Beyond the Imaginary — 2 || Phantom Airship

Beyond the Imaginary 2

Story is recommended to be read with the chapters open in-game for maximum enjoyment ♪

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Tatsumi: The stage setting room… Are we really in the right place?

Tatsumi: At first glance, neither Mayoi-san nor the members of Switch can be seen. But this indeed should be the place that Sora-san pointed us to.

Aira: Yeah~ I really wonder what’s going on…

Aira: Switch helped us back during the Bon Festival and I know they’re good guys, but there’s too little information and I can’t help being on guard.

Hiiro: Umu. Even if they wish for us to repay the favour many times over… We have not built our position to the extent that they can insist that of us.

Hiiro: Then what kind of work could Switch possibly entrust to us?

Tsumugi: Ah, you have already arrived.

Tsumugi: My apologies, it seems like we missed you while we were operating the hologram.

Hiiro: I do not understand the situation well but… Mayoi-senpai is safe, right?

Tsumugi: Ah, I apologise for the worry we caused you. Ayase-kun is right here ♪

Mayoi: E-Everyone… Happy new year…

Tatsumi: Mayoi-san, we were worried about you. It is great to know that you are safe.

Tatsumi: It seems like you were suddenly brought here by Switch. I can assume that nothing violent happened?

Mayoi: N-No! Of course, nothing dangerous like that happened!

Mayoi: In fact, you can say that this incident is due to my ineptitude. My shortcoming was being discovered in the hidden room while I was having my fill of enjoying the photo of Branco I had captured…mumble mumble…

Hiiro: …? I couldn’t quite hear what you just said. Could you repeat it once again?

Mayoi: Eek…! I-I-I apologise! I was the one at fault…!

Tatsumi: Hmm… From the extent of what I could hear, I do not think Mayoi-san was at fault—

Mayoi: I-It’s fine not to delve deeper into this matter! More importantly, everyone from Switch, please let’s have the explanation of the job now!

Natsume: It seems like the actors have all assemBLED.

Natsume: I’m glad you’ve arriVED, ALKALOID.

Natsume: Like Sora said earLIER, Switch has a job request for yOU. We’d be glad you could take it oN.

Natsume: I’ll hand it over to our hoST, Sora, to explain the details.

Sora: Yes. Leave it to Sora, Shisho~♪

Sora: This time, we want to let ALKALOID try out the new SSVRS stage—the Phantom Airship.

Sora: Phantom Airship is a stage made with the purpose of training rookie units.

Sora: And the game company has decided to request ALKALOID to act as test players ♪

Tatsumi: Hmm… I feel honoured that we were nominated but… What is this “SSVRS” in the first place?

Tatsumi: I am familiar with the name alone, but it is difficult to undertake the work without being aware of the specifics beyond it.

Tsumugi: Come to think of it, wasn’t ALKALOID in Hokkaido during the preliminaries? I thought you knew all about it since Trickstar appeared in every corner of the country.

Tsumugi: Natsume-kun, could you please explain about the nature of SSVRS?

Natsume: Why am I the one you’re turning to, SenpAI?

Tsumugi: Is it not fine~? Since Natsume-kun was involved in its development, should it not be easy to explain?

Tsumugi: Or do we leave the explanation to our host—Sora-kun?

Tsumugi: Since we left the management of Switch to Sora-kun, he should have everything about SSVRS memorised as well, right?

Sora: Yes, Sora has learnt it by heart! You can leave it to him with no problems~♪

Natsume: Ugh… Don’t try to get Sora to side with you like thAT.

Natsume: It can’t be helPED. Since I’m the most well-informed about SSVRS, I might as well explain about iT.

Natsume: SSRVS is a VR game that was made with last year’s SS prelims in miND—a game made using the so-called virtual reaLITY.

Tatsumi: Virtual reality…?

Natsume: YeS. You might be familiar wiTH IT?

Natsume: The game’s screen appears before your eyes when you put on the goggles associated wiTH IT—an illusion as if you’re inside the game itsELF… That’s how it woRKS.

