Voice Drama Part "The Cat's Whiskers" is the second drama track in Paradox Live Opening Show. A sample was posted on January 24, 2020 on the official Paradox Live YouTube Channel.
Featured Characters[]
Summary[]
After ten years, CLUB paradox suddenly revived. At the same time, the four most popular hip hop team in the present day received an invitation to a Stage Battle.
The champion gets a monetary prize of ten billion yen, as well as the right to challenge the legendary rapper [unit], Buraikan. To prove oneself, to desperately protect one’s memories, to rise higher in the world, to create a place for one’s family…
Each with their own reasons, all the teams decided to participate in the competition. Now, start the never-before-seen battle―
Audio[]
Translation[]
Translation provided by Leche. Please note minor edits to fix small typographical and grammatical errors and describe certain sound effects were made. The original translation can be accessed here.
Naoakira: Rain…
Tears the sky shed for someone else.
Dancing on top of the stone paving,
And before long, it will wash away the city’s sadness.
(Yohei claps.)
Yohei: Bravo, Professor! Just like that, could you invite one or two customers in?
Shiki: Owner, this is the receipt from the fruit shop…
Naoakira: Thank you. Yohei, if you’re that free, would you please help dealing with the accounting here?
Yohei: Aaalright, come here, Ryu! Today, I’ll teach you how to make cocktails.
Ryu: Yaay, yaay, yaaay!!! Whole body acknowledges! Ryu-kun will do itー!
Then, what kinda cocktail will you teach me to make?
Yohei: It’s something called Strike.
Naoakira: My, my.
Yohei: The ingredients are Canadian Whisky and Vermouth. And then this… and this, and this. That’s all.
Ryu: Okay, understood! Charismatic Bartender Ryu-kun will make itー!
(Sounds of Ryu preparing the drink)
Sorry for the wait, here’s one from the customer over there.
Yohei: (He takes a sip.) Cough, cough, what the fuck did you make!?
Shiki: Ah…!
Yohei: God. Let the outrageous one be just you.
Ryu: Ihihihihi~ You’re welcome~
Yohei: A flippant bastard as usual.
Naoakira: Are you alright, Shiki?
Shiki: Ah, yes… I was just a little surprised, that’s all.
Naoakira: I see. Well then, it seems today we’re not going to get any more customers, so let’s close up the shop.
Yohei: Yeah.
Ryu: Then, I’ll put away the signboard!
Shiki: I-I’ll clean the floor.
Naoakira: No. After putting away the signboard, everyone please gather here. There’s something I want to talk to you all about.
Ryu: Eeeh!!? Ryu-kun’s selected to be the shop manager~!!?
Yohei: Don’t worry, you won’t ever.
Oi, Saimon. I’ll tell you this first: even if you pick up humans or animals, we have no more place for them to live in.
Ryu: Ryu-kun and all of us are picked-up children~
Shiki: Y-yes, umm… as I thought, I’m a bother, right…?
Naoakira: I’ve never thought of you as a bother.
Moreover, is the feeling of wanting to save someone else such a bad thing?
Yohei: The one you actually want to save is… Oh well. That aside, what’s it you wanna talk about?
Naoakira: Actually, this was addressed to us.
Shiki: A letter, is it…?
Naoakira: An invitation for The Cat’s Whiskers. ‘Please participate in Paradox Live, the event to decide the summit of hip hop’, it said.
Ryu: That sounds so fun!! Where is it, where is it?
Naoakira: In the bay coast area[1], Club Paradox.
Yohei: What…? Ten years ago, that live house has…
Naoakira: Yes, that’s right.
Yohei: Shady. Even though Buraikan’s gone too.
Naoakira: What’s wrong, Shiki? You look like you want to ask something.
Shiki: Ah, yes… Paradox…? Brian…?[2] I was wondering what those are…
Yohei: It’s not Brian, but Buraikan!
Ryu: Hahahaha! Who’s that, a helper foreigner[3]!?
