frecklegirl | Entries tagged with enstars

Ritsu Sakuma Idol Story 1 (Ensemble Stars!!)
translated by: sesera

Location: Meeting Room

Ritsu: Zzz, zzz… ♪

...Mm? Huh, it’s morning already? But I don’t feel like I got enough sleep at all.

Wait... Hmm? Where am I? This isn’t my bed at home.

Well, whatever, it doesn’t matter... Right now, getting sleep is more important ♪

Good niiiight, zzz...

Gwuh?! Hey! What was that? My head isn’t some sort of household pest, so I’d prefer it if it wasn’t whacked with a rolled-up magazine.

Hmm? If it isn’t the Producer. Hiii ♪

What are you doing here? Are you still working? You really do love work.

Me? I’m taking a nap... Yumenosaki Academy has a nap room but ES doesn’t, so I have a hard time finding a place to sleep.

Producer, you’ve got some authority, don’t you? Find some reason to make me a nap room in this building.

And put a nice, soft, clean bed and pillows in it... ♪

It’s the Producer’s job to make idols’ requests happen, isn’t it?

I can’t get a proper rest sleeping on this hard conference chair, so I would say we have a problem in terms of keeping myself healthy.

What? I should go home and sleep there? I guess I could, but...

My house is just the tiniest bit far from this building. I don’t know why Ecchan decided to build it here, I wish he’d think a little more about my convenience.

Even though he thought about Secchan and the others who are working abroad and arranged for an airport and private planes that are free for idols to use...

It’s just blatant favoritism. I want you guys to think about things I would need.

I’m exhausted every day just commuting to Yumenosaki.

It’s way too much trouble to get on a different train and come to ES. I’m waiting for warp technology to get developed, like in science fiction.

The dorm looks pretty close, but I don’t want to look like I just copied my brother who’s already living there...

And my bed at home is already perfectly customized the way I like it. It would be too annoying to fix up a bed at the dorm from scratch.

Ahhh... The world is just full of super annoying things.

If I become more accomplished as an idol, I can probably get my own way most of the time.

But things have gotten shaky ever since Knights changed to the new lineup, but mostly I don’t want to still be relying on my brother’s fame to get me out of trouble.

The road ahead is so long and steep that it’s really discouraging... Nooo, I’m weighed down by so many thoughts that I can’t sleep well.

...Oops. Sorry, sorry, I wound up complaining. It looks like you’re about to have a meeting in this room, Producer?

I’m right? Yeah, I thought so, you’ve got a bunch of what looks like papers for a meeting under your arm...

Heheh, I have advanced powers of perception so I can understand a situation while moving as little as possible ♪

I guess that means I’ll be in the way if I go to sleep here. Sorry, sorry, I’ll move somewhere else.

But, hmm... It’s raining today, so I can’t really use my other nap spots like the roof or the emergency outdoor stairwell, huh?

Hmm? What is this, why are you giving me a... Key? You gave me a key?

What does this unlock? Hmm, this is the key to your locker?

There’s a sleeping bag in there, so I can take that and sleep on the couch in the office?

Do you do that a lot to grab some sleep during busy periods?

Whaaat? I know I’m the last one who should be saying this, but you should go home and sleep there.

If you keep up this lifestyle, you’ll wreck your health and age yourself prematurely. And your blood will start to taste bad.

Never mind. I don’t want you to take this as one of my vampire character jokes, so I’ll say this properly as myself...

I, Sakuma Ritsu, am warning you, with all my love*...

Take good care of yourself. Please, promise me you will.

In reality, no one’s asking you to dedicate your life to serving them...

I’m saying this because I know a real idiot who wore himself to the bone through selfless devotion.

Idols are nothing but a job and a way to make money in the end. The same is true for you, Producer.

Do you know why we’re making money?

So we can live happily, probably. But won’t it all be pointless if you ruin your health along the way?

I’m sure some other meddlesome bunch has already talked your ear off telling you all this already, right?

...Hmm? The same goes for me?

I should take good care of myself too? I’ll catch a cold sleeping here and it’ll make my joints hurt, so I should go home and sleep in a warm bed...?

