Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 82: The Saint's Exceptional Suffering

"To explain it in more detail, basically the 'idol association' established by Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi was producing phenomenal results initially. They had a great reputation within the industry so a constant stream of new job offers kept coming in which then created a positive cycle." Ibara said.

"Not only the non-honored students who heard about their reputation joined them but also the honored students who struggled to find work as well as graduates who had left the academy. And a lot of other people were involved. They quickly grew into the most powerful force within Reimei Academy. They expanded in an unfathomable way, you could say." He added.

"However as you are well aware the idol industry has been struggling for years." He then said. "....Yes. That's why there's always a need for revolution. It's no surprise Thay the revolutionary spirit was high at Yumenosaki and Reimei around the same time. We were all just reacting to the pressures of the time." Nagisa said.

"It's like the Bakumatsu period you know, or the Victorian Era, when were all driven by the currents of their era." Hiyori said. "Haha. There's been a shortage of work opportunities for idols due to the industry's slump. Over time the number of idols they had surpassed the opportunities available." Ibara said.

"However even in such circumstances Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi was determined to maintain 'equality' and 'fairness'. It was his unwavering belief and ideal just part of who he was. So what do you think happened as a result?" He then asked.

"Unsurprisingly it turned into a living hell. To put it simply Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi was handling all the work that came to the association alone. The other members of the association didn't do any work all in the name of 'fairness'. Everyone but Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi could live a peaceful life without lifting a finger, a situation deemed as 'fair'." He then said.

"...I see. Indeed they way everyone except Kazehaya Tatsumi can be treated 'fairly'." Nagisa said. "Exactly. And all the earnings from Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi's hard work are 'equally' distributed among everyone except himself." Ibara said.

"...Hmph. Hahahahahaha!" Hiyori laughed. "That's ridiculous. Did it really happen? I can't believe there are really such people out there!" He then said. "It did happen. I also found it hard to believe but Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi was in a way, like the Happy Prince." Ibara said with a sigh.

"He single-handedly finished an overwhelming amount of work that no one could handle alone and then distributed the earnings equally among everyone except himself." He then said.

"Impressive. That certainly made it 'equal' and 'fair'. Everyone besides Kazehaya Tatsumi didn't need to work for the sake of 'fairness'. And at the same time everyone except Kazehaya Tatsumi got paid 'equally'." Nagisa said.

"...Kazehaya Tatsumi made all 'inequality' and 'unfairness' fall solely on himself or rather he became the only 'exception' for his ideal to be realized. I'm utterly impressed. He's truly incredible. I'm touched to think there is a human who can do such things." He then said with a chuckle.

"Kazehaya Tatsumi chose to fall into the pits of hell by himself so he could guide everyone else to heaven. It's a little shame that Hanagaki Shiro is mad at him for the incident and not his hard work." He added.

"Exactly. I mean when I first heard about it and realized it actually happened, I couldn't stop laughing as well. I was like 'Seriously is this guy dumb? He must be out of his mind?'. But I don't think Hanagaki Shiro-shi is that unreasonable. As far as I know he's quite smart. So he must have known somehow about Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi's plan." Ibara said.

"But he didn't confront Kazehaya Tatsumi about it?" Hiyori asked. "No he must have done so but failed to get results. At least that's what I think." Ibara said. "...Is that so? Still, you are mean. I personally think he's admirable." Hiyori said.

"Unlike Eichi-kun, no unlike is Fine, he was truly dedicated to his ideal. You know I really get the sense that Kazehaya Tatsumi really wanted everyone to be happy." He added. "Certainly haha. It's just so amusing! In a way he's the exact opposite of me. I'm a businessman whom people sometimes call a 'money monger'." Ibara said.

"Which is why I find it amusing but can't sympathize with his ideology. I have to admit that religion is really fascinating. To think a mere human can achieve something so grandiose. If I can use it to my advantage it might yield considerable power." He then said.

"Well that aside, unfortunately no one but probably Hanagaki Shiro-shi understood Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi's saintly actions." He added. "...I guess so. People often say they can't understand what I'm thinking. Maybe everyone in the world felt the same way about Kazehaya Tatsumi." Nagisa said.

"Yeah that's true. Moreover, Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi refused to change his way of life regardless of what anyone else said. Imagine there was someone who loved Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi and said they wanted to help with his work because it was too much for him to handle alone. Or someone wanted Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi to also benefit from his hard work and proposed giving up their own share." Ibara said.

"I bet there were plenty of people who would have done that. It's just uncomfortable to keep receiving without being able to give anything back. It's hard to believe that all those people were heartless. They watched Kazehaya Tatsumi nearly work himself to death for their sake, after all." Hiyori said.

"Hai. However Kazehaya Tatsumi-shi rejected all those offers. Why? 'Because that would make it 'unequal' and because it would make it 'unfair'. Hahahahaha!" Ibara said.