on my psych assessment today, there was a box that said, “i avoid situations that make me anxious” and i circled that four so quick the atoms on the paper began to split, causing several fatalities and injuries.
aira fs2 will always be so iconic to me and even after having read what’s technically aira fs3, i still do prefer it. his fs3 was just so short.. and im guessing they’ll all like that because its yknow a two chaptered story, there’s not a whole lot going on in the first place… but fs2 was also just so revolutionary in how it started the trend of inseparableness between them and also solidifies in canon that kohaku loves aira (even just through a platonic lens, that’s his best friend…) i do wish fs3 offered something new, it kinda just rehashes fs2 with some dark nights passing WHICH i was actually incredibly happy about. hearing them both acknowledge how important the other is was something aira longed for in dark nights passing so having it come back here, even if that wasn’t necessarily the intention (to touch on dark nights) i did cheer. the whole Tell me who did this in chapter 1 reminds me of all-round ace(?) with them stuck on the island. so REALLY nothing new in fs3, but i haven’t read any others and im wondering if they’re all kinda like that… anyways, final thoughts are i liked it, it was a cute story and i love that kohaku was there again but i do wish it was a little more interesting or offered a new perspective on their dynamic… i will be treasuring the Ur just as important to me as everyone else in alkal0id line
i have no idea genuinely why kohaku keeps monopolizing aira solo scouts but it’s so silly to me… i’m sure non fans think it’s annoying as hell but they’re just so cute and sweet how can u be mad… u don’t want aira to have a good time? and hang out with his best friend?
Kohaku: Whoa. So this is the new shopping mall?
I thought it was big from the outside, but the inside's real spacious, too.
Aira: Yep, yep, it sure is spacious ♪
They were doing construction forever, so I figured something really amazing was getting built. I never imagined it’d be a large shopping mall---What a surprise!
…Hold up. Is today your first time ever coming here, Kohakucchi?
Kohaku: Yeah. If I'm gonna visit this place, I'd wanna come with ya first, Love-han.
I'd probably get all turned around if I went by myself. But if I'm with ya, it'd be a fun li'l adventure, right?
Aira: Kohakucchi~...!
Uuu, I'm so touched you think of me like that. You really should've invited me right when it opened, if that's how you felt.
'Cause I already came here to hang out with everyone in ALKALOID...!
Kohaku: Huh, so that's how it was?
Well, that's fine. Your friends in ALKALOID mean a lot to ya, after all.
It'd be a li'l weird of me to tag along by myself, right?
Aira: It wouldn't be weird at all! It was like how today's a perfectly private outing. And besides---
You're just as important and special to me as everyone in ALKALOID is, Kohakucchi ♪
Kohaku: Oh no, no. Puttin' me in the same league as your unit is beyond what I’m worth.
But thanks a lot. You're a special friend to me, too, Love-han… ♪
Right then. Wouldn't do us any good standin' here chattin' forever, so let's get movin' soon.
Hey, Love-han. Since you've been here before, are there any particular stores you're wantin' to hit up?
Aira: Fufufu, I’m so glad you asked ♪
There's this one super large idol store inside the mall!
When I came here with Hiro-kun and the others before, I skipped over it 'cause I didn't wanna burden everyone, but...
This place has a reputation among otaku for having a wider assortment than any other store on the ground.
Kohaku: Wow. I guess 'cause it's a store inside the Mega Sphere, they’re putting a lotta effort into it.
Looks like that place'll cheer ya right up, Love-han. Alright, let's go ♪
📍Location: Mega Sphere Tower
A few hours later
Aira: ♪~♪~♪
Kohaku: Kokoko ♪ You're ina really good mood, Love-han.
Aira: Yep! I bought a whole shopping bag worth of idol merch, so I'm super fired up now!
Nothing beats that moment when you're tossing merch one after the other into your cart, without caring about the budget or consequences… ♪
Plus, I even scored a Mega Sphere store-exclusive acrylic stand! Today's been a huge win~ !
Let's go together again sometime, Kohakucchi ♪
Kohaku: Sure. If ya don't mind havin' me, I'm down for it anytime.
...Well, everything worked out. It’s hard to believe ya were ever cryin'---you're practically back to your normal self now.
Aira: Yeah, 'cause of you. Thanks so much for taking me out.
Kohaku: Don't mention it… Anyway, I reckon It's time I start askin' 'bout it. Remember how ya were bein' critiqued so harshly ya cried outta shock earlier.