Heh, I see. You’re still a baby Producer, but you’ve got the audacity to tell me off.

I didn’t say I don’t like it when you’re feisty, though. ♪

Heheh. Fine, we’ll both be careful. Let’s live long lives and have lots and lots of happy moments.

Yup. It’s a promise, Producer... ♪

------

TL Notes:

* Reference to "Grateful Allegiance" lyric

Wataru Hibiki Idol Story 1 (Ensemble Stars!!)
translated by: sesera

Location: Play theater

Wataru: Amazing! Producer, welcome to our theater... ☆

Pardon me from greeting you from up here! What, you want to know why I'm up on the ceiling?

It isn't just an eccentricity! What do you think I'm doing?

Fu fu fu. There's a very silly story behind it - nothing that would bring both of us to tears if I were to tell you!

Do you want to hear it? Then allow me to take up some of your time ☆

Once upon a time, there lived an old man and an old woman..... I've gone back too far!

I do apologize, I must be getting influenced by the company I keep because lately I've been quite long-winded!* One rotten apple does spoil the bunch!

In any case, I don't know if you know this but very recently I became a member of a theater troupe!

You're also very close to Hokuto-kun--his mother is the top-billed performer, and the troupe as a whole is highly regarded in terms of its history, its fame, and its reputation!

For theater actors like us, we've dreamed of joining such a troupe ever since we were in our mothers' wombs... ☆

And it's the same for me, I've been captivated by the plays they create so I went up and asked to join them! Knock knock knock!

Yes! Because I felt that I simply must aim for the top!

Very fortunately, because I can get work based on my good reputation as both as idol and as a performer, the world opens up ever wider and wider!

I can't stop my progress, I want to set my mind on reaching even greater heights!

However! Oh, what a tragedy--I arrived at the theater where the audition to join the troupe was to be held only to be immediately turned away at the door!

It was such cruel treatment that I trembled all over... ☆

Actually, that mother of Hokuto-kun's that I mentioned hates me to death! It's common knowledge and a famous story in the theater world.

She took one look at me when I got in the door and spit in my face, shouting foul-mouthed insults at me! She said, "You're a total amateur who doesn't have what it takes to join our troupe!"

Such caustic words! I fell in love right there - if she weren't Hokuto-kun's mother I would have proposed!

But I really, truly wanted to join that troupe, so I refused to give up and entreated her over and over! I said, "Please let me into your troupe!"

And the other troupe members took my side and soothed Hokuto-kun's mother who was so unwilling, and I ended up being allowed to undergo the audition!

After that it was one trial after another! Only a very select few are able to pass this difficult audition and be allowed into the troupe.

So my rivals were all very important and highly regarded veteran actors compared to me who's still so inexperienced!

An exciting turn of events, isn't it? I love that kind of thing! Of course I acted with maximum energy and used up everything I had!

I was able to meet all of the unreasonable demands Hokuto-kun's mother kept setting for me, but even so she wouldn't acknowledge me and so for three days and three nights...

For 100 hours, I kept acting in a complete daze!

One by one, my adversaries disappeared - they folded or their acting started to crack and they were cut.

I cried out for mercy, but she yelled back at me, "Who the hell do you think you are?" A pandemonium of alternating cries of joy and sorrow! Ah, this truly is what life is!

I realized that I was standing all alone on a stage with my adversaries' bodies strewn all about my feet!

Since it wasn't ending, the troupe audition judges had all passed out too, or perhaps they had fainted after reaching their limit after concentrating too much!

Except one! Only Hokuto-kun's mother was staring at me with absolutely inextinguishable, fierce, beautiful burning flames in her eyes!

It was her goal not to miss any negligence or mistake on my part, to make sure to catch anything like that so she could immediately identify it and dismiss me from the stage!

Oh, how nervous I was! I wore no armor and shed no blood, but make no mistake, that was war!

We were killing each other, play vs. play! No, soul vs. soul, battling each other with our very existences!

Ah, how wonderful life is! I fully enjoyed it!

No matter how much I acted, it was never enough - I wanted to act forever on that stage where I felt the pinnacle of happiness!

However! Extremely unfortunately, just then we ran out of time.

