beyondskyfall

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 9

(←back to masterlist)

——The Previous Night——



Oscar: Hmm......

Brad: I’m back.

Oscar: If they want to see the night sky, then perhaps climbing to higher ground would be best...? But then camping gear would be required...

Brad: Oscar...?

Oscar: Oh, welcome back, Brad-sama.

Brad: Might I ask what you’re reading?

Oscar: Oh, this... While I was walking around a book shop, I noticed this magazine that features romantic locations and scenarios, so I purchased it.

However, as I started to read, I realized the content is quite difficult to understand - much more so than a regular book.

Brad: Is that so?

Oscar: Yes, but it seems that visiting the ocean at night qualifies as a romantic experience. Why don’t you and Akira try going tomorrow?

Brad: Are you sure it doesn’t specify going in the summer? I imagine the beach would be quite cold this time of year...

Oscar: You’re right... The sea breeze would likely be unbearable...

I apologize for providing you with poor information, Brad-sama.

Brad: Don’t worry about it.

Even if it’s cold out, you can still hear the waves at night, so it could still be considered romantic.

I’ll try taking him if there’s time. Thank you, Oscar.

Oscar: Y-You’re welcome! Good luck!

———



Akira: ......

Brad: ......

Akira: Man, it’s freezing...

Brad: ...The breeze is strong.

Akira: This probably is romantic and all, but it’s too cold out.

If Oscar were here, he’d definitely freeze and try to curl up to stay warm.

Brad: I could see it.

Akira: Hey, Brad? There’s somethin’ I’ve been wanting to ask you.

How was Oscar able to so easily charm all his fans like that? He doesn’t understand romance either, so I woulda thought he’d struggle like I did.

Brad: ...I have a guess.

Oscar doesn’t mince words.

And I believe it’s precisely because he doesn’t provide lip service that his honest, earnest feelings drive straight into the hearts of his fans.

Moreover, it’s likely that the fans that came to see him support him because they’re charmed by his character.

Akira: That makes sense. The fans that came to see us became our fans in the first place because they love us.

But then why weren’t you able to pull it off?

Brad: As the number of fans increases, their desires also diversify.

It seems I wasn’t fully able to understand that at the time.

Akira: You mean that everyone likes a different part of you? Like one person might like your appearance, another might like your whole “efficiency” deal, and another might like how you’re naggy?

Brad: Those feel like very pointed examples, but yes.

Akira: That means you just gotta find the one common thing they all like, yeah?

Brad: ...If such a thing existed, we likely could’ve avoided this situation entirely.

Akira: ......

Jack: “Emergency, emergency!

Eclipse has appeared in the vicinity of Olive Avenue. All Heroes in the area should make their way over at once.”

Akira: Eclipse appeared?!

Brad: They’re close...

Akira: Let’s go too, Brad!

Brad: Agreed.

This is Brad Beams of South Sector. I’m heading to Olive Avenue.

Jack: “Roger that... I will inform the Heroes on patrol.”

Brad: Let’s go, Akira.

Akira: Yeah!

———

←Chapter 8 | back to masterlist | Chapter 10→

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 6

(←back to masterlist)



Nova: Goooood work out there, everyone! ☆ I was able to get some data from the people cured of Romantic Rampage Syndrome~

It looks like the people who came to see Will-kun and Oscar-kun are fully cured. Their vitals have returned back to normal levels.

Will: Oh, thank goodness...

Oscar: I’m glad it worked out.

Nova: But, y’see... While the two of you pulled it off, I unfortunately can’t say that things went according to plan for Akira-kun and Brad-kun.

Akira: Wait, even Brad?!

Brad: ......

Oscar: What is the meaning of this?! Any words that come out of Brad-sama’s mouth should carry an air of romance with them!

Nova: There were a lot of fans who came to see Brad-kun, after all. He had more than anyone else.

Brad: No, that shouldn’t matter. If things had gone according to plan, the event still should have concluded without issue.

I simply failed to meet the needs of the citizens who came to see me.

Oscar: Brad-sama...

Akira: So you’re saying Brad and I are on the same level this time?

Brad: It would appear so.

Akira: ...That’s pretty unlike you.

Brad: It seems I have more to learn about what “romance” entails.

Nova: The things that people find romantic and get their hearts going is completely subjective~

That’s why I made this based off of the data I gathered today, just in case it could give you some kind of hint.

A romance measuring device～♪

Akira: The hell is that...?

