Chapter 13
“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”
(Okay, we’re off to a good start. Hajime-chin and Tomo-chin are also moving around without being too nervous.)
(And Mitsuru-chin is… Ahaha, he’s almost too carefree.)
(We’re at the end of our first song… Okay, done.)
“Good evening, everyone! We’re idols of Yumenosaki Academy—Ra*bits!”
“Thank you all for letting us participate in such a wonderful live!”
“We’ll turn the heat up on this Summer Night Festival with our singing and dancing!”
“After us, talented idols who’ve come from all across the country will take the stage! So please enjoy yourselves until the very end… ♪”
“That’s all from me. I’m Ra*bits’s leader, Nito Nazuna. Now take it away, Hajime-chin.”
“Okay! Hello everyone, I’m Shino Hajime. We’ll sing with all our power tonight, so please support us ♪”
(Phew, I was able to say it without stumbling over my words.)
(Oh, Tomoya-kun’s talking. Maybe I can talk to Nii~chan now.)
Nii~chan.
Hn? What’s up, Hajime? Are you worried about something?
Umm, not exactly. I just wanted to apologize to you.
Nii~chan, I’m sorry for worrying you!
No, it’s fine so long as you’ve learned from it. I’m just sorry I couldn’t give you any support.
No! You were worried about me and told me not to push myself, so it’s my fault for not listening to you. So please don’t apologize!
Yeah, I get it, so keep it down a bit. I don’t think the audience can hear us, but whispering during a performance isn’t exactly praise-worthy.
Uh—Right. You’re right, I’m sorry!
…Oh—Awawa? I did it again…?
Hey now, don’t panic or you’re gonna fall down. Our costumes this time are pretty loose-fitting, so you’ve gotta be careful they don’t snag on something.
Okay! They are different from the outfits Ra*bits usually wear.
Yep. And even though there are lots of lights around, it’s still pretty dark since it ’s nighttime.
Just keep in mind what I said earlier. If you start feeling nervous or scared while dancing, let me know. I’ll cover for you perfectly… ♪
Thank you, Nii~chan. But if you and Tomoya-kun and Mitsuru-kun are singing and dancing with me, I’ll be fine.
I’ll give my song and my dance to everyone here. I hope I can become an everlasting light inside their hearts ♪
“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”
(Wow… Hajime-chin, dancing isn’t really your strong point, and yet you’re still going at it.)
(With your beautiful singing voice and your mystical dancing, the audience is naturally drawn to you.)
(You’re shining as brightly as the lights surrounding the stage…)
(Oh, he did say before the live started that he’d become a radiant light.)
(He sure is keeping to his word, bathing everyone in his light.)
(I’ll become a light, too, and shine brilliantly… ♪)
“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”
(Hey… Nii~chan and Hajime-chan are taking all the limelight! No fair, I want in too!)
(Fine then, I’ll just show everyone an even better performance! Ahahaha ♪)
“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”
(Oh man, what are those moves? It’s all these acrobatics, I can’t even begin to explain it!)
(…Hajime and Mitsuru are really holding their own. At this rate, I’ll end up looking lackluster in comparison to them.)
(I don’t want that. I’m an idol too…!)
“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”
…Hm, they seem to be doing well.
For sure. They’re prolly standing out more than any of the other openers. If we’re not careful, they might kick us to the curb, yanno?
We won’t let that happen; we are Yumenosaki’s number two unit. So let’s show the audience our true strength.
…It’s just about our turn. You two good to go?
You bet. Akatsuki’s always in top shape, right?
Yea. I shall accompany y both.
“Lo, bear witness! The pride of Yumenosaki Academy, the veteran unit Akatsuki hath arrived… ♪”
“We’ll take over from here. I hope you’re enjoying the party this evening.”
“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”
(Fufu. ‘Tis not just the audience, but the other idols offstage, who are captivated by Hasumi-dono’s beautiful performance.)
(But that is only natural for our respected leader.)
“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”
(Ohh… And Kiryu-dono’s powerful singing voice doth resound to the farthest corners of the venue.)
(I could never hope to match their abilities. However, I too am a member of Akatsuki. Tonight as well shall I serve and support them.)
(…Nay. I made a promise with Shino that I would become a radiant light as well.)
(But I cannot disregard Hasumi-dono or Kiryu-dono—I must not outshine them.)
(Nay, this is but an unnecessary concern. If I challenged them with all my strength, I could not achieve e’en half of what they are capable of.)
(These members of Ra*bits, these idols, have illuminated the stage. We must follow their lead and continue to shine e’en more.)
(Ah… This dazzling scene is the same as th’ one I saw long ago.)
“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”