Romantic Date (8)

Now, let’s begin filming once again.

Hiii! I’ll be in your care!

Yes, and I in yours.

I believe Anzu-san was able to communicate with the producers of “Ai-stars” and get them to switch the pairings.

Now, the pairings will be “Kazehaya Tatsumi and Ayase Mayoi” as well as “HiMERU and Oukawa Kohaku”. Let’s all do our best to act as “characters in a dating simulator”~

Even if it’s just a little, I’ll give it my best…!

Just so you know. Anzu-han is gonna be off to the side somewhere filming with some special equipment.

Just act natural and don’t be too uptight about the camera being around. That’s probably the correct answer you keep looking for too. If you try acting, it’s just gonna feel forced, so you’re better off just doing as you normally do.

That’s how me and Love-han got the “OK” yesterday too, we just talked like normal. I don’t really get any of the reasoning behind it, but what the director says goes I guess.

—If “Ai-stars” is meant to be a dating simulator between men and women, then wouldn’t it be more efficient to create a pairing with Anzu-san?

HiMERU was also unfamiliar with “men whispering sweet nothings to each other”, so he wasn’t able to act well without enough information.

Though if a pairing with Anzu-san was created, there would at least be a specific way to act. There’s multiple examples to follow from existing books and movies.

See, that’s what I said, but it turns out Anzu-han isn’t comfortable with it. She doesn’t like the idea of Producers misusing their power against idols or something.

That’s the exact premise of “Ai-stars” though.

—Well, forcing people into doing something they don’t want to is no good. Idols are oftentimes made to do jobs they don’t like with smiles on their faces, and Anzu-san is no idol.

Yes. Though I must feel grateful since she’s doing so much to help us despite this not being her issue ro begin with.

Anzu-san is truly a wonderful Producer. Seeing as we’re indebted to her, we as idols should complete this task with all we have.

But first, we should spend time together and with our respective partners since that was the instructions we received first. Best of luck, HiMERU-san.

Haa. Tatsumi hanging around aimlessly is annoying, but HiMERU is determined to complete the job thoroughly.

Yes. I respect that part of you greatly—I always have.

…

Alright, Mayoi-san! Let us begin this fun date! I’m not really familiar with dating, but we should spend time as if we’re a married couple having fun in a safe way, correct?

A married couple…?! I-it can’t be, I’m completely in shock!

Ah! Please look, there they’re selling clothes and accessories that would look wonderful on you Mayoi-san~

Hiii, a cross…?!

You don’t like it?

I don’t I doooooon’t, hiiii…! I’ll melt, I’ll melt and be turned into a heap of muuuuud?!

Kokoko~ Those two over there seem pretty chummy don’t they? I suppose we’d have to act our part in a chummy scene too, but I’m not too keen on that kinda thing.

I meant to ask Love-han about it yesterday since he seemed to know a bunch about that kinda thing, but we got the “OK” while we were distracted talking about something else…I really just don’t get it.

So I’m not really sure what to do. HiMERU-han, maybe you could tell me? HiMERU-han, you know I’d help you out in any way I can, right? Do you need to hold hands? Hey, hey?

What’s with that question mark?!

What are you on about?! Just what is going on with you lately, HiMERU-han? Maybe you should take a break?

—No. HiMERU and Tatsumi are the main focuses of this activity, so we can’t possibly leave.

If you say so…

Seeing as you and the others came all the way here, Oukawa, getting this done today needs to be ensured no matter the cost.

—So please don’t worry, HiMERU is a professional.

Hold on, wasn’t the reason we had to come out here to begin with because “the professional” was rusty…?

(Ggggh! How absurd! This is inconceivable! HiMERU was just talking like he usually does, and yet Oukawa’s Affinity keeps going down!)

(Wait. Actually, why is Oukawa’s Affinity so low to begin with? According to HiMERU’s calculations it should be 90 at the very least!)

Ufufu. Seems like this is really running you through the dirt, HiMERU-han.

Kokoko~ Maybe this isn’t the best time to say so, but I’m kind of glad. You really don’t show when you’re having trouble at all, HiMERU-han. You definitely don’t show emotions like anger or envy either.

…Because HiMERU is an idol. The best and the most perfect in the world.

Yeah. Maybe so, but “Crazy:B” aren’t really perfect idols.

Take Niki-han, for example. He’s always thinking about food like a kid or animal.

And then there’s Rinne-han, who’s always got something to be pissed at, but he swallows it and calmly puts a plan together. He’s like a steam engine that’s got a roaring flame in him, and that’s what keeps him going.

We’ve only been able to come this far being tugged along by a guy like him.

—Just what are you trying to say, Oukawa?

Basically, our leader Rinne-han would never ignore the fire that’s in us. If anything, he’d actually just fuel it even more.

…

I’ve always been angry too.

At the annoyances of day to day life. At this unfair world. At my family’s disturbing business. At the smiles of my parents and sisters, that always felt forced. Everything I hated I wanted to get rid of.

Rinne-han, and the rest of you at Crazy:B, accepted such an ugly side of me. I was allowed to be angry and to kick and scream like a spoiled brat.

All those people that say “don’t be an eyesore, don’t be shameful” and force our heads down, they’re our enemies.

Niki-han’s taught me a thing or two lately too. We can be more like him and follow our desires more. His way of living is the “correct” answer for “Crazy:B”. It’s part of the reason why Rinne-han loves him so much—and accepts him.

No, Amagi seems to be the hardest on Shiina.

Kokoko~ That just means Rinne-han’s not afraid to be himself too, right? He just lives however he wants without a care.

I want to live that way too…but I can’t force you to do that, HiMERU-han.

I don’t know what type of person you are, what you like or what you hate…I still don’t know a thing about you yet, HiMERU-han.

Oukawa, “I”—