Pursuing Dream and Original Aspiration
categoryStory:
Character:
夢を追い、初心を忘れずに
| category | story | ending | Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shiny Concerto Story | Pursuing Dream and Original Aspiration | Pursuing Dream and Original Aspiration |
Will this live... really be a success? [-] While Toru and Hinana have found their venue, Madoka and Koito have returned to the Mahjong Soul Shrine enveloped in a cloud of gloom. [-] Once they arrived in One Han City, all the money they had with them was somehow transformed into the common currency of One Han City--coppers. While the girls don't need to worry about money, the amount they have is a drop in the bucket compared to the going rate of renting concert equipment. [Ichihime] A copper shortage is a serious, serious issue, nyaa! I've gone hungry plenty of times because of it. Good thing my master foots the bill, nyaa. [-] After hearing the girls' story, Ichihime determinedly takes out her wallet... [Koito Fukumaru] No, put that away! We can't accept your money... [-] Clink! A lone copper coin falls from the wallet, letting out a stifled cry when it hits the mahjong table. [Koito Fukumaru] I just went to the new food court and ate a ton of amazing food. That's all I have left, nyaa... [Koito Fukumaru] ... [Madoka Higuchi] ... [Kaguyahime] Pfft--Hehehe! That's simply hilarious! [Ichihime] Grrrr! Bad rabbit, no laughing, nyaa! Why don't you get your purse out and help, nyaa?! [Kaguyahime] Huh? Even if they had paid me tribute, the idea of a deity giving mere mortals money is ludicrous. Out of the question! [Kaguyahime] Although... since you're such little darlings, I guess I could point you in the right direction... [-] Moments later, Koito and Madoka Higuchi have logged in to One Han City's social media site, CatChat, and are looking quizzically at the home page. [Madoka Higuchi] What should high school idols transported to another world do when they learn that the only way home is to hold a live concert?... Is this post...? [Kaguyahime] Since there's no one else around to help, you might as well try your luck online. If you make a relatable post explaining your situation on CatChat, who knows what help could come out of the woodwork. [Kaguyahime] Besides, this little midget of a priestess can do more than stuff her face. Her CatChat account is actually quite useful! Hehehe! [Kaguyahime] And now, we wait. After they publish it to CatChat, the girls' post does indeed start trending. However... [Ichihime] Was the priestess's account hacked? nyaa... [Koito Fukumaru] How much was she paid to promote this new girl group?... [Madoka Higuchi] Are all girl groups going the isekai route now?... [Ichihime] Grrr...! Why doesn't anyone believe me?! {var:Shake} [Koito Fukumaru] D-Don't be mad, please. I-If I hadn't experienced it myself, I don't think I'd believe it's possible to be transported to another world either. [-] Ring, ring... Ring, ring... [-] Just when they're at a loss, the crisp ringtone of Ichihime's phone shatters the tense atmosphere. [Hibiki Himekawa] I was surprised to see your name in the trending posts. Don't tell me you're a clout chaser now? [Ichihime] Of course not, nyaa! Madoka and Koito are my friends who were transported to One Han City. They're here at the Mahjong Soul Shrine now, nyaa! [Hibiki Himekawa] Tch, looks like someone's locked and loaded. I'm on my way to the Mahjong Soul Shrine with my gear now. Why don't you and your friends stream with me when I get there? [Ichihime] Stream... nyaa? [Hibiki Himekawa] Yes, stream. We have to ride this wave while we still can, so let's team up. We can split the stream earnings 50/50. How's that sound? [Ichihime] Sp... Split, nyaa? [-] Ichihime shoots Madoka an inquisitive glance. Thinking of their funding shortage, Madoka responds without a moment's hesitation. [Madoka Higuchi] You've got a deal. Half an hour later [Hibiki Himekawa] Yo, chat. Welcome to Hibiki's channel. We have two very special guests joining us today, Madoka Higuchi and Koito Fukumaru--or, as you may know them from today's trending posts, "the idols from another