Title: Unstoppable Ideas and Frenzy
Characters: Rui, Ena, Mizuki, Airi, Shizuku, Nene, Tsukasa, Emu, Drone
Part 1
Mountain Path
Rui
Well then. Since we've informed the management office about the sign, we're left with…
Nene
Since it isn't raining now too, why don't we head home before it starts pouring again?
Rui
Ah, right.
Nene
Now that I think about it, those two… I think I might have seen them somewhere before.
Rui
Those two? Which two do you mean?
Nene
Um…
Nene
Ah! I remember now!
If I'm not mistaken, they're the idols Momoi Airi and Hinomori Shizuku, right?
Rui
Idols?
Nene
Yeah. I saw them on TV before.
Rui
Huh, so that's why.
Nene
Well, you wouldn't know that, would you, Rui? You don't seem like the type to watch stuff like entertainment news or song channels very much…
Rui
I suppose you could say that… Oh, speak of the devil-
*Running*
Airi
Ah, there they are! Um, excuse me!
Thank you for your help earlier! We really dodged a bullet there thanks to you two!
Rui
Oh? Did you all come all this way just to tell us that?
Shizuku
Why, yes. We weren't able to convey our thanks properly since things were hectic earlier.
Ena
Really, thank you two so much for just now.
Nene
Ah… U-Um… We just happened to pass by, really.
Airi
Even then, you were a huge help. Seriously, thanks!
Nene
Y-You're welcome.
(A-As expected of an idol… How do I put this… She's so sparkly that it's blinding…)
Rui
(Come to think of it, Mizuki is…)
Mizuki
……
Rui
…?
(They were so delighted when they found out that those girls were alright, and yet…)
(I sensed it when we met in school a while back, too. Something…)
Mizuki
……
Rui
Ah…
Mizuki
Guys, we're gonna keep the folks from the tour group waiting again if we don't start heading back soon, yanno~
Rui
(How could I…)
(Shooting such an obvious glance to Mizuki would only result in them deftly dodging it, and yet…)
Airi
Well, we'll be heading off, then.
Mizuki
Bye bye ♪ Seeya too, Rui!
Rui
Yeah, see you in school.
*Footsteps*
Rui
……
Nene
…Rui? Was there something wrong with Akiyama?
Rui
Nope, not at all. Why do you ask?
Nene
Huh? Because you were looking at them with a kinda…glum look and all…
Rui
……
(Then that means Mizuki smiled earlier for me, not to sweep things under the rug…)
Well that's no good. I was supposed to be the one worrying for them, but I ended up being a source of worry instead.
Nene
Worry? Did something happen?
Rui
Who knows? I have no idea, so it's not exactly a worry per se…
Nene
…Aren't they someone you've known since middle school?
Rui
You could say that…
Nene
Is it really okay? To part ways like this.
Rui
Yeah. Stopping them wouldn't be nice to their companions after all. I'll talk to them at school if needed.
Nene
That's fine in that case…
Rui
Thank you for your concern, Nene.
Now then, shall we make our way home too?
Part 2
Kamiyama High School Rooftop
Drone
Ziiiiing-
Rui
Hmm. No sign of anyone resembling them in the footage…
Looks like today's a miss, too. I mean, they only ever come to school whenever they feel like it, after all.
Then that makes things convenient for me. Shall I work on preparations for that while I can, then?
Phoenix Wonderland
Wonder Stage
Tsukasa
Alright. Let's end today's practice here then.
Nene
Good work.
Emu
Good work everyone-! Ehehe! ☆ Today's practice was super duper wonderhoi too, wasn't it~♪
Rui
Hehe. Indeed, it was.
By the way… Tsukasa, do you mind staying behind for a little longer afterwards?
Tsukasa
Hm? What is it? A test for a new gadget or effect?
Nene
Ahh… Don't tell me you're planning to test that powered suit out?
Tsukasa
P-Powered suit?! What on earth is that?!
Rui
Hehehe! I'd love to discuss that further, but adjustments for it are still underway, unfortunately. I'll share more when I bring the actual device over next time.
The gadget I'm seeking Tsukasa's help with this time is a completely different one from that.
Tsukasa
I'm concerned about this powered suit or whatever, but… Well, whichever it is, I'm sure it's related to effects, so I'll help out regardless.
Emu
Oooohhh! That sounds kinda fun! ♪ Nene, let's watch too! ☆
Nene
Mm, sure. I'm free after this anyway.
Tsukasa
So, what do I have to do?
Rui
Let me record your voice. I've prepared some simple dialogue samples, so I'd like you to start with those.
Nene
Huh? What are you gonna use a voice that's just noisy for?
Tsukasa
What do you mean "just noisy"?!
Nene
See. Noisy…
Rui
It'll be used for our shows, of course. As part of the stage set, that is.
