twilightmalachite

[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Epilogue

Characters: Yuuta, Hinata, Kaoru, Izumi

Translation: Mika Enstars

"…Thank you, Yuuta-kun."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: 2wink ThanX Festival Stage

The day of the 2wink Fan ThanX Festival, in the audience…

Kaoru: Whoa~, they pulled it off again…! Those two are incredibly nimble!

Even though I’m not the one doing it, I keep getting second-hand anxiety that they’ll mess up!

Izumi: Like, how is it even possible to juggle whilst so off-balanced?

…Though, this feels more like an acrobatic troupe’s performance than an idol one.

Kaoru: Ahaha, well that’s fine, isn’t it? It’s a performance suited for those two, right?

They used the weapons they had to appeal to their strengths. That’s what 2wink has always done.

Still, I didn’t expect you to attend, Senacchi.

Izumi: I just happened to get a ticket from Yuuta-kun. I didn’t have any other plans, so the timing just worked out, that’s all.

On the other hand, I’m surprised that you’re the only one out of UNDEAD to attend, Kao-kun. I figured they’d all be there to see this.

I had gotten the impression you and the others are really fond of these guys, you know?

Kaoru: So even you got that impression, huh, Senacchi?

Well, the truth is, the others all had work they had to do and so they wouldn’t be able to attend, but…

I actually just got a message earlier that they’re on their way.

Seems that in the end, they really want to see their juniors perform on the big stage.

…It’s not like we’re those two’s guardians, or anything.

We understand that being over-concerned with them would end up being meddling those kids’ don’t need, but…

Even still, when one of them has a gloomy face right beside you, you just can’t help but reach out to them, you know?

Izumi: I mean, that’s fine, right?

No matter how splendidly they grow, it’ll never change the fact that they’re important to you.

Izumi: …If they don’t like being worried about, then they’ll just have to prove themselves on stage.

Perform the best live ever, and blow away all of our worries.

Location: Backstage Wing

Hinata: Good job, Yuuta-kun! The energy around the venue is absolutely fantastic~!

Yuuta: Good job to you too, Aniki. …Though let me remind you that the real deal starts now!

Hinata: Yup! If up until now has been a performance depicting 2wink’s past, then from here on out it’s a performance to show “what's to come”!

…Thank you, Yuuta-kun.

Yuuta: What’s this all of a sudden, Aniki?

Hinata: I just was thinking about how hard it must’ve been leading a project for a Fan Thanx Festival.

Sure, you’ve had to think up plans and hold meetings with staff before, but… I don’t think you’ve ever done something to this scale before.

I think the Fan ThanX Festival is far bigger than anything we’d ever done before. And I imagine it was really tough communicating and stuff with Mitsushita-san too.

Yuuta: That’s for sure. It was to the point that there was a time I seriously was afraid of what was going to happen…

But, in the end, I think I managed a live performance that was satisfactory.

That, and… It gave me a chance to reassess things.

Hinata: Like… yourself?

Yuuta: Well, a lot of things? Myself, the feelings of my fans… and you too, I guess?

I found myself thinking, “and this sort of tough stuff is what Aniki’s always doing as leader”, at times.

Hinata: Yaay! ♪ Yuuta-kun praised me!

Hinata: …But you know, I haven’t done anything as tough as you did, you know?

I’d never come up with plans and stuff all on my own. And if anything happened, I’d always go right to Yuuta-kun, you know?

Speaking of which, this time around I respected your decision and didn’t butt in much, but…

You still managed to complete the project. And that’s really amazing. I’m really happy, you know.

So, thank you Yuuta-kun, for making this 2wink live such an amazing one! ♪

Yuuta: Sigh… You’re just exaggerating, Aniki.

Hinata: So, from now on, I think I’ll ask you to help out by doing plan meetings and the like too, Yuuta-kun!

The two of us make 2wink, after all~. Let’s continue to help each other out, ‘kay?

Yuuta: …You say that, but you just want to go and have fun, don’t you?

Well, that’s fine. The experience will come in handy for when I do solo work, right? ♪

Hinata: Hey~! Don’t say such lonely things, Yuuta-kun!

Yuuta: You’re being too clingy, Aniki. My outfit’s going to fall apart. A lot of effort was put into the making of these, you know?

And our time is nearly up too, so get it together, okay?

Hinata: Yessir~. We have to make sure we show our fans how serious we are!

Location: 2wink ThanX Festival Stage

Hinata & Yuuta: “Láilai! Láilai!”[1]

Hinata: “Everyone, are you enjoying our live?”

Yuuta: “In the first half, we sang some of our old songs and showed off some of our fan-favorite performances!”

Hinata: “Feelin’ nostalgic? But y’know, we’re just not satisfied with stopping there!”

Yuuta: “There’s not enough excitement and thrill in looking back and going, “wow, it’s been great”!”

“What, oh just what are we going to do? I’m sure you all have hiiigh expectations for us…”

Hinata: “After all, we 2wink are the only ones who can blow your expectations out of the water!”

Yuuta: “Don’t feel satisfied just yet!”

“Starting now, we welcome you all to a world of amazing fun…♪”

Hinata: “♪~♪~♪”

(…This is so fun, isn’t it, Yuuta-kun? ♪)

(To tell the truth, when our plans for the Fan ThanX Festival were more or less finalized… I too felt like there still was something missing.)

(But, I didn’t say it right away.)

(Because, this time, it was you who wanted to proceed with the plan’s management. I thought that as long as you were happy with it, it’s fine.

(And I believed that our fans would feel happy with it, too.)

(…But, then you said that it wasn’t enough. That you wanted to ensure it was an amazing performance, one that’d surprise our fans even more.)

(We might be aligning less and less, and we have more differences than ever, but, y’know?)

(At that moment, we shared the very same feelings. And I thought, “things will be just fine the way they are, won’t they?”)

Hinata: (That… Just that alone makes me incredibly happy!)

(To be able to stand on the same stage as you like this, with all of our fans supporting us like this… I’m so happy! ♪)

(So, Yuuta-kun… Let’s have even more fun! Let’s make today’s performance the very best it can ever be!”

Yuuta: “♪~♪~♪”

(Aren’t you flying a bit fast, Aniki? Trying to provoke me, are you?)

(Fine by me. I’ll show you!)

(…This is 2wink’s performance. Our fan’s eyes are all on us, but…)

(That doesn’t mean it’ll last forever. There’s always the chance fans will be drawn away or lose interest.)

(—I won’t allow that to happen.)

(Everybody here. I want all of them to gaze upon 2wink and 2wink only. I won’t let anyone else have them.)

(I want to capture everyone’s hearts, and never let them go! I’ll prove myself to them with my brilliance!)

Yuuta: “Now, the fun’s only just getting started! Don’t take your eyes off us, even for a second!”

“We’re going to make this a performance so amazing that you won’t be able to think of us, and nothing else…♪”

[ ☆ ]

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They say “来来” here, which is “rairai” in Japanese, and “láilai” in Mandarin Chinese, meaning “come, come!” or “come and see!”. Since it was intentionally chosen for its shared use in Chinese, I’ve decided to translate it into Mandarin Chinese.

[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Sparkle future 4

Characters: Yuuta, Hinata, Izumi

Translation: Mika Enstars

(This is one of those cases where this’ll be done and over with quicker if I just give up and talk about it, isn’t it~…?)

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Starmony Dorm Common Room

Yuuta: Ack, it’s Sena-senpai.

Izumi: Excuse me, Yuuta-kun? Now exactly what is that reaction for?

Yuuta: Ahaha… Sorry, you just surprised me.

Now then, I suppose I’ll be heading back to my room~…

Izumi: Don’t you try sneaking off like that.

You’re having worries over the Fan ThanX Festival, aren’t you? If something’s bothering you, then talk about it.

I’ll lend you my aid, Yuuta-kun. You’re an exception!

Yuuta: …Nah, it’s not really anything that discussing with you would help, Sena-senpai~.

Yuuta: (quietly) I don’t want to be at your whims like when you took my phone from me…

Izumi: …Well, I also regret what happened back then too, alright?

I mean, it’s because of what happened then that I’m concerned about you, Yuuta-kun.

ANzu said that you’re doing fine now, but seeing how you are right now doesn’t really give me that impression, you know?

Yuuta: Umm, honestly, I’d rather I be left alone…

Izumi: I’m sorry? You’re such a pain, you know! I’ve told you that much, so be thankful and talk about it with me!

Yuuta: (This is one of those cases where this’ll be done and over with quicker if I just give up and talk about it, isn’t it~…?)

Sigh… Okay, fine. Well, will you hear me out, then?

Izumi: But of course! You should have just listened to me obidiently from the get-go, Yuuta-kun! ♪

Yuuta: …

Time passes…

Izumi: I see…

Since if you feel like there’s something missing, then won’t your Fan ThanX Festival be half-hearted in the end?

Yuuta: Wow, that sure was blunt…

Izumi: Because it’s just fact. If you don’t like it, then I think you need to discuss it thoroughly with Hinata-kun.

It’ll be disrespectful to your fans too for you to go on stage while feeling that way.

Yuuta: (…It’s frustrating, but it’s just as Sena-senpai said.)

(There’s something bothering me about our plan, but I haven’t told Aniki about it.)

(One reason is because even I didn’t know what was missing, so I just didn’t bring it up to avoid trouble…)

(I felt like I should think on it and come up with an answer since I said I was taking the lead this time around.)

Izumi: I guess I’m surprised, though. I thought you two knew your own respective strengths.

Isn’t coming up with crafty stunts and other ideas that’d put you at your best you two’s forte??

Yuuta: Crafty stunts, you say…

You’re right, though. We had been desperate to climb ourselves up the ladder.

We had no choice but to fight using our heads if we were to not get crushed by the stronger units around us.

The same went for last year, too. We had to promote ourselves to well-known producers in the industry and try to outbid our rivals.

…But, this time around, it’s not like that.

There’s no unit that we want to defeat, and there’s nobody we’re trying to gain approval from.

So… I guess that’s why we just don’t know what to do.

(Now that I think about it, we ran into this same trouble when thinking up what to do for our Repayment Festival…)

(Back then, the proposal we came up with didn’t suit us because we weren’t “good kids”.)

Yuuta: …If that’s the case, then what might be missing from this proposal is “our personality”.

Our Fan ThanX Festival is a time we can express our gratitude to those who have supported us all this time.

Is it really alright for us to show “our personality” and not be good kids? Shouldn’t this be us returning only our pure feelings?

Izumi: …Then it’s exactly as I thought. You’ll just have to accept it and do things the way you do things.

Yuuta: What do you mean by that?

Izumi: You said so yourself. You said you guys would devise strategies to promote yourself to well-known producers and others you want to gain approval from.

So, you should do that, but for your fans.

Yuuta: …Uhh?

Izumi: Do you still don’t get it? What does it mean to you to “promote yourself”, Yuuta-kun?

Yuuta: Umm, well to emphasize my strengths and what I’m good at in order to land a job…

Izumi: Okay, so those strengths and things you’re good at are in other words, your charm, yeah?

Make the brilliance that lies within you known to someone else and make them want to see more… Raise their expectations.

Now, why not do that, but to your fans?

Yuuta: …!

Izumi: Is getting a job the only objective you have? No, right?

To begin with, if you are to be an idol, who are the very first people you have to convey your own charm to?

Is it the people who will give you jobs? The other idols you have to beat?

Yuuta: No, it’s my fans. All my fans who support me.

Izumi: Exactly. Even in terms of work, the more the people who say they want to see you, the more the jobs you will get will rise naturally.

Although I wouldn’t know what your goals are, Yuuta-kun…

I do know it’s a given for idols to want to convey their individual charm to their fans.

Will your fans forever gaze upon you? You don’t really think they’ll never look at other idols, do you?

Those are the feelings of yours that are missing from the proposal, Yuuta-kun.

Yuuta: —A performance by Aoi Yuuta that will captivate every fan…

Not only to express my gratitude, but to continue to receive their support into the future…

…I feel a little pathetic having been unable to realize that.

Izumi: It’s easy to miss what’s always been in front of you, isn’t it?

Truth is, learning to promote yourselves to those within the industry ultimately helps in conveying your charm to your fans, you see.

Yuuta: Thank you so much, Sena-senpai.

I’ll deliver the best performance I can to our fans to where they’ll never be able to take their gaze off from me… no, from 2wink.

Izumi: Good, good. Now that’s a face I like to see. ♪

Give it your all, okay? I’m one of those people out there who support you, after all.

Location: CosPro Office Meeting Space

The next day, at the CosPro Office Meeting Space…

Hinata: …You want our Fan ThanX Festival’s structure to be divided into two halves?

Yuuta: Yeah. The first half to be our live, the one in our proposal thus far.

But, for the second half, I want to show everyone something even more powerful than the performance we gave them.

