Tsukiuta. Girls’ 3rd Season CD 6 – Aoi Träumerei Drama

[nebulancer]

Summary – The Goddess that Yuuki Wakaba has been assigned to support is Midousuji Akira (CV: Kawasaki Meiko), who’s well known for being a coolheaded, composed workaholic. Her first day of working with her begins and ends with the bare minimum of conversation necessary. After one year, their sense of distance from each other still hasn’t budged since the first day. Wakaba worries over how her work, though proceeding without issue, doesn’t have any sense of satisfaction.

1. Drama – “Life is not complex. We are complex.”

 

[Wakaba and Chisa are walking.]

 

Wakaba: Ugh... uuh... Phew... hh...

 

Chisa: Wakaba?

 

Wakaba: Ghh... I’m getting nervous now...!

 

Chisa: Y-you all right there? It’s rare to see you this nervous.

 

Wakaba: Honestly, I think so too... B-but you know...! I’m going to be meeting the person I’ll be assisting from now on!? There’s no way I can’t be nervous!

 

Chisa: Well... yeah, sounds right. I’m already done with my first meeting, but Setta Sumire-san was really easy to talk to, and she was a very nice person!

 

Wakaba: WHEH!? I didn’t hear about that!

 

Chisa: Eh, really!? Sorry! It wasn’t an official thing. When I went to the agency to provide some documents, Sumire-san was there by chance.

And then we were like, “Whoaaa! What a coincidence! Let’s work well from now on~!” Sorta like that.

 

Wakaba: That’s such a peaceful vibe!

 

Chisa: Yep! It was peaceful!

 

Wakaba: And you’re already calling her by her first name!?

 

Chisa: Sumire-san said that she prefers it over being called Setta-san.

 

Wakaba: I see... ...Sounds nice~

Chisa and Sumire-san already seem like you’ve got good compatibility... Meanwhile, there’s me...

 

Chisa: W-Wakaba, I-I don’t think you need to be that nervous about it...?

 

Wakaba: Chisa. Can you say that exact same thing again, but this time, look straight into my eyes and say it?

 

Chisa: Er—Um... *chuckling*

 

Wakaba: You can’t, can you?

That’s not possible, is it!?

After all, my boss, the Goddess taking care of me, is the one known as a coolheaded and composed workaholic, who can make even crying children quiet down—no, even the quiet children cry because of her! It’s that Midousuji Akira-san, you know!?

It’d be more impossible NOT to get nervous! AAaaAUGH! WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE BAD IN MY LIFE!?

CHISA’S GRADES JUST BARELY SCRAPED BY, TOO!

 

Chisa: Was there really a need for you to pit me against you in that context? Aah, but! See? Y-you know how rumors about people are never really correct~?

 

Wakaba: It’s ALSO said that where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

 

Chisa: Rumors are... y’see! They get passed along by word of mouth, so it’s like, they get altered and shortened and exaggerated too~? *laughing nervously*

 

Wakaba: I want to convince myself that the alterations you’re mentioning are enough to change reality.

As in, what if her actual personality’s one that’s... modest~ gentle~? Like, “Aha! What the heck~? She was actually a super nice person~! Aw, come on, give me back the time I spent being pointlessly nervous about it all~!” –is what I’d like to say.

 

Chisa: *nervously* Ahaha...! It’ll end up like that! I’m sure of it...

 

-

 

Wakaba: It’s nice to meet you! I’m Yuuki Wakaba. I look forward to working with you from now on.

 

Midousuji: Yes. I’m Midousuji Akira. Let’s work well. Hm...

*checks Wakaba’s papers* ...Mm. I’ve received your documents. I’ll have you get started with your work as my assistant, then.

 

Wakaba: ...Eh?

 

Midousuji: What?

 

Wakaba: Wh—Yes!! I’ll get started on the business duties!

 

Midousuji: Good.

 

Wakaba: Excuse me!!

 

-

 

Wakaba: WAUGH~! I finally reached my bed... I’m exhausted...

 

[Wakaba thinks back on her day.]

 

Wakaba: Midousuji-san! What should I do with these documents?

 

Midousuji: Put them in the case with the papers awaiting approval.

 

Wakaba: Yes, ma’am!

 

-

 

Wakaba: Midousuji-san, a guest is here to see you.

 

Midousuji: Lead them to the sitting room and pour out a cup of tea for them.

 

Wakaba: Yes, ma’am!

 

-

 

Wakaba: Midousuji-san, I’m sorry, but I don’t understand how to read this paper...

 

Midousuji: I’ll teach you.

 

Wakaba: Yes, ma’am!

 

-

 

Wakaba: Midousuji-san, I’ve completed this job! What should I do next?

 

Midousuji: If I need you to do something, I’ll call for you. Do whatever you want in the meanwhile.

 

Wakaba: Y-yes, ma’am... Er... whatever...?

 

Midousuji: Yes. Do whatever.

 

-

 

Wakaba: With stuff like that happening, the very first day came to a close...

She wasn’t as scary as I’d expected, but... she wasn’t, but...! Now that I think about it, Midousuji-san and I literally didn’t talk about any proper conversations aside from work!?

In response to “It’s nice to meet you! I’m Yuuki Wakaba. I look forward to working with you from now on,” it ended with a “I’m Midousuji Akira. Let’s work well.”

And after that, the only things we talked about were the bare necessity to keep the work rolling... right...?

 

Mm...? But, um... yeah. We’re in the middle of work, so I guess it’s obvious... But, well...

On the first day at least, couldn’t we have had a conversation about stuff like, “What did you do during your time at the academy?” or “What’s your family like?” or “What’s the ideal Goddess that you aspire to become?” It wouldn’t hurt to do that, right...?

Eh? Am I the weird one for thinking that way? Am I getting too buddy-buddy off the bat? Are normal bosses and subordinates like this...!?

Urgh~! It’s not like I can do anything by just thinking about it. I have work tomorrow, too. Let’s go to sleep.

Maybe, if I just let time take its course, we might be able to get closer, little by little.

Mmhmm.

...Good night.

 

-

 

Chisa: Ta-dah~! Look, look at this! Isn’t it adorable~! I got a new lunchbox!

 

Wakaba: Ooh, it really is! Is this a cherry blossom design? It’s got a traditional vibe to it! It’s cute.

 

Chisa: I know, right? Yesterday, on my way home from work outside the office, Sumire-san and I went for tea together, and checked out a nearby general store. I found this there~!

 

Wakaba: Huh... *stiffly* That sounds nice. Tea. And buying stuff. And whatever.

 

Chisa: ...Judging by the way you said that... Waka-chan, how’s your progress with Midousuji-san...?

 

Wakaba: We’ve never had a meal together, let alone gone out for tea.

 

Chisa: A-a year’s already passed, but you’ve never eaten a meal with her before? In some ways... that’s impressive.

 

Wakaba: *laughing pitifully* I know, right? Impressive, aren’t I!? Ahahaha~

There was a time in my past when I imagined that we would one day get closer...

 

Chisa: Wakaba’s looking off into the distance!?

Umm, how do things turn out when lunchtime rolls around?

 

Wakaba: Uh, “How”? A bell goes off, so I go, “I’m heading off to lunch break.” Got that?

 

Chisa: Got it.

 

Wakaba: And then Midousuji-san goes, “Yeah,” and then it ends there.

 

Chisa: It ends there?

 

Wakaba: It ends there. And thus, I slowly leave behind the quiet work room where the only sound remaining is the scratching noise from Midousuji-san’s pen writing.

 

Chisa: Have you tried inviting her out to lunch at those moments...?

 

Wakaba: I’ve tried that at least twenty times already? No, wait, thirty times, more like? Anyway, that’s how many times she’s turned me down! *sadly* Ahahaha~

 

Chisa: I... I don’t know what to say, except... sorry.

 

Wakaba: *groans* Ugh... No, it’s my fault too. Sorry. I phrased it in a sorta nasty way.

These days, I’ve been realizing that there are people like her out there. Midousuji-san and I just have a workspace relationship, where we’re boss and subordinate. Nothing more, nothing less.

It’s not like we’re friends or have a senior/junior relationship, so it’s not like there’s a rule set in stone where we have to go out for lunch together.

 

Chisa: Well, that’s... yeah, I guess, but...

 

Wakaba: It’d be a real issue if we got along so badly that it caused complications in our work, or if she does unreasonable stuff like plain ignoring me, but it’s not like that at all...

Honestly, I’m impressed at how nice and clean we keep getting our work done!

I’ve recognized the way Midousuji-san does her work and her habits, so I think I’m doing my work as an assistant well enough.

 

Chisa: For sure! Waka-chan, you’ve been totally acting like a super-capable careerwoman these days! You were cool enough back when you were doing Track, but you’re still cool now, in a different way!

 

Wakaba: *chuckles* Thanks. Anyway, that’s how things’ve been going. I’m let off at the regular time every day, the time I need to work overtime is basically zero, and I’m getting my breaks in perfectly!

That’s just how much I’m also running around and getting the chance to study up, so from a workplace perspective, it’s incredibly nice.

 

Chisa: That’s true. It does sound nice!

I asked Sumire-san about it too, but Midousuji-san’s work is SUUUPER precisely planned out, and ever since a long time ago, she’s almost never been late or had unexpected stuff going on with her.

Heard she’s an extremely capable Goddess. For some reason, Sumire-san told me that with a tone of pride...

 

Wakaba: Ahaha! They’re coworkers who joined the workforce in the same year, isn’t that why?

 

Chisa: Oh, really? Oh, yeah! Now that I think about it, she called Midousuji-san by her first name, “Akira”!

 

Wakaba: ...Midousuji-san’s an extremely capable Goddess... I should be... learning from her...?

 

Chisa: Eh?

Wakaba: Keep this between us, but... these days, I’m starting to think... that work’s losing its worth... that I’m not feeling satisfied doing it.

I’m doing work every day like it’s a matter of fact, and I’m going... “Huh? Is this what I really wanted to do? Is this the type of Goddess that I wanted to be like?”

Sometimes, that thought just crosses my mind.

 

Chisa: Hmm...

 

Wakaba: It makes me feel a little empty inside. Even if I end up managing to stand on my own as a Goddess and report back to Midousuji-san, I feel like that conversation would just end with a... “Good.”

It’d be nice if she could come to take an interest in me as a person, even for something outside of work. If we could have a chat about anything, really... I don’t mind how little it is. ...Am I asking for a luxury by wanting that?

 

Chisa: ...Wakaba...

 

Wakaba: It’s... sorta difficult, huh?

 

2. Drama – “Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing.”

 

Wakaba: *yawns* Looks like another peaceful morning’s come by again ~

Okay, let’s get working, working. I’m gonna pump myself up to do my best today~

 

[The door slams open.]

 

Wakaba: Hweh!?

 

[Midousuji runs by.]

 

Wakaba: What’s going on!?

 

Midousuji: ...! Er, nothing—...

 

Wakaba: What’s the matter, Midousuji-san!? Did you trip? Are you all right?

I-I can clean those up, so you don’t have to touch them!

 

Midousuji: Er—No, it’s that...

 

Wakaba: Can you stand? Are you hurt anywhere?

 

Midousuji: Um... Well, it’s... ...Yuuki.

 

Wakaba: Yes, ma’am! Ask me anything!

 

Midousuji: Is it... really okay for me to do so?

 

Wakaba: Excuse me?

 

Midousuji: I’m terribly sorry I’m saying this so soon after you just reported for work, but I’m thinking of going back home.

 

Wakaba: Eh? Ah—Come again? I-I understand, but...

 

Midousuji: ...He got a fever.

 

Wakaba: What?

 

Midousuji: My son contacted me... that he’d come down with a high fever.

Sorry about this. I’m taking the day off.

 

Wakaba: Ah, yes! I underst... YOUR SON!?

 

Midousuji: Did I not mention it?

 

Wakaba: I never heard a lick about it!

 

Midousuji: I have a son who’s about to turn six.

 

Wakaba: And your son is actually pretty old!? Eh—uh, Midousuji-san, exactly how old are y—er, no... Wait, that’s not the—You were married!?

Midousuji: I was, but soon after I gave birth to my son, my husband fell ill and passed away. At the moment, I run a single-mother household, myself and my one son.

 

Wakaba: Ah—... I’m sorry for being so insensitive...

 

Midousuji: No, it’s fine... I’ve already sorted out my feelings about it. However... well, my son is a very obedient boy, and it’s rare for him to call my workplace, of all things... So I believe he must be terribly ill. I’m sorry, but—

 

Wakaba: Please, don’t apologize for that! This means that your son is alone at home right now? I expect that he’s feeling lonely, so please hurry home!

Please let Yuuki Wakaba here handle the rest! I’ll be able to handle it somehow!

 

Midousuji: Yuuki...

 

Wakaba: It’ll definitely be fine! Please, go ahead!

 

Midousuji: ...Yes. Thank you!

 

Wakaba: No problem!

 

[Midousuji runs off.]

[Wakaba picks up the things Midousuji dropped.]

 

Wakaba: ...This is the first time I’ve ever seen Midousuji-san running, huh...

But... a son... a single-mother household... That really surprised me. She gave me the vibe that her life revolves around work, work, work, so... that’s unbelievable.

She fell in love, married, gave birth to a kid... lost her husband, and went to work...

I can’t believe how many drastic events there were.

I sort of want to ask her a bunch of things, but... maybe she stopped talking about her private life because there were a ton of people who wanted to do just that.

...I get it now.

 

[The phone rings.]

 

!? Wait, this isn’t the time for me to get all solemn! I have to reschedule a bunch of appointments and stuff!

I should assume that she’ll be off work tomorrow, too! In that case...

Aah, yes, yes! Please wait a moment~!

All right...! Now’s the time for me to dig my heels in deep!

 

-

 

Chisa: ~♪ ~♪ *humming Sakura Memory*

 

Wakaba: Chisa~! Kept you waiting!

 

Chisa: Ah! You’re here, you’re here! Waka—

...Huh!? Midousuji-san, too!

 

Midousuji: Hello.

 

Chisa: Good afternoon!!

 

Wakaba: I tried inviting Midousuji-san. Is it okay?

 

Chisa: For lunch? Of course~! Sit, sit!

 

Midousuji: Ah... Sure.

 

Wakaba: See? It’s almost scary how adaptable this girl is when dealing with people. You don’t need to be reserved in the slightest.

 

Midousuji: It seems so. I’ll be intruding.

 

Chisa: Sure~!

 

Midousuji: You’re... Togawa Chisa, correct? The one working with Sumire.

 

Chisa: Yes! I’ve been granted the opportunity of working under Setta Sumire-san as her assistant! My name is Togawa Chisa!

I’m Waka-chan’s... er, Wakaba’s absolute best friend and partner!

 

Midousuji: I see. I’m Midousuji Akira.

When I had to take a sudden break the other day, I heard that you had provided assistance for various tasks, so I came to give you my thanks.

 

Chisa: The other day... ...Aah! I heard that you caught an intense fever. Are you all right now? But I’m glad to see that you’ve recovered!

 

Midousuji: Hm...? Oh, the one who came down with a fever wasn’t me, but—

 

Wakaba: Aah! Oh, yeah! Um... I thought you wanted to keep the details regarding that situation under wraps, so I explained to her that Midousuji-san was the one who came down with a fever.

 

Chisa: Hm?

 

Midousuji: I see. Yuuki, thank you for your consideration.

Togawa, the one who came down with a fever that day wasn’t me, but my son. He’ll be turning six.

 

Chisa: Ah, is that so? Either way, I’m glad to hear he’s recovered! Congratulations on the recovery!

 

Midousuji: ...She accepted it so smoothly that instead, I’m the one surprised.

 

Wakaba: During other conversations, there are times she makes the most intense reactions about the most meaningless things. Even I don’t really get what topic gets her surprised and what doesn’t.

 

Midousuji: Regardless, I ended up having to take a break from work for three days. Yuuki informed me that you and Sumire assisted her in many aspects. You have my thanks.

 

Chisa: No, no! We’re all in the same boat here! Plus, no matter what caused it, I’m just genuinely happy that we can have lunch together like this!

Good for you, Wakaba~

 

Wakaba: Gah—Hey, stop that!

 

Midousuji: ...Happy? ...Do you really feel that way?

Wakaba: *sheepish* Ehe... Y-Yes, I guess so... Because we haven’t had lunch together until now, so...

 

Midousuji: Is that so?

 

Chisa, Wakaba: No way, she was just oblivious!

 

Midousuji: I’m sorry about that. I’m aware I’m inattentive when it comes to these sorts of things.

It seems that relationships with others and learning my sense of distance with them are things that I’ll have to keep studying for the rest of my life.

