Chapter 4: Voice of the Heart

The Sound of Summer

Nikaidou Yamato: ……Haha. I can’t believe one measly call from my dad is all it takes for you to come wash his car.
Nikaidou Yamato: That’s pretty impressive, considering how goddamn hot it is. You wanna suck up to him that badly?
Yuki: He gives me pocket change in exchange for washing his car. I can buy some good meat for my partner with that money, since I’m always causing trouble for him.
Nikaidou Yamato: ……
Yuki: We’re quite poor since we just debuted. I suppose you don’t have someone like that, as a rich kid with tons of free time.
Yuki: A friend you want to treasure– even if it means working up a sweat, or getting slathered in mud, or taking the fall for them. (1)
Nikaidou Yamato: ……Don’t need that.
Yuki: I see……. I hope you meet someone like that some day.

Ogami Banri: Yamato-kun and Mitsuki-kun fought, and Iori-kun ended up leaving the dorms as well…?
Takanashi Tsumugi: That’s what apparently happened…. I was able to contact them, but Yamato-san said he won’t be returning until he’s done filming.
Takanashi Tsumugi: And Mitsuki-san said that it’d make it even harder for Yamato-san to return if he came back first…….
Ogami Banri: Understood. Let’s watch over them and make sure things don’t take a turn for the worse. They’re both adults, so I think everything will work out just fine.
Ogami Banri: To be honest, I think it’s fine if they live outside of the dorms. Not if their fight’s the reason why, though.
Ogami Banri: They’re all boys, so sticking together and living in such close quarters with each other all the time must be a little stifling.
Takanashi Tsumugi: …….
Takanashi Tsumugi: That’s true……. I might just be forcing it on them since I like seeing everyone get along so much…….
Takanashi Tsumugi: Everyone has their own circles, so it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary if they lived outside of the dorms…….
Ogami Banri: There are several ways to think about it. For example, it’s better if the minors live in the dorm. Anyways, where are they all staying?
Takanashi Tsumugi: Mitsuki-san and Iori-san told me they’ll be staying at Momo-san’s house.
Ogami Banri: At Momo-kun’s? That’s good to hear. We’re imposing on Momo-kun here, but that kid’s really nice.
Ogami Banri: Where is Yamato-kun staying?
Takanashi Tsumugi: Yuki-san is aware of the situation and said he’ll try talking to Yamato-san about it.
Ogami Banri: Yuki did? Is he gonna be okay…. See, Yuki really likes to take care of others, but he doesn’t understand the delicate workings of a person’s heart. On top of that, he’s really harsh with his words.
Takanashi Tsumugi: Is that so…….
Ogami Banri: He’s the type to metaphorically whack you with a hammer when he’s trying to comfort you. Man, he was pretty awful when I got dumped by my girlfriend.
Takanashi Tsumugi: W-what did he say?
Ogami Banri: “You’re happier when you think about her, even though she told you she doesn’t need you anymore. That’s why you’re still sad, correct?”
Takanashi Tsumugi: …….
Ogami Banri: I ignored him for a month after that.

Nikaidou Yamato: ……Is it okay?
Staff: It isn’t obvious since the makeup artist was able to cover most of it up. Please be careful not to get injured in the future, okay?
Nikaidou Yamato: I’m really sorry…….
Yuki: Wow, what a hunk. Now you look even more menacing.
Nikaidou Yamato: ……Good morning, Yuki-san.
Yuki: So I heard a certain little boy decided to run away from home? (2)
Nikaidou Yamato: ……. Well, that piece of info spread way too fast. Did you hear that from Banri-san?
Yuki: Who knows? I won’t tell you who tipped me off. Where are you staying right now? In a business hotel?
Nikaidou Yamato: Yeah, somewhere like that.
Yuki: I’ll let you stay at my house.
Nikaidou Yamato: That won’t be necessary! Mind your own business…. Sheesh, that was completely uncalled for. (3)
Yuki: What you did was completely uncalled for too. Isn’t that so? Things were already strange enough as is, and yet you decided to raise the bar yourself. How bold.
Nikaidou Yamato: …….
Yuki: Shizuo-san took very good care of me. He’d be anguished if anything happened to you. As would Ban, and your manager.
Yuki: This is the last time I’ll fruitlessly volunteer myself for this troublesome, little rich boy.
Yuki: Do as I say.
Nikaidou Yamato: ……. Got it.

Yotsuba Tamaki: Nagicchi, here…. I made the ramen Yama-san always makes……
Rokuya Nagi: ……* sob* …. No, that’s a bowl that’s been hijacked by an alien…….
Yotsuba Tamaki: They’re only a little soggy!

