nebulancer | Tsukiuta. Boys' 5th Season CD 1

Summary – On a certain winter day, when the city is tinted in Christmas colors,

Kakeru and Koi were headed to their work as a duo.

As always, Kakeru is somewhat unlucky, while Koi is casually lucky.

Though their points of view have changed in height compared to when they first met, the two of them always have the ultimate balance!

“So this is the balance we have?"

"Yep. Feels good, doesn’t it?"

1. Drama – “In a City Swept Up in the Christmas Mood”

[In the city streets, Christmas jingles play as car horns honk.]

Kakeru: ...*sigh*...

The city’s completely in the Christmas mood... I better prepare a present soon, too. What should I get?

I don’t know who’s gonna get the present, so I can’t decide what to get~ *sigh*

The most successful choice, the one that can’t go wrong would be... food, right?

Like, how about splurging on meat or delicacies? Ah! Maybe ordering snacks would be a good idea? But I already did that last year~

As the December representative, Christmas is basically in my home turf. So, choosing the same thing two years in a row is~

*groans*

[T/N: The Christmas present Kakeru talks about is referring to Gravi and Procella’s tradition each year, where they all get together and randomly exchange presents, so no one knows who’ll the recipient of his gift be.]

[Footsteps are heard, and Koi pats Kakeru on the shoulder.]

Koi: Ka~ke~ru! Sorry I kept you waiting.

Kakeru: Ah, Koi! Good work today.

Koi: Yeah, good work to you too. What were you looking at?

Kakeru: Nothing in particular. Look, don’t you think the city’s completely swept up in the Christmas mood? As I was looking at it, I started wondering what I should do for this year’s present.

Koi: Ahh, gotcha. You’re talking about your present for the GraPro joint present exchange party?

Kakeru: Yep.

Koi: Yeah, I get it. Everyone gets excited over it, huh? So that’s why you’re worried.

Look here. Even now, I’m still lovingly using the scarf I got last year.

Kakeru: Ah, so that’s where it’s from? Whose present was it again?

Koi: Hajime-san’s. I’m completely spellbound by the high-quality cashmere texture.

And I can’t help but delude myself into thinking that all the while I’m wearing it, Hajime-san’s lingering smell— No, his lingering charisma could very well rub off on me... Maybe.

Kakeru: Oh, that’s a delusion, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Koi: *gets ticked off* HEYYY~! Isn’t it fine? It’s fine! It’s important to put on airs for this sorta thing, too.

And Kakeru, what’d you get again?

Kakeru: Me? I got Kai-san’s present. A tuna.

More precisely, I had the right to have something that Kai-san fished up. Kai-san fished a tuna, so I guess you could say, “Gotcha! Tuna was caught!”

Koi: ...Could it be... that the tuna assortment we ate for New Year’s... was that?

Kakeru: *laughs* It was that.

If we consider what it would’ve gone for on the market, the present would’ve fetched a pretty penny.

Koi: ...I wonder how many people out there have ever gotten tuna for a Christmas present?

Oh, wait! Not the time to be stuck around chatting. Should we get moving soon?

Kakeru: Sure. The next studio’s... Let’s see here...

Says that it’s ten minutes by walking.

Koi: Roger that!

[They begin walking.]

Kakeru: It’s actually been... around a month since I last had a photoshoot with you, right?

It’s been so long that I guess I’m getting happy~

Koi: Haha. Me too. Doesn’t this sorta get you giddy for some reason?

Last month was... a photoshoot in suits, wasn’t it?

Kakeru: Yeah. Meant for the new working adults—

[Kakeru steps on something and loses his balance.]

Kakeru: Urk!?

WA-wa-wa-WAAAHHH!?

Koi: UWAHHH!?

[Koi safely catches Kakeru.]

Kakeru: Sa...

Both: Safe~...

Kakeru: *wheezes* Ahh! That spooked me!

Koi: I think I should be the one saying that!? I’m the one who’s spooked, seeing you close to flipping upside-down right in front of me!

Are you okay, Kakeru? What happened?

Kakeru: ...Ah! *laughs* I’m fine, totally fine! And also, nice backup, Koi. Mmhmm. Hehe.

[He walks over to the thing he tripped over.]

Kakeru: It was~ this.

Koi: A... a ball?

Kakeru: Yep. This ball came rolling in from out of nowhere, but I stepped on it.

Koi: Where in the world could it have come from...?

Woman: I’m so sorry! That’s ours! Are you unharmed?

