nebulancer

Summary – The Goddess that Asagiri Akane has been sent to assist is Kimura Seira (CV: Yamazaki Haruka), who’s known for being a high-handed and gorgeous beauty. While accomplishing the various odd jobs that she gets tossed, Akane briefly considers whether she is actually meant to be an assistant instead.

And within those days, on a certain holiday, Akane heads out to Shibuya with Matsuri in tow, after receiving a summons from Seira.

1. Drama – “A Worried Assistant”

Akane: Whew~! It’s been a while since my last holiday in Shibuya during the afternoon!

Fufu, yep, it sure is lively around here~! Oof, there’s a ton of people...!

There are lots of shops here, and the city looks colorful as a whole.

Oh, wow! Those clothes are cute~

Ooh! That person’s so beautiful~! Maybe they’re a model? Ufufu!

It’s incredible that this city just pumps you up when all you’re doing is walking around!

...All right. I got to the place we’re supposed to be... meeting up, but...

*groans* HAAAAAUUUGH...!

What in the world is awaiting me from now on~!?

...Urk, she set the place for our meeting to be Shibuya station, but for it to be in front of the Hachiko statue...? Will things be okay like this, considering how many people there are?

Technically, I am still an idol affiliated with TSUKIPRO... and technically, I have a disguise on, since I’m wearing glasses...!

...Huh... Yeah. ...And... no one’s recognized me.

Err, ahaha! Uh, it’s reassuring, but I have to say. This in itself makes me feel pathetic... (sweat drop)

Looks like I have to put in even more effort to exude the aura of an idol and as a Goddess candidate, huh! Isn’t that right, Hachiko~?

Matsuri: What the bark are you muttering about?

Akane: WHOAHA!? Hachiko spoke!?

Matsuri: Nice reaction, Akane. 👍

Akane: Matsuri-chan! Come on, don’t spook me like that~

Matsuri: You were the one talking to Hachiko, so I answered in his place.

Akane: In retrospect, getting told I did that makes me cringe at myself! Um, uh, please act like you never heard a thing!

Uh, more importantly. Sorry for suddenly calling you out here.

Matsuri: It sounded amusing, so don’t worry about it. Today’s a day off.

I’ll buy a souvenir for Nebutan before I go back.

Masami-san got me information about the most recent gourmet food trends in Shibuya.

Akane: Oh, wow! There’s lots of information that makes your stomach feel hungrier just looking at the photos~!

...Wait. But Nebutan can’t eat food himself, right? They’re just things that you wanna eat, right, Matsuri-chan? *chuckles*

Matsuri: You can say that. Nebutan is solar panel-powered, so he eats the tasty sunlight... and beside him, I will be eating delicious food.

Akane: G-got it.

Matsuri: Still, why are we meeting up in a standard meet-up spot on Earth?

Akane: To tell the truth, I don’t know either.

Seira-san suddenly told me, “Akane~! I have something to talk with you about in private!” That’s all she said, so...!

Matsuri: Was that... an imitation just now?

Akane: ...Ahem! That’s not important right now. The pressing matter here is that that Seira-san requested something from me!

Matsuri: What Seira-san?

Akane: That Seira-san, you know!? The Goddess in charge of me, Kimura Seira-san!!

Even among the Goddesses, which have many beautiful people already, she’s especially famous for attracting attention... the Goddess who exudes a super gorgeous, absolutely sensational and overwhelming presence! KIMURA SEIRA!

She went out of her way to have us meet up... on a HOLIDAY! And on top of that, on EARTH!

Uuuuuuurgh~...!

Who even knows what she’ll ask of me...!? ...I’M SCARED!

Matsuri: You don’t have to be that guarded...

Akane: You’re too naïve! Much too naïve, Matsuri-chan! When you think of Seira-san...!

Matsuri: When you think of Seira-san...?

[Akane retells her experience.]

Kimura: ✨Oooohohohohoho! Akane~! I’ve decided the outfit that I’ll be wearing to the party the day after tomorrow.

Have the dress that this model is wearing on the front page sent for, right away!

Akane: Yes, ma’am! ...Wait! This is the new product of that one extremely high-class brand!?

Kimura: ✨Akane~! Regarding the application of this interview, the cameraman would be all right with accepting it’s this person doing it. Be a dear and tell them that, would you?

Akane: Er, yes! ...Wait! This person’s an incredibly big deal, ma’am!?

