Human Comedy - Humanity 10

[bakemonoremy]

Location: Repayment Festival Stage (Va)

Nazuna: Ooh… They transformed the stage in no time at all. No matter how many times I see this, it’s always like magic to me.

Hajime: It’s great craftsmanship, isn’t it… The Yumenosaki staff always does impressive work.

Tomoya: Ahaha. But let’s retreat to the stage wings, otherwise we’ll get in the way of the professionals.

Mitsuru: Yeah, let’s go, let’s go! For the rest of the show, we’ll be part of the audience~♪

Shu: ...Woah there. Careful.

Mitsuru: Uwah, I’m sorry! Running without looking ahead is a real bad habit of mine, y’know~?

Shu: Well, it’s a good thing you’re aware of it. ...You’re not hurt, are you?

Mitsuru: Yeah, I’m always in tip top shape~☆

Nazuna: ...Itsuki. Aah, so you guys are up next, huh.

I’ve gotta admit I was a bit concerned about you, but I see you’ve safely won your way through the first half of RepayFes~.

Shu: But of course. Our popularity has been on the rise lately, and Kagehira did a satisfactory job today, too.

Simply performing the way we are accustomed to was more than enough to vanquish those small fries.

In any case, I cannot say whether the fate that binds us is a desirable one... But one way or another, it appears our turn comes right after yours.

Heh. The audience must be quite fed up after having to witness your quaint little playtime. Allow us to show them what the fine arts are truly about ♪

Nazuna: What did you just say~? You must’ve had your eyes elsewhere, Itsuki, ‘cause these guys have grown so much!

It wasn’t some kind of playtime, they’ve really become the greatest idols on earth…!

Shu: I’m aware. My words were nothing but a joke, albeit a somewhat cruel one ♪

Nazuna: ...You’re in an awfully good mood, huh, Itsuki? Gross.

Shu: How harsh. ...Even my feelings get hurt sometimes, you know?

Nazuna: ...My bad. But you really do come off like some kind of freak sometimes, so watch out for that.

People are gonna get the wrong idea about you, y’know~, especially overseas, where it’s gonna be even harder for you to get your point across.

Shu: Heh. “Freak” is a compliment. At least, that’s what I’ve come to believe from observing a certain friend of mine.

Tomoya: Umm, Itsuki-senpai!

Shu: Hmm? Aah, I didn’t intend to ridicule your senior, whom you hold in such high regard.

Wataru is one of the few people in this world that I can call my friend and equal… Think of what I just said as a frivolous, lighthearted jest.

Tomoya: No, I really couldn’t care less about that guy right now…

Itsuki-senpai, would you accept this bouquet from us?

Here… Happy White Day ♪

Shu: Oh? I’m happy to receive this, but why me…? Could you be handing these out to every senior that looked after you?

Although I did my utmost to keep my distance from you…?

Tomoya: Ah, actually this bouquet is a bit of a bribe.

You see, we finished our earlier performance just before using up all the time we were given.

Would you let us make use of that extra bit of time after Valkyrie’s performance?

Shu: Hmm? Well, we procrastinated on deciding whether or not to join RepayFes, and consequently, the repertoire we prepared is somewhat insufficient...

We’ll hardly make use of our allocated time, so it wouldn’t pose a problem for us to give up a part of it.

If anything, your proposal is more than welcome. The longer I get to appreciate the fine arts, the better.

And while all of you are exceedingly lovely by yourselves, it is on the stage where your mannerisms are the most mesmerizing.

If it means that I will get to see you perform once more, I cannot think of a single reason to refuse you.

Tomoya: Um, actually… If possible, we want Valkyrie to sing together with us.

Shu: ? I cannot fathom why you would want that.

Tomoya: We want all of us to give Nii~chan our blessings together, as he sets out into the world… Of course, this is just for our sake, so if you don’t want to do it I won’t insist.

Back then, Nii~chan suddenly transferred units without even giving you any notice, right?

There are people who still unfairly hold suspicions against him because of that.

They call him irresponsible and insincere because he quit Valkyrie for his own personal reasons, without explaining a thing…

We’ve been gaining popularity, but as our number of fans increases, so does the amount of weirdos like that.

Some long-time Valkyrie fans even come to our handshake events just to kick up a fuss there.

Shu: ...That is, well, inexcusable really. For better and for worse, there are many eccentrics among our devotees.

I understand. In other words, you want us to formally declare that we acknowledge Nito’s withdrawal from Valkyrie and give him our blessings, correct?

“We gave our approval, so quit whining already, outsiders”.

That’s what you’re asking us to assert, am I wrong? I see. Indeed, this is entirely for your own sake.

Tomoya: Yes. That’s why there’s nothing we can do except bow our heads to you and beg.

Shu: ...I don’t have any objections, though. You gave me such beautiful flowers, and I don’t desire people to speak ill of Nito, either.

In fact, I consider such foolish undertakings to be on par with scrawling all over a breathtaking painting.

But what are your thoughts on this, Kagehira? If you say you’re against it, I will abide by that.

From hereafter, you will be the heart of Valkyrie both in name and substance… The right to decide lies with you.

Mika: ……..

Shu: ...Nito. This is unrelated to the matter at hand, but why did you name us Valkyrie?

Nazuna: That sure is unrelated. Is this really the time to be talking about that…?

Umm. Itsuki, do you still remember the time we first met?

That day, you jumped from the second floor of the school building for some reason, remember?

You must’ve been working on an outfit, because your entire body was enveloped in some kind of lustrous, sparkling cloth.

And you said, “We meet at last! My soulmate! Aah, how lovely you are!”…

The way you spoke and acted was so strange that I didn’t think you were human.

I dashed away and managed to escape you then, and I was seriously terrified of you for a while…

While looking up information on ghosts, demons, and the like, I found an illustrated book that talked about the gods of foreign countries as well.

And what came closest to my impression of you were the shield-maidens of Norse mythology… the Valkyries.

When we were trying to choose a name for our unit, this memory just somehow came to my mind again.