talk to me
Chapter 1
— “Squee~ze! Huggy, huggy! It’s Mama Hug Time~! ☆”
Uwaa, this is bad! I can’t get that intro song out of my head~ I’m just picturing the mascots gleefully dancing around!
Ahaha, same. The recording just ended, so I still can’t get it out of my head.
It’s been a while since I’d heard that tune, so I was surprised I could sing it properly. Maybe it’s because I used to watch it a lot when I was a teensy kid.
“Mama Hug Time” really has stood the tests of time. My mother watched this show growing up too.
When I was selected for the show she called me before anything else. She said, “If you see the young man who does P.E., tell him I said hi.”
Mm yeah! Sometimes celebrities from your moms’ generation would guest star, right?
Yep, yep. When I first heard about, “the young man of my mother’s adoration,” I had no clue what was going on ♪
It wasn’t until we went on the show that I realized what that meant.
I’d say inviting actors from way before and featuring old children’s songs is what makes the enjoyment of the show transcend generations.
That’s a long-running program for you. I feel like that kind of innovation is what makes this show loved for so long.
Anyways. I completely worked up an appetite, getting mobbed by all those kids. Let’s hurry and grab some lunch.
Why don’t we go to cafe COCHI, then? It seems like they’ve just started the limited Spring menu.1
Oh, that sounds so nice. I’m looking forward to it ♪
Hm? All the way over there is…
Hime-kun and Oukawa-kun. Both of them stand out, so it’s pretty easy to spot them from a distance.
Yeah. … Also, this might be me just imagining things, but aren’t the two of them acting kinda weird?
For sure, that’s what it seems like. Are they on the run from someone?
Or maybe there’s something they're guilty of…? M~nn, it’s got me interested.
So true~ We can’t ignore them now or it’ll just eat at us, so why not just ask?
You’re right. Should we ask them directly?
Yup! But we should sneak up on them first. Our efforts will be fruitless if they’re able to run away from us ♪
Run away? We’re acquaintances somewhat, aren’t we?
Well, depending on the circumstances, they could try to avoid us, too!
If you consider we might have to chase them down throughout ES, it’s better to just catch them right off the bat.
Just leave it to me. I’m real good at this kinda thing ♪
(A long sigh) Got it. But try not to make too much of a ruckus, okay?
Of course! Aoi Hinata, here I go~es...
(One foot out, then the other…. Hm?)
(Hime-kun, you’re holding that paper bag so carefully, I wonder what’s inside?)
(It seems like they’re in the middle of discussing where to hide it. Is it something important? Maybe some kinda treasure…♪)
(… Huh? Now that I’m thinking about it, when I’m by myself like this, I can really only catch one of them or the other!)
(If only Yuuta-kun were with me~ Maybe I should have divvied up the workload here with Nito-Senpai.)
(Fortunately, they’re both absorbed in their conversation, so at the very least, I’ll be able to capture one of them for sure. In that case… Alrighty!)
— Hime-kun, I choose you ☆
Mmgyaah!?
Someone got me in a lock with my arms behind my head!? Get away from me, grrrr!
Whoa, whoa, calm down. See, it’s me, it’s me. Aoi Hinata~♪
Oh, it’s just Hinata, okay then—
— Not! As if that explains anything!?
Kohkohkoh. You’ve got real great reactions, Himemiya-han.
Hey, Oukawa! Stop being impressed and start helping me already~!
No need t’panic, Hinata-han ain’t doin’ it out of malice.
Though, Himemiya-han gettin’ caught without me noticin’ it in advance is kinda frustratin’.
Ahaha. You two were so engrossed in your convo~
…Hinata-chin. Isn’t it about time for me to jump into the conversation, too?
Ah, go ahead, go ahead~ ♪
Wh-What is it? Do you have some kind of business with the two of us…
It’s not that we have any sort of business, but we were curious about you two sneaking around. Does it have to do with that paper bag?
Eh? Ehh— um, what’s that? I don't know anything about any food—
Himemiya-han, we can tell these two, right?
Eh~! Oukawa, you’re betraying me?!
There’s no betrayal here. We don't got nothin’ to hide, do we?
