bakemonoremy | Entries tagged with feature scout

Location: Saison Avenue

Rinne: Awright, first off, let’s hit up the pachinko parlor.

Why? ‘Cause we’re on a date, that’s why! And pachinko’s way more fun than just standin’ around forever.

...You can’t go ‘cause you’re a student? I see, I guess we can’t break school regulations.

Now let’s see, what’s a place I could bring Anzu-chan to —

Location: Arcade

Rinne: Gotta go with the arcade ♪ And they’ve got pachinko here, too.

With the settings on the machines here it’s pretty easy to win though, so it’s not that fun even if you hit it big.

...You’re givin’ that claw machine a real eager look, Anzu-chan. Ya want that teddy there?

Alright, leave it to me. I’ll get it for ya.

No really, it’s fine. I’m countin’ on you to be my goddess of victory, so just watch and smile for me.

Gotta aim carefully, and…

Rinne: Haha. Got it in a single try, it’s gotta be my lucky day!

There ya go. It’s a present for you, Anzu-chan...☆

Money? Nah, I don’t need that, this guy’s just a bonus anyhow.

Yep, he’s the bonus you get for playing a game where the goal is to grab the teddy. So just accept him, alright?

...Hmm. So you smile like that when you’re happy, huh, Anzu-chan?

You usually give off the vibe of a capable producer, but when you’re holding a teddy bear like that, you actually look your age for once.

Anyway, don’tcha think this machine’s a lil’ too easy? Feels like I could get as many of these as I like.

Kyahaha ☆ What a haul~♪ Here, you can have all of ‘em.

You can’t accept this many? ‘Kay, then I’ll just give these to Kohaku-chan as a souvenir.

...You’re callin’ me a good Onii-san? I know, right~! And yet, my buddies’ve got me pegged all wrong ♪

But y’know, that’s why they’re the only ones fit to be my partners.

If Crazy:B wasn’t exactly us four, then fate would’ve turned out much differently. We woulda broken up long ago, and by now, I’d be back in my hometown…

Don’t mind me. I’m not interested in unrealistic what-if scenarios like that. Talkin’ about ‘em is nothing but a waste of time.

...Hey, Anzu-chan. Why did you decide to make a personalized outfit for me of all people?

Even now, I’m still labeled a troublemaker by society at large. I’m an outcast at ES.

I get that every idol’s gonna get their own personalized outfit prepared for them. But as for mine, you could’ve just randomly tossed something together and called it a day, right?

If you just ordered me to, I’d wear any outfit no matter what it looked like. So there’s no need to confront me directly like this.

...As a producer, you want to show the world my attractive side?

Each and every idol at ES casts their own special light, and you want to bring out the unique radiance from every single one of them —

And showcase us at our best to the fans who support us, huh.

………

...Hm? Why so flustered all of a sudden?

Because you started talkin’ about work? ...Oh right, we had a bet goin’ about that, didn’t we.

This match ends in a draw for sure. I was also blabberin’ on about work, after all. So—

I’ll think of a design for my personalized outfit with you. That’ll be part two of our date, so let’s go!

You’ve got no reason to turn me down, right? Anzu-chan...♪

- Around two weeks later -

Location: Café “Cinnamon”

Rinne: Feast your eyes, Crazy:B! Ain’t my personalized outfit the fuckin’ sweetest? ♪

HiMERU: — Quit strutting up and down the café like it’s a catwalk. You’re being a nuisance, Amagi.

Kohaku: Don’t wear yer only good outfit to a restaurant in the first place. What if ya get it dirty?

Still, it suits ya well. It’s really oozin’ them good-for-nothing vibes...♪

That hexagon on yer back is striking, though. Is that s’pposed ta be a “beehive”?

Rinne: Could be? Anzu-chan probably put it there ‘cause I’m the man who carries Crazy:B on his back.

Kohaku: Even in jest I wouldn’t want ya to carry me on yer back, Rinne-han. I just know it’d lead to some kinda disaster.

HiMERU: Agreed. HiMERU can’t think of a back he’d want to rely on less than this one.

