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<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotori]: "I'm gonna buy a can of coffee I don't want for only 68 yen! Oh no!" [Kotarou]: "How could Kotori have broken so badly..." [Kotori]: "Aaah!" She puts in a coin, looks inside, and screams. [Kotarou]: "What is it now?" [Kotori]: "I declare! My poor little pocket change...it says it wants an honorable place to die!" [Kotarou]: "Fine, fine...we'll go..." [Kotori]: "Fu～!" Kotori and I shop at Jasco. She buys a large amount of stuff she doesn't need. I can't help but think buying stuff you don't need defeats the purpose of buying it cheap. As for me... "We apologize for the chain reaction in the low-price batteries section that set the store on fire" I spend my time shivering in the corner as I read that flier and look at the burn marks on the walls and ceiling. Aaah, low prices are scary... [Kotori]: "That was great." [Kotori]: "I love you Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "Please keep feeling that way for the rest of your life." [Kotori]: "It'll last a week～" Kotori's opinion of me skyrocketed (for a stupid reason). [Kotarou]: "My stomach is famished." [Kotori]: "My stomach is furious." [Kotarou]: "Let's buy some food." [Kotori]: "Sure." [Kotarou]: "How fat do you want to be?" [Kotori]: "Plump!" [Kotarou]: "No problem." I leave her sitting on a bench and go buy stuff. [Kotarou]: "A fresh cheese curry croquette." [Kotori]: "Full of calories!" [Kotori]: "GIVE IT TO ME!" [Kotarou]: "Open your mouth and say "Aaah". I wanna practice feeding a girl for when I get a girlfriend." [Kotori]: "...if that's why, then okay." [Kotarou]: "All right, now go "Aaah"." [Kotori]: "Aaa-*munch*!" [Kotarou]: "Ah? Is it good? Is it gooood? Do you admit it?" [Kotori]: "...it's not good...how can something with such a crunchy outside and fluffy inside possibly be good...!?" [Kotarou]: "Come on, eat it. There's tons of special ketchup on it. Enjoy the harmony of curry, cheese, potatoes and some kind of sauce woven together!" [Kotori]: "I won't lose! This evil croquette will not defeat me...brave souls of fallen warriors, lend me your strength!...It's soooooooo gooooood!" Feeding accomplished. [Kotori]: "It's so good I don't care about anything anymore." [Kotarou]: "Right? Now eat more." [Kotori]: "*inhale* *inhale*...afu!" [Kotarou]: "That heat is just part of the ecstasy!" [Kotori]: "If I eat dinner like this I'll be overcarbohydrated." [Kotarou]: "You'll end up asking for infinite leftovers." [Kotori]: "Feed me more." [Kotarou]: "Sir!" [Kotori]: "Aaah, so happy..." I'm happy too. [Kotarou]: (If only we could always do this...) [?]: "Heeey, someoooone." [Kotarou]: "Hm? Where's that coming from...?" [Kotori]: "That way." [?]: "Could you open this door? I'm locked in." The voice comes from a tool shed in an alley. It's the type you lock from the outside. [Kotori]: "I see, he can't get out on his own." [?]: "Is anyone out there? Could you please let me out?" [Kotarou]: "Old man, what happened here?" [?]: "Some mean kids from this neighborhood threw me in here." [?]: "I was just showing them some magic tricks. They were horrible." [Kotori]: "Are you a magician?" [?]: "A traveling one. Could you open this for me? The mops are starting to smell." [Kotori]: "Let's let him out." [Kotarou]: "Are you sure this isn't a demon sealed in here to prevent further evil?" [?]: "You..." [Kotarou]: "How much do we get for freeing you?" [?]: "I can't afford to spend any more...I'm on the verge of starving as it is..." [Kotarou]: "Well we need something. If you turn out to be sealed evil in a shed, the whole town will hate us." [?]: "All right, boy. I can't give you money, but I'll show you my magic powers." [Kotarou]: "The hell does that mean?" [?]: "It's a kind of superpower." Something's fishy... [Kotori]: "I-I opened it!" [Kotori]: "I've been fooled by magical device ads in newspapers so many times, but I chose to believe yet again!" [?]: "Thank you both!" A suspicious old man comes out. His wardrobe is so suspicious it can't be drawn, so we spared you a sprite. [Kotori]: "A con artist!?" [Old Man]: "Don't be so hasty. My magic is real." [Kotarou]: "How can you walk in that getup...?" [Old Man]: "The same way salarymen walk in their business suits." [Old Man]: "Now to fulfill my end of the bargain. Do you have a ten thousand yen note?" [Kotarou]: "What if I do?" [Old Man]: "I need it to perform my magic. A five thousand yen note will do. Do you have one?" [Kotarou]: "...I have a thousand yen note." [Old Man]: "That's fine. Here goes." The old man folds it up and closes his left fist around it. He opens his right hand, revealing it in his palm. [Kotarou]: "Miraculous!" [Kotori]: "...a magic trick?" [Old Man]: "I can do much more. This time...it's in your chest pocket!" [Kotarou]: "You're right! It is there!" [Old Man]: "And finally, behold! One, two, three...fuuchaa!" The old man shows the insides of his pockets. The note had vanished without a trace. [Kotarou]: "Where'd you move it?" [Old Man]: "Huhuhu, into my wallet. To be precise...my wallet three days from now." [Kotarou]: "Wait...time travel? Really?" [Old Man]: "Really. I'm not ripping you off at all. Look forward to seeing it vanish three days from now." [Old Man]: "Thank you for watching me. Goodbye!" [Kotarou]: "Amaaaaaaazing! I am extremely impressed, sir!!" [Kotarou]: "...okay, resealing complete." I got my thousand yen back from the old man and locked him up in the tool shed again. [Old Man]: "...you cannot understand the profundity of my magic!" [Kotarou]: "You're an evil demon who deserves to be locked up in there!" [Kotarou]: "I'll call the cops later tonight. Until then that mop will be your only audience!" [Kotori]: "Seeee, he was a con artist."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "I was wrong...let's continue our journey..." [Kotarou]: "There's something on the ground..." [Kotarou]: "A boomerang?" [Kotarou]: "What's this doing here? ...I'll take it with me." You obtained a boomerang! [Kotarou]: "There's another thing on the ground." [Kotarou]: "A U-shaped magnet?" [Kotarou]: "This might be useful for gathering iron. I'll hang onto it." You obtained a magnet! [Kotarou]: "Hm? Another random thing?" [Kotarou]: "Oooh, this is..." You obtained a cardboard nikuman! [Kotarou]: "Wait, Kotori, there's another random thing here." [Kotarou]: "Lemme pick it up..." You obtained an AA battery! [Kotarou]: "Yet another thing on the ground." You obtained an alligator clip! [Kotarou]: "As one might expect, this dumpster is filled with stuff." You obtained an eggshell! [Kotori]: "Stop picking up everything you see!" Kotori threw away all your stuff! [Kotarou]: "...I just wanted to gather enough raw materials to make a new weapon." [Kotori]: "There's no crafting system in this game." [Kotarou]: "As one might expect, this dumpster is filled with stuff." You obtained an eggshell! [Kotarou]: "This...looks like a seed-planting spot..." [Kotarou]: "But there are hungry birds circling overhead, the ground is covered in nails, and there's tons of bugs. The seeds wouldn't stand a chance." [Kotarou]: "I can't plant anything here yet." [Kotarou]: "There's a light here. It looks battery-powered..." [Kotarou]: "I have an AA Battery and an alligator clip on hand. I'll use these to power it." The light turned on! [Kotarou]: "Now to get rid of the birds..." [Kotarou]: "Fortunately I have a boomerang on me." You chased away the birds! [Kotarou]: "Now the ground..." [Kotarou]: "That's right! I can gather up the needles with this magnet." You collected all the needles with the Magnet! [Kotarou]: "As for the bugs...this cardboard nikuman is giving off a weird smell they probably wouldn't like." You chased away the bugs with the cardboard nikuman! [Kotarou]: "Finally, I'll crush and sprinkle this eggshell over the soil as fertilizer..." [Kotarou]: "This miraculous assortment of items has allowed me to restore the seed-planting spot!" [Kotori]: "I think you could've just planted them without worrying about all that preparation." [Kotarou]: "Don't say that." I scatter some seeds over that patch of soil.

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> October 26th (Tuesday) [Kotarou]: "Okaaaay, I'm gonna give it my all todaaaay!" [Kotarou]: "I'm gonna act high-strung all morning, follow some TV program's exercise routine then go to school! Woooo! What a wonderful morning!" [Kotarou]: "I'm gonna drink all this milk at once!" [Kotarou]: "Buhooooo! I spat it out!" [Kotarou]: "It'd be nice to shake things up like that once in a while." But the only unusual thing about this morning is the milk flowing out of my nose. [Kotarou]: "Huh? ...is Shizuru not here yet?" [Lucia]: "She said she'd be late." [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm." ...is someone making her do cleaning duty again? [Kotarou]: "I'm gonna go be a hero of justice for a sec." [Kotori]: "Will you transform?" [Kotarou]: "No transformation. But maybe a battle." [Kotori]: "That must be tough." [Lucia]: "...I think I have lost you, but take care." [Kotarou]: "'Kay." ...now then... [Kotarou]: "I knew it." Shizuru's been cleaning here alone. [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "I came to get you." [Shizuru]: "...muu." She slumps her shoulders apologetically. [Kotarou]: "Cleaning alone again?" She nods. [Kotarou]: "When exactly is it your turn to do the cleaning?" [Shizuru]: "...when?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." She starts thinking. [Kotarou]: "It's not today or yesterday, is it?" She nods. [Kotarou]: "...so why are you doing it?" [Shizuru]: "They were in a hurry." [Kotarou]: "...right." [Kotarou]: "Are you good friends with them?" [Shizuru]: "...not really." [Kotarou]: "I see..." So basically... Shizuru's classmates are making her do their work for them. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, you can say no if people ask you to do something that isn't your job." [Shizuru]: "Say no...?" [Kotarou]: "You have no obligation to do this." [Shizuru]: "They asked me to, so I must." So she's the type that can't say no when people ask her... [Kotarou]: "Haa..." [Shizuru]: "...what's wrong, Kotarou?" [Kotarou]: "You need to learn to say no." [Shizuru]: "......?" She looks at me. "But I'm fine with it." [Kotarou]: "I see..." That's just what Shizuru's like. If anything, this is one of the best things about her. The problem is that people are taking advantage of her. I feel angry at them. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, are you mad?" [Kotarou]: "Not at you, Shizuru." [Shizuru]: "At what?" [Kotarou]: "The evils of human society." I'm one of those boys who resents the fact that such people are part of our society. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Shizuru]: "If I made you mad, Kotarou, please wait for me in the club room after school." [Shizuru]: "I'll be late, but I'll definitely come." [Kotarou]: "...you're..." ...way too nice. So nice it makes me worry about you. [Kotarou]: "No, I'll help." [Kotarou]: "Unless you start kicking and screaming over it." [Kotarou]: "But normally I'm the type to come help people." [Kotarou]: "So let's get to it." Like yesterday, I work on the blackboard. [Shizuru]: "...okay." [Kotarou]: "You look happy." [Shizuru]: "There's two of us here." [Kotarou]: "Yes..." I guess it's fine if Shizuru likes it. I'll do my best to enjoy this. [Kotarou]: "Hmm-hm-hmm♪ Hm-hm-hmm-hm-hmmmm♪" [Kotarou]: "Taaaa-ra-ri-ra-ta-ta-ra♪" I hum rhythmically. It's actually kind of fun this way. [Kotarou]: "Hey." I suggest she join in. She looks troubled. [Kotarou]: "I see. It's okay, you don't have to." She rethinks. ...this doesn't seem like a good time to do any more humming... [Kotarou]: "Umm, what's wrong, Shizuru-san?" [Shizuru]: "I can't hum what I don't know..." So she doesn't know the song. [Kotarou]: "Should we hum something you do know?" When I was a kid this song was playing virtually everywhere...I didn't know there was a one-year generation gap. Maybe the theme song for a recent drama? [Kotarou]: "Jaja♪ Jajajara-jaja! Jaaan♪" [Kotarou]: "Charariraa♪ Chara-cha-cha-charaaa♪" [Shizuru]: "Charariraa." She's joining in. There was never that much work to do in the first place, so we finish quickly. [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's go." We put the broom and dustpan back in their locker. [Girl A]: "We're so sorry, Nakatsu-san!" The door slides open and two female students rush in. One of them's the tall girl I saw yesterday. The other one is almost as short as Shizuru. [Shizuru]: "?" [Girl B]: "U-umm...the thing that came up finished pretty quickly, so we hurried back here." [Shizuru]: "We already finished." [Girl A]: "Oh...sorry." [Shizuru]: "You can thank him." [Kotarou]: "...I didn't do that much." This feels awkward so I was kinda hoping to hide from the conversation. [Girl B]: "Eh!? Y-you're not a first-year, right...?" [Kotarou]: "Second-year." [Girl A]: "Umm, did you help Nakatsu-san...?" [Kotarou]: "We know each other from club." [Girl A]: "Nakatsu-san's in a club!?" [Shizuru]: "I'm helping them." [Girl A]: "We would've asked someone else if you'd told us that...!!" [Kotarou]: "I'm getting a little confused. What happened here?" [Girl B]: "Ah, well, we had to go right after class ended because casting was being discussed today..." [Girl A]: "We're in the Drama Club, and today we had to head over there quickly to help choose the actors for our next play." [Girl A]: "We lead the first-years so there's a bunch of stuff we had to do..." [Kotarou]: "...I see." So they really did have to go... [Girl B]: "Umm, we finished it really quickly so we came back here." [Shizuru]: "We're already done, so don't worry about it."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Girl A]: "Thank you, Nakatsu-san..." [Girl A]: "Ah, thank you too, Senpai." [Girl A]: "That's right, we forgot to introduce ourselves...I'm Nakatsu-san's classmate, Tsukamoto." [Girl B]: "I'm Ueda. Thank you very much." They both lower their heads. [Kotarou]: "You're welcome..." [Shizuru]: "Do you need to head back?" [Ueda]: "Ah, we'll do the cleaning when it's your turn, Nakatsu-san!" [Shizuru]: "...it's okay." [Tsukamoto]: "No, we really should..." [Shizuru]: "No, really..." [Kotarou]: "No, I'll do it." [Tsukamoto]: "Wh-what!?" [Kotarou]: "Please let me..." I should punish myself for doubting them. [Tsukamoto]: "N-no, there's no need for you to do that, Senpai..." [Kotarou]: "Me being older doesn't matter." [Tsukamoto]: "Y-yes it does!" [Ueda]: "Then...why don't we all do it together?" [Kotarou]: "Perfect." [Tsukamoto]: "That's not perfect!!!" [Shizuru]: "...Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Shizuru]: "You're troubling her." [Kotarou]: "...oh." [Tsukamoto]: "No, not that, I just don't want to trouble you..." [Tsukamoto]: "Umm, really, we're fine doing it ourselves." [Kotarou]: "I see..." [Tsukamoto]: "But thank you." [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Ueda]: "We'll do it for you next time!" [Shizuru]: "...okay." They rushed off back to their club. I was wrong. [Shizuru]: "...yes." [Kotarou]: "Yes what?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "Yes." I guess she's saying it turned out all right. [Kotarou]: "You're right..." [Shizuru]: "Let's go..." [Kotarou]: "...did I embarrass you?" [Shizuru]: "No you didn't, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "There's nothing wrong with me hanging around you?" [Shizuru]: "You don't embarrass me at all." [Kotarou]: "I find that hard to believe..." She starts thinking. [Kotarou]: "Sorry. Anyway, let's go." [Shizuru]: "Okay." We leave the classroom. ...the world's not quite as bad as I thought it was. Maybe I'm the one being too pessimistic. There's plenty of perfectly good people out there. I've just seen proof of that obvious fact. [Kotarou]: "A few days ago, we managed to make a marvelous video thanks to Yoshino-kun! So I'd like to do something to return the favor!!" [Akane]: "...I can't help but think he'd be happier if we left him alone." [Chihaya]: "That's true." [Kotarou]: "No it's not. On the inside he's a bright and cheery guy who wants to play with everyone." [Shizuru]: "He is...?" [Kotori]: "Well, doing something to thank him isn't a bad idea." [Lucia]: "So, what do you have in mind?" [Kotarou]: "I was listening to the radio the other day, and there was a segment where they read letters people wrote to their friends." [Kotarou]: "The idea being that they're moved to tears when they hear the DJ read that letter out loud to them on air." [Akane]: "You want to submit one now? Wouldn't that take a while?" [Kotarou]: "Think outside the box. Anyone can broadcast whatever they like over the internet now." [Kotori]: "So we're doing something cyber again." [Chihaya]: "By the way, how did that video turn out?" [Kotarou]: "After looking at it a second time, it was so embarrassing I shelved it for all eternity." [Chihaya]: "So it wasn't marvelous at all..." [Kotarou]: "But he did help, so I still want to do something." [Akane]: "You mean you want to mess with him?" [Kotarou]: "That's not true. My heart is pure and innocent." [Lucia]: "So what would you have us do?" [Kotarou]: "First off..." [Kotarou]: "Prez, can I borrow a mic and a laptop?" [Akane]: "For recording? I don't have anything good on hand." [Kotarou]: "It'll be fine." I connect the mic to the laptop. [Kotarou]: "Ummmm..." I open the recording software. [Kotarou]: "Ah, ah, test." Playback. [Laptop]: "Ah, ah, test." The test is a success. [Kotarou]: "Okay, now everyone say Yoshino's name." [Chihaya]: "Why?" [Kotarou]: "I'll record them then start editing with them. The meat of this will be my narration." [Kotarou]: "And I'd like to add some sound effects, so everyone's voices sound more emotional..." [Shizuru]: "I'm sure he'll like it." [Kotarou]: "Y-...yeah!" [Lucia]: "You paused." [Akane]: "You are planning something, aren't you?" [Kotarou]: "Not at all. My heart is pure and innocent." [Lucia]: "Those words could not sound more hollow coming from you..." [Kotarou]: "Let's record!" I forcibly change the subject. [Kotarou]: "Now, everyone, say his name with passion." [Kotarou]: "First off, Prez." I move the mouse. [Kotarou]: "Click! Goooo!!" [Akane]: "Hmph Yoshino." [Kotarou]: "Don't sound angry at him." [Akane]: "That's how I always sound." She has a point. [Kotarou]: "Can we do that over?" [Akane]: "Why?" [Kotarou]: "Well, the way you said it...it's not going to tug anyone's heartstrings..." [Akane]: "Sorry, but I'm not grateful to him at all." [Kotarou]: "Just use your diplomatic skills to act grateful. You don't have to actually feel it or anything." [Chihaya]: "Doesn't that completely crush your original goal...?" [Kotarou]: "Okay then! Gooo!" [Kotori]: "Yoshino～♪" [Shizuru]: "Yoshinooo." [Chihaya]: "Yoshino." [Lucia]: "Y-Yoshino?" [Akane]: "Yoshiiino." [Kotarou]: "Now, everyone at once!" [Everyone]: "Yoooshiiinooo～♪" [Kotarou]: "OK, perfect." I save it and check the recording. It's flawless.

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Okay, I'll go do some editing." [Kotori]: "You can't do it here?" [Kotarou]: "It's embarrassing. I'm gonna be narrating all of it." [Kotori]: "I see. Bye then." [Shizuru]: "Cya later alligator." I go edit. [Kotori]: "Welcome back, Kotarou-kun." [Shizuru]: "Heya alligator." They seem eager. [Chihaya]: "So how'd it go?" [Kotarou]: "Before I realized it, I was making a Yoshino fan song." [Kotarou]: "Listen to this." [Kotarou]: "I got a bunch of people on the net to sing along. What do you think?" [Kotori]: "That's great! I knew you could do it, Kotarou-san!" [Shizuru]: "Glorious..." [Kotarou]: "I see, I see, universal acclaim." [Lucia]: "Umm...wait, what is the best thing to say in this situation?" [Kotarou]: "You should sing a bright and cheery song with us!" [Lucia]: "I'll pass..." [Chihaya]: "It's no good, it needs much more work!" [Kotarou]: "What?" [Akane]: "I'm relieved to hear someone objecting to it." [Chihaya]: "It's not clear whether the last Yoshino is Ultra Yoshino or Hyper Yoshino!" [Chihaya]: "Which one did he transform into!?" [Akane]: "Eh? Everything else was fine?" [Chihaya]: "Huh? I guess." Prez holds her head in agony. [Kotarou]: "Well, the truth is, I couldn't decide so I ended up putting in both." [Kotarou]: "So he transforms into both of them." [Chihaya]: "I guess that makes sense..." [Akane]: "Aaaaa...I don't care anymore." [Kotori]: "Did you do all this, Kotarou-kun?" [Kotarou]: "Nah, there's a guy called Chakki-san I recently met online who arranged and edited the whole thing in record time." [Kotarou]: "He put in video too, though as you can see I didn't have many pictures of Yoshino to use..." [Chihaya]: "Doesn't that mean you did nothing, Kotarou?" [Kotarou]: "I wrote the lyrics." [Chihaya]: "I guess that's okay." [Kotarou]: "Okaaaay, now we need to show this to Yoshino!" [Kotarou]: "How was it?" [Yoshino]: "I have never been made such a fool of in my life." [Kotarou]: "I see, you've never been so moved." [Shizuru]: "Glorious." [Yoshino]: "What? Do you only care about me insofar as I exist? The rest of my life is meaningless to you?" [Kotarou]: "Yep!" [Shizuru]: "This song is filled with so much love..." [Yoshino]: "Screw youuuu!!" Prez' laptop starts making hip-hop noises. [Yoshino]: "What the hell are you doing!?" [Akane]: "I was bored so I sampled your voice." [Kotarou]: "Lemme see that." "Screw-screw-sc-sc-sc-sc-screw youuuu!!" [Yoshino]: "Uuoooooooo stop iiiiit!!" [Kotarou]: "Ahahaha, this is fun." Yoshino steals the laptop out from under me. [Kotarou]: "Ah, what're you doing?" [Yoshino]: "There it is...I'm gonna delete the whole folder." [Kotarou]: "Aaaaaaaah!!!!" By the time I steal it back, the folder is long gone. [Kotarou]: "You erased it!! Yoshiiii erased iiit!!! I know it's embarrassing but you didn't need to go that far!!!" [Yoshino]: "This goes way beyond being "embarrassing"." [Kotarou]: "It was so much work! Doing all the editing and arranging the chorus and everything!!!" [Chihaya]: "Didn't Chakki-san do all of that stuff?" [Kotarou]: "I-I cannot forgive this...I cannot!" [Kotarou]: "I can feel my dark side growing with hatred!" [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun, you can't go to the dark side! Come on, smile, be happy, light side!!" [Kotarou]: "It's no good...my light side...my rational self...has already been sealed deep within my soul!! Your voice will never reach it!!" [Kotori]: "No!" [Yoshino]: "Hmm? You started all this by making a fool out of me, but..." [Yoshino]: "This is just what I wanted...I'll accept your challenge." [Kotarou]: "Challenge? You heathen! Why go to the trouble of challenging you!?" [Kotarou]: "The rage I feel at this very moment...cannot even be appeased with your death!" [Kotarou]: "Death is too merciful! My anger can no longer be stopped by anyone!!!" [Yoshino]: "Wh-what...!?" [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun...he's...!!" [Chihaya]: "I know you're getting really worked up, but all he did was delete some files." [Kotarou]: "First, I will write an anthology of embarrassing stories about you from middle school, and upload it to every corner of the internet so that the whole world will know!!" [Kotarou]: "I will translate it and make it global!! And precisely because internet society is so anonymous, I will ensure your real name is plastered all over it!!" [Yoshino]: "What!? ...s-stooooooooop!!" [Kotori]: "K-Kotarou-kun! That's too mean! Even I don't want to remember what I did in middle school!" [Kotarou]: "You want to stop me? Futile! Everywhere on earth is connected to the internet now!! As long as I have the data I can upload it anywhere!!" [Kotarou]: "And I only have to post it once for it to go viral!! No one can do anything to stop me!!" [Kotarou]: "You will spend your entire afterlife regretting the error of awakening my dark side!!" [Lucia]: "I don't think uploading those stories would kill him." [Kotarou]: "He'll die from old age eventually!!!" [Yoshino]: "Y-you dumbass...!! I won't be beaten so easily!! I will spend my final days...playing croquet with a smile on my face whether you like it or nooooot!!" [Kotarou]: "Hmph! A mere pipe dream! The rest of your life will be a constant stream of worries that each and every person you've seen might have read those stories about you!" [Chihaya]: "Wouldn't those files still be in the Recycle Bin?" [Akane]: "They would. I see you've learned a thing or two about computers, Chihaya." [Chihaya]: "Eheheh."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Eh? I can get them back?" [Akane]: "I already restored them." [Kotarou]: "Seriously!?" [Kotarou]: "My rational self has been released from the prison of my soul!!" [Chihaya]: "That's a really easy prison to break out of..." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun's back to normal now!" [Kotarou]: "Aaah, sorry Kotori. But I'm back to my bright, cheery self now!" [Yoshino]: "I see, I see." [Kotarou]: "This was all your fault, Yoshino! But I'm just fine now!" [Yoshino]: "...now then." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" He grabs me by the chest. [Yoshino]: "Delete it." [Kotarou]: "Eh? It's awakening again..." [Yoshino]: "I'm telling you to delete it with mutual consent." [Kotarou]: "Don't say that! I just got my light side back..." [Yoshino]: "You're the one who started this nonsense!" [Yoshino]: "And you stop playing with people's voices! We're trying to settle something here!!" [Akane]: "Oh, but it was funny." [Yoshino]: "Enough. Step outside." He releases me. [Shizuru]: "Wait." [Yoshino]: "Ah?" [Shizuru]: "No fighting." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou made that to thank you, Giraffe-san. Please forgive him." [Yoshino]: ".........hmph." [Yoshino]: "I don't care anymore...and I'm not a giraffe." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou made that to thank you, Edogawa-san. Please forgive him." [Shizuru]: "And...there's an unsolvable case with your name on it." [Yoshino]: ".........hmph." [Yoshino]: "I don't care anymore...I won't even ask why you still think I'm a detective from Edogawa..." [Shizuru]: "Hexas!!" [Yoshino]: "I don't hex asses!!" [Yoshino]: "So what is it?" [Shizuru]: "I just wanted to say it." [Shizuru]: "What's wrong, Hexas? Does your ass hurt?" [Yoshino]: "My ass is fine...but my patience is spent..." [Shizuru]: "I want you to forgive Kotarou." [Yoshino]: "Sure, I don't care anymore..." [Yoshino]: "Hmph, what a waste of time." [Kotarou]: "Yoshino!!" [Yoshino]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "Here's a USB drive with the data on it." I put this together while Shizuru stalled him. [Akane]: "That's mine..." [Kotarou]: "It's fine, and I need to resolve this." [Yoshino]: "Fine." Yoshino takes the memory stick from me and leaves. [Kotarou]: "Huu, that takes care of that..." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Lucia]: "This was an excellent lesson on when not to do something." [Kotarou]: "I just went about it the wrong way. That much I admit." [Kotarou]: "Next time I'll just buy him some Pocari Sweat!" [Kotori]: "You're optimistic, Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "I'm just trying to be friendly with him. He grabs me and beats me up every day at this point." [Kotarou]: "Besides, why was he even at school this late? He was clearly waiting for us..." [Kotori]: "I look forward to the day where Kotarou-kun and Yoshino-kun can walk home side-by-side." ...shortly after that, we head home.

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> October 27th (Wednesday) It started with a question. [Akane]: "Have you ever heard of Laplace's Demon?" [Kotarou]: "I will once I google it." [Akane]: "That means you haven't." [Kotarou]: "I have heard of it before, but...ummm..." I google it. Laplace's Demon―― An entity who knows the current state of all substances in the universe. Given all that knowledge, it could calculate what would happen in the future. So it's a thought experiment, claiming that given enough data it's possible to predict the future. It's easier to imagine it as an omnipotent supercomputer. [Kotarou]: "So, what about that demon?" [Akane]: "I found an old hard drive in here a while ago." [Akane]: "So I tried to extract the data." [Kotarou]: "You have a lot of free time, boss..." [Akane]: "I can't resist a chance to look at other people's hard drives." [Akane]: "I wasn't sure if it'd still work after thirty years, but I got the data." [Kotarou]: "Is this the laptop the old club used?" [Akane]: "Probably. So, I turned up a program which was most likely made by the old club." [Kotarou]: "Oooh." [Akane]: "The program's name is La+." [Akane]: "It seemed interesting, so I asked a friend of mine who used to work in programming to check it out." [Akane]: "She fixed it up and sent a working version back to me, so...do you want it?" That sounds really suspicious... [Kotarou]: "You're ordering me to use it, right...?" [Akane]: "I'll give you a choice." What should I do? [Kotarou]: "How is that a choice!?" Well, it does seem interesting... [Kotarou]: "...wait." [Kotarou]: "Test it yourself first." [Akane]: "It's a pain giving this thing enough input..." [Kotarou]: "That's what I thought." [Akane]: "I'm bored. Entertain me." [Kotarou]: "Stop being unreasonable. You're no empress." [Kotarou]: "This is exactly the sort of thing we should be researching." [Akane]: "I'll help with any research that doesn't involve going outside." Akane yawns. [Kotarou]: "...that again?" [Kotarou]: "Dammit, then I'll have to bring in a guest." [Akane]: "I hope you've got someone entertaining this time." [Kotarou]: "Okay, I'll go get a lost little lamb." [Kotarou]: "...I'll take it." I answer... And Prez smiles. [Akane]: "...I've sent it to your phone." My cell phone receives the data. I read the readme. [Kotarou]: "A program that predicts the future...now that's fishy." [Kotarou]: "But I like the sound of it..." [Akane]: "It requires lots of data input before attempting to predict anything." [Kotarou]: "This program is incredible!" [Akane]: "That's assuming it works. Even modern smart phones have nowhere near enough power to calculate the future." [Akane]: "It's probably just like those old coin-operated fortune-telling machines." [Akane]: "So, want to spend today investigating this?" [Kotarou]: "Sure. No one else is here today, so I'll check this thing out." [Kotarou]: "If it gives me meaningful predictions, that'll count as supernatural." [Akane]: "...okay then." So, I begin walking around the halls while giving La+ input data. Unsurprisingly, it requires a truckload of input. My weight and height...the date, air temperature, and number of steps I've taken today... There's no need to fill in all of it. But the more I fill in, the more accurate it should be. I've finished inputting everything I know. Now to test it out. Conveniently, Yoshino's here. He's walking down the hallway. He looks like he's deliberately going somewhere. ...perfect. I begin inputting data on Yoshino. Again, there's a lot to put in, so it takes a while. Yoshino's movement pattern is going to change before I finish. I'd have to reinput everything then. There's a button in the bottom left corner that says "Sample From Internet". "To Akane-sama. I have added a feature that uses searches on credible websites to automatically gather input data." That's what the readme file says. I silently thank Akane's programmer. I push the button. It reads data from the net in a few seconds, filling in most of the input. [Kotarou]: "Amazing." In particular, it found the year the school was built and the school's surface area. This should improve the accuracy. [Kotarou]: "Okay...let's see what Yoshino will do fifteen minutes from now." The farther away the future, the harder it is to predict. Even going fifteen minutes ahead is a challenging computation. But eventually it shows me predictions on Yoshino. [Kotarou]: "Th-this can't be!" Yoshino vanishes. It says he's going to disappear. That can't be right. Clearly this means he'll end up somewhere outside the school, where it has no data. Fortunately, it does tell me the reason for his disappearance. "Cause: Being captured against his will" So I guess this means...Yoshino's going to be captured and dragged out of the school. [Kotarou]: "Damn, now I have to save him." [Kotarou]: "Hey, Yoshino, you're gonna get captured." [Yoshino]: "...you're even more incomprehensible than usual, bastard." [Kotarou]: "I'm saying this for your own sake. If you don't want to get captured, stop doing whatever you're doing." [Yoshino]: "Don't tell me what to do." [Yoshino]: "You can't change the way the wind blows, and you can't change my mind either." [Kotarou]: "Where are you going?" [Yoshino]: "I am but a natural phenomenon. A whimsical gale. Nothing more." [Kotarou]: "You're so drunk on your self-image that you can't even hear me?" [Kotarou]: "Then I must stop you with force!" I grab his shoulder. But Yoshino forces his way forward. [Kotarou]: "Hey, I said..." [Yoshino]: "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" [Kotarou]: "Why do characters like you always say that!?" [Yoshino]: "I am not...I am not a character! That shout came from my soul!" [Kotarou]: "If you keep going on like this, you'll disappear." [Yoshino]: "You're spouting just as much nonsense as I am." [Yoshino]: "None of this changes the fact that you are no different from ordinary, worthless people." [Kotarou]: "Seriously, could you please tell me where you're going? ...then I could input the data..." [Yoshino]: "Stop texting while having a serious conversation!" He knocks it out of my hands. [Kotarou]: "I'm not texting, I was using La+ to..." [Yoshino]: "Shut up. Don't follow me. Go away."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male </METADATA> So words won't reach him after all. I'll just have to shadow him. I wait a short while, then start following him. If he starts doing something that might get cops involved, I'll stop him. [Kotarou]: (...he's just walking in random directions to shake me off...) But that's exactly what I want. If he never reaches his original objective, then the future where he gets arrested won't happen. As we move around, I repeatedly hit the "Sample From Internet" button to get new data. And thanks to the power of cell phone GPS... The quantity of data being processed is now far beyond what a human could input. The accuracy of the predictions should be skyrocketing. [Kotarou]: (I'm gonna save you...whether you want me to or not!) I follow him persistently. Yoshino breaks first. [Yoshino]: "Hmph." Suddenly, he starts running. [Kotarou]: "You're not getting away!" Yoshino races through the school in all sorts of directions. When he realizes running speed alone won't shake me, he switches to a 3D obstacle course. He leaps onto a flowerbed, climbs onto a wall, and hops up to the roof. [Kotarou]: (...not good enough.) I copy his parkour flawlessly. Yoshino gradually starts taking more risky paths. He jumps from high places to other high places, despite the danger. I can handle this no problem, but Yoshino's looking a little shaky. ...he's forcing himself. [Kotarou]: "Stop this, Yoshino! This is getting dangerous!" [Yoshino]: "I don't care if it's dangerous! I will walk the path I want to walk!" [Kotarou]: "But you're doing parkour..." An acrobatic sport which involves rapidly climbing up and jumping over various obstacles in an urban environment. It generally involves stylish leaps from roof to roof, so of course it's dangerous. [Kotarou]: (Wait...if he disappears now...does that mean...?) Will he get seriously injured and carried off by an ambulance? That definitely fits the prediction. Maybe what I'm doing right now is putting Yoshino in danger. [Kotarou]: "...crap." Since my legs are stronger, I am slowly closing the distance. But Yoshino picks more dangerous courses every time I get too close. If I want to stop him, I'm gonna need to catch up in an instant. [Kotarou]: "I'm gonna do it!" I slow down a bit and focus my mind. I think hard, imagining myself making sharper movements. Somewhere, somehow, an exchange takes place. I lose something, and my limbs fill with heat. [Kotarou]: "...wait for me, Yoshino." I jump forward. My body flies ahead much faster than before. I'm farther away from Yoshino now because I slowed down. The fastest way to catch up is... [Kotarou]: (That way!) I hop onto a tree, then an overhang from the gym, then a street lamp, then the gym's roof...all in one breath. I race across the gym roof and leap toward Yoshino. Falling from this height would break bones, but I grab onto a branch to absorb most of the momentum. I let go of it at just the right time, swinging towards Yoshino. [Kotarou]: "I call this the Flying Man, Yoshinoooooo!" [Yoshino]: "Whaaaaaat!?" Yoshino had no means of evading a midair surprise attack. Now that I think about it, I just dove off the gym roof, grabbed onto a tree branch and swung off it right into Yoshino. It felt a little...well, normally this is impossible, but I did it so there's not much else to say. We get tangled up and fall down the stairs. But since I used my full power in an unfamiliar environment, the impact was too strong. We bounce into the sky like a rubber ball. We get quite a bit of hangtime. All the students we can see below us are looking up with shocked expressions. [Yoshino]: "Uuoooooo!" [Kotarou]: "Hieeeeee!" We crash into the ground! ...but I never feel an impact. Somehow Shizuru managed to catch us with both arms. [Shizuru]: "...that was a surprise." [Kotarou]: "Good catch...you're amazing." [Kotarou]: "In this situation that might even spark love." [Shizuru]: "Sunny, with a chance of...Kotarou?" [Kotarou]: "Right." [Yoshino]: "...no it's not." [Shizuru]: "Anyway..." [Shizuru]: "...that's against the rules." [Kotarou]: "No, I'm pretty sure there's no rule against flying through the courtyard at high speed." [Shizuru]: "...that's over the speed limit." [Kotarou]: "All I did was restrain Yoshino." [Shizuru]: "...that's assault." [Kotarou]: "My heart muscles did freeze up so I thought I would die..." [Shizuru]: "...that's a health hazard." [Kotarou]: "We went at light speed and..." [Yoshino]: "...put us down already...people are staring." Yoshino feels embarrassed about being held up by a little girl. [Kotarou]: "A lot happened today, but...it was fun, right?" [Shizuru]: "I feel friendship." [Yoshino]: "I'm never screwing around with you again..." He breaks off relations again. [Shizuru]: "Don't worry." [Kotarou]: "I know." I can't do something that dangerous here! So I continue pursuing him naturally. [Kotarou]: "Stop, Yoshino! If you stop I won't chase you anymore!" [Yoshino]: "I'll stop when you stop following me!" [Kotarou]: "I will, so stop!" [Yoshino]: "Stop, then I will!" Dammit, there's no way to settle this. [Kotarou]: "I'll just have to catch up to him..." I pray and start focusing harder. I slowly catch up to Yoshino. [Yoshino]: "Dammit...I'll have to do this!" What I feared most starts happening. Yoshino hops off a wall without looking down. The ground on the far side of the wall is much lower. He's going to fall a long way down. I jump down after him. The moment I land, Yoshino vanishes before my eyes. [Kotarou]: "Yoshino!?" I run over to where he vanished. The ground suddenly sinks beneath my feet. I panic as I feel my body falling. [Kotarou]: (...a-a hole!?) Everything turns black. [Kotarou]: "...owwwww." That was a long drop. The impact stops me from moving for a few seconds. [Yoshino]: "Looks like you're all right. You have some amazing luck." [Kotarou]: "Is that you, Yoshino?" He's sitting down, deep within the darkness. [Yoshino]: "You're a really sturdy idiot. Are you even injured?" [Kotarou]: "Well, I hurt all over." [Yoshino]: "I didn't do so well. My leg's screwed up." [Kotarou]: "Is it broken?" [Yoshino]: "No, but I'll be coughing up blood tomorrow morning from the pain." [Kotarou]: "So you're not hurt at all, you bastard."

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Yoshino]: "Probably because I managed to grab the edge of the hole as I was falling, though my hand slipped..." [Kotarou]: "So where are we?" [Yoshino]: "I think we fell through a manhole." [Yoshino]: "You know there's a manhole at the bottom of those stairs, right?" [Kotarou]: "Aaah, that really old one..." Apparently it's been here since before the school was made. I've heard it isn't actually used for anything anymore. [Kotarou]: "So this is an old sewer?" [Yoshino]: "Beats me. It's too dark to tell..." I look up. The hole we fell through is directly above us. It's our only light source, but it looks really small from here. My sense of distance isn't working very well right now, but I can tell it's high up. [Kotarou]: "Can't we just climb up the ladder?" [Yoshino]: "Don't touch it!" [Kotarou]: "Wh-what was that for...?" [Yoshino]: "Look closer..." [Kotarou]: "...it's rusting?" [Yoshino]: "No one's been down here for several years." [Kotarou]: "This could break at any moment." If it breaks as we try to climb up, we're screwed. [Kotarou]: "The walls are slippery...and we can't climb this..." Even if I got "serious", I can't jump that high. [Kotarou]: "Getting on your shoulders won't give us enough height..." [Yoshino]: "I looked around for a way out, but everything's caved in." [Kotarou]: "...so we're stuck here." [Yoshino]: "That ladder is the only way out. But as you can see, it's too rusty." [Yoshino]: "My guess is we can only use it once." [Kotarou]: "Yoshino...were you waiting until I could move again?" [Kotarou]: "You could have escaped while I was lying on the ground." [Yoshino]: "How selfish do you think I am?" [Yoshino]: "You may be a piece of trash, but I'm not a coward who would abandon you here just to save myself." [Yoshino]: "...but if we fight first, things are different." [Kotarou]: "What?" [Yoshino]: "Fight me for real, and whoever wins uses the ladder." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Right now? Are you stupid?" [Yoshino]: "When else would we do it!? In any other situation you'd never fight me seriously." [Yoshino]: "I'm going to give you a mouthful of my slug shot." [Kotarou]: "Is slug shot the name of that really ordinary fist you're holding up?" [Yoshino]: "...h-how did you...see my stance in this darkness...?" [Kotarou]: (Crap...) [Kotarou]: "Wait, Yoshino. I'm fine with fighting...but not right now." [Yoshino]: "Why not, Tennouji? Give me a good reason." [Kotarou]: "The reason is I can't be bo-...I mean...Ummm...well...That's right, your kindness has moved my heart." [Kotarou]: "Do you really want to fight me while my fists are dulled by emotion?" [Yoshino]: "...hu! ...you talk a lot." He breaks his stance. I'm always glad Yoshino's so easy to manipulate. [Yoshino]: "So, now what? We can't shout loud enough to be heard outside, and our cell phones don't work." [Kotarou]: "I have an idea. Could you do exactly as I say?" [Yoshino]: "...all right, but what is it?" [Kotarou]: "Just wait a little." I get out my phone and enter data into La+. I can't connect to the internet this time, but I can guess the size of the room. It wants data on the ladder too, but without chemical analysis there's no way to tell it. So I figured out a way to express that it was too fragile to use more than once. Then I have it try to calculate how we can disappear. In this case, disappearing means escaping. After a short while, an answer pops out. [Kotarou]: "I've got it, Yoshino! I have our way out!" [Kotarou]: "This is kind of a cruel method though..." [Yoshino]: "...hm? What's that thing?" I tell Yoshino about La+. [Yoshino]: "...I can't believe you found a way to fight destiny before I did." [Kotarou]: "You picked the weirdest possible way to be shocked by this thing." [Kotarou]: "She said La+ is just a toy, but it did predict that you'd disappear from the school..." [Kotarou]: "Maybe it was a toy before, but now that it can import vast quantities of data from the net, it's a completely otherworldly program..." [Kotarou]: "This might just be..." [Yoshino]: "So how do you propose we break out of this trap the god called fate has set for us?" Translation: How do we get out of here? [Kotarou]: "Simple. We each use the ladder." [Yoshino]: "...I said we can only use it once." [Kotarou]: "Normally, yes, that'd be the case." [Kotarou]: "But there's a way to give us a better chance of making it up." [Yoshino]: "And what way is that?" [Kotarou]: "...we make ourselves lighter." [Yoshino]: "Huh?" [Kotarou]: "You don't understand?" [Yoshino]: "Are you saying we need to go on a diet down here?" [Kotarou]: "There's a simpler way." [Kotarou]: "...our uniforms are actually really heavy. Did you know that?" [Yoshino]: "...hu!" [Yoshino]: "The hollow sound of the handless pianist on a summer night may be the sound of fallen angels born in my heart..." [Kotarou]: "Stop before I cry." [Kotarou]: "This is no time to go insane and start writing poetry." [Yoshino]: "...sorry, the rookie's poetry award winners are gonna be announced soon..." [Kotarou]: "...you submitted something...?" [Kotarou]: "A-anyway, if we get naked we'll be lighter. That slight weight difference might just be enough." [Kotarou]: "The ladder might just be able to support both of us." [Yoshino]: "Why do we have to get naked!?" [Kotarou]: "To escape, duh!" [Yoshino]: "You want me to do something that perverse!? I'd rather die!" [Kotarou]: "You dumbaaaaass!!" [Yoshino]: "Gubuu!" I knock him back. [Yoshino]: "...what was that for!?" [Kotarou]: "What happened to you!? The Yoshino I know wouldn't give up that easily." [Kotarou]: "Don't lose to your stupid pride!" [Yoshino]: "...Tennouji." [Yoshino]: "You think you know it all...fine, I'll do it!!" Yoshino begins stripping. (*: For the rest of this scene Yoshino-kun's sprite will not be displayed, because I don't want to look at him naked.) [Kotarou]: "You understand me!" I'm also buck naked. Obviously, once we reach the surface we need to stop being naked as soon as possible.

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> We decide to wrap up all our clothes and cell phones and throw them up through the hole like a basketball. That way we can put them on as soon as we get out, hopefully before anyone sees us. We failed several times, but it worked when we tried throwing just our clothes. [Kotarou]: "Now we're just as nature intended." [Yoshino]: "This'll get really bad if we don't change quickly..." [Kotarou]: "Yoshino, you go first." [Yoshino]: "Is that supposed to be pity?" [Kotarou]: "I hit you earlier. This is to make up for that." [Yoshino]: "Hmph, lame excuse." [Yoshino]: "Then I'll finish my climb first." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, if the ladder breaks after you get up...you can do whatever you want." [Yoshino]: "Don't worry, I'll tell the authorities you're here." Yoshino grabs the ladder. [Yoshino]: "Uuoooo!" The ladder makes worrying creaking noises, but it doesn't break. [Kotarou]: "...now me." I grab it. Chills run down my spine. I can feel it. It's on the verge of breaking. [Kotarou]: "Please...hold on a little longer." I slowly, carefully climb the ladder. Some of the rungs fall out from under me on the way, but I manage to reach the surface. [Kotarou]: "Freedom!" I emerge from the ground naked. I stand tall, displaying my masculine crotch. But Yoshino isn't there. Instead, there are several girls on their way home. [Kotarou]: "...eh?" [Girl]: "Kyaaaaa! Who's that!?" [Girl]: "Another pervert! There's another pervert here!" [Girl]: "No, what, why is this happening!?" [Girl]: "The underground nudists are invading us!" [Girl]: "I need to take a picture!" [Kotarou]: "N-noooooooo!" I cover my crotch with both hands and rush into a nearby thicket. I find Yoshino in there. [Kotarou]: "...there you are." [Yoshino]: "When I got out...there was that club of girls...practicing for some sport..." [Kotarou]: "Where are our clothes!?" [Yoshino]: "One of the club members took them away." [Kotarou]: "Stop, come baaack!" [Yoshino]: "We can't stop her! We'll be arrested for attempted rape!" [Kotarou]: "Eh? So...we have no clothes?" [Yoshino]: "...or cell phones." I go pale. The sun is still high in the sky. Modern society is very cruel to naked people. [Kotarou]: "Wh-what the hell do we do...?" [Yoshino]: "How should I know!? I didn't know they were here either." [Girl]: "Sensei, the pervs are over here!" [Yoshino]: "No, they're coming!" [Kotarou]: "The clothed people! The race that wears cloth on their bodies is coming to destroy us!" [Yoshino]: "If they find us, our lives will be ruined forever!" [Kotarou]: "Yoshino, we're gonna have to break out of this bush and run around in stealth mode!" [Yoshino]: "You're right, we have no choice...okay, let's go this way." [Yoshino]: "The bushes should hide us for a while." We crawl through the thicket like cockroaches. After several seconds, our precious flora dies off. But it's only a short sprint to the school. [Kotarou]: "The window's open, and no one's inside." [Kotarou]: "We just need to wait until no one's around, and rush into the room..." [Yoshino]: "Agreed. On your mark." [Kotarou]: "Ready, set...GO!" We start racing toward the school. [Sports Team Girls]: "Kazamatsuri, let's go! Let's go! Let's go!" [Kotarou]: "The softballers! The most aggressive of all sports teams!" [Yoshino]: "We can't let them capture us! Run!" Yoshino and I just barely manage to slip inside before anyone calls attention to us. However... [Sports Team Girls]: "Kyaaaaaaa! There are perverts in the school!" A huge group of girls is doing push-ups inside. That's why we couldn't see them through the window. [Kotarou]: "Uwaaaaaaa! They were doing push-ups!?" [Sports Team Girls]: "Our team may be too small to have our own training ground, but we won't be defeated by a pair of perverts!" The girls pick up darts and throw them at us. [Yoshino]: "The darts team!?" [Kotarou]: "Ruuun!" Any hope of stealth is long gone. We had no choice but to race down the halls at full speed. Throwing darts at people is unforgivable! But to society, perverts are several hundred times more offensive. [Yoshino]: "Uu!" As we run, Yoshino grabs his ass and leaps up. ...we're lucky that was the extent of the damage. But then we see a large number of girls ahead of us...and I abandon all hope. [Kotarou]: "...Yoshino, we're done for. Cover your face instead of your crotch!" [Yoshino]: "Whaaaaaaat!? WHY!?" [Kotarou]: "If they know who we are we'll get suspended! Forget about your crotch!" [Yoshino]: "Uuu...uu...uuu..." [Yoshino]: "God...dammit..." [Yoshino]: "Goddamn iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!" We rush through the school using the forbidden face guard running technique. [Girl]: "Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" [Girl]: "What the hell was that!?" [Girl]: "That's full frontal nudity!" [Girl]: "Tackle them! Castrate them!" [Kotarou]: "Hii! Hiiiiii!" We shake off a series of brutal pursuers as we search for clothing. [Yoshino]: "Clothes...where can we get clothes!?" We encounter several more perils along the way. At one point we cover ourselves with leaves. At another we use some paint to make it look like we're wearing swim trunks. But the wind and water return us to our naked state, as if mocking our efforts. Our journey ends when we finally manage to hide in the staff room and retrieve our uniforms and cell phones. Of course, Yoshino hits me again. Again he vows to never play with me again. But there's no doubt we will never forget this experience. We'll remember it for the rest of our lives... In that sense, you could call it a memory. Nudists sighted―― That bit of news races through the school in no time. The teachers looked for the culprits but couldn't find them, so the knowledge of their existence was passed down for generations by the students. [Akane]: "Oh, the newspaper has a fun article about nudists in the school." [Akane]: "Apparently they scream "DOES ANYONE HAVE CLOTHES!?" and try to steal what everyone else is wearing..." [Chihaya]: "Isn't that just a pervert?"

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Akane]: "This seems like just the kind of thing you'd like, Tennouji. You sure you don't want to investigate it?" [Kotarou]: "...there are truths better left unknown." [Akane]: "...oh? That's not like you." [Akane]: "So how was La+?" It was pretty accurate. But if I admit that, I'll have to explain what happened. I already threw away my pride as a man to protect that information. [Kotarou]: "...it was a useless piece of trash." [Akane]: "So I win this round." [Kotarou]: "...I don't care anymore." [Chihaya]: "What are you talking about?" [Akane]: "Why don't you try it too?" [Chihaya]: "This doesn't make much sense, but it looks fun." [Chihaya]: "I'll have Sakuya try it out." Chihaya leaves. [Akane]: "By the way, I forgot to mention it, but La+ always calculates futures where you end up naked. It's probably meant as a joke. The "La" is even written with the kanji for "naked"." [Kotarou]: "Why didn't you say that earlier!?" [Sakuya]: "Hu, evidently no matter what I do with this it forces me to remove my clothes..." [Sakuya]: "I've managed to keep my shirt and underwear on...but even for Chihaya-san, this is a shameful task." [Girls]: "Kyaaaaa! (very happy screams)" [Girl]: "Umm, if you don't mind, please use this towel!" [Sakuya]: "Oh, thank you very much." Apparently it's useful for good-looking guys. ...that annoys me. None of the usual suspects are in the classroom today. [Kotarou]: "Aaah..." That's right, that creepy man is going to be hosting a lunch party today. [Kotarou]: "Was it in the club room...?" Well, let's go check. No one's here. [Kotarou]: "Huh...?" [Kotarou]: "Did they leave me here...?" That's kinda mean. [Kotarou]: "Hm?" There's a note here. "The weather's nice today so we all went outside. -Mama" "P.S.: Item 1 is complete! Equip it immediately!!" This is definitely his doing. Next to the note is a pair of plastic glasses with a nose and mustache. [Kotarou]: "I'm not equipping this! Who the hell would!!?" I smack the note down on the table. And why outside!!? Mama should think more about her children!! [Kotarou]: "That bastard...I'll get you for this someday." For now I put the glasses on. I actually kinda like silly things like this. [Kotarou]: "Ah!" There's something strange about the letter. [Kotarou]: "Whoa, putting on the glasses makes a map appear...!!" I am needlessly impressed. Everyone's sitting down on a huge waterproof sheet in the courtyard, surrounding a multi-tier bentou. [Sakuya]: "Hello, you are quite late." [Kotarou]: "Because of you." [Chihaya]: "You're such a slowpoke, Kotarou." [Akane]: "Time is money, Tennouji Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "I would've gotten here faster if a certain someone hadn't interfered." She pats an empty part of the sheet next to her. [Kotarou]: "Thank you, Shizuru. You're so kind." Her face goes red. "Stop it, you're embarrassing me." She shakes her head. [Kotarou]: "It's fine, calm down." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." I sit down. [Kotarou]: "...there's not much left..." The empty space in the bentou boxes is all too obvious. [Sakuya]: "Do not worry. I suspected this might happen, so I preserved a certain portion of it for Silly Dimwitarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "I'm not a dimwit." [Kotarou]: "Though it's strange for you to do something nice." [Sakuya]: "Hahaha, please do not compliment me. It is disgusting." [Kotarou]: "Don't worry, the odds of me complimenting you are the same as a pillbug beating a level 99 great dragon." [Sakuya]: "I see. That is good to hear." He rummages through his bag. [Sakuya]: "Here are your bread crusts, Dimwitarou-kun, since you love them so much." [Kotarou]: "Uwaaaaai!! Yaaaay～!!" [Kotarou]: "I'll kill you." [Sakuya]: "That was a joke. You have such a short temper." [Kotarou]: "And stop calling me a "dimwit"." [Sakuya]: "It is but a trivial error." [Sakuya]: "Anyway, I have prepared a ham and egg sandwich for you." [Kotarou]: "Oh...that actually is something I like." I take it. [Kotarou]: "Let's see if it's any good." *munch* [Kotarou]: "Mm..." This is... [Kotarou]: "Crap, it's delicious." [Sakuya]: "I see. That is good to hear." *munch* *munch* [Kotarou]: "Omp...*swallow*" I devour the two sandwiches in no time at all while making strange noises. [Kotarou]: "There's only one left!!" [Sakuya]: "Yes, that is the last of your lunch." [Kotarou]: "Eeeh? That's nowhere near enough." Hasn't everyone else eaten more? [Chihaya]: "?" That girl and her phenomenal metabolism definitely ate more than me. [Kotarou]: "Dammit...watching other people eat makes me hungrier." [Sakuya]: "Hahaha, Dimwitarou-kun, you are so selfish." [Kotarou]: "Say what you want. I can't help being hungry." I'm not that gluttonous anyway. That just wasn't enough. If I don't get something else, I'll have to dash to the store and buy something before class. [Sakuya]: "Was it that delicious?" [Kotarou]: "I said so earlier." [Sakuya]: "Yes, but I did not feel any appreciation from you when you said it." [Kotarou]: "What...?" [Kotarou]: "Fine. I'll put together a review so fabulous future cooking manga will look to it for inspiration." I take a bite of the remaining sandwich. I begin compiling a mental report as I eat. First, the texture. The bread feels soft and plump, like an angel's wings, and the sense of biting into the fresh lettuce feels as exhilarating as snapping bamboo. In addition, the seasoning of the eggs is marvelous! It's assaulting my sense receptors! Following that up like a pair of Dellingers is the rich, thick flavor of the ham! This is the true king of sandwiches! King of the Sandy Wiiiiiiiitch!! [Chihaya]: "That was delicious."

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Sakuya]: "I am glad you enjoyed it." [Kotarou]: "Noooooooooooooooooooo!" [Sakuya]: "What? Standing up and shouting in the middle of a meal is the epitome of rudeness." [Kotarou]: "...never mind..." [Kotori]: "It was delicious." She nods. [Lucia]: "These are quite good." [Chihaya]: "Don't pout so much." [Kotarou]: "Hearing that from someone who started sooner and ate faster than me isn't going to make me feel any better about it." [Sakuya]: "It was unfortunate. I will make some more for you later." [Kotarou]: "What gives? Hearing you say something nice just feels weird..." [Sakuya]: "Not at all, I am merely the type to bring bananas whenever I take a walk in the forest." [Kotarou]: "I'm no monkey, dammit!" That was a thoroughly unacceptable lunch. ...though what I did have tasted good... After school. [Kotarou]: "We need to look for leads..." Even that statement feels hollow now. [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm." I have to admit talking to random people and reading through these books isn't all that fun. Which means we need to do some fieldwork. Today we have...Prez, Chihaya with Sakuya, Kotori, Shizuru and Lucia. That's everyone in the club. [Kotarou]: (This might be my best chance.) Not to mention I've been thinking about reinvestigating that spiriting away incident. I'd forgotten an important clue about it until recently. [Ex-Prez]: "There were lots of legends about it. At midnight the school was said to suck you into an alternate dimension." I even managed to find something about it in the old Occult Club's papers. [Kotarou]: "Yes, midnight." From what they found, it didn't always happen at midnight, but that was when it happened the most. In any event, that's a huge hint for our investigation. Normally we all just lounge around here and chat, so we can just keep doing that until midnight. [Kotarou]: (This is gonna be our first big investigation!) And it's in the school, so there's no need for preparation. We can treat it like a traditional test of courage. [Kotarou]: "Everyone!" I put together the plan immediately. I scribble various ideas on the whiteboard and ardently express my opinion. This is guaranteed to be a fun investigation. We've never slept at the school overnight before. So there's no reason not to do this investigation. [Kotarou]: "...that's all I have to say. Any questions?" [Akane]: "No objections." [Kotarou]: "Okay, then let's do it!" [Akane]: "Yes, have fun with that." [Kotarou]: "...what?" [Kotori]: "I don't have a change of clothes here though..." [Lucia]: "Besides, sleeping over in school is a blatant rule violation." [Shizuru]: "...it sounds fun, but it's against the rules." [Chihaya]: "There's a TV show I wanna watch tonight." [Kotarou]: "Uu..." I forgot. These girls don't care at all. I'll have to get rid of their excuses... [Kotarou]: "...hey." [Sakuya]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "Record the show Chihaya wants to watch." [Sakuya]: "I was wondering what you'd say. Naturally I know all the shows Chihaya-san likes and record every episode of them each week without exception." [Kotarou]: "You heard him." [Chihaya]: "Then I'm fine with it." [Kotarou]: "Kotori, you needed clothes, right? Just go get them and come right back. There's a shower here and everything." [Kotori]: "Hmmmm..." [Kotori]: "Do we have to sleep here?" [Kotarou]: "...we've gotta be here at midnight..." [Kotori]: "Sleeping over seems a bit ambitious..." [Sakuya]: "I could escort you home if the need arises." [Kotori]: "Then I'm fine." [Kotarou]: "Eeeh...?" Sleeping over's gonna be much more fun... [Kotarou]: "Oh well...so we'll go home when we're done investigating." [Lucia]: "Wait, wait...it's still against the rules. I cannot allow that." [Kotarou]: "Prez, is it possible to be in the school that late without breaking rules?" [Akane]: "...back when the school had culture festivals, they approved a handful of sleepovers..." [Kotarou]: "So in principle there's no reason why we can't be here at night. We just need permission." [Kotori]: "Not to mention Prez sleeps here every night anyway." [Akane]: "......you're right, I might be able to get permission for it." [Kotarou]: "You heard her." [Lucia]: "B-but..." [Shizuru]: "If the school's fine, I'm fine." [Kotarou]: "Thank goodness we have such a lenient moral guardian here." [Lucia]: "Sh-Shizuru...!" [Kotarou]: "So, what about you, class rep?" [Lucia]: "Uu..." [Lucia]: "I-I have no choice but to join her..." [Shizuru]: "You don't have to stay here if you don't want to..." [Lucia]: "Yes I do! I cannot allow you and this man to be together at night...!" [Lucia]: "Who knows what he might do if I'm not guarding you!?" [Kotarou]: "Okaaay, everyone's joining in." [Lucia]: "Haa..." [Kotarou]: "Okay, Prez?" [Akane]: "It's fine by me..." [Akane]: "I take it you have a very good reason to think it's worth this much trouble?" [Kotarou]: "...yeah, something like that." I've been to the alternate dimension myself after all. [Kotori]: "So someone was "spirited away"..." [Chihaya]: "I'm still not sure what that means exactly." [Kotarou]: "Yeah...there are a lot of different stories about this going back a long ways." [Akane]: "Well, most of them are probably no different from modern urban legends about murderers." [Akane]: "Need I explain myself further?" [Kotarou]: "No, I agree a lot of them are just rumors like that..." [Kotarou]: "But there are quite a few actual cases of groups of people vanishing into thin air." [Kotarou]: "This is probably a really small-scale version..." [Akane]: "Interesting. Could you share an example?" [Kotarou]: "The most famous would be the Bermuda Triangle." [Kotarou]: "Lots of ships and planes have gone missing in that area." [Kotarou]: "There's even one weird story where a plane flew through some white smoke." [Kotarou]: "It landed safely at its destination, but thirty minutes ahead of schedule for some reason."

