nazunyan427

Singing the Present

Writer: Yuumasu

Season: Autumn

Hajime: Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve finished brewing the tea~

Ritsu: No worries. I just passed the time by chatting with Nacchan.

Arashi: Ooh, that smells unusual. What’s this tea called?

Hajime: Hmm, it actually doesn’t have a name. If I had to come up with one, I’d go with “Tea Made Especially For Narukami-senpai”, I guess?

You mentioned that you’d love a tea that had beauty benefits, so I tried blending some herbs and tea leaves that I thought would taste nice together.

I mixed up some hibiscus, rose hip, and elderflower, and a little bit of peppermint as well, to give it a refreshing aftertaste.

Ritsu: Tea just for Nacchan, huh? … Nacchai, if you shorten it ♪*

Arashi: It’s not even chai tea! And that just makes it sound far too cheap, you know~? I prefer “Nacchan’s Tea” myself.

Ritsu: I feel like that sounds kinda cheap too, but if that’s what you want, then so be it.

Mmm. Tea Club really is great. Flavor is good too, but most of the activities take place near ES.

It's more laid back, and I can just take it easy here. Being detached from all the hustle and bustle gives me a sense of security that’s way more relaxing.

I'm so relaxed that I'm beginning  to hallucinate Anzu coming here to visit us ♪

Hajime: You’re not hallucinating; that’s the real her. Hello there, Anzu-san ♪

I’ll pour you some tea, so please go ahead and take whatever seat is free ♪

…Hm? You’ve just dropped by for work, so there’s no need for that kind of consideration?

Ritsu: …Hmm, so you want to talk to Haa~kun about something?

In that case, you’ve gotta take a seat. Sit down quietly and allow Haa~kun to treat you to the finest hospitality.

And if you don’t, as president of Tea Club, I won’t give you the authority to talk to Haa~kun~

…Oh, she sat down right away.

Arashi: Haha. Looks as though you’ve learned there’s no point in dallying when it’s Ritsu-chan you’re dealing with.

Ritsu: Tch~ And here was me thinking I could mess with her.

Oh well. I can’t say I hate anyone who just does as I tell them to either ♪

Hajime: Sorry to keep you waiting, Anzu-san. Here’s your Nacchan Tea and some cookies ♪

Oh, I’m sorry. If I don’t explain what Nacchan Tea is, you won’t have a clue what I’m talking about.

This is a tea blend I came up with based on Narukami-senpai’s wishes. It’s chocked full of beauty benefits and helps relieve fatigue as well.

You’re so busy that it must be quite stressful. But do allow me to help soothe some of your stress away, even if it’s just a little bit.

Ritsu: Yeah, exactly. You’ve done enough work at ES, so you should at least take it easy when you’re at school, just like me, you know?

You’re always pushing yourself so hard, so it’s not like anyone would complain.

Arashi: Haha. That said, it’s just like Anzu-chan to be constantly on the go. She’s always diligent when it comes to producer-related work.

But even so, do make sure to come to a stop and take it easy every now and then, okay?

A flower will just wilt if you don’t give it any water. So you shouldn’t push yourself too so hard, for the sake of future you…♪

Hajime: …Ahaha, it’s a little awkward now to go right into work-talk, isn’t it?

That’s okay. Just talk to us casually, like you would if we were just chatting ♪

…Huh? I’ve been requested to work as a fashion model? Me?

Arashi: Oh my, I know that company. That’s an apparel brand that specializes in women’s clothing, isn’t it?

Ritsu: …Oh yeah? They’re thinking of expanding into unisex wear and they’ve chosen Haa~kun to be their poster boy?

Oh? You already have several of their designs there with you?

Hajime: Wah! …Um, all of them look very cute, don’t they?

Arashi: I see, so their target audience is boys wanting to wear cute clothing.

That adorable and youthful sort of style suits Hajime-chan to a tee! They’ve made a wonderful choice ♪

Hajime: I think so too. When it comes to work, I have no issue with wearing this kind of thing.

I’d love to take this job offer.

…Hehe, I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity. I’ll do my very best to be the face of the brand for your sake, Anzu-san!

…There’s something else you’d like to talk to me about? Yes, what could it be?

…It’s my turn to come up with a personalized outfit? A special outfit tailored just to my tastes, for me and me alone?

So this outfit is going to be what represents who I am as an idol? Something that says, “This is me!” Hmm…

(This outfit is going to be very important, so I have to think it over carefully.)