Niki: Rinne-kun seems super happy, though~. In the last idol era he didn’t get to wear anything but the clothes provided for us, after all.

So having an outfit for only his personal use must be particularly special for him.

I bet that beehive symbol was also one of Rinne-kun’s deman— ngyah?!

It hurts! Why are you putting me in a headlock!

Rinne: Who do ya think you are, Niki? Don’t say whatever the hell you like about me. Prepare yourself, ‘cause I’m gonna strangle ya for this one!

Niki: But you’re the same way, Rinne-kun! You tell people half-truths about me all the time~. Urgh, mercy, please! My head’s coming off~.

Rinne: According to the law, I can do as I like with you. Gyahaha ☆

...As soon as we’ve got personalized outfits for Kohaku-chan and Niki, too, let’s all wear ‘em and put on a show together.

We’ll show society what Crazy:B’s all about, and engrave our existences into the world. While singin’ and dancin’ and rioting, we’ll keep shoutin’ that out into the world.

Let’s prove to ‘em, with everything that we have, that the lives of outsiders like us have value, too! Gyahahahaha ☆

Location: Café “Cinnamon”

Rinne: Alrighty then, Niki! Choose your fate! This critical moment decides whether you live or die!

Niki: Hrmm~... I think I’m gonna go with… the left one…

Rinne: Are you sure? Absolutely super-duper sure?

Niki: No, wait, I get the feeling that I should be choosing the right one instead...!

Rinne: Now that’s an expression I like to see. Brood over it to your heart’s content, until ya go bald from worry!

Kohaku: What’re ya bein’ so dramatic fer, Rinne-han? It’s just a game of Old Maid.*

HiMERU: — And you’re competing over last place.

Rinne: Oh, shut it. Whether you’re at rock bottom or not is a difference like night and day!

Niki: ...Alright, I’m going with this one! There!

Ugyah?! The joker came back to me! And after I finally got Rinne-kun to draw it from me, too!

Rinne: Gyahahaha ☆ The old maid loves you so much, I’m gettin’ jealous over here!

Niki: You don’t mean that in the slightest. Sigh… Aaand I’m back to square one, how unlucky.

Rinne: Hehe. As long as I don’t draw the old maid now, I’m gonna get my happy end~.

The time has come for you to pay your dues, huh, Niki? As promised, if you lose, you’re gonna be handin’ over your wallet ♪

Niki: Funny, because I don’t remember making any promise of the sort! I’m not giving you my wallet, come hell or high water!

Rinne: ...Hm, who’s that tappin’ my shoulder? Kohaku-chan?

I ain’t no grandpa, so there’s no need to give me a shoulder massag—

...Oh wow, what happened? I took my eyes off of you for just a moment, and you’ve gotten cuter than ever. In fact you almost look like Anzu-chan.

Kohaku: Moron. That ain’t me, it’s Anzu-han in the flesh.

Rinne: I know, I was just goofin’!

What’s up, Anzu-chan? Ya wanna play with me?

Sure thing! Let’s kick Niki’s ass together ♪

...You’re here to talk about work? Oh, so you’re gonna make me a personalized outfit?

Hell yeah! Make it the perfect fit for me, will ya ♪

Niki: Ohh, so it’s Rinne-kun’s turn now~. ...Do you need the rest of us for anything?

Hmhm, I see. So you want us to tell you more about Rinne-kun, so that you can make an outfit that suits him.

HiMERU: — In HiMERU’s case she had to end up snooping around a little bit, so she came to ask openly this time, hm? That’s an admirable way of thinking.

Kohaku: “If we had to summarize Rinne-han in one word”, huh? Let’s see…

Good-for-nothing.

Niki: Scum.

HiMERU: Leader.

Niki: “Leader”, huh? HiMERU-kun, you actually value Rinne-kun quite a lot, don’t you?

HiMERU: HiMERU was merely stating the facts as they are on paper. There were no personal feelings involved in that statement whatsoever.

Rinne: You guys really don’t pull your punches, huh? Rinne-kun’s gonna cry~.

