The Fallen Angels’ Banquet – The Angels’ Mischief
Chapter Index
Ch 1 - Ch 2 - Ch 3 - Ch 4 - Ch 5 - Translation Notes
Chapter 1
Season: ES 2nd Year, Summer (Mid-June)
Several days later. Suou Family Residence, the corridors…
…Ohh. So this is Suou’s home~
I knew this already, but it really is completely different from my home. I feel like we’re on a set for a show.
I bet Sengoku’d get super excited over a place like this.
…………
Woah, what’s wrong? You have a long face… Do you have a stomach ache or something?
No, not that…
I was simply reminded of the time when I got caught in a net over at Shinkai-dono’s home.
Got caught in a net? What on earth did you do to end up in that situation?
Uu… My curiosity was my downfall.
Shinkai-dono’s home is a remarkable mansion that oozes history just like Suou-kun’s, and it felt as though I entered a mansion for ninjas.
Thus, I became far too excited… as I tinkered about here and there, I ended up setting off the security traps…
A net fell from the ceiling and captured me, prohibiting me from entry.1
I see, so that’s why you seem so jittery right now.
Please don’t worry. There are no traps like that in my home.
However, there are many valuable items here, such as national treasure rice bowls, as well as hanging scrolls that were passed down for many generations.
We also have the finest selection of security guards, so if you make any suspicious moves, they will likely approach you at a moment’s notice.
National treasure…! Knowing there are such treasures lying about nearby has my heart pounding.
Uuu… Please spare me from any sort of rope~
Not to worry. In the room I’ll be guiding you to, there are no tricks of the sort lurking about.
Until the day of the banquet, please do take it easy here as if it is your own home.
It’s gonna be hard to see this place as my own home, though… Right, Yume?
…What?
What do you mean, “what”? C’mon, at least respond back with a “yes” or something. You haven’t been saying a thing this whole time.
I was so sure you looked a bit excited before we got here, y’know?
…That’s because this is nothing like the mansion that Yume imagined.
This is the home of “Knights”… of a knight, so Yume imagined a castle from a fairytale.
One surrounded by stone walls, where opening the doors would greet you to a long, red carpet…
And the fountain in the courtyard would have little birds flying about as they sing…♪
You’re able to imagine it so vividly, it’s honestly a talent in a way.
Though there is no fountain in my household’s garden, there is a pond. I’ll guide everyone there later.
There’s a pond in your garden? Now you’ve got me curious. Aren’t you excited too, Yume?
…Mhm.
(His responses are so lukewarm… Well, I guess he won’t immediately let down his walls, huh.)
(Sengoku said he wanted to understand Yume more, but now that Yume’s actually in front of him, it seems that he’s not too sure how to approach the topic.)
(It’s on me now to change the mood by bringing up a topic!)
Erm, so Anzu-san’s gonna join us at night; is that right, Suou?
Yes. She said she’ll start making the outfits tonight, so she’s been preparing all the fabric and decorations she’ll need in the afternoon.
Got it. But is it really alright for us to sleep over at your house? Isn’t everyone in your home busy with preparations for the banquet…?
There is no need to worry. If anything, you’re helping me quite a lot. This way, I can efficiently make contact with the people at home, while still mingling and having briefings with everyone.
The only thing is, I’m afraid to say that I will likely be leaving my seat often. I hope you can understand.
It is alright, there is no need to worry about us. I’d much rather you focus on your duties, Suou-kun~♪
Thank you, that is very much appreciated. That being said, I have been working tirelessly these past few days, so I hope to spend the time with all of you as much as possible today.
Right then, this is the guest room I’ve prepared for everyone.
Once you’ve placed your luggage down and taken a rest, I’ll guide you through the garden.
Thirty minutes later…
Fwooh…! This is one fine Japanese garden!
This is precisely what you’d call “wabi-sabi”!2 I feel my heart cleansing.
Heh. I would not even be surprised if Kanzaki-dono appeared before our eyes from behind that rock~♪
I am pretty sure that would be surprising, though…?
A garden makes me think of the oniwaban! Though the front is furnished to be a garden, in reality, it is where the undercover corps take on secret orders from the shogun!
Though there are slight differences between them and ninjas, I still feel a sense of closeness in a way.3
I’m perfectly fine with you doing as you like, but climbing up the garden lanterns is dangerous, so please refrain from anything of the sort.
