Track 9

(2 more hours until the meeting with the curator…)

(I’m so nervous I can barely eat…)

…

(Mom used to tell me to eat a pickled plum at times like this. After eating, I'll head out.)

—I see, so the tour venue will be changed to HAMA Asunaro High School.

Y-Yes… I wish, to showcase the artworks, by projection, dynamically mapping it… onto, the, school building.

(As if it were a firework display.)

I think… it would, be fun, to view, artworks, at school, during the night… so, I would like, everyone, to experience it…!

We would need a space with big walls that can hold audio equipment to set the mood. Asunaro High School meets all of these requirements, as proven in our first successful tour.

…

That sounds good. The school would look different from how it usually does in the daytime. And I also like this idea of having the main event be a live painting demonstration of a giant okiagari.

(...! They liked it…)

(Good for you, Kiroku-kun.)

I look forward to your cooperation.

Thank you very much!

…ank, you, ve… ch!

Then let us proceed to our last topic for the day.

We would like to discuss the designs for the okiagari being used in this tour, including the one for the previously mentioned demonstration.

As this is a collaboration, we would like to display the final work Kiroku-kun, our Ward 6 mayor, creates in various locations.

I think this is a wonderful idea since Kinugawa-san will be the one doing the demonstration. It will bring the surrounding space together well.

However, as this is also a traditional craft, could I review the designs he drafted?

Go ahead, Kinugawa-kun.

Ye, s…! I will, share, the files, now…

(I managed, to do this, by myself, quickly this time…!)

(Looks like file sharing is going along well…! He was practicing until the very last minute…)

Hm…

These… are… the rough drafts, for the design… of, the okiagari. I came up… with, 3… patterns…

…

(Huh… they don’t seem pleased…?)

Um, the idea… behind, the first, one—

Hmmmm…

…!

Ah, thank you very much for showing me this. I do not dislike it, however—

As this is a little… unique, it might be a bit hard for some people to understand.

Huh…

I think the idea of creating gold and silver patterns using the Kaga maki-e¹ style is good… However, the colours are a bit dull, therefore making the designs a bit ambiguous.

Colour… dull…

(I-It’s, no good… It’s not good at all…)

Sorry, but this is still a rough draft… Kiroku-kun, we should properly ask the reasons behind their criticism.

Um…

I myself am no amateur, so I understand that this is just a draft. However—

To me, this seems like a piece of work you made for yourself to enjoy.

…

Could I ask you to revise this into something that is more widely enjoyable?

…

(They want me… to design, something, “more widely enjoyable.”)

S-Sorry… I’ll… redo it…

Kiroku-kun, wait. Let’s discuss a bit more. I’m sure both of you can come to a compromise—

I’ll, redo it…

(*sigh*...)

(Sorry for being weird.)

What? They called it shitty even though he worked so hard on it?

It’s not shitty! They didn’t go that far, but Kiroku-kun received rather harsh and critical feedback.

I see… Hm.

Mm… But at least that means they were treating Kiroku as an equal and giving him proper feedback.

Y’know, I didn’t like those Watanabe-san lackeys that were all like, “Oh well, I mean he’s just a high schooler, haha.”

Which means they also gave Kinugawa the one-on-one opportunity to have a discussion.

Also, my uncle once told me that the job of a curator, well, producer, is to act as a bridge between artist and audience, marketing their unique talents to the world. So they’re just doing their job!

Ahaha, I’m jealous of your naivety sometimes.

That being said, you wish for us to support Kinugawa in his efforts, is that correct, Chief?

Yeah. He said he would revise the drafts, but I’m a bit worried about him doing that while down in the dumps…

I’m sure he’ll get back on his feet eventually, but I want the rest of you to watch over him, and help him regain his energy by being there.

(Because Kiroku-kun has already decided to open up to you guys…)

Leave it to us!!

Understood. The time has come again for that lip cream we used on Isotake last time.

Ahh, no don’t do that! Kiroku’s lips are going dieeeeee!

So like, where’s Panda?

Nanamegi is currently composing, so he is confined to his room.

I see…

(I wonder if he’s having a hard time with the song. I guess you can’t be satisfied with something unless you take your time working on it.)

(I’m sure it’s the same for Kiroku-kun—)

…

(The day’s almost over, but my sketchbook is still blank…)

I can’t believe it! Rejecting Kiroku’s hard work like that is too heartless, yo!

Quit sleep talkiN’. Only grade schoolers get effort awardS.

(...Yeah, this… is work, after all.)

Exert self-control. You must create what the other person wants.

Did they really say you can’t draw what you want~!? That’s tooootes funny~!?

(I have to revise the drafts, but…)

(Each idea emerges, only to immediately sink and wither away.)

(In the end, it all disappears…)

Ah-aA. You’ve been saying “Oh no, I’m scareD” this entire time while secretly holding some expectations, haven’t yoU?

That people would accept your visions.

That they’ll be like “Wow, wonderfuL! Let’s go with thiS!” after a single glance and just praise you to no enD?

And what’s so bad about that, yo!?

Yeah, exactly, I mean, who doesn’t want approval from others~~~!

But then… you get depressed… afters… Zzz…

(I’m too, selfish…)

…Why would you say something like that?

(Why on earth, did I start drawing, like this?)

Ha… a…, …

(If my results are only going to be rejected, despite all the suffering that went into it, then I would rather just disappear completely…)

(...And fill my heart with the colours of anger and sorrow.)

…Ha…, ha…

Kiroku, what’s happening!?

(I can’t… breathe, properly…)

Do you know the reason for your current condition?

I, don’t…

(Even though, I’m, inhaling….!)

And who’s fault is thaT?

…It’s …because of, my art…?

What are you saying~?

It’s too, unique…

That’s not itsss… Try… to remember…

I’m—

You only draw disgusting things!

(...Disgusting, things.)

Dis, gusting…

Disgusting, disgusting, disgusting…

(disgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgustingdisgust—)

(I want to go back.)

(To the place where I won’t be rejected for being disgusting—)

(To the place only for me… Inside the ribcage.)

…

(...So that’s how it is. I don’t need people who just don’t get it… to understand me.)

I should, just stop…

We still have time… to switch, hosts—

Kiroku…!

Hiee!? Nanamegi…!?

*pant*... *pant*... I wanted you… to hear this as soon as possible… so I ran over…!

Huh…?

I’m done. This time, I’ve really recreated your world!