[IDOLiSH7] [Part 6] Chapter 2: New Project
6.2.1. - Deep below the surface
Takanashi Tsumugi: Uhm, a “private talk”…
Utsugi Shirou: Ah, I apologize. This information has not been published yet, so I had to handle it like this. A big project is underway.
Takanashi Tsumugi: A big project…
Utsugi Shirou: Yes. The working title is ‘New Black or White’.
Takanashi Tsumugi: New… Black or White… Black Or White as in, the one at the end of the year…?
Utsugi Shirou: That’s correct. This Black or White will have a wide-reaching impact on the industry and with that on the new era.
Takanashi Tsumugi: ……. Black or White is…
(Flashback of IDOLiSH7 winning Black or White in Part 1)
(Flashback of IDOLiSH7 winning Black or White in Part 4)
Takanashi Tsumugi: The idea of Black or White changing is…
Utsugi Shirou: We at Tsukumo, as well as several other parties, are involved and are holding meeting after meeting regarding this.
Utsugi Shirou: Perhaps, even more than now, it will start to feel more like a live.
Utsugi Shirou: Once I really got into it, I decided to ask for your help once more. Since you are a promising stage director, I wanted to hear your opinion, Takanashi-san.
Takanashi Tsumugi: ‘Promising’, that sort of phrasing is scary. But if I can help, that’s fine.
Utsugi Shirou: Do you like lives?
Takanashi Tsumugi: Of course, I love them.
Utsugi Shirou: Why.
Takanashi Tsumugi: Why… You can see the guests’ smiles up close and you can see the coolest idols.
Utsugi Shirou: Why are you happy about that?
Takanashi Tsumugi: Uhm…
Utsugi Shirou: Don’t misunderstand me, please. I relate to this, too. But I want to be able to put it into words.
Utsugi Shirou: Why do we love lives? What is it that you can only obtain from a live?
Takanashi Tsumugi: Something that can only be obtained from a live…
Takanashi Tsumugi: What could it be… When you’re asking me like that, I can’t put it into words right away.
Utsugi Shirou: I’m fine with just your opinion, Takanashi-san. Lives aren’t just about fun, are they?
Takanashi Tsumugi: That’s true… A big number of people, including the staff and the audience, are involved.
Takanashi Tsumugi: In order to avoid accidents or trouble, it is necessary to communicate and convey information in detail.
Takanashi Tsumugi: No matter how much you prepare— the weather, current events, as well as the staff and the idols’ physical condition are easily influenced.
Takanashi Tsumugi: From preparation to cleanup, I cannot relax. It’s a big job, but…
Takanashi Tsumugi: I want to deliver that sparkly, bright, happy atmosphere to our guests and enjoy it together with them.
Takanashi Tsumugi: Working together with a lot of people, spending time and care to create a single event… and then seeing the smiles of the happy people.
Takanashi Tsumugi: ‘Ah, I’m glad. I’m glad everyone liked it. I’m glad we safely made it succeed.’
Takanashi Tsumugi: An excitement and satisfaction that cannot be explained in words.
Takanashi Tsumugi: Every time, there are lots of things to reflect on; there’s times where I feel down, too, but… Soon after, I want to do lives again.
Takanashi Tsumugi: Things like, ‘let’s try those stage directions next time’, ‘I want you to stand on a stage like this’, ‘how about this kind of costume’...
Takanashi Tsumugi: The fun never ends.
Utsugi Shirou: Just from listening, I can tell how much you love lives.
Utsugi Shirou: Taking the time to carefully create them. Do you think the audience is the same?
Takanashi Tsumugi: ….I think so.
Utsugi Shirou: Why?
Takanashi Tsumugi: Because they spend just as much time looking forward to the lives as we do towards creating them.
Takanashi Tsumugi: Until the day of the live comes, they prepare a lot of things and hold on until then….
Takanashi Tsumugi: While their hearts shake with anxiety and expectations, they looking forward to it….
Takanashi Tsumugi: At least that’s what I feel it is.
Takanashi Tsumugi: During that period, the fans are not just waiting, it’s like something is being created among them, too….
