Merry Xmas - réveil 3

Location: Meeting Room

Tori: Anzu~, everyone’s here now. So, can you start telling us about this job?

Hajime: What kind of job is it? I’m so excited, I just hope it’s nothing too difficult.

Tori: Fufun ♪ No matter what kind of job they’re throwing at us, we’ll be able to pull it off for sure!

We really lucked out with this group~, ‘cause we all get along already anyway!

I mean, sure, I was happy when I heard that I was chosen, but I was so worried about scary or weird guys being in the unit that I was super nervous when I checked the member list.

Anyway, you’ve got nothing to worry about, Anzu. We’ll make this job a huge success that goes off without a hitch!

Aira: Hm? Anzu-san, what are these printouts you just handed out to everyone?

...Aah, I see. It’s the project outline, huh.

Sora: Let’s see~, the job this time is…

— “Do something awesome”

Tori: What’s up with this outline! It’s like a grade schooler’s yearbook dream for the future! Give me back the motivation I wasted on this~!

No, actually, even a grade schooler would write something better!

Sora: HaHa~☆ But Sora liked it! Let’s all do something awesome together!

Tori: Don’t act so positive after being shown something like this~!

Aira: Umm… Those are really the only words on the printout…

What does this mean? Anzu-san? Like, you get that we can’t possibly know what to do with this, right…

Hm? The only things set in stone are the theme and that we’ll release a CD? And the theme is “The Fairies’ Christmas”?

Sora: Fairies! What a good theme! In Greek mythology, nymphs are the sprites of all things nature who are said to love singing and dancing~.

Sora can relate. He also loves singing and dancing~♪

Tori: Oh, so we were chosen because we’re all cute, like fairies! I guess the client has an eye for things like that ♪ I shall praise them this once.

Hajime: Umm? Ohh~, so the client for this is “Ensemble Square”? And they want us idols to take the lead on this project…

Aah, that explains why the outline only says “do something awesome”.

Aira: Normally, the client side sends a work offer, and based on the image they want, suitable idols or actors for the job are chosen, right?

But this time it’s not like that at all, and we get to think of something ourselves?

Tori: Hmm, I see. Huh? We’ll do the project itself, but it’ll also all be filmed and be shown on a special episode of “Industry Professionals” about idols?

Hajime: “Industry Professionals”! That’s a close coverage documentary about the work of all kinds of professionals, right?

Uwaah ♪ I love that show! Seeing the people on there work so earnestly at their jobs kind of makes me feel all motivated, too…

And like, it makes me remember why I wanted this career in the first place, which I sometimes tend to forget.

To think that I’d be on that show myself one day~! I can’t believe it!

Tori: Alright, got it. I have no objections to a project where the idols take the lead, and it seems doable enough.

But don’t you think they’re putting way too much on us here? Hard to believe the higher-ups authorized this.

Hm? What’s wrong, Anzu? Your expression is super hard to read.

Uh huh. Uh huh. ...Huh?

What?! Because the Producer Association is so swamped with end-of-the-year work, one of their producers made themself scarce?!

And that was the producer in charge of this shuffle unit project?

Aira: Other people tried taking over the project, but everyone has their hands full with other matters already so they rarely communicate, and there isn’t a lot of time left until Christmas…

And so, the project was quickly modified so now we idols are in charge of it — That’s, uh…

Tori: Hey now~, get whoever’s responsible for this in here right this second! Wait, you can’t, ‘cause they ran off!

Uu~! Then who am I supposed to take these pent-up feelings out on~!

Unyah? What are you apologizing for, Anzu?

Aren’t you also a victim in all this? Even I wouldn’t take out my anger on you instead of the person who has it coming.

Sora: HiHi~. Exactly. There’s no point in blaming Anzu.

All we need to do is think of something fun and exciting, right~? That way, everyone will be happy ♪

Aira: Anzu-san. There’s one thing I’m still wondering about: Since we are in charge of this project, does that mean we can do anything we want with it?

