Why I Lead a Fast Life
(We have practice tomorrow morning… Well, physical work is the only thing I’m good at… I got this!)
*yawn…* I really don’t wanna go to that early dance lesson tomorrow.
Well, you have to. We all work full-time, so the only time we can get together for lessons is either early morning or at night. Besides, aren’t you the least busy out of all of us?
Aw, don’t be like that. I gotta job hunt, y’know?
And when was the last time you actually took that hunt seriously?
Well, I gotta research the places I apply to instead of just throwing random applications everywhere. Nobody wants an employee who isn’t a good fit for the job, right?
Ten! Do your best… I know you can do it! I believe in you, as your f-f-fr…friend!
……
Yeah, you’re right. If my friend thinks I can do it, guess I can give it a shot.
…!
……
What’s up, Prez?
Nothing. Things are going well for you, aren’t they?
What’s that supposed to mean? I’m gonna go wash my face.
……
……
*munch, munch, munch…*
(I’m looking forward to our lesson tomorrow. But I have to leave for the ice rink right after…)
(I’ve sent off all the company emails and given instructions for up until noon… Time to go.)
*munch, munch, munch…*
I’m glad I had this practice room built for situations like this. ♪
Wow, wow… I can’t believe we get to practice in a room like this… It’s just like real idol training…!
You came up with the choreography, right, Yachiyo-kun?
Wah, hyesh! I-I’ll walk everyone through it!
(I didn’t know Yachiyo-kun could choreograph…)
…!
(His expression changed?!)
…!!
Wow…
Woah, it’s actually pretty good.
…I didn’t know Yachiyo could do this.
*pant, pant, pant…* Was that okay?! I tried to dance like some of my ults!
I focused on hand gestures and simple footwork so it wouldn’t be too hard…
I think it was great. Let’s all start practicing it now. Yachiyo, let us know if you have any advice.
Wahhhh, Kamina Yukikaze praised me… The Ice Prince praised me… I-I could die happy…
Give us a notice if you plan on dying.
(Kafka… You’re really freaking me out.)
Um, so, there’s a turn here from your right… Hm? Wait, was it from your left?
The footwork goes from left to right, right to left… Huh? W-W-Which way’s left again?
Yachiyo-san, you can dance but you can’t teach it? What’s up with that?
Left is right and right is left and I am you and you are me… D’ahhh…
Hm. Yachiyo, show me the routine again. I think I can memorize it if I see it one more time. I can teach everyone from there.
(That’s a professional figure skater for you! Yuki-nii’s so reliable…!)
Ahuu… O God, Great Buddha, Your Holiness, Yukikazeeeee!! M-My saviooooor!
Ah, I got it. There’s a turn here, and the footwork’s like this.
Lower your hips here and then go like this with your upper body… Like that?
……
Mm, the three of you have it down. Ten, you’re pretty light on your feet. You seem to be decently fit too. Do you do some kind of sport?
Ahh, I kinda got into dancing from someone I used to know.
I see. Your movements are clean; you’re a great dancer.
Renga, your experience as a celebrity must be why your presentation is so great. And Liguang, you have excellent balance. Is it because you do martial arts?
…I suppose.
(Ugh… I thought I was better at dancing than him, but he’s not even breaking a sweat. Damn you, Liguang…)
What are you staring at?
I-I wasn’t staring!! Y-Y-You’re just self-conscious!
*sigh* How annoying…
(Everyone’s amazing… But what about…)
*pant, pant…* Sorry… I’m holding everyone back.
You had surgery recently. You don’t need to strain yourself to learn it all in one day.
Shut up… I know that. I’ll have it down by the show, so don’t worry about me.
(Kafka… He’s sweating like crazy. He looks pale too… He’s usually not good with exercise. Is he really gonna be okay?)
(But since Kafka decided on his own that he’s gonna do this, I don’t wanna butt in…)
*sigh*
What’s with the big sigh, Chief? Is something the matter?
Ah… Nayuki-kun. Well…
You’ve known Kafka for a while, right? Has he been acting strange to you recently?
……
It is a bit concerning. He already has a lot on his plate as our president, and now he has to balance dance practice and vocal lessons on top of it… He doesn’t have any free time in his schedule left.
Yeah! I thought so too. I told him he should rest, but he kept practicing until 2 a.m. last night because he wanted to get the choreography down.
He was just in the hospital up until recently… I’m worried sick…
Are you talking about me behind my back?
Kafka…! W-We weren’t saying anything bad. We’re just worried about you!
Exactly, President Oguro. I think you should at least get some sleep.
I’m getting enough sleep, thank you very much. My stamina’s getting better, so you don’t have to worry so much.
But…
Chief. No buts.
……
W-What if you faint again?!
You think I haven’t considered that? Plus, if I don’t work hard now, then when will I?
But it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s more important that you put your heart into your performance.
Huh? So you’re saying that my standards should be lower than the others?
That’s not what I meant…! But staying up that late to practice is—
Stop. I don’t like being hovered around like this. I’ll decide what I can do with my body.
……
Fine! Do what you want, dumbass! I’m gonna get some fresh air!
*sigh…*
What is it, Nayuki? Did you finish the documents I told you about yesterday?
…I put them in the pending box. But just so you know, you shouldn’t fly off the handle like that, no matter how much of a front you want to put on.
……
You should take things slow while you recover from your operation… If you overdo things, it could backfire on you.
I won’t get involved any further, but I know how strongly you believe that your body is your greatest asset.
Well, I have a meeting with a client, so I’ll be going.
*sigh*
Damn. You think I don’t know that?
(What else can I do? Nobody could possibly understand what it feels like…)
(To be on the verge of death and wondering if you’ll be able to see tomorrow.)
(…But maybe I took things too far.)
*pant, pant, pant…*
Can I try one more time?
…Kafka.
You look exhausted. I think you should stop for today…
He’s right. Your heart rate’s too high; it’s not healthy.
…I’m fine, okay? Yachiyo, play the song.
B-Bwut…
……
Oguro, give it a rest.
If Yachiyo won’t play it, then I—
Ugh…
…! Kafka!
Just…play the song… I can handle this…
What are you talking about?! …You’re burning up. Renga, call an ambulance.
G-Got it…!
Kh…
Goddammit… Not again…