Epilogue 5

Rinne: —Hey. What’s with the long face? We’re in the middle of a show.

Yuuta: ...I understand that. I saw something gross and it kind of killed my mood. I know it’s unprofessional.

Rinne: Well, whatevs. Can’t help what you can’t help. You’ve been oh-so carefully sheltered your livelong life from having to see anything gross or unpleasant.

You ask me, I think that sort of protection’s vomit-inducing. But still, you can’t say it’s not love.

Yuuta: ...I get that. It’s kind of shocking that there are so many people who don’t understand that love can hurt people, though.

Rinne: Sure, but you gotta let them know that.

Tell ‘em the truth about the world, the one no one ever taught them and the one they never figured out on their own. You’re the only one who knows what’s right for you.

We’ve got a mouth, words to speak, and the right to shout out across the world in beautiful song...

We have a platform we can use to broadcast our message to millions.

And it’s this right here—this stage. What the hell’d you get up here for, anyway? To make money? To get fawned over?

To get the love your parents and the entire world never gave you?

Yuuta: ...Is it wrong to stand on stage with such impure motives?

Rinne: Didn’t say that. I’m just not feeling any purpose at all from you guys...

I’ve read up on your history, so I know you’ve gone through some serious shit up to now, and I’d guess you’re hiding some dark and murky feelings deep in your hearts.

But yanno, you’ve got the talent and the flair, you’ve got the skill, but where’s the context? There’s no story here; you two’re just a toy box your fans can dip into to have fun.

And that’s all fine and dandy. It’s what idols are supposed to do, after all—we’re entertainment for the masses.

It’s nice to have a fun way to kill a few minutes when you need it.

But me? Yeah, I’m too old to be satisfied playing children’s games like this...

If you guys actually want to wrestle with the world for real, you’ll need to start singing a story that’ll resonate with all the rest of those bored-to-tears adults, too.

Maybe in your little kiddie world, your way of doing things is good enough and everyone sings your praises.

But the real world is run by adults who are sick and tired of simple stimulation like that—

Rinne: ‘Course, if you’re not interested in that, I’m certainly not gonna force you.

If no one else is willing to do it, we will. For better or worse, there’s as many idols out there as there are stars in the sky.

Brats like you oughta do what you’re good at to the best of your ability.

“~... ♪”

Yuuta: ......

(Argh... Yeah, he seriously pisses me off. I think I finally understand why everyone hates Amagi Rinne—every horrible thing he says is just asking for a fight.)

(It’s like he goes out of his way to dig up the sewage everyone else pretends doesn’t exist, then he goes crazy spreading the sewer water and nasty stench as far as he can reach.)

(I wouldn’t ever do that, and I refuse to be tainted by it either. Hinata-kun risked his own life to keep me pure and clean.)

(But I’m still mature enough to notice that something repulsive is swirling around at my feet.)

(It should be fine... to give a little shock to everyone who’s forgotten that and still treats me like a kid.)

(It’s fine to release my—Aoi Yuuta’s feelings out into the world with my song.)

(...Even just the thought of it scares me half to death. I guess I’m not mature enough to play adult games just yet. But still—)

“—Hey, Dad!”

(Okay, I’ll say it! I’ll tell you something a million times worse than anything you’ve ever said to us!)

(But I’ll do it in a way that’s fitting for us—for an idol!)

(Once I say it, that giant weight will lift off my shoulders, even if it’s only a little bit!)

(So what if I’m just taking out my frustration on you? It’s not like you didn’t do the same thing to us!)

“Thank you, for all the support you’ve given us! I’m so grateful! It’s thanks to you that we’ve become such great idols!”

Yuuta: “That’s why I’ll sing, with my whole heart and all my love!”

“With the smile of a child and the freedom of an adult! Just like a normal human being you can find anywhere else in the world!”

“♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪”