mireiarchive

Jp proofer : Peach

En proofer : Birdie

Cosmic Production ES Office - One day in Autumn

Ibara : Thank you for your hard work today, everyone in Cospro! My apologies, but I will be taking my leave early today!

Everyone too, please remember to put your health as your number one priority and avoid excessive overtime work to return home! Well then, I'm leaving... 🎶

Ibara : (... Alright. It's been so long since I’ve been able to clock out around this hour.)

(Since I will have a lot of time to prepare for His Excellency's dinner today, I suppose I can change up the menu a little while putting the nutrition balance into consideration.)

ES Hallway

Ibara : … The elevator is finally here. Considering how many people are working in this building, I wish they could add at least two more elevatorsー

Tori : Yuzuru, you blockhead!!! I don't want to care anymore!!!

Ibara : ....?

Ibara : Well, if it isn’t Mr. Himemiya, thank you for your hard work!

Tori : Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't notice the elevator suddenly stopped and I ended up raising my voice unintentionally.

Ibara : Ah, please don't worry. If anything, I can also use the stairs since it's good for my health too. Please continue to enjoy your monologuing!

Tori : Huh...? No no, it’s not like that! I wasn’t talking to myself the whole time in the elevator, okay?

Yuzuru kept scolding me in the chat and I unconsciously ended up complaining out loud!

I already closed the chat anyway, going down from the 18th floor must be tiring too. So please don't mind me.

Ibara : … Well then, I shall take you up on your offer and join you.

... I don’t mean to pry, but did something happen with Yuzuru?

Tori : … Yep. I left the script for work on my bed, so he told me to tidy up first.

I was planning on reading through it again tonight so I left it on the bed. But it must have looked like I was just leaving a mess to Yuzuru.

I thought I could take it easy once we moved to the dorm because Yuzuru is my roommate, but sometimes having him by your side at all times makes it harder to relax.

How about you, Saegusa-senpai? Have there been any difficulties in your dorm life?

Ibara : Ah no... I'm fortunate enough to be kept busy with work. I believe because of that I also haven't spent enough time with anyone to form a proper impression of them.

Although, I'm going back quite early today so I thought I should go to the room---

(Elevator shaking)

Tori : Uwahh!? Why is the elevator shaking all of a sudden?

Ibara : ... Mr. Himemiya, please hold tightly onto me. It's possible this elevator will stop working.

Tori : Eh...!?

Tori : … Uwah!? It stopped and even the power went off? What’s happening!?

Ibara : Please calm down and don't panic. I will verify the situation immediately.

Tori : Th-that’s easier said than done! This means we’re trapped in the elevator, right?!

Ibara : And that’s exactly why we need to remain calm to understand the situation. Look, if you’re afraid of the dark you can try using the light from your smartphone.

Tori : Uu~ But, why did the power suddenly go off and why did the elevator stop moving out of nowhere~?!~!? So much for the latest technology~!

Ibara : It could be a malfunction from the safety installation, or perhaps the mischief of a mouse... Or maybe it could be the work of a ghost.

Tori : Eeh!? G---ghost!???

Ibara : I'm just kidding. At any rate, you are not alone right now. I'm pretty good at handling emergencies like this, so please rest assured.

(... Is what I said, but in the end, all I can do is to contact the proprietary company....)

Tori : Uu... Yuzuru...

Ibara : (What's worse is this... It’s awkward that he keeps calling that name while relying on me.)

... Mr. Himemiya. I already contacted the proprietary company. They said only this elevator was stopped, the cause is still unknown, but they are currently working on the recovery.

Tori : The—then does that mean they don't know when it will move again?

Ibara : Well, at worst, we can say it’s like that.

Tori : I see.. Hhh.. It would be great if we can just open up the ceiling and get out from here like in manga.

Ibara : aHaHaHa ⭐ Please don’t ask for the impossible. That’s only possible when it’s fiction.

