Stand up!

[nebulancer]

 

Eichi: So, the appearing members go up to third years from a public high school?

All right! Let’s do our best!

Ichiru: YEAH!

Issei: We’ll ask you anything we don’t know.

Eichi: Roger that! Come at me.

Issei: This is sudden, but I couldn’t understand this problem halfway through.

Eichi: Which one~?

Ah, this one? This is difficult…

Um, uh, u…m?

*flips paper* HM?!

*breathing heavily* Use this formula… *wheeze* here…

*pencil scratching sounds* *continues to wheeze*

Shu: Eichi’s… facing the desk with a bloodcurdling intensity…

Even though the ones taking the test are Issei and Ichiru only, right?

Ichiru: Yeah, in his own words, “I-I-I’m m-more rusty than I remember! Oh no!”

Shu: *chuckles* I see. *laughs*

—

Satou: Then, next Tuesday, at 5:00 pm, I’ll prepare an appointment with Spencer.

Shu: Yes. Thank you very much.

Satou: The location is the Royal Hotel.

Please head directly to Spencer’s specialized suite.

He’ll be alone, so you can be at ease.

Shu: I understand.

Satou: Ah, also— If there’s someone you trust from the bottom of your heart, even a native Japanese speaker there, he wouldn’t mind.

Shu: I’ll be fine by myse… No.

Then, taking him up on his invitation, I think I’ll want to go with Eichi.

Satou: *laughs* Good idea! Please do that.

Shu: Satou-san, you look relieved.

Satou: Of course I am!

I don’t know what’s going to happen, so I didn’t want you to be without someone with you.

Because… I’m honestly… honestly worried for you.

I have plans to be in the same hotel with the president that same day.

Please give me a call if anything happens.

I’ll come running!

Shu: You’re so reliable.

Even so, for even the president to be there…?

Good catch.

He’s very busy.

Satou: The president doesn’t get agitated, so at times like this I can rely on him.

…Although I must tell you, he said, “It’ll be all right!” with an elegant smile on his face…

Shu: Is that so? The president said that it would be all right?

Satou: Hm? You look relieved as well, Shu-san.

Shu: Eh? Ah, I guess I do.

I am relieved.

Satou-san, you’re trustworthy, after all.

Satou: *gasps* I-It’s only a manager’s job to take care of his talents!

—

Issei: Question— Who was the man that published Common Sense and raised support for America’s independence?

Ichiru: Uhh… Uh, ah, it’s that guy, that guy… The one that the engine was named after… Thomas Paine!

Issei: Correct. Then, next question— Who was the chief writer for America’s Declaration of Independence drafted in 1776?

Ichiru: Ah… yeah, yeah, yeah, that… if I remember correctly, it’s… that… has the same name as the engine guy… it’s right here! It’s right on the tip of my tongue!

Issei: Try to remember it.

Ichiru: That’s easier said than done! Uh, similar to that engine name… uhh… hrm… Ah! Thomas Jefferson!

Issei: Correct! Good job.

Ichiru: All right!

—

Shu: So I want Eichi to be there with me during the talk with Spencer.

I don’t know how the conversation will end up and I might put you through something uncomfortable, but…

Eichi: *gasps* H-h-h-h—

Shu: Eichi? Is it too difficult?

If it is, then just being there as support—

Eichi: I’ll! Go!

Let me go with you!

Shu: R-really?

Eichi: *laughs nervously* Sorry.

I was just a bit… emotional.

Over me being chosen to accompany you In this single setting that’ll happen only once in your life.

Shu: Getting emotional over something like this…?

I’m thankful. *chuckles*

When I was told that I could bring a companion, you were the first one who came to mind.

I don’t have your ability to converse, and it seems the other side is the same.

If we talk so badly, we’d pass the time for the face-to-face without saying a word.

Since you can soften the mood no matter where you are, if you’re there, there’s no more reassuring thing than this.

I’m… more reliant on you than I thought.

Eichi: Mm. Mm!

I’ll do my best!

Leave it to me!

Shu: Yeah. I’m relying on you.

Eichi: —By the way, Shu, isn’t the conversation going to be in English?

Shu: Hm? Of course it is.

Eichi: Yup, just like I thought~

*huffs* I’ll study some more!

—

Shu: When changing from the fourth sentence structure to the third in writing, you don’t use to, but rather for with what words?

The two of you can answer one after the other.

Issei: Make.

Ichiru: Buy.

Issei: Find.

Ichiru: Nrah, I was just planning to say that. Uh, uhh… Get.

Shu: Correct.

Ichiru: Yay!

Issei: *laughs* Ichiru, you can do it if you try, can’t you?

