haranami

Location: Common Room

Rei: Kukuku. This crimson liquid is picture perfect, surrounded by all the Christmas decorations like this…♪

Kaoru: Settle down, it’s just tomato juice~ Man, it’s been a while since we’ve done this kinda thing.

When was the last time we laughed over pointless chit-chat, or let ourselves get sucked into games like little kids? We’ve been so busy, it feels like we’ve lost sight of those sides of ourselves.

We’ve still got a ways to go till it’s the last work day of the year, so we can’t let our hair down just yet. I think we more than deserve a little break, though.

Rei: I couldn’t agree more. Let’s immerse ourselves in this atmosphere, even if only for a moment. Cheers ♪ 

Kaoru: You wanna have another toast? You sure are in high spirits today, Rei-kun~

…Cheers. Merry Christmas ♪ 

Keito: Next is… Thirty-five!

Nagisa: …I have thirty-five.

Hiyori: So do I! Look at that, Nagisa-kun! This is the second time I’m only one number away from bingo!

This game just adores us! It’d be fair weather if we could shout out, “Bingo!” together ♪ 

Kuro: …Still no dice. Lady Luck sure ain’t smiling down on me. How many times have I missed the number now? 

How are things on your end, Itsuki?

Shu: I can’t even bring myself to look!

Kuro: Lemme see… You’re not too close to bingo, but you’ve got a fair number of hits. What’re you in a bad mood for?

Shu: It looks like my card was eaten up by insects… It's absolutely hideous! Yours only has holes around the center; I’d much prefer that we swapped.

Kuro: There’s no denyin’ that you’re better off with more holes, though. You artsy types sure are hard to please, haha.

Rinne: Hm… Bingo’s cool and all, I guess, but it’s not even half as thrilling as I want it to be…

How ‘bout we spice up the rules a lil'?

Keito: “Spice up”? What on earth are you trying to turn this into?

Rinne: Gambling, of course! Do you even need to ask? ♪ 

Keito: Over my dead body. If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times: there will be no gambling within the dorm premises. Good grief, you’re incorrigible!

Wataru: (...Fufufu. The heavy atmosphere that was weighing down the dorms has been all but lifted.)

(Everyone’s back in high spirits, and the party is going off without a hitch.)

Madara: ……

Wataru: (...Oho?)

Location: Courtyard

Wataru: I see you’ve taken off your hat. Where are you off to, Festival-Man-san?

Madara: I could ask you the same thing, Wataru-san.

Wataru: The party has yet to come to an end.

Madara: …That’s true, but there weren’t any huge issues. I’d say we’ve done our jobs as organizers.

I reaaally enjoyed myself, but I’ve had my fill now. Thanks for making this into a fantastic Christmas.

Wataru: …Please don’t lower the curtains just yet. It’s still far too early for you to take your leave from this stage.

Madara: Wait, is it… snowing?

Sora: HaHa~♪ There’s so much~ Come here, everyone! Over here! 

Subaru: Yaaay! C’mon, let’s make a snowman! Or a snow fort ☆ 

Mao: We definitely don’t have enough snow for tha—

Waugh!

Hinata: Aw, yeah! That snowball hit the bullseye!

Yuuta: Our pincer attack was a huge success…☆ 

Ritsu: Hoho. You’ve got guts, attacking him right in front of me~

Watch over me from above, Ma~kun; I’ll make sure to avenge you.

Mao: Hey, I’m still alive over here~ Wait… Where’d you get that scary-looking snowball gun from?

Ritsu: Ehehe, this old thing? It was just lying on the side of the road ♪ 

Yuuta: As if... Wait, woah! Snowballs incoming!

Hinata: Yuuta-kun, let’s run behind that tree! We need to regroup!

Madara: …That sure was convenient timing. Did you use some kinda snow magic?

Wataru: Fufufu, I’m not capable of anything of the sort… Look at the roof of the dorm, if you will.

I wanted to be prepared for every contingency, so I secretly set up an artificial snow machine. Even I don’t have the Heavens at my beck and call, you know.

It appears that you're shouldering quite a few burdens, and I don’t intend on interfering with that. Your life is your own to live.

But at least for today, won’t you let yourself play around like an innocent child?

After all, Christmas is a day when everyone can find happiness. 

Madara: …Can’t argue with that. I guess it’d be alright for me to stick around a lil’ longer.

Wataru: It absolutely would. Merry Christmas, Festival-Man-san.

Madara: Mhm. Merry Christmas, Wataru-san.

