star gazer 5

Wataru: Fufufu~ ♪ Take a look, Natsume-kun! This is the auditorium where the Venus Cup will take place!

Oh, but how exciting! The swell of emotion the moment you set foot into the the theater... ☆

This will also be a good way to pass time until the drama club’s performance—that is to say, until it is my time to stand on stage.

I’ve somehow never seen Hokuto-kun perform as an idol before, so I must say I’m terribly looking forward to it.

Ah, please watch where you step! To your right you will see said auditorium... ☆

Natsume: You don’t need to explain every little thing, Master. Fortune tellers have good eyesight, so of course I would be able to see it from this distance.

Wataru: Hmm~? I can’t see your expression when you avert your gaze, Natsume-kun! It makes me quite suspicious! But why do you cast your eyes downward when you are so cute? ♪

Natsume: I said... Master, you talk a lot, but you hardly ever listen to anyone around you.

You’re so self-centered, but I suppose that could be a point of attraction for you.

Wataru: Fufufu. None of us Five Oddballs are very sociable, are we? Geniuses are always forged through the sacrifice of something else.

Which is why it’s a profound wonder that five such lonely people could get along so well when pushed together.

Ah, it’s a miracle... ☆

Natsume: Everything you say is at full force today. Is that going to affect your performance?

The role is rather innocent and demure, one that enchants the audience through her silence.

Wataru: Ahaha, I only need switch my role once I get on stage. It’s like putting on a mask, see?

Natsume: Hmph... I’m sure you will do well, but this play is counted among club activities. It won’t be recognized as a DreamFest.

No matter the outcome, it won’t reflect in your grades.

Wataru: One’s grades in school are not everything. Life does not end after graduation.

And one can find a sense of comfort in failure, as it will not affect or trouble the other members of one’s club in any way.

Fufufu. You know, I’ve begun seeing a cuter side to Hokuto-kun lately.

His acting is still entirely worthless, but there is something charming in his desperation... ♪

I am very strict in my instruction, and I feel that he dislikes me because of how harsh my critique was at first.

I had hopes that he would hit a wall in talent and give up.

But it seems he has a considerable amount of gumption.

It will take time, but so long as he puts one foot in front of the other... he may get somewhere someday.

Fufufu. I look forward to seeing where he will go.

Natsume: Mm. Don’t give all your attention to that kid from the drama club. Teach me more about magic.

There is a limit to what I can learn on my own. It’s a discipline that died off in the Middle Ages.

Wataru: Ohh, but you absorb everything I tell you right away; it’s not nearly as interesting.

It doesn’t surprise nor impress me. You could do whatever you wanted even without me teaching you.

Your life is yours, and yours alone. You have no need to follow a script someone else has already acted out.

This is the extent of what I can teach you.

Natsume: I will be sure to keep that in mind... Anyway, Master, may I split off from you here?

Wataru: Huh? But why?

I wanted to watch the Venus Cup with you, whilst eating popcorn and whispering our thoughts to each other~ ♪

Natsume: As fun as that sounds, I declined the offer to participate in the Venus Cup.

I don’t want to step on the toes of the current participants and cause unnecessary trouble, so I’m going to hide.

I will watch your performance, Master, and then Shu-nii-san’s DreamFest afterward.

Wataru: Ahh, I remember. Shu has a live today, as well.

I wonder if he’s around here somewhere~ I’d like his advice on a few things I’m dissatisfied with regarding my costume.

Natsume: Mm... I’m worried about Shu-nii-san; he has been working nonstop recently. I’d like to go meet him backstage somehow to cheer him on.

At the same time, I don’t want to put any unnecessary pressure on him, since he been in such a horrible mood.

Wataru: Ah... He’s on a rampage in his climb back to the top of Yumenosaki Academy, is he not?

Shu’s art is unparalleled in greatness, but it’s meaningless if we are the only ones who assure him of that fact.

Natsume: He’s been hurt by the world, so he wants to prove himself superior to everyone else, and to be loved by them in return.

An inferiority complex and a desperation to prove himself have fueled his creations, which... naturally, manifest as explosions.

Koga: You gotta be shittin’ me. What do ya mean, you don’t know?!

Ritsu: Exactly what I said... Do you just not have ears, or maybe you’re a little too lacking in brains to comprehend human speech?

Natsume: ...Hm? What is that, a fight?

Over there, that’s... Oogami-kun from my class, and Rei-nii-san’s little brother.

Both of them are excellent idols. I’ve done a bit of research on both of them.

Wataru: Ohh, my friend’s brother and his favorite child, you say! Well, then, I’ll just have to go say hello ♪

Hello, you two! It is I, my dear Rei’s Hibiki Wataru... ☆