Hokuto-kun's mother had another job to go to, so she left.

As she left, she hurled abuse at me: "From start to finish you were boring and uninspired. Learn to act, you talentless hack."

She didn't tell me to quit acting, so just like the girl in the fairy tale, I kept dancing in my red hot shoes!

Dancing madly! Like crazy! Amazing!

After about half a day of that, it truly was time up!

Another troupe was to use the theater next, and they crowded around me and pinned my arms behind my back as I continued to act and forced me offstage!

I did not go easily, so I ended up getting myself kicked out of that theater!

It was a very close call, because I'd actually been let into Hokuto-kun's mother's troupe and everything!

Yes! I passed the audition! Everything up until then was surely all part of Hokuto-kun's mother's plan!

After all, no matter how famous I am and how much I bring in as an idol and a member of fine, no matter how many core fans I have as a performer who's continued acting on my own...

In the end, in the eyes of the world I'm just a novice who's only just graduated high school!

Do you understand? Hokuto-kun's mother gave me a very painfully felt chance to express my worth...

...to all the stage managers who don't look at talent and tend to judge based on the length of your credits and accomplishments.

And I made it out of that neverending play, that performance hell!

No one was around to watch me until the end, but an apparatus--a camera taped me without rest!

That footage will guarantee my worth, which I don't yet have because I'm still so new!

If I show it to anyone who's not a good judge of talent and points out that I'm young and inexperienced, they'll shut right up!

They'll see that I passed the audition based on my own talent, not because they went easy on me due to my degree of fame as an idol!

I was able to prove that by making it through that neverending play!

Because what happened did make some waves in the theater world - the facts of it should have reverberated** to all corners of the industry!

Thanks to that I am currently receiving roles through that troupe and happily acting in their plays! As a performer, I'm able to live at the top of the world!

Which is why, in order to show my gratitude for that, I am up on the ceiling!

When I was acting in a play with Hokuto-kun's mother, the spotlight right here created an ambience she did not like!

So when I went to check on it, I found that bugs had created a nest there!

Amazing! Of course it would be a shame to exterminate them, so I plan to safely release them into the wild!

Come, you living things! Let's go on an adventure to the free sky, let's give glory to our lives!

I, Wataru Hibiki, am doing the same thing too... Fuhahahahaha ☆

------

TL Notes:

* To me this sounds like we're supposed to think he's talking about Eichi... but it could also be Keito!
** Using the verb "hibikiwataru" (to reverberate)

Reversed Joker
translated by: sesera

Location: Theatre club room

Hokuto: Tomoya, do you have any experience raising children?

Tomoya: What? Wait, what does that mean? Are you proposing to me?!

Hokuto: I don't understand what you mean.
Hmm... this is hard to explain, but are you good at playing with children? I'm not, so it'd be a real help if I could leave it to you.

Tomoya: Umm. I don't really get it, but I have a little sister...
And Ra*bits is like a kindergarten, so I wouldn't say I'm not used to playing with little kids.

Hokuto: I see. That's good. I knew I could count on you, Tomoya.

Tomoya: Heehee. Hokuto-senpai, you really compliment me a lot.
For all the Masked Pervert is always pulling me into his annoying schemes, he never compliments me--or rather, he's always strict. So this makes me happy.

Hokuto: That's because he's good at what he does. When someone like that compliments you, it feels like they're looking down on you and it actually annoys you.
When the other person doesn't react as intended, you get worried. That's why instead of complimenting you, he's strict.
That means you'll react in the way he thought you would.

Tomoya: I see... Anyway, what was all that about raising children? Is some young relative of yours coming to stay with you or something?

Hokuto: No. I wish I were worrying for no reason, but...
In the theatre club's play performance the other day, our Captain died, didn't he? It was all according to what the script said, of course.
But he gets too into his roles and when he acts out dying, he really dies.

Tomoya: Wha--he can be killed? If I'd known that I could've finished him off sooner!

Hokuto: Yes, he died, in a sense... and after that, he was reborn. And for a little while, he's been a baby.

Tomoya: A baby...?

