#kuma rintarou

[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

[shionmikekado]

《New Year's Greeting Dance》 Gacha

•SSR Asagiri Mikage

•SSR Hakka Shigure

•SR Shishimaru Takaomi

•R Kuma Rintarou

[dreaming-translations]

[MAIN STORY] Carnation (Chapter 4)

chapter 4 of act I, part II of dream!ing’s second season. enjoy! ↓

Mamoru: Now then, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! I will now announce the stars of today’s show!

Mamoru: The candidates for the role of student council president and the ones who have been nominated to give speeches today, special class second-years Shigure Hakka-kun and Minato Ushiwaka-kun!

Mamoru: And finally, this year we have a shimmering new hope! From the special class, first-year Touji Harimiya-kun!

Senri: Eh!? Harii is running?!

Takaomi: He’s insane.

Touji: There are no regulations against a first-year running for office, after all!

Yuma: …Good luck, Harimiya.

Touji: Thank you, my dear friend! Please cast your noble vote for Touji Harimiya!

Mamoru: Now then, let the student council general election begin! Starting us off with his speech is our candidate Touji Harimiya-kun!

Rintarou: KSO~ ☆

Rintarou: President Kumarin / is watching from beyond the screen / to cheer you all on ☆ Everyone have fun and do your best~

As President Kumarin gave a little wave on the gigantic screen, Touji-kun bowed in a perfect right angle at him and then stood in front of the mic.

Touji: Good afternoon, everyone! I am your candidate for Shinonome Gakuen student council president, Touji Harimiya! That’s “Touji Harimiya”!

Takaomi: What are you, a politician…?

Touji: In the event that I become student council president, I shall take the utmost care to preserve the autonomy of all students, and shall bear the responsibility of safeguarding not only the future of Japan, but of the world – nay, the universe! – and ––

Shinya: (Amazing… Touji-kun’s only a first-year, yet he’s so confident. He’s got a broad perspective that someone like me couldn’t even begin to compare with, and most of all, he’s really conveying his passion in his words.)

Touji: My partner will now deliver my endorsement speech ––

Shinya: (Ah, Shion-san?)

Touji: As Mikekado-senpai is incredibly busy at the moment, I will be serving as his representative!

Touji: “The man known as Touji Harimiya possesses an unparalleled spirit of majesty and a spirit that transcends time, and on top of such is always prepared to lead fiercely without falling victim to arrogance––”

Senri: Harii… you’re endorsing yourself…

Yuma: Amazing, Harimiya…

Yanagi: ––Ah, Minato’s next.

Minato: Hi everyone~ I’m Minato Ushiwaka~. If I become student council president, the first thing I wanna do is create a siesta time.

Chizuru: That worthless piece of junk… he’s going completely off-script…!

Minato: If everyone has a nice siesta every day, we’ll become a school where everyone works hard in their studies~

Minato: That’s it. The end~

Shinya: (It’s been scientifically proven that taking midday naps improves focus and increases efficiency. Delivering a solid philosophy with such a mellow presence, it’s very Minato-like.)

Kasuka: –– I am Kasuka Shibutani. I do not endorse Minato Ushiwaka. That is all. Goodbye.

Minato: Ehehe.

Senri: U-Ushiwaka-senpai, you poor thing…

Yanagi: Well, with those two this is about what I’d expect.

Shinya: (Next up is ––… it’s Shigure’s turn. I have to do my best at my endorsement speech too!)

Shigure: –– I am Shigure Hakka of the second-year special class. Last year I served as the vice president of the student council. For this past year, I have sincerely done my best to perform my duties ––

Senri: Ah~ Hakka-senpai’s so stable and confident.

Touji: Hmm… He’s laying his foundation with steady, reliable claims and speaking with a vocabulary that embodies his personal sense of values and originality… Impressive as always, Hakka-senpai…

Shigure: … The time we have left to enjoy our immaturity of youth is short. We have only “a few years left”, so I…

Shigure: ––––

Shinya: (…? Shigure…?)

Mikage: ……

Shinya: … So I hope to be the one to fulfill the duties of the student council president.

[applause]

Shinya: (Ah, it’s my turn now!)

As I stood in front of the microphone, I looked over at Shigure.

Shigure: (Shinya…)

Shinya: (Don’t worry! Leave it to me, Shigure!)

Shinya: –– I have had the pleasure of closely watching Shigure Hakka-san in his role of vice student council president this past year. He is an incredibly gentle and fair person of character overflowing with compassion. I truly respect him.

Shigure: ………

Shinya: (Shigure…? Why is he making such a sad face?)

––After that, he immediately returned to that crisp, composed expression he had had in his speech, but…

Shigure’s depressed expression… no, that expression like he was tormented by his thoughts… left a deep impression on me, and I couldn’t help but worry.

––And so.

Senri: Agh~ when we get back to our rooms we have to vote, huh~. Hey, Yumapi, you’re going to vote for Harii right—

Shinya: Senri-kun!

Senri: Ah, Senpai, good job today! I could feel your friendship come through in your endorsement speech. It was really moving!

Shinya: Thank you.

Shinya: … Um, I’m sorry to ask so suddenly, but I have a bit of a favor.

Senri: A favor?

TO BE CONTINUED

[incorrect-kaosdiva-bullcrap-blog]

Yuni: Where did you get these? I thought they stopped making them!

Shigure: Well, we heard that too, and since they're your favourite -

Rintaro: We went out and stole a bunch.

Shigure:... I went back and paid for them.

[yumapii]

[Event Story] D.C. 10 Count [12/12]

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

Mamoru: Round 2 is about to start! ! Bianchi-kun got knocked down once in the first round but I wonder what will happen this time?! 

Champ: You good? I’ll make sure to K.O you this time.  

Yuni: If you can… Then go ahead and try! 

Champ: ! 

[flashback: 

Yuni: Let’s make a deal. 

Champ: A deal? 

