heath: I’ve been waiting, yeah. I wanted to wait for you, it made me strangely happy. It’s nice, making plans with someone. Thank you for joining me today.
saki: No worries, I was happy to be invited.
heath: I wanted to come here to buy the present for my birthday event. I’ve already decided which store I’d like to visit, follow me.
-general store-
saki: A general store hm? They have a lot of different things in here, is there anything you have your eye on already?
heath: A sketchbook. I want a new sketchbook. I’m always noting down song lyrics right? So I’d like for you to pick out a new one for me.
saki: You want me to choose?
heath: Yes. I’d like one that’s this size. I’ll leave the choice of colour and design to you, pick whichever you like.
saki: A sketchbook for you to write your lyrics in… This is a big responsibility.
heath: You don’t have to think about it that seriously, just choose whichever you think looks nice.
saki: But I’d like for it to be one that’s easy for you to use… Oh, I know, why don’t we select one together?
heath: Together?
saki: Yes, let’s buy the one that we both agree on.
heath: Ok, sure.
saki: I’ll pick out a few and then you can tell me which one you like, ok? Oh, how about this design? I think it suits you.
heath: Sounds good, let’s go with this one then.
saki: Huh? You don’t want to compare it to any others first?
heath: No need. If you think that this one suits me, then I’d like this one. I’ll go and buy it, wait here a moment.
clerk: Welcome, would you like this purchase gift wrapped?
heath: Yes please.
clerk: If this is a present for someone then you can attach a message card, would you like to do that?
heath: No need.
saki: (A message card…? Oh!)
saki: In that case, I’d like to write a message to you, Heath-san.
heath: Saki… Alright, thanks. I’ll look forward to reading it on my birthday.
-
chapter 2 -starless restaurant area-
saki: (The event was an absolute blast! It felt like Heath-san only got more and more fired up with each day!)
-break room-
saki: Good work, Heath-san.
heath: I managed to make it through to the last day. I put my all into conveying every one of my lyrics.
saki: Yes, they all got through to everyone.
heath: Is that so? I’m glad that you enjoyed yourself. And also, thanks again for this.
saki: No problem, it was fun picking out a gift for you.
heath: I was told I’m not allowed to open it until the event is over… So it should be fine now, right?
-cg
heath: I’ve been itching to open it. I read the message that you wrote me already. I’m always the one conveying my words… So receiving your words made me really happy.
saki: I’m glad you liked the message.
heath: Saki… Wait there a moment.
saki: (He’s wasting no time using the new sketchbook. I wonder what he’s writing so suddenly…?)
heath: —Thanks for waiting, here.
saki: This is…
heath: My response. I couldn’t help but what to respond to your message right away. However, I wanted the first thing that I write in this sketchbook that I received from you, to be my feelings towards you. So, I’ve been holding myself back from replying this whole time.
saki: I see.
heath: If you write down what comes to your mind on the spot, then those words will retain how you felt in that moment. However, if you hold back and continue to think about it, you may find that there’s even more that you want to say. So that’s why, compared to what I wanted to write initially, my reply grew even fonder.
saki: Thank you, Heath-san… I’ll treasure this.
heath: I’ll never take for granted the fact that I’m able to have my birthday celebrated by you. Thank you.
I made this like in the middle of this month. Team B Kagerou daze au
Why? I was gonna post this on august 15th but then I realized shoot. I forgot. It is unfortunate I couldn't experience the timeloop for myself...:( but I did binge watch the entirety of Mekakucity actors!
Que my skeleton rising from the grave just to dance to Ego because it slaps way too hard 😂
Anyway, I decided to take a break from my mind numbing grind in Granblue since I already finished Proving Grounds + I don't feel like fully grinding out for gems in Enstars yet (even though I should because I have dire needs for the upcoming puka puka)
I mean ANYWAYS Chapters 1-5 under the cut :D
-Ignite A Noise-
Thanks to Haseyama, Starless hastily reopened to celebrate its second anniversary before the full restoration of the shop. Each team received a stage script with five interpretations from one original text.
Chapter 1
Cast: Kei, Kokuyo, Rindou, Mokuren, Mizuki, MC
MC
(Today they’re going to be talking about the 2nd Anniversary Performance...)
Unei
Good work, everyone.
