⌒Wonderful⌒ 1

Wataru: —And why are you asking this of me now?

Hinata: Uh, why?

I mean, it’s just. I was wondering how you were doing I guess, no deeper meaning...

Wataru: How I was doing...?

Hinata: Umm. Well when you came into the dance room earlier, before you said we would take a rest day. You were, like, staring at us for some reason, right?

Maybe I’ve got it all wrong... but I’ve been watching you closely lately so I can imitate you and steal your techniques.

So I just had this gut instinct, I guess, that something felt off...

Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve spent my whole life learning what makes people tick! It’s like my whole thing!

So, uh...?

Hinata・Wataru: ......

Wataru: ...An astute observation. That you could see even a little beneath my mask.

Hinata: ...Hibiki-senpai?

Wataru: I am the oldest member of this shuffle unit, and as such, your senpai.

Regardless, there is no difference between you all and myself; we are all equal members of the shuffle unit.

That is what I said during our first meeting... and yet, before I knew it, and despite that, I had begun to assume the singular role of your senpai.

You all looked up to me, absorbed my teachings eagerly, and followed my every direction with a smile—

...Fufu. I suppose it was something I’d never experienced before. And so without my realizing and without being able to stop it, I had become trapped within the role of senpai.^[1]

Hinata: Without being able to stop it?

Uh, umm. Have you had those concerns this whole time you were with us, Hibiki-senpai?

Wataru: No. I only just realized them, myself. Perhaps I was intoxicated by the affection I felt for you all, and that is why it took so long for me to notice.

Your smiles coaxed me forward, and as I am the eldest, I ended up taking the lead in this unit.

But there must be someone more suited to lead the members of this newly formed unit.

Such as you, Hinata-kun.

Hinata: Huh? Me...?

Wataru: Well, you serve as the leader of a unit already, do you not?

Hiiro-kun is also the leader of ALKALOID, but he is still inexperienced as an idol. You, therefore, have the most experience in leading.

Hinata: That’s... true, now that you say it.

Wataru: It is, indeed. It’s said that it’s hardest to see what’s right under your nose; we may discuss the event, the project, the performance—

But we have skipped over the part where we discuss the unit itself, don’t you think?

Hinata: ...You’re right. It’s always just been Yuuta-kun and me, so I never really considered how units do the whole organization thing.

So I guess normally it’d be something people talk about and decide together...?

I guess it’s ‘cause we weren’t really “meeting” for the first time, and we all get along with each other. So when we got together, it felt like we were already part of a unit...

Wataru: A wise man once said that friendship is beautiful; gaining this insight has been valuable experience. However...^[2]

Hinata: Yeah...?

Wataru: Earlier, you said that I do so much for you. But I’d like to flip that: are you all not just listening to me obediently?

Because I am your senpai, or because I am in a position to lead you—is it not that you felt unable to voice your complaints or opinions...?

Hinata: ...Wait, what? Hang on, everything you’ve been saying is just surprise after shock after bombshell...!

Does it look like we have any complaints? I mean, I guess we were a little tired sometimes.

But still! We’ve been learning new skills and upping our game big time. It’s like we’re going through some kinda training montage. We’re grateful to you, senpai. There’s no way we’d complain about it!

We’ve made it this far by respecting you and looking up to you! It’s because you’re you that we wanna work with you and learn from you.

All these things we want from you and the way we keep chanting “senpai, senpai” and stuff—

I never even thought for a minute that we might have been confusing you with it, not until just now...

Wataru: No, no... my indecision about the role I was to play was born purely from my own inexperience, and my own inadequacy.

Ah, would that I have handled the situation without revealing this side of myself to you. But alas! When you asked your question, my thoughts burst forth.

Hinata: No, I’m just glad I trusted my gut and brought it up. Thanks for talking with me.

Sorry I kinda made this whole mess where we got cleanly split into “senpai” and “kouhai” even though we’re supposed to be equals in this shuffle unit.

Wataru: ......

Hinata: But I gotta say. The fact that I get to work with you every single day in a unit with you. I’m just realizing right now how friggin’ awesome that is.

Without something like this shuffle unit project, we wouldn’t get an opportunity to perform with each other very often.

And we might never get the chance to spend so much time together again, either, or to have these deep conversations or anything.

That’s why I want to treasure every moment of this. I really want our shuffle unit and Easter Fest to be a huge success!

Do you feel the same way too, Hibiki-senpai? Even if you don’t right now, I hope you will from now on!

Wataru: Fufufu. When you bow your head like that and reach out your hand, it is almost as if you’re proposing a much more serious relationship with me... ☆

When you first invited me, I ought to have just taken your hand from the start, instead of wasting time talking around it.

Hinata: ...! Senpai, your hands are so big...!

Wow... I’ve never felt like this before...

It’d kinda suck to let go now, so could we go back to the props room like this? We can split the supplies between us and carry it in one hand each.

Wataru: My, how daring of you. Anyone who walks by will think we’re quite intimate with each other.

Hinata: I don’t mind being intimate. We’re bona fide members of a unit now, a couple of besties building their stage together.

Hinata: If we wanna hype everyone up with the performance of a lifetime, then we have to actually enjoy ourselves, too, and laugh with each other.

So let’s get even closer, okay? I wanna close all the distance between us! Today is our friendiversary, Hibiki-senpai... ♪