Hello Brian, my name is Ryu-kun!
Naoakira: Ahaha, I see. That’s understandable- it was a story from when Shiki was small, after all.
Yohei: Buraikan is an outrageous MC unit that existed in the past.
MC Yasha and MC Shura… they were monsters.
Shiki: They have scary-sounding names…
Naoakira: They were originally a famous duo underground.
Because of Phantom Live, in one breath they attained world-wide fame.
Yohei: Well, even before they made a breakthrough with Phantom Lives, when there were rumors of them coming, even if it was just a cypher[4], an unbelievable amount of rubbernecks would gather.
Shiki: Umm..
Naoakira: What is it?
Shiki: In the past, people usually enjoy music by themselves, right? Even so, there are cyphers?
Yohei: That’s because you can’t do hip hop and sudden free styles alone.
Naoakira: That’s why, only cyphers are held in each area. Of course, if you compare it to today, it was just a secret boom. Gathering especially just to enjoy music… people thought of us as a peculiar lot.
Ryu: Ooooh? Boss and the others were part of the peculiar lot?
Naoakira: Both Yohei and I have been doing hip hop since before it became a boom, you know?
Shiki: So, Owner and the others have seen Buraikan live…?
Naoakira: Yes, I’ve seen them with Yohei, just once.
(Sample ends here.)
Yohei: We really got knocked out of our seats back then.
It was a performance that scorched into your soul.
Naoakira: Yeah.
Unmistakably, their existence made hip hop boomed thereafter.
That’s why everyone thought Buraikan would lead the newcomers as it is, but…
Shiki: Did something happen?
Yohei: In just a night, they disappeared…
Just like children’s fairy tales, that is.
Shiki: No way…
Why so suddenly…?
Naoakira: It was said that they disbanded, but nobody knows the truth.
It was something God only knows.
Ryu: Even though those two were promising…
Yohei: Hah, talking as if you know anything.
Ryu: Hehehehehe...
Yohei: Stop laughing in such a disgusting way, you tool!
Ryu: Tool… tool…? It sounds kinda cute, tool!
Yo yo, representing Tools, Ryu-kun has come! Obeying instincts, toying you with pork cutlets, checkera!
Naoakira: Haha.
You know those Phantometals we use on stage, right?
It was said that the first people to use it to visualize their emotions and carry out a Phantom Stage was Buraikan.
Yohei: Yeah. There’s a really long bridge that’s made off-limits in the bay coast area, right?
Beyond that, there originally was a big live house.
That’s Buraikan’s home base… Club Paradox.
Shiki: That place held such a past, huh…
Naoakira: Yeah.
Shall we get back on track?
This invitation… what do you think about it, Yohei?
Yohei: I’ve said this before, but it’s fishy.
There’s no way Paradox would suddenly come back.
Well, at most, it’s a passionate heads’[5] work.
Ryu: But that Club Paradox came back, you know?
Naoakira: Ryu, why do you think so?
Ryu: Because my friend, Pigeon-san, told me so.
He said, ‘Flap flap flap, pow, pow!’.
Yohei: Oi, Saimon.
As I thought, this guy’s lost it.
Naoakira: Haha. Shiki, can you look it up?
Shiki: Ah, yes. Umm… (He scrolls his phone.) Ah, there’s a hit!
It seems that people are rapidly uploading pictures on SNS.
Um, this…
Yohei: Seriously…? That island has, again…!?
No way…!
Naoakira: Very interesting…!
What in the world is the mechanism behind it…?
I certainly want to confirm it with my own eyes.
Yohei: Why are you so fixated on that event?
If you only want to know the reason behind Paradox’s comeback, you don’t have to go as far as participating.
Naoakira: I want to try aiming for it once again… with you, and with these children.
For the apex of hip hop.
Yohei: Ah… the glory we failed to grasp at that time, huh?
Yohei: Saimon, this is huge!
Naoakira: What’s wrong?
Yohei: It’s an invitation from overseas!
