Knights VS Trickstar – Ballad (Chapters 1–5)

Characters

Writer

-

Translation

toribocchama

Proofreading

TBA (first version)

Chapter Index

Ch1 - Ch2 - Ch3 - Ch4 - Ch5 - Translation Notes

Chapter 1

Let’s see. I think we’re good…? Oh, I almost forgot this. That was close.

Alright, perfect. Now, I just have to hurry—

Ugh… what the heck… You’re babbling on non-stop first thing in the morning… I was up almost ‘til dawn writing music yesterday, so shut up and let me sleep… freaking dummy… (Snore)

Sena-senpai…? Why are you making such a big commotion this early…?

Oh, morning, Kasa-kun. And why do you look all pathetic and scrunched up like a raisin this early? Do you even realize you’re an idol?1

L-like a raisin!? I just woke up, so it’s not like I had time to do anything about that… And what are you even doing…?

I told you, modeling practice for my show starts today.

Oh, right, you did say that. Good morning, guys~

Huh? You, up this early? What in the world could’ve caused this!?

Are we about to be struck down by lightning…?

I’ve been feeling pretty good lately. Maybe the day of my triumph against that pesky sun has finally arrived… ♪

You know waking up in the morning is the most normal thing ever, right? You’re only just getting to the starting line.

But, hey, that’s good to hear. Put those high spirits into practicing for MM.

Um, speaking of which. I’m not at all familiar with how the Modeling industry normally operates. Does this type of Show also require its own form of Practice sessions?

Not in most cases, but this one’s got eyes on it all across the globe, so Sera-san is hosting optional practice sessions. That’s where I’m heading.

Well, I’ve got to go. I’ll be back in time for our practice.

Good luck~

Goodbye… (Yawn)

No way… Izumi-chan is already gone?

Yes, he left just a moment ago. He said that he will return in time for Knights’ Practice.

I see… I wonder if he’s going to be okay. I really hope he doesn’t push himself to the point of collapsing somewhere…

Wait, Ritsu-chan!? Why are you up!? Do you know what time it is!? Oh no, did you stay up so late that your sleep schedule got messed up?

What the hell… So whenever I wake up early, everyone’s gonna pester me for an explanation? That’s annoying…

Dance studio, during Trickstar’s practice break.

Phew… Ah, I’m sweating bullets…

Agh! It got in my eyes…! Ow ow ow ow!? My eyes, I can’t see…!?

Who are you, M*ska? Here’s a towel.2

Is that you, Isara-kun?

Thank you, you really saved me there… I thought I was about to lose my eyes for good.

What’s with sweat getting into my eyes? I mean, my own body made it yet it’s attacking me, so I feel betrayed.

Oh, you’re drenched in sweat. You’ve been getting a lot of exercise, huh. You did seem extra pumped up for today’s practice.

Really?

That’s the impression I got, at least. Did something happen?

Hm… Maybe it has to do with the talk I had with Izumi-san yesterday?

Remember the show I got invited to model for? As it turns out, he’s going to be in it.

Huh!? For real? But didn’t you say it overlapped with MM?

Isn’t it gonna be a bit of a herculean task to juggle two events of that magnitude?

That’s what I told him, too, but he said he knows that and is prepared to take on both.

I think he’s definitely going all out for our match. It seemed like he was looking forward to going up against us.

We both agreed to do our utmost and compete fair and square.

Maybe that conversation subconsciously made me start feeling more competitive.

We’ve been friends for a long time, and he’s almost like a brother to me, but that’s precisely why I want to win. I’d like to show him how far I’ve come since we were little.

Oh, that makes sense. So you want to win against your childhood friend, huh? I can relate to that in my own way.

Alright, then! In that case, I’ll do my part as your unitmate and give it my all!

Haha, I’m glad to have your support… ♪

Chapter 2

At the same time, in a different dance studio. Knights’ practice.

Hello. Sorry I'm a little late.

Hm? Ohh, you’re finally back!

Didn’t take you for a latecomer, Secchan.

Welcome, Sena-senpai. We’ve only just begun our Practice, so there is nothing to worry about.

Actually, how’s your modeling practice going?

…

… It’s a good source of motivation. It's full of nothing but top models, so there’s a lot to learn.

I’m lucky to get to watch such first-class technique from up close. Any model should feel that way, at least.

…? Why’s there such a bitter vibe to what you just said?

…

Leo-kun. Which of these jobs came first…?