Uh huh. Ohh~♪ As long as it’s reasonable, you’ll authorize anything we want! Ra~vely ☆

Tori: I see… So we’re in complete control here…

Which means we can really put 100% — No, 150 or even 200% of our power into this!

Alri~ght! I’m suddenly super motivated again~!

Hajime: I agree. I’m quite nervous… But not in a bad way. I just need to use it as a source of encouragement, right?

Hm? What is it, Anzu-san? You want us to decide on a leader?

Aah, you’re right. It’s best to have a supervisor in charge. In that case, I nominate Tori-kun.

Tori: Eh, are you sure I’m cut out for it?

Hajime: Of course. You’re the vice president of the student council, and you’re well put together, so I think you’ll do great.

Sora: HuHu~☆ Sora is in favor! Hime-chan is a promising leader for sure~!

Aira: Of course, I have no objections either!

(To be working under the real Himemiya Tori of fine is nothing less than a dream come true~! Gosh, I’m gonna drool! Ai looove ♪)

Tori: I-is that so…? Ehehe ♪ 

Geez, well, if you guys insist~☆ 

But if I’m in charge, then I’ll lead you with a firm hand, got it? We’ll make this project a success, no matter what!

Merry Xmas - coupe 1

TL Note: This part of the story is named “coupe”, which in this case probably means “cut” or “section”.

Location: Meeting Room

- The next day -

Tori: Mr Cameraman, are you done with your preparations? — Good. Well then, let’s get started.

Ahem. There’s not much time left until Christmas, so today we’re going to brainstorm and work out our project!

Hey, Anzu. What do you think we should do first?

Eh? Expand on our idea of Christmas?

Aira: Ahh, I get it. We all name things we associate with Christmas, and from those we choose which of them are usable for an idol project?

Tori: In that case, let’s start off talking candidly about Christmas, shall we? Hajime, can you take notes on the blackboard?

Hajime: Of course ♪ Leave it to me!

Tori: Hm~... Things that come to mind when you say “Christmas”...

I guess Christmas trees are a staple? We have a super tall one at my house, too. My sister and I decorate it every year.

Well, I couldn’t bring it with me to the dorms, though. For one thing, it’d get in the way because of how big it is.

Hajime: Uwah, that’s so nice~♪ Tori-kun’s Christmas sounds so glamorous, I’m jealous.

Tori: Is it? I wouldn’t call it glamorous…

To be honest, I have the strong impression of Christmas as a hectic time and a hassle.

Aira: Huh? You do? Could it be that you hate Christmas, Himemiya-senpai?

Tori: Not at all. In fact, I love it. That’s why I said it’s a hassle, not that I hate it.

You see, not only do I have to decorate the tree, but I also have to hang up the Christmas lights at the house.

Decorating is a lot of fun, but tidying up later is a pain. Well, Yuzuru and the other servants take care of most of it, though.

Hajime: Hm~m. Certainly, when you consider how spacious Tori-kun’s home is…

Tori: Also, we always get invited to all these parties by our acquaintances, so I barely have any time to just relax at home. And last year, there was StarFes on top of that…

So, Christmas and New Year’s always tucker me out mentally and physically.

Sora: Hime-chan is so bourgeois~.

Aira: Wooow ☆ I’d expect nothing less from Himemiya-senpai! The things you talked about were so far removed from our realities, it’s really enviable, in a way~! Ra~vely ♪

Tori: Ah… Darn it. Mr Cameraman, please cut the part where I said that Christmas was a hassle!

If the public heard me say that, it’d sully my image for sure!

— Hey, what’s so funny, Anzu~. As producer, shouldn’t you have put a stop to that?

Image is a matter of life and death for us idols, after all.

Geez. Enough about me. Let’s keep going with the project, shall we?

Hajime: Ah, sounds good.

