Tsukiuta. Boys’ 5th Season CD 9 – Wavy! Drama (1)

[nebulancer]

Summary – For a certain program’s project, You and Arata have become temporary instructors for a girls’ high school’s dance club. Though the two of them approached their work with a giddy outlook, the dance club had a problem child in the group.

And that girl was their center?

Will You, Arata, and the dance club manage to successfully reach the day of the recital!?

 

“Good work there, Instructor Haduki.”

“Right back at you, Instructor Uduki. Nice work.”

 

1. Drama – “Instructor Haduki and Instructor Uduki”

 

You: I’ll be...!?

 

Arata: ...I’ll be...?

 

Arata, You: A high school teacher!?

 

Tsukishiro: Ahaha. More correctly, you’ll be special teachers at a high school. As an aspect of promoting the new song you’ll be releasing, we’ll have you become temporary instructors for a Tokyo metropolitan high school’s dance club.

We’ll be filming your dancing instruction from close-up while preparing for the students’ recital, which takes place at the end of summer vacation. Such is the plan for the program.

Your new song is a heavily dance-focused number, so I predict that it will have great synergy with the program itself. What say you?

 

Arata: ...What do you think of that, Haduki You-san?

 

You: Whaddya mean, “What”?

I can already predict the course of events that’s gonna play out.

 

Arata: My goodness. What a coincidence. I, too, can predict the course of events.

 

Tsukishiro: Th-the course of events...?

 

Arata: Yes, yes.

 

You: We’ll show up in uber-high spirits, like, “Home delivery idols, at your service!✨”

And when we make our appearance, it’s at a guy’s high school full of dudes. Then we go, “DAMMIT, IT’S ALL GUYS!?” And make a fool of ourselves.

That stuff all comes in a set together.

Yeah, yeah! Aah~! Gosh, ugh, jeez!

Y’all have been toying with my sweet and tender innocence for these past ten years, and my purity’s all but gooooone~!

 

Arata: I think so too~ Yipes, the showbiz industry is terrifying.

Oh, yeah, this is sorta totally meaningless, but if you pronounce the phrase “You-san” a little differently, it can sound like a greeting. “Yo-sir.” Hilarious, don’t you think?

Haha.

 

You: See, look, Kanade-chan!! This idiot’s so unruffled that he’s having a hoot over some stupid-ass joke he made up on his own! Look at what’s happened to him!

And wait! Don’t be laughin’ at someone else’s name, dumbass!

 

[You jabs Arata.]

 

Tsukishiro: ...A girls’ high.

 

Arata, You: ...Come again?

 

Tsukishiro: To serve as a promotion for the new song you’ll be releasing, we’ll have you two become temporary instructors for a girls’ high school’s dance club. Your dancing instruction will be filmed from close-up while preparing for their dance recital, which takes place at the end of summer vacation. That is the plan for the program.

 

You: Girls’ high?

 

Arata: Girls’ high.

 

Tsukishiro: Yes.

 

Arata: *breathing heavily* Hff... hh... hnn... *trembling*

 

You: *breathing heavily* Excuse me... Kanade-chan...!

 

Tsukishiro: Yes?

 

You: Just making sure, but... the “girls’ high” you speak of means, “a high school for girls,” right?

 

Arata: The “high school for girls” where “girls” are written as “g-i-r-l-s”? Am I correct in assuming that?

 

Tsukishiro: I understand why you two are being on guard. However, if I were to translate that phrase into English, it’d be “girls’ high school”. That is what I mean by “girls’ high”.

 

Arata: Hah huh? I see. I see. *sucks in breath deeply* Hff...

 

Arata, You: *exhale strongly* Haaah...

 

Arata: Did you hear that, Instructor Haduki!?

 

You: Why yes I did, Instructor Uduki!!

 

Arata: Tsukishiro-san.

 

You: Kanade-chan.

 

Arata, You: ...Please... allow us to hear the specifics.

 

-

 

[A school bell rings. Girls in the background are cheering each other on.]

 

You: ♡~And at the girls’ high... the two of us...~♡

 

Arata: ~“Squee~ Instructor Uduki, you’re so cool~♡”

 

You: ~”Ohmigosh~ Instructor Haduki, look at me ♡”~

We’d spend our summer being fawned on like that...

 

Arata, You: At least, that’s what we thought for a brief period of time...

 

[The music comedically twists and peters out.]

 

Airi: And anyway! I didn’t hear a single thing about this being TV footage, Club Prez!

