Akiomi: “I won’t! Geez, I am speaking seriously here… It feels like you’re glossing over it, you know?”
Revival / 21
> Infirmary
< Present, day of Rain-bows’ live >
Chiaki: “…–i! …–mi-sensei! Sagami-sensei, please wake up!”
Jin: “Nngh… H-Huh? Was I sleeping?”
Chiaki: “Yes! And very soundly at that! We can’t have that; please tidy up so we can hurry to the stage!
The live show is starting!”
Jin: “Okay… Sorry, Akiyan.”
Chiaki: “… Akiyan? No, umm, I am the burning heart Morisawa Chiaki, as you can see!”
Jin: “Yeah. All of you gotta stop attaching that kind of aliases to names, it’s not cool… Sorry, Morisawa, I think I was delirious.
I see now. I’ve been thinking for the longest time that you resemble someone – so it was the young Kunugi-sensei, huh.
You’re both dreadfully serious, for one. Be careful so you won’t go bald in the future.”
Chiaki: “? No, everyone in my family should be fine, based on our genes…?
Rather than that! The show is going to start anytime now, so for the hundredth time, let’s hurry over there!
The people waiting there might panic if you never show up!”
Jin: “Oh right. Sorry, sorry. I guess I’ve really regressed, after all… In the past, I might have complained all the time, but I always made sure to be punctual.
Seems I couldn’t get rid of the exhaustion and ended up fast asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.”
Chiaki: “Ahaha. That makes you sound like an old man, Sagami-sensei.”
Jin: “I am an old man, compared to you guys. What gives? Don’t I feel more like a mentor that way?
Huff… Ah~ my joints are hurting because I slept in a weird position.”
Chiaki: “Are you all right? Please loosen up your joints as much as you can before the show, Sagami-sensei.”
Jin: “It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t worry about me like that, I’ll do my part.
And I do have motivation. Maybe even more than back when I was active, 'cause I don’t wanna drag the team down and cause trouble for you kids.
…haha. You have to think about stuff like that when you’re in a unit, huh?
It’s a refreshing experience, really. Like I’ve been born anew; I wish we had that kinda system during my era.
…oops, we gotta hurry, right? Wait a sec, I’ll go shave. Can’t greet the audience looking dirty.”
Chiaki: “Ahaha. I didn’t expect you to care so much for style, Sensei.”
Jin: “‘Somebody near me fussed over appearances all the time. He got on my case almost every single day, so I grew to care about it too, just a bit.’”
Chiaki: “That person was Kunugi-sensei, right? Don’t you have complicated feelings about having to go up against somebody like that, Sagami-sensei?”
Jin: “Nope, not ooone bit. The idol trade is a killing game; we’ve got to mercilessly crush anybody who opposes us.”
Chiaki: “Ew, scary… It must’ve been a bloodthirsty era back then, compared to now.”
Jin: “It hasn’t changed, right? This is a competitive society, we can’t reach the goal by all holding hands together.
You’re a kind boy, Morisawa. It must be hard for you to live in a world like this.”
Chiaki: “…”
Jin: “Nn? What’s wrong? I’m gonna take a little more time preparing so you can go ahead to the location. Look after your juniors, third-year.”
Chiaki: “… Sensei, there is something I have been meaning to ask.”
Jin: “Nn? What is it? Aren’t we in a hurry right now…? If it’s something difficult, can we leave it for later?”
Chiaki: “No, umm… you’re right. Then, I will ask later.”
Jin: “… I take that back; I’m curious so tell me. You’re wearing a serious look, so I’m guessing it’s important.
There’s still some time until the show opens, right? What do you wanna ask, Morisawa?
Chiaki: “Ah, okay… This is a little difficult to ask, but may I know why you quit being an idol, Sagami-sensei?
We’ve been able to work together as Rain-bows for Project-Saga, something I am very thankful for… but I have been watching you, and you looked like you were having fun the whole time.
You love singing and dancing, right?
Despite usually being lazy, you took the harsh training more seriously than anyone… and it must be all because you love it, right?
So why? Sensei, why did you let go of what you loved doing?
Please don’t gloss over it by saying ‘a brat wouldn’t get it’; can you please tell me the truth… Sensei?
I’m afraid. Afraid of eventually growing to hate what I love.
I’d thought many times that the heroes on TV were liars… and almost resented them for it.
But I embrace them in the end, because I love them, after all.
But will even that feeling… eventually fade and disappear?
I’d hate for that to happen – even the thought of it scares me. I can’t put it well but… is that just how it is, Sensei?
Will the things that engrossed me as a child not matter to me anymore, once I become an adult?
If so, then am I doing something incredibly pointless by chasing after it with all my life right now…?”
Jin: “Morisawa.”
Chiaki: “Ah, yes! What is it, sir?”
Jin: “I’m a school teacher and not your parent nor your counselor. To be blunt, I’m not here to provide the answer to your teenage angst.
However. You’re a pretty good guy, so I do want to spare you some advice if I can.
Nah, I should at least show you what not to be, since I haven’t set a good example like a real teacher would.
You know, I’m… yeah, I loved idols. It was my dream. My first love was fond of them, and that inspired me to become one.
Sounds like I was a dumb brat, right? Just like you.
But where my blood and sweat took me was an idol industry that had already rotted.
The radiant, golden era was past, and the world that I had dreamed of, that the person I loved had dreamed of, was over.
It was a world that had already ended. The dirty and greedy adults used me to their convenience… Battered and exhausted, I got soiled to the soul.
I just stopped caring.
So I did a lot of impulsive things, you see. I was desperate, so I didn’t care what would happen as a result.
Some saw it as me standing up against the rotten industry and fighting.
But that was just me blowing myself up. Attacking an enormous enemy expecting them to take me down. To be frank, I never thought for a moment that I could reform anything.
I was a powerless, spoiled brat kicking up a fuss and bawling his eyes out because he couldn’t take it. I hated it all so much, I couldn’t hold it in, so I was venting my stress.
Yet the idol industry didn’t desert me. I was their breadwinner, the only one. Who would let go of a hen that laid golden eggs?
So my actions only escalated. I started testing to see how much they would be willing to forgive me for.
Drank, smoked, played around with girls.
Despite that, they let me run wild for a while. Heck, the idol industry even did their best to protect such a worthless guy.
They got rid of scandals, manipulated information, and lied to people.
I hated it all the more, seeing that. I’m unsalvageable trash, the world I live in is rotten, there are no such things as hopes or dreams…
That’s what I thought. It tasted like despair.
That didn’t last long, though. They weighed the loss they would have to suffer by keeping a troublemaker like me around, against the profit I could make them as an idol—
Eventually the scale fell on the former, and they cast me aside.
Even at the end, they made up some bull as my reason for retirement and made it into a peaceful sendoff,
but what really happened was, I was trash who ruined myself for everybody to see. The idol industry couldn’t defend me anymore, and cut me off.
Nothing beautifully dramatic about it.
Humans, you see… When they achieve success by accident without knowing the reason behind it… they go mad.
I think I was out of my mind then. Deranged, and got myself wiped out as a result.
It’s a story you’d find anywhere.”
Chiaki: “…”
Revival / 22
Jin: “But y’know, now I think it was definitely a misunderstanding on my part – the belief that everything was rotten.
I was a dumb brat with a narrow outlook, who couldn’t see reality properly—
But Akiyan was always by my side, supporting me. I think the other kids from school were simply, purely, rooting for me too.
I met a lot of people worthy of respect among those I worked with.
And even though I did, in fact, do a bunch of things I shouldn’t have…
The originator of Project-Saga – the gramps from the magazine company – believed that ‘It must be a mistake!’ and fought in my defense till the end.
I was just an ingrate covering my own eyes. …so I want to repay the love and favors that were given to me.
Many fans sent me letters and flower bouquets upon retirement. During the press conference where I announced it, I saw a bunch of adults bawling their eyes out.
They told me… I love you, I admire you, I could live on thanks to you.
And I think those words and feelings couldn’t have been all lies. Humans aren’t such worthless living beings.
The trash is probably only a small minority – and I’m included.
It was only after I couldn’t turn back, after I retired, that I realized…
Only after everything was over that I realized, what a cruel thing I’d done.
I betrayed all their faith and affection.
I was loved, yet I was selfishly convinced that I was alone in a rotten world, and self-destructed all because I couldn’t bear it.
I should’ve hung in there and gritted my teeth. As long as somebody, even just one person, still loved me.
… but I couldn’t. That was the end of it, that was everything.
This is gonna sound like an excuse, but an industry isn’t something for a lone youth to bear on their shoulders.
