#( *♪ — your music has to be who you really are. It’s gotta show how you feel or it doesn’t mean anything | shane: musings )

[mephinomaly]

[TL] PYSCHOBREAK/Chapter 11

[ This post uses Ois~su ♪ ]

Rei: ~...♪

Adonis: Oh, where did you get that guitar from Sakuma-senpai?

Rei: From Bouzu’s temple. I remembered I left a coupla instruments at his place so went to go get ‘em.

Koga: What are you two, a couple that just broke up?

Rei: That’s what it feels like. Even if we come together ‘n try to get on, I don’t think we’ll be able t’return to how we were before.

Even if he wants to, it’s not gonna happen.

That’s why I feel like meetin’ new people ♪

♪～♪～♪

Adonis: Wow…What a good song. Though the melody is rather intense, I feel weirdly better listening to it.

Amazing, Oogami, and you composed it yourself?

Koga: Oh, uh, yeah… But it only sounds good ‘cos of the person playin’ it… Since it’s Sakuma-senpai, he makes it sound like the best song ever.

Rei: Oooo you’re makin�� me shyyy. Oh to be young and naive~. Wish I could feel like that again~

I wished for that and now Wan-chan has named us UNDEAD.

Like Adonis-kun did, he somehow noticed I was depressed, even though I didn’t… I hope I can be revived.

This music might make me cry… I hope this revives my tired, withered heart.

I’ve been cravin' something this whole time.

And now I feel weirdly content.

This is what I wanted most, more than being showered in millions of compliments.

These are someone’s genuine thoughts.

♪～♪～♪

Kaoru: Hey~, you guys look cheery, hm~?

Rei: Yo, Hakaze-kun. Fashionably late, yeah?

Was worried you weren’t gonna show.

Kaoru: Hey, well, I’m here now… I requested that you guys exterminate the “vampires” so it’s my duty to supervise you all so you don’t slack off.

But I never thought I’d be joining a weird group like this.

Rei: You’re a Yumenosaki idol in the making aren’t you? We need your talent

Kaoru: Don’t expect too much from me, ‘kay? I’m pretty well known for skipping school.

But I’ll help out this time. I need to protect my job, so I’ve gotta work a little harder. It’s so bothersome I could die though~♪

So that’s why I made some promotional flyers for tomorrow’s showdown.

It won’t be hard to hand them out for Mr Worldwide Sakuma-san, so you guys make sure you pull your weight too, ‘kay?

I prepared a fancy stage for you guys. Well, I say it was me, but all the nearby shops who also were troubled by the “vampires” were helping me out too.

I was going to make some special uniforms for you too, but I don’t know you guys’ measurements, and I don’t think I would have had enough time to sew them anyway.

Rei: Don’t worry ‘bout it.

Our opponents won’t have made any special preparations, so I think it’s fine to wear our school uniforms rather than dress up all crazy like.

It’s fairer if we’re on a similar playing field.

Koga: Hm… So you wasn’t late ‘cos you didn’t wanna come, you was late ‘cos you were makin’ preparations?

Guess I was wrong about you, Hakaze…senpai. You get the job done eventually.

Kaoru: Yup! I’m a reliable guy, really really ♪

Koga: Yeah. You seem useless on the surface but you’re actually pretty hardworkin’.

Adonis: Umu. He is very helpful, since he completed the tasks we had not got around to yet.

Kaoru: But I don’t feel like enough has been done, if I’m honest. I’ve fixed up the stage, but isn’t there more we could be doing?

The “vampire” showdown is tomorrow, right? Yet we're going on stage without having rehearsed?

Rei: That’s why we’re here so we can practise. Our unit’s only just been formed, and we’ve barely met each other.

Adonis: It’s more of a reorganisation of members rather than meeting for the first time.

Rei: Ahaha. Adonis-kun, who is the most unfamiliar with Japanese, is the most particular about what words he uses.

Adonis: Words are important.

Rei: Yuup. In this country, there’s the belief that reality is affected by the spoken word. My good friend that passed away a bit ago said that—

Koga: Hasumi-senpai said that, and he’s not dead…

Even though it was his decision t’work behind the scenes, he worked harder than us. And we didn’t even ask him to but he convinced his parents ‘n shit to let us use this place t’practise.

Kaoru: He didn’t need to though. We could have practised at the livehouse.

Rei: Ah well. The weather’s nice ‘n isn’t singin’ in the sun super relaxin'?