Yuni: Go all out against me in our match. 

Champ: ….. 

Champ: Hey now, I’m a pro ya know? 

Yuni: And I’m a proud Sicilian. Holding back will conversely hurt me even more. 

Champ: …..

Yuni: Just like the athletes in this match, I want you to come at me with everything you’ve got. Otherwise the match would be pointless. 

Champ: What’s this DVD? 

/end flashback] 

Champ: You’re still going? 

Yuni: pant, pant 

Champ: It’s about time to end this farce. 

Shion: ! 

Rintarou: ( No, his step is too shallow, that must be-- ) 

Yuni: ( A fake! Now’s my chance! ! ! ! ) 

Shigure: ?! 

// Knocking he wouldn’t connect, Yuniyuni takes a big step forward, full of courage, and takes the punch face first on his own accord. // 

Champ: ?! 

// Slipping into his enemy’s space, a full body counter. Yuniyuni’s right hand breaks through, aiming for the Champ’s cheek-- // 

Shion: ! 

// Climbing over the ropes, the Ringside Doctor catches the tiny warrior. // 

Shinya: Call it off! This match is over! 

Yuni: Shibasaki… Don’t do… useless… things… 

Shigure: Someone get a stretcher! 

// The venue was in uproar. With Shin-chan as the leader, the first aid unit start treating Yuniyuni. // 

// Amidst the chaos, completely ignoring the mood, one man takes up the mic and begins to speak. // 

Champ: Mic test. 

Champ: Hey, you’re here right? 

// His strange question was met with an awkward silence. // 

Champ: Then come. 

// Of course I know who those words were directed at. Besides… That was my feeling too. // 

Mamoru: Wh-what is going on here?! 

Mamoru: Bianchi-kun’s secret weapon who was the star of the previous arm wrestling tournament has stepped into the ring! ! ! 

Shion: No way… Is that you? 

// To answer his question, I perform a Spinosaurus Fist with SHION’s body. (That was the pose I used to make when giving advanced warning that I was aiming for a K.O. ) // 

// The reason I was so late to Yuniyuni’s match was because I had been training to fight by possessing SHION. // 

Champ: Wow, you can do that?! 

Champ: Well, at least this way, we’re able to face off properly. 

Rintarou: Hah, I sure kept you waiting, huh, “myself”? 

// After making sure Yuniyuni was safely escorted off the venue, I take the mallet and ring the gong myself. And my opponent is “the part of me that didn’t progress”. // 

Champ: Round 1, Start ♪ 

Rintarou: Alright! 

// Jab, One-two, and then a Middle Kick. I dodge the attacks directed at me, and go for a Front Kick, which was evaded with a Sidestep. It’ll be over in an instant if I’m caught. No, I will catch him first! // 

[flashback:

Shion: Take revenge. 

Yuni: As long as you continue to breathe, your melody will never end. Wounds are the cornerstone of change. You can’t play the same melody forever, can you? The 10 Count is already over! 

Champ: I think I’m more suited to being “me”. And you’re more suited to wandering for eternity, don’t you think. 

// sigh I’m tired. Tired of struggling. // 

/end flashback] 

// Inviting a counter, I intentionally approach with lowered defence. // 

// And then he, who hates taking a Backstep, comes forward like a mirror reflection. // 

Rintarou: ( Now, now is the time! ) 

// For the longest time, I had been imprisoned by that ring, together with that neverending 10 Count. Staring up at the sky disgracefully, always being washed over by the bright stadium lights. //

// I put more strength into my legs, pushing myself off the floor no matter how unsightly I may seem. // 

Rintarou: ( If I don’t force this one step, I will, never, defeat myself! ! ! ) 

// With the Brave Heart that I have regained. Towards the world beyond that 10 Count, I can proudly say… // 

Rintarou: That the me as I am now is the most like me! ! ! 

// I take a huge step forward, much bigger than the one I took before. While experiencing sensation in my legs for the first time in a long while, I put all my power into a punch, landing straight on my past self’s cheek. // 

Shion: Cross Counter… 

Mamoru: He did it… As expected of Bianchi-kun’s strongest weapon! ! ! He’s splendidly defeated Kuma-kun~ ~ ! ! 

// The explosive cheers of the crowd sound so far away. // 

Rintarou: ( Yeah… I’m the strongest. Because I’m a God after all. ) 

// The view before me is the same as it was then, however the brightness of the lights was different. I raise a fist towards that light. // 

Rintarou: That was a good punch, self. 

// My raised arm was lit by the lights above. // 

[courtyard] 

// A few days later. // 

Shion: Does that mean we have to part? 

Yuni: Yes. We finished testing his capabilities so it’s time to send him back to Father for mass production. 

Touji: Please ensure that all the future models have a different design! If so many Mikekado-senpais were to appear… When two already stirred up my heart so… Oooh, a crowd of Mikekado-swenpwai… 

Yuni: He’s in his own world again… 

Shion: Leave him be. 

Yuni: President-san, don’t you want to say goodbye to SHION? 

// Yuniyuni turned back to call out to me but his interest was shifted to something else. // 

Yuni: Are those the gloves you lent me the other day? 

Rintarou: Yup. You’ve got to take them out to air sometimes. 

Yuni: Everyone says your match at the end was amazing. How regrettable! I wish I could have seen it too! 

Rintarou: Nyahaha! Well but considering the state you were in then. 

Rintarou: But I’m really thankful to Yuniyuni and Mikepon. 

Rintarou: Thank you. 

Shion: I didn’t really do anything.

