BUTTERFLY | Butterfly Clad in Serendipity
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Butterfly Clad in Serendipity 1
— I see. So you are lost on writing the proposal.
I wouldn't lie about something like this~ There's no point in hiding it anyway.
When Hasumi-san put me in charge, I was so confident I could handle it~
But when I read your proposal, I realized how far I still have to go with my own~
Kanzaki-san, you’re so good at this~ I was so surprised it was written so well, way more than I thought.
… Something about those words feels rude to hear, but…
Unfortunately, this proposal was the product of Hasumi-dono’s proofreading and revisions.
I could never have written this on my own. My first draft was so poor it actually left Hasumi-dono speechless.
You too, Kanzaki-san? Then we’re in the same boat, huh~♪
When Hasumi-san saw my first attempt that I wrote, he just held his head in his hands.
He said things like, "Alice isn't this much of a superhuman," and "What's the point of having the caterpillar antagonize Alice?"
Hm... Even hearing that, I have no idea what any of it means.
Judging by the fact that none of those elements remain in this proposal, it seems Hasumi-dono's advice was effective.
Nyahaha. Well, the project is hard to understand and he was sympathetic with me~
But the more I read to understand the worldbuilding, the more I feel like I'm falling down a rabbit hole~?
I knew the project was hard to grasp, but I didn’t think it was going to be this much of a struggle.
And because of that, the composition isn't going well either~ It's hard to gauge how much of an AKATSUKI feel to give it~
(… Hm. That’s unexpected.)
(Taki, that is. I thought that even if he couldn’t write a proposal well, he would still be easygoing about it…)
(While I wouldn't say he's exhausted, it seems he's troubled enough to lose sleep over it.)
(Still, I am not well-versed in "Arisu" or "Wan-daa-rando", so there is likely nothing I can do to help.)
(Just like Hasumi-dono told me, if the theme is clear, everything else may fall into place…)
(No. I am not in a position where I can worry about Taki. I am in the same position.)
…
(I am… in the same position…?)
I asked Hasumi-san to let me work on this project, but it's not like I want to be a bother.
If it means cutting into my practice and composing time, maybe I should just obediently hand it back to Hasumi-san...
… And that’s fine with you, Taki?
It doesn’t matter if it’s fine or not~ This isn’t a project for me alone. It’s a job for AKATSUKI~
I can’t worry forever if I wanna make the stage even better, right?
That’s exactly why you should not hand it back.
If you leave it to Hasumi-dono, he'll undoubtedly produce a good proposal... But that's a separate matter from the composition, which is your responsibility.
I do not know composition very well at all, but you expressly asked to be part of the project because you thought you could make something even better, right?
If you pretend that never happened, do you truly think you can finish a song you're satisfied with?
… You really hit where it hurts~ , huh Kanzaki-san.
If I let the project go, I can focus on the song, you know~
And that might be better for coming up with the best song.
Or if I can use what Hasumi-san comes up with for the project, I might create an insane masterpiece of a song~
I’ll never know unless I try~
… But, for me…
I'd still be frustrated. It means I hafta give up the project 'cuz I wasn't good enough~
(I see. Taki’s in the same position as me.)
(After all, Hasumi-dono entrusted a project to me, believed in me... I would want to see it through no matter what.)
Anyways, guess it can’t be helped this time, I have to hand it over~ I still can’t come up with a solution.
A solution?
When Hasumi-dono read my proposal, he gave me the advice to figure out the theme.
I’d say that’s probably what he’d say about your proposal too.
What are you saying, Kanzaki-san? Isn’t the theme of WILDLAND “Alice in Wonderland”?
That may be one theme, but that’s not the entire theme.
The theme of "Wairudo-rando" should be something you come up with.
Taki. Are there any components you can incorporate into the central theme?
Theme, huh~ There’s the “Alice in Wonderland”, “Wild”, “Untamed”
A “wasteland” in a “ruined world” … And then there’s something like “caterpillar”?
“Caterpillar”? Now that you mention it, we AKATSUKI are the role of the Caterpillar in "Wairudo-rando", right.
Yes. Although it's not like our role has a deep connection with Alice~?
