Raison d’être
Note: I literally just translated all of the parts with Nazuna specifically, because I love Nito Nazuna specifically. So this isn't the entire story, just excerpts. SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE I'M JUST HERE FOR NII~CHAN!!!
A Premature Funeral Ch.1
Season: Winter
Writer: Akira
(The following day. Starmony Dorms. Near residents’ entrance.)
Nazuna:
Absolutely not...
Kuro:
I don’t suppose ya could somehow nod your head that you’ll go along with it instead? This man is goin’ as far as to bow his head before ya while he asks this favor of ya... No. Nito, aren’t the two of us supposed to be friends?
Nazuna:
Yeah. And normally I’d want to hear you out no matter what sort of favor it is, but I just can’t go along with this.
Kuro:
And why not? Surely we’ve both got enough experience wearin’ all sorts of eccentric outfits by now that this’ll hardly be embarrassin’ for ya, Nito?
Nazuna:
That may be true, but...
I’m on the verge of turning 20, so sometimes when I see myself wearing things like cute shorts, I end up thinking “What the hell am I doing?”
Well, that’s the sort of idols the members Ra*bits are, so somehow or another I can accept that much.
Kuro:
Yeah? In that case... 🎶
Nazuna:
But that’s a different story! How tragic is this?! Why would I have to wear clothing meant for girls that my friend - that YOU, Kuro-chin - made?!
Absolutely not! This just feels perverted!
Kuro:
H-Hey now, don’t go callin’ me perverted! You’re gonna give any passersby the wrong impression of me!
Why are ya so against it? All I’m askin’ ya to do is try on an outfit that I made for my little sis to wear. That’s all!
Nazuna:
And I have no idea how you have the nerve to ask that of a guy the same age as you?!
Isn’t your little sister still in elementary school? I know I sell myself as a “cute” idol, but I’m still a grown man here~!
Kuro:
It’ll be fine! I know you can pull it off, Nito!
My lil sis is like me in that she keeps on growin’ taller, so even if they end up bein’ a little too small for ya, the clothes I make with her in mind should more or less fit!
I believe in you! Nito!
Nazuna:
God, I wish I was hearing those words from you in literally any other situation?!
All right! This conversation ends here! I’m pissed off, so I’m going back to my room!
I don’t want our friendship to end over this, so I’m going to do you a favor and forget everything you just said! In the mean time, go take a walk and cool your head, Kuro-chin!
Kuro:
Don’t say that. Come on, Nito...
My lil sis is becomin’ more aware of her looks now that she’s almost a teenager, and wants to start dressin’ in a more fashionable way. But all of the clothes and accessories she wants are stupid expensive.
And with our financial situation as it is, there’s no way we can afford ‘em. So that’s why I thought I’d make ‘em for her myself. That way’s gonna be a whole lot cheaper.
But when it comes to clothes, I dunno what sorta adjustments I need to make unless someone actually tries it on for me. So you get me, right, Nito?
Please... You’re the only one who can do this for me, Nito.
I know I hardly have the right to talk, but most of the ES crowd are on the bigger side, right? Someone as teeny as you is a valuable asset to have around, Nito.
Wide as the world is, you, my friend, are the only one I know who’s able to fit into clothes meant for a young girl.
Nazuna:
Then go buy a mannequin...?
Kuro:
Whoa...? It’s been a while since I saw ya glare at someone like that, with eyes as cold as glass!
Nazuna:
Well, it’s not like I want to have my eyes revert back to as lifeless as they were when I was pretending to be a doll back in Valkyrie, but this whole situation is that ridiculous...
Mika:
...!
Kuro:
Ngh? Oy, watch where you’re walkin’, that hurt?
Mika:
...
Kuro:
Oy... So you’re not gonna say anythin’ even after bumpin’ into me? Did somethin’ happen, Kagehira?
Mika:
Ngah? Oh, ya sure are patient, Ryuu~kun-san? Even though my head’s drawin’ a blank here...!
Kuro:
What’s wrong? ...Are ya in some sorta trouble? If it helps, I can listen to whatever it is?
Mika:
Ngah? Nah, but this has nothin’ to do with ya, Ryuu~kun-san...
Oh, but I suppose Ryuu~kun-san is Ryuu~kun-san...?
Kuro:
Huh? To be honest with ya, you’re about the only one who still calls me by that same nickname as when I was a kid. It’s been a while since I even heard Itsuki call me that.
Mika:
That might do! You used to be real close with Oshi-san when ya were real small, weren’tcha? And that’s why he calls ya “Ryuu~kun”?
Kuro:
I don’t really follow... Is somethin’ goin’ on with Itsuki?
Raison d’être
A Premature Funeral Ch.2
Nazuna:
Hmm~? By the way, Kagehira, I heard that Itsuki summoned you over to France or something, and you were supposed to be staying with him at his lodgings?
Was he mean to you again? That asshole~! Depending on how bad it is, I’ll give him a piece of my mind, you hear?
Mika:
Ngah, Nazuna-nii...!
Nazuna-nii~! I-I don’t know what all...! Wh-What am I gonna do?
