Part 1, Episode 4: What Have We Forgotten?
Translation notes
[1] The thing's name is つぼみちゃん (tsubomi-chan). "Tsubomi" is the Japanese word for "flower bud."
[2] Incidentally, the word that I've translated as "little bud" is also "tsubomi," the same as the name of the ground statue thing.
[3] The answer is that Rin's family name (from Cinderella Girls, and also in the 'real world' of Princess Connect) is Shibuya.
[4] Likewise, Uzuki's family name is Shimamura. The implication is that their memories from the real world are leaking into the game world.
Scene: In the town square of Muusa.
Pecorine & Uzuki & Mio
We're here! / We've arrived! / We've arrived!
Kokkoro
Muusa... It's a larger town than I'd imagined. Moreover, the main street is as busy as a festival.
Rin
Hm... But isn't this city only about half the size of Landsol?
Kyaru
It must be that there are a lot of outsiders like us who've come here.
Mio
Oh, and that must be why there are all these carriages parked in front of us.
Pecorine
But, with all these onlookers around... Pinya Colata will really stand out.
Rin
It would be troublesome if they caused a ruckus... But perhaps it'll be all right if they just remain in the carriage.
Kokkoro
Then, I apologize, but... Please wait for us there, Pinya Colata.
Pinya Colata
Pinya! Pinyanya!
Yuuki
1. "Give it your all, they say."
Uzuki
Wow!
Mio
Shiburin! Korokoro! Look at this!
Kokkoro
Everyone, what are you talking about?
Rin
... Huh... What is this?
Pecorine
Ahaha! What a funny face!
Kyaru
I feel like it's giving off the same dumb vibes as that Pinya Colata...
Uzuki
But why is a face growing from the ground? It doesn't like it moves...
???
Oh, that? That's "Little Tsubomi."[1]
Everyone
"Little Tsubomi!?"
Old Woman
Yes, that's right. It's not quite at the level of a guardian spirit. But it's something of a local symbol, gazing upon this town since ancient times.
Mio
Huh, interesting!
Kokkoro
By the way, ma'am, you are...?
Old Woman
Just an old woman without much work, showing people around town. You all are here for the idol auditions, right?
Rin
You know about that, ma'am?
Old Woman
I sure do. All the people coming to town in this season are either people wanting to watch the auditions, or little buds wanting to participate.[2]
Mio
Buds...
Old Woman
Hmm, hmm... There are six of you young ladies. So, are you a six-person unit?
Kyaru
H-Huh!? No, no, no...
Pecorine
We're just their security!
Old Woman
Oh, was that it? What a shame, you're all such beautiful girls.
Old Woman
Well, in any case. If you're planning to participate in the auditions, just follow this street straight to the amphitheater.
Old Woman
You'll be able to sign up to participate there. But you'd best hurry. If I remember correctly, the registration deadline should be passing at any moment now.
Mio
Whoa! We've gotta hurry!
Uzuki
Thank you, ma'am!
Rin
Then, please, excuse us!
Old Woman
Ho ho. Do your best!
Kyaru
(... Idols, huh...)
Pecorine
Kyaru? We're going!
Kyaru
Ahh, yeah, yeah! I'm coming, too!
Scene: The amphitheater in Muusa.
Mio
Whew! We made it just in time!
Rin
It looks like we were the very last entrants. That really was close...
Kokkoro
But you've met all the requirements for entry, and you've also passed the pre-screening... What comes next is the real audition, where they'll judge your singing and dancing.
Uzuki
Right, we'll do our best!
Kyaru
Mm... Then... It looks like our work here is just about done.
Uzuki
Huh!? What do you mean, Kyaru? We still don't know if we'll win the competition, right...?
Kyaru
I mean, even if you don't win... I think you've already become honest-to-goodness idols. As far as I can tell, you have.
Pecorine
That's right. It's as Kyaru says... The request you posted was, "Please turn us into idols!" And I think you've already become just that.
Kokkoro
To be accurate, more than anything we said or did... It was your own efforts and your own power that brought you to achieving this goal.
Rin
Eh... That's quite sudden...
Pecorine
We're... not that familiar with the idea of idols. But, during the time we were together, we all thought a lot about what it really means to be an idol.
Pecorine
Idols are people who sing and dance, but it isn't just that. It's about spreading brightness and cheer to the people watching, and bringing smiles to their faces. ... In that way, it's kind of like my true role, too.
Mio
Peco...?
Uzuki
... Spreading brightness and cheer... And bringing smiles to people's faces...?
Uzuki
(Where... have I heard that...)
Kyaru
Well, even the things this fool says are right sometimes. By that definition, all of you have already grown from little buds into true idols.
Rin
... Kyaru.
Kokkoro
However... Naturally, we will all be cheering for you at the audition.
Pecorine
That's right! Of course, we're going to go watch it all! All the way up to the moment when you're named the winners!
Rin
Yeah. Leave it to us.
Mio
Hee hee! We'll become the champions, and then turn into superstars!
New Idol 1
... Hmph. What's with those girls.