 

Chisa, Wakaba: And she’s diligent about it, too!

 

Wakaba: ...U-um... Is it possible that...

 

Midousuji: Hm?

 

Wakaba: I’d thought that you didn’t have an interest in me, Midousuji-san... I thought you’re actually the type of person who doesn’t need to get closer to people...?

 

Midousuji: It’s not intentional. I’m not disinterested in you, Yuuki. You’re a great help to me.

 

Wakaba: ...Huh?

 

Midousuji: You’re a great help. Truly and honestly, because you back me up without a moment to waste. This is the easiest that work has been for me.

 

Wakaba: Eh—eh, eh... Ehehe~...

 

Midousuji: Did I say something strange?

Wakaba: Ah, er—no, you didn’t, ma’am! No, you haven’t, not at all!

I-If anything, it’s more like, I’d like you to say it more, in fact! Ehehe!

 

Midousuji: ...? You say some odd things.

 

Wakaba: I-it’s fine that you don’t understand... Er—Ufufu~... I see...!

 

Chisa: *giggles* Good for you, Wakaba!

 

Wakaba: Mm...!

 

-

 

Midousuji: Well, then. I’ll be going back first.

 

Chisa: All right! If another opportunity arises, let’s have lunch together again!

 

Midousuji: Sure.

 

Wakaba: I’ll take it easy for a little while longer before I head back.

 

Midousuji: Very well. I’ll see you later.

 

[Midousuji walks away.]

 

Wakaba: Aha~... I feel like the lunch today’s going to be something I remember for the rest of my life!

 

Chisa: You’re exaggerating~... is what I’d like to say, but I can tell! You managed to close the distance between a person that you wanted to get closer to, and your work ethic’s been acknowledged... Right?

It’s a lunch packed to the brim with joys!

 

Wakaba: Mmhmm...! I’m surprised about it myself. Having your work ethic praised is something that makes you feel this happy...! I’m a great help to her...!?

Ahh~... Just remembering it makes me feel the joy spreading through my chest...

 

Chisa: Wakaba, you’re breaking out in a grin! It’s sorta different from getting praised for good grades in school, isn’t it?

 

Wakaba: Mm! Saying that my value’s been acknowledged... might sound like an exaggeration, but that’s just how happy Midousuji-san’s words made me feel!

I think that was the most definite, the most distinct moment I’d ever thought... “I’m glad I’m aiming to become a Goddess! I want to become a Goddess!”

 

Chisa: Ooh, wow~! That’s so nice, Wakaba! Sumire-san and I get along well, but I’ve never really thought that she’s acknowledged me for my work. Mm~!

I feel like you got a leg up on me!

Wakaba: If we went up against each other seeing how friendly you are with your boss, I’m still way behind, so I think it evens it out.

 

Chisa: I see!

 

Wakaba: They’re different types of people, so I don’t think we’ll ever end up like you and Sumire-san, no matter how long we work together. Still, I got the feeling that Midousuji-san and I make for a pretty good duo!

It’s a candid relationship, but there’s definite trust. I think that’s the perfect distance between us.

 

Chisa: Mmhmm! There are all sorts of Goddesses, and all sorts of assistants, and all sorts of ways to close the distance!

There’s no one correct answer.

 

Wakaba: Hey, Chisa? Just now, suddenly, I think I sort of got an image for the type of Goddess I want to be, through Midousuji-san.

 

Chisa: Ooh! How’s it like?

 

Wakaba: Well? I don’t burden others. But I won’t be detached from them.

I stand properly on my own, watch for those around me, and I can reach out a hand to people when it’s necessary.

That’s the kind of Goddess I want to be.

 

Chisa: I see...!

 

Wakaba: Mm. I’m not the type of person to... like, wrap people up, you know? But in place of that, I’ll be looking out from a place with a good view.

I’ll be watching over everyone, standing underneath a spot like this blue sky! That’s me.

 

Chisa: Yeah! That sounds great!

It’s absolutely perfect for you, Wakaba!

 

Wakaba: *giggles* I’m glad to hear you say that. It’s just something I’ve settled on as my goal, and it’s not like I’ve actually turned out that way, though.

 

Chisa: You can do it! I’m sure you’ll be able to do it, Wakaba! You’re so cool, Wakaba!

 

Wakaba: Ehe! Thank you... Partner!