Neverland - Tinkerbell’s Sin 1

[iridesenescence]

Writer: Akira
Season: Summer
Location: Saison Avenue

Translated by iridesenescence, proofread by haranami


[A few hours later, in the evening, at a fresh food store along Saison Avenue.]

Shu: — I’ll have that onion over there please. Ah, and the zucchini too.
(Sigh..... The path ahead seems treacherous indeed.
Thanks to Wataru declaring, for whatever reason, “I can’t take much more of this!” and launching himself into the conversation earlier this afternoon, Kagehira and I were unable to resolve our dispute.
Just what on earth are we doing?
I had thought that we of Valkyrie were in a stable position, a far cry from the other idols who are constantly caught in a whirlwind of activity.
But I suppose there will be pitfalls lying in wait just about everywhere one goes... As long as we live amidst a raging current, it’s nigh impossible to keep ourselves from getting swept up in the flow of things.
This time, our job as Valkyrie is to perform and seize a glorious victory, as well as the winner’s trophy, in the Japan Neverland Cup — abbreviated as the JNLC.
The JNLC itself is but a pale imitation of foreign culture — a worthless event that only serves to pander to the original’s authority.
However, though it is flagrantly gaudy and only temporary, I’d take umbrage with the title of “Most Artistic” being bestowed upon anyone other than us.
In fact, it would be unreasonable — unfathomable— for them to not call upon us.
Of course, I’m well aware that standing at the peak of this tiny little island is nothing to boast of, but the thought of having, say, fine stand there instead truly makes my blood boil.
... However, having said that, from what I’ve seen of the past JNLC victors’ works, this award truly is rather insignificant.
Victory will easily be ours if we simply perform the way we usually do.
This is not mere arrogance, nor optimism — it is simply a realistic conclusion that even an elementary schooler who had just learnt their time tables would be able to derive immediately.
... Is what I had thought; so I saw it as an excellent opportunity and chose to entrust full control over our JNLC performance to Kagehira.
I would act as a mere advisor, and was looking forward to seeing just what kind of performance he would create with his own two hands.
Just like during the Repayment Festival — no, this event can hardly compare in terms of significance and gravity. I had wished to experience the exhilaration and ecstasy I had felt in that moment, on that stage, just once more.
But I was a fool for possessing such high expectations, letting my eyes glitter as if I was an excited child.
Dreams are not meant to be had, and hope is only ever crushed.. The gods will not bless you with a pleasant fate — this is hardly news to me, but even so.
... That child, Kagehira... is hopeless.
He’s more inexperienced, senseless and frail than I had thought — no, than I had ever even dared to think.
More so than last year, when he was constantly by my side, and more so than two years ago, when we stood atop the peak with Nito — he’s become far weaker and significantly more foolish.
Just what should I do...?
This sin is mine, after all; it belongs to me, for constantly forcing my wishes onto that child. Ahh... O gods, lovely Nito... Have I done it yet again?)

Nagisa: — Yoohoo. I was wondering what you were doing; looks like you’re buying things for dinner?

Shu: (......?! I thought for a second that Mademoiselle had tried to speak to me, so I was about to reply, but...
She’s currently safe and sound at Kagehira’s home, and this fellow—)

Nagisa: ... Ah, I’m sorry for calling out to you all of a sudden. I must have given you a shock.

Shu: H-hmph. There shall never come a day when I allow my emotions to be impacted by the likes of you.

Nagisa: ... I’m quite sure that’s a lie, or a desperate attempt to put on a strong front. But I would like to get along with you all, so I’ll try to refrain from making such tactless accusations.
... Ah, but telling you that has the same effect. Now I’ve ended up sounding sarcastic. Fufu, conversations truly are difficult.

Shu: ... Exactly what business do you have with me, former member of fine?

Nagisa: ... That label is inappropriate, you know.
... It doesn’t matter much to me, but Hiyori-kun would probably dislike being called that, and it would likely confuse the fans who recognise us as part of Eden.
... Ah, I see. It took me a little while to understand the intent behind your statement — you hate me, don’t you?
... That’s why you chose such a cutting expression; it was an attempt to hurt me.

Shu: Correct. Is there any reason I should like you?

