Aqours Chapter 8

Setsubun and Valentine's

Getting ready for Setsubun. Who's gonna be the demon?!

Story 1

Hanamaru: One horn, or two... Three might be kinda neat too! Yoshiko: Zuramaru, what're you drawing? A-Are these... Chika: What cute little demon faces! Hanamaru, what's the story behind these? Hanamaru: Tee-hee. I'm designing demon masks for the Setsubun festivities, zura. Yoshiko: I was wondering why you were drawing demon heads! So they're masks, huh? Ruby: Wow, no kidding. You even put little holes by the ears for the straps! You're really talented, Hanamaru. Hanamaru: Thanks! My family's temple is having a Setsubun celebration during our next break. Hanamaru: We're inviting the kids from the local kindergarten and having a big bean-throwing party. Hanamaru: It's nothing fancy, but we are going to have snacks with the children afterwards. Chika: Wow, it's already time for Setsubun, huh? That all sounds really cool, Hanamaru! You: Is there anything we can do to help, Hanamaru? Hanamaru: Whoa, you're willing to help? That'd be wonderful, zura! Riko: We don't get many opportunities to help with temple celebrations. I think we'd all love to give it a try, especially if it'll aid you. You: What Riko said. I volunteer to help at the temple! Hanamaru: Wow, thank you so much! I found myself some reliable helpers, zura. Hanamaru: One problem is that we don't have enough people to play the demons and wear these masks I'm designing... Chika: I get to be the demon? Oh, boy. Now I'm getting excited!! Mari: This all sounds very entertaining. Maybe I should be a cute little demonic wife, too! Dia: Demonic wife isn't what we're going for here, Mari. Dia: I think it'd be a great experience for Aqours to participate in a local event. Plus, it sounds like a good time. Kanan: Are we all gonna be demons? Nine demons sounds a bit overwhelming. But at the same time, I know it'd be fun. Let me help, too! Hanamaru: Wow! If everyone pitched in, this will be one of the most special Setsubun events we've ever had, zura. Ruby: Okay, Hanamaru. What should we do first? Hanamaru: I need to work on the masks a bit longer. In the meantime, you can get the beans for the bean throwing, and buy snacks for the kids to eat afterwards. Yoshiko: We've already finished practice for today. Who wants to head down to the shops by the train station? Chika: Me! Let's get some tasty treats! I'm starving! Riko: Chika... You're going to buy snacks to eat today too, aren't you? Chika: *Giggle* Am I that obvious? After all that practice, my body's craving something sweet. Ruby: Wow, look at how many stores are decorated for Valentine's Day! How cute... Chika: The bakery, the florist, the general store... Valentine's Day is everywhere! Dia: Well, it's that time of year. All the stores are running some kind of promotion with hearts and chocolates. Mari: Will you be giving chocolates to anyone special, Chika? Chika: H-Huh? I don't have anyone special in mind... That's part of the reason writing lyrics for our romantic songs is so tough. Chika: How about you, Mari? Do you have someone special in mind? Mari: Indeed I do! Eight of them, in fact. You: E-Eight?! That's way too many people! Kanan: You're overreacting, You. She's talking about all of us. Mari: Correct. You're as sharp as a tack, Kanan. Yes, this year I'm giving presents to everyone in Aqours! Dia: My blood ran cold for a moment there. Thank goodness you're just talking about friends. Kanan: Oh, come on, Dia. You didn't seriously think... Ruby: Valentine's Day... I hope that someday I find someone I like enough that I'll want to learn how to make chocolates. Dia: Don't put it off until then. You should start learning and practicing now. Dia: The act of giving chocolates to a romantic partner is just a Japanese custom. Dia: The original intent of Valentine's Day was to show your gratitude as well as love to anyone you want to. Ruby: Oh! Then I wanna make friendship chocolate for everyone, too! Let's go buy some ingredients together! Yoshiko: F-Friendship chocolate! One of the most fulfilling real-life activities performed by normal high school girls... Yoshiko: I must get on this band wagon and get a step closer to becoming a normal high school girl! Kanan: Well, we've got our beans for throwing. Now we just need snacks for the kids. Hanamaru: Kanan, I need you advice on something, zura. Kanan: Hmm? What's up? Hanamaru: Part of the event is teaching the kids about Setsubun customs, so we'd like to have them eat the same number of beans as their age. Hanamaru: I'm worried they won't like the taste of roasted soybeans. Kanan: Good point. I think they're tasty as-is, but kindergarten kids might not find them that tasty. Ruby: Hanamaru, Hanamaru! I've got a great idea! Hanamaru: What's up? Whoa, that's a ton of chocolate! Ruby: *Giggle* I wanna try a whole bunch of different things. Anyways, since both Setsubun and Valentine's are in February, why don't we combine the two? Hanamaru: Combine Setsubun... and Valentine's, zura? Ruby: Yeah! I figure if we coat the roasted soybeans with chocolate, the kids won't have as much of a problem eating them. Hanamaru: That's brilliant, Ruby! I bet they would love chocolate covered soybeans! Kanan: *Chuckle* Well, that's one problem solved. I'll go on and arrange for us to borrow a kitchen. Mari: Everyone! The wrapping mission is complete! Kanan: And it looks like our present-wrapping team has just wrapped up, too. Riko: Mari introduced us to a general store with the cutest stuff. We got all kinds of ribbons and bags that the kids are sure to love. Chika: Yeah! I didn't know there was a store that sold such cute stuff. Kanan: Hmm? Wasn't Yoshiko on the wrapping team, too? Riko: Yoshiko went off on a detour. She said she had to buy supplies to, and I quote, "master the ultimate art of a fulfilling life, fallen angel-style." Kanan: The ultimate art of a fulfilling life, fallen angel-style...?

