iridesenescence | Neverland - The Lost Boys Fly In The Sky 2

Writer: Akira
Season: Summer
Location: Neverland Stage

Mika translated by

yoroshikilled, Nagisa, Shu and Wataru translated by

Shu: Hmph. Even Mademoiselle, who I hold so close to my heart, appears to have gained something resembling a personality as of late.

Mika: Eh, fer real? Feels like I haven't heard a peep outta Madonee even though she's been livin' with me up 'til today.
Not a single word this whoooole week — unless I just wasn't payin' any attention?

Shu: Rather, it would seem that she is envious of you... She wishes to avoid speaking with you, and has thus chosen to sulk in silence.

Mika: Madonee? Envyin' me? But why?
She's waaaaay prettier than me, an' you two're practically attached at the hip... If anyone oughta be jealous between the two o' us, it's me.

Shu: Well, who can say? This might be a saying from bygone times, but nonetheless — a maiden’s heart is complex and confounding; its intricacies may forever be beyond the comprehension of obtuse men like ourselves.
No, I suppose the fact that I fail to understand her is proof enough that she has detached herself from me and gained a personality of her own.
However, there is little doubt that this heart she has developed will be dismissed as nothing more than artificial intelligence born from repeated conversations, or as an act of my own.
I do not wish for it to be scorned as inferior to the personalities of philistines and worthless human beings.
After all, it goes without saying that Mademoiselle is far more brilliant, valuable and worthy of reverence than vulgar human beings.

Mika: Mmmm~... At the end of the day, between human beings and dolls, which do ya like more, Oshi-san?
Ya told me to become human, but ya also say that a perfect doll like Madonee's better than any one of 'em–
S'confusin' me. Which way should I be leanin' toward bein', doll or human? Which one would ya like more, Oshi-san?

Shu: What an odd question. Whether I, personally, like or dislike you has absolutely nothing to do with your value as a person.
If, as followers of religion delude themselves into believing, there truly were a God in this world, and they ruled over all of creation...
And if I were that God, then perhaps the rating I assign you would raise or lower your value.
But at present, I am no God. And though there may be many who have proclaimed themselves to be one, none have managed to attain that status yet.
Thus, you need not concern yourself with my opinion of you.

Mika: ......

Nagisa: ... Fufu. I had been wondering if you were engaging in a discussion about God, a topic that humans have not laid to rest since ancient times, but...

Wataru: Behold, Nagisa-kun. It’s just as I predicted — a mere lover’s quarrel!
Their conversations aren’t meshing in the slightest. ‘Tis a romantic comedy wherein the words they wish to convey simply miss their mark, over and over! Amazing!

Shu: ... Just where did you two spring out from?

Wataru: Oh? I happen to love surprising others more than life itself, but it’s rather disappointing to receive a surprised reaction when I wasn’t even aiming to evoke one.

Shu: Which is to say?

Nagisa: ... Allow me to answer.
... Though, I believe Valkyrie would have received the announcement through our agency’s Kirakira mail as well.
... Wataru-kun and I have decided to partner up and participate in this JNLC.

Wataru: Indeed! Ours is a unit of dreams, born from two individuals, formerly of the Five Eccentrics and fine, joining hands — its name is Artessimo... ☆

Nagisa: ... Fufu. We of Artessimo shall present the ultimate art, befitting of a fortissimo piece, to everyone here ♪

Shu: Another series of puns. You are all partial to them as well, I see.

Mika: Artessimo... Whatzat? I ain't heard anythin' about y'all.

Nagisa: ... Hm? We spared no effort in publicising the unit on TV and online, including through CosPro’s exclusive broadcast time slots.
... Did the information not reach you two at all? How strange.

Mika: Umm, ya could say that we ain't really got access to that kinda info.
Oshi-san reacts to pretty much every comment he sees on the net, sendin' him into a rage and makin' him start flamin' people.

Shu: Indeed. Such content infuriates me, and as I lead a peaceful life in Paris, I wished not to have my tranquility disrupted by this country’s matters.
As of late, I haven’t been keeping up with the local happenings at all.
I simply could not spare the time for it — especially in the week before this day.
Because we wished to devote ourselves to our work, I set up an automatic reply on Whole Hands that reads “If you have business with us, come speak it in person.”

Nagisa: ... I see. That makes sense.
... While I believe it would be preferable for you to at least glance at the Glitter Mail, such communication mustn’t be forced...
... If anything, perhaps failing to recognise this trait of yours and not predicting this would happen is an oversight on our part.
... It appears matters like this truly are best left in Ibara’s hands. I shall take note for the future.

Wataru: Well, we only paired up a few days before this JNLC, so it stands to reason that we couldn’t communicate so thoroughly.
We made a painfully common mistake at a critically important point.

Mika: Nnah... I don't really get it, but you guys’re performin' in the JNLC too, Hibiki-senpai? Why?
Y'all're in different agencies on top of that, too.
Though I guess it ain't too rare to be seein' temporary units poppin' up between the agencies these days either.

Wataru: Yes indeed ♪ This is in part due to that great flow of things, but we chose to participate in the JNLC for other reasons as well.

Shu: And what could those be, exactly? You have no interest in the JNLC’s principle of “Japan’s Most Artistic” — no, you lack interest in art itself, don’t you, Wataru?

Wataru: Correct. I am an entertainer, and my life’s goal is to evoke joy from each and every audience member of mine. Our fundamental goals could not be more different.
... This is simply my attempt at imitating Eichi. Were he not hospitalised right now, I suspect he would have done the same.

Shu: An imitation of Tenshouin... Ah, I see.
So that was your intent behind joining forces with a member of that abhorrent ex-fine. I had been wondering if you were in your right mind, fraternising with those who crushed you underfoot.

Wataru: Fufufu. It’s taken you long enough to realise that, Shu ♪

Shu: Indeed, it certainly has, Wataru.
To this day, I struggle to accept the sight of you clad in those white outfits, but I have every intention of understanding that “that” is the kind of being you are.
You are, after all, a friend of mine.

Mika: Hey... Don't go gettin' lost in yer own world, you smartypants~. S'not faaair, I wanna know tooooo, explain it to meeee~.
In fact, ain't that exactly the sorta thing Valkyrie needs?