#muneuji

[ivory-lamps]

A10: Interstellar Mirage

Characters: Muneuji, Ushio, Nagi, Netaro, Akuta, Yukikaze, Kafka, Tao, Chihiro, Ten, Kuguri, Kiroku & Nanaki Location: Hama Summary: Some time passes since the toast and excitement spreads through the room. Netaro arrives late and begins passing out colourful steamed buns… Proofreader: Shay

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Translator’s Notes ☽.‎˖

Gyaru: Derived from the English word “gal”. It’s a Japanese fashion subculture which consists of showy clothing, heavy tanning, bleached or dyed hair, and lots of makeup. Associated items can be brightly coloured.

Cica: This is the Hungarian term for “cat/kitten”.

Momiji / Kaede: (Kafka went around giving a toast to all the ward mayors, but I wonder if he’s doing okay. He looked like he couldn’t handle his alcohol very well during his coming-of-age party…)

Kafka: Heey~ Manager, so this is where you were~ Huug~

Momiji / Kaede: Wha!? I took my eyes off you for a second and you’ve gotten this drunk?

Yukikaze: He must have gotten into a good mood seeing things finally take shape. Should I carry him?

Momiji / Kaede: Oh, thanks. But maybe it’ll be better to ask Sakujiro-san to take care of him instead.

(It was inevitable during Kobe, but I bet he’ll sulk again if he finds out Yuki-nii carried him.)

Yukikaze: But Sakujiro-san went out to get a set of mahjong tiles to play with Liguang, Kinari and Yodaka-san.

Momiji / Kaede: Huh? Why mahjong tiles?

Kafka: Noo~ I’m not sleeping until Netaro gets here! We’re gonna conquer the world together~

Momiji / Kaede: (After having an interview with Netaro-kun through Daniel-san’s recommendation, Kafka has really taken a liking to him.)

(But it’s nice having more ward mayors that are like friends. Right, Kafka?)

Chihiro: Oh, I wanted to take a picture with Manager-pii but looks like they’re having a hard time with a dead-drunk President-chii. Guess I’ll come back later.

Tao: Hmm… ……? Can you hear something?

Chihiro: Huh?

??: …Steamed buns~ Addicting steamed buns~ Straight outta the steamer ♪

Netaro: How about some crazy delicious steamed buns?

Laika: Buns!

Chihiro: Wow~!! These are great! They’re so cute ☆ The pet robot also has a [1]gyaru look to it – you’re the G.O.A.T~♪

Tao: Oh, are you Yowa-san? The one who runs that steamed bun cafe…? You said you were gonna be late, right?

Netaro: That’s right. I’m indeed Netaro Yowa, the one who will be the mayor for ward 18! I ended up arriving late since I was steaming these new limited buns for the party.

Chihiro: Chii’s Chihiro! And this is Tao-Tao! I’m so psyched – these strange steamed buns look so good~♪

Netaro: This is the “Interstellar Mirage ☆ Natto Bean Curry Bun” and this one is “Smiling Bon Voyage ☆ Mushroom Cheese Bun”.

Laika: Nattuuu~♪ Lalala, beep beep beep.

Chihiro: OMG! This lil’ robot just started singing outta nowhere – that’s sooo cute ☆ Can I take a picture with you both, Taroppu? And post it on dazzle~?

Netaro: Why, of course, Chii!

Tao: Wow, they’re already calling each other by their nicknames…

Chihiro: Hey, do you have fingers~? Can you make a heart with Chii~?

Tao: Taking a picture’s fine and all but I’m gonna have a steamed bun. Uhh… I’ll take the mushroom and cheese…

Chihiro: Then Chii’s gonna have the crazy natto curry one. Thanks for the food ♪

Tao & Chihiro: Munch…

Netaro & Laika: ……

Tao: …Pfft, ahahahahahaha! What the heck is this? It’s making me laugh like crazy!!

Chihiro: Huh!? Tao-Tao…!?

Tao: Ahahahahaha!