Huh? What do you mean, “first”? I don’t get it.

… No, it’s nothing. Now that I think about it, it doesn’t matter. Forget I said anything.

Huh? I don’t get you at all!

Can we stop talking about this and keep practicing? My time is too precious to waste right now.

Um… Sena-senpai, aren’t you perhaps tired after the busy morning you've had? If that is the case, wouldn’t you like to have a lighter session with us?

I agree. You must be exhausted from working so hard, right? Why don’t you listen to Tsukasa-chan?

I’m fine. Don’t mind me so much.

I told you I don’t have the time for that. I’m going to do things properly, as much as I can. If I didn’t, could I really say I managed to take on both jobs?

I talked about this with Yuu-kun already. If I do either job half-heartedly, I’ll betray his trust and embarrass myself in front of him.

Let’s just start already.

… As you say. Instead of reducing the intensity, let us take a short break and resume afterwards. Since you’ve just arrived, you should still wait a moment before starting.

Kasa-kuuun…? Are you listening to me…?

Please wait until I’ve finished speaking. There is a point to this. I want to dedicate the break to informing you all about the strategy we will employ for MM.

Huh, what is it?

After discussing with Ritsu-senpai, I’ve come to the conclusion that in a setting where idol culture is relatively obscure, it would be careless to approach this match as nothing but a matter of putting on the best Performance.

Yep. As idols, the global setting of MM doesn’t favor us. And that’s something every other unit will also be dealing with—

…But I don’t think most of them are thinking of it like that. So we’re going to use that to our advantage.

How so…?

Well, we have someone here with us that we can use to grab the international audience’s attention and direct it to us. Right, Tsukipii?

Me…?

You want to capitalize on Leo-kun’s international fame?

Exaaactly ♪

Hmm… but I’m only known as a composer, y’know? Who’s gonna recognize me as Leo Tsukinaga from Knights?

Well, there are people who know you as Leo Tsukinaga the composer, right?

What if they got to see a composer they’re familiar with singing and dancing on stage, and it turns out that he’s pretty good at it? That would get their attention right away, wouldn’t it?

Then, we funnel that attention into Knights, and it becomes much easier for potential fans to get into us.

That attention will be our advantage against all other units.

Precisely. Which is why I believe that the best course of action for this upcoming matchup will be to modify our plan so as to engineer the Performance around Leo-san.

Without making it extremely blatant, we should devise an arrangement that draws attention towards him subtly yet surely.

…

I see… Well, fine by me. If you wanna make use of the Leo from Knights, go ahead and use him as you see fit. He’s just some guy, though.

What the hell? You’re literally in demand. Would it kill you to act a little prouder?

Even if we can’t utilize Leo-san’s greatest weapon, let us arm ourselves with the weapon that is the Name Value of “Leo Tsukinaga”…!

Chapter 3

Some days later, after the first round of MM, in Trickstar’s dressing room.

Ugh…

Argh, this sucks! We lost so baddd!

Hey, come on, we don’t know that yet. They’re not going to announce the scores at the end of every show, so it’s anyone’s guess until the end.

But… I’m pretty sure we lost this one.

I don’t need to see the scores to know. You get what I mean, Sarii?

Sure, we also got people hyped up, but it was clear that Knights did even better.

That’s… I mean, I can’t really deny that… but when you put it into words like that, it just feels worse. Like you’re speaking it into reality, I guess.

… “A master knows a master.”

Meaning that only those that have mastered a trade can instantly gauge the true ability of a fellow master. That also applies to this outcome.

Even if no numbers are shown, if we all have the same feeling that we lost, then that must indeed be true.

…

But this is only one loss. I don’t intend to lose again.

True, but what are we going to avoid that …?

Hmmm… I might just be stating the obvious, but we should really think of how exactly we’re going to make a better impression than Knights in the end.

A better impression… Like, practicing more and putting on a better performance than Knights…?

Precisely. If we continue as we have so far, we should arrive at that outcome.

This match helped me understand the present obstacle that makes it difficult to convey what makes Trickstar appealing and unique.

With that being the case, all we have to do is deliver an even better performance so as to mesmerize the audience.

Let’s start at once. I’ll go ahead and book a room for dance practice.

! Awesome! Let’s go, let’s go! Our light footwork is one of Trickstar’s strengths ☆

Let’s get changed into practice clothes right away. Come on, Sarii, Ukkii!

H-hey, wait a minute…!