Yuni: You’re very welcome ♪ 

// Yuniyuni smiles as bright as the sun and I return a smile of my own. Then I casually look up at the sky. // 

Rintarou: ( Perhaps that guy was also trying to help me move forward. Though there’s no way of knowing now. ) 

// And though it was supposed to be the same sky as always, for some reason… // 

Rintarou: ( The sky today is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. )

[yumapii]

[Event Story] D.C. 10 Count [1/12]

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

{ this was a commission but in any case, i got emotional }

[park] 

// The scenery before me expands and tilts. // 

// As my equilibrium warps, my eyes instinctively track my opponent. I review my position. My reflexive counter attack meets empty air, and then-- // 

// A textbook perfect uppercut connects with my exposed jaw. // 

// A slightly blurry sky comes to view, the sun’s light looks just like the lights on “that day.” My wavering mind cuts off from my body, as if it belonged to a different person, and it seemed to take ages before I hit the ground. // 

// I’m sure you’re wondering why the Super Hero was caught by him with an uppercut. // 

Rintarou: ( Why did I, the Super Hero, get caught by Mikepon’s counter uppercut, you ask? ) 

// It happened a couple of days ago… // 

Rintarou: ( It happened a couple of days ago… ) 

[kumayuni room] 

Rintarou: Yuniyuni, I’m back~! The Rocket Launching Festival in Thailand was super stimulating ☆ I got some souvenirs at the Return party so let’s- oh 

Yuni: President-san, welcome back! 

Rintarou: Oyoyo? It’s super rare to encounter Mikepon in my room! What’s the tea? Is it a secret from mua? 

Shion: He’s noisy as usual… 

Yuni: One of Shions’ amichi got their purse snatched, it seems. 

Rintarou: Say what?! As a hero, I can’t let that slide. MKK ☆ Won’t you/ tell me/ more about the incident?! 

Shion: I won’t forgive someone who targets the elderly. 

Yuni: He’s an unfair person. Resorting to theft instead of accumulating his own lottery tickets! 

Rintarou: Yup, yup, that is certainly underhanded… huh? Lottery ticket? 

Shion: The shopping district is having a campaign. If you collect 10 tickets, you can pull the lottery once. 

Yuni: Shion’s amichi was just 1 ticket away from 10 and yet, the 9 pieces she worked hard to collect were stolen… That’s just too sad! 

Yuni: That’s why we’re currently having a strategy meeting on how to catch the culprit, what to do with him, and which ocean he should be sunk into to become food for the fishes. 

Rintarou: Ohhhhhhh. 

Rintarou: ( Usually here’s where I sweep in and coolly offer my help but perhaps this time I won’t. They look like they’re really pouring their souls into it but more importantly… ) 

// I won’t be around anymore once I graduate. // 

Shion: The culprit is dangerous. He attacked my friend right when she took out her wallet to put her tickets away. Because of that, she even sustained a cut to the finger 2-3 millimetres in length. 

Rintarou: ( Only the tickets and not the wallet…? ) 

Yuni: He’s too fixated on lottery tickets. 

Yuni: But on the other hand, that makes it easy to lure him out. Someone just has to stand around with lottery tickets in hand. 

Rintarou: ( Eh?! Isn’t it kinda unwise to engage a dangerous criminal like that? Well, if it were someone confident in their grip strength like me then maybe but… ) 

Shion: Then what about Touji? 

Rintarou: ( Hmmm~ ~ ~ Kinda a diss on Touji but I’m ☆ Worried ) 

Yuni: Good idea! Harimi is noisy even when he doesn’t speak so I’m sure he’ll attract the culprit’s attention quickly! 

Shion: …On further thought, he might actually be too conspicuous. There should be a more suitable person. Someone better at acting natural… 

Rintarou: ( Wait, wait, wait, wait, I have so many comments about this. ) 

Rintarou: ( I want to advise them on a better method but then it’ll turn into me solving the problem again… Mmmm, but still! ! ) 

Yuni: But I think that alone is still too dangerous. We might need to enlist the help of someone strong. 

Rintarou: ( Ho. ) 

Shion: Do you have anyone in mind? 

Rintarou: ( Aww Mikepon, what a feint~ Isn’t the strongest helper right before your eyes--- ) 

Yuni: Actually, Father is currently having the Bianchi Family Engineers prepare a special Secret Weapon for some big project in the works. And it just so happens that they’re looking to test the weapon on an opponent so… I think it fits our situation perfectly. 

Shion: Hmm… I guess anything’s fine as long as it’s strong. 

Yuni: Kufufu, not just strong. That weapon is our finest masterpiece, the “strongest”. 

Rintarou: ! 

Yuni: It’s the strongest Secret Weapon in the world ♪ 

Rintarou: ( …Interesting. The “strongest in the world”, huh~ ) 

[student council room] 

// A few days later. // 

Rintarou: Mu… Mumu? 

// My nap on top of a line of chairs was disturbed by the faint sounds of excited cheering from somewhere far away. // 

Rintarou: Huh? No one’s here. Am I hearing things? 

Rintarou: Wait, it’s well into lunch break right now! I was supposed to do hand over with Usshi but he didn’t show up so I somehow spent the night here! 

// I return the chairs that I used as a bed to their original positions and stretch out my body which had gone stiff. // 

Rintarou: Well, nothing to be done that he didn’t show. Guess, I’ll grab something to eat first. 

[cafeteria] 

// While patting my growling stomach, I head towards the cafeteria where there was a surprising amount of people. // 

Male Student: Go! ! 

Female Student: That’s it! ! 

Rintarou: ( Oyo? Maybe this was what I heard earlier… ) 

// Taking a peek into the middle of the crowd, there was an unexpected person, in an unexpected appearance, doing an unexpected thing. // 

Rintarou: Mikepon?! 

Shion?: …..

[yumapii]

[Character Story] Ryugasaki Jin [1/9]

Parts 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

{ personal agenda tl ➁ }

[scene: supermarket]

// On a certain day, Yuma and Senri had gone to the nearby supermarket to buy snacks. // 

Senri: It’s so cheap! One bag of chips is only 57yen. 

Yuma: Yeah, it’s at least 50yen cheaper than convenience stores. 

