sorry for the follow up message but the main thing i was commenting on was how the "based" in "So, I thought that based on the special guests we’ve asked…" makes it sound like they've already asked them (when they're asking now) and that it wasnt based on them being 桜に攫われそうな人 but the other way around, which along with there being no "look like [they'd be swept away...]" in the following line makes the two lines sort of confusing
No worries, sorry if I didn't get it clear on the first go! But thank you for clarifying, I appreciate the help
hello, since 桜に攫われそうな人 is a trope in otome and bl media i think toi is saying he picked renga and yukikaze and toi based off them looking like they'd be swept away (according to him) rather than that because they are the members itd be nice to be swept away
Thank you so much for the comment! I see; I didn't know that. Thank you so much for the correction, I'll swiftly make the correction right away
Toi Shiramitsu SSR (On the Day I Dance with Cherry Blossoms) - The Cherry Blossoms, The Light, and You
Proofreading: Niri, Xii
Please let me know if there are any mistakes within the translation either here or on X.
Sorry for the long update, I have been busy with break my case translations so I hadn't had the time to post this
Edit: Thank you for the anon who gave me some vital information that I didn't know of!
Part 1
Location: HAMA House - Meeting Room
Ryui: Well, everyone’s here.
Momiji: Then, shall we start the meeting? We’ll be discussing about…
Toi: The “Full Bloom Sakura Festa” held in Ward 15!
Yukikaze: It’s an event where one can enjoy the stalls and volunteers’ performances alongside flower viewing. I heard that HAMA Tours will be supporting this year, but…
Renga: Why were we called here?
Toi: Actually, after discussing it with Anisama, I thought it might be nice to invite some guests this year…
Ryui: Here’s the proposal. Make sure you read every word or else.
Renga: This much?! Plus, the information was all handwritten?!
Toi: Ehehe… Yep.
Toi: I thought this would be the best way to show how much the event means to me!
Ryui: From the binding to the words within, this document was wholeheartedly made by Toi. The whole thing’s worth reading, especially page 87’s…
Momiji: (Toi-kun has stayed up late to make this.)
Momiji: (Let’s do our best to support the festival, the locals, and Toi-kun.)
Ryui: —By the way, these documents are worth taking home to memorize.
Toi: So, I thought that the special guests we’ve asked…
Toi: it would be nice of them to get swept away by the cherry blossoms…!*
Momiji: T-To be swept away by…
Renga: The cherry blossoms?
Renga: Wait, what do you mean? Don’t tell me… the cherry blossoms are gonna sweep us away and demand a ransom?!
Renga: H-Hey, Yukikaze… I don’t know, but are there cherry blossoms like that?
Yukikaze: I don’t know. However, it’d be good for us to stay alert.
Yukikaze: Whenever we pass by the cherry blossoms, we must use our personal alarms. We should practice together later.
Ryui: Hey, stop spoutin’ nonsense. Shut up and listen.
Toi: First, please take a look at page 17 with this in hand.
Momiji: “Lovely Dovely・Blossom LOVE”...?
Toi: Yes! I was looking for ideas for the project with this game, and I thought the characters were similar to Renga-san and Yukikaze-san!
Toi: All the event CGs took place under the cherry blossoms. Those were beautiful, fleeting even…
Location: “Lovely Dovely・Blossom LOVE” Famous Scene
Renga?: Did you decorate your hair with cherry blossom petals? Heh… It looks good on you. You’re really worthy to be my woman.
Yukikaze?: If I were to say… “you’re more beautiful than the cherry blossoms”... what would you do?
Toi: Oooh, just remembering it makes my heart all woozy…!
Momiji: (I see… So that’s why Toi-kun asked for Yuki-nii and Renga-kun.)
Toi: Anyway! I think both of you would definitely look good under the cherry blossoms!
Toi: Also, I know the brilliance of your dancing, not only from your hospitality lives, but even TV commercials and ice skating broadcasts.
Ryui: Be grateful that you’ve been recognized by Toi.
Toi: I want everyone to see your dance that will capture the hearts of many at the “Full Bloom Sakura Festa”...!
Toi: Renga-san, Yukikaze-san. Would you like to perform with me at the parade?!
Yukikaze: What a cute request from my little brother. I’ll do it.
Renga: Y-You sure about this, Yukikaze?! What if the cherry blossom actually kidnaps you…!?
Yukikaze: It’s fine. Even if the cherry blossoms grew limbs and attack us, I’m sure we can outrun them.
Renga: I see… yeah! If something happens, we’ll carry everyone and run!
Renga: Okay. You can count on us, Toi. Let’s make the best parade together!
Toi: Thank you so much!
Ryui: Obviously.
Momiji: Well then, since we decided on the performers. Let’s proceed.
Momiji: You got this, Toi-kun. Ryui-kun and I will do everything we can to support you, so… let’s make this festival a success!
Toi: Okay!
Part 2
Location: Cherry Blossom Festival Venue
Momiji: Good job with the parade! Everyone’s dancing was really lovely.
Toi: Thank you, Chief.
Toi: It was very exciting… I felt really nervous at first, but I managed to dance it away!
Renga: Even the guests got fired up with us!
Yukikaze: Yeah. I could hear everyone cheering and clapping for us. The whole crowd looked so happy.
Ryui: That was the best dance ever, Toi. It was as if a celestial maiden had left their raiments and run away.
Toi: …It seems like everyone’s hearts are together. It’s a nice feeling.
Toi: We managed to liven up the parade, all because of Anisama and Chief… and Renga-san and Yukikaze-san dancing with me.
Toi: Please let me express my gratitude. Thank you so much for helping out!
Momiji: It was a pleasure! Thank you for allowing me to help out on such a lovely event.
Momiji: Now that we’ve got time to spare, shall we look at the blossoms?
Ryui: Other than the parade, there’s a bunch of things we did… including the arrangements for the food trucks and proposing ideas for the food. Let’s go and have some fun, Toi.
Toi: Yeah.
Ryui: —That’s one hell of a crowd. Toi, hold my hand tightly so you won’t get lost.
Toi: Yup.
Momiji: The weather’s great, and the sakuras are in full bloom. It’s the perfect day to view the blossoms.
Toi: Whoa, there’s even more customers at the stalls…! They sure are lining up at the food cart over there.
Yukikaze: That’s… the “Everyone, come grab a large serving of Sakura-colored Potato Fries” stall that Renga suggested. Seems like it’s well-received by the crowd.
Toi: You were really set on the Himalayas Rock Salt being used for cherry blossom vibes, right? The fry I had as a sample was delicious.
Renga: There’s also a huge line for Yukikaze’s “Sakura-colored Shumai made with prawns” food stall that he proposed! Looks like everyone’s happily buying them…
Renga: (...I was right for not making the return of the 34,000 yen potato fries…!)
Momiji: Right, Toi-kun, Ryui-kun, aren’t you both hungry?
Momiji: You were really busy, so I bet you didn’t have a proper meal for lunch. I’ll get you anything!
Toi: T-There’s no need. I’m fine—
Toi's stomach growls
Toi: Oh…
Yukikaze: Looks like your stomach growled loudly in response.
Renga: Right, let’s split up and get something for you!
Momiji: Ryui-kun, can you wait here with Toi-kun? We’ll be back soon.
Ryui: Got it. Don’t get lost.
Toi: …Everyone’s really kind.
Ryui: They’re a bit all over the place sometimes though.
Toi: …The sakuras are very pretty.
Ryui: They look beautiful because of you. Toi, you look great with them.
Toi: Anisama…
Ryui: If it were me…
Toi: ?
Ryui: If it were me, I wouldn’t let you get swept away by the cherry blossoms. I’ll hold onto you tight here and not let you go anywhere.
Toi: …Yeah. Anisama, I wish that we’ll always—
Momiji: We’re back! I got some sakura-colored shumai, potato fries, dango, sakura-flavored crepes, soda, and a bunch of other stuff too!
Ryui: You guys got back so damn quick!!
Renga: Well, the clerks were working so fast that I saw… after… images? of their hands.
Yukikaze: It took only a few seconds for us to give the money to receive the food after paying. They were incredibly efficient. Ward 15 is amazing.
Momiji: Thanks to that, we bought a lot.
Momiji: Here. Some piping hot fries! Be careful not to burn yourself.
Toi: Ah, thank you. I’ll have a bite.
Toi: *munch*... It’s delicious…! Anisama! Try one too, ahhhhh.
