Rainbow Colored Summer (Apt. Complex)

pending review


========

-1-

Reira
[In Kamihama's Daito Apartment Complex where we live, the children take charge in an annual event every summer vacation with the residents' association backing them up.]
[And that event's main attraction this time is...]

Mito
I heard!
We're doing "nagashi soumen" this time!?

Reira
Eh... You knew already!?

Mito
Ehehe~! Heard it from old residents!

Seika
...Reira and I are going to be on the planning committee.

Mito
Heeh~, that's neat!

Reira
So, if you'd like to hang out...

Mito
I'll do it too!!

Reira
Eh...ehhh!?
You mean - are you saying you'll join us on the planning committee...?

Mito
With an event this fun, there's no way I can't join in!
Count me in!

Seika
B-but...won't coming out here for discussions every time be inconvenient...

Mito
Doesn't bother me one bit!
It's the long-awaited summer vacation, so I wanna be with you guys as much as possible!

Seika
Mito...

Reira
I see...
We're like a three-for-one deal, aren't we...
Alright then, will you lend us a helping hand, Mito?

Mito
Yeah! Of course.

[*Sniffle...sniffle...*]

Mito
Huh...?

[*Sniffle...sniffle...*]

Mito
Hey! Aren't those girls crying?

Reira
What happened...? Let's go over for a minute.
What's wrong?

Girl
Well...A-chan is moving away...
...Far away to another country...

Reira
...?
[When I asked for details, they said the three of them grew up as best friends in this apartment complex...]
[But this summer, the girl they call "A-chan" is moving to another country with her family...]
...That sounds kinda like us not too long ago, doesn't it...

Seika
...But if she's moving to another country, seeing each other won't be easy...

Reira
I see...this could be more serious than how it was with Mito...

Mito
I feel so bad! I wanna do something for them!

Reira
Hmm...it's not like we can stop them from moving,
but as far as other things we can do... ...that's it...!
Hey A-chan, when are you moving out?

A-chan
...In two weeks, Mama said...

Reira
In that case, you can join the nagashi soumen event then!

Girl
Nagashi soumen...?

Girl 2
Is that... That summer vacation event you were talking about?

Reira
Yeah, we're the planning committee.
Nothing beats noisily eating up delicious soumen with everyone.
So, even if you guys become separated, you'll never forget each other.
You make lots of wonderful memories together!

Mito
Ah-! So that's what you're getting at!
Then you guys should definitely join!
'Cause we'll make it a super fun event~!

Reira
Right-! You think so too, don't you, Seika?

Seika
Y-yeah...happy memories can provide emotional support during hard times...

Girl
Um... Onee-chan, are you mad at us...?

Seika
...Uu...

Reira
I-it's okay! She's not angry at all!

Girl 2
Huhu... These big girls sure are funny.

A-chan
I...want to join the event.
I want to leave as many memories behind with you guys as I can.

Girl
...You're right.

Girl 2
I think it's great! We all feel the same way.

A-chan
Yeah, thank you...!
Big girls, we're going to look forward to the event, okay!

Reira
Of course, leave it to us!
[And so, to help A-chan and friends make memories together, one big project began...]
[...However...]
What do we do... I can't think of any good ideas at all...
And here I thought if I went outside I would get some kind of idea.

Seika
The Laughing Ultra Nagashi Soumen idea is still off the table...?

Reira
That comedy show where you can't eat unless you get people to laugh out loud?
Wouldn't that be kind of hard for children?

Mito
I wouldn't be able to eat either!

Seika
I see...too bad...

[MIIIN MIN MIN MIIIN...] *Cicada

Mito
Hui~... It sure is hot out!
I know, let's go to that water park that just opened!

Reira
The pool!? Right now!?

Mito
It's just so hot that I can't think of anything~
I wanna spulaaash! in and cool my head off~!

Reira
...Well, I do understand how you feel with this heat.
And that waterslide was pretty fun.

Seika
If we sent soumen down that, the speed they would float by would be incredible...

Reira
...!! That...could be fun!


-2-

Reira

Isn't nagashi soumen on a waterslide novel?
I think just changing how it looks would be a huge change!

Mito
Uwaah~! That's fun and cool-!

