Chapter 7

Phew… It’s finally quieted down.

Ahaha, you handled it well though. Your tea’s gettin’ cold—Y’want some more?

There’s no need. Rather, let’s focus on starting our preparations for the live at the museum.

So you can…

Ngah, I’ll help ya out~ ♪ I don’t got much sense or nothing, but I am good at tidyin’ up.

Ehehe, it’s all ‘cause you said I could figure out how to clean stuff even though I ain’t got a brain. So I’m gonna do it with everything I got… ♪

……

…? Oshi-san, you look kinda funny. What’s wrong?

Oh, it’s ‘cause I’m flyin’ around all crazy-like so you’re gettin’ distracted, right?

Ngah~ Well, I still left my teacup out an’ all, so just gimme a sec to put everything up and I’ll get outta your hair!

I just keep repeating myself, but you ought to listen to someone until they’re finished speaking.

Kagehira. Do you intend to leave everything for the performance, from the organization to the costumes, all up to me alone?

Ummm, I dunno whatcha mean by that. Ain’t it like that for every other Valkyrie live?

Well, lately you have been wantin’ my opinions on stuff like the production and costumes and whatnot.

But I dunno~ Valkyrie belongs to you, Oshi-san. I’d feel weird buttin’ in about this or that.

Valkyrie also belongs to you. And in any case, this time we’re performing alongside 2wink. In order to create a perfect performance, it is imperative for us to practice with them.

We’ve never stood on stage with them before, so we don’t know what to expect from them. I’d like to get a substantial amount of practice in.

Nn… So ‘cause of that, you want me helpin’ with the costumes an’ the like?

Well, I suppose you could say that. Here, I drew a simple sketch of the design while we were talking.

Ngaaaah, just what I’d expect from you, Oshi-san! The costumes this time’re so detailed an’ pretty too ♪

(Huh? But something’s kinda… It feels like it’s missin’ a li’l something?)

(—Wait, what’m I sayin’?! Me, nitpickin’ Oshi-san’s design? I gotta be some kinda idiot!)

I don’t find them pretty in the slightest.

It lacks something. I feel like I’ll need to work on it some more. You feel the same, correct?

Nngh… I–I think it looks plenty good to me, though?

Do we got enough fabric or little accessories an’ stuff? Want me to go downtown an’ get all the materials we need?

Don’t get ahead of yourself. I just said I need to refine this design. And I still need to take 2wink’s measurements.

Ah… It’s the first time we’ve made costumes for 2wink, ain’t it. But we have made outfits for other units when they asked us to.

Maybe we got 2wink’s measurements lyin’ around somewhere?

Perhaps, but their current sizes might be different now.

Mmm… It’s easy enough to whip up a steampunk-themed design, but the end result is third-rate.

I’ll have to think about the composition and direction of the performance. Just as I thought, I don’t think this is something I can do on my own.

I–if that’s the case, then maybe I can go to the library an’ get some books an’ stuff on steampunk to help you with your inspiration?

But that’s about all I can do.

…Hm? It sounds as if someone is knocking on the door. Did they forget something and come back to get it?

I haven’t locked the door—Come in.

Ngah—Anzu-chan? Whatcha doin’ here? …You wanted to see if you could help with anything?

Ahaha… Y’came all the way back for that?

I’m still adjusting the design. I’ll be sure to take your offer once I begin sewing, but at the moment there’s nothing in particular for you to do.

…You don’t have to look so dispirited. It makes me feel as though I’ve done something horrible to you.

Ngah, Anzu-chan. If you want, d’y’wanna go to the library with me? I’m fixin’ to get some stuff for Oshi-san to use.

I get wantin’ to be helpful an’ all so… But I won’t force ya if you’re busy.

You wanna help? Well then, let’s get on it… Oh but, I done forgot I gotta clean up first!

Huh, you’ll help me with that too? Well thank ya kindly, Anzu-chan. It’s a big help. We’ll be done lickety-split~ ♪