world!" [Hibiki Himekawa] Now, why don't we dive into the matter of whether this is a promotional gimmick or the real deal? [Koito Fukumaru] (whisper) Remember to engage with the fans, remember to engage with the fans... Whew, okay, I'm ready. [Hibiki Himekawa] You've got this! But see this light here? That means we've already started streaming. [Koito Fukumaru] Huh?! [Hibiki Himekawa] Oh, here we go! This person asks: "Were you really transported here from another world?" [Madoka Higuchi] Yes, we were. If you don't believe us, then provide your evidence. We're done explaining ourselves. [Hibiki Himekawa] ...Heh, Madoka's got the hang of this. She's already engaging with the comments like it's no biggie. [Madoka Higuchi] Well, as high school idols, we do a lot of work of a similar nature. [Hibiki Himekawa] Well, that makes things easier. After all, sometimes you get canny messages from the chat. Like this one I saw from username "Full Flush": "How is life in your world different from One Han City?" Let's have Koito answer this one. [Koito Fukumaru] Huh? S-Sure... Um, actually... it's pretty much the same... but... if I had to be really specific, I'd say that there aren't talking cats and rabbits in our world... [Hibiki Himekawa] If you stay in One Han City a little longer, you'll find that we don't just have talking cats and rabbits here--we also have side-hustling foxes, kendo-loving wolves, tigers learning to be ladies, and foodie dragons... [Hibiki Himekawa] Next question: "Is there anything you hope to achieve now that you've been transported across space and time?" [Koito Fukumaru] To hold a live concert. [Madoka Higuchi] That's right. [Hibiki Himekawa] Heh... The comments are coming in way too fast... Let's see... "Why do you wanna perform so much?" [Hibiki Himekawa] Huh? What kind of question is that? Because they're idols, duh! Shall we skip this one? [Koito Fukumaru] I-It's fine! Well, um... we want to have a live... because... the priestess said that it's the only way for us to return to our own world... [Hibiki Himekawa] Huh? You mean, you won't want to perform anymore once you go back? [Koito Fukumaru] Oh, no, that's not it... We'll still want to perform even then of course... because... [Madoka Higuchi] So, this is asking why we first wanted to become idols, right? [Koito Fukumaru] Well, we first wanted to become idols... because... [Hibiki Himekawa] Hey, now! These questions are deviating from our theme, this isn't group therapy. Doesn't anyone want to tell our super cute guests about life in One Han City? [Hibiki Himekawa] You know, like great places to eat, fun streamers to watch... Ahem, you know what to recommend, don't you? [-] Seeing her guests so deep in thought, Hibiki--who volunteered to be the host of this livestream--steers the conversation back on track just in time. The change of topic also triggers a surge of discussion in the chat, and the barrage of new comments is enough to snap the girls out of their thoughts. [Koito Fukumaru] M-Mahjong...? [Hibiki Himekawa] Bingo! You could say that mahjong is the soul of One Han City--as well as an essential skill for any One Han City resident! [Madoka Higuchi] Is mahjong really that much fun? [Hibiki Himekawa] Heh... That's enough to convince me that you're not from this city at least. Well... I could go on all day about mahjong, but I think it's better you experience it for yourselves. Hey, gawkers--come play a game of mahjong with us. [Kaguyahime] Oh? Since you've availed yourself of my divine presence to fill your table, don't be surprised if I play to win. [Ichihime] I'm in my top form today, I'll definitely win big, nyaa! [Koito Fukumaru] ...Hmm?! It's decided already...? I-I'm afraid... [Hibiki Himekawa] There's nothing to be afraid of. I'll be your mahjong coach, you two just need to go for it. [Ichihime] Pon-nyaa! [Kaguyahime] With that, I win! Riichi, Ippatsu, Pure Double Sequence, Pinfu, and Dora 3. 