Diner Live - Chapter 10

Location: Diner

Leo: Ooh! The place is filled with people!

Nazuna: Ah. If you stick your face out too much from behind the set, people will see you, Leo-chin.

Kuro: When I heard the live would be at a restaurant I thought it’d be cozy… But it’s pretty packed in here.

Eichi: As expected from a major restaurant chain.

Well then, everyone. The schedule is pretty loose, but us Knight Killers are going to perform first.

After that, we’ll do a baton touch with Träumerei.

Even though it’s supposed to be a showdown, it’s more like a game, so let’s do it comfortably without being too stiff.

Befitting of Knight Killers, I suppose. Like this, we won’t lose.

Leo: You totally sound like a sore loser! I like it, I’ll follow right in! Since y’know, I also hate losing.

Eichi: Now, it’s time. Let’s go.

Nazuna: “Everyone, welcome to “Diner Live”!”

“Today, two units will perform in a live showdown for your amusement.”

“There are penlights provided on your tables that can light up in two colors, red and blue.”

“Please use them freely whenever you enjoy the performance. We’ll be happy if you liven up the live show.”

“During curtain call, please light up your penlights in the color of the unit you liked best.”

“The number of penlights are the votes. The colors of the units are written in the seating chart, so please read it.”

“Now then, please enjoy the combination of the delicious food and our performances to your heart’s content!”

Eichi: “♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪ ~”

(Yeah, we started off without a hitch.)

(We were up first, so I was a little worried, but it seems like that was needless anxiety.)

(As expected, the enthusiasm from an audience you can only find at a restaurant aimed at young people is good.)

(Everyone’s more polished than we were during practice, too. Just as one would expect from an experienced line-up.)

(The three years of experience accumulated at Yumenosaki aren’t just for show. We show off our strength during the real show rather than the practices.)

(At this part of the performance, the audience goes along and gets even more excited.)

(It’s endless. By becoming caught up in our pace, our evaluation as Knight Killers will also rise.)

(Performing in the latter half has the merit of the venue being already heated up, but the demerit is that the audience is already weary by then.)

(Depending on how excited they got in the first half, that is.)

(That will become our path to victory. I won’t let Knight Killers become nothing but an opening act meant to warm up the audience.)

(Why, it’s all going smoothly right now.)

(...It is going smoothly, right? I’m still worried about the hidden meaning behind what Wataru said to me yesterday...)

(But at this rate, our performance will be over without anything happening. Just what is Wataru scheming…?)

Leo: Hey, you’re wracking your brain over something, aren’t you? Focus!

Eichi: Whoops, I’m sorry.

(That was dangerous. It’d be too laughable if I blew myself up because I’m overthinking things, even though I don’t even know if Wataru is scheming anything at all.)

(I don’t like my plans being thrown into disarray by unforeseen circumstances…)

(But for some reason… I find myself getting excited.)

(Aah, Wataru really knows me well.)

Keito: Knight Killers’ performance seems to be going smoothly. There doesn’t seem to be a problem with Eichi’s health either.

Madara: Because they practiced intensively during the short time they had. As expected!

Izumi: Hibiki, are we really doing this? Well, if it’s gonna catch those guys off guard, I’m fine with anything though.

Wataru: Of course! Everything’s perfectly prepared….☆ Regretfully, I couldn’t prepare the “Surprise! Big success!” signboard in time.

Madara: Hahaha! A signboard like that sounds fun ♪ But I feel like there’s a bunch of people who would get angry at us if we prepared something like that.

Keito: That’s right. The “surprise” is nothing but a trap for Knight Killers. We can’t let the audience find out about it.

Izumi: Exactly. We have to keep our act up until the last second.

Wataru: I am well aware. Now, it’s almost our turn. Now, let’s grant everyone from Knight Killers a daydream….☆

Diner Live - Chapter 11

Location: Diner

Eichi: “Thanks, everyone. That was it for Knight Killers.”

Leo: “Bye-by~e! Up next is Träumerei’s performance! With that said, let’s retreat!”

Wataru: Eichi, good work out there.

Eichi: Hey, Wataru. Do your best.

Wataru: Yes ☆ Of course! But Eichi is coming along as well ♪ The two of us share the one another’s lots. Just like this!

Eichi: !? Wai-….Wataru!? Why are you pulling on my arm and dragging me towards the stage!?

Wataru: Fufufu. Now, now, you’re in front of the guests. If you make such a face in front of the audience, their excitement will cool down. Please keep up appearances, okay?

Eichi: O-okay...?

Leo: Hey! Eh!? Eh……? What are you doing, Sena!?