There was an American fest that Buraikan participated before they disbanded, right!?
They said they want us to do a Phantom Live!
Naoakira: …!
Yohei: Saimon…?
Oi, what’s wrong with you? Isn’t it a nice offer!?
If we perform there, our name will spread in one go!
If that happens, even Tsubaki-san will…!
Naoakira: I’m sorry. It’s impossible for the current me.
Yohei: Hah? What’s up with that?
You’re not gonna say you’re bored of hip hop, are you?
Naoakira: That’s impossible!
Even I think it’d be splendid if I could participate.
But… I’m sorry.
I’m sorry, Yohei…
Yohei: Saying something hard to refuse…
Naoakira: It’s a very egoistic reason, yet…
I want to dream again.
Yohei: And? Who else is invited?
Naoakira: Each has different inclinations, but all of them are currently uprising teams.
The team popular among youths, BAE;
Militaristic, gangster-representing Akan Yatsura;
And lastly, the team running around breaking into every competitions with monetary awards, cozmez.
(Shiki gasps and a glass shatters.)
Ryu: Aah~ I broke it!
This is no good, no good~
(Shiki is hyperventilating.)
Hm? Shiki?
Shiki: Ah… ah…
Yohei: Oi… what’s up with you, suddenly?
Naoakira: Shiki!?
Yohei, I’ll handle this.
Yohei: Understood.
Ryu, get a broom and dustpan.
Ryu: Aye, aye, Sir~ (He walks away.)
Shiki: Ah… ah, ah…
Naoakira: Shiki.
Shiki: Owner… I… I…
Naoakira: Everything is alright, Shiki.
Because I am here with you.
Shiki: Ah… but…
Naoakira: Poor thing…
Turning this pale…
Come, take a deep breath.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Are you alright?
Shiki: Yes. um… I’m sorry… for interrupting the talk…
Naoakira: You don’t have to worry about such things.
Yohei: (He sets down a glass.)Drink this water, ‘kay?
Shiki: Ah… thank you very much.
Yohei: Hey, Saimon.
I’m fine if you want to aim for the top in hip hop once again, but…
In reality, won’t a competition be too big a burden for this guy?
Naoakira: Hmm…
Ryu: (Ryu gets the broken glass shards.) Ryu-kun thinks Paradox Live sounds interesting, but does Shiki not want to join?
Shiki: It’s impossible… for someone stained like me…
Ryu: Shiki, you’re dirty!?
Hah, you haven’t taken a bath!?
Sniff, sniff…
Yohei: Stop it, you idiot!
Ryu: Ouch, it hurts, it hurts!
Shiki: Plus, if I participated in that event…
Yohei: It’s not like this is the first time you've performed in an event, right?
What’s wrong with you, suddenly?
Saimon, don’t you think it’s better to consider participating without Shiki?
Naoakira: Yeah… but Ryu’s tricky sense and Shiki’s prodigious sense of rhythm is vital to our music.
Furthermore, Whiskers is comprised of four people, all together.
If we can’t all go, let’s give up on participating.
Shiki: N-no!! That’s no good!!
Ryu: Shikki?
Shiki: My feelings don’t matter; I want to be of use to Owner.
I have to…
Yohei: What are we gonna do now?
Naoakira: I don’t think your feelings don’t matter.
Because I want you, Shiki, to take good care of yourself.
And for that, I’m sure that this competition will be a good experience.
Yohei: Which means…
Naoakira: We’ll participate with The Cat’s Whiskers.
Is that alright? Shiki.
Shiki: …Yes.
Naoakira: I’m really sorry.
Thank you, Shiki.
Shiki: Owner…
Ryu: Ye~s, Ryu-kun’s sleepy, it’s fifteen minutes until nighty-sleepy Ryu-kun, beep, beep, beep, beep…
Naoakira: Haha, that’s true. Everyone, I’m sorry for keeping all of you up until this late.
Ryu and Shiki, please sleep first.
I’ll tidy up the shop with Yohei for a while longer.
