#aizo vs hakama

[deus-ex-mona]

New Year's Festival!

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Epilogue

[deus-ex-mona]

New Year's Festival!: Chapter 6

guess they're not breaking up, huh...

previous part (chapter 5)

next part (chapter 7)

Hiyori: Shibasaki, the stylist who’s supposed to help you out is stuck in a traffic jam.

Hiyori: And they told me that they may not make it in time for the programme.

Hiyori: What do we do…?

Aizo: When you say “stylist”, are you talking about the person who’s gonna help me into my hakama?

Hiyori: Yeah…

All the performers who were participating in the programme were meant to be dressed in either their kimonos or hakamas, so as to match their outfits with each others’. In other words, anyone who did not wear either a kimono or a hakama were not allowed to perform on the show.

Aizo: I can’t go on the show if I wore anything else. What do I do…?

Yujiro: Where’s your hakama? Do you have it here?

Hiyori: Yeah. It’s over there.

Yujiro: Hmm.

Aizo: Yujiro?

Yujiro: Aizo, come here for a sec.

Aizo: Eh?

Yujiro: Just do it.

Aizo: R-right…

Aizo walked over to Yujiro.

Yujiro: Now strip.

Aizo: Huh?

Yujiro: Hurry up.

Aizo: Huh?! Hey… hold it! What’s wrong with you? Why’re you suddenly asking me to strip?!

Yujiro: Geez, you sure are slow on the uptake.

Yujiro: I’m trying to say that I’ll help you into your hakama!

Hiyori: Someya…? You’ll help him into his hakama?

Yujiro: Yeah. You know the kind of family that I was raised in, right?

The Someya family had a long history of passing down their skills in traditional Japanese performing arts from generation to generation. While Yujiro was not the heir to the family lineage, he had still received a strict upbringing from a young age as a member of the Someya family.

Aizo: (So that means he’s at least able to put a kimono on…)

Aizo: Got it. I’m counting on you.

Hiyori: What a relief…! I leave it to you, Someya!

Yujiro: Yeah. Come a little closer, Aizo.

Yujiro nimbly helped Aizo to put his hakama on.

Aizo: (Somehow, I can’t calm down in this situation…)

Yujiro: Don’t move.

Aizo: My bad.

Yujiro: You sure aren’t calm at all, huh? Will you really be okay on the show?

Aizo: Shut up… Isn’t this “none of your business” to begin with?

Yujiro: Eh?

Aizo: That’s what you said a few days back, right?

Aizo: “Excluding the offers we receive as “LIPxLIP”, the activities you do as “Aizo” are none of my business, no matter where or what you do.”, you’d said.

Yujiro: Aah… Come to think of it, I did say something like that.

Yujiro: Yup, where you go or what you do is none of my business, Aizo.

Aizo: …

Yujiro: But it’s true.

Yujiro: The both of us may receive more solo job offers from here on out. But, no matter what happens…

Yujiro: The two of us, you and I, make up “LIPxLIP”, and that will never change. Come what may.

Aizo: Yujiro…

Aizo: (So that’s what he meant when he said that it was none of his business…)

Aizo: You truly are an incomprehensible guy.

Yujiro: ?

Aizo: Nah, it’s nothing. Alright, now that I’m in my hakama, it’s time to get all pumped up for the show!

Aizo: Be sure to watch the shooting, 'kay, Yujiro?!

Yujiro: Yeah.

[deus-ex-mona]

New Year's Festival!: Chapter 7

aizo, no, your protag energy is showing

previous part (chapter 6)

next part (epilogue)

And so—

The time when the filming of the programme was set to begin finally arrived.

Following the host’s introduction of him, Aizo turned towards the camera.

Aizo: It’s nice to meet y’all. I’m Aizo! I usually perform in a unit called “LIPxLIP”!

Host: It’s nice to see a fresh face on this show. Though, Aizo, I’ve heard that you’re quite the athlete. Is it true?

Aizo: Yup. Plus, I’ve undergone special training just to prepare for today.

Aizo: I’ll do my best to give the viewers at home a good time so as to start the New Year off on the right foot!

Owing to his special training, Aizo had been able to achieve great results in practically all of the events. And so, despite having to put up a fight, the team he was on managed to win without a hitch—

As a bonus for winning, the winners would be allowed some time to promote themselves to the viewers.

Host: And now, let the reward for winning, namely a self-promotional segment, begin!

Host: And the star player of the day is, without a doubt… The one who led his team to victory with his outstanding athleticism, Aizo!

Aizo: To all the viewers at home, thank you so much for tuning in today!

Aizo: “LIPxLIP” is a unit of two, consisting of me and another guy named Yujiro!

Aizo: The songs we’ve released till now are all great songs, so I’d be stoked if you guys gave ‘em a listen!

Aizo: Plus, we’ve got a February concert in the works!

Aizo: So, if I’ve managed to get you even the tiniest bit interested in us after today’s show, please come to our concert!

Aizo: You won’t regret it!

Aizo: (Awwright! That went just as planned!)

Aizo: (Next up is the ending, right?)

At the end of the programme, several performers were thus asked to express their thoughts and feelings about the show. Right before the show ended, however, the host turned the microphone towards Aizo.

Host: Aizo, I heard that you don’t usually perform on variety programmes, but how did you find today’s show?

Aizo: Lemme think. I performed all by myself today, instead of as a unit, so…

Aizo: I really felt how strong of an impact that my partner… Yujiro’s presence has on me.

Host: Speaking of him… Yujiro came to cheer you on today, right?

At the host’s words, the camera that was situated at the corner of the studio was turned towards Yujiro.

Aizo: Ah…

Aizo: (Oh no. None of us expected that they’d turn the camera to Yujiro. Will he be okay…?)

Aizo was just about to head over to Yujiro’s side to cover for him when—

Yujiro: Hello. I’m Yujiro from LIPxLIP.

Yujiro: I’m so relieved that Aizo managed to make it to the end of the show without a scratch. He was really nervous back when he was still in his dressing room, you know?

