Chapter 10: The Place We Want to Protect

Time Limit

Momo: If I don’t laugh, then I feel like I’ll be crushed by anxiety….
Momo: Because this happiness is borrowed.
Nanase Riku: ‘Borrowed?’
Momo: I…. I’m not the real Re:vale.

Nanase Riku: Not the real Re:vale…. What do you mean by that?
Momo: It’s just like it sounds.
Momo: We act like we’ve been childhood friends for over a decade…. And act like we’re a married couple…. But in reality it’s not like that at all.
Momo: I…. I was Yuki’s fan.
Nanase Riku: …Fan?

Yuki: I’m sorry, for extending the recording session and for causing trouble….
Show Producer: It’s fine. Re:vale has always been saving us. …More importantly, is Momo-kun alright?
Yuki: I don’t know….
Show Producer: You guys are the final performers for the reopening ceremony, right? You can’t fake it at a concert like you can on TV.
Yaotome Gaku: Do you have any guesses as to what the cause is?
Yuki: Gaku-kun….
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Ten chased after Momo-san just now. That’s the first time I’ve heard Momo-san raise his voice at you, Yuki-san.
Yaotome Gaku: Say. What did Momo-san mean when he said that?
Yaotome Gaku: “My time is up.”
Yuki: ……. That is….

Momo: Back when Yuki was doing indies rock, he was paired up with another person for Re:vale.
Nanase Riku: …Another person?
Momo: Yeah…. The two of them wrote the songs, sang them, and did everything.
Momo: They were super cool! Male idols usually have a lot of fangirls, but they were popular with guys too! Case in point, me.
Momo: I looked up to the two of them…. And I kept up with them avidly…. I loved them– I loved Re:vale.
Momo: Ah, they’re gonna have a major debut someday. I want all of Japan to know about Re:vale–
Momo: That’s what I thought.
Izumi Iori: …How did Re:vale end up in its current form? Did the other person fight with Yuki-san?
Momo: Not at all. The two of them got along very well. They both respected and acknowledged each other.
Momo: …And then one day, a famous producer called out to Re:vale.
Kujou Ten: …A famous producer…….
Momo: Yeah…. I forgot what their name was, but they used to manage Zero.
Nanase Riku: Zero’s manager!? That’s amazing!
Momo: Yeah. But they had very different ideas for direction, and the two ended up declining their offer.
Momo: They had intended on finding an agency that’d let them do things their way a little more, and then debut there.
Momo: But…. Right before their debut, Yuki-san’s partner got into an accident onstage.
Nanase Riku: Accident….
Momo: I saw it happen. A bulky light fixture suddenly dropped down towards Yuki-san, from right above his head.
Momo: His partner instantly went to protect him…. By the time we realized what was going on, his partner was crouched on stage, holding his face.
Momo: The performance was canceled…. They were able to save his partner, but apparently it left a terrible wound on his face.
Izumi Iori: …A light fixture falling down…. Is that even possible? Could it have been that someone was behind the accident?
Momo: There was also talk of that…. Like if it was out of jealousy, because of Re:vale’s popularity. Or if it was some staff member that got scolded and held a grudge against them.
Momo: After that happened, talk of debut with the agency they had decided upon fell through.
Momo: But….
Momo: That exact same famous producer proposed an idea to the two.

Famous Producer: This accident was just such a terrible misfortune. How about this– I have a proposal….
Famous Producer: If you come with me, I can get his face fixed perfectly. I’ll even foot the bill for the surgery.
Famous Producer: It is alright. There is no need to worry. You two have talent.
Famous Producer: …I’m certain that you two will become legends that will surpass Zero….

