The Fallen Angels’ Banquet – The Angels’ Motives
Chapter 1
Note: This translation is in progress! Chapter 2, 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 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 time to come here.
…Yes, indeed. It is partially 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 after 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 a bit 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?
Note: This translation is in progress! Chapter 2, 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, things start relaxing 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 involved with the same job a little. 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 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’s 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 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 ignore anyone in trouble.
And maybe I’d look like I’m meddling, but I’d much rather help the person out.
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 "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, and occasionally slips in English words when speaking in Japanese. The words in italics are all the words he says in English rather than Japanese.