WILDLAND is a place where you live your life free and unfettered, and they said at the end of the attraction, we’ll turn into a butterfly and fly away somewhere~
That's part of why it's so hard to visualize our relationship with Alice.
A butterfly…?
That’s our role, so I was conscious of that while I was working on the song, but…
How does one best put that to use in a song?
M~n? I’m still in the planning stages, but maybe the beginning could be slow, and then have the melody change drastically right before the chorus?
The changes that happen from a caterpillar to a chrysalis. Being able to get that across would be nice~ Something like that…
“Growth and change,” … Hm.
That could become the exact theme you are looking for.
"Wairudo-rando" is exactly that, a world that is immensely changed from the original piece of work.
Furthermore, "Wairudo-rando" urges the growth of the “Arisu”s who get lost within it.
Yeah, there definitely is a ton of stuff that connects, maybe~ In that case, for the attraction we're in charge of...
If we set the theme as "whirlwind change," then to show that effectively, the beginning should have a sense of confinement.
Becoming a butterfly… It’d be cool if at the end of the attraction, it had this feeling of nice, spacious freedom and soaring out into the wide open sky~
Then, I’ll fix this to fit the theme… And it might just show the “transformation” of the reborn AKATSUKI Hasumi-san was talking about!
Transformation... no, the search for potential? Yeah, I feel like I can definitely come together on something for the proposal~!
San~kyu~ Kanzaki-san! It's like a path just opened up before me~!
There is no need to thank me. You were the one who put the theme into words at the end of the day.
All I did was suggest it, after all.
Nyahaha. You’re so humble, Kanzaki-san~
(Even if he doesn’t understand the world of "Wairudo-rando", once he decides on the theme, everything else will fall into place.)
(As expected of Hasumi-dono ♪)
(Still… "Growth and change," was it? A most fitting theme for us, the reborn AKATSUKI.)
(...In that case, perhaps this theme could also apply to the "Fan Thanksgiving Festival" event that I'm struggling with?)
Next, let’s do Kanzaki-san’s Fan Thanksgiving Festival~
… Hm?
Butterfly Clad in Serendipity 2
It's more complete than mine, but it feels like the details aren't finalized? It’s just like my proposal: if you pin down the theme, it'll all fall into place, right...?
…
What’s the matter, Kanzaki-san? You look kinda spaced out.
It's nothing. We went to the trouble of deciding on a theme for "Wairudo-rando". I think it would be better to focus on thinking about that.
What’re you saying? We still haven’t put your troubles to rest yet, Kanzaki-san~
You gave advice to me, so now, it’s my turn to lend you my strength just like you did~
WILDLAND and the Fan Thanksgiving Festival are both huge projects for AKATSUKI, after all~♪
Taki…
Honestly, I’m just really glad I was able to talk with you, Kanzaki-san~
I really couldn’t come up with anything, I was agonizing over it~ You lending me your strength really helped me out.
So, I was just feeling like I wanted to do the same for you, if there was anything about the contents of your proposal you were worried about.
Oh, but, is it that you wanna finish the proposal by yourself without my help?
If that's the case, I won't force you~
… Certainly, I was set on creating the finest proposal with my own capabilities from the start.
But, even with all the different things I have learned and studied under Hasumi-dono and Kiryu-dono, I am still very much inexperienced.
It is an undeniable fact that I was completely at a loss, just like you were.
Therefore. I’d like to ask you for a favor, Taki.
For the sake of AKATSUKI’s Fan Thanksgiving Festival, please lend me your strength.
The problems we face will be difficult to overcome unless we pool our wisdom.
Fighting on a united front? Personally, I’m glad to hear you say that~
Got it~ So then, where’s a good place to start?
The Fan Thanksgiving Festival proposal has been revised for the most part... but just like with "Wairudo-rando", I have not decided on the theme yet.
It may be because of that there is no sense of cohesion. Perhaps because of this, there is no sense of unity, and so it gives the impression that it is all over the place.
Additionally, I have still not come up with an "i-ben-to" separate from the “raibu” where we can mingle with our fans.
I am grasping around for fan service that is appropriate for AKATSUKI, but I cannot think of a single thing that works. I am trying to think of something, though.
So first we have to get those two things outta the way.
