[ES!! Era Year 2] TEN-CODE
Chapter Index
Ch 1 - Ch 2 - Ch 3 - Ch 4 - Ch 5 - Ch 6 - Translation Notes
Dispatch! VR Police Chief For A Day 1
Season: ES 2nd Year, Summer (August)
2nd year since ES’s establishment, in August. In Star House’s hallway…
…Sigh. I’m sadly back at Mega Sphere.
We’re free to travel between here and the ground now, and things are a lot more tolerable than before… And well, based on the facilities alone, it is pretty nice here.
But I still can’t shake off how it felt being locked up here like we’re under house arrest, so I feel a little reluctant…1
Anyway, I’m sooo happy I could bring over all my favorite little ones from home. All for my emotional support…♪
The cushions they provided us aren’t bad, but the design is so inanimate that it doesn’t really help me relax in the end.
I just have to have my bed fully surrounded by plushies. Fufu, just the thought of it soothes me…♪
…But will this amount of plushies do? I feel like I didn’t bring enough.
Mmh~… Maybe I should’ve brought more after all…
But, like… I know everyone said they were bringing their belongings up here, but I’d definitely stick out like a sore thumb if I carried several cardboard boxes with me…
I doubt anyone would tell me off for it, but it’s still embarrassing…
…Yeah. I’ll make do with this much for now.
I can just add more to the pile bit by bit while checking how much others are bringing.
I’m back…2
—Police! Open up!
(…—!?)
(That startled me… Ah, so that was Morisawa-senpai yelling.)
(That guy’s striking a pose in front of the mirror… What’s he doing that for?)
(Playing cops and robbers? No, seriously, what’s he doing at his age?)
(…Well, whatever. That guy’s strange acts are nothing new, and I just lose if I get myself involved.)
(Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like he’s noticed me, so I’ll just put down my box here and get away fast…)
Hands up! I’ll have you interrogated at the station!
……No, that’s far too oppressive. It’d make even the honest civilians shrink back. I think I’m getting influenced by that “close look into police officers” show I watched yesterday.
And wow, were the police officers in that show really cool…!
Their determination to track down crooks…! Their flawless coordination with their teammates! Their gallant figures as they zip through the night on a white motorbike!3
That’s exactly a hero of justice of our modern day! My soul was burning just watching them~♪
I have to become that being who carries on such determination while still being amicable with the citizens… Mm~ This is a tricky task…!
But I won’t give up! Hang in there, me! Don’t lose now, me!
You were able to become even Takamine!4 That means you can become a police officer, too!
Uh, there’s no way you can. Apologize to the people who actually have that as their job…
Mm?
Ah, crap—…
Sorry for intruding~…
Sound of running footsteps
Woah, Takamine!? Why are you running away!?
Wait! I can explain—
Watch it, Takamine! Weren’t you taught not to run in hallways!?
Shut up, you’re running too!
It’s because you keep chasing after me! Quit coming for me…!
I refuse! I can’t just leave you on your own before you’ve gotten to know the truth!
That being said, your running is incredible! You’ve truly grown, Takamine!
You won’t make me happy with that compliment at a time like this! Please just give up and go back to the room!
Not happening! I just swore to myself that I won’t give up!
But I’ll make no progress at this rate. In the worst case, we may crash into someone.
In that police show, they’d call for back up through the radio, but I don’t have the means to do that…
Ah, I’ve got it! I’ll use the plush toy I brought over just today—
Takamine-kun, calm down now, okay? I won’t do anything bad to you, so be good and surrender yourself~? (High-pitched voice)
Don’t say “surrender”! I’m not some wanted criminal or culprit!
…Wait, what’s that plushie?
Alright, he stopped in his tracks. I just knew you’d latch onto this!
When I stopped by my home, my mom gave me this plush toy. It was apparently a lucky find at a flea market.
She said, “Don’t you think Takamine-kun would like this?” ☆
Why are your parents aware that I love yuruchara… That’s way too scary…
That’s definitely an invasion of privacy…!
Invasion? Don’t say something so alarming. This is public information.