Nazuna:
Unyaa? Don’t jump on me like that, now that you’ve put some weight on, you’ve gwotten hweavier!
Mika:
Ngah~ Ngahh...! I know, but I... I...!
Nazuna:
There’s no need to cry like a little cat... Seriously, what’s wrong~? There, there? You’re gonna be graduating high school soon, Kagehira. You’re a great big Onii-san, remember?
Mika:
*Mika noises* I know! But, Nazuna-nii~? This is somethin’ awful! Ya see, Oshi-san’s Grandpa is...
Kuro:
Hm? What about his Grandpa? I heard that he hasn’t been in the best of health since last winter?
Mika:
Ya didn’t hear anythin’, Ryuu~kun-san? Well, I suppose ya haven’t been stayin’ in touch lately...?
Uh. I still haven’t confirmed the whole situation for myself, but... I think there’s a good chance that Oshi-san’s Grandpa has passed away.
Kuro:
Oh?
Mika:
And he was mighty hospitable to me, lettin’ me stay with him for free, so it ain’t like this is some stranger!
So when I heard the news, I rushed home by myself ahead of Oshi-san... The f-funeral? I’ve gotta help with preparin’ for that!
Kuro:
Oh... Again, huh?
Mika:
Ngah? Whaddya mean “again”?
Kuro:
I dunno, it might have actually happened for real this time... So take whatever I say with a grain of salt.
But if I recall correctly, this’ll be the 17th time that Itsuki’s grandpa has “passed away” by now.
Mika:
Nagh...?
Nazuna:
Oh~ Back when it was just the two of us in Valkyrie, he passed away once too.
I haven’t been acquainted with Itsuki’s Grandpa yet, but from what I’ve heard he has a bit of a morbid sense of humor. Apparently he likes to pretend he’s died now and then.
Mika:
He pretends he’s died...? Huh? You ain’t serious? Why would he go and do that?
Nazuna:
Dunno... But back when I knew them, Itsuki and his family seemed pretty used to this sort of thing.
They’d be like “We are growing quite tired of Grandfather’s shenanigans.” Itsuki was the only one who flew into a panic each time, since he loved his Grandpa so much.
Kuro:
Yeah… The first time it happens, I felt sorry for him. I did the nicest thing a brat like me could think of, which was to buy him some snacks to try make him feel better.
But by the fifth time it happened, I was already gettin’ tired of it... So whenever he brought up that he’d died, I’d be like “Aw, that sucks.” and move on with the conversation.
Mika:
Ya what...?
Kuro:
So. If it’s serious this time then it’s no time to joke around, but ya probably shouldn’t let it get to ya so much, Kagehira.
Both Itsuki and the Grandpa he adores so much can be an absolutely exhaustin’ sorta person to be around if ya take each and everything that’s goin’ on with him seriously.
Mika:
...
Raison d’être
A Premature Funeral Ch.4
Nazuna:
Hello, Kagehira~?
So you’ve just arrived at Itsuki’s place and you’re gonna take a rest after putting your bags away?
Right, you thought it’d be inappropriate if you showed up first thing in the morning uninvited, so you grabbed some food first, then decided to pay a visit from noon.
Since Itsuki hurriedly had to arrange a flight back, he ended up coming back later than you, so you waited for him to go together…
Yeah, I get it. He originally didn’t have plans to come home, so that’s why he arrived a little bit later than you.
Hm? Me? Yeah, I’m just having lunch as usual, since it’s that time of day.
Yeah... Kuro-chin thought he’d still try to butter me up, so he offered me some food which he claimed he “made too much of”, but I know that’s just an excuse...
Kuro:
I haven’t given up on you yet, Nito.
Nazuna:
Mhm... How about I introduce you to my Tomo-chin? He’s been forced to cross dress so much that he’s given up protesting by now.
Kuro:
I want you, Nito.
Nazuna:
I really wish you were saying those words to me in any other situation...
Though I suppose if you just want me to fill in for your little sister, then it’s not quite that you’re “forcing me to crossdress.”
No, wait, it does count as me cross-dressing? Wouldn’t that just be weird?
Kuro:
Don’t worry. You should be more confident, Nito. You’re cuter than any of the girls around here by a long shot.
Nazuna:
That does not make me feel better... You’re so stubborn. Times like this remind me that you really are Itsuki’s childhood friend. You guys are way too alike.
Oh well. Anyway, Kagehira, sorry that I keep bugging you, but if you need anything at all, make sure you contact me.
We Ra*bits are in a pretty unfortunate situation right now, what with work drying up for us at the moment, so I’m pretty free. Yeah, so it’s not like I'm just butting my nose in for my own amusement.
I don’t want to feel completely powerless... I want to prove that I’m someone who can be useful to someone, anyone, somehow.
Kuro:
You don’t have to prove that to anyone, Nito. If anything, you can be very useful to me right now.
Nazuna:
Urgh, are you still at that?! Since when were you this unreasonable about things, Kuro-chin? You’re acting really strange, you know.