Aizo: Wha…! I wasn’t nervous at all, stupid…!

The audience erupted with laughter when Aizo quipped back like he would usually do.

Aizo: (Oh shoot. I’d planned on being all cool for the show and all…)

Aizo: (But, well… it’s fine.)

Thus, the very first variety programme that Aizo had performed on all by himself came to a close without incident—

Right after the New Year’s holidays—

Suzumi gave Aizo and Yujiro a report about the viewers’ reactions to the New Year’s variety programme.

Hiyori: They loved it! The sentiment of “My heart skipped a beat when I saw how close Aizo and Yujiro are.” seems to be especially shared by tons of people!

Yujiro: Their hearts skipped a beat…? Just what about me and Aizo made them feel that way…?

Aizo: Well… Wouldn’t you say that making them view us that way is a success, and a good thing in and of itself?

Aizo: (Though…)

Aizo: I really felt how strong of an impact that my partner… Yujiro’s presence has on me.

Aizo: (Those words really did unintentionally slip out of my mouth, didn’t they…? I truly didn’t mean to say any of that, though.)

Hiyori: Plus, I’ve got even more good news for you guys!

Hiyori: That same producer has extended an offer to participate in another variety programme to y'all! 

Hiyori: And they said “I’d like Aizo and Yujiro to perform on this one together” with regards to the next show!

Yujiro: What is the programme going to be about?

Hiyori: It seems to be one in which celebrities would compete against each other in sports attractions.

Hiyori: It’ll be a team competition, and it looks like they want the two of you to be on different teams!

Aizo: In other words…

Yujiro: They want to see me and Aizo compete against each other, don’t they…?

Aizo: I feel so bad for you, Yujiro. Your loss is already set in stone way before the show has even taken place.

Yujiro: Huh? What are you saying? There’s no way that I’d lose to you, Aizo.

Yujiro & Aizo: …

Yujiro & Aizo: Pfft.

Aizo: Haha!

Yujiro: Ahaha!

The two of them did not get along as well as Minami had said they did, but… Aizo was sure that this was just the form that the partnership between him and Yujiro had taken. Such was the thought that he had found himself thinking spontaneously—

[deus-ex-mona]

New Year's Festival!: Chapter 5

it was nice knowing you, minami

previous part (chapter 4)

next part (chapter 6)

Aizo: Archery, huh… I’ve never done it before.

Minami: Considering how athletic you are, Aizo, I’m sure you’ll succeed!

Hiyori: Yup, yup! I’ve prepared some practice arrows for you too.

Hiyori: The tips are fitted with suction cups instead of sharp edges, so they’re totally safe even if you shoot someone with ‘em.

Hiyori: The impact will still hurt a little, though.

Yujiro: Hmm. It looks interesting.

Hiyori: Wanna give it a try, Someya?

Yujiro: Yeah.

Hiyori: Aim for red and shoot the arrow, okay?

Yujiro: Got it. Aim for red, right?

Minami: Hey… hold it! Why’re you looking at me?!

Hiyori: The target’s over there, Someya…! Over there…!

Yujiro: But you told me to aim for “red”, didn’t you?

Minami: Sure, I’m red, but…!

Hiyori: You’re not supposed to shoot people when you do archery!

Yujiro: Oh really? Aren’t arrows meant to be used for killing, though?

Minami & Hiyori: That’s “hunting”!

Aizo: Pfft…

Aizo: Ahahaha!

Hiyori: Shibasaki…?

Aizo: Oh man, I sure am kinda out of it, huh?

Aizo: (There’s no point in brooding over something that hasn’t even happened yet.)

Aizo: (I should just focus on what’s in front of me and give it my all.)

Aizo: Alright! I’ll give this special job offer everything I’ve got!

Minami: I don’t really get it, but… That’s the Aizo I know!

Hiyori: Yup. I’m rooting for you!

Aizo: Yeah!

The days passed in a flash, and the New Year soon dawned upon them—

It was the day of the filming of the variety programme.

Hiyori: The day has finally come!

Aizo: Yeah, it sure has.

Aizo: (I did well during the rehearsals, but I’m still kinda nervous…)

Aizo: (Argh, dammit. I’m usually able to stay more calm than this…)

Just then, there was an unexpected knock on the door of Aizo’s dressing room, and in entered—

Yujiro: …Happy New Year.

Aizo: Yujiro…?!

Hiyori: What’re you doing here? Today’s your day off, right?

Yujiro: I only dropped by because I happened to have a self-directed lesson in the area, that’s all.

Aizo: You went through all the trouble just to take lessons on New Year’s day?

Yujiro: …

Aizo: (Could it be that he’s worried about me…?)

Aizo: (Nah, of course not.)

Hiyori: Ah, my phone’s ringing.

Hiyori: Yes, hello?

Hiyori: …Ehh?!

Aizo: What’s wrong?

Hiyori: Shibasaki, the stylist who’s supposed to help you out is stuck in a traffic jam.

Hiyori: And they told me that they may not make it in time for the programme.

Hiyori: What do we do…?

[deus-ex-mona]

New Year's Festival!: Epilogue

it's all about the job

previous part (chapter 7)

It happened just after the “HoneyPre 1st Anniversary Live” had ended.

Yujiro: An offer to perform on a New Year’s variety programme came in for Aizo?

Hiyori: Yup. Plus, the producer had even personally asked for him!

Hiyori: It seems like they'd grown an interest in Shibasaki after seeing him on a talk show that you guys had been on in the past.

Yujiro: Which parts of Aizo made them take an interest in him?

Hiyori: Of course his athleticism came into play, but…

Hiyori: There’s also the fact that he’s not shy even when he’s performing with more experienced celebs, plus he’s good at asking questions that he thinks the audience would want to know the answers to.

Hiyori: They pretty much seemed to say “Just Aizo’s presence alone would liven up the show”!

Yujiro: I see.

Yujiro: (Hmm. That producer sure is perceptive.)