Seika
We like it, but... Would those girls enjoy it is the question.

Reira
You're right...
They're our focus, so why don't we go ask them directly!

---

Girl
Water...

Girl 2
Slide...

A-chan
Nagashi soumen...?

Reira
What...do you think...?

Girls
SOUNDS FUUUN!!

Girl
What'll it look like!?

Mito
Ehehe, that's still a secret!

Reira
It's a big relief that you guys are into it!
Now that we have a direction for the project, we need to work even harder.
[And so, with the head of the residents' association giving us support, we went together to the apartment complex's stores to ask for help with installing equipment.]

<Apartment Complex, Building Contractor>

Contractor
Build a waterslide-style nagashi soumen stand!?

Reira
It really is that difficult after all, isn't it...?

Contractor
It would be... We'd have get pretty creative...
But that being said, it is only once a year, and it's a big event for the complex...
And Mito-chan did come all this way out here.
I'd like to do something here, but...
Ah - that's right, I could use scaffolding at the site!
Alright, I accept!

Mito
Really!? Oji-san, thank you-!

Seika
I was nervous about this, but I'm glad things worked out...

Head of Residents' Association
Sorry for putting you on the spot all the time; I'm counting on you.

Reira
Okay, next up is...

<Apartment Complex, Water Services Store>

Old Man
Nagashi soumen this time, eh! Now there's some fine elegance.
It's already that time of the year again, huh.

Reira
We asked the construction contractor about the noodle stand,
but he said he needed help from his old man for the water supply...

Old Man
Ohh, you leave that to me!
I've lived here my whole life, and everyone here's like family,
so it's times like this we gotta help each other.
I'll tag in with the that ol' coot at the contractor's and build ya one hell of a thing.
Just you wait and see!

Head of Residents' Association
Sorry for the trouble; you're a big help.

Old Man
What's this now, I told ya I'm all for it. Been some time since I gotta see Mito-chan, too.

Mito
Ehehe, thank you!
And with this, preparations for the event are underwaaay!

Reira
Mito, you forgot an essential part of this!

Mito
Eh-? Hmm~...what could that be...
I dunno!

Reira
You see, that's... The "soumen"!


-3-

Head of Residents' Association
Alright, everyone...! Let's get fired up and move out!

Reira
Eh, what do you mean by get fired up?
There's seemingly a popular dry noodle shop around here...
And Mother even said the taste is guaranteed great...

Head of Residents' Association
Ahh, you'll understand when we get there...

---

Head of Residents' Association
Good day...

Old Woman
...What bus'ness have you?

Seika
...!!

Mito
T-this old woman's kinda scary...

Reira
[Actually, the truth is this store has a reputation for delicious soumen noodles, but...]
[The store owner seems to famously be an oddball...]
[Like if she isn't delighted with a customer, she'll kick them out...]

Seika
~ I...I don't feel like I could even attempt to go against her... ~

Reira
~ I'll try talking to her! ~

---

Old Woman
Some water somethin'r other with my soumen...?
I ain't sellin' MY soumen to some no name nothin' event, y'hear!

Mito
Hyaah-!?

Seika
...Eh...well...um....

Reira
Ah - but... Um, please listen.

Old Woman
Whatisit?

Reira
You're not wrong for thinking that is it a bit of a strange event, but...
I want it to succeed, no matter what.
See, there's these little girls
who are looking forward to this event,
and one of them is going to be moving to another country soon.
But they're really excited for the event,
so if they could enjoy the taste of these delicious noodles,
I think no matter where they are, it would be a wonderful memory they would never forget.
So...just this time, would you be willing to sell...?

Old Woman
.....

Reira
Is...that a no...?

Old Woman
...So young, yet ya got quite a head on those shoulders. You know how to speak all nice, don't ya?

Reira
Heh...?

Old Woman
If that's all, I'll provide as much as y'all need.

---

Head of Residents' Association
Man, that's quite a feat. You're one heck of a negotiator.

Reira
Not at all, I'm just glad she's someone who's understanding when talked with.

---

Reira
[And so, negotiations for equipment and goods is more or less complete...]

Contractor
These good for the slides?