Since we’re fightin’ vampires, we’ve gotta get familiar with their weakness so we can use it to our advantage.

♪～♪～♪

Kaoru: Is, is this really okay~? You’re talking about this like we’re in a business meeting, but is it guaranteed that we’ll be able to get rid of those guys?

Rei: Hey, even I can’t predict the future.

But I do think I’m goin’ a little crazy. Feels like someone’s inside me, going “indeed, you’re quite right” in an old man's voice.

Kaoru: Someone inside you? What? Are you drunk?

Adonis: I asked him that earlier.

Rei: I’m 100% sober. We couldn’t defeat the delinquents if I was pissed, and that’s also illegal, so.

Without stooping to their level, we will become the sun and burn the corruption that has infested the earth.

Trust me. I’m feelin’ weirdly good, so I’ll be tryin’ my hardest tomorrow.

Can’t promise after that, but I promise tomorrow.

♪～♪～♪

[ ☆ ]

Chapter 10

Chapter 12

[ohcheckmate]

[scout! notre recontre] today’s amazing

Season: Spring

Location: Arcade

Makoto: Heck yeah~ GG…♪

I don’t have any extra work scheduled after school today, so I can finally just have fun playing games at the arcade after such a long time~

Hehe, who’s my next challenger! Come on up! Games are my area of expertise, I definitely won’t lose~♪

Hokuto: Anzu, are there any games you’d like to play? If not, let’s just directly head over there.

Makoto: (Hm? Hold on, those people walking in are wearing the Yumenosaki uniform right…? Wait, aren’t they…)

Hey~ Hidaka-kun, Anzu-chan~! Are you guys here to play games too?

(...Ahaha, they definitely didn’t hear me calling them. The music from the games all around us is way too noisy.)

(Wait, are they heading to the photo booths? …Sounds about right, it seems that Hidaka-kun rarely plays games like this anyway.)

(What if it’s like those classic shoujo manga tropes where the main leads, in order to capture the amazing memories from their after-school date, take some sweet and couple-y pictures in the photo booth… or something like that?!)

(Oooh, when did Hidaka-kun and Anzu-chan become so close? I'm so curious...!)

(I really wanna go over there to check out what’s going on, but I’m in the middle of a battle and it’s kinda rude to quit halfway…)

(Guess I gotta up my game and end this round as soon as possible!)

On the other side of the arcade

Hokuto: Once you choose a photo mode you like, stand in the booth behind those curtains. Then, face the mirror, and follow the poses that are shown.

Haha, no need to thank me. I’m alright as long as I can help you, even if it’s just a bit.

Actually, I’m not particularly proficient with this, but Narukami once brought me and Otogari here during our second year, so I could say that I have some experience.1

Anzu, you want to take an individual shot, right? Would it be better for me to wait for you outside?

You’re saying that it’ll be boring to just take solo shots, so you want to take a few with me first?

Mm, of course that’s alright with me. At the same time, I can use this opportunity to practice my sense for the camera.

During meet-and-greets, some fans like to ask us to take a wefie with them. I would have to put more thought into how I can match and interact with them, and take photos that are satisfactory for both of us.

Even if this might make me seem overly serious, when I’m able to present the most perfect and cool side of myself in any situation—That’s when I’ll be able to say that I’m a qualified idol.

Anzu, you’re agreeing with me? As expected of you, the Producer, who understands us best.

Let’s not waste any more time, and stand properly in front of the mirror. Starting from the first pose…

This hand gesture is the ‘finger heart’ that has been popular lately, right? Actually, when I first saw it, I thought that gesturing through the intersection of the thumb and forefinger looks more like a cross instead.

Hm? Why are you giggling so suddenly, did I just naturally say an extremely funny joke?

In that case, I shall take note of it. Perhaps I will be able to use it when I am on ‘Comedy’ variety shows in the future.

Oh, the countdown has started. Maintain your current pose, and three, two, one—

???: Amazing—!!!

Hokuto: …?!!

Anzu, you heard that too, didn't you? Only that Masked Pervert would make that weird noise!

Makoto: —Hidaka-kun!! W-what did you do to Anzu-chan?! (pulls aside the curtain of the photo booth)

Hokuto: …Huh? Yuuki, why are you the one that appeared? It can’t be that you’re actually that guy in disguise?

