Chapter 2
"Wh-Wha...?"
What is this? What on earth is happening?
My mind can't keep up with reality. Calm down, stay cool, and let's sort out the situation from the beginning. Where did this abnormal situation start?
First, I saw a shooting star on my way home from work. That part is fine. Then, the utility pole was glowing, it spewed smoke, it opened up, and a baby appeared from inside.
That's too much. Whose wishes, and how many of them, had to be granted for this to happen?
"Fueh, fueh."
Moreover, this baby is alive. Not a doll or CG, but living, breathing, and staring straight at me with round eyes. As if appealing to me for something.
...You opened it, right?
I didn't open it. You just opened on your own.
...But you touched it, didn't you?
So what? What if I touched it?
...You're curious, aren't you?
Honestly, I am. But...
"Sorry! However, my hands are full, so if you'll excuse me!"
Feeling as if the hair on the back of my head was being yanked out by the fistful, I tried to leave the scene...
—I don't care what happens anymore! Hic.
—Crash.
—Awooo.
—Screech.
...but just as I tried to, I heard a rapid succession of a drunkard's shouting, the sound of breaking glass, a stray dog howling, and the violent screech of a car's brakes.
Suddenly, the neighborhood got dangerous. Was this town always like this? But, leaving it here might actually be dangerous. At the very least, I should take it to the police.
"How do I hold this?"
Fearfully, I lifted the baby out of the utility pole.
It's light. Before thoughts of softness or warmth, I was surprised by the lightness of the body. It felt insubstantial, like holding a rolled-up towel. It felt like if I used even a little force, it would be crushed without resistance.
No good. I knew instinctively. I can't just throw away such a weak living creature here. Before laws or ethics, as a common thought among humanity, it is absolutely forbidden.
However, the gaming utility pole seemed to have a fundamentally different way of thinking from humanity, and as if to say, "I'll leave the rest to you," the lights went out, the handle and door vanished, and in the blink of an eye, it returned to being a silent, original utility pole.
You're kidding. H-Hey, wait.
"Excuse me. You forgot something!"
Even though I said that and knocked on the pole, it was just solid with no response.
I've been had. Late at night on the street, I stand dumbfounded in front of a utility pole holding a baby.
"In this situation, doesn't it look like I kidnapped it?"
I felt the baby in my arms suddenly get heavy with a thud. Looking down, it lifted its seemingly soft cheeks with all its might and flashed an innocent smile.
"Tai <3 p="">
"Impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible!"
Even so, it's impossible. Absolutely impossible for me. As I thought, I'll just leave it here for now... no, that's no good. Abandoning it on the street is out of the question. Then, on top of the vending machine... is also dangerous. What on earth should I do with this child?
As if seeing through my hesitation,
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
The baby drew its trump card. An unforgiving cry echoed through the residential area in the dead of night.
"Ah, geez!"
Desperate to avoid being seen, I ran up the apartment stairs while holding the screaming baby. Luckily, I reached my room without passing anyone, locked the door, and felt a moment of relief.
No, I didn't! Why did I bring it home? Now the kidnapping is fully established. This is bad; clearly, my brain isn't working due to fatigue.
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Meanwhile, the little beast wouldn't shut up. Continuing to appeal its total dissatisfaction with the only method allowed to it...
—Don!
...invoking a strike against the wall from my neighbor.
"W-Wall slam... That's my first time experiencing it."
I'm shocked. Well, no wonder. It's this late.
"Fuyaaaaaaa."
"Ahh, it's not scary, not scary~. Look, peek-a-boo~~~."
Perfect high school girl Iroha Sakayori had one more thing she couldn't do besides muscle training. That was making a baby stop crying. Although I tried to soothe it desperately by copying what I've seen...
"Fuyaaaaaaaa!"
—Don, don, don!
Neither the crying nor the wall-banging stopped. What should I do? Clutching at straws, I swiped my smartphone screen.
"How to make a baby stop crying." The worries of mothers everywhere seem to be the same, as a tremendous number of hits came up.
"Let's see... 'Holding,' I'm already doing that. 'Vertical holding,' doing that too. 'Swaying,' doing that, and 'Walking while holding,' doing that. What's left is..."
The classic lullaby? Okay, remember. The lullaby my mother used to sing to me when I was crying. The lullaby was...
—Don't cry. Crying is just taking the easy way out.
—If you are truly sad, instead of idly crying, think so that the same thing won't happen again.
I have no recollection. Only lectures come to mind. The moment I was about to hold my head in despair,
"...Ah."
What caught my eye was the Yachiyo acrylic stand enshrined in front of my study desk. For a moment, I felt the fog in my head clear.
"Precious melody is—flowing—into your heart—"
"Remember." Before I could even finish the first verse, the baby was breathing softly in sleep.
"Yachiyo power is amazing."
Carefully, very carefully, I laid the baby down on the futon. Holding my breath, I pulled my hands away millimeter by millimeter. Okay, fully retracted. Wait ten seconds. Still no sign of waking up.
"...Thank goodness."
Success. My body went limp. With this, the wall-banging should stop too. A moment of relief. But, what should I do about this? I guess it has to be the police.
For the first time in my life, I tapped 110 on my smartphone. Touching the call icon, I organized the wording of the report in my head while listening to the ringtone. I have to be extremely careful here. One wrong word and I could be suspected of kidnapping.
"It's an incident"... no, that's no good. "From a utility pole shining in seven colors, you see, a child came out"... too useless, be a bit more realistic. "A baby was, you see, crying, so I took it home for the time being"... I'll get arrested, I'll get arrested. Geez, I don't understand it myself, so how am I supposed to explain it?
"This is Tachikawa Police. Is it an incident? Is it an accident?"
"Ah, it's okay! Everything is okay now! Sorry, thank you!"
I ended up making a mysterious call to the police just to tell them everything was okay and hanging up.
...I'm sorry, Officer. It's impossible. I'm too tired. Even though today was supposed to be the day I could sleep for six hours.
・ ・ ・
From afar, I heard the call of a turtledove. As if chasing it away, a newspaper delivery bike passed by. When I opened the curtains slightly, the newborn morning sun shone in energetically.
...I slept, huh? Six hours.
I seem to have fallen asleep before I knew it. What on earth was that event yesterday?
"It wasn't... a hallucination, right?"
As proof, the utility pole-born baby is sleeping soundly next to me.
Apparently, it didn't cry at night. They say a sleeping child is an angel, and it's true. Even though this baby gave me so much trouble yesterday, looking at its cheeks with downy hair shining in the morning sun, I feel the urge to stroke it.
Wait, was it this big? That's strange. Yesterday it was a size I could easily hold with one arm. And the bracelet it's wearing all the time wasn't this big either.
"Ah! It's wet! Seriously!"
When I put my hand on the futon to measure the size, an unpleasant dampness was transmitted to my palm.
Got me. Well, it's a baby, so it can't be helped. I have no obligation, but I'll change its diaper. No, in that case, I have to change its clothes too. Then, something to wrap the body in. Also, something to wipe the body, milk, a baby bottle, and was it called a baby carrier? And also...
"Eh, isn't that a lot?"
Counting the necessary items on my fingers, I ran out of fingers immediately.
Waiting for opening time, I rushed into "Nishitakeya," a specialty store for children's goods familiar for its catchphrase "The Ally of Child-rearing." I looked it up online, and apparently, you can get all baby supplies at this one store. Of course, only if you pay money.
"Impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible!"
I inadvertently screamed in the aisle.
Diapers are expensive! And there are so many types. If told to choose between the cheap one and the expensive one... well, naturally I'd want to choose the better quality one. Even children's clothes aren't cheap at all for me. They say there are cheap and expensive milks too, and if I try to buy a baby bottle, unexpected essential items like disinfectant come with it. When I put all of that through the register,
"The total is 13,243 yen."
In what way are you an ally? Damn it, the money I saved like my life depended on it...
"Why am I doing this?"
Carrying the bought baby supplies and the baby itself, I trudged up the slope.
"Uwah."
When the baby fussed on the way, I soothed it with peek-a-boo,
"Ueh."
When it started fussing again, I checked the time and gave it milk,
"Uuh."
If it still fussed, I sang a lullaby.
"Fuhihihi."
The baby cried a lot, but it laughed even more. Once I saw a smile, I wanted to see the next one. I often hear that when a child is born, life becomes centered around the child, and truly, the three-day weekend passed just to make the child laugh.
Without studying for even a second.
"...Wait, what am I doing?"
I felt a chill while holding the baby in my room.
Wait, wait, why am I absorbed in child-rearing? This is wrong, this isn't the time for this. I was supposed to dedicate this entire three-day weekend to studying.
"Ueh."
"Milk, right? Understood, please wait a moment."
This isn't the time to be understanding what it wants just from its fussing voice.
No good, let's report to the police after all. I don't care if I'm suspected. If I don't let go of this child now, time will melt away more easily than with any game.
"Uuh."
"Are you full? Then, let's rest, milady."
For the time being, it's late today, so let's do it tomorrow. I'll go to the police box first thing tomorrow. That's the end of playing house. Swearing so, I sang Yachiyo's song as a lullaby again.
The sleeping face was indeed like an angel.
That night, I had a dream.
I became a part of the apartment ceiling, looking down at my room. In the middle of the four-and-a-half tatami mat room were my beloved low table and tablet terminal. The pale light emitted from the screen dimly illuminated the pitch-black room.
"Kya, kya, kya."
Along with ticklish laughter, the tablet screen switched one after another. News announcing the possibility of a giant meteorite approaching, a movie about a love risking one's life, Yachiyo's packed live concert, anime, sports broadcasts, a video of me fooling around with friends.
"Kya, kya, kya."
The one manipulating the tablet terminal is the baby. Its eyes, seeking information ravenously, are glowing eerily even though it doesn't have Smart Cons inserted.
Suddenly, moonlight shone in through the window. Bathed in the moonlight, the baby's hair lengthened with a slithering sound. It was as if a plant performing photosynthesis was spreading its leaves in search of more light. And then, I fell asleep again...
・ ・ ・
"Hey~, hey~."
I woke up to the baby's fussing voice.
"I'm hungry."
"...Understood~."
I know, you're hungry, right?
Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I stood up. The room is still pitch black.
"Milk~."
"Please wait a moment~."
You want milk, I know, I know.
My perception skills having been trained to the limit over these three days, I can understand the demands just by hearing the baby's fussing voice as if they were clearly spoken in words... wait, huh?
"Uwah!"
"Uoh!"
When I shouted and turned around, the girl also screamed and jumped back.
Yes, a girl. It was a girl who was there.
In the pitch-black room, a girl who suddenly appeared opened her eyes wide in surprise and looked at me.
"That scared me..."
No, I'm the one who's scared.
Is she about ten years old? Her beautiful eyes, which looked like two shooting stars had flown into them, were filled with surprise and shining brilliantly. Her glossy hair reaching down to her waist, her skin so white it was recognizable even in the dark, and her shapely lips—looking only at her features, she is a beautiful girl, but...
...Who are you?
No, you don't have to answer. I know. You are... you, right? I know because I've been in contact with you for these three days. I know because we connected so well that I could understand your heart just by your fussing.
I thought it was strange. Being born from a utility pole, growing rapidly overnight, devouring information with shining eyes... no, was that a dream?
Anyway, that's enough. This confirms it. This thing is definitely not human.
Now that I know that,
"Please take your leave!"
I quickly stuffed the "Nishitakeya" goods I just bought into a cardboard box and politely offered them back.
"..."
However, the mysterious beautiful girl stared intently at the Nishitakeya box with a puzzled look, and said,
"...Whadda ya meaaaan~~~?"
"No, I'm the one who wants to ask that. Also, why did you get huge immediately? That's scary!"
"Hmm. Well, everything is fast nowadays."
What is that, an interview-like comment? In the first place, why can you talk? You were a baby just a moment ago. As I thought, this is no good. I can't deal with this anymore. I can't wait until tomorrow.
"I refuse anything of unknown origin!"
I grabbed the girl's arm and decided to ask her to leave by force.
"No way!"
But she wouldn't budge. The girl braced her small body and showed maximum resistance.
"Hey, move it."
"Noooooo waaaaaay."
I can't believe another opportunity to test my muscle strength has come so quickly. But don't underestimate me. A utility pole might be one thing, but if my opponent is such a small girl, I can just pull with all my might like in a tug-of-war...
"Ouch ouch ouch."
"Ah, sorry."
"Aaaaaaaaaaah!"
Ah, even more sorry. When she said it hurt, I unintentionally let go, and the recoil sent the girl rolling across the floor, and...
—Thud!
...she hit her head against the aluminum sash.
"Are you okay!?"
"My head huuuuuts~~. My hand huuuuuts too~~. Someone help me~~."
"Help me." Hearing those words, I was momentarily at a loss.
—Help me? I'm truly surprised that my daughter can say such a thing so casually. Didn't I tell you that the only person you can rely on in this world is yourself? Have you already forgotten? If so...
And then into a four-hour lecture... No, no, this isn't the time to be reminiscing. I have to stop her from making noise.
"Hey, stop it. Don't yell in the middle of the night. I'll get wall-slammed again."
However, what echoed in my room was not a wall slam from the neighbor, but...
Grrr.
...a stomach growl from the girl in front of me.
Come to think of it, I haven't given her night milk yet. Incidentally, I also missed dinner, and...
Grrr.
As if invited, a second stomach growl echoed, this time from inside me.
A call-and-response of stomach growls by young maidens is not something you see very often. For a while, an awkward silence flowed between the two of us, and...
"Help me~~?"
The girl tilted her head slightly in a flirtatious manner with teary eyes.
Wh-What a cheeky attitude. She really doesn't seem to be thinking about anything, and facing her makes everything feel ridiculous. All the strength drained from my body, and I let out a sigh so big it could blow away the sea, and the recoil made me stand up. Ahhh...
—The one who stands up does everything. If you don't want to do it, stay seated until the other person stands up.
※
"Five hundred ninety-four yen... five meals' worth... actually, it's 2 AM, 2 AM."
I ran to the convenience store in my pajamas in the middle of the night. What I bought was omurice, chosen because I figured this is what kids like. Of course, buying two was not allowed, so for my portion, I thawed the taco rice staff meal I brought back from work. Separated by the low table, the too-late dinner with the mysterious girl began.
"Itadakimasu."
I put my hands together and stuffed my cheeks with taco rice. Yeah, the BAMBOO cafe staff meal is stable as always. Not just the taste, but the fact that it's free functions as the best seasoning.
