95: Hangover

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…Hey, I’m hungry.

……

…That’s correct. One must replenish the calories they’ve consumed.

Then I’ll… I’ll go to the main building and get us something to eat.

T–Tattsun-senpai, I think it’s better if you don’t move…

…Yes. Even those of us who are perfectly healthy are in this state. Your leg still hasn’t fully healed, Tatsumi-senpai, so you should rest…

…But then, who will get the food?

…Hey, actually. Mayo-san hasn’t said anything for a while now. It’s kinda scary.

H–he is still alive, right…?

Just barely…

That’s a relief… It’s still too early for you to pass through the pearly gates.

Fufu. It really does feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven… Last night’s live was incredible.

Yes… So that was an ES live, that which they call a DreamFest. I’m happy to have learned a bit more about idols.

It was certainly a life-changing experience. I understand just a little more why Nii-san changed.

But I still don’t know what is correct and what is wrong.

(Seriously, that was off the charts… I finally got to stand on the stage I’d always been dreaming about.)

(We just did the most important thing we can ever do as idols—perform in a DreamFest.)

(It still doesn’t feel real…)

(My whole body feels like it’s floating. Before we started I was just a bundle of nerves, so I couldn’t think about anything except what to do if we failed.)

(But somehow, I managed to pull it off… I think. Maybe. But me, the underachiever, the good-for-nothing, actually stood on stage as an idol.)

(I–I’m so happy… I’m so glad I’m alive, I’m so glad I didn’t give up. What should I do—I feel like I’m gonna cry.)

—Are you crying, Aira?

Eep?! I–I’m not crying! There’s no reason to!

Right. Yesterday’s DreamFest—Bon Festival, was in all fairness a categorical success.

Everyone in the audience was smiling with satisfaction, and I believe we were able to exhibit everything we’d learned during lessons, as well.

Yeah… Everyone was incredible.

This was my first time on stage with someone I gave guidance to—or rather, my first time on stage, period.

But that was a great live, wasn’t it?

I was in a state of pure ecstasy when I saw you performing all of the difficult steps I taught you, Aira-san, all without any mistakes—

It was as if my own life was intersecting with yours… It was the first time I felt truly alive.

Yeah, thanks to you, I don’t think I made any mistakes… or too many of them, at least.

Argh, I’m too scared to watch the video again! I probably did sooo much worse than I thought.

Fufu. It is a virtue to know what you lack, but from what I can see at this proximity—you were wonderful, Aira-san.

Because you understood exactly what your weaknesses are and put in the effort to overcome them, you were able to pull it off with great success.

Fufu. On the other hand, Hiiro-san stood out because he was so rough and inexperienced.

He got too excited pulled off flashy moves and other things we never practiced.

Yes. I apologize for that. The whole time we were on stage felt like a dream. My thoughts vanished—I didn’t even feel like myself.

Ahaha, it’s ‘cause you’re a total amateur… But if you can do that well in your first performance ever, after just a week of lessons? You’re way too good.

You really are a genius, Hiro-kun.

I agree. God must love you, Hiiro-san.

Let machines handle the perfect performances. We are only human, so the fans are more than accepting if we’re a little rough around the edges.

Is that true…? But I wish to function as perfectly, as correctly as possible. Being loved for my flaws, it feels as if I’m being treated like a baby. It gives me a weird feeling.

Yes. You shouldn’t take advantage of your fans’ kindness and neglect your training. Well, I suppose that’s not something I need to say to any of you.

…Fufu. I’m starting to get my energy back after lying around and talking with everyone.

My stomach’s seriously starting to growl, so I’ll go to the main building and get us something to eat.

It’s part of the job description as the youngest here, so… do you guys have any requests?

Oh, I’ll go with you. I have confidence in my physical strength, and I’ve already recovered considerably.

Fufu. In that case, why don’t we all go eat together?

It can be our afterparty for Bon Festival—I’m still too tired to cook anything, but there are some restaurants just a short walk away.

Sure. There’s a bunch of restaurants around ES.

We can eat pretty cheap with L$, so I’m gonna binge like crazy without thinking about my figure even once.

Ehehe, treat myself~ ♪

Oh, but wait. We can’t afford to waste too much money, right? Bon Festival was only yesterday, so there’s no way we’ve been paid yet—

We’re still squandering around in poverty until we can pay off our debt.

No, it looks like the money has already been transferred. I got the details about it through Glitter Mail, so I’ll share it with you.

I still don’t know much about the cost of living in the city, so I can’t tell how it compares.

Oh… ES is as good about their money as always. It feels so nice to get paid right away, really raises my motivation.