#event:gold hunter

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [1/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

{ strap in guys, this one’s a little bit of a doozy } { also thanks @/nyavericked on twitter for the comm } 

[scene: courtyard] 

// The time is early evening, the place is Shinonome Academy. As both to present the completed Kiichi statue and to welcome the season of spring, a magnificent party is being held. //

Rintarou: Happy New Yearz! Here’s to a happy, smiling year ☆ Cheers ♪ 

// Along with the cries of “cheers”, the tinkling of glasses could be heard. Seeing one another again after a long break, tales of each other’s activities spring fourth naturally, lifting the mood. 

Mamoru: Hi everyone, happy new year! It is I, Hodo Mamoru, the one who intends to pursue the truth this year as well. The Press Club and I are in your care! 

Rintarou: Oh! Mamo-chan! Oh, I know, why don’t I accompany you for the first part of your ‘view ☆

// I grab onto Mamo-chan’s shoulders as he was in the midst of filming and wave my hands at the camera. // 

Mamoru: Why, Kuma-kun! We would very much be honoured to have you participate in our Spring ☆ Special Interview! 

Rintarou: Okie dokie! Then let’s start with Mr. Swirling Grape Juice In His Wine Glass over there, Jiiiiiin! ! 

Jin: Oh, it’s Rintarou-san. 

Mamoru: We’ve got an amazing catch! Jin-sama, Head of the Black Dorm, Ryugasaki-kun! ! ! Can I get your aspirations for this year? 

Jin: I will devote myself to the leadership and development of the Black Dorm, that is all. 

Chizuru: As expected of Jin-san! This plebeian has just received the blessing of Jin-san’s highly revered answers so early into the year, feel free to grovel and shed tears of gratitude. 

Rintarou: Hyuu~ ♪ Chizu-chan’s diss ability grows every year! Even though he was so mumbly when we first met ☆ 

Chizuru: Excuse me?! 

Mikage: Exposed on live TV~ 

Senri: Oh! It’s the Press Club Guy! This year, I will continue to go all out with my acting career, so I’ll be counting on you for publicity again ♪ 

Takaomi: ...Annoying. 

Rintarou: Huh? Is Touji in the middle of a speech? 

Touji: Happy New Year, everybody, it is I, Harimiya Touji, Harimiya Touji! So as to become a trustworthy person, with intentions as clear as the New Year sky, this year as well, I pledge to be diligent in my studies! In regards to last year, other than the matter of trouble in the entertainment industry, there was also a lack of transparency in the financial sector. With each passing year, a gloomy shadow seems to fall ever darker upon us, but fret not! 

Touji: For as long as I, Harimiya Touji, am around, this year for sure, I shall deliver a year of stability for all Japanese people and even to the global- 

Yuni: Tadah! I’ll stick the Bianchi Family specially made secret weapon No.#20 “Anti-Blabber Sticker” onto Harimi ♪ 

Touji: U-uwah, what are you doing Bianchi-kun?! Mogamogamogagagaga! !

Shion: An idiot? 

Mamoru: What about Mikekado-kun, any aspirations for this year? 

Shion: Not really… If I had to name something, I would like to raise a cat. 

Touji: Mogugugugu~ ~ 

Takaomi: You can’t keep pets in the dorms, he says. 

Shion: What a boring man. shion leaves 

Touji: ! ! ! ! ! touji collapses

Mamoru: Oh, he left. 

Rintarou: A true Cool Beauty ☆ 

Issei: Hey! Rintarou-san and Hodo. Are you guys conducting an interview together? 

Mamoru: Hello, Torasawa-kun. May we ask your aspirations for the new year? 

Issei: Why, of course. As for me- 

Mikage: “I wo~n’t lose to Jin.” 

Issei: Asagiri? 

Mikage: Since the other party announced the “development of Black Dorm”, then we have to respond in kind, no? 

Issei: Hah! You’re absolutely right!  

Mikage: Yeah, yeah. 

???: … Help~ 

Rintarou: ? I hear a voice… 

Mamoru: Th-that’s? ! ? !

Shinya: hey guys, happy new year… 

Shigure: Shinya?! Why are you hanging from a tree?! 

Shinya: Ahaha, when I popped open a bottle of Chamorii (1), the force sent me flying all the way here. 

Shigure: Even after I said I would do that… 

Mamoru: Pardon me for asking while you’re in such a state but does Shibasaki-kun have any aspirations for the year that you’d like to share? 

Rintarou: The reporter spirit burns ☆ 

Shinya: Hmmm… I guess for me it’s to stay in Shigure’s good graces… 

Shigure: Let’s see… For one, I’d be happy if you could reduce your number of injuries. Here, give me your hand. 

Shinya: Thank you, Shigure. 

Rintarou: Shin-chan’s safety first~ 

Mamoru: Well then, let’s move on. Ah, that figure hiding in the shadows over there…

--

(1) from what i could tell, this is a play on chamoris, which is producer of japanese wine

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [12/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Rintarou: And, why did you think Mikepon wanted to go home? 

Touji: That is… Because I am privy to something that proves to me that no how much senpai says otherwise, in his heart he must have wanted to go home. I wanted to support him no matter what, and so I tried everything I could, but never produced any results. I know my own worthlessness better than anyone. 

Shion: What are you talking about? 

Touji: The truth is, at the time when the statue was being constructed, I heard you say something. Ah! Rest assured, it wasn’t because I was spying on you or anything! I just so happened to overhear it! Your heartbreaking wish to spend the New Years with your family! ! ! 

Shion: I don’t remember saying such a thing though. 

Touji: No, I definitely heard it with mine own ears. “Even though I really wanted to spend it with everyone,” Mikekado-senpai’s sincere wish! That’s why I-- 

Shion: Oh, perhaps you’re talking about that time? 

[flashback: 

Shion: sigh I can’t believe I have to spend the New Years with sticky hands and clothes. Even though I really wanted to spend it with everyone. 

/end flashback] 

Shion: I… was talking to my cat friends. 

