Mad Party - Red or White? Chapter 3
Sep. 6th, 2023 10:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shivalriesSeason: Autumn
Location: Garden Terrace
(The next day)
Arashi: ...It's working! Everyone's so much more in sync now.
Tsukasa-chan's ideal harmony-based approach is working out well for us, it seems ♪
Tsukasa: Indeed. We have done thorough preparations, and have rounded off every performance with a group reflection so that everyone can be on the same page.
While the Red Knights are speeding ahead with reckless abandon, we shall take a different path toward victory. I have a hunch this will be a good litmus test for Knights' future endeavors.
...Oh, you all? What is the matter? Are you not with the Red Knights?
Hm? You wish to merge with the White Knights? Why, what do you mean...?
Hm... So you are saying that many of the Red Knights have deserted, unable to keep apace with Sena-senpai's tyranny?
This does not surprise me. In fact, my worries have come true.
Sena-senpai's draconian methods may have worked with the old Knights, but it will only serve to create confusion now that we are a much larger group.
His straightforward approach to idols is certainly necessary for us to climb ever higher...
However, it has put undue pressure on the newest members, pushing them beyond their ability—
And as a result, a great number have defected from the Red Knights. I imagine this is what happened, yes?
Arashi: Kind of tragic, isn't it...
What would've happened to them if we weren't here to take them in, hm? Izumi-chan's attitude stinks as usual.
Ritsu: Yeah, though I didn't think they'd reach their limit this soon. The Red Knights should be suffering some harsh setbacks right about now...
With so many on our side, even Tsukipi~ and Secchan wouldn't stand a chance. Plus, they can't even perform freely with the student council's eyes on them right now.
This is checkmate. Guess Secchan has no choice now but to give up on his plan to send an elite group to the auditions, huh?
And then, Secchan woke up from dreamland and returned to his world, and they all lived happily ever after. The end ♪
...I mean, I'd still feel bad just leaving him out to dry like that. I'm gonna go do some recon on the Red Knights. I'm curious how they're doing, anyway.
Su~chan and Nacchan, can you tutor the newbies while I'm out? Can't have too many on this recon mission, or they'll get spooked.
Arashi: "Spooked"? It's not like they're wild animals...
Tsukasa: Sena-senpai is rather beast-like at the moment, though.
We leave this in your hands, Ritsu-senpai. Should any issues arise, please contact us.
Ritsu: Roger that. Take care of the juniors, you two ♪
---
Location: Outdoor Stage
Izumi: Ugh! Those useless wretches!
So quick to cry foul and run... If they think they can call themselves Knights members with that attitude, they can think again!
To the rest of you left—if you don't like where the Red Knights are going, then speak up now.
There's nothing more annoying than some idiot going "actually, that wasn't what I expected" after the fact!
...Okay then. After we perform, we're throwing ourselves into solo practice. Whoever's managed to stay with us will be fine.
In fact, now that we've pruned our numbers, that just means we're left with the best of the best. We're gonna make a great performance ♪
Leo: ...I dunno about that, Sena. They look scared to me.
Izumi: Leo-kun?
What're you saying? They're wearing the faces of proper knights right now. How does that in any way look "scared"?
Leo: What, you can't tell? They have the stoic faces of soldiers prepared to die in their next battle. That's not any expression an idol should be making.
Izumi: Huh? What the hell? This time it's Leo-kun who has to nitpick?
Leo: This isn't a nitpick. I was, in fact, talking with our juniors while you weren't here.
"Sena-senpai's terrifying!" "I wish I'd never joined the Red Knights!", they said.
It'd be sad to see you end up losing trust little by little until you have nothing left.
Or would you be fine with cutting off every last junior until it's just the two of us left?
Sure, I'm fine with that! But what about you, Sena? Would you be satisfied?
In the end, our goal is to get strong enough to dominate Mad Party, then go dominate the Underland auditions after that.
Don't you think you're losing sight of that dream?
Izumi: I...
Well then, what am I supposed to do?
Do I have to go bowing my head to everybody who left the Red Knights? Would that make you happy?
I just don't understand. The strong prey on the weak—that's just how show business works.
I have no clue why now, of all times, you're telling me to hold our juniors' hands!
Leo: ......
Sena, play a duet with me.
Izumi: A duet? Why?
Leo: 'Cause you'd suck at it! This is something you have to be taught, right?
