karoruru | Entries tagged with translations

[Scene - Deserted Island: Beach]

Koga: Ugh...how long are we gonna be walkin’ through all this grass?

Rei: I’m not certain, either...will we reach the ends of the Earth, at this rate?

...oh?

Koga: Woah! Vampire bastard, don’t just suddenly stop there! I was about to crash into you-!

Rei: Kaoru-kun’s stopped in front of me, so I had no choice.

Adonis: …!

Kaoru: Something happened, Adonis-kun?

Adonis: ……….

Kaoru: Hey, Adonis-kun…?

Adonis: ...my apologies- I spaced out after seeing...this. Everyone, come take a look.

Kaoru: A cove...! Then this must be…

Rei: The legendary cove that Tenshouin-kun spoke about. It really is quite the view… ♪

Koga: Woah. This is...amazing…

Adonis: Mm...it’s hard to put it into words. ‘Beautiful’ doesn’t seem sufficient enough…

But I understand what the legends wanted to convey about this place. It’s...gorgeous.

Kaoru: A masterpiece created only by nature...it looks like a piece of art. It really does seem like mermaids might appear.

Rei: So Leon-kun... wanted to lead us to this place, no?

Koga: Heheh. Good job, Leon. As expected of my pet! ♪

...what is it? You’re looking towards the sea…

Woah!

Oi, look! There’s some kinda shadow on the surface! Isn’t that a mermaid~!?

Adonis: R-Really?

Koga: Yeah. Look at the rock over there...doesn’t the shadow look like a tail?

Kaoru: ...haha.

Adonis: …? Hakaze-senpai, why are you laughing?

Kaoru: Ah, it’s just...I was thinking how simple that thought was.

That’s a dugong. It’s just a normal mammal. But just by looking at its tail...it wouldn’t be odd to mistake it as a mermaid’s.

Rei: Even I cannot make out its whole shape...but it’s quite large.

Kaoru: Yeah. Looks like it’s around 3 metres long.

(...how nostalgic.)

(Many years ago...there was a time I pestered my mother, saying I wanted to meet a mermaid that I’d seen in a picture book.)

(And even though she should’ve been piled with mountains of research, she still found the time to take me to a cove just as beautiful as the one I’d read about.)

(And all the while, teaching me about the sea; about the creatures that lived inside it.)

(We never did find a mermaid...but I promised her I’d definitely show her one, in the future.)

Rei: ...Kaoru-kun, why are you...crying?

Kaoru: Eh? Ah, haha...I think the sea breeze got into my eye.

(I never wanted to break the promise...but I can’t fulfill it anymore, can I?)

(It hurts...my heart hurts so much. But- it’ll always be one of my most treasured memories...so I’ll make sure to keep it - and the memory of this scenery - deep inside my heart.)

＜Few days later＞

Kaoru: Hey~ Kanata-kun, Souma-kun, did you enjoy the summer vacation~?

Kanata: Ah, Kaoru. …….

Kaoru: Eh, why are you sniffing me? Do I stink? But I pay attention to that...and I already took a shower in the morning.

Kanata: No, no...it’s because you『smell』like the『sea』. Kaoru, did you go for a『swim』in the sea?

Kaoru: I did...but that was already a few days ago. Kanata-kun’s really sharp with things relating to the sea, huh~?

Kanata: Heheh. I do love the『sea』very much, after all~ ♪

Souma: Oh, I remember Adonis-dono mentioning a trip to the tropicals with 『feenay』. Did you accompany him, too?

Kaoru: More or less. It was kinda a vacation, but we also had work as a unit.

The tropicals meant oceans, so I made sure to get both of you souvenirs, as well. Kind of me, right~? ♪

Firstly, a weird t-shirt I found~♪ It even says 『Aloha』on it. Funny, yeah~?

And then there’s this. A table clock shaped like an anchor! Apparently it can even show you the temperature and humidity in the room- I wonder if it’s true?

Souma: Umu. I can’t tell whether you’re actually being serious or not…

Kanata: Kaoru, what about 『fish』? Do you not have any『fish』?

Kaoru: You mean, actual fish? There’s no way I could’ve brought those back.

Kanata: I see...how unfortunate.

If Kaoru had brought some back, we could’ve gotten more 『friends』 in the 『Marine Club』...

Kaoru: You wanted to keep tropical fish here? But there’s the temperature differences and all...it’d be quite troublesome, wouldn’t it?

Kanata: Ah, you’re right...then, let’s all have some 『grilled fish』. They’re quite delicious, after you add some soy sauce ♪

Kaoru: I don’t even know where to cut in for that...I brought us some of their local chocolates too, so let’s go with that instead.

And also...I have quite an interesting story- will you listen to it?

[Scene - Deserted Island: Beach]

Rei: It’s getting dark...they should be coming to get us soon.

Adonis: But in the case that they don’t- let us set up shelter here.

...no, perhaps moving to the cave would be better. We’d have plenty of sources of food there.

Rei: You’re referring to...the bats? Please don’t eat them~

Kaoru: I don’t really want to, either. They don’t look delicious at all…

Koga: ….huh!?

Kaoru: ...!? What’s wrong, Koga-kun?

Koga: Leon...Leon’s gone…!!

Kaoru: Gone…?

Koga: He’s not here!

Rei: Leon-kun was happily skipping along the shore up until just now...but it seems like his presence has completely disappeared.

Koga: Tch. If he’s not here, then he’d be inside…

Kaoru: Wait, stop- don’t just run in, that’s reckless.

Koga: Shut up! Leon’s an important part of the family, no way in hell will I let him be left behind!

There might be dangerous animals around during the night, too...Leon, I’m comin’!

-geh!

Rei: Now now, calm down. I understand your worries, Wanko, but jumping in without a thought isn’t the way to do things.

Adonis: Did you think of something, Sakuma-senpai?

Rei: Kukuku. Of course. Night is my territory. No darkness is an issue.

Kaoru: ...ah, and he’s gone. We should go after him, huh?

Adonis: We can’t move around as well as he does. Give me a moment: I will prepare a torch.

Koga: ...Adonis, hurry it up..!

Adonis: I know. ...this should do it. Let us go after Sakuma-senpai.

Kaoru: Ah, he’s there. Sakuma-san!

Rei: ……….

Kaoru: Wait- ...and he’s off again. He’s probably focused on searching for Leon-chan, but he should put himself in our shoes too~

Koga: Where the hell are you, Leon? What happened to you?

Adonis: Oogami, now is not the time to be crying. Focus on the search.

Koga: I wasn’t cryin’! I was just irritated! C’mon, we’re chasing after the vampire bastard!

Rei: ……….

Kaoru: (Seriously, how far is he gonna go? Does he know where he’s going, or is he just taking guesses?)

(It’s not new, but that guy’s really too lively at night. If only he could spare some for the day…

(What a troublesome constitution you have, Sakuma-san.)

(...oh.)

Thank god you finally stopped- you were way too fast, you know.

Rei: Kukuku, apologies for that. But it seems to have been worth it ♪

Koga: …!? Leon!

What the hell were you doin’ in a place like this?! Worrying me like this...don’t go leaving my side!

Hah...you think licking me will make me forgive you? As if I- won’t do that! Seriously, you troublesome pup…

Adonis: I’m glad he’s safe. It hurts me to see Oogami looking so down.

Kaoru: I’m just glad everything worked out. C’mon~ let’s head back.

Koga: ...what’s up, Leon? Biting at my clothes like that...you want me to carry you?

No, that’s not it...is there somewhere you wanna take us?

Rei: That appears to be the case...but it seems like he wants to lead us further into the forest. I don’t mind, but how about you all?

Adonis: I’m alright with it, since we have the torch...but I’m worried about the rescue ship. If no one’s at the shore, it may head back…

Kaoru: Hm...it should be okay? It should be pretty obvious there’s people here just by seeing the fire we set up.

Exploring a deserted island...I don’t think we’ll have anymore chances like this, so I want to make the most of it.

Koga: Me too. And Leon’s not budging from his spot, so I really have no choice.

Rei: Is that alright with you, Adonis-kun?

Adonis: Mm, that’s fine. I’m quite curious too- to see what we’ll find.

Koga: Then it’s decided. Leon, lead the way!

Kaoru: He’s quite focused on his destination, isn’t he~ I wonder what’s up…? Did he find a toy?

Rei: This area seems quite muddy...Wanko, be careful not to trip, okay?

Koga: Hah? Who do you think I am? I’m not some kid who can’t walk…

Uwoh-

Kaoru: Ahaha, he tripped at the same time ♪

Didn’t trip! I just stumbled!

Adonis: It’s slight, but there’s quite a slope on this path. It doesn’t seem like we passed through here in the afternoon.

Koga: Yeah. Makes you wonder what’s at the end.

Kaoru: Oh, he’s stopped in front of the grass. Did we reach the destination?

Koga: There’s nothing here...Leon, you tryin’ to play pranks on us? Huh?

Adonis: He seems to be indicating we go past it...I’ll go ahead and cut a path open.

[Scene - Deserted Island: Beach]

Kaoru: Ah, the sun’s starting to set.

Is that…?

Adonis: Sakuma-senpai, Hakaze-senpai. So you were out and about.

Koga: Gave us a scare when we came back and found neither of you there.

Rei: Apologies for making you worry. We did request for Leon-kun to come search for us if you returned, however…

Adonis: We had only just returned- perhaps he sensed your presence, and decided to wait for your return instead.

Koga: More importantly, look! We brought back a ton of nuts that looked edible.

And somethin’ damn amazing, too.

Fruits! Tropical, yeah? ♪

Kaoru: Ahh, it’s the ones where you open up a hole and poke a straw inside. Tropical indeed.

But how would we drink from the inside…?

Adonis: That’s not a problem. Oogami, pass it over.

Koga: Nn? Sure, but how are you gonna-?

Adonis: ….hmph!

Koga: Woah, he opened it with his bare hands…!

Rei: As expected of Adonis-kun.

Adonis: Hakaze-senpai, drink up. I’ll open up the rest, too.

Kaoru: Ah, thank you, Adonis-kun.

But it’s getting dark fast...and more difficult to see clearly. It’d be nice to have some light…

Adonis: Leave it to me. I know how to start a fire.

Koga: Seriously!? We don’t have a match or a lighter-

Adonis: That I’m aware of. But we do have a knife- that’ll do.

I will procure the supplies required- Sakuma-senpai, Hakaze-senpai, it would be appreciated if you could collect the branches and leaves to burn.

Kaoru: Branches and dead leaves, right? Got it~

Adonis: I remember there was hope amongst the items along the shore...Oogami, could you grab that and loosen the bundles?

Koga: Rope? Sure, but what’s that useful for?

Rei: Kukuku. With Adonis-kun here, it certainly feels like we could settle for real...♪

＜Few minutes later＞

Adonis: It’s done.

Koga: Huh? It just looks like two rods to me. How the hell are you gonna start a fire?

Adonis: Observe.

First, you spread the leaves on the ground- then the piece of wood. Then, you slot the thinner rod into the depression made in advance, and when you spin it…

Kaoru: Ah, there’s smoke...oh, and this is where the rope comes in?

Adonis: Yes- they’ll burn easily in this form. And now, you blow…

Koga: Woaahhh, it’s on fire! Simple- but fucking cool!

＜And so the sun set...＞

Koga: Mmm...oh yeah, where did the vampire bastard head off earlier?

Rei: Us? We went to take a look at a cave- at Kaoru-kun’s invitation.

Adonis: A cave...was it the one near the shore?

Kaoru: Probably. You knew about it, Adonis-kun?

Adonis: I did- but I ignored it as it didn’t seem to contain any food. ...did you find anything inside?

Kaoru: Well, we did find something...right, Sakuma-san?

Rei: Mm. It felt like something of a daytime nightmare.

Koga: Huh? The fuck is that? Explain properly!

Kaoru: The moment we entered the cave, Sakuma-san got swarmed by a whole flock of bats.

The bats were noisy- that, the blackness of it all, and the sheer size made him look like some kind of monster.

Adonis: ...I see. ...I wonder if bats are edible.

Koga: Gh- you’re seriously askin’ that?

Adonis: I am, in fact. This is survival- there’s no room for likes and dislikes. Perhaps it’d be okay as long as they were cooked…

Rei: Uuu...I don’t like that, it feels like cannibalism…

Kaoru: Ahaha, I don’t wanna imagine that, either...let’s change topics, yeah?

How did your venture of the island go? Did you find the cove in the legend?

