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[amyure]

Title: NATSUKAGE Artist: 777 Sisters Lyrics: SATSUKI-UPDATE Composer: Takuya Fujita

Absolutely my favorite 777 song... as a bass guy I especially love the bridge. Really hope this composer works with Motegi again in future. Incidentally, the actual title of the song is “NATSUKAGE ~夏陰~”, and ‘夏陰’ reads as ‘natsukage’ anyway, so it’s one of those things. - Nab

Translations

I realized that your voice was getting farther away as you, seemingly dazzled by its bright light, looked in the ever-climbing blue sky’s direction Once again, this season comes It's taking away warmth

Summer comes, by my ears Daydream, the untangling wind berates me, who stands without being able to take the steps to walk

the goodbye left on my right hand still hurts even now I reach out my left hand trying to grasp but without being able to graze it echoed over the shoulder The footsteps of the summer without you

Swaying lights filtering through leaves cicada's sound, just like bubbles without being able to stop the needle, is melting away ice sherbets

Summer comes, the chasing wait leaves, traces are once again, pursuing only me, who is blurred white

If they are summer days that won't come back the second time I closed my eyes and inhaled them deeply so that I don't spill them, so that it won’t overflow, I said it over and over again and again

But the kindness that you gave me patting my head as I pretended to look tough These feelings that I hid are burning my chest just like a summer shadow

I wave my hand to the memories left on my right hand I have many things that I want to hear from you coming up in my head but If I bite them down I am able to walk, tomorrow too The smell of summer that you love

won't fade / I want to meet you

on my right hand is goodbye a word that I couldn't say when I hug it I can play tomorrow too playing the continuation of summer without you

Romaji

Higoto takaku naru aozora no yukue wo hidoku mabushisou ni miteita anata no koe ga tooku natte ki ga tsuita mata kono kisetsu ga yatte kite nukumori wo sarau yo

Summer comes mimi moto wo Daydream sukukaze ga aruki dasezu ni iru watashi wo shikaru

migite ni nokotta sayonara ga ima mo itamu yo hidari te nobashite tsukamou to suru kedo furarezuni katagoshi hibiitano anata no inai natsu no ashioto

yurete komorebi semi no koe wa awa no you hari wo tomezu ni koorigashi wo tokasu yo

Summer comes oikaketa Wait leaves omokage ga shiroku nijinde watashi dake wo mata

nidoto wa modoranu natsu no hibi nara ookiku suikonde hitomi tojita kobosanu you ni koborenai you ni nandomo nandomo iikikaseta

dakedo anata ga kureta yasashisa ga tsuyogaru watashi no atama wo nadete kakushiteta omoi ga mune wo kogasu yo natsukage no you ni

migite ni nokotta omoide ni ima te wo furu yo kikitakatta koto ga takusan ukabu kedo kamishimetara ashita mo arukeru yo anata no sukina natsu no nioi wo

asenai/aitai

migite ni sayonara ienakatta kotoba dakishimetara ashita mo kanaderu yo anata no inai natsu no tsudzuki wo

[amyure]

Title: Hanasaki Otome  Artist: Nanabana Otome Lyrics: KANABOSHI☆TSUKUMO Composer: MICON STUDIO

[Shameless plug] Check out the subbed unit episode over at Tokyo 7th Subs’ youtube channel! [/Shameless plug] - Nab 

Translations

In the middle of sidewalks lined with sakura trees in their third phase of blossom a confession suddenly spilled out of your mouth Right away looking for the possibility that you're mistaken, I'm such a negative person

What do you want to make a bird that can't fly do? But I'm so embarrassed I can't say things properly

But the flower petals flutter within the spring breeze, this heart is dancing This situation feels like I have been dreaming for a whole winter

And so the flower blooms and blooms At this moment I am a blooming maiden I swayed, whilst still in the form of a small bud

I felt down looking at the reflection in the mirror If I just pull down the mess of my bangs I would have closed off my own self, thinking it'd be okay to stay as a filler ‘girl A’

The turn will not come for a flower that can't bloom but I felt so envious but I can't let out any courage

But hey, hey, hey Congratulating you for a love that starts to move, the whole world's flowers are telling me "It's your turn"

So the flower blooms and blooms The flower maiden is budding If I run away at this point, I will remain a bud

I want to try so much to be a girl who always shines Such a bud right now in front of your eyes is starting to open

That's why the flower petals flutter within the spring breeze, this heart is dancing The whole world's flowers right now are pushing on my back

So the flower blooms and blooms right now I am a blooming maiden One day I will become a flower that blooms with smile and then I will become a flower that blooms in you

