vsaenglish

Lion: Stop.

Monet: Ha… Haa…

Lion: From the top. Do it again.

Hiromi: Y-Yes. We'll do our best.

Kazu: Stop. Cate, I want you to do that part more gradually.

Cate: I see!

Kazu: Kyouya, you can have more confidence. You’re not doing a bad job at all.

Kyouya: Y-Yes…

Lion: Stop. One more time.

Riam: … Haa, haa… We’re not getting anywhere.

Akashi: Please let us try one more time…!

Kazu: Stop. Can I have you guys check that part in the footage?

Meguru: Hm. Should Ainosuke and myself be in a more symmetrical position?

Ainosuke: Yeah, that seems like it’ll work better.

Lion: Stop. Nothing is changing.

Riam: Hah, haa… Seriously…?

Lion: Don’t make me repeat myself. This is nowhere near where you need to be. Are you listening, Shimba?

Shimba: …?

Kazu: Stop. Good work. We’ve gone over everything once now.

Cate: Thank you very much!

Kazu: Mhm. I don’t think this is bad for the first day. Now, as for the fundamental problem… We’ll get by as long as we do something about Mikera, is how things are looking.

Mikera: …?

Lion: We’re not getting anywhere with practice because you’re holding things back.

Kazu: Oh, you couldn’t tell? You’re the only one out of place.

Shimba / Mikera: Haa…?

——

Shimba: What do you mean by that?

Lion: Your acting is too large. Don’t act in this like you’re the lead. This play doesn’t need the behavior you have right now. From the beginning. Start!

Shimba: …

Lion: Stop! Shimba, it’s you.

Shimba: …!

Lion: Stop. Shimba! How many times are you going to make me repeat myself? Do it again from the beginning.

Shimba: Ngh…!

Lion: Stop! Shimba! All you did was make your movements docile. I’m not telling you to cut corners.

Shimba: … What am I doing wrong?

Lion: I’m telling you to play your role as a minor character. Don’t stand out. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Back up the lead.

Shimba: How am I supposed to do that—?

Lion: I’m telling you the answer right now. You’re not an amateur, so think about your approach on your own.

Shimba: …

——

Kazu: I don’t want acting that looks like it’s just for show. I’m not interested in a play that’s only good on the surface. I want you to make sure there are no lies in your own feelings.

Cate: But, but, a play has lines prepared for them, right? What do you mean?

Kazu: I want you to search for something you have in common with your role. Use that as a hint, and I want you to start feeling the same way your role does. That way, the lines you say aren’t a lie. They’ll be your true feelings.

Meguru: Hm, quite interesting.

Kazu: Meguru and Ainosuke were on the right track. Did you two have some kind of opportunity to confront your real feelings?

Ainosuke: Mm, yeah, I guess so.

Meguru: Something of that sort does come to mind.

Kazu: So, that means you’re the one least capable of doing that, Mikera.

Mikera: …

Cate: Eh? But, Mikera is really skilled!

Kazu: You’re right, he has great technique. He can pull off action scenes, and his projection is clear… But, Mikera is the most different.

Mikera: Haah. With all due respect—

——

Shimba: Then, why do I have this role?

Lion: Hah?

Shimba: The body I was born with won’t get smaller. If this role is one meant to erase its presence, then haven’t you miscasted me?

Lion: Do you have any problems with my direction plans?

Shimba: Yeah, I sure do!

Lion: … Ha, you’ve got guts.

Hiromi: U-Um, excuse me for butting in.

Lion: What is it?

Hiromi: Um, Lion-san, I understand your point itself, but… Shimba-kun may be a special case.

Monet: It’s true that his body is large, but he has an aura coming from him too.

Akashi: Yes, Shimba-san is someone whose existence alone is enough to draw attention.

Riam: Honestly, we’re all not sure what your intentions were with this cast.

Lion: So, what? Are you all only going to do jobs suitable for you?

Riam: That’s not what I mean.

Lion: Hiromi, do you plan on giving up the lead role you worked for just because you think Shimba suits it better?

Hiromi: … I believe if it will improve the performance, then—

Shimba: No, it’s fine.

Hiromi: !

Shimba: That’s not right.

Hiromi: Shimba-kun…

Lion: So? Is that all you have to say?

——

Mikera: You’re talking about method acting, correct?

Kazu: That’s right.

Cate: Method?

Ainosuke: What is that?

Mikera: An acting technique where you feel your role’s feelings vicariously. You draw something close to the role’s feelings from your own or ones you’ve felt in the past… It’s a famous acting technique, so I understand the logic behind it.

Kyouya: I didn’t know that…

Cate: Don’t worry! Cate didn’t either!

Mikera: However. There’s nothing I have in common with this role. He’s weak, cowardly, and can’t seize an opportunity. In the end, he ends up addicted to drugs. I don’t understand any bit of this person’s feelings.

Kazu: Are you saying you’re different?

Mikera: No matter what happens, I don’t give in. I keep fighting in order to win in the end.

Kazu: …

Mikera: It’s inefficient to try method acting with a role you have nothing in common with, isn’t it?

Kazu: You know, Mikera, as an actor… No, I guess this goes for being an idol too. It’s overwhelmingly clear that you’re missing something.

Mikera: … Haa? What am I—

Kazu: Time’s up. We’ll stop here for today.

Mikera: …

——

Everyone: …

Kyouya: Haa…

Ainosuke: Eh, doesn’t the vibe feel, like, terrible right now? Did something happen with you guys too?

Akashi: Yes, well…

Cate: But we should at least enjoy eating our dinner!

Riam: Yeah, that’s right. Practice will continue tomorrow.

Monet: Should we talk about something?

Meguru: Yes, good idea. Conversation makes the food taste better. Allow me to kick things off. I couldn’t have possibly assumed that Shimba and Mikera would be suffering any setbacks. What are your thoughts, everyone?

Akashi: Meguru-san?!

Ainosuke: Okay, I thought we were trying to avoid that on purpose, weren’t we?

Shimba / Mikera: …

Ainosuke: Look, now those two are all stiff!

Meguru: Are they now? I reckoned this was a topic you all were interested in.

Akashi: I thought it was quite a delicate problem…

Meguru: Hm, there is no need to treat it so cautiously, is there? The musical is a challenge we are all taking on, as a team.

Shimba: Meguru’s right.

Mikera: I agree.

Shimba: … M’sorry. I’m causing issues for everyone on my team.

Hiromi: You haven’t done anything like that.

Akashi: That’s right, and you are normally the one leading us forward, Shimba-san.

Monet: Yeah… Whatever will be, will be.

Shimba: No, I shouldn’t be holding you all back.

Hiromi: …?

Mikera: Me neither. I’ll get it together by tomorrow morning.

Meguru: Indeed, I am certain you can. We have no worries.

Kazu: Excuse us. Sorry to interrupt you all while you’re eating.

Everyone: !

Kazu: Kind of brings back memories seeing everyone eat together, doesn’t it, Lion?

Lion: We’re not here for any idle talk. This is communication for work. Practice will start one hour earlier tomorrow. There isn’t as much progress being made as we thought there would be.

Ainosuke: Seriously?

Shimba: … And I’m the reason, aren’t I?

Lion: Yeah. You and Mikera. Show us something different tomorrow.

Mikera: …

Kazu: If the two of you don’t step up, neither of you will be at the level you need to be to represent Scarlet.

Mikera: Haa?

Lion: Yeah, if it were up to me, I’d choose neither of you.

Shimba: … You’ve really said it now.

Hiromi: W-Wait a moment, Shimba-kun! You can’t pick a fight with your senior! Restrain yourself!

Shimba: …

Hiromi: Aah, no! His eyes are full of anger! Riam-kun, help!

Riam: Oi! Stop right there, Shimba!

Shimba: Damn it…

Mikera: Tch, you didn’t have to stop him.

Akashi: Mikera-san??

Kazu: Haha, you guys are so full of energy.

Lion: If you’ve got that much excess in power, you wanna make practice start another hour earlier?

Hiromi: Please stop instigating!

Kyouya: This is a mess…

——

Kamuy: Mm, things are going great.

Shimba: What are you seeing that makes you say that?

Kamuy: You went out of your way to talk to me directly. Does their direction bother you that much?

Shimba: Yeah, completely.

Mikera: It’s objectively clear that both Shimba and I have been miscasted. If things keep going like this, the stage will fall apart thanks to the directors’ egos.

Kamuy: I understand how you feel now. But, there won’t be any changes. The directors are those two.

Mikera: … With all due respect, it only looks like you’ve given them such a high position because of your personal bias towards them.

Kamuy: I won’t deny that. There is a special place in my heart for them. I have faith in them as well.

Shimba: Hate to say this, but they’re cowards who tried to run away during the previous audition. I can’t trust them as much as you can.

Mikera: Yes, it only looks like they’re obsessed with getting their own personal redo and resorting to wild direction tactics.

Kamuy: You’re right, they did try to run away. That’s exactly why there’s lots you can learn from them.

Mikera: I don’t understand—

Kamuy: You two have never run away from something, have you?

Shimba: Nope.

Mikera: I have not.

Kamuy: Haha. Let me say this, even if I were directing, the cast would be the same. I’d like you to also trust those two.

Shimba / Mikera: …

——

Lion: Stop.

Shimba: Ngh…

Lion: Oi, Hiromi.

Hiromi: Y-Yes.

Lion: Try playing Shimba’s role.

Hiromi: Eh? Alright, then…

Lion: I’ll play Hiromi’s role. Shimba, watch carefully.

——

Lion: Alright, that should be enough. Shimba, what did you think after watching from the outside?

Shimba: … I know what you’re trying to say now.

Lion: Oh?

Shimba: My eyes naturally went towards someone else. Hiromi was actively working to make sure he backed up his surroundings. He also fine-tuned his positioning to guide the audience’s viewpoint. By making himself disappear, the main focus was able to shine. There’s no mistake that the overall quality of the performance increased.

Hiromi: !

Lion: … You’ve got a good eye on you.

Shimba: Is this what you want me to do?

Lion: Yeah, that’s right.

Shimba: … I can’t.

Lion: !

Shimba: … I… We are competing in this audition so we can shine as idols, aren’t we?

——

Kazu: Okay. What did you notice while watching the performance footage?

Ainosuke: I’m literally eating it up.

Kazu: Okay, what else?

Meguru: It seems better than yesterday.

Kazu: Right, I think so too. What else?

Mikera: I look out of place.

Kazu: Correct.

Mikera: …

Kazu: You can tell now?

Mikera: … Yes.

Kyouya: That’s…

Mikera: Everyone’s beginning to grasp the principles of performing that you’re showing us. That’s why I can tell. I’m the only one who looks like they’re acting in another world… I look strange.

Kazu: So, what should you do, Mikera?

Mikera: … I’d like to think about it on my own.