Adonis: No, we didn’t find anything like that…

Koga: Adonis proposed we might find a cove if we followed the source of the water, so we tried that...but the river stopped at some point.

Couldn’t really do much about that, so we just collected our resources, filled up our bottles, and headed back.

Kaoru: Ah, I see. Good work, you two.

...if there’s no cove, there definitely wouldn’t be any mermaids, huh…

[Scene - Deserted Island: Beach]

Adonis: I’m heading off.

Kaoru: Bye~ looking forward to seeing what you find~

Ok-ay... guess I’ll bring the water back for Sakuma-san and Leon-chan ♪

Two bottles...no, including my share, then three.

Might be a better idea to use the plastic tank Adonis-kun left behind.

Gotta give it a wash, dip it right into the water...and heave!

H-heavy...this is too heavy.

I’ll leave this one for Adonis-kun, then. I’ll just carry the bottles.

Three’s already quite heavy, though...guess I’ll just take my time.

...and I’m back at the spot with the flag.

Mmm...the breeze is nice. It really is the perfect day for surfing.

I did say all that to Adonis-kun, but maybe I should’ve taken him up on his offer.

...oh, there’s a cave over there. Why didn’t we notice earlier?

It should be quite cool inside- maybe Sakuma-san could rest in there. I’ll suggest it to him later.

＜Few minutes later＞

Hey~ still alive, Sakuma-san~?

Rei: Zzz…

Kaoru: Good, he’s alive. Guess he’s resting, though.

Oh, Leon-chan. You listened to Koga-kun and looked after the place properly, hm~? Good boy ♪

I got some delicious water for you~ your souvenir.

Even brought along a bowl I found along the beach to drink in~

Fufu, pretty good, right? C’mere.

Haha, you’re wagging your tail pretty hard while gulping it down. It’s hot, isn’t it, especially with all that fur~

Maybe there’s something I can use as a fan…

Ah, this leaf looks good- I’ll help fan you. …...comfortable?

It is? Good. Dogs can’t adjust to heat like humans, after all...quite a problem, isn’t it…

Nn? Something just hit my foot.

Oh, a crab. I think I saw this in the guide book, but the name…I forgot.

Rei: Mnnnn…. That was a good nap ♪

Kaoru: Sakuma-san. Did I wake you? Sorry.

Rei: I don’t mind. I was intending to stay awake while waiting for you all, but the sound of waves was simply too relaxing…

Oh, where are Wanko and Adonis-kun?

Kaoru: Exploring the island. Adonis-kun found a creek with delicious water- here.

Rei: Ooh, thirst was just becoming quite the problem, so I won’t hold back… mm ♪

Kaoru: The sun isn’t letting up at all, but how’s your condition? Can you move at all? I found something that’d suit you, see~

Rei: Something for me? Could it perhaps be a grand house, matched with a red rooftop and a beautiful garden? ♪

Kaoru: Sorry, I should’ve worded that better. Forget that…

I found a cave. The sun won’t get you in there, so it’d be more comfortable than just the shade, right?

Rei: A cave, you say? Well, staying in one spot for too long dulls the body…

How about we take a stroll for a visit. ...heave-ho~

Kaoru: What about you, Leon-chan? You coming with us?

Rei: Looks like he wants to wait for his owner here. What a good boy.

If someone asks where we are, make sure you go chase after our scents, Leon-kun...♪

＜Few minutes later＞

Rei: Uu, it’s hot...the sun is piercing through my skin...Kaoru-kun, does this cave really exist?

Kaoru: Mm, it’s there. We’ll arrive as we walk straight along the coast.

Rei: Then I suppose I’ll endure this a little longer…

...oh, there’s a flag here. Does this island have residents?

Kaoru: Ahaha. That wasn’t the work of any resident, but Koga-kun. He had quite some fun making it~ said it’d fit『UNDE(L)A(N)D』.

The cave is... there. See it, Sakuma-san?

Rei: Oh, is it that one?

Kaoru: ...aaand we’re here~ quite a nice cave, right?

Rei: Hm, hm. It’s nice and dark, and the walls are cool, too...♪ Let us enter promptly.

…...gyaaaaaa!?

Kaoru: Woah, a bunch of bats just flew towards Sakuma-san…! They’ve surrounded him and formed some kind of black creation. A-are you okay?

Rei: Noo~ Save me, Kaoru-kun…

Kaoru: Even if you say that...why don’t you exit the cave, first? C’mon, Sakuma-san.

Rei: I cannot see...is it this way?

Kaoru: No, no, opposite! You’re just heading deeper that way! I’ll lead, so give me your hand.

Rei: L-Like this…?

Kaoru: Uwah, you’ve become some kind of black monster...we’re walking, okay? One, two, one, two…

Rei: ...ooh, I can already see much clearer.

Kaoru: Since we’re outside the cave, yeah. Now we’re just left with...shoo, shoo!

Rei: Y-You saved me...thank you, Kaoru-kun.

Kaoru: You’re welcome. I didn’t expect there to be so many bats…

Unfortunate, but it seems like we can’t rest there. Should we head back to the shade?

[Scene - Deserted Island: Beach]

Adonis: ...it’s done. How are you going, Hakaze-senpai?

Kaoru: Hold on~ ...just gotta finish this circle…

Done!

Adonis: Thank you for your help. … 『SOS』. If it’s this big, it should be visible even from a large distance.

Kaoru: That’d be good~. A『SOS』on a massive beach, and a broken ship by the shore...the reality of this situation’s really hitting me now.

Should we head to join the others?

Koga: Yo, vampire bastard. You okay? Shouldn’t you get into your coffin to hide from the sun?

Rei: I’d love to do that, but the coffin is currently drying out on the beach. One would be thoroughly steamed if he entered.

Koga: That so…

Rei: Don’t be so worried. The shade you found me is quite comfortable, see?

Cool wind blows from the mountains and the sea, and the view is good. Come, Wanko. Join me.

Koga: I’m fine. I’m strong, unlike you.

Kaoru: Hello, hello~ sorry to keep you waiting~

Koga: You guys are fuckin’ late. What were you doing?

Adonis: So that we’d be found more easily, we were writing 『SOS』into the sand.

Rei: Ahh, a message for help. Perhaps a passing ship will come rescue us.

Kaoru: More importantly...standing around just talking will just worsen the thirst and hunger. Should we go look for food before we all burn out?

Adonis: That is also important, but considering the location of this island- we should be wary for squalls and other natural happenings. It’d also be good to secure a spot to shelter us from the rain and wind.

Koga: Then wouldn’t it be best to set up our home around here? It ain’t gonna be easy to access the beach if we go too deep inside.

Adonis: Let’s go with that. Leave the heavy lifting to me.

Kaoru: W-wait. A home…? Are you planning to claim the island for yourselves?

Rei: Kukuku, that sounds quite wonderful. Let us name the island 『UNDE(L)A(N)D』♪ ⁽¹⁾

Kaoru: No, it’s not about the name…

Anyway, something like a home can’t be built that quickly- let’s look for shelter and supplements. Ah, and Sakuma-san’s in charge of keeping watch.

Koga: It’s kinda discouraging to be alone, so I’ll leave this guy here. Oi, Leon, look after the place well, you hear?

Adonis: We shall be departing.

Rei: Safe trip, gentlemen.

Kaoru: Umm. Well, I guess we could start off by walking along the shore and getting a grasp of how big the island is?

Koga: Yeah. ……I didn’t pay much attention to it when we first got here, but now that we’re looking at it...there’s a bunch of stuff here aside from our boat.

Adonis: PET bottles, empty cans, a snorkel, plastic tanks, swimming rings, a buoy, large pieces of cloth...even an oar.

Kaoru: And the waves are perfect for surfing, too...if only there was a surfboard, huh?

Adonis: There is no surfboard, but there is a wooden plank that might work. Shall we try it?

Kaoru: Eh, really? Maybe I’ll take you up on that~

...or not. There’s no time to be surfing in a situation like this- but I appreciate the gesture.

All this rubbish lined up along such a beautiful shore is quite a painful sight, though. Voluntary service really isn’t my style, but it makes me want to start cleaning up.

We could at least gather up all the small pieces of rubbish into one place.

Adonis: A wonderful thought. 『UNDE(L)A(N)D』would be happy, too.

Koga: Yo! Check out this piece of cloth, it’s printed with a skeleton!

Kaoru: Woah, you’re right. Just like the classic pirates’.

Adonis: Does this mean there are pirates on this island…?

Kaoru: No, no way. It looks too new, and too manufactured. Probably some party goods dropped by a passing ship, or something.

Koga: If I attach it to some wood and stick it into the sand...hell yeah, 『UNDE(L)A(N)D』has a flag!

This island belongs to us now, hahahaha☆

Kaoru: Hm. Well, it’s kinda insecure, but it should work pretty well as an indicator.

Adonis: Hakaze-senpai, Oogami...come over this way.

Kaoru: Hm? What is it?

Adonis: To check whether there were pirates on this island, I scouted ahead a little.

Kaoru: You were actually looking for them…...and?

Adonis: There were no pirates, but I found a river.

Koga: A river!? Does that mean we have drinkable water?

Adonis: Most likely. I’ll take the plastic tank- the two of you take the PET bottles.

Kaoru: Got it. We’ll carry as much as we can.

＜Few minutes later＞

Oh, there really is a river. Seems like it runs from inside the forest on the island.

Koga: Mnn….ghh..!!

Adonis: Is everything okay? If there’s a weird taste, please spit it out immediately.

Koga: No, it’s delicious! And cold! Too fuckin’ delicious for some water from a deserted island!

Kaoru: Why are you getting all worked up...well, I’m glad there wasn’t anything wrong, though. I’ll drink some too.

Mnn…. ahh, I feel alive again~ ♪ We should put more in the bottles to bring back to Sakuma-san, too.

Adonis: Please do. I think I’ll follow the river and attempt to explore the inside of the island. ...what about you, Oogami?

Koga: I’ll come with you, Adonis. I’m curious about the island, too.

Hakaze-senpai, give some water to Leon too, yeah?

Kaoru: Okay, got it. Both of you aren’t wearing much for protection- don’t go too deep inside, kay?

Adonis: Understood. The advice is appreciated.

⁽¹⁾ This was the best I could do with the pun...what Rei actually does is play with the pronunciation of ‘UNDEAD’ (an-de-ddo), changing the ‘ddo’ at the end to ‘tou’ (島/island).

[Scene - Tropical Resort]

Kaoru: A mermaid legend…

Adonis: Top half human, bottom half fish...that kind of ‘mermaid’?

Eichi: Exactly. The ‘mermaids’ that lure sailors into the sea with their beautiful voices. ♪

Tori: Uwa. That sounds annoying~ …those things live here?

Eichi: No, they’re not here.

Koga: Aaa? Bastard, don’t go messing with us!

Eichi: Ah, that’s not my intention- sorry if I got your hopes up. Mermaids are only fictional creatures, after all: they don’t exist.

Kaoru: Then why did you bring up this ‘mermaid legend’ in the first place?

Eichi: Because there is one. ...this is the gist:

About an hour’s travel from here by boat, there seems to be a rundown, deserted island that boasts a beautiful cove.

Within that place of beauty beyond words- the idea that mermaids lived there, was suggested.

And, over time, as the rumours continued to spread...eventually, people began to say, that “mermaids lived there, without a doubt”.

And... “it seems like mermaids live there”, appears to be the current saying- like a long string of association; a game of suggestion.

Kaoru: Is that so~ so it’s not real, after all…

But to be praised like that, what kind of cove is it?

...Ah, is Anzu-chan interested too? Then let’s head there together tomorrow. A summer memory, for just the two of us☆

Tori: Fufu. That’ll be impossible, Hakaze-senpai. Anzu’s spending tomorrow with 『fine』.

We’ll be having fun shopping and taking coastal walks the whole day. Sounds great, right~? ♪

Kaoru: Is that true?

Eh~ I didn’t know you had plans like that. And here I thought we’d finally get some romantic time alone.

Rei: Well then, Kaoru-kun. How about you make summer memories with us? Right, Wanko, Adonis-kun?

Koga: Nn? You mean going to that mermaid island?

Rei: Mmhm. It is a foreign location- it’d be safer to go as a group.

Adonis: If you’ll be happy with me, I’ll accompany you.

Koga: Well, seems like it won’t be boring, at least. Yeah, I’ll come with.

Rei: Then it’s decided. A boat trip in the middle of the day might be a little bit of a gloom, but let’s all have fun.

