#99tl

Part 1

Location: HAMA House Living Room

Tao: I’m back… Whew.

Tao: (The whole world’s in a Valentine’s mood. Though it’s a little different from the kind I know.)

Toi: Welcome back, Tao-kun. Do you have a minute?

Tao: Oh, Toi-san. I’ve got all the time in the world. Did you need something?

Toi: Y-Yeah. I-I need a favor, actually…

Toi: I was thinking of working up the courage to make some chocolate for Valentine’s Day this year…

Toi: Um! Once I’ve finished it… C-Could I ask you to give it to Chii-sama for me…!?

Tao: Me? You don’t want to give it to Chihiro yourself?

Toi: I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I couldn’t possibly do something so embarrassing and disrespectful!! Also, the thought of it might keep me up at night, no matter how Chii-sama reacts…!!

Toi: But you’re good friends with him, so I thought I could ask you to do it for me… Um. I’m sorry if I’m asking for too much.

Tao: I mean, Chihiro’s my roommate, and we do get along well…

Tao: (But he’d probably…)

Tao: … Oh, I know.

Tao: Ev3ns are scheduled for a concert on Valentine’s Day, so how does taking that chance to give him the chocolate in-person sound?

Toi: G-Giving it to him in-person…!? That sort of thing is impossible for me…!

Tao: I think Chihiro would be happier that way.

Toi: Really…?

Tao: Yeah. I’m saying this as his good friend, so you can count on it. Probably.

Toi: …

Toi: … Okay. I’ll give it a try, then.

Toi: Thank you, Tao-kun…!! I’ll do my bestest to give my chocolate to Chii-sama!

Tao: I’m glad I could be of help.

[Toi leaves]

Tao: (… Chocolate huh? I've heard people in this era buy chocolates for themselves too… Talk about times changing.)

Tao: (Pretty sure back in my time we didn’t even have that “Reverse chocolate” thing.)

Tao: (Well, I only ever received chocolates out of obligation, and even that took courage, 'cause you’d end up being teased for it.)

Tao: (Thinking about it like that, it’s probably a good thing that it’s so easy to give chocolate to anyone and everyone now.)

Part 2

Location: Special Ev3ns Live

Tao: Thank you so much for coming today! This was the best Valentine’s Day ever!

[Fans cheering]

Chihiro: From here on out we’ll be havingggg… Talk Time with Chii and Co.! Line up here if you wanna participate~! We’ll talk with everyone in order, so no need to push☆

Tao: (Oh, Toi-san…)

Toi: …

Tao: (He looks really nervous. I guess it’s actually embarrassing for a fan to give chocolate to an idol they admire?)

Tao: (I’ll go check on him, since my turn is up later.)

-

Tao: Toi-san, are you really okay with not lining up to talk to Chihiro? You were going to give him your chocolate, weren’t you?

Toi: I-I was! But I’m really nervous…! What if I mess something up…?

Tao: It’s okay, he’ll definitely be happy to see you. I can guarantee that, so do your best.

Toi: … O-Okay! I’ll do my best, then…!

-

[Toi walks up to Chihiro]

Chihiro: Oh, Toi-nya! Did you come to see Chii live? I’m so happy you’re here!

Toi: Y-Yes!! Um, here! I'm dedicating this chocolate to you to thank you for being born into this world, Chii-sama…!

Chihiro: This is for Chii? Wow, thanksiiiieees!! The wrapping is super-duper cutieful too! What do I doooo, I’m literally on cloud nine right now~!!

Chihiro: Chii is super lucky to have someone like you stanning him, Toi-nya~♪

Toi: …! I’m happy that it made you happy, Chii-sama…! I’ll keep supporting you forever!

-

[Toi walks back to Tao]

Toi: I did it… I did it, Tao-kun! I managed to give Chii-sama my chocolate…!!

Toi: So, um… Thank you for giving me the push I needed, Tao-kun!

Tao: No need to thank me. You had that courage within you all along.

Tao: (Valentine’s Day sure is nice in this era. No matter what kinda chocolate you give, there’s no doubt the person receiving it will be happy.)

Tao: (… I’m sure it’ll be a good way to give back for the chocolates I’ll get, so I’ll do my best in the upcoming shows, too.)

-

Location: HAMA House Rooster Room

Chihiro: Let’s try this chocolate next~ OMG, the decorations on it are sooo cutie~!

Chihiro: Mmm, delish! This one isss… from that famous store that was all the buzz he other day! I’ve always wanted to give it a try~! *Nom, nom*…

Tao: He’s off in his own chocolate world… I gotta eat the chocolates I got too, including the Chief’s.

