The Brutes and the Nobles 5

An hour later

Yuzuru: I’ve finished the preparations for our tea party, everyone ♪

Koga: Tea party? What are you, a girl?^[1]

You’re a total sissy even though your body’s completely jacked... There’s somethin’ weird about you, dude.

Yuzuru: I would ask you to refrain from touching my abdominals, Oogami-sama.

By the way, are you certain it’s all right that we simply enjoy tea and snacks here instead of dining at a restaurant?

Rei: Yes. We had already been preparing for a post-live meeting, so having you join us here is rather more convenient.

Had we thoughtlessly allowed you to take us to a high-class establishment, it may have put us in a situation where we felt pressured to accept your proposal.

Yuzuru: Fufu. I assure you I had no intentions of the sort... and in any case, I hadn’t made any reservations, so I don’t mind this.

And now that I think of it, it is a bit late for a full meal. Eating too much at this hour would convert it all into fat.

Kaoru: Ohh, you actually think about your figure? What a good kid; you should teach these brats a thing or two~

They eat everything in front of them without thinking twice—no grain of rice left behind.

Adonis: However, leaving food uneaten is rude to the person who cooked it.

Also, fat burns off more easily in the summer, so I worry that not eating could wear one down.

Kaoru: Ahaha, you’d think Adonis-kun was a good, sympathetic kid, but he’s actually got a mouth on him. But whatever. You’re a growing boy, so eat as much as you want.

Yuzuru: Indeed. Please, help yourselves.

I assumed that snacks from the food stores may not be enough, so I put together a light meal, as well.

I thank you for allowing me use of your kitchen... Kaoru-sama.

Kaoru: Sure thing. But cut it out with the honorifics, okay? It makes my back itch. Oh... what’s your name again? Don’t people usually call you out for how fake your politeness is?

Yuzuru: My name is Fushimi Yuzuru. It has been quite a long time, Kaoru-sama.

Kaoru: Uhh, a long time since when...? Have we met somewhere before?

Sorry~ I don’t really make it a habit to remember guys’ names or faces, you see ♪

Yuzuru: Yes. We haven’t seen each other any time recently, but I did once greet you at a social gathering some time ago.

Of course, I was merely accompanying my master at the time, so it’s only natural that you wouldn’t remember me.

Kaoru: Ohh...

Yeah, I remember you now. You’re with the Himemiyas, right?

Koga: Hey, cut the crap already and say what you came here to say.

I wanna go back to my place and chill, got it? Leon gets lonely and starts howlin’ if I’m late, and that pisses the neighbors off.^[2]

Yuzuru: Of course. While I get the refreshments ready, I believe Anzu-san can give you a brief explanation—

We would like to invite you gentlemen of UNDEAD on a vacation with us.

All expenses will be paid by us. To an extent, we can also be flexible with the schedule.

If you have any other requests, though, please do not hesitate to voice them.

We will adjust travel plans to accommodate your preferences as much as we can.

Currently, the details are largely undecided, so we can modify the schedule rather freely.

How do you feel about this? Might you give it some consideration?

Kaoru: Mm... It sounds too good to be true, but sure, why not? I’m in!

I’d love to hit up the tropics. I’ve barely gone surfing at all this year, so I’m craving the ocean~ ♪

Adonis: Fufu. We were working nonstop during the Pirate Fest and had no time to enjoy ourselves.

I also have no objections. Actually, my sisters came home for the summer, so staying at home is exhausting. I’d love to go somewhere far away.

Kaoru: Haha. Now that you mention it, I keep catching you sighing.

In my case, my obnoxious family’s actually off summering under the pretense of a work trip, so things have been pretty relaxed at home.

Rei: Hm. I cannot deny that I’m curious about Tenshouin-kun’s motives, but I suppose it’s a welcome turn of events for me, as well.

To escape the suffocating city heat for a cool, comfortable destination?

What do you say, Doggy? Surely you won’t retort with something about not wanting to cozy up to strangers?

Koga: Mmm... I guess I don’t mind that much, either. No point in stewing in this hellhole live house forever.

We can spread our wings out into the world or somethin’. And they’re even paying for our tickets, how sweet is that deal?

I agree with the playboy that it sounds too good to be true.

But it doesn’t matter what schemes anyone’s cookin’ up ‘cause we’ll crush ‘em head-on n’ laugh in their faces. That’s UNDEAD’s style, ain’t it?

Sure. I dunno what you’ve got up your sleeve, but I’ll take you up on the offer.

But lemme tell you: if this turns out to be some shitass lazy vacation, I’m out. We’re gettin’ down to business, got it?

Yuzuru: Yes, of course. Officially, it will be an intensive training camp, as well as a rehearsal for our international tour...

Given the President’s personality, I don’t imagine that is the plan in name only.

Fufu. Well, I am relieved to have received favorable responses from you all. It was surprisingly easy to obtain your consent—almost anticlimactic, one could say.

I should be able to give the President a good report of these events.

However, this alone is an errand fit for a child... so because we have this opportunity, I would like to hear any requests regarding this vacation.

Is there anything you absolutely must have?

Koga: Oh, can I bring my dog? Even if I wanted to leave Leon at home, I don’t have anyone to look after him...

Yuzuru: That would be a problem.

...I mean, it would be no problem at all? Yes, so long as you go through the proper procedures, airlines do allow for dogs to fly? I believe it will also be possible to provide lodging for them?

Koga: Your eyes keep dartin’ around... What’s up? Did I say somethin’ weird?

Yuzuru: No, not at all.

Adonis: ......

Yuzuru: ? Otogari-sama, you look troubled about something. Might I ask if there is something bothering you?

Adonis: Oh... the destination hasn’t been decided yet, has it?

There’s a possibility of stirring up some trouble depending on where we go, so I’d appreciate if you take my opinion into account when choosing the country we travel to.

Yuzuru: Umm... trouble, you say?

Rei: Fufu. Well, it should not be too much of a problem. Considering the purpose of our vacation... I’m sure the destination will be far away from your homeland, Adonis-kun.

Adonis: Yes. That would be helpful; I’m sorry for saying anything unreasonable.

Yuzuru: It’s hardly unreasonable... Hm. There’s something about the way that was worded which I can’t quite move past.

Adonis: Don’t worry about it. Getting to travel the world and sing to people in different countries is my dream, so I’m very excited about this. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Fushimi.

Yuzuru: ...?