Anzu-chan may be swiftly takin’ notes of all that, but it’s not gonna be any help. A personalized outfit based on the motifs of a good-for-nothing and scum, now that’s just too much!

Kohaku: Ko ko ko. When ya think of a leader who’s a scummy good-for-nothing, there’s definitely a hoodlum comin’ to mind there.

Niki: Sounds good~. If you make that for real, it’ll definitely be a personalized outfit no one but Rinne-kun can pull off ♪

Rinne: Niki you lil’ shit, you’re gettin’ cocky. If this is how it’s gonna be, ya leave me no choice: I’ll get Anzu-chan to change your personalized outfit into a super freaky get-up.

Hey Anzu-chan, how about we put cooking gear all over his body? Like kitchen knives and vegetable slicers…

Hmm? You’d rather talk about my personalized outfit right now?

...You wanna know what kinda outfit I want? I told ya I want something that suits me perfectly, didn’t I?

Oh, I get it. You still dunno me that well, so you have no idea what suits me and what doesn’t. Hmm…

...You’re really dyin’ to get to know me, huh? Honestly, the way you’re lookin’ at me with that passionate gaze is makin’ me blush ♪

If you’re that interested in me, why don’t you marry me? That way you’ll get in touch with my appeal to your heart’s content~.

HiMERU: An idol shouldn’t speak of “marriage” so lightly.

Niki: Yeah. And it’s not like Anzu Nee-san’s looking at you because she likes you, Rinne-kun.

Kohaku: An’ in the first place, you’re skippin’ over a whole buncha steps that come before marriage here. There’s a protocol for this kinda thing, got it?

Rinne: A protocol, huh… If it’s too early for marriage, then I guess we’ll start by bein’ friends for now.

Awright, then let’s go on a date. When it comes to gettin’ closer, nothing beats a date ☆

Location: Saison Avenue

Rinne: This seems like the right place for a date spot ♪ There’s tons of couples around.

From an outsider’s perspective, we must look like a real couple, too! Kyahaha ☆

...What’s the matter, Anzu-chan? You can’t go on a date with an idol, you say?

Just think of this as work then, Producer. Consider it an investigation for the sake of my personalized outfit.

...Alriiight! Then let’s make a bet.

The rules are exceedingly simple. For the duration of our date, talkin’ about work is strictly forbidden. The first one to break this rule loses. If you win, Anzu-chan, then I’ll cooperate with you in creating my personalized outfit.

...You wanna know what happens when you lose? Don’tcha know that ya can’t win a match if you’ve got losing on your mind?

Think about nothing but winning, and try your hardest. Got that?

Alrighty, match: start! Try and make me lose, Anzu-chan...♪

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

TL Note: Old Maid works in a way where you win if you get rid of all the cards in your hand by pairing off two of the same type (two Queens, two 10s, etc), and the loser is the one who ends up with the old maid which can’t be discarded (this is usually the joker). In this situation, Rinne holds the joker and a regular card, and Niki has to choose which one to draw from him.

Location: Dorm Room (Tetora, HiMERU, Arashi)

Tetora: I’m home~☆

Arashi: Aah, Tetora-kun. Welcome back ♪

Tetora: Uwoah!?

Arashi: Oh no, I’m so sorry for scaring you. I forgot I was in the middle of doing a facial.

I only just put this mask on a moment ago, so do you mind if I keep it on a little longer?

Tetora: It’s cool, please don’t worry about me. Actually, I’m the one who’s sorry for freaking out like that.

Arashi: Oh, it’s no problem. Anyone would be surprised to suddenly come face to face with that.

I usually do my facial masks before bed, but I just got my hands on a brand new one, so I just had to try it out right away!

Wonder if it’ll really make my skin “super soft and elastic” like it says on the box...♪

Tetora: “Super soft and elastic”, huh… Narukami-senpai, it’s amazing how you always put so much care into your beauty regimen.

I know that, as an idol, I should be doing more for my grooming. But it’s such a pain that I always end up just doing a facial cleanser and then calling it a day.

Arashi: And yet, your skin is really smooth and beautiful, Tetora-kun. Makes me jealous! But it could be even more beautiful if you tended to it, you know?