On the other hand, the mysterious girl is just staring at me intently. Ignoring her and continuing to eat, the girl slowly grasped the spoon with her left hand and thrust it into the omurice. Rather than being left-handed, she just looks like she's copying my movements in a mirror image. Then, she roughly scooped up the omurice and brought it to her mouth, and...
"—Ah."
Stars scattered in her large eyes.
"Amazing! What is this?"
From there, she ate and ate. Eyes wide, she shoveled it in. Her excitement was as if she had never eaten a meal before.
"Umm, omurice... I guess."
"Omurice! I love it!"
...She's awfully happy. It was a tough punch to my wallet, but I felt slightly rewarded. Just a tiny, tiny bit.
"What's this yellow thing? The red thing? The small chewy things inside?"
"Chicken egg, ketchup, chicken meat..."
While replying absently to the bouncy voice firing questions in rapid succession, I reached for the tablet on the low table out of habit and unlocked it. Just in time, Yachiyo's live stream was starting.
"People around you might say things because of the age gap, or you might hold back, right~. Personally, Yachiyo loves those age-gap friendships that you sometimes see in movies~☆"
Listening to Yachiyo's smooth voice, I suddenly feel like my daily life has returned.
"Yum, yum, yuuuum."
Even if there is a mysterious girl devouring omurice in front of me.
What is with this girl? Who on earth is she? No, since I know who she is, if I were to ask...
"Where did you come from?"
...would probably be the question. The asked girl stopped her hand abruptly, and...
"Hmm."
Pointing out the window at the full moon with an expression that seemed to say, "Isn't it obvious? From there."
Moon... The moon, I see.
I never thought I'd get an answer. She was supposed to be a baby, but does she have memories from before coming here? I knew it, but she seems less and less human.
"So? What did the alien come to do? Invasion?"
"Hmm, I don't really remember well~~. Anyway, every day was suuuper boring~~. I feel like I thought, 'I want to escape to a fun place~~'."
It's light, the explanation. And I don't get it, the purpose.
"Don't escape~."
"Ehhh~, why~~?"
W-H-Y?
"Escaping is easy, but restarting after that is tough, you know? Do you have the resolve?"
"Resolve~? If I don't wanna do it, I won't. If I wanna do it, I'll do it!"
We're not communicating. How much thought is she putting into her words? Is she even thinking at all?
"Also, it's natural for days to be boring."
"Eh! No way! Are you really okay with that, Iroha?"
"It's not about good or bad... wait, why do you know my name!?"
"Fuffuffu, wanna know~?"
Ah, whatever. She's acting all smug and it's annoying, so I'll change the subject.
"Hey, by the way, does this ring a bell?"
I stopped Yachiyo's video and showed her the picture book of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" on the tablet.
"What's this?"
"The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. A princess from the moon comes out of a bamboo stalk, an old man picks her up and raises her, she gets pressed for marriage and stuff happens... well, it's a story where a bunch of stuff happens."
When I wrapped it up with a crude explanation, the girl tilted her head as if she didn't understand at all.
"Marriage?"
Cu...te! Not! Absolutely not!! She looked truly innocent for a moment so I was almost deceived, but I managed to keep my sanity.
"Bamboo~?"
"Well, what you came out of wasn't bamboo but a utility pole, though."
Although absurd even to my own ears, I think there are common points. Originally a glowing bamboo, a baby, a rapidly growing girl, and the moon.
"Could it be... you're Princess Kaguya?"
"Looks delicious..."
Listen to me. I'm talking about you; don't get bored before I do. What the girl, who finished the omurice in an instant, is staring at is not the tablet displaying "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter," but the taco rice in my hand. You still wanna eat?
"Uuuuu."
And then, a quick fake cry. Giving up, I thrust out the taco rice plate, and the girl easily stopped the fake crying and readied the spoon.
"Itadakimasu. So, what was it?"
"I told you!"
"Ah, right, right. In other words, Iroha is this old man?"
I'll send you flying. To the moon.
"Can you see the future eighty years from now or something~~? No, you know?"
"Nuhaha~."
Laughing it off this time, huh. Learning only no-good techniques.
"Wow, this omurice is delicious too!"
"That's taco rice!"
"Omurice, tasty."
Listen to me, I said. I get it now, this is definitely not Princess Kaguya. Just a gluttonous alien.
"How can I eat more!?"
"Eh, I guess you could buy it, or cook and make it yourself..."
"Cooking~~? I want to tryyyyyy!"
Whoa, bright... I'm overwhelmed by her sheer aura of excitement.
"So, what happens in the story?"
Huh? Ah, the story of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter." Sharp turn to bring the conversation back.
"The old man picks her up and raises her, she gets pressed for marriage, stuff happens, and what happens next?"
You were listening. She looked bored, but it seems she's as greedy for information as she is for food. For a moment, I remembered the glowing baby I saw in my dream.
"Iroha?"
Looking closely, her face is exactly the same as when she was a baby... wait, not that.
"Ah, yeah. Umm... the pick-up party comes, and even though the old man and others fight to not hand her over, it's in vain; the princess is made to wear a celestial feather robe, forgets about Earth, and goes home."
"Ohh."
"..."
"So, what's next?"
"Nothing. The end. Happily ever after."
"Eh, she returns to the moon and that's the end? What's that? What's happy about that? That's a super bad ending! Princess Kaguya is definitely unhappy! Plus, the fact that it's made to look like a good story makes it even more unforgivable!"
Whatever touched a nerve, she's really coming at me. Now that she mentions it, I don't know if that was what the princess really wanted. But—
"This is that kind of story."
I couldn't deal with it, so I took the empty plate and carried it to the sink. The conversation is over; I intended to show such intent, but...
"Bad ending, no waaay."
Still saying it.
"A happy one is beeeeetter!"
I don't know.
"Bad ending, no wa~~ay~~♪ A happy one is be~~tter~~♪"
Why are you singing? Good grief.
I leaned my back against the edge of the sink and turned around.
"It can't be helped. Even if you rage or sing, what's decided won't change."
And looking down at the girl throwing a tantrum, I declared.
"There's no choice but to accept it and resolve yourself."
Or maybe, I said that to myself. The released words fell from my throat and left a weight in my chest.
"..."
The girl stares intently at my face. I didn't intend to say it that strongly, but she fell silent and stopped moving as if frozen, for two seconds, three seconds, four seconds... What is she thinking? Then, just when the silence started to become painful...
"Alright, I've decided!"
This time, the girl declared resolutely.
"I'll make it a happy ending myself!"
Striking a sharp pose like a magical girl or maybe an elementary school idol. In a small four-and-a-half tatami room.
"And I'll take Iroha with me to the happy ending, together!"
I got dragged into it as a matter of course.
"Happy ending"... I feel like a pebble just hit my toe. Kon.
—Convenient stories are poison. You must fight against them the most.
"I don't need a happy ending; a normal ending is fine."
The ending is already decided. All that's left is to stack things up until I get there.
"Liar liar liar! That can't be true, right?"
The alien is saying something, but I can't hear it. I can't afford to let my already hectic life be disturbed any further.
Seriously, the three-day weekend ended in seconds. Ugh, I have more mouth ulcers.
Actually, just let me sleep...
・ ・ ・
From afar, I heard the call of a turtledove. As if chasing it away, a newspaper delivery bike passed by. When I opened the curtains slightly, the newborn morning sun...
"Hmm? This is the second time."
I jumped up and checked the surroundings. Not here. Inside the closet, the unit bath, from the veranda back to the closet... she's not here. Only the particles of morning and the residue of night drift in the room.