Ryui: Aaaaah… Mhm, it’s delicious.
Toi: Fufu, right? *munch, munch*
Toi: …Huh? I hear something lively over there….
Momiji: Let’s see… Oh, it’s about time that the temporary stage program started.
Yukikaze: Right. If I recall, the first appearance on stage will be the Illusionist Samba Dancer.
Renga: It’s already time?! It feels like we spent the day in a flash.
Toi: …
Ryui: Do you wanna go and look, Toi?
Toi: Eh, but I’ve just started eating my fries…
Ryui: You can eat them while we walk. No one is gonna snatch them away.
Momiji: Yeah. If anything, if we don’t go now, we can’t see them.
Ryui: Let’s go, Toi. Don’t let go of my hand.
Toi: …Mhm!
Toi: (His hands are warm.)
Toi: (The cherry blossoms are pretty, and the food here is good. Everyone and the Chief are wearing radiant smiles on their faces too.)
Toi: …This is really fun.
Footnote:
桜に攫われそうな人 is a trope in Otome and BLs where the person seems to likely be kidnapped or swept away by the cherry blossoms by losing sight of the person in the foliage of cherry blossoms. Meaning their existence and their being are fleeting and beautiful. (Thank you to the anon who corrected me)
Yu Nina - 2nd Anniversary SSR Card Translation
(implied Onda cameo)
CHAPTER 1
A poet once said, “To live is to encounter. A life without one is a life that has yet to truly begin.”[1]
If those words hold true, then one thing I can say for sure is that mine will come to an end without ever having begun.
YUHANG:
(An hour and a half left until the appointed time.)
This business hotel was arranged by one of our affiliates. The room that had been assigned to me as a stand-by spot was located on the lowest guest floor, right next to the emergency exit.
Dispose of the traitor who fled to Japan.
That is the sole reason I have crossed the seas and am standing at this spot.
YUHANG:
(The target will show up at the designated point tonight.)
(Taking the train is not an option. I’ll have to leave the hotel on the early side.)
I take a sip of water and do a mental review of the course of action to take for this operation.
None of this is new to me; it's a task I’ve executed more than I could count. But I default to this anyway given there’s nothing else to do.
YUHANG:
(Seeing to the disposal of targets is the only function I serve.)
(Where I do what I do poses no consequence; sticking to the method ingrained in me is how I do it.)
In other words, business as usual, with no room for unwelcome emotions and needless reflections. Even the weight of the gun in my holster no longer occupied a space in my mind.
YUHANG:
…
With the quick review out of the way, idle downtime filled the room once more.
Other than surveying the entire floor – which I’d already taken care of when I arrived – there was nothing else of relevance left for me to do.
I went through the motions of scanning the room. The case of cigarillo left on the table caught my eye.
YUHANG:
(I haven’t eaten anything since morning, come to think of it.)
Hit by a hunger pang, I sluggishly reach for the case of cigarillo. I let my thoughts wander back to the details of my mission as I filled my lungs with bluish smoke.
YUHANG:
(One hour to go…)
What a meaningless waste of time – like filling a vacuous void with nothingness.
[1] A maxim by Shuji Terayama featured in his posthumous work Words More Than Your Hands Can Hold: A Collection of 413 Aphorisms (両手いっぱいの言葉―413のアフォリズム, Ryoute Ippai no Kotoba―413 no Aphorism)
CHAPTER 2
In some back alley far from the reach of the city’s hustle and bustle, I wrestled the target to the ground and point my gun at him. With both legs now crippled, his chances of escaping were no more.
MAN:
Don’t… shoot…
YUHANG:
I have no reason to follow your demands.
MAN:
Spare me, and I’ll introduce you to a business worth your while. For the right price, they’ll forge you a new identity and erase all records of your past.
The best part of the deal… is that you can make a break from “that person’s” sphere of influence.
YUHANG:
Mhm.
MAN:
Desert the crime family just like I did! You can live a life better than y–
I tightened my finger on the trigger.
???:
…
YUHANG:
!
In the seconds that followed, I sensed distant footsteps and voices growing audible as they inched closer. Only then did I take my finger off the trigger.
Although the footsteps I heard didn’t seem to be headed towards our location, firing now would notify whoever those belonged to.
YUHANG:
(Let's wait until they pass by.)
MAN:
Agh!
I pressed down my weight on this man and let the sole of my shoe drive into his throat, causing his legs to jerk upward. Only the noise of his struggling on the ground and gasping for air lingered.
That should do. They’ll never hear us from the main road.
I bent down to hide in a blind spot and waited for the passersby to leave the area.
YOUNG MAN:
*inaudible*
YUHANG:
(One young man and a middle-aged couple.)
Stealing a peek, I saw a group of three well-dressed people walking together. The similarities of their facial features tell me they must be a family.
When the young man gave a coy smile, his parents beamed in kind – a commonplace kind of scene you’d find anywhere in this country.
YOUNG MAN:
…tomorrow…
MIDDLE-AGED MAN:
…let’s go–
I strained my ears to catch bits and pieces of their conversation in Japanese. From the way they didn’t seem to question the promise of a tomorrow, I knew my path and theirs were not meant to cross.
The only thought that came to mind was, “They're unlikely to be our foes.”
YUHANG:
(They’re gone.)
I stood up while keeping an ear out for the laughter growing gradually distant. Once the profiles of the three passersby disappeared from the corner of my eye, I then directed my gaze to the target still squirming on the ground.
MAN:
Hng… Zave… mhge…
To erase your entire past and start life anew: the idea offers no failproof guarantee, to say nothing of how realistically unfeasible and utterly ridiculous it sounds.
What made him think going back was an option still on the table?
YUHANG:
I fail to understand that thought process.
I pulled the trigger.
CHAPTER 3
Following the orders given to me, I made a phone call to report that my mission had been wrapped up.
It took a couple of rings before the call was picked up, and only then did I start speaking.
YUHANG:
Done.
???:
Okay. Is that it?
YUHANG:
Yeah.
???:
Mhm. In that case, get ready to fly back. I’ll brief you about the other mission I mentioned previously.
As I see it, only you can execute it without dying. Everyone else won’t make the cut.
YUHANG:
Copy that.
The call ended.
When I put away my phone, my fingertips brushed a familiar texture. It was the stick of cigarillo I stuffed in my pocket before leaving the hotel.
YUHANG:
(Let’s see, smoking area…)
I raised my head to look around for one, but there doesn’t seem to be any within the vicinity. Not an issue. I figured I'd eventually find one after walking around.
Just when I was about to take a step—
???:
?
I heard somebody try to strike up a conversation with me. Keeping my wits about me as I turned around, what greeted my gaze was a child – who I’m guessing couldn’t be any older than ten – standing behind me.
I didn't understand a lick of what the kid just said. He’s speaking in Japanese, I assume.
Seeing no reason to give him the time of day, I opted to ignore him and make my leave. But then, as if he realized something, the kid began to muster up what little English he knew in an attempt to get his message across.
CHILD:
“You maybe hungry.”
YUHANG:
What?
CHILD:
“White…? …, for you!”
I'd been offered what appears to be an individually wrapped piece of chocolate and the kid’s ear-to-ear grin.
His words, paired with his hand gestures, reminded me of how pale I‘d looked in my hotel room’s mirror.
YUHANG:
(I look as white as a sheet, so he’s giving me that?)
(Or perhaps he meant something different. Either way, I don’t need it.)
CHILD:
?
YUHANG:
I'm good.
CHILD:
…?
YUHANG:
No. Keep it.
I couldn’t understand the reason behind the kid’s smile and why he kept offering me the chocolate. I decided to accept it to get this irresolvable and incomprehensible back-and-forth over with.
YUHANG:
Now scram.
CHILD:
—!
He probably has no idea he’d been chased away. Without seeing off the kid who sped to run satisfied, I turned my gaze to the snack I held in my hand.
YUHANG:
(I could say the same about myself.)
(The smile he showed, why the kid did what he did, and everything about this whole interaction is lost on me. If anyone could make sense of that, it’d probably be—)
YOUNG MAN:
…tomorrow…
MIDDLE-AGED MAN:
…let’s go–
CHILD:
“You maybe hungry.”
CHILD:
“White…? …, for you!”
MAN:
Desert the crime family just like I did! You can live a life better than y–
YUHANG:
…
I stared down at the wrapped piece of chocolate in my hand. It stayed solid, as if unaffected by my absent warmth.