Hm. But, the preparation period overlaps with that of "Wairudo-rando", so we have a very limited schedule.
Even though the budget is generous, a large-scale project like a "ko-rrabo-ration" with other companies would be difficult.
Unlike WILDLAND, Fan Thanksgiving Festival has a whole lotta restrictions?
It's suffocating when you think up a good idea but can't actually put it to use~
It’s absolutely something worth considering if it’s something attached to the AKATSUKI Fan Thanksgiving Festival.
There is no need to hold back from coming up with any ideas. As long as it’s within our capabilities it is fine.
Hm~mn. Hasumi-san said that he wants to be careful about the distance we keep between us and our fans, right?
I’m in favor of that too~ When I think of AKASUKI, it’s a unit that charms people with its overwhelming presence in performance.
I have the same opinion. However, this event is our special Fan Thanksgiving. We want to convey our feelings thoroughly to our fans.
… If that’s the case, I think it’d be good if it was something off-stage that we could enjoy with the fans together.
At the same time?
Yup. You can see the same things as your fans and share the same feelings~
Comrades who share the same goal naturally grow closer, y’know~ So I think it's a good idea for AKATSUKI to start from there.
I see. In that case, should we avoid things such as handshake events that strengthen the relationship between idols and fans?
(Doing some sort of thing alongside the fans, and watching or listening to something together. That’s not a bad idea at all.)
(It would be good if we could come up with a concrete "ai-dee-ia", just like Taki said, but... this is exactly what should be connected to the theme.)
(Growth and change, the theme of "Wairudo-rando", seems fitting for the new AKATSUKI.)
(They are both happening at the same time, so it should not feel out of place if the “e-bent-o” has the same theme…)
Hmm. If it becomes about growth and change, then it would be ideal to have an “i-ben-to” that shows that the reborn AKATSUKI will shine even brighter from here onward…
… Kanzaki-san? Growth and change is the theme of WILDLAND, y’know~?
Wh— What's that?
Why are you trying to convey those at the Fan Thanksgiving Festival?
… Were you thinking of using the same themes for both events?
H–How did you know that!?
It can’t be. Taki. Did you read my mind…!?
I don't have that kinda superpower~ You literally said it just now~?
That was… I was so focused that I completely murmured it aloud.
So. What? Were you thinking of making the theme of WILDLAND the one for the Fan Thanksgiving Festival?
... I think it is appropriate for the AKATSUKI of now.
Ever since you joined, AKATSUKI has gone through stark changes. We are in the middle of change…. Just like the chrysalis stage.
I thought that it would be great if all our fans could learn more of where we were at during the Fan Thanksgiving Festival.
…
I did not mean to pilfer the “ai-dee-ia” you came up with…
Nah, I don’t really see it like that~? If anything, I’m happy I found a theme that'd make you say that~♪
Hmph… That wasn’t meant to be praise for you. I just thought the theme was suitable. The theme!
Nyahaha. Let’s do that then~♪
So they’re events happening at the same time~ If they’re both AKATSUKI-y, it makes even more sense they’re gonna be on the same stage, if anything~
Th-That’s right.
... Hey, Kanzaki-san.
If that’s the case, why don’t we just do WILDLAND and the Fan Thanksgiving Festival together?
… What?
Both events have the same theme, and we’re still in the planning stages too.
That might create new problems, and it'll be hard to do all of it at the same time, but...
I thought it was a good idea to convey the way the reborn AKATSUKI is now. ..... What do you think?
...
Why are you so silent~ If it’s bad, it’s bad, just say so~
Things are so different.
? What are you talking about?
Taki. I cannot anticipate any of the things you say or do. I am always at the whims of your free-spirited ideas.
I don’t really get what you wanna say, Kanzaki-san~?
What I am saying is that I never would have thought of combining the two projects no matter how hard I would have tried.
I am aware that I can be stubborn. That's precisely why, when I hear your flexible ideas, I feel I've gained a new perspective.
(... Ahh, I see. My heart is roused. There are an endless amount of possibilities.)
I don’t really get it, but…
It seems like my idea really provoked something in you Kanzaki-san~♪
"Wairudo-rando" and the Fan Thanksgiving Festival are two completely different projects. Combining them is not an easy task.
