Listen to Me is the fourth release of the Illustration Novel series and features Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The Novel was published on March 4, 2022, featuring Koyoi Mitsuki as the Illustrator for this story.
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Translation[]
Twinkle Star — Twinkle, twinkle, little star ♪
Twinkle Star — How I wonder what you are ♪
It’s almost Christmas, the one we’ve been waiting for! I’ve been humming my favorite song all morning, looking for my favorite ornament that I’ve had tucked away in my room. Rummaging through it, and again, where did I put it? I found it at an above-ground rummage sale about a month ago, fell in love with it and bought it.
Twinkle Star — Up above the world so high ♪
Twinkle Star — Like a diamond in the sky ♪
You definitely need that for Christmas, that twinkling, diamond-like star in the night sky. Put it on the tallest part of the big Christmas tree!
Ah, yes, do people know about this? Kii-chan is a Musicart of the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but originally it was a piece that Mozart arranged. It was derived from an old French song, and the lyrics are completely different. It’s not a song about stars, like Kii-chan is singing now. It’s a little sad song with a little child as the main character—.
Twinkle Star “Ah! Found it!”
I’ve finally found it! In a corner of my closet, carefully tucked away in a wooden box, I found a star-shaped ornament made of glass. Kii-chan bet my eyes are shining like stars right now!
Twinkle Star “Hah… it’s still so pretty.”
It looks like a jewel. If you pinch the decorative string with your fingers and bring the ornament up to eye level, you can see a little bit of rainbow color through the light coming in through the window.
……… Itching.
……… Tingling, eagerly, impatiently.
Twinkle Star “…… Let’s show it to everyone!”
I can’t keep something so beautiful to myself. I’m sure everyone will say, “Wow, it’s pretty!” I bet everyone will be impressed!
I ran out of my room and hurried to the cafeteria, my footsteps making a clattering sound. There must be someone there, right? Then, just as I thought! I found Destiny drinking tea on the terrace! A little further away, there’s Carmen, eating her breakfast sandwich!
Twinkle Star “Hey, look, look, Destiny! This is Kii-chan’s favorite star!”
First, I go towards Destiny and proudly hold up the star ornament in front of her and show it. Then, without changing the expression she currently donned on her face, Destiny said,
Destiny “Good morning, Twinkle Star.”
Twinkle Star “Y-Yeah, morning…”
Because I didn’t get the response I was expecting and it was kind of anticlimactic. I’ll ask again carefully.
Twinkle Star “Um, is that all……?”
Destiny “What do you mean by that?”
Twinkle Star “That’s why!” This! Kii-chan’s favourite star—!“
In front of Destiny’s eyesight, I show the star-shaped ornament with all of my might. Then, after staring at it for a few seconds with a cat-like stare, Destiny slowly placed the cup on top of the saucer and said.
Destiny ”It’s a precious thing, isn’t it? If you handle it so roughly, it will break.“
Twinkle Star ”~~…… That’s not what I meant!“
I can’t get my thoughts across and I noisily flap my hands and feet. If you look at Kii-chan’s forehead now, you’ll see that the gap has gone up between my eyebrows and it’s like an accordion! Come to think of it, Destiny is always like this. I can’t quite get through to her, or she’s just a "too obvious” person…..
And then— click, clack.
The sound of high heels approached from behind. I turned around and saw Carmen, the Musicart with sallow skin and wavy black hair.
Twinkle Star “Ah! It’s Carmen!”
Carmen “Good morning, Twinkle Star. You’re looking fine today.”
Carmen has always been fashionable, and I’m pretty sure she likes jewels, flowers and pretty things! Then surely she’ll understand this star!
Twinkle Star “Hey, hey, look! Isn’t this star beautiful~!”
Carmen “Oh my, yes it is. But Kii-chan is much prettier, isn’t she? Ufufu. See you.”
Carmen pats Kii-chan on the head as she passes through me and winks away. She returns the tray with the empty sandwich plates and coffee cups to the return slot, and leaves the cafeteria with a quick step. It’s as if she can’t be bothered with Kii-chan. Why? She usually listens to me properly.
Destiny “Well then, if you’ll excuse me too.”
Twinkle Star “Ah, Destiny…”
Then, Destiny gets up from her seat and leaves the cafeteria with her own tea set, which she has put away. So Kii-chan is all alone in the cafeteria.
Twinkle Star “Come on~! Why doesn’t everyone listen to me~!?”
Even Kii-chan can’t withdraw silently like this! With strong, steady steps, I went downstairs this time to look for another Musicart, and there she was! Near the entrance, I found Walküre staring at the front of the noticeboard with a serious face, as if she wouldn’t miss a single word!
Twinkle Star “Walküre~!”
When Kii-chan waved and ran up to her, Walküre looked back at me and greeted me.
Walküre “……Twinkle Star. Good morning.”
Then she gives a small bow. Walküre always uses honorifics for Kii-chan. Though from her looks, Walküre looks like the older sister, but Kii-chan is treated as a senior because I started fighting as a Musicart earlier. Even when I told her to stop using honorifics, she wouldn’t stop, and her super-serious and stubborn attitude is exactly like Walküre!
Twinkle Star “Hey, look! What do you think of this? It’s a star made of glass!”
Without even saying hello, I immediately showed off my favorite ornament!
Walküre gazed at it with interest, putting her hand on her chin. “This is…” she muttered.
And then her eyes lit up.
Walküre “That shape…… is not bad…”
Wow, good reaction! Yes, yes! It’s a cute shape! Kii-chan is so happy I jump up and down on the spot! Then Walküre continued,
Walküre “I was inspired by the spikes on that star. How about a new weapon, the ‘Morning Star’?”
Twinkle Star “You fighting maniac!”
