Chapter 5
The next day. Lying in my futon, I stopped the alarm clock, having been waiting for it since a minute ago. I had woken up before dawn, but I couldn't bring myself to get up.
I was afraid to face Kaguya. This is the first time something like this has happened. Even though there should be so many things we have to talk about.
My smartphone vibrated in my palm again. Just until the snooze activates one more time; deciding that, I dropped my head onto the pillow.
Ten minutes later. I changed into my uniform, tied up my hair, and steeled myself.
Right, let’s go. I’ve been hearing the noisy sounds of someone moving around for a little while now. My housemate is already up. Wondering what kind of face Kaguya is making to welcome the morning, I went down to the living room, and,
“Good morning, Iroha!”
“Eh?”
I was welcomed by the gleam of a deba knife.
No…… eh?
Kaguya facing the cutting board with a serious expression in the kitchen; on the chopping block lies a fish so large its tail is sticking out.
“What on earth, is this……”
“White Tilefish! Also known as Shirakawa!”
I didn't ask for the fish species.
“I bought it for a cooking stream.”
Come to think of it, she did say ingredients were arriving yesterday.
“Do they arrive this early?”
“I want to grill it over charcoal, but can I~?”
Stop that. I can only see a future of “The Towering Inferno”.
“No good, huh—. You’re wearing your uniform, is school starting already?”
“Nope, summer cram school. I’ve been going the whole time, right?”
“Was that so? What about yesterday?”
“Yesterday was Sunday.”
“True, since it’s summer vacation, I lost my sense of the days of the week—”
“It’s always Sunday for you, isn't it.”
“Tah-ha—”
Kaguya playfully tapped her forehead, and I was drawn in and laughed too.
……Even though this isn't what I wanted to talk about.
You’re up quite early, couldn't you sleep?
I couldn't sleep.
What were you thinking about that kept you awake?
I was thinking about you.
Do you remember yesterday?
“Well then, I’m heading out.”
“Have a good da—y.”
……Why won’t you say anything to me?
In the end, I left the living room without being able to say anything. The school-designated loafers felt unfamiliar on my feet, as if I were wearing them for the first time.
“I’m off.”
Opening the door while saying it at a volume that couldn't possibly be heard,
“──”
Suddenly, a chill ran through my entire body.
What is this sensation? I recognize it. It was very recent, the sensation of something invisible slipping right past me.
“Kaguya!”
When I turned around, Kaguya had tossed the deba knife onto the cutting board and was gazing at her own arm. No, not her arm, but the bracelet decorating her wrist……?
After gazing at the bracelet for a moment, Kaguya raised her face with a sullen expression. Beyond her gaze lay──nothing. She is staring at the sofa and the wall, at the empty space between them.
“Kagu……ya.”
“Iroha?”
What are you looking at? What can you see?
“See you later.”
Kaguya said so with eyes shining orange.
……Why won’t you say anything to me?
※
“……Therefore, this means that there is nothing one can do by oneself. Also, since the expression ‘setamau’ is used, we understand that the subject here is a person of high rank──”
Today was the last day of summer cram school, but the content of the lecture only entered my head in bits and pieces.
What was Kaguya looking at this morning? That is the only thing circulating in my head. Considering her eyes were shining, was she wearing a Smart Con?
If so, could it be.
“Now then, Sakayori-san, do you understand the translation here?”
……Eh?
“Sakayori-san?”
Coming back to my senses with a start, my homeroom teacher, Mr. Tachibana, was staring at me.
“Ah, um…… I don’t know.”
“……It’s okay. The auxiliary verb here is──”
I don’t know; Mr. Tachibana let me sit down looking just a little worried after I answered like that for the first time in the classroom.
“Kaguyahho—☆ Today we’re doing the three-piece filleting of a White Tilefish—! What is necessary for filleting is, first, guts! Got it? Before the knife comes guts! Viscera isn't visceral (Naizo guroku naizo), just kidding!”
When I got home, Kaguya’s lively voice could be heard from the kitchen. As declared, it seems she is filming a cooking video.
I couldn't talk again, I managed not to talk yet; harboring these two thoughts, I retreated to my room, and the moment I put down my bag, my smartphone vibrated notifying me of an email.
“Roka: Did cram school finish? Meet at Tsukuyomi now.”
“Yesterday’s live was gooood──!”
“It was too good!”
I was called out to the familiar meeting spot in Tsukuyomi, the Riverbed Cafe, commonly known as Tsukuyomi Kawadoko. As soon as I arrived, Mami and Roka, who were waiting, crowded around me excitedly.
“Iroha’s performance!”
“I was moved to tears—!”
“Th-thanks…… but, look, there are people around so be quiet, okay.”
“Impossible! Gonna make noise!”
“Iro-P, the be—st! We are Iro-P’s frie—nds.”
Please stop. They aren't listening to my voice stopping them. Both Roka and Mami were frolicking with tension as if the live was still continuing,
“I’ll give you a flower circle (Hanamaru)~~”
Finally, she scribbled a circle on my forehead. Should I say thank you for this too?
“So, how is it, your thoughts now that a night has passed?”
Perhaps satisfied after making a racket for a while, Roka finally sat down on the floor cushion.
“How was the collab with your fave? I want to get close to Yachiyo too~”
Mami also rested her elbows on the table while showing her influencer face.
Thoughts…… thoughts, huh.
“I wonder, I don’t really know.”
“Eh—, what’s that?”
Sorry, it’s not humility or anything, I really don’t know. Yesterday’s live feels like something distant already.
“Come to think of it, what happened to Kaguya—?”
Searching for Kaguya who shouldn't be here, Mami looked around shaking her head.
“Ah—, Kaguya is…… fish.”
“Fish?”
“Fish, she was filleting it.”
Choosing words so as not to lie, a nonsensical reply slipped out of my mouth.
“Heh—, fish huh.”
“I see—, fish huh.”
Even so, for some reason, the two seemed convinced. Exchanging a momentary glance,
“Then, it might be just right.”
“Yeah~”
While leaking mysterious mutters, Roka drew a square in the space. What Tsukuyomi displayed to fill the sensed square was a single electronic flyer. Without needing to ask the content, written largely was,
“Fireworks Festival”
It was written there.
“How about some fireworks at the end of summer~, Missy~”
Why are you saying it in such a shady way?
“Isn't it good? Tsukuyomi is nice too but~, as expected, wearing a yukata in real life~, holding a fan~, visiting all the stalls~, right?”