Today, we’ll be having an important conversation about the 2nd Anniversary performance-
Haseyama
Quit blabbering, Unei. Time is golden after all.
Oi, Kei. You’ve got the new song, so I’ll leave the 2nd Anniversary up to you.
Kokuyo
Why the hell does he know about it?
Haseyama
I’m the owner, aren’t I? There’s nothing I don’t know about my own shop.
Kei
Fine. A 2nd Anniversary show from the beginning. There’s no reason to spare.
Haseyama
Oh, since it is the 2nd Anniversary, I’ll be laying down some rules.
Even though it’s a celebration, it won’t be much different from usual. The customers should be happy when watching the show.
With that in mind, here are the 3 rules.
First: The shows during this period should only be about the 2nd Anniversary. However, you will all decide what to do.
Rindou
So we’re allowed to choose the program?
Haseyama
That’s right. After a bit of discussion, it was decided...Surely you can understand that, don’t you?
Second: Repeated performances and cast members are prohibited.
Mizuki
Huh? The hell do you mean?
Haseyama
Don’t do the same performance twice in a row. The same goes to the cast members.
Mokuren
That’s a pain. Why is there such a rule? (read: WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN’T DANCE ON STAGE FOR THE WHOLE DAY?)
Haseyama
I’ve been receiving all of your selfish requests. Don’t keep using the same cast members, you’ll die from overworking.
In other words, this is the management looking out for you brats. You better be thankful.
Now, for the last one. Rule 3.
The cast members who get to perform on stage will be decided by this little lady. Really simple, isn’t it?
MC
H-huh!? I- I get to choose?
Haseyama
Yes, yes. You just need to tell daddy dearest. You don’t have to worry about the teams. (Don’t call yourself my daddy get out BLEGH)
It can be based on your favourite, or who seems to make the most profits. I’ll leave that decision up to you.
Mokuren
...Are you alright with that, Kei?
Kei
If that’s the case, all we can do is bear with it.
After all, this store is hers. Whoever she picks to be up on the stage will never be wrong.
Mizuki
Oi, MC. You know what to do, right? Pick everyone from Team B.
Rindou
Mizuki. Don’t pressure her.
Haseyama
Oi. If there’s any disagreements, take that outside.
This is all I have to say. All of you just have to do it or die trying, got it?
Unei
And without further ado, everyone, I hope everyone is able to prepare for the 2nd Anniversary performance well!
Oh, that’s right. Kei-san, when do you plan on giving Yakou-san his Team K stage outfit?
(everyone in visible shock)
Haseyama
...Hah? Yakou?
Kokuyo
Oi, Kei. The hell is he talking about?
Rindou
Yakou is coming back? And..he’s returning as a member of Team K?
Kei
…(sigh) My head’s in a daze right now...
This wasn’t my doing. And speaking of K, this matter doesn’t involve the rest of you.
Unei, I’ll talk to you later about the finer details.
Unei
Huh? Me? Why do you need to talk to me...?
Yakou will be returning for the 2nd Anniversary Performance. If there isn’t 25 people, the cast members will not be enough, right?
Kokuyo
You know, this talk is going way too fast. Is there any idiot who would come back after leaving?
Haseyama
Unei. If you’re done here, go back to work. You’re not coming back here until you find out what the hell is going on.
Unei
H-huh!?
Chapter 2
Cast: Zakuro, Mokuren, Kokuyo, Mizuki, Kei, Rindou
--A few days ago.
Zakuro
Oh my, oh my. All the tops of each team. I pray you forgive my impudence.
Mokuren
Talking pretentiously is fine. Just hurry up and get to the point.
Zakuro
Oya oya, such ridiculousness. The foundations for human relationships is not limited to labor, is it not?
Kokuyo
Sorry. I’m not good at exchanging words, so will my fists do instead?
Zakuro
Terrifying, as expected of Team W’s top. Even in such a place, your savagery is outstanding.
However, I do not wish to have my face shape changed. Without further ado, let’s begin, shall we?
This is regarding the 2nd anniversary celebration of Mr. And Mrs. Miki’s Starless.
Rindou
This is...a screenplay and recording?
Zakuro
Yes, it would be wise to hand these over to your respective teams. This is all for the 2nd anniversary.
Kokuyo
Hah....why the hell do I have to bother giving it to them.