Story 2

Chika: First, we roast the soybeans. You're up, Ruby! Ruby: *Screech* Ch-Chika, soybeans don't explode like popcorn, do they? Is this safe? Dia: For shame, Ruby. Of course they're different. Soybeans don't explode when you roast them. Ruby: I-I'm sorry, Dia. Since Chika's holding the pot lid up like a shield, I thought they might start flying everywhere. Chika: Wait, they don't pop? Dia: No, they don't pop! If they'd call it the Pop Bean festival, not Setsubun! Kanan: Once you've chopped up the chocolate bar good and fine, put it in the pot sitting in the hot water bath. Make sure not to let any water get into the chocolate pot. Riko: Gotcha. And once it's melted, we'll add the soybeans Ruby's roasting, and then... Kanan: Then we just scoop out the beans and put them on the cookie sheet. Kanan: Once the chocolate hardens, we'll give them another coating, and they are done. You: They look so tasty! And since it's milk chocolate, the kids are sure to love it. Riko: Oh, You! I thought we were putting toppings on them, since just chocolate might be a little boring. You: Whoops! I almost forgot! We all picked out different toppings, didn't we. Chika, you and I are in charge of toppings! Chika: Sure thing. We'll start with ruby's choice, the dried berry powder! You: I'll make the chocolates look pretty, and the tartness will go great with the milk chocolate. Chika: Next up are Dia's green tea powder, and Hanamaru's cocoa powder! You: Bittersweet flavors, both perfect in complimenting the base soybean flavor. Chika: Here's my pick! Finely shredded mikan orange peel! As a topping, the peel combines the fresh, zesty flavor of oranges with the mellow flavor of the chocolate... Kanan: Hey, you two! Quit sneaking samples! Chika: K-Kanan! Th-This is a totally legit activity called tasting... You: Here, have this as a bribe! If anyone asks, you didn't see a thing. Kanan: Bwuh? *Chew* *Chew* Kanan: Hmm? Is this... salt? That's so weird. After the saltiness goes away, the sweetness tastes much stronger. You: Bingo! My topping choice is rock salt, creating the salted chocolate flavor! Kanan: Hey, wait a sec! Don't drag me into your snack-sneaking. Mari and Yoshiko are bringing their toppings now. Mari: Sorry we took so long. Have some of Mari's sparkly, shiny, special topping! You: W-Wow, it's dazzling! What is this? Kanan: Mari... Aren't kindergarten kids a little too young for gold dust topping? Mari: This is for them to eat after driving out the demons, no? I thought it was the perfect way to represent a brilliant victory. Too much? Chika: Maybe if we put just one in every tenth bag, it'll fell like they found a treasure? Mari: Nice one, Chika! Let's do that. Yoshiko: Now witness the ultimate are of a fulfilling life, fallen angel-style - Tears of a fallen angel! You: What's you pick for a topping, Yoshiko? Lemme have a taste! *Chomp* *Chew* *Chew* You: Hmm? Hmm... MMMMMM! *Screech* Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hotttttttt! Chika: You, are you ok?! What was on them? Yikes, this is habanero powder! Yoshiko: Oh, stop being so dramatic. My "Tears of a fallen angel" chocolate-covered soybeans are perfect as friendship chocolates as well as for the kids. You: Water! I need water, water! *Cough* *Hack* Hanamaru: Yoshiko, we can't give these to kids, zura. We'd be putting Aqours's whole career in jeopardy. Yoshiko: I thought they were pretty good... Maybe if we put one in every tenth bag... Hanamaru: No way, zura! Forget it, Yoshiko! Yoshiko: A-All right, all right! I'll save these for myself, and use these peanuts for the kids. Kanan: Peanuts on top of chocolate-covered soybeans. That's a pretty original idea. Kanan: Oh, Dia, are you cleaning up already? Dia: It's much more efficient to clean up as you go. Kanan: There's no wasted movement with you, Dia. That's our student council president for you! Dia: Compliments will only earn you more roasted soybeans. Dia: By the way, what did you and Riko pick for toppings, Kanan? Riko: I went with powdered sugar. It's a safe choice, but it looks nice, and I figured none of the kids would have a problem with it. Kanan: I had a similar idea. I always loved stuff with spray color when I was a kid, so I figured I'd go with that. Dia: *Chuckle* Well, you both certainly picked them with the kids in mind. They're great toppings. Dia: Now then, the beans are ready to go, so let's get them wrapped up! Together: Okay!

