Tempest – Spring Storm (Chapter 1–3)

Characters

Writer

Akira

Translation

toribocchama

Proofreading

Anonymous

Chapter Index

Ch1 - Ch2 - Ch3 - Translation Notes

Chapter 1

Location: Cafe "COCHI"

About ten minutes later…

Am I in love, you ask…?

Fufu. I have no clue as to what could have led to this amusing misunderstanding.

It seems I appeared to be concerned over something— For that, I apologize.

Putting that aside, please have some tea. This cafe within the ES building, COCHI, has a remarkable selection of tea leaves—

It is said that God is in the details; spending money in these places is what preserves the quality.

Wait, why are we drinking tea right now~!? When did I say it was okay to change the topic, slave!?

I am no slave. Fufu, it has been a while since the last time we had this exchange.

You have grown considerably as of recent, Young Master. It seems you no longer need to release your stress through rash remarks towards my person.

It is a good development. If you continue just like that, your future will surely be bright♪

Hmph! We're talking about you right now, not me! If it's not love then why have you been so out of it lately?

I'm— I mean, everyone at the mansion is worried!

Ah, my apologies. It is just…a difficult issue to explain, yet you must not concern yourself with it as it is merely a personal one.

But even if you say that, I'm still concerned. A "personal issue" from you who is always so selfless is quite rare and interesting.

Please, feel free to speak from your heart without restraint.

We are companions who have gone through many ups and downs together, friends who have shared their youth, like a reliable and loving family.

You're always so excellent and devoted, but it's lonely if all you ever do is serve others.

Hah… I am unworthy of such words.

Fufufu. I believe it would be best to understand Eichi's statement as honest advice towards all of us, and most importantly oneself.

There is no point in walking together if we don't strive to close the distance between us and to understand one another.

We, just like all other lovely idols, should be able to strip ourselves of our armor, tear our masks off, and clash flesh and flesh.

Fufu, that's right. I feel like there's much to learn from everyone else.

If you would just prefer to move arbitrarily, it's enough to deal with people's thoughts and feelings as if they were math rather than truly comprehending them.

I've gotten tired of using only calculations to go about life, however.

Fufu. Though you are making things confusing, lately it seems as though all you do is work with numbers.

All for the sake of setting ES' management on track— which makes me wonder if you do not yearn for human warmth.

You're right. This is the road I chose of my own accord, but it's quite a tedious one.

I have been only working as a manager, without getting many chances to partake in idol activities—

For that, I want to apologize to everyone as well.

After being at last released from the miniature garden that was school, I was supposed to purchase ES, my dream home— I was supposed to be free.

You really can't have your way with life.

Hmm, but I can't help fretting over it. We haven't been able to have any lives all together as fine recently, and that's really upsetting.

But Eichi-sama has been doing important work— I'm not a child, so I understand that much.

Fufufu. I don't mean to once again act like a clown, but shall we now return to the topic of Butler-san's plight?

The stage is a paradise where all pleasures lie. Becoming estranged from such a place, are you not slowly wearing away as the days pass by?

The living world is a place of self-expression, a stage for you to cheerfully dance up until the curtain call!

Butler-san appears to be particularly talented at suppressing himself and fully devoting himself to his role…

But once you have tasted the apple's sweet nectar, you can never go back to your life as a clay doll!

If I am to analyse my own situation, I do not believe that is the source of the problem. However, it may be one of the reasons as to why my feelings are so clouded.

I think that my melancholy might arise from not having a way to vent out all of my stress and troubles.

I do find pleasure in pushing myself in order to fit into my role and properly succeed in my duty, yet…

Before I had realized it, I had become an idol— no, a human, just like everyone else.

What are you saying? You belong in fine, a group composed of top idols both in name and in substance.

Fufu. Always being excessively distant is a fault of mine.

That is thanks to my upbringing, and because of the training I underwent— It is too late now to change that, but…

If what you want is for me to expose my heart and my true emotions, then I shall deliver.

That is a butler's way— no, an idol's attitude towards life.

Chapter 2

Location: Reception Room

That night…

…

Eichi… are you staying behind once again today?

Hi, Wataru. I was wondering if you would come.

Regrettably, I couldn't think of an interesting reaction… I'd like to to apologize for that.

There’s no need to. For you to perfectly predict, anticipate and understand my behavior— that on itself is gratifying.