I don’t want to just look back upon our past. I want our present to be compared with our past, and everyone to see how great we’ve become.

I want to surprise our fans with something that’ll leave them thinking “they could do something like that?!”

Hinata: Will it be alright to change the structure at this point? Does Mitsushita-san know?

Yuuta: Mhm. They told me that he’ll be sure the staff and any other parties involved consent to it. We’ve begun preparing any documents needed for that.

Hinata: You’re serious about this, huh, Yuuta-kun.

Won’t it be tough on you? On top of practice, you'll have more stuff to do than myself.

Yuuta: I’ll do what needs to be done. I’ve been thinking about how I wouldn’t be satisfied with things the way they are now.

I want to do more than just express my gratitude. I want to bring my fans further than that.

I want to bring them out into a new world, the one we two are drawing up now…!

What do you think, Aniki?

Hinata: …

You think I’d refuse?

Let’s do it, Yuuta-kun! I’m really feeling that idea too! ♪

Yuuta: ! Then we gotta get to reworking our song’s choreography at once!

Hinata: OK! I’ll go and reserve a practice room, then!

Yuuta: (There’s little time left until our Fan Thanx Festival…)

(—Challenge accepted! I’ll definitely see this through!)

[ ☆ ]

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[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Sparkle future 3

Characters: Yuuta, Hinata, Anzu, Izumi

Translation: Mika Enstars

"Yuuta-kun’s treatment of Mitsushita-san is getting rougher and rougher as the days pass by, huh~."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: CosPro Office Meeting Space

Hinata: Whoa, it’s evening already? Time passed so quickly it felt like I just time-traveled…

Yuuta: But, thanks to this, what we’re gonna do for our Fan ThanX Festival is already about decided.

Hinata: Yup! It’ll be a live that recounts the history of 2wink by incorporating performances and production from past lives!

It’s a structure that’ll definitely have people thinking, “oh, I remember this~”!

…Yeah. Isn’t this great, Yuuta-kun?

Yuuta: …

Hinata: Yuuta-kun? …Is there a part of it that bothers you?

Yuuta: No,I just think maybe it’d be a good idea to bring in the production staff from back then, too.

Huh? You’ll try reaching out to them for us, Anzu-san?

So you could have us focus on our practice, instead… Got it. That’d be a huge help.

Oh! If you need some extra hands, you’re free to use Mitsushita-san to your heart’s content. ♪

Hinata: Yuuta-kun’s treatment of Mitsushita-san is getting rougher and rougher as the days pass by, huh~.

And also, thank you so much for helping us out today. And, I’m really sorry for having worried you so much.

Thanks to you, Anzu-san, we’ll be able to perform a live that’ll please all of our fans.

…Well, it might be a bit too early to be saying that, though.

There’s still a lot to prepare for, after all. Like what special project we’ll be putting in the event space, for example.

Yuuta: I’ll talk about that with Mitsushita-san. I want to do a mini-event that’ll be unique to us as 2wink.

Hinata: Alright. Thank you for your hard work, Yuuta-kun!

My schedule has settled down, so just let me know if there’s anything I can help you with!

Yuuta: Yeah, yeah. If push comes to shove, I’ll ask for your help.

Hinata: …

Location: Cafe COCHI Meeting Space

A couple hours later…

Yuuta: (There’s still a few adjustments to be made, but I think I’ve been able to put together a good proposal thanks to Aniki and Anzu-san’s help.)

(Like Aniki said, this is an event that’ll trace the steps up to where we’ve gotten today.)

(I’m sure all of our fans will be pleased with this…)

Mitsushita: Aoi, sir!

Yuuta: …!

Mitsushita: Ermm, if you have no further questions for me, am I free to continue…?

Yuuta: Y-Yes. You may.

Mitsushita: Now then; Professor Sugihara Kokichi will be aiding us in the designing of the event space.[1]

Described as a “surprising and thrilling dream-like experience!”, the exhibition will feature special art that keeps in line with 2wink—

Trick Circus! Ah, the document is eight pages long.

And as per you two’s wishes, it will at first be held without disclosing it is a project by 2wink, so that it may be revealed as a big surprise at the live’s close…!

Yuuta: (…A surprising and thrilling dream-like experience, huh?)

(We used to be considered a weak unit… This really shows just how well we’ve taken care of our greatest weapon.)

(We thought, in our own weak way, that we could weaponize our perfectly-coordinated performances as identical twins…)

(Well, although I’ve already stopped trying to mimic Aniki.)

Mitsushita: Once again, this truly was a magnificent proposal! Just reading it made my heart race with excitement at the thought of getting to see you two on stage!

I’m certain this will be a wonderful live that all of your fans will enjoy!

Yuuta: …Well, of course it will! We thought it up while listening to the voices of our fans.

Mitsushita: Ahaha, well you are right!

I will continue to proceed with the management for this event.

If there’s anything you’ll need to change in the proposal, feel free to contact me at any time!

Yuuta: Wait, at this time do we even have the luxury to “feel free” to change things?

Mitsushita: That’s not the case at all! …Well, I cannot say for sure that it is not, but…

If it is something the two members of 2wink desire, then I will do everything I can to ensure any request is granted!

I, myself, am a massive fan of 2wink, after all!

I want you to leave our transaction with the feeling that you are glad that you went to me for business, and not someone else!

Yuuta: …

I feel that there’s too much damage done from you losing contact with us for that.

Mitsushita: I’ll say it again and again, I am truly, truly sorry about that…

Yuuta: You better, then. …Just so you know, I haven’t forgiven you for it yet, okay?

Still, thank you so much.

Location: Starmony Dorm Common Room

That night…

Yuuta: (The proposal is well-crafted. If we perform our live like this, our fans will all enjoy our show.)

(And I’ll enjoy dancing and singing on this stage as well. Seeing the smiles of all of my fans makes me really happy.)

(But, I’m pretty sure there’s still something missing…)

Yuuta: …I wouldn’t be having such a hard time if I could understand what was missing, though~!

Darn it all. What do I do…

Izumi: Oh, what is it~? Are you worrying endlessly about something again?

[ ☆ ]

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Kokichi Sugihara is a professor, mathematician, and artist who is known for his three-dimensional optical illusions. His optical illusions were featured at 2wink’s Trick Circus exhibition, including his popular Ambiguous Garage Roof illusion. He started releasing at-home construction kits of his illusions for people to make at home as a way to fight against Covid-19, which is sweet. View his English website here!

[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Sparkle future 2

Characters: Yuuta, Hinata, Anzu

Translation: Mika Enstars

"I can’t believe that you’d think such a thing… I’ve misjudged you."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Saison Avenue

Next day, returning home after checking out the venue…

Hinata: ~♪

Yuuta: You’re in such a good mood that you’re humming, Aniki.

Hinata: Ahaha! I ended up getting really excited after seeing the venue in person! Like, “we’re going to get to perform here~!”

And I have to thank you and Mitsushita-san, Yuuta-kun!

Yuuta: You can thank just me. That guy caused us a lot of trouble.

Hinata: Don’t say that~!… Is what I thought, but even they themselves seemed to really insist not to concern ourselves about them.

That guy’s kind of a strange one, aren’t they? They’re competent, but they place themselves so lowly it’s kinda worrying.

It’s like they’re ready to endeavor to the point of sacrifice just to achieve the best possible result, you know?

Yuuta: Well, as the person contracting with them, I wouldn’t wish for that, but…

They gotta at least work like a horse if they are to make up for all the unnecessary worries they caused me! ♪

Hinata: Oof. You really are back to usual, aren't you?

My heart is really happy to see that you’re feeling better, but I also wish I could’ve seen the meek you for a bit longer!

Yuuta: Wha, how cruel. So you wanna see me hurting, Aniki?

I can’t believe that you’d think such a thing… I’ve misjudged you.

Hinata: No, no! That’s not what I meant! I want my beloved Yuuta-kun to have a smile on his face always!

Come on, bring it in for a friendly hug! Come unto my bosom!

Yuuta: Excuse me? …You know, our Fan ThanX Festival is coming up soon, can’t you be a tad more serious…

Hinata: Uwah, the rug’s been pulled out from underneath me! Your composure is so cool that I feel like I’m going to catch a cold!

But, yeah, it is. Now that we’ve got a venue set in stone, we gotta go all-out in figuring out the structure for our Fan ThanX Festival.

As the name suggests, it’s a festival for expressing our gratitude to our fans, so we’ll want to put on a live that prioritises our fans first and foremost~!

We did put together some slight ideas beforehand, but maybe it’d be a good idea to try considering it from the perspective of what our fans want?

Yuuta: Heh heh heh… Well, leave it to me. ‘Cuz I’ve got a secret plan.

Hinata: Really? Huh~ what is it? I’m so curious!

Yuuta: Hold your horses. You’ll just have to wait until our next meeting for that. ♪

Hinata: You’re keeping secrets again? …Is everything okay? You’re not going to run away again, are you~?

Yuuta: Hold it! I’ve finally started to feel better about that, so don’t go digging it back up!

And I’ve already discussed it with Anzu-san, so it’s all fine and dandy, ok!

Location: CosPro Office Meeting Space

The next day, at the CosPro Office Meeting Space…

Hinata: Al~right! Sorry to keep you waiting, Yuuta-ku~n!

Aoi Hinata is here! Arrived on time, this time as we…ll?

(Huh? Neither Yuuta-kun or Anzu-san are here yet. Did I maybe go to the wrong place for our meeting?)

Yuuta: Look like you’re here at the right time again, Aniki.

Hinata: Ah, Yuuta-kun! And Anzu-san too, hello~!

Seeing nobody there really surprised me~! …Huh? What is it you two are holding?

That’s a really huge cardboard box. Really, if you had to carry something, I would’ve helped out…

Yuuta: Really? Okay, here you go, thanks!

Hinata: Whooahh?! Don’t just drop it in my arms like that… Oh, it’s pretty light, actually?

There we go. Let’s see… These are fan letters to us?

Yuuta: That’s right! I asked the Vice Prez to gather them up for us.

It seems we’ve been getting a ton more of these since Volcano Island and 2×2.

Hinata: Hehheh… Keepin’ count, huh, Yuuta-kun?

So, you’re thinking we should read our fan letters to get an idea of what our fans want from our lives?

Yuuta: Very nice, Aniki. You caught on quick. ♪

“What can we do to make everyone at our Fan ThanX Festival happy?” To find the answer to that, it’s easiest to ask the people themselves.

So, let’s get to it! Anzu-san, could you look through that box over there with Aniki?

Hinata: OK~! Let’s see here, the first one says, “You’re so good at juggling! I’m learning how to do it as well!”.

And this one says, “Watching you two’s intensive dancework makes my heart race!”

“I’m always so excited to attend your lives, I always look forward to what you are going to do next!”, huh~? ♪

Yuuta: I know you love to get your fan letters, but it’ll take an entire day to get through them all if you let each and every one overwhelm you with emotion, okay?

Hinata: I guess, but they just make me so happy.

Things like this really make you realize just how many people are supporting us.

…Do you remember, Yuuta-kun? Way back, we managed to perform as an opening act for a popular unit’s live.

Nobody there knew who we were. We were performing on a stage that nobody came to see us for.

And now… We’re the main attraction. People are going out of their way to see us.

Since then, 2wink has become an idol unit beloved by everyone. I can’t believe it.

Yuuta: …That being said, I’d say we’re still considered fledgling idols within the industry.

Huh? “The two of you have shined so brightly ever since back then”?

Hinata: Ahaha, that makes me really happy to hear from you, Anzu-san. ♪

But, that’s exactly why we want to properly give back to our fans who have brought us this far.

With more love and gratitude than ever before!

Yuuta: You’re right. I feel the same way.

However, if that’s what you think, then get on with reading and come up with some ideas, okay?

Hinata: I know, I know! But what I’ve seen so far is that a lot of people are fond of our dancework and our performances.

Yuuta: Yeah. I think they’d be happy if we incorporate fan-favorite performances and production from the past.

Let’s keep this up and figure out a plan…!

[ ☆ ]

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[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Sparkle future 1

Characters: Yuuta, Hinata, Kaoru, Anzu

Translation: Mika Enstars

"We were worried about you, both Hinata-kun and I. You were really acting strange."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Chinese Restaurant

Hinata: …I see. So that’s what’s been going on, huh?

Kaoru: I think if the person I’m working with and signed a contract with suddenly cut contact, even I would lose my mind.

And then checking with the company only to hear there’s no records of such a contract, despite already having made a payment, on top of that…

It makes complete sense why you’d think that your money got run off with.

Yuuta: So, I felt that I had to do something instead of just waiting… Because, at that rate, everything would have been for nothing.

Kaoru: And so you started working at the Chinese restaurant in an attempt to regain the funds you might have lost.

(Even though if you think about it level-headedly, something like this wouldn’t be able to amount to something like that.)

(You must have really been at your wits end, Yuuta-kun.)