Momo: …Yuki, who felt responsibility for the wound on his partner’s face, lept at the proposal without a second thought.
Nanase Riku: …But didn’t they disagree on directionality?
Momo: They did…. Yuki-san’s partner had been worried about that.
Momo: “I want you to find a place where you can sing true to yourself, Yuki, and true to Re:vale.” These were the words he left on a note before disappearing.
Nanase Riku: …No way….
Momo: Yuki-san was really down in the dumps back then…. I couldn’t stand to watch him like that….
Momo: He couldn’t find his partner no matter what, even though he had frantically searched for him…. And so Yuki-san began to think about quitting.
Momo: When I heard that Yuki-san was thinking of quitting music, I just couldn’t stand still….
Momo: So I asked Yuki-san to make me his temporary partner.
Momo: “Even if it’s just until you find your partner, even if it’s just for five years, I don’t mind. Please team up with me.”
Momo: “I’m begging you, Yuki-san– I don’t want you to quit singing.”
Nanase Riku: Momo-san….
Momo: Haha…. Man, I was a big sloppy mess. I was crying and my nose was running, all while I was bowing. I was grossed out by myself, I mean.
Momo: But you know him, Yuki’s gentle. At first he was like, “I can’t think of teaming up with anyone besides him” and was really troubled, but….
Momo: After a month of asking, one morning, he agreed. …Ever since that day, it’s been like a dream.
Momo: Singing with Yuki, who I admired so much…. Sharing our troubles like friends, and winning a bunch of awards together….
Momo: …But this happiness isn’t mine. The current Re:vale isn’t the real Re:vale.
Kujou Ten: …That’s not true at all. The current Re:vale fans are fans of you and Yuki-san.
Kujou Ten: The current Re:vale is a dream that you and Yuki-san have reached together.
Momo: Haha…. That’s what I thought too. That me and Yuki are Re:vale too.
Momo: But Yuki’s still looking for his old partner. I overheard him on the phone, saying that he wanted to find him before the 5th anniversary.
Momo: I mean, I was the one who asked Yuki for five years. ….Do you get it now?
Momo: My time here is up when our fifth anniversary rolls around. …Or at least, that’s what Yuki thinks.

To be continued….

Surprisingly no TL notes!!!! I’m gonna be blasting thru story tl’s at full steam now that I’m on break (HALLELUJAH)!!!

qc’d as usual by @kuriiii

As usual, if you see any mistakes/mistranslations/etc, please message me!

Thank you for reading!!

10.2 - You Don’t Understand!

