Hot Winter - Chapter 1

[haranami]

Location: Reception Room

<One weekend, on Eichi Day.>

Tori: ‘Scuuuse me! 

Wait, is no one else here? Looks like we’re the first to arrive.

Yuzuru: Yes, it appears so. I haven’t received any messages on Hold Hands either.

Tori: It’s the end of the year, so I guess everyone’s super busy. Hibiki-senpai’s a whole other beast, but I’m worried about Eichi-sama… What if he collapsed or something?

Yuzuru: There’s no need to look so sullen. I’m sure he’s simply running late, caught up in some other task.

Today is a holiday that we of fine have established for ourselves. I have no doubt that they’ll arrive soon.

Tori: Mhm… That’s right. It’s important to take breaks — especially when you’re busy — and that’s exactly why we came up with these Eichi Days.

I wanna ease all of Eichi-sama’s worries, so I’ve gotta keep a smile on my face!

Yuzuru: Fufu. You never cease to impress me, Young Master. Yes, please keep at it ♪

 

Allow me to prepare tea and refreshments while we wait.

Tori: Oh, I can take care of the snacks.

Yuzuru: There’s no need to trouble yourself so. I am your butler; it is my duty to do such things.

Tori: It’s no trouble at all! I’m the one who picked everything out, so I wanna lay them out myself.

Yuzuru: Are you quite certain? This is a special occasion: Eichi Day. It would be my pleasure to devote every waking hour to waiting on you… 

Tori: I’m not a little kid, and I’ve told you time and time again to stop treating me like one. All I need to do is put these cakes on a plate. 

I’ll pick them up nice and gently so that they don’t get all squished… See, I can do it too! Easy peasy, cakey no squeezy ♪

Eichi: It seems like you two are having fun. Won’t you let me join you?

Tori: …Oh, it’s Eichi-sama and Hibiki-senpai!

Eichi: Sorry to keep you waiting, Tori. And you as well, Yuzuru.

Tori: It’s okay! I’m just glad that you’re here now. I guess I was right — you must be busy, huh?

Eichi: I’m afraid so, but I’m certainly not alone. Everyone’s up to their ears in work at this time of year.

The SS finale is just around the corner, and to add insult to injury, filming sessions for New Year TV programs are happening every other day.

Of course, there’s a plethora of other jobs to do. We all have magazine interviews to attend, guest appearances to make, and the list goes on… I’m sure every single unit is running on a tight schedule.

This is ES’s first New Year, so I’ve naturally been rushed off my feet trying to deal with everything.

Wataru: In that case, I’ll have to hold on to you more tightly! Come, Eichi — won’t you give me your hand and allow me the pleasure of a dance? ♪ [1]

Let us sing, oh let us spin and sway! You're a fool to dance, a fool to watch! If you're a fool either way, what a loss not to dance! A loss, a loss…☆ [2]

Tori: Quit calling Eichi-sama a fool! Besides, he’s probably all tuckered out, so you can’t force him to move around.

Now that we’re all here, we should sit down and drink our tea before it gets cold.

Eichi: Yes, that sounds like a plan… Yuzuru, aren’t you going to embrace Tori today? What happened to those butler-ly desires of yours? [3]

Yuzuru: Not at the moment. For now, I’ll simply enjoy the refreshments he’s purchased, but rest assured that I’ll give him plenty of hugs later on.

Wataru: What’s this? Did Himegimi pick out these cakes for us? We’ve each been given different types! 

Tori: Mhm! I chose an elegant opera cake for Eichi-sama, and a sweet-and-sour chocolat rouge for Hibiki-senpai.

The tart with heaps of strawberries on it is for Yuzuru, and the sachertorte is mine. I bought everything at a patisserie that Shiratori showed me~

Eichi: Shiratori-kun? …That’s right, you performed together as a Shuffle Unit a short while ago, didn’t you? 

Tori: Yep. He pointed the store out to me when we were on our way home from a Branco photoshoot. Apparently, it’s super famous, and celebrities visit all the time.

We’re actually gonna meet up tomorrow ‘cause we’ve got Branco work to do, so I bought a whole cake for us to share~

Shiratori said that everything’s too fancy for him and way out of his budget… I wonder if he’ll get all surprised? ♪ 

Eichi: Fufu. Nothing makes me happier than to see you look so excited. Everyone’s singing your praises; even I’ve been hearing people laud you nonstop. It seems Branco was a smash hit.

As StarPro’s representative, I’ve yet another reason to celebrate this success. Thank you for going above and beyond my expectations.

Tori: Ehehe. I’m Branco’s leader, so it makes me super happy to hear that ♪ I’ve been getting compliments from all sorts of people.

I was kinda stumped when we were given documents that just said, “Do something awesome,” and there were a ton of obstacles we had to overcome when we were filming the music video… 

But the ups and downs brought us together, and now we can all join hands. We’re gonna touch the hearts of everyone who sees us, I just know it!

I really am glad that I got to be part of Branco. 

Wataru: Yes, it’s truly wonderful that you were chosen. As a fellow member of your unit, I’m ever so proud of you.

“Merry Christmas ♪”

Tori: Hey, quit mimicking my voice! Did you seriously memorize the dance moves too?! You actually do resemble me, and it’s wigging me out~!

Eichi: I adore that music video as well. I watch it whenever I’m tired and in need of a break, or an escape from reality. Why, I think I’ve seen it over a hundred times ♪ 

Yuzuru: A hundred times…? I’m no stranger to finding solace in the Young Master, but please remember that you still need other things, such as nutrition. I entreat you to take care of yourself.

Eichi: What I don't need is a lecture, thank you very much. I’m far too busy to partake in the festivities — can’t I at least enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer by watching the music video?

Tori: You’re too busy for festivities, huh…? I’m not as swamped as you, Eichi-sama, but I’ve got quite a bit to do as well.

Plus, I don’t think Papa and Mama can come home, so my little sister’s probably feeling lonely.

I’m trying to come up with a surprise present for her, but I haven’t decided on what to get.

I just hope it makes her so happy, all her sadness melts away…♪ 

Eichi: You’re a wonderful brother, Tori. So long as you’re by her side, I’ve no doubt that she’ll have a very merry Christmas.

I’m sure Santa’s saving his loveliest presents for good children like you two.

Now the question is, what should I get you…? I’d love to host a party at the dorms or such…

But the other idols will surely be busy; it’d be difficult to get people to attend.

Wataru: Fufufu. Difficult, perhaps, but impossible? Far from it! Fret not, I’ll cast a spell for you all on that Holy Night!

But hold on— Eichi, you brought up this idea to give me inspiration, didn’t you? 

Eichi: It seems you’ve seen right through me. You’re right, of course. After all, I have the utmost faith that you’re capable of achieving the impossible. Are you up for it, Wataru?

Wataru: But of course! Please entrust this matter to your humble director. I’ll ensure that this party is absolutely unforgettable…☆ 

Tori: I just hope it’s not unforgettable in a bad way. Oh, and you can’t interrupt Santa while he’s hard at work, got that~?

Next Chapter


Translation notes:
[1] Eichi uses the word てんてこ舞い (extremely busy) which has the character for dance (舞い) in it. So in the next line, Wataru literally replies, “Isn’t it dull to dance on your own? Why don’t we dance together?”

[2] Wataru is quoting a well known song from the Awa odori (Awa dance) that's performed during the Bon festival. You can find out more about it here.

[3] Yuzuru’s “butler-ly desires” were first referenced in Tempest - Chapter 4, which you can read here.