Never have I neglected my health. Be that as it may, all the effort does not guarantee a complete avoidance from a certain condition.
A common cold, that is.
Ai: …*cough*
(The fever is not that high, but this cough still won't go away.)
April 15th, weekday—As far as I was concerned, I didn't see a need to take a day off and rest, but I still refrained myself from going to work regardless.
However, my hands were still clearing the necessary tasks within reasonable limits.--Just enough for the guys at the Main Office not to tell me not to overwork myself.
Ai: (That's all the documents I need today.)
I glanced at the clock and reached for my smartphone on the table. That was when I noticed a new notification on LIME.
Ai: (Yuzuru?)
When I called in sick this morning, I received replies saying, "I'll come pick up some documents at lunchtime," and "Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
It should be about time for him to arrive, so I thought that was what another message was about. Just as I was about to open that message…..
Ai: (Already?)
Soyogu: What do we have here, still looking fine and all.
Ai: ……………………Hah?
Soyogu: Is it okay that I parked my bike next to the bike parking area?
Ai: Hey. Where's Yuzuru?
Soyogu: Did you hear my question?
Ai: Yes, you can. Now answer mine.
Soyogu: Acting all high and mighty as per usual, huh….
Yuzuru-san couldn't get off his shift. And Nina-san, who was supposed to cover for him, had to deal with another matter.
Ai: So that's why you came.
Soyogu: I can't exactly take over the kitchen duty, can I?
Ai: I see.
The notification I just received must have been the explanation for this. His selection process was questionable, but I kept that to myself and turned on my heel without saying anything.
Ai: The documents are over here.
Soyogu: So you want me to come and get them?
Sheesh... Hey, I'm really going to enter your territory now, okay?
Soyogu: Also, take this. It's something Yuzuru-san entrusted to me.
Shinkai put the documents I handed him into an envelope, then with great force, shoved me a plastic bag full of contents.
Looking inside, I spotted standard get-well gifts like sports drinks, the fruits I like…. Also, a pouch of rice porridge.
Ai: (Did he buy these before his shift?)
Soyogu: By the way, that pouch is meant to be microwaved, not heated in boiling water.
Ai: I’m not so dumb not being able to see that. What do you take me for?
Soyogu: I just relayed the message as it was. Don't pick a fight when you haven't even received an invitation for it.
Ai: Not showing basic respect to me is the same as asking for one.
Soyogu: Now you’re just spouting nonsense while making it seem like that will land on your lap out of nowhere.
Ai: It’s called common sense, genius.
Just tell Yuzuru that I already received the gift. Don't utter anything beyond that.
Soyogu: I might if Yuzuru-san asks me to, though.
You don't need me here anymore, do you? I'm getting out of here.
Ai: Make it quick.
---It was immediately after that.
Ai: ……………….
All of a sudden, the sound of rain violently beating against the window echoed throughout the room.
Part 2
Ai: (--Can it get any worse than this?)
When I slightly opened the curtains, it was pouring outside the window. I let out a big sigh in the room filled with an odd silence.
Ai: Only until it stops.
Soyogu: Yeah... I'll do that.
That being said, it seemed the unspoken intention of "don't get the documents wet" was mutually understood.
Shinkai quickly settled down on the sofa.
Without minding much, I put what I got in the refrigerator.
Ai: (The forecast didn’t say it’s going to rain. That's probably why he came with his cross bike.)
(Then this won't last long.)
Suddenly feeling thirsty, I opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of barley tea.
As I prepared the glass, I glanced at Shinkai and noticed he was so engrossed in reading a book I didn't recognize… It must be what he brought along.
Ai: (His presence is certainly distracting, but if he stays quiet like this, I guess it’s not a bother.)
(......Never mind, this dude is still too big and gets in the way of my field of vision.)
Ai: Hey.
Soyogu: Huh?
Ai: If you wanna drink, then drink.
Soyogu: ......Barley tea, right?
Ai: Anyone can tell just by looking.
Soyogu: From you? For me? ......Did you put something weird in?
Ai: Excuse me?
Even if that were the case, it wouldn't affect you anyway, would it?
Soyogu: Depending on what you put in, that might not be the case, though.
Hey, you wouldn't go that far, would you? I mean, if the guests were someone like me, you'd probably even make them pour the tea themselves.