Hokuto: He's a blank slate now - an innocent baby.
Last year, something like this happened. Suddenly all he would say was "goo-goo" and "ga-ga."
I thought he was just messing around, but it really seemed like he'd died and come back to life as a baby...
For a while he was a baby, and then he grew up into a child.
Of course I'm speaking in terms of his mental state - he looked exactly the same the whole time. It took about a week until he grew to his actual age.

Tomoya: What a strange way of life he has... I really don't get it...
But when we put on the play, wasn't he fine all the way to the curtain call?

Hokuto: Yeah, that's why I thought things were okay, but...
Last year when he died in a scene, he died and his body temperature slowly dropped and he had rigor mortis - I was really scared.
But well, just in case - this year he might have died late and gotten reborn as a baby.
I thought I should tell you so you can be prepared for it if it happens.
Last year I was the only real other club member, and I'd never taken care of a kid before so it was pretty rough...
But this year you're here, so I can rely on you, Tomoya.

Tomoya: Well, I'll do my best to lighten your burden, Hokuto-senpai. Especially since all I do is hold you back on stage...
I'll try to make up for that, at least.
Plus, if that guy's died and come back to life, maybe we can raise him up into a normal person without any eccentricities?
Let's do our best together to raise a "Nice, Clean Wataru Hibiki" ☆

Hokuto: Hmm. It seems to me like if he started behaving normally now, that would be the weird thing.
But, well, I just want you to be aware that he might be acting like that.

Wataru: Fufufu! Everyone! Why the gloomy faces?
Let's smile! For we are happy!
Thanks to you, our play the other day was a complete success and we brought in lots of club money, so our next performance can be even more lavish!
Amazing! Our dreams are expanding~ ☆

Hokuto: Here's the Masked Pervert. Hmm, he doesn't look like he's going to die now.

Wataru: What? Why are you talking like I'm about to die?
That's awful, Hokuto-kun! Do you want me to die that badly?!

Hokuto: Sometimes, yes.
But last year, you died and came back to life, right? I was afraid you might pull the same stunt again.

Wataru: Ohhhhh? Hokuto-kun! Don't tell me you haven't noticed?
That was all a joke! I only pretended to die and pretended to be a baby!
I am an actor, but I don't get absorbed in the role and lose sight of myself!

Hokuto: ...I see. Well, that makes sense.

Wataru: Fufufu. The only fly in your ointment is that you're too serious, or should I say too honest?
You should doubt others more - be as flexible as rubber!
I'm sure you're still exhausted from the play, so first we should do some complete stretches!
And then switch gears and start preparing for our next play!
There's no time to waste dying and restarting your life!
Now, now, let's put all our effort into the next show until the curtain rises! Hmm-hmm-hmmmm♪

Tomoya: Ahaha. This is good, Hokuto-senpai. It looks like you were just being a worrywart, huh?
I mean, even if our Captain is a weirdo, he wouldn't go so far as to die and be reborn♪

Hokuto: ...I see. Well, that makes sense.
(But Tomoya, my fears aren't assuaged.)
(What if just before dying... before the curtain rose, he left a message for his self that was reborn again?)
(It certainly looked like he was just going with the flow of the moment, but...)
(He has lots of magic tricks all set up and ready to go all over the place, and he's always careful and prepared.)
(After the play the other day, some fan of his came running up and whispered something to him.)
(What if that flipped a switch, and he started acting the part of "Usual Wataru Hibiki" for the moment?)
(If he can act dead and act like a baby, then maybe he can put on an act that tricks us.)
(Maybe even now he's really dead and reborn, and is just acting so we don't catch on.)
(It actually isn't that hard to act like you're the eccentric "Wataru Hibiki." By simply acting a little odd, you'll look the part.)
(He's a genius and could do that easily.)

Wataru: ? What are you staring at so, Hokuto-kun! Look more! Like a maiden in love, kill me with your eyes... ☆

Hokuto: You wouldn't die even if I killed you...
Well, it's nothing, I'm probably just a little tired after our big performance.

Wataru: Fufufu. You know it's one of your best qualities how you give your 100% to everything you do.
But your energy is limited, and if you don't use it efficiently you'll run out of breath... Papa ♪

Hokuto: Who are you calling Papa?
That's taking the joke too far, Captain.

