Banri Settsu/The First Star of Devoting Fire

BANRI's Best Purchase

Backstage Stories

Part 1Part 2Part 3

Banri	Good workin', Izumi-chan.
Izumi	"President!" "Pre-si-dent"! Geez, how many times do I have to tell you not call me by name?
Banri	Whatever you say ma'am.
Izumi	How did that job earlier go for you?
Banri	Piece o' cake. Took care of it in a flash.
	'Nyway, you called me for somethin'?
Izumi	Yeah. I'll send you the files later, just in case, but I thought I'd hand this over to you now.
Banri	Ah, this is that prerequisite questionnaire for that magazine interview, ain't it?
Izumi	That's right. Make sure you have it all answered by the date written here. Understand?
Banri	Gotcha.
	… Hmm, my most recent "best purchase", huh?
Banri	Oh yeah, there's that questionnaire that Izumi-chan handed to me. Let's check this out…
	"My best recent purchase"... Right. What do I even do 'bout this one… Guess I could take a look at my newer stuff here—
	I do like this shirt, but I wouldn't necessarily call it my best purchase.
	And I've worn these shoes a ton… But I'm pretty sure this design's no longer on sale; no use bringing this up by the time my interview releases.
	Like, if I'm goin' by that angle, there's really nothin' worth noting, huh…
	*DOOR OPENS*
Juza	… Bastard, the hell are ya messin' up the room for.
Banri	Don't wanna hear that from some sweets-scatterin' asshole.
Juza	Hah? The one who's got their stuff all scattered 'round right now is you, ain't it?
Taichi	Al-Alright, you two, let's take it easy!
	Say, why do you have all your clothes n' stuff laid out like this though, Ban-chan?
Banri	Tryin' to figure out my answer to this questionnaire for the magazine interview.
Juza	So it's for a questionnaire? Couldn't ya have said that sooner.
Banri	You didn't even give me any chance to!!
Taichi	What part of the questionnaire is it?
Banri	This here, askin' 'bout my best purchase.
Taichi	Ohh! That explains why everything's all lined up like this!
	So, did you decide on an answer already?
Banri	Nahh. Nothin' from here.
Taichi	Well, maybe you'll find something on tomorrow's shoot!
Banri	— Ohh yeah. Now that you mention it, tomorrow's shoot will be at an outlet store, ain't it? That "100k Yen Budget Challenge" thingy.
Juza	Why the hell did they choose YOU for a fancy challenge like that?
Banri	'Cuz I've got a good eye for the fancy stuff, obviously.
	(... Will I really be able to find somethin' worthy enough for a "best purchase" in an outlet store of all places, though?)