Nanase Riku: What is that, it looks like brains……. Here, Nagi! I made the donuts Mitsuki always makes for us!
Rokuya Nagi: …….* sob* …. No, that’s the black hole that appeared during the Big Bang…….
Nanase Riku: It’s not gonna start the universe! And it’ll be fine once you cut off the burnt parts! See, just like peeling a banana!
Yotsuba Tamaki: I don’t think that’s possible, it reeks of charcoal……. You should put it in your closet, Rikkun. Maybe it’ll repel bugs like takesumi. (5)
Nanase Riku: Do you wanna use it, Tamaki?
Yotsuba Tamaki: Hell no.
Rokuya Nagi: ……* sob* ….
Nanase Riku: Don’t cry……. Wanna put it in your drawer, Nagi?
Yotsuba Tamaki: Cheer up, Nagicchi. I get that you’re sad because you’ve always been with Yama-san and Mikkii, but…….
Nanase Riku: I guess none of them are coming back until Yamato-san’s done shooting…. And Iori said that he’ll respect his brother’s decision.
Rokuya Nagi: ……Nothing good will come out of me continuing to cry. I’m going to go see him, face-to-face!
Yotsuba Tamaki ・ Nanase Riku: Which one!?
Rokuya Nagi: What!?
Yotsuba Tamaki: If it turns into two people confronting the other, things are only gonna get worse! Because you’re in the same unit as them, Nagicchi!
Nanase Riku: It could end up turning into Team Yamato, or Team Mitsuki!
Rokuya Nagi: OH……. It’s just like being a cat person or a dog person.
* click*
Osaka Sougo: I’m home. Oh? Nobody managed to cook anything? Give me just a moment. I’ll make something.
Nanase Riku: Welcome home, Sougo-san! You’re gonna cook for us? Sougo-san’s cooking is kinda…….
Yotsuba Tamaki: Sou-chan’s food is always so spicy…….
Rokuya Nagi: Eugh……. Aliens have invaded, a bug-repelling black hole has opened, and now the last boss is here– Pool of Blood …….
Nanase Riku: Like I said, it’s not bug repellent! ……Oh! I know! We should just stop Sougo-san before he does his final round of seasoning!
Rokuya Nagi: OH! Nice idea!
Yotsuba Tamaki: Sou-chan always hums as he dumps Tabasco sauce onto stuff, so let’s stop him at around the “Overflowing love~♪” part in ‘Fragments of Love!’
Nanase Riku: No way, we should stop him before then! Right at “All of a sudden~♪”! Don’t underestimate the power of Tabasco!
Osaka Sougo: We’re having spaghetti aglio e olio today. To start off, I’ll stir-fry a teaspoon of chili pepper in olive oil……. (4)
Rokuya Nagi: Oh my God …. He seasons his food first, not last.
Yotsuba Tamaki: Ah, ah, ah….. He’s dumping in so much…. He’s dumping in bucket loads of red flakes….
Nanase Riku: Sougo-san’s idea of a teaspoon is definitely different from ours….
Nanase Riku: Haa ……. Everyone used to eat together happily, but now it’s so lonely…….
Yotsuba Tamaki: Mikkii knew Yama-san’d get mad, so he shouldn’t have asked in the first place. Stuff like that doesn’t really matter anyways.
Rokuya Nagi: Of course it matters. Yamato was suffering in secret. You’ve said the exact same thing to Sougo before too. Remember?
Yotsuba Tamaki: What the heck? I did not.
Rokuya Nagi: “I told you to tell me, didn’t I! You said you would too!”
Yotsuba Tamaki: Stooop! Stop, stop, stop! I’m so embarrassed!
Rokuya Nagi: Do you remember now?
Yotsuba Tamaki: Yeah….
Osaka Sougo: What’s going on over here?
Yotsuba Tamaki: It’s nothing. Go back to stir-frying your red stuff.
Osaka Sougo: Do you like chili peppers? I see you’ve gotten used to spicy food. I’ll add just a little bit more in, then.
Yotsuba Tamaki: Ah ――――――
Rokuya Nagi: OH…. Oh…. Just the steam from the food is enough to hurt my eyes…. The capsaicin is attacking me at full force….
Rokuya Nagi: In times like this, I wish we could get the Manager to talk to them…. I’m sure Yamato and Mitsuki would be more upfront about their feelings and talk it out, especially when faced with her cheerfulness…..
Nanase Riku: She’s been so busy she can’t even come with us on-scene……. It’s not that Banri-san’s hard to talk to, but like……. How should I put it….
Yotsuba Tamaki: We can’t exactly tell him something childish like “I want everybody to be together! I think it’s better that way!”…. Not when he’s tough and hardcore enough to get injured protecting his partner, give up his dream for said partner, and then leave without a trace…….
Nanase Riku: He even told Yuki-san, overwhelmed with emotion after reuniting with Banri-san for the first time in five years, that he was 'gross’……. It’s only been a few days since Yamato-san and Mitsuki fought….
Nanase Riku: Alright, let’s try to figure out something ourselves! I’ll try contacting them through RabbitChat– Ah!
Yotsuba Tamaki: Careful! Rikkun, you almost spilled your juice!
Nanase Riku: Sorry! Here, use this to wipe– Wah!
Yotsuba Tamaki: Ah!! Your glass is falling!
Rokuya Nagi: –I caught it!
Nanase Riku: Wow! That was amazing, Nagi!
Rokuya Nagi: ……I hope Iori returns soon as well. At this rate, all of the glass in the world is going to shatter…….
Yotsuba Tamaki: Iorin can predict Rikkun’s clumsiness and acts before anything happens….. He’s been watching out for us this whole time…….
*ding dong*
Osaka Sougo: Ah, it looks like someone’s at the door. Can somebody go answer?
Nanase Riku: I’ll go!
Yotsuba Tamaki: Maybe someone decided to come back! Is it Yama-san!? Or Mikkii and Iorin!?
Nanase Riku: ……Uh, there’s some construction guy here to do preliminary inspections…….
Yotsuba Tamaki: Construction?
Rokuya Nagi: I invited him. We’re going to renovate our dormitory. I got permission from the President to do so.
Yotsuba Tamaki ・ Nanase Riku: Renovate!?
Rokuya Nagi: YES! We’re idols, after all. We ought to increase the security around here in order to protect our privacy!
Nanase Riku: That’s true, but isn’t this a bit sudden….
Rokuya Nagi: It’s nothing major, just strengthening the security around the entrances. I’ve contracted a security company as well.
Yotsuba Tamaki: To be honest, this is pretty weird since it was so sudden. Are you hiding something too, Nagicchi? I mean, you’ve been randomly going back to Northmare lately……
Nanase Riku: Hiding things is bad! I don’t want another fight to happen!
Rokuya Nagi: Hm…… To tell the truth…….
Rokuya Nagi: I have a stalker.
Yotsuba Tamaki ・ Nanase Riku: A stalker!?
Nanase Riku: T-that’s awful! Have you talked about it with the agency or the police?
Rokuya Nagi: There’s no need to worry. Anyways, that’s why I’m renovating the dorms.
Yotsuba Tamaki: What kind of stalker are they? Have you met them before?
Rokuya Nagi: Well……. If I were to describe them in a word, I would say they’re 'inconsistent.’
Nanase Riku: 'Inconsistent?’
Rokuya Nagi: They can’t seem to make up their mind about if they need me, or if I’m nothing more than a nuisance.

To be continued….

TL Notes/comments:

(1) 泥をぶる has two meanings, [1] (lit.) get slathered in mud [2] take the fall for. I’m p sure yuki’s referring to the first meaning since he’s washing a car, but I believe the second connotation is also pertinent and worth including since that’s pretty crucial to characterizing yuki’s viewpoint of momo.
(2) ぼく can be used as 'you’ when referring to small children LOL
(3) I needed some way to put 余計な back into yamato’s line since it’s lost when you colloquialize 余計なお節介, because yuki’s subsequent line piggybacks off of that.
(4) correct me on this if i’m wrong bc i am no pasta experT!!! or cooking expert!!!!! But going frm ペペロンチーノ’s jpn wiki page to the english one gave me the name i put up there so uH sure
Also hitokake is the amount that’s the same size as the first bit of your thumb?? SO i.. stared at my thumb and idk i guess that’s around a tea spoon? Uh
(5) takesumi = bamboo charcoal. Has a lot of uses, including the one Tamaki mentioned!

As usual, if you see any mistakes/mistranslations/etc, please message me!

