Chapter 4

…You’re quite lively today, Hiyori-kun. You too, Jun.

…Despite always bustling about, you never seem to exhaust yourself. I’m glad.

Aha! We’re used to having difficult schedules, you see! Such is the sad fate of a celebrity!

Of course, we were supposed to have been able to relax and take it easy during the Qualifying Rounds, considering that we had seed rights.

I didn’t expect to have this much work shoved on us, so I can’t say I’m very pleased about it.

I was already in vacay mode, so it was hard to get back into the swing of things.

Hm, but I’m still impressed you’re able to get your work done so perfectly, Ohii-san.

Fufu ♪ Yes, keep going! Tell me more!

But you kept up with everything too, Jun-kun, in your own way.

It looks like your popularity has been skyrocketing—But of course, not so much that you could stand on your own if you ever left me, hm?

You just had to go and add that, didn’t you. Well, I guess I’m used to that by now.

…Fufu. But while the other major units were busy with the Qualifying Rounds, we could take on various other jobs to gain a track record across different fields of work.

…That was Ibara’s plan, as Eden’s producer.

…It will be to our great benefit to play while the cat’s away.

…I was unable to help much with our work, so I apologize for that.

Well, there’s no helping that. You’re a crazy popular idol, Nagi-senpai, but you don’t really have much experience doing solo gigs, right?

…It’s more so that I don’t know what is considered correct unless Ibara gives me direction.

…And if I were to show an unsightly side of myself by continually making careless mistakes, the constructed image of Ran Nagisa of Eden would collapse.

…Love may be blind, but if you intend to destroy your image, the changes you make should at least be well-received.

Oh yeah, so that’s the reason you stopped using your weird persona on stage recently?

If I’m being honest, I never really knew how to handle you whenever you put on that high-and-mighty act, so I’m kinda grateful for that change.

…I see. I do find it easier to do as other people say—

But it would be lazy, or perhaps arrogant of me, to pursue my own comfort over that of my companions.

Yes yes, and I don’t think you should let yourself rely on Ibara forever, Nagisa-kun.

What if you took on a solo job in order to get some experience with it?

…Well, you did seem to have had other things you wanted to do. You probably had to prioritize them, so there was no getting around it, was there?

Oh yeah, Nagi-senpai. You were doing stuff while you were shut up in that weird abandoned temple the whole time, right?

And just when I thought you were finally back, you were up and traveling all over the place again.

…You’ve been acting kinda weird lately, Senpai. I’m not saying you gotta tell us everything just ‘cause we’re friends, but aren’t you being just a little too closed-off here?

If you’d at least tell us what you’re up to, we might even be able to help you out.

…No. This time, at least, there is nothing you can do.

…This is a very personal problem, and it’s mine alone to handle.

……

Well, hello there! You all made it! Salute~ ☆

Come on Ibara, you can’t show up late and just laugh it off like that! You’re the lowest ranked in Eden, so why don’t you try acting like it for once?

My, that came out of nowhere… However, I am more or less Eden’s producer, so you could even make the argument that I’m the most significant member.

Non, non! Eden’s pecking order goes like this:

First off, Nagisa-kun and I are the two most important people, and we share the top rank! From there it’s a massive drop, but the next highest rank is my most beloved Mary!

And then next is Jun-kun, and Ibara is at the very bottom!

You still think the world revolves around you, don’t you?

Oh, on the contrary, it’s quite refreshing to see someone who sticks to their guns to such an extent! Though if I had to make any revisions, I’d object to the inclusion of a dog in this list.

Excuse me? Do you not think Mary is part of our family, Ibara? How could you say such a cold-hearted thing to someone who’s lived her whole life all alone?! You monster!

No, I mean, even if she were family, this dog still wouldn’t be part of our unit, right?

Well yeah, I guess, but if that’s the case then why’d she join us for this job?

Allow me to explain the situation on our way there.

I’ve also had my hands full with various things—I ought to apologize for not explaining anything until now.

You too? But it didn’t actually look like you were any busier than usual, especially compared to us.

Ever since that whole thing in Shikoku, I’ve felt like there’s something weird going on between you two in Adam.

Fufu, rest assured! Even if we do seem to be out of sorts, you two in Eve have been performing spectacularly! Our Eden is perfectly secure!

So there’s no need to worry. …It will always be Eden who has the last laugh ♪