But, like you said, if we can manage to combine them…
We may be able to use the stage to express the reborn AKATSUKI of now.
However, Hasumi-dono will not be convinced as things stand. Our current rationale for combining them is insufficient.
Let us finish both of these proposals at once. That way we can show Hasumi-dono what we were thinking…!
! Nyahaha. Couldn’t ask for anything better~♪
(Taki, someone uncontent with fitting into the status quo, brings change to AKATSUKI.)
(... A blinding, dazzling change.)
(On our own, our strengths are not enough, but if we combine them together... we may be able to make these two projects work smoothly.)
Butterfly Clad in Serendipity 3
I figured you’d be here, you weren’t at yer desk.
Kiryu? Did you need something?
Nah. I just finished up work, and thought I’d drop by.
I should be asking what’s up with you, Danna. Usually, when it’s this late, you’re glaring down work with a grim look on your face arentcha?
I was consulting with a junior idol until just a moment ago.
Fortunately, I have some free time now. So much so, I was thinking of spending more time on solo practice.
I see. Guess it’s ‘cuz Kanzaki and Taki are wrapping up the projects you were supposed to be handlin’.
That’s right. Thanks to them, I was able to finish up work I needed done too.
A general policy for the activities of AKATSUKI has been made. I’ll have to thank them both.
Each of ‘em are gettin’ more dependable, huh.
Anyways, Danna. Those two have been full of energy lately.
When I asked Kanzaki how the proposal was goin’ the other day, he told me he wanted me to look forward to it bein’ finished.
Oh yeah, shouldn’t you have it by now, Danna?
… Right. Not just Kanzaki’s either, I’ve also read Taki’s.
How were they? … Well, I ask that, but judgin’ by the look on your face, I’m gonna guess not well?
Hm? It was that obvious on my face?
It wasn’t that the contents of the proposal were particularly bad. I wasn’t expecting them to be able to make a perfect proposal to begin with.
Finding the errors and fixing them. It’s just a habit you build for everything.
Still, it’s hard not to bury your head in your hands when you see it the first time. And when the other party has thought about it so seriously, it's hard to criticize too.
They were certainly motivated enough… Kanzaki was spinning his wheels, just like you said he would.
I think he'd do better if he relaxed a little and thought it through without putting so much pressure on himself…
Of course he was gonna do that. He seemed real damn happy you put him in charge of the project.
He's participated in planning meetings before, and his ideas have helped us out, but turns out it’s a totally different story handin’ him the whole project to ‘em after all.
He must be real desperate to make it real good.
… We’re probably going to have to rely on him more and more from here on out.
Haha. Well, I bet that Kanzaki’s gonna take each time serious and see to it each time we do.
What about Taki? Feel the same there?
That’s right… If anything, WILDLAND is even harder because the project is hard to understand to begin with.
Taki has a tendency to withdraw from things at the oddest times, but he seemed strongly determined to show everyone something great. I just hope he doesn’t end up worrying himself sick about it…
If you’re worried about him, why dontcha just ask him about it?
Of course, I intend to. I was going to check in on things at today’s meeti—
Hm?
Lil’ Miss? What’s the matter, it doesn’t look like you have some kinda business, but…
Calm down. First, tell us what happened… I see.
Kanzaki and Taki?
— They’re fighting each other!?
— En gaaaarde—!1
Nyahaha. Over here, Kanzaki-sa—
n—!
Whoa, you managed to evade that one, hm! Well, next time you won’t be so lucky…
… You really can’t be convinced, can you Kanzaki-san~? I’m the one who’s absolutely right about this~!
Nay, I won’t concede this to you! I never should have listened to what you had to say!
Just what are you two doing!?
H-Hasumi-dono…!
Hasumi-san!
Oi, oi. It's real rare for Kanzaki to get to the point he draws his sword. This ain't good.
Hasumi-dono, Kiryu-dono, why are you here…?
Anzu saw you two fighting when she happened to look into the practice room.
She was troubled over whether or not to intervene, but you two were so intense, she ran and came to get us.
I thought I felt a different person’s presence when we were fighting~ So it was Anzu-neenee~♪
Taki! If you knew, why did you not tell me!