Thank you for reading!!

 

Aiming for that Win

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Good morning, Ten. Good morning, Gaku.
Yaotome Gaku: Ryuu. Did it go okay last night…?
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yeah, it was fun! More importantly, I called yesterday and made up with my younger brother!
Kujou Ten: That’s good to hear.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yeah! He told me that he’s proud to have me as his older brother. That gives me the strength to do my best at work!
Yaotome Gaku: Ahaha. Definitely can’t make a fool of yourself then. Let’s give it our best shot today!

Staff: TRIGGER’s been on a roll lately! They’ve always been really on point, but they feel a lot more complete now.
Staff: They definitely felt more like three top-class solo artists lined up next to each other before, but they feel a lot more like a team lately. Like in a, “Now, this is TRIGGER!” kind of way.
Staff: They’re more balanced with Tsunashi-kun in front. They feel a lot more unrestrained, in a good way!
Staff: I look forward to seeing what TRIGGER’s got to show us!

Kujou Ten: Come with us tonight! I love you, everyone!
Audience: Kyaaaaa ….
Audience: Ten-chan’s wink is so cute!!
Yaotome Gaku: Dance with us ‘til the very end! Follow me!
Audience: Kyaaaaa ….
Audience: Gaku-san’s so cool……!!
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Let’s make tonight a passionate one! I’ll love you all night long.
Audience: Kyaaaaa ….
Audience: Ryuu-san, you’re so sexy!
Kujou Ten: We can definitely do it, the way we are right now.
Yaotome Gaku: We can become the top idol group in Japan!
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: TRIGGER can go even higher than Re:vale!
Audience: Kyaaaaa ….

Yaotome Gaku: Hey, let’s do the thing I mentioned before for our next live.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: That’s a good idea! It’ll definitely blow their minds!
Kujou Ten: They can definitely look forward to that performance. I think it’s a good idea too.
Anesagi Kaoru: Oh my! It looks like you’re all overflowing with ideas. This kind of momentum is very good.
Anesagi Kaoru: The number of pre-orders for your newest single is projected to surpass TRIGGER’s current record. Everything is going perfectly for you three!
Kujou Ten: It’s all thanks to everyone at the agency and the fans.
Anesagi Kaoru: Don’t let your guard down just yet! Re:vale, armed with their fifth anniversary as their weapon, is going to star as the main personality on “Friends Day.”
Anesagi Kaoru: Sales have been going well for IDOLiSH7’s newest single, and the new corner on their show has been getting great reviews too. You three must stand at the top, without losing to either of those groups!
Yaotome Gaku: Roger that. I definitely don’t wanna lose because it’s them.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: We let them win last year’s Black or White, but let’s keep it at that. We’ll be the ones getting a standing ovation this year!
Anesagi Kaoru: I’m glad you can say it now, Ryuu!
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I just want to live up to everyone’s expectations. I’ve learned that those expectations aren’t pressure, but a comforting kind of energy.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Everyone’s trust gives me the courage.
Anesagi Kaoru: It’s a great honor for us to feel that sense of teamwork with our idols. Keep up the good work!
Yaotome Gaku: Speaking of teamwork, did something happen in IDOLiSH7?
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yeah, I heard about it too. Apparently a couple of them left the dorms.
Kujou Ten: Nikaidou Yamato and the Izumi brothers, correct?
Yaotome Gaku: How did you know?
Kujou Ten: …….
Yaotome Gaku: Man, you said all that awful shit about how you wouldn’t acknowledge Nanase as an idol, but the instant you guys exchange RabbitChat addresses, you’re back to being friendly with each other?
Kujou Ten: That’s not the case. I heard about it from their manager.
Yaotome Gaku: Hey now, don’t get in the way of her work. They’re reorganizing their agency right now. Apparently she’s so busy she can’t even make it on-site anymore.
Kujou Ten: Just whose point of view are you speaking from?
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: She seems really busy. She told me that she was having a lot of trouble writing up a manual when we went out to eat the other day.
Yaotome Gaku: Went out to eat?
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yeah. But you know how there’s a lot of taboos in this industry depending on which agency you’re dealing with, where you are, or who you’re working with? Making a manual for all of that must be really hard….
Yaotome Gaku: Went out to eat?
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: We bumped into each other when we were both coming back from work. Neither of us wanted to cook because it was too much trouble, so we ended up going to an udon shop–
Yaotome Gaku: And to an udon shop, of all places!?
Kujou Ten: Stop being so worked up over this, like you can’t believe what you’re hearing.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: W-what did udon ever do to you?
Kujou Ten: Also, from a soba shop worker’s standpoint, is the decreased number of orders due to people leaving the dorm going to be an issue?
Yaotome Gaku: Who hell are you callin’ a soba shop worker? I’m not a soba shop worker. Anyways, this is just a guess, but carrying seven people’s worth of soba was kinda rough so this’ll probably help a bit.
Anesagi Kaoru: By dorms, are you referring to IDOLiSH7’s? Did you guys want to live in a dorm too?
Yaotome Gaku: Not at all.
Kujou Ten: That won’t be necessary.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I’ve always wanted to try living in a dorm!
Anesagi Kaoru: Picking you guys up and dropping you guys off would be much easier that way. Why don’t you all try living together? It’ll also decrease the number of rumors regarding your relations with women.
Yaotome Gaku: Hell no. This guy over here would probably tell off a washing machine for not having enough professionalism.
Kujou Ten: And you’d probably tell a toaster to stop being so two-faced.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: You guys talk to your appliances? My grandma does that too!

Yaotome Sousuke: Ryuunosuke is right on track. Introducing him to that man was a good idea.
Anesagi Kaoru: My, my. That socialite is one of your acquaintances? Nothing less from the President.
Yaotome Sousuke: He is. Someone I know at Tsukumo introduced me to him.
Anesagi Kaoru: Speaking of which, there’s a guest here for you, President. Guest isn’t quite the right word…. If anything, he… He’s more like an uninvited guest….
Yaotome Sousuke: Stop muttering. Who is it?
Anesagi Kaoru: About that…….
Momo: Good evening! Long time no see, Papa Yaotome!
Yaotome Sousuke: You! Noisy as ever, I see…. Where’s your partner?
Momo: He’s going about doing his own stuff right now. Say…. I’ve got a pretty interesting tidbit for you. I’m selling it for cheap, so how about it?

