The Sunshine after the Rain 5
Wataru: “Now, then! The art of suspense is all well and good, but the Tanabata Festival is already a long enough event as it is! Let us proceed quickly forward!”
“We are yet in the early stages of the festival, so I’ll go over the rules for the audience just in case!”
“This event is a competition between all of the units for the right to the stage entire!”
“Two units will take the stage to begin, and the winner of their live showdown will remain on stage!”
“In other words: if they keep winning, they can stay in the spotlight forever. It’s a sublime game of survival, don’t you think? ☆”
“They cannot survive without fierce battle!”
“Naturally, ‘forever’ is but a word; it means only until the end of the festival!”
“Amazing... ☆”
“The Tanabata Festival is an S1, which draws in a massive crowd from outside the school!”
“As these units continue to perform in their struggle to survive, their popularity and fame will skyrocket!”
“With that goal in mind, we idols must compete with all our might!”
“Despite its glamorous setting, the Tanabata Festival is actually an intense fight to the death. And you all have just witnessed the first of many battles to come!”
“Now, what will the results be...?!”
“Will victory be handed to the academy’s pride and joy, the powerhouse focused on traditional arts—Akatsuki?”
“Or will it go to the lovely ☆ and ☆ cute, newborn bunnies of Ra*bits?”
“The number of votes for each unit and the results will be displayed on the monitor above the stage, so please turn your attention there!”
“One, two, three, yes! Amazing... ☆”
“Okay! The votes are in! And the winner is... rather too predictable to be exciting—Akatsuki!”
“Everyone, please give them a round of applause ☆”
Nazuna: Oh! Ughhh! Did we really lose? I thought we did pretty good, though!
Well, we did put up a good fight. Everyone’s skills were put to the test, and I got a lot out of it too.
Still, that sucks... oh, well. Congrats, Akatsuki ♪
Kuro: Thanks. You guys were tougher than we expected. This ain’t the end, either, so come back and go another round with us later.
Nazuna: Sure! I’m glad we could have a good match. Thanks ♪
Wataru: “Oh, wait just a moment! There is one thing left to do, so please don’t leave the stage quite yet, Ra*bits!”
“The rules of this event state that those in the audience who voted for the winning unit can hold up their slips of paper...”
“And then, one of the wishes written on them will be granted!”
“For on the paper that is being used for voting, we have asked everyone to write down something that they’d like an idol to do for them!”
“Depending on the request, we may need Ra*bits to assist!”
“Such as, to have the leaders of each unit share a passionate kiss!”
“A request like that could pop up, you see! Amazing... ☆”
Keito: I tried to prohibit that in advance to prevent wishes like that...
Well, it’s fine. I’m sure no one will go overboard and write down such troublesome wishes, right? I believe in them.
Wataru: Then if we’re all ready ♪ I shall choose the lucky person whose wish will be granted. Who will be the first~?”
“Ah! You there, charming young lady ♪”
“Yes, the spotlight is on you! Allow us to grant your wish. I’ll send over a crew member with a microphone for you~”
“Please give voice to your wish, loud and clear ♪”
“...All right, did everyone hear that?”
“Let me repeat her wish! ‘Keito-saaan, please shoot me with your arrow ☆’ is what she said! Now then, you have the floor!”
Keito: Hang on—just what do you expect me to do?
Wataru: “Fufufu, certainly it would be a disaster if you fired a real arrow at your fan, wouldn’t it?”
“Perhaps we can play a game of pretend~ I’m sure she would forgive you for that?”
“What say you, young lady? Well, she seems all right with it! So please go ahead, right-hand man!”
“Aim straight and true, and signal your shot with a cry of bang ☆”
Keito: That isn’t even the sound an arrow makes. Ugh... how incorrigible. But I suppose there’s no other option.
These are the rules of the Tanabata Festival, and we have to follow the rules. They were put in place to protect us, after all.
Keito: B–bang... ☆
Wataru: “Bwahaha! Aha, ahahahahaha! Please, go easy on me! You’re a natural comedian, mister right-hand!”
“Simply wonderful! You truly are an entertainer... ☆”
Souma: Splendid, Hasumi-dono! ‘Twas a robust and hearty, um, bang...!
Keito: Kanzaki, let me see your sword for a moment. Not to act like you or anything, but I’m going to commit seppuku.