Senri: Guess it’s true that supermarkets are the ally of commoners ♪ Oh, it’s our turn at the cashier- 

Shop Staff???: Welcome. Do you have a point card? 

Senri & Yuma: ?! 

Shop Staff???: Sirs? You’ve dropped your money. 

Senri: Ah… Errrrm… Eh? EH?! 

Yuma: Is that you, Ryugasaki-senpai? 

Den: No, my name is Ryugasaki Den. 

Senri & Yuma: Den…? 

Den: I’ll tally up your items now. You have 1 item at 57yen. 1 item at 57yen. 1 item at 57yen… 

Senri & Yuma: ….. 

Den: That’s a total of 6 items for 342yen. 

Senri: He-here… 

Den: I’ve received 500yen. 

Senri & Yuma: ….. 

Den: Here’s your change of 158yen and your receipt. Thank you very much for your patronage. 

Senri: Haaaaaa….... You’re definitely Ryugasaki-senpai, aren’t you? 

Den: No, I am Ryugasaki Den. 

Senri & Yuma: Den… 

// As Senri and Yuma stuff the 6 packets of chips in a shopping bag, they keep stealing glances at the Shop Staff: Ryugasaki Den. // 

Jin: ( Needless to say, I am Ryugasaki Jin.) 

// 2 weeks before the incident. // 

[scene: jinchizu room]

Rintarou: Jin, let’s part time together ♪ 

Jin: Part time? 

// That day, Rintarou-san who had been in the midst of recounting his experience of wandering India, suddenly said such an odd thing to me. // 

Rintarou: See, it’s gonna be summer vacay soon, right? I wanna get a driving licence. Gonna lickety-split at a driving camp ♪ So I need to earn some cash, I’m thinking like 250k ☆

Jin: Ho. And you intend to involve me in your eccentricity? Don’t you have that kind of amount at your disposal? 

Rintarou: I don’t save money, ya know. 

Jin: A shallow lie, did you think you could fool me? Based on my understanding, just by winning fights, you should have much more than you could know what to do with. 

Rintarou: ZLS ☆ ( I donated / everything / it felt great ) 

Jin: Huh? 

Rintarou: Having money on hand is a thing of the past ♪ Having a set goal to work towards is what makes money worth working for. Besides, the experience of toiling away is valuable. Oh damn, I'm seriously a genius, my future is just too bright. 

Jin: … I see. That way of thinking is certainly very like you, however it doesn’t seem terribly efficient. 

Chizuru: Pardon my intrusion.

Rintarou: Oh, Chizu-chan, otsu. 

Chizuru: ….. 

Chizuru: Thank you for your hard work, President. Jin-san, I am sorry for interrupting your conversation. 

Jin: Is it already time? 

Chizuru: Yes. I have already made proper preparations for the meeting. 

Rintarou: Meeting? You have to work even though it’s a day off? 

Jin: It is an important meeting. Please tell me more about India at the next opportunity. 

Jin: Oh and I have to decline the thing about the part time job, I prefer to witness your whims instead. 

Rintarou: Nyahaha. Jin is always busy like a bee, huh? Hey, before I go can I just ask you one thing? 

Jin: What is it? 

Rintarou: What’s the meeting for?

[yumapii]

[Event Story] D.C. 10 Count [10/12]

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

[track] 

Touji: How was it on your end?! 

Shion: No use, I can’t find him. 

Touji: Oh no… Just where did he fly off to? Don’t tell me he drifted off into space?! If that’s the case we won’t have any means of retrieving him… 

Senri: I don’t think it’s that grave… But this situation is so strange, even the famed detective Senri-kun can’t find him… 

Takaomi: He’s most likely stuck in some tree somewhere, right? Why did he fly off in the first place? 

Touji: Bianchi-kun and I were competing, and then some stuff happened, and after that Bianchi-kun said some stuff, and before any of us knew it, he was already floating away… 

Yuma: I don’t get it. 

Yuni: “I will make you remember your loss.” 

Yuni: He chickened out after I said that to the Champ. 

Shion: ….. 

Senri: For real? 

Yuni: ….. 

Touji: Bianchi-kun?! Where are you going?! 

Yuma: Harimiya, let’s regroup for now. It’ll be hard to look for a balloon without a proper plan. 

Touji: He’s not a balloon, he’s Kuma-senpai! ! 

Touji: However, what you say is true… We’re going to need a thorough plan. Now’s the time to activate this Harimiya brain. I’ll even contact Yoshiji to employ the Private Police blahblahblah~ 

Shion: ….. 

[kumayuni room] 

Champ: Huff, huff, huff… 

// Returning to the room, someone I “didn’t recognise” was working out passionately in the dark. // 

Yuni: ….. 

Champ: Why are you standing there~? Oh, since you’re here, what about training with me? 

Yuni: ….. 

Champ: ….. sigh 

// Growing impatient at my lack of words, this person who merely looks like President-san steps off his machine to stand before me. // 

Champ: What’s wrong? 

// A little bit of moonlight illuminates the room. We exchange looks. Pushing down the weirdness of facing that appearance, I firmly return his stare. // 

Yuni: Let’s make a deal. 

Champ: A deal? 

// With a snort, he drops his gaze. // 

// After that, my “favourite disc” was snatched away. // 

// In the dark of the night, someone yelled. // 

???: rou

???: Kuma Rintarou! 

Rintarou: … like I said… 

Rintarou: It’s Kumarin to you… 

// Coaxed to open my eyes at those words, the starry sky comes to view. // 

Rintarou: ( Too dazzling… ) 

[park] 

// A voice in the darkness had called me back to reality. // 

Shion: You’re finally awake. 

Rintarou: Huh? Why am I in a tree again? 

Shion: Don’t say such troublesome things. You were the one who flew away, no? 

// Those words trigger my memory. // 

Rintarou: ( Yeah~ That’s right. I let myself float off without any resistance but to think I would be caught by a branch so nearby. ) 

Shion: Anyway, come down. Everyone’s worried… 

Rintarou: Nyahaha, sorz sorz-- 

Champ: I found Mikepon. 

