Chapter 7

Ah… It’s around… time to… get going… the ele…vator… will get crowded and… we might be late…

Ah, you’re right. Let’s get packed.

I’m gonna brush my teeth real quick!

Mm…

(Those things… I wonder if he’s going to pack them in that bag.)

(In order to remake the song for the HosLive, I need to know more about Kiroku.)

(And to do that… I need to learn about those finger puppets. I have a feeling they’re the root of Kiroku’s personal life.)

…W…What is it?

Ah, no, it’s nothing…

?

(However, if I suddenly asked him, “Hey, did you bring those finger puppets?” I’m sure he’d shut down…)

(If that happens, all the understanding we had with each other would go right out the window.)

Are you…done?

Huh!? Sorry, yeah I’m done, let’s go.

Y-Yeah. Isotaー

No, wait.

?

(Akuta takes a while to finish brushing his teeth. Considering the fact that we’re doing a lot of group activities later in the day, the best chance I have to talk would be now, while we’re alone… But, it’s not the kind of thing we should talk about so early in the morning…)

Um… Uh…

(Ah, this is bad. I’m starting to get nervous…)

(Nanamegi… is wearing a very serious expression… Maybe… he’s mad at me… for some reason…?

Soー

!! Y-Yes?

It is about time for us to meet up, so I would appreciate it if you all got yourselves ready to depart.

O-Okaay!

Sorry. Let’s go, Kiroku. Akuta, it’s time to go already.

'Kaaay!

(It’s no use. I’ll just have to find the perfect chance to get the both of us alone somewhere…)

…?

And when you’re talking about the Kenroku Park, you have to visit the Kotoji Toro lantern!

Apparently, the map of the park says there’s some sorta… scenic view? It looks interesting, so I wanna go there to take some shots!

(Okay, it seems like we can split off without raising any flags now…)

Kiroku, could the two of usー

Now now, everyone. We need to take pictures for the company newsletter, so please gather with your backs facing away like so.

Sorry, later is fine.

O-Okay…?

…?

Hey, Kiroー

Y’know, this pond is really interesting, because the scenery can change depending on where you’re standing. Over there is an island in the shape of a turtle.

A turtle island…? I wanna… see…

Ah…

………

(I-It’s no use…)

(I can’t find the perfect chance for us to be alone at all!)

Looks like you’re having fun with your little switch up.

…What switch up?

I’m just talking about how you’re switching from Chief to Buddha Statue now. You’ve been fidgeting this whole time, like a middle schooler who’s about to confess their feelings on a school trip.

Hah? You’re wrong though.

About the switching up thing… I don’t have any particular feelings about anyone to really switch from anyways…

Huuh, is that so. Well, I don’t care anyways.

If that’s the case, then leave me alone alreaー

What’s going on, you both?

Muneuji…

(Right. If it’s Muneuji, maybe he could help me out…)

Actually, I’ve been meaning to get some alone time with Kiroku to talk about the tour that we’re hosting, but I can’t seem to find any…

I understand. Then, I will help you out.

Everyone, let’s go to the nextー

Chief. I would like to go and see the Kanazawa Castle that was built by the Maeda Clan.

We’re planning to go to the Kanazawa Castle after we finish visiting all of the Kenroku Park, so if you can please hold on a little longer.

I’ve been really looking forward to seeing the castle. I’ve been preparing myself mentally to see just a glimpse of it, so I really wanted to go.

Maybe we can see the outside of it from inside the park…? Should we go check?

Then I guess I’ll just stay with Kiroku andー…

Wait, Isotake. My BPM is getting higher. I feel as if I’m going to faint from excitement, so I would like it if you were to help me out.

I gotcha!

Please help me out too, Karigane-sensei.

I feel as if I have been roped into this far too quickly, but I do not mind.

Does it really seem that exciting...?

Grab!

Hm. This position makes me feel like I am trapped by an alien, so it’s quite comforting.

Chief, I would like you to show me the way, Let us go!

Take your timee~ I’m gonna take a break at the tea shop.

Eh… I… um…

(Muneuji… That was kinda forceful, but you got the two of us alone together!)

Kiroku, do you wanna sit over there?

Ah, sure…

……

……

………

Ah… Nice weather… we’re having.

……………

The air feels nice and fresh too. It makes it feel like it’s easier to breathe.

………………

(It’s just like I thought… He’s definitely mad at me for some reason…)

(Aaghh~ Why the hell am I dragging this out…! This is just like Ushio said, I’m acting like a middle schooler who can’t confess to their crush…!)

Ahem. …Sorry for the sudden change in topics. The truth is, um…

There’s something I need to talk to you about. I talked to Muneuji and got him to get us both alone together.

Eh…?

It’s about the okiagari doll that you made for me.

(So he hated it after all…!?)

After I saw it, I thought there was no way that I can keep things as they are.

……? What… are you…

The HosLive song that I wrote for you. If I made something like that, barely scratching the surface…

That wouldn’t be good. I want it to resonate more deeply and move you to your core.

I wanna do my best to make something that matches your level of work…!

Nana…megi…

In order to do that, I need to know you on a deeper level.

For example, um… those finger puppets that you cherish so much… and stuff.

…!

I’d be happy if you told me about them. Only if you want to, of course…

………

(Maybe I went too fast…?)

I’m sorry, just forget this conversation happenedー

Youー might… think it’s… weird.

Eh?

I know that you might, but…

.......

If you think that’s weird, then…

That goat plushie you see on my bed in the dorm room? I actually can’t sleep well without it. Even at my age.

…!

Maybe you already had somewhat of an idea about it… Akuta already knows too.

… Well, that plushie… is cute, so. I can understand… depending on it…

A…Ahaha…

My friends are… also cute… to me though.

Your friends…

Apparently they are… called imaginary friends… I read it… in a library book.

Ever since… I was an elementary schooler… on my way home from art school… I met them for the first time… in a tunnel.

Ever since then, those five were… always… with me. Whenever I was in trouble… I’d talk to them.

………

Whenever I have… trouble speaking… it feels like I can’t breathe… Talking to them… feels like my ribs are… expanding… and it helps me.

Your ribs?

Mhm… Just like… everyone in the Day Squad helps… me feel like my… lungs are inflating…

…So that’s how it is.

Here.

!

The one on my thumb is Rouzel… He’s like an angel… who encourages me…

Wow really?

The one on my pointer finger is Dewawa… He has a bit of… a bad mouth.

Haha, just like Ushio.

…You could… say that.

(Ah, he smiled.)

On my middle finger is KB… He’s always level headed… On my ring finger is Pinfu… He always does what he desires to do… And on my pinky finger is Ripris… Talking to him makes me… feel sleepy.

That’s everyone… for now…

It’s… weird, right…?

No, not even a little bit. Thank you for introducing everyone to me.

…A-And thank you… for listening to me… Nanamegi.

Can I shake hands with your friends, Kiroku?

…Go ahead.

They’re handmade too huh. You must take really good care of them…

Yeah. When I first met them… everyone only… existed in my head…

(This is… Kiroku’s own worldー)

Whatcha doing?

!!