nebulancer

2. Drama – “You look amazing today”

Shun: Date, date~♪

Kai: A date with two dudes, huh...?

Shun: Kai, you’re not looking forward to going on a date with me~?

Kai: Huh? No, that’s not it. Of course I’m looking forward to it.

Shun: I know, right? I wanted to go on a date with you for the longest time, myself. Remember how you went on a date with Haru in March? I was so envious of that.

Kai: Ah! Oh, yeah, we did that. A two-dude driving vacation.

It wasn’t a date, but instead, a rantrip. An easygoing, random trip between two guys who don’t have to be on tenterhooks around each other.

Shun: You say it was “random.” However, I know from Haru’s personality that he efficiently and courteously provided support for you while sitting in the passenger’s seat. I can imagine the scene playing out.

Ah. Since I’m here already, how about I provide you some assistance too? ☆

Kai: No, no—It’s fine. You know what they say. The right people in the right places, okay? There’s a saying, where the right person goes in the right place.

The fact I’ve seated you in shotgun and not the back seats... personally, I’ve already yielded to you a fair amount.

Shun: There’s only the two of us here. If you were to seat me in the back, that would be quite the wretched date, wouldn’t it?

Kai: *chuckling* All right, got it. And what was it again? About my rantrip with Haru?

We went to check out a cherry blossom tree then.

Shun: You showed me a picture of it, didn’t you? A splendid single cherry blossom tree in full bloom, standing amid the grand nature surrounding it.

Kai: Yeah. Back then, we didn’t even decide on any lodgings. We just went there like we were wandering over, and we stayed at a bed-and-breakfast that one of the locals introduced us to. They really helped us out there. The meals the lady made were absolutely scrumptious...!

Shun: Wow~

Kai: It’s nice to travel after doing a bunch of preparations and setting up a detailed plan, of course. But unexpected encounters, as well as surprises, that happen from momentum and on-the-spur random trips are really nice. That journey made me realize just how good that stuff was.

Shun: You head into things with that sort of momentum even overseas, don’t you?

Kai: Well, what other choice do I have when I go overseas? Japan’s just about the only place that has trains, buses, planes, and cars moving according to plan, right on schedule.

Shun: However, you find even those unexpected moments to be enjoyable.

Kai: For sure! Thrills and adventures come hand-in-hand with travels. They provide a nice spice!

Shun: Fufufu. My, we’re kindred spirits. I, too, love presenting people with thrills and adventures~

Kai: Oh. Yeah. Um.

Yeah, the thrills and adventures you present people with go above and beyond the typical scale of an overseas trip.

The Demon World? Another universe entirely? Going beyond the boundaries of the world itself? ...The thing you’re talking about is something that takes place in a completely different dimension. Traveling to space can’t even compare to that.

Those things are always running through my head.

Do you understand that, Shun-kun~?

Shun: Ehhehe~ It’s fun, though, right~?

Kai: Acting cute will NOT fool me one bit.

[They get out of the car.]

Shun: Mmgh... Hnngh~! We’re finally here~

Kai: It’s been a while, but it looks like this place is lively as ever.

The last time I came here was... the location filming for that year-end Hyper Game of Tag, huh?

Shun: Ahh! Kai, you were very cool on that program~

Kai: I ran like mad back then.

Shun: You had to complete missions in order to save your fellow challengers, whom the tagger had caught. You were like a hero of justice!

Kai: Haha! But that ended up getting me caught, too. I would’ve succeeded in the mission if I’d held on for just a little longer. That got me frustrated~

But it was fun, so it turned out all right in the end!

Ooh~! Mt. Fuji’s completely lost its icecap. Now that’s summer for you.

Shun: Goodness, you’re right. It looks lovely when its peak is covered in snow, but Mt. Fuji in summer looks splendid as well. It’s sturdy and majestic... just like Kai!

Kai: I’ve received a comparison to a famous mountain that’s said to embody Japan. Thank you for the gracious compliment.

Shun: Fufu ♪ Well, then! Let’s go and shop to our hearts’—

Kai: Ahh, Shun! Hold it! Ho~ld it, hold it.

