Location: Tempest Stage
Eichi: ...That was the plan, at least.
I had even laid the groundwork with the local residents and businesses. And yet, everything resulted in that unparalleled explosion: BIGBANG.
It was a grand affair, but if one were to only look at the expenditures, it would be considered a failure.
And thus, all the money I had set aside to use in business investments flew away, scattering like petals in the sky.
I’m sure everyone was delighted, but based solely on its outcome, it was a flagrantly poor use — or, rather, waste — of money.
It did bring us into the public eye, but... I do wish they’d use our limited funds with more prudence.
As a result of their actions, we were at quite the severe disadvantage; we had to organize this Tempest Fest on a tight budget...
And I hadn’t planned for dealing with extra restrictions, so the funding for this affair has more or less come out of my own pocket.
Tori: I told you we shouldn’t have let them handle such an important task! Those guys are like jack-in-a-boxes...
Have they ever behaved like we expected them to?
Eichi: Well, though I certainly can’t say they have, they did produce results that were far and beyond my expectations on multiple occasions.
And the truth is, the aftershocks of BIGBANG are still spreading throughout the land, breaking new ground for flowers to bloom in.
The world of adults operates on the rule that one must behave as per the contracts, promises, or plans that they’ve made, but those four are still children. It would be narrow-minded of us to scold them for such a minor thing.
Besides... Although this was the result of their rebellious nature, I was also in the wrong for not explaining my intentions and plans to them properly.
I did intend on doing so, but Hokuto simply refused to hear me out.
Wataru: Do excuse that child of mine.
Eichi: It’s quite alright. You three were the ones who taught me that it's fine for me to distribute the weight that I carry on my shoulders; as I said, we’ll fill in the gaps that they've left...
And we’ll begin with the aspect in which they were lacking: revitalizing the local economy.
We’ll achieve a goal they didn’t by bringing vibrancy and energy to ES’ locality. At this Flower Fest— or, rather, Tempest Fest.
Yuzuru: Indeed. However, the name “Tempest” is slightly inapt, as today’s weather is actually quite pleasant.
This was originally intended to be an event wherein we allowed the wind to scatter about a flurry of flower petals and enjoyed that sight despite the storm, correct?
Eichi: Yes, it’s rather decadent, isn’t it? But I’m not opposed to that sort of thing — concepts such as the aesthetics of destruction do exist, after all.
Tori: Fufu. How’d it turn out this way again...? I think last Sunday, when we gathered on Eichi Day, we all discussed what we wanted to do...
But we ended up suggesting, like, a hundred things each, right?
Eichi: That's right. Merely thinking about the things I wanted to do, like breaking Keito’s glasses just for fun, was already quite the enjoyable activity.
Yuzuru: I doubt you'll find it “fun” when you get murdered as a consequence.
Wataru: I’ll handle the funeral myself, so die in peace, Eichi...! (Imitating Keito)
Tori: Fufu. And that’s when I said that I wanted us four to do a Flower Fest together.
Everyone got suuuper excited about that idea—
Eichi: Ahaha. Then Anzu-chan, who was forced to rest with me again, began saying that she'd draft something in her proposal book for us.
Tori: Yup, yup! She just started drawing designs right then and there, asking us for our opinions and stuff.
Yuzuru: Indeed. Coincidentally, the acquaintance that I told you all about was at a loss regarding what to do with their remaining inventory...
So we made a formal deal with them and purchased a substantial number of flowers for this event.
They surely would have refused if I had tried to give them funds upfront; this convenient pretext was a great help.
With this, they’ll likely have enough to help their business recover. I feel as though the guilt that I was shouldering has somewhat dissipated.
Wataru: Fufu. Polishing up a plan together was incredibly fun...
Indeed, the most enjoyable part of going on trips is the planning stage: “Let’s go here, let’s do this, let’s buy that, eat that”—
Amazing! When I think about whether Hokuto-kun and Trickstar as a whole are constantly relishing in this type of joy, I can’t help but become slightly jealous ♪
Eichi: Yeah. That’s exactly why I can’t allow Trickstar to monopolize her...
No— that’s why we need to rework the system: to ensure that all idols have the opportunity to attain such happiness.
People die, and empires fall. However, mountains and rivers remain, and so will structures.