Okazaki Rinto: Bye, Momo-kun. Good work today.
Momo: Good work today! Thanks for coming to pick me up! If you see Yuki, tell him I said 'Good luck on filming!’ okay?
…….
Okazaki Rinto: Ah, someone’s calling you.
Momo: You’re right. Alrighty then, see ya later!
…….
Momo: ……Hello! Didn’t I tell you not to call me because I’d call first…?
Momo: ……That, huh. ……I know. It’s all going smoothly. The trap’s in place and ready to spring. ……You’ll protect Yuki as promised, right?

To be continued….

TL Notes/comments:

Nothing in particular to note! Just lots of thanks for @kuriiii for proofreading/betaing the entirety of ch4!

As usual, if you see any mistakes/mistranslations/etc, please message me!

Thank you for reading!!

 

 

Acknowledge it.

Okazaki Rinto: Ah, someone’s calling you.
Momo: You’re right. Alrighty then, see ya later!
…….
Momo: ……Hello! Didn’t I tell you not to call me because I’d call first…?
Momo: ……That, huh. ……I know. It’s all going smoothly. The trap’s in place and ready to spring. ……You’ll protect Yuki as promised, right?

*click*
Momo: I’m home~
Izumi Mitsuki: Welcome home, Momo-san! Dinner’s ready.
Izumi Iori: We apologize for continuing to intrude upon your privacy. I’ve organized all of your laundry.
Momo: Man, the Izumi bros are just way too good at housework! At this rate, I’ll wanna make you guys my wives!
Momo: Wait! Why aren’t you guys wearing the monster PJs I set out for you guys!? The ones that were different colors!
Izumi Mitsuki: Of course we’re not gonna wear them!
Momo: Why not! You should wear them~ Come on, I’ll take a pic of you guys in them and post it on social media!
Izumi Iori ・ Izumi Mitsuki: Please stop!
Izumi Iori: ……Huh? Lightning? Was there a flash of light outside just now?
Momo: Oho, it’s been a while. Mitsuki, turn your back to the balcony and start coming towards me. I’m gonna kabe-don you. (1)
Izumi Mitsuki: Kabe-don!? Huh? Wait–
Momo: I’m not letting you go home tonight….
Izumi Iori: Momo-san!? What are you doing to Nii-san– ……!?
Izumi Iori: There was a series of flashes just now……. Are those camera flashes?
Momo: Yep, yep. You’re good now, Mitsuki. Look outside and wave.
Izumi Mitsuki: Are there people outside? I can’t really see anyone from here since it’s pitch black…. Will they even see me waving?
Izumi Iori: The flashes stopped…. Were they entertainment news reporters, perhaps?
Momo: Mhmm. There was one time Yuki got so pissed that he shut the curtains and didn’t open them for a month. In some kind of reaction to that, he tossed out all of his curtains afterwards.
Izumi Mitsuki: Does he still not have curtains then!?
Momo: Oh! No, no! Okarin freaked out and immediately got him some. I think things calmed down after he sent a letter of protest to them.
Momo: It’s tough, isn’t it? Back when we weren’t selling that much, it was like, “Look at me, look at me! Look here! More, more!” That’s what I used to wish for, but…
Momo: Now that it’s like this, it’s kinda hard to be grateful from the bottom of my heart for all of this….
Izumi Iori: Indeed, there are many articles written about Re:vale…. Including the ones on how you two don’t get along…
Momo: It’s ‘cause our agency is tiny. A reporter even told me, “When we’re outta ideas, writing about Re:vale’s the way to go!” Nyahaha.
Izumi Mitsuki: That kinda pisses me off…. I’m gonna go flip them off.
Momo: Wait, wait, don’t! I don’t want them to say anything weird about you, Mitsuki. I’m sure they’ll be able to pump out some interesting articles about what we pulled just now!
Izumi Iori: ……Gossip, huh. I understand that’s the price of fame, but Nikaidou-san seems to mind it as well.
Izumi Mitsuki: Yamato-san does?
Izumi Iori: Yes…. He asked me what I would do if there was something about him that could completely shake up IDOLiSH7’s image if it got turned into a scoop.
Izumi Mitsuki: ……So it was about gossip. I guess that kind of stuff bothers Yamato-san a lot…. That’s even more reason to talk about it! Why the hell did he hide it?
Momo: I see…. So Yamato’s troubled about something, huh….

Yuki: Come in.
Nikaidou Yamato: Sorry for intruding. You even made me dinner…. Eating nothing but vegetables as usual, I see.
Yuki: Mhmm.
Nikaidou Yamato: Lettuce salad, sweet potato rice, and green pea potage, with a pumpkin and oyster mushroom steak….
Nikaidou Yamato: Looks like something you’d see at a girls-only gathering.
Yuki: But don’t you love women? Well, I’ll be locking myself in my studio now. Feel free to do whatever you want in my house.
Nikaidou Yamato: Um….
Yuki: What?
Nikaidou Yamato: …….
Yuki: If you need life coaching, you have ten seconds to say so. Ten, nine, eight….
Nikaidou Yamato: This man is nice at his core, alright. But damn, does he rub me in the wrong way….
Yuki: Time’s up.
Nikaidou Yamato: ……About that time when you were washing his car on that midsummer day….
Yuki: What?
Nikaidou Yamato: No…….
Nikaidou Yamato: It’s just like you said. For the first time in my life, I want merit.
Nikaidou Yamato: IDOLiSH7 might get damaged by something in the not-so-distant future, because of me. Before then, I wanna make this movie a success since there’s so much attention on it.
Nikaidou Yamato: I wanna do something for IDOLiSH7. I wanna contribute something to them.
Yuki: Now, somebody who wanted to contribute to IDOLiSH7 wouldn’t have started a fight with his members and then run away from home. Or would he?
Nikaidou Yamato: …….
Yuki: Your friends have never told you to go rack up achievements. They just wanted to hear what you had to say.
Yuki: You’re trying to sidestep the issue. “Dear valued customer, it appears that my 'Life Story’ is out of stock. In exchange, would you like to discuss my 'Achievements’ instead?”
Yuki: “If you choose now, it’ll even come with a potato.” Am I wrong?
Nikaidou Yamato: …….
Yuki: It’s exactly like how Shizuo-san desperately tried to humor you by giving you toys and boasting about you, despite maintaining such a slovenly household situation.
Nikaidou Yamato: –Shut up!
Yuki: What, are you going to hit me this time? You really are one troublesome kid. Or perhaps 'energetic’ is a more fitting word….
Nikaidou Yamato: Don’t compare me to him! I didn’t ask to be born into that house! That man is the worst…!
Yuki: Then acknowledge it, young master Yamato.
Yuki: You want to be loved, yet you don’t want to put the work into being loved. And you’re ashamed of yourself for that.
Nikaidou Yamato: …….
Yuki: That’s why you’re trying to be loved through your work, through your singing and acting. But that’s not you, yourself.
Yuki: Even if they love your work, that doesn’t mean they love you.
Nikaidou Yamato: Shut up….
Yuki: But if they reject your work, that doesn’t mean they’re rejecting you.
Nikaidou Yamato: Shut up…!
Yuki: Why doesn’t that sit right with you? Even if you’re all filthy and muddy inside, foul to the point where that everyone has to pinch their nose….
Yuki: You’re capable of creating things that’ll move people’s hearts. What more do you need, other than that?
Yuki: Say, Yamato-ku– ……!?
Nikaidou Yamato: ……I should’ve done this from the start! I like you so much more when you’re not talking. But so long as you’re alive, you’ll just keep on blabbing and saying shit you have no right to say!
Yuki: Mh–!?
Nikaidou Yamato: I’d be able to sleep at night if you’d just shut up! I’d be able to keep on living the way I want to!
Yuki: Ya–
Nikaidou Yamato: ……. Please, please stop saying such cruel things…….
Nikaidou Yamato: Be kind to me, even if when I do things wrong…….