The studco president told me something yesterday—he said, "If Knights breaks apart by itself, that'll just be fewer rivals standing in our way."
He also said this: "Trickstar has got you guys beat in every way when it comes to recklessness. Wow, guess we'd have a really good chance in the Underland auditions!" Y'see!
I've been quiet since this is all about something that's important to you, Sena.
But now that we have deserters, don't you think it's time to reconsider some things?
Izumi: ......
I won't deny that my teaching is kind of crap.
I'm not stupid, though. You don't have to use a piano metaphor for me to get it.
Knights' newbies are still taking their first baby steps. They're still far from being real idols.
So, I'll make sure to teach in a way they can understand. Will that work?
Leo: Oh, Sena~ You finally got it! You still sound all snooty about it, but I guess this is a big step, coming from you!
It'll be okay. I know you can do it. Go out there and teach 'em.
Fight the most important battles while raising the next generation—that's what Mad Hatter's been doing, and that's what makes her strong.
But I don't need to tell you that, since you're such a big fan, right?
Izumi: ...I've known that for a while. Just didn't want to admit it.
Misjudging your enemies is a mistake. Even after her explosive debut, Mad Hatter has continued reigning like an empress by cultivating her successors.
You can't keep winning just by challenging the status quo. Sometimes the best strategy is to ride with the times.
I've been aware of that the whole time, even as I chased the shadow of Mad Hatter in her debut era, the version of her I wanted to become.
...So, how do I do this? Teach me. I don't know much about this kind of thing.
Leo: Sena...!
Thanks! And sorry, I dunno anything about teaching either!
Izumi: Tch, Leo-kun... Take some responsibility for your own words! Weren't we going to play a duet?!
*sigh* Fine. Since we're both beginners at teaching, wanna try winging it?
Leo: Yeah! This'll be a turning point for the Red Knights...☆
Me and Sena are gonna do our best to teach you guys! Now c'mere newbies, pause your practicing and gather over here!
Izumi: ...Jeez, you sure brightened right up, Leo-kun.
(Still, we really do suck at this.)
(Not that I'm one to talk, but Leo-kun and Isara are both terrible liars.)
---
< Red or White? Chapter 2 | Masterlist | Red or White? Chapter 4 >
Location: Garden Terrace
(The next day)
Arashi: ...It's working! Everyone's so much more in sync now.
Tsukasa-chan's ideal harmony-based approach is working out well for us, it seems ♪
Tsukasa: Indeed. We have done thorough preparations, and have rounded off every performance with a group reflection so that everyone can be on the same page.
While the Red Knights are speeding ahead with reckless abandon, we shall take a different path toward victory. I have a hunch this will be a good litmus test for Knights' future endeavors.
...Oh, you all? What is the matter? Are you not with the Red Knights?
Hm? You wish to merge with the White Knights? Why, what do you mean...?
Hm... So you are saying that many of the Red Knights have deserted, unable to keep apace with Sena-senpai's tyranny?
This does not surprise me. In fact, my worries have come true.
Sena-senpai's draconian methods may have worked with the old Knights, but it will only serve to create confusion now that we are a much larger group.
His straightforward approach to idols is certainly necessary for us to climb ever higher...
However, it has put undue pressure on the newest members, pushing them beyond their ability—
And as a result, a great number have defected from the Red Knights. I imagine this is what happened, yes?
Arashi: Kind of tragic, isn't it...
What would've happened to them if we weren't here to take them in, hm? Izumi-chan's attitude stinks as usual.
Ritsu: Yeah, though I didn't think they'd reach their limit this soon. The Red Knights should be suffering some harsh setbacks right about now...
With so many on our side, even Tsukipi~ and Secchan wouldn't stand a chance. Plus, they can't even perform freely with the student council's eyes on them right now.
This is checkmate. Guess Secchan has no choice now but to give up on his plan to send an elite group to the auditions, huh?
And then, Secchan woke up from dreamland and returned to his world, and they all lived happily ever after. The end ♪
...I mean, I'd still feel bad just leaving him out to dry like that. I'm gonna go do some recon on the Red Knights. I'm curious how they're doing, anyway.
Su~chan and Nacchan, can you tutor the newbies while I'm out? Can't have too many on this recon mission, or they'll get spooked.
Arashi: "Spooked"? It's not like they're wild animals...