Chihiro: Uh, I dunno what’s going on but Tao-Tao’s going LMAO and it’s so SSR worthy! I totally have to film this!

Tao: My stomach, it hurts…!

Laika: Natuu, Giovanni, piroppu~

Chihiro: Cuteeee ☆ He’s rolling around on the floor~ Sigh I think my maternal instincts are overflowing! OMG!! I’ve never felt this way before! I can’t stop taking pics~♪

Toi: I–It’s Chii-sama…! We’re standing on the same ground…! Breathing the same air…!

Ahh… I want to pray for this miracle! Thank you for letting me be born in the same generation as my idol…!

Mashiro: Chii-sama is certainly one of the most important people destined to be born in this world!

Sonia: Ohh~ So Chii-sama is one of the chosen life-forms! I see!

Chou un: …I think all life is equal but I shall refrain from tactless comments.

Momiji / Kaede: Oh, Netaro-kun is here. Kafka’s asleep, though.

Kuguri: Hey, [2]Cica. Are you enjoying the banquet?

Ten: I figured we haven’t had a drink together yet. Anyway, good job selecting all 18 ward mayors.

Momiji / Kaede: Thanks, you two. Cheers!

(A lot of different relationships are being formed now that they’re all living together under one roof, but… it’s a bit strange seeing Ten-kun and Kuguri-san get along so well already.)

Ten: Oh, right. Shumai was howling up a storm when that guy from the steamed bun cafe came.

Kuguri: Hehe. It must be one of those wild instincts. Are you sure you want to let him in?

Momiji / Kaede: Oh… you’re talking about Netaro-kun? He is a bit of an enigma but I think it’s fine.

(According to Toi-kun’s divination, Netaro-kun was also a necessary individual that will guide us to his brother. We have to help him find his brother, just as we promised.)

Akuta: Haa, haa, all of these are so good I think I might go to heaven…!

I think I’m gonna stuff myself like it’s my last day on Earth, so don’t get in my way, okay!?

Ushio: What an idiot, walking to and fro like that. I don’t wanna watch you pig out.

Kiroku: …But… Kurama… that’s your… third plate of fried noodles…

Ushio: Hey, we’re not talking about me right now.

Kiroku: …It’s delicious so… you don’t… have to be embarrassed…

Ushio: I’m not feeling any bit embarrassed, just so you know.

Muneuji: Hmm… I’d like some more. I’m going to get seconds.

Nanaki: Oh, I’ll go with you, then. The pizza I had before was pretty good… Hm?

Tao: Sigh I finally calmed down… My cheeks hurt from laughing too hard.

Chihiro: Huh? Why did I take a gazillion pics of Tao~? I had these weird maternal instincts that washed over my entire body…

Netaro: Ahaha! Perhaps I added too much of that one secret ingredient~! Right, Laika?

Laika: Shwaa.

Nanaki: ……! …Huh…!?

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ📍 Flashback

??: “Euclidean Instant Disassembly Stripping Pen”. Why, I’m rather proud of my invention!

Human clothes… they tend to get stuck at the throat.

Kiroku: …W–Where is he…?

Nanaki: Who even is he? Where did you come from? The door’s supposed to be over there…

Akuta: Wait, what about the egg?

Nanaki: Ah…!

Muneuji: What’s wrong? You’re trembling.

Nanaki: T–That’s… that guy…!

Muneuji: ?

……!

Akuta: Maaaan, I can feel the calories seep into every fibre of my being~!

Muneuji: Everyone, I want you to listen to me closely.

Kiroku: ?

Muneuji: The individual we met on the rooftop after the concert is right there. It’s that secret agent with the egg.

Ushio: What!? You’re kidding…

Nanaki: I’ve been staring at him and it has to be him. There’s no way I wouldn’t be able to recognise him.

Akuta: …Really? I don’t remember.

Ushio: I never expected anything from your brain cells, idiotake. Anyway… why is he even here? I don’t get it.

Is he the mayor of ward no.18? The one who said he’d be late?