Ichiru: H-heh, I guess~

Shu: …Hey. You two.

If you’re up for it, would you like to take an exam for a high school graduation?

Ichiru: Exam for high school graduation?

What’s that?

Shu: It’s a national exam.

If you take it, you’ll be officially accepted as having high school knowledge or higher even without having taken high school.

You’ll have the same status, and you can even go on to college.

Issei: College?

Ichiru: Huh~?

Shu: The test’s pass rate is relatively low.

If I remember correctly, it was about thirty to forty percent.

Ichiru: Geh! What do you mean, “relatively,” it’s really low!

Shu: Well, I guess you’re right. *chuckles*

Issei: I kind of… want to go to college.

But… will our work be okay?

Shu: You can go if you want.

It’s good to aim for something you like.

As for work, our agency is surprisingly flexible with it and can work around it.

Isn’t Tsubasa an active college student right now?

Ichiru: College, huh~? Is it interesting?

Shu: I attended while still working, but it was fun.

However, you have to decide many more things compared to that of elementary or middle school to an unbelievable amount.

You might end up bewildered if you don’t have a plan.

Things to learn and how to learn them, how to get by…

There’s a lot.

Why not try asking Eichi for consultation too?

Issei: Eichi would have definitely enjoyed every single bit of it.

Ichiru: Ah, I can picture that.

Going out for drinks with his social circle, going to a mixer with his friends in tow, go to the mountain with his social circle, and barbeque next to a river or something~

Shu: You might be saying that, but how was it in reality, Eichi?

Eichi: While I just happened to be passing by, I heard some things that made me sound like I played around a lot!

Shu’s taking it easy and clearly enjoying himself, too.

Where do you think Isse and Icchi get their one-sided knowledge from?

Hmph, I did go out for drinks, but I’d always be rushed about and have to clean up after the people who got drunk, okay?

Ichiru: Huh~. Not that different from your AD days, right!

Eichi: Y-you’re right…

Issei: Shu. Can we think about the high school graduate exam at our own pace?

Shu: Of course. I said this before, didn’t I?

Fortunately, we still have some time.

Take your time to think about it.

Issei: Yes!

—

Eichi: All right, there! Shu, I’m ready.

Shu: Really? Now then, let’s go.

Issei, Ichiru, are you ready?

We’re going in the same direction, so let’s go together.

Eichi and I will drop you off halfway.

Issei: Yes.

Ichiru: *sighs* I thought there’d be more time left, but before I noticed it’s already the recording day?

I can’t believe it~!

Eichi: Icchi, do your best!

Try not to make any careless mistakes, okay?

Ichiru: I got it, I got it!

Right now— if you talk to me— it feels like a ton of stuff’s gonna fall out of my ears— so don’t talk to me—

Shu: *laughs* Everything you’ve jammed in there?

Issei: Mm. I’m… a bit nervous.

What about you, Shu?

Shu: I’m… also a little nervous.

Eichi: I’m— really nervous!

Ichiru: Why’re you more nervous than the person himself?

But I didn’t think our competency test would be on the same day as your battle.

It’s like we’re being hit on all sides here.

Eichi: The “battle”?

The ring of that gives me the shivers, Icchi…

At least call it a reunion, can’t you?

Ichiru: Then, it’s a reunion.

Hit ‘em with the “What’ve you been doing these past twenty-something years?” with everything you got!

Shu: That’s rather extreme. *chuckles*

But, well… If it ends up that way when I really do meet him, I might actually do that.

Eichi: Then, if Shu feels like he’ll do that, I’ll have to lead him up to it so he can jump out with that question.

Shu: I’m counting on you, Eichi.

Issei: Shu. Do your best!

You’ll definitely… be glad you met him.

It’ll be that kind of reunion.

Shu: I hope so.

Issei, Ichiru, do your best too.

No matter the results, there’s something to gain from standing up to those who treat you with injustice without running away.

It’s cool, isn’t it?

Ichiru: Heh. We’re gonna make some results, and you’ll have to say that again for us.

Shu: You’re right. I’m looking forward to it.

Eichi: All right! Let’s go!

It’ll be fine. Beyond the step you take with courage, the path will keep going.

Issei: We’ve walked this far together.

That’s why… we’re just taking one more step.

It’s something special yet also something that’s a given.

Ichiru: When everything’s over, let’s eat something yummy!

When I use my head, I get seriously hungry.

Shu: *laughs* Eat whatever you want.

Thinking of a present for yourself after you’ve worked hard is a good way of encouragement.

It’s not wrong.

I’m… also looking forward to talking about my impressions of the father I’ll have met for the first time… drinking delicious tea with Eichi, Issei, and Ichiru.

Now then…

Everyone: I’m off!