Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 64: COMP Project Details

"Oh right Shiro-senpai and Ren-kun you both were also part Tatsumi-senpai's followers back then weren't you?" Jun asked. Shiro flinched for a moment before he spoke up. "...Well yeah. Back then we foolishly supported him and helped with the revolution. Himeru you were the same weren't you?" He asked.

"....You're right. Himeru was like you two. We were once Kazehaya Tatsumi's followers." Himeru said. "Haha you four sure was close to each other back then. Although one incident broke it." Jun said as the rest kept quiet.

Moments later they reached the second auditorium at the campus of Reimei Academy. "Once again! Idols from Reimei Academy! I'm delighted and honoured to see you all here! Salute!" Ibara suddenly said.

"...Why are you talking like our guide all of a sudden?" Shiro asked with a sweatdrop. "That's because Ibara is part of the management team of this project. But that's all I know." Jun said. "...Really? In that case Deputy Director could you give some explanations for the project?" Himeru asked.

"I would like to know as well. I also have a lot of questions though I intend do my best at any job I'm given." Tatsumi said. "Ah me too! Nii-san and I are Yumenosaki students now so I'm wondering why we must take part too." Ren said.

"Plus Kazehaya Tatsumi, Ren and I are not in the system of CosPro anymore. Are we really allowed to take part of COMP which promotes CosPro's affiliated idol training schools?" Shiro asked.

"Hai! It's totally fine as long as you're okay with it! And of course the pay for this job will surely be satisfying!" Ibara said. "...Is it? Then I'm out bye." Shiro said as he starts walking away. "Ah wai-?! Nii-san?!" Ren said. "Oya? Running away are we now Your Honor? I'm sure Yuugiri-san will he disappointed." Ibara said with a smirk causing Shiro to stop in his tracks.

"Saegusa-san you know Yuugiri-senpai?" Ren asked. "Hai in fact we even invited him to COMP. But he refused saying it's a waste of his time. Haaa does he not want to see his former Celestial teammates?" Ibara said.

"....." "...Ne Nii-san. I really want to take part in this project." Ren said. Shiro said nothing as Ren continued. "For one by doing this we can earn more money for Elysian and Ito-senpai won't have to find more jobs to support us. Besides Nii-san don't you want to see how far we've come?"

"...Back then we were shunned and criticized badly to the point we had to quit school and mom and dad had to come back earlier than usual just to comfort us. From then on you put on a brave face and no matter how much you're suffering you didn't admit it because you didn't want to look weak." He added.

"...Shiro-san..." Jun said sadly. "Although ever since we transferred to Yumenosaki you've changed. I felt like the cold exterior you've always been using is starting to break little by little. Oh I'm not saying it's a bad thing. It's just that it means you're starting to trust others even if it's just a little. As your little brother I'm definitely happy to see that." Ren said with a smile.

"That's why I want us to join this project even though we're no longer Reimei Academy students. Can't we?" He asked. "....." Still Shiro didn't say anything. "...Younger Hanagaki is already saying all this things so why not act like a proper older brother and support him like you should?" Himeru said with a sigh.

"If you want Yuugiri-san to see how much you've grown this project is your chance. Don't worry though. Himeru will do his best to help as well. As someone who have seen a vulnerable side of you." He then said.

A while of silence later Shiro finally sighed and spoke. "....Haaa fine. True when I first heard that we're going back to Reimei Academy my first thought was seeing Yuugiri-senpai again. But when I heard he didn't come I feel like my reason for coming just disappeared."

"But it's not like he's not going to see the live we're going to do. You and Ren-san will be inside. I believe he will be interested in seeing how much the two of you has grown." Tatsumi said. "...Don't talk as if you know him better." Shiro said with a 'hmph'.

"....Although I admit you're right. If he doesn't want to see us we'll make him do it! After all the three of us are Celestial. We know how to get our former leader's attention." He then said with a smirk. "Ahaha! That's the spirit Shiro-kun! Show him what you've got!" Hiyori said.

"And Kazehaya-shi?" Ibara asked. "...Let's see. We're not struggling for money anymore so there's no need to go out of our way to earn L$. However the members of ALKALOID have grown accustomed to group performances so it might be a good opportunity for us to develop our skills individually. Hence I would love to be part of this project as well. I look forward to working with you all here." Tatsumi said.

"Likewise! We're up for great success with the revolutionary of Reimei Academy joining us! In reality you still have many believers especially among the alumni of Reimei Academy! We'll need the support of that huge group of people for COMP to succeed." Ibara said.

"Haha! And we don't want to deal with another conflict between the honored students and the non-honored students right?" Jun said. "That incident might not be so easily summarized like this." Himeru said.

"Nevertheless as long as the representatives of the honoured students and the non-honored students at that time, which means Kazehaya-shi, Himeru-shi, Hanagaki-shi and Your Honor can join the project and show everyone how you join hands and work together, it should prevent others from picking fights." Ibara said.

"So that's why you asked Himeru to join COMP." Himeru said. "Hai! That's my strategy...I mean it'd be wonderful if you could lend me a hand!" Ibara said. "You sure are having a hard time finding alternatives since your usual vocabulary is quite dangerous." Jun said.

"You don't really have to force yourself." Tatsumi said. "No it's fine. If all it takes is for me to force myself I'll definitely make COMP a success. And as I explained to Jun earlier, compared to Yumenosaki, which promotes itself as the idol training school affiliated with ES, CosPro affiliated schools are continuously going downhill." Ibara said.

"Especially when most of the units that participated in the main event of SS are form Yumenosaki, their reputation is obviously skyrocketing. That can't be helped though. Even I would favor Yumenosaki over others in this situation as an investor." He added.

"Well if I were a parent and my beloved child wanted to be an idol I'd want them to join Yumenosaki for the credentials it has gained in SS." Jun agreed. "Indeed that is the issue since parents are usually the ones who pay the tuition." Ibara said.

"Well not every family is well-off in this economy where industries other than the idol industry are all struggling. Although Yumenosaki has a scholarship system its tuition is still ridiculous compared to Reimei and other schools." Ren said.

"And those scholarships are in fact loans. It's a way to bind the graduates with debt so they can't escape from the industry probably." Shiro said. That's when the brothers noticed everyone else staring at them. "...W-What?" Shiro asked.

"Shiro-san, Ren-san you do realize we're talking Yumenosaki right now right?" Tatsumi asked. "...Yeah and so?" Both brothers said. "...Damn you're both so in sync..." Jun said with a sweatdrop.

"In any case CosPro is backed by many companies I manage. Even if students don't show potential as idols after three years of study they can join one of my companies and return to everyday life. And naturally my companies prioritize candidates from our affiliated schools." Ibara said.

"I suppose for most people nowadays who prefer stability choosing us over Yumenosaki which is merely a huge gamble would be reasonable." He added. "Haha. Eichi-san seems to be working on turning humanity into idols. CosPro does have an advantage in that sense offering a non-idol option." Tatsumi said.

"Exactly! It's no problem for His Highness Eichi to have a grand goal but as they say haste makes waste. This world has not yet been painted with the concept of idols after all. Needless to say not everyone in this world has become an idol so we have an opening right there. Or rather that is the goal of COMP, to make most people choose our schools instead of Yumenosaki!" Ibara said.