Kimura: ✨Akane~! Reserve a restaurant for tomorrow, would you, dear? A room for one. Window seat. It needs to be a place where the night view is displayed oh-so-charmingly.

And while we’re at it, make it a night sky full of stars, how about it?

Akane: Y-y-yes, ma’am! Tomorrow evening’s weather is... cloudy!?

Please... clear up... Please, don’t have a hint of clouds...! Night sky full of stars...!?

Kimura: ✨Akane~. I’m tired wearing these heels. Be a dear and massage my feet for me?

Kimura: ✨Akane~. This isn’t a good hairstyle. Adjust it for me, would you~?

Kimura: ✨Akane~. I’m thirsty~!

Akane: YES, MA’AM...! (ma’am...!) (ma’am...!) (ma’am...!)

Akane: ...And that’s how things have been. She’s been making requests of me for each and every little thing and all while I’ve been accomplishing them, time’s passed... and before I realize, it’s already been one whole week, or even one whole month! Those have been my days recently, you know!?

Matsuri: Hmm, hmm. I see.

Seira-san’s famous for being strong in... all sorts of ways, huh.

Akane: Yeah, she lives up to those rumors.

Ah, but! But you know? It’s the first time she’s called me out on a day off.

Of course, I’ll do my best no matter what she asks of me. I plan on working hard! I wanna do my best, but~! [GLOOM...]

Matsuri: It’s your dearest desire?

Akane: Well, yeah, but! I just know she’s going to ask me for something absolutely outrageous!

Matsuri: That sounds very possible.

But Akane, you seem pretty giddy about this.

Akane: Huh? Y-you really think so...?

Aah...! I guess so!

In a way, it’s sorta problematic. *sighs*

Matsuri: Problematic?

Akane: You know me. I guess I like supporting someone else or doing detailed odd jobs for them. Coordinating the fact that I’ve been requested something, going through negotiations, and when all sorts of things fall right into place, I have this sense of fulfillment, you see?

Matsuri: Mm.

Akane: The fact that I’m feeling a sense of satisfaction with my current lifestyle is just that: a fact. It feels worth it to achieve, and I’m feeling enriched, so in that sense, I guess...

I might’ve been giddy, yeah.

Matsuri: Mmhmm. It feels like it’s worth doing, and you’re feeling satisfied doing it. Isn’t that a good thing?

Yet you’re at a loss because of it?

Akane: That’s not exactly it. I’m hesitating.

During my struggle to keep up with the work Seira-san’s been giving me, there’ve been times I’ve been occasionally thinking, “Maybe... I might just be more suited for being an assistant than a Goddess.”

I don’t think I really even know the image of the ideal Goddess I want to be anymore.

Matsuri: Oh, so that’s what it’s about.

I get it now.

Akane: U-umm! Let’s leave a topic like that to discuss in depth for a later time.

For now, let’s focus on the meeting at hand.

Matsuri: Got it. I wonder if Seira-san will be here soon?

Akane: Hmm. There’s still a bit of time left before we promised to meet up. She’s conspicuous, so I think we’ll be able to tell as soon as she gets here...

Phew... Just what does she intend on requesting from me...!?

Matsuri: Have anything in mind? There might just be a hint depending on the situation that happened when she made the request.

Akane: When she made the request of me...? A while ago, when we ended up having to work overtime, I borrowed the kitchen that was installed in the office.

I made some simple meals for us...

Matsuri: !? Wh... What’d you just... say!?

Akane: Huh?

Matsuri: No fair...! Akane’s cooking is mine and mine alone! During a time when I was holding myself back from eating Akane’s cooking...! *gasps*

Grr grr grr grr...

But taking care of me is Akane’s lifework...!

Akane: That’s what you’re upset about!? And on top of that, you’re making yourself my lifework, without my permission!?

[Someone pats Akane.]

Akane: Ah! Yes?

Kimura: Sorry to keep you waiting.

Akane: Umm? What is it?

Matsuri: Hm? Who’s that?

Akane: Eh? Well, uh—I don’t know this person either.

Er, excuse me. Have you mistaken me for someone else?

I guess I am waiting for someone here, too...

Kimura: ? What are you saying? Who could I possibly be but myself?

Akane: ...Huh?

Kimura: Let me repeat myself. ✨It’s me!✨

[ . . . ]

[ding!]

Akane: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!? SEIRA-SAN!?!?

2. Drama – “Their Respective Choices”

Akane: Wh-what could this... possibly be... What do you make of this, Matsuri-chan?