Nikaidou Yamato: …….
Nikaidou Yamato: ……Did I doze off? Damn, I’m sweaty…. I had the worst nightmare ever just now….
Yuki: ……* cough* *cough* *cough*
Nikaidou Yamato: Yuki-san, what’s wrong? Could it be…. You sang too much in your studio? That’s what it is, right?
Yuki: …….
Yuki: Perhaps I did….

Osaka Sougo: ……Everyone’s out in the living room pretty late today.
Nanase Riku: You’re right…. I guess it kinda just happened.
Rokuya Nagi: I can’t seem to enjoy myself, even when I’m watching Kokona…. If I close my eyes, I feel like I’ll have a terribly sad dream….
Yotsuba Tamaki: What about you, Sou-chan?
Osaka Sougo: I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened.
Yotsuba Tamaki: Are you worried? Or troubled about it? If you are, then you should stop now, Sou-chan.
Osaka Sougo: What?
Yotsuba Tamaki: Y'know how you were troubled over how you didn’t want me to quit MEZZO" before?
Osaka Sougo: Ah, that….
Yotsuba Tamaki: But in the end I didn’t wanna quit MEZZO" anymore. Yeah?
Osaka Sougo: T-that’s true.
Yotsuba Tamaki: That’s why you should stop worrying. That way, our doors will stay intact too.
Osaka Sougo: You don’t have to put it that way. I really did intend on talking to you about it. That’s why I told you that we’d talk on our next day off….
Yotsuba Tamaki: Wait. So you’re saying you were gonna actually talk to me about Aya?
Osaka Sougo: Yeah….
Yotsuba Tamaki: Now you’re telling me!? What the hell!? You should’ve told me that before you broke down my door and infiltrated a TV studio!
Osaka Sougo: Well, if I had told you after right you said you wanted to disband, then it would’ve just sounded like an excuse! Even now, it sounds like an excuse….
Yotsuba Tamaki: I’m telling you to say it, even it does! I would’ve kept on misunderstanding you!
Rokuya Nagi: Hm……. I’m so jealous of how well MEZZO" gets along.
Yotsuba Tamaki ・ Osaka Sougo: That’s the first time anyone’s ever said that to us…!
Nanase Riku: I’m jealous too. I’m usually with Iori at night…. And if I came to the living room, Yamato-san and Mitsuki would be talking here. It was just natural that everyone would be here.
Nanase Riku: But it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary if we all lived separately, huh…….
Yotsuba Tamaki: Stop it, Rikkun! I’m not gonna leave!
Rokuya Nagi: That’s right! I won’t be leaving either!
Nanase Riku: Me neither!
Osaka Sougo: I see…. In terms of income, we could all support ourselves though.
Yotsuba Tamaki: What the hell, why didn’t you say 'I’m not gonna leave’ like everyone else did!!
Rokuya Nagi: Way to be insensitive, Sougo! Unanimity is important!
Nanase Riku: Sougo-san, please don’t leave…!
Osaka Sougo: I’m not leaving either! That’s not what I meant when I said that. I really do agree with everyone!
Osaka Sougo: It’s just that…. Yamato-san might use this as an excuse to move out of the dorms….
Yotsuba Tamaki ・ Rokuya Nagi ・ Nanase Riku: …….
Nanase Riku: I…. I’m gonna try calling Iori.

To be continued….

TL Notes/comments:

thank you @kuriiii for betaing!!!

(1) IF U DON’T KNOW WHAT A KABEDON IS IT’S THIS

As usual, if you see any mistakes/mistranslations/etc, please message me!

Thank you for reading!!

 

A Fight Between Adults

Nanase Riku: But it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary if we all lived separately, huh…….
Yotsuba Tamaki: Stop it, Rikkun! I’m not gonna leave!
Rokuya Nagi: That’s right! I won’t be leaving either!
Nanase Riku: Me neither!
Osaka Sougo: I see…. In terms of income, we could all support ourselves though.
Yotsuba Tamaki: What the hell, why won’t you say ‘I’m not gonna leave’ like everyone else did!!
Rokuya Nagi: Way to be insensitive, Sougo! Unanimity is important!
Nanase Riku: Sougo-san, please don’t leave…!
Osaka Sougo: I’m not leaving either! That’s not what I meant when I said that. I do agree with everyone!
Osaka Sougo: It’s just that…. Yamato-san might use this as an excuse to move out of the dorms….
Yotsuba Tamaki ・ Rokuya Nagi ・ Nanase Riku: …….
Nanase Riku: I…. I’m gonna try calling Iori.

Izumi Mitsuki: Momo-san! Don’t leave meat in your freezer for over a year! Just toss it out!
Momo: Never! You can still eat it! It was in the freezer the whole time so it’s still edible!
Izumi Mitsuki: You’re overestimating how well freezers can preserve food! When was this fish from?
Momo: Um, let’s see…. It’s from last spring when I went fishing–
Izumi Mitsuki: Into the trash it goes!
Momo: My fish…!!
…….
Izumi Iori: ……It’s from Nanase-san.
Izumi Iori: Please excuse me. I’ll go answer the phone.