Yujiro: (They seem to have a pretty decent discerning eye.)

Hiyori: But, yannow…

Yujiro: What is it?

Hiyori: Shibasaki seems hesitant about accepting the offer. 

Yujiro: Huh?

Yujiro: The producer personally extended the offer to him, right? What’s there for him to even be conflicted about?

Hiyori: Yeah, the Pres is worried about him too…

Hiyori: Maybe Shibasaki’s stuck on the fact that it’s an offer for just him alone, and not an offer for “LIPxLIP”.

Hiyori: Y’all have been strongly established as princely characters when you guys work as “LIPxLIP”, but…

Hiyori: I’m pretty sure that variety programmes don’t call for such portrayals, right?

Yujiro: If the programme is set to involve sports or competitions, you’d be right.

Hiyori: Maybe he’s wondering if appearing on the variety programme all by himself would truly be beneficial for LIPxLIP.

Hiyori: So, is it really wrong for Shibasaki to be conflicted about it?

Hiyori: You and Shibasaki both have different personalities, and the things you’re good at differ too.

Hiyori: It’s great to have more job offers come in, but the kind of solo offers you accept matters as well.

Hiyori: You guys have to think about how they’ll affect LIPxLIP’s image too, don’t you?

Yujiro: Yeah, we do. But…

Hiyori: But… even with that in mind, I still think that he should accept the offer!

Hiyori: I mean, it’s a chance for Shibasaki to show off his yet-unseen charm points to a ton of people!

Yujiro: (Suzumi… said everything that I was going to say….)

Yujiro: …If you get that much, why don’t you convince Aizo to accept it?

Hiyori: That’s cuz it’s not part of my job.

Yujiro: Huh…? You’re our manager, right? Are you slacking off on the job?

Hiyori: Not at all. The Pres herself said that it’s the job of his partner, namely you, to convince him to accept it.

Hiyori: Besides… it’s not like you don’t know whose words would resonate the most out of anyone else with Shibasaki at times like this, right?

Yujiro: …

Hiyori: I leave it to you, then!

Or so Suzumi chirped as she walked away.

Yujiro: Sigh…

Yujiro: (Convincing someone is such a chore…)

Following that, Yujiro entered the lesson studio, where they were to practise their choreography for their new song. He found Aizo there, just like he thought he would be.

Aizo: Yujiro…

Yujiro: What is it?

Aizo: No, it’s nothing…

Yujiro: I see.

Without exchanging another word between them, they began to practise their dance moves independently of each other. However…

Aizo: …

Yujiro: (No matter how I look at it, Aizo… isn’t concentrating on his dancing at all.)

Yujiro: (His steps are shaky, and he’s going to fall anytime now… Just like that.)

However, just as that thought entered Yujiro’s mind—

Aizo: Whoa!

Yujiro: (He really fell down…)

Yujiro: (Geez, I guess there’s no helping him, huh.)

Yujiro heaved an exaggerated sigh and held out a hand to his slightly helpless, yet one and only, partner—

[deus-ex-mona]

New Year's Festival!: Chapter 4

disbandment arc ahoy (lies)

previous part (chapter 3)

next part (chapter 5)

The next morning—

Hiyori: Shibasaki, you’ll be performing on a variety show, but…

Hiyori: They’ll host all kinds of events every year, like sports, quizzes, and karaoke!

Hiyori: So you gotta do tons of special training now to prepare for the actual event, okay?!

Aizo: You have a point. If I don’t do well on the show, I won’t leave my mark on any of the viewers either.

Aizo: I’m in it to win it.

Hiyori: That’s the spirit!

Hiyori: So, anyways, I’ve called some guys over to help you out.

Aizo: You called some guys to help out?

Hiyori: Who do you think I called?

Aizo: Dunno… So stop grinning like that and call ‘em out already.

Hiyori: Alright then! Come on out, you guys! The floor is yours!

With Suzumi’s pompous cue, the ones who entered the room were—

Minami: Heyo! Long time no see, Aizo!

Yujiro: …I’m sleepy.

Aizo: So you called Minami and Yujiro, huh.

Aizo: I figured as much.

Minami: What’s with that lacklustre reaction?!

Minami: I rushed right over when I heard that you had an important job offer coming up, you know?

Minami: Well, I’m sure that you and Yujiro will continue to have difficult times from here on, so I’ll do my best to help out in any way I can.

Aizo: What do you mean by “difficult times”?

Minami: I mean… You and Yujiro will be pursuing solo jobs, now that you guys have finally broken up, right?

Aizo: You’ve got it all wrong!

Yujiro: That’s not what happened.

Minami: Eh? Was I mistaken?

Aizo: Yeah. Wait, just how did you come to that conclusion anyway…?

Minami: I’m so sorry. I was sure that that was what happened when I heard that you were going to be taking on this job by yourself, Aizo.

Minami: But I’m relieved that I was wrong. Continue to get along well, you guys, okay?

Aizo: (Get along…)

Aizo had never ever been on good terms with Yujiro. The two of them fought a ton, as though they were naturally opposed to each other… Aizo thought that that was just how things worked between them.

But…

Aizo: (If we keep this up, just what are things gonna be like for us in the future?)

Aizo: (Maybe we’d break up… just as Minami had said.)

Aizo: (Stories about idol unit disbandments are really common in the entertainment industry too…)

Hiyori: Hey, Shibasaki? What’s with that serious look on your face?

Aizo: Ah… No, it’s nothing.

Aizo: Can we get on with the special training?

Hiyori: Got it! And for our very first match, we’ll be using… that!

Suzumi pointed at a large bow, arrows, and a target with a red mark on it.

Aizo: That’s…

Hiyori: Yup! It’s archery!

Hiyori: This will be the very first match on the programme, so you can’t lose here, got it?!

[deus-ex-mona]

New Year's Festival!: Chapter 3

when the lips are lipping ig

previous part (chapter 2)

next part (chapter 4)

Aizo: What do you mean when you say that it’s none of your business?!