Matsuri: It’s a regular old... studio apartment.

Akane: Exactly! You’re completely correct! [ding dong!]

Er, not the time... This simple furniture is worlds apart from what I’d consider gorgeous. And it’s minimalistic, at that! The way things are stored gives an overwhelming lived-in feel! I have this calming sensation for some reason.

If I had to wrap my impressions up in one word, I’d say that this place looks like it belongs to... a commoner...!

Matsuri: Oh, for sure. [ding dong!]

Akane: Er... Uh... Is this really where Seira-san lives on Earth? I get the feeling that I’m looking at something I was never meant to see...!

Kimura: ...It’s the genuine article, real as can be. This is most definitely where I live on Earth.

Akane: !@??@#~>@!? UWAHHH!? I... I’m so sorry!!

Kimura: Ufufu. Just what kind of place did you expect me to have?

Akane: Well! Umm! A gorgeous—

Kimura: A gorgeously stately mansion? With sparkling chandeliers that give off the vibe that I’m a celebrity?

*chuckles* Well, yeah, I can see why you’d think that.

Akane: Y-yes, ma’am... Yet, despite that, this place is... well... how do I put it?

Matsuri: ...? Dull.

Akane: UWEHHAEUHGURGH!? MATSURI-CHAN! THE WAY YOU PHRASED THAT! AT LEAST SUGARCOAT IT!

Matsuri: It’s dull. But I guess you could say that it’s calming.

It’s nice and compact.

Akane: That’s not... the most convincing follow-up...!

Kimura: Ufufu. I know, right?

Akane: Huh?

Kimura: There, there. No need to sit all stiff like that. Relax as you take your seats.

Have your fill of some warm tea, all right?

Akane: “Have your fill”...!? Th-th-th-this is a teacup and green tea...!? Unbelievable!

Just like I thought! This isn’t the Seira-san I know!

In the first place, I’ve never even seen you drinking green tea before! You were a black tea kinda person, right~?

Plus, you’d be all like, “Only the most high-quality tea leaves allowed!!”

Matsuri: Akane. Enough retorts, and let’s calm down. Have a drink of tea. First things first, the tea—

Akane: No, no, no, no, no! In the first place, why are you dressed like that?

You’re a Goddess who works incredibly vigorously as the public relations associate for some high-class French brand on Earth, correct?

Yet you’re looking right at home in that old-fashioned apron, giving off the motherly~... Er, no. Housewife~ kind of vibe!

...AHA! Could this possibly be... that occupational prank I’ve heard about!?

Urk, uh...! *looks back and forth, searching for cameras*

Unngh...!

Kimura: There are no cameras here.

Akane: You’re really, truly, genuinely, most certainly... Seira-san!?

Kimura: Of course.

Akane: Er, uh, could it be that you’re, like, twins or something...?

Kimura: ✨You dare imply that the world could handle two beauties of my caliber?✨

Akane: Hoh...! It’s Seira-san!

Kimura: ...Am I really that different?

Akane: Different as night and day!

Kimura: Well, I guess that’s understandable. I’ve been keeping the gig up flawlessly in order to make things seem that way.

To tell the truth, my heavy-handed character is fabricated.

Akane: ...Huh? Ahh...

...Wait? Eh. Ehh!?

WHAAAAAAAT!?

Matsuri: Now that’s a surprise.

Akane: Wheh—Fabri—Whaaat!?

Kimura: Ufufu. It’d certainly be shocking. But my true self... is this.

Just like you, Akane. I’m the dull sort.

Akane: And she casually classified me as a dull person too!? Er, well, I don’t deny the fact that I am dull, but...

Then that means this whole time, your usual personality is nothing more than an act?

But why do such a thing?

Kimura: Let’s see. I suppose I wanted my own individuality... in order to become a Goddess.

Matsuri, Akane: In order to become a Goddess...?

Kimura: You know how after graduating from school, you’re supposed to pass the selection exam that signifies your completion of the course so that you can become an official Goddess candidate?

Akane: Yes. Only those who pass the course selection exam can be admitted to the Institute and receive in-service training.

Kimura: Yes, that. And those who complete their training at the Institute get to have practical work experience as current Goddesses’ assistants. In short, that’s the status of you two girls right now.

Akane: Yes, ma’am. Um, er...?

Kimura: To tell the truth...