Ai: ………………..
I can so much as give appropriate hospitality to anyone who comes on an errand. That's all.
Whether it's you or someone else. No double standard.
Soyogu: Hmmmm.
Ai: What?
Soyogu: For someone in a leadership position, that side of you isn't bad, but it has come to my attention again that your underlying arrogance basically ruins the whole thing.
Ai: Get lost.
Soyogu: Would love to but the rain said otherwise.
I immediately cut off the conversation with the man who gulped down the tea despite all those utterly ridiculous complaints. That way, no more topic of conversation would occur.
In the room, which had regained its tranquility, only the sound of heavy rain echoed.
Part 3
Soyogu: (---Is it still going?)
The rain, which I thought would stop soon, continued pouring surprisingly long. And I was about to be done with the book I started reading in Kosaka's room.
As I looked up to check the time, our eyes suddenly met.
Ai: I’m sure it will stop by the time of your proxy request.
Soyogu: Huh?
Ai: Your job starts in the evening, doesn’t it?
Soyogu: You seem to know a lot.
Ai: Obviously, it's a request from my connections. I'm also taking the lead in the preliminary investigation.
Soyogu: !
(If this dude is involved, it must be a pretty important case.)
(Since he's from the Main Office, it’s very likely he’s involved in the selection of the members—)
(For a significant matter like that, he chose me?)
Thinking that far, I recalled the conversation from earlier.
Ai: I can so much as give appropriate hospitality to anyone who comes on an errand. That's all.
Whether it's you or someone else. No double standard.
No matter who it is, he’s fair and square when it comes to evaluation for work. Putting weight into his own judgement in his own arrogant manner.
Soyogu: (He’s probably not the kind to play favorite…. Even with me.)
(As long as the work is done, there’s no problem… I don’t hate that kind of evaluation. It gets straight to the point and makes things easier for me.)
Ai: ….What is it?
Soyogu: Nothing. Just thinking about the request.
Ai: If you want to be completely prepared, that's fine. Just don't do anything that would embarrass me.
Soyogu: Who do you think you are talking to?
The rain stopped just as I finished the book. Since there’s no reason to linger anymore, I quickly prepared to leave.
Soyogu: I'll stop by the office again, any message you want to pass?
Ai: No. I'll meet Yuzuru tonight anyway.
Soyogu: Don't summon him when you're sick.
Ai: We had a dinner appointment originally. The man himself already said, "If it's not a bother, I would love to join you even in that condition."
......He told me he wanted to celebrate on the very day. It's a special occasion after all.
Soyogu: (Does that mean…..)
Kosaka, is today your birthday?
Ai: Yeah.
Soyogu: Hmmm, at the very least, I'll say happy birthday.
Ai: That's a good attitude for someone like you.
Soyogu: I'm pretty unbiased even in that regard, you know?
Even if it’s toward someone like you.
Ai: But you’re talking to me and that’s still not enough in my standard. Show some respect.
Soyogu: And in my standard, it's already neither too much nor too little.
I left the entrance while arguing with him, not to the hostile extent. The sky was so clear that I almost thought the heavy rain from earlier had never happened.
Soyogu: (That dude really ended up seeing me off all the way to the front door.)
(A fitting action, I suppose.)
Feeling uneasy about Kosaka, who remained on top of things until the very end as the "master who entertains the messenger," I mounted my cross bike.
people who dont maintag: here is a full analysis of a scene where i write out what each character considered the situation to be, why their pasts made them react the way they did, and why the eventual misunderstanding was as avoidable as it was inevitable… #rambles #idk if this means anything so i wont spam tags ^^;
people who do maintag: i hate blorbo #blorbo #from my shows
18TRIP Raito Kitakata SSR Translation "A Secret Rendezvous"
Translation by raiting.tumblr.com
Source is 18TRIP.
Note: this is a translation that I had partially done in 2024, but never fully finished it. I've decided to clean it up and finish it to share. I will continue to focus on untranslated content for the time being, but I thought it would be a fun little extra to post.
A secret rendezvous (first half)
Chief: (With the Evening Squad’s first tour wrapped up, today’s my first day off in a while since I was able to kick back and relax without any worries…)
Raito: So this is where you were, Chief. I was looking for you.