Even if I'd told you, you wouldn’t have listened to me now would you~? Besides, I noticed it, so it’s fine~
Ghhgh… You say that like you were the only one mindful of his surroundings! Looks like I’ll have to rake you over the coals after all!
Fine with me~ I was just getting warmed up, y’know…
Wah?
That’s enough, you two. If you go any further with this fightin’, I’m gonna wallop ya myself.
Uuu… But, Kiryu-dono! I have done nothing to deserve blame!
I could say the same thing~ If we’re saying who started it, it was Kanzaki-san…!
(Sigh)… I’ll listen, one at a time. For now, stop pointing at each other.
Butterfly Clad in Serendipity 4
So what you mean to say is that you were fighting over what to do with the Fan Thanksgiving Festival setlist?
Yes. Taki here found fault with the perfect song order I made— he had the gall to say it made no sense!
Well, that's because it really did make no sense. What was I supposed to say~?
And even though I went and thought up a new order for him, Kanzaki-san just haaad to get stubborn about it.
If he’d just given my idea a real chance, we coulda decided it quickly. I sure wish you wouldn't complicate things, y’know~?
You are the one complicating things! And just what was your song order supposed to be anyway?!
I understand how the argument started. I get that, but... why did it have to escalate into a physical fight?
I know full well that you guys— Kiryu included— are a brawny bunch, but I can't have you causing violent incidents like this.
Exactly like Danna said. You guys are way too big to have kiddy fights.
You mighta been holdin’ back, but one wrong move and someone coulda got seriously hurt.
Besides, we're idols, right? Even if ya gotta end up hitting each other, faces are off-limits.
That's not anywhere close to what I’m saying, Kiryu. It's not about where you’re punching, I'm telling you not to resort to violence in the first place.
B-But, Hasumi-dono…
There’s no “but”s about this. Reflect on what you've done.
Uuu… I am very sorry.
Nyahaha. Kanzaki-san’s all dejected~
Taki, you too.
Kanzaki definitely might get a lil’ too worked up when it comes to you, but…
Still, it's rare for him to get so angry. Don't push his buttons so much.
Yes, sir, I get it alreaaady~
Sorry for mouthing off~ Kanzaki-san.
... I also spoke a little too harshly.
More to the point, how’d ya two end up plannin’ this together? WILDLAND and Fan Thanksgiving Festival are two separate projects, right?
Yes. That may be so, but…
Kanzaki-san gave me some real good advice while I was struggling~
Then, I thought that I'd like to be a help to Kanzaki-san this time, and while I was thinking of all sortsa things, we ended up talking about how things might go if we just combine the two projects~
Combine the two? WILDLAND and the Fan Thanksgiving Festival?
It might be an interesting thing to try, but that could get real messy…
Hm? What is it, Lil’ Miss. "Let's read the proposal before we decide"?
Well, that's true too. I guess these two must have thought it was a good idea.
… I see.
Hey, Hasumi. You're reading it already?
What do you think, Hasumi-dono...? Our proposal, which overlaps the "themes" of two "i-ben-to" to depict the past and future of our reborn AKATSUKI...
... As usual, the details are rough. The schedule, practice time, and budget usage are all too vague.
Nyahaha. We thought we could just ask you about that stuff later~
No doubt. These are the parts I'm best suited to balancing out.
What matters is that you two fumbled around and managed to grapple with what this event should convey. On top of that, you confronted matters like the time it will take to prepare these and the scale of the project.
Most importantly, I can finally see what you’re going for with the AKATSUKI you want to show.
So that means…
It's a good plan. Let’s use this as the foundation and hammer out the details. Kanzaki, Taki.
...! Yes, understood completely!
Leave it to us, ‘kay~! We’re gonna make the best project ever~♪
Butterfly Clad in Serendipity 5
Uuu~ We’re finally done~
Don’t sprawl out on the sofa. Have some decency, Taki.
It’s ‘cuz all that talking has me totally beat~ I can’t help it~
You seem so relaxed, Hasumi-san, I’m so jealous~ Guess that’s what happens when you do stuff like these meetings all the time, huh?
That may be, but it’s more that today’s meeting went more smooth than normal.
Their explanations, questions, and their points of discussion were all easy to understand.
