Tsukiuta. Boys’ 5th Season CD 3 - REBUILD Drama

[nebulancer]

 

Summary – Koi and Iku are tasked with performing the very first cross-unit duet song.

There, they begin to add the dance’s choreography. However, it seems that choreography is the most difficult it’s ever been......

With Kurotsuki’s added support, their challenge began.

 

“I don’t want to settle for anything less than the best!”

“I feel the exact same way!”

1. Drama – “Two Challenges”

 

Koi: Ngh... Nnh... Mm... Dwaaah~!

 

Iku: Hello there~! Ah, Koi. Good work today.

 

Koi: Iku! G’work!

 

Iku: Are you stretching right now?

 

Koi: I’m almost done. Kh—Aah...

 

Iku: Gotcha. It’s still thirty minutes before we have to start, so I thought I’d be here sooner. You must’ve gotten here early.

 

Koi: My last job— ended an hour earlier— than planned, so. Whew, that’s finished. I’m done stretching!

 

Iku: Hmm? What job was it?

 

Koi: Huff! It was a short video shoot. It was a comment video that they’re going to play at the Seifuku Design Award venue.

 

Iku: Seifuku Design... Ah! The thing where students send in applications of original uniform designs?

 

Koi: Yeah, that. I was chosen as the agency’s representative for the Tsukino Talent Productions Award. I’m happy I was the one requested, since I am our unit’s fashionista.

 

Iku: Meanwhile, Procella’s own fashionista You was complaining about it, haha. Like, “Why wasn’t it me, dammit!?”

 

Koi: Okay, yeah, but listen. It’s a February event.

 

Iku: Ahaha! Oh, true. Then that was inevitable.

 

Koi: I know, right~? August has summer vacation, so there are TONS of events going on. Like, no need to take an excursion out to February, am I right?

 

Iku: Hehe! Yeah, that’s for sure.

 

Koi: Meanwhile, in February~ When Valentine’s Day comes to a close, there are no standout holidays or events for the rest of the month. I gotta hype it up.

 

Iku: How reliable!

 

Koi: I know, aren’t I~?

 

Iku: Ah, but remember?

 

Koi: Hmm?

 

Iku: Don’t we have our own personal big event that takes place during the last week of February?

 

Koi: Aah. ...We sure do.

 

Iku: Our~?

 

Koi: First duet! ✨

And on top of that, it’s GraPro’s first cross-unit volume! It’s gotta be nothing less than a big event for our fans, too!

 

Iku: Mmhmm! Let’s make it something good so that we can carry on that baton to the next team. Let’s do our best, Koi!

 

Koi: You gotcha, Iku! First things first. Let’s get learning the dance we’ll be incorporating into the song.

 

Iku: I wonder what kind of dance it’ll be? I’m sure looking forward to it!

 

Kurotsuki: Hey there!

 

Iku: Ah! Kurotsuki-san. And the choreographer. Thank you for all your hard work.

 

Koi: Thanks for the hard work! I will be in your care for today!

 

Iku: Me too.

 

Choreographer: I’ll be in your care, too. Let’s make sure to put together the dance.

 

Koi, Iku: All right!

 

Kurotsuki: Hang in there~. That being said, you two got here pretty early, didn’t you?

 

Iku: Our previous jobs ended early... which also was part of it, but I’m absolutely pumped for it!

 

Koi: I feel the exact same way! Because, after all, it’s the 10th anniversary. It’s my and Iku’s first duet! I definitely, absolutely, for sure, have to make it something good!

 

Iku: We’ll respond to everyone’s expectations—no, go above and beyond their expectations! We were getting fired up talking about that just now.

 

Koi: We sure were!

 

Kurotsuki: Ah~! Looks like you’re as fired up as you can be! Honestly, I’m glad you two were the starters that kicked things off.

 

Iku: Really...?