// I stiffen at the voice. // 

Champ: I happened to be out training but this saves me a trip to your room ☆ 

Shion: What? 

Champ: Hey now, I was just greeting ya ♪ Too much frowning and you’ll ruin your natural beauty, you know? 

Shion: Right back at you, you’re just picking a fight aren’t you? 

Champ: Well, I wouldn’t say it’s to that extent but I guess? 

Rintarou: ….. 

// Although this guy caused tension around him, he himself was looking around nonchalantly. // 

Champ: Is that supposed “other me” over there? 

Shion: What does it matter to you? 

Champ: Well what’s it matter to you? I only asked if he was around, what’s wrong with that? 

// For some reason he’s being snappy. // 

Rintarou: ( What’s this about? ) 

// Mikepon senses it too and sneaks a small glance at me but-- // 

Shion: He’s not here… 

Champ: Bingo ☆ I could tell from your eye movement. 

Champ: Hey, other me, are you looking? 

Shion: ….. 

Champ: I have a request, ya see? 

// My body looks at Mikepon, no at SHION. // 

Champ: You were the one who knocked “me” out at the park, right? Then how bout challenging me too? 

Rintarou: ! 

Shion: Stop it, that’s-- 

Champ: Mikepon, it’s uncouth to get in between fights amongst men. 

Shion: ….. 

Champ: Anyway, SHION-chan was made for combat, right? I don’t really get it but it’s a stain that you defeated “the other me” so I’ll take you on, come now. 

// The Champ stands imposingly, doing some light stretches as he continues to taunt. Then SHION steps forward without orders. // 

SHION: ….. 

Shion: Wait-- 

// He longer hears or sees anything else. I know this because it is “me”. // 

Champ: Ready, Go! 

// At once, I witness a familiar move. And just like I did that time, the other me reflexively goes for the counter. // 

Rintarou: ( He’ll lose. ) 

// Like a replay reel, the same moves are being repeated again, so the conclusion will be the same. But-- // 

// The “Champ” takes a huge step forward into his opponent’s space and then-- // 

SHION: !  

// With a strong punch, catches SHION in the cheek with a clean hit. // 

Shion: ! 

// Losing balance, SHION falls to the ground, unmoving. // 

// With just one move, this guy easily defeated the opponent who knocked me out. // 

Champ: Haha. Just like I thought. 

Champ: Err, this way? Oh or was it there? Hey~ I don’t know where you’ve gone but… 

// Although the Champ wasn’t supposed to be able to see me, his gaze was firmly fixed onto me. // 

Champ: I think I’m more suited to being “me”. And you’re more suited to wandering for eternity, don’t you think?  

Rintarou: ( ….. ) 

Champ: Did he say something? 

Shion: I don’t know, just go away already. 

Champ: Aww, I’m sorry, then just one more thing. 

Champ: I’m still more suited to being “me” but I will be doing the match with Yuniyuni who wants to knock me out, so you should come watch. 

// He takes a look at the silent Mikepon, then with a lazy smile, he leaves the area. // 

Shion: ….. 

Rintarou: ….. 

Rintarou: sigh 

// I heave a huge sigh, trying to organise my thoughts. Even the silence couldn’t bury this patheticness. // 

Rintarou: Ah crap, I’m strong, man… 

// Recklessly facing any opponent, a heart that simply doesn’t know defeat, with surprising audacity, he mercilessly charges forward to deliver a finishing blow. // 

Rintarou: If only I didn’t lose then… 

Shion: Take revenge. 

Rintarou: Eh? 

// I blink my eyes at Mikepon. // 

Shion: Take your revenge. You are you. Because this version of you is the you of the present. If you have the energy to chase after “what ifs”, then stand up and show us your guts. 

Rintarou: ( Stand up… ) 

// It was rare for Mikepon to be so imploring. // 

Shion: It doesn’t matter if you’re motivated by anger or regret, it’s better than standing still, and letting yourself be left behind by the current. 

Rintarou: ….. 

// Back then, I didn’t stand back up. // 

Rintarou: ( “What if at that time?” “What if at that time?” Thinking like that will turn even today into a “what if at that time?” ) 

SHION: ….. 

// I had been clenching my fist hard enough to leave marks when SHION soundlessly stands up. // 

Rintarou: ( You’re going to struggle with me? ) 

// Although I couldn’t feel the ground, I put my feet down, lowering my waist, both fists at the ready.  

Rintarou: This is literally shadow boxing, huh? 

--

there’s a bit of ‘people die when they are killed’ type of talking in this story, haha

[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:  - 炬燵 (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] D.C. 10 Count [11/12]

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

[boxing ring - yume system] 

Mamoru: It’s finally time for the much anticipated event, the talk of the school as of late: The Boxing Match between Bianchi-kun and Kuma-kun! 

Mamoru: Due to the huge difference in their skills, some handicaps have been implemented, these were strongly pushed for by Hakka-kun-- 

Shigure: I will now explain the precautions. In order to close the gap between their abilities, some special rules have been put in place for this match. The President is not allowed to connect any punches, and kicks are completely NG, was what I wanted but at Yuni’s insistence, it’s been reworked to allow 1 punch per round. 

Shigure: Additionally, each round will only last 1 minute, with a total of 4 rounds. Shibasaki-kun is also being stationed as the ringside doctor. Finally, a message for the President. In the event any harm is imposed onto Yuni, I will ensure that not a single trace of you, not hair nor DNA, will remain on this Earth-- 

Shinya: Shigure, stop, stop! 

Mamoru: An-anyway, even with those special rules, will Bianchi-kun be able to overpower Kuma-President?! The gong is about to ring! 

[backstage] 

Shion: Here.These are from Kuma Rintarou. 

Yuni: Where is President-san? 