Staff	We're rolling in 3… 2… 1…
Reporter	It's time once again for the ever-popular portion of "The Prince's Late Lunch" show: the "100,000 Yen Shopping Challenge!"
	Now let's not dilly-dally with it— let's welcome our guests for today! Please come over, you two!
TAICHI	Gooood afternoon, everyone!
BANRI	Heya.
Reporter	That's right! Our guests today will be no other than TAICHI-san and BANRI-san from AKIVE!
TAICHI & BANRI	Thanks for having us.
Reporter	Have either of you been to this outlet store before?
BANRI	A whole buncha times already.
TAICHI	I've only been here once, so…
Reporter	I see! I see!
	I ask because, you see, they've recently swapped out some of the stores here for new ones!
	So we believe that even a regular like BANRI-san will still find a lot of enjoyment out of this challenge because of that.
BANRI	Well then, I'm excited to see what fresh goods they've got then.
Reporter	Now then, let me explain this challenge for everyone!
	These two will be handed a budget of 100,000 yen, to which they'll be free to use on whatever they'll see fit.
	However, we'll be having a game at the end of this challenge; if you fail the game, then everything you've bought by the end of the day will be given away to the viewers instead!
TAICHI	Everything!?
BANRI	Talk 'bout pressure.
Reporter	But, midway into the challenge, we'll also have another game where— if you win it— you'll be rewarded with an additional 50,000 yen to your shopping budget!
TAICHI	Seriously! Then we definitely have to nab that!
BANRI	Guess we gotta do what we gotta do.
Reporter	Now, without further ado— let's start shopping!
Reporter	So, you two, what sort of items do you usually buy on your own time?
BANRI	Clothes n' shoes for me, no doubt.
TAICHI	I buy all sorts of stuff, but I get a lot more of are merch of my favorite character!
	But I guess if we're talking about my pricier purchases, then those would the skateboards I get for my hobby…
Reporter	For when you practice your skateboarding skills, then?
TAICHI	Yeah! Although I've been too busy to get any practicing hours in lately
Reporter	Is that so… Oh! Looks like this is the store that BANRI-san gets his clothes and shoes from.
TAICHI	Oooh, look at this belt! Bet JUZA-san would look so good with it!
BANRI	These shoes here would pro'lly be to OMI's liking too.
TAICHI	Oh yeah! Totally!
BANRI	This sake cup looks like somethin' SAKYO-san would use, don't it?
TAICHI	Sure does!
	Wow! Check out this mirror! It says it comes with its own built-in light that's good for when putting on make-up and stuff!
BANRI	AZAMI might want one of these.
TAICHI	Hey, these might be good for when we're travelling 'round in-between work locations, don'cha think?
BANRI	Neck pillows, huh? They'll surely be useful.
Reporter	The members are most certainly familiar with one another, aren't they? I bet even the fans are taking notes as well while they're watching this.
TAICHI	Yeah! I guess you could say we do know each other quite a bunch!
BANRI	Hang on. Is this store—
Reporter	Is something the matter?
BANRI	Pretty sure this is the store that's got this specific pair of sunglasses I've been eyein' on. That thing's so popular I can never catch 'em on sale anywhere—
	…Wait, you're kiddin'—!? They actually have it here?!
TAICHI	Lemme see! —WOAH!? That price tag's crazier than I thought!! …These are the sunglasses you've been wanting!?
BANRI	Most certain of it. Sure, it's pricey compared to most stuff you'd find in an outlet store, but this is already a huge cut from its initial price… Maybe I'll get it.
TAICHI	You're buying it!?
BANRI	Uh-huh. Don't worry; I ain't gonna use the money from the challenge. I'll get it with my own pocket money.
Reporter	You're going to use your own expenses?!
BANRI	Yep. Sorry, could you guys wait a sec'? I'll just head to the cashier then come back after.
Reporter	Yes, of course!
	—What a turn of events! We've never had someone do this challenge and actually buy something so expensive out of their own personal budget~
TAICHI	Hope people don't get the wrong idea, though, like— not every idol can just do that, y'know!!
	'Cuz I certainly couldn't afford to buy something THAT expensive THAT easily!!!
Reporter	—And now, it's time for our guests to partake in this portion's bonus game!
	We have prepared two questions for you to answer.
	If you can get either one of the two questions correct, you'll receive a bonus of 50,000 yen for your budget!
	Who will do the honors of answering the first question?
TAICHI	I'll have the first go at it!
BANRI	Go ahead. I'm countin' on ya.
TAICHI	We'll have that 50k in the bag!
Reporter	Alright, then. Here's your question:
	These two items here items made for camping trips; among these two products, which one sells out more than the other?
	Is it A: the low chair; or B: the titanium mug? You're free to look and think about it for as long as you'd like until you decide on your answer.
TAICHI	Man, this is kinda tough…
	The chair seems like it'd be a hot item… But since the mug's easier to buy and take back home, I'm gonna go with "B"!
Reporter	So the "titanium mug" is your answer?
TAICHI	Yeah! —C'mon, c'mon, please be right…!
Reporter	The correct answer is… the titanium mug!
	Congratulations on winning the 50,000 yen bonus!
TAICHI	ALLLLRIGHT!
BANRI	Damn, nice going.