Utsugi Shirou: The feeling of waiting together… like for a carnival?
Takanashi Tsumugi: I think so, yes.
Utsugi Shirou: I see. I feel like I understand.
Utsugi Shirou: While we are spending different kinds of days, we look forward to the same festivities.
Utsugi Shirou: A live might be a festival between like-minded people. If that is the case…
Utsugi Shirou: What is the greatest live?
Takanashi Tsumugi: The greatest live…
Utsugi Shirou: That’s right. An unprecedented live that hasn’t been seen on earth before. If that existed, what would it be like?
Takanashi Tsumugi: I… I don’t know. I can’t even imagine…
Utsugi Shirou: Is that so? But…
Utsugi Shirou: I think your father means to entrust it to you.
Takanashi Tsumugi: Eh…?
Nanase Riku: Manager!
Takanashi Tsumugi: Ah…
Utsugi Shirou: Ah, you’re being called. I’m sorry, I took up your time.
Takanashi Tsumugi: No, likewise…
Utsugi Shirou: One last thing. If you had the opportunity to create the greatest live, would you do it, Takanashi-san?
Takanashi Tsumugi: ……
Takanashi Tsumugi: I would love to do it.
Takanashi Tsumugi: I want to create the greatest live.
Utsugi Shirou: Haha. I’m glad to hear a positive response.
Utsugi Shirou: I’ll be going then.
~ to be continued ~
6.2.2. - Chance for a great return
Yuki: Ah, is that Kaoru-chan? Did TRIGGER already go back?
Momo: After this, it’s probably going to be that. Look, it’s a lucky day today, after all.
Yuki: Does that have to do anything with it being a lucky day?
Momo: He knows these things precisely. Yaotome Papa, that is.
Yuki: Ah, speak of the devil. Isn’t that Kaoru-chan’s car over there?
Momo: It’s a quiet parade, isn’t it?
Momo: Congratulations on your triumphant return, TRIGGER.
--
Woman A: “Zero” was so much fun! I wanna see it again!
Woman B: There’s no tickets left! Additional performances sell out really fast, too! Even on SNS, it’s going viral!
Woman A: That’s right, isn’t it. I was told that even the relay broadcasting tickets in cinemas are all sold out.
Woman B: Even my boss who usually doesn’t care about these things would be envious if I told them I went to see it!
Woman A: Right! The Zero Generation, the TRIGGER Generation, everyone wants to see it!
Woman B: From theme parks to traveling, right now, I think there’s more people who prefer seeing “Zero” over that!
Woman A: It’s more popular than expected! That’s TRIGGER for you! But it’s a bit complicated…
Woman A: Even though everything turned on them, now all of TV is about “Zero” and TRIGGER…
Woman B: Because TRIGGER has the ability to do it! It’s frustrating, but if TRIGGER are smiling, we should also smile and cheer them on.
Woman B: We overcame a hard time together with TRIGGER, after all!
Woman B: I might be overthinking it, but TRIGGER, who were kind of like princes out of reach…
Woman B: To be able to support them in a place so close to me makes me happy!
Woman A: Right... During the nationwide tour, too, TRIGGER was so close to us and it was the best!
Woman B: During MOP, I cried while voting, but that sounds like a joke now! It was really good…
Woman A: I’m glad that these wonderful people finally are being recognized again…
--
Passerby A: Oh, it’s the venue for “Zero”. Can I buy a ticket on the day of?
Passerby B: It’s impossible unless you get in line in the early morning. Ah, look, it’s sold out.
Passerby C: It’s a “Zero” poster!
Passerby D: It’s Tenn-kun! Let’s take a picture.
Passerby C: I just want a pamphlet! I wanna see more of Gaku-san!
Passerby D: I wanted to see Ryuunosuke-san live! Because "Backyard MAGIC" showed me the backstage side every week, I wanted to see the stage performance, too!
Passerby D: Let’s go ask the theater staff whether more performances are planned.
--
Woman A: “Zero” is really popular, isn’t it…
--
Announcer: Today’s trending feature is the third installment of our special feature on the popular musical “Zero”!
