Tempest – Epilogue
Chapter Index
Ch1 - Ch2 - Translation Notes
Chapter 1
Location: Tempest Stage
Two weeks later…
A gentle breeze is blowing today.
The spring storm has finally reached its end. Flowers' lives are short, but if they ever ceased to fall— no, if they bloomed for a long time, we wouldn't have joyful moments like these.
The colors and fragrance of those flowers attract bees and people and every lovely being on Earth, birthing new life.
In that way, the cycle of life continues, dying this world with all sorts of colors.
Ah, the world is so beautiful. Life is so full of joy and excitement.
Put that thought aside and look this way, Eichi~!
Although it is a task that we usually leave in the hands of a professional designer, it is also wonderful to wear outfits sewn for us by Anzu-san every once in a while!
It adds to the new context of fine's history, I believe! The warmth of love can be felt in each and every woven thread… ☆
It is to the point that one could forget the painful reality that our budget this time wasn't big enough to spend on outfits!
…This is getting more and more interesting. If you're deliberately ruining the atmosphere, then that's art― should I applaud you?
Fufufu, my apologies! This is simply my nature!
To add a twist to that which is only sober, or only beautiful! That's where the essence of smiles and laughter resides, a clown's utmost desire!
Purity alone is dull! Let us love that unexpected stimulus that targets the blind spots in one's brain! Fair is foul, foul is fair… ☆
More Shakespeare, huh?
This live stage was cautiously named 'Tempest Fes', however there are elements of the play pretty much scattered here and there―
Fundamentally, it's an adaptation of last year's Flower Fes. The streets are decorated with countless flowers and we idols welcome those who gather around with our song and dance.
It's a carefree, happy, entirely unrelated "normal stage".
And since this is a "normal stage" for idols, we won't meet an end like that play― The Tempest.
Fufu. Of course it's a "normal stage" for everyone else.
Flower Fes is an annual show, and we changed some stuff about the name and the production but it's almost the same.
Indeed, it is a seasonal event. However, it is a special stage for us in particular.
That's right. Last year's Flower Fes was our debut as the current fine.
It was our first introduction to the world, and first experiences are always particularly vivid memories.
However, I was hospitalized last year, so I couldn't even participate in that memorable act.
All I could do from my hospital bed was watch you all from a distance while grinding my teeth.
But this year is different. I'm wearing the same outfits as you all, and standing in the same stage as you.
All because you forcefully established "Eichi Day" as our holiday. Other than the name, it was a well-thought mechanism.
Thanks to you, I've been resting both physically and mentally. My body feels light and it doesn't hurt to breathe. It's as if I could take flight.
Human beings really do need to relax from time to time― now that I've experienced it personally, I won't forget.
Every now and then, you give me the impression that you're just a small child using difficult words.
How obstinate… If you tell anyone the same thing three times, they'll believe anything.
Would it be fine for me to think of myself in such a way and act like Mama Yuzuru's spoiled child?
I am no one's mother. Even though I have three troublesome brats to look after.
…You're always working so hard, mom.
If you call me that one more time, I will consider it malicious and proceed to make my attack.
…Anyhow, I greatly appreciate your thanks, Eichi-sama. I feel the same way. And although exchanging words of gratitude is a splendid thing…
Seeing everyone spending their days with smiles on their faces is the best reward to me.
Fufu, I just said something simple and ordinary.
Should I perhaps follow Hibiki-sama's example and study up on humor?
Fufufu. If that's the case, rather than referring to me in such a formal way using "Hibiki-sama", please address me as "Big Bro" or "Darling"!
I'll gladly teach you everything in great detail, starting from the basics♪
Ah, I shall pass.
Oh? You've already started with manzai?1
Fufu. Don't say those Trickstar-like things and let's get started with the rehearsal. We didn't have enough lessons this time, right?
That's right. Especially since Trickstar took my request the wrong way and started fooling around with BIGBANG—
Well, I do think that's a nice quality of theirs, though.
There are some holes that they can't fill by themselves, which is where we must help.
Since we're in the same office, they're also our family― we have to complement each other.
You all have been persistently teaching me this up until now, but it's impossible for any one of us to live on our own.
Indeed. Although BIGBANG was entertaining to watch, they couldn't make back the expected profit― they were lacking in that element.
Yeah. Dropping money in the area and thus making it circulate would stimulate the economy— those near ES thought there would be a benefit in associating with us for that reason.
Then, while working to dilute the discontent and uneasiness surrounding this "idol's utopia" that suddenly rose from the ground, we would make room for those flowers to bloom.
Chapter 2
…There was such a plan, at least.
Despite the fact that I made all of the necessary arrangements with the local residents and businesses, what actually occurred when the lid was opened was an unprecedented explosion much like the Big Bang.
It was quite flashy, but a grave loss in terms of our balance of income and expenditure.
It's as if the money that had gone into the project had been scattered around from the sky.
Everyone was delighted, but on the flip side, it resulted in a poor management of our money.
Even though the public's interest is building up… I would like to use our limited budget a bit more wisely.
Because of that, we had to make this Tempest Fes into a low budget project…
It was a job I didn't plan for, and I'm pretty much paying out of my own pocket.
That's why we shouldn't let those jack-in-the-box guys handle important matters like that…
When have they ever acted as we expected them to?
Even if not "as expected", there were many times in which their success was far beyond our expectations.
In actuality, as the aftermath of BIGBANG spreads everywhere, many new kinds of flowers are blooming.
Getting angry when things don't go as expected, as planned, or as promised is what adult society does. They're still children, however, so giving them side-eye for something like that would be rather petty of us.