<METADATA> Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Isn't that a lot like this lead? People vanish and are never found again, and the passage of time gets screwed up..." [Akane]: "They just miscalculated their flight time." [Akane]: "Did they have any way to measure time? And do we know what their flight path and airspeed were?" [Kotarou]: "Uu..." [Akane]: "Also, there are a number of theories about Bermuda. Aside from the alternate dimension one..." [Akane]: "There's the black hole theory." [Kotarou]: "Uu." [Chihaya]: "What's that?" [Akane]: "The planes and ships that went off course were redirected by a black hole. The changes in time around that area can be explained by the wormhole theory." [Chihaya]: "I still don't understand." [Akane]: "Apparently it's possible to pass through the center of a black hole without passing through any time." [Akane]: "However..." [Akane]: "That's a typical example of people who don't know the theory twisting it to fit the problem." [Akane]: "There's no way for a black hole to fit on earth's surface. And do you know the size of an actual wormhole opening?" [Akane]: "The current theories on wormholes state that not even an ant would be able to slip through into another dimension, much less a whole plane." [Akane]: "And in order for time travel to work, you have to be moving at light speed as you pass through it." [Chihaya]: "Light speed? Why do you have to go that fast? Can't you just go in?" [Akane]: "Go learn relativity." [Kotarou]: "The closer a moving object gets to light speed, the slower it moves through time." [Chihaya]: "But why? And what's relativity?" [Kotarou]: "Solving that riddle is the meaning of your life." [Akane]: "So, you said white smoke, right? How do you explain that?" Chihaya gets ignored. [Akane]: "Talking about phenomena which science has proven impossible doesn't make you look very smart." [Kotarou]: "Daaa! Fine, I get it! Never mind!" [Akane]: "Inserting a dramatic element like white smoke just adds termites eating holes in your argument when it comes time to actually prove it." [Akane]: "Not to mention all the time paradoxes." [Kotarou]: "Mmm..." Wait. [Kotarou]: "Prez." [Akane]: "What? Did you come up with a better theory?" [Kotarou]: "No, not that..." [Kotarou]: "But everything you just said only demonstrates that science can't explain those incidents. Doesn't that make it paranormal!?" [Kotarou]: "You were digging your own grave the whole time!" [Akane]: "Hu." She laughed... [Akane]: "Then let me ask you something." [Akane]: "Have any Bermuda Triangle incidents actually taken place?" [Kotarou]: "Eh? Well, there've been several accidents..." [Akane]: "Yes, it's probably true that ships and planes crash there a lot." [Akane]: "But as for the anecdote about the plane arriving early, there's no reason to assume that was supernatural." [Kotarou]: "I was trying to say those accidents happened for supernatural reasons!" [Akane]: "...so what's unique about crashes in the Bermuda Triangle that doesn't apply to other plane and ship crashes? Do you have any data to answer that?" [Kotarou]: "Uu..." [Akane]: "Maybe there are lots of crashes because of methane hydrate from an underwater volcano. But there's nothing unscientific about that." [Akane]: "And the plane that arrived early just miscalculated how long it would take." [Kotarou]: "Dammit..." [Kotarou]: "Then what about this?" [Kotarou]: "The Philadelphia Experiment." [Kotori]: "Ah, I've heard of that before." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, they made a movie out of it." [Akane]: "Was that the experiment where they tried using Tesla coils to demagnetize a ship and evade radar?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, but when they turned on the coils the ship was covered in green light and teleported. When they found where it went, they discovered some of the sailors were embedded in the walls, among other weird things." [Kotarou]: "Isn't that also something science can't explain?" [Kotarou]: "Some even say it teleported back later, or that it vanished for good." [Akane]: "That was probably something like this." [Sam]: "Wow! Did you hear about it Johnny!?" [Johnny]: "What is it? Did you drink so much your wife got fed up with you!? You're always doing shit like that!" [Sam]: "Come on, don't joke about that, Johnny! Anyway, there was this weird experiment." [Johnny]: "What? Using electric generators to slip through radar?" [Sam]: "Yeah! We tried it today, but I got a finger stuck in one of the instruments!" [Sam]: "Then it got dragged in so far the whole thing short-circuited and burned me! Look at this!" [Johnny]: "Whoa! Did your wife throw some sizzling fried chicken at you or something?" [Sam]: "Stop joking about this, Johnny! I get along perfectly fine with my family in Norfolk!" [Sam]: "Jesus, I'm so sick of being on ships!" [Johnny]: "Come on! Don't get ahead of yourself!" [Akane]: "...it starts out like that." [Akane]: "Then it gets thoroughly distorted in the rumor mill until stuff about teleportation and green light gets thrown in." [Kotarou]: "You're taking a lot of steps for granted." [Akane]: "The idea that emitting strange colors of light has anything to do with teleportation is just as illogical." [Kotarou]: "Eeeh? But claiming the entire story has no basis in fact whatsoever is more unnatural..." [Akane]: "Hmph. Explanations like that stop being unnatural very quickly after some historical investigation." [Akane]: "Besides, if Tesla coils could teleport things, how come lightning striking planes never does anything similar? It's certainly not rare for planes to get struck by lightning." [Kotarou]: "Uuu..." ...ah. [Kotarou]: "Then the story about the white smoke in the Bermuda Triangle is a case where it did cause teleportation!" [Kotarou]: "Tesla coils and lightning are both capable of generating plasma, so they could be the same kind of phenomenon!" [Akane]: "But the men on the plane seemed perfectly fine, and no one reported a green glow, right? They just don't match." [Kotarou]: "Aaaaaaaaaa come oooooooon!!" [Lucia]: "You have lost, Tennouji." [Kotarou]: "She's just good at arguing..." [Akane]: "By the way, the stuff Hutchison claimed to do with Tesla coils is 99.9% fabricated." [Kotarou]: "...you were ready for that too..." [Akane]: "Trying to fight me with information anyone can get through Google is a bad idea." [Kotarou]: "But Tesla coils are so cool...they do all sorts of stuff in movies..."

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Akane]: "Plasma seems to affect human brainwaves." [Akane]: "It's likely that many people who claim to have seen paranormal phenomena were influenced that way." [Kotarou]: "Eeeh..." [Akane]: "And plasma may have other properties we don't understand yet." [Akane]: "It might be possible to perform teleportation or time travel with it in some form." [Akane]: "Though it's hardly satisfying to claim every paranormal phenomenon can be explained with some unknown property of plasma." [Kotarou]: "...what if it turns out it can do that stuff?" [Akane]: "I'll just rejoice at humanity's progress and become a time traveler." [Kotarou]: "You opportunist!" [Akane]: "You can find some books about this on the shelf over there." [Kotarou]: "Maybe I should study it a bit..." [Akane]: "Also, if they do find scientific evidence of such properties, that means you lose." [Kotarou]: "Aaaaah! We switched positions agaaaaaaaain!!" [Akane]: "And knowing all about these incidents makes it much easier to deny they were paranormal." [Akane]: "Everything in Bermuda was exaggerated." [Akane]: "The Philadelphia story was some drunk boasting." [Kotarou]: "Fine, the spiriting away stuff was all some tengu's fault! Let's just go with that!!" [Akane]: "Tengu are just mountain hermits." [Kotarou]: "Uuu..." [Chihaya]: "So, is that it?" [Kotori]: "That was pretty fun." [Chihaya]: "I couldn't understand most of it." [Akane]: "I was making it as simple as I possibly could." [Akane]: "Well, that was fun." [Kotarou]: "You just enjoy listening to yourself talk..." [Kotarou]: "Why are you smiling at me?" [Akane]: "Come to think of it, it's rare for you to remain silent that long." [Sakuya]: "Yes, there were many points where I could have chimed in, but..." [Sakuya]: "It was just so fun watching Failtarou-kun argue with you, Akane-san." [Kotarou]: "It's Kotarou." [Akane]: "...you really are annoying..." [Kotarou]: "Whatever...I can't beat you in an argument..." [Kotarou]: "So let's go experience it for ourselves, Prez." [Kotarou]: "You get really demotivated when I ask you to walk somewhere..." [Akane]: "...well, I can probably survive walking around school..." Okay, that's settled. [Sakuya]: "And so, I have prepared dinner for everyone. Please enjoy." [Kotori]: "It's nabe! Nabe!!" [Sakuya]: "I have prepared a bouillabaisse-style soup made with seafood. I removed as many bones as I could." [Shizuru]: "Mmm...there's no saury..." [Sakuya]: "Then I shall include that next time. There is another recipe I'd like to try." [Shizuru]: ".........?" Shizuru looks at Sakuya's face with great interest. [Sakuya]: "A saury-based Basque vinaigrette sauce. It was invented in Spain, but it is very delicious." Shizuru's head is probably full of delusions about the unknown flavors of Spanish saury. [Kotori]: "Class rep, aren't you gonna have some?" [Lucia]: "...I-I just..." [Chihaya]: "You're not going to call it filthy, right?" [Shizuru]: "There, there, there." Shizuru hands Lucia a full plate. [Lucia]: "O-of course I want to eat. I merely paused because this has not happened before." [Sakuya]: "If there's something you don't like about it, do not hesitate to say so. I can avoid it next time." [Lucia]: "It's all right. I appreciate the concern, but it wasn't that." [Chihaya]: "You can be such a handful." [Lucia]: "I never asked you two to do anything for me." [Kotarou]: "Daaa! Stop fighting you two!" [Kotarou]: "Prez, stop ignoring this and walking away with all the sea breams!" [Akane]: "You've put some wonderful things in here. I commend you." [Sakuya]: "Thank you very much." [Kotarou]: "Stop it! I wanted one of those!" [Sakuya]: "You really are selfish, Failtarou-kun. I have others here for you." [Kotarou]: "That's not the point!" [Chihaya]: "You're picking fights with people too." [Kotori]: "Peace is better for everyone." [Lucia]: "Shizuru, you seem very engrossed in eating." "But it's so delicious." She looks embarrassed. [Kotori]: "Every household should have a Sakuya-san." [Sakuya]: "Thank you. Those who cook love nothing more than hearing those words." [Chihaya]: "The cabbage is great too." [Sakuya]: "Perhaps next time I should base this on meat rather than seafood, then add some kimchi on top." [Lucia]: "That does sound good." [Kotarou]: "Not that it matters, but please stop going out of your way to make only bean sprouts float in my direction." [Chihaya]: "Who cares? The bean sprouts are delicious too." The moment Chihaya says that, the bean sprouts move toward her, and I get shirataki noodles instead. [Kotarou]: "Never mind...this is good enough..." [Akane]: "You must not disobey the nabe magistrate." [Kotarou]: "I still have the right to complain about his extreme bias." [Kotori]: "Then I'll give you some shrimp." Shizuru gives me fish. [Kotarou]: "Oooh...finally, I have protein!" [Akane]: "Huu, that was excellent." Prez' plate is littered with bones and fillet. ...the nabe hierarchy here is way too obvious... We finish off the entire pot. [Kotori]: "That was goooood." [Kotarou]: "Nabe is a wonderful thing." [Akane]: "That's the end of that for tonight." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, good job everyone." [Shizuru]: "Job everyone." [Kotarou]: "You all thought I'd forgotten about it, didn't you!?" [Lucia]: "You started acting like you had." [Kotarou]: "Of course not. Come on, we've gotta start searching! Get your things ready!" [Akane]: "Not right now." [Kotarou]: "Eh? But we're gonna miss midnight if we don't..." [Akane]: "I want to watch a movie." ...a screen comes down from the ceiling, with a projection of a pay-per-view movie. [Kotarou]: "Can't you just record that...?" [Akane]: "I want to watch it now." Then we all start watching it together... [Kotori]: "That was a good movie."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Lucia]: "The demolition failure was a complete shock...do you think it's because we're Japanese?" [Kotori]: "True, Japan doesn't like demolishing buildings with explosives." [Shizuru]: "The elephant's power was astonishing..." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, he snapped iron poles in half. He could probably slaughter hundreds." [Kotarou]: "Hm? What is it, Prez?" [Akane]: "...I couldn't focus on the movie at all because the girl in front of me kept going "Waaa!" and "Oooh!" and shaking her head all over the place." [Chihaya]: "But there were so many surprises!" [Kotarou]: "Anyway, now that we're done watching that..." [Kotarou]: "Let's go investigate the alternate dimension!" [Akane]: "The news is on." [Kotarou]: "JUST RECORD IT!!!" [Akane]: "I'm kidding." [Kotarou]: "If you hate the idea that much you don't have to come..." I was always ready to do it without you. [Akane]: "I asked for all the security to be removed, so have fun out there." [Kotarou]: "Got it." We leave the club room, leaving Prez and Sakuya behind. [Kotori]: "...the school is scary at night." [Chihaya]: "Could we turn some lights on?" [Kotarou]: "It'd probably be bad to draw attention to ourselves. Let's just keep going." [Kotarou]: "We've been everywhere now." [Kotori]: "Nothing happened at all." [Kotarou]: "Yeah...I'm honestly surprised this place is so empty. All we did was walk around..." [Lucia]: "Is that not what we intended to do? Let's head back now." [Kotarou]: "No, no, no, we've only just started." [Chihaya]: "We're gonna do that all again!?" [Kotarou]: "If it was that easy to find it wouldn't be a mystery in the first place." [Shizuru]: "Maybe we should split up." [Kotarou]: "Good idea..." [Kotarou]: "There are six of us. Let's split into three pairs." Team A Team B [Kotarou]: "That's weird. Why am I on my own?" [Kotori]: "Accept reality." [Chihaya]: "Maybe we should call Akane-san and have her come after all." [Kotarou]: "Would she want to?" [Kotori]: "We got her to come along once before." [Kotarou]: "That's true..." [Kotarou]: "Guess it's worth asking anyway." [Akane]: "Can't." [Kotarou]: "Damn." Thought so. [Kotarou]: "Are you sure there's..." [Akane]: "No, I can't." [Kotarou]: "Why...?" [Akane]: "A team deathmatch just started." [Akane]: "Don't worry, my heart is with you always." [Kotarou]: "Umm...that's a good line, but..." [Akane]: "Ah!!" [Kotarou]: "Eh? What?" [Akane]: "Damn you...I wasn't prepared for a banzai attack..." [Akane]: "Getting surprised by that is more irritating than anything..." [Kotarou]: "Thank you very much." [Kotarou]: "Let's have one team of three." [Kotori]: "You get lonely so easily..." [Lucia]: "Which pair do you want to join?" [Kotarou]: "Actually...never mind, I'm gonna give this another shot." I call Akane again. [Akane]: "Hello, this is Senri." [Kotarou]: "Ah, Prez?" [Akane]: "At the moment I do not see a shred of value in listening to the words of an unenlightened slob such as yourself." [Akane]: "If you insist on disturbing my pristine sanctuary of knowledge, describe the utterly meaningless and pitiful state of your life after the beep before cremating yourself." [Akane]: "A pox on your family. Amen." *beep* I hang up. [Kotori]: "How'd it go? Though I can guess from your face..." [Kotarou]: "She's mocking me..." [Kotarou]: "Dammit, it's a battle of wills now!" I call her yet again. [Akane]: "Hello, this is Senri." It sounds like a synthetic voice now... *beep* [Kotarou]: "What the hell was that!? Give me back those twenty seconds of my life!!!" [Kotarou]: "One more time...!" [Akane]: "Hello, this is Senri." [Akane]: "This is Akane's crash course on how to go to hell." [Akane]: "There are people who've fallen into a slump after getting their wives and wallets mixed up. Let's all try to learn from this." [Akane]: "According to a certain industrialist, this happened to someone he was eating lunch with before a business deal." [Akane]: "Unfortunately, the man had forgotten his wallet. Since he needed cash, he opened up his company's bank account and withdrew a significant amount." [Akane]: "The meal itself went quite smoothly. But then the man received a telephone call." *beep* [Kotarou]: "Guaaaaaaaaaa don't leave me hanging like thaaaaaaaaaaat!!!" I wanna know how it ends! [Chihaya]: "You should really give up." She's just mocking me... [Kotarou]: "Fine...I'll go there in person..." [Shizuru]: "You wanna patrol with Prez that badly?" [Kotarou]: "Not that...if the two of us go together, we're more likely to find something I don't like..." [Kotarou]: "What I want to do is get some revenge..." [Kotarou]: "No matter what it takes, I will stick a wet tissue to Prez' neck and point and laugh when she goes "Hyaaa!" and jumps...!" [Kotori]: "Such a child." [Kotarou]: "Anywaaay!" [Kotarou]: "You four start walking around. I'll head off in another direction after you're all gone." [Kotarou]: "...it'll be midnight in one hour. Let's try to get back to the club room by 12:10 AM." [Kotori]: "Should we try going places we didn't go before?" [Kotarou]: "Probably. But I'll leave that for you guys to decide." [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" I turn around. A chill runs down my spine. ...the other end of the hallway looks dark. As if it goes on forever... In fact, it looks like it really does go on forever. [Kotarou]: (Crap...) I know this feeling. The endless hallway... Crap, this just had to happen right after I ended up alone... I need to escape. I head for the stairs. [Kotarou]: "...what the hell?" I look down over the railing, but I can't see the bottom of the staircase at all.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> I try dropping a pencil down there. [Kotarou]: "It's bottomless..." This is bad... I don't like the idea of using these stairs. When I ended up here with Yoshino, we made it back by bursting into a classroom. ...I'll just have to try all the doors... I continue walking alone. But no matter how far I go, all the classrooms are the same. [Kotarou]: "Dammit..." I start worrying I won't be able to get back. ...I get nervous. I take deep breaths. Nothing to worry about. Everyone who's been here before has come back just fine. Still, there's no sign of me getting back to reality like this. Maybe I should try changing floors... I find some stairs, and try going down a floor. [Kotarou]: "Huh...?" The stairs suddenly stop. I go to the bottom, and find a metal door. I try turning the knob, and it doesn't seem to be locked. I go inside. The moment I open the door, wind blows in, as if it leads outside. [Kotarou]: "What the hell is this...?" Bare concrete walls and floors. This isn't normal. It feels like an unfinished corridor. The ceiling is so high up it looks like gray mist. [Kotarou]: (...this is under the stairs...?) What should I do? This is clearly abnormal. [Kotarou]: (Guess I'll take a look around...) I carefully look in all directions, then step forward. The walls don't have the slightly dirty feel you'd expect underground structures to have. There isn't a single spot on them. Not even on the floor. It's practically brand new. I run my fingers along the wall. It doesn't feel as rough as concrete. It must be made from something else. I'd better take some pictures. It feels like the silence suddenly got thicker. The sound of the wind...even the flow of the air is audible now. It's like a whistling noise. [Kotarou]: "Crap..." Being alone in a situation like this is dangerous. It always is in horror movies. Whenever someone goes off on their own and ends up missing, their corpse gets found the next day. That applies whether it's a human killer or a mysterious paranormal phenomenon. If that sort of thing actually happens, then obviously it'd be because people are easier to kill on their own. Just being in a group provides a lot of safety. On our own we're defenseless, but in groups we can drive away animals more powerful than us. Also, being alone is inherently terrifying. That amplified terror prevents us from reacting quickly. ...in other words, I'm scared right now. [Kotarou]: "Crap, I need to turn back..." Then... *flap* *flap* *flap* *flap!!* [Kotarou]: "―!?" A strange wingbeat. Is that a bat...? No, bats aren't that loud. I'm not sure, but I think it's closer to a crow's wingbeats. That sound is surprisingly overpowering at close range. It leaves a strong impression. The sound moves away...then comes back again. This feels bad. I'm sure it flew close by me, but it was too fast for me to see. Normal birds are pretty fast too, but why is this thing making multiple passes at me? [Kotarou]: "...ugh." Is it a real monster? That'd make an awesome article. But... [Kotarou]: (If it attacks me for real...I wouldn't last a second.) ...should I step on the accelerator? I can make myself stronger, so if I boost my legs, it might be very easy to get away. [Kotarou]: "...if this is a monster, being alone is actually really convenient." The others are all girls. They won't be able to help me in a fight. ...actually, Chihaya might be strong enough. I can hear it... At this point, it's almost certainly a monster of some kind. [??]: "Gehyahyahyahya...!" It's laughing... Aaah...I wish this was just some old man who liked scaring kids by releasing birds in dark places... ―――Actually, that would be pretty scary too. Dammit...I'm thinking in battle mode already... [??]: "Blood..." A voice...? [??]: "Give me your blood...!!" Aaa... No matter what I make out of that voice, it's definitely not an old man. It's definitely a monster now... Dammit...I should've made the call sooner. Running away might've been the best move. Anyway, I need to prepare for battle. There's no time to step on the accelerator now. It might get me while that's still taking effect. I'll just have to do everything I can the way I am now. Abandon all fear. React with speed and precision. A moment's hesitation could be fatal! Clear your ears...listen for the wingbeats. If I know which way it's coming from, I should be able to do something against it! Think calmly. Whatever it is, it's not that big. Hitting it once might damage or scare it enough to give me time to escape. I clench my fists. My palms are sweaty. *flap*...*flap*... *flap* *flap* *flap* *flap* *fla-fla-fla-fla-fla-flap!!* [??]: "Gehyahyahyahyahyahya!!!! Give me your bloooooooooooooooooooood!!!!!" [Kotarou]: "Uuooraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" I shout to shake off my fear and swing my fist toward the voice!!! [??]: "Gebuu!!" *flaaaap!!* [??]: "Ow...owowowowow..." I guess it worked. [??]: "Da-...damn you..." [Kotarou]: "Wh-what is this thing...?" It's kinda...plantlike, but it moves and talks... It's about the size of a baby. The wings on its back (though they look like leaves) seem to be how it flies. [Weird Thing]: "Aguaaaaaa...th-that really hurt..." [Weird Thing]: "Uwaaaaan!! It huuuuurts!!" It's in extreme pain. ...did I do something bad? [Kotarou]: "Hey, are you okay...?" [Weird Thing]: "Just kidding, uryaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" It gets up and flies straight at my neck!! [Kotarou]: "Whoa." *smack* [Weird Thing]: "Hebushi!!" I swat it out of the air easily. [Kotarou]: "You shouldn't say that out loud." It's weak. [Weird Thing]: "Guwaaaaaa...you foiled my plan..." [Kotarou]: "...you can talk..." What is this thing...? At least it doesn't seem dangerous. [Weird Thing]: "Uuuuu...whyyyy..." [Kotarou]: "What are you?" [Weird Thing]: "Shut uuup! Don't act nice to me, idiot!!" [Kotarou]: "You clearly don't understand the situation." I step on his back. [Weird Thing]: "Noooo!! I give I give I give!!" [Kotarou]: "First, apologize." [Weird Thing]: "I give...I'm sorry!" Its desperation is clear. [Kotarou]: "I'll let you go once you answer my questions. What are you?" [Weird Thing]: "Aauuu..." It stops moving. [Kotarou]: "Hm? Hey."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> I try poking it with my foot. It doesn't move at all. [Kotarou]: "...huh?" I crouch down and look at it. ...is it dead? No, I can hear it breathing. [Kotarou]: "Heeey..." [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm." It doesn't seem to be asleep. Ah, I know. It's pretending to be dead. It's hoping I'll give it a chance to escape. [Kotarou]: "Wake up already." I roll it around like a little ball. It endures. I poke its forehead with my finger. [Kotarou]: "Heeey, your forehead feels really weird." [Kotarou]: "Uuuup and dooown, uuuup and dooown." [Weird Thing]: "Gyoooaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" It reaches its limit, grabs its forehead and starts flailing. [Weird Thing]: "I was talking in my sleep." [Weird Thing]: "*snore*" He sleeps. I thought you were playing dead. Hmmm, I'm kinda confused now, but I still wanna know what it is. I need to restrain him somehow. I search my pockets and come up with a thick rubber band. I'll just put this around what look like its legs. [Kotarou]: "...okay, now wake up already." Gaba!! [Weird Thing]: "Huhahaha!! You fell for it!!" It suddenly wakes up and tries to run away. [Kotarou]: "No I didn't." It falls face first on the ground. [Weird Thing]: "Huh!?" [Kotarou]: "Stop trying to run." [Weird Thing]: "Uwaaaaaaan, let me goooo!!" [Kotarou]: "Aaah, just shut up already..." I let him go. [Weird Thing]: "Uuu...how dare you make such a fool out of me..." [Kotarou]: "I'm not doing anything. You're just failing at everything." [Weird Thing]: "I will not forgive you!! Behold my true power!!" [Kotarou]: "Oh?" It flies up. [Weird Thing]: "This is my final technique, Whirlwind Deceptioooooooooooooon!!" *flaflaflaflaflap!!* It flies around at high speed. [Kotarou]: "Whoa..." He's going so fast my eyes can barely follow him!! [Weird Thing]: "Huhahahaha!! Behold!! You are now so confused I can escape whenever I want!!" [Weird Thing]: "Bye-bye, you sluggish ape-like thing!! Gyahahahahahaha!!!" *streeetch* [Weird Thing]: "Hm?" The rubber stretches. [Weird Thing]: "Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" *boing* *boing* *boing* *boing* [Kotarou]: "Okay." *catch* [Weird Thing]: "...ah." [Weird Thing]: "I'm very sorry." [Kotarou]: "So, who's the sluggish ape-like thing?" [Weird Thing]: "Eeeh～? I have no idea!!" [Kotarou]: "You still don't understand the situation." I fling it left and right like a yo-yo. [Weird Thing]: "Gyawaaaaaaaaaaa!!" This is kinda fun. [Kotarou]: "Have you given up yet?" [Weird Thing]: "I'm really soooooorry!!" *catch* [Weird Thing]: "Gyawaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" *boing* *boing* *boing* *boing* [Kotarou]: "I kinda feel like an idiot for being so tense earlier..." This is odd. I just discovered what's probably a UMA, but I feel no strong emotion at all. It's like the music in the background is comic instead of dramatic. [Weird Thing]: "Damn it...if my other half was here you wouldn't stand a..." [Kotarou]: "Your other half?" I hear something. [???]: "...chaaan..." [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" [Weird Thing]: "She's here!! My other half always answers when I call for her!!" [???]: "Gil-chaaan." [Kotarou]: "What...?" Do these two know each other? [White Thing]: "Oh?" As expected, a little flying thing shows up and it's not intimidating at all. [Weird Thing]: "There you are, my other half!! Kill this guy!!" [White Thing]: "Kill what guy?" [White Thing]: "Oh!!" [White Thing]: "Oh my oh my oh my!!" [White Thing]: "You look like such a nice guy!!" [Kotarou]: "Ummm...thanks?" [Weird Thing]: "Don't fall for him!! This is a bad guy I captured!!" [White Thing]: "What's going on? Who are you?" [Kotarou]: "My name's Tennouji Kotarou. This guy said "Give me your blood!" and flew at me, so I restrained him and was trying to ask him some questions." [White Thing]: "I see, thank you for explaining." [Kotarou]: "And what about you?" [White Thing]: "My name is Pani." [Kotarou]: "Okay. That's a cute name." [White Thing]: "Oh my!! Did you just call me cute!? I'll have to kill you!!" [Kotarou]: "No, no, no." [Weird Thing]: "Screw you twoooo!! Stop acting so friendlyyyy!!" [Kotarou]: "So if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you could make this guy pipe down." [Kotarou]: "Without injuring him." [White Thing]: "Isn't he a good guy?" [Weird Thing]: "Don't let him fool you!!" [White Thing]: "Hmmmm." [White Thing]: "Let's hear Gil-chan's side of the story." [Weird Thing]: "This guy's bad so I was gonna capture and kill him!!" [Kotarou]: "I have nothing to add to my previous statement." [White Thing]: "Gil-chan." [White Thing]: "Could you tell me the truth?" [Weird Thing]: "Eh?" [Weird Thing]: "Ummm..." [Weird Thing]: "I really wanted to suck some blood so I attacked him and got captured." [Kotarou]: "He attacked me so I had no choice." [White Thing]: "You idioooooot!!!!" *bam!!* [Weird Thing]: "Gyaaaaa!!" *boing* [White Thing]: "Waaaaa!!" Oh right, he still has the rubber band. [White Thing]: "Do not fuck with me!! I will not tolerate resistance!!" [White Thing]: "Eat my right fist of rage!!" *bam!!* *boing* *bam!!* *boing* He's kinda stuck. [White Thing]: "Besides!! We're supposed!! To not let anyone see us!!" [Kotarou]: "Really?" [White Thing]: "Originally, yes!" [Kotarou]: "By the way, I think you're stretching him." [White Thing]: "If I don't go this far he'll never learn anything." [Kotarou]: "I see..." Chastising complete. [White Thing]: "So anyway, you can call me Pani."

<METADATA> Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Weird Thing]: "I am Gil. Guilty Gil!! Cool, ain't it!?" Sounds like a name a middle schooler would come up with. [Kotarou]: "So what are you?" [Pani]: "We can't say..." [Gil]: "Hmph! We'd never tell the likes of you no matter how hard you asked." [Kotarou]: "Then I won't ask." [Gil]: "Oh? Are you sure? You really don't wanna know?" [Kotarou]: "I get that you can't tell me stuff, but you two obviously aren't normal." [Pani]: "That's true." [Gil]: "Eh? You're ignoring me? What did I do?" [Kotarou]: "That's right...I'm actually here investigating urban legends." [Pani]: "Oh my, were you?" [Gil]: "Heeey, are you listening?" [Kotarou]: "People say they've seen UMAs around here." [Pani]: "...I see. That might have been us." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, I can definitely see people calling you UMAs." [Gil]: "Eh? Why are you pretending I'm not here!?" [Kotarou]: "So if you can't say what you are...can you not tell me why you're here either?" [Pani]: "Actually, we aren't doing anything here. We're homeless." [Gil]: "Uwaaaaan!! Listen to meeeee!!" [Kotarou]: "This guy is really annoying." [Pani]: "Us adults are trying to have a conversation, so please be quiet." [Gil]: "Why...dammit..." [Kotarou]: "Well, anyway, so you're mystery animals." [Pani]: "Oh, thank you for understanding so quickly." [Kotarou]: "You don't seem dangerous though." [Gil]: "Maybe I should suck his blood while he's not looking..." [Kotarou]: "Is this guy some kind of pest?" [Gil]: "Befu!!" I whack him out of the air. [Kotarou]: "Do you guys live on blood or something?" [Pani]: "Gil-chan just likes how it tastes. We live off water and sunlight." [Kotarou]: "Oooh." So they are plant-like. [Gil]: "Uuu...give me blooood..." [Gil]: "At least have a nosebleed!!" [Kotarou]: "I can't do that at will..." Even if he doesn't need it, I still feel sorry for him. [Kotarou]: "Fine." [Gil]: "Eh? You'll give me a nosebleed?" [Kotarou]: "I can't do that, but..." I bite into the tip of my thumb. Huh, just breaking the skin doesn't make any blood come out. It always comes out right away in manga... Maybe I have to tear it open more, but that thought scares me. I'll just have to pull it open a little. [Kotarou]: "Mmm..." I tear off some skin. Damn, that really hurt... But a load of blood came out. [Pani]: "What are you doing?" [Kotarou]: "Well, I figured I could give him some...here." I'm afraid of having him lick the wound directly (I don't wanna catch any viruses after all) so I wipe the blood off on another finger and hold that out to him. [Gil]: "Eh? ...seriously?" [Kotarou]: "You said you wanted it, right? This isn't much, but you can have it." My thumb still hurts like hell, but I can put up with it. [Gil]: "You're actually really nice." [Kotarou]: "Well, as much as the next guy." [Gil]: "Uuoooooooo!! Bloooood!!" He flies right onto my hand. [Kotarou]: "Uuu...don't lick it like that, it feels icky." [Pani]: "Good for you, Gil-chan." [Gil]: "Yeees, now you and I am blood brothers!!" [Kotarou]: "That's factually and grammatically incorrect." [Gil]: "What? Do you want me to protect you? Weeeell, if you insist. I'm no guardian angel but I can at least shoo away any flies bothering you!" [Kotarou]: "Nah, I'm okay." For now I'll try not to let this guy delude himself. [Gil]: "Uwaaaaaaan, don't be so cooooold!!" [Kotarou]: "Honestly, you are very annoying." Even if I took him with me, would he be of any use in our next investigation? [Pani]: "I have a request to make too, though I'm not in much of a position to ask." [Pani]: "If you're okay with it, we'd like you to hide us. I assure you we haven't committed any crimes." [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm, I have no idea how to answer that." [Gil]: "Eeeh!? Aren't I a nice happy-go-lucky guy you could see yourself getting along with?" I ignore him. Wait. I forgot. These two are UMAs. [Kotarou]: "Ummm, Pani, was it?" [Pani]: "Yes, that's me." [Kotarou]: "I'm fine with hiding you two." [Kotarou]: "But I want to know what the hell you are." [Kotarou]: "That's a fair exchange. It's gonna be hard for us to live together if I don't even know what you are, right?" [Pani]: "That makes sense." [Gil]: "Huh? But I just told you what I am. I am Gil!! Guilty Gil." [Pani]: "I guess I can tell you a little..." [Gil]: "You keep ignoring me..." [Pani]: "We were abandoned a long time ago, and haven't come into contact with humans since then." [Kotarou]: "Abandoned...?" [Pani]: "We were born from garbage." [Kotarou]: "Wait, wait...that sounds really important." I write it down. [Kotarou]: "A new form of intelligent life spontaneously appeared out of waste? That's just sci-fi..." [Pani]: "But as you can see, we're perfectly clean." [Kotarou]: "True. So what kind of garbage was it?" [Pani]: "...we can't tell you." [Pani]: "I think you'd be better off not knowing too." [Kotarou]: "Eeeh?" But that's the important part. [Pani]: "If you get closer to the truth on your own, then I'll tell you more." [Kotarou]: "Well, if that's all true, you guys will be a valuable source." [Pani]: "Exactly. We'll give you a little information from time to time in exchange for a place to sleep." [Kotarou]: "So we have a deal." [Pani]: "Yes～" I shake my pinky finger with her hand. [Gil]: "What's with you two!? Stop getting along so damn well!!" [Kotarou]: "Annoyingly you're coming with us. Come on." [Pani]: "Keep quiet now, okay?" [Gil]: "Heh, I don't wanna go, but if you say so." [Kotarou]: "Whatever." I'll just punish him for his insolence later. ...and thus, I acquired mysterious organisms. [Kotarou]: "So, first of all."

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Pani]: "Yes, what is it?" [Kotarou]: "...where's the exit?" I walk down the corridor behind them. My phone rings as soon as I walk out the door. [Kotarou]: "Ah." ...if my phone works, that means I'm back to reality. I heave a sigh of relief. It's a text from Kotori. She's telling me that everyone decided to head back early. [Kotarou]: "...it hasn't even been an hour." I'm pretty sure I walked longer than that... [Kotarou]: "I'm gonna go meet up with my friends now. What about you two?" [Pani]: "Well...we'll find you again once you're done with them." [Kotarou]: "Hm? I guess that works." If they don't wanna be seen there's not much choice. I head for the club room, leaving them both behind the door. [Kotarou]: "...hey." I enter the club room, but only Kotori and Chihaya have returned. Apparently Shizurucia are still searching. [Kotori]: "Welcome back. How'd it go?" [Kotarou]: "You wouldn't believe what I found." I hand them my camera. [Kotori]: "Eh? ...no way." [Chihaya]: "You got pictures of something?" [Akane]: "...hmmmm..." They huddle around the camera. [Kotarou]: "Look at that, Prez! That's the alternate dimension inside the school!" [Akane]: "This thing?" [Kotarou]: "......eh?" None of the "Kyaaa! Amaziiing!" reactions I expected. [Kotarou]: "L-lemme see that." I check the camera. It's just a series of pitch black pictures. [Kotarou]: "No way..." [Akane]: "This is what happens when you take pictures in a dark room without using the flash." [Kotarou]: "No, no! I did use the flash, there's no way these can be blank!" [Kotarou]: "Ah! Here it is!" I pull up a picture of those strange walls. [Akane]: "...so what? It's just a concrete wall." Dammit... I didn't actually find anything that strange to take a picture of down there. The texture of the wall was pretty unusual, but that doesn't come across in a picture. It just looks like concrete. [Kotarou]: "Jesus..." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun, did you really find something?" [Kotarou]: "I did..." [Shizuru]: "We're back." [Lucia]: "...we couldn't find anything." [Kotarou]: "Listen you guys!" [Lucia]: "Wh-what is it?" I tell them everything that happened, except the part about the two mystery creatures. [Akane]: "Hmmmm...so you're convinced you experienced the paranormal phenomena you describe while walking around the school by yourself." [Kotarou]: "That's right." [Akane]: "So...would you like to see everything that happened around the time you had that experience?" [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Akane]: "Watch." She turns her laptop toward me. It shows an image of one of the hallways. [Kotarou]: "Hmm..." [Lucia]: "Is this one of the security cameras?" [Akane]: "I told my secretary to monitor this footage, since it'd be bad if something happened while all the security was away." [Chihaya]: "So you were watching us the whole time?" [Kotori]: "Oh no." [Akane]: "Watch this part." It looks like the area around some stairs. Prez clicks and drags the time forward until we can see someone walking downstairs. [Kotarou]: "That's me..." [Kotori]: "This is just after we split up." [Kotarou]: "N-no way..." I spent several minutes checking various classrooms. In the video, I open the door at the bottom, hesitate for a moment then head inside. She moves the time forward again. This time Kotori and Chihaya walk by. [Kotarou]: "...huh?" [Akane]: "From what you said, you should already be in an alternate dimension at this point." [Kotori]: "We didn't see anything weird there..." [Chihaya]: "It was all normal." [Akane]: "It also shows you walking back out ten minutes later. Do you have some incredible explanation for this?" [Kotarou]: "Uu..." [Kotarou]: "...since I have no evidence, you win." [Akane]: "Oh, how honest." [Kotarou]: "But it did happen..." [Akane]: "You're just tired. You should get some rest for tomorrow." [Akane]: "There are plenty of medicines out there to help with compulsive lying and self-delusion." She's mocking me now... Unfortunately, I have proof in the form of those two creatures, but I can't bring them in here. If I mishandled it and made them run away, I might never get the information they promised. I'll just have to put up with her mockery... Shizuru pauses the footage on the part where I go through the door, staring at it. [Shizuru]: "...let's try going there ourselves." [Akane]: "I doubt you'll find anything." With Shizuru in the lead, we head to the door. But as one might expect, nothing of particular interest happened there. Without any remaining ideas, we split up. [Kotarou]: "Aaaaah, somehow I'm more tired than usual..." [Pani]: "You really didn't tell them about us. We're grateful～" [Kotarou]: "I guess..." [Pani]: "Please cheer up. You've earned our trust now." [Kotarou]: "Okay, if you say so." [Gil]: "...hmph." Gil sighs after looking all around the room. [Kotarou]: "Is something wrong?" [Gil]: "There's no one here but you." [Kotarou]: "True...once in a while my parents come back." [Gil]: "Can I suck their blood?" [Kotarou]: "I'll swat you." [Pani]: "We have to keep a low profile here. We'll cause trouble for Kotarou-san." [Gil]: "Dammit, if you say so." At least he seems to understand. [Pani]: "So where should we hide?" [Kotarou]: "Wherever you want." [Gil]: "Oh-hooo." They both start searching. [Gil]: "Kaaaaa! What's with all this wasted space!? There's too much clutter to sleep anywhere! Is this how you've been living!?" [Kotarou]: "That's right, I was gonna throw you at something." I grab his head. [Gil]: "Ah, never mind, I'm fine with it." [Pani]: "It's so big～" [Kotarou]: "Make yourselves at home." [Gil]: "I call dibs over here!! This is my spot!!" [Gil]: "Oh, that's right. I should write my name here so no one forgets." [Kotarou]: "Damn, suddenly I really want to practice throwing softballs. Pani, open the window."

<METADATA> Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Pani]: "Okaaay." I grab the rubber band again and twirl it around my finger. [Gil]: "Gyaaaaa!! I'm sorry I'm sorry!!" [Kotarou]: "Remember, you're just a freeloader here. I'm in charge." [Gil]: "O-okay..." [Pani]: "Can we use this closet?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, that's true. People aren't likely to see you in there." [Pani]: "Now we just need something to sleep on." [Kotarou]: "There should be cushions or something in there for you." [Gil]: "Why are you so much nicer to her?" [Kotarou]: "Her common sense is better?" [Pani]: "Gil-chan, come help me with this." [Gil]: "Huh? That sounds like a pain, but..." The two of them rearrange stuff in the closet while I sit down at my desk. [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm..." I take out my notes for today. Mysterious creatures acquired. [Kotarou]: "...hm." This might actually be a really dangerous move... [Gil]: "Uuoooooo!! Something fell on me!! Get me outta here!!!" [Pani]: "O-oh my!! What do we do!?" They're playing with a leather jacket. [Kotarou]: "Guess there's nothing to worry about." I pull the jacket off of Gil. [Gil]: "Pheeeew...I'm not thanking you." [Kotarou]: "Crap, suddenly I want to practice hammer throwing." [Pani]: "I'll open the window." [Kotarou]: "Funuaaaa!" This time he spins sideways. [Gil]: "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorryyy!!" [Kotarou]: "Okay, enough goofing around. I have homework." [Gil]: "Uueee...my eyes are spinning..." [Pani]: "Homework? What's that?" [Kotarou]: "I'm a student, and my teachers require me to do some studying at home." [Gil]: "Oooh, is school that useless place where incompetent people get taught pointless things?" [Kotarou]: "Not quite that bad." It's not really wrong to see it that way, but it's important for the vast majority of us humans. [Gil]: "Okay, then I'll make a special effort to help you." [Kotarou]: "Eh? You can translate English?" [Gil]: "Just show me the text!!" I hand it to him. [Gil]: "Okaaay, wait right there!! Ummm, translate the following Japanese into English...okay." [Kotarou]: "It's really easy, but it's a pain writing out all the answers." [Gil]: "Leave it to me. I'll finish this before you can finish smoking a single cigarette." [Kotarou]: "I don't smoke, but let's see what you can do." [Gil]: "U-ummm...tomu to...ja...ni? wa itsudemo..." [Kotarou]: "It sounds like you're having trouble reading the Japanese..." But for now I'll take a bathroom break and leave it to him. When I come back, Gil's still fighting with the text. [Kotarou]: "So, have you finished?" [Gil]: "Sorry..." He's only written one sentence. [Kotarou]: "I kinda expected this, but let's see..." [Japanese Text]: "Tomu to janii wa itsudemo issho!" English Text [Kotarou]: "You're an idiot!!!" [Gil]: "What!? Maybe I am an idiot, but at least show me some respect for trying so hard to answer this!!" [Kotarou]: "Well it's definitely impressive that such a strange creature answered an English translation question." [Kotarou]: "But you're an idiot!!" [Gil]: "How am I an idiot!?" [Kotarou]: "Read your translation out loud." [Gil]: "Tomu tou janii aa ittsudemo ittsu shou!!" [Gil]: "Perfect, right?" [Kotarou]: "What you wrote is ittsu desu moa, not ittsudemo. And what is that even supposed to translate to!? "Their death is a greater show"?" [Gil]: "So the two of them died together, and that was part of showtime..." [Kotarou]: "The actual sentence is much happier than that." This guy is totally useless...

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> October 28th (Thursday) [Kotarou]: "Okaaaay! What's the Occult Club gonna do today?" [Kotarou]: "Prez..." It feels stupid to describe this, but she's flailing around in the back corner playing Wii Sports. [Kotarou]: "I guess it's healthy..." I can't be bothered to criticize her attitude. [Sakuya]: "Today I tried making melon pie. It turns sticky very fast, so eat it quickly if you don't mind." [Kotori]: "Yaaay." [Chihaya]: "These are so good!" [Shizuru]: "*munch* *munch*" [Sakuya]: "How do you like them, Konohana-san?" [Lucia]: "Ah! I-I..." [Sakuya]: "Do not hesitate. I've prepared enough for everyone. It would be a waste for some to go uneaten." [Lucia]: "...if you say so..." [Lucia]: "Ah, I have my own fork, so I'll be all right." [Sakuya]: "Okay. Enjoy them." Even class rep has been sucked in by the sweets... [Kotarou]: "Aaaaaaaaah! Cut it out already you idiooooooots!!" [Sakuya]: "What? There is enough for you too, Wimprou-kun." [Kotarou]: "It's Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "...though I'm used to it at this point." [Kotarou]: "Listen, everyone!" [Kotarou]: "This is a chart showing all the information we've gathered." I write everyone's names on the blackboard. [Kotarou]: "As you can see, 90% of our leads are from the internet, and the other 10% are from me!" [Kotarou]: "The rest of you have contributed only 0.1%!!" [Akane]: "This is tiring..." She makes her secretary put away the Wii. This is what happens when our leader has no motivation... I clear my throat and bring attention back to me. [Kotarou]: "Don't you think this is a terrible state of affairs for our club!?" [Lucia]: "Maybe so, but your efforts haven't produced very many results either, Tennouji." [Kotarou]: "Uu..." [Kotori]: "He's got a point though..." [Chihaya]: "I'd like to help, but I don't know how to gather leads in the first place..." [Kotori]: "All we can do is ask our friends..." That's true. These girls don't have very many friends to begin with. [Kotarou]: "And that leads into my next point." [Kotarou]: "I think we need more active members!" [Kotarou]: "I know full well what you want to say, Prez, but I'd appreciate it if you kept that opinion to yourself tonight." [Akane]: "Fine." [Kotarou]: "Oh. It's rare for you to be so reasonable." [Akane]: "However." [Akane]: "I will never help with it in a million years." [Kotarou]: "......okay." The very first reaction kills all the excitement I was trying to build. [Kotori]: "So did you have someone in mind?" [Kotarou]: "You could say I do, but you could also say I don't." [Chihaya]: "What does that mean?" [Kotarou]: "Well...I'm not expecting a positive response from him..." A wolf with bare fangs probably wouldn't want to stuff his face with sweets after school every day. [Lucia]: "So we must persuade him?" [Kotarou]: "Something like that..." [Kotori]: "I doubt it'll work...no one wants to join a club this late into the term." [Kotarou]: "I agree that no one would ever go out of their way to change clubs at this time of year." [Kotarou]: "But once in a while someone ends up with a good reason to join one." Like me. [Kotori]: "A good reason...?" [Kotarou]: "It doesn't have to be anything that serious." [Kotori]: "True, there is a certain boy who joined a club just to get at someone's boobs..." [Kotarou]: "...please don't bring that up anymore..." [Chihaya]: "So you mean..." [Chihaya]: "We have to lure him in somehow?" [Sakuya]: "A wonderful idea, Chihaya-san." [Kotarou]: "And so we require the services of your b-..." [Kotori]: "Nothing filthy." [Chihaya]: "Maybe you should die." [Lucia]: "Evidently you would like to visit the stratosphere." [Sakuya]: "That is the worst idea I have ever heard. Are you not ashamed of yourself?" [Kotarou]: "Why do you all have to hate on me for making one stupid joke!?" [Shizuru]: "What about your boobs, Kotarou?" [Kotarou]: "No one would want them. Even if someone did, I wouldn't want to hang out with them." Why does she look disappointed...? [Kotarou]: "Okay then...we need something special." [Kotarou]: "We'll make him start helping in order to get it, then after he's grown to like the place he'll stay on his own." [Chihaya]: "That sounds like a good idea." [Kotarou]: "We just need to come up with something he'd want..." [Kotarou]: "Well, I'll probably have to figure out that part myself, so keep that in mind." [Kotori]: "Money♪" [Kotarou]: "Nope☆" I know how that would end. Lots of people would show up if we gave them money, but most of them would just take it and leave instead of becoming long-term members. [Lucia]: "What about asking first-years, and offering them answer sheets from past versions of tests?" [Kotarou]: "Oh, that might be a good idea." [Kotarou]: "Assuming we can get decent answer sheets..." I probably can't help with that. Class rep suggested it herself, but I have difficulty imagining she'd help that much... [Kotarou]: (If we could do it, it probably would be a good move.) I'll keep that in the back of my mind. [Kotarou]: "So, anything else?" [Sakuya]: "Perhaps a summer home in Karuizawa?" [Kotarou]: "Who the hell would offer real estate as part of a high school club?" [Akane]: "Exactly..." [Sakuya]: "...oh, I apologize for that. I know so little about how modern schooling works..." [Kotarou]: "That has nothing to do with knowing about the educational system. You just have no sense of how much things cost." [Akane]: "There's no way a student could pay the maintenance fees or the capital gains tax. They can barely afford a gold Rolex." [Kotarou]: "You're just as screwy as he is!" [Sakuya]: "Then perhaps something from Tag Heuer would appeal to contemporary young persons." [Kotarou]: "...that's enough ideas from you..." [Chihaya]: "What's a gold Rolex?" [Kotarou]: "It's a golden rolling pin with extra power."

<METADATA> Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Chihaya]: "I can't imagine why anyone would want that." [Kotori]: "Then a whole kilo of salt and pepper beef." [Kotarou]: "Hmm, we might just..." [Kotarou]: "No, I'm thinking like a celebrity now...! There's no way we can get that much!" She takes some saury powder out of her pocket. [Kotarou]: "Unfortunately, I don't think many people want that stuff as badly as you..." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Kotarou]: "Actually, anything that costs money is a bad idea. We need something else..." [Sakuya]: "What about my smile?" [Kotarou]: "You be quiet." I think about it. [Akane]: "Certain girls would probably come for that." [Kotarou]: "You've got a point..." [Chihaya]: "Sakuya is pretty cool." [Sakuya]: "No, I am nothing special." [Kotarou]: "No, never mind. That might draw some people, but they'd all be girls." I'd like to get some guys in here to improve the balance... So... After much deliberation, we settle on this guy. [Kotarou]: "Sorry you're the punch line again." [Yoshino]: "...it feels stupid just to ask, but..." [Yoshino]: "What have you dragged me here for this time?" [Kotarou]: "To reward new members with a hilarious Yoshino-kun conversation every week." [Yoshino]: "Hey...Tennouji." [Kotarou]: "Yes?" [Yoshino]: "I don't have the slightest desire to play around with you..." [Kotarou]: "Ah, it doesn't have to be every week! Just every month...no, once a term!" [Yoshino]: "If all you want to do is mock me, I'm going home right now..." [Akane]: "What's the big deal? You're not doing anything worthwhile anyway, so why not aim to do something even more worthless?" [Kotarou]: "Prez, this guy's more amazing than you think he is." [Akane]: "Really? He looks like just a two-bit minor character incapable of improving my life in any way." [Kotarou]: "Daaa! Prez, stop being so damn honest!" [Yoshino]: "...I'm leaving." [Kotarou]: "Wait! Wait uuup!" [Kotarou]: "I know! I'll start addressing you by some cool street name!" [Yoshino]: "It's almost certain this is going to end with me beating you up...but let's hear it." [Yoshino]: "The moment you say something weird or fancy, I'll lop off your head..." [Kotarou]: "I know that, you want something that sounds gangster-y..." This time I'm gonna have to come up with something he might actually like. Ummmm...his name is Yoshino Haruhiko, so... [Kotarou]: "Something that'll make you sound "bad"..." Yoshino... Powerhiko. [Kotarou]: (Hu...) I almost burst out laughing, but I hold it in. No, I have to think of something better...! Crap...I can't get Powerhiko out of my head now...!! But if I say it he'll kick my ass...! [Yoshino]: "What the hell are you shaking for...?" [Kotarou]: "I'm thinking..." Dammit...I must break the curse of Powerhiko! ↑Yoshino Powerhiko. [Kotarou]: "Uhu..." No! If I think that name one more time, I'm gonna burst! [Yoshino]: "Time's up. Bye." [Kotarou]: "Wait! I just thought of one!" [Yoshino]: "Oh? What is it?" [Kotarou]: "Ar..." [Kotarou]: "Arnold Yoshino Powerhizenegger." That was the best I could do... [Yoshino]: "...die." [Kotarou]: "Gufuu!" He attacks my neck with an upper roundhouse kick. [Yoshino]: "Now stop calling me here as part of your lame jokes!" Yoshino stomps away... [Sakuya]: "...that was quite entertaining." [Kotarou]: "Dammit...his attacks are getting stronger..." [Kotori]: "It's gonna be a long time before we get Yoshino-kun in here..." In the end we fail to come up with any better ideas, so we shelve the plan entirely. [Pani]: "Ah, welcome home." Pani has a PC set up in the corner of the room. [Kotarou]: "...what are you doing?" [Pani]: "I found the parts for this so I tried putting them together." [Kotarou]: "Huh." The case does look old and used. [Kotarou]: "Hmm." But it's pretty quiet. Even at a glance, it looks like it'd have reasonable performance. [Kotarou]: (They've got some weird skills...) [Pani]: "Ah, I connected it to the internet without asking, so..." [Kotarou]: "That's fine." I don't know much about that stuff myself. So, as for the other one... He's lying face down on the floor. [Kotarou]: "What happened to you, little brat?" [Gil]: "I'm dying...of boredom..." He rolls over slowly. [Pani]: "Oh, I left him there while I was setting this up." [Kotarou]: "Does this guy die when he gets too lonely?" Apparently rabbits do that. [Pani]: "He might die if he runs out of places to search. Like a chimpanzee." [Kotarou]: "You're mean." [Pani]: "He's my other half. It doesn't count as an insult～" [Kotarou]: "Hmm." Gil said the same thing before. [Kotarou]: "Also, couldn't you have just used my laptop instead of building your own PC?" [Pani]: "No!! The P in PC means Personal!! PCs must always be used by one and only one person!!" [Kotarou]: "Not that it matters, but where on earth did you learn that? You're supposed to be mysterious creatures from another dimension." [Pani]: "You can learn anything from the internet these days～" [Pani]: "Which is why I made this." That doesn't explain how you knew how to make it...but whatever. [Kotarou]: "Hey, he's not moving." [Pani]: "Oh my...it does feel wrong to just leave him that way." [Pani]: "Let's see..." She moves the mouse around with both hands, clicking on things. [Pani]: "Look, Gil-chan, it's a video about fighter planes." [Gil]: "Seriously!? Uhyoooo!! They're so cooool!!" [Kotarou]: "He really is just a little kid." [Gil]: "Hey, why does this plane have stuff written on its wings?" [Kotarou]: "I dunno why exactly, but isn't it normal for aircraft to have names?" Bicycles always have a bunch of brand names on them. [Gil]: "Oooh...that's kinda cool."

<METADATA> Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "It is cool when they manage to work it into the design like that." [Gil]: "Exactly!! You do get it!!" [Kotarou]: "Look, this one's pretty cool." [Gil]: "Uuoooo!! It's so cool I wanna fly iiit!!" [Pani]: "Boys love this stuff～" [Kotarou]: "Hmm, so your other half is your anima?" [Gil]: "What does that mean? We're not animals." [Kotarou]: "I shouldn't have asked you." [Gil]: "Aaah...names on wings are so cool..." [Gil]: "I want names on my wings too!!" [Kotarou]: "Haa..." [Gil]: "Sucks to be you, humanoid!! You don't have wings or a tail!!" [Kotarou]: "We did lose a lot of things through evolution." Though we never had wings. [Gil]: "Gyahahaha!! That's called devolution!! You lost all your best abilities!!" He's annoying me again. [Kotarou]: "So, you want names on your wings? I can write them on for you." [Gil]: "Yeah, thanks." [Kotarou]: "So what should I write? Gil?" [Gil]: "Hmmm...gotta go with something cool..." [Gil]: "Pani, what are we?" [Pani]: "Unknown creatures?" [Gil]: "That's right." [Gil]: "Okay, write UNKNOWN!! That'll be awesome!!" [Gil]: "Fuooooo!! Isn't it incredible!? I can't wait!!" [Kotarou]: "If you say so." I scribble on one of his wings with a magic marker. [Kotarou]: "There you go." [Gil]: "Yeees!! That's more like it!!" [Kotarou]: "Here's a mirror." [Gil]: "You did good!! That looks so cool!!" [Gil]: "Look, look, isn't it awesome!?" [Pani]: "Oh my. Gil-chan, something's off." [Gil]: "Eh!?" He looks in the mirror again. [Gil]: "U...N..." [Gil]: "Geeh!? It says Unown!!" [Gil]: "I'm not a Sukumon dammit!!" [Kotarou]: "Damn, I was hoping you'd fly around with that for a while." [Gil]: "Uwaaaaaaaaan, get rid of iiit!!" [Kotarou]: "It's fine. Everyone will think it says "Unknown" from a distance, so you just have to fly away before they get a closer look." [Gil]: "It's not fine!! I wanna do more than just spam 'Hidden Power'!!" [Kotarou]: "Anyway, hopefully you'll learn not to ridicule your human masters now." [Gil]: "Uuu..." I go get a damp cloth. The marker I used wasn't permanent, so it shouldn't be a problem. ...or so I thought. [Kotarou]: "Crap, it's being stubborn...I can still see it faintly." [Gil]: "Uwaaaaaaaaaaan!! Kotarou you idioooot!!!" [Pani]: "But more people will mistake it for "Unknown" now that it's faded." [Kotarou]: "That's true. They might even think it's cool when they find it says something different." [Kotarou]: "It's incredible. No one else would ever write this. You'll be completely one of a kind." [Gil]: "Not like this!!! This isn't cool at all!!! Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!" And thus, Gil spent the rest of the night rubbing his wing in desperation.

<METADATA> Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Gil | Gender: Male </METADATA> October 29th (Friday) [Kotarou]: "A quiz on Old Japanese..." I should've found the time to study it yesterday... That's right, yesterday... [Kotarou]: "Crap, I have a vocabulary quiz tomorrow." [Gil]: "What's that?" [Kotarou]: "I need to know all the words in this workbook." [Gil]: "You have a lot of silly little things to do for that "school" place. Do you love wasting time that much?" [Kotarou]: "What choice do I have? This is what students do." [Gil]: "They should just teach you how to cook or something." [Pani]: "They can't do that. If everyone started cooking, the world would have too much food for anyone to eat." [Gil]: "Oh...you have a point. Then teach them how to build houses." [Pani]: "They'd run out of land and construction materials." [Gil]: "Then teach them how to cut down trees..." [Pani]: "That would ruin the environment!" [Gil]: "Come on! Do you want everyone to just sleep in their houses all day!?" [Kotarou]: "They're making us study so we don't turn into lazy bums like that." I think the main point of school is learning how to follow instructions. [Gil]: "So all that useless stuff is actually useful...interesting." [Pani]: "So what is "Old Japanese vocabulary"?" [Kotarou]: "Words they used to write things hundreds of years ago. We have to learn their modern equivalents." [Pani]: "Are you going to study ancient texts in the future, Kotarou-san?" [Kotarou]: "No, not at all." [Pani]: "Then what will you use it for?" [Kotarou]: "Nothing in particular..." [Pani]: "So it really is useless..." [Kotarou]: "Don't say that. I'll lose all my motivation." [Kotarou]: "Anyway, there's nothing wrong with studying it." [Pani]: "You're so diligent, Kotarou-san." [Kotarou]: "No I'm not." [Pani]: "Yes you are." [Kotarou]: "No, I'm not." [Pani]: "Ohohoho, yes you are." [Kotarou]: "Crap!! There's no time left!!" [Pani]: "Oh my, sorry about that." [Kotarou]: "Dammit, I'm gonna have to cut into my sleeping time." [Gil]: "Okaaay, time for me to help!!" [Kotarou]: "Please don't." [Gil]: "Why not!? I'm super useful!!" [Kotarou]: "How?" [Gil]: "Let's see..." He flies down to the page I have open. [Gil]: "Umm...ummmmm..." [Gil]: "Sa-sau nakute..." [Gil]: "Describes a contest that has not been settled yet..." [Kotarou]: "That's enough. You did well." [Gil]: "Really!? See! I am useful! Yaaaay!!" [Kotarou]: "Yeah, you were useful, so go somewhere else now." [Gil]: "You're politely getting rid of me, aren't you!?" [Pani]: "Don't disturb him, Gil-chan." [Gil]: "Uuuuuu...disturb...is that all I do!?" [Gil]: "What the hell is the point of learning this stuff anyway!?" [Kotarou]: "It'll still be a pain if I don't learn this." [Gil]: "Oh well. Memorizing this is easy..." [Kotarou]: "Okay, what's "sau nakute"?" [Gil]: "U-ummmm..." [Gil]: "I-it means...the sau is...nakute, or something." [Kotarou]: "Okay, time to take this seriously." I'm just wasting time with this guy. [Gil]: "Uuooooooo, I can't remember any of iiiit!!" He collapses in tears. [Kotarou]: "He's so useless..." [Pani]: "Just leave him be and get back to studying." [Kotarou]: "He couldn't even remember that "sau nakute" describes an unsettled contest right after reading it..." [Kotarou]: "...oh, but I remembered it." I'm not even sure why... [Gil]: "Really!? Did I help you!?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah, let's do that again." I cheer up Gil. I'm not quite sure how he did it, but I did remember that definition, so... [Gil]: "Next one! "Ura nashi"...means sakkubaran ni..." [Gil]: "What's sakkubaran? Some guy's name? Zack Baran does seem pretty cool." [Kotarou]: "No, it's just a word meaning you say what's on your mind without holding back." [Gil]: "I see. That word's perfect for me." [Kotarou]: "Anyway, we're supposed to remember that's what "ura nashi" means." [Gil]: "Zack Uranashi!?" [Kotarou]: "Zack Uranashi..." [Kotarou]: "...I can remember that." [Gil]: "Zack Uranashi!!" [Kotarou]: "Zack Uranashi!!" [Gil]: "You'll ace that test for sure!" [Kotarou]: "I think I actually believe you!!" [Kotarou]: "Okaaay, I'm gonna sleep now!! It feels safe to stop studying now!!" [Gil]: "Oooh!! Go for it!!" [Kotarou]: "Zack Uranashi!!" [Gil]: "Zack Uranashi!!!" [Kotarou]: "You and I are sau nakute!" [Gil]: "Well then! We'll have to settle it sometime!" [Kotarou]: "*whistle!* It's so perfect I can't believe it!" [Pani]: "Good for you～" Despite all that excitement, neither "sau nakute" nor "ura nashi" came up on the test. [Kotarou]: "Zack Uranashiiiiiii!!!" [Teacher]: "What is it, Tennouji?" [Kotarou]: "Zakkubaran is ura nashi!" [Teacher]: "I commend you for studying, but please be quiet during the test." [Kotarou]: "Okay." Class ends. [Student A]: "Tennouji-kun, what's "Zack Uranashi"?" [Kotarou]: "Just a mnemonic..." [Student B]: "It's so memorable! Zack Uranashi!" [Student A]: "Zack Uranashi!" It's getting popular... If "ura nashi" ever comes up on a future test, everyone's gonna get it right. After school, the teacher talks to me. [Teacher]: "Tennouji-kun, could you deliver these handouts to Yoshino-kun?" [Kotarou]: "Eh? Me? But he'll get mad if I bring them." [Teacher]: "Yes, he probably will." [Teacher]: "But human relationships come about through a long series of mishaps, so that's just fine～" I feel like I just got told an eternal truth. [Kotarou]: "Okay. Where's his house?" [Teacher]: "Here's the address." [Kotarou]: "Okay, I'll bring them to him." [Teacher]: "Thank you～"

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Teacher]: "If he's too scary, just go with someone else who has nothing to do today." [Kotarou]: "Someone who has nothing to do today..." [Kotori]: "...so you chose me?" [Kotarou]: "It'll be quick." [Kotori]: "I do have things to do, but okay." As usual, the streets are bustling. They should get even busier as the harvest festival approaches. [Kotarou]: "...you know." [Kotori]: "Hmm?" [Kotarou]: "We've changed." [Kotori]: "What do you mean?" [Kotarou]: "I've been working harder than usual lately..." [Kotarou]: "And it's gone well, and I feel satisfied by it..." [Kotarou]: "But it feels like something's missing." [Kotarou]: "Sometimes I get really uneasy." [Kotori]: "...I think everyone feels uneasy sometimes." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun, you've been through a lot, especially when you were ill, so...I think that's why." [Kotarou]: "...maybe." [Kotarou]: "I barely remember anything from when I was in the hospital..." [Kotori]: "But time still passed." [Kotori]: "Maybe that's why you feel you have to make up for lost time." [Kotarou]: "...is it wrong of me to hide this stuff?" [Kotori]: "No it's not. Everyone has something worth hiding." [Kotori]: "I have lots of secrets myself, you know." [Kotarou]: "Haha. I'm sure they're all hilarious." [Kotarou]: "Like how many kilos you underestimate your weight." [Kotori]: "...that's a good one." [Kotarou]: "It'd be nice if all secrets were that cute." [Kotori]: "I wanna be a cute woman someday." [Kotarou]: "But I..." My memories are murky. This always happens when I try to look back to my past. [Kotarou]: "Hey...what illness did I have anyway...?" [Kotori]: "I'm not sure. It had a really long name." [Kotori]: "But you're better now so it's okay." [Kotarou]: "It's okay...hmm." [Kotori]: "Okay, okay." [Kotori]: "So focus on living now, getting all the things you want and looking toward the future." [Kotori]: "You have the right to do that." Kotori's words sound strangely hollow. [Kotori]: "Is Yoshino-kun's house near here?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah...it should be close." [Kotarou]: "Should be that one...you know, it's really rare for Yoshino to stay home because of a mere cold." [Kotori]: "Maybe he stayed home so that no one else would catch it." [Kotarou]: "Ah, it says "Yoshino" here. This is the place." [Kotori]: "Ooooh, such a huge lawn." This house symbolizes the comfortable wealth of a perfectly ordinary middle class family. [Kotarou]: "There's no bell on the gate...let's go in." I open the gate and move up to the door. I press the doorbell several times, but no one comes out. [Kotarou]: "Is he not in?" [Kotori]: "I don't hear the bell ringing inside." [Kotarou]: "Aaah, maybe it's broken." We'll just have to yell for someone. But before I get the chance, I hear a Yoshino-like voice nearby. [Kotori]: "I think he's over that way." [Kotarou]: "...hmmm, oh well, let's go." Might as well hand it to him in person and make sure he's okay. We enter the backyard and look through an open window. Yoshino's lying in bed. Yoshino's wearing...crisp white pajamas. It would've made sense if they were degenerate pajamas with a skull and crossbones or something, but... Both Kotori and I were speechless for a while. Yoshino's flipping through a rock magazine. [Kotarou]: "Yo――" Just as I try to call to him... [Yoshino]: "Mama, peel this pear for me!" Our world shatters. [Kotarou]: "～～～!!!??" If I hadn't covered my mouth immediately, I would've burst out laughing. Even Kotori has to lower her head. Her shoulders are shaking. But we don't last long... I grab Kotori and run back to the street. Then I release her. [Kotarou]: "Daaaaaaaaamn, I'll never be able to look at his face again!!" [Kotori]: "No, we mustn't laugh..." Kotori's resisting so much her eyes are tearing up. [Kotarou]: "We'd better keep this to ourselves." [Kotori]: "You're right...that's probably Yoshino-kun's sanctuary." [Kotarou]: "...still...that was a shock." I stick the handouts into the rolled-up newspaper at the gate before we leave. People really do have lots of secrets. I know that very well now. Lunch break. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Oh, Shizuru, wanna eat with us?" [Kotori]: "Oh, Shizu-chan?" [Shizuru]: "Kotori." [Shizuru]: "Good afternoon." [Kotori]: "Yes, good afternoon." [Kotarou]: "Shall we go eat?" [Chihaya]: "I think she wants you to ask why she came all the way here." [Kotarou]: "What? Oh yeah, why did you come here?" [Shizuru]: "I'm not sure." [Kotarou]: "Were you sleepwalking?" [Shizuru]: "...no." [Shizuru]: "That song the other day." [Kotarou]: "Hmm?" [Kotarou]: "Hmm-hm-hmm♪ Hm-hm-hmm-hm-hmmmm♪" [Kotarou]: "Taaaa-ra-ri-ra-ta-ta-ra♪" [Kotarou]: "Got it?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Kotori]: "You could tell just from that...?" [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotori]: "Kotarou-san's terrible at singing." [Kotarou]: "Wh-what!? I suck!?" [Shizuru]: "I came because I don't know it." [Kotori]: "You don't?" [Chihaya]: "I don't think he's good..." [Kotarou]: "This has nothing to do with my humming skills! Shizuru just doesn't know the song!!" [Kotori]: "...Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Kotori]: "I don't think anyone would recognize it from that..." [Kotarou]: "Really...?" That's a depressing criticism. [Chihaya]: "I couldn't tell." She nods. [Kotarou]: "Wait, wait, lemme do it again..." I listen to it in my head again, then try humming.

