4★ Lance Tendo and Q - Bday
Lance: All done.
Rui: Told you you’d be last.
Shizuru: Damn it, lost again! You guys aren't just smart, you're also cunning too.
Lance: I can tell exactly what you're thinking just by the look on your face when you move your pieces. Especially when you had a few drinks.
Shizuru aside, that was a really fun game. Guess that’s what happens when our leader picks it.
I have to admit, even though I’m supposed to be the star of the show today, you won’t let me win. It's impressive, really.
Rui: Obviously. A birthday has nothing to do with the game. Winning against someone who's going easy on you isn't something you should be proud of.
Shizuru: That’s exactly what I’d expect from you, Rui. Alright, now that we’re done here… I’ll go get that thing.
Lance: Is it another drink?
Shizuru: No, not that! I mean, for birthdays, you know what I’m talking about, right? That thing! Oh, and I’m gonna turn the lights off for a sec.
Lance: Huh? Sure….
[—Lights turn off]
Shizuru: Uhh... Who the heck bought a whole bunch of energy drinks? Now I can’t even get the box out…
Leader, hey, do you have a lighter or something!?
Rui: Ugh... Seriously, the planning has been all over the place since earlier.
Shizuru: I thought I had everything prepared... but whatever, help me look for it.
Rui: Sigh… What a pain…
Lance: Yawn…
Shizuru: Oh? Lance you look tired.
Lance: Ah, sorry. I've been doing patrol duty lately, so I haven't had much sleep.
.....
Lance: ! !
Q: Took you long enough.
Lance: Q!? Why are you…?
We share the same body. There’s no way we can talk face-to-face like this.
Q: Well, who knows? But the real question is, isn’t it unfair that it’s just you?
Lance: What are you talking about?
Q: It's my birthday! It's so unfair that you get to celebrate while I don’t! Today’s my birthday too, you know!?
And here you are napping at a time like this. You really are a boring person.
Lance: I see. It’s hard to believe, but I guess this is all happening in a dream... No, more like inside my consciousness.
And what’s so unfair about me being celebrated on my birthday? This body belongs to me, after all.
Q: If this body were really yours, this wouldn't be happening. Wouldn't it?
Lance: You’re nothing more than an unwanted guest. I’m not going to keep arguing with you.
I’ve had enough of this dream. I need to wake up…
Q: Hey! You’ve had your turn, now it’s mine! I deserve to be pampered and celebrated too, you know!
I’m willing to surrender for once... but the next time we wake up, it’s either going to be you or me. [1]
Let’s settle this with our own skills.
Lance: ..What are you planning to do? You’re seriously not thinking we fight here, are you?
Q: I’m kidding. There’s no way I'd do something so barbaric.
Lance: …….?
Q: As for us, it’s always about the battle of wits.
How about the winner of a hundred-question quiz gets to wake up? I’ll be the one asking the questions…
Lance: I'll give the answers.
...Alright then. No matter what problem it is, I’ll solve it, even in a dream.
Q: Hmph, same here. Let’s start with the first question then.
Lance: Mmm….
Rui: Hey, he must’ve fallen asleep cause you were taking too long to get the cake ready…
Shizuru: It's not my fault. Who left the energy drink box in the way like this?
I went through the trouble of getting a cute cake ready, so I really wanted to eat it together.
Rui: ...Is that thing on top, Lance and Q?
Shizuru: I wasn’t sure who’d show up on their birthday, so I had them prepare two Marzipans. They’re custom-made, of course. [2]
Rui: …Quite thoughtful of you.
Shizuru: I’m the only considerate one around here. But Lance seemed tired, so maybe it’s better not to wake him up?
Lance: Mm….
Shizuru: ?
Lance: Ugh... This... this problem with such a bad personality...! Ugh…
[Q giggle]
Q: Hehe... Can you even answer this? Hmm…
Rui: ...What the heck is this guy dreaming about?
Shizuru: Was it just me, or did Lance and Q just get a little mixed up for a sec?
Rui: Sure... Well, I’m bored. How about we make a bet on who’s going to be who when they wake up?
Shizuru: Alright, let’s bet while we wait… And no matter who wakes up, let’s continue the party.
Translation Notes:
[1] 百歩譲って means “to concede a hundred steps” meaning someone is willing to stop arguing or surrender for once, the actual translation feels literal for me so I took liberties.
[2] Marzipan (マジパン) is a confection made out of sugar, almonds and eggs. They're often used as topping on top of cakes like fondants. Read more here