 |
| Store Manager | Welcome. |
| Itaru | Hello. |
| Sakuya | H-hello! |
| Store Manager | Greetings. Are you a friend of Chigasaki-kun? |
| Itaru | He dorms with me as a fellow troupe member. |
| Store Manager | I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you. |
| Hairdresser | I’ll be in charge of you two for today. |
| Sakuya | Please treat me well! |
| |
| Store Manager | Pardon me. Does this leave any stiffness in your neck? |
| Itaru | It’s fine. |
| Sakuya | Have you been coming here since your third year of junior high, Itaru-san? |
| Store Manager | When you say it like that, it does feel like it’s been a long time. |
| I still remember how Konomi-chan asked me to give her little brother a huge makeover, that first time. |
| Itaru | True, I was a shabby mess back then. |
| Sakuya | So that’s what happened. You made your high school debut with your sister’s guidance. |
| Itaru | My high school debut… I mean, you’re right, but it’s kind of cringe to say it out loud. |
| She put me through some Spartan-level grinding to train for that high school debut plan of hers… It was rough. |
| Well, I became really successful after high school though. Her regime was astounding. |
| Sakuya | You sure respect your sister. |
| Itaru | …Respect. Yeah, that’s right. |
| My sister was always the top dog at home, and there were times I found her annoying… |
| But I think I admired her headstrong independence. She made her own decisions, and she fought through the world with a perfect exterior. |
| Store Manager | Speaking of, I heard Konomi-chan’s going to get married and move abroad soon? |
| Itaru | Yep. |
| Store Manager | I’m going to miss her very much. |
| But I’m sure she’d be happy to know you admire her as an elder sister. |
| Itaru | Please keep it on the down-low. I only said all that because Sakuya’s here. |
| Sakuya | … |
| (I really do want Itaru-san’s sister to see him on stage before she moves far away.) |
| |
 |
| Sakuya | Thank you for today. The shop had such a nice, relaxing atmosphere. |
| Itaru | You too. Glad you liked it. |
| Sakuya | I’ll see you later, since I have a part-time job after this—. |
| Itaru | Have a good day. Good luck out there. |
| Sakuya | I’m off then! |
| |
 |
| Itaru | … |
| (Hmm… Guess I’m in the mood for a fighting game.) |
| (Better get the good spot before someone steals it away.) |
| Masumi | …It’s you. |
| Itaru | C’mon, why? |
| Masumi | What? |
| Itaru | Nah, I mean, Masumi, why are you here? |
| Masumi | The weather forecast said it was supposed to rain this evening, but the Director didn’t bring an umbrella. |
| I’m killing time until the Director’s work is over. |
| Itaru | As expected of the loyal dog… |
| I mean, that’s not what I wanted to ask, why’d you choose to kill time here of all places? …Well, whatever. |
| Masumi | Sit down. |
| Itaru | To think that Masumi would invite me. |
 |
| Game Screen | [ READY… FIGHT! ] |
| Itaru | It’s the same guy as before. You like that character? He’s nice and easy to use, but his range is a little on the short side. |
| Masumi | …You’re so annoying. Did you forget that I beat you once before? |
| Itaru | That was just a fluke. You got a special buff from Director-san’s power. |
| Huh? Your moves are pretty sharp. |
| Masumi | … |
| Itaru | Well, I’ll take it easy on you… |
| Masumi | I’ll kill you. |
 |
| Game Screen | [ K. O. ] |
| Itaru | ——. |
| Masumi | I won with my own abilities. |
| Game Screen | [ READY… FIGHT! ] |
| Masumi | …You’re quiet all of a sudden. |
| Itaru | Hush, I have to use my full power here. |
| Masumi | … |
| |
 |
| Game Screen | [ YOU WIN! ] |
| Itaru | Phew… Thought my fingers were losing their touch, that hasn’t happened in a while. |
| Masumi | Hmph. |
| Itaru | GG. I didn’t think you would’ve been practicing. Were you doing your best to get praised by Director-san again? |
| Masumi | …I just drop by to kill time sometimes. After Banri and Sakuya graduated, it was just me on my way home. |
| Whenever I passed by the arcade, I remembered how I got beaten up and it bothered me. I’m glad I won at least one game. |
| Itaru | Fuu… |
| Masumi | What? |
| Itaru | Nah, I had a similar episode some time ago… except the other person was my sister. |
| Masumi | Your sister… |
| Itaru | ? |
| Masumi | Don’t you wanna invite her to see you on stage? |
| Itaru | Didn’t know you cared about that too. |
| Masumi | It’s nothing. I just overheard the Director being concerned about it, so I asked, is all. |
| Itaru | You sure have a sixth sense for Director-san. |
| (Well, it’s not just Director-san, but everyone in Spring Troupe. I bet they’re all worried about me behind the scenes.) |
| I’ve asked her before, but she turned me down. I honestly dunno what’s going on in my sister’s head. |
| Maybe I’m just scared to ask her about it and get rejected again…? |
| Masumi | … |