<METADATA> Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Hmm-hm-hmm♪ Hm-hm-hmm-hm-hmmmm♪" [Kotarou]: "Taaaa-ra-ri-ra-ta-ta-ra♪" [Kotori]: "Aaaaah." [Kotarou]: "You got it?" [Kotori]: "What was that..." [Kotarou]: "It's a jingle they played a bunch when we were little." [Kotarou]: "I heard it a lot when we walked around town." [Kotori]: "AAAAAH!" [Kotarou]: "Know it?" [Kotori]: "I know the song but not the name." [Kotarou]: "Fall..." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Kotarou]: "Chihaya, do...never mind, you wouldn't know." [Chihaya]: "What!? What does that mean!?" [Kotarou]: "Do you know it?" [Chihaya]: "No." [Kotarou]: "See?" [Chihaya]: "U-uuu...you're right, but..." [Nishikujou]: "I know it." [Shizuru]: "―!?" Suddenly Nishikujou-sensei appears and captures Shizuru. [Kotori]: "Ah, hello Nishikujou-sensei." [Nishikujou]: "Yes, hello." [Chihaya]: "H-hello..." [Nishikujou]: "Uhuhu, so many guests today." [Kotarou]: "Mostly because you're here." [Nishikujou]: "Is that a problem?" She fidgets. Shizuru's attempting to resist capture. [Nishikujou]: "You were humming this, right?" [Kotarou]: "Oh?" Nishikujou-sensei pulls a tablet out of her bag. ...I've wanted one of those things before. [Nishikujou]: "Here." She shows me a mail order site. [Kotarou]: "Aaah, this one." [Kotori]: "Uwa, I was completely wrong." [Chihaya]: "I've never heard of it." [Nishikujou]: "All the girls were listening to this when I was young. This takes me back～" [Kotarou]: "There really is a generation gap." [Nishikujou]: "That kinda hurts..." [Shizuru]: "...can we listen to it?" [Nishikujou]: "I could touch this button and it'll be here in two days." [Nishikujou]: "So convenient～" I sigh. [Kotarou]: "But wouldn't it be faster and cheaper to go buy it downtown?" [Kotarou]: "It's probably in a bargain bin somewhere." [Shizuru]: "Really?" [Kotarou]: "Probably." [Shizuru]: "Hmm～" [Nishikujou]: "Oh, so you don't need me?" [Kotarou]: "Nope." [Nishikujou]: "Aw." [Kotori]: "Don't say that. Thanks for telling us the name." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, now we know what to look for." [Nishikujou]: "It was nothing～" She smiles, delighted. [Nishikujou]: "It's so wonderful to be needed by your students～" [Kotarou]: "Well, you are older than us, so you're gonna know some stuff we don't." [Nishikujou]: "Call me whenever you need help!" [Nishikujou]: "Also, Shizuru-chan, there's nothing wrong with visiting Tennouji-kun's club, but you're gonna be late if you stay here." [Shizuru]: ".........!!" Shizuru hits her (though it looks painless). [Nishikujou]: "Yan! That hurts!" [Nishikujou]: "Shizuru-chan doesn't like me...awww..." She looks troubled. [Kotarou]: "Sensei, not that it matters, but we're gonna be late..." [Nishikujou]: "Oh my, you're right." [Nishikujou]: "Bye now～" She leaves. [Nishikujou]: "Ta-ra-ta～♪" She's enjoying herself. [Kotarou]: "So that's the most popular female teacher in our school..." [Kotori]: "Rumor has it she's tied with our teacher for most popular overall." [Kotarou]: "Wow." After seeing that, I can kinda see why. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, you need to get going too." [Shizuru]: "Don't worry about Touka." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" Is that Nishikujou-sensei's first name? She runs off. [Kotarou]: "What was that?" [Kotori]: "Confucius says, she is embarrassed." Kotofucius teaches me. [Kotarou]: "Hmm..." Did she come here just to see me? [Kotarou]: "...seems normal for friends though." [Kotori]: "Shizu-chan's at an age where even that's embarrassing." [Kotarou]: "Ah, right..." [Chihaya]: "So what was that all about?" [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's get back to class." [Chihaya]: "You could at least answer my question!!" If you've never heard the song there's no point... [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Hello." She came to my classroom again. She has a whistle in her mouth. *phweeet* [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, you were sleeping in class." [Kotarou]: "Umm, I guess...when was this?" [Kotarou]: "The exact time isn't that important." [Shizuru]: "But you slept." [Kotarou]: "I admit that." [Shizuru]: "You violated morals." [Kotarou]: "So what's my punishment?" [Shizuru]: "...that." [Kotarou]: "What?" [Shizuru]: "...umm..." [Kotori]: "Shizu-chan, when you're stressed, draw letters on your hand and pretend to swallow them." I thought there was a specific letter you're supposed to draw... Shizuru does as she says. She gulps it down and faces me again. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Yes?" [Shizuru]: "Because..." [Shizuru]: "I'm..." [Kotarou]: "What is it?" [Shizuru]: "...I want you to go shopping with me." [Shizuru]: ".........!!!" She runs away. [Kotarou]: "...what did that look like to you, Kotofucius-san?" [Kotori]: "Confucius says she is embarrassed." [Kotarou]: "Really?" It's that embarrassing to go shopping with a friend? [Kotori]: "Has Shizu-chan ever asked you to do something with her?" Actually, in the past she would always come up with a reason to make me come. [Kotarou]: "I see." That means... [Kotarou]: "So I should follow her?" [Kotori]: "You should follow her."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Okay, see you later." [Kotori]: "I'll do what I can here." [Kotori]: "I can't keep up with young'uns these days." [Kotarou]: "You're not that old, Kotori. Don't give up on life yet." [Kotori]: "Got it." I leave Kotori and head out. ...then find her right outside the door. She looks sad. [Kotarou]: "There, there." I pet her head. [Kotarou]: "I'll come shop with you." [Shizuru]: "Mm." She pulls on my sleeve. She's telling me we should get going. [Kotarou]: "Okay then." I'm a little confused, but I follow Shizuru anyway... [Kotarou]: "So where are we going?" [Shizuru]: "Used goods store." [Kotarou]: "For the CD we talked about?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "You wanted it that badly?" [Shizuru]: "I wanna hear it..." [Kotarou]: "I see." I don't really have a problem with going to a CD shop. [Kotarou]: "Okay, to the shopping district." She nods. [Kotarou]: "Now, let's go." [Shizuru]: "Oooh!" She follows me. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru." [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "...it'd be easier to talk if you walked next to me." She walks up next to me. [Kotarou]: "Shall we go?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." We head for the shopping district as I wonder if this is a date. We find a used CD store just off the main street. These places aren't great if you're looking for recent stuff, but they tend to have plenty of old songs. It feels like it's been here for a long time. [Kotarou]: "Hmm, let's see..." I look through the shelf labeled "J-POP". I find it in a miscellaneous shelf, alphabetized by title rather than artist. [Kotarou]: "...480 yen." Cheap. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, I found it." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru?" She's looking at the cart outside. [Shizuru]: "...it's over here too." Shizuru's holding up an 8 cm single. [Kotarou]: "Now that takes me back..." It's been a long time since I last saw mini-CD singles like this in a shop. Even when I was in elementary school, I only saw a handful of these. [Shizuru]: "...this isn't it?" [Kotarou]: "Well, technically it is." Even though no one uses these anymore, CD players are still compatible with them. So there's no reason we can't play it... [Kotarou]: "...the one I found has a few other songs and is 280 yen more. Hmm..." This single is only 200 yen. That is really cheap. [Shizuru]: "...hmmm." We both look at the single in her hands and the EP in mine. [Kotarou]: "Here." I hold it out in front of her so she can see better. [Shizuru]: "Hmmmm..." She seems worried. [Kotarou]: "Is 280 yen a lot of money...?" [Shizuru]: "Yes..." [Shizuru]: "Over two cans of saury...20 more yen and it's three cans." The challenges of being a self-supporting student. For some reason Shizuru measures money in saury cans. [Kotarou]: "Are your finances that tight?" [Shizuru]: "I can't waste money..." [Kotarou]: "...is there something you want?" [Shizuru]: "Secret." [Kotarou]: "Oh, I see." As long as she doesn't have a huge debt or anything. [Kotarou]: "When's your birthday?" [Shizuru]: "?" "Why do you ask?" Question marks appear over her head. [Shizuru]: "June 18th." [Kotarou]: "Then this is a four-month-late birthday present." [Shizuru]: "―!?" [Kotarou]: "It's cheap for me." [Shizuru]: "You're an adult, Kotarou..." [Kotarou]: "No, I just have an allowance." Though I'd have much more money if my part-time job was going better. Still, I can always afford 500 yen for lunch. I just have to avoid anything expensive. [Kotarou]: "I'd like this, please." I hand 500 yen to the old man reading a newspaper and make my purchase. [Kotarou]: "Here." I give Shizuru the CD. [Shizuru]: "...thank you." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Shizuru]: ".........?" [Kotarou]: "U-umm...you don't need to be embarrassed." [Shizuru]: "Muu..." Why am I fidgeting about this? [Shizuru]: ".........?" [Kotarou]: "Shizuru-san, say thank you again." I implore her. [Shizuru]: "Thank you." It sounds normal. [Kotarou]: "Hmm." She seems unsatisfied. [Kotarou]: "It feels good to be thanked, that's all." [Shizuru]: "Yes, it does feel good." Well, that's probably all there is to it.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Gil | Gender: Male </METADATA> October 30th (Saturday) The long-awaited day has come. [Kotarou]: "Today...we embark on a quest!" [Kotarou]: "Laaame! School is so laaame!" [Kotarou]: "Hurry up and eeeend!" I decide to act high-strung all day for no reason. School ends. We decide to start after everyone's had lunch. [Kotarou]: "Hmm..." I brought a convenience store bentou for today. I need to go straight to the club room and decide what we'll investigate... [Kotarou]: "...excuuuse meee." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" Prez isn't here. She must have gone out for lunch. [Kotarou]: "Oh well..." I look through the leads I have for something big. What should we investigate... [Pani]: "Welcome home～" Pani greets me as she lies on the bed with a PS2 controller. After I finish dinner, Pani greets me as she lies on the bed with a PS2 controller. They seem to be thoroughly enjoying their indoor lifestyle. [Gil]: "Idiot, why are you running away!? It's so obvious the guy's faking his death to surprise you later." This guy's enjoying it by pointing out a certain character's blatant idiocy. [Gil]: "Hey, you've beaten this before, right? What happens?" [Pani]: "No spoileeeers!!!" *bam!* [Gil]: "Gyaaaaaaaaa!!" [Pani]: "Gil-chan, stop being irritating! I can't focus on playing! Go goof off somewhere else!!" [Gil]: "N-nooo! I wanna know what happens!!" [Pani]: "Play it yourself!" [Gil]: "Too much effort!" [Pani]: "Then you have no right to enjoy such a well-crafted game! If all you want is the story then go watch a movie!" [Kotarou]: "I had no idea you were such a hardcore gamer..." [Pani]: "But this is so much fun. It'd be a waste if I didn't enjoy it all the way to the end." [Kotarou]: "I guess I can understand that." I mostly buy RPGs, but I do believe in savoring every last sidequest before shelving them. Of course that eats up a lot of time, so these days I try to avoid buying games like that. [Pani]: "From looking at your save data, it seems you usually play all the way to the end." [Kotarou]: "Usually? Was there one I didn't finish?" [Pani]: "This one." She points at the screen. [Kotarou]: "Aaah...you're right." The one game I gave up on. ...no, not "gave up". I just got fed up with it and couldn't bring myself to play any more. [Kotarou]: "There's a choice right at the end." [Kotarou]: "The friend you spent the whole game with and your father are in danger, and you can only save one of them." [Kotarou]: "Your friend isn't actually that strong...but he was with you from the beginning, so you've helped raise him in a way. You're attached to him." [Kotarou]: "But your father is a much stronger character, with special equipment and everything." [Pani]: "Haa...that sounds tough." [Kotarou]: "...and if you don't save his father, the last part of the story really doesn't feel right." [Kotarou]: "It's written based on the assumption that your friend dies and everyone mourns him...even the walkthroughs say you really shouldn't save him." [Kotarou]: "Even the creators said you should choose the father." [Pani]: "...then why even put a choice there?" [Kotarou]: "I don't know." [Kotarou]: "I don't know, but..." [Kotarou]: "I can't make a choice like that." [Pani]: "Kotarou-san, you're so complex." [Kotarou]: "I dunno...I'm fine with something like that happening in the story." [Kotarou]: "But forcing me to make that choice myself is just..." [Kotarou]: "Ah, don't take that the wrong way. The game itself was loads of fun, and it got rave reviews." [Pani]: "Hearing about that doesn't exactly make me excited..." [Kotarou]: "Right? I stopped playing it after I heard that spoiler." [Gil]: "What's the big deal? If the dad's stronger then choose him! Long live the father figure!" [Kotarou]: "In a way I'm envious of your inability to think." [Pani]: "You're so sensitive, Kotarou-san." [Kotarou]: "If I had to choose between a heroine and the guy's father I'd have thrown the game out the window." [Pani]: "I understand why they'd want the player to mourn this character, but maybe they were desperate for a way to work it in." Now that I think about it, I didn't have enough emotional investment in that game to get that upset over it. [Kotarou]: "Anyway, that's why I don't feel like playing it myself." [Kotarou]: "I've forgotten all the plot details now so it's just kinda annoying." [Pani]: "I see, then I'll play it for you." [Kotarou]: "What'll you do at the end?" [Pani]: "Would you like to choose, Kotarou-san?" [Kotarou]: "...no. I don't want to make that choice." I don't want to be the kind of person who can make those decisions. I put together an article on what we did today. [Kotarou]: "The changing town..." I think it's a nice title. It sounds like a documentary on a public broadcasting channel. But would young people nowadays get drawn in by a title like that? [Kotarou]: (...I'm not sure.) It seems like I need something...brighter, to entertain people with. Especially for a little article like this. [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm." I do have one idea. There should be a lot of people like Yoshino who went to that candy shop when they were little. Maybe I could try bringing those people together. [Kotarou]: (But...) I'm a total outsider. Would any of them really come if I made an effort to reach out to them? I don't have a clue how to reach them anyway... Maybe I'm thinking too hard. That's right. If I do something stupid I might end up pushing that old lady too hard. I'll just ask her when she's closing and go say goodbye. Yoshino might come with me if I ask. [Kotarou]: "...yeah." That's plenty. There's no reason to do any more. [Kotarou]: (I didn't think I was that mushy...) That's right, I know who to talk to. I call her immediately. [Phone]: "Hello?" [Kotarou]: "Good evening, Solor Soran. This is a truly magical night. The stars shine with ether." [Ex-president]: "...you..." She responds with a dark, cursing voice. [Ex-president]: "...seriously, stop. My stomach is cramping." [Kotarou]: "Ah, sorry." [Ex-president]: "I lost my appetite after what you did...so I've lost some weight." [Ex-president]: "All thanks to you, darling." [Kotarou]: "Ha...thank you for the rage-filled words of love."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Akira Inoue | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Ex-president]: "But that aside...did you find the witch?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah." [Ex-president]: "Good to hear. And did you burn that other thing?" [Kotarou]: "No one ever seems to use the school incinerator anymore so I haven't had an opportunity." [Ex-president]: "...I don't care as long as you get rid of it." [Kotarou]: "That's what I thought, so I buried it deep underground." [Ex-president]: "Hmmmm?" [Kotarou]: "I put it in a little water bottle and buried it under a cherry blossom tree." [Ex-president]: "Dig it up and burn it right noooooooooooooow!!" [Kotarou]: "Eh? Why? No one will ever find it." [Ex-president]: "Water bottles aren't biodegradable! You just made a time capsule out of it!" [Ex-president]: "If someone reads it millenia from now, my shame will be carved into the annals of future history!" [Kotarou]: "Does it really matter? All high school girls go through some kind of rite of passage like that on their way to adulthood..." [Ex-president]: "Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "Y-yes?" [Ex-president]: "Keep it up and I'll kill your whole family☆" I feel something distinctly 90's about Ex-Prez' bloodlust. [Kotarou]: "...that was all a joke. I just threw it in the garbage normally." [Ex-president]: "Very well." [Kotarou]: "So, that aside." [Ex-president]: "What? You want to talk about my past again?" [Kotarou]: "Actually..." I explain the situation. [Ex-president]: "Contact information for boys who used to go there..." [Kotarou]: "Yes, I figured you might know some of them." [Ex-president]: "That's a tough request. Calling up a bunch of boys I barely knew even in elementary school..." [Kotarou]: "Just call it a class reunion or something." [Ex-president]: "...we had one of those last week." [Kotarou]: "Oh...then this is perfect timing!" [Ex-president]: "It made me want to kill my old self. For many reasons...huhu..." [Ex-president]: "So, I'm going to have to pass." [Kotarou]: "Eeeh? Please, think about it." [Ex-president]: "Hmmmm..." [Ex-president]: "Oh, that's right, there is a Kazamatsuri alumna where I work." [Ex-president]: "I can ask him about it if you want." [Kotarou]: "Please do." [Ex-president]: "You just want to bring a bunch of alumni together, right? He might be able to do that." [Kotarou]: "That would be great." [Ex-president]: "I'll do it then." [Kotarou]: "Thanks." [Ex-president]: "In exchange, destroy all the old Occult Club bulletins you can find." [Kotarou]: "Okay...as you wish." [Ex-president]: "You seem to like doing weird things." [Ex-president]: "Searching for the witch, bringing a bunch of alumni together..." [Kotarou]: "Even I'm wondering why I've been this active lately." [Kotarou]: "I'm wondering if everyone needs to spend part of their life doing this." [Ex-president]: "I see. I kinda wanna meet you now. See what you're like." [Kotarou]: "No, no...meeting up with an internet friend in real life is always disappointing." [Ex-president]: "Are you sure about that? ...well, you're pretty interesting." [Kotarou]: "Thank you." [Ex-president]: "If only we'd met ten years earlier...though even back then no one could understand my jokes..." [Kotarou]: "I'm not that special..." ...after that I ended up listening to Ex-Prez tell me all about her problems. Being a white-collar worker is tough. But I don't know anyone to ask... [Kotarou]: (I'll have to find people some other way...) But I don't have contact information for any other third-years or alumni. I decided to try asking my classmates about it. The process was slow but steady. Several of them refused. And many others listened to me, but then said they didn't know anyone. [Kotarou]: "Huu..." I plug my hot cell phone into the charger. ...I've called everyone I know. I'll just have to wait and hope now. [Kotarou]: "Okay, time to sleep." I'll try again tomorrow. After eating dinner, I put together a slightly desperate report about what happened today (along with the official's comments) and send it to Inoue. [Inoue]: "Tennouji-kun, I read your report." [Kotarou]: "Ha...go ahead and laugh...it was entertaining, right? ...haha..." [Inoue]: "Well, it certainly feels like a prank." [Inoue]: "But something's bugging me about it..." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Inoue]: "Doesn't it feel a bit too logical?" [Inoue]: "I heard there were a lot of bones, but it could just be a poster child for illegal dumping." [Inoue]: "...it just feels too perfect..." [Inoue]: "Like a flawless excuse someone prepared in advance." [Kotarou]: "So...what are you implying?" [Inoue]: "Oh, nothing. Just a thought I had." [Inoue]: "Anyway, I guess you barely passed this time." [Kotarou]: "I'm surprised you complimented that." [Inoue]: "The haniwa might actually be real." [Kotarou]: "No way. It's gotta be a prop or something." [Inoue]: "Dunno. I'd have to see it myself. It's actually really hard to make something that looks like one." [Inoue]: "Since you have to make it look old." [Kotarou]: "...hmmmm." Come to think of it, that particular item was found on the surface. [Inoue]: "That dinosaur-shaped haniwa might be the product of an actual ancient religion." [Inoue]: "Or maybe there was an actual T-Rex in ancient Japan." [Inoue]: "So maybe Kazamatsuri City was built where the followers of that religion used to hide out..." There's no way...

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "This room..." [Kotarou]: "I can see the stairs through the window, but the door won't open. The wood and rocks down here seem to be blocking it." [Kotarou]: "I've checked most of the first floor, but didn't see anything interesting." [Kotarou]: "We're gonna have to find a way through here." [Kotori]: "There's stairs behind this door, right?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah...but all this stuff is blocking it..." [Chihaya]: "Can't we just move it out of the way?" She shoves it all to one side. [Kotori]: "Hooray for superpowers." [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's go..." We go up to the second floor. [Kotarou]: "Mm...the floor feels saggy." [Lucia]: "Let's be careful, it might give way..." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, be extra careful, Chihaya." I turn around. [Chihaya]: "...too late." She fell most of the way through a hole in the floor. Only her head is visible. [Lucia]: "You look thoroughly stuck down there...do you have a talent for this?" [Chihaya]: "I don't and I wouldn't want to!" [Kotori]: "You can do it! Chi-chan, you can do it!!" [Kotarou]: "We're done with that gag." [Kotarou]: "Just rubble...nothing special here." [Kotarou]: "Though there is a lot more here than you'd expect. Some idiot must've failed to control her power again." [Kotarou]: "Something smells..." [Kotarou]: "This looks kinda like a cat turd. Maybe there's one living here." [Kotarou]: "If cats are here, then what cats eat must also be here..." [Kotarou]: "...I'd better not tell the girls that." [Kotarou]: "Rotting desks and chairs are scattered around here." [Kotarou]: "The metal parts are old and rusty...they'd probably break if I tried to sit in them." [Kotarou]: "Chihaya, try sitting on this." [Chihaya]: "Isn't it gonna break?" [Kotarou]: "Then I'll sit in it." [Kotori]: "Ah." [Kotarou]: "Whooooa!" [Kotarou]: "Uhyaaa! I totally fell!" [Kotarou]: "...it must've not had enough impact. No one's laughing." [Kotarou]: "I'll have to break one in a more impressive fashion." [Kotarou]: "I'll dance on top of this chair." [Kotarou]: "S! N! A! P! This thing is gonna snaaaaaaaaaaap!" [Kotarou]: "Whoooa!" [Kotarou]: "It wasn't enough......" [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's try moonwalking on the chair." [Kotarou]: "Tucci tucci aaah oh! Para-pa-para zuku den! Den-de-den!" [Kotarou]: "Pow!" [Kotarou]: "Whoooa!" [Lucia]: "What are you doing...?" [Kotarou]: "No one enjoyed watching it, but it was fun." [Kotarou]: "There aren't any chairs left." [Kotarou]: "It's the bathroom...the urinals are Western-style. Of course there's no running water here, so they don't smell." [Kotarou]: "Hm? There's a hole in the ceiling. I could probably see the second floor through it." [Kotarou]: "...do I have to look?" [Kotarou]: "Fine..." [Kotarou]: "These urinals are the only footholds..." [Kotarou]: "Nn!" *crack* [Kotarou]: "Guwaaa! The urinal's breaking!!" [Shizuru]: "What's wrong, Kotarou!" [Kotarou]: "S-save me! The urinal―!" [Shizuru]: "Use this!" [Kotarou]: "Yes, a urinal cake! Now I can purify the urinal!" [Kotarou]: "That doesn't help me at aaaaaaaaaall!!" *crash!* [Kotarou]: "Urinal cakes are no match for the forces of gravity." [Kotarou]: "...this is..." [Kotarou]: "I have no idea why these things keep popping up, but...it's a porn book." ――――Seek me, and I shall appear before you―――― [Kotarou]: "That was guidance from the Sun god Erohim, who all boys worship in their hearts." [Kotarou]: "This might be dangerous, but I have to check it." [Kotarou]: "This is...87/100!" [Kotarou]: "I thank the Lord Erohim for this fateful encounter!" [Kotarou]: "No way...you want me to take it home?" [Kotarou]: "If the girls find out I'm carrying that, the club could be in danger..." [Kotarou]: "I'll have to leave it here for now." [Lucia]: "Shizuru, did you find something?" [Kotarou]: "Ah!" [Shizuru]: "A porn book." [Lucia]: "Wha-...d-dispose of that thing!" *toss* [Kotarou]: "E-Erohim-samaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" [Kotarou]: "Lord Erohim-sama won't appear again. God is dead." [Kotarou]: "*cough*...so much dust..." [Kotarou]: "Hm? ...this is..." [Kotarou]: "A-a handgun...!?" [Kotarou]: "...oh wait, it's just a toy." [Kotarou]: "I'll try shooting it." [Kotarou]: "...nothing happened." [Kotarou]: "Hm? Something came out of the barrel..." It's slimy... [Kotarou]: ".........!" [Kotarou]: "Lice? ......no, worms......?" [Kotarou]: "I saw nothing I saw nothing I saw nothing." [Kotarou]: "This is..." [Chihaya]: "Ummm..." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Chihaya]: "I found a paper talisman behind that picture frame." [Kotarou]: "H-help! Someone who knows exorcism, help!" [Kotori]: "Calm down." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Kotori]: "It just says stuff about success in business." [Kotarou]: "We just went up these stairs. We'll go back down when it's time to leave." [Kotarou]: "We haven't found anything yet." [Kotarou]: "Let's look around a little more." [Kotarou]: "Guess it's time to go..." [Kotarou]: "There's an anthropomorphized animal doll on the ground..." [Kotarou]: "There's some kind of device inside, but it's broken and unresponsive." [Kotarou]: "Kotori, do you know what this is?" [Kotori]: "Sorry, I've never seen it." [Kotarou]: "I really can't tell what this is supposed to be..."

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Chihaya, could you use your Chihaya flash on this thing?" [Chihaya]: "I don't emit any flashes..." [Chihaya]: "But I have a flashlight." *click* [Kotarou]: "You're supposed to call your attacks! At least say "Chihaya FLAAAAAAAASH!" before turning it on!" [Chihaya]: "Why do I have to waste time doing that!?" [Kotarou]: "We got a good look at the device using the Chihaya flash, but unfortunately we couldn't tell what it was." [Kotarou]: "This place is even more rotten than the first floor. That collapse down there must've prevented people from coming back up here..." [Kotarou]: "There's so much dust I'm leaving footprints. Maybe I should be wearing a mask..." [Kotarou]: "It was dark on the first floor, but it's even worse up here. All the windows are boarded shut so no light gets in at all." [Kotarou]: "Is this...more grafitti!?" "Die you will" [Kotarou]: "Somehow I'm not intimidated by that at all." *flap* *flap* *flap!* [Kotarou]: "What!?" [Shizuru]: "It's a bat." [Kotarou]: "Aaah...so he's living here..." [Lucia]: "Hm? There's a doll on the ground." [Lucia]: "It's a little dirty, but...it looks reasonably cute." [Shizuru]: "Ah." [Lucia]: "What?" [Shizuru]: "...there's a black lump on it..." [Lucia]: "Yes, there's something on it. Why? Isn't it just dirt?" [Shizuru]: "It's bat dung." [Lucia]: "Hii! ...f-filthy filthy filthy!!" *toss* [Kotarou]: "Mafu!" The doll assaults my head. [Lucia]: "S-stay awaaaay!" [Kotarou]: "You're the one who threw this at me..." [Kotarou]: "I'm annoyed now so I'm gonna chase you." [Lucia]: "Aaaaah! I-I'm sorry so please stay awaaay!" [Shizuru]: "And thus they have a friendly scuffle." [Kotarou]: "Some of these boards look pretty weak. I'll pull them off and see if I can get to the roof." [Kotarou]: "...okay, I'm right above the main hall. Is there something here..." [Kotarou]: "There's some kind of plastic box up here." [Kotarou]: "Let's see what's inside..." [Kotarou]: "...lots of documents...and...hm?" [Kotarou]: "This is...a really old occult magazine." [Kotarou]: "Did a fan of the occult use to work here?" [Kotarou]: "Wow...the reader contribution page has letters from back when Kazamatsuri Academy was an all-girl's school." You obtained Info: "The Seven Wonders: #6 - Something in the Physics Room...?"! [Kotarou]: "This lead is from the old Kazamatsuri. I dunno if it's still any good...but it's definitely super rare."

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> October 31st (Sunday) The unfamiliar parts of the forest have an endless depth to them. Overbearing tree trunks. Spots of sunlight breaking through the tree cover. Rocks covered in moss. Moist ground. Nature has an image of being vast, bountiful and gentle. Everyone is surprised when they step into it and learn how different it really is. It is bountiful, but it couldn't be any less gentle. Dark, cold, indifferent, uncaring, even cruel. What that cruel indifference really means is that it'll take any opportunity to hurt you. The forest needs constant nourishment. So it wants dead bodies. It wants everyone who wanders into it to die. But it doesn't show that desire at all. Because it needs to lure people deep inside. That's how I usually feel when I'm wrapped in the arms of mother nature like this. I'm used to walking through this forest, so it's not that scary anymore, but... Whenever I find a huge snake, I can't help but think it's the forest's bloodlust incarnate. That's why I came alone. After walking a short ways, I turned on Mappie. I told it to start scanning, and every so often I checked to make sure it was working properly. After three checks, I feel reassured. I also have a map and compass of course. I haven't forgotten food or water either. There are also three bars of chocolate in my day bag for emergencies. But my phone is still my lifeline. No matter what happens, if I have my phone I can still call for help. I also brought spare batteries. [Kotarou]: "So this is point A." I mark it on the map. I fold a glow stick and push it into a relatively open patch of dirt. While waiting for it to light up, I drink from my water bottle. I look around, and find some tracks. It looks like something about thirty centimeters wide was dragged deeper into the forest. Something must've dragged it out of this ditch over here. But what could it be? Just a big snake? Or a survivor from the Mesozoic era? There's no way to know. It's just a creature of the forest. [Kotarou]: "...UMA search team." It sounds fake the moment I say it. But this is exactly the sort of thing the Occult Club should be researching. The glow stick starts growing dim. I decide to move on. The tracks end suddenly. Because there's a small river. It's only two meters across, but I don't see the tracks on the far side. Did it go up or down the river? I get worried. I put down another glow stick. I need to move either upstream or downstream. Downstream it gets wider as it goes. It probably merges with a bigger river eventually. Whatever creature this is, would it really want to cross that? If it just flowed down the river there's no way to track it. The whole point of spending my Sunday on this was to follow actual tracks on the ground. If I don't have those, it's all a waste. Which is fine when the whole group is here. But I came out here alone today because I couldn't let this go. [Kotarou]: "...okay." I was worrying too much. I found obvious tracks. They're coming right out the other side of the river. So whatever it was moved this far upstream before proceeding. I head deeper into the forest. Into the darkness. Into more dangerous territory. [Kotarou]: "...I can do this." I need courage. It's not easy challenging mother nature all by yourself. I drink the last of my water bottle. Then I dip it in a clear stream to refill it. I check Mappie. I check my food. I make sure my flashlight works. Time to march again. [Kotarou]: "It's still morning..." It's so dark in here, but outside the forest it's bright and clear. Thinking about that feels strange. I continue following the tracks. The river gradually shrinks until there's nothing but moist ground left. [Kotarou]: "...this is getting dangerous." It's not a swamp yet, but there could be a hole anywhere. What they call a bottomless swamp. I have to watch where I step. [Kotarou]: "Maybe I should turn back..." [Kotarou]: "...hm!?" I feel something powerful. But strangely, it also feels familiar. That can't be right. I'm in the depths of the forest, miles from civilization... It's coming closer. I quiet my breathing to stay hidden. Then I walk toward it, as quietly as possible. Hiiya... ...hiee...kyoeeeee... What the hell is that? That sounds like an animal. Maybe a bird? Or a wild dog? Whatever it is, it sounds violent. I get tense. This might turn into a battle. Humans don't belong in the forest. I move carefully. Hiiya... Iiiiya... That's such an eerie noise... [Kotarou]: (I think...it's behind this tree.) Kieeeeeeee... Shaaaaaaa... I mentally prepare myself to see some kind of monster, then peek out. [Yoshino]: "Kieeeeeeee!" Yoshino was doing secret training. [Kotarou]: "Oh come on!" [Yoshino]: "Whaaaaaaaat!?" I am disappointed and charge at Yoshino. [Kotarou]: "There―!" [Yoshino]: "Oooooooh!?" We perform kung fu. [Yoshino]: "Ha! Take―! Hmph!" [Kotarou]: "Oooooooooooh!" We push each other back and forth with various attacks. [Kotarou]: "Guwa!" I slip on the unfamiliar terrain. [Yoshino]: "Tennoujiiiiiiiii!" [Yoshino]: "Wh-what the hell are you doing heeeeeeeeere!?" [Kotarou]: "So it is you, Yoshino...s-sorry...I freaked out a little." [Yoshino]: "You attack people when you freak out!?" [Kotarou]: "It depends on how freaky it was." [Kotarou]: "This was way beyond normal freakiness level." [Yoshino]: "Uu...I can't believe you found this place..." [Kotarou]: "What are you doing out here.........training?" Yoshino has the right to remain silent about this. I look around. There are several logs hanging from ropes. [Kotarou]: "D-don't tell me...this is..." [Yoshino]: "...yeah...it is." There are also a few carved wooden training dummies. [Kotarou]: "You're like one of those guys in old kung fu movies." We ran across a martial artist out here yesterday...is this getting popular? If training dummies are this popular I can't blame anyone for thinking there are treemen out here... [Yoshino]: "This is a training ground. Of course it'd look like something from an old kung fu movie." [Kotarou]: "Does that stuff even help with training?" [Yoshino]: "I'm doing this because it does!" [Kotarou]: "Are you Jackie Chan!?" [Yoshino]: "Uu...I can't believe you of all people had to see my sacred training...!" [Kotarou]: "...it's kinda dangerous doing that out here." [Kotarou]: "Why not just train in a vacant lot or a gym or something?" [Yoshino]: "How can I face my demons in a gym!?" You have demons to face...? I'm not sure how to answer that.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Hey, is this training...all to defeat me or something?" [Yoshino]: "...no." [Yoshino]: "The one I truly need to defeat...is Turuu." [Kotarou]: "Turuu?" [Yoshino]: "Yeah...Turuu is my one and only enemy." [Kotarou]: "So it's not me?" [Kotarou]: "I have no idea what Turuu is, but okay." [Yoshino]: "...it's you." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Yoshino]: "Ask yourself what it means." [Yoshino]: "I'm talking about the real you, the one you're hiding!" [Kotarou]: "...okay, I tried asking myself, but..." He kinda gave away the answer before I could try to figure it out. [Yoshino]: "...the true you.........Turuu." [Yoshino]: "Someday I will fight him...and he's sharpening his swords in wait." [Kotarou]: "The only thing I'm sharpening is my wit." [Yoshino]: "I'm not gonna fight with words you idiot!" [Kotarou]: "Turuu...again you give me a sorta-cool-sounding nickname..." The real me? Yoshino seems pretty strong himself. He's got good instincts too. ...this could be a problem. [Kotarou]: "...I wish I really could have fought with you on even terms." [Yoshino]: "What do you mean? ...are you belittling me?" [Kotarou]: "No...nothing like that. Please don't torment me so." [Yoshino]: "You know no one's actually mad at you." [Kotarou]: "That's where you're misunderstanding me..." [Kotarou]: "Don't twist me into some arrogant bastard." [Kotarou]: "I just don't want to lose my daily life." I'm not joking here. That really is what I want. [Yoshino]: "...I..." He's at a loss for words. He starts to say something, then stops. After repeating that a few times, he finally gives up and looks the other way. [Kotarou]: "Anyway, you should go home. It's dangerous out here." [Yoshino]: "...that danger is what makes this training worthwhile." [Kotarou]: "But if you hurt yourself with one of those logs you won't be able to reach a hospital." [Yoshino]: "That risk makes me stronger." This guy really does seem to be sick with youth... Has Yoshino realized we're both in high school now? [Kotarou]: "...seriously, it's dangerous." [Kotarou]: "There might be monsters out here." [Yoshino]: "Monsters?" [Kotarou]: "I'm tracking one right now." [Yoshino]: "...hmph, is that one of the stupid occult rumors you've been obsessed with lately?" [Yoshino]: "If something like that shows up I'll just spar with it." [Yoshino]: "...begone. The time is not yet right." [Kotarou]: "...hmmm." I can't talk him out of it. [Kotarou]: "You have a cell phone, right?" [Yoshino]: "Yeah..." [Kotarou]: "Okay, I'll go. Sorry for bothering you." I leave Yoshino behind and resume tracking. *rustle* [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" That wasn't me. I stop and listen. If it's a monster... I suddenly feel pressured. Despite spending all this time trying to find one, I haven't decided what to do if I actually run into a monster. I need to think things through better. [Kotarou]: (First...we battle...no, I should take pictures.) I need to get photographic evidence of it. Then we'll battle. [Kotarou]: (...wait, why do we have to battle at all?) Harming rare creatures is probably a bad thing. There's no reason to fight at all. [Kotarou]: (So if it attacks I'll run...then fight only if I have to...okay.) I should focus my efforts on running away. ...can a human win a fight against a ten meter snake? Snakes that large attack by wrapping themselves around their prey. My neck would break in an instant. Maybe my organs too. Punching it might have no effect whatsoever. [Kotarou]: "...I don't have a sword or anything..." Ideally I'd like a gun. *rustle!* ...it's close! I lower my hips. Ready to move on a moment's notice. I focus my mind on the direction the sound came from. *rustle!*...*rustle!!* The dry leaves are wriggling around. I feel disappointed. Something's moving down there, but the leaves on top of it are barely moving at all. So it's probably a very small animal. [Kotarou]: "Don't scare me like that." Maybe a mouse, a squirrel or a cat. [Kotarou]: "Hmph, waste of time." To repay it for scaring me, I decide to intimidate it back. *rustle* *rustle* *rustle!* Wait for the right timing, and... [Kotarou]: "Gotcha!" My right arm shoots out, breaking through the leaves and grabbing it! *wriggle* *wriggle* *wriggle* *wriggle* ...a worm? It's fifty centimeters long. It's wriggling violently. I can feel its body contracting and expanding and undulating in my hand as it tries to escape. [Kotarou]: "Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" Gross! Gross!! It's moving so much! It's so long! It's so brown! It's squirming around! In my hand! [Kotarou]: "Squirmiiiiiiiiiing!!" [Kotarou]: "Gyabaaaaaaaaaaa!!" I throw it away. My neck shivers belatedly. I rub my hand on the ground. But what I really want to wipe off is the sensation of the worm wriggling in my hand. [Kotarou]: "Huge! Huge! Way too big!" It's the size of a snake! No way... It's like a nightmare... If I get attacked by leeches or caterpillars or centipedes of that size, I might go insane. [Kotarou]: "I-I wanna go home..." My enthusiasm is instantly crushed. [Kotarou]: "...ow!" Pain shoots through my right hand. I look down, and find a red line just under my wrist. *drip* It's not just a line. I'm bleeding. [Kotarou]: "...why? ...when did this happen?" There's a big hole. Five millimeters wide. By normal life standards, this is a scary wound. Blood's flowing out. Which makes sense, given how close it is to the wrist. I push down on it with my fingers. [Kotarou]: (Did I scratch it when I rubbed it on the ground?) I run my shoe over it, but I can't find any branches or other sharp objects. [Kotarou]: "...did that worm do it?" Are worms capable of biting? This wound is baffling. The bleeding won't stop. Blood is supposed to coagulate when it touches the air, but... I take out the gauze I brought with me and wrap it around my wrist.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> Even under the gauze it's bleeding profusely, so I have to replace it several times as I walk. After a while, I look at my watch. 3 PM. It's getting a bit late. I've been marching out here since this morning. I did take a number of breaks along the way, so if I skip those I can get home faster. But it'll still take a few hours at least to get back to town. It's definitely too dangerous to walk through the forest at night. Even with Mappie's help I might get lost. It'll be pitch black out here. This is probably my limit for today. [Kotarou]: "...so I wasted my whole Sunday." So much for that. I think about it, and decide to walk for another ten minutes. It's getting hard to follow the snake's trail. There are a lot more leaves and tree trunks on the ground, and the terrain's getting more uneven. [Kotarou]: "Guess it's time..." Those ten minutes are up. I don't like leaving without finding anything, but there's no time left. But just as I think that... [Kotarou]: "...uu." A horrible stench forces me to hold my nose. [Kotarou]: "What the hell...iron...?" A strong acidic smell is making my nose sting. The only source I can think of is a piece of iron left out here to rust for ages. [Kotarou]: "It's coming from over there..." The same direction the tracks lead. I decide to head a little further in. ...then I find it. [Kotarou]: "What the..." A bizarre object lying on the ground. The silhouette of a giant snake. But it's not moving. It's over ten meters long. It's over thirty centimeters in diameter. It doesn't have a snake-like head. Instead it tapers off like the tip of an umbrella. The tail looks the same. So if this thing was alive, whatever sense organs it has aren't on the outside. It seems like an annelid. A segmented worm. Like the one I found earlier. The white steam rising out of its whole body is the source of the stench. An impressive chemical reaction. [Kotarou]: (...so it's decaying?) That means it's dead. This huge body was probably alive at one point, but right now it's being decomposed at an astonishing rate. I very carefully touch it with one finger. [Kotarou]: "Ow!" It's also extremely hot. My finger feels as if it just touched boiling water. [Kotarou]: (Is all the water in it evaporating?) Anyway, I'd better take pictures. I take several from different angles. I can't tell how to describe it. It's a little like earth piled up into a snake shape. There's no way to know for certain that it was alive. But would a snake decompose this rapidly after dying? It probably died very recently. And come to think of it...is this even a snake? It might just be leaf mold... Just a part of the ground sticking up... Just a fallen tree... There are lots of scientific explanations. But there's no point trying to explain this mysterious find with sciences I don't understand. We're all ignorant. The world has lots of rules we don't know about. [Kotarou]: (It's too hot to touch, but...) I pick up a stick, and poke it. I push harder. The tip sinks into it. Then... Fluid pours out from the hole. What is that stuff? It's dark brown. And it smells atrocious. A raw smell making the entire area uncomfortable. [Kotarou]: "...! ...*cough!*" For an instant I feel like throwing up. I've never smelled or seen anything like this in my normal life. I have a biological urge to look away from it. A mysterious creature died here. But it feels like that's not a complete explanation. [Kotarou]: "Huh?" She really is here all the time... [Kotarou]: "Prez, are you sure you don't live here?" [Akane]: "I do live here." [Kotarou]: "Have high school girls fallen that far?" [Akane]: "Walking to and from school is a pain." [Kotarou]: "It is for me too...well it is for everyone." Akane smiles, for once. [Akane]: "...jealous?" [Kotarou]: "No, that wasn't my point at all..." She's still a very mysterious person. [Akane]: "By the way, what happened to you?" [Kotarou]: "I've been in the forest." I tell her about my investigation. [Akane]: "All by yourself? ...you're taking this way too seriously." [Kotarou]: "I just felt like it." [Kotarou]: "But I found something huge...so it worked out in the end." [Akane]: "Something huge?" [Kotarou]: "We'll all go there together later." [Kotarou]: "Maybe this time I should make a more serious article and send it to that magazine." [Kotarou]: "And the pictures...good, they came out this time." [Akane]: "Show me." [Kotarou]: "Here." I show her the images. [Akane]: "...it's hard to say for sure, but it looks like it might be the corpse of some huge animal." [Kotarou]: "Though the head's too pointy for it to be a giant snake like I was hoping." [Kotarou]: "Still, this is a pretty big scoop, right?" [Akane]: "Your part-time job is at a local magazine, right?" [Kotarou]: "Terra Magazine." I transfer the data from my cell phone to the laptop. I start writing some text while thinking about the article layout. [Kotarou]: "Add some exclamation marks here...capital letters there...that should be exciting enough." I like how this article is shaping up. [Kotarou]: "Dooone!" I upload it. I think it's pretty good for me. Though the ending is just "What could the enormous creature be? The editing department is looking into it." [Kotarou]: "And, send." I e-mail the magazine editor. It'd be wonderful if they used it. And if they don't, I'll just put it on the blog. [Kotarou]: "...huh? Prez?" She's gone. Her laptop's still on. Though I think heavy users prefer to leave theirs on 24/7... [Kotarou]: "...maybe she went to the bathroom." [Kotarou]: "Geh! It's 11 PM!?" How long have I been working? [Kotarou]: "Crap, I've gotta go home." It feels weird leaving all by myself, but that's unavoidable. [Kotarou]: "Oh well..."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> November 1st (Monday) I decided to ask Kotori to walk to school with me today. Though she might be tired after what we did Saturday... But she's been coming to school a lot these days. I want her to keep doing that. There are futons drying out on the garden wall outside the Kanbe house. Next to them is a life-size Kotori pillow, also drying out. Oh, it moves. [Kotarou]: "Wait, is that you?" [Kotori]: "...I'm relaxing." [Kotarou]: "That looks really comfy." [Kotori]: "Wanna dry out with me, Kotarou-kun?" [Kotarou]: "I dunno about that..." [Kotori]: "These clothes feel so good I end up wearing them every day." Apparently that's what she uses as pajamas. [Kotori]: "So I've gotta dry them out." [Kotarou]: "Just use a dryer..." [Kotori]: "I only have one set of clothes." [Kotarou]: "I applaud your bravery for admitting that." [Kotori]: "Stop, it's embarrassing..." [Kotori]: "Well, I actually do wash this when no one's looking." [Kotarou]: "Why take a risk like that? Just buy multiple copies like the rest of us." Kotori's eyes snap open. [Kotori]: "You guys do that?" [Kotarou]: "Everyone does these days." [Kotarou]: "That's not just us either. The whole industrial world does that..." [Kotarou]: "It's a big trend." [Kotori]: "R-really!? Kotori-san has fallen behind the times." [Kotori]: "I must go to Jasco!" [Kotarou]: "Jasco again?" [Kotarou]: "Anyway, I wanted to report on my seed-planting progress." [Kotori]: "Okay, how many did you plant?" [Kotarou]: "...zero." [Kotori]: "What did you say?" [Kotarou]: "I haven't planted a single seed." [Kotarou]: "I'm really sorry, enemies kept showing up every time I thought about planting some." [Kotori]: "You say strange things. What enemies?" [Kotarou]: "Hmm...that's right." [Kotarou]: "The demon known as sloth who resides deep inside me." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun, you're useless!" [Kotarou]: "I have no excuse..." [Kotarou]: "What punishment do I get?" [Kotori]: "As punishment...you must deliver my newsletter, You Can't Spell Fun Without Pun, every week!" [Kotarou]: "I kinda want to read that." [Kotori]: "The more you read, the more you'll love puns." [Kotarou]: "That's not possible, so sure, I'll deliver it!" The moment I say that, Kotori sends me the latest copy. "Why rivers flood in springtime has me absolutely flow maxed. I just didn't bank on it." ...this could get painful. [Kotarou]: "Something like this..." I send Kotori the Mappie data showing where I planted seeds. Kotori looks annoyed. [Kotori]: "Barely any..." [Kotarou]: "Sorry. I've been shipped overseas a lot lately." [Kotori]: "No lying." [Kotarou]: "All right, I'll openly admit my laziness." [Kotarou]: "Now then...you may inflict your punishment..." [Kotarou]: "Use some kind of pro wrestling move." [Kotori]: "You mentally prepared yourself for that instead of planting them?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah, I'm a man. I won't run or hide. I may suffer so much I want to die, but I'll endure it." [Kotarou]: "Now show me your best bear hug! Squeeze me until I burst!" [Kotori]: "No hugging!" My cheek gets punched. [Kotori]: "That would only satisfy your eros, Kotarou-kun!" She combo punches. [Kotarou]: "This is pretty nice too..." [Kotori]: "It doesn't work on perverts!?" [Kotarou]: "Your punches are too harmless!" [Kotori]: "Mmmm!" We're just having a friendly argument now. [Kotarou]: "Something like this." I send Kotori the Mappie data showing where I planted seeds. Kotori is surprised. [Kotori]: "Oooh, you're doing it! You did pretty well!" [Kotarou]: "That's right, I did my job, didn't I?" [Kotori]: "Now if the town gets wiped out and five hundred years pass, the ruins will be covered in greenery and wild animals will be sure to come here!" [Kotarou]: "I think that would happen to any city..." [Kotori]: "You did it, Kotarou-kun!" [Kotarou]: "Y-yeah...I did everything I could for you." [Kotori]: "I was worried I didn't have enough practice manipulating men, so thanks." [Kotarou]: "Hey!" [Kotori]: "Now I can hold my head high with the other wicked women." [Kotarou]: "Don't turn into one of them!" Kotori is now "Ill-Natured Woman Level 1"! [Kotarou]: "Behold!" I send Kotori the Mappie data showing where I planted seeds. Kotori's eyes turn to dots. [Kotori]: "Fuoooooooo!" [Kotarou]: "How do you like that!? I've conquered every cultivatable patch of soil in town!" [Kotori]: "Such passion for such a pointless sidequest! Such wasted passion!" [Kotarou]: "Please don't say that. You asked me to do it." [Kotori]: "This isn't bad at all, Kotarou-kun. You did great." [Kotarou]: "Y-you sure...?" [Kotori]: "I'll have to reward you somehow." [Kotori]: "I have a bag of candy on me right now! I'll even throw in a shrimp cake!" [Kotarou]: "Sorry old lady, but I'm not a little kid anymore..." [Kotarou]: "It'll take more than candy to satisfy me." [Kotori]: "I understand. I'll release my darkest secrets." [Kotori]: "Take this!" You obtained Info: "Special☆Bargain☆Infor☆mation"! [Kotarou]: "...th-this is impressive." [Kotarou]: "Sorry, could I take a minute to look at this?" I look through her information. [Kotarou]: "Kotori, this is a list of Jasco bargains." [Kotarou]: "This isn't occult at all." [Kotori]: "Look at this. A halogen heater for, get this, only 390 yen! What could be more mysterious?" [Kotarou]: "That's way too low! This is supposed to say 3900, right?" [Kotarou]: "Anyway, I'm gonna have to reject this." Kotori groans. [Kotori]: "Then what do you want? It can be anything." [Kotarou]: "Well..." Obviously I want something erotic. But if I say that, her smile will enter an ice age.

<METADATA> Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> I need to draw out the maximum amount of pleasure that Kotori's morals will allow. I have to create a win-win scenario here. So I think hard, then tell her my decision. [Kotarou]: "I want you to suck my finger." Kotori's smile enters an ice age. [Kotarou]: "Just for one minute." [Kotori]: "...what are you hiding?" [Kotarou]: "Haha! I planted all the seeds already, so there's nothing left to hide!" [Kotarou]: "Now do it!" [Kotori]: "You're gonna get saliva on your finger if I do that. It's icky." [Kotarou]: "I can just wash it off." [Kotarou]: "And I'll wash beforehand too, so it's not filthy at all." Kotori's face remains coated in suspicion. [Kotarou]: "Basically it's a pseudo-kiss. If I asked for a real one you wouldn't want to, right?" [Kotarou]: "But I want more than just a lame kiss on the cheek. So I proposed this as a halfway point." [Kotori]: "S-something's not right. This is bugging me...what am I missing?" [Kotarou]: "You're not missing anything. I tried to come up with a good compromise for us and ended up choosing something a bit weird." [Kotarou]: "Honestly I'm not sure if I'll enjoy it that much either." [Kotarou]: "It's only a finger after all. I'm not gonna get that much pleasure out of it." [Kotori]: "Mmmmmmmmmm." [Kotarou]: "I can't think of any other ideas." [Kotori]: "...f-fine. Go wash it." I smile on the inside and use the nearby garden hose to wash my hand. [Kotarou]: "Okay. Now suck hard. Try to move it in and out." [Kotarou]: "And biting would hurt so make sure your tongue's between it and your teeth." [Kotori]: "...there's definitely...something wrong with this." [Kotarou]: "No there's not. What I really want is mouth-to-mouth but I'm settling for this." [Kotarou]: "Trust me, Kotori." She's clearly sensing the impure desires lurking behind this request. But Kotori's no seductress, so she has no idea what it is. [Kotori]: "...let's try it." Kotori tightens up her face and puts her mouth around my finger. Kotori licks me. I am being licked by Kotori. The sensation spreads throughout my body. [Kotarou]: "Oooh..." And then―― That minute of ecstasy swept me away. [Kotori]: "...o-okay, done!" Kotori pulls back after exactly sixty seconds. Before I can do anything perverted with the saliva on my finger, she drags me over to the hose and washes it off. [Kotarou]: "...damn." [Kotori]: "Indirect kisses weren't part of the deal." [Kotarou]: "So you saw that coming." [Kotori]: "I knew that's what you wanted. Too bad for you! I've already washed it off." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, that didn't work out..." I act disappointed, but I actually got a lot of pleasure out of that. Yes, the act of licking my finger was none other than licking my manly desires. [Kotarou]: (I will never forget...how that felt.) The sensation of being sucked by a girl. The knowledge that it was Kotori. [Kotori]: "...hmmm?" Kotori gazes at my face, still suspicious. [Kotarou]: "Anyway, you should get changed. We need to go to school." [Kotori]: "Okaaay." We might just make it in time if she hurries... [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." This time Shizuru came to see me. [Kotarou]: "Hey, what's up?" [Kotori]: "Morning, Shizu-chan." [Chihaya]: "Good morning." [Shizuru]: "Yes, good morning." Then she turns back to me. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou...I can't listen to this..." [Kotarou]: "Hmm?" She holds out a plastic bag. It contains the CD we bought the other day. [Kotarou]: "What do you mean? It doesn't work?" I open the case, but I don't see any scratches. [Shizuru]: "...I don't have a machine." [Kotarou]: "You mean to play it with?" She nods. [Kotarou]: "Aaah..." I remember Shizuru's empty room. As strange as it sounds, she probably doesn't have anything there that can play this... [Shizuru]: "What should I do...?" "Hmmm." We both think. [Chihaya]: "Can't you just buy one?" [Kotarou]: "Idiot! It's not that easy!" [Chihaya]: "Wh-what!? Why am I an idiot!?" [Kotarou]: "Come over here." I pull Chihaya into the corner. [Kotarou]: "I saw her room once. There was literally nothing in there." [Chihaya]: "Haa..." [Kotarou]: "I don't know why, but she must be incredibly poor..." [Chihaya]: "...!!" [Chihaya]: "S-so that's why...!!" [Chihaya]: "Come to think of it, she always eats hundred-yen cans of saury for lunch..." I think that has more to do with it being her favorite food. [Kotarou]: "Anyway, the point is you shouldn't say things like that around her." [Chihaya]: "That's true..." [Chihaya]: "Aaah...I feel like I said something terrible just now..." [Kotarou]: "You did. You have no delicacy. I know you didn't mean bad, but you need to think more about other people's circumstances." [Chihaya]: "Ummm, I get what you're saying, but Kotarou, you do the same thing to me a lot..." [Kotarou]: "You forget about it after walking three steps so it's fine." [Chihaya]: "No I don't!!" [Kotarou]: "So the point is, please be more careful about what you say." [Chihaya]: "You're really nice to Shizuru, Kotarou..." [Kotarou]: "Is that bad?" [Chihaya]: "...not really. It'd be disturbing if you suddenly acted nice to me." [Kotarou]: "There you go." We head back. [Kotarou]: "Sorry, she asked me what the men's bathroom is like and I took a while explaining it." [Chihaya]: "N-no I didn't!! Why do I have to ask you that!?" [Kotarou]: "But you are curious, aren't you?" [Chihaya]: "Well..." [Chihaya]: "...what is it like?" [Kotarou]: "And there you have it." [Chihaya]: "Ah, no, I'm not that interested in bathrooms or anything, but at least answer my question..." [Kotarou]: "What's wrong, Shizuru?" [Shizuru]: "...nothing in particular." [Kotori]: "Jealous?" [Shizuru]: ".........!!"

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> Shizuru hits her (though it looks painless). [Kotori]: "Ow-ow-ow, sorry, sorry." She furiously turns her back to Kotori. "I-I didn't hit you because I like you or anything!" Wait, that's not her character. [Kotori]: "Well, you definitely need to do something about this, Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "A CD player..." [Kotarou]: "Hey, rich girl." [Chihaya]: "...do you have to call me that...?" [Kotarou]: "Why not? It's true. Could you buy a CD player for her?" [Chihaya]: "Wh-why me!?" [Chihaya]: "Believe it or not I get a monthly allowance, so I can't buy things like that on a whim!!" [Kotarou]: "I guess that makes sense..." [Shizuru]: "...don't spend too much money on me." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Shizuru]: "You don't need to do that." [Kotarou]: "........." So she'd feel bad if we did that. I remember how Shizuru quantified money. A ten-thousand-yen present probably would be too much for her... [Kotarou]: (But there's gotta be something we can do...) Without using money... [Kotarou]: "Ah." [Kotori]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "I have an iPod." One of those devices that lets you carry a ton of MP3 files with you anywhere. [Chihaya]: "Can you listen to a CD with that?" [Kotarou]: "If I rip it to MP3, yeah. Loan me the CD and I'll have it done by tomorrow." [Shizuru]: "...you're sure?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah. I'm not using the thing anymore." [Kotarou]: "I'll bring it with me tomorrow." She gives me the CD. [Kotarou]: "Thanks." [Shizuru]: "Okay." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-san, so generous." [Kotarou]: "I see it as recycling." [Kotori]: "Come to think of it, I've never seen you use it." It was a vital piece of equipment during my rebellious phase. By walking around the house with my earphones in, I could pretend not to hear anything people said. ...nowadays it just reminds me of what an idiot I was back then. I'm sure the iPod would also prefer to be in the hands of someone who actually wants to use it for listening to music. *ding* *dong* [Shizuru]: "Ah!" [Kotarou]: "...five minutes until class." [Shizuru]: ".........!!" [Kotarou]: "You okay, moral guard?" [Shizuru]: "Muu..." [Kotori]: "You should hurry back." [Shizuru]: "Will do..." She raises her right hand. "Bye." Then she runs off. ...but stops at the door. She waves at me. "Bye-bye." [Kotarou]: "Don't run in the halls." She walks off quickly. [Kotori]: "Shizu-chan's more assertive than I thought..." [Kotarou]: "What do you mean?" Shizuru waited for me to say something several times in that conversation. [Kotori]: "When she comes to our classroom, I feel like her older sister." [Chihaya]: "You're right. Shizuru's so tiny." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." ...then I hear what people around us are saying. [Girl A]: "...isn't that it? She's coming every day, so..." [Girl B]: "First-years don't usually come all the way over here..." [Girl C]: "I thought Tennouji-kun would hook up with Kanbe-san..." We can hear you, you know. Somehow, they annoy me. [Kotori]: "What's wrong?" [Kotarou]: "...no, nothing." Don't just watch people when stuff like this happens. Damn voyeurs. Homeroom ends. [Kotori]: "You seem irritated, Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "Am I irritated?" [Kotori]: "I've known you for a long time. I can tell." [Kotarou]: "...it's nothing specific." [Kotarou]: "Why does everyone start acting weird when they think someone likes someone else?" I'd prefer they all ignored me like they usually do. [Chihaya]: "What are you talking about?" [Kotarou]: "It won't have anything to do with you for a while, Chihaya." [Chihaya]: "Really...?" [Kotori]: "No, no, it does. You're cute, Chi-chan." [Chihaya]: "Eh? Eeeh!? No I'm not, Kotori, you're much more..." [Kotori]: "No, no, no." [Chihaya]: "Non, non, non." [Kotori]: "Ya, ya, ya." [Kotarou]: "Take the compliments, you two." [Kotori]: "If you say so." [Kotori]: "Besides, it's natural to wonder about these things." [Kotarou]: "Hmm." [Chihaya]: "Ah, you mean Shizuru? I guess I do wonder why she comes to talk to Kotarou so much." [Kotori]: "Incidentally, Lucy-san is giving you a really mean glare." [Kotarou]: "Jealous?" [Lucia]: "N-no!!" She stands up violently and stomps over to us. [Lucia]: "I'm just concerned that you have been going out of your way to do things for Shizuru!!" [Kotarou]: "Isn't she the one who came to ask me for stuff?" [Lucia]: "Uu...!" [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun, you seem really confident about this." [Kotarou]: "But it's true." [Kotarou]: "Don't glare at me like that..." [Lucia]: "...what do you know about Shizuru?" [Kotarou]: "...how am I supposed to answer that?" [Kotori]: "Class rep, class is gonna start." [Lucia]: "You're right..." She quickly glares at me again. Then she turns away and heads back to her seat. [Kotarou]: "What was that about...?" [Chihaya]: "Dunno." [Kotori]: "I guess there must be a lot of rumors about you two." [Kotarou]: "If you say so." [Kotori]: "Hmmm..." [Kotori]: "What about you, Kotarou-kun?" [Kotarou]: "Hmm?" [Kotarou]: "How do Shizuru and I look to you, Kotori?" [Kotori]: "Hmmm..." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun, did you even notice that she's been approaching you more lately?" [Kotarou]: "Hmmm." [Kotarou]: "How did it look to you?" [Kotori]: "Hmmm..." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun, what do your animal instincts say?" [Kotarou]: "Hmmm..." [Kotarou]: "I really think I need the opinion of a third party here." [Kotori]: "Hmmm..."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Hmmm..." [Chihaya]: "Why are you both trying so hard not to answer the question?" [Kotarou]: "Hmmm..." [Kotori]: "Hmmm..." [Chihaya]: "Hmm?" [Kotori]: "Mm." [Chihaya]: "Hmmm..." [Chihaya]: "What was that supposed to mean!?" [Kotori]: "Class is gonna start." Kotori heads back to her seat. [Chihaya]: "So what was it?" [Kotarou]: "Hmm?" [Chihaya]: "...never mind." Basically... No one wanted to talk about it in detail. [Kotarou]: "We're good friends, right Kotori?" [Kotori]: "Friends." [Kotarou]: "Exactly." We end up talking about it after school anyway. Everyone likes talking about love for some reason. ...even though I said it annoyed me, I'm doing the same thing now. I mentally apologize to the girls who were gossiping earlier. [Chihaya]: "But it does feel like you're better friends with Shizuru than Kotori lately." [Kotarou]: "Kotori has a much longer history with me though. That's not easy to beat." [Kotori]: "...hmm." [Kotori]: "I wouldn't really mind if you two got together." [Kotarou]: "Hey! Don't throw away all the time we spent together so easily!!" [Kotori]: "Not that. I just don't want to get in the way." [Kotarou]: "You're not getting in the way." [Kotori]: "Really? Even though I'm the most beautiful woman you know with high social status, a good personality and willing to marry anyone with a stable income?" [Kotori]: "What if you end up turning her down because your memories of little ol' me are too strong?" "Little ol' me"? Still, now that I think about it... [Kotarou]: "Damn...I don't really wanna reject a girl who won't demand anything but income..." But I can't shake the feeling that doing that would cause my life to fall apart somewhere down the line. [Kotori]: "Right?" [Kotori]: "So I'm saying it's okay now, to avoid confusion." [Akane]: "She's indirectly dumping you." [Kotarou]: "Uwaaa, so that's what this is..." Actually, I had a feeling it was that. [Akane]: "By the way, I don't recommend inter-club romance, but I won't object." [Kotarou]: "Meaning?" [Akane]: "I'm not getting involved." ...Prez is uninterested. [Chihaya]: "What about you, Kotarou?" [Kotarou]: "It's embarrassing so I won't say it." [Kotori]: "...hm?" [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Chihaya]: "Isn't Shizuru cute? And I'm sure she likes you, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "You really are a little kid." [Chihaya]: "Wh-what the hell!?" It's not that simple. [Kotarou]: "Anyway, could you guys leave it at that? Shizuru and I aren't about to..." [Lucia]: "No you are nooot!!" [Kotarou]: "Uoo!" She charges in from the side. [Lucia]: "Don't you dare finish that sentence...I will not allow it." [Kotarou]: "The hell...?" She has an insanely low opinion of me. [Kotarou]: "What won't you allow?" [Lucia]: "What...?" She thinks for a bit. [Lucia]: "Anyway, Shizuru seems to...umm, be enjoying your company more lately..." [Lucia]: "And your personality...isn't a bad fit for someone as shy as Shizuru...and looks...well, you and Shizuru don't look bad together from behind..." [Akane]: "You think pretty highly of him." [Kotarou]: "Hm? Does that mean I should have more confidence?" [Kotori]: "Hmmm...dunno..." [Kotarou]: "By the way, why'd you go "Hm?" earlier?" Referring to Kotori. [Kotori]: "No reason." [Kotarou]: "Ah, okay..." [Lucia]: "I will not allow iiiiiit!!" [Kotarou]: "Whoa! What happened to all that good stuff you said!?" [Lucia]: "Anyway, you're no good, no good! That's right, your frivolity is unacceptable! I will never speak such words again! Impure relationships are wrong! Aaah, filthy, filthy! You horrible man!" [Kotarou]: "Umm, I haven't done anything to justify that..." Besides, Shizuru is as pure as it gets. [Lucia]: "Wh-who knows what you might do!?" [Kotarou]: "So, class rep evaluates men based first on Shizuru's feelings, then my behavior, then my appearance." My source being the order in which she listed those things a minute ago. [Kotori]: "Oooh, putting her feelings first is amazing. Not many people can claim that." [Lucia]: ".........!!" [Kotarou]: "By the way, why do I need you to allow anything?" [Lucia]: "...I-I know Shizuru better than you." [Kotarou]: "Won't I get to know her better?" [Lucia]: "...u...uu..." [Akane]: "Since you're saying that, does this mean you're serious about her?" [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" When she puts it like that... [Kotarou]: "Well, it doesn't matter...that's enough of that topic." I'm finally starting to dislike it. [Akane]: "Oh well, I couldn't care less either way." [Kotarou]: "Yes. By the way, what does the "denbu" mean in sakura denbu? It can't literally be "cherry blossom rump", right?" [Akane]: "It's not." [Chihaya]: "The Chinese name for it is rousong. It's only called sakura denbu because of the color." That's our glutton girl. No one can match her food knowledge. [Chihaya]: "Also, that "denbu" is written with the kanji for "field" and "mash". Plus I really like rousong." [Kotarou]: "But denbu still means "rump"." [Chihaya]: "Yes, but..." [Kotarou]: "So it's still a cherry blossom rump." [Chihaya]: "No, why would it be that?" [Kotarou]: "It's not?" [Chihaya]: "It's not." [Kotarou]: "No Sakura-tan rump action?" [Chihaya]: "What does that mean?" [Lucia]: "Sexual harassment...you really are horrible..." [Kotori]: "It's delicious though. I really like it as a topping." [Kotarou]: "Kotori likes rumps..." [Kotori]: "Uwaaa, Kotarou-kun turned me into a butt fetishist..." [Kotarou]: "What's wrong with that? I like butts too!!" [Kotori]: "Everyone loves butts!!"

<METADATA> Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Akane]: "...if anything I'd prefer you get a girlfriend so you'd stop bothering me..." The door opens. [Shizuru]: "?" Shizuru's late. [Kotarou]: "Hey Shizuru. Do you like butts?" [Shizuru]: "Butts?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah, yeah." [Shizuru]: "A strange question..." [Chihaya]: "We were talking about sakura denbu. Do you like that?" [Shizuru]: "Aaah." [Shizuru]: "I like it a lot." [Kotarou]: "You like butts too..." [Shizuru]: ".........!?" And thus, everyone has the same fetish. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." On the way out, she calls to me. [Kotarou]: "Hm? What is it?" [Shizuru]: "iPod." [Kotarou]: "Hm? I don't have it on me today..." We only made that agreement this morning. I haven't even had a chance to get it yet. "That's right..." She gets depressed. Evidently Shizuru-san wants it right away. [Kotarou]: "Wanna come to my place to get it?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "You busy today, Kotori?" [Kotori]: "I was going to have tea at the Ohtori place." [Chihaya]: "Yep." They wave goodbye as they walk out. [Kotarou]: "Huh. What about you, Prez?" [Akane]: "Have I ever joined any of you for a friendly walk out of school?" [Kotarou]: "Not really." [Akane]: "Hence, I'll pass." [Akane]: "More importantly, all these preteens are rushing to help the player they think is a girl..." [Akane]: "Maybe I should use a headset for once...though if they come for me I'll teamkill them." Haven't seen her play an FPS in a while. [Kotarou]: "Lucia, wh―..." [Lucia]: "Just go..." She answers before I can ask her. [Kotarou]: "Don't pout." [Lucia]: "I-I am not pouting!" [Shizuru]: "Is it okay?" [Lucia]: "...I do not mind what you do, Shizuru, as long as you watch the time." [Shizuru]: "Hm...?" [Lucia]: "You want to go, right?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Lucia]: "Then I won't stop you." [Shizuru]: "Okay." [Lucia]: "But..." [Lucia]: "Tennouji...if you do anything to Shizuru...you will die in agony..." [Kotarou]: "...okay." [Shizuru]: "Anything?" [Lucia]: "Just...well...you know." [Shizuru]: "There's no reason to go if he doesn't do anything." [Lucia]: "I didn't mean it like that, just..." [Shizuru]: "?" [Lucia]: "T-Tennouji!! You understand, do you not!?" [Kotarou]: "Eeeh? I have no idea." [Lucia]: "You. Un. Der. Stand. RIGHT!?" [Lucia]: "Anyway, that is all I wanted to say! Do whatever you want!!" [Kotarou]: "So I can do anything to her?" [Lucia]: "Not anything! I take that back, just die already!!" She says before leaving. [Kotarou]: "...see you tomorrow, Prez." [Akane]: "See you." [Kotarou]: "So cold...are you sure you don't want to poke fun at me or console me or something with your superior life experience?" [Akane]: "I'm not getting involved." [Kotarou]: "Ah, I see..." [Akane]: "Not that it matters, but guys who do things without thinking are horrible." [Kotarou]: "...haa." [Shizuru]: "Is Kotarou doing something without thinking...?" [Akane]: "Lucia thinks he―" [Kotarou]: "No dirty jokes! You're a high school girl and a mysterious witch!! Don't disappoint your fans!!" [Akane]: "You're overreacting." [Shizuru]: "......?" Shizuru-san's been looking puzzled for a while. [Akane]: "I see you're still pure..." [Akane]: "Well, if you're going to go then please get going now." [Kotarou]: "Gotcha." [Shizuru]: "Farewell." [Akane]: "Bye." Prez continues gazing at her screen, not even glancing at us as we leave the room. ...she is indeed not getting involved. Shizuru and I walk home together. [Kotarou]: "Such a beautiful afternoon..." [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "But the days have been getting shorter lately." [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Shizuru]: "I like longer days..." [Kotarou]: "Agreed." But the seasons pass no matter what we want. [Kotarou]: "...it'll be hard to sunbathe in the winter." [Shizuru]: "But if I bear with it, spring will come." [Kotarou]: "After that it'll get hot." [Shizuru]: "Grass feels good on hot days." [Kotarou]: "Hm? Good point." I think back to when I was a kid. The nice, cool sensation of rolling around on grass. [Kotarou]: "...though you end up with lots of grass and bugs on your clothes." [Shizuru]: "That can be washed off at home." [Kotarou]: "I guess so." If you let things like that worry you there isn't much you can do. I can understand wearing expensive clothes you don't want to get dirty, but there are things you can't do unless you normally wear clothes you don't mind messing up. [Kotarou]: "...though getting your uniform dirty isn't an option unless you have a spare..." [Shizuru]: "Hmm." We've been taught never to stain our uniforms. So we've slowly started avoiding anything that might stain our clothes. [Kotarou]: "...salarymen always seem neat and tidy even if they play sports." To them sports that get you covered in mud are just a weird hobby very few people have. [Shizuru]: "But I like my uniform." [Kotarou]: "You do?" [Shizuru]: "It's cute." [Kotarou]: "I see." A very girly opinion. Both our male and female uniforms are pretty unusual, so there are some students who choose this school just to wear them. Though personally I wouldn't mind an ordinary blazer uniform. [Kotarou]: "...yeah, it is cute." When I whisper that... Shizuru looks embarrassed. I find it cute. We reach my house. I leave Shizuru in the entrance hall and head up to my room. [Kotarou]: "Wait here while I go get it." She nods twice. [Kotarou]: "Hmmm, where was it..." [Gil]: "What? What're you looking for?" [Kotarou]: "My iPod. It's an MP3 player." [Gil]: "Ah, that thing!"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "You know where it is?" [Gil]: "Nope! I'm just a mysterious creature!" [Kotarou]: "You really are useless..." [Gil]: "What!? You just haven't realized how useful I am!!" [Kotarou]: "Then when will you be useful?" [Gil]: "U-ummm..." [Gil]: "I'll do something when something happens!!" [Kotarou]: "What does that mean!?" [Gil]: "Obviously I'll do whatever I can when something comes up!!" [Kotarou]: "That's still extremely vague." [Gil]: "Well...I'll do something!!!" [Kotarou]: "Pani, have you seen it?" [Gil]: "Sorry, I'll go search the room now!! Don't ignore meeee!!" [Pani]: "I think there might have been something like that in the bottom drawer of the closet..." [Gil]: "Here!?" He zips off to the closet and pulls on a handle. [Gil]: "It won't open!? Nngu!" [Kotarou]: "Wait, you..." [Gil]: "Nndoryaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" [Gil]: "Aaaaaaaaaaaagyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" The stuff in the closet falls over with a tremendous crash. [Kotarou]: "You...are worse than useless..." [Kotarou]: "No, that doesn't matter. iPod, are you okaaaay!?" [Pani]: "Aaaaaaaaaaaa, that's where we sleep!!" [Gil]: "Heeelp!!" The three of us make plenty of noise. [Shizuru]: "...Kotarou?" I can hear Shizuru's voice outside. [Kotarou]: "Why did you have to do that!? You made a mess of my room and wasted time when I'm supposed to be getting this to Shizuru!!" [Pani]: "Idiooot!!" *bam* *bam* *bam* [Gil]: "N-nooo!! I give!! I give, I give!!" We knock him back and forth. [Shizuru]: "I'm coming up." [Pani]: "Oh my!! This could be bad for us!!" [Kotarou]: "Oh yeah, I'm supposed to keep you two a secret." [Pani]: "You should probably go outside...I'll be sure to scold Gil-chan." [Kotarou]: "...please do." [Pani]: "Will do." [Pani]: "Sooo..." Pani grabs Gil's arm, pinned under the stuff in the closet. [Gil]: "Oooh, thank..." [Pani]: "Fly awaaaaaaay!!" [Gil]: "Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" She pulls him and throws him out the window... [Pani]: "Good day to you." [Kotarou]: "Okay..." [Pani]: "Haaa!!" She flies off at high speed. [Pani]: "You cannot escape!!" *kapow* [Gil]: "Gyaaaaaaa!!" I can hear screams and punches in the distance... Doesn't that attract attention? [Shizuru]: "Waa." She looks shocked when she arrives. [Kotarou]: "Sorry, some stuff fell over when I was looking for it." [Kotarou]: "Just give me a minute to put it all back." I start picking up the stuff in the closet. [Shizuru]: "...sorry." [Kotarou]: "Hm? What?" [Shizuru]: "This happened because I asked you to do something for me..." [Kotarou]: "No, this isn't your fault, Shizuru." It's the weird things living in my closet. With Shizuru's help, I get everything back where it belongs. [Kotarou]: "That's right, this closet was mostly empty..." In retrospect the way I piled my clothes in here was pretty unstable. Plus... [Kotarou]: "Mm!?" The top drawer won't open. This was why he ended up pulling it down. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, push on the top for me." [Shizuru]: "Okay." [Kotarou]: "Nn...!" I shake it up and down as I pull. [Kotarou]: "Oh!" It opens. In there are a number of bad objects...I mean memories. [Kotarou]: "My middle school uniform..." It got pretty small after three years, so it might not fit me anymore. No, that doesn't matter. I rifle through all the stuff in there, and find what I'm looking for. [Kotarou]: "There it is." [Shizuru]: "Oooh." [Kotarou]: "I wonder if it still works." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." Fortunately, since it was lying in this drawer all these years, it doesn't have much dust. [Shizuru]: "Can we charge it?" [Kotarou]: "There should be a charger and adapter in here..." After looking for a while, I find all the relevant cords. [Kotarou]: "Let's give it a shot." I plug it in and press the on button. The LCD screen lights up. [Kotarou]: "Oh, it worked." [Shizuru]: "Oooh." I plug in the headphones and play a song. It works fine. I know I chose all these in middle school, but it would be embarrassing to hand this to her as-is... [Kotarou]: (I'll just delete all the anime and idol songs...) I guess the rest is fine. [Kotarou]: "Okay, now to put this in." I take the CD out of Shizuru's bag and put it in my CD drive. [Shizuru]: "Cyber-Kotarou..." Shizuru-san is unfamiliar with modern technology. I quickly give Shizuru a lecture on the controls, and let her listen to it. [Shizuru]: "Oooh." [Kotarou]: "Sounds good?" [Shizuru]: "There's a lot in here." [Kotarou]: "Most of what I put in there in middle school is still there. If you want to add anything else, just ask." [Shizuru]: "I'll never finish listening to all of these..." There's only five or six albums... [Kotarou]: "You don't need to do that." [Shizuru]: "Don't you like these songs, Kotarou?" [Kotarou]: "I liked them three years ago." A few of them I might want to hear again for nostalgia's sake, but most of them I don't care about anymore. [Shizuru]: "You don't listen to songs over three years old...?" [Kotarou]: "No, I do. But these days I use this." I pat my PC. [Shizuru]: "You can listen to music with that?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." [Shizuru]: "But you can't carry it." [Kotarou]: "...I don't really need to anymore." I never want to listen to music outside anymore. [Shizuru]: "Hmmm." [Shizuru]: "Do you not listen to new songs anymore?" [Kotarou]: "No, I add new ones every so often." There's a space for CDs in one of my drawers, and I do add to it once in a while. [Shizuru]: "So why did you stop using this?" [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" Should I explain... [Kotarou]: "That's a pretty difficult question."

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Shizuru]: "Sorry if you don't want to talk about it." [Kotarou]: "No, it's okay. It's not a big deal." It's normal for people to want to know these things about their friends. [Kotarou]: "...well, it was part of my rebellious phase." "What does that mean?" She looks at me... [Shizuru]: "What does that mean?" She said it. Maybe my translations have actually been accurate so far. [Kotarou]: "When I didn't want to hear people scold me, I'd wear this as I walked around." [Kotarou]: "Then I could pretend not to hear them..." [Kotarou]: "I was an idiot back then." That's my honest opinion. I grew my hair out since I thought it'd be cool. But I realized how bad it looked and cut it, but the shame never went away. That's what regret is like. You have to live the rest of your life wondering "Why the hell was I stupid enough to do that?" ...I'm not yet adult enough to laugh those things off. I did seal this stuff away, but why did I go to the trouble of keeping all of it? Because I thought eventually I would be able to laugh it off? [Kotarou]: "...I'm still a huge idiot..." [Shizuru]: "Your rebellious phase...?" [Kotarou]: "Well, something like that." [Shizuru]: "Are you still in it?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah, kinda." [Shizuru]: "I see." [Shizuru]: "Then you've made progress, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "True, this is an improvement." I'm hoping to grow out of it eventually. A certain mad dog passes through my mind, but let's not talk about him. No matter what I say about him, he'd say the same about me. [Shizuru]: "A rebellious phase..." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Shizuru]: "...I stumbled across one of Kotarou's secrets." [Kotarou]: "That's not a secret..." Kotori knows about this too. ...actually, she probably doesn't know about the iPod. [Shizuru]: "I'll take good care of it." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, please do. I'd feel sorry for it if no one ever enjoyed using it." [Shizuru]: "Yes." She walks over and retrieves her CD. [Kotarou]: "...do you really need the CD?" [Shizuru]: "...it's a present..." [Kotarou]: "It's not that big a deal." [Shizuru]: "But it's my first present." [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" I didn't expect her to get that attached to it... [Kotarou]: (I should've given her something better...) This is a lot like the feeling you get when a festival ends and you realize you wasted all your time on one or two booths. [Kotarou]: "Why does it feel so lonely after a festival...?" [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Nothing." I just muttered it for no reason. [Shizuru]: "Because it's lonely when things end." [Shizuru]: "Especially if you were having fun." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Kotarou]: "...that's true." It is lonely when things end. No matter what it is... [Shizuru]: "See you tomorrow." [Kotarou]: "You too. Don't stay out too late." [Shizuru]: "Okay." She waves bye-bye and walks off. I watch her leave. Then, Shizuru turns around and waves again. [Kotarou]: "Bye." She turns back. Again she turns around and waves. [Kotarou]: "Get going already." She runs off and disappears around the corner. [Kotarou]: "She's so weird." But I did find it cute. Kotori and Chihaya are having a nice chat. Kotori isn't the assertive type, but Chihaya is fiercely loyal. This is probably good for both of them. Now they'll have partners when they have to do calisthenics in PE. ...only those unlucky souls who've been partnered with the teacher before will understand. [Kotori]: "Wow, Chi-chan, is your house really like that?" [Chihaya]: "It's just too big. Even Sakuya can't do all the gardening by himself." [Kotori]: "Ho-hooo." [Kotori]: "I've always wanted to mess with a garden that big." [Chihaya]: "Mess with?" [Kotori]: "Yes!" [Chihaya]: "Hmmm...is that normal?" [Kotori]: "Very normal." [Kotarou]: "Kotori's the type who'd never get bored as long as she had soil and plants." [Kotori]: "I'm not that simple." [Chihaya]: "Oooh, I see..." Chihaya doesn't have much interest in gardening. [Kotori]: "What's the floorplan? What parts get the most sun? What's the rent?" [Kotarou]: "Are you looking for a place to stay?" [Kotori]: "I wanna know." [Kotarou]: "Enjoy your wanting then." [Kotori]: "Will do!" [Chihaya]: "Ummm, there's a gate here..." [Kotori]: "Yes, yes." Chihaya opens her notebook and starts drawing a floorplan (maybe "earthplan" since it's her garden?). [Kotori]: "I see..." [Kotori]: "What's it like over there?" [Chihaya]: "Overrun with tall grass." [Kotori]: "Whaaaat!?" [Kotori]: "And here?" [Chihaya]: "Also overrun." [Kotori]: "Wh-wh-wh-whaaaat!!?" [Kotori]: "Uuuuu, such a waste..." [Kotarou]: "Then why don't you go over there and help them fix it?" [Kotori]: "That's a nice idea...but it's not gonna be that simple." [Kotori]: "Besides, I can't mess with other people's gardens." [Chihaya]: "I'm fine with it." [Kotori]: "You are!?" [Kotori]: "When can I come over!? Do you have a lawnmower!?" [Chihaya]: "Aaah, I think we have a spinning one somewhere, but last time I used it there was so much damage...I don't think we can use it anymore." I can easily imagine the carnage from her ultimate "Rotating Mower" attack. [Kotori]: "Uwaaaa!" [Kotori]: "Uwaaaaaaa!!" [Kotarou]: "Staring at me with sparkly eyes isn't gonna make me do anything..." [Kotori]: "It'll be fun!!" [Kotarou]: "You want help?" [Kotori]: "You won't help?" [Kotarou]: "I will if you ask." [Chihaya]: "Eeeh?" She obviously doesn't like this idea. [Chihaya]: "Do you mind being worked to the bone?" [Kotori]: "Once more, I will if you ask." [Chihaya]: "Then it's okay." [Kotarou]: "Now I don't want to go anymore." [??]: "I heard everything." The classroom door flies open.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Sakuya]: "Hello everyone, how are you today?" [Chihaya]: "Ah, Sakuya." [Kotarou]: "Uwaaa, you were listening in the whole time?" [Sakuya]: "Huhuhu..." [Sakuya]: "But of course." Such flagrant... [Kotarou]: "Wait...do you think that's part of your job or something?" [Sakuya]: "Why would it not be?" He's so eccentric I can't even get mad at him. [Sakuya]: "Anyway, if you wish to hold such an event then I, Sakuya, will earnestly prepare for it." [Kotori]: "Oooh!" She claps. [Sakuya]: "What will you need? I can obtain anything from scoops to drills to dump trucks to cranes if need be." [Kotarou]: "We're not building a skyscraper." The fact that he sounds serious is a little scary. [Kotori]: "Hmmmm, normal gardening tools should be fine." [Sakuya]: "I see. Then I shall prepare them." [Sakuya]: "Is that all right, Chihaya-san?" [Chihaya]: "Of course it is." [Sakuya]: "I see. Then I will make a special pie for the occasion." [Kotori]: "What!? A pieee～?" [Sakuya]: "Yes, a pie." [Kotori]: "Is that as sweet as it sounds?" [Sakuya]: "Probably more so." [Chihaya]: "Sakuya is wonderful at cooking pumpkins." [Kotori]: "Pumpkins..." [Chihaya]: "Sakuya's sweet potatoes are great too." [Kotori]: "Sweet potatoes..." Kotori-san melts into dreamland. [Sakuya]: "Then I shall prepare them that day." [Kotori]: "Ho-hoo, such grandeur, Onii-san." [Sakuya]: "Hahaha, I can be your Onii-san any time you want, Kotori-san." [Chihaya]: "Then I'll be your sister." [Kotori]: "Oh no, I really want you guys to adopt me now!" [Kotori]: "But if you do that I'll be Ohtori Kotori! What do I do, Kotarou-kun!?" [Kotarou]: "Why not? It sounds like a panda name." [Kotori]: "Q-quagmire!" She used the biggest word she could think of for no particular reason. [Kotarou]: "Why don't we cover your house in dirt and ivy while we're at it?" [Sakuya]: "That does sound like an interesting idea." [Kotarou]: "If you say so." [Sakuya]: "But no more." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Chihaya]: "Kotarou-kun, you're so unrealistic." [Kotarou]: "Your very existence is unrealistic." [Chihaya]: "Wh-what's unrealistic about me!?" [Kotarou]: "Your wealth...and social status..." [Chihaya]: "Geh! But it's all real!" [Sakuya]: "It's all right, just a poor man's jealousy. There's no need to worry yourself." [Kotarou]: "He called me poor..." I'm middle-class dammit... [Kotori]: "I seeee, the Ohtoris are riiiich." [Sakuya]: "By the way, I am a mere butler so I have no right to an inheritance." [Kotori]: "Mmm, so my only option is Chi-chan..." [Chihaya]: "But girls can't get married." [Kotori]: "Society should really get over their homophobia. Love is free～ Free and wealthy～" [Kotarou]: "I've been told some people oppose it because they suspect ulterior motives like that." [Kotori]: "Antisocial!" [Sakuya]: "If we're all in agreement, then I shall take my leave to prepare." [Kotori]: "Okaaay." [Chihaya]: "I'm looking forward to it." [Kotarou]: "I really don't like this but okay." [Sakuya]: "So unmasculine." [Kotarou]: "Stop finding fault with everything I say." [Kotori]: "Hmmm, how to get into the Ohtori family..." [Kotarou]: "You want it that badly, Kotori-san?" [Kotori]: "My ambitions for the Kotori Green Garden Empire will never fade, Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "Wait..." [Kotarou]: "Sakuya, why do you call yourself Ohtori? Aren't you just a butler?" [Kotarou]: "Uu." He puts a finger to my mouth. [Sakuya]: "Shhh." He pats my head. [Kotarou]: "At least tell me your real name." [Sakuya]: "Hahaha, you are not ready to learn it." [Kotarou]: "You're making this sound really dark..." Identity theft, disguises, conspiracies...it could be anything. [Sakuya]: "Well, it essentially is." [Kotarou]: "Seriously!? Isn't that really bad!?" [Sakuya]: "It is but a trivial detail." [Sakuya]: "Farewell." He leaves. [Chihaya]: "So are you coming or not, Kotarou?" [Kotori]: "You are, right?" [Kotarou]: "Shouldn't you guys be a little more bothered by all that...?" [Kotori]: "It doesn't really matter, so why let it bother me?" [Kotarou]: "I guess that's true..." [Chihaya]: "...so are you coming? Yes or no." [Kotarou]: "I don't have much of a choice at this point." [Chihaya]: "Really?" [Kotarou]: "Are you happy?" [Chihaya]: "Wh-what!? Wh-wh-why would I be!?" [Chihaya]: "I-I'm not happy at all!! Not in the slightest!! Don't think so highly of yourself!! You misunderstand everything!!" You don't have to say that much. [Kotori]: "Huh? Am I a third wheel?" [Kotarou]: "We can't do gardening without you." [Kotori]: "Ah, right." [Chihaya]: "Th-that's right. If anything he's the useless one." [Kotarou]: "Then I won't go." [Chihaya]: "Eh...?" [Kotori]: "Come on, stop teasing Chi-chan, Kota-san." [Kotarou]: "But..." *glare* I feel a cold stare piercing my back. [Sakuya]: "Continue being mean to Chihaya-san and I will kill you." [Kotarou]: "O-okay..." I can see something in Sakuya's hand glinting behind my shoulder. A glint that could easily take my life away. [Kotarou]: "I won't tease her anymore." [Sakuya]: "I see." He releases me. That gave me cold sweat... [Sakuya]: "Well, this is just a spoon." He hands it to me. I was sure it was a sharp blade... [Sakuya]: "This time, I will take my leave for good." He leaves. [Kotori]: "He's so fast." [Chihaya]: "So, are you coming?" [Kotarou]: "I think it's really obvious I should..."

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male </METADATA> I wanted to come anyway. That really was just teasing earlier. [Chihaya]: "You will?" Look. She smiles the moment I say that. Now I can't help but smile back. Hmm... [Kotarou]: (...that makes it sound like I'm doing this just to see Chihaya's smile...) No, no, that can't... ...oh well, it doesn't matter. [Kotarou]: "By the way, what's with your family? Are they all assassins or something...?" [Chihaya]: "Huh? I don't think so but I'm really not sure." You should be sure about that... [Yoshino]: "Hey, you." [Kotarou]: "What is it, boy?" [Yoshino]: "I'll kill you." [Kotarou]: "I'll just ignore that." [Yoshino]: "Hmph...fine. Do you care about gardening?" [Kotarou]: "I guess I kinda do..." [Yoshino]: "Tell me everything you know about it." This is sudden. [Kotarou]: "What gives? Do I look that green to you?" [Yoshino]: "It's hard to describe, but...you look like the kind of guy who enjoys little things." [Kotarou]: "But of course. I'm an expert at making plants wither." I can't even count the number I've killed. [Yoshino]: "Huh?" [Kotarou]: "I know a little about it but I've never been able to do anything useful." [Yoshino]: "Hmph, useless bastard..." [Kotarou]: "So what is it? Did some kid on the street give you seeds?" [Yoshino]: "Of course not..." [Kotarou]: "True, no kid would dare approach Outlaw Yoshino-san." [Yoshino]: "Kids are just noisy." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, and they'd probably run for the hills the moment they saw you coming." [Yoshino]: "Heh, even brats can recognize this mad dog's fangs..." [Kotarou]: "Well, they'd get hurt if they got too close." [Yoshino]: "Exactly...touching a mad dog will do more than just hurt." [Kotarou]: "By the way, don't fundraisers sometimes sell seeds to people?" [Yoshino]: "Yeah, but since no one has anywhere to plant them they end up inside people's desks..." Getting Yoshino to spill the beans is always really easy. [Yoshino]: "Do you want me to kill you!? DO YOU!?" It's also really obvious when he's hiding his shame. [Kotarou]: "I like you just the way you are, Yoshino-san." [Yoshino]: "I don't want you to like me at all, got it?" He grabs me by the chest. [Kotarou]: "So why gardening anyway?" [Yoshino]: "You should be afraid." [Kotarou]: "I'm used to this." [Yoshino]: "Hmph." He releases me. [Yoshino]: "Whatever. Telling you feels like a waste of time, but..." [Yoshino]: "A certain man asked me to do it." [Kotarou]: "Oooh?" [Yoshino]: "I owe him a great deal. I can't refuse a request from him..." [Yoshino]: "So now I have to do this." [Yoshino]: "But I don't know a thing about gardening. The closest I got was growing morning-glories in elementary school. So I figured I'd ask you." I see. For some reason it feels nice that this guy, of all people, is asking me about gardening. [Kotarou]: "You'd probably be better off asking Kotori." [Kotarou]: "Ah, that's right, we're all gonna do some gardening together this weekend, so why not join us?" [Yoshino]: "What...?" [Yoshino]: "Are you asking me to spend my weekend digging holes with you idiots!? Are you!?" [Kotarou]: "Why not get some real-world experience? You need to learn how to do this, right?" [Yoshino]: "...hmph." He turns around. [Kotarou]: "So are you coming? You don't have to if you don't want to." [Yoshino]: "I am coming, so shut the hell up!!" And thus Yoshino will be joining us. After school. I get a call the moment I leave campus. [Ansai]: "Hello." [Kotarou]: "Is this Terra Magazine?" [Ansai]: "Yes, this is Ansai." [Ansai]: "You did pretty well." [Kotarou]: "Really?" [Ansai]: "Which is why I want you to overcome this setback." [Kotarou]: "Setback?" [Ansai]: "The article you submitted yesterday...got rejected." [Kotarou]: "Abababa!" I'm actually shocked... [Kotarou]: "...can you tell me why?" [Ansai]: "For the most part, it's up to me whether we use an article or not...but sometimes the higher-ups have a say in it, like with yours..." [Kotarou]: "Aaah..." [Ansai]: "Publishing works like this more often than you'd think. Some of these decisions get made by whims of the management without any particular reason. Maybe you have a hard time believing me, but..." [Kotarou]: "Did I do something to upset your boss?" [Ansai]: "I don't think there was anything wrong with the topic...you just got unlucky." [Kotarou]: "So what should I be careful about next time?" [Ansai]: "You're quite mature." [Kotarou]: "Thank you." [Ansai]: "I wouldn't worry about it. There really aren't clear reasons behind a lot of these decisions." [Kotarou]: "Then I'll assume a dog ate it." [Kotarou]: "Is it all right if I use that article on my school blog instead?" [Ansai]: "Go ahead. I see, so you had a backup plan." [Kotarou]: "Heheh, kinda." [Ansai]: "Well, I'm sorry this had to happen to you...but please do submit something again." [Kotarou]: "It's okay, I don't mind. I'll work just as hard next time." I end the call. [Kotarou]: "...so..." I was planning on going straight home and enjoying an indoor lifestyle, but... ...my feet carry me to the club room instead. [Kotarou]: "Ooooh..." I immediately encounter a dangerous scene. She seems to be tweaking her PC... [Akane]: "...why is this graphics board going over a hundred degrees?" Akane stares at the screen and mutters to herself. She seems completely unaware of my presence. [Kotarou]: (Uu...this angle isn't quite...) Her legs are tempting. But that's all. If I was a mere five centimeters shorter, I would bear witness to the cloth millions of Japanese boys have dreamed about. Dammit. If only I had another camera angle...! If only I had another angleeeeeeeeeee!!!! But if I crouch down, it'll affect my gentlemanly pride. Have faith, and the way will be opened. I prayed. Prez changed posture. [Kotarou]: (Aaaaah!)

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> Enormous fireworks shoot through my heart, guiding me to literal ecstasy, as if faeries and sea breams and flounder are dancing around me in a spring breeze. Faith really does open the way! Thank you unknown deity! I start talking like an evangelist. Is it okay? I'm gonna say it. [Kotarou]: (Pantieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!) Kinda had to. [Akane]: "What did you say?" [Kotarou]: "Ah." My inner voice leaked out. ...I was a bit too ecstatic. [Kotarou]: "Nothing. Your pure white cloth was just revealing itself." [Akane]: "Oh, is that all..." She tugs down her hem indifferently. Well, I guess it is like her not to care... [Kotarou]: "Umm..." [Akane]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "Shouldn't you be a little more embarrassed or something?" [Akane]: "It's just fabric." [Kotarou]: "...I see." [Kotarou]: "Mind if I look more then?" [Akane]: "I'll despise you as the worst man on earth, but sure." [Kotarou]: "...never mind." I'm more gentlemanly than I thought. Anyway, what's she so engrossed in? [Kotarou]: "Those parts look really expensive..." There's an empty box for the graphics board lying on the table with the manual. There are some people who like buying individual PC parts and putting them together. Akane's one of them. This graphics board is a particularly expensive one. [Kotarou]: (...it's nice being rich.) I need to write more articles so I can get paid more. But I don't have a laptop. It's lying next to Akane's PC. [Kotarou]: "Prezzy～" [Akane]: "...use another stupid nickname like that, and I'll cook some eggs on this board and stuff them in your mouth." [Kotarou]: "Is that thing defective?" [Akane]: "It's supposed to reach ninety degrees. This machine is cooled by liquid nitrogen." [Kotarou]: "You're overclocking it..." Some PC parts are designed to work even if they're used outside the manufacturer's specifications. Tweaking their parameters to get the slightest bit of extra performance is called overclocking. But doing that makes the computer heat up. So they start using fans or even coolant to keep it under control...and a very small minority of users design entire coolant systems. Akane seems to be doing just that. ...did she say liquid nitrogen? [Akane]: "So what do you want?" [Kotarou]: "I wanted to work on an article for my job." [Akane]: "So?" [Kotarou]: "So I wanted to borrow your laptop." [Akane]: "I'm busy. Do it later." [Kotarou]: "What are you doing with it?" [Akane]: "I'm using it to access the internet while my PC is disassembled." [Kotarou]: "Then could I borrow it for a second to upload an article?" [Akane]: "No." [Kotarou]: "Why not?" [Akane]: "I don't want you recycling things here after they get rejected elsewhere." [Kotarou]: "Eh? But you never cared about the club at all..." [Akane]: "I'm not keeping you here to reuse garbage." [Kotarou]: "Ow..." [Akane]: "Who's there?" [Secretary]: "It's me." A woman comes out from the back door. She's wearing a suit, and looks serious...and I've seen her around school before. Akane pulls out the board and hands it to her secretary along with the box and manual. [Akane]: "Make sure you sell it for at least 80,000." [Secretary]: "Understood." [Kotarou]: "...that's a lot." The woman bows to me before walking out with the faulty graphics board. ...after getting a closer look, she is quite pretty. [Kotarou]: "...I thought she was a teacher or something." [Akane]: "I'm pretty sure she has a teaching license, so you're not wrong." [Akane]: "But her main job is my secretary." [Kotarou]: "Secretary!" [Kotarou]: "You have clerical work?" [Akane]: "I need a lot of things done." [Kotarou]: "Like selling computer parts online?" [Akane]: "It's trickier than you think it is." [Kotarou]: "Wouldn't her salary outweigh any benefit of managing the auction better...?" [Akane]: "Why do you look so jealous?" [Kotarou]: "...just a commoner's hatred for the affluent." Akane pulls out one of the envelopes piled up on the desk. All the other envelopes on top collapsed, but she doesn't care. She pulls out a bunch of documents. [Akane]: "Your parents make a lot of money." [Akane]: "Their salaries rose after they switched fields...but they never gave their son much allowance." [Akane]: "Apparently they didn't want to give you too much freedom by giving you money you didn't need." [Kotarou]: "What are you reading?" [Akane]: "A detective report." [Kotarou]: "Please don't investigate my personal life for no reason." [Akane]: "These are the secrets behind the deepest magic." [Kotarou]: "Not very supernatural." [Kotarou]: "Actually...did you really need to go that far?" I can't believe she would actually bother doing that. [Akane]: "A detective's job is to investigate for its own sake." [Kotarou]: "I know, but that's not my point..." [Akane]: "I need information." [Kotarou]: "...s-so...how much did he look into...?" [Akane]: "Everything." [Kotarou]: "Everything...?" [Akane]: "Everything Tennouji-related." [Kotarou]: "D-don't tell me..." [Akane]: "Based on what he sent this morning...your article was rejected from Terra Magazine, wasn't it?" [Kotarou]: "...geh." She's right. She really is investigating me. [Akane]: "Do you want to know why?" [Kotarou]: "I was told it was some higher-up's random whim." [Akane]: "That's true, but there was a reason behind that decision." [Akane]: "...Kazamatsuri Giant Creatures." [Kotarou]: "Oh yeah, I've heard about that." It was on the internet. The internet has all sorts of rumors and legends. [Akane]: "This city has a lot of legends, but the reports of giant animal sightings are particularly noteworthy." [Akane]: "Huge beasts, giant people, oversized insects...even though we're surrounded by a forest, there's just too many rumors for one city..." [Kotarou]: "This place is a breeding ground for those stories." [Akane]: "Sightings of dead giant animals are actually very ordinary." [Kotarou]: "Geh..." [Akane]: "There've been commotions about them several times in the past, but they all ended without reaching a definite conclusion, so those articles are considered taboo now." [Kotarou]: "But I know what I saw was real." [Akane]: "The person I had following you checked it out."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "After I left?" [Akane]: "Yes." This detective is thorough... [Kotarou]: "Well there was a corpse there when I left." [Akane]: "This is what he found." Akane throws a few photos onto the table. They all look like pictures of the giant snake or worm thing I found in the forest. [Kotarou]: "This is..." When I saw it, the body was giving off white smoke from some chemical reaction, but it still looked like a worm. In these photographs, it's completely collapsed. [Akane]: "Calcium oxide...it's just quick lime." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Akane]: "Quick lime generates heat when it mixes with water." [Akane]: "What you saw was probably just a pile of that stuff." [Kotarou]: "No, no, that can't be right." [Kotarou]: "Someone reported seeing a giant snake near here, so I looked around, found a trail and followed it to this thing." [Akane]: "Two suspicious men were seen entering and leaving the forest during the time you were searching." [Akane]: "It's likely you were following their tracks." For a moment, I feel confused. I put it all together. [Kotarou]: "So you're saying..." [Kotarou]: "Those snake tracks were actually caused by two men dragging a bunch of quicklime?" [Akane]: "Probably." [Akane]: "I checked recent quicklime sales records within the city." [Akane]: "And it turns out a certain farmer bought a huge amount of it a few months ago." [Akane]: "His goal was to revitalize the soil." [Akane]: "But due to a clerical error far more was delivered than he actually needed, so he didn't know what to do with the excess." I have no words. But I come up with an answer quickly. [Kotarou]: "...so he dumped it illegally?" [Akane]: "Correct." [Akane]: "By the way, in Kazamatsuri it costs money to dispose of that stuff properly." [Akane]: "Since he didn't want to pay for the shipping company's mistake, he dumped it in the forest." [Akane]: "He probably put it all in a sack and dragged it along the ground." [Kotarou]: "And I interpreted it as snake tracks..." [Akane]: "He buried it fine, but then water seeped in, making the bag swell up and burst, so the soil could mix in." [Akane]: "That created the smoking brown mess you saw." [Kotarou]: "Uu, so logical..." [Kotarou]: "But why would he drag it through the river if it reacts with water?" [Akane]: "Maybe he didn't know it would do that, or made a mistake." [Kotarou]: "...that doesn't seem right." [Akane]: "Mistakes like that are more common than you'd think." [Kotarou]: "Like dragging chemicals through the water despite knowing they'd react?" [Akane]: "It was dangerous, but he wasn't planning on leaving it in the river or anything." [Akane]: "It's easier to cover more ground and avoid attention by going along waterways." [Kotarou]: "Ah, I see...they were avoiding attention..." Dammit, her argument has no holes in it. [Akane]: "You should've found footprints nearby if you looked for them." [Akane]: "Though they probably dragged the sack over most of them." [Kotarou]: "Aaah, fine, science wins again." [Akane]: "This was a pretty enjoyable fight though." [Kotarou]: "Unidentified giant animals aren't that easy to find after all..." [Akane]: "Most large animals have probably been found already, but there are probably a lot of small animals no one's identified yet." [Kotarou]: "Looking for those would just be more science." There's no way for me to object after hearing all this. [Kotarou]: "...ah." I think of something. Why not just make this scientific story into an article? There's no rule saying it has to turn out to be a huge UMA. Even though it has a scientific explanation, it's still an exciting story. Akane even said it was enjoyable, so in a sense she approves of it. [Kotarou]: "...of course." [Akane]: "What is it?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, nothing." Akane continued putting her PC together during that conversation. All she had to do was put the old graphics board back in, so it didn't take long. [Akane]: "That should do. Tennouji, you can use the laptop now." [Kotarou]: "Okay, thanks." I spend an hour rewriting the article. I read it over, and compared to the vague conclusion I had before this feels much tighter. I try sending it to Terra again. I get a call right away. [Ansai]: "Approved." [Kotarou]: "Yaaay." [Ansai]: "You work fast. This is pretty interesting." [Kotarou]: "Your advice helped." [Ansai]: "Hahaha." [Ansai]: "Do you want your money tonight? Since this is your first time we're pretty flexible." I glance over at Akane. She's busy testing her machine. I answer in a low voice. [Kotarou]: "I would love that." [Ansai]: "Then come over here. I'll get it ready." [Kotarou]: "I'll be right over." [Kotarou]: "I have money!" I thoroughly enjoy the satisfaction of holding my first job payment in my hand. All I have to do to get money is write good articles. [Kotarou]: "...I like this." Simple. Easy to understand. Beautiful. And it's a decent sum too. Come to think of it, I did spend all Sunday doing something a little dangerous and got a lot of text and pictures out of it...so this makes sense. [Kotarou]: (Enjoying it helped a lot...) Maybe it's a lot of work, but this is my kind of job. [Kotarou]: "Money makes everything easier." My dad told me that successful men always carry their age times a thousand yen in their wallets. But even three months of allowance wasn't enough to make that happen. A truly meaningless piece of advice. I'll never be successful that way. But now things have changed. Tonight I can splurge on some yakiniku and still qualify as a successful man. [Kotarou]: "...I like this." I want to reek of money someday... *whoosh* The envelope disappears from my hand. [Kotarou]: "What!?" Akane's secretary is holding my pay envelope. [Secretary]: "...goodbye." She runs off. [Kotarou]: "What...?" [Kotarou]: "Give that baaaaaaaaaaack!" We race through the night. [Kotarou]: "That's my moneeeeeeeeeeeey!" I call Akane while chasing her. [Kotarou]: "What the hell is your secretary doing!?" [Akane]: "Collecting that money for the Occult Club general fund." [Kotarou]: "But I wrote that article!" [Akane]: "And I gave you the information that got it accepted." She has a point. [Akane]: "And I paid a lot of money to get that information." [Kotarou]: "Uuuuu...uu..." [Akane]: "All your earnings are belong to me." [Kotarou]: "That's the oldest meme in the book!"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Dammit, I'm gonna catch up with her!" [Akane]: "She used to be on a track team. Good luck." [Akane]: "In fact, if you can catch her you can have the money back." [Kotarou]: "Perfect!" I end the call and speed up. I pay close attention to the pedestrians as I accelerate. The distance between me and the secretary gradually closes. [Kotarou]: "Stoooop!" [Secretary]: "―!" The secretary gets a taxi. It drives off immediately. [Kotarou]: "Damn you!" Even I can't catch up to a car. ...at least, not directly. [Kotarou]: "Shortcut!" I leap into an alley. It's a slum. Cutting through here should save some time. [Winter Fang]: "Oooh, brother!" [Kotarou]: "Dasshaaaaaaaaaa!" [Winter Fang]: "Buooooo!" I kick someone aside. But I can't stop. [Gangster]: "What's your problem!?" [Kotarou]: "Dasshaaaaaaaaa!" [Lamester]: "Buooooo!" Someone else pops up. I kick them aside again. But I can't stop. Apparently anyone I defeat automatically turns into a lamester. Nice and systematic. [Gangster]: "Who are you? Who are you?" [Lamester]: "Gyabaaa!" [Gangster]: "You don't know who you're dealing with!" [Lamester]: "Dowaaaa!" [Gangster]: "Hey hey hey hey hey!" [Lamester]: "Uwawaaaa!" I kick aside several people (and rename them) as I pass through the alleys. It took a while, but I managed to get to the other side without running out of breath. I emerge from the alleys just as the taxi stops. The secretary's getting out. [Secretary]: "...!?" [Kotarou]: "Give me my money!" I grab her shoulders. The secretary smiles. She has one last trick up her sleeve. Before I can react... [Secretary]: "Nooooooooo! Don't rape meeeeeeeeeeee!" [Kotarou]: "Whaaaaaaat!?" [Cop]: "Hands in the air!" [Kotarou]: "Uwa! The power of the state!" [Cop]: "Throw away your lust right this instant!" But lust isn't a physical weapon... [Secretary]: "...hu." [Kotarou]: "Ah!" The secretary runs away. [Cop]: "You're coming to the station!" [Kotarou]: "Damn iiiiiiiiiiiit...!" I raise my speed even further, carefully evading the pedestrians. ...but I'm not catching up at all. [Kotarou]: "How is she that fast!?" No one on my school's track team was that fast! On the outside she just looks like a competent office lady. Does secretary work require running skills these days? [Kotarou]: "Dammiiiiiiiiiiiit!" She's getting away. [Kotarou]: "My moneeeeeeeeeeey!!" [Kotarou]: "Uuoooooooooooo!!" But I continue running at full speed. [Secretary]: "You're still following me...?" [Kotarou]: "Even if you're faster than me, I'll win through sheer determination!" I should have more stamina. As long as I don't lose her, she'll get tired eventually... [Secretary]: "Hu." She stops and turns toward me. [Kotarou]: "I've got you now...haa, haa..." She looks confident. [Kotarou]: "Don't underestimate me...there's no way I'm gonna give up on that much money..." [Kotarou]: "Just hand it over and we can all walk away." The secretary approaches me. [Kotarou]: "Otherwise I don't know what I might have to do..." The secretary inhales deeply. [Secretary]: "There's a stalker here! Someone heeeeeeelp!" [Kotarou]: "H-huh!?" [Cop]: "Hands in the air!" [Kotarou]: "Uwa! The power of the state!" [Cop]: "Throw away your lust right this instant!" But lust isn't a physical weapon... [Secretary]: "...hu." [Kotarou]: "Ah!" The secretary runs away. [Cop]: "You're coming to the station!" [Kotarou]: "Damn iiiiiiiiiiiit...!" [Kotarou]: "...daaa..." That was terrible. They held me for thirty minutes, but then released me without even an interrogation. Akane must've put in a good word for me. Of course the secretary is long gone. [Kotarou]: "Prez～" I call her angrily. [Akane]: "Tennouji, not right now." [Kotarou]: "What's wrong?" [Akane]: "I'm negotiating. You'll get your money back later, after I take the membership fee." [Kotarou]: "Since when was there a membership fee!?" [Kotarou]: "You never said anything about that." [Akane]: "I have calls waiting right now. We'll have to discuss this later." She hangs up on me. She actually did seem busy this time. What happened? [Kotarou]: (She said "later"...but it's already nighttime...) Going all the way back to the club room to wait for her doesn't feel worthwhile right now. I don't like leaving her with my money, but for now it seems better to just go home. As I stand there, a patrol car rushes by. It did seem like there weren't many officers in the station... Something big is happening in the city tonight. That's the impression I'm getting. My problem feels small in comparison, making me even more tired. [Kotarou]: "I should go home..." [Pani]: "You look really tired～" [Kotarou]: "Yeah...I am..." I throw my stuff onto the desk. Gil has a pen and a notebook on the floor. [Kotarou]: "Huh...are you practicing writing kanji?" [Gil]: "I'm sick of you making fun of me, so I'm gonna show you my true power." [Kotarou]: "I see..." It seems inaccurate to call it his "true power" when he's learning it from scratch. [Pani]: "Keep working hard, Gil-chan～" On the other hand, she's surfing the web. [Gil]: "That aside...what's with this 腰 kanji for "hip"...?" [Gil]: "Why is it 月 "moon", 西 "west" and 女 "woman"? I can understand woman. Sexy hips are feminine and all. The Moon feels female for some reason too...But what does "west" have to do with it!!? Where the hell does that come from!!!?" [Pani]: "You complain so much about the ones you got wrong." [Kotarou]: "Actually, that's 月 "moon" and 要 "key point"." [Gil]: "What!? I completely missed that!!" [Kotarou]: "And 月 "moon" is often used to mean "body part". Like 腕 "arm" and 肩 "shoulder" and 臓 "organ"."

<METADATA> Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Gil | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "The hips are a key point in the human skeleton, so the 腰 "hip" kanji means "key body part"." [Gil]: "Then why is 要 "key point" written with 西 "west" and 女 "woman"!!? Dammit!! This still doesn't make seeeeense!!!" [Kotarou]: "Come to think of it...why is it "west" and "woman"...?" [Pani]: "Whoever invented this kanji must've left a precious lover in the West." [Kotarou]: "Whoa! That's super-romantic!" [Gil]: "Okay, since 要 "key point" is read "kaname", that's gonna be your daughter's name in the future!" [Kotarou]: "Wait, doesn't that mean I'll have to leave my beloved Kaname-chan in the West and set off on some long journey?" [Gil]: "But that's super-romantic!" [Kotarou]: "Really!? Do I have to name my daughter Kaname-chan to make my life romantic!?" [Pani]: "So many dreams for the future～" We wasted all night on stupid conversations like that...

<METADATA> Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> November 2nd (Tuesday) Some housewives are chatting on the side of the road. [Housewife]: "...but wasn't it a crime? So many police showed up..." [Housewife]: "But the news didn't mention it at all." [Housewife]: "It's still strange." [Housewife]: "You think there's a media blackout?" [Housewife]: "Why?" [Housewife]: "Maybe they haven't caught the guy yet?" [Housewife]: "Who reported it anyway?" [Housewife]: "Tajima-san's wife." [Housewife]: "Ah, her." [Housewife]: "But how did she notice it?" [Housewife]: "She cleans their garden every morning, and apparently she stopped a couple of days ago." [Housewife]: "I'm impressed she had the nerve to report it...it's like a voyeur or something." [Housewife]: "It worked out fine this time. There wasn't even a smell." [Housewife]: "Is it supposed to smell?" [Housewife]: "Of course, it's a living thing after all." [Housewife]: "A long time ago I lived in a two-room apartment, and the old man in the other room died...but no one ever visited him, so he was just left there for a month...the smell was incredible." [Housewife]: "Oh, one of my relatives died too...melted in the bath no less." [Housewife]: "Melted?" [Housewife]: "He had a heart attack in there...as time passed it became ghastly." [Housewife]: "Wow...there should really be a service that checks on these people." [Housewife]: "Oh, welfare already offers that. But old people who live alone are too proud to sign up." [Housewife]: "So no one applies..." [Housewife]: "And no one ever checks on them." [Housewife]: "They do have to enter their homes to do that, so..." [Housewife]: "What do you think Tasaki-san will do about it?" [Housewife]: "Skip it. What else could he do? Or have one of his relatives take it." [Housewife]: "Don't say that, his family's..." [Housewife]: "Ah, you're right, I'm sorry..." [Housewife]: "What is it?" [Housewife]: "The Tasakis both passed away." [Housewife]: "I'm told their bodies look mummified and don't smell at all." I couldn't understand most of what the housewives said. After walking for a while, I pass by a house whose nameplate says "Tasaki", and it hits me. This house feels abandoned... You obtained Info: "Mysterious Deaths"! [Kotarou]: "I'm trying to tell you..." She gives me a dubious look as I rephrase myself. [Kotarou]: "There's been a mysterious death." [Akane]: "...where and when?" [Kotarou]: "Yesterday in my neighborhood." The Occult Club lives off stories like this. And this one jumped right out at me today. So I gathered everyone up as soon as lunch break hit and told them about it. [Akane]: "I haven't heard about it." [Kotarou]: "I don't know many details either. Know anything that might help?" [Akane]: "Nothing comes to mind. Are you sure it even happened?" [Kotarou]: "Pretty sure." [Kotarou]: "The victims were the Tasakis." I've heard similar stories at school too. One of my friends asked me this once. [Classmate]: "Hey, is it true someone died in the house next to yours?" I don't have much information on it either. But I do have reason to believe something strange happened. [Kotarou]: "The police seemed busy yesterday too." [Kotarou]: "Prez, were they helping you with something?" [Akane]: "I didn't go that far." [Akane]: "My secretary just called them to say it was a misunderstanding, so that's why they let you go." [Akane]: "Also, here you go." My money returns to its rightful owner. [Kotarou]: "...it's all here. What happened to the membership fee?" [Akane]: "That was a joke." [Akane]: "It wouldn't make a dent in my finances anyway." [Kotarou]: "Seems more like torturing me than joking." [Akane]: "Aaah, it was a lot of fun." [Kotarou]: "You're evil!" [Kotori]: "Hey, hey, what's this about people dying?" [Kotarou]: "Hm? Just something I heard people talking about." [Kotarou]: "Do you know Tasaki-san?" [Kotori]: "The woman who's always cleaning her garden?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, you do know her. I'm pretty sure that's the one." [Kotori]: "She passed away?" [Kotarou]: "Apparently she and her husband both met a bizarre and untimely end." [Chihaya]: "Untimely? Were they late for work?" [Kotarou]: "Your life must be so peaceful, Chihaya-san." [Chihaya]: "Yes, peace is the best." I was being sarcastic. [Lucia]: "Don't tell me we're going to investigate it...?" [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" [Lucia]: "We students have no business prying into another family's private life, much less the circumstances of their deaths." [Lucia]: "I will have nothing to do with this case." [Kotarou]: "...I see." Death is a pretty touchy subject. I get just as mad as anyone else when I see murder reports that make the victims' deaths seem so mundane. [Shizuru]: "...I don't like it either." [Kotori]: "...it seems like a bad idea." [Kotarou]: "...I guess you're right." Even I have to agree on this one. This is too serious for us. [Kotarou]: "I figured passing up something like that would be a bad idea for an Occult Club...but yeah, we shouldn't." [Kotori]: "This is for the best." You threw away Info: "Mysterious Deaths"! [Kotarou]: "Now our club will be respectable." [Kotarou]: "Though I'd still like to know how someone can get mummified by dying in their own home." [Akane]: "It's actually possible." [Akane]: "Decomposition happens when microorganisms devour the body. So if someone dies in a place where those organisms can't survive, then their corpse will be neatly preserved." [Kotarou]: "Ah, you've got a point..." [Kotarou]: "And there's only one place that fulfills that condition." [Kotori]: "Where?" [Kotarou]: "...outer space." [Kotori]: "Murder in space!" [Lucia]: "That would be a terrible book title." [Chihaya]: "No one would ever buy it." [Akane]: "The pinnacle of idiocy." [Kotarou]: "Okay, how about the fridge?" [Kotori]: "Closed refrigerator murder!"

<METADATA> Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Lucia]: "That one actually sounds completely plausible..." [Akane]: "There's plenty of other places that microbes can't stand." [Akane]: "The body might be covered in water, earth or ice. It'd be especially well-preserved in sand since that dries out the corpse." [Kotarou]: "You're making it sound like any body would mummify if it was buried underground." [Akane]: "It's not quite that easy, but it's possible." [Kotori]: "Underwater corpses don't decompose?" [Akane]: "In sufficiently low temperatures, the fat becomes chemically stable and preserves the body like a wax sculpture." [Akane]: "It's beautiful." [Kotarou]: "...scary." [Akane]: "Though if they died in their own home those theories are both unlikely." [Akane]: "The room they died in must have been extremely dry and poorly ventilated." [Kotori]: "Maybe they left a desiccator on?" [Kotarou]: "How long does it take to mummify after dying?" [Akane]: "At least a few months." [Kotori]: "Then it's just rumor. I saw her a few days ago and she was fine." [Chihaya]: "I've seen people get attacked by vampires and mummify almost immediately in movies." [Akane]: "If the fluids in one's body were rapidly sucked out, that would speed up the process." [Kotarou]: "...this is getting interesting." [Kotori]: "No, don't pry into it." [Kotarou]: "I know." [Shizuru]: "...Kotarou, here's a lead for you." You obtained Info: "The Seven Wonders: #7 - Red Boy"! [Kotarou]: "...where did you get this?" [Shizuru]: "I found it on the street." [Kotarou]: "Loot!" Are rumors really that easy to find...? [Shizuru]: "I want you to cheer up." [Kotarou]: "Thank you...Shizuru, you're such a good girl..." After school. Everyone's here today, but... [Kotarou]: "...sorry, but there's no club today." [Kotori]: "Eeeh?" [Chihaya]: "What happened?" [Kotarou]: "Well..." I explain it to everyone. What happened at the candy shop. My efforts to contact alumni, and the people who agreed to drop by. I committed the sin of taking action completely unrelated to the Occult Club's mission. [Akane]: "That's a pretty cheap sob story...but I guess it could be a decent article." [Chihaya]: "I'd like to go again anyway, so why not?" [Kotori]: "If we've got nothing else to do we might as well." [Kotarou]: "Thanks guys." [Kotarou]: "What about you two, Shizurucia?" She seems troubled. [Lucia]: "I only assist with club activities. I have no duty to follow you around 24/7." [Chihaya]: "You're so stubborn." [Lucia]: "I don't have as much free time as you." [Chihaya]: "Mm...!" [Lucia]: "But..." [Lucia]: "You want to go, don't you Shizuru?" She nods. [Lucia]: "Then I have no choice but to join you..." [Shizuru]: "Hmm..." [Lucia]: "Wh-what?" [Shizuru]: "Nothing in particular." [Kotarou]: "Then let's go." Everyone but Prez raises their hand. [Kotarou]: "I assume you aren't coming, Prez?" [Akane]: "...whether we move or not changes nothing. Something much, much bigger needs to occur before I take action." [Kotarou]: "The reasoning isn't important. We're already moving so you're gonna look bad if you back out now." [Akane]: "So stubborn over nothing." [Kotarou]: "I'm not being stubborn..." [Akane]: "Well..." [Akane]: "It might be fun to try rebelling against myself once in a while." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Akane]: "The katsu I had the other day was delicious. Let's go buy some more." [Kotarou]: "Haa..." [Chihaya]: "If you wanted to come then you could've just said so." [Akane]: "Who said I wanted to come? Listen, your brain is a 2-bit CPU." [Chihaya]: "I'm not sure I understand, but...was that a compliment?" [Kotarou]: "Good for you, Chihaya." [Chihaya]: "Yaaay." Though she's actually saying your brain is less powerful than a Famicom. [Kotori]: "When should we go?" [Kotarou]: "Hm...well it closes in the evening, so..." [Kotori]: "We'd better get going then." And thus the entire Occult Club heads for the candy shop. We bump into someone on the way out. [Kotarou]: "...why are you here?" [Yoshino]: "Dunno." [Yoshino]: "I was just thinking about all the men who failed to end that legend." [Yoshino]: "The souls of underdogs...pitiful spirits." [Shizuru]: "The souls of losers..." [Yoshino]: "Don't mock them." [Kotarou]: "So what twist of fate brings you out here today?" [Yoshino]: "Fate..." [Yoshino]: "Fate breeds legends. Sometimes the callous threads of fate happen to cross paths." [Yoshino]: "To me, it's just an accident. Just a happy coincidence. But for little girls like yourselves, it may be something much more powerful..." Crap, I set off Yoshino's poetic side by mentioning "fate". By the way, what he really means is "All my old gangster friends are gonna be coming to the candy shop so I'll handle crowd control." Two of us look completely stupefied. [Kotarou]: (Crap...this is Yoshino's chance to raise their opinion of him by serving as our bodyguard...) [Kotarou]: (But if he keeps this up they're just gonna think he's a weirdo...!) [Kotarou]: (I need to get to him to start talking normally again!) The girls won't respect Yoshino if I just translate what he's saying either. [Kotarou]: (Dammit, how am I supposed to help you!?) [Akane]: "What are you agonizing over?" I have no choice. I'll have to start speaking in Yoshino, then guide him back down to something normal. Ummm... [Kotarou]: "So you're saying...we're just petals drifting in the winds of fate, oh man of happy accidents?" [Yoshino]: "Yes, but I'm a wind that carries the smell of death. I don't want to stain white petals like you with blood." He's going all-out today. [Kotarou]: (It's gonna be hard to fix this...) But I have no choice. [Kotarou]: "But even the most fearsome winds have a nice calm spot at the center."