[Note: If you would like to hear part of this story acted out live by the voice actors, send me a DM on Twitter!]

A Promise for Someday - Chapter 2
translated by: sesera

(Back to Part 1)

Location: Outdoor stage

Natsume: I didn't think you would bring my little kitten with you, Sora. You've saved me the trouble of summoning her - you really are a good Boy. There, there... ♪

Sora: HaHa~♪ Master praised me! Sora is happy~ HaHiHuHeHo~...♪

Tsumugi: Hmm? But just now, you yelled at me to go call for her without thinking about how much trouble it would cause me
And yet you just said it saved trouble - what does that mean...?

Natsume: Why don't you figure that out yourself, Senpai. Do you not understand unless I state it Plainly? Maybe your glasses aren't the right Prescription. How about you buy new Ones?

Tsumugi: My glasses have nothing to do with this! And they're my lucky item for today, too...
Anzu-chan said she wants to see our performance. That's due to the glasses, I bet♪

Natsume: How would I Know?
Earlier, I had told the little kitten that I would show her a Switch Performance. Don't you Remember?

Tsumugi: What, really? You should tell me these things~
Did you know, Sora-kun? We're in the same unit, so I want you to tell me anything.

Natsume: ...... (punches Tsumugi in the stomach)

Tsumugi: OW!! Why are you always so violent! I didn't say anything to insult you!

Natsume: If you're not aware of it yourself, that's your own Fault.
If I pay attention to you, Senpai, lunch break will End. Sora, you showed my little kitten your own performance, didn't You?

Sora: HiHai♪ I showed it to her first~ Her eyes were sparkling! Such a pretty color, Sora's favorite light blue!

Natsume: That's good, Sora. You don't have much experience, but your talent is the real Thing. I'm sure my little kitten realized that Too.
And Senpai went ahead and showed her his performance too, so all that's left is Me.
Well, since all three of us are here, there's no need for only one to Perform.
Senpai, stop looking so hesitant and pull yourself Together.
And Sora, we're going to show the "Producer" our Performance.
It's time to fulfill that promise I made you, little Kitten♪
These two didn't tell you what was going to happen, so you might be confused hearing that we're going to perform so Suddenly.
Ever since you got the answer right, I've been waiting for this Moment.
We've only performed outside the school, so it took some effort renting out the school's outdoor Stage.
I'm a little late in making it Happen. That said, you could say a delay like this is within the realm of Expectations.
If things went my way all the time, that would supersede magic and be more like the works of the Gods.
As they say, the last drop makes the cup runneth over. You should remember that, Kitten.
If you take on every assignment, you'll lose sight of your Goal.

Tsumugi: Again with the difficult proverbs...
I don't really understand, but it sounds like us putting on a performance for Anzu-chan is something that's been decided for a long time now.
Natsume-kun, please go onstage. Idols shouldn't keep the audience waiting, right?

Natsume: You of all people shouldn't be giving me Orders. You really aggravate Me.
Little kitten, watch Carefully. This is our... Switch's Performance.

Natsume: ♪~♪~
(My little kitten is so pure. Just as I told her to, she's not taking her eyes off the stage. Words, and of course singing voices as well, have Power.)
(Ahaha, she's completely under my Spell...♪)
(If my magic works on the "Producer" then it must work on the audience as Well.)
(That said, compared to my peak I don't have enough Power. I need to store away more Magic.)
(Convert sparkling gazes into magic power and feed off It. I thought just one drop would be enough, But...)
(It seems that she has high hopes for Us. No, it's that she has faith in Idols.)
(Because of that, I had enough Power to envelop the whole world all for just one audience Member.)
(Even putting aside the fact that she's watching our performance as a Reward,)
(I'd thought it was necessary for her to do so the future of Switch...)
(But it might actually be me who received the reward Here...?)
All right, that's it for our Performance. The magic is over and we're back to Reality. You have to wake up, you can't stay in that pleasant Dream.
We'll get started as a unit in a little bit, but for now we're gaining experience at shows outside the school and saving up school Currency.
Once the time comes, we may ask you to produce our Performance.
We'll be counting on your help then, little Kitten♪