Shiki: Understood… Then, good night.
Ryu: The nighty sheep goes ‘baa, baa, baa’…
Shiki: Ryu-kun, wait, that’s dangerous… Come on… wake up…
(in the background) Shiki: Hey, are you listening?
Yohei: Saimon… that just now wasn’t your only reason for participating, right?
Naokaira: My, my, I’m really no match for you, Yohei.
Actually, that Alter Trigger Company is trying to buy-out this land.
Yohei: Huh? That Alter Trigger is?
Naoakira: Yeah.
Yohei: Oi… seriously?
…Fucking around like this…!
I’ll never hand over Seven-Four to anyone!!
This shop is ours!!
Naoakira: Of course, I also have no plans of handing over this shop that easily.
However, there’s no other way for us to protect this shop but to buy-out the whole land in a higher price than them.
Yohei: (Clicks tongue and sighs) So, how much is it?
Naoakira: Including maintenance costs, it will be difficult if we don’t have ten billion yen.
Yohei: That’s like a number some brat sloppily thought up of!
How are we supposed to gather that much… don’t tell me, you…
Naoakira: Yeah, it’s just as you thought.
Yohei: So that’s your plan.
Shit!
Naoakira: There’s also the matter with Ryu and Shiki. That’s why, we have to win this stage battle no matter what.
Yohei: (Takes a drag on his cigarette) Well, if you think in reverse, it’s a simple matter.
All problem’s solved if we become the top, right?
Naoakira: Haha. Well, I guess it is.
Yohei: Let’s do it, Saimon.
Just like us of that time.
Naoakira: Yeah. Plus, now we have Ryu and Shiki, too.
Yohei: (Pours two drinks) Drink up, Saimon.
Naoakira: What, you’re going to drink again?
Yohei: There’s no way I can go on without drinking after you told me something like that.
Naoakira: That’s true.
I’m sorry for always troubling you, Yohei.
Yohei: The feeling’s mutual.
We’ll protect this shop for sure.
Naoakira: That’s my plan.
Cheers.
Yohei: (Reading as he writes something down) ‘Due to event participation, Bar Seven-Four is temporarily closed for today.’
Alright, this is fine.
Ryu: Huh? Shiki, you’re nervous again!
Shiki: I-I’m fine! I’m always like this, after all.
Yohei: I think that’s a problem in itself, though.
Ryu: You know Shiki, you don’t have to be that nervous!
Shiki: Ryu-kun…
Ryu: After all, it’s just a competition! It’s not like we’re going to die~!
Shiki: Ah…!
Yohei: Grr…
(Smack!)
Ryu: Ouch!! Master kicked me!!
Yohei: Don’t say unnecessary things and make him even more nervous!
Naoakira: Are you alright, Shiki?
Shiki: Yes, I’m fine.
Naoakira: You might not realize it, but Shiki’s the one who had enhanced our music to this point.
In order to win Paradox Live, we can’t have anyone missing.
Shiki: Is that true…?
Naoakira: Yes, it is.
Ryu: What about Ryu-kun?
Hey, hey, what about Ryu-kun!?
Naoakira: Haha, of course Ryu is also needed.
And Yohei, too.
Yohei: Stop it, my flattery allergy’s gonna act up.
Shiki: Haha…
Ryu: Ah, Shiki laughed!
Yohei: Alright, let’s go, Saimon!
Naoakira: Yeah.
Let’s teach everyone what real music is like…
We, as The Cat’s Whiskers.
Translation Notes:
- ↑ Wangan areaーnot sure if it’s One Gun Area or 湾岸 (bay/gulf coast)...
- ↑ Burai-kan and Burai-an, haha!
- ↑ Suketto gaikokujin－助っ人外国人 is the term used for sports player (usually baseball) from foreign countries that joins in Japan’s pro teams.
- ↑ Cypher is a gathering of rappers where they make a circle and do impromptu rap.
- ↑ Heads = term for hip hop fan.