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Akira Inoue | Gender: Female Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Yoshino]: "No wind stays in one place forever. Even if that place is El Dorado. Protecting the flowers it passes by is just a fleeting whim." [Yoshino]: "When I collide with another wind, there will be a storm...and the skies will rain with blood..." Crap, what do I say next... This is weird. It's a little embarrassing, but... [Kotarou]: (I-it's getting kinda fun...) [Yoshino]: "What's wrong, shepherd? ...fierce winds change direction in an instant. I might blow away any moment now." [Kotarou]: "Hu, then let's...blow northward!" Yoshino continues talking in fluent Yoshinoese. Incidentally, this is what the conversation translates to. [Kotarou]: "So you're going to carry these girls all the way to the candy shop, Yoshino-kun?" [Yoshino]: "Yes, but I'm quite violent. I might get in a fight and scare them somehow." [Kotarou]: "You're nice on the inside, Yoshino-kun." [Yoshino]: "No I'm not. I act on whims, and might change my mind at any moment." [Yoshino]: "If I get in a fight with some other gangster, I might hurt him really badly." [Yoshino]: "What do you want to do, friend? If you're not going I'll head home now." [Kotarou]: "Okay, Yoshino-kun, let's head to the candy shop." This conversation is used in the Yoshino Language Proficiency Test Level 2. Yoshino leads the group as we walk there. [Kotarou]: "Huh...?" There's a crowd...well, only six or seven people, but they're all around our age. [Yoshino]: "There they are." [Kotori]: "You brought all these people here?" [Shizuru]: "What's wrong, Kotarou?" [Kotarou]: "Nothing..." [Kotarou]: "I just didn't think anyone would actually come." In fact, I don't remember ever talking to someone of our generation. [Yoshino]: "I know some of these guys." Yoshino smiles and joins them. [Kotarou]: (...Yoshino used to hang out with those guys...) I have no memories like that. [Kotarou]: (Oh well...) [Kotarou]: "Class rep, are you gonna buy more mizuame?" [Lucia]: "Wh-why do I have to!?...Well, yes..." [Chihaya]: "This is our last chance, we should eat anything that looks interesting." Prez immediately begins searching for katsu. [Old Woman]: "Oh my, you came back?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, since you said this would be the last day." [Old Woman]: "I see..." The old woman watches us shop from behind the counter. She looks happy. As time passes, more people arrive. This time it's a group of university students. They start chatting with the old woman. In the evening, some tall businesspeople show up. These people are probably only a tiny fraction of the people who used to come here. ...but still... [Kotarou]: "...I can't believe they really came." I'm not sure why, but I'm really happy. Bringing people together like this feels so good. It really does. Everyone's having fun here. Some people are stuffing their faces with candy. Others are picking up toys they probably couldn't get as children. Some people are playing cards. Everyone's talking about who they were and who they are now. [Man in a Business Suit]: "Eh? Did someone pull this sword out!?" [University Student]: "Who did it!? Who!?" [Chihaya]: "Eh? Ah, that was me..." [Everyone]: "Seriously!?" Chihaya gets treated like a hero. Everyone's so upbeat. [Kotarou]: (...they were just kids back then.) They're adults now, but just for today they get to go back to being kids. That's the kind of place this is. They'd probably never come here without an opportunity like this. ...but this will be the last one. The old woman just watches them happily. Before the sun sets... She lowers the shutters. [Kotarou]: "...so this is the end." [Kotori]: "There's nothing we can do about it." ...a little part of me was hoping this would give her a reason to keep running her store. But that was never going to happen. People grow old. We'll be adults someday. Young kids eventually become suit-wearing businessmen. Women grow old. That's just how it works. [Yoshino]: "Hmph, why are you all acting like crybabies?" [Kotarou]: "Well..." [Kotarou]: "I kinda envy you." [Yoshino]: "Huh?" Yoshino must've come here a lot. He has friends who used to come here. And they're all talking to the old woman. They have memories here. I feel regret. I wanted to be part of a circle of friends like this. [Yoshino]: "...hmph, I hear you're the one behind all this." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Well..." [Yoshino]: "The woman was grateful." [Kotarou]: "I see..." [Chihaya]: "What do you think she's going to do now?" [Yoshino]: "She's gonna live with her son. Apparently she'd been insisting on living here for a while." [Kotori]: "Eh? Why?" [Yoshino]: "Because this is the store her husband opened." [Kotarou]: "...so...this place really will be a haunted house now." Prez nibbles on her katsu. [Akane]: "...this stuff is delicious." For just a moment, Prez looked just a little bit sad. [Old Woman]: "Thank you, all of you." [Yoshino]: "It was nothing. You don't need to thank us." [Old Woman]: "This is all I have..." She hands bags of candy to everyone. [Chihaya]: "Wa, there's so much..." [Lucia]: "Thank you very much." [Shizuru]: "Such a shame." [Kotori]: "Have fun at your son's house." [Old Woman]: "I will, thank you." I don't even know what to say. I take an umaibou out of the bag. I open the wrapper and take a bite. [Kotarou]: "...this is really good." I probably should've said things like that more often when I was a child. I don't have the chance to anymore. That was the end to a little story inside this enormous city. I went back to the club room and put together an article. It didn't go very well. [Kotarou]: "......I'm no good at writing this kind of story." I sent it to Inoue instead. And she replied immediately. [Sender: Inoue]: "This is a good story. Lots of readers are gonna like hearing about this." [Kotarou]: "Really?" She can probably write an objective article about this. [Kotarou]: "Guess it's time to look for something occult." That's all I should be focusing on.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Akira Inoue | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> I went back to the club room and put together an article. It didn't go very well. [Kotarou]: "......I'm no good at writing this kind of story." I sent it to Inoue instead. And she replied immediately. [Sender: Inoue]: "This is a good story. Lots of readers are gonna like hearing about this." [Kotarou]: "...really? Thanks." She can probably write an objective article about this. [Kotarou]: "Guess it's time to look for something occult." That's all I should be focusing on. And right now, only our lazy president is here. [Kotarou]: "Prez, let's go search for something." [Kotarou]: "This quest didn't work out so we need to find something more occult to make up for it!" After school. We spent the time as lazily as we possibly could until everyone but Prez went home. I stayed behind to look for leads on the internet. Now I'm alone with Prez again. [Kotarou]: "I know no one else is here, but we should still do something club-related." [Akane]: "...that was sudden." [Kotarou]: "You're being too lazy, Prez. We need to be more active." [Akane]: "This is my space of tranquility." [Akane]: "I haven't let you see it, but when I'm not here all my time is spent working to the bone." [Akane]: "Therefore, I refuse!" [Kotarou]: "Uu...so strong..." [Akane]: "Swans fight back if you push them underwater. I'm no different." [Akane]: "If you drag me out of the club room, I'll start thrashing." [Kotarou]: "No way..." [Akane]: "I'm serious. I'm extremely aggressive when I want to be. Everyone who's seen it fears me, like the Tasmanian Devil." [Kotarou]: "Nope, you're more like a mole." They're similar animals. [Kotarou]: "After all, you hate light and stay indoors all day." [Akane]: "Th-that's not true." [Akane]: "I have a harem at my house, you know." [Kotarou]: "Don't tell such obvious lies." [Akane]: "...be quiet. Besides, I can prove I'm not afraid." [Kotarou]: "How?" [Akane]: "I'll tag along on your silly occult investigation." [Akane]: "Then I'll show you why I'm not to be trifled with." [Akane]: "But let's stick to the school. Going any farther away would just be a pain." [Kotarou]: "You know you just collapsed your own argument, right?" Do I have any leads that Akane and I can investigate within the school...?

<METADATA> Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> November 3rd (Wednesday) I wake up to my phone ringing. [Kotarou]: "What is it...?" I'd finally managed a good night's sleep. It's from Kotori. [Kotarou]: ""I'll go first"...?" [Kotarou]: "Oh." We're going to Chihaya's place today. [Kotarou]: "Oh crap, I was supposed to bring Yoshino." He doesn't know where the Ohtori house is, so I have to meet up with him first. Come to think of it, I've never arranged to meet up with him in the morning before. He'd probably be really happy if we were meeting up for a fight... [Kotarou]: "...but we can't do that." Our meet-up today must be as peaceful and hilarious as possible. Though one of us being late might allow for some comedic dialog. What'll happen if I'm late? [Kotarou]: "Heeey!! Yoshinooo!!" [Kotarou]: "Sorry, sorry, I overslept!!" [Yoshino]: "I'll kill you." !? *bash!!* *crack!!* *thud!!* *twist!!* DEAD END... [Kotarou]: "This is bad." That's way too gory. Everything after the "!?" is unacceptable. So I won't be late. In which case... [Kotarou]: "He's so late..." [Kotarou]: "Is he still asleep or something? Okay, I'll go to his room." [Kotarou]: "Heeey, Yoshinooo!!" [Kotarou]: "What's wrong? Are you still sleeping!? Get up already!!" [Kotarou]: "Kya! ...your thing is being a thing this morning!!" [Yoshino]: "Huhuhu...what do you think of it?" [Kotarou]: "Oh my!! I had no idea you had this side to you!!" [Kotarou]: "Duaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" That's not the direction I want things going in. I should just get ready... [Kotarou]: "Hm." When are we meeting up again? I'm pretty sure I told Yoshino... [Kotarou]: "...fifteen minutes ago." Hahaha... I'm completely late already. I wasted all that time on delusions... (or maybe some day dream caused by low blood pressure). I'm gonna be a pile of gore... Actually, if I get ready at mach speed I might make it. So of course my stomach has to start growling. I'll just do what I can... I text Yoshino. "Gotta take a huge dump. Will be late." He replies immediately. "Shithead." An accurate response. I finish up quickly and rush out to meet him. Yoshino's still standing there, looking very bored. [Kotarou]: "Hey." He glares menacingly. [Kotarou]: "Sorry about making you wait so long." [Yoshino]: "I hope you enjoyed that dump, shithead. I had to wait here a long time." [Yoshino]: "That's right, you are a shithead. You are Mister Shit. The shit controls you. In fact, you are nothing but shit." [Kotarou]: "You must really like shit to talk about it that much." [Yoshino]: "I'm mocking you dammit!!" [Kotarou]: "You're mocking me for taking a dump!? You dumbass! Everyone poops! If you laugh at people just for pooping you'll regret it someday!" [Yoshino]: "Your shit started all this! You're the one who had to take a dump instead of..." [Schoolgirl]: "They're just like Elementary School Kids." [Schoolgirl]: "Huhu! How adorable." Some girls pass by and laugh at us. [Yoshino]: "This again!?" [Kotarou]: "Good for you, talking about poop seems to impress the ladies." [Yoshino]: "You're the one who brought it up! You're the one who keeps talking about it!" [Kotarou]: "I'm pretty sure you've said "poop" and "shit" more times than me." [Yoshino]: "Shut up!" [Kotarou]: "Well, that's enough poop jokes..." [Kotarou]: "Let's get going. We can't keep everyone waiting." [Yoshino]: "Hmph...might as well blow this off entirely..." [Kotarou]: "What? Didn't you promise?" [Yoshino]: "That's over actually. The man called back." [Yoshino]: "Apparently it's already too late..." [Kotarou]: "Oh, I see." [Yoshino]: "But this might happen again, so I might as well join in this time." [Kotarou]: "Your friendship is astounding." [Yoshino]: "Huh!? No! I'm not here to hang out with any of you! I mean if he makes another request like that, I need to be ready!" [Kotarou]: "I was referring to your loyalty to him." [Yoshino]: "Hmph...f-fine." [Kotarou]: "Let's go." [Yoshino]: "...I don't like doing what you tell me to...but we should go." The two of us set off. Yoshino follows behind me. [Kotarou]: "Actually, why are you in uniform, Yoshino?" [Yoshino]: "These are my battle clothes." [Kotarou]: "Ah, I see..." He looks completely serious... I mentally convert it to "I like these clothes!" [Kotarou]: "It's hard to talk like this. Walk next to me." [Yoshino]: "Shut up. Why do I have to act friendly with you anyway?" [Yoshino]: "Do you even understand? I'm only tagging along with you because it benefits me. Once this day is over...I will bare my fangs once more..." [Kotarou]: "Then I'll slow down so I can be next to you." [Yoshino]: "Stop trying to get close to me dammit!! Listen to what I'm saying!!" [Kotarou]: "I might as well hold your hand too." [Yoshino]: "Guaaaaaaaa! Screw you! I'll kill you!" [Kotarou]: "Wahahahaha." [Yoshino]: "Stop running! Wait up, dammit! I'm gonna murderize you!!" And thus we head for the Ohtori house while playing a rousing game of tag. We soon arrive. [Kotarou]: "Okay, here we are." [Yoshino]: "Haa, haa..." [Kotarou]: "What? Burned out already?" [Yoshino]: "Shut up...your stamina is inhuman..." [Kotarou]: "You sure you haven't been smoking?" [Yoshino]: "My lungs are bright pink!" That's right, Yoshino's never let himself get addicted to drugs. [Yoshino]: "So...we're here?" [Yoshino]: "...this place is huge." [Kotarou]: "Such a waste of land." [Yoshino]: "Dammit...why does society have so much inequality..." Yoshino bemoans the ways of the world. Actually, my house is kinda big too (though nowhere near as big as Chihaya's), so it seems weird for me to say that. ...Yoshino seems like a poor kid though... [Kotarou]: "Well, let's go in." [Yoshino]: "Hmph, I don't like it, but okay..." We head for the entrance, and...

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Haruhiko Yoshino | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotori]: "Kotarouuu, you're laaate." Kotori comes out. [Kotarou]: "Hey. Sorry about that." [Kotori]: "Huh? Yoshino-kun?" [Yoshino]: "Don't misunderstand. I'm just here with him." [Kotori]: "Ah, you're helping him out? You're so kind." [Yoshino]: "Uu..." [Kotori]: "Ah, Shizu-chan and Lucia-san are here too. Sakuya-san invited them." [Kotarou]: "Oh." I'm still surprised at how often those two hang out with us. [Chihaya]: "Kotarou, you're late." [Kotarou]: "Sorry, I was taking a dump." [Chihaya]: "...uu!! D-do you have to say it like that!?" [Kotarou]: "But it's true." [Sakuya]: "Hahaha, I see Shitarou-kun is still Shitarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "It's really annoying when you say it. I wonder why." [Sakuya]: "I have no idea. Not that it matters." [Kotarou]: "Yes it does." [Yoshino]: "Wha―...!?" [Sakuya]: "Oh, if it isn't Yoshino-kun." [Yoshino]: "What are you doing here?" [Chihaya]: "Well, it's my home." [Sakuya]: "I live here as well." [Yoshino]: "You, Tennouji!! You planned this!!" [Kotarou]: "Umm, I don't even know what you're mad about..." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Lucia]: "What happened? You're very late." [Kotarou]: "N-nothing, just some stuff came up." [Chihaya]: "...why did you answer her so differently?" [Yoshino]: "Don't play dumb...you brought me here to humiliate me, didn't you?" He takes a step forward and intimidates me. [Shizuru]: ".........lovey dovey.........?" Well, he is getting up close to me, but... It looks like he might be serious this time. [Kotarou]: "Mm...!" He grabs me by the chest. But this time, it's so strong I can feel my collar clenching around my neck. [Kotarou]: "Wait, wait...seriously, I have no idea what the problem is." [Yoshino]: "What...?" [Kotarou]: "I mean it. Besides, you're the one who asked me about gardening, Yoshino." [Kotarou]: "Hey, butler, help me out here." [Sakuya]: "Yoshino-kun, are you still worried about my request?" When Sakuya speaks, Yoshino loosens his grip. [Kotarou]: "What?" [Sakuya]: "I wanted to learn a little about gardening before today's event, so I asked him about it." [Kotarou]: "Aaah..." That was kind of a dumb choice. [Sakuya]: "And he said he'd look into it." [Yoshino]: "...I owe you a debt after all." [Kotarou]: "What debt?" [Yoshino]: "I will never tell you." [Sakuya]: "I think I understand now. Yoshino-kun didn't know I lived here." [Sakuya]: "And today he came to learn something about gardening from Kotori." [Sakuya]: "So he could fulfill my request." He lets go of me and looks the other way, awkwardly. I get it now. Sakuya asked Yoshino about gardening, but he didn't know anything about it. However, Yoshino wanted to repay Sakuya for some reason, so he came here today even though he didn't want to. [Yoshino]: "...I have no excuse." [Sakuya]: "Yoshino-kun, why are you blaming yourself?" [Sakuya]: "You are not the sort of person to participate in this. But you came anyway, because you wanted to do everything you could to help me. Why would I be displeased?" [Sakuya]: "There is no reason for you to ask for forgiveness. You have not done anything wrong." [Yoshino]: "...but..." [Sakuya]: "Yoshino-kun, please forgive yourself." [Sakuya]: "I am grateful for your devotion. Now you need to forgive yourself. Please don't belittle yourself so." [Yoshino]: "Heh...I'll never be able to beat you." [Sakuya]: "That's not true. I need to learn from your sense of duty. I have a deep respect for you." [Sakuya]: "Yoshino-kun, please raise your head. Seeing you hang your head saddens me." [Kotarou]: "Why are you so nice to Yoshino?" Everything about his tone of voice and choice of words is completely different from when he talks to me. [Sakuya]: "You have no such devotion, Shitarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "Right..." [Yoshino]: "...thank you." [Yoshino]: "But I can't stay here...someday I will repay you." [Sakuya]: "I see. If that is what you want, I won't stop you. Thank you for coming today." [Yoshino]: ".........heh." He turns around. [Kotarou]: "Eh? You're going home?" [Yoshino]: "...I can't stay in a place like this any longer...besides, I hate being in a herd." He leaves. [Kotarou]: "What was all that about?" [Shizuru]: "A herd..." [Shizuru]: "I don't like being herded around like cattle either. But that's the price we pay for living in modern society..." [Kotarou]: "He just means being in a group, Shizuru." [Sakuya]: "I like that young man. He knows what's important in life despite being such a loner." [Kotarou]: "You're really overrating him..." [Sakuya]: "What? I just hate you." [Kotarou]: "...right." I'm not saying he's a bad guy or anything... [Akane]: "Are we done with the terrible acting yet? I'd like to get started on the gardening." [Kotarou]: "You came too, Prez?" [Akane]: "I was bored." [Kotori]: "Haa...still, I had no idea Yoshino-kun had a sense of duty." [Lucia]: "He does not normally show it, but he is a good person." Shizuru nods too. Yoshino becomes more popular with the girls. [Kotarou]: "Oh well..." [Chihaya]: "What do you mean?" [Kotarou]: "Just annoyed that Yoshino's more appreciated when I'm working my butt off all the time and he only does something cool once in a while." [Chihaya]: "That's just who you are, Kotarou. What's wrong with that?" [Kotarou]: "Nothing. Slow and steady wins the race in the end." [Chihaya]: "I'm not sure that applies here..."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Sakuya]: "You will never beat him if you continue boasting like that." [Kotarou]: "Are you two ever going to stop hating me?" [Chihaya]: "Huh? I don't..." She stops herself. [Chihaya]: "...y-yes, I do still hate you!!" [Kotarou]: "What the hell?" ...whatever. [Kotori]: "Now that we're all here, let's get started." [Everyone]: "Yes, let's." And thus we begin our gardening operation. [Kotori]: "Okay, first we have to get the tools..." [Sakuya]: "Do not worry, I have already done that." He takes out his cell phone and presses a button. [Kotarou]: "Done what?" [Sakuya]: "Look, they're here." A truck arrives. [Sakuya]: "I have procured everything you asked for, Kotori-san. My work happens to involve people in the industry." [Kotarou]: "You have work?" Beyond housekeeping I mean. [Sakuya]: "Good question. I have no idea." [Kotarou]: "What the hell do you do all day?" [Sakuya]: "Well, that is a trivial detail." He's very suspicious, but I know asking more won't make him talk. [Sakuya]: "Now then." He claps his hands. The truck door opens. Inside it's full of humus, seedbed, fertilizer, even shovels and other tools. [Kotori]: "Amaaazing, I can remodel the entire garden with this!" [Sakuya]: "This is nothing at all given my connections. Let's carry it inside." [Akane]: "Okay, that task goes to Chihaya and the boys." [Chihaya]: "Huh? Me too?" [Akane]: "Aren't you strong?" [Chihaya]: "If you say so." [Kotori]: "Okay, thanks. I'm gonna go check out the garden." [Kotori]: "Sakuya-san, separate out the seeds we'll need. Most of the area will be shaded, but I'd like to put a clematis in the sunny spots. Probably cirrhosa." [Kotori]: "Maybe some rodgersia after that...ah, the raised bed should have five-fingered fern, gaudy jack, and leucothoes..." She throws out a ton of names, but I really don't know anything beyond the fact that some of them have different leaf shapes. And what's leucothoes anyway? ..."leucothoes!" sounds kinda like an evil spell attack. [Kotarou]: "Kotori, "leucothoes" sounds weird so make it "leuther pow" instead." [Kotori]: "It's not an attack, Kotarou-kun!!" My childhood friend instantly understands. [Kotori]: "Ah, that's right. We need some wood too, do you have any? Old timbers are fine too." [Sakuya]: "I thought this might happen, so I called a lumber shop." He claps his hands again and another van appears. [Kotori]: "Impressive..." [Sakuya]: "Not at all. Preparing for such things is part of my job. Given my lack of expertise I've likely procured several useless things as well." [Kotarou]: "So what do we need lumber for?" [Kotori]: "Making a flowerbed. This place has tons of shade so wooden raised beds are the best choice!!" [Kotori]: "Harmony is key to gardening, Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "Huh." You need wood to make a flowerbed? I thought you used bricks for that... [Sakuya]: "I see, I see. You do know a great deal about this, Kotori-san." [Kotori]: "It's just a hobby..." [Sakuya]: "No, no, I have no design sense at all. I envy you." [Kotori]: "Don't say that, flattery won't get you anywhere." [Kotori]: "Anyway, let's get moving." [Kotarou]: "I need to carry this stuff to the backyard, right?" [Kotori]: "Yes, yes, I'm busy with mental work." [Akane]: "I'm not doing any heavy lifting either." [Kotarou]: "Well, I can't blame you." [Shizuru]: "...should I help?" [Kotarou]: "You're so nice, Shizuru. If you want, you can carry some of these lighter things." [Lucia]: "I'll carry some of these tools." [Kotarou]: "These bags of seedbed seem lighter." [Lucia]: "...it's fine. I appreciate the concern, but these are not that heavy either. Let's go, Shizuru." [Shizuru]: "Okay." [Chihaya]: "Should I carry these?" She says that while holding two giant bags of soil on her shoulders. I try picking up one of the other bags. I can feel it pulling down on me. [Chihaya]: "Okay, see you." She heads inside as the soil makes loud shifting sounds inside the bags. It's a strange sight, but she's already a mobile suit in my mind so I don't give it a second glance. [Sakuya]: "We should get going." He's carrying two pieces of lumber on his shoulders like cannons. I try carrying five bags of seedbed. [Kotarou]: "Uu..." Each one is pretty light, but together it's a lot harder. [Kotarou]: "Uu..." [Kotarou]: "Uuooooo..." [Kotarou]: "...not happening." I'll just fall over if I try this. It's no good. The Ohtoris are just not human. Trying to match them will just get me hurt. I'll just carry a few flowerpots instead... [Chihaya]: "Okay, I'll take this too." She's already back, and she picks up bags of soil and seedbed. [Kotarou]: "Was the gravity several times stronger where you used to live?" [Chihaya]: "Huh? I don't think so." She casually strolls through the door... [Chihaya]: "Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" One of the bags on her shoulder bursts open. Tons of soil pours out over her head. Chihaya ends up buried alive. [Kotarou]: "So much for that..." She flails her limbs and mumbles to the best of her ability. [Kotarou]: "So helpless..." I dig her out. [Chihaya]: "Uuu...why did that happen...?" [Kotarou]: "Too much pressure on a weak part of the bag." She stands up and brushes off the dirt. [Chihaya]: "I'm gonna go back inside...you take this." She hands the other bags to me. [Kotarou]: "Guoooooo!!" Why did she do that!? [Chihaya]: "Keep working while I clean up～" [Kotarou]: "W-wait..." I can't do this. [Sakuya]: "Oh, Chihaya-san...what happened to you?" [Chihaya]: "I slipped up when I was carrying a bag of soil." [Sakuya]: "Wha―...!?"

<METADATA> Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Chihaya]: "Ah, I'm totally okay. I'm just going to go back inside and wash my hair a bit." [Sakuya]: "I-I see..." Chihaya heads back inside. [Sakuya]: "...Chihaya-san has grown up so much...I still remember a time when she would burst into tears if such a thing happened to her." He's getting really emotional for some reason... [Kotarou]: "A-anyway..." [Sakuya]: "Yes? What is it, Shitarou-kun? You seem to be quivering a lot." [Kotarou]: "S-save..." [Sakuya]: "Yes, saving money is a crucial part of finance." [Kotarou]: "N-no, you...stu..." [Sakuya]: "You plan on having noyu tea and stew tonight? That sounds delicious." [Sakuya]: "Now then, perhaps I should carry what Chihaya-san left here. Keep up the good work, Shitarou-kun." He picks up most of what's left. [Kotarou]: "C-come on...can't you see I need help...?" [Sakuya]: "You do?" [Kotarou]: "I can't carry this on my own..." I'm nearing my limit. [Sakuya]: "I see, you need some support..." [Sakuya]: "You can do it!!" [Sakuya]: "Goodbye." He walks off with the other bags. [Kotarou]: "Guaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" Everything collapses. [Kotarou]: "That bastard...that was so on purpose..." [Kotarou]: "And stop putting "shit" in my name!!!" I start carrying fewer bags at a time. After all the stuff we need is in the backyard, Kotori starts giving instructions. [Kotarou]: "There's weeds everywhere..." [Kotori]: "We're gonna have to pull them." [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's wipe them out with the Chihaya bomber!" [Chihaya]: "I can't do that!!!" [Lucia]: "If we cannot use the Chihaya bomber, we'll all have to start pulling them out by hand." [Shizuru]: "Oooh!" [Kotori]: "Let's get started!" [Sakuya]: "Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" *slash* *slash* *slash* *slash* *slash!!* We finish in thirty minutes (Sakuya performed sixteen times as much work as the rest of us). It seemed like his slashes emitted shock waves that sliced nearby weeds apart too. But that was probably my imagination. [Kotori]: "Next we put a rope around the flowerbed and dig twenty to thirty centimeters down." [Sakuya]: "Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiyaaaaaaaaaaa!!" *dig* *dig* *dig* *dig* *dig!!!* Again, we finish in thirty minutes (Sakuya performed a hundred times as much work as the rest of us). It seemed like muzzle flashes were coming from the tip of his shovel. But that was probably my imagination. [Kotori]: "Since there's time, let's split the lumber too." [Sakuya]: "Seiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" *chop* *chop* *rumble* *rumble* *rumble* Ooooooooh!! Same as before. [Kotori]: "And now it's time for lunch." [Kotarou]: "Is there even a point in all of us being here?" I haven't been able to do anything. We all went into Chihaya's house. It's huge. The living room fits all of us no problem. [Sakuya]: "Things are going faster than expected. Perhaps I should have gone inside to prepare lunch earlier." [Kotarou]: "If you weren't here we never would've gotten this far." All the simple brute force tasks are over now. [Sakuya]: "I apologize for having nothing more elaborate, but here are some sandwiches." [Sakuya]: "I thought they might be easy to eat as we worked, but..." [Akane]: "Well, it's not your fault. Though it certainly is underwhelming." [Sakuya]: "So harsh. I have no response." [Kotori]: "That's not true, these sandwiches look plenty delicious." [Sakuya]: "Thank you very much, Kotori-san." [Kotarou]: "Does it even matter if they're less fancy than usual?" [Chihaya]: "Why are you sulking?" [Kotarou]: "Because I'm useless. He's doing all the work." [Akane]: "Well, that is true." [Chihaya]: "You have a point." [Lucia]: "Compared to Sakuya-san, hmm..." [Kotori]: "Don't let it bother you, Kotaroucchi!!" [Kotarou]: "So you all agree..." This is what I need Shizuru for. I'm sure she'll be nice enough to say something encouraging... [Shizuru]: "*munch* *munch!*" She's stuffing her face with sandwiches. [Sakuya]: "Shizuru-san, you don't have to hurry so much." He feeds her. [Kotarou]: "Et tu Brute..." I had no other words. [Chihaya]: "What's that?" [Kotarou]: "A comedy group." [Lucia]: "Shizuru's mouth is smaller than ours. She probably assumed she needs a head start in order to eat the same amount as us." Shizuru does tend to eat in little tiny bites like a squirrel, so she has a point. [Chihaya]: "Well, there's plenty here, so let's just start eating." The naughty glutton girl begins eating two at once. [Kotori]: "Huh? What's this lumpy part? It tastes good, but..." [Lucia]: "Yes, it is delicious. The texture is nice too." [Sakuya]: "It's caviar." [Lucia]: "C-caviar?" [Kotori]: "Caviaaaaar!!!!" [Kotarou]: "I can't tell if you're screaming in agony or ecstasy." [Kotori]: "But it's caviar!!" [Kotarou]: "Well, yeah..." [Kotori]: "Amazing...I've never had it before..." [Chihaya]: "We get some of it once in a while." [Sakuya]: "It is not the most common ingredient so I thought it might interest you." [Kotori]: "Are you supposed to put it in sandwiches?" [Chihaya]: "I don't think so, but apparently it tastes fine." [Kotori]: "I see..." [Chihaya]: "We also have chazuke." [Kotori]: "Chazukeee!!!" [Kotarou]: "You still sound like you're shouting for help." [Kotori]: "But it's chazuke! I've never had chazuke before!!" [Kotarou]: "Didn't you have it for breakfast once?" [Kotori]: "Uwaaaa!? I've eaten it!?" She becomes confused. [Kotori]: "No, no, I've never had caviar chazuke or anything like that."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Chihaya]: "This was a gift from someone else anyway..." [Akane]: "This feels like what someone who just became rich would come up with." [Lucia]: "Does it matter? We don't have many opportunities to eat things like this." [Akane]: "...if you say so." This rich girl doesn't seem too impressed by it. [Shizuru]: "*munch* *munch* *munch!*" And Shizuru-san continues eating with all her might (though she hasn't consumed very much). [Kotarou]: "Guess I'll have one." [Sakuya]: "You can have this, Shitarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "At least stop calling me that when I'm eating." [Sakuya]: "I have prepared one of your favorites, Shit-kun." Apparently dropping what was left of my name was his only idea. [Kotarou]: "That just made it more wrong, but it's not bread crusts again, right?" [Sakuya]: "It's not." He opens a Tupperware box. [Sakuya]: "Here you go, a bowl full of tomato stems." [Kotarou]: "Yahoooo!! Tomato steeems!!!" [Kotarou]: "I'll strangle you." Are these even edible? [Sakuya]: "Well, whether you like them or not, they are good for you." [Kotarou]: "So?" [Sakuya]: "Like many other vegetables, tomato stems are rich in vitamins and minerals, and they're a good source of fiber. From what I've seen your bowels need some assistance, so..." [Kotarou]: "...really?" Well, they have been a little off lately. [Sakuya]: "Just give them a try. You can blame me if they aren't any good." [Kotarou]: "If you insist." [Kotarou]: "These are so bitter...are you sure they're edible?" [Sakuya]: "Do you blame me for it?" [Kotarou]: "Pretty much." [Sakuya]: "As you should, for it was deliberate." [Kotarou]: "...you eat some too." [Sakuya]: "That was but a joke. You are so unforgiving." [Kotarou]: "The fact that you prepared this in advance is much worse." [Sakuya]: "That's true. I felt significant delight in doing something so immature." [Kotarou]: "Come to think of it, how old are you?" [Sakuya]: "Good question. It is a trivial detail." [Kotarou]: "Fine, fine..." Once he says that, it's certain he won't tell me anything. [Sakuya]: "By the way, these were made with caviar, eggs, fried onions, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, lemon, and finally parsley." [Sakuya]: "I apologize for offering such simplistic food." That seems like quite a lot of ingredients... [Akane]: "You could've just given us the caviar." [Sakuya]: "No, no, there was far too little of it. This is a much better way for all of you to enjoy it." [Kotori]: "It's really good." [Shizuru]: "*munch* *munch*" She nods. [Sakuya]: "Yes, yes, this is the sandwich Shitface-kun didn't get to eat before." [Sakuya]: "Since I went to the trouble of preparing it for you, would you mind expressing your gratitude by eating it?" [Kotarou]: "You're awfully polite considering the names you're calling me..." [Kotarou]: "So did you actually make this one for me?" [Sakuya]: "...not really." [Kotarou]: "That might be kinda cute if it was a girl doing it but from you it's just annoying." [Sakuya]: "If you say so." [Chihaya]: "Just try a bite of it. It's delicious." [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm..." I take Chihaya's advice. [Kotarou]: "...mmm." One bite. ...it's kinda hard to eat with Chihaya staring at me like that. [Kotarou]: "*munch* *munch*" But the sandwich actually does taste good so I end up finishing it anyway. [Chihaya]: "How was it?" [Kotarou]: "Nnmmm...great." [Chihaya]: "Good." [Sakuya]: "Good for you, Chihaya-san." [Chihaya]: "N-no, I didn't do anything..." [Kotarou]: "?" Why's Chihaya blushing? [Kotarou]: "What? Did you make this for me?" [Sakuya]: "Hahaha, you really should not be so egotistical." If I ask any more her knight might do something. But if she did make it for me... [Kotarou]: (...that's actually kinda cute.) I can feel my cheeks loosening. Lunch ends and we get back to work. [Kotarou]: "Tum-de-tum-de-tum..." My job is putting these pieces of wood together and using clamps to keep them from moving. So basically, constructing the raised bed. [Chihaya]: "Are you done yet?" [Kotarou]: "Be patient, this wood is heavy..." I have to make a square out of this wood, spread bits of brick across it, then make a second layer. And that means banging on these clamps again. The wood's really strong so the clamps have to be big and sturdy, which makes this work difficult. [Kotarou]: "Hmm-hmmm." But it's pretty fun. I hum as I work. [Kotarou]: "Long live DIY..." [Chihaya]: "You look like you're having fun." [Kotarou]: "You help too, Chihaya." [Chihaya]: "I am helping. My job is carrying these things." Even one of those logs is insanely heavy... Chihaya's holding three of them without any difficulty. That's just not right. [Kotori]: "I think we want rhododendrons and hosta over here. Then we can make a path with monkey grass." [Akane]: "Are you sure? That seems like it'd just be a mess. If you want it to look more Eastern then try Japanese forest grass." Those two are doing the mental work. [Shizuru]: "It's a slug." Shizuru picks up a slug with her scoop and Lucia steps back nervously. [Kotori]: "Aaah, Shizu-chan, slugs are the ultimate enemies of gardeners." [Kotarou]: "Oh yeah, they ate everything on my veranda." [Shizuru]: ".........!!" [Shizuru]: "You're the enemy...!?" She looks as though a close friend just betrayed her. [Kotori]: "Go put him outside somewhere." [Shizuru]: "Farewell, slug..." She says goodbye to her new friend. [Lucia]: "...okay, I'll dig the holes. Shizuru, you plant the..." [Lucia]: "Waaa! D-d-d-don't point it at me!!" [Shizuru]: "?" [Lucia]: "N-not the slug! Not the slug!!"

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Shizuru]: "???" They enjoy a round of tag as they plant the seeds. As for that man... [Sakuya]: "Huh..." He's stylishly trimming the trees. [Kotori]: "Sakuya-san, don't cut that part too much. We're making a garden that grows well in the shade." [Sakuya]: "Understood. Is this about right then?" [Kotori]: "Yeah, so over there you should..." Kotori's giving him a lot of directions, so he's not working as fast anymore. Anyway, I should get back to my job. [Kotarou]: "Hey Chihaya, hold that end for me." [Chihaya]: "Can't you do that yourself?" [Kotarou]: "This thing's super heavy." [Chihaya]: "You're so weak, Kotarou." [Kotori]: "Chi-chan, since you have a veranda up there, I'd like to put a planter on it." [Chihaya]: "Ah, sure. Should I go up there?" [Sakuya]: "I'll go once I'm done with this tree." [Kotori]: "Okay, thanks Sakuya-san." [Sakuya]: "You're welcome." [Akane]: "What should we do here?" [Kotori]: "Hmmmm..." [Kotarou]: "What's wrong, madam?" [Chihaya]: "This is kinda fun." [Kotarou]: "Hammering these clamps into place is pretty fun too." [Chihaya]: "That's your job, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Help me already. You're just standing there holding a log." [Chihaya]: "I'll put it down once you're finished with that layer." [Kotarou]: "Fine, fine..." *bang* *bang* [Shizuru]: "Kotoriii." [Kotori]: "Yeees, what is iiit?" [Lucia]: "We seem to be running out of seedbed. Are you sure there's enough?" [Kotori]: "There's no avoiding that. But they'll grow pretty quickly anyway so don't worry about it." Work continues noisily behind us. [Kotarou]: "Are you having fun?" [Chihaya]: "I guess so." [Chihaya]: "...I think it's because I've never done anything like this before." [Chihaya]: "That's probably why it's fun." [Kotarou]: "I see." Her smile is bright. Everyone's voices in my ears are also part of the fun. If Chihaya feels that way about it, then it was worth getting everyone together today. Knowing that makes me happy too. [Kotarou]: "After we finish this..." I talk to her again as I hammer some more. [Chihaya]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "I'd like to do something with everyone again." [Chihaya]: "Yeah." [Kotarou]: "Oh right, the harvest festival is coming up." [Chihaya]: "That should be fun." [Kotarou]: "Of course it'll be fun." Why wouldn't it be? [Chihaya]: "...is this okay?" [Kotarou]: "Is what okay?" [Chihaya]: "...I'm not really sure." [Chihaya]: "It just seems weird to have this much fun..." [Kotarou]: "What's the big deal? There's nothing wrong with enjoying life." Yes, I'm sure of that. [Chihaya]: "You're always like that, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "I'm always fun." [Chihaya]: "Yeah." If I had one wish... It would be for fun things like this... To never end. [Kotori]: "Worms are friends of the soil." [Shizuru]: "Friends..." [Lucia]: "Uu..." [Akane]: "...this would look great with a clematis arch..." [Sakuya]: "I've brought the pots for the veranda. Which should we start with?" [Kotori]: "Okay, the heavy ones can probably resist wind the best." [Chihaya]: "Ah, then I'll do it!" [Kotarou]: "Hey, don't run off with that lumber!!" Being with everyone like this... [Kotarou]: "I am the greaaatest man in the village♪" *bang* *bang* *bang* [Shizuru]: "It's a millipede." [Lucia]: "Gyaaaaa!! Stay away, stay awaaay!!" [Kotori]: "That's good, it's beautiful! Yes, yes, like that, like that～" [Chihaya]: "Gyaaaaaaaaa the ladder's falliiiing!!" [Sakuya]: "Are you all right, Chihaya-san?" [Akane]: "Why did you even go up there?" [Chihaya]: "I just wanted to climb it..." [Kotarou]: "Hey! Hey! Fuuu! Wuuu! Huuu♪" *bang* *bang* *bang* My beautiful voice and hammer swings form the background music to everyone's work. [Akane]: "By the way, you're being very annoying." [Chihaya]: "Kotarou's a terrible singer." [Kotarou]: "...sorry." *bang* *bang* *bang* Now it's just drum and bass. Before long the raised bed is finished. All we need is some seedbed from Lucia and Shizuru. Kotori comes down from the veranda to direct that part of the work. Chihaya and I are on break for a bit. [Chihaya]: "I'm gonna borrow the ladder." [Kotarou]: "You'll fall again." [Chihaya]: "No I won't, I'll be careful this time." [Kotarou]: "What do you want it for anyway?" [Chihaya]: "I'm gonna look at the veranda." [Kotarou]: "Can't you just use the stairs in your house?" [Chihaya]: "...yeah, but..." Okay, so she just wants to use it again because it's fun. [Kotarou]: "...I can't tell if I should stop you." [Chihaya]: "I'll be fine." [Chihaya]: "Anyway, I'm taking this." She picks it up with a loud noise and walks off. I follow her. She's gonna fall sooner or later. [Chihaya]: "...why are you coming too?" [Kotarou]: "I'm worried." [Chihaya]: "I'll be fine..." At that moment... The wind blows. I hear a dry noise over my head. The ladder hit something. [Kotarou]: "―!?" It knocked off a flowerpot!! [Kotarou]: "Look ooout!!!" [Chihaya]: "Ah...!" I rush forward. ...it didn't fall? [Chihaya]: "Th-that hurt..." Chihaya squirms underneath me. [Sakuya]: "Are you all right?" Sakuya looks down at us, his glasses crooked. [Sakuya]: "Thank goodness I made it in time." [Kotarou]: "Y-you..." I quickly figure out what happened.

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> This man put himself between us and the flowerpot. [Kotarou]: "Y-you're bleeding..." [Sakuya]: "What? Ah, yes, I do seem to be." [Kotarou]: "Don't sound so indifferent!! That thing just landed on your head!!" [Kotori]: "Eh? What happened?" [Shizuru]: "Blood!" [Chihaya]: "S-Sakuya!! Are you all right!?" [Sakuya]: "There is no need to worry." [Sakuya]: "I am simply grateful that you are unhurt." [Kotarou]: "You idiot!! We're giving you first aid right now!!" [Sakuya]: "...there is no need, I only cut my head slightly." [Kotarou]: "That's a serious problem!!" I drag Sakuya into the house. [Sakuya]: "Look, it's already stopped bleeding. It wasn't a serious wound at all." [Sakuya]: "And it didn't land directly on my head. It hit my arm and shattered. One of the pieces happened to cut my face." He shows me his sleeve. There's still some soil on it. [Kotori]: "But you were bleeding so much..." [Sakuya]: "Head wounds are like that. It's normal for a shallow cut up there to bleed profusely for a while." [Kotarou]: "...I told you not to use the ladder." [Chihaya]: "I-it wasn't my fault...there was a sudden gust of wind..." [Sakuya]: "It is trivial who was at fault here. If anything I am to blame for leaving the pot up there." [Kotori]: "Eh?" [Sakuya]: "Everyone, please return to your work. As you can see, I am perfectly fine." [Akane]: "Okay, if you say so." [Kotarou]: "You're so cold." [Akane]: "...it really wasn't that big a deal. Especially for him." [Sakuya]: "Akane-san." [Akane]: "What?" [Sakuya]: "Thank you very much." [Akane]: "...I don't understand." Shizuru reaches for his head. [Sakuya]: "Careful." Sakuya blocks her. [Sakuya]: "You'll get blood on your hand." [Shizuru]: "...mmm." [Lucia]: "Shizuru, let's go." [Kotori]: "Okay..." [Kotori]: "But Sakuya-san, if you ever get hurt badly, please go to a hospital." [Sakuya]: "Thank you for your concern." [Sakuya]: "There is no need to worry, Chihaya-san." [Kotarou]: "Shouldn't you at least use some disinfectant?" [Sakuya]: "As long as I do nothing that would allow microbes to enter the wound, is there any need?" [Kotarou]: "If you say so..." [Chihaya]: "...I'll head back now." [Sakuya]: "Yes, please do. I apologize for causing so much trouble." [Chihaya]: "You did nothing wrong, Sakuya." She says that and leaves. [Sakuya]: "...what a shame, I wish I could have dealt with that without any wounds." [Kotarou]: "There's no way you could've managed that..." The fact that he got between us so fast is miraculous enough. [Sakuya]: "Honestly, it's because you were in the way. My only option was to put my body between you two and the flowerpot." [Sakuya]: "But because of that moment of hesitation, this happened." [Kotarou]: "Okay, fine, it's all my fault." [Sakuya]: "Well, I'm not blaming you for that. You were in my way, but..." Yes you are blaming me. [Sakuya]: "...you were defending Chihaya-san. I thank you for that." ...I take some antiseptic and a cotton ball out of the first-aid kit. [Kotarou]: "Hey." [Sakuya]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "If that thing hit your head..." [Sakuya]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "You'd have died." [Sakuya]: "Yes, if it hit me in the wrong place." [Kotarou]: "You said...you had no other option..." [Kotarou]: "Did you not even think about the possibility that you'd die?" [Sakuya]: "Of course I realized I'd die if it hit me in the wrong place." [Kotarou]: "But you didn't hesitate?" [Sakuya]: "Not at all." I tried to save Chihaya too. But there's a huge difference in what we did. I was trying to push Chihaya to the ground, getting both of us out of the way. But Sakuya... [Kotarou]: "You risked your life to save her?" [Sakuya]: "Yes. What about it?" [Kotarou]: "That's not normal." [Kotarou]: "You're not even family..." I dip the cotton ball in the disinfectant and touch it to Sakuya's wound. Normally this stuff stings, but he doesn't flinch. [Sakuya]: "It's perfectly normal." He says it so easily. [Sakuya]: "I did it to protect Chihaya-san." ...without changing his expression at all. [Sakuya]: "Consider the existence of water." [Sakuya]: "Water can boil, freeze, melt, and flow. It combines with all sorts of other elements to form new substances." [Sakuya]: "If someone deliberately created water, they could not have predicted all of these combinations. That would be beyond anyone's ability." [Sakuya]: "But I don't think water deliberately formed all those substances. It just is what it is, and that's what it will always be." [Sakuya]: "I'm the same. This is what I do, and I will always continue doing it." [Kotarou]: "That doesn't explain anything." [Sakuya]: "It's a metaphor." [Sakuya]: "I exist for the purpose of protecting Chihaya-san. It is not possible to doubt that." [Sakuya]: "If you insist on asking why, my only answer would be that I was made that way." [Sakuya]: "Kotarou-kun, I suspect you are similar in a way." Similar? Could I really do something like that? Throwing my life away to save another... I have no idea. If I ever have to make that choice... If there ever comes a time when I have to sacrifice myself to save someone... I've never thought about that before. [Kotarou]: (Sacrifice myself...?) That's...not normal... [Kotarou]: (Wait, maybe...) A traffic accident, an armed burglar, a vengeful spirit... That last one aside, there are potentially life-threatening things that could happen to me. So... [Kotarou]: "If a truck was about to run someone over, would I try to save them..." [Sakuya]: "That might happen someday." [Sakuya]: "What would you do if it did?" [Kotarou]: "I won't know until it does." [Sakuya]: "I see." He smiles bitterly.

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Sakuya]: "Now then, we should head back." [Kotarou]: "Ah, yeah." We head out into the hallway. [Kotarou]: (Can I save someone at the expense of my own life...?) Would I be able to do that? [Sakuya]: "Oh, by the way, do you like Chihaya-san?" [Kotarou]: "Uu...!" That came out of nowhere. [Kotarou]: "Why do you have to ask that right after such a serious conversation?" [Sakuya]: "It's relevant." ...would I give up my life to save Chihaya? [Kotarou]: "I won't know until a truck tries to run over Chihaya." Though I get the feeling she'd survive it anyway. [Sakuya]: "I see. So you won't deny it." [Kotarou]: "I'm not childish enough to start arguing about it." [Sakuya]: "I would like you to remain a good friend of Chihaya-san, Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "That's a weird place to draw the line..." So being her friend is okay now? [Kotarou]: "Ah." [Sakuya]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "You just used my name." I'm sure he just said Kotarou. And one more time before that. [Sakuya]: "Did you think I'd forgotten it?" [Kotarou]: "I guess it would be hard to play around with my name that much if you didn't know it." [Sakuya]: "You are quite interesting." [Kotarou]: "Well...thanks." [Sakuya]: "In many, many ways." [Kotarou]: "Stop making it sound sinister." Though I have to admit him using my real name doesn't feel bad at all. [Sakuya]: "Now, let's get back to work, Fatarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "It's Kotarou." Nothing lasts forever. [Kotarou]: "I wouldn't be able to do that..." [Sakuya]: "I see." All I can do is respect him. Actually, I'm not sure that insane act really deserves respect, but... Still... [Kotarou]: (This guy...lives in a completely different world from me...) What's normal to Chihaya and Sakuya is just too weird for me. Why does it feel like something just ended...? [Sakuya]: "Now then, we should head back." [Kotarou]: "Ah, right." In the end, we spend all day messing with Chihaya's garden. [Chihaya]: "Thanks for coming over today." [Kotori]: "Aaah, that was fun, that was fun." She nods. [Akane]: "I'm gonna go home now." [Sakuya]: "Really? You could stay for dinner if you like, Akane-san." [Kotarou]: "She can? What about me?" [Sakuya]: "Good work today, Fatarou-kun. Take care on your way home." [Kotarou]: "So you want to get rid of me." [Akane]: "Sorry, but I'll have to pass." Akane waves as she walks off. [Lucia]: "We'll head home too. We can't stay too late after all." [Shizuru]: "Yeah." [Chihaya]: "Okay, see you tomorrow." [Shizuru]: "See you tomorrow." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou and Kotori, see you tomorrow too." [Kotori]: "Yeah, bye-bye Shizu-chan." [Lucia]: "Goodbye everyone." [Kotori]: "Bye." They both head off in a different direction. [Kotarou]: "...now then." [Kotori]: "Ah, don't give them too much water. That just drowns them." [Chihaya]: "It'll be fine, I'm sure Sakuya will do it right." [Sakuya]: "I understand." [Kotori]: "...okay." She looks like she wants to stay. [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's go." [Kotori]: "Yeah, let's." [Chihaya]: "Bye." [Kotori]: "Bye, Chi-chan." [Kotarou]: "Bye." [Chihaya]: "Come again sometime." [Chihaya]: "Ah!" [Chihaya]: "I-I mean Kotori can come back anytime, not you Kotarou!!" [Kotarou]: "...okay." Freaking out that much doesn't really help... [Kotarou]: "Okay, I'll come again sometime." [Kotarou]: "That's the part where you say goodbye." [Chihaya]: "...g-goodbye..." [Kotarou]: "Bye." She's really bad at hiding her feelings. I wave back as we walk off. [Chihaya]: "See you tomorrow." Chihaya waves, mostly at Kotori, as we head home. [Kotori]: "Chi-chan's so cute." [Kotarou]: "I guess I can kinda see why you might think that." [Kotori]: "Kota-san, you don't like her?" [Kotarou]: "Boys are idiots, so we like it when girls are honest about their feelings." [Kotori]: "I see...boys are easy to deceive." [Kotarou]: "You just said that to make it rhyme." [Kotori]: "That's not true. Deceive." [Kotarou]: "You just like saying that word." [Kotori]: "That might be accurate." [Kotori]: "Hmmm...?" [Kotarou]: "What's wrong?" [Kotori]: "Sakuya-san..." [Kotarou]: "Hmm?" [Kotori]: "He said he left that flowerpot on the veranda." [Kotarou]: "He did." [Kotori]: "I'm pretty sure I left it there." I think about this for a minute. [Kotarou]: "So you were trying to kill Chihaya...?" [Kotori]: "No no! There's no way I could make an accident like that happen without some kind of superpower!!" [Kotarou]: "True." [Kotarou]: "So does that mean he was trying to be nice and keep the blame off of you?" [Kotori]: "Maybe...it's true that since he got hurt, saying he put it there causes less unpleasantness than saying I did?" [Kotarou]: "Seems like we're overthinking it." [Kotori]: "But if I said I put it there, then everyone would feel like I was at least a little responsible for it, right?" [Kotarou]: "...it kinda sounds right, and kinda doesn't." [Kotori]: "I don't know what would've happened if he hadn't said that, but clearly what he did say worked out fine." [Kotarou]: "Hmm..." What the hell? How much does that guy like sacrificing himself? What does he get out of doing all this for everyone? It just doesn't seem like a fair exchange to me. [Kotarou]: "Sacrifice..." [Kotarou]: "A man who lives his whole life sacrificing himself for others." [Kotori]: "Hm?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Guys like that always end up with no friends besides love and courage. Did you know that?" [Kotori]: "Such a lonely fate." [Kotarou]: "It is lonely being a hero." But he'll keep doing it, just like he did today. Why is he doing that? To see people smile? ...oh yeah, I think he said something like that. ...actually, it's probably a waste of time thinking about this. [Kotarou]: "Though I guess all the critters in that backyard will still be his friends." [Kotori]: "Yeah...but that's just how the story was written." That's right. Nothing can be done about it because that's how it goes. [Kotori]: "He might actually be okay with that." That aside... I just can't do what he does.

<METADATA> Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> November 5th (Friday) On the way to school... [Kotarou]: "Oh..." I see Shizuru. I approach her, and hear strange noises coming from her ears. ...she's listening to music as she walks. For some reason I walk behind her. Normally she'd see me right away, but having music in her ears seems to have dulled her senses. [Kotarou]: (How long will it take her to see me...) A little experiment. [Kotarou]: "Hey." I close in. [Kotarou]: "Hey hey." I move my arms up and down behind her. I kinda look like one of those six-armed Hindu gods right now. [Kotarou]: "He-he-hey!" I bring my face down to meet Shizuru's and move it in circles. Now I'm impersonating a choo-choo-train. [Kotarou]: "Ha!!" I imitate the poses from the Cat's Eye ED. [Kotarou]: "Senkyuu!" [Student]: "Oway!" I high-five a random student who joined in. Shizuru still hasn't noticed... I thought she'd notice eventually, but...if this keeps up I'll look like a lunatic. I touch Shizuru's shoulder. [Shizuru]: "?" As she turns around, I poke her cheek with my finger. It's soft. [Shizuru]: "!?" [Kotarou]: "Counterattack successful..." But everyone's staring at me now. [Kotarou]: "What are you looking at!? Go away!! Nothing's happening!!!" They turn away from us, thinking to themselves that I was the one, actually, who drew their attention. [Shizuru]: "...good morning, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Yeah...good morning." [Shizuru]: "Good morning?" [Kotarou]: "I said good morning." [Shizuru]: ".........?" [Kotarou]: "...take out your earphones." I pull them out. [Shizuru]: "Ooooooh..." Apparently she couldn't hear me at all. [Kotarou]: "I've been behind you this whole time." [Shizuru]: "......!!!" "Really!?" [Shizuru]: "Really?" I was right. [Shizuru]: "Muu..." "Sorry about that..." [Shizuru]: "Sorry about that..." I'm getting a lot right. This one's tough. A meek look. This means... "Sometimes it's nerve-wracking to buy porn books when there's a girl at the cash register, but actually she doesn't mind at all. However, if there are two girls there, they might start talking about you after you leave. Be careful!!" [Shizuru]: "Sometimes it's nerve-wracking to buy porn books when there's a girl at the cash register, but actually she doesn't mind at all. However, if there are two girls there, they might start talking about you after you leave. Be careful!!" [Kotarou]: "Yaaay, I got it riiight!!" ...that didn't happen. [Shizuru]: "It's dangerous to walk with earphones in...I won't use them while walking anymore..." She's blaming herself. [Kotarou]: "Hm?" Come to think of it. [Shizuru]: ".........?" [Kotarou]: "Hm? Nothing..." [Shizuru]: "Really?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah." [Kotarou]: "Though why not just lower the volume until you can hear the things around you?" [Shizuru]: "Muu..." [Kotarou]: "But don't use it in school." [Shizuru]: "―!?" [Kotarou]: "That's definitely against the rules. It'd be bad for a moral guard to do that." [Shizuru]: "It is...?" I'm surprised she doesn't know this. [Shizuru]: "Then I'll be sneaky." [Kotarou]: "Are you sure that's okay?" [Shizuru]: "None of the others are that serious about following the rules." [Kotarou]: "True." It finally hits me. [Kotarou]: (Shizuru's started talking a lot lately...) [Chihaya]: "Aaah, she had started talking more." [Akane]: "You didn't notice that?" [Kotarou]: "Well, you know..." Shizuru hasn't shown up yet, but the rest of us are here. [Lucia]: "...hmph." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Lucia]: "You are with her so often and yet you failed to notice? Either you are very dense or it did not pique your interest." [Kotarou]: "The obligatory criticism from Lucia-san, the sister-in-law." [Lucia]: "Th-the what!?" [Lucia]: "Don't nod!!" [Chihaya]: "But that is how you've been acting lately." [Lucia]: "Uu...never mind! Continue!!" [Kotarou]: "I watched a movie called Lolita based on the name, but it wasn't what I was hoping for so I was sad." [Akane]: "Aaah, even as a girl I find that Lolita irritating." [Lucia]: "What. Are. You. Talking. Abouuut!?" [Kotarou]: "You're the one who wanted me to change the subject." [Lucia]: "You're just mocking me..." [Kotarou]: "No, no, no." [Akane]: "Not at all." [Chihaya]: "Does it really matter?" [Lucia]: "...hmph." [Kotori]: "Is that Kotarou-kun's power?" [Kotarou]: "Getting sad over Lolita?" [Kotori]: "Well, that might be it." [Kotarou]: "That's a stupid power..." [Kotori]: "Anyway, enough about you being sad." [Kotori]: "What about Shizu-chan?" [Kotarou]: "...hmmm." [Kotarou]: "Wait, why are we even talking about love right now...?" [Akane]: "You could've changed the subject if you wanted to." [Kotarou]: "Hm? I guess so..." There were parts where I kinda did. Though the idea of me and Shizuru being a couple doesn't really bother me. ...doesn't bother me? [Chihaya]: "Why the serious face?" [Kotarou]: "Am I doing something wrong?" [Akane]: "You might be." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." First off, I need to figure out how I feel about this. [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm." I have to think pretty hard about this. ...honestly, up until now I never thought about dating beyond "It might be nice to go out with Kotori." That also sums up my romantic experience. I'm a complete beginner at relationships. [Kotarou]: "Crap..." I had nowhere near enough experience points to beat Kotori. And I made no progress with her at all. [Kotarou]: "Kotori..." [Kotori]: "Yeah?" [Kotarou]: "Find someone to love."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Hurry up or you'll be like me." [Kotori]: "What brought this on, Kotarou-kun?" [Akane]: "He means people never stop gossiping about you two because neither of you ever made a move." [Kotori]: "Eeeh...?" [Kotori]: "...why is that partly my fault?" [Kotarou]: "That's not really what I meant..." [Kotarou]: "Anyway, isn't it normal to not really know what to do in that kind of situation?" [Kotori]: "...but Kotarou-kun, you like Shizu-chan, don't you?" [Kotarou]: "That feels like a separate issue from whether I should actually date her...I dunno." [Kotarou]: "What does dating mean anyway? What is love!? What is so comical about believing in love and peace!?" [Akane]: "I don't know." [Chihaya]: "You're making this way too complicated, Kotarou." [Chihaya]: "If you like her, then what else matters?" [Kotarou]: "The point is I don't know if I like her like that." Plus, this is Shizuru. It feels like I can't go too far with her. ...actually, should I even be thinking about this? We're supposed to be a bunch of friends in a club together... I must not run the risk of awaking any inner lolicon I might have. [Kotarou]: "Kotori." [Kotori]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "Attain enlightenment and reach Maha Nirvana." [Kotori]: "Why enlightenment?" [Chihaya]: "Kotarou, are you feeling okay?" For now enlightenment is out of reach. [Kotarou]: "So what should I do!?" [Chihaya]: "I-I don't know!" [Kotarou]: "I wasn't expecting much from you, but at least..." [Chihaya]: "You keep saying such mean things about me..." [Kotarou]: "Isn't this the sort of thing where everyone else should be supporting us or something?" [Chihaya]: "After what you said I don't feel like helping." [Akane]: "Pass." [Lucia]: "Of course not." Total defeat. [Kotarou]: "Hey!! I thought we were friends!!" [Akane]: "Then just be friends with Nakatsu-san forever. That's just as good, right?" [Kotarou]: "Someday this betrayal is gonna help me write a ballad!! Dammit, all my songs are gonna become effeminate!!" [Akane]: "So much complaining...aren't you effeminate to begin with?" ...I am? [Akane]: "What is it? You're starting to get really annoying. You keep saying no to this and no to that and never pick anything..." [Akane]: "As a man you couldn't do anything worse. You're a horrible man. Just a pile of filth." [Akane]: "You horrible piece of trash! That's all you deserve to be called! Trash! Refer to yourself as such for the rest of your life!!" [Kotarou]: "Umm, I am in awe of your reprimanding, but..." [Kotarou]: "Is it just me, or did I hear death gurgles coming from your laptop?" [Akane]: "Damn...I've been getting rusty." [Kotarou]: "You're playing FPS's again!?" [Akane]: "Now sort out your feelings, trashman." Her eyes are still on the LCD screen. [Kotarou]: "It feels like you're supposed to be encouraging me to do something proactive, but the way you said that didn't motivate me at all." [Akane]: "I just wanted to end the conversation quickly because I lost interest." Somehow I don't feel the slightest urge to try and put together a master plan for dealing with this. [Chihaya]: "Why not just confess to her and get it over with?" [Lucia]: "Do not say such terrifying thiiiiiiings!!" [Chihaya]: "Yeah, yeah, I'm so scared." [Lucia]: "I've been quiet until now, but what is with you, trash!? Don't you dare approach Shizuru with such fickle emotions!! You playboy!!" [Kotarou]: "Don't you start calling me trash too..." [Kotori]: "Anyway, in my opinion, we need to think about Shizu-chan too in this situation, trash." [Kotarou]: "You don't need to start saying that at the end of everything, trash." [Kotori]: "Trash." [Akane]: "Well, it's pretty obvious how she feels." [Kotarou]: "It is?" [Akane]: "Clearly she has positive feelings for you." [Chihaya]: "She probably does like you." [Lucia]: "...no comment." [Kotori]: "You heard 'em, trash." [Kotarou]: "Seriously...?" [Kotarou]: "But I thought everyone assumed I'd hook up with Kotori." [Akane]: "Kanbe-san actively denies that." [Kotori]: "Hm? Well..." [Chihaya]: "Like I said..." [Chihaya]: "I think Shizuru likes you, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Ugeee...the stupid girl sounds like she knows the deepest truth..." [Chihaya]: "You really are rude sometimes." [Chihaya]: "I'm just saying what it looks like from my point of view." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" The door opens a little, and I see something through the crack. [Kotarou]: "...hey there." [Shizuru]: ".........!!" She runs off at full speed. [Kotarou]: "Sh-she's fast!" [Kotarou]: "Did she hear all of that!? Am I in trouble!?" [Akane]: "Oh my." [Kotarou]: "Don't act uninvolved, Preeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!!" [Akane]: "I was trying to end that subject." [Lucia]: "...I never agreed to what the rest of you said." [Chihaya]: "I was just trying to get you on the right track." [Kotarou]: "It's all my fault!? Am I the only one responsible for us talking about Shizuru for so long!?" [Kotarou]: "I'm an idiot! The regret is palpable!!" [Akane]: "You're making a little progress." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" [Kotori]: "...dash." She points to the hallway. [Kotarou]: "Chase her?" [Kotori]: "Trash." [Kotarou]: "...good point." [Akane]: "Tennouji, this is your chance." [Kotarou]: "What does that mean!?" [Kotarou]: "Never mind, I'll just go already!!" [Kotarou]: "Even though my heart is still full of feelings I can't sort out!!" ...I leave the room with a lyric from my future effeminate ballads. [Kotori]: "What's wrong, trash class rep?" [Lucia]: "...why did we end up talking about this?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Pani | Gender: Female Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Akane]: "Talking about love always happens whenever boys and girls are in the same place." [Akane]: "Like a little parasite." [Chihaya]: "You make it sound like a bad thing." [Kotori]: "Though you might be onto something there, trash." [Lucia]: "...why do you keep saying "trash"?" [Kotori]: "Trash." I run down the hall after Shizuru. [Kotarou]: "How am I supposed to catch her!?" I've completely lost her! I have no idea where she's gone! [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" I look out the window. Shizuru flies through the school gates at high speed. [Kotarou]: "Damn!! ...no way am I catching her." She's already out of sight... [Kotarou]: "And thus, she escaped." [Akane]: "Continue pursuit." [Chihaya]: "Maybe we should leave her alone?" [Lucia]: "Hang yourself at once." [Kotarou]: "No one seems to agree on anything..." [Kotori]: "...maybe we should wait until tomorrow?" [Kotori]: "If she's running away that fast, Shizu-chan probably needs to sort out her feelings too." [Kotarou]: "By the way...don't you guys feel any guilt?" [Kotarou]: "Couldn't you at least apologize out of politeness or something!?" [Chihaya]: "Hm...well, maybe we are partly responsible for letting her hear all that." [Kotarou]: "If Shizuru and I aren't on speaking terms tomorrow, I'm blaming you guys..." [Chihaya]: "Eeeh?" [Akane]: "You're the one who couldn't decide how you felt." Ow. [Kotarou]: "Since Shizuru's gone...I guess that's it for today..." I grab my bag and head for the door. [Akane]: "Tennouji Kotarou." She calls me before I make it out. [Akane]: "You can overcome this. Love is a struggle." [Kotarou]: "Prez..." [Kotarou]: "Considering how much you contributed to this while playing video games in the background, that doesn't mean much..." [Akane]: "Indeed, trash." We now have three trash talkers. [Kotarou]: (Now then...) I have time. I should do something... [Kotarou]: (But I don't really feel like doing anything...) I roll around on the bed. [Pani]: "Oh, are you sleeping already? This is really early for you." [Kotarou]: "Mm..." She might be a good person to talk to about this. [Kotarou]: "About you two..." [Pani]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "Can you reproduce?" [Pani]: "Probably not. We don't have any organs for that." [Kotarou]: "Hmm." [Pani]: "We don't have sexes anyway, and there's no one else to reproduce with..." [Kotarou]: "What about Gil?" [Pani]: "He's no good." That was harsh... [Pani]: "We're one and the same being. Unless we split into two with different sexes at a certain time." [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm." [Pani]: "That's why I envy you." [Kotarou]: "Mm? How so?" [Pani]: "Our emotions haven't specialized that much." [Kotarou]: "...it doesn't seem like a vital thing to have though." [Pani]: "Oh no, it's a wonderful thing." [Kotarou]: "You have to worry about them a lot though." [Pani]: "Why do you have to worry about them?" [Kotarou]: "Well...I think most of humanity's problems are caused by their intelligence, rather than their instincts." [Kotarou]: "And yet we still hold on to most of those instincts." ...that's why everyone likes talking about love. [Pani]: "I don't think it's a problem." [Kotarou]: "Why not?" [Pani]: "Being able to think about something other than survival is luxury." [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm." I guess it might seem that way to her, but I'm not good at understanding other viewpoints like that. [Kotarou]: "Well, even if that's true, is it really a good thing to have that luxury?" [Pani]: "It's more interesting that way." [Pani]: "Isn't that why so many dramas and movies are about love?" [Kotarou]: "Good point." [Pani]: "The dramas on around midday are a lot of fun." [Kotarou]: "That's a weird thing to hear from you..." Makes her sound like a housewife. [Kotarou]: "I don't really want my life to turn into a drama anyway." [Pani]: "You don't?" [Kotarou]: "Hm?" I think about it for a bit. [Kotarou]: "Kotori and I...we're not in a relationship like that...I guess I would be taking Shizuru away from Lucia, kinda..." [Kotarou]: "...no, not really." [Pani]: "Then everything is at peace." [Kotarou]: "No, there might be some conflict with Lucia." [Pani]: "If she doesn't have a claim to Shizuru herself, it doesn't seem like a big problem." [Kotarou]: "Hmmmmm..." [Pani]: "We at least need a beautiful golddigger with an ex-boyfriend-now-CEO-slash-rival whose current lover has amnesia..." [Kotarou]: "I'd rather not get mixed up in something like that." [Gil]: "Hey, what are you talking about? Let me join in!" [Kotarou]: "I doubt you can contribute anything...we were talking about romance." [Gil]: "Bromance? Aaah, that. I'm not into that sort of thing. It's just trouble." [Pani]: "He said romance!!" [Kotarou]: "He kinda has a point though." [Pani]: "Huh? He does?" Kinda. Still... Anyway, the fact that I can't stop thinking about this probably means I do feel that way. When I put it that way...I almost feel impatient. So does that mean I love her? And I'm only noticing this after everyone told me I do...I'm so typical... [Kotarou]: "...yeah, this is a lot of trouble." [Pani]: "Is it really?" [Kotarou]: "It feels that way to us humans." [Gil]: "Painful things can be good for you though." [Kotarou]: "Go eat a blowfish." I thought we had the weakest connection of all. ...but maybe that's why this is happening. Because we've never hesitated to be honest with each other. You obtained Info: "I saw a rainbow paradise down the Tsumugi river!"! You obtained Info: "Another world appearing near the Tsumugi river?"! [Kotarou]: "...so we have these hot leads now." I got them from the blog. For once someone submitted something useful. I look at the club members gathered here. [Kotarou]: "What do you think?" [Kotori]: "Same river."