Me, leave the mafia? Talk about unfeasible and ridiculous. It’s not even up for debate.
YUHANG:
(Let’s go find that smoking area.)
I tossed it in the nearest bin, all while planning steps for my next mission.
Aimlessly, I walked into the night—
HOME SCREEN VOICE LINES
① - Your addition to the company posed no disruption to our operations. I’d say it speaks to how well you fit in the team.
② - Two years, huh? If you want to look back on the past every time you reach a milestone, that’s up to you. Better yet, it would be in your best interest to do so with the intent of applying what you've learned in the future. Am I wrong?
③ - There is no shortage of events to celebrate at this company as it is, but this occasion must be special in a league of its own. No objections from me. Let yourself have a good time.
2ND ANNIVERSARY VOICE LINE
Your tenure at a company doesn't matter as much as what you've learned during your time there. You should be proud of what you've worked to build up.
Voiceline 1: I’m sure we’ll continue to work together in the future. I’ll be in your care once again.
Voiceline 2: I’m indebted to you for doing the tasks assigned to you for these two years. Again, I’m grateful.
Voiceline 3: Though we don’t have much of an opportunity to work together, I’m well aware of your efforts. That in itself is amazing. Hold your head up and be proud.
Part 1
Do you want to see a world where [ONDA] could be a good son to his parents?
> Yes
> No
Tick, tock, tick, tock… I found myself relaxing to the sound of the clock hands ticking.
I was lying on the sofa and watching television.
Tomose: (... Right, there’s a lot I have to do.)
Before Yu went out, he had told me to start the washing machine and to cook some rice.
Tomose: (What a bother…)
Despite thinking that, I got up anyway.
Ever since we started living together, there was a part of me that had gotten used to this “bother”.
Yu: —I’m back.
Tomose: Welcome back.
Though I didn’t have a problem greeting Yu as he came back home…
Tomose: About 30 minutes left until the rice finishes.
As he headed towards the kitchen in the back, I confessed how long it’d take for the rice to be done.
Yu: This too? The laundry isn’t even done yet either.
Tomose: (Was I caught red-handed?)
The sound of the washing machine vibrated throughout my eardrums.
Yu’s ears must have picked up the sound too; that’s how he found out that the laundry wasn’t done yet.
Tomose: We didn’t promise that they had to be done before you’re back.
Yu: You’re making excuses.
Tomose: ……
Yu: Should I make dinner?
Tomose: Yeah.
Yu: I’ll prepare it right away.
After I nodded in response, I followed behind Yu as he headed towards the kitchen to help him out.
This was our ordinary day-to-day, just like any other. I savored the joy of being able to live today normally as well.
A few days later—
Yu: Doesn’t seem like the restaurant has a lot of customers around this hour.
Tomose: Then we can take our time. What are you getting, Yu?
There was only one menu placed on top of the table. I looked through it together with Yu, searching for something to order
Yu: I think I’ll get the chicken jambalaya. What about you, Tomose?
Tomose: I’ll also… Never mind, I’ll have the hamburger steak.
Yu: You’re thinking that you can try both if you order something else.
Tomose: You don’t have to point that out.
Whether to feel embarrassed or frustrated that he saw right through me—
Those feelings stirred within me as I placed my order…
Tomose: The sauce here is surprisingly really good.
I earnestly said my thoughts as I ate the warm food I had received.
Yu: Shall we order more?
Tomose: No. I’m going to save it for the next time we come here.
As we were talking about various things while eating, Yu suddenly spoke up with a serious expression.
Yu: What are we going to do with Father’s present this year?
Tomose: For his birthday?
Tomose: Last year, we gave him perfume. The one we picked together.
Yu: Right.
Tomose: Then, for this year, it’d be better to give something different…… How about a belt?
Yu: Didn’t we give him one before?
Tomose: Now that you mention it, you’re right.
As I looked back on the past, I became aware of just how much time has passed.
I realized that, in one way or another, Yu has always been present in my memories.
Part 2
As Dad’s birthday arrived, Yu and I visited our parents’ home.
Yu: I know it’s a little late to ask this but…
Yu: Are you sure it’s okay that we didn’t go with what you chose instead?
The present was a book cover.
We had trouble picking whose color of choice we should buy, but in the end, we went with the one Yu chose.
Tomose: (That’s rare…)
Undoubtedly, I was sure most people wouldn’t notice that Yu looks a little anxious right now.
Tomose: Dad would be happy with anything because you picked it.
Tomose: He might even cry. He’s been getting more easily moved to tears as the years go by.
Yu: So I don’t have to worry, huh…
And so, with a slight nervousness, we rang the intercom.
Mom: Coming.
The door swung open less than 3 seconds later.
Upon seeing Mom’s peachy face, my relief quickly gave way to shock.
Tomose: You should make sure who’s visiting before you open the door.
Mom: I couldn’t help myself when I thought it’d be you two.
Yu: You worry us.
Mom: Fufu, I shouldn’t worry you both. I’ll be careful next time.
Mom: …Come on in, come on in. Would you be a dear and help out with the cooking?
Yu: Okay.
Tomose: (Looks like there’s not much I need to do with Yu here.)
As if he had seen through me, Yu’s expression softened as he gazed at me.
While waiting in the living room with Dad, I watched Mom and Yu, who had their backs towards us while they were busy cooking.
Mom: Haven’t you already gotten better than me at cooking, Yu?
Yu: Better than Tomose at least, I’d say. After all, I do all the cooking.
Tomose: Yu, if you have something to say, tell me.
Yu: It’s not like I don’t want you to do it, Tomose.
Mom: Fufufu, you guys haven’t changed at all.
Dad: That’s true.
Familiar voices changed to bright laughter. Naturally, my heart became filled with warmth.
Dad: …I’m so happy.
Tomose: About what?
Dad: That you two came to celebrate my birthday. Isn’t it quite common for people to drift apart from their families as they become adults?
Tomose: I suppose so.
Myself aside, Yu, who was “taken in”, had assimilated perfectly into the “Onda household”.
He had no hesitation nor worries in loving Mom and Dad as his “own”.
Tomose: (I get really happy when this time comes around too, because Yu is able to enjoy it.)
Mom: Oh, you’re putting miso into the hamburger steak?
Yu: If you do that, the flavor becomes richer.
Mom: I see. Next time I make it, I’ll do that.
Yu: Mother’s hamburger steaks are fine as-is. It’s already delicious enough.
Mom: Then, why don’t you make some when you come back once in a while? I want to try some of yours.
Tomose: Alright.
I approached them while they were diligently kneading the patties, answering in Yu’s stead.
Tomose: We’ll try to come back whenever we can.
Dad: You two can come live here again, y’know.
Yu: We’ll become spoiled by that, so don’t think of it.
Mom: Fufu, it’s fine though.
Though I didn’t say it, Yu’s words hit the nail on the head.
Because I even found myself wishing to stay in this warmth forever.
Part 3
Once the table was filled with food, it was finally time for the birthday celebration to start.
Yu: It has been a while since I ate Mother’s cooking.
Mom: Ever since you guys started living together, you haven’t come back home at all.
Tomose: Because we don’t have any reason to come here.
Dad: You don’t need a reason to come. Just drop by once in a while, so your mother doesn’t get lonely.
Tomose: Right. We’ll try.
Dad: Now, we should dig in before the food gets cold. I’m having trouble deciding where to start with this much food.
Yu: ………
Tomose: (I know.)
As I felt Yu’s gaze, I nodded slightly.
Tomose: Before we do, could we have a bit of your time?
I held out the present that I had prepared with Yu to my dad.
Tomose: We’d get too nervous if we waited until later to give it to you. So we thought to do it now.
Yu: Happy birthday, Father.
Dad: Did you pick this together…?
Yu: Yeah.
Tomose: Yu picked the color.
Dad: …Thank you. You are both the best sons I could ask for…
Mom: Oh my, we’re celebrating your birthday, yet you’re crying.
Tomose: (He cried just like I thought he would.)
Dad’s hands were shaking as he took the present. I understood just how happy he was without having to ask him.
Dad: At this rate, I’ll be thinking about the present you have given me.
Dad: I’ll take a good look at it after we eat.
Tomose: Please, do so.
Mom: Then, thanks for the meal. Happy birthday to you.
Tomose: Happy Birthday.