EEEK?!

Ritsu: Don’t just look down at the ground like that, Haa~kun. Lift your head up high and show me your cute face~

Hajime: Nnn, Ritsu-senpai, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stroke the back of my neck like that all of a sudden~!

Ritsu: Hehe, just relax. Anything you wear will look good on you, Haa~kun.

And Anzu is bound to come up with something amazing for sure, right?

Hajime: …Thank you, Anzu-san.

This is a responsibility just as big as being the face of that clothing brand, so I'll do my very best to come up with an idea.

Thank you so much for chatting to me about this!

Arashi: …Oh? You’re leaving already, Anzu-chan? You really are a busy one.

Ritsu: It’s not like Tea Club is on every day, but whenever you’re tired, make sure to come on over to us. We’ll show you how we do hospitality over here… Well, Haa~kun will ♪

Arashi: “Hajime-chan will,”—honestly! You could make that offer yourself, Ritsu-chan!

…Oh?

Hajime: ……

Ritsu: Haa~kun, climb onto my lap. I’ll give you a shoulder massage~

Hajime: Huh?

Arashi: Then I’ll tend to your nails! Nail care is essential to idols, you know?

Hajime: Umm, senpai–

Ritsu: There now. You should just settle down and surrender your body to us… ♪

Hajime: U-um, got it.

(...Oh. I got lost in my own thoughts, so they’re probably being considerate.

The thought of having to pull off two fairly major jobs left me feeling a little bewildered…

I’m totally fine with the clothes I’m supposed to wear, but when it comes to being the face of a brand…

I can’t brush away the doubt of whether I’m the right person for this job as I am. I’ve got to make it a success, for the sake of the person who picked me for the project.

And as for my personalized outfit, I want it to be something that everyone supporting me will love.

...All right. Let’s do this! ♪)

PART TWO

Singing the Present

Writer: Yuumasu

Season: Autumn

Hajime: *sigh*

(Every member of Ra*bits has a wonderful personalized outfit.

Mitsuru-kun’s looks active and sporty, just like him.

The theme behind Nii~chan’s outfit is “guide”, made with the thought of him welcoming new idols into the industry.

And as for Tomoya-kun’s outfit, we came up with the idea together right here in the common room.

When they stood in the center of the stage to show them off, Mitsuru-kun was so proud, Tomoya-kun was a little bashful, and Nii~chan was so happy.

And I remember the way the whole audience showered everyone with an enormous round of applause and cheers when each one was revealed.

And now it’s my turn. Although I still haven’t decided what kind of outfit to go with.

I really want to come up with something that’ll make our fans just as happy as they were with everyone else’s…)

Tomoya: Heyyy, Hajime.

Hajime: Tomoya-kun…

Tomoya: I’m taking a seat beside you. 

What do you look so down for? Whatever’s on your mind, talk to me about it.

Hajime: (...He really is amazing. Whenever I’m in a pickle, Tomoya-kun always comes dashing over to my side.)

Tomoya: Hm, what are you smiling about?

Hajime: I was just thinking about how happy I am to see you…♪

Tomoya: What are you on about? We see each other almost every day.

Hajime: Hehe. Actually, I was thinking about my personalized outfit.

Tomoya: Oh, so your turn has finally come!

Hajime: That’s right. There are so many kinds of outfits I’d love to try out. 

Something princely like Knights, or maybe Rock n’ Roll like Undead! Or even something like Crazy:B, something with a different kinda bad boy vibe from our actual BADBOYS photoshoot—I’d be interested in that too! ♪

Tomoya: BADBOYS… Oh, the photoshoot we did last year? Oh yeah, we were all worrying about whether we’d be able to pull off that kinda vibe, weren’t we?

Still, none of this is what I was expecting. All of these suggestions seem so far from the image I have of you.

Hajime: I thought it would be nice if I could wear something I wouldn’t normally wear for my personalized outfit ♪

But when I keep my fans in mind too, I can’t come to a decision.

This is an outfit I’m going to wear to represent myself as an idol, so I get the feeling it should match my fans’ expectations…

Tomoya: If you ask me, your fans are gonna love whatever outfit you go with. Although the fact that you’d be so considerate of their feelings is what’s so great about you, Hajime.

Hmm……

…Oh, I got it. Why don’t you come up with something that would perfectly suit the “Shino Hajime” you are right now?