Not everybody can manage what that original super idol that I talked to you about did.
Humans can’t become gods. That person was the true miracle; the product of an impossible coincidence.
There’s no way we can copy someone like that.
In the end, idols are idols – not God himself.
The old system of the idol industry, centered on a super idol who stood lonely at the top, wouldn’t work in the present; things have gotten a lot more complicated.
But everyone has clung onto it… ceased thinking and kept repeating the past, leaving the idol industry in its current hopeless state.
That’s why, now’s probably when a revolution is really needed. The buds have been poking out in places, slowly but steadily, since Kunugi-sensei’s time.
It’s because a super idol doesn’t exist in these times that a system that wouldn’t rely on super idols is getting brought to life.
I think things are heading in a good direction, so… I’m rooting for you kids.
The conception of the Five Oddballs, and Tenshouin’s revolution, seemed to me like nothing more but a reimagination of that ancient super idol system.
So to be honest, I couldn’t like it;
the mindset that a lone person or the chosen few had to bear everything. I knew from experience that it was impossible… or at least incredibly difficult.
But, I probably underestimated Tenshouin’s group. It was probably just part of the process.
The policies born from back then, like the unit system, are now laying the groundwork for the coming era.
We can’t do it alone. Then, just support the industry together with everyone.
Lean on your teammates and share the load.
That’s what units are for, right? It isn’t just about pulling down powerful individuals by giving them a weakness in the shape of ‘other people’.
Probably. Though it seems the system was misused for that purpose during the subjugation-or-whatever of the Five Oddballs.
But the true goal was like I mentioned, right? The people, and not a god, supporting society as its center.
That fortifies it better. Even if one person gets crushed, another will take their place, so the system renews itself and holds out for longer.
The value of powerful individuals falls, but that means there’s a chance for smaller forces to polish each other as they compete for the top.
It gives a stability, a balance of power. There won’t be a danger of the entire industry toppling over just because an individual went a little berserk, like during my time.
Instead of having a lone dictator at the lead, present society is about people making the world go 'round by putting their power together.
The world has long changed, and now the idol industry’s finally catching up with it.”
Chiaki: “… fufu. I thought you were so committed to your retired life that you’d closed off your eyes and ears completely, but it seems you’ve been watching us closely, sir.”
Jin: “Of course. I’m your teacher, it’s my job to watch over my students.
Maaaybe? I ended up rambling while shaving; I hope I’m not getting a razor rash…
Let’s just head out already; I’m a tad nervous since it’s my first appearance onstage in a long time.
But I’m a retired idol, so it wouldn’t be anything weird if I failed, I guess. Sorry if I slip up, you guys better cover for me when I do. …I’m counting on you, Morisawa.”
Chiaki: “Yes. Unlike when you were active, Sagami-sensei, you have teammates now. You have us, so please rest easy.”
Jin: “… cheeky brat. Ah well, I’m glad you seem to have taken my talk well.
You’re still a kid, so maybe you get anxious sometimes.
You became a third year before you knew it, stuck with the duty to look cool in front of your juniors… and maybe you can’t show them a weak side.
So. If you get any more of these worries in the future, just come to talk to me in secret. If a lousy old man’s hard-luck story is what you seek, I’m more than happy to answer.
But seriously, I think you brats are gonna be fine. Just my intuition – but the era’s changed, after all.
When things get unbearable, look around you, don’t suffer alone. Keep that in mind, if you don’t want to lose your mind and get crushed like I did.
You’re not alone. As long as you don’t avert your eyes from it, your love will bear fruit. Somebody will love you back. Don’t forget that.
And 'cause you’re not alone, you’ll be fine. Even without becoming God, saving the world is a piece of cake.”
Chiaki: “Understood. That’s the legendary hero, Ryuusei Rainbow for you… You mean to say that I just have to recall Ryuuseitai’s catchphrase when I face hard times, right?”
Jin: “? What catchphrase?”
Chiaki: “Huh, don’t you know? No, of course you do, right?
After all, it was said the old Ryuuseitai took it as their catchphrase after you said it on your tokusatsu show, Sagami-sensei!
I love it so I say it often too – One for all, all for one!”
Jin: “Ahh… Bluntly speaking, I stole that from The Three Musketeers. You should know since you’re a bookworm, Morisawa.
Ah well. I was a bit worried, actually…
Morisawa, you said you admired me, right? So I wondered if you wanted to become a super idol.
But that’s not it, huh? What you wanted to be, it was a hero all along.”
(Haha. Even if it doesn’t strike a chord with me, I guess it’s not bad to read out from scripts sometimes.
There are people who will listen earnestly, be moved and let it ring inside their heart.
Aah, I wish I could tell my old self. I wanna give him a talking to: ‘Wow, you’re such an idiot!’
‘You couldn’t see what was all around you, and thought you were bearing the burden of everything on your own.’
But too late for that, and it’s also thanks to that past that I’m here now.
Guess I should at least break my back to turn the youth and future of these kids into something brighter.
I’m a schoolteacher, so I gotta act like one sometimes.
About that much is what’s befitting of a mere man. Isn’t that right, God?)
Revival / 23
> Saga Stage
Touri: “…”
Hokuto: “Himemiya, are you ready?
Right, it seems you’re done changing. There, there. I’ll do the final check of your costume and makeup, so face this way.”
Touri: “…nnpi!? C-Can you not go ahead and touch me without permission!? Everybody in Rain-bows is too touchy-feely, seriously!”
Hokuto: “Fufu. You seem tense, are you okay? It’s our first live as Rain-bows, so I guess even you can’t hide your nervousness?”
Touri: “H-Haah? As if I would ever get nervous! Can you stop taking me for a fool!?”
Hokuto: “I’m not. I’m worried for you, Himemiya.
You’re a first year, so you’re probably unused to doing live shows. I haven’t seen fine doing many idol activities since their defeat in DDD, either.”
Touri: “Whose fault do you think that is… You really tick me off.”
Hokuto: “Yes. Maybe saying this will just make you even angrier with me, but – I apologize for hurting you.
But I never thought for a moment that I should’ve lost back during DDD.
We gave our everything for what we wanted to do; you guys and me both. We fought for our dreams, and this was the result.
We can’t change that past, no matter how hard we pray.
…Last year, I stood on the mop-up stage of the student council president’s, fine’s, revolution and experienced a cruel defeat at their hands.
You weren’t fine yet, so maybe you don’t know.”
Touri: “Ah… I would usually be in the audience as a fan of fine, so I might know.
Come to think of it, I think I saw someone like you on the old fine’s last stage. He had some weird name, if I recall, like Hokk—”
Hokuto: “The name doesn’t matter. Erase it from your mind; it was thought up on the fly. I think it was buchou’s way of being considerate.
If I hid myself behind a mask and an alias, even if the people onstage and the audience remembered me…
People in the future who can only learn from the records won’t know who I was.
Maybe buchou did that so I wouldn’t have to suffer a huge scratch on my track record while he got me wrapped up in a tragic battle we couldn’t win.
Well, it could simply be because he thought ‘it’s funnier that way’ too.”
Touri: “…that stuff matters even less. What are you trying to say, Hidaka-senpai?’
Hokuto: “Right. To be honest, that defeat frustrated me immensely. Just like you, I let my anger and resentment build up, so I wouldn’t forget.
But my comrades gave me a positive cause to channel my gloom and bitterness into.
The emotions I held became a driving force for my new self, one of the components that helped lead our revolution to success – that’s what I believe.”
Touri: “Hmph. So you’re saying you weren’t obliged to be loyal to fine since they did something cruel to you? That you were justified in betraying us?”
Hokuto: “That’s not it. In other words, umm… I can’t put it well, but you and myself from back then are alike, in their standings and the feelings they hold.”
Touri: “And? We should be friends because we’re so alike?”
Hokuto: “That’s not it either. We don’t have to be friends; Rain-bows is just something thrown together for Project-Saga.
If you can’t fit in, you’re free to go; nobody will stop you.
You don’t have to put your life on the line, either. But I also don’t want you to think you’re wasting your time. I mean, that’s not what I want to say… it’s more… uuh.”
Touri: “… okay, okay. So you’re a terrible speaker, Senpai, I got it.
I thought I could act the stubborn brat and get through this without you and I having to communicate.
But then you’re going to keep bothering me and that’s a lot of hassle, so I’ll catch on. I’ll say Yes, I understand. Be thankful.
So, because you used your personal grudges as your driving force, persevered without giving in, and got what you wanted as a result… I can and should do the same? You’re encouraging me?”
