Track 6

So this is what Kiroku-kun created based on Nanaki-kun…

Whoa, it doesn’t matter how you look at it, the quality is insanely cracked!

… If, you don’t like it, you can… throw…

(Wow…this is an amazing piece he made…)

It is not just the hair and skin… there is a sense of freedom that surpasses what the eye can see.

I agree. The idea of using an animal is a bold one… yet the penciling technique is meticulous and delicate!

If we were to compare the coexistence of these seemingly contradictory elements, we could say it has a vividness similar to Van Gogh's Japonaiserie.¹

But it’s kinda neat how you can still tell it’s Panda.

The headphones it’s wearing are so cute. It’s so Nanaki-kun!

(This… is the motif I’ve been into lately. He even remembered something like that…)

How do I say this, it kinda feels like one of Nanaki’s songs?

That's a very apt expression. One can almost call it a visualization of Nanamegi’s music.

Um… uh, this is, the colour, I imagine… Nanamegi’s songs, to be…

(Kiroku was able to express my music… something intangible, through this…)

…I’m grateful you put in all those little details. Thanks.

Ah…

(Thank, goodness…)

Everyone’s charms can really be seen through their okiagari, they’re so cute.

Is this how you see me, Teach? I feel kinda tingly inside…

Hey, can I keep this?

You want to keep it? Sure. Then I also want to keep the one you made.

Let us exchange as well. I shall display Uu-chan’s work by the entrance of our room.

Yeah, no thank you.

Nanamegi… if it’s okay, I want… you to, have this.

Huh… oh, yeah. Of course.

(The difference between Kiroku’s and mine… is as clear as night and day. You can tell the amount of effort put in just based off the detailing.)

(None of that… shows in the one I made.)

Here… you can take mine, too. It looks childish… compared to yours, though.

No… I really… really, like it. I'll, treasure it.

This okiagari… and the song, for the, HosLive, too.

…!

…Yeah. Me too, thanks for saying that…

(—Kiroku has really been paying attention to me.)

(He broke down, interpreted, and digested information about the person known as Nanaki Nanamegi, and then reinvented and put that all into something like this.)

(Yet, all I’ve been doing is getting distracted…)

…

Okay guys, let’s put our bags away and go enjoy the public baths!

Bet~! I saw a vending machine for Eighteen Ice² earlier. We should have an ice cream party after!

I hope… they have, mint chocolate…

That sounds fun. How about you, Nanaki-kun? Do you want to join?

Uhh… I’ll go later.

(Hm? Nanaki-kun looks kind of down…?)

…

Oh yeah, do you two want to go invite Muneuji-kun and Ushio-kun?

Mm…

Last one there’s a rotten egg! Behold, my secret fast walking technique birthed from my intuition for when Renga-san’s about to lecture me.

Wait, their room, is the other way… the other…!

Be mindful of the other guests~.

(From afar) Yessir!

(From afar) Okay…

Nanaki-kun.

Oh, yeah…?

If you tell me your favourite ice cream flavour, I’ll go buy some for us.

Huh…

(Ohh, is he looking out for me?)

…Um, it’s okay, I’m good.

Hey Chief, can I talk to you for a bit?

I want you to listen to this, please.

Let’s see… is this the demo you showed the curator earlier?

No, it’s a different song. This is the demo for the song I was thinking Kiroku and I could sing for the HosLive.

(He’s already composed a demo for it!)

Got it. Then I’ll have a listen.

Yeah… please.

…Ooh. This…

…

Mm, mm.

Yeah, this is wonderful, Nanaki-kun!

…Thanks. But, I don’t think there’s enough Kiroku-ness in it yet.

Not enough Kiroku-ness…

I composed this song with his image in mind.

(Ohh, so that’s why everyone was talking about basing things on each other earlier…)

My interpretation of him is too shallow. I can’t digest anything, nor reinvent it. It feels like it's put together superficially. As it is now—

I mean, we’ve all seen the okiagari he decorated.

(It’s the one Kiroku-kun drew based on Nanaki-kun…)

The unfinished lantern, the portfolio for the meeting, and even this…

I'm sure that inside him, there's a burning passion that can't be confined to just these creations.

When I realized that I’ve only been looking at a small part of the real Kiroku—

I felt embarrassed about how I showed him this song so confidently…

(Oh… I see now.)

Hey Nanaki, this isn’t finished yet, right?

(So that’s what he meant…)

He probably realized it based off pure instinct. Rather than me, he should’ve been the one to…

He?

It’s frustrating…

…

I need to understand Kiroku better.

As of now, I haven’t observed nor understood him enough to interpret or properly create anything. All I’ve been doing is pushing the same button, over and over again.

My habit of avoiding people because I’m scared of falling in love has gotten to the point that it’s impacting the quality of my work…!

Don’t say that… I think what you made is wonderful—

No, it’s not! And that’s why—I’ll need to remake it. No matter what.

!

(Nanaki-kun… is getting serious. Looks like he grasped something.)

…I see. Then, I’ll look forward to the final product!

Hm? Ah…!

Sorry, I was the one that asked you to listen to me, but I stopped you halfway and have only been talking to myself…!

It’s okay. Sometimes, you’re able to sort out your thoughts by talking with others, so I get it. I’m glad I was able to help.

…*blushes* Th-Thank you, for helping…

But I’m sorry I cut you off. Please enjoy your night.

Will do. You too, be sure to get plenty of rest. If you get stuck again, you’re always free to come talk to me.

……Hey, Chief?

Hm?

It’s coffee.

Huh?

My favourite ice cream flavour.

…Got it. I’ll remember that.