Yujiro: You mad?

Aizo: Of course I am!

Yujiro: Why?

Aizo: “Why”...?

Aizo: …

Aizo: (Yeah. Just why am I mad?)

Aizo: (Yujiro told me to take the offer, so that should’ve settled things, but…)

Yujiro: What’s wrong?

Aizo: No… it’s nothing.

Yujiro nodded and returned to his dance practice. Aizo resumed his practice as well, however, he found himself completely unable to focus up till the very end—

The next day—

Hiyori: Ah, hey, Shibasaki. Thanks for your hard work.

Hiyori: Do your best today too, yeah!

Aizo: Don’t give me that “do your best” crap.

Aizo: You told Yujiro about my variety programme offer, didn’t you?

Hiyori: Yup, sure did!

Aizo: Why you…

Hiyori: Should I not have?

Aizo: It’s not about whether you should or shouldn’t have. You chose the wrong time to tell him about it.

Aizo: Besides, I should’ve been the one to tell Yujiro about it.

Hiyori: It’s fine, Shibasaki. Someya isn’t the kind of person to get jealous over your solo job offers.

Aizo: I know that too. Just how long do you think I’ve been together with Yujiro?

Aizo: (Even so…)

No matter how long Aizo had been with him, there were still many things that he did not know about Yujiro. He got the sense that Yujiro was passionate about his work as an idol, yet there were times like the previous day, when he had a frosty demeanour instead. And, to be perfectly honest, Aizo did not even know how Yujiro felt about him, even though they were partners.

Aizo: (Well, I don’t understand him, and I don’t long for him to understand me either.)

Aizo: (But…)

Yujiro: Excluding the offers we receive as “LIPxLIP”, the activities you do as “Aizo” are none of my business, no matter where or what you do.

Aizo: (What he said back then still pisses me off.)

Aizo: (I don’t get why, but it really pisses me off.)

Hiyori: What’s with the frown?

Hiyori: And, well, what are you gonna do about the variety programme offer? Are you gonna take it? Reject it?

Aizo: Well…

Aizo: I’ll take it.

Hiyori: Wow, really?

Aizo: Yeah! I mulled over it a ton, but…

Aizo: The producer noticed the strengths that I didn’t even know I had.

Aizo: Plus, they had even extended a job offer to me.

Aizo: So I really wanna live up to their expectations.

Hiyori: Yeah! I’m sure you’ll do well, Shibasaki!

Aizo: Yeah! I’ll do heaps better than I’d ever do together with Yujiro, and get more fans than him…

Aizo: And I’ll make Yujiro’s face contort in frustration!

Hiyori: That’s the spirit!

Hiyori: With that settled… let’s get on with your special training!

Aizo: …Eh?

[deus-ex-mona]

New Year's Festival!: Chapter 2

ny aizo (september edition)

previous part (chapter 1)

next part (chapter 3)

Aizo: Yujiro…

Yujiro: ?

Yujiro: What is it?

Aizo: No, it’s nothing…

Yujiro: I see.

Aizo: (He didn’t hear me sighing earlier, did he…?)

Yujiro: Aren’t you going to start practising?

Aizo: I was just getting to it.

Yujiro: Hmm.

Yujiro took his place in front of the mirror and began to practise his dance moves. Aizo tried to follow his lead, though he found himself completely unable to concentrate.

Aizo: (If I gotta talk to him about my variety programme offer, now would be the time to do so, right…?)

Aizo knew that he had to tell Yujiro about it, however, he could not broach the topic at all. With that thought clouding his mind, he made a wrong step and his body toppled over.

Aizo: Whoa!

Aizo: (Oh no, I’m gonna fall…!)

Aizo hurriedly tried to regain his balance, only to slam straight into the floor instead.

Aizo: Ow…

As Aizo rubbed his aching hips, which were throbbing from the impact of his fall, Yujiro extended a hand to him.

Yujiro: Just what do you think you’re doing?

Aizo: Yujiro…

Yujiro: C’mon, just get up already.

Aizo: …

Aizo accepted Yujiro’s hand and stood up.

Yujiro: Will you really be okay to perform on the New Year’s variety programme in your current state?

Aizo: …! You know about it…?!

Yujiro: Suzumi told me about it all happily.

Aizo: (Why that little…)

Yujiro: The producer personally asked for you to do this, right? Good for you.

Aizo: …

Aizo: I haven’t made up my mind on whether to accept the offer yet.

Yujiro: Huh? Why not?

Yujiro: You were told that they wanted you on the show, weren’t you, Aizo?

Yujiro: Offers like this don’t come by very often. Just accept it.

Aizo: Yeah, I know.

Yujiro: Why the hesitation, then?

Aizo: It’s cuz…

Aizo: (I don’t know what the impact on LIPxLIP’s image will be if I were to perform on a variety show all by myself.)

Aizo: (Besides, I don’t really want to take on a job all by myself either.)

Aizo: …

Yujiro: But, well, it’s none of my business.

Aizo: What do you mean it’s none of your business…?

Yujiro: It really has nothing to do with me, though.

Yujiro: We’re not rookies anymore, in both our careers and name recognition.

Yujiro: So of course the both of us will receive more solo job offers from here on out, instead of offers for the both of us as a pair.

Yujiro: I’ll get job offers to appear as “Yujiro”, and you’ll get offers to go on as “Aizo”, instead of having the both of us as “LIPxLIP”.

Yujiro: Excluding the offers we receive as “LIPxLIP”, the activities you do as “Aizo” are none of my business, no matter where or what you do.

Aizo: Wha…!

[deus-ex-mona]

New Year's Festival!: Chapter 1

wdym it's not january anymore—

next part: (chapter 2)

The active idol unit known as LIPxLIP is comprised of Yujiro and Aizo, two students of Sakuragaoka High School.

Considering the facts that the two of them were raised in completely different environments, and have completely different ways of thinking, they have been butting heads with each other ever since the moment they met… Even so, despite their numerous spats, Yujiro and Aizo have gradually built up a relationship of mutual trust with each other. They have succeeded in growing popular as idols, however—

It happened just after the “HoneyPre 1st Anniversary Live” had ended.