Reira
Wow! I think they're amazing!

---

Old Man
Alright, time to get the waterworks going.

Reira
Thank you for your work!
[Preparations are steadily making progress towards the day of the event...]

Old Woman
Sorry for the wait. One delivery of soumen noodles here.

Mito
So many noodles! Could I have just a little nibble?

Reira
Nibble, now? If you ate them as is you'd get a stomachache!

---

A-chan
Ah-...! The soumen stand is ready!

Reira
Yeah! It finally got finished today.

Girl
It's huuuge!

Girl 2
I wonder how the soumen's gonna flow down that thing.

Reira
Huhu-! You'll find out on the big day.

[WooOOoosh~]

Seika
...! ...That's a...strong wind.

Reira
..Yeah it is.
[...And then... Two days before the event was an incident.]

Mito
Oh...oh no...!

Seika
The soumen stand...

Reira
It's broken...!?


-4-

Everyone
.....

Head of Residents' Association
Must've been from the strong winds yesterday...
Like something flew by and crashed right into it.

Mito
W-what do we dooo!?

Reira
Even though our elders worked so hard to make this...

Contractor
There's nothing we could've done about this... All the custom parts are busted.
It'll take time to get what's needed out here, and having it repaired in time for the event is out of the question.

Seika
Then...maybe we could postpone the event...

Head of Residents' Association
I feel awful, but...
There's no delaying it now due to the site and the labor.

Reira
Besides, A-chan wouldn't be able to participate...

Mito
Well then, what do we do...?

Seika
.....

Reira
What can we do...
And here those girls were looking so forward to this...

Head of Residents' Association
The soumen's been delivered, so why don't we just eat them like normal...

Mito
You mean change it to a "normal soumen eating party"!?
That's such a let down~!!

Head of Residents' Association
I wish there were something I could do too, but...

Reira
Um...how long would it take to revise the details of the event?

Head of Residents' Association
Well...
We have to complete preparations by the end of tomorrow...
So if you want to revise the plan, I suppose no later than noon tomorrow.

Reira
I understand. We'll try to think of something by then.
Mito, Seika.
Why don't we split for a while and come back later with ideas?
If we can settle on something by tomorrow morning...!

Seika & Mito
Got it...!

---

Reira
...What do we do...
I can't come up with any new ideas at all...
...That's it...! I'll ask "her"!

---

Manaka
...I see. You're really in a bind with this.

Reira
I know I'm not asking for advice on a recipe or anything,
so maybe this isn't an appropriate question for you, Manaka-sensei...

Manaka
No, it's nothing like that. How about this for an example:
Things like tomato and curry as some not-so-ordinary dipping causes and condiments
to pick and choose from, like a la carte soumen?

Reira
Ah - that could be good...! That's my sensei!
I can't believe you came up with such a fun idea so fast!

Manaka
Eating out is a special experience for anyone,
and it's a chef's job to cook and set the atmosphere of the restaurant​...
That includes the spirit of hospitality and making sure customers are enjoying themselves,
so it's like entertainment, so to speak!
Though, A la carte soumen is a little more grown-up-oriented, isn't it.
I have a feeling it wouldn't stick with small children.
Maybe something a bit more playful.

Reira
I see...playful...

Manaka
On that point, I do think the water slide was a great idea, though.

Reira
So we weren't on the wrong track then.
(Playful...playful...hmmm...)

---

Reira
(I went all through the night without a solution...)

[～～♪～～♪]

Reira
Ah-...

[*Beep*]

Reira
Mito! Seika!

Mito
Think of anything?

Reira
Not at all, I was stuck on "fun for kids" and "half a day to prepare"...
You guys?

Mito
Me neither~

Seika
Same...

Reira
I see...
Manaka-sensei gave me an idea
for a la carte soumen,
so I'll talk to the head of the Residents' Association about it.
If we don't get any other ideas by 12 tomorrow,
you want to go with that...?

Seika
...I guess.

Mito
Sure.

<The next day>

Seika
It's impossible...we couldn't come up with anything...!

Mito
We've almost hit the time limit-!

Reira
If we're going with a la carte soumen, we need to start getting it ready right away.
If we don't have this done on time either...
It'll end up being a "normal soumen eating party"!