Mokuren
I agree.
Mizuki
Oi. Where’s Team B’s recording?
Zakuro
Surely if we present the script, Heath will be ready to make one, yes?
Mizuki
‘f course! It’s ‘cuz Heath is amazing after all.
Kei
Dostoevsky? And it seems the source for all these is “The Brothers Karamazov.”
Zakuro
Correct. All five screenplays were derived from the same source material.
A grand play about the Karamazov clan’s feast. Different truths from different viewpoints, a commonplace theme in our world.
Well then, this is all the wisdom the heavens have deigned to grace me with.
The rest is up to our outstanding tops. Please guide us well.
Mokuren
Tch. You speak too much.
Haseyama
Hnn...I see.
Chapter 3
Cast: Akira, Maica, Heath
Akira
Hey, did you guys hear about the rules for the 2nd Anniversary?
Maica
Wasn’t it something like “If you perform once, take a break once,” or something?
Akira
Yeah, yeah. That one.
Maica
I’m pretty sure there were other rules too.
Heath
MC chooses who gets to go up the stage, and the performance will be decided by those cast members who were chosen.
Maica
Ah, that’s right.
Akira
So let’s say, I was put into a team with everyone from K, I wonder...?
Maica
What of it?
Akira
I’m from Team W after all, so my original performance should be “GOLGODA.”
Maica
That’s right.
And I’m with Team P’s “Only seek you.”
Heath
B’s is “Venom.”
Akira
So what happens if I’m put in with the Team K members? What’ll happen to “GOLGODA”...?
Heath
Well, if it’s going to be a vote of majority, wouldn’t you perform Team K’s “MADNESS JOKER”?
Akira
Right?
So I would have to sing ”MADNESS JOKER.”
Maica
...But at that point, wouldn’t the other people try to read the room?
Akira
Are the performers going to perform “GOLGODA” even though they aren’t used to it?
Maica
Ah...you have a point.
Akira
Majority vote is scary, ain’t it? There’s power in numbers, Maica.
Heath
Hey, Akira.
In the first place, it’s MC after all.
What kind of performance will it be if there’s no singer or MC?
Akira
Eh? There was such a thing?
Maica
Well, it’s possible...in theory.
Akira
Eh. But...isn’t that bad?
Heath
Maybe it is.
Maica
I’ll talk to MC in a bit. She needs to make sure she includes a singer in her selection.
(Your words can’t stop me I had a team of just all dancers)
Akira
See you later~ Hey, since it’s so important, you’ll have a word in for me, right?
Maica
Like hell I will.
Chapter 4
Cast: Yakou, Maica, Sinju
Maica
Fuu. I told MC about the singers, but I wonder if it will be okay in the meantime...
...Hn?
Why are you so deep in thought, Yakou?
Yakou
Ah, Maica.
It’s been a while since I last saw it, but the ceiling sure is huge...
Maica
Well, that big whale made of bones is gone after all.
Sinju
What’s up, you two? What are you talking about?
Yakou
We were just talking about the whale-less ceiling.
Sinju
Ah, the whale. It feels a bit lonely without that there.
Maica
Well, since there’s the risk that it may fall again, this is good for now.
Yakou
I think it’s really lonely without it. After all, you could see it even from the stage.
Sinju
He...ehehe.
Yakou
What the hell. Why are you laughing all of a sudden, that’s gross.
Sinju
Welcome back, Yakou!
Yakou
...But I didn’t even come back. I’m just here to help.
Sinju
But I heard from Unei that you were going to be in Team K.
Maica
Huh? You’re going to be in Team K?
Yakou
Ah, Unei actually contacted me a while ago. He said Team K was in a pinch, and asked for my help.
Maica
So that’s how it is...So won’t be Ginsei returning to K and Yakou won't return to P?
Yakou
Probably. This is a situation with Starless, so I have no idea either.
Sinju
But now we can be in Starless together again. Even if the teams are different, I’m still happy.
Yakou
What are you talking about, Sinju. This is the most convenient for both teams after all.
I won and you lost. It’ll hard to get revenge if we’re on the same team again.
Sinju
...Yeah. That’s right.
Next time, for sure, I’ll win! I won’t lost to Yakou again!
Maica
Yes, yes. And that’s as far as you two go. The first thing Sinju needs to do now is to continue cleaning.