Uu, but…
Now, now then, what do we have here in the baggy ♪
Waah!? Don’t just start going through it~!
A large set of chocolates in an assortment of western sweets… Oh, there’s wagashi 2 in here too.
Come on, I told you not to look….
We just got done, but Himemiya-han and I were doin’ a gravure shoot3 for a magazine and the client brought all this stuff for the spread.
And we got ta keep everythin’ we didn’t eat at the studio as a souvenir.
We’ve still got this much, even after we shared it with the film crew.
I’m happy, but if I bring back so much, I’ll get scolded by Yuzuru. Then again, if I eat all of this food, I won’t be able to have lunch…
I dunno what to do either. I’ll feel bad takin’ so much stuff home.
Oho~ Well, your saviors have arrived, right when you need them!4 Nito-Senpai and I shall come to your aid~☆
Huh? Me too?
Yup! If me and Nito-senpai make it a four-person split, now you two will have just the right amount to finish off, don’tcha think?
I feel like it’s less of we’re the saviors arriving, and more of it being a convenient win for us, huh~ Be honest, you just wanna eat them, right, Hinata-chin?
Ahaha, yeah, true. As a sweet-tooth, this is the kinda moment I could only ever dream of ♪
But look, if everybody splits it, both Hime-kun and Oukawa-kun won’t have anything to worry about anymore. That’s called a Win-Win!
Makes sense… Guess it’s better to actually give it to people who like sweets rather than just give it away randomly, huh.
Yeah. It’ll be hard to carry to the dorms, so it’d help to be able to reduce the load here.
Al-righty. Then, it’s decided.
But you said, “I won’t be able to have lunch.” Were you off to lunch?
If that’s the case, why don’t we all go to COCHI together? It’ll be easier to divide up the sweets if we’re using a table.
What a coincidence. We were just talkin’ about eatin’ there too.
Ahaha. Lemme guess, you want to get in on the special seasonal menu?
Mhm. It’s been a hot topic with “Pretty 5”, so I’ve been really wanting to check it out.
Hahhh, I’m starving~ Everybody, let’s go already!
It’s emptier than I thought it’d be, huh. Where should we sit?
Me and Himemiya-han were sayin’ the outside terrace seatin’ would be good, but…
It seems kinda windy out, so maybe it’s safer to sit indoors?
Mm, yeah. Well, how about we pick a window seat?
Oh, Anzu’s here. One sec, I’m gonna go say hi ♪
O~i, Anzu! What’s that magazine you’re reading?
— Wait, that’s…. Eh? Is that… a job listings magazine?
Anzu, you’re quitting as our producer!?
Chapter 2
… I thought Momo-chin was going over to say hi to Anzu, but then he shouted, “Anzu, you’re quitting as our producer?" It was pretty tough to keep up with.
In the end, it was just a plain old misunderstanding.
S-sorry, okay? I just got really surprised….
But it’s Anzu’s fault too! If you’re reading a job info magazine, of course I was gonna to misunderstand!
… Huh? You wanna treat me to some sweets to make up for it? Yay! ♪
Wait, nono. You don’t need to go that far. It’s not super serious or anything, anyway.
Hey, how about I give you some sweets instead. I got a whole bunch from work just now, hm?
Hey, Anzu. I’d like to hear more about what you guys were talking about just now, so can we take a seat with you?
Haha, thanks ♪ Alrighty then, I’ll call over Hinata-chin and the others ♪
… Huh. Anzu-han, your life has really changed since ya became a full-fledged workin’ adult, huh?
Guess not bein’ able to use all them “P-Agency” pipelines like before is a big factor…
Now that you’re havin’ to do everythin’ on your own, the responsibility’s heavier, and you’re worried ‘bout whether you can handle it, huh.
You started to get anxious the more you thought about it, and figured you’d look for jobs you could do in the meantime, huh. So you picked up a job listings magazine from the convenience store?
I see, so that’s what it was. Well, that clears it up.
Worrying about the future, huh~ I get that. Producer jobs and idol jobs only exist as long as there’s a demand from clients.
Everybody losing interest in you5 or being a wash-up in the industry is a scary thought. You wouldn’t be able to survive anymore~
Yeah, yeah, settle down, don’t work her up over it. Anzu’s earnest, it’s definitely going to get to her.
