Cards — They Huddled Shoulder to Shoulder 5

Hiiro & Mayoi: ……

Hiiro: Um…

Mayoi: W-WAAAAAH…! I’M SORRYI’MSOSORRYYYYY!

I’m sure hearing something like that out of nowhere makes no sense and is weird and makes you uncomfortable!

Ahh, I want to disappear! I want to dig a hole into the floor and hide in it!

Hiiro: I’m not sure that’s possible, Mayoi-senpai. If you dug up the floor, it’d just open up to the floor below.

Mayoi: What a serious response…

Phew, my apologies. Thanks to you, I’ve regained my composure.

Hiiro: I should be the one to apologize. This incident made me realize just how poorly I’ve been carrying out my duty as our leader…

My careless remark caused everyone trouble, and even after I was first warned, I wasn’t able to take action to protect our unit.

That’s why I just… I hadn’t even thought that I’d be told such a thing, and I was taken aback.

Mayoi: S-So it was a weird thing to say, after all. Look at me, acting all pompous…

Hiiro: It wasn’t weird. Hearing you feel that way makes really happy. I want you to understand that.

Mayoi: Thank goodness… Thank you.

Hiiro: But why were you talking about regret earlier?

I don’t see how regret could have anything to do with what you told me.

Mayoi: That’s—

(Now that I’ve put it out there, I can’t take it back. If I’m ever going to come clean… it’s now or never)

I was referring to what happened back in summer, when only you received a shining message.

Do you remember when we found out it was a feature only unit leaders could use, which established that you were our leader?

─── 

 

(Recollection of Alkaloid this past summer)

Mayoi: (At that time, I could tell Hiiro-san was bewildered at learning he was our leader.)

(And I told that Hiiro-san—)

Tatsumi: I think Hiiro-san is fit to be our leader. It’s precisely because he doesn’t know anything that he can push forward no matter what, and he has the ability to take initiative.

Aira: I think Hiro-kun’s good, since he can decide things on the spot and all. Though it does feel like ES thinks I’m below a complete amateur, which kinda pisses me off?

As long as it’s not physically impossible for him or anything, shouldn’t Hiro-kun work fine as our leader?

Mayoi: Yes, to be honest, I think anyone other than me would be fine. If I got designated as our leader, I’d probably end up dying of stomach pain. Uu, my stomach hurts just thinking about it…

─── 
 

Mayoi: Thinking back on it…

I said such horrible things, that anyone was fine, and that’d I’d die if I was chosen to be the leader.

Even though Hiiro-san was surely worried and was questioning why he, the most inexperienced, was chosen, as well!

Hiiro: ……

Mayoi: This time around, when I saw you really start to have a sense of your responsibility as leader and rouse yourself to action…

I realized what a self-centered, egotistical, irresponsible thing I had said. 

And my heart hurt this whole time thinking about it.

It hurt to see you alone be blamed for everything even though I was there in the office with you too…

And the whole time I was helping you with the application, I was ashamed of myself as I stood by you trying your best.

That’s why I thought that I had to tell you now that I don’t think such a thing at all anymore, or I would regret it forever.

Hiiro: … So that’s what you meant.

What you said didn’t bother me in the slightest. I was chosen on the fly to be the leader by someone we don’t even know, after all.

Mayoi: Even if you were first chosen by chance, you are still our leader to this day thanks to your many strong points.

Hiiro: … Such as?

Mayoi: Your decisiveness and ability to take initiative, just as Tatsumi-san and Aira-san pointed out. I also notice how fast you absorb things during lessons and such.

You’re honest, almost to the point of being blunt, and you can communicate with almost anyone without getting intimidated.

Even though you may seem reckless, you have good judgment and think things through each step at a time. Fufu, have I rung any bells?

Hiiro: Hmm… To be honest, I don’t really notice any of that myself.

But if you say so, then maybe it’s true?

Mayoi: Of course it is ♪︎ I’m sure it’s hard to place much faith in my words, but please hold more confidence in yourself.

Besides, I believe we have a part to play in making you our leader, just as you have a part to play as our leader.

Hiiro: You all… making me your leader…?

Mayoi: If we can be considered one of the many things you’ve gained since you became an idol…

We want to be a source of knowledge and wisdom for you, and help you think things through.

… Well, I can put on a brave face and say that, but I’m not sure I can be of much use to you…

Hiiro: That’s not true! There’s no way it is, Mayoi-senpai.