Makoto: How regretful for you to say that, as the one standing in front of you is indeed Makoto Yuuki in the flesh…☆

Wait, this isn’t the right time to joke around! This is all Akehoshi-kun’s fault, it’s now an instinct for me to respond when other people crack jokes…

Anyway, Hidaka-kun, you better explain yourself clearly—Why did Anzu-chan shriek so suddenly? And to think that I trusted you too…!

Hokuto: No, even if you ask me this, my mind is completely muddled as well.

Rather than accusing me like that, you’re better off quickly finding the Masked Per—... Hibiki-senpai, who is hiding nearby, waiting for me to make a fool of myself.

Makoto: …? What does this have to do with Hibiki-senpai?

Hokuto: Anzu, did you hear where his voice came from? But the only thing that’s placed there is my school bag.

Wait, it can’t be—Let me check my smartphone.

As expected. “So, did you think that I was by your side? This is a surprise that I have prepared specially for you today, Hokuto-kun~ Amazing☆”

Makoto: Woah, your tone sounds so similar when you’re imitating Hibiki-senpai!

Hokuto: …Even though I know you are complimenting me, I feel a bit unhappy about it.

Makoto: Hm, so going by Hidaka-kun’s speculation, what actually happened was that Hibiki-senpai somehow managed to set your phone’s notification ringtone to ‘Amazing’, which scared you and Anzu-chan?

Phew… I knew Hidaka-kun isn’t the type of guy who would do terrible things to girls.

Hokuto: Your reaction earlier didn’t sound so confident of the fact.

Actually, I bumped into Anzu on the way home just now, so I asked about how her health was these days.

Even though she’s already recovered from the earlier hospital visit, us members of Trickstar are still quite worried. And with my own schedule being this hectic, I rarely ever get the chance to talk to her.

In order to show that she has already regained her spirits, she wanted to try out what Narukami did previously, to take photos in these booths to give to us. So, I brought her here.

Makoto: So she wanted to do this in order to reassure us. My earlier reaction made me seem even more worried, huh? Sorry…

Hokuto: That said, if you already knew that we were here taking photos, why didn’t you immediately join us?

Makoto: About that… I hurried over here after I finished my game, but I saw that the machine was a “Girls Only” one, so I had no choice but to wait outside until you guys came out.

It’s definitely not that I’m some sort of pervert and wanted to secretly peek at you guys or listen in on you guys—It’s not like that?!

Hokuto: Ahaha, so that’s what happened. It’s indeed like you to follow the rules strictly all the time.

However, since Anzu is here, I think it’ll be okay to come inside as long as you’re here as her companion. This opportunity is hard to come by, so let the three of us take some photos together.

Makoto: Anzu-chan, you’re okay with this too? Then, don’t mind if I do~!

I hope that we can invite Akehoshi-kun and Isara-kun with us one day, so we can take a group photo with the five of us…♪

hokuto is referencing the ! gacha story, in the rose garden!

eng proofing: finderlen

[mephinomaly]

[TL] Amusement Wolf/Koga Oogami 3*

Summary: Koga is in a bad mood so Makoto suggests going to the arcade. At first it doesn't seem to help and Koga only gets angrier...

Season: Summer

Location: Corridor

Koga: (Gahh, for fuck’s sake. I’m pissed!)

(Both Sakuma-senpai and Hakaze-senpai are goin’ on a variety show!)

(We’re UNDEAD! We’re suppose t’be a more radical, immoral unit!)

(Feels like the claws we’ve been sharpin’ have been gettin’ dull as of late.)

(...Them shitty seniors. Damn, I don’t get it but there’s gotta be a reason why.)

(Takin’ such a job, it’s totally out of left-field ‘n they’re just doin’ whatever they want. I’m not patient enough nor adult enough t’stay silent ‘bout this…!)

(Dammit. I’m so annoyed I can't even play the guitar.)

(Adonis is doin’ some stuff with the Track and Field club.)

(Nothin’ I can do ‘bout that so I thought I’d play some guitar on my own, but I’m so outta tune…)

Tch, should I just call it quits ‘n go home?

Makoto: He~yy, Oogami-kun. Are you heading home? There’s no Light Music Club activities today~.

Koga: Haa!?

Makoto: Scary…!? Sorry, it seems like I’ve spoken to you at the wrong time.

Koga: Great, it’s Four Eyes. Whadd’ya want.

Makoto: I just saw you so I decided to come talk to you.

Koga: If you have nothin’ to say then don’t come talk t’me!

