As of chapter 162, Akane is really struggling with her challenge of winning the Zuinun Prize without making the audience laugh. There's so much emphasis on winning: Akane wants to win to prove her growth to Issho, Karashi, and Hikaru; Taison is impressed by her performance and wonders if maybe his sempai can actually pull of the win; Karashi and Hikaru want to win against her and each other (although up against an Akane who doesn't have a metaphorical hand tied behind her back); and Kimihisa loves Akane's rakugo he wants to see her make a winning comeback. Winning, winning, winning; more, more, more.
AKANE: So... what do I change? What more can I even do?
However. Akane isn't just trying to master the art of entertaining the audience without making them laugh; she's trying to master "Shiguma's Art."
In the past in chapter 137, we see Kiroku lay out his rakugo philosophy: it's about the humanity within his art. Kiroku's humanity is the one thing he can't give up, even for rakugo's sake—because to give up his humanity would mean killing his art in the process.
KIROKU: "Your art is your humanity." If I betray myself, then my art is dead, and everything with it. It's the one thing I can't go back on.
Kiroku's speech comes just before Issho goes on stage to perform "Soba Time." This story is about a man who's shortchanging a soba cook, or: someone who could be described as a cheapskate. And, in fact, Akane begins her story in chapter 160 with a makura about what it means to be a... cheapskate.
All of this has me wondering if Akane's makura will provide the key not only for her performance in the final round of the Zuinun Prize, but also another step on her path towards "Shiguma's Art." My prediction is that Akane will not get 1st in the Zuinun Prize... and will earn Shomei's approval and agreement to teach her "God of Death."
Akane's makura begins like so:
AKANE: This story is about a word called shiwai. It carries the same meaning as skinflint, miser, tightwad, cheapskate, or curmudgeon. There's another work in this vein... called miuka-shiraku, or "doesn't know six days." What does this mean, you might ask? When counting on your fingers, you curl them inside. Tsuitachi—one day. Futskua—two days. Mikka—three days. Yokka—four days. Itsuka—five days. Now you have a closed fist. But with Muika, six days, you must release your fingers in order to continue counting. However, the cheapskate, once he has something within his grasp, will never let go.
We have the theme established: holding on too tightly to what you want in the short-term means you'll prevent yourself from gaining a longer-term desire. Moving forward means having the wisdom to let go.
Immediately, there's a parallel to Issho's backstory and his time with Kiroku. Issho took Kiroku's expulsion incredibly hard; he's never been able to let that pain go, despite Kiroku counseling him to do so. We see their conflicting attitudes right before Issho goes on stage to perform "Soba Time":
ISSHO: I have to prove myself worthy of Master Miroku.
KIROKU: Look. Don't take it so hard. It's your long-awaited first show. Go out there and have fun!
Issho is ambitious, striving, driven; he's going to prove himself! Yet Kiroku realizes that there's really nothing Issho can do to earn Miroku's approval, but in any case, Issho doesn't have to let Miroku's opinion stop him from the enjoying rakugo. We see him similarly counsel Shiguma with a contented smile, despite the storm brewing:
KIROKU: C'mon!! Worry about the little things later. Let's enjoy the moment.
There's also an element of this attitude in how Kiroku teaches Issho and Shiguma "Soba Time." The spot in the story where the performer "eats" his soba noodles can evoke great applause, as we saw previously with Kiroku's performance and will then see with Issho. But Kiroku doesn't focus on striving towards applause, and in fact calls it "not particularly important."
KIROKU: ["Soba Time"] is about a guy trying to flatter a soba cook to distract him from the fact that he's shortchanging him. Sometimes you'll get a bit of applause while acting out eating the soba, but that's not particularly important. What you need to focus on is the rhythm of the compliments.
In this part, the performer is acting out the soba eater enjoying the whole experience of eating noodles: the nice chopsticks, the fine bowl, the hearty scent of the broth, the precise cut of the soba noodles. The soba eater is trying to trick the cook into not realizing he's getting shortchanged by appreciating the soba so much, and paralleling the fictional story, the performer is trying to manifest the illusion of actually eating soba on stage, despite the lack of bowl or broth or noodles, 'tricking' the audience into believing an illusion. To strive for applause would break that illusion by taking the performer out of the fictional world he's creating and into the real one. The best way to get applause... is to not want that applause in the first place.