Plus, you’re a precious comrade of mine, so of course I’d talk about you, y’know?
Even then, usually someone would talk about the work or unit activities they’ve been doing. Why’re even my hobbies becoming common knowledge…7
Uu, I’m so embarrassed, I wanna die…
Hmm? I’d be completely fine with you talking about me to your family however much you like, though.
I’m never telling them anything. …Sigh, whatever.
I’ll let go of the small things. It’s not like there’s much point to telling you anything, anyway.
Fuhaha, that’s what I like to hear!
C’mooon now, the plush toy awaits you. Come, come, over here~♪
Quit trying to slide up to me! That big grin on your face is so irritating…!
First off, why are you even using a yuruchara as a tool to negotiate in your weird police game?
That’s a cowardly move! An ally of justice would never do that!
Ghh, he got me where it hurts!
It’s true that taking advantage of your weakness goes against what’s right, but! But… in order to stop you, this is the only—…
Dammit! What even is justice…!?
(Alright, now that he’s wallowing in his thoughts…!)
You just stay there while you reflect on yourself, Morisawa-senpai!
Sound of running footsteps
Ah, hey! You’re running away again!?
I told you to wait, Takamine!
Beep, beep! Mido-chan, that’s out of line~ You mustn’t run in the hallway!
—Ugyah!?
Dispatch! VR Police Chief For A Day 2
Aaalright, target secured! ☆
Restraining him by jumping at him… That’s Harukawa for you! You truly have incredible physical ability!
Sora was only trying to stop Mido-chan, that’s all~ Shisho~ always tells Sora to never run in the hallway, after all.
“Secured”… Blazing Oni~san, are you rehearsing for the “VR Police Chief for a Day” by any chance?
Rehearsing? What’s this about “VR Police Chief for a Day”…?
Hmhm, what’s this? It’s preeetty lively here. Are you having a sumo match in the hallways or something?
Ooh! That’s an outstanding arrest by a police officer. Aaall that’s left to complete the job are some handcuffs! ☆
Ehh? Please stop. I haven’t even done anything wrong…
Why’re you all so into this…? Is playing cops and robbers trending or something…?
No. There’s a reason for this — If you hadn’t tried running away, I would’ve been able to explain it to you.
W-Well, that’s…
I mean, I got busted for silently watching you do strange acts, y’know? Isn’t that so awkward?
The way you looked while imitating a police officer in front of the mirror was also just scary…
And I bet the reason isn’t worth it, anyway. I’m done with getting caught up in troublesome situations.
Come on, no need to say that. This isn’t completely unrelated to you anyway, Takamine.
You see, we got a request from a local police station. And now, we’ll be conducting a course on cycling etiquette and patrolling the area in a virtual reality — In other words, VR.
…In VR?
Isn’t that usually done in an assembly hall or something? Why go through the effort of having it virtually…
Thaaat confused me at first, too.
And from what I’ve heard, it’s ‘cause “not many people attend lectures about bicycles in person”.
You have to go to the assembly hall at a certain time, and the lecture tends to be overly formal, sooo it makes sense that people usually avoid it.
That’s where Sora and everyone come into play~ As “VR Police Chiefs for a Day”, we can have fun learning cycling etiquette in the VR world with everyone!
If it’s conducted in the online world, then people can join from any part of the country! There’s also no limit to the participants, so it’s pretty efficient~♪
Also, this makes it easier to simulate situations such as, “what happens if you gets into an accident”. Everyone will be able to watch the good and bad examples first-hand, so it’s super understandable~♪
It’s just like practicing magic! Instead of sitting down for a lecture, it’s a lot easier to master it if you do it yourself~
It’s also because these past few years, there’s been a steady rise in bicycle accidents among all traffic accidents.
It makes sense why, too. Most people learn how to ride one on their own, and for rules, you learn the basics in school at most.
There’s no written test for it, like the one for automobiles. Mooost people learn what to do while on the go.
But if you’re riding on a road, it’s naturally your duty to be fully familiar with the rules while on your bicycle.
And naturally, if accidents keep increasing, then the rules will be reviewed and enforcement tightened.