Having everyone around me is really reassuring. It’s thanks to all of you that I can feel capable of carrying out my role, despite not receiving any training to be a lord.

I’m always relying on all three of you, and I’m grateful that we all ended up being in the same unit.

The current me exists because I had all of you by my side.

Because I have such amazing companions, I find myself wanting to become a more splendid idol and leader.
 

Tatsumi: —Is it alright for us to come in now?

Mayoi: YEEP?!

Aira: We didn’t hear anything from Hiro-kun even when it was about time to get the selection results, and there were people in the dance room even though it was time for our lessons.

So we’re here thinking “what gives?!” when we hear you two talking in there, which left us stuck outside peeking in, wondering just when could we barge in!

Hiiro: Does that mean you heard our conversation?

Tatsumi: No, we couldn’t make out what you were saying… This is a soundproof room, after all.

What kind of pleasant conversation were the two of you having?

Mayoi: W-W-W-Well that’s… you see…

Aira: Ah! Never mind that, could that envelope on the floor be…?!
 

Hiiro: Yep ♪︎ I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, but seeing as everyone’s here now, allow me to announce the results.

ALKALOID is going to appear in "Underland".

Let us join forces, show off ALKALOID’s determination, and make it a stage to remember!

← | →
 

Cards Masterlist

Cards — They Huddled Shoulder to Shoulder 6

(A few days before the upcoming live)

Aira: I’m glad the roses are still in full bloom~♪︎

Mayoi: Since we had to leave in the middle of our visit last time, so I’m glad we could this park a visit once again before live…♪︎

Tatsumi: There’s just a couple days left until the live. We’ve just about wrapped up our lessons and such, so today should be a good opportunity to refresh.

Hiiro: Yes. Today, I want to have a look at all the different breeds of roses they have!

Aira: ….Speaking of which, didn’t we study Alice in Wonderland together in preparation for the live?

You really get a sense of scared of the queen the soldiers were when you realize what beautiful white roses they were willing to paint over.

Tatsumi: The more you learn, the more you’ll appreciate the world around you. It might be a blessing in disguise that we get to enjoy the rose garden at this point in time.

Mayoi: We’re about to enter the maze, so how should we proceed?

When Hiiro-san and I got separated the other day, I panicked and ended up taking a look at a map of the maze, so I have a vague idea of how it’s laid out.

It seems that it splits into a couple of routes at the main entry point.

No matter which path you choose, you should be able to reach the goal…

Hiiro: So it’s a matter of if we all take the same route, or individual ones.

If we’re all going to reach the goal in the end, I think it’d be interesting if we all took different routes.

Aira: I’m kinda worried about getting lost…

But as long as there aren’t any dead ends, I’m totally fine with that.

Tatsumi: Then why don’t we each take a separate route? It sort of reminds me of how the stage for our new song is set up, too.

Mayoi: Ah, now that you mention it…

Aira: Then it’s settled! See you guys at the goal ♪︎

(A few minutes later)

Hiiro: (...Hm. I’m pretty sure I’ve been faring rather well up to this point.)

(The estimated time to complete the maze was 15 minutes, so if I keep going like this, I should reach the goal sooner or later.)

… At any rate, these roses are absolutely breathtaking. It feels like I’ve really wandered into Wonderland.

Alice must’ve been a very brave girl, what with how she continued on with her journey, despite having suddenly ended up in some world she knew nothing about.

… Was I like that too, I wonder?

(When I first left my hometown to come to the city, everything I set my eyes on seemed strange and foreign to me, and the customs of the city confused and bewildered me.)

(But because I set my mind on bringing my brother back to our hometown, I feared nothing.)

(I no longer have any obligation to fulfill that objective….)

(However, I’ve become painfully aware of just how inexperienced I am, so I don’t want to lose the enthusiasm and sense of duty that drove me at that time.)

(A strong will to push forward in order to achieve something…)

(For ALKALOID and my future self’s sakes, I want to ignite the flame that dwelled within me back then.)

… Maybe I should bring this up to everyone later. It’d be nice to hear their views on the matter too. 

Taking note of my unit members’ opinions will help make me an even better leader, after all…♪︎
 

Mayoi: Ah, Hiiro-saaan! Look over here!
 

Hiiro: Huh? I didn’t expect to run into anyone before reaching the goal.

Mayoi: It appears the routes connect and open up into a clearing.