Izumi: Seeing that stupid expression on your face is a nice feeling….♪ Come on, take my hand and head to the stage with me, okay? Ou-sama?

Leo: ………

Wahahahaha ☆

Leo: Geez, what’s up with that~! There’s no way I wouldn’t take your hand when you hold it out to me, you know~? What are you planning to do on the stage? I don’t care what happens from now on, okay!

Izumi: Exactly. The way you arrogantly run around on the stage is just right.

Keito: Hey, Kiryuu and Nito. Both of you, hurry up and come here, too.

Madara: Enjoy song and dance! We’ll all sing together ♪ Today’s a festival!

Nazuna: Eh? Eeeh…?

I- I guess since they called for me, I should go up on stage one more time?

Kuro: Hey, Danna. I’ve returned to the stage like ya asked, but what are you planning to do with us...?

Keito: No need to worry. This is all part of Träumerei’s act.

Nazuna: Haa? Act...?

Eichi: (Just what is Wataru planning to do…?)

Wataru: “Ladies and Gentlemen!”

“Have you all been enjoying yourselves? You still haven’t had enough, right?”

“Because today is an anniversary party. In other words, a festival. What can we do to heat up the venue, befitting of a festival?”

“A unit showdown? Yes, that’s good too. A fight will make your blood tingle with excitement. It’s an instinct.”

“But I want to share this dream with you all! Instead of burning individually, I want us to become one singular flame!”

“Fufufu, our combined heat might even rival the sun?”

“Now, look around you. Are they unfamiliar faces?”

“Not at all. They’re friends who share the same sound and heat, right? Of course, the same goes for us standing on this stage ♪”

“Let us share this sound that cannot be heard anywhere else with you right now.”

“From here on, this is a joint live between Knight Killers and Träumerei!”

“Befitting of Träumerei’s name, we’ll show you a live show that’s like a dream…..☆”

Eichi: ……….

(The venue and audience are getting excited…)

(Everyone has been entranced by Wataru’s eloquence. The mood has shifted from a “live showdown” to a “joint live” in just a second...)

Wait a moment, Wataru. I get that we’re doing a joint live, but what do you plan to do about the songs?

We’ve never combined Knight Killers and Träumerei before? We don’t know your songs?

Wataru: Rest assured, Eichi. We’ll finish the program Knight Killers has practiced, so it’s fine.

Eichi: Eh…?

Wataru: Now then, the intro is starting. You know this song, right?

Eichi: (This intro… It’s for that song we prepared as a spare in case some unforeseen accident happens during the live show?)

(I see, so that’s how it is. Träumerei got their hands on our choreography and set list.)

(And they worked out a performance that matches ours.)

So you planned to make this a joint live rather than a live showdown from the beginning, didn’t you? Wataru.

Wataru: Didn’t I tell you, Eichi? That we are dreams. Like the bizarre dreams you see while you lie in bed ♪

Eichi: ...Fufu. Alright. Then I’ll dance on the top of your palm until the very end, Wataru. Though it vexes me.

Wataru: Even though you say that, you’re making such a childish face again. Well, as long as you’re enjoying yourself, there’s no greater happiness for me!

But the real fun only starts now. Come, let us sing and dance together…..☆

Eichi: (In order to match with Träumerei, we should probably go back to how the choreography was before we made it more compact…)

Eichi: (Aah, it seems everyone else had the same idea. That’s what those looks mean, right?)

(As expected. Knowing I have such reliable comrades, I can conduct myself as I like too, right?)

(It’s okay for me to see this dream today, just for one day… right?)

“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪ ~”

Diner Live - Epilogue

Location: Shopping District (Winter)

Eichi: ……..Phew.

Wataru: Why did you step outside all alone instead of partaking in the closing party the owners prepared for us? Eichi?

Eichi: I couldn’t get rid of the heat from the live show earlier. So I just came outside to cool off a little. Why don’t you come take a seat next to me instead of standing around?

Wataru: Well then, excuse me….☆

Eichi: Where’s everyone else? Still at the party?

Wataru: Yes. They’re all enjoying themselves at the closing party. You should come back as soon as possible too, Eichi. Cooling your body down so quickly can’t be good for your health, either.

Eichi: Fufu. You’re gonna say that, Wataru? Who was it that made me stand on the stage unreasonably long?

Wataru: Amazing! You hit me right where it hurts! But I’ll have you know that I am concerned for your health, Eichi.

Eichi: Today was a short live without a lot of songs. Compared to fine’s usual live shows, the burden on my health was much lighter.

Aah, but you’ve really deceived me!

