The Fallen Angels’ Banquet – The Angels’ Motives
Chapter 1
Note: This translation is in progress! Chapter 3, 4 are still WIP!
Season: ES 2nd Year, Summer (Mid-June)
That surprised me… So it was you, Hanamura—… Er, Yume, huh. Where the heck did you come from?
From the other side of the table, obviously.
Huh? You were in the cafe too? Sorry, I didn’t notice.
No, it’s fine.
More importantly, if you don’t want that coaster, give it to Yume.
Don’t worry. Yume will take good care of it in your stead, Ra*bits’ leader-san.
N-No, he cannot simply do that! This coaster’s a souvenir to commemorate our visit to the cafe.
Mashiro-kun never once said he doesn’t want it…!
Mmrph… So loud. Nobody was asking you.
Yume is talking to Ra*bits’ leader-san, so don’t butt in.
Wh—Wha…wha…!?
C’mon now, you don’t need to talk that way. And besides, you’re the one who butt in our conversation, ‘kay?
Ahh, wait, do you not know who Sengoku is?
This is Sengoku Shinobu, from Ryuseitai. He’s a senior to you, so you gotta show your respect to him.
So what if he’s a senior?
He was just born a little earlier than Yume. Yume will only show respect to the people Yume deems worthy.
There you go again~… You’re as arrogant as ever. I don’t think you even remember who I am.1
Do you know my name? It’s “Mashiro Tomoya”, by the way.
Yume doesn’t need to be told that; Yume knows Ra*bits’ leader-san.
Then call me by my name, yeah? Calling me by that sounds like a pain from how long it is.
Mmrph… Memorizing things Yume has no interest in feels a lot more like a pain.
But… Sure, Yume will accept your demands for the sake of that coaster.
Then… Mashiro-san. You don’t have to give Yume the coaster; how about exchanging coasters instead?
Exchanging is fine, right? Erm… Shinobu…san?
M-Mm… It isn’t my place to decide, so as long as Mashiro-kun’s fine with that, then it’s alright.
That’s fine by me. So what coaster did you get, Yume?
You want to know? Ufufu, Yume will show you Yume’s collection.
…Woah, that’s so many…! Don’t you only get one per order?
You ordered this many times? You’re a big eater despite how you look, huh…
Of course not. How rude.
Yume has been a big fan of this manga from a long time back, so Yume has been visiting this cafe ever since the collab started.
So, this is proof of Yume’s efforts…♪
A long time back? This manga was serialized before Yume-kun was born, you know? It’s a different generation from ours.
The trivial details don’t matter. The point is that Yume is serious about this. Yume wants to complete these coasters no matter what.
Yume still doesn’t have the coaster that Mashiro-san has. There’s a few duplicates Yume got, so Yume would like to exchange with one of these.
Huh… Alright, then I’ll take this one, the one you have the most duplicates of.
Huh? Really? That character has only ever appeared three times in the whole story, though?
Whoa, seriously? Then this is a pretty rare one, in a way.
You can have mine now.
Fufufu. Thank you, Mashiro-san.
This is now Yume’s, so there’s no takebacks even if you change your mind.
Not to worry, Mashiro-kun wouldn’t ask for anything like that, Yume-kun.
…Shinobu-san, this has been bothering Yume for a while, but—
All that “sessha” and “-dono” and “gozaru” you’ve been saying… What’s up with that way of speaking?2
Eh?
Are you copying how otakus used to talk in the past? Yume’s so fed up with those guys who’d typically come to Yume’s photo shoot sessions and laugh creepily.3
Ahh, no, I suppose you aren’t aware of this, Yume-kun.
Erm. Once upon a time, I was born as a ninja, and—
Ninja~…?
W-What is it… Why are you staring at me…?
Ninjas wouldn’t wear such attire, and they wouldn’t show themselves in public.
T-That isn’t true! Disguising oneself as a regular citizen and blending with the crowd is the norm for an espionage ninja!
Even then, they wouldn’t expose their true identity to the public. You’re so half-baked.
When Yume cosplays, Yume turns entirely into that character. Cosplay isn’t just about wearing the outfit and nothing else.
That’s why, to Yume… Shinobu-san is just a weird person mimicking the way ninjas speak, nothing more.
Wh-Wh-Wh…Wha—…!
Alright, stop. You’ve said enough.
If you say anything further, you’re giving that coaster back, got it?
Nuh-uh. Yume already told you no takebacks. This is Yume’s now.
Sound of footsteps
H-Hey! Apologize to Sengoku fir—… He’s gone.