 

Kurotsuki: Yeah. If we see Kakeru and Rui as Gravi and Procella’s starters, you two are the acceleration. I guess you could say you’re the boosters? You carry things all up with a sturdy strength!

This time’s the same. I’m expecting great things of you boys to do good work and speed up the entirety of the fifth season.

 

Iku: Kurotsuki-san...!

 

Koi: Kurotsuki-saaangh...!

 

Choreographer: *chuckles* It seems I have to do my best, too. I thought up the dance moves with the express purpose of powering up that acceleration even more. Do look forward to it.

 

Koi, Iku: Yes, sir!

 

Choreographer: It’ll be more difficult than usual, but I’ve heard that you two are capable dancers. I didn’t hold back when choreographing it, heh.

 

Koi, Iku: ...Come again...?

 

Choreographer: These days, not only singing, but also dancing has become a point to focus on. Let’s get you crackling and cracking as you dance intensely, and we’ll have you wow the audience!

 

Koi: Crackling...

 

Iku: And c-cracking...?

 

Choreographer: This is an opportunity for both Koi-kun and Ikkun to show everyone a new frontier. Show them that you can even dance something like this. Let’s get the fans and your unit members to get a load of your dancing.

*laughs* Wow, I’m sure looking forward to it!

 

Koi, Iku: Whuh......

 

Kurotsuki: Hey, boys! Looks to me like you’re getting the jitters? The chairman was expecting good things of you, since he expected you’d both would be able to manage it. After all, it’s you two! Tsukishiro and I are looking forward to it too~

 

Koi: Eh!? W-wh-why, you’re such a jokester~! I’m not getting jittery at all!

Nope, not in the slightest! It’s no skin off my back! It’s like, come at me, bro! I’m totally fired up about it! Right, Iku!?

 

Iku: A-a-ah, um, y-yeah! I thought we’ve already danced our previous choreographies with enough intensity, but—Ah, um, er, no!

Getting to challenge something aside from that sounds like a t-terribl—TERRIBLY enjoyable time!! What kinda scenery will we be able to see~?

 

Choreographer: Very reliable. Then let’s not waste any more time and get you learning the dance steps.

 

-

 

Choreographer: Phew...

 

Koi, Iku: *wheezing* ...Whew... Haah... Ugh... Haah...

 

Koi: *sparkling* I... can see the beautiful pearly gates... and a river. ✨

 

Iku: Ahaha... *wheezing* I don’t think you should go into those, or else you won’t come back...

 

Kurotsuki: Hey, hey! Are you guys all right there? Whew, that looks like one choreography that’ll turn out cool in the end! But the exercise you’re putting in... doesn’t seem to be a joke.

 

Koi: It’s freaking crazy!!

 

Iku: Whew... Haaah... Kurotsuki-san, would you like... to give the dance a try...?

 

Kurotsuki: No thanks. I already have my supreme song and dance repertoire, consisting of the Tsukiusa. Exercise!

...By the way, you will not believe the amount of exercise you put in when you dance that seriously.

 

Koi: Dahaha... That’s right...

Whoop, let’s get... up! Ngh, phew...! Wheeze!

 

Koi, Iku: *sigh* Haaah...

 

Kurotsuki: Hahahahaha! Good work, you two.

 

Koi: Yes, sir...

 

Iku: My head is pounding...

 

Koi: Same.

 

Iku: I just know I’m going to end up with muscle pains tomorrow...

 

Koi: That too. Aagh...

 

Kurotsuki: ...To be totally serious right now...

 

Koi, Iku: ?

 

Kurotsuki: For the concert, you’ll have to do this choreography while you’re singing, too. If it’s too hard on you, or if it doesn’t seem realistic that you’ll be able to manage it, he’s prepared a lighter version of the choreo that he made in interim. It has some parts taken out.

 

Koi: Gh...

 

Kurotsuki: The choreographer’s saying that he’s pretty proud of that version as well. Do you want to go with that one?

 

Koi: Well, I...