Touji: Pardon? 

Shion: I hadn’t seen them around recently so I was a little concerned. But I’ve found them now, here, look. 

Cat: Nya

Touji: Nya? Th-thyen, was I mistaken… 

Yuni: Going through great vains. 

Yuma: It’s: going through great pain in vain. 

Rintarou: ….. 

// Wishing to go home, homesickness. Having so much sympathy that one wishes to send another home. // 

Rintarou: ( It’s truly a gift to purely express such kindness and love. ) 

Yuni: If Shion wanted to go home, he would have done so himself. 

Yuma: I think Harimiya is really kind though. 

Yanagi: Well, no matter the situation, a man who strives to please a lady is always comical. 

// With the now purposeless “Samba of the Fireflies” as background music, Touji curls into a ball on top of the platform. // 

Touji: Uggh, I want to return home… 

Rintarou: Owo, even Touji is affected. 

// At this moment, Jin and Chizu-chan show up wearing headphones and operating some suspicious device. // 

Jin: This melody triggers the homing instinct in humans. Over time, it has been imprinted into the DNA of the Japanese population and can even be considered a method of hypnosis. In addition, I just concluded research on the unique characteristic of passing the sound through the Kiichi statue, and it seems the reverberation within the statue’s cavern amplifies the IOH value even higher. 

Rintarou: IOH? 

Chizuru: Desire to/ enter the futon/ at home immediately value, aka IOH. Through Ryuuou Corporation’s patent pending technology, we are able to measure it.

Chizuru: At present, more than half of the students and 2/3 of faculty staff who heard the song have already applied for leave of absence and are on their way home. 

Rintarou: Wow, so many ♪ 

// If this were to continue, the damage would be enormous. Imagine coming back to Shinonome right after the New Year holiday and finding the school to be a ghost town. // 

Chizuru: At this rate, we can’t start the next term. 

// Still wearing the soundproofing equipment, Jin never once uncrosses his arms as he looks at me. Instantly, I knew the fate of the golden Kiichi. // 

Jin: Rintarou-san. 

Rintarou: ( Well, I guess there isn’t much of a choice. ) 

Rintarou: Okie ♪ 

// Taking on the task, I pop my knuckles in preparation. Kiichi-sensei takes one look at me and grows pale. // 

Kiichi: Eh? You’re joking, right? 

Rintarou: ( The desire to go home? No thanks. The desire to be by someone? No thanks. ) 

Rintarou: But a little sentimentality is alright, I guess… 

Rintarou: Still, “the present” is the most important though! ! ! 

// Aiming for the statue’s solar plexus, I take a hopstep, leaping into the air to deliver a powerful bodyblow. // 

Kiichi: AHHHHHHHHHH! ! ! ! ! 

// Amidst the pristine winter sky, a scream rings out. Sparkling and crumbling, a gold statue is sent off. The noisy “Samba of the Fireflies” also finally fades out… // 

// A few days later. // 

[scene: classroom] 

// A rare occurrence was happening, for though unnaturally all the third years had assembled in class, our homeroom teacher was nowhere to be seen. // 

Rintarou: What happened to Kiichi-sensei? 

Jin: It seems he went into shock after the destruction of that statue, so he’s gone on holiday. 

Issei: What’s with that… 

Rintarou: Nyahaha, so he’s not cooped up at home ♪ 

// Time waits for no man. For someone who walks along with it, no as someone who rushes to overtake it, there is simply no time for looking back or sentimentality. 

And so this year, too. // 

Rintarou: Then how bout the 3 of us go gyming ☆ 

Issei: Sure! 

Jin: Hmph. 

// I will live fiercely with the companions by my side. In “the present”. //

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [4/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Yuni: It’s just… I can hear it, a really nostalgic melody is playing from somewhere. 

Rintarou: Really? 

// I perk my ears but don’t hear anything. I wonder if it’s because angels can hear even the melodies of the heavens. // 

Yuni: And that makes me think of Sicilian winds. The white walls, walking along a stone path towards the blue sea. The Family’s cruise ship sailing on the waves… sniffle 

Rintarou: Yuniyuni?! 

Yuni: It’s nothing… 

Rintarou: ( Hmmmmm? ) 

// It wasn't just Yuniyuni, when I looked around, the same sombre mood seemed to have seeped into everyone. The celebratory party’s high tension suddenly became as quiet as a wake. As it stood, even the newly completed Kiichi statue was starting to look dull. // 

Rintarou: ( So dark, so gloomy! ) 

Rintarou: ( Just what happened here? ) 

Touji: Mogamogagogogo mogagaganga mogagaga

Shion: An idiot? 

// With the tape still pasted over his mouth, Touji sinks to the ground at Mikepon’s usual insults. // 

Rintarou: ( Eh? Was Touji always so easily dejected? ) 

Chizuru: You’re in the way. How long does this water flea intend to obstruct the road? 

Jin: Just let him be, he looks tired. Surely the end of the year must be a busy time for a politician’s son so it’s understandable. 

Chizuru: If Jin-san says so. 

Shigure: That’s true, it happens a lot to those who live in dorms too. Feeling exhausted after coming back from visiting their homes, it’s a season where it’s easy to succumb to listlessness. 

Shinya: Eh, and here I was starting to relax after a safe passing of the year. 

Shigure: Perhaps that is the case for medical practitioners. But for most others, after a bout of fun, comes the loneliest period. 

Shinya: So… I see… 

Yuni: Mu. Is Shibasaki not lonely? 

Shinya: Well I, er… 

Yuni: Then, nii-sama and I will be having a sleepover so the unlonely Shibasaki can go back to his room by himself. 

Shigure: Yuni. 

Mikage: Aha. Oh well, why not end the party since the sun is already setting. Besides, it’s soon to be the hour where evil spirits go for their walks~ Or perhaps Kasuka-chan called out his friends? 

Senri: Hey, don’t say such things! What if Shibutani-senpai really summons something?! 

Yuma: Is the sad mood because of the presence of such spirits? 