Story 3

Hanamaru: Dia just told me that the kindergarteners will be arriving any minute, zura. Hanamaru: Everyone, get ready to be a demon. Wait for the signal! Mari: Okay! Ooh, this is so exciting. We'll scare them, but not so much that they cry. Then they'll pelt us with soybeans and drive us out! Kanan: Don't forget to act afraid of the beans, Mari. Kanan: And don't get so carried away that you start telling the kids, "Nice shot!" or something. We don't want to spoil the Setsubun mood! Mari: You're such a worrywart, Kanan. I won't say anything of the sort. In fact, I don't even plan on being hit. I'll dodge them... like a flash! Kanan: Mari, would you please keep the point of the event in mind! Chika: Riko and Dia are going to lead the kids in. It's too bad. I would've loved to see Riko try to play a demon! Chika: Even though she's always on-point during live shows, every now and then she gets so bashful! You: She volunteered right away to lead the kids, because she said she wasn't confident she could totally embrace the role of a demon. You: Are you okay over there, Ruby? You've been curled up in the corner there for a while. Ruby: I'm just a teensy bit nervous because Dia isn't gonna be with me today... Ruby: B-But I'm determined to do this right! I'll work like a demon to become a demon! Oh, wait... Dia: Okay, children! It's Setsubun! Who can tell me why we celebrate Setsubun? Riko: I guess it goes without saying, but Dia sure knows how to handle children, thanks to her being an older sister and all. Riko: I volunteered to lead the class, too. I have to make sure I look after the kids properly! Dia: Now, let's all sit and wait quietly, all right? Oh, my! I think I hear demon footsteps! Riko: I-I wonder if there are any demons over there? Chika: Roar, roar! Any naughty kids around?! Are there any naughty little boys or girls around?! Riko: Chika, isn't that a Namahage's line...!? Riko: E-Everybody grab the roasted soybeans we passed out earlier! We have to drive the demons out! Dia: All together, now! Out with the demons! In with good fortune! Chika: Ack! Ouch, ouch, ouch! R-Retreat! Riko: I wonder what kind of demon will show up next. Eek! There's one over there! You: Pshh, soybeans! As if! Mari: Aren't soybeans, like, totally lame? Riko: You? Mari? Why are you dressed in such gaudy colors? And why're you talking like valley girls?! Riko: Wh-What strange demons they are? Come on, now. Out with the demons! Dia: And we did so well at rehearsals, too... Mariiiiiii! Out with the demons! Mari: Oh, ouch! No, no! Retreat! You: Dia, you're throwing way too many! Ouch! I'm defeated! Riko: I feel like Dia is the best suited to be a demon out of all of us. Dia: Ahem. I wonder what demons we'll face last. Kanan: Grrr! Us scary demons are gonna eat you all up! Ruby: *Screech!* *Squeal!* Dia: Ruby, my poor, bashful little sister... do your best! Even if you are a demon, I'm still on you side! Riko: I have no idea what demons sound like, but if nothing else, I can feel that she's trying hard! Riko: Huh? Where'd this smoke come from? Did someone set up some dry ice? Yoshiko: Mwa, ha, ha! We are the demons of the underworld, who have gathered here in the darkest depths. We do not fear your pathetic soybeans! Hanamaru: We're gathered at a temple, not the darkest depths, zura. Riko: Yoshiko?! She's totally shown up as the fallen demon Yohane... Chika: Way to go, Yoshiko! Your demon thing is spot on! Yoshiko: Don't call it a thing! Riko: Chika! YOu've already been driven out. You can't come back! Dia: This must be the big bad boss demon! I hope we can drive it out! Riko: O-Oops! I need to help lead the charge! Riko, Dia: Out with the demons! In with good fortune! Kanan: Nooooooooo! Those things hurt! Retreat! Ruby: *Screech* Ruby-treat! Yoshiko: Ouch! Ow, ow! Grrr.... Yohane will not be driven out by such pathetic attacks! En guarde! Riko: Yoshiko, are you trying to win? The demons aren't supposed to fight back! Hanamaru: This is how you deal with demons like her, zura! Riko: H-Hanamaru, is that- Yoshiko: Owie, owie, owie! Zuramaru, why is a demon fighting her own kind with a soybean gun?! Yoshiko: Y-You'll pay for this! I'll be back next year! Hanamaru: Thank you for waking up early to come here today, everybody! Chika: No, thank you, Hanamaru. That was a riot! Ruby: I'm so happy the kids liked my topping. Mari: They were so adorable during the bean throwing and snack time. Kanan: It's not quite the same as real acting, but this was still a good experience for us as school idols. Dia: And most importantly, the kids enjoyed themselves. Yoshiko: I'm not quite happy with how it ended, but I'll turn those kids into perfect little demons soon enough. Mari: Huh? Yoshiko, you never took your mask off. The kids never got to see your cute face. Yoshiko: Aww, nuts!

