Main Story Chapter 166—Heart

Main Story Chapter 166—Heart

This chapter is voiced and recommended to be read with the chapters open in-game for maximum enjoyment ♪

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[That day late at night]

Hiiro: (...)

(The stars really cannot be seen tonight.)

(Since stars are the only things that are the same even in my hometown, I thought seeing them would bring me peace.)

(I thought that this other-worldly city I know nothing about may then seem like land adjoining my hometown and hence part of the same world—)

(Then, I would have been able to use some of the things I’ve learnt and acquired in my hometown. I wouldn’t have thought that everything was for naught and become perplexed.)

(...I wonder if Nii-san has already gone back home. Yeah, Nii-san always works fast.)

(Which is exactly why, at the very least, I didn’t want to be shaken off and lose sight of Nii-san’s back… But even when I thought I was trying my very best.)

(...Ugh.)

Aira: He~llo, that singing, dancing caveman over there.

Hiiro: …Aira.

Wh-What happened? You mustn’t walk around during these late hours. Since dangerous wild animals emerge in the middle of the night, you know?

Aira: Yeah, like Hiro-kun, for example. He~y Hiro-kun, you seem to think of me like a little kid, huh?

This is still inside Seisoukan’s grounds, so a little stroll is fine, right?

Hiiro: …Umu. The city seems to operate on the basis of a structure known as democracy, so each and every person is a monarch.

As long as you do not violate the laws, you have the freedom to do whatever you want—But…

Aira: Hm… You were also taking a walk, Hiro-kun?

Hiiro: Umu. When I stay still under the covers, I start thinking about various things and get anxious.

I’m sorry, I should have been resting my body in order to prepare for MDM.

Aira: Even if you apologise to me, I’ve also been wandering around in the middle of the night just like you.

But I’m glad. Since you sneaked away from your bed at night… I thought you were going back to your hometown for real?

Hiiro: ? I’m not going back. My hometown is no longer a place I can return to.

I’ve been disowned, you see. Nii-san even said something about destroying me if I returned.

Aira: You brothers… Why are all your word choices so disturbing?

Hiiro: But even if you say that… In my hometown, I’ve never had many personal conversations—or anything beyond what was necessary for survival—with anyone except Nii-san.

I think Nii-san’s vocabulary naturally influenced me.

Aira: Hmm~ Hiro-kun’s always nonsensically saying stuff like “Let’s be friends!” so I thought you had plenty of friends in your hometown.

Hiiro: Mmm~ I also had a position back home, so I don’t think I had any friends on equal footing.

However, if a ‘friend’ is ‘someone who is not an enemy’, almost everyone was my friend.

Aira: Wait, no. Mmm~... Do you know the meaning of the word ‘friend’?

Hiiro: Do you know, Aira?

Aira: Huh? H-Hmm~... But I was a loner throughout elementary and middle school?

My case wasn’t as bad as a distrust of humans, but I feel like I gave up thinking that even if we became friends, we’d get separated soon anyway?

That’s why, y’know, I was actually so happy… When Hiro-kun went “Let’s be friends!” from our very first meeting…

I was so worn out till then, but I felt like something was given to me.

No. I felt like something was about to start… I was excited.

To be honest—Ever since then, every day has been like living in a dream. Everyday, unpleasant things and scary things have happened, but it’s been so much fun and I’m so happy.

If possible, I don’t want these days to ever end. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I want to be a dropout forever…

But I want to keep being able to sing and dance; cry, laugh and get mad; with everyone in ALKALOID just like this.

Although it hasn’t been long since we met—It feels strange to even me, but—I love you all.

So I want to stay together forever. I want to be friends forever. I want to be companions forever—

I don’t know how to put it, but I’m glad that you’re still with us, Hiro-kun.

Earlier in the evening, the Hiro-kun who stood stock still in the Hanging Gardens, he looked like he’d disappear if I took my eyes off of him.

Hiiro: …

Aira: And even now, you know? Lots of terrible stuff has happened and the pain and anxiety may make you want to disappear… But don’t go anywhere, Hiro-kun.

I’d be lonely if you disappeared.

Hiiro: —Aira, do you need me?

Aira: You keep saying that… But ‘need’ feels kinda calculating, and I don’t really like it.

We’re friends, so I want us to stay together. At least, I do.

So I’ll work hard not to lose this. Compared to you all, I’m totally useless with no real talent or strength, but I’ll do everything to protect this place where I belong.

I’ll do my best as a part of ALKALOID even on the real MDM stage. Just like what Tattsun-senpai said… Crazy:B’s in a state of ruin right now.

The position we were given as a trump card has also basically come to nothing.

But it’s not like I wanted to be the protagonist of that story or anything.

You see, ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to be an idol.

Hiiro: …

Aira: Which is why, I’ll sing and dance on stage. I’ll make the people who find us have so much fun. I’ll make them smile… I’ll give them the happiest time possible.

Since I was given the same thing by idols.

What about you, Hiro-kun? What do you want to do?

How do you want to live?

 

 

Rinne: Hiiro, what kind of adult do you want to be in the future?

 

Hiiro: …

Aira: Not because someone ordered you to, or because that’s how it was in your hometown—Think and decide by yourself.

If it’s something you decide by yourself, then we’ll respect it for sure.

We’ll help you with everything we have—No, we’ll work together with you.

So… tell me your honest feelings. You don’t have to worry so much about hurting me or anything—

You’re always trying to protect me… But I’m only a year apart from you, y’know?

You don’t have to play big brother and protect me.

Hiiro: …

…Umu. Yeah, it’s exactly as you say. Aira.

‘Protecting’ is like—

Aira: Hm? What’s up, Hiro-kun? You’re being kinda slow to react… Wanna go beddy-bye after all?

Even I’m getting sleepy from all the rambling—*yawns*♪

Hiiro: Aira, I…

Aira: Hm? Sorry, just a sec. My phone’s vibrating… Who could it be this late at night?

Huh, it’s not from HallHands, but from my social media account.

This account was still around, huh… Seems to have been automatically linked—And I have a notif about a new message.

Hmm? This icon…?

Ah, I see… ‘That kid’ who felt kinda nostalgic~ Actually, I feel like I should’ve realised much sooner… I’m such an idiot.

Hiiro: ? What do you mean… What is this about?

Aira: Hmm~ Just that I got a message after a long time, from a friend who shouldn’t have been around.

Hiiro: …?