 

Megumi: I made sure to explain it to everyone at the general meeting, which, might I mention, included you in attendance, Airi!

I even gave handouts for our guardians, and I mentioned it in the notification board.

...See? You ignored all of the posts!

 

Airi: Whaaat!? Like I’m the one at fault here!? I don’t get why I’m in the wrong!

What about personal info protection or whatever that sorta thing’s called! Like, copy rights for my likeage?

 

Megumi: What, you mean the rights to use your own likeness? ...I get the feeling you’re a little off the mark on that.

I did mention that if we have members who’d prefer not to be filmed, they could say so ahead of time. Then we could’ve taken them into consideration and change their positions so that they wouldn’t show up on camera.

But you didn’t reply or respond at all, so that’s why it turned out this way.

It’ll be the last recital for us third-years, so I thought it’d make for an awesome memory that we can look back on.

 

Airi: ...WHAAAAT!!? And in the first place, why’s a second-year like me the center?

In that case, why shouldn’t you be the center instead!!

 

Megumi: I’m not good enough to be in the center. You’re the best one of us all, Airi.

 

[While Airi and Megumi are arguing in the background about Airi’s skill level but irritation at having to take the center, Arata and You are talking.]

 

You: When we arrived at the aforementioned dance club, it was a total warzone. ...Welp.

 

Arata: The atmosphere’s so edgy, I can feel it pricking me all the way from here.

 

You: Felt.

Wait, we can’t just keep watching along all carefree like this. Let’s go stop ‘em.

 

Arata: All right~

Unfortunately, our very first day at work is stopping a cat fight between two girls.

Way too tough...

 

You: Don’t you have an older sister? Perfect job for you.

 

Arata: It’s because I have a big sister that I know exactly how terrifying they can be.

...Wait, this isn’t the time to be chatting away.

 

Airi: But to me, it’s like you basically decided it without my consent!

 

Megumi: For the last time, I didn’t do anything without asking beforehand! Airi, it’s because you—

 

You: *clapping* Okay, okay, stop it right there~! I suppose you both have things you wanna say to each other, but for now, let’s calm down. All right?

 

Arata: Exactly. Nothing’s going to come from you arguing.

Calm down. Love and destroy.

 

You: And what’s destruction gonna do for them!? It’s LOVE AND PEACE, got it? Peace.

 

Megumi: Uh—I’m so sorry!

 

Airi: ...I already said all I had to say.

 

You: Gotcha, that’s nice to hear! Then...

 

Airi: I’m leaving.

 

Arata, You, Megumi: What?

 

Airi: Eh, yeah! Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to show up at the recital, so don’t get your fancy pants all up in a twist~

It’s just that, getting passionate? Working in groups? That sorta stuff doesn’t sit well with me, and I’ll practice on my own anyway. Seeya.

 

You: Hey, wait a moment—

 

Megumi: Airi...!

 

Arata: She left...

 

[Airi leaves through the door and closes it.]

 

You: *sighs* Haah...

...Argh.

 

Arata: You-kun?

 

You: What’s this... sensation...? It feels like my cringe era from my past got stirred right back up...

Hmph! *claps* Whew, anyway! Sorry about that, I guess?

Let’s get back on track.

 

Arata: Mmhmm. That we should.

 

You: Let me introduce myself again. It’ll be for a brief period of time, but I’ll be acting as a temporary instructor until your dance recital at the end of summer vacation.

Procellarum’s Haduki You here.

 

Arata: I’ll also be a temp instructor. I’m Six Gravity’s Uduki Arata.

 

You: We’ll be supporting you so that you can put on your best performance at the recital, so let’s work well together.

 

Arata: Let’s work well, kids.

 

Dance Club: Let’s work well together!

 

Arata: Ooh. Mm, yeah. Good response.

 

You: So first, could we get you to show us your dancing? We’d like to get a grasp for your individual levels of skill.

And I think it’d be nice if we could all think up the individual choreography for your recital’s theme song and freestyle songs together.

 

Arata: I have a suggestion, Instructor Haduki. I think starting off with warmups would be good~

 

You: Ooh, good idea! Nice call, Instructor Uduki.

What kinds of warmups do you usually do?

...Oh! Uh, huh. Huh~? I see.

 

-

 

[The music stops.]

 

You: All right~ Let’s wrap up here for today.