Hajime: The me I am right now?

Tomoya: Yeah. I have the feeling that there’s a time and place for you to wear clothes like you just suggested—like Knights and Undead and Crazy:B—but you should leave that to look forward to in the future.

For now, why don’t you come up with a design that would suit the you as you are perfectly?

Something that'd fit the whole concept of a one-of-a-kind, totally unique personalized outfit is the best, don’t you think?

Hajime: Wah… I’ll do that. I’ll come up with something only the me of right now can wear.

And–

Tomoya: Let me guess: you want me to help come up with ideas together with you?

You helped me out a lot when I was coming up with my outfit, so of course I’ll help you out ♪

Hajime: Yay! ♪ Thank you, Tomoya-kun.

-One week later-

Hajime: …Th-Thanks for waiting~

This is my personalized outfit…♪

Nazuna: Oh… It’s very, uh. How should I put this…

Mitsuru: It’s cute, but ya look like a girl!

Nazuna: M-Mitsuru-chin, have you ever heard of the word ‘tact’?!

Hajime: No, it’s fine, Nii~chan. I was the one who asked Anzu-san to go in this direction for my outfit ♪

I racked my brains trying to come up with an outfit that only the me of right now could wear, and this is the design I arrived at.

It was my suggestion to have these culottes come up just over my knees too ♪

Tomoya: Yeah, that was all him. If you ask me, they definitely could’ve been longer. When he’s spinning around, you’re practically able to see up them.

Hajime: It doesn’t matter if anyone sees up them because I’m wearing bloomers underneath, see?

Nazuna: Hey! Don’t just flip them up like that!

Hajime: Sorry, Nii~chan ♪

…In the past, I had some reservations in my heart about heading in too feminine a direction.

But I experienced what it was like to have no one even look my way back at Yumenosaki. 

And I started to think, maybe this is fine, so long as it means people are paying attention to me.

I don’t know how long I’ll be able to look this way, and on the other hand, I have difficulty with finding and showing off what’s unique about me by myself.

But if I'm told what my charm is, I can do what I can to show it off in the best way possible—that much I can do. And so, that’s why I want to show people the best possible version of myself right now.

I don’t want to shy away. I want to stand proudly and confidently on stage as the cute idol, “Shino Hajime.” Those were the feelings behind this outfit.

Mitsuru and Nazuna: ……

Tomoya: ……

Hajime: … Ah, that sounded a little condescending, didn’t it? Now I’m all shy, ehehe.

Nazuna: No, not at all.

This outfit is the result of you truly coming face to face with yourself. It’s wonderful~

Mitsuru: Yeah, yeah! It’s cute and cool at the same time~♪

Hajime: Thank you, Nii~chan and Mitsuru-kun.

…And you too, Tomoya-kun.

Tomoya: Hm? But I didn’t say anything.

Hajime: Hehe. It’s because of just how much you’ve done for me.

Mitsuru: Hey, hey! Now that we’ve all got personalized outfits, we should celebrate! Let’s treat ourselves to a feast!

Tomoya: You say that, but I bet you just want to eat, don’t you?

Mitsuru: Nah, I mean it when I say I feel like celebrating! Come on, let’s go! ☆

Hajime: Wh-Whoa, wait a second! I’ll go get changed as fast as I can!

Nazuna: Take your time getting changed. You wouldn’t want to rip your personalized outfit.

Tomoya: Right, calm down, Hajime. Leave Mitsuru to me. You and Nii~chan take your time.

Mitsuru: Tomo-chan, Tomo-chan! Whoever reaches Cafe Cinnamon first is the winner! Dash, dash~☆

Tomoya: Quit your dashing! You need to calm down!

Nazuna: Man. A long time has passed since we all first met, but you guys haven’t changed a bit.

Hajime: Yes. But if you ask me, that’s what makes us Ra*bits~♪

Notes:

*Tea in Japanese is (o)cha and since Ritsu’s nickname for Arashi is “Nacchan”, he came up with “Naccha”

THANK YOU TO MY PROOFER REMI FOR COMING UP WITH NACCHAI, IT’S SO CUTE!
Also, in the Japanese, instead of complaining the tea isn't even chai tea, Arashi complains that "Naccha" doesn't sound cute YES IT DOES NEECHAN

Translation by nazunyan427

JP Proof by trystofstarrs

ENG Proof by ra_bits_daisuki