This attitude, although not entirely the same, has significant overlap with Shomei's art.
HASSHO: A precise, exacting perspective. An extra-ordinary attention to detail. And most importantly, no amount of excitement from the audience can disturb the stillness of his heart. He only ever performs a perfect version of his craft. He is the masterpiece of the Tsubakiya School.
Shomei is compared visually to a clock, like a mechanism which ticks on regardless of who is watching. He's entirely absorbed by and confident in his art, not caring what the audience might think—take his walking to his cushion using hakobi, which is rarely done in rakugo performances and could be seen as off-putting—and so he's able to draw huge laughs from the crowd.
During Shomei and Akane's conversation in chapter 153, Akane guesses that Shomei won't teach her because their styles are too different:
SHOMEI: Thank you for waiting. Now do you see why I declined to train you?
AKANE: Because the rakugo would suffer. Improv and by the book. Our styles are polar opposites. So it would only be neutralizing the unique flavor of each approach.
SHOMEI: Very astute. You seem to have some skill with improvisation, but my art comes from surrendering your freedom. We would both be wasting our time. It is not suitable for you.
AKANE: In that case... if I can convince you that I'm capable of performing like a craftsman, will you teach me how to perform "God of Death"?
Shomei is a part of the unique Tsubakiya School, where fathers pass their rakugo lineage down to their sons. Maybe Shomei didn't dream of being a rakugoka, but he committed to his family's livelihood regardless, and through sacrificing his freedom, he developed into a captivating performer. But every artist has to give up something for the sake of their art: we can see how Issho spurns connection with others, how Hikaru gives up her prestige as a voice actress to pursue rakugo as a beginner, Karashi putting aside his chill attitude to put in an intense effort and take rakugo seriously—and of course Kiroku giving up his name and master's approval. So the question is: what does Akane need to give up to keep growing as a performer?
To keep progressing towards "Shiguma's Art," Akane needs to convince Shomei she can perform like a craftsman—and winning the Zuinun Prize doesn't guarantee that. What I think Akane needs to let go of is her need for approval: from Shomei, Issho, Karashi, Hikaru, and especially the audience. So what if she doesn't win the Zuinun Prize? Why does that mean she's not 'worthy' of learning "God of Death" from Shomei? What's wrong with failure, anyway? As Kiroku says in chapter 137: "What wrong with making a mistake? When you've got a stain on your honor, a rakugoka spins that story into comedy gold." Perhaps one could rephrase this sentiment as, what's wrong with not winning? One can easily imagine the ghost of Kiroku, if Akane could ask him for advice, saying something like: "Relax! It's your first competition in Japan in 3 years. Go out and there and enjoy it!"
Akane has been so concerned with wowing her peers, teachers, and audience that she's forgotten the heart of her art: enjoying the world of rakugo! It's through letting go and surrendering to enjoyment that Akane will find a new way to interact with the people watching her: after all, if Akane can't enjoy the story she's telling, how can her audience?
I think Shomei will see Akane sacrificing her freedom—her comedic smarts and improvisational talent for reading an audience—by performing her story without trying to make anyone laugh. In doing so, she'll also sacrifice 1st place: Akane could have gotten the #1 spot if she'd been willing to stray from Issho's rules, but she will choose to stay within the lines, even if it meant she won't win. However, these sacrifices will convince Shomei that she can perform "God of Death" in his style, and so he'll agree to teach her. (I suspect Akane will beat Hikaru, in contrast to their previous competition, but won't beat Karashi, who will come in 1st.)
Right now, Akane's fist is clenched so so tight, and she needs to open her hand in order to move forward to the "sixth day." It's an apt image, isn't it. After all, what's in the middle of an open palm? Nothing... but one could also say, everything.
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Characters: Muneuji, Ushio, Nagi, Netaro, Akuta, Yukikaze, Kafka, Tao, Chihiro, Ten, Kuguri, Kiroku & Nanaki
Location: Hama
Summary: Some time passes since the toast and excitement spreads through the room. Netaro arrives late and begins passing out colourful steamed buns…
Proofreader: Shay
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Translator’s Notes ☽.˖
Gyaru: Derived from the English word “gal”. It’s a Japanese fashion subculture which consists of showy clothing, heavy tanning, bleached or dyed hair, and lots of makeup. Associated items can be brightly coloured.
Cica: This is the Hungarian term for “cat/kitten”.