Tori: Ahaha. I used to think that idols just made plans and got super fired up together all the time...
I mean, that’s what it was always like in Yumenosaki, and you see pretty much the same thing in TV shows and manga.
Eichi: But in reality, everything is decided behind the closed doors of meeting rooms or executive gatherings — the offices of the upper management. If we could choose, though, the fun way would be far more preferable.
And it's our goal to make the dreams or ideals that everyone seeks into reality.
Wataru: Yes, let us become exactly like the idols that people see in their dreams.
Or rather, let us lay down the soil for dreams to grow and become real — ubiquitous, even.
Eichi: Exactly. Let us establish new rules, participate in those tedious and troublesome meetings, and produce document after document.
We'll gaze unfazed at the path of hard work that lies before us, allowing all the fruits of our efforts to accumulate one by one...
In the hopes that we'll all be able to become the idols that we wish to be.
And moreover, in the hopes that everyone — idols, fans, staff — will be able to see their dreams and ideals become reality. Yes, we’ll construct a utopia wherein we can all rejoice at our lives with smiles on our faces. [1]
We’ve only just begun our journey, though, so we’ve still quite the ways to go.
Tori: Don’t worry, Eichi-sama. If anyone gets tired and collapses, I'll carry them on my back!
Yuzuru: Fufu. And I shall lead the way for my Young Master to ensure that his path is clear.
Wataru: On that note, in order to give everyone a moment of solace and joy, please allow this clown to enact a brief performance for you!
Wataru: Let us sing and dance, moving forward with smiles on our faces! Behooold, just like this...☆
Eichi: W-Woah. A bit impatient, aren’t you, Wataru? The curtains have yet to rise, you know?
Wataru: That isn’t true at all! From the very moment we were born into this world, the play known as life had already begun!
I shan’t allow you to leave the stage of this loveable play, this play wherein the entire world is our audience...☆
We have to enjoy it with a smile!
Now, Eichi, your expression is still rather stiff, you know~? Please take me as an example — I’m this close to you, after all!
Besides, the weather today is so fair! It'd be such a waste to keep that gloomy look on your face. Wouldn't you agree?
Eichi: Ahaha... Oh dear, you’re the very embodiment of a spring storm.
It’s actually quite fun to be swayed around like this every once in a while.
(Ahh, this is undeniably a waste of my time. Our official performance has yet to begin, and the more I dance, the less stamina I’ll have for later...)
(I won’t gain anything from this — on the contrary, I’ll only end up with losses considering what’s coming next.)
(But I simply can’t let go of this hand, almost as if it were magically bound to mine.)
(It’s what I needed, and it’s ever so dear to me. I wish this moment could last forever... this dream-like moment of peace and happiness.)
Tori: Ahaha. Geez, what’re you two up to now...? My family gets along way too well ♪
Yuzuru: That they do. I’m glad that they’re enjoying themselves, but the audience has already begun to file in.
Perhaps it would be alright for us to simply skip the rehearsal and allow them to continue dancing without preparation. I can certainly adapt to this.
Wataru: That would be quite the interesting development!
But I'd be a failure of an actor if I presented the audience with an imperfect performance! Let’s practise properly for a while, shall we? We still have a bit of time on our hands, after all ♪
Eichi: ...Yeah. Our time is limited, and we’ll never have enough. But that’s exactly why we should treasure each and every second.
Wataru: You’re exactly right. I'm afraid we must, so let us work seriously — we’re adults now, after all, and this isn’t a holiday.
Eichi: Yes. I don’t wish for us to part, but I suppose I’ll have to let go of your hand for now.
I’ll set you free, Wataru.
Wataru: Oho? Was I the one who was entrapped?
Eichi: We’ve trapped each other within the midst of this tempest. And here we’ll remain until the moment God gives us a standing ovation, mercifully telling us our roles have been fulfilled—
Wataru: Indeed! Let us sing and dance on this stage — let us enjoy life to its fullest!
We’ll resound our ensemble for all eternity as we make our sparkling dreams a reality!
Ahh! Today is another wonderful, ordinary day! Amazing...☆
Previous ChapterNotes:
1. The word Eichi uses for "rejoice" is the verb-ified form of the word for "glorious" in the event title.
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