Before we head inside... you’re not going to cast that spell?

Shun: Eh? We’re going without it today.

Kai: Whuh? Without it?

Shun: Yep! We’re going to go in right like this, fair and square, confident as can be. We’re going to face them head-on.

Kai: I think I just heard the number one phrase on the list of “Words that don’t sound right when they come from your mouth.”

Shun: After all~! Today, I’m on a date with someone I want to show off! If it’s a date, I need to enjoy it fair and square. As long as we’re confident about it, everyone will warmly watch over us!

Kai: Warmly? And not lukewarm, like, disagreeably warm?

Shun: I think that’s also possible.

Kai: Sounds possible.

Shun: Very, very possible ♪

Well, even if things were to erupt into a large fuss, it’s not as if they’re going to do anything bad. Let’s not overthink it.

Que será, será, you know~

Kai: I hope things turn out that way...

Shun: It’s fine~! *pats Kai*

Hmm~ If they don’t turn out well... I’ll just erase their memories ☆

Kai: Your scale isn’t even from 0 to 100 anymore. Can you please stop upping the ante to make it 0 to infinity...?

Shun: Take a look, Kai~! It’s a merry-go-round!

Kai: Ah, I got it. This is your first time coming here since this area was constructed, huh?

Where should we start fr—

Girl: U-um, excuse me! You’re... Shun-san and Kai-san from Procella... right!?

Shun: Mmhmm! Shun-san, at your service~

Good day to you.

Kai: Good afternoon.

Girl: !! I’m cheering you on!! I’m so looking forward to your new song release!

Kai: Thanks for the support.

Shun: Thank you. May this be a good holiday for the both of us.

Happy Albion~♪

Girl: Hwahh...! I’m the one who should be thanking you!! I’m sorry for interrupting you two!

[She walks off.]

Kai: ...You were right. Even without the spell, I guess things turned out well. Even if they sometimes call out to us, like the girl just now, they aren’t the type to crowd around and act like a nuisance.

Shun: See? It’s just as I told you. They know us well enough to understand that we don’t want such a thing to happen. They are warmly watching over us.

Kai: True. I’m gonna have to reflect on what I said earlier. Gotta trust the fans’n all.

Shun: Quite so! We’ve been connected with all of the fans through trust. That’s how these whole ten years have come to fruition, after all.

Kai: Yet I get the feeling that these ten years also consisted of having the “Procella’s back at it again” phrase slapped onto us relatively early into our run.

Shun: That, too, is a form of trust.

Kai: Well, true.

So! Where do you wanna start?

Shun: Ufufu! I’ll coordinate an outfit for you!

[Shun is going through hangers.]

Kai: Oh, jeez! This is expensive! Shouldn’t have expected any less from the company that caters to young master Shun-sama...

Shun: Kai~! Here, here, over here.

Kai: Hm? Wassup?

Shun: See? Doesn’t he make for some fine materials? Don’t you just want to embellish him?

Employee 1: I understand how you feel completely.

Kai: Hmm?

Shun: You see, he typically wears rough outfits like so. However, I figured that a more formal style would be fitting for him...?

*Shun nudges Kai.* Hey, come on, now! Straighten up!

Kai: Uh? Huh!? You’re talking about me?

Employee 1: If that’s the case, you’re just in time for this current season’s line. I have a feeling that it would be perfect for the exact atmosphere that you’re looking for!

Shun: Then, I suppose we could try out starting with that? Come now, Kai. Let’s get you to the fitting room~

Kai: Uh... ...Come again?

Employee 2: This is quite standard, in return, but you will be able to use it frequently regardless of the trends. It has quite the multipurpose design.

Shun: Mmhmm, I see! It suits him! It really does! Absolutely wonderful!

Kai: Excuse me~

Employee 2: Our dear guest has a build similar to that of foreigners, so the original silhouette which the designer sought out is surely being put to good use.

Shun: You’re very right about that. For example, you can see it with his strikingly broad shoulders. They’re perfect for an order-made outfit!