…………
Are you okay, Sengoku?
…Huh?
Ah, yes! I’m perfectly fine! This is not my first time being invalidated!
Alright then… But don’t worry about it too much. Yume’s always like that.
Let’s consider it a closed case and have a fresh start. We came to such a nice cafe, so we should enjoy ourselves, right?
…Mhm. I want to bring home a lot of exciting tales to my mom about today, so I will not let it bother me.
Yup, yup, that’s the spirit!
There wasn’t a fight or anything, but still, I’ll share with you a bit of my “Smiles of Reconciliation Gratin”. Maybe you’ll have more fun stories to tell your mom this way.
Then I shall also share a bit of my doria.
Excuse me, waiter! We’d like two more plates~!
The next day, in NewDi’s agency…
I apologize for keeping you waiting, Anzu-oneesama. Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to come here.
…Yes, indeed. It is partially about a job I’d like to speak to you about, hence asking to meet in the agency, but I cannot say it’s entirely that, either.
Still, it’s a matter I’d like to confide in you, so I would be extremely happy if you would lend me your time.
…Right, yes, you can only make your decision after you’ve heard what it pertains to. Pardon me, I got ahead of myself.
Right then, allow me to explain.
There’s a banquet that all the aristocratic households take turns to host, but it’s set in a peculiar manner unlike typical buffet Parties.4
It is tradition that every year, the appointed household must plan a banquet based around a specified Theme.
This year’s Theme is “Hidden Faces”. Following the Tenshouin and Himemiya households, it is now finally the Suou Household’s turn to host the banquet.
It is our first time hosting after I had become the head of my household. This is the perfect opportunity to make my position as the new head known, as well as show the prestige of my household…
Thus, I’m determined to present the most upstanding banquet, but… I’m finding myself spinning my wheels, unable to figure out how to present the Theme of “Hidden Faces”.
That is when I hoped for your presence, Anzu-oneesama. You’re a skilled Producer who excels at drafting proposal plans, and so I would like to have some of your words of wisdom.
I will be paying you for your efforts, so may you please spare a hand for me — For the Suou Household?
Chapter 2
You’ll assist me? …Ah, I’m relieved to hear that.
Ahh, no! I trusted you would help, it isn’t that I thought otherwise…
However, you are now someone who works independently from an organization, and also, your main occupation is Producing Idols.
While I will be paying you, it is still a personal matter of mine that has nothing to do with your area of expertise. That is why I considered the possibility that you would refuse.
…Fufu, you’re right. You’re always someone who stretches their hand to me whenever I’m in trouble, Onee-sama.
Although it is a little regrettable that your kindness is not directed only towards me… At the same time, I respect you and the way you show kindness to everyone equally from the bottom of my heart.
After I became Knights’ king, I learned that such kindness can be fatal at times, however…
In any case, I’m very happy to hear that. Thank you very much, Anzu-oneesama…♪
Mm, what’s the matter? …“I don’t have any experience with aristocracy, so I’m not sure if I’ll be much help”?
There is no need to worry about that. I don’t intend to leave all the work to you.
It would only be shameful to offload a responsibility on someone else without ever fulfilling my own as the head of the family, and it would infringe the rules of this banquet.
…You’d like to know the rules?
Ah, no, they aren’t that strict. It’s extremely loose; anything is fine as long as the Theme is utilized.
The sole absolute rule is “to not leave the entire planning to a third party.” After all, if that was allowed, there would be no point to having each household host the banquet.
That is why I would like to assemble the best banquet with you as a team, Onee-sama.
…“Producer’s Choice”? Yes, I’m aware of it. Ritsu-senpai participated in it this spring, yes?
Hm, hm, I see…
True, my appearance as an Idol could be called a “Hidden Face” in an environment where I act as the head of a noble family of samurai lineage.
And since I am a member of Knights, performing as part of a Shuffle Unit could also be called a “Hidden Face” of mine.
However, I hesitate to launch a Producer’s Choice proposal just for the sake of a banquet. I’m not quite sure if that would be alright to do…?
I have a suggestion instead. We could host a Live Show for our Fans separate from the banquet, how does that sound?
That way, I believe the activities can be catered to the public eye, just like the other Producer’s Choice proposals.
However, a drawback to this is that planning both a banquet and Live Show would increase the burden on you, Onee-sama…
“I’m used to it, so I’ll be fine”…? Fufu, such reassuring words.
Then let’s proceed in that direction. If there’s anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to tell me.
…You’re right. There are other arrangements that need to be made, such as preparing the dishes and invitation cards.