And Yakou is only an understudy, right? You don’t have the authority to start a versus.
Climb up the ranks first, then we’ll have that rematch.
Yakou
Right. I was given another chance, so I’ll make sure to work hard in Team K.
But, I’m just an ordinary performer like Kasumi. So, please adjust the shift accordingly.
Sinju
Yep! Once again, let’s both do our best, Yakou!
Chapter 5
Cast: Menou, Hari, Kasumi
Menou
..By the way, I just saw Yakou here earlier. Did he come back to Starless?
Hari
No, formally he hasn’t returned yet.
While continuing to work in his day job, he’s volunteering to help perform here at Starless.
Menou
So he’s doing this without getting paid? Why?
(Good question Yakou why the fuck-)
Hari
It may be a conflict with his morning job. There are many places that place a rule that prohibit them from working side jobs.
Menou
That’s irrational.
Hari
Plus, it seems he’s starting here as an understudy for Team K.
Menou
Heh, so he’s not back to Team P?
Why though? It would have been more fun if he came back to us in Team P.
Kasumi
Well, Team P does have Ginsei now, so~
Here are the rest of the vegetables. Menou, weren’t you supposed to be peeling them?
Menou
Well, I am pretty inept after all~
By the way, how is Kasumi able to work as a salaryman while attending the shows?
Kasumi
Eh? What do you mean?
Menou
I mean, wouldn’t you want to play the center role? How would you be able to?
Kasumi
I’m from the mob after all~
Us mobsters have our own roles.
Menou
Hm, you won’t budge, will you?
Hari
Well, I think I understand what Menou is trying to say.
Yakou is very ambitious.
He won’t sit by and just idly stay as an under or 5th place.
Continuing to perform at the top of the stage while working as a salaryman is no problem for him at all.
Kasumi
Ah, I feel a bit embarassed now that you say that.
Menou
Yeah. Amazing~
Hari
He’ll only be suffering from here on out. He’s basically living life between a rock and a hard place from now on.
Menou
Really? If it were me, I’d just let go of my main job without a doubt, I think.
Hari
...Is that so?
Menou
Since...Wait, no. I need to be peeling the vegetables right now.
Hari
You should at least tell me why you would, since you already started.
Menou
Just because I feel like it. Now, let’s get to work. We can’t open the store without finishing preparations, can’t we?
Kasumi
Menou, you’re peeling it way too hard.
saki: Is there anything on the menu that you want to try, Heath-san?
heath: That I want to try… There’s nothing choco mint flavoured.
saki: Do you like choco mint?
heath: I guess you could say I’m a little addicted to it. Ever since I drank that mint cocktail around this time last year. I don’t like alcohol, but that was a nice drink.
saki: It suited your palate?
heath: Enjoying food isn’t just reliant on ones palate. The reason I found it delicious might have been because you were there drinking one with me.
-
chapter 2 -starless kitchen, table area-
saki: Good job today, Heath-san. Are you on break right now?
heath: Saki.
saki: Oh, that chocolate, could it be…?
heath: Yeah, I went and bought some mint chocolate. I got curious after we spoke about it.
saki: To be honest, same here.
heath: Right? I don’t think I’ve bought candy for myself like this since I was a child.
saki: Did you try it?
heath: Yeah, I tried a little bit earlier. I know what mint tastes like, but it was the first time I’d tasted mint flavoured chocolate.
saki: I see, did you like it?
heath: It was more refreshing than I was expecting it to be. It was a pleasant flavour. Not to mention, it’s also a really pretty colour.
saki: Colour…? Does your synesthesia even allow you to see the colours of chocolate?
heath: …… (surprised)
heath: Oh no, I didn’t mean its colour in that sense.
saki: Huh? …Oh! Sorry, I misunderstood, how embarrassing.
heath: Though, you might be right…
-cg
heath: If there were a colour that represented the feeling of gifting somebody Valentine’s chocolate, then I’m sure it would resemble the colour of your aura.
saki: Mine…?
heath: Yeah. It’s my favourite colour.
-cg gone
heath: Here, you eat some too. I’ll give you a piece.
saki: Thank you. Mm, it really is delicious.
heath: Yeah, it tastes even better now. I’d be happy if the reason that you thought it was delicious was the same as mine.