Cards — Heading Somewhere with No Answers 4

[gyaxa]

(Later at night)

Hiiro: (I got sent a message telling me all the fan letters had been sorted, so I ended up coming to pick them up.)

(Even though the staff members were busy, they still went through the trouble of putting them together so that we could read them as soon as possible. I have to make sure to thank them sometime.)

…… (Looking at the letters)

(Even in the midst of such a technologically advanced era, even people from the city still write handwritten letters to convey their feelings…)

(Everyone used their precious time to write these letters, pouring every bit of their feelings into them. We can feel all of their sentiments each time we receive these letters.)

(What a heartwarming experience this is.)

Eichi: I was wondering why you were humming. Are you reading fan letters right now?
 

Hiiro: … Tenshouin-senpai?

Eichi: That's right, it's me. I stood up to take a break and spotted you sitting over here.

Was something nice written in those letters that put you in such a good mood?

Hiiro: That's part of it, but right now, I'm elated just looking at the letters themselves.

Aira told me that the fans put a lot of thought into choosing even the stationery and envelope.

They dedicate a lot of care to every part of the letter, all for the sake of the idol they love…

So I was imagining how much effort everyone put into these letters and got a little emotional.

Eichi: I see. I thought the way you were enjoying the letters was unique, but that’s because of what Shiratori-kun taught you, huh?

I was sure that smile came from you reading the contents.

Hiiro: That conclusion is completely natural, I think. How does everyone know just the right thing to write to fill us with so much joy?

Eichi: It’s because they love us—love idols. They pour their love for us into the words they write.

… On that note, would you mind telling me what was written in those letters?

Hiiro: Ah, yes…

It’s probably because our unit was only formed this summer, but a lot of the letters were from people who became our fans just recently.

There are quite a few letters that say this was their first time writing a letter like this.

If I had to name more… I suppose “I’m glad I could meet you” and “I’m super happy to be cheering you on” also showed up quite a lot.

Eichi: Fufu, it seems that for a lot of people,  ALKALOID are the first idols they’ve grown to love.

Hiiro: You’re right about that! A lot of the letters said exactly the same thing ♪︎

It’s an honor to be someone’s first experience with idols and the first they love, but it also makes me feel a little awkward.

Eichi: Come now, you must stand proud without getting self-conscious. That’s one of our jobs as idols ♪︎

… Now, just what do you want to do for all those people who’ve met you and love you oh so very much?

Hiiro: Even if you ask me that, I don’t think there’s much I can do for my fans at this point.

For now, I think the only thing I can do is put my utmost effort into getting more work so that I can ensure people will stay interested in me…

Eichi: How do you want to respond to your fans’ expectations, Hiiro-kun?

Hiiro: That depends on what their expectations are. I know I won’t be able to fulfill all of their wishes, but I’d like to at least work hard enough so that one day I’ll be capable of doing so.

Eichi: How much mind are you paying to your fans’ opinions?

Hiiro: Opinions? Do their opinions differ from their expectations somehow?

Eichi: I just want to hear your thoughts, so feel free to interpret the question however you wish.

Hiiro: I can’t just interpret it “however I wish”. Unless I completely understand what you’re asking, I won’t be able to give you the correct answer.

Are you asking about my fans’ opinions because there’s something you want me to do?

Eichi: I wonder.

Hiiro: … Um, I apologize, but I’m completely lost right now.

You keep asking me all these questions without even stopping to judge my answers.

—Are you trying to get something out of me, Tenshouin-senpai?

Eichi: Oh dear, did I end up putting you on guard?

That’s one way to put it. I do want to hear what you have to say, though.
 

Hiiro: But you keep changing the question because I haven’t been able to give you the answer you want, is that it?

I’d like it if you could just tell me what it is you want from me.

I only act in accordance with what you expect of me, and I promise to devote my utmost effort to meeting your demands.

Eichi: How earnest. You’re just like a soldier who complies with the higher-ups’ every order ♪︎

Hiiro: … A soldier, huh.

Eichi: Since our agency is filled with miracle workers like Trickstar, I tend to forget, but subordinates are also supposed to be obedient, aren’t they?

But well, it’d be no good if they were too obedient. Generally speaking, it’s their spontaneous nature that leads to their results, and why we can consider them brilliant at all.

Hiiro: ……

Eichi: ES has been trying to mass-produce idols with a certain caliber of brilliance, and you all were our first test subjects.

And now, it’s been quite some time since ALKALOID was created.

Even though you were only utilized for jobs within ES at first, now you work on a scale we never would’ve predicted, and are producing good results.

You all were the protagonists of this summer, and I don’t think that’s an exaggeration.

Hiiro: … Hm, thank you.

Eichi: You’re welcome ♪︎

But summer has already ended, so now that we’re in Autumn, we need you to evolve further.

I want you all to throw off the status you obtained from this summer and shine at an even greater level.

Hiiro: Is that what you want from me? Will you be satisfied if I put effort into achieving that?

Eichi: You can think about that when you get there.

—What is an idol?

No one knows the answer to that question. But you’ve been gaining experience, and with that, knowledge and wisdom, haven’t you?

Try and think a little more about what you should be doing, assuming you soldier’s head isn’t just for wearing a helmet.

Will you just listen to everything I say? Or will a time come where you shall go against my orders and grasp something for yourself?

What must you be doing right now? What is it that you must show the world?

For your sake—For ALKALOID’s sake—think as much as you can with that head of yours ♪︎
 

Hiiro: ……

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