Aizo: What do you want? You suddenly called me out, grinning all weirdly at that.

Hiyori: Heheheh. Yannow, I’ve got some good news for you, Shibasaki!

Hiyori: Wait for it… An offer to appear on a variety programme has arrived for you!

Aizo: A variety programme?

Hiyori: Yup! It’s a popular annual programme in which entertainers and celebs face off in an honest showdown…

Hiyori: And it’s gonna air on New Year’s Day! In other words, you’ll be wearing a hakama when you go on the show!

Hiyori: The TV station will be putting tons of effort into this programme, so you’ll be able to gain new fans if you do well!

Hiyori: Doesn’t it sound great?

Aizo: Yeah. But isn’t it rare for us to get offers from variety programmes?

Aizo: How did this offer even come about?

Hiyori: Heheh. Good question!

Hiyori: The producer had contacted us directly, telling us “We’d love to have Aizo on our show.”!

Hiyori: They’d grown an interest in you after seeing you on a talk show that LIPxLIP had been featured on in the past!

Hiyori: The Pres has even praised you, saying stuff like “Aizo’s conversational skills are great.”!

Hiyori: She commented on how you’re able to interact with senior celebs without hesitation, and that you’re good at asking questions that you feel that the viewers want to know the answers to.

Aizo: …I see.

Aizo: (I thought that I sucked at talk shows, but it looks like there are people who think otherwise, huh…)

Aizo: But… Does that mean that I’ll be the only one appearing on the programme this time?

Hiyori: Yup. You got it right.

Hiyori: You won’t be going on as “LIPxLIP”, but as “Aizo” the solo performer!

Hiyori: There will be sporting events like archery and volleyball on the programme.

Hiyori: So I’m sure that you’ll be able to do really well!

Hiyori: Your schedule’s all clear on New Year’s Day. So do you mind if I tell ‘em that you'll be accepting the offer?

Aizo: …

Aizo: (Going on as “Aizo” the solo performer, huh…)

Hiyori: Hey, Shibasaki?

Aizo: Sorry, gimme a while to think it over.

Hiyori: You wanna think it over…? How come? It’s such a great opportunity…

Aizo: We’ve gotta practise the dance for our new song. See ya.

Hiyori: “See ya”...? Why you!

Hiyori: Is this… maybe what the Pres was worried about…?

Aizo heaved a sigh as he stepped into the lesson studio by his lonesome, his mind running with thoughts about none other than the offer to perform on the New Year’s variety programme.

Aizo: (Just as Suzumi said… it’s an offer that doesn’t come by even if we wished for it.)

Aizo: (Yeah, I’m happy that the producer chose me.)

Aizo: (But…)

Had Aizo been a complete rookie idol, he would have taken the offer without a single trace of hesitation. But, now that he was well-known, the work offers that he took on would be closely related to the image of “LIPxLIP”.

Ever since their debut, he and Yujiro had always kept the fact that they were the princes for their Julieta in mind. However, if he were to participate in a variety programme, he would have to show the audience a side of himself that he had never shown before.

Aizo: (Even so, it would still be better if the two of us got to go on together… but I’ll be all alone.)

Aizo: (What would that guy… Yujiro… think about me going on the variety programme by myself?)

Aizo: Sigh…

The door opened just a beat off from the moment the sigh escaped Aizo’s lips, and in walked—

Yujiro: Thanks for your hard work.

Aizo: Yujiro…

Yujiro: ?

[deus-ex-mona]

[deus-ex-mona]

LIPxLIP and the Filming of the New Year’s Special Programme

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Epilogue

[deus-ex-mona]

LIPxLIP and the Filming of the New Year’s Special Programme: Chapter 7

so close, yet oh so far...

previous part (chapter 6)

next part (epilogue)

Aizo: (And the item I’ll have to get this time is… Eh?!)

Aizo looked down at the paper in his hands, its contents describing the last item that he was set to retrieve for the event, in utter dumbfoundment. Seeming to be in a similar state of confusion, Yujiro’s eyes met Aizo’s, bewilderment evident in his gaze.

Aizo: (This probably… means that that’s what they’re going for, right?)

Steeling his resolve, Aizo quickly extended a hand to Yujiro.

Aizo: Come with me!

Yujiro: Come with me!

Without even stopping to express a hint of surprise that they had spoken the same words at the exact same time, the two of them grabbed each other’s hands and started to run—

Aizo: (I’m super unhappy that… the perfect “item” I had to retrieve turned out to be Yujiro, of all things!)

Even so, Aizo continued to run towards the goal at the studio, all while trying not to let his displeasure show on his face.

Host: Go! Go! LIPxLIP!

Host: It looks like their retrieved items are each other! Just what could this possibly mean?!

Host: They’re almost back at the studio! Hey everyone, let’s cheer them on!

Aizo: Oi, Yujiro. Are you okay?

Yujiro: …ut up. Just run.

Perhaps it was because he was trying to match Aizo’s pace, but Yujiro was breathing heavily. With Aizo practically supporting him as they ran, they single-mindedly made their way back to the studio.

Host: They’re almost back! Almost, I say! Hey everyone! Let’s give them a big hand as they make their return!

Aizo: (Dammit… It really is hard to run in this hakama…!)

Host: Goal!

Host: The pair that make up LIPxLIP have made it to the goal together!

Host: As they have made it to the goal at the same time, in a never-before-seen event, the final result is a draw! The winners are the two of LIPxLIP!

Aizo: (...I’m… beat…!)

Aizo: We’re back, you guys!

Aizo: Thanks for cheering us on!

Yujiro: Th-thank you all…

Yujiro: I’m so happy to have won together with my partner, Aizo…

Aizo: Oi Yujiro, you’re dead tired, aren’t you?

Yujiro: Speak for yourself, Aizo… You’re all sweaty.