…

(So Knights really went as far as to use psychological tricks. They’re taking advantage of every weapon at their disposal to ensure their victory against us.)

(They can’t use Tsukinaga-senpai’s music, and even then… with him at the center of their performance, they managed to grab the audience’s attention.)

(They got the audience to recognize the composer Leo Tsukinaga as the idol in front of their eyes.)

(Hidaka-kun might think so, but just putting on a good show isn’t going to cut it.)

(Trickstar and Knights… There might be some subtle differences in our respective units’ abilities.)

(But those differences don’t translate into an obvious advantage. Our international audience isn’t going to notice something so minute.)

(They’re not familiar with idol culture, after all.)

(If you line up two masterpieces by different artists and ask which one is better, the answer you get will tell you more about the viewer’s perception than about the quality of either one.)

(But what if they had price tags attached?)

(In that case, the one with the higher price would make a better impression on the viewer, wouldn’t it?)

(That’s the psychological trick that Knights used against us. Since the audience is unfamiliar with idols, they added a price tag to help them understand.)

(So, even if we kept practicing until we were able to just barely surpass Knights in terms of ability, that wouldn’t help our score in the end.)

(Besides, it goes without saying that Knights themselves are extremely skilled. With just a couple days left, it would be impossible for us to practice hard enough to end up with an overwhelming lead on them in time for the second round.)

(What can we do…?)

Right, the same as always. I’ll ask Anzu-chan, and from then we can—

… Oh, wait, that’s out of the question. They did tell us that she’s working exclusively in management for this, so she’s not allowed to help or give advice.

(Now what? It’s not long until the next round. If we go into it with no clue on how to proceed, we’re just going to lose again…)

(… No, let’s not start panicking. At times like this, I have to keep it together…!)

(The others appointed me as the brains of Trickstar for a reason. I’ve got to gather some intel so I can get a grasp on the situation, and then analyze it.)

…

(Hmmm… Trickstar has plenty of experience in the industry, and we’ve won plenty of competitions before.)

(That’s right. Let’s think back to the times we’ve won in the past, and analyze how we got there.)

(If I can figure out how Trickstar managed to win all those times… I might be able to find out where our strengths lie…!)

… Hm? What? Subaru, stop!

Geez, what’s wrong? I’m dying to get changed!

As much as I’d like to, Makoto’s not with us.

Huh…?

Ahh! You’re right! Where’d he go? You think he got lost on the way? Makes sense, in a place like this…

Hm, I wonder… I feel like he hasn’t been with us since we left. Maybe he’s still in the dressing room?

For real? You think he just completely missed that we were leaving? He can be a little scatterbrained like that.

I’ll run back to the dressing room to check, and you go ahead to the changing room.

Okie dokie! I wanna practice a lot today, so come back ASAP!

Chapter 4

Hey, Makoto? Subaru’s waiting for us in the changing room so we can practice… Uh, what are you doing on your computer?

Wait, is that our performance at the DDD? Man, that brings me back~3

Hey, Isara-kun. Sorry for making you wait. I’m just doing some research.

Oh, on what?

Since Knights are using their own tricks as leverage, I was thinking that we should find our own weapon to fight back with.

Gathering info is gonna take a while, though, so I’ll catch up with you guys later.

Got it. I’ll let the others know.

I’m counting on you, mister “Brains of Trickstar”.

Ahaha. I’ll do everything I can.

At the same time, in Knights’ dressing room.

We did it…! Good job, everyone. We’ve emerged superior in the first round! It seems our efforts have paid off!

Right, right. But who knows what they’ll bring for the next couple rounds, so let’s not rest on our laurels, okay?

…

… Um? Sakuma-senpai4 and Sena-senpai, the two of you seem to be acting opposite to the way you normally would…?

Yeah, now that you mention it… Sena’s the one that’s usually lively while Rittsu’s like a corpse. What’s up with you guys today?

Ritsu-chan has been in really high spirits lately… I wonder why?

Hm? I’m surprised, myself.

Maybe it’s because God just noticed my good behavior and blessed me with strength as a reward… ♪

Could it be that after oversleeping for so long, you’ve accumulated enough energy to overcome your previous limitations?

You’re also saying that stuff now, Suu-chan?

Well, the truth is that Anija has been fussing over my physical weakness for a long time now, so he’s always bringing me all kinds of random herbal medicines, natural remedies, foods with medicinal properties and all that.