In the real world, an elevator can’t be opened from the inside to avoid the possibility of a secondary disaster.

Tori : Eh, is that true? So it's not like in manga… Wait. Saegusa-senpai, do you read manga too?

Ibara : His Excellency often talks about it, maybe it's the influence after borrowing manga from Jun? Analyzing the sloppy tricks used in fiction is one thing but imitating it in the real world while brimming with curiosity will only bring trouble.

Tori : Not bad, that sounds fun. Maybe I should try reading the manga recommended by Sazanami-senpai from that view.

Ibara : That reminds me, Mr. Himemiya is in the same circle as Jun, right?

Tori : Yep! He lent me some manga before. It stopped at a good part so I'm excited to read more.

Besides, I can read a lot of manga that hasn’t been censored by Yuzuru in the circle, so it’s really fun~🎶

Ibara : … Does yuzuru shield you to that extent? Even if Mr. Himemiya is this cute, does he have to be that overprotective?

Tori : Saegusa-senpai is also in the same circle as Yuzuru, right? Did you join to learn to cook?

Ibara : Yes. From Mr. Shiina, I get to learn various kinds of dishes from all times and places. My recipes have improved thanks to that.

Tori : Yuzuru also tells me that he learns rare dishes. I asked him to make some of it for me too sometime.

Ibara : That's a blessing. For me I still have a lot I haven't—

Tori : … Oh the power is back!!

Ibara : What a relief. I think the elevator will start again soon, it might suddenly shake again so please hold on to me to prevent falling from the sudden movement.

Tori : Alright~. I'm glad it's working again~🎶

ES Lobby

Tori : We’re finally here! This is my first time spending that much time in an elevator!

Ibara : It was a first for me too. I will investigate to find the cause of it suddenly stopping at another time---

Tori : … Oh, yuzuru!

Ibara : ...!

Yuzuru : Young master...! I was worried because you suddenly stopped replying...!

To add-in, I’ve also heard about how the elevator you were on stopped working... I suddenly felt like my heart would stop.

Tori : You're exaggerating. I mean, I did get pretty caught off guard, but Saegusa-senpai was with me, so I was okay.

Yuzuru : With Ibara..?

Ibara :aHaHaHa⭐ It's a blessing if even someone like me could be of help there.

Yuzuru : ... If young master was alone he would’ve ended up feeling really hopeless.

Yuzuru : Please let me send my gratitude just for today. Thank you very much ibara.

Ibara : .....

Ibara : I just happened to be in the same place. From here I will leave his care to you, his butler.

Yuzuru : Yes. I will do so without you telling me.

Tori : Saegusa-senpai, thank you for today!! Let me thank you properly next time!

Ibara : Ahahaha, dont worry about it~

Ibara : ... Well then I still need to prepare for dinner, I guess, I should also go back to the dorm.

Ibara : (I was thinking of cooking from a recipe that I haven't tried before.)

(I have time to answer requests, should I show His Excellency the recipes and let him decide today's menu?)

(I guess sometimes it's not bad to be requested for something to cook.)

END

Jp proofer : Peach

En proofer : Birdie

Location : Dormitory Kitchen - Autumn

Souma: Oh... Shiina-dono. You’ve already started cooking? Although, I can't see the other members around.

Niki: Ahhh Kanzaki-kun. Good afternoon~ ♪ I cooked this Aglio Olio Peperoncino for myself, it has nothing to do with Niki's Kitchen activity.

Souma: Aario Oorio?

Niki: Eh, you don't know? Do you recognize Peperoncino alone then~? They serve it in the employee cafeteria.

Souma: Yes. I’ve tried making that myself. Is "Ahrio Ohlio Peperonchino'' the real name of Peperonchino?

Niki: Yup, Aglio Olio is the sauce that is made using olive oil and garlic—

And Aglio Olio Peperonchino is when you add Chili peppers and Pasta into it.

