Starmine ~Before the Storm~ Chapter 2

[nebulancer]

Arashi: Ufufu. As I thought, "Trickstar" gets along well, how enviable♪

Mao: Oh Narukami, "Knights" is done prepping? Let's start practicing then~♪

Arashi: Yup, Mao-chan. We'll be doing [Starmine]'s whole array of performances.

While tweaking the fine points, all of it from the beginning to the end.

Hokuto: As it seems. I'll keep saying this, but I hope we work well for today... "Knights"♪

Arashi: Yup, yesterday's enemies are today's friends. Only today will we be jointly getting along, "Trickstar"♪

It's just...it's kind of embarrassing, but we're in a bit of a tight spot. I think it'll be a while before all of us gather, so could you wait a little?

Hokuto: What's wrong? Some kind of trouble?

Mao: I'll bet it's just Ritsu having fallen asleep again or something. Should I go and wake him?

Arashi: Nn~... Well, for Ritsu-chan I think he'll get his energy back when the sun goes down.

But the problem's Izumi-chan you know, it looks like he really did overdo it.

Some time ago, he actually lost consciousness.

After calling out to him and even shaking him didn't get any reaction, we thought he might've been dead until we heard a "zo-" come from him.

Hokuto: Speaking of which, before we met up with Yuuki he was in that state too...

Is Sena-senpai all right? During the photoshoot, didn't he look pretty energetic?

If he were to collapse and cause trouble, it'd have been a nuisance to the client.

I'd like for you to relay to him that if he's seriously overdoing it, he had best withdraw. That'll never be a shame, and resting is also a part of work as well.

Arashi: We've told him again and again, but that Izumi-chan just won't listen.

It's his conscience you see: even though he's so disheartened, he was even putting on makeup so that we wouldn't notice.

He's an idiot, there's no way that I wouldn't notice. But, if I'd pointed that out, he'd get angry.

The one who's getting angry here is me, seeing as how by not listening to others' advice he's causing trouble for others.

If you could, Yuuki-kun, could you just up and say it to his face?

"Go sleep, dummy!" or the like, I think if Yuuki-kun says it then Izumi-chan will listen?

Makoto: Eh~... But Izumi-san's fine with self-management. If he's really overdoing it, wouldn't he normally rest?

Then even if I didn't do anything, wouldn't he be all right?

Arashi: Nn~. Izumi-chan's only human, and a high school student at that... Perfectly, and as a professional he can't thoroughly carry it out.

But in front of Yuuki-kun, he might've always been like "the respectable, reliable onii-san" kind of person.

Even Izumi-chan, like a child, says selfish things and makes mistakes, doing things that look idiotic.

Izumi: Who~ are you calling an idiot, Naru-ku~n?

I'm still tired you know, since when have you been talking all haughtily of me like I'm being beaten up?

So~ annoying! Hey, who do you think raised Naru-kun to be this way?

Arashi: At the very least, it's not Izumi-chan. You've been looking at me like you're not seeing me for a while now... Are you really all right, Izumi-chan?

Izumi: Isn't that obvious. It's just been hot, but I'm fine now.

That's because, today I have the guardian angel by the name of Yuu-kun to bless me here☆

No matter what kind of nefarious enemies, I'll tear them all down, I swear upon this sword!

Arashi: What kind of sword are you swearing upon. This time, we don't even have any kinds of sword-like props? Are you really all right? Don't you seem kind of bleary?

Izumi: I'm telling you, I'm fine. Kasa-kun, Kuma-kun, hurry up and come here! We're starting the practice runthrough now, you know?

Tsukasa: I apologize. Here Ritsu-senpai, please walk on your own.

Ritsu: Uu, don't shake me. Follow Maa~kun's example, and get a license to carry me.

Tsukasa: There's no kind of license by that name. With this, all members have been assembled... Onee-sama~, please watch over Tsukasa!¹

If there is any point of concern, I would like if you could mention it♪

Hokuto: Anzu, why are you being called "Onee-sama" by Suou-kun?

Speaking of which, you have a little brother huh... Hm, so that's how it is. Suou-kun's always been in Anzu's care.

Tsukasa: ...? Indeed, you as well...?

Hokuto: Well, anyway. Time is also of the essence, let's hurry and get to beginning the practice runthrough.

Anzu, stream the music for us. During the real thing, the staff'll do that prepared from the client, but in the meantime, I'm counting on you.

Also, Sena-senpai, release yourself from Yuuki. It doesn't look like he can move.

Makoto: Say that ahead of time, Hidaka-kun! Come on~, could you not stick yourself to me!?

Izumi: ...

Makoto: Izumi-san? Ah, why have you suddenly gotten silent? Sorry, I might've said it too strongly!

Izumi: I'm fine... Fufufu. Today, Yuu-kun is very kind, huh... Aah, it feels like a dream, ufufufufu...

Makoto: That's a given. [Starmine] is work outside of the school, but when Anzu-chan passes the document through, it'll be recorded in Dreamfes and we'll be acknowledged for it.

Because it'll become our accomplishment.

Also because for "Trickstar"'s future, we definitely have to let it succeed.

If we were to stir up some annoying trouble, there's absolutely no way we could let ourselves to trip everyone else up... Izumi-san?

Even though we won [DDD], it may be said that we're still a long ways from being worthy of being Yumenosaki's representatives.

Until the [SS], we have to do all we can to refine both our accomplishments and experiences.

By luck, we just managed to win [DDD]... That's how there are definitely people out there thinking of us.

But, so that we're able to convince the masses otherwise, we just have to get stronger and grow from this!

Especially for me, as I'm inferior when compared to everyone else. Even if it threatens my life, I need to do my best.

Izumi: ...


¹-This isn't a spelling error. He actually refers to himself in the third person, using the kanji for "Tsukasa" in the conversation.