Mami’s aim is probably the stalls. Or rather, did she say 'all' just now?
“How about it, Iroha?”
“Yeah, sounds good. About an hour by train? We’re all going, right?”
Ah, but if it’s yukata, maybe a taxi is better? If we split it four ways, I can manage somehow…… wait, have I been poisoned by Kaguya? For a taxi to enter my options!
While I was calculating in my head,
“Non-non, we cannot go because we have an important mission.”
For some reason, I was rejected by the proposer.
“We completely neglected our summer vacation homework.”
“And so,”
“We leave the rest to you~”
Finishing their sentences before I could interject, Roka and Mami quickly logged out. Both of them are the type to finish homework quickly. ……They are kind, truly.
I reread the fireworks flyer left in my hand one more time.
The date is today.
“……Kaguya.”
Pushed by the tension that suddenly welled up, I also logged out and returned to my room.
I changed into loungewear and went down to the living room.
Filming for the video seemed to have finished, and Kaguya had turned the excess sea bream on the cutting board into nigiri sushi.
“Kaguya-san, are you in top form?”
Feeling strangely embarrassed, I spoke to her while putting on a weird character,
“Oh, Iroha. You came at a good time.”
The blonde sushi chef applied soy sauce sasa- with a brush and popped a freshly molded sweet bream sushi into my mouth. Intense umami, whether inosinic acid or glutamic acid I don’t know, pierced the inside of my mouth.
“What is this, too delicious.”
It is.
“Right? Tomorrow I’m making ramen from the noodles!”
“Amazin’……”
Kaguya, dragging the tension from the filming, flashed a V-sign with a shiny face as if even more excited by the praise.
The air is somewhat light. The transparent film that covered Kaguya until this morning seems to have completely melted and disappeared…… somehow, I feel like I can say it now.
Do your best, me. Have the courage to do something that doesn't suit you.
“……Kaguya.”
“Nn?”
Even so, facing her directly is embarrassing after all. So, I took my smartphone out of my pocket, displayed the fireworks page, and,
“L, Let’s pla—y.”
I could only invite her by mimicking Kaguya clumsily.
※
“Yatta! Yatayata! Yatta──! Yatta──! Yattaaaa──!”
Too happy, too happy.
Kaguya, invited to the fireworks, frolicked, went wild, and danced as if she were about to give birth to the word ‘wild joy’ right now,
“Let’s go right away!”
She pulled my hand and charged toward the entrance just like that. Too mysterious tension.
“Wait, Kaguya. Calm down.”
“Impossible! There are so many things I want to do! We have to go right away.”
“Even so, you can’t go out in that outfit.”
“It’s okay, I can change clothes! The shop too…… yes! Just made a reservation! Now, let’s go—!”
“Put the knife away!!”
I somehow pulled the alien trying to rush outside carrying a blade back into the room and put the deba knife away in the kitchen. That was close. It was nearly a police matter. While I was at it, I put the white tilefish left out into the fridge, and was about to put the dishes in the dishwasher──,
“Whatever about that, hurry hurry!”
──Before I could throw them in, I was abducted by the impatient Kaguya and left the apartment as if being dragged.
“Hey, Kaguya. You’re rushing too much.”
“Because because, it’s the first time Iroha invited me!”
……Even if you’re that happy. Kaguya laughing like the sun shone in the depths of my eyes forever.
So, the first place we jumped into was a kimono rental shop in front of the station that advertised 'OK to enter empty-handed'. It ended up that I went along with Kaguya’s proposal to wear yukata to the fireworks festival since we were at it.
“Hey hey Iroha, Kaguya will choose Iroha’s yukata, so Iroha choose Kaguya’s—?”
“Eh, sure.”
“Kyahho───! The one that loo-ks goo-d on I-ro-ha iiis ♪”
Kaguya starts choosing while singing happily runrun. Hmm, something that would look good on Kaguya……
We scrutinized the shop for about ten minutes, and both finished choosing. Thinking about what would look good, but realizing my own taste got mixed in, we showed them to each other with a "Se-no!"
“Ah, Iroha chose sunflowers—!”
“Kaguya too?”
What I chose was a subdued yukata with sunflowers drawn in a single pale yellow color on navy blue, and what Kaguya chose was a cheerful impression yukata with large sunflowers drawn on a white background.
“……Aren't I not really sunflower-like?”
“Nn—eh—? Standing straight all alone, beautiful, it’s totally Iroha-like!”
Looking upward, bright, and eye-catching; I think it’s definitely Kaguya-like though.
We got dressed and had our hair and makeup done, and it was complete. The shop assistant said, “You two look super close~!” and Kaguya replied, “As expected, you can tell~~~”. Noisy.
Kaguya and I, wearing matching hair ornaments, finally lined up in front of the large mirror in front of the shop, and pose.
“Japanese clothes are gooood~~ ☆”
“Isn't it kind of weird?”
“Whatever you wear suits you~!”
Well, certainly, maybe, it’s a bit, a good feeling……
“Ah, Iroha is blushing—! Funfufunfufu—n ♪”
Too good a mood.
“We’re going already.”
Since it seemed we wouldn't leave for a lifetime at this rate, I walked away quickly from the mirror.
Since there were two of us, we traveled to the venue by train. It was a little embarrassing until we passed through the ticket gates, but there were several other girls in yukata in the train car, so I was a little relieved. I’m glad we decided on yukata.
“Look look, Iroha.”
Kaguya putting her knees on the seat and peering out the window like a child; I thought about scolding her for a moment, but,
“Amaaa—zing, fa—st! Uwah, we’re gonna crash, scary!”
Even though she’s ridden the train many times, her reaction is like it’s the first time. She’s really energetic today.
“Sit facing forward when we arrive at the station, okay Kaguya.”
I understood a little how a parent taking a child out feels.
While walking from the station to the venue, the number of girls in yukata increased rapidly. Girls blooming colorful flower patterns on their yukata are the protagonists of the event until the fireworks start. The scent of burnt sauce wafted faintly.
“Iroha, over here over here!”
Kaguya climbing the stairs of the embankment while looking back at me many times. Looking down at the water surface from above, we were welcomed by the cool river breeze. I thought this when we moved too, but for some reason, Kaguya is good friends with the wind.
When I pointed saying it should go up around there, Kaguya’s eyes shone as if the fireworks had already been launched.
“Well then, there’s still time until it starts. What shall we do?”
“Stalls! Visit them all!”
Like I said, all is impossible.
Still, we decided to look around the stalls to the limit that time allowed.
