Tempest – Storm's Vigor (Chapter 1–3)
Chapter Index
Ch1 - Ch2 - Ch3 - Translation Notes
Chapter 1
Location: Garden
Several days later, Sunday noon.
…
…Can I open my eyes yet, Wataru?
Not yet, absolutely not~! Please be a law-abiding citizen and wait until the oni has counted to a hundred!1
I wonder who the oni is…
Since having my eyes closed creates the illusion that we're the only people in the world, it must be me by process of elimination.
It might as well be me, for all you know! I was ostracized much like a monster or a rumored oni at one point in the past, after all!
Ladies and gentlemen, I am the rumored Wataru Hibiki of the Five Oddballs…☆
I "see" you're in a good mood. That's wonderful on its own, but I'm confused as I don't know what's happening.2
I would like to understand every single thing about you, from the top of your head to the tip of your toenails, yet I'm only ashamed of my inability to.
Fufufu. Please don't behave like a child being scolded, or I will take pity on you.
But truthfully, I'm like a child right now, being carried over your shoulder blindfolded— Even though idols should always show their most ideal self.
I must look like quite the foolish commander.
And isn't that perfectly fitting?
A good name for him who unabashedly calls himself the "Emperor" in this modern day Japan, him who built up this strange microcosmos, the leader of the foolish idols!
It's not as if I were a dictator controlling everything from the top, though.
ES, as well as this society, aren't so confined as to be dominated by a novice who only just graduated from high school.
Indeed. Even in an entire lifetime, it's natural to be unable to understand or control even a single human.
There exists such a limit for human beings, and that is what makes human life this interesting! And thus, ah, this world is overflowing with such brilliance…☆
…
Oh, so you won't reply in the end. I was quite shocked that you would remain unresponsive.
…I've come to understand the situation, more or less.
Even if I'm deprived of my eyesight, I can still find a way to make deductions so long as I'm not dead— What is that sweet smell?
Wataru. Do you really think of me as a baby or similar, to try and please me with sweets?
Not at all. I'm well aware that sweet things aren't to your liking, which is why I've prepared something better than that!
Please go ahead and open your eyes, Eichi!
No, no matter what you'd like to eat, my dear Emperor, Your Highness— this pitiful clown shall present to you the world that you most prefer!
…? Ummm?
Oh, you guys are here!
Jeez, you're late! Don't keep us waiting when the windstorm is this bad, my hair will get all messed up!
How much time do you think I spend every morning just to look my cutest?
Fufu. The one spending that much time is primarily myself, yet as I do not have any other significant uses for that time, it is no problem at all♪
Oh, so everyone is here.
But why exactly have we all gathered here? With all of these plastic sheets laid out and this many sweets and beverages—
Wait, you haven't told Eichi-sama anything about this?
Correct. After all, he might've tried to escape if I had told him.
I wouldn't have run away… If you had simply explained the reason behind your actions, I would've been fine with it.
From what I can tell, everyone has gathered here for the sake of flower viewing.
The wind here tends to make the cherry blossoms scatter, but even though it's Sunday, I don't have the leisure time to spend on something like that.
Fufu. You appear to be slightly displeased, Eichi-sama.
You are quite a self-regarding person— so we are used to your abuse of power in always pushing forward with your own intentions.
You're speaking from a place of understanding, Yuzuru.
Of course, since I am also part of fine.
An exemplar answer. Good, good, this butler of mine is excellent today too♪
I'd beg to differ…I wasn't intent on bringing it up thinking it would be better not to touch the topic, but why are you being carried by Yuzuru?
If anything, Yuzuru resembles a mom rather than a butler?
You joke about such a resemblance, however…
In this way, I am able to satisfy my butler urges by providing my Young Master with infinite affection, comfort and assistance.
Butler urges?
Yes. Since today is our day off, I am relieving stress by doing what I like the most.
Doing such without having received the other person's acknowledgement would be quite harmful, yet I have the Young Master's approval this time.
Yeah, and I'm always tired from straining myself, so it's fine every once in a while. Besides, rewarding a servant with holidays is a master's responsibility.
Today is our day off— it's Eichi Day, so it's alright to have some fun.
Eichi Day…?
Chapter 2
Fufufu, it is Eichi Day! Not an abbreviation for Hard Disk, of course! Amazing☆3
I can't allow myself to laugh at a bad pun right now. Anyway, could you please briefly explain what is this all about?