Romaji

Mibusaki sakuranamiki no mannaka de anata ga fui ni kuchi ni shita totsuzen no kokuhaku sugu ni machigai sagashi wo hajimeru watashi wa NEGATIBU

Tobenai tori ni douiu tsumori nano? demo kihazukashikute umaku ienakute

dakedo hanabira hira haru no kaze ni kokoro odotte zutto fuyu no aida  yume mita youna SHICHUEISHON nano

dakara hana saka saka watashi wa ima hanasaki otome chiisana tsubomi no mama furueteru no

kagami ni utsuru sugata ni unzari de maegami wo zatsu ni oroseba shoujo A yaku wasayaku no mama de ii to jibun no tojikometeita ne

sakenai hana ni deban wa nai no demo urayamashikute yuuki denakute

nanoni hora hora hora ugokidashita koi wo iwatte sekaijuu no hana ga kimi no ban to tsutaetekuru no

dakara hana saka saka mebuite ima hanasaki OTOME koko de nigedashitara tsubomi no mama yo

zutto KIRAKIRA shita onna no ko ni natte mitakute sonna tsubomi ga ima anata no mae hirakisou nano

dakara hanabira hira haru no kaze ni kokoro odotte sekaijuu no hana ga senaka wo ima oshitekureru no

dakara hana saka saka watashi wa ima hanasaki OTOME itsuka egao de saku hana ni naru no soshite anata ni saku hana ni naru no

[amyure]

Title: Snowdrop  Artist: Nanabana Otome Lyrics: SATSUKI-UPDATE Composers: MICON STUDIO, SATSUKI-UPDATE

Snowdrops are apparently a (very droopy) sort of flower, which does certainly seem to fit the lyrics. Also, this is one of the rare songs where Motegi (well, ‘satsuki-update’) has composing credits! - Nab

Translations

It was not any kind of special relationship I would have been happy just looking from afar

I put a bookmark in Sagan's book that I was reading however, somewhere (in me) I'm expecting something

the white primrose flower is confusion Not knowing the cold of melting snow I don't even know what to call this But when I come to, unknowingly my eyes keep catching up to you

It would've been great if my personality were a bright one It would've been great if I could smile like that girl

I'm scared to even pass by you in the corridor but somewhere (in me) I sigh with relief

The sun shines over a new bud it's so bright the blue color fades If it's this kind of feelings, I wouldn't have wanted to know it Once again when I come to, unknowingly water drops are spilling

under a long dark season while being inside the warm soil it managed to be there without me realizing it this shape of mine

the white primrose flower is misery Not knowing the transience of snow I didn't even know what to call this But when I come to, unknowingly surely, I longed for you Looking for you

Romaji

Tokubetsuna kankei janakatta Tooku kara miteru dake de yokatta

yomikake no sagan ni shiori hazande nanoni dokoka kitaishiteiru

tomadoi wa shiroi hana no yukiwarisou tokekaketa yuki no tsumetasa mo shirazu nante yobuka sae wakaranakatta no demo kidzuku to itsushika anata wo me de otteru

akarui seikaku nara yokatta ano ko no you ni waraetara yokatta

rouka de surechigau koto sae kowakute nanoni dokoka hottoshiteiru

atarashii mebuki taiyou ga terasu mabushisa de sukoshi ao ga nijinderu konna kimochi nara shiritakunakatta no mata kidzuku to itsushika shizuku ga koboreteru

nagaku kurai kisetsu no shita de mekui tsuchi no naka ni iru aida shirazu ni iretano jibun no katachi wo

setsunasa wa shiroi hana no yukiwarisou kieteyuku yuki no hakanasa mo shirazu nante yobuka sae wakaranakatta no demo kidzuku to itsushika tashika ni motomete anata wo sagashiteru

[amyure]

Title:  Sorairo Skip  Artist: Ci+LUS Lyrics: SATSUKI-UPDATE Composer: Toshiki Yamaguchi

Now these are some good-ass lyrics >:) For some context, do read Esh’s summary of the Ci+LUS episode. Truly an example of how t7s is well-rounded when it comes to the music /bows to motegi OTL; even if a track somehow ends up sounding bad, the lyrics will have something to offer. That said, I do happen to like this track a lot more than the A-side anyway. - Nab

Translations 

Just like discarding a sunny Sunday into the trash bin Without hope nor remedy I became an adult

Because you laughed right away, saying “If that's how it is, that's boring” While still rubbing our sleepy eyes, we go out into the spring streets for a walk 

From a big yawn into the loud sound of a bang!

