Tsukiuta. Girls’ 4th Season CD 5 – Fire! Fever! Night Drama (1)

[nebulancer]

Summary – Accompanying the Goddess Jinnai Masami’s work, Matsuri and Akane have dropped by a certain village that’s at the height of its preparation for a summer festival. Unexpectedly, they’re made to take part in it as well by running a takoyaki stand. Will they be able to safely and successfully hype up the festival?

 

“And just like this, we make use of our specialties, our strengths...”

“And we bloom, bloom. We bloom big and proud.”

 

1. Drama – “The Day Before the Festival, At the Stall”

 

Akane: Wow~! There are so many stalls!

 

Matsuri: I wonder if they’re setting up the yagura tower over there.

 

Akane: It’s my first time coming to Shikoku, but I’m looking forward to seeing how the festivals here are like!

 

Matsuri: Yeah. It’s a small village festival, but personally, I think these are more interesting because they have the regional aspects and the unique quirks endemic to this area.

 

Nebutan: Mmhmm! Why, what are Japanese festivals, you might ask?

The etymology of the word “matsuri” is derived from the word which means, “to deify or enshrine,” that is, deify or enshrine gods. Festivals are events that have people praying or wishing for whatever they’d want~. As Japan’s mythology features a countless number of gods, the individual quirks depend on the festival and so—

    

[Nebutan begins rattling off information as Matsuri and Akane ignore him.]

 

Akane: Wow! I thought it smelled nice. Turns out it was an okonomiyaki stall.

 

Matsuri: Are the Shikoku okonomiyaki made Osaka-style? Or Hiroshima-style? I’m very intrigued...

 

Nebutan: LISTEN TO OTHERS WHEN THEY’RE EXPLAINING STUFF WITH A HUGE STOCK OF THEIR EXTENSIVE KNOWLEEEEDGE!!

 

Matsuri: Oh, sorry, Nebutan. Were you saying something?

 

Akane: Aah, I’m sorry! Could you say that again?

 

Nebutan: YOU WANT ME TO START FROM THE BEGINNIIIIIIIIING!? Gah, fine!

It’s whatever to me now! Yes, yes, let’s enjoy the festival, shall we?

Heheh. Looks like it’s got some good vibes going, after all.

 

Jinnai: I know, right? I’m pleased to hear that you’ve all taken an interest in it.

Anyway, I’m sorry to put you to work as soon as you’ve gotten here, but should we get started with preparations?

 

Akane: All right~! There we... go!

 

Matsuri: Come on, Nebutan. You carry in the vegetables too.

 

Nebutan: Gotchas! Oh, but still. Why’ve we ended up doing a takoyaki stall?

 

Matsuri: Huh? Didn’t I tell you?

 

Nebutan: All I heard from you was, “☆ We’ll be going to Shikoku for work tomorrow. Festivals, heave-ho.”

That was all!

 

Akane: It’s too straight-to-the-point...! I’m surprised you came with us on that information alone!

 

Jinnai: Then I guess I should explain for Nebutan-kun again. My Goddess job is working as a dye artist, you know? I was contracted to work on the yukata for this festival.

 

Nebutan: Mhmm.

 

Matsuri: They’re specially-made yukata for the chosen dancers who’ll be dancing atop the scaffolding tower. Masami-san’s dyes are lovely again as always. I bet the dancers, and the people watching their dances, will gain a fortuitous surge in their spiritual energy.

 

Nebutan: Then all you needed to do was deliver the yukata and that’s it for the job, right? Why’d you have to make takoyaki, too?

 

Jinnai: Well, about that. I became good buddies with the neighborhood association who requested me to do the job and heard all sorts of stuff.

They’ve been saying that the youths these days have been leaving for the city, so there are fewer shops. They went on to say that the festivals aren’t bringing in as much excitement as they used to.

 

Nebutan: Uh huh. And so?