It already annoys me that I didn’t catch on to your schemes at all, but to think that we also didn’t reach a conclusion, it’s too frustrating…

Wataru: Oh? But we did reach a conclusion. It was a draw.

Eichi: When did you exchange the audience’s penlights with ones that light up in rainbow colors? And the seating charts, too.

This handwriting is yours, isn’t it Wataru? “In the case that you enjoyed both units equally, please light up the penlight in the secret three colored....”

“Rainbow-colored light.” You added that post-script, didn’t you?

Wataru: Seeing the venue light up in rainbow colors was the best part, wasn’t it ♪

Seeing all of Knight Killers’ flabbergasted expressions at that moment, I’m as pleased as I can be!

Eichi: No matter how I think about it, I don’t think there was a time where you could have exchanged the penlights, though?

Wataru: Fufufu ♪ There is a moment where a person’s eyes are averted, right? Yes, while they’re blinking! It’s only for an instant, but in that moment I was able to escape everyone’s view!

Eichi: I can’t tell if that was a lie or not. In any case, you’re still just like a magician, Wataru.

Wataru: I’m not, even though you keep saying that, Eichi. It’s all sleight of hand with tricks and hidden mechanisms….☆

Eichi: But I can’t see through your tricks, so it’s the same as magic to me. You know I’ve always admired you, right? You’re so free-spirited, and nothing is impossible for you. To me, you are radiance itself.

What about me? Have I become an idol in your eyes, Wataru?

Wataru: Let’s see… Well, there was a goal to my schemes this time…

Eichi: Eh? You had an ulterior motive?

Wataru: Why, yes! Of course I did! Who do you take me for, Eichi?

Eichi: Since it’s Wataru we’re talking about, I just assumed you did it because it seemed interesting.

Hm~m… So, was your goal to make me enjoy myself? For that, you showed all your strength, don’t you?

Wataru: Close! You’re half right and half wrong...☆ Well, in order to make you enjoy yourself I don’t mind exhausting the very ends of my skills in the performing arts!

But the other half of my goal was for myself. The truth is, I wanted to fulfill a bit of a selfish wish of mine.

Eichi: A selfish wish…?

Wataru: I wanted to stand on the same stage as Eichi.

Eichi: ….? But we always stand on the same stage, though…?

Wataru: That may be true. But didn’t you say so yourself, Eichi?

I wanted to stand on the same stage as you, Tenshouin Eichi, not as a member of fine or one of the Five Oddballs, but as Hibiki Wataru.

And the result was even better than I imagined! It was truly a brightly shining live show….♪

Unlike the confrontation of the past, a “what-if” that shows a past where we are standing shoulder-to-shoulder, or maybe even in the present. That’s the kind of dream I wanted to see.

Eichi: That’s a dream to me, as well.

Wataru: The road we travelled has become so dear to us that we cannot turn back on it or throw it away, but within our dreams even lies can turn into reality.

Eichi: But a dream is nothing but a dream. It’s about time to wake up.

Wataru: Yes. This is but a moment of fiction. If we cling to our unchangeable past, or a world line of what-if’s, there won’t be a shining future waiting for us.

Eichi: You are right. If the world inside our dreams shines brighter than reality, it’s too meaningless.

So let’s believe that the root of our hearts* is unchanging. Let’s believe that this radiance is not just within the world of our dreams, but exists in reality.

In order to make our future shine bright, let’s accept this encouragement and take another step forward within this reality. Of course you’ll come along with me, won’t you, Wataru?

Wataru: Fufufu, what a foolish question! I’ll snuggle up to you….♪ You were the one who taught me that this reality is more beautiful than anything else, you know?

----------------------

*心の根っこ (Root of the Heart) is a famous children’s song

Jewel Candy - Chapter 1

Location: Shopping District

Natsume: Good Afternoon….Little kittEN, it’s rare to see you in a place like thIS.

Even though we often see each other in the classroOM…

HM? Even in the classroom we rarely see each othER, you sAY? Are you implicitly saying “Attend your lessons properly”?

It may be the duty of a student to attend classES, but I’d prefer to decide how I spend my time myseLF.

I have the highest grades in our yeAR… Since I cleared that goAL, it doesn’t matter even if my attendance is too lOW.

EH, “Spoken like a true member of the Game Club”, you sAY?

...AH, I made it sound like “I cleared that game~”, didn’t I?

By the wAY, what did the little kitten come here to DO? If I had to gueSS, I’d say it’s for shopping related to the Chocolat FeS?

This tiME, you’re not in charge of the planning and management of Chocolat FeS, but you’re instructing others on sweets makiNG, rigHT?