“Iroha, there’s a gun, let’s shoot guns!”
Don’t call it a gun. First was the shooting gallery; I was confident in my aim, but I couldn't hit a single one. This is probably the gun’s fault.
“Kaguya hit one though~”
Yes yes. Next is crab fishing. It’s a bit scary so let me just watch.
“Caught two!”
That’s amazing.
“Look look, it’s trying to eat my finger.”
Doesn't that hurt? Your finger is being pinched.
“As expected, reality is the be—st!”
I like Tsukuyomi too though.
“Next! Next! What do we do next?”
“The fireworks are going to start already.”
“Yabai, gotta buy food! Takoyaki and yakisoba and shaved ice and fried chicken and butter potato and yakitori and beef skewers and fruit skewers and cucumber skewers and…… and then and then”
Hey, we really are going to end up visiting all of them.
“Phew, we made it.”
I lowered the booty, heavily weighing down both hands, onto the leisure sheet. I never thought we would really visit almost every type of stall after that. I was on edge thinking the fireworks would start.
“Hyoe~~, too fu—n!”
Kaguya looked like she was enjoying even that rush though.
“Tanoshi-Kingdom! (Fun-Kingdom)”
Ah, somehow a country was formed. Ee—i, just go with the flow. I mimicked Kaguya and raised both hands high into the sky.
“We~~i, Iroha is copying m~~e”
Embarrassing. I shouldn't have done it.
Maybe I’m getting a little carried away too. Probably, I’m unconsciously psyching myself up. For what I have to talk about now.
“Hey, Kaguya……”
“Nn?”
“……You’re always wearing it, right, that.”
No good. I can’t say it again. As if to gloss over it, I pointed at Kaguya’s silver bracelet with my finger.
“Ah—, somehow it’s calming—. Feels like home?”
“I see, home huh.”
“Yeah.”
“……”
As expected, I still can't say it. As if to fill the silence that suddenly occurred, the signal gun for the fireworks execution went off. It’s finally time; the spectators buzz with expectation.
“Haa—, Tanoshi-Kingdom is the best right—”
In place of me who couldn't say anything, Kaguya took on the light banter. As if saying she’ll wait until I want to talk.
“The moon, you know, has no taste or temperature and is seriously boring. Just repeating predetermined roles foreveeer, you know.”
“……Is that so.”
“Speaking in terms of here, it’s like game NPCs, no one even copied me~. When it ends it starts again, when it starts it ends again. Repeating that loop, a new story never starts no matter how much time passes.”
I can’t imagine it at all.
“In the first place, thinking such things is already abnormal, or rather…… only Kaguya was floating.”
Don’t say such sad words with such a beautiful smile.
Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the surroundings. Along with a high-pitched sound tearing the air, a light bullet ascended leaving a trail. And then,
“……Waa.”
The firework burst.
Sparkling a large flower in the night sky, it shook the eardrums with a don.
“Beautiful……”
An honest impression leaked from Kaguya’s mouth. From there it was continuous. Starmine flowers bloomed in succession as if trying to crack the sky. While dyeing her white skin in fireworks colors, Kaguya continued her words.
“Lonely, and boring. Every day repeating, boring, felt like dying. No more. I want to go somewhere—, just as I was thinking that, I found a window where I could see a different world.”
……Window?
“When I looked at Iroha and everyone’s world from the window, everyone was moving as they pleased, complex, one-time only, and it looked free.”
“Us?”
“Yeah. But, coming here I understood. Everyone is suppressing it too, their own feelings. Probably, for something more important.”
What, you understand well. Even though until just recently you were crying begging for pancakes. When was that? A month? Three weeks? I was happy about Kaguya’s growth, a little scared, a little sad, and,
“What, you’re all grown up—?”
I ended up saying it jokingly.
“Ehehe, maybe copying Iroha~”
Kaguya smiled without seeming particularly offended, and,
“Hey, can I ask one thing?”
“What?”
“Iroha, do you like your mom?”
She asked that without breaking her smile. It was an abrupt question, but is that an important confirmation within Kaguya?
“Like…… like, huh?”
I’ve been thinking about that person all along, but now, it’s not an emotion that can be expressed in such simple words.
“……I wonder, I don’t know.”
I liked my family. Dad who was always kind and taught me about music. Big Brother who was mean but played with me. Mom who was cool, beautiful, strong, and admired by everyone. The usual strict Mom, and the Mom with a soft atmosphere when she was with Dad. When Mom praised me, I was happy enough to cry. When I was pushed away, I felt like everything was denied. Even though I knew so much I hated it that Mom was using my feelings, I──loved Mom. I wanted her to acknowledge me. For that, I didn't mind dying.
But, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't become perfect, Mom wouldn't change, wouldn't smile, I was blamed, we clashed, and I couldn't stand the part of her that seemed to desire us snarling at each other, so I ran away. Contradictory, muddy, and so raw I want to cover my eyes; such things are inside me.
“That’s right…… I’ve thought many times, if only I could hate her.”
How much easier would it have been if I could cry. The sound of fireworks echoed in the night sky as if erasing tears. Delayed from the first explosion, countless small balls burst in succession. Like a bouquet of light.
“That, Iroha, makes you extra pitiable~”
Contrary to Kaguya’s bright tone, a film of tears covers her eyes. That word, which would make me annoyed if said by someone who doesn't know the circumstances, somehow seems to soak in. I see, maybe I was pitiable.
“Sorry, about that time.”
That time?
“Saying your mom was weird.”
Ah, that time……
“I mean, you could have gotten angry. You wanted to say, Kaguya wouldn't understand, right?”
──You wouldn't understand yet.
Suddenly, Mom’s words echoed in my head. At the same time, the coffin and altar reviving before my eyes, Mom in mourning dress shedding not a single tear, me crying my eyes out.
──Is Mom not sad?
There’s no way she isn't sad. There’s no way it isn't painful. I just wanted to talk with Mom, saying Dad is gone and it’s lonely, we loved Dad, didn't we. I wanted her to accept it. Mom had probably accepted it and was moving on, thinking she had to work hard. But, I was different…… and it was sad that we were different.
──You wouldn't,
Don, an explosion sound resonating in my lower abdomen brought me back to my senses. An exceptionally large firework vividly illuminates the night sky.
“Wrong, that’s not what I wanted to say.”
“……Iroha.”
“I didn't want to say it.”
Because it was very, very sad.
No matter what, I didn't want to say it.
“I see……”
I felt warmth on my fingertips. Kaguya was layering her palm over my hand.
