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iridesenescenceChapter 7:
Location: Dressing room
Season: Autumn
Proofread by Rei and Blake
Wataru: A very good afternoon to everyone gathered here! Spreading the radiance of love throughout the universe as always, is... ☆ None other than your very own Hibiki Wataru!
Hokuto-kun, what did you think of that?
Hokuto: ......
Wataru: Oh my, you’re right. How unthinkable! I ended up repeating what I usually do!
Just for today, I’m not Hibiki Wataru, but “Amazing Mask”. Well then, once more from the top—
A very good afternoon to everyone gathered here! Spreading the radiance of love throughout the universe as always, is... ☆ None other than your very own “Amazing Mask”!
How was that? Perfect, wouldn’t you say?
Hokuto: ......
Wataru: Mm, why haven’t you been responding to me? Ah, perhaps—
I see! So you’ve already gotten into character, have you? Which means that right now, you aren’t Hokuto-kun. You’re “Hockey Mask-kun”!
Come now, Hockey Mask-kun! I seek your candid opinion on my speech, if you would... ☆
Hokuto: ... Absolutely ridiculous.
Wataru: Oh my. Was it not to your liking?
Hokuto: No, not that... I meant today’s event.
A “Fan Festival for Hockey Mask’s Comeback”? I had no intention of making a comeback — I was just forcibly dragged out, unable to resist the current trends.
Calling this a “Fan Festival” is crazy, too. That performance wasn’t meant to gain us fans, and I’m sure you already know that, Hibiki-senpai.
And yet. I know it’s a free event, but I still can’t believe we’re going to have a full house.
Wataru: Well, believe it! The full house we’ll be performing for is an undeniable fact, after all. A performance without a single empty seat — how absolutely spectacular!
Oh, that reminds me. Remember how we agreed to fund this event entirely through the earnings from merchandise? Eichi has informed me that we’ve already made a profit from those sales.
Besides the classic keychains and can badges, it seems even the limited number of replica masks are flying off the shelves! Isn’t that great, Hokuto-kun?
Hokuto: No, I just can’t bring myself to feel happy about it... Why are you so jovial, anyway? I doubt it’s a pleasant memory for you either.
Wataru: Fufufu. I have to ask — just what do you take me for, Hokuto-kun?
I am an actor. If someone so desires, there's nothing I can't become — be it a foolish jester, a sorrow-ridden king, or anything in between.
And this time, it just so happens that the role of “Hockey Mask”, no, “Amazing Mask” has been requested of me!
Holding my gratitude for the fickle whims of fate I’ve been subjected to, I am, as always, flush with excitement to don my mask, and grace the stage.
That battle was fought to be lost. A sacrifice orchestrated, and so strongly wished for, by someone. And as idols, our performances are meant to bring our fans joy, aren’t they?
Though “Hockey Mask” has become akin to a symbol of the pain once suffered in the past—
In this new era — now that we have since grown from the past — are we not worthy of receiving peoples’ earnest support?
Hokuto: ......
Wataru: Rest assured, I won’t force you into this. It was I who wished to stand on this stage, I’m simply following my selfish whims.
There’s no need to fret. This is but a free-to-enter event — I’m capable of handling it on my own. I am an entertainer, after all.
Fortunately, this is ES’ live stage. A mannequin and wig can easily be procured, and with my vocal mimicry and sleight of hand, I’ll be able to produce a “Hockey Mask” for the audience to enjoy ☆
Hokuto: ... There’s no need for that. I’ll join you on stage.
I said so already, didn’t I? That I would don this mask once again.
The reason for the dissatisfaction and anger that’s been churning inside of me ever since Tenshouin-senpai informed me of this is because “Hockey Mask” was being treated like a joke.
And most importantly, because I couldn’t figure out how you felt at all.
How could you just laugh and accept it all? I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
But... If this is your desire — if this is what you wish for, then I’ll grant it for you.
With this mask, as “Hockey Mask”.
Wataru: ... Thank you very much, Hokuto-kun.
Ah, or should I be addressing you as Hockey Mask-kun instead?
Hokuto: It doesn’t matter. They’re both me, so there isn’t a difference.
Alright, I’m done letting myself look pathetic. It might just be a trend that’ll be obsolete before long...
But for as long as someone desires this of me, I’ll fulfill their request. That’s what it means to be an entertainer, doesn’t it, Hibiki-senpai?