Kazu: Sure. You seem like you have all of the lines and their flow down perfectly, so, I’ll give you a day.

Mikera: Thank you very much.

Meguru: … Acting is quite the profound art. I believed Mikera’s technique to be rather high.

Ainosuke: Then how come things turned out like this?

Kazu: Mikera’s unable to identify with the role… No, maybe it’s that he doesn’t want to. That’s why the lines he says become lies.

Cate: … Hmmm.

Kyouya: Cate-san?

——

Shimba: I… I want to stay as I am. I can’t waste the talent I’ve been blessed with. That’s… That’s what I was born to do.

Hiromi: Shimba-kun, calm down.

Shimba: Hiromi, why do you never advocate for yourself? If you keep doing that, there may be no one in the audience who’ll even look at you!

Hiromi: …!

Shimba: Only ever trying to make sure someone else shines… That… just makes you a stepping stone, doesn’t it?!

Hiromi: Shimba-kun, that’s not it.

Shimba: What the hell is fun about that?!

Riam: Shimba, get it together!

Shimba: …! … Sorry. I went too far…

Hiromi: No, it’s alright. You’re fine.

Akashi: … Excuse me, Lion-san. May we take a break?

Monet: A long one.

Lion: Yeah, we’ll meet again in an hour.

Hiromi: Let’s rest up, Shimba-kun.

Shimba: … What do I do…? This is the first time this has happened…!

Mikera: Haa… It’s alright. It’s okay. I’ve overcome everything up until now. It’s alright. I’ll be alright…

Cate: Hey, Mikera!

Mikera: Cate?

Cate: Mikera, let Cate think together with you, okay?

Mikera: … No, I’ll be fine on my own.

Cate: Two heads are better than one! If we’re thinking together, we might figure something out!

Mikera: You don’t need to worry. I’ve made it through everything up until now. This time isn’t an exception. It’s not a big deal.

Cate: But, but! I’m sure if everyone puts their heads together, then—

Mikera: I’m telling you, I’m FINE! Ah…

Cate: Ah… Sorry.

Mikera: Um… I just think that… acting is something you have to face on your own, so…

Cate: Yeah, gotcha.

Mikera: You’re the lead, aren’t you? Don’t mind me and do your best. I’ll get through this on my own somehow.

Cate: Mikera…

——

Kamuy: Good work, you two.

Lion: … I’m exhausted.

Kazu: Yeah, seriously. It was so much easier when I was the actor.

Kamuy: So? How were the candidates this time?

Lion / Kazu: …

Lion: They’re all at a high level.

Kazu: Yeah, it feels like they’ve got it much more put together than we did at the time.

Lion: That’s not true.

Kazu: Come on, give our juniors a little support.

Kamuy: Haha! What about Shimba and Mikera? You seem quite stuck on them.

Kazu: Don’t you act like too much of a spartan with them, Lion?

Lion: If I thought he was someone who couldn’t take a hit, I wouldn’t have said anything in the first place.

Kazu: It’s hard. There’s no point in teaching them everything from one to ten.

Lion: Yeah, you tell them too much.

Kazu: And you don’t tell them enough.

Kamuy: … It’s always going to be difficult between a director and their actors.

——

Shimba / Mikera: …

Shimba: You’re doing solo practice too, huh?

Mikera: Something like that. I won’t get in your way, so don’t mind me.

Shimba: Sure feels awkward being alone together!

Mikera: You know, you don’t normally say that kind of thing out loud.

Shimba / Mikera: …

Mikera: You… kind of look like you’re going through it.

Shimba: Yeah, so do you.

Mikera: … And here you were going on about how you don’t know how to lose.

Shimba: You’re not as calm as you pretend to be at all. Didn’t think you were the kind of person to take your anger out on someone, but…

Mikera: Hah? What are you trying to say?

Shimba: … Unfortunately, I’m not so composed either. For once, I feel like I wouldn’t mind picking a fight.

——

Kazu: Is someone using the dance studio? At a time like this?

Lion: I can hear voices… It’s Shimba and Mikera.

Kazu: Oh, maybe they’re getting some practice in. Let’s see…

Mikera: I’ve been telling you! I hate that attitude of yours!

Lion / Kazu: !

Mikera: Your huge body, and your loud voice… You’re just lucky enough to have been blessed with the things you were born with! I don’t wanna hear someone like that talking so big! I’ve been giving it my all to bridge that gap!

Shimba: Yeah, that’s right. I was made special the moment I was born.

Mikera: Haah? What, are you bragging?!

Shimba: Because I was born that way, I have to make sure I remain something special! That’s what the audience will pay to see! Who wants to see someone grovelling pathetically?!

Mikera: That’s only something a deluded king who’s relying on his talents alone would say! You don’t understand how peasants feel or something?! Don’t talk about the audience’s feelings like that!

Shimba: … You’re awfully stuck on talent this, talent that. You’ve got the nerve to feign innocence… Don’t project your complexes onto others!

Mikera: ! It’s not a complex!!

Shimba: Ha, you really can’t see how you look.

Mikera: … You piss me off. All you’ve done is win using cheats. You have no room to talk.

Shimba: You…!

Mikera: If you’ve got a problem, then go ahead and take it up with me! I won’t lose!

Shimba: That’s my line!!

多彩 - multicolored / varied

schlemmer - gourmet

——

Ainosuke: Aah! I knew it! I was just thinking something smelled super good~!

Cate: A sweet, sweet, great scent~! I'm hungry!

Hiromi: I figured you’d all want a snack, so I started making some.

Ainosuke: We’ve been blessed~ Eh, wait, you’re good at making pancakes, huh? They're not burnt!

Riam: Yeah, they’re better off that way.

Ainosuke: You don’t get it at all. Burning pancakes is a must! If we don’t cause any seven great incidents like they did in the 1st season, we won’t have any footage to use!

Cate: So they’re supposed to be burnt~? We have a burner here!

Ainosuke: Now that’s a suggestion!

Riam: No, it ain’t!

Hiromi: You’re right about the pancake incident being a sure winner though.

Akashi: That's right. Pancakes are cooked more evenly on an iron plate than on a frying pan because it has better heat conductivity.

Mikera: I don’t think that’s what he meant? [1]

Monet: Fluffy… pancakes…

Kyouya: Uwah, that scared me!

Ainosuke: Woah, you appeared so suddenly, I thought you were Inamoto-san or something~!

Shimba: We were smelling something that set off our hunger, so we took it as a sign to all gather in the kitchen!

Meguru: With such a sweet smell wafting through the air, it is not impossible to lose against temptation.

Hiromi: Which means we’re all here. I’ll make a lot of them, so let’s all enjoy a little snack together.

Inamoto: Before that, may I have a moment?

Everyone: Uwah!

Kyouya: My stomach dropped…

Ainosuke: I was thinking, “Appearing so suddenly? What are you, Inamoto-san~?!” and it actually turned out to be him…

Inamoto: Yes, I am Inamoto. I have come to inform you about information regarding the mentors.

Ainosuke: Regarding the mentors, meaning… Did something happen to Taiyou?!

Riam: Calm down.

Inamoto: So far, XlamV, fun4re, and illuvista have all participated as mentors. However, as XlamV have been preparing for their live, we will have an interval period.

Meguru: I see. So, in order to parallel our mentors, we will also be taking an interval.

Akashi: I understand why, but having a sudden interval has me restless.

Ainosuke: But, an interval doesn't really mean we'll just have a bunch of extra time on our hands, right?

Cate: We could take naps? Snooze our hearts away?

Monet: Zzz…

Inamoto: Of course. We will have you all utilize this interval… to interact with each other and build your connections.

Kyouya: I-Interact…?

Mikera: Build our connections? W-What are you talking about…?

Shimba: Bwahaha! You’re sayin’ something real funny looking completely serious!

Hiromi: I’m guessing this is a team building event to have us get to know each other better, on top of living together. We did this a lot at my company too.

Ainosuke: There you go, that’s something only a salaryman would know!

Riam: If you want us to get to know each other better, what exactly are we doin’? Are we playing games?

Inamoto: Your first group activity will be one that easily nourishes friendship and affection. You will pair up with your rival and participate in a cooking battle.

Hiromi: A cooking battle?

Ainosuke: Yay~! It’s an Internat staple, having us cook! We can get so much footage from this~!

Meguru: I have heard wind of couple events where they cook together and nurture their love. Where is the harm in having a cooking battle with all of us as well?

Akashi: I see! So this is an event to build love between us!

Cate: A cooking battle! Whoever loses will have to play a dreadful punishment game!

Kyouya: That’s a death game…

Ainosuke: Actually, our next assignment is a reaction battle, right~? A cooking battle would be some legit rehearsal for us, wouldn’t it?

Riam: We’ll have to have reactions when we eat some super spicy food and stuff like that!

Cate: That’s true!

Shimba: So we can use this as prep for our assignment too. But, this is a battle, so we’re gonna have some kind of rule, right?

Inamoto: Yes, let’s see… Then…

Mikera: ??? Why did you suddenly pull out a bell pepper and take a bite out of it?

Riam: Did you get hungry?

Inamoto: If my memory serves me correctly, today’s theme will be… eggs!

Meguru: Why did you bite into a bell pepper?

Shimba: So anything’s fine as long as we’ve got eggs in it!

Inamoto: That’s right. As long as you use eggs, there will be no problems. The eggs you will be using come from “Hearty Chick Land,” a poultry farm that fun4re have assisted for work.

Ainosuke: Oh yeah, that! Watching their farming experience was awesome~

Mikera: We’ve just been getting a whole lot of info.

Shimba: Understood! Let’s each do our best to make the most supreme egg dish!

Cate: And we can have all the food we make for dinner~!

Akashi: Yes, that would work with the timing. You can say this is both an efficient and practical battle.

Inamoto: All of the ingredients prepared for you can be found in the kitchen and the corridor. Please, use whatever you would like. You may also use what is inside the fridge. As this is a team competition, you have also been given different cooking areas.

Akashi: That makes it easier to create a strategy without letting the other teams know what you will be making.

Inamoto: You will have 60 minutes! Without further ado… Begin!

——

Shimba: We’re Team Scarlet! It’s time to figure out what we’re making! We HAVE to make sure that the other teams don’t hear us!

Mikera: Then don’t be so loud…

Shimba: Egg dishes are the basics of cooking!

Mikera: Really? Then, it won’t be that hard to mess up, so we can go with fried eggs—

Shimba: We’re making omurice!

Mikera: Huh?

Shimba: Look! The ketchup fell!

Mikera: Huhhh…?

Shimba: When you think of ketchup, you’ve gotta have omurice with fluffy eggs! We’re gonna make omurice!

Mikera: What kind of logic is that? Actually, is ketchup even something that falls…? No, well, whatever. As long as we decide which one of us is working with the eggs and the chicken rice, we can make progress without having to work together anyway.