TAICHI	The prices on this shop's accessories always make me second-guess, but I can't deny that I'm pretty into these designs!
BANRI	Not somethin' I expected to hear from you, considerin' these are some burly designs.
TAICHI	I like them quite a bit!
	Oh! Hey, this is the pendant I've been wanting to get! I could never find them in person or any online stores—
	Wow! Hang on! The price on this REALLY dropped!
	… But it didn't drop down enough to what I can afford…
BANRI	How much s'that?
TAICHI	Around 40k yen…
BANRI	That's a major steal. You ain't gonna find a better price than that, y'know?
	Why don'cha use that bonus money for this, then?
TAICHI	But that 50k's supposed to be for the two of us—
BANRI	But you won that money for us, didn't ya? And they said we can use it however we'd like.
	If I find anythin' I like within the remaining budget, I'll just go with that, yeah?
TAICHI	Ban-chan… If you're really sure, then! I'll buy it! Thanks so much!!
Reporter	That's what you call love for his members…!
Reporter	And that concludes our shopping trip! Which means that, last but not least, is the final bonus game!
	If you fail this challenge, all of the times you bought today will be taken and given away to the viewers instead!
	Your challenge this time is a darts game; just hit bullseye, and everything is yours to keep!
	You'll only have three attempts. Who will be going first?
BANRI	You like darts, right, TAICHI? You seem like you'd be good at this.
	Can I leave the first two shots to ya?
TAICHI	I'm not really that good, but I'll give it a shot!
Reporter	Okay, TAICHI-san! Please throw your first dart!
TAICHI	…!!
	*HIT*
Reporter	Oooh, so close!
TAICHI	Khh… I'll get it in this next one!
Reporter	Here comes his second attempt!
	*HIT*
TAICHI	Gah…!
Reporter	Aahh, he almost had it, too!
TAICHI	Sorry, BAN-chan! My nerves got the better of me…
BANRI	Nah, you still did good 'nuff to almost hit bullseye. Even counting the nerves, that's still impressive.
	… Well, since you got to show off by winning the earlier challenge, I'd better step up my game too.
TAICHI	Yeah! Show that dartboard who's boss!
Reporter	And so BANRI-san will be taking the last shot at this! Good luck!
BANRI	—!!
	*HIT*
Reporter	And that's bullseye!! They're taking it all home!
TAICHI	Yahoooooo—!!
BANRI	Pheeew! Nearly flubbed that!
TAICHI	That's our BAN-chan!
	*CAMERA CLICKS*
Banri	… Alrighty. These sunglasses are def' going into my "best purchase" question.
	Already took the pic', so that should take care of the questionnaire.
	*DOOR OPENS*
Banri	Yooo.
Izumi	Oh, Banri-kun. You came back home at a great time.
Banri	What's up?
Azami	Your name's trending on social media. Along with the word "sunglasses".
Banri	What's happenin' now?
Izumi	It's because that magazine— the one that included the questionnaire about your "best purchase"— came out earlier today.
	You also had that "10k yen budget shopping" episode too, so… Ah, here, look! It's really making the rounds!
Social Media Post	"In case you didnt know: AKIVE's BANRI-kun is totes a rich kid"
	"sounds about right for an idol!"
	"these guys really be living the dream!!"
Banri	So I see, yeah.
Azami	The store apparently had to increase their production on those sunglasses you talked 'bout.
	Yet they got sold like pancakes— store branches, online retailers… All of them are already out of stock.
Banri	But that thing's original price is like 200k yen?! That's insane…
Izumi	The store's official media account has even already made a post regarding pre-orders because of the crazy number of demands for restocks.
Azami	Banri-san's fans are crazy for sure— crazy rich.
Izumi	I guess when you look at his merch sales……
	*DOOR OPENS*
Taichi	I'm baaaack!
Izumi	Welcome home, Taichi-kun.
Taichi	Hey, get this guys! I passed by like, three people who looked just like Ban-chan today!
Banri	......'Scuse me?
Izumi	Oh actually, when I went to the cafe earlier, I also happened upon two people who seemed similar to Banri-kun…
Azami	Hang on. Now that y'all are bringing it up, I had the same experience at the make-up store too—
Banri	HAH?! The fuck are you all goin' on about!?
Taichi	But Ban-chan! They not only had those sunglasses you got, but also your hair, and your clothes—
Azami	Exactly like the guys I saw, yeah.
Banri	W-What the hell is even up with that…
	*DOOR OPENS*
Sakyo	I'm back…
	——!?! SETTSU!? How the hell are you here…
Banri	"How", what? What d'ya mean by that!?
Sakyo	Coulda sworn I just passed by ya at the crossing earlier. How'd you manage to get back here so fast?
Banri	—Oh come on!! It's ME! The real one's RIGHT HERE!

Dita