… I definitely don’t wanna see Anzu out wandering the streets.
If you’re ever struggling to make ends meet, I’ll hire you! So please be my producer forever, Anzu!
If it means you’re able to do whatever you want without being tied down by an organization, if anything, isn’t that a good step?
It’s natural to worry when you’re starting something new, you know. Even I was anxious when I took a break from being an idol, even though I decided to do it myself.
But now I think it was a good call. The knowledge I got out of university is stuff that’s helpful in the real world, so I don’t regret it.
That’s why I want you to be confident in your choices too, and keep your eyes ahead. I think whatever ends up happening will depend on what you do from here on out.
… That’s right! Why don’t we throw a little party to celebrate Anzu’s independence? Knowing Anzu, she probably hasn’t done anything to celebrate herself.
Sounds great ♪ How 'bout if we ask Niki-han to cook us some tasty food?
We could even reserve Cinnamon for it, ‘n have a big ol’ bash with everyone ♪
Ahaha. Anzu-san, it looks like you’re reading the room and acting happy about it for us.
In Anzu-san’s case, she’d probably be happier having work dumped on her rather than a celebration.
… I worded that badly, sorrysorry. Of course, I can feel how happy you are to be celebrated, loud and clear.
But, Anzu-san’s an odd duck, she’d rather be buried in her work than get things like sweets or presents.
At least, that’s how I understand her.
So that’s why. When I think about what would make Anzu-san the happiest. The answer to that’s gotta be more work, huh…. ♪
...
… Anzu. Tell me, us, is that the real truth?
We’re not just “idols” and “producer” to each other, right? This isn’t just some kind of business relationship.
I wanna support you Anzu, and I wanna throw you a party, too. I’d be happy to do that much for you.
But you know... More than anything…
What I really want is to understand what you need the most right now and make it happen.
If something’s troubling you, I want to help. If you’re feeling anxious, I want to think through it alongside you.
Because you’re a precious friend to me, Anzu.
You don’t have to carry everything alone. You’ve helped me so many times, let me return the favor.
Am I really that unreliable? I think of you as a companion... but don’t you feel the same way, Anzu?
...
... I see. So what you want the most is to do more work and build up your track record.
Yep, got it! I’ll be your biggest support, so you can count on me!
Chapter 3
… Hmn? Anzu. You’ve been checking the clock for quite some time, what’s the matter?
Oh, you’ve got a meeting after this? There’s still time, but you want to head out early?
Makes sense. It’s your first time workin’ with that company, so ya wanna give yourself time ta spare, huh?
Don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine. Take care now.
Bye-bye, Anzu! Do your best at work, ‘kay~!
And off she goes, huh. I don’t think Anzu-san needs to be so worried, since she’s got a good reputation as a producer, but…
Then again, the producer business isn’t an assured line of work, so I guess she couldn’t help but worry.
Ah, that’s right. Hime-kun.
You were just like, “I’ll be your biggest support, so you can count on me!” to Anzu-san, right?
I did say that, but stop doing the over-the-top impression~
Ehh~ but it went just like that, right? Like this, with both hands like this~ and looking up with big ol’ puppy eyes~♪
Mmrrhhh! Quit it with the reenactments! If you’ve have a point, spit it out already.
Ahaha, sorrysorry! You were just brimming with so much confidence when you said it, I just had to copy it ♪
Okay, so. What are you planning to do for Anzu-san, Hime-kun?
Yeah. I was wonderin’ that too.
Himemiya-han’s got real deep pockets for it, right? Wonder what your move’s gonna be, show us what ya got ♪
My idea, that’s… Umm…
… Momo-chin. Don’t tell me you haven’t actually thought of anything…?
Uu— Uuu~...
W-Well, that’s because it’s the duty of a noble to help those in need, isn’t it!?
And besides! I do wanna become dependable for Anzu! I wanna do anything I can for her.
I just don’t know what to actually do for her…
Ahaha, I thought it was weird you weren’t saying anything specific.
Yeah… I tried super hard to seem cool, but in the end, it wasn’t.