 

Iku: No.

 

Koi: Oh!

 

Iku: Please let us keep hanging on. Let us keep doing it. We’ll manage it.

 

Koi: Iku...!

 

Kurotsuki: Ah—

 

Iku: I... went off and declared that without consulting you, but...

 

Koi: Heh! I feel the same way! I was just about to say that!

 

Iku: Mmhmm! I thought so.

 

Koi: That being said, no matter what our level of determination is, it’s something we’ll need to show others, in a position where we’re the professionals.

We understand that we can’t have our song sound strained or have our dance look sloppy. The final decision should be left up to Tsukishiro-san, Kurotsuki-san, the choreographer, and the chairman!

But... could we have just a little more time? I don’t want to settle for anything less than the best!

 

Iku: I feel the exact same way!

 

Koi, Iku: Please take care of us!

 

Kurotsuki: ...Heh... Hahaha! I thought you’d say that. Once again, I’m reminded how glad I am that you’re kicking off the cross-unit duet songs.

 

Koi, Iku: Ah...! Heheh!

 

Kurotsuki: All right, then. We’ll get you replenishing the energy that you spent on dancing! Let’s go for yakiniku! ☆

Let’s eat some good meat and go home!

 

Iku: Oh, nice!

 

Koi: Yay~! Meat, meat~

 

Iku: Ahaha! ...Oh? But Kurotsuki-san, you’re eating with us?

 

Koi: Even though you didn’t dance a single step...

 

Kurotsuki: Heh—uh, isn’t it fine!? I’m your wallet! *ka-ching!*

I’m in charge of being the wallet this time around!

 

Iku: Tsukiusa. Exercise, No.1~?

 

Kurotsuki: Tsuki. Tsuki. Tsukiusa. Ex~er~cise~

HEY, WAIT!

2. Drama – “Come on, let’s dance!”

 

[REBUILD is playing in the practice room.]

 

Iku: Hmph...!

 

Koi: Ngh!

 

Iku: Whoa.

 

Koi: Hh...

 

Iku: Whoop—

 

[The music is turned off.]

 

Kurotsuki: Okay, stop. Let’s do this part again from the top.

 

Koi, Iku: Yes, sir!

 

Iku: Please!

 

Koi: Please!

 

-

 

Koi: Aagh~! Ah—Ah, ah...

 

Iku: Yep! Koi, out~!

 

Koi: Aahh...

 

Kurotsuki: Heh. Should we go over the choreography again with the counts?

 

Koi: Please do~...

 

-

 

Koi: FWAAAH!

 

Iku: HnnngGHH! *wheeze*

 

Kurotsuki: All right, looks like you’ve danced it the whole way through! Heheh, congratulations~

 

Koi: We sure did. But if we looked this desperate onstage, it... couldn’t be decent in the slightest. Boohoohoo...

 

Iku: *chuckling* We’ll need enough ease to smile the whole way we’re leaving the stage. Right?

 

Koi: Right... ...Whew. I need to build up my stamina...

 

Iku: Haha. Wanna join my morning runs?

 

Koi: I’m bad at waking up in the morning, but I’m seriously considering that...

 

Iku: Ahaha! Please do.

 

-

 

[It’s morning. The birds are chirping.]

 

Koi: [GLOOM...] ...’Mornin’.

 

Iku: *laughs* Whoa, you look so sleepy!

 

Koi: Wakin’ up earl... sho hurd...

 

Iku: If you make it a habit, it won’t be all that tough! When you wake up early, the day feels like it lasts longer. You’ll be able to do all sorts of things, and it feels satisfying!

The air feels especially crisp, which is even more the case when it’s winter...! Hff...! Whew~

See? It feels so comfortable~! ✨

 

Koi: Urgh—The early-morning Iku-flash is too blinding to my eyes...!

 

Iku: *laughs* What does that even mean? Okay, let’s go!

 

Koi: *yawning* Fwaaaahhhhokay.