Host: Haha, thanks for giving it your all for the New Year!

Host: Okay, you two, please come over here and take a breather!

Host: By the way, the both of you picked each other as your final item… Just what was written on the piece of paper?

Aizo: …This.

Yujiro: Mine was the same as his.

Written on the pieces of paper that Aizo and Yujiro showed off were the words of “The Person Who Understands You The Most”.

Host: Oh my! How wonderful! What a display of the mutual trust LIPxLIP have in each other!

Host: You guys at this venue! Let’s give them another round of applause!

Following that, the self-promotion time they had won as their prize concluded with a live performance by the two of them. The curtain fell upon the programme with a rousing success, but—

Yujiro: The programme set us up, didn’t they?

Yujiro: (The host even foreshadowed the simultaneous goal too…)

With the programme behind them, Yujiro voiced his complaints of utter dissatisfaction. Right by his side, Aizo agreed with him sincerely, in a once in a blue moon occurrence.

Hiyori: Hmm… But that was a perfect ending for the show, as far as LIPxLIP is concerned.

Hiyori: Good job for reading the mood, you guys!

Yujiro: …I resent that.

Aizo: I know right? That wasn’t a competition at all.

Yujiro: (That event was completely in Aizo’s favour… Which was exactly why I wanted to win and beat him at his own game.)

Aizo: Hey, Yujiro. …Let’s continue our race, right here and now.

Hiyori: Eh… Does “right here and now”... really mean right now?! Even though it’s already so late in the day?

Yujiro: Hmph, that’s exactly what I was hoping for.

Hiyori: Wait, I’m going too! Manager Uchida will scold me if I ditch you guys here~!

Suzumi followed them, screeching about something or other.

And so, the final battle between Yujiro and Aizo commenced in the form of a bonus round of a voluntary long-distance race—

[deus-ex-mona]

LIPxLIP and the Filming of the New Year’s Special Programme: Chapter 1

the hakamas made me do it i m s o r r y

next part (chapter 2)

Aizo and Yujiro, the constantly bickering pair that made up the active idol unit known as LIPxLIP, had a relationship of friendly rivalry with each other as they worked towards a shared goal.

On a day leading up to the new year, their apprentice manager, Hiyori, called out to them with an “I have something great to tell you!”—

Aizo: A New Year’s variety programme, you said…?

Yujiro: And it will be livestreamed…?

Hiyori: Yup! The stream will begin right after the year changes, so we don’t have much time…

Hiyori: But the director said that they absolutely had to have you guys participate in the programme, and extended an offer to you!

Hiyori: Your fellow participants will include other idols, entertainers,  and all kinds of other people who are rather popular at the moment.

Hiyori: It’ll be a solo competition, so the two of you will have to be rivals on it.

Aizo: For real?! So do I have to act like I have a score to settle with Yujiro?

Yujiro: Huh? Settle what score?

Yujiro: Though, the outcome will be obvious, even if we don’t do it.

Aizo: You’re talking about the fact that you’ll lose for sure, right?

Yujiro: More like, your loss. Give your stupidity a rest already.

Hiyori: Geez! I should be the one telling you guys to “Give it a rest”!

Hiyori: Manager Uchida told me to explain everything to you guys properly!

Hiyori: So pay close attention until I’m done!

Aizo: Yeah, yeah, I get it.

Yujiro: As you wish. Care to continue, Miss Apprentice?

Hiyori: Geez, did you really have to add that last part…?

Hiyori: …Anyway! As for what the special programme is going to be about…

Hiyori: It will be in the format of an elimination match. You will have to participate in various competitive events, and the lowest scoring participant of each event will be eliminated until there is just one remaining participant, who will be deemed the winner.

Hiyori: Said winner will receive the grand prize of some self-promotion time on the show!

Hiyori: Manager Uchida said that “We’ll be lucky regardless of which one of LIPxLIP wins, because we’ll get good publicity either way.” though…

Hiyori: There’s a chance that all kinds of people will be tuning in to the stream of the New Year’s programme, so do your best, you two!

Yujiro: …I’m obviously going to give it my all, though.

Aizo: What kinds of events will there be anyway?

Hiyori: Ah—... About that…

Hiyori: We won’t know till the programme begins.

Hiyori: It’ll be a special programme to celebrate the New Year, so the events may be related to New Year festivities, or they could even be stuff like simple sports.

Hiyori: There’s also the possibility that it could be a quiz, or maybe a card game tournament or something…

Aizo: So we won’t be able to plan for it, huh.

Yujiro: …Yeah.

Hiyori: But still! I really do think that you guys have a shot at victory!

Hiyori: Just don’t argue with each other over weird things on the stream, okay?! All you guys have to do is stay on the programme till the very end.

Hiyori: Cooperate with each other, all while appearing to be competing with each other, got it?!

Aizo: Yeah, yeaaah.

Yujiro: Understood—

Hiyori: …

Aizo: Huh? What’s with that reaction?

Hiyori: Nah… I just…

Hiyori: Have this feeling… of unease…

Aizo: Thanks for your hard work!

Director: Yup, you did well out there! I’ll be counting on you again in the future!

Having finished their shooting for a television programme, Aizo and Yujiro walked along the path towards the dressing room, alone with each other.

Aizo: …Hey, regarding that special programme…

Yujiro: What of it?

Aizo: Despite what Suzumi said about cooperation, I’m sorry, but I’m gonna go all out to defeat you.

Yujiro: That’s my line. Don’t do anything lame like getting eliminated in the very first event, okay?

Yujiro: Wait, scratch that, just try to stay until the final round. If you even can, that is.

Yujiro: We’ll face off against each other in the final round… Where I’ll be sure to show you the sheer differences in our abilities.

Aizo: Why you…!

[deus-ex-mona]

LIPxLIP and the Filming of the New Year’s Special Programme: Chapter 3

b y e j i r o

previous part (chapter 2)

next part (chapter 4)

Hiyori: This way, you guys~!