Then I’d be most glad to rely on you for the proposal’s specific details.
Yes, I very much look forward to it.
…Well, now that we’ve discussed the most important topic, we could part our ways here, but…
Could I have a little bit more of your time, Anzu-oneesama…? ♪
A little while later, in the COCHI Cafe, within ES’s premises…
Fufu. I’m very happy to have an opportunity to eat lunch with you. ♪
I will pay for the bill today, so please eat to your heart’s content.
…What’s the matter? Ah, do you feel awkward about that, by any chance?
While we will be working under Producer’s Choice, I am also requesting you to do a job for the Suou Household, so please allow me to treat you here.
The place is quite empty. Where shall we sit? …Oh?
……♪
That’s Hanamura-kun over there. He’s eagerly looking at something in his hands…
……Ahh, I’m so sorry for going quiet. I couldn’t decide if I should greet Hanamura-kun or not.
The truth is, the agency president has personally asked me to look after Hanamura-kun until he’s grown accustomed to his environment.
It’s a senior’s duty to take care of his juniors, and I stand in a position where I must guide a multitude of people.
That is why I agreed to doing so, as I thought there would be no problems with one extra person…
But Hanamura-kun is not someone I can be on the same page with, or, well… Er, he’s a little bit of a strange one, in a different way from Leo-san and the like, no?
I thought I became accustomed to interacting with an oddball, but I’ve learned that I still have a long way to go.
I’m not entirely sure how long it will take until he “grows accustomed to his environment”, as the president said… Just thinking about it makes me a little reluctant.
Every time I witness him acting rude, I have the urge to correct his behavior, but… If I only forcibly impose on him until collapse, that would also be a problem of its own.
…You’re right. While it’s easy to simply ignore and move on, I will not fulfill my promise with the president if I keep that up.
Even the smallest interactions will eventually become the foundation to understanding Hanamura-kun. I can only hope to become more familiar with him, little by little.
Good day, Hanamura-kun. Please excuse us for taking a seat next to you.
…………
Hanamura-kun, you can hear me, right? Please don’t ignore me.
Don’t call Yume by “Hanamura”. The idol Yume goes by “Yume”.
…Ah, that’s right. My apologies, Yume-kun.
Mhm. That’s good enough, King…♪
“King”?
You’re the one who awarded Esu — the prince — his crown. So, it’s “King”. Fufufu.
I did not award him that. I simply thought I would forget to do so in time, so I handed it to him, that’s all.
While yes, I am the King of Knights, the two of us are not from the same Unit, so please call me by a different name.
Mmrph. You’re discriminating.
It’s making a distinction. It would cause both of us trouble if people mistaken you as a member of Knights, no?
Mm… That’s true. Yume isn’t a knight.
Alright then, Knights’ leader-san.
Repeat after me… My name is Suou Tsukasa. Please call me by my name, rather than my official position.
Gosh, it’s just one complaint after the other… Tsukasa-san.
Yes, that’s perfect.
(I thought I warned him before not to call me “King”… I feel as though he’s making a fool of me.)
(No, I mustn’t think badly of him. That would simply be the same as a child who sulks the moment things don’t go his way.)
(I’m not frustrated that a problem child was pushed onto my plate. Not one bit in the slightest…!)
(Still, a box of cake is not enough to settle this for me. I must ensure that the president takes proper responsibility for the trouble I’m going through.)
(Nevertheless, now that we’re sitting at the same table, I have to bring up a topic somehow. I must show Anzu-oneesama how I am now that I’m a third year in high school.)
…Ah, what you had in your hands was a Coaster? Is that a Character from a manga?
Eh? Tsukasa-san, you’re interested? So, you see, this character is from a manga called “The Fallen Angels’ Share”—
Ten minutes later…
…The angel trainees can get promoted to angelhood if they accumulate enough virtue. But the mischievous trainees are naughty kids—
Another ten minutes later…
…That was all about volume one. And then, in volume two—
W-Wait a moment, please. You’ve made it clear enough what sort of story it is.
Mmrph, Yume hasn’t talked about it enough. Yume was just getting to the actual plot.
O-Oh… Well, I can tell you are quite emotionally attached to it, aren’t you?
Mhm. “The Fallen Angels’ Share” is a special manga to Yume.
Yume’s home is very strict, so Yume could never ask to buy manga.
That was when Yume found this manga in a library. Nobody would read it because it’s so old, so Yume would read it over and over again.
Yume couldn’t take it back home, so Yume would visit the library many times… and read the manga over and over and over again, to the point of memorizing all the dialogue.