Shimba: Anything can be a challenge! Now, let’s make our way to the kitchen!

——

Akashi: We are Team Navy. There were no specifications saying we must make an egg dish. If we proceed with something simple, we are likely to win against the other teams.

Meguru: Being too cautious will cause our cooking to appear poor compared to the other teams if they serve more elaborate dishes. Should we not take a risk and make sure our dish has a proper cooking process?

Akashi: … That is true, you have a point. However, what kind of dish would suit this situation?

Meguru: Hmm… Taking things into consideration, the other teams are likely to make an entrée, no? Which means we must make…

Akashi: I see…! We have to make dessert! Right now, when the possibility of our opponents making an entrée is high, if we make a dessert meant to be eaten after that, then…

Meguru: Our team will be given high ratings.

Akashi: We are the only ones making a dessert for this match! You can hardly call it competition anymore! However, what desserts use eggs in their recipe…?

Meguru: No need to fret. I found this earlier.

Akashi: T-That’s…!

——

Ainosuke: Let’s make pancakes!

Riam: Don’t say that so loudly!

Ainosuke: The other teams can’t hear us anyway, so it’s fine! We can make anything as long as we use eggs, right? We’re gonna use eggs to make pancakes.

Riam: We had ‘em during the day already.

Ainosuke: And we can have them again! Plus, the other teams are probably making entrées, but nobody except us is gonna make a dessert!

Riam: Aah, I guess you’ve got a point there. You're pretty clever.

Ainosuke: Yeah, aren’t I? Let’s do our best to make some pancakes!

Riam: Even if we ate some earlier.

Ainosuke: What we had earlier were supreme pancakes. Please come back here after that. I’ll show you what real ultimate pancakes are.

Riam: And what do ya mean by that?

Ainosuke: I found this hand mixer earlier, so we can make them. And to make these ultimate pancakes, I’ll need this hand mixer and you, Riam. I wanted you to make them with me no matter what.

Riam: Ainosuke… You…

——

Kyouya: We’re Team Black. My partner is asleep. Please help me.

Monet: Zzz…

Kyouya: I’m practically alone here.

Monet: I’m really gonna help, promise~...

Kyouya: Woah! That startled me… Can you make something with eggs?

Monet: Eggs… Eggs… Did the egg come first, or the chicken…? Mmm… Zzz…

Kyouya: Don’t fall asleep! Wait, what are you using as a pillow…?

Monet: Mm… A wok…

Kyouya: That sounds like it hurts… Where did you even get that…?

Monet: Before I knew it… It was just there…

Kyouya: Before you knew it…? No, wait, don’t go to sleep…! He’s asleep… A wok… Hmmm… Ah, that’s it!

——

Cate: Team! Emerald! Dishes that use eggs~! What are we making? I wonder what’d be good~

Hiromi: Hmm, it’s hard to decide. There are a lot of foods that use eggs, so…

Cate: Cate loves eggs~! It’d be nice if we could make something that features eggs as the main part.

Hiromi: Eggs as the main part… Wait, huh?

Cate: What’s wrong?

Hiromi: There’s kamaboko just laying here.

Cate: Wild kamaboko~? Hello there!

Hiromi: Did Inamoto-san drop it while he was transporting the ingredients?

Cate: I feel bad for the lost kamaboko! Should we release them back into the wild?

Hiromi: We can use it since it’s been wrapped, so I don’t think we need to do that… Hold on, wait. If we have kamaboko, then I think we could make that…!

Cate: Hm~? Whatcha thinking?

——

Ainosuke: Riam, how you doing over there?

Riam: Ngh… Haa, haa… Ainosuke… You…! This is what you meant when you said you needed me, huh…?!

Ainosuke: You’re the only one who could make buttercream with sheer human strength anyway~ Smooth and velvety buttercream is a necessity to make the ultimate pancake! Keep at it, tough guy~!

Riam: Nrgh… Ughh! This is seriously gettin’ to my arms, y’know?!

Ainosuke: Your biceps are straight up shining! They’re just like Mount Everest~!

Riam: Stop teasing me and swap with me! Why are you the only one using a mixer?!

Ainosuke: Nope! Making fluffy meringue is a delicate task! Riam’s strength! Ainosuke’s technique! Let’s split up the work based on our good parts, okay?

Riam: Damn it…! You say all those pretty-sounding words so easily!

——

Shimba: Shoot! I burnt the eggs again!

Mikera: Eh, again?

Shimba: Hahahaha! Who would’ve thought that omurice would be this profound?!

Mikera: It’s alright if they’re a little hard, so why don’t you give up on the fluffy omurice and go with normal eggs?

Shimba: Dandelion omurice has gotta be fluffy! If I make any compromises here, I’ll make a habit of giving up, and I’ll develop a mindset of choosing another option because I felt like the first one was impossible!

Mikera: That so… I finished the chicken rice over here, so. Good luck with those eggs.

Shimba: Failure births success! I can redo things however many times I need!

——

Akashi: Not again! I’ve made a mistake again…

Meguru: What is the matter? What mistake do you speak of?

Akashi: You even found this recipe for us… But we’re in this predicament thanks to me!

Meguru: What could have been so drastic for you to say so?

Akashi: Please take a look at this pudding… It’s far from being smooth and shiny, and there are so many holes in it…!

Meguru: Hm… It seems su is in the pudding.

Akashi: Su? As in vinegar? No, I don’t believe I added vinegar…

Meguru: Aah, not that. I am referring to the air bubbles you see showing up on the surface of the pudding. [2] For foods that require you to steam eggs, like pudding and egg custard, it is easy for them to appear. Naturally, this does not make them very pleasant to eat.

Akashi: No…! Ending up in this situation despite the simple ingredients and instructions was beyond my expectations… How in the world will we fix this…?

Meguru: Hmm. The steamer has been properly set up, so what else could have caused this…?

Akashi: Could it be that I really did add vinegar?

Meguru: I think not… There is something I have just recalled. A secret method to ensure there are no air bubbles in the pudding.

Akashi: A secret method?

Meguru: Seeing this plastic wrap jogged one’s memory. It is said that using plastic wrap helps even out the heat and prevents air bubbles from appearing.

Akashi: Is that so… Though, why is there plastic wrap here…?

Meguru: Were you not the one who brought it?

Akashi: No… I didn’t…

Meguru: Plastic wrap that has suddenly appeared… How strange…

——

Monet: The Seven Wonders of the Internat… There’s another person here…!

Kyouya: Woah! Don’t just surprise me so suddenly!

Monet: Sorry… Yaaawn…

Kyouya: What do you mean there’s another person here…?

Monet: It just feels like it?

Kyouya: D-Don’t say scary stuff like that.

Monet: Sorr… Zzz…

Kyouya: D-Don’t fall asleep either… Thanks to the wok Monet-san has, it feels like we can make some proper egg fried rice.

Monet: That’s great…

Kyouya: We just need a heat source and a pan to make it. I wouldn’t have thought to make fried rice if we didn’t have this pan, so thanks, really.

Monet: Cooking’s a form of love. We can have green peas in our fried rice.

Kyouya: Green peas? Not meat dumplings…?

Monet: It’ll look good~

Kyouya: Look…? Oh, I get it…! The yellow of the egg fried rice and the green from the peas will go well together…!

Monet: Pretty~

Kyouya: Thanks, Monet-san. I hadn’t thought of using green peas, so that was a big help!

Monet: Zzz… Green peas…

——

Cate: Hiromi, what are we gonna do with the kamaboko we gathered?

Hiromi: We’re going to use the kamaboko and shrimp and make egg custard.

Cate: Egg custard! It’s all smooth and super yummy! Thinking of egg custard from kamaboko is a genius idea!

Hiromi: I’m glad I checked Sakuya-san’s cooking show! There was an episode about an easy way to make egg custard.

Cate: That’s amazing! You’re so diligent, Hiromi!

Hiromi: That’s not all; we’re using a time-saving recipe! We can make it using the microwave, so we’ll finish before the time limit.

Cate: Yo, Mr. Resourceful~!

Hiromi: Is that the right way to put it…? It’d be perfect if we could use ginkgo nuts in our egg custard, but of course we don’t have any~

Cate: ? We do have ginkgo nuts!

Hiromi: Eh?

Cate: They’re rolling around on the work table! Aren’t these ginkgo nuts?

Hiromi: There’s no way they’d just be conveniently lying around… They are ginkgo nuts…

Cate: Wow! You summoned ginkgo nuts, Hiromi! Are you a wizard?

Hiromi: No, that’s not…W-Why did these suddenly appear here…?

Mikera: T-THERE’S NYA GHOOOST!

Hiromi: Was that scream…?!

Cate: It’s Mikera’s voice…!

Ainosuke: What’s wrong?!

Riam: Did something happen?!

Hiromi: That was a really loud scream…!

Shimba: Oh! You guys all came? Man, just when I was about to take on the challenge of making fluffy eggs…

Mikera: I-I saw it…! While Shimba was cooking the eggs, a pale arm stuck out of nowhere… This is terrifying, this sucks… Just as I was thinking that, that pale white hand…

Akashi: A pale white hand…?

Mikera: IT HANDED OUT THE COOKING CHOPSTICKS!

Ainosuke: Kyaa! Don’t shout like that!

Riam: Cooking chopsticks…?

Shimba: I couldn’t figure out how to make the eggs like I wanted to using the spatula, but then the pale hand silently handed them to me.

Ainosuke: W-What the heck…? No way, is it the rumored Internat ghost?!

Kyouya: Eh?! T-There’s a ghost here…?

Cate: Begone, evil spirits! Begone!

Riam: Nah… I don’t feel any spirits, let alone evil ones…

Ainosuke: Eh? You can tell?

Riam: I don’t feel anythin’ bad.

Mikera: Whatever it is, I just want someone to do something about it! You use salt in times like these, right? We have to scatter it around, don’t we?

Meguru: Serving it would be the proper way to send them away.

Riam: You don’t gotta worry so much, but… If you’re that anxious, we can just have it exorcised, can’t we?

Hiromi: Is it that simple?

Ainosuke: Like, we can call one for free?

Riam: We could just do it ourselves too.

Ainosuke: Yeah, right! What are you even talking about?

Riam: ? If an evil spirit comes out, we can just exorcise it. That’s part of a temple’s basics, ain’t it?

Ainosuke: What do you mean, “a temple’s basics?” Wait, you were born at a temple?

Cate: Wow, wow~! Riam was born and raised in a temple! All the bad-seeming guys are basically our friends!

Ainosuke: No, wait, then… If the spirit in the Internat can be Nguyen from that godly episode, wouldn’t exorcising him mean…?!

Akashi: No, I highly doubt he would be here.

Ainosuke: Nguyen-sama! Please give me your autograph!