By the way, Peperoncino means Chili peppers in Italian. It sounds like a fancy dish here in Japan, but it doesn't work that way in Italy.

Sena-kun said he ordered that in Florence once and all he got was just Chilli peppers on a plate. Nhaha ♪

Souma: Hoo. It must be really embarrassing to experience things like that in a foreign country…

… You've cooked a lot, but it seems that you’ve already eaten more than half of it... Your stomach is really strong Shiina-dono.

But, won’t it hinder the activities for Nikizu Kitchin if you eat that much?

Niki: Worry not, this one goes to a different stomach ♪

What do you say, Kanzaki-kun?? If you want, you can have some.

Souma: I'm okay. Although, thank you for the offer. It would be difficult to enjoy cooking with a full stomach after all.

Yuzuru: My apologies for interrupting your discussion. Good Afternoon, both of you.

Niki: Fushimi-kun, VicePres. You guys must be close for you to come here together, huh~

Yuzuru & Ibara: We are absolutely not.

Niki: … Even though you both were harmonizing just now?

Ibara: That’s nothing but a coincidence. Both our remarks just now and the timing of our arrival.

Yuzuru: Just as he said. It was merely a coincidence, please don't say such unpleasant things.

Niki: Hmmm~? Well, it doesn’t matter anyway... Since everyone already gathered, it is time to start Niki's Kitchen~

Oops— before we start I have to place "that" on ♪

Ibara: Ahh, the Framed photo of Sena-shi, yes?

Souma: Yes. He’s barely been able to join the Circle activities. That’s why it has now become a tradition to put his photo up instead.

Niki: If we just use his photo as it is, it will become like a photo of a deceased person, so Sena-kun himself put his signature and sticker on it. Thanks to that, the kitchen now seems glorious ♪

With this, everyone really has gathered! Once again I'm starting our Activity~

Ahem. Today's menu is simmered mackerel with miso, miso soup, braised chicken and vegetables (Chikuzenni) and spinach with sesame sauce. It’s a balanced meal (ichiju sansai)¹ with fish as the main dish.

It's a big menu, that's why we will split up the work ☆

Souma: When it comes to handling the fish, please leave it up to me!.. Ha!! SOIYAA!

Niki: Ohh, throwing the fish into the air and filleting it huh. That's so acrobatic~

Ibara: I will measure the ingredients, please don't worry, I won't miss even a single number behind the comma.

Yuzuru: Then I will be the one cutting the vegetables. I'll make sure to cut them into even lengths.

Niki: Yes, please do ♪

(Everyone surely has their own unique cooking style, don't they? There are a lot of Idols that have strong traits like this.)

( Instructions like “a pinch” or “just a bit” are used in recipes, so you don’t actually need to be too accurate about it)

( Though it does make me happy that they’re very enthusiastic about it. It uplifts my mood a lot just by watching them.... ♪)

After that, in the dorm common room

Niki: Now it's time to eat the long-awaited meal!! Put your hands together~ Thanks for the food ☆

Souma: Thanks for the food. Shiina-dono, are you planning to eat it with the Ahrio Ohrio that you made before?

Niki: Ofcourse~. I didn't get to finish it on time so I had some leftovers.

Yuzuru: Ho—how do I say it... That seems to be a poorly paired combination there.

Ibara: Shiina-shi, don’t you think there’s a limit to too many calories??

Niki: Nahaha, I'll be fine~ ♪ *munch munch*... How many times have we had this Niki's Kitchen activity already? I kinda forgot.

What do you think? Is the experience y'all got from here useful for your daily life?

Souma: Yes. My cooking reepaatorie Has increased, And I’ve gained more opportunities to cook for others as well.

It makes me happy that everyone gladly eats the food I made. It ignited a motivation in my heart to improve. It might be too early to say this, but I'm looking forward to the next activity…. ♪

Ibara: I generally agree with Mr. Kanzaki. The food I cook is mainly for His Excellency, but even he told me it was delicious.

