Crimson Abyss - Part 1

[vsaenglish]

(See bottom for notes)

紅蓮 - bright red / crimson lotus flower

abgrund - abyss

——

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!

——

Kamuy: …

Riam: Ha… Whew…

Ainosuke: … Hah…

Kamuy: Okay, thank you! I understand your abilities quite well now.

Riam: Thank you!

Ainosuke: Thank you…!

Kamuy: Riam-kun? It’s great that your movements are very large and nimble, but they are still messy.

Riam: … Yeah.

Kamuy: I do think that this is a dance that those with larger physiques struggle with, but that’s exactly why being aware of your expressions all the way down to your fingertips will be a big help.

Riam: Thank you.

Kamuy: On the other hand, you know how to show yourself off, Ainosuke-kun.

Ainosuke: Right? I sure do.

Kamuy: Though, we should focus on when you stop. Pops aren’t your strong suit, are they? If you only rely on your intuition, you’ll eventually run into a wall. The physical strength you need to dance can only be developed by basic training.

Ainosuke: … Got it.

Kamuy: Also, there’s another thing that both of you need to work on.

Akashi: This sense of nervousness is very strong…

Meguru: Yes, because this is what decides the cast for the musical. Feeling nervous is not unthinkable.

Akashi: That’s true. We’ll be appearing in a musical directed by Kamuy-san, a world-famous director… We must put lots of effort towards it.

Hiromi: The critique is also as severe as expected.

Cate: He critiqued us a whole bunch too!

Hiromi: Yeah. Everything he points out is true, which makes it frustrating.

Kyouya: I wonder what he’ll say….. Aah, I-I can’t stop trembling…

Shimba: Bam!

Kyouya: Ngh…

Shimba: Haha! No need to be nervous. You’re only nervous because you wanna show off something better than your abilities are capable of. Have him look at you just as you are.

Kyouya: Um… I’m thankful for the advice, but that hit was really strong…

Shimba: Haha, your worries flew far away, didn’t they?

Kyouya: … No, and now my back hurts too…

Mikera: …

Kamuy: That's all I’ve got to say. Thank you, you two.

Riam / Ainosuke: Thank you very much.

Kamuy: Next up is… Scarlet. Shimba, Mikera, come forward.

Shimba: Got it!!

Mikera: Yes!

Kamuy: Now, let me see your abilities… No, show me your life.

——

Kamuy: Okay, stop there! Thank you.

Mikera: Whew… Thank you very much.

Shimba: Thank you very much!

Kamuy: … Mm, I have nothing to say to you two. That was wonderful.

Everyone: …!

Ainosuke: Eh, that’s crazy.

Monet: Those two are amazing…

Kamuy: Your performances were ones that overflowed with the feeling of, “look at me.” That confidence serves as your weapon. That’s all, you can go back.

Shimba / Mikera: Yes!

——

Kamuy: Alright, we’ll be holding a meeting to decide the musical’s cast now, so take a break. Don't forget to stretch as well.

Everyone: Yes! Thank you very much!

Kyouya: Ha… I’m tired…

Monet: We were criticized a lot.

Riam: Damn, I was planning on doing better than that too.

Ainosuke: Don’t worry about it~ Mikera and Shimba were the only ones who had nothing said to them anyway.

Cate: Right! Cate was so surprised! …Hm? Wait, where are those two?

Hiromi: They both left right away.

Akashi: Perhaps they went to the bathroom?

Cate: Man, I wonder who the leads for the musical will be!

Meguru: Thinking about it reasonably, the leads will be Shimba and Mikera. They shine when on stage.

Ainosuke: I mean, we saw how Kamuy-san reacted to them. But, like, don’t you wonder which one of them will win the color Scarlet?

Kyouya: That’s… kind of a touchy subject… I don’t know if we should talk about that…

Ainosuke: No, but that’s the real thrill of an audition, isn’t it?!

Hiromi: Honestly though, I’ve been curious too. After all, their entire beings are complete opposites, aren’t they?

Ainosuke: Yup, exactly. Scarlet is the candidate meant to be the center, right? So won’t the group’s color really depend on who’s in the middle?

Akashi: That’s true… The atmosphere would change immensely.

Cate: Hold on! Let me imagine it! … If it were Shimba… he’d be so tall, so maybe no one would be able to see us!

Monet: That wouldn’t be good.

Akashi: Indeed… Ah, let’s wear boots that make us appear taller when we debut! I’ll make them!

Cate: But then, wouldn’t Shimba look even taller too?

Monet: That wouldn’t be good either~

Akashi: That’s right…

Hiromi: This sure is a weird thing to worry about.

Meguru: Mm, this is quite the deep topic, but both of them possess remarkable abilities. There is no mistaking that working with them will prove to be a great strength.