Natsume: And inside thAT, various AI and players can interact with imaginary idOLS who operate within it—by which you can experience special concerts and lessons in an artificial environmENT.

Natsume: And simultaneoUSLY, the video footage of SSVRS will be broadcasted by TV stations and the liKE. If the idol satisfies the view count, then they can get rewardED.

Natsume: Earn money by playing a fun gaME—That’s the wonderful feature of SSVRS…♪

Aira: Ooh, I see~ Yeah, stuff like Let’s Plays and earning money by doing what you like are indeed increasing these days. This feels like a part of it.

Aira: As an idol otaku, just watching my fave idols play games is fun. So I’m up for it if it’s a game that would delight both fans and idols ♪

Tatsumi: Hmm… So playing turns into work? Very interesting.

Tatsumi: However, if we are talking about novice units, I think there are new faces in NewDi as well. Are you certain about choosing us?

Tsumugi: Ahaha. It’s as you say, but we feel that ALKALOID is most suitable for this job.

Tsumugi: Among new units, the degree of attention on ALKALOID is rising, since it is known as the novice unit that appeared in the SS finals.

Tsumugi: It seems that you have gathered their envy and they wish to be like you.

Tsumugi: I don’t think anyone would be more suitable than that to act as test players of the Phantom Airship.

Mayoi: We are being admired…?

Mayoi: I-It is kind of embarrassing to be told that face to face. You can say that the reality still has not really sunk in yet!

Hiiro: Umu. Even if you say that about us, it has not really sunk in for me as well.

Hiiro: Is it really fine for us to be admired? It is bewildering.

Natsume: Fufu. Baru-kun and his friends also said something similar back when they won SS.

Natsume: One truly feeling their worth and the actual recognition of worth by the world—They needn’t always happen at the same tiME.

Natsume: By going through the idol festival known as SS, I feel like ALKALOID’s efforts were finally recognISED.

Beyond the Imaginary — 3 || Phantom Airship

Beyond the Imaginary 3

Story is recommended to be read with the chapters open in-game for maximum enjoyment ♪

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Natsume: WeLL, now let’s return to our host—SoRA.

Natsume: You can negotiate well with ALKALOID, rigHT?

Sora: Yes! Thanks to Shisho~ and Senpai, the explanation was also handled perfectly ♪

Sora: Once again, we want you to accept this job aboard the Phantom Airship! Won’t you become its passengers?

Aira: I’m all for it! With the new year starting, I’ve been kinda out of it… But if the game can help us get back on track and even earn L$, then say no more~ ♪

Tatsumi: Even I am in favour. I am genuinely interested in these things called VR games.

Tatsumi: And I do not think it is a bad choice for ALKALOID’s first job of the year.

Aira: Ufufu~ I’m glad even Tattsun-senpai gave the okay!

Aira: What about Mayo-san and Hiro-kun? I think it’s great to be able to work while having fun ♪

Hiiro: Umu…

Aira: …Hiro-kun?

Aira: It’s not like you to hesitate. We’ve been indebted to Switch up until now, right?

Hiiro: Yes, you’re right. If Aira and Tatsumi-senpai are optimistic about it, then I too shall try challenging the Phantom Airship.

Aira: …? You kinda don't seem certain…

Aira: Ah, I get it! Hiro-kun is scared since he doesn’t know much about games!

Aira: Fufu, how unexpected~♪ There are things even Hiro-kun is scared of ♪

Tatsumi: How about Mayoi-san? You were brought here by force in the first place, so I do not think there is any harm in refusing if it is too difficult.

Mayoi: I-I would like to decline if possible. Having a large number of people watch while we’re playing a game… It is a little terrifying…

Natsume: ꓄ꃅꍟ ꉣꃅꂦ꓄ꂦ

Mayoi: Eeek?!

Mayoi: I-I-I-I will do it! Please let me do it!

Tsumugi: Ahaha. Looks like Natsume-kun knows how to turn on Ayase-kun’s motivation switch~ What could he have said to him?

Mayoi: N-No, that is an industry secret!

Sora: HaHa~♪ How wonderful~ With this, we have consent from all members!