Why, of course! I am a ninja who is aware of his position.
Even though you’re the same guy who made such a mess over at Shinkai-senpai’s house, you’re now barred from it?
Uuu… Let’s agree not to mention that~!
Ahaha. …Yume imagined a European-styled castle, but…
This garden here kinda reminds me of the one you’d see in a Japanese castle. Isn’t this pretty nice in its own right?
…No. Don’t lump them in the same group.
Japanese food and Western food may both be food in the end, but they’re entirely different. The same goes for castles.
Ohh. You’ve got your own things you’re particular about, huh?
Mashiro-san just generalizes way too much.
Japanese cuisine and Western cuisine… Ah—
Mm? What’s up, Suou?
Ahh, no. I was simply reminded of what my Chef told me.
I thought it would take too much time for both parties to consult what to make each time, so the Chef is usually in charge of thinking up what cuisine to prepare for the day.
However, they said that they would like to prepare tomorrow’s lunch Course based on our wishes, so could you choose between Japanese cuisine and Western?
Japanese cuisine! (Western cuisine!)
Ehh? Sengoku, you want Japanese food?
Of course! If I’m to dine in a samurai residence, then I couldn’t possibly have anything but Japanese cuisine!
That’s exactly why we should choose Western cuisine here, though? He’s got his own personal chef! I’m sure they can totally spruce up something amazing! Right, Yume?
Do as you like. Anything is fine as long as it’s filling.
Hmm… We could also go for a blending of the two.
Japanese food! Japanese food! Japanese food~!
Western food! Western food! Western food~!
Fufu. Well, I suppose we have no choice if it’s turning out this way.
You are in the Suou Family’s premises. So I shall have the two of you follow Knights’ method of settlings matters: a duel…♪
Duel?
Chapter 2
Same day, at night…
…When I heard you say “duel”, I panicked thinking we’d be thrown into some huge battle, but…
You were actually talking about a pillow fight in the end? Or is it that everyone in Knights usually settles arguments with pillow fighting?
No, it was simply a figure of speech. The duels we have in Knights don’t involve crossing swords like the medieval times, either.
To settle the score, we need to establish a means to do so. That would give everyone the most satisfaction, no?
Good point. But this sort of game helps us bond further, so I wish Yume was with us, too.
He refused to join us though, saying that “a princess would never do something so barbaric”.
Is that so… We, Knights, tend to strengthen our unity through duels, so I was hoping that deciding on the meal would help close the distance between Shinobu-kun and Yume-kun…
Still, we mustn’t force him to join us. There is still time until the banquet begins, so let’s go slow and steady with the matter.
Mashiro-kun, I’ve gathered all the pillows in the mansion; will this suffice?
Yup, it’s more than enough. …By the way, have you ever had a pillow fight before, Suou?
No, I haven’t. Why do you ask?
Mm~ I just got curious. ‘Cause the pillow fights I usually have don’t involve preparing the pillows in advance.
In school trips or training camps, someone will start throwing pillows to mess around, and it just quickly dissolves into a huge fight — That’s how it usually goes.
I see. I’ve heard about pillow-fighting from Leo-san before, so I had hoped to experience it during our school trip…4
Ahaha. Our generation’s school trip didn’t really allow for something like that, right~5
Alright then, we don’t need someone to do the final calls, so come and join us, Suou.
Eh? I take part as well?
Yup. You can still have a pillow fight without a judge, anyway.
Plus, you chose pillow-fighting for the duel because you were interested in it, right?
That isn’t… Be that as it may, this is still meant to be a battle between the two of you…
I fully welcome it! With pillow-fighting, the more people there are, the more fun we can have!
Heard that? So come on, join us.
…Very well then. Then what say the three of us enjoy this together?
The Rule is as I explained earlier: The last one with the least amount of pillows near him is the winner.
Alright, so we just have to throw every single one we see! Here goes then… Pillow fight, start!
…Wfpgh!?
You left an opening! I’ve made my first strike already!
I shall make excellent use of my ninjutsu and put up a strong fight! Ninja art: Pillow Fight-no-Jutsu~! Shubabababa! ☆
Ow!? You’re going far too quickly, Shinobu-kun!
Nishishi~♪ Speed is the key to victory in a time-limited battle!
Dammit~! Now you’ve done it…!