Momiji / Kaede: (Kafka went around giving a toast to all the ward mayors, but I wonder if he’s doing okay. He looked like he couldn’t handle his alcohol very well during his coming-of-age party…)
Kafka: Heey~ Manager, so this is where you were~ Huug~
Momiji / Kaede: Wha!? I took my eyes off you for a second and you’ve gotten this drunk?
Yukikaze: He must have gotten into a good mood seeing things finally take shape. Should I carry him?
Momiji / Kaede: Oh, thanks. But maybe it’ll be better to ask Sakujiro-san to take care of him instead.
(It was inevitable during Kobe, but I bet he’ll sulk again if he finds out Yuki-nii carried him.)
Yukikaze: But Sakujiro-san went out to get a set of mahjong tiles to play with Liguang, Kinari and Yodaka-san.
Momiji / Kaede: Huh? Why mahjong tiles?
Kafka: Noo~ I’m not sleeping until Netaro gets here! We’re gonna conquer the world together~
Momiji / Kaede: (After having an interview with Netaro-kun through Daniel-san’s recommendation, Kafka has really taken a liking to him.)
(But it’s nice having more ward mayors that are like friends. Right, Kafka?)
Chihiro: Oh, I wanted to take a picture with Manager-pii but looks like they’re having a hard time with a dead-drunk President-chii. Guess I’ll come back later.
Netaro: How about some crazy delicious steamed buns?
Laika: Buns!
Chihiro: Wow~!! These are great! They’re so cute ☆ The pet robot also has a [1]gyaru look to it – you’re the G.O.A.T~♪
Tao: Oh, are you Yowa-san? The one who runs that steamed bun cafe…? You said you were gonna be late, right?
Netaro: That’s right. I’m indeed Netaro Yowa, the one who will be the mayor for ward 18! I ended up arriving late since I was steaming these new limited buns for the party.
Chihiro: Chii’s Chihiro! And this is Tao-Tao! I’m so psyched – these strange steamed buns look so good~♪
Netaro: This is the “Interstellar Mirage ☆ Natto Bean Curry Bun” and this one is “Smiling Bon Voyage ☆ Mushroom Cheese Bun”.
Laika: Nattuuu~♪ Lalala, beep beep beep.
Chihiro: OMG! This lil’ robot just started singing outta nowhere – that’s sooo cute ☆ Can I take a picture with you both, Taroppu? And post it on dazzle~?
Netaro: Why, of course, Chii!
Tao: Wow, they’re already calling each other by their nicknames…
Chihiro: Hey, do you have fingers~? Can you make a heart with Chii~?
Tao: Taking a picture’s fine and all but I’m gonna have a steamed bun. Uhh… I’ll take the mushroom and cheese…
Chihiro: Then Chii’s gonna have the crazy natto curry one. Thanks for the food ♪
Tao & Chihiro: Munch…
Netaro & Laika: ……
Tao: …Pfft, ahahahahahaha! What the heck is this? It’s making me laugh like crazy!!
Chihiro: Huh!? Tao-Tao…!?
Tao: Ahahahahaha!
Chihiro: Uh, I dunno what’s going on but Tao-Tao’s going LMAO and it’s so SSR worthy! I totally have to film this!
Tao: My stomach, it hurts…!
Laika: Natuu, Giovanni, piroppu~
Chihiro: Cuteeee ☆ He’s rolling around on the floor~ Sigh I think my maternal instincts are overflowing! OMG!! I’ve never felt this way before! I can’t stop taking pics~♪
Toi: I–It’s Chii-sama…! We’re standing on the same ground…! Breathing the same air…!
Ahh… I want to pray for this miracle! Thank you for letting me be born in the same generation as my idol…!
Mashiro: Chii-sama is certainly one of the most important people destined to be born in this world!
Sonia: Ohh~ So Chii-sama is one of the chosen life-forms! I see!
Chou un: …I think all life is equal but I shall refrain from tactless comments.
Momiji / Kaede: Oh, Netaro-kun is here. Kafka’s asleep, though.
Kuguri: Hey, [2]Cica. Are you enjoying the banquet?
Ten: I figured we haven’t had a drink together yet. Anyway, good job selecting all 18 ward mayors.
Momiji / Kaede: Thanks, you two. Cheers!
(A lot of different relationships are being formed now that they’re all living together under one roof, but… it’s a bit strange seeing Ten-kun and Kuguri-san get along so well already.)
