Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 77: Opinion on Catacombe

"...I don't understand." Kaname's voice jolted Shiro out of his thoughts before he could reflect more. "Which part? I might've given a convoluted explanation but in essence the Catacombe is the base for my activities as a group. It's like an office for a company." Tatsumi said.

"We have nowhere else to gather so we can only hang around in this shady site. But we're not engaging in any suspicious activities despite how it might seem at first glance. We did try to meet elsewhere but other honored students who found us bothersome would step in and drive us away." He added.

"They'd call for teachers and security staff. It appears that the other honored students don't like it when all the work goes to 'our company' for good reasons of course. So they're trying everything they can to hold us back. I've suggested many times to the honored students that they're very welcome to join us though." He then said with a sigh.

"There's strength in numbers. If we had the honoured students who already debuted as idols join our ranks surely we would be able to perform better." Tatsumi continued.

"...What I don't understand is why those non-honored students, or rather the employees for your company in your words, don't have any complaints about this situation. No matter how earnestly they work all the credit goes to the name 'Kazehaya Tatsumi' in the end right?" Kaname said.

"Indeed. I do regret about that as well. I try to introduce them to industry insiders and fans whenever I get the chance though. Of course my effort is not completely in vain. Lately some of the non-honored students have started to get individual work opportunities. And in those cases I offer them my full support." Tatsumi said.

"We are all part of the same group after all so we've got to support each other." He added. "However only a few people can secure opportunities right? And with the industry in a slump finding a job in general is getting harder. Plus compared to working as part of a massive group like 'Kazehaya Tatsumi' going solo might not bring in much cash or fame for them right?" Kaname asked.

"Hai. Perhaps they're unsatisfied with that. I've noticed everyone seems happier working under 'Kazehaya Tatsumi' even if they're not rejected for lack of skills. Personally I want them to be more independent. But that would be like producing idols outside the honored to approved by Reimei Academy. Hence the teachers don't approve of it." Tatsumi said.

"The clients and other non-honored students seem to be aware of this too so they've all stopped offering or accepting individual jobs." He added. "Even so I believe everyone who aspires to be an idol would want recognition for who they are. Not for being 'a part of Kazehaya Tatsumi' but for being 'themselves'." Kaname said.

"At least that's what I want. I want people to love me for who I am. I dislike the idea of being recognized only when I'm a part of someone else and just thinking about it makes me go insane. Or maybe I'm the odd one out here." He then said.

"...For once I agree for you." Shiro said. "Hm? You do?" Kaname asked. "...Yeah. I really hate it when people tend to lie to the audience and their fans. I mean true sometimes being too honest is not good. But I'm the type of person who prefers someone's true self. Makes me understand what kind of person they actually are." Shiro said.

"Kazehaya-san what about you? Are you the same?" He then asked. "I'm not sure...I have a relatively weak sense of self actually." Tatsumi said. "Hmm I tend to agree with HiMERU's opinion though. Why are the other non-honored students content with their current situation?" Jun asked.

"I don't have an answer to that. Or rather I'm curious about that as well." Tatsumi said. "Tch. I guess I can't along with people here. They're weird and kinda gross." Jun said. "Your words are too harsh Jun-san. Nobody has the right to deny anyone else." Tatsumi said.

"I'm not denying them. It's just that I don't want to have anything to do with this Catacombe. Shiro-senpai you think so too right?" Jun said. "...I guess so. Like I said it's also why I didn't wake Ren up. He was really scared of the people here back then after all." Shiro said with a sigh.

"Besides even if I'm not rewarded or when if I get trampled on it's better than not being able to live as myself. I hate the idea of working under someone else after all." He added.