 

Arata: We also have parts for the choreography that we still haven’t settled on. We’ll suggest our own ideas, so if you could offer us your ideas too, we’d be mighty pleased if we could strike a good balance between the two.

 

You: For sure. Let’s all make something great together!

Mentioning this again, I know that it’ll be only for a short while, but hope we keep working well. Good work today!

 

Dance Club: Good work today!

 

Girl 1: Phew, I’m exhausted~

 

Girl 2: Water, water!

 

Girl 3: Hey, what do you think? For that part...

 

Arata: Good work there, Instructor Haduki.

 

You: Right back at you, Instructor Uduki. Nice work.

 

Arata: We didn’t prepare beforehand, but you were a huge help in taking the initiative.

 

You: Yeah, guess so. ‘Cuz nothing’d settle if you handled it with your usual excitement levels, like, “Yeah~ Let’s go at it leisurely, at our own paces~”

 

Arata: Oh, true.

 

You: And you’re not gonna deny it!?

...Still, your fine-tuning and supplementing for the little details helped me just as much.

Guess it was a little surprising that you could handle a role like that.

 

Arata: Tsk, tsk, tsk. That’s what you call a talented hawk hiding its claws.

 

You: Sheesh! Give this idiot a bit of praise, and he lets it get to his head. Try humility for once. It’d do you some good.

 

Arata: Well, to tell the truth, I myself thought it was unexpected that I could do that.

When we’re in a unit, Haru-san handles it. While when I’m in my duo, Aoi handles those kinds of roles.

By being in this unusual pair with You while also working an unusual job as a teacher, it seems that Uduki Arata-kun has awakened to yet another, brand new ability.

Sparkle~☆

 

You: Yeah, yeah, whatever...

...Huh?

 

Tsukishiro: Good work, instructors.

 

Arata: Tsukishiro-san!

 

You: Kanade-chan!

 

Tsukishiro: I’m here to give my greetings to the staff members and deliver to Arata-kun the script for his recording next week.

I’ve also been entrusted with Kurotsuki’s documents for You-kun.

 

Arata, You: Thank you very much.

 

You: Oh hey, listen to what happened, Kanade-chan~

 

Tsukishiro: Yes, sure. Fufu. I’ll listen to whatever you have to say.

Arata-kun already provided a general report of what happened through text.

 

You: Goodness me! When’d you do that?

 

Arata: During our break. Gravi’s communication-contacting-consultation skills are top-class.

 

You: I should’ve expected such punctuality from someone in Hajime-san’s unit.

 

Arata: Heheh~

 

Tsukishiro: And just now, I asked the director about the circumstances. Enough that wouldn’t interfere in the filming, at least.

First, about the students who were involved in that quarrel.

One of them was Hiramatsu Megumi-san, a third year. The two of you know of her at this point, correct?

 

Arata: Yes. She’s the Dance Club’s president, and she’s also the one who sent in the request for this program to take place.

 

You: Yeah. Skill-wise, she’s still got lots of room left to grow, but throughout the whole day of practice today, she was the most passionate about it all. Ability aside, I could really tell that she loved dancing.

 

Arata: The letter she sent in to the program was full of high-pressure spirit, too.

 

Tsukishiro: And the other student who was involved in the dispute with her... was Wada Airi-san, a second year.

It seems she was originally in the Going-Home Club and wasn’t involved in any clubs. However, she’d be found going out in the middle of the night and had to be taken into protective custody multiple times... It seems the situation is that her suspension from school is being waived, as long as she participates in club activities.

According to what I’ve heard today, it seems she isn’t taking part in the club very much, either.

 

You: I get it now... She really gives off the big PROBLEM CHILD vibes, huh?

 

Arata: But Lil’ Miss Club Prez wants to make Lil’ Miss Problem Child the center at their recital.

 

Tsukishiro: Hmm... Perhaps she has such superfluous talent that it makes up for her problematic issues?

 

You: Talent, huh...?

 

Tsukishiro: Hm, You-kun?

 

You: ‘S nothing. But when you’ve been in the business for ten years, no matter how imperfect that road’s been...

Studying’s one thing. But dancing and other showbiz-related aspects? Don’t you get doubtful as to whether or not that’s actually just raw talent?

I know that only a fraction, a tiny, little, miniscule fraction of humans have absolute, unconditional talent. But people who are lauded as geniuses in the world out there tend to have talent, while also making sure to work just as hard.

I dunno, you just start having an eye for these things when you’ve been in the business long enough.

