Merry Xmas - assemblé 2

[bakemonoremy]

Location: Dorm Room (Yuzuru & Tori)

Tori: Uff~... Sheesh, I’m seriously pooped~...

Yuzuru: Young Master. Throwing yourself onto the sofa like that is bad manners.

Since this is your room, I won’t tell you to correct your posture, but you shouldn’t become careless.

Things like this easily turn into habits. When you regularly behave like this in private, you’ll end up inadvertently acting the same outside on impulse.

Tori: Ugh. Here I thought I’d gained some independence from you, but your lectures are still going as strong as ever. What a pain.

Yuzuru: The Young Master immediately pushes his luck when I go easy on him, so I intend to at least keep meddling whenever necessary.

Tori: Uegh~... Wipe that smile off your face, it gives me the creeps.

Yuzuru: In any case, since you appear to be truly exerting yourself to the best of your ability, I shall be lenient just for today.

How is your shuffle unit project progressing? Is everything going well? No one’s bullying you and making you cry?

Tori: Who do you take me for? I’m the leader, so of course none of that’s happening!

The lessons are on schedule, and tomorrow we’re going to be filming the story part of the commercial. I already thoroughly looked over the storyboard and memorized all my lines perfectly, so I’m all set! ☆

Yuzuru: I am glad to hear it.

Incidentally, you seem to be more invested than usual in this project, Young Master.

Of course, that’s not to say that you don’t give every job your utmost effort. However, you seem to be extraordinarily zealous this time…

Tori: You see, Yuzuru, I just want to make this project a success no matter what.

Yuzuru: ? Could you elaborate?

Tori: fine is the strongest, most brilliant of all units, right?

Yuzuru: Naturally.

Tori: But, you know. If you asked people about fine, how many of them do you think could name all of our members?

I’m sure that if you asked the public about fine — 

Most of them would respond that fine is the unit with Eichi-sama, or that it’s the unit that has Hibiki-sama… As frustrating as that is to admit.

The way they perform is just that amazing, it really is. And I find myself wanting to be able to do what they can, or at least come close to it, time and time again.

That’s why I can’t blame the public for thinking of Eichi-sama and Hibiki-senpai as the face of fine.

But the two of us, we’re in fine, too. And I want the world to learn the name Himemiya Tori through this job.

I want them to know that the two of us aren’t in fine just to make up the numbers.

— And even beyond that, I want them to come to believe that fine wouldn’t be fine without me and you, Yuzuru.

Yuzuru: Young Master…

Tori: That goes for the other members, too. Sure, I think they all have real skill, but popularity-wise, they’re all just up-and-coming children, right?

But if we’re all on the same page and work hand in hand, then I believe that we’ll be able to make something really good — Something that will catch everyone’s attention.

I feel like, if we do our very best — we can make this a turning point for us that changes the way society views us entirely.

Yuzuru: Indeed, I also have faith that you’ll be able to make that happen.

Tori: Ehehe… Also, y’know, I think there’s something I can do that Eichi-sama and Hibiki-senpai can’t~.

Yuzuru: Whining like a baby and acting insolently with no regard for the people around them?

Tori: No! Ugh~, can’t you tell I was holding a pretty cool speech over here~?!

Yuzuru: Hmm. Well, that’s the only thing coming to mind, so… could you enlighten me?

Tori: Listen well. I’m talking about “becoming an object of admiration”!

Yuzuru: Admiration…? Isn’t that something we already have? I was under the impression that our fans already truly treasure fine…

Tori: Sure, the fans do. But I was thinking more about the people who want to become idols themselves one day.

...A while ago, I happened to see the fan letters addressed to Trickstar, since they’re in the same agency as us. They get way more fan letters than I do as an individual.

Many of them said that they admire Trickstar.

But we only rarely see that in letters addressed to fine, right? Even though we’re clearly better, and bring in results that blow Trickstar out of the water.

It’s probably entirely unrelated to results and track records. Maybe it’s about being approachable…?

I think approachability is important. Hate to admit it, but Trickstar has got that going for them.

Yuzuru: They certainly do. People may respect those who hold absolute power, but they seldom feel the kind of admiration that makes them want to become like them.

They may keep their distance because they feel like they’d fight a losing battle if they tried.

Tori: Yup. I know that feeling all too well.

But as for me? I believe I can gain the kind of approachability that Eichi-sama and Hibiki-senpai could never have.

Because I do my best to become like Eichi-sama, and sometimes stumble along the way. And because, even though my pace is slow, I keep trying to climb higher and higher towards where Eichi-sama is, bit by bit.

I feel like seeing that might encourage others who want to become idols.

And if they’re looking at me, their eyes will also be on fine.

Otherwise it’d be pretty saddening. After all, I only became an idol out of admiration for Eichi-sama… So I want myself and fine to become objects of admiration like that to others as well.

Yuzuru: ...I — I don’t really feel like indulging you when you ask for the unreasonable, but as for all other wishes you have, I want to grant them for you, Young Master.

Yet, this wish is only meaningful if you are the one to fulfill it yourself.

So I’ll stay by your side and be the first to root for you — Please give it your all, Tori.

Tori: I will! Thank you, Yuzuru! ♪