Tsukiuta. Boys’ 5th Season CD 9 – Wavy! Drama (2)

[nebulancer]

2. Drama – “Wavy!”

 

Arata, You: Good work today~!

 

Dance Club: Good work today!!

 

Girl 1: I’m exhausted~

 

Girl 2: Senpai, I’d like to ask you about this part...

 

Girl 3: Huh? Anyone know where...

 

Arata: Looks like Lil’ Miss Problem Child’s playing hooky again today.

 

You: Sure is. It’s about time for us to have everyone practicing together in preparation for the recital, though.

Who knows where, or what that kid’s doing?

*sighs* ...The least I could do is pray that she’s not being a delinquent and acting with misconduct.

 

Arata: I feel like you’re well on the path to becoming an actual teacher.

 

You: Because right now, I am an actual teacher.

 

Arata: Fufu~ You’re right~

Aah, I just remembered! Speaking of misconduct...

 

You: When your sorry ass makes a face like that, I feel nothing but dread for what’s coming up.

 

Arata: Whaaat? But I’m famous for my expressions being hard to read~?

 

You: What kinda idiot are you? How long d’you think we’ve been together for?

 

Arata: Aheheh. For a change of pace... how about we do something... bad too?

 

You: What? Something... bad?

 

-

 

[At a ramen shop.]

 

Arata: *slurping noodles*

 

You: *gulping* PHEWWW! Ramen, fried dumplings, and ice-cold beer! A full course of salt, oil, and alcohol content!

It’s horrible for an idol’s appearance, but it feels so damn gooood~!

 

Arata: Man, don’t you feel so guilty for doing this? It tastes like pure sin...

 

You: But dang, this place’s ramen is hella tasty.

When’d you excavate this hole-in-the-wall joint, Arata?

 

Arata: Remember the other day when you left early doing another job? That day, I went on an adventure around the premises.

 

You: Well done. Nice discovery. I shall grant you my praise!

*slurping noodles* Whew, this pork cutlet really seeps into an exhausted body~!

I would’ve dropped by this place on the way home if it were closer to the dorms.

 

Arata: I know, right? And the way it’s located in a corner of the shopping district? Shoot, it feels even more sinful just thinking about it~

I’d definitely drop by a place like this after a drinking party.

 

You: God, I knowww!!

...Man, it’s a relief that it wasn't any closer. Because if it were, my idol career would’ve gone up in flames.

 

Arata: Who cares about You-kun? The world would’ve had massive losses if I put on extra weight.

 

You: Whoa. The way you phrased that like you wanted me to agree with you!? You’re one bold guy, if nothing else.

 

-

 

[The two are leaving the restaurant.]

 

You: *groaning* Graaagh... I ate so much... Damn, I ate...

 

Arata: Let’s use this as our fuel and keep workin’ hard as teachers starting tomorrow.

 

You: Yeah, for sure...

...Huh?

 

Airi: Hey, yeah? Hehe~

Yeah! I’m heading over right now. Just wait a little longer, all right?

 

Arata: ...She wasn’t wearing her school uniform, but wasn’t that Lil’ Miss Problem Child?

 

You: Yeah. What’s that girl doing at a place like this, when it’s this late out?

She’s gonna get taken into protective custody again.

...And why’re you tailing her like it’s the natural thing to do?

 

Arata: Don’t you see? A student in a club I’m in charge of could possibly be engaging in delinquency and going down the wrong path. It’s my duty to set her on the straight and narrow, so how could I restrain myself?

 

You: Cool. Now tell me the truth.

 

Arata: I’m curious. *sharp!*

 

You: *chuckling* Jeez... But honestly, I am concerned to know what she’s doing.

If she ends up getting taken into custody at this point in time, it’ll probably have a bad influence on the recital, too.

...All right. Let’s tail ‘er.

 

Arata: You-kun. Let’s buy some red bean buns and milk cartons.

 

You: This isn’t a stakeout. It’s a chase.

 

Arata: True that.

 

[T/N: A common cliché in detective movies or dramas is characters getting red bean buns (anpan) and milk cartons when doing a stakeout, assuming that they’ll be there for a while, so they’ll need some food to fill their stomachs.]

 

-

 

Girl 1: Whoo~! Airi, you’re awesome~!

 

Girl 2: Yeah, whoo!!

 

Airi: Heh, obviously!