After we said our wishes, we started to dig into the food laid in front of us.
Yu: Mother’s really good at cooking.
Dad: Right. Even if I went to heaven, I’d still want to eat it.
Tomose: Heaven, huh? It’s bad luck to talk about things like that on your birthday.
Yu: This reminds me of something you said before.
Yu: That if you could bring only one thing to a deserted island, it’d be Mother’s cooking.
Tomose: Dad even thought of the side dishes.
Dad: Well, that’s because your mom’s karaage is the best.
Mom: Oh my, you boys talked about this? It would’ve been nice if I was included in the conversation too.
As we happily talked, I brought the potage to my mouth.
I thought it was funny that they had prepared my favorite food as well, even though it was Dad’s birthday.
Y’know, my soul shines with the same light as yours,
so my burdens are yours, and yours mine.
Y'know, time might heal everything, but these scars—
Even now, they still ache so painfully.
And yet, right now, (with you by my side,)
I want to walk this path together.
By lighting each other's paths,
together, we can find our way through even the darkest of nights.
The radiant light of Polaris that shone that day
is what intertwined us together,
…or so you said, to me and only me.
Y'know, these days I spend with you are so warm, like rays of gentle sunlight.
I just want to reach out and touch you.
Y'know, we'll inevitably grow up and become adults, but
when that time comes—
—you'll remember me, (and I’ll hold you and your burdens close,)
until the end of the universe.
By carrying each other's burdens,
together, we can find our way to even the most distant of stars.
The radiant light of Polaris that shone that day
is what will engrave us in our hearts forever.
With a broken clock grasped tightly in my hands,
I had been blindly running onwards, alone.
But even in such a bleak world, all I needed was a tiny ray of light
for its hands to move once more.
Shoulder-to-shoulder we stand,
carefree as we laugh our evenings away.
Just you staying by my side is enough
for me to find my way back to my path.
Even if my destination is still far, far away,
for now, I'll simply just touch your heart instead.
i don't usually do these, but i think there are a couple of things i want to point out!
first: polaris is known as the "north star", and it's probably the most well-known star that is used for navigation. for a song — and event — about finding the path you want to walk, it's very fitting as a motif!
the original jp is a bit more vague about things, so i have taken a few creative liberties, specifically with the usage of 'burdens' where they aren't specified in the text. i think it makes for a more cohesive understanding of the song specifically in these two places:
分けあえる wakeaeru literally translates to "can be shared", and muneuji sings this twice without ever specifying what he's sharing. ushio and muneuji are so close because nobody else truly cared about ushio and nobody else believed muneuji, so i've interpreted the thing they're "sharing" as the pain they both felt to find solace in each other's friendship.
抱えてゆく kakaeteyuku means "to go to hold". on one hand, you can take this literally, as ushio choosing to hug muneuji as he promised; on the other, this specific verb also has the connotation of "holding problems/responsibilities", which fits in well with their theme of only having each other to believe the other. i ended up just using both at once, and you can choose one or the other, but i think it's best understood that both are truly applicable to their relationship.
there are so many references to the novels: the evening conversations, about growing up, ushio's scars line... i haven't translated muneuji's novel but i'm sure i would have chosen some wordings differently if i did. there's two i want to call out specifically though:
ushio singing the line 'and i'll hold you and your burdens close' is a reference to his novel where muneuji promises to hug him in the future when they can wrestle again.
the touch your heart line is how i translated ushio choosing to show his love through making desserts ("since i can't hug them, i'll just touch their hearts instead")! it's really fitting to me that it's muneuji who sings this (and ushio who sings about muneuji's destination being far away) to signify how well they know each other.
Sorry for the delay, happy belated Tomose! Voicelines will be added later
Part 1
Yuzuru: —Oh.
Kise, who was looking at the clock, shifted his gaze here.
It was after business hours. We had just started testing new prototypes for the upcoming dress-up event menu while checking the order of operations.
Yuzuru: I didn’t notice the time at all. It’s already 10 pm.
Yuzuru: Sorry that we’re stuck with work like this on your birthday, Tomose.
Tomose: No worries.
Though he was apologetic about it, I recalled what I had said when asked about this shift.
Tomose: I already said it before, but you don’t have to worry. It’s just an ordinary day to me.
Yuzuru: …But still, I think a birthday is a special day, you know?
Tomose: I see.
Tomose: But even so, work is important. There’s no need for you to mind it.
Yuzuru: …Yeah. Thanks, Tomose.
As if he were grateful for something, Yuzuru happily nodded and started moving his hand that had stopped.
After settling down from work, I looked at the time again.
I had received a report an hour ago from Yu, who was on a proxy commission by himself, that he was done with his work and was heading back to the store.
Tomose: He should be here soon.
Yuzuru: Right.
Yuzuru: I totally forgot that today is especially chilly since the kitchen is so warm. It must have been really cold for Yu.
Knowing that today’s job would be outside from start to finish, Kise said with worry.
Tomose: Yu’s able to withstand the cold. It wouldn’t be a problem for him at work.
Yuzuru: ……
Tomose: However, whether he could handle it is based on his mentality. It doesn’t mean the body won't get cold.
Tomose: Since it’s for a commission, it’s unavoidable.
Yuzuru: ……If it’s possible, I hope he'll stay somewhere warm.
Tomose: Yeah.
Yuzuru: Fufu.
Tomose: Kise, should we go ahead and start the preparations?
Yuzuru: Right, of course.
And so, we heated up what we had prepared beforehand.
As I felt the temperature of the room warm up a little…
Yu: I’m back.
Part 2
I noticed Yu’s hands were slightly red from the cold after he had returned. Though I knew I shouldn’t have been relieved that it was just a little, I let out a small sigh.
Yu: Should I write up the report immediately? Though you’d have to open the office for that.
Yuzuru: About that, it’s alright…
Tomose: Yu, good work.
Yu: Right.
Yu: …What’s up?
Tomose: Here.
Pouring the soup from the small pot into a cup, I gave it to him.
Tomose: It’s a sample for the event menu.
Tomose: I had Kise check the taste. If you have any thoughts or feedback, I’ll relay them to him, too.
Yu: You’re having me taste-test this?
Yuzuru: Yup, but there’s also that…
Yuzuru: Tomose wanted to give you something warm, so he prepared this.
Yuzuru: Today was pretty cold after all. You can write up the report some other day, so please have this.
Yu: …Is that so.
Tomose: Yeah, while it’s still warm.
Yu’s gaze was drawn to the rising steam. Though his expression hadn’t changed–
Tomose: Yu, it’ll get cold.
Yu: Right.
Yu, who had taken the cup, took a sip after another of the soup.
The steam gradually lessened until it could no longer be seen.
Yu: It’s delicious.
Tomose: Was it warm enough?
Yu: Yeah.
Tomose: I see.
Yuzuru: …….
Tomose: Thank you for accompanying me as well, Kise.
Yuzuru: There’s no need. On the contrary, I wanted to express my gratitude.
Tomose: I believe I didn’t do anything of the sort.
Yuzuru: How should I put this…
Yuzuru: Wanting to give someone something warm after they have returned from somewhere cold, and wanting them to eat that while it’s warm.
Yuzuru: Even though it’s a simple act, I can feel the warmth of holding someone precious in their thoughts just from watching the two of you.
Yuzuru: Thank you for letting me be a part of this and feel these warm feelings.
Yu and Tomose: ……
Yuzuru: Well, I’ll be checking the office. You guys can go ahead.
Tomose: Got it.
Yuzuru: ……Fufu.
Tomose: What’s up?
Yuzuru: Huh?
Tomose: Was there something to laugh at?
Yuzuru: ……Tomose, you said that your birthday is always just an ordinary day, but there’s still 30 minutes left.
Yuzuru: Even so, I was happy that you were able to meet Yu on your birthday and celebrate it a little.
Yuzuru: Tomose, once again, happy birthday. The cold nights are long, so be careful on your way out.
Tomose: …Right, you too.
Part 3
With the winter wind against our skin, we made our way to the car. Tomose, who was walking beside me, let out a deep breath for a little bit.
Tomose: It’s as Kise said, it’s cold.
Tomose: We were in a warm place just a moment ago, it’s no wonder the temperature change feels even more drastic. It’s strange…
Yu: ……
Without following up on his broken-off sentence, Tomose looks at the sky that seemed like it could snow at any moment.
