Naked – Epilogue
Season: ES 2nd Year, Summer (September)
“♪~♪~♪”
ufufu, shinobu is fully back to his [usual self], isn’t he~♪
Uu~myu… So in that case, I assume there was a reason behind him suddenly wearing those elevator boots, huh?
I was a li’l worried he was strayin’ off course from worrying so much over the new song’s direction…
But well, it looked like he was havin’ fun in his own way. And most of all, it’s great to know he’s in full spirits now! ☆
……Personally, rather than being back to his usual, he looks a lot more lively to me than before…
Did something happen? …Do you happen to know, Shinkai-senpai?
fufu. i [spoke] with shinobu in the [bathtub], you see.
we did what they call, “baring your body bares your heart too”.1
when both your heart and your body are [fully naked], the things you normally cannot bring yourself to say will [naturally] spill out from you.
this reminds me. midori, you usually wash up in our room’s [shower], don’t you?2
i think this would be a nice opportunity to go to the [public bathhouse] together, so how about we go there after we finish [filming]?
let’s all [puka puka] together~♪ (sways left and right)
“♪~♪~♪”
(I never once thought I’d be asked to choreograph for us.)
(In order to show the uttermost cool-looking Ryuseitai, Sengoku wanted help from me, since I was once selected to be part of the 4piece dance group.)3
(With a radiant smile on his face, he said, “Your dancing is seriously first-class, Morisawa-dono! ☆” — all because he’s counting on me.)
(It makes me so happy. To be trusted, appreciated, and relied on.)
(When I was thinking up the choreography, I made sure it’s in a way that would let Sengoku’s movements shine the most…)
(Since it looked as though he was still a little concerned about his smaller stature and looking overly young.)
(Even though he doesn’t have to worry about that at all. Your nimble agility and zippy movements are “weapons” that only you possess!)
(The ninja spirit residing within you is sharp and powerful, like lightning.)
(How you’ll master your craft, and what kind of adult you’ll turn out to be… I’m already burning with excitement to find out!)
(—No. This isn’t the time to admire my junior’s growth.)
(I’m also a hero in the midst of my own growth. I can’t allow myself to lose to the younger generation!)
(I’ll also keep on evolving alongside Sengoku and everyone…☆)
(I got to write the lyrics this time around, but will everyone take a liking to it…?)
(Up until now, we’ve mostly sung cheerful songs that feel encouraging to listen to—)
(But for this song, I tried making it about breaking out of your own shell, as if stirring yourself to take action.)
(Of course, our wishes to cheer on and support all our fans haven’t changed in the slightest.)
(It would make me very happy to know if our performance uplifted them, even if only a little bit!)
(But it isn’t just that…)
(If someone ends up humming to themself after listening to this song… Then I hope in doing so, it can act as the “catalyst” for them to take a step forward in their life, no matter how small that step may be.)
(There may be some people out there who’ve arbitrarily decided this is as far as they can go — who run away from change, fearing the thought of getting hurt…)
(And you know, I was like that once upon a time. That’s precisely why with this song, I want to give a boost to those who are hesitating just as I had in the past.)
(I’d be so happy if this song became the “beam of light” for someone who’s feeling downhearted!)4
(Just like how Morisawa-dono gently guided me, who was once living in the shadows, and led me to the sunlight…)
(Just like how my precious comrades are always willing to fight alongside me no matter what…)
(Just like how I was saved by everyone! This time around, I’ll have faith that this song will be the hero to someone out there—!)
(And I shall deliver the beam of miracle that shines in the darkness — to the whole world!)5
“♪~♪~♪”
After the MV filming was over — In the corridors of the film studio…
Anzu-dono~ I apologize for keeping you waiting!
I ended up taking a while to decide on what sort of expression to go with for the very last shot…
So, who did you want me to meet?
Ah! That person wearing the suit…!
Thank you for your hard work, Sengoku-san. Please excuse my manners the other day.
Anzu-san asked me to observe your filming today, you see.
And I was frankly taken by surprise. It was almost like you were a completely different person from the last time we met.
Your fierce performance under the spotlight was just as captivating as any of our contracted artists. I was deeply impressed by the sight.
……!
(That day, being treated like a child shocked me so much that my mind went completely blank…)
(But to think I’d get recognized as a full-fledged idol like this…!)
It is an honor to be told that!
It’s a tiny bit embarrassing to hear, but it makes me happy to receive such recognition~♪
No, thank you ever so much for the valuable opportunity.
My boss always tells me to learn more about Japan’s idols, and the more I do, the more I realize just how insightful it is.
Thank you for the wonderful stimuli. I’ll be supporting you from behind the scenes from now on, as well.
Yes! Please do take notice of Ryuseitai’s activities moving forward…☆
…Mm? Everyone’s calling me from the other side.
Anzu-dono, you still have business to talk about with the Thunderbolt staff, correct?
Right, then I shall take my leave here! (waves)
Sound of footsteps
Shutatata…☆ I apologize for keeping you waiting, everyone! Sengoku Shinobu has finally returned!
welcome back, shinobu.
we finished our [filming] safe and sound, so it is time we head back to our room.2
but before that…♪
Mm! After a job well done and a good load of sweating comes none other than… a trip to the bath! ☆
Thank you for your hard work. I’ll be heading back first if you don’t mind.
…Wai— Gghh!?
Ooh, Midori-kun got carried over Shinkai-senpai’s shoulders like a sack bag. Shinkai-senpai, you’re pretty strong despite how ya may look, aren’tcha?
hehe, hehehe~ i will not let you escape, midori~
you [promised] during our filming, didn’t you? that we would all [puka puka] together…♪
I-I didn’t, though… You just said that on your own… Uuu, someone save me…
Ahaha. It appears that when up against Shinkai-dono, even Midori-kun cannot escape so easily~♪
Nishishi. This bustling energy is what makes Ryuseitai so wonderful.
Right, it is time we depart! Onwards, to the public bathhouse…☆
Translation Notes
- ↑ The lit. meaning of this idiom is “hanging out naked”. It typically refers to being on such open and honest terms with someone that you can (figuratively) hang out with them naked in a public bath. It’s usually used between men.
- ↑ Referring to Ryuseitai’s room together in Mega Sphere’s Star House, which only has a shower in the bathroom.
- ↑ Referring to when Chiaki won in the 4piece audition and was selected to be part of MODE/D, the dance unit. The song he performs showcases his incredible dancing skills!
- ↑ Shinobu’s thoughts align beautifully with the story’s song, please give the lyrics a read!
- ↑ Referring to Shinobu’s Ryusei Yellow catchphrase; “The yellow flame is the mark of hope! The beam of miracle, shining into the darkness!”.