Hokuto: “Huh? Yeah, that’s right… that’s it!
You’re so smart, Himemiya. There, there ♪”
Touri: “What, are you copying Morisawa-senpai? Stop treating me like a kid.
… well, I guess sulking all the time just makes me all the more kid-like?
Alright then. I’ll resent you for life. I’ll loathe you, despise you, disdain you, and curse you, Senpai.
And someday, with those emotions as my driving force, I’ll wrest out every ounce of strength to struggle… and finally rise above you guys.
For that, I’ll give my all every day. And maybe Rain-bows will turn out to be a good experience; a cornerstone for that future victory.
… you know, to be honest? I’m really nervous.
I’m not used to standing on stage, and usually, there would be the president – people much more incredible than me shining right beside me.
Their radiance protected me, so I could rest easy. But right now, I’m a nobody.
No one knows Rain-bows yet, and I probably still don’t have fans who like me individually either.
So it’s really scary. Like I’ve been hurled onto the stage naked, to be judged to the liking of people who won’t know me, people who won’t coddle me.
I’m afraid – what if I slip up? I can’t find the confidence and I’ve got cold feet. …Are you guys always fighting in this kind of environment?”
Revival / 24
Hokuto: “That’s right. Especially back when Trickstar was just formed. Everyone gave in to the student council’s rule.
At least, that’s how it looked; revolution seemed like a pipe dream.
I considered it many times. That maybe I was doing something stupid…
That maybe nobody was wishing for this, maybe I was kicking up a fuss just because I was bitter over having been hurt.
Maybe, I’d made a mess over something silly, dragging my friends down with me…
I talked big about it being a revolution, but maybe I was a scoundrel disturbing the peace of many in vain.
Maybe it was all true. What I did might’ve been a small incident that won’t go down in history.
The revolution came to be, and I do feel Yumenosaki is slowly changing… but nobody can tell yet if it was for the better or worse.
The children who live in the future will look back and be the judges.
But I think waiting around for that day to come is what a fool does.
That’s why I’m doing what I want now. For my dream, my future, myself. I’m going to walk down the path I choose, not submitting to somebody’s orders.
So. While I feel sorry for what I did to you guys, I’m glad I left fine.
Maybe working under the student president as his soldier would lead to my success as an idol.
But – that wouldn’t be my life.”
Touri: “… I can’t believe you just told the very person you hurt ‘I’m glad I betrayed you.’ Your shamelessness might as well be a breath of fresh air at this point.
Ah well. …I think I was jealous of you, Hidaka-senpai. I wanted, begged to be let into fine.
It might’ve been part of his ploy, but President himself chose to make you one of us. He scouted you, told you he wanted you.
He never told that to me. So I was frustrated, and I despised you for throwing away the thing I wanted so easily; I didn’t get you.
I still don’t. You’re expressionless like a robot; I don’t know what you’re thinking.
But, I see. You used to be what I am now, Senpai.
I remember. That day, fine’s revolution came to be, and Eichi-sama beckoned me over…
That stage, overflowing with light, shone to me like a happy-ever-after.
But, although I couldn’t see them through the blinding light, there were actually people crying behind that stage, huh?
That should’ve been obvious, but I never even considered that until now.
Maybe society, all Yumenosaki students, everybody…
…thought they reached a happy ending when your revolution came to be in DDD.
But there are people who cried because they lost. People who relive it in their nightmares every night.
Happily ever after? Like hell it is – right, Senpai?”
Hokuto: “Yeah. I thought the same, back then.
… oh. Morisawa-senpai just texted; seems like he found Sagami-sensei, who hadn’t showed up for some reason.
He said he’s pulling him by the hand and dashing over at lightning speed?”
Touri: “Hehe. Then Rain-bows will be all gathered, huh? A rainbow that’s missing some colors would look ugly; I’m glad they’re coming like they’re supposed to.”
Hokuto: “Yeah. … oh, I was thinking to look for Morisawa-senpai from here, but I found Transfer Student instead.”
Touri: “Ah, you’re right! Anzu~♪ Ahaha, Senpai, aren’t those your friends around her?”
Hokuto: “Right, so everyone in Trickstar came to cheer for me too.
I’m happy, but… it’s such a strange feeling to stand on the stage while they’re only watching me from afar.
… not that it matters, but Himemiya, you’re calling Transfer Student by name now?”
Touri: “Yeah. Stuff happened, like during Circus.
I think I’ve been horrible to her. And I probably still am – to you, Hidaka-senpai. …I’m sorry.”
Hokuto: “Hm? Did you say something? Rather than that, look, Himemiya! The other members of fine also came to root for you, how about waving at them?
C’mon. Over here. You probably can’t see with your small frame, so come closer.”
Touri: “… Hidaka-senpai, you really are like a prince.”
Hokuto: “Mm? Really? Thanks, Himemiya, I’m confident in my acting as a prince if nothing else.”
Touri: “It’s definitely not acting – you don’t even realise that you’re doing it. Ticks me off… Dense and oblivious, but optimistic and strong.
It makes me look stupid for acting all sharp and aggressive to you.”
Hokuto: “What? I can’t hear if you mumble like that; there’s a bigger crowd gathered than I imagined and it’s really loud.
Hehe, since I can hear you better if our faces are closer, should I carry you in my arms like a princess?”
Touri: “Worry about yourself. So your ears pick up compliments and nothing else, huh? I haaate that side of you to death, along with everything else.
… I’ll make you suffer one day, Prince.”
Revival / 25
Jin: “Oo~i. I’m done changing. Sorry I got here late.”
Hokuto: “Yeah. Reflect on it. Since that Ba-barrier group haven’t shown up either, we were worried that we might’ve been the ones who got the time wrong.
Well, Himemiya and I ad-libbed a comedy skit during the waiting time, so there haven’t been any problems.”
Touri: “There’s been nothing but problems… Ahh, I so want to go home, get in bed, sleep and make this all a dream. I want to forget that I ever did that in front of Eichi-sama—”
Chiaki: “Ahaha. Did you two make up while we were gone?
Glad to see you’re enjoying yourselves; and you even kept the guests entertained while waiting for us to get here, that’s wonderful♪”
Jin: “Haha. Still, it sure is embarrassing… for me to stand on stage wearing an idol outfit, in front of a crowd this large. Why are there so many people in the audience, anyway?”
Hokuto: “Yeah, there are more people than I expected. Did the magazine company behind Project-Saga work hard on the promotion?”
Jin: “I don’t think magazines make for such a good promotion method these days.
Mr. Writer came to cheer for us today – I heard from him that we became a hot topic on the net.”
Chiaki: “Mr. Writer… ah, he’s right beside Anzu. So I heard he’s still a student?
And he’s in the company due to some connection with a big shot there, and not even a company employee, but a part-time worker?”
Jin: “Yeah, that’s what I heard too. Actually, Project-Saga’s popularity went beyond even his expectations, and that seemed to have scared him – he looked white as sheet.
If there is some conspiracy behind Project-Saga, Mr. Writer’s the most obvious suspect due to being a mole from the magazine,
but based on that attitude, he might really be a clueless errand boy.”
Chiaki: “You’re still suspicious of something like that, Sagami-sensei?
Innocent until proven guilty is the standard in the legal world, right? Mr. Writer’s a good guy who worked earnestly for our sake… let’s have more faith in him.”
Jin: “I’m not accusing him, and I have faith in his character. It’s just his exact type of ‘earnest, good kids’ are the ones most easily manipulated by bad adults.
You guys – and the transfer student too – are pretty much the same type, so be careful. In these times, we can’t just assume that there’s kindness to be found everywhere.”
Touri: “Mmu, now he’s rebuking us. I didn’t even say a thing…
Anyway, isn’t having a big audience a good thing for idols? What are you complaining about?”
Jin: “Children are so nice and simple, eh? I should learn from your example, Himemiya; it’s just as you said.
Project-Saga’s popularity could simply be because it fits with the demands of the times.
We’re currently a super-ageing society, with young people being the minority, so the elderly with a fondness for nostalgia may make up the largest part of the market.
So instead of sparkling new idols with unexplored sides, it’s the nostalgic, retired ones that rake in more audience and money. What a distasteful time…
The magazine company, or rather that bigwig who commissioned this project, foresaw that trend, huh?”
Chiaki: “Ahaha. Come to think of it, we’ve been having a revival boom, haven’t we? I’m personally happy about it, as it gives people a chance to get to know old titles.”
Jin: “Nah… we old men prefer to see you young’uns work hard and open up a completely new world, ya know?
Being stuck with a view that never changes is the same as dying… so you guys gotta give it your all today.
