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Hot Winter - Chapter 6
Dec. 15th, 2021 05:36 amLocation: Courtyard
Wataru: I see, so the tree won’t be delivered on time?
Madara: Yeah. I bet they assumed we’d want it just before the 25th, considering it’s for a Christmas party and all.
I’m sure I told them the right delivery date, but...
Wataru: This is peak season; they must be overwhelmed with work. It certainly isn’t unthinkable for someone to have missed the memo.
Madara: The tree’s already in the vendor’s warehouse, actually, so I was planning on bringing it here by car. I’d only get caught up in traffic if I left at this hour, though.
Wataru: ……
The tree’s already here, you say?
In that case, let us leave the venue to Knight-san and the others. We can handle this ourselves.
Location: Common Room
<One hour later.>
Tatsumi: …Only three minutes until the party begins.
In the end, it seems as though Mama-san and company won’t be able to make it in time.
Izumi: I guess so… Wait, you call Mikejima “Mama-san”? Who told you to do that?
Tatsumi: The man himself — he suggested that I refer to him casually, as “Mama.” I end up calling him Madara-san more often, though.
In any case, we’re ready to begin, and it seems as though the partygoers are raring to go. We should fulfil the task that was entrusted to us and keep the venue lively until our companions return.
You mentioned that they were too dull, but could we play a few hymns at the beginning at least?
I brought this with me, you see…♪
Izumi: What’s that, a cassette player and a tape? They look pretty old — are they yours?
Tatsumi: No, they’re from the church. They were gathering dust within the storeroom, so I decided to borrow them.
It’s no live choir, of course, but it should give rise to the right atmosphere nonetheless. Allow me to play it.
Izumi: …Hmm, not too shabby—
Woah. There was this weird noise, and now it’s completely shut off. What’s going on?
Tatsumi: I-I couldn’t say…
Nazuna: Heeey~ Something wrong?
Tatsumi: Nazuna-san, Makoto-san. I’m afraid the cassette player stopped working.
I simply pressed the play button, and yet…
Makoto: Huh… Mind if I take a look?
Izumi: What’s the issue, Yuu-kun? Can you figure it out?
Makoto: …Yeah, the player itself is fine. I think the splicing tape might’ve snapped, though.
Tatsumi: Snapped, you say…? Goodness, I’ve gone and ruined this item I borrowed from the church…
Makoto: Oh, there’s no need to worry — these things wear down with time, and it’s an easy fix. You just need to stick the leader tape and magnetic tape together, then it’s a-okay again.
I’ve got the tools to repair it back in Yumenosaki’s broadcasting room… If you don’t mind, could I hold onto this for a few days? I’ll make the time to repair it.
Tatsumi: I apologize for the inconvenience, but that would be a great help. Thank you very much.
Makoto: Just leave it to me! I’m good with machines and stuff ♪
I’ll digitalize the music for you while I’m at it. That way, you can play it on your phone.
Tatsumi: I can’t thank you enough. You truly are a Good Samaritan, Makoto-san; may God bless you. Amen…♪
Izumi: Nope, nuh uh. Yuu-kun has my blessings already, so he doesn’t need any more.
You figured out the root of the problem in the blink of an eye! That’s my Yuu-kun for you. You’re onii-chan’s pride and joy, you knooow ♪
Makoto: You’re not my onii-chan, Izumi-san…
More importantly, I can find you some hymns if you want.
I’m sure there are royalty-free ones on the internet.
Izumi: Speaking of which. Nazu-nyan, and…
You, from Ra*bits! The one enjoying a chat on the sofa with Tomoya-kun! That’s right — Shino Hajime-kun!
Hajime: Uwaaa…?! You startled me, calling out to me so suddenly like that.
What do you need, Sena-senpai?
Izumi: Do you remember the Starry Night Festival that was held last year? We were in different units, but we all sang a song that was inspired by hymns. [1]
We’re gonna do that number again, right here, right now. We didn’t get to rehearse, but that won’t be an issue, right? We're idols, after all.
Nazuna: Ahaha, you’re so bossy~ Well, I guess we can think of this as a performance for the party, so I don’t mind. How ‘bout you, Hajime-chin?
Hajime: I-I’m good to go as well! I’m getting a bit nervous, but I’ll do my best…♪
<One hour later.>
Tsukasa: …It seems as though the Party is already underway. Everyone is enjoying the festive spirit in their own way.
Mitsuru: Heeey, Tsuka-chan, Tsuka-chan! C’mere, let’s play cards together~♪
Tsukasa: Thank you for the invitation ♪ …Oh.
You’re with Tori-kun, I see.
Tori: Hey, how come you scrunched up your face the moment you saw me?! You’re so rude! R-U-D-E, rude!
Wait… I get it now ☆ You’re just scared I’m gonna beat you at cards, aren’t you~?
Tsukasa: Clearly not! I’m the one who’s going to win, after all.
I never hold back when it comes to duels; you’d best prepare yourself, Tori-kun.
<A while later.>
Tsukasa: O-One more round! I demand a rematch!
Izumi: (...Kasa-kun’s getting really fired up.)
(He’s been swamped with Knights work for days on end, so I guess this is a good chance for him to let off stress.)
(...? Someone’s calling me…)
Hello? …”Amazing!” is not a greeting. Cut that out — we may be on the phone, but you’re still hurting my ears.
Well? What is it? …You want us to bring everyone out to the courtyard?
You’ve gotta be kidding me, it’s freezing out there! Ughhh, gimme a break!
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Translation notes:
1. Shine! A Sparkling Starry Night Festival was a Christmas event where a first-year was paired up with a couple of third-years. Hajime, Nazuna, and Izumi were all members, but they were in different units.