Umm, when it comes to Christmas, you can’t forget the cake*. In my family, I make it by hand every year, with the help of my little brother and sister.

Tori: Whoa, a cake baked by Hajime! I bet it’s super delicious!

Hajime: Fufu, thank you very much. How about I make one for you as well this year, Tori-kun? I can make it as healthy as possible, so Fushimi-senpai won’t get angry.

Tori: Yaaay! You mean it? It’s a promise, okay?

Aira: Shino-senpai’s homemade cake?!

Eh~... That sounds sooo good…

Sora: HaHa~! It’d be unfair if Hime-chan was the only one who got to eat it. Sora wants some, too~!

Hajime: In that case, why don’t we all eat cake together as members of the same unit ♪ I’ll make it the best cake I possibly can.

Aira: Yaaaaaay ♪ I’m sooo happy~!

(That’s a real idol’s handmade baking we’re talking about here!! I’ve got to be the only fan in the whole world who gets to eat that! ES rules~...!)

Sora: As for Sora, he’s always happiest about the presents from Santa~. The night before Christmas is the most exciting one of the whole year ♪

Sora also loves all the beautiful Christmas lights~. There are so many happy colors during Christmas that Sora is always on cloud nine this time of year!

Tori: What about you, Shiratori? Do you have anything that comes to mind when you think of Christmas?

Aira: Bwah? M-me?

(Speaking my mind in front of such god-like people makes me nervous… But, well, since he’s asking…)

Umm. The fabric mascots on Christmas trees and wreaths are cute, I guess~?

Mom-, I mean, my mother likes things like that.

She always uses them for decoration for Christmas, so like, I’ve gotten used to that… And I guess seeing them makes me feel like it’s really Christmas.

Also, she hangs up an Advent calendar for me when December starts.

Sora: Advent calendar?

Hajime: If memory serves right, that’s a calendar that counts down the days until Christmas, isn’t it?

Aira: Yes. There’s a sweet treat for every day inside, so I spend the time anxiously awaiting Christmas eating those.

Hajime: Shiratori-kun, your Christmas sounds really lovely, too~.

Aira: Huh? You think so? Ehehe ♪ 

(Shino-senpai praised me…! I’m sooo happy~)

Tori: Advent calendar… Preparations for Christmas…

Sora: Hrmm. We more or less have a plan, but it’s all over the place, huh~. How do we summarize all these ideas?

Aira: Now that you say it... I mean, they’re all things related to Christmas, but they really are all over the place… Rather than summarizing them, it might be a good idea to select a few of them and throw the rest out?

Hajime: Hmm. Right…

Tori: Alright, I’ve got it.

Hajime: What should we do, Tori-kun? Which ones should we choose?

Tori: Let’s do all of them!



Hajime: Eeh?

All of them…? Is that even possible?

Tori: Hmm, who knows? But I think we can, depending on how we go about it.

Okay, so listen. Yesterday, when I learned that we were in charge of this project, I came up with something...

——————

TL Note: While there are many kinds of cake that are eaten during Christmas around the world, many of them are dry fruit cake varieties. In Japan, the standard Christmas cake is a soft spongecake with whipped cream and strawberries, though.

Merry Xmas - coupe 2

Location: Meeting Room

Aira: Came up with something…?

Tori: Umm, I should have it somewhere around here — Ah, here it is!

I couldn’t get it out of my head ever since I heard about the project theme. So I brought it with me today~♪ 

How about we add a story based on this to our project?

Sora: ? Is that a picture book?

Tori: Yup. It’s my favorite picture book in the world.

Hajime: Let’s see… “Autumn was starting to shed the vivid clothes that adorned it. And so the heavens spoke that winter was coming. Upon hearing this, the fairies began their preparations.”

Ooh, there are fairies in this. Could it be a story about fairies and Christmas?

Tori: Exactly! It’s a story about fairies that bring winter and Christmas to the townspeople.

But they forget to prepare the presents for everyone, so they have to frantically start making them in a rush.