Surprise the crowd gathered here and make them say ‘Wow, these kids are way more awesome than Sagami Jin!’ Swallow me up, use me as a stepping stone and walk ahead.
When we’re done with Project-Saga, I’ll be retired once and for all… watching you guys thrive as I live out the rest of my life in pleasure; that’s my plan.”
Hokuto: “You keep acting like you’re old… but you’re still young, Sensei.
Look, some of the guests are glancing at you and saying ‘Who’s that boy? A newbie? He’s so cool~♪’”
Chiaki: “Ahaha. Sensei, you really do look a lot younger after getting rid of that stubble.”
Touri: “Yeah. You should make sure to look that tidy every other day, too.”
Jin: “Eh~ What a pain… But based on the murmurs I heard from the audience, I guess most of the people gathered don’t even know what this stage is about?”
Chiaki: “Since we don’t plan on spending much of it anyway, we just ignored profit altogether, and set a very low price for the tickets…
Plus, we don’t even know if we will have a ‘next time’.”
Jin: “Well, Project-Saga may stop serializing anytime and nobody would question it, considering how it started.
Though looking at how hyped people are now, I don’t think a little rough patch will be enough to put a stop to it.”
Touri: “Yeah… The crowd’s got more diverse ages and backgrounds than usual. I’m kind of lost on how to act in front of them.”
Hokuto: “You just have to act like yourself. That’s how I always do it.”
Touri: “Because you don’t know how to act any other way, you mean.
…Nn~ but the audience really seems to just get bigger and bigger.
And from the looks of it, aren’t there more students watching compared to usual?”
Hokuto: “Yes. For lives that are open to the public, students usually don’t watch from the crowd.”
Chiaki: “Fufu. The students are definitely eager to see the teacher they usually study under show his true abilities from up close. I’d watch from the front row too, if I were them.”
Jin: “Ukh~… They don’t have to see, though. Don’t they have better things to do?
Nobody’s made a new move after DDD, so I wonder if they’re starving for topics?
Anyway, when the live is open to the public, the rule has it that the students must watch from the monitors installed in the school buildings, right?”
Hokuto: “It’s recommended, but not exactly a rule. …Stop hunching over, Sensei; you look pathetic.”
Touri: “Seriously. You’re our leader for once, so show more dignity, okay?”
Revival / 26
Jin: “Ah, geez… You guys look so psyched about this. You can take it less seriously. As I’ve told you countless times before, Project-Saga’s a relatively irrelevant low-budget project.
Nobody will have a problem if it fails.”
Akiomi: “Fufu. And is that truly the case, I wonder?”
Jin: “Uwooh… So you finally showed up, Kunugi-sensei.”
Chiaki: “Fuhahaha! So you’ve shown yourself, Ba-barrier! The wait nearly bored me! Thanks for participating, let’s work together to make this a great show♪”
Madara: “Hahaha. So polite, Chiaki-san. Respecting your opponent is a good thing, but you might find the rug pulled out from under you if you don’t go at us with your lives on the line.
I was told there’s no need for holding back this time, so I’ll crush you to pieces whether you’re on your guard or not♪”
Chiaki: “G-Go easy on me… I didn’t expect you to actually be part of this, Mikejima-san.
What changed your mind? I thought you didn’t like acting in a group?
And it doesn’t seem like you’re a temporary helper like usual, but an actual unit member…? What are you scheming?”
Madara: “I’m not scheming anything – not that I’m convincing anyone by saying that. It’s just a whim; I wanted to see what this unit system was like.
So far, it’s been an annoying experience with more troubles and shackles to hold me down…
I should’ve refused. Well, since I accepted the job, I’ll see it through properly.
What about you, Chiaki-san? From the looks of it, I guess you’re enjoying yourself?”
Chiaki: “Yeah. I’m appreciating the experience. Sure, I got more burdens to shoulder, but I don’t regret choosing to be part of Rain-bows.
Fufu. And I get to fight Mikejima-san too; we’ve never had a direct faceoff, have we?
I’ll think of this as a golden opportunity to have a practice match with Ryuuseitai’s once greatest warrior, Ryuusei Purple♪”
Madara: “Ah, that was my color, huh… I’m surprised you remember; I thought it was a past you’d want to forget as much as I do.”
Sora: “Are you talking about colors? What kind of color is purple?”
Chiaki: “Whoa!? You, where did you pop out from?”
Sora: “<HaHa~♪> Sora was sticking to Mr. Giant’s back~ And being carried by him! Because Sora gets lost often, apparently!”
Chiaki: “M-Mr. Giant? Is that Mikejima-san?”
Madara: “Yeah, seems like it. Personally, I wish he’d call me Mama.”
Mika: “Huff, haah… I really don’t like crowds. I ended up takin’ a long time tryin’ to cut through the sea of people. Uuukh, why do we have such a big audience?”
(Oshi-san… wouldn’t come to cheer for me, I guess. He’s a lot worse with crowds than I am.)
Jin: “Hmm. One, two, three… so Ba-barrier included, seems like we’re all gathered now.
Forget rehearsals, we’re gonna have to start the show on the spot, but are you guys okay with that?
Especially you, Kagehira. Why do you look so tired? Did Kunugi-sensei work you like a horse?
Everybody~ We got an abusive teacher here!”
Akiomi: “Don’t say things that may be taken the wrong way. I didn’t abuse anyone. Rude.”
Mika: “I-It was practically abuse, though… He summoned me everyday just t’put me through harsh lessons.”
Chiaki: “Oh! So you guys practiced every day.
Then Ba-barrier may turn out to have more finesse than us Rain-bows, who only got to gather once a week.”
Sora: “<HiHi~♪> Except our gears wouldn’t mesh at all, so we’re actually worried if we can really pull off a show!
It made Sora realize how hard Shisho and Senpai have worked to accommodate Sora in Switch!
It’s fun here in its own right though! Then, is it the correct answer? <HuHu~♪>”
Mika: “Ah, I’m beat… The costume-making ended up takin’ lots of time no thanks to Oshi-san startin’ to nitpick in the middle.
Ah, that’s the reason we’re late, by the way! I’m sorry, it’s all my fault!”
Madara: “Hahaha! But thanks to that, we now have these wonderful costumes that suit us perfectly! Sorry for all the trouble, Mika-san! There, there, there♪”
Mika: “Nngah! Stop strokin’ my head so roughly!? It’s coming off, it’s coming off – my head’s coming off!?”
Chiaki: “W-What a ragtag bunch… not that we can talk. We’re both teams that got made on the fly; can’t help a few rough patches here and there.”
Touri: “Yeah, it’s such a strange story, seriously. A pair of temporary units that came out of nowhere are holding a live together. Who would wish for this?”
Akiomi: “Fufu. The world wished for this, I believe.”
Jin: “There he goes saying unnecessarily profound things again… Kunugi-sensei, what do you know that we don’t? Why go out of your way to be part of this relatively irrelevant story?”
Akiomi: “I wonder. Think for yourself sometimes, Sagami-senpai…
I’m not your manager; I have no duty to tell you everything so kindly.
Fufu. I simply wanted to stand on the same stage with you like this… is that reason not acceptable?”
Jin: “Not unacceptable per se, but we adults aren’t so free or so full of life as to push ourselves for such reasons, right?
…That’s okay, though. Actually, I’ve wanted to get into a real clash with you, just once.
Nah. I wanted to sing together with you, in front of a huge crowd like this—”
Revival / 27
Jin: “Uhh~ Everybody, hello.
We Rain-bows and Ba-barrier… that’s the pronunciation, right?
Ba-barrier and us are holding a collaboration live called Rainbow Stage today. Thank you very much for coming to see us.
Yeah. Ahaha, thanks for the energetic reply. Some of you are calling my name, huh? I see some familiar faces…
It’s been a while. Thanks for remembering me.
In truth, I’m somebody who has no right to be standing here. I retired long ago; I shut my ears to your supportive voices…
And shook you away, stepping down from the stage for my own selfish reasons.
So I can’t tell you ‘I’m back’. I don’t plan to make a real comeback as an idol, and I don’t wish to mislead you.
Ahaha, I hear outcry. If I betrayed your expectations, I’m sorry. I really am a good-for-nothing guy who’s beyond saving.
But, despite that, there’s one thing I can say. Looong ago… you found me even though I’d been just one among the countless people living in this planet. Thank you.
You found me, chased after me, and loved me. Thank you.
My current life is happy, in its own right. You brats from my school who seem to be gathered here should know, right?
I’m living my life idly, taking it easy.