Kaoru: Anyhow, I’m glad to see you’re caught up in anything serious.

Or well, that’s not to say that this isn’t serious, but…

We were worried about you, both Hinata-kun and I. You were really acting strange.

Yuuta: I’m sorry.

Hinata: …No, I’m sorry for having not pressed for more details either.

Kaoru: (I expected Hinata-kun to respond among the lines of, “Why didn’t you tell me about it?”, but…)

(I’m glad. He’s keeping surprisingly calm about this.)

Hinata: This is serious, though, Yuuta-kun. We’ll figure this out together, alright?

Yuuta: …

Hinata: Yuuta-kun? What is it?

Yuuta: Nothing, I just thought you were gonna say more than that once you found out…

Hinata: …Do you want me to?

Well, there is honestly a lot I want to say! But, I understand the situation.

Besides… I’m sure you’ve already reflected on this plenty, without me having to say anything, haven’t you?

Yuuta: Aniki, I’m really sorry.

Hinata: You don’t need to keep apologizing. …More importantly, I’ve gotten real hungry with all this relief!

Shīfu! Can we have some baozi to take home?

Yuuta: …

Hinata: You don’t need to feel so uneasy. Anyways, tomorrow, let’s reach out to Anzu-san to talk about this, alright?

Yuuta: Then, today, I’ll…!

Hinata: Nope. What you’re gonna do today is get plenty of rest, alright?

You’re going to eat yummy food and then sleep soundly in a bed! And then we’ll give it our all tomorrow, got it?

Yuuta: …Yessir…

Hinata: Good. I’m so proud of you for listening to me~ Yuuta-kun! ♪

Kaoru: (Amazing. Yuuta-kun’s being really honest. Hinata-kun seems to be happy, too.)

(…Well, whatever this may be, I suppose we can breathe a sigh of relief now?)

Location: Starmony Dorm Room (Yuuta, Kaoru, Nagisa)

The next morning, in his room at the Starmony Dorm…

Yuuta: Mm… What time is it right now?

(It’s already nearly noon? I slept longer than I’d hoped… Hakaze-senpai isn’t even here anymore, not even Ran-senpai.)

(Yesterday, I cause not only Aniki trouble, but to Hakaze-senpai as well…)

(I’ve been sure to eat properly ever since Sena-senpai told me to, but…)

(To think I would end up fainting from sleep deprivation instead.)

(Maybe I need to work out more?)

(…No, that’s not it. I hadn’t realized it myself, but it’s possible the mental strain was worse than the strain on my body.)

(I don’t have any work to do today, so Aniki told me to just take it easy at home, but…)

(As always, there’s been nothing from Mitsushita-san. In our situation, where our venue hasn’t even been secured yet, I can’t just sit back and relax…)

Huh? There’s a message from Anzu-san?

—Wha, no way!!

Location: Cafe COCHI Meeting Space

Yuuta: Aniki! Anzu-san!

Hinata: Wha, Yuuta-kun? Aren’t you a bit early?

Yuuta: How could I not come as fast as I could after getting a message like that?!

I mean, we’ve at least located Mitsushita-san—

Mitsushita: Aoi, sir, I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart~!

Yuuta: Whoa, it really is you! Alright, what was the meaning of all this?! Explain yourself, please!

Mitsushita: I-I apologize! I am completely and utterly aware this is all my fault!

I’ll accept all and any reprimands! Just, please hear me out first!

Hinata: Come on now, calm down, Yuuta-kun. He can’t speak if you grab him like you, you know~?

Yuuta: There’s no way I can calm down! You have no idea how much I went through, all because of this guy…

Hinata: Yeah, I know, I understand how you feel. But, Anzu-san already lectured them endlessly about it, so…

Yuuta: Huh, Anzu-san did…?

Hinata: Mhm. About the importance of report, communicate, and consult… the principle of mutual trust between business partners… risk management, how to build a schedule…

(whispering) She got really angry. It was rare seeing Anzu-san like that. So I think they’re good…

Yuuta: (whispering) I don’t feel even close to done, but… Well, fine.

Yuuta: So, in the end, what was it that happened?

Hinata: From the sound of things, while there were things that were Mitsushita-san’s fault, there was a number of unfortunate coincidences as well.

To start, Mitsushita-san did in fact report the contract with the company.

Yuuta: Sorry? But they told me that they didn’t know a thing about the contract?

Hinata: It seems that the person who they had reported the contract to had just begun taking time off work due to sudden illness.

Mitsushita-san hadn’t realized, since they were running all around for their work rather than returning to the office.

Yuuta: And so, the company didn’t know anything about the contract, huh… I still feel skeptical if such a thing is even possible, but…

So then, what’s the reason for the cut in contact?

Hinata: Apparently Mitsushita-san had some business to tend to aside from ours, and had to go into the mountains for those dealings.

Yuuta: “And he ended up getting stranded for several days, with no signal at all”…? Look here, do you seriously think I’ll believe a stupid excuse like that?!

Mitsushita: Uu, I truly am so sorry. If I had entrusted the matter with the person I was accompanying, it would have meant sleeping outside for a couple of nights…

Aoi, sir, I contacted you as soon as my phone regained signal, and I ended up scolded by Sena sir!

Yuuta: That time, huh? …No, the first thing you should have done upon regaining signal is contact the police or something, right?

Mitsushita: Oh, no! I figured you must have been worried after not hearing from me, Aoi, sir!

Yuuta: That’s true, yes! But aren’t your priorities out of whack?!

Sigh… I still have a lot I’d like to say to you, but I’ll stop there.

Hinata: Right now, there’s something more important that we need to have clarified.

Yuuta: What happened to the venues we requested in the end?

Since you caused me so much trouble, you snagged a venue that I suggested to you, didn’t you?

Mitsushita: I-I did! I’ll have it taken care of!

The Marunouchi Building has been reserved as a venue for a large-scale live performance as well as its event space of course![1]

Hinata: The Marunouchi Building… Wait, do you mean the MaruBiru?

Yuuta: If this the MaruBiru… Does this mean you reserved the MaruCube space, located on the 1st floor by the entrance?

Mitsushita: Indeed! We’ve already entered discussions regarding event set-up!

Yuuta: Are you serious? And I can seriously believe you this time? It’s not a lie, right?

Mitsushita: It’s not! Please believe me! All that is left is for them to hear your demands and they’re ready to get to work!

Yuuta: …Well, I was worried about a ton of things, but as long as we have a venue reserved then I guess it’s fine.

For what it’s worth, I’ll thank you. Thank you very much, Mitsushita-san.

Mitsushita: Oh no, It is I who is beyond sorry for the troubles I have caused you…!

Yuuta: You better be. You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you to make up for the trouble you’ve caused me, got it?

Hinata: (Ah~, Yuuta-kun… Back to your usual self, huh? Kinda wish I could’ve basked in your timid self for a bit longer…)

(But, well, I’m relieved that you seem to be feeling better.)

Yuuta: What are you grinning about, Aniki? …You know, it’s gonna get busy from here on, so you better get into spirit, got it?

[ ☆ ]

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The Marunouchi Building (丸の内ビルディング), also known as the MaruBiru (丸ビル), is a real building in Tokyo! It’s a massive skyscraper with 37 floors. From 6/28/2025 to 7/13/2025, the IRL exhibition Trick Circus was held featuring a multitude of 2wink-esque optical illusions in the building’s iconic MaruCube event space.

[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Trouble ahead 6

Characters: Yuuta, Hinata, Kaoru

Translation: Mika Enstars

"I don’t know, either. I had a feeling he went here once he started going in this direction, but…"

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Downtown

Kaoru: Umm… Yuuta-kun went into this restaurant here, right? It looks like some Chinese restaurant…

Do you think he missed lunch? Or maybe he’s having a bit of an early dinner?

Hinata: No, I don’t think that’s it… Look, you can see inside from the window here.

Kaoru: Let’s see… Hm?

Yuuta-kun’s serving customers? Why is he working at this restaurant?

Hinata: I don’t know, either. I had a feeling he went here once he started going in this direction, but…

I didn’t think it was because he was working at our shīfu’s restaurant.[1]

Kaoru: Shifu…? Come to think of it, you guys used to work at a Chinese restaurant, didn’t you?

I remember hearing that Koga-kun received special training there or something?[2]

Hinata: Yup, he’s the adult that’s been lookin’ after us ever since we were kids… This is the Chinese restaurant he runs.

Hinata: But, what does this mean? Why is Yuuta-kun working part-time here again?

Kaoru: That’s not something you should be asking me…

But, maybe the reason he’s been coming late oddly tired as of late is because he’s been working here.

Hinata: But, I don’t know why he would bother working part-time…

Maybe Shīfu asked him because he was short-staffed? But, then he wouldn’t have a reason to hide it from me…

Kaoru: Or, maybe he’s simply working part-time because he’s short on money?

But, he does good work as an idol, doesn't he? Maybe there’s something he wants badly enough that he has to do extra work for it?

Hinata: Yuuta-kun doesn’t have a tendency to spend money, so I don’t think he’d ever find himself short on money, though…

Could he need a massive amount of money for some reason?

Kaoru: I don’t like the sound of that. Makes me wonder if something fishy’s going on…

Hinata: Does this mean that Yuuta-kun might have gotten caught up in some no-good business, all while I had no idea?!

No way… I’m sorry, Yuuta-kun! I was by your side this entire time, and I didn’t even notice!

Kaoru: No, we don’t know if that’s what happened yet!

For now, how about we try talking about it to that shifu of yours? As the restaurant’s owner, ’m sure he knows why Yuuta-kun’s working.

Hinata: You’re right…! I’ll sneak an opportunity to talk to Shīfu!

Kaoru: Okay, I’ll wait out here, then. If you go alone, you’ll be able to talk to him with less of a chance of Yuuta-kun noticing.

Location: Chinese Restaurant

Hinata: (Maybe it’s because it’s between lunch and dinner, but there’s not many customers.)

(Yuuta-kun looks to be ferrying food right now. So, I’ll take this opportunity to sneak into the kitchen where Shīfu is…)

(…Huh?)

Yuuta: Sorry for the wait. Here are your orders of Tianjin rice[3] with baozi[4].

Hinata: (Isn’t Yuuta-kun looking a little off? Like he’s a bit unsteady on his feet…)

Yuuta: Oh, you’d like to order more? Please give me just a mome—

Hinata: ! Look out, Yuuta-kun!

Yuuta: …!

Hinata: Caught ya! Are you alright, Yuuta-kun?!

Yuuta: I’m alright, but…

Aniki? What are you doing here?

Hinata: Huh? Oh, well, I…

Hinata: (Oh shoot! I couldn’t stop myself from running out after seeing Yuuta-kun in need of help…!)

Ahaha, what a coincidence, huh? It sure has been a while since I got the craving to eat some of Shīfu’s baozi!

Gosh, what a surprise to see you here too, Yuuta-kun! We absolutely must be connected by the red string of fate, aren’t we! ♪[5]

Yuuta: …

Hinata: (Uu, I think I acted way too obvious there…)

Yuuta: —I’m sorry. I’ve caused trouble for you, Aniki.

Hinata: Huh? What do you mean?

Yuuta: …

Hinata: Whoa whoa whoa whoa, he fainted?!

Yuuta-ku~n! Are you alright?! Hang in there!

Kaoru: Hold on, are you two alright?!

Hinata: Hakaze-senpai, I’m fine, but Yuuta-kun, he…

Yuuta: …Zzz… Zzz…

Hinata: …Fainted?

Hinata: Umm… Sorry for coming over so abruptly, Shīfu. We came out here because we were worried about Yuuta-kun.

I’d like to know why Yuuta-kun’s working here.

Time passes…

Yuuta: Hm? This is Shīfu’s…

Huh, why am I sleeping in a place like this…?

(Oh, right. I’d fainted while working, and then—)

Yuuta: Aniki!

Kaoru: Ah, Hinata-kun! It seems like Yuuta-kun’s woken up!

Hinata: Really?! …Oh, oh! Gotta bring these dishes over here first~.

Yuuta: Aniki, and… Hakaze-senpai? How long was I asleep for?

Kaoru: It’s been only about an hour. You need to take things slow, though; you must have been really tired.

Yuuta: That’s just not possible. …Why are you two even here, actually?

Kaoru: I could ask you the very same thing, you know.

Hinata: Sorry to keep you waiting, Yuuta-ku~n!

Are you feeling better?! Are you hurting anywhere?

Yuuta: Aniki. …Yeah, I’m alright.

Hinata: …

Got it. I’m relieved you’re not hurt~.

Hinata: (The usual Yuuta-kun would have complained to me about how clingy I’m being, at least a little…)

(Gasp! Does this mean I can hug Yuuta-kun as much as I want right now?!)

(…No, I can’t imagine I’d be able to do something like that seeing Yuuta-kun as he is right now.)