Chief: Something the matter, Raito-san?
Raito: Do you happen to have any plans next week?
Chief: No, nothing in particular. Was just thinking along the lines of taking it easy…
Raito: That works out perfectly then.
Raito: …On Saturday night— I want us to go out together.
Chief: Eh?
Raito: You’re the only one I can ask. Is it doable for you?
Chief: (Just the two of us… I don’t think there’s any deeper meaning behind it, considering it is Raito-san.)
Chief: S-sure. I don’t mind at all.
Raito: Great, thank you.
Raito: Let’s meet up in front of the dorm. I’ll pick you up by car once the sun sets, so get yourself ready and wait there for me.
Chief: Gotcha. Though, where will we be going?
Raito: That’s a secret. Alright, I’ll be seeing you on Saturday.
Chief: (Just where in the world are we going…)
Nayuki: Please be careful out there, Chief.
Chief: Uwah!? Ah, it’s you, Nayuki-kun.
Nayuki: Sorry. It wasn’t my intention to eavesdrop— it’s just a coincidence. It’s really just a big coincidence that I just so happened to be here.
Nayuki: It would be best for you to not have any expectations. At most it’ll be a waste of your time.
Chief: (No expectations, huh. Well, again, it’s Raito-san we’re talking about, something like a date is definitely off the table…)
Chief: (Have to say, an outing with a secret destination is making me a little excited.)
Raito: …We arrived. This is where I wanted to take you tonight.
Chief: Woah, the stars are beautiful…!
Raito: This hill is far enough from the city, and since the sky is clear tonight, it’s making all the pieces fall perfectly into place.
Raito: Though, a little bit chilly, isn’t it? Use this blanket if you’d like to. I also got some hot coffee ready, so feel free to take a cup.
Chief: Thank you very much.
Chief: (Seems that you can stargaze here. Wonder if there’ll also be a meteor shower…)
Raito: …Chief.
Chief: Eh…
Raito: (He grabbed my hand… And he got way closer to me than he was before.)
Chief: Are you also cold, Raito-san? I don’t mind passing the blanket…
Raito: No, not necessary. My body and heart are burning up, if anything.
Raito: The cold doesn’t faze me since my wish might come true tonight.
Raito: And it’s all thanks to you being here, Chief. I’m grateful from the bottom of my heart.
Chief: (He’s looking at me so earnestly… Raito-san, just what in the world are you trying to…)
Raito: Take this, Chief. I’ve written something important on it. Could you please look at it?
Chief: (A note? …Don’t tell me it’s—)
Chief: Uh, ventura ventura space people…?
Raito: An outer space civilisation living on another planet far removed from Earth—
Raito: To keep it brief, these are words for summoning aliens. Remember them right away.
Raito: Chief. I want to perform a ritual to summon UFOs right now, together with you.
Raito: If we hold our hands and raise them to the sky, transmitting our sincerity, our energy— UFOs will descend without a doubt!
Chief: (His invitation was about doing some freaking alien ritual with him!?)
Chief: (Well… Raito-san’s hobby is everything occult, and the others don’t really bother with him on that front.)
Raito: Crap, we’re running out of time…!
Raito: Did you memorize it? Let’s get started at once if you did. Project from your stomach and shout—
Raito: VENTURA!
Chief: V-venturaaaa…
Raito: Raise your voice higher! Raise your voice high enough for it to reach the shining stars up above, and shout!
Raito: VENTURA! VENTURA! SPACE PEOPLE!
Chief: V-ventura, ventura, space people…!
Chief: (Aaah… we’re being so loud. I’m praying to god no one’s gonna report us!)
A secret rendezvous (latter half)
Raito: …Not a single UFO in sight, huh.
Chief: Yeah. They aren’t coming…
Raito: Did think I spotted a circular light in the sky, but it was a shooting star…
Chief: I do believe it was a worthwhile experience, on the other hand…
Chief: What should we do next, though? Do we just chant again?
Raito: No. As Muu☆ tan… an occult-related content creator whom I deeply respect said, it’s already past the time of the day where the probability of UFOs appearing was at its highest.
Raito: We’ll leave it here for today and withdraw. Although the results weren’t to my expectations, I have no regrets.
Raito: With your help, I was able to recite the chant for summoning aliens with all my might.