...I failed the interview to become a Goddess assistant after graduation and became a drifter, waiting for another chance to get accepted.

Akane: You did, Seira-san!? But why?

Kimura: ...Because I didn’t have something that was inherently my own. There was nothing unique about me, I guess.

Akane: Ah... Unique...

Kimura: *chuckles* I failed because I was dull.

Akane: Whuh!? J-just because you were dull!? Getting failed because you were dull!

*sobbing* Is it even possible to fail for such a sad reason...!?

Kimura: Ufufu! Ahh, that’s not what I meant, no. Sorry for phrasing it that way. I suppose the way I put that was wrong.

To be more apt, I didn’t have confidence in how I was supposed to be at the time.

Akane: Uh, huh...

Kimura: Having grown up in a normal household, I was nothing more than the average. Someone who’d lived an ordinary life like me didn’t convince them that they had to purposely choose me among a huge swath of applicants.

I didn’t have the assertion or presence – the sense that they had to choose me. I didn’t have it.

Akane: Aah...! “The sense that they had to choose me”...?

Kimura: So, there was no way that they’d set aside all those exceptional talents that had gathered around from all over to challenge that high barrier, in favor of someone like me. How could I have beaten out all the others?

That’s why I tried creating a new me.

Akane: You made a new “you”?

Kimura: Exactly! Heavy-handed, arrogant, and overwhelmingly impactful. I tried fabricating a character who was basically the polar opposite of my natural self.

Matsuri: I see... So that’s how the overwhelmingly impactful Goddess arrived on the scene. [FANFARE~]

Akane: B-but! Continuing to keep up that act of a “you” who isn’t even you...? Isn’t it incredibly exhausting?

Matsuri: True.

Kimura: *giggles* Well, about that. It’s not exhausting in the slightest!

In fact, if I think of it as me playing a totally different character named “Seira,” it actually gets fun. I didn’t even notice it myself, but I suppose this was my talent ☆

Akane: I-is that so...? So I guess for now, I’ve understood that Seira-san’s modes on and off work are drastically different types, almost like you’re separate people entirely.

Because I didn’t notice you at all back then.

Kimura: I know, right? Heheh!

Just about the only ones who know my real self are the people whom I knew in school, and that’s it.

Akane: But... why did you reveal such a thing to us? At this point in time? Going out of your way to call us over, too?

Kimura: The reason for that is...

Matsuri, Akane: Is...?

Kimura: To tell you the truth...

...

I absolutely love cooking!

Akane: ...Come again? (???)

Matsuri: Cooking? (???)

Kimura: Yeah. Cooking.

See, when I’m playing up my usual character, I seem as if I’d never, ever cook for myself, right?

And if I did, people would imagine that those meals would have incredibly long, foreign names.

What I really like is making those meals called side dishes or accompaniments, to go with normal, daily-life Japanese food.

Matsuri: Meals are delicious. Hip-hip-hooray.

Akane: You’re right on that! ...Wait, er—no, no, no, no, wait!

There are way too many unexpected developments going on that I’m getting thrown into a mini panic!?

Kimura: As for me, I feel refreshed as can be, now that I’ve confessed what was on my mind.

Akane: Th-then... You called me here today...?

Kimura: You’re skilled at cooking, aren’t you, Akane? I wanted to show you my true self and become a friend with whom I can chat about cooking.

Akane: B-by request... That’s what you meant!?

Kimura: That wonderful dexterity and gentle flavor when you made that midnight snack for me... It made me quite emotional! I thought, “It just has to be Akane!”

I was so antsy, wanting to get talking with you.

Akane: That’s all it was~!? You made me just so nervous! Please, couldn’t you have said that any sooner!?

Kimura: I wanted to tell you earlier, but I didn’t have the opportunity to...

I’m always in work mode, and I’m the type of person who wants to separate my two modes... I was quite conflicted, despite what you might think.

Matsuri: ...By the way. *sniff sniff*

I’ve been... *sniff sniff* smelling something nice for some time now.

Kimura: Oh! You can tell? Ufufufu. Ta-dah~!

Matsuri, Akane: Ooooooh~!

Kimura: Since the two of you were coming, I tried my hand at making a whole assortment!

Matsuri: *trembling* This is stupendous. I want to eat it...!

Akane: Matsuri-chan! You’re too eager!

But it really is amazing! Despite looking dull at first glance, these dishes are all incredibly complicated to make...!

Seira-san, did you make all this household-style food?