Ten: Oh, right. Shumai was howling up a storm when that guy from the steamed bun cafe came.
Kuguri: Hehe. It must be one of those wild instincts. Are you sure you want to let him in?
Momiji / Kaede: Oh… you’re talking about Netaro-kun? He is a bit of an enigma but I think it’s fine.
(According to Toi-kun’s divination, Netaro-kun was also a necessary individual that will guide us to his brother. We have to help him find his brother, just as we promised.)
Akuta: Haa, haa, all of these are so good I think I might go to heaven…!
I think I’m gonna stuff myself like it’s my last day on Earth, so don’t get in my way, okay!?
Ushio: What an idiot, walking to and fro like that. I don’t wanna watch you pig out.
Kiroku: …But… Kurama… that’s your… third plate of fried noodles…
Ushio: Hey, we’re not talking about me right now.
Kiroku: …It’s delicious so… you don’t… have to be embarrassed…
Ushio: I’m not feeling any bit embarrassed, just so you know.
Muneuji: Hmm… I’d like some more. I’m going to get seconds.
Nanaki: Oh, I’ll go with you, then. The pizza I had before was pretty good… Hm?
Tao: Sigh I finally calmed down… My cheeks hurt from laughing too hard.
Chihiro: Huh? Why did I take a gazillion pics of Tao~? I had these weird maternal instincts that washed over my entire body…
Netaro: Ahaha! Perhaps I added too much of that one secret ingredient~! Right, Laika?
Laika: Shwaa.
Nanaki: ……! …Huh…!?
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ📍 Flashback
??: “Euclidean Instant Disassembly Stripping Pen”. Why, I’m rather proud of my invention!
Human clothes… they tend to get stuck at the throat.
Kiroku: …W–Where is he…?
Nanaki: Who even is he? Where did you come from? The door’s supposed to be over there…
Akuta: Wait, what about the egg?
Nanaki: Ah…!
Muneuji: What’s wrong? You’re trembling.
Nanaki: T–That’s… that guy…!
Muneuji: ?
……!
Akuta: Maaaan, I can feel the calories seep into every fibre of my being~!
Muneuji: Everyone, I want you to listen to me closely.
Kiroku: ?
Muneuji: The individual we met on the rooftop after the concert is right there. It’s that secret agent with the egg.
Ushio: What!? You’re kidding…
Nanaki: I’ve been staring at him and it has to be him. There’s no way I wouldn’t be able to recognise him.
Akuta: …Really? I don’t remember.
Ushio: I never expected anything from your brain cells, idiotake. Anyway… why is he even here? I don’t get it.
Is he the mayor of ward no.18? The one who said he’d be late?
Muneuji: Most likely. He must be Netaro Yowa-san.
Nanaki: What was it? He’s supposed to be from the secret special forces… It’s called ponzu or something…
Akuta: Yorozu!
Ushio: You remember that?
Kiroku: …The… egg… it’s there… too…!
Ushio: Huh?
Kiroku: Look…
Laika: Beep beep beep. Zee zee zee. Boing.
Nanaki: Hmm… That’s not the egg. I think that’s just a normal pet robot.
Ushio: I agree with the panda.
Kiroku: N–No… that’s… definitely…
Muneuji: You were the one who shared a deep emotional bond with the egg. I believe in Kinugawa’s intuition.
Nanaki: Even if we ignore the egg, is it okay for us to carelessly approach him?
Ushio: Who knows…? He seems dangerous so maybe it would be best to keep our distance. There might be an explosion or we might get our clothes stripped.
Akuta: Hey, did we meet on a rooftop in the summer?
Netaro: Hm?
Ushio: That guy…! He shouldn’t have strolled up to him and asked him that directly…!
Akuta: Well, everyone’s saying we all met then.
So is it true~!?
Ushio: Pretend we don’t know him.
Nanaki: …… Muneuji…!?
Muneuji: Pardon my impertinence. I’m Muneuji Kaguya, the mayor of ward no. 8. Do you recall?
Netaro: Uji, your eyes are beautiful. I feel like I’ve seen them a long time ago…
Muneuji: ……
Netaro: I don’t really remember. How about we call this our first meeting?
Muneuji: ……
Akuta: Nice to meet you. Je m'appelle Akuta Supa Hero!
Ushio: Mu-chan, we’re leaving! You, too!