 

-

 

Choreographer: We’re done for today. Thanks for all your hard work, you two!

 

Koi: Thank you for your help!

 

Iku: Thank you for your help!

 

Kurotsuki: Good work, you two.

 

Koi: Yessir!

 

Kurotsuki: Only a week’s passed, but you’re worlds apart from where you were on day one. You surprised me.

 

Iku: I sure hope that’s in a good way.

 

Kurotsuki: Of course it is! I almost thought my voice would just slip right out, going, “Whoa! Now that’s darn cool!”

 

Koi: Whoaaa! I’m so honored to hear that!

 

Choreographer: The two of them were quick to learn the dance steps, and they impressed me greatly. There’s a sense of rhythm to it, so it feels nice to get hooked on the song as you watch.

You’re putting life into the choreography. I’m very grateful to you boys.

 

Koi: And some very welcome praise from the instructor, too~!

 

Iku: Argh... But we still... aren’t singing it yet.

 

Koi: Urk— ...True that.

 

Kurotsuki: Ahaha! There, there. Let’s take things in order, shall we? Want to go for a meal and head home? I’m hungry now, too.

 

Koi, Iku: Yes, please~!

 

-

 

Kurotsuki: Well, then! As always, good work getting through today~!

 

Koi, Iku: Good work today~!

 

[They clink their bottles.]

 

All: *gulping* WHEWWW~!!!

 

Kurotsuki: I FELT THAAAAAT~!!

 

Koi: You can really feel it...! It’s just green tea, though!

 

Iku: I can feel it... Even though Kurotsuki-san’s the only one with oolong tea for his health...

 

Kurotsuki: Er, you see... It’s a geezer’s way of mounting a defense against what’s assailing him.

 

Koi, Iku: Ahahaha!

 

Kurotsuki: Okay! The idea behind this is a no-holds-barred party. Let’s all grill whatever meats we want.

 

Iku: Sure~

 

Koi: Boy howdy~!

 

Iku: Ah, could you get that plate for me?

 

Koi: Gotcha. Ah, Iku! Grill my share too, would you?

 

Iku: Roger that.

 

Kurotsuki: Do mine, too. Koi, here, pass!

 

Koi: Thank you~

 

Iku: Aah~! Cold tea’s so tasty. Could I ask for seconds?

 

Kurotsuki: Already ordered~

 

Koi: Now that’s a manager for you. He’s quick to do his job!

 

Kurotsuki: Hahaha! Ah—I need to drive, so I can’t, but you two can drink.

 

Koi: Er, it’s fine. Thank you for offering, but I have a voice recording job tomorrow, so I’ll treat my throat kindly.

 

Iku: I’d also rather not. My throat dries up more quickly when I drink alcohol, so I prefer tea. When I eat rice, I definitely want it with either water or tea!

 

Kurotsuki: I see~. You’re such good boys.

When I go out with Kai, he’ll go, “Well, sure! Draft beer, then!” And without even a shred of hesitation, he chugs down that beer acting like it’s the best thing he’s ever drunk!

 

Koi: *laughing* I can picture him doing that.

 

Iku: But there are occasionally times when you two play rock-paper-scissors, Kurotsuki-san gets to drink, and Kai-san is forced to drive home. ...Isn’t that right...?

 

Kurotsuki: Eh? Cat’s outta the bag?

 

Iku: Ahaha, yes, it definitely is.

 

Kurotsuki: Urk, well! Kai, see? He’s the only guy that the agency allows to drive, understand? So, uh. Sometimes, I gotta... There are times I want to drink too, you know?

It’s only sometimes. Sometimes, you hear?

 

Koi: Haha, we know, we know!

Kai-san and Kurotsuki-san don’t give off the vibe of being talent and manager. You two seem more like best friends.

 

Kurotsuki: Ah, I can agree to that. The guy’s showing his age in how he acts so casually with me.