Maybe one of those finally worked.

In any case, if you are feeling better, I don’t think the reason is important.

It’s wonderful to hear that Ritsu-chan is doing well, but what about Izumi-chan…?

…

I’m fine. Obviously, I’m a little tired, but I haven’t messed up this performance or the fashion show.

That is not the point. Your physical wellbeing is what concerns us.

Sounds like you’ve gotta ease up on either half of the workload, Sena.

… Actually, maybe we should take on some of your share of of the burden of MM, so you can put all your energy into the other job—

I’m telling you, that’s not necessary. Even when I’m worn out, I still know how to take care of my own business. Do I look to you like I’m passed out from exhaustion right now?

That is true… But if this continues on, you will reach your limit before the final round has even finished! You shouldn’t wait until it comes to the point of passing out!

It’s not like this situation is going to last forever. The fashion show is ending pretty soon.

Besides, why do you think you have the right to worry about me? Just now, you made a bunch of tiny mistakes on stage.

If I’m so beat to the point that I need to be coddled, how is it that your performance was even worse than mine?

T-that was… Um, I apologize… I have been feeling strangely tense, perhaps because the competition has just begun…

Don’t make excuses. You’d better make up for those blunders in the second round. Start minding your own business instead of mine.

Okay, okay, that’s enough! Cut it out!

Do you realize that you’re being a massive jerk right now, Sena? It’s always like this when you lose your cool.

…

… In any case, I said I can do this, so quit worrying about me.

I have to go to practice. I don’t have time to waste on this conversation. See you later.

Sena-senpai…

Aw, poor Suu-chan got picked on by Secchan. Come here, I’ll comfort you. There, there ♪

Please don’t pat my head as if I were a toddler. I’m not a child.

I am alright. In fact, I feel as though Sena-senpai was justified in his scolding. It is pathetic of me to have made even more Mistakes on stage than him, considering his exhaustion.

Rather, I was surprised to learn that even in his current state, he was still keeping track of his surroundings so thoroughly during our Performance. It speaks to a great degree of willpower.

Just because he’s right about something doesn’t mean he should weaponize it like that, but I guess he was so close to losing it that he probably wasn’t thinking while speaking.

Well, I can understand how he feels, in a way.

He’s participating in a global-scale show, where he’s surrounded by top models. Then, add the world tour he’s participating in as an idol on top of that.

Juggling both projects must be putting him under immense pressure. I think he’s handling it quite decently, considering the circumstances.

Of course, Izumi-chan put himself in that position, so he’s only suffering from the consequences of his own choices, but that might actually be the reason he’s been able to persist in the first place.

…

—I got it. If that’s how Sena feels, I know what to do!

Huh? Leo-kun, what are you thinking…?

If he’s not gonna do anything, it falls on the people around him to step in and take care of it! Okay, I’ll be back in a minute!

Oh, dear… he didn’t answer my question at all.

Chapter 5

The following day, in the dance studio, during Knights’ practice.

♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪ ~

Good work, everyone! Our abilities as a unit are gradually improving. Let us call it a day now.

(Wipes off sweat with a towel)

Sena~! Daiucchuu~✫ 5 How’re you feeling~!? Great, I hope~! Say you’re feeling great~! Come on, ”repeat after me”: How are you~? 6

Huh? What’s with you all of a sudden?

I was thinking the same thing, actually! You seem to be in good physical condition today, Sena-senpai. Your complexion, too, appears bright and healthy. I’m quite relieved ♪

Makes sense. I still have energy left, so I’m feeling a lot better than yesterday.

But, what happened? The difference in your demeanor between today and yesterday is very stark.

You haven’t been resorting to Doping or any other such strange methods of restoring your stamina, have you…?

Obviously not, you insolent brat. I’d never even think of something like that.

I don’t really know why, but my modeling practice today was pretty light. It only lasted about an hour.

That’s why I still feel like I’ve got energy to spare after our own practice.

Oh, that explains it. In any case, so long as it lightened your burden then it’s something to be happy about, isn’t it?

… I guess it is.

Hm? What’s that huge bag for? Practice is already over.

I know. I’m planning on booking a studio to practice some more on my own.

What!? Starting now!?

Why would you do that!? Are you dumb!? Was I crazy for thinking you were a smart guy!?

You’re the dumb one, Leo-kun.

I’ve explained it already. My modeling practice was light and short, so I have to make up for it in my own time. What part of that sounds so wrong to you?

