Chapter 3

……

Oh. Forgive me, I’ve been on the phone too long. And even after you’ve taken the time to gather here…

We have no particular plans for Valkyrie to perform today.

That competition-style live format that’s become all the rage these days is…

Well, I don’t like it. Another unit standing on the same stage as us would only degrade the quality of our flawless performances.

This is not a game of King of the Hill—I don’t like the concept of squabbling about atop the stage. There is no beauty in that. You can’t just hand out a score to determine who wins and who loses…

It’s absurd, don’t you think?

And so today, we will only have lessons. I’ve rented out a practice room, so you can use it as you see fit.

As for me, I plan to create new costumes for our next beautiful, flawless performance.

Oh, you’re gonna make more new costumes~? Y’want me to lend a hand?

I’d appreciate it. To be honest, I’m a little short on those. Though I imagine you’d only drag me down with your skill, Kagehira.

That present you gave Nito, too…

Well, I can’t help but laugh at the idea of giving that to someone else! Kakakaka ♪

Wait, I was tryna hide that! When’d ya see it, Oshi-san?! I’m sooo embarrassed~ That’s an invasion of privacy!

Hmph. If you didn’t want me to see it, you shouldn’t have put it someplace it would catch my eye.

There’s no logic in complaining to me; curse your own carelessness. And besides, what’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is also mine… Kagehira ♪

Well yeah, buuut? Urrgh…

Wait a sec—! Y’mean that when I noticed that sometimes the outfit was gettin’ sewed up by itself…! That was you, Oshi-san?!

What did you think it was, the work of a fairy?

I mean, it would be impossible for you to do such difficult needlework on your own… Honestly, did you mistake the extent of your own capabilities?

You ought to know your place in this world better, Kagehira. You are but a scarecrow—Your only merit lies in your appearance. Really, you should be grateful to me for helping you perfect the outfit ♪

Ngaah, but it’s a present from me to Nazuna-nii! There’s no point in it if I didn’t make the whole thing! C’mon Oshi-san, ya dummy~!

Aha… ♪

Oh, Nazuna-nii laughed! That barely ever happens! Actually, I think this’s my first time seein’ it~ ♪

Wai—I missed it! Kagehira blocked my line of sight while he was flailing about—Now look what you’ve done!

How do you plan to take responsibility for this, you absolute failure…!

Nito, is it true? Did you really laugh? Come, show me your lovely smile that can purify this rotting world… ♪

……

Ohh, you’ve returned to that blank expression of yours! Gh—Kagehira! This is entirely your fault!

As punishment, I’ll have you go and distribute the tickets in this cardboard box! And don’t come back until you’ve finished giving them out, do you understand?

Uh, sure! Man~ Do we really gotta sell the tickets ourselves?

Of course. There are far too many units holding live concerts these days.

But the supply of guests has not wavered. It’s created competition for them.

There is a finite amount of money in each guest’s wallet; we must endeavor to make them use that money on Valkyrie.

It is an unpleasant reality to face, but we now live in a time where we need to think about such things.

To be honest, I have no interest in that side of things. What care should I have for advertising…?

However, after seeing the lives of all those below us, I’ve come to wonder if all the idols in Yumenosaki are like that… And I won’t stand to have the audience discouraged by that thought.

Idols, performances, they are both much more noble art forms.

So we will make the masses realize this truth. We will be the standard for idols at this school.

If they think themselves idols—

If those fools believe they have the qualifications to stand with us on stage, then we will show them what it means to be an idol! Kakakaka ♪

Sure thing, Oshi-san~! We’re idols, an’ Valkyrie’s the strongest and bestest unit ever!

All righty then, I’ll go an’ give out these tickets with all I got~ ♪

… ♪

Nn? Nazuna-nii, you wanna come with?

I won’t allow that, Nito. Oh, Nito, Nito, Nito…

Leave such mindless work to Kagehira. Come, pose for me—Inspire my art with your beauty!

……

No, wait! Where do you think you’re going? Listen to me when I speak, Nito!

W–would you rather be with Kagehira than me? Oh, I see—It’s the effects of that present he gave you! But did I not also gift you an outfit of unparalleled quality for your birthday?

Hm? What is it, Nito? Why are you taking my hand…?

Do ya wanna go all together, Nazuna-nii?

I’m sure you’d get all depressed just holin’ yourself up in here sewin’ an’ sewin’, so why don’tcha take a break? We’ll go on a walk and hand out tickets~ ♪

Getting defiant now, are you? Who are you to get so cocky? An artist does not walk around with their head lowered to sell their work.

Whoa—?! Don’t pull on me, you two!

Ahaha… ♪

Ah—Your smile! I saw it just now, Nito! My cute, adorable Nito! Ohh, Nito, Nito, Nito!

My creativity is overflowing—Ideas for our next costumes are gushing forth like a fountain… ☆

Don’t go back into the room! We’re goin’ together, ain’t we? C’mon, c’mon ♪

C’mon… ♪

Uwah! I already said not to pull on me! What troublesome dolls you are—You’re going to stretch the fabric!

My word, can’t you just do as I say…?