If you’re here to buy ingredients for thAT, I recommend the store over theRE.

HM? You want to know if I came here to buy ingredients as weLL?

Too bAD, you guessed wroNG. I’ve come here to buy a new crystal baLL.

YeS, in anticipation of Valentine’s DaY, the number of my customers has been increasiNG. So I’m using it as an opportunity to buy a new oNE.

HrmmM~... If you’re asking me what kind of customers I get the moST, it’d have to be customers who are troubled about romanCE.

Girls are a givEN, but even boys are restless in the face of Valentine’s DaY.

After a girl had a consultatiON, there are times when the boy they gave chocolates too turns up as weLL.

AhaHA, I’m a fortune tellER, not some kind of love’s cupID.

But if the happy couple becomes intimate thanks to ME, they might spread my good reputation and it’ll lead to an increase in customers for ME.

WeLL, even without that I’m not hurting for customers at the momeNT.

Yuuta: *Sigh*...

Oh, Anzu-san? Sakasaki-senpai too! Hello~ ♪

Natsume: Hello Yuuta-kuN. You’re not with Hinata-kun todAY?

You only recently reconciled during SetsubUN, did you already get into a fight agaIN?

Yuuta: Err, things are going well with Aniki… We are acting separately on purpose.

But unlike before, we are constantly keeping in touch now.

Right now, Aniki is in charge of making the chocolates, and I’m in charge of the program~, and that’s how we’re preparing for Chocolat Fes.

Aniki is in super high spirits, saying “We’ll definitely make Chocolat Fes a success!”

Well, it’s a suitable event for us, and it’s large-scale enough to rival the annual events.

It’s a chance for us to make a big name for ourselves.

Natsume: HmM, but despite that you’re making quite the long faCE. I don’t need divination to tell that you’re troubled by somethiNG.

The little kitten is also worried about you after seeing you siGH, so wouldn’t it be best if you came clean about your sorrows quickLY?

Yuuta: Anzu-san, Sakasaki-senpai…

I might’ve said earlier that it’s a suitable event for us, but it’d be correct to say it’s a suitable event for Aniki.

Look, the point of the Chocolat Fes is to make chocolates and give them to our fans in order to convey our gratitude to them, right?

Aniki is good at making sweets, so he’s all lively because he gets to show off his abilities.

But unlike Aniki, I can’t stand sweet things. Because of that, I somehow just can’t get excited about this.

Even just being in the kitchen, I get nauseous from the sweet smell…

Uu~, just what can I do so I can enjoy Chocolat Fes… To enjoy Valentine’s Day?

Jewel Candy - Chapter 2

Location: Shopping District

Natsume: I get yOU.

It’s not to the extent where I can say I can’t stand thEM, but I don’t eat sweet things by choiCE.

Yuuta: Eh, that’s unexpected. Just a while ago, there was that time during Setsubun, right?

You and Harukawa-kun gathered the beans we used to drive out spirits, made them into sweets and distributed them, so I was sure you were someone who likes sweet things.

Natsume: I was just recruited as a helper because there weren’t enough staff arouND, that’s aLL.

I’m not of the faction that’s bad with sweeTS, that’s the whole reason they chose ME.

Yuuta: Aah, so that’s how it was. By the way, is Switch participating in the Chocolat Fes?

Natsume: At the present time we’re heading down the direction where we’ll participaTE. Because Sora is seems to be really looking forward to IT…

He said “I’ll be able to eat lots of chocolates during Chocolat Fes~ ♪*” so happiLY, I don’t have the heart to correct his misunderstandiNG.

Yuuta: Ahaha, Sakasaki-senpai is so kind. Switch has such dependable senpais, I’m a bit jealous of Harukawa-kun.

Natsume: AaH, 2wink is a unit of first yeaRS, after aLL.

There’ll probably be more chances for us to have joint livES, so when the time comes I’ll guide you two properly as your senpAI.

Yuuta: Thank you very much! Sakasaki-senpai, you’re pretty considerate towards us.

Is it like, because we’re close with Harukawa-kun?

Natsume: FufuFU. WeLL, it’s something like thAT.

AnywAY, Yuuta-kUN. Do you have some free time after school tomorrOW?

Yuuta: Eh, tomorrow? Yes, I don’t have any plans… Do you want me to help you with something?

We’ve been in Switch’s care before, so as long as it’s something I can do, I’ll help you with anything ♪

Natsume: YeaH. WeLL, if anything it’s going to be me who’s helping yOU, thouGH.