Raito: Hmm… wonder if I’ve gotten hungry from all the effort I put in.
Raito: It is getting a little late, but would you like to go have dinner together, if you don’t mind?
Chief: Sure. I’ve gotten a little peckish myself.
Raito: I’m glad you didn’t refuse.
Raito: As a matter of fact, I made a reservation for a special dinner. It’s a place I wholeheartedly recommend. Let’s go.
Chief: (Special dinner? Now I’m curious what that could be.)
Chief: (Given it’s a restaurant where people similar to Raito-san make reservations at, I hope there won't be any dress codes…)
Chief: (...I did have a slight hunch, though.)
Old ramen pops: Ey, come on in!
Old ramen pops: Heya there, sonny. Kept your usual seat at the end of the counter there free just for you. Make yerself at home.
Raito: Thanks, boss. Appreciate it.
Chief: (Who would’ve thought you can make reservations at a casual ramen joint…)
Chief: (Seems like he’s on great terms with the people working here. He’s probably a regular customer here.)
Chief: (Different than what I had in mind, but it’s way more relaxing than some fancy restaurant dinner…)
Chief: (Most of all, it’s a place recommended by the ramen aficionado Raito-san! It’s gonna be delicious, I just know it.)
Raito: What’s your pick, Chief?
Chief: All of it looks appetizing, it’s hard to choose… What do you recommend, Raito-san?
Raito: Only one choice to make in that case— chuka soba. It’s precisely because of its simplicity that you can enjoy all the authentic craftsmanship that goes into one bowl.
Raito: And I’ll go with the same thing as you for today, Chief.
Old ramen pops: Here ya go, chuka soba! Bowl’s piping hot so watch yerself.
Chief: Thank you very much, let’s dig in.
Chief: …Mmmhn!? It’s super delicious…!!
Chief: (The firmness of the noodles are spot on, and the char siu is exquisite! And above all, how the warm soup runs through my body after being in a cold place…!)
Raito: Phew… as always, ramen after growing chilly is one of a kind. Even if we didn’t come across any UFOs, this just brings me right back on my feet.
Chief: Raito-san, could it be that you occasionally perform that UFO summoning ritual all on your own?
Raito: Yeah. On nights where the stars align, I take my car and fly down the road all the way there.
Raito: Though, you’re the first person ever that I invited to join me like this.
Raito: Whichever video it was, all of them claimed that the more people chant, the easier it is to summon— which is why I wanted to try it, but…
Raito: Nayuki had given me an awfully stern warning about how I should never, ever rope others in my occult-related hobbies.
Raito: The only one who came to mind that I could ask behind his back was you, Chief.
Raito: And that sums it up. Mind if you kept quiet about all of this?
Raito: If necessary, I will present this char siu as hush money.
Chief: Y-you don’t have to!
Chief: Of course I won’t say a word. Especially not to Nayuki-kun.
Chief: It’s frustrating to not be able to do what you love.
Raito: I appreciate it. As cute as Nayuki can be whenever he scolds me, I have to admit it gets hard to keep listening after one to two hours.
Chief: Ahaha, I can see that.
Chief: Ah… Would you like me to accompany you again next time, if you don’t mind having me?
Chief: It’s a good thing to immerse yourself in your own hobbies, but there’s times where you want to share how fun it is with others too, right?
Raito: Are you sure?
Chief: Yes. The stars were beautiful, and the ramen here was absolutely delicious.
Chief: If it comes together with ramen on the way back home, I’m up for it whenever.
Raito: …Right. I knew you’d be the right person to ask, Chief.
Chief: (He looks happy… Haven't seen Raito-san smile like this before.)
Chief: (I was worried what was going to happen when he invited me, but I’m glad we had a great time tonight…)
Raito: By the way—
Raito: Next week, there’ll be another day where the planets align just right… how about it?
Raito: If we pick up on the vibrations of Venus, we might just be able to see a UFO for real next time!
Chief: N-now that’s a bit, well… just doing it once a month sounds good for now.
