Epilogue | Chapter 1
Gentlemen, excellent work! Ah, that’s too insolent of me to say, when I am still only a novice… I’ll say “thank you for your hard work” instead～♪
Come now, enjoy the food to your heart's content.
The food used in the banquet scene is authentic. It would be a waste to let it rot and get thrown away, so I was told they’d like us to finish it up.
I hurried to get some additional food and drinks, so let's have a quick kick-off and enjoy ourselves~♪
Oh, by the way, we have permission to have a wrap party here.
The sponsors were very happy that Scroll of the Elements was a great success~♪
How are you so energetic, Kanzaki...? I'm completely exhausted.
It was a slapstick comedy this time around, so my face hurts from overusing facial muscles that don’t typically get practice.
Yeah, what he said. My face got so stiff that it isn’t goin’ back to normal...
Plus, the focus was on sword-fighting and action scenes for this performance. Kanzaki and I are fine for the most part, but Hasumi-no-danna, are you feelin’ groggy from it all?
Don’t look down on me. I don't want to hold you guys back, so I go on runs to train.
It feels good to run early in the morning. I can feel the change of seasons, too.
That makes you sound like a grandpa…
Well done to everyone in RYUSEITAI, too. We were in sync way more than I expected, and it was pretty fun. Let's perform together again~♪
I should be the one to say that to you guys. We got to experience something extremely valuable, and thanks to you all, Scroll of the Elements was made possible.
Thank you for making my comrade’s dreams come true.
Hmph. It's still autumn, it would be bad if you burnt out here.
The organizers said that if things keep going like this, they would like to consider holding additional performances or releasing a second round... There may also be an opportunity to do a similar live in the future.
I’m looking forward to it~ Next time, I want to play the role of “Samurai-san”, too~
The other day, Souma taught me how to use a “katana”~♪(1)
It’s risky to let Buchou-dono handle blades, so I’d rather he doesn’t, but…
I've grown a little interested in ninjas, too. Why don't you teach me the basics next time, Sengoku?
Zzz… zzz…~♪
Oh, Sengoku fell asleep. He must be exhausted, he sleeps like a baby... He worked hard today, after all~♪
Ahaha. Yet on stage, or rather, in the final scene, he looked so powerful and cool.
He actually genuinely managed to pass through the ring of fire. It was a real surprise to see.
He really is light on his feet, huh... Tetora-kun is pretty athletic, too — I feel like I’m the only one who looks like a dunce...
Maybe I'm lanky because I only eat vegetables… I need to take in more protein...
Oh, you got so inspired by your comrades that it made you wish to grow stronger!? Takamine is a boy too, huh~ That feeling is important!
That’s wonderful! Keep encouraging each other to improve yourselves, you guys...☆
Wait— please don't cling to me... Right after performances, Morisawa-senpai’s body-temperature is about three times higher than normal, and it’s so stuffy...
It’s fine, isn’t it? Let’s get along! Let's share our happiness!
Now that Sengoku has done what he wants to do, it might be Takamine's turn next, y’know? Is there anything you want to do?
Uu~... Right now, I just want to go home and sleep in bed...
What a silly comedy this is, like Manjuu Kowai. Alright, that’s all from me. I’ll take my leave now, so onto the next speaker.(2).
Epilogue | Chapter 2
… Anzu-dono, you’re standing a little far away for some reason, but…
You should come closer. Here, the chestnut yokan is delicious~♪
…You have such a sad look on your face. What’s the matter? If you’d like, you can talk to me.
We’re “kurasumeito”, I want you to rely on me anytime~♪
Hmm. You feel disappointed in yourself because you misjudged what distance to take with us “aidoru”?
Sengoku told you that he was neither a stuffed animal nor a younger brother... And you feel bad about that?
I think Sengoku said that simply because he wanted to be treated as a man, though.
Just doting on someone isn't enough to satisfy that.
It’s a difficult problem, isn’t it? We have our respective positions, but we’re human beings with flesh and blood. We aren’t mature enough to be capable of completely separating work and private life.
A novice like me shouldn’t say something haughty, but... We are humans, Anzu-dono. You will inevitably make mistakes, over and over again.
However, in this modern age, it isn’t such a suffocating era that even a single mistake cannot be forgiven until after one’s death...
It’s alright to make mistakes many times over, and to regret them just as much. After all, the most important thing is not to repeat them again, correct?
In hopes that next time nobody will get hurt — That hopefully, you can come closer to crafting a better future…
You have no choice but to put in the effort, reflect on yourself, and fumble your way forward. Fortunately, in this modern age... For kids like us, there is a “next time” waiting for us.
We were born in a happy era, not in the harsh Sengoku period — a period where, even if you stole nothing but a handful of rice, your hands would be cut off, or you would be killed...
As long as we’re allowed to make mistakes, and until the moment we use up all of my "next times"... there is nothing we can do but to make every effort we can until we become adults.
Carrying sins, mistakes, and scars, we have no choice but to grow so that we won't repeat them again.
Mm? Ahh, I’m simply echoing Hasumi-dono's words. He told me something like that when we first met...
There was something about it that really touched me, and that is why I'm still by his side to this day.
That person has made mistakes and failed many times, but he still does all he can to keep moving forward. I'm sure it's the same for Kiryu-dono.
That’s exactly why I want to serve and honor my seniors.
… Sorry, I wanted to listen to your worries, Anzu-dono, but I only ended up talking about myself.
But, well, understanding us “aidoru” to a deep level is never a waste for a “prodyusaa”.
Anzu-dono. I want you to smile. Everyone will worry if you look so gloomy. Plenty of our “kurasumeito” are nosey.
Let’s go back to where everyone is. If you feel anxious, I will protect you. You have an attendant by your side.
To be frank… Out of AKATSUKI and RYUSEITAI, I’m the only second-year.
If Anzu-dono weren’t here with me, I’d constantly have to grapple with being stuck between my juniors and seniors. Ha ha ha~♪
CONTINUE the story...
TL NOTES
[1]A reference to Crash Course, where members from different units trained together by swapping out their aesthetics. Kanata and Souma paired together, and their cards have them wearing each other's outfits.
[2] 落語 (rakugo, lit. a story with a fall ) is a comedic theatre act where one person tells a story and acts out multiple parts. Think of it like stand-up comedy, and read more here. Manjuu Kowai is a famous rakugo routine, which you can read about here.
"お後がよろしいようで" is a segue during rakugo performances, where one introduces the next act before leaving the stage.