(I bet he’s just so tired he can’t even care that I’m touching him like this.)

Yuuta-kun, your onii-chan would like a few words with you.

Yuuta: …Yeah.

Hinata: Why is it you’re working for Shīfu?

Kaoru: We asked him, you know. He told us that you asked to work here because you’re in desperate need of money.

But, he said he didn’t ask you why you needed that money.

Hinata: If you were having money troubles, you should have come to me for help, first…

(No… I suppose he couldn’t come to me because it was me.)

Tell me, Yuuta-kun. Why is it you suddenly need money?

Yuuta: …I didn’t want to cause you any trouble.

No, I just didn’t want you to know me like this, Aniki.

Hinata: Yuuta-kun…

Yuuta: I’m sorry, Aniki. Because of me, our Fan ThanX Festival might be ruined.

[ ☆ ]

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The old man that acts as their benefactor; or their "master". After some time, I've decided to translate it to the Chinese word shīfu (師父), as the Japanese word here, shifu (師父) has the same spelling and similar pronunciation. If you are a disciple at a school of martial arts, you typically call your master shīfu.

A reference to The Four Beasts of Fistfighting, where Koga asks to train underneath the twins’ master to prepare for the Dragon King Competition.

Tianjin rice, or tenshinhan (天津飯) is a Chinese-influenced dish invented by Chinese immigrants in Japan, inspired by the Tianjin cuisine of China. It’s a crab meat omelette served on rice and drizzled with sweet vinegar sauce. You can see a photo here.

The word for baozi used here is chuuka-man (中華まん), lit. Chinese steamed buns. They’re steamed buns made from flour dough and filled with meat, typically pork, and other ingredients. You can see a photo here.

Hinata uses his “atai” pronoun here, a part of his “needy girlfriend” persona he jokingly slips into to tease others with. The “atai” (アタイ) pronoun is a shortened, “sluggish” version of the feminine pronoun “atashi” (アタシ).

[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Trouble ahead 5

Characters: Hinata, Kaoru

Translation: Mika Enstars

"Oh no, no betrayal here! If anything, catching you cooking is like getting an SRR!"

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Starmony Dorm Kitchen

A couple days later, at the Starmony Dorm Kitchen…

Hinata: Good evening~… Huh, oh?

Kaoru: —Hm? Ah, welcome back, Hinata-kun.

Hinata: I thought I smelled some real tasty sauce. So it was you who was cooking, huh Hakaze-senpai?

I was sure Shiina-senpai was at the stoves again.

Kaoru: Ahaha, sorry for betraying your expectations, I guess?

Hinata: Oh no, no betrayal here! If anything, catching you cooking is like getting an SRR!

Anyways, that yakisoba looks super yummy, Hakaze-senpai!

I'd say that’s… a loooot for just dinner, I’m guessing you're planning on eating it with someone else?

Kaoru: Hmm… Kinda yes, kinda no?

I did make extra, but I suppose I’m not sure if it’s gonna end up eaten. ...Here, if you’d like, how about you have some, Hinata-kun?

Hinata: Is that alright? I’d really appreciate it, then!

Kaoru: Of course. I wanted to ask you something, though.

Hinata: What did you want to ask me, Hakaze-senpai?

Kaoru: Right. So, Yuuta-kun has been coming home really late the past few days.

And when he gets home, he looks incredibly tired. Some days he’d lie right down on his bed and fall asleep.

Does 2wink have some especially tough work currently, or something?

Hinata: No, nothing like that. It’s not like we have much of a packed schedule, either.

He shouldn’t be doing anything especially tough… I think. It’s been the same as usual, in a good way.

But, I see. …So Yuuta-kun’s been like that even when he gets back to his room, huh?

Kaoru: From the sounds of it, you’ve noticed something was off too, Hinata-kun.

Hinata: During recording sessions and such, I’ve found myself noticing that he’s been acting kinda sluggish, like he’s lacking energy.

That, and somewhat impatient. I tried prodding him to see if I could figure out why, but…

Kaoru: Could you get anything out of him?

Hinata: He said it was nothing. It’s obvious that he’s hiding something, but he won’t tell me it.

Kaoru: I see. Even though you’d like to know if there’s something going on. It’s clear he’s overworking himself…

You see, I wasn’t sure if it’d be a good idea to interfere too much, so I didn’t ask.

Kaoru: Still, I do think it’d be a bad idea to just leave him be. So I thought to make him a midnight snack.

Hinata: Ah, so you mean that mountain of yakisoba was for Yuuta-kun?

If I had known, then I wouldn’t have eaten any!

Kaoru: Hey, don’t worry. I made more than I thought to, so there’s plenty enough to be split between the three of us.

However, the fact that even you don’t know what’s going on has made me even more worried.

Ran-kun also made a comment about how Yuuta-kun seems to be pushing himself lately.

And you two are still students, you know? I can’t just overlook him coming home at such a late hour.

Hinata: …♪

Kaoru: ? What is it, Hinata-kun? You’re grinning ear to ear.

Hinata: Nothing, I was just thinking that you’re really, really kind, Hakaze-senpai. ♪

Kaoru: If someone you’re often with is acting off, is it not normal to worry, though?

Anyhow, I just hope he’s not getting into any big trouble.

Hinata: Hmm… However, even if we try talking to him about it, I doubt he’ll tell us anything about it honestly, so…

—How about we try tailing him?

Location: Saison Avenue

The next day…

Hinata: Ah, Hakaze-senpai! It’s that building over there!

Kaoru: Is that where Yuuta-kun has work today?

Hinata: Yup. Afterwards, Yuuta-kun shouldn’t have anything else scheduled…

In other words, by following him once he exits the building, we’ll be able to find out where he’s been lately. ♪

Kaoru: You look like you’re having fun with this, Hinata-kun.

Hinata: Ahaha, I guess I’m gettin’ a little into it? It feels like we're protagonists in a spy movie!

Agent Hinata! Complete the mission without being detected by the target! …Like that. ♪

Ah, didn’t you kinda go undercover like that before, Hakaze-senpai? That one night you snuck into ES…

Kaoru: And I swapped out those paintings. I remember that.[1]

That said, I’d say this time it feels a bit more like a detective’s case than a spy’s.

In any case, unlike what you see in fiction, isn’t tailing someone in real life not all that glamorous?

Hinata: (…How come it sounds like he’s done this before?)[2]

Hinata: Could it be maybe you’re not much of a fan of following someone like this, Hakaze-senpai?

Kaoru: Hmm, I’m not sure. It’s not like I can deny that tailing someone is exciting, but…

In this case, we’re forcefully learning about something Yuuta-kun has been trying to hide, so I can’t really get into it, I guess?

If anything, I’m surprised you’re into it, Hinata-kun.

Maybe I’m the one who is over-worrying, but… You don’t seem too worried about this, even as his older brother.

I’ve always imagined you as someone who really cherishes Yuuta-kun, you know?

So I figured that you’d be the most antsy to figure out what’s going on after seeing Yuuta-kun like that.

Hinata: Riiight. …Well, about that…

If this were the old me, I’d be bugging him about it persistently every time I see him. So of course, it annoyed the heck out of Yuuta-kun, right?

I probably would have begun tailing him before even hearing what you had told me, Hakaze-senpai.

But, well, 2wink has been through a lot, so there’s been changes to our sense of distance too.

You know, Yuuta-kun has always been really level-headed and good at lying. So, when I saw him acting so evidently suspicious, desperately trying to hide something…

I got the impression that he seriously didn’t want me to find out about this, you know?

So, I decided to wait on it, and keep an eye on him instead.

Kaoru: …

Hinata: …That being said, I was seriously about to hit my limit, you know?! Next time I saw him, I probably would have questioned him full stop!

Just for the record, I was seriously worried sick about him too, you know?! I love Yuuta-kun bunches!

So, you’re wrong about me “not seeming worried”! Doesn’t look like you’ll be passing the Hinata Test just yet~!

Kaoru: Ahaha. …Alright, I got it.

Still, it’s good to know. It’s about time for us to spring into action, huh?

Kaoru: I still can’t tell you if this is the right or wrong thing to do, but—Ah!

Hinata-kun! Look!

Hinata: What is it, Hakaze-kun? Shouting all of a sudden like that…

Kaoru: It’s Yuuta-kun! He just exited the building!

Hinata: ! Really?! Let’s hurry up after him before we lose him!

[ ☆ ]

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A reference to Fake Phantom Thieves, a Kaoru scout story featuring Mika, Shinobu, and Hinata.

Kaoru tailed Adonis and Urania with Rei and Koga in SWING NIGHT.

[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Trouble ahead 4

Characters: Yuuta, Izumi

Translation: Mika Enstars

"You look completely devoid of life, like you could collapse at any moment now. Was work today really that hard on you?"

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Saison Avenue

Izumi: About time you noticed me. You gotta stop making me worry so much, okay?

Yuuta: Why are you here, Sena-senpai…?

Izumi: I just happened to be passing by, that’s all. Today, I had work near here.

And just as I was about to head back, I find you.

I didn’t expect I’d get to run into you after work, though. I guess today’s a lucky day, huh? ♪

Now then, it’s my turn to ask, Yuuta-kun. What are you doing out here?

You look completely devoid of life, like you could collapse at any moment now. Was work today really that hard on you?

Yuuta: Do I really look that terrible…?

Izumi: Yep. You look like the world’s gonna end. That combined with the fact it’s so late at night, it’s worrying.

Yuuta: It’s nothing, I’m just…

Izumi: Let me say this first. Don’t go and make up a stupid lie, got it?

…Look, I didn’t want to press you, but seeing how you are now, you don’t have much of a choice in this matter.

Yuuta: …

(Looks like I won’t get anywhere trying to get out of this, huh.)

Please don’t tell anyone about this, okay?

Izumi: That depends on what you tell me. …I won’t go meaninglessly telling everyone I know, though.

Yuuta: …I haven’t been able to contact the person we’re working with to manage our Fan ThanX Festival.

Time passes…

Izumi: I’m sorry? This is unbelievable. Is this person seriously a working adult?!

Report, communicate, and consult are the bare minimum of principles! If they can’t do that much, how does someone like this even have a job?!

Yuuta: If there’s something preventing them from contacting me, then that’s something else.

Maybe they got into an accident… Or something unavoidable circumstances popped up.

But also, I keep thinking maybe they were just some scam artist who borrowed the company’s name, or something…

Izumi: Surely that’s not the case… Still, it’s a case where we can’t tell for sure, huh?

The fact the contract wasn’t shared with the company is really suspicious, isn’t it? Well, I still feel we’re overthinking it, though.

Yuuta: Sigh, why didn’t I question things more? I usually don’t let adults like this fool me!

I know there’s no reason to dwell on what’s already been done, but I just can’t stop thinking about it.

Like, maybe if I discussed it more with Aniki, or maybe if I had told Anzu-san about it, things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

Izumi: There’s no point in doing that. Given the situation you’re in right now, no matter what you think up, you’ll end up blaming yourself in the end.

And no amount of doing that will solve the problem at hand, got it? Meaning, it’d be a lot healthier to think of what you can do at the moment.

Yuuta: What I can do at the moment, huh…

Izumi: For the time being, we should get you something to eat, okay? From the looks of things, you haven’t eaten anything today, have you?

We’ll think about what to do next after that.

Don’t sweat it. Sure, this situation’s a bad one, but Anzu’s got your back, doesn’t she?

So it’s not worth getting in over your head over it. At the very least, you’re not the one at blame for this.

Yuuta: Sena-senpai… Thank you.

Izumi: Alright, now here; come get on the back of my motorcycle. I’ll give you a ride back to Starmony Dorms.

If there’s anywhere you want to get food at, we can stop by on the way, and—

—Phone goes off

Yuuta & Izumi: …!

Is the event management company? Or is it Anzu?

Yuuta: No, it’s—It’s Mitsushita-san, the person we’ve been working with!

Izumi: Really? Since they’ve gone out of their way to call you, that means he wasn’t a scam artist, right?

Give me your phone, Yuuta-kun, I’ll give him a good talking-to in your place.

Yuuta: Wha, Sena-senpai?! Wait a sec!

Mitsushita: “Hello! Aoi, sir, are you here? It’s me, Mitsushita—”

Izumi: Hey, you. What’s the meaning of this?

Mitsushita: “What’s the meaning of… Wait, who is it that I am talking to?”

Izumi: This is Sena Izumi, from Knights. I’m sure you’ve at least heard my name before.

I’m going to get straight to it. What explanation do you have to cut your contact with Yuuta-kun?

Yuuta-kun told me he believed in your word and has been waiting for you this entire time, you know. Do you have no heart?

Mitsushita: “About that–I am truly, truly sorry…!”

Izumi: First off, how come your company knows nothing about this Fan Thanx Festival? Apparently they didn’t even know about this contract?

Mitsushita: “Huh, no, that shouldn’t be…?”