Muneuji: Most likely. He must be Netaro Yowa-san.

Nanaki: What was it? He’s supposed to be from the secret special forces… It’s called ponzu or something…

Akuta: Yorozu!

Ushio: You remember that?

Kiroku: …The… egg… it’s there… too…!

Ushio: Huh?

Kiroku: Look…

Laika: Beep beep beep. Zee zee zee. Boing.

Nanaki: Hmm… That’s not the egg. I think that’s just a normal pet robot.

Ushio: I agree with the panda.

Kiroku: N–No… that’s… definitely…

Muneuji: You were the one who shared a deep emotional bond with the egg. I believe in Kinugawa’s intuition.

Nanaki: Even if we ignore the egg, is it okay for us to carelessly approach him?

Ushio: Who knows…? He seems dangerous so maybe it would be best to keep our distance. There might be an explosion or we might get our clothes stripped.

Akuta: Hey, did we meet on a rooftop in the summer?

Netaro: Hm?

Ushio: That guy…! He shouldn’t have strolled up to him and asked him that directly…!

Akuta: Well, everyone’s saying we all met then.

So is it true~!?

Ushio: Pretend we don’t know him.

Nanaki: …… Muneuji…!?

Muneuji: Pardon my impertinence. I’m Muneuji Kaguya, the mayor of ward no. 8. Do you recall?

Netaro: Uji, your eyes are beautiful. I feel like I’ve seen them a long time ago…

Muneuji: ……

Netaro: I don’t really remember. How about we call this our first meeting?

Muneuji: ……

Akuta: Nice to meet you. Je m'appelle Akuta Supa Hero!

Ushio: Mu-chan, we’re leaving! You, too!

Muneuji: …I see. It’s because he’s a part of Yorozu.

He is a secret agent who performs his duties in civilian clothes, so he’ll blend into society by working an ordinary job. He must not be able to reveal his identity – just like the time on the rooftop.

Ushio: Mu-chan, what’re you mumbling about?

Nanaki: So this just means he doesn’t know us, right?

Muneuji: Right. If he says he’s never seen us before, then we should also get our story to match with his. We mustn’t get in the way of his mission.

Kiroku: ……

Ushio: That’s fine. Let’s just leave it at that.

Nanaki: Hmm… Oh, well.

Akuta: Then I’m good too. Anyway, let’s eat!

Muneuji: ……

Nagi: …Sigh…

Sonia: Are you okay, Nagi-san?

Nagi: Yeah…

Sonia: This is worrying.

Nagi: Yeah. At this rate… things might be really bad.

Maybe I should go back to the store and start handing out flowers.

Sonia: But… the temperature’s gone down and it’s cold.

Nagi: That’s even better.

Sonia: ……

Nagi: Yeah. It’s better this way. …Anyway, I’ll be back.

Sonia: Nagi-sa–

Momiji / Kaede: Oh, Nagi-kun. What’re you doing over here?

Nagi: …Uhh… um.

Sonia: O–Oh, we suddenly received a work request…!

Nagi: Yeah. A sudden work request.

Sonia: Y–Yes, we’re in quite a pickle since we’re temporarily closed!

Momiji / Kaede: Yeah? Okay. We’ve got cake too so hurry back, alright?

Nagi: Y–Yep. Thanks. I’ll be going, then…

Momiji / Kaede: Come home soon!

Nagi: Ugh!

Momiji / Kaede: Are you okay!? You’re suddenly clutching your chest!

Nagi: It’s nothing… I’ll be back…!

*Nagi leaves in a hurry*

Sonia: Are you okay, Nagi-san!?

Nagi: I’m still… fine.

But if anymore happiness starts spilling out… then things will start getting really bad. I need to regulate it…

…Let’s go, Sonia. We’ll bear with the numbing cold and hand out the flowers – we need to dilute these happy feelings.

Sonia: Gotcha!