Tetora: Even more beautiful? For real?

Arashi: But of course. Won’t you humor me and try it out?

Tetora: Hmm~... I am curious to find out how much of a change it really makes. I guess if it’s just a little bit, I do wanna give it a shot.

Arashi: Ufufu. Let’s both become beautiful together ♪

Well then, I’m going to set everything up. But first, let me take off my facial mask… Okay.

Face cream, hand cream, and of course, body cream, too...♪

Tetora: There are this many different types of just creams?

Arashi: Yup. And of course, I have several different ones of each type too. Which one would you like, Tetora-kun?

Tetora: I wouldn’t even know where to start choosing one… Can I leave that up to you, Narukami-senpai?

Arashi: Wow, I get to choose? I’m just itching to put my skills to use ♪

Alright... then how about we go with this brand for the face cream?

Tetora: Oh, I like that refreshing lemon scent~... Yeah, I’m gonna use this one ♪

So do I just smear it on my face? Or is there more to it?

Arashi: Of course there is. First we start with a toner, then some beauty serum, and finally, milky lotion. After that, it’s time for the face cream.

Tetora: I have to plaster all of that on my face!?

Toner, beauty serum, and then… Uhm, I can’t remember what comes next.

Arashi: Remembering all those different karate stances seems way more difficult to me.

But no worries, I’ll just apply them for you.

First comes toner. I’m putting some of it on my palm, and then I’ll rub both hands together like this to warm it up.

After that, I use both my hands to spread it over your entire face. Going from the middle to the sides, nice and evenly...♪

Tetora: Ooh… This feels nice, like a massage. I’m in heaven...♪

Arashi: Ufufu. Same here, your smooth skin feels sooo good ♪

Even from up close, your skin looks totally poreless. Really, I wish I was that lucky~.

Tetora: You do? I think you’re already plenty beautiful the way you are, Narukami-senpai.

In fact, I’m sure you’re way more beautiful than I am. I mean, you put all this effort into your beauty regimen and all.

Arashi: Oh Tetora-kun, you little charmer...♪

HiMERU: — HiMERU is home.

Arashi: Oh my, welcome home, HiMERU-chan.

Tetora: Hey there~.

HiMERU: ………

Tetora: Woah, wait! Our eyes met, so please don’t ignore us and say something!

It’s not like we’re doing anything questionable, but now I suddenly feel like running away!

HiMERU: This is the first time HiMERU encountered a situation such as this, you see. He didn’t want to cause any trouble, so he decided not to interfere.

However, the cosmetics over there did rouse HiMERU’s interest. Narukami-san, are these your personal belongings?

Arashi: Yup. HiMERU-chan, could it be that you’re also someone who’s hooked on beauty regimens?

HiMERU: You could say that. As an idol, it’s important to care about one’s appearance.

Oh...? This brand is a food company, but they also released a line of cosmetics?

Arashi: Yup! They only recently entered that market, but they already have a wide variety of them, and they’re so popular on social media.

What products do you use, HiMERU-chan? Would you mind showing me?

HiMERU: HiMERU doesn’t mind. Here you go.

Tetora: Ohh. They’re totally different from the ones Narukami-senpai has, huh? And they all seem like they’re brand items that cost a fortune.

HiMERU: It depends on the cosmetics, but some of them are affordable. For example, this body scrub is something within a high schooler’s price range.

Arashi: Oh, what a nice honey fragrance ♪ Perhaps I should buy one for myself?

Tetora: Uu~... That smell made me hungry. I’m gonna head to the kitchen and get myself something to eat.

Arashi: Not so fast. Eating within three hours before bedtime is strictly forbidden!

Tetora: No waaay… But then I won’t be able to sleep because of how hungry I am! And a lack of sleep is bad for your skin, too.

Arashi: You have a point…

Then how about you drink some caffeine-free tea? That would help your empty stomach.

HiMERU-chan, how about you? I’ll prepare a tea with beautifying effects for all of us.

HiMERU: HiMERU will join you. He’s sure that the teas Narukami-san knows are very good.

