Anxiety and Hope 3

Yuzuru: President-sama, you’re having a bit too much fun.

You are far from being in good health, and yet you frolic around, riding on all of the rides...

You need to have a bit more restraint. If you end up collapsing, the blame will fall on me.

Eichi: Sorry, sorry. I’m just so curious about everything. I’ve always been interested in amusement parks.

Don’t nag me too much, Yuzuru. I know you were having fun, too ♪

Yuzuru: To be entirely honest, I was terrified. I would prefer you refrain from this behavior going forward.

There were warning signs posted at each attraction saying that those with weak hearts shouldn’t ride on them, you recall?

Eichi: Fufu. I just took a page out of Trickstar’s book and ignored the boring rules ♪

Yuzuru: ...I shall pretend I didn’t hear that.

Supernova is about to begin, so let’s take a break and watch it. Allow me to get us some drinks.

Eichi: Oh, I already got this milkshake, so I don’t need anything. Look at this: it’s sort of like ice cream, but it’s also a drink.

It’s a completely new mouthfeel, as if you’re drinking and eating at the same time... ♪

Yuzuru: ...I’m just happy you’re enjoying your time at the amusement park.

Eichi: I am. But naturally, I haven’t forgotten about work; don’t worry so much.

I’ll watch and pass judgment over Ryuseitai’s Supernova. It’s not much a job for idols, though.

Yuzuru: There is a regulation in place which states that student council personnel must observe official Dream Fests.

But it’s quite rare for you, as the President, to take this on yourself.

Could it be that you just wanted to visit the amusement park?

Eichi: That’s part of it. But I also have more personal interest in it. I’ve invested too much to turn away now... because I was the one who received and approved the proposal, I ought to see it through.

Chiaki and the transfer student worked tirelessly to polish that proposal.

So I’m genuinely looking forward to it. It’ll be the perfect opportunity to gauge the current state of Ryuseitai, too.

Yuzuru: Hm. You seem to hold Ryuseitai in quite high regard.

Eichi: Not at all. They gave us a rough time at the DDD, but I was also recovering from illness at the time...^[1]

All of the members have great potential, but they aren’t fully utilizing their strengths.

So I find them to be more of a waste, really.

Consider, they were the unit which gave fine a run for its money during the DDD... they could do better if only they put in the effort.

But they’re just spinning their wheels and acting without a plan; their gears aren’t meshing. They could easily become something greater, but they keep taking unnecessary detours.

To be frank, I can hardly bear to watch them.

Yuzuru: Fufu. Then you have high expectations for them.

Eichi: Of course I do. Otherwise, I would have destroyed them beyond recognition at the DDD.

It’s like taking candy from a baby: they are foolish because they are pure, and stupid because they are virtuous.

For someone like me, they are easy prey. I refrained from acting, though, because as you said... I have high hopes for them.

No, I have the same hopes for all the students at Yumenosaki Academy.

We may have lost to Trickstar, but my dream remains.

I want to elevate idols to the heights of culture, and I would like if the Yumenosaki students become the foundation for it.

Grow past your limits, and make that the new starting point to send the next generation even farther.

By repeating this process, humanity evolves—beyond the point of singularity, and someday beyond my dream.

Yuzuru: “Evolution” may not be the correct word to use here, but I understand what you mean nevertheless.

Eichi: Fufu. I expect great things from you, too, Yuzuru.

Whether by chance or by simply following your master, you have become part of Yumenosaki Academy. I hope that you will come to grow through desperate struggle, as well.

Yuzuru: If that is what you desire... then this Fushimi Yuzuru will do his best to act accordingly ♪

Eichi: Wow, what a boring reply... That’s just a roundabout way of rejecting me, isn’t it? So you’re saying you won’t obey my orders, then?

Well, I suppose I’m not your master; that’s our adorable Tori’s job.

Yuzuru: Fufu. Flattery, ingratiation, and humility don’t go very far with you, President-sama.

Eichi: Just who do you think I am? I’m Tenshouin Eichi; I’m so tired of sycophants and bootlickers.

I really would like to see more raw emotion from you, though. You’re still a high school student, after all.

Yuzuru: I am endeavoring to that end; however, this is simply my nature.

Eichi: It’s fine. We’re in the same unit, in any case, so we’ll be together for a while yet. I’ll be patient and carefully uncover the person you are, bit by bit.

Prepare yourself, Yuzuru ♪

Yuzuru: You must be joking... I would ask that you treat me gently, if possible. By the way, might I ask to call my master before the show begins?

Eichi: Doing things with you makes me feel like I’m having an affair with a married woman...

Right now Tori and Wataru are engaged in special training from hell, so don’t bother them.

Yuzuru: But I’m worried... Hibiki-sama treats him so roughly.

Eichi: I’m rather jealous that he gets such one-on-one training with Wataru. Ah, I’m green with envy! I can’t help but want to put our princess through even more hardships.

Yuzuru: Please go easy on him...

However, lately there have been more situations in which you and I, and my master and Hibiki-sama act separately. What is the purpose of that?

Eichi: Ah, right. fine is far too balanced as it is, like a gemstone with a perfect molecular structure.

I thought we needed to add some stimulation; otherwise, there would be no growth.

You and I tend to spoil Tori, but Wataru is strict, or rather unforgiving...

On the other hand, you’re unable to defy me, since the Tenshouins have even higher status than the Himemiyas.

No matter how unreasonable my demands, you’ll oblige me.

This is how we’ll train you both. Of course, we are also gaining a lot from it, as well.

Let us all grow stronger. It’s still much too soon for our own “fine” ♪^[2]