Meguru: Let us calm down, shall we?

Riam: Oi, what exactly am I supposed to…

Monet: I’m awake.

Kyouya: That scared me…!

Inamoto: Please forgive me for startling you. This is your notice that your time has run out.

Hiromi: Looks like everyone finished their dishes just in time.

Inamoto: Now, let us gather at the dining table and give our general comments over the meals.

——

Cate: Uwahaha! There are so many egg dishes!

Hiromi: Team Scarlet made omurice, Team Black made egg fried rice, Team Orange made pancakes, Team Navy made pudding, and finally, we made egg custard.

Mikera: This sucks. Fried rice and omurice both have rice in them…

Akashi: We have overlapping desserts as well…!

Riam: Oi! Pudding and pancakes as dessert is basically the same thing!

Ainosuke: Ahaha! Don’t worry about it!

Hiromi: Pudding and egg custard are pretty similar too…

Cate: They taste different, so it’s okay! I love, looove ‘em both!

Shimba: All of this looks delish! Hands together, everyone! Ready!

Everyone: Thanks for the meal!

Akashi: I am glad our pudding turned out to have no air pockets in them, thanks to Meguru-san’s secret trick. Next time will not be a failure!

Meguru: Our thanks go to the recipe and the plastic wrap.

???: It just melts in your mouth and tastes really good!

Cate: The green peas on the fried rice looks so pretty too! Yummy!

Kyouya: The egg custard is very delicious too. I love the ginkgo nuts in it.

Hiromi: I’m glad. I’m not sure if it was a kitchen fairy or one of the Seven Wonders of the Internat, but thanks to some mysterious power, we were able to find them.

???: Ginkgo nuts in egg custard are a must after all!

Ainosuke: Isn’t this crazy?! Every single dish tastes amazing; we’ve seriously got that magic touch~! Our cooking episodes and weird episodes are literally peak~

Riam: That supposed to mean they’re the best? Also, all of our dishes overlapped, so how did the results turn out?

Inamoto: About that…

Kyouya: That scared me…

Ainosuke: Ugh, that’s frustrating! I didn’t have a reaction for Inamoto-san suddenly appearing again!

Inamoto: We will have Kamuy-san decide the results for this cooking battle.

Kamuy: Eeh? That’s a load of responsibility there!

Mikera: Yeah. We worked hard to make our dish, so I’d like to know the results… Wait!

Everyone: EEHHH?!

Mikera: I-IT’S HERE?!

Monet: The Internat ghost…

Riam: No, that’s not it!

Shimba: Who is it?!

Kyouya: Shh!

Akashi: Y-You are…! What… are you doing here…?

Ainosuke: H-He’s here~~~! Benjamin Kamuy~~~!

Kamuy: Hello!

Meguru: Now I see. So, this is why it felt like someone other than us was here…

Hiromi: The one silently helping us with the ingredients turned out to be Kamuy-san.

Monet: There are 11 of us! Zzz…

Mikera: So, that pale white hand was also Kamuy-san?

Kamuy: Sorry for startling you~!

Ainosuke: Getting to see the real-life Kamuy-san is just too much for my heart! I’m so happy! So, what about the match? Which team won?

Kamuy: Right, right! The winner of this cooking battle is~ all of you! I mean, you all cooked up everything I wanted to eat when I arrived in Japan!

Ainosuke: That’s how badly you wanted to eat egg dishes, huh? That’s hilarious.

Cate: Did you come to Japan to eat egg dishes, Kamuy-san?

Kamuy: Nope! I’m here for work, I promise. Here for your next assignment, that is.

Everyone: Eh?

Akashi: Forgive me, but I heard that our next assignment was a reaction battle…

Kamuy: It was, but because of some adult matters, we’ve had a sudden change to a musical assignment.

Ainosuke: KYAAA! This is gonna be godly! I loved the musical episodes so much!

Mikera: A musical, huh… Which means we’re deciding on a cast. … I’m definitely gonna be the lead.

Shimba: I see! A musical is a fitting assignment for me!

Kamuy: Haha, you can’t stop once you’ve started for a musical! Now, the show must go on!

——

notes:

1 - 鉄板 (teppan) can both mean the iron/steel plate used to cook food or a “for sure thing”

2 - す (su) can be both 酢 (vinegar) or 鬆 (hole/pore in foods); the latter is usually written in kana instead of using kanji

It is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to start out with a self-introduction from each of you.

Everyone: …

Um…

Hiromi: Ah, my apologies! We haven’t decided which one of us is going first. (Looks at the members) What do you all want to do?

Mikera: Well, now that we’re here, you can start, Hiromi.

Akashi: Please do, Hiromi-san.

Hiromi: I’m not the type to go first, but… Now’s not really the time to say that, is it? I’m one of the candidates representing Emerald, Hiromi. I’m the oldest, in case you needed to know. As you can see, I’m not quite used to interviews yet, and I apologize for showing you something unflattering. I’m pleased to be here.

Mikera: Guess that means I’m next. I’m one of the candidates representing Scarlet, Mikera. I’m the youngest, but I have the most room for growth. It’s nyai… (Ahem) It’s nice to be here.

Akashi: I am one of the candidates representing Navy, Akashi! It is an honor to have such a wonderful space prepared for us today! I believe we will be able to introduce this song’s brilliance!

Meguru: I am also one of the candidates representing Navy, Meguru. Let us take great care today.

Cate: I’m one of the candidates representing Emerald, Cate! Let’s chat it up today!

Thank you very much. Now, please tell me how you felt while recording “Hello Future!!!”

Meguru: Right. When I first heard this song… There was a vitalic, warm, and charming energy to it. It is a role that the other members suit, but I felt a slight apprehension during recording.

Cate: Really?

Mikera: I couldn’t tell at all.

Akashi: I believe you were able to widen our variation, Meguru-san. You provide something like an adult’s depth… Additionally, hearing you sing faster than usual felt fresh!

Meguru: I see. I am fortunate if I was able to show a new side of oneself.

Cate: Your high notes were amazing too, Akashi!

Hiromi: Yeah. You held them longer than I figured you could.

Akashi: Thank you very much!

Hiromi: Also… It was difficult to decide where we should breathe during the chorus too, right?

Mikera: We had to keep the rhythm correct, so it was kind of a struggle.

Cate: You got an okay on all of your parts right away though, Mikera! You did super great!

Mikera: Well, of course I did. Though, I think you were the one who best expressed this song, Cate.

Cate: Eh, little ol’ me?

Mikera: When you sang the part that goes “To make the dreams we see come true someday,” you really made the part yours. It felt exciting.

Cate: Uwaah… Thank you!

Mikera: Don’t think too hard about it. I’m just telling the truth.

Meguru: Hiromi was hurriedly practicing the bass part.

Hiromi: I really was. It was sudden enough to surprise me.

Mikera: It was supposed to be me, Akashi, and Cate at the start of the song, but then the staff suggested that we add a low tone.

Meguru: Yet, he was able to make it his own after only a few practice sessions, which was an impressive show of his adaptability.

Hiromi: Ahaha. Thank you. It’s sort of embarrassing to be praised by Meguru-san while being face to face with him…

Meguru: Is that so? Shall I fluster you even more, then?

Hiromi: Eh?!

Akashi: You should leave that for later. We are in the middle of an interview right now.

Meguru: Aah, you are right, I shall look forward to it later.

Hiromi: Eeh…?

Finally, if you could please give a message to GLANZ.

Hiromi: Thank you very much for listening to the album. We took on an electro pop song this time, and it became a very good experience for this group. Wearing a style of clothes I’ve never worn before for this photo shoot was fun as well.

Akashi: Yes, our outfits felt futuristic. I felt that the sleeves were short.

Mikera: Don’t you think your impressions of them are too straightforward?

Meguru: Mikera usually gets angry when you say he looks like a cat, so I was impressed that he responded immediately when asked to do so during the photo shoot. GLANZ, burn the sight of Mikera’s adorable pose into your retinas.

Mikera: Okay, could you not try to embarrass me this time?

Cate: I have to keep putting in a whole buncha effort so I can show off all kinds of different Cates! Thanks as always, GLANZ~~ I love you!

Mikera: We’re gonna keep fighting our way through this audition, so please keep giving us your support.

(Posted to @vsa_members on Twitter, 4/24/25 JST)

(See bottom for notes)

Akashi: (Where exactly is Meguru-san going?)

Monet: (Where Inamoto-san is.)

Kyouya: (I just happened to be holding the smartphone, so I just happened to see it, but…)

Monet: (It’s record falsification.)

Akashi: (Eh…? Of whose?)

Monet: (Meguru. They said all of it was a lie.)

——

Ainosuke: Hold on, I said not to push me!

Mikera: That’s my line!

Shimba: Are they really in the interview room?

Kyouya: I saw where the mentors took him, so they should be in here, but… I can’t hear their voices at all.

Hiromi: I figured, this is a training camp that Reisen Productions and Tailwind Office have built with the best of technology. Their soundproofing is perfect.

Riam: Ow! Oi, who just stepped on my foot?!

Cate: Sorry! It wasn’t on purpose!

Monet: Zzz…

Riam: Aren’t ya worried, Akashi? It’s your rival who was taken inside that interview room.

Akashi: …

Hiromi: Akashi-kun, what do you think about the… falsified records?

Cate: We still don’t know if that’s what it is for sure, right?

Akashi: …

Kyouya: It’s just, the way the gossip site wrote it is…

Monet: 99% noir.

Shimba: Just how much of it is telling a lie?

Akashi: …

Mikera: Hey, Akashi! Are you even listening?

Ainosuke: … I get that you’d be angry that something like this is suddenly happening with the person you were fighting with up until yesterday, but… In times like these, you’re his rival, so you should be like… Y’know—

Akashi: It’s finished!

Everyone: !

Ainosuke: Eh? What is?

Akashi: The “Walls With Ears and a Mic in the Keyhole first edition prototype version 1.5!”

Riam: Walls with ears and a keyhole thing… What?

Hiromi: Is it the first edition? A prototype? Or version 1.5?

Mikera: That doesn’t matter. What matters is why you made something like that right now.

Akashi: This was the perfect moment to make it! Let me explain. Sound is created when air vibrations reach our ears. No matter how sealed a place is, as long as there is air, there is no escaping sound vibrations!

Kyouya: W-Which means…?

Akashi: Which means, I can stick this microphone into a keyhole and it will pick up the faint vibrations from within. Originally, I would have liked to add one more useful feature, but we don’t have much time on our hands right now, so— Huh?

Monet: … What happened?

Akashi: THERE IS NO KEYHOLE! I can’t believe I made such a simple mistake…!

Shimba: Huh? You go and make something, and then you go and get all down about it; you sure are a hectic guy.

Riam: Also, if the whole point was that you can hear sound from the keyhole, was the explanation of sound vibrations even needed?