A Promise for Someday - Chapter 1
translated by: sesera

Location: Behind the school

Natsume: ...........
Stop, little kitten. Could you slowly take a step Back?
Yes, that's a good Girl. I'm in the middle of an important ritual, so I don't want anyone passing through Here. All the magic I've worked so hard to gather up would Escape.
It looks like you're in a hurry, but you'll reach your destination even if you don't pass through this way, won't You?
After all, you're headed for the Grounds.
It's so obvious that you're wondering how I know that by how wide your eyes just Got... ♪
The answer is Simple.
I didn't ask, but Baru-kun told Me.
He said, "Today after school the transfer student's going to be watching us practice on the grounds☆"
This area behind the school is a shortcut to the grounds, so the fact that you're hurrying through here is nothing more than things happening as Expected.
That said, I apologize. Until the ritual is over, I'll have to ask you to stay right There.
It won't take too long, so I recommend you just Wait.
You'll do as I Say? If you'd tried to force your way through I would have used magic to stop you, so you've made the best Choice.
Now, let the ritual Begin. An ancient treasure sleeps in the ground here, and paired with a powerful symbol it holds even greater magical Power.
One, Two, Three... ♪
Yes, that concludes the Ritual. It was over in a flash, Right?
Now you can head for your destination and I was able to complete my Ritual. It was a good outcome for both of Us.
What is it, little Kitten?
There's nothing in your way Anymore. Baru-kun and the rest of Trickstar is waiting for you, so shouldn't you hurry to the Grounds?
...A secret Passage? That's right, I did tell you about the secret passage through the blackboard connecting the classrooms, didn't I.
And that had the same Symbol... a pentagram written on the wall, so it's not so strange for you to wonder if there's a similar secret passage here Too.
That time I happened to have my hammer with me and was able to break the seal, but I don't have it with me Now. There's no way for you to Confirm.
...Mmm, even if you ask me, "If it's not a secret passage, then does that mean it's not connected to anything?"...
Wanting an easy answer is the same thing as giving up on using your Brain.

Natsume: In that case... how about you try to figure it Out? Make your brain work at full power and you'll find the Answer. You can do it, can't You?
Just that would be mean, so I'll give you a Hint.
The answer is hidden in the chant from the Ritual. If you solve it, I'll give you a Reward.
You can look forward to finding out what the reward is when you give me the right Answer. It will probably be the best reward for you as a "Producer," I Think.
If you're too late, Baru-kun will get impatient and go looking for you, won't He?
There's no time limit, so think it over nice and Long.
Goodbye, little Kitten... ♪

Location: In front of the school gates

Natsume: ...Oh? Little kitten, what a coincidence meeting you Here.
Are you heading home now Too?
Hmm, so Baru-kun and the rest of Trickstar are going to practice a little while Longer. True, it's dangerous to have a girl accompany you until Late.
Sending you home early was the right Decision. I can only accompany you partway, but shall we walk home Together?
...Hm? You're tugging on my sleeve, did you forget Something?
Ah, so you've figured out the answer to my Question. I told you to take your time, but you're impatient, aren't You?
So, will you let me hear your Answer?
..."Isn't a 'treasure' buried at the symbol of the pentagram"?
Yes. It's not so grand a thing as a treasure, but something I consider very good is buried there. Good job figuring it out, little Kitten♪
Ah, so you solved it by thinking about the words "An ancient treasure sleeps here." I suppose more than a hint, I gave you the full Answer.
Next time it'll be fun to use a more difficult incantation and test your Brainpower...♪
Ahaha, I don't mean right now, so don't be Worried. Replenishing the magic that I've used doesn't happen Overnight.
Now, kitten, I'll give you your Reward...♪
You are a "Producer." You need the ability to be aware of an idol's capabilities and give them work Accordingly.
Of course, right now no one expects you to be performing at such a high level, but it would be negligent to always let those around you spoil you and never achieve any Growth.
I'll show you one of our Performances. It'll be a good opportunity for you to memorize what kind of performance we Do.
Once everything is ready, I'll contact You. Until then, be a good girl and Wait.

On to Part 2