Anxiety and Hope 1

Shinobu: (Whoaaa... Finally, the day hath arriv’d for the massive hero show Supernova, which will surely determine the fate of Ryuseitai!)

(But why is it even called Supernova in the first place?)

(It must have something to do with supernova explosions, but that maketh me think of something exploding and dying. I would like that not... Mayhaps it just has a powerful ring to it.)

(Well, it doth sound fitting for Ryuseitai, I suppose.)

(In any case, it is so crowded here! I find it almost impossible to move!)

(I wonder if all these people are here to watch Ryuseitai’s show... nay, I dare not even think it.)

(People have the day off today, so ‘tis likely that most of them are just here to enjoy themselves at the amusement park.)

(However, if but a fraction of them, or even just a sliver, came to see us...)

(This performance would have achieved several times that of our usual audience numbers, the likes of which we’ve never seen before.)

(Urgk. Now that I’m here, I can’t help but feel nervous...)

(What if I make a mistake in front of such a large crowd? We barely had time to practice since this was all such short notice.)

(Under Shinkai-dono’s tutelage, I was able to get through the performance at least.)

(But nnngh, I just don’t feel confident about it.)

(I–I should practice some more by myself... somewhere off in a corner.)

Somosan, seppa... Spin and turn... nin, nin ♪^[1]

Gyah?! O–oh! thou scared’st me! Please don’t tap me on the shoulder so suddenly, transfer student-dono!

I can hardly ever sense your presence; thou wouldst not happen to be the descendant of ninjas, wouldst thou?!

Really... Oh, Supernova beginneth around noon.

I did not want to be late, so I arriv’d early.

Unlike the Yumenosaki campus and the park... this is not a familiar stage, so I wanted to get a sense of the atmosphere as soon as possible!

I am the sort of ninja who gets stressed and repulsed when he is in a new place!

In fact, I feel like I’m going to throw up even now! ‘Tis as if I am drunk from merely witnessing the crowd...!

Wha? Wherefore art thou patting my head? Pushing too hard on my head will stunt my growth, though! I beseech thee, please stop!^[2]

Oughhh... now thou art pushing on it even harder?! Wh–why art thou being so mean to me?!

I feel like thou hast a tendency to bully me in particular!

Urgh. Nay, thou needst not apologize...

Actually, messing around with thee has had the effect of reducing my stress ♪ Didst thou come here early too, transfer student-dono?

Thou must be so diligent! I suppose thou hast a bunch of work to do, producer-dono. Like setting up the stage and whatnot?

Hmm? Yes, after all those negotiations, the student council finally recognized Supernova as an official Dream Fest, classified as a special category...

Doth this mean that the student council members are assisting with setup?

That’s wonderful news.

An unofficial B1 would have had no reward for our battles, only honor; the result would be but a great loss in the end, and Ryuseitai could have faced destruction.

And the only unit which will accept someone like me is indeed Ryuseitai.

So I cannot allow it to fall. I want to stay with everyone in Ryuseitai forever ♪

Hey, there’s no reason to pat my head like that...

Huh? Isara-dono enjoyeth when you pat his head? Thou thinkst I should try doing that, too?

No no no, I revere him far too much! That is simply out of the question!

Rather, I would prefer Isara-dono pat me as if I were his cute little pet...!

Good grief, thou art taking this joke too far, transfer student-dono. Thou hast an unexpectedly mischievous side.

Hm? Thou art bored because the student council took thy job?

Oh, well, if thou hast free time, wouldst thou like to join me for some practice?

There are still a few things I am uneasy about...

Especially in the first half, where I must perform in a full-body costume. ‘Tis a bit difficult for one who isn’t very physically fit.

Mm? What ails thee, transfer student-dono? Dost thou see something over there...?

Midori: ......

Shinobu: Egad! a suspicious person! Thou knave! Transfer student-dono, get thee behind me! ‘Tis the duty of a ninja to protect his master no matter the cost~ ♪

Waaait a second... hey, is that not one of the kaiju costumes we’re using for Supernova?

Who is that inside, then? Based on the design, I would guess Midori-kun. Shall I call out to him?

Helloooo, Midori-kun? Hum... he respondeth not. Perhaps he did not hear me?

Rather, it seems he hadn’t moved this whole time...

Th–that does not bode well! Art thou okay? If thou art alive, please respond to me!

Midori: ......

Shinobu: I–I am going to check on that costumed character for a moment! Thou shouldst come with me, transfer student-dono, but be careful not to fall down ♪