 

Iku: Please don’t imply he’s getting old; he just... has guts! He’s a big brother I look up to, after all.

 

Kurotsuki: Hahaha. Got it, bud. Also, we share the same destiny... to suffer... as companions who occasionally end up in the Demon World more often than not... Hahaha...

 

Iku: He’s... looking far off into the distance...

 

Koi: Shun-san! You’ve created an association of victims!

 

Kurotsuki: Who’d blame me for wanting to drink at times like that!? It’s temporary compensation! Compensation, I say!

 

Iku: I-I think it’s completely fine for you to do that. Please, continue drinking as much as you’d like in the future.

 

Kurotsuki: Doesn’t that also mean I’ll continue being tossed into the Demon World in the future!? Argh, what kind of conversation are the three of us having...!?

 

Koi: A conversation about our daily lives, I suppose.

 

Kurotsuki: ... *sets down his glass* ...Heh. Daily lives, eh...?

 

Iku: ? Kurotsuki-san?

 

Kurotsuki: ...The fact we’re able to casually chat about drinks together is... making me feel a lot of emotions.

 

Iku: That’s true. We were only high schoolers when we debuted, after all.

 

Kurotsuki: Exactly. *chuckles* And you took the bullet train from Kansai to come here for work.

 

Koi: Wasn’t that tough, like, stamina-wise?

 

Iku: It was tough. At the start, I got exhausted by just being on the move. I was drop-dead tired. I definitely would’ve nodded off on the ride. Ahaha...

But as it turns out, humans get used to things. During the ride, I’d take short naps, finish my homework, and learn how to use my time efficiently. And by the end, riding the bullet train started getting fun!

 

Kurotsuki: Rui and Yoru had fun discovering souvenirs and lunch boxes in Tokyo station, huh?

 

Iku: Oh, yeah, I remember doing that!

 

Koi: That sounds like fun! Tokyo station’s got a ton of shops, after all.

 

Iku: Yeah, for sure. There were things that felt exhausting at the time. Over time, though, the memories of them still linger, just as strong as I felt them. I sometimes feel nostalgic for it all.

 

Koi: Things that felt exhausting... Me too. When school tests and concerts overlapped on the same days, I was close to dying...

 

Kurotsuki: Though in reality, the one that seemed closer to death was your test scores... Tsukishiro would go white as a sheet next to me!

 

Koi: Urk.

 

Kurotsuki: Hajime and Haru would become your home tutors and worked your brain hard! Or something along those lines, if I recall.

 

Koi: Yeah. That happened.

They were... the strongest home tutors. In many different ways. I can’t even count the times my head was sacrificed...!

In its place, though, my average test points rose above the 30-point mark...

 

Iku: It actually ended up working, so it’s even more impressive, huh...? Heheh...

 

Kurotsuki: With this and that happening, Procella came over to Tokyo, joined up with Gravi, and started their dorm life...

Lots of stuff took place, but it’s already been ten years since we met.

Ten years, huh...? Amazing, isn’t it?

I guess it’s obvious that I’m a geezer now.

 

Iku: Are you really... a geezer?

 

Kurotsuki: I’ll be thirty-eight this year, after all! I’m a proud, handsome, middle-aged dude!

 

Koi: Not just any old, regular, middle-aged dude! The point to pay attention to is how you’re handsome, right?

 

Iku: In my mind, Tsukishiro-san and Kurotsuki-san’s ages have capped off at 30, though...

 

Koi: Honestly, same. From our perspective, you two haven’t changed since the beginning! Like, not a bit! You’re reliable, kind big brothers to us!

 

Iku: Definitely.

 

Kurotsuki: Ahahaha! Why, I’m glad to hear that.

It’s the same for me, too. Because no matter how cool you get, no matter how self-sufficient you’ve become, you boys will always be... my adorable little brothers, who make me want to spoil you terribly... and my cute little children.

 

Iku: I... hope we’re as cool and self-sufficient as you claim we are. Hahaha.