Izumi Iori: This is Iori speaking.
Nanase Riku: Ah…. This is Nanase. Nanase Riku.
Izumi Iori: I know. How are things on your end?
Nanase Riku: Everyone’s really lonely. How about Mitsuki? Is he still mad…?
Izumi Iori: Nii-san isn’t angry. If anything, Nikaidou-san’s speech and conduct were by far more unreasonable.
Nanase Riku: Well, Mitsuki was the one who swung first. You can’t just blame Yamato-san.
Izumi Iori: Nii-san apologized to Nikaidou-san about that issue. As such, Nii-san didn’t do anything else wrong.
Nanase Riku: You keep siding with Mitsuki, Iori. If you keep saying stuff like that, it’s only gonna make it harder for Yamato-san to come back!
Nanase Riku: Instead of stopping him from leaving, you just followed Mitsuki out…….
Izumi Iori: Of course I’d follow Nii-san. Isn’t that obvious? We’re brothers, after all.
Nanase Riku: But you see, I didn’t follow Ten-nii. Are you saying that I’m wrong because I didn’t chase after him?
Izumi Iori: You’re going on a tangent.
Nanase Riku: Don’t you feel sad that everyone’s apart?
Izumi Iori: See…. You keep arguing based off of your emotions. You ought to be looking into the root of the cause, and the issue at hand–
Nanase Riku: You’re not sad at all…. I bet you’re happy because you’re with Mitsuki. It’s just you and your brother!
Nanase Riku: You brocon!!
Izumi Iori: Just who are you calling a brocon!? I don’t want to hear that from you!
Nanase Riku: I called because I wanted to talk to you about how to mediate things, but all you’ve been done is cover for Mitsuki and get mad at me!
Izumi Iori: Of course I’d cover for him! We’re brothers, so that much goes without saying!
Nanase Riku: If you say that, then it’s like you’re dissing me for being mad at Ten-nii!!
Izumi Iori: Get a hold of yourself! This conversation is only going in circles!!
Nanase Riku: Isn’t that because you keep giving the same answers, Iori!?
Izumi Iori: Isn’t that because you keep responding with the same thing!?

Nanase Riku: Haa …….
Yotsuba Tamaki: Rikkun, how’d it go?
Nanase Riku: ……. I fought with Iori….
Osaka Sougo: I figured….
Nanase Riku: I wonder if Yamato-san and Mitsuki will make up when we go to our next job as seven….

Izumi Mitsuki: Good morni– Woah!
Rokuya Nagi: Mitsuki! Iori! I’ve missed you so!
Izumi Iori: …Please don’t hug me at full force! You’ll ruin my stage outfit!
Yotsuba Tamaki: Mikkii! Iorin!
Nanase Riku: Mitsuki! Iori…!
Izumi Mitsuki: Ahaha! Not you guys too! We’re not at the airport, for crying out loud!
Izumi Iori: Why couldn’t you have been more honest like this from the start, Nanase-san?
Osaka Sougo: Mitsuki-san, Iori-kun.
Izumi Iori: Are you also going to hug us too, Osaka-san?
Osaka Sougo: I’ve finally learned how to face people, after all. Come here. (1)
Izumi Iori: I feel nervous, for some reason….
*click*
Nikaidou Yamato: Morning. Woah–
Rokuya Nagi: Yamato! I missed you!
Yotsuba Tamaki: Yama-san!
Nanase Riku: Yamato-san!
Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san. I’m glad you look well.
Nikaidou Yamato: Haha…. What’s with you all? It’s like you’re greeting me at the airport or something.
Rokuya Nagi: They responded with the same thing…! Hurry up and notice that you two are 100% compatible!
Nikaidou Yamato: Morning, Mitsu. I look forward to working with you today.
Izumi Mitsuki: Good morning. Is your face doing okay?
Yotsuba Tamaki: They’re talking to each other!
Nanase Riku: They’re talking to each other just fine…! If they continue on like this, then they can definitely make up!!
Yotsuba Tamaki ・ Nanase Riku: Yay!
Nikaidou Yamato: I guess so. ……Ah.
*thunk*
Izumi Mitsuki: Oh. You dropped your magazine.
Izumi Mitsuki: 'Properties for rent’……?
Nikaidou Yamato: …….
Yotsuba Tamaki ・ Nanase Riku: Wait, what!?
Izumi Iori: He’s looking at leasing information……!?
Osaka Sougo: Does Yamato-san intend on moving out of the dorms?
Izumi Mitsuki: ……Oh? So you’re thinkin’ of moving out, eh?
Nikaidou Yamato: ……Well. Kinda, yeah.
Nikaidou Yamato: I mean, I used to live alone. I’m not a busybody or hot-headed like you, Mitsu, so I’ve never really liked living with a bunch of people.
Izumi Mitsuki: Oh, is that so? I see….
Nikaidou Yamato: Thanks for picking it up.
Izumi Mitsuki: You’re welcome.
Nikaidou Yamato: Alright. Let’s get filming over with.

Izumi Mitsuki: Welcome to “A Lovely Night with IDOLiSH7!” We’ll be in your care tonight too!
Izumi Mitsuki: Now, let’s see. We’re usually the ones helping out with challenges, but today we’ll be the ones doing the challenging instead! What’s something you’ve challenged recently, Yamato-san?
Nikaidou Yamato: Going to yakiniku by myself. (2)
Staff: Ahaha!
Izumi Mitsuki: You went to yakiniku by yourself!? Come on, at least invite your members!
Nikaidou Yamato: I’ve been eating nothing but vegetables lately, so I just had to have meat. You should try it too sometime, Mitsu! You can grill the meat at whatever pace you want. It’s great!
Izumi Mitsuki: For real? So you can start off with something other than beef tongue for once?
Nikaidou Yamato: You’re free to do whatever you want! Going to yakiniku alone is the best! Onii-san loves being alone.
Izumi Mitsuki: But you can eat a wider variety of things when you’re with more people. Invite us next time! I’ll leave my wallet and head on over!
Nikaidou Yamato: Ahaha! So that’s what you were trying to do! Hey now, I’m not gonna pay for you!
Staff: Ahahah!
Yotsuba Tamaki: This is scary… This is so, so scary….
Nanase Riku: So this is what a fight between adults looks like, huh….
Rokuya Nagi: ……? I guess they reconciled?
Izumi Iori: Rokuya-san’s the only one who looks happy, but that’s just because he doesn’t understand that Japan has a culture of putting up a front regardless of what your true feelings are…. (3)
Osaka Sougo: I have to do something…. I have to do something about this….

To be continued….

TL Notes/comments:

thank you @kuriiii for betaing!!!!!!

