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nebulancer
Summary – One day in the afternoon, Yuno and Mizuki were spending a peaceful lunchtime together. That was when unexpected troubles happened.
The support system to help Goddesses working on Earth suddenly crashed. The two of them have to take part in a random plan of throwing people at the issue until the system recovers, but......?
“We both need to take our first steps to get things rolling, don’t we?”
“From now on, we’ll take our second and third steps. Our Goddess ways are still going on and on. Let’s walk them together!”
1. Drama – “My Likes ≠ What I Want To Do ≠ My Skills?”
Yuno: Mizuki! Sorry to keep you waiting. Whew, I’m hungry.
Mizuki: Good work there. I’ve just bought my meal as well.
Yuno: Ah, you went with the Japanese set meal today. It looks tasty.
Mizuki: It truly is. The Japanese set menu at the Goddess Institute’s cafeteria keeps nutritional balance in mind. It changes daily, so I don’t get bored of it. Isn’t that just lovely?
Yuno: Mhmm! It’s a huge help. But today’s a lunch box day for me! I did my best making it~
Mizuki: Lunch box...? Oh my! Oh my, oh my, oh my~! Did you make it all yourself?
Let me see, let me see it!
Yuno: Oh, whoa. You’re really eager to see.
I’m bad at cooking, but when I see people who are good at cooking, like Akane, swiftly making food with such efficiency and skill, I can’t help but feel like they’re so cool...!
We’re aiming to set off on our own and find our own occupations as Goddesses, right?
I just thought that the more things I can do, the more choices I can pick.
I’m trying new things out at the moment.
Mizuki: Ufufu. Now that’s Yuno for you. I love the way you’re just so diligent and direct.
Yuno: A-ahahah... It’s not that big of a deal... I feel like it’d be hard to level up so soon, but what’s most important is to keep things going consistently.
If I end up quitting after a while, I hope you’ll laugh it off for me~
Mizuki: Oh my! I do hope you wouldn’t underestimate my love for you.
Even if you were to give up, the fact still remains that you tried challenging yourself with something you’re bad at. Why, you even gave it a shot.
That process in itself is a precious action to take. I wouldn’t possibly laugh at that.
With that being said, could I perhaps do my part in consuming the crystals of your hard work?
Yuno: Huh!? U-umm! N-no way, no way at all! It’s still at the point where it’d be like... a human experiment if you ate it!
Maybe after a little while longer! When I feel like it’s reached a point where it’s okay for other people to eat it...?
Mizuki: [GLOOM...] What...!? I’m so disappointed...!
But Yuno, I thought you only had eyes for me! You’re going to give your homemade food to someone aside from me!?
Yuno: Weugh!? Wh-wh-waaah! Wh-when I get decent enough to have someone else eat my food, you’re gonna be the very first one I ask to taste-test it, all right?
Mizuki: Ufufu! It’s a promise ♡
Yuno: ...It probably won’t be taste-testing. It might as well be poison-testing for all I know.
Mizuki: Oh my, oh my~! I’d eagerly drink it all up even if it were poison ✨
Yuno: *chuckling* You’re at full throttle today...
...Oh, wait. We’re moving off-topic now. Instead of my lunch box’s contents, I want you to check this one out more.
Ta-dah~!
Mizuki: Goodness! What an adorable lunch box bag! Where did you buy it?
Yuno: Actually, I... made this myself, too.
Mizuki: What in the good heavens did I just hear!? Yuno brought a lunch box in a bag of her own embroidery!? ♡ Goodness, you’re so cute for that, too! ♡
Yuno: *embarrassed* S-stop laying on the praise... You’re exaggerating~
Mizuki: *chuckles* But why so suddenly? You started not only cooking, but also sewing your own bags?
Yuno: Y’see. You know how we took part in last year’s joint stage, Hyakunen Aoharu?
Mizuki: But of course! It was terribly enjoyable, wasn’t it? By becoming a student of Tsukino Academy, we had our fill of youth~
Yuno: Back then, I had so much fun being a part of the Handicrafts Club. I guess you could say that I got hooked on it? I started thinking that I wanted to make a lot more different things.
Which is why I gave it a shot during the day off I had a while ago. See?
Mizuki: Ufufu! Yuno, you had the time of your life in the Handicrafts Club.
Yuno: I sure did...! It was my first time drawing up design sketches for clothes.
When I actually got started doing it, though, I started seeing loads of dreams and hopes wherever I went. It was like, “I want to do this! Oh, but I want to do that!” I just couldn’t stop. I was having a ball of a time!
Mizuki: The dress you designed was incredibly adorable!
Yuno: Oh, really? I’m glad to hear that~
Mizuki: I remember it crystal-clear. It was decorated lavishly with ribbons.
Yuno: Ahaha, yeah, it was! I tried putting a bunch on it, so it was a real load of work.
But throughout my process of sewing each and every stitch, putting my heart into it, I started feeling more and more attached to it.
Mizuki: It was a product that you put your entire heart into making, wasn’t it?
Yuno: Yeah! Plus, since I made clothes from scratch, there was... a change in what I feel when I’m wearing other clothes, too.
Mizuki: Oh my! That sounds quite profound. Whatever could that change be?
