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Keito:
... You took your time, Sakuma. You’re late.
Rei:
I see you're as frightfully impatient as ever, Hasumi-kun. I “took my time” since I had plenty of it to take. Have I not arrived slightly ahead of schedule?
Keito:
Well, the sooner we get this over with, the better. I see you’ve got Otogari with you. Have you already briefed him about the situation?
Rei:
Yes, he is aware. Isn’t that right, Adonis-kun?
Adonis:
Yeah. There’s an unwritten understanding here at Rhythm Link that the newest idols to join the agency should take care of cleaning the office, but the reality is that Ra*bits have been taking on the majority of the work by themselves.
And so, in order to decide which of us should be assigned cleaning duty as fairly as possible, we’ve all gathered here to participate in an arm wrestling contest... That’s what I’ve heard.
But why arm wrestling? Shouldn’t there be plenty of other ways of deciding?
Rei:
Well, I'm afraid we aren't quite clear on the specifics ourselves.
Keito:
Both Sakuma and I were on the verge of passing out from exhaustion at the time the decision was being made. Before we’d even realized what was going on, everyone had already gotten carried away with the idea of an arm wrestling contest.
Adonis:
I see... I know that both of you are very busy, but please take care of your health.
Your body will grow weak without adequate food and rest. You need protein to grow strong— make sure you’re eating enough meat!
Rei:
Hmm... In that case, shall we host a barbecue in the hanging garden?
Keito:
Forget it. The garden may be part of ES, but it’s still a public space.
Tomoya:
Oh no, looks like everyone’s already here... Sorry we’re late!
Hajime:
We’re going to be arm wrestling today then? I’m looking forward to it!
Rei:
So you two are here on behalf of Ra*bits, is that correct?
Hajime:
Yes! Nii-chan’s got work today and unfortunately he couldn’t get away, so the two of us came in his place!
Keito:
Got it. Well, now that we’re all here, let’s begin.
First, I’ll go over the rules. You should’ve already received a notification about this over WholeHands, but I’d rather clarify any misunderstandings ahead of time.
Akatsuki, UNDEAD, and Ra*bits will each nominate one member to take part in an arm-wrestling contest, round-robin style. The loser will take care of cleaning the entire office from then on.
I’ll be representing Akatsuki. How about UNDEAD?
Rei:
Who else but Adonis-kun? If it’s a competition you seek, it’s only fitting that we throw down the gauntlet as well.
But are you certain you’re the man for this [sort of] job, Hasumi-kun? Would Kiryuu-kun or Kanzaki-kun not be a more appropriate choice?
Keito:
Maybe if it was a contest of brute strength alone. But the outcome of this match has cleaning duty for the entire office riding on it, so I came to the decision that I should be the one doing it as the leader of Akatsuki.
Rei:
Goodness, you really are terribly serious...
Tomoya-kun, will you be representing Ra*bits?
Tomoya:
Nah, I’m just here for moral support.
Hajime:
I’ll be the one arm-wrestling! The first round is Ra*bits versus Akatsuki*, right? Let's have a good fight, Hasumi-senpai!
Keito:
Alright then. May the best man win—three, two, one... Go!
Hajime:
… There!
Keito:
I... I lost?
Rei:
My, that certainly ended quickly; I hardly had time to blink! ♪ Did you let your guard down, Hasumi-kun?
Keito:
No, far from it! My guard was up high as ever, and yet...
Tomoya:
Ahaha. This guy may look like a softie, but he’s way stronger than you’d expect.
Adonis:
So the next round will be Akatsuki versus UNDEAD? Are you ready, Hasumi-senpai?
Keito:
... Yeah. No matter how long I spend thinking about it, a loss is still a loss.
But the contest isn’t over yet. I’ll accept this loss and redeem myself during this next round!
Adonis:
That’s the spirit. Then let’s... go!
Ungh!
Rei:
And it’s an overwhelming victory to Adonis-kun! What a spectacle that was!
Keito:
Urgh... I didn’t expect it to end that fast...
Rei:
Hasumi-kun, seeing as you’ve already lost twice in a row, I believe we’ve determined who shall be responsible for cleaning the office.
Hajime:
I guess. But...
Otogari-senpai, while we’re both here, it wouldn’t be too much trouble for you to have a match against me, would it?
Adonis:
That’s fine by me. But I’m a little concerned that I might injure your hand.
Hajime:
Don’t worry about it! I’m pretty tough! Alright, please give it your all, okay?
Adonis:
You got it. I’ll take you on like a man, fair and square.
Three, two, one... Go!
Hajime:
Ngh...!
Adonis:
(Who knew he had this kind of strength hiding in such a tiny body? ... Still, there’s no way I can let him win.)
Hrmph!
Hajime:
Huff... Looks like I lost.
Eheheh. I should’ve known I’d be no match for you, Otogari-senpai.
I’m a little upset, but... Thank you for not holding back; I really appreciate it. And thank you for agreeing to wrestle with me! I’m super grateful.
Adonis:
And I to you. There’s something very admirable about the way you challenged me without so much as a hint of fear. Come take me on again sometime.
Hajime:
I’d love to!
Rei:
I feel as though I’ve stepped right into a sports drama... Anyhow, since Hasumi-kun will be taking over cleaning duty from now on, I believe it’s time for the rest of us to take our leave?
Adonis:
... No, we should help too. This office is far too big for just one person.
Hajime:
I agree. If we all work together, we’ll get this office ten times as clean. What do you say, Tomoya-kun?
Tomoya:
Sure, I’ll join you guys. I owe a lot to everyone working here after all.
Adonis:
Thank you both. If the five of us pitch in, we should finish up in no time.
Rei:
The five of us... I see you’ve taken it upon yourself to casually include me as well, Adonis-kun?
Adonis:
? Don’t you wish to join us, Sakuma-senpai?
Rei:
Mmm. Can’t say I do, but alright, I suppose I shall. I expect nothing but gratitude from you, Hasumi-kun.
(30 minutes later)
Kaoru:
Hey there!
Whoa, you guys cleaning the whole office?
I thought we agreed that just one of the unit reps was gonna take care of it?
Rei:
That was also my understanding. And yet, despite a clear loser emerging during our arm wrestling contest, for some baffling reason, all five of us present at the time ended up cleaning together.
Koga:
Did ya say arm wrestlin’? Sounds sweet! I should’ve been involved; I’d take all of ya down!
Adonis:
Pfft. I thought you’d say that, Oogami. We should definitely hold a second round in future.
Not just with whoever’s been elected representative, but with everyone from each unit. It would be nice to spend some quality time with one another, and we’d get this office spotless.
Kaoru:
Sounds like killing two birds with one stone! But I’m afraid it’s gotta be a pass from me. I really don’t feel like I stand a chance against you, Adonis-kun.
Adonis:
Then train, to make yourself stronger. Eat more meat and build muscle.
Kaoru:
Yeah, hard pass. That sounds like way too much effort for some arm wrestling contest.
Adonis:
Neither hard work nor meat will ever let you down. Let’s both grow strong, Hakaze-senpai.
*T/L Note: In the JP version, Hajime actually says UNDEAD instead of Akatsuki, which seems to have been a mistake, as Keito is not a member of UNDEAD. It’s been changed here for clarity!