There are many ways this can be used… For example, it might be fun to use it for something like teleportation.
Emu
Teleportation?!
Tsukasa
Is something like that possible with this stage?!
Rui
Yeah. What I'm considering now is a simple, yet classic trick1, you see.
Despite hearing the actor's voice off-stage, they appear on-stage in the next instance! …That's the gist of how it goes.
Nene
I don't know about classic… That's too obvious2, isn't it?
Rui
Why, that depends on the staging and how it's used.
I'd like some samples since I want to test out the audio equipment as well as how sound is heard and reverberates here first of all.
Tsukasa
Got it. I'll spare no effort helping out if it's for something like that!
Rui
Thanks, Tsukasa.
Ah, right. I'm thinking of also using it for another trivial objective, so I don't mind getting new lines on top of the ones already in the script.
Fun ones that could bring a smile to those who hear them would be great if possible, but what do you say?
Emu
I'll put "Wonderhoi! ♪" in, then! Rui, let me borrow the script! ☆
Tsukasa
Ah! Oi! Don't add whatever you want for real!
Nene
Actually, stuff that Tsukasa doesn't usually say would be good too, right? Like, say, "Twinkle twinkle sunny sunny ☆" or something.
Rui
That's a great idea! The more samples I get, the better! I'll put that line in too.
Tsukasa
You guys really don't listen to me in times like these, do you…
Tsukasa
*Heavy panting*… D-Does this mean we've recorded everything?
Rui
Yeah. Thanks, Tsukasa! I managed to get some hilar-…an abundance of voice samples.
Now, to insert this so that it'll play them at random… And prototype number 1 is complete for now!
Nene
Huh?! That's fast!
Emu
Wow, it's got a button! Ah… Don't tell me…!
That's the toy that plays Tsukasa's voice at the push of a button you mentioned before the day of Hinamatsuri!3
Rui
Exactly! I was already brainstorming a ton about the trick I mentioned earlier back then!
Now then, let's test it out right away to see if it's functioning properly, shall we? Give the button a push, Emu!
Emu
Sure thing! ♪ Kuh-lick!
*Button click*
Tsukasa's Voice
"Written with the characters that make up the soaring pegasus, Tenma!"
Nene
Ah, the recording is cleaner than I thought.
Emu
Aw right! I'm gonna push this more! ♪ Clicky clicky click!
*Button click x3*
Tsukasa's Voice
"Behold my name-!"
"You're a hundred million light-years too early!"
"Whaaaaat?!"
Nene & Rui
"Hehe…!"
Rui
Looks like the random playback function is working properly, too.
Tsukasa
Oi, is that function necessary?
Rui
Of course it is. I mean, look…
Tsukasa's Voice
"The star who was promised the future! Behold my name-"
"Twinkle twinkle~ Sunny sunny~☆"
Emu
Ahahahaha! Tsu-Tsukasa's saying something weird~! ♪
*Button click*
Nene
S-Stop, Emu! Don't push it anymore! My stomach hurts…!
Tsukasa
Oi… Is there really a use for something like this?
Rui
Hehe. There are occasions when even simple joys like this outshine the most well-thought-out comedies in importance, you know.
Tsukasa
I can believe you if you say so, but…
Rui
By the way, apart from using it to check the audio equipment, I also want to use it for another purpose. Would you be alright with that?
I'm sure they'll laugh without thinking in the face of simple joys like this, like I'd mentioned just now.
Tsukasa
What, there's someone you want to make laugh?
Rui
Yeah. It's for a rather…old friend of mine.
Tsukasa
Hm, is that so…
There's no other way about this, then! It's fine by me.
Rui
Is it really?
Tsukasa
You're only hesitating now, after you've made all these preparations? It's fine, just do it!
Just one thing. If you're gonna commit to it, you have to make sure you really make them laugh. I will not tolerate anything less than roaring laughter from them!
Rui
Heh! Why, that goes without saying. …Thank you, Tsukasa.
Notes
仕掛けhas been used up to this point to refer to devices (so when Rui clarifies that he wants Tsukasa to help with “another仕掛けbesides the powered suit”, he means device). But over here, I think Rui means “trick” instead of “device” when he says he’s (lit. translation) “thinking of a classic yet simple仕掛け”. (Return to text)
- This is just not easy to translate lol. Nene says
子供だまし過ぎない？to describe the use case Rui gave.子供だましcan mean a transparent ploy (as in the motive, often to trick someone, is plain for all to see), or to describe something that’s so childish that only children can fall for it. (Return to text)
- Mentioned during Hinamatsuri event Episode 2: Tsukasa mentions he’s unable to make it for the Hinamatsuri party on 3rd March and tells them to go ahead with it regardless, and Rui offers to make the device for Emu (Return to text)