Tempest - Chapter 7

[haranami]

Location: Tempest Stage

 

<Two weeks later>

 

Eichi: The wind is blowing quite gently today.

 

I wonder if the spring storm has finally settled down. Although the lives of flowers are but fleeting, if they didn’t scatter and spread about— no, if they bloomed forever, we would be deprived of joyous moments such as this one.

 

The colors and scents of flowers attract both bees and humans — indeed, all beings capable of love — and, thus, new life is created.

 

Like so, the cycle of life spins on, and our planet continues to be dyed in multitudinous colors.

 

Ah, how beautiful this world is... And how full of joy and excitement life is.

Wataru: Put those thoughts aside for now and look at this, Eichi~!

 

Our costumes are usually made by professional designers, but I do say that it's quite lovely to wear clothes sewn by Anzu-san from time to time!

 

It is as if a new layer of context has been added to our — fine’s — history. I can feel the warmth of love embedded within each and every string that she has woven…☆

Yes, I could almost forget the sad truth that this was simply the result of how we weren’t able to spend too much on costumes due to our limited budget!

 

Eichi: …Things are getting more interesting by the second. You’re ruining the atmosphere on purpose, aren’t you? That would mean that you’re currently putting on a performance — do you seek applause? Perhaps I should indulge you.

 

Wataru: Fufufu, do forgive me! This is simply my nature!

Infusing a bit of corruption or distortion to that which is purely somber or beautiful is the very quintessence of comedy! It is the long-cherished aspiration of a jester such as I!

 

It would be rather boring for something to be wholly pure! Let us cherish the thrill that accompanies an ambush on the brain’s blind spot! Fair is foul, and foul is fair...☆

 

Eichi: Quoting Shakespeare again, are you?

 

In order to avoid a recurrence of the blunders that were made last year, this performance was named Tempest Fest, and there are a reasonable amount of references to that titular, awe-inspiring play scattered about within its composition—

 

However, it is essentially an adaptation of last year’s Flower Fest, the event wherein idols adorned the town with innumerable flowers and entertained the people who came to see them.

 

It’s a light-hearted, joyous, “normal performance” with no deeper meaning behind it.

 

And because this is a “normal performance,” we shan’t reach an ending like the one that unfolded within that play, The Tempest.

 

Tori: Fufu. Of course, to everyone in the world watching, this is just “the usual performance”.

 

Flower Fest is a tradition that’s done every year. This year’s celebration just happens to have a name and program that’re kinda different from usual, but everything else is pretty much the same.

 

Yuzuru: Indeed, it is a seasonal tradition. However, to us, this stage that we stand upon is surely something special.

 

Eichi: That’s right. Last year’s Flower Fest was the match wherein the current fine made its debut.

 

It was our introduction to the world. First impressions are always vividly and strikingly emblazoned onto people’s memories...

 

But I was hospitalized around this time last year. Consequently, I wasn't able to join the performance that was supposed to be so memorable.

 

All I was able to do was simply gaze at you all from the window of my hospital room, gritting my teeth in frustration the entire time.

 

However, things are different this year. As you can see, I’m wearing the same uniform as you all; I’m standing on this very stage with you.

Perhaps this development can be ascribed to the day of rest — Eichi Day — that you forcefully established. Aside from its name, it’s quite the wonderful arrangement.

 

I offer you all my gratitude. I’m well-rested now, both physically and mentally. My body feels light, and it isn’t hard to breathe at all. Truly, I almost feel like I could fly.

 

Humans really do need breaks — I’ve learnt this fact firsthand, so I shan’t forget it again,

 

Wataru: Every now and then, you give me the impression that you’re no more than a baby who has learnt difficult words.

 

Eichi: You’re very persistent about that… If humans are told the same thing three times, we’ll end up believing it, you know.

 

Do you want me to consider myself a baby and start getting spoilt by Mama Yuzuru?

 

Yuzuru: Allow me to remind you that I am no one’s “Mama.” Although I do have three children whom I must constantly take care of.

Eichi: …You certainly have it tough, don’t you, Mama?

Yuzuru: If you call me that one more time, I will consider it an act of hostility and accordingly proceed to attack.

 

…In any case, there's no need for you to thank us, Eichi-sama. We're the same, are we not? Expressions of gratitude are always pleasant to hear, but…

 

The best reward I could ever ask for is simply a reality wherein everyone can live out their days with smiles on their faces.

 

Fufu, I ended up saying a rather plain, unremarkable sort of thing.

 

Perhaps I should learn from Hibiki-sama’s example and study up on humor more?

 

Wataru: In that case, I’d like for you to refrain from referring to me as “Hibiki-sama” as if we were mere strangers; please call me “Onii-chan” or even “Darling” instead!

 

With great delight, I’ll diligently teach you everything you need to know ♪

Yuzuru: On second thought, I shall pass.

 

Eichi: Oh? Has the manzai routine started already?

 

Tori: Fufu, you guys are starting to sound like Trickstar! But no more of that stuff — we’ve gotta hurry up and rehearse properly. We didn’t have enough lessons this time, right?

 

Eichi: Yes, you’re correct. That, too, is a consequence of Trickstar misinterpreting my request and coming up with that farce known as “BIGBANG”—

 

But well, I suppose that spontaneity of theirs has its merits.

 

There are gaps that they cannot fill on their own, and that is where we must step in.

 

We’re in the same agency now, after all — they’re part of our family. We must complement each other and make up for each others' weaknesses.

 

In fact, you three are the ones who determinedly taught me that we don’t live in this world alone.

 

Wataru: Indeed. Although BIGBANG was very entertaining to watch, Trickstar wasn’t able to revitalize the local economy as we had expected them to — their plan was lacking in that aspect.

Eichi: Yup. Spending large sums of money in our locality, thus making it circulate there, would stimulate the economy. And that would in turn cause local businesses to believe that getting involved with ES would benefit them.

 

Like so, we would allay the worries and dissatisfactions that the people held towards this “Idol’s Utopia” that suddenly sprouted from the ground, and we would lay down the foundation necessary for flowers to bloom.

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter