[Yumenosaki Era] Strawberry Colored Holiday
Note: This story was written before Enstars decided to create the agencies.
- Strawberry Picking-no-Jutsu
- Berry Room
- Helping Out the Family Business
- Berry Dream
- Playing with Kids
- Berry Sweet
- Commanding the Place
- Berry Sour
Chapter Index
Ch 1 - Ch 2 - Ch 3 - Ch 4 - Ch 5 - Ch 6 - Ch 7 - Ch 8 - Ep 1 - Ep 2 - Translation Notes
Chapter 1
Season: Yumenosaki Era, Winter (Post-Graduation, Spring Holidays)1
Location: Strawberry Farm
Haaaaahh… I’m sooo depreeesseddd… I wanna dieeee…
Uuu, this was supposed to be my spring holiday… But then they had to tell me to help out a relative, and just had to make me work without any pay…
What did I ever do to deserve this… Everyone should just die…
Now that’s not what an ally of justice would say, is it~ C’mon, Midori-kun! Cheer up!
What’s wrong, what’s wrong! You don’t have enough guts! Become hotter! Just like the sun…☆
Stop talking like that… Being reminded of a certain someone makes me wanna die… Mmgh, it makes me wanna kill…
Woah, now that’s terrifying. Huh? I was so sure you were depressed ‘cause Morisawa-senpai graduated, though?
That’s why I imitated him for your sake and everything. I guess I’m not someone who can be the sun, huh…
At most, I might be able to become a himawari? ‘Cause y’know, if you reorder himawari, it becomes “Aoi Hinata”!2
So a sunflower! A-hahahaha!! ☆
What’s with that energy… Why’re you so energetic anyway… I don’t even feel envious anymore, I just feel hatred now…
Ahhh… Why do I have to spend my time with a classmate I’m barely close to, and with just the two of us too…
I would’ve seriously preferred being all on my own instead of this…
Ahaha, don’t say something so sad and lonely, c’mon~?
We don’t know if we’ll be in the same class the next school year, after all! So you should get my affection level to a 100% while you still can!
This opportunity may never come again, y’know?
I never wanted that opportunity in the first place… More importantly, the spot you’re standing on… There’s seedlings planted there, so don’t step on it… The plants will die…
Whoa, for reals? I can’t tell them apart at all~ My bad!
You can tell what they are, huh? That’s the son of the greengrocer for you! Heyo, 1-A’s Plant Master! ☆
Uu, why’re you so hyper… They’re making fruit wine on the other side, did you end up getting drunk from the smell…?
I’m always like this, though~ It’s like a remnant of the time when I’d always try to have different traits from Yuuta-kun, I guess?
I got so familiar with those traits that I’m just the cheerful type now! Ahaha~☆
Anyway, it’s fun to try out something for the first time, right? That exhilarating feeling of experience and skill building up inside of you…☆
Thankies for inviting me to this strawberry picking today, Midori-kun~♪
Uh, we’re not strawberry picking, we’re helping out with my relative’s farmwork… We’re not here to play around, so could you quit blabbering and start working…?
If we don’t put in the effort, we seriously might not make it before the spring holidays are over…
Also, I didn’t really invite you, okay… Before the holidays started, I was groaning in class about how depressed I was, and you hounded me for answers…
I was worried, y’know~ As your classmate and everything. Sorry, was I being insensitive?
It’s fine… You surprisingly pay close attention to your surroundings, don’t you… If someone’s down in the dumps, you try to make them laugh by saying stupid stuff…
You’re a good guy, Hinata-kun… Probably, I dunno…
Heh-heh. I have a troublesome little brother after all! I got pretty good at being thoughtful of others~♪
Who’re you calling a “troublesome little brother”, huh~? Don’t act like you’re so much better, ‘kay?
Whoa—… Huh, your little brother came too…?
Mm? Aniki, you didn’t tell him I’m coming?
Ahem~ Onii-chan always comes prepared with surprises, after all! ♪
You just forgot, didn’t you~ You’re always so careless.
Sorry, um, Midori-kun. Could I join you with the strawberry picking?
Sure… Having more hands would be helpful here… I’m not too sure if I’ll be able to pay you a part-time salary for this, though…
Ahh, we don’t need money. This is just us helping out a friend after all, right, Aniki?
Yep, yep, exactly as Yuuta-kun says! Just let me eat strawberries later, it’ll work as a reward! I looove sweet fruits! ☆
I don’t like sweet food, but… Well, if Aniki is happy, so am I~♪
Y-Yuuta-kuuun~! Please do not abandon me…! I am filled with a sense of helplessness on my lonesome! I beg of you, don’t leave me on my own…!
Huh…? I didn’t know Sengoku-kun was with you. Hey~… It’s been a while, hasn’t it…?
Mfun. It has been only a few days at most, Midori-kun!
I’m so delighted to see you again! Ahh, oh how reassuring it feels to come across a familiar face in unknown land…☆
Woah—! Don’t pounce on me… You’re acting like a little kid… We’re about to be in our second year of high school, y’know…?
Ehehe, whenever we travel somewhere for our Ryuseitai activities, Midori-kun would often carry me on his back!
And so, hugging you puts my heart at ease~♪
Huh, is that so… It’s fine, I guess… You’re pretty light, so you wouldn’t get in my way…
Woah, wouldja look at that, Yuuta-kun! Ryuseitai’s showing off how close they are! We 2wink have to stand strong and show our lovey-doveyness too~♪
Why’re you so enthusiastic, Aniki… Sorry, Midori-kun; I’m sure we’re causing a ruckus, aren’t we?
It’s fine, really… The liveliness distracts me from my mood…
Whenever I saw the red color of the strawberries, I just sunk further into depression… and I seriously felt like I could die from it…
But thanks to all of you, I feel just a little bit relieved…♪
Chapter 2
Huff, hiihh! N-No more! I cannot move any longer~!
My back hurts after working hunched over for so long! Auhh, how shameful of me! I’m the only one knocked out of action while Midori-kun’s still alive and kicking…!
Ahaha, we’re working with a greengrocer’s son, after all~ I bet Midori-kun’s pretty used to farmwork. People with experience know how to avoid tiring out in the workflow~♪
Meanwhile, I’m worn out from overusing muscles I barely ever use.
You and Yuuta-kun joined us mid-way, but I’ve been picking strawberries aaall morning, so~
I’m pretty beat. I’ll take a break too~ You alright if I sit next to you?
…………
Mm? Huh!? No response? Don’t ignore me! It feels lonely!
M-My apologies… That was rude of me. You kept talking without pause, so I could not respond in time.
It’s fine. I’m guessing you’re wary of me ‘cause Yuuta-kun’s spoke badly of me, right?
Stuff like, “my Aniki’s hopeless~ He’s an idiot who just does anything, so don’t get close to him”… Yeah?
Ahaha, well, it’s like that for the most part, but I can tell he really cherishes his big brother. Especially lately~♪
I’m quite shy and anxious around strangers, you see… I apologize for not providing a sufficient response.
It’s fine~ Yuuta-kun was like that in the past, too.
He’d aaalways hide behind me and everything~ Well, I didn’t make things any better by constantly expressing his thoughts on his behalf.
And y’know, ‘cause he was like that in the past… I think it’s how he could understand your feelings and be friends with you. So all’s well that ends well~ Nihihi~♪
But I’m glad to know you don’t hate me or hold a warped view about me. I wanted to sit down and talk properly to you at least once, y’know?
Thanks for taking great care of my li’l brother~♪
No, no! It’s simply preposterous to say that! I’m the one who puts a lot of trouble on Yuuta-kun!
If anything, I should be apologizing! I must prostrate in front of you, with the dogeza that Isara-dono imparted on me…!
Ahaha… No need to be so humble~ We’re the same age, after all.
Ahh… It seems I cannot help but think of you as much older, since you are “Yuuta-kun’s Onii-chan”.
Even though you look exactly like him, almost as if you’ve shadow cloned yourself.
Ahaha… Our family has a guardian that’s well, like that, so… I’ve been Yuuta-kun’s papa and mama for a looong time.
That’s why I might be aging waaay too much~?
Nah! I’mma put it as “looking mature”! Y’see~ Yuuta-kun’s the apple of my eye! He’s my precious li’l baby-chan…♪
Anyways, I always take up the guardian front, so… I guess Yuuta-kun’s pretty happy he gets to act all big and tough in front of you~?
Fufufu. This feels weird, Yuuta-kun having his very own friend.
We’re only gonna get more and more stuff like this as time goes on, huh~ Awesome! It’s like twice the happiness and fortune for us! ☆
If it’s okay with you, let’s also be friends, Shinobu-kun~♪
O-Of course! I-I-I-If you deem me acceptable…!
Hold up~, Aniki? That’s my Shinobu-kun, don’t take him from me, okay~?
I’d never do that. Even looong ago… That mini four-wheeler I took from you was actually faulty.
And I thought you’d feel let down if you found out, Yuuta-kun.
So I decided I’d take up all those undesirable things instead… I admit it was pretty unnecessary of me to do all that, though~
Besides, Shinobu-kun is totally a good kid in every single way, sooo… There’s no reason for Onii-chan to take him away! ♪
Mhm… Okay, enough resting! Get back to work~ We’re specifically here to help out, but we’ve barely managed to do that, y’know?
No, it’s fine… This was a job my relative asked me to do, after all…
You can all just take it easy… Go ahead and eat the strawberries around this side…
If you want condensed milk and stuff, it’s in that cooler box over there…
And if it’s hygiene you’re worried about, there’s wet tissues and a water tap over on that side…
Got it~ You’ve got everything here, huh? Then I’ll accept that kind offer and eat some, I’m starving like crazy!
Nooow which to eat—Eeny, meeny, miny, moe~…♪
Wash your hands first, Aniki. You’re practically covered in mud. You seriously always lay down as soon as you can…
Ahaha, it feels nice, like we’re on a picnic! Join us Yuuta-kun, let’s relax together~♪
Chapter 3
Jeez… These two are just sprawling out on the ground.
I feel like Aniki’s incompetent side is infecting Shinobu-kun already.
It’s fine, isn’t it~ Ryuseitai has three whole members who’ve built experience, so I bet they’ll be tough opponents to us 2wink.
We gotta turn them incompetent and chip off their assets while we still can~♪
T-That was your master plan all along? I’ve made an oversight! And here I thought you were a super-duper nice person, being friendly even to the likes of me…!
You trust others way too easily, Sengoku-kun…
No, no, Midori-kun, you are simply far too distrustful, you know~?
Yumenosaki Academy is no longer a battlefield where blood is rinsed with blood!
Taichou-dono, all our seniors… They fought and struggled to the brink of death, and seized hold of a future for us brimming with hope.
Of course, I shall not be colluding with the two. However, I do have hopes that we could become rivals who inspire one another to greater heights.
The act of hurting and deceiving one another is simply too heartbreaking.
You really are suuuch a good kid, Shinobu-kun. Stay the way you are forever and ever, okay? ♪
M-Mm. Why are you looking at me with such tender eyes, Yuuta-kun…?
Fufu, I feel like that sorta thing is a little too naive, but~ I don’t dislike it, either.
If we had to pick something red-colored, strawberries are way better than blood! Nom, nom… Could I just take some of these home~? I’d love to use them to make sweets~♪
Yeah, do as you like…
It’s a pretty bad harvest this year round… All the strawberries barely have any energy in them…
Then let’s cheer the strawberries on, Midori-kun! We’ll tell them, “do your best, do your best~”! ♪
I recall hearing that plants thrive if you speak to them!
Let us make full use of the boisterous energy we inherited from our Ryuseitai predecessors, and encourage these strawberries! ♪
I don’t recall ever inheriting something like that…
Don’t turn into a nuisance like our seniors, okay, Sengoku-kun…? Stay the way you are forever and ever, okay…♪
N-No, really, why does everyone look at me with those gentle eyes meant for toddlers!?
Nihihi. While you were all having a silly discussion, tadaaah! ☆ I went and washed the strawberries!
I plucked out a lot to share between us! There’s ones you can eat as is, ones dipped in condensed milk, and ones I smashed and mixed with sugar and milk~♪
You’re oddly dextrous the moment it comes to stuff like this, aren’t you…
But well, they look pretty fresh and tasty, since they were picked just now! ♪ Midori-kun, Midori-kun, do you know which ones aren’t that sweet? I always feel sick when I eat something too sweet!
Mm~ Try biting into one first, and if you think you can’t handle it, give it to your Onii-chan~♪
Mh~ The thought of pushing all the stuff I don’t like on you doesn’t really sit well with me, though~?
The ones here aren’t the super sweet type… And then there’s the ones that aren’t ripened much, feel free to choose from those…
If there’s any that are rotten or have bugs on them, you’re free to spit them out.
Huh!? There’s bugs!? There’s no way I can put any of these strawberries in my mouth, even if there’s only a 1% chance of bugs in there! Right, right~ This is a farm after all…?
I bet there’s bugs everywhere! Eeeep!?
This farm isn’t pesticide-free or anything, so it’s not that bad, but… Bugs grow resistant to pesticides from year to year, so… well… we can’t really exterminate all of them, yeah…
Right, Yuuta-kun cannot handle insects.
If only I had brought Momocchi and Thunder, they absolutely love eating insects.
Hey, don’t get them near me, okay!? I don’t like nor dislike frogs, but if its body is made of bugs, then I don’t even wanna try touching it…!!
Frogs are adorable, though~ And if I may add, bugs are adorable too.
I’ll never come to understand that. It’s impossible for me, even if you’re my friend. Sorry.
Well, there’s no need to have the same likes and dislikes just ‘cause someone is your family or friend, right?
I don’t really dislike bugs, though~ Couldja remind me again what made you hate them, Yuuta-kun?
I don’t wanna be reminded. I’ll give you a hint: Back when we were doing performances on the streets… I’m not saying anything further! I wish all bugs could just perish from this world.
Well, yeah, they don’t really have a cute form, do they…
If only all living things could morph into cute tiny beings, not just bugs… I wish everyone could just turn into yuru-chara…
Chapter 4
Nom, nom… Anyways, I’m gonna gobble up all these strawberries if nobody else will eat them~
Wait, don’t hog all the strawberries, Aniki!
Midori-kun, you come here too~ Let’s take a break and savor the strawberries together~♪
Uu~… I feel all wrong inside when I don’t finish a satisfying amount of work…
My parents also told me not to come home until all the farmwork’s done…
How cruel! That’s abuse, totally abuse! Didja hear him, miss?
Mhm-mhm, my my, darkness exists no matter the household, doesn’t it~?
Uhh, no… whenever I have long holidays, I just laze about all day at home…
So they force me to work in various places because they don’t want me turning rotten…
This has always been a thing in my family, like, you could almost call it an annual event…
I’m guessing another reason for this was in case I inherit the greengrocer someday… so they wanted me to get familiar with vegetables, fruits and farmwork…
But since I ended up becoming an idol by mistake and all… I feel like the greengrocer side of me is mostly just true in name but not in reality… Like, I don’t feel as though there’s any point to getting me used to farmwork…
Ahaha, don’t say it was “by mistake”.
It’s because you joined Yumenosaki Academy… Or rather, it’s because you became an idol that we were able to encounter one another~♪
Mm… That’s, well, true…
If I hadn’t joined Yumenosaki Academy, I’m sure I would’ve never gotten involved with anything that had to do with idols… Fate’s strange, isn’t it…
Naah~ I doubt the world would’ve left you alone with looks as good as yours, Midori-kun.
Mhm, mhm. Honestly, based on looks alone, he’s the strongest among our age.
He’ll be a terrifying opponent if he ever gets serious about being an idol, huh~ Maybe we gotta knock him down while we still can after all, yeah? Just like these strawberries!
Ehh~ Being big is such an inconvenience… I bump my head a lot, too…
You don’t know how good you have it~ I’d like you to share that height with me if you do not want it… I’ve been antsy over the complete absence of my growth spurt, you know!
If I could, I’d give you my height as much as you want, though…
Ahaha… Well, there is no point in asking for the impossible.
We’re all different, and we’re all wonderful. That’s what Ryuseitai’s all about in the end!
Chapter 5
Mm… And with this, all the harvested strawberries are finally in boxes…♪
That’s all the work I had to do… I finished my quota…
Mhm, mhm, it feels pretty good to get things done just right…♪
Good work~! Whewww, that was tough! I seriously thought it’d never come to an end!
Mm… Both of you in 2wink are super dexterous, so you’ve helped me out big time… We sorted through the job I was given while the sun’s still out…♪
Uu… I was barely of use! I exerted all my efforts, but I feel as though I only stood in everyone’s way!
This is so frustrating~ And I gallantly rushed here specifically because I heard Midori-kun was in crisis, too! If all I achieved was being a hindrance, then it defeats the point!
No, the thought alone makes me happy…
Plus, you’re similar to a zashikiwarashi or a yuru-chara being, so… Your presence alone calms my soul…♪
Mmhh? Are you praising me with that? I’m so happy! ♪
Mm… Anyway, I’m just glad we got the bothersome work done with early… If I did this alone, I think it would’ve taken me hours or days…
Heh, true! You’re used to this stuff, but you’re also insanely fussy, so you were pretty slow with moving your hands~
You should learn from me and be more loose about it! ♪
No, you’re way too loose with everything, Aniki…
Ahh, I’m beat. Spring is finally here and all, but I ended up covered with sweat like it’s the middle of summer.1
I’ll wipe you clean with a towel, Yuuta-kun! Rub, rub~♪
Quit it, Aniki~
How about you wipe your sweat off first? You really always prioritize me — it’s only ever out of good will though, so it’s hard to complain…
I know how you feel… Meddling way too much is the same as mistreatment…
But, well… You start to feel pretty lonely when that sort of thing’s gone, so…
I think you should treasure it more, y’know? Though, I don’t mean to pry into your business or anything…
But if possible, I hope I can get along with 2wink from now on, too… Since you two are so dextrous, I’d love to ask for your help again sometime…♪
You’re free to ask anytime~ I’ve been doing all sorts of part-time work, so I’m used to doing monotonous work.