Did she leave? No, maybe it was all a dream caused by overwork.
"Yosha!"
I did a triumphant gut pose with all my might. As if measuring that timing, the drawer under the sink opened.
"I'm heeeere."
Thought so. The girl, who had grown even bigger than last night, was sitting there hugging her knees.
"Hey hey, who is this person Iroha is always watching? Do you like her?"
After finishing my meal faster than usual, getting ready more quickly than usual, and finishing preparations to go to school far earlier than usual, while I was hurriedly shaking the frying pan, the alien asked casually while fiddling with the tablet. Even if the opponent is an extraterrestrial life form, being asked about Yachiyo makes me happy. I suppress my voice so it doesn't bounce.
"Yachiyo Lunami. AI Liver. My bias. She can create clones, sing, and dance, and is 8,000 years old—that's the setting."
"Ehh, AI? You mean a robot? Veh, fuuun?"
For some reason, the alien gets even more excited and makes the low table she's using as a chair creak. Hey, don't sit on the table.
Well, whatever. Finishing my last task, I turned off the heat, washed my hands, put my school bag on my shoulder, put on my shoes, and said,
"Well then, I'm off."
When I left those words,
"Ehh! No no no!"
The alien charged at me at full speed. Wait, she got bigger again. She looks like she's grown to be almost the same age as me.
"Stay with me!"
Looks desperate~. You were just saying "Veh" a moment ago.
"Impossible. I can't miss school. Don't leave the house. Food is there. Pancakes."
I said it abruptly and pointed to the frying pan on the stove. Iroha Sakayori's revolutionary poverty meal, "Flour and Water Pancakes."
The alien stuffed her cheeks instantly, then twisted her face and said,
"Tastes like crap..."
...unleashing an extremely rude comment. Hey, you don't have to eat anymore.
"Well then, I'm off."
"Wait, no, no!"
Ugh, hot... Being clung to in this room where air conditioning other than an electric fan is prohibited is close to torture. Wait, aliens have body temperature too. Come to think of it, she was warm and toasty when she was a baby too...
"It's weird. I'm an alien, you know? Leaving such a suspicious person in your room and going out, is that normal? Is school that important?"
You were aware! Then, let me say this:
"More important than life!"
I looked straight into both her eyes and said so.
The school life I've built up over a year is the crystal of my willpower, effort, and patience. I will protect it with my life, and I won't let anyone break it. Much less some unidentified alien.
"Getting involved with you is my fault, but I'll put everything back to normal."
Playing house is over. It was a somewhat meaningful three days, but I'm going back to being the perfect high school girl.
"So, you go back to the moon too."
"...But, I don't know how to go back. And this place looks kinda fun."
What is "this place"? Earth? You plan to enjoy it?
"Anyway, remember quickly! In just today. Understand?"
I thrust out my index finger like a lightsaber in a sci-fi movie. For a moment, the alien tried to talk back, but perhaps pushed by my spirit, she shut her mouth and stepped back.
"I'm off."
Not missing that chance, I said it for the third time and closed the door. There is no sign of her chasing after me.
Boo.
I felt like the alien said something from behind the closed door, but since it was just a feeling, I ignored it and went down the apartment stairs.
※
"If you can maintain this pace, it's not a dream at all."
In the staff room after school, my homeroom teacher, Mr. Tachibana, handed me a career preference survey form along with several university pamphlets.
"Yes, that is what I intend to do."
"Don't push yourself too hard. It's meaningless if you break your heart as well as your body."
"Thank you very much."
Healthy in both mind and body, and maintaining a constant pace, huh. I received words that are the exact opposite of these past three days.
The peaceful day after the holidays made me realize once again who I am.
Yes, I am the perfect high school girl, Iroha Sakayori. Excellent grades, well-behaved, skilled in both literary and military arts. However, that "perfection" is strictly limited to the scope of a "high school girl." I am "perfect" as an extremely ordinary, average high school student.
Therefore, glowing utility poles, babies, and definitely aliens are not welcome in my life. Making steady, down-to-earth, realistic efforts toward my goal is who I am. And someday, to my mother...
"Your parents must be very proud of their daughter, aren't they?"
"Eh?"
I looked up reflexively. There was no implication in the smile of Mr. Tachibana, who somewhat resembled an old goat. He must have just brought up the topic of parents by chance.
"I hope so."
I instantly put on a hundred-point smile and answered. The perfect high school girl Iroha Sakayori is also first-class at fake smiles.
However,
"...There is still time until the deadline. Let's think about it slowly."
The teacher, rich in life experience, seemed to see something, chewing on some thought like eating grass beneath his smile.
I bowed, saying "Excuse me," and left the staff room. Immediately, lively laughter flew in from the open window.
"Going to Tsukuyomi today?"
"There's a Yachiyo live, right?"
"Let's watch Kuro-oni's KASSEN stream."
The entrance I looked down at from the window somehow looked like a different world. The students who breathed the after-school air all had light steps as if they had grown wings.
"...Wait, I'm an after-school student too."
My smile, leaked as if in self-mockery, must have looked completely different from the smiles bursting on their faces.
It can't be helped. On my back, instead of wings, overwork and lack of sleep are weighing down, and my legs are about to wobble any moment. Now, work again today. After that, preparation and review as usual. I have to make up for the three-day delay.
From the several university pamphlets handed to me by the teacher, I pulled out one.
The University of Tokyo. My school of choice hasn't changed for a long time. If I'm going to college in Japan, my mother won't accept anything other than here.
—If you're going to aim for something, it has to be the best. If you're aiming for second or third from the start, you might as well just walk through the flatlands where no effort is needed.
The words from when my mother scolded me sometime in the past crossed my mind.
That was, if I recall, when I won the silver prize at a piano recital. To me, running up with a full smile, my mother said that with a straight face.
—What are you laughing at?
I felt like all my efforts until then were denied, and the silver medal hanging from my neck seemed like something terribly shameful. I just wanted her to say one word, "You did your best." Will the University of Tokyo serve as a substitute for a gold medal?
"I became a daughter to be proud of and was accepted. Happily ever after... yeah, that's plenty good enough."
When I told myself that, I felt the stiffness in my smile melt just a little. But,
"Let's go! Ready, set, go!"
"Woah, Usain Bolt!"
My gaze never left the back of the male student running through the school gate at the world's fastest speed.
Of course, there was no way I would notice the figure of the alien lying in ambush like a ninja by the side of the school gate.
※
"Ah, Iroha's here."
"Finally finished?"
"Eh, Roka? Mami?"
I thought they had gone home long ago, but Roka and Mami were waiting for me at the shoe lockers. That's right, I had them too. Friends who bring out a carefree smile.
"How was your long weekend?"
"Were you busy~?"
Having been invaded by an alien, I hadn't really been able to keep in touch these past three days. Maybe they were waiting for me in Tsukuyomi. On holidays when the three of us don't have plans to hang out, the two of them often log in late at night. That way, we can play lightly or talk for a little while before I go to bed after finishing work, studying, and chores. They probably think making a promise would be a burden or something. I feel apologetic for making them be considerate, but it's also true that it helps me out right now. It's pathetic, and my chest hurts a little.
"Sorry! Just, anyway, I've been tossed around by a storm..."
I try to fudge it vaguely for now, but if they press me further, how should I explain...? While I was changing my shoes thinking about such things,
"Well, anyway, let's go home!"
"Let's go ho~me~."