Issei: N-no matter how lonely someone is, that’s not the kind of company to seek! 

Takaomi: Are y’all dumb? 

Kasuka: Yo-you’re wrong! In the first place, I am an exorcist. Those who would seek to practice summoning due to their own yearning, hatreds, and attachments, are fools! ! ! 

Kasuka: There’s no way I would befriend those repulsive beings!  

Mikage: Wow, what an outburst. Are you still breathing, Kasuka-chan? 

Minato: Kasuka is properly alive so he’s okay, right, Kasuka? 

Kasuka: S-s-s-shut up! Besides, I don’t feel any presence of that nature here! ! !

Rintarou: ( Hmm? Somehow everyone feels a little different? ) 

Rintarou: Nyahaha! How interesting ☆ 

Yanagi: Rin-senpai doesn’t look like he feels any different though? 

Rintarou: Yeah, I’m energetic as can be ☆ But Yanayana also seems a bit disheartened.  

Yanagi: I suddenly felt a bout of depression earlier, wonder what that was about? 

Rintarou: No idea ☆ But I do have a Godly idea of how to solve this problem though! 

Yuma: You do? 

Rintarou: Yeah! The only thing that can fight off profound mysteries like this is TAH! 

Yuma: T… A… H… I really want/ to meet/ Uncle Haneyama…

Senri: Wh-who? 

Yuma: Granpa’s good friend who lives near the mountains… 

// As if taking a huge psychological blow from the memory, Yuma-kun loses strength in his limbs and falls. // 

Rintarou: TAH! If the tension goes down/ we just have to crank it back up ☆/ Happy ♪ 

Rintarou: And so, Let’s ☆ Adventure! Onwards to a treasure hunt! ! !

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [2/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Mamoru: Well then, let’s move on. Ah, that figure hiding in the shadows over there… 

Kasuka: Eep, what is it? 

Mamoru: Shibutani-kun! Please keep up the good work with your fortune-telling this year as well! 

Kasuka: I-I refus- 

Minato: Kasuka~ Read the fortune for Pisces~! 

Kasuka: Why must I take orders from you. Other than Yanagi-kun’s Aquarius, I have no reason to divine the other signs. In the first place, my divination doesn't work on y-... 

Minato: Don’t say such mean things, come on, please~ May Kasuka read my fortune. May this year be filled with peace and afternoon naps. May Kasuka smile a whole lot~! 

Kasuka: You got sidetracked somewhere… 

Rintarou: May this year be so full of happiness, someone could die of it! 

Kasuka: ! 

Mamoru: May the truth I report bring happiness to somebody! 

Kasuka: ?! 

Male Student: May… 

Female Student: May… 

Kasuka: St-stop itttttt! ! ! 

Kasuka: Ah, wait, Kasuka~ ~ ! 

Rintarou: Namunamu~ 

Mamoru: Hmm? Hey, Bianchi-kun, what’s up? 

Yuni: You know, Mamo, I played over the first three days of the New Year! 

Mamoru: Oh, so you were able to enjoy the Japanese New Year experience? 

Yuni: Yup! There was a mouse aquilone! 

Mamoru: Aquilone…? 

Rintarou: He’s talking about kites ☆ 

Yuni: They flew in the sky! 

// As if chasing after the kites in his memory, Yuniyuni looks to the sky. Beside us, the golden Kiichi statue reflects the gold of the setting sun onto Yuniyuni’s hair, making it shine a gorgeous colour. Truly, an angel. 

Noticing the glint, Mamo-chan also turns to look at the statue… At that moment, a gust of wind blows through all of us. // 

Mamoru: ?! 

Mamoru: Yeah… That is really splendid, isn’t it… After all, the New Year festivities are a chance to exchange cultures… And with that, err, I remembered something so I have to go… 

Rintarou: ( ? ) 

Mamoru: That concludes the Spring ☆ Special Interview. Once more, please take care of me again this year! ! 

// Saying that, Mamo-chan cuts the interview short and rushes off. // 

Rintarou: ( Huh? ) 

// While thinking that Mamo-chan’s actions were weird, I pat the angel’s fluffy head, reaffirming that he was indeed part of this world. // 

Yuni: President-san, my hair is getting messy… 

Rintarou: Nyaha! I was confirming that angels exist, or something like that. 

Yuma: Amazing, I could use this as reference… 

// Turning to look at the voice I happened to overhear, I saw Yuma-kun sketching the both of us, Yanayana standing beside him. // 

Rintarou: Hey guys, how’d you spend your New Years? 

Yuma: I went back to my hometown and relaxed in the kotatsu, and ate Granma’s osechi. And zouni, and mikan. The mochi was delicious, I think I might have gained weight. (1) 

Yanagi: I see, that’s nice. I wanted to try zouni from Yuma’s place too. 

Yuma: Granma’s zouni is the best in Japan. Oh but Yanagi-senpai’s household seems like it regularly has extravagant dishes… So maybe you would think differently. 

Yanagi: Extravagance doesn’t equate to taste, you know. 

Yuma: But, they even use high quality ingredients. 

Yanagi: More than that, don’t you think the place and company affects the taste of a dish? 

Yuma: …? 

Yanagi: No, it’s nothing. 

Yuni: Hey, hey, how did President-san spend his New Years? 

Rintarou: Hmm, little ol’ me? On the first day I was at Rocky Mountain, and on the third, nanpa!

--

(1) a brief glossary of the terms here:  - ��燵 (kotatsu): a low table with a heater underneath, commonly used in winter - おせち (osechi): japanese new year food - 雑煮 (zouni): soup containing rice cakes that is associated with the new year - みかん (mikan): type of orange - 餅 (mochi): rice cake

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [11/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Kiichi: What’s wrong, Rintarou? 

Rintarou: I was just thinking that maybe familial love doesn’t have to be something you are born into, but is also something you can make. 

Kiichi: Why, isn’t that natural? Even in this generation, there are people who choose to become family with strangers, no? 

Rintarou: ( If I ever get married and started a “family”, would that mean I have to settle down and become the backbone of the house? ) 

Rintarou: Please invite me to your wedding. 