Everything! It’s all wrong! Why’re you doing this? Since today was light, that means you can call it early and get some good rest!

Maybe I will if I have the time for it. But neither of the two shows is that far away, so I’d rather dedicate all the time I’ve got to preparing for them.

And resting isn’t going to improve my skills.

Why’re you so stubborn!?

If you’re not even gonna rest, then what was even the point of calling up Mr. Qué Será Será and—

Ah…!

…

…

Oh, I get it now… It’s weird, isn’t it? That after so much intense practice, this last session was suddenly so light?

What? Huh? What are you trying to say, Sena-senpai…?

I’m saying that this guy went behind my back to make my practice easier!

Leo-san, is that true…?

You’re making me sound so awful!? I guess if you look at it that way, you can call it that, but…! You don’t have to phrase it like it’s a crime…

I’m not a model, so I can’t be there at the show to help you out, and I can’t write songs for MM, either.

On paper, there was nothing I could do to be useful to you. So I started wondering if there was any other way…

—I only told him because I was worried about you!

…

…Worried?

You’re worried, really…?

Isn’t it obvious? You look like you’re barely keeping it together. I wouldn’t be surprised if you fell apart any time now.

Um… From my own perspective, it does seem like you are demanding too much of yourself.

So, you’re both saying that you’ve been worrying about me?

… Isn’t that concern just masking something else? In the end, everyone’s always thinking the same, right?

Thinking what…?

That I don’t stand a chance. That I can’t actually do this.

Huh? Why do you even think that? Lately, you’ve been saying some really dark things. What’s wrong? What’s up with you?

Worried, worried, worried, worried… Everyone always says that to try and comfort me.

Must be so convenient to decide how I feel without asking me. And on top of that, you go as far as to make arrangements so I’ll have it easier.

Jeez, how kind of you, thank you so much. I’m sick of it.

I don’t need any of that. I never asked for it.

Leo-kun, you’re exactly the same as Mom and Dad.

That concern is just something you want to shove onto me, isn’t it…?

…

Well, I don’t need you to coddle me. Don’t assume that everyone that looks like they’re about to stumble wants someone to come running to catch them.

At the end of the day… What you’re saying is that you don’t believe in me in the slightest.

Actually, Leo-kun, I…7

Sena…?

It’s nothing. Just never go behind my back like that again. I don’t need you meddling into my own issues.

Ah, Sena-senpai…!

…

L-Leo-san! Sena-senpai just walked out on us!? Should we really just let him leave…?

…

It’s not like that… I really was worried…

Yes, I understand… I can see that you were acting out of concern.

… But, what even is that feeling of concern? Where does it come from? Is it actually out of pity…?

That’s…

Um…? What happened here?

Huh? Where's Secchan?

W-what should we do, seniors…? This situation might get a little… no, I’m afraid it may develop into a very serious problem…

Translation Notes

1. ↑ Izumi actually compares Tsukasa to umeboshi (dried brined ume fruits), which I think is a dish known outside of Japan, but I substituted it because this is a common phrasing in English.
2. ↑ This is in reference to a line said by the character Muska in the Ghibli movie Castle in the Sky.
3. ↑ ES! continuity: this is in reference to Trickstar’s performance at the end of the ES! Main Story, in which they won against fine and earned the right to compete in that year's SS: Part 5 - Ensemble. This was Trickstar’s first major victory and happened a little over two years before the present story.
4. ↑ Tsukasa for some reason calls Ritsu “Sakuma-senpai” instead of “Ritsu-senpai” only for this single line.
5. ↑ Since I’ve already committed to not adapting ucchuu: while uchuu means “space”, daiuchuu (same as uchuu but with the character for “big” at the start) means “macrocosm” or “the cosmos”. As shown in Opera, “daiucchuu” is the original version of Leo’s “ucchuu” catchphrase and is suggested to have originated from Ensemble Girls! character Ruri Amamiya. “Daiucchuu” can potentially be interpreted as a more intense or pronounced version of “ucchuu”.
6. ↑ Leo’s “repeat after me” is rendered in katakana while “how are you?” is in the Latin alphabet. The former can be interpreted as him copying Tsukasa rather than attempting to speak proper English, while the latter is written the same as Tsukasa’s own English.
7. ↑ Izumi says ”ore wa Leo-kun ni…”. This phrasing implies that he was about to say something relating to his thoughts, feelings or desires in regards to Leo.