I'm so, so happy, it's just simply so fun The moment the two of us together start to laugh and run, I came to remember that name from once upon a time, the embarrassing love

Saying it's happiness, it's simply us being beside each other It must have shined brightly, as we picked it up unconsciously Maybe the forever that we had always been looking for is there by the side of the road

Hey, I like that water blue colored rucksack on your back

Hey, look, the spring-colored lipstick the sky-colored skips I wonder if we can fly

From that time when we chose different destinations I have always wanted answers for the sake of the empty me

But since a while ago when you strongly grasped my hand out of character but without any pretense, lets convey the truth

Lets go on a big adventure all the way to the falling stars

So, so happy, I'm simply going strange Because you start laughing, saying it's a scratch I feel like I want to hold that small right hand for longer than even 100 years from now

Promises like “I won't let you go” No matter how many times I say it, it won't be enough Quietly, I give my oath of forever to the stone at the side of the road

Lets mix these precious feelings from the bottom of our hearts together and divide it in half between us That's what you call “Love”

So, so happy, it's simply so fun. The time when we start walking together laughing, who cares about the opposing wind, or strange hair, because we can laugh together

Saying it's happiness, it's simply us being beside each other I am sure it shines as we picked it up unconsciously Maybe the forever that we had always been looking for was to be right here at this moment

Hey, I like that water blue rucksack you have on your back

Hey look, the spring-colored lipstick the sky-colored steps It feels like we can fly, right?

Romaji

Hareta nichiyoubi wo GOMI bako ni suteru youna Yabou mo naku toritome mo nai Otona ni natteta boku sa

Sore ja tsumaranai to Kimi ga sugu warau kara Nemutai me wo kosutta mama de Haru no machi ni dekakeyou

Dekkai AKUBI kara no YOOI DON no oto

Ureureshikute tada tanoshikute Futari de waratte hashiridashitara Itsuka no namae hazukashii koi Omoidashitanda

Shiawase tokatte angai soba de Kidzukazu hirotte hikarun daro na Zuuto sagashiteta eien ga Michibata ni aru you ni

Hora kimi no senaka no Mizuiro no RYUKKU Okini iri de

Hora haruiro no RIPPU Sorairo SUKIPPU Tobesou kana

Yukisaki betsu kara wo erande ta ano koro wa Nan ni mo nai jibun no tame ni Kotae wo hoshigatteta no sa

Dakedo sakki kara te wo Kimi ga gyutto nigiru kara Gara demo naku itsuwari mo nai Hontou no koto tsutaeyou

Nagareboshi made no Daibouken ni shiyou

Ureureshikute tada okashikute Sore kiza dayotte waraidasu kara hyaku nengo datte chiisana migite Nigitteitaina

hanasanai  zo tte yakusoku nante Nankaishitatte shitarinai kara Sotto eien wo chikau no sa Michibata no ishi ni

Kokoro no soko kara no taisetsuna kimochi wo Futari de mazete hanbunkoshiyou Sore ga ai da yo

Ureureshikute tada tanoshikute Futari de waratte arukidashitara Mukai kaze datte okashina kami de Waraiaeru kara

Shiawase tokatte angai soba de Kidzukazu hirotte hikarun daro na Zutto sagashiteta eien ga Ima koko ni aru you ni

Hora kimi no senaka no Mizuiro no RYUKKU Okini iri de

Hora haruiro no RIPPU Sorairo SUKIPPU Tobesou da na

Kanji 

晴れた日曜日を ゴミ箱に捨てるような 野望もなくとりとめもない 大人になってた僕さ それじゃつまらないと 君がすぐ笑うから 眠たい目を擦ったままで 春の街に出掛けよう でっかいアクビからの ヨーイドンの音 うれうれしくて　ただ楽しくて 二人で笑って走りだしたら いつかの名前　恥ずかしい恋 思い出したんだ 幸せとかって案外そばで 気づかず拾って光るんだろな ずっと探してた永遠が 道端にあるように ほら君の背中の 水色のリュック お気に入りで ほら春色のリップ 空色スキップ 飛べそうかな 行き先別からを 選んでたあの頃は 何にもない自分のために 答えを欲しがってたのさ だけどさっきから手を 君がぎゅっと握るから 柄でもなく偽りもない 本当のこと伝えよう 流れ星までの 大冒険にしよう うれうれしくて　ただおかしくて それキザだよって笑いだすから 100年後だって小さな右手 握っていたいな 放さないぞって約束なんて 何回したってし足りないから そっと永遠を誓うのさ 道端の石に 心の底からの大切な気持ちを 二人で混ぜて半分こしよう それが愛だよ うれうれしくて　ただ楽しくて 二人で笑って歩きだしたら 向かい風だって　おかしな髪で 笑い合えるから 幸せとかって案外そばで 気づかず拾って光るんだろな ずっと探してた永遠が 今ここにあるように ほら君の背中の 水色のリュック お気に入りで ほら春色のリップ 空色スキップ 飛べそうだな