No, no. It was really impressive that you were able to say that back there~ Even Anzu seemed encouraged by what you had to say, Momo-chin.
Me and Hinata-chin and Kohaku-chin too— all of us feel the same about wanting to become dependable to Anzu.
So, thanks for putting that into words for all of us, Momo-chin ♪
Ehehe… Mmmnn. I won’t be able to think of anything if it’s just me, though.
But it’s alright! My out-standing retainers are on their way, after all!
Shutatata… I have arrived ☆
Sengoku Shinobu, making his entrance!
Ah, Retainer #1 has arrived.
Eh~? I’m not your retainer though, Tori-kun…?
I’m the student council president, and you’re the secretary right? So that makes you my retainer.
As the intel-gatherer, it’s only right that you’re at my beck and call, y’know~!
How absurd! That’s an abuse of your power!
Well, intel-gathering is the duty of a ninja. It feels pretty hard to resist the charm of that…~
Mn~n… I understand. Just this once, I’ll help as your retainer.
There, there. As your reward for being such a nice, understanding retainer, I’ll give you some wagashi~
Is Retainer #2 here yet?? What nerve to keep me waiting~
Ya-ho, ya-ho~! The glittering smile of the brightest star, Akehoshi Subaru has arrived ☆
Uwaaah!? The guy I know the least has shown up! Why!?
Ah, I did it wrong. Lemme just do up these bangs…
(Falsetto) Oi~ssu, it’s Isara Mao~ ♪
Too late! You already introduced yourself, Akehoshi-senpai!
Tch~ I’ve been compromised!
Did you seriously mean to hide it? No way, right?
Rather, why did you come here? I called for Isara-senpai, y’know?
About that... Sari~ was busy and couldn’t come, so I came to take his place.
So, you can just call me “Substitute Isara-senpai”! ☆
No, that’s just confusing. I’m definitely not calling you that.
Substitute… Are you really fit to be Isara-senpai’s substitute?
Of course. ‘Cuz when it comes to Anzu, I know her better than anyone else~
I want Anzu to smile forever, so I’m happy to help in any way I can to make that happen ☆
Something about that’s irritating~ Anzu doesn’t belong to you, Akehoshi-senpai.
You’re saying that, but she’s not yours either, Hime-kun~!
Ohh. It might just be my imagination, but it’s like sparks are crackling between them…?
Hey now, the three of you cut it out. Why are you fighting over something like that?
If you all want to make Anzu happy, aren’t you going to have to band together before anything else?
Um, actually, it’s not like we’re even fighting~
That’s right. I was just showing Akehoshi-senpai what’s what.
Why would I need to be shown anything? I’m the one who knows Anzu the best here.
Back at Yumenosaki, I used to walk her home all the time ☆
Here we go, Trickstar guys always trying to one-up someone! You think that’s enough to win? I’ve been on her—
Yeah, yeah, that’s enough. You guys…
Hm?
…
Chapter 4
O~i, Kohaku-chin, what’s the matter?
… Huh, what?
You’ve been completely silent for quite a while now. … Have you been feeling out of place, maybe?
Ahh… Nah. It’s not that.
Sorry6 for makin’ ya worry. I was just keepin’ quiet, ‘cause I couldn't contribute anythin' to the topic.
Don’t get me wrong though. I was sittin’ here listenin’, and I was just real impressed by all the things I just heard.
For one, that them Student Councils actually exist for real.
"Actually" exist?
That’s right. I spent a long time isolated from society, so school life wasn’t a thing for me.
I just thought Student Councils were just fiction from manga and dramas.
They’re still working hard and growing on the front lines even now, and I think their efforts should be appreciated.
But from what I heard, they really do exist. And I even got the vibe they do espionage and dirty work.
Nono! There are no activities like that!?
Our Student Council is clean and wholesome!
Ahaha. It’s a lot more suspicious when you deny it so quickly, y’know~?
But I get it. Coming from outside Yumenosaki, that stuff might have seemed like an insider thing and been hard to follow— Sorry.
Nono. Really, you don’t hafta worry ‘bout me like that.
Hmm… Well, if you’re okay with it, couldja share what Anzu-han was like back when she was at Yumenosaki?
Until around last summer, I barely had any connection with Anzu-han.