Kuro:
I have a lot goin’ on at the moment. I want a break from bein’ the reliable, sensible older brother type who’s always tryin’ his hardest to not be a burden on others.
Nah. I’m in the middle of searchin’ for what it is I want to do, and who I really am.
Nazuna:
And why exactly does that have to involve forcing your MALE best friend to wear women’s clothing…? If that’s the person you really are, then you’re better off hiding that part of yourself away. It’s creepy.
Kuro:
Now you’re bein’ mean. It’s because you’re my best friend that I’m asking you to do this for me, you get me?
Nazuna:
Hmph. Oh well, I guess it’s rude to mess with my phone while we’re having lunch, so I’ll hang up for now. Yeah, I don’t really know what’s going on over there, but good luck with everything.
Taking care of Itsuki must be a real handful. But maybe that’s exactly the reason why it’s what you “want to do” ...Kagehira 🎶
Raison d’être
A Premature Funeral Ch.4
(That night. Starmony Dorm, Theatre Room)
Kuro: Huh. I don’t fully understand, but it seems like you’re in quite the situation.
So I figured that, in order to give you some reference for that “funeral contest”, I picked out some movies we could watch that had examples of funerals and the like.
Haha. You sure seem to be passionate about studyin’ them. I wasn’t expectin’ that 🎶
Shu:
Not that it matters, Kiryuu, but you are in a ridiculously good mood. I have not seen you furrow your brow once, and you continue to wear that smile on your face... Have you come across good fortune?
Kuro:
Listen, Itsuki... I feel like for the first time, I can really empathize with ya.
This sorta thing isn’t half bad, is it? These frilly sorta cutesy clothes.
Shu:
Just what has happened to you, Kiryuu?!
Ah, old friend of mine! For a man as masculine as yourself to come out with such words, have you hit your head on something?!
Nazuna:
Itsuki~ ...Kuro-chin is a menace~ It didn’t matter how many times I told him no.
He f-forced me to wear a dress meant for a young girl, then took a bunch of photos.
Shu:
Kiryuu. Now that I think of it, the two of us have been acquainted with one another for quite some time now. However, not once in that time have I ever truly wished to punch you.
As you are well versed in the art of karate, I am quite sure I shall not stand a chance in a physical confrontation. But nevertheless, if I am to call myself a gentleman, I must challenge you to a fight. Kagehira, Nito; both of you stand aside.
Mika:
Naagh...?
Nazuna:
No, I mean, I’m happy that you’d get mad on my behalf, but didn’t you do the exact same sort of thing to me? In the past?
Not that it matters. I’m not mad anymore. Or rather, this feels like the first time I’ve been able to be useful to Kuro-chin, so I’m happy about that.
No. Kuro-chin accepts me for whoever I am. Whether it was back when I wasn’t much more than a doll, or the person I am today.
So I can’t be picky about who he is either. It wouldn’t be fair if me to say that I’ll only accept Kuro-chin when he’s being his usual tough, reliable self.
Kuro:
Nito... 🎶
Shu:
Even so, you should not go along with that which you have disagreements with, Nito.
Nazuna:
Maybe so. But I just said I’m all right with it, so don’t go getting yourself involved in a fight of your own accord~ I don’t want you tangled up in this too.
I’m sure things are chaotic enough for you as it is. You hardly have the time to deal with what’s going on with the two of us, right?
Mika:
Maybe so, but even I'm havin’ trouble keepin’ up with what’s goin’ on.
Kuro:
What’s the situation? ...I feel like I may have gone a bit over the top and ended up losin’ Nito’s trust in me, so I wanna do what I can to restore my honor in that area.
It’s not that you and I don’t know each other, Itsuki too, so I wanna do whatever I can if it means helpin’ out Nito’s old stompin’ ground.
Shu:
I did not ask for your help. I am not so burdened that I require it either, in fact.
Kuro:
Haha, don’t be like that. If two heads are supposed to better than one, then the more the merrier, right?
Shu:
Hmph. Bold of you to quote phrases so closely associated with Buddhism when you are so averse to the act of studying yourself. Just whose influence is this?
In any case. We are to go along with Grandfather’s entirely unreasonable demands of planning the “Most Spectacular Funeral” there could be.
Kuro:
Hmm? Back when Mom passed away, we kept it a small affair, relatives only. But you rich folk halfta make a big deal outta everything.
Shu:
Yes... And since it was restricted to relatives only, it is, to this day, my greatest regret that I was not able to light incense at her funeral ceremony.
After all your mother had done for me, it paints me that I acted so dishonorably in her very last moments.
Kuro:
Haha. You know damn better than anyone that Mom wasn’t the kind of person who’d mind somethin’ like that, Itsuki.
Shu:
...
Kuro:
...Sorry, that made things kinda awkward.
Shu:
No. A funeral ought to be the sort of affair one faces solemnly. At least, originally speaking.
It is Grandfather who is the odd one out here, conspiring to make a festivity out of such an event.
Kuro:
Well, he always has been an oddball.
But even though you might feel like, hey, what do you know? I do think your Grandpa was a straightforward sort of person. He’s a pretty incredible man, and I had a lot of respect for him.
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