Announcer: What is this? It only was published recently, but the soundtrack reached first place in the ranking!
Announcer: Zero’s Best of album, which was released on the same day, stays in second place!
Commentator: I know it’ll sell. After watching “Zero”, I couldn’t get the songs out of my head.
Commentator: The line-up is filled with famous songs. Surprisingly, I got used to TRIGGER’s voices with Zero’s songs.
Announcer: After all, Zero’s producer, Kujou-shi, strictly oversaw it!
Commentator: It’s truly wonderful. Even the people who couldn’t get tickets, please listen to at least one song.
Announcer: A lot of people say that! The soundtrack has a good ranking, too.
Announcer: Today we are looking at the previous musical works of TRIGGER, who acted in the musical “Zero”.
Announcer: We are presenting “Crescent Wolf” and “Last Dimension ~ who will pull the trigger ~”!
Commentator: The theme songs have been in the single ranking for the past week, haven’t they?
Announcer: That’s correct! I think TRIGGER’s past masterpieces are being re-evaluated.
Announcer: Whether it’s a drama or a movie, TRIGGER has been highly rated in their acting performances— I am looking forward to what they will do in the future!
--
Kujou Aya: Ah… there it is, a flower shop.
Flower Shop Clerk: Welcome.
Kujou Aya: I’d like to send congratulatory flowers. The sender is Kujou Takamasa and the address is the office of Yaotome Productions.
Flower Shop Clerk: If that is the case, how about these flowers? Elegant and beautiful, they’re perfect for celebrating.
Kujou Aya: Waaah, that’s wonderful. Then please give me these flowers.
Flower Shop Clerk: Understood.
Kujou Aya: Also… what flowers do you have for proposing to someone?
Flower Shop Clerk: Proposing… The standard would be roses, right? Tulips are also popular.
Flower Shop Clerk: This Blue Star, too. It’s a flower that’s used for proposals. It means “blessed love”.
Kujou Aya: Blue Star… Blessed love… It’s so beautiful…
Kujou Aya: If it’s a star, I’m sure he will be happy. Please make this flower into a bouquet.
Flower Shop Clerk: Thank you. Do you want it to look like a proposal?
Kujou Aya: Not ‘like’ a proposal, I want it to be a bouquet that can be used for a real proposal.
Kujou Aya: I’ll do it tonight.
Flower Shop Clerk: Eh?
Kujou Aya: Proposing. I’m serious.
Flower Shop Clerk: Uhm… Understood. Please do your best.
Kujou Aya: Yes!! I’ll do my best!!
Flower Shop Clerk: The baby’s breath flowers and the ribbons are a bonus.
Kujou Aya: Thank you!!
~ to be continued ~
6.2.3. Promised sign(ature)
Yaotome Gaku: …….
Yaotome Gaku: This place is nostalgic, too.
Yaotome Gaku: …….
--
Anesagi Kaoru: I brought the contract with me.
Yaotome Gaku: Ah.
Anesagi Kaoru: You guys, take this.
Kujou Tenn: Thank you very much.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: It’s kind of nostalgic, isn’t it?
Yaotome Gaku: Thank you. Can we sign it here?
--
Yaotome Sousuke: Wait.
Yaotome Gaku: What?
Yaotome Sousuke: Is it really okay like this?
Yaotome Gaku: …………….
Yaotome Sousuke: The way you are right now, you will be held in high esteem no matter where you go.
Yaotome Sousuke: Even if we stay at the current office, it should be fine as long as we increase the number of staff.
Yaotome Sousuke: If you come back here, you might be subjected to unnecessary scrutiny again. Even so…
Kujou Tenn: I don’t mind.
Yaotome Sousuke: Tenn….
Kujou Tenn: You told us you had a dream, President.
Kujou Tenn: I was happy. As an artist, there couldn’t be a bigger honor.
Kujou Tenn: Please let me follow that feeling of mine. I want to continue that dream once more.
Yaotome Sousuke: …Thank you.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I feel the same way. If you hadn’t spoken to me back then, President, I wouldn’t be here the way I am right now.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: At the start, I was confused, but… For the interesting life you have given me, I am sincerely grateful.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I think of you as something like a second father, President Yaotome.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Please watch where we go from here together with us.