Hahahaha! Are you guys having a snooowball fight? Mama’s gonna join the fray ☆ 

Wataru: ……

Eichi: …I assumed that the party would be long over by now, but I stand corrected.

Wataru: Amazing! Have you been freed of your work at long last, Eichi?

Eichi: That’s right. My, what a spectacular tree this is — I could see its glow from afar.

I was quite shocked when you asked me to prepare a helicopter all of a sudden, but I’m glad I could be of use.

Wataru: Fufufu, I can’t thank you enough for that! We managed to save the day with your help.

Is there anything I can do to repay you? Something you want, perhaps?

Eichi: Not at all, I’ve already received more than enough in return.

You can see all those smiling faces for yourself, can’t you? This view is the best Christmas present I could ever ask for.

Thank you for granting my wish, Wataru.

Wataru: It’s an honor to hear you say that, but it’s far too early to be declaring that you’ve already received “the best” present! The party has yet to end!

Come, Eichi, and enjoy it with me until the curtains fall…☆ 

Location: RythLink Office

Eichi: Hold on just a moment, I don’t understand this. Kiryuu-kun killed someone? But that’s impossible… 

Keito: Kiryuu, you explained that too poorly — now Eichi and Anzu are confused.

The truth is, we both had a hand in the creation of this plan.

Kuro: ‘Course, it ain't like I actually killed someone.

Tenshouin. You know that RhythLink has been funnelin’ their resources into dramas and movies and stuff, don’t cha?

Eichi: Hm? Yes, I’m aware that RhythLink’s idols are more on the traditional side. They’ve promoted those old forms of media for years and years now. 

Could this possibly be an attempt at method acting?

Kuro: Haha, I’d expect nothin’ less from you. You sure are quick on the uptake.

You’re right, I’m playin’ the role of a murderer on a late night drama right now.

A youngster who used to be a delinquent gets caught up in an issue from his past… Then he gets his hands dirty, but he needs to hide the truth.

I tried too hard to get into character; apparently, I was glarin’ the whole time. If I kept that up, it’d be too obvious that I was the culprit, right?

I’ve accepted the job already, so I can’t go and ruin the audience’s fun.

That’s why I tried to get used to the feeling of bein’ a criminal by workin’ with you and lyin’ through my teeth all day.

Keito: After all, you think about the most devilish things with a pleasant smile on your face, Eichi. If I made you team up with Kiryuu, I thought he might learn that skill as well.

I’d be able to reprimand you for stealing my doujinshi, and Kiryuu would find the experience useful for his acting. It was two birds with one stone.

Eichi: Hm... Was Mikejima-kun in on this too?

Kuro: Yeah, Mikejima was happy to lend me a hand.

Lies and truths, pretense and presence — you and Mikejima have got all that stuff down pat. I’m a straightforward guy, so I figured there was a lot I could learn from you.

Eichi: I see. He’s awful, too… Thanks to him, I spent the entire day getting toyed around with.

Hmm? Is it that amusing to see me get led around by the nose like this, Anzu-chan?

Oh, that’s true. Now that you mention it, this is similar to the ploy I executed during the filming of Fist of the Shangri-La idol. I suppose I got my comeuppance.

Keito: Did you just realize this?

I erred from the very start. When Kiryuu approached me, I shouldn’t have proposed to use this plan as a way to teach you a lesson.

Eichi: On the contrary, I was only able to realize that I got my just desserts because I was put into this situation.

If we were playing the Werewolf game that's been ever so popular in the dorms, nothing of the sort would have happened. You didn't err in the slightest.

I do have confidence in the sharpness of my instincts, but I certainly can't constantly be suspicious of the people around me — my nerves would get far too frayed.

And, above all, today is Eichi Day. My heart is in a state of tranquility.

As a result, I had this realization rather late. You delivered a splendid performance, Kiryuu-kun.

Kuro: Thanks, Tenshouin. I managed to fool a guy like you, so I feel a lil' more confident now.

Eichi: Fufu, then do give me a demonstration. I’m already in this neck-deep; I'd feel rather lonely if I, an essential part of the plan, were the only one left out of the loop.

Keito: How dare you talk high and mighty about camaraderie after taking my doujinshi! I should have given you more of a scolding— 

Eichi: Ahaha. Aren't you aware that both your enemies and allies are co-actors standing on the same stage as you?

Keito: You're absolutely shameless… You really do need to reflect more!

Kuro: Calm down a lil', Hasumi no Danna. I dunno the full story, but it looks like today's an important holiday for Tenshouin — Eichi Day or somethin'.

Let's just call it even.

Keito: Hmph. As per Kiryuu's request, I'll let you off this time… but I won't be so lenient in the future.