(1) went w/ the more literal tl bc it was kinda vague
(2) yakiniku - lit. grilled meat, but if you’re familiar w/ kbbq it’s pretty similar to that setup. you get a bunch of raw meat (usually pre-seasoned), and you do the grilling yourself. uhhh google it if you don’t know what it is!!
(3) honne & tatemae is a deeply cultural thing hence why I decided to explain it in-line sorta this time. here are a few articles you can read to learn more!

As usual, if you see any mistakes/mistranslations/etc, please message me!

Thank you for reading!!

 

I’m the Worst

Osaka Sougo: Mitsuki-san, would you like to go out for drinks tonight? We can take our time and talk–
Izumi Mitsuki: Sorry. Momo-san’s been taking care of me and letting me stay at his place, so at the very least I should cook dinner for him.
Izumi Mitsuki: Also, here.
Osaka Sougo: What is this notepad…?
Izumi Mitsuki: Recipes for a bunch of easy meals. You always add too many spices, so be careful about that. We’ve got a lotta people with sweet tooths here.
Osaka Sougo: ……You’re not coming back to the dorm? Everyone’s really lonely. Tamaki-kun, Nagi-kun, and Riku-kun are….
Izumi Mitsuki: Sorry for making you take care of the younger members. I’m causing trouble for you too, huh….
Izumi Mitsuki: But we’re talking about that old man here. It’ll be harder for him to return if I go back first. Or at least that’s what I think.
Osaka Sougo: Mitsuki-san….
Izumi Mitsuki: I’ll let Momo-san spoil me for just a bit longer. Well, I’ll be leaving those guys in your hands. Take care of them.
Osaka Sougo: Mitsuki-san! Please wait! Mi–
Osaka Sougo: …….

Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san!
Nikaidou Yamato: Ah, Sou. Good work today.
Osaka Sougo: Um…. Would you like to go out for drinks tonight? I’d like to talk about what’s going to happen from here on out….
Nikaidou Yamato: Sorry. I start early tomorrow. Also, here.
Osaka Sougo: What is all this money for…?
Nikaidou Yamato: I’m sure it must be a handful cooking for everyone. Use this to buy takeout for everyone.
Osaka Sougo: I don’t need it! This is–
Nikaidou Yamato: It’s fine, just take it. See ya.
Osaka Sougo: W-wait! Yamato-san, you told me that I could depend on you if I was ever troubled about anything, correct?
Nikaidou Yamato: Yeah. Why?
Osaka Sougo: I…. I’m very troubled. Everyone’s been really sad and lonely ever since you and Mitsuki-san left the dorms…..
Osaka Sougo: ……If things continue on like this, I’ll be very worried…. Please do something about it….
Nikaidou Yamato: Sou…….
Osaka Sougo: I-I’m sorry……! Forgive me for saying something so impertinent….
Nikaidou Yamato: It’s fine…. …….
Nikaidou Yamato: ……I’m gonna head back now. Excuse me.
Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san! Yama–
Osaka Sougo: ……. Both of them are thinking about IDOLiSH7, and yet….

Osaka Sougo: Haa ……. I’m back…. ……!?
Izumi Iori: Please let go of me……! Nii-san left already, didn’t he!?
Nanase Riku: I’m lonely without you here, Iori! The sound of you scolding me every day was like my background music and I miss it!
Yotsuba Tamaki: Iorin, don’t go! There used to be five King Pudding glasses, but only three are left…..!
Rokuya Nagi: It’s not fair that you’re the only one experiencing such heartfelt sibling love! At the very least, pay attention to us too!
Izumi Iori: ……! I can’t just leave Nii-san alone! Excuse me! Please let go of me!
Osaka Sougo: …….
Osaka Sougo: I have to do something about this….

Nikaidou Yamato: ……. Haa …….
Nikaidou Yamato: I guess it’s no good……. I gotta do it first then, before I trouble them any more than this….
Nikaidou Yamato: ……I should tell them I’m quitting.
Momo: Yamato! Are you going home?
Nikaidou Yamato: Momo-san….
Nikaidou Yamato: Yes, I was just about head back.
Momo: I hear you’re staying at Yuki’s house right now? Must be nice!
Nikaidou Yamato: Thank you for taking care of Mitsu and Ichi. Sorry about that….
Momo: It’s fine, it’s fine! I heard you guys fought? When you work together with someone, that kind of stuff is bound to happen.
Momo: But if you’re gonna fight, you gotta do it head-on and face-to-face! If you fight with your backs to each other, you won’t know what kind of face they’re making.
Momo: How about you drop by my place to fight? Mitsuki and Iori are waiting for you there.
Nikaidou Yamato: Ahaha…. I’m fine. It wasn’t really a fight…. We worked together normally today.
Nikaidou Yamato: I have no clue what he’s said about me, though.
Momo: I think Mitsuki wants you to talk to him first. About a lot of things.
Nikaidou Yamato: …….
Momo: Drawing out a fight for this long is just a waste, so come on over to my place! Why don’t you try talking it out? I’ll even get sushi for you guys! How about it?
Nikaidou Yamato: ……. Shut up….
Momo: Huh?
Nikaidou Yamato: ……Shut up! Both of you need to leave me alone! Please! Aren’t things jumbled up enough as is!?
Momo: S-sorry…. But….
Nikaidou Yamato: Fighting head-on? Did you two even do that!? That’s right, you didn’t. That’s why you couldn’t sing anymore!
Nikaidou Yamato: And weren’t you the one who drew it out for a really long time, Momo-san?
Nikaidou Yamato: You always talk about how well-informed you are, so there’s no way you didn’t know that Banri-san was at our agency.
Nikaidou Yamato: You knew, but you just didn’t wanna say it. Am I wrong!?
Momo: …….
Momo: I really didn’t know…….
Nikaidou Yamato: ……! I’m so sorry…! I…….
Momo: It’s fine, it’s fine! But I can see why you’d think that…. I wonder if Yuki and Ban-san think so too….
Nikaidou Yamato: I’m really, really sorry……! I spoke without thinking. I….
Momo: It’s okay, it’s okay! I know you usually wouldn’t say something like that, Yamato!
Momo: But you’re not your usual self right now…. You get what I’m saying?
Nikaidou Yamato: ……. Yes…….
Momo: Are you okay? I’m sure you’re tired. This is your first time filming for a movie, and it’s a super hard role to boot. You’ve even got IDOLiSH7 work to do on top of all of that…….
Nikaidou Yamato: ……I’m exhausted. I’m just reaping what I’ve sowed though….
Nikaidou Yamato: I’m already tired of putting up with myself, because I’m terrible…. I’m the worst……. (1)
Momo: Yamato….
Momo: …Nobody is terrible. Terrible situations give rise to unhappy people. That’s all. It’s kinda like catching a cold.
Momo: Of course, there are times when you just can’t love yourself. But if you keep on rejecting yourself like that, then things are only get more and more painful.
Momo: You’ll end up losing that place deep down inside of yourself, where you can be you. (2)
Momo: It’s painful when you lose that place in others, but it hurts the most when you kick yourself out of your own heart.
Nikaidou Yamato: Momo-san…….
Momo: Give yourself a place to belong again. A place where both the dashing Yamato and the good-for-nothing Yamato can belong.
Momo: And that Yamato you called the worst? Comfort him, kindly and gently. Pat his head, just like you would for your members.
Momo: It’s fine if you encourage him to do his best. But if you keep on hating that Yamato, then you won’t be able to do your best either.
Nikaidou Yamato: ……. But….
Momo: What?
Nikaidou Yamato: ……I really am the worst…. I’ve done so many awful things…. I can’t even say it. I…. I don’t have the right to be kind and gentle to myself….
Nikaidou Yamato: ……Even though he was trying to talk to me seriously, I fucked around, led him by the nose, and tried to make him stop too…
Nikaidou Yamato: When he asked me if I was really fine with keeping people an arm’s distance away…. I scoffed at him, even though I knew it’d hurt him….
Nikaidou Yamato: I…. I’ve never seen him look so sad before…. So I pushed him away and left……. It’s just like he said. I….. I’m….
Nikaidou Yamato: I want to be loved, but I don’t want to put the work into being loved…. All I can do is be ashamed of myself…. I’m a terrible human being…. The absolute worst…….
Momo: Just who said that to you? Buddha? Is there any human being who wouldn’t get upset if someone said that to them?
Nikaidou Yamato: ……It was Yuki-san….
Momo: Ngh ……. I just imagined him saying that to me and I feel like I’m gonna puke my guts out…….
Nikaidou Yamato: ……. Haha….
Momo: Heheh…. You finally smiled. If you can’t do it yourself, then I’ll pat that sad, gloomy Yamato’s head for you.
Nikaidou Yamato: Please stop…….
Momo: How come? I’m older than you, y'know?
Nikaidou Yamato: I…. I don’t wanna cry in a place like this….
Momo: Haha…. You sure are a cute one. I really love that about you, Yamato.
Momo: I’m sorry for being so overbearing and trying to force you over. Let’s talk again sometime, alright? In a place where it’ll be okay even if you get teary-eyed.
Nikaidou Yamato: ……. But…. Aren’t you really busy with work…?
Momo: Don’t worry about it.
Momo: After all, I wanna hear what you have to say too.