My range of food arrangements expands with every activity I partake in, So it is certainly a worthy activity to participate in.

Yuzuru: Thanks to Niki's kitchen, Bocchama would always eat his food with a smile.

He needs to eat more vegetables too, so I would like to learn recipes that can be delicious even for someone who dislikes vegetables.

Niki: Was that a request? Alrighty, I'll think about that.

Yuzuru: Thank you for the consideration, I'm looking forward to the dishes that you will teach us ♪

Ibara: You sure like bringing up personal subjects in the Circle activity talks huh. Don't you think you’re spoiling your master a little too much?

Yuzuru: Ibara... If I may have a word, don't you think you’re also—

Souma: Hm... Seems like there’s suddenly a strange mood in the air… hm?

Shiina-dono, why are you staring at them with such a tender smile?

Niki: Ah no~ I just think that having a fun meal is nice♪ When our life is in danger, we will end up stuffing the food into our mouths without thinking about anything, but…

In the end, dining is better when it's lively. Getting to eat with someone makes it even more delicious~

(But their verbal fight might be a bit too lively for the fun dining. Even Kanzaki-kun seems to be worried... If it's like this—)

Fushimi-kun, VicePres! Your fight should end here! Let's continue it in the Kitchen—

Both of you should compete in a creative dessert competition!

Ibara: Creative dessert competition..?

Niki: Yes yes, dessert is what comes after dining after all, whoever makes the more delicious dish will be the winner ♪

Yuzuru: Sounds good, I will accept the challenge. I make desserts for Bocchama so I have confidence in this.

I will be winning this one, Ibara ♪

Ibara: Do keep your guards down as much as you like, I’ll make sure to destroy you at your own game, aHaHaHaHa ☆

Niki: Both of you surely fired up~ I'm looking forward for the dessert ♪ *munch munch*...

Souma: Thanks to Shiina-dono's quick wit, the fight seems to have settled down now.

Though, even after eating that much, Shiina-dono still wants to eat deazaato? Do sweets also belong to a different stomach?

Niki: Ofcourse~ ♪ I can't wait~! I want to eat it immediately! Aight. If it's like this, I'm gonna make dessert too!!

If you can't eat that you can just leave it be!! I will take responsibility to eat it!

Since we finally got to do circle activity today. I will keep eating until I'm full... ☆

NOTE :

¹一汁三菜 literally means 1 soup 3 dish, it's the balanced meal used commonly by family in japan

This story is part of Satellite, you can check the rest of chapter here

JP proofer :

Nazunyan

EN proofer :

Peace

Skyress

Gatekeeper - " The young girl before the gate "

Late October. ES Floating garden

Hajime: ~..♪

Please look at this, Anzu-san! The flowers have already bloomed beautifully~♪

Ehehe. It's all thanks to Anzu-san helping everyday.

Anzu-san is also always really busy. You’ve become a really remarkable person…

Lately, you probably didn’t have free time to take care of this flower bed, right?

Eh? I’m just as busy as you are. So, if anything, it makes for a nice breather?

Fufu. If you say it like that, I'm very thankful. That's right, taking care of the flowers might be hard. But, it's not just hard work, it also has a healing effect in some way.

It lifts up your mood when you gaze at the cute-looking flowers—

—Uwah!?

—Tha-that surprised me! Just now, a helicopter flew so close to the building, right?

I thought it was going to crash!

A—ahh! Because of that the flower bed’s messed up…!?

Gatekeeper: —First of all, lemme make one thing clear.

Hajime: …..!?

Gatekeeper: It wasn't my intention to mess up your flowers, see. They just got caught in the crossfire.

Better yet, it's their fault for bloomin' there in the first place.

Hajime: (Eh? What? Who is this person? He suddenly appeared behind me, without me even realizing it…!?)

(Sometimes, Anzu-san also often sneaks up on me unnoticed like that but…)

(Could it be that he jumped off the helicopter that had just passed by?)