And they barely manage to finish making them, but now it looks like they won’t be able to deliver them on time.

The fairies are at a loss for what to do, so the heavens and the wind and the forest-dwelling animals all come to their aid and help them out.

They somehow manage to deliver them all, and so the townspeople and the fairies both get to enjoy a happy Christmas. The end.

So? Don’t you think this kinda resembles our own situation right now?

Aira: Fairies… Christmas… Being at your wits’ end because you’re running out of time… Ahaha, now that you say it, it does.

Tori: Right? We are the fairies preparing Christmas for everyone…

And our duty is to prepare presents, a tree and an advent calendar for everyone in town.

I want to convey these circumstances, and the ones of fairies frolicking because of Christmas, in an MV with a story.

Hajime: Wow, that sounds so very cute ♪ I think it’s a great idea!

Aira: So, that means this shuffle unit project is going to be about producing an MV?

Tori: Now for the real issue at hand… Or rather, a personal request from me. I would like to use this MV for a toy store promotion.

Aira: A Toy store promotion? You mean you want to use it in a commercial?

Tori: Yup. You know the toy store the Himemiya family operates in the shopping district?

This time of year is the so-called peak season for toy stores, see.

Of course our store is no exception to this, but to tell the truth, sales have been on the decline for toy stores thanks to shopping malls and the like being built everywhere.

Sora: Huh? Really?

Aira: Hmm. Yeah, it’s something you hear a lot lately. Book stores are another example. Physical stores and independent stores everywhere must really be going through it…

Tori: You could say that. It’s just the way things are going, so there’s nothing we can do about it, really.

It’s not like we’re having financial troubles, though. In fact, our online sales are really promising. But that doesn’t mean we can just sit around and kick our heels.

Also, I myself prefer physical stores where I can see and touch the items for real.

No matter how well the online sales are going, I don’t want our store location to close shop. That’s why I want to promote it with this shuffle unit project!

I’ll be in the ad myself too, but I… or rather, the Himemiya family, would like to act as the promoter and entrust this matter to you guys formally.

Of course, that’s only if everyone here is on board with it… What do you think? Yes or no?

Hajime: I think it sounds like a good idea. It’s definitely progress from where we started, with no plan to speak of. And I think there’s nothing wrong with using it as a way to promote our new song.

Sora: Sora agrees! But while we are already here, Sora wants to aim for something even more awesome!

Aira: Something more awesome?

Sora: Yes! He wants to create a memorable place that fits Christmas perfectly!

Anzu, Sora has a favor to ask~. Is it possible for us to turn what the fairies make into an installation to erect in the park?

That way, we’d be able to give everyone presents there along with our song~!

Hajime: Uwah ♪ That’s a lovely idea! If we could make a Christmas spot, it’d really feel like we became real fairies!

Tori: Huh? Anzu, do you mean it? We can do it? Yaaay!

Hajime: Fufu. I never thought we could build such a splendid project out of nothing ♪ In that case, our plan’s decided.

Tori: Ah, hold on. We still haven’t asked Shiratori for his opinion, right?

Aira: Eh? M-me?

Tori: Yup. Shiratori, what do you think?

Aira: Oh, no, don’t mind me. It’s unthinkable for me to object to any of this.

I wholeheartedly agree with Himemiya-senpai and the others’ opinions, or rather… Well, in any case it’s fine for you to just consider me a filler who’s here to even the numbers ♪ 

Actually, it’s still a mystery to me why I get to be in a unit with such amazing people like you in the first place.

Tori: Huh? What does that even m— 

Nah, nevermind, gotcha. Alright, Shiratori’s also in favor, then.

Well, you heard them, Anzu! The decision’s unanimous, so we’re going with this plan!

Merry Xmas - assemblé 1

TL Note: As you’d think, the French title “assemblé” means “assembled” in the sense of “to construct something/put something together”.