Yu: Tomose……
Yu: Do you want anything?
Tomose: What’s up all of a sudden?
To us, a day like this wasn’t anything special.
But even so, without needing to think twice, today was strange.
Yu: If someone could have given something to someone today, that would be you, Tomose. Not me.
Tomose: You’re talking about the soup?
“It wasn’t just that.”— I faced Tomose’s bewildered gaze and nodded lightly.
Yu: If you want something, I’ll prepare it even when the day changes.
Tomose: There’s no need.
Tomose: Plus, I have gotten it.
Yu: But I didn’t give anything.
Tomose: If there was something special about my birthday, then…
Tomose: The fact that you were able to return safely and I was able to give you soup I had made while warm, that enough is a perfect birthday to me.
Tomose: Those things shouldn’t be taken for granted and wouldn’t be complete without you, Yu. So it’s the same as having received something from you.
Yu: …… I see.
If Tomose said it like that, then it must be true, so I nodded along.
After making sure I had no intention of continuing the conversation, Tomose looked up at the sky, having stopped talking unnaturally.
Yu: ……Tomose. Didn’t you have something to say?
Tomose: Yeah, but it’s nothing. It’s just…
Tomose: It’s as Kise said, it’s cold.
Tomose: We were in a warm place just a moment ago, it’s no wonder the temperature change feels even more drastic. It’s strange…
Tomose: I thought that it wasn’t as cold anymore.
Tomose: Why had I thought that was probably because of Kise.
Yu: Kise?
Tomose: Maybe because he had told me repeatedly, “It’s warm,” and, “I had a good time,” that it stood out to me.
Tomose: And again, he has a one-of-a-kind personality.
Yu: (....Right, Tomose has this kind of side to him as well.)
Yu: (He’s able to feel the warmth that Kise had mentioned.)
If we were talking about the temperature alone, he wouldn’t have said that it wasn’t as cold anymore.
When he said he had received something from me, I certainly hadn’t done anything.
But even so, this day is without doubt a day where Tomose had “received something warm”.
Tomose: —Yu, look.
Tomose: It’s snowing.
Tomose: It looks like it'll get even colder tomorrow… No, has the day changed yet?
Yu: …… No, it’s still the 22nd.
Tomose, who was looking up at the sky again, turned to face me. The breaths from the corner of his lips were getting whiter.
Yu: Tomose.
Yu: …Happy birthday.
Tomose: …Yeah.
Tomose: Thank you.
It would’ve been fine if those words had melted and disappeared like the snow.
However, I had hoped that the cold nights caused by snow would be a little warmer for Tomose.
Roka: —Sorry for barging in all of a sudden. Wasn’t bothering you guys, right?
Tomose: You weren’t. Although, as I told you at the entrance, we only have water and beer.
Roka: I’m good!
Yu: I’m sure the gift we got at the end-of-year party also had coffee.
Tomose: Right. Where did we put it?
Yu: I’ll get it. Tomose, you can stay with Roka.
Roka: While Yuuhan’s coffee is very tempting indeed, I’ll have it at another time. Now, now, please relax and have a seat, you two.
Tomose: Alright. Yu.
Yu: …Don’t you have business with Tomose?
Roka: I’ve got business with both of you! I have something I want to give you.
Tomose: You want to give us something?
Roka: Fufu. Will you take it? This is a New Year's greeting from yours truly!!
Yu: …A New Year’s…greeting?
Roka: It’s when you bring a small gift to greet someone for the New Year.
I plan to give one to everyone in Aporia, BUT I believe I must give yours first since you’re my neighbors!
Tomose: If this is about New Year’s greetings, then we’ve already received our New Year’s cards.
Roka: This and that are different! Greeting someone is a great thing to do, no matter how many times you do it ★.
Anyway, that said, here! Open it!
Tomose: Is this… a soap shaped like a fish?
Yu: It looks like a sea bream.
Roka: You’re both right! It’s a sea-la-bream-tory* soap! Get all squeaky-clean this year ★.
Tomose: There’s also a message card.
Roka: I was planning to write a letter too. But then Kiho said that since it’s only a small gift, a message card would be just fine.
I couldn’t sum up all of my feelings with so few words, so I added a small drawing on the side!
Tomose: I see— quite a charming dog.
Roka: So close! It’s a horse!
And here’s yours, Yuuhan.
Yu: Did you bring two?
Roka: Of course! Though it’s different colors, it’s two times the sea-bream-lation!
I can’t combine all the feelings I have for each of you into one gift, after all.
Yu: Feelings?
Roka: It’s a gift to express my gratitude for your help, and how I want to keep getting along with you this year.
I put my feelings towards Tomo in his gift, and I put my feelings towards you in your gift.
Yu: …I see.
Tomose: Your gratitude and feelings of the future, huh.
Thank you. We’ll accept your gift.
Roka: Yup.
Again, Happy New Year. I’ll be in your care this year, too!
*TL note: Sea bream are known to bring good fortune and often are presented and offered for celebratory reasons in Japanese culture. It sounds similar to the word めでたい (medetai, which means celebration), but instead it would be read as めでタイ or めで鯛 (medetai).
[Break My Case] 2026 Happy New Year! login story translation 🎍
Translation by Kalos (@Kumonkunliker on X) Misora (@alcmisoyou on X) Imai (@bunnyandcomet on X and tumblr) Aca (@463ce6 on tumblr or @463ce6 on X) HMU (@hispereia on Discord)
Tomose Onda R - Sanrio Collaboration -A Friend in the Kitchen
Proofreading: Dimi
Please let me know if there are any mistakes within the translation either here or on X.
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Voiceline 1: “Let’s make cinnamon rolls♪”….? Is there any meaning to make it together? Before that, we must first gather the ingredients. Let’s go and buy them, Cinnamon.
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Cinnamon: Hey, hey, Tomo-kun. You’re gonna make the “Cinnamonroll Dessert Plate” next, right?
Cinnamon: I wanna make it together. I’m always helping out at “Cafe Cinnamon”, so you can leave it to me!
Tomose: I see. Then I’ll leave it to you.
Sei: Then I shall be your taste-tester.
Cinnamon’s small body vigorously bounced about upon hearing Okiya’s voice from the counter.
Cinnamon: Yup! I hope you look forward to it~
And then he started flying around in the kitchen.
The way he flapped his ears so busily showed his eagerness to help.
Tomose: I’ll carry that.
Cinnamon: Thank you! Then I’ll get the strawberries.
Cinnamon: They're in that fridge over there, right?
Flap-flap—
Tomose: ……
Tomose: (I’m grateful for his help, however…)
For him to even grab a single ingredient, Cinnamon has to make large movements around the kitchen.
Tomose: (It’d be faster for me to do it alone. There’s no need for Cinnamon to needlessly expend his stamina either.)
Tomose: Cinnamon—
Sei: Cinnamon-kun is quite admirable and cute, don’t you think?
Tomose: What’s this all of a sudden?
Sei: After seeing his commitment, I simply thought the food would be especially delicious.
Cinnamon: Ehehe, thank you, Sei-kun.
Cinnamon: I’ll make a delicious dessert together with Tomo-kun…!
Tomose: …
As we cooked, I kept an eye on Cinnamon who was working earnestly.
Tomose: (Especially delicious, huh…)
Okiya’s words played back in my head, making me hold back what I wanted to say.
Sei: Oh my… the combination of textures, as well as the presentation that lifts your spirits at a glance are both wonderful. As expected of you, Cinnamon-kun.
Sei: The difference in temperature between the ice cream and cinnamon roll is also—
Tomose: (He’s commenting a lot.)
Cinnamon: Ehehe, he’s complimenting us a lot. You’re really amazing, Tomo-kun.
Tomose: It’s all thanks to you.
Cinnamon: Thank you!
Cinnamon: Then, next time I’ll make something for you.
Tomose: ……
Cinnamon: What do you like, Tomo-kun?
Tomose: No, it’s not necessary.
Cinnamon: …I see.
Cinnamon: Tomo-kun’s making food for everyone, so I thought I could do something…
Sei: How unfortunate.
Tomose: Why do you seem sad over this?
Tomose: Cinnamon, I can’t eat what others make.
Cinnamon: Is that so?
Tomose: Yeah. So in exchange, I’ll make something that you like.
Cinnamon: Yaaay! I’m so happy. Then I’ll help out again!
Please let me know if there are any mistakes within the translation either here or on X.