I wasn’t sure if anyone else would pass through here, so I could’ve just went ahead on my own…

But if possible, I’d like to go the rest of the way with everyone else—
 

Aira: Huh? Since the two of you are here, does that mean this is the goal?

… That can’t be it. There’s still roses everywhere you look. What’s got you guys stuck standing here?

Hiiro: Nothing, really. We’re just waiting for everyone to gather here.

It’d be more fun if we walked the rest of the way together, and I’d be happy if we all got to reach the goal together.

Don’t you agree, Mayoi-senpai?
 

Tatsumi: —Don’t you, Mayoi-san? ♪︎

Aira & Mayoi: YEEP!?

Tatsumi: I caught sight of your backs, so I thought I’d try joining in on your conversation.

Aira: Oh, geez, that scared me. Tatsumi-senpai, you can be really mischievous sometimes, y’know?

Mayoi: (taking deep breaths) I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest…

Tatsumi: Fufu, I hadn’t meant to cause you such a big shock.

That aside, the goal should be close, yes? Given how we’ve managed to reconvene together.

Hiiro: I believe so. This clearing has five different paths branching off of it, and each of us four came out of one…

That means there’s only one path left that leads to the goal ♪︎

Mayoi: Then does that mean that, had we all taken the same route, we would’ve been confronted with four different paths to choose from?

Aira: I guess that means splitting up was the right call ♪︎

Tatsumi: All we need to do now is take the remaining path.

But since this is such a big maze, I’m starting to suspect that there may be some kind of trick lying in wait for us.

Hiiro: Given the time, I’m pretty sure the goal is right up ahead. Let’s just all proceed ahead, even if there’s some kind of trap waiting to throw us off guard.

If the four of us are together, we should be able to overcome any difficulty thrown our way ♪︎

Aira: Ahaha, that sounded kinda cool. Then let’s have Hiro-kun take the lead…
 

Hiiro: Alright, then let’s all march on toward the goal…♪︎

← | →
 

Cards Masterlist

Cards — Epilogue

(The day of the "Underland" live)

Aira: ! Mayo-san, that angle just now was great! Do it again!

Mayoi: Huh, which angle? This one…?

Aira: That’s close! Turn your back a little towards me… just like that! I’m gonna snap a pic, so stay still!

Tatsumi: You seem to be rather enjoying your little photo shoot, Aira-san.

Aira: I can’t help it, these outfits are just so cool! No amount of photos can show just how lo~vey they are ♪︎

Hiiro: This splendid outfit fits our role as the Card Soldiers to a tee, doesn’t it?

I met with some people from the other units that are participating earlier, and they all complimented our outfits ♪︎

Tatsumi: How was everyone else doing?

Hiiro: Everyone was in high spirits—I could feel their enthusiasm. I found myself thinking “we can’t be losing to them”, and it really got my head in the game.

And even with all the commotion surrounding Mitsuru-kun¹, Mashiro-kun still reached out to speak with me.

He ended up apologizing again for telling us the wrong name for the live.

Mayoi: He wouldn’t stop apologizing to me when we were in our room together, even though I told him not to worry about it…

Aira: Mashiro-senpai’s super nice, after all… Like, just a nice, normal guy who isn’t weird at all.

Hiiro: Right. We’re extremely grateful towards him, so he really didn’t have to do that, though.

Tatsumi: By all means, I’d love to watch Ra*bit’s performance, but that might be difficult, considering when we have to perform.

Hiiro: That's why the two of us started talking about meeting up another day and watching a recording of the live.

We kept encouraging each other, swearing to make this the best performance we’re capable of…♪︎

Mayoi: Ufufu, it seems like the two of you had a nice conversation.

I’m always finding myself in Mashiro-san’s care, so if we were to gather to watch the live, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank him.

Hiiro: Then let’s add that onto the agenda and hold a tea party, a tea party! Well, the soldiers don’t appear in that scene, though!

Aira: … You seem really excited, Hiro-kun. I didn’t think we had the leeway to lower our guard, since we need to produce results.

Tatsumi: Ever since we found we’re participating, Hiiro-san’s been enthusiastic in every regard—even more than usual.

Mayoi: When we were having lessons for our new song, he had already taught himself a move I had planned to teach him… that really surprised me.

There was no way I could let him leave me in the dust, so I found myself practicing during our lessons with more zeal than usual.