Kiichi: Hahaha, of course! Though I’ll probably be asked for a divorce about 20 times! 

Rintarou: So true ☆ 

Kiichi: Does Rintarou have a special person like that? 

Rintarou: ….. 

// I was startled. 

There isn’t a place I can think of that I want to return to. Nor was there a person I could think of whom I would want to meet so dearly, I could put off the things I want to do. // 

Rintarou: ( Maybe if I had someone like that… ) 

// Then, the feeling of wanting someone to return to me, the feeling of “homesickness”, maybe then I’d understand. // 

Rintarou: ( ….. ) 

Kiichi: Hmm? What is this melody? 

Rintarou: Eh? 

// When I lifted my head… // 

Yuma: I have to go back… Do you think I might still make it for the last boat for Kagoshima… 

Takaomi: You’ll make it. It’s pretty close, just like Kanagawa is for me... 

Minato: My house is in France so I can’t go so soon~ I know, I’ll give Mamon and Papa a call. 

Kasuka: Think about the time difference. 

Mikage: If we minus 8 hours, it’s actually just nice though? 

Issei: Irregardless, letting your family know you’re okay is a good thing. 

Rintarou: ( Is that true?! ) 

Kiichi: Oh I got it! This is the tune that you hear at department stores during closing hours, “Samba of the Fireflies”! 

// Kiichi-sensei, who had been pondering over it for awhile, was finally able to put a finger on the song’s title. // 

Yuni: That’s the nostalgic melody that I’ve been hearing this whole time. 

Yuma: It makes me want to meet Granma, Mari, and my mother so dearly that my chest hurts. 

Kiichi: I don’t feel that at all though? 

Yanagi: Still, where is the sound coming from-- 

Rintarou: Over there! 

………. 

[scene: courtyard] 

// Our destination was the golden Kiichi statue where “Samba of the Fireflies” was blasting from. In addition-- // 

Touji: Louder! Until it reaches Mikekado-senpai! 

// Having climbed onto the platform, Touji could be seen tinkering with some machine. // 

Rintarou: ( What the heck is he doing? ) 

Shion: Until what reaches me? 

Touji: ?! 

// Having noticed us, Touji spots Mikepon and panics. // 

Touji: Mi-mi-mikekado-senpai, what are you doing here?! Does this mean the song didn’t work… ? 

Shion: What are you talking about? 

Touji: Well, you see, I was hoping listening to this song would strengthen your nostalgia, and then maybe you would resolve to visit your family or to give them a call, or something like that…? 

Shion: As if I would. 

Touji: But… why? Why doesn’t anything work on Mikekado-senpai?! 

Rintarou: Hey, so Touji’s the one that’s been playing the song then? 

// After I call out to him, Touji looks down at the faces of all the students who had gathered and resigns himself to speaking. // 

Touji: Actually, in order to allow Mikekado-senpai to spend some time alone with his family, I concocted a plan. 

Shion: Hah? 

Touji: Because I heard Nito-kun say that anyone who hears “Samba of the Fireflies” would definitely feel like going home! So I immediately ordered Yoshiji to get a recording of the song performed by a full orchestra! However, even when I played it in the room as he slept, it didn’t seem to be working, so then I thought that if all the school staff went home, and the dorm was forced to be shut, then even if it was reluctantly, he would have to go home. 

Touji: Thus I started playing the song from the Kiichi statue along with the 5 o’clock chime but… 

Yuma: Oh was that what that was? 

[flashback: 

Touji: ( Mikekado-senpai… )

Touji: ( As I thought, I’m sure what she truly wants is to spend the New Years with her family. Guh, my small scale project is not enough, at this rate Mikekado-senpai will be met with sadness… ) 

Touji: ( But I, Harimiya Touji, have devoted this life to senpai, there is no storm I would not weather. Nay, I would weather even a hundred storms! ) 

Yuma: ( Harimiya? Why is he sneaking around on the platform? ) 

/end flashback] 

Touji: Mochizuki-kun, you saw that? 

Rintarou: And, why did you think Mikepon wanted to go home?

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [10/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Kiichi: Thanks for inviting me, Rintarou! So this is the outcome of your marvelous adventure! ! ! 

Rintarou: Yeye ☆ This is the treasure we found together.  

Yosuke: Huh? So the treasure was just potatoes? 

Masachika: And they’re sharing that treasure with you so don’t be rude. 

Yosuke: I was expecting physical gol- oh this is delicious. 

Masachika: Why are you snitching food, where are your manners?! 

Rintarou: That’s fine, that’s fine ☆ Eat your fill! 

Kiichi: Haha, with the gold statue and all these golden potatoes, everyone’s financial luck this year is bound to be high! ! 

Yuma: I didn’t know that! In that case, I’ll eat lots. 

// Beside Yuma-kun who was gulping down his food seriously, Shin-chan and Shigure-chan approached Yuniyuni. // 

Shinya: Yuni-kun, this feast looks really grand! Golden potatoes, huh… I think they could be used to make my favourite Beef Potato Stew too. 

Yuni: Hmph. I’ll never make anything Shibasaki likes! 

Shigure: Yuni. 

Yuni: Nii-sama! This Gnocchi is nii-sama’s recipe! Please have some! 

Shigure: Yes, then thank you for the meal. And here, have this. 

// Shigure took out a fancy bottle filled with blood red liquid. There was Italian engraved onto it. // 

Yuni: Wah! Arancia Rossa juice! ! Thank you, nii-sama! ! ! 

Rintarou: ( Come to think of it, Yuniyuni said he wanted to drink that yesterday. ) 

Shingure: If you’d like, President and everyone can have some too. It’s freshly squeezed organic blood orange juice sent directly from Sicily. 

Rintarou: Woah, thanksies ☆ 

Rintarou: ( Did he order this yesterday? ) 

Senri: I-I thought it was blood… 

Takaomi: As if that’s possible. 

Shigure: Oh and, Yuni, this too. 