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Voiceline 1: Spotted Garden Eels, huh. I have never thought of them as ‘cute’. However, I can understand their peculiar charm[1].
Voiceline 2: If I were to put my finger against the glass like this, they’ll come near. Aizawa had a try at that…whether that’s true or not, I don’t know.
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Part 1
When I came back from the restroom, the only person who was present at the meeting place was Onda-san, who was standing at the fish tank before him.
Tomose: Yu and the rest had to leave for other matters. They’ll be back soon.
Ito: (He alleviated my concerns before I could even ask. As expected of Onda-san.)
Ito: I see.
Tomose: ……
I followed his gaze towards the fish tank.
The fish tank mimicked the warm ocean and was filled with various fish of different colors swimming about. It was a beautiful sight.
Ito: ……
Ito: (Still, it’s really quiet here.)
Ito: (Should I talk about something? However, Onda-san probably doesn’t like idle talk.)
Tomose: …..
As usual, Onda-san looked neither interested nor bored. Once you notice that once, you can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking.
I turned towards him to see if I could find even the slightest change in his expression, but he was already looking at me.
Tomose: Are you bored?
Ito: Huh?
Tomose: As long as it’s not too far away from here, I don’t mind moving to another area.
Ito: No, we don’t have to do that. Here is just fine.
Tomose: Got it.
Ito: (And the conversation ended just like that. Maybe I can ask him something here…)
Ito: How about you, Onda-san? Is there anything else you would like to see or do?
Tomose: I’m fine here. I haven’t checked out this fish tank in its entirety yet.
As he gave this brief reply, his gaze seemed to be following a school of small tropical fish
Ito: (I guess by “the entirety”, he means that he wants to take his time looking through it.)
Ito: (It really doesn’t look like he’s having fun, but I can tell he’s… enthusiastic about it.)
Tomose: You don’t have to mind me. If you'd like to go elsewhere, let me know.
Ito: Ah, alright. I got it.
Feeling calmer than before, I gazed at the miniature sea before me, and a large fish passed by, casting its shadow over us, and the darkened glass reflected us just like a mirror.
Right at that moment, my eyes met Onda-san’s through the glass…
Ito: (Oh.)
Tomose: What’s up?
Ito: Sorry, it’s not a big deal, but there’s something on your cheek.
Tomose: My cheek.
Ito: Your right cheek.
Tomose: Here?
Ito: Yes, but a little lower… Uhm, it’s around here on my face.
Tomose: I don’t mind if you point at my face, where?
Ito: I-It’s… around there.
Tomose: Got it.
As soon as the finger he used to quickly wipe his face moved away, it touched something white.
Ito: (...Huh?)
Part 2
Before I could say anything, Onda-san spoke to whoever was behind me.
Tomose: … You’re back? Why didn’t you say anything?
Ito: Huh?
As I turned around, I saw Nina-san standing about two steps away from where Onda-san and I were.
Ito: (Since when did he get here?)
Yu: It seemed like you were looking for something. It’d be faster for me to just wait than intervene, so I made my judgment and waited.
Ito: Ah, right…
Ito: Onda-san, I’m sorry. What seemed to be stuck on your cheek was actually the light reflecting off the tank.
Ito: I finally realized it when you wiped your cheek and nothing came off.
Tomose: It was the light, I see.
As Onda-san nodded, he looked up to the top of the tank. Judging from his sharp gaze, he was probably checking for the light source.
Ito: Nina-san too. I apologize if I worried you over something so trivial.
Yu: It’s fine.
Tomose: You don’t have to apologize. There turned out to be nothing on my face, that’s all there is to it.
Ito: You’re right…
After they had waited for me to continue, Onda-san turned back to the fish tank, and as if it was natural for them, Nina-san stood next to him.
I stood slightly behind them, gazing at the fish tank.
Tomose: Yu, there’s a moray eel. Under that rock there.
Yu: …I see it.
Tomose: It seems pretty big.
Yu: Yeah, it’s hiding well.
Ito: (There was no need for me to worry.)
The atmosphere they extruded was much gentler than when they are in tense situations, such as when they have to act as agents.
Tomose: Is that a stingray?
Yu: It’s a stingray.
Ito: It seems to be a red stingray. There’s an information board there.
Tomose: …….
Ito: (He’s reading it extremely carefully.)
Ito: (...He might be relaxing and enjoying himself more than I thought.)
I remembered the way his face came closer and how gentle he was when he wiped off where I pointed at.
Tomose: It seems to be venomous.
Yu: Yeah.
Tomose: I’d like to look at this tank a bit more. We can go once Kamiya and the others are back.
Ito: (It might be because I’m more used to the atmosphere during our commissions, but this is a bit strange to witness.)
The artificial light that shone down into the big fish tank swayed like waves that matched the fish’s movements, and a bit of it hit Onda-san’s cheek once again.
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Footnote:
[1] Tomose made a pun with チンアナゴ (Spotted Garden Eels) with 珍妙な愛嬌 (peculiar charm) due to how they are similarly pronounced; however, I cannot make a pun with Spotted Garden Eels. I'm not a genius like Tomose.
Resonance, Within the Aquarium Where The Tails Touch - Event Translation
If there are any errors, please notify me either here or on X.
Proofreading: Dimi, Tsukimi
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Synopsis
As they spend time in the deep blue sea floor, they get a glimpse into each other’s “work”--
When compared to the other departments, the Watchdog Department and the ST Department’s line of work is similar; yet they don’t know much about each other.
They get the chance to work together due to the trouble they encounter when they meet each other by chance at the aquarium.
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Event Story
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
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Card Stories
(will update as each person completes it)
Shinobu Aizawa SSR - Underwater Dancers by Misora
Soyogu Shinkai SSR - TBA
Yu Nina SSR - TBA
Tomose Onda SR - A Touch Through the Glass
Kamiya SR - TBA
Haruhi Ichikawa R - Labyrinthine Aquarium by @tomose
Resonance, Within the Aquarium Where The Tails Touch - Chapter 10
Soyogu: That was quite fun, seeing them feeding the penguins.
Ito: Right. Before I realized it, I was quite immersed watching them.
Shinobu: That walk they were doing is called waddling, right? That was super duper cute~
Shinobu: I’m glad we went to see them! Gotta thank Kamiyan and Ichikawa-san for this~
Soyogu: Speaking of which, Shouno-san did come to the office again after that.
Shinobu: Is that what you messaged us about, Yashiro-san?
Ito: Ah, I thought about telling you guys since we’re meeting up, but I missed my chance.
A few days after that request had ended, Shouno-san came to the office again to greet us.
She had come to talk to us about the letter, and to innform us that, according to Kanemaru-san’s grandchild, the culprit had been dealt with. She also wanted me to relay her gratitude and words Shinkai-san and Aizawa-kun.
Ito: It seems like the letter had nothing related to the rumors.
Soyogu: Well, that’s to be expected. No way he’d leak information about his inheritance to a mere pen pal.
Ito: (A mere pen pal…)
Shinobu: Huh, did anything else happen?
Ito: Oh, no.
I hesitated a little about whether I should tell the two of them what the contents of the letter were, but in the end, I started talking.
Ito: It seems that in his letter, Kanemaru-san wrote about how he has always loved Shouno-san despite them being nothing more than pen pals.
Shinobu: Woah, how romantic.
Soyogu: But if his grandchild came to see her, that means he had a family, no?
Ito: Yes. Shouno-san was also surprised. She didn’t think he exhibited that kind of behavior...
Ito: However, he wanted to share that with her before his life came to an end, because…
“People die a second time once they are forgotten”, “Please remember me”, “I don’t want you to become a murderer.”
Ito: Or so he said…
Soyogu: I see…
Soyogu: Well… He achieved his objective. No one would be able to forget about that.
Ito: She was surprised to hear such a snide remark from him at the very end—
Ito: —Though there was a time she felt the same way, she got over it, and it seems she’s going to handle this as if nothing had happened.
Shinobu: Well, if Shouno-san doesn’t feel deeply troubled by it, then that’s fine.
As Aizawa-kun said that, he leaned forward and gazed into the fish tank.
And suddenly, at that moment, a gigantic fish appeared before him, making him jump back slightly.
Shinobu: Woah! That surprised me!
Soyogu: That’s a big one, is it a sting ray?
Shinobu: He looks like some kind of cartoon.
Ito: Its eyes are a bit droopy, how cute.
