TROUBLE MAKER 2

Mika: Sorryyy, Naru-chan.

For makin’ you help with my work an’ stuff...

We’re workin’ this school job where we decorate the place for the Halloween Party.

It’s an S1, an’ Anzu-chan’s in charge of it, so it looks like mosta the units’re takin’ part.

But that means there ain’t enough hands to help with prep.

If everyone’s performin’, they’d prioritize their practice for that...

I’m sure you been real busy too, since Knights has been kickin’ up a storm lately.

Arashi: A storm, you say... Well sure, Knights has on the up and up thanks to the King coming back.

Or, it’s more like we’re finally showing off what we can really do.

Tsukasa-chan and Izumi-chan are just over the moon; they keep shoving in more and more work into the schedule. They’re going a little crazy...

To be honest, I’m having trouble keeping up. When people around me are all fired up, I tend to cool down instead.

It’s a dream compared to when we were just smoldering, and it’s definitely a good problem to have, but you know.

Working nonstop just isn’t my style.

Mika: Ahaha. “Everything in moderation,” like you’re always sayin’~ ♪

I noticed you ain’t been actin’ all like yourself lately...

I thought you mighta been pushin’ yourself too hard, but I didn’t say nothin’ ‘cause it ain’t my business.

Arashi: Oh, my. Were you worried about me, Mika-chan? How cheeky of you ♪

Mika: Ngah? Hey, quit shakin’ the ladder, Naru-chan! I’mma fall!

Arashi: Ufufu, I’d catch you if that happened. But I’m worried about you too, you know?

Haven’t you also been doing more work recently?

It feels like every time I see you, you’re doing another in-school job. Is Valkyrie that low on funds?

Mika: Ngahh, we ain’t as hurtin’ for cash as they say.

Since the Tanabata Festival, we done joined a few more Dream Fests. We do shows on the regular at the underground live house, too, so we got a steady income.

Well, Valkyrie spends money like it grows on trees, yanno, for the stage set and the costumes an’ the like. So even with a full house we’re still in the red.

But our income’s growin’, so we ain’t flat broke.

I dunno, we went through a long time where no matter what we tried it all felt hopeless...

So I guess I’m still anxious or worried or somethin’, and I just keep workin’, like I gotta save up a whole bunch for our war funds.

Arashi: I get it. Knights also went through some hard times, too... But it’s not like in-school jobs give you a ton of money, right?

Money isn’t going to fall in your lap if you just sit around waiting for it, but whether it’s a gig or not, work is exhausting.

If your performance on stage suffers as a result, that kind of defeats the whole purpose, doesn’t it?

Money’s important, but it’s just a means to an end, not the end itself.

You’re trying to earn more money so you can put on the best shows ever, right? So you should also focus on resting your body and practicing for those.

Mika: Ngahh. I know, you’re right Naru-chan.

Oshi-san keeps sayin’ the same thing too... ‘S weird how nice he’s bein’ lately.

He’s been teachin’ me things more kindly, he takes his time when we do maintenance an’ does a real good job of it...

Sometimes he even gives me compliments like he did with Nazuna-nii. I dunno what’s up with him, but it gives me the creeps.

He even stopped callin’ me a failure and a defect...

What’s up with him? You think he’s sick with some weird disease an’ just has a few months left to live?

Arashi: How’d you get to that conclusion? But let me tell you something, Mika-chan: the way your Oshi-san treated you before was just horrible.

Maybe he’s finally starting to act a little more normal?

I have to be honest, I don’t even know how many times I’ve wanted to punch that guy.

Mika: Don’t hit ‘im. Oshi-san’s delicate, so I think he’d go into shock an’ die if you did that.

You’re mighty strong, so I’m kinda worried you could actually put his life in danger.

Arashi: Okay, rude. Don’t talk about me like I’m some muscle man... Well, I guess it’s not my business, so I shouldn’t be getting so up in arms about it.

But I am worried about you, Mika-chan. Because you’re my friend and I really care about you.

Mika: Thanks, Naru-chan, you’re so nice. I care about you too ♪

Arashi: Fufu. I was only nice to you at first so you’d like me, though.

Mika: ...? Huh? Take a look at the field out there.

Arashi: Hm? Oh, there’s someone running around out there. Wait, is that Mitsuru-chan?

Mika: Ah, that’s one of them kids from your club... and from that Ra*bits unit Nazuna-nii’s in, right? What’s goin’ on, is he gettin’ in a fight? You think he’s okay?

Arashi: Mm... well, he’s been building up a lot of stress lately, since the track club can’t go running while they’re setting up for the Halloween Party.

Because they decorate the schoolyard and stuff, you know?

But he loves dashing around so much, he just went off on his own to train.

He’s a good kid, and he listens well, but he can get a little unruly sometimes.

So maybe... he was running around without looking at what’s around him got in the way of Halloween preparations, and ended up getting in a fight in the schoolyard?

Oh, man, I can picture it so clearly.

Sorry, Mika-chan. I guess I’ll have to go check on things.

Mika: Sure. Actually, lemme come too. We’re pretty much done with decoratin’ the halls, so we’re supposed to move outside to set up the stage next.

So I’ve gotta go out there anyway.

Arashi: Goodness, you’ve piled up so much extra work it’s mind-boggling... Since we’re going together, I’ll keep helping you.

You’re someone I just can’t leave alone, can I?

Well, every single one of the students here is a handful... Oh, look at me, getting irritated; that’s not like me at all ♪