[amyure]

Title:  TRICK Artist: Ci+LUS Lyrics: KANABOSHI☆TSUKUMO Composer: Masaki Honda  

I’m not a huge fan of this song, but the lyrics are surprisingly interesting! Definitely a case of lyrics adding value for me. Thanks to Esh as usual for the TL. - Nab

Translations

A pure heart on chip but don't underestimate One day I will show you that I'll see through your TRICK

Today, too, 1, 2, 3, 4 There are shrieks coming from your table A warning to the girls earnestly guarding him

Pretending to say all manner of gibberish you wrap things up in one game such a horrible man Although you can deceive ordinary girls I can see through you

'Poker faced' is your style but don't be so full of yourself And when I thought so, there is a cute smile You're thinking of swaying me, aren't you?

Don't misunderstand this glaring stare I will one day show you that I'll see through your TRICK There is no other intention than that! (angry)

There is always a novel interest I stare at your cheating bluff Where does your real intention lie? Is it outside of that smug shuffle box?

With irrelevant talk, he gets his hand on the wild card Why don't you realize it The girls around shouldn't get swept by the flow This game is in his pace

Rumors and gossip I got tired of hearing, but I feel a bit of pity No matter how good you are there must be a gap in the seam, isn't there

Is that hurting side profile a fake? It seems you're about to take sides, that's a fighter mercy, just for today It’s not like I forgive you Are you taking it that way?

One day, I want to try believing in the price of that heart you offer it's actually cheap but I want to believe the next time it'd be the real thing

It seems you can't understand the logic of innocent maidens This is the strongest TRICK I get the feeling it's a big chance!

A pure heart on chip but don't underestimate One day I'll show you that I'd see through your TRICK I will win all by my own!

Romaji 

PYUAna HAATO ON CHIPPU Demo amaku minai de ne Itsuka anata no TRICK Miyabutte miseru no

Kyou mo 1, 2, 3, 4     [1] Anata no TEEBURU de himei ageteiru Onna no ko tachi ni chuukoku Kuregure mo kare ni goyoujin

Chinpunkan no FURI wo shite WAN GEEMU de shitometeru Gokuaku hidouna hito ne Taitei no onna no ko wa damasetemo Kono watashi wa minuiteru

POOKAA FEIZU ga SUTAIRU Demo choushi noranai de ne Ka to omoeba KYUUTO SUMAIRU Yusaburu tsumori desho?

Niranderu kono shisen wa Kanchigaishinai de ne Itsuka anata no TRICK Miyabutte miseru no Hoka ni tai wa nai no (oko)!!

Itsumo zanshinkanshin Anata no IKASAMAshi buri nagameteru Honshin wa doko ni aru no? KIZAna SHAFFUURU bako no soto kana?

Tonchinkanna hitogoto de WAIRUDO KAADO tsukanderu Doushite kidzukanai no Mawari no onna no ko wa noccha DAME yo Kono GEEMU wa kare no PEESU

Kikiakita uwasa to GOSSIPPU Demo chotto kawaisoune Ikura anata to ie domo Hokorobi wa aru desho

Kizutsuita yokogao wa FEIKU? Kata wo mocchaisou de Bushi no nasake yo kyou dake wa Yurusu wake janai no Souiu koto ni suru no

Itsuka kakete mita HAATO no nedan wa Jitsu wa yasui kedo kondo wa honmono datte Shinjitemitai no

UBUna otome no ROJIKKU Rikai dekinai you ne Kore ga saikyou no TRICK daiCHANSU no yokan yo!!

PYUAna HAATO ON CHIPPU Demo amakuminai de ne Itsuka anata no TRICK miyabuttemiseruno Hitorigachi shichau no!!

