Chapter 1

Good job, Aniki. We killed it out there today, just like always.

We’ve practiced so much that by now every single performance is like second nature to us! And we really saw the fruits of our labor today.

Yeah, but what do we do now? We’re idols who sell ourselves as experts on adlib and improv.

If someone came up to us and asked us to perform separately while they played a song, would we even know how to react?

Umm, what’s up with that…? Did you get a bad taste in your mouth from the improv skit during the show?

Yeah, I guess that’s part of it… We didn’t play off each other that well today.

But it really is just, I’m worried about how much we’re relying on the habits and muscle memory we’re building up.

So if someone came up to us and asked us to do separate performances…? Once the song came on, I guess we’d just let our bodies move however they want.

And then we’d look at each other in shocked silence because they’re moving in sync with each other. But we could just chalk that up to being twins though, can’t we?

Ngh, that’s not a future I’d be happy living out. I’d really want to be able to pull it off on my own, as an individual, so something like that never even comes into question.

Huh~? Seriously, what’s up with you? All these implications you’re making aren’t good for Onii-chan’s heart, you know!

You looked like you wanted to tell me something today, so I took the initiative and brought it up for you.

Oh my! I didn’t know you were paying so much attention to me, Yuuta-kun…!

If there’s any discrepancies in our moves, the quality of 2wink’s performance plummets. I had to watch you so I could adjust to you.

You didn’t even play off me, that’s so tragic. Of course, that’s what I was doing too.

Really, it feels like we’re doing that all the time nowadays, like even when we’re getting dressed before a show.

We keep working and working to match up with each other. All to give off that “two in one” image for 2wink.

…Yeah. That much is obvious for the both of us.

So before you go off on me, I wanna suggest something… How about we do something completely different?

Completely different? Like what?

Last time we talked, it left off on a weird note. I think I screwed things up, so I’m seriously sorry about that.

…Okay.

Regardless of how we are on stage, whenever we try doing anything together it never really works out…

So then, what if we tried improving ourselves on our own? Like, maybe we should get used to working separately a little more.

Hmm, so what are you thinking?

I’m thinking… Chocolat Fes is a good place to start. We can do our training in different places and level up our skills separately.

And then when Chocolat Fes comes around, we’ll bring our A-game and figure out the best performance for us then.

We’ve done this plenty of times before, where we share what we’ve learned with each other and adjust our skills to match each other. This is just a long-term version of that—Or like, those experiences were the test run for the real thing now?

…Hmm, so basically it’s so we each make sure we’re seeing growth.

Fine by me! I’ve actually been thinking of something similar, and I was wanting to try it out. So I’m totally all in!

You’re getting a little too excited there…

Well, whatever. Then I take it we’re both in agreement on this?

This is proof that we’re both actually thinking for ourselves, isn’t it? We’re just trying to figure out what we’ve gotta do and put it into practice.

I mean, yeah. I think it’s more that we’ve been driven into a corner, so now we have no choice but to find a way out.

Maybe, but even still all we’re trying to do here is finally grow up.

I’m going to grow as Aoi Hinata. And you’ll grow as Aoi Yuuta. And seeing that individual growth will lead us straight into the future of 2wink.

…That’s a pretty leader-y conclusion to come to.

Duh, it’s ‘cause I’m the leader!

All right then. It’s been way too long since we’ve been in total agreement, Aniki. I really feel like I can pour my heart and soul into my training now~ ♪

Then that’s that!

Wait, you’re trying to escape way too soon! There’s gotta be something else we need to talk about here, right? Like uh, where to go from here, or something.

We may be training separately, but we still have work and school together… so it’s not like we won’t get to see each other.

Huh?! That’s not enough Yuuta-kun time for me! I need a full recharge at least once a week!

I still haven’t recovered from Yuuta-kun deficiency back in the qualifiers! I need this, okay?!

…Fine. And we don’t want people to think we’re fighting, either. I’d hate if they started fussing over us.

Then we’ll act normal, as if we’re not trying to avoid each other. Is that good with you?

Full recharge…

Yeah, yeah. Once a week.

Sick! I got it on record… ♪

Then from here on out, this is gonna be a period for each of us to train like crazy.

…It kiiinda seems like you’re really already itching to get out there and hit the practice room. Like you already know exactly where you’re gonna go, or even like you’ve already started training.

Just what do you have up your sleeve here, Yuuta-kun?

Not telling; it’d spoil the fun~ I wanna do my best though, so I can give you the surprise of a lifetime.

Ooh, someone’s all fired up… Well I’m definitely not gonna lose to you! I’ll make sure I knock your socks off, Yuuta-kun ♪

Then we’ll compete against each other until Chocolat Fes. It’ll be like our little game.

You got it. When we get to Chocolat Fes and you see how much cooler I am than you—

You’ll be seriously in for a surprise…!