Episode 4: A Song of Emotions with Family
Kurumi
Ayane! A-A-Are you okay...?
Ayane
Ah, Kurumi, help me! She's eating Puukichi!
Kurumi
Wha...? Ahh, Chika's chewing on Puukichi...!
Chika
Munch, munch...
Nozomi
Does she really like the taste of that? Chika, what are you doing, are you hungry? You already ate a lot earlier -- an entire pot's worth!
Nozomi
Stop it, an idol needs to watch what they eat! You'll ruin your stomach if you eat that stuffed animal -- it's probably got germs on it, and you won't be able to digest it!
Ayane
Puukichi doesn't have germs! I wash him... I mean, we take baths together sometimes! And Puukichi isn't a stuffed animal, he's an important part of my family!
Nozomi
Oh, sorry! I guess, to a little kid, a stuffed animal could be like family...?
Ayane
Like I said, he's not a stuffed animal! My mom and dad brought Puukichi to me so that I wouldn't be lonely anymore!
Ayane
Whenever I was feeling sad, Puukichi would always talk to me and cheer me up! When I cried, he'd hug me and wipe away my tears!
Ayane
He'd always say things to me like, "Don't cry, Ayane, cause tomorrow will be a better day..." or, "Crying doesn't suit a pretty girl like you..."
Ayane
But since this started, Puukichi hasn't said anything! Why can't I hear his voice anymore?
Ayane
Were my mom and dad really just fakes or delusions, like the doctor said? Is it really natural not to be able to hear Puukichi's voice?
Ayane
No, Puukichi's alive, he can talk, and I can hear him! But he's just not talking to me anymore...!
Nozomi
W-What do you mean...?
Kurumi
I don't really get it, but calm down, Ayane... Everything will be okay...
Kurumi
Big brother Yuuki and I, and the rest of your family, will always be here with you... So you won't be lonely... There, there...
Ayane
Waaaah, Kurumi!
Nozomi
(Ahaha. She hugged her... These girls must always be supporting each other like this. It's so wonderful. I'm even a little jealous.)
Nozomi
(But that means that, if we keep on deepening our bonds, we members of Carmina can become like family to each other too, right? Laughing together, crying together, doing things together as irreplaceable friends!)
Nozomi
Chika! Listen, playtime is over, so let Puukichi... it's Puukichi, right? Anyway, stop eating Ayane's beloved family member -- what kind of idol would make a child cry!?
Chika
Eh...?
Chika
Ooh? Waaah...!
Nozomi
Ehh? H-Hey, why are you crying? Sorry, maybe I spoke too harshly!
Nozomi
I'm really sorry for always acting so pretentious! Please forgive me! It's just that I've only ever learned how to be an idol, so that's what I'm always talking about...!
Kurumi
Big sister Nozomi! If a child is crying, you should hug them and go like "there, there," like this...
Yuuki
1. "Yes, yes, just like that."
Nozomi
Um, Yuuki, why are you also hugging Ayane like it's the most natural thing in the world?
Nozomi
I know you don't have any ulterior motives, since you're all family here, but you know that she's a little girl who you're much older than, right?
Kurumi
Huh, is there something weird about it...? But big brother Yuuki always hugs us and pats our heads, you know...?
Nozomi
Well, let's talk about that afterwards! The more important thing now is... Chika, I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier! I'll give you a hug, so don't cry anymore, there, there...
Chika
Wah... Hic... Huh?
Nozomi
There, have you calmed down? Can you feel my pulse? There, there... There, there...
Chika
...!
Nozomi
Aha, you're smiling! That's good, you're not crying anymore...
Chika
Mama...
Nozomi
Huh!?
Chika
Mama, Mama... Mama! Hee hee!
Nozomi
Whaat!? I didn't expect that reaction -- I'm not your mama, Chika, you know...?
Chika
Eh? But you're my Mama, cause you're nice, right...?
Nozomi
Ahh, she's gonna cry again! Ooh, I dunno what's going on, but fine!
Nozomi
An idol has to act the way the fans want, so -- yes, Chika, it's your mama!
Chika
Mama...!
Chika
Mama, I love you! Whenever I sing, you always tell me that I'm good! That always makes me happy, so I wanna go on singing forever!
Chika
Listen, listen, Mama! Listen to how good I got at singing!
Chika
La la la la...! Mama, let's sing together!
Nozomi
O-Oh, I'm Mama, right? Hold on, if we're singing, let's do it right! Let me clear my throat, ahem!
Chika
Hurry, hurry, Mama! I wanna sing! I love singing!
Nozomi
Yeah! I know! That's why I invited you to Carmina, after all!
Nozomi
Your singing is the best in the world! It can make tons of people happy, like they're seeing a dream!
Nozomi
Let's sing together today, with our voices full of energy! One of our -- of Carmina's songs...!
Chika
Car-mina? Sorry, Mama, but I dunno what that is...?
Nozomi
It's all right! I'll lead, and you follow along! With days upon days of lessons under your belt, it should be second nature to you by now!
Nozomi
Everyone, thanks for waiting! We're the singing, dancing idol guild, Carmina!
Ayane
Whoa, it's like she's starting a show!
Kurumi
Amazing...! Big sister Nozomi really is brilliant...
Nozomi
Thank you! Everyone listen, and get your smiles ready! And if you can, sing along with us, too!
Nozomi
It might be a little sudden, but our surprise mini-concert is starting! Yay, everyone, get excited!
Kurumi
Y-Yay... Somehow, this is kind of fun...!
Ayane
Yeah. I was feeling down because Puukichi wasn't talking, but I feel like I've forgotten about that in an instant...
Nozomi
All right, try not to talk amongst yourselves! Save your energy for enjoying the show! It'll sound a little dull without any accompaniment, but I'm sure you'll be satisfied!
Nozomi
Here we go! Carmina, on stage...!