Everything becomes more enjoyable as you keep doing it, anyway~♪
We actually have a pretty advantageous disposition~ Like how we can gradually get the hang of picking strawberries~, or how to do it more efficiently!
It was fun~ I almost wish we could keep on going! ♪
I’m glad to know you enjoyed it… But if we overharvest, that can be a problem of its own… The strawberry season’s just started, after all…
We have to leave some strawberries behind for the customers to pick…
Well, kids these days probably have no interest in working with dirt, though…
The farm ends up with lots of strawberries left every year because no customers come… So my relative managing this farm calls me over in a panic to harvest them…
It’d just be a waste to throw them away just because there were too many of them…
Huh. Even though strawberry picking’s loads of fun~ You get to eat something sweet and everything! I wonder why the customers don’t show up?
This farm’s in a pretty remote place, after all…
And there’s so many other fun things to do in this world over strawberry picking… Like playing games or reading manga, and whatnot…
Mmh~ If kids these days aren’t interested in strawberry picking, then what are they interested in?
A lot of our Ryuseitai fans are children, so I feel like we need to get a good grasp on what the kids want.
No clue… I’m bad with kids… They’re always so loud and moving unpredictably…
But I’d like to know too — What do kids like…
If we could have customers come to this farm and join in on the strawberry picking… I wouldn’t need to be called over to harvest them…
Is there any way to bring over children to the farm…? Sengoku-kun, what did you like when you were a kid…?
That would be ninjas and frogs.
You’re still like that… Mm~ Well, this generation is different from when we were kids, though…
But it’s true that Ryuseitai has a lot of kids as its audience, since we perform hero shows a lot…
So we should learn more about what they like, right…
Hmm~ I see, so Midori-kun, you’ll still be working as part of Ryuseitai this coming year after all, huh?
You’ve always seemed unmotivated, or well, you’re always complaining… So I thought maybe that you got fed up with it by this point, y’know?
Well, yeah, more or less… It’d be a pain to try moving to a different unit at this point, anyway…
And if I stopped in my tracks here… It would just end up wasting away all the efforts of the people who pulled me over for a whole year…
That’d be, well, pretty awful of me, so…
Mmh~ But now we won’t have enough people in Ryuseitai. We won’t be able to say the phrase, “The five of us together are Ryuseitai”~.
We will have to scout new students for our unit.
Want to join us, 2wink…? You happen to be two people yourselves, so…?
Mm~ I appreciate the offer, but we’ll be doing our own thing. We can’t go that far to help you guys in the end, yeah?
This is important for your unit, so you can’t get it over and done with through a shortcut, y’know.
Family isn’t something you can choose, but for the comrades you’ll entrust your back to, they’ll have to be chosen with utmost care.
Chapter 6
Mm~ I know our party’s in full swing right now, but… Could you all lend me your ears for a moment?
While we were working today… I was texting Anzu-san on my phone.
Eh!? You spoke with Anzu-dono? You’re incredible, Hinata-kun! A courageous warrior, even! I always get too nervous to text Anzu-dono, you know~!?
You should contact her as much as you can, she can be a bit of a worrywart.
She was fretting over you guys, wondering if Ryuseitai’s gonna be okay now that our seniors have graduated.
So when I contacted her today saying I’ll be helping out Midori-kun with strawberry picking, she asked me to see how you’re all doing.
She figured you’d be more willing to talk to me since we’re all friends of the same age.
I don’t mean to hold secrets from Anzu-dono, though… but she’s been quite busy lately, so I cannot help but hold back from contacting her.
Mm~ She loves working, so I feel like it’s fine to rely on her as much as you want.
Anzu-san doesn’t talk much, but she responds pretty quickly and thoroughly when it’s text messages.
By the way, what sort of topics do you discuss with Anzu-dono? I’d like to know for future reference!
I haven’t got a single clue on how to speak to a lady!
No, actually, erm, I still struggle with topics even when it’s with a guy… Perhaps it is time I gain interest in something other than ninjas?
Mm~ Most of it is about work, but sometimes I talk to her about trivial everyday stuff, too. My communication style is usually quantity over quality, really.
But Anzu-san seems to be having some troubles with family affairs right now, so… I try to keep contact as minimal as possible.
Making her laugh by saying stupid stuff could also act as a nice breather for her, right? And as we keep the conversation going, I get to have some jobs come my way too.
Though, I really can’t stand how she treats us like kids when we’re only a year apart.
Doesn’t it feel like she sees herself as our guardian or something?
It’s fine though, since it feels motherly… But I wish she’d look at us as equals.
Mmh~ I understand how you feel, I tend to be treated like a little animal by Anzu-dono.