Yaotome Sousuke: That modest Ryuunosuke… you’ve become a hungry-eyed person.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Ehehe… If you say it like that, it’s a bit embarrassing.
Yaotome Sousuke: Thank you. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Haha… Come on, Gaku.
Yaotome Gaku: Mhm… stop nagging me.
Anesagi Kaoru: What? You’re embarrassed?
Kujou Tenn: Even though he is happy.
Yaotome Gaku: Shut up…
Yaotome Gaku: Lend me your pen. I told you we would come back.
Yaotome Gaku: I just kept my promise.
Yaotome Sousuke: ….Gaku….
Yaotome Gaku: You did well, too. You didn’t let go of this building. I don’t know much about this, but it must’ve been hard, right?
Yaotome Sousuke: Hm… It’s the place you guys were going to return to, after all.
Yaotome Sousuke: I wanted to greet you here once more. ….Thank you for coming back.
Yaotome Gaku: Sure.
--
Yaotome Gaku: Let’s continue to get along well from now on.
Kujou Tenn & Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yeah, let’s!
Anesagi Kaoru: (crying) Thank goodness… With this, the days of your long trials are finally over…
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Anesagi-san…
--
Yaotome Sousuke: Anesagi… I made it hard for you, didn’t I?
Anesagi Kaoru: No, not at all! I believed in TRIGGER and in you, president Yaotome.
Anesagi Kaoru: For those kids, it may have been a difficult, hard and unnecessary experience, but…
Anesagi Kaoru: If Yaotome Productions had continued to protect them, they wouldn’t have learnt a lot of things.
Anesagi Kaoru: A star who knows both the highs and the lows. There’s not a second one like that in the world. Isn’t that cool?
--
Yaotome Gaku: That’s right.
Kujou Tenn: Thank you very much.
Anesagi Kaoru: Well then! Today, we celebrate! That’s fine, right, President?
Yaotome Sousuke: That’s right. I made a reservation in a restaurant for later.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Is a luxury like this alright…?
Yaotome Sousuke: It’s a day to celebrate, so it doesn’t matter! I’ll pay for it from my own funds.
Yaotome Gaku: Seriously, you’re so vain.
Anesagi Kaoru: It’s because it’s your special day.
Kujou Tenn: Haha, this will be a treat.
Kujou Tenn: It feels like a long time ago, but it was really not that long ago, was it? The day we left here.
Kujou Tenn: “MOP”, “Crescent Wolf”, “Zero”... A lot of things happened.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Right… I thought we’d fallen into the abyss, but together with everyone’s power we made it back out.
Yaotome Gaku: Is it alright to think that there will be no second-guessing from now on?
Yaotome Sousuke: Of course.
Yaotome Gaku: Let’s give it our all and continue, then! We’ll do it!
Yaotome Sousuke: Yeah, do it to your heart’s content. There’s no one who could be your enemy anymore.
TRIGGER: Yes!
Yaotome Sousuke: Ah, right… Tenn. A congratulatory flower came from Kujou-san. Tell him my thanks.
Kujou Tenn: Of course, I will. Thank you very much.
Yaotome Sousuke: Do you know anything about Kujou-san’s plans from here on out?
Kujou Tenn: No… After “Zero”, there is nothing on his schedule.
Yaotome Sousuke: Is that so… I was hoping he would continue doing the stage direction for TRIGGER.
Yaotome Sousuke: At least until the end of the year…
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: There will be Black or White at the end of the year, too. I don’t know whether we will be invited, though.
Yaotome Gaku: Why are you saying weak words like that? Of course we’ll be at the Black or White.
Kujou Tenn: I will be talking to Kujou-san regarding his future plans.
Yaotome Sousuke: Please do.
~ to be continued ~
6.2.4. Restart
Yaotome Gaku: Well then!
Everyone: Cheers!
Anesagi Kaoru: Ah~ it’s delicious! Ah, it’s delicious! Ah, it’s so delicious…!
Yaotome Gaku: Haha! You don’t have to say it three times.
