Zodiac | Itsuki Shu [Chapter 1]

Dragon Fruit Chapter 1
Card: Dancing Dragon of Early Spring
JP PR: Nefisa ENG PR: Bea

Location: Fruits Parlour



 

(Two years ago)

Shu: Now, have a seat, Nito.

Nito: ….? ……?

Shu: What’s the matter, your gaze is darting around nervously… that’s unsightly, hm?

You are the artwork of the magnificent Itsuki Shu and a member of Valkyrie, so you must always stand proud!

Nito: ……….

Shu: You aren’t talking much lately… It’s inconvenient that you can’t keep a conversation going, it’s like I’m going to be ignored no matter what I say… It’s lonely, you see?

Ah, Nito! Nito, Nito, Nito! Let me hear your voice, beautiful like the fluttering dance of a fairy’s wings!

Please let me swallow the gathered fragments of your thoughts directly from your tongue!

My heart will be fulfilled with that alone! Forever and ever, gift me the vigour in order to conceive artwork that will be immortalized in History!

Therefore Nito, cute Nito! Open your lips, that are like flowers in bloom.. and spill all over me- the rewards from that treasure chest!

I will hold it close and love it unceasingly!

Nito: …. Sometimes the things Oshi-san says are way too dramatic and cryptic. It’s embarrassing, stay quiet inside the store.

Shu: Ah, I can hear it, Nito! Your voice…

It’s been a while right? Trés bien!

It seems I should run to you to be scolded, since I embarrassed you with my eccentricities for the sake of earning this pleasure. Like a child who never received parental love!

Nito: …………

Shu: Fufu. It seems your patience will run out if I continue making a fuss, then I’ll control myself.

More importantly, Nito… Today was tiring, so really, first of all, sit down and rest.

Nito: …………

Shu: Hmhm. That’s good, I love you, because you are always loyal to me.

Nito: …………

Shu: Ah, today was really tiring… it is good that we are getting more work though, I’m happy that my artwork seems to be recognized.

Well, being acknowledged by the the world’s vulgar masses or not, it’s fine if I am the only one who can grasp the value of my art.

That would be simple and vain self-indulgence.

Nito: …. I am happy that everyone praised us.

Shu: Nito. I told you before. Use “Boku” as first person pronoun. Well, since you are androgynous and adorable, “Watashi” is also acceptable.*

Nito: At least let me freely choose my way of talking.

Shu: Fufu. Despite it all, it is much better having you say such things than staying quiet and gloomy.
Why are you not talking much?

I thought you were timid, but… it is happening more and more often, I’m getting a little worried.

Nito: …………

Shu: Ahh, Nito, I am not criticizing you. It is ok, if you do as you prefer.

You are unique, so your whole conduct shall be endorsed by the world.

Fufu. However, you are really cute… I don’t get tired of gazing at you every day, and every  day there is something new to discover~

Just like a doll. Ahh, That’s the highest compliment coming from me?

Nito: …………..

Shu: Hm? That’s right, let’s ask for food instead of idly chatting? That’s why we came to this shop.

Nito, what do you want to eat? Your stomach is empty, since today’s recording was long…

On the way back home, when you suddenly started moving sluggishly, I couldn’t bear my worries.

Well, when I heard that lovely divine revelation from your stomach… or like common people say, when I heard your stomach rumbling, I got distracted and laughed.

You are also human, it is obvious… sometimes I forget it.

Nito: ………….

Shu: Fufu. Isn’t it embarrassing that your stomach rumbled like that, Nito!

Ah, you are also lovely when you are embarrassed! Your blushing cheeks aren’t that of a doll’s, but a human’s beauty-

Ouch!

Non! Nito, quit being violent! Don’t be a barbarian!

Nito: …… Then don’t be noisy. We are getting looks.

Shu: Kakaka! It is your beauty showing off!

Since we are pleasing the eyes of the ordinary passersby, I wish that at least they would be thankful!

Cheer and applaud, everyone! You shall feel honoured! Your lives reached the peak at this exact moment! kakakaka!

Nito: ………….

Shu: Ouch! Didn’t I say it hurts, Nito? Don’t hit my head please, it would be troublesome if your slender hands would get chapped, right?

If it receives an impact the skin will rip, the bones will creak and the artwork will be damaged!

However, in fact, praising you endlessly is enough to make my life come to an end.

I hate the principle “form follows function”, but first of all, let’s satisfy our appetite.

Yes. I don’t want to go out to eat as a matter of principle, however I can’t ignore that you seem to be hungry.

Having small and adorable little children starving is the worst tragedy.

Nito: … we are the same age, geez. I’m always saying this, but don’t treat me like a child.

Shu: Apologies! I feel happy when you get angry and displeased, it is so lovely…

Please judge my sins for deliberately messing with your nerves! Cute Nito!


Translator’s Notes:

* There are many pronouns in japanese with different levels of politeness and that vary with the speaker’s age and gender. Shu uses boku(僕), a male pronoun more polite than ore(俺), used by Nazuna. Watashi (私) is the most neutral and polite, slightly feminine, so Shu basically wants Nazuna to talk in a polite speech. You can find more info here.
 