If you have free tiME, come to the game club’s roOM, I’ll read your fortune for yOU.

How to enjoy yourself at the Chocolat FeS… We might be able to find a hint on how to resolve those troubles of youRS.

Of course I require no compensation for IT, so rest assurED.

Yuuta: Eh, Sakasaki-senpai is going to read my fortune!?

Uwah, uwaaah! Thank you so much! Sakasaki-senpai’s fortune-telling has a reputation of being accurate, so I’m really happy….♪

Natsume: Well, come with the expectation of listening to some adviCE.

Yuuta: Got it! Well then, I’ll see you in the club room tomorrow!

Anzu-san, Sakasaki-san, excuse~ me ♪

Natsume: ...Now thEN. I only came here to do a primary inspectiON, but now I’m going to have to buy a new crystal ball until tomorrOW.

I’ve gotta get goiNG. I hope we’ll both be able to do some good shoppiNG.

See yoU, little kittEN.

---------------

*Natsume imitates Sora’s speech quirk here.

Jewel Candy - Chapter 3

Location: 2-A Classroom

- Early morning of the next day -

Natsume: Good Morning....♪

I seem to be in a good moOD? FufuFU. Well perceivED, little kittEN.

WeLL, I suppose you could tell that much from how I am showing my face this early in the classroOM.

YeS, I found a really good crystal baLL ♪ Just after I parted ways with the little kitten yesterdAY.

I thought it’d be a nice occasion to read the little kitten’s fortuNE, so I came to call out to yOU…

Subaru: Good morning~!

Ah, Anzu is being ensnared by Natsume!

Natsume~, don’t bother Anzu so much. Natsume always asks malicious questions and troubles people!

Good morning Anzu, now that I’m here there’s nothing for you to worry about~☆

Natsume: Baru-kUN, you’re bothering the little kittEN.

Hugging people is something of a habit of youRS, but stop including me in your group huGS, will yOU.

We’ve gotten sidetracked by Baru-kun’s sudden appearanCE, but what do you sAY?

Ah, I won’t ask for compensation from the little kitten eithER, so don’t worRY.

This crystal ball is brand nEW, so I want to test out whether or not it works properLY.

It might be a bad way of phrasing thinGS, but I’d like you to become my guinea pIG ♪

Subaru: Hm? Natsume, you’re gonna tell Anzu’s fortune? How nice, do it for me too!

Natsume: Eh~... Reading the fortune of Baru-kUN, who’s probably never had a worry in his life is boriNG.

In any caSE, there’s nothing in particular you want me to divinate for yOU, and you’re just asking for your fortune to be read because it seems fUN, rigHT?

Subaru: Uwah, how’d you know?

Don’t read my mind without my permission~, Natsume you pervert!

Natsume: I didn’t read it or anythiNG. Anyone who’s spent even the shortest amount of time with Baru-kun would be able to tell as muCH.

That asiDE… Yuuki-kUN, you’ve been glancing over at us for a while nOW, is there something you neED?

Subaru: Oh, Ukki~! Good morning good morning good morning...☆

Makoto: Good morning, Akehoshi-kun. Anzu-chan and Sakasaki-kun, good morning to you as well~ ♪

Err… I’m sorry for eavesdropping. I heard the word “fortune-telling” and couldn’t help but glance over.

Subaru: Hmm? Ukki~, do you have an interest in fortune-telling?

That’s the first I’ve heard of it. By the way, I have an interest in money….☆

Makoto: Ah, yeah. Even if you don’t say it again, that’s information we all know already.

I have, well… I haven’t always been interested in fortune-telling. It’s just that there’s something weighing on my mind right now…

Subaru: Then get your fortune told as well, Ukki~! It’s fine, right, Natsume?

Natsume: It’s not fiNE. In the first plaCE, I never agreed to tell your fortuNE, Baru-kUN.

Subaru: Come on~, even if we add one or two people it doesn’t increase the labor by much, right? I’ll reward you properly?

I like money, but I have no hesitations about spending i~t☆

Natsume: So pusHY. Oh weLL, this time there’s an experimental aspect to IT, so I’ll make a special exception and accePT.

I don’t need paymeNT. Just like the little kittEN, I’ll have you be my new crystal ball’s guinea pigs after aLL.

Subaru: Eh, really? Or rather, the way you said “guinea pigs” kinda worries me, you know?

Natsume: FufuFU. The contract has already been sealED, there’s no pulling out nOW...♪

Ju~st kidding. Well thEN, if you could come to the game club room during lunch breAK?

Subaru: Lunch break, got it! I’m really looking forward to it, ahahahaha ☆