Watching from nearby as the children make the future.
It’s a peaceful, content life that’s almost wasted on someone like me.
I don’t know how many of my old fans are here right now, but… I want to hear it from you. Are you happy right now?
Is your everyday pleasant enough for you, like mine is for me?
From the bottom of my heart, I hope that it is. I pray that it is. If your days are rough and exhausting, we will heal you.
With our songs, dances, and smiles. You showered me in so much love back then, so I’ll repay you back with love, even if just a bit.
I’m glad to be bestowed this chance.
I feel blessed to have met you all.
No matter how much times passes, I’ll love you forever.
♪♪♪”
Madara: (Fufu. Love, peace, happiness… Pretty words, spoken like a stereotypical old-type idol. I don’t believe he meant all of that.
But even if they’re lies, they ring in your heart. That’s the Super Idol, Sagami Jin; the man who once stole the heart of every girl in Japan.
He might’ve regressed, but his skill is still going strong, I see.
Okay… we’re going up against the group led by such a super idol.
The question is, is it okay to win? We did complete lesson after lesson for that sake…
If we’re not choosy with our methods, there are many ways to win this.
But what will become of that? Project-Saga will go to waste, seeing as the spotlight of this story is meant for them… Won’t that be a problem?
Hm~m. Kunugi-sensei invited us, but I still can’t read what he’s thinking. Despite everything, he’s a battle-hardened veteran who survived the cruel entertainment industry.
Hiding his intentions from us is a piece of cake to him, I guess.
Oh dear, the world’s a big place indeed! This is great, isn’t it? A frog in a well knows nothing of the great ocean!)
Chiaki: “(whispers) …what’s wrong, Mikejima-san? You don’t look too well.
If you don’t feel good, you should retreat to the stage wing. You’re human like the rest of us, you go through ups and downs too.”
Madara: “Hahaha. You’re so kind, Chiaki-san – worrying over your enemy?
…I’m fine. Whatever sort of wastelands I get thrown into, I can survive, even alone.
This isn’t time for you to worry about others, right? It’s Rain-bows’ turn; you have your own thing to do.
Sagami-sensei’s the great senpai you look up to, right?
Go be useful to him. Do what you’re meant to do, Hero.”
Chiaki: “That goes for you too, Mikejima-san. …Kagehira and Harukawa’s conditions seem weird to me.
If you’re really fine like you said, I’d like you to support those two – your comrades.”
Madara: “…Mmu?”
Mika: “…”
Sora: “…”
Madara: (True enough, those two seem to be faring even worse than I am.
They’re in an impromptu team they’re not used to. Sora-san aside… Mika-san had to push himself making the costumes, so he had more of a burden than rest of us.
I should’ve noticed and reached out my hand without Chiaki-san having to tell me. I’m no good; I’m really not made for team battles.
I really can’t think of the unit system as anything but a mechanism to chain excellent individuals down…
Still, even I can’t bring myself to become a villain who ignores children in pain.
I’m so half-hearted. And this guilt I’m feeling further proves what a very well-crafted system it is.
The presence of another person forces you to compare yourself to them, making you feel many emotions.
Aah, talk about detestable.)
Revival / 28
Madara: “… Sora-san, are you okay? What’s wrong? You’re tottering.”
Sora: “Yes. Very sorry. Sora hasn’t been in front of such a large crowd so it’s making Sora dizzy. There are so many colors swirling around, it’s hard to process…
Right now, they’re all directed at Rain-bows, at Sagami-sensei so… it’s still relatively okay~
When it becomes our turn and Sora can’t be of much use, then sorry.”
Madara: (Hmm. Sora-san always seems so otherworldly and full of energy, so I let my guard down…
But he’s another first year unused to going on stage. There’s his ‘predisposition’ too, making him feel all the more groggy.
He’ll probably get used to it with more experience. But I don’t think we can push him to it today.
No. Maybe it was to give this boy the ‘experience’ he absolutely needed, that Kunugi-sensei made him part of the team… Nothing beats real battle experience.)
”It’ll be okay. I’ll assist you, so just do what you can, Sora-san.
If it starts looking impossible, give me a signal, and I’ll help you retreat while hiding you from the audience’s eyes.”
Sora: “Yes… I’m sorry, Mr. Giant.”
Madara: “Not a problem. I grew this big all so I could carry you children off to a safe place, you know? …There’s no problem at all, so don’t make that face.
In front of the audience, we’ve got to keep a smile.”
Sora: “Yes. Ehehe, Sora feels a little better. Mr. Giant is so dependable~♪”
Madara: “Hahaha. Aren’t I? ‘Dependable like a mama’ ☆”
Sora: “? Is there really a saying that goes like that?
Anyway, Mika-chan-san seems to be having a much tougher time than Sora, so can you help him~?”
Madara: “Oh? Doesn’t that child hate being referred to by his given name?”
Sora: “<HeHe~♪> But Mika-chan-san gives off a color that seems discomforted or in pain whenever he’s called something like ‘Onii-chan’, you see?”
Madara: (Huh… Come to think of it, Mika-san used to call Nazuna-san ‘Nazuna-nii’, didn’t he?
Is he still dragging that out, thus his mixed feelings about the nickname?
Though that doesn’t seem to be his only reason for looking unwell right now.)
”Mika-san? Are you okay? You’re wearing a glum look… If you’ve got any worries, feel free to tell Mama all about it♪”
Mika: “Ngah!? Don’t suddenly come closer – ya gave me a shock!”
Madara: “Hahaha. Sorry, sorry. You’re such a scaredy-cat, Mika-san.”
Mika: “Yeah. I’m sorry f’r bein’ such a coward… but don’t worry about me too much.
All my pushin’ myself over the limit is just comin’ back to bite me, and it pretty much like, always feels as if I’m comin’ down with a cold anyway.
It’s the same thing as always. The difference is that right now, I’m on a stage where Oshi-san isn’t, and it’s makin’ me feel weird…
Feels like, I’m doin’ something that should be chastised.
I never imagined anything like this. It’s like I’m seein’ a dream; I’m not used to this ‘normal idol’ stuff either.
It’s as if my soul’s been transferred to another person. Like I’m not the one makin’ my body move…
Like I’m watchin’ my body, manipulated like a marionette, from a place far away, ya know?”
Madara: “Hahaha. That’s probably what Nazuna-san felt when he was in Valkyrie.”
Mika: “Nazuna-nii did…?”
Madara: “Yeah, though I can only imagine. I’m not Nazuna-san, so I can’t speak for his feelings.
But I can say what I see: that you’re making the same face as he was back then.”
Mika: “…”
Jin: “♪♪♪”
Madara: “…whoops, I guess Rain-bows’ first song will be finished soon.
Their strategy seemed to be to sing a rearrangement of Sagami-sensei’s hit song to make the fans happy first of everything. It’s a famous song everybody knows, so it’s easy to tell when it ends.”
Mika: “Eh, really? I’ve never heard this song.”
Madara: “Mika-san, where in the undiscovered backwoods did you hail from?
Well, it’s from a slightly different generation, so I guess kids who don’t know it simply don’t. Anyway… we’re up next, so if possible, let’s get our focus back on track.”
Mika: “Ah, yes! Thanks a bunch, Mikejima-senpai, for askin’ how I’m doin’… I think ya sorta helped me wake up!
I’m gonna give it all I’ve got~♪ Can’t be hurting Valkyrie or Oshi-san’s name, anyway!”
Madara: (Hahaha. So that’s what drives you; how enviably simple. Honestly, if only… I could live like that too.)
Akiomi: “You children, are you ready? We couldn’t hold a rehearsal, but you understand what you have to do, right?”
Sora: “Yes! Sora is fine~ Once Sora gets to singing and dancing, he’ll be full of energy☆”
Akiomi: “Excellent. …Mikejima-kun, that was very nice. I was on edge while watching, but you did well helping your juniors stand up again.
So how is it? Isn’t being part of a unit interesting?”
Madara: “…I wonder; I’ll have to postpone the answer. For now, there are so many things to look out for that I don’t feel like going though it ever again.
Still, a festival’s more fun with more people.
Come, come, it’s a festivaaaal! Let’s raise the mikoshi up to the sky, and go beyond the rainbow!
♪♪♪”
Revival / 29
Mika: “♪♪♪”
(Yeah, now that it’s started, it’s goin’ pretty great. A turn here, then a wink… Am I doing ‘normal idol’ okay?
…It’s a tad too easy though; is that fine?
I thought they’d dictate stuff more by the beat, to the millimeter. I mean, that’s how it is in Valkyrie.
