Diving Headfirst into the "Ri-zumu"
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(I must have done something unthinkable to him…!)
(I haven’t the faintest idea of what I did! But what other explanation could there be?)
…
(A few minutes have already passed since Adonisu-dono called for me to meet him. I feel as if he has a severe expression on his face…)
Kanzaki. There’s something I wanted to say to you.
R—Right! No matter what it is, please go on. Some parts of me must have been lacking, I’ll reflect on it deeply. I’ll truly set things right…!
? I don’t really get what you're saying, but please take a look at this.
What’s this…? A “geemu ibento” hm?1
Yes, that’s the flyer. If it’s alright with you, would you want to go and join it with me? Of course, if you’ve got work, I don’t mind if you say no. … How about it?
Naturally, if you are the one inviting me, it would be a great pleasure! Let us embark!
So this is the “Gee-mu Ee-rea”…! Never did I think a place like this would be on the “Mega-su-phi-aa”…!
I have been to a “gee-ming cen-taa” before, but the atmosphere is starkly different here. This is such a vast “ee-rea” so…. It feels as if we are on a whole other world.
It surprised me too at first. Thinking about it, playing video games up here in the sky has a strange sort of feeling to it.
Mhm. There are a lot more people here than I thought, as well. Adonisu-dono, let’s take care not to lose sight of each other.
Understood. Still, we’ll probably be in other guests’ way if we keep standing here. Let's decide what game we’re going to play too.
Agreed. I would prefer one that’s as simple as possible, though…
… Come to think of it, why did you invite me in the first place, Adonis-dono?
I am not very familiar with “gee-mu”. Honestly, there are other people who are far better-suited than me. Am I really good enough?
Of course. I knew I wanted to pick you from the start.
It’s probably because I’m not good with machines, but I’m not very good with games either.
But I’ve been studying everyday because I wanted to overcome that weakness. I figured this game event could be part of that practice too.
That’s just like the diligent Adonisu-dono I know. And what a fine idea it is too ♪
You think so? I felt like you’d go and play some arcade games with me... But it took me a little while to work up the nerve to ask you because I knew there might be a chance you’d say no.
(I see. That’s why Adonisu-dono’s facial expression was so serious back there.)
Heheh. We are fellows with the same weakness. If you have gone to the trouble of inviting me, I shall lend you my strength with pleasure!
Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.
Ah, just in time. What is that game over there? It doesn’t seem very crowded and it doesn’t look too difficult either.
A warm-up game, hm? When it comes to running, warm-up exercises are crucial there too after all. Good idea.
Indeed! Let us start with what we can do and work our way up from there ♪
(Phew) I've played my fair share of “gee-mu”, but that “rizu-mu gee-mu” was quite something ♪
Yeah. I didn’t think we'd get this far either.
…
…
Ergh, it’s so difficult…!
I know I was putting on a front, but to think the results would be so disastrous…!
Hmm… To think rhythm games would be this hard. I underestimated it a little too.
At this rate, there’s no point in us competing. But it seems all this “gee-mu” involves is watching a screen and hitting the instrument in time with the rhythm...
Let’s try playing it again. We might be able to find a way to improve that way.
What went wrong, I wonder? I do not think it was an issue with hitting the notes on time.
Maybe… it’s how hard we were hitting it? Maybe we have to hit the drum harder.
I see! Then next time I’ll do this… right here… and give it a try!
And if I do it here… I wonder if that will help with the timing?
— Mhm! That should do it for next time!
So it wasn’t about hitting it hard enough, huh?
We got the same result again? Am I imagining things? — I feel as if my score is even lower than before.
Nay, this is but an easy task! Please, just one more time, Adonis-dono!
Hold on a second, Kanzaki. Look behind you.
Wh— When did a line form here…!?
Forgive me! I said I’d lend you a hand, but I ended up completely unhelpful…!
That’s not true. If anything, I’m the one who feels bad having made you come out with me.
? You say that, but your spirits seem high nonetheless.
Hm, you caught me, huh?
Recently we’ve both been so busy with our own schedules. A lot went on today, but I had a lot of fun hanging out with you like this, Kanzaki.
Adonisu-dono… You took the words right out of my mouth.
In all honesty, I’ve grown tired of the “rizu-mu gee-mu” already. Even so, it wasn't such a bad experience. It is all thanks to Adonisu-dono inviting me out.
I’m glad then. I feel like I’ve learned a lot too.
I imagine you’re worn out too. Should we go and call it a night?
You think so? But we’ve come all this way. It may not be a special occasion, but let us play one more “gee-mu” and go home ♪
Sounds good. How about that game over there? There might be a bit of a line, though…
… Kanzaki? What is it?
L–Look over there! I finally found it…!
What’s over there… A sword? Is that a rhythm game?
At this point, I’d welcome even a “rizu-mu game”! A “gee-mu” with a sword— considered “never before seen”, a “gee-mu” I’ve never had the chance to play before! Oh, I can’t just sit and stay here…!
… Hm, it looks as if only one player can do this “gee-mu”.
Don’t worry about me. Play as much as you want.
Adonisu-dono…! I am deeply indebted to you. Please watch my valiant form all the way through!
(That Adonis… He said he’d go and invite Zak~ki out to the game event, but I bet they definitely haven’t gotten on the world leaderboard~)
(There’s a rumor going around that whoever gets first place, gets some fancy-pants prize~ What on earth could it be!?)
(It’s killin’ me to know~ If it was gonna be like this, I shoulda entered the event myself just to see if it was actually true!)
(... Huh? Looks like the leaderboard got updated~ huh. First place is “Kanzaki Souma”...)
Haaah!? No freaking way!?
Translation Notes
- ↑ In Japanese, words from other languages (such as English) are typically rendered in katakana. However, when Souma uses katakana words, they are all written in hiragana instead, likely to emphasize how he struggles with foreign words. These words are kept as written in hiragana, and put in "quotes".