Seika
That would be too bland and could leave too much soumen behind...

Mito
If there's leftovers, we'd eat it all-?

Reira
We can't just throw it all away, so worst-case we may have to...

Seika
...Like wanko soba...

Reira
...Eh...?
What did you just say? ...Wanko soba...?

Seika
...Yeah...

Reira
That's it!
A "wanko soumen" competition! Don't you think that sounds exciting?
[From a passing comment by Seika, I was struck with the idea for "wanko soumen"... Thankfully, the head of the Residents' Association gave us the OK, and we rushed to make preparations.]

---

Reira
["Eh-...not enough bowls?"]
["We'll ask everyone in the apartment complex to donate some!"]

---

Mito
Haa...haa...
The mission to collect wooden bowls was suuuper tough.

Reira
Great work, you two! We might have enough thanks to you two.

Seika
...Right... Reira, here.

Reira
Hm...? A bag full of something...?

Seika
We received this along with the bowls...

Mito
Ah-... There's toys and cute stuff inside!

Seika
The man at the general store heard about the event
and wondered if these would work as prizes for the kids...

Mito
There's all kinds of stuff!! I wanna give them to everyone!

Reira
You're right... Not just for the winners,
but so all the kids can have fun...
(Right... To make it more playful...)
That's it...!!
Not a competition to see who can eat the most...
What do you guys think about this...?


-5-

<The day of the event>

Reira
["Everyone, thank you so much for gathering here today!"]
["Unfortunately, ours plans for nagashi soumen are canceled..."]
["But in its place, we are holding a wanko soumen event for everyone to enjoy!"]

Girl
"Wanko soumen"...?

Girl 2
What's that...?

A-chan
Wanko soba - I know, I know!
They give you bowls of soba one by one, and the winner is the one who eats the most!

Mito
Yup, a soumen version of that! But there's no winning or losing!

Seika
...O-on the bottom of each bowl
is a sticker with a number written on it.
For every point, you can receive a present...

Mito
Have fun, eat a lot, and it's present get-!

Girl
Heeh, sounds fun!

Girl 2
I wonder what we'll get!

A-chan
Wow, I can't wait!

Mito
Everyone's all excited!

Reira
Having fun while eating, and even getting a present...
We may have kept the "playfulness" that Manaka-sensei told me...!

---

Reira
[After that, the event went smoothly...]

Girl
Ah-... I saved up points!

Mito
Congrats! Here, your present!

Girl
Hurray!

Boy
I got some too!

Reira
Gotcha! On my way!

???'s Voice
Me too!

???'s Voice 2
Over here!

Seika
T-this is hectic...!

---

Reira
[And we finished without incident...]

A-chan
Onee-chan!

Reira
A-chan and friends...! How was it, today's event?

Girl
It was sooo fun!

Girl 2
I've never had so much fun eating soumen before!

A-chan
It's too bad we didn't get to do nagashi soumen...
But I got a precious treasure from the event today.

Reira
This is... A hair pin gift set...

Girl
There were exactly three, so we split them between us!

Girl 2
With these, you won't feel lonely when we're apart, will you?

A-chan
Yeah...whenever I get lonely overseas, I'll look at this hair pin...
I'll remember all of you.

Reira
I see...you made wonderful memories and got a priceless treasure.

A-chan
Even when I'm all grown up, I'll never ever forget today.
Thank you...everyone... And you big girls, too...

Girl
A-chan...

Girl 2
Uuu...*sniffle*...

Seika
...This is... Making me feel a little lonely too... Uu-...

Mito
We will absolutely, never ever forget you either, A-chan!

Reira
We'll see you again next time you come to Japan, okay!

A-chan
Yeah... Thank you so much!

Reira
[Many accidents happened, the event itself was tough, but in the end it was a huge success!]
[As the evening sun washed over the apartment complex, we prayed in our hearts.]
[That even though the three of them are separated by a great distance, their friendship will last forever.]
[And at the end of it all, we gave our usual farewells...]
["Bye bye...see you tomorrow!"]



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localizations
Housing Complex or Apartment Complex?
自治会長 = Apartment Council President in NA version (looked this up after)