I slipped through that hand, and conversely squeezed her wrist back tightly. Smooth, slender, yet with a core running through it, Kaguya’s arm. Since when did it become such a strong arm? When she came out of the telephone pole, she was fluffy, unreliable, and if I put strength in, my fingers seemed like they would pass through the flesh.
She was so small, but already…….
“Hey, Kaguya.”
“Yeah?”
“Kaguya……”
“……Yeah.”
“Are you going back?”
“Yeah.”
Kaguya nodded simply. Even though I finally managed to ask. Even though it was something I wanted to ask forever, and didn't want to hear forever.
“No—, I abandoned my job on the moon and came here. Like forced repatriation? Ahaha.”
As if mimicking Kaguya’s bitter smile, the fireworks drew a smiley face emoji in the night sky. Following that, a heart, and next, Saturn. Unique and free; looking up at such fireworks, Kaguya says.
“……It seems Kaguya was Princess Kaguya.”
A light bullet launched twisting burst, and spread out changing colors kirakira.
As if peering into a kaleidoscope in the night sky.
“The pick-up is coming on the night of the next full moon.”
2030/09/12
That number indicating the next full moon was, as expected, the time limit for Kaguya to return to the moon.
“By pick-up, are they coming to our house?”
“No, probably coming to Tsukuyomi. The virtual world is very close to the moon. If it’s there, they should be able to interfere easily without flying a ship.”
The moon people…… she means those humanoid forms that attacked after the live. If they are aliens who built an advanced civilization on the moon, their various behaviors in Tsukuyomi surpassing human intellect make sense.
Kaguya must have realized it long ago. No, I should say remembered. Probably, at that moment she was touched by the Moon Person.
Strength gathered in the hand grasping Kaguya’s wrist. An arm like that, just shake it off again.
“Just run away again.”
“Eh?”
“Kaguya is not Princess Kaguya. More reckless! Messed up! So, it’s different from the fairy tale!”
An arm like that, I’ll break it as many times as needed. Just run away. Why won’t you say 'Run away with me'? That’s not like Kaguya. Just cry and scream and rage like a child. That is Kaguya. Since when did you become so──.
“Even for such a reckless Princess Kaguya, the pick-up came, but she lived incredibly happily until the last day. Like, isn't th-at kind of thing nice ☆”
Since when did you become such, an adult.
Again, only I am crying.
“This is my ending! Running toward destiny suuuper happily.”
Striking a pose like a hero, Kaguya declares.
“There is no choice but to, accept and resolve.”
That was my line from some time ago. If you say it with such a beautiful face, I can’t say anything anymore.
Again fireworks burst. The spread grains of light trailed tails and hung long in the night sky.
Weeping willow, as if shedding tears of light. Only the night sky was crying with me.
“Well sure, truthfully. I wanted to sing with Iroha, much much more. Lots of new songs too. Ah, that’s right, I want to do a live—. On the day the pick-up comes! Flashily!”
As if responding to those words, a Starmine burst flashily.
Kaguya stared intently at the continuously bursting sparks,
“Uoooo, it resonates in the gut! The smell of smoke! Nice──”
She bloomed a supreme smile not losing to the fireworks.
Cute, Kaguya is.
After that, we kept looking up at the sky in silence.
Until the fireworks ended. Until no one was around anymore. Until it was just the two of us. Until we could hear the murmuring of the river.
“I have to go home now.”
Until Kaguya said that quietly.
“I won’t be able to go back.”
If that is Kaguya’s feeling, I have to respect it. The more I thought that, the more painful it was.
※
Immediately after returning from the fireworks, Kaguya announced her retirement as a Liver and a graduation live.
SNS boiled over instantly, overflowing with voices of surprise, sadness, and requests for withdrawal. Chasing that, “I’ll tell the truth” types and analyses intertwining conspiracy theories mixed in, forming a picture of pandemonium.
To all those voices, Kaguya answered only, “It was fun, but this is the end!” and avoided any further mention.
“Kaguya-chan, is she quitting?”
“Did something happen with Kaguya-chan? Are you okay?”
“Kaguya-chan, what’s wrong? If something happened, consult me.”
DMs of concern arrived from Mami, Roka, and my brother, but since Kaguya said that, there is nothing I can say.
“Thank you. It’s okay.”
I just wrote that as a reply.
It’s not a lie. Kaguya is just returning to the moon, Kaguya is just returning home. That was decided, and Kaguya has accepted it, so “It’s okay.”
And I am also just returning to my original daily life, so “It’s okay.”
The opening ceremony of the prep school was conducted extremely simply, and classes began immediately.
Once school ends, immediately part-time work. Even in the BAMBOOcafe which is like a battlefield, I handle work dispassionately.
“Sakayori-sa—n! W, w, what do I do, I ordered 400 pumpkins by mistake! Can’t cancel anymore, it’s the eeeeend”
“I’m sorry, Manager! It’s my fauuult”
Calm down, Manager and Mio-chan. Since pumpkin is in season in September, let’s hold a temporary pumpkin fair. That’s right, there is no need to make a fuss, everything is normal operation.
“Good work—”
Finishing the part-time job at the usual time, walking home on the usual road as usual. Looking up, the tower mansion where we live divided the darkening sky.
When Kaguya is gone, I will probably move out of there too. I have to look for a cheap apartment again. If I do that, everything goes back to how it was. The peaceful daily life of the perfect high school girl, Sakayori Iroha, will return…….
“Eh?”
My feet stepping on the sidewalk stopped dead.
That place is in front of the rental kimono shop where Kaguya and I got dressed just the other day. In the large mirror where we showed each other our yukata figures side by side, my figure, looking like it was about to crumble apart any moment, was reflected.
Just that my usual life is finally returning. Just returning to the original me. And yet…….
“……What kind of face am I making.”
I tried touching my face in the mirror. Cold, hard, inorganic cheeks.
Right, returning to this. To this, daily life.
“I’m home.”
“Welco—”
When I returned to the mansion, I was greeted by a listless voice. Kaguya brought a washbasin into the living room, and is repeating holding her hand over it and pulling it back.
“What are you doing?”
“Scaring the crab. Ora—, it’s rock—. Tremble with fear.”
Really, what are you doing.
Placing my bag on the dining table, I watched Kaguya watching the crab even more. Kaguya playing with the crab while lying sprawled on the carpet. She must have scooped water roughly; the area around the washbasin was soaking wet.
“……Hey, Kaguya.”