And that was their response, even with the preposterous proposal to hold AKATSUKI Fan Thanksgiving Festival and WILDLAND at the same time.
If things were how they normally are, it would have gotten more strained and complicated.
Morisawa told me about the WILDLAND staff before, but it really is thanks to them, they’re way more competent than I could have imagined.
Hmm? So that was that for WILDLAND, huh~
Yeah. We’ll need to go to prep meetings from here, but at this point, we’ll just be approving stage preparations and direction.
I was thinking I’d like you to put your attention on the composition for now, how about it?
That would be a big help, but… are you sure?
I’m the one who said I wanted to sink my teeth into the project, so I don’t intend to give it up at the very end.
I don’t think you’ll give it up. I just thought that was the best way to make WILDLAND and Fan Thanksgiving Festival as perfect as they can be.
Hmm? If you say so, Hasumi-san, it doesn’t matter to me~♪
Oh, you guys got done faster than us, huh?
Kiryu-san, Kanzaki-san. Did you finish your meeting too?
Yes. Thanks to Anzu-dono’s assistance, there seems to be no big problem with the project.
If anythin’, thanks to mergin’ it with WILDLAND, we don’t gotta worry about findin’ a venue.
We still haven’t decided on the event we’re holdin’ with the Fan Thanksgiving Festival, though.
Kanzaki-san said he’d think about it on his own, and wouldn’t let up about it, right~?
But, I could swear some options should have been prepared before the meeting with Anzu.
I thought it was some kind of summer matsuri. What happened to that?
About that… When I asked Anzu-dono about it, she said that if we were to hold it with the budget we had left, it would be much smaller in scale.
I heard that the fireworks at the end would also be fairly small, so I postponed the decision for now.
Even with it being the special Fan Thanksgiving Festival, it would ruin the entire event if we were to fail to meet everyone’s expectations.
Therefore, I felt I wanted to think through different options…
I thought it was better to cut back on the food stalls ‘n focus on the fireworks, but guess Kanzaki can’t agree to it.
Please forgive me for my selfishness, Kiryu-dono. I decided on a summer matsuri because I felt it fit with the "festival" in “Fan Thanksgiving Festival”.
Having fireworks and only calling it a fireworks festival isn’t bad either, but…
So you aren’t entirely convinced yourself, Kanzaki?
That’s fine. Then we’ll stay with you until you decide.
No, this Fan Thanksgiving Festival is something that should be entrusted with me, so I cannot trouble Hasumi-dono with…
No can do~ Kanzaki-san. The Fan Thanksgiving Festival and WILDLAND are now our… No, they’re both AKATSUKI’s projects right~?
So, it’s best if we all think at it~♪
I understand the feeling of wanting to see this through yourself. And I know you’re being considerate of us as well.
Still, when you don’t rely on others for such a long time…
That gets lonely in and of itself. Doesn’t it, Hasumi ♪
You guys worked at the proposal hard, anyways. Your passion for the FanThanx has gotten through to us.
… I am deeply grateful.
No worries. Besides, if we don’t come up with somethin’ quick, I’m pretty sure Lil’ Miss is gonna propose we do the Fundoshi Festival.2
Hold it. Why is the name of that bizarre festival coming up?
When we couldn’t decide on the event, Lil’ Miss just muttered it under her breath.
And after that she just started talking about the budget like nothing happened. Even I was stunned.
? Fundoshi festival…
Forget what you heard just now. … Kanzaki, cut to the chase.
R—Right. But it seems we have exhausted all of the easy, obvious ideas.
If we didn’t fixate on the matsuri concept so much, I feel an AKATSUKI exhibition would be nice, but…
No, what if we combined an event with a matsuri…? Something like an AKATSUKI Exhibition festival maybe?
Hmmm. That is not a bad “ai-dee-ia”...
But we wanna make it so there’s Japanese elements to it to make it all AKATSUKI-y~
Maybe we could take some ideas from what real festivals do, then. We could build a mikoshi ‘n carry it 'round…
Are you suggesting we carry a mikoshi in front of the fans?
It might be fun, wouldn’t it? “Wasshoi, wasshoi”…
Nah. Scrap that. I just pictured Mikejima comin’ and invitin’ himself into it.