For the sake of you who is on his way towards overworking himself to death in this stressful society— no, for our own sakes…
We have created our very own holiday, Eichi Day!
But we don't have the authority to establish holidays…
…Oh? I've only just realized, but Anzu-chan is here as well?
For whatever reason, she's sleeping soundly under the shade of a tree. Is she perhaps copying Ritsu-kun?
Fufufu. Similarly to you, Anzu-san simply won't take a break unless it is forced onto her.
Although our Producer has been granted a proper weekly holiday, she seems to have been working herself to the bone even on her days off—
So, seizing the opportunity, we abducted her…or rather, Butler-san did.
I am indeed the culprit. I would like for you to take the circumstances into account, and think of it as an act born out of love♪
…You're also in a strangely good mood, Yuzuru, considering how depressed you looked a few days ago.
That is because Hibiki-sama kindly offered his advice, and I was able to sort out my feelings.
…I see. I'm glad, is what I probably should be saying.
Truthfully, Hibiki-sama had been instigating me…
With the approval of the lord and lady of the household, I proposed my acquaintance from back then a job as a gardener at the mansion.
At the very least, I wished to atone for the loss of their business thanks to ES.
However, they retorted with something along the lines of "Shut up! I'm a florist, not a gardener! I don't want your pity!"—
And thus, it quickly turned into a brawl.
Just like that?
That is right. As it had been a while since the last time, I was quite excited myself.
Truthfully, it is an insult for the winner to pity the loser…
After being thrown down, having a hand scornfully offered to me while being asked "Can you stand?", that was when I realized that fact.
My acquaintance might be going through many hardships from now on…
Yet even then, they still said that they prefered that over forcibly acting against their own will— It might have been a bluff, but they were smiling.
So they began to scold me…saying that I should not feel guilty, and that I was worrying too much.
On the other hand, they also encouraged me, saying "You better work hard too".
Fufu. Being in a high position, it is easy to forget that humans are strong creatures.
In the end, it seems my anxiety and my worries were unnecessary.
Even so, no matter how strong, one will always break if pressed hard enough.
We are not machines, after all— No, be it machines or whatever else, it remains the same.
So that's why it's good to take a break sometimes? is that the point of this meeting?
In a fundamental sense, that is correct. I told you, didn't I? That I wanted you to entrust those matters to me… You see, this is my answer.
Hmmm. It's a little stale coming from you, Wataru.
Oh my, oh my! That's quite scathing!
But the truth is always as simple as a mathematical formula! If such a concept becomes dull, simply sugarcoat it in literature!
Eichi. It won't be a problem if it is only one day of one week, so I'm asking you to please give your time to me.
Is that a proposal?
Fufu. If that was the case, I would demand everything in your life.
Allow me to rephrase that so as to not sound misleading— Please, give your time to us.
…
Hey, I feel like we've only been repeating the same thing over and over again, but I'll keep saying it until you understand.
Eichi-sama, we know how important every single second is for you because of your bad health.
The value of a single day must weigh heavier than all of the Earth.
However, we are demanding that much from you.
Please share with us even just a part of the empire by the name of your life which you rule.
…Fufu. That sounded just like Wataru, Yuzuru.
Even he might be influencing me to an extent.
It might just be natural— but through these eventful days, through all this time, we have been walking together while snuggling close.
As companions in fine. As friends, as a family.
Because you treated me in such a way, I shall treat you in the same manner— to return the favor.
Chapter 3
If we're a family, there's no way we can overlook Eichi-sama working his hardest everyday to the point that it's harmful.
I won't let you go, even if you resent me and get mad at me― I'll get you to rest even if I have to force you to.
If you keep this up, you're definitely going to die. Eichi-sama, and Anzu too.
I'm also studying to inherit the family business someday, so I know you'll seriously work yourself to death if you do it everyday without a break.
I don't know if you've realized it yourself, Eichi-sama, but these days you really look like a sweatshop worker.
The things you say get gloomy and dark, it's like your field of vision is getting narrower, and sometimes you'll get unsteady for no reason or laugh at weird times.
Although the latter has always been true, this is truly a clear case of overwork.
As I have been extensively studying up on medicine, I understand to that extent.
Yeah, since this guy is an ace butler capable of anything. There's no doubt that Yuzuru fits that description, right?
It doesn't matter if you hate us, or if you say we're traitors― We'll make you rest, even if it's just for an instant.