I'm the one who is at fault for not properly explaining my plans and intentions since they are rebellious spirits by nature.
In fact, I did think of explaining everything, but Hokuto wasn't willing to listen.
Please excuse that child of mine.
It's alright. We can share the burden, is what you all told me. We'll fill in those holes that they left behind.
Starting with that one element in which they were lacking, the "regional stimulation".
With that aim, we'll bring brightness and color to the area surrounding ES. With this Flower Fes, renamed Tempest Fes.
The unexpectedly pleasant weather makes the name "Tempest" slightly off the mark.
However, the originally intended meaning was something along the lines of letting the petals blow away and even deriving joy from that in spite of the storm, am I right?
It's quite decadent. I don't dislike it— there exists such a thing as aesthetics of destruction.
Fufu. Where did that come from… Oh, it has to have been our Eichi Day gathering on Sunday.
We talked about what each of us would like to do― we ended up listing like a hundred things each, right?
Yeah. Just thinking about the things you'd like to do is fun on itself, such as "breaking and playing with Keito's glasses for fun".
Your subsequent murder would be far from fun.
I'll take care of your funeral, so die in peace, Eichi…! (Mimicking Keito)
Fufu. That's why I said I wanted to have the Flower Fes with the four of us together this time.
Being with everyone makes things super exciting!
Ahaha. For this show, while we were being made to rest together, Anzu-san went and said something like "Alright, I'll sum this up in a plan book".
Yup, yup. And she also started sketching out the costume designs, with us also giving our input.
Moreover, since that one acquaintance of mine had been having trouble disposing of their stock…
We made a deal with them and purchased a large amount of flowers for this project.
I tried to give them the money normally, yet they would not accept it. In this way, we were able to help with a good justification.
Surely, such a profit will be enough for my acquaintance's business to begin its recovery. My guilt has diminished somewhat.
Fufu. Working on this project on our own was quite enjoyable…
In any journey, the planning stage is always the most fun of all. Let's go there, let's do that, let's buy this, let's have that—
Amazing! As Hokuto-kun's Trickstar have always relished such joy, I had gotten the slightest bit jealous♪
Right. That's exactly why I can't allow them to monopolize her…
No, the system needs to be adjusted so that all idols get the same amount of joy.
People die, and empires fall. However, structures remain.
Ahaha. I used to think that was the norm for idols, planning things together while everyone's hyped…
That's how it's always been in Yumenosaki, and that's also what you see in TV shows and manga about idols.
In actuality, everything is decided by the management, as in the conference hall and stockholder meetings. It would be more fun if that was the case, though.
If everyone has dreams and ideals that they want to reach, it's our duty to make that a reality.
Yes, let us become the idols you dreamed of.
No— let us prepare the soil to make dreams and ideals into a reality as if it were common sense.
Yeah. Establishing as many rules as possible, participating in those tedious and troublesome meetings, doing tons and tons of paperwork…
Let's pile them up one by one without abandoning our steady labour.
So that idols can live the idol life that they dreamed of.
So that idols, fans and staff as well can each turn their dreams and ideals into reality— let's build an utopia where everyone can live in celebration with a smile on their face.
Even though we've only just started walking, and we've got a long way to go.
Don't worry, Eichi-sama. If anyone gets tired and falls down, I'll carry them on my back.
Fufu. To make things easy on my Young Master, I shall assist him to the best of my ability.
Then, to give everyone a moment of comfort and enjoyment, I shall offer my best performance as a clown!
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Let's sing and dance, let's proceed with a smile! Just like this…☆
(Stumble) W-woah! How impatient, Wataru. Isn't the curtain about to rise?
Nevermind that! The moment in which we are born into this world, the stage by the name of our life begins!
No one can leave halfway through, on this show in which all of humanity must love their audience…☆
Let us fully enjoy such a stage with a smile!
Come on now, Eichi! Your expression is still frozen~! You may imitate me, since we're so close to one another!
Since the weather is this lovely today! It would be a waste to keep that dispirited face, don't you think?
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Ahaha… It's impossible, you're like the embodiment of a spring storm.
Sometimes, it's really fun being swayed by it.
(Ah, what bad timing. The show has yet to start, and I'll end up wasting all of my stamina on dancing…)
(Not only is it of no benefit, but it's even a loss considering what comes next.)
(But even so, I can't let go of his hand. It's as if it's been magically glued to mine.)
(This is something I needed, something lovely. I wish this moment would last forever… this peaceful, dream-like, happy moment.)
Ahaha. What are you guys doing, seriously… you two get along really well, don't you?♪
It is splendid to see that you are enjoying yourselves. However, the audience has already started gathering.
I suppose it will be alright if we skip the rehearsal— if you would rather continue dancing instead, should we join you?
That's certainly an interesting idea!
But nonetheless, presenting imperfect tricks to the audience is a performer's shame! Let's do a proper dry run with what little time we have left♪
…Right. Time is finite, though it's never enough. That's why, every single second is valuable.
It is as you say. Since there's nothing to be done about it, let's get to work. We're adults, after all, and today is not a holiday.
Yeah. I don't want to part, but I'll have to briefly let go of your hand.
I'll set you free now, Wataru.
Oh? So the one who has been captured is me?
We've captured each other, in the midst of this tempest. Until the time God applauds us, saying mercifully that "that is enough".
Now, then! Let us dance and sing on this stage! Let us enjoy life to the fullest!
Let our ensemble resound endlessly as we make our dreams a reality!
Ah! Today is another wonderful, regular day! Amazing…☆