Let us make an alliance, Mashiro-kun!
Ahaha! What a coincidence, I was about to say the same! Three, two, one—!
Ehhh!? Two against one is just foul play~!
It’s only for now. A one-sided match would just be a bore, after all!
And after that… The last one standing will be me!
Fufu, I refuse to lose… Take this! ♪
(…It was always a mystery to me what could ever be fun about causing a mess by throwing pillows…)
(But I see now — it is just so easy to get absorbed into the joy of pillow fighting.)
(Innocent laughter as we compete for the win… How incredible for something as simple as that to lighten my heart this much.)
(…Fufu. It has been so long since I’ve been able to have fun with such innocence.)
(I truly have been caught up by my duties as the head of the family for this banquet all this time.)
(However! Though this may be a game, it is still a battle! I will not allow myself to lose here…♪)
It’s time for the counterattack! Prepare yourselves, Mashiro-kun, Shinobu-kun!
Meanwhile, in the room prepared for Anzu…
…Anzu-san, you’re making outfits?
You didn’t expect Yume to come? Since you heard everyone was going to have a pillow fight?
Yume would never do something like that. What would come out of throwing pillows?
It would only exhaust Yume, and Yume would never do something so childish.
…“It’ll be fun, and you’d be able to get along with everyone”?
…………
…More importantly, you’ve stocked up on a lot of late-night snacks.
Are you planning to stay up the whole night making outfits? Even though there’s still a lot of time before the banquet?
…You want to make it in time for the practice lessons starting the day after tomorrow? Huh…
Say, Anzu-san, why are you so good at sewing?
Yume also makes cosplay outfits, but… It doesn’t usually go the way Yume wanted…
The end result almost always turns out so differently from what Yume imagined… and then Yume’s filled with disappointment.
But you’re able to make outfits exactly according to the design, right?
Why can you do it, but Yume can’t? That’s just so frustrating.
…Huh. You started sewing idol outfits in your school days, and after you started working independently, you brushed up on all your skills?
Yume sews for Yume’s sake, but you sew for others’ sake…
…………
…Can Yume stay here? Yume wants to watch and learn from Anzu-san, so that Yume is also able to make the most ideal outfits.
…Like Esu’s exclusive outfit. And Yume’s own outfit, too — Yume wanted to make both of them.6
But Yume doesn’t want it all to end on the thought that “it’s just impossible”, so… Let Yume learn from you, okay?
…Yume is aware. Staying up late is bad for the skin, so Yume will sleep once it’s time.
In the next morning… Yume will go back to where everyone is.
Chapter 3
Next day, early morning…
…Oh?
I didn’t know you were already awake, Mashiro-kun. Is Shinobu-kun awake, too?
Sengoku’s in the garden. He said that it looked like a great place to do his ninja training.
We all slept pretty much immediately after the pillow fight last night, yeah? So both me and Sengoku woke up earlier than usual.
Oh yeah, we couldn’t settle the score in the end, so we just went with a mix of Japanese and Western food, huh.
If preparing both types of food was an option from the start, then we didn’t need to have a duel, did we?
I’m aware. That was, well… simply an excuse to have a pillow fight.
I wanted to try it out at least once in my life, to see what it was all about.
Ahaha, it’s not really anything special, is it? …Nah, I guess that’s not how you see it in your eyes, huh.
You’re the head of your family, after all~ I doubt you ever had the chance to try it out.
…You’re living in an entirely different world from mine, Suou; this mansion included.
If we never became idols, I never would’ve been able to get to know you. Makes me realize just how amazing fate can be.
Indeed. I happened across people who I wouldn’t have been able to encounter any other way, and got to spend my time together with them…
I truly realize in moments like these… that I was only able to build up such experiences precisely because I chose to go down the path of an Idol.
Yeah. Seisoukan… is probably not the best place for it, ‘cause I think the dorm supervisor would scold us, but — Let’s have a pillow fight again sometime.
This time, with a huge group! Like Sengoku said, the more people there are, the more fun we can have~♪
Yes, let’s.
…Yaawns…
Mm? Did you not get a lick of sleep?
Ah, no. I’ve been taking naps in between my work. Staying up all night would simply be harmful to my health.
Naps only lead to a lack of sleep eventually, y’know? You shouldn’t overdo it.
I’m sorry I can’t be of any help with this sorta thing, though.
