Melée 17
Nagisa: ......
Hiyori: ? What’s wrong, Nagisa-kun? You’re staring very intently at something.
Sorry I got so quiet for a moment. You’re not a very talkative person, so it simply won’t do for me to stop talking, hm?
But lately, Ibara and Jun-kun have been kicking up such a fuss that it’s never quiet enough anymore for me to get lonely.
Nagisa: ...Look over there, Hiyori-kun.
Hiyori: Huh?
Tori: ......
Hiyori: Well, look who it is! Tori-kun! I wonder what he’s doing here all alone?
Nagisa: ...He’s probably here for the same reason as us.
Hiyori: Oh, right, the interview.
They wanted to talk to Eden and fine about whether we’re pumped up and ready to take on the Finals, right? Since we’re the commanding units.
Nagisa: ...Yes. We were supposed to meet here to do that.
Hiyori: It happens all the time before sports broadcasts, too, but I’ll never understand the audacity of wanting to talk to the players right before and right after their games.
I’d much rather concentrate on my performance, and they’re distracting me!
Nagisa: ...Fufu. People don’t believe that this is a life or death event.
...To the general public, SS is only a fun, extravagant, end-of-the-year singing show.
...No. They don’t even understand the weight an idol must carry with them onto the stage to begin with.
...In the eyes of ordinary people, we are mere entertainers who give them a brief respite of pleasure.
...I suppose I am satisfied with that.
...Rather, this must have originally been the correct outlook on the matter.
...Wouldn’t it be nice if that’s all idols were?
...Father was perfect, a great man. Perhaps that is why he lifted idols up too high.
Tori: ⸻
Tori: ......
Hiyori: ...?! Tori-kun!
(Huh? He just started swaying and then collapsed!)
Nagisa: ...!
...Hiyori...kun.
Hiyori: What? Are you trying to ask me what to do, like before? Shouldn’t it be obvious?!
Nagisa: ...I want you... to hit me.
Hiyori: Hello? What? What are you talking about? Have you gone insane, Nagisa-kun?
Nagisa: ...I just... witnessed. That boy slowly collapsing in front of me.
...And I thought to myself, how convenient this is.
...If someone gets sick, they’ll be forced to use their support.
...It is one of my goals to make that happen.
...Like before, when you and I, and Eichi-kun and Tsumugi-kun stood on that final stage as fine.
...And I watched him fall.
...And I thought how convenient it was.
...We were able to free ourselves of fine because Eichi-kun collapsed.
...With one of our members hospitalized, it would have been difficult to perform and work. We had a good reason to transfer somewhere else.
...I even thanked God for bringing it about.
...Oh, thank you, God, for granting me such a convenient destiny—I prayed.
Hiyori: I don’t understand a single thing you’re saying! I’m going over there, to help Tori-kun!
Nagisa: ...No. Let me go. I know how to give first aid.
...I knew on that day, too, on that final day together.
...Hiyori-kun, a crowd is gathering. I want you to capture their attention so that no one notices that Tori-kun has collapsed.
...You’re good at that sort of thing. In the meantime, I will look after him.
Hiyori: I’d ask you why, but this is one of those times where I know you’re not going to answer me, right Nagisa-kun?
So as your ever so considerate big brother, I’ll smile and nod!
Hello, everyone! Tomoe Hiyori would like to make a big announcement before the show begins... ☆
Nagisa: ...Thank you, Hiyori-kun. For everything.
Tori: Uwah, ngh, sob—
Nagisa: ...It’s all right, Tori-kun. From what I can tell, it’s only anemia.
Tori: Eichi...sama—
Nagisa: ...Yes. I am not Eichi-kun, but I will fulfill the role for you that he apparently did not.
...As a friend who once wore the same costume and fought alongside him.
(...Well, it seems that there was no time wasted in bringing about unexpected developments. Even with precise calculations and careful movements, troubles will inevitably be waiting on the horizon.)
(...I should have known that such things can occur in this world.)
(...Ah, I am still one of those powerless, ignorant, helpless humans so distant from God.)
(...Nevertheless.)
(......)