Kaoru: Wait, don’t go making plans all on your own. I never said I’d go even if Anzu-chan wasn’t joining, you know?

＜The next morning＞

[Scene - Tropical Beach]

Yuzuru: My deepest apologies for the absence of President and bocchama to send you off.

Rei: That’s alright. We’re departing quite early in consideration of my health, after all, so having a send-off in the first place was already quite a surprise.

Wataru: Fufu. Lengthy or not, it is a trip out to sea. Something like this requires a send-off, no?

Adonis: Hakaze-senpai, Sakuma-senpai. I’ve finished placing the coffin- we can depart anytime.

Koga: Leon, you can get on, right? It’s a lil difficult by yourself, isn’t it~ here, lemme help you out. ♪

Yuzuru: You’re bringing Leon-sama as well?

Koga: Course! Got nowhere to leave him, anyway. Or what, do you wanna take care of him?

Yuzuru: My apologies. It’s a little too much for me…

He’d be more happy to be with his owner, regardless. Do take him along.

Koga: Yeah. C’mon, Leon!

Rei: Kaoru-kun, let us depart.

Kaoru: Okay, okay. I’m not gonna complain anymore, but let me talk to Anzu-chan a little.

I’m glad you’re here to send us off, Anzu-chan. But what’s wrong?

Ahaha, you feel bad not being able to come with?

Yeah, an all-males trip is gross~ ...but since you already had plans, you can’t help it, right?

So I might as well have an experience that’ll make you wish you had come along~ or something like that. ♪

＜Few hours later＞

[Scene - Deserted Island: Beach]

Kaoru: ...is what I said. To be shipwrecked on a deserted island, would that invoke any envy from Anzu-chan? It won’t, will it~ haaah…

I’d rather it be just the two of us, in that case...why did this have to happen?

Rei: At least we have not turned into bubbles and disappeared into the sea, like the legends. Let us relax a little and wait until the rescue boat arrives.

Wanko, could you carry me to the shade over there? The sun is prickling against my skin- it hurts like it’s burning.

Koga: Aahn? If the sunlight wasn’t treating you well you should’ve said so earlier, geez…

Adonis: ……

Kaoru: Adonis-kun, why’re you looking out to the sea like that? You found a whale or something?

Adonis: ...I was thinking of a way to secure water. Seawater is also a type of water. Is there some way it could be safely consumed?

Kaoru: Ahh, nope, nope. Better off giving up on that. Seawater isn’t just ‘salty water’, you see~

With all the microorganisms and bacteria mixed into the water, you run the danger of dehydration.

Adonis: Dehydration...even though you’re drinking water?

Kaoru: Your body reacts to the overabundance of salt and tries to get rid of it- along with all the moisture in your body. That then leads to dehydration. Make sense?

Adonis: I see. Hakaze-senpai’s very knowledgeable about that. Have you experienced this situation before?

Kaoru: Ahaha, of course not. Someone told me about it, a long time ago. …c’mon, we should join the others.

Adonis: ...Please wait. There’s one thing I want to do first.

Kaoru: Something you wanna do?

[Scene - Tropical Resort]

＜The night before the shipwreck＞

Koga: Here. The juice you asked for.

Rei: Mm, thank you. Kukuku, who would’ve thought we’d get an island vacation alongside the live Tenshouin-kun invited us to participate in?

Think of all of this as a reward for our efforts from yesterday’s combined live, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest. ♪

By the way, Wanko. Could you move that red light a bit more towards the coffin?

Koga: Huh? Such a hassle…how’s this?

Rei: Mm, that’s good. And once I place this tomato juice into the coffin..it’ll be complete.

Kukuku. Tonight, I become 『Elizabeth Báthory』... renamed 『E‘Rei’zabeth Báthory』. The blood-bathed moon is truly beautiful... ♪ (1)

Koga: Elizabeth? Who the hell is that?

Not that I care, but don’t go spilling that juice everywhere. You’d be troubled if the inside was stained, right?

Rei: I know. So how about it, Wanko? Want to join me for a vampiric experience?

Koga: Hmph. I don’t know about that Báthory or Battler, but I’m not interested. I’m not the type to laze about in the first place.

Wataru: Fufufu, then how about playing with us?

Tori: Eh~~ We’re inviting Oogami…...senpai, too?

Wataru: Yes, for we’re about to begin a grand battle of beach volleyball! Come come, let us embrace our youthful vigour as we chase after the ball...☆

Koga: Beach volleyball...heh, sounds interesting~ count me in.

Yuzuru: Oogami-sama’s quite the spirited one, isn’t he.

Koga: Heh- it’s the three of you from『fine』over there, huh? Oi, Hakaze-senpai. You join in too.

Kaoru: Eh~ Why me? I was doing fine relaxing near the poolside- just like Sakuma-san.

Koga: Relaxing just means you’re free, yeah? Bring it on,『fine』! I’ll crush all of you.

Yuzuru: I suppose I’ll buy into that enthusiasm. Though with our president not present at the moment, it may be quite difficult to crush ‘all’ of us.

Of course, we have no intention of losing even in his absence. We always strive not to dirty 『fine』’s name.

Adonis: Sorry for the wait. I’ve brought Anzu.

Tori: Ah, Anzu! If you’re here, that means you agreed to referee for our game?

Ehehe, having Anzu here is reassuring. Make sure you watch『UNDEAD』closely so they don’t make any foul plays, okay? ♪

...Huh? Anzu isn’t the only referee? Who else…?

Rei: That’ll be me. It’s all quite exciting to share the same profession as the young lady. ♪

It would’ve been difficult by herself, so she requested my help. I can see quite well in the dark, after all.

Kaoru: Ah, so that’s why. It would’ve been fine either way, since this isn’t an official match or anything. Anzu-chan really takes things quite seriously, hm~?

But seeing you put your heart into it for us makes me quite happy. I’ll work hard to make you see how cool I am. ♪

Koga: Saying nothing but flattering things again…

Well, that doesn’t matter. Oi Adonis, you join in too!

Adonis: Okay. I’ll fight to the best of my ability.

We’ll give『fine』a good thrashing! Kuhahah!!

Tori: Hehe. We『fine』are the strongest. We won’t lose even in beach volleyball! We’ll win this thing in a flash and show Anzu all our good sides. ☆

…U-ppi!?

Adonis: I apologise. I was just giving hitting it a try...are you hurt?

Tori: No, I’m fine…

But- what should I do, Yuzuru!? That ball was at breakneck speed! It even made some kind of ‘whoosh’ sound~!?

Yuzuru: Please calm down, bocchama.

I will ensure I receive each and every single attack aimed at you- so please ready yourself calmly.

Wataru: Of course, I’ll help too. I shall protect you with my hands, my feet, my hair, and everything else...☆

Tori: T-That’s r-reassuring, but that wriggling around is- gross!

Kaoru:『fine』seems quite lively~ there would be no end if we waited around...Sakuma-san, let’s get things started.

Adonis: Indeed. Gentlemen, let us begin the game.

A fair match between『UNDEAD』and『fine』...let’s begin. ♪

＜One hour later＞

Wataru: Fufu.You are strong opponents, but this is the end. Meet your demise with my magnificently elegant finishing move! Amazing...☆

Adonis: Ggh, I somehow saved it, but-

Koga: Tch, I can’t reach it...Hakaze-senpai!

Kaoru: Leave it to me!

(Returning it directly to them will only go in Hibiki-kun’s favour. The dead angle is…-there, found it!)

Yuzuru: Wh…!?

Rei: The point goes to『UNDEAD』- and that brings us back to a draw.

Tori: Uuu~ it’s still not over? I’m tired...can you just lose already?

Koga: Shut up~ if you want it to end so bad then you guys can lose.

Rei: It’s an even match- both parties are finding it quite difficult to pull ahead…

Nn? What’s wrong, young lady?

...you’re right. We’re all exhausted from the live, and if this continues for too long- it may bring us trouble tomorrow.

Kaoru: I agree~ it’s a little disappointing to come to a draw, but we’ll have to call it quits here.

Eichi: Oh, my. ...were you all entertaining yourselves together?

Tori: Ah, President! Yep, we gave 『UNDEAD』a beating playing beach volleyball~ ♪

Koga: Hah? As if. You lot were the ones taking a beating.

Rei: Now, now. Don’t go trying to show off. The match was a draw.

Wataru: Eichi. If you’re back, I can assume your meeting with the constituency ended successfully?

Eichi: Mhm, with no mishap. It was pretty standard content, but I did hear something interesting.

It seems like...these islands hold a ‘mermaid legend’.

(1) Rei basically made a bad pun (changing the ‘ri’ in the Japanese spelling of Elizabeth to ‘Rei/零’.) Elizabeth Báthory was a prolific serial killer with vampire-like tendencies. By adding tomato juice to the coffin, he in a way imitates the way she...bathed in blood.

[Scene - Deserted Island: Beach]

Kaoru: Sakuma-san, got a minute?

Rei: Ooh, Kaoru-kun. You certainly suit the sea- blindingly handsome.

Kaoru: Have you finally caught on to my charms? Talk about late, Sakuma-san. ♪

Rei: Kukuku. No need to put it like that. I’ve always been well aware of your charms- ever since the moment we met.

Kaoru: There you go, joking around again. Or maybe you've simply been blinded by my dazzling good looks this whole time? Since you can't handle sunlight and all.

Rei: Hmm. How upsetting... even though I've always had such a high opinion of you, Kaoru-kun? I suppose this is what people mean by the phrase "Children do not understand their parents’ hearts".

Kaoru: Ahaha, but I’d say Sakuma-san’s more of a grandpa. Either way, though- we’re all ultimately in the same boat, here.

More importantly. Do you see any actual boats or whatnot on the horizon?

Rei: ...No. Boats aside- not even a single bird. Not even seafowls seem to want to pass through this deserted island.

Kaoru: ‘What was thought to be an uninhabited island...was actually a haven for beautiful women...’ …would be something of a nice surprise, but…

Well, Sakuma-san probably can’t move under the sunlight anyway, so maybe I’ll take a walk along the coast while looking for ladies. ♪

Rei: Hmm. Kaoru-kun seems quite uncharacteristically strong-willed. Could it be the ocean’s effect?

Let’s see...some shade would certainly help make this survival experience a bit more fun ♪ Wanko, come make a hammock for me.

Kaoru: Ah, in that case, I want one too. Two please, Wan-chan ♪

Koga: Arrrghh!! What the hell are you two babbling on about?! Have some sense of urgency!

Adonis: I agree with Oogami, Sakuma-senpai, Hakaze-senpai. We are, in fact, stranded on a remote island: this is no time for jokes.

Rei: Ah, so Wanko finally cut in. I was the one who started it, but I was starting to get a little nervous over how long we could keep this up for.

Kaoru: I know, right? You should've stopped us way earlier.

Koga: Oh, I'm sooo sorry for that- stop idling away and avoiding the issue~!

Whose fault is this shipwreck, huh?

Rei: Yours, for thrashing about on our miniature boat, no?

Koga: Hell no. It's that fuckin' heavy ass coffin! The boat wouldn't have tipped if that stupid thing hadn't been there!

Rei: You ask the impossible. For without that coffin which carries my home soil, I cannot cross the seas.

Adonis: Home soil…oh no.

Kaoru: What's wrong, Adonis-kun?

Adonis: Wasn't the lid to the coffin open when the ship went down?

Whatever was inside vanished into the sea. Sakuma-senpai will never be able to leave the island, at this rate.

Kaoru: Ah~...

Rei: Indeed… I suppose this is it for me, then. An ultimately fruitless, but inevitable demise. Take care, gentlemen.

Kaoru: W-wait, Sakuma-san-

Koga: So what about your home soil or whatever? I won't forgive you if you dry up in a godforsaken place like this!

Adonis: Can't you do something about it, Sakuma-senpai?

Rei: Kukuku, tis only a joke. Don't get yourselves so down.

Anzu-chan had packed me some spare, just in case.

It'll take time to dry and replace the soil, but it shouldn't be a problem.

Not to mention- this island is much too hot to be suited for my burial.

Adonis: I see... that's a relief.

Koga: You done with joking around? Don't scare people like that for even a second, you fuckin' idiot.

Kaoru: I have concerns about asking a girl to carry dirt for you, though. But it is a relief to know we won't have to leave you behind-

Since we don't wanna end up starting some disturbing rumour about a vampire sleeping on this island.

Rei: Indeed. But without a rescue boat, we can't get out of here regardless.

Adonis: Mm. We were lucky we capsized close to land- if it had been further out in the ocean, we might not have been able to save everyone.