I exclaim involuntarily. Why do you look at this beautiful star and think about weapons!? Walküre is stupidly serious, she’s always thinking about fighting! With that in mind, Walküre looked as if she had remembered something, and quickly bowed her head to Kii-chan.
Walküre “Well, excuse me. I have somewhere to go.”
Then she turns her back on Kii-chan and walks away.
Twinkle Star “Eh? No way… But I want to talk…”
Why? Why won’t Walküre listen to me too? Kii-chan reached for her back, but she didn’t stop. Then, by chance, Fledermaus passed by ahead of us.
Fledermaus “Well, well, well. Isn’t this Walküre and Twinkle Star? You two get on so well together.”
Usual tone that resemble of a jester. At times like this, she usually makes fun of Kii-chan, but I was glad that only today she called out to me.
Twinkle Star “Fledermaus! Hey, hey, will you listen to Kii-chan’s story?”
Fledermaus “Oops, you’re asking for help with a problem? But too bad, Dr. Fledermaus’ counseling room is full at the moment. You can make an appointment at.... right, it may be a month or so before that.”
Twinkle Star “No way…..”
She usually jokes around and says all kinds of things that annoy Kii-chan. Why doesn’t she pay attention to me today?
Walküre “Fledermaus. Have you got time for frivolous talk?”
Fledermaus “Yes, yes. I know, Walküre. Well, then, Twinkle Star. If you act cleverly, I’ll bring you candies next time.”
Twinkle Star “Jeez! Don’t treat Kii-chan like a child!”
Fledermaus waves a fluttering “Yes, yes” and walks out of the entrance with Walküre.
“……”
Kii-chan is alone, again. Why doesn’t everyone listen to Kii-chan? I looked hard for the star ornament at the market, you know? I thought people would be happy with cute Christmas decorations. Christmas is an annual festival. It’s a day for the whole family to eat good food and have fun. It’s Kii-chan’s favorite day.
Twinkle Star “To Kii-chan, all of the Musicarts are family……”
Kii-chan has no real family. I think I used to have one, but they’re gone. There are no memories left at all. That’s why I thought everyone in Berlin Symphonica was my family.
Twinkle Star “In the end, Kii-chan and the others were only brought together to fight.”
What is a family, with a father, a mother, an elder brother and a younger sister….. I’ve seen them in picture books, but I don’t know. Kii-chan should not be spoiled by her family. Should I be a good adult and just focus on fighting? If I do that, will they praise me for being good?
….I want a family. A family would surely listen to Kii-chan’s stories. If I sign a contract with a Conductor, will the Conductor become my family?
A kind father Conductor?
A wonderful mother Conductor?
Or a cute sister Conductor, or a cool brother Conductor!
Imagining it might make it a bit more fun.
Then a group of adults in military uniforms rush past Kii-chan, communicating with someone somewhere.
“The three Musicarts who are leaving for Austria today are Bolero, Nutcracker and Fledermaus. The Conductors who will accompany them are currently undergoing final confirmation. I repeat—”
I see…… That’s right.
I remembered that today was the day that the expedition to Austria commences. So everyone was busy preparing for that. That’s why they couldn’t listen to Kii-chan’s story intently. Especially for Fledermaus, today’s the day she would head for the frontline…..
Jupiter “Whoa, what’s that, it’s looks cute.”
Twinkle Star “……Eh?”
Suddenly, a voice calls out to me from behind and I turn around. Jupiter was there. Jupiter looked at the glass star in Kii-chan’s hand from many different angles, and happily says,
Jupiter “A glass star? Where did you find it? Let me see a bit.”
Twinkle Star “~~…….!”
So, Kii-chan became very happy.
Twinkle Star “Jupiter~~!”
Jupiter “Hey! What the hell! Don’t give me a hug all of a sudden! I was training earlier, I’m all sweaty and dirty!”
Twinkle Star “I don’t care about that! Jupiter~~~!”
Jupiter “Dammit! Don’t push my head around!”
Come to think of it, Jupiter and Kii-chan woke up as Musicarts at about the same time. So, I’ve known her as a Musicart for the longest.
Jupiter “Don’t look so glum. There are busy days like today. Besides, everyone is always looking out for Twinkle Star.”
Twinkle Star “Always thinking about Kii-chan…?”
Jupiter “Yeah.”
I see….. Perhaps…… Kii-chan remembered. Everyone was too busy to listen to me, but they didn’t say “Today is the day of the expedition”. They didn’t say that so that Kii-chan wouldn’t have to worry about it. Everyone……. was thinking about Kii-chan! Because we are “family”!
Twinkle Star “I love Jupiter! I love you all!”
Jupiter “Wha—What’s all of a sudden. I’d be embarrassed if you said that…..”
After all, the Musicarts are my family and the Symphonica is my home!
Twinkle Star “This one’s for Jupiter! A glass star!”
Jupiter “Eh, are you sure? It’s important to you, isn’t it? I’ve been given a good luck charm by you before…..”
Twinkle Star “It’s fine! Instead, let’s find a prettier star together!”
Still looking for stars, let’s decorate the Symphonica with a lot of stars. When a new family member Conductor arrives, I hope they will think this is a beautiful home. I hope they will think of Kii-chan as a wonderful family member.
And together, we’ll sing my favorite song!
— From “Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman”, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’s original song
Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman,
(Ah! I say to you, Mother,)
Ce qui cause mon tourment.
(I want you to know why I’m so worried.)
Papa veut que je raisonne,
(Father wants me to grow up to be a good person,)
Comme une grande personne.
(like a great person somewhere.)
Moi, je dis que les bonbons
(But I don’t care about that.)
Valent mieux que la raison
(I care more about the candies.)
Unofficial Translation by Rara
Source: Illust. Novel 4 Translation