Shinobu: Compared to it, that fish next to it is a lot scarier.
Soyogu: Is that the grouper’s buddy? Its body is pretty big, but its face is friendly, surprisingly.
Shinobu: Somehow, it reminds me of Shizuka-san.
Soyogu: I get what you mean. It’s those eyes of his.
Shinobu: He gets told he has dead fish eyes often, too.
Soyogu: I’ll tell him next time that there’s an alive fish that looks like him too.
Soyogu: Then that fish swimming all grand there is Anego.
Shinobu: Mika-nee has worn eyeshadow that shone like scales too.
Shinobu: Ah, then that school of sardines that looks totally restless over there is Roka-san.
Soyogu: Like a whole group of Roka-san?
Shinobu: This big fish tank doesn’t have any sharks or deep-sea fish at all~
Ito: (They’re enjoying themselves in a quite different way from the ST Department. They’re pretty funny.)
As they stopped labeling the fish based on the people we know, Shinkai-san softly mumbled.
Soyogu: … In hindsight, all the trouble we went through that day was beneficial for us.
Soyogu: I wouldn’t go so far as to say we deepened our bond with the ST Department, but it sure was a good experience.
Shinobu: And! Nina-san said that we’re a “good team”!
Soyogu: Though that was because when he thought back on it properly, he was able to understand what Onda-san said.
Shinobu: That’s still amazing though!
Soyogu: We usually work as a team to begin with, but now, if you think about it, all of Aporia are on the same side.
Soyogu: I hope we can continue to help one another and work together from now on, too.
Ito: Me too.
As we gently looked towards the same fish tank, the scales of various fish of many shapes and sizes sparkled.
Resonance, Within the Aquarium Where The Tails Touch - Chapter 9
Soyogu: I thought of this when I saw that–
Shinkai-san started speaking, and pointed at an anglerfish cookie.
Soyogu: —But the ST Department are kinda like deep-sea fish, aren’t they?
Shinobu: Deep-sea fish?
Ito: (Now that he has pointed it out…)
Deep-sea creatures bring down their prey while moving stealthily through the depths of the dark sea.
Until they approach you, you can’t clearly make out what's on the other side of the darkness.
Ito: That’s true, they do give that kind of impression.
Shinobu: But the same could be said for you too, Gucchi. C’mon, Mr. Deep-Sea Fish [1].
Shinkai: Stop it, you’re just saying nonsense now.
Kamiya: Haha!
Shinobu: Then how about us?
Aizawa-kun asked as he looked at each one of the cookies.
Kamiya: Hmmm…
Kamiya: Sharks, maybe!
Kamiya: What do you think, Tomose-san?
Tomose: A creature that’s both fierce and tenacious, and persistently chases after its target no matter what.
Tomose: I saw both Shinkai and Aizawa bring out these traits well. It suits you guys.
Shinobu: Yahoo! That settles it, then!
Tomose: Yu was also impressed with Watchdog’s modus operandi today.
Shinobu: Huh.
Soyogu: Really?
Yu: I wouldn’t say I was impressed—
Yu: But I understood what Tomose meant when he said your department is quite strong.
Ito: (He “understood” it”…)
Yu: If you wish for my personal opinion, then I don’t have one, particularly
Shinobu: So, meaning…?
Yu: ……
Yu: You make a good team.
Soyogu and Shinobu: !
Upon hearing Nina-san’s words, Shinkai-san and Aizawa-kun happily exchanged looks with one another.
Kamiya: Then this is for you, Yu-san! Have a shark cookie!
Kamiya: You can take whichever you like, Deputy.
Ito: Thank you. I’m fine with anything, so I’m not sure which I should take.
Shinobu: Then I’ll pick for you!
Shinobu: How about a sea anemone cookie?
Ito: A sea anemone?
Kamiya: Is that your impression of the Deputy?
Shinobu: Huh? That’s not what I was going for, but aren’t both of them quiet?
Soyogu: Rather than quiet, they don’t even move, do they?
Kamiya: They’re also poisonous, so are you saying that…?
Shinobu: Wait, seriously?! I don’t think she’s hiding anything from us!
Ito: Of course, I’m not.
Soyogu: Wouldn’t a penguin suit her more? Plus, they’re popular at the aquarium.
Ito: If you mean to say that is the kind of impression I give off, then… I think you’re being too nice.
Kamiya: Then, how about a sunfish? It’s a popular fish and kinda feels like an “acting owner”” right?
Shinobu: How about the good ol’ octopus we’ve got here?
Soyogu: If you want something classic, it’s gotta be a dolphin.
Kamiya: Tomose-san is…
We continued eating our late-night snacks as we relaxed from the day we had.
Shinobu: There’s so many fish I’ve never seen before here~!
Soyogu: They’re all small and cute.
A few days later, I visited the aquarium with Aizawa-kun and Shinkai-san.
Since we couldn’t take our time to look around that day, Kamiya-kun and Aizawa-kun had invited me again.
Ichikawa-kun had given me one of his remaining tickets so I could join them.
However, this time Kamiya-kun had some urgent business at work, so he couldn’t have come.
Soyogu: We can’t really match our schedules, huh.
Shinobu: Let’s not give up and try to plan something again… Ah, there’s gonna be a penguin exhibition at 11!
Shinobu: When I passed by the area the other day, the audience were cheering loudly that I got curious.
Soyogu: I see.
Ito: It will be 11 soon, so we should head there.
Penguin: Kaa! Kaa!
The audience cried with joy as they watched the loveable penguins waddle around.
Shinobu: Look at that. It tumbled while it tried to jump into the water! So cute!
Soyogu: It’s pretty much the dictionary definition of adorable.
Caretaker: Next up, I’ll be giving Tarobe his meal~
As the caretaker came towards one of the penguins with a fish, the rest of the penguins unsteadily made their way and gathered around.
As I compared the relationship chart placed in front of the tank, we watched over them as we talked about how it was unexpectedly easy to tell the difference between the penguins.
Shinobu: Oh, looks like Tarobe got his food stolen.
Ito: I think probably from Koko-chan.
Soyogu: Hasn’t she been stealing the other’s food for a while now?
Soyogu: See, she hasn’t lost a fight at all. How strong.
Shinobu: She might as well be the Gucchi of the penguins.
Soyogu: I ain’t that greedy, y’know.
Shinobu: You’ve got this Tarobe! Don’t lose to Gucchi now!
Soyogu: Stop it, don’t say my name.
And so, we enjoyed watching the adorable penguins to our hearts’ content.
Footnote:
[1] Shinobu is making a pun out of Shinkai, while 新開 is Soyogu's last name, 深海 means deep-sea, so Shinobu is making a pun out of Soyogu's name.
Resonance, Within the Aquarium Where The Tails Touch - Chapter 8
Ito: …!
Ito: We know the perpetrator, it seems to be Kiyoshi Kanemaru-san’s nephew.
Female Relative: ! I see, it was him… I’ll contact my father right away.
Female Relative: And I promise that I won’t cause any more trouble for Shouno-san.
Female Relative: Thank you for your help, everyone…!
Shouno: Let me express my gratitude too.
Shouno: Thank you for bringing back Kiyoshi-san’s final letter safely
Shouno: I’m glad that I asked such reliable people for help.
Kamiya: Great work, Shinkai-san and Shinobu-kun!
Ito: Good work today.
Shinobu: Thanks a lot!
Shinobu: I know it’s a bit late, but I’m really sorry! You guys got involved even though you were here to enjoy yourselves.
Kamiya: No, no, I didn’t do anything at all, so please don’t worry.
Soyogu: In all seriousness, though, I’m glad you guys were there.
Soyogu: I got to see something real crazy too.
Shinobu: Huh?
Soyogu: When we head back, I’ll report to Shizuka-san and Mika-nee about it.
Ito: Same here, even though Kosaka-san understood the situation when I contacted him… I’ll have to properly explain what happened…
???: Huh?
As I raised my head upon a familiar voice, Ichikawa-kun looked at all of us with a surprised look.
Haruhi: Y’all still here…
Haruhi: Huh, why are Shinkai and Aizawa-kun here too? Weren’t you busy or something?
Soyogu: Well…
Shinobu: We were but~
Kamiya: It’s kind of a long story.
Haruhi: Eh, what the heck happened?
Ichikawa-kun knitted his eyebrows curiously.
The beautiful fish around us gracefully swam with their tails and fins as if nothing had happened.