12,000 points! [Ichihime] Nyaa! I fell for the bad rabbit's trap, nyaa... [-] Perhaps it was "beginner's luck," but at the game's end, first-time players Madoka and Koito came in second and third place respectively, while Ichihime came in fourth. [Ichihime] Hmph, nyaa! Again! I'm getting first this time! [-] Ichihime vigorously rolls up her sleeves, leaving Koito perplexed beside her. [Koito Fukumaru] Ichihime, you came in last place, but you don't seem the least bit... Ah, never mind, sorry... [Hibiki Himekawa] Are you asking why Ichihime doesn't seem upset despite coming in last place? [Ichihime] Nyaa? Why would I be upset? My master says that you lost ten times for every win, nyaa. [Madoka Higuchi] I thought you said mahjong is the soul of One Han City. Isn't winning important to you? [Ichihime] Well, nyaa... no matter how much you like something, you won't enjoy it anymore if you're always putting that kind of pressure on yourself. [Kaguyahime] What matters isn't the outcome, but the joy of playing mahjong. You still have much to learn, humans. Hehehe! [Koito Fukumaru] I-I see! [Hibiki Himekawa] Well, as you can see, chat, these girls who "came from another world" are here now. If you wanna learn more about them, stay tuned for noctchill's upcoming live concert! [-] After the livestream ends, Hibiki checks over their earnings, then contently walks over to Koito and Madoka. [Hibiki Himekawa] Aw yeah. You guys seem to have a knack for streaming. Did you get used to it by the end? [Koito Fukumaru] Yeah... I felt relaxed on camera this time because I was so focused on playing mahjong. [Madoka Higuchi] Chilling out... Is that what this is about? [Koito Fukumaru] ...Madoka? [Madoka Higuchi] Chilling out, relaxing... Maybe that's why we were brought to One Han City in the middle of our tour. We have been under a lot of pressure lately. [Koito Fukumaru] Huh... Oh! S-So... this unknown force... brought us all here... to give us a break... and help us relax again! [Madoka Higuchi] Maybe, it's just a guess. [Koito Fukumaru] Relaxation, passion... enjoyment... I feel like... I understand myself a little better now. [Hibiki Himekawa] Well, now that you know yourself so well, you'll always know what to do and when to do it. [Hibiki Himekawa] Thanks to your post going viral, today's livestream did pretty well. Here, this should be enough to cover your equipment rental fees. [Madoka Higuchi] Thank you, Hibiki. [Hibiki Himekawa] No need to thank me, you earned it. But... there's one more thing I'd like from you two first. [Koito Fukumaru] Wh-What...? But... we don't have anything to give... [Hibiki Himekawa] Haha, oh, yes you do. The publicity work for your live--how about contracting it out to me? Hehe, you should know that I never sleep on viral trends! [Koito Fukumaru] Huh!? [Hibiki Himekawa] Is that a "no?" [Koito Fukumaru] No no no! Er... I mean, yes! Definitely yes! Right, Madoka? [Madoka Higuchi] Yeah, we really appreciate it. Thanks. [-] It's nightfall, and by the time Madoka and Koito finally get their hands on the rentals needed for the show, Toru and Hinana are also back with good news about the venue. With the pieces all in place, this special One Han City live concert is finally on track. [-] Late into the night, the four girls unwind together in the guest room of the Mahjong Soul Shrine, chatting about the events of the day. [Hinana Ichikawa] Aha, we had such an interesting day. A girl named Ayako told us that we were sent here because our unfulfilled wish was to hold a live... [Madoka Higuchi] Really? Koito and I actually had a similar conversation. [Koito Fukumaru] That's right. So, maybe... our being here isn't a bad thing after all... [Toru Asakura] So... what should we sing? [Koito Fukumaru] ...What should we sing? [Madoka Higuchi] How about songs that fit the mood? We do have plenty from our repertoire to choose from. [Koito Fukumaru] ...Oh! R-Right! We still haven't decided on our set list! I... I completely forgot! [Toru Asakura] Mm-hm. And don't forget about our audio sources, lighting, and hair and makeup... Hehe, we've got our work cut out for us. [Koito Fukumaru] ...Ehh?! [Hinana Ichikawa] Yaha, we sure do... but... we can talk about that tomorrow... Zzzz... Looks like our idols have a lot to think about... |