Koga: Yeah. We lost the oars somewhere, but I'm just glad everyone's safe- Leon included.

Kaoru: Oh, yeah. I didn't know Leon could swim~ that was a surprise.

Koga: Bastard, are you making fun of Leon?

Kaoru: No, no. It was quite impressive, actually: seeing Leon doggy paddle with all his might was adorable.

Koga: Hmph, your compliments don't make me happy at all- though it's true Leon's great at swimming.

Kaoru: Ah, but this isn't time to be getting comfortable…what to do now…?

If we fix the broken part and make ourselves some new oars, then we could theoretically get out by ourselves, but…

It's not like we have any tools, and trying with what we have on the island would come to a risky matter of trial and error...and it's not like we know how to make an oar.

But it's fortunate that we told Anzu-chan and the others about this island before we left- they'll start to worry, and come get us when we don't return.

And so. How does surviving for a few days here sound? While saving as much stamina as possible.

…ah, no. Forget that.

Koga: The hell. Why're you taking back your own words?

Kaoru: Well, see- we came here for another purpose, didn't we? We won't accomplish anything if we don't put some energy into that.

Adonis: Another purpose, huh. That's true…

But first, we secure food and water. Everything else comes after.

(Base translation credits go to @harmonyleaf)

[Scene - Department Store]

Arashi: He~llo…? Why are you two still lingering outside the entrance, having a private little chat?

Mika: Nnah~. Sorry, Naru-chan...Oshi-san can’t really go on until he finishes sortin’ himself out to what he thinks ‘s an acceptable level.

Though once he starts movin’, he isn’t gonna stop no matter what anyone says.

Shu: Do not talk as if you know me. But well, I will not correct you.

I am merely...a little afraid, of the shock that I may receive when confronted with truths about Mademoiselle that I had never wanted to know.

Arashi: Alright, well, let’s head in. The exhibition doesn’t seem to be open for long, so…

If we don’t take a look soon, it might close on us, you know?

Mika: Un….hey, wait? Anzu-chan, you’re dressed pretty cute, aren’t ‘cha? Jus’ like a doll♪

...wait, I ended up praisin’ you again! You’re my enemy, my enemy!

Natsume: AhaHA. It’s not a very big veNUE, so while you were busy talKING, we had already taken three laps around the exhibit and finishing shopping at the surrounding STORES.

Since as long as you have your tickET, you can re-enter as many times as you WANT.

Arashi: Mhm♪ Anzu-chan wasn’t dressed in a ladylike way at all, so Natsume-chan and I helped pick out a nice outfit for her.

Natsume: IncidentaLLY. I also took the opportunity to ask Kaminari-san on his opinions about cosTUMES and such, since he knows a lot about fashion and STYLE.

While you two were at a standSTILL, we certainly spent our time quite wiseLY.

Koneko-chan will be helping with our costume production as WELL, so it seems I am finally coming close to solving the issue I had beFORE.

Heheh, I suppose it’s good to drop in on things, someTIMES♪

But if I MAY, I do want Shu nii-san to quickly recover and be able to help make outfits and the like aGAIN...

So it would be nice if you could take a look at all these beautiful DOLLS, and restore your enerGY.

Shu: ……

Natsume: Nii-san? What’s WRONG? I’ll feel lonely if you don’t at least give me a reSPONSE, you know~?

Shu: NON! What in the world is this?! Call forth the persons responsible at once!

Unfathomable! To leave such fragile and delicate antique dolls right underneath the air conditioning!

And they are placed much too close to the path of the employees- what if someone knocks into one and breaks them!?

Aah, even more, the clothes they are wearing are completely incongruent with their own time period!

To just haphazardly dress these bare dolls in clothing with no sense whatsoever, I question their very character!

Who is the one responsible for such inhumane treatment towards these lovely dolls!?

Aah, this is exactly why--! It is absolutely detestable, to see an exhibition run by vulgar people with no respect for the arts!

Natsume: AhaHA. Nii-san, you seem extremely displeased with this exhibiTION.

Shu: That is beside the point! Aah, I cannot fathom how this was even allowed! Wait just a moment, I am contacting my household to secure funds immediately!

I will be taking in every single doll from this exhibition- the sooner, the better...!

Hello? Ahh, Nii-sama, can you forward me funds immediately? I want to buy some dolls...!

What? “Control myself with my hobbies?” You have it wrong- this is my raison d’etre!

Mika: Aaah Oshi-san, you’ll drop Mado-nee swingin’ your arms around like that!

Shu: Ahh, hold Mademoiselle for a moment…...Kagehira! I am going to convince this obstinate brother of mine!

Mika: Ah, okay…. c’mere, Mado-nee♪

There we go. Fufu, there’s a whole bunch o’ dolls here that look jus’ like you, Mado-nee...I wonder if they’re all your sisters?

They all have some description, but none of ‘em are in-depth. All these dolls, with unknown creators…

They look worn out, too- they must not’ve been well taken care of.

In contrast, I can tell Oshi-san really has taken great care o’ you, Mado-nee...your skin and clothin’ 's always real beautiful ♪

Shu: Non! How irritating! My family is refusing the investment of a single additional cent into my hobbies!

Aaaah, even in this age, an artist’s greatest enemy is their own unsympathetic family!

Kagehira! Is there work in line for 『Valkyrie』?

If not, we will be filling our schedules to the brim- we have the fortune of having the missy here, so let us ask her to send work our way!

Mika: Eh, eh? But Oshi-san, I thought you’ve come t’ hate standin’ on stage now?

That’s why we don’t have much planned- didn’t we want t’ build up funds first...?

Shu: No! You are lagging behind! We shall rescue these dolls with the funds we will accumulate on stage!

Ahh, I must speak with the management, and request for these dolls to be put on reservation!

But I must first request they be more properly stored- I will have busy times ahead…...Kagehira!

Aah, it’s coming to me! We shall sing of the sorrow of these dolls, forced to be mere spectacles, and their cruel treatment in the hands of the unsympathetic masses!

And, in accordance with our current feelings- I have decided on the contents of 『Valkyrie』’s next stage!

We shall acquire the ‘worth’ known as money that the ignorant masses worship so much, and rescue Mademoiselle’s nameless sisters!

It is killing two birds with one stone! This was definitely not the time to have been shutting myself inside!

Mika: N-nnah…? This guy sure does get fired up fast, huh?

But, when Oshi-san gets like this, he’s undefeatable- the strongest there is!

No matter what he says, I’ll follow ‘im for life~......right, Mado-nee? ♪

(1)Mademoiselle: 『Yes. He may be a troublesome boy, but...Mika-chan, Anzu-chan, and the others, too: please continue to stay by him.』

『We, who were thought to be worthless by the world, and were treated without care...』

『Were loved, cared for, and granted happiness in life by Shu-kun.』

『So, please care for him from now on, too- for our adorable saviour.』

『Take him with you as you run through the dazzling, brilliant world- as you experience ‘youth’.』

『And, what lies beyond that……. A long, long time ago, I was granted a light by Shu-kun.』

『...there are places to belong, places to expand your paradise- places where we can all show love, respect, and laugh alongside each other.』

『But, just like me, Shu-kun is very fragile...so please, protect him. I cannot move my own fingertips, so please move in my stead.』

『Our friend- no, our family...please, treasure him from here on after...♪』

Notes:

(1) Mika is holding Mademoiselle at this point, so, instead of her dialogue being spoken under Shu’s name, she receives her own named dialogue box. Mika has a voice clip of him speaking in her voice, so it’s probably safe to assume this represents Mika speaking through her- Mademoiselle most likely receives her own dialogue box here rather than being under Mika’s name, because Mika regards Mademoiselle as a completely separate entity.

(Base translation credits go to @harmonyleaf)

[Scene - Department Store]

Mika: ...kay. I think I get how Oshi-san and Mado-nee met, but…

In the end, I still don’ really get what kind o’ doll Mado-nee is, though?

Shu: That is unfortunately true.

I too was curious, so I reached out to appraisers using my grandfather’s connections, and even lowered my head to my sister and brother, requesting for them to find information from various resources and the net.

And though we were able to discover the approximate time period from which she was constructed, her creator remains unknown.

It seems she was constructed at some point during the Victorian era, from one of the western countries, but…

That was much too long ago, and her creator seems to have been a nobody, so there were no records remaining.

Mademoiselle herself also lacks any kind of markings or signature, so much of her particulars are entirely unknown.

Mika: Really? I had thought Mado-nee would’ve been made by some famous dollmaker, since she’s so pretty…

Shu: Hm. Even for the most genius pieces of art made by the most skilled hands, if the work is not shared amongst others through time, it is shelved.

That is the world of the arts- there are as many excellent, but unrecognized, creators as there are the number of stars in the sky.

And the ones we know of, are only a small handful of people in that cluster, who were blessed by chance and good fortune.

No matter the age, the vulgar masses will always lack the eye for art, and thus, the horrifying low levels of interest held for it.

『Fufu. A nameless doll, made by a nameless dollmaker...there are plenty of people in the world who are just like me.』

Yes...particularly, because industrialization marched forward as well. But though their names may be missing from history, I think it’s good if they were just able to become 『special』to someone in the world.

That is how I feel now. It’s irritating, and compromising like this may spell defeat as an artist...but for the current me who has already fallen, I cannot do anything but aim for that.

At any rate. In line with that sort of compromise...I stopped searching for Mademoiselle’s history- her identity.

And now, to unexpectedly find myself here with what may be a possible clue...it has conversely left me quite perplexed.

After such a long time, too.

Well, it would be discourteous to call her Mademoiselle indefinitely, so it would certainly be nice if I could at least learn of her true name.

For family and close friends, she has always been called 『young lady』, after all.

『Fufu. After all this time, if you suddenly tell me “your name is Vivian” or “your name is Dorothy”, it would be quite troublesome, you know.』

『On the contrary, I feel like I would be unable to think of them as my own name.』

『For both humans and dolls, it is not about how they are born- but how they live their lives, is it not?』

But well- there is no loss in me knowing, no?

We may be able to just live our lives knowing nothing at all, but regardless, humans continue to make advancements in science, dissecting and analyzing every component that forms ourselves.

Humans are creatures that cannot help themselves otherwise- that is the reason ‘art’ was birthed and developed.

...now then. Without further delay, let us view this 『Dolls: Nameless in Reality, Closure in Heart』exhibit. What exactly does this refer to?

Mika: Ah, okay. I wonder~? Naru-chan actually talked to the person who manages the exhibit earlier.

Seems like, some really rich person passed away a while ago...

Their living relatives found the collection to be more than they could handle, so they ended up donating it to the state.

The majority of it is still bein’ appraised, and the stuff with historical value were given priority an’ given to museums and whatnot.

But there’s still a lot that are still unknown.

And then, eventually, for the dolls that they couldn’t find the name or origin of, they gathered them an’ put them on display here.

It’s nothin’ close to a display in a museum, but they didn’t wanna just leave ‘em in a storeroom, either, so…

Linin’ them up like this gives an interestin’, bizarre feel, and it becomes quite an exhibit when they display ‘em along with some stuff that they borrowed from museum storerooms.

I guess they thought they could attract customers, in a way?

Shu:『Ahaha. They really did this on a whim, didn’t they?』

Well, that is exactly why it is not in a museum, but displayed in this cheap-looking exhibition in a department store, I suppose.

Even though they may be just pointless spectacles without scholarly value.

Mika: Nnah~. Oh yeah, and it seems like if you take a liking to any of the dolls lined up here, you can buy ‘em.

Apparently the original owner wrote somethin’ like that in their will.

Even if they say “works of art should be kept in museums”, there are still some costs t’ managin’ that kinda display.

So I heard they were wantin’ t’ sell the ones that aren’t too valuable, and save up the money they get from it.

Shu: Hm. In other words, this exhibition is simply a gathering for 『junk』that was deemed to be invaluable. It suits my current self…

However. Hearing that one can purchase those they take a liking to, is certainly good news.

Now, I suppose I’ll proceed to purchase, as many as possible, the dolls that may be Mademoiselle’s ‘sisters’- it would be much better than leaving them on display to the ire of the public.

『And where do you suppose you’ll get the money from, Shu-kun?』

If I must, I shall get it from my parents. Although I did snap at them a little prior to my entrance into Yumenosaki Academy, telling them it was unnecessary to provide any funds for any idol activities…

Buying and taking in such pitiful dolls is simply philanthropic work, and has nothing to do with idol activities, I believe.