 

Arata: Looks to me like... they’re a local dance team or something? So this is where Lil’ Miss Problem Child was dancing with her buddies.

 

You: No wonder, it all makes sense to me now. And here I was, thinking that she couldn’t pull off those moves unless she was dancing regularly from the get-go.

 

Arata: ...She’s having tons of fun dancing.

 

You: I know, right? ...Ugh, sheesh. Make expressions like that at the club once in a while, why don’t you?

 

Arata: I know, right~?

I see, I see. So she doesn’t necessarily hate dancing itself. Mm~?

 

You: Well, then. Now that we’ve successfully fulfilled Arata’s curiosity and solved the mystery, let’s head on home.

 

Arata: *smugly* Hmm~ Instructor Haduki. I’ve got a good idea.

 

You: Goddammit. Quit making that face.

 

Arata: It’s the second time I’ve done it today ☆

 

-

 

Girl 1: Whoo-hoo! You’re so cool!

 

Girl 2: Woot-woot~! That was so cool!

 

Girl 3: Airi, you’re the best!!

 

Airi: *panting* Haah, haah...

 

[The girls begin reacting in confusion.]

 

Girls: Huh? / What...? / Wait, wait, what?

 

Girl 1: It’s You from Procella...!

 

Girl 3: And Arata from Gravi...!!

 

Girl 2: You’re kidding me, right!?

 

Arata: Why, hello, hello there~

 

Airi: Gah, wha—! Wh-why are you two here!?

 

You: Well~ We were just wondering if we’d be allowed to join in for a little~?

 

Arata: Yeah, you know? Because technically, we’re professionals, so.

 

You: We’re gonna take this seriously. Better not fall behind, Arata.

 

Arata: I could say the same right back at you. Don’t be late, You-kun?

 

[Wavy! begins playing, and the two start dancing.]

 

Girls: Kyaaah! / Oh my god!! / Whoo!!

 

Airi: ...So this is... how pros dance...

 

-

 

Girls: That was sooo cool. / That felt so fiery! / How’d they do that...!?

 

Airi: So. Looks like the instructors really were professionals.

 

You: HAHAHA! Took you long enough to notice! Bet you’ve realized the error of your ways!

 

Arata: You-kun, that’s not how a decent adult should be acting.

Right? How was our dancing?

 

Airi: ...Wavy.

 

[T/N: “Wavy” is British slang for something cool, incredible, or awe-inspiring.]

 

Arata: Web... by...?

 

You: Heh! What, it was impressive? That’s awfully honest of you.

 

Airi: What? Something wrong with that?

 

You: Sorry, sorry. Going by your usual attitude, I expected you to say something along the lines of, “That wasn’t really impressive,” or whatever.

 

Airi: Don’t mock me.

I can tell if something’s good or not.

 

You: Yeah, I see~ Is that so?

 

Arata: Still... it’s only natural that we’re impressive ☆

 

Airi: Mm, yeah. It’s only natural.

Because you’re professionals, and you’ve received special lessons from first-class teachers, right?

That’s not fair.

 

You: ...Hm. ...You’re half right.

 

Airi: ...Only half?

 

You: Yeah. Only half of that was right.

 

Arata: Because we’ve been blessed with a well-prepared and well-arranged environment.

 

You: But that only makes up half of it. No one can make it big if only their circumstances are good.

How many guys do you think debuted at the same time as us, came from the same environment, but are still active five years later?

 

Airi: ...

 

Arata: And even before we debuted, it was a total slaughterfest. There were dozens of pre-debut candidates, but only a fraction of those were able to properly debut.

 

You: Splitting them apart into who gets to debut, and who couldn’t...

Then, on top of that, split those who’ll survive five years in, versus those who won’t.

I think the foundation for deciding that is the same in both situations.

 

Airi: ...What is it?

 

You: Whether you get serious or not. Whether you decide to put in effort or not.

 

Airi: ...Heh! Passion? Pfft, lame.

 

You: Passion isn’t lame at all.

What’s lamer is making fun of the dedicated people when you’re not the least bit committed.

...Ugh, dammit. I seriously wanna tell this to my past self.

 

Arata: You’s become such a mature adult now~

 

You: Shut your piehole. Tch.

We were lucky, ‘cuz we were scouted. We got a direct flight to our destination.

That’s why we were seriously, honestly struggling. Even now, we’re struggling.

Because we’re continuing to go up onstage against people who went through the proper processes.

