Fairy Tale - Once Upon A Time 2
Nov. 18th, 2024 02:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
iridesenescenceSeason: Spring
Eichi: Is that why you decided to participate in 4piece?
Wataru: Huh?
Eichi: Tori was originally raring to join 4piece, but since he had his hands full with Atlantis and the ES Academy, he had no choice but to give up on the chance. I know he was quite disappointed by that.
With Tori unable to participate, you volunteered when he asked if anyone else from fine would join, right? I did find that uncharacteristic of you.
After all, I'm sure you have no real interest in 4piece itself.
Wataru: You're not wrong — I do indeed have no interest in it. Nor do I have strong feelings about maintaining the popularity and influence of fine that Himegimi is so concerned with.
Eichi: And yet you volunteered yourself. Surely you can see why I might think you're regretting that incident?
Wataru: Well, I will say I'm reflecting on it.
But it's nothing as dramatic as atoning, really.
Perhaps saying that I'm letting it weigh on my conscience would be apt? I merely wish to lend Himegimi my assistance.
So I shall do my best on the program for Himegimi's sake.
What about you, Eichi? Joining 4piece would be a chance for you to compete against me — I know the thought of that appeals to you ♪
Eichi: Fufu. I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline.
I don't have the luxury of time to subject myself to the evaluation of others.
I have no interest in an audition program to begin with — you could even say I have no interest in the abilities of individual idols.
So it follows that I wouldn't be interested in a program that pits those individuals against each other. Sure, it'll get the audience hyped up temporarily, so it's fun to watch as simple entertainment...
But ES' ultimate goal is the mass production of "idols that are of a certain standard".
Wataru: That's true. The act of having idols compete to decide who is better is in direct opposition with your goal.
Eichi: Exactly. I've heard a thing or two about NiceP's skill, but I doubt we would get along.
I'm sure he has great, grand dreams for idols, after all.
Wataru: Hm. You say that, Eichi, but I seem to remember there was a time when you looked upon my performances with awe-filled eyes like a child, too.
It's quite unbelievable that you would now be saying things like that.
Eichi: Wow, you sure know how to hit where it hurts... Yes, you're not wrong. I was somewhat of a dreamer myself, back when we were in Yumenosaki.
But now, as a part of ES, I can't afford to be so soft.
We're navigating through thick fog — if the leader strays, everyone who follows behind will too.
That's why I've focused solely, unwaveringly, on my goal all this while.
Wataru: Spoken like a true businessman. But what, may I ask, are your feelings on this as an idol?
Eichi: ......
Wataru: You used to be better at drawing a line between the two, you know.
Is the boundary between Eichi, the idol, and Eichi, the businessman, blurring and becoming harder to recognise, even for yourself?
Eichi: ... No, it isn't.
Wataru: I do hope not.
Eichi: I've lived all this while never knowing when my life might slip through my fingers, so I'm always trying to fulfill my ideals as quickly as possible. I suppose it's what people would call rushing through life.
But I suppose to you, it might seem as if the boundary between my different selves is blurring.
Wataru: If this is about your physical health — while you're not fully recovered, I recall you've recovered enough that you shouldn't have any problems unless you do something particularly extreme?
You can't use that as an excuse anymore.
Eichi: Even so, my stamina is a far cry from that of other idols.
You seem to have a high opinion of me from our days in Yumenosaki, but I think you're overestimating me, Wataru.
I've always been like this. Even since I was a child, between my physical condition and the environment into which I was born, I haven't been able to lead a carefree life.
I couldn't remain as an innocent, pure child who had big dreams.
Wataru: ......
Wataru: (I wish you would stop lying.)
(You, who became excited watching another idol perform up on the academy's rooftop — I know you were as pure, greedy, and desperate as anyone could have been.)
(I thought to myself, that if Heaven was made for someone, then that someone would be you.)
(But you continue to tread in Hell of your own accord. Even now.)
Children may put on airs of being an adult, but they are ultimately still children. Surely everyone starts out with hope of some sort? It's just that some have their hopes crushed, and they grow cynical.
Even you must have known a time where you believed in dreams.
Eichi: ... Who knows? I can't say for sure.
