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iridesenescenceChapter 3:
Writer: Yuumasu
Location: Reception Room
Season: Summer
Proofread by Rei and Blake
[Going back in time to the initiation of Operation “Burning Azaleas”...]
Tsumugi: — So just what sort of operation is this “Burning Azaleas” going to be?
Rei: There’s no fun in me giving you the answer right away; why not throw out a guess or two?
Tsumugi: Umm... True to its name, a simple operation where we set some azaleas aflame... Isn’t what you have in mind, is it.
Rei: That goes without saying. I have nothing against the flowers, and idle destruction is hardly commendable.
Tsumugi: That’s true. Hm~mm...
Rei: Kukuku. I suppose expecting you to guess without a hint is a rather unfair move on my part. Here’s one: this is a strategy that will be sure to make everyone happy.
Tsumugi: Everyone, you say? I assume that means “regardless of which agency they’re from”... So, something like the formation and promotion of a temporary unit, which would span across all agencies?
Rei: Incorrect. That concept already exists in the form of Shuffle units, doesn’t it?
Well, we could run a competition with the tagline, “Your Producers are Aoba-kun and I”... But I doubt it would have a lasting impact. Such trends tend to be quickly lost and forgotten in the sea of time.
Tsumugi: Will it, though? If we aim for an audience that ES’ idols don’t usually appeal to, I think there’s a chance it would be pretty successful.
Rei: Oho? You make it sound so simple. What audience do you have in mind exactly?
Tsumugi: Let’s see~... What about younger children?
If we created mischievous, energetic units meant to catch preschoolers' and elementary schoolers’ eyes, I don’t think it would overlap too much with any existing units.
Rei: Hmm. I believe StarPro’s Ryuseitai has already won the support of that group.
But you’re on the right track, so I’ll reveal the answer to you.
Operation “Burning Azaleas” is, simply put, a plan to reuse the “Hockey Mask”.
Tsumugi: By “Hockey Mask”, do you mean Hidaka-kun?
Rei: Indeed I do. The resource is right at our fingertips, so there’s no need to procure anything new. This will be far easier than creating or training up a brand new unit.
And most importantly, Hidaka-kun is affiliated with StarPro. If we make some waves, Tenshouin-kun cannot simply ignore it — he’ll be forced to react and make use of it.
Of course, with how sharp he is, surely he will realise that this is someone’s handiwork. In spite of that, I have no doubt he’ll go along with it.
No, he has no option but to go along with it. Because regardless of the form it may arrive in, there’s no question of the benefits that StarPro will reap from this.
I’m sure he’ll give the order to conduct some sort of promotional activity, making an incredibly disgruntled face all the while. To have Tenshouin-kun dance in the palm of my hand instead... It’s been a while since I’ve felt such excitement flowing through my veins.
Tsumugi: So you’ll have the chance to spook Eichi-kun a little, and Eichi-kun still benefits from it at the end of the day. I see, it does sound like a strategy that will make everyone happy.
Though, Eichi-kun is going to be involved against his will, so saying that he’ll be “happy” about it is a little dubious.
Rei: Kukuku. Reform is always accompanied by pain, no?
The question is how we should get it trending. We may have the materials, but to spread smoke, one must first light a fire. Rumours require a source.
However, even if we wished to do publicity, we cannot simply be using our agencies’ funds for the sake of another agency.
Tsumugi: Yes... And even if we could, I’m sure involving entire agencies would catch Eichi-kun’s attention.
We should do this with as few people as possible so we aren’t noticeable.
By the way, Rei-kun, do you happen to be thirsty? I could prepare a drink for you.
Rei: My, how thoughtful of you ♪ The thought of quenching my thirst had just popped into my mind.
Tsumugi: Fufu, the timing is perfect, then. What would you like?
Rei: Some brewed coffee then, if you would please. Coffee as sweet as blood, and as dark as the night... ♪
Tsumugi: Wow, that sounds like some sort of riddle... So, you don’t want milk, just sugar? Or do you want black coffee...?
Ah, got it. I’ll get you a cup of black coffee, and put a packet of sugar by the side. I’ll have it ready in just a moment.
Come to think of it, I didn’t know you were a coffee drinker, Rei-kun.