What was the deal with that, anyway?
Aira: Oh um, that...
...I don't know.
Kohaku: Huh? Even after bein' so down, ya don't even know why yourself?
Aira: Yeah... Producer-san handed me a list of things to fix, but...
Thinking about what might be written there scares me, so I've just kept it in my pocket this whole time.
I've always been that way…
Even when they handed back our tests at school, I was too scared to face the reality of getting a failing grade, so I’d just throw them away without ever looking over my answers.
Kohaku: Oh... Well, I can't say I blame ya for not wantin' to look at the bad results, though.
Unlike school tests, this is a proposal for a stream, ain't it? Ya can't jus' throw it away and be done with it. Ya hafta see what's inside first.
Aira: I know...! I know, but...
The thought of my entire proposal getting rejected from start to finish... Is tough, y'know?
It's like being told that all that time and effort I spent thinking about everything was a huge waste...
Kohaku: What are ya sayin'? There's absolutely no way it's a waste.
After all, ya put some serious thought into it and went all out makin' it, didn't ya, Love-han?
Even if it's covered in so much red ink from corrections that it's bright red. That jus' goes to show how seriously Producer-han took your project.
If she didn't care, she'd ignore it and let the stream run as is. The fact that she's goin' out of her way to leave feedback is proof that she has expectations.
Instead of seein' it jus' as criticism, think of it as advice on how to produce somethin' even greater. So, grit your teeth and take it head-on.
Aira: Okay...
…But it's still kinda scary to look at it by myself. Could you look over the list with me, Kohakucchi?
Kohaku: Of course. I told ya, didn't I? I'm stickin' right by ya' the whole day today.
Aira: Thanks. Alright, I'll take a peek.
Aira: Haah, I'm so nervous… I'll gather my courage and open it veeeery slowly~…
Kohaku: What's it say, Love-han?
Aira: …Let's see. The overall time allocation for the stream--- I forgot to tell Producer-san the time needed, and
'Cause the reference materials for the new costume weren't attached, she asked for them to be added---
Eh… Really!? Is that all there is!?
Kohaku: It's no use tryin' to scare me. Lemme see that.
…Ya weren't lyin'. There are a few other minor corrections sprinkled in here and there. But it's mostly jus' praise, sayin' how overall, it's well done and how ya did a good job.
Aira: W-Whaaa~…! So that means I imagined the worst-case scenario in my head and got all worked up over nothing…!?
If I’d only read it properly, this wouldn’t have happened… Sorry I dragged you into all this.
Even during my feature live, you helped me out. [1] I’ll forever be in your debt, Kohakucchi~
Kohaku: Sayin' you’ll "forever be in my debt" is a bit of an exaggeration. There’s no hierarchy between us, y'know? We’re friends, so we’re equals.
'Sides, we got to hang out at the mall together today. If anythin', it's been a win for me, not a loss ♪
Aira: Uuu… I'm really happy to hear you say that, but…
I feel like you're always the one spoiling and looking out for me, Kohakucchi. It's just a little frustrating, I guess…
...If you're saying we're equals. Then I want to be able to hold my head up high and stand tall, just like you.
I want to show my fans the "me now" through my solo live stream.
So, I’ll fix the things Producer-san pointed out and implement all the ideas I’ve been wanting to do. I’m gonna pull off the most spectacular stream ever that’ll blow all the fans away!
Kohaku: Kokoko ♪ That’s more like it. I’m lookin’ forward to the show, Love-han ♪
Aira: Alright! I'm gonna give it my all, delivering my love... ♪
────────
Translator’s Note:
-> [1] This is likely in reference to Aira's Feature Scout 2 story, "Love Expands, Happy Follows," where Kohaku reassures Aira that he's a capable idol now and tries helping him with his photos.
Aira: Hey, Producer-san, sorry to keep you waiting! Today's meeting is about the solo live stream, right?
I never expected it'd happen so soon, so I was really surprised when I got the message.
Naturally, I've watched all the solo live streams released so far ♪
As an idol fan, I really look forward to them every time.
You know how a countdown appears on the screen right before a stream starts? The heart-pounding feeling while waiting for it to hit zero is the absolute best… ♪
Aagh no! I let my otaku side slip out...!
Uh... Well, I've already got a pretty good grasp of the project's concept from past streams, and...
I’ve looked over the proposal you sent me beforehand, so I’m all set!
The theme is "The side of myself I want to show now," huh? …Ever since I heard about it, something's been on my mind.