Once Upon A Time 1 || Once Upon A Time 3
Eichi: Is that why you decided to participate in 4piece?
Wataru: Huh?
Eichi: Tori was originally raring to join 4piece, but since he had his hands full with Atlantis and the ES Academy, he had no choice but to give up on the chance. I know he was quite disappointed by that.
With Tori unable to participate, you volunteered when he asked if anyone else from fine would join, right? I did find that uncharacteristic of you.
After all, I'm sure you have no real interest in 4piece itself.
Wataru: You're not wrong — I do indeed have no interest in it. Nor do I have strong feelings about maintaining the popularity and influence of fine that Himegimi is so concerned with.
Eichi: And yet you volunteered yourself. Surely you can see why I might think you're regretting that incident?
Wataru: Well, I will say I'm reflecting on it.
But it's nothing as dramatic as atoning, really.
Perhaps saying that I'm letting it weigh on my conscience would be apt? I merely wish to lend Himegimi my assistance.
So I shall do my best on the program for Himegimi's sake.
What about you, Eichi? Joining 4piece would be a chance for you to compete against me — I know the thought of that appeals to you ♪
Eichi: Fufu. I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline.
I don't have the luxury of time to subject myself to the evaluation of others.
I have no interest in an audition program to begin with — you could even say I have no interest in the abilities of individual idols.
So it follows that I wouldn't be interested in a program that pits those individuals against each other. Sure, it'll get the audience hyped up temporarily, so it's fun to watch as simple entertainment...
But ES' ultimate goal is the mass production of "idols that are of a certain standard".
Wataru: That's true. The act of having idols compete to decide who is better is in direct opposition with your goal.
Eichi: Exactly. I've heard a thing or two about NiceP's skill, but I doubt we would get along.
I'm sure he has great, grand dreams for idols, after all.
Wataru: Hm. You say that, Eichi, but I seem to remember there was a time when you looked upon my performances with awe-filled eyes like a child, too.
It's quite unbelievable that you would now be saying things like that.
Eichi: Wow, you sure know how to hit where it hurts... Yes, you're not wrong. I was somewhat of a dreamer myself, back when we were in Yumenosaki.
But now, as a part of ES, I can't afford to be so soft.
We're navigating through thick fog — if the leader strays, everyone who follows behind will too.
That's why I've focused solely, unwaveringly, on my goal all this while.
Wataru: Spoken like a true businessman. But what, may I ask, are your feelings on this as an idol?
Eichi: ......
Wataru: You used to be better at drawing a line between the two, you know.
Is the boundary between Eichi, the idol, and Eichi, the businessman, blurring and becoming harder to recognise, even for yourself?
Eichi: ... No, it isn't.
Wataru: I do hope not.
Eichi: I've lived all this while never knowing when my life might slip through my fingers, so I'm always trying to fulfill my ideals as quickly as possible. I suppose it's what people would call rushing through life.
But I suppose to you, it might seem as if the boundary between my different selves is blurring.
Wataru: If this is about your physical health — while you're not fully recovered, I recall you've recovered enough that you shouldn't have any problems unless you do something particularly extreme?
You can't use that as an excuse anymore.
Eichi: Even so, my stamina is a far cry from that of other idols.
You seem to have a high opinion of me from our days in Yumenosaki, but I think you're overestimating me, Wataru.
I've always been like this. Even since I was a child, between my physical condition and the environment into which I was born, I haven't been able to lead a carefree life.
I couldn't remain as an innocent, pure child who had big dreams.
Wataru: ......
Wataru: (I wish you would stop lying.)
(You, who became excited watching another idol perform up on the academy's rooftop — I know you were as pure, greedy, and desperate as anyone could have been.)
(I thought to myself, that if Heaven was made for someone, then that someone would be you.)
(But you continue to tread in Hell of your own accord. Even now.)
Children may put on airs of being an adult, but they are ultimately still children. Surely everyone starts out with hope of some sort? It's just that some have their hopes crushed, and they grow cynical.
Even you must have known a time where you believed in dreams.
Eichi: ... Who knows? I can't say for sure.
Once Upon A Time 1 || Once Upon A Time 3