And yet, we’re just given an outline on what to do, the rest being left up to us…
It’s makin’ me anxious. Nah, I mean, I get that Oshi-san’s method is different from the normal.
Oshi-san’s the strongest; he’s special.
Despite that, we lost, fell, and got looked down on as sub-par idols.
That’s how we’re recorded, in this Yumenosaki Academy controlled by the DreamFest system.
That’s why I tried to convince myself. That all the other idols were workin’ harder than us, doin’ much more difficult, high-grade stuff than we were.
If not, then it just wouldn’t make sense – it’d be crazy, right?
The ones gettin’ high evaluation should be the ones who excel. Hard work should be rewarded – and yet.
Ahh… I think I kinda understand how Oshi-san feels.
Inerudites, all of ya! Blinded by numbers and unable to see what’s truly important! Each and every last one of ya!
That’s just crazy! I wanna run around an’ scream it out, but I’m not capable of anything yet!
This is frustratin’, Oshi-san! We’re workin’ harder than all of them! We’re doin’ difficult and wonderful things nobody else can!
But nobody, not one of them can tell a piece of art that should be carved into history when they see it!
We gotta change this situation. We’ll cause a revolution to change their views… For that sake, what I can do now is—
Sing and dance, that’s it! And then gather lotsa money! That’s about all I can do!
Even so! I’ll lift up my life for that sake!
You’re probably not here anyway, so I doubt you’re watchin’… but if you notice one day and praise me, that’ll be my reward, Oshi-san.
Come, you inerudites! Soon you’ll turn your heads and realize what blind fools you are! And you’ll feel this frustration I do…!)
”♪♪♪”
Sora: (Ooh… Mika-chan-san’s giving off a really sinister color, huh~?
Murky… but hiding a strong, beautiful light within.
Like a volcano storing magma in its chamber~ And it’s right on the verge of erupting.
What’ll happen to the world when it floods out?
It’s scary, but Sora would like to see!
That’s why Sora will stay in this world, on a stage, until that happens, yes~?
So no one will have to be hurt, burnt by the boiling magma, Sora will protect them with the magic Shisho taught!
Protect – their peace and happiness! Because everybody has given Sora peace and happiness! It’s equivalent exchange~ <HaHiHuHeHo~♪>)
Hokuto: “…Ooh, Ba-barrier’s kind of incredible.”
Touri: “Wow, that’s an uninspired impression if I’ve ever heard one. …well, there’s really no other way to describe them though.
On top of the ridiculous choice of members, all of them are moving as they like, to their own beat…
The only reason they’re managing to keep up appearances is because each of them is highly skilled on their own.”
Hokuto: “Right. Their costumes are high-class, but their songs and choreography both seem to be rented.
And maybe it’s so they could learn them in a short span, but their songs are mostly practice songs made for beginners.
Perhaps you can say that’s the reason they’re holding themselves together despite being an impromptu team.
Those plain, simple tunes have no way to be rearranged – and that means they’d have no way to run crazy with them either.
But that also makes them look cheap. Placed beside our performance, which shows more care and polish, they’ll pale slightly in comparison.
And they just started singing out of nowhere without introducing themselves, despite being a new temporary unit. I thought the audience would be lost, but…
Brought together, these four unique people seem to cause a chemical reaction that turns the practice songs we should’ve heard many times before into a completely different beast.
They seem as if they’re just pushing with their individual gifts, but Kunugi-sensei is skillfully backing them up to string together a sense of unity.”
Akiomi: “♪♪♪”
Touri: “Wow, you’re right. The three students really stand out, for better or worse, so Kunugi-sensei’s getting kinda buried? Like it’s hard to take notice of him, but…
When you squint and see, he’s really maneuvering cleverly.”
Revival / 30
Akiomi: “♪♪♪”
Touri: “That’s incredible… Harukawa-kun – who doesn’t seem to be in his best shape – and the senpai with the black hair both make mistakes sometimes…
But you almost wouldn’t notice, because Kunugi-sensei always hides it from the audience in such a natural way, or makes it seem like part of the performance.
Isn’t that a really high-grade skill?
Yuzuru from my place will do the same thing during fine’s performances sometimes, but that’s because he’s like my family, and he understands me…
So how can Kunugi-sensei do it for a temporary unit formed on the fly, made up of people of different ages and positions from him?”
Hokuto: “Right. That’s craftsmanship. He’s the opposite of Sagami-sensei, who leads at the front and pulls us along; the ‘support type’, if you will.
When you’re an idol, you’re bound to lay your ego bare onstage. But that’s not the case at all with Kunugi-sensei.
It’s incredible; he’s completely transformed into a stagehand… like a ninja.”
Touri: “I’m seeing him more like an experienced butler.”
Jin: “It’s like you kids are watching sports or something.
I always think this but keep your talking in moderation; the guests may not think well of it… and it cuts off your concentration.
Look at me, I reached my limit in just one song. Boy, I’m not cut out for acting out the role of an idol anymore.”
Hokuto: “You reached your limit too fast. Hang in there; you’re not ‘acting out’ being an idol, by the way – you are one.”
Jin: “Sure, sure… but seriously, I just have less stamina than you young’uns.
I took up running too, but I guess I can’t restore everything in just a month.
The next song will turn the spotlight on you ‘disciples’ so the audience can get to know you. And while leading all the attention on you, I’ll step back and rest for a bit.
It’s a strategy to keep me from pushing myself too much, hitting a wall halfway, and making a mess of the endgame.”
Hokuto: “Right. You explained before, so we know. I personally want you to hang on from start to finish though.
We don’t know when you’ll ever get to stand on stage again.”
Touri: “Yeah, why not push yourself to the limit while you have the chance? Won’t it turn out to be a good memory to look back on~?”
Chiaki: “Now, now. Don’t force Sensei too much. Let’s try to hold on with just us youngsters.”
Touri: “Sagami-sensei’s plenty young too… But well, of course I have to be the one standing out the most. Do your best as my prop, Sensei♪”
Jin: “Prop… Ahh, so that’s what this is. I think I got it. You’re the same do-gooder as always, Akiyan.”
Touri: “? What are you mumbling? Anyway, I’m gonna cart off all your old fans, Sensei♪”
Hokuto: “Yeah. I’ll have some too as my pay for helping out with Project-Saga.”
Jin: “Sure. I mean, I can’t just say ‘go ahead’ and hand over my fans, but you guys gotta be rewarded for your efforts.
Really, good work sticking with me for this one month. Thanks, kids.”
Chiaki: “We’re only done with the first song – please don’t make it feel like it’s all over.
The real show… no, the real battle is just about to begin.”
Jin: “I know. A lot of my fans came to see me, more than I imagined.
And that makes me happy, so I’m gonna work myself just enough to not disappoint those wonderful people.”
Chiaki: “Fufu. You seem to be in a good mood, Sensei. I was worried, you know; it seems you retired after a bitter experience…
So I thought that maybe it was scary for you to come back to the stage.
It’s natural to feel scared. You may be a school teacher, much older than us, who’s gone through a lot more than we have…
But you’re still a human being, so it’s natural to not want to go back to a place that held an awful memory for you.”
Jin: “Yeah. To be frank, I was a bit scared. But turns out it was my needless worry. Somehow, I feel like I just got reunited with my first love after many years.
I was an idol who made my fans fall in love with me, but I wonder who’s actually head over heels for who…
Uh, is that an outdated expression? Doesn’t click with modern youths?
… oops. Seems like Ba-barrier’s turn is done. That practice song was supposed to be a short one, anyway.
We’re gonna prepare for our next song. Sure is busy and a lot of work, eh?”
Chiaki: “Is that so? Performing interchangeably is the standard for battle-style DreamFests… I’m used to it, and I think so are Hidaka and the rest of the students.”
Jin: “I see; of course… I guess the times have really changed. Various idols are jumbled together.
Well, I like a field of flowers more than just a huge, pretty flower by itself.
What you currently have is a lot better. I’m envious, really.”
Chiaki: “Ahaha. Then why not make a real comeback and work again as an idol? From now on, and always!”
Jin: “Nope, impossible. My era ended long ago, so I leave the rest to you youths.
I don’t have enough life in me to start a new love, so I’m gonna be a middle-aged man playing matchmaker for the young’uns.
…Sounds like a pleasurable way to live out the rest of my life, right?”
Revival / 31
Chiaki: “Hello! As introduced before, I’m a disciple of Sagami-sensei… my name is Morisawa Chiaki! I’M IN YOUR CAAAARE☆
Eh, my voice is too loud? I’m sorry – I got a bit excited!