“Scissors—. This is a draw—, you were lucky.”
“You’re doing a graduation live, right.”
“Doing it—. Now, next is the final match. What will come out, what will come out.”
“New song…… shall I make one?”
“Eh!?”
Kaguya jumping up gabari instantly; her arm hit and caused a tidal wave in the washbasin.
“Seriously! Is it okay? Will you make a new song for me?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Yahyafu—! Yahoyaho, hyu—!”
I’m glad we moved to a mansion with good soundproofing. Kaguya decided on three cheers with a face bordering on madness, and lost the final match with the crab.
“I don't know if I can do it well. What kind do you want?”
“That song that ended halfway!”
“Eh?”
I intended to ask for an image, but I didn't expect a specific song to be designated. The song that ended halfway means──.
“Look look, this one this one.”
Like I said, don’t open people’s PCs without asking. What Kaguya pointed to with the momentum to break through the monitor was “Untitled (Co-production with Iroha)”.
Of all things, this one. For a moment, I was attacked by a sensation of my stomach becoming heavy with a zudon, but,
“Got it.”
I nodded deeply.
“Well then, for a bit…… I’m going to concentrate on making it.”
Declaring that to Kaguya, I shut myself in my room.
Since when was the last time I made a song? Placing fingers on the keys, one breath, ran them as I pleased. Pleasant high notes leap out.
──Success without form is truly for a handful. It’s not the time to be having fun.
The piano I had sealed away ever since Mom told me that. But, were those words really the only reason I stayed away from the piano?
──Iroha.
Dad’s voice could be heard as if mixed in the bass rhythm.
When I touch the keys, I always remember Dad. The sound of the piano is Dad’s voice. The keys are Dad’s fingers. The red felt laid on top is Dad’s hair, maybe? Dad listened to my stories a lot beside me playing the piano.
──Hey, Dad. Today I was praised by Megu-chan at kindergarten.
──That was good. Iroha improves fast, so you are Dad’s pride.
──Hey, Dad. Big Brother said weird things again.
──Asahi is a child, so you admonish him, Iroha. Ah, keep this a secret from Asahi.
──Hey, Dad. Mom played with me.
──Mom loves Iroha so much she can’t help it.
Touching the piano means facing the memories of my dead father. My young self might have been afraid of that. What liberated me was…….
The fingers of both hands increase in speed. Connecting notes finely as if talking.
Hey, Dad.
I found a precious person. Very cute, very sloppy, kind and selfish, makes me angry, person who gives me smiles. Did Dad think the same thing about Mom? Hey, Dad. Can you hear me?
To Dad, how did this world look?
I know nothing about Dad. We spent only a few years together, and in my memories, he was always smiling, always breaking his back for someone else. He never showed anger or sadness or a painful face until the end.
I think occasionally. For Dad who was too kind, surely this world wasn't favorable.
Dad died in an accident. But, that was just the rolled dice leaning that way, and truthfully…… I had thought such things too, but the truth is no longer known to anyone. Perhaps Mom knows everything. But, whatever she is carrying, that person will take it to the grave.
How did you feel? Why did you go to a place where no one’s words reach? Leaving Mom, leaving me behind.
My fingers stop. Silence like playing soundlessness spread in the dark room.
“……Hey, Dad.”
I, don’t want to lose a precious person anymore.
Releasing my exhausted fingers from the keys, I gripped my smartphone. The recipients of the mail are Roka, Mami, and Big Brother.
“Sorry, it wasn't okay at all.”
I sent a message starting with that opening to everyone.
※
“Kaa~~, so Kaguya-chan was truly the Princess of the Moon…… I understand!”
What?
I have absolutely no idea what he understood, but Mikado Akira nodded largely many times while crossing his arms.
Despite the sudden summons, in addition to Roka, Mami, and Mikado, Black Onyx teammates Rai and Noi, and even Yachiyo gathered at the outdoor meeting room in Tsukuyomi.
I already told them all the circumstances. That Kaguya was born from a telephone pole glowing in seven colors, that she is an alien who came from the moon, and that a pick-up is coming on the next full moon and she will return to the moon.
Speaking it out loud, it’s nothing but a shady story from one to ten, but,
“She wasn't born in Tsukiji—”
“Even when we went to the sea her skin was pure white, right.”
“Born from a telephone pole…… I understand!”
Everyone seems to have points that click individually, and they believed it so easily it was anticlimactic. If so, next is the strategy.
“Yachiyo, can’t you protect Kaguya?”
The Moon People are coming to Tsukuyomi to pick her up. If it’s Yachiyo, the administrator of Tsukuyomi, then maybe.
“I tried investigating, but I didn't know where they were accessing from, sorry.”
“Then, cancel the live, and have Kaguya-chan never log in here for life?”
I considered Roka’s opinion too. However, since Kaguya is an existence that appeared from a telephone pole originally, it seems she lives by a different mechanism than us. If Kaguya doesn't go to Tsukuyomi, I felt that surely the Moon People would forcefully kidnap the real Kaguya, like logging her out from this world.
……What should we do. Everyone falls silent. Despair begins to fill the air early, but,
“If we can’t meddle with the opponent in reality, we just have to drive them away in Tsukuyomi, right?”
Only Mikado was laughing as if not breathing the same air.
“What’s with that face. You called us for that, right. Leave it to us. Alien or whatever, if they come into Tsukuyomi it’s convenient. Let’s drag them in, if it’s here we are the strongest. We’ll crush them by force, until they want to go back to the moon.”
What an outrageous argument. No basis and no logic, a genuine outrageous argument not embarrassing to show anywhere, but,
“……I’ll do it too. I don’t know what I can do but…… please.”
Since I think that’s the only way too, I resolved myself and bowed my head. Moon People, we shall blow them away.
“Alright! Then preparation, Noi.”
“Eh—, huh—? What a pain~”
“Leader is absolute.”
“Yees yees.”
Once the direction is decided, Black Onyx’s action is fast. Rai admonishes the complaining Noi, and they proceed to raise the probability of the outrageous argument passing by even one percent. Probably, these three have made the impossible possible like this until now. I know because I’ve had them as enemies; the Black Demons are the strongest team after all.
“Iroha, let’s go to the sea again next year with everyone.”
Roka said so and smiled.
“Let’s go to a hot spring too—!”
Mami also puts her hands together with a smile.
“……Thanks.”
And, I have Roka and Mami. The smiles of these two were more reliable than anything now.
I don’t know how far we can go. But, I’ll struggle until the end. Because they light such a thought in my heart.