Kimura: That’s what I just said~

Fufu. You’re getting shocked one second and retorting the next. You’re one busy girl, I’d have to say.

Matsuri: Looks delicious... I want to eat it.

Akane: Matsuri-chan! Come on, hold on a moment!

Kimura: Goodness, it’s fine. I heard that Matsuri eats a lot, so I invited her over too. Cooking only shows its true worth when there are people who enjoy eating it, don’t you think? No need to hold back. Eat your fill.

Matsuri: I’ll dig in.

Akane: Too fast!

Matsuri: Haamph! Mm! ...It’s tasty!

*gobbles* ...Mm~!

It’s tasty! *gobbles* Hmm~!

Kimura: Fufu. Ah, I just knew it. It really does make you happy when someone hungrily eats the things that you’ve made and says that it’s tasty, like this. I feel all sentimental.

Akane: I... can understand that. Fufu. I see! Seira-san, with cooking, you’re also...

Kimura: ...Hey, you know? There’s another reason why I wanted to talk with you, Akane.

Akane: What could it be this time~? Whatever you come at me with isn’t gonna surprise me anymore~

Kimura: Are you worried about something?

Akane: Huh?

Matsuri: Homph! ...Hm?

Kimura: I think you’re working quite well as my assistant. But recently, I’ve been seeing... well, not exactly hesitation, but is something weighing on your mind?

Akane: Oh...! Well...

Kimura: Perhaps, could you be thinking... “Instead of aiming to become a Goddess, am I better fit for being an assistant?”

Matsuri: I could’ve sworn I heard something similar earlier today.

Akane: Ah...! Why do you think so?

Kimura: It’s because you and I are two peas in a pod.

Akane: I haven’t wrapped my head around that just yet, but... *chuckling* ...Er... I have been thinking about such a thing.

Kimura: ...Listen. Making the final call of whether or not you’ll stay an assistant is something that you’ll have to do yourself.

But it’s best that you don’t decide as long as you have doubts about it.

So, with that said, would it be all right if I gave you some advice?

Akane: Y-yes, of course! Please, go ahead!

Kimura: Ufufu. Akane, you’re kind and good at watching over others, so being an assistant is right up your alley. That’s most definitely true.

Still, that’s no reason to jump the gun and decide you’re not meant for becoming a Goddess, either.

You don’t have to decide immediately between being a Goddess or assistant.

It’s best that you think it through thoroughly while you’re working.

Akane: Oh...

Kimura: The only thing I can say is, “Have confidence in the path that you’ve walked on until now.”

You’ve successfully cleared the examinations and the training, and you’re just one step away from becoming a Goddess.

You had something, so that’s exactly why you were able to come this far. And deciding what path you’ll walk from now on is your choice, Akane.

Akane: My... choice?

Kimura: In order to become a Goddess, I created a “me” that could fit into my ideal of what a Goddess is. I have no regrets about that, and I’m resolved to fully see through the things I’ve started.

But you know? There must’ve been a path where I continued aiming to be a Goddess with my own self, the way I was then.

And I had paths aside from becoming a Goddess. And more... you see?

Akane: Aside from a Goddess...

Kimura: Of course, there are people who chose to continue being assistants. There are lots of people who became Goddesses, and those who couldn’t.

However, not a single one of them was the exact same as the other.

That just goes to show how many correct answers there are.

You don’t have a time limit on when you have to become a Goddess, so don’t rush. I think it’d be better if you think about it at your own pace.

Akane: Seira-san...!

Kimura: It’s not like worrying about something is a bad thing. What I mean to say is, worry lots and choose the path that feels most comfortable to you.

Akane: You’re... right. You’re right. You’re... completely right.

Hh...! Thank you so much! I don’t think I’ll be able to formulate my answer just yet, but I realized I should worry about things positively!

Kimura: *chuckles* That’s good to hear.

Since you’re so similar to me, I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of answer you’ll end up having.

Though I would be quite open to the idea of having you as my assistant forever and ever.

Akane: Ufufu! I’ll do my best to search for my own path while I support you, Seira-san!

[Matsuri’s stomach growls.]

Matsuri: Ah. Sorry.

Akane: Oh, uh! I should be the one apologizing, sorry!

You were being considerate and keeping quiet throughout the whole thing, huh?

Kimura: Goodness. That must’ve been difficult. Seems we can bring a close to the conversation brought to you by your senior.

Now’s the time for the cooking buddy to come onto the scene~