Mikera: So you really were worried about Meguru.

Akashi: Eh? Yes, of course. I was surprised to hear about the falsified records, but… Meguru-san may have a reason for that. Also… The idea of someone who chose his words so carefully for me falsifying his records without a second thought is unthinkable to me…

Hiromi: You believe in him… You believe in Meguru-san.

Ainosuke: Woo-hoo-hoo~! So you do get it, Akashi~!

Akashi: Eh? Get what?

Hiromi: What was that? Why is there something that looks like a w-whip attached to that machine?

Akashi: It’s the microphone. I planned on sticking it into the keyhole, so I extended it.

Hiromi: I don’t think you needed to make it that long to put it into the keyhole…

Riam: Where did you even get the materials from?!

Akashi: I borrowed some of the unused items in the playroom.

Kyouya: That’s amazing… You’re surprisingly bold.

Akashi: But, in the end, I can’t…

Shimba: In that case, what about trying over there?

Akashi: That’s… the air vent.

Shimba: No matter how sealed a place is, as long as there’s air, there’s no escapin’ sound vibrations. In that case, sound is free to travel wherever air does, right?

Monet: You made it sound all cool, but isn’t this just a wireta—

Kyouya: How about we stop talking for a little while.

——

Shimba: How’s it going?

Akashi: Please wait a moment. The microphone hasn’t reached the interview room yet—

Inamoto: Meguru-san.

Everyone: !

Inamoto: Don’t you think it is about time you told us the truth? We would like you to tell us the real reason as to why you falsified your records.

Meguru: The real reason, you say… So? How do you all see it?

Sakuya: Putting it bluntly, we think you could’ve purposefully made it obvious that you falsified your records in order to stir things up and make a mess of this audition.

Rey: Of course, this would be an extreme case.

Meguru: Purposefully trying to stir things up… You mean to say that you think I thought of doing something like that?

Rey: Well, did you?

Meguru: …

Rey: Your silence can be taken as affirmation as well.

Meguru: Haha! How frightful. Let us see… This is simply a mistake.

Inamoto: A mistake?

Nagomu: Do you mean that you made a mistake on the documents when you applied for the audition?

Meguru: I do not mind if you take it that way.

Sakuya: Don’t mind? In that case, I could take it that you messed that up on purpose too, you know.

Cuc: But… Meguru was always on Akashi’s side. Him causing an accident also looked like it was so Akashi could grow. If he wanted to mess up the audition, Cuc thinks it’s strange that he helped Akashi…!

Nagomu: That’s true. I was curious about that too.

Sakuya: Don’t get us wrong, we don’t wanna just make you look bad either, Megurun.

Rey: We, too, at least have the ability to judge one’s character.

Cuc: … Meguru, why did you take on this audition?

Meguru: What do you mean?

Cuc: Meguru’s not a bad person. Cuc’s sure there has to be a reason for everything.

Inamoto: May I ask as well? Meguru-san, I would like to hear the reason you entered this audition.

Meguru: … Someone invited me to. A brazen youth.

Cuc: A brouth? A bracken? [1]

Sakuya: Ah, not the plant, okay?

Nagomu: A youth means someone who’s young. It’s an old way of saying it.

Meguru: He was an assistant in a theater, and how do I put it… He had a strangely arrogant side to him. He said to me, “You belong on stage. You have the talent for it.” Haha. Now that I think about it, he has been strange from the moment I met him. After all, he asked me, whom he had never met before, to become a stand-in because the actor had suddenly fallen ill.

Inamoto: … Meguru-san, who exactly are you talking about?

Meguru: Right— Who do you think I am talking about, administrator?

Shimba: What? What is Meguru talking about?

Hiromi: Who knows…?

Akashi: …

Cate: Akashi, is something wrong?

Akashi: Ah, no. It’s just… I feel like I’ve heard this somewhere…

Sakuya: … Y’know, Megurun. Please, just be honest and tell us what’s going on. If you keep this up, you won’t just lose the audition. You’ll be kicked out of it. Are you really okay with that?

Meguru: … If I were gone, one’s rival would automatically be able to debut as an idol and represent Navy, yes? Haha! That would not be so bad either.

Everyone: !

Ainosuke: What does he mean…?

Hiromi: Does Meguru-san plan to give up winning the audition…?

Akashi: That’s…!

Nagomu: You can’t do that. You absolutely can’t.

Rey: That is right. You are meant to compete in the audition with all of your strength. Withdrawing yourself and holding back is an insult to your rival.

Sakuya: Ngh. He’s not saying that to me, but my chest still stings…

Cuc: Cuc’s chest went “squeeze” too!

Inamoto: Meguru-san. I will ask you once more. Why did you enter this audition with a falsified record? Please tell us the truth.

Meguru: … The truth… Right. I was simply mistaken. There is no other reason. Truly, that is all.

Sakuya: Ugh, come on… Interviewing Megurun takes so much out of me~ It feels like I don’t have enough bones for this! [2]

Rey: Inamoto-shi. What if we left things here for today?

Nagomu: The article on the gossip site has already been released anyway.

Cuc: No rush, no rush! Time for a break!

Inamoto: You’re right. We shall call it a day here. That being said, I implore all of you listening over there to return to your respective rooms.

Everyone: !

Sakuya: Oh, this…! You’re gonna fully pay the price for eavesdropping once it’s time for lessons, got it?!

Riam: Oi, we’ve been caught!

Ainosuke: I don’t know anything! I’ve got nothing to do with this! Akashi just went and did this by himself!

Mikera: That switch-up was fast.

Sakuya: … Jeez, where’d something like this even come from…?!

Ainosuke: Anyways, let’s scatter for now!

Inamoto: As for you, Meguru-san—

Meguru: I know. I shall decide what to do from here.

Akashi: …

Cate: Let’s go, Akashi! Once they open the door, they’ll find out that you were eavesdropping.

Akashi: … Right.

——

Mikera: Alright! That’s all for today!

Hiromi, Cate, Akashi: Good work today!

Mikera: Akashi.

Akashi: Yes?

Mikera: … Um, are you alright?

Akashi: … What do you mean?

Mikera: I’m talking about the whole Meguru thing. He didn’t come to lessons today, and all of the mentors get all panicky if you ask about him…

Cate: So that’s why you were sneaking glances at Akashi all day today! You’re so kind!

Mikera: I-It’s nyat like tha— No, I mean… Anyway, I wasn’t worried or anything!

Hiromi: You don’t have to deny it so strongly… That aside, where did Meguru-san go? He didn’t come back to his room yesterday either.

Mikera: Maybe he… already left the Internat…?

Cate / Hiromi: Eh…?!

Akashi: …

——

Akashi / Meguru: Ah.

Akashi: W-What are you doing he— No, I mean— S-So this is where you were— No, wait— Erm, um, u-uh…

Meguru: O-Oh, goodness, what is the matter? What are you trying to say? Take a deep breath for now. Deep, deep breaths.

Akashi: Hss… Hooo… Hss… Hooo…

Meguru: Alright, how do you feel now?

Akashi: Thank you very much… Um… There’s something I’ve wanted to tell you since yesterday.

Meguru: Ho?

Akashi: … I suppose there are things that even you have been mistaken about.

Meguru: …! Pft— Hahaha! Haa… This is exactly why one’s rival is so amusing.

Akashi: What are you doing here?

Meguru: Right, I wanted to watch something nostalgic for the last time.

Akashi: This is…! I’ve seen this too! Why is it here?

Meguru: It seems that it was a performance affiliated with Reisen Productions.

Akashi: Wow! I aim to become an idol now all because I watched this— If you wanted to watch this for the last time, then that means… Meguru-san, you’re giving up this audition…?

Meguru: … That is right. I have yet to officially tell the administrator though.

Akashi: Are you fine with that…?

Meguru: … What an odd thing to ask. If I quit, that means you can become an idol.

Akashi: …! That’s… But… In any case, that would make things difficult! The dance assignment also wouldn’t be complete if you were missing.

Meguru: I thought this while watching the 1st documentary drama. Even though they would become an idol if their rival dropped out, not a single one of those young ones could accept that. They would decide that they wanted to compete until the very end.

Akashi: … Even if it is correct to not make a mistake, doing what is correct is not always the right answer… You were the one who said that, Meguru-san.

Meguru: … Ahaha. … May I talk about the past, just for a moment?

Akashi: Eh…?

Meguru: This happened very, very long ago. In a narrow valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides, there was once a small village. The people there all lived by assisting each other, giving each other support. It was truly… A wonderful village. One year, during the usually foggy and misty rainy season, not a single drop of rain graced the village. The rivers dried up and the fields withered away; a horrible, unbearable famine occurred. Several people lost their lives, and the unspeakable tragedy continued. … And so, the rainy season arrived again. However, that is all it did, as the rain never fell. One day, an enchanter appeared in the village. That enchanter said, “I have the means to save this village from its famine,” and the enchanter held out a small piece of flesh. “This is mermaid’s flesh. Whoever eats this shall corrupt their soul and never know peace again. However, in exchange, they will gain the power to manipulate the rain.” The village could no longer afford to dismiss the enchanter’s suspicious claims. “If you eat this, you can make rain fall on the village. However, your soul would become corrupt and you would never know peace again.” Nobody knew what that entailed, but no one volunteered themselves to eat the flesh. Everyone was simply too frightened. Far too many days passed before they could decide who would eat the flesh… But, one day, the rain suddenly fell. The people were astonished, overjoyed, and above all, they were relieved. Nobody had to eat the mermaid’s flesh, nobody had to corrupt their soul, and they could continue to live on. However… The small shrine that the mermaid’s flesh was left in had silently been emptied. As the night began to fall, a man quietly left the village. The man had no family to call his own. He was abandoned in the mountains when he was just an infant; the villagers took him in, and they took turns raising him. The man who felt a deep gratitude towards the village ate the mermaid’s flesh in secret, manipulated the rain, and saved them from the famine.

Akashi: … Is that the end?

Meguru: That it is.

Akashi: But…

Meguru: What is the matter? You seem quite irked.

Akashi: … The village was saved. But what happened to the person who ate the mermaid’s flesh?

Meguru: The man was not originally born in the village. The village would be the same with or without him.

Akashi: …! That’s not right.

Meguru: How so?

Akashi: Someone whose presence doesn’t matter? That’s just… There’s no such thing…!

Meguru: Will you… shed your tears for me again?

Akashi: Again…?

Meguru: Just like you, I remember someone who would feel sad for him.

Kaname: (Wait! Where are you going?! Don’t tell me… Did you eat the mermaid’s flesh…?! Why…?! Why would you do that..?!)

???: (Now, nobody else in the village has to sacrifice themself. Nobody has to live in sadness.)

Kaname: (Why does it have to come to this…?! What about you? What about your sacrifice…?!)