“……Ah, Iroha. Welcome back—”
Returning from Tsukuyomi and opening my eyes, Kaguya was in the room as if it were natural, and was messing with my PC as if it were natural.
“This, has a super good feel!”
Apparently, she is listening to the unfinished song without asking. No matter how far we go, her actions are Kaguya-like, which conversely reassures me.
“I’m struggling with the lyrics, but it’ll be complete in a little bit.”
Saying so while pulling out the Smart Con,
“Looking forward to it—. Really love it, this melo~. Iroha genius!”
Kaguya layered both hands on the headphones and looked up at the ceiling entranced.
“……No, it’s not just me. This is a song I started making with Dad. My first song.”
“Is that so?”
“After Dad died…… I made a few songs but I always felt something was wrong, and quit.”
“I see—, but Kaguya likes them. All the songs Iroha made.”
“Thanks. Anyway, I’ll finish this song by today no matter what.”
“Then, Kaguya will help too! I’ll make lyrics without asking in Iroha’s place. Dad must be happy too. ‘Even a Kabedon is a prelude that hypes up livin~~~g ♪’. Here, isn't this good?”
No way that’s good…… no, wait.
“Might be good.”
Kaguya is strange because she makes me think so.
“The chorus is like this! Let’s make this moment~~ the best party~~”
“Hey, Kaguya.”
“Nn?”
“……No, never mind. Yachiyo said she’d take on the live production.”
“You asked for me!? Yaay—, I’ll come up with choreography.”
Kaguya tossing the headphones and running off. Immediately, the sound of thumping and rampaging could be heard from the living room. Even at a time like this, Kaguya doesn't change. Strong, free, and straight. And yet why……
“No, it’s fine for now. I have to finish the song.”
Wearing the headphones Kaguya tossed, I face the PC.
It’s a strange thing. I don’t want to lose Kaguya. For that, I’m secretly gathering people and even devising a strategy to repel Moon People. Behind the scenes, I’m diligently making a graduation live song like this. What would everyone think if they knew.
Sorry.
But, it’s not like I’ve given up. This is just, I personally want to gift it to Kaguya.
“Now, let’s make it the best party.”
To resume composing, I start messing with the DTM software again.
The arranged chorus flows into my ears. Responding to Kaguya’s request, a finished melody overflowing with a sense of speed with a strong uptempo.
I try humming the just-written lyrics to match.
“Let’s make this moment──the best party──”
“……Huh?”
A voice leaked out unintentionally.
Stop the song and go back ten seconds. The chorus started flowing again. A cheerful rhythm that makes the body start moving naturally. Kaguya’s lyrics just written.
“Let’s make this moment──the best party──”
“Again……”
The sense of incongruity attacked again. No, this isn't incongruity. Déjà…… vu?
Return to the head of the chorus one more time. Play. This time I caught it clearly.
That’s it, this sensation.
The sensation of wings growing on me who couldn't move forward or backward.
The sensation that my tired head inadvertently spins out.
The sensation of looking up at the moon and tears spilling over.
The sensation of a crying baby falling asleep peacefully suyasuya.
“Precious──melody is flowing──”
──Remember
“Same melody? Why……”
Yachiyo’s debut song. Did I unconsciously plagiarize? Did I listen to Yachiyo’s song too much and unconsciously put it in? No, wrong. This song is a song I made with Dad. Of course, long before Yachiyo debuted. Then, did Yachiyo? That’s also impossible. Because this song has been sleeping in this PC the whole time, a song known only to me and my dead Dad, not even Mom. If so, it’s a coincidence. By chance, one phrase of the melody matched. That’s all it is.
“Common occurrence…… right.”
I told myself that and resumed work, but the incongruity hasn't disappeared.
I am overlooking something important; such a thought trailed on for a long time.
※
September 12, 2030, came simply.
What if the pick-up comes the moment it hits 0:00 PM; it seems I was the only one thinking such things,
“Iroha, gooood morning!”
Kaguya woke up so usually it was hateful,
“Yes, number 23 Kaguya! Best workmanship in the last 15 years.”
Made a delicious lunch as usual,
“Fufu~~n ♪ Funfunfu~~n ♪”
And started preparing for the live in the streaming room humming a tune.
If she intends for this to be the last, it’s quite simple, but if Kaguya wants to do so, there is nothing for me to say. So, I also try to keep it as usual as possible and help with the stream,
“……Eh?”
I noticed suddenly and shivered.
Kaguya isn't here. I just lowered my eyes because I was a bit concerned about my feet, but when I looked up I was already alone.
No way. A chill like an electric shock pierced my body. No, surely…… surely.
“Kaguya!”
“What?”
You are there. Kaguya stretched nyokki out from under the desk.
“What are you doing, in a place like that.”
“Nn? This fell so I was picking it up.”
Answering so, Kaguya puts the bracelet she always wears on her index finger and spins it round and round.
“Don’t scare me.”
I almost fell to my knees in relief. Kaguya stares at me,
“Iroha, worrywart~~. Here, I’ll give you this.”
She held out the bracelet she just picked up.
“Eh, this is”
“Yachiyo said it. Things like this should be given to a precious person. So, Iroha!”
“……Thanks.”
“Also, since you received it, a name! Return gift!”
“……Name?”
“‘A name is life’s first present’…… you put it on, come to think of it.”
“Yeah.”
Nodding, Kaguya smiled.
A clear smile like a cloudless night sky, like a snowfield with no footprints. Not as usual at all, a smile that feels even divine that I’ve never seen before.
What is visible there is resolution and determination. It was, not as usual.
“Kaguya……”
“Shall we go, Iroha.”
Holding hands, the two of us dove into Tsukuyomi.
In the waiting room of the live venue, I was alone waiting for the real performance to start.
Yachiyo took Kaguya to the stage earlier. About now, she must be surprised by the stage built within the “KASSEN” field.
The special stage I asked Yachiyo to make; after all, the battlefield has to be here.
“I’m home—☆”
Yachiyo appears pon without warning. I’m already used to it, so I’m not surprised by Yachiyo or the sudden appearance.
“Welcome back, how was Kaguya?”
“She was happy. Getting fired up— she said.”
“I see. Thank you, Yachiyo.”
“You’re welcome in a dilemma~~~ ☆”
Yachiyo deciding a superb wink and sending stars into the space. While staring at Yachiyo, I searched for the words I should say in my heart.
“If I were Yachiyo, would Kaguya have said she didn't want to go back?”