Izumi: Don’t make excuses. What I mean to say is this: is this how you do your work?

Is that your integrity? To not even as much as reach out to those who have lent you their trust?

Yuuta: Um, Sena-senpai… You’ve lectured them enough, so…

Instead, I’d like to know about what happened to our venues.

Izumi: Sigh… Alright, if you say that’s enough, Yuuta-kun, then I’ll leave it at that.

This is your last chance, got it? I say that, but Yuuta-kun has next to no trust left in you.

Mitsushita: “…It’s exactly as you say, Sena, sir. I understand there is nothing I can say to remedy this.”

Izumi: “I hope you do understand. Now, to what I’d like to ask you; about how the venues turned out in the end—

Mitsushita: “Yes, I am deeply aware, sir!”

“I understand that no matter how much I may try to explain myself, I cannot gain back the trust that I have lost! In such a case, only my actions can convey my integrity!”

“In order to regain sir Aoi’s trust, I will definitely secure a venue that he has nominated!”

Izumi: Excuse me? What’s why I asked, so what is the situation regarding them as of now?—

…?

Yuuta: Sena-senpai? What did Mitsushita-san say?

Izumi: …They hung up.

Yuuta: Sorry? …Umm, what did they say about the venue?

Izumi: They said they’d something about how they’d definitely secure a venue that you have nominated.

Yuuta: And that’s it? Nothing about how things are going? Or about why they suddenly stopped contacting me…?!

Izumi: Nothing, they said nothing about it.

Yuuta: Then, that means absolutely nothing has changed about my situation!

Izumi: …No, but, they did say they’d definitely get a venue booked. And you can feel a little more at ease, now that they’ve reached out, right?

Yuuta: Isn’t that just wishful thinking, though?!

Actually, why did you go and take my phone without permission, Sena-senpai?! You should have let me talk to them first!

Izumi: Excuse me? I’d rather you not shift the blame onto me! I went through the trouble of setting them straight for you, you know?!

Yuuta: I didn’t ask for you to do anything! I mean, other than figuring out what’s going to happen! Y’know, to our Fan ThanX Festival!

This affects more than just us! This is a live for each and every one of our fans who have supported us!

Izumi: They’ve finally reached out, so there’s no need to get so flustered. I’m sure you’ll hear from them again soon. Just be patient, okay?

Yuuta: I! Told! You! I’ve already been waiting for ages! And here, I finally get to hear from them, and yet…!

Yuuta: Ahh, darn it all. How come it turned out like this…

…

Izumi: …Yuuta-kun?

Yuuta: I know what I have to do.

Izumi: Which is… what?

Yuuta: Didn’t you say it yourself earlier? To do what I can do at the moment.

So, I’ll do just that. What I can do.

[ ☆ ]

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[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Trouble ahead 3

Characters: Yuuta, Hinata, Anzu, Izumi

Translation: Mika Enstars

(My smartphone’s going off?! …Could it be–!)

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: CosPro Office Meeting Space

Some hours later…

Hinata: Yeah, yeah! We’ve got a lot more ideas than I anticipated!

Yuuta: Some of these project ideas are pretty wild, though. Especially yours, Aniki.

Dancing with enough back-up dancers to make 100 people is just too large-scale.

And wanting to do something like walking on air over the stage isn’t something you do at a live, that’s something you do for a magic show!

Hinata: But doesn’t it sound fun? And I think it’ll surprise all of our fans, too! ♪

You should’ve come up with more ideas, Yuuta-kun. You slowed down after the first two, you know?

If we’re going by number of ideas, then it’s my win!

Yuuta: Yeah, yeah…

Yuuta: (Of course I slowed down. I’m worried out of my mind now that Mitsushita-san is nowhere to be seen!)

Hinata: Hm? What is it, Anzu-san?

Huh, I’m getting called by some staff? Wha, what could they want…

Yuuta: You did something bad, didn’t you Aniki? Stop it, will you~? Don’t you know it’s an important time for us?

Hinata: Don’t say such scary things, Yuuta-kun!

I’ll go and see what they have to say, alright? …Sorry that I’ve been so busy, Anzu-san.

I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting, okay! ♪

Yuuta: Sigh, how does Aniki have so much energy every single day? Doesn't he wear himself out being like that all the time?

“Maybe he’s just excited for the Fan ThanX Festival”?

…

Well, I guess that’s another reason~?

(My smartphone’s going off?! …Could it be–!)

Yuuta: (…It’s a text from Shinobu-kun.)

(He doesn’t have to message me just to tell me he saw a poster of me around town…)

(Ugh, dammit. I got my hopes up.)

Yuuta: Huh? You’re asking if things are really alright with the venue?

…Ahaha, you’re such a worrywart, huh, Anzu-san~.

Well, I can understand why you are, though.

When it comes to 2wink, it’s usually Aniki who does the communication work.

But, there’s times I gotta step up too, you know? If Aniki can’t make it to a meeting, I’ll pretend to be him and attend it in his place.

So, there’s no need for you to worry so much… Huh?

I should let you know the company that I did business with, at the very least?

You might be able to help me out on my side of things…?

Yuuta: (…I can’t tell her.)

(Because, if I tell her the company name, and she ends up contacting them…)

(The fact I’m no longer able to contact the person we’re working with will be out of the bag.)

(Then Aniki will find out that things aren’t going well at all, despite the fact I told him to leave it to me.

(But… What if I forever wait for a response, and Mitsushita-san really has gone and disappeared?)

(Things might become more and more irreversible the longer and longer I wait…)

(In that case, then…)

I’m sorry, Anzu-san. It’s something about the Fan Thanx Festival…

Time passes…

Yuuta: …And that’s what happened.

I’m sorry. I told you earlier not to worry, but… Things have turned out to be such a headache…

“Thank you for telling me”?

Is it their fault for a lack of communication, not mine?

But, it was me who signed the contract without questioning anything, all because it was someone introduced to me by YamadaP.

I even went as far as to give them advance payment… It was careless of me. I feel terrible for not thinking it through.

…Anzu-san, do you have a connection with this company or something?

Wha? This company’s had a ton of issues in the past?!

Ahh, I had no idea… I wouldn’t have worked with them had I known they do their work on an individual basis, not as a team…!

…But, the work they do often exceeds expectations, so you’ve worked through them from time to time before, Anzu-san?

…You think you can find out more through the person you know?

Thank you so much…

But, Anzu-san. Just one thing…

Could you keep this a secret from Aniki?

I had specifically asked him if he could entrust the communication work to me this time around.

I had told him I’d be able to do a job better than him but… Things turned out like this.

…Right. I know it’s better to just be honest, but…

We still don’t know for sure if the person we’re working with has really run off, alright!

I don’t want to cause Aniki any unnecessary worry. I don’t want him to know I’ve made such an embarrassing mishap.

So, please. We’ve still got time until our event, and I have time to tell Aniki once they get back to me.

I won’t hide anything from him. Once I know what’s going on, I’ll tell him everything, so…

…Thank you, Anzu-san.

Location: Saison Avenue

Back to the present day…

Yuuta: (The event management company never got back to me in the end.)

(It seems Anzu-san reached out as well, but the response they gave her was no different.)

(That Mitsushita-san is nowhere to be seen, and they’re locating his whereabouts on their end.)

(I’m starting to even doubt if they were an employee at that company to begin with at this point.)

(What if they were a scam artist who just borrowed the event management company’s name and scammed me through an advance payment…?)

(—No, I know that can’t be true.)

(But, I just feel so overwhelmed that I can’t help but think of such outrageous possibilities…)

(I didn’t realize how bad it got, being so preoccupied with desperately trying to hide everything from Aniki and Anzu-san.)

Yuuta: (…Come to think of it, have I eaten yet, today?)

(I was so uneasy waiting for a response that I think I forgot to eat something.)

(Actually… Where even am I? I was so lost in thought, I just walked and walked. I didn’t even realize I was outside.)

???: —ta-kun!

Yuuta: (I just can’t get my thoughts together. What on earth do I—)

Izumi: Yuuta-kun, hellooo? I’ve been calling your name for some time now, you know?

Yuuta: Sena-senpai?

[ ☆ ]

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[twilightmalachite]

Christmas Live - Yuuta Aoi Mini Event: Brotherly Quarrel

Translator: Mika Enstars

"…I guess I’m desperately trying to differentiate myself from Aniki. That’s why I don’t like doing anything with him at all."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Winter

Location: Downtown

Yuuta: Whatever, who even cares about Aniki anymore!

…Maybe I did say a little too much, though.

No, if I didn’t say that much, then it wouldn’t have gotten through to Aniki! So I won’t feel bad!

💬Settle down

⭐️

Yuuta: Shut up! …Agh, sorry!

I… ended up lashing out at you too, Anzu-san…

I’m nearly starting to hate myself…

🌟

Yuuta: I can’t settle down, okay!

Rather than giving me a satisfactory explanation, he acted as if he couldn’t talk to me!

…Stupid Aniki. He can do whatever he wants, part-time job or whatever!

💬 What happened?

⭐️

Yuuta: That Aniki~! There’s nothing I can do about him!

He went off doing nonsense without telling me again!

This time, I won’t let you get away with this, Aniki—!

🌟

Yuuta: Aniki’s going off doing nonsense again without telling me.

I’m always, always telling him how we’re the two-in-one 2wink and all that!

I hate Aniki! He betrays me so quickly!

Yuuta: Um, do you ever get into fights with your little brother, Anzu-san?

You know, Aniki and I… We’re always having our conflicts~.

We got into a fight, so… I guess we can’t say we’re the two-in-one 2wink, can we?

💬 Don’t worry so much about that.

⭐️

Yuuta: …I guess I’m desperately trying to differentiate myself from Aniki.

That’s why I don’t like doing anything with him at all.

But, I also want to make the best use of our strengths as twins, so maybe I’m just being selfish.

🌟

Yuuta: You mean to not worry so much about what it means to be 2wink?

I lack the skill needed to differentiate myself from Aniki as of now, but…

One day, I do want to make it out there, so I suppose where I belong after all really is 2wink.

💬 You fight because you get along so well.

⭐️

Yuuta: Do you think Aniki and I get along well?

We get into fights over just about anything, but I don’t hate him.

But… This time, I can’t forgive him!

🌟

Yuuta: You say that, but we fight just about every day.

We fight over stupid things, then make up over stupid things.

Rinse, and repeat.

Yuuta: Ah, gosh! I’m so irritated, I gotta eat something now!

*chomp chomp chomp chomp*

More takoyaki please, Anzu-san!

💬 I forgot my wallet

⭐️

Yuuta: What do you mean you forgot your wallet? Aren’t you carrying shopping bags…?

Well, it’s not like I can blame you for lying, but…

I wish you were at least honest about it…

🌟

Yuuta: Huh, you forgot?

I’ll give you mine, then. Please buy me some more.

Ah, you can buy whatever you’d like to eat too, okay, Anzu-san~♪

💬 You shouldn’t stress eat.

⭐️

Yuuta: Ahh, that’s so cruel of you to assume..!

I’m just a big eater, so eating this much is nothing to be concerned about!

If anything, if I don’t eat right now I feel like going to collapse! Now that’s serious!

🌟

Yuuta: I’m not stress eati… Wait, that is what this is, isn’t it?

If I try to play this off as something else after eating this much, it won’t be very convincing.

…Maybe it’s from the shock of being betrayed by Aniki?

[ ☆ ]

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[twilightmalachite]

Christmas Live - Yuuta Aoi Mini Event: Christmas Business

Translator: Mika Enstars

"Umm, are you sure you want to be subject to Aniki’s whims? ‘Cause Aniki will wanna play things like Russian Roulette with the cake."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Winter

Location: Downtown

Yuuta: Hm~ All misses here too, huh… This business stuff is harder than I thought it’d be. I’m starting to get tired of it.

Ah, Anzu-san. Hello.

Since it’s Christmas, I’m taking the chance to go around and market out 2wink.

💬Need me to help out?

⭐️

Yuuta: I’m happy for the offer, but are you really fine doing more work?

You’re going here and there helping other people out with their work, aren’t you, Anzu-san?

I’m totally fine with waiting until you’re done with that~.

🌟

Yuuta: Huh, are you sure? Thank you so much~! ♪

I was just about to ask you if you’d be able to get me some work, Anzu-san!

So talk about perfect timing! ♪

💬 How’s it going?

⭐️

Yuuta: Mm~, not too well.

2wink’s always been an accessory to our seniors, so we don’t really stand out.

Like, all you can get out of our name being said is a head tilt and that’s it.

🌟

Yuuta: Going well! …Is what I wish I could say, but I don’t have anything to show for that.

Everywhere I go, they seem to be searching for a fairly well-known unit.

I feel like I’m really getting a taste of the rough and tumble of the world!

Yuuta: Will you be having anything like a Christmas Party?