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "So blunt!" [Kotarou]: "...did you notice anything else they had in common? Shizuru-san, what about you?" Shizuru-san thinks for a moment. She gasps. [Kotarou]: "What is it!?" [Shizuru]: "The names sound similar...!" [Kotarou]: "They're the same river! Kotori already said that." [Kotarou]: "...how does your brain even work?" [Shizuru]: "Unfortunately I've never seen it so I don't know..." [Kotarou]: "If you ever saw it you'd probably be dead." [Kotarou]: "Okay, class rep, tell us what else they have in common." [Lucia]: "They share nothing other than the river name." [Lucia]: "That's it." [Kotarou]: "If you're gonna play dumb at least do it plausibly." [Lucia]: "Hm-hmmm." [Kotarou]: "Look at me when I'm talking!" Dammit, these girls... [Kotarou]: "I'm gonna ban cosmetics." [Kotori]: "But I look terrible without makeup." [Lucia]: "Chapstick doesn't count as a cosmetic." [Kotarou]: "Yes it does. It so does." [Lucia]: "Are you doing this on purpose? What do you want me to do if my lips get dry?" [Kotarou]: "Gah, that's not the point..." [Kotarou]: "Haa...Chihaya, please." [Chihaya]: "Eh? I have to make a river joke too?" [Kotarou]: "Or you could give the correct answer." [Chihaya]: "U-ummm..." ...she wasn't paying attention at all. [Kotarou]: "Okay, fine, I'll say it." [Kotarou]: "These two leads sound reaaaally similar. Don't they both say there's something otherworldly going on near this river?" [Kotori]: ""Another world" is the same as "rainbow paradise"..." [Shizuru]: "What kind of world?" [Kotarou]: "Presumably it's some place near the river that looks weird." [Kotarou]: "Maybe it has its own miniature ecosystem." [Chihaya]: "So that makes it another world?" [Lucia]: "This is a vague lead." [Lucia]: "The posts here hardly ever contain anything useful." [Kotarou]: "That's what happens when you ask the internet for help." [Kotarou]: "I'm just hoping for something article-worthy, so it doesn't matter if there's an actual paradise or whatever. The problem is we have too few leads." [Kotori]: "Ah, he admitted it." [Akane]: "So where exactly is it?" Akane's been typing away on her computer the whole time, but now she raises her head. [Kotarou]: "I don't know. Both submissions were mere rumor." [Kotarou]: "But that should make it more fun to investigate." [Kotarou]: "So for our next weekend quest, I'd like to investigate this." [Kotori]: "Another picnic? Not that I mind." [Lucia]: "This is becoming a Picnic Research Club." [Kotarou]: "Does it matter? We're all having fun." [Chihaya]: "You sound annoyed again..." [Kotarou]: "Now, let's decide who's coming. Raise your hand if you want in." [Akane]: "I'll pass." [Kotori]: "Guess I'll pass too." [Chihaya]: "Me three." [Lucia]: "I will pass as well." [Shizuru]: "......... *unsure what to say*" [Kotarou]: "You're all coming!!" I roar. [Kotarou]: "Every last one of you!" [Akane]: "Overvaluing the people's freedom never works out well." [Kotarou]: "It would if some of you were more cooperative." [Kotarou]: "So it's been decided everyone will forcibly participate." [Kotori]: "Tomorrow...I had stuff to do..." [Akane]: "I don't want to walk through the forest." [Lucia]: "It's sure to be a waste of time anyway." [Chihaya]: "Maybe I should bring Sakuya..." [Kotori]: "Can I send my dog instead?" The girls are all complaining. Shizuru was preparing a mountaineering backpack, so she's even more unsure what to do now. [Kotarou]: "Thank you, Shizuru...you're the only good soul in this club..." [Shizuru]: "...mmm." [Shizuru]: "I can understand how they feel..." [Kotarou]: "I get that doing nothing but fieldwork is tough for girls, but..." [Shizuru]: "I would also prefer not to go." She reveals her true colors. They hurt me. [Kotarou]: "...tomorrow, after school, we go on a quest. Don't plan anything." [Kotarou]: "Got it!?" [Chihaya]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Yes?" As I leave, she suddenly talks to me. [Chihaya]: "...you said you'd come again, right?" [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Chihaya]: "You did, right?" She closes in on me with an annoyed voice. ...did I do something wrong...? [Kotarou]: "I don't know what I did, but sorry..." [Chihaya]: "S-sorry for what!? You did say it!!" [Kotarou]: "Calm down." [Chihaya]: "You did say it, right!?" [Kotarou]: "Umm..." ...what's she referring to? She's just pressuring me without listening to my question. [Chihaya]: "...you said you'd come again." Now she's sulking. [Kotarou]: "Ah." But now I remember. [Kotarou]: "I did say that." [Chihaya]: "Okay, now please come." [Kotarou]: "I'm still confused, but you want me to visit your place again, right?" [Chihaya]: "That's what I said." [Kotarou]: "If you say so." I thought that was just a standard thing to say when leaving, but she has a point. ...and I'm kind of afraid to say no. [Kotarou]: "Huu..." I sit down on the living room sofa. [Kotarou]: "Should've expected there'd be a full supply of Bluelet. That stuff makes the bathrooms exude cleanliness." [Chihaya]: "I think that's normal." [Sakuya]: "We're just using those as temporary substitutes anyway." [Kotarou]: "Eh? You normally use something else!? There's something better than Bluelet!?" [Chihaya]: "How much do you like that brand, Kotarou?" [Sakuya]: "Here is some tea." He offers us tea and chazuke. [Kotarou]: "Ah, thanks." [Sakuya]: "It was nothing. I treat all our guests as if they were exactly the same." [Kotarou]: "The hell does that mean?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Also, why are you in uniform?" [Sakuya]: "Both of you are, so I chose this to match." [Kotarou]: "Why does that matter...?" Oh well. At least the tea's good. [Kotarou]: "So, what is it?" [Chihaya]: "What?" [Kotarou]: "You brought me all the way here, so there must be something." [Chihaya]: "...something?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, something." [Chihaya]: "There isn't really." [Chihaya]: "Wh-what's with that face!? Kotarou you said you'd come so I had you come!!" [Kotarou]: "Now that I think about it, I only said that because you told me to come again." [Chihaya]: "But you still said you'd come." [Kotarou]: "I did, but..." She stands up. [Kotarou]: "Hm? What is it?" [Chihaya]: "Bathroom." [Kotarou]: "...don't let the bathbugs bite." [Chihaya]: "Huhuuu!" She cracks up as she goes through the door. She found that funny...? [Kotarou]: "Hey, do you have any idea what she's doing?" [Sakuya]: "Yes, Chihaya-san is behaving much like she always does." [Kotarou]: "...haa." Evidently she has very low comedic standards. [Sakuya]: "Nothing like this has ever happened before. I would appreciate it if you tried to understand." [Kotarou]: "Nothing like what?" [Sakuya]: "A friend visiting after school." [Sakuya]: "As you probably know, Chihaya-san has a certain temperament." [Kotarou]: "I've been on the receiving end of it." [Sakuya]: "And she's stronger than most people." [Kotarou]: "Terrifyingly so." [Sakuya]: "The reality is, she doesn't get along well with normal people." [Kotarou]: "...hmm." I can kind of understand how that feels. [Sakuya]: "I have also worried about it at times." [Sakuya]: "Especially the day she transferred..." [Sakuya]: "Chihaya-san, perhaps you should try being a bit more docile at your new school." [Chihaya]: "Docile?" [Sakuya]: "Reading more books, for instance. Maybe you could take a few books from the study with you." [Chihaya]: "I see, I'll do that." [Chihaya]: "Bye now." [Sakuya]: "Yes, take care." [Sakuya]: (...that was a huge box...did she have that much to bring with her...?) [Sakuya]: "Hm? Why's there such a huge gap on the bookshelf...?" [Sakuya]: "Chihaya-san chose to bring a few of the largest books in the house." [Kotarou]: "I see..." The mystery is finally explained. [Kotarou]: "Could you tell me about the uniform confusion too?" [Sakuya]: "I believe I already told you Chihaya-san ordered hers with my measurements." [Kotarou]: "I haven't heard the details." [Sakuya]: "...well, if you insist." [Sakuya]: "Chihaya-san, why don't you fill out these documents yourself?" [Chihaya]: "You're sure? Okay, I'll try it." [Sakuya]: "Chihaya-san, the new uniform is here." [Chihaya]: "It is? Okay, go try it on." [Sakuya]: "...what?" [Chihaya]: "That's yours, Sakuya." [Sakuya]: "...it's not your uniform, Chihaya-san?" [Chihaya]: "But I already have a uniform. You didn't have one, so I thought you'd need it." [Sakuya]: "...I'm not sure you should wear that uniform to your new school..." [Chihaya]: "Really? Well, it's still a uniform. It'll be fine." [Sakuya]: "...and that's what happened." [Kotarou]: "Amazing...her inhumanly optimistic train of thought is mind-opening..." [Chihaya]: "Wh-what's the big deal? It's still a uniform!" [Kotarou]: "Oh." Chihaya returned while we were talking. [Chihaya]: "Besides, the school said it was fine when I told them about it." [Sakuya]: "And I've grown to like this uniform." [Kotarou]: "That can't be right..." [Chihaya]: "He doesn't mind, so what's the problem?" [Kotarou]: "The fact that you're constantly screwing things up." [Sakuya]: "My goal was to teach Chihaya-san self-reliance, but as you can see..." [Kotarou]: "True, can't have her depend on you for everything." Anyone should be able to order their own uniform themselves. [Sakuya]: "But then I realized." [Sakuya]: "This might just be Chihaya-san's personality." [Sakuya]: "Making unbelievably silly mistakes like this is just who she is. In which case, I should not be blaming her for them, but welcoming them with open arms." [Kotarou]: "So she can do whatever she wants without any consequences." [Chihaya]: "I-it was just a mistake...I can do these things right if I want to!!" But you make those mistakes constantly. [Sakuya]: "We did have the option of reordering it...but this allows me to wander around school without attracting suspicion." [Kotarou]: "You would stick out like a sore thumb otherwise." [Sakuya]: "Why the uncomfortably burning gaze?" [Kotarou]: "No, I would never in my life look at you that way." ...it doesn't feel as weird as it should. There's probably no point asking, but how old is this guy? [Chihaya]: "...maybe it's just me, but you two seem friendlier after the gardening two days ago." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Sakuya]: "Hahaha, Chihaya-san, you tell such good jokes." [Chihaya]: "But you two have been talking to each other this whole time." [Kotarou]: "Are you jealous?" [Chihaya]: "N-n-no I'm not!! It's just I brought you here and you're doing nothing but talking to Sakuya so I'm a bit bored...!" [Kotarou]: "...isn't that the same as being jealous?" [Kotarou]: "Fine, fine..." [Sakuya]: "Perhaps I should take my leave. I have not the smallest particle of desire to continue speaking to Fatarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "It's Kotarou." [Sakuya]: "I think I have finally settled on a name for you." [Kotarou]: "You're just being a bully." [Sakuya]: "Well, that is trivial." Sakuya leaves the room with a refreshing smile. [Kotarou]: "Everything he says is trivial really isn't." Many of his statements impede my human rights too. [Chihaya]: "Sakuya seems to like you, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "...that's not possible." [Chihaya]: "Would he talk to you at all if he really hated you?" [Chihaya]: "The fact that he tells you so much means he must like you." [Kotarou]: "Hmmm, he talks to me therefore he likes me..." [Chihaya]: "?" I stare at Chihaya.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Chihaya]: "Th-that doesn't apply to me! I hate what I hate!!" [Kotarou]: "I see..." ...hmmmmmm. [Kotarou]: "Hm?" Something catches my eye out the window. Sakuya's trimming the trees. ...and glaring at me. I walk toward the window. [Kotarou]: "Hey." [Sakuya]: "Yes? What is it?" [Kotarou]: "You're reaaaally distracting." [Sakuya]: "Do not mind me at all. I simply awoke to the pleasure of trimming trees during yesterday's work." His shears rapidly prune the tree into a beautiful shape. Oh well... For now I close the curtains. [Chihaya]: "If he's that worried about you he must like you." [Kotarou]: "I think he's worried about me in a different way." [Chihaya]: "...Kotarou, there are a lot of reasons to be interested in you." [Kotarou]: "What does that mean?" [Chihaya]: "Everyone gathers around you because they're interested in you, right?" [Kotarou]: ".........huh?" [Chihaya]: "The Occult Club." [Kotarou]: "Well, that's because I invited them all." [Chihaya]: "It's because they have fun watching you, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "That's fun?" [Chihaya]: "You never seem to worry about anything." [Kotarou]: "Of course I worry about things." [Chihaya]: "You do? It seems like every day is fun for you." [Kotarou]: "...it does?" [Chihaya]: "It does." [Kotarou]: "That didn't used to be true." [Chihaya]: "Really?" [Kotarou]: "I guess I might be having fun now." [Chihaya]: "What was it like before?" [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Chihaya]: "What was it like?" [Kotarou]: "...I don't feel like answering that." [Chihaya]: "Wh-what's the big deal? I told you about my past before." [Chihaya]: "I don't know much about you, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "I don't know much about you either." [Chihaya]: "...you don't?" I know your family situation, but that's it. ...family situation? Crap, she's right, there is an imbalance here. [Kotarou]: "...I was worried, anxious that I needed to do something." After thinking that, the answer comes naturally. [Kotarou]: "I spent all my time with just Kotori and Yoshino..." [Kotarou]: "Nothing ever changed." [Kotarou]: "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't fun, but..." [Chihaya]: "Aren't they good friends?" [Kotarou]: "It's not that. I..." Youth is so short. My school life passes by in the blink of an eye. ...I just want something that will stick around. I want something a little unusual, and I want to share it... I want to be able to say "Look what we did", and have a bunch of friends who shared that experience. Something huge that will stay with me forever. [Kotarou]: "...something new." I can't put these thoughts into words. They're too embarrassing. No one takes the word "youth" that seriously anymore. [Kotarou]: "...that's it, isn't it." I've been finding it embarrassing, so I'm always too roundabout. There's no particular reason I was on my own so much. I could've done all sorts of things about it if I really wanted to. [Chihaya]: "...haa." [Kotarou]: "It feels like I stand out from everyone else." [Chihaya]: "...really?" [Kotarou]: "Like I'm different somehow." [Kotarou]: "But I wanted some friends who were the same way." ...everyone in the club is a little off in some way or other. That's why we all came together. [Kotarou]: "So I got worried..." [Kotarou]: "It feels like the Occult Club is my last chance..." [Chihaya]: "...that's surprising." [Kotarou]: "What is?" [Chihaya]: "I have a lot of fun doing things with you, Kotarou." [Chihaya]: "I thought everyone felt the same way, so I figured you'd have lots of friends." [Kotarou]: "I don't..." Even if everyone sees me that way... Human relationships take a little talent and some effort to make. Which means...... [Kotarou]: "I can't make friends if I don't put any effort into it." I'd completely ignored that. I have every reason to regret it. [Chihaya]: "Hmmmm." She thinks while scratching the back of her neck. [Chihaya]: "But haven't you made friends?" [Chihaya]: "I'm kinda dumb so I can't say this right..." [Chihaya]: "But if someone asked me if you could make friends, I'd have to say you can." [Kotarou]: "...so carefree." [Chihaya]: "Wh-what!? Why do you have to say that when I complimented you for once!?" [Kotarou]: "...I see." I have made friends. It feels worthwhile now. ...being that anxious. "That's not right, this isn't it, not like this, I want to do this." "...why don't I do this? Why can't I do this?" I used to always think those things. In her eyes I'm having fun. And now that I think about it... [Kotarou]: (...being with her is fun for me too.) She is clumsy and overpowered and bad at hiding her feelings. ...and it does feel like most of what we've done together was really stupid. [Kotarou]: "...that's right." I'm always smiling when I talk to her. I finally realize it. [Chihaya]: "Why are you making that face?" [Kotarou]: "That's right." That's probably it. I can make friends...no, I am making them. At least, Chihaya thinks so. I want to protect this. This thing I can look back on and be proud of. Yes, I want to ensure it turns out the way I want. I wonder why... ...I suddenly feel all that. [Kotarou]: "...if a truck ever tries to run you over, I'll save you." [Chihaya]: "Umm, I have no idea what you're talking about." [Kotarou]: "I think I can do that now." I'll protect it. I'll protect our youth. [Kotarou]: "...guaaaaaa!" The moment I think that, I writhe in agony. That could not have been more cheesy. I hate myself. [Chihaya]: "What are you going on about!?" [Kotarou]: "That's why I didn't want to talk about it!!" It was just too embarrassing. ...but... [Kotarou]: (I hope we have a lot more fun after this.) I feel that way when I'm with her. Evening passes. Of course I can't keep hanging around until dinner time, so I head for home. [Kotarou]: "See you tomorrow." [Chihaya]: "Yeah, see you." [Chihaya]: "Next time I'll talk about myself." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Chihaya]: "W-well...today you told me about yourself, Kotarou."

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Sakuya | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "...oh yeah." Somehow, after those comforting words earlier, all her insults feel good now. Come to think of it, I thought he was watching us through the curtains the whole time, but he did eventually leave. [Kotarou]: "Were you listening to us?" [Sakuya]: "Good question." [Kotarou]: "Uu..." I really hope he didn't hear all that. [Chihaya]: "You weren't, right?" [Sakuya]: "I wasn't." [Kotarou]: "...huh?" [Chihaya]: "He says he wasn't." [Kotarou]: "You really should do something about that blind faith..." [Sakuya]: "Chihaya-san would never tell a lie." [Sakuya]: "Though she might imagine things." [Kotarou]: "...right." [Sakuya]: "The sun sets early these days. You should be careful at night." [Kotarou]: "Is that a threat?" [Sakuya]: "...do not worry." He's smiling. Somehow that's really scary... [Chihaya]: "Okay, see you at school tomorrow." [Kotarou]: "Yeah." We say goodbye again. [Kotarou]: "Bye." This time I walk off. After everyone leaves, I end up alone with Prez. [Kotarou]: "School. A sacred building where boys and girls gather." [Kotarou]: "Unbeknownst to them, countless paranormal phenomena lie in wait..." [Akane]: "Please stop with the horror movie narration." [Akane]: "It's bad and demotivating." [Kotarou]: "Says the woman who has no scruples about licking ice cream off the lid in front of a man." [Akane]: "...let's begin our voyage of discovery." [Kotarou]: "Yes...let us go forth, and solve another mystery!"

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> November 6th (Saturday) [Kotarou]: "Morning." [Kotarou]: "...where's my hope?" This wouldn't be hard if I could gain hope just by waking up the next day. [Kotarou]: "Oh well, let's just say it's an optimistic morning..." That makes no sense. I head to school normally. [Kotarou]: "...I feel a bit more tired than usual..." It's hard to sleep well when you're worrying about something. And I probably can't use my "power" to increase my courage... [Kotarou]: "Hm?" I see a familiar silhouette at the school gates. It's Shizuru. She seems to be muttering to herself with a strange face. I clear my ears. [Shizuru]: "Same as always...same as always..." She doodles in the palm of her hand with one finger and pretends to swallow it. I understand what she's saying, but since she's trying to be secretive it sounds like she's trying to summon the evil deity Seymaz Alwiez. Of course, the other students are avoiding her... [Kotarou]: "...Shizuru-san?" [Shizuru]: ".........!!" [Shizuru]: "Breakfast!!" Her first utterance is meaningless. [Kotarou]: "Right...you want to start by talking about breakfast..." Unfortunately she couldn't think straight and only one word made it out of her mouth. [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Kotarou]: "...hm?" Somehow it's easier for me to stay calm when she acts like this. [Kotarou]: "...about yesterday." [Kotarou]: "I do think it was my fault that we ended up talking about that...so I'd prefer you don't take what they said too seriously." [Shizuru]: "...sorry." [Kotarou]: "No, no, why are you apologizing?" [Shizuru]: "I ran away so suddenly..." [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" [Kotarou]: "That didn't bother me at all...don't worry about it, Shizuru." [Shizuru]: "You're sure?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah." [Shizuru]: "I see..." [Shizuru]: "I talked about it with Lucia yesterday." [Kotarou]: "With her?" Apparently they had a private girls' talk. [Shizuru]: "Lucia also said I shouldn't worry about that." [Kotarou]: "Oh." I wasn't expecting her to be helpful. [Shizuru]: "She said it doesn't matter and this was a good opportunity to cut off all ties with you." [Kotarou]: "...damn her." Should've expected that. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, it's not right to get mad at her." [Kotarou]: "Is it left then?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." Really? [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Shizuru]: "...doodling didn't work." [Kotarou]: "It's only meant to give you something to do instead of panic." [Shizuru]: "Is that so...?" [Kotarou]: "It is." She seems troubled. [Kotarou]: "Mmm..." I don't usually get tense around people, so I don't have any good advice for her. [Kotarou]: "...well..." [Kotarou]: "There's no need to get nervous about talking to me." That's really all I can say. [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Kotarou]: "Hey." I tap her on the head a few times. [Kotarou]: "Hm?" Bloodlust? [Lucia]: "Haaaaaaa!!" Something's coming down toward me!! [Kotarou]: "Uuoooooo!?" I evade Lucia's jump kick by a hair's breadth. [Lucia]: "Geh...missed." [Kotarou]: "What the hell was that for!?" [Lucia]: "A form of greeting..." [Kotarou]: "...if you say so..." [Lucia]: "It is most appropriate for a heathen like you..." [Lucia]: "How dare you touch Shizuru with your filthy hands! You deserve death!!" [Kotarou]: "...calm down." Now she's just picking fights. [Kotarou]: "You're really overreacting." [Lucia]: "Hmph. I just care about my friend." [Kotarou]: "...the fact that you mean that is just sad..." [Lucia]: "S-sad!? What on Earth are you referring to!?" Lucia's right fist cuts audibly through the air in front of my face. [Kotarou]: "H-hey!" She just grazes my nose. [Lucia]: "Stop dodging! Stand still!!" [Kotarou]: "No! I'll get hurt if I stand still!! You'll knock at least two of my teeth out!!" [Lucia]: "A just punishment!" [Kotarou]: "That's not just at all!!" [Shizuru]: "Lucia." Shizuru says one word, and Lucia stops... [Shizuru]: "My head doesn't hurt." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou is not a bully." [Lucia]: "...r-...right..." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Yes?" [Shizuru]: "...I want to go somewhere after school." [Kotarou]: "Y-yeah, sure." She sighs with relief. [Shizuru]: "Lucia." [Lucia]: "...hm? Hm?" [Shizuru]: "You helped me say that." [Shizuru]: "Thanks for distracting me." [Lucia]: "Ah...eh? Umm, I'm glad I was able to help..." [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Shizuru]: "...now, I have to hurry or I'll be late." [Kotarou]: "Aaah, you're right..." [Shizuru]: "Bye." She runs off. [Kotarou]: "...thanks for your help." [Lucia]: "...so much for preventing it..." [Kotarou]: "Thanks to you, Shizuru and I are going on a date after school." [Lucia]: "Keep talking and your severed head will be flying through the air." [Kotarou]: "...got it." Looks like there's no way to avoid having this violent inspector on my tail... [Kotarou]: "This'll be rough..." [Lucia]: "We'll be late." [Kotarou]: "Got it..." Thus the inspector drags me away. [Kotarou]: "...huh." Shizuru's not in the courtyard today. [Kotarou]: "Hmm." It finally hits me that I've been habitually walking down there almost every day. [Nishikujou]: "Oh my oh my oh my～?" [Kotarou]: "Whoa!?" Suddenly Nishikujou-sensei is behind me. [Nishikujou]: "Uhuhuhu～" [Kotarou]: "What is it?" [Nishikujou]: "You didn't know I was here." [Kotarou]: "...haa." [Nishikujou]: "You didn't notice me～" [Kotarou]: "Did it bother you that much?" [Nishikujou]: "It's my job to correct students' mistakes." [Kotarou]: "I see..."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "By the way, where's Shizuru?" [Nishikujou]: "Probably in class." [Kotarou]: "Oh." That's unfortunate. [Nishikujou]: "You're doing pretty well with Shizuru-chan～" [Kotarou]: "Am I?" [Nishikujou]: "You're going on a date today～" [Kotarou]: "Yes. Shizuru asked to go this time, but I intend to be more proactive in the future." [Nishikujou]: "Hyuu～ Hyuu～" [Kotarou]: "Why are you trying to whistle?" [Kotarou]: "Ha...what's wrong, Sensei?" [Nishikujou]: "There's no point teasing you if you don't get embarrassed by it～" She collapses in sorrow. [Kotarou]: "Umm..." ...how young are you? [Kotarou]: "Wait, how do you know we're going somewhere today?" [Nishikujou]: "Oh?" [Nishikujou]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Why are you acting like that...?" [Kotarou]: "...I guess it's a bit cute." [Nishikujou]: "O-oh my!" She starts running around. [Nishikujou]: "C-c-c-cute!? Really!?" [Kotarou]: "Well..." [Kotarou]: "I guess so?" [Nishikujou]: "O-...oh my!! If you say things like that I might fall for you!!" She continues running around. [Kotarou]: "It's okay, calm down." She's much more fun to tease. She seems fatigued. [Kotarou]: "...let's just say I was being polite..." [Nishikujou]: "R-right..." [Nishikujou]: "In that case, is Shizuru-chan cuter than me?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." [Nishikujou]: "Thought so." [Nishikujou]: "You answered so fast..." [Nishikujou]: "So much for forbidden love." [Kotarou]: "How far ahead were you imagining...?" [Nishikujou]: "Don't worry about it, that doesn't matter." [Kotarou]: "Haa..." [Nishikujou]: "You'll probably be going quite a ways from school." [Kotarou]: "Eh? How do you..." [Nishikujou]: "You'll see." [Kotarou]: "What does that...?" [Nishikujou]: "Tennouji-kun." [Nishikujou]: "...it's going to be very hard to make things work with Shizuru-chan." [Kotarou]: "Haa..." [Nishikujou]: "She's not normal...in a lot of ways." [Kotarou]: "Hmm." When she says it like that... [Kotarou]: "I don't really have a problem with her being not normal." [Kotarou]: "If anything that's a plus." [Nishikujou]: "...I see." [Nishikujou]: "Should've expected that from you, Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "I have no idea what that means, but thank you." [Nishikujou]: "Now I kinda want to support you two～" [Kotarou]: "Haa..." [Nishikujou]: "So you guys can take my car." [Kotarou]: "I don't have a license." [Nishikujou]: "I'm saying I'll drive." [Kotarou]: "Eeeeh?" [Nishikujou]: "I'm sure Shizuru-chan will appreciate it." [Kotarou]: "I guess if she's okay with it..." Lunch break. Nishikujou-sensei appears as Shizuru and I eat lunch. [Nishikujou]: "So I'll be driving～" [Shizuru]: "It's okay, you don't need to." [Nishikujou]: "Aaah...! Sh-Shizuru-chan...don't avoid me...!!" She's immediately stricken with grief. [Shizuru]: "I figured we'd take the bus." She pulls out some tickets. [Kotarou]: "Hm? By the way, is it really that far?" [Shizuru]: "It's a bit far." [Kotarou]: "I see." By the way, the public transportation in this city uses our proud fleet of flywheel solar powered buses. The standard way of covering long distances is taking the bus to the station then getting a train the rest of the way. There aren't that many trains anymore and the station isn't exactly in the middle of the city, so they're very convenient. I don't know how it turned out like that, but no one really complains about it. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru-san, Nishikujou-sensei isn't moving." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Shizuru]: "...fine." [Nishikujou]: "Yeeees! I'll go get it refilled right away♪" She skips away. [Kotarou]: "...don't teachers normally have work to do after school?" [Shizuru]: "She's just like that." [Kotarou]: "Isn't that a problem?" [Shizuru]: "I think it's fine if she says it is." [Kotarou]: "You're such an adult." So tolerant. [Shizuru]: "...?" She puts a hand on her head, then moves it over to my shoulders. She seems to be comparing our heights. [Kotarou]: "I mean mentally, not physically." [Shizuru]: "Calcium and Vitamin C..." She still isn't growing as much as she'd like. [Shizuru]: "But this has Omega 3 fatty acids..." She grabs something vegetable-like with her chopsticks. [Kotarou]: "What are those?" [Shizuru]: "Try it." [Kotarou]: "Oh." I try a bite. It has a definite vegetable flavor, but different from spinach. I guess I'd say it's closer to celery...no, not really. The smell is more like a flower, actually... That's it, watercress. If you made snacks out of that, they'd probably taste like this. Anyway, it's pretty good. [Kotarou]: "That aside, what were you saying about omega?" [Shizuru]: "Omega." [Kotarou]: "You're omega." My insult failed. [Kotarou]: "Well, anyway..." [Shizuru]: "Is it okay to be small...?" [Kotarou]: "It'd be weird if you were bigger than me, so small isn't exactly bad." [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Kotarou]: "That made you think?" [Shizuru]: "Yes...think..." [Kotarou]: "Are you thinking hard?" [Shizuru]: "I'm thinking hard." I didn't think Shizuru-san was bothered by her height. [Kotarou]: "By the way, can you tell me where we're going yet?" [Shizuru]: ".........?" [Kotarou]: "Umm, if you give me that "Why don't you know" look, it makes it look like I did something wrong..." [Kotarou]: "I'm very sure you never told me where we're going." [Shizuru]: "My parents' house."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "...really?" She nods. [Kotarou]: "Wow..." She's introducing me to her parents already...? [Kotarou]: "Wait...shouldn't I be more presentable then...?" [Kotarou]: "My clothes...I guess a uniform is good enough. No, wait, if I'm being introduced to your parents when I'm still a student..." [Kotarou]: "Shouldn't you be telling me it's not that big a deal or something?" [Shizuru]: "Saury is good." [Kotarou]: "Right..." I decide to wait until she's done eating saury. She's finished. [Kotarou]: "...was it good?" [Shizuru]: "Very satisfying..." [Kotarou]: "You're pretty low-maintenance." I'd need at least a very expensive bentou to feel that kind of satisfaction. [Shizuru]: "Low-maintenance..." [Shizuru]: "Today's lunch cost just over a hundred yen." [Kotarou]: "Seriously!?" [Kotarou]: "What did you get?" [Shizuru]: "A tin of saury...one hundred yen." [Kotarou]: "You've already used up a hundred..." [Shizuru]: "The rice was a gift from someone else." [Kotarou]: "Okay." [Shizuru]: "The vegetables...were growing over there." [Kotarou]: "...where?" [Shizuru]: "There." She points at a flowerbed. [Kotarou]: "You're eating weeds!!" [Shizuru]: ".........?" [Kotarou]: "Actually...those were pretty good, so I guess it's okay..." [Shizuru]: "Finally, furikake." [Kotarou]: "So a hundred yen plus the cost of furikake." So she only needs 300 yen for a whole day... [Shizuru]: "Sometimes I splurge a bit." [Kotarou]: "On octopus wieners?" [Shizuru]: "Yes." That's splurging...? [Kotarou]: "You must have had a rough life, Shizuru..." [Shizuru]: "...that's not true." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Shizuru]: "I want you to know something, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Okay." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, you've shown me things about you that other people might want to hide." [Shizuru]: "So I want to show you one of my secrets." [Shizuru]: "That's why I want you to come with me today." [Kotarou]: "...hm?" It must be something about her family situation. I remember Lucia's words. What do I know about Shizuru? Will my embarrassing preteen years compare to her problems at all? But, right now... I'm just happy that Shizuru wants to tell me something like that. [Kotarou]: "Okay." That's how I answer. Now that I think about it, I always do that. It's always been like this. The more I enjoy the moment, the more I regret what I do later. I should have realized that back when I grew out of my stupid preteen years. ...people don't learn from their biggest mistakes. Because they'll forget about them when their wounds finally heal. [Nishikujou]: "Here we are. Tada! My Mini Cooper～" She proudly introduces her car outside the school gates. [Kotarou]: "It looks pretty run down." [Nishikujou]: "There aren't any new ones available in this model～" [Kotarou]: "You wanted that one specifically?" [Nishikujou]: "The man I love the most in the world rode one of these～" [Kotarou]: "Oh? Who might that be? Is he a famous actor?" [Nishikujou]: "Uhuhu, it's Saeba Ryou." [Kotarou]: "A manga character!?" Specifically, the protagonist of City Hunter. Not that I have a problem with her being into that, but... [Kotarou]: "This does look kinda typical though..." [Nishikujou]: "But isn't it cool? ♪" [Kotarou]: "Well, it did seem like a nice fancy car until I heard why you like it." [Shizuru]: "The ride feels good too." [Kotarou]: "Hm? You've been in it before?" [Shizuru]: "Yes..." [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's get in." I slide gallantly into the driver's seat. [Nishikujou]: "Oh～?" Sensei gets into the passenger seat. Shizuru gets in the back. [Kotarou]: "Okaaay, time to show you guys my driving prowess!!" [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, the engine's off." [Kotarou]: "Oh right. Sensei, the key." [Nishikujou]: "Eeeh?" She gives it to me. [Kotarou]: "Okaaay, time to show you guys my driving prowess!!" [Nishikujou]: "Nope♪" She whacks me. [Kotarou]: "Gua! An adult woman attacked me!" My nose takes more damage than it ever has before. [Nishikujou]: "You can't sit in the driver's seat without a license." [Shizuru]: "Whack!" *smush* [Kotarou]: "Mm..." Shizuru pokes my nose too, but she failed to cause the same amount of damage. She seems disappointed. [Kotarou]: "Sadly you can't quite emit the same adult aura as her yet." [Shizuru]: ".........!!" She is shocked to hear this. [Kotarou]: "But that aside..." I start the engine. [Kotarou]: "Okaaay, let's goooo!!" [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, the handbrake." [Kotarou]: "Oops." [Nishikujou]: "Whack♪" She hits me again. [Kotarou]: "Gua! ...maybe I'm being an idiot just to experience that again." [Nishikujou]: "Anyway, let's change seats already. I'm gonna get mad if this keeps up～" Nishikujou-sensei never stops smiling... [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." She pats the empty seat in the back. [Kotarou]: "Mmm." [Nishikujou]: "Be nice and sit together now." [Kotarou]: "Fine..." I sit in the back without further complaint. Nishikujou-sensei's driving is nice and relaxing. She didn't turn out to be a terrible driver or an adrenaline junkie or anything. Smooth acceleration and deceleration. Strictly within the realm of day-to-day driving. The problem lies elsewhere. [Nishikujou]: "We're driving down the highway, yes we are♪ I, my, revolution♪" The entire drive consists of listening to late 80's pop overflowing with Showa sensibilities accompanied by Nishikujou-sensei's voice. An old Mini Cooper...singing along to 80's pop... Romance level: zero. [Shizuru]: "Yes we are～" Shizuru's glued to the window. She seems to be in a good mood (though she's not singing).

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Nishikujou]: "Come on, Tennouji-kun, here's the lyrics." [Kotarou]: "You want me to sing!?" A modern teenager like me is incapable of understanding why anyone would sing this. [Kotarou]: "The 80's are scary..." [Kotarou]: (I'll just have to endure this...) Hopefully I'll be able to escape this dark confined space eventually... ...the music stops. [Nishikujou]: "Oh my～ That's the end of it." [Kotarou]: "Aaah..." I'm exhausted for no good reason... [Nishikujou]: "We're heading downtown now, so unfortunately I'll have to switch to the radio for the rest of this." [Shizuru]: "That's fine." [Kotarou]: "Please switch!" [Nishikujou]: "Though if I pull over we could change disks～" [Kotarou]: "We've got a lot of ground to cover. Let's hurry." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, you don't know where it is." [Nishikujou]: "Oh. If you didn't like the music you should've just said so." [Shizuru]: "I don't think Kotarou hated the music." [Nishikujou]: "Oh my..." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, she's right..." I've got nothing wrong with just listening to it. [Shizuru]: "But he's bad at singing." [Kotarou]: "Ah, Sensei, how old are you? You don't look old enough to be into 80's pop." I change the subject. [Nishikujou]: "You can't ask for a woman's age～" [Kotarou]: "Well, I kind of expected that answer, but..." [Shizuru]: "Also, Kotarou's singing..." [Kotarou]: "Ah, so are you in your twenties but like old stuff?" I continue changing it. [Nishikujou]: "I guess I'll say you're on the right track～" [Kotarou]: "That makes sense." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou's..." [Kotarou]: "Ah, right, right, Nishikujou-san." More changing... [Shizuru]: "Kotarou's bad!" [Kotarou]: "Geeh! Don't say it like that!" [Nishikujou]: "Bad at what?" [Nishikujou]: "Hm?" She looks at me with a smile. [Shizuru]: "Singing." [Nishikujou]: "Oh my." [Kotarou]: "...I know I suck." [Shizuru]: "You don't like to hear it...?" [Kotarou]: "Shizuru-san, you don't have to tell everyone those things." [Shizuru]: "Mmm." [Shizuru]: "But I don't want you to ignore it." [Kotarou]: "Well, sorry about that." [Kotarou]: "But I don't like being told I suck at things." [Shizuru]: "It's just individuality." Individuality...such a nice word. It makes you feel proud of your defects. Only for a moment though. [Nishikujou]: "Shizuru-chan knows so much about Tennouji-kun." [Shizuru]: "There's far more I don't know." [Kotarou]: "It's not exactly possible to know everything about me." [Shizuru]: "Mmm." That applies to everyone, not just me. People can't expose every single detail about their lives, and no one would want them to anyway. Basically, everyone has some parts of their past they'd prefer no one knew. [Kotarou]: "Hey." [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "...I didn't ask on the way here, but..." [Kotarou]: "Could you tell me what it is I'm going to see here?" [Kotarou]: "You can whisper in my ear if you don't want Nishikujou-sensei to hear." [Nishikujou]: "I probably know it already." [Kotarou]: "Well, I sort of assumed that..." [Nishikujou]: "Tennouji-kun." [Nishikujou]: "The house we're visiting really is where Shizuru-chan grew up." [Nishikujou]: "...they didn't move here, and they don't happen to have the same last name. This really is where her biological parents live." [Kotarou]: "Why are you telling me that?" [Shizuru]: "You'll see..." [Nishikujou]: "You might not believe it if you don't hear that in advance." [Nishikujou]: "I do tell little white lies sometimes." [Nishikujou]: "But I don't think Shizuru-chan's capable of saying anything but the truth." [Nishikujou]: "And I want you to believe her, Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "Umm..." [Kotarou]: "Is it really that hard to believe?" [Nishikujou]: "That's it for the lead-in." After she says that, the car exits the highway. What are they going to show me? Obviously it isn't going to be normal, but... [Nishikujou]: "Here we are." The turn signal clicks rhythmically as she turns onto a side street. [Nishikujou]: "I'll stay here." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Why?" [Nishikujou]: "Because it's a date～♪" She seems deliberately happy. [Kotarou]: "I can't figure out whether I should be taking that seriously." [Nishikujou]: "This is just how I talk～ It's up to you how seriously you take it, Tennouji-kun～" [Kotarou]: "Haa..." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, let's go." [Kotarou]: "Ah, right." [Nishikujou]: "Bye-bye." I've never been to this area. Shizuru knows exactly where she's going, so I walk behind her. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Shizuru]: "This way." [Kotarou]: "Okay, okay." I catch up to her. [Kotarou]: "I have no clue where we're going after all." [Shizuru]: "Mm." She grabs my sleeve. How to describe this... I almost feel like a father when she grabs me that way... [Kotarou]: "Hey, Shizuru." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru-san?" [Shizuru]: "Hm?" ...she looks tense. I think her mind was elsewhere just now. [Kotarou]: "Hmm." [Shizuru]: "?" "What?" She looks at me. [Kotarou]: "...nothing." [Shizuru]: "Okay..." They said I'd know when I saw it, so let's keep going. But...Shizuru's legs feel heavier and heavier. She's just looking straight ahead, never turning toward me. I just noticed she isn't holding onto my sleeve anymore. Which means... [Kotarou]: (...she needs to build up courage to come here...) Shizuru stops. [Kotarou]: "Is this it?" She nods. Shizuru's house. A one-story bungalow with a small garden.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> I can see a sliding door, old brown walls, and a gray propane tank. Overall, it looks like a really old...and rather poor house. I look over the wall. There are some bright pink roses in the garden, which don't seem to fit the house at all. I can't see inside, but I can't hear anything either. Looks like no one's home. [Kotarou]: "...what now?" Shizuru stares at the entrance. [Kotarou]: "Should we wait?" We continue standing there. I can only look up at the sky. Nothing changes around us. There aren't even any people walking around here. I look at the flowers. There are some busy bees hurriedly preparing for winter. Shizuru doesn't move. [Kotarou]: "...they're still not here." She continues watching the house. Cautiously, with one eye. How long have we been standing here? [Kotarou]: "...if they're gone..." [Kotarou]: "Should we go kill time somewhere else?" Shizuru shows no sign of moving. [Kotarou]: "Guess we'll wait." A paper recycling truck rushes by. One old man walks down the road. Nothing else changes. Including Shizuru. [Kotarou]: "I'll go buy some juice..." It's four in the afternoon. The sky's still clear. It's kinda uncomfortable standing under the sun for so long. But Shizuru still won't move. Her shadow's getting long. I can hear crows cawing and insects buzzing in the garden. ...am I being tested or something? That's how long this is taking. But at least I can move around. Shizuru's been perfectly still this whole time. Just staring at a single spot. That must make it a lot more uncomfortable. All I can do is wait. [Kotarou]: "Ah." A light comes on in the house. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, are they in there?" [Shizuru]: "...yeah." It sounds like she knew that already. Maybe Shizuru's better at hearing them than I am. [Kotarou]: "Then..." ...aaah. Shizuru wasn't waiting. [Kotarou]: "...you were hesitating." She furrows her brows and glances toward me. [Kotarou]: "Hey..." I start talking. Because it feels like nothing will ever happen if I don't. [Kotarou]: "...I don't know anything about you or this place, Shizuru." [Kotarou]: "Could you tell me about it?" I don't feel like I can say "let's just go in" or "let's go home" without knowing something. There's clearly enough going on here that she felt the need to stand there for so long. [??]: "...oh." I hear a woman's voice. [Shizuru]: "...!!" A woman with a soft expression. She's holding a supermarket bag full of food. I can tell at a glance. [Kotarou]: (...she looks a lot like Shizuru.) If this is where Shizuru grew up, then this woman is definitely her mother. [Woman]: "What's wrong?" She asks Shizuru, smiling. Shizuru doesn't answer. [Woman]: "Oh? Have we..." [Woman]: "Have we met somewhere before?" [Kotarou]: "...wha―...?" Shizuru shakes her head. [Kotarou]: "Eh?" Why are they...acting like they don't know each other? [Woman]: "...that's right, I've seen that uniform a lot around town." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Eh? Wait...eh?" [Shizuru]: "Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Hm...?" [Shizuru]: "...shh." [Kotarou]: "But―" [Shizuru]: "Please." I go quiet. [Shizuru]: "...your roses..." [Shizuru]: "...they're very pretty." [Woman]: "Oh...why thank you." [Woman]: "They've been in our garden for so many years now." [Woman]: "I can't quite remember when I planted them." [Shizuru]: "...I see." The woman talks with a bright smile. ...Shizuru looks lonely for a moment. [Man]: "Hello?" Another voice. [Man]: "What are you doing out here?" [Woman]: "Oh...welcome home, dear." [Woman]: "This girl was just telling me she thought our roses were pretty." [Man]: "Yes, yes they are. They bloomed quite nicely this year." [Man]: "Would you like to take one with you?" Shizuru shakes her head again. [Man]: "Hmm...all right." [Shizuru]: "...I've looked at them plenty..." [Shizuru]: "Let's go." She grabs my sleeve. [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Woman]: "Come look at them again sometime." Shizuru bows her head. Then she turns around and walks away. [Kotarou]: "Ah." ...I also bow to them, then follow her. I hear their voices behind me. [Woman]: "We're back, Shizu-chan. Did you watch the house while we were gone?" [Child]: "Yep, welcome home." [Kotarou]: "―!!" [Kotarou]: "H-hey!" [Man]: "Shizuka, you were here all alone? Good girl." [Kotarou]: "Shizu...ka?" [Shizuru]: "...she's probably my sister." [Kotarou]: "Wait..." [Kotarou]: "Sorry, this isn't making any sense..." [Shizuru]: "They don't know who I am." [Shizuru]: "My mother and father don't remember me." [Shizuru]: "...let's head back to the car." [Kotarou]: "This just doesn't feel right..." [Shizuru]: "...yeah." [Kotarou]: "Sorry, I'm still confused...could you explain it in a bit more detail for me?" [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, my name." [Kotarou]: "?" [Shizuru]: "Name." [Kotarou]: "Umm...Nakatsu Shizuru...?" [Kotarou]: "Uu." She pokes my nose. [??]: "First name." [Kotarou]: "I just said, it's..." [Kotarou]: "H-huh...?" ...I can't say it. [Kotarou]: "Ah, wait...umm..." That's not it. I can't remember it. This is that sensation you get when you inexplicably forget something you shouldn't be able to forget. [??]: "...you can't remember?" [Kotarou]: "No, that doesn't..." [??]: "I can do that." I understand now. [Kotarou]: "What's your name again...?" [??]: "Nakatsu Shizuru." [Kotarou]: "Right, Shizuru, Shizuru." After having her do that to me, it makes more sense. [Kotarou]: "...did they forget the same way?" [Shizuru]: "I couldn't control it this well at first." [Shizuru]: "So I overdid it." [Shizuru]: "Severe memory loss. Synapses that normally could never be severed." [Shizuru]: "...that's what I was told happened to them." [Shizuru]: "I can do things like this." There's no way I'd ever forget Shizuru's name. And there's nothing that could possibly cause it.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> At least, I've never heard of such a specific detail being wiped from someone's memory like that except in hypnosis. This is the kind of mysterious power that only exists in manga or anime. Which means... [Kotarou]: (...it's real...) Undeniable, definite proof. It takes no time at all to tell if the cat's alive once you open the box. ...the rare kind of certainty you can be 100% sure about. [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, it's getting dark." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." I start walking again. As we walk, Shizuru starts talking. We were probably a normal family at first. But just a little poor. It was a big treat when they could buy pudding for me. My father was nice. My mother was nice. They got along well. I got along well with them too. We were all a happy family. Kindergarten. Mom and Dad would come watch me play. I found it embarrassing. But they told me I was doing well. They said I looked the coolest. In retrospect, I probably looked silly. But I was still happy. Dinner was saury that night. We always had saury when something good happened. Or maybe good things happened whenever we had saury. I was glad something good happened, and the saury was delicious, so it was a very good day. I remember seeing families on the TV sitting at the same table together eating saury. Saury on the TV. Saury in front of us. I said it was similar, and smiled. Elementary school. A backpack. Fidgeting at the entrance ceremony. We ate dinner at a restaurant that day. I had a hamburger. I said I prefer saury and they laughed. I remember my friends in kindergarten saying they wanted to go to restaurants every day. But I preferred eating at home. Dad would grill saury in the yard and Mom would take out the bones before we ate them. I practiced eating properly. I needed to be able to do that by the time I got into elementary school. I tried very hard to use my chopsticks properly. But it wasn't easy. I didn't like the guts since they were bitter. I tried moving a piece. The fish falls apart. Mom's and Dad's plates aren't messy at all. Why can't I do this? I tried several techniques, but it still doesn't work. Mom and Dad taught me how to do it together. Dad ate the part with guts for me. He said I'd be able to eat it when I got older. Come to think of it, I'd seen him drink beer, and that looked bitter. Mom said part of becoming an adult is being able to eat and drink bitter things. Dad said that was deep. I didn't really understand, but I like saury. I liked our family that way. To celebrate me entering elementary school, Mom and I planted flowers in the garden. Dad did all the heavy lifting and digging. I left a little piece of paper on the ground, saying "I hope they look pretty." They were roses. Autumn. When Dad was off work, he said we should all go to the festival. Kazamatsuri's harvest festival. We didn't even talk about going last year, so what made him want to go? That was my first thought. But the festival was fun. It was the only day I could buy and eat takoyaki or candy apricots. Mom had trouble getting through crowds, which seemed odd. But I wanted to go so she came too. The festival was around midday. There were lots of events. A stage I remember seeing on TV. A parade of people in various costumes. The candy apricot was good. It was a fun festival. At one point I almost got lost. After that I held on to Dad's clothes. By the time we got off the main street, there was a clear mark on his shirt. We went to a restaurant for dinner. I asked if they had saury, and the waitress smiled and apologized. Disappointment. After dinner, Dad said he had an errand to run so he left for downtown. When we reached the residential area, almost no one was walking around anymore. There were lots of trees and flowers growing around houses much prettier than ours. Mom liked that kind of thing, so she taught me a lot of flower names. There were some other people walking around doing the same thing. We looked at a lot of flowers. As night fell, more and more people headed home. I was a little tired. A gray, very uninteresting building next to us. I asked her why Dad went somewhere similar earlier. She told me something. Something Dad said. They were thinking of getting a house here. Ideally with a garden where Mom could plant her flowers. ...I was surprised. At the time we were renting a run-down house. After that Dad started talking about housing developments and subsidiaries and other things I didn't understand. Mom seemed surprised as she listened to him. But we didn't have much money. I asked if we could buy it. "I'll work hard to repay the loan." "And we've been saving up for a while." "I'll be a little busier than before, but it'll be fine." Then he patted his chest with pride. Dad was dependable. Mom was a bit of a crybaby, so she lowered her head as a few tears of joy leaked out. ...but... I remembered what a friend told me about her family. Her dad was so busy they could never eat dinner together. If Dad wouldn't be around as much, I'd be lonely. He wouldn't cook as much saury for me. ...in which case, I'd prefer we stay where we were. I tried to say that. The next moment... White. Then black. Everything turned black. It hurt. My body wouldn't move. It hurts... My eyes... My eyes were... They hurt too much to open... I couldn't speak at all, as if someone had just hit me in the gut. It hurts... ...suddenly, I remembered. When I was in kindergarten. A lot of kids were taught to say "Pain, pain, fly away" whenever something hurt, and my friends always said it actually worked when I did that. ......fly away...... I couldn't speak, so I thought it. ......fly away...... ...my hand moved. I pressed on my right eye. I kept thinking it. It felt like my blood was getting colder. Cold blood rushed through me. My whole body started tingling. It was kinda like being in a massage chair. But the hand on my right eye still felt hot. And I felt something slimy when I moved it. Blood. I thought harder. Fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away...! ...it felt like cold, electrified blood was exploding under my right hand. The next moment, my eye opened. My head was spinning. I called for Mom and Dad. I saw two people lying on the ground nearby. I used only my right hand to drag myself toward them. I crawled over blackened pebbles. They ate into my skin where my clothes were torn. I started to understand. ...a fire. Fire was gushing out of the gray building. From a collapsed wall. Little bits of rock flew toward us when it happened... And hit us... Mom... I reached out. I spoke to her. She wouldn't move. Dad... A big piece of glass was sticking out of Dad's back. Lots of blood was coming out. Dad's shirt was white today, but it had turned red and black. ...they were dying... At that moment... A loud, muffled noise rang out. Fire began gushing out from another window. I had to run. But Dad...

<METADATA> Name: Sougen Esaka | Gender: Male </METADATA> I had to do it again... Fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away. ............ah. Suddenly, I felt sleepy. No, it was more like passing out. My mind flew away... [Man]: ".........hey! There's people down here.........!" I heard a man's voice. [Man]: "...why were there civilians here...?" [Esaka]: "...call an ambulance." [Man]: "...huh? But..." [Esaka]: "...if we abandon civilians, then who exactly are we fighting to protect?" [Man]: "...u-understood!" [Gen]: "...those bastards...!!" [Esaka]: "...let the pursuit team follow them. The rest of you, focus on extinguishing the fire and helping anyone in the vicinity." [Man]: "...th-they're alive! All three of them...!!" [Esaka]: "...thank goodness...be careful with the man's wound. The glass may be close to his lungs. Use pads to keep it in place as we move him!" [Gen]: "...okaaay, you runts are paramedics now! Human life is top priority! Save any cats you find too! We're not letting anyone die in vain today!!" [Man]: "...yes sir!!" I heard all that faintly. ...three people...we were all alive... Thank goodness... I woke up later. My head was still swimming. Some old men were talking nearby. [Conversation]: "...they "healed"?" [Conversation]: "Y-yes...I can't think of any other way to describe it..." [Conversation]: "What do you mean?" [Conversation]: "Please look at this. These are the CT scan images from just after the accident." [Conversation]: "Hmm..." [Conversation]: "As you can see, this large object and several small rocks are inside the body." [Conversation]: "I see." [Conversation]: "Wait, that looks far more severe than the external..." [Conversation]: "Yes, his wounds have "healed" somehow..." [Conversation]: "And I can't find any sign of an entry wound near many of these rocks. The largest wound he has now is the incision from his surgery..." [Conversation]: "...call the chief. We need to look into this." I didn't really understand... I was still sleepy... So I decided to sleep. When I woke up next, I could see a white ceiling. Dad was in the bed next to me. When he noticed I was awake, he smiled and spoke to me. I said good morning. It was a weird morning. But everyone seemed fine at least. I looked around and saw four beds in the room, but we were the only ones there. I asked Dad what we should do about school. Dad had to take a break from work, and he said I'd have to do the same. Even though I did all my homework... He told me that class was probably over already. ...it'd been a whole day since that night. I must've been asleep that whole time. Then he pointed to my right eye and said not to touch it. ...I had an eyepatch. Apparently my eye hadn't healed yet. The doctor asked me a lot of questions. Mom always told me to tell doctors the truth, so I answered all his questions truthfully. ...he said I could heal people. After they finished her tests, Mom came back and cried next to Dad. Dad desperately told her it would be okay. Mom noticed I was awake, then wiped her tears and said welcome back. I just said "I'm back". Mom had only lost consciousness, and because Dad protected her she didn't have any serious wounds. I lay back down, and Mom held my hand. Mom and Dad talked about complicated things. In the evening, Mom headed back home. Dad and I spent the time watching TV. It had a program about famous people's homes. Dad muttered something about not being able to buy the house anymore. I said it was fine. By the time it was dark outside, an old man in a suit arrived. He started out by asking how we were. Then he talked about me. Apparently my eye had mostly healed. But... It had changed color. It still didn't feel real. Dad told me to take off my eyepatch in front of the mirror. ...it was different. It felt completely wrong. I felt like my eyes itched. I rubbed it. I looked again. It looked a little redder this time. But there was no mistake. ...my eye was lighter...no, it had changed into a completely different color. Why? It immediately hit me. That little chant I did. Back when I got hurt... I hesitated. ...Dad looked troubled too. The man in the suit remained silent. After that, he slowly told Dad about how I "healed". I don't remember it very well, but he said something along the lines of I had a special gift and there were other people that had it. The man said that's it for today and left after he finished explaining. ...I'm not sure if Dad really believed him. I touched my body several times to be sure. Dad asks him, "We were in a fire, weren't we?" I answered, "Yes. It was incredible." "Shizuru, did you heal me?" "Yes." "...I see. Thank you, Shizuru." He said that and patted my head. I had five days until I could leave the hospital. Dad had to wait a bit longer. During that time, Dad helped me catch up on my studies. I thought he should've been a teacher. We found it very relaxing. ...I don't think Dad or I felt it was really happening. I was just glad everyone was okay. Whenever I thought that, I was perfectly calm...and I never panicked. But Mom was different. Only I left the hospital. Mom took me back home. ...it seemed messier than usual. Even though she always kept things clean. For the time being, I cleaned up what I could. When I finished, it was dinner time. Mom was in the kitchen. But... Mom didn't turn the oven on. She just stood in front of it, staring at the pot for several minutes. I had a hunch why. After that fire, she was afraid of flames... Mom and I went to the supermarket to buy some food. We heated it up in the microwave. It made a popping sound. When Mom heard it, her face went pale and her hands shook. ...in the end, we only ate cold bread and vegetables for dinner. The next day, I went to school. The boys made fun of me for my eyepatch. The next day, one of them took it off. They acted like it was disgusting. People started treating me like I was sickly. At the end of the day, the teacher warned everyone not to do that. No one made fun of me after that. No one approached me at all. I don't want to remember that time in detail. Dad was released from the hospital. He seemed happy, but Mom never improved. Dad ended up doing much of the housework in Mom's place. When he tried to cook saury for me, Mom freaked out. I wanted to eat it, but it wasn't an option anymore. ...time passed like that for a while. Things weren't fun anymore. "What might happen tomorrow?" I didn't want to think about it. One day, the man we met at the hospital came with a bunch of other people. Dad left work early to get home. Apparently this was important. I gazed at the TV in the next room. It was boring when the news was on. Come to think of it, the fire we were in got reported on for a few days, but that was it. ...even though it changed our family so much. Just once, a reporter came to our house. He asked a lot of weird things. But that only happened once.

<METADATA> Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> The adults were having a lot of complicated conversations. Eventually they called me in. The man asked me in a nice voice. "Would you like to transfer to a new school?" Apparently that man was in charge of another school, and if I went there instead he'd prepare all the money I needed to live there, and try to find a better job for Dad. And it was my decision. I thought about it. If things would go back to normal on their own... Then I wouldn't want to go away. But I can't even change my own eye back to the way it was. I couldn't change anything. Not even myself. I said I would go. The new school was full of kids like me who could do weird things. I made good friends with a girl who was very good at raising plants. She made a morning-glory bloom in three days. I was jealous. I also healed a wounded mouse, and did some other stuff. One week at the new school. I went home on Saturday. He even drove me there. I went inside. ...I heard them fighting. Mom was yelling at Dad. I couldn't believe my ears. Dad was usually gentle, but on occasion he did get mad. But I'd never heard Mom yell before... I rushed into the room. A brief pause. Then Dad welcomed me home. Mom said with a smile that I should've called if I was going to visit. ...did I mishear her? Then Dad pulled a notebook of some kind out of his pocket. My bank book. It was filled with numbers. Dad said it was mine. I said I didn't know what it was. Then he told me I was working, and part of working was receiving money for it. He also said with a laugh that I'd have enough money to buy a house before him. ...I can buy a house if I go to the new school instead? Even though they're fighting when I'm not here...? Saturday and Sunday went by normally. For the rest of the week, I couldn't stop thinking about it. The next Saturday. I wanted to find out for sure. ...if it was okay for me to be doing this. What would I do if it really was okay? I hadn't thought of that at the time. So... When I found out it was true... I... I shouted at them to stop, and entered the room... [Kotarou]: "...so what happened?" I ask without thinking. [Shizuru]: "They both...lost a few years' worth of memories." [Shizuru]: "...I had no idea I was capable of doing that." [Shizuru]: "I didn't even notice I was doing it." [Shizuru]: "I erased Mom's and Dad's memories." [Shizuru]: "Almost everything they remembered about me." [Shizuru]: "...earlier I made you remember my name, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "...yeah." [Shizuru]: "It's easiest to erase what people are currently thinking about." [Shizuru]: "Little things like that I can target specifically." [Shizuru]: "...Mom and Dad were thinking about me at the time." [Shizuru]: "So..." ...so that's why they're like that now. [Kotarou]: "You can't heal them?" [Kotarou]: "Is there really nothing you can do?" [Kotarou]: "You made me remember it earlier." [Kotarou]: "Couldn't you..." [Shizuru]: "That was just my name." Yeah, she's right. That was a really stupid question. ...if she could fix it, she would've done that ages ago. Shizuru starts walking. [Shizuru]: "...Kotarou." She urges me to follow. [Kotarou]: "Hey." [Kotarou]: "You have...tried healing them, right?" It's evening. A beautiful evening sky. Orange changes to purple, and purple changes to ultramarine. I've been listening to Shizuru so carefully I didn't even notice that until now. With the madder-red sky at her back, Shizuru turns toward me. ...she nods. And smiles. [Kotarou]: "Why...are you smiling...?" After telling me about all that. [Shizuru]: "I'm not sure." [Shizuru]: "...this is the first time I've told anyone." [Shizuru]: "And what you just said might've made me happy, Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "What I just said...?" That stupid question? ...I didn't understand Shizuru's situation at all. She's resigned to the fact that she can't do anything about it... But she still hopes she'll be able to change it someday... Shizuru's smile seems to contain all of those things. All I can do is stand still. ...what can I say? I have no idea. The shadow at my feet moves. The city is slowly being covered by red shadows. ...has she been trying to help them regain their memories for all these years? I wanted to ask her. "What can I do to help?" But... Compared to this, what I told her about my embarrassing preteen years is as insignificant as a poppy seed. After being handed this forbidden fruit...my first thought is... ...I want to help her. [Nishikujou]: "You guys took your sweet time～" [Kotarou]: "It's already dark." Shizuru's sleeping in the back seat. [Nishikujou]: "She seems pretty tired." [Kotarou]: "Maybe it took a lot of effort to explain all that." I've never seen Shizuru talk that much before. [Nishikujou]: "So...what do you think?" [Kotarou]: "Just to check, you know everything already, right Sensei?" [Nishikujou]: "I'm not sure if I know everything." [Kotarou]: "...are you from one of the facilities Shizuru ended up in?" [Nishikujou]: "I dunno～" [Kotarou]: "Who are you?" [Nishikujou]: "Oh? I'm just a music teacher." [Kotarou]: "You've never mentioned that before..." So it was music. [Nishikujou]: "So, I don't know if I know everything, but now you do, Tennouji-kun." [Kotarou]: "Well, the basics at least." If any one thing was off by just a little bit, her past wouldn't have gone that way. I don't like the word "destiny", but... [Kotarou]: "Was Shizuru born with her powers?" [Nishikujou]: "Yes. We think she's capable of producing various drugs within her body." [Nishikujou]: "Of course, some of what she's done can't be explained with just chemicals." [Kotarou]: "...she can heal people with that?" That's probably a marvelous power. But what Shizuru's suffered... [Kotarou]: "I guess..." [Kotarou]: "The differences between people don't simply boil down to the amount of happiness they do or don't have." [Nishikujou]: "What do you mean?" [Kotarou]: "If people are just saying bad things about you, you can often do something." [Kotarou]: "But then there are misfortunes that no one could possibly predict..." [Kotarou]: "...and those are things we don't all have in common." Some people have been through a catastrophe like that, and the rest haven't. Some people are rewarded for their hard work, and others aren't. When facing danger, some people pay the price and others don't.