Tsukasa: Sena-senpai is rather beast-like at the moment, though.
We leave this in your hands, Ritsu-senpai. Should any issues arise, please contact us.
Ritsu: Roger that. Take care of the juniors, you two ♪
---
Location: Outdoor Stage
Izumi: Ugh! Those useless wretches!
So quick to cry foul and run... If they think they can call themselves Knights members with that attitude, they can think again!
To the rest of you left—if you don't like where the Red Knights are going, then speak up now.
There's nothing more annoying than some idiot going "actually, that wasn't what I expected" after the fact!
...Okay then. After we perform, we're throwing ourselves into solo practice. Whoever's managed to stay with us will be fine.
In fact, now that we've pruned our numbers, that just means we're left with the best of the best. We're gonna make a great performance ♪
Leo: ...I dunno about that, Sena. They look scared to me.
Izumi: Leo-kun?
What're you saying? They're wearing the faces of proper knights right now. How does that in any way look "scared"?
Leo: What, you can't tell? They have the stoic faces of soldiers prepared to die in their next battle. That's not any expression an idol should be making.
Izumi: Huh? What the hell? This time it's Leo-kun who has to nitpick?
Leo: This isn't a nitpick. I was, in fact, talking with our juniors while you weren't here.
"Sena-senpai's terrifying!" "I wish I'd never joined the Red Knights!", they said.
It'd be sad to see you end up losing trust little by little until you have nothing left.
Or would you be fine with cutting off every last junior until it's just the two of us left?
Sure, I'm fine with that! But what about you, Sena? Would you be satisfied?
In the end, our goal is to get strong enough to dominate Mad Party, then go dominate the Underland auditions after that.
Don't you think you're losing sight of that dream?
Izumi: I...
Well then, what am I supposed to do?
Do I have to go bowing my head to everybody who left the Red Knights? Would that make you happy?
I just don't understand. The strong prey on the weak—that's just how show business works.
I have no clue why now, of all times, you're telling me to hold our juniors' hands!
Leo: ......
Sena, play a duet with me.
Izumi: A duet? Why?
Leo: 'Cause you'd suck at it! This is something you have to be taught, right?
The studco president told me something yesterday—he said, "If Knights breaks apart by itself, that'll just be fewer rivals standing in our way."
He also said this: "Trickstar has got you guys beat in every way when it comes to recklessness. Wow, guess we'd have a really good chance in the Underland auditions!" Y'see!
I've been quiet since this is all about something that's important to you, Sena.
But now that we have deserters, don't you think it's time to reconsider some things?
Izumi: ......
I won't deny that my teaching is kind of crap.
I'm not stupid, though. You don't have to use a piano metaphor for me to get it.
Knights' newbies are still taking their first baby steps. They're still far from being real idols.
So, I'll make sure to teach in a way they can understand. Will that work?
Leo: Oh, Sena~ You finally got it! You still sound all snooty about it, but I guess this is a big step, coming from you!
It'll be okay. I know you can do it. Go out there and teach 'em.
Fight the most important battles while raising the next generation—that's what Mad Hatter's been doing, and that's what makes her strong.
But I don't need to tell you that, since you're such a big fan, right?
Izumi: ...I've known that for a while. Just didn't want to admit it.
Misjudging your enemies is a mistake. Even after her explosive debut, Mad Hatter has continued reigning like an empress by cultivating her successors.
You can't keep winning just by challenging the status quo. Sometimes the best strategy is to ride with the times.
I've been aware of that the whole time, even as I chased the shadow of Mad Hatter in her debut era, the version of her I wanted to become.
...So, how do I do this? Teach me. I don't know much about this kind of thing.
Leo: Sena...!
Thanks! And sorry, I dunno anything about teaching either!
Izumi: Tch, Leo-kun... Take some responsibility for your own words! Weren't we going to play a duet?!
*sigh* Fine. Since we're both beginners at teaching, wanna try winging it?
Leo: Yeah! This'll be a turning point for the Red Knights...☆
Me and Sena are gonna do our best to teach you guys! Now c'mere newbies, pause your practicing and gather over here!
Izumi: ...Jeez, you sure brightened right up, Leo-kun.
(Still, we really do suck at this.)
(Not that I'm one to talk, but Leo-kun and Isara are both terrible liars.)
---
< Red or White? Chapter 2 | Masterlist | Red or White? Chapter 4 >