???: (My sacrifice…?)

Kaname: (I’m frustrated… I’m so frustrated…! Why… Why are you always mistaken? You never try to properly understand yourself… And that’s why…!)

???: (Why are you crying? I made the correct decision. I wasn’t mistaken about anything.)

Kaname: (Even if it’s correct to not make a mistake, doing what’s correct isn’t always the right answer…! I… I’m frustrated that I couldn’t make sure you knew how much I need you…!)

Meguru: He has always wondered, “What exactly wasn’t right? Where did I go wrong?” An overwhelming amount of time passed, and no matter how many days and nights he spent trying, he couldn’t find an answer. Perhaps… he was mistaken from the moment he was born. That is how he began to feel.

Akashi: Are you talking about… the man in the story from the past? Or…

Meguru: It was only when it seemed like he’d lose the opportunity he gained to face his loved ones again did he realize the mistake he made. It is a fool’s story. I understand the words you said to me back then so well now that it hurts.

Akashi: …? I’m not completely following, but… Essentially, is there something you regret, Meguru-san?

Meguru: You would be right. I now regret it more than anything.

Akashi: In that case… You shouldn’t give up. I am sure that you can still make up for your failure. If you make a mistake, then you can reflect on yourself and try again! You were the one who taught me that, Meguru-san.

Meguru: No… It was you yourself who reached that answer with my words.

Akashi: Either way would be fine. What’s most important is that you make a decision that you will never regret again.

Meguru: A decision I will not regret…?

Akashi: Now, let us go!

Meguru: Where?

Akashi: To Inamoto-san! Let us go give him your correct records and apologize!

Meguru: …!

Akashi: It's alright. I will come with you. If you are scared, I will apologize to him together with you.

Meguru: If I apologize, will I be forgiven?

Akashi: We’ll apologize together until you are forgiven! That’s why everything will be alright.

Meguru: Even if it is… something I cannot make up for…?

Akashi: I don’t think a mistake on your records can be made up with just an apology, but… If you insist, I will make up for it with you!

Meguru: How?

Akashi: You want to know how…? Hmmm… That’s right! A time machine! I am a mechanic! I can make anything, even a time machine, and I’ll stop you before you make a mistake! Someday, I swear I will!

Meguru: …!

Akashi: Ah, but, I obviously wouldn’t let you make up for losing the audition.

Meguru: Ahahahahaha!

Akashi: ?

Meguru: I see, a time machine, huh…? Of course. Then, I will work as best I can until you build a time machine and I can make amends for one’s failure. Kaname… I will do so with the singing and dancing you taught me. I will be counting on you until then, one’s rival.

Akashi: …! Alright!

——

Sakuya: So, in the end, everything’s been wrapped up with the written apology that states Megurun's allegedly falsified records were because of a mistake in the documents. Megurun decided to compete in the audition all the way to the end.

Rey: Mm… There are a great deal of things left unclear, but…

Nagomu: Inamoto-san gave the okay.

Cuc: Cuc won’t contrast! [3]

Nagomu: I think you mean “complain.”

Sakuya: Well, the dance for the assignment went well too. We can consider this case closed for now.

Rey: Seeing the faces of those involved convinces me of that the most.

Akashi: Ah, there our mentors are!

Meguru: We candidates have prepared a final luncheon. I have caused a great deal of worry for everyone, after all.

Rey: You could not be more correct.

Sakuya: Okay, okay, let’s not complain.

Nagomu: I’m looking forward to it. [4]

Sakuya: Ah, did you cook the rice properly?

Akashi: Actually, I had a good idea for that.

Cuc: Cuc wants to hear it!

Rey: Ho, how intriguing.

Inamoto: Meguru-san.

Meguru: Ooh, hello there, administrator. Let me apologize once again for the situation. I have caused you deep trouble.

Inamoto: No, it is our mistake for not noticing during the document review stage.

Meguru: … I was asked to be of help, but I only ended up causing trouble.

Inamoto: …? Who exactly requested your help?

Meguru: It’s just as he said. “Like myself, I’m sure he’ll be clumsy in some ways.” But, “like myself… he is an excellent judge of character.”

Inamoto: … Could you be…? That’s…

Meguru: Haha. He was right. You certainly are like him.

——

notes:

1 - cuc mishears 童 (warabe, child) as 蕨 (warabi, bracken), and bracken is a kind of fern. i also decided to not translate 童 directly to “child,” since i think it’s unlikely that meguru was talking about a literal child, but just someone who was younger than him

2 - the expression for “tiring (yourself) out” is 骨折れる (hone oreru) which literally means your bones are breaking down LOL

3 - あべこべ (abekobe) means contrary/opposite/reverse while つべこべ (tsubekobe) means complaining or nitpicking

4 - the dialogue that starts with nagomu and ends with rey is written solely by ear! apologies if i misheard anything

碧落 - blue sky

regentropfen - raindrops

——

Cut-kun: I’ll keep cutting out every bit of sensitive footage! I’m Cut-kun! The footage will sometimes be distorted! Thanks for understanding!

——

Akashi: I’ve gotten it wrong again…

Meguru: Why did I do something like that…?

Akashi: This is wrong too…

Meguru: If I hadn’t done that back then…

Akashi: I’ve made a mistake again. Again, again, again. Again…

Meguru: Why, why, why? Why…?

——

Kyouya: Um… The shirts have to be delicately washed, so I need to use this detergent.

Mikera: And the jerseys can be washed normally, so…

Akashi: You have it mixed up.

Mikera / Kyouya: Eh?

Akashi: This is the detergent for delicate washes, and that right there is the fabric softener.

Mikera: Ah, this is fabric softener?

Kyouya: That was close… Thanks, Akashi-kun.

Akashi: Of course. After all, it is no exaggeration to say laundry is an essential matter for the final audition in VS AMBIVALENZ.

Kyouya: Really?

Ainosuke: Really! The Laundry Room Bubble Flood is one of the Seven Grand Incidents in Bivalen’s 1st season of the documentary drama!

Kyouya: The Seven Grand Incidents… What is that…?

Akashi: The 1st season is, so to speak, like a textbook for us candidates of the 2nd season. We must thoroughly learn from it so as to not make the same mistakes— Hm?

Ainosuke: What’s wrong?

Kyouya: ? There’s…

Ainosuke: Something burning?

Hiromi: Wah!

Ainosuke: Was that voice Hiromi’s?

Akashi: It came from the kitchen!

——

Ainosuke: Are you okay, Hiromi?!

Kyouya: What happ— Uwah, it smells so burnt!

Mikera: What exactly is that smell?

Hiromi: It’s from the rice cooker.

Akashi: !

Mikera: The rice cooker?

Hiromi: It seems like someone pushed the button to start cooking the rice without adding any water.

Ainosuke: Ahaha! That’s crazy, this is on the same level as the Laundry Room Bubble Flood! Come on, who was it? I bet it was someone who didn’t watch the documentary drama carefully~!

Akashi: It was me.

Ainosuke: Hey~ If you had actually watched it, this wouldn’t have— Hah? Akashi?!

Akashi: Yes, I did it incorrectly.

Kyouya: But, Akashi-kun, you watched the documentary drama as preparation, didn’t you…?

Akashi: There wasn’t a scene where anyone put water into the rice cooker, so…

Mikera: And that’s why you made a simple mistake like that?

Akashi: I apologize…

Ainosuke: Alright, alright. Neither of us can cook at all, right, Mikera? Let’s all learn together.

Kyouya: But… What about today’s dinner…?

Hiromi: I’ll cook it again. Everyone would have to wait a little—

Meguru: I have brought it.

Everyone: Eh?

Kyouya: Brought it…? The stuff you’re holding in your hand is…

Akashi: Is that alcohol?

Hiromi: Wait, that’s not good! We have kids who can’t drink here, and you’re thinking of having a drinking party?

Meguru: Aah, that too sounds like a fun time.

Hiromi: Eh?

Meguru: You are going to cook the rice again, no? Try adding this sake to the water.

——

Everyone: Thanks for the meal!

Shimba: Aah, I’m stuffed! I feel like the rice tasted sweeter than usual today.

Cate: It was all glossy and thick~

Riam: It tasted great. Thanks, Akashi.

Akashi: Well, no… It wasn’t me.

Riam: ?

Mikera: Meguru taught us that adding sake would make the rice taste better.

Riam: Oh yeah, now that you mention it, my grandpa said somethin’ like that in the past too… Meguru sure does know a lot.

Akashi: I am very sorry about today! I will be preparing for tomorrow and reviewing today’s lesson, so please excuse me!

Cate: Why did Akashi apologize?

Mikera: He cooked the rice without putting water in.

Shimba: Hahaha! I like how hearty he is, don’t you?

Riam: Akashi always makes at least one mistake when you have him do somethin’.

Mikera: And then you have Meguru, who never messes up, no matter what he does.

Monet: Yawn~ The two of them really are polar opposites.

Riam: Monet, don’t fall asleep right after you eat! It’s not good for your body.

Monet: I didn’t do that. I didn’t fall asleep after eating, I just ate while sleeping.

Riam: Ha?

Inamoto: To all idol candidates…

Everyone: ?

Cate: It’s Inamoto-san!

Mikera: I wonder what he wants to say.

Inamoto: I have an announcement regarding the next assignment. Please gather in the center hall right away.

——

Inamoto: Now, I would like to announce the next assignment.

Kyouya: Aah… The assignments just keep coming…

Shimba: What’s up, Kyouya? Aren’t ya having fun?

Ainosuke: We don’t all have super strong hearts like you do, Shinba.

Hiromi: Yeah, I’m getting nervous.

Cate: Cate’s heart is racing too!

Inamoto: This assignment will be… a group competition. The 10 of you will be split into two groups and will compete based on your overall singing and dancing abilities.

Shimba: Now this is an assignment meant for an idol!

Hiromi: I wonder how we’ll be split up.

Meguru: Whoever we end up with, what we must do is the same.

Akashi: I have done preparations and reviewed. I know I’ll be alright.

Inamoto: And this time, your mentors will be…!

Rey: Rejoice, for I have arrived!

Sakuya: Hey there~ Everyone’s idol Sakuya-kun is here~!

Cuc: Mentor Cuc! Panyanyan!

Nagomu: I’m Nagomu. I’ll do my very best here!

Ainosuke: Everyone’s so insanely cool!

Hiromi: It’s the destructive power of a real life panyanyan!

Kyouya: An idol’s aura is so dazzling…

Rey: Mm, exactly the reaction I expected.

Sakuya: Bocchan, get on with the explanation.

Rey: Oh, yes, that’s right. Ahem! We will now proceed to split the candidates into two groups.

Nagomu: The mentors will also split up and watch each group while giving guidance to improve the quality of performance.

Sakuya: If you’ve got any worries or questions you wanna ask, we’ll be there!