I’d seen her in school uniform, so I know she was a student at Yumenosaki Academy, but…
To me, Anzu-han is just a producer that’s close to my age— someone who supports idols behind the scenes.
Of course, I want ta repay her for all she’s done for me.
I just can’t help but feel I can’t really keep up with how everyone’s like “lemme be Anzu-han’s rock”. It’s gnawin’ at me a lil’.
Okayyy, so you want me to share my memories with Anzu? It’ll take about ten hours— is that good?
That long? Couldja make it a lil’ more succinct, maybe?
Succinct, huh…? I’ve got a mountain of Anzu memories, so it’ll be tough, but I’ll try my best to edit it down.
Uhh… It was around two years ago that I first met Anzu. She transferred in during classes in second year.
So that’s why everybody was calling Anzu “Transfer Student” at first.
Mhmhm. We could’ve just used her name, but since she was the only girl in her grade, "Transfer Student" is what stuck.
The only one in her grade? So Anzu-han was the only female student?
Yep. Anzu was the sole student in Yumenosaki Academy’s freshly created “Production Course.”
Since there wasn’t a building dedicated to it yet, she ended up spending time with the “Idol Course.”
But it looks like after the “Production Course” classroom was been established, she went there huh.
Still, it must have been really tough. If I were in her shoes in an all-girls school, I’d probably be pretty discouraged.
Yeah. Even our Anzu a little unsure of herself at first.
But then I turned up to blow away all of that anxiety! And also Hokke~ and Ukki too~☆
Giving Anzu a tour of the school kicked off her three-legged-race-style school life with Trickstar!
Which is why, I have the best Anzu knowledge of all. Remember it—it’ll be on the test ☆
It won’t.
Denied.
“Trickstar” was troublesome back then, always talking back to us despite being commoners.
That was mutual, too, y'know. fine was our greatest opponent, right?
Yepyep. Don’t forget the supporting act “2wink.”
And Ra*bits. They might have been a little plain and less skilled when compared to you guys, but…
And behind every one of those efforts, Anzu was there giving support.
Even when she was overrun with her own problems, she worked herself to the bone for us.
Yup. RYUSEITAI and I have been saved by Anzu-dono so many times!
Just like now, she was someone of few words who didn’t assert herself, but…
Even back then, she loved all idols equally and has been a kind person who has stood by us.
Treatin’ everyone equally, huh…? The fact that even Himemiya-han from fine, who was once the enemy, has gotten attached to her is the proof of that.
Now that I think about it, she instinctively took on Crazy:B before I knew it.
Given we’re a problem child of a unit, and how producers can choose their idols, nobody woulda blamed her for steerin’ clear of us.
Ahaha. For better or for worse, Anzu-san is just that kinda person~
Ah, I get it now. Anzu-han’s unshakable nerve comes from her school days. And I’m just another person bein’ supported with that same strength.
Thanks for sharin’ stories with me. It makes me wanna express gratitude ta Anzu-han for all that all over again…♪
Translation Notes
- ↑ Here's the Spring 2025 limited menu if you're curious.
- ↑ Wagashi is a word referring to Japanese-Style Confectionery. The word was originally used to differentiate it from European Sweets (Yogashi) during the Meiji Period. Although referred to as 'traditional Japanese confectionery', a large portion of these types were brought from China and Europe during the Edo period and then later were evolved to Japanese preference. This especially refers to the relationship these confectionery styles evolved to have with seasonal tea ceremonies, and consequently, 'wagashi' will commonly refer to sweets popularly paired with green tea (typically those accredited to having mild flavour profiles). Ingredients like rice flour and bean pastes are common for these wagashi. Things such as packaged sweets, dried sweets can also be types of wagashi.
- ↑ Though Kohaku calls it a gravure shoot (グラビア), it's not the typical risqué kind. This kind of shoot is more like a stylish photoshoot that highlights the model in a cool way. Here's an example.
- ↑ 渡りに船, or "perfect timing".
- ↑ This filters into winkWINK, the 2wink ThanxFes story, where Yuuta shifts his focus from gaining fans to keeping fans.
- ↑ 堪忍な (kannin na) is Kansai-ben for "sorry".