The only people who can put food on the table off talent alone are the rarest of cases.

 

Arata: Aah. Umm, hm. True that.

A little bit of extra talent will get swallowed up fast. People can’t shine alone as just unpolished ore. That’s simply how things are.

 

You: Yeah, exactly! So basically, what I’m trying to get at is... I hate the idea of being so satisfied with existing talent that you don’t strive for more.

It’s because you have talent that’s acknowledged by those around you, that you need to put in the effort to polish it. Makes me wanna go, “It’s a waste if you don’t!”

 

Arata: Instructor Haduki is so passionate.

 

You: I’m serious when it comes to dancing.

 

Arata: Seems to me that you’re serious when it comes to a lot of other stuff aside from dancing, though...?

 

You: What? Did you say something just now?

 

Arata: Nope, nope. Just that I like that side of You-kun.

 

You: Huh? The hell’s up with that? When’d I say that I want a dude to like me?

 

Arata: Ahahahaha...

 

Tsukishiro: Fufu.

 

You: Well, then. How’ll we go about handling this...

 

Arata: ...That being said, we can’t exactly go about forcing someone to do something they don’t want.

 

You: Huh?

 

Arata: We can’t mistake our priorities.

Don’t you also hate being forced into doing stuff? If you’re nagged into doing something you’re not very eager to do, wouldn’t you reflectively lash out?

 

You: Wh—I... guess... I would.

That’s... also a thing.

 

Arata: So, with that being the case, I know that handling Lil’ Miss Problem Child is a given. But we need to make sure that’s not all we’re focused on. Don’t you think?

We can’t forget that our number one priority is thoroughly teaching the kids who are diligent, are motivated, and are doing their best.

 

You: Yeah, fine! Heard you the first time.

 

Tsukishiro: Fufu...!

 

Arata: Tsukishiro-san?

 

You: Kanade-chan?

 

Tsukishiro: I simply thought it was nice that the two of you are reliably acting as “Instructors Uduki and Haduki” right from the very first day. It was quite reassuring.

Please keep doing your best alongside the students until the recital!

 

Arata: We will.

 

You: Sure thing!

 

-

 

[The music ends.]

 

You: *clapping* Whoo, nice going!

 

Arata: *clapping* Mmhmm, this is sure turning out well~

 

You: ‘Kay then. With this, we’ve got the general gist of the choreography down pat. We’ll have you practice this with all you got, until the day of the recital.

 

Arata: Of course, if you have any suggestions to make it better while in the midst of your practicing, don’t hesitate to fire ‘em at us. We’re open for comments anytime.

 

Dance Club: All right!

 

You: Sure. *claps* Then once more, from the top, all together.

 

[The music starts.]

 

-

 

You: Okay~. We’re wrapping up for today!

 

Arata: Each person should do their individual cooldowns and then wrap it up. Y’all worked well today.

 

Dance Club: Good work today!

 

You: Sorry, Arata. I’ve got a different thing to deal with after this, so I’ll be heading out before you.

 

Arata: Ooh~ What a workaholic you are~! Go get ‘em, buddy.

I’ll go home at my own pace.

 

You: Sure. Good work, man.

 

Arata: G’work to you too. Stay safe.

 

Megumi: *practicing* Haah...! Hmph...!

 

Arata: Oho...? Miss Club Prez, are you doing some solo practice?

 

Megumi: Yes... Since we’ve settled on the choreography, I wanted to master it as soon as possible.

 

Arata: Ah, I see! You’re really working hard, aren’tcha...

 

Megumi: ...Mmhmm... ...Because... working hard is just about all I can do.

 

Arata: ...Hmm~?

 

Megumi: I really am the club president, and I’m the one who suggested that we do this. Which is why it’d be nice if I had enough skill to be the center...

Still, I know that things would go off without a hitch, if we got another hardworking girl who likes practicing to be our center.

 

Arata: Mm...

 

Megumi: But... Airi’s... heh. Her attitude’s like that, but she’s genuinely incredible! She grabs your attention in the blink of an eye!

When she’s in the center, it’s like she lets off a power that spreads all the way through!

In my eyes, she’s... the absolute best center.

 

Arata: I see. ...She must be amazing, huh?

 

Megumi: Yes! She is!

If she were to stand in the center for us... I think it’d make for the best performance ever.

I’m the club president... I’m the one who kept pushing forward for my own self-interests... My own decision caused problems for others...