However! It’s far too unreasonable that someone can end up becoming a violator without even realizing it, all because they never had the chance to learn properly…!
That’s exactly why they asked for our help, as a way to make these rules more well-known.
Our efforts will directly link back to the safety of our people, and that means our society as a whole. It’s exactly the job of a hero! ☆
…I see. I get the part about the etiquette course now, but—
What’s this about a patrol? Does that have to do with bicycles, too?
No, this is a separate thing; it’s an online patrol!
Being able to let out any honest feelings you normally can’t say, and becoming your ideal self through your favorite avatar are some of the nice things about the internet…
But the more anonymity you can have, the more likely it is that there’s someone who gets a little too bold and starts throwing around unkind words~
Sora feels like that’s such a shame~
Those who use prickly words look scary to others, so nobody will be inclined to get near them.
They become all alone in a dream-like world that’s meant to be boundless… Even though there’s always the possibility they could become friends with people all across the world… It’s so sad and lonely~
That’s why Sora hopes our patrol can be the magic that turns everyone kind~!
Of course, our actions alone won’t be enough to change everything. …It’s just a drop in the bucket in the end.
But there’s meaning in at least having others be aware that their actions are being watched by someone. It’s basically using a deterrent force.
If there are people patrolling the location, they will surely give up trying~ That way, at least that area can be a clean place!
With Sora and everyone around, we avoid having anyone hurt themselves! It’s like the police officers who watch over the town, so cool~♪
I see… I get it now.
It sounds tough, but good luck out there, everyone.
Uh-oh, I’m not letting you get away, Takamine! For ignoring this police officer’s warning and violating the rules by running down the hallway—
You’re going to be a “VR Police Chief for a Day” along with us!
Ugh, “this police officer”, he says.8 It’s so cringey how he’s acting and talking exactly like a police officer. It’s giving me second hand embarrassment…
No way I can do that. I don’t know enough about cycling etiquette to act as a role model. I can’t be of help at all.
If you don’t know, then Sora thinks this is the time to learn!
Red lights aren’t scary to cross if everyone is together, but that’s only when it comes to walking~ When it’s everyone on bicycles, each person will just receive their very own ticket!9
It’s such a pain though, so I’ve procrastinated on it…
Fuhahaha! Then we basically have our answer!
Now then, Takamine! Join this police officer here to help cultivate a safe and peaceful town together…☆
Translation Notes
- ↑ This is referring to the Mega Stream main story arc. In July, all the ES idols were locked up in the Mega Sphere for a month to do a world-wide stream (Midori was particularly shown to be anxious about this in Sailing Ceremony) As of August, idols can freely go between ES and Mega Sphere as they like.
- ↑ In Mega Sphere, each unit lives in a room together in the Star House. Ryuseitai talks about living together in their Mega Stream mini talk.
- ↑ Police motorcycles in Japan come in white.
- ↑ Referring to VS★GOURMET, when Chiaki made Midori possess him in order to overcome his hatred of eggplants, which then gets broadcasted on prime-time TV. This happened in Flood of Customers, Chapter 3 & 4.
- ↑ This might possibly be about the ZOKIRIN yuruchara, which is a hybrid of elephant and giraffe.
- ↑ Midori loves yuruchara (yuru means “loose,” “laid-back,” etc). Yuruchara’s defining feature is their peculiar designs, ranging from bizarre-cute to adorkable. And Midori personally loves the designs that are most odd-looking and vague. For more information read here.
- ↑ Chiaki has done something similar to this before in Strawberry Colored Holiday; Midori was gifted yuruchara merchandise by young fans, who were aware he likes yuruchara because “Chiaki-oniisan told them”.
- ↑ Officials (like police officers, judges, government workers, etc.) tend to use the first-person pronoun honkan (本官) to refer to themselves. Here, I translated it as “this police officer”.
- ↑ Referring to what happens when you violate a law when driving or riding.
- ↑ Referring to what is called the Road Traffic Act.
- ↑ In Whimsical City Rider, Midori delivers vegetables with Hiyori on a delivery bicycle.