In all honesty, I'm even surprised.

Fufufu. Despite the wind outside getting stronger, I don't intend to jump in through the window—

I did think of it, but it would've been quite foolish of me.

There was plenty of build-up this time. You made it overly clear that you were capable of withstanding the strong wind. I saw right through your magic trick, unfortunately.

Then I shall reflect on that, so that I can achieve a better result next time.

I'll look forward to it. Next time, I'll also get in the state of mind to be properly surprised by your antics.

Anyhow, could I ask you for advice on something?

As you wish. I myself have my own share of words that I'd like to share with you.

Eichi. You have been worrying over our conversation with Butler-san earlier today, isn't that right?

It's not that I'm worried.

I was just thinking about how I overcame the same conflict a long time ago… and managed to reach an agreement with myself.

I'm wondering how it is that it came to be.

I came up with ways to deal with it, so I wasn't worried about getting lost in the dark…

But it's hard to judge which path is the right one, since either one feels as if it's lacking a decisive factor.

You could say any of them is good, yet there isn't a "correct" choice. Ah, I apologize for saying such ambiguous things.

There is no need to worry, as I understood what you meant.

Since you can understand anything, Wataru.

Although I would like to entrust everything to the judgement of you who is like an angel that embodies truth itself, I can't allow myself to be that spoiled.

Don't worry. Rather, I've already come up with a proposal.

Could you leave this matter to me?

To you? Why are you asking?

I have been receiving persistent complaints about how I've only been showing my face at the theater company as of late… primarily by you, Eichi.

Therefore, I thought I would prove my loyalty and love.

I wouldn't say that your way of speaking is wrong, either.

Despite the fact that you love living as an idol more than anything, you've been completely focused on managing ES to the point that you have to put that aside.

It's an important stage, and you're unable to move from how much miscellaneous work you have to do.

In situations like that, people tend to— no, everyone relies on others.

So, for this, please rely on me. You can place your trust in me, can you not?

Of course. I trust you more than anyone in this world, even more than I trust myself. And even if you were to betray me, I wouldn't mind.

No matter how cruel you are to me, I'll accept it. I wonder if these feelings are what society calls love.

Fufufu. You say things that make you sound like a child sometimes.

Anyhow, although I would be happy to exchange sweet words with you endlessly…1

Stealing away your precious time would be a grave crime— So as to quickly settle this issue, please allow me to voice my thoughts.

Oh, that's unfortunate. I would give you all of my time.

Why thank you, Eichi. That is the highest praise an entertainer can receive.

Now, let's think back to what Butler-san shared with us about his troubles. It appears that he attended a peculiar institution in his childhood—

Ah, he avoided directly addressing that since he doesn't want Tori to know about it.

When Yuzuru was a small child, he was placed in the custody of a private military company.

Ohh, I see. For some reason, his words had given me that impression.

Yes. I haven't dug deep into it, so the details are unknown to me.

That company is under the direct control of Tori's father, so I don't know any classified information such as the exact address.

Fufufu. No wonder, then…

I did speculate for Butler-san's agility and lack of weak points at such an age to have been the result of some special training.

That boy, he has a soldier's attributes.

War is a deplorable act that steals away people's smiles and happiness, yet we have yet to do away with it— that's why it's a topic that mustn't be avoided.

Since I am a performer, my experience with tragedy beyond the stage is null… I cannot say I perfectly understand, but it's possible for me to imagine.

In that facility, Butler-san was treated as an instructor and was made to guide the new recruits— something of the sort, correct?

Since Butler-san quite dexterously avoided being too clear in his words, it was a challenge to decipher what was hidden beyond them.

Yes, his mask is also quite sturdy… though for you both, that mask is your own self, your pride, and your very soul.

That's right. I am the mask itself.

If Butler-san is wearing the mask of "Butler-san"—

Then that itself is what defines his identity, the version of himself that he wishes for others to see.

Because of that, it's difficult to think of him as a soldier hiding behind that mask.

Even as you look in the mirror, you will never be able to see the face of the "you" who exists behind the mask— the "you" from the past.

That is why, unable to grasp the answer, I remain at a loss and full of doubts.

Chapter 3

Oh, so that is the situation.

From my understanding, a fellow instructor of Butler-san's during his time at that institution…decided to retire, and went on to manage a flower shop near ES?