Yuni: ? 

Yuni: Ah, it’s a letter from Father! 

Shigure: It came along with the juice. 

// Yuniyuni receives the letter and opens it straight away, quickly scanning the contents. 

At the same time, Shin-chan who had at some point gone off to take food on his own, knocks over a glass with great clamour. // 

Shigure: Shinya! 

// Shigure moves towards him immediately. // 

Yuni: Nii-sama! 

Shigure: I will be back soon. 

// Although Yuniyuni protested with his gaze, Shigure still went to Shin-chan’s side. 

Having finished reading the letter, Yuniyuni quietly puts it into his pocket, and the angel’s face grew cloudy. // 

Yuma: Bianchi? Was there something unpleasant written in the letter? 

Yuni: That’s not it. It’s the same message as usual. Father talking how cute I am, how cute I am, saying that he loves me, that he treasures me. 

Yuma: Then why do you look so troubled? 

Yuni: Because… Father always leaves the dangerous things to nii-sama or the other family members but he’ll never let me anywhere near it! Everyone has been keeping me away from danger since I was small, but even I am a member of the Bianchi Famiglia! I will become an outstanding Godfather just like Father! ! 

Yuni: If we are robbed, we steal it back, if we are slighted, we return it 3 times, that is the family’s rule, and that’s why I will completely destroy Shibasaki with my own hands! 

Rintarou: Wow! Nero Yuniyuni~ ♪ (1)

Shinya: Errm… Did I do something wrong? 

// As Shigure finished cleaning up the broken shards, a dejected Shin-chan came over. // 

Yuni: It’s nothing! ! 

Shigure: Yuni, this is really delicious. 

// To diffuse the situation, Shigure, who had taken a bite of the Gnocchi, offered compliments to Yuniyuni. // 

Yuni: Really? 

Shigure: Yes, it seems Yuni was able to grasp the taste of my cooking. 

Yuni: Of course! Nii-sama and I are connected by something thicker than blood! I will definitely never hand you over to someone like Shibasaki! ! 

Shigure: Yuni, there’s no need to worry about that because I am a member of the Bianchi Family. 

Yuni: Nii-sama! ! ! 

// Shigure successfully placated Yuniyuni. // 

Rintarou: Hmm… 

Kiichi: What’s wrong, Rintarou?

--

(1) nero, most likely a reference to the roman emperor who is known to be a very no good man in general

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [9/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Yuma: Erm, Kumarin-senpai. 

Rintarou: Huh? Wassup, Yuma-kun. That’s a serious expression you’ve got there. 

Yuma: I… Can I use some golden potatoes to make Sweet Potato Soup? I just really miss the taste of Kagoshima… 

Rintarou: ! 

Rintarou: Of course ☆ 

// At Yuma-kun’s proposal, we cut up a bunch of chicken, burdock, carrot, radish, konjac, wheat, onion, and deep fried tofu, to mix together. Plus a sprinkle of miso at the end for flavour. // 

Rintarou: How’s it? 

// Yuma-kun pinched some of the soup, chewed, then titled his head. // 

Yuma: Something’s… different… 

Yanagi: It’s delicious but I guess it’s because we made Sweet Potato Soup without sweet potatoes? 

// Yanayana poked at a golden potato and laughed. // 

Rintarou: Maybe it’s the different seasoning? This is rice miso, after all. 

Yuma: Ah, I think that’s possible… 

Rintarou: The one you use at your place is wheat miso, right? 

Yuma: Yes. 

Rintarou: As I thought ☆ 

Yuma: …But I get the feeling that’s not all. 

Rintarou: ( Oh, it’s that thing, huh? ) 

Rintarou: Because this place isn’t home? 

// Yuma-kun nods, then as if thinking of the sea in his hometown, he closes his eyes. // 

Yanagi: Well, Yuma’s Granma is a really good cook after all. 

Yuma: Mari always asks for too much and I end up eating her leftovers. Even though it’s become cold, it’s still delicious. 

Yuni: They call that the ‘taste of family’ don’t they? 

Rintarou: Yuniyuni? 

Yuni: I also like nii-sama’s cooking so I understand. 

Yuma & Yuni: ….. 

Yanagi: Hmm, I guess you’re homesick. 

Rintarou: Homesick?! 

Rintarou: ( That’s something I don’t understand~ ) 

// It just doesn’t make sense to me. // 

Rintarou: ( I understand treasuring your family members, but why is there a need to feel dispirited when the other party is still alive? …Is what I think but I prolly shouldn’t say that. ) 

Rintarou: Yanayana, what should we do at a time like this? Should we invite everyone’s families here? 

Yanagi: Err… I don’t think that’s… 

Yuni: Mou man tai! Because the proof of love is right here! 

Rintarou: And this is? 

Yuni: Nii-sama’s cooking recipes. 

Yuni: When it was decided that nii-sama would go to Shinonome, he left a collection of my favourite recipes with the family chef, and I stole it ♪ From Menthol Zata to Cassata and Granita… Each one is very buono! (1)

// Taking a look at the notebook, apart from the list of sweet, cold desserts perfect for summer, there were also some staple Italian pasta dishes. // 

Rintarou: Way to go, Shigure-chan. Oh, there’s even a recipe for potato Gnocchi! (1)

Yuni: It’s very good! 

Rintarou: Then let’s make some golden potato Gnocchi ☆ 

Yuni: Yay! 

// Yuniyuni and Yuma-kun’s eyes lit up. // 

// We boil the golden potatoes and add some flour, then knead the mixture together with salt and olive oil. From the huge ball of dough, we pinch out smaller rolls, and use a fork to create the patterns. Then, we boil those with a lot of water, and after draining, dress with sauce, and voila. // 

………. 

[scene: lounge] 

// Surely this potato-ey menu would restore the overall mood, I think, as we bring out each dish to the lounge, ready to start the Golden Potato Party. // 

// Even the others who didn’t participate in the treasure hunt were lured over by the smell. // 

Touji: Mikekado-senpai! I had been meaning to ask, but how did you and your family spend the holidays? 