Employee 2: That is an incredibly wonderful idea.

Kai: Hello, Kai speaking~

Shun: If we were to keep this... Ah! There are some nice outfits over there...

Employee 2: Are you also looking for casual compositions?

Shun: Yes. Kai fits sporty styles so unbelievably well! His waist is high-up, so I do believe it’ll look great on his body.

Employee 2: I think so, too. What color would you like?

Kai: Are you listening~?

Shun: Color, hmm? I can’t decide~? Kai can pull off just about all colors... He’ll be able to make even any slightly eccentric colors his own, so since we’re here already, I’m in the mood to play around with him.

Employee 2: I see. If that’s the case, we actually have a special color in storage, which we haven’t brought out to the storefront...!

Shun: This suit contains bits of playful capriciousness scattered throughout it. Quite interesting! Is it possible to try it on?

Aah—I’m not the one wearing it, though. He is.

Employee 3: Of course, you may try it on. Excuse me.

Kai: O-oh...

Employee 3: Thank you very much for asking. We will prepare the correct size for you in the fitting room, so please wait a moment.

Shun: Sure. Thank you in advance.

Kai: ...Shun.

Shun: Hm? Whatever could be the matter, Kai?

Kai: Um, dude. Just about everything’s the matter. What is up with you?

Shun: Fufu! *chuckling* What are you talking about?

Kai: Uhh, well. I find it pretty odd that you’re so eagerly taking the lead like this.

Because when we’re doing our outfit settings or fittings, you tend to let other people do it according to how they feel it’s right. You’re always listening to them with a smile on your face.

Shun: I can’t deny that. When I wear things for work, I wear outfits that professionals chose for me, because they thought I’d suit them.

I find it just so profound and so intriguing that these people’s eyes perceive me to look good in those certain outfits.

Thus, I feel no need for me to object in any way, shape, or form. There’s also an absolute balance and concept to keep in mind, too.

And on top of that~...

Kai: On top of that?

Shun: Just about anything will ultimately look good on me, considering how beautiful I am ✨

Kai: HAHA~! I can’t deny it, so I have to laugh~

Shun: Right? Right?

Employee 3: Thank you for waiting.

[Kai opens the curtains to the fitting room.]

Kai: Thanks for waiting.

Shun, Employee 3: Wow~!

Shun: Mm! Yes, it’s exactly as I thought! It’s perfect for you, Kai!

Kai: What, you think?

Employee 3: Yes, indeed! Fundamentally, we have stock developed in a way which is tailored for Japanese builds, but this series is the face of the brand. You’ll allow it to be used for its original application, as it was intended.

In the end, one’s muscular build or balance of skeletal structure has many individual differences, so this is the first time I’ve met a Japanese person who fits this so spectacularly. I’m quite moved!

Shun: You heard her ♪

You fit it so incredibly, spectacularly, splendidly, Kai.

Kai: Heheh. I’m honored to receive your words of praise.

Well, true. I’ve been thinking that I want some dapper-looking fits, so I’ll settle my resolve and buy i—

Employee 3: How many payments will you use to purchase this?

Shun: Just one, please! ☆

Kai: WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT WAAAAAIT!

[Comical screeching noise.]

Shun: What’s the matter, Kai?

Kai: You really can’t tell what’s the matter? What is with your complete lack of hesitation when whipping out that black card for a single purchase!? Rich boys terrify me!!

Huh? I can buy this myself, though!

Shun: Non, non, non~ I was the one who chose it, and I was also the one who wanted it. I should be the one to purchase it, right?

You’re the one wearing it, but I’ll be the one seeing you wear it. It’s safe to assume that I’ll be by your side when you’re looking dapper, and I want you to stay by my side as you wear this. I am buying this outfit for you for my own sake. See, there is nothing strange about me paying for this.

All right! That’s settled~✨

Kai: It’s... It’s not... weird... I guess...? Uh? Wait?

Shun: You’re welcome~! Come on! Let’s go recover all~ the clothes from the shops we visited that we’ve asked to keep on hold!

Today is truly a day for a shopping spree~!

