Chapter 13
Subaru: We’re baaaaack... ☆
Hokuto: Great timing. We just finished drawing up our designs, too.
Subaru: Seriously? Show, show!
...Mm? Oh, Anzu’s here!
Hokuto: She came to school to make our costumes, but she ended up giving us some really valuable advice on the designs, too. You guys should thank her.
Subaru: Thanks a ton, Anzu! I love youuu~ ♪
Hokuto: Come on, don’t hug her. It’s considered harassment.
Makoto: Ahaha, you can’t really say that, can you Hidaka-kun? You’re literally holding her hand right now like it’s nothing—that’d be harassment too, y’know.
Hokuto: Oh, sorry... I didn’t mean it that way. I only did it as a way to say thank you; nothing more, nothing less.
Mao: ......
Hokuto: What’s wrong, Isara? You’ve got a weird look on your face... I swear I didn’t have any other intentions with that, really.
Mao: Oh no, it’s not that. I was just wondering how I should talk about this thing.
But it’s not something that I can figure out just by thinking in circles. So I’ll just cut right to it.
I’ve been keeping something from you guys. I’m really sorry about it...!
Hokuto: Wait, what are you talking about? You’re keeping something from us? What is it?
Mao: Yeah, it’s—actually, I already told Subaru about it, but basically some stuff went down and...
Subaru, Hokuto, Makoto... I’m so sorry for not saying anything about it. I just didn’t want you guys to worry for no reason, so I couldn’t bring myself to tell you.
I just wanted you guys to have fun with Sunflower Live. I felt like that’d be ruined, and it’d be all my fault...
But when Makoto got pissed at me, I thought it over.
We’re in this together. If one of you guys did the same thing, I’d be shocked... I’d feel like you didn’t trust me as your friend.
So go ahead and tell me off—just let it all out. I wouldn’t even complain if you had me begging you to forgive me for the rest of the day. I deserve that much.
I’ll do whatever it takes to get you to forgive me.
Makoto: ......
Hokuto: Yuuki?
Makoto: I’m sorry, Isara-kun...! (gets down on his knees)
Mao: Huh? Uh, wait, why are you kneeling down?!
Makoto: You only hid it from us because you were thinking about our well-being... But then I turned around and said such awful things to you.
I’m so, so, so sorry...!
Mao: Wait, you don’t have to apologize! It’s my fault for keeping secrets. I’m so sorry...! (gets down on his knees, too)
C’mon, Makoto, Lift your head up.
Makoto: No no, it’s my fault for not understanding where you were coming from. Lift your head up first, Isara-kun.
Mao: No way, I can’t do that unless you lift yours up.
Makoto: No no no, You have to—
Subaru: Stop, stoooop!
Gimme a break! Are you having some kinda contest here? C’mon, just make up already!
Makoto: Wawah—Akehoshi-kun?! What’re you doing, grabbing my shoulder all of a sudden...?
Subaru: I said you’re gonna make up. You too, Hokke! Let’s all circle up!
Hokuto: I don’t understand what we’ll get out of circling up, but... Oh, is it so we can band together in solidarity? If so, I’m in.
Subaru: You bet it is! If the four of us come together, we’ll be number one not just in the live, but with our booth too!
Sally’s summer vacay doesn’t belong to anyone but Sally! I won’t let Hibiki-senpai have it!
Mao: Subaru... Thanks. Hearing you say that makes me really happy.
Subaru: Well duh, we’re friends! So if we’ve got everything figured out, then let’s bust our asses to sell this merch! ♪
Hokuto: Oh, the T-shirts and handkerchiefs just arrived a little bit ago, so we can start printing whenever.
Hm? You want to help too, Anzu? We’d appreciate it. In return, we’ll help you make the costumes.
Subaru: Yup yup! It’s all give and take!
Oooh, is this the finished design you got Anzu’s opinion on? The petals all have our colors on them!! It looks so cool~!
Aha, I can’t wait to see it all finished... ☆
A few hours later
Subaru: All doooone~! Wow, it actually looks like something you’d see for sale!
Makoto: Ahaha, well it is gonna be for sale, so it’d be bad if it didn’t.
Fufu, I was worried we wouldn’t be able to do it, so it’s a huge relief that it turned out so nice.
Subaru: Oh, hey—we made a bunch of these shirts, so why don’t we all wear one?
We can promote them like Eve did with Summer Live. So people might get interested and come buy them, right?
Makoto: Good idea. Then let’s put them on and upload it to social media. We can include the release date and where to find them.
Hokuto: Hmm, that’s a good plan. But Yuuki, you don’t like having your picture taken.
I wouldn’t want to take pictures to put online if we have to leave you out; it’d feel like we’re ignoring you. Maybe we can just post the finished T-shirts?
Makoto: Thanks for thinking about me, Hidaka-kun.
I know I’m still really not great with stuff that involves modeling, but if I’m going to be an idol, I can’t keep making excuses.
Besides, we have to consider Isara-kun in this, too. We want to sell as many of these as possible, so a little photoshoot is no biggie if it’ll help us achieve that.
Subaru: Then it’s settled! ...Huh? You wanna take the pics, Anzu?
Okie dokie. Then everyone, get those shirts on!
Makoto: Wait! Don’t try to change in front of Anzu-chan!
Jeez, that was close... It’s a good thing you turned around so quickly, Anzu-chan.
Subaru: Don’t sweat it so much! C’mon c’mon, you change too, Ukki... ☆
Makoto: Wawah—don’t take off my uniform! Hidaka-kun, Isara-kun, help me!!!
Hokuto: How do you expect us to help? But anyway, we’ll get dressed, too.
Mao: Yep. All right then, Anzu, we’re all ready for pics~
(We all worked together to make the shirts, and Makoto’s pushing himself to take pics even though it’s hard for him. I really am happy—and grateful.)
(I’m so glad I’m part of Trickstar. You guys really are the best friends a guy could ever ask for... ♪)