 

Jinnai: And before I realized... I ended up having to run a stall too~!

 

Nebutan: Uh, no! That’s not the natural progression of things!!

 

Matsuri: She couldn’t help it. It’s like second nature for Masami-san to get thrown into unpredictable, crazy accidents.

 

Nebutan: You’re the last person I’d want to hear that from.

 

Jinnai: Eheheh! Yeah, I know~

Normally, the one tossing me into these situations would be Matsuri-chan herself.

 

Akane: A-ahahaha...

I wonder... what’s this sense of closeness that I feel with Masami-san...?

 

Nebutan: Well, Matsuri’s the very personification of “unpredictable and crazy”~

 

Akane: Nebutan, your very existence is the textbook definition of “unpredictable and crazy” too. I don’t think I should hear that from you~ Ahaha...

 

Nebutan: Welp! It’s not like we can change how things’ve turned out this way, eh?

I’m a man, too! I’m gonna pitch in and help~!✨

 

Jinnai: Thanks a bunch. It’s an important festival displaying the yukata I’ve managed to contract the dye job for. I think it’d be nice if I could bring some excitement to the festival, if only a little.

 

Matsuri: Moumantai.

If I’m tossed into taking part in a festival of all things, then I’d gladly join in. As you can see here, Akane is also gladly letting herself get tossed in, too.

 

[T/N: Moumantai means “no problem” in Cantonese.]

 

Akane: Yes, that’s me~ Before I even noticed, I ended up as one of the employees too!

Still, I’m already used to this sort of situation. Since things have turned out this way, let’s do our best to hype up the festival with all we’ve got!

Masami-san, would it be okay for me to leave the ingredients over here?

 

Jinnai: Yeah, sure! Thanks for lending a helping hand too, Akane-chan. I heard from Matsuri-chan that you’re fantastic at cooking, so I couldn’t help but ask for your assistance!

 

Akane: That’s no problem at all! Please do count on me! Plus, I’m happy knowing I could help out with something I’m good at!

 

Matsuri: ......

 

Jinnai: Ah, Matsuri-chan. Could I count on you to carry these containers over there?

 

Matsuri: Roger that...!

 

Akane: Er, first, let’s see here... I’ll get started by cutting the octopus.

 

Nebutan: Ooh!! Akane’s totally in prep work mode!

 

Jinnai: I feel sort of apologetic that I'm making you do this. It’s my first time making takoyaki, after all... So would it be okay for me to cut up the cabbage like this?

 

Akane: That’s great~! You must be skilled at cooking, Masami-san.

 

Jinnai: Y-you think? I guess I am dexterous, so this isn’t much to worry about...!

 

Akane: So, if I were to let you take care of the cabbage, I’ll take care of the other ingredients~. I’m thinking that I’d like to put a spin on the usual recipe since I’m here already.

 

Jinnai: Gosh, I’m so sorry that I’m making you do all this...! You’re a huge help.

 

Akane: No, it’s not a bother at all! I like doing these types of things, so please, don’t worry about it.

More importantly, what’s with that box...?

 

Jinnai: Ah! Oh yeah, yeah. I nearly forgot about this. I thought I’d like to set up a takoyaki shop’s... hmph! ...Banner... ...Mm...

 

Matsuri: You made the banners from scratch?

 

Jinnai: Yeah! Phew, I managed to dye them neatly, and it turned out great...

Ah, see? Like this, this, and... this one!

 

Nebutan: Whoa, lady! You prepared three whole banners!? That’s one incredible feat to pull off!

 

Jinnai: I thought that Akane-chan would be doing most of the heavy lifting when it came to the takoyaki-making, so might as well do something that only I can do, right?

It’d be nice if I could at least spruce up the place with a little more flashiness.

 

Akane: That’s amazing~! They’re such wonderful banners! They’ve got stylish designs, but they look adorable as well.

