The Sunshine after the Rain 3

Yuzuru: Everyone, the nagashi somen is ready to go ♪^[1]

Tori: Sorry, I don’t really get it. Why are we doing this again? Sure, it’s summery and all, but aren’t we a bit too high-class for this?

Yuzuru: Fufu. It is a tradition to eat noodles on Tanabata.

They’re meant to represent thread... and so, it is believed that eating them will improve one’s sewing skills.

Tori: Ohh, that makes sense! ‘Cause it’s about sewing... or like, the “ori” in Orihime means “weaving,” right?^[2]

Yuzuru: Yes. You ought to eat these somen noodles, sir, so that you can learn to repair your stuffed animals on your own.

You always have me sew them back together when they get torn.

Tori: Sewing isn’t the job of an aristocrat. Anzu should eat a bunch, though, since she’s always making costumes and stuff.

...Huh? Anzu, did you just put something other than somen on the slide?

Oh, they’re cucumbers cut into little stars. Is that because of Hikoboshi?^[3]

Right, since Orihime and Hikoboshi can’t ever be together. They only get to see each other once a year on Tanabata.

Ehehe, you’re pretty nice, Anzu ♪

But don’t just keep putting noodles on the slide, you should eat some of them too.

The Tanabata Festival’s going nonstop tonight, so I bet you’re gonna be crazy busy since you’re in charge of the whole thing.

You might not even have time to eat, so you should fill up as much as you can now. Put some noodles in a bowl for Anzu too, Yuzuru.

Yuzuru: Of course, sir. I’ve also prepared additional ingredients and condiments on the side, so please help yourself.

Not least, there are also sweet and spicy sauces specially made for the occasion ♪

Tori: Sluuuurp... yummy ♪

Yuzuru: Do try not to make so much noise, sir. And you aren’t using your chopsticks properly, either. But I suppose this is a festival, so it’s acceptable to be more lenient.

Tori: Exactlyyy. Don’t get so hung up on the small stuff. Anyway, when did you even get the chance to make nagashi somen?

Yuzuru: Ah, of course. Once we had finished decorating with the bamboo, it turned out that we had leftover trees which had already been cut.

Those gentlemen of Akatsuki carved these for me while they were setting up the stage.

Tori: Oh right, the stage for the festival was made by everyone in the student council. They sure went hard on the woodworking.

And since they did everything themselves, we could put the money we saved toward advertising and stuff.

Yuzuru: Yes. Because of that, we are expecting quite a crowd. It could even end up being the largest S1 in our history.

I suppose one could say your project was a huge success, Anzu-san ♪

Eichi: We can’t let down our guard yet, though. The Tanabata festival doesn’t begun until sundown.

Nevertheless, it is shaping up to be exactly that, even though it’s her first project. I ought to congratulate you, Anzu-chan ♪

Tori: Oh, Prez! Where’ve you been? I was so lonely while you were gone! We’re supposed to be in the same unit, you know!

Eichi: Sorry. Before a big live, I prefer to be alone so that I can focus. I also wanted to talk to Keito about something.

Tori: Hmph... I don’t really get it, but whatever. Check this out, Prez!

There’s a bunch of different-colored noodles, so I snatched up all the pink ones ♪ See? They’re the same color as my hair! You want some?

Eichi: Thank you. Now that you’ve mentioned it, all of the plain white noodles have begun to resemble Wataru’s hair... Speaking of which, has anyone seen him?

Yuzuru: Ah, Hibiki-sama declared that he would advertise for the Tanabata Festival and took off in his hot-air balloon a short while ago.

He stirred up quite a lot of dust, so I had intended to discourage him.

However, it seems that Anzu-san forgot to arrange for people to advertise on the day of the event.

So Hibiki-sama took up the mantle without a second thought. He’s surprisingly attentive to even slight details.

Tori: I’m pretty sure he just wants to show off. We can see him from here, see? He’s throwing fliers all over the place and screeching who-knows-what like this is the best day of his life.

Eichi: You’re right; there’s the balloon.

Fufu, Wataru is always so carefree. I’d love to join him. Perhaps I should ask him to attach a swing to it, like yours at Flower Fest, Tori.^[4]

Tori: No way, that’s the worst experience ever. It’s scary and you’ll get nauseous. And besides, you might get sick from the cold.

Eichi: That would be a problem, seeing that the Tanabata Festival is more of a warm-up for us.

It’s just a prelude for the national tour we’ve planned during summer vacation. I wouldn’t want to ruin anything with poor health.

Keito is giving it his all, but all of us in fine ought to just make a few appearances on stage when the opportunity shows itself.

We should aim to make a strong impression without pushing ourselves too hard.

That said, don’t get too comfortable: victory is an obligation.

Yuzuru: But of course. We will always be prepared to put on a performance fit for a king ♪

Tori: Duh! But it’s fine to watch from the sidelines for now though, right? ♪

The Tanabata Festival is like a game of survival. If we get on stage now, fine’s gonna totally dominate the stage.

We have to give the peons a moment in the spotlight too ♪

Eichi: Correct. ...Anzu-chan, I haven’t seen Valkyrie here yet. Are you sure they’re going to participate in the festival?

Tori: Valkyrie? I think I’ve heard of them before... What was their whole thing again?

Eichi: They are the formidable foes we will topple today. Or at least, this is the expectation.

I made efforts to instigate them, and considering Itsuki-kun’s personality, I don’t want to think he would flee in the face of the enemy.

But the fact that I can’t quite grasp their movements unsettles me. Do you know anything about it, Anzu-chan?

Hm. So they’ve been entirely under lock and key. And you were disallowed from entering the place where they’ve been practicing?

That’s a surprise. Are you not on good terms with them, then?

Well, if they’re practicing that would imply that they mean to participate in the show... in the Tanabata Festival.

Are they planning to match our movements, do you think?

If so, then we should act quickly. Tori, Yuzuru, we’ll begin warming up once you’ve finished eating.

This festival happens only once a year; we can’t afford to have any regrets.

On such a bright, sunny day, Orihime and Hikoboshi should be able to enjoy their rendezvous without hindrance...

So it would be rather unfair if I’m the only one stood up.