Rei: If I had to choose, I would place myself as more of a tomato juice drinker... But really, I’ll drink just about anything drinkable — I’m not picky about my beverages*.
Tsumugi: I see~ How interesting. Despite being brothers, your tastes are different from Ritsu-kun’s.
Rei: Ritsu...?
Tsumugi: Yes. He’s got a strong preference for black tea, doesn’t he?
Just yesterday, we had lunch together, and he drank black tea after his meal.
Rei: Sneaking interactions with Ritsu while I’m not looking...?! No fair, Aoba-kun!
Tsumugi: Well, it’s not really my fault... Ritsu-kun was the one who invited me~
Rei: He invited you? But he ignores all my texts...!
Why are you like this, Ritsu? Your true onii-chan is heartbroken~
Tsumugi: When you put it that way, it sounds like I’m a fake onii-chan.
Rei: Is that not the truth... Uuu, my dear Ritsu~...
Tsumugi: Now now, don’t be in such low spirits.
Since you’ve quenched your thirst, let’s get back to planning the operation. While we were talking, I had an idea—
If we’re making use of “Hockey Mask”, then our target audience would be teens, right? In that case, I think I’ll be able to make myself useful.
I have some connections with a magazine publishing company that publishes magazines about idols. I can put in a word or two and convince them to write about “Hockey Mask”.
Plus, NewDi has several private schools meant to train new young idols.
In the classes aimed at younger children, there are plenty of guardians who stand by to watch the various happenings, you see.
So if we were to casually remark, “This has been all the rage lately, you know~” to them—
Rei: Bit by bit, and all the while staying under Tenshouin-kun’s radar, it would circulate... I see what you’re getting at. After all, he may seem all-powerful, but by no means does it make him capable of seeing everything.
Kukuku. We’ll take our time and strike from one of his blind spots... ♪
*TL note: The original JP text lists 3 different types of green tea, sencha, bancha and ryokucha, differentiated by the type of tea leaves and the method of tea preparation. I chose this to have the TL flow more smoothly, since I doubt the different types of tea would mean anything to readers, and changing the dialogue to list different varieties of tea (e.g. jasmine, green, black) didn't feel true to the original where the differences in teas is more subtle.
Writer: Yuumasu
Location: Reception Room
Season: Summer
Proofread by Rei and Blake
[Going back in time to the initiation of Operation “Burning Azaleas”...]
Tsumugi: — So just what sort of operation is this “Burning Azaleas” going to be?
Rei: There’s no fun in me giving you the answer right away; why not throw out a guess or two?
Tsumugi: Umm... True to its name, a simple operation where we set some azaleas aflame... Isn’t what you have in mind, is it.
Rei: That goes without saying. I have nothing against the flowers, and idle destruction is hardly commendable.
Tsumugi: That’s true. Hm~mm...
Rei: Kukuku. I suppose expecting you to guess without a hint is a rather unfair move on my part. Here’s one: this is a strategy that will be sure to make everyone happy.
Tsumugi: Everyone, you say? I assume that means “regardless of which agency they’re from”... So, something like the formation and promotion of a temporary unit, which would span across all agencies?
Rei: Incorrect. That concept already exists in the form of Shuffle units, doesn’t it?
Well, we could run a competition with the tagline, “Your Producers are Aoba-kun and I”... But I doubt it would have a lasting impact. Such trends tend to be quickly lost and forgotten in the sea of time.
Tsumugi: Will it, though? If we aim for an audience that ES’ idols don’t usually appeal to, I think there’s a chance it would be pretty successful.
Rei: Oho? You make it sound so simple. What audience do you have in mind exactly?
Tsumugi: Let’s see~... What about younger children?
If we created mischievous, energetic units meant to catch preschoolers' and elementary schoolers’ eyes, I don’t think it would overlap too much with any existing units.
Rei: Hmm. I believe StarPro’s Ryuseitai has already won the support of that group.
But you’re on the right track, so I’ll reveal the answer to you.
Operation “Burning Azaleas” is, simply put, a plan to reuse the “Hockey Mask”.
Tsumugi: By “Hockey Mask”, do you mean Hidaka-kun?
Rei: Indeed I do. The resource is right at our fingertips, so there’s no need to procure anything new. This will be far easier than creating or training up a brand new unit.