What do you mean by that? It isn’t as if you refused to do anything for me, so there is no need to apologize, either.
That’s true, but all the burden is on you… It’s frustrating that I can’t do anything for you.
There isn’t much we can do about that. I must prepare for the banquet that my family will be hosting concurrently with the Live for Producer’s Choice, after all.
It is much more efficient if I take the lead.
I see… Well, if that’s how you think, then sure.
How’s preparations going? Is everything moving smoothly?
There is a little bit of trouble with the banquet as it is our first time hosting one, but the Live is proceeding as planned.
Anzu-oneesama is moving forward with the outfit-making, and she hopes to get it ready as fast as possible.
The design will bring out its own unique flavor while following the Motif. At the moment, I’m uncertain if Yume-kun would be satisfied with that…
But we are checking in with him as we make the outfits, and since he hasn’t really made any particular complaints, I assume there will be no problems there.
As for the song’s musical composition, we are currently waiting for it to be completed. I have a demo version of the song with me; would you like to hear it?
You alright with that? Yeah, I’d love to.
…………
…Woah, this song doesn’t just sound cute, it’s got a “mischievous kid” vibe to it, too.
They seem like pure and innocent kids, but they’re actually naughty in secret. I can imagine them kicking over the furniture as soon as the adults take their eyes off of them~♪
Kicking over the furniture… Oh, that’s a wonderful concept. We may be able to make the visuals more interesting if we incorporate something like that into our Performance.
I’ll try to see if it’s possible to have that in our stage direction.
Really? I was just saying what came to my mind, though.
That sort of thing is a fine Idea of its own. Gravity was also discovered simply through something as trivial as an apple falling, after all.
Ohh~ Alright then, feel free to use it if it’s possible to implement.
Yes, I’d be glad to~♪
A while later…
…Oh? Good morning, Anzu-oneesama.
…And Yume-kun…?
—I see. Yume-kun was with you until the morning… I’m so envious. Erm, no, it’s nothing.
You seem to have slept well in the futon, but… You didn’t cause Onee-sama any trouble, did you, Yume-kun?
…………
…Yume-kun. Don’t hide behind Anzu-oneesama; let’s share a talk face-to-face, shall we?
…“Talk”.
Are you a kid!? No, wait, you are a kid.
…Ah. Anzu-san, don’t move. Yume needs you to be the shield.
“You have to talk about it properly”…?
“You told me to come with you because you’d feel helpless on your own, didn’t you?”… Well, yes, but…
…Ahem. For starters, could you please let your guard down? I am not your enemy.
I am also at fault for what happened here. My indecisive demeanor was one of the causes of this incident, after all.
Mhm. Exactly, it’s all Tsukasa-san’s fault.
I said I am also at fault, did I not? You also have something you need to reflect on, Yume-kun.
…—But…
I am on your side, Yume-kun. That is exactly why I will tell you what you must hear.
Even if there is something that you cannot stand, that still does not excuse hurting the other person.
…………
I’m sure that within those words you spoke in that moment, lies your very own convictions and beliefs.
On that note, there is responsibility on my side, as well. I should have prepared an idea that would satisfy you while we were still in the briefing stage, and taken the time to explain it to you beforehand.
Both Anzu-oneesama and I proceeded with the planning under the understanding that “the original story is mostly going to be a reference point”, but…
As your imagination just kept growing further and further, you might have felt certain that this would be a Collaboration with the manga.
Perhaps you were under that impression even more due to a previous case, when a live-action adaptation of a shojo manga was made through Producer’s Choice.7
With your expectations held up so high, you must have felt like we betrayed you. I apologize for not providing an adequate explanation.
However… This and that are entirely different stories.
As an Idol, as well as a human being… If your wording expresses contempt for the other party far more than necessary, you must apologize to them.
…………
Chapter 4
…I, too, had a similar experience when I first joined Knights.
I treasured my fixations far too much, and ended up pushing my opinions on my own seniors harshly.
Though it was something I believed to be correct, I did not consider how my words would sound to them. And so, it caused a disagreement between us.8
And then I got scolded by my seniors, similarly to how you did.
However, it was not to invalidate me — It was a path shown to me so that I could move even further.
…And that’s why Yume should apologize, too?
An apology does not equate accepting a loss. Rather, it’s necessary for the sake of showing respect to the other party.