Kanji

ピュアなハート・オン・チップ でも甘くみないでね いつかあなたのTRICK 見破ってみせるの 今日も1, 2, 3, 4 あなたのテーブルで悲鳴上げている 女の子たちに忠告 くれぐれも彼にご用心 ちんぷん漢のフリをして ワンゲームで仕留めてる 極悪非道な男(ひと)ね 大抵の女の子は騙せても この私は見抜いてる ポーカーフェイスがスタイル でも調子乗らないでね かと思えばキュート・スマイル 揺さぶるつもりでしょ？ 睨んでるこの視線は 勘違いしないでね いつかあなたのTRICK 見破ってみせるの ほかに他意はないの(怒)！！ いつも斬新感心 あなたのイカサマ師ぶり眺めてる 本心はどこにあるの？ キザなシャッフル箱の外かな？ とんちんかんな一言で ワイルド・カード掴んでる どうして気づかないの 周りの女の子はノっちゃダメよ このゲームは彼のペース 聴き飽きた噂とゴシップ でもちょっと可哀想ね いくらあなたと言えども ほころびはあるでしょ 傷ついた横顔はフェイク？ 肩を持っちゃいそうで 武士の情けよ今日だけは 許すわけじゃないの そういうことにするの いつか賭けてみたハートのお値段は 実は安いけど今度は本物だって 信じてみたいの ウブな乙女のロジック 理解できないようね これが最強のTRICK 大チャンスの予感よ！！ ピュアなハート・オン・チップ でも甘くみないでね いつかあなたのTRICK 見破ってみせるの 一人勝ちしちゃうの！！

[1] Pronounced “one, two, san, shi”

[amyure]

The QUEEN of PURPLE novel Chapter 1 / 2 summary

Warning!!!!! Even if I said “summary”... I did not intend to make it as short as possible as opposed to writing everything I remember. – Esh

I’ve kept the editing light for these. Esh’s original comments, whether supplementary or commentary, will generally be in parentheses. - Nab

Prologue: Summer Day Crossroads

This chapter isn’t about QoP, but 4U instead. 4U’s management, which usually let them do what they want, came up with the idea of them having a major debut to get a place on the professional musician chart [billboard charts, that kind of thing]. Because they would be going to the pro music field, Ume went like “sure, let’s do it with a new song.” With most of the music in the pro musician tier apparently having the theme of ‘love song’, an aesthetic which also seemed to resonate with much of the population, Ume decided to make their major debut song a love song.

There was only one problem: Ume had never fallen in love, nor any of the other 4U members. When Ume presented her song to both Emoko and Hina, none of them approved it–not even Hina. Both agreed that the track itself was great and that with Hina’s drums and Emoko’s bass it would be well polished, but the lyrics were so cringeworthy that Emoko even dared Ume if she had the balls to sing such embarrassing lines. In the end, the flustered Ume dragged the two of them to a special brainstorming session to perfect the song. They even prepared to sleep in the studio for that purpose (Emoko made it clear that she cooperated just so that Ume didn’t drag all of them down with her incompetence or something).

Anyway, after hours of brainstorming, they perfected the song, but not the lyrics. With none of them having real experience in love, eventually Ume had the idea to just watch a romance movie for (scientific purposes) inspiration. Even though they were tired, Emoko and Hina volunteered to watch the movie with her. Sandwiched by them both, Ume said that she wouldn’t allow them both to sleep or quit midway. By the end of the movie, however, only Ume woke up, to see the two fallen asleep by her side.

The content of the movie aside, in the notes they had before they slept, there was one word that came up, ‘akogare’, which meant ‘the feeling of admiration with longing/yearning’. The idea of ‘falling in love’ seemed to have close parallels with that word. Ume could only remember one time when she felt that feeling, along with a ‘heat’ in her heart, the feeling like something lit up within her. It was when that woman went “Hey you rascaaals!!!” [a quote of Nanasaki Nicole’s, presumably]. Snapping back to reality, Ume began writing according to those feelings.

Anyway, one day Seto Ferb was walking to her rendezvous place to meet with her light music club. She passed the station and came across a bunch of people gathering for something. As it turned out, a newly debuting band named “4U” was having their Guerilla live by the station; apparently, they were pretty famous already. The band then played their debut song: ‘Watashi Ai 4U’.

Her light music club friend called her and told her that there was a Guerilla live going on, to which Ferb replied she knew that already as she was watching it. Ferb actually took out her earphones, which as usual were playing Hanyuuda Mito’s songs, and remarked how catchy and upbeat the song was.

“4U, eh? I will remember it,” she said, before leaving.

~End of Prologue~

Chapter 1. Are You Gonna Be My Rose?

Being scouted by the producer, in the reception space of Nanastar Ferb was listening to a super rare unreleased version of a Hanyuuda Mito song, when someone asked her what she was listening to. The first thing Ferb about this person was their voice. Noting the voice and its owner, she answered that it was Hanyuuda Mito. Or rather, a song that supposed to be a 7th Sisters song but was not—a super rare copy which only circulated once on the net, before being taken down. The one talking to her immediately understood which one, and they both realized they liked Hanyuuda Mito, with the same impression of Mito’s voice: like the wind while one is overlooking someplace from a high place… or something like that. Anyway, this was how Ferb and Murasaki met the first time, in the reception area of Nanastar when they had just been scouted by our Shihainin.