Arashi: Ufufu, then it’s decided. Let’s all go to the kitchen together...♪

Location: Starmony Dormitory Kitchen

Natsume: Good dAY. I’m here to deliver the vegetablES.

Niki: Ah, good work as always~!

Oh, huh? Instead of the veggie boy, you’re the one delivering the goods today, Sakasaki-kun?

Natsume: “Veggie bOY”... AaH, you must be talking about Midori-kun. So you’ve been calling him by that nicknaME, hUH?

Niki: Nope, actually I also call him Takamine-kun. But he always delivers the vegetables, so I’ve kinda ended up thinking of him as the veggie guy.

Natsume: I sEE, so that’s wHY. ActualLY, the plan was for Midori-kun to do this deliveRY, but it seems like something came up for him and so the ball’s in my court nOW.

I brought all the vegetables he wrote down on this memo for mE. Can you check if they match your ordER?

Niki: Sure thing~! Let’s see here… Eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers…

...Yup, looks like everything’s in order. And the vegetables all look super juicy and ripe for eating~. I’d expect nothing less from a Gardenia member!

Natsume: That’s hardly something worth praising me ovER. All I had to do was select the vegetables that seemed to be in good conditiON.

There were no problems with the deliveRY, so I’ll be taking my leave nOW. See yOU.

Niki: Stop, stop, please wait! It’d be such a waste to not eat such freshly harvested veggies! You’re shaving 3% off your lifetime*, I’m telling you!

Natsume: I don’t mind discarding 3% of iT. You can have those 3% of my lifetiME, Shiina-senpai; I’m bequeathing them to yOU.

Niki: But I mind it! Aren’t we buddies who brainstormed date plans** together?

Even a chance meeting can lead to a lifelong bond! I’ll put all my skill into preparing these veggies, so eat them together with me, pleeaase!

Look, look! The summer veggies are saying, “Come and eat us, we’re sooo fresh!”

Natsume: If you’re being serious right nOW, you must be suffering from some terrible auditory hallucinatioNS.

Guess you’re leaving me no choiCE… Alright thEN; I’ll eat with yOU.

Niki: Hell yeah! Alrighty, I’ll whip something up real quick, so please wait over there ♪

Natsume: YeAH, I wiLL.

(...And here I was planning to take care of a certain somethiNG… WeLL, I suppose I can do that anywheRE.)

<< A few minutes later >>

Niki: Here we go~. Sorry to have kept you waiting, my deluxe “summer veggie ratatouille” is all done and ready to be enjoyed~!

Hmm? What’re you doing with all those cards spread out on the table?

Natsume: These are tarot carDS. I figured I’d get through my fortune-telling requests while waiting for the cooking to be doNE. I’m already finished heRE, just give me a moment to tidy uP.

Niki: Hmm~... Then I’ll put the plates down over there. How long is “a moment”? I, for one, would like to eat as soon as possible.

...Ah, come to think of it! Sakasaki-kun, could you read my fortune for me?

Natsume: WhY?

Niki: No reason, it just popped into my head. See, I’ve actually never had my fortune told before. I’m curious to see what it’s like!

Natsume: Sure thiNG. I just finished reading these fortunes anywAY.

UsualLY, I’d demand some kind of compensation for thIS, but since you cooked for mE, we’ll call it evEN.

Well thEN. Shiina-senpai, what do you ask of the carDS?

Niki: I’d very much like to know if I’ll be able to eat delicious meals!

Natsume: Delicious meaLS? Does the ratatouille that’s standing right in front of our eyes not count for thAT?

BesidES, you already have the skills to create delicious meaLS, so there’s really no need to divinate this kind of thiNG.

Niki: Well, I guess you have a point. But I can’t think of anything else I’d want you to divinate for me…

Still, I don’t wanna let this chance get away from me. Please divinate a meal for me!

Natsume: AlrigHT, alrigHT. I’ll tell you your fortuNE, so would you mind choosing one of the cards I just shufflED?

Niki: Just one? Alright… I’ll take this one!

Natsume: ...HmM, I sEE.

Niki: What does it say? I just hope it’s nothing bad.