And most of all, they have such beautiful colors~

 

Jinnai: Ah—Er, well... Mmhmm. Well, yeah. Obviously~! It’s my job, after all~?

I have a bit – just a little bit, mind you – of confidence in my saddening dye technique.

 

Nebutan: I can feel the waves of “I’m not used to being complimented” coming off you. C’mon, have some more confidence in yourself~!

 

Akane: Mmhmm! You’re really so incredible, Masami-san!

 

Matsuri: The red gradient is so wonderfully beautiful...

 

Jinnai: Ufufu...! The point I paid attention to was that, among each of the three of them, the hue is just slightly different. I’m happy to hear that you like them.

I was worried whether or not they’d go with the atmosphere of the festival, but judging by your praise, I think they’d work.

 

Matsuri: They’re perfect...! They’re absolutely sublime! We have to decorate them in a place they can stand out best...!

 

Jinnai: You’re right. I’m thinking... two of them will be in front of the stall. The last one can be placed close to the main venue of the festival to promote our stall.

 

Matsuri: Let me handle that. I’ll go display it in the best location there is!

 

[Matsuri grabs the banner and skitters away with a FWEEET~]

 

Jinnai: Ah—Wait—Matsuri-chan!?

...Ehh...? Will she be all right...?

 

Nebutan: She’s not a kid! She’ll be fine~

Let’s make progress with our own stuff, how ‘bout it? Phew...

 

Jinnai: What’s that? You sound like her dad.

 

Nebutan: Stoppit~ I don’t remember raising a daughter like her~

 

Akane: Ah... Um, yeah. It’s the other way around, isn’t it? It’s the other way...

Because Matsuri-chan built you, Nebutan... ...Ahh!

So that means, Nebutan is Matsuri-chan’s... baby...!?

 

Nebutan: Don’t call me a baby of all things!?

 

Akane: That being said, Matsuri-chan’s been in high spirits this whole day.

 

Jinnai: Definitely. This whole time, she’s been a step away from hitting festival mode, and it’s like she’s on cloud nine!

 

Akane: Ufufu! I understand that completely.

 

Jinnai: Back when I saw her complete shift into festival mode for the first time, I was quite shocked!

 

Akane: Ahh! Yes, that’s so relatable! That’d definitely throw you for a loop~

 

Jinnai: For sure. After all, her excitement levels change in one fell swoop. I was worried for her, wondering if she’d hit her head somewhere.

 

Akane: A-ahahaha... People can change immensely, almost to the point you wonder if they have dual personalities... There was once a time I even thought... “I doubt there’s many people as impactful as her...”

 

Jinnai: A-Akane-chan...?

 

Akane: Uh—um, it’s nothing! I just couldn’t help but... think about my boss for a moment there... Why do my surroundings have to be filled with these types of people...?

 

Jinnai: Well, to that... I can only say... it’s probably because you were born that way...

 

Akane: A-anyway, I do get surprised at first. But when you get used to them being like that, don’t you start thinking that side of them is also pretty adorable, too?

 

Jinnai: *chuckles* That’s true! Plus, even the typically less-energetic Matsuri-chan has the same inner workings and subtleties as her high-energy self. I find that to be quite lovable.

 

Akane: Ufufu...! I understand that sensation completely.

 

Jinnai: ...If only my prayers could come true... and we could tone down the number of physical explosions, though...

 

Akane: A-ahahahaha... That sure is... a real and genuine concern, huh...

But, well! That, too, is... um, Matsuri-chan’s appeal, I suppose?

 

Nebutan: Er, what kinda appeal even is that!?

 

Akane: It’s, um! ...Err... Like fireworks!

...Yes... fireworks...! It’s fireworks~!

 

Jinnai: Akane-chan?

 

Akane: It’s fireworks, Masami-san! Nebutan!

When I see Matsuri-chan bursting all over the place because of festivals or her experiments, I think, “She must really love them!” “She must be completely captivated~!” “She’s incredible! She’s just so dazzling~!”