And most importantly, Hidaka-kun is affiliated with StarPro. If we make some waves, Tenshouin-kun cannot simply ignore it — he’ll be forced to react and make use of it.
Of course, with how sharp he is, surely he will realise that this is someone’s handiwork. In spite of that, I have no doubt he’ll go along with it.
No, he has no option but to go along with it. Because regardless of the form it may arrive in, there’s no question of the benefits that StarPro will reap from this.
I’m sure he’ll give the order to conduct some sort of promotional activity, making an incredibly disgruntled face all the while. To have Tenshouin-kun dance in the palm of my hand instead... It’s been a while since I’ve felt such excitement flowing through my veins.
Tsumugi: So you’ll have the chance to spook Eichi-kun a little, and Eichi-kun still benefits from it at the end of the day. I see, it does sound like a strategy that will make everyone happy.
Though, Eichi-kun is going to be involved against his will, so saying that he’ll be “happy” about it is a little dubious.
Rei: Kukuku. Reform is always accompanied by pain, no?
The question is how we should get it trending. We may have the materials, but to spread smoke, one must first light a fire. Rumours require a source.
However, even if we wished to do publicity, we cannot simply be using our agencies’ funds for the sake of another agency.
Tsumugi: Yes... And even if we could, I’m sure involving entire agencies would catch Eichi-kun’s attention.
We should do this with as few people as possible so we aren’t noticeable.
By the way, Rei-kun, do you happen to be thirsty? I could prepare a drink for you.
Rei: My, how thoughtful of you ♪ The thought of quenching my thirst had just popped into my mind.
Tsumugi: Fufu, the timing is perfect, then. What would you like?
Rei: Some brewed coffee then, if you would please. Coffee as sweet as blood, and as dark as the night... ♪
Tsumugi: Wow, that sounds like some sort of riddle... So, you don’t want milk, just sugar? Or do you want black coffee...?
Ah, got it. I’ll get you a cup of black coffee, and put a packet of sugar by the side. I’ll have it ready in just a moment.
Come to think of it, I didn’t know you were a coffee drinker, Rei-kun.
Rei: If I had to choose, I would place myself as more of a tomato juice drinker... But really, I’ll drink just about anything drinkable — I’m not picky about my beverages*.
Tsumugi: I see~ How interesting. Despite being brothers, your tastes are different from Ritsu-kun’s.
Rei: Ritsu...?
Tsumugi: Yes. He’s got a strong preference for black tea, doesn’t he?
Just yesterday, we had lunch together, and he drank black tea after his meal.
Rei: Sneaking interactions with Ritsu while I’m not looking...?! No fair, Aoba-kun!
Tsumugi: Well, it’s not really my fault... Ritsu-kun was the one who invited me~
Rei: He invited you? But he ignores all my texts...!
Why are you like this, Ritsu? Your true onii-chan is heartbroken~
Tsumugi: When you put it that way, it sounds like I’m a fake onii-chan.
Rei: Is that not the truth... Uuu, my dear Ritsu~...
Tsumugi: Now now, don’t be in such low spirits.
Since you’ve quenched your thirst, let’s get back to planning the operation. While we were talking, I had an idea—
If we’re making use of “Hockey Mask”, then our target audience would be teens, right? In that case, I think I’ll be able to make myself useful.
I have some connections with a magazine publishing company that publishes magazines about idols. I can put in a word or two and convince them to write about “Hockey Mask”.
Plus, NewDi has several private schools meant to train new young idols.
In the classes aimed at younger children, there are plenty of guardians who stand by to watch the various happenings, you see.
So if we were to casually remark, “This has been all the rage lately, you know~” to them—
Rei: Bit by bit, and all the while staying under Tenshouin-kun’s radar, it would circulate... I see what you’re getting at. After all, he may seem all-powerful, but by no means does it make him capable of seeing everything.
Kukuku. We’ll take our time and strike from one of his blind spots... ♪
*TL note: The original JP text lists 3 different types of green tea, sencha, bancha and ryokucha, differentiated by the type of tea leaves and the method of tea preparation. I chose this to have the TL flow more smoothly, since I doubt the different types of tea would mean anything to readers, and changing the dialogue to list different varieties of tea (e.g. jasmine, green, black) didn't feel true to the original where the differences in teas is more subtle.