Shion: What’s up with that all of a sudden? 

Touji: Ah, no, I am surely not asking out of a guilty conscience! I was wondering if Mikekado-senpai’s family also passed the year favourably, or something! 

Shion: I don’t know.

Touji: You don’t know? 

Shion: Since I didn’t go back. 

// Saying his piece, Mikepon leaves the area. // 

Touji: Didn’t go back? Not once throughout the holiday?! Mikekado-senpai! …He’s gone. 

Touji: What a thing! Does this mean my plan failed? No wait, maybe I just have to increase the volume! 

// Murmuring something to himself, Touji exits the longue hastily. // 

Rintarou: ( Huh? ) 

// That’s the direction of… //

--

(1) another list of food they talk about - menthol zata is the only thing here i transliterated because i couldn’t find a corresponding item description in english, however i do gather that it’s a type of minty drink and in particular was featured as the kumayuni pair item during dream!ing’s white day cafe event - cassata: traditional sicilian cake - granita: frozen dessert similar to shaved ice - gnocchi: a type of pasta

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [8/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Yanagi: Though… I wish I were at least good at peeling fruits… 

Rintarou: For whom? 

Yanagi: Oh, I didn’t think you would respond to that. 

Rintarou: Was I not supposed to hear it? 

Yanagi: It’s alright… It’s for my younger sibling. 

Rintarou: Ooh, brother? Sister? 

Yanagi: ...Sister. What about Rin-senpai? 

Rintarou: I have younger sisters too ♪ In total there are 3 of us ☆ 

Yanagi: You guys seem to get along. 

Rintarou: Hmm~ We didn’t live together for very long though so maybe they’ve forgotten me already hahaha

Yanagi: Ahh, because you’ve been travelling a lot since childhood, huh? 

Rintarou: Yuppers ☆ I virtually never go home. 

Yanagi: I see. How old are your sisters? 

Rintarou: Middle school! 

Yanagi: Oh? And the other one would be in elementary school perhaps? 

Rintarou: Nwope, they’re both the same age! 

Yanagi: Eh, twins? 

Rintarou: Exactly! They even speak in unison, it’s super interesting ☆ 

Yanagi: You find it interesting, huh? 

Rintarou: Well, I’ve known them since they were born I guess. Whenever I happen to go home, we would chat and play, so they seem more like long time friends~ Maybe we get along simply because we are related by blood. 

Rintarou: What does your sister mean to you? 

// Yuma-kun starts to sauté the onions he cut with some Hanabusa brand butter that Yanayana brought out. 

Btw, Yuniyuni had prepared a huge pair of sunglasses in anticipation for the fight with the onions but still ended up crying anyway. “This is revenge!” He cries out and firmly chops some more, which resulted in more tears ☆ // 

Yanagi: What she… means to me… 

// Though it was a normal question given the flow of the conversation, for some reason Yanayana suddenly falls into an uncomfortable silence. So to cover that mood, I turn my attention to frying. // 

Yanagi: As an older brother, she’s someone I should protect. 

Rintarou: Whoot~ What an outstanding brother. 

Yanagi: I wonder if that is so. Well, I suppose that would differ from family to family anyway. 

Rintarou: Maybe… So to Yanayana, your sister is Super Ultra “Special”.  

Yanagi: ….. 

// We add water and soup stock in with the onions and potatoes to boil. // 

Yanagi: Aren’t they special to you too? 

Rintarou: I don’t really know much bout that. See, I don’t think of “family” and “strangers” as separate groups. 

Yanagi: Ahhh, I see. 

// Once the potatoes became soft, we transferred them to a mixer, where Yuniyuni happily flipped the switch. // 

Yuni: Grind into dust. 

Rintarou: Oh Yuniyuni, not to dust but to a pulp, okay? 

Yuni: Si! Until they’re smooth as blood! 

// After mashing up the potatoes, we put them in the pot once again. Add in some Hanabusa brand milk, and simmer over low heat. 

With awkward inexperienced movements, Yanayana stirred the Potage with an unusually kind expression. // 

Yanagi: Do you need something?  

Rintarou: Nya, it’s nothing. Are you intending to bring some of that to your Sweeties? 

Yanagi: No, I’m not going to any Honey’s. 

Rintarou: How rare! 

Yanagi: Today I’m feel like I want to be healed by a scarlet rose. 

Rintarou: Rose? 

Yanagi: Yes, no matter how many golden roses surround you, some days you just want to run towards the only genuine flower, no? 

Rintarou: Hmmm? 

Rintarou: ( Meaning, he’s going to bring some to his sister? ) 

// Although I had that thought, I intuitively didn’t voice it. // 

Rintarou: ( I kinda thought Yanayana would be quite indifferent to his family but it’s actually the opposite? ) 

// Sure, I was aware there weren’t many people like me who rarely go home, but it never bothered me. Yet, seeing this unexpected side to Yanayana made me suddenly think. //

Rintarou: ( Are people like me actually rarer than I imagined?! ) 

Yuma: Erm, Kumarin-senpai. 

Rintarou: Huh? Wassup, Yuma-kun. That’s a serious expression you’ve got there. 

Yuma: I…

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [7/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

[scene: greenery] 

Yuma: Are we in El Dorado? 

Yuni: Doesn’t look like it. 

Rintarou: Nya, the treasure shouldn’t be too far away ☆ North-North-East! ! ! 

Yuni: Roger! 

[scene: field] 

// Heading in that direction for a while, the scenery opens up to a potato field at least 100 square feet in breadth. // 

Yanagi: Hmm… To think there was such a place nearby. 

Rintarou: Ikr ☆ It’s my secret spot ♪ 

Yanagi: Huh, wait, then Rin-senpai, you’ve come here before? 

Rintarou: Yeah! It’s my Golden Potato farm! ! ! 

Yuma: G-golden potatoes?! 

// I pulled out a stalk to reveal a sparkling, glittering ☆ Golden Potato! // 

Yuni: Wow! They’re really oro patate, golden potatoes~! 