So... Please! Let me direct the solo stream myself…!
As you know, I've been learning a lot about putting on lives.
Well, my knowledge and skills are still pretty lacking, but...
With each new experience, I feel like I’m improving little by little. …O-or so I think, anyway!
Aira: That's exactly why I wanna handle my own stream this time around---from the direction to the entire production.
Of course, I know that the way you present yourself on a regular stage is totally different from a livestream behind a screen.
With streaming, since you can't rely on the real-time energy and excitement of the venue, camera work is super important.
Especially when switching shots! If you cut to a wide shot, the moment you strike your signature pose, it'll lose its effect, and the viewers will be left scratching their heads.
But on the bright side, the fact that the camera can get super close and show every little detail really clearly is one of the strengths of streaming… ♪
Those are the kinds of effects that you can only pull off on stream, so I wanna use my skills to make my vision a reality.
...I doubt I'll be able to make something perfect.
No matter what, there'll definitely be parts that look rough around the edges or a bit awkward compared to the pros.
But you know… I kinda think that sense of not being fully put together is what being "me now" is all about.
After all, this is a new challenge for a rookie like me. I bet even my fans, who always cheer me on, aren't expecting it to be a huge hit without any hiccups along the way.
If anything, whenever I'm scrambling desperately to get ahead, I feel like people just smile and think, "That's so Aira Shiratori."
Aira: Ah! Of course, that doesn't mean I'm planning to make excuses right away and slack off, y'know!?
I'm gonna give it my all, just in my own way!
Anyway. Thinking it myself, making it myself, and delivering it myself---
I wonder if that approach will lead to "The side of myself I want to show now"…
...Ugh, that bad habit of mine slipped out again! I went off on a tangent without thinking. Ahaha...
…I've been rambling on pretty passionately this whole time. I think what I'm saying is starting to sound kinda cocky, huh.
I guess that's why they say you should leave directing to the pros.
This solo stream is way too important for both my fans and me to be messing around like this… Now that I think about it, maybe this whole thing is reckless.
If I want to direct so badly, the obvious thing to do is to try my hand at it on my own stream, right…!?
Ugh, I'm sorry! I really got carried away---
...Huh?
Wait, really!? I get to do whatever I want!?
Sweet! Thanks, Producer-san!
Now that it's decided, I've gotta whip up that proposal right away! I'll run it by you as soon as it's done, so look it over when you get a chance, 'kay? ♪
Just 'cause I'm a beginner doesn't mean you should go easy on me, y'know? If something's off, don't hold back.
Ufufu, I'm gonna make this the most love~y solo live ever… ♪
📍Location: Shared Space
A few days later
???: Uwuaaah~! I'm done for, My life is over…!
Kohaku: …Hm? What's this-- I thought I recognized a familiar, pitiable voice.
Aira: *Sniff*-- Hic.. Hic..
Kohaku: Sure enough, it's Love-han. What's gotcha chirpin' away ina place like this?
Aira: Uuu.. Kohakucchi~…
Kohaku: Huh? No way. You're cryin' for real...!?
Now, now, don't cry. Here, use this hanky. You'll ruin that cute face of yours, y'know?
So, what happened? Cryin' like that means it's gotta be somethin' pretty serious, right?
...Don't tell me ya' got mixed up with some delinquents or somethin'?
They got some real nerve puttin' their hands on ya.
Tell me who and where. I'll return the favor. [1]
Aira: Wait! No, no, nobody did anything to me, really!
If I had to say, I guess it's my fault...
I submitted a proposal for my solo live stream to Producer-san, but it got rejected.
I know I told her not to hold back on the critiques, but…
I was so confident in what I handed in that I didn't think she'd find anything to correct. The shock's got me pretty down…
Kohaku: ...I see. That's some real bad luck.
Well, anyway, I'm jus' glad nobody did anythin' weird to ya.
Aira: Uh-huh… Sorry for causing such a fuss. Hope I didn't worry you too much.
Kohaku: No, no. I don't really mind, y'know.
...
...Say, Love-han. If you're up for it, wanna go somewhere for a bit right now?
Sittin' ‘round here mopin’ ain't gonna do ya' any good, will it?
I'll stick right by ya' the whole day today. So, how ‘bout we go someplace ya’ like for a change of pace? ♪
────────
Translator’s Note:
-> [1] The literal translation of this (お礼参り; oreimairi) is "to visit a shrine" or "to give thanks". However, it's also slang for getting revenge.
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