As for us, Aniki makes a Christmas cake every year.

Though it’s always so big, we struggle finishing it.

💬 I also make one.

⭐️

Yuuta: A lot of people out there like to make something homemade, huh?

Ritsu-senpai’s going to make a homemade cake, too.

I guess maybe I should hone my talents in that sort of stuff too…?

🌟

Yuuta: You make one too, Anzu-san? Really? What kind of cake do you make?

I can come make a visit, if I like…?

Ahaha, I’ll bring Aniki along with me, then! ♪

💬 I want to eat some.

⭐️

Yuuta: Ahaha, wanting to eat some so bad you’re leaning forward, are you?

Well, I guess I should ask Aniki, then, huh?

I’m sure if it’s you, Aniki will be more than happy to let you join us~. ♪

🌟

Yuuta: You wouldn’t be saying that if it were you having to eat it every year…

It’s seriously super big.

Well, despite that, Aniki still manages to end up eating it all.

Yuuta: I don’t have all that many memories of Christmas.

My father was never one to care for those events.

So I’ve been celebrating with Aniki since I was little.

💬 I’d like to be included with this year.

⭐️

Yuuta: Umm, are you sure you want to be subject to Aniki’s whims?

‘Cause Aniki will wanna play things like Russian Roulette with the cake.

So if you’re gonna join in, you better be sure to bring medicine for your stomach~.

🌟

Yuuta: Of course, please do join us! ♪

It’ll feel like a crowd, even as just Aniki and I, but…

I think it’ll be even more fun with you with us too, Anzu-san. ♪

💬 (Pat his head)

⭐️

Yuuta: I feel like I’m being treated like a child when I get my head patted, you know…

Aniki often does it, too.

I’ll always be a child in Aniki’s mind, won’t I?

🌟

Yuuta: Wha, w-what are you doing?!

I’m not depressed over it, I’m not a little kid~!

But, your thoughtfulness makes me happy, Anzu-san. ♪

[ ☆ ]

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[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Trouble ahead 2

Characters: Yuuta, Izumi, Hinata, Anzu

Translation: Mika Enstars

"I’m the one who wants to know what’s going on!"

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: ES Hallway

A couple days later…

Izumi: (Sigh, Whatever this Fan Thanx Festival thing is, isn’t it a bit too sudden?)

(I have things I gotta do too, so I’d appreciate being told these things sooner than later…)

???: I’m the one who wants to know what’s going on!

Izumi: (Hm? Is that…)

Yuuta: If I could’ve gotten in contact with them, I would have already! But, I haven’t been able to, so…

Understood. Thank you for looking into this.

Haah. How did it get to this…

Izumi: It’s Yuuta-kun! ♪ What a coincidence running into you at ES!

Yuuta: Hyah?! S-S-S-Sena-senpai?!

Izumi: Did I surprise you? But I couldn’t not approach you after hearing you, Yuuta-kun.

I mean, you looked to be rather flustered just now, did something happen?

If you need help with anything, Yuuta-kun, I can lend a hand. ♪

Yuta: A-Ahahaha, it’s nothing, really~.

Izumi: It didn’t seem like it was “nothing”. You were raising your voice and everything.

Is it something you can’t talk about? If so, then I won’t force you.

Yuuta: No, no, I’m seriously okay. I just got a quick call from someone I’m working with to confirm something, is all!

Izumi: Hmm? Could it be that phone call had something to do with the Fan ThanX Festival?

Yuuta: …Yes, but…

Izumi: I knew it! Kasa-kun gave me a call about that too, you know!

Actually, I wanted to come back here as soon as I got the call, but I had a bunch of work to do in Florence, so it took some time for me to get here, you see.

Anyways, so that’s what that conversation was about, huh?

I’d assumed that’d be something that the unit leader would be in charge of, though…

Yuuta: Um… I’m sorry, Sena-senpai.

It’s about time for me to have a meeting with Aniki, so I’ll be excusing myself now!

Izumi: Ah, wait! Yuuta-ku~n?!

…Ah~~, we finally get to bump into each other, and he just leaves like that?

Location: ES Hallway

Yuuta: (Phew, I had no idea Sena-senpai was so nearby…)

(But, judging from the situation, it doesn’t seem like he figured out the details of our conversation.)

(That guy’s perceptive as hell. I can’t let anyone find out about the situation I’ve gotten myself into.)

(But, seriously… What on earth’s going on?)

(I was in frequent contact with Mitsushita-san, but I haven’t heard from them for days now.)

(What’s more, when I checked in with the event management company, they didn’t even know Mitsushita-san was assigned to our case!)

(I wrote up a contract, didn’t I?! Aren’t those things normally shared with the company?)

(There’s something seriously strange about this…!)

(They said they’d look into it, so I’ll have to wait for them to get back to me but… What do I do?)

(I already transferred most of the money to the account Mitsushita-san gave me as advance payment for the contract work…)

Location: CosPro Office Meeting Space

Hinata: Ah! Over here, Yuuta-ku~n! You’re just on time, huh~.

Yuuta: …Of course I am. I’m not you, Aniki.

Hinata: Uu, now that’s sharp…

But, look! Today, that big brother of yours arrived on time, too~! Praise me, praise me!

Yuuta: Yeah, good job, good job. Well, even though arriving on time is something to be expected.

I wonder why you’re not late today~. …Could it be that there’s someone you were looking to see?

Hinata: No, no no! I was just looking forward to the meeting, that’s all!

Yuuta: Reallyyy? I get the feeling you’re only late for meetings where it’s just the two of us…

But today, the meeting will be three people, with Anzu-san as the third. That is to say, I guess you would be excited for that, Aniki.

Hinata: You’re thinking too much into it! …Though, it is true that I was looking forward to chatting with Anzu-san…

Hinata: Hm? What do you mean we’re getting along as well as ever?

Of course we do! We’re the two-as-one, buddy-buddy unit, 2wink… Wait–

Anzu-san?! When did you get here?

Yuuta: I didn’t notice, either. Thanks for your hard work, Anzu-san.

…Hm? I seem tired?

N-Not at all! I’m not tired one bit! I’m full of energy, rather!

Hinata: That’s right, Anzu-san! Lately, Yuuta-kun’s been on a roll, actually!

Oh, wait, lemme not let myself get distracted. Let’s get this meeting started!

Yuuta: (…Phew. I’m good.)

(That was a scare, but we’re carrying on as usual.)

(I can’t let Aniki know I’ve lost contact with the person we’re working with even if it kills me.)

(I’d be pathetic if he found out I’m in over my head after making a statement as bold as I did…)

(Whatever the case is, the only thing I can do right now is wait for a response. Since we’re contracted with the company, they shouldn’t be able to run off with the money we paid towards it.)

(…Except, as I’m dealing with this, all the popular venues are getting snatched up, you know?)

(It’s just not realistic to find another company to do it at this point, so what on earth do I do…)

Hinata: …that’s what I’ve been thinking. So, how’s that going, Yuuta-kun?

Yuuta: …

Hinata: Yuuta-kun? Are you listening~?

Yuuta: Huh, sorry. Did you ask something?

Hinata: I wanted to know if the venue’s been decided. That way, we can figure out the structure and such for our live, y’know?

That reliable person YamadaP introduced us to… Mitsushita-san, they were out looking for one, weren’t they?

Yuuta: …!

Yuuta: (“Reliable” my ass! They’re giving me a headache of a lifetime!)

Hinata: Could it be you guys have already gotten a venue booked?

Yuuta: …

We have, actually! Not long ago actually, they reached out to me about a chance to perform at a venue so great it’ll shock even you, Aniki!

Hinata: Wha, are you serious?!

A venue so great it’ll surprise even me, huh~. Which venue is it? I wanna know~! ♪

Yuuta: Thaaat’s still a secret… Because, well, it’s not confirmed yet, you see.

The better the venue, the more competition there is, after all…

Hinata: Ah~, yeah, that’s true.

Yuuta: Ah, but! I feel like we’re almost there! Mitsushita-san said too that it seems likely!

Hinata: In that case, I’ve got high hopes! Only a matter of time before it’s decided then, huh~?

I’m curious, but I’ll just have to look forward to when it’s confirmed, then. ♪

Yuuta: Yep, just leave it to me!

…Hm? What is it, Anzu-san?

Where it is doesn’t matter right now, we just need to know how big it is?!

Hinata: That’s true. It’s the size of the stage and the type of equipment we have that decides what kind of performance we can have.

Yuuta: Umm, well, it’s…

Hinata: …Well, there’s no need to be in such a hurry about it, right?

Today, let’s just start with brainstorming ideas for what we wanna do at our Fan Thanx Festival! ♪

Yuuta: I— I agree, Aniki! This is the first time we get to talk with Anzu in regards to our Fan ThanX Festival, right?

I have some ideas for what to do too, so I’d like her to listen!

Hinata: Ooh, aren’t you enthusiastic, Yuuta-kun! I won’t lose to ya, got it~!

Yuuta: (Of course I am! We don’t have a single thing finalized yet, I’ve only got potential venues suggested!)

(All I can do is change the subject away from the venue for now…!)

[ ☆ ]

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[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Trouble ahead 1

Characters: Yuuta, Koga

Translation: Mika Enstars

(YamadaP said they definitely make for a great resource, but is this really someone we can trust?)

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Cafe COCHI Meeting Space

A couple days after the meeting with Hinata…

Yuuta: (The first thing that you gotta do when planning the Fan Thanx Festival—is secure a venue.)

(Although the units of ES will each be holding their Fan ThanX Festivals on different days, venues will need to be booked for several days for preparations and the such.)

(Naturally as a result, there's a bunch of competition for venues with great access and good equipment. So of course, clearly there'll be units scrambling to book them.)

(I logically understand the process that goes into filling out the details of a plan and getting a suitable venue reserved, but…)

(The more time goes by, the less availability there is with the venues that work for us. Which would mean we’d have to perform our live in the dregs left over.)

(Of course, we do have plenty of funds, so we might be able to snag a nice place by putting enough money in it, but…)

(I’d like to use as much of our funds as possible for things like venue equipment and production, you know~?)

(Fortunately, we’ve focused a lot on our networking the past year.)

(I’d say the biggest fruit of that was managing to secure an appointment with a reliable event management company I was introduced to through YamadaP.)

(…Not a bad start, if you ask me.)

???: Excuse me. I’m here for a meeting?

Yuuta: (Looks like he’s arrived, right at the scheduled time!)

Please, come on in!

???: I’ll be coming in, then. I’ve received your request. My name is Mitsushita, I’ll be working with you!

Mitsushita: Umm, and your name is… Hm? Oh, that’s strange, I was sure I put it in my pocket…

Yuuta: Ahaha, don’t sweat it, it’s fine~.

Nice to meet you, I’m Aoi Yuuta from 2wink. I look forward to working with you.

Mitsushita: Yes! I look forward to working with you too!

Since last year, 2wink has made appearances on various TV programs and has been gaining notoriety.

I never would have dreamed of having the opportunity to help out with a Fan ThanX Festival for you two and your rising popularity…!

While it might not be much, I hope to work with you to make your performance a magnificent one!

Yuuta: Ahaha, thank you!

Yuuta: (That’s a lot of contrived lip service there, what can I say? Well, I suppose things like that are just part of the job for any industry out there.)

(Still… Judging on what just happened, they doesn’t seem all too reliable of a person.)

(YamadaP said they definitely make for a great resource, but is this really someone we can trust?)

(...Well, no point in feeling anxious over it, is there.)

I know we’re ahead of schedule, but how about we start with the meeting?

Mitsushita: Sure, of course!

Time passes…

Mitsushita: —Anyhow, that’s all there is for now from our side.

Yuuta: (Hmm… They were a bit different from my first impression.)

(Their explanation was easy to understand, and the material they provided is easy to read. They definitely seem good at what they do.)

Mitsushita: If you have any questions, I'll answer them to the best of my ability. What about you, Aoi, sir?

Yuuta: …Let’s see.

(But even if you ask me, it's not like we've decided on the venue yet. We haven't figured out what we’ll be doing yet, so we have no details to share.)

(But, well, if I were to say something…)

Yuuta: I’d say I’d like to know more about this section of the budget.

The proposal for the event set-up that you proposed—It exceeds our exceeded budget.

Mitsushita: You’re not wrong. However, as I mentioned earlier, with a budget like this, I’d be able to cover almost all of the event’s set-up for you.

A service like this can reduce both hassle and additional fees, as you wouldn’t have to rely on multiple companies when it comes to filming, security, and so on.

Yuuta: That looks to be the case. Not just that, but I was told there were even more accommodations on top of that. I think it’s a pretty good deal.

(This might be an even better plan than I thought. It might be over our our expected budget, but it’s still in an acceptable range.)

(But, there must be a catch to it, just like everything else in this industry…)

Mitsushita: There’s no pressure to make your decision now, of course.