Kai: Oh... Sure...

[ka-ching!]

Employee 1: Thank you very much.

[ka-ching!]

Employee 2: Thank you very much.

[ka-ching!]

Employee 4: Will this be for indoor wear?

[ka-ching!]

Employee 5: Thank you for purchasing~!

Kai: ...

Shun: Hum de hum hum, hum~♪

If we come to shop in a car, we don’t have to worry about being able to carry things back home. I’m so glad I got to buy a lot!

Goodness, I’m just so excited to see Kai wearing new clothes!

Kai: ...Hey, Shun.

Shun: Hmm?

Kai: I’m really darn happy. I’m really, seriously, darn happy about this.

But I do think... it doesn’t sit right that I’m the only one here getting lavished with such good purchases. I don’t know how to put it...

Shun: You really don’t have to worry about that, though.

Kai: Yeah, but it still bugs me. It’s part of my nature.

So... let me give you something in return.

Shun: Something in return... Well, then. Ahh, I got it!

Kai: Hm?

Shun: I would like that for a return gift! *points*

Kai: That?

Child 1: Could I get a chocolate banana?

Child 2: I’d like... a strawberry whipped cream!

Stall worker: Sure! Please wait a moment.

Kai: Um. Uh. Wait, you’re telling me... You want one of those crepes?

Shun: Yes!!

Kai: Er—no, uh. The things you gave me had an extra zero... or two, or three.

Shun: Gosh, Kai, you’re such a kidder! If you add zeroes to zero, you’ll still have zero!

Kai: Ah. That’s... true?

Shun: And if I were to continue on with that line of thought, zero precedes one. It is neither positive nor negative. It is neither a prime number nor a composite number nor is it a singular number. In set theory, it is essentially a node in an empty set. And in propositional logic, it can be expressed as none – nil – nothing in truth-value. Correct?

Kai: Hrrnmgh~! I don’t really get it, but basically, what I wanna say is...!

Our values aren’t equal to each other!

Shun: What in the world are you saying, Kai!?

Is this not perfect!? These are the crepes that people eat together during dates!!

Kai: O-ohh! R... really?

Shun: Yes, really! We must eat desserts together if we’re on a date!

Memories are priceless! ✨ We cannot put a price tag on them, correct!? *ding*

Paradoxically, one can also say that there is nothing as expensive as this. My logic does, at first glance, seem to run counter to one’s typical psychology in a sort of twisted paradox, but—

Kai: SURE, LET’S EAT SOME CREPES!

Shun: Yay!

Stall worker: Here you are! Thank you for waiting.

Kai: Thank you very much. Here, Shun.

Shun: Thank you, Kai.

Kai: Homh. Mm! This is tasty!

Shun: Sho dewicious~

Kai, Shun: *laughing*

Kai: It really feels like a date.

Shun: What have I been saying since the beginning? We’ve been on a date the whole day.

Kai: You’re quite right about that.

Whew~... The wind feels refreshing.

Shun: It smells nice, too.

[They both breathe in the air.]

Kai: ...Hey, Shun.

Shun: Hmm?

Kai: Let’s go on a date again.

Shun: Why, yes! Definitely!

Kai: Yeah, definitely. We don’t need to go on a proper trip to somewhere far away like this. Since we’ve finally got ease to spare, let’s occasionally find some free time and hang out together, just the two of us.

The scenery in the city’s changing gradually, too. It’s worth exploring.

Shun: The scenery is changing, hm?

...Truly... the mortal world is quick to alter itself.

Time passes, and people pass by as well. The world changes without stopping.

Kai: Let’s overcome those waves with the mindset of being adventurers in the midst of our journeys, Demon Lord~

Shun: Sure thing, partner~

Ufufu! I’m looking forward to it.

...Hey, hey, Kai?

When we’re done eating these, let’s ride on the merry-go-round from back then!

Kai: Huuuh!? Don’t you think that’s a little too embarrassing...?

Shun: I, at least, look good on horseback, so it’s perfectly fine.

Kai: HAHA! I SEE! “I, at least”?