Location: Dance Room

- A few days later -

Tori: Oh, that reminds me. Hey, about this part of the choreo…

According to the instructor, everyone is in sync for this step, but how about we all move the way we like for it? I feel like that’d fit the free and unrestrained image of fairies better.

Hajime: Ah, you’re right. We already distributed the roles of the various fairies, and it’d bring out each fairy’s characteristics more if we moved freely.

Sora: In that case, Sora wants us to scatter a bit more during this intermezzo, too~! That way it’ll look like we’re fairies flying around in the forest!

Tori: Yup, that sounds like a good way to present it. Then I’ll bring that suggestion up with the instructor —

Aira: Fuwaaaah…! How super ra~vely~!

Tori: Hm?

Aira: Uwaaah ♪ It’s just like the scenes I’ve seen on the live show blu-rays…!

The idols I admire so much are having a lesson! They’re exchanging opinions! Right now, I’m seeing bonus backstage footage in the flesh~! Ra~velyyy~☆

Ever since this project started, I’ve made nothing but good memories.

Am I really allowed to be this fortunate? I feel like I’m using up a lifetime supply of good luck here… It’s like, I wouldn’t even be surprised if I dropped dead tomorrow because of it.

Tori: Hey now, Shiratori~! Why are you staring at us from a distance and muttering weird stuff? Aren’t you a member, too? Join in already~!

Aira: Ah, I’m so sorry! The beautiful spectacle before my eyes got me a little too excited, ehehe.

Hajime: Fufu. I can’t help but feel bashful when you look at us so passionately, Shiratori-kun.

Aira: Aaah! Could it be that I was staring too much?! I-I’m so so sorry! Please just tell me straight-up when I’m being annoying, okay?

Tori: Sheesh~... I can tell that you respect us to a painful degree, Shiratori, and it’s almost a little frightening.

But you’re a member of this unit, too. That means you are our equal, doesn’t it?

It’s nice to be respected, but we’re not at the academy here. In the industry, seniority doesn’t count for everything.

We’re all idols here, so there’s no need to act reserved around us, got it?

Aira: R-Reserved?! No way! It’d be soo impertinent of me to show reserve! If I had to put it into words, I’d say I’m “awe-struck”!

Tori: ……… Anyway! Look, just come over here. We’re gonna continue our lesson.

Aira: Okaaay~!

Tori: Alright, let’s jump in at the middle of the prelude — One, two…

♪ ~ ♪ ~

Sora: ♪ ~ ☆

Hajime: ♪ ~ ♪ ~

Aira: ♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪ 

— Ah! I-I’m sorry!

(Uwahh~! What do I do, I’m totally blanking…! Crapcrapcrap! Umm, how did these lyrics go again~? How’d it go~...?)

Hajime: Shiratori-kun, it’s okay. If you panic you’ll just make more mistakes, so how about you take some deep breaths?

Aira: Haa… Haa… You’re right — I calmed down a little bit~.

Hajime: Fufu. I’m glad. Today I may be doing okay, but I usually mess up a lot as well, you know. The people around me gave me this advice at times like that…♪

Tori: Also, this is practice for a reason. Feel free to make as many mistakes as you like, as long as you get it right when it counts.

Sora: HaHa~☆ Hime-chan is right! So you should relax some more~.

Aira: Uu. You’re all so nice to me… Thank you very much.

Tori: Good timing though, we’re ripe for a break anyway. Shiratori, do you want to go over the lyric sheets once more?

Aira: Yes! This time I’ll remember them all!

(Now let’s have a look at these lyrics… Oh, right! That’s how this part went.)

(That part of the song has a position change right after it. Maybe I was focusing on the choreo too much…?)

(Alright! This time I’ve got it. I gotta make sure not to mess up again.)

(Ehehe~, it’s so nice of everyone to be concerned about me, though…♪) 

(It’s like a dream, to be invited to do this together by such amazing people. I need to do my best so I won’t hold them back…!)