The story has already concluded, so there’s no excitement over waiting to see how it ends, and it’s a shame that there’s no new story progression like the current trending manga, either.
The story ended before Yume was even born, so Yume has always felt lonely for missing out on the excitement.
But then reprint editions were being sold again, and a new event started for this manga after many decades…
So lately, Yume has been visiting the cafe that’s having a commemoration collab. These coasters are part of the collab…♪
Yume got most of these through Yume’s own efforts, but Yume got this coaster from Mashiro-san.
Mashiro-san… Do you mean Mashiro Tomoya-kun from Ra*bits?
Mhm. He came to the cafe with Shinobu-san. He won the coaster that Yume still didn’t have, so when Yume told him Yume wanted it, we made an exchange.
I see… I’m a little surprised.
I thought you had no interest in other people, but it seems that doesn’t mean you’ve been avoiding people all together.
Yume would honestly much rather be immersed in Yume’s own world, surrounded only by things Yume loves.
But Yume lives in reality, not within a fairytale. Yume will only die without food or water, and if Yume doesn’t tidy up Yume’s appearance, Yume will only become ugly over time.
So, Yume has to do this in order to survive. Even though communication with others is something Yume really, really can’t stand, and finds unpleasant.
There’s limits to being alone, and Yume won’t be able to be by Esu’s side otherwise, so Yume is doing Yume’s best. Yume is admirable.
Hah… Is that so.
Mmrph. You barely reacted to that, Tsukasa-san. How can you protect Yume as a knight when you’re like that?
I am not a Knight exclusive to only you, though.
But the president asked you to look after Yume, didn’t he? Then Yume won’t take anything but the words that Yume wants to hear.
That’s just a servant at that point… Good grief, you truly are something…
…Mm? What’s the matter, Anzu-oneesama? “I just got a great idea”…?
Note: This translation is in progress! Chapter 3, 4 are still WIP!
Chapter 5
Meanwhile, at the shopping mall…
…………
Look, Yume, this frilly hat would suit you, don’t you think? Try it on.
…(Obediently wears it)
Mhm. It totally looks good on you.
This hairband looks neat too. Don’t you like stuff like this?
…The big ribbon is cute, but it isn’t really a design Yume likes.
Don’t just make random assumptions… okay.
…………
You aren’t getting angry at Yume, are you? Even though Shinobu-san got so angry at Yume.
Mm~ Well, I do wish you’d choose your words more wisely.
But you were also taking it seriously, and that’s what made you want to throw in a few complaints, right?
…Mhm. It felt like the things Yume loves were being looked down on, as if saying, “who cares, this is good enough”.
Suou isn’t that sort of guy, y’know. Neither is Anzu-san. I assure you, they wouldn’t treat something you’re so passionate about in such a careless way.
It’s just that there’s only so much a person can do, you feel me? You wouldn’t want to cause trouble to the manga company by asking for something unreasonable, would you?
Trust ‘em a little, ‘kay? I’m sure they’ll do their best to find a way to satisfy you within their limitations.
…………
…Yume spoke too selfishly.
That’s something you should say to Sengoku and Anzu-san, not me, okay? You can do it after you feel a lot calmer.
…Why did you invite Yume to go shopping, Mashiro-san?
Well, I didn’t think it’d be right to leave you on your own, and well… We’re part of the same unit under “P-Choice”, so.
My little sister tends to be like this, but — Whenever she’s feeling down, I have her go shopping to clear her mind and it cheers her right back up.
Even walking around is enough to clear someone’s mind, and a mall’s got tons of places for kids to have fun, like the food court and arcade, right?
Even when she doesn’t apologize in an honest manner, the situation winds down and we make up before we know it.
And? That’s what would work on your little sister. You’re wrong to consider Yume as the same. You have the wrong interpretation.
Well, doesn’t matter either way. C’mon, I’m gonna be the one to carry all your shopping bags, so go ahead and buy whatever you like.
You’re so naive to think you can make Yume feel better with that.
But if that’s how it’s going to be, then okay. Yume will have you around until Yume’s satisfied.
Er, just make sure to have it at a reasonable amount, alright?
Mm? I see someone I know walking over here…
Oh, it’s Mashiro-kun and Anzu-san.
…And Hanamu—… Yume-kun? Was it?
Ah, Midori-sama.
Huh? I get Anzu-san, but why’s Mashiro-kun here? How do you know Yume-kun…?
“Midori-sama”? I could say the same back to you, Takamine — How do you know Yume?