Hehe. If I may ask, is there anybody among you who is familiar with the tokusatsu show Sagami-sensei appeared on in the past?
You see, I’ve been a huge fan of that series for the longest time…!
So I’m overcome with emotions, to be able to stand on the same stage as the Legendary Hero I’ve looked up to for so long!
Everything I needed to know in life, I learned from the many heroes I know, including Sagami-sensei!
Dreams will come true! Justice will prevail! Love will save the world! I believe in all of that, because Sensei… heroes would never tell me lies!
Isn’t that right, everyone? Because there’s absolutely no way a liar would be loved by so many people like this!
Well, that’s all for the opening speech!
Once again, we’ll deliver to you a nostalgic song… the opening song of the tokusatsu show Sagami-sensei was the main character of! We’ve gained permission to rearrange it and sing it!
C’mon, all of you good kids! And all of you who were good kids! Let’s bring our voices together with energy!
Let’s sing together – the theme song of the Ally of Justice we all love…☆
♪♪♪”
Jin: “… the little bastard went ahead and stepped all over his teacher’s landmines without being aware of it one bit.
Not bad, though. It sorta makes me feel rewarded. Thanks a lot… Hero.”
Akiomi: “…Sagami-sensei. How exemplary to leave the children to work hard while you rest.”
Jin: “Hey, that’s how the strategy goes. You’re too uptight; be careful so you won’t get back pain from working too much.”
Akiomi: “Fufu. If that happens, I’ll have Dr. Sagami treat me. You don’t mind doing that much, of course? I went through a lot for you.”
Jin: “You went and did that all on your own. …I’m kidding. Thanks a lot.”
Akiomi: “My. I didn’t expect the usually bleak person to be so honest. Will it rain…? But I left all my laundry outside to dry.”
Jin: “It’s not all bad; after a rain, a rainbow will sometimes appear. There’ll be something good as long as you hang onto life… that’s what the brats taught me this time.
Anyway. So I’m thinking to wrap this up like a nice, pretty story soon, so if you’re hiding something, you better spit it out fast.”
Akiomi: “Ah, my upperclassman is threatening me. I’m going to tell on you to the teachers, you know?”
Jin: “…You seem to be in a strangely good mood, Akiyan.”
Akiomi: “I am. Didn’t I say before? It was my dream to stand on the same stage as you.”
Jin: “And that’s why you formed Ba-barrier and intruded on this project?
You’re causing trouble for the kids you got wrapped up in this, you despotic teacher… the Ministry of Education’s gonna sue you.”
Akiomi: “It’ll be fine. I’m sure those children will come out of this believing it was a good experience.
Because I would never invite children who couldn’t think that way; children with no hopes of growth.
Those children were excluded from the mainstream, either because of their peculiarity, or their sad past…
But they have talent, so making them experience being normal idols should have some meaning.
I don’t mind that Kagehira-kun and Harukawa-kun have people they look up to. But no matter how hard they try, they can’t become their admired heroes themselves.
I’m sure it’s better for them to have more options when they finally notice that fact in the future.
And there’s Mikejima-kun; he’s so stubborn about his own life’s direction despite being so young.
I want him to gain a wider perspective. So I thought Ba-barrier would be a good chance to give him that.”
Jin: “And did you tell the brats directly? It’s 'cause you always play the bad guy that they all misunderstand you… thinking you’re a nasty teacher and all, ya know?”
Akiomi: “But that is the job. Our job.”
Jin: “Fair enough. Forming a team with the students and standing on stage with them isn’t what our job is about.
… really, I wonder why things turned out like this.”
Akiomi: “I haven’t dug that deep, either. But it seems there is indeed somebody operating behind the scenes, in Project-Saga.
A conspiracy is really brewing behind all of this.”
Jin: “…you’re kidding me. Man, this is awful, why does everybody love wargames so much? Shouldn’t singing, dancing, and cheerfully interacting with the fans be enough for idols?”
Akiomi: “I agree. That’s why, the ones pulling the strings here are mostly people in the position of administrating idols.
Such as Yumenosaki’s board of directors, and many more… people with power over the industry.
As a matter of fact, I’m accepting orders from the board. They told me to protect Sagami-sensei with all I have.
And the order even went as far as stressing that I must become your shield when worst comes to worst.”
Jin: “As if you’d even make for a decent shield. …huh? Didn’t we have a conversation like this, loong ago?”
Akiomi: “We did, indeed. But I’ve aged since then. I’ve become an adult; I’ve amassed life experience and matured, even just a bit…
So you’ll see that I make for a decent enough shield, Sagami-senpai.”
Jin: “Right. I see. …Thanks for always, Akiyan.”
Akiomi: “Fufu. You’re saying a lot of ‘thanks’ today, Jin.”
Jin: “I couldn’t thank people for the love and favors they gave me when I was active… so even if it’s too late, I feel like thanking everybody a lot now.”
Revival / 32
Jin: “All of that aside, what’s this conspiracy? Is it something we can do anything about?
It’s the powerful people of the industry we’re going up against, yeah? We got stomped pretty easily back in the day though.”
Akiomi: “Because you weren’t even motivated. Anyway, I investigated it personally, but I couldn’t grab hold of anything solid.
The only thing for sure is, soon after this… Project-Saga will undergo a huge update.
There will be a huge inflow of cash, turning it into a big affair for the industry.”
Jin: “Ah, I heard something like that too. I see, so it wasn’t just rumors.”
Akiomi: “Oh? I thought you’d be more surprised. It appears you’re acquainted with somebody informative.”
Jin: “Yeah. You know how it goes: heroes never let injustice slide.
Anyway, if Project-Saga’s going big, isn’t that great? What’s the problem?
I mean, besides the trouble of me having to shave every time?”
Akiomi: “Well. First of all, there will be many mentor-disciple units created across the country, as originally planned.
When a huge investment is made, the people involved will start moving towards their goal.
While that list from before may not be realized completely, I’m sure quite a lot of retired idols will be willing to take part.
So will the many agencies and idol training schools across the country.
Project-Saga will get the whole idol industry wrapped up in it, reborn as a large-scale event.
Our board of directors would like to make Yumenosaki stand out inside all of that.”
Jin: “Aah, and that’s why they ordered you to protect us.”
Akiomi: “Yes. It is wretched how desperate they are to cling onto glory of the past and keep up an image, but… I don’t suppose we have the right to say that either.
Anyway, Project-Saga will cause a huge tide, which naturally means changing the future balance of powers in the idol industry.
It’ll affect many things, including SS at the end of the year.”
Jin: “Oh-hoh. So if our work in Project-Saga turns out to be worth crap…
Yumenosaki Academy will be publicly proven to be not up to snuff, affecting our customer traffic and evaluation in the worst ways.”
Akiomi: “Yes. If we were a joint-stock company, our stock price would be crashing to rock bottom. Not something idols belonging to Yumenosaki Academy can laugh off.
That’s why it’s necessary to make Rain-bows grow, as you are something of Yumenosaki’s representative for Project-Saga.”
Jin: “So you came to pick a fight. We would clash, polish each other, and grow…
'Cause in the present, when no huge investment’s been made yet, Project-Saga’s serialization belongs to just us.
If we can produce a result – a victory – in this state, we’ll gain high evaluation and kick off to a good start.
And instead of a solo live, a live battle between units will heat up things better, and make it clearer how well or badly we’re doing.
So you became props… nah, underdogs. You know I don’t have many good memories about that kind of method.”
Akiomi: “Nevertheless, it is effective. After repeating it many times, you transformed into a peerless super idol at the end, right?
I am an old-type idol just like you, so I don’t know any other method.”
Jin: “You know more than I do. Plus, I feel like you don’t intend to just go down as props…
You’re seriously coming to wreck us, huh? Especially your kids.”
Akiomi: “Yes. I deliberated about it myself. About which I should choose…
Should I act as a prop to hype you up, or kick you down to replace you?
The children in Ba-barrier are not particularly active in the public eye right now.
If they replace Rain-bows, I’m sure they can focus entirely on this project.
But in your group, there is Trickstar’s Hidaka-kun – we’ll leave fine’s Himemiya-kun aside for now…
And also Ryuuseitai’s Morisawa-kun, who definitely doesn’t have a lot of free time. I’m sure he wants to spend the last year of his high school life without regrets, too.
Won’t it be difficult for them to give their all for both their original units and Project-Saga?
As a matter of fact, you have been able to gather only once a week.
Still, if it is indeed possible, having you all carry on with Project-Saga is the most natural end to this.
After all, you were specifically named to take the main role.
