Chapter 1

~… ♪

(Nn? Oh, my phone’s ringin’. I’m tryna focus on my sewin’ here—Can’t this wait…?)

(But if I straight-up ignore that guy, he’s gonna lecture me to death. Damn. So annoying.)

(Can’t believe I got some weirdo on my tail. It’d be easier if I could just punch his lights out and be done with it.)

(But I’m done with that shit. Yeah, I gotta be a model high school student.)

(Well I say that, but lately all those units’re fightin’ nonstop—There’s more warfare here than when I was in middle school…)

(Gives me a bad feeling, and it’s flooding the school.)

(Ain’t Yumenosaki s’posed to be an idol training school…? So why the hell’s it like some war zone?)

(Damn, my phone’s been ringin’ off the hook… You’re such a hard-ass, yanno that?)

Hey, whassup? It’s Kiryu—Whatcha want… Hasumi-bocchan?

The fuck, shut your trap… I don’t know shit about this Akatsuki or Acacia or what, just do what you want. I already told you not to get me involved.¹

I fly solo, so if you’re lookin’ for members, look somewhere else.

‘S that all you have to say? Then I’m givin’ ya my normal answer.

‘Preciate the effort, now go ahead and give up. It wasn’t meant to be… Got it?

Hmph. You might be part of the student council, but you don’t got any real power backin’ ya.

You’re gonna need that power if you wanna get your way. And that’s why you’re tryna pull in someone who can be your firepower—me.

But you’re barkin’ up the wrong tree. If you’re an idol, then go fight someone with your singin’ and dancin’. I’d be fine goin’ to those kindsa lessons with ya.

Anyway, bye. Remember—you’re weak. Don’t go doin’ any stupid shit.

(Goddamn. What a pain in the ass. Every single day… What is he, my girlfriend?)

(I gotta hand it to him, though. He never shies away from callin’ me no matter how blunt I get with him, or how much I threaten him.)

(He’s prolly desperate. Workin’ for the student council must be tough.)

(Well, our student council’s just a straw boss that only exists on paper. They’re more like the assistants—the slaves, more like—for all those high-and-mighty idols.)

(No idea why he’d wanna put himself into such a pissass position. Not like he’s gonna get anything out of it…)

(Hasumi’s a pretty good guy though, so I guess I could give him a leg up.)

(Pain in the ass, though. Man… I’m already so fed up with this bullshit.)

~… ♪

(…Huh?)

(Looks like someone’s singin’. This rooftop’s… s’posed to be off-limits though, ‘cause there was some kinda incident up here before.)

(That’s why it’s always so quiet with no one around… I like it ‘cause I can really focus on sewin’.)

(What the hell’re ya doin’ on my turf without permission?)

(Maybe if I yell at ‘im, he’ll scram. Prolly won’t come back, either.)

~… ♪

(Oh… He’s pretty good. A little wear and tear, but that’s got its own appeal to it.)

(He’s got a voice that attracts people to ‘im. I’m jealous—I’m not even half as decent at singin’ or dancin’.)

(Well, duh. I was a total amateur before comin’ here. And even then, ‘s not like anyone around me takes things seriously.)

(I’m really startin’ to think I came to the wrong school.)

…Whatever. Hey, you! The pipsqueak!

…?!

Nn? What’re you, a girl? Nah… that can’t be right, you’re wearin’ the uniform for the idol course. You’re the one in Itsuki’s unit, right?

…?

Uh, ya don’t have to look so on-edge. You’re Itsuki’s friend—I’m not gonna hurt ya. That guy’s never had any friends since way back, so the people who’re willin’ to hang around him are pretty important.

…?

Ummm, I’m Kiryu. Kiryu Kuro, just your average no-good punk. But I’m pretty much Itsuki’s friend from when we were kids.

And you’re in Valkyrie so, uh… Nito or somethin’? Ngh, I’m pretty ass at rememberin’ names and other details.

……

Hey, you should at least answer me. Or what, did no one ever teach ya how to talk? Huh?!

…?!

Wait uh, don’t get all teary-eyed on me… My bad. I shouldn’t’ve yelled at ya.

I’m just all pissed ‘cause I got a call from a guy who don’t know how to shut up… C’mon, I said I was sorry.

……

Yeah, I ain’t gonna bully ya. Actually, I think you’re just right for… C’mere a sec ♪

…?

Yeah, you’re about the right size. You’re pretty damn tiny, huh? You sure you’re a high schooler? Like, same age as me too?

……

Nah, it’s not like I was makin’ fun of ya. You can’t choose your height or anythin’.

Anyway, can you try on these clothes for me?

…?

Uh… It’s our school uniform, yeah. For the idol course. Someone asked me to make it for ‘em.

My client’s about your height, so.

I can’t wear a size this small…

But I thought it should be tried on first. Yanno, make sure it fits right n’ stuff. Like a final check before I go n’ deliver it to ‘em.

Well, I ain’t gonna force ya. But if you’re not doin’ anything, you could lend me a hand, yanno?

…?

Yeah, I made it myself. I already know how it’s s’posed to look since it’s our uniform, so it was easy enough. Whatcha think? Pretty sick, right?

… ♪

Haha, I’m pretty good at sewin’, yeah. Same as your Itsuki—My mom’s an expert, so she taught us together a long time ago.

Well, that was all back when I was a kid, though.

Anyway, this is perfect. While we’re here, you wanna relay a message for me?

Let Itsuki know it’s too much work tryna do everything like the costumes and shit all on his own.

I can help him out with the costumes at least—Well, just for old time’s sake.

And uh, let him know there’s been some nasty smell in the air lately… Tell ‘im to be careful.

‘Course, Itsuki’s never listened to anyone anyway, the bastard.

……

You be careful too, ‘kay? And look after him. ‘S not like you’re obligated to do it or anything though.

He’s easy to get wrong, but… Well, he’s really not a bad guy.