Fast forward to the present, Ferb was sitting at the park near Nanastar office. She was called by Shihainin but took a bit more time before leaving. Her song, which she had poured her heart into making, had been rejected by her light music club friends to play in the school festival. They did not say it was particularly bad, however it was true that they were just not interested in it and wanted to perform as a cover band, instead of an original song. Ferb had then dropped out from the school festival, saying that they “don’t particularly need her”, as there were other bassists to fill up the space and Ferb did not feel the drive to join them. (The novel did not explicitly portray Ferb as being angry or disappointed about this. Ferb seemed to speak to her clubmates matter-of-factly, she did not blame anyone and that was just how it went: their tastes just did not match.) Finally, she continued her walk and met someone else on the way: Yumeno.

Apparently, Yumeno had also been called by Shihainin, just like Ferb. (They conversed as they went, and the novel reflected just how well Ferb brushed away Yumeno’s super excitement when it came to cute girls, including her of course). It seemed Ferb has some respect for Yumeno, because of Yumeno’s proficiency in her guitar, and how she put her personality in her guitar (regardless of her reasoning to start playing—which in Yumeno’s case was because of a manga character). Ferb remarked that to be proficient to the level that Yumeno was, at the moment, needed hard work and Ferb commend her for that.

At Nanastar, Shihainin explained that the ‘7th Christmas Rock Festival’ would be taking place a few months from then. It was aimed at rookie bands, and he asked if both girls were interested. Shihainin said several times that they would not have to participate in that year’s contest, as the piece had to be original, performed by a full band, and there would be an elimination round soon. Both girls were interested (more like, Yumeno would do it if Ferb would), but considering it needed a full band and preparation, and the fact that they did not have any other band members and there was a need to make an original song fast, Shihainin said several times that there was no pressure. However, Ferb said that there was a song that they could use.

She let them listen to the song she had made for her light music club, and both were extremely excited upon hearing it, saying how it sound like the work of a pro. Ferb said she had an idea on who the vocalist should be but had yet to ask her; however, the problem was that they had no idea who would be proficient enough for the drums. Shihainin said that recording backsound is allowed [i.e. using a backing track], but Ferb firmly said that that wouldn’t be able to fully bring out the soul of her song. With Shihainin reiterating that there was no pressure about joining the fest, they closed the meeting. Afterwards, Ferb apologized to Yumeno about singlehandedly making the decision to continue with this project, to which Yumeno replied that she agreed to it anyway, and there was nothing Ferb should worry about. They both then went to visit the prospective vocalist.

As it turned out, Ferb had never been to Murasaki’s place before. It was not something she thought would have been necessary, and naturally Murasaki had never invited her. Yumeno expressed her surprise, because she thought Murasaki and Ferb were close. Ferb said that they were, but only as far as Hanyuuda Mito and music were concerned. It seemed their topic of conversation rarely broadened to anything personal and never once had they ever thought of, say, having a sleepover. Yumeno said that kind of relationship is okay too, that she still saw it as ‘moe’ (Ferb dismissed this as ‘something she doesn’t understand about Yumeno Number #whatever’). With that, they finally arrived at EZ Bar, which displayed a ‘closed’ sign. It was nearing dusk, but the bar had yet to open, which spoke much about its customers’ demographic.

When they entered the bar, Ferb’s impression was that it seemed to have a different air than the atmosphere they were used to (you should pay attention to this in the novel, really, at how Ferb describes situations and atmosphere, it’s soooo poignant. From the lights, the reflection on the floor, etc.). They found Murasaki cleaning the place; she was surprised to find them there. Ferb explained the circumstances, after which Murasaki said that Ferb should be the first person to know what genre of music she usually sang. Ferb answered that yes, she did, it was jazz and not rock, but she also said, “I want you to sing my song and just you.” Murasaki contemplated this, and then she answered, that if it was for something soon, she cannot say yes to the proposition.