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[ivory-lamps]

B22: Only Him, The Mole[*]

Characters: Ryui, Toi, Nagi, Netaro, Daniel, Yachiyo, Muneuji, Liguang, Ten & Kuguri Location: HAMA Summary: The last part of the tour is finally here. L4mps is about to begin their performance, but Yodaka is nowhere to be seen. The protagonist asks Yodaka’s co-worker, Yun Yun, about his location, but… Proofreader: Shay

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Momiji / Kaede: (It’s finally the last part of the tour's first day…! We did end up rushing into things, but we’ve somehow made it this far thanks to the other groups helping out…!)

Sakujiro: It appears there are more people than I’d anticipated. Perhaps it’s all thanks to the Morning Group advertising via word-of-mouth.

Daniel: Yeah, it’s guaranteed to be a real hit.

Nayuki: I’ll open up the extra seats that were saved for the staff.

Muneuji: Apologies for the interruption. Manager, is there anything I can help with?

Momiji / Kaede: Muneuji-kun…! Thanks!

Yachiyo: Kaguya-kun, you’re still young but so thoughtful. Then, could you help me set up the temporary seats for the audience?

Muneuji: Understood.

Yachiyo: Follow me! We’ve got to hurry!

Muneuji: (He’s walking rather slowly despite what he says…)

Momiji / Kaede: (Yachiyo-kun’s so enthusiastic, too… I’m a little worried, but things should be fine if Muneuji-kun is helping him.)

Yukikaze: Manager. I’ve brought a cold towel for you. Feel free to use it to wipe your sweat.

Momiji / Kaede: Yuki-nii, thanks so much…!

Yukikaze: This is a message from Nanaki and Kinari, who were setting up the equipment, but everything is going smoothly.

Momiji / Kaede: Roger that!

Daniel: Alright, let’s work hard and then drink up at the after-party.

Momiji / Kaede: Yes!

Hakkei: (I’m a little late, but they still let me in. Look at the place – the Night Group has already succeeded in terms of the sheer number of people here.)

But if the people here are not satisfied, then they won’t ever come again. L4mps is the newest group… I’m truly curious to see what sort of performance they’ll put on.

Toi: There were people who weren’t interested in fortune-telling and divination, but they left all happy… so it made me feel happy, too! How was it for you, Ani-sama?

Ryui: Thanks to your divination, they all accepted their prescribed amulets and charms. I’ll buy you the clothes you’ve been eyeing, okay?

Toi: Yaaay. I get to be matching with Chii-sama~!

Nagi: In my case, even the locals were happy with the service. They were overjoyed to see more greenery.

Netaro: Meatbun Fantasia was great, too! There were even people who couldn’t move after eating so much.

Momiji / Kaede: Guys, thanks for working so hard! You’re all changed into your outfits, right?

Toi: Yeah! Ani-sama looks so cool!

Nagi: These are the best clothes I’ve ever worn.

Momiji / Kaede: We should thank Sakujiro-san later then… Huh? Where’s Yodaka-san?

Netaro: Oh? He’s not with you, Doo Doo?

Toi: Is he arriving late?

Daniel: Has anyone called him?

Ryui: Yeah, but the call won’t go through. Hey, weirdo, don’t you know where he is right now?

Toi: Oh, right! If Yodaka-san has the mole that was placed on my neck like before, then maybe we could get in touch with him…?

Netaro: You’re talking about my invention, the “Crazy Sneaking Mole”, huh. I tried to put it on Yoda, but he noticed right away.

Daniel: What the heck is that?

Netaro: I placed 13 on you, Daa.

Daniel: What? Where? Where are they…!?

Momiji / Kaede: This isn’t good… The concert’s about to start…

Daniel: I did see Yun Yun earlier.

Momiji / Kaede: Oh, the bartender!

Daniel: Yeah. He said he closed up the store to come see the concert.

Momiji / Kaede: He might know where Yodaka-san is…! I’ll go look for him!

*Momiji / Kaede runs outside*

Momiji / Kaede: (Yun Yun-san… Yun Yun-san…!)