Oi, Four Eyes. Can’t you tell I’m pissed off?

Makoto: Yeah...I know from experience.

Koga: Then, quickly! Tell me a way that I can blow off some steam.

Makoto: Eeh, this is sudden!?

Koga: Just answer the question!

Makoto: Um, uhhh….You could eat lots of delicious food, take a nap, and forget about the bad things?

Koga: I need to do somethin’ and do it now! Take this more seriously!

Makoto: But I ammm taking this seriously. Then, why don’t you run around the school grounds? I heard that it’s supposed to help clear your mind…

Koga: But I’ll get in the way of other club activities!

Makoto: You care about those things, huh…

Then um… Oh! How about the arcade? You like card games, right?

Koga: …The arcade?

Hm, that ain’t half bad, Four Eyes ♪

Makoto: I’m glad. Seems you’re interested.

Koga: Uhuh. Then let’s go right now.

Makoto: Huh? Go where…?

Koga: Dude, didn’t we just agree we’re going to the arcade?

Makoto: Oh, you want me to come too…?

Koga: You’re the one who suggested it! Take responsibility and come socialise! What, unless you got other things to be doing!?

Makoto: No, I was just going to go home! But I don’t have my bag on me…

Koga: Then go ‘n fuckin’ get it! Quick, chop chop!

Makoto: HeeEEE~!? Why’s this happening to me!

Location: Arcade

Makoto: Yippee~! I won ♪

Koga: …GaaHH! Dammit! How’d you react that fast!

Makoto: Fufu. I had a feeling you’d hit the puck here.

Koga: No way you could read me like that~...

This is supposed to be for stress relief, so why are you winnin’!?

Stress reduction my ass! This is makin’ it worse!

Makoto: Huh~!? Sorry, I’ll go easy on you next round…

Koga: Hah!? I don’t wanna stoop so low that you’ve gotta go easy on me!

Makoto: What should I do then~!?

Koga: Shitty game. Annoyin’ that the score difference was so small…

Makoto: Right? If I had lost my focus I probably wouldn’t have won. I had no idea you were so good at air hockey, Oogami-kun.

Koga: …Even if you win, it’s pointless.

Makoto: Gahh. Don’t look at me like that…

Don’t get too down about it and let’s play a different game. There’s lots to do here.

Koga: True. What game do you recommend?

Makoto: Hmm, a two-player game…

If we play a fighting game, they’ll be a winner and a loser which might put Oogami-kun in a worse mood, so we should probably play a co-op game…

Koga: Huh? What did you just say?

Makoto: Nothing, I said nothing!

R-right! Let’s play a zombie killing game!

Koga: Really? Are you tryna fuck me over?

Makoto: Teehee, that’s up to you. I’ll support you either way ♪

I’ll put the money in and… let’s play!

Koga: Got your gun? I’m gonna focus the small fries ‘n then we can rush the boss!

Makoto: Okay. Oh, be careful not to injure any civilians.

Koga: Ha! Who do you think you’re speakin’ to!

Makoto: Ahaha, true. It’s reassuring to have you with me! Then I’ll just…!

Koga: (Four Eyes keeps hittin’ headshots. But I can’t lose either!)

Makoto: Oogami-kun! Coming from above!

Koga: I got you~!

(The zombies are fallin’ down like dominos ♪ You’re all a hundred years too early to face me.)

(...Come t’think of it - when’s the last time I hung out with someone like this at an arcade…?)

(Maybe ‘cos I got so into the game, I’m not as angry.)

(I still don’t know why Sakuma-senpai ‘n Hakaze-senpai are appearin’ in that show but if I get worked up ‘bout it I’ll cause trouble for Adonis.)

(I can’t help gettin’ angry but, like today, it’s important I find a way t’let it all out.)

(I gotta thank Four Eyes…♪)

Makoto: …Dangit. Oogami-kun, reload, reload!

Koga: Haa?

…AhhhH! Where the fuck’s all my stamina gone!?

Makoto: My bad! They surrounded us and there was nothing I could do…

Uwaa!?

I’m dead. Guess it’s game over.

Koga: Oi, the fuck is you givin’ up for!? We can continue from where we left off!

Let’s go again, Four Eyes! We won’t lose next time~!

Makoto: Ahaha. You’re really into this ♪

Koga: Hell yeah I am. We ain’t goin’ home today until we clear this game, alright!? Get ready ♪