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iridesenescenceChapter 5:
Location: Meeting Room
Season: Autumn
Outfits: Autumn-winter casual for Rei and Tsumugi, default idol uniform for Hokuto and Wataru
Proofread by Rei and Blake
Tsumugi: Rei-kun, are you there?
Rei: “Burning”...
Tsumugi: “Azaleas”.
Rei: Alright, you may enter.
Tsumugi: Coming in~ But isn’t it kind of weird to set up a password when the door isn’t even locked?
Rei: Kukuku. It appears you don’t understand, Aoba-kun. It’s important to set the mood for secret rendezvous like these.
Tsumugi: Is that so? I’ll make a note of it then.
Our discussion will probably end up taking a while again, so I’ll make us some drinks beforehand.
Ah, and I’ve brought some pirouette cookies along as refreshments too~
Rei: Oh, I often see these in the performer dressing rooms. Did you buy them specially for our meeting?
Tsumugi: No, they were sent to one of our training schools by a parent as a thank-you gift.
We’ll turn down anything that’s too expensive, but as a small agency, we’re always happy to make use of gifts like these. Even the cost of simple refreshments for clients shouldn’t be underestimated.
Rei: I see... Then, are you sure it’s alright for me to eat these?
Tsumugi: Of course, go ahead. Have some tea too — I made genmaicha today.
Okay, now that I've prepared the tea, shall we finish up with the small talk?
Rei: Yes, let’s move on to the main point of discussion.
... So, Aoba-kun. How are things coming along?
Tsumugi: It’s all going without a hitch. When I brought it up to the magazine company, they were really interested—
So much so that they brought it up in not just their idol magazines, but in the ones aimed at children as well.
Thanks to that, this trend was actually kick-started by children instead of parents.
And to make the most of it, we’ve even had the children’s classes use masks during their lessons.
Ah, but of course, all we did was give each school the print-out templates — we can’t prepare real masks for them.
... Here, take a look at this video~ I think they’re all having fun dancing with their handmade masks, don’t you?
Rei: Kukuku, look at all the little “Hockey Masks” go... ♪
And how are things on StarPro’s end?
Tsumugi: They too are moving exactly as we expected them to.
It looks like they’ve made drastic changes to Hidaka-kun and Hibiki-kun’s schedules for both of them to prioritise matters related to “Hockey Mask”.
Rei: Trends are fleeting, after all. I’m sure they intend to capitalise on it while they still can.
Tsumugi: Yes. What was unexpected was how well it was received — it’s far more popular than we could have anticipated.
There are dozens of collaboration items and even several event appearances planned.
The story was also picked up by a morning news show the other day, and “Hockey Mask” actually ended up trending on various social media sites.
We started out only intending to make little waves, but at the rate things are going, “Hockey Mask” might really end up as a national icon of sorts.
Rei: For all we know, some of this might be Tenshouin-kun's handiwork — it would hardly come as a surprise if he had insisted on going all out. But who can say for sure?
I do pity Hidaka-kun for being dragged into this, but Hibiki-kun appears to be having the time of his life.
Tsumugi: Oh yes, he even said he was considering taking on the role of “Hockey Mask Mark 2” in an interview he did. Though, I suspect that was just an act of lip service.
Rei: “Hockey Mask Mark 2”... That sounds like some sort of superhero name. They would be well suited for a little performance at a mall... ♪
Wataru: “Fuhahahaha ☆ I’m terribly sorry to have kept all of you waiting, boys and girls!”
““Hockey Mask Mark 2” makes his glorious entrance, enveloped in Amazing love!”
Hokuto: “......”
Wataru: Oh, what’s wrong? It’s your turn to introduce yourself, Hokuto-kun — pardon, Mark One.
Really, as Mark One, you should be introducing yourself before me, but since you were oh-so-insistent, I did the honours!
... You are an actor too, are you not? The curtains have lifted. Steel your resolve, and stand before the audience proudly as “Mark One”.
Hokuto: “Sorry to keep you waiting! “Hockey Mask Mark One” makes his fierce entrance!”
Wataru: Well done. Fufufu, this thunderous applause is music to the ears, isn’t it! The crowd’s blessings and excitement are enveloping us both.
Hokuto: Hibiki-senpai, doesn’t—
Wataru: Ah ah, right now, I am “Mark Two”.