Location: Dressing room
Season: Autumn
Proofread by Rei and Blake
Wataru: A very good afternoon to everyone gathered here! Spreading the radiance of love throughout the universe as always, is... ☆ None other than your very own Hibiki Wataru!
Hokuto-kun, what did you think of that?
Hokuto: ......
Wataru: Oh my, you’re right. How unthinkable! I ended up repeating what I usually do!
Just for today, I’m not Hibiki Wataru, but “Amazing Mask”. Well then, once more from the top—
A very good afternoon to everyone gathered here! Spreading the radiance of love throughout the universe as always, is... ☆ None other than your very own “Amazing Mask”!
How was that? Perfect, wouldn’t you say?
Hokuto: ......
Wataru: Mm, why haven’t you been responding to me? Ah, perhaps—
I see! So you’ve already gotten into character, have you? Which means that right now, you aren’t Hokuto-kun. You’re “Hockey Mask-kun”!
Come now, Hockey Mask-kun! I seek your candid opinion on my speech, if you would... ☆
Hokuto: ... Absolutely ridiculous.
Wataru: Oh my. Was it not to your liking?
Hokuto: No, not that... I meant today’s event.
A “Fan Festival for Hockey Mask’s Comeback”? I had no intention of making a comeback — I was just forcibly dragged out, unable to resist the current trends.
Calling this a “Fan Festival” is crazy, too. That performance wasn’t meant to gain us fans, and I’m sure you already know that, Hibiki-senpai.
And yet. I know it’s a free event, but I still can’t believe we’re going to have a full house.
Wataru: Well, believe it! The full house we’ll be performing for is an undeniable fact, after all. A performance without a single empty seat — how absolutely spectacular!
Oh, that reminds me. Remember how we agreed to fund this event entirely through the earnings from merchandise? Eichi has informed me that we’ve already made a profit from those sales.
Besides the classic keychains and can badges, it seems even the limited number of replica masks are flying off the shelves! Isn’t that great, Hokuto-kun?
Hokuto: No, I just can’t bring myself to feel happy about it... Why are you so jovial, anyway? I doubt it’s a pleasant memory for you either.
Wataru: Fufufu. I have to ask — just what do you take me for, Hokuto-kun?
I am an actor. If someone so desires, there's nothing I can't become — be it a foolish jester, a sorrow-ridden king, or anything in between.
And this time, it just so happens that the role of “Hockey Mask”, no, “Amazing Mask” has been requested of me!
Holding my gratitude for the fickle whims of fate I’ve been subjected to, I am, as always, flush with excitement to don my mask, and grace the stage.
That battle was fought to be lost. A sacrifice orchestrated, and so strongly wished for, by someone. And as idols, our performances are meant to bring our fans joy, aren’t they?
Though “Hockey Mask” has become akin to a symbol of the pain once suffered in the past—
In this new era — now that we have since grown from the past — are we not worthy of receiving peoples’ earnest support?
Hokuto: ......
Wataru: Rest assured, I won’t force you into this. It was I who wished to stand on this stage, I’m simply following my selfish whims.
There’s no need to fret. This is but a free-to-enter event — I’m capable of handling it on my own. I am an entertainer, after all.
Fortunately, this is ES’ live stage. A mannequin and wig can easily be procured, and with my vocal mimicry and sleight of hand, I’ll be able to produce a “Hockey Mask” for the audience to enjoy ☆
Hokuto: ... There’s no need for that. I’ll join you on stage.
I said so already, didn’t I? That I would don this mask once again.
The reason for the dissatisfaction and anger that’s been churning inside of me ever since Tenshouin-senpai informed me of this is because “Hockey Mask” was being treated like a joke.
And most importantly, because I couldn’t figure out how you felt at all.
How could you just laugh and accept it all? I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
But... If this is your desire — if this is what you wish for, then I’ll grant it for you.
With this mask, as “Hockey Mask”.
Wataru: ... Thank you very much, Hokuto-kun.
Ah, or should I be addressing you as Hockey Mask-kun instead?
Hokuto: It doesn’t matter. They’re both me, so there isn’t a difference.
Alright, I’m done letting myself look pathetic. It might just be a trend that’ll be obsolete before long...
But for as long as someone desires this of me, I’ll fulfill their request. That’s what it means to be an entertainer, doesn’t it, Hibiki-senpai?