Nevertheless… We ended up making her worry about us. But Ryuseitai is alright.
Myself aside, Tetora-kun is well put-together, after all.
Ahaha… But Sengoku-kun and I are kind of gutless, so I feel like we’ve been accidentally putting most of the burden on Tetora-kun…
We have to get it together too, don’t we…?
Mhm. Exactly as you say, Midori-kun — We have to support Tetora-kun.
Nihihi, I’ve got great news for you two~! Anzu-san just sent me a message a second ago…
It sounds like she’s in a bit of a pinch right now, so how about we help her out?
It could work as repayment for all the care she’s given us this past year… Or well, maybe that’s too heavy to say, but — When times are tough, we should help each other out, right? So whatcha think?
It’s a job for idols, so it’ll be added to your track record too! ♪
Well, we got the strawberry harvesting done with… But it depends on the job, like, is it something we can help with…?
Mhm. In fact, I’d say you’re perfect for the job.
You were talking about not knowing what kids like earlier, and how you wanted to call them over to the farm, yeah? This job might just get rid of all those worries in one blow! ♪
I’ll let Anzu-san know: “All OK! Leave it to us, please~” ♪
Anzu-dono~! Over here, nin-nin! Come on over~♪ (waves)
Mm? That is you, Anzu-dono, correct? Why are you in a character costume…?
……☆
Anzu-san! You showed up in a character costume again! Is it for my sake!?
Thank you so much! It’s adorable! You’re the cutest in the entire universe, Anzu-san…☆
Ohh? The character’s name is the Strawberry Fairy Berry Happy-chan?
I can’t even tell what part of it is meant to be a strawberry! The design feels like they couldn’t finalize it in time before the deadline…♪
“Berry Happy”, huh~ I’m guessing it’s the berry from “strawberry”, right!?
I just knew it~! What a silly pun! Yep, yuru-chara are aaall about that sort of thing~♪
Ahh, you truly get it, Anzu-san! You’re the absolute best! Please marry me…☆
Calm down, Midori-kun! Anzu-dono will trip if you hug her, you know?
There’s no proper pavement in the farm, so I don’t think she can walk easily in a costume~?
However, Anzu-dono… Why are you wearing a character costume again? I can’t imagine it’s just to please Midori-kun, is it?
Hmm, there’s that as well, but there’s also another reason for it? Mm~ I can’t hear you all too well when you speak through the costume.
No worries, leave this to me. I’ll decipher what she’s saying.
Even if it’s a yuru-chara that can only gesture or let out a weird sound, I’ll always be able to make sense of what they’re saying deep down. Mhm, all through the power of love…☆
Ooh, Midori-kun is unusually reassuring…☆
Chapter 7
Hm, hm… I see, I get what’s going on.
So you’re producing a children’s learning program, Anzu-san… Hmm, it’s because you were asked to help by you-know-who…?
Hm? Is “you-know-who” referring to Taichou-dono?
Uh, he’s not the “Taichou” leader anymore though, is he? Since he graduated and all…
Good grief… That guy’s always causing trouble to his juniors no matter what, isn’t he…
Anyway… So the filming location you want to use for the program is this farm, right…
Well, my relative is the one who manages the farm, so I think I can run it through to him…
Hmm… It may be a local broadcasting station, but it’s going to be aired on TV, so it’ll act as advertisement… We were having trouble getting customers to come to the farm, so this might be a lifesaver…♪
This is wonderful news, Midori-kun!
I shall do whatever I can to help! I’d be happy with the opportunity to work with Taichou-dono—with Morisawa-dono again~♪
Hm, hm. It’s a program in which kid idols get to experience all sorts of things?
The senior idols will be watching over them like caretakers during the program…?
That’s certainly the perfect job for Morisawa-dono. Is he not here today?
Well, he seems pretty busy, after all… He was selected to be the main lead of a tokusatsu show for one thing, so he’s been pretty active, yeah…?
Hm-hm? Once he’s done with filming for the show, Morisawa-dono also plans to meet us here? Ehehe, I very much look forward to that~♪
Ehh~… That guy’s coming here…? This sucks…
You say that, but you’re happy about it too~ Your face is breaking into a smile!
…Hm, hm. Today will act as rehearsal for the program filming? The kid idols are here already?
Sorry, sorry, I got ahead of myself. It’s all ‘cause I said I’d take on the job…
So I think Anzu-san got all the prep done and rushed over here straight away.
Woah, woah—? Hold it, kids~ Don’t try to climb onto my back, okay?
Ahaha, kids really do like you, don’t they, Aniki~
Ooh… 2wink are already making quick talk with the children!
Such prompt action~ I must learn from them. For a ninja, taking action takes priority!