The two of them switched gears as if they sensed something, took my hands, and led me to the sun-drenched road home.
"What are you going to do about your future, Iroha?"
"Music, right? Or maybe esports?"
Roka and Mami take turns asking me, sandwiching me in between.
"I don't have talent like that~. Besides, my parents probably won't acknowledge me unless I at least get into Todai."
Music is impossible. Esports should be done by people more suited for it. Studying, I can work hard at. My mother went to Kyoto University while raising four younger siblings. So, I, who have no shackles, must advance one step further, right? When I replied jokingly,
"That's your minimum line? Strict~."
"I'm totally spoiled compared to you~."
The two laughed with the same vibe.
The usual conversation, no different from always. Roka and Mami's smiles are the same as always too, but considering they went out of their way to wait for me to go home, maybe there's actually something they want to ask.
However, as if they had arranged it, the two maintained their usual pace and atmosphere, and...
"This way, right?"
"Yeah, just up those stairs. Come on, Iroha."
Oh, oh? I'm being pulled towards an unfamiliar building different from the usual. What's over there?
"Eh, wait, you two. Was there something today?"
By the way, I do have things. Like work and studying... and an alien at home.
"We promised to go to the new cafe, didn't we?"
"No, today is..."
Please give me a break, Mami-san. I can't say it, but I've splurged an unbelievable amount in these past three days. To the point where I can't even step into such an expensive-looking area.
"We promised!"
Ah, no good. The flame of a gourmet resides in Mami's eyes. Once she gets like this, no one can stop Mami.
"Okay, let's go!"
"Please, have mercy~~."
Despite the poor high school girl's wishes, I was taken to a complex facility with the concept of "Connecting Sky, Earth, and People." A corner of a high-class cafe, both in terms of stylishness incorporating plenty of natural light and price range.
"Celebration for avoiding failing marks with Iroha's notes~~."
"Here's a thank-you gift. Please accept it~."
"Ah, thank you!"
What was brought before me was a fluffy three-layered pancake full of cream and dreams, truly a symbol of being "Instagrammable."
I know from experience... when they're in this mood, it's their treat!! Honestly, I'm too happy. How many days has it been since I could eat such glittering food? Even if I formally hold back, I'll just be gently rebuffed by the two of them, so here, in one breath...
"Itadakima..."
"—Sha!"
Into the glittering pancake <3 I reached for, a three-pronged piercing weapon was mercilessly thrust.
"...Eh?"
Gripping the silver fork is a left hand as white as snow that wouldn't melt even in the summer sun.
"Itadakimasu! Nom, munch munch... Yummmyyyy!"
Whoa, she went for it in one bite.
The culprit who instantly reduced the three-layered fluffy pancake to a two-story building flashed a brilliant smile that would put even a fairytale moon princess to shame, and...
"Yo, Iroha!"
...sent stars flying to the earth with a perfect wink.
Yo, you, ahhh—!!
"Ehh, cute. Who is this girl?"
"She's wearing Iroha's clothes. Iroha's friend?"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, yes! That's right! No, rather than a friend, um..."
Wh-Wh-What should I explain!? Wait, it's true, she's wearing my clothes without permission!! Can someone please arrest her for some crime or other—!!
"Do you like pancakes? Here, have this too~."
R-Roka!! Don't spoil her!!
"Pancakes? This? It's totally different from Iroha's~."
Shut up! Wait, why are you here!? I told you to stay in the room!
Ignoring me in my panic, the alien, bold as usual, swallowed the pancake she got from Roka in one gulp too. Incidentally, she's grinning and spewing nonsense. Seeing her majestic figure, I feel the heat in my head cooling down conversely.
"Introduce us, Iroha. Keeping such a cute friend all to yourself isn't fair."
"No, rather than a friend... umm, well, uhh—"
I pretended to stumble over my words to buy time and shot her a glare that said "Go home quickly," but...
"I came from the moon!"
What are you saying, this alien? How did she interpret things to blurt out the worst self-introduction?
"......Eh?"
"Tsuki...?"
"Ji! Tsukiji, right! She came from Tsukiji, my cousin!"
No, even that is a stretch. Fearfully looking at Mami's face...
"Wow, tell me about delicious sushi places~~?"
Alright, I made it. As expected of Tachikawa's number one gourmet girl. What about Roka?
"You're cute. What's your name?"
Thank goodness, she seems engrossed in the alien's beautiful appearance too. As expected of Tachikawa's number one beauty girl.
"Name? Name is, uhhh—......"
Suddenly, the fairytale I saw yesterday crossed my mind. That's right, that princess is—
"Kaguya!"
Princess Kaguya.
"Kaguya~~, so cute!"
"Eh~, it fits perfectly."
Right, Kaguya! Glancing at the excited Roka and Mami, I once again put a message into my gaze and irradiated the provisional Princess Kaguya with full power...
"Kaguya? Kaguya... Kaguya... I see. Kaguya~!"
Unexpectedly, there was a happy-looking Kaguya. "A name is the first present in life." I suddenly remembered words I'd seen somewhere.
"Sorry, we're going home! Thanks, thanks for the food! I'll make it up to you later."
This is the limit. I stuffed the first and second floors of the pancake that escaped Kaguya's raid into my mouth in two bites, grabbed Kaguya who was still blushing red, and escaped from the cafe like the wind.
"Wow, it was cool inside that building earlier~. Can't we do that at Iroha's house?"
Even after leaving the cafe, Kaguya chatted away in a good mood. I dragged this alien to a deserted corner, and...
"Are you insane!? Why are you here!? Why did you come out of the house!? I told you to stay in the room! What's this about coming from the moon!? What if your true identity is exposed!? Why are you wearing my clothes! Why did you know where I was!"
I spat out everything I wanted to say. All of them were perfectly legitimate questions and complaints from my perspective, but...
"Because, I'm bored."
Kaguya replied with just one phrase. Like a five-year-old sulking after having a toy taken away.
Seriously, this alien. Because she's bored? At a loss for words, because she's bored? For such a reason, she broke her promise, went outside, risked being exposed as an alien to appear in public, and on top of that, declared she came from the moon? Really, just because she was bored?
"Ehehehe."
Apparently, that's really it. And in the two seconds I was silent, perhaps her mood changed, Kaguya is grinning strangely. ...No, wait? Could it be she's trying to laugh it off?
"Listen, living like that will lead to self-destruction. Sometimes patience is necessar—"
...
Although I started smoothly, I couldn't continue. Because these are the words my mother said to me. Ugh—the same thing...
"Hey~, how do you use this?"
Thrust out immediately finding an opening in me was a contact lens-type PC device, commonly known as—
"That's a Smart Con. Did you bring mine?"
"Nope, I was able to buy it with Iroha's laptop."
............Hah?
"Yay♪"
It's not "Yay," there's no way it's "Yay." I took out my smartphone and half-crazily searched the online shopping history.
"Wallet Balance: ¥452. Compared to previous day: ¥ Minus 124,400"
... Eh, is this, reality? N-No way...
"......I-I saved up like my life depended on it... Turning down food, coolness, warmth, and fun, enduring spending on my bias, like my life depended on it... LIKE MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT!! I saved it!!"
Emotionally, I wanted to run away crying loudly, but sadly, screaming without such stamina was the maximum protest I could manage now.
"Ah, it's okay! It looked like I could increase the wallet numbers by rewriting the bank? data or something! It's a piece of cake for Kaguya, wanna do it?"