I see... Matsuri-chan is fireworks...!

 

Jinnai: Like fireworks, huh...? Hehe, I think I sort of understand.

 

Nebutan: Fireworks and festivals come hand-in-hand, after all.

But well! At this moment in time, she hasn’t really helped out with the prep work for the stall, has she?

 

Jinnai: Now you shush! That’s not the case at all. She’s already pumping up the place and then some, which is more than enough. ...Huh?

 

[A loud rumbling as Matsuri comically runs back to the stall.]

 

Matsuri: ...THIS IS BIG NEWS. BIG NEWS, I TELL YOUUUUU!!

 

Akane: M-Matsuri-chan? Wh-what’s the matter?

 

Nebutan: Oh, sheesh. Trouble right off the bat?

 

Matsuri: The yagura tower’s... THEY’VE SET UP THE SCAFFOLDING TOWEEEEEER!!

It’s a festival! It’s festival time~! HEAVE-HOOOOOOOO!

 

Akane: She’s already in festival mode!?

 

Jinnai: WHAAAAAAT!?

 

Nebutan: C’mon, girlie! The festival starts tomorrow, don’tcha know? It still hasn’t started!

 

Matsuri: Can you not tell? The very moment they set up the yagura, that’s basically when the festival gets started! My rising thrills just can’t stop! Festivals are the BEST!

WHOOOOOO!!

 

Akane, Jinnai, Nebutan: O-oh...!

 

Jinnai: Ah—Ahahahaha!! Now that’s the spirit, Matsuri-chan!

All right! Looks like we all have to make progress in our own festival modes, hm?

 

Akane: Of course! That’s for certain!

...Ahh! Masami-san, my trial product’s finished grilling.

 

Jinnai: Wow~ That looks delicious!

 

Nebutan: Give it a bite!

 

Jinnai: I sure will! Phew, phew... Whoo...

Hmph, homph. Mm... Hmm~!

It’s so tasty~~✨

Akane-chan, this is incredibly high-quality!

 

Matsuri: Me too, me too! Homph!

Mmmhhmmm~~~ Now that’s Akane for you~~ It’s so good...

Delicious ☆

 

Akane: That’s a relief to hear~! Looks like we’ll be pumping these out in quick succession tomorrow!

 

Matsuri: In that case, I want to eat all of them...! I’ll buy out the whole stock.

*ka-ching!*

 

Akane, Jinnai, Nebutan: Stop that.

 

Jinnai: We’re setting up our stall in order to liven up the festival, after all. It’s not every day people get to eat Akane-chan’s masterpiece of a takoyaki, so it’d be a huge waste if you kept it all to yourself.

 

Matsuri: True... Then, if anything, I’d like the taste of this to take over Shikoku... no, take over the whole world...!

 

Akane: I do think~ that’s a little~ bit of an exaggeration, don’t you~? Ahaha...

 

Matsuri: If I were to have it conquer the world... it might need a little more tweaking...

 

Akane: Hmm? But I think I’ve already tweaked the recipe with the ingredients enough...

 

Matsuri: It’s not just the flavor. I want to focus giving it a festival-worthy performance. I’ll develop a takoyaki machine so that when it’s finished cooking, it can send the takoyaki flying...

 

Akane: Eeeeh!? What’re you even saying!?

 

Matsuri: Logically, it’s possible. There’s a chance of an explosion happening, but failures come hand-in-hand with inventing...

 

Jinnai: Hey... Hey, hey, stop that, stop that, don’t you dare!! BAD GIRL!

That is definitely out! Of! The! Question!

If! Yes, this is only a “what if” situation, but if it explodes...! It’ll be a big hindrance to the very festival itself!

 

Matsuri: Urk...

 

Nebutan: And that’s common sense workin’ there.

 

Matsuri: You’re right... I’m sorry... I got too carried away.