What if we had a race, like the Lucky Man sprint?3 It’d be a great chance to see who’s the fastest~♪
What would be the point of that? And think of how the fans would feel seeing that?
We've come full circle into it turnin' into some kinda sports festival ♪
You guys… Think a little more seriously. Are you really just going to let our Fan Thanksgiving Festival get hijacked by some bizarre festival?
… Seeing the same sight as your fans, so as to share the same feeling.
Kanzaki-san?
Those words were yours, Taki. It was not something I came up with.
As I thought of how to actualize that feeling, the sight of a summer matsuri and fireworks is what came to mind…
If we can, I would like to make it an “i-ben-to” worthy of these words.
(Looking at beautiful things together. Like aligning our hearts…)
Something besides fireworks, huh~…
Mn~n? I feel like there’s something with a similar kinda view… Ah!
I know, Kanzaki-san! If you wanna see lights in the sky, it doesn’t have to be fireworks~!
How about a “lantern festival”~! You write wishes on the lantern and set them off into the sky~
(Looking it up on his smartphone) … Is this what you’re talking about, Taki?
Let’s see here… Oh, that sight's a real beaut, huh.
It’s an event that illuminates the night sky with sky lanterns, and they are held all throughout Japan. Overseas, it’s a famous Thai festival it seems?
In some regions, they're held with gratitude for the blessings of good harvests and rivers, and they have a deep relationship with Buddhism too.
… Truly, what a beautiful view this is.
Right~? I thought so when I saw it while I was in America~ ♪
You make a wish and release it into the night sky, hm…?
(It’s nice lighting up the night sky in a flash with something like fireworks, but…)
(Something like this, where it takes place slowly over a length of time, going into the night sky while being swayed by the wind… The brilliance that aims to the far off moon is just like us, AKATSUKI—)
You have my thanks, Taki.
… Huh?
This is the kind of landscape I’ve come to want to see. Together, with the fans who support us AKATSUKI.
Butterfly Clad in Serendipity 6
(… It’s already gotten quite dark outside.)
(How long has it been since I’ve gotten home this late.)
(To think that adding Fan Thanksgiving Festival preparations to my usual work and training would make things so hectic.)
(… I wonder if Hasumi-dono gets through days like this all the time, given he handles all the negotiations for AKATSUKI.)
(He truly is someone most worthy of respect ♪)
(There were so many unfamiliar tasks and negotiations I had. But it is not painful, strangely. If anything, it is a satisfied, pleasant kind of fatigue.)
(I imagine it is because I can feel us moving forward, inch by inch.)
(Now then, there is still much more to do tomorrow. I shall be turn in early— hm?)
Mn~...
N~Don do-don.
Znn Zz-Zzn, Do-Do, Do-Don…♪
— Yeah. That rhythm definitely suits the song a whole lot more~
So it was Taki after all. You are still composing at this hour?
Ah, Kanzaki-san.
Yup, that’s right. There’s hardly any clouds out today, and the moon sure looks beautiful, so~
I bet this song would wanna be born on a night like this, too~♪
… That song is Hasumi-dono’s, if I’m not mistaken—
— Meikyou Ryusui.”
That’s Hasumi-san, alright~ It’s like the song and the lyrics were always meant to be that way from the start~
Yes. I feel the same way.
The moon waxes and wanes. Just like the song describes the ever-changing form of a clear stream, that is where we are at now.
It is certainly a song that truly embodies Hasumi-dono, someone who has always thought of AKATSUKI.
When you put it like that, the same goes for Kiryu-san's too~
You really get that feeling of passion from AKATSUKI and the soul of Japaneseness4 from it. And then...
Is my song true to the spirit of AKATSUKI as well?
Nyahaha! You took the words right out of my mouth~♪
That's right. You all breathed life into the music I made... with your words and your feelings.
It's like it captures all the different sides of AKATSUKI. It turned out to be a pretty different kind of song, but it still feels like AKATSUKI.
Isn’t that great? Making a song with someone like this...
Thanks a bunch~ Kanzaki-san.
For the song lyrics?
No, not that. Back when you thought over the proposal with me.
I wasn’t trying to be stubborn or anything. I just wanted to do it myself~
I was at my wit's end, just thinking about it wasn't getting me anywhere… and then you reached out to me.
That was for the sake of AKATSUKI—
Yeah~ You lent me your strength for AKATSUKI. I was surprised you could make that kind of decision for Hasumi-san and the rest.
And here I thought my love for AKATSUKI could rival yours, huh~?
… It is only natural.
I have followed and learned from my seniors much longer than you.
I am proud and confident that the feelings I have for AKATSUKI are unmatched.
Yeah. … It makes me a lil’ jealous, y’know~?
There is no need to be so impatient. You are now a member of AKATSUKI too, Taki.
Kanzaki-san….
… I misjudged you a little.
Ever since you have joined, AKATSUKI has changed. We are proclaiming it to be the reborn AKATSUKI.
But that perception is mistaken.
Mistaken… So AKATSUKI hasn’t changed?
Nay. AKATSUKI has changed…— Rather, it is still undergoing changes, but…
It is not just your entrance into the unit. Everything around AKATSUKI is changing little by little.
We cannot continue as we always have, and I am certain Hasumi-dono does not want things to continue as they have either.
If you were to ask me if that makes me sad, it would be a lie to say it doesn't. But AKATSUKI has been that kind of “yu-nitto” from the very start.
— “While we base ourselves on good, old-fashioned traditional performing arts, we express our unique character by creating modern arrangements of them.”
Just as dynamic as water and fire, AKATSUKI will continue to question what kind of existence it is.
(And one day we shall become a fully-developed butterfly and soar off into the open skies we belong in…)
(I still do not know where we are going. I cannot imagine what will happen to us. But—)
It excites me. What will happen to us from here on out?
What kinds of landscapes will we see as we continue to stand on stage as AKATSUKI?
Honestly, I really can’t help but look forward to it. Right, "Ibuki" ♪
… ♪
Hey. Can I give you a hug?
Hah? What are you doing so suddenly—
Well, it’s more like I’m going in for one anyways~? Yeah, there's no stopping me now—
Hey, why’d you dodge me~!?
You started spouting nonsense out of nowhere!
It was just so poetic~ It got me all worked up just now~
That may be so, but you were far, far too sudden about it!
I had thought it when I saw your lyrics, Kanzaki…— Souma-san, but sure enough, your5 way with words were beautiful~ I wanna listen to them forever~
Listen to me! Praise will get you nowhere!
… But I wish it went with the melody a little more~
… Hm?
Now’s a good time to say this, but there are some parts of these lyrics you gave me that I wanna change~
It’s just a suggestion, though, so feel free to approve whichever, Souma-san…
Here, don’t you think it’d be smoother and match up with the melody more if they were “Alert” and “Metamorphoses”?
Hm? …? “A-raa-to” and “me-ta-moru-foo-se-su”?
It’s “Alert” and “Metamorphoses”~ Souma-san, haven’t you been studying your English?
(Whisper) … Ahem. “A-raa-to”, “me-ta-moru-foo-se-su”
Like I said, that’s not it~? Were you listening to my pronunciation carefully?
Kh— I don’t need to listen to your pronunciation now! Discussing the lyrics should be what’s more important here!
No can do~ It’d be a waste if we changed the lyrics and we couldn’t even sing them. Here, watch my mouth and tongue real careful ‘kay~?
Uuuu. How humiliating…! Sure enough, I just cannot stand you…!
Translation Notes
- ↑ ちぇすと (chesuto or chesto), an exclamation Souma gives when he lunges with his sword. I've localized this as "en garde" to give it a similar feeling.
- ↑ A running joke from Quarrel Festival, where Anzu wants to plan an event where AKATSUKI wear fundoshi, or loincloths.
- ↑ The Lucky Man race is a Toka Ebisu festivity in the Hyogo Prefecture, where participants sprint to see who is first to Nishinomiya Shrine.
- ↑ 和 (wa) refers to a foundational cultural value in Japan that emphasizes social harmony through maintaining peaceful relationships within a group. 和 encourages compromise, consensus, and the avoidance of open conflict. Generally, it can refer to "Japanese-ness", and is used in words like 和風 (wafu, Japanese style).
- ↑ Ibuki uses な~, represented by the kanji 汝. This is a polite second-person pronoun.