Shion: He’s on the way. 

// Shion helps me put on the gloves from President-san. // 

Yuni: They’re loose. 

Shion: Even still, I think they’re good on you. 

Yuni: ….. 

Shion: Work hard, and be careful. 

// Shion stands to leave after his short message, and I call out to him. // 

Yuni: Is it really so painful to get hurt? 

// Shion turns back slowly. // 

Shion: I can accept that the larger the scar, the more damage it causes, but it is still difficult. 

[ring] 

// The audience’s cheers are deafening. A bright spotlight washes over the ring. And in the centre of it all, stood the Champ and I. // 

Champ: Did “I” run away? 

Yuni: He’s here. 

Champ: Oh? Well not that it really matters to me. Shall we start? 

// Just by him approaching me with a raised glove, the crowd instantly grew louder. The “Glove Touch” is the signal of the start of the match. Before I respond, I take a moment to close my eyes and enjoy the sounds of the venue. // 

Yuni: ….. 

Yuni: ( President-san. Perhaps President-san wants to forget that 10 Count. But to me, it is the most beautiful 10 Count in existence. ) 

// On that day, a hero died. // 

// There were two principal melodies. A hero was supposed to pass his torch. Although the two melodies ran parallel, in time the younger one began to crumble. Naturally, the people start to cheer for him, the underdog, cheering for a comeback. To turn the tide around, for a result so perfect it had to be crafted by God. The building frustration is instead turned into the basis of catharsis. // 

Yuni: ( I’ll win. No matter what. ) 

// A raging melody of dignified stubbornness rises from the pits of one’s chest, muddying the music sheets with an inky black. What power! // 

Yuni: ( I’ll be the victor! Even if it kills me! ! ! ) 

// The tenacity to change fate levels the hero into a human, and the undefeatable hero who had never known to fear tastes it for the first time. And then-- 

An unsatisfying ending. The dreadfully silent 10 Count. Fine. 

Yuni: ( Ahh… ) 

// Even if they’re called ‘unfair’ or ‘dirty’, oh how beautiful a human is, driven mad in the face of death. // 

Yuni: pant, pant, pant  

// None of my punches reach him. Not knowing when to breathe, I feel like I’m suffocating. // 

Yuni: ( But, I have to win. No matter what I have to do! ) 

// This feeling is just like the hero’s back then. // 

Champ: Those eyes… 

Yuni: Uwaaaaaa! ! ! 

Champ: ! 

// As I moved in to attack, the Champ reflexively returned a punch. // 

Yuni: ( Ya… ) 

// Without time to even think of dodging, the strike connects with my shoulder and the force sends me falling. // 

Shigure: I’ll kill him. 

Shinya: Calm down, Shigure! 

// Though Nii-sama was at the ringside, his voice felt so far away. I know that to the Champ that punch was just a fraction of his strength. Despite that, my body refuses to move, as if it has melted into the floor. // 

Crowd: 1! 2! 3! 

// This is the 10 Count. // 

Yuni: ( This is what was haunting President-san so much that he was blown away by the wind. ) 

// If I just stay here, the match will end. It’s not like it would kill me. // 

Yuni: ( I don’t understand… ) 

Crowd: 6! 7! 8! 

???: Yuniyuni! ! ! 

Yuni: ! 

Rintarou: Stand up! The first round is almost done! Come back here! ! 

Yuni: President-san… 

Yuni: ( He came… After all this time… ) 

// I clench the fists in my too-big gloves. // 

Yuni: ( Move… Stand! ! ) 

// The crowd’s countdown won’t stop, the rhythm almost holding me down. From my blood to my cells, a strange encouragement pulses and I stand. // 

Mamoru: Wo… woah… 

Mamoru: Bianchi-kun has stood back up! Does he still have it in him? 

// Standing in front of the shocked man, I crack a smile. And then the gong signals the end of the round. // 

Mamoru: Oh, that’s the end of the round! It seems Bianchi-kun was saved by the bell! We will now enter a minute long interval. 

………. 

Shion: Yuni! 

// As Yuniyuni staggered back to the corner, Mikepon rushed to wrap him in a towel, ushering him to the chair. // 

Rintarou: Mikepon, put the ice pack between his pits! SHION, take out his mouthpiece and put some water into his mouth! Yuniyuni, don’t swallow that water, spit it out into the bucket! It’s going to hurt like hell later if you drink it! 

Yuni: pant, pant President-san… you’re late. 

Rintarou: Yeah, I’m sorry, Yuniyuni. 

Yuni: It’s not about “sorry”! 

// Although I knew I couldn’t touch anything, I still knelt before Yuniyuni. // 

Rintarou: I’m really sorry, there was something I had to do. 

Yuni: For someone who fought hard, an injury is a badge of honour. To be ashamed of it and run away is not only shameful but unappreciative. 

Rintarou: ….. 

Yuni: As long as you continue to breathe, your melody will never end. Wounds are the cornerstone of change. You can’t play the same melody forever, can you? The 10 Count is already over! 

Yuni: Don’t get hung up over something like that. President-san is a hero isn’t he? If not then I apologise. 

// His piercing gaze tells me he’s never once doubted me. // 

Rintarou: ( I think… ) 

// What I lost on that day was… // 

Rintarou: Yuniyuni, you asked me to teach you to Counter before, right? 

Yuni: Yeah. 

Rintarou: Brave Heart. That’s all you need. 

Yuni: ….. 

// I extend a fist before Yuniyuni and he returns it in his loose gloves. // 

Yuni: I’ll be going. 

Rintarou: Yeah, go get him!

[yumapii]

[Event Story] D.C. 10 Count [9/12]

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

// The back yard was usually a quiet place but today, a crowd of passionate men have gathered. // 

// And in the centre, standing at the base of the tree, stood Touji and Yuniyuni. The tension was about to snap. // 

Touji: I, Harimiya Touji, son of Japan, accept your duel, Bianchi-kun. 