It was meant to be just a simple question with no other intention that spilled out, but,
“Eh……?”
Yachiyo opened her eyes wide and froze. Did I say something that strange?
“Ah, sorry, doesn't make sense, right. Forget it.”
“No, not at all. Just, I was surprised…… it was mutual love, huh.”
I didn't really understand the meaning of Yachiyo’s words. But surely, it’s a story of a world I cannot know.
“All locations, preparations OK.”
Again, like some time ago, the live start message is displayed.
“Well then, shall we start. ……Sorry, Yaccho isn't supposed to go beyond here.”
I wasn't surprised. Because I thought Yachiyo was a far distant existence originally. No matter the circumstances, it wouldn't be strange.
“……Because that’s fate?”
That was a phrasing Yachiyo uses sometimes. Yachiyo gave a wry smile instead of nodding,
“If it’s Iroha…… it’s okay!”
She strikes a guts pose along with words with no basis.
Irresponsible but thoroughly positive; a vibe Kaguya would like. Thinking such things, I stood up.
Now, to battle.
※
“What a sudden development! A graduation live for the freedom, supernova Kaguya who suddenly appeared in Tsukuyomi! This isn't the time to be crying, it’s the last fan service! Burn it into your eyes!”
The Tsukuyomi official commentator Loyal Dog Otako, who professes to be a Kaguya fan, slammed a yell clearly mixed with tears into the mic despite being the ringleader who said not to cry. The fans packed into the KASSEN field special venue also spew cheers like fire, not losing to the commentary.
And, as if ascertaining that the excitement of the venue and the Tsukuyomi residents viewing on monitors reached the climax, many spotlights were lit on the stage.
Appearing in the center is of course,
“Everyone, thank you—!”
Today’s protagonist, Princess Kaguya.
“It looks like today is farewell, but I don’t want to make it sad! See me off everyone and let me graduate happily!”
Responding to Kaguya’s call, the fans return an even louder call.
And, as if the heat and volume exceeding the limit tore the space, hundreds of flowers bloomed in the sky. Everyone must have thought it was the live’s production; the audience welcomed the grotesque Moon People appearing from the bursting petals with applause and cheers.
Well, come on in immediately. You Moon People who kidnap the Princess. If everyone thinks it’s a production, it’s just right; let us slip in too.
Six peaches falling as if to block the Moon People. Appearing mimicking the KASSEN spawn are,
“Now, let’s hype it up!”
“……Just winning.”
“Seems pretty interesting.”
Black Onyx led by Mikado, and,
“Kaguya-cha—n, ya—y!”
“Kaguya~ look look~!”
Beauty Influencer ROKA, and Gourmet Influencer Mamimami, descending. Of course, Iro-P, aka Sakayori Iroha, is also waiting by the side.
“Demon hot! The Black Demons who once locked horns have rushed to Kaguya’s last live!”
At the appearance of special guests, the venue showed excitement breaking through the ceiling. Drowned out by the raging cheers, Roka and Mami’s words don’t reach Kaguya, but,
“……Kaguya.”
Only my voice, right next to her in reality, was different. Opening my eyes and placing a hand on her shoulder, I bring my mouth close to Kaguya’s ear.
“Think of it as live entertainment. We will do our best on our end. If by chance we win, let’s go shopping at Donki and make pancakes with everything on top.”
“Iroha……”
Kaguya opened her eyelids too.
Our consciousness temporarily leaves Tsukuyomi, and eyes glowing orange meet in the dark streaming room. Kaguya layers her hand on mine,
“I see…… I see…… everyone is free!”
She said so with a smile like a sunflower.
That smile was the start signal. Closing eyelids again and diving into Tsukuyomi. Kaguya to the stage with a mic, and I to the battlefield with the keyboard Kaguya made before that allows playing and gaming simultaneously.
The invasion had already begun. Looking completely different from the type that came before, Moon People shaped like the Seven Lucky Gods are closing in in a swarm. When did they learn it? A remaining life display following KASSEN rules is displayed above their heads.
Isn't that behavior just like civilized people going along with the festival of a primitive tribe.
Just right. If you’re going to play along, we’ll go all the way.
“You came back, Iroha. Don’t rush in recklessly, their defense looks solid.”
“Big Brother?”
The step I tried to take was stopped by Mikado Akira. Did he notice my consciousness was cut off for a few seconds? He is drawing his sword in a form protecting me.
“……Th, thanks.”
“What, you’re awfully honest lately. Did you realize the greatness of Big Brother after starting streaming?”
“Not really, it’s not like that.”
When I moved away from Mikado’s guard and said that,
“You were avoiding me, right.”
He asks without taking his eyes off the Moon People.
“……You noticed?”
“Well yeah. I was watching occasionally.”
“What’s that? Why such a thing……”
“Well, I’m your Big Brother.”
On the skin of Mikado Akira who looked back at me for only a moment, the face of my brother from the past overlapped. Naughty but shrewd, Big Brother who was liked by everyone. When I clashed with Mom, Big Brother who casually intervened before I knew it.
……Does that mean he cared about me the whole time?
Even though I thought I was abandoned. On that day he left home leaving me behind. Even though I thought he didn't need me anymore. What is that.
“……Stupid.”
At that time, a high-pitched wind noise pierced my ears. Looking up, arrows of ice covering the sky pass over our heads. It seems the Moon People entered Noi’s range.
“Let’s go, Iroha. It’s a Sibling Conference after a long time.”
Mikado said in Kyoto dialect.
“Wow, nostalgic.”
Drawn in, Kyoto intonation rides on my reply too.
Sibling Conference (Kyodai Kaigi). That’s what we called playing games as siblings when we were still at our parents' house. Every time I clashed with Mom and got depressed, Big Brother invited me to a Sibling Conference. And then, he beat me up more mercilessly than Mom.
“It was fun, back then.”
It wasn't fun.
“Just playing games, the two of us.”
We are doing that now too though…….
“I thought nothing changed, but one thing changed, Iroha.”
Me?
“I’m happy you came to rely on your Big Brother, rely on people.”
“……Because there was a guy who relied on me for everything, maybe it’s that influence.”
The Moon People started counterattacking. Long-range light bullets of cheat class tear the sky.
“I see. Then, we can’t have her stay here forever, right.”
Saying that, Mikado Akira charges into the rain of bullets. Rai and Noi follow after him. The strongest trident tears through the army of Moon People.
Roka and Mami also started interception.