Shinobu-kun must have also felt hurt by your words, Yume-kun. If you leave that be, the discontentment won’t fade away, and the gap will simply grow wider.
…………
…Sigh.
Okay. Yume will go to Shinobu-san.
Sound of footsteps
Fufu. Wonderful.
…You sure it’ll be fine letting him go alone? I’m a little worried.
Well, let’s simply believe in him for now. He’s still a child, but he is not an infant that needs our care every second.
We will act accordingly if something happens, and this too is necessary growing pains. Don’t you think so as well, Anzu-oneesama?
Several minutes later…
(…“Apologize”, he says… what is Yume even meant to say, though?)
(Yume understands that Yume’s words were a little too far. But does that really mean you have to apologize?)
(Yume was just saying what came to mind. Yume expressed that the things Yume can’t accept are unacceptable. That’s it.)
(Maybe Yume’s wording was wrong, but does that automatically make Yume at fault now?)
(If Yume says sorry, will Shinobu-san accept the apology? Will things really be solved just like that?)
(Is that really going to close the case? Even though Yume still can’t accept things, this is still good enough?)
(…Everything feels so weird somehow.)
…………
—You’ve been gazing at the pond for a while now; is something on your mind?
Shinobu-san.
Are you looking for frogs, perhaps?
Frogs? Yume would never go searching for something as gross as that.
Gross…? Please don’t call them that.
Frogs are friends in my eyes. It’s sad to see them get invalidated like that.
Frogs… for friends?
Mhm. Frogs were the very few companions I could speak to when I had a fear of strangers.9
Well, frogs cannot actually understand human language, so I was simply just talking to them one-sidedly.
But even so, they are precious companions to me, that supported me when I was all alone.
This is the perfect chance to introduce you to them. Look, look! This is Momocchi and Thunder~♪10
Uu…! Don’t show Yume a photo of frogs.
…It’s hard to believe that you used to have a fear of strangers. You’re speaking to Yume just fine right now.
Ahaha. Those who only know how I am now would think that way, yes.
…There was a reason I had a fear of strangers back then.
Before I became afraid of strangers, I would go through many situations where people were unable to understand me, and would keep distance from me.
I still remember that agonizing feeling to this very day.
For example… In elementary school, there’s an opportunity to talk about your dream for the future, correct? That was when I was told these very words… “You’ll never ever become a ninja.”
My classmates laughed at me, and even my teacher scolded me, telling me to take this more seriously.
Even though I was genuinely and truly hoping to become a ninja…
…………
Thus… I grew terrified of being invalidated for what I love, and before I knew it, I began taking my distance from people. That was how I could avoid being hurt, after all.
Yume-kun’s words felt like a sharp knife to me… and while yes, part of me wants to run away—
Even then, I…
I choose the path of meeting halfway.
I shall stand my ground. For I will surely regret this if I run away here.
I don’t ever want to become the same as those who avoided me.
…………
…Yume apologizes for calling frogs “gross”.
Yume hates frogs. But… In most fairytales, when a protagonist hates frogs, they suffer a terrible fate, or lose more than they gain.
When the curse is broken, the frog may turn into a prince. So… Yume will bear with it.
And… the same goes for when Yume said you were a “weird person”.
Yume also knows how much it hurts to have your cherished things invalidated.
Invalidating those who are genuinely doing their best would simply just be cruel.
Yume-kun…
Mm? Someone just tapped on Yume’s shoulder.
Ah, no. A bug just fell down from the tree.
Huh—A bug…!?
KYAAAAAA!?
Sound of footsteps
Was that scream from Yume!?
…Ah, found them! Over there!
What on earth happened, you tw—
No, no—! Get it off, now!
Please settle down! I cannot get a hold of it if you keep flailing about…!
The bug will just continue to cling onto you if you keep struggling…!
Gosh, how dare it touch Yume! Yume hates bugs! Eliminate it already!
That would simply be sad for the bug… Insects are also doing their very best to live.
It is us who entered its territory, anyway…
No! This is an attack!
Bugs just try to act like the victims! They’re trying to hunt down Yume! Take this bug down with some insect-killing ninjutsu already!
I have never once heard of ninjutsu like that…
…The heck is going on?
It seems that Shinobu-kun is trying to take off the insect on Yume-kun… Though, there doesn’t appear to be an argument between them.