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Touka Nishikujou | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Nishikujou]: "Everyone has their own unique blessings and curses." [Kotarou]: "I wonder if anyone would consider Shizuru lucky." [Nishikujou]: "...true, she was very unlucky." [Nishikujou]: "Did Shizuru-chan mention her bank balance?" [Kotarou]: "No, she didn't." [Nishikujou]: "If you double it it's about to hit nine digits." [Kotarou]: "...huh?" I feel the need to count that out on my hands. [Kotarou]: "...nine digits?" A hundred million...? [Nishikujou]: "Yep." [Kotarou]: "Wait, that's doubled, so..." [Kotarou]: "That's still tens of millions!" [Nishikujou]: "That's how much Shizuru-chan gets for cooperating with us." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Wait, so why doesn't she use any of that money!?" [Nishikujou]: "She's saving. I'm not sure how far she's gotten, but..." [Nishikujou]: "She says she wants to buy a house." [Kotarou]: "Wait, if she has that much can't she just flat out buy a..." Then I remember. Shizuru's dad said he was going to buy a house. But they're still living in that rented place. Injuries and memory loss. It's easy to guess a lot of the details. So... [Nishikujou]: "I think this is how Shizuru-chan feels." [Nishikujou]: "...as long as her parents are still living there, they'll be happy." [Nishikujou]: "So she's saving up for the day when something changes." [Kotarou]: "...but she doesn't have to be that frugal..." [Nishikujou]: "She might be punishing herself." [Nishikujou]: "She feels it was her fault, so she's being harsh on herself for now..." [Kotarou]: "That doesn't make any sense! How is any of that Shizuru's...!?" [Kotarou]: "Is it anyone's fault...?" [Nishikujou]: "It's hard to judge in terms of "good" and "bad"." What? So someone is at fault? "If any one thing was off by just a little bit, her past wouldn't have gone that way." All of those things have causes, and there probably were people responsible for each cause. But does that make them evil? There's no way for me to know if they were. It would be wrong to assume that. ...trying to label people as good or evil is just a way to validate my anger. [Nishikujou]: "Tennouji-kun, do you wish you hadn't heard this?" [Kotarou]: "Huh? What do you mean?" [Nishikujou]: "You do seem to be brooding a lot." [Kotarou]: "Please keep your eyes on the road." [Nishikujou]: "Oh my～" [Kotarou]: "...it's not that." [Nishikujou]: "It's not? Then can you act bright and cheerful around Shizuru-chan tomorrow like you normally do?" [Kotarou]: "What?" [Nishikujou]: "...did it feel too heavy for you?" [Kotarou]: "Oh, that..." [Kotarou]: "Well, it is far heavier than any of the stupid things I did when I was younger." [Kotarou]: "...but, Shizuru's still Shizuru." [Nishikujou]: "Oh?" [Kotarou]: "If anything I'm worried about the fact that I feel more attached to her now." [Nishikujou]: "Shizuru-chan is so cute～" [Nishikujou]: "Between me and Shizuru-chan, who do you..." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru." [Nishikujou]: "Of course～" [Kotarou]: "...why do you keep asking that?" [Nishikujou]: "Because you're such a nice guy, Tennouji-kun～" [Nishikujou]: "Sometimes you make Sensei's heart skip a beat." [Kotarou]: "How old are you again?" [Nishikujou]: "Skip♪" It was worth a shot. [Kotarou]: "Oh well. Just rue the fact that Shizuru ended up getting close to me." [Nishikujou]: "Mmm..." ...I still can't tell how serious she is... [Nishikujou]: "We're back～" [Kotarou]: "Shizuru's still asleep." As usual, she's a deep sleeper. [Nishikujou]: "Then wake her up nice and gently～" [Kotarou]: "Gently...?" Given my past experience, waking Shizuru up "gently" is going to be extremely difficult. For now, I move to the back seat. [Kotarou]: "Hey, wake up." *blink* [Kotarou]: "Geh!? You're awake!?" *fidget* [Kotarou]: "...Shizuru-san, what was that?" [Shizuru]: "A dream..." [Kotarou]: "What about?" [Shizuru]: "You said something like..." [Kotarou]: "I'm worried about to her now if anything I feel more the fact that attached..." [Shizuru]: "...I think." [Kotarou]: "Umm, you scrambled up the order so bad it made no sense..." [Kotarou]: "And I'm pretty sure I actually said that." [Shizuru]: ".........!!" *flop* [Nishikujou]: "...that was too much of a shock for Shizuru-chan." [Kotarou]: "Haa..." We're gonna have a lot of difficulties to overcome... [Kotarou]: "Anyway, should I trust you to get her safely home and everything?" [Nishikujou]: "Oh, are you sure?" [Kotarou]: "Any later and it might start to look like we're having an illicit relationship." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru wouldn't want any rumors like that to spread. So since you're here, and we both trust you, it's better if you take her home." [Nishikujou]: "You really know when to hold back." [Kotarou]: "Don't say it like that...hahaha." I doubt anyone's capable of looking a teacher in the eye and saying they'll carry the sleeping girl to her house alone. [Kotarou]: "Well, you get the idea." [Nishikujou]: "...yes." [Kotarou]: "Bye." I poke Shizuru's cheek. [Kotarou]: "Get her home safe." [Nishikujou]: "Okaaay." She waves goodbye. I couldn't really say it next to Nishikujou-sensei, but... [Kotarou]: (Come to think of it, I have a pretty big secret too...) Namely, my superpower. [Kotarou]: "Hmm..." A power normal people don't have. Something no one else can do. Even if someone else gave this to me, I have the right and responsibility that comes with it. I know a famous superhero once said it was both a gift and a curse. If I couldn't do anything useful with it...I probably would've been crushed by the responsibility of it. [Kotarou]: ""Who am I?"" [Kotarou]: ""Your friendly neighborhood side character"...hmm."

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep </METADATA> I might not have as heavy a destiny as he did. But we do have that in common. [Kotarou]: "A superpowered couple...?" For that reason, I immediately thought our relationship might actually work. ...I was enjoying myself a bit too much. After school lets out, we all eat and assemble in the park. While I double-check the route we'll be using today, the girls begin their usual chatter. [Shizuru]: "What did you bring for food? I brought candy." [Chihaya]: "I brought rice crackers." [Lucia]: "Red beans." [Kotori]: "Potjevleesch!" [Shizuru]: "...pot gef lish...?" I want to ask too...but checking the map is more important... [Lucia]: "I think she might mean...pot, something, leech?" [Chihaya]: "Can you really eat leeches?" [Shizuru]: "...it's difficult, but it can be done." [Kotarou]: (It can...?) [Lucia]: "She said it was candy...perhaps a strange Hi-Chew flavor?" [Chihaya]: "Can you really eat that?" [Shizuru]: "...it's difficult, but it can be done." [Kotarou]: (There's nothing difficult about it...) [Lucia]: "Is it the scientific name of an insect?" [Chihaya]: "Can you really eat insects?" [Shizuru]: "...it's difficult, but it can be done." [Kotarou]: (Don't do it...!) [Lucia]: "It also sounds like "one, two, three" in some foreign language." [Chihaya]: "Can you really eat numbers?" [Shizuru]: "One, two!" [Kotarou]: (One, two!) [Lucia]: "Perhaps the π–meson?" [Chihaya]: "Can you really eat that?" [Shizuru]: "...it's difficult, but it can be done." [Kotarou]: (That would be a major scientific breakthrough...) After watching that incredibly pointless series of questions and answers, Kotori pulls an economy-size bag out of her backpack. [Kotori]: "Here it is." Lucia reads the package. [Lucia]: "...monaka." [Chihaya]: "Oh, is that all..." [Shizuru]: "Let's trade later." [Kotori]: "Yeah, you guys can have some of this." They all get excited about the trip. [Kotarou]: "Such chatty girls..." I finally finish checking the map. For some reason I feel a sense of unity from them. It's not like we hate each other or anything. But it feels like I'm the only one wasting energy. Is this what I get for being the only boy here? Do we need another one in the club? I only know of one person who'd fit the bill, but he loathes the idea. [Kotarou]: "...huu." As I feel alienated, I look at Akane. She also seems a bit isolated. [Kotarou]: "...she's supposed to be the boss." Actually, that might be because she's the boss. She acts arrogant around me, but she also tends to retreat a little around that group of girls. I feel a silent satisfaction in seeing Akane's weakness. Akane suddenly starts looking around. [Akane]: "Someone's mentally belittling me..." She sensed that!? [Akane]: "...within ten meters." That's way too precise. [Kotarou]: "P-Prez, you got a minute?" Leaving her alone is dangerous. Allowing stragglers like that is bad for the Occult Club. [Kotarou]: "Could you check the route I came up with?" [Akane]: "...sure." She looks over the plan drawn on the map. [Akane]: "Oh right, you can read maps." [Kotarou]: "Haa...well I picked up a few things on it from books and the internet." Relying on my cell phone seems like a bad idea if we ever get seriously lost, so I've been looking up a few things about real maps from time to time. It took barely any effort to learn. Maybe I'm good at this. [Kotarou]: "I'm more of a boy scout than you think." [Akane]: "I trust you." Coincidentally, some flares fall out of Akane's pockets. [Akane]: "Oh no, my lifeline." [Kotarou]: "You very obviously don't trust me." Though it's good to be careful in these situations. [Kotarou]: "Anyway, I know how to survive without relying on my cell phone, so don't worry and focus on leading everyone." [Akane]: "True. This will probably be a huge waste of time but I can pretend we're just walking down a river." [Kotarou]: "Good enough." [Kotarou]: "Heeey, I think we should get going now." I yell toward Kotori and the others as they sit down on the grass. Now, let's begin the search. I can't hear any insects. How long has it been this quiet? There's no sign of other animals either. We aren't chatting as much as before. The air feels heavy. That's partly because the forest itself is getting denser, but mostly because it's so dark we feel like we're walking through a tunnel. A dark, quiet forest. This was supposed to be a hike, but now we're hurrying forward awkwardly. I drink some of my water. My body's burning. As if the thick vegetation is preventing air from reaching my lungs. It feels inappropriate to say anything. [Kotori]: "...*cough*" [Kotarou]: "You okay?" [Kotori]: "Yeah, it's just a cough." [Kotori]: "The plants are so thick here." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." That's one way of putting it. They are thick. Is it so thick here that insects can't survive...? ...that doesn't make any sense. [Chihaya]: "Ummm, should we take a break?" None of us have used up that much energy, but we're all tired. We end up taking a short break. We find an open area with few trees and some sunlight to rest in. The ground's too moist to sit down, but some roots are sticking out of the ground so we use those as benches. We still have plenty of energy. I haven't even used 5% of my stamina yet. Though some of the others are a little worse off. [Shizuru]: "The more hungry I am, the more delicious my dinner." [Lucia]: "There is no better seasoning than an empty stomach." [Chihaya]: "This will be a good diet." Shizuru and Lucia are fine. Chihaya's doing pretty okay. But Akane and Kotori are visibly tired. [Kotori]: "...fweee..." She takes a drink every so often, but otherwise her mouth never opens. She'll probably be fine for a while, but she's definitely getting tired fast. ...it's still 3 PM. We haven't even walked for two hours yet. [Kotarou]: (It feels like we've been wandering around for ten hours...) Time flows slowly in the dark forest. According to Mappie, we're very close to our objective. We're actually doing quite well overall. [Akane]: "...ah, Tennouji." A tired voice calls out to me.

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep </METADATA> [Akane]: "Bring the map over here." [Kotarou]: "So arrogant..." Though I can understand why she wouldn't want to move right now. [Kotarou]: "Here you go." [Akane]: "I forgot to tell you before, but this area is forbidden to trespassers." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" [Akane]: "We're not legally allowed to be here." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Really?" [Akane]: "The area starts right here." Akane draws a line on the map with her finger. [Akane]: "It's already a public forest. Though it's managed by Kazamatsuri City instead of the Forest Service." [Kotarou]: "So...we're breaking the law?" [Akane]: "I got permission for this in advance, as an extracurricular activity." [Kotarou]: "Uu..." [Kotarou]: "You can influence the state!?" [Akane]: "Don't shout it!" The others look in our direction. [Kotarou]: "...sorry." [Akane]: "I don't want anyone else to know. Watch your voice." I can't help but think that'll place walls between her and the rest of the club, but I nod. [Akane]: "It's not a big deal anyway. It may be a public forest, but the security isn't super-tight or anything." [Akane]: "...until we go a little farther upstream." [Akane]: "Anyway, I just want you to know that. When you write the article, you'll have to make sure it doesn't come back to bite us." [Kotarou]: "Uwaaa...that's gonna be hard to work around..." [Akane]: "We do have permission, but if the article is extremely critical it'll still cause problems later." [Akane]: "So no matter what you see up ahead, don't let your emotions get the better of you." [Kotarou]: "Okay..." So much for that. [Kotarou]: (Am I a big enough journalist now that I need to be censored...?) That's kinda cool. [Kotarou]: "But the part of the forest we started in isn't restricted, right?" I used to play there all the time when I was a kid (Kotori still does). [Akane]: "Yes, that part's treated as a public park so anyone can go in." [Kotarou]: "So no one would have any way of knowing when they cross the border." [Akane]: "You probably didn't notice, but there was an old army border stone back there." [Kotarou]: "...I didn't see that at all." [Akane]: "I didn't tell you. It might be bad if you took any pictures of it." [Kotarou]: "Ummm..." [Kotarou]: "Are we getting mixed up in something really bad?" Everything Prez is telling me sounds like a stern warning. [Akane]: "...I wouldn't say that, but it's good to be careful. You don't go around poking every bush you walk past, do you?" [Akane]: "And if any of us get stranded, it'd be problematic even with my connections." So that's what she's actually worried about... [Kotarou]: "Then why didn't you stay home?" [Akane]: "...because it's not that big of a problem." [Kotarou]: "So...trespassing is forbidden just to keep nature intact or something?" [Akane]: "...something like that." I can understand that. Everything is supposed to be eco-friendly in Kazamatsuri. [Kotarou]: "Though all our houses are wooden..." [Kotarou]: "Crap, there might be a huge secret behind that..." [Kotarou]: "Prez, I might get erased by the government." [Akane]: "...you're getting environmental protection and forest protection mixed up." [Akane]: "If forests are logged efficiently, that can help reduce global warming." [Akane]: "Instead of burning trees down or letting them die off, helping them stay alive for a long time allows them to consume more of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere." [Kotarou]: "Hm? What does that do?" [Akane]: "It's not that hard. Keeping a bunch of trees around lowers the amount of carbon dioxide." [Kotarou]: "Ah, that's right..." [Akane]: "It's possible to preserve the environment by consuming it judiciously, so as long as we don't cut down too many trees it's better than cutting none at all." [Kotarou]: "Huh, okay then." Prez really likes explaining stuff. If she likes talking that much she should really chat with the others more. [Akane]: "The point is solving one problem with a brute force method doesn't always improve things. Idiot." [Kotarou]: "I'm an idiot?" [Akane]: "Such ignorance." [Akane]: "All parts of the system are connected. You can't adjust it without seeing how the entire thing works." [Kotarou]: "You're making it sound really hard." [Akane]: "...and that is why humanity must be adjusted by one such as myself." [Kotarou]: "That's just megalomania." We go a little farther on. [Shizuru]: "...Kotarou." [Kotarou]: "Hm? What is it?" [Shizuru]: "I smell something weird." [Kotarou]: "Eh? ...since when?" [Shizuru]: "Just now." I try breathing through my nose. [Kotarou]: "I don't smell anything. It seems like just a normal forest smell." [Shizuru]: "No, it's just a little off." [Kotarou]: "You sure?" [Kotarou]: "Hey, Kotori, do you smell anything?" [Kotori]: "...hmm, not sure." [Chihaya]: "I can only smell plants." [Lucia]: "Shizuru has very sharp senses. She's probably not imagining it." [Lucia]: "...can you explain what you mean by "off"?" She's unsure. [Shizuru]: "Like this..." She does charades. [Shizuru]: "Heavy, foggy..." [Shizuru]: "Slimfy yet vaporny." [Shizuru]: "Also popfliush." [Kotori]: "Someone please translate that..." [Kotarou]: "That made no sense. Shizuru, you mixed together too many adjectives." She looks sad. [Kotarou]: "...don't worry, there's lots of good things about you, Shizuru." [Shizuru]: "...okay." [Lucia]: "You're very lenient." [Kotarou]: "But she deserves the compliment." [Chihaya]: "She does kinda act like a prodigy." [Akane]: "So what is this smell?" Akane stands still and waits for our response. [Kotarou]: "She says she smells something...but we have no idea what." [Lucia]: "Not to interrupt, but is it just me?" [Lucia]: "Or are all the plants around here wilting?" Now that she mentions it... There are a handful of clearly dying plants dotted around the area. [Kotori]: "It's almost winter." [Chihaya]: "Ah, I think I smell something..."

<METADATA> Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Chibimoth | Gender: Unknown </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Yeah, me too. This must be what Shizuru was talking about." [Shizuru]: "Yes." [Lucia]: "...what the..." An indescribable stench. That unpleasant smell is coming from the river. [Kotarou]: "This feels really bad..." It's not strong, but it's already horrible. My instincts are shouting at me. I should probably listen to them. [Akane]: "...what should we do, Tennouji? Turn back?" [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm..." I can't say for sure if it's dangerous, but since they're all girls I can't take too many risks. [Kotarou]: "I guess for today..." [Shizuru]: ".........!!" [Kotori]: "What's wrong?" [Shizuru]: "Demon!" [Shizuru]: "Orthros has appeared...!" She rushes off. [Lucia]: "Wait up, Shizuru!" Lucia follows. We're left behind. [Chihaya]: "D-demon?" [Kotori]: "Like a tanuki?" [Kotarou]: "...probably some wild animal." It is kinda like Shizuru to say that. [Akane]: "What should we do?" [Kotarou]: "Chase them of course!" Shizuru and Lucia are fast. I knew Shizuru was, but it's unbelievable how quickly she's running now. [Kotarou]: (No way...she's faster than me, even when I'm going at full speed?) But the truth is I can't catch up to her. I'm not low on stamina or anything. I've been asked to join sports teams. But she's faster... Men are supposed to be stronger and faster. This doesn't add up. I've already lost sight of both of them. [Kotarou]: "Jesus...what the hell..." I give up chasing them. I have no idea where they went. [Kotori]: "K-Kotarou...kun...!" After I stop, the others catch up to me, gasping for breath. [Kotarou]: "Sorry, sorry, I went overboard there." [Kotori]: "You're so fast!" [Kotarou]: "Those two were a lot faster." [Kotori]: "Eh? No way." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun, you're super fast." [Kotarou]: "It's true. I couldn't catch up to them at all." [Chihaya]: "...huu." Chihaya and Akane show up. Akane's in pain. [Akane]: "Haaaa! Haaaa! Haaaa!" [Kotarou]: "Sorry, boss. They got away from me." [Akane]: "Haaaa! Haaaa! Haaaa!" Seeing Akane in so much agony makes me really worry about her indoor lifestyle. [Akane]: "Haaaa! Haaa! ......ha..." *flop*... She flops. [Kotarou]: "You're as fit as an old lady." [Akane]: "HA!" [Kotarou]: "Guooo!" Her uppercut digs into my jaw. [Kotarou]: "Owwww...my neck made a weird noise..." She has no strength but she knows exactly where to hit. No power, but perfect technique. [Akane]: "How dare you...make an indoor woman...like me...run so far!" [Kotori]: "Indoor woman..." [Chihaya]: "It's your fault for spending all day indoors playing video games." [Akane]: "...be quiet." [Chihaya]: "Eeeh?" Since we have to wait for Akane to recover, we completely lose track of where Shizuru and Lucia went. [Kotarou]: "My cell phone won't work..." [Chihaya]: "Neither will mine." [Kotori]: "Same here. The reception's not good out here. I've never been in a situation like this." [Akane]: "Which way did they go?" I point to the river. [Akane]: "We'll just have to walk until we find them." [Kotarou]: "Now we've gotta waste all this time looking for them...dammit." We keep walking, but we never find any sign of Shizuru or Lucia. As we do that, evening rapidly approaches. [Kotarou]: "Uu, it's so late...if only Chibimoth was here..." On the inside, I strongly wish for his help. And then... [Chibimoth]: "Mosu!" He appeared. [Kotarou]: "Eeeeeeeeeh...?" I step back. [Kotori]: "Don't run away." [Kotarou]: "I mean, it's not like he's a pocket monster, so how..." [Kotori]: "No, Chibimoth's heart is always in your pocket, Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "There's something very wrong with that line...it didn't do much for me." [Kotori]: "Don't worry about it." [Akane]: "...is this thing...a dog?" [Chihaya]: "It is kind of dog-like." [Kotarou]: "So it does look like a dog to people..." [Chihaya]: "It's very strange, but what else could it be?" [Kotori]: "Chibimoth is the most powerful of all beasts." [Akane]: "Most powerful? He doesn't even look like a useful guard dog." [Kotarou]: "Actually, this guy's a lot stronger than he looks." [Chibimoth]: "Mosu!" [Kotori]: "And he has escargo powers." [Akane]: "Escargo?" [Chihaya]: "He can turn into escargot?" [Chibimoth]: "M-mosu..." Chibimoth hides behind me. Clearly he sensed this girl's appetite. [Kotori]: "I mean he can quickly locate enemies." [Kotarou]: "I think you meant "escort"." [Kotori]: "Eh...?" [Kotarou]: "They're both french words." I guess no one needs to say "escort" that often in their daily life. [Kotori]: "Oops." [Akane]: "So he has a good sense of smell?" [Chibimoth]: "Mo!" Chibimoth shakes confidently. [Kotarou]: "Okay, Chibimoth, lead us to the two girls who ran through here!" [Chibimoth]: "Mosu!" [Kotarou]: "...uuu, we still can't find them." [Akane]: "At this rate we might never catch them." [Kotori]: "Do we have to go home without them?" [Chihaya]: "If only we had a place to meet up..." [Kotarou]: "Our only landmark is the river." [Akane]: "They know that too." [Kotori]: "If we walk along the river we might find them." [Kotarou]: "...guess we should head straight for our objective then. It's pretty close anyway." [Kotarou]: "We might end up going home really late, but we have flashlights so it'll be fine."

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi </METADATA> [Chihaya]: "You're right, we should keep heading down the river...and if we still don't find them, it might be best to just head home." The smell gets much worse. [Kotarou]: "...what the hell is this?" [Kotarou]: "Are you all okay?" [Kotori]: "I'm fine." [Chihaya]: "I can handle it." [Akane]: "...I have a headache." [Kotarou]: "Want to turn back?" [Akane]: "As your senior I refuse to be the only one complaining...I can go a little further." [Kotarou]: "Okay..." Our destination is in the midst of a radiant glow. A little further down the river, the trees suddenly end. After being in the darkness of the forest for a few hours, the sunlight is blinding. Which is why I didn't notice at first. [Kotarou]: "Ah, there they are." Shizuru and Lucia are here too. Shizuru's crouched down, holding something in her hands. Lucia's standing next to her, looking down. [Kotarou]: "Heeey!" [Lucia]: "Stay back, Tennouji Kotarou!" Lucia turns around and shouts. I stop. Only then do I finally notice how strange this place is. I take in the spectacle. [Kotori]: "Wa! Wa! What's going on!? What is this place!?" [Chihaya]: "Hieeeeeeeeh!" Screams behind me. I'm in no position to comfort them. I'm also in a state of shock. [Kotarou]: "Wh-wh-wh-..." [Kotarou]: "What the hell is that!?" I didn't notice it when I was in the dark forest. The color of the river. The water glows blue, like fluorescent paint. Water? Is this stuff really water? It was perfectly clear upstream...I think. Though it was pretty dark, so there's no way to be sure. How could it turn into this over such a short distance? Blue water...without even a shred of the beauty that clear blue water normally has. An ugly glow, like the colors on a poisonous insect. An unforgivable sight, making us all shudder in horror. The river is thick and lumpy. It's like sludge. There are other colors in there too... A complex pattern of gaudy blues and pinks. A horrible color palette. My eyes are stinging. [Kotarou]: "Another world? ...paradise? ...utopia? ...that's not right." In a sense, this is utterly otherworldly. A desecration of nature resembling an avant-garde depiction of insanity. Were the original submissions so positive because they couldn't believe this place was real? [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun..." Kotori walks up to me, looking uneasy. She's careful not to fling up any of the unnaturally red mud. Chihaya and Akane keep their distance. [Kotarou]: "Look, Kotori...that's..." I'd noticed a dead boar in the river. It smells, but the foul stench of the river itself is several times worse. [Kotori]: "What is this place...?" Kotori's ten centimeters closer than usual. She must be shaken up. [Kotarou]: "I don't know. I've never seen anything like this..." [Kotarou]: "But this might be..." Since the water's so viscous, the river flows very slowly. The churning colors whip up pink bubbles, and push them to the riverbank. That thick, nauseous foam remains there for a long time before popping. It reminds me of a cup of cappuccino. The next moment, I feel the urge to vomit. ...who would drink this filth? It's horrible... Everything about this place is horrific. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, Class rep! Could you come over here? I don't want to get that close to it..." Shizuru stands up, still holding something to her chest. I feel myself getting impatient as they walk back slowly. I want to get out of here as soon as possible. [Kotori]: "...should you take a picture?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, you're right..." I hold up my camera, and hesitate. Can I really make a fun article out of this? I prefer writing things with a touch of humor. Am I really the right person to report on this? This feels like the kind of problem that has to be revealed in a more trustworthy, formal source. No living thing could survive in that river. My urge to report on this is shriveling. I...couldn't take a picture. [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun...this used to be part of the forest..." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" Kotori's looking down at her feet. The damp, squishy, red soil has a number of unidentifiable lumps in it. The forest... I finally realize what these lumps are. [Kotarou]: "These used to be trees?" [Kotori]: "Probably..." [Kotori]: "But now they've rotted...melted..." We look around in astonishment. We're standing in a gaping hole in the forest. There's only a few small, wilting trees nearby. [Kotarou]: "Did this used to be a swamp or something? It seems about the right size." [Akane]: "There's no swamp." [Kotarou]: "Prez..." [Akane]: "Look at the map. The river slips underground very close to here." [Kotarou]: "...you're right, it just cuts off here." [Akane]: "As if everything in the water gets filtered out only a few meters downstream." [Kotarou]: "The ground is filtering it?" [Akane]: "Hopefully." [Akane]: "There's no way to know how much these toxic chemicals have seeped into the ground." River water soaks into the nearby soil. If it contains any impurities, the earth is affected by them. As a result, there's a small piece of an alien world here. Not only did those toxins make the river dirty and the soil unhealthy...they destroyed all the nearby trees. ...I shiver. [Lucia]: "Tennouji Kotarou, look at this." [Kotarou]: "You two need to learn not to worry people like that..." [Shizuru]: "Kotarou, look..." I tried to shake off the gloominess, but that idea leaves my mind as soon as I see what Shizuru's holding. I have no words. [Kotarou]: "...no, no, no...this can't..." [Shizuru]: "...Orthros died." [Shizuru]: "He was alive just a minute ago..." [Shizuru]: "Walking around and everything..." [Shizuru]: "But...just now..." [Lucia]: "We've received several claims of unidentified animals in the past." [Lucia]: "I've heard Kazamatsuri is known for having abnormally many of them." [Lucia]: "I suspect this is the reason." The creature in Shizuru's hands...it's no demon. It's a skinny mouse. But... [Akane]: "...a field mouse." [Shizuru]: "No, it's Orthros."

<METADATA> Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Shizuru]: "I gave him that name...but he died." [Kotori]: "Orthros?" [Kotarou]: "It's a monster in Greek mythology...I see it in video games every so often." [Kotarou]: "...it's a dog with two heads." Two heads. One body. I know the mythological monster is like that. But in the real world...that just can't... ...and why does it have to be a mouse? Akane and Chihaya gasp when they see it. [Chihaya]: "Is this...?" [Akane]: "Looks like the toxins brought out a latent morphological abnormality." [Akane]: "Normally, individuals like this can't survive in the wild..." [Akane]: "I'm amazed it survived this long." [Shizuru]: "...he was born here." [Kotarou]: "Really?" [Lucia]: "Shizuru believes so, at least." [Lucia]: "...I would appreciate it if everyone respected that." [Kotori]: "I believe you, Shizu-chan." [Kotori]: "It's probably true, after all." Kotori looks around vacantly. It's obvious what she's trying to say. [Kotarou]: "...maybe he wanted to die where he was born." I open the map. I look up the river. This filth has to be coming from somewhere... [Kotarou]: "I don't see a factory or anything near here." [Akane]: "There are some self-sufficient farming communes around here." [Akane]: "Much of their waste water probably ends up in this river." [Kotarou]: "So that filth comes down to here..." But is that really enough to turn water into...this? There has to be something worse than that. Something on par with a factory's waste water. But no matter how hard I squint, there isn't a single factory on the map. [Kotarou]: "Maybe there's an illegal operation near here?" [Akane]: "...of course not. Someone would notice it." [Kotarou]: "True..." [Kotarou]: "But maybe a little tiny factory...no, that makes no sense either." [Kotarou]: "A secret research lab?" [Akane]: "That's just silly." [Akane]: "The only logical explanation is that these toxins have been building up over the course of several years." [Kotori]: "Bright colors aren't always pretty..." [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." [Akane]: "Now you know where the UMAs come from...so what do you want to do?" I think about it. But I know I've already answered that question. [Kotarou]: "...I can't write an article on this. Not me." [Chihaya]: "Yeah, there's no way to make an article about this "fun"." [Kotarou]: "Well..." [Kotarou]: "I'd like to say I'll take up the fight against big government to protect our environment, but..." [Kotarou]: "I can't devote my whole life to protecting the world from these things." [Kotarou]: "This would take me too far away from my fun school life." [Kotarou]: "...sorry for being such a coward." [Akane]: "I'll file a report on it for you." [Akane]: "Though they probably won't do anything...this is too far away to have any effect on the city." [Kotarou]: "Please do it anyway." [Kotarou]: "...sorry, Shizuru." [Shizuru]: "You did nothing wrong, Kotarou." [Shizuru]: "That's a wise decision." Shizuru's face looks strangely cold as she says that. [Shizuru]: "But I want to bury Orthros here, in his home." [Kotori]: "His home...?" [Chihaya]: "Bury him?" [Kotarou]: "...right here!?" [Shizuru]: "I want him to rest in peace." [Kotarou]: "...can he do that...here?" A swamp filled with sticky, bubbling toxins. I feel like I'll get cancer just from standing too close to it... [Lucia]: "That's a good idea." [Kotarou]: "R-really?" [Shizuru]: "Please...help me..." [Shizuru]: "I want us all to see him off." [Kotarou]: "Umm, if you want..." We all grab some tree branches to help dig a hole, then bury Orthros. The soil is so slimy it forms threads on the ends of our branches, making me want to vomit again. Akane didn't help. [Chihaya]: "Uuu..." [Kotarou]: "Is this enough, Shizuru...?" [Shizuru]: "Yes...now Orthros will be at peace..." [Kotarou]: "I hope so...seriously..." Shizuru crosses her heart. [Shizuru]: "Amen." [Lucia]: "...yes, amen." [Kotarou]: "...I hope his ghost doesn't haunt us or anything...hahaha..." After we split up for today, I think of something and head back to the club room. [Kotarou]: "Hi." [Akane]: "...oh?" [Kotarou]: "So you are still here." [Kotarou]: "Do you want a meat bun?" I hold up my bag from the convenience store. [Akane]: "...no thanks." [Akane]: "Is that an eco-bag?" [Kotarou]: "Haha, it was a little embarrassing using it just for a convenience store." [Akane]: "Did today's adventure make you do that?" [Kotarou]: "I guess so..." [Kotarou]: "I just don't feel like doing any more harm to the planet right now." [Akane]: "You sound almost arrogant when you put it like that." [Kotarou]: "Can I use your laptop?" [Akane]: "Go for it." [Akane]: "Are you going to write an article?" [Kotarou]: "It's still bugging me, so I wanted to at least write up a little of it." [Kotarou]: "I still don't know if I want to post anything." [Akane]: "...I see." Her gaze is penetrating. [Kotarou]: "Now then..." I take a bite out of my meat bun, crack my fingers and start typing. [Kotarou]: "...there." I barely got stuck at all. Writing serious text is easier than I thought. Maybe I'm better suited for this kind of article. [Kotarou]: "But..." I have no images, and it's not a very fun article. Do I post this on my blog? Do I send it to Terra? Neither feels right. [Akane]: "...want me to take a look at it?" [Kotarou]: "You're offering to help? ...sure, go for it." I send her the text through an IM program. I wait for the result nervously. [Akane]: "...20 points." [Kotarou]: "Ow." [Akane]: "Out of 200." [Kotarou]: "Only 10%!?" [Akane]: "After seeing that...you concluded agricultural chemicals were harming the environment?" [Akane]: "...that's a very simplistic answer."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "It didn't feel right to me either when I wrote it." [Akane]: "So it's not what you wanted to say?" [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm..." [Kotarou]: "Honestly, the environment has these problems because there's so many people." [Kotarou]: "There's not much anyone can do about that." [Akane]: "An article like this needs an individual viewpoint. A blindingly obvious conclusion like that isn't even worth typing out." [Akane]: "The whole world is trying to mitigate the greenhouse gases to prevent further global warming...you know that, right?" [Kotarou]: "The news is always full of that stuff." A lot of them tend to be very fatalistic about it. As the greenhouse gases increase, the earth's average temperature will keep rising. As our natural resources run dry, various industrial byproducts pollute the environment. ...like that river. Ten years ago several countries never imagined this would be a problem. There are some first-world countries whose standards of living have fallen below those of developing countries. It's been years since people started raising these issues. But not much has changed yet. Japan has put a lot of research into finding more efficient ways of producing energy. I've heard several preexisting projects had to be canceled to make that happen. Like space exploration. We don't have the resources to worry about that right now. Academics come to Kazamatsuri from all over the world. You might hear people joke about how coke machines are everywhere, even in the middle of the jungle, but in Kazamatsuri that's literally true about research facilities. There are countless places for researchers to contribute. Their assistants rush into firms all over town. And they produced results. We became prosperous. New technologies and theories are shown to the world here, bringing us fame. Some people bring their families here permanently. Apparently Kazamatsuri is one of the best places to live in Japan right now. Only recently have people started saying that. There are people dying from heat waves every year in big cities. Coastal areas are always at risk of flooding. Both of those are due to global warming. It's a dangerous situation. And yet us kids spend all our time worrying about little problems like if a girl likes us or what we should spend our afternoon on. As if all these events are happening on some faraway planet... [Akane]: "There isn't much fossil fuel left. The population keeps rising. Not only can we not reduce greenhouse gases, but at this point their emissions are built into our financial system." [Akane]: "Businesspeople can buy and sell the rights to emit carbon dioxide these days. They have no intention of saving the planet." [Akane]: "The closed world of earth will continue to crumble...everyone thinks someone else will do something about it." [Akane]: "When that day comes, what should you do?" [Kotarou]: "That day?" [Akane]: "The point of no return. The moment when it's no longer possible to go back and fix the problem." [Akane]: "They say that point will come within a year or two for global warming." [Akane]: "After that, no matter how hard we try we won't be able to reverse it." [Kotarou]: "...and humans won't be able to live on earth anymore?" [Akane]: "The only choice will be moving to a new planet." [Kotarou]: "Hahaha, seriously?" [Akane]: "For all of you, I mean." Akane says that with unfathomable anger, making me wince. [Akane]: "How long are you all going to keep dreaming?" [Kotarou]: "Eh? ...me?" [Kotarou]: "Dreaming? ...but I'm in high school...and I participate in environmental activities all the time. Like planting flowers with Kotori..." Akane's expression softens. [Akane]: "...why are you acting so scared? It's just silly." [Akane]: "The scientific community is still debating whether that's even true or not, so there's no way to know what we have to do to help the environment." [Akane]: "Thus, 20 points." [Kotarou]: "Uee..." [Akane]: "You've never needed to think about the environment, right?" [Akane]: "From what I just read, you don't have any unique viewpoint or knowledge to offer here." [Akane]: "So why bother writing about it?" [Kotarou]: "...I don't know. I guess...what I saw just keeps bothering me." [Akane]: "Do you want to start fighting for the ecosystem? Are you going to join Greenpeace?" [Kotarou]: "No, no, I'm not that serious..." [Kotarou]: "I just...wanted to do something." [Akane]: "There is one thing you could do." She smiles bewitchingly. [Kotarou]: "Wh-what is it?" [Akane]: "Remove the source of pollutant." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, that would do it." [Kotarou]: "But wouldn't that take a lot of time and money?" [Akane]: "It's not that complicated. Just find the source and get rid of it." [Kotarou]: "The source...has to be a factory of some kind. I guess if I can locate that I wouldn't need to spend a load of my own money on it." [Kotarou]: "If I can locate a drainage pipe upstream that it's all coming from..." [Akane]: "That's not what I meant." [Kotarou]: "...then what did you mean...?" A foreboding silence comes between us. [Akane]: "It's a very simple answer." [Akane]: "Get rid of the humans. Wipe out homo sapiens." [Kotarou]: "Waaaa, that's so like you..." [Kotarou]: "I guess that would get rid of the pollution...hahaha..." [Akane]: "Huhuhu." [Akane]: "Gonna write about it?" [Kotarou]: "...no...that's a bit...well, I'm a pacifist..." [Akane]: "If you don't have the resolve, then don't write extremist views in extracurricular activities." [Akane]: "You'll make the school worry about you." [Kotarou]: "True.........I'll just get rid of this then." I didn't think it was any good to begin with, so I'm not that bothered by throwing it out. Today's quest...0 yen. [Kotarou]: (The point of no return...) Only one or two years from now... A line that must never be crossed. The world won't instantly end if we do cross it. But we'll have to prepare for destruction and spend our last remaining days fighting over what's left of our Earth's precious resources. Letting millions starve. Or killing off the weak in advance. Watching resources plummet as we reach the ends of our lives. Calculating how many years are left. It'd be a hellish future. [Kotarou]: "Scary..." Japan can't grow much of its own food. There are a ton of farms surrounding Kazamatsuri, but that's not an option for a metropolis. Akane's right. None of us even think about the possibility that we might have to live in that hell someday. It doesn't even feel real because we've been protected from all these problems. Then, I suddenly realize that some of this applies to myself. I pick up a rock on the side of the road. It's pretty big. The size of a child's fist. If you threw a piece of diamond this big, it'd be really dangerous. I squeeze my fingers around it.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> The rock crumbles into dust almost effortlessly. It was a pretty hard rock. But I don't have a single cut. A point of no return. I might have already passed it. [Kotarou]: "Crap...I've been going a bit overboard..." [Kotarou]: "...uu!" I did my best, but the rock didn't flinch. [Kotarou]: (I can crush an apple easily...I guess this is too much.) Evidently humans can't crush rocks with their bare hands. [Kotarou]: "Hahaha..." For some strange reason, I feel the need to laugh. The Moon looks beautiful tonight.

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep </METADATA> After following the map for a short while, we reach a river. We're still in picnic territory at the moment. [Kotori]: "That's a nice river." The water's clear and sparkling. Kotori dips her hand into it and brings it to her mouth. [Akane]: "Stop." [Lucia]: "Don't do that." Two of the others stop her. [Kotori]: "Wh-why?" [Akane]: "You shouldn't drink river water directly." [Lucia]: "You'll make yourself sick." [Kotori]: "...I've never gotten sick before." [Akane]: "Stick to drinking what we brought with us." [Kotori]: "Okaaay..." [Kotarou]: "That's right, natural water isn't always clean." [Akane]: "There are also people living upstream, so it's best not to touch it at all." [Chihaya]: "They might have used some of this water..." [Kotori]: "Ah, I see, that would be bad." [Lucia]: "You should be more careful about what you put in your mouth." [Kotori]: "It'd be bad if I gave myself river influenza." [Kotori]: "Pandemic!" [Akane]: "...don't make up new diseases." [Chihaya]: "You two stopped her, so it's all okay now." [Kotori]: "Yeah, you two had great teamwork there." [Chihaya]: "Go Occult Club!" [Kotori]: "Go club!" [Shizuru]: "*gulp* *gulp* *gulp*" [Lucia]: "Wait...are you..." [Shizuru]: "*gulp* *gulp* *gulp* *gulp*" [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, stop drinking that stuff!" [Shizuru]: ".........!" [Shizuru]: "Good taste!" [Kotarou]: "You sound like someone in a commercial." [Kotori]: "A-are you okay? That water might be filthy..." "What's wrong?" She looks unfazed. [Kotarou]: "Don't do that! You've gotta boil or filter the water first!" [Shizuru]: "My tongue's tingling." [Kotarou]: "Crap! You've caught something!" [Kotarou]: "Don't blame me if you start feeling sick!" [Kotarou]: "No...that's enough..." [Kotori]: "Where are we going anyway?" [Kotarou]: "We're just following the river." I show her the map. I've drawn the path in marker so it's easy for her to see. [Kotori]: "Wow, you actually planned this." [Kotarou]: "Well, yeah." I'm not the only one who'd suffer if we got into trouble. [Kotori]: "Where are we now?" [Kotarou]: "Around here I think." The place I point to isn't even a third of the way along the route. [Chihaya]: "What happens when we get to the end?" Chihaya looks over my shoulder. [Kotarou]: "Don't lean against my shoulder. You'll tire me out." [Chihaya]: "Just from that...?" [Kotarou]: "Anyway, if we finish this whole route without finding anything, then we'll head home for today." [Kotori]: "Hmmmm, so you'll surrender gracefully." [Kotarou]: "We don't have to solve every mystery in one day." [Chihaya]: "It'll still be a fun picnic. Being out here feels nice." [Kotarou]: "Doesn't it? Nature is so beautiful in this city." [Chihaya]: "It's almost too beautiful..." Kazamatsuri is beautiful. A beautiful, green city. But... It might be too beautiful for real nature. [Kotarou]: "I'm so hungry...my stomach is eating itself." [Lucia]: "...hmm." [Lucia]: "I'm so tired...my legs are kicking themselves." [Kotarou]: "It's just a silly idiom, don't play around with it too much." [Kotori]: "I'm so bored...my mind is hating itself." [Kotarou]: "Stop doing that." [Chihaya]: "I can do one of those...!" [Chihaya]: "I'm so numb I'm kicking my stomach!" [Kotarou]: "And you're the odd one out." [Chihaya]: "I tried my best to think of one so be more supportive!" [Kotarou]: "You didn't even follow the format." [Kotarou]: "That should've been something like "I'm so numb my feet are sleeping themselves"." [Chihaya]: "But that makes no sense." [Kotarou]: "None of these made any sense to begin with." [Lucia]: "My ankles are..." [Kotarou]: "You can stop now." [Kotarou]: "All of you could've just said "I'm-a hungry too!" like any normal person." [Lucia]: "How is that normal?" [Lucia]: "Did you not bring any food with you?" [Kotarou]: "Of course I brought food..." [Lucia]: "It's important." [Lucia]: "Walking through natural terrain takes a serious toll on the body. If you don't ingest something regularly, the fatigue will build up rapidly." [Lucia]: "Demanding terrain like this is different from a normal urban environment." [Kotarou]: "...yeah, you're right." [Kotarou]: "But this is what I brought." A tube of chocolate and a tube of condensed milk. [Lucia]: "Huh." [Kotarou]: "I went for stuff that would provide energy, so they won't really fill me up." [Lucia]: "Huhu, you're taking this very seriously, Tennouji." [Kotarou]: "Am I?" [Lucia]: "What you have is emergency food." [Lucia]: "It works well for that purpose because you can eat it dry or hydrate it first." [Lucia]: "Since it isn't solid, it's easily converted into energy." [Kotarou]: "Do we really have to think that far ahead on a hike?" [Chihaya]: "If all you have to eat is biscuits it can be tough not having any water." [Kotarou]: "Hill climbing is fun." [Lucia]: "Did you not realize this when you chose these?" [Kotarou]: "It was just instinct." [Kotarou]: "Maybe I have a hidden talent for this." [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun can do anything he sets his mind to." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, that's right." [Kotarou]: "I act randomly on a normal day but when there's a need I can do some amazing things." [Kotori]: "Good boy, good boy." [Kotori]: "You can have a monaka." [Kotarou]: "Oh, thanks." I munch on the snack. [Akane]: "...you're spoiling him." Akane mutters toward Kotori. [Kotori]: "Eh? Did you say something, Prez?" [Akane]: "...no, nothing at all." [Kotarou]: "You do start feeling woozy if you walk for a long time without eating anything."

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu </METADATA> [Chihaya]: "Yeah, especially if you walk all day." [Kotarou]: "Is the Chihaya radar still broken?" [Chihaya]: "I never had one in the first place..." [Kotori]: "It's much better if you can eat a little bit at a time." [Kotarou]: "Are those red beans?" Lucia eats a little of her food every so often as we walk. [Lucia]: "Yes. They're very popular among mountain climbers." [Kotarou]: "Gimme one." [Lucia]: "Sorry, but no." ...thought so. [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, you've been pretty quiet..." Normally she'd have a lot to say about food. But for some reason she's been staying quietly in the back making some crunching noises... [Kotarou]: "...crunching?" We all turn around. [Shizuru]: "*crunch* *crunch* *crunch*" She's eating plants. She's carrying several kinds of plants in her arms. [Kotarou]: "Wait." [Chihaya]: "Are you eating everything we come across!?" [Kotori]: "Aaaah, don't do that, eating those leaves will give you cercospora." [Kotarou]: "Spit it out!" [Shizuru]: ".........?" [Shizuru]: "*chew* *chew*" [Shizuru]: "*crunch* *crunch*" We try to stop her by force, but Shizuru doesn't seem to care. She continues mechanically shoveling the plants in each hand into her mouth. Like a gorilla working on two different bananas. [Shizuru]: "*crunch* *crunch* *crunch* *crunch*" [Kotarou]: "Stop eating that!" [Lucia]: "Oh, those plants are fine." [Akane]: "Those are all edible. She should be fine." [Kotarou]: "Eh? They are? ...you can eat those?" Some of them look kinda poisonous... [Kotori]: "Do they taste good?" [Shizuru]: "Good taste." [Kotarou]: "You're like a caterpillar." [Shizuru]: "Anyway, I am now full." Shizuru puts a candy in her mouth. [Shizuru]: "Now it will feel like I ate several bags of candy." [Kotarou]: "...that's an advanced technique..." She offers some to everyone else. [Kotarou & Kotori & Chihaya]: "No thanks." She seems disappointed. [Akane]: ".........ow..." [Kotarou]: "A-are you okay?" Prez' face hit a branch. [Kotarou]: "Yeah, your face looks fine. G-good for you..." [Kotarou]: "...s-sorry." I walk off in silence. That was scary. I haven't been able to calm down for a while. Prez' mood has been getting worse and worse. [Akane]: ".........such deplorable..." The slightest additional effort makes her ooze displeasure. The reason she's getting worse is...the bugs. The parts of the forest near the city have very few insects. But as soon as we went deeper inside, the forest returned to its natural state. Which meant bugs everywhere. They're part of the forest too. They're active and numerous. Very numerous... It's only November, but they're flying around all over the place. The warmth and richness of the forest is supporting them. Evidently, Akane hates insects. [Chihaya]: "No one likes them..." Akane and Chihaya have it the worst. [Kotori]: "...you get used to bugs when you work with plants all the time." [Lucia]: "As long as they don't touch me, I'm fine. These bugs are not particularly disgusting after all." What about Shizuru? She's wandering behind us again. [Shizuru]: "*munch* *munch* *munch*" She's eating again. Every so often I can hear a small, squeaky cry. That makes me worry. [Shizuru]: "Farewell...my lord..." I can hear rapid wing beats. I don't have the courage to turn around. [Akane]: "...this is dreadful.........why must I suffer so..." She's not complaining at anyone in particular. Just grumbling to herself. But hearing it this close to me makes me feel down too. [Akane]: "...horrible...this is horrible...why am I even here? This doesn't make sense..." *grumble* *grumble* *grumble* *grumble*... [Lucia]: "...Tennouji Kotarou." She speaks to me from behind. [Lucia]: "...this is becoming unpleasant. Is there anything you could do to raise her spirits?" [Kotarou]: "She's kinda hard to please..." [Kotarou]: "I think only a really close friend could cheer her up at this point." [Kotori]: "You're the only one who's any good at talking to her, Kotarou-kun." [Kotarou]: "Eh? ...I am?" I look around, and everyone nods. [Kotarou]: (Maybe they're right...) Group A: Akane Group B: Everyone else I'm the only one bridging the gap between them...apparently. [Kotarou]: "But you all talk to her." [Chihaya]: "We do, but...I get the feeling anything I say would just make her more angry." [Lucia]: "It doesn't feel like there's anything between us other than those conversations." [Kotori]: "There's always this distance between us." [Kotarou]: "Really...? You girls are so nitpicky about these emotional things." [Kotori]: "I think this is an emotional problem we're talking about." [Lucia]: "Acting friendly and opening one's heart to others are different things." This is annoying. Boys are so much simpler...okay, maybe not that simple. There's lots of emotional problems unique to men. [Kotori]: "Take care of Prez." [Kotarou]: "Take care of her..." I approach Akane. [Kotarou]: "...hey, Prez." Her eyes look as if they contain all the grudges in the world. [Akane]: ".........what?" ...I'm still scared. There's lots of different ways women can be scary, but Akane is particularly overpowering. She's always alone, but she has so much charisma. [Kotarou]: "...umm...well...this place is nice and quiet." [Akane]: "Quiet?" [Akane]: "It's filled to the brim with the sounds of small creatures living all around us." [Kotarou]: "...you're right...when did it get so loud?" [Kotarou]: "It was dead quiet before." [Akane]: "This is what a real forest is like." [Kotarou]: "But the forest I used to play around in was always quiet..." We're walking through a different part of it, but this should still be the same forest. [Akane]: "Because they spray it." [Kotarou]: "Spray?" [Akane]: "Not many people know about this, but..." [Akane]: "A couple times a year, someone sprays powerful insecticide in the parts of forest closest to the city."

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "So that bugs don't swarm into the city itself?" [Akane]: "...that's part of it." [Kotarou]: "There's another reason?" [Akane]: "It's not a big deal..." Akane closes her mouth, unwilling to say what it is. [Kotarou]: "I had no idea..." [Kotarou]: "This is supposed to be an environmentally friendly city..." [Akane]: "Kazamatsuri is a well-designed city, right?" [Kotarou]: "Yes." [Akane]: "But if it was filled with insects, would you want to live there?" [Kotarou]: "...if they were butterflies." [Akane]: "Millipedes, caterpillars, earthworms." [Kotarou]: "Just the kind of bugs you don't want to see pouring out of your faucet." *bam* [Kotarou]: "Ow..." Akane hit me. [Akane]: "Don't give me such disturbing mental images." [Akane]: "Now that's going to be in my head all day." [Kotarou]: "Sorry...so what were you saying about those bugs?" [Akane]: "...a long time ago, tons of them appeared in Kazamatsuri." [Akane]: "This was over a decade ago...when the city was being developed." [Kotarou]: "..."appeared"?" [Akane]: "There were so many they completely covered the walls around people's houses." [Kotarou]: "Ugeee..." Even I get goosebumps from that. [Akane]: "When the balance of nature crumbles...no, even if it doesn't, things like that happen from time to time." [Kotarou]: "Did they manage to exterminate them?" [Akane]: "So simplistic." [Kotarou]: "What else could they do?" [Akane]: "A natural ecosystem is built on mutual interactions between individual creatures." [Akane]: "If some of those creatures are removed because humans find them disgusting, all sorts of unpredictable errors propagate through the system." [Kotarou]: "It's not natural if there isn't any filth..." [Akane]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "Good to know..." [Kotarou]: "So it's bad to use chemicals whenever we feel like it." [Akane]: "No, we can use them." ...... Akane pulls out some bug spray and deploys it all around her. [Kotarou]: "Uuoooooooooo!?" What happened to that moral!? [Akane]: "I only exterminate bugs I don't like." [Kotarou]: "But the delicate ecosystem!" [Akane]: "It's fine. This may cause a small temporary imbalance, but the system will quickly stabilize itself." [Akane]: "That's how nature works. The earth has incredible flexibility and durability. Little things like this don't bother it at all. Is that bad?" [Kotarou]: "...no, as long as you feel better, it's fine." [Akane]: "Hey, Tennouji." [Akane]: "In the near future, you'll probably encounter a lot of different things, and have lots of conflicting feelings about them..." [Kotarou]: "......?" [Akane]: "If you rely on your prejudices when that happens, you'll let justice infect you. Be careful." [Kotarou]: "What does that mean?" [Akane]: "Exterminating insects is just in one sense, but in another it's violent and harmful to the ecosystem. That's all." [Kotarou]: "So not everything that looks right necessarily is...okay, got it." [Akane]: "You sure?" [Kotarou]: "We need to base our arguments on objective facts in order to make anyone listen to our biases." [Akane]: "...that's not quite what I meant." [Akane]: "But it's close enough. As my student, you must remain cold and calculating whenever you make a decision." [Akane]: "After all, someday even people will return to the system that evolved them." [Kotarou]: ".........you're really dreaming big." [Kotarou]: "...wait, student? Since when do you teach me anything? I don't remember asking to learn anything from you..." [Akane]: "What are you talking about?" [Akane]: "Your name is already on the members list for the Self-Enlightenment Senri Seminar available across the country via the internet." [Kotarou]: "I didn't ask for that!" [Akane]: "And your member number is a single-digit...two." [Kotarou]: "You only just founded it!" [Akane]: "You started out as rank three, but it's about time for you to go up a level." [Akane]: "Transfer two thousand yen to receive your promotion." [Kotarou]: "I have to pay for it!?" Just how greedy is this woman? [Kotarou]: "...she's feeling better now." [Lucia]: "Well done." [Kotarou]: "Though I owe her money now." [Chihaya]: "Huh?" [Kotori]: "Now we can talk to her too." [Kotarou]: "You guys should talk to her anyway. She's not evil or anything." [Chihaya]: "There have been a ton of bugs though..." [Kotarou]: "Does everyone have bug spray?" Everyone takes some out of their pockets. [Kotarou]: "You're all well-prepared." [Kotori]: "Do you have some, Kotarou-kun?" [Kotarou]: "I'll be fine. There aren't that many." [Kotori]: "So manly." [Kotarou]: "But there will probably be even more as we go on." [Lucia]: "There might be other animals too." [Shizuru]: "Boar stew..." [Kotori]: "You want to eat them!?" [Chihaya]: "It's an important survival skill." [Kotarou]: "...no it's not, the city's right over there." [Kotarou]: "Oh, there's pretty flowers here." [Kotori]: "Mountain azalea. They like the sun here." [Shizuru]: "Azalea roots are sweet if you suck on them." [Kotarou]: "More survival trivia..." [Kotarou]: "That's a tall tree...it must've been here a long time." [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's use the Chihaya chainsaw to find out how old it is." [Chihaya]: "I don't have one." [Kotarou]: "A dead tree..." [Kotarou]: "This is part of nature too." [Kotarou]: "There's short grass covering the fallen tree." [Kotarou]: "A tribute to the resilience of life..." [Kotarou]: "There's mushrooms growing here." [Kotarou]: "Maybe I can eat them..." [Kotori]: "I don't think you should touch those." [Kotarou]: "Chihaya, there's mushrooms here." [Chihaya]: "Why are you telling me this...?" [Chihaya]: "But they do look delicious."

<METADATA> Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Akira Inoue | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Akane]: "......they'll kill you." Chan-chararin-rachan♪ [Chihaya]: "Ah, it's Sakuya." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Chihaya]: "......he says we can't eat those mushrooms." [Kotarou]: "Wait, how did he identify them!? Where's the camera!?" [Kotarou]: "Oh...this tree has fruit." [Kotarou]: "But it's growing too high for me to reach." [Kotarou]: "Chihaya! There's fruit here!" [Chihaya]: "Ah, you're right." [Kotarou]: "There's fruit here!" [Chihaya]: "I can see that." [Kotarou]: "I said there's fruit growing here!" [Chihaya]: "What's your point!?" [Kotarou]: "You're supposed to be the overeating character, so pull down this tree to get at the fruit." [Chihaya]: "I wouldn't do that..." [Kotarou]: "Don't climb it! That's dangerous!" [Shizuru]: "Mmm..." [Akane]: "......is this fruit even edible?" [Lucia]: "Here, I picked one." [Kotarou]: "Wait, how did you do that!?" [Lucia]: "There's a longer branch over there, so I pulled it down." [Kotarou]: "Good eye..." [Shizuru]: ".........*climb* *climb*" [Akane]: "......you'll get yourself killed someday......" [Kotarou]: "It's a snake wrapped around a log." [Kotarou]: "I'm running away from this." [Kotori]: "Calm down." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Kotarou]: "Oh, it's just a rope with moss growing on it..." [Kotarou]: "The fact that there's a rope here is already pretty mysterious." [Shizuru]: "I found a weird bug." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru-san......so fearless." [Shizuru]: "?" [Kotarou]: "Nevermind. What did you find?" [Kotarou]: "A two-horned rhinoceros beetle!?" [Kotarou]: "This is huge!" [Shizuru]: "It is?" [Lucia]: "...look closer. That's just a twig." [Lucia]: "Some tree sap must be holding it in place." [Kotarou]: "Geeeh..." [Kotarou]: "Well, it still looks weird at first glance so I'll take a picture." [Kotarou]: "Now, what to do with this..." [Inoue]: "Classic fake picture. I don't know where you found this thing, but at least it's kinda neat." [Inoue]: "It's not headline story though." I received partial approval. [Kotarou]: "No point sending her something we know is fake...there's supposed to be a much bigger story up ahead anyway." [Kotarou]: "I see what looks like a pink turd on the ground." [Kotarou]: "Chihaya, there's a turd-like thing here." [Chihaya]: "Isn't this some kind of toy?" [Kotarou]: "It does look artificial..." [Kotarou]: "Shizuru, there's a turd here. Try poking it and screaming "Wahooooo!"" [Kotarou]: "Shizuru picks up a branch." [Shizuru]: "*poke* *poke* *poke*" [Shizuru]: "Wahooooo!!" [Lucia]: "What are you doing, Shizuru...?" [Lucia]: "Hii! N-no, don't point that at me!" [Lucia]: "U-uwaaa! Th-throw it away! Get rid of it!" [Kotarou]: "They're such good friends. They just started playing tag." [Kotarou]: "Their game of tag continues." [Lucia]: "W-wait a minute, that's artificial!" [Kotarou]: "Yep. If there was an actual turd in this shape it'd be a revolutionary find." [Shizuru]: "Wahooooo." [Lucia]: "Just throw it away already!" *toss* [Kotarou]: "It lands directly on Prez' head..." [Kotarou]: "I-it'll bring you good luck!" [Kotarou]: "This feels bad..." [Kotarou]: "C-come on! Let's get going!" [Kotarou]: "The turd-like thing is still on Prez' head...maybe she likes it." [Kotarou]: "That looks great on you, Prez!" *crack* [Kotarou]: "......she hit me." [Kotarou]: "What? ...there's a porn book out here too?" [Kotarou]: "Who keeps putting these things here...it's one of Kazamatsuri's greatest mysteries..." [Kotarou]: "Only 29/100." [Lucia]: "What do you have there?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, nothing! Just some trash." [Lucia]: "I see. Then we should take it home with us. I have a plastic bag you can put it in." [Kotarou]: "Eh!? Take it home!?" [Lucia]: "Of course, it's trash." [Kotarou]: "H-here it is." [Kotarou]: "W-wait! I just picked it up here, it's not mine at all, in fact it's not even that good so I don't want it!" *pow!* [Kotarou]: "...that wasn't fair." Hm? What's that? I feel something strange... I might get left behind, but it's worth a detour to check this out. ...wouldn't Shizuru normally notice something like this? [Kotarou]: "Ah, a Sukumon!" I found one. A grasshopper with horns. It's about fifteen centimeters long. It's obviously not a normal insect. [Child]: "That's Grasshorn! He's renowned for his speed." The kid pops up for no reason. [Child]: "To capture a Sukumon you have to use that grappling hook or battle it with another Sukumon." [Kotarou]: "Why do I have to capture them in the first place...?" [Child]: "Hurry it up, before he runs away!" [Kotarou]: "Fine, fine." I fire the grappling hook. It grabs the Sukumon, but... *snap* *crack!* The insect tears its way out. [Child]: "Damn! That thing only works on low level Sukumon!" [Kotarou]: "...hey, can't I just go catch it myself?" [Child]: "No human can keep up with a Sukumon. Listen, Sukumon have reflexes far beyond anything a human is capable of――" [Kotarou]: "...there, caught it." [Child]: "Eeeeeeeeee!?" [Kotarou]: "They're fast, but after my eyes get used to them it's not that hard." The grasshopper gives up flailing as I hold it to my chest.