To be continued….

TL Notes/comments:

thank u @kuriiii 4 bein best baeta!!!! ayyyyyyy

title was awful to tl because it’s lit. The Worst Self (referring to yourself) MMNNN
(1) this line was difficult 2 rephrase into englisH, also tossed in another def of 最悪 just to make momo’s subsequent line flow better
(2) THIS LINE WAS META AS HECK, also difficult to put into english. This whole section was difficult af man

As usual, if you see any mistakes/mistranslations/etc, please message me!

Thank you for reading!!

 

Chapter 5: Where I Belong

Mental Preparation

Woman: Ah! It’s IDOLiSH7’s Yamato-san! I always watch your shows!
Nikaidou Yamato: Ah…. Thanks.
Woman: You’re filming a movie with Yuki-san, right? The two of you look so cool as a duo! I can’t wait to see it!
Woman: But I like you and Mitsuki-kun as the older brother duo the best! I hope you guys stay friends forever!
Nikaidou Yamato: Haha…. Thanks. See ya….

Izumi Iori: I’ll be leaving now, Nii-san.
Izumi Mitsuki: School, huh? Have a safe trip.
Izumi Iori: ……What are you looking at?
Izumi Mitsuki: Ah…. Just social media. I usually don’t look at those sites all that much.
Izumi Mitsuki: Our fans are really amazing…. They’re talking about how Yamato-san and I never looked each other in the eye during this past broadcast.
Izumi Iori: ……There’s no need to mind their critical comments.
Izumi Mitsuki: I don’t see them as critical. I just couldn’t help but think, “Damn, they saw right through us.” Even though these people have never met us before….
Izumi Mitsuki: They’ve come to love us, so they’ll keep on following our activities. They look forward to seeing us be friendly with each other.
Izumi Mitsuki: Even though it’s something they look forward to, I can’t help but think that we’ve been kinda dishonest about that….
Izumi Iori: That’s not true at all. You’re just doing your best, Nii-san.
Izumi Mitsuki: Was it really my best, though…. Ah, sorry for holding you back. You better get moving.
Izumi Iori: I will. I’ll be on my way now.
*slam*
Izumi Mitsuki: …….
*beep*
Izumi Mitsuki: Yamato-san’s not picking up…….
Izumi Mitsuki: Maybe I should back down and try to reconcile for Yamato-san for the sake of the fans…….
Izumi Mitsuki: …….But I don’t want that. I don’t want what’s between us to be nothing more than ‘moderate’ for the rest of my life.
Izumi Mitsuki: I know that if I give in now…. You’ll just feel relieved and think, 'This guy’s just like the rest of them.’ Isn’t that right?

Izumi Iori: ……. I’m skipping school for the first time in my life.
Izumi Iori: It’s because I can’t collect data with Nii-san around…. I just hope Yotsuba-san’s explanation will line up with mine.
Izumi Iori: ……The reactions to our last broadcast aren’t bad. Average viewership wasn’t significantly different, but the live turnout was fairly good. (1)
Izumi Iori: Additionally, the frequency of Nanase-san’s name appearing on social media websites has increased….
High School Girl: Hey, did you watch the last episode of “A Lovely Night with IDOLiSH7!” It was super interesting! I kinda wish I was in concert band now….
High School Girl: I saw, I saw! I wanna try playing the trombone!
Izumi Iori: ……That’s the instrument Nanase-san is in charge of. Perhaps this is a coincidence…….
Izumi Iori: ……But why? Nanase-san’s playing was neither good nor bad.
Izumi Iori: There weren’t even any incidents that brought him to the center of attention either.
Salaryman: Huh? You’re gonna start taking classes?
Salaryman: I used to play, a long time ago. After watching them, I just felt like playing again. How about giving brass band a try, senpai?
Izumi Iori: What in the world is happening? …….Indeed, this is a very fortunate string of events, but….
Izumi Iori: I’ve been able to understand everything until now. ……Something feels…. Sickening…….