Yes, that's how it is.

Yuzuru took lessons in order to become a bodyguard, so I can understand how he went from a soldier to a butler…

But it doesn't seem like there's any relation between working as a soldier and as a florist.

It is merely a guess, but I imagine that their heart might've been rescued as they caught sight of a flower in the middle of the battlefield.

And then, since their livelihood was violent in nature, they couldn't express any interest in something as healing as flowers.

Even despite their kindness and gentleness, people still kill.

Indeed. Just like that, people without any malicious intent can still kill others. Much like a jailor carrying out a punishment…

Although I understand the feeling of at least wanting the culprit to show some malice when someone dear to you is killed.

If there is malice, it's possible to understand the situation, and to take revenge. Nobody wants to die like a puny insect, and nobody wants to be killed.

Because us humans are so mindful of others, we can't accept an irrational death.

However, as a manager and as an "Emperor", there are times in which I must do so.

Even now, I'm killing people as if they were bugs. Even without malice, I'm taking what is precious to people and trampling over it.

Deeming it a necessity, I deal with people's love as if it were numbers.

Since I'm the sovereign, I don't expect to be able to achieve a normal, happy life as a human…

…Who was it that said something like that? Julius Caesar?

Yes, although that line was omitted in Shakespeare's rendition.2

He was an englishman, after all. I wonder if at the time, since Caesar had invaded Britain in the past, he couldn't portray him in a favorable light.

Well, although I love Shakespeare, it isn't because of him himself.

It is specifically because there is room for imagination when it comes to him that he became such a magnificent author, equivalent to a god to a performer's eyes.

Fufu. A piece of writing of his that I quite like is the final monologue of the main character in the last work that is attributed to him, which represents his own feelings.3

The Tempest, is it not? Ah, so it resonates with you?

Right. I couldn't possibly utter such words yet, though.

Right now, I'm in the dream I envisioned.

I created ES, an idol's utopia— I'm doing everything in my power for the sake of maintaining, managing and operating it.

Naturally, there is a significant opposition to its rising influence, with many corporations being hostile towards us.

For that reason, I must make those people surrender, win them over, use them—

Day and night, a secret feud is unfolding. Even at this moment, an economic war is being fought.

In the midst of that storm, the flower shop run by Yuzuru's acquaintance might soon be destroyed.

That is the way things are. As ES, we must make use of every conceivable trick in order to expand our territory—

Thanks to that strong current, it appears as if that shop was caught up within the storm and about to collapse.

Even though they cast away their bloody weapons, turned away from violence, and started growing flowers…

Even though they were protecting those precious things that heal people and spread love, to have them blossom in full glory…

Such a pure-hearted dream will fall apart due to our actions― for the sake of our dream.

There's no need for you to lighten my burden by calling it "our" dream. Rather than that, it makes me feel insulted, in a way.

The one destroying those dreams is me. Me, my dream, is destroying other people's dreams.

Even though I should've understood that. While being aware and capable of grasping that, I still trampled over the innocent flowers that bloomed in the path I walked.

Yes. We understand that, and so we walk by your side.

It is the same for Butler-san, since he's an intelligent and rational kid— no, because he's also part of fine.

Still, even being fully capable of comprehending such, there was something he couldn't digest, wasn't there?

Since his head is always running ahead of his heart, but in spite of that, his heart is stronger than his head.

Being suddenly unable to repress the feelings budding in his chest, Butler-san must be perplexed.

That is the reason why he has been in such a daze as of late.

Quite unfortunately, it had nothing to do with lovesickness in the end…

But even so, that is why I cannot poke fun at him for it— you and I, who had been walking the same road, could indicate the destination to him.

Carry him if he stops in his tracks, and extend a hand towards him if he stumbles. No— please allow me to do so, as a senior in fine.

Please be at ease, Eichi. As you very well know, that is something I'm excellent at♪

Translation Notes

1. ↑ The word Wataru uses here, which I substituted for "sweet words", is "睦言". It seems to have a pretty romantic/intimate meaning, but I didn't know how to fully convey that in the sentence.
2. ↑ Wataru is talking about The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.
3. ↑ The Tempest wasn't actually the very last thing Shakespeare wrote, but rather is thought to be the last/one of the last plays he wrote on his own since his later works were collaborations (according to what I know and what I could find online).