Muneuji: …I see. It’s because he’s a part of Yorozu.
He is a secret agent who performs his duties in civilian clothes, so he’ll blend into society by working an ordinary job. He must not be able to reveal his identity – just like the time on the rooftop.
Ushio: Mu-chan, what’re you mumbling about?
Nanaki: So this just means he doesn’t know us, right?
Muneuji: Right. If he says he’s never seen us before, then we should also get our story to match with his. We mustn’t get in the way of his mission.
Kiroku: ……
Ushio: That’s fine. Let’s just leave it at that.
Nanaki: Hmm… Oh, well.
Akuta: Then I’m good too. Anyway, let’s eat!
Muneuji: ……
Nagi: …Sigh…
Sonia: Are you okay, Nagi-san?
Nagi: Yeah…
Sonia: This is worrying.
Nagi: Yeah. At this rate… things might be really bad.
Maybe I should go back to the store and start handing out flowers.
Sonia: But… the temperature’s gone down and it’s cold.
Nagi: That’s even better.
Sonia: ……
Nagi: Yeah. It’s better this way. …Anyway, I’ll be back.
Sonia: Nagi-sa–
Momiji / Kaede: Oh, Nagi-kun. What’re you doing over here?
Nagi: …Uhh… um.
Sonia: O–Oh, we suddenly received a work request…!
Nagi: Yeah. A sudden work request.
Sonia: Y–Yes, we’re in quite a pickle since we’re temporarily closed!
Momiji / Kaede: Yeah? Okay. We’ve got cake too so hurry back, alright?
Nagi: Y–Yep. Thanks. I’ll be going, then…
Momiji / Kaede: Come home soon!
Nagi: Ugh!
Momiji / Kaede: Are you okay!? You’re suddenly clutching your chest!
Nagi: It’s nothing… I’ll be back…!
*Nagi leaves in a hurry*
Sonia: Are you okay, Nagi-san!?
Nagi: I’m still… fine.
But if anymore happiness starts spilling out… then things will start getting really bad. I need to regulate it…
…Let’s go, Sonia. We’ll bear with the numbing cold and hand out the flowers – we need to dilute these happy feelings.
Sonia: Gotcha!
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Friendshi_ | Original from Stranger Six. The vocaloid version with Kagamine Rin was technically released first, but the band was performing it live before that.
I work in my planner (the white book at the bottom) almost every day. Well, play rather than work… with paper scraps and doodles.
Then I thought that I want to become more aware about what I read everywhere, what I hear (in conversations for example), or what thoughts/ideas/ponderings tumble around inside my head - so I decided to start a commonplace book in which I can note all of the above plus so much more (seen here on top of my Kiroku notebook):
My commonplace book (lets call it CPB from now on, shall we) is a notebook by Paperblanks I bought many years ago. Paperblanks truly have amazing looking covers! And the paper is very good as well; the ink doesn’t bleed through and the pages have an eye-pleasing cream colour. Though this particular book is a little too thick for my pockets, but it’ll do for now.
I have been writing in my CPB for a while, when I realised that I’d like to elaborate on some of my notes and decided to start my 5th Kiroku notebook. I call it Kiroku because although the notebook has the same format as a Midori Travelers Notebook, it is in fact NOT Midori. So I decided to call these notebooks ”Kiroku Adventurer’s Notebook” instead 😄 If I don’t remember it wrong, Kiroku means something like ”to document” in Japanese.
So here’s my first page spread in the Kiroku notebook, where I dived into the world of postage stamps:
I really do love stamps, particularily the vintage ones. I randomly picked one out of my box of stamps and wrote all about it on the right page. It’s absolutely amazing the great amount of information these tiny little things have to offer.
Here’s a better view of the stamp:
So these are the three journals or notebooks that I currently play with every day 😋
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Characters: Yodaka, Nagi, Ryui, Netaro, Toi, Tao, Chihiro, Kiroku, Ushio, Nanaki & Kinari
Location: HAMA
Summary: Nagi and Ryui step up on stage and begin their natural and unique comedy skit. It seems the audience unexpectedly enjoys their jokes…
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Translator’s Notes ☽.˖
NureNezumi: Stylised in English but literally means a “wet rat”.
Momiji / Kaede: So, Yodaka-san is still at the bar!?
Toi: ”Yes! Please find him! We’re all waiting for you!”