(No... no matter how you think about it, that’s impossible, right? Never mind spraining his leg - he’d probably end up with broken bones!)

(But---there was no sign of the door from the rooftop's entrance opening or closing?)

(Is he...a..ghost?)

Ibara: Gatekeeper!

Hajime: Uwahh, what’s happening again!?

Ibara: Jimenyan, Anzu-san too! Get away from that man immediately!

Hajime: e-eh!? What is happening, Ibanyan? I'm sorry, I don't really get the situation!

Gatekeeper: —Huh. Based on what's goin' on, there're three things I get right off the bat.

First point's that this place's security ain't anything to call home about.

Second point's that you've got no idea who I am.

Third point's that you've still got as poor manners as ever.

I swung by to check on you, thinkin' you'd grown even the tiniest bit, but you've let me down.

Ibara: As usual, you don't want to make any conversation with a stranger. To see that that part of you hasn’t changed at all actually reassures me— Great Uncle.

Gatekeeper: Cut the crap. Even if we're family on paper, you callin' me that makes me feel like I've got ants on my back.

You're half-assin' it still, li'l Ibara.

If you really wanted to land even a scratch on me, then you shoulda've just givin' me a big ol' hug without sayin' a thing, followed-up with sweet, lovin' words in my ear.

Our God would've definitely done that. Each an' every one of His actions have meanin' to them.

Ibara: There was meaning to what I did, you see.

Before you managed to do any unnecessary meddling to Anzu-san and others, I lured your attention over to me.

Gatekeeper: That sorta thing doesn't have a lick of meanin'. You're no stranger to me, so I just went on like normal.

If you really wanna take pride in that as your achievement, be my guest. As quick and easy as rewardin' a kid with a piece of candy.

Hajime: Eh, um.. Ibanyan, is this person your acquaintance?

Ibara: Against my will. Technically, he is some sort of family of distant relatives, wasn't it?

Gatekeeper: Only out of convenience, mind. Gets too complicated outside of that.

Hajime: Uh…? As I remember, you called him a great uncle before right?

Gatekeeper: Hey, you,

Hajime: ….!?

Gatekeeper: Don't ask a single thing about me.

Or it'll be the last thing you do.

Hajime: ….! ….!?

Ibara: … As a professional, isn’t it bad to threaten innocent people?

Hajime: (Uwah? When did Ibanyan materialize behind me too!?)

(Why is everyone sneaking up on me, or rather—what's actually happening around me right now!?)

Gatekeeper: —Based on how you're actin' now, there're three things I get right off the bat.

First point's that you're still keepin' up with your emergency prep training.
Second point's that you've found somethin' important to you, and that's really draggin' your judgement of the situation through the mud.
Third point's that the idols of this country haven't changed a single bit.

They're nothin' but pigs bred for slaughter havin' gone wild once their owner up and left 'em.

Knew I should've taken care of 'em before they ended up bein' devoured and used to fatten up other beasts, but...

It would've been disrespectful for me to assume that's what our God would've wanted me to do. That's why I just ended up lettin' the grass grow wild like that.

Some might say that I've waited too long, that it's too late to trim 'em back the way they ought to be, but I've gotta do a little touchin' up, don't I?

Disgraceful. Just disgraceful, that's what you idols are.

Ibara: Did you come all the way from overseas just to complain about things like that?

Gatekeeper: This has got nothin' to do with my words nor actions, boy. God's will is what guides me.

It was already decided by His hand that I'd be standin' here right now. That's why I came.

I ain't a pastor, so don't even try askin' me why. Only God knows the reason for it.

I'm a Gatekeeper. I'm just here to make sure anyone who's stepped into God's realm is qualified to be there... and if you ain't, that you're removed from it.

... Even the fact that I'm the only one who survived — there's gotta be a reason for that too, one that only God knows, and knows all too well.

Hajime: ....?