Ainosuke: Well, both of them are well-known in our generation, so someone who sees whoever remains in the end would think, “Yeah, that makes sense.”

Meguru: Is that so?

Akashi: I see, so you didn’t know, Meguru-san.

Meguru: That is right. However, I was surprised the first time I saw Mikera. His dance has a feeling of floating to it. It is pleasant to watch, as if you are seeing him swim through the sky.

Monet: He’s really good at singing too…

Cate: Mikera’s a practicing demon! He’s Mr. Stoic!

Meguru: Aah, I understand what you mean. That is the result of repeated practice.

Akashi: No matter how difficult the task, he never voices a complaint nor allows his facial expression to change… He is an amazing person.

Kyouya: He’s superhuman…!

Riam: For Shimba, it’s, what… his presence?

Monet: He’s like a king…

Ainosuke: Exactly. And like, I think I’ve heard things about him actually being born into a pretty good family. He’s a real life king.

Monet: A real king…

Riam: And how come that guy who’s larger than me can dance like that? It’s like, he has his form down pat even if he’s huge.

Hiromi: Dancing is harder for people with larger bodies. You’re still growing taller, aren’t you, Riam-kun?

Riam: Hm? Yeah, probably.

Ainosuke: Shimba was already around 180 centimeters tall when he was in grade school, apparently. He’s used to it, even while working with a big body.

Riam: I get it, so he’s what people call a physical elite.

Hiromi: You’ll also improve once you get a hang of how you need to treat your body, Riam-kun.

Ainosuke: One of them is a stoic, perfect, superhuman. The other is a natural-born king. It’s the ultimate showdown between two different people in our generation… When you look at it objectively from the audience’s point of view, there’s no way it’s not a heated battle!

Meguru: I see, that is a perspective fitting of you.

Akashi: Rather than expecting one of them to lose, they are a pair who make it hard to believe either of them would.

Monet: … Do you wanna bet on them?

Hiromi: Hey, we’re not doing that.

Riam: Do we even got the time to be worrying about that?

Ainosuke: You idiot, this is why I can’t do it with non-otaku. If we’re near them, then our screen time opportunities will go up!

Cate: Really?! Then, Cate’s always gonna stay beside the two of them!

Monet: … There’s something i’m curious about though.

Akashi: ? What is it, Monet-san?

Monet: I’ve never really seen those two talk to each other.

Akashi: … That’s true…

Cate: Now that you mention it!

Hiromi: I guess you could be right. They speak just fine when we’re all together, but I don’t think you really see them on their own with each other.

Ainosuke: Eh, wait, you’re right! You think they’re actually on bad terms?! Oh my god, this is so gonna heat up the audition!

Meguru: Ho, things have gotten interesting…

Akashi: Meguru-san’s eyes are sparkling…

Mikera: Well, you guys look like you’re having a fun chat.

Akashi: Uwaaaah!!

Mikera: Jeez, isn’t it rude to gossip behind someone’s back?

Ainosuke: Yeah, yeah, I’ll reflect on it.

Hiromi: Sorry, we just got carried away and couldn’t help it…

Shimba: Haha! I don’t mind. Gathering attention is fated for people with influence.

Mikera: …

Shimba: So? Not really sure what happened, but what were you guys talking about?

Kyouya: Ah, um, that’s…

Mikera: It’s fine. You don’t need to force yourselves to say anything—

Monet: Are the two of you on bad terms?

Kyouya: COUGH—

Shimba: ? What makes you think so?

Monet: Because, you two are good people, and you’re friendly when you talk to us. But, we’ve never seen you two talk one-on-one.

Mikera: Hah… You really don’t mince your words, do you, Monet?

Monet: Mints my words…? [1]

Mikera: Could you not use your heritage when it’s convenient for you? Anyway… Haa, that’s what you were worried about? Are you guys bored or something?

Meguru: We are quite curious.

Ainosuke: Come on, we don’t have much entertainment here.

Mikera: Argh! Okay! Don’t look so expectant! I get it! We’re not on bad terms or anything. Right?

Shimba: Yeah, that’s right.

Mikera: But, we don’t get along like you guys do either. After all, I have to defeat this giant eventually. There’s no way I’d end up in the same group as him. That’s why I don’t get along with him any more than I have to.

Akashi: …!

Mikera: There’s no point in wasting your time on someone who’s bound to fail. That’s just inefficient… I’m going to win anyway.

Cate: Wow!

Riam: Sure, maybe, but…

Ainosuke: That was so blunt it made me cringe…

Monet: You don’t mince your words, Mikera.

Mikera: Don’t act like that when you guys were the ones insisting.

Hiromi: It’s just kind of shocking that you said that right in front of Shimba-kun…

Shimba: Nah, not really? I feel the exact same. We see eye to eye.

