Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 120: Tori's Continuous Refusal

"Haha. I'm actually enjoying this quite a bit. The activities of Rain-bows bring me a different kind of joy than Trickstar. Plus it's more relaxing not being the leader. Himemiya you feel the same way don't you? You always give off an 'I must never fail!' vibe during the activities of Fine. But in Rain-bows you seem more natural and relaxed." Hokuto said.

"Well yeah. It's honestly pretty chill. I didn't expect this temporary unit created for the Saga Project to stick around for this long. As long as people still want to see us and our performance as Rain-bows still means something, I don't see any harm in keeping it going." Tori said.

"Heeeeeh so this temporary unit is actually quite famous?" Shiro asked. "T-That's amazing....!" Ito said. "Right?! Besides it's also a nice change of pace." Tori said. "Yeah. Especially since you've been so worried about everything lately. At least with Rain-bows try to put some of that stress aside." Chiaki said.

"Easier said than done...Ughh this is just the worst. The worst of the worst is that no one seems to understand. People are either interested in the ES Academy concept, on board with it or simply indifferent. The only people I know who understand are Ren-kun and Takasaki-senpai." Tori said.

"Well for most people it's probably just a name change." Chiaki said. "...I'm not sure about the others but for me it's as Morisawa-san says. I simply just have no attachment to the school's name and isn't significantly affected by it. I only transferred to Yumenosaki a few months ago so it doesn't matter to me." Shiro said with a sigh.

"....Don't complain and give me that excuse when Ren-kun is the same. Yet he is still against it." Tori said. "...Oi oi give me a break. Ren will still be a student at Yumenosaki next year so it'll obviously matter to him. But for people like me changing the name won't alter the essence." Shiro said.

"True. It's a trivial matter to those who understand what's really important." Chiaki said. "Says the commoners who clearly have never learned the importance of preserving one's family name." Tori said. "Hmph well we're so sorry for being commoners and not know how you royals think." Shiro said.

"...To be honest I don't mind if Yumenosaki Academy is renamed to ES Academy, Yumenosaki Branch. I just hate losing the throne I've been striving for. But that's just my selfishness. Even Yuzuru scolded me for it. He told me I just have to accept it, as inevitable as it is. That it's just part of the 'big tide'."Tori said.

"No I don't think so." Hokuto said. "...? Hidaka-senpai?" Tori asked. "It's okay to say you hate something simply because it bothers you Himemiya. That's what we Trickstar always do." Hokuto said. "Isn't that why you're sidelined in the industry, troublemaker?" Tori said.

"We don't really mind. Sure being sidelined means earning less which makes it harder to do what we want but that is all it really is. We are still having fun and doing what we love and that's what matters most to us. It's much better than selling our souls and forcing ourselves to put up with things we hate " Hokuto said.

...Having fun huh? ....Now that he mentioned it.....since when was the last time I had fun? ....I don't even know. What's fun for me? Idols? Singing on stage? ....Mmm damn it I can't think properly. My head is recently getting quite fuzzy lately. The hell is happening to me? Shiro thought.

"U-Um...King?" Shiro heard Ito's voice and looked up to see Ito staring at him with concern. "A-Are you okay? Y-You seemed...spaced out lately...." Ito asked. "....I'm fine. I just slept late yesterday. Sorry for worrying you." Shiro said. "Hm it's not good for your health to stay up late Hanagaki. Make sure to rest enough. It's important." Chiaki said.

"...What are you my mom?" Shiro asked with a sigh. "Why mom?! At least saying dad would be better! Wait that sounds wrong too!" Chiaki said. "Haha. Since Hocchan's being so dramatic I guess it's my turn to give a lecture as your teacher. Like stop whining and grow up already." Jin said.

"But honestly I'm a little jealous of you. I've spent my whole life compromising, going with the flow, never standing my ground like you do. I don't regret it but sometimes I wonder what if I had lived more like you? Regretting it now as a worn-out old man would be pointless. Anyway you young lads still have plenty of time to make things right. I'll help out in my own, very lazy way if I can." Jin said.

"Me too of course! Rain-bows may have started as a temporary unit formed by chance but we've been through so much together. I'll protect my allies no matter what. Call me overprotective if you want I don't care. I truly take pride in being someone who stands up for my friends." Chiaki said.

"Still as passionate as ever Morisawa-senpai. I'm deeply moved." Hokuto said. "Haha! I'm Morisawa Chiaki, the blazing heart that can melt even the thickest ice! A man as fiery as the sun! Or at least I strive to be!" Chiaki said. "You're so unusually close. Ugh this is too hot-blooded for me." Jin said.

"Haha but somehow I felt a bit relieved. No one at school really understood me yesterday and I felt so lonely. Yet there are people who get me, who think this is all wrong, who agree that the whole ES Academy idea is absurd and unacceptable." Tori said.

"I don't really have a strong aversion to it but to be honest I don't like this 'big tide' where ES dominates everything. Although I'm graduating soon I can't just turn my back on Yumenosaki and act like it's no longer my concern. I'm not that heartless. It feels strange trying to save the student council when it used to be our greatest enemy..."

"I'll do what I can in my own way. Yesterday's enemy become today's ally. We should help each other when someone's in trouble. Isn't that right Morisawa-senpai?" Hokuto said. "Exactly! You're such a kind and honest kid Hidaka! I wish you'd tell Akehoshi to be more straightforward and love me just as much!" Chiaki said.

"...Hm? What? Does Akkun hate you or something, Morisawa-san?" Shiro asked. "Oh right you two don't know I guess. Akehoshi has always been avoiding me and looking at me with disgust sometimes and has been quite cold to me only." Chiaki said.

"Huh...gotta say I can't really imagine that. As far as I can see Akkun is always cheerful and friendly towards his friends so hearing this about him is quite unexpected." Shiro said. "But for some reason the more I praise Morisawa-senpai, the grumpier Akehoshi gets." Hokuto said.

...Why? Both Shiro and Ito thought with a sweatdrop. "Haha well whatever. Just make sure you're all ready for the stage. It's almost showtime so leave your worries behind and focus on performing. After all nobody listens to someone who can't even do their job or pull their weight." Jin said.