Rintarou: Fu, fu, fu! A reputable potato researcher from Idaho gave these golden potatoes to me! They’re low maintenance, strong against pests, and don’t require any complex farming systems. Just looking at them is fun, and they’re super delicious! Plus, they’re good for the health, man, there’s really nothing else to say about them ☆ 

Yanagi: It’s also rare to be able to harvest potatoes in the winter. 

Rintarou: Hehehe, well I buried the seed potatoes at the end of summer and pretty much just left them alone until now ☆

Rintarou: And now just so happens to be right for the picking! So, let’s collect the treasure! Grand Potato Harvest Time ☆

Yuma: More digging… 

// After we dug up a large number of golden potatoes and put them into bags, I led the others back to school through the shortest route, and we were at the dorms in 5 minutes ☆ // 

………. 

[scene: lounge] 

Rintarou: Good work, everyone ☆ How did you guys find the treasure hunt? 

Yuni: It was fun! 

Yuma: I’m glad we were able to gather so many golden potatoes. Looks like I don’t have to worry about food for awhile… 

Yanagi: I even found out I could be attacked from underground. 

Rintarou: I see, I see ☆ 

// Just then, a breeze blows in through the open window. // 

Yuni: But… 

Rintarou: What’s wrong, Yuniyuni? 

Yuni: As I thought, I still want to drink Sicily’s Arancia Rossa juice… 

Yuma: Me too… Especially when I’m tired like this, I want to have Sweet Potato Soup… 

Yanagi: That’s true, even I’m thinking of having Potage or something. 

Rintarou: What what? 

Rintarou: ( And they just got pumped from the treasure hunt too… Everyone got sad again? ) 

Yuni: I can hear the nostalgic melody again today… 

Rintarou: Huh?? 

// If I really listen, sure enough, there seems to be a faint trace of a song coming from somewhere. // 

Rintarou: ( I thought only Yuniyuni was able to hear it but perhaps the clamour from yesterday’s party was drowning out the music? ) 

// In any case, the others’ moods start to deflate before my eyes. // 

Rintarou: I got it! ! ! 

Yuni: Wh-what? 

Rintarou: I bet you guys are hungry! 

Yuma: …? 

Yuma: Well I am feeling hungry but… 

Rintarou: Alrighty! Then let’s cook up the treasures we found for a Tater Party ☆

Yanagi: ( …Are they really okay for consumption? ) 

[scene: kitchen] 

// Everyone peeled the potatoes but in Yanayana’s case he more or less hacked them with a knife, amassing a fine lump of distorted shapes. // 

Rintarou: As expected of Yanayana, how avant garde?! 

Yanagi: You think so? 

Yuni: In comparison to nii-sama’s artful peeling, it looks like there is much, much more skin than edible parts here. 

Yanagi: That’s because I’ve never cooked. 

// Yanayana made to throw his mess away but seeing the waste of resources, Yuma-kun desperately stops him. // 

Yuma: It’s okay. As long as you wash it properly, fresh potato skin can be eaten! 

Yanagi: I didn’t know that. 

// We cut the peeled potatoes into moderate slices, and boil them with Andean rock salt. While waiting for that to be done, Yuma-kun and Yuniyuni start wrestling with the onions over at the other counter. // 

Rintarou: Welp, even if you’re not good at using knives, you can still roast potatoes wholesale and eat that with butter! Isn’t that wild ☆ 

Yanagi: Oh, I see. 

Yanagi: Though… I wish I were at least good at peeling fruits… 

Rintarou: For whom?

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [6/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12  

[scene: gazebo]

Yuma: By the way, what kind of treasure are we looking for? 

Yanagi: Yuma, wouldn’t it be boring if you knew that beforehand? 

Yuma: Oh, that’s true. 

Yuni: But I would like a hint, President-san. 

Rintarou: Okie ☆ The treasure that we’re looking for is… 

Yuma: Is...? 

Rintarou: Gold! ☆ 

Yuni: Oro? 

Yuma: Gold…! 

Yanagi: Ahh, hence “Gold Rush”? 

Rintarou: Yup! We’re aiming for El Dorado! ☆ 

Yuma: The fabled ‘village of gold’. If we ever reach it, I have to take reference! 

Yanagi: Recently some Kitties have started using drones in their recon so going underground might be helpful for me. 

Yuni: Sounds fun! 

Yuni: Ah, hey look, there’s a doll. 

// For some reason where there was a circular patch of withered grass, three flat stones were stacked atop one another, and a small doll sitting on the top. // 

Yuma: That’s weird… 

Yanagi: Weird? 

Yuma: This hay doll has strangely long hair, and somehow seems to be releasing pheromones. Kind of like Yanagi-senpai. 

Yanagi: Haha, for you to think that- 

Yanagi: Oh. 

// As Yanayana approached the doll with a smile, a loud ZUGOGOGO sound echoed, and the ground beneath our feet crumbled away. // 

Yuni: Kya! 

Yuma: Uwa. 

Rintarou: Uhyo~ ♪ 

………. 

Rintarou: Are you guys alright? 

Yanagi: Owowow… 

Yuma: My butt hurts a little but I’m fine. 

Yuni: That was really dangerous. 

// Since the darkness was inconvenient, I switched on the LED lights in my teddy bear’s eyes, casting light onto the surroundings. // 

Rintarou: Ok-ay, Yuniyuni, Yuma-kun, Yanayana, and myself. That’s a relief! Everyone’s here. 

Rintarou: Owo? And there’s another hole beside us. Doesn’t it look big enough for us to go through. 

Yuma: It does. 

Yuma: ( So that bear was a flashlight… ) 

Yuma: sneeze 

Rintarou: Are you alwight? It’s pretty cold in here so let’s quickly look for the exit. 

// With that conviction, we walk around for some time, and gradually start to see some light. // 

Yuni: We can finally go outside! 