Natsume: This card indicates that you will be visited by unforeseEN, good fortuNE.

Niki: Good fortune? How is that related to food…?

Adonis: Shiina-senpai, good timing.

I have acquired some high quality meat. Do you think you could cook something with this?

Niki: Eeeeh! Sakasaki-kun, is this the good fortune you were talking about just now!?

Natsume: Who knoWS? I didn’t expect it to happen so soON, thouGH.

Adonis: What are you talking about? ...Did I bother you two?

Niki: Not at all! In fact, I’m overjoyed! Please wait, I’ll cook something up real quick!

Adonis: Thank you. I look forward to your cooking, Shiina-senpai.

Natsume: Adochan-kun, do you want to know your fortuNE? I’ll make an exception and take a look for yOU...♪

———————————

* If this seems confusing to readers: I agree. He’s saying that you’ll live 3% longer if you eat your veggies.

** Reference to the Date Plan event.

Location: CosPro Office

HiMERU: Oh? You’re already taking your leave, Anzu-san?

Ah, so you’ve seen enough of the material that you’re brimming with ideas, huh. Fufu, HiMERU is looking forward to them.

Leave it to HiMERU to tidy up around here. All the DVDs over here just need to be returned to vice president Saegusa, right?

Yes, HiMERU will give him your best regards. Well then, goodbye —

(...A personalized outfit for HiMERU, huh?)

(When observing the trends among the other idols’ personalized outfits so far, it seems that they’re meant to express their individual characteristics.)

(“HiMERU”’s individual characteristics…)

(Even though “I” know more about him than anyone else does, the hopes that “I” might express for an outfit aren’t necessarily the correct choice for HiMERU.)

(That’s why I mustn’t give my own opinion on this. It’s just fine if the outfit turns out bland.)

(If the outfit is something that the producer prepared “the way she pleases”, then HiMERU will be able to keep being HiMERU.)

Location: Café “Cinnamon”

- A few days later -

Rinne: ...So yeah, I reached out to the guys from ASOBI Club and they brought their friends and buddies over. The Werewolf game was a total party!

The one who shone the brightest was Ninja-kun for sure. He came up with a house rule: the “ninja” role! But that guy’s really no good at bein' secretive!

And like, my fellow werewolf Hina distracted everyone so well that I could just keep on gobblin’ up the villagers! It was a real hilarious tragedy, kyahaha ☆

If only you’d stayed behind, Merumeru~. I bet you’d have enjoyed the bloodbath together with me!

HiMERU: — Not particularly, no. HiMERU had to take care of some HiMERU business, you see… Oh?

Good evening, Anzu-san. Are you also having a belated dinner?

So you’ve finished the rough draft for HiMERU’s personalized outfit, huh.

Oh, there’s no need to review it. Since it was Anzu-san who came up with the design, HiMERU has full confidence in it.

...So you’ve made several drafts and want HiMERU to at least choose one of them? However, HiMERU is fine with any of them…

Rinne: Merumeru, what’s with the attitude? She’s goin’ through all that trouble of makin’ an outfit for ya. Poor Onee~san, gettin’ dumped like that~♪

How ‘bout instead of the ice cold Merumeru, li’l old me gets to wear that outfit instead?

...I can’t, ‘cause this outfit is for Merumeru’s exclusive use?

How cold of you. Since you’re already foregoin’ the leader and makin’ Merumeru’s outfit right now, won’tcha make my outfit next? Come on, yeah?

HiMERU: Setting aside Amagi’s teasing attitude… Indeed, HiMERU’s earlier stance was equivalent to impoliteness.

You did say you wanted to consult HiMERU. Very well, HiMERU will hear you out in detail. Amagi?

Rinne: Yeah yeah, you want me to step outside, don’tcha? Oh well.

I already ate my fill anyway. Guess I’ll go hit up the pachinko parlors or something. Smell ya later!

HiMERU: Now, allow HiMERU to take a look at your design drafts, if you please.

...Just as expected, they all appear appropriate for HiMERU.

You worked out some ideas based on the old footage you borrowed from the vice president? Then it’s no wonder that they all hit the mark.