Story 4

Kanan: One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four... Kanan: That's a wrap for today! Let's get changed and take a break in the club room, okay? Chika: Sure! Whew... I'm so glad we finally managed to stay in sync during the final sequence. Riko: It's a wonderful feeling when you're able to do something that you couldn't only one day before. You: Yeah, yeah! It's really satisfying when you see yourself making progress, even if it's just a little bit at a time. Yoshiko: Didn't we say today was the day we'd exchange friendship chocolate in the club room? Ruby: Yes, indeed! In fact, I made candy-style chocolate pops for everyone. Hanamaru: Whoa! I can't wait to try one, zura! You made them all yourself, Ruby? Ruby: Ah, ha, ha... The truth is, I had some trouble going it alone, so Dia had to keep stepping in. I'd say they're a gift from both of us. Kanan: I baked muffins because I figured everyone else was gonna bring chocolate. Kanan: Come to think of is, is it a problem for you, as the student council president, if students bring in chocolates on Valentine's Day? Dia: Uranohoshi Girls High School has no rules forbidding bringing in sweets, and it's after school anyways. We're fine. Mari: There's no need to sweat the rules and regulations. If I say it's okay, it's okay! Kanan: That's right. You're the chairwoman! Riko: Kanan's muffins and Ruby's chocolate pops are both so cute and delicious! Chika: Mm-mmm! When I'm surrounded by cute stuff like this, it makes me glad I was born into this world. Kanan: That's being a little dramatic, isn't it? Anyways, the chocolate rice crackers you made with You are great, too. Chika: You like them? Yay! We loved the chocolate-coated soybeans so much, we tried putting a chocolate coating on all kinds of stuff. Riko: That's an understatement... You: Riko, Chika, and I made them together yesterday. Chika kinda went off the rails at one point... Kanan: Oh, yeah? What'd she try to coat? Chika: Let's see... Well, first I tried a mikan, of course. Then strawberries, then sweet bean jelly... and then takoyaki octopus balls! Dia: T-takoyaki ocotpus balls?! You: After tasting all that chocolate, we were craving something saltier, so we made some takoyaki. You: And then she had to know what they'd taste like if they were covered in chocolate! Kanan: Ah, ha, ha! That definitely sounds like Chika. Dia: Chocolate takoyaki... I can't even begin to imagine what that would taste like. Chika: I really thought there'd be a wonderful marriage of flavors... Tee-hee. I'll be sure to make more for next time, and bring it over! Riko: Chika... Some things are better left as just memories, ya know? Mari: It was quite a shocking flavor, wasn't it? Next up are my friendship chocolates. Ruby: Yay, Mari's chocolate! I wonder what's inside. Hanamaru: Ohh, what beautiful decorations, zura! Mari: Aqours, my precious friends, I've made for you the most exquisite chocolate