Prologue

Tsumugi: ♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪

...Excuse me, Anzu-chan. The lights are just a bit too bright, so would you mind dimming them?

Yes, thank you. Aaaand, that’s perfect. If you don’t understand anything about lighting or sound, please let me know, okay?

Fufu. Even though you’re a producer, it can’t hurt to learn some behind-the-scenes work, too.

But I’m sorry for having you do all these odd jobs for us.

Our live is a B1, so it’s an unofficial, unauthorized performance. We can’t rely on the student council or the broadcasting committee for this.

Well, we could always outsource the job.

But Switch has only just formed, and so far we’ve only had experience performing off-campus. We don’t have a lot of in-school funds.

We could always submit an appeal to the student council to acquire the funds as an prior investment.

But that would be a little too close to borrowing money, and I’m scared of what might happen if I’m in debt to Eichi-kun.

Eichi: It would have been fine. You can always rely on me... We’re friends, aren’t we Tsumugi? ♪

Tsumugi: Whoa! You scared me, Eichi-kun! Where did you come from? You just love to pop out of nowhere!

Please stop doing that, though. My heart’s too weak; I could die of shock!

Eichi: It’s not that your heart is weak, but rather your spirit...

You’re in your last year of school, now. You ought to be bolder. You have the qualifications and the ability to be more confident than this.

Tsumugi: Ahaha, it’s just my nature. But you, Eichi-kun, you’re always so dignified. I really respect that about you~ What else could I expect from the student council president, huh? ♪

Natsume: Excuse me, Senpai, but I’d rather you not waste your breath. You can never get rid of that amateur feeling about you; could it be that you simply have no talent as an idol?

Tsumugi: I–I’m sorry, Natsume-kun... Please don’t get mad at me; I’ll be good.

Natsume: I’m not exactly mad, I’m just irritated.

Sora: HaHa~ ♪ Master’s color does look a lot more lonely than angry!

Tsumugi: Ohh, so you’re just jealous that I was having a friendly chat with Eichi-kun!

I’m sorry! I love you like my own child, Natsume-kun~ ♪

Natsume: ...... (hits Tsumugi with his mic stand)

Tsumugi: Ow?! Why’d you hit me just now? It makes it feel like we’re in a rock band!

You’re always so proactive in adopting new techniques, Natsume-kun! How forward-thinking of you~ ♪

Natsume: D̢͕͈ͦ̐͊̑iͨ́͜͠eͬ.̵̷͉͔̋ͯ͡^[1]

Tsumugi: How could you say that so bluntly?! And you didn’t even use your strange accent at the end, which means you actually feel that way!

Why do you hate me so much? I just don’t understand kids today!

Sora: HiHi~ ♪ You two always get along so well!

Natsume: Sora, let’s leave this moron be and focus on your performance.

You’re the most inexperienced of us, as a first year. You could get hurt if you don’t concentrate, okay?

Sora: Yes! Sora knows that! His concentration is always at max ♪

Natsume: I know. I’m not as worried about you as I proclaim to be. You are a precious gem, a miracle mined by fate itself.

I’m counting on you. That isn’t a lie, either.

Sora: HuHu~ ♪ Thank you very much! Sora will work very hard!

Tsumugi: Urgh... I wish you would give me even a millionth of the kindness you show to Sora-kun.

You worry about Sora-kun hurting himself, yet you inflict injuries on me!

Natsume: ...By the way, student council president, did you have some business with us?

Tsumugi: You’re ignoring me?!! Do you see how cruel he is, Eichi-kun? I’m being bullied by my kouhai!

I envy you; your younger kids look up to you. Is there a trick to that?

Eichi: Fufu. From my perspective, it seems you’re adored—much more than I am, anyway.

In any case, I didn’t mean to interrupt your rehearsal. If I’m getting in the way, I can leave.

I’m pretty good at reading the room when necessary.

Tsumugi: No, no! You didn’t interrupt us at all! You dropped by to support us, right?

So thank you! I hope you’ll stay to bear witness to our magic ♪

Eichi: Magic, hm? That’s quite interesting. It seems to be different from Wataru’s.

You are all shrouded in mystery... Though I can’t say I enjoy there being too many uncertainties that I can’t account for.

Natsume: Then what do you plan to do about it? Will you destroy us, too, Your Majesty the Emperor?

Eichi: I’d appreciate if you not use such a disingenuous title with me. I’m well aware you don’t respect me.

Besides, I was defeated in the DDD a few days ago and forced to step down from the throne. I have no right to be called an Emperor anymore.

Natsume: Ahaha. From where I stand, that was merely a strategic retreat. A loss is a loss, but there are still many things one can gain from it... isn’t that right, Tenshouin Eichi?

Eichi: Fufu. And now with that haughty attitude, I suspect you want me to contradict myself by telling you to speak to your seniors with more respect.^[2]

How cute. You try your best, but you’re still young ♪

Natsume: And you’re taking things quite easy, old man ♪

Tsumugi: Uh, hang on! Let’s simmer down a bit here! We should all get along, right? Right? ♪

Eichi: Hmm... I suppose it’s not yet time for the harvest; you are but unripened fruit.

I might be getting too ahead of myself here. Like with Trickstar, I’ll just need to keep watch for the time being.

Tsumugi: Eichi-kun, Eichi-kun. This isn’t the time to talk nonsense. Could you help Anzu-chan out with her work, instead?

She seems to be having some kind of trouble.

Eichi: You’re quick to put me to the grind, Tsumugi... Well sure, whatever you say. In exchange for your friendship, I’ll let you boss me around for now.

Now, what seems to be the problem, miss transfer student? Let me take a look.

Fufu. You’re surprised at how handy I am?

Well, there was a period when I did all of my own backstage work, you know...

It should be obvious, but I wasn’t born an Emperor.