(Base translation credits go to @harmonyleaf)

[Scene - Department Store]

Shu: When I first met Mademoiselle, it was still prior to my encounter with the accursed thing that we call puberty…

I was a sweet, young boy with rosy cheeks- I would probably have been indistinguishable if you had lined me up next to those dolls over there.

Mika: (That’s Oshi-san for you. He really thinks highly of himself.)

(Hmm...is he talkin’ about sometime after he and I met in my hometown?)

(Now that I think ‘bout it, it feels like Oshi-san wasn’t holdin’ Mado-nee then…)

(Heheh, that means I got t’ meet Oshi-san before Mado-nee did.)

(O’ course, the one who stayed by Oshi-san this whole time, supportin’ him, is definitely Mado-nee, but…)

Shu: What are you grinning at? As always, you are a strange one.

Mika: Nn~nn…’bout your meeting...『how』 did it happen?

I remember hearin’ you say that Mado-nee was given to you by your grandfather...

Mado-nee, did you originally belong t’ his grandfather? (1)

Shu: 『No...as far as I can remember, my owner has always been Shu-kun.』

When I was young, I often used to confine myself inside the estate’s storage rooms, cellars, and the like…

Inside one of those was where I found her, sitting inside a showcase covered in dust.

『Fufu. Shu-kun was often being scolded by someone, so he’d just sulk and shut himself inside. And those mean-spirited kids from the neighbourhood would always bull-』

They were quite mean, yes. I was quite a delicate little brat back then, who’d almost cave at something to that mere extent.

Mika: Even now, you’re quite delicate, an’ shut yourself in a lot, too...fufu, it’s very Oshi-san like♪

Shu: It is not my wish for these pitiable characteristics to be recognised as “like” me.

In any case. Inside those storerooms and cellars I spoke of, slept a mountain of 『junk』that no one in the family held any interest in.

A mountain left behind by our ancestors, an untouched, unsorted heap of both treasure and trash.

Perhaps our ancestors held a dilettante approach to art- there were many miscellaneous items, placed inside with no regard of its time, or where it was from.

Although, I did dedicate myself to tidying it up whilst I was still in middle-school, so it is no longer in that state.

『Fufu. It was pretty troublesome, wasn’t it~? Even writing the list of things to be kept took around half a year.』

『And Shu-kun was such a perfectionist, too- he wouldn’t let anyone help him out, so it took him years to finish cleaning it up.』

『Well, I suppose Shu-kun likes doing these kinds of things, so it was probably fun for him♪』

Indeed. It was a thrilling piece of work- even now, I’d find myself viewing the finished products, tidied and on display, despite having no business there.

Even though I lacked the refined skill then, it was still a museum I created all by myself, after all.

In any case, allow me to steer the conversation back on track...when I was young, I would often find myself running into the cellar whenever something happened- and, eventually, began conversing with the Mademoiselle that was inside.

She was the ideal conversational partner- one I could express thoughts I could not share with my family or any other, to.

Of course, at that time, Mademoiselle was simply an unresponsive, lifeless doll.

But, mysteriously, as I spoke to her, while relying on nothing but a lamplight in the darkness…

It felt like she began to come to life- she began reacting to my words, and responding in turn.

She was likely an existence brought into the world by myself, much like the imaginary friends that many children create for themselves when young.

To express this in a poetic manner, one could say I breathed life into Mademoiselle.

Naturally, the people around me...my family and such, saw me as a strange boy, and worried over me.

I was frequently visiting the cellar- almost daily- to converse with a doll, after all.

My parents consulted with other households on the matter, and when the children heard of it from their parents, they began to ridicule me and such.

However, I never stopped going to see Mademoiselle.

She was a precious friend- I even already considered her as family, by then.

More than my unsympathetic, blood-related parents, brothers and sisters, she was the closest one to me- we were soulmates.

And out of my family, the one and only person who understood these feelings of mine...was my grandfather.

He had already entered retirement by then, and soon to be hospitalised- thus, he rarely voiced any input regarding the matters of the household.

Just that once, however, he exercised his authority- he gave my parents a harsh scolding, and demanded them to do as he said…

Aah, it was quite delightful. Afterwards, Mademoiselle officially came into my possession.

Under one condition...to treasure her forever, as if she was family, or a close friend.

I had nodded at my grandfather with absolute elation, and swore my oath to love her for as long as I lived.

And thus, even now, I hold her in my arms. No matter how much others mock me, everything of hers belongs to me…

So, I understand her worth more than anyone else in the world.

She is the one who comforted me when I could do nothing but cry, and bestowed upon me the will to live, after all. Thus, I will use my lifetime to repay this debt.

Mika: ……♪

Shu: Oh? You mock me as well, Kagehira?

Mika: Nnah~? No, I was jus’ really happy, thinkin’ that you entrusted someone that was so important t’ you, into my hands, for even a short moment…

‘m jealous, Mado-nee. I want Oshi-san t’ think that way about me too, someday♪

Shu:『Fufu~n. It is nice♪』

『To be loved is a wonderful thing. Even if you know nothing about yourself or even what you are, that love alone can keep you going.』

『I grew so tired of being trapped in that pitch-black cellar, merely collecting dust.』

『As a doll, I had given up, believing there was nothing I could do. Once people lose interest, that was the end- you are thrown into storerooms to be forgotten about.』

『But you are humans- and as humans, you are able to walk with your own two feet...』

『So, instead of shutting yourself inside somewhere, I want you to fully experience and enjoy this brilliant world.』

『And if I can be of any help at all, for the sake of your precious youths...then I will be the happiest doll in the world.』

『Because I will be able to return all the love that had been bestowed upon me. Humans and dolls have shown the capacity to love one another, after all.』

Notes:

(1) Mika refers to Shu’s grandfather highly- he uses the ‘さま sama’ suffix

(Base translation credits go to @harmonyleaf)

[Scene - Department Store]

<Approx. 10 minutes later>

Shu: Hoh, hoh hoh hoh~ Hohoh~.....♪

Mika: Nnah~ Oshi-san’s turned into an owl or somethin’.

Shu: Fufun. You are a crow, so it fits quite well, does it not!

This is certainly wonderful, Kagehira! Allow me to offer you an extremely rare instance of praise! Kakaka☆

Mika: Nnah~? Eheheh, praise me more~♪

Shu: Hey! Do not nestle up against me for no reason- it’s sweltering! There was already the recent heat wave from the depths of hell, do not make matters worse!

Mika: There’s air conditionin’ in here, though...well, more importantly, Oshi-san really ‘s most natural when he’s with Mado-nee, so…

Here, hold her♪

Shu: Wh-, why are you carrying Mademoiselle? Return her this instant!

Mika: Oshi-san, when you went t’ pay the bill at the café, y’ said 『I’m entrusting you with her for a moment』 ‘n made me carry her.

You were only takin’ out your wallet, but y’ said she was in the way, so…

Natsume: AhaHA. They are certainly close. When those two are togeTHER, there is no place to enter the conversation at ALL.

Arashi: Frustratingly so. My goodness…

Well, to see that their relationship isn’t the dangerous- or immoral- kind I thought it had been, I do feel a bit relieved.

Ufufu, looking at them, it feels like they’re siblings, or a father with his child…♪

Shu: You two! Stop dawdling around and purchase your entry tickets- this is a treasure of beauty seldom seen in this modern age!

It would be a shame to die without seeing this!

Natsume: You are talking about death agAIN...you can look around as you please without worrying about US, Shu nii-san.

It would be wonderful if looking at these beautiful things can inspire a surge of creative drive and help you escape from your sLUMP.

Shu: Hmm….I see, so that is the reason why Kagehira and the others chose to purposely summon me here?

Mika: Y-yeah. It seemed like Oshi-san’s condition hasn’ been too good lately…

So I thought, maybe, if you looked at things y’ liked, and got some stimulation from that...you could start havin’ fun makin’ outfits again.

I was with Naru-chan...ah, and Anzu-chan, too, walkin’ around town, when we happened t’ come across this banner at the department store.

We decided t’ take a peek, and saw they were doin’ this interesting-lookin’ exhibition.

I thought Oshi-san might b’ interested in it, so we decided t’ try callin’ you.

It would b’ good if it wasn’t a bother, but...are y’ mad about Naru-chan and Anzu-chan playin’ that weird prank on ya, sayin’ I was kidnapped an’ such?

Shu: If I seem angry to you, you must be blind!

Shall I take this opportunity to fix you with matching eyeballs- those of a beautiful, superb velvet~…?☆

Oh, lovely Victoria! I, too, wish I could have been born into this brilliant age of art, ruled by a queen as splendid and gorgeous as you!

Mika: Oshi-san’s a lot more excited than I thought he’d be…

But what’s ‘bikutoria’? It sounds kinda like our 『Valkyrie』♪

Shu: They do not sound similar at all, though? You are hardly an infant, but are you unable to express things in a form that is beyond whether they are similar or not?

In the first place, if there is something you do not understand, look into it yourself without asking me! I have always thought this, but you truly lack a sense of artistic inquisitiveness!

Mika: Uuu. I’m always gettin’ scolded no matter what I say.

Arashi: Fufu. If he’s getting angry at you, it just shows that he thinks of you dearly.

Natsume: Nii-san, Nii-san, you seem to be quite overcome with emotion alreaDY, after only having looked at the displays near the enTRANCE…

But I would recommend you direct your attention to the focal point of this exhiBIT- it is quite worth seeing, I beLIEVE.♪

Shu: Main exhibit? Ahh, that 『Nameless Dolls』exhibit they were holding…

Let me inform you in advance- to you, my love for dolls will just be ‘noise’.

This isn’t simply restricted to myself, either...for humans, things they dislike are haphazardly categorised to be 『unpleasant things』, thrown into the wastebasket of the mind, and swiftly forgotten about.

As for the things they like, each slightly different thing is given a name, classified, and put on display, so that each and every one possess the ability to be loved.

Arashi: I totally understand...I can remember the names and such of the cosmetics that Izumi-chan and I like, in excruciating detail, but…

With Ritsu-chan, no matter how many times he tells me, I can only recall him talking about『something red』.

When humans have no interest in something, they really are so indifferent. Aaah, it’s difficult to be loved…♪

Shu: Hohoh. You do certainly understand- I had wondered how thickheaded you could be, as one of Kagehira’s friends.

But contrary to my expectations, it seems you’re able to follow my conversation more than Kagehira, even?

Arashi: Nn~? Oh, it’s perfectly fine if you leave me be- keep talking to Mika-chan, okay♪

By our own means, Anzu-chan, Natsume-chan and I will get along just fine.

Natsume: INDEED. We shall read the atmosphere here and take our leAVE- please, take your TIME.♪

Mika: Ahh, you don’ really have to...I talk to Oshi-san lots at home, anyway.

‘sides. I’m also super interested in this 『Nameless Dolls』exhibit.

Look, the doll that’s drawn on t’ pamphlet...isn’t she a spitting image o’ Mado-nee?

Naru-chan asked me if she was one o’ Mado-nee’s sisters, but...I couldn’t really give any kinda answer.

So it got me thinking that, even though I’m Mado-nee’s family, I really don’t know anything ‘about her...so, I thought it’d be nice t’ be able to ask you lots of things, Oshi-san.

Shu: Family, hmm. Well...you are certainly fortunate that he feels that way for you, Mademoiselle.

『Ooh~! Mika-chan, to think you felt that way towards me! I’m so happy!』

『But, to be honest, neither Shu-kun, or myself, know that much about me.』

『I am Mademoiselle, a doll whose name holds no more meaning than simply a 『little girl』...before I was able to be given a name, I had already been cast aside, you see.』

『It’s possible, that I spent such a long, long time all by my lonesome, that everyone eventually forgot my name.』

『All that time, by myself...until Shu-kun found me.』

(Base translation credits go to @harmonyleaf)

[Scene - Café]

Shu: Hmph. You lot sure seem like you’re having fun after sending someone an irritating prank call.

Mika: Nnah!? O-O-O-Oshi-san, you arrived earlier than expected?!

‘m happy, you were really that worried ‘bout me gettin’ kidnapped, after all... ♪

Shu: Don’t get the wrong idea, you good-for-nothing.

This brat just happened to know all the shortcuts, so when I allowed him to lead the way, we managed to arrive here in a short amount of time, that’s all.

Mika: ‘This brat’...?

Natsume: Good Evening♪

I know this does not involve ME, but it all seemed very interesTING, so I will be inserting myself into this conversaTION.

