Passé (3)

……♪

(I see… This tea has a subtle vanilla aroma with hints of caramel that spreads across your palette.)

(This is probably a blend that was refined through a bunch of trial and error in order to bring out the cake’s sweetness.)

(I messed up. I wasn’t all that hungry so I only ordered the tea, but…)

(It looks like I should’ve gotten the cake too.)

(Madoka and Tsuzura are still talking to the staff at the register, and the rush looks like it’s died down too. Maybe I could still order…)

Sorry to keep you waiting, Juis-kun~!

Oh, Kuon. That was fast. I thought you’d take a little longer.

It’s not busy anymore. Why don’t you go order something?

Yeah, I was planning to… Hm? Where are Nozomi-kun and Chitose-kun?

Over there, they’re still talking to the staff.

Looks like the fondant au chocolat Madoka came here for just sold out.

So they’re probably trying to decide what to order instead.

Oh, riiight~ It was this café’s fondant au chocolat that he really liked when we got it as a gift during that one gig we had here in France, wasn’t it?

Since it was good enough that it even became one of Nozomi-kun’s favorites, Gramps has been wanting to try it too~

Nothing we can do if it’s sold out though… up we go.

That said… It looks like you did a lot of shopping.

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but there’s no need to buy Nice a souvenir every time we travel abroad for work, you know.

Aw, come on… Nice-san is always looking out for us…

Besides, I don’t just do it for Nice. I bring back goodies for everyone who’s helped me. So, I get it while I’m already shopping anyway ♪

You’re really… sincere, Kuon.

Well, if you want to make it in this industry, then I guess that kind of consideration matters too.

Haha! If all it took to be valued at work was bringing people souvenirs after every trip, then Gramps’s life would be a whole lot easier.

But reality isn’t nearly as sweet as cake is. At the end of the day, this is still a world where skill is what really matters~

Anyway. What were you looking up on your phone, Juis-kun?

Hm? Oh. Just a few things on Valkyrie.

Really? So you were looking into them? Did you dig anything up?

That’s a strong way to put it. I’ve only come across things that anyone could’ve looked up.

They were a unit that was formed at Yumenosaki Academy, and they’re now signed to COSMIC PRODUCTION.

They’re a unit with a distinct artistic identity and elegant style, and they have a lot of loyal, passionate fans.

They’re also surprisingly popular with kids too… or something along those lines.

That all sounds pretty basic. You didn’t find juicy insider info? Liiiike, I dunnoooo… some kind of weakness?

You’re asking for too much. If you want that kind of information, you’re better off asking Nice.

Well, knowing him, he probably wouldn’t recommend tactics that exploit people’s weaknesses.

Anyway, Valkyrie is a unit with a clearly defined brand and a strong identity, which you don’t see very often in Japan.

It might be because they’re so meticulous when it comes to the quality of their performances, but apparently they don’t perform live as often as other units.

They’d have to pick and choose what work they accept then, wouldn’t they~? They probably don’t have much media clout either.

If they’re aiming to put on a top-notch performance every single time, then trying to do too many shows might hurt the quality, or it just might not be worth it financially.

Yes. That’s exactly it.

You sure took your time. It looked like you couldn’t decide what to order. What did you end up getting?

Well, it turned out they were just in the middle of making the fondant au chocolat that Nozomi-san wanted.

So he and I were able to order ones that were freshly made ♪

I got one for you too, Mashu-san. I figured you would want to eat it as soon as we met up, so I ordered it ahead of time… Is that okay?

Oh, wait. You might have wanted a different cake instead, though…

I’m sorry! If you don’t like it, then I’ll just eat both of them…!

No, no! If anything I actually really appreciate it! Gramps is super happy that you were thoughtful enough to think of him ahead of time~♪

Newcomer, move your belongings. The seat beside Juis belongs to me.

No, there are empty seats over there. Making him move his things would just be a hassle, wouldn’t it?

…So you’re siding with the newcomer, Juis?

It’s fine! It’s fine really, Juis-kun. If I’m only moving my bags, then it’s no big deal.

Hmph. That’s a commendable attitude for a newcomer.

Whatever works.

Anyway. Tsuzura, what did you mean earlier?

…? Nomnom… gulp…

What did I mean about what?

Didn’t you just chime in while we were talking about Valkyrie?

Oh, yeah! You’re right! Sorry, I got so caught up in how good this cake was that I kind of forgot…

Um, so… I’ve heard a bit about Valkyrie from an ES employee before.

Things like how they struggle to fund their activities as a unit, or how sometimes they prioritize their artistic vision over their live performances.

And how maybe it’s because they have such high standards, they keep the staff constantly on their toes.

To put it simply, Valkyrie is an antiquated and arrogant unit.

True. I think they did only stream like once during the Megastream~

I guess it’s more like some parts of them are behind the times?

The mere idea that those aesthetes could defeat MELLOW DEAR US would be impossible even if the world were turned upside down.

A match with such an obvious outcome is hardly entertaining.

That’s true. Objectively, they’re not really an opponent MELLOW DEAR US should lose to.

But we said the same thing during Mainstream Megasphere, didn’t we?

You’re still on about that, Juis?

Bringing up that one exception repeatedly is rather irritating.

Don’t be like that. Even if it was just an exception, it doesn’t change the fact that it happened.

There’s no denying that we’re strong, but ES idols are even more unpredictable.

They could come into “MM”¹ with a strategy that even you wouldn’t see coming, Madoka.

Not only that, but they’re the ones that chose France as the host country.

I’ve heard that Itsuki-san has been very active in the arts here. We should probably take into account the popularity they might have.

I mean, Mainstream Megasphere was an event that packed enough of a punch already, even though we were pretty outnumbered.

But in a genuine one-on-one showdown, there’s no shot MELLOW DEAR US is gonna lose.

(Sighs)… It seems you both are overestimating Valkyrie.

I consider those concerns to be entirely unfounded, but… very well.

Let us thouroughly crush them if that is what you wish, Juis.

I didn’t say we should go that far.

I think it’d be nice if we both got to put on a great performance…♪

Well then, Juis… If we intend to defeat Valkyrie, there is something we must make clear first.

…? Something we must make clear?