Hiromi: Ehh?

Shimba: You guys are my future companions. I want to get to know you all deeply, and treasure you. I’ll give my everything to protect you.

Cate: Is this a love confession?

Akashi: … I-I’m somehow a bit embarrassed.

Meguru: Mm, what a refreshing king you are.

Shimba: But, Mikera is the only one who’s different. There’s no future where we become companions. That’s because I’ll be the one representing Scarlet.

Mikera: … You’re provoking me, aren’t you?

Shimba: Well, were you provoked? I’m just saying the truth.

Ainosuke: Okay, hold on, you guys are being way too scary.

Cate: Uwah, things are real messy!

Meguru: Wonderful, truly…

Riam: No, but… That’s too detached, ain’t it?

Mikera: That’s the kind of relationship we have as Scarlet. That should be fine long as it doesn’t bother you guys, right?

Riam: Mm…

Shimba: Let me say this to clear things up. I don’t hate Mikera. I understand how highly skilled he is, and of course, I respect him.

Mikera: Thanks for that.

Shimba: It’s a shame that you’re going to lose here. If only you could change your color right now.

Mikera: Yeah, you are trying to provoke me.

Shimba: What? This is how I really feel.

Mikera: You say that thinking you’re going to win against me?

Shimba: That’s right, because I don’t know how to lose.

Ainosuke: Ugh, fine, okay! You guys don't have to talk to each other.

Kamuy: Thanks for waiting, candidates.

Everyone: !

Kamuy: I’d like you to gather in the center hall. I'm going to announce the results of the role audition.

——

Akashi: ? There seems to be no one here.

Monet: Did we get the place wrong…?

Ainosuke: Shh, be quiet! Kyaa! The ceiling’s coming down?!

Cate: What?!

Meguru: ? We have seen this before.

Riam: Yeah, since the beginning.

Ainosuke: Shut up, non-otakus! You’re killing the vibe!

Kamuy: Hello! Thanks for waiting. I’m sure I don’t need to introduce these two, right?

Lion: …

Kazu: Are you all working hard, juniors?

Everyone: …!

Kamuy: They will be your mentors for this assignment since they both have experience with the musical. Reliable, aren’t they?

Lion: Hmph.

Kazu: Nice to be here.

Kamuy: Additionally, they will also serve as your directors for the musicals!

Everyone: …!

Kamuy: The musicals will have you split into two teams doing different programmes. Lion and Kazu will be the director for each.

Mikera: Excuse me.

Kamuy: Go ahead, Mikera-kun.

Mikera: Will you not be involved, Kamuy-san? I thought we would be performing under the direction of the world famous director.

Kamuy: I’ll be the general producer. Don’t worry, I’ll be here to guarantee high quality.

Mikera: … I see.

Shimba: …

Kamuy: Alright, they’ll be explaining the programmes and casting to you now.

Lion: The musical I’m directing is a historical piece themed around the end of the Edo period and the Shinsengumi. Dynamic sword fight scenes will be necessary.

Shimba: … Sword fight scenes, huh? Those are my specialty.

Kazu: The musical I’m directing is a success story about a boy born in the slums who rises up through singing and dancing. You’ll be using the stage to its fullest to dance.

Mikera: … Alright.

Lion: My team is… First, Hiromi. Oi, respond.

Hiromi: Y-Yes!

Lion: Riam.

Riam: Yes.

Lion: Akashi.

Akashi: Yes!

Lion: Monet.

Monet: Yes…

Lion: Lastly, Shimba.

Shimba: Yes!

Kazu: My team is… Ah, you don’t need to respond or anything, I’m saying everyone all at once. Cate, Kyouya, Meguru, Ainosuke, and then Mikera.

Mikera: …

Lion: Rankings are in the order we named.

Kazu: Ah, do you understand what the rankings mean? Basically, the first person we named is the lead, and the last person is… Well, I just have to give it to you straight. You’ll have a minor role.

Hiromi: Eh…?

Cate: Cate’s the lead? For real?

Akashi: N-No, well… That is also the case, but…

Kyouya: Shimba-san and Mikera are…

Meguru: Minor characters…?

Shimba / Mikera: Haah?

——

(After credits)

Kazu: At this rate, neither of them are at the right level to represent Scarlet.

Lion: If it were up to me, I’d choose neither of them.

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

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

——

notes:

1 - 歯に衣を着せない (ha ni kinu wo kisenai - literally, not putting garments/clothes on your teeth) is an expression with the same meaning of the english expression: “not mincing your words.” this is supposed to have the intent of expressing speaking your mind clearly and frankly! monet pretends to not know what the expression means as he uses it towards mikera shortly after this LOL