Fall of a Great Star 5

Shu: ......

Eichi: Fufu. If you refuse to say anything, it won’t be much of a conversation now, will it Itsuki-kun?

Shu: Hmph. I have no desire for small talk with the likes of you.

You ought to be grateful that I’m even allowing you to speak with me. If you’re dissatisfied, then you are free to leave.

Return to the pampering of all those smarmy philistines and worthless idlers.

I doubt this desolate underground is a comfortable place for a sheltered young lord as yourself.

Eichi: Your family is quite well-off, too, aren’t they?

But as Valkyrie... my, look how you’ve fallen.

Once hailed as the sovereign of Yumenosaki Academy, now stuck in this dark pit of a grave... you poor thing ♪

Shu: Have you the right to say that to me?

Eichi: I’d like to give you some advice, shameless thought it may be. I am the president of Yumenosaki Academy’s student council. As such, I am in charge of overseeing all of the idols at the school.

As well as of rebuking unmotivated and uncooperative units.

Why don’t you quit your sulking and participate in a Dream Fest?

There’s a far more suitable, shining stage waiting for you, where you can display what you’re truly capable of.

Shu: Is that what you wanted to discuss? You came out here, all on your own, for that?

Eichi: No. Of course, this is something only I can do, and this is a conversation that my sweet Tori... that other people shouldn’t be privy to.

I even managed to escape from that troublesome retainer of mine.

Now, then. I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?

Mika: Ngahh, I’d wanna hear the good news first, right? Bad news sounds too scary.

Shu: Stop talking, Kagehira. You are far too careless; you may let something unnecessary slip.

Keep your mouth shut until I give you permission otherwise.

Mika: Oh, okay. How’s about I listen while I clean up the stage, then?

Eichi: Fufu. He’s cute, that boy. Very obedient... and you seem to like him quite a lot, don’t you?

Shu: Have you gone blind? That thing is merely warped and distorted, and so he stands out for being different.

Decadence is the ruin of art; the idea that something is superior simply for being unusual is naught but deception.

To gush over a plain, ugly stuffed toy as being cute makes one no different from a little girl.

It is mere conceit to think oneself endearing and great for he who would appraise even inferior goods.

Eichi: How harsh. Well all right, I suppose that’s enough idle talk; let’s get down to business.

I’ll tell you the good news first. You’re rather sensitive, so you may die of sudden shock otherwise.

Shu: That is an unnecessary concern. It is not that I’m sensitive, but that you lot are too cold-hearted.

Eichi: Do you think so? In that case, I’ll trust you on your fortitude and tell you the bad news first.

...Many have come to hold the opinion that Valkyrie should be disbanded.

You have participated in almost no Dream Fests, and your activities are limited to these off-campus... underground stages.

There is no worth in giving a budget to such a unit.

Valkyrie once stood at the top of Yumenosaki Academy, and it maintains a positive public reception and a solid core fan base.

Given that, disbandment isn’t exactly a wise move.

Still, it’s more worthwhile to invest in new units with promise for the future than to continue pumping money and resources into a relic of a bygone age.

Well, that’s just the natural result, isn’t it?

Mika: Ngah, you ain’t doin’ nothin’ to Valkyrie! Just who do you think you are?!

Shu: I told you to be silent.

I could understand the logic if I didn’t believe you to be too impatient. I entirely doubt the school’s finances are in such dire straits that those in charge are unwilling to distribute funding.

Rather, the state of affairs seems to have improved.

Eichi: Because it is a fact that can be verified, I will confirm it here for you.

Since Trickstar’s debut, everyone at Yumenosaki Academy has thrown themselves into their own activities... so yes, the school’s financial situation is stable and improving.

Shu: Hmph. Your threats may be effective against other shallow fools, but they will not work on me.

If you intend to disband us, I imagine the common masses will be sent into a panic.

However, with Nito gone, Valkyrie has lost nearly all of its artistic value.

So I have no qualms about disbandment. It has strayed too far from my ideal vision.

I suppose you thought to force us back onto the stage by threatening to disband us if we don’t participate in a Dream Fest.

...Do we scare you so much, Tenshouin?

Eichi: You put on quite the brave front. Nevertheless, I can only find your delusions of grandeur laughable.