The Legend of KAGETSU | Interlude

Characters
Translation
citrinesea
Proofreader
Anonymous
Season
Spring

Interlude

Going back in time, to a day that was several days after the end of 4piece’s final ceremony.1

… (Yawn) Phew.

How goes it? Catch anything?

Hm~? I caught Old Man Nice– Nassan for short~

Man. How come every time I go fishing, I end up catching a person and not a fish~? I’d rather have fresh fish for a meal today than find a person.

Well, as an apology for intruding on your fishing, why don’t I treat you to dinner tonight? How’s that sound?

Nyahaha, you get it, dontcha~, Nassan. If you’re going to take up my time, you have to make it worth my while in equal fashion, yeah~?

We’ve formed a contract, then~ I’ll give you my dinner time, Nassan~

How was 4piece?

I thought, “Why’d you go and get me fired up, calling me to Japan, only to not even choose me” or something~ Want me to go on with my list of complaints?

Let’s not. But that boldness of being able to say whatever you're feeling is real Nice.

Well, whatever~ It’s thanks to 4piece that I had a really good encounter, so~? I’m thankful for that~

Oh? That’s certainly Nice, hm? In Japan, they call that a “once in a lifetime encounter”. It’s great to cherish that connection.

By the way, Taki-kun. Have you no interest in units?

Units…? Of course I’m interested~ It’s got my heart totally and thoroughly captured lately, after all~

That’s real Nice to hear. If that’s the case, how would you like to try being the leader of a unit called “Esupuri”?

Units are small groups, and it’s typical to affiliate yourself with one in order to perform idol activities in this country. There’s all sorts of other details, but that’s the general rule.

Along those lines, I happen to be arranging a new unit of young sprouts that I’ll be producing in the hopes they’ll blossom. I’ve been giving it thought, and I believe you would be suitable as its leader, you know.

Whoa… You still think highly of me despite the fact you didn’t choose me for anything in 4piece, huh~

But I’ll have to shoot that offer down~ I'm not leadership material. Besides, there’s a different unit I’m interested in, so~

Oh? So there’s a unit you’ve already got your eyes on?

Yep. The unit Hasumi-san’s in~

Hasumi… Ohh, Hasumi Keito-kun from AKATSUKI.

Looks like you and him got closer during 4piece, so I guess that’s what got you interested in him.

That’s right~ Well, I’d known AKATSUKI’s songs back when I was in America, actually~

But spending some time with Hasumi-san and jamming out with him made me realize something real clear~ I realized it’s exactly where I wanna be.

I’m me no matter the place, and I’m always going to be free — but with that person, I found something I wanted to do together with him.

— I’m looking for "true Japanese-style”.

If it’s AKATSUKI, I figured I might be able to make my dream come true~

… Dream. Come to think of it, I didn’t ask you why you wanted to be an idol. Is that dream why?

That’s right~ Born in Okinawa, raised in America– I've lived close and far to Japan. Meanwhile, Hasumi-san from AKATSUKI has always championed Japanese-style.

If I’m gonna make my dream come true together with him, then isn’t it more convenient for me to actually be together~?

That’s pretty sound logic. However, AKATSUKI has a reputation of being an extremely tight knit, prominent three-person unit, you know.

I feel that even if they tried bringing in an outsider2 like you in like that, there will be backlash from them and those around them.

Nyahaha~ Of course I’m aware of that, y’know~ But what’s the point in thinking twice about it~ Besides, do you think there wasn’t any backlash when America got its independence?

Ready to cause a rebellion, ready to pick a fight, I’m the descendant of an oni that can silence even crying children.3

Even if it means sending down a rain of blood, I'll get what I want, when I want it~♪

… Looks like your mind’s made up, huh? That’s a real shame. I was looking forward to you acting as the leader of Esupuri, though.

Those kids are awfully unstable, after all. I was hoping you’d be able to take the lead with those kids, as someone with a firm sense of self and drive.

I’m not interested in taking care of children~ I’m still a kid too, after all. It’s exactly ‘cuz of that I’m completely free~

This is the last stretch of getting to fool around before I grow up into some boring adult, so I’m deciding where to spend it.

Got any objections, Nassan?

None here. Whether you’re in Esupuri or not is nothing but a trivial matter to me.

All I wanted was to guide your talent to this country and let it sprout. I scouted you because I found you promising— to me, you could blossom into a nice, big, successful flower.

You have the freedom to decide whether you let that sprout bud or leave it to rot.

Well, just watch me. I’ll show you that I’ll meet your expectations, Nassan~

Heheh, now that’s Nice. You were born in Okinawa, and then moved to the US and spent your youth there. But your body flows with the blood of Oni,4 said to be the indigenous people of Japan.5

Your upbringing is unique: seemingly close to the nation of Japan, yet so far— and seemingly so far, yet so close— with that upbringing, what kind of idol will you become?

I’m deeply interested to find out.

Haven't you understood through our chat by now? I'm going to take action to learn exactly what “that” is~♪

Fade to black.

Translation Notes

  1. ↑ Keito and Ibuki meet again after the events of VS AUDIENCE in Final Ceremony Chapter 3.
  2. ↑ Nice uses 異分子 here. Meanings include "outsider" and "someone who is different".
  3. ↑ This is Ibuki's catchphrase, first said in VS AUDIENCE.
  4. ↑ Some necessary context: When RYUSEITAI is in Okinawa in the story Supervillain, Tetora mentions that the crime syndicate CRIMSON Productions was previously taken down by the vigilante group Oni. In Stella Maris, Mizusaba (Ibuki's sibling) mentions that his grandfather was known as the pirate Oni. In Ibuki Idol Story 2, Ibuki confirms that both he and his grandfather are known as Oni. When Nice says Ibuki has the "blood of Oni" (鬼の血), he's likely either referring to what he's learned from Ibuki's catchphrase or Ibuki's grandfather directly. You can read the Ibuki Roadmap for more details.
  5. ↑ Some necessary context: Ibuki self-identifies as Uchinaanchu (an uchinaaguchi word to describe a person from Okinawa) in Ibuki Idol Story 1. This makes him Ryukyuan, which are the indigenous people of Okinawa (formerly known as the Ryukyu Islands). The Ryukyus were islands independent of mainland Japan until 1609, when they were invaded and turned into a vassal state. In 1879, the Ryukyus were formally annexed into Japan as the Okinawa Prefecture. This is likely what Nice means when he says Oni (Ibuki, his grandfather, his family) are "said to be the indigenous people of Japan"; he's saying Ibuki and his family are said to be Ryukyuans. Still, to call them an "indigenous people of Japan" is still misleading, given they were not formally part of mainland Japan until 1879. Read the Unpacking Shinsei AKATSUKI note for a small summary of the Ryukyus and the steps Japan took to assimilate them after 1879.
  6. ↑ Ibuki uses 半端者 here. Generally, it describes someone not fit for society. Meanings are broad, and can include delinquents, misfits, and fools. In this case, I chose to translate it as "outcast" because it seems to be the best fit for the story.