HiMERU: But on the other hand, this makes it difficult for HiMERU to choose just one of them. May HiMERU ask Anzu-san to choose one for him, after— …?

(This one outfit seems familiar somehow…)

Aah, HiMERU apologizes for going quiet all of a sudden. About this design...

Hmm, it’s just a sketch, and not a design draft?

You copied an outfit design that you saw hanging on a dressing room wall on some bonus footage—?

(...Aah, so that’s why HiMERU remembers having seen it before.)

(This design was a contender for the outfit “HiMERU” would wear during his next live.)

(But this “next” live never came, and so it was scrapped…)

— Since you saw the bonus footage on that DVD, it must mean that you also viewed HiMERU’s last performance before he went on hiatus.

What did HiMERU look like, through your eyes?

...Fufu. Please excuse HiMERU for laughing. You kept praising “HiMERU” in rapid succession, so…

Yes, you’re right. The person you were telling me about just now was unmistakably “HiMERU”.

There are many ideas contained in this sketchbook, so while he feels bad about this… HiMERU is going to borrow it for a moment—

(...There were many other outfits “HiMERU” never got to wear. And surely, “HiMERU” can no longer return to those days.)

(But, at the very least, I want to take a step towards expressing the kind of style that “HiMERU” wanted to wear.)

(I want to represent "HiMERU”s original vision…)

— Please allow HiMERU to request that his outfit will be based on this design. Of course, you may make some revisions to it. Fashions trends have changed since this design was made, after all.

...You’ll try to stay as faithful as possible to the original design? Thank you very much for the respect you show HiMERU.

You seem considerably pleased, Anzu-san. Umm, so it’s because you’re happy that you got to listen to HiMERU’s wishes…?

(Ah, right… “I” also have things I want — things I wish for.)

(Like a ghost that yearns for something they can never again possess… It’s because of this tenacious attachment that it can remain suspended in its place.)

Niki: He~y, HiMERU-ku~n? It’s the last call, do you wanna order something?

...Oh huh, Nee-san’s here too. I didn’t notice ‘cause I’ve been so cooped up in the kitchen all this time, sorry.

Would you like to eat something too, Nee-san? Ah, you’re leaving since you’re done talking about the personalized outfit?

Then I look forward to welcoming you back here next time~.

A personalized outfit, huh? HiMERU-kun, are you next in line for that?

I look forward to seeing what kinda design it’s gonna be ♪

HiMERU: Yes… HiMERU himself looks forward to that as well.

Location: Café “Cinnamon”

HiMERU: — “Werewolf”?

Rinne: Yeah, dude. It’s a game where, through talkin’ to each other, ya gotta uncover the lyin’ li’l werewolf who’s pretendin’ to be your friend.

The other day, some guys were playin’ it in the common area of the Starmony Dorm and I had ‘em let me join in. It was a blast.

And while we’re all here, let’s make it a competition! The loser’s gotta treat us to lunch!

If I’m the werewolf, I’m gonna eat you up first and foremost, Niki. Get ready for your just deserts, kyahaha ☆

Niki: Don’t make scary declarations like that! I like to eat, but I’d rather not be eaten.

Kohaku: Werewolf, huh? I’ve played that online before. That game needs 8 or more players, so we can’t do it by ourselves, right?

Rinne: No worries, I can just hit up the guys from ASOBI Club on HoldHands — then we’ll easily get enough peeps in here.

Niki: “Easily”, huh. Not everyone’s got the kinda free time you have, Rinne-kun.

Rinne: Aaahn? Hell are you talkin’ about, I don’t have that much time to spare either. I’ve only got this one life, and livin’ it to the fullest doin’ all kinds of hilarious shit keeps me real busy!

HiMERU: — That’s called “having free time”.

Kohaku: Huh… HiMERU-han, yer leavin’ already?

HiMERU: Yes. It seems like the business talk is over, so there’s no point in staying any longer than this.

Kohaku: Aight. But can ya answer me one question before ya go?

HiMERU: — A question? As long as it’s something HiMERU can answer, do go ahead and ask.