Please feel free to sit on it, discuss it with Hinata sir , and get back to me later!

Yuuta: But won’t we lose the good-seeming venues if we sit on it worrying?

We might not be in a situation where every minute counts, but I’d rather not fall behind if possible.

Mitsushita: Oh no, don’t worry, Aoi, sir!

I can definitely find a venue that suits your needs as long as I hear back within a couple days!

Yuuta: Is it really safe to make such a promise?

Mitsushita: It certainly is! Please, rest your worries with me!

I will do my utmost best to give you the support needed for 2wink to deliver the best possible Fan ThanX Festival to their fans!

Yuuta: …

Understood. If you ask me, I’d like to proceed with the plan you proposed, Mitsushita-san.

However, I’d like to bring it to my brother to discuss before getting back to you. Is that alright?

Mitsushita: Indeed, understood, sir! Thank you very much!

Yuuta: (I feel like I should worry a bit more, but this is someone introduced through YamadaP… In terms of support, this is well worth its value.)

(With the nitty gritty left to Mitsushita-san, Aniki and I would be able to focus on practice.)

(Yes, yes, not a bad start at all! Well, this is something to be done after careful consideration, so it’s only natural I’d feel worried! ♪)

Location: Starmony Dorm Common Room…

A couple days later, at the Starmony Dorm Common Room…

Yuuta: ~♪

Koga: Ya seem to be in a pretty good mood, huh?

Yuuta: Ah, Oogami-senpai! Did you just get back~?

Koga: Yup, just took Leon out on a walk.

Now what’s up with you? You’re hummin’ and everything.

Yuuta: Nah, it’s nothin’ special~. ♪

It just feels good to have things fall into place the way you want them to.

(I was a little worried about Mitsushita-san at first, but they’ve been keeping in contact to check for any progress.)

(And they’ve given me a lot of ideas on how to expand the ideas I’ve put forward so far.)

(And most importantly, they’ve been asking around to see if the potential venues I’ve suggested are available~!)

(We’ve apparently gotten good-looking responses from all the companies, so I’ll have to settle on one after checking all the options.)

(Fufu, if I get to snag one so quickly, I bet it’ll be enough to surprise even Aniki~!)

Koga: What’s up with that grin of yours?

Yuuta: That reminds me, how are preparations going for UNDEAD’s Fan Thanx Festival, Oogami-senpai?

Koga: Haah? Well, we’re not runnin’ into any trouble yet.

…Oh, I see. That’s why ya look so happy, it’s about the Fan ThanX Festival, isn’t it?

Yuuta: You could tell? This time, it’s me in charge of the project, not Aniki.

Koga: Huh… Well, all’s good if there’s no issues, yeah?

But y’know, best not to let your guard down too much.

Yuuta: Yeah? What, what’s all this all of a sudden? You jealous?

Koga: No, that ain’t it. It’s just that it’s often said that gettin’ complacent is the most dangerous mindset of all.

Get too cocky and it’ll bite ya in the ass. That’s all I’m sayin’.

Yuuta: Ahh, yup, that does sound like something that’d happen to you.

Koga: ‘Scuse me? Now what do ya mean by that?!

Yuuta: I mean exactly what I said. ♪

Well, I won’t let my guard down!

Just watch. I’ll put together a Fan Thanx Festival so amazing that it’ll make you jealous, Oogami-senpai! ♪

[ ☆ ]

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[twilightmalachite]

winkWINK - Prologue

Characters: Yuuta, Hinata

Translation: Mika Enstars

"Who cares that stupid Aniki was late for such an important meeting?"

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Saison Avenue

ES’ second year of establishment, in June…

Yuuta: (…How did it turn out like this?)

(I told myself I’d do whatever I could to make things work, but… In the end, I can’t even find a lead.)

Yuuta: (To be honest, the venue should have been long-decided by now. So what's with Aniki singing me praises exaggeratedly and all that?)

(All about what kind of performance we can do here and stuff… I know he’s supposed to be the optimistic one, but…)

(The planning for our Fan ThanX Festival is…)

It’s all messed up, and it’s all my fault.

(So much for someone who was talking big to his Aniki. All determined to do a better job than if it were him, and all that…)

(Really, it’s pathetic.)

(What do I do… Is there even anything I can do at this point?)

(But I have to do something. At this rate, 2wink will be the only unit unable to hold it’s Fan ThanX Festival. And I can’t allow that.)

(The reason we were able to become idols is because of our fans and the support they gave us.)

(I can’t let down the very people who made us shine.)

(I can’t let a future like that happen. …So, what can I do to ensure that?)

Yuuta: I’ll use whatever means necessary. I’ll do it if it means getting back what was lost.

—I don’t care what happens to me.

Location: CosPro Office Meeting Space

A couple weeks ago, at the CosPro office…

—Sounds of running

Hinata: —Sorry I’m late, Yuuta-kun!

Yuuta: Ah, you’ve finally arrived.

Hurry up and sit down. Let’s get this meeting going as quickly as possible to make up for your delay.

Hinata: (…Huh. Yuuta-kun is acting surprisingly normal.)

(When I messaged him I’d be late, he didn’t reply, so I assumed he was definitely super-duper angry…)

Umm, I’m really sorry, okay~…?

Yuuta: So what? I don’t care, so it’s fine.

Yuuta: (quietly) Who cares that stupid Aniki was late for such an important meeting?

Hinata: No, you care, don’t you? You really are angry, aren’t you?! But I’m really sorry, okay~!

I know this is a meeting I shouldn't run late to! I was really looking forward to it, after all!

But I didn’t expect that the kids before me would have to do so many retakes for their photos!

And it just wasn't the kind of atmosphere where I could ask them if I could go first, and~…

Yuuta: Yeah, yeah. I get it enough.

Isn’t that great~, you’re such a popular idol, Aniki. You’re in such high demand, good job~.

Hinata: You aren’t getting it at a~ll! Why does it feel like the more I explain myself, the more you hate me?!

Is silence really golden? But, I just can’t keep quiet from you, Yuuta-kun!

Just what is it you want from me? Tell me, dear brother!

Yuuta: Quiet. Would you just back off? You’re being more annoying than usual.

I mean, we’re already behind schedule because you came late, Aniki. We don’t have time to waste like this.

Hinata: I suppose you’re right… Well, let’s get started then—The meeting for 2wink’s Fan ThanX Festival!

According to the proposal, this is an “event for each of ES’ units to express their gratitude to their respective fans”.

Yuuta: Yup. No plot-twists, nothing. The content is just as the title says.

It looks like our budget is pretty big, since it’s a large-scale project that’ll be promoted by the entirety of ES.

Hinata: What’s more, the details of each event is up to the discretion of each unit, making this an unusually generous event!

Yuuta: From what I’ve heard, Anzu-san’s the one overseeing the Fan ThanX Festival projects. If we ask for it, it looks like we have access to a lot of support.

Hinata: Seems so. …But, won’t all units underneath ES be holding Fan ThanX Festivals?

It sounds like it’d be hard enough just keeping track of every single one of them. I wonder if Anzu-san will be alright…

Yuuta: Okay, but that’s Anzu-san’s job. …If you’re worried, do you want to do our project with minimal support from her?

Well, I presume we’ll still have to have a couple of meetings with her, but… It might ease her burden a little.

Hinata: Hmm… It’ll be sad in its own way, but… I think so.

We’ll get to show her how much we’ve grown as 2wink, and we’ll get to test our own limits, too.

In that case, the first thing I gotta do is…

Yuuta: Wait a sec.

I know it’s the Fan ThanX Festival, but could you let me lead this project?

Hinata: You want to? Things like booking the venue, and heading stage construction… You mean you want to be in charge of that sorta work?

I mean, it’s fine with me, but… I’m a little curious as to why.

Yuuta: It’s not like I have a big sorta reason or anything, but…

See, you know how we’ve started to show our personalities as individuals since last year?

Hinata: You say “we”, but you mean mostly “you”, right? We’ve split from the united mind of 2wink and began pursuing goals as separate idols.

Yuuta: You say “pursuing”, but I’d say it’s still in the “exploration” stage…

Well, I can’t say that just growing hair out is all that big a deal, but…

Even though 2wink has been changing in these small ways, all of our fans are still supporting us.

When I think of it that way, I just feel that I absolutely have to make this Fan ThanX Festival a success if I’m to properly give back to our fans.

Hinata: You’ve been thinking about that, Yuuta-kun…?

Uu, your big brother’s tears just won’t stop at how much his little brother has grown!

Yuuta: That’s enough of that.

Hinata: Yessir~. But you know, I feel the same in terms of giving back to our fans.

So I think it’d be best if we worked together, that way it doesn’t all fall on you, Yuuta-kun.

Yuuta: I get what you mean. But, I still think that I should be the one to proceed with this project.

Hinata: Huh? Do you have another reason for that?

Yuuta: It’s a simple one. I’m just worried about leavin’ such a big event in your hands, Aniki. ♪

Hinata: What a cruel thing to just say like it's nothing?!

Yuuta: I mean, you were late today, were you not? And looking at your schedule, it looks like you’ll be real busy for a while, too. Unlike me.

And I’m not being sarcastic about this. I’m really just simply worried you’ll end up overwhelmed with too much work.

Hinata: Ack, you do raise a good point…

Yuuta: It’s just a delegation of duties. Right now, the one with more time is without a doubt me, so it’d be better for you if I handled the project, Aniki.

But even though I’ll be the one leading the efforts, that doesn’t mean I won’t consult with you or anything, okay, Aniki?

Hinata: …You’re right. And you’re genuinely showing concern for me, Yuuta-kun.

But, will you be alright? Looking at it, It seems the Fan ThanX Festival will be a bigger project than most. Your big brother’s worried about whether you'll be able to carry it through.

Yuuta: Well, leave it to me, okay? I’ll show you how skillfully I can handle it, to the point your socks will be knocked off! ♪

[ ☆ ]

story directory | next →

[twilightmalachite]

hii, I just finished reading vs princess, and I found some minor mistakes in it. thank you for the tl anyway, I enjoyed reading the story^^

I read it not in the tumblr app, but in browser, in "dialogue" mode, and here's what I noticed:

world order 4: Subaru "bitter fit" → "better fit", probably?

world order 3: Tsukasa "Gh, so that’s how it is…! Devastating as it is, I understand the objective." → there's no avatar

world order 5: "Those guys looked real desperate to get freebies from Tsukinaga-senpai" – wrong name and avatar (Leo instead of Mao)

world order 12: Subaru: "and we’ll definitely make sure not to abandon them." – this line is repeated twice

world order 15: "Esu & Fuyume: …?" – this last line is without avatar and it makes it look as a part of Mao's lines

that's all! thank you again<3

and thank you for tl-ing the new switch story, I'm so happy that I can read it right after release!

Thank you so so much for your detailed feedback!! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading the story!

I've gone ahead and corrected each of the errors!

The reason Tsukasa didn't have an avatar is because I accidentally typoed his name as "Tsukusa" lmao, it happens… a lot LOL

And the Esu & Fuyume line both had a bolding error (it wasn't registering as a name) AND it required a custom avatar to be made which I was too lazy to do at the time, but I went ahead and made it :D

hoorayyy!

And I'm happy you're enjoying the new switch story too! I'm so happy to be warmed up enough to do it so quickly! I just finished the Epilogue today, so be sure to check it out ❤️💙💛

[twilightmalachite]

World Switching - Epilogue

Characters: Natsume, Tsumugi, Sora, Kanna

Translation: Mika Enstars

"FuFU, well that is the type of magic it iS, after aLL. I’m glad that our magic successfully enchanted everyoNE."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Dressing Room

On the day of Switch’s Fan ThanX Festival Live, in the dressing room…

Tsumugi: —Thank you so much for all your work up until now, Natsume-kun.

Natsume: IT’s still too early to thank mE, Senpai. That’s something I’d like to hear from you after we finish our liVE, got iT?

Tsumugi: That’s true, but you know, just seeing all the faces of our fans enjoying our game at the venue… I guess it was enough for me to feel accomplished.

And, Natsume-kun, you’ve been really working hard all this time to complete that game, you know?

You worked on it right up to the very last moment, just watching made me anxious!

Natsume: HonestLY, it felt like my soul had left my boDY. I had made such a bold declaration and aLL, but here I was potentially unable to finish it in tiME.

The battle felt neverendiNG, with things like having to track down and fix buGS, and redraw new pixel art for the appended direction for the mAP, bUT…

But weLL, getting to see all of our fans enjoy it made it all worth the struggLE.

Tsumugi: Right? And the children who were at the shrine were super into the game as they played too!

They got along with our other fans as well. They had so much fun they lost track of time, as if they were under a spell.

Natsume: FuFU, well that is the type of magic it iS, after aLL. I’m glad that our magic successfully enchanted everyoNE.

Tsumugi: The most popular of the minigames looked to be the rhythm game one featuring Sora-kun, didn’t it?

