Summer Splash 1

Keito: —And we shall end today's Keito Lectures with "Discussing Traffic Rules".

Aira: HUH?!

Keito: I heard that. What was that "HUH?!" for?

Aira: Ah, I'm sorry! I think I know what this is about…

Mika: Nn. Shiratori-kun, did ya do sumthin' wrong?

Aira: Um, isn't there a roadway in front of Seisoukan? There didn't seem to be any cars and I was in a hurry so I crossed it—

Aira: And ended up meeting eyes with Hasumi-senpai who was on the crosswalk…

Keito: Huh, you haven't forgotten. So you do feel guilty in some way.

Keito: But violating traffic rules is incorrigible. Do reflect on your actions properly. Lack of vigilance paves the way for accidents.

Keito: Not to mention that we are idols. No matter the time and place; No matter who we are seen by, we must behave in an orderly fashion.

Aira: Ha… Yeah. That’s right. I know in my head that idols have their own private lives too, but seeing an idol ignore traffic lights would be a huge let-down.

Aira: I won't repeat it again. I'm really sorry.

Keito: You don't have to apologise to me. Being able to understand is more than enough.

Keito: Now, does anyone have any questions regarding traffic rules and etiquette? If there are none, then I shall explain the Road Traffic Act in relation to intersections.

Keito: Amagi seems to be raising his hand. Alright, speak up.

Hiiro: Umu! This is a great opportunity so I'd like you to explain the mystery regarding traffic lights.

Hiiro: Why is the "blue light" green in colour? Why don't we call it "green light"?

Aira: Hiro-kun, how's that related to traffic rules?

Mika: Yeah, but I'd like to know as well. I'm kinda curious now that ya mention it.

Keito: Hm. The origin of "blue light", huh…

Yuzuru: …Then, if you can pardon my rudeness, I shall explain.

Yuzuru: Back in the day, when traffic lights were first established in Japan, they were legally called "green lights".

Yuzuru: But articles introducing traffic lights recorded them as "blue lights", hence calling them "blue lights" became more widespread.

Yuzuru: Green vegetable juice, green apples, green crops—They're all green in colour, but since we call them "blue" in Japanese, they seemed to have played a part in the establishment of the name as well.^[1]

Yuzuru: And soon, even the law started calling them "blue lights".

Keito: Hm, you seem to be well-informed?

Yuzuru: It's all thanks to my master. When Bocchama was young, he would ask to go walking outside on a whim…

Yuzuru: So we would hold hands and slowly walk around the mansion.

Yuzuru: And he would ask me about various things such as the colour of traffic lights, shapes of signs, the significance of road reflectors… Always with those sparkling eyes, exactly in the way Hiiro-sama just did.

Yuzuru: Oh, let me sincerely apologise for going as far as mentioning unrelated details. Were you able to understand why they are called "blue lights"?

Hiiro: Umu. I've understood. Both about "blue lights" and how much Fushimi-senpai treasures Tori-kun.

Yuzuru: Fufu, how embarrassing. Keito-sama, if you may, let us continue now.

Keito: Yes. Are there any other questions?

Keito: …There seem to be none. Then let's start with the Road Traffic Act.

[After a while]

Keito: —That's all for today.

Mika: Thank ya~ My head's a mess from tryin' to take in everythin' that was taught, but t’was mighty useful.

Mika: For a pedestrian, the lights from a car can be seen even from a distance, but it's hard to spot dark coloured clothes for the person drivin’, huh~

Mika: Maybe I should buy sumthin' reflective and put it on my bag next time.

Hiiro: I shall also do that. Hasumi-senpai, thank you for opening "Keito Lectures". I can acquire various kinds of knowledge by coming here. It's very fun!

Keito: Hm… It's admirable how Amagi tackles studies with so much positivity, but your lack of common sense is deeply worrying.

Keito: You haven't been facing any obstacles in your day-to-day life, right?

Hiiro: Umu! I've become quite familiar with the city's common sense.

Aira: He's a lot better compared to when we just met, but somehow the lack of common sense is still there, you know~?

Aira: Keito-senpai, let me apologise for this guy of mine.^[2]

Hiiro: Why is Aira apologising? …Ah.

Hiiro: Fushimi-senpai, I shall also help you tidy up. What can I do?

Yuzuru: I'm much obliged for your kindness. However, there is no reason to worry. You can leave the cleaning to me and have a pleasant chat with the others ♪

Hiiro: Hm… Even if you say that you never let anyone else do it.

Hiiro: We are all friends belonging to the same circle. Just once in a while, I would like you to let me help.

Yuzuru: However…

Keito: What about depending on Amagi's kindness this time, Fushimi? Didn't we agree to have lunch together after this?

Keito: It's more efficient to divide the work. I'll also help.

Yuzuru: …Understood. I shall leave the task of replacing the equipment to Keito-sama.

Yuzuru: As for Hiiro-sama, would it be possible for you to discard this bundle of newspapers?

Hiiro: Umu. No matter what happens on the way, I shall take responsibility and discard them.

Aira: No, the trashcan is right outside the corridor, so I don't think anything would happen? What about Kagehira-senpai and I?

Yuzuru: Yes… Then how about heading to COCHI before us and securing seats for everyone?

Mika: Got it. Then see ya later~

Yuzuru: Yes, let us meet later.

Yuzuru: Since cleaning is my hobby, there was no need to accept help.

Yuzuru: But sharing your joy like this isn't bad once in a while…♪

^[1]The names of all the green things Yuzuru mentions contain the kanji for blue (青) in Japanese. And as noted by my proofreader, there were only four primary colours in Japan for a long time (blue, red, white and black). Hence the newspapers introduced the traffic lights as "blue" back in 1930, since the word for "green" was not commonly used until WW2.

^[2]Aira uses the term うちの人 to talk about Hiiro here which is usually used to refer to one's husband but can also mean a family member in general.

Next Chapter: Summer Splash 2

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