She seems flustered seeing my unusual state, but she has no ethics!
"Of course not! Ab~so~lute~ly! Don't do it!"
※
Alien resolutely, absolutely, must be kicked out. Swearing firmly so, I opened the unlocked apartment door, and...
"Let me go first for a sec!"
"Ouch, what?"
"Ta-da!"
I was welcomed by a violently appetizing good smell and Kaguya's smug face, having violently gotten ahead of me. Lined up there are dishes of gorgeous cuisine that are visually spectacular too. I instinctively gulped.
"Fiiirst, potage made from raw corn. This is crispy salad with fresh burdock and asparagus, with a soft-boiled egg. The main is tomato stewed hamburger steak, served with sautéed zucchini♪"
Saying so, Kaguya served her own smile as well. Receiving such delicious-looking dishes that have never crossed the threshold of my home before, even the usual low table looks proud.
"What... is this? Did you make this by any chance?"
"Yep~~."
No way, it looks delicious. It looks incredibly delicious, but...
"Is this also... with my wallet...?"
"Yep~~."
No way, I feel like collapsing. I feel incredibly faint, but...
"Here, eat."
When the spoon with potage was forcibly thrust into my mouth...
No way, my cheeks are about to fall off. It's incredibly tasty and my tongue feels like it's melting...
"What is this... It's delicious... What are you... With delicious food for the first time in so long... my body is filling with joy..."
I wonder why, the chopsticks and tears won't stop. How long has it been since I ate home cooking made by someone else? Staff meals are home cooking in a way, but it feels different after all. Somehow, it has flavor. No, other foods have flavor too, but lately it felt like the flavor was under a single veil, maybe... Delicious... If I'm fed something like this, I can't say anything anymore. But, earlier... tw-twelve, ten thousand, or something... sob, sob...
"...Demon."
"Not a demon, I'm Kaguya~♪"
Don't act cute! Annoying. Damn it, annoyingly tasty. The angel-like cuisine by the infinitely cheerful demon alien was tasty down to the tap water I drank at the end.
Incidentally, when I checked my smartphone after the meal,
"¥1,090 (Super Misono), ¥540 (Super Misono), ¥1,239 (Meat Kondo), ¥2,680 (Fish Sakamoto), ¥465 (Super Misono), ¥780 (Bread Hiroshi), ¥350 (Fruit Aoki), ¥1,560 (Goods Kobayashi), ¥730 (Fruit Paradise), ¥2,000 (Bistro Matsuo), ¥390 (Super Misono), ¥1,250 (Meat Kondo), ¥1,456 (YU), ¥220 (Tokado), ¥1,200 (Super Misono), ¥3,720 (Produce Aoki)..."
As I thought, a demon. This guy.
※
"Hey..."
I laid my full body on the flooring. My stomach is warm. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes, I am filled with thick, sweet happiness.
"Seriously, I can't harbor you here."
Still, impossible is impossible. I spat out words while looking up at the fluorescent light.
"I'm already pushing my parents to let me live alone, and I don't want trouble. If something happens, I'll be deported back to my parents' house immediately... Hey, are you listening?"
"Yes, here like this! Taka taka taka, Turn!"
You're not listening, are you. I knew it.
What Kaguya is engrossed in fiddling with, literally changing the color of her eyes, is my laptop. Some suspicious code is filling the screen freely. I thought about stopping her, but my back was stuck to the floor due to the adhesive power of fullness, and...
"One more, Taka taka taka, Turn♪"
The figure of Kaguya typing on the keyboard while swaying happily was somewhat poignant for some reason, and I couldn't do it. What is this feeling? A nostalgic sight, even though I should never have seen it before. Whose memory am I seeing...?
"Done!"
What is done? Oops, I zoned out.
"It's not cybercrime or anything, is it?"
"Look, Iroha. I found a mobile game so I fiddled with it!"
"Ah, that..."
It was a retro egg-shaped mobile game console my brother gave me a long time ago. She must have taken it out without permission from where it was stored. I wasn't using it, so it's fine though.
"This is 'Inu DOGE'!"
Inu Doge? When I peered into the mobile game console, a character like a Shiba Inu was wagging its tail. I don't think this one existed, so is it an original?
"It says we'll be together forever with this! Fuffuu~~~♪"
"You're in a good mood... Wait, are you planning to live here for life?"
"Because, where else should I go? If I get caught, Kaguya-chan might be dissected~."
"You should just go back to the moon. Try hard to remember how to get back."
"I am trying but it's difficuuuuult~~ gununu."
Answering while making the mobile game console beep... thanks. That's clearly a comment about the mini-game, isn't it.
"...Good grief, geez." I forcibly peeled my back, which had adhered to the flooring, off.
"Then, until the pick-up party comes."
Well, thinking calmly, I can't just throw her out either.
"Really!?"
"One, don't stand out! Two, don't go out without permission! Three, don't get in my way! If you can keep these rules, you can stay here."
"...Eh, then, what about making friends?"
"Per Article 1, no."
"...Following you to the cafe?"
"Per Article 2, no."
"...Playing together?"
"Per Article 3, no."
"Then, then, Kaguya can't go outside, bas no fun, and will be imprisoned like this forever and ever... does that mean a Bad End?"
Kaguya's face as she grips Inu DOGE is turning visibly pale.
"If you don't like it, forget this conversation."
"No no, no being mean!"
"You're going to make it a Happy Ending yourself, right? Enjoy this situation happily too."
"In this boring house that isn't Instagrammable at all!?"
Okay, let's kick her out after all. Just as I decided that and was about to roll up my sleeves, my smartphone alarm vibrated to announce 8:30 PM.
Shoot. I intended to finish my prep by this time, but in the end, I haven't done anything today either. But, it can't be helped—I have to go.
"What? Where are you going? Are you leaving Kaguya behind again?"
However, Kaguya, who quickly sensed my presence, clung to me like a tackle.
"Let go. I'm not going anywhere. I'm just going to Tsukuyomi."
"You are going! Take Kaguya too!"
"I told you it's impossible, without a Smart Con... ah."
She has one, this guy. Damn it, shall I take her...
Ah! That's right, I have to say this too!
"Four, food expenses are a flat rate!"
"It increased!"
Wearing Smart Cons, we sit next to each other. Kaguya grabbed my wrist, and it was faintly warm.
"Here we go, ready, set!"
▼
When I closed my eyes, motion graphics imitating the universe spread out. Passing through a galaxy that doesn't exist anywhere like a shooting star, splashes rose, and a large red Torii gate appeared. At my feet, an endless shallow lake and numerous lanterns gliding on its surface. In the sky, a bright red sunset spread out as if the color of the Torii gate had seeped out, and...
"—The sun sets, and night arrives."
Solemnly, Yachiyo Lunami manifests.
It was the entry to the virtual space Tsukuyomi that I never get tired of watching no matter how many times I see it.
Ah, Yachiyo's design is too wonderful even seeing it again. Her face is beautiful of course, but her Japanese attire with marine life motifs and her figure accompanied by the sea slug-shaped mascot FUSHI are truly the eternal goddess, the electronic diva, the mother of Tsukuyomi, and the symbol of preciousness.
As a heavy user, I pass straight through to Tsukuyomi, but Kaguya, a first-time login, is probably receiving the tutorial from Yachiyo and FUSHI right about now. Yachiyo kindly holds the hand of first-time users. And, with a hundred-point smile and a cool voice that blows a breeze on your eardrums,
"—Before you go out, that outfit is boring!"
