Track 11

Well then, so Ward 6’s tour will be held at the school during nighttime…

A tour at my alma mater sounded interesting, so I applied, but I don’t think I’ve ever been to the school at this time of day!

It’s like we’re sneaking in, it's getting me kinda excited.

(Even if a place is familiar, as long as the time of day is different, it can stimulate one’s adventuring spirit… I suppose.)

(This becomes an even more special feeling for alumni. However… the charming, gentlemanly guardian Hassaku Shigetake will not succumb to this trick.

(They say three days can change a man… Let us see how the fledglings of HAMA have grown since the last tour…!)

So the theme this time around is an art festival. For starters, I should follow the recommended route on the guide panels.

O-Oh… This is…!

So depending on the projection mapping, the school’s atmosphere can become more Japanese… Hm… Well, not bad, I will give them that.

(Mm… That was the boy I returned from the cosmos with in the first tour.)

What do you make of it, dear uncle?

The spooky colours suit the mysterious atmosphere. It is almost as if it is a Japanese Night Museum.

(I wonder if that is his family beside him. They do look quite similar.)

(But the two are exactly right. Coupled with the background music, this display makes for a rather unique space.)

Look! Something’s floating…!

Is that… an okiagari?

(There are various different okiagari floating around as holograms, adorning the path…)

Wow, it’s so pretty!

They are designed rather strangely… H-However, why is that my eyes cannot help but be attracted to them…!

HUOOUUUGHHHHH!!

Uncle!? What is it!!

These dolls are stimulating my creativity…!!

I wonder just how far this boundless inspiration can take me…! GAAAAHHH!

Uncle!! Please get a hold of yourself!!

Hi hi, attention please~! How about experiencing some okiagari painting, right this way?

Oh…? Okiagari painting…?

All of these vicissitudes of life were made in the very workshops of Kanazawa. You may take whatever you decorate home with you.

Oh my gawd, that’s so cute! Let’s go~.

Yumenosuke-kun, make haste…! And lend me a brush!!

Yes, dear uncle, as you wish!

Would you, sir, like to take part in the activity as well?

…You have certainly piqued my interest. However, what should I draw…

If you are conflicted, then please feel free to use the Kaga Hachiman-Okiagari painted with shochikubai as a guide.

I see. Very well then, I shall try placing a large pine tree on the body.

TAAAAAAAA!!

Amazing…! The eyelashes are practically fluttering…!! So this is what one would call the true essence of eyelash art…!?

Hm… done. I was influenced by the surrounding patrons to use more extravagant colours, however, this looks rather promising.

When you’re done, you can 3D-scan your work to make it into a hologram. Those who’re up for it, this way please~.

My goodness… my eyelash okiagari has further transcended…

A collaboration between a famous eyelash artist and Kanazawa’s traditional crafts. Thank you for showing us such a wonderful display of art.

(I see now… So the okiagari the guests create also contribute to the artwork in the venue. In other words, the real exhibit is this entire space.)

(The message they wish to convey is that art is not an expensive and elegant craft, but rather, something familiar that can be enjoyed rather easily.)

Kiroku’s and everyone’s okiagari are cracked as hell. Amazing, for real~!

In the end, all 100 designs were used. A wondrous thing, indeed.

I mean with that quality, it’d be hard to throw any of them away. Good for him.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! We will be starting the live painting demonstration very shortly! You surely would not want to miss tonight’s big event! Please, make your way to the special stage!

It is time for the main dish of tonight’s tour. Let us be off.

We will now begin the live painting of this giant okiagari. Please enjoy.

That okiagari on stage really leaves an impression! Isn’t it almost 3 meters?

The brush that kid is holding is also huge! And the bucket of paint too.

…

Wow, that’s quite the reception…! I wonder if Kiroku-kun will be okay…

Nah, he’ll be A-O-K!

He borrowed some open-ear earbuds from Nanamegi, so he will be able to concentrate fully.

*inhale*… *exhale*…

(That child… is Ward 6’s mayor who painted those portraits back during the first tour. I believe his name was Kinugawa-kun.)

(I cannot fathom how nerve wracking it must be to embrace your sensibility in front of such a large audience. However—)

(...I can do this.)

It is finally starting. All there is left is for us to watch over your growth, Kinugawa-kun.

(—Nanamegi showed me my individuality… the part of me that people called disgusting…)

(It might be hard for me to completely accept myself for who I am right away, but…)

The guests’ eyes are glued to Kiroku-kun’s movements…!

(At the very least, I can come to like my world… when I listen to the songs Nanamegi writes for me. I’m able to breathe freely.)

(I don’t want to deny myself. I want to move my brush freely, I want to protect it, to nurture it, and above all, to have fun no matter what—!)

Good luck, Kiroku-kun…!

More, more…

Go, Kinugawa.

I… can breathe.

A breakthrough of art! LET’S SEE IT KIROKUUUUUU!!

My individuality, will reach, everyone… It definitely WILL!!!

Oh my!? Such non-hesitant brush strokes…! It makes me want to see his complex and colourful designs from every angle…!

Well… I suppose you did a good job this time too, you barbaric bombers of ward mayors.

Kinugawa-kun has really grown.

Haa, haa…

(It’s almost, over…)

(But it’s not good enough yet… it’s missing something…)

Kiroku…!

…Ah.

And together, we can be like, “Those idiots, they've got no taste!” getting mad and feeling sad together while we continue to work.

Don’t you think that’d be pretty fun?

…That’s right.

(Nanamegi’s, probably also… gotten mad… and felt sad, before. I'm sure... he’s felt...)

(...The same.)

Nanamegi.

What’s up?

Can you help me—

Throw, the rest of the leftover paint?

Huh!?

Hm…? What are those 2 doing?

It’s almost done, right?

You throw it from there.

Wait, you’re serious about this?

Yeah… Ready?

Wai- no, shit…! Ahh, don’t blame me for how things turn out…!

…On three!

HUUUUUUH!?

Wh-What are you idiots doing…!? Have you lost your minds!?

However, while preposterous at a glance, it does not spoil the actual work. Rather—

So that’s the answer he came up with…!

Idon’treallygetit BUT THE INSANITY!! Now this, IS REAL ENTERTAINMENT!!

Haa, haa.

Haa… ha…

Hehe…

Ha—

Ahahaha…!

Now… it’s complete.

This excitement and immersion. So this… is a real art festival…!

I was able to see some wonderful art tonight.

…Haa.

That was, fun.