Cuc: We look forward to your guidance and encouragement!

Sakuya: I don’t think that’s something we’re supposed to say~

Nagomu: We’re looking forward to working with you, everyone.

Everyone: We look forward to working with you too!

——

Cuc: Make bigger movements with your body! As big as an elephant!

Riam / Ainosuke / Kyouya / Shimba / Monet: Alright!

Sakuya: Don’t force yourself to use your voice! You don’t need to be perfect from the get-go. It’s pointless if your throat hurts.

Riam / Ainosuke / Kyouya / Shimba / Monet: Alright!

Nagomu: Alright, let’s stop here! Be sure to stay hydrated, everyone.

Akashi / Meguru / Cate / Mikera / Hiromi: Yes!

Rey: It seems there are still plenty of minor mistakes being made.

Nagomu: I agree. Let’s figure out where you’re likely to make a mistake, and then repeatedly practice those weak spots.

Rey: You seem to have the entire choreography already memorized, Meguru.

Meguru: This much is no problem.

Rey: You don’t say? I trust that you will be supporting the other members. Now, Akashi.

Akashi: Yes!

Rey: I applaud your effort to sing carefully so you don't miss a note, but it loses its meaning if it distracts from your dancing.

Akashi: … I apologize.

Nagomu: It’s difficult to sing and dance at the same time, isn’t it? But, it’ll work out once you get used to it.

Akashi: … Yes. I apologize.

Nagomu: Akashi-kun, if there’s anything that’s bothering you, then…

Akashi: No, I am alright! I apologize for taking up our time! Please let me try again!

Nagomu: …

——

Riam: Worries?

Nagomu: Yeah. It’ll be easier for us to support you all if we know what’s on your mind.

Cuc: So, we’re doing individual interviews! Nagomu suggested it! Let’s have a good talk!

Riam: … Got it.

Rey: Now, Riam. Is there anything bothering you? Do you perhaps have something you would like to ask about? I will hear you out.

Riam: Nothin’ really.

Sakuya: Uwah~, I can feel that huge wall that’s put up.

Nagomu: The interview’s going to end…

Riam: Nah, I mean… How do I put it… I’m satisfied with the lessons we get.

Rey: So you simply have no complaints or worries.

Riam: … This audition is something I’ve finally come to be a part of. I know I was bein’ a real pain at first, but now I'm ready to do what I have to do.

Rey: I see. That is a good thing.

Sakuya: In that case, do you have any requests?

Riam: Requests…

Sakuya: Like, maybe you wanna see more variety in the seasonings.

Rey: Or maybe you believe that they ought to change the brand of shampoo and conditioner.

Nagomu: Aren’t these… things that you guys want…?

Cuc: You can ask about someone else too!

Riam: … In that case, I’ve got one thing.

Sakuya: Ooh, what’s up?

Riam: It’s kinda about Akashi…

Kyouya: I know I don’t really have the time to be worrying about others, but…

Mikera: We can’t see the voting results, so I don’t know what the difference in their votes is, but… The difference in their abilities is clear to anyone.

Cate: So I’m a little worried… Akashi’s expression keeps getting gloomier and gloomier.

Yellow / Purple: Hmmm…

Cuc: Everyone was worried for Akashi…

Nagomu: Akashi-kun said, “I have no worries. I will just do my best.” But…

Rey: Perhaps it was bad luck for Akashi to have landed with Meguru as his opponent.

Sakuya: Megurun’s one of those perfect superhumans after all. There are others whose singing and dancing are top notch too, but no one beats him at putting it all together.

Cuc: Meguru is super stable mentally! His performances aren’t jiggly!

Sakuya: Jiggly?

Rey: As in they’re not lacking.

Sakuya: Well, that’s the kind of person he is. Even if we tell Akashi not to worry, he wouldn’t be able to help it.

Nagomu: …

Cuc: Nagomu? What’s wrong?

Nagomu: I’m sorry.

Sakuya: Eh?

Nagomu: Every time he made a mistake, Akashi-kun would apologize countless of times.

Everyone: …

Nagomu: I used to be the same way. I thought I was pathetic and all I’d do was apologize…

Cuc: Nagomu?

Nagomu: I’m not saying that Akashi-kun and I are the same, but… I’m still worried…

Cuc: Nagomu, are you okay? Do you want pats?

Nagomu: Hehe. Thank you, Cuc.

Sakuya / Rey: …

Cuc: Oh yeah, there’s another thing Cuc’s wondering about.

Sakuya: Something you’re wondering about?

Cuc: Everyone worried for Akashi. But Meguru looked most worried.

Rey: What do you mean by that?

Cuc: Meguru’s always worried for Akashi. During and not during lessons, all the time. Cuc saw him casually support Akashi.

Nagomu: They’re rivals, so I’d imagine he’d feel more than a little concerned, don’t you think?

Sakuya: Yup. And then from there, all sorts of things happen, and then they become good rivals in the end…

Cuc: Hmm… Is that really all…?

——

Meguru: Hm…

Kyouya: Meguru-san, do you have a moment?

Meguru: ? Is there something you need from me, Kyouya?

Kyouya: I’m about to go watch the first documentary drama in the playroom. Would you mind joining me?

Meguru: …

Kyouya: It’s a bit late for it now, but I figured I should actually watch it. You haven’t seen it either yet, right?

Meguru: That’s right… What a good suggestion you have.

——

Nagomu: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight… ! Stop! Let’s pause here.

Nagomu / Rey: …

Nagomu: Meguru-kun…

Rey: What was that performance just now?

Everyone: …

Meguru: What do you mean? I was performing as I always do.

Akashi: Meguru-san, if you are feeling ill, it’s better to not push yourself.

Meguru: Nothing has changed about me. If you believe that one’s performance has gotten worse, that simply goes to show one’s ability.

Akashi: …

Nagomu / Rey: …

——

Rey: …

Sakuya: Nice work, Bocchan.

Rey: Playboy.

Sakuya: What’s causing the long face?

Rey: Whatever do you mean, “long face?” My face has never been anything but beautiful.

Sakuya: Yeah, yeah. Well, I already know what you’re thinking about anyway.

Rey: So you heard from Nagomu.

Sakuya: I thought Megurun was a perfect superhuman, but he doesn’t know when you’re not supposed to cut corners, huh?

Rey: Indeed… He’s just like you were.

Sakuya: …

Rey: You have an idea, do you not?

Sakuya: Well, I’d rather not remember all that, but yeah, I think I do…

Rey: We must speak to Meguru.

——

Rey: Do you know why we have called you here?

Meguru: Not at all.

Sakuya: That was such a fast reply! This feels like it’s gonna be rough.

Rey: I shall cut to the chase. Meguru, are you cutting corners for Akashi’s sake?

Meguru: …

Sakuya: It might be a little tough to say, but could you be honest with us? We’re sure you have a reason, so we’ll hear you out.

Meguru: … I—

Akashi: Is that—! Is what you said just now true?

Rey: Akashi…

Sakuya: Wait, don’t just come running in here!

Akashi: I apologize. I heard that Sakuya-san and Rey-san asked to talk to Meguru-san and I became sort of restless… Meguru-san, is that really true?

Meguru: It is.

Akashi: !

Meguru: What are you so surprised about? You also realized I was cutting corners, did you not?

Akashi: … Why do you seem so calm?

Meguru: This is how I wanted things to unfold.

Akashi: Eh?

Rey: You were expecting this?

Sakuya: Umm… What do you mean?

Meguru: I watched the 1st documentary. I felt that two people who knew nothing about each other clashing and becoming true rivals was beautiful.

Akashi: … Huh?

Meguru: If something were to happen like it did during Purple’s episodes, we would become true rivals as well, would we not?

Sakuya: No, okay, hold on. What kind of logic is that?! You went out of your way to cause trouble because you wanted a conflict with him…?!

Rey: Even I am astonished.

Akashi: …!

Sakuya: Look, Akashi-kun’s all dumbfounded too…

Akashi: I understand!

Sakuya: ! You do?

Rey: ? Exactly what part did you understand?!

Akashi: If you would go so far as to do that… Meguru-san!

Meguru: Yes?

Akashi: Please withdraw from the audition right this instant!

Rey: !

Sakuya: Hold on, that’s a little much!

Meguru: Fufu… Things have gotten interesting.

Cut-kun: I’ll keep cutting out every bit of sensitive footage! I’m Cut-kun! The footage will sometimes be distorted! Thanks for understanding!

——

Ainosuke: (Hey hey, look at my number one! Isn’t he seriously so cool? Isn’t it crazy? It’s not just about his face, he’s more athletic than anyone else, and he’s amazing at singing and dancing even though he’s supposed to be an amateur! I love them all, but there’s just something special about him! Hmm, there’s obviously a ton of great things about him, but the part I love about him the most is… He’s the kindest person in the world!)

Stan Friend: (Auditions run by public votes are just too much. Even if you start loving someone, there’s a chance they could fail to win the vote… I wanna support someone because it’s fun. I don’t wanna feel sad because of it. I think I’ll just stop supporting them.)

Ainosuke: (You can’t get discouraged! If we as fans don’t try our hardest, who will? We’re the only ones who can help our oshi become an idol!)

——

Candidate: (Dude, look.)

Candidate: (You’re kidding, he’s participating too?)

Candidate: (We’re done for, then.)

Candidate: (My audition ends here…)

Riam: (… You’re Takaya Subaru, right?)

Subaru: (And you are…?)

Riam: (I’m Takarae Riam. Let’s get along.)

Subaru: (… Why?)

Riam: (…?)

Subaru: (Why must I get along with you?)

Riam: (… That’s ‘cause we might end up in the same group someday. I wanna compete with you while understanding you, not kickin’ you down. Kinda like… A rival.)

Subaru: (You’re naive.)

Riam: (!)

Subaru: (I won’t lose to anybody. You should stop worrying about others and focus on your performance.)

Riam: (…)

——

Riam: Alright! Time for all of you to get up!

Kyouya: Good morning…

Meguru: Mmm. Something smells quite nice.

AInosuke: Yup, that’s ‘cause the two of us made breakfast. You better eat up, alright?

Akashi: Thank you very much. However, I still believe we should split up the chores…

Mikera: He’s right. I’d just end up feeling bad if you guys did everything for us.

Riam: Indulgin’ us is making things inconvenient for you guys. This is the least we can do. We’ll take on the chores, so it’s up to you guys to practice enough to make up for it.

Ainosuke: Ah! Monet’s not here. I’m gonna go wake him up.

Riam: Kyouya, eat your meat too! You won’t last if you don’t got the strength!

Hiromi: Just when I had the impression of them talking back to their seniors, they become strangely good at taking care of others.

Mikera: Now I can’t even be mad… They’re so weird.