...she guides you to the character creation window.
From there on, it's fun, fun character creation time. By the way, my avatar is street-style based on blue. Combining a kimono with a hoodie, belt, and boots, finished a bit coolly. It also has fox-motif tail and ears. When I first saw myself in this form, honestly, my excitement went through the roof. No, this is cute today too. Might be the best after all.
Now, what kind of form will Kaguya appear in Tsukuyomi with?
A ripple of light flashed in the space.
She's coming. Tearing through the center of the light,
"Uwah!"
A blonde gyaru-ish Princess Kaguya descended.
Kaguya is coordinated in vermilion and young grass green, with a gold glittering moon hair ornament and a huge Mizuhiki on her back giving a festive feeling. The sporty and pop sneakers on her feet suggest a anything-goes ability to act. Apparently, it's a rabbit motif, as long rabbit ears droop along her smooth straight long hair.
"Vehhh."
And, carried by her momentum, she trips. Yes, there it is. Tsukuyomi first login common occurrence: tending to trip on the first step.
"Here, give me your hand."
"Ah, could it be, Iroha?"
The blonde flashy Princess Kaguya who grabbed my hand and stood up pointed at my avatar. A single dog runs around her.
"C-Could it be..."
"Inu DOGE! I can bring him along."
No, it's my first time seeing it too. Can a pet from a mobile game console be brought in in this form? As expected of Tsukuyomi. Anything goes.
"Wow, amazing amazing amazing, is this Tsukuyomi!?"
Kaguya, who picked up Inu DOGE, eyes shining at the eternal night cityscape of the virtual space Tsukuyomi as if noticing it for the first time.
"Woah, awesome! There's a ton of interesting stuff!"
Kaguya stood rooted to the spot, mouth agape, looking around. This is another common occurrence for first-time Tsukuyomi logins. They get so captivated by the scenery that they can't easily enter the town. Indeed, in the virtual space Tsukuyomi, there are infinite places to see, such as the night view shining in seven colors, the famous Taiko Bridge, and the "Wa" (Japanese style) townscape that could be called a fantastical Heian-kyo. But since we don't have much time today, let's just stop by a cafe or something to pass the time.
"Let's go, Kaguya."
Just as I was about to move forward,
"—Congratulations on your first login! In Tsukuyomi, everyone is an expresser! If you do something and move people's hearts, you can receive 'Fuju~' from the management☆"
Kaguya's first login event triggered, and FUSHI appeared and started explaining. It's about the virtual currency traded within Tsukuyomi, "Fuju~." Fuju~ is used for transactions between users, such as buying avatar clothes made by creators, commissioning something, or giving tips for support. It's also possible to convert it into real money, and apparently, popular livers can live more than comfortably with just that. A story unrelated to someone with no redeeming qualities like me, though.
Still, the reason I can play here to my heart's content is that the various worlds and game experience facilities provided by the management, and the wide variety of items to color avatars, are basically all free to enjoy. It's not like those games that claim to be free-to-play but you actually can't keep up unless you pay. The gorgeous parfait we are eating right now is of course free, and...
"Nom... munch munch... It has no taaaaste!"
"That kind of thing seems impossible yet. Maybe someday a genius scientist will do it."
Just go home.
"I want it right noooooow~~~~"
Even if you complain to me~. Ah, it's time!
"It's starting! Let's go, Kaguya!"
"Starting? What is? Wait, Iroha!"
"I won't wait. You catch up!"
I know I'm being annoying with this tension. But I can't suppress the excitement in my chest. I can't stop my running feet. Because, it's finally here. My turn. I applied for the lottery so many times, kept sending even after losing again and again, and even after winning, I counted down the days, and finally now, this moment is...
"Here it comes, here it comes, here it cooooomes! Without this, the night in Tsukuyomi doesn't start. Today, too, Yachiyo's mini-live is startiiiiing──!!"
Yes, Yachiyo's mini-live. And after the show... hehehe...
When we rushed into the live venue just in time, the MC liver, Faithful Dog Otako, who professes to be a huge fan of Yachiyo, let his excitement and frenzy resonate through the microphone. The packed audience responded with cheers. As the voltage of the venue swirled and rose, a countdown was displayed on the giant monitor.
Ah, it's starting. It's really starting.
"Hey, Iroha, what's starting?"
"You'll understand if you watch!"
"5... 4... 3...", the voices of the venue and the voices watching the live broadcast synchronize. And when everyone in Tsukuyomi shouted "0" simultaneously,
"Yaoyoro~! My fellow gods~, was today the best too?"
Yachiyo Lunami appeared and exploded the venue with a single word.
"Alright, I'll invite everyone tonight too☆ Let go on a trip!"
Thus, the magnificent live performance began, and
"Going around thousands of times, now, we were able to meet──Look, don't lose sight──Don't let go of my hand──"
The venue turned into a sea of enthusiasm.
※
"Iroha! Hey, Iroha!"
"...Eh?"
I came back to my senses at the loud voice in my ear. Looking back, a surprised blonde Princess Kaguya was looking at me. Maybe she had to call my name many times. My scattered consciousness slowly, slowly gathers. My fingers were still trembling.
"Why are you crying, Iroha?"
I see, was I crying? Please don't make me explain the reason for these tears. I feel like if I put it into words, it will instantly turn into something trite.
...Because it was just that wonderful of a live performance. The song, the performance, and Yachiyo herself.
It seems that feeling was shared by the audience. Uncooling excitement and emotion poured onto the stage in place of applause and cheers. In the center of it, Yachiyo waved her hand widely in response to the fans.
"Yay, gratitude emotion rain a la mode! Yachiyo is a lucky person. Ah, an announcement here! We will hold an event called the Yachiyo Cup~~☆ FUSHI, details please."
"Okaaay! All Tsukuyomi livers are eligible to participate! The person who gains the most new fans within a period of one month is the winner. The winner will be presented with the right to a collaboration live with Yachiyo! You can create the world's most exciting collaboration live stage together!"
"No way!? Collaboration live? With Yachiyo?"
Crap, a loud voice came out. I hope I didn't get another wall slam from my neighbor in the real world.
"Collaboration live? What's that, is it amazing?"
"Of course it is!"
I shouted again. But it can't be helped. I emphasize the importance of the matter to Kaguya, who understands nothing.
"It's not just amazing, there have been stream collaborations, but she always sang alone in live performances!? What? With whom? This will be a historic live!"
"Hehh, then Iroha, let's do it together."
Like I could. As I thought, she doesn't understand anything. There's no way she'd do it with mobs like us. I can't say it loudly, but it's a convention that it's mostly decided who it will be from the beginning for these things. For example...
Bang!
A flashy explosion roared, and the entire audience paid attention.
Yes, for example, like them.
Suddenly appearing at the live venue was not an ox carriage, but a tiger carriage pulled by tigers. Fans who quickly realized who had appeared raised their voices all at once.
"It's Kuro-oni!"
"Mikado-samaaa!"
The roof of the carriage splits open as if responding to the enthusiastic cheers.
First to appear was a male avatar wearing an oni-themed skin. Furthermore, flanking him were an avatar wearing robe-like clothes and an avatar with Jirai-kei girl-ish fashion.
Cheers resembling screams wrapped the live venue in a different kind of frenzy. The three-person pro gamer unit boasting outstanding popularity in Tsukuyomi, Black Onyx. Commonly known as Kuro-oni's arrival. They also enjoy popularity as idols, and their activities are wide-ranging.