~End of Chapter 1~

Continuing from last time, I will proceed with my “summary” of what I remember about the novel, be warned there might also be some additional details like parts from the in-game episode in case they exist as referrals or maybe I feel like it has any significance in it. - Esh

Chapter 2. Meet Them There

While feeling out of place in a bar brimming with an adult atmosphere, Ferb and Yumeno sat on stools by the counter. Murasaki served Ferb and Yumeno some juice drinks (which Yumeno said tasted better because they were served by a beautiful girl, and Murasaki was like “isn’t that irrelevant” lol). As Ferb examined the interior of the bar more closely—noting how underage girls like Yumeno and her being there was not exactly a good thing and perhaps that is why Murasaki had never invited them—Ferb thought about how Murasaki had rejected her offer; it was a fact, and Ferb was sure there was a reason for it, but she hesitated to ask. Yumeno perhaps felt the same, but talked in her usual chirpy, bright attitude to break the ice and lighten the somber atmosphere. Yumeno commented on how great it was for Murasaki to help with tidying the shop, and Murasaki replied, “I do it every day though, it’s my home.” And Yumeno asked Murasaki if that was the reason for her rejection of the offer, to help the shop. Murasaki then proceeded to explain that if it were any other occasion, it would not have been a problem, but not this time.

It turned out that Murasaki’s mother had had an accident and broken her arm. Thus, Murasaki had to help her mother until that arm healed, and it would still take some time. It seemed her mother was a single mother (but I will clarify later to make sure) and had been working for both their sake all this while. Murasaki said that she was sorry that she had to reject Yumeno and Ferb, while both had come all the way there. Yumeno quickly answered that that was not a problem at all, which Ferb nodded at (Yumeno did most of the talking, while Ferb just nodded or confirmed), since that couldn’t be helped after all. Murasaki said that there were others with great voices in Nanastar whom Ferb could approach, but Ferb said, “No, I want it to be you and no one else.” Murasaki was like, “you’re stubborn.”

“Well I am, when it comes to music,” replied Ferb, but it seemed Murasaki had known as much about Ferb, with how well they knew each other. Murasaki asked for Yumeno’s thoughts on this matter but Yumeno was like, “I don’t mind, as long as it is what Ferb and Murasaki have decided.” Since that could not be helped, Ferb was about to ask Yumeno to phone Shihainin that they could not do the project (at least not in that year—it was an annual festival after all), but suddenly someone came from the inner part of the store.

Murasaki’s mother Echizen Kon came up and apparently, she was a mesmerizing beauty which made even Yumeno fall silent (lol). Kon told Murasaki, “You have your friends visit you—which is extremely rare—and you just reject them?”

Murasaki said, “But you’re hurt, and the shop might get busy and all.”

But Kon said, “I have hired a part timer to help me, so you don’t have to worry. I’ve been taking care of this shop while raising you all these years and I am not that fragile that I need an underage kid, who can’t even drink sake yet, to worry about me.” She then proceeded to tell Murasaki that, unlike her mother, Murasaki’s two friends needed her, and no one else.

Under the hopeful gaze of both Yumeno and Ferb, Murasaki eventually ‘gave up’ and said that she, too, wondered how her jazz would go with Ferb’s music. However, thereafter came the problem of who would do the drumming. Just as they were contemplating the matter, the bar’s door opened and someone who would like to sign up for a part time job entered—that someone was Matsuri.

So, Matsuri was looking for part time jobs to get more income for ‘this new super good game’, and since the bar seemed stylish with a good atmosphere and offered a good enough salary, she was interested. However, Kon had already hired someone else. As an apology, Kon served Matsuri the shop’s curry rice and served the same to Yumeno and Ferb. Being perceptive, Matsuri noted how it was unusual to have underage kids like the two girls in a bar like this. The trio eventually told Matsuri about their predicament. Murasaki commented that a jazz drummer she knew was an old man, who came for mini live show at their bar from time to time, but he would not do, as perhaps he would not be able to put his heart into it (as per Ferb’s words, “not enough ‘fire’”). With Yumeno knowing no one suitable, they asked if Ferb knew anyone in the light music club to help. In a matter-of-fact tone, Ferb said that the light music club was busy with their upcoming live, but, she could not help feeling bad when the topic came up. As it was her who had rejected them as well, over the cover band thing, and it would be awkward to just suddenly come and ask for their help with her own band.

With the issue of the drummer unsolved, Ferb finally said that it was useless to think about something that did not exist; they would have to resort to a recording for the drum track—despite her own best judgment that it would not be as ideal as she would like with her song. However, with how Murasaki was able to come to a decision regardless of her situation, Ferb felt it would be appropriate to do so as well. Matsuri said, from her point of view as an older person, that seemed to be the best decision to come to and supported the decision. She felt bad that she could not help them, despite being older; the only ‘drummers’ she knew were her friends who played drumming games but, even then, she was the best among them. Ferb was like, “eh, there are such games?” and Matsuri was like, “what, you didn’t know? lol.” Eventually, they all decided to go watch Matsuri play the game at the game center near the station because Matsuri felt like it (Yumeno was like, “wow, game center date!!!” #not).