Mika: Ah, Nakkun...why are you gettin’ carried by Oshi-san? No fair!

Natsume: Even if you find it ‘unFAIR’...I am simply being carried in exchange for guiding him HERE. The world operates on equivalent exchANGE, you SEE.

More importantLY. Shu nii-san may have left Mademoiselle in the care of someone else in order not to damage HER…

HowEVER, if I may speak as a psycholoGIST, it was quite a foolish deciSION.

Shu nii-san carries Mademoiselle in his ARMS, splitting part of himself and entrusting it to HER, and is able to remain stable that WAY.

It is what we call Dissociative Identity DisORDER...it works very similarly to having multiple personaliTIES. (1)

So when she was kept away from HIM, he was left wandering about the sea of his MIND, lost, like a ship without its ruddER, and ended up capsizing in the END.

After watching that haPPEN, I decided to help function as Mademoiselle’s substiTUTE, for the time beING.

And so we come to THIS. I believe Shu nii-san has been able to calm down significantly as a reSULT, no?

Shu: It’s tiring my arms out, though. You’ve certainly grown quite a bit while I wasn’t looking, haven’t you?

Natsume: My height hasn’t really changed over the past few YEARS......My nii-sans, have you all just been believing me to be more childish and immature more than neceSSARY?

I am now already the same age as my Nii-sans were, when we first met....

A fine adult♪

Mika: Oshi-san! Here, take Mado-nee! Quick!

You’ll b’ stable like that, right? Sorry, Nakkun, but could y’ come down now?

Natsume: Eh~? Hmm, what to DO...what will you offer me in reTURN, if I grant your reQUEST?

Shu: You brat, do not fool around with Kagehira too much. He is fragile, and easily broken.

You and Wataru are the same- you are both so fond of humans, that you have a bad habit of always 『meddling』in the affair of others.

Natsume: How RUDE. I suppose I cannot justify it as an act of love HERE, so I will obediently withdraw this TIME.

This situation doesn’t have much to do with ME, and trying to pointlessly create carnage will only result in exhaustion on my PART.

There we GO...I didn’t walk at ALL, so I’m not thirsty at the LEAST, but I will still order something out of good maNNERS.

Kaminari-san, what is it that you’re drinKING?

Arashi: Oh my, it’s not Kaminari, but Narukami, you know? Well, I guess they have the same meaning, though. (2)

Natsume: Huhu~♪ Ahh, I laughed like Sora just NOW.

I thought it was quite odd for these little kittens to come up with something like THIS, but it was your suggesTION, was it NOT? (3)

To say Mika-chan was kidnaPPED...I sEE, Shu nii-san would certainly come flying if you told him THAT.

Mika: Ahaha, try not t’ add 『-chan』to my name, okay? Nakkun is a kind an’ nice person, but you can really be a bit mean sometimes, y’know?

Natsume: Rubbing someone the wrong way and provoking them to reveal their real thoughts is a technique in spEECH.

It’s Rei nii-san’s specialTY...but. If you fail to choose your target with cARE, I suppose, it could cause one to feel a little GUILT...

Arashi: Ufufu. If you keep speaking too sharply, you won’t be able to make friends, you know, Natsume-chan?

Natsume: ...Ahh, I sEE. It certainly doesn’t feel good to have 『-chan』added to your naME.

It reminded me of my vexing childhood...well, it appears I must apologise for my rude outbursts earLIER.

Shu: Cease your chattering, you little brats.

More importantly, why exactly did you employ such a pretense to summon me here? It is in bad taste to make light of kidnappings as some kind of joke…

While I was aware it was simply a bunch of nonsense, if this was Kagehira’s family, they may have turned to alert the authorities.

Mika: Nnah? Y’ say my family, but do you mean my birth family, or adopted?

Shu: ...it does not matter. In short, this is a warning against acting in a way that would stir up trouble. Depending on the situation here, I am holding everyone present in contempt.

Natsume: Ahaha. Shu nii-san is coming off as quite heartless right NOW, so allow me to chime IN…

I put my all into explaining the situation on our way HERE, and was able to convince him the kidnapping was merely a RUSE.

“This was an imitation of 『High and Low』”, I told HIM. (4)

Shu: Hmph….I too, have a liking for Kurosawa Akira’s works. They all carry a sense of beauty of the highest class.

Arashi: Ufufu. My apologies, but I thought unless we did something like this,『Oshi-san』wouldn’t come, you see?

Shu: You have no right to refer to me as『Oshi-san』...you are Narukami, correct? You’re always taking care of our useless boy.

Arashi: You're very welcome. A certain someone won't take care of him, so it falls to me, a simple friend, to do the job♪

Shu: I am providing him with a roof over his head, so I believe I’m already taking care of him plenty, no?

Mika: W-well, well...let’s stop with t’ scary faces, and get along♪

Arashi: My. And who do you think put this frown on my beautiful face, Mika-chan?

Shu: Well. If you were a proper, polished being with no deficiencies in the first place, we would not be in this situation, needing to be put at ease, to begin with.

Mika: Nnah, now ’m gettin’ scolded for some reason…!

Natsume: Ahaha. Well, I suppose the fact that we’re all so carefree right NOW, means it wasn’t such a big dEAL, after ALL.

I accompanied you all just in CASE, but seeing this pleasant banter instead is quite amuSING.

Shu: Right, that is something we still need to confirm. The conversation has moved quite off-topic…

For what motive exactly, did you put on this pretense to summon me out here?

Mika: Well, there was actually somethin’ I wanted t’ show you, Oshi-san.

Here, it’s written on this pamphlet...there seems t’ be an exhibit of 『Nameless Dolls』showin’ nearby right now.

I was thinkin’ that, Oshi-san might like somethin’ like this♪

Notes:

(1) Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder) is a very complex psychological condition, and can be interpreted in many different ways. Natsume is referring to how Shu’s identity is split into ‘Shu’ and ‘Mademoiselle’, and uses the explanation of having multiple personalities for the sake of a simple explanation for both Arashi/Mika and the readers- but for those interested, it goes far beyond the ‘split personality’ definition that many narratives tend to use- you can check out the DSM-5 criteria to get a better idea of what it encompasses.

(2) The pronunciation of Arashi’s last name, “Narukami”, can also be written as “鳴る神”, which has the same meaning as “Kaminari (雷/thunder)". Arashi’s entire name is very much focused around thunder and storms (with ‘Arashi’ meaning storm), which is why Arashi sometimes doesn’t like how manly it sounds.

(3) Natsume uses “Koneko-chan” here like he usually does with Anzu, but this time is referring to more than one ‘kitten’. It’s safe to assume the other kitten he’s referring to is Mika.

(4) High and Low (天国と地獄, lit. Heaven and Hell) is a 1963 film directed by Akira Kurosawa. In the movie, the main character is told his son was kidnapped, but he quickly figures out that the kidnappers actually kidnapped his son’s friend on accident. Read more here.

[Scene - Café]

Mika: Nnn~,nnnnnnn~……?

Arashi: Wait, could you not make those weird noises? The people in here are looking over and wondering what ever could be going on, Mika-chan.

Mika: But, Naru-chan...why did Anzu-chan make tha’ kinda prank call, about me getting kidnapped or somethin’?

I don’ understand. Oshi-san doesn’t like thos’ kinda jokes, he’ll definitely b’ mad…

Uuu...I’m scared o’ what will happen when I get home today.

Arashi: Ufufu. You don’t have to worry about that, I’m sure your 『Oshi-san』will come running soon enough.

His dear, dear Mika-chan’s been kidnapped, after all~?

He’ll definitely come to this cafe as soon as he can to at least hear the details ♪

Mika: ...I don’ think he’ll come. Oshi-san doesn’t do pointless things…

Recently, he’s been havin’ trouble with his works, too, so he’s just been irritated and shuttin’ himself in…

Unless it’s somethin’ really important, I don’ think he’d leave the house…

Well, maybe not the house...his condition today isn’ too bad, so I think he’s in the handicraft club’s room.

Once he’s in there, he’ll jus’ stay rooted until he finds some good idea an’ his mood improves.

Arashi: Oh my, is he still like that?

I’ve heard he’s been able to appear on stage multiple times already, so I thought he had at least recovered to some extent?

Mika: Well, his condition’s definitely better than’ it used t’ be- at leas’ he’s willin’ to eat properly now.

But there’s still waves, an’ he goes up ‘n down.

It’s been especially bad these few days...he’d throw out all sorts o’ insults if I even tried t’ talk to ‘im.

But havin’ said that, if he’s left alone, he’d jus’ sulk around, throwin’ plushies an’ such.

Arashi: Is that so? I’ve always thought this, but this 『Oshi-san』really is a troublesome person, isn’t he?

Mika: Well, he’s an artist, after all♪

Arashi: Why are you complimenting him? Just watching from the sides is painful enough, I don’t know how Mika-chan can put up with all this.

Mika: Hm? I’m not puttin’ up with anythin’, jus’ living how I want, though~?

Ah- that was close, I almos’ dropped Mado-nee while wavin’ my hands like an idiot!

‘m sorry, Mado-nee, for scarin’ you…

Arashi: Speaking of which...you never explained properly, did you? Mika-chan, why are you carrying her with you today?

That is the doll 『Oshi-san』always carries around, right? Or is it just one that looks similar?

Mika: There’s only one Mado-nee in the world~

How t’ say it...well, Oshi-san was pretty irritated earlier, throwin’ things around…

It was gettin’ dangerous for Mado-nee, so it ended up bein’ me takin’ care of her for the time being.

Oshi-san ‘as against it, but Mado-nee insisted.

Arashi: Nn~? That’s quite a split there, isn’t it…?

Mika: Split? I don’ really understand, but Oshi-san regards Mado-nee highly, so…

In the end, he folded, and ended up doin’ as Mado-nee asked.

For me, I don’ feel that special sense o’ calm from holdin’ Mado-nee, but…

I was scared of droppin’ or hittin’ her into somethin’…

So I ended up walkin’ quite slowly with her, an’ ended up being late. I’m sorry, Naru-chan…

Arashi: Ah, so that was why, hm? Being late is okay, but if you had your phone with you, you could’ve let me known.

You worried me, you know.

Even though we’re on a date...Mika-chan, you’re always going on and on about your Oshi-san.

Mika: Nnah~...sorry, I don’ have anythin’ else to talk about, so…

Naru-chan is amazin’ at it, though. You can always talk fo’ so long no matter who it is.

Arashi: Ufufu. I like chatting, after all. You naturally get better at things you like doing~

It’ll be good for Mika-chan to increase the things you can talk about too~ what about finding more hobbies?

Mika: Hobbies, hm…

Ah, I like horror movies♪ Can I talk ‘bout that? Naru-chan, are you bad with grotesque things?

Arashi: Nn~ I don’t hate it, but it’s not something I’d happily swallow, I guess?

Mika: ? We’re not talkin’ about food, though?

Arashi: That part of you is...well, it’s fine, Mika-chan has Mika-chan’s good points.

There’s no point having me, or anyone else, force you to get perfect scores on tests made by other people.

Mika: ...test? Ah, ’s those things, right? Metaphors!

Arashi: Yep. Mika-chan, I know you’re always busy with your 『Oshi-san』, but...whenever you have time, let’s go out like this again, okay?

There’s so many more interesting and appealing things in this world, after all.

You might think it’s unnecessary, but I want to tell you about them, one by one.

Mika: Ah, ‘s that why you invited me out today?

Arashi: If I don’t say anything, you’d just drown yourself in part-time jobs…

There’s virtue in labour, but we’re still young, so we need to fool around on days off, at least.

And also. Mika-chan, you always re-wear old clothes, or tend to reuse things without throwing them away, even if they’re broken, right?

I think that’s a good thing, but as an idol, it may seem undignified…

So let’s go shopping~ I’ll choose things for you.

I was thinking we could match as well, and I can take this opportunity to buy new things for Mika-chan~

Mika: Nn~? I don’ really need new things, won’t that mean pushin’ aside the things still usable?

It feels like a waste...and I’d feel bad.

I don’ want t’ spend much too, since we gotta save up for 『Valkyrie』…

Arashi: It’s fine, just let me, okay?

Wearing and using new things can make you feel better, see? It’s not just your physical body, you have to take care of what’s inside, too.

Since you’re alive after all, Mika-chan.

**Warning: brief talk about death/suicide**

[Scene - Handicrafts Club-room]

Natsume: Good Afternoon ♪

Sorry to bother yOU, Shu nii-san. I wanted to discuss a little about our cosTUMES.