Zodiac | Itsuki Shu [Chapter 2]

Dragon Fruit Chapter 2
Card: Dancing Dragon of Early Spring
JP PR: Nefisa ENG PR: Bea

Location: Fruits Parlour

Nito: (Hm, Oshi-san is annoying today too, but whatever.)

(It was truly helpful that he worried about me and entered the shop.)

(Today was really tiring…. the recording for the end of the year’s TV special…  we stayed at the setting from morning until night time.)

(Although recording TV shows isn’t unusual to Valkyrie, it was the first time it lasted all day.)

(My whole body and throat are sore from dancing and singing from morning to night.)

(Oshi-san too, he is always taking care of my stamina and doesn’t accept this kind of thing, however…)

(We don’t have expectations about the bunch participating in the SS, the end of the year’s great event. )

(Even without true ability, thanks to connections, money and other things, those  good-for-nothings will participate.)

(They are low quality groups that just play around like they are high-and-mighty idols.)

(Anyway, they will be defeated promptly. Their horrible defeat will be witnessed during the transmission of the national live broadcast.)

(Because of that, it seems the strength of the Yumenosaki Academy brand will decline again and our value won’t increase in another place.)

(Everyone.. looks at it with prejudice. )

(Just saying that you are an idol affiliated with Yumenosaki Academy can stop people from acknowledging your value. Such a thing… I don’t want it.)

(Oshi-san, day after day… is working hard, polishing his craft and bringing his finest artwork to life.)

(To have it unrecognized by anyone… it’s a terrible thing.)

Shu: What’s the matter, Nito? You are staring at me…since the avatar of beauty that should be appreciated is looking this way, shouldn’t it be the opposite?

Ah, do you want to make your order? Then I’ll call the waiter.

You, we want this, this and that. And be quick, because cute Nito here is hungry.

Hm? No, Nito isn’t my lover or child… that’s a weird misunderstanding to make, we are partners that share the same soul.

Right, Nito?

You see, Nito is nodding too! Cute, right, don’t you think so?

Nito: Don’t meddle with the waiter. You are such an embarrassment, geez.

Shu: It is not a problem, right? Since I have the supreme treasure in my hands, at least I would like to generously brag and talk fondly about you!

Ah, rose-colored life, the whole world is brilliant…

Ah, thanks. You brought the order really fast. This place’s staff seems to have been trained quite well.

Now, Nito, say a-ahh…

Nito: I’ll eat by myself.*

Shu: Don’t say such a thing. Let me serve you, my beloved.

Since Nito will be angry if there are a lot of leftovers, I will eat my meal too.

Munch, munch… if I could make a wish come true, I would prefer Nito to say “ã~an” too.

Nito: What are you saying, when we are both men? Oshi-san, don’t you want a girlfriend or something?

Shu: Non! What a vulgar thing are you saying? You alone is more than enough, and right now I have my hands full with art research!

Actually, recently it’s been really busy….  I often think my hands are insufficient, and a lot of extra things leave me with no heart or time to spare.

Nito: I can help you with needlework and other things, though.

Shu: Such sentiment makes me happy. But you lack ability on the fundamentals, right?

Although, it would be delightful if you bestowed your blessings on the outfits I weave with your touch.

So if the flawless quality level of artwork declines, Valkyrie will become undesirable. You do understand, right, Nito?

Nito: I understand… though among the next year’s freshmen, I hope there is a kid with good sense for needlework and other handicraft things.

I want to make more friends ~ it is always only the two of us…

Shu: Fufu. As for me, the world with you and me alone is already complete.

You do sense it too, right? I am also aware that I’m strict with my preferences.

I don’t think we can find someone talented enough to meet Valkyrie’s standards.

Nito: With such conditions… I’m scared that someday will be impossible, everything seems prone to collapsing.

Shu: Such a “day” won’t come in forever, cute Nito. No, I don’t wish for you to waste time being continuously afraid of the future.

Believe it. This is our paradise. Since it is a paradise, pain and sorrow can’t reach here.
Wait a minute, Nito. What in the world are you eating?

Nito: It’s just fruit.

Shu: I can understand it is a fruit, this is a shop that serves fresh fruit, right?

I thought it was better than a fast-food shop where you don’t know what kind of additives are inserted in the food.

I chose this place in order to keep us nourished until we return to our homes!

The question is about that fruit!

So, what in the world is this? Ah, how grotesque! A dark brown color, like visceras! Doesn’t it look like the ashes of the deceased assembled in a starch for you?

Nito: It’s sweet and tasty.  It seems it’s called dragon fruit.

Shu: Non! Stop! Nito, please spit it out! Spit it!

Nito: Nah, it is really delicious, I’m telling you! It’s really sweet and soft like a pear.

Hey Oshi-san, try eating it too! I think it is no good that you dislike a lot of things without trying first!

Shu: Non! Stop right now! That doesn’t look appropriate for human consumption!

Nito: It’s ok, ok. Eat, eat. Oshi-san is also hungry, right? A~n ~

Shu: Ugh! Nito’s “a~n” makes me happy, but!! It is a mixed blessing… I can’t bear with this life!
Oh, God! You created a failure of a world!

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Translator’s notes:

* Just a trivia, but Nazuna here speaks the verb “to eat” as kuueru (食う) instead of the usual taberu (食べる). It is ‘male’ language, implying to be aggressive speech.