 

Kurotsuki: You are. I felt it completely during the dance this time around.

The amount you had to exercise wasn’t all there was. The song’s got a different theme to it than the usual, right? Honestly, I thought you boys were in for a rough time.

But you accepted the challenge head-on, face-first. I was proud of you.

 

Koi: Kurotsuki-san...

 

Kurotsuki: In the end, we managers, the dance instructors, and the staff members are all standing backstage. When you’re up onstage, the world exists with only you and the fans.

You’re faced with hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of people. Just the six of you... no, twelve of you, as you put on your performance.

You sure are amazing, aren’t you?

 

Iku: Ah...

 

Kurotsuki: Your sparkling backs are getting bigger by the year. How far can you go? How much can you do? ...Whew, I’m excited to see just where you can go! You’d better keep showing me and Tsukishiro all sorts of sceneries, all right?

 

Koi, Iku: All right!

 

-

 

Choreographer: Okay, this is going well. You’re in sync now, aren’t you?

 

Koi, Iku: Yes, sir!

 

Koi: Iku. Would you mind going one more time, from the top?

 

Iku: One time? I’ll go as many times as we need!

 

Koi: Ahaha!

 

Choreographer: Good. Go ahead!

 

-

 

Koi: Ah! Here, I have a suggestion~! If we remove this one dance move, we’ll have enough time to get our breaths in order, and it might be easier for us to get back to the song.

 

Iku: Oh, true. Sir, does this sound possible?

 

Choreographer: Mm, that sounds good. You’re going to be singing with this dance. An alteration like that seems perfectly possible. Are there any other parts you want to do something with?

 

Iku: Ahh, I do. This is going to be about the part where we head into the second verse. Could I consult with you about this?

 

-

 

Koi, Iku: *panting*

 

Koi: Goal~!

 

Iku: Haha! Goal! Whew... How was it, Koi? I think you’re starting to realize just how fun morning runs can be.

 

Koi: Yeah, for sure! I do. I start waking up because I’m running, so the sleepiness doesn’t drag on for long. I can’t think about useless stuff while I’m in the middle of my run, so it feels like my feelings and my mindset get totally renewed.

 

Iku: Heh, exactly! And if you make a habit out of it, waking up early isn’t all too taxing, right?

 

Koi: Urk—That part... is still the spot I’m having trouble with, though.

 

Iku: What?

 

Koi: For there are also things that I can only do during the nighttime, sir!

 

Iku: Koi, you... sure like staying up late, huh? Haha...

 

Koi: But with my goal being to gain stamina, I’m making sure to clear the hurdles I’ve set for me! I’m no longer out of breath after dancing!

 

Iku: Splendid!

 

Koi: It’s... tomorrow, isn’t it?

 

Iku: Yeah. Tomorrow. That’s the day the chairman’s going to come check out our lesson in person. It’s the day of the final decision... of whether or not he’ll allow us to keep the choreography the way it is.

 

Koi: Yeah. Let’s knock it outta the ballpark! Isn’t that right, Iku?

 

Iku: For sure! Let’s do our best, Koi!

 

-

 

[They finish dancing to REBUILD.]

 

Koi, Iku: *panting* ...Hah, hah...

 

Kurotsuki: ...Chairman. How is it? Personally, I have high hopes for these two.

I’d like to continue on with this version, and not the provisional one.

 

[Tsukino Mikoto claps.]

 

Koi: Ah...!

 

Iku: Ah!

 

Kurotsuki: Yes. Understood. ...I understand.

Iku, Koi! You got the okay!

Very well done, he says! You did it, boys!

 

Koi: We...

 

Koi, Iku: WE DID IT~~!!

 

Iku: I’m so looking forward to our first performance of it!

 

Koi: For real! We aren’t the starters, but we’re GraPro’s boosters! Let’s have the fans listen to Iku and my song!

 

Iku: Of course!!