Chapter 1
November, Year 2 of ES. A corner of Paris.
Hah, hah…
Tch! Truly, I’m baffled that we must go through this kind of experience!
Teach, over here!
Also, if ya talk while running, ya might bite yer tongue.
I know that, you don’t have to say it…!
K-Kagehira. There’s no more pursuers… right?
Yep, we’re safe… Seems like we barely managed ta get away.
Indeed… That was a horrible experience.
I only came because they said it was going to be a pep rally, but I never expected it to turn into a hassle like this.
Oh, well I had fun♪ It’s a good thing to have a bit of ruckus once in a while.
Mademoiselle. I never wanted to take your lovely self to a place like that.
However, since that Megasphere incident, there’s no telling what kind of trouble will separate us, so bringing you along was unavoidable.
…I really did consider them like-minded in their love of art and pursuit of self expression.
But if events similar to these continue to happen from now on, then I may have to reconsider my association with the Salon.
Nnah~, yer not wrong.
The first match of MM is comin’ up soon, and we almost got inta trouble with the police.
But there’s no need ta make a big deal [1] over it, right?
‘Sides, we got to hear all about the new art exhibit everyone was talkin’ about.
Since yer goin’ up against MELLOW DEAR US in the MM, it seems like everyone just wanted to support ya and give ya some strength against ‘em, Teach.
Hmph. If that’s true, then the problem is unsurprisingly the crazy water… or rather alcohol.
Even someone who is usually calm would change the second they drank that.
At a minimum, they still had basic etiquette though, so I didn’t say anything about the drinking itself.
After all, there was plenty of alcohol provided at the reception party.
Ufufu. They’ve been praising Valkyrie’s recent activities, you know.
Like when Mika-chan went to the moon, or when you made a large version of me at the Megasphere♪
Big Sis Mado’s right. I’ve been happy with all the praise we’ve been gettin’ lately too.
Teach, ya don’t mind it either d’ya?
…Hmph. I think there’s some teasing in your question.
Anywho. The alcohol did make everyone a bit noisy, but it didn’t cause any trouble for the place we were at.
The problem came from that, yeah?
Do you mean the street art we saw after leaving?
Mhm. I forget who spotted it, but it was super unlucky that they did.
I feel the same… Though, as an artist, I feel like I can’t ignore it either.
Nnah~. Isn’t drawin’ on that wall banned ta begin with?
That’s why they were upset seein’ the graffiti there.
That part I don’t necessarily see as a problem. Of course, there are standards and rules should generally be followed.
But for the sake of art, sometimes rigid and strict values must be broken down.
If anything, I was more caught up in the quality of the street art.
It’s nothing more than meaningless scribbles, far from expressing any sort of message!
It is unforgivable to even call that thing “street art”.
True, it may be a piece that ya don’t like, Teach.
But I didn’t think it was that bad…
Still, there were people who completely opposed ya and everyone who had the same opinion.
They started studyin’ the art to find the intention behind it, and even said that drawin’ on the wall was a sign of opposin’ the regime.
Like I said earlier, I think it’s pretty good, ‘kay? Even though it’s got some unrefined parts.
Kagehira. Surely you understand now that art isn’t just about the ability to scribble anything you think of, no?
Even a baby can act on their inner impulses. However, we must mull over those emotions until they take on a proper form of expression.
That is the perfect world we aim for.
Nnah~… I understand, Teach.
…Although, I am unable to overlook the foolishness that ensued afterwards.
You’re referring to when everyone’s discussion had been provoked and they attempted to draw a new piece of art on the wall with their own supplies, right?
Several people tried ta stop ‘em from drawin’, but it was just no use.
Someone from the police ended up hearin’ all the commotion and came runnin’.
That’s when everyone ended up scatterin’…
It was just s’posed ta be a fun pep rally, so I didn’t think any of this would happen.
Truly… Usually they are all composed and hold unique perspectives, but today they went a little too far.
Just remembering it frustrates me all over again. As I expected, we should distance ourselves from them for a while.
Well. I think everyone got a little too excited, ya know? Besides, usually everyone is pretty nice.
But even I was a little bothered when they tried ta paint over the drawin’ with another.
I don’t think it’s strange for people to feel that way about graffiti, especially when it uses such simple motifs to catch your eye.
Now, I do think the reaction was quite uncivilized.
No matter, we are quite busy people. In our circumstances, every second of our time is precious.
We should return home quickly and continue with our final preparations for MM.
Right. ‘Sides, we’re up against those MELLOW DEAR US people. If we want ta win against ‘em, then we need ta make sure we’re well-prepared.
If that’s the case, then I think it would be beneficial for you to concentrate more in lessons, no?
I have no idea what you’re so bothered by, but I will not permit you to perform at the event as you have been during practice.
…Right. Yer right, Teach.
Hmph… Also, restrain yourself from making any statements regarding the outcome of this event, either victory or loss. Otherwise, you’ll be playing into their hands.
I’ve said this to you before we came here, no? I’ve already been thoroughly pushed around by Nice-P during the entire Megasphere affair.
It is quite unpleasant to continue dancing in the palm of their hands any longer.
If I was able to, I would have refused participation in this World Tour…
It was the agency’s idea, so we didn’t really have any say in refusing.
After all the trouble on the Megasphere, the return to the ground had me thinkin’ I could return to my routine, but that moment didn’t last long.
Anyway, I remember perfectly what ya said, Teach.
“No matter the opponent, we must create a performance befitting the name Valkyrie”♪
…Good, so long as you understand.
I’m not the slightest bit interested in Nice or the Megasphere… but the engineering of the Sphere Stage has piqued my interest.
This is a rare opportunity. Thus, we should use it to the fullest for our performance.
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Translation Notes
[1] – This is a Japanese idiom that translates literally to “raising the corner of one’s eye".