More importantly, you must have learnt something from observing Eichi up close. You should try acting like a man with ulterior motives again. 

Kuro: You're right; I'll give my lines another shot.

Ah~ Ahem, ahem. (Clears his throat.)

"What didja say!? He got murdered!?”

“You're right, I was close with him — keyword was. That was 5 years ago now.”

“We’ve long since drifted apart. Detective, you said you were here to investigate. Do you really think I'm a suspect?"

Keito: You're still glaring. Are you going to be okay, Kiryuu?

Eichi: …Ahaha. Well, it certainly isn't that easy. 

But that's simply another aspect of life. There's no panacea to all our problems; hard work and effort are valuable precisely because we can't achieve great feats without struggle. 

I'm cheering you on. Best of luck at the recording.

Kuro: Yeah, I plan on doin' whatever I can.

I dragged a lotta people into my mess. I needa make this into a show so great I can say everythin' that happened today wasn't a waste.

Location: Dormitory Library

<The following day.>

Eichi: ...I can’t find it.

How odd — I'm quite sure I left it here last night. Could someone have taken it…?

Keito: SO IT WAS YOU, EICHIIIIIIIIIIIIII!?

Eichi: Keito? What on earth happened for you to be so boisterous this early in the morning...?

Keito: Don't you “what on earth happened” meeee! What exactly is the meaning of this letter?!

Eichi: Letter…?

Let's see, “I've taken your doujinshi. If you want it back, come to the book room at noon”...?

…?

Keito: Don't you dare play dumb with me! Swear on the Buddha's name that you'll tell me the truth and explain yourself!

You bastard, you took my doujin— my “D” without permission, didn't you? You stole my D because you wanted to play around and see how I'd react, didn't you?!

You're absolutely incorrigible! As your childhood friend, I’ve overlooked all the trouble you’ve caused up until now, but you've tested my patience far too many times!

Sit down, Eichi! I'll behead you right here, right now...!

Kuro: Oi, oi. Calm down a lil', Hasumi no Danna. You look like Acala or some kinda demon or somethin'. Did Kanzaki's spirit come and possess ya? [1]

Eichi: Keito. That’s a facial expression an idol should never make. Look, Kiryuu-kun’s rather taken aback as well. Let’s discuss this more calmly, shall we?

Keito: I need you to take this seriously, Eichi! Having others see my D would be a fate worse than death…!

You’re going straight to Kuronawa hell! But don’t worry — I’ll still chant sutras for you! Although I doubt that they'll even be effective! [2]

Eichi: Didn’t I just say that we should discuss this calmly…? Now, what exactly is that letter?

Keito: What...? Do you really not know, Eichi?

I assumed that you were trying to pull another prank on me by leaving that letter in my room.

You’re certainly the only person I can think of who would do something like this.

Eichi: This is all a misunderstanding. It is true that I’ve borrowed and read your D in this book room countless times.

However, that was simply because I wanted to read it myself, not because I wanted to show it off to others.

Keito: Oi. Don’t confess your sins so nonchalantly.

…Well, I suppose this is better than hiding it. You planned on returning the D to my room afterwards, didn’t you?

Eichi: But of course. It wouldn’t be interesting at all to show it to other people. I simply hide it in the book room temporarily; I always retrieve it the next morning.

And then I calculate when you’ll leave your room and return it to your shelf when you aren't present.

But even so, you were far too careless, Keito. You desperately didn't wish for others to see them, and yet you chose to hide your D in a place as easily noticeable as your bookshelf.

Keito: Tch… I had no other choice.

We all have roommates now, and actively trying to hide the D would only have raised unnecessary suspicion. That’s why I decided to take a risk and simply leave it on my shelf.

Kuro: I don’t get why you’d have to hide your D or whatever in the first place. You made it yourself, right? Why don’t cha just show it off to people?

Keito: That D is my treasure. You wouldn’t like it either if someone stole away your sister and exhibited her to the whole world, would you? This is a similar situation.

Kuro: Ah, gotcha. I’m not really okay with you puttin’ her on the same level, but… I get what you’re tryna say.

Basically, Tenshouin did somethin’ kinda like tellin’ the whole world ‘bout your secret lovechild, huh? And that’s why you asked for my help so early in the morning, Danna.

Eichi: Ahaha! “Secret lovechild”! That's certainly an apt comparison.

Keito: Oi. Don’t say “lovechild” — you’re going to stir up unwanted misunderstandings.

Kuro: C’mon, it’s just an example. Don’t take it too seriously.