truffles. Ruby: Tr-Truffles?! As in the super-expensive, gourmet stuff? Ruby: *Chew* *Chew* Truffles... These are like grown-up treats. Maybe I'm too young to appreciate these. Ruby: I don't know what truffle should taste like... Dia: Ruby, chocolate truffles are named so because they resemble real truffles. There aren't any actual truffles inside. Ruby: *Squeal* O-O-Oh no... How embarrassing... You: And what about Yoshiko's friendship chocolates? Yoshiko: They were baked in the hellfire and sealed with an ebony shine. Truly, they are treats befitting Yohane! Hanamaru: They look like tasty chocolate brownies to me, zura. *Chomp* You: Aah, Hanamaru! Don't take such a big bite Hanamaru: *Chew* *Chew* Wow! I love the slight bitterness of dark chocolate and the soft texture. What a treat! You: Huh? *Chew* *Chew* Wow, you're right! They're not even spicy, Yoshiko! Yoshiko: What'd you think I was gonna make? Geez... Yohane doesn't bake treats every day, you know. You all should be savoring every bite! Chika: Even Yoshiko's friendship chocolates were tasty. What a nice, peaceful Valentine's Day. Dia: Valentine's Day should be peaceful, you know. Hanamaru: I made some chocolate macaroons filled with ganache. Riko: Aww, they're so cute... and they've got just the right balance of sweetness. Yum, yum! Hanamaru: *Giggle* Hearing you say that makes all the effort worth it, zura. Yoshiko: I'll go brew some more tea. save some of those macaroons for me! Hanamaru: Will do! Dia: And Riko, let's see what you brought... Oh! Are these mini cream puffs? Mari: They're bite-sized. Very cute! The chocolate decorations look like they were done by a professional. Which is just what I'd expect from our Riko! Riko: They may have chocolate on the outside, but the filling is just plain old cream. Mari: Oh Riko, don't be so modest. I'll just help myself... *Chew* *Chew* Mari: Mmm? MMMMMMMPH! Dia: Mari? That's a very odd reaction to such a delicious cream puff treat... *Chew* *Chew* Dia: Mmm... mmm... mmph!?!? Is this mayonnaise?! RIko: Wh-What? Of course not... *Chomp*...!? Ack! You're right, this isn't cream! It's mayo! Riko: I-I'm so sorry! But I don't get it. How did I end up putting mayo in instead of... *Gasp* Chika: I might have left the mayo for the takoyaki in the same kind of pastry bag as the cream, and they were sitting right next to each other... Riko: I'm really, truly, sorry... Dia: *Gag* *Cough*... Don't worry about it, Riko. It was an accident. It's not like you meant to do it. Kanan: Riko totally ambushed us. Well, if nothing else, this was certainly a Valentine's Day I'll never forget. Yoshiko: I brought more tea! Yoshiko: Ooh, what're these? Oh, miniature cream puffs! Don't mind if I do. Riko: No, don't eat those! Ruby: *Screech* Hanamaru: Aah... Yoshiko, I'll pour you some tea right now! Yoshiko: *Chomp* *Chomp* What're you all getting so worked up for? These things are delicious! Together: EWWWWWWW!