Yaotome Sousuke: You haven’t had good alcohol in a while, have you?
Anesagi Kaoru: Well, that’s true too. And I was worried this entire time. But tonight, we can drink without worrying, right?
Yaotome Sousuke: There’s no drinking without worrying. Who’s going to take care of you?
Yaotome Gaku: Isn’t it fine, just for tonight? I’ll look after you, Anesagi.
Anesagi Kaoru: You’re a good guy… Ryuu, I’ll be drinking with you tonight!
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Uhm, but…
Kujou Tenn: Well, once in a while it’s fine, isn’t it? I’ll look after Ryuu.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Really?
Kujou Tenn: Yeah.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: You’re a good guy, Tenn… Well then, once more, cheers!
Kujou Tenn & Yaotome Gaku & Yaotome Sousuke & Anesagi Kaoru: Cheers!
--
Yaotome Gaku: Let’s win Black or White this year!
Kujou Tenn: JIMA and MOP, too. Everything.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Let’s do it! This is just the beginning!
Yaotome Sousuke: Haha… that’s right. You guys are only just starting.
Yaotome Sousuke: We’re planning a restart of the TRIGGER namesake show next semester.
Yaotome Gaku: Our namesake show… this early?
Kujou Tenn: What kind of show will it be?
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I wonder if there will be backlash if we suddenly get more media exposure…
Yaotome Sousuke: No, it’s the exact opposite. Everyone wants to see TRIGGER right now.
Yaotome Sousuke: One of the reasons is the massive success of “Zero”, but there are other things that had a hand in this too.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Maybe “Backyard MAGIC”?
Yaotome Sousuke: You got it, Ryuunosuke. That’s correct.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: A lot of the people who saw the show called out to us, saying they’d misunderstood before.
Anesagi Kaoru: “Backyard MAGIC“… I hadn’t liked the idea of that sort of documentary show.
Anesagi Kaoru: But actually, because of this show, I feel like more people have positive opinions about TRIGGER.
Anesagi Kaoru: Through the camera, they saw the way you guys earnestly go about your daily lives.
Yaotome Sousuke: I wanted to protect your brand through flawless promotion, but…
Yaotome Sousuke: That way, I might have ended up hiding your strong points, too.
Yaotome Sousuke: TRIGGER is first-rate. But it isn’t a flawless, unconcerned-looking or pretentious idol group.
Yaotome Sousuke: You’re a group with a steady and earnest attitude in everyday life, but also a result-oriented, highly professional mindset.
Yaotome Sousuke: By conveying the right image, your past scandals become little more than overly heated media coverage, and the perception of them will probably change.
Yaotome Sousuke: Aside from taking this seriously, I also want to make a decision regarding your future stance on your image, also including on the namesake show.
Kujou Tenn: …So that’s what it is…
Yaotome Gaku: Are you against it?
Kujou Tenn: I am not against it, but…
Yaotome Gaku: If you’re against it, just say so. It might be irresponsible to just change your image like that.
Yaotome Gaku: I don’t want to tell you to stop doing something you took pride in doing.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: That’s right, Tenn.
Kujou Tenn: …
Kujou Tenn: I am not against it. Because of my experience during “Zero”, I also had things to think about…
Kujou Tenn: I thought I should fix my habit of taking everything upon myself.
Kujou Tenn: I wanted to protect my fans. I wanted them to have no heartbreak, and just wanted them to enjoy seeing me.
Kujou Tenn: As if I was keeping them tightly wrapped in my hand, I wanted to protect them and show them a beautiful dream.
Kujou Tenn: But our fans aren’t scared of pain, they’re not just there to be protected.
Kujou Tenn: They’re our equals. That’s why this time, we should show them the respect they deserve.
Kujou Tenn: But it’s a bit…
Yaotome Gaku: It’s a bit what? Don’t hold back and tell me.
Kujou Tenn: Usually… It’s embarrassing. It’s because I’m not that used to showing my true face.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Not in front of us, either!?
Kujou Tenn: In front of you guys, I guess I am showing it a bit more…?
Yaotome Gaku: You were with Nanase when he was sick, after all. You were on edge all this time, unconsciously.