I cut in too, into the horde filling the ground. The difference in military strength between us is obvious. Even so, we go; what gives us power is,
“With more impulsive sounds──with more emotional songs──”
Kaguya’s singing voice reaching us from the stage.
Hey. Can you see, Kaguya? This is us. The Earthlings Kaguya was peeking at from the moon.
Moving as we please, complex, one-time only, and free.
I don’t really think we can drive away the mysterious Moon People, guys who can birth babies from telephone poles.
Even so, fighting while listening to Kaguya’s song now, I feel a mysterious sense of unity and fun. Just like dancers at a festival, we keep dancing.
We won’t let it be a Bad End.
※
How many times did I swing my weapon. How many Moon People did I defeat.
Feelings move the body, making it exceed limits.
Near-infinite energy draws out near-infinite power and near-infinite speed.
However, it is only ‘near’.
Not infinite itself. Like the Moon People.
“Kuh……”
First, Rai was taken out. Receiving a concentrated attack of foul play level, he vanished along with the Tower.
“There’s no end.”
Noi continues sniping desperately, but the great army of Moon People surges and she is swallowed up. They respawn immediately, but both of their remaining lives should be zero now.
“Iroha……!”
“Sorry……”
And, Mami and Roka fell too.
“Is this it? Aliens. Only Iroha and I are left.”
The only ones holding our ground are me and Mikado. However, how long will that last?
Su-, the sunlight was overshadowed.
Looking up, a single Moon Person is manifesting overhead.
Huge. A gigantic Moon Person modeled after a legendary beast fell while swinging down a shakujo (staff).
Like a meteorite. Blown away by the blast of the impact, I roll on the ground. But,
“──Gh”
Mikado Akira doesn't flinch. While becoming tattered, he catches the Moon Person’s falling attack with a single sword.
“Big Brother!”
“……Rai, Noi, I’m using it.”
“Your will.”
“Oka—y.”
Mikado Akira, spewing energy from his whole body enough to distort space,
“Oraaaaa!”
Swung his arm through with brute force just like that, and knocked the Moon Person’s giant body high into the sky, far away. As if sending it back to the moon.
What is this abnormal attack power. And, the ominous pattern floating on his face…… could this be.
“It’s Cheat Mode! Just now, confirmed use of Cheat Mode by Black Onyx’s Mikado Akira, Rai, and following them Noi!”
Loyal Dog Otako yells, and a stir runs through the audience seats.
As expected, it’s Cheat Mode. A cheat technique that tampers with the game from the program side and forcibly raises all attack stats to broken levels. Of course, it is a banned technique, and if used, one should be automatically banned by Tsukuyomi and lose everything.
To think they would go that far, my chest became hot.
“Still going!”
Black Onyx, having broken through limits, pushes back the Moon People again.
But. Even so. Still not enough.
Moon People manifest like an infinite spring, overwhelming the Earthlings with the power of numbers.
“Here is fine! Run, Iroha!”
I had no choice but to run to Kaguya.
Nothing will come of running. Knowing that, I ran anyway. To me running to be by Kaguya’s side at least,
“──”
Suddenly appearing Moon People surrounded me many layers deep.
And, Kaguya’s song ended.
The outro fades out, and the dancing stops.
As if waiting for that, the color of the sky changed. The great army of Moon People covered the sky I looked up at. Could they transfer this scale of numbers anytime? Or perhaps, they really were just waiting for the song to end. Not as a battle, but as something like a ritual.
Kaguya, floating a smile as if realizing everything, accepts defeat. That expression was just a little like Yachiyo.
“……Kaguya.”
I couldn't run anymore. The Moon People don’t try to launch further attacks. They even pulled back so Kaguya’s figure could be seen.
After a short while, one Moon Person advances in front of Kaguya who finished singing. Just like that, it knelt respectfully. Kaguya, with a face like welcoming an old friend,
“Welcome, all the way here.”
Said that carefree.
“Sorry for running away. But, it was suuuper, suuuper fun.”
The expression of the Moon Person who raised its face doesn't change. Even so, for some reason, it looked like it was smiling.
And, Kaguya ascends.
Riding on top of a glowing cloud that appeared at her feet. Accompanied by many Moon People and the dog DOGE. Slowly to the sky. Toward Tsukuyomi’s moon.
“It was the best graduation live! Got lots of souvenirs. Thank you everyone!”
While waving to the packed fans.
“Ehehe, I’m reluctant to part but this is the end. And……”
“Iroha.”
Warmth rested on my shoulder in reality. Cheek, shoulder, chest, back; wrapped in warmth.
It’s Kaguya. Kaguya was hugging me.
I couldn't open my eyes. Because I knew this was the end.
Strength leaves my knees. Kaguya supported my body which was about to collapse.
Since when did she become so big. She was so small. She fit in my hands. She was crying she was hungry, crying she wanted to go out, crying all the time that she wanted to play and be together. Now only I am crying.
Wait, don’t go.
There are still lots of things I want to do…….
“……Love you.”
There was a sound of something falling with a thud on the floor of the streaming room. My knees gave way, and I sank to the floor.
I hugged my own body tight. So that Kaguya's last touch remaining on me wouldn't fade away.
I squeezed so tightly that my skin screamed, but even so, the warmth slowly vanished.
﹁Everyone, good work. Thank you so much…… I’m heading back first, sorry.﹂
I think I probably said that and logged out of Tsukuyomi.
When I came to, I was standing in the streaming room of the real world. Anyway, so as not to show tears, so as not to show disappointment to everyone who worked hard for us, I intended to act composed with all my might, but I have no confidence in whether it went well.
I pulled out the Smart Con and left the room.
Glancing sideways at the entrance, I walked down the pitch-black hallway. I closed the slightly open bathroom door, passed the kitchen, and went into the living room. There, I looked all around me.
Kaguya was everywhere.
Shoes kicked off and scattered, streaming junk overflowing into the hallway, the scent leaking from the bathroom, the deba knife, simple recipes and notes pasted on the refrigerator, the laughter soaked into the walls.
The whole house was overflowing with traces of Kaguya.
The alien who came suddenly one day, stirred up my perfect life, and disappeared suddenly one day.
﹁You spend money without asking. You do messy things. You don’t clean up. You were a nuisance, the whooole time. Really, you’re the worst.﹂
The notification on the smartphone in my pocket rang. It was a notification of a deposit from Kaguya.
﹃Returning what I used! Sorry for the trouble﹄, she says.
﹁Like I can use this much money. You idiot……﹂
I fell to my knees on the living room floor.
Tears overflowed helplessly.
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