[scene: cavern] 

Rintarou: ( A cavern…? ) 

// To think there was a cavern rivalling the size of Vietnam’s Sơn Đoòng caves (1) underneath the school. Even I didn’t know that. // 

Yuni: Was this a trap to catch Yana? 

Rintarou: If that’s true, then it was a Kitty who dug this hole?! 

Yanagi: Now that’s going a little far… 

Yuma: Actually I’ve seen a Kitty-san searching for you in a bulldozer before so I think it’s possible. 

Yanagi: ….. 

Yuni: It’s like that horror film monster that lives underground, Ladywise. (2)

Yanagi: … I guess underground was not as safe as I thought, haha. 

Yuma: We might be able to get out from here but… What do we do, there doesn’t seem to be anything to help us climb… 

Yuni: And on the other side is nothing but spring water. We’ll have to dive under if we want to proceed but I don’t want to get wet. 

Rintarou: Mou man tai! (3) When there isn’t a path, we just have to forge one! ! 

Yanagi: Forge? 

Rintarou: It’s Yanayana’s shovel’s time to shine! We’re aiming for Breakthrough ☆ 

Yanagi: … Here, Yuma. 

Yuma: Eh? 

Yuni: We’re counting on you. 

Yanagi: Honest labour is your specialty, no? 

Yuma: In the first place-- 

Yanagi: And who was the person who accidentally drank my milk over New Years? 

Yuma: … I understand. 

Yanagi: Oh, but make sure you don’t injure your hands, alright? 

Yuma: I know that. 

// Yuma-kun receives the shovel and starts scraping away at the mud walls. How pure ☆ // 

………. 

// A few hours later. The last of the mud falls away, revealing a large hole. // 

Rintarou: Oh! We’re finally free ♪

--

(1)  sơn doòng cave, in vietnam, is the world's largest natural cave

(2) a nod to pennywise

(3) cantonese for: no problem

[yumapii]

[Event Story] Gold ☆ Hunter [5/12]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Rintarou: And so, Let’s ☆ Adventure! Onwards to a treasure hunt! ! ! 

Yuni & Yuma: Treasure hunt? 

Rintarou: Yea ☆ Tadah! Check out this bona fide Treasure Map! ! ! 

Yuni: Mappa! Let me see! 

Rintarou: Here ya go ☆

Yuma: Mappa? 

// Taking a backwards glance at the surprised Yuma, I spread out the treasure map (mappa) before Yuniyuni. As I did so, the others also got curious. // 

Yuni: Shinonome? You mean the treasure is somewhere in this school? 

Rintarou: Righto ☆ So let’s OMY! 

Yuma: OMY? 

Rintarou: Find/ the treasure and/ split the earnings! You’re in, right? 

Yuni: Of course! 

Yosuke: Ohh, a treasure hunt, huh? Was there such a thing here? 

Kiichi: That’s great! That’s youth! Go ahead, get some treasure! ! ! 

Masachika: Representative Board Chairman, please don’t fan the flames too much. It should go without saying but doing dangerous things on campus is not allowed. 

Yosuke: Yeah! Do it where the teachers can’t see. Oh, but make sure you report to me when you find the treasure. 

Masachika: Mr Kiritani… 

Rintarou: Alright! Since that’s decided, let's report at this ☆ marked spot tomorrow morning at oh nine hundred hours ☆ Make sure to bring along an item that you think is indispensable for adventuring! 

Yuni: Si! 

Rintarou: ( Looks like Yuniyuni and the rest have recovered a little but… ) 

// Who woulda thunk the treasure map I made for fun would turn out useful in a situation like this. // 

………. 

[scene: ☆]

// The next day. January XX, 9am. An elite force had gathered at the ☆ marked spot. // 

Rintarou: Welcome, Treasure Hunters! From here on out, we will be following the path outlined on this map. But first, roll call, let’s go down the line~! 

Yuni: Uno. 

Yuma: 2. 

Yanagi: Three. 

Rintarou: Fwour! 

Yuma: ? Kumarin-senpai isn’t the troupe leader? 

Rintarou: Oh yeah, I am! Nyahaha, but what about the others? 

Yuma: I tried inviting them but they were either on the phones with their families, or had gone back. Oh, but Nito was at rehearsals. 

Yuni: Nii-sama was also busy… 

Rintarou: ( Hnnnnn… Even though I’m sure everyone would cheer up if they took part. ) 

Rintarou: Well, no choice. 

Yuma: Although I’m surprised that Yanagi-senpai is interested in such things. 

Yanagi: Rather than being interested, it’s not good for me to stay in a predictable spot otherwise some dangerous Kitties might catch me. 

Yuma: Are you in some kind of trouble again? 

Yanagi: ….. 

Rintarou: What matters most is that you’re here ♪ Alright, now let’s share our secret weapons! What kind of equipment did everyone bring? 

Rintarou: By the way, this is mine! 

// From a sack large enough to rival Santa Claus’, I pull out a huge teddy bear, to the surprise of the others. // 

Yuni: That’s so cute! 

Rintarou: Right? ☆ 

Yuma: Erm, I brought a piggy bank… 

Rintarou: Ooh! It’s shaped like a golden pig! Make sure to stuff a lot of treasure into it, kay?  

Yuma: Yes! 

Yuni: I brought sigaretta. 

Rintarou: Wow ☆ Yuniyuni so kewl~! I really like cigarette cookies ☆ (1)

Yuni: Snacks are important for an adventure. 

Rintarou: Yuniyuni… 

Rintarou: You’re exactly right! ! ! But only 300yen worth! And no bananas ☆ 

Yuni: ! I didn’t know that? 

Yanagi: Well, crap… Should I have brought a gag item then? I’ve just brought along something normal though. 

// Saying that, Yanayana took out a gardening shovel. // 

Rintarou: Non non! What’s most important is the feeling of excitement ☆ Then, let’s depart for the Gold Rush! Onwards! 

Yuma & Yuni: Onwards! 

// We, the Shinonome Treasure Hunters, have set out in search for some treasure, nyaha ☆ //

--

(1) well, it’s rolled biscuits that resemble a cigar