Hiyori: Hmm—, I was pretty sure I chose a shrine that doesn’t receive many visitors, but I guess that even this place sees tons of people at this time of year!

Yujiro & Aizo: …

Yujiro: (Why do I have to see Aizo’s face even though it’s my day off?)

Having heaved a heavily exaggerated sigh, Yujiro then noticed that Aizo was looking at him with a rather offended expression on his face.

Aizo: Hey, you do know that I feel the same way as you, right?

Yujiro: Huh? Just what is this feeling that we are supposedly sharing?

Aizo: Y’know, that feeling that spells out “Why the hell do I have to see you, even though it’s New Year’s Day?”!

Yujiro: (Eh, he’s actually spot on. How terrifying.)

Yujiro: Forget it. Let’s get on with our prayers.

Yujiro: I want to get home as quickly as possible to prepare for the special programme.

Aizo: What’s the point of preparing for it? I’m way more athletic than you are.

Yujiro: Hey, have you even checked the casting list of the programme? Several cultural enthusiasts are going to participate alongside us.

Yujiro: There’s no way that the programme is going to be planned out in such a way that only the stupidly fit participants are given an advantage.

Aizo: What’s with that “stupidly fit” quip…? Our bodies are our main selling points as idols, y’know?! There’s no way you’re gonna win if you’re losing out in that aspect—

Hiyori: Okay! That’s enough!

Hiyori: There’s no point in fighting here, okay? Let’s pray instead.

Yujiro: …Yeah, true. There’s no point in fighting.

Aizo: Yeah. Oh God, I swear this to you.

Aizo: I definitely won’t lose to this guy, and this guy alone!

Yujiro and Aizo glared at each other, and then made a mad dash for the offertory box in an attempt to beat each other to it.

Aizo: In the hopes of growing to have a close relationship that’s bound by fate, I’ll offer 5 yen!

Yujiro: Huh? Just who do you want to be bound by fate to?

Aizo: I-I dunno, but when it comes to money offerings, you just gotta give 5 yen, right?!

Yujiro: Oh really? I’ll be offering 50 yen, though.

Aizo: Then I’ll offer 100 yen!

Yujiro: …I’ll offer 200 yen.

Yujiro: (Wait, this will never end, will it…? I want to get home to practise for the programme, so let’s just get this over with as quickly as possible.)

Yujiro and Aizo bowed their heads and clapped twice. An excessive feeling of annoyance bubbled up in Yujiro when he heard just how beautifully the sounds that the two of them made had overlapped. 

Yujiro: (I don’t know why I’m praying for a guy like him… but…)

Yujiro prayed for the wish that he had originally wanted to pray for from the very beginning.

Yujiro: (Dear God, the both of us from LIPxLIP will be participating in a variety show together in a few days’ time.)

Yujiro: (It looks like it’s going to be a solo competition, so of course I’ll have my own share of highlights…)

Yujiro: (But please allow Aizo to show off his best points too.)

Yujiro: (Please let the programme be one that can be enjoyed by…every single one of the viewers from across the country.)

Yujiro: (Unlike Aizo, I’m… not used to participating in variety programmes, so I’ll try my best to not be a burden.)

When Yujiro cracked an eye open and glanced to the side, he was met with the sight of Aizo praying as hard as he could for something or other.

Aizo: …

Yujiro: (...He sure is taking a long time.)

Yujiro: (I don’t want to… raise my head before he does… or something.)

Hiyori: Um~... Aren’t you guys taking quite a while…?

Despite hearing Suzumi call out to him from behind, Yujiro paid her no mind as he continued to pray for both himself and Aizo. In other words, he was praying for the sake of LIPxLIP’s activities—

[deus-ex-mona]

LIPxLIP and the Filming of the New Year’s Special Programme: Chapter 6

the host definitely shipxships it

previous part (chapter 5)

next part (chapter 7)

Aizo: (Some of the stuff we had to find were rather ridiculous, but… we’re finally at the final item, huh.)

Just as the faintest sight of the final checkpoint came into view, Aizo turned around to look behind him.

Aizo: (Huh…? Yujiro’s gone. He’s been following me pretty closely for the entire time, though.)

Aizo stopped in place and looked back towards the way he came for a moment. Eventually, the distant figure of Yujiro emerged from far down the path.

Aizo: (Well… His physical capabilities are lower than mine to begin with, and he’s wearing a hakama, and there’s a camera filming us the entire time. It’s no wonder he’s lagging behind, I guess.)

Aizo: (He’ll have to run up a slight incline in the path… around here…)

Aizo: (Ah…? Wait, no, isn’t he running kinda weirdly?)

Aizo: Sorry guys! I’ll be right back!

Having spoken those words to the camera, Aizo headed back down the path. When he regrouped with Yujiro, however, the latter heaved a sigh of annoyance.

Yujiro: Hey, are you even taking this race seriously?

Aizo: Now’s not the time for that. Lemme see.

Aizo crouched down by Yujiro’s feet. As he had expected, there were blisters on Yujiro’s feet, which had been caused by his sandals.

Aizo: You’re bleeding. Aren’t you supposed to be used to wearing sandals like these?

Yujiro: Shut it. The size of the sandals that the programme staff had prepared for me was just a little off.

Yujiro: I figured that it’d be fine if the most we did was light exercises. Though I never expected them to make us go on a long-distance run.

Aizo: Why didn’t you say something sooner? …Hey, staff!

The staff members, whom Aizo had called out to, helped Yujiro to patch up his feet. In addition to that, they gave Yujiro another set of shoes to change into, and they were able to resume the race.

Host: Hmm, our staff sure dropped the ball on this one, didn’t they? I’m so sorry, Yujiro!

Host: To all you viewers out there, I’d like to apologise… for worrying you.

Host: Though, Aizo was the very first one to notice that something was off with Yujiro… I guess they really are two halves of a whole, after all.

Such were the words that the host had spoken from the studio, while Aizo and Yujiro took a short break with the camera turned off.

