On a Beautiful Rose

[nebulancer]

Ibara: Anzu-saaa~n! Greetings, and hello!

My apologies for having called you here as if it were an everyday thing! It's an honor to have met you, and I'm truly grateful from my heart! What a happy person I am!

Well now, but no matter how many times I see you, you're beautiful! Do you use any makeup?

Eh, you don't use makeup! I'm surprised! So that beauty of yours was a gift granted to you from heaven!

Aah, how dazzling! Just by looking at Anzu-san's face it's as if I might melt into ooze! I'm being purified~, I feel like I'm revived!

However, I'm sorry that I've had you accompany me time after time! Once more, I cannot thank you enough!

There are few days until the "Autumn Live" after all, so we must pack in all the possible information we can!

Yes! The "Autumn Live" is a combination of ourselves from "Adam" and "Trickstar."

I thought that it will not do for only us to push our own opinions!

To have us behold our benefits, to open the exhibition with such desirable selves! That's what I think from my heart!

For that, I would like to be granted the aid of "Producer"-sama!

This time, I've easily calculated the estimation of materials and other such necessary expenses! Here you go, and please confirm as such here! (He presents the documents)

Ah, you need not worry much regarding the budget! At the very least, the money is that of an attainable amount, okay?

We from Shuuetsu Academy are receiving backup for everything!

Yes, Shuuetsu Academy truly is an Arcadia¹! Because it's the supreme school of the elites in which only the chosen are allowed to pass through!

The same funds from which we're operating come from the harshly, daily and nightly, competing existences of Reimei Academy and related schools!

From those "Special Students" who emerged victorious, even a smaller percentage of those in the top rungs are the selected!

They are the ones who are admitted, and applied to be taught- that's Shuuetsu Academy!

It is the transcendents' school in which only the geniuses may be permitted to attend; rather, the correct meaning is Sukhavati²! It is the zenith of this world, it is heaven!

It is extracted from the true elites, the true geniuses! Shuuetsu Academy is the one which grants honor the greatest support and education!

We of "Adam" are standing on the very top of even that Shuuetsu Academy!

Of course, for our lessons, the budget and such are of the highest quality! We've collected top-notch mentors and staff, so that just about anything is as you could wish for!

If you say that we're black, then even something that's white will become black!³

I can say assuredly that, in the "Autumn Live," our taking the full responsibility won't hurt, even if it breaks!

Actually, if we matched your standards, there would be so much money left over, it'd be as if we had no choice!

And indeed, in our work, we'll manage that everyone from "Trickstar" will be allowed equal status!

Please treat luxuries as if they grow on trees!

Here you go, Anzu-san, you may do as you like, as you see fit!

Let's hold an extravagant live that wouldn't normally be possible in Yumenosaki Academy! Please demonstrate that shrewdness fully!

It's necessary that something good finishes off, even if it's gamble upon gamble with money!

Without worrying about losses, let's pour out the budget cooo~mpletely so that we'll create a stage that will seem to be etched in history!

Aah, I'm looking forward to it! Don't you think so too, Anzu-san? Our dreams are spreading, aren't they~, the world is there for us to make!

......!? Whoa?

Yuzuru: Oh my. I poured tea on you from your blind spot, but it seems you evaded.

Your perception's sharp as always, Ibara.

Ibara: Nn... Ah, are you Yuzuru? Fushimi Yuzuru? Wha, it's been a while. Did you change your hair?

Yuzuru: Yes. A long time ago, Saegusa Ibara. What's a dirtied dog of the battlefield doing in such a dainty, tasteful cafe as this?

Anzu-san, come here. This man is dangerous. You shouldn't get involved with him.

Ibara: Hey, hey... It was going so well, so please don't bother us.

Just kidding! What an honor to have met you again, my soulmate! Could I hug you?

Yuzuru: It seems as if my back would break, so I'll refrain from it.

...You haven't changed, Ibara.

Ibara: Ahhahha, and have you changed much? I heard some rumors, but you've really become the Himemiya family's pet dog, haven't you~♪

As you've become a high schooler already, does that mean your rebellious phase has come to an end?

Yuzuru: Yes. I had taken detours, but I've found the path I will live. I shall do so of my own will, without being forced by anyone else.

Ibara: Hmmm... Aah, what a waste, what a waste.

You should've been able to do anything, unlike "me,"⁴ but you ended up running away from your destiny, didn't you.

What a shame, Yuzuru.

Yuzuru: I should be the one saying that, Ibara. You'll regret that parasitic lifestyle as if living off others someday. Greed will destroy your body.

Ibara: Ahhahha♪ The dog that's lost is preaching to me?

Well, whatever. My excitement's gone away, so if you'll excuse me for today. Strategic retreat~♪

Yuzuru. You're free to live a life that seems you've thrown away your happiness, but...

If you're planning to violate my own freedom officiously, by the rules of the world, we have no choice but to engage war.

Please don't interfere. With you as you are now, I can kill you if I have fifteen seconds.

Yuzuru: No, I'll not allow you to kill me. For I've found my reason to live. With me as I am now, I've become much stronger than me which you knew before.

Ibara: "Me," huh...⁵ Aah, what a gross way of speaking.

Well, I shouldn't be one to talk.

Oh, anyways! Farewell, if you'll excuse me!

Let us meet again, Anzu-san♪ I pray from my heart that you have success from hereafter!

Yuzuru: ...He escaped, didn't he. My apologies, Anzu-san. That was too forward of a behavior.

However, it was fortunate that I had been passing by. Were you dragged into something strange by Ibara?

He manipulates others swiftly and articulately, a scumbag of a man who seeks only to fulfill his private interests. If you become involved with him, it will end up unfortunate for you... You must never trust him.

In this world, there are people who can kill others without violence, using only words.



¹- Arcadia (王道楽土) is a mythical type of paradise from Greek mythology associated with harmony and unspoiled wilderness. An alternate reading may be "ruled by a righteous king" as well.

²- Sukhavati (極楽浄土) is the pure land of Amitabha in Buddhist religion, in which translations may be found as the land of "ultimate bliss" or "pure bliss" among others.

³- Black (黒い) has its literal meaning in black and white, in a sense, but it may possibly mean "corrupt" as well. As such, the denotation was left instead of any implied meaning.

⁴/⁵- The first "me" is "俺" which, going by Ibara's sentence, was what he used to refer to himself. It's a casual, rough way of speaking for boys, and it is vastly different from the gender-neutral, distant "自分" (jibun) which Ibara currently uses.
The second "me" is "わたくし" which Yuzuru currently uses. It is rather high class, and Ibara is mocking Yuzuru's uptight speech pattern by repeating it.