Those two seem to be good with children, so it should be fine to count on them for it. After all, they were accompanying kids throughout Halloween, as well.
Mm… Right, I’ll go talk to my relative about this…
I’ll leave the kids to you guys to look after for the time being… I think my relative will gladly accept the offer in seconds, though…
My relative’s working right over there, so… I’ll be back quickly, see you…
Mm…? You’ll come with me, Anzu-san…? Right, it’d be smart to let the producer bring up the topic, yeah…?
Ooghh, I’d love to accompany them… I feel anxious left all alone. But even if I had joined them, I doubt I’d be of much help anyway~?
Mrghh… 2wink is here with me. I am not alone, so I’ll be alright.
Until Midori-kun and Anzu-dono are back, I’ll talk to the children! I’ll do my best!
We’re supposed to have gotten used to talking with kids through our Ryuseitai activities~ And that goes for myself, as well!
K-Kiiids~? Let’s have a chat with Onii-san! ♪
Eh!? I’m a kid too!? No, I may be short, but…! I’m a high schooler as well~! How rude!
Uuu, now that I look carefully, they’re all supposed to be elementary school students, but there are a few kids taller than me… Kids these days grow so fast, huh~?
Huh? Mhm, I’m a member of Ryuseitai!
Wow, we’re pretty famous among kids~ Ehehe! ♪ Jeez, I’m blushing~
Eh!? My signature pose…? I-It is a little embarrassing to do it alone, though…
Uuu! But I’ll only bring disgrace to Ryuseitai if I disappoint the children! Understood, this ninja shall do his best!
The yellow flame is the mark of hope! The beam of miracle, shining into the darkness!
Ryusei Yellow, Sengoku Shinobu…☆
Chapter 8
Eh? Huh? What is it, children?
Mhm! That is indeed correct, I’m a ninja~
Woah—! What positive responses! This is a first for me!
Do you all love ninjas? Uwaaah, me too~…☆
Yeah, boys would love ninjas, right!? Ahh, what a relief~ I wasn’t a minority after all!
Aaalright, I shall show you all a ninjutsu up my sleeve then! ♪
You could get hurt, so stand back, everyone! Woosh, out come the sickle and chain…☆
Heh! Typically, a sickle and chain are for attacking with the counterweights, but for the sake of harvesting the strawberries, I flung out the blade part instead!
Look, look! I cut the strawberries off without bruising any of them~! And with nimble movements, I caught them all in the basket before they could fall to the ground!
This is what we call the “Ninpou: Strawberry Picking-no-Jutsu”…☆
Ooh, the cheers are so loud! I haven’t ever experienced such a positive reaction like this before! I’m so happy!
All the training I had done in my lonesome in the Ninja Association wasn’t a waste after all!
Hm? You’d like to hold my sickle and chain?
This is a sharp tool, so it’d be dangerous to touch it~ I have plenty of rubber shurikens, so let me give you those as a present instead! Here you go~…♪
Mhm! Everyone here will surely become a splendid ninja, as well! I swear to you all that I will not let the ninja lineage die out before you’ve all grown up!
One of these days, you and I will shake hands at the ninja residence…☆
Ahaha, the kids absolutely adore Shinobu-kun.
Mhm. His lack of confidence was his drawback, but… One window of opportunity is possibly all it’d take for him to have a massive transformation.
Ryuseitai really is a menacing unit, huh~♪
Idols will shine as long as there’s someone who’ll accept and love them. We can’t fall back here, can we, Yuuta-kun~♪
Mhm, Aniki. If we can give children dreams, then it’ll have been worth being born, right? We’ll also be that sort of idol, you and me~♪
I’m back… Err…mm~ What’s going on?
Ah! Welcome back, Midori-kun! That was fast~ Did you manage to discuss it with your relative?
Yeah… Apparently, he had no idea that I work as an idol, so he was super surprised by that, but…
His farm wouldn’t be losing out on anything, so, yeah, he instantly agreed to it…
The recording for the program is actually on another day, so… He’s hoping that the children can just enjoy strawberry picking for today…
It sounds like a pretty tight schedule, so it probably would’ve been better if they got to recording some parts by today…
But we haven’t prepared anything on our side, and the main star of the show, you-know-who, hasn’t arrived yet, so…
M-Midori-kun! Ack, help! I’m being jostled by all the children~!
How’d you get yourself into a tough spot the moment I took my eyes off of you, Sengoku-kun…?
I’ll pull you up then~ Heave-ho…♪
Woah—!? You saved me~ Midori-kun! ♪
Mm… You seem awfully popular, Sengoku-kun…
So are you, Midori-kun! Probably!