TL note:
“Ventura, ventura, space people” (also spelled as bentra or ventra) is an UFO summoning chant popularized by the Cosmic Brotherhood Association. It’s a former organisation established in the 1960s that was related to all things aliens and occult, but by the 1970s had ceased activities. This word ventra/ventura being adapted as “alien language” to summon UFOs is believed to originally come from George Van Tassel, who originally claimed it stands for spaceship in said language. Although finding sources that explain how the term got widespread is rather difficult, the popular Urusei Yatsura series from the 1980s has used this phrase as a way to summon aliens, likely contributing to cementing this phrase in Japanese pop culture when it comes to alien related content.
Chuka soba, also referred to as Chinese noodles, is ramen. Although the difference between chuka soba and regular ramen is rather a mystery to me. Some sources claim it’s the same dish, but with different names. Other sources say it’s simply a lighter broth, or that the noodles are different. Either way, it’s ramen. Must be yummy.
[Break My Case] SSR Card Story - Taiga Tsukimoto "#8BCCD6"
Translation by akewanchan.
Source is mobile game Break My Case.
Part 1
Today is Tsukimoto-san’s birthday.
Sometime ago, at one of the usual meetings with the administration department, I was invited by Sei-san and Ichikawa-kun to join a surprise celebration.
—Except things didn’t go as planned.
Taiga: Huh, what’s the matter?
Yashiro: (What do I do now?)
My mind went blank and I froze in place, not expecting I’d be running into Tsukimoto-san himself.
Yashiro: Uh, um, well.
Haruhi: …Time’s up.
Haruhi: Knew it that asking him to go buy stuff to stock up on wouldn’t cut it.
Sei: And I believed he’d stop by a café for a break afterwards, however, Taiga was one step ahead all this time.
Sei: To think he had already replenished all the daily necessities I had requested to be taken care of.
Taiga: What are you guys going on about?
Haruhi: What day do you think it is?
Taiga: …….
Taiga: …Don’t tell me.
Sei: Exactly as you thought. Happy birth—
Sei: No, it’s not the appropriate timing for that just yet.
Yashiro: I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting Tsukimoto-san to show up.
Taiga: …I think I figured it out. You came here to surprise me for my birthday with these two.
Taiga: Is that right?
Yashiro: Precisely.
Haruhi: Not that you can call it a surprise at this point, though.
Sei: Let’s change up our plans instead since the cat’s out of the bag.
Sei: For one day only, Taiga will take the role of the main character and be serviced by us for a change.
Taiga: Eh.
Haruhi: Go laze off in your room.
Taiga: Wait, oi—
Both of them pushed Taiga from behind, guiding him towards his room. Tsukimoto-san looked bewildered during the whole trip, but he eventually was crammed inside his room and then it became quiet again.
Sei: Now then, let us pull ourselves back together.
Yashiro: That took quite a lot of strength to pull off…
Haruhi: Dude here can pretty much pack a punch.
Sei: Oh my, oh my. I’ll have you know I’m gentle as they come, does it look like I am able to use such brute force?
Sei-san’s smile was indeed a kind one as he said that.
Yashiro: (But, how do I put it…)
Haruhi: Liar.
Yashiro: (He outright said it…)
Sei-san’s smile remained undisturbed even after directly being called out, and left things there with a light shrug.
Sei: I believe we should get going to procure the needed ingredients. May I ask you to take care of the decorations, Yashiro-san?
Sei: Anything that you may need has already been provided.
Yashiro: I’ll take care of it.
After seeing them get ready and take their leave, I began working on my task without delay.
…And not long after that, I suddenly felt a pair of eyes on me.
Taiga: …………
Yashiro: !
Tsukimoto-san, who had been quietly peeking inside through the door gap, came into the room looking anxious.
Taiga: …Could you please let me help?
Part 2
Taiga: I just couldn’t ask them if it was okay to let me lend a hand, since I already made my promise.
Taiga: But not doing anything makes me feel restless…
Yashiro: (After keeping their feelings in consideration, he came to me instead… I think that’s his reasoning.)
Yashiro: I understand. I won’t say a word.
Taiga: Thank you very much! What may I help out with?
Yashiro: Hmm, could you take care of decorating that side? I’ll handle this part over here.
Taiga: Got it.
Taiga: …It’ll look more lively if we let these hang from around the ceiling. In that case I’ll move these floral decorations over here, and…
Yashiro: (He really isn’t able to sit still.)
