in peace 1

Immediately following Knights’s first live in the new year

Ritsu: Yep, bye-byyyye~ Good work today.

I hope you guys’ll be good to me again this year, too. See you at school in the new term.

(Sigh, I’m exhausted... What’s with us having a live at the same place they just did SS at? We’re going way too hard, way too early in the year.)

(More work has been coming in for Knights, and people are really starting to pay attention to us.)

(I guess I should be happy about this, but it’s more like a giant weight on my shoulders.)

(I’d rather take it easy and do nothing all day. If I’m being honest.)

(Ahaha, when did I start putting in so much effort, anyway...?)

(I’ve been more dead than alive my whole life, and here I am now, living it to the fullest as if I deserve that.)

(I never event wanted this. But I can’t say I don’t appreciate it...)

(Ahh, it’s all like some dream, like I’ll wake up and be right back in those same dreary days all over again...)

(The thought makes me so anxious I’m scared to go to sleep. But sleep is supposed to be a time of bliss for me.)

Rei: Hellooo, Ritsu~ ♪

Ritsu: ......

Rei: You took a long time to come out; I started to get worried.

You aren’t as adept as I am about reserving your energy, so I thought you’d perhaps gone overboard during your big performance and fallen asleep from the exhaustion as a result.

Were that the case, I’d have to carry you on my back to our destination.

Of course, then we would look ourselves to be the closest of brothers... It would be a dream come true ♪

Ritsu: ...Excuse me, but do you have some business with me? I’m very sorry, but we don’t allow fans to wait outside the venue for Knights to appear.

Rei: Don’t treat me like a stranger! I told you this morning that I would come to meet you after your live!

Ritsu: ...Yeah, I remember. Unlike you, I’m still to young to be going senile.

But that live actually went super well. I was actually in a good mood over it, y’know...

But I saw something so unpleasant before I could cool off, so I just had to take out my irritation on you for harshing my vibe.

Rei: Did you just call me something unpleasant?! Why do you hate me, Ritsu? Even though I love you so much!!!

Ritsu: Well I don’t love you. Honestly, I find you annoying. Now quit clinging to me, Anija. I can’t stand the feel of your hair.^[1]

...I’ve been thinking about something for a while, actually. You have a really bad habit of trying to siphon warmth from others when you’re in a weakened state.

For whatever reason, they forgive it because you’re you, but there are times when that would be considered sexual harassment, y’know.

Rei: Fufu, we are family; you’ll have to endure this much at least.

Ritsu: Just because we’re “family” doesn’t mean I can’t be annoyed by it. I don’t have to indulge you just because.

...But whatever. Just talking with you is annoying enough, so let’s just go.

We’re already behind thanks to my schedule, right?

Rei: Yes. Even one such as myself cannot use my power to change the time of departure.

We will still be on time for our flight, though, if we hurry onto the train en route to the airport.

Let us make haste, so that we are not so impolite as to be late, and so that we do not needlessly offend our family.

As always, we must be on our best behavior and fulfill our duties without any fuss.

Ritsu: Yeah, yeah. ...You didn’t have any plans today, though, did you?

You could have just left me behind and gone ahead on your own.

I’m not a little kid, so there was no need to come out here and meet me.

Rei: No. As often as possible, I will not leave you behind. Of course, I already broke that promise once before... So I oughtn’t say that so arrogantly.

But that is why I intend not to do so a second time.

Ritsu: Are you being sincere or just stubborn...? Never mind, this is you we’re talking about, so it’s probably just for you own satisfaction.

Rei: I have no argument for that. However, I still desire to make amends... even if you never forgive me.

If I still have these regrets when I die, I will be unable to pass on.

Ritsu: Just like I thought. You’re doing it for yourself. ...Whatever, it’s better than doubling down.

Rei: Indeed. Oh... there is still a large crowd of Knights fans gathered around the venue. They may start a riot if they see adorable little Ritsu walking around.

In any case, let us be off from this place.

The station is this way~ Hold hands with your big brother, all right? ♪

Ritsu: Quit it. Seriously, are you trying to get under my skin or are you just a natural at it? If it’s that though, I think I might actually die of irritation.

Oh, well. The less time time spent with you suffocating me, the better... I feel like I’m just repeating what you said, but let’s get all this annoying stuff out of the way.

Ughhh, I hate this... Why should I care about the annual family reunion dinner?

It’s so far away, like why Transylvania of all places?

Rei: Because we are vampires. For those of us who take pride in that, there is great significance in gathering in the homeplace—nay, the holy land of vampirekind.

It was decided upon long ago; even I, myself, do not know who or for what reason this new years tradition was established.

Thorough research into the matter would likely reveal the answers, but I am not so interested in it.

Complaining about it will only make us miserable, however, so we should strive to enjoy ourselves.

You haven’t attended in a long time due to your poor constitution; since you are joining us this year, I hope to pull through it without shame.

Ritsu: Mm. I gotta see more things through instead of just running off, so.

I’m not a kid anymore, so always throwing tantrums isn’t going to get me anywhere.

...And I want to lighten your load a bit, too, since you’ve taken care of me up ‘til now.

Rei: Hmm? Did you say something, Ritsu? The winter winds are harsh, and I couldn’t hear you over its blustering.

Ritsu: ...No, it’s nothing. I just said how I really feel: that you’re super annoying and super gross.

Rei: But I’m neither of those!

Ritsuuu, why would you say such insincere things? The Joya no Kane is meant to absolve you of your worldly sins! Repent! ^[2]

Ritsu: You first. You’re supposed to be graduating this year, so your high school days are numbered.

This is your last chance to throw a tantrum like a kid, so why don’t you stop trying to be “on your best behavior” for just a little bit?