Ryuseitai is truly loved among children, just as you’d expect! Everyone loves heroes, after all! ♪
True, their eyes are all sparkling… Kids really do love tokusatsu shows, huh… But it feels like there’s a huge load of you-know-who’s here, and I don’t really like that…?
Should I break all their dreams while I still can, so that they don’t grow up to be like that guy…?
Don’t say that, Midori-kun! Come, strike your signature pose with me~♪
Each and every one of us are rays of light! With our comrades by our side, we shine even brighter! That is what makes us Ryuseitai…☆
You sure are excited, Sengoku-kun… It’s fine though, I guess…?
Mm? Ohh, what’re you kids over there talking about…? You’re whispering something…?
Ahh, yeah… I’m technically Ryuseitai’s Ryusei Green, but what of it…? Huh? “Red isn’t here”…?
“Whaaat~ So it’s just Green and Yellow here”…? W-Why’re you so disappointed…? Eh? Huh…?
G-Green… Green’s doing all he can to survive in this world, too, y’know…
Ahaha. We’re quite disorganized without Red around after all, huh~♪
Whatever… I’m not frustrated or anything…
Mm? What’s going on, the girls who weren’t doing anything are gathering around me…?
Huh? You’ll give me this yuru-chara key chain…?
“Chiaki-oniisan” told you that I like yuru-chara…? What’s that guy doing, blabbering on about people’s interests…?
Yeah… I like yuru-chara… Is that weird? Liking stuff like that even though I’m a guy…?
It isn’t? Thank you…♪
……? Sengoku-kun, the girls are all making a fuss for some reason…?
Even I’d feel my heart beat if you smiled at me that gently, Midori-kun. You need to be more aware of the destructive power of your face.
Mm…? Ah, I can’t just take this without giving something in return, so I’ll give you some strawberries, okay…? Huh? You’ll treasure it? It’ll rot if you don’t eat it soon, though…?
Mm. The boys are around me, while the girls are excitedly gathered around Midori-kun.
The two of us are perfectly suited for each role, aren’t we? This feels like a massive victory for Ryuseitai~♪
Epilogue 1
Ahaha, we just can’t win against Ryuseitai in the end, huh~
It’s frustrating, but their apprenticeship is on a whole different level. Should we go with backing-up Midori-kun and Shinobu-kun?
Yeah, let’s, Aniki~ We were here to help in the first place, so I think that might be the best role for us right now. …Oh, Anzu-san’s back, too.
I’m sure it’s hard to move in that costume. I’ll lead you by the hand~♪
Then I’ll keep her propped up from the back~♪
Midori-ku~n! (waves) Anzu-san’s asked you to teach the kids about the strawberries!
We don’t know much about vegetables and fruits, so… It’s all on you, Midori-kun! ♪
Sure… Ahaha, who would’ve thought me being the son of a greengrocer would come into use as an idol… You really just don’t know what life has in store for you, huh…♪
Midori-ku~n, it is far too early to talk as if you’ve reached spiritual enlightenment. I will be supporting you right by your side, so let us both continue doing our best together~♪
Yeah… Thank you for everything as always, Shinobu-kun.
Oh? You’re calling me by “Shinobu-kun”, not “Sengoku-kun”? Have you opened up your heart to me a little…?
I’m so happy, Midori-kun! We’ll aaalways be friends~♪
Yeah, we’re friends and comrades. It’s time I stop treating you like a stranger… It’s childish to do that after all, so I’ll graduate from it and move on.
Every time I heard the word “graduation”, I felt depressed… But I’ll make sure I overcome and get through this. I’ll also do my best. Let’s fight until the very end in this new era, together.
Mhm, Midori-kun! The yellow and green colors match well with each other, after all! ♪
Right then, come closer, children! We’ll teach you all about what’s important in life, as well as about strawberries~♪
Yeah. We’re going to be second-year students soon, so we can’t keep being the ones who get taught stuff.
Anzu-san… Mm, no, Berry Happy-chan. Shinobu-kun and I would love your help.
I’ll also try my best to do something you’d see in a children’s education program.
Kids~ I’m sure you find studying boring, but it can be fun to learn new things in a way. So let’s learn all sorts of things together, okay…♪
Translation Notes
- ↑ Fun fact; the season was originally Spring, as it’s set in the spring holidays (when the school year & graduation were over). But after the introduction of the ES agencies (i.e. Enstars Music & Basic), stories set in post-graduation Spring had their seasons adjusted to Winter.
- ↑ Sunflower is himawari (向日葵); when reversing the kanjis to be 葵日向 instead, it becomes aoi hinata. The only difference between this and Hinata’s name is that his given name is written in hiragana only (ひなた).