Kujou Ten: The current Re:vale is a dream that you and Yuki-san have reached together.
Momo: Haha…. That’s what I thought too. That me and Yuki are Re:vale too.
Momo: But Yuki’s still looking for his old partner. I overheard him on the phone, saying that he wanted to find him before the 5th anniversary.
Momo: I mean, I was the one who asked Yuki for five years. ….Do you get it now?
Momo: My time here is up when our fifth anniversary rolls around. …Or at least, that’s what Yuki thinks.
*click*
Yuki: That’s not what I think at all.
Nanase Riku: ……! Yuki-san….
Momo: …Yuki….
Yuki: So that’s what you were worried about. Is that why you can’t sing anymore?
Momo: I just….
Yaotome Gaku: Momo-san, you’ve got it wrong. Yuki-san just wanted to invite his partner to the concert, since it’s a milestone.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: He thinks of you as his real partner, Momo-san. Right, Yuki-san?
Yuki: Well, I guess so.
Yaotome Gaku: You guess so? Shouldn’t you have said something more concrete?
Yaotome Gaku: Like “There’s no one who can replace you” or “You’re the only partner I’ll have, forever.”
Yuki: Gaku-kun. Unlike you, the #1 Most Desired Man, I get embarrassed quite easily.
Yaotome Gaku: I’m pretty shy too, you know!
Kujou Ten・Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Not in the slightest.
Momo: You don’t have to force yourself. Yuki’s really nice so he can’t stand to abandon me. That’s all.
Yuki: That’s not it at all.
Momo: But you actually want to go back to performing with your old partner, don’t you? (1)
Yuki: ……. Not at all–
Momo: See! You paused just now!!
Yuki: No, no. It’s because I thought I was going to sneeze.
Momo: That’s how you always try to pass things off! I know that you flip through your old photo albums every night!
Yuki: My best friend literally went missing. Can you blame me for being sentimental?
Momo: After a few drinks, all you ever do is reminisce and talk about your old partner!
Yuki: Sorry, sorry.
Momo: And sometimes you mumble, ’ he could’ve done it’!
Yuki: I do not.
Momo: You have, though!!
Yuki: Then I apologize.
Momo: It’s fine, you don’t have to! You have lingering feelings for your old partner, don’t you!!
Yuki: I guess. It’d be a lie if I said no….
Momo: So you do! That’s the same as cheating on me! I’m going back to my family!! (2)
Yuki: Stop it, Mom. Not in front of the kids….
Izumi Iori: Just who are the kids….
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Just what kind of fight is this?
Nanase Riku: But, I do understand how Momo-san feels. It must’ve been quite a blow to be compared to someone he admires.
Yaotome Gaku: Really? I feel like Momo-san’s being kind of a sissy.
Kujou Ten: So long as you know won’t lose, being compared to others shouldn’t faze you.
Momo: These kouhai and their “winners’” life mentality…. I’m scared, Riku…. I love kids like you, Riku….
Nanase Riku: Yeah! Ten-nii, you don’t get it! You can do everything and anything, but never once have you put me first–
Kujou Ten: What?
Nanase Riku: Ah–
Kujou Ten: I devoted all of my time to you and I took such good care of you, and this is what you say to me?
Kujou Ten: So you just thought I was annoying, all while saying “Ten-nii, I love you?” That’s rather two-faced.
Yaotome Gaku: I don’t think you’re one to speak, to be honest.
Nanase Riku: I do feel grateful, but there were lots of times when things were boring! ….Come on Iori, back me up! (3)
Izumi Iori: If I had to choose, my opinion lies closer to that of Yaotome-san and Kujou-san’s. May I refute your previous statements, then?
Nanase Riku: Ah, right… Dammit! If Mitsuki were here, he’d understand…!
Izumi Iori: I’m just going to put it out there, but do you understand how it must feel for someone taking care of you out of empathy to hear nothing but complaints?
Kujou Ten: That.
Yuki: Exactly that.
Nanase Riku: It’s not complaining!
Momo: We’re just lamenting the fact that you don’t understand how we feel!
Yuki: Then what should I do? Should I flip through your albums as much as I flip through his, then?
Momo: I don’t want to be loved like that, like I’m routine work! You don’t understand at all, Yuki!
Kujou Ten: You’re the one who doesn’t understand.
Kujou Ten: I devotedly take care of my cute, sickly younger brother and try to let him have at least a little fun, and this happens….
Kujou Ten: One day he shows up before you and tells you, ‘I’m gonna surpass you!’ Think about how it must feel to hear that.
Nanase Riku: I–
Kujou Ten: Hehe. You look quite dumbfounded.
Yaotome Gaku: After hearing it again, I kinda feel bad for you.
Kujou Ten: Right? Please treat me kindly.
Yaotome Gaku: There, there.
Nanase Riku: I-it’s because you left the house without ever telling us why!! That’s why it didn’t make sense at all….
Kujou Ten: See. I’m the bad guy. Why are younger brothers always like this?
Nanase Riku: I never said you were!
Kujou Ten: It’s my fault, isn’t it?
Nanase Riku: …Ten-nii, that’s not fair! You know I can’t win against you verbally, but even so you always argue with me!
Kujou Ten: Well, there was no way Black or White could’ve gone on while we were fighting. (4)
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Now, now. Stop it, you two! Yuki-san and Momo-san, please make up with each other too.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yuki-san, you don’t intend on changing partners from Momo-san in Re:vale, correct?
Yuki: I don’t.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: That’s a relief, then. I’m a lot less worried now. Right, Momo-san?
Momo: I guess, but….
Yuki: ……. Were you unable to sing because I made you feel uneasy?
Momo: I don’t really know….
Yuki: Sing, Momo. I really am reflecting upon my actions. I want to hear your singing.
Momo: Yuki….
Yuki: Gaku-kun, what was it. That line you said earlier.
Yaotome Gaku: Until the day the world ends, you are the only partner for me in this entire universe.
Yuki: …Did you make it even more embarrassing?
Yaotome Gaku: Isn’t this normal, though?
Kujou Ten・Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Not at all.
Yuki: …Until the day the world ends, you are the only partner for me in this entire universe.
Momo: ……Really?
Yuki: Yeah. Let’s go back to the studio. Think you can sing?
Momo: …Yeah.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: What a relief! There’s our happy end. Let’s hurry up and go back, everyone!