Momiji / Kaede: (Good thing I started heading to the bar anyway…!)
Thanks, Toi-kun. I’ll call you again soo–
Toi: “Oh, wait. Netaro-san wants to tell you something…”
Netaro: “Doo Doo, are you there? There’s been a traffic accident 5 kilometres in front, so you're gonna get stuck.”
Momiji / Kaede: Huh…?
Netaro: “I’ll take you to the bar using my secret path.”
“Head Southwest 300 metres ahead, turn left at the second traffic light and then turn right at the end of the road.”
Momiji / Kaede: G–Got it…!
“But how are you navigating me!?”
Netaro: Hm~ That’s because I’m connected ♪
Laika: Straight, straight, traffic jam!
Lai Lai, will aim for the Big Dipper, booohhh.
Nagi: “Thank you for coming to see L4mps’ concert tonight. This may be sudden, but I’m actually someone who is very unlucky.”
Ryui: “It’s either that or he’s just super clumsy.”
Nagi: “I’m Hachinoya, the kind of guy who didn’t realise I was blasting the radio out loud on the train because I didn’t know my earphones weren’t connected to my phone properly. And this is…”
Ryui: “I’m Ryui. Yeah, real clumsy people like you do exist, huh.”
Nagi: “I was wondering if I’d gotten deaf, so I kept raising the volume.”
Ryui: “Your earphones must have the best noise-cancelling features ever. You should thank the people who made ‘em.”
Nagi: “Speaking of which, there’s a confession I gotta make, Ryui.”
Ryui: “What?”
Nagi: “Yesterday, during the meeting, I accidentally spilt tea on my crotch, but did you notice my pants were different before and after the meeting?”
Ryui: “NO, HOW THE HELL WOULD I KNOW THAT!? AND WHO THE HELL IS KEEPING TABS ON THE COLOUR OF YOUR PANTS!?”
Nagi: “Thank goodness. I couldn’t tell if you did and just chose to ignore it because you’re nice, or if you just didn’t notice at all…”
“If you thought it was because I spilt something on my pants, then it would hurt my dignity and my masculinity.”
Ryui: “YEAH, YEAH, I KNOW! This is stupid.”
Nagi: “I was really worried and wondered if I should just explain myself, or if I could bet on the chance that you wouldn’t notice.”
Ryui: “You already lost your dignity the moment you spilt that tea. There’s no point in keepin’ that tiny shred of pride you’ve got left.”
Nagi: “Then, do you wanna tell them about how you started working out all of a sudden, so that that tiny bit of your right shoulder that’s showing would look good?”
Ryui: “DON’T TELL ‘EM ABOUT THAT! I’M GONNA KILL YA!”
Audience A: Wahahahaha! Those two are hilarious! What else ya got!?
Tao: Wow… Hachinoya-san and Ryui-san are pretty good! They’re confident and have the comedy timing down pat…
And they’re doing this impromptu, too…! Who would’ve known we actually had comedy kings at our company…!
Chihiro: Ahaha! Considering all you do is game and watch comedy videos, then those two must really be something, huh, Tao~♪
Kiroku: A–Ah…!
Ushio: Hey, why did you suddenly stand up?
Kiroku: I’ve heard… this story… on the radio before… This style of unique storytelling… is definitely… [*]NureNezumi-san… who frequently sends in jokes… to the radio show I listen to… I’m a big fan…!
Ushio: What?
Audience B: It’s a pretty unique type of comedy, but I guess it’s not so bad! This is definitely some sort of warm-up act before the actual performance, right?
Audience C: But I wish the actual concert would start already. I live far away, so I’m worried I might not be able to catch the last train…
Hakkei: ……
(The comedy act does seem quite natural, but I’m guessing something has happened…)
*The crowd laughs*
Nagi: (I thought my jokes weren’t that funny, but it’s actually coming together thanks to Ryui’s quips.)
Ryui, let’s continue this until the Manager and Yodaka-san come back.
Ryui: ‘Kay… Anyway, is this really funny? We’re just talking like we usually do.
Nagi: I’ve got more jokes up my sleeve, so I could keep going until morning if need be–
*The lights turn off*
Nagi: …Huh?
Ryui: What the–!? The lights…
Nanaki: W–What happened!?
Kinari: I am still analysing the situation, but I have yet to pinpoint the cause.
Audience B: What’s going on? A blackout? This isn’t part of the show, right?