Yuni: I will show you the might of a Sicilian man. 

Champ: whistle ♪ The both of you are super raring to go. Well then, whoever catches the most leaves within the stipulated time is the winner, yeah? 

Champ: First up is Touji, Ready-- 

// At the sound of “Go”, Touji slams into the tree, sending a large amount of leaves raining down. // 

Yuni: ! 

Rintarou: ( Just by the number of leaves alone, he’s already better off than Yuniyuni was earlier. We might be in a pinch. ) 

Touji: Shishishi Shi, Shi Shiiiiiiii! ! ! 

// As expected of someone who spent the whole night practicing. With brisk Jabs, Touji was able to catch 90% of the leaves. // 

Champ: Time’s up. 

Touji: pant 18, huh? I missed 10%... However, that means I still have room to grow, right, Mikekado-senpai? 

Shion: I wasn’t paying attention. 

Champ: Kay next, it’s Yuniyuni’s turn. 

Yuni: ….. 

// Yuniyuni steps up to the tree. If he can’t get at least 19 leaves to fall, it won’t even be a competition. That said, based on Yuniyuni’s earlier result… // 

Rintarou: ( ….. ) 

Champ: Alright on your marks, Ready… Go! 

Yuni: Ya! ! ! 

// Contrary to the might of his shout, the number of leaves that fall don’t even reach 10. // 

Champ: Arere? 

Rintarou: ( A world where. ) 

Rintarou: ( A world where one is not the main characters is vexing. ) 

// I concentrate all my energy into my hands. “No matter what I have to do”, I want to let Yuniyuni win. Because I don’t want to hurt the innocent Yuniyuni who still believes that I am a perfect, undefeatable Hero. That’s why I- // 

Rintarou: UWOOOOOOO! ! ! 

// With all my strength, I start hitting against the tree, and slowly, more and more leaves begin to fall. // 

Champ: Ehhh?! What’s happening? A bunch of leaves started falling?! 

Shion: Yuni! 

// At Shion’s prompting, the flabbergasted Yuniyuni snaps to attention and then-- // 

Yuni: SiSiSiSiSiSiSiSi ! ! ! 

Rintarou: ( ! ) 

// His repeated Jabs were faster than I expected. // 

Rintarou: ( That’s great, Yuniyuni… He’s really taken all our training to heart! ) 

Yuni: That’s… the end… 

// Grabbing the last leaf, Yuniyuni turns back to us while panting. // 

Rintarou: You did good~! ! ! 

Shion: That was amazing. 

Touji: Ho-how many did you get?! 

// Touji starts to count the leaves in Yuniyuni’s hand but the other me interrupts him. // 

Champ: There’s no need to count, right? It’s obvious that the loser… 

Champ: Is you. 

Touji: Ho-how could this be… Even though I practiced all night. To think that I, Harimiya Touji, would lose… 

// Touji faltered to his knees and the Champ crouches to match him. // 

Champ: Well, it can’t be helped. No matter how much you practice a “regular human’s” potential is just that. 

// Right now, Touji has been hurt. Everyone who understood this stiffened and the atmosphere grew cold, with the exception of the Champ. // 

Touji: A regular person…? 

Champ: Hmm? Did I say something wrong? But see if you were a God or a genius you wouldn’t have lost.  

Rintarou: Oi! 

Champ: You’re no longer fit to be in the ring, but you’re still in the stadium. That’s proof that you’re a “regular person”. Then again, a large majority of people are like “that” that’s why it’s called “regular” so don’t worry about it too much~ ☆ 

// The Champ moves to give Touji a pat on the shoulder but Touji evades him. // 

Touji: I’m… I’m… a Harimiya… I’m already at the top… I cannot be like the common folk… 

Rintarou: ( Was my past self, really such a person? Such a-- ) 

Yuni: me. 

Touji: Eh… 

Rintarou: Yuniyuni? 

Yuni: Fight me! 

Champ: Hmm… Wait, are you talking to me? 

Yuni: Is “God” afraid of losing to a “regular person”? 

Champ: Whether I’m fearful or not, it’s just that I don’t lose, see? 

Yuni: Then I will make you remember your loss from 2 years ago. 

Rintarou: ! 

// Those smooth words shocked me so hard, I stopped breathing. Just like that time, when all I could do was be knocked down, it feels like I lost all control of my body. // 

Champ: Hmmm~ Well, I don’t really mind accepting it if you’re going to be so brave. 

Champ: Fine, I’ll take you on. However… If I’m going to do this, I would like to make it at least a little fun. 

Disciple A: Ohhh a match between a pair… 

Disciple B: But don’t you think their abilities and experience are too far apart? 

Yuni: ….. 

Shion: Huh? Where did he go? 

Yuni: ? If you’re talking about President-san, he was just over there… 

Yuni: He’s gone. 

Touji: AHHHHHH! ! ! Senpai, Kuma-senpai has floated off into the sky! ! ! 

Yuni: President-san?!?! 

// The wind caresses my cheek. Even though I can’t touch anything else, for some reason that sensation alone felt super real. It felt so good, I wouldn’t mind throwing away my body. // 

Rintarou: ( ….. ) 

[flashback:

Yuni: Then I will make you remember your loss from 2 years ago. 

/end flashback] 

Rintarou: ( So he knew all along. ) 

Touji: Kuma-senpai! ! ! 

Rintarou: It’s Kumarin to you… 

// Although no one hears my last murmurings, I continue to let myself be carried upwards into the boundless sky. And then, as if escaping everything, I close my eyes. 

I pretended to be an undefeatable hero. I even played coach. // 

Rintarou: ( Aren’t I super lame? ) 

[shinshigu room] 

// A little while before the duplication incident. // 

Yuni: Go, go! Hit him with a Rabbit Punch~! ! 

// Because it was boring while President-san was away, I paid a visit to Nii-sama’s room. // 

Shigure: Rabbit Punches are illegal, you know. 