<METADATA> Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> It seemed pretty violent before, but now it's nice and obedient. [Child]: "N-not bad old man...okay, put 'im in this monster cage." [Child]: "Now you can be a Sukumon Breeder too." [Kotarou]: "I'm supposed to battle with this thing, right?" [Child]: "Yeah, and there's tons of Breeders in the forest today." [Child]: "Rumor has it even the Champion of the Kazamatsuri region is here..." [Kotarou]: "Will there be any Legendary Sukumon?" [Child]: "That's right. Of course it's a waste of time to even try challenging one like that." [Sukumon Breeder]: "Oh, so you're my first victim today～" An arrogant middle-school aged brat shows up. [Child]: "I know you...you're one of those horrible guys who pushes his Sukumon too hard!" [Sukumon Breeder]: "Huh? Why do you care what I do with my Sukumon?" [Child]: "...I can't forgive people like you who don't take care of their Sukumon." [Child]: "Sukumon Battle!" And then a fight scene begins. [Sukumon Breeder]: "Beetstaggle, use Pincer!" [Child]: "Uwaaaaa! You got meeeeee!" The boy's Kanabu is defeated by the stag beetle Sukumon. [Child]: "...uu...I can't believe I lost to you." [Sukumon Breeder]: "Don't act so righteous when you're that weak!" The middle schooler shoves the boy. I catch him before he falls over. [Kotarou]: "...if you get any more violent, I'll have to stop you." [Child]: "Old man! You don't need to..." [Sukumon Breeder]: "Heh, perfect. High school kids are on the same level as us here!" [Kotarou]: "Go, Grasshorn!" ...and then I win. My Sukumon suffered during the unfair battle, but with the power of friendship he managed to find a way out of the corner he'd been driven into. I'll leave out all the details. I won a Sukumon battle! My Grasshorn leveled up! [Sukumon Breeder]: "Y-you win...I won't be mean anymore..." The brat walks off dejectedly. [Child]: "Not bad, old man...I mean, bro." [Kotarou]: "So you've finally acknowledged my real age." [Child]: "Maybe you could be a Champion Sukumon Breeder too someday. Bye!" The Sukumon Boy runs off. [Kotarou]: "Crap, I've fallen behind...I've gotta catch up." [Lightning Shun]: "Would you battle my Sukumon?" Another Sukumon Breeder appears. [Chihaya]: "Who's that?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, well...go on without me." I don't really want everyone else getting mixed up in this stuff. [Lightning Shun]: "So, will you fight me?" [Kotarou]: "...sure." ...(now battling)... [Kotarou]: "...I won." [Lightning Shun]: "I looost...!" [Lightning Shun]: "How could my butterfly Sukumon, Buttersky lose to a mere starter Sukumon..." [Lightning Shun]: "But a loss is a loss. Take your reward." The boy hands me money. [Kotarou]: "What!? Why are you giving me real money!?" [Lightning Shun]: "...what do you mean? This is how Sukumon battles work." [Kotarou]: "You guys bet money on these things!?" That's gotta cause some kind of problem... [Kotarou]: "I'm gonna get suspended if they find out I stole money from a elementary schooler...here, take it back." [Lightning Shun]: "Such benevolence...!" [Lightning Shun]: "Please battle me again sometime!" After shaking my hand, he skips off into the forest. I won a Sukumon battle! Grasshorn leveled up! [Whirlwind Ran]: "Hey, let's have a Sukumon fight!" A Sukumon Breeder appears. A very young one. I can see her mother smiling nearby. As before I ask everyone to go on ahead. Can't let them get involved... [Kotarou]: (Shizuru might get addicted to this...) That's probably a bad thing. [Kotarou]: "...umm, are you this girl's mother?" [Mother]: "Yes." [Kotarou]: "I understand letting her play with Sukumon, but isn't it a bit dangerous to come out here in the forest with all the wild animals?" [Mother]: "...now that you mention it..." [Kotarou]: "For your daughter's sake, please watch out for her safety." [Kotarou]: "Only then will I battle her." [Mother]: "You're right...thank you." They both leave the forest. I won a Sukumon battle! Grasshorn leveled up! [Kotarou]: "What did I do!?" [Child]: "...not bad, bro. You won without even fighting." [Kotarou]: "Are you following me?" [Child]: "N-no, I'm not that bored." [Child]: "I'm just keeping an eye on you since you're still a beginner." [Kotarou]: "...if you say so." [Child]: "You haven't seen any of what the Sukumon world has to offer yet!" The boy runs off. [Kotarou]: "...I doubt it has that much to offer..." [Torrent Daisaku]: "Uuoooooo! We must battleeeee!" A Sukumon Breeder appeared. Everyone habitually walks on without me. [Kotarou]: "...okay." ...(now battling)... [Kotarou]: "...I won." [Torrent Daisaku]: "I lost...!" [Torrent Daisaku]: "The world of battling is haaaarsh!" [Kotarou]: "Do you talk that way at school?" [Torrent Daisaku]: "No, I'm normal at school." [Torrent Daisaku]: "Characterization is important." The boy takes some money out of his pocket. [Torrent Daisaku]: "This is all I have." [Kotarou]: "I don't want it." [Torrent Daisaku]: "Really? Thanks, man! See you later!" [Kotarou]: "...bye." I won a Sukumon battle! Grasshorn leveled up! As I walk through the forest, a pretty boy stands, waiting for me. He feels like the final boss. [Pretty Boy]: "Huhuhu, can you beat my Sukumon?" He says without any context. Everyone else ignores him and walks away. Shizuru showed interest, but class rep stopped her and dragged her away. ...he seems normal. [Kotarou]: "Who are you?" [Pretty Boy]: "The Champion." [Kotarou]: "Ah, I see..." [Champion]: "You'll have to beat me to become the next Sukumon Champion." [Kotarou]: "Yeah...let's do this..." I did it. I lost. The Champion's Sukumon defeated my Grasshorn. It was dozens of centimeters long. My Grasshorn turned to dust and disappeared. [Champion]: "My Kaizer Beetle wins." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, well done." [Child]: "Dammit! It all ends that easily!? Damn iiiiiiiiiit!"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "When did you get here?" [Kotarou]: "And stop freaking out over it." [Child]: "We have to do everything we can for the late Grasshorn!" [Kotarou]: "But I've already lost." [Child]: "...true." [Kotarou]: "I have no other Sukumon." [Child]: "...yeah." The boy suddenly seems disappointed. [Kotarou]: "I've got stuff to do, so bye." [Child]: "Ah, okay...bye-bye." Yes, I'm finally done with this Sukumon crap! And then... My right arm started glowing. ...it appeared. [Legendary Sukumon]: "Gaooo." [Child]: "Th-that's the legendary Sukumon, Gigasaur!" [Kotarou]: "Oh yeah, I forgot I had this guy." [Child]: "Yes...that guy can do it!" [Champion]: "So you are exceptional after all..." [Champion]: "But do you think such an old legend will really work on my modern legendary Kaizer?" Then, a dramatic battle. The Champion is strong, so we have difficulty. [Child]: "Uu...even that Legendary Sukumon can't beat him alone...!?" [Lightning Shun]: "You're not alone!" Everyone shows up for no reason. [Whirlwind Ran]: "Combine our powers!" [Ran's Mom]: "Into one!" [Torrent Daisaku]: "Together, we can!" [Sukumon Breeder]: "Defeat anyone!" [Other Friends I Don't Know]: "Who stands in our way!" Somehow the tyranny of the majority allows me to win. [Champion]: "...you have bested me..." [Kotarou]: "Aaah, don't I have to lecture you for something...?" [Kotarou]: "That's right...you should value kindness, bonds, and what people are capable of." [Champion]: "Yes, I will." Your journey to become the Sukumon King is over. It was a huge waste of time. [Kotarou]: "...after spending all this time on it, I'd kinda like a reward." [Child]: "There are rewards." [Kotarou]: "Anything good?" The boy fidgets. Then he takes off his hat. Long, wavy hair falls out. [Child]: "Actually, I'm a girl..." [Kotarou]: "Eh...?" [Child]: "I've always...wanted to be your..." [Kotarou]: "Goodbye." [Child]: "Ah, waaaaaaait!" I run the hell away. [Kotarou]: "That's enough colorful characters..." I wasted a lot of my free time on that. You obtained the title of Sukumon Champion!

<METADATA> Name: Akira Inoue | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> November 7th (Sunday) The phone wakes me up today. [Kotarou]: "...hello." [Inoue]: "It's Inoue." [Kotarou]: "Oh, Inoue-kun. I remember you. It's been ages." [Inoue]: "...I'm a girl." [Inoue]: "And didn't we talk just a few days ago?" [Kotarou]: "...sorry, Inoue-san, I only just remembered." [Inoue]: "If you didn't remember me just say so...don't try to cover it up like that." [Kotarou]: "Well sorry, I was asleep." [Inoue]: "It's already 10 AM. Anyway, I want to ask you something." [Inoue]: "The Occult Club searched the forest yesterday, right?" [Kotarou]: "...are you spying on me or something?" [Inoue]: "O-of course not, I'd never put a bug in your phone." [Kotarou]: "My phone!" I'll have to check it later... [Inoue]: "Anyway, about that search, you found the dirty river water, right?" I'll just assume she's a magician or clairvoyant or something. [Kotarou]: "Well it's pretty obvious you already know everything." [Inoue]: "Then one last question. Did you go all the way to the end of the river?" [Kotarou]: "...I don't want to remember that part." [Inoue]: "So you did see it. I call that the rainbow swamp." [Kotarou]: "Rainbow swamp...that does fit." [Inoue]: "Your club did pretty well. So, do you know what's causing it?" [Kotarou]: "Not at all. What is it?" [Inoue]: "...why would I tell you? Are you stupid?" [Kotarou]: "You're the one who asked the leading question!" [Inoue]: "I was trying to get information out of you without revealing any of mine. That's a basic skill." [Kotarou]: "No, it's just mean. Anyway, I don't know, and we don't want to look into it." [Inoue]: "You're giving up?" [Kotarou]: "It's too serious for our blog." [Inoue]: "You've got a point. It's much better suited for me." [Kotarou]: "...our boss said it might be waste water from people upstream." [Inoue]: "Okay, I win." [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm, I didn't think waste water was really enough to explain it." [Inoue]: "Your club knows about the forest, right?" [Kotarou]: "Knows what about the forest...?" My gut says she might be referring to one of the leads we got a while back... [Kotarou]: "Maybe we do, but I'm not sure what you mean." [Inoue]: "No way! You haven't investigated it!?" [Kotarou]: "I still don't know what you're talking about..." [Inoue]: "Haaa...I'm disappointed in you." [Inoue]: "Never mind then. Thanks anyway." [Kotarou]: "Wait, wait, does that mean you know something?" [Inoue]: "I'm not giving you my information. Journalism is all about monopolizing leads." Mmmm... Unfortunately I don't have any information of my own to negotiate with. [Kotarou]: (I wanna know...) This might be a good chance to start sharing leads regularly. I'll just have to... [Kotarou]: "Inoue...there's a certain phrase which always manages to make people like you reveal whatever they know." [Inoue]: "Eh? What do you mean?" [Kotarou]: "Please tell me!" I can feel my Inoue points rapidly falling. But I have no pride left to lose. Like a spoiled child, I continue asking her to tell me. Journalists should be prepared to throw away their pride to gain information. Eventually, I wear Inoue down. [Inoue]: "What I found was...a rainbow swamp." [Kotarou]: "A rainbow swamp?" [Inoue]: "Yeah. I have tons of pictures of it too. It's amazing, like a liquid rainbow in the river." [Inoue]: "There were some icky dead animals and plants nearby too, probably because of the pollutants." [Kotarou]: "That sounds really disgusting..." [Kotarou]: "So someone's polluting the river?" [Inoue]: "I don't know. What do you think it is?" [Kotarou]: "You're asking me? ...maybe waste water?" [Inoue]: "Nope." [Kotarou]: "You're sure it's not detergent or petroleum or something?" [Inoue]: "No, nothing like that. It's seriously a liquid rainbow." [Kotarou]: "...so ordinary waste water doesn't come close to explaining it?" [Inoue]: "Of course not. There isn't even anyone living upstream except for a handful of farmers, and even they don't stay there all year." [Inoue]: "The grand total is less than a hundred families." [Kotarou]: "So there has to be some other source, right?" [Kotarou]: "Maybe a secret facility deep in the forest?" [Inoue]: "The Sunpeace environmental group used to be up in the mountains, trying to live with nature like the first humans did. But they got rounded up for growing illegal drugs a long time ago." [Inoue]: "Apparently another group of some kind moved in, but they're several times smaller...there's just no way it's enough to do that to the river." [Kotarou]: "You've done your homework." I'm really impressed... [Kotarou]: "Do you know what's causing it, Inoue?" [Inoue]: "Yes. I just got some useful information." [Inoue]: "The city's been very busy lately so it's easier than usual to get information from them." [Kotarou]: "Information just magically starts appearing?" [Inoue]: "Kind of. It might be the upcoming harvest festival. This time of year is all about exchanging information." [Kotarou]: "So what's the source?" [Inoue]: "Pesticides." [Kotarou]: "Yes!" I made her say it. [Inoue]: "Nooooooooo...!" [Kotarou]: "Pesticiiides, I seeee." [Inoue]: "Why did I say thaaaaaaat..." [Kotarou]: "Could you tell me the details?" [Inoue]: "Stop stealing my information!" [Kotarou]: "No one's ever accused me of that before." [Kotarou]: "Unfortunately, you're the one who slipped up." [Inoue]: "Uuu..." [Kotarou]: "You already told me what it is, spit the rest of it out." [Inoue]: "Are you interrogating me?" [Inoue]: "...fine, this is what's happening." Inoue explained it to me. There's a certain place up the river where a drum full of pesticides was buried underground. Sometimes the chemicals used in agriculture get proven dangerous and are rapidly banned from use. When a specific chemical gets marked that way, it becomes impossible to use or sell it. Many farmers in the area suddenly had a bunch of pesticide they couldn't do anything with. The prefecture instructed them to simply bury what they had left. So large quantities of it ended up buried deep in the forest, far away from where anyone lived. [Kotarou]: "The government was really careless back then."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Akira Inoue | Gender: Female Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> [Inoue]: "They really need to dig them back up and dispose of the stuff properly, but it never happened." [Inoue]: "I think some of those chemicals leaked out into the soil." [Kotarou]: "That would explain it..." [Kotarou]: "Wait, the polluted area and the place where they were buried are pretty far apart, right? Isn't that really bad?" [Kotarou]: "That implies the toxins have covered a huge area..." [Inoue]: "Yes, exactly." [Inoue]: "At this point it's possible the stuff will end up in the city's sewage. This could be a huge story." [Inoue]: "I've been trying to locate the place it was buried. I'm about to go check it out in person." [Kotarou]: "Whoa...you're serious about this." [Inoue]: "Don't tell anyone about this, okay?" [Kotarou]: "Who would I tell? ...even the rest of my club would prefer to forget about this." [Inoue]: "Wanna quit? I could take you under my wing." [Kotarou]: "If you ever end up running a big company in the future, ask me again." [Inoue]: "I've gotta go get ready now. I'll show you what a professional can dig up." [Kotarou]: "Ah...hmmm...well, take care." [Inoue]: "So cold." [Kotarou]: "Seriously, be careful out there. Hiking that far into the forest takes a lot of preparation." [Inoue]: "Thanks, but I know danger when I see it, so I'll be fine. Talk to you later." Today I have an appointment with the boss. I head to the club room. [Kotarou]: "Hi, Prez." [Akane]: "I set aside some time like you asked...so what's the big deal?" [Kotarou]: "I want to investigate something." [Kotarou]: "Don't act like you don't want to! I'm gonna make you do this with me!" [Akane]: "So forceful...who do you think you are?" [Kotarou]: "Someone who reacts exactly the same way as you when someone demands things of them." I pressured her into staying here so we could investigate a lead. But despite her complaining, Prez is still playing along with me (though arguably I'm making her). So I see no problem with continuing to do this. I might get one step closer to her boobs today. [Kotarou]: "Now, what should we do..." [Akane]: "Can you leave me be now?" Akane holds back a yawn. [Kotarou]: "You're pretty laid back about this..." [Kotarou]: "But you won't be able to act like that much longer." [Akane]: "...why won't this Pinocchio shut up? Maybe I should take out the batteries..." [Kotarou]: "Pinocchio was a real boy!" [Kotarou]: "Anyway Prez...it's time for you to give up." [Akane]: "Give up...?" [Akane]: "The world is but an illusion projected into our minds via the eyes and the brain..." [Kotarou]: "I didn't mean give up on reality. I just meant prepare yourself for this." [Kotarou]: "Behold!" I show her my notebook. [Akane]: "Th-this is...!" [Kotarou]: "The number of times I made you go "uuu"..." [Kotarou]: "That's the noise you make when you fail to deny a supernatural phenomenon." [Akane]: "...hmph. But me making that noise once or twice doesn't prove that supernatural phenomena actually exist." [Kotarou]: "Obviously, it depends on how many you failed to deny." [Kotarou]: "Look at this number." [Akane]: "...I haven't made that noise once." [Kotarou]: "Huh!?" ...really...? I look at it again. [Kotarou]: "You're right!? It didn't happen!?" [Akane]: "Which means a flawless victory for me." [Kotarou]: "No..." [Kotarou]: "...how could this..." [Kotarou]: "Uuu!" [Akane]: "...I'll admit that we have encountered a case or two where I couldn't scientificially explain everything." [Kotarou]: "Then-!" [Akane]: "But this number is simply not enough for boobs..." [Kotarou]: "Then...how many more do I need?" [Akane]: "...you want to touch them that badly?" [Akane]: "Well, if you insist..." [Akane]: "Maybe the kneecap..." She raises her skirt a little. [Kotarou]: "That's not satisfying at all!" [Akane]: "I see. Then I won't bother." [Kotarou]: "...wait! I'll take it!" [Akane]: "Boys...are such idiots." [Akane]: "Why don't you just go out with someone?" [Akane]: "Wouldn't that be faster and easier?" [Kotarou]: "I understand that...but I've come this far already...and worked so hard..." [Kotarou]: "Kneecaps are erotic...kneecaps are erotic!" [Akane]: "You're even brainwashing yourself...?" [Kotarou]: "...here goes." [Akane]: "Don't touch any higher." *touch* I reach out and rub Prez' kneecap. What the hell am I doing? I should be spending this time studying or practicing sports... This is an important time in my life... Is it really worth spending such a precious part of my youth kneeling before a woman who slights me at every opportunity? Someday, when I become an adult, I might feel ashamed of this moment. Will I be able to rewrite it? Rewrite my shame? Hot tears of humiliation well up. There's only one way to wipe away this feeling. [Kotarou]: "Prez..." [Akane]: "Whaaat?" [Kotarou]: "Please...go out with me!" [Akane]: "I refuse." [Kotarou]: "Uuuuu!" [Akane]: "It's your fault for asking in this situation." [Kotarou]: "I...see..." I learned something today. [Akane]: "Were there really...this many?" [Kotarou]: "There were." [Kotarou]: "The world is filled with strange things." [Kotarou]: "If there's this much you couldn't explain, then there's no way for you to deny..." [Kotarou]: "That one of them might be a genuine supernatural phenomenon!" [Akane]: "...I wouldn't be so sure." [Kotarou]: "I showed you strange, inexplicable things. The only other part of the deal is whether you could deny them." [Kotarou]: "And you couldn't...you went "uuu"." [Kotarou]: "Now then, Prez, will you hold up your end of the deal?" [Akane]: "Yes, well done, this is definitely impressive..." [Akane]: "You wanted a handshake, right? But of course, touch my hand all you want." [Kotarou]: "No...!" [Kotarou]: "It was boobs!" [Akane]: "...you remembered." [Kotarou]: "How could I forget?" [Kotarou]: "Now then...would you please strip?"

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> Prez leaps out of her chair and moves to the far side of the table. [Akane]: "Wait, Tennouji, are you serious!?" [Akane]: "These boobs are nowhere near as fun as you think they are! I'm not that glamorous!" [Akane]: "Don't tell anyone, but my upper arms are a little squishy." [Akane]: "And my stomach isn't exactly flat..." [Kotarou]: "Doesn't matter." [Kotarou]: "I wanted to touch your boobs specifically, because you're the one who's been harassing me this whole time." [Akane]: "Wait, stay away. I'll scream." [Kotarou]: "You promised you'd let me! Now give it up." Prez runs. I give chase. We make circles around the table. [Kotarou]: "Just give in and let me touch them! It won't take that long!" [Akane]: "Touch them and I'll sue!" [Kotarou]: "...fine. Then we can put a one-minute time limit on it." [Kotarou]: "Is that good enough? If we don't resolve this now, you're going to owe me boobs for a long time." [Kotarou]: "I might even earn interest!" [Akane]: "Interest?" [Kotarou]: "Yes, boobs won't be enough...you'll need to let me do everything." [Kotarou]: "Everything I could possibly want!" [Akane]: "...uuu!" [Kotarou]: "Mentally prepared yet?" [Akane]: "Only one minute. If you go past that..." [Kotarou]: "I get the point. Now..." Akane returns to her seat with a look of regret. [Akane]: "Don't be too rough or anything..." [Kotarou]: "Don't worry, I'll take it easy." [Akane]: "Y-yes, easy is good." [Kotarou]: "Just gentle squeezing and rubbing." [Akane]: "Yes, that's it, that sounds about right. You mustn't overpower them." [Kotarou]: "I know. Now will you expose them?" [Akane]: "Okay, just..." [Akane]: "Wait, I'm not going to strip! I'd look like a slut if I did that!" [Akane]: "Just touch them through my uniform...through my coat!" [Kotarou]: "Don't put on a coat in mid-sentence." [Kotarou]: "It doesn't count if I can't feel them move around." [Akane]: "...Tennouji, are you sure you can handle this?" [Akane]: "It's too raw...I thought you liked your bright, cheery school life. Doesn't this feel like it's damaging that healthy image of your youth...?" [Kotarou]: "Even if it does...I want to do this properly." [Kotarou]: "So please undo your bra." [Akane]: "...I thought...I said I wouldn't strip..." [Kotarou]: "You don't have to. But at least undo your bra underneath." [Kotarou]: "Then I can slide my hands under...and that'll be plenty." [Akane]: "...you really are an animal." [Kotarou]: "Yes, an intelligent animal." [Akane]: "Aaah, I can't believe this...why is this happening..." Prez mutters to herself as she unhooks it. [Kotarou]: (Almost...) The time has come. We're not dating, but I will have free reign of her chest. This will be the ultimate experience... But I can't let my guard down yet. This is exactly the kind of thing that's likely to get canceled at the last second for some stupid reason. It'll turn out to be a dream, or I'll end up touching a man's chest somehow. I want to make absolutely sure none of that happens. [Akane]: "...I'm...ready." [Kotarou]: "Then I will...I see you there!" I pull three shikigami out of my pocket and throw them at the source of the noise. The shikigami carve their way through the ominous presence! [Kotarou]: "I knew something was going to disturb us..." [Akane]: "...why did you just throw scraps of paper into the corner?" [Kotarou]: "Part of me expected a spectral battle..." [Kotarou]: "But now I know there's nothing to get in the way, so don't worry about it." [Akane]: "...are you sure you're okay? I'd prefer you were calm and sane during this..." I stand behind Prez and hold out my hands. [Akane]: "O-only thirty seconds if you use both hands." [Kotarou]: "Give it up already..." [Akane]: "One minute for one hand. Half that for both. That makes sense right?" [Kotarou]: "Mmm...fine, thirty seconds!" [Kotarou]: "I will concentrate all my nerve endings on this brief interval of fondling!" Suddenly, Prez' body stiffens. [Kotarou]: "What are you doing!?" [Akane]: "I'm going to tense up so that the muscles in my boobs tighten and make them too hard for you to enjoy touching them!" [Akane]: "This is the only means of resistance left to me!" [Kotarou]: "There are no muscles theeeeeeeeere!" I slide my hands under her clothes. I search for her chest. [Kotarou]: "Oooh..." And then―― Those thirty enchanting seconds take me away to the farthest reaches of joy. [Akane]: "Uuu...Tennouji...my enemy..." She quickly puts her bra back on, then lets her face fall onto the desk. Apparently she suffered considerable damage. [Akane]: "...s-such shame!" [Kotarou]: "I honestly wasn't expecting to get to do that..." I was amazed. I am satisfied. I have no regrets. [Kotarou]: "I've...done it..." [Kotarou]: "This is all because I was born in a world with supernatural phenomena." [Kotarou]: "Three cheers for the paranormal!"

<METADATA> Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> November 8th (Monday) [Kotori]: "So...what happened?" Shizuru and Lucia are absent today. We inevitably end up talking about them in the club room. [Kotarou]: "We're madly in love." [Chihaya]: "Eh? R-really?" [Kotarou]: "Really." [Akane]: "Oooh?" [Akane]: "Do dates really go that well when a teacher's with you?" [Kotori]: "Eh?" [Akane]: "I've heard eyewitness reports stating that you and Shizuru came out of Nishikujou-sensei's car." [Kotarou]: "Prez, you really do know everything..." [Akane]: "There's also reports of a strange boy miming a choo-choo train behind a first-year girl on the way to school." [Kotarou]: "Uwaaa, you know that?" [Chihaya]: "Suddenly I'm not sure if I can trust Kotarou's story..." [Kotarou]: "I don't really need you to trust me, and I have no obligation to tell the truth." [Chihaya]: "Wh-what does that mean...I asked what happened so why not just tell me?" [Kotarou]: "I don't trust people who don't trust me." [Chihaya]: "Eeeh?" [Kotori]: "So, what really happened?" [Kotarou]: "We fell in love." [Chihaya]: "Why do you trust her more...?" [Akane]: "You're not good at hiding things anyway. That's why he doesn't feel like telling you." [Chihaya]: "Wh-what!? I'm just fine at keeping secrets!" [Akane]: "Until you randomly blurt them out." [Chihaya]: "I don't..." [Kotori]: "...I see." [Akane]: "That aside, why Nishikujou-sensei?" [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Akane]: "I've been wondering about it for a while, but why are those two so close to her?" [Kotarou]: "Eh? Umm..." ...you don't know? [Kotarou]: "Have you ever investigated it?" [Akane]: "I'm not that interested." [Kotarou]: "Ah, but wouldn't you need top secret documents on the faculty?" [Akane]: "I have those, but there's nothing in there to answer the question." ...what does that mean? The witch's information network should be more than capable of finding out how Nishikujou-sensei knows Shizuru and Lucia. [Kotarou]: "Eh? Nothing at all?" [Akane]: "I guess there might be something if I looked harder." [Kotori]: "...by the way, do you have files on the rest of us too?" [Akane]: "I have confidential reports from your middle school that include a glimpse into your lifestyle." [Kotori]: "Uwaaa! So you know my grades too!?" [Kotarou]: "That's nothing to be embarrassed about." [Kotori]: "Weeeell, maybe～" [Kotarou]: "I kinda want to read your reports on me..." I have no idea what they'd say. [Akane]: "Do you know why they don't show these reports to the students?" [Kotarou]: "Because it would hurt to read them..." [Akane]: "It's best not to look at documents that turn everything about you into a list of numbers." [Kotarou]: "Yeah, that would definitely hurt..." [Akane]: "Yes, so that's why." [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm..." ...is Prez hiding something? It seems odd for Prez not to know about the "facility" where Shizuru went. Since she has a history that unusual... [Kotarou]: "...hmm." [Kotori]: "I'll be going home now." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Already?" [Kotori]: "Yeah." [Chihaya]: "I'll stay a little longer." [Kotori]: "Oh, you're sure?" [Akane]: "She can't go because there are still some cookies left." [Chihaya]: "They're delicious." [Chihaya]: "You should try one, Kotori." [Kotori]: "Mmm..." [Kotarou]: "...guess I'll go home." [Kotori]: "Hm?" [Kotori]: "In that case, I'll go home with Kotarou-san for once." [Chihaya]: "You're sure?" [Akane]: "Yaaay, you get to eat more of the cookies now." [Chihaya]: "...what's your problem?" [Akane]: "I'm just saying what you're thinking." [Chihaya]: "Part of me may be thinking that, but..." [Chihaya]: "Never mind, I'll go home now." [Kotori]: "It's okay. If you want to eat them, you can have all of them." [Chihaya]: "Then I guess I have to." [Kotarou]: "Such a glutton..." [Chihaya]: "So what? They're delicious." [Kotori]: "Okay, let's go." [Kotarou]: "Sure." [Chihaya]: "Ah, then I get your share too..." I immediately grab all of my cookies and cram them in my mouth. [Chihaya]: "Aaaaah!!!!" [Kotarou]: "These are good." [Chihaya]: "Wh-why did you have to do that!? That's why I hate you, Kotarou!!" [Kotarou]: "I'm saving you from having to eat all of these yourself." [Kotori]: "You sure you won't choke?" [Kotarou]: "I'm cutting it close...uu." I drink some tea before leaving the club room. Kotori and I walk out of school together. [Kotarou]: "Okaaay, let's walk home." [Kotori]: "Gotcha." We set off. [Kotori]: "Kotarou-kun, why did you act so excited about this?" [Kotarou]: "We haven't done this in a while." [Kotori]: "Ah..." [Kotori]: "Good point. We haven't walked home together in ages." [Kotarou]: "In the past we did this all the time." Back in elementary school. ...as I got older, walking next to a girl started feeling embarrassing. [Kotarou]: (And now I have to put a lot of effort into making it happen...) Boys are stupid. [Kotori]: "Did you wish Shizu-chan was there?" [Kotarou]: "Well, I'd prefer she was there every day." [Kotori]: "I see." [Kotori]: "You really do like her." [Kotarou]: "I do." [Kotori]: "...yeah." [Kotarou]: "Is there something you want to say, Kotori-san?" [Kotori]: "Oh no, I was just thinking Shizu-chan's not a bad choice." [Kotarou]: "...glad to have your seal of approval." [Kotori]: "Hmmm." She's hesitating a lot. ...even I'm not that dense. Kotori always becomes less talkative when these topics come up. I can kind of understand that. [Kotarou]: "A girl's heart is complicated..."

<METADATA> Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotori]: "No, it's okay." [Kotori]: "...I wonder what it is." [Kotarou]: "Maybe I'm going too fast...?" [Kotori]: "This is pretty sudden, so maybe." Even I'm starting to hesitate more. The awkwardness that's been stuck between us for all this time is coming up in full force. Kotori and I have always been together. At one point I confessed to her, and she turned me down. Because we have so much history, we can't completely ignore the current situation. I imagine something. ...Kotori falling in love with someone else, and saying she'd go out with them. I'd probably feel very strange and conflicted if that happened. After that confession, we both started feeling like nothing would ever change between us. And that feeling is starting to collapse. [Kotarou]: "Am I frivolous?" [Kotori]: "No you're not." [Kotori]: "I don't think you are." [Kotori]: "I mean, not what you're referring to, Kotarou-kun. Your personality kinda is." [Kotarou]: "My personality..." [Kotori]: "You are kinda carefree." [Kotarou]: "Hard to deny that." [Kotori]: "...but it doesn't make sense that I'm feeling weird about this too." [Kotori]: "I'm the one who turned you down." [Kotarou]: "It's complicated." [Kotori]: "Yeah." We're both silent for a while. [Kotarou]: "I guess..." [Kotori]: "Yes?" [Kotarou]: "It's hard for boys and girls to be only friends with each other." [Kotori]: "We do hear that a lot." [Kotarou]: "Let's prove that's a big fat lie." [Kotori]: "...okay." [Kotarou]: "Good answer." [Kotori]: "Okay!" [Kotori]: "And this is where our paths diverge." [Kotarou]: "Yeah." We both stand still. [Kotarou]: "Bye." [Kotori]: "Yep, see you later." We wave goodbye and walk away. [Kotarou]: "It must be tough being a popular guy..." Not that I am one. In the end I still feel I'm being unfair to her somehow. Kotori was the one who rejected me. But...I still feel like apologizing. ...sorry. Right now, I like Shizuru. But I know I liked Kotori in the past. [Gil]: "Puaaaaaaaaaaaa!! I really can't go an evening without drinking this stuff!!" After returning home with all that on my mind, I find an idiot drinking tomato juice. [Kotarou]: "Do you just like any old red fluid...?" [Gil]: "What? Red is the color of life. Vegetables and meat and everything are all equally alive. We're all friends." [Kotarou]: "Doesn't that mean green vegetable juice is just as good?" [Gil]: "Eeeh? But green and red are completely different!" [Kotarou]: "What happened to vegetables and meat being equal?" His statements rapidly fall into contradiction. [Gil]: "Now that I'm calm, time to do some work." [Kotarou]: "What work?" [Gil]: "Huhuh, I'm not telling." ...he's holding a book called "Conversational English - Anyone Can Do It!" Apparently he's studying English now. [Pani]: "Welcome home～" [Kotarou]: "Hi." [Pani]: "Oh." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" [Pani]: "You seem more manly and dependable, Kotarou-san." [Kotarou]: "I do?" [Pani]: "Yes. I'm not sure why, but..." [Kotarou]: "Nothing's changed." [Pani]: "Oh no, something definitely changed～" [Kotarou]: "No, no～" [Pani]: "Ohohoho, such modesty!" [Kotarou]: "Ohohoho." I imitate her laugh as I change out of my uniform. [Kotarou]: "...hmm." I open my laptop. [Kotarou]: "Hmmm..." I open some secret files from the Occult Club and think. [Kotarou]: "Ummm..." [Pani]: "Oh? What are you doing?" [Kotarou]: "Nothing really..." As a reporter in the Occult Club, I probably should try to investigate that facility Shizuru went to. But... [Kotarou]: "There's no way for me to do that..." [Pani]: "Do what?" [Kotarou]: "I guess I can tell you guys..." [Kotarou]: "There seems to be a facility somewhere in this country that raises and does research on people with superpowers." ...they both stop. [Kotarou]: "What? Do you guys know about it...?" [Pani]: "That's...probably dangerous." [Kotarou]: "So you know it?" [Pani]: "A little..." [Gil]: "Those guys are probably our enemies..." [Kotarou]: "Oh?" [Pani]: "We've bumped into people with those powers a few times." I guess I shouldn't be surprised that mysterious animals have connections with mysterious groups like that. [Kotarou]: "Is it an evil organization?" [Pani]: "They're bad for us at least." [Kotarou]: "I see..." I should start looking into this. [Kotarou]: "...hmm." Superpower research. This has been around for a while. [Kotarou]: "Superpsychology...?" There's still an organization in London called the SPR (Society for Physical Research) that treats it as a serious academic subject. [Kotarou]: "But this seems more like spectral and spiritual stuff..." They seem to be looking into things like psychokinesis and ESP. [Pani]: "Isn't that supposed to be inactive?" [Kotarou]: "Hmmm." It feels like if I snoop around too much someone might come after me. [Kotarou]: "This is dangerous." [Pani]: "It is." [Gil]: "In English, 'dangerous'." [Kotarou]: "But..." [Kotarou]: "One of my friends has been to a place like this..." [Pani]: "O-oh my..." [Gil]: "In English, Oh my Gawd..." ...unfortunately, there's nothing in the world right now which could prove to the public that superpowers actually exist. Well, admittedly I have a superpower myself. But since people don't know about it, the facility Shizuru went to is probably hiding this sort of thing. Are they all hiding it but living normal lives like I am? Either way, they definitely can't reveal it. [Kotarou]: "Is there a group of superpeople being secretly used for military purposes...?" During the Second World War, the American public had no idea that nuclear weapons were being developed. Would they have believed it if someone told them there was a top secret bomb so powerful it could wipe out everything within several kilometers? There's really no way for us to deny something like this, just because we've never heard anything about it. There's probably a lot of things like that in our world. [Kotarou]: "...what would happen if a civilian like me found out about such a thing?" [Pani]: "Everyone would probably assume you were delusional." [Kotarou]: "True." No one would believe me if I told them. That's how the world works. And that gives them a powerful tool to hide it.

<METADATA> Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Pani | Gender: Female </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "Now then..." Given all of that, what should I do with my curiosity? [Kotarou]: "I'm thinking this is too much for the Occult Club." And I don't want to cause problems for Shizuru. So I'll look into it by myself. [Kotarou]: "Okay." I close my laptop. [Kotarou]: "I think I'll go investigate a bit after all." ...though that might be all it takes to cause trouble for her. [Kotarou]: "There was one thing bugging me." Prez' data library. If I look up Nishikujou-sensei there, I might find something. [Pani]: "You're going?" [Kotarou]: "Yes I am." [Gil]: "In English, let's go..." [Kotarou]: "What the hell have you been up to?" [Gil]: "I said I'm not telling." [Pani]: "Apparently he's been annoyed lately that he can't help you with anything, so he's been studying a lot." [Kotarou]: "Oh-ho." He's surprisingly diligent. [Gil]: "Waaa! You idiot!! It's not cool anymore if you tell him!!" [Kotarou]: "Well, I could clearly see you studying so she didn't really reveal anything." [Gil]: "Leave it to me...I'll have all the answers on your next homework..." [Kotarou]: "How long will that take?" [Gil]: "U-ummm...I'm on this one right now." Elementary school level. [Kotarou]: "If that's where you are now, I'll probably have graduated by the time you get to high school English..." [Gil]: "Wh-whaaaat!?" [Kotarou]: "...wait." He might be useful for snooping. [Kotarou]: "You wanted to help me, right?" [Gil]: "Eh!? What is it!? Something I can do!? Is it a simple but rewarding job!? Does it let me use my creativity and go home at a set time!?" He sounds just like a high school graduate who has no idea how the world works. [Kotarou]: "It's not creative, but it's something only you can do." [Gil]: "I-if you need me that badly then I can't say no...tehehe." [Pani]: "Then I'll come along too." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Really?" [Pani]: "I can't just stay put at home when you're about to do something dangerous, Kotarou-san." [Kotarou]: "...thanks. You'll be a much bigger help than him." [Gil]: "Hey!!" She's right. I am trying to do something risky. I might be trying to dig up a real life government secret... No, let's think about this another way. If it was that serious, there's no way a single student would be in charge of protecting it. Even if there really is an organization like that with superpeople hiding everywhere, they're not gonna leave sensitive documents in such an obvious place. Whatever I find will probably say "Details top secret, refer to ..." and the other document won't be there. As long as they don't give me the big picture, all they'll need to do is make sure I don't tell anyone the bits I did read (very optimistic). Akane already let us know about a few of the things in there, so it can't be that bad... [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's try not to get spotted." [Pani]: "Of course!" And thus, I charge toward the witch's library with two optional companions behind me. ...even if someone finds me, I can just say I really wanted to read the report on me or something (extremely optimistic). I decided to infiltrate the school in the most ordinary way possible. [Kotarou]: "I left my textbooks in the club room! I need those to study for the test!!" I acted like a serious student and had the guard let me in. [Kotarou]: "Now..." In this situation, the biggest risk is Akane. It's possible she's living in the club room (well, we know she is). The time won't be a problem. I imagine the guards all know about Prez anyway, so I can probably explain why it took me so long just by saying I got stuck talking to Akane (stupidly optimistic). I'm amazed I can think about those possibilities without freaking out. That aside... [Kotarou]: "Damn..." Maybe I should've paid more attention to Akane's lifestyle. There was no cooking equipment in that room. Which means, she must go somewhere else to procure her food late at night. That's the best time to search. If I don't use that, my only chance will be when she briefly leaves to use the bathroom or something. [Kotarou]: "Pani...I have a job for you." [Pani]: "What is it?" [Kotarou]: "Ummm..." I turn on my cell phone and find a picture I took of the club a while ago. [Kotarou]: "Could you check if this person is in the room you see over here?" [Pani]: "Will do～" She zips off down the hallway. [Kotarou]: "Okay, now we wait." [Gil]: "Eeeh? What about me?" [Kotarou]: "Just wait a little while. I have an important mission for you later. Right now we need to stay hidden..." [Gil]: "Whoo...a sneaking mission..." We hide behind the corner of the stairs. Pani returns before long. [Pani]: "She's in there." [Kotarou]: "Mmm...thought so." [Pani]: "But she's heading this way right now." [Kotarou]: "Geh! Why!?" [Pani]: "I couldn't hear what she was saying～" For now we retreat to the upper floor. I can hear footsteps in the hallway below. Normally I wouldn't hear a noise like that since it would just blend into the crowd. ...but the school is very quiet at night. [Gil]: "C-crap...the tension is making me..." [Kotarou]: "Shh, don't talk!" How useless is this guy...? The footsteps approach the stairs. ...then they go away. [Kotarou]: "Is she gone...?" [Pani]: "It looks like it." [Kotarou]: "Okay. Pani, you follow Akane. When she starts coming back, warn us..." [Kotarou]: "Wait, crap, I forgot to come up with a way for you to tell us." [Pani]: "I can tell you through Gil-chan～" [Kotarou]: "Really?" [Pani]: "He's half of me." [Kotarou]: "Then Gil will follow me." [Gil]: "Got it." [Kotarou]: "Okay, let's go." Pani flies away. [Kotarou]: "Now, to get into this room..." [Gil]: "I'll check if any doors or windows are unlocked!" [Kotarou]: "Sure." [Kotarou]: "...actually, this has been bugging me for a while. How do you guys fly?" [Gil]: "Huh? We use willpower, obviously." [Kotarou]: "I see..." In other words, it's just magic. [Kotarou]: "Didn't think it would go this well..." Gil flies in through the ventilation duct and opens the lock from the inside for me. [Gil]: "Was I useful? Was I!?" [Kotarou]: "Pretty much." [Gil]: "Woooo!"

<METADATA> Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Gil]: "I kinda broke that thing, but it should be fine!" He points at a ventilation grate lying on the ground. Better hide this behind a bookshelf... Okay, time to find those documents. [Kotarou]: "Is this it...?" No one's ever touched it, but there is a door in the back. This club room probably used to be some kind of special classroom, so I assumed that back room used to be a prep room. Now, how to open this door... [Kotarou]: "I'll just break it open..." [Kotarou]: "...except for the fact that I've broken doors around here before, so she'll suspect me immediately." I have to do this properly. [Kotarou]: "A key...a key..." I look all around the room. [Kotarou]: "It's not gonna be on top of the desk." I look at her PC. [Kotarou]: "She left it on..." I pull up Explorer and quickly skim through her hard drive. [Kotarou]: "Nothing but games..." I was hoping for some digital data, but I don't see anything like that. Next I check inside her desk. I find video game walkthroughs and some handheld games. [Kotarou]: "Damn...she's a complete hikikomori..." By the way, one of the ones I recognized got game of the year awards from everywhere a while back. [Gil]: "What are you looking for?" [Kotarou]: "Something to open that door with." [Gil]: "Huh? It's open." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Gil]: "Look." He turns the knob. She just leaves that thing open...? [Kotarou]: "Oh well, good news for me." I look inside. [Kotarou]: "Uu!! Th-this is...!!" [Gil]: "What!? Did you see something amazing!?" [Kotarou]: "It's nothing but games and strategy guides!!!" Were the guides I saw earlier just taken out of here and left lying out there...? [Kotarou]: "Anyway, that was extremely disappointing..." [Gil]: "Really?" [Gil]: "Geeh! This looks really cool!!" He grabs a big box containing a western-looking game. [Kotarou]: "Wait, this might just be camouflage." For now I try searching the shelves farthest in. [Kotarou]: "Hm?" I come across a conspicuous pile of blue files. [Kotarou]: "...what's in here..." I look inside. [Kotarou]: ""Entered in 20XX..."" [Kotarou]: "This is it...!" These files have information on all the students here. Like permanent records, they list everyone's family situation and financial status. [Kotarou]: "But these are all normal people..." I can't find anything unusual. [Kotarou]: "Ah, here's mine." [Kotarou]: "If I made a copy of this it might be handy in job interviews..." [Kotarou]: "Hm?" I see something under "comments". ...a section that's blank in all of the other files. "During May to October of 19XX, there were reports of abnormal physical abilities which imply he qualifies as a type A." ...I remember this. There was a PE test where one of my classmates made fun of me. He was very good at sports, and everyone said he'd be a good athlete in the future. He knew that, so he tended to mock the rest of us. When he found someone who was bad at PE, he would despise and humiliate them. I wanted to get back at him, so I strengthened my body. My physical abilities rose to that of a high school student. For a kid in elementary school, that was unheard of. It was kind of a big deal. I was able to boast. I did get back at him. Everyone looked at me enviously. I was the hero. Of course, that wasn't the end of it. The teacher freaked out, and some sports people who heard about me came over. I quickly realized I'd overdone it and tried to get myself back down to elementary school level. It was hard. Some days I'd be swift as a cheetah, other days I'd be unnaturally slow. I set a new high jump record, but couldn't get over two meters in the long jump. I ended up making everyone think I just wasn't trying. The tests continued for a while. When they finally started treating me like a normal kid again, I was relieved. After that, I've been telling myself to avoid using my power. This date is right around when that happened. [Kotarou]: "...I see..." I might actually be onto something here. But what does "type A" mean? A... [Kotarou]: "...no idea." I wonder if anyone else has a comment like this. I flip through, looking only at that section. Most of them just said "None". [Kotarou]: "Oh...?" [Kotarou]: "Has a history of type E injuries." Now it's E... [Kotarou]: "Who's this?" I look at the name. [Kotarou]: "...Yoshino?" Does he have some terrible past I don't know about...? E... No idea. Maybe there's a B, C and D too? Does this mean A is a dangerous or a high-level class? I look some more. [Kotarou]: "Oh." A girl in another class "Has been in a type N hospital." [Kotarou]: "Crap." I guess these aren't rankings. [Kotarou]: "No way I'll figure this out just by thinking harder." Is there a part here listing common abbreviations or something? ...I flick through it, but don't find anything. Which means this is meant for people who "already know". [Kotarou]: "Right, what about Shizuru..." Considering her past, no doubt there's something on her in here. [Kotarou]: "The year after mine...ummm..." Found her. [Kotarou]: "There's nothing..." No special remarks at all. Just "None" like all the others. [Kotarou]: "So there are truths even Prez' black magic can't unravel." ...hm. I look at her personal history. [Kotarou]: "...she must have gone to school near that house." According to this, she went to school somewhere I've never heard of in another prefecture. Forged records? This sure looks like an official report on her. Whatever's behind her is capable of forging this kind of information... [Kotarou]: "Uwaaa, I might've fallen in love with someone really dangerous..." [Gil]: "What'd she do? Cheat on a test or something?" [Kotarou]: "You jumped to that instead of drugs or murders? You're surprisingly wholesome." And there isn't anything dangerous about knowing someone who cheated on a test. At most it means the teacher will keep an eye on both of you next time there's an exam. [Gil]: "Geeh! I should've mentioned those first!! My underground outlaw image is ruined!!!" Unfortunately anyone who gets excited by video games has already lost that image. [Kotarou]: "Maybe Nishikujou-sensei..." I look through the files. [Kotarou]: "There..." The teachers' files. I flick through them. [Kotarou]: "Hmm...hmm..." [Kotarou]: "Whoa..." My hands stop when I see the vice principal's file. [Kotarou]: "Fought in a war of some kind...took students on a field trip to a prison..." I had no idea we had a guy like this on staff...

<METADATA> Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Gil | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Kotarou]: "This is almost suspicious...feels like a lot of this would be erased by now." [Gil]: "What is it?" [Kotarou]: "He used to be a rich only-child, but they cut all ties with him at some point." [Kotarou]: "...but someone managed to dig this all back up." If I wasn't in the Occult Club this might be a huge find. [Kotarou]: "And...there's nothing on Nishikujou-sensei." She is new so maybe her file is somewhere else. [Gil]: "There's a box over here that might have it." He pulls on a cardboard box on the top shelf. [Kotarou]: "Oh, good find." [Gil]: "...ngugugu..." He tries pulling it out, but the box doesn't move. [Gil]: "This thing's heavy!!" [Kotarou]: "Lemme help..." I pull over a chair to stand up and reach up. [Kotarou]: "Ngu! You're right..." I tilt it a little and slide it down bit by bit. [Kotarou]: "Geh..." It starts sliding, so I quickly grab it from a different angle. [Kotarou]: "Ngigigigig...owwww!" [Gil]: "Ha!" [Gil]: "Crap!! Pani says that girl's coming back!!" [Kotarou]: "H-huh!?" [Kotarou]: "Dammit! We gotta put this back!!" [Gil]: "Ngaaaaaaa!! But I'm not strong enough to move it!!" [Kotarou]: "I can barely keep it from falling! I need your extra strength!! Come on, push!!" [Gil]: "Okay, heaaaaaave!!" [Kotarou]: "Here we go!! One, two!!" *fwoosh* [Gil]: "Ah, oops." [Kotarou]: "Ubusuuuuuuu!!!" *crash!!!* All the paperwork falls on me. [Kotarou]: "What the hell were you doing!?" [Gil]: "What!? I told you I couldn't move it!!" [Kotarou]: "There's no time!" [Gil]: "C-crap! She's coming in!!" [Kotarou]: "We'll hide the papers somewhere else! Help me put the box back!!" I gather it all up on the table then pick up the partly empty box. [Kotarou]: "This I can carry! Here goes!!" [Gil]: "Together now!!" [Kotarou]: "One, two!!" *fwoosh* [Gil]: "Ah, oops." [Kotarou]: "Bufusuuuuuuu!!!" *crash!!!* [Akane]: "...you seem to be having fun." [Kotarou]: "Hahahaha..." She found us after all. Gil is twitching underneath the pile of files. [Akane]: "What are you doing? If it's any fun I'd like to join in." [Kotarou]: "Well, umm...I'm here to..." [Kotarou]: "...I just kinda wanted to know what it said." [Akane]: "Your file?" [Kotarou]: "Thank you for understanding." [Akane]: "Ah...that stuff isn't in here." [Kotarou]: "What?" [Akane]: "The sensitive stuff is much better protected. Those files are basically dummies." ...the stuff it said about the vice principal seemed pretty bad... [Kotarou]: "...explore." [Akane]: "And now I will kill you for your curiosity." [Kotarou]: "Hiii! I'm being cursed!?" [Akane]: "Punishment for the blasphemers...the fallen angel's sword of flames." [Akane]: "Be burned alive while you can still regret it." [Akane]: "...what?" [Kotarou]: "Umm, I can see hair spray and a lighter in your sleeves..." [Akane]: "Punishmeeeeent!!!!" [Kotarou]: "Gyaaaaaaa!! My hair's burning off!! Stop it!!" [Akane]: "Well, it's not actually that big a deal...there's nothing important in there." [Kotarou]: "You burn people when it's not a big deal!?" [Akane]: "To control them." [Kotarou]: "...witches are scary..." ...wait, that stuff isn't important? [Kotarou]: "...ravish you." She takes out a stick without a word. Then points it at me. [Kotarou]: "Ah, no, that was a joke..." She charges. *zap!!* [Kotarou]: "Gyaaaaa!!!" I evade. [Akane]: "Damn, missed." [Kotarou]: "A stun baton!?" [Akane]: "It's spirit magic." [Kotarou]: "I can hear it making very scientific sparking sounds." [Akane]: "A heavenly spirit who rules over the harshest light..." [Kotarou]: "Don't chant after attacking! That thing runs on batteries, not spirits!!" [Akane]: "Hmph, don't criticize me when you are but an intruder...no, a criminal..." [Kotarou]: "There is such a thing as excessive self-defense." [Akane]: "...so, why are you here? I know you're not the type to do something that ridiculously stupid." [Akane]: "Besides, you love Nakatsu-san." [Kotarou]: "Umm, thank you for understanding me that well, but you still shouldn't have..." [Akane]: "That was a joke." [Kotarou]: "Hey! You can't try to electrocute people and call it a joke!" [Akane]: "But you're unharmed, right?" [Kotarou]: "Well, yes, but..." [Akane]: "So, did you find what you wanted? I don't think there's anything that important here." [Kotarou]: "Huh?" There's nothing important here...? [Kotarou]: "So this stuff is just the tip of the iceberg?" [Akane]: "Pretty much." [Kotarou]: "...I saw some weird stuff in the vice principal's file though." [Akane]: "Aaah." She takes out that file. [Akane]: "This is stuff anyone could find out. It's not going to cause any commotions." [Kotarou]: "Eh? Really?" [Akane]: "The things he did used to be pretty normal." [Kotarou]: "...I've heard that things were more dangerous in the past..." [Akane]: "Yes. I do not condone such violence." [Akane]: "But society has always wanted healthy conduct from its younger generation, even if that means training them to crush our enemies." [Akane]: "What really mattered was that anyone with the motivation to do that stuff well would eventually be a successful "adult" later on." [Akane]: "It's important to think about these things." [Kotarou]: "But violence is still bad." [Akane]: "Like I said, I don't condone that." [Akane]: "But people who spend all day thinking nothing and doing nothing will never amount to anything. That I agree with." [Kotarou]: "...this is complicated stuff." And I think I've heard this somewhere before. [Akane]: "Yes. I have time to kill." [Akane]: "And feel free to look at the rest of these files."

<METADATA> Name: Gil | Gender: Male Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> [Akane]: "I could easily find worse stuff than this." [Kotarou]: "How much dirt do you have on everyone?" [Akane]: "More than you'd like, obviously. You should know that by now, Tennouji Kotarou." She smiled... Prez puts the file back on the shelf like any ordinary book. [Akane]: "Hm?" She notices the pile at our feet. [Kotarou]: "Ah." Crap, Gil's unconscious under there... [Akane]: "Could you put all this away?" [Kotarou]: "Ah, sure, will do." Then Akane quickly picks something up. Did she get Gil...? I'd better check... ...I can't find him in the pile. [Akane]: "Ah, by the way, have you seen my stuffed animal?" [Kotarou]: "You have one of those?" [Akane]: "Yes. It's slightly bigger than the ones you normally see in claw machines." [Kotarou]: "...no, haven't seen one." [Akane]: "I see." Akane returns to her usual seat and slips something into a drawer. [Kotarou]: (Not good...she captured him...) [Akane]: "So, did you want to see your own file?" [Kotarou]: "No, I changed my mind..." [Akane]: "A wise decision." [Kotarou]: "Ah, but if none of this stuff is that secretive, can I see Nishikujou-sensei's file?" Might as well ask upfront since it's going this well. [Akane]: "If you want, though it's so normal you won't find anything interesting." [Kotarou]: "That's fine. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." [Akane]: "...if you say so." She stands up and heads back to the files. He sneaks out of the drawer. He closes it. [Gil]: "―!" He waves farewell toward me and flies off into the air duct. [Akane]: "?" She heard it. [Akane]: "Did you hear something in the ceiling just now?" [Kotarou]: "...d-dunno." [Akane]: "...the air duct...?" [Kotarou]: "Probably a rat." [Akane]: "Tennouji Kotarou. Go check." [Kotarou]: "Me?" [Akane]: "You're the trespasser." [Kotarou]: "But I'm scared." [Akane]: "Man up." This isn't private property anyway... Well, Gil's probably gone by now, so no harm in checking. [Kotarou]: "Nothing's in there." [Akane]: "I see...what was it..." Maybe I should change the subject... [Kotarou]: "Ah, that's right, can I ask another question?" [Akane]: "What is it?" [Kotarou]: "Some of those student files had weird terms in them." [Kotarou]: "Like "N type" and "E type"." [Akane]: "Ah, that doesn't mean much. It's just there to make those look like secret files." [Kotarou]: "Oh." [Akane]: "N is normal. Nothing worth mentioning, but still something that had to be written down. It draws attention to people who've been in the hospital or have a history of illness." [Akane]: "E is for...problem children." [Kotarou]: "Or "emergency"?" [Akane]: "Something like that." I put the files back as we talk. [Kotarou]: "What about A?" [Akane]: "...A is "another"." [Akane]: "Something no one else has." [Akane]: "I thought you decided not to look at your own file." [Kotarou]: "Eh?" [Akane]: "You're the only A." After looking at Nishikujou-sensei's file, I leave the club room immediately. Obviously, there was nothing suspicious in it. It might be forged too. ...but more importantly... [Kotarou]: "They might know about my power..." I feel conflicted. [Voice]: "...are you sure about this?" [Akane]: "Good point. Do you think I should've put a grain of truth in that?" [Voice]: "Not that." [Akane]: "...I was kidding." [Akane]: "He's entertaining." [Voice]: "Huh?" [Akane]: "...I like teasing him." [Voice]: "Just be sure it doesn't go beyond that." [Akane]: "If you insist." [Akane]: "...anyway, I have a request." [Voice]: "Yes?" [Akane]: "...scrub him again." [Akane]: "Very thoroughly. Follow any loose ends as far as they go." [Voice]: "...understood." [Akane]: "Also...there's a little fly buzzing around Tennouji Kotarou. About this big." [Voice]: "I will keep an eye out for it." [Akane]: "Yes, that should be enough." [Voice]: "Farewell." [Akane]: "...huu." [Akane]: "...this really is...such a pain..."

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male </METADATA> November 10th (Wednesday) During break time, a girl I don't know talks to me. [Second-Year Girl]: "You're Tennouji-kun, right?" [Kotarou]: "I am." [Second-Year Girl]: "I'm from the newspaper club." [Kotarou]: "So you know Inoue-san?" The girl's face goes pale. [Second-Year Girl]: "Inoue's missing." [Kotarou]: "Missing?" A few days ago she told me she was going into the forest to investigate. How did that expedition go? She hasn't called me back yet. [Kotarou]: "Hmmmm, maybe she has a cold?" I can't help but wonder why she's telling me this. [Second-Year Girl]: "Tennouji-kun, you and Inoue are friends, right?" [Kotarou]: "Wait." [Second-Year Girl]: "...eh?" [Kotarou]: "Who told you we're friends?" [Second-Year Girl]: "Inoue said you two get along well...that you were starting to like her." [Second-Year Girl]: "And that your looks scored about 60%..." [Second-Year Girl]: "She said you'd be a potential partner of hers in the future when she had a chance to start distributing her noble source of the truth." [Kotarou]: "I only barely passed..." Am I that ugly...? Inoue...someday I will repay you for this... [Kotarou]: "Why does she want me involved in that thing?" [Kotarou]: "Anyway, I do know Inoue, but saying I "like" her is a bit of a misunderstanding." [Kotarou]: "So please don't put that in your newspaper. You'll make my fans cry, hahaha." The girl looks sad. [Kotarou]: "...sorry, was that not funny? You're right, it wasn't. I was kind of hoping you'd make a joke out of how bad it was so it'd end up being a good thing." The girl ignores what I'm saying. [Second-Year Girl]: "She never returned home..." [Kotarou]: "What?" [Second-Year Girl]: "Her parents said she went out on Sunday and never came back!" She suddenly shouts as tears stream down. Some of the students walking down the hall look toward us. [Kotarou]: "She never came back...? Her parents haven't seen her?" [Second-Year Girl]: "That's right, she never went back home. So her parents called us, and called the school...so everyone in the club is searching for her now." [Second-Year Girl]: "Tennouji-kun, do you know where she is?" [Kotarou]: "No, I don't know her that well..." [Kotarou]: "...did you say Sunday?" [Second-Year Girl]: "Yes, Sunday." [Kotarou]: "...she called me that day." [Second-Year Girl]: "Eh?" I show her my call history. [Kotarou]: "I assume you haven't been able to call her?" She nods. I try calling her too, but mine doesn't connect either. Inoue's somewhere a phone signal can't reach. [Second-Year Girl]: "What did she tell you? Wh-when was the call?" [Kotarou]: "Around 10 AM. Inoue said...she was going to the forest." [Second-Year Girl]: "Really!?" They're surprised. Apparently Inoue never told them. I guess I owe it to them to explain. [Kotarou]: "The place she wanted to check out...should be right about here." I show them on my cell phone map. [Second-Year Girl]: "Send it to me!" We transfer the file via an infrared connection. [Kotarou]: "I just know she's heading somewhere up the river, though I'm not sure exactly where." [Kotarou]: "If her phone still has batteries in it, you may be able to ask the cell phone company to try and locate her signal." [Kotarou]: "Though once her batteries die that won't work." [Second-Year Girl]: "We have to hurry!" [Second-Year Girl]: "Tennouji-kun, come with us! We need to tell the others!" [Kotarou]: "Okay." One of the girls drags me along, and I end up telling the school and the cops everything I know. Half the day passes by in no time at all, and by the time they let me go school's already over. They're already putting together a search team. I wonder if they'll find her... There's a lot I'd like to say to her, but I'm a little worried too. ...just a little.

<METADATA> Name: Tennouji Kotarou | Gender: Male Name: Ohtori Chihaya | Gender: Female | Aliases: Chi Name: Nakatsu Shizuru | Gender: Female | Aliases: Shizu Name: Kanbe Kotori | Gender: Female Name: Konohana Lucia | Gender: Female | Aliases: Class Rep Name: Senri Akane | Gender: Female | Aliases: Prez, The Witch of the School </METADATA> November 12th (Friday) Prez calls us together during lunch break. [Kotarou]: "A termination request?" [Akane]: "Yes." [Kotori]: "For the Occult Club?" [Akane]: "That's right." Kotori and I look at each other. [Kotarou & Kotori]: "Why?" [Akane]: "...that's what the school wants." [Kotarou]: "???" [Kotarou]: "Prez, what happened to your political power?" [Akane]: "That's why it's just a request." [Akane]: "Normally they would've disbanded us on the spot." [Kotori]: "But why...?" [Akane]: "The situation's gotten very serious. It's not a good idea to fight this." [Kotarou]: "Does this have something to do with Inoue going missing?" [Akane]: "Yes, absolutely." [Kotori]: "Is Inoue-san a friend of yours, Kotarou-kun?" [Kotarou]: "Yeah..." The search for Inoue is still ongoing. There are people crawling all over the mountain. The only reason no one's reporting on it is because her family didn't want that. But the sharp-eared students are constantly talking about it. [Kotarou]: "So it sounds like..." [Kotarou]: "They don't want us to do any investigations in case we might get someone else in trouble?" [Akane]: "That's probably part of it." [Kotori]: "That's not right." [Kotori]: "We had nothing to do with this." [Akane]: "In the adult world your logic doesn't have to make sense to have an effect." [Kotarou]: "That just means adults are screwed up." [Kotarou]: "But since I know her, I'm not happy about this either..." [Kotori]: "Yeah..." [Kotarou]: "...is it already Friday?" Inoue's been missing for five days now. Can a lone girl really survive out there for five days on her own? Inoue's number on my cell phone still bothers me. I can't shake off this gloom. [Akane]: "They want us to stop gathering as a club here." [Kotarou]: "Huh...?" [Kotarou]: "Is that for all clubs?" [Akane]: "No, just us." So they really are targeting us specifically. [Kotori]: "Why? ...that's like saying it's our fault..." [Kotarou]: "I'm the one who told the cops where to look." [Akane]: "They say Inoue did it because she saw you as a rival she had to beat." [Kotarou]: "And that makes it my fault!?" [Akane]: "Not that. It's more like they're using us as an example to others." [Kotarou]: "...that still doesn't make any sense." [Kotarou]: "Yes, I talked to Inoue on the phone the day she disappeared. But..." [Kotarou]: "...was I supposed to stop her or something?" [Kotarou]: "Is it my fault that I didn't stop her from going?" [Akane]: "Some people in the newspaper club seem to be saying that." [Kotarou]: "Seriously...?" [Kotori]: "Could you have stopped her?" [Kotarou]: "No, probably not. She wouldn't have taken no for an answer." [Kotarou]: "Besides, she's far more experienced than I am. I was in no position to judge whether or not it was too risky for her to go." [Kotarou]: "If anything, isn't this a problem between Inoue and the rest of her club?" [Akane]: "This is clearly Inoue's own mistake, there's no need to look into that." [Akane]: "But when it comes to deciding responsibility, the fact that you talked to her last automatically makes you the biggest target." [Kotarou]: "Uu...I get that...but..." I understand that, but... I can't laugh this off like I usually do. What really irritates me is that people are trying to assign blame when what we really need to do is find Inoue. [Shizuru]: "I have come." [Lucia]: "I have been brought here..." [Chihaya]: "Let's have some fun here～" [Lucia]: "What's wrong? You all look gloomy." [Kotarou]: "...it's a pretty serious problem." [Chihaya]: "...Inoue-san's disappearance is causing a lot of rumors." [Lucia]: "Of course. I've had to discuss it in student council meetings." [Kotori]: "So you have all heard about it." [Shizuru]: "My class is full of those rumors too." [Akane]: "It's a huge problem for our school." [Lucia]: "Many of us think everyone would feel better if the school formally announced the issue instead of pretending to hide it." [Lucia]: "But we can't expect the adults to be so decisive." [Shizuru]: "Inoue-san...she was a good person..." [Shizuru]: "I'm worried about her..." [Kotarou]: "You knew her too?" "Of course I did," her face says. That's a surprise... [Shizuru]: "She talked to me a lot." [Shizuru]: "She gave me snacks..." [Kotarou]: "Oooh..." [Kotarou]: "So then you told her everything we were doing?" [Shizuru]: "Yes...I told her everything." [Shizuru]: "I told her a lot about you, Kotarou. She really liked that..." [Shizuru]: "But now..." So that's how she knew all that... [Kotarou]: "Did you bug my phone too?" I was able to find and remove it the other day after Inoue accidentally mentioned it. [Shizuru]: "She told me to do that since she was too embarrassed to do it herself." [Kotarou]: "Okay. Well I threw it in the microwave when I found it." [Shizuru]: "The microwave...?" [Kotarou]: "That's the modern way of destroying electronics." [Shizuru]: "A popular trick with modern young'uns..." But Shizuru's charmingly awkward word choice isn't enough to cheer us up. [Kotarou]: "How's the search going?" [Akane]: "Not well." Apparently they haven't even located Inoue's footprints. I told them the area the chemicals were buried, but they say there's no way to know exactly where they'd be. Everyone who would know is long dead. No records were kept. The world is more disorderly than you might think. So how did Inoue learn about it? [Kotarou]: (Did her information gathering powers backfire...?) [Akane]: "The search team's running out of ideas, so after talking to her parents it's been decided to stop the search tomorrow evening." [Kotori]: "Already?" [Akane]: "It's getting too expensive." [Kotori]: "Expensive?" [Akane]: "The police, firefighters and some volunteers have all been searching, though there was never a formal request..." [Shizuru]: "So?" [Akane]: "Taxes."