Track 11

Uu-chan, why are you here…

*panting*… What are you… What’s that?

…

…Why is your diary in the bucket? I’m asking you a question here! What are you planning on doing with that!

…I am lighting a beacon fire.

I no longer plan on finding my father, so I will put the events of that day behind me once and for all.

And I plan on lighting a beacon fire to let the heavens know.

…What the hell…

Didn’t you take your diary back because you changed your mind?

…

Why do you need to burn it? And why… why fire of all things…!

Did you ever consider the fact that things lost in a fire are lost forever!?

!

Don’t tell me you plan on burning everything away!? That diary? Your father’s abduction? Your dream of becoming an astronaut? Every last moment of the past 10 years? You’re joking, right!? …The only thing that’ll remain after are the ashes of your diary!!

Uu-chan…

I’ll never forgive you if you burn it.

…That’s… the only thing I won’t back off on. No matter what.

…I’m sorry.

(I made him say something unpleasant.)

…

You’re right. I can’t pretend these things never existed.

But… that’s why I don’t know.

Now what…?

I… I originally wanted to become an astronaut because of my father’s abduction.

And after hesitating over it, I can’t help but think that it was only because of that message that I ended up reclaiming that dream again.

…I don’t know anymore, Uu-chan. I can’t pretend the distortion doesn’t exist, so I don’t know.

…

I don’t know what it is I really want.

I don’t know what path I should be taking, even though I’m supposed to be restarting from a blank slate.

…And that’s okay.

…

It’s fine, it is what it is.

There’ll always be unpredictable inconveniences lurking around, waiting to hit you when you expect it the least…

…But that’s just life. That’s why all you can do is embrace it.

Embrace it all… and accept it for what it is.

…

You might look back on today and realise it was a turning point. Or it could’ve been yesterday, or today, or it could be tomorrow.

That’s why, stop getting held up by every single stupid inconvenience that comes your way and saying you’ll throw away, or give up everything…

Because you might end up losing something precious along the way. …What I’m saying is, please don’t give it all up.

…

…Here, your diary.

…

Take it for real this time.

…I have already decided to part with it.

What… are you seriously doing this right now?

I will not burn it. However, I also do not plan on changing my mind.

…Have you ever heard of the word ‘compromise’? Seriously, what kinda adult did you grow into? You dumb knucklehead.

You can say what you want, but I will not take it. Accept the fact already.

*sigh*… fine. Then…

We’ll settle it with a match.

(And that’ll give him a proper excuse to take it if I win.)

…

…Very well, but I will not lose.

I do not have the paper sumo dolls on me. Let us return to the dorms for now—

No. We’re doing it right here, right now.

? But you cannot partake in sumo…

(He hates being touched due to the aftereffects of the fire…)

…It’s fine if it’s finger sumo.

…Are you sure?

Yeah.

Then—

Ah, wait. Lemme take a deep breath.

*inhale*… *exhale*… Alright.

Urgh…

Uu-chan…

(How many years has it been since we last touched like this?)

(I might be stating the obvious… but we have both grown up since then.)

(…Although now, both his frame and hand have surpassed mine…)

READYSETGO!!!!!!!!!!

Hm…!?

—12345678910! Okay, and that’s my win!

Wha…!

You lost, good game, now take the diary.

……Pft.

Pfhaha… HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You have really done it now, Uu-chan…!!

What? Did you throw? I mean, I don’t mind doing a rematch.

It doesn’t matter to me, because even if you end up winning and burning your diary, I won’t ever let you forget everything that’s happened.

…It is fine.

Thank you, it’s my loss, Uu-chan.

I truly am lucky to have you by my side.

It looks like Ward 8’s Feature Tour is being held at the school tonight… Come to think of it, Ward 6’s tour also took place around this time.

(Still, those fledglings from HAMA are each forging their own paths, ready to spread their wings. Surely, with a different host, they will deliver something new to the table.)

(These highschoolers are growing up so fast it’s impossible to take your eyes off them. Just where are they headed, and what are they hoping to achieve?)

(What exactly will unfold tonight? And how will they amaze us this time? This Hassaku Shigetake shall find out!)

Uncle, this way.

(Hm? Those two are…)

Fufufu, how truly exciting! To think we’re attending a tour led by none other than Kaguya-kun, the boy blessed with the lashes of god!

Just imagining what sort of brilliance he’ll show us tonight is enough to get my heart racing!

As the vice president of the student council, Kaguya certainly has the skills to back up his title. I know that better than most. Therefore, I suppose it’s only fair to have high expectations for him!

Well, well. It looks like we met again, gentlemen.

Oh, you are…!

Uncle, I believe we met him during Ward 6’s tour.

Ah, yes, we did. Are you here to see Ward 8’s tour tonight?

Heh, indeed I am. It seems like we both appreciate the finer things in life.

Haha, it would appear so. Then let’s enjoy tonight together!

Oh! Is that Gannosuke-san and the StuCo Prez!?

! Isotake-kun.

Hehe, we’ll make sure to properly entertain you guys today~.

It’s been a while, everyone.

…Gannosuke-san… Yes, it’s been… a while…

Knew you’d show up.

Gannosuke-san, long time no see. Thank you so much for coming to Muneuji-kun’s tour!

Not at all, I’ve been looking forward to it myself. I’ll be enjoying it alongside my nephew, Yumenosuke, here.

…I’m not like my uncle. I don’t know what kind of tour Kaguya-kun has prepared, but I’ll be watching with a critical eye.

The Prez will… definitely approve… if it’s Kaguya…

Hahaha, yeah. Sounds about right.

M’kay, then we’ll be showing you around, so climb aboard onto the partyship!

Without further ado, follow the line and right this way please!

…Alright then.

Shall we?

…*stops*

Um… Uh… Prez…

…Please, don’t… stop… walking…

Hey, Prez. We’d appreciate it if you don’t hold up the line.

Hm? Something wrong~…?

…Hmph. Let me be clear, I haven’t accepted any of you yet as ward mayors.

Uh…?

(…Tonight marks Kaguya-kun’s big moment. I did mention that I would be watching with a critical eye…)

(However, that being said!)

I might as well allow myself to enjoy the tour tonight. After all, it’s hosted by none other than the student council’s vice president, Kaguya-kun!

Ah…

He says a lot of stuff, but… Maybe he just came to see how Muneuji’s doing.

Ohhh! Yeah, that’s gotta be it! We gotta cheer for our man too!

…Yeah, let’s… support both of them.