——

Riam: We’re gonna start with building our muscles! Cate, Kyouya, Monet, and Mikera. You guys will all be doin’ it with me. Everyone else are practicing independently.

Mikera: … You didn’t split us up by height, right?

Riam: ‘Course not. Come on, Kyouya’s here. I just gathered the guys I figured should be taught this separately.

Mikera: … Then it’s fine.

Kyouya: I don’t think I can do it at all. Sorry.

Riam: Don’t apologize. Everyone’s got different things they’re cut out for. We’ll find you a training method that works for you.

Kyouya: … You’re right.

Riam: Cate! We’re gonna exercise, so take that thing off of your head!

Cate: ! Anything but that… I can do anything but that… I’m sorry…

Riam: O-Okay, I get it. I get it, so don’t cry! Also, Kyouya! Wake Monet up!

Kyouya: Me?

Monet: Yawn…

Kyouya: Ah, he’s awake.

Monet: Good morning. This is sudden, but I just remembered I have something to do. See you later.

Riam: Oi! You’re always snoozing, you don’t just get to sprint away now! Go after him, Kyouya!

Kyouya: Me again?!

——

Ainosuke: Alright~! Our team is gonna start with vocal training! Let’s do this thing.

Meguru, Shimba, Akashi, Hiromi: Yeah!

——

Ainosuke: Akashi, the way you sound is right on point, but I’m not feeling any emotion from you!

Akashi: Emotion…?

Ainosuke: Why’re you saying that like you’re a heartless robot feeling something for the first time?! I’m telling you to put emotion into your singing!

Akashi: Ah! I see now. Just having perfect pitch isn’t enough…

Ainosuke: So? What are you doing, Meguru?

Meguru: It is in one’s nature to want to break the rules as soon as they are made. Forgive me, but I will be doing things in one’s own way.

Ainosuke: And where are you going, Shimba?

Shimba: I’m all set! I don’t have to do any more than this. I’m going to go eat some snacks!

Ainosuke: Oh, I see. Then I guess we’ve got no choice but to end our vocal training here. Did you seriously think I was gonna say that?! The two of you are way too lax! We’re not done with lessons whatsoever, got it?!

Hiromi: Ainosuke-kun, calm down! Take a deep breath! In… and out… Great job!

Taiyou: Everyone’s doing their best. Looks like they really are fine without us.

Subaru: … It’d be great if that were true, but…

Taiyou: ? Are you worried about something?

Subaru: No… They said themselves that they don’t need a mentor, so all we can do is stand aside and watch.

Taiyou: …

Subaru: Whatever happens, tomorrow is the day of their audition.

——

Taiyou: Great job on finishing the audition!

Subaru: We’re going to announce the results of everyone’s votes.

Hiromi: Ah~... I’m getting nervous. How did it go for you all?

Kyouya: I think Riam-kun’s lessons helped. I feel like I projected my voice better than usual.

Mikera: And, well… I guess I’m thankful you taught us how to effectively train our muscles.

Riam: …

Akashi: Thank you as well, Ainosuke-san.

Meguru: It is a blessing to have been taught the training methods various idols have used.

Ainosuke: …

Shimba: Looks like we’re all satisfied with how we did!

Monet: So, does that mean we really don’t need mentors?

Shimba: I guess so, huh?

Subaru: No… That’s not it.

Shimba: ?

Subaru: This audition didn’t go well.

Candidates: !

Taiyou: I feel the same way that Subaru does. We can’t just announce the results like this.

Akashi: Please excuse me. I don’t think I’m understanding properly. What do you mean it didn’t go well…?

Taiyou: Riam, Ainosuke… The two of you understand best, don’t you?

Riam / Ainosuke: !

Subaru: Are you really fine with this?

Shimba: Hm? With what?

Mikera: I dunno.

Riam / Ainosuke: …

Hiromi: Riam-kun? Ainosuke-kun?

Riam: Haa… The plan… was a failure.

Candidates: Eh?

Mikera: What do you mean?

Riam: My condition was horrible. I couldn’t even give half of my best effort… The same probably goes for Ainosuke.

Ainosuke: …

Kyouya: Really?

Akashi: I did not notice at all.

Cate: Neither did Cate…

Meguru: We have yet to understand each other’s strength after all.

Hiromi: Um… Did the two of you not do well because you spent all of your time… looking after us…?

Riam: …

Mikera: No, but… You guys were the ones who said you wanted to do that, so… I’d be upset to hear you say that’s the reason why you didn’t have any time.

Riam: Yeah, Mikera’s completely right. It’s not your guys’ fault.

Subaru: Riam, I feel like you are someone who naturally pays close attention to his surroundings.

Riam: …

Subaru: You were able to change your teaching style to fit everyone’s characteristics, and you never mindlessly criticized anyone when they couldn’t do something. Why is it that you were unable to be objective about your own behavior this time?

Riam: That’s because… I was being stubborn.

Subaru: Stubborn?

Riam: I was just using you as a target for my anger. You had rejected having a rival, and here you are now, talking about how your rival is precious to you… I couldn’t stomach it. I’ve felt like a complete idiot for believing that I had to kick down everyone around me to make it to the top, ever since I lost to you… So… Takaya Subaru, I wanted you gone.

Subaru: …

Ainosuke: Me too… I felt the same. I wanted the person who lost gone.

Taiyou: … Ainosuke.

Ainosuke: I was happy that you became an idol in fun4re. But I… I wanted to see you debut in XlamV… If I couldn’t see that, then… I didn’t want to see you at all…

Taiyou: …

Ainosuke: Taiyou… I couldn’t help you debut… I’m so sor—

Taiyou: I’m sorry.

Ainosuke: Eh?

Taiyou: I’m sorry for not winning… I’m sorry.

Ainosuke: … That’s not what I want you to say.

Taiyou: Yeah, you’re right. Sorry.

Ainosuke: I just said—

Riam: Don’t apologize.

Taiyou: …

Riam: You were serious back then. You were serious about aiming to become an idol, and you did your very best. So, don’t apologize…

Taiyou: Riam…

Ainosuke: I understand that too, okay?! … But… In the end, the results are everything, aren’t they? Just because you were able to debut doesn’t mean everyone will forget what happened. From now on, people will always, always call you the loser from back then! Of course I don’t want to see my beloved idol be treated that way! That’s just impossible!

Taiyou: … Yeah, that’s true. But even then… I’ve already made up my mind.

Ainosuke: … Eh?

Taiyou: I can’t change the fact that I lost… So, I have no choice but to have them recognize me for my future, not my past. For the things I’m going to do instead of the things I’ve done.

Ainosuke: …

Taiyou: So, Ainosuke. Keep on being my fan. I swear I’ll never make you sad again.

Ainosuke: ! You’re so cool…

Taiyou: Eh? Ah, thanks!

Ainosuke: Ah…! D-Did I say that out loud?!

Taiyou: Umm…

Ainosuke: D-Don’t just give me fanservice out of nowhere! I thought my heart was gonna stop!

Riam: … There might be at least one person who’d get sad for my sake too.

Ainosuke: Eh?

Riam: If there’s someone who’d always remember me even if I lose, the same way you did for him, then I’d be really happy.

Ainosuke: …

Subaru: Ainosuke, Riam.

Riam / Ainosuke: …

Subaru: You two still chose the VS AMBIVALENZ audition, even while carrying various feelings for Taiyou and I.

Ainosuke: …!

Subaru: You’ve chosen to try and understand the irreplaceable experience we had, haven’t you?

Ainosuke: That’s…

——

Ainosuke: (I’m gonna be an idol too! I’ll become someone who shines a bright light on everyone, just like Taiyou!)

——

Riam: (I won’t lose this time. I can’t give up on my dream of becoming an idol… I want to become an idol… just like Takaya Subaru…!)

——

Taiyou: Thank you.

Ainosuke: …!

Taiyou: For finding us and supporting us.

Subaru: For understanding what we hold dear.

Ainosuke: … You shouldn’t be thanking us.

Riam: I’m sorry.

Subaru / Taiyou: …

Riam: This goes for everyone. I wanna apologize, even if it’s a little late for that. To Ainosuke, and all of you… I made you go along with my own personal grudge.

Ainosuke: Don’t act like it’s all your fault... I also couldn't sort out my own feelings and forced everyone to get involved... Even though this is an important audition for us… I’m sorry.

Everyone: …

Akashi: I was thankful that the two of you taught us so much.

Hiromi: That’s right.

Riam: You guys… I know this is selfish, but… Would you let me do the audition one more time? Please!

Ainosuke: Me too… Please let us! Please give us another chance!

Everyone: …

Shimba: I don’t mind! I mean, I wanna face you guys at each of our full strength!

Kyouya: We were originally supposed to have a week anyway.

Akashi: Redoing the audition is how things went during the 1st season as well.

Cate: Cate approves!

Monet: That’s fine~

Meguru: Do as you wish. Everything that happens in this world is inevitable.

Mikera: It’d be weird for us to say no at a time like this…

Hiromi: Taiyou-san, Subaru-san, what do you think?

Subaru / Taiyou: …

Subaru: Yeah.

Taiyou: We also think you should!

Ainosuke: Thank you, everyone.

Riam: Thanks.

Ainosuke: Riam… I won’t lose. I swear I won’t make GLANZ sad!

Riam: Neither will I… I’m not gonna lose ever again. I’ve got no choice but to do it. Come at me, Ainosuke.

Subaru: Alright, does that mean we can give our inputs this time? Riam.

Riam: ! O-Of course… I’m countin’ on you.

Shimba: I don’t care whether this is the 2nd try or what. I’m gonna win. Come at me, all of you!

Cate: Cate won’t lose either! Bam bam!

Monet: Yawn… I’m getting sleepy now that we’ve reached this point…

Kyouya: Aren’t you always tired?

Akashi: Anyways, I am glad a big fight did not occur.

Meguru: What does not kill you truly does make you stronger.

Hiromi: But having all this happen during our first assignment makes me worry about what could happen later on.

Mikera: They’re such troublemakers.

——

(Post credits)

Taiyou: Alright, we’re announcing the results this time! And they are~ right here!

Kyouya: Ngh… I’m scared to look.

Mikera: I’m surprised you can say that after showing off how good your singing is.

Cate: Wow! Kyouya, you’re first!

Kyouya: Eh?! Ah… You’re right.

Subaru: Riam, I think it’d be good for you to loosen up a little more when you hit the high notes.

Riam: Yup, I hear ya. I’ll keep that in mind.

Taiyou: How did it go, Ainosuke?

Ainosuke: Well, I feel like I did the best I could. I don’t have any regrets.

Taiyou: Really? Then, that’s great!

Ainosuke: ! You’re smiling like that just for me… Are you an angel…?!

Taiyou: Hm?

Meguru: I placed second… I would say that is a good start.

Akashi: …! I placed last… Where did I go wrong this time…? Where…?