But that’s exactly why... I can’t look pathetic by dancing my own part worse than those around me.

 

Arata: Gotcha. ...Can I just say something?

 

Megumi: Of course!

 

Arata: Hehe... Your response is way too strait-laced!

 

Megumi: ...Huh?

 

Arata: You’re too stiff! Way too stiff, Miss Club Prez~

 

Megumi: Ah...

 

Arata: When you’re dancing, see? If you’re too rigid and inflexible, you won’t be able to dance well.

 

Megumi: You’re... right...

 

Arata: Aha. Sorry, sorry. It’s not like I’m trying to point out your flaws or anything.

It’s, ahh... a word of advice. I also know very well a leader who pushes himself too hard.

That person’s someone who can really, seriously do just about anything. If you leave him alone, he’ll start burdening himself with more and more baggage to lug around.

Despite it all, he puts on a face like it’s no skin off his back. It’s like... it makes you wanna laugh. Heheh.

And so? These days, everyone around him, including me, is going out of our way to steal his luggage.

 

Megumi: ...? But why...?

 

Arata: Because the more free time he has, the more time he has to rest. Or maybe time to hang out with us. That way, things are... definitely way more fun.

 

Megumi: Ah... ...Fun...

 

Arata: Yep. It’s fun.

Having fun’s important, you know?

It becomes the power for you to handle all sorts of things.

 

Megumi: Fun is... power...

 

Arata: And Miss Club Prez? I get you’re wracking your brain over all kinds of stuff, but I think it’s okay for you to relax a tad. Rely on everyone, why don’t you?

And honestly, I bet the people around you are happy when you rely on ‘em~

So, with that said~

 

Megumi: What?

 

Arata: Think of this as practice for relying on everyone else. First, rely on me.

I’ll join you for practice.

 

Megumi: Ah...! Of course! Thank you so much!!

 

-

 

Dance Club: *hushed whispers* Airi’s here...? / No way...

 

Megumi: Airi...

 

You: Look who finally showed up. The problem child.

 

Airi: What the hell’d you just call me? Freakin’ rude.

I just came here to do the bare minimum of attendance days so student counseling doesn’t rank on me.

...So?

 

You: So what?

 

Airi: The choreo for the recital. Must’ve finished it by now, right?

I’ll remember it in a flash and then leave, so teach it to me.

Quit wasting time. Get dancing. Go.

 

You: Um, well! Airi-chan? Is that the attitude to take with someone who’s teaching you something?

 

Airi: *flatly* Eeek~! The cameras are rolling though!!

The instructor’s scaring meee~!

 

You: NGRK—Ngh... Hngh...! *gritting his teeth*

GRGH—GH!! Ghh...!

 

Arata: Instructor Haduki~? Calm down, calm down~

 

You: TCH! Fine.

We’re gonna dance this with no holds barred, so prepare yourself.

 

Airi: Yeah, sure~ Thanks for the forewarning~

 

-

 

Airi: Hmph... Whew... There.

You’re fine with this, right?

 

You: Wow. I’m surprised. Already got the choreography down?

 

Airi: Why, yes! As you can see for yourself.

 

You: ...Those aren’t the moves of someone who regularly slacks on practice, huh?

 

Arata: Yeah, you can say that again... Seems like she really is a natural ore of pure talent.

 

Airi: Hmm?

 

You: What, we didn’t say anything.

 

Airi: Okay, whatever. Anyway, I’m leaving.

 

You: Huh? No. Since you got the choreo down, you’re supposed to match up with everyone—

 

Airi: I’ll catch up to ‘em right away, so I don’t need to practice. All I gotta do is match myself with the music.

I’ll be perfectly in sync with the music. I’ll never be off-beat.

 

You: That’s not what I’m talking about!

 

Airi: So what are you talking about, huh? Are you getting all idealistic on me now?

Working with all your effort? Passionate fighting spirit? That crap’s lame as hell.

 

You: Wh—... Hmph...

...Even if you have some good talent on your side, it won’t mean anything if you let it rot away. You’ll definitely regret it if you do.

 

Airi: Neat. Thanks for the warning, Instructor Haduki.

Smell ya later~

 

You: Hold it! Wait up—

 

[Airi walks away while the Dance Club murmurs complaints in the background.]

 

Megumi: Airi...

 

Arata: ...You? Doing all right there?

 

You: Aagh... Now I get it. When I look at her...

...It’s like she’s overlapping with my past self.

-

(part 2)