Shinobu-kun, Yume-kun, please be calm. I don’t see the insect anymore.
Huh? Really…?
Ohh, it’s gone! You kept making a huge fuss, so it must have gotten startled until it flew away~
Wonderful news for you, Yume-kun.
There’s nothing wonderful about this. You failed as a ninja, Shinobu-san.
Pardooon!? What did you just say!?
You failed as a ninja. Yume was being attacked by a bug, but you were simply useless. How are you meant to be a ninja who protects the princess like this?
W-Wh-Wha…!? You are not my lord, Yume-kun! I have the right to choose who I serve as my lord, you know~!?11
C’mon now, why’s this where the argument gets worse?
Hah… Well, it seems they’ve closed their distance enough to speak to each other face-to-face, at least.
Let’s call it a good conclusion to end on.
Chapter 5
Next morning…
Yo—… Hah—…!
My mind truly focuses better through ninja activities in the early morning~
The morning air feels so serene and pleasant…☆
Oh, I see someone…
Heeey, Suou-kuuun~! (waves)
…? Ahh, Shinobu-kun.
You woke up fairly early. Could you not sleep well?
No, I simply decided to wake up early since this is a rare chance for me.
I rarely get an opportunity to move about freely in a place with this sort of atmosphere, so I hope to enjoy myself here to my heart’s content while I still can!
Heh! I feel like a true ninja here~…☆
Fufu. From my perspective, you are already a splendid ninja.
Really? I’m so happy to hear that! ♪
Will you be preparing for the banquet soon? I believe you’re in the middle of handwriting each and every invitation, correct?
Yes. Although, the only thing I am handwriting is my signature.
It would simply take too long to write the message and address by hand, and I’d only hurt my wrist.
That’s a good point. Nevertheless, I’m sure it’s a lot of work to sign several hundreds of invitations. I applaud you for the hard work!
Thank you very much. We’re going to finally begin our Lessons for the song today. I look forward to practicing with you. …Ah, speaking of which—
Mm? What’s wrong?
This took a little while, but the Unit name has finally been decided on, so I wanted to let you know.
The name of the Unit that Suou Tsukasa, Sengoku Shinobu, Mashiro Tomoya, and Yume will be part of is… “Ha/Lo”.12
Harou…? As in, the harou for warnings of waves?
No, it is an invented word. It includes various meanings, such as the greeting “Hello”, the angel’s ring “Halo”, as well as “Hi/Low”, among a few other things.
Harou for warnings of waves… Fufu, how interesting; I never thought of that.
Really? When I hear news about warnings of waves, the letters “HARO” pop up in my head.
Ah, for your information, harou refers to waves caused by the wind. In other words, warnings of harou would be to warn about the danger of incoming high waves.13
Our Shuffle unit has nothing to do with waves at first glance, but… Trifling with the adults is precisely what you’d call harou.
I agree. Let us captivate everyone by becoming fallen angels with freedom akin to the waves…♪
Some time later. On the day of the banquet…
“Dear guests, welcome to the banquet hosted by the Suou Family. I am the head of the family, Suou Tsukasa.”
“I am still a novice who inherited the seat only last year, but — I have received the honor of hosting this banquet tonight.”
“I’m sure there are guests here who are acquainted with me, but I would like to extend a greeting to all of you once more.”
“I am very pleased to meet you all…♪”
“Now then. As you all know, in this long-established banquet, it is custom to have a different Theme assigned each year, and for the family hosting it to devise an elaborate plan to represent it.”
“This year’s Theme is — ‘Hidden Faces’.”
“For tonight, as the head of the Suou Family, I shall display a face of myself that I’ve never presented before.”
“One is — My face as an Idol. I am a member of the Unit called ‘Knights’, and work hard daily in my Idol activities.”
“I assume that most of our guests here are not familiar with that world.”
“However, there’s a minute amount of people who are extremely familiar with it. I’m sure to those guests, they consider this as a face of mine they have seen before.”
“Thus, I have brought with me a special line-up of people different from Knights, the members that I usually accompany.”
…(A spotlight lights on them as they walk to the center of the stage)
……♪ (Slowly forms a smile as he surveys the audience)
“This Unit is called ‘Ha/Lo’.”
“Tonight, the four of us will deliver an extraordinary Stage to you, dear guests.”