Sora: Now, put on the VR goggles and try leaping into the world of the Phantom Airship!

[New SSVRS stage—The Phantom Airship]

Aira: OMG! This scenery is so awesome! So this is the Phantom Airship…!

Aira: To be standing on the deck of a ship that’s floating in the air—The fantasy vibes are so intense! I wonder what might happen if it crashes. I’m curious~♪

Hiiro: So this is what you call a VR. There’s really no sense of reality here at all.

Hiiro: But the things in this world do speak to one’s senses. How could it have been constructed?

Tatsumi: Present day technology has advanced this far. I am experiencing this for the first time myself.

Tatsumi: Our clothes also seem to have changed to those appropriate for the game. It feels like we witnessed some kind of magic.

Mayoi: I-It’s scary even when you know it is a game… We are standing in such a high place—it’s like we’re physically present and everything—and yet you all do not feel the uneasiness?

Aira: Hm~ Mayo-san, you don’t have to be that scared though?

Aira: Look, come here. Let’s watch the superb view from a closer distance. You can even bend over the railings—It’s fine since it’s a game ♪

Hiiro: That is dangerous, Aira. You might even die if you fall from the deck.

Aira: Like I said, Hiro-kun is being too cautious. It’s a VR game after all, so let’s have fun without bothering about the minor details?

Sora: HaHa~♪ Exactly!

Sora: Games are wonderful tools that teach you various things about life. Even losing is just another experience!

Sora: The penalty for losing has been set to a lenient one soenjoy yourselves as much as you want~♪

Tatsumi: So you were here as well, Sora-san. You appear to have shrunk down in size… Is this also part of the game?

Sora: HiHi~ Sora is an NPC who shall support your travels in the form of a fairy.

Sora: Other NPC idols will appear so look forward to them!

Tatsumi: “NPC”…?

Sora: Yes. Non-player characters—They exist only within the game’s program. There’s nobody on the inside ♪

Tatsumi: Non-player… I see. So nobody else is operating here besides us?

Tatsumi: Imitations of idols that exist only within the game… Now aren’t they truly “idols”?^[1]

Hiiro: An existence within the game… Hm. I do not get the theory but they are made by combining these so-called programs, right?

Aira: Woah. Hiro-kun can understand games.

Hiiro: Fufu, I learnt about it from Makoto-senpai.

Hiiro: The “pachinko” Nii-san is obsessed with—it is also a type of game, right?

Hiiro: With the exciting lights and sounds, it is only natural that Nii-san’s interest was drawn to it. The technological advancements in the city are indeed so surprising.

Tatsumi: Yes, because that kind of engineering delights the human instincts.

Tatsumi: Personally, I do not think it is wise to develop a hobby in gambling, but games can be a good method to unwind when played within reasonable limits.

Tatsumi: In any case, can we continue the explanation, Sora-san?

Sora: Of course! Then, I shall explain the rules of the Phantom Airship~♪

Sora: There are seven floating islands in the world of the Phantom Airship and each one has a “treasure” enshrined.

Sora: To get hold of the treasures, you need the abilities of an idol! Please clear the trials in the islands by going along with the established theme of each island!

Sora: You can choose the islands as you wish, but heading towards the first island and succeeding the game’s tutorial as a start should make things easier to understand~♪

Hiiro: I see. So we need to display our abilities as idols to advance through this game.

Tatsumi: Our performance and the products of our labour will be judged by the game, and those watching can support us—I see how it is.

Mayoi: I-I do feel reluctant, but that should not be much different from what we usually show. I feel a bit relieved.

Aira: Ahaha. On the other hand, I was worrying what I’ll do if I mess up the performance.

Aira: But like Harukawa-senpai said, if we only mess up in-game, no one’s gonna be too harsh on us. That’s a ton better than screwing up during an actual live performance!

Aira: Alright! I'm all pumped up now! Let’s get this ship going!

Aira: Phantom Airship—Full speed ahead…☆

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^[1]Here, Tatsumi tries to make a pun by comparing the idols in the VR to real life idols as in "statues"—not referring to the singing, dancing ones here.