Tsukimoto-san and I diligently continued to decorate together. Thanks to him, we were able to get it done pretty quickly.
Yashiro: You were of great help. Thank you.
Taiga: Not at all. I’ll go ahead and obediently withdraw to my room now.
Yashiro: (He’s looking pretty satisfied with himself.)
Within a few minutes after seeing off a content Tsukimoto-san, Sei-san and Ichikawa-kun had come back from their shopping trip.
Sei: …Oh my.
Haruhi: ……
While putting everything they had bought on the table, their eyes wandered around the decorated room.
Yashiro: (Did they already realize…?)
Sei: This is truly some lovely decoration. Thank you for your work.
Haruhi: Looks real good. Got a sense of style to it.
Yashiro: (Seems like I’m in the clear for now.)
Yashiro: I’m glad to hear it’s to your satisfaction.
Sei: And now comes the food. Although it’s contained to arranging our assortment of hors d’oeuvres.
Sei: If we were to begin with cooking everything ourselves, we’d be going until the early hours.
Haruhi: Gonna start on the cake so c’mon and help me out here.
Having said so, Ichikawa-kun took out the cake sponge, cream and strawberries from the bag.
Sei: I can hardly wait to show what I’m capable of.
Haruhi: Gonna do your usual food review, or?
Sei: I will leave that up to Taiga. He is the main character today, after all.
Yashiro: (That’s just going to put him on the spot.)
Yashiro: (...A part of me does want to hear his review, I admit.)
The two of them devoted themselves to preparing the cake.
After putting the fruits in between the cake sponge, and then having the cake decorated with cream, Ichikawa-kun’s hands stopped moving.
Haruhi: And, pause. Gonna call the main character over.
Yashiro: (Even though it’s not done yet…?)
Part 3
Tsukimoto-san, who showed up after being called by Ichikawa-kun, was looking puzzled in front of the cake that was only decorated with cream.
Taiga: From what I can see it’s unfinished, but is it already okay for me to be here?
Sei: I’d like to do the finishing touches together. I’m eager to see your sense of style at work.
Sei: —The same way you did with the decorations here.
Yashiro: !
Taiga: Ah— …Got busted as you’d expect, huh.
Haruhi: Duh, no way Yashiro could reach that close to the ceiling.
Sei: Besides, she had finished decorating a bit too swiftly before our return.
Haruhi: I mean, should’ve seen it coming that this guy can’t sit still even if it kills him.
Taiga: Okay, now you’re exaggerating…
Sei: For him to want to make the preparations together, regardless whether he’s the leading actor or not, is indeed what you’d expect from Taiga.
Sei: And dragging the main character into it all is much like us, too. Wouldn't you agree?
Taiga: …Yeah. Alright, time to go all out.
Tsukimoto-san picked up the strawberries, and transformed the cake into a beautiful one within moments. Standing before a cake that was on par with a commercial one, Ichikawa-kun took out something.
Haruhi: And here’s something made without Taiga’s involvement.
That being a chocolate plate with “Taiga, Happy birthday” written on it by Ichikawa-kun.
The letters were a little bit uneven, perhaps from writing with a chocolate pen he was unfamiliar with.
Taiga: …This is…
Sei: The party has yet to start, remember? The tears ought to be saved for later.
Taiga: Haha, you’re right.
Sei: Now then, I wish you a wonderful birthday.
Yashiro: Happy birthday, Tsukimoto-san.
Haruhi: HBD. Would’ve been better to say that after blowing out the candles, though.
Taiga: I’m happy to hear it no matter when you guys say it.
Taiga: Thanks everyone. I’ve enjoyed them all so far, but I’m having a blast with this year’s birthday.
Haruhi: Dude, you’re gonna say it was the best again next year.
Sei: Fufu, I can imagine it already.
Sei: Alright, it’s time for us to dig in. I’d be delighted if you could provide us with a food report.
Taiga: Huh!?
Haruhi: Sei’s gonna judge so good luck with getting that perfect score.
Taiga: But having someone criticize what I think when I'm eating is just straight up weird.
And the birthday party packed with all kinds of emotions had finally begun.
Tsukimoto-san had a serious look on his face at first, but the moment he took a bite of the cake, a smile broke out on his face. The other two steadily watching over him seemed to be enjoying themselves, too.
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