Whether it is truly fine for us to steal that role away and replace you…
And whether it is possible, I don’t know. Of course, if the need calls, I thought to use every strategy possible to make it happen.
That’s why I decided that I would test you using this live. To see what you all are worth.
In the end, watching you practice isn’t enough; I have to fight you myself to see—
I have to feel what you’re capable of, against my skin. Otherwise, I won’t be satisfied. That’s what I thought, so I tried throwing down the glove, despite my age.
If Jin’s natural-born laziness in its full glory has dragged the group down to incompetence… I will fight you, take you down, crush you and replace you.
And I will participate in Project-Saga in your place. You seem to be worn out with being an idol, anyway…
So if you are suffering, I thought to take that heavy load off your shoulders.
Well, my head swirled with such difficult thoughts, but that seemed to be all needless worry – for now. We’re still in the middle of the show, so… I should stop with the presumptions.”
Jin: “Right. My brats are working a lot harder than I gave them credit for. Ahaha, maybe I have what it takes to be a teacher♪”
Akiomi: “<No comment.> …well, your group is proving to be on a higher level than I expected. If you keep this up, I am sure you’ll be fine going forward.
Though in the first place, if you were to be losing to our hastily-made group, I can’t imagine you competing on even footing with other mentor-disciple groups…
Plus, the mastermind behind the plot will likely send out their treasured piece to compete in Project-Saga.
If not, they wouldn’t have invested a large sum of money in it. …Do not let your guard down, or they may eat you up.”
Jin: “The mastermind who…? Is there really anybody who’d go out of their way plotting such a large-scale scheme in these times?
Honestly, what with the long winter that froze up the industry, I’d almost want to have the back of a guy with that much fight left in him.”
Akiomi: “I wonder… I have a guess, but I can’t say anything definite yet.
I approached Tenshouin-kun and a few others for my investigation too, but this mastermind will not stick out their head at all.
The enemy is not truly on the move yet. Though looking at how Project-Saga has been progressing, I believe they will show themself of their own accord eventually.
Please keep your guard up. Let’s both try our hardest so the future of the children won’t be shrouded with dark clouds.
…oops. So it appears it is our turn next; excuse me as I sing.”
Jin: “Mmkay. … man, you got me~ I ended up chatting around with you because you said something that caught my interest. That’s part of the strategy, huh? Making me waste my part in the show, even if it’s a short one.”
Akiomi: “Fufu. Can you really survive and win this like that?
Perhaps you’ve forgotten because you’ve been inactive for so long – idols are all about doing everything to win, you see ♪”
Jin: “Nope. I just remembered, but idols are about loving and being loved.
That’s what I think. Those who interfere with the love between an idol and their fans – between us and them… will be kicked down to the bottom of Hell.
Let’s teach that to whoever is behind this conspiracy, yeah?”
Epilogue
Timeline: Winter
> Reimei Academy
< Approximately half a year later; a week after SS >
Jun: “…”
Hiyori: “Jun-kun, Jun-kun! Come on, come on! If you keep hanging your head like that, the sun will laugh at you!
And so will I! Ahahahahaha☆
Ahh, what a wonderful sky! Leaving aside gloomy little Jun-kun, it’s such a fine weather we have here…☆”
Jun: “What a damn bother… Ohii-saaaan, I’m seriously feeling down here, so can you leave me be~?
Are you trying to make me choose between killing you – effectively shutting your mouth for life – and perforating my own eardrums?”
Hiyori: “Oh, no! Neither of those two choices will make anyone happy, so throw them out with the trash and let’s go eat some ice cream!
Now that will bring sparkling smiles and a happy ending to all of us!”
Jun: “In this damn freezing cold?
That’s what you say now, Ohii-san, but once I actually buy some ice for you to eat, you’re gonna stop eating midway and say ‘Cold! I don’t need it anymore!’, aren’t you?”
Hiyori: “Perhaps! But perhaps not! Nobody knows what the future holds!
A fan told me that eating ice cream on a cold day makes for a whole different experience, so there’s worth in giving it a try!”
Jun: “See if I could care less… Rather than that, let’s pick up our pace.
We’re almost late for the meeting 'cause you kept taking a bunch of detours on the way~ Man, I wish you were dead.”
Hiyori: “You’ve been saying so many cruel words today! Think it over! Jun-kun would be sad if I died, right!?”
Jun: “Perhaps, but perhaps not. Nobody knows what the future holds, right, Ohii-san?”
Hiyori: “Wow, you must be the most insufferable Jun-kun I’ve seen all century! I’m peeved~! But that sass is a sign you’ve regained some of your energy, so I’m also glad♪
Jun-kun, you’ve been looking dejected since what happened in SS…
I know you’re shocked from the defeat, but let us look at the future anew! Tomorrow will surely be a fine weather ☆”
Jun: “I do wish I could be half as happy-go-lucky as you sometimes, y’know?
… anyway. If I’ve been looking sour – sure, it’s partly because of SS, but it’s mostly because of, you know, that Project-Saga thing~?”
Hiyori: “Ah, one of the agency’s… or rather Ibara’s many schemes, huh?
Unusual of that venomous snake, he hushed up the whole matter very thoroughly just so Jun-kun, and only Jun-kun, wouldn’t find out! Right?
Well, I was informed of the matter normally…
So I was laughing inside the whole time you were fuming and cursing at Sagami Jin without a single clue☆”
Jun: “…If I were to kill a person, how many years would I have to spend in jail? Maybe it’s on Wik*pedia.
But I’m a minor, so I won’t get a death sentence, that’s for sure~ Let’s see…”
Hiyori: “Come now! Stop fiddling with your smartphone and look at me!”
Jun: “…<GODDAMN.> Well, I understand why you guys would be hiding that from me.
If I were to know about Project-Saga, I definitely would’ve chosen that instead of SS.
I mean, Sagami Jin’s actually participating as an idol for that one, right?
I’d be able to fight on even footing with him, on a stage… If it was the me from before, I would’ve jumped on the chance watering from the mouth.
In fact, I’m so itching to join in and thrash that piece of garbage even now, y’know~?”
Hiyori: “I know. And it is possible to take part – didn’t he say? That’s why we are heading to school so early in the morning on our day off!
To be accompanying Jun-kun on his personal matter – I’m so selfless!”
Jun: “If it’s that much trouble for you, just go home~ I’ll do this on my own.
When I saw Sagami Jin cheering for me during SS, I thought it kinda put me at rest—
But nope. My life so far has been spent thinking of only him. If I don’t put an end to it myself, I can’t see myself moving on ever~”
Hiyori: “Ehh~? You should be thinking of only me! Well, it’s rare for Jun-kun to be so fixated on someone… so it has piqued some of my curiosity too♪
It’s been such a long while since I last did work unrelated to Eden or Eve, so I’m looking forward to it.
I wonder what our other members are like? A new meeting means the beginning of a new happiness♪”
Jun: “Who knows… We’re gonna go meet them now. Ibara insisted on keeping up the mystery and wouldn’t tell, so I haven’t got a clue.
The first year is the guy writing the Project-Saga articles – they call him Mr. Writer, apparently…
But he’s not a Special Student, so it’s totally possible that somebody else’ll be taking his place.
He’s mostly used as an innocent spy and a device for gathering intel, anyway.
As for the ‘mentor’… I wonder who it’s gonna be. I’d take anyone but my old man.
The one with any connection to Sagami Jin is the old man, not me, so he’ll probably happily join if we ask,
but I prefer to just let him retire for good, ya know~?”
Hiyori: “I’m not sure; I’m quite interested in meeting your father, Jun-kun♪
… but for some reason Ibara, and even that Nagisa-kun gave quite strange reactions when they heard of this matter.
It’s just a feeling, but I think there may be an unbelievable trump card prepared.
In fact, that will make it more interesting if it’s true! This is a story I am getting wrapped up in – it has to be full of unexpected turns and twists!
Aah, I can’t wait! Let’s hurry, Jun-kun! The radiant future is upon us…☆”
Jun: “Okay, okay… geez, being stuck with you and your innocent ways is sapping all the venom outta me, you know~?”
(And I’m glad I get to be part of this before that venom is purified completely.
I was losing sight of it, but I’m finally going to get the chance to settle all the inner conflicts I’ve held since I was a brat.
Whoever’s gonna be my ally, whatever’s gonna happen… I am definitely going up on that stage to fight Sagami Jin.
And if it’s to grasp that chance, I’ll use every trick, even struggle to the last drop of blood, okay~?
Wait for it, Sagami Jin! I’ll finally force you down onto all fours, along with those students you’ve put all your care into raising…!)