Epilogue 1

A few minutes later

Yuuta: (Sigh... Why is this happening...?)

(I thought if I just yelled at Aniki like I usually do, he’d apologize for worrying me and then everything would settle itself—)

(But while we were talking that Amagi Rinne forced me to change into some costume and told me we were gonna “raise the roof” together...)

(Since Hinata-kun’s the leader, he gave the okay, and now here I am, standing on this stage without a clue what’s going on.)

(I just got swept along... and I can’t say it’s in any sort of good direction.)

(The focus of all our idol activities has shifted from Yumenosaki to ES.)

(Other units are in a state of panic because they can’t keep up or can’t adapt.)

(I thought 2wink was the only one who could keep things smooth and steady.)

(But I guess we’re not exempt from this, either. We can’t just stay the same way we’ve always been.)

(Everything is changing at a breakneck speed. Weren’t we supposed to be able to handle that?)

(We’re two people, which makes us the strongest “individual” that can’t be beat. And because we’re strong we can survive undefeated, no matter what happens...)

(I tried so hard to believe that. Does that make me naïve?)

(I already know individuals can’t survive on their own, even those as strong as Sakuma-senpai. So then, what are we supposed to do?)

(Lost, suffering, hurting each other, being coddled by everyone like little kids who can’t do anything...)

(This was supposed to be our way to survive.)

(......)

Jun: Heyyy, Yuuta-kun... yeah, Yuuta-kun, right? I went online to figure out how to tell you two apart, so how’d I do?

Yuuta: Oh, yeah. It’s me, Yuuta~ I’ve told you before, but I’m not going to get mad if you confuse us, you know. I’ve gotten over all of that.

Jun: Yeahhh, but like, I’ve worked damn hard to learn the skills and techniques that I have...

I’d be pissed if someone saw me and asked if I was doing some kinda homage to Sagami Jin.

Goddamn! I’m not trying to copy him! I’m me, and that’s it.

Well, anyway. You’re on stage in costume, so are you about to perform, Yuuta-kun?

I dunno if you should be doing lives without permission. Crazy:B ran wild with that over the summer and it screwed everyone over...

So I doubt the agency’s gonna receive that well.

Rinne: Gyahaha. Of course I got permission.

I mean, they were the ones who ordered us to go around attacking other agencies all willy-nilly.

Some nerve you’ve got, tryna slap our hands for it now, huh?

Jun: Whoa buddy, I’m not the one to talk to about that one. If you’ve got permission then it’s whatever. Actually, I’m willing to help, too, if you’ve got anything for me.

It kinda looks like the club is filled with a bunch of Reimei’s... not-so-Special Students. Y’know, the underachievers.

Like those guys over there making all that racket.

Yuuta: (Now that he says that, there are a lot of people here who are in the industry or in the same line of work here in this club.)

(I wonder why that is? Because it’s right by ES, I guess?)

Mika: Yup, there’s a buncha kids from my hometown here, too. They looked up to me, so I guess they wanted to be idols, themselves.

They keep comin’ up to me all like, “You’re Kagehira Mika-san, right? From Valkyrie!”

Jun: I keep getting reminded that Eden’s actually a big name out there.

It’s kinda nice to know that so many people want to be like you.

I suppose that’s probably how the Special Student thing started up in the first place, to stir up those feelings.

Well, that doesn’t matter...

I try to encourage and inspire all those underachievers and idol-hopefuls that haven’t gotten their big break yet, especially when I’m working as part of Lilith.^[1]

Y’know, all those people out there like me who’ve hit a wall in the industry.

I wanna be an example that gives them hope. And if I can do it from on the stage then that’s what I’ll do.

Rinne: Woooow~ And here I was thinking you were some arrogant prick sitting up there in your ivory tower. Good to know you’re just like us when it comes down to it.

It just goes to show—you can’t know everything about a guy just by reading up on him; you gotta get out there and shake his hand ♪

Anywho, ES doesn’t have shit to do with this club. It’s a lawless country of demons, basically. You wanna get up on stage, there’s no one here to stop you.

Well, it’s probably best to get a go-ahead from the higher-ups considering what’ll happen when you leave the place.

Obviously if we go making trouble for one of Eden’s own, Vice President Glasses prolly won’t be so carefree about giving his support to Crazy:B.

Jun: Huh, yeah. Ibara really has been putting a lot of consideration into Crazy:B.

Just going on his personality, you’d think he’d cut off anyone that might not benefit the agency without even hesitating.

Rinne: Real shit. That’s why we’ve gotta prove our worth.

I’m not under any happy-happy delusions that the Veep’s been helping us ‘cause he feels guilty for all those threats he sent our way.

He still thinks he can use us.

And like, let’s be honest—now I don’t mean to brag, but is there anyone else at ES right now that can cause more damage to idols than we can? In other words, we’re useful to him as weapons.

And as long as we’re good little weapons, he’s never gonna let us go. Our Veep’s a regular ol’ warmonger ♪

Mika: You’re talkin’ ‘bout some dangerous stuff again... Ya do know war’s just about the stupidest thing you can do, right? It just lays waste to cultures and civilizations.

Well, what I should say is, y’all can do whatever it is y’all want, but you best not drag 2wink into it.

Or else you’ll make enemies outta all us powerful units at Yumenosaki.

Rinne: Gyahaha, you don’t have to tell me twice.

But on the flip side, if we get all buddy-buddy with 2wink, that’ll make allies outta all you Yumenosaki guys—right?

Which is exactly why the Veep sent 2wink over to give us some support.

Looks like all his nasty fumbles finally taught him a thing or two, and now he’s learned to consider other people’s feelings a bit more ♪

Well, when it comes to gambling, it’s always the house that wins in the end.

So I’ll make the most of the hand I’ve been dealt and rake in as much dough as I can while I’ve got the chance—all for Cosmic Productions ♪