Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 75: Tatsumi's Past

"I don't care about all this talk about money and the schools! What I want to know is your secret to success Tatsumi!" Kaname said. "Don't worry. If you listen to my story until the end everything will become clear." Tatsumi said.

"Anyways I've just given you three an overview of the current state of the idol industry." He then said. "...Yeah it's like it's hit a dead end. Or like it's already doomed." Jun said. "It's not that bad but it is indeed on the brink of death. That's why there's no room for newcomers in the idol industry right now." Tatsumi said.

"Even those who manage to debut as professionals through luck or talent often struggle to secure steady work and make ends meet. The same goes for the honored to at Reimei Academy despite them always behaving as if they're the kings of the world." He added.

"They are also struggling in their daily lives facing an uncertain future." "So they unleash their stress on us non-honored students? Because they're suffering they want us to share in their pain as well?" Jun said for Tatsumi.

"Hmph. What a joke. Whatever the reason is you can't just impose your own pain and misfortune on others. Those who resort to violence against others are the worst garbage." He then said. "That is true. Which is why I won't ask you to forgive the honored students." Tatsumi said.

"Nevertheless I do hope you can understand it's meaningless to deny them or seek revenge against them. They are also victims of this time. Again I'm not saying you should forgive them." He added.

"You talk as if it's someone else's problem. But you're an honored student yourself aren't you Tatsumi?" Kaname asked. "Hai. And that is why I can also understand how the honored students feel. They are suffering in their own way in this world. A world where the damned feats on the dead with no salvation in sight." Tatsumi said.

"I wish to change the situation even just by a little bit." He added. "...You're right. A world where no one can be happy is bad. So it's clear this situation needs to change." Kaname said. "...Heeeeh. It's unexpected for you to actually agree with him. I thought you would say something like 'i don't care what you say as long as I can be successful' or something." Shiro said.

"...Stop imitating me with that annoying tone. And don't get the wrong idea Older Hanagaki. I just think that even if I've made my debut as an idol I can't be happy in an industry that's in such a dire state. That's troubling for me because I want to be happy." Kaname said.

"...Who the hell are you calling Older Hanagaki?" Shiro asked with a sigh. "You of course. Who else can be it? You're the older one aren't you?" Kaname said. "...How rude. Well whatever can't be bothered to argue with someone who's as stubborn as you." Shiro said.

"...What did you call me?" Kaname asked. "Ah?! I called you stubborn so what?! Got a problem with me you idiot?!" Shiro said. "How dare you call me an idiot?! You who is just a non-honored student loser!" Kaname said. "So what if I'm a loser you're the one who caused troubles and got demoted to here!" Shiro said.

"You two please calm down. You're scaring Jun-san." Tatsumi said as the two looked at Jun who's quite afraid of what just happened. "...Tch." Shiro said as he stopped arguing. Kaname said nothing but he did the same by not looking at Shiro.

"In any case back to what HiMERU-san is saying I think that sounds intriguing. Please tell me more about yourself." Tatsumi said. "...More importantly I want to know about the secret to your success I've said that many times." Kaname said.

"Hmm how do I put this...it's like the age. Old question of whether the chicken came first or the egg." Tatsumi said. "I can't understand metaphors so I hate them." Kaname said.

"I only used it so it's easier for you to understand. Anyways though it sounds arrogant for me to say I am a rather popular idol right now." Tatsumi said. "What do you mean by 'rather'? You're the top-earning idol at Reimei Academy." Jun said.

"Moreover the word on the street is that you're even better than those from Yumenosaki and Shuuetsu. That makes you the most outstanding student idol at the moment." He added. "Indeed. That's why I want to know the secret to your success." Kaname said.

"I don't know if I can call it a secret but I didn't get into the industry for money. Due to my slightly unique background I was inevitably pressured to become an idol." Tatsumi said. "What do you mean? You're upbringing sounds kinda shady you know?" Jun said.

"It's a weird and unbelievable story so I don't like talking about it much. The truth is my family has been hidden Christians for generations." Tatsumi said. "...Hidden what now?" Jun asked. "To put it simply my family runs a church that engages in religion activities not widely accepted by society and that's how we make a living. I kind of play the role of a pastor there." Tatsumi said.

"Even though we're in an era where religion freedom is acknowledged there are often issues caused by dangerous new religions and cult so I prefer not to bring it up. Most of the time the word 'religion' still tends to carry a negative connotation in this country." He added.

"...Well that's true. I do admit I can't help but be suspicious of the story you just shared honestly." Shiro said. "Can't blame you for that. It's just the atmosphere and the common sense of this era after all. Unfortunately I grew up in a family that didn't quite fit into society's idea of normal. Nevertheless I, or I should say we, needed a place in this world to survive." Tatsumi said.

"Hence we decided to create a place for us to belong. So I wanted to become an idol or something popular with the public to gain the status where we could avoid discrimination and prejudice. I want a place where we can reveal our identities without fear of ostracism and where we can breathe a little easier." He added.

"That's why I aspired to be an idol and have since become one. Our first step is to win over the trust and affection of the general public. Or else we'll suffocate in this atmosphere where everyone regards religious figures with suspicion." He then said.