Chapter 3

Hey, just how long do we have to keep this up?!

It’s already been a full week since the SS Qualifiers started, right? Are we just supposed to stand around here twiddlin’ our thumbs forever?!

Whatever, I’m done with this bullshit… This isn’t what I thought SS was gonna be like! I wanna talk to whoever’s in charge!

Quit barking like a dog who wants to go on a walk, Oogami.

Wh—

Wait, huhhh? Why’re ya bein’ so mean to me, Adonis? Was it ‘cause all my shoutin’ made it look like I was taking out my anger on you? I mean, I guess I was bein’ kinda annoying, but...

No, forgive me. I was trying to imitate Sakuma-senpai and say something he might say. But it’s quite difficult to poke fun at you without hurting you in the process.

Ahaha, you thought Oogami-senpai was stressed out ‘cause he can’t talk to Sakuma-senpai, right? So you tried roleplaying as him! Otogari-senpai, you’re so nice~ ♪

It cannot be called kindness if I’ve hurt someone with my attempt.

Umm… B–but you’re not seriously pissed at me, right? Right, Adonis?

It’s rare that I get angry, and even when I do, I don’t show it.

I’m aware that this is one of my faults—People fear what they don’t understand, after all. I wish that I could express myself as easily as you can, Oogami.

Huh? Are ya… givin’ me a compliment?

I’m always giving you praise, Oogami; I respect you deeply.

…… (pokes Yuuta in the side)

Ow?! I get that you’re on cloud nine or something, but it’s not healthy to take your happiness out on others with violence!

Try processing your emotions internally for once!

Shaddup… Anyway, I’m just pissed that we’re stuck in the same place doin’ the same thing over and over. Lemme take it out on ya.

No way~ You sound like an abusive boyfriend! Can’t you relieve your stress by singing and dancing or something instead of violence and brutality?

I just said that I’m pissed because we can’t do that!

I’m worried about Hakaze-senpai and the others… Things are going well for them right now, and they’re acclimating themselves to the desert.

But compared to us, their treatment is inhumane. The desert is not a habitable environment.

I’d like for them to be released quickly, but… The only thing we can do right now is to keep uploading videos and sending them Desert Coins.

Yeah. We’re countin’ on you to upload those videos under the name 2wink and buy and send the Desert Coins to ‘em—

You sure you’re handlin’ everything right, Yuuta?

Just put your faith in me! Unlike Aniki, I take what I have to do seriously, okay~?

Right, sure. You’ve always been a good kid, ain’tcha?

……

Adonis-kun.

…?

Please listen to what I have to say, and do your best to not react in any way so that the other two won’t take notice.

It’s fine to keep your responses to a minimum. Take care not to make any unnatural movements.

Understood.

Be that as it may, I imagine it’s quite unusual to see me using sign language in such a manner…

We must take measures so that they will not think we’re acting strangely.

I’ve got it.

—Oogami, Yuuta. I have a proposal for you.

Huuh?

What is it, Otogari-senpai?

Mm, it seems as though the amount of page views will stagnate if we keep posting the same kinds of videos, so I’d like to think of some options to add variety to our next video.

Oh~ ya don’t hear that kinda thing from Adonis every day.

That’s true. It must be due to Hakaze-senpai’s absence and Sakuma-senpai’s silence.

I feel as if I have to do my part to speak on their behalf, and that’s making me seem much more proactive.

It’s more like, you’re always too damn quiet! You should be more assertive—You’re an idol, right?

Yes. I’m aware that it’s one of my weaknesses as an idol.

That’s why I’d like to try a new style of performance to overcome that.

Hmmm? I don’t really get it, but that sounds good~

Usually I rope ya into doin’ whatever the hell I wanna do, so yeah, we should do somethin’ you wanna do everyone once in a while.

…Is it okay if I join in this new style of performance too?

? Of course.

Yup. We’re motherfuckin’ entrenched in this bitch now, so I’ll kick your ass if you try playin’ hookey.

…Will you really? Huh, right—I guess your lives are on the line.

……