Kakeru: Looks like it came from over there. Wonder if some trouble happened?

Koi: Ooh. Your usual unluckiness.

Kakeru: Ngh... I know, right? It’s been quiet recently, but it seems that today, my unluckiness is in full force. I’m glad I’m with your lucky self, Koi.

Koi: Why can’t you make something else full force and not that?

Kakeru: *chuckling* I think that every day.

[The woman runs up to them.]

Woman: Er, I’m so very sorry! The colored ball for our shop display fell and rolled onto the sidewalk...

Kakeru: It’s no problem! It’s a good thing it didn’t end up rolling into the streets.

Here you are.

Woman: Thank you so much. ...Wait... Huh?

Kakeru: Mm?

Woman: Could you two be Kakeru-kun and Koi-kun from Gravi!?

Kakeru: Er—Ah—Um—Yes.

Koi: It’s nice to meet you! Good afternoon.

Woman: Ah! My little boy, a three-year-old, is a fan of you two!

When you two did the Tsukiusa. Exercise on TV, he imitated you constantly!

Koi: Wow, thank you!

Woman: Are you two going to work today? I’ll be cheering you on. Please do your best!

Kakeru: Sure thing! Please do your best as well, Mrs.! Let’s both have fun workin’, shall we! *chuckles*

[T/N: Kakeru uses “労働-ing,” “roudou-ing,” a phrase also used in his first single. Meaning “working/laboring/toiling” it’s a silly mishmash of Japanese and English.]

Woman: *laughs* Yes, let’s! I’ll do my best! Thank you for picking up the ball for me.

Koi: Same here! Thank you for the support!

[The woman walks off.]

Koi: Who knew she’d be a fan? Doesn’t it feel like things suddenly turned lucky?

Kakeru: Maybe it’s thanks to your help, Koi.

It’s at unexpected times like this, that these kinds of casual conversations put you in a good mood.

Koi: True. I’m pumped up for our afternoon work now!

Kakeru: Me too! Let’s get going again!

Koi: Yes, let’s~!

[They resume walking.]

Kakeru: ...Hrmm...

Koi: Hm? Kakeru-san~? Something the matter?

Kakeru: ...That thing just now.

Koi: That?

Kakeru: When I was in danger~! And then you GRABBED me. That thing.

Koi: Ah... that.

Kakeru: I was just thinking, if it were like before, I totally would’ve dragged you into the accident too, and we’d both go falling down in a fantastic heap.

But... you supported me perfectly.

Koi: Ahaha! I guess so. The two of us would be going “Whoaaa~!” and stir up a huge fuss. But, well... I’ve completely become the adult Koi-kun that you see right here.

Kakeru: When it comes to your height, you’re also 179.5cm now.

Koi: Uh huh, yeah! It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I’m basically 180cm now. Though actually, if I put on some shoes, I do reach 180cm.

[The background noise fades out, and it turns dead silent.]

Kakeru: Shrink, you bastard.

Koi: Don’t curse me so directly~!

[The sounds come back.]

Kakeru: Ahaha! ...Sheesh! You’re the only one who’s gotten so much bigger and left me behind~

*sigh* I really do wonder... Where did the energy I consumed to grow taller end up going?

Koi: Maybe it became the material for your flaming, passionate soul, and it burned right up~?

Kakeru: *scoffs* What’s up with that? Doesn’t make me happy to hear that at all.

Koi: No, listen. Because your soul shines so bright...

[They fade out.]

2. Drama – “The Two’s Balance”

Kakeru: Good morning! I’m Shiwasu Kakeru from Six Gravity. I look forward to working with you today.

Koi: Good morning! I’m Kisaragi Koi! I hope we work well together.

Staff members: Let’s work well together. / Good morning. / I look forward to working with you!

Staff member 1: Kakeru-kun, Koi-kun! Before we work on your makeup, would it be fine for us to do the outfit fitting?

Kakeru: Yes! That’s fine.

Koi: The design group showed me what the outfits would look like, and they were so cool that it surprised me!

Staff member 1: I know that the tailors would be very pleased to hear you say that.

You two tend to be associated more with casual outfits, but this time, they said that they wanted to bring your cool sides to the forefront, so here’s the result.

Koi: Yes! Please direct me in a way that makes my coolness wow the viewers with a heave-ho!

Kakeru: *chuckles* The way you phrased that made you sound like Arata-san.

Koi: ...No. We’re completely different.

Kakeru: *laughs* Don’t look so emotionless saying that!