You shouldn't worry about that, since Eichi said it would be alright to betray him.
And he also said we in fine were comrades as well as friends and family, did he not?
So you're nitpicking my words from before. However, I won't fall so easily.
I understand your reasoning, and your feelings bring me joy. Even so, I have a position to take responsibility for.
No― I have a dream I want to fulfill.
I'll bring idols to the top of our civilization. For that kind of ES, I've been dedicating my life to labouring every single day.
I've decided what I want to do with my life. That is my holy ground that I won't allow even my family to step foot into.
Yeah. I understand, since I'm not a child. Rather, Eichi-sama, since when have you been such a child?
Indeed, are elementary schoolers not the only ones allowed to think themselves rulers of the world?
…?
Ah, my apologies! Are your eyes still closed, Eichi?
Oh, or is that not it? Are you properly looking around?
If the wind is perhaps too strong for you to open your eyes, I shall be your windbreaker! Hey, can you see anything? What can you see?
… I see all of you.
Right, we're here. There's a lot of people other than you in the world.
Even if you died and stopped moving, the world would keep on spinning as always.
Obviously Eichi-sama is the super cool strongest top idol in the world, but―
That which "the idol Eichi" can do, I can do as well.
Be it singing, dancing, or whatever, we are comparable when it comes to our abilities as idols. That has been my reputation for a long time now, no?
Far from "comparable", you're transcendental in any and all areas.
Ahaha. And when it comes to administration, human resources and all that, I'm learning what it takes to manage a business.
Even though it's hard right now, I'll do my best to study and become better.
That is the Young Master I shall support.
Coincidentally, I am a professional in what relates to questionable matters such as conspiracies and war―
At the very least, my training could be of use to serve as a substitute for you.
So you want to act as a representative of "Eichi Tenshouin" while I lie down without a care in the world?
Rather than that, we would like for you to share a piece of your responsibility with us.
It's unfair to monopolize it, as it is a family property.
Family, huh… To be completely honest, it's not a word that brings a nice picture to my mind.
Then, let us paint over that picture. Let us do it together, without keeping anything to yourself.
Furthermore, let us all make some time, even if brief, to have a break once a week.
On your days off, spend your time how you most prefer. Idling about for the whole day is fine, and having fun with your hobbies is no problem.
You may also dedicate your time to practice and training, and if work is the most enjoyable for you―
We will also accompany each other, so let us happily labour together. Anything can become joyous if we share it.
In that manner, let us have even just one day of the week to spend in peace.
Even God himself has a resting day― Approaching the matter from a religious, legal or ethical perspective, do there seem to be any issues?
Or maybe, do our words, our feelings, resemble a devil's taunt inviting corruption? Frankly, you are wearing me out♪
…
… It's perfect. I can't make a rebuttal.
You proposed a compensation for taking my time away, prepared answers in advance for any questions that could arise, and built a logically sound argument.
Bringing Anzu-chan here was also a display of good direction, repeating to her that she should take it easy and even making it a rule―
No matter what one were to tell her, she would continue to work incessantly… Facing that contradiction, I was lost for words.
How splendid! That is the sheer ability of our beloved Producer-san, guiding us idols in the right direction even while asleep!
You're so loud! Look, Anzu's awake and is making a face that says "what's going on?".
Fufu. It's alright if you rest a little more, Anzu-chan.
The trip so far has been quite harsh― when you reach your destination, there shouldn't be a reason to punish you for taking a short rest.
I will also take a break myself. Let's all do it together, once every week.
If that's a sin, I'll go and complain to God that even I have to rest.
Ahaha. Anzu looks perplexed, like "what are you talking about…?"~♪
Fufu. It's nothing, just something one tends to say.
Translation Notes
- ↑ There's a japanese game called onigokko (鬼ごっこ) which is comparable to tag, in which the person who must catch everyone else is the "oni" (or "demon"). Wataru is referencing a hide-and-seek version of it.
- ↑ I made up this joke. Since Eichi's into that kind of humor I saw no reason not to keep the "I see" despite him, well, not actually seeing anything, and instead made him point it out.
- ↑ If it isn't obvious enough in English, "Eichi Day" sounds kind of like "HD".
- ↑ This is just something I found interesting, but what Yuzuru says here resembles the lyrics of first his solo song, "Zutto Soba de…"— "I want to walk besides you while snuggling close to you".