 

Jinnai: You’re obediently paying attention. Thank you for that. If you’re gonna go out of your way to pump the place up, please do so without developing a takoyaki machine, all right?

 

Matsuri: Got it.

 

Jinnai: Ufufu! Your feelings of wanting to thoroughly enjoy the festival are coming through to me crystal-clear.

 

Akane: Yeah, yeah~! The way you’re getting all hyped up, even just with your love for the festivals, is a welcome presence to the festival. Let’s liven up the festival without need for explosions!

 

Matsuri: ...Thank you, Masami-san. Akane.

 

Jinnai: Well, then. The sun’s set a good deal already, so let’s tone down the preparations and start gearing up for tomorrow, shall we?

 

Matsuri, Akane: All right!

 

Jinnai: Nebutan, could I get you to return these to the car?

 

Nebutan: Sheesh! Masami makes her local robot work something fierce, eh~?

 

-

 

Akane: Phew~! The preparations are all finished, and we’re now done with the cleanup, too~

All we need to do now is wait for tomorrow, huh?

 

Matsuri: Yeah...! There’s this thrill during the nighttime, knowing that tomorrow’s the festival... I like this feeling.

 

Akane: I do, too! Ah, Matsuri-chan!

 

Matsuri: ?

 

Akane: Here are leftovers of the trial product from before. You liked them enough to want to buy the whole stock, right~?

 

Matsuri: ...! Thank you...!

Homh. ...Fufu... Just as I thought. It’s so delicious.

 

Akane: Ufufu! Thank you~

 

Matsuri: ......I got a little stressed.

 

Akane: Huh?

 

Matsuri: It’s a job for Masami-san, the Goddess I’m supposed to be the assistant of. And it’s at one of the festivals that I love.

Even though I wanted to liven up the festival most, I started thinking... that you’re the one being more helpful than I was...

So I started desperately going round and round in circles.

 

Akane: Eheh! Matsuri-chan, oh my gosh. You don’t need to worry about that sort of thing. ...But even if I were to say that, you can’t help but feel bothered.

I bet the same thing would worry me if our positions were swapped.

But you know?

Matsuri-chan is Matsuri-chan. I am me.

Because our specialties are different, the ways we play an active role are different too.

Even if it looks like I’m more conspicuous, that doesn’t mean you’re not helping, or that you aren’t working hard enough. No one thinks that way at all.

 

Matsuri: Akane...!

 

Akane: Ufufu. It feels weird~ You’re usually the one who’s bursting all over the place, standing out as conspicuous as can be. Meanwhile, I think, “Whoawhoawhoa~! I have to do my best...!”

 

Matsuri: You’re... right?

 

Akane: Ufufu! We’re a mismatched duo. We know we’re completely, totally different.

Despite that, we’re partners who’ve come singing all this way as Seleas’ middle pair, right? Let’s both do our best, okay?

Let’s both sparkle as bright as we can. Okay?

 

Matsuri: Yeah...! Thanks, Akane!

 

Akane: Ufu...!

 

Matsuri, Akane: Hehehe...!

 

Boy 1: Big bro! They said there’s a festival tomorrow!

 

Boy 2: Hmph...! I bet it’s just gonna be a lousy cheap festival, though.

Aw, sheesh. Being at Grandma’s place is no fun at all!

 

Boy 1: You think so?

 

Boy 2: I know so! *groans* Haaaurgh. I wanna hurry up and go back home.

This festival doesn’t even have fireworks or anything! It’s so darn boring.

 

[The boys walk away.]

 

Matsuri: ......

 

Akane: Matsuri-chan?

 

Matsuri: DI-DING~✨

 

Akane: Ehhh!? What’s up, all of a sudden!?

 

Matsuri: Inspiration’s struck me!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

 

Akane: Wait—Hold on—Matsuri-chan!?

Wh-WHAAAAAAAAT!?

-

(part 2)