*Momiji / Kaede bump into someone*

Ah, sorry…!

Liguang: No, I’m sorry… Oh, it’s you.

Momiji / Kaede: Ah, Liguang-san!

Yodaka-san isn’t here! I’m looking for someone! He’s the bartender at Ten Nights’ Dream! Please let me know if you see hiiiiiim!

*Momiji / Kaede run off*

Liguang: Murakumo.

Ten: Say what~? Ask your subordinate to do it.

Nagi: How much longer until the concert starts?

Netaro: In Earth time, 14 minutes and 43 seconds, 42 seconds, 41 seconds~

Toi: We only have 14 minutes…

Ryui: Toi, it’ll be okay. Calm down.

Netaro: There must be a reason why Yoda’s late.

Nagi: ……

Toi, do you have a minute?

Momiji / Kaede: (There are so many people… Where’s Yun Yun-san…?)

Kuguri: Hey, Cica. Why are you breathing so hard?

Momiji / Kaede: Ah, Kuguri-sa–

Yun Yun: ……

Momiji / Kaede: There he is! Yun Yun-san!

Yun Yun: Woah.

Momiji / Kaede: Why are you with Kuguri-san!?

Kuguri: I also frequent the bar, you see.

Momiji / Kaede: I see! Um, where’s Yodaka-san!?

Yun Yun: Huh?

Momiji / Kaede: The concert’s about to start, but Yodaka-san isn’t here yet…!

Yun Yun: …… He’s not here~? That’s weird. He left before I did, so I thought he’d already be here.

Maybe he got lost on the way… just kidding. Haha! Ah, it looks like there was a car accident, so maybe he’s stuck in traffic~?

Momiji / Kaede: Oh, I see…! Thanks.

Yun Yun: Nope, good luck~

Kuguri: (This man… he’s a liar… Well, Cica is pretty cute when they’re in a panic, so I’ll keep quiet.)

Momiji / Kaede: (There’s only 7 minutes left…! I’ll go back to where everyone is first… no, I should let Kafka know beforehand…!)

(I should’ve told Kafka about everyone’s conditions. I had a feeling something like this might happen, but I didn’t do anything about it, so it’s all my fault… No, I shouldn’t be having these thoughts right now…!)

(Should the concert go ahead without Yodaka-san? We should look for him first, but what should we do if we can’t find him?)

(We should hold off the concert… for another 30 minutes or so… We’ll make an announcement right away, but what if Yodaka-san says he doesn’t want to perform…!?)

(What should I do? God, what should I do? What can I do in 7 minutes…?)

*The phone rings*

Momiji / Kaede: ……! H–Hello…!?

Nagi: “Are you okay?”

Translator’s Notes ☽.‎˖

● Only Him, The Mole: While researching the title for this chapter, I happened across a 2019 French film called "Only the Animals", which, in my opinion, has some very intriguing similarities to the L4mps main story on love with Yun Yun and possibly foreshadowing parts of Yodaka's backstory (or at least inspired Yodaka's possible backstory).

I haven't watched the film personally, but from reading the plot and a few reviews, the chapter title seems to alluding more to the film than I initially thought.

In Japanese, the film is titled "aku naki satsujin 悪なき殺人" (literally in English "no / evil / murderer"), whereas the chapter itself is called "moru naki kare モルなき彼" (literally in English "no / mole / him").

I decided to translate the title based on the English film title (Only the Animals ➜ Only Him, the Mole), but the use of the word "mole" and what it refers to in this chapter is quite interesting:

1. Yodaka - Yodaka has noticeable moles; one below his lip and on his neck (very obvious compared to the other members of L4mps, who may have moles in not-so-obvious / open places).

- Netaro placed his "mole" invention on him ➜ Yodaka discovered it and tore it off (no mole).

2. Yun Yun (in a sense, Ten as well) - Being a mole in the loose sense that he's "lying/betraying" Yodaka / the Manager (and HAMA Tours), possibly pretending to be someone he's not to an extent.

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