Operetta - Birthday 4

[bakemonoremy]

Location: Light Music Club Room

- A few minutes later -

Rei: Excuse me ♪

Koga: Yeah. Sorry, I’m sure you don’t wanna be spotted by anyone here on school grounds...

But the rental period of the dance room I got for independent training ran out, so.

Rei: Don’t fret. Your concern is unnecessary, even in the case that push comes to shove I know a plethora of ways to deal with the situation ♪

Koga: Izzat so? Whatever, just come on in and make yourself at home. Nothin’s changed about this club room since ya graduated though, so I doubt it’s any interestin’.

Rei: But it is. This place makes me feel so nostalgic already, I am deeply moved.

...However, the extent to which nothing has changed here is almost too much. You even left that suspicious-looking coffin where it was, doesn’t it pose an impediment when recruiting new club members?

Koga: Aahn? You’re the one who left that here, sayin’ there’s no space for it in your dorm room.

Rei: Indeed. Since I’m sharing the room, I need to be considerate.

If it really is in the way, I don’t mind if you dispose of it. You’re theleader of the Light Music Club now after all… It'd be fine if you'd like to change how the room looks in order to better suit your taste.

Koga: Hmm~, I’ll think about it. The twins have been usin’ this coffin as plain storage space lately, ya see~...

It’s actually pretty handy to have around, and it ain't like it’s that much an eyesore that it's gotta go right now.

Rei: Hmm. Speaking of, the Aoi-kuns seem to be absent. What a shame, I would have loved to give them a big hug since it’s been so long since we met last.

Koga: Haan. As you’re probably well aware, those two've been super hyped up 'bout their activities lately, so they’re busy.

None of their unit members graduated, so they’re pretty much invincible within the school now.

I envy them, for real.

Rei: ………….

Koga: Ah… But as their senior, I ain't plannin' on losin' to them no matter what.

I’m gonna be a wall so high an' mighty that not even those agile two'll surpass me.

Rei: Yes. That’s what it means to be a senpai, bravo ♪

But, well. It certainly is as bustling as ever in this school. Everyone is encouraging one another to improve, and they’re fiercely devoted to their idol activities.

Koga: Not totally. At the very least, the chances for me to fight have seriously gone down. Probably ‘cause the majority of our work takes place in “that building” now.

Within the school, live showdowns… I mean, DreamFes’ based on smashin’ each others skulls in have pretty muchdisappeared, I think.

Even I've been doin’ nothin’ but seriously focusin’ on my lessons while I’m at school lately.

Rei: I see~. You could say this place is truly in the state an “Idol Training School” is supposed to be in now.

On the contrary, to resent and fight each other, to oppose one another, has been unhealthy and strange all along.

An era of peace… I pray that from hereon out you will be able to grow up in a healthy environment here.

Koga: Sure, as long as Dekosuke does his job well.

And just 'cause it’s peaceful here doesn’t mean I’ve got nothin’ to worry about. Thanks to problems with Adonis’ family and his homeland, he’s outta the country for the time bein’.

Rei: Yes. As I am sure you’re worried about him, let me state this clearly: 

Do not involve yourself in that matter. That child's father and I are dealing with it appropriately. 

I “promise” that I will settle that whole affair without issue.

There is no way for you to help the situation without it interrupting your idol activities in accordance with Yumenosaki’s methods… No matter how much you agonize over it, there is nothing you can do here.

Koga: Even if ya say all that, I can’t just ignore the whole thing, ‘cause Adonis is my precious friend.

Rei: I’m well aware. Whenever possible, I will make sure not to neglect giving you updates on the matter.

It will bring you some peace of mind to know that he is at least safe, won’t it?

At least you should participate in your idol activities vigorously, with a smile on your face. And whenever we think of him, I am sure he is thinking of us as well.

Knowing that you’re smiling will serve as an encouragement for Adonis-kun.

Koga: …….I get it.

Anyway. Is that whatcha came here to talk about, Sakuma-senpai?

Ya went through all the trouble of graduatin’, just to turn up back here again… What’s the deal with that?