I don’t really get the situation now, though. If Tenshouin wasn’t the one who left that letter, how’d it get into your room?

Eichi: You’re in the wrong for getting mad at me, you know. Couldn’t you at least apologize a little?

Keito: Absolutely not. I assumed it was you because you enjoy making fools out of people. You need to reflect on this.

In any case, the letter had already been left by my pillow by the time I woke up. It would be utterly unimaginable for anyone other than Eichi to have done this.

Eichi: …Actually, this might be Mikejima-kun’s doing.

Keito: Is there a reason why you think so?

Eichi: Yes, I met him in the book room yesterday night. He noticed me hurriedly trying to hide the D; he may be using it to play a trick on us.

Keito: It’s certainly possible that Mikejima did this. He's never been particularly fond of you.

Eichi: However, it truly is quite perplexing. Why on earth would Mikejima-kun endanger himself in such a way?

It seems to be all loss, no gain — or perhaps I should say that there was no need for him to stick his nose into this at all.

Kuro: Maybe he just hates you so much, he couldn't take it anymore?

I dunno the details, but back during MDM, you worked so hard to increase Alkaloid's popularity you wound up in the hospital.

Eichi: And you believe that’s similar to the deeds I’ve committed in the past?

…I don’t quite think you’ve hit the nail on the head yet. Everything I did was simply part of my strategy to help ES survive and become a rising force in the industry.

I wanted to assert the fact that, in such a situation, idols like Alkaloid are what we need.

Additionally, Mikejima-kun himself once collaborated with Alkaloid.

If he wanted to denounce me, there surely would have been other ways to do so. I doubt that his motive would be so simple.

…At any rate, we certainly won’t get anywhere by merely making conjectures about his feelings.

Above all, communication with the culprit is needed. The letter says, “Come to the book room at noon”... Say, why don’t you let me handle this matter?

I am the one who started this mess, and luckily, today happens to be Eichi Day.

Additionally, because I’ve only just gotten out of the hospital, I have quite a few breaks scheduled in — I can certainly be more generous with my time than Keito can.

Keito: No. I’m absolutely sure that nothing good will come out of leaving this to you. There’s simply no other option than to take care of it myself.

I need to attend a lunch meeting with the RhythLink executives later today, but I won’t be able to eat my food in peace unless this matter concerning my D is settled.

Kuro: C’mon, I’ve been tellin’ you to calm down a little. You’ve gotta prioritize the meetin’ and stuff, Hasumi no Danna.

Eichi: Hmm, so you’re choosing to side with RhythLink? You’re leaving me all alone?

Keito: What are you, a child? I don’t report to you.

Additionally, it’s a bit complicated, position-wise. It appears that the RhythLink higher ups who have been keeping an eye on your ES movie enterprise plan are consulting each other about giving one of the agency’s younger idols a significant promotion in a drama or movie.

RhythLink has been a rather well-established name in the movie and music industries for a while now; they’re currently stuck in something of a dilemma, ruminating over whether they should pick an agency veteran or a fresh face.

Eichi: Ah, are you referring to Fist of the Shangri-La Idol? I attended the advance screening that was held, and it appears that the movie immediately received good reviews. The prospect of a new project is already on the table.

Keito: Good grief. You weren’t directly involved this time, but you're still leading me around by the nose — you always have been. I thought I’d be free from all this politicking after I left the Student Council but, on the contrary, I’ve been inundated with it.

Eichi: Ahaha. How very like you ♪ No matter where you go, you simply can’t escape your fate of always helping others.

Keito: You’re the last person I want to hear that from.

Kuro: Anyways, you go and prioritize all of that stuff, Hasumi no Danna.

I’ll handle this D thing for you. If you weren't around, Akatsuki probably wouldn't have been able to keep up with the other bigshots in RhythLink — there's so many of 'em, after all.

So if Akatsuki’s general is in a pinch ‘cause of his personal affairs, there’s no way I could leave him alone.

Keito: Forgive me. I’m causing trouble for you, Kiryuu.

If my idiotic childhood friend does anything strange, feel more than free to punch him in the gut. If the situation calls for it, you can even strangle him.

Kuro: Haha. I don’t really wanna be a murderer at this age.

Sure, I got into a lotta fights back when I was a lil’ rascal of a kid… But I think I’ve grown outta doing stuff like hurting people for my own convenience.

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Translation notes:

1. Acala, protector of the Dharma, is an important figure particularly in Japanese Buddhism. He’s known for his expression of “extreme wrath.” 

2. There are 8 major levels of hell in Japanese Buddhism; Kuronawa hell is for thieves, amongst other offenders.