137: Therapy

R–right… You’re saying all these things about your big hopes for us and whatnot, so like—is that the reason we’ve been treated like dirt up ‘til now?

That’s a relief honestly. I thought you were just trying to bully us.

Fufu. No, it wasn’t bullying—I love idols.

And you all are idols. It doesn’t matter what your abilities or values are, or how the world sees you. If you believe that you’re an idol, then you are.

You proved your worth as an idol at Bon Festival. You stood on that stage and brought joy to the fans who attended…

No one can call you fakes or wannabe idols, not anymore.

……

The situation has changed. You useless underachievers are still so young, but we can no longer shelter you and keep you away from danger.

I have no choice but to send you off to a deadly battlefield. Looking at it objectively, perhaps this is too cruel.

But this is what we wanted; one can only find happiness in overcoming the hardships they face.

I will protect them, even if I have to shield them with my own body—So there’s no need to worry.

We can protect ourselves. Isn’t that right, Aira?

Huh? Um… I–I’ll try my best.

Fufu. This is the point of no return, then. There’s no turning back now, ALKALOID.

Well. Now that we all mostly understand each other, let’s get into the specifics, shall we?

Those of us at the head of ES—It feels strange to call it that, but I mean to say that the representatives of the four agencies who are actually running ES held an emergency Summit.

The day following that irksome Idol Royale, actually.

Oh, so the Summit really exists, huh? I thought it was all just some fake secret society, or a rumor or something.

Of course it exists. We keep it under wraps, however, to avoid any gossip from those who revel in conspiracy theories.

Fufu. Crazy:B did cause quite a stir by releasing that video of Idol Royale.

They did. They are dangerous instigators—Although that is a necessary quality for a chief, isn’t it?

Yes… Nii-san could have done something like that back home, too.

He would be wasting his talent if he did that. Or no, I suppose it would be an effective use of it. Well at any rate, during the emergency Summit we discussed the biggest problem facing ES at present—

In other words, we discussed Crazy:B.

It’s a long story, so I’ll spare you the details—I’m getting a headache just thinking about the result of their schemes…

But all four agencies have come together and agreed on our policies for the future.

Umm. So the agencies are teaming up to take down Crazy:B…?

No. We’ve come to the conclusion that such a thing would be pointless. That Amagi Rinne-kun has likely anticipated such an outcome and prepared a trap for us.

It seems that way. The devil always sets his traps while wearing a friendly smile.

I won’t just sit idly by while you’re calling my brother the devil, Tatsumi-senpai.

Indeed. These people are not fantastical beasts—They are idols, just like us.

You can even say they are outstanding idols, a cut above the rest, because they’ve managed to garner so much popularity and get so many people worked up over them.

…I don’t really want to recognize them as idols, though.

I know what you mean! Those guys are such lowlifes.

I understand where you’re coming from. And that’s exactly why we’ve come up with this strategy.

We’ve been searching for a way to settle the issue without resorting to attacking or killing each other like barbarians.

Is there even a way to do that?

There is. Humans have tasted the fruit hanging from the tree of knowledge—Although, perhaps I shouldn’t use such metaphors in Kazehaya-kun’s company.

Fufu. Such knowledge is the reason we were cast out from paradise, you know. That said—you don’t have to worry about stepping on my toes.

My family’s doctrine is relatively broad. Somewhat open-minded, you could say.

Religion is still religion. I always give the utmost consideration when dealing with a spirit untouchable by human hands.

Anyway, we’ve decided that we will not exterminate these troublesome bees, but rather remove their venom. Without their poison, the bee is even beneficial to the environment, and it will collect its sweet honey for us to enjoy.

We humans have flourished by analyzing countless poisons to understand them, and by turning those poisons into medicines for our own convenience.

This time is no different. I’ll make sure of that.