Host: At this rate, don’t tell me… They’ll even reach the goal together in an unprecedented occurrence on this show?! 

Yujiro & Aizo: …

Aizo: …I don’t approve of jokes like that, not even by a single bit.

Yujiro: That’s my line.

Aizo: Y’know, you’re the one who started it all back at the first checkpoint by giving me that weird advice.

Aizo: So to say that we don’t care for each other would be—

Yujiro: What are you going on about? Had I not given you that hint, you’d still be struggling at the first checkpoint at this very moment.

Aizo: Ugh… That’s low…!

Aizo: (He really isn’t cute~!)

Staff: Hey LIPxLIP! We’re about to resume the filming!

Yujiro & Aizo: Got it!

Aizo: In any case, we should make it our priority to end the stream on an exciting note.

Aizo: There’s no way you’re gonna retire, hm?

Yujiro: Of course I won’t. …Don’t patronise me.

They quickly got into position to resume the rest of the run.

Aizo: (The host said that thing about us reaching the goal at the same time earlier, but… there’s no way that that’s gonna happen, right…?)

Aizo: (No way… But that would make things more exciting, right…? Nah, nope… of course they won’t…)

Such thoughts coursed through Aizo’s mind as he ran towards his destination, namely the piece of paper with the final item written on it. Shortly after Aizo arrived at the checkpoint, Yujiro reached it as well. 

Yujiro: …Hurry up and pick one. You got here first.

Aizo: I’ll do it, even if you didn’t tell me to.

Host: Whether tears will be shed, or smiles will be shared, we’re finally at the last spurt! What’ll happen to the race between the two of LIPxLIP…?

Aizo unfolded the paper as the broadcasted audio from the studio drifted into his ears.

Aizo: (And the item I’ll have to get this time is… Eh?!)

[deus-ex-mona]

LIPxLIP and the Filming of the New Year’s Special Programme: Chapter 5

the amazing race begins

previous part (chapter 4)

next part (chapter 6)

Host: By a strange coincidence, the two of them will have to face off against each other in this event… namely, a “Scavenger Hunt”!

Yujiro: (I definitely… won’t lose to him…!)

Yujiro peeked at Aizo, only to see a smug smile on his face, as though he had been thinking that very same thought as well.

Aizo: …

Yujiro: (What’s with that look on his face…?! Is he trying to tell me that he has the upper hand, just because we’ll be on the run for this scavenger hunt?)

Yujiro: (I don’t know where he found that baseless confidence of his, but I’ll smash it to bits…!)

Host: Now, let’s get to the rules of the Scavenger Hunt. First off, you guys will set off from this studio, and run along a designated route.

Host: The rest of the rules are super simple.

Host: Along the route, there will be desks with pieces of paper placed atop them, and you two will be asked to pick one of the papers and open them to reveal…

Host: The item that you will need to find. Once you’ve brought your found item back to the desk, you will be allowed to resume running along the route.

Host: Are you guys readyyy?

Aizo: Yup! I’m ready to go whenever!

Yujiro: I’m all set! I’ll do my best to win this!

Yujiro: Well, it’ll still be a victory for LIPxLIP no matter which one of us wins, though.

Aizo: Yeah. Let’s take care to not help each other out along the way.

Amidst the excited chatter from the others at the venue, the two of them took their places at the starting line.

Host: Let’s get right to the Scavenger Hunt! On your marks, get set, start!

Aizo: (It’s really hard to run in this hakama… It’s rather hot too…)

Aizo: (But, considering the distance, I should be able to reach the goal without losing this pace…)

Aizo: (...Ah! Here comes our first item.)

Aizo stopped in front of the desk at the first checkpoint.

Aizo: (As for… Yujiro…)

Aizo looked behind him to see Yujiro trailing behind at a surprisingly short distance away.

Aizo: (Is he running faster than usual because we’re being filmed without any spare time to provide service to the viewers that we could’ve done if we had run at a leisurely pace instead…? But anyways.)

Aizo: I’ll pick the paper on the left!

Such were the words that Aizo had spoken towards the camera as he opened the paper. The first item he was set to retrieve, as written in the paper, was—

Aizo: (...Huh? “Snow”?)

Aizo: (Wait… Where the hell can I even find snow in Tokyo on a bright and sunny day like this?!)

As Aizo stressed over his designated item, Yujiro caught up to him and looked at his own paper.

Yujiro: Written in here is… “mandarin oranges”. There’s a greengrocer’s a little further back, right?

Yujiro: Ah, there’s also a supermarket straight ahead.

Aizo: (Dammit… The paper I picked has put me at a complete disadvantage!)

Yujiro: What did you get, Aizo?

Aizo: …“Snow”.

Yujiro: Hmm… It’s too bad, but it sure looks like I’m going to win this match, doesn’t it?

Just as Yujiro turned to head for the supermarket—

Yujiro: …Ah, but… You don’t have to use real snow or anything, do you?

Aizo: Huh?

Yujiro: Back when we worked at the kindergarten for a day, I found myself thinking that kids are able to use all kinds of things to represent snow, or something.

Aizo: Hey… Just what do you mean—

Aizo trailed off when he spotted a handmade poster, which looked to have been illustrated by a child, pasted onto a nearby notice board. The words “Snow Festival” were written on the poster, along with a drawing of a snowman, with bits of cotton stuck all over it in place of actual snow.

Aizo: (I see… So that’s what he meant!)

Aizo: Yujiro, you idiot. Just why are you giving me hints, even though I’m your rival?

Yujiro: Things wouldn’t be as interesting if there’s too much of a distance between us, no?

Host: Oh my! It looks like the friendship between the two of LIPxLIP has helped them to overcome this challenge in no time flat!

The real-time relaying of the audio from the studio allowed Aizo and Yujiro to hear the words of the host.

Yujiro: …“Friendship”?

Aizo: That’s what he said.

Muttering lowly so as to not have their words be amplified by the microphone, Aizo and Yujiro’s eyes met in a fierce glare, their gazes burning with a competitive spark—