Even now, we don’t miss out on lessons every single day, taking it more seriously than the rest of ‘em all.

 

Airi: ......

 

Arata: Ah—Y’know, serious comes from the Latin root “serius,” which means earnest? See? Weren’t we super-cool when we were dancing in earnest?

 

Airi: I... guess.

 

You: Don’t you think half-assing things is the lamest?

Don’t you think people are uncool by looking down on it, just because it’s some regular old club activity?

How ‘bout you show those idiots something real cool? It’ll definitely be tons of fun.

 

Airi: Ah......

 

-

 

[Other students are cheering themselves on while running around the track.]

 

You: *claps* All right! There’s only a little bit of time left before the recital. When y’all are done warming up, we’ll get right into things and putting it all together.

 

[The door rolls open.]

 

Girls: Wha— Airi...? / Wait, she’s here? / Seriously...?

 

Megumi: Airi...

 

Airi: I’m sorry... for being late.

... *hesitates, then bows* ...I hope we work well together.

 

Arata: Mmhmm! We were waiting for you. Looks like all the members are here together now.

 

You: Now you can say that again. ‘Aight! Let’s all start by warming up!

 

Dance Club: All right!

 

-

 

Airi: Instructors, Club Prez! So this is probably about the combination before we head into the second half... I have a suggestion regarding the positions.

 

You: Go for it.

 

Airi: I know that right now, we’re letting the center and center-left perform it, but if we got the center-right to do it too, the movements are gonna get way bigger! I think it’d be a huge show-stopper!

 

You: I see. That sounds right.

 

Arata: Miss Club Prez, does that sound doable?

 

Megumi: ...Let’s give it a try!

 

-

 

You: Your outfits got delivered, so let’s have you put ‘em on and try them out.

 

Arata: So when you’re done changing, we’ll all get back together, ‘kay?

 

Girls: Wow, I’m so excited to put it on~ / I wonder~! / Whoa, these outfits...!

 

Arata: Instructor Haduki, when they’re changi—

 

You: Instructor Uduki. Comply with social standards.

 

Arata: Yeah. That sounds about right.

 

-

 

You: The recital’s finally tomorrow. Y’all can only practice together a few more times, so take it seriously each and every time, all right?

 

Arata: But it’d be a total disaster if you braced yourself too much and injured yourselves, all right? Keep your nervousness at a moderate level.

Take it easy as you do your best.

 

Megumi: Make sure to relax and not be too stiff...

 

Arata: Ooh?

 

Megumi: Isn’t that right, Instructor?

 

Arata: Mmhmm. Perfect answer. And all y’all out there, make sure you aren’t too still, either.

 

Dance Club: Got it!!

 

-

 

[The recital ends to a thundering roar of applause and cheers. The girls head backstage, where Arata and You high-five them.]

 

Dance Club: Thank you for the hard work!!

 

You: Good work, kids.

 

Arata: Good work out there.

 

Megumi: ...! Thank you so much... for everything!!

 

[Arata pats her on the back.]

 

Arata: Good job. There, there.

 

Airi: ...Club Prez!

 

Megumi: Haah...! Airi...!

...Thanks. I...

 

Airi: Gh... Thank you so much for all your help!!

 

Megumi: ...What...?

 

Airi: That was the best performance of my whole life!

It’s all thanks to the Club Prez... and everyone who allowed me to stand in the center!!

Thank you so, so much!!

 

Megumi: Airi......!

Hh... *sobs* ...Ungh... Wah... WAAAAHHHH!

 

Girl 1: *holding back tears* Megumi’s tear ducts burst like a dam...!

 

Girl 2: Airi’s a good girl now, so did you expect anything different...?

 

Girl 3: Airi’s taking things seriously...!

 

Airi: Of course I’d take it seriously! And wait! Senpais, don’t start crying too. It’ll... *tearing up* ...make it look like I made you cry...!

*sobbing* ...

...I’m... sorry... I’m sorry I kept acting like a showoff... and I kept acting like a brat... and kept acting selfish!!

...Thank y... Thank you so much!!!

 

You: ...!

 

Arata, You: *laugh*

 

Airi: Uuh...

*smiles* And instructors? Thanks to you, too.

 

You: Of course!

 

Arata: We should be the ones thanking you. We had fun.

 

Airi: Um, uh. How... were we?

 

Arata / You: *chuckling* Heh. / Hahaha!

 

Arata, You: Wavy!

-

(part 1)