Rei: Well. Of course, I do sometimes feel an urge to come play fetch with you for a little while, you know~? If you don't take good care of your "Doggie," they'll sulk ♪

Koga: ……….

Rei: ...It was only a joke, so please don’t point something sharp at me. I happen to be the kind of creature that won’t be able to resurrect after being condemned to crucifixion.

Koga: Neither would any other human. ‘S not like I was gonna stab you… I was just thinkin’ of servin’ some tomatoes as a tea snack, so I got out my knife to go harvest some.

Rei: I doubt they’ll go well with tea. Well, I'll take them regardless, as thanks for your kindness.

-- Koga.

Koga: What’s up, Sakuma-senpai?

Rei: May I consult with you about my troubles? In truth, that is why I came here today.

Koga: Aaahn? Ya want me to give you advice?

What’s gotten into you? The all-knowin' Sakuma-senpai is comin' to the common people to receive teachings now?

Rei: I don’t know everything, and the world is vast… You were the ones who taught me that.

You wished to live alongside me as fellow humans. It really made me happy… More than I can put into words.

The kanji for person (人) is made up of two strokes supporting one another.

I have always yearned to be one of those strokes. Instead of an existence as hollow and conceptualistic as the number zero (零).*

Koga: ….That so? Guess if you’re gonna say all that, there’s no way I can refuse.

What’s troublin’ ya? Just tell me and I’ll hear ya out.

If you’re gonna tell me “I wanna get along with Ritchii”, you’re gonna have to ask someone else, though. I’m an only child, so I don’t know any methods for resolvin’ a fight between brothers.

And human relations ain't really my strong suit either, they’re way too confusin’ and complicated.

Tell the person ya like that ya like ‘em, figure out what they wish for, and then do whatever that is. ‘S all I got.

Rei: Yes. That’s true, however that’s the most difficult thing of all.

...Last night, I received a revised plan for “Operetta” from Isara-kun through “my agency”.

I’ve read through it time and time again, but I can’t make out the intention behind it.

And so, since I’m at my wit’s end, I have come to ask for your insight on the matter.

Koga: Aahn? Ya got that from Dekosuke? Then why don’t ya just ask the man himself what the deal is? No need to come ask me for advice.

Rei: Of course, I spoke to Isara-kun earlier already. But he just smiled and avoided the question…

And then he got all cheeky and told me there’s no point to it if I don’t figure it out by myself.

On top of that, it’d be too shameful for me to obstinately beg him for the “answer”. I do have my pride as his “childhood friends’ Onii-chan”. 

Koga: Hm~... I don’t really get it, but…

You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, so if ya really thought about it for a second I’m sure ya could come up with plenty of “answers”.

So if ya really have no idea… It’s because ya didn’t try to understand it at all, right?

Hmm, I can’t put it into words well, but… You can solve any calculation, no matter how difficult it is.

If ya can’t deduce the “answer”, that must mean you’re probably misunderstandin’ the premise from the get-go.

No matter how many mathematical formulas you apply to a Japanese readin’ comprehension question, ya won’t be able to solve it.

You keep makin’ that same mistake over and over. I can tell, because I’ve been watchin’ ya for so long.

...Is that the kind of advice ya wanted?

Rei: Yes. ...Aah, so that’s how it is.

Kukuku. I am truly a complete novice at being human…

No matter when or where, believing in gods is easy, but believing in people is hard. That is the “answer”.

I made light of him by still treating him as my “cute baby brother”. ...In that case, it’s no wonder he got angry at me. 

Koga: ? The hell are you talkin’ about? Say it clearly, in a way that makes sense! Why do you brothers always gotta be like this!

It seems like ya don’t realize this, but the world is full of nothin' but idiots like me, got it? Don’t skip the explanation just ‘cause you’re lazy, ‘cause I don’t get it at all!

Rei: You’re not an idiot, Koga.

You completely understand the important things.

...Aah, I’m glad I came to see you ♪

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* Pretty sure everyone’s aware of this, but 零 (Rei) is his name. It’s simply the kanji for zero.