"Yo, little rabbits. Your Mikado-sama is here."
Amidst the thunderous cheers, the leader Akira Mikado, who descended from the tiger carriage, flashed a fearless smile and made his jet-black horns shine.
When he snapped his fingers snap, the monitors in the venue were hijacked, and a PV summarizing their brilliant career played. Starting from the unit logo, it continued with sponsor companies, winning records of numerous esports tournaments, and live footage. The BGM was their original song.
Doing it as usual... To avoid being found, I hid behind Kaguya's back. Not that I think they know my avatar, though.
"Another festival is starting, huh."
The taciturn man, Rai, opens his mouth from under his hood.
"My art style is too good today too, right♡ isn't it♡"
The Jirai-kei motif boy, Noi, cutely unleashes fan service. Twin tails and a mini skirt. At a glance, he looks like nothing but a girl, but he's a male avatar. Of course, his voice is also male.
"You want us to win, right? We'll show you a bottomless dream!"
Finally, Mikado shot through the fans' hearts with a signature pose. Complete with an effect of confetti dancing along with a popping sound.
Cheers exploded for the third time. It's already decided at this moment. The winner of the Yachiyo Cup is them; everyone there was convinced of that.
"So, we're going to win. Looking forward to the collab, Yachiyo-chan."
None other than the members of Black Onyx themselves.
"If that is fate, of course Yachiyo will follow~."
Perhaps, even the organizer Yachiyo?
"Awesome, a dream collaboration between Yachiyo and Kuro-oni!"
"This is gonna become a legend!"
Furthermore, the audience who flocked there. And the listeners watching the live stream.
Except for one single alien.
"Yaaaaaaaaaaa──chiiiiiiii──yooooooo──!"
Those far away, hear the sound. Those nearby, come and see.
"Kaguya will win the Yachiyo Cup! And absolutely do the collab live! Iroh... mgh."
I hurriedly covered her mouth, but it was already too late.
She did it, this guy. Unbelievable. Even though we promised so much. "Don't stand out," that was the first promise.
Everyone around turned and looked at us. With eyes saying, "There's a funny guy." The audience, Kuro-oni, Faithful Dog Otako,
"...How adorable."
and on top of that, even Yachiyo on the stage.
"You are always, on your own!"
Actually, I wanted to run away, but I can't. Because this live is...
"Well then, the live closes here for now♪ Let me talk a little bit with everyone. Farewe~ll."
...comes with a handshake ticket. Announcing the end of the show, Yachiyo creates clones and goes to talk to each audience member individually. From here on, there is no broadcast, a dream time that only those who obtained tickets can taste. You can talk to Yachiyo face-to-face and get a handshake. ...Talk to Yachiyo face-to-face!? Get a handshake!?!? Unbelievable. I feel my fingertips getting cold with nervousness. I-I feel like fainting...
"Hey Iroha, let's do it together, okay?"
My fading consciousness is pulled back by Kaguya's carefree voice. Somehow one hand is warm too. Ah, Kaguya grabbed it in reality.
"No! That's impo──"
"Impossible impossible impossible! Little girl!"
I tried to say impossible, but was interrupted and told first. Looking at the owner of the voice, it was FUSHI. Eh, FUSHI? Did he talk like this? Usually, he has a more "The Mascot"-like cute way of speaking...
"Hey."
It was Yachiyo who restrained the intimidating FUSHI.
Wa!! It's Yachiyo!! Yachiyo is right in front of me... and it's the small version. Yachiyo is usually about 160 centimeters tall, but sometimes she becomes a Chibi Yachiyo of about 130 centimeters. A rare phenomenon with unknown conditions occurred, and my excitement accelerates. The surrounding clone Yachiyos remained Adult Yachiyo. Why only for me!? It's probably just her usual whim. But... Squee!! Too!
Cute!!
"Did you forget~? Participation in the Yachiyo Cup is limited to livers♪"
Her twin tails, shorter than usual, swayed lightly.
"I see! Then Kaguya will become a liver! If that's decided, preparation, preparation~."
Kaguya logged out immediately. Wa, this is bad, I'm alone with Yachiyo. What should I do.
I was looking forward to it so much, and I even prepared what I wanted to say. It's no use, I can't remember anything, and my head is a mess so I can't construct sentences. At this rate, it will become incoherent speech. I want to avoid that. But, then what should I...
"Did you enjoy yourself today?"
"!? Y-Yes...!"
While I was stumbling over my words, Yachiyo spoke to me. It's a gentle voice I'm used to hearing. ...That's right, I have to enjoy it. Yachiyo should be most happy when I—when fans enjoy themselves. I take a deep breath and look straight at Yachiyo's face.
"I'm always supported by Yachiyo... It feels like a dark, cold, long tunnel... and because Yachiyo is there, I can endure it, or rather..."
Huh? What did I just say? Was it connected? Meaningless... I was supposed to say something wittier...
"...Are you thinking, 'I wanted to say something wittier~'?"
"Weh!? Why!?"
Seen through!? Em-Embarrassing...! But...! A little happy...!
"Fufun, Yachiyo is an esper♪"
Smiling brightly, Yachiyo joked as usual. What, cute, death.
"It's the same for Yachiyo."
Saying so in a graceful voice, Yachiyo wrapped my hand with her small hands. For a moment, my head was filled with "?!", but that's right. This was a handshake event.
"Yachiyo, too...?"
When I asked back fearfully, Yachiyo smiled softly and nodded.
"—Long, long ago, a lonely sea slug was walking through a dark, cold, lo~ng tunnel forever. After doing that for a long, long time, just when it thought 'I'm tired~', it saw many warm lights. When the sea slug chased them with all its might, the lights gathered and became a very big moon, illuminating the sea slug. Eventually, the sea slug took human form and created Tsukuyomi to watch over the moon."
I try my best to digest the meaning of every single word. Because it's something Yachiyo told me for my sake. Sea slug... isn't FUSHI, right. Probably, it's about Yachiyo, and the lights are Tsukuyomi users? So, then Yachiyo thinks of us as the moon and...
"...Yachiyo..."
The light is you, Yachiyo. You illuminated me.
"Ta-da~☆ It was the secret story of Tsukuyomi's birth♪ Keep it a secret from everyone."
I've never seen such a setting, so she probably came up with it on the spot to match my story. Yachiyo told it happily, but tears welled up and I felt like crying.
"There there, you're a hard worker, aren't you."
Yachiyo releases one hand from mine and pats my head. I almost lean into it a little but... Ah, my head!? Sh-Sh-Sh-She's patting it!?!?!?!
"A, kuo, a, ya, yachi, yachi..."
M-My mouth won't work!
"Thanks for always coming."
Fwaa~ Happpy~~~♡ ...A-Always!? I'm recognized!? Wait, ah right, she can tell by looking at the activity log. Yachiyo is the god in Tsukuyomi. Where I am and what I did is completely transparent. Ha, haa, this is the limit.
"Umm, t-that's all for today. Thank you very much!"
I bow and log out. Staying too long might be a burden on Yachiyo. Yachiyo is high-performance beyond my imagination, so it's probably none of my business though. I was able to talk a lot, and got a handshake too. ...My face is hot. Gratitude, shame, delight, impatience, relief. Various emotions mixed together, and I felt like exploding.
"See you later, Iroha..."
I felt like I heard Yachiyo's voice from behind.
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