“…The Staff are now handing out the Cyalumes. This is an essential item during an Idol’s show, meant for waving to the beat of the music.”
“In an Idol’s Performance, the Stage is only finalized when the whole venue becomes one. Please don’t be shy; you are encouraged to join us.”
“Right, it is time to lift the curtains of the banquet. Dear guests, please do enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content.”
“We present to you Ha/Lo — ‘The Fallen Angels’ Banquet’.”
“♪~♪~♪”
(…The atmosphere is completely different from the usual stages.)
(Is Yume smiling properly? Yume’s worried that Yume’s smile looks awkward…)
(Yume simply has to perform what Yume learned during the lessons, but… Yume’s body isn’t moving as Yume hoped.)
(It feels like Yume will be caught in the atmosphere of the adults, and get crushed by something heavy… It is taking all of Yume’s energy to keep up with everyone.)
…Kya!?
(Everything went dark just as the flower vase broke…)
(No, this is just part of the stage. Yume knows that it’s not good to just stand here…!)
(Quickly, quickly…! Yume has to move…!)
Woah— Yume moved too late…!
Not to worry. Leave this to me, please.
Lights back on
“♪~♪~…”
I shall continue after Suou-kun!
“♪~♪~…♪”
Yume, move to your next position while the two are backing us up.
Try to do it as naturally as possible, to the rhythm of the tune.
O-Okay… Got it.
“♪~♪~♪”
(…Alright, good. We managed to correct courses.)
(Even that Yume gets nervous, huh~… Well, it makes sense, though.)
(It’s not easy to avoid mistakes. Everyone has to go through a bunch in their path, after all.)
(I’ve messed up plenty of times, and I’m sure so have Sengoku and Suou, too. I’m only standing here right now ‘cause I got through all of those mistakes I’ve made.)
(The secret to growth is to enjoy even the failures! Alright, this is another moment for me to liven up the place!)
“♪~♪~♪”
(…Whew, we managed to pull through one way or another.)
(Yume-kun looks to have a brighter expression now… What a relief, truly~♪)
(…Were this the past me, I would have been afraid of Yume-kun, and never had the courage to even get close to him.)
(And honestly, Yume-kun’s behavior brings a lot of trouble, and sometimes I find myself losing my temper.)
(However! Even then, it’ll be fine! The person I am now has words carved right into my heart!)
(“One for all, all for one!”)
(Ryuseitai’s beliefs are always shining brightly within the center of my heart…♪)
(…Tenshouin Onii-sama and Tori-kun are sitting in the seats over there.)
(Tenshouin Onii-sama looks to be enjoying himself… And though Tori-kun seems a little frustrated, he is waving the Cyalume to the beat of the song.)
(Fufu. I’m sure they never once expected this year’s Theme to involve Producer’s Choice.)
(I should be able to fulfill my duty for this without any major issues. With these experiences and my new-found confidence, I shall further boost Knights to greater heights.)
(As both the head of my family and an Idol — I will make sure that I continue to grow further and further.)
(So please do take a close look at me, you two…♪)
Translation Notes
- ↑ Referring to Chapter 3 of at home.
- ↑ Referring to a type of Japanese aesthetic. Read more here.
- ↑ Apparently, they tend to be thought of as ninjas, but they were only ranked similarly to them. Read more here.
- ↑ Tsukasa has mentioned this before, in Our Trip in the Future.
- ↑ Referring to High and Low, when trouble happened during their school trip in their second year.
- ↑ Referring to Esu and Yume’s Feature Scouts. The translations can be found here.
- ↑ Referring to the shuffle unit from EVIL Telephone.
- ↑ This is likely referring to Duel, a Knights and Trickstar story released in 2015.
- ↑ Shinobu says hitomishiri, referring to stranger anxiety/fear of strangers, but it can also refer to shyness. For Shinobu, he had a case of stranger anxiety and shyness as a first year, seen in several stories set in ! Era. Notable ones are Crash Course and Sparkling First Years!
- ↑ These are Shinobu’s pet frogs, which can be seen here.
- ↑ Shinobu enjoys serving Mao, and is seen doing it in stories with the two of them.
- ↑ Pronounced as ha-lo, rather than the pronunciation of the word “halo”.
- ↑ The word Shinobu is talking about is 波浪 (waves, harou) and 波浪注意報 (warnings of harou), which is for what he explained.