Kohaku: Thank ya kindly. I’m not sure how t’broach this topic, so I’ll just ask ya point-blank: Did ya screw somethin’ up, HiMERU-han?

HiMERU: Screw up? Did HiMERU do something like that?

Kohaku: I mean, I don’t think you’ve been involved in any misdeeds.

Ya see, yesterday Anzu-han asked me to tell her everythin’ I know about ya, HiMERU-han.

Niki: Ah! Oh right, it didn’t happen yesterday, but she asked me about HiMERU-kun, too.

I was hungry back then, so I turned her down with a, “Yeah, some other time.” Still, I wonder what that was all about?

HiMERU: She asked both Oukawa and Shiina? Then, that must mean…

Rinne: ‘Course, she reached out to li’l old me as well. When I said that I’d spill the beans if she beat me in a gamble, she turned tail, though.

So spit it out, Merumeru. What’d you screw up?

HiMERU: ………

Rinne: If ya don’t feel like tellin’ us what’s up, how about we reveal it through a game of Werewolf? Kyahaha ☆

HiMERU: — There’s nothing to reveal in the first place. HiMERU doesn’t have the slightest idea what this could be about.

(Actually, the only thing that comes to mind is “my” secret. Perhaps she suspects something, and that’s why she’s sounding out the people around HiMERU...?)

HiMERU will go meet with Anzu-san in person and ask what it is that she wants to know. Well then, see you.

Location: CosPro Office

HiMERU: (The person standing with their back turned towards HiMERU… As expected, it’s Anzu-san. Finally, HiMERU found her.)

(Seeing as she’s at the CosPro office, perhaps she’s still investigating HiMERU.)

(In that case, HiMERU will return the favor. Time to probe your true intentions…)

— Good day, Anzu-san. Did you come to CosPro for work today?

You’re staring at that computer screen so eagerly… Oh my.

That’s... old footage of a HiMERU performance, isn’t it? How nostalgic.

However, HiMERU believes that the DVDs that contain this footage are no longer being distributed. How did you come by them?

...Hmm, so you borrowed them from vice president Saegusa. He certainly seems like the kind of person who would have this data in his possession.

(So they're not recordings of Crazy:B, but HiMERU’s solo lives? In that case, she really must be investigating HiMERU.)

(But to what end…?)

— Fufu. Even though you’re just looking at old footage, it still feels somewhat embarrassing to be stared at so fervently.

Why are you watching something like that after all this time?

A personalized outfit? Yes, HiMERU knows of them. So you plan to create a new outfit for HiMERU soon.

Interesting. Creating the vice president’s personalized outfit was your cue to start investigating other idols in advance from now on, hm?

(Speaking of which, the vice president’s personalized outfit struck HiMERU as very befitting of him. Well, not that HiMERU knows him all that well...)

(In any case, it appears as though she wasn’t on the hunt for the secret after all.)

Could it be that you’ve been asking around about HiMERU in order to plan this personalized outfit, Anzu-san?

So that’s what it was about. You see, just earlier, Amagi and the others told HiMERU that you were inquiring about him.

Hmm… So you intended to ask HiMERU directly, but he had gone home for the day, so you asked the others instead.

Very well, HiMERU understands the situation. Certainly, he has often been going home early in recent times. Since you’re quite busy yourself, we probably just kept missing each other.

(Still, there was no need for Amagi to use such a loaded phrase like “screw up”... It made HiMERU far too suspicious for no reason.)

You’re sorry for making it seem like you’re sounding HiMERU out? Please, there’s no need to apologize.

...You want to know HiMERU’s request? In other words, what kind of outfit HiMERU would like to wear?

Please don’t concern yourself with what HiMERU wants; feel free to design whatever your heart desires, Anzu-san —

No matter what kind of outfit it will turn out to be, it will look stylish on HiMERU. Please create it as you see fit.

— What’s the matter? Do you have a question for HiMERU?

You want to think of a rough draft at home and consult HiMERU again once you’ve come up with something…?

Understood. Feel free to talk to HiMERU whenever you’d like, Anzu-san.