Staff member 1: *laughs*

Staff member 1: Here you go. For the time being, could you button up the topmost button and check if anything feels uncomfortable?

Both: Yes~!

Kakeru: Hm? This brooch is... a holly?

Koi: Oh, it is.

Kakeru: Is it because it’s based off of Christmas?

Staff member 1: Yes, these pictures will be coming out right when Christmas is just around the corner, so we’re not clearly emphasizing it, but we thought it’d be a good idea to sneak in a hint of something with that theme.

Kakeru: Ahaha! That sounds nice!

Koi: Who knew that we’d be releasing such cool... er, cool-planned photos on Christmas?

Kakeru: Let’s do our best at the photoshoot so that we make good on our words, then!

We’ll check out and promote them!

Staff member 1: Yes! Please do.

Staff member 2: Ah, Koi-kun, is it a bit tight around your shoulders?

Koi: Hmm... Hm. You’re right; it does feel as if it’s pulled somewhat tightly, but we won’t be dancing in these outfits... right?

Staff member 1: Ahaha! Yes. You won’t be dancing. It’ll be a normal photoshoot with a black background.

Koi: In that case, I believe it’ll be fine, as long as the general silhouette doesn’t lose its shape.

Staff member 2: That’s a relief to hear. Have you been working out? You seem sturdier than the sizing list says you are.

Koi: Up until recently, I was doing all-out variety work like hands-on forestry experience or camping on a deserted island, with Kakeru. I believe it’s because of that?

Kakeru: The two of us were running around on the fields and mountains~

But even though I’ve been doing the same thing as him, it seems I haven’t grown in any way~

Koi: ...I really do think that the energy you took in was used as fuel for your burning soul.

Kakeru: Just how much is my soul burning for that to happen...!?

Koi: Ahaha~

[Kakeru and Koi are in the middle of their photoshoot.]

Staff member 3: All right! Next, could we get you two to stand back-to-back?

Both: Yes~!

Koi: ...Hm... Hello, excuse me, Kakeru-san~?

Could you perhaps be mulling over something difficult?

Kakeru: ...You aren’t even looking at my face, but you still realized that?

Koi: Well, of course. What else do you take our relationship for?

Kakeru: ...Heh. Gotcha. I’m just a little bit…

…

Koi: KAKERU, WHAT IS IT!? I’m getting curious!

Kakeru: Wh—Stop that! We’re in the middle of a photoshoot!?

Koi: Ah, shoot.

Staff member 3: Ahaha. This is a good place to leave off, so shall we take a break?

Staff members: Let’s take a break! / We’re taking a break~ / Yes!

[The door opens, and Kakeru and Koi walk into the break room.]

Kakeru: *sighs* Gosh, I can’t even... You surprised the heck outta me.

Koi: Sorry, sorry. But you’re the one who fell silent all... profound and meaningful-like, you know?

Kakeru: What? My silence didn’t have that much of a deep meaning to it.

Koi: ...You telling the truth?

Kakeru: Yeah, truthful as can be! Why’re you looking at me like that?

Koi: It’s because I somehow, sorta felt a sense that you’ve got some gloomy... pent-up feelings.

I wonder if it’s because I said something insensitive...

Kakeru: Nah, no way! That didn’t happen, don’t worry!

...But it’s not wrong that I’ve got something pent-up in me...

Is it gloomy feelings...? I don’t even know myself!

Koi: What’s up with that?

Kakeru: *chuckles* Believe me. I feel the same way.

Isn’t it rare? Saying this about myself, but the way I think and act is immediate. I make swift decisions and take swift action. I’m pretty decisive.

Koi: Yes. Your decisiveness is very much up to snuff.

You’re so manly that sometimes, you surprise me.

Kakeru: I’ll gladly accept your praise. And I don’t tend to go round and round in circles, so right now, honestly, I’m feeling bewilderment from some shapeless feelings...

*sighs* ...It’s that.

Koi: That? What?

Kakeru: The source of these feelings is feeling proud.

Mixed in with that is a slight bit of envy, with a dash of impatience to spice things up... I guess?

Koi: When it comes to... what?

Kakeru: Of course, when it comes to you, Koi.

Koi: You’re proud of me?

Kakeru: Yeah! As a member of the juniors, you’re the youngest in our unit.

The partner who’d been called small and adorable has become such a gallant adult man. That sort of pride, you know?

Koi: Kakeru...

Ah. But I’ve heard that you have envy and impatience regarding myself, good sir?

Kakeru: *laughs* Why so polite?