Eh, me…? I just got a little involved while at the same job. He’s just a stranger to me, nothing more, nothing less.
Getting called by “-sama” through just a “little” talking is pretty special, though? I mean, he kept calling me “Ra*bits’ leader” for a good while.
I don’t know what to say to that. I didn’t understand the reason even when I asked for one… Just ask Yume-kun directly.
Ahh, true. Yume, why do you call Takamine by “Midori-sama”?
Yume happened to see him in a magazine, and thought he looked like a prince — an oujisama. So, he’s Midori-sama.
A prince? …Takamine, as one?
…Staring at me now won’t get you anything. I’m just a huge gloomy guy.
Mm~ Takamine, a prince…
To me, the prince would be Hokuto-senpai, but… I guess everyone has their own image of what a prince is, huh?
But man, I had no clue Yume’s prince was Takamine.
Don’t get the wrong idea, okay? Yume’s prince is one single person only. Midori-sama isn’t Yume’s prince.
Huh, he isn’t?
Mashiro-kun’s confused… Whew, I’m glad I’m not the only one who can’t make sense of the Princess-nese language.
We reached one of Yume’s favorite stores. Yume will look around with Anzu-san, so the two of you wait here, okay?
Huh, me too? …He’s gone. I’m only here to buy manga, though…
Sorry, Takamine. I don’t mind if it’s only until the two come back, so could you stick around for a while?
Ehhh~… Why’re you with Yume-kun, anyway? You don’t seem all that close…?
Right, so about that…
A few minutes later…
—And that’s the gist of it.
Huh, so that’s what happened.
I can’t imagine Shinobu-kun yelling, but if you of all people say so, then it must be true.
Yeah… I’m worried if he’s feeling down, but Suou’s with him right now, so it should be fine. As for Yume—
…I don’t really get Yume much. He was completely quiet up until a second ago, and only now got his mood back.
Hey, Takamine, can I ask? What sort of kid is Yume?
I have no clue. I guess it’s like, he’s a kid who’s making his own world…?
Maybe all the kids of this generation are like that, though.
“This generation”…?
Anyway, I’m amazed you can hold up looking after him. I could never. I don’t wanna be with him during off hours…
Haha. In your case, you’re like that with just about anyone, Takamine.
Well, to be honest, I have my own reservations… But now that all that happened, I’m hoping he apologizes to Sengoku after all this, even if it’s only after he’s calmed down.
But strangely enough, I don’t feel tired at all, and it’s probably all thanks to my little sister and Mitsuru. I think I’ve grown used to this sort of thing after taking care of them for so long.
Ahh, so you have a little sister… That’s why you have such a reliable Onii-chan aura, huh?
Onii-chan aura? I have something like that…?
Yeah. At the very least, way more than I could ever have.
It always felt like whenever there was a problem at school, talking to you about it was enough to solve things.
You don’t get annoyed when people talk to you, and you don’t give off the air of someone hard to get close to, so it’s always been a big help to me.
Then again, it’s probably overbearing from your point of view…
Not at all, actually. It’d only make me feel stressed if I ignored anyone in trouble.
I’d rather help the person out, even if I might end up looking like I’m meddling.
Wow, really? It’s ‘cause you’re that sort of person that Yume-kun’s also relaxed, I think. Probably way more than when he was with me, at least.
—Yume’s back. Let’s go to that store next.
You just got back, but you already want to go someplace else?
Time is limited. Many wonderful things are waiting for Yume’s arrival, so come on, start escorting Yume.
Ermm… Does this mean I still have to tag along, too…?
Of course. The princess is always accompanied by servants.
No, no, I was never a servant, y’know…?
Translation Notes
- ↑ Tomoya and Yume have met before in Yume’s 5* Feature Scout.
- ↑ These are all typical speech quirks that the ninja archetype uses in fictional stories. “Sessha” is the first-person pronoun, “(de)gozaru” is the typical sentence-ender they use (roughly sounds like an old-fashioned, polite way to speak), and “-dono” is a polite honorific, meaning "Mr.", "lord". Shinobu uses these in Japanese, and sometimes mixes in ninja-like words in his speech as well.
- ↑ This is referring to an old subset of male otakus. Their way of speaking involved using -degozaru at the end of their sentences, saying “[character name] wa sessha no yome!” ([character name]’s my wife!), and laughing in a distinctively creepy way, ‘dyufufu’.
- ↑ Tsukasa can speak English fluently, so instead of saying foreign words in their typical spelling (katakana), he says them in English. The words in italics are all the words he says in English rather than Japanese.