Shu: Non! Unacceptable, my hands have become rusty…!

Natsume: W-wah…

You are unusually vioLENT, Nii-san. It is dangerous to throw things like thAT- no matter what it is, you should treat things with caRE.

You are not the type that looks at destruction as a source of creaTION, or an explosion of art, corrECT?

(But well, I suppose this is still much ‘preferable’ to a depresSED, lifeless, doll-like staTE.)

(Shu nii-san is someone who can transFORM his unique views and unpleasantness he feels into art, after aLL.)

Shu: ...brat. Do you not know to knock before you enter a room- must I teach you manners from the ground up again?

Natsume: If I can be taught something from my nii-sans, I will happily welcome IT.

But I did knOCK. I am perfectly aware of how fussy Shu nii-san is about these thiNGS.

Nii-san probably failed to heAR it because you were busy making a mess in HERE.

Shu: You have some nerve for a brat! Are you implying that the one who was at fault- no, the one with no manners, is myself!?

Natsume: Don’t involve me like thAT….really, what’s wrong, nii-san?

I am aware you have always been easily irritaTED, but continuing to be annoyed at the smallest things will shorten your lifeSPAN.

Shu: I have no intention of living a long life. **warning

Once I feel I have created art I am satisfied with, I am willing to wrap my neck in ropes and hang myself off a tree somewhere, anytime.

No, hanging is not a beautiful method of death...nor can I say the same for being run over, poisoned, or electrocuted…

Of course, going senile with old age appears to be valued- but that process involves becoming hideous- I reject it.

Hmm...perhaps freezing to death is the best option...one can welcome death without losing their beauty.

Ahh, I’ve collected quite a few ideas. I do not yet know what these will be used for, but allow me a few more moments.

Natsume: I am waitING. But don’t keep going on and on about deATH, you’ll only worry the people around yOU…

Dying now is pointLESS. If you have to, I’d prefer you take your last breaths after proudly taking the TOP.

Shu: Hmm...in that case, I have already allowed the chance for myself to die in your supposed ‘ideal’ way, pass.

Because, even now, I am in the middle of my descent from there. **

...alright, I have finished compiling my ideas. What matter have you come here for, brat? You mentioned something regarding costumes, did you not?

Natsume: YES. 『Switch』has been getting busier lateLY, and we’ve been having trouble keeping up with making costuMES- so I was hoping to outsoURCE some assistANCE.

We do not participate in many dreamFES, so don’t have many FUNDS…

So if we could ask for assistance at a loWER price from acquaintANCES, it would be exceLLENT.

But it appears requesting assistANCE from Shu nii-san will be difficULT.

You seem to still be in your sLUMP- actually, it seeMS even worse than usual toDAY.

Shu: It annoys me to admit ‘You are correct!” so directly, but frustratingly, it is as you say.

Ideas not piecing together, fingers not moving as I like...all the costumes I have barely managed to piece together, I cannot accept.

It is truly disappointing- I am only becoming more irritated, and hitting walls as a result.

Natsume: The world will not break even if you make the walls crUMBLE- you will only find pAIN in the hand you hit it wiTH.

Shu: Hmph. I know that- how annoying.

Moving on. You have Aoba with you, do you not? You can simply ask that to make your costumes, no?

Disregarding his personality and looks, his skill is to be commended.

Natsume: Nn...senpai is only a bit slOW.

He won’t be able to keep up if our workload increaSES, and he’d overwork himself and destroy his body if we let him take the wORK.

I’m not worried for him or anythING- I just thought it’d be good to outsource some assistANCE.

But it seems like it’ll be difficult for Shu nii-sAN- nor do you have the tIME, yes?

I guess it can’t be heLPED...it seems like we’ll be busy with the amount of work coming in sOON, so perhaps I’ll try and aSK Koneko-chan.

Shu: Koneko-chan? I suppose that missy is learning from Kiryuu, so asking that man is also certainly an option.

Natsume: That person is from 『Akatsuki』, nO? It would be unpleasant to owe them any favoURS…I don’t understand how Shu nii-san puts up with hIM.

Shu: No...every time we meet, we also seem to exchange nothing but hateful words…

...fufu. Thank you, little brat. I feel better after talking to you.

Natsume: If you feel thankFUL, I’d like you to stop calling me ‘little brat’...always treating me as an amateUR.

Ahh, but...it’s rare for Shu nii-san to give people nicknaMES, so perhaps I should instead be honourED?

Shu: What is the meaning of that...ah, that missy is calling again.

I cannot comprehend whether it is just her own purity or something to that manner, but no matter how strict I am, or what kind of words I throw at her, she continues to approach me like it’s nothing.

Kagehira is the same…perhaps it’s odd coming from me, but I do not understand why they continue to be so attached to me.

Natsume: Ahaha. Unlike myself, who’s only here to round up the numBERS, Nii-san is truly one of the 『Five Oddballs』.

You carry a charisMA that people cannot help but be attracted TO.

Shu: Flattery will get you nowhere. Moreover, neither I, Rei, Wataru or Kanata, think you were merely an ‘extra’ to round the numbers.

Ah, excuse me...hello, missy? What is it this time, are you looking for a scolding again? You certainly have strange tastes!

…hah? What is the meaning of this? You are talking nonsense- even idiots should at least try to use their head when speaking, no?

W-wait, you-! Missy~......?

…non! How irritating, to hang up on me straight after speaking only what she has to say!

Natsume: What’s wrONG, nii-san? What happened with Koneko-chAN?

Shu: Rather than her, it was more about Kagehira….ummm~?

I believe it to be a joke, but...it seems like Kagehira has been kidnapped by some entity.

[Scene - outside the station]

Arashi: *humming* ~~

A date, a date♪ Today is a fun date with Mika-chan♪

(Fufu. Lately, it’s been so busy, it seems like the stress is even getting to his skin. It’s good to be able to stretch your wings on an off-day.)

(I know when to take things easy when I need to, but I’m worried about Mika-chan…)

(Every single day, that boy is absorbed in going about his part-time jobs, taking care of 『Oshi-san』.)

(Working like that, even the strongest, healthiest person would break.)

(So today, I have to spoil him, let him have fun, and heal him as much as possible.)

(....nn~? But Mika-chan sure is late.)

(It’s already past our meeting time...making me wait, he’s pretty lax, isn’t he?)

(He’s always forgetting things left and right, but he’s never forgotten a promise with me…)

(He couldn’t have become anemic on the way here, and collapsed or something...right?)

(L-let me call him.)

(.......Nn~ it’s no good. He’s not picking up...he’s not really the type to carry his phone around with him…)

...Nnhya!?

Ahh you scared me, Anzu-chan! My, please don’t creep up on me and tap me on the shoulder like that, I ended up making a weird noise!

No pranks like that, okay?

But I’m happy to see you on an off-day...even if those clothes are a bit hard to stomach.

Why a jersey? Did you go running?

But well, I guess I’m in my school uniform too...I wanted to dress up, but I have the regular volunteer job with ‘Knights’ in the evening, so there’s no helping it.

We can’t enter the school in private clothes, after all.

Well, that aside... Anzu-chan is naturally cute, so you need to dress up more, okay?

Ufufu, shall this onee-chan help choose some clothes for you? ♪

...ah, but it’s not the time to be hanging around like this. Anzu-chan, you came at a good time~

Do you know 『Oshi-san』.....Valkyrie’s Itsuki Shu’s contact details?

Since you’re our producer...I thought you might have collected these kinds of things, just in case.

Actually, I’m supposed to go on a date with Mika-chan today.

You know Mika-chan, right? He’s a boy in my class, and a dear friend of mine since our first year.

Ah, you do? Yep yep, the boy with the Kansai-dialect~♪

Fufu. Something came up with him, and since he seems to be staying with his 『Oshi-san』, I thought I’d give him a call.

In case he really forgot about our promise, or just slept in, I can contact him that way, see?

Really...to have this much trouble just meeting up, it feels like we’re back to living in another era.

Ah, you have 『Oshi-san』’s contact details? How wonderful. Ufufu~ you’re really a reliable producer we can’t go without ♪

Ah...but it’s personal information, so don’t tell me his phone number directly, okay?

Could I trouble you to call him from your phone instead?

Yep. You can call him, and if he picks up, you can just pass the phone to me.

Sorry if I’m being fussy, but it’s not good if you’re not careful with personal information.

You’re our producer, so make sure you’re careful with that, okay? We’re in a time where you never know who’s watching.

....nn? Ah, it connected? Then could you quickly explain to him what’s happening, and pass me the phone?

Hya!?

Ahh, I let out a weird noise again! Don’t suddenly jump like that, Anzu-chan!

Eh? When 『Oshi-san』 picked up the phone, there was a loud yell? And he just hung up straight after?

Well…..I have no idea why... Anzu-chan, are you hated by 『Oshi-san』, maybe?

Hmm. I guess it seems 『Oshi-san』gets irritated quite easily, so maybe you just caught him at a bad time.

My, what to do...I wanted to at least check whether Mika-chan was at home or not…

Mika: Nn~? Did’ya want somethin’ with me, Naru-chan?

Arashi: Wa-oh!?

Ahh seriously, can everyone stop surprising me like this? What if my heart actually stops?

But first, Mika-chan! I was getting so worried since you weren’t showing up! You’re rarely late for these, you know?

Mika: Nnah~ bear wit’ me? I tried t’ hurry as much as I could…

I got a strange request fro’ Oshi-san this mornin’, so that took some time.

Arashi: A request…?

Mika: Yeah, eheheh~... have ya noticed, Naru-chan? That there’s somethin’ different ‘bout me today?

Arashi: Eh? Nn~...

Ah, you’re holding a doll today? What is it~? Are you copying 『Oshi-san』?

Mika: No no, ‘s ridiculous for someone like me t’ copy Oshi-san...y’see, Oshi-san~, see~?

--wait, what? Anzu-chan’s here too!

Uu, un. Hello.

--what ‘m I doin’ greetin’ you so casually? I’ve said this many times, you’re my enemy…!

Arashi: My, my. Mika-chan, that’s rude to our producer, you know?

Mika: F~uuun, I don’t acknowledge this girl t’ be our ‘producer’!

‘Cause Oshi-san doesn’t, and he’s always right...☆

[Scene – Studio]

Izumi: Seriously. I don’t usually do this much for people, so be thankful, okay?

Kaoru: Thank you...?

Izumi: Stay still. It’s not my business if make-up accidentally goes into your eyes.

Not only is your hair messed up from the sea breeze, even your eyes are swollen…

I said this the other day, but your appearance is your only merit, okay?

Kaoru: (U~n, it doesn’t seem like he’s too angry? He’s being really gentle…in fact, it seems like he’s trying to cheer me up in his own way.)

Izumi: Hey, Hakaze. Don’t underestimate models too much.

Kaoru: (Ehh? He seems really angry, after all…!?)

Izumi: A bridal concept like this is something I can grasp in an instant. But it’s something that was crafted from years and years of hard work.

So it would be troublesome for people to think of this job as something so simple even an amateur could do it with no problem.

Kaoru: S-sorry…

Izumi: Ah, I didn’t mean it like that…

I was a bit too heated about the whole thing as well, and said things that I shouldn’t have and drove you into a corner…

Kaoru: Sena-kun…

Izumi: Well, I won’t forgive you if you were really underestimating this job, okay?

Kaoru: Haha, I’m not underestimating it at all. I wanted to do it properly, but there were some circumstances, and it wasn’t turning out the way I wanted it…

But I’m okay now. This time, I’ll take it seriously.

…and about that. Could I try doing it my way for a little? If it doesn’t work out, I’ll follow Sena-kun’s leads.

Izumi: …well, why not? I’ve just finished applying your makeup, so go stand in front of the camera.

Kaoru: Ohh, you covered it perfectly. Thank you, Sena-kun.

Izumi: Of course. Who do you think I am? Come on, get moving. I’m taking it~

Kaoru: ……~♪

…and? How is it? Did it turn out well?

Izumi: What happened? It’s immensely better than the ones earlier.

I don’t know what changed, but I could give you a passing grade with this.

Kaoru: Haha. I guess it’s not full points. You’re strict, Sena-kun~

Izumi: Of course I am. It’s rare for me to even give passing grades.

That just shows how well the photo turned out, so you should be proud.

Hm, Anzu? You want to see the photo?

Seems like even Anzu has taken a liking to this photo. Well, if you tackle the real thing with the same feeling, I don’t think there’ll be a problem.

I see that break wasn’t for nothing, Hakaze.