Nova: As long as you have this device, it’ll alert you with a little sound any time someone’s heart is set a-flutter.

That way, you’ll be able to know exactly when someone feels the love! I thought it could be helpful to have.

Oscar: Indeed, it could be a great help.

Akira: ...Oh god, not technology... How do you use it?

Nova: All you have to do is press this red switch. Then it’ll automatically detect...

Ping!

...And alert you with a noise like this.

Will: Wow... With a mechanism as simple as that, even Akira should be able to use it.

Akira: ...I told you, I only struggle a little with technology.

But yeah, I think I can handle this.

Hey... Could this device also tell me what things I might find romantic, too?

Nova: Yeah, it should.

Akira: Sweet. In that case, we gotta start looking.

Will: For what?

Akira: Romance, dude, romance! We gotta go somewhere and do some stuff to try to find it!

Will: Hmm... I guess there are plenty of things out there that could give us hints.

Oscar: Searching for romance... That’s a new one for me...

Nova: I think the same could be said for all of you, don’t you think?

Akira: Brad, you comin’ with?

Brad: ......

Akira: What is it?

———

←Chapter 5 | back to masterlist | Chapter 7→

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 4

(←back to masterlist)



—The Day of the Event—

Akira’s Fan A: Um, your ever-cheerful and optimistic attitude is really inspiring to me! Do your best to become a Major Hero!

Akira: Thanks for the support! I'll become a Major Hero so fast your head will spin!

Akira’s Fan A: I’ll be watching!

Um, please accept these as well. They’re handmade, so I hope you like them...

Akira: Wow, thanks! ♪ Don’t mind if I do!

Man, these are awesome! Since they’re not too sweet, even I can savor every last bite!

Akira’s Fan A: Whew, Akira-san accepted them... ba-dum [1]

Huh... I feel a lot more calm now. My favorite Hero really is a balm for my soul, huh...

Akira: (Nice, looks like everything is going according to plan.)

(I’d love to keep this pace up until the very end, but... it’s getting harder and harder to stomach all these sweets...)

(I bet this is tough even for Will.)

———

Will: Wow, these handmade chocolates are amazing! ♪ The quality rivals the ones you’d find in a sweets shop!

Will’s Fan B: Wow, my favorite Hero ate a piece of my super sweet chocolate... ba-dum

U-Um... I heard that you really like sweets, Will-san, so I tried to make the world’s sweetest chocolate for you.

Will: Hehe, so you made them specifically to suit my tastes? That was sweet of you. ♪

Will’s Fan B: Yes, but they won’t keep very long... I gave you so many of them, too... I’m sorry.

Will: Oh, it’s no trouble at all! I’m going to check the dates on all of them to make sure I eat them while they’re still good.

So even if I get a bunch of sweets today, it’s no bother.

Will’s Fan B: Wow, you can handle a ton of sweet stuff... ba-dum (again)

———

Akira: (Looks like I had nothing to worry about. Typical Will.)

Well, I can’t fall behind! Next, please!

Akira’s Fan B: U-Um, Akira-san, I’m a big fan...

Akira: Thanks! Didja want a handshake? A photo? Whatever it is, I’ll give it to you at max voltage!

Akira’s Fan B: T-Then, um... You see, I’m getting married soon. I’d like for you to do your best to stop me from going through with it...

Akira: ......You want me to what now?

Akira’s Fan B: You just have to try to hold me back! Even if you’re just pretending! I look up to you so much, I just want you to do everything in your power to stop me...

Akira: You want me to stop you...? If you don’t wanna go through with it, why not just throw in the towel?

Akira’s Fan B: That’s not what I mean! I’m not getting cold feet or anything—my partner is an amazing person!

Akira: Then congratulations are in order, yeah? I hope you have a happy marriage!

Akira’s Fan B: Nooooo! That’s not what will make me happyyyyy... I mean, it does, but it doesn’t eitherrrrr!

Akira: Huh?

Akira’s Fan B: That’s not what I want! I want you to stop me!

Akira: Huh???

———

Oscar: You want me to stop you...

I’m not sure I understand the circumstances, but—don’t get married.

Oscar’s Fan B: Ahhh, the magic words straight from my favorite Hero’s mouth... ba-dum

———

Brad: Marriage is a lifelong commitment. If you’re hesitant to go through with it, I’ll listen to your worries.

Brad’s Fan A: Sniff... To think that Brad-sama would listen to me so earnestly... ba-dum

———

Will: (Oh, I think I saw this in a drama my sister was watching once...)

