iridesenescence

Writer: Akira
Season: Summer
Location: ES Live Stage Dressing Room
Proofread by remi

[Less than an hour later, just before the opening of the eve of MDM]

Eichi: Alright then. We’ve taken all measures we possibly can, and fully prepared ourselves to deal with whatever may happen —
Nonetheless, one never knows what to expect up on stage.
Having said that, I trust that all of you have been well aware of this for some time now.
My unease refuses to subside, but let’s have a good time today... Dear gentlemen of Eden ♪

Nagisa: ... Your preambles are as long as ever, Eichi-kun.

Hiyori: Yup, what he said! Then again, it does make me a little nostalgic; it’s put me in a great mood!
At the same time, though, performing with this lineup might bring back some~ unpleasant memories...?

Wataru: Oh my? Are you two former members of fine perhaps acting out of consideration for yours truly, one of the Five Eccentrics?
Your concern is quite unnecessary! To me, memories of any and all performances are always overflowing with joy and bliss... ☆

Hiyori: ... I see, so that’s the kind of person you are. If our fates had been different, we might’ve actually been friends.
Fufu. You know, I think you may have been the only victor to emerge from “that performance”.

Wataru: Hm, who can say? I have no interest in counting wins or losses, so I’ve never given it any thought!
After all, wouldn’t you say that the future is far more precious than the past?
But more importantly — to ensure that you are not bound and restrained by irrelevant thoughts and emotions, obscuring your brilliant shine —
Let us discard the masks with our titles as the Five Eccentrics and fine, and adorn the stage as a single idol.
That is the way of performers — no, of idols.

Nagisa: ... Yeah. That aligns with my wishes, too.

Ibara: Esteemed lords of the court, my sincerest apologies for interrupting your conversation! While I am sure you have not yet had your fill of reminiscing, us underclassmen are unable to partake in the discussion, and we are feeling somewhat left out.
Thus, may I ask that you leave this for when all matters have been handled satisfactorily and you have taken your seats at the afterparty?

Tori: Aw~ I was having fun listening though ♪

Hiyori: Fufu. I suppose it’s natural, since you were an avid fan of the old fine, Little Princess-chan... ♪

Yuzuru: May I request that you refrain from addressing my master in such a strange manner, Hiyori-sama?

Hiyori: Oho, it seems you’re doing well, Servant-kun.
I didn’t see you around at Reverse Live, so I thought Princess-chan had finally~ stopped suckling from you.

Yuzuru: He does no such thing. Furthermore, I am still quite unable to take my eyes off of him.

Ibara: Ahaha, are you not the only one who thinks that way? It appears the part of you that is totally dependent on the subject of your micromanagement and supervision hasn’t changed at all~ ♪

Yuzuru: You realise I could sue you for defamation, yes, Ibara? We have a defence counsel on standby as an extra measure against Crazy:B, so it may be wise to watch your words ♪

Jun: Um~... I know you guys have some complicated relationships, but could you please not make the atmosphere all tense?
Didn’t we already agree that us Eden is gonna work together with the guys in fine to solve this problem?

Eichi: Indeed we did. But you see, in Yumenosaki, “lives” were pretty much synonymous with “battles”.
And your Eden has always been right at the top of our list of hypothetical enemies.
I would never have foreseen both our units being renowned as part of ES’ Big Three, and subsequently working hand in hand to face adversaries...
To be honest, my thoughts are in total chaos right now.

Hiyori: Fufu. Moments like this are precisely what makes living fun, aren’t they?
It isn’t really my place to say this, but I’m glad we kept walking even after “that performance”... Eichi-kun ♪

Wataru: Oh my, you’ve stolen the line meant for me. Is it just me, or do our personalities overlap somewhat?

Hiyori: Wha? Do I really give off the impression of being such a joker?

Jun: Were you not aware of it, Ohii-san?

Ibara: Alright, alright! I realise everyone is at the age where just about anything can appear entertaining, but please behave yourselves!
Of course, it’s wonderful that you are all getting along much better than anticipated!

Yuzuru: Fufu. We are idols, so militant strictness is hardly common amongst us.
In this field, I believe there will be no problems as long as we properly fulfill our duties.

Ibara: True. Though it pisses me off to agree with you, it is just as you have said. Though, we aren’t really the ones “doing” things this time.

Hiyori: It’s almost upsetting, you know~ The role of the star should always be meant for me!

Nagisa: ... Yeah. But Hiyori-kun, you’ll have your chance to shine at the center of the world in a few days, during MDM itself.

Hiyori: But I always want to shine!

Jun: Ohii-san, will you quit with the selfish statements... You’re an embarrassment, you know?
Look, can’t you see how well-behaved the little Ohii-san is?

Tori: Uh, do you mean me? Wow, I’m really honoured!

Eichi: Fufu. Hiyori-kun’s words are right as an idol. Ah, Hiiro-kun’s speech tic has caught on.

Hiyori: Hiiro-kun? Oh, the kid from Alkaloid, that secret weapon you mentioned?
Seems like the higher ups were too stingy to let us rehearse together, so I still don’t really know what they’re like —
Well, those kids were no better than the pebbles you’d find by the roadside the last time we bumped into them...
Other than Tatsumi-kun, I didn’t think any of them was worth a second glance.
And yet, in such a short period of time, they’ve actually become idols capable of standing up on the same stage as us! You really never know what the world has in store, do you!
Yup, this is precisely what makes for good weather... ☆