Nagisa: ... Of course. You of Valkyrie receive great benefits from your affiliation to our CosPro.
... And I am the commander of Eden, which exists as the head of that very CosPro.
... Frankly, I don’t see how acting amicably towards us out of gratitude for the funding we provide would be a loss to you.

Shu: Hah. That’s rich coming from a mere decorative puppet.

Nagisa: ... No, lately I’ve been more than just a decoration. Ibara’s been busy with politics and wars and business, you see.
... So I’ve been engaging in discussions with Eve and the other agency staff members regarding the decisions to be made when it comes to Eden’s idol activities, including our performances and such.
... However, I am still unused to such things, so I often act in unconventional ways and thus cause Ibara a great deal of anger.
... For example, when I decided on my own that I would play a funny role on a comedy variety program, he scolded me and said, “Please discuss these things with me before you decide on them!”
... Well, in those moments I can simply activate the “God Mode” that I am so skilled at to shut him up.
... But that ends up stifling his free will; if I continue to do so, it will only foster within him a sense of powerlessness and animosity.
... I’ve been left to my own devices for dinner tonight because Ibara is sulking over that again and has refused to make me dinner.
... I’m in quite the difficult position, as I am not even aware of where I should go to obtain the ingredients necessary for cooking. Though this is also fascinating in its own way.
... In fact, I’m almost tempted to reproach Ibara for monopolising such an interesting activity.
... Though saying that now would merely be adding fuel to an already burning fire, so I will refrain.

Shu: ......



Nagisa: ... Hey, are you listening to what I’m saying?

Shu: Am I obliged to?

Nagisa: ... Yeah. Brandishing my title isn’t very elegant, but I’m no longer a member of fine, which values that part of their image, so this is probably fine.
... Allow me to give you a warning as the leader of Eden: the unit that both stands at the peak of and serves as the core of CosPro; the unit that rules over our little cosmos.
... Itsuki Shu of Valkyrie: you are obliged to obey me.

Shu: Granted, it is true that by receiving your support, the problem of funding that plagues artists across any and all eras is largely resolved.
Nonetheless, I haven’t the slightest intention of waiting on you or serving you like a slave.

Nagisa: ... Fufu. That may be how you feel, but things are different in reality, aren’t they?
... You appear to be quite hot-blooded, but having been on the frontlines of this industry for such a long time, I’m sure you can understand something that simple.

Shu: ......

Nagisa: ... No one can defy God. That is an unchanging truth — it is what reality is.
... Fundamentally, humans operate based on what they stand to gain and lose. As they grow into adults, the burdens they shoulder also increase accordingly, and this trait becomes ever more conspicuous.
... Ahh, so this is why Ibara had tried to keep me pure and undefiled. An armament bound by such restraints only ends up unusable and thus worthless, after all.
... I suppose part of it was also so I would be easier to control, but I feel a little enlightened now.
... Thank you. Conversing with you has allowed me to acquire new wisdom.

Shu: I had no intention of conversing with you, though. And all you did was pompously monologue about your “prophecy of God”.
Although you brazenly declared your “desire to get along with me”, you’ve done naught but displease me.
If you’ve said your piece, then be gone at once. I have no need for your warnings — we have always intended to properly accomplish the work ordered of us.
And we will do so perfectly, as is befitting of Valkyrie.

Nagisa: ... Work? Is Ibara making unreasonable demands of another unit again? If so, I’m sorry.
... That child’s been rather busy lately; due to his position, he isn’t able to move about as freely as he’d like, so he’s started to leave things for others to handle.
... I suppose you could say that the way he shamelessly asks for assistance, rather than shouldering everything alone the way Tsumugi-kun or Eichi-kun do, is a strength of his.
... But it does end up causing problems for the people around him. I’m sorry.

Shu: ? If your purpose in coming here wasn’t to warn me about properly completing our work, then what business do you have with me?
Don’t tell me you actually approached me with the sole desire to befriend me?

Nagisa: ... Well, that was part of it. At the end of the day, we’re now in the same agency, so we really shouldn’t be at each others’ throats.



Nagisa: ... But, more importantly. I simply intended to ask you something: By what procedure do I purchase vegetables, meat and the like?
... The process of cooking and procuring ingredients is new to me, so I’m totally lost.

Shu: ... Just go ask one of the staff members over there or something.