New Idol 2
Making plans for when you win. Isn't it a little soon for that?
Mio
O-Oh?
Uzuki
Umm, who are you two...?
Onlooker 1
Ohh, that's the two-person unit, the guild "Prosperity!"
Onlooker 2
They're the favorites for this time! Please, let me have your autograph!
Rin
The favorites...!
New Idol 1
Hey, it looks like you guys are also going to be auditioning. With all that big talk, you've got to have something to back it up, right? How about you let us hear you sing.
Uzuki
Ehh!? Right... here?
New Idol 2
Yeah! Let us be the judges of whether you're qualified to stand on that stage!
Kyaru
What's with you, coming here to try to stir stuff up! You three, there's no need for you to deal with these brats!
Mio
Nah, Kyarukyaru! It's okay!
Rin
... Either way, I think this will be a fine rehearsal before the real event.
Uzuki
Yes! Let's go, you two!
Kokkoro
Then... I'll be starting the magic to play the music.
Rin
Laaa...
Mio
Laaa...
Uzuki
Laaa...
Onlooker 1
... Hey, what unit are those girls from? Do you know?
Onlooker 2
I dunno... But they're good...!
Pecorine
(Ahaha! Their voices are catching the attention of everyone around! How terrific!)
Kokkoro
(With all of the experience they gained in that village... They've all gotten better and better. I think it would be fitting to call them magnificent already.)
Kyaru
(I agree. ... But, there's something off about this. Was it really just... "improvement"...)
Three
Thank you!
Onlooker 1
Yeah! That was great, ladies!
Onlooker 2
I've decided! You've got my support from now on! Please, your autograph!
Uzuki
Hee hee! We're New Generations! I hope you'll support us!
New Idol 1
T-They're better than I'd thought...! An unexpectedly powerful enemy...
New Idol 2
H-Hmph! Maybe we got a little carried away...! But as the well-known favorites, there's no way we'll lose!
New Idol 1
That's right, we've spent tons of time, and practiced all kinds of things...!
Mio
Heh heh! We don't plan to lose, either! Even though we only had idea of becoming idols recently!
New Idol 2
Huh? Recently, as in, how recently?
Rin
Eh? Um... About a week, I think.
New Idol 1
One week!? You've gotta be kidding...!?
Kyaru
They're not. Not so long ago, they could sing about as well as a rock when they were in front of other people.
New Idol 1
...! We've gotta come up with a plan...! Let's go!
New Idol
Y-Yeah!
Mio
Hee hee! Surprised to hear we've only been at this for a week, huh! We've got some serious talent!
Uzuki
Umm...
Pecorine
Uzuki?
Uzuki
I wonder if Mio's right about that... Is it really talent...?
Rin
... Yeah. Somehow, I feel like there's something off... Something strange about all this.
Kokkoro
You, too, Lady Rin...?
Rin
Yes... I can't put it well into words. But, for instance, think of when we were having our lessons.
Uzuki
When we were singing, the way my voice came out, and the way my body moved... There were moments when it didn't feel like I was learning something new, but rather, like I was remembering something I already knew...
Pecorine
Huh... Then, did you feel that, too, Mio?
Mio
Y-Yeah... Now that you mention it...?
Rin
I wonder... Maybe we've... forgotten something very important. That's how I've started to feel...
Mio
Something very important? Like what, Shiburin?
Rin
I'm not too sure myself. ... But think about this.
Rin
Why is it that you call me "Shiburin," Mio...?
Mio
Eh!? W-Well, I mean... You're Shiburin!
Rin
Sure, but... "Rin" is my name. Yet, not long after our first meeting, Mio, you started calling me Shiburin... So where did the "Shibu" part come from?[3]
Rin
U-Um... well... Yeah, where did it come from...?
Uzuki
And along those lines, you call me "Shimamu" instead of "Uzuki." But I don't feel anything strange about hearing you call me by that at all...[4]
Mio
W-Wait, wait! I don't have any reason in particular to call you by those nicknames, so, um...!
Rin
... Right. That's why... I think, whatever that reason was, we've forgotten all about it. And, most likely... there are other things, too.
Uzuki
U-Ummm! My head feels all murky now!
Kokkoro
... Perhaps the members of New Generations have lost some portion of their memories.
Pecorine
Forgetting in itself is painful... And, surely, realizing that you've forgotten must also be painful.
Kyaru
... So, it seems like even those girls themselves don't know about the situation they're in. And the person holding the key seems to be that person... But I wonder if we'll be able to hear the full story from them.
Onlooker 1
Eeeep!?
Onlooker 2
H-Heeeelp!
Kyaru
Huh... W-What's going on!?
Monster
Roaaaar!
Kokkoro
A monster...!? In the middle of town!
Pecorine
If that's all, then I can take care of this in a flash! Here I go...
Monster
Roaaaar!
Pecorine
W-What!? Where's it going!?
Uzuki
Eh? ... Ahhhh!
Rin
That monster... is after us!?
Mio
No...!?
Monster
Roaaaar!
Kokkoro
Master! Let us protect everyone from New Generations!