Anyway. It seems like you’ve gotten the feel for it… why don’t we go for another shot?

Kaoru: Eh, isn’t it okay already?

Though, if you’re willing to stick with me for a bit longer, I’d want to keep going…

But I don’t want to keep you too late, you know? Anzu-chan is a girl too~ should I send you home?

Nn? Your parents will pick you up? In that case, should I go greet my future mother and father-in-law?

Woah, that was a joke so don’t start hitting me, okay~?

It’s fine. I’ll make sure to tell them I’m a senpai under your care!

Ahh but. It seems a bit embarrassing to say that, huh?

Izumi: Stop playing around. Put in effort until I give you full points, got it?

Kaoru: Got it. If I can get Sena-kun to say that, I think I’ll even have the confidence to start tackling modelling jobs ♪

Izumi: You’ll regret it if you get too ahead of yourself. Seriously, you’re completely different from earlier.

Really, what the hell happened?

Kaoru: Haha. That’s…a secret♪

(I still don’t fully understand marriage and that sort of thing, but I want the people I love to be happy. I want them to find happiness.)

(--that is one thing I will never stop wishing for.)

[Scene – the beach]

Kaoru: Oh, this is?

Kanata: Ah, it is a ‘dog’~ fufu, it’s jumping around Kaoru♪

Kaoru: Ahhh, don’t start licking me, it’s ticklish!

It’s really taken to me, huh. This is Koga-kun’s dog, isn’t it? Are you not with your master?

Koga: Oi, Leon!

Haha. You managed to find Hakaze-senpai, huh? Good boy, Leon♪

Kaoru: Nn? Wanchan, you were looking for me?

Huh? Anzu-chan’s here to…ah, I was gone for too long so you came looking for me, huh?

Koga: That’s it. Don’t go making blunders like this, Hakaze-senpai.

Kaoru: Wanchan sure is honest… sorry, it seems like I caused you guys to worry.

Anzu-chan too. I showed you an unsightly side of me, but I’ll pull myself back from now on. Don’t give up on me until the end, okay?

Of course you won’t? Haha, thank you. I’ve kept Sena-kun waiting for a while already, so let’s return to the studio.

What will Kanata-kun do? The ocean is dangerous at night, so I’d much rather you go back to the school with me rather than hanging around here.

Koga: I’m staying here. I want to take photos for Leon’s omiai.

Kanata: I will also stay for a bit longer and look at the ‘ocean’.

Please don’t worry, Kaoru. I won’t enter the ‘ocean’, I ‘promise’ you.

I keep my ‘promises’~ if I break it, I will swallow ‘a thousand needles’. (1)

Kaoru: I see. In that case, I guess it’s just me and Anzu-chan. This is a rare situation, so let’s hold hands and walk back together♪

No? As expected~ you won’t spoil me that much, huh.

I’m already thankful that you came to get me.

Anzu-chan has been really kind to me lately, so I might have gotten a bit greedy.

Nn? Anzu-chan, why are you patting my head?

Ahh, it’s not like I dislike it or anything. It was just a bit surprising.

Hmm, maybe it’s more effective for me if I show a bit more of my weak side to Anzu-chan?

Well, it’s not something I can use every time though. It’d be pretty embarrassing to keep having to be comforted by Anzu-chan.

I’ll become strong enough to comfort Anzu-chan when she’s sad, too♪

[Scene change – Studio]

I, I’m back…?

Izumi: ……

Kaoru: (Uwah…such an intimidating glare the moment I walked in…well, that’s a given, though.)

(I don’t want to lower my head to a guy, but I was in the wrong. I have to apologize properly.)

Umm, Sena-kun. I’m sorry I was late. I’ll do it properly from now on, so I would be happy if you stick with me until the end…

Izumi: Hair.

Kaoru: Huh? Hair? What do you mean?

Izumi: Your hair is messy.

Kaoru: Eh? Eh?

Izumi: Aah so annoying! Sit there, don’t dawdle!

Notes:

(1) I’ll swallow a thousand needles – a common Japanese saying when people make promises, similar to ‘cross my heart and hope to die’ in English.

[Scene – the beach]

Kaoru: Ahh no, this isn’t because of you…

Uhh, it’s pretty obvious isn’t it? I guess I’ll have to hide it with make-up or something…

Kanata: Kaoru, are you in the middle of a ‘job’?

I’m proud~ good boy, good boy~♪

Kaoru: Oh, it’s not the real thing yet…but Kanata-kun, is it just me or are your hands wet?

Kanata: Ah, did you notice? Actually, I was putting ‘water’ on just my ‘hands’. This is okay, right?

Kaoru: Even if you look at me with those eyes…

Ahh fine. My eyes aren’t swollen because of Kanata-kun, so don’t worry.

Things just weren’t going so well for me…so I just came here, and cried a little bit in secret.

Kanata: I see~ do you want to eat ‘fish’?

Kaoru: Eh, wait, why are we talking about that? I didn’t say I was hungry, right?

Kanata: It’s good to eat and be ‘full’, when you’re feeling ‘down’~ and I am good at ‘passing judgement’ on ‘fish’, too~

Ah…the ‘fish’ are swimming around~ I’m going to go catch them♪

Kaoru: Sto- stop floating around like that, it’s scary!

Ahh seriously! I’m glad you were thinking of me though. But instead of playing around with cooking fish, could you listen to me for a little bit?

Kanata: Okay~ I am ‘free’ today, anyway…♪

Kaoru: Thank you. Well, I got a request for a gravure photoshoot.

The theme is bridal, you see, and I honestly don’t know what I should be feeling.

Sena-kun tells me to imagine a bride on the other side of the camera…

But every time I try to imagine it, I think of my sister.

…I started wondering if she was a happy bride. That maybe she really didn’t want to get married at all. These thoughts just kept coming.

It sounds like an excuse, but when I heard my sister was going to have her omiai, I felt so much better after letting myself go a bit wild with my classmates and sleeping it off. (1)

But this time…the bridal theme just brought back all my feelings.

I’m grateful that Tenshouin-kun was so mindful of me, but…the timing was just bad, I guess.

Sorry about that~ I said a lot of pointless things.

I can’t really talk about this to anyone else. It really helps to have Kanata-kun listen to me.

Kanata: If you are okay with me, I am always happy to ‘listen’.

I am not Kaoru, so I do not perfectly understand the ‘emotions’ that Kaoru is feeling, but…

It is not a bad thing to shed ‘tears’. As ‘people’ let their tears out, they also ‘grow’ as a person.

…no, they become stronger. Therefore, please don’t ‘hold back’ when you want to cry.

Kaoru: Kanata-kun… if this was the usual me, I’d say I don’t want a man complimenting me, but…

Thank you. Hearing you say that made me feel better.

Kanata: Fufufu, I am glad I was of help~♪

Kaoru, you are like the ‘childen’ of ‘Ryuuseitai’.

Kaoru: Wait, what’s this all of a sudden? You’re not trying to start a fight, right?

Kanata: I don’t like starting fights~ I am not ‘good’ with violence.

Um… the ‘children’ of ‘Ryuuseitai’, also have their problems, and get stuck at places, like Kaoru.

Every one is ‘still growing’, after all.

It is the same with us. Maybe ‘children’ was not the right word~ sorry, Kaoru.

Kaoru: Ah, you didn’t really have to apologize.

But speaking of. Kanata-kun, before you used to say that children were loud and you were bad with them, and things like that, weren’t you? What’s with the change of heart?

Kanata: Fufufu, that is a ‘secret’. But I think I will be able to live on ‘land’ as well…♪

Kaoru: H~m. I don’t quite get it, but it seems like Kanata-kun is having fun at Ryuuseitai.

I’m a bit jealous~ UNDEAD is just a bunch of cheeky kids, after all.

Haha, I think speaking with Kanata-kun has made me feel much better.

If Kanata-kun was a girl I’d definitely give you a thank-you hug~ how unfortunate.

Kanata: You can ‘hug’ me if you want? Kaoru still looks a bit ‘lonely’…

Kaoru: Ah, no, I’ll refuse that.

I’m really okay now. I’ve switched myself back in gear, so I think I’ll be able to do my job.

…no, I have to do my best♪

Notes:

(1) Omiai refers to pre-arranged marriage meetings.

[Scene – Fountain]

Koga: Here boy~ stay very still, okay?

…yeah, we got a great shot! Leon, you look at this too. Don’t you look manly as hell? ♪

Aah? What is it Anzu. I’m in the middle of an important photoshoot. Don’t get in my way.

Hey Leon, don’t start jumping around just because Anzu’s here. Though it does get boring staying in the same pose, so just a bit is fine.

Haah? What am I doing here?

I told you already, I’m photographing Leon.

Look. Isn’t this fur the best? I brush it every single day.

I want to bath him every day too, but Leon hates it so I have to limit it to a few times a month.

Nn? You’re asking if I’m just photographing him because he’s cute? Course not. Leon’s at that age, and I’m thinking of finding him a bride.

You upload images and arrange meetings with the ones that seem to work. I can look for partners on my end too. (1)

Can’t start anything without having photos to upload first, so I’ve been taking him to a bunch of places.

Anyway, Anzu. What the hell are you doing here? You seem to want to say something.

Aaah? Have I seen that playboy?

Not at all. It’s weird to see you looking for him though. It’s always the other way around.

Even though you two aren’t even in the same class. He always asks me “have you seen Anzu-chan anywhere~?”, but I just tell him to look for you himself.

Hmm…so you were doing a gravure shoot, and got stuck? And then he went out to get some fresh air, and hasn’t returned since?

There’s no way I’d know where that playboy would go.

Nn? Wait. I might know?

Woah, don’t jump at me like that. Are you a fucking dog!?

I’ll just say this first, I don’t know for sure. Don’t come complaining if he’s not there, got it?

If that’s decided, let’s hurry. Aah? Am I going with you?

It’d be faster if I just took you there. You’d get lost otherwise.

What……it’s not like I’m being nice, got it?

It seems like a good place to get more shots for Leo…that was my intention from the start, anyway.

Oi, don’t give me that smile, I ain’t going with you like that!

[Scene change – the beach]

Kaoru: ……

{Hm? I ended up here without noticing…}

(Even though I said I’d only be out for a little bit to get some fresh air…I wonder if Sena-kun is mad.)

(I even left Anzu-chan and Sena-kun alone together…honestly, what I am doing…)

(I thought I’d managed to change gears, but I was hopeless. I’m such a coward.)

Kanata: Puka, puka…♪

Oh, Kaoru. What a coincidence, to see you here.

Today is a great day for a ‘bath’. It’s ‘dawn’, so the ‘temperature’ of the water may be a bit ‘low’, though.

Kaoru: Waitwaitwait!? It’s still bright, but it’ll be dark soon? Swimming in the ocean at night is suicidal, you know!?

Kanata: Does Kaoru want to ‘bath’ with me? You also love the ‘ocean’, like me, after all~♪

Ah, but I’ve never tried ‘surfing’ before, so I don’t really know…

Kaoru, you always say you want to go ‘surfing’…it’d be nice for ‘summer’ to come soon~♪

Kaoru: Don’t say so many weird things and come over here, okay? Seriously, you’re lucky we happened to run into each other.

What if you went into the ocean without anyone noticing and never came back?

Kanata: Um…did I…worry you? Kaoru, your eyes are ‘swollen’.

If I worried you, I apologise. I am sorry, Kaoru.

Notes:

(1) IT’S TINDER FOR DOGS (…that’s it. That’s all I wanted to say.)

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August 2019

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A step up from tweeting

Entries tagged with translations

SURFING OCEAN ☀ CHAPTER 8

SURFING OCEAN ☀ CHAPTER 7

SURFING OCEAN ☀ CHAPTER 6

SURFING OCEAN ☀ CHAPTER 5

SURFING OCEAN ☀ CHAPTER 4

SURFING OCEAN ☀ CHAPTER 3

Surfing Ocean ☀ Chapter 2

Surfing Ocean ☀ Chapter 1

Nameless Doll ⚙ Epilogue

Nameless Doll ⚙ Chapter 7

Nameless Doll ⚙ Chapter 6

Nameless Doll ⚙ Chapter 5

Nameless Doll ⚙ Chapter 4

Nameless Doll ⚙ Chapter 3

Nameless Doll ⚙ Chapter 2

Nameless Doll ⚙ Chapter 1

Bridal ✽ Chapter 8

Bridal ✽ Chapter 7

Bridal ✽ Chapter 6

Bridal ✽ Chapter 5

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August 2019

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