Tao: Man, I seriously am grateful for them, but if I eat them all I might end up with a nosebleed, so I have to come up with a proper plan…

Chihiro: A nosebleed? Why?

Tao: Huh? What’d you mean, why… They say that, don’t they? That you’ll get a nosebleed if you eat too many chocolates.

Chihiro: Hrm~~?? Chii’s never heard of that before… Gonna look it up real quick~

Chihiro: Found it. Hmmm~ Looks like this was a popular superstition back in the day.

Tao: Huh. A superstition!?!?

Tao: (The heck. Everyone believed it…!!)

Tao: (Does that mean that a lot of the stuff I’m sure is common sense is actually a bunch of superstitions!? Like how your bones will melt if you drink too many carbonated drinks…!)

Chihiro: …? What’s up? You look like your tummy’s upset. Did you eat too many chocolates?

Tao: … I just thought that the passage of time is seriously scary.

proofread by jellyfish_apple, myuntachis and niri

Part 1

Location: HAMA House 2F Hallway

Kaede: Oh, Tao-kun!

Tao: Is something wrong, Chief?

Kaede: You said you wanted to make some extra money during the interview, didn’t you?

Tao: Well. It’s ‘cause a new game I want to buy is coming out, and I was hoping to save up for it.

Kaede: In that case, I might have just the part-time job for you.

Tao: Really?

Kaede: I remembered you mentioned that you look into places to drink while travelling.

Kaede: There’s this bar called Ten Nights of Dreams. How about it?

Tao: ? Ten Nights of Dreams is…

Location: HAMA House, Rat Room

Yodaka: Welcome.

Tao: Ah, so it’s Natsume-san’s place after all. I thought the name was familiar.

Yodaka: By the looks of it, Tao is the capable part-timer you had in mind, Chief?

Kaede: Yes!

Yodaka: Then could I ask you to start today, Tao? My bartender’s come down with a fever, you see.

Yodaka: Since it’s on such short notice, I’ll pay you handsomely for it.

Tao: Uh, are you sure?

Yodaka: As long as you’re fine with it, you’re welcome to.

Tao: (Somehow, I was hired on the spot. But I’m seriously grateful for this…!)

Tao: I look forward to working with you!

Location: Ten Nights of Dreams BAR

Yodaka: Thank you for coming. I apologize for not having a uniform prepared for you.

Tao: It’s no problem. I don’t have any experience working at a bar, but I’ll do my best.

Yodaka: I’ll teach you all you need to know, so there’s no need to be nervous. I’ll be counting on you.

Chouun: Master, a customer has Arrived.

Part 2

Beautiful lady seeking out Yodaka: It’s been a while, Master. Oh? Is this cute little hedgehog your new hire?

Yodaka: He’s covering for my bartender. Do be gentle with him.

Tao: I-It’s nice to meet you.

Beautiful lady seeking out Yodaka: Fufu, I don’t dislike inexperienced boys ♪

Yodaka: Will you be having your usual martini?

Beautiful lady seeking out Yodaka: Oh my, you remember my preferences. I’m flattered.

Yodaka: Could you hand me a glass, Tao?

Tao: Ah, yes…!

[Knock]

Tao: (Oh shit, the glass…!)

Yodaka: You’re not hurt, are you?

Beautiful lady seeking out Yodaka: Yes, I’m fine. I was just a little startled. Fufu, I’ve picked on you a bit too much, haven’t I? My apologies.

Tao: … M-Me too. I’m sorry

-

Yodaka: Whew. Good work today. How was it?

Tao: The women here are different from the women I meet during Ev3ns’s jobs…

Tao: I got nervous and couldn’t deal with the situation properly the way you do… I’m sorry.

Yodaka: There’s a lot for you to learn with all the different patrons you’ll be encountering. You might not grow accustomed to it immediately, but it will help you build experience nonetheless.

Yodaka: Regardless, I believe that one day you’ll be able to provide wonderful service in your own way.

Tao: I wonder…

-

Beautiful woman seeking out Yodaka: Good evening. I’ve come again. Oh, the cute hedgehog is here again. Fufu.

Tao: Oh, I’m sorry about the other day. I’m glad to see you back again today. I’ll be in your care.

Yodaka: (Oh…?) 

Tao: Your usual is a martini, if I’m not mistaken. I’ll prepare you a glass.

Beautiful woman seeking out Yodaka: Oh my…