You’re getting married? To someone other than me?!

Will’s Fan A: That’s exactly what I wanted to hear... ba-dum

———

[1] トゥンク (tunk) is one of those words that's hard to decide how to translate. It is supposed to be a single onomatopoetic word to express someone’s heart fluttering in their chest or beating really fast... the exact thing needed to “cure” the people of the Substance’s influence.

←Chapter 3 | back to masterlist | Chapter 5→

Fluttering Hearts Seek the Romantic | Chapter 2

(←back to masterlist)



Brad: There are more people gathered in here than the report suggested...

Oscar, you move to recover the Substance! Akira, you back him up.

Oscar: Yessir! Let’s move, Akira.

Akira: Right! Not that I have any interest in being your backup, though.

Brad: Will, you and I will lead the people somewhere safe.

Will: Understood!

Brad: Substance has appeared inside the stadium! Everyone, Please evacuate from here immediately!

Brad’s Fans: OMGGGGGG!!

Brad: What on earth?!

Brad’s Fan A: Brad-samaaa! Show me the evacuation route! Pleeease guide me!

Brad’s Fan B: Guide us through the skies, Brad-san!

Brad: The skies...? I apologize, but there isn’t time for this.

Will: Brad-san, I’ll lead them away!

Everyone, please follow me!

Will’s Fan A: Ohmygod YES! I’ll follow you! I’ll go anywhere you go, Will-san!

Will’s Fan B: Take me with you! Please give me some sweet words with extra whip on top!

Will: Um, extra whip...?

Brad: (The citizens are acting differently than normal... I don’t know the cause, but if this continues it will make evacuation quite rough...)

This is Brad. Can you hear me, Oscar? Akira?

Oscar: “Yes, I hear you.”

Brad: The citizens are acting strange.

Sorry, but it’ll take some time to evacuate everyone. Recover the Substance as quickly as possible.

Oscar: Yessir!

Akira: I mean, the people over here aren’t acting any better...

Oscar’s Fan A: Oscar-san, your muscles are insane! Hey, is that an itty bitty Substance riding on your shoulder?

Oscar: ...Akira, is there anything on my shoulder?

Akira: Nope, nothin’.

Akira’s Fan A: Akira-kuuun! Give us a “voltage max”!!

Akira’s Fan B: Akira, set our hearts on fire!!

Akira: This is some crazy atmosphere... We’ve gotta recover that Substance before it gets worse! Let’s hurry, Oscar!

Oscar: Right.

———

←Chapter 1 | back to masterlist | Chapter 3→

[SunriseｘStars Collab] Koga Ogami 3★ Card Story | Idol Lesson

←back to masterlist



Koga: WRAAAAAAAGH!!!

Akira: Huh?! What the hell, Koga, warn a guy before you yell like that!

Koga: Pipe down, will ya? I’m a ball of stress right now.

For cryin’ out loud, where is Sakuma-senpai and what the hell is he doin’? He’s not pickin’ up his phone, either... God dammit!

Akira: I mean, I get why you’re stressed out, searching high and low for him downtown without any leads to go off of...

We only looked around Red South today, so we should check out some other areas tomorrow.

Koga: Ngh...

Akira: Wait, are you about to start howling again?

Koga: WRAAAAAAAGH!!! PUT A CORK IN IT AND LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!

Akira: Knock it off, will you?! If you kick up a huge fuss, Jack is gonna storm in here and tell us off!

Koga: Who the hell is Jack? I don’t give a damn what he thinks!

Akira: He’s like, this robot who can do a bunch of helpful things! But he’ll also strike you down with an iron fist with zero hesitation, so we gotta watch it!

Koga: Ugh...

Akira: ...Are you like, a real-deal idol?

I don’t get that kind of vibe from you at all.

Koga: ‘Scuse me?! Just who do you think you are?!

Akira: I mean, it's not like I know the first thing about idols, but... Do they all howl as much as you?

Koga: I ain’t howlin’! I’m a proud lone wolf! I’m one-of-a-kind!

‘Sides, I should be the one askin’ you if you’re really a Hero, Akira. You sure ain’t actin’ like one right now.

Akira: What’d you just say?!

Koga: Do all Heroes have issues usin’ a smartphone?

Akira: ?!

Koga: I knew it! It’s just you, isn’t it!

