Chapter 5

Mitsuru: Yayyy! Another win for me!

Souma: Fie, for shame! I am no equal to even Tenma in a race!

I must build my stamina more. Tenma, wouldst thou begrudge another match?

Mitsuru: Duh! But I think your stamina’s fine as is. Since yanno, you’ve been running nonstop all day and you’re not even a little worn out yet.

If we keep racing against each other I’m bound to lose at some point. And if that happens I’m totally gonna be the laughing sock of the track club!

Souma: Laughing sock...? Didst thou mean laughing stock?

‘Tis a great feat to run as thou as a mere first year. Someday couldst thou become the “ace” of the track club.

Mitsuru: What’re you talking about? I’m the ace right now!

But but, sometimes I still lose to Ado-chan-senpai and Arashi-chan-senpai! And I can never get a leg up on Mike-chan-senpai!

Souma: Hohoh, Mikejima-dono, yes? I do recall now that he is part of the track club.

I had heard word about him from Adonis-dono, but as he is not oft mentioned, I had forgotten.

Mitsuru: Yeah, Mike-chan-senpai doesn’t show up for meets that often...

Same with Arashi-chan-senpai. And they’re both still faster than me, it’s sooo frustrating!

Nazuna: Wheeze, wheeze...

Tomoya: Huff, huff, huff...

Hajime: Gasp... I–I finally caught up...

Mitsuru: Oh, Nii~chan and everyone finally made it!

Whoa, why’re you guys all gasping for breath...?

Nazuna: Ny–nyou guys are choo fyast!

Mitsuru: Nii~chan? I dunno what you’re saying. You should drink something! And take some deeeep breaths ♪

Nazuna: Oh, shanks... glug, glug ♪

Whew... ♪ Ahhh, I can finally breathe again. I was trying to stay hydrated and take lots of breaks, but somewhere along the line that got thrown out the window.

You guys doing okay? I’m sure you’re exhausted from trying to match their pace. Let’s finish up here and rest until the afternoon.

Or well, it’s already lunch time, soooo I’ll go get you guys some bread from the school store.

Mitsuru: I want yakisoba bread!

Tomoya: Don’t make Nii~chan do it...

I’m winding down now too since I’ve had a drink, so I’ll go get the bread for everyone.

Hajime: Oh, can I go, too? I’d like to help out.

Tomoya: Yeah. Then Hajime and I will go together. Mitsuru wants yakisoba bread, so what do you guys want, Nii~chan, Kanzaki-senpai?

Nazuna: Mm, I want a sweet bun.

Souma: It matters not what I eat. Rather, I believe I ought go in your stead. Ye’ve exhausted yourselves.

Tomoya: Thanks for worrying about us, but we’re working out too, you know. And we can’t go letting our senpai run errands for us.

So! A sweet bun for Nii~chan, and I’ll use my best judgment for Kanzaki-senpai. Let’s go, Hajime.

Hajime: All right ♪

Ehehe, what should we get, Tomoya-kun? The bread at the school store is pretty filling, so I’d be good just getting one ♪

...Huh? There’s someone coming over here. Mm, it looks like they’re wearing a skirt, so I guess it’s Anzu-san?

Tomoya: Yeah, it’s Anzu-san. Hey, Anzu-san!

Ahaha, you rushed right over. What’s going on? Did you come to school for some work?

Huh, you have something to tell Ra*bits and Kanzaki-senpai? Yeah, he’s resting on the running grounds with Nii~chan and Mitsuru, but...?

Ahh, we’re heading to the school store to get some lunch. Do you want to come with us, Anzu-san...?

Of course we don’t mind. Right, Hajime?

Hajime: Right. But if you have something to say to Kanzaki-senpai and Nii~chan, I don’t want to hold you up...

Oh, umm, you need to tell us all together?

Okay, then. It can wait until after we’ve taken care of this.

Ten minutes later

Hajime: Nii~chan, Mitsuru-kun, Kanzaki-senpai. We’re back ♪

Mitsuru: Yahoo! Welcome back, Hajime-chan, Tomoya-chan... huh?

Anzu-nee~chan’s here too! What’s up? Did you guys meet up while you were on your way to the school store?

Hajime: Yeah. Anzu-san has something to tell us and Kanzaki-senpai... right, Anzu-san?

Nazuna: Hmm, something to tell us? I’m hoping it’s about a job ♪

Wh—it really is about a job?! Wait—give us the details!

Mitsuru: Ahaha, Nii~chan, you’re really laying into her!

But I get it. Lately we’ve done nothing but practice practice practice, so I really wanna do a live!

Souma: Hm... Anzu-dono, farest well? This is work for Ra*bits, so what need wouldst thou have for me?

A Summer Night Festival? Akatsuki shall perform, and wishest Ra*bits to be the opening act?

Ah, I understand now why I am here.

Nazuna: ...Hm. Ra*bits as Akatsuki’s opening act, huh. Well, considering the difference in our abilities, I guess that’s the natural course of things.

Huh? The client is covering all the expenses for the Festival?

As long as we’re getting paid, that’s actually a pretty good deal—even if we are playing a minor role.

Whatcha guys think? We’d be the opening act, but we’ll still get a chance to make the audience remember our names.

And we’re getting paid, so we can use that to fund our future activities.

I think it’s fine if we participate, but your opinions matter, too. So I wanna hear what you guys think.

Mitsuru: I can’t really get behind being just the opening act, but. But I really wanna do a live! So I’m all for it!

Tomoya: What he said. I am an idol, after all. I want to sing and dance on stage.

Hajime: Yes. Let’s make everyone happy with Ra*bits’s songs and dances ♪

Nazuna: You heard them, Anzu. We’ll participate in the Summer Night Festival ♪

...Hm? You wanna know if we can get together today to decide on everything, since there’s not much time left?

Well, I just rented out a practice room for the afternoon, so what if we meet there?

Yep, let Keito-chin know for me. Thanks a bunch Anzu ♪

proofing: Verdantgrove