Scarlet Halloween Prologue
... I see. That was very illuminating
So what you’re saying, Senpai, is that in this world of information overload, foundations like the classics and traditions1 are crucial.
Certainly. The basics and fundamentals—the timeless sensitivity of treasuring etiquette. We absolutely cannot lose sight of them.
A decision—“The one thing you need to do to push things forward is make up your mind and stick to it.” Right, I’ll take that to heart.
Thank you very much for the valuable conversation. Well then, until next time—
(... Phew. He's finally gone.)
(Honestly. The veteran Rhythm Link idols are a challenge. I’m grateful they have high expectations for us, but their life lessons feel outdated.)
(Sakuma and Hakaze seem to cater that middle-aged crowd pretty easily, but I’m not really there yet.)
(I don’t really think we need to flatter them, but I want to keep from saying or doing anything that could set AKATSUKI back.)
Even so, “make up your mind and stick to it”…?
Hasumi-dono!2
Speaking with a Rhythm Link senior.. Allow me to make you some tea for your hard work ♪
What the. You were here, huh, Kanzaki?
Yes, just since a little bit ago. You were talking to a senior, so I stayed back and observed from afar
I'd say there’s nothing interesting about watching me get told off by a senior. Next time that happens, don’t worry about showing up in the middle of it.
I cannot network nearly as skillfully as you, Hasumi-dono, and I certainly cannot play nice for someone I haven't pledged my loyalty to.
If I’d been there, I probably would have intervened and caused trouble for you.
I didn't intend to meddle, so I simply watched from afar.
I see. I’d feel bad if I kept you waiting too long, though.
They may have been born in a different era with different social etiquette than us, but they’re human too. I doubt they’d feel uncomfortable if you were to come into the office.
As for me, I received a valuable, if not meandering, lecture.
Heheh. Hasumi-dono was being lectured?
What's the matter? Is that unusual to you?
Indeed it is. Back in Yumenosaki Academy, Hasumi-dono was always the one giving lectures. Seeing you be put in the position of a junior is a litttle funny.
So? … What was the lecture about?
What? Nothing too serious. They were just asking me if AKATSUKI would be participating in the Halloween event.
“Harou-iin”…?3
Yes. That time of year is approaching.
ES also looks to be planning a Halloween event, so I originally intended for us to participate.
But apparently, the Rhythm Link seniors don’t want AKATSUKI to participate in it.
Other units are encouraged to go, but AKATSUKI doesn't have the permission to do so too…?
That doesn’t make sense. I can't think of anything unreasonable about us participating in “Harou-iin.”
Right. Regardless of the higher-ups’ opinions, the things we do are the ones decide on ourselves. There’s nothing ridiculous about AKATSUKI participating in a Western festival.
But, there are more things to consider.
After listening to what he had to say, it seems there’s a different reason they don’t want AKATSUKI to join the Halloween event.
Apparently, there’s been talk about having AKATSUKI perform as the opening act for Rhythm Festa, a live event hosted by the agency that brings together Rhythm Link’s biggest names. We’d be doing so as representatives of the agency’s new talent.
While he was gauging my thoughts on that, he asked if we intended to participate in the ES Halloween event happening on the same day.
I see. But why just AKATSUKI…?
It’s strange that they’re only approaching us and not the other new units.
It’s thanks to the Succession Match4 a few days ago. The higher-ups at Rhythm Link seem to have liked our performance of Vampire Shogun.
“You’re young, yet you performed such an old work so well,” and so on. It's just nostalgia, but it’s a work I'm attached to, so I’m happy for the recognition.
Gaining favor with the executives at a long-established agency wouldn’t be a bad strategy for AKATSUKI moving forward.
The live event has been held at the end of October even before Halloween became popular in Japan, and its audience skews older.
We’d have the chance to perform for fans who don’t know us yet.
And, I'd say AKATSUKI could really make waves as a unit for that kind of older generation. To me, there’s no shortage of merit in us taking part in it.
Hmm… While the other units focus on Halloween, we can play to our strengths as AKATSUKI by emphasizing tradition.
Right. I’m still considering whether or not to accept the request, but it’s not a bad position to be in.
We’d only be excluding Kiryu if we made a decision now, though, so we’ll talk about it the next time we've gathered together.
Understood. Until we come to a conclusion, I will work on preparations for Yumenosaki Academy's “Harou-iin Pa-tii.”
Last year, you ran the event quite well, Hasumi-dono, but this year they’re so busy and short-handed, they could use all the help they can get.5
You took on a lot of my work, huh. I’m sorry for the trouble, Kanzaki.
Nay, the student council inherited Hasumi-dono’s work — I’m just a helping hand.
But, working behind the scenes is a splendid job as well. I'll support Yumenosaki Academy’s event strongly, just like you did last year, Hasumi-dono.
Underneath the glamor of a successful turnout is always— always— someone in the supporting role. That’s exactly what I've learned from following after you, after all...♪
Translation Notes
- ↑ Tradition (伝統) in the sense of conventions
- ↑ -殿 (-dono) is an honorific that roughly means "lord" or "master". It's archaic, which gives Souma an old-timey feel.
- ↑ 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".
- ↑ In Succession Match, Keito and Rei, along with AKATSUKI and UNDEAD, put together a stageplay to revive the Vampire Shogun IP, a show they grew up watching together.
- ↑ Being short-handed; 猫の手も借りたい (lit. wanting even the help of a cat)