You gonna be okay? I heard this city is super futuristic and shit, but if you’re that bad with tech, then...

Akira: I-I don’t need your concern! I can just leave all of that stuff to the guys who know how to handle it!

Besides, I’m strong, so I’m a huge help to have around when enemies show up! I’m a natural-born Hero!

Koga: That right?

Akira: I-I... Uhhh...

???: Ummm... Sorry, Oscar-san, could you run that by me one more time, please?

Akira & Koga: Hmm?



Oscar: My apologies, Will... You ended up confused due to my poor explanation...

Will: S-Sorry! I wasn’t trying to blame you at all!

Akira: Yo, what are you two arguing about?

Will: Hey Akira, hey Koga-kun. We’re not fighting, don’t worry. However...

Oscar: I was hoping to ask for advice regarding what we should do for Million Park’s opening celebration.

However, I’m terrible at explaining things, so I’m having trouble getting my ideas across...

Akira: Huh...

Koga: ...Are all Heroes like this?

Akira: Have you decided exactly what we’re gonna do?

Oscar: The organizer has requested a dance performance.

Will: Not only that, but it came with the vague request that the dance be “heroic”...

Akira: A heroic dance...? The hell does that mean?

Oscar: I’ve more or less thought of a general idea, but it’s difficult to put into words...

I was thinking... Akira and Will stand in the center, and enemies woosh in and surround you. Then, while turning in circles, you could unleash strikes or kicks against the enemies in time with the dance...

And at the end, you could sort of... It would be nice if you could convey “justice!” with a flash and a bang, like this... What do you think?

Akira & Will: ......

Akira: THAT MADE NO SENSE!!!!

Oscar: Ngh... I still couldn’t explain it clearly...

Will: Please, pick your head up, Oscar-san! I’ll take the time to figure it out piece by piece!

Koga: Hey, you know what music you’re gonna use yet?

Akira: Koga?

Oscar: Yes, we have the music. The organizer requested we create a dance to go with this track.

Koga: Then lemme hear it.

Oscar: U-Understood. Wait just a moment.

Akira: What are you up to?

Koga: Just stand back and watch.

Oscar: Okay, here we go.

Koga: Oooh, nice, it’s got a little rock influence in there. ♪

...This what you had in mind?

Oscar & Will: ...!

Koga: ♪～♪～♪

Will: U-Unbelievable... This is all improvised?

Oscar: Unleashing strikes and kicks... as if fighting an enemy...?

Koga: And at the end...Bang!

Will & Oscar: Whoa! That was awesome!

Oscar: Even with such a pitiful explanation, you were still able to take the picture in my head and bring it to life... You have an incredible talent, Koga.

Koga: Nah, I only understood about halfa what you were sayin’. Like the part about Akira and Will spinnin’.

But knowin’ the “heroic” theme and hearin’ the music meant I could throw somethin’ together to suit ‘em.

We’ve got some guys in a different group who try to embody heroes when they perform, so I had a reference. [1]

I mean, I basically performed like we do in UNDEAD, so there was no doubt it’d rock your socks off.

Will: So this is what you’re capable of when you sing and dance on a regular basis, huh? Idols are pretty incredible.

Oscar: Would you mind showing me again? It’s a great idea for a dance, so I’d really like to be able to use it.

Koga: I guess Heroes got it kinda rough sometimes too, needin’ to do things like this... That was all improvised, so I’ll help ya think of somethin’ more solid.

Oscar: You will?! That would be a huge help.

Akira: Hmmmmm...

Koga: Huh? You got somethin’ to say to me, Akira?

Akira: Not really, I was just thinking you did alright is all.

Koga: The hell, man? If you thought it was cool, then tell it to me straight.

Will: He’s right, Akira.

Akira: I thought it was great! You should teach me a thing or two while we’re here. ♪

Koga: ...Sure, I’m fine with that. Ain’t like I got anything better to do now that it’s dark out.

Akira: Hell yeah! Lay it on me, idol boy!

Koga: And? When were you plannin’ on finally showin’ me your Heroic side? I’m still waitin’.

Akira: ?!

Nghhh... Oscar! Will! Tell him how cool I am!

Oscar: !! Akira will ignite fires with a whoosh! and kick enemies down like blam!... then he’ll go shhhhhhh!! and make the flames even bigger, sort of like this...

Akira: Ugh, I have no freakin’ clue what you’re saying!!!

———

[1] Of course, Koga is talking about Ryuuseitai!

←back to masterlist