Aira: Yeah, you guys seemed really into it…

TBH, I was kinda worried about us burning out before the live, but I think that refresh we had at the park really helped us come here today super hyped.

Tatsumi: Yes, we're ready for action. Now, all we must do is let our resolve and enthusiasm loose upon the stage—

… With that said, it’s about time for us to go into standby.

Hiiro: Alright, let’s all start getting into position. Then let’s march onward, to the stage we must stand on!

─── 
 

Aira: (Woah…! the venue is so intense when it’s filled this many spectators!)

 

Tatsumi: (I was aware of big the venue was, but this sight you can only see during the real deal… is second to none.)

Mayoi: (Ufufufu… all the anxiety I felt before is washing away like waves, and my excitement has started to envelop me whole…♪)

Hiiro: (All the spectators are celebrating ALKALOID’s appearance.)

(Among them are our fans. Now, let’s reach the hearts of all these people who know us so well, as best we can!)
 

Hiiro: “—Everyone, charge forward!”

Tatsumi: (From the bottom of my heart, may I offer up a single word filled with the joy I get from standing on this stage: Hallelujah…☆)

(... Setting aside the results Eichi-san hoped to draw out of us, I wonder if, with this experience, we managed to take a step in the right direction.)

(Just as Hiiro-san said in the maze… no matter what troubles await us, let’s combine our strength and overcome them.)

(Even if I get hurt at times, or lose my way, I will protect this precious place.)
 

“...~♪”
 

Aira: “♪~♪~♪~”

(Cool and gallant…! But without forgetting my signature cuteness!)

(I’m glad Hiro-kun’s back to usual, but with all that energy, it feels like I’ll be left behind if I don’t give 120% of my best at all times…!)

(But my dream—ALKALOID’s dream has just begun!)

(I wanna build up and polish my skills and muscle, chase after our dreams with everyone else, and grow even more…♪)
 

Mayoi: “♪~...!”
 

(Ah, my heart is racing! After confessing what I’ve been hiding all along, even my body feels as light as a feather…♪)

(Hearing my voice ring out, strong and clear…)

(I can feel how much more useful I am to ALKALOID like this, so I’m truly glad I managed to gather up my courage.)

(If, from now on, I can keep setting myself free for ALKALOID’s sake, I want to keep pushing myself further, bit by bit.)

(I’ll make that a promise between myself and I. I’ll challenge myself with my complete devotion, on this very stage…♪)
 

Hiiro: “♪~♪~! ♪~!”

(Everyone’s performing splendidly. Their singing and expressions are nothing short of impressive!)

(... Everyone was saying that I’ve been pulling them forward, but it’s thanks to them that I can puff out my chest and stand confidently on this stage.)

(I was just a nobody who was a newcomer to the city, but then I became an idol. And then, I became ALKALOID’s leader.)

(I understand now. This is the path I must take. And my comrades and I are here to walk that path together.)

(And I won’t let anyone get in our way! My answer lies within staying true to this will of mine!)

“♪~♪~♪~”

Tatsumi: “Thank you for being so enthusiastic, everyone!”

Aira: “How are you all liking "Underland"? Doesn’t wandering into a dark world like this make your heart race?”

“But don’t worry, we, ALKALOID, will protect you all!”

Mayoi: “After all, we are the Card Soldiers—”

“And also soldiers who will protect you of our own will, not by order of anyone else in this twisted world ♪”

Tatsumi: “Please remember the name of this soldier dedicating himself to your protection. I am the “diamond”, Tatsumi Kazehaya.”

Aira: “I’m the “heart”, Aira Shiratori!”

Mayoi: “I am the “club”, Mayoi Ayase, and our leader is…”

Hiiro: “Right! I am ALKALOID’s leader², and the “spade”, Hiiro Amagi!”

“We’re still beginner idols, fresh out of the egg, but our determination to remain idols with our fellow companions is second to none.”

 

“We won’t betray the people who support us. No matter what, we will definitely become stronger, and fulfill our role of protecting everyone.”

“On this stage, we’ll prove that we’re here for that very purpose! So please, etch it into your hearts!”

“Our—ALKALOID’s brilliance…!”

 
←
 

1. If you haven't read Black Bunny, Mitsuru temporarily lost his memories during that event, which coincides with this one. ↑

2. Once again, Hiiro says the word "leader" out loud, but the word used in the text is "lord". ↑

Cards Masterlist