Nanase Riku: However–
Nanase Riku: Momo-san was unable to sing that day as well.

Momo: Just what’s wrong…….
Nanase Riku: Perhaps you still don’t trust Yuki-san…?
Momo: I do…. But I guess deep down I still doubt him or something…. Ahaha. It’s because Yuki has a cool demeanor.
Momo: The only time I’ve seen him lose his composure is when his partner went missing.
Momo: Even if we went for another 10 years, I don’t think Yuki would lose his composure over me. Not to that extent….

Yuki: I wonder what’s wrong….
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Perhaps he still feels that you have lingering attachment towards your old partner?
Yuki: It’s not really lingering attachment…. It’s more like guilt over the fact that I’ve been succeeding without him but never got to repay him for anything, I guess.
Yuki: I think if I meet him again I can probably get over it….
Yaotome Gaku: About Momo-san’s voice. Is it possible that someone’s drugging him?
Yuki: Drug…?
Kujou Ten: You’ve been reading way too many mystery novels.
Yaotome Gaku: But haven’t you heard all of that commotion? Ever since it was decided that Re:vale was gonna cover one of Zero’s songs….
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: "Get back my song.” The graffiti, huh….
Yaotome Gaku: It’s been all over the news. Apparently there’s been eye-witnesses.
Yuki: …What did they say?
Yaotome Gaku: Apparently it’s some guy dressed up in Zero’s wizard costume. There’s rumors that it’s Zero himself inside the costume.
Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: If it’s really him, then he would’ve magnificently returned to stage. So why do people think it’s Zero himself?
Yaotome Gaku: Apparently he can perfectly sing Zero’s songs. The police should’ve been there, but instead it seems that he was surrounded by cheering and applause.
Yuki: Zero himself, huh…. I wonder if the legendary idol is angry at us.
Yaotome Gaku: I don’t care if it’s Zero himself or what, but I really can’t agree with how he’s doing things. If he has a problem with it, he should just say it to your face.
Kujou Ten: …Do you have any intentions of calling off the cover of Zero’s song?
Yuki: At the moment, no. It’s a pity to let those songs go unsung. Especially since all of Zero’s songs are hit singles.
Yuki: A drug, huh…. I’ll be on the lookout. Momo eats everything people give him, after all.
Kujou Ten: Yes…….

To be continued….

(1) performed! is assumeD! OK yeah thats all
(2) 実家に帰らせて aka going back 2 ur real home LMFAO THIS MARRIED COUPLE STUFF, but グーグル先生 apparently its a line you hear a lot in jdrama as a ~divorce declaration~ since the bride generally lives away frm her immediate family with her husband. LMAO MOMO…
TEN PULLING AN ASIAN MOM LINE IM fcYRING ITS THE, yOU COME INTO MY HOUSEHOLD LIVE UNDER MY ROOF I DO ALL OF THIS FOR U AND U DISRESPECT ME LIKE THIS??? LINE IM LAUGHIG
(3) this whole convo Kills Me bc 1) i loVE sIBLING INTERACTION 2) VAGUE SUBJECT FUCKIN WHATR U REFERRING TO but im just ognna assume its referring to ten’s 過保護/helicopter parent tendencies sO
(4) THIS LINE IS SO STRANGE “there is no way black or white couldve been held while we were still fighting” h u H

As usual, if you see any mistakes/mistranslations/etc, please message me!

Thank you for reading!!