...Why, yes. I do. I need to acknowledge it, don’t I?

Of course, I’ve gotten envious of how, when it comes to you and me, you’re the only one who’s grown by leaps and bounds.

Your physique’s also solidly built, so your figure looks striking.

I’m so envious, thinking, “How nice~” So that’s why I feel envy.

Koi: You feel that, sire?

Kakeru: Yes. I do, my good sir. *laughs* Again, why the politeness?

Koi: And what do you mean by impatience?

Kakeru: I wonder things like, “Will we be unable to wear the same types of themed outfits anymore?”

Or, “When we’re standing side-by-side, will our silhouettes be so different that our balance looks bad?”

Then I think, “That being said, if Koi had to adjust himself to me, Koi would end up being the one mismatched~”

I was wracking my brains over such a serious thing.

Koi: ...Gotcha.

Kakeru: Y’know, I think balance is important in duos. When it comes to our personalities, the way we work, and things that I can offset through hard work and effort, I can handle whatever effort I need to do.

I can’t do anything about the height issue, so that’s why I felt impatient.

Koi: ...Got it.

Kakeru: Yeah.

Koi: Kakeru, hold on a little.

Kakeru: Uh? Sure.

[Koi walks out of the room.]

Kakeru: Ah. ...He left.

[Koi comes back in.]

Koi: I’m baaack!

Kakeru: Ah, welcome back, Koi. You suddenly left. Where’d you go? What were you doing?

Koi: Heh heh heh... It’s this! This, I say!

Kakeru: A tablet?

Koi: YES~! I borrowed this.

I asked the staff members to put in data for some of the photos that we took back there.

And, as you see~

Kakeru, look. Come over here, see?

Kakeru: Hm?

Koi: Isn’t our balance perfect?

Kakeru: Huh?

Koi: C’mon, take a closer look~ Like this one... ah, or this one! What do you think? Whaddya think?

Kakeru: Er, what do I think...? Turned out pretty well, I suppose?

Obviously, I’m used to doing this with you, so the times we build our expressions naturally match up. There’s an overall stability to it.

Koi: Mmhmm!

Kakeru: However, it looks like the angles where our faces are directed at each other are getting too similar. After the break, should we discuss with the staff members whether we could swap positions and take from a different angle?

Koi: You don’t have to analyze it so logically...

Kakeru: Well—! You asked me what I thought, so...

Koi: Getting back on track here. What I wanted to bring up was that our balance isn’t bad at all.

Well, yeah, I may be taller, but you have a gorgeous facial build. Your eyes leave off a powerful impression. You act dignified, so you really draw attention.

Because of this strong presence, our balance isn’t bad at all, even though we have a height difference.

Kakeru: ...Koi...

Koi: And I recommend the back-to-back shot that we last took~ Take a look-see.

Even though our heads are at different levels, it doesn’t look like either of us is relying on each other to keep ourselves up. It feels like we’ve both entrusted our backs to each other, right?

This is the balance between you and me!

As Gravi’s starter, you’re always the first one to leap out, aren’t you?

You know, seeing you like that always makes me think that your figure’s so big, so powerful. I’ve never thought you were small.

Kakeru: ... *sighs, then smiles* ...I see.

Koi: Yeah!

Kakeru: Hey, Koi. Listen...

Koi: Yessir!

Kakeru: *chuckles* The only reason I can confidently step forward is because I know that you’ll immediately follow hot on my heels and show up right after me.

Like today, when we were coming to the studio, you’ll definitely back me up even if I end up in an accident. Right?

Koi: Of course! ...Well, but sometimes I screw up with that and we both go “Whoaaa~!” falling down together.

Kakeru: Heh, yeah. But even so! That’s still...

Both: Tons of fun!

Kakeru: Fufu... Ahaha!

...So this is the balance we have?

Koi: Yep. Feels good, doesn’t it?

Kakeru: No doubt about it.

Koi: How about it? Did your pent-up gloom disappear?

Kakeru: Completely, totally gone! I feel spick-and-span!

Koi: Thank goodness~ I really think that the Kakerun by my side has to be resolutely burning up his passionate soul.

Kakeru: Thanks, Koi!

Koi: You’re welcome!

Kakeru: All righty, then! Breaktime’s over! Let’s get back into the photoshoot! *gets up*

Let’s go, Koi!

Koi: *gets up* Let’s go, Kakeru!

[They high-five.]

Tsukiuta. Boys' 5th Season CD 1 - Cryptogram Drama