Matsuri was like “hey, let’s play highest difficulty with randomized notes!” (Yumeno: IS THIS THE LEGENDARY MATSURI GAMER?! SUCH HONOOOOR!! while Ferb and Murasaki were like,I kiiiiinda understand? reaction lol). Matsuri went on to play and hit all the notes with a perfect full combo. Yumeno was left flabbergasted (to be honest she was the only one who understood what the heck Matsuri was doing) and Murasaki was like, “I don’t really understand but that was awesome.” Ferb was silent all the while watching the banter between the others (Matsuri was like, “See? that changed your perception of me, right?”). Yumeno noted how Ferb was silent (she might have been having ‘you must have already fallen in love with Matsuri-san! nuuu she is mine~’ kind of Yumeno thoughts lol) and Ferb was like, “You hit all the beats perfectly, that was amazing.”

Ferb was deep in thought and she said, “Matsuri-san, will you try drumming?”

With her words, suddenly the excitement of the high score drained from Matsuri’s face, and with a serious face that none of the girls had ever seen before, Matsuri replied slowly, her words drowning out all the sounds of the game center around her. 

“You see. Games and the real world are different.”

~~~End of Chapter 2~~~

Link to Chapter 3 / 4: Feel Her Rock / Forked Road of Her Dreams Back to summaries

Wow that was long. I actually went to a lot more details than I expected. It’s one of the chapters that I read over and over (the bar scene is among my favorite!). - Esh

[amyure]

Episode 4.0 AXiS Chapter 2 Summary

Basically, everyone was still in shock at what happened at the live. Shizuka also revealed that AXiS was all over social media. Not only that, the mass media wrote that AXiS, with their impromptu live, was saving 777 Sisters from a technical problem, the complete opposite of what happened. Sui was like, ‘what's with them copying 7th,’ but Rona said that Seventh had never ruined someone else's live (she was backed up by Susu on this). Hime couldn’t accept that and stormed out, followed by Sui.

After that, Shihainin and Coney arrived. Coney said that they couldn’t do anything yet, because they didn’t have enough information, and thus should thread carefully because AXiS' level was beyond what they had seen before; they had the power to compel the mass media, were able to open Egg Dome Hall, use a sky dome and so on, which meant something big was backing them.

Coney then asked the others about Nero. She had heard a bit about Nero from Shihainin, and now wanted to ask the others' opinion. Sawara said she was beautiful, very beautiful but it felt like a beauty that can cut you down. Musubi added that there was something else other than anger or pain in her, as if she had died once before. Anyway, with that, Shihainin said they would do a Nanastar live stream later since that was the only thing they could do at the moment. Coney noticed Hime wasn’t there and when the others said Hime had went out to AXiS' agency, Coney and Shihainin quickly went after her.

Outside the AXiS agency’s building, Coney and Shihainin managed to catch up to Hime and Sui, and right then Nero came out and coldly greeted them. Hime was like, ‘how could you do that, don’t you care that someone is hurt,’ to which  Nero replied like, ‘Ain’t that fine, as long as it sells. Plus, I was only doing what Seventh did.’ Nero was greeting Coney as she addressed the girls, calling her "Senpai" [mentor/teacher/role model] while saying that this is ‘Seventh's curse’. Nero said (to Coney) that she had “learned everything from you... to stand ‘On the top’”. After that, Nero left, and Coney and co. were escorted off the premises by security staff.

After that Coney scolded Hime harshly, saying, what if the mass media had caught what she did. Coney said that that would have put an end to everyone else's work, and said to ‘imagine one person's deed erasing what everyone else had fought for.’ Hime shouted back that she knew, but she couldn’t help it, and screamed to Coney ‘Why don’t you start laughing and say everything will be fine again?’ and asked her why she didn’t do anything. Coney couldn’t answer. The  scene ended with dark clouds looming over Tokyo-7th, with a typhoon about to come.

Days later 777 Sisters, still pretty gloomy, would do the Nanastar live. Shihainin was like, ‘this is the only thing we can do so let’s do our best!’ Right when they were about to start, and Haru was about to explain what had happened at the previous live, suddenly another blackout happened, and AXiS came up again in hologram form. They started to say, something along the lines of ‘so sorry you can’t see 777 Sisters, they're in such a bind with this technical problem; we may not suffice but hey, listen to our song...’ and on that abrupt note episode 2 ended.