Hokuto: ... Mark Two-senpai, doesn’t this situation strike you as strange?
We aren’t wearing masks, but people have just readily accepted us as “Hockey Mask”.
Wataru: Mm~mm. I don’t really think anything of it. It’s been this way ever since we first began doing these promotional activities.
But now’s not the time for that. Come on, let’s get this show on the road! Once you’re standing up on stage, you can’t be looking anywhere but your audience!
An actor’s job is to perfectly perform the role he is given, wouldn’t you agree, Hokuto-kun?
Hokuto: ... Yeah. Alright.
Wataru: “First up, a little advertising! Have you all already purchased the merchandise being sold beside this stage?”
Hokuto: “For little kids, we have the Hockey Mask Sword and Hockey Mask Shield. The Hockey Mask Manjuu also make for excellent souvenirs!”
Wataru: “And just for today, we’ve got some Hockey Mask Balloons as well! These balloons have the two of us printed a~ll over them!”
Hokuto: “We hope to fill all your lives with Hockey Mask!”
Rei: — Perhaps that is how it could go. Kukuku ♪
Tsumugi: You certainly have a vivid imagination, Rei-kun. But I don’t think swords and shields really fit “Hockey Mask”s image...
Rei: Well, let that slide — it would mostly be to attract toy manufacturers as our sponsors.
Which reminds me. Hibiki-kun informed me that they would be making a guest appearance on an educational programme for children next week.
Perhaps that could be an opportunity to create a programme with them as the hosts. And its title would be, “Put Your Mask On, Let’s Play With Hockey Mask Onii-san”... ☆
Kukuku, I can’t help dreaming bigger and bigger ♪
Tsumugi: Ahaha, I’m just glad you’re enjoying yourself. Ah, I’ll refill your tea for you.
... But, are you really alright with this, Rei-kun? I don’t have much right to say this, since I was one of the perpetrators as a former member of fine, but—
To Hidaka-kun and all of you in the Five Eccentrics, this “Hockey Mask” is a relic associated with bitter memories.
Natsume-kun always grimaces when he speaks of those bitter moments, so I doubt it would be something particularly enjoyable for you either, Rei-kun...
Location: Meeting Room
Season: Autumn
Outfits: Autumn-winter casual for Rei and Tsumugi, default idol uniform for Hokuto and Wataru
Proofread by Rei and Blake
Tsumugi: Rei-kun, are you there?
Rei: “Burning”...
Tsumugi: “Azaleas”.
Rei: Alright, you may enter.
Tsumugi: Coming in~ But isn’t it kind of weird to set up a password when the door isn’t even locked?
Rei: Kukuku. It appears you don’t understand, Aoba-kun. It’s important to set the mood for secret rendezvous like these.
Tsumugi: Is that so? I’ll make a note of it then.
Our discussion will probably end up taking a while again, so I’ll make us some drinks beforehand.
Ah, and I’ve brought some pirouette cookies along as refreshments too~
Rei: Oh, I often see these in the performer dressing rooms. Did you buy them specially for our meeting?
Tsumugi: No, they were sent to one of our training schools by a parent as a thank-you gift.
We’ll turn down anything that’s too expensive, but as a small agency, we’re always happy to make use of gifts like these. Even the cost of simple refreshments for clients shouldn’t be underestimated.
Rei: I see... Then, are you sure it’s alright for me to eat these?
Tsumugi: Of course, go ahead. Have some tea too — I made genmaicha today.
Okay, now that I've prepared the tea, shall we finish up with the small talk?
Rei: Yes, let’s move on to the main point of discussion.
... So, Aoba-kun. How are things coming along?
Tsumugi: It’s all going without a hitch. When I brought it up to the magazine company, they were really interested—
So much so that they brought it up in not just their idol magazines, but in the ones aimed at children as well.
Thanks to that, this trend was actually kick-started by children instead of parents.
And to make the most of it, we’ve even had the children’s classes use masks during their lessons.
Ah, but of course, all we did was give each school the print-out templates — we can’t prepare real masks for them.
... Here, take a look at this video~ I think they’re all having fun dancing with their handmade masks, don’t you?
Rei: Kukuku, look at all the little “Hockey Masks” go... ♪
And how are things on StarPro’s end?
Tsumugi: They too are moving exactly as we expected them to.
It looks like they’ve made drastic changes to Hidaka-kun and Hibiki-kun’s schedules for both of them to prioritise matters related to “Hockey Mask”.
Rei: Trends are fleeting, after all. I’m sure they intend to capitalise on it while they still can.
Tsumugi: Yes. What was unexpected was how well it was received — it’s far more popular than we could have anticipated.
There are dozens of collaboration items and even several event appearances planned.
The story was also picked up by a morning news show the other day, and “Hockey Mask” actually ended up trending on various social media sites.
We started out only intending to make little waves, but at the rate things are going, “Hockey Mask” might really end up as a national icon of sorts.
Rei: For all we know, some of this might be Tenshouin-kun's handiwork — it would hardly come as a surprise if he had insisted on going all out. But who can say for sure?
I do pity Hidaka-kun for being dragged into this, but Hibiki-kun appears to be having the time of his life.
Tsumugi: Oh yes, he even said he was considering taking on the role of “Hockey Mask Mark 2” in an interview he did. Though, I suspect that was just an act of lip service.
Rei: “Hockey Mask Mark 2”... That sounds like some sort of superhero name. They would be well suited for a little performance at a mall... ♪
Wataru: “Fuhahahaha ☆ I’m terribly sorry to have kept all of you waiting, boys and girls!”
““Hockey Mask Mark 2” makes his glorious entrance, enveloped in Amazing love!”
Hokuto: “......”
Wataru: Oh, what’s wrong? It’s your turn to introduce yourself, Hokuto-kun — pardon, Mark One.
Really, as Mark One, you should be introducing yourself before me, but since you were oh-so-insistent, I did the honours!
... You are an actor too, are you not? The curtains have lifted. Steel your resolve, and stand before the audience proudly as “Mark One”.
Hokuto: “Sorry to keep you waiting! “Hockey Mask Mark One” makes his fierce entrance!”
Wataru: Well done. Fufufu, this thunderous applause is music to the ears, isn’t it! The crowd’s blessings and excitement are enveloping us both.
Hokuto: Hibiki-senpai, doesn’t—
Wataru: Ah ah, right now, I am “Mark Two”.
Hokuto: ... Mark Two-senpai, doesn’t this situation strike you as strange?
We aren’t wearing masks, but people have just readily accepted us as “Hockey Mask”.
Wataru: Mm~mm. I don’t really think anything of it. It’s been this way ever since we first began doing these promotional activities.
But now’s not the time for that. Come on, let’s get this show on the road! Once you’re standing up on stage, you can’t be looking anywhere but your audience!
An actor’s job is to perfectly perform the role he is given, wouldn’t you agree, Hokuto-kun?
Hokuto: ... Yeah. Alright.
Wataru: “First up, a little advertising! Have you all already purchased the merchandise being sold beside this stage?”
Hokuto: “For little kids, we have the Hockey Mask Sword and Hockey Mask Shield. The Hockey Mask Manjuu also make for excellent souvenirs!”
Wataru: “And just for today, we’ve got some Hockey Mask Balloons as well! These balloons have the two of us printed a~ll over them!”
Hokuto: “We hope to fill all your lives with Hockey Mask!”
Rei: — Perhaps that is how it could go. Kukuku ♪
Tsumugi: You certainly have a vivid imagination, Rei-kun. But I don’t think swords and shields really fit “Hockey Mask”s image...
Rei: Well, let that slide — it would mostly be to attract toy manufacturers as our sponsors.
Which reminds me. Hibiki-kun informed me that they would be making a guest appearance on an educational programme for children next week.
Perhaps that could be an opportunity to create a programme with them as the hosts. And its title would be, “Put Your Mask On, Let’s Play With Hockey Mask Onii-san”... ☆
Kukuku, I can’t help dreaming bigger and bigger ♪
Tsumugi: Ahaha, I’m just glad you’re enjoying yourself. Ah, I’ll refill your tea for you.
... But, are you really alright with this, Rei-kun? I don’t have much right to say this, since I was one of the perpetrators as a former member of fine, but—
To Hidaka-kun and all of you in the Five Eccentrics, this “Hockey Mask” is a relic associated with bitter memories.
Natsume-kun always grimaces when he speaks of those bitter moments, so I doubt it would be something particularly enjoyable for you either, Rei-kun...