Natsume: I wonder if it is because it featured Switch’s musIC? Whatever the reasON, I’m glad it was so well receivED.

It didn’t look like we would’ve been able to complete the action game that Sora had suggested in tiME—

So I made it work by turning it into an action-esque rhythm gaME, but I couldn’t help but feel a bit bad about iT.

Natsume: …Speaking oF, Sora hasn’t come back yET. It’s getting close to to the time for the live to begIN, thouGH.

Tsumugi: Right, Sora-kun was still playing games with everyone at the venue, wasn’t he?

I’ll go and fetch him as they run their checks on the stage’s set. Natsume-kun, you take it easy here, alright?

Natsume: AlrigHT, I’ll count on yOU.

A little bit later…

Sora: Whew… Sora was having so much fun playing games with everyone that he completely lost track of time~!

Sora is so grateful that Senpai came to get him!

Natsume: Welcome baCK, Sora. Is Senpai not with yOU?

Sora: Senpai went to make sure the stage was in order after Senpai brought Sora back! On the other hand, however—

HaHa~! Kan-chan came by to play at the venue~!

Kanna: Hello. Harukawa-san had extended me an invitation and so I came by to extend my good wishes.

Natume: OyA, I didn’t expect you’d come out of your way to pay us a visIT. Whatever reason could you have had for thAT?

Kanna: No reason in particular. Although I had not originally planned to drop by the dressing room.

That was bad luck—I’ll be excusing myself. I was simply spotted by Harukawa-san at the wrong place and time and brought here.

Natsume: Can’t even hide the fact you find it all to be a hassLE, can …yOU

It is quite the surprise to see you come by to extend good wisheES. Although if you ask mE, it’s a surprise you came to our live at aLL.

Since I recall you didn’t accept our invitation for our last liVE—Wish.

Esu-kun had said it was because you were buSY, but if we’re being honeST, it was because it was too much of a hassle to coME, wasn’t iT?

Kanna: Correct, it’s as you say, Sakasaki-san.

Sora: Huh, is that true?! Kan-chan missed out~!

Kanna: I didn’t have any reason to go out of my way to attend a live.

Natsume: HmM, so that means that there was something this time that made accepting our invitation worthwhiLE?

Kanna: Yes. I was involved to a degree in the planning of Switch’s project this time.

In addition, it acts too as an opportunity to survey the scale of these Fan Thanx Festivals, such as the attendance. Based on these reasons, I found that it would be well worth accepting your invitation.

Natsume: I sEE. HowevER, while I figured as much that’d be your reasON…

I advise you say something along the lines that you were looking forward to watching your seniors’ liVE. It’s advantageous in the sense of navigating through liFE.

I’m not saying you should suck up to otheRS, per sAY… But I recommend you learn some manners if you are to survive in a cut-throat industry like this where every opportunity matteRS.

Kanna: Thank you for the advice. I’ll keep it in mind.

Natsume: And yet you look like you don’t care enough to even remembER…

WeLL, never mind thAT. More importantLY, since you’ve come to the venUE, is it safe to say that you’ve played the completed version of our gaME?

I’d like to hear your thoughTS . How was iT?

Kanna: I’ve already played it when performing bug hunting, though. I wouldn’t exactly say my thoughts have changed much.

Natsume: I wouldn’t exactly say thAT. The game’s quality has increased since you’ve done the debugging work for uS.

On that basIS, what are your thoughTS?

Kanna: …

It goes without saying that the data shows results; such being the reason why it has been well-received by your fans.

At the very least, I’d suppose I wouldn’t consider it to be a waste of time.

Natsume: FuFU, the way you obstinately refuse to admit you had fun is a somewhat child-like aspect of youRS, you knOW…♪

Kanna: Yes, well I am still an immature child, only in middle school.

Tsumugi: Natsume-kun, Sora-kun, the live is about to start, so please make your way backstage, okay?

Sora: HiHi~! It’s nearly time for the live~!

Kan-chan, this time stay and enjoy Sora and the others’ live, okay?

Natsume: Come visit our liVE. Allow us to cast a “magic spell” upon you as weLL.

We’ll give you a performance so wonderful that even a stickler for time like you will lose track of the cloCK.

Kanna: …Well, I do have some expectations.

As your junior, I’ll see what kind of performance my seniors will give and use it as reference.

Location: Switch ThanX Festival Stage

Sora: “Everyone, thanks so much for coming to Switch’s live today!”

“First off… Has everyone here at the venue played the game that was made yet?”

“Sora, Shisho~, and Senpai all worked hard to create a game that everyone could play and get drawn into!”

Sora: “—HaHa~! It seems everyone had a lot of fun playing it, that makes Sora happy too~! ♪”

“The game will still be playable even after the live, so make sure to give it a try!”

Tsumugi: “Fufu, our game is fun and all, but right now it’s time for our live, Sora-kun.”

Sora: “Sora knows! But, but, Senpai! This stage looks exactly like the world inside the game~!”

“Especially the shrine in the back, it looks like it was taken straight out of it!”

Tsumugi: “That's right. Our stage here is recreated from the game we made.”

“Natsume-kun, who was in charge of game development, and I, who was in charge of stage construction, put our heart and soul into this. Didn’t we, Natsume-kun?”

Natsume: “Sure dID. We put a lot of special care in ensuring it feels as if you've entered the world inside the gaME.”

Natsume: “We built this shine because we wanted a place where everyone can create a lot of ‘connectioNS’.”

“I’m sure there are many people here who have been supporting Switch for a long time nOW. Maybe this is the first day some of you have ever heard about uS.”

“PerhaPS, some of you all have made new friends through our gaME.”

“If our gaME, if our liVE, could act as the catalyst to weave those new connectioNS, then we are haPPY.

“It is because of the entanglement of such countless connectioNS, and because Switch received support from so many people that a day such as today was possible for all of uS.”

“AgaIN, I thank you all for your continued support of Switch.”

Natsume: “The reason we can continue being idols is because of our connections with all of yOU.”

“And as long as we have your suppoRT, we as Switch will continue to sing in this world, where connections of happiness are wovEN!”

“♪~♪~♪”

[ ☆ ]

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[twilightmalachite]

World Switching - Switching 4

Characters: Natsume, Tsumugi, Sora

Translation: Mika Enstars

"Just a bit earliER. I couldn’t sleep earlier and so I went out to cool off in the nighttime wiND, that’s when I came upon iT. It had soME, weLL, horrible things written on iT."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Summer

Location: Shrine Grounds

A couple hours later…

Natsume: …

Tsumugi: Ah! So you were here, Natsume-kun. It’s already past midnight, you should head to bed else your health will suffer for it, you know?

Natsume: I could tell you the same thiNG, you knOW. Why are you still awaKE?

You’re not so delicate that a change of bedding will keep you uP, are yOU?

Tsumugi: I’m not, you’re right about that, but I noticed you were nowhere to be seen.

Natsume: Are you the only one left awaKE, Senpai? Have the children and Sora fallen asleep yET?

Tsumugi: Yes, they’re all sleeping soundly.

They all are probably tired out from playing. Apparently, Sora-kun had been playing with them in the time before we arrived.

It really feels like some sort of secret base, doesn’t it? It surprised me to see that they brought sleeping bags with them and everything!

Natsume: WeLL, considering those kids’ circumstancES, I’m actually not sure if it’s possible for them to have prepared that muCH.

RathER, actuaLLY, I wonder if this shrine has been used this way since long long aGO.

Tsumugi: What do you mean by that, exactly…?

Natsume: While the exterior of the shrine is run doWN, the interior was relatively clean and tiDY, you sEE.

I have a feeling this shrine might have been used as a place to live for those with nowhere to go since ancient timES, much like those childrEN.

Tsumugi: I see~. In that case, it would certainly explain why there’s so many sleeping bags available.

But why is there a shrine here, in the middle of a mountain, where there’s said to be a “spiriting god”?

Is this shrine also part of the barrier that seals away the youkai after all?

But because it lies so deep into the mountain, nobody would pay any visits to it, and it was forgotten about as a result…?

Natsume: Maybe something like that would have been nicer for the god of this shriNE. But the truth is likely something differeNT.

I think you can make some guesses if you look at this ema[1] heRE.

Tsumugi: There’s an ema here? When did you come upon this?

Natsume: Just a bit earliER. I couldn’t sleep earlier and so I went out to cool off in the nighttime wiND, that’s when I came upon iT. It had soME, weLL, horrible things written on iT.

Tsumugi: …This looks to be a wish for their ties to be severed due to jealousy and built-up resentment. It’s certainly not pleasant to look at.

Judging from what’s on this ema, does this mean this place enshrines a deity of separation?

Natsume: LikeLY. I found a couple other ema that were similAR.

My guess is in the paST, this shrine flourished alongside the two other ones that laid at the foot of the mountaIN.

But the god here was far too effectiVE. People had asked for their ties to be severed over and over agaIN, and again and again those wishes came true as a resuLT—

But in tuRN, people came to fear the deity’s overwhelming powER.

—That’s how it iS. To the peopLE, it’s much like what they call a youkAI.

Tsumugi: No way… You mean the youkai feared by those in the area could actually be the god of this shrine?!

Natsume: YeAH. And sO, the youkai sealed away within this mountain was named the “spiriting god”.

A youkai that snatches people away and forcibly severs their ties with the secular worLD.

The god heRE, who had come to be feared as an evil beiNG, naturally became shunned by the people of the arEA.

People stopped paying visits to the shriNE, and at some poiNT, its chief priest quietly became nowhere to be seen as weLL.

At this poiNT, it’s likely the only people who pay visit to this shrine are those who have nowhere else to gO, like those childrEN.

That of which only strengthened the authenticity of the “spiriting good” even furthER.

This shrine became used as a temporary place of refuge for not only those childrEN, but for those who ran away from home or fled amidst the nigHT.

That’s probably the real truth behind those so-called “spiriting awaYS”.

Tsumugi: …That sure is a sad circumstance for a god to be in, huh.

Even though it was the humans who asked to be severed… To think that the one who got demonized was instead the god that granted those wishes…

Sora: —Even still, the god is kind enough to welcome everyone here. The god here is a very kind god~…♪

Tsumugi: Whoa?! Sora-kun, you were akake?!

Sora: Sora woke up just now after hearing the voices of Senpai and Shisho~ talking~!

Natsume: Did we wake you up as you were sleepiNG? I’m soRRY, Sora.

Sora: It’s okay, so do not worry~! Sora’s sure it was the god of the shrine telling Sora that Shisho~ and Senpai were having an important conversation!

Even though the area has forgotten about and demonized the god… The god is still a kind god who gives these kids a place they can belong!

Natsume: FuFU, your perspective never ceases to amaze mE, Sora. IndEED, you are completely rigHT.

So that these kids can break free from their painful realiTY… So that these kids can find a moment of peaCE…

The “spiriting god” has severed their ties with the secular world for a small whiLE.

Natsume: —They truly are a very, very kind gOD.

Tsumugi: That’s right. We want to be idols who can offer the same sort of kindness to others, too.

We want to pick up those who were beaten down and lead them to happiness. That’s what Switch is all about as well.

Sora: HaHa~! The “spiriting god” is a veteran senior for Sora, Shisho~, and Senpai to follow, huh!

Natsume: FuFU, seems sO. I’m glad I was able to meet someone so greatly our senior before our Fan ThanX Festival.

Natsume: … (makes a prayer towards the shrine)

(I pray for our faNS, both of who have supported Switch since the beginning to those who learn of us the first time through this liVE—)

(That our Fan ThanX Festival will weave connections of happiness for them aLL.)

(So when it comES, you watch over the success of our Fan ThanX Festival tOO, okAY?—Kind God.)

Tsumugi: Come to think of it, you had originally gone looking for the third shrine to improve our game’s quality, didn’t you, Sora-kun?

Sora: Come to think of it, that’s right! So much had happened that Sora completely forgot~!

But, Sora feels he shouldn’t spread word of this shrine too much.

Natsume: RigHT. The existence of this mysterious third shrine should be kept secret, hidden for those who are in need of iT.

StiLL, it’s a little sad to treat this shrine as if it doesn’t exist at aLL.

So, within our gaME, I think we should treat it as if it does exiST.

There happen to be three of uS, so it wouldn't be out of place to feature three shrinES, rigHT?

Tsumugi: Will you be making such a big change to the map so late? I do hope we’ll make it in time for the event, but will it really be okay?

Natsume: …I’ll find a way to make it woRK. I understand from the get-go that this might be difficult to pull oFF, okAY?

Sora: HiHi~! Sora will support Shisho~ with all his strength, too! A rigorous death match begins here~! ♪

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Ema (絵馬), sometimes known in English as “prayer tablets”, are wooden plates used to write sacred wishes, pleas, and prayers to the god(s) of the shrine. They look like this.