Audience A: And it was just getting good.
Audience C: When’s the show going to start again? Is the performance going to be delayed?
Momiji / Kaede: You’re kidding – the door’s locked…!?
Yodaka-san!? Are you inside!?
W–What should I do…!!? I’ve come all this way…!
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ📍 Flashback
Yodaka: I may end up causing you and everyone else a lot of trouble if I continue working with you all. That’s… my concern.
Momiji / Kaede: Trouble…!? No, Yodaka-san, you’re always helping everyone around you, and I don’t mind how much trouble you cause me. And I want to keep working with you.
Yodaka: …Thank you. Your feelings made me very happy. But I don’t think I want to cause you any trouble.
Momiji / Kaede: (...No. If I don’t get to see Yodaka-san now, then I’m getting the feeling that I won’t ever get to work with him at HAMA Tours ever again…)
I need to ask Yun Yun-san for permission to call up a locksmith…!
Sojun: I’ll open it.
Momiji / Kaede: !? Sojun-san!? Why’re you here…?
Sojun: The Boss asked me to. He told me you’d most likely forget about the key and would just charge straight in. It’s an old lock, so I should be able to open it right away with my lock-picking skills.
Momiji / Kaede: (L–Liguang-san, thank you…! And I’m sorry, Yodaka-san, for breaking in!!)
Sojun: It’s open.
Momiji / Kaede: Thank you!
*Momiji / Kaede head inside*
Momiji / Kaede: Yodaka-san!? Are you in here, Yodaka-san…!? Huh?
Yodaka: …………
Chou un: Someone has come to pick you up. Please wake up.
Momiji / Kaede: He’s… asleep? What?
(...I knew this would happen. Yodaka-san said he gets sleepy when he thinks about the future, so I should’ve seen this coming…)
I knew… that, but…!
YODAKA-SAN, WHY’RE YOU ASLEEP!!? WAKE UP, PLEASEEEEE!!!!!
Yodaka: …… ……Hm?
Chou un: He has finally awoken.
Yodaka: …Manager?
Momiji / Kaede: That’s right!
Yodaka: …That’s strange. There was a magical spell… placed on the both of us…
I was stuck in a loop, repeating today… never able to open the door to tomorrow…
One thing I’m certain… is that there’s no need for me to head towards a “future” where my happiness is uncertain – where my happiness only exists in the “past”...
I was slumbering away between night and day…
Momiji / Kaede: That magical spell can go to hell!
Yodaka: Huh?
Momiji / Kaede: I’ll say it once more, alright? That magical spell can go to hell! 3, 2, 1! There! The spell’s broken now!
Let’s hurry up and open the door to tomorrow, too! 3, 2, 1! There! It’s open now!
Yodaka: ……
Momiji / Kaede: Maintaining the status quo might be the safer option, but safe is all it’s ever going to be!
Moving forward isn’t just sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, staying still and not going anywhere might just be the right answer.
But even so, don’t be afraid to change. Tomorrow will always come – no matter who you are.
Yodaka-san, even you can’t run away from something that’s trying to change – you can’t run from the future that will inevitably come.
So please, accept it. Don’t be afraid and accept it for what it is. Even if tomorrow might be the worst day of your life…
The next day after that might just be the very best day you’ve ever had.
Yodaka: ……
Maybe…
(The one I’ve been waiting for… for a long time…)
Maybe it was you…
Momiji / Kaede: Alright, then let’s get going! Chou un, sorry, but take care of the bar, okay? And buy a new lock for the door! Thanks for your help, Sojun-san!
Sojun: Give your thanks to the Boss.
Chou un: Be careful on your way out. Have a good day.
Yodaka: But why was I asleep? I don’t remember what I was doing after closing the store… What’s going on?
I don’t know how I can face everyone… it’s so late now…
Momiji / Kaede: We’ll talk once we get there! Come on, get changed!
Oh, and! Don’t give me that talk about not wanting to give me any trouble and all that because I’m not buying it, alright!? I’ve gone crazy now!! Seriously crazy!!
Yodaka: R–Right.
Momiji / Kaede: I don’t know about everyone else, but at the very least, it made me happy to see you cause trouble for me. It finally felt like I had a hold on you, Yodaka-san.
Yodaka: ……
Momiji / Kaede: I’m going to go full-speed ahead! While still following the traffic laws, of course!
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