Yaotome Gaku: But there is no need for that anymore. Because we are here.
Kujou Tenn: ……..
Kujou Tenn: It’s kind of embarrassing…
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Eeeh? Cute!
Kujou Tenn: Calling it cute is…
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I get it now. You were always on edge. But the thing with Kujou-san is over now.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: From now on, you can depend on us and let us spoil you!
Kujou Tenn: Thank you very much.
Yaotome Gaku: You’re being so stiff.
Kujou Tenn: …No, I think maybe I can’t do it… I might not come across as natural.
Anesagi Kaoru: It’s fine! Right now, you’re super natural!
Kujou Tenn: Is that so…? I don’t know how to relax.
Yaotome Gaku: It’s easy. Laugh when you wanna laugh, be angry when you wanna be angry.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Not for someone else, but for yourself.
Kujou Tenn: …Ah, that’s right. Thank you.
--
Kujou Tenn: That being said, I think I can get used to it, step by step.
Yaotome Sousuke: I am glad to hear that. In the previous namesake show, we invited guests and the focus was on the talks in the studio, but…
Yaotome Sousuke: In the next namesake show, as long as your schedule allows it, we want to do variety-style shoots at different locations.
Yaotome Gaku: Variety-style shoots at different locations…?
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Like a casual trip…?
Kujou Tenn: If we go to a teahouse together, I’ll definitely end up doing fanservice, though…
Anesagi Kaoru: President, don’t you think this is too sudden of a change?
Anesagi Kaoru: TRIGGER are already fully recognized as hard-working and earnest artists who made “Zero” a big success.
Anesagi Kaoru: They don’t have to try too hard to appear friendly…
Yaotome Sousuke: Of course, I don’t intend to pander to the masses. You guys don’t make compromises regarding your work, and you’re popular for your reliable attitude.
Yaotome Sousuke: I don’t intend to sell the other side of TRIGGER as idols bit by bit anymore. It’s a lot to bear for you guys, too.
Yaotome Sousuke: So this is what the show producer suggested.
Yaotome Gaku: Don’t put your files everywhere on the dinner table!
Yaotome Sousuke: Just look at them quickly and then put them away!
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Don’t fight!
Yaotome Gaku: Geez… huh?
Yaotome Gaku: Experience as a waiter at the nation’s best hidden famous coffee shops….
Yaotome Sousuke: Right. There’s a stoicness and gorgeousness in historic coffee shops and cafés.
Yaotome Sousuke: You will have the work experience as a waiter, while talking to the locals, and bring out the charm of the store.
Yaotome Sousuke: Japanese people are capable and diligent people. They like to watch something be steadily accomplished and get a sense of accomplishment from it themselves.
Yaotome Sousuke: I’m sure people will accept the sight of you guys working on something positively.
Yaotome Gaku: You’re saying that with such confidence? Well, it's fine, but…
Yaotome Sousuke: It will be fine. Believe me.
Yaotome Gaku: Tenn, Ryuu, what about you?
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I like coffee, and it sounds interesting! I am worried about talking freely, but I’m good at things when there’s something to do.
Kujou Tenn: I feel the same. It isn’t that hard of a job for us, to the point where I wonder if that’s okay…
Yaotome Sousuke: Of course, we’re going to make other corners, too. But this will be the main focus of the project.
Yaotome Sousuke: I had my doubts at the start, too, but as I was being persuaded, I became convinced. This show will become a national hit.
Yaotome Gaku: Is that so…?
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: To go that far…
Yaotome Sousuke: It will. Trust me!
Kujou Tenn: Understood. I am looking forward to it.
~ to be continued ~
----
Translator's notes:
Aaaah, finally done with this! Anyway, hello, I'm Riku, and I TL'd this thing. Haruka did the proofreading this time, but I will absolutely shirk my responsibilities as soon as possible. You might notice that the title of 6.2.1. was not translated literally, but that's mostly because it's a weird metaphor.
As for Re:vale's conversation at the start of 6.2.2., they are talking about 大安, lit. "auspicious day", which is like... a thing in the old Japanese calendars.