Rare: Well done~☆
Kamiya: Yup, we did it~
As Kamiya-kun kept talking to Rare-kun, the rest of us were writing up our reports on what happened today.
The focus of our conversation was the moment Nina-san had gotten the information about the ringleader.
Soyogu: …And that’s how he was able to get him to speak.
Shinobu: Woah, that sounds scary!
Yu: It wasn’t that serious. I only did that to stop him.
Soyogu: That might be the case for you, but that wasn’t all. Nina-san definitely had a threatening aura to him.
Shinobu: Man, I wish I could’ve seen that!
Ito: (What kind of show is that…?)
Soyogu: Let me apologize again for today, though, for taking up your time when you were on a day off.
Tomose: If you had prioritized being considerate of us and failed the commission, that would have caused a lot of trouble for us as members of the same organization.
Tomose: I don’t believe you were causing caused any trouble for us. Any further thanks and apologies are unnecessary.
Shinobu: As members of the same organization, huh…
Shinobu: Then this will be the last time I’ll say this! Thank you so much for today!
As the mood softened, someone’s stomach growled.
Soyogu: My bad, that was me.
Shinobu: Isn’t the way Gucchi’s stomach growls a little too Gucchi?
Soyogu: What the hell you mean by that.
Rare: Shinkai, so big!
Soyogu: Was that just by coincidence? Though I get it now.
Shinobu: Man, I’m starving~ I didn’t even manage to find time to eat today.
Kamiya: Oh, then how about these?
Kamiya-kun took out the souvenirs he bought before heading back from the bag that he had left on the sofa.
Kamiya: Tada~ Cookies that look like sea animals!
Shinobu: Woah, there’s all different kinds in there.
Ito: Wow, there really are a lot of them.
Soyogu: Thought you were gonna bring out donuts or something.
Kamiya: Ahaha, if they had any, I’d definitely bought them!
Kamiya: But isn’t this amazing? There are penguins and dolphins, but also barracudas, butterfly fish, and many more.
Soyogu: Looks fun, let me take one if you don’t mind.
Kamiya: Feel free to take as many as you’d like. I bought 2 boxes after all.
Kamiya unwrapped the cookie box, and wrote “please help yourself” on a piece of paper.
Resonance, Within the Aquarium Where The Tails Touch - Chapter 7
Shinobu: Oh. Woah there…!
I dodged the knife that was thrown through the air.
As soon as I saw Gucchi take cover, I took off my belt.
Shinobu: If you’re gonna play that way, then I won’t show any mercy.
Shinobu: Gucchi, back away!
As I held my belt from both ends, I swung it directly towards the man with the knife.
Purse-Snatching Man: Ugh! Why you…
As the man tried to get his knife back…
Soyogu: Not on my watch.
Gucchi knocked the knife from behind while the man was distracted.
Purse-Snatching Man: ?!
The moment the man turned to look back, Gucchi swept the man’s leg with great force.
Purse-Snatching Man: Ah…!
The man violently lost his balance and fell towards a nearby step.
Soyogu: Nice job there.
Shinobu: No, no, that was all you.
Soyogu: Well, they’re sprawled out here. I’ll use whatever I’ve got to tie them up.
Shinobu: Yup. And we should question them when they wake up.
Yu: Tomose, they’ve got the letter and bag back.
Tomose: I see. The enemy?
Yu: The two of them took them all down with a considerable amount of teamwork.
Tomose: … I got it, I’ll leave the rest to you.
Yu: Yeah, I’ll keep in touch.
Shinobu: Sorry to keep you waiting, guys~!
Ito: Great work…!
While Kamiya-kun and I were patrolling the area, we were notified that the letter had been recovered. We head back to the section where the large fish tank was. At the same time, Aizawa-kun returned with the bag in his arms.
Female Relative: Thank god… Thank you so much.
Kamiya: Where’s Shinkai-san?
Shinobu: He took those guys to the parking lot, and he’s watching them now.
Shinobu: But we took away anything that seemed dangerous, so he should be fine on his own.
Ito: I hope so…
Behind us, the woman took out a simple letter from the bag and gave it to Shouno-san.
Female Relative: I apologize for giving this to you now. He wrote this for you before he passed away.
Shouno: Thank you, I’ll read it carefully.
Shinobu: And with that, our mission is complete!
Shinobu: —Is what I would like to say, but maybe we should wait until the letter is read.
Shinobu: You might also be targeted once you know the contents of the letter, Shouno-san.
Ito: Ah, about that.
Ito: When you were recovering the letter, I spoke with Onda-san.
Ito: The ST Department will be responsible for finding the ringleader and making sure that they won’t harm either Shouno-san or Kanamaru-san’s relative from now on.
Tomose: Yu’s currently heading to where Shinkai is.
Shinobu: I see!
Shinobu: We also asked about the ringleader, but they were persistent in saying they don’t know who their client is, or whether they’re lying or not.
Shinobu: So it seems like there was a third person giving instructions between the client and the people carrying out the request.
Tomose: Then we’ll have to make someone confess it. If we do that, then we’ll be closer to our answer.
Shinobu: …But they seem quite stubborn, you know?
Kamiya: That’s true.
Kamiya: However… Yu-san went because Tomose-san told him to make them confess.
Kamiya: So I think he’ll make sure they’ll do so.
Aizawa’s belt reached where Shinkai had been a few moments ago and heavily struck the man’s shoulders.
If I were told to do something similar to that, I could’ve done it too.
However, what caught my eye was that from their spontaneous teamwork, they both had no intention to solely assist each other.
Yu: (So they were able to do that…)
The man I had was pursuing had stopped.
As I recognized what was at the end of his outstretched hand, I collected my distracted thoughts and focused only on completing the job assigned to me.
Purse-Snatching Man: I’m telling you, I don’t fucking know. I was just pickpocketing that bag…
Soyogu: Then who’s giving you orders?
Soyogu: You don’t have any car keys on you, plus some of your buds are still around. So where is he?
Purse-Snatching Man: .......
Soyogu: I don’t wanna be rough on someone who ain’t fighting me.
Soyogu: You’ll save yourself the trouble if you just tell me.
???: Why you.
Shinkai turned around towards the agitated voice. The owner of that voice was a man who had taken out his knife.
And as that man looked over his shoulders…
Our eyes met, and in an instant, his expression deflated.
Man Giving Orders: H-Hey, what’s with that… guh!
I brought the hand that was wielding the knife behind his back and twisted it.
The knife loosened from his grip, dropping nearby our feet while tumbling.
Soyogu: Thanks for that, Nina-san.
Yu: I didn’t come to help. I don’t need your thanks.
Soyogu: Then why are you here?
Yu: I’m here on orders for the new commission.
Yu: The ST Department will be tracking down the ringleader. That, and, Tomose told me to look for anyone else behind this other than the ones you’ve dealt with.
Yu: So I went for someone who I thought would be suspicious.
Man Giving Orders: Ugh, guh…! W-What the fuck… why you…
I leaned close to the man, who was drenched in cold sweat, and spoke into his ear.
Yu: Were you the one who planned this?
Man Giving Orders: As if I’ll…. Fuck!
Man Giving Orders: You got it wrong, I was told by someone to do it!
Yu: Who?
Man Giving Orders: Why do I have to tell you…!
Yu: If that’s your answer…
As I put more strength into the hand I was twisting, his shoulder joints cracked.
When I thought that one more push would dislocate his shoulder, I stopped.
Man Giving Orders: Gah!!
Soyogu: ……
Man Giving Orders: L-Let me go. Please… I get it. I’ll tell you.
Man Giving Orders: The one paying us to do this is Kiyoshi Kanamaru’s nephew!
Man Giving Orders: I’ll even give you evidence of our exchange! So, please, let go of my arm…!
Yu: Shinkai.
Soyogu: What is it?
Yu: I’ll leave it to you to contact the others. I’ve got my hands busy.
Soyogu: Yeah, that’s true. Got it.
Man Giving Orders: Please… Argh…
Yu: From now on, don’t you dare put your hands on the addressee of the letter and Kiyoshi Kanamaru’s granddaughter.
Man Giving Orders: I got it… so please…
Yu: You too.
Purse-Snatching Man: !
Shinkai looked at the tense atmosphere the perpetrators extruded and gave off a light, wry smile.
Soyogu: You guys were lucky that it was Shinobu and me who were the ones after you.