Yuni: Nii-sama! Welcome back! 

Shigure: Hello, Yuni. It’s getting rather late so let’s lower the volume, alright? 

Yuni: Hey, Nii-sama, Shibasaki’s out until morning for an operation right? Can I stay over? 

Shigure: Guess it can’t be helped. 

Yuni: Yay! Then let’s watch DVDs together! 

// At my insistent tugging on his sleeve, Nii-sama smiles and sits down next to me. // 

Shigure: You’ve brought quite a lot of DVDs with you. That said, for you to suddenly want to watch the President's old matches, are you planning something again? 

Yuni: I’m not! Father is trying to build the strongest soldier so I am just helping with that. 

Shigure: I see, afterall, guns are banned in Japan. Don’t tell me you guys plan on installing fight data of the “strongest” fighter. 

// Sounding slightly impressed, Nii-sama sifts out a slightly dirty disc from the pile. On its white cover there was a date scribbled in marker. It was a date from two winters ago. // 

Shigure: ….. 

Yuni: Do you want to watch that match, Nii-sama? 

Shigure: Eh... 

Yuni: That match is my absolute favourite. 

// When I happily held the DVD close to myself, Nii-sama smiled although it was a little wry. //

[yumapii]

[Event Story] D.C. 10 Count [6/12]

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

// The tense atmosphere was broken by Usamaru sticking out his arm. // 

Shigure: What’s the matter, Nito-kun? 

Yuma: It kind of looks like the antenna on an old phone. 

Takaomi: Don’t go telecommunicating with the moon now. 

// Usamaru returns Shisimaru’s comment with a complacent smile. // 

Takaomi: Gross… 

Senri: But you see, despite the mountain of mysteries before us, I managed to solve something faster than a certain famed detective. 

Senri: There is a pattern between whether or not someone can see Kumarin-senpai ♪ 

Touji: Say what?! 

Yanagi: Heeeeh 

Minato: Tell us, tell us~ 

Senri: That is… 

Senri: Nwope, I don’t think it’s something I can say here. 

Kasuka: What do you mean? 

Takaomi: Annoying. Stop stalling and spit it out. 

Senri: Okay then, it’s a liiiiiiiitle hard to say but I’ll whisper it to Hari ♪ 

Touji: Oh, you are choosing me to announce it? As expected of my friend! Please allow me to listen to your deduction. 

Senri: Fufufu, actually gonyo gonyo 

Touji: I see, I see. 

Senri: Gonyo… And that’s why gonyogonyogonyo 

Touji: ?! 

Shion: What? 

Minato: Touji’s face is as red as strawberries. 

Yanagi: Is it something suggestive, I wonder. 

Senri: The end. Got it? 

Touji: Th-th-th-th… 

Touji: That is a rash and irrelevant speculation! It is dangerous to invite misunderstanding of that level! An invasion of p-p-p-privacy, undiplomatic, rejected! ! ! 

Takaomi: Huh? 

Shion: Meaning? 

Touji: ….. 

Shion: Nito Senri, tell me. 

Senri: Okay, so-- 

Touji: AHHHHH! ! !  Ac-actually! Actually, truthfully, I maybe can’t see Kuma-senpai either, now that I think about it! To be precise, I am somewhat able to see but don’t have visual confirmation. 

Takaomi: What kind of contradictory explanation is that? You were clearly conversing with Kuma earlier. 

Yuma: I don’t think that’s possible, Harimiya. 

Touji: Well that’s, you see, it’s the same as Mikekado-senpai where if I concentrate I can hear his voice… I think… Yes, that's it. 

Shion: Enough. 

// Looking thoroughly exasperated, Mikepon pulls out a flyer-looking thing from the back pocket of Touji’s pants. // 

Shion: Afterall, you are the “other Rintarou’s” ally anyway. 

Touji: Th-that’s! 

Shinya: What’s that? 

Shigure: “Application to be a disciple of Kumaz Fight Club. The Strongest Hero-Champion’s Kickboxing Gym. Acquire the toughest abs and the secret to popularity in 3 days.” 

Yuni: Harimi, you wish to be the disciple of the fake President-san? 

Touji: Errr, I was going to participate, but I had no intentions of enrolling. 

Shion: There’s a limit to simplemindedness.

Touji: In-in the first place even if that is a duplicate Kuma-President, he is still the legendary Student Council President who held the position for two terms. Someone who aspires to enter the world of politics like me could learn a thing or two from his overwhelming charisma-ma-ma- 

Senri & Minato: escape… 

Mikage: Looks like we have two more criminals here. 

Shion: ….. 

Senri: Eeeeep, no we were just--  

Rintarou: ( ….. ) 

// Stepping away from the boisterous circle, I realise something. // 

Rintarou: ( Hmm? Where did Yuniyuni go? ) 

[gym] 

Rintarou?: Let’s go BOYS! ! ! Say my name! ! ! 

Disciples: Wooooooah! ! ! Champ! Champ! Champ! ! ! 

Champ: Okie, then next-- 

Yuni: Say your prayers! ! 

Champ: Wha-?! 

Rintarou: Yuniyuni! 

// Searching for the missing Yuniyuni, the group of us make it to the gym in time to witness Yuniyuni bring down a gigantic hammer and the “other me” barely dodge the attack. // 

Yuni: Stop dodging, it’s cowardly! 

Champ: Wow ♪ I’m an avid supporter of surprise attacks so I like this kind of thing in theory how.e.ver~ 

// He gracefully dodges the attack with a backflip, going with the momentum to shift into breakdance, topping it off with a chair freeze. // 

Champ: You can’t reach God ☆  

Disciples: Champ’s so cool! ! ! 

Champ: Yeah, keep the cheers coming! 

Disciples: Champ! Champ! Champ! 

Yuni: …..

--

the sprite animations really add to the story and i recommend you read along with them if you can

[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