Yuno: At the school festival, you know how I wore the dress that Issa-kun designed for me and walked down the runway?
Mizuki: If memory serves me correctly, it was Club President Kiduku’s creation: “The Ultimate Kick-Ass Cutest Dress Ever,” right? He was right in calling it that, since when you wore it, you were the ultimate kick-ass cutest ever!
Yuno: Nngh... Hearing Mizuki speak with Issa-kun’s tone of voice feels so offputting... But thank you.
As Issa-kun made progress in making the dress a reality, I’d also work hard at making my own dress. I... understood a lot more about clothes than I ever had before.
Mizuki: You understood it... So by realizing the tailor’s feelings or the process of creation, you managed to glimpse the feelings or perspective placed into a single article of clothing? Would that be it?
Yuno: Mmhmm! Yes, yeah. It’s like that. Ever since, I started feeling that I could hold my head high when I put on the clothes that I wear. It’s the same with the outfits I wear for work, and also for the clothes I wear off work.
Like, I’m also wearing the feelings of the people who made it~
Mizuki: What a fine observation, just as I’d expect from you.
Yuno: Ahaha! I made a lot of observations~.
Those feelings are still lingering in me, which is why I made a lunch box bag, as you see here. That’s basically what happened.
Mizuki: Hyakunen Aoharu became a priceless experience to you, I see.
Yuno: Yeah! I wonder if I can incorporate what I’ve experienced and what I’ve felt into my Goddess occupation~? That being said, my skill in creation is still beginner-level.
It’s like I still don’t have a concrete idea for what, or how I want to go about doing it.
Mm. Anyway, I’d like to be involved in making something. That’s what I thought.
Mizuki: I see. You’ve latched onto a starting point to figure out your very own Goddess job, hmm?
Yuno: Yeah!
Mizuki: Congratulations! You’ll be fine. If you need the skills, then all you need to do is brush up on them to get better.
You’ve finally found something that you want to do. It’ll be a huge waste if you didn’t bring it as far as it could go.
Yuno: You... think so?
Mizuki: Most definitely. I’m cheering you on for that, Yuno.
Yuno: Ehehe... Thank you.
Yuno, Mizuki: Ufufu...!
Mizuki: ......I need to... find mine, too.
Yuno: ...? Mizuki?
Mizuki: I’ve still yet to figure out an idea for my Goddess occupation like you.
Yuno: Oh, really? Um, uh...
What about photography? How about taking photos? It’s your hobby, and you were even part of the Photography Club in Hyakunen Aoharu, weren’t you?
Mizuki: I do enjoy taking photos. I wish to continue doing photography in the future.
But if you asked me if I wanted to make it my job, it feels... somewhat wrong.
Yuno: Oh... really...
Mizuki: Yes. To me, photographs are......
...Let me think. They are things that preciously compile my memories, the path I’ve walked, and my bonds with the people I’ve interacted with.
It’s an activity that makes my life richer as I live my day-to-day life. Perhaps you’d understand if I put it that way?
In the end, it’s something private, meant for myself.
Yuno: I get it...
Mizuki: Though that’s the case, if you were to ask me what I have besides from that... I can’t exactly come up with anything else...
Yuno: ...I know, huh~?
Mizuki: Phew... Each and every Goddess occupation is different. There are as many ways of doing them as there are people. However, the more freedom it allows, the more we’ll end up worrying our heads over it...
Yuno: You’re not the type to prefer being told, “Do whatever you want.” You’re more geared toward being told, “Clear this assignment,” after all.
Mizuki: Oh, my! You know me through and through.
Yuno: Of course. How long have we known each other?
Mizuki: Ufufu! ...I’m bad at handling it, but I couldn’t possibly keep running away from it.
Everyone is heading toward their futures and starting to find their own paths to walk down.
Yet for me, I can’t decide what direction I should take for my first step. I don’t even know what future I seek.
I feel somewhat stressed that I’m so indecisive.
Yuno: ......
...Sorry if this sounds unsympathetic, but...
I don’t think you need to stress so much about finding it.
Mizuki: ...What?
Yuno: If you miss something important because you’re so stressed, it’d be a huge waste.
And who knows? You could very well stumble on the path you wanna take through a random coincidence. And if I’m not a hindrance, I’d gladly offer you my help in searching, too!
Mizuki: Oh, my... Oh my, oh my, oh my~! It doesn’t sound unsympathetic in the slightest!
It’s unbelievably wonderful advice to me! Thank you so much, Yuno. I feel as if a burden’s been lifted off my shoulders now that I’ve talked to you.
You’re quite right. Stressing is not allowed.
Let’s first both work hard at on-site training in our respective workplaces.
Yuno: Yeah! Wait, whoa. It’s already this late!
Mizuki: Oh, my! Why, yes, you’re right! Our lunch breaks will end. Let’s hurry up and dig in.
Yuno: *claps* Digging in!
[Yuno begins eating, but something catches her attention.]
Yuno: ...Huh? Isn’t that Hana-san over there?
Mizuki: I wonder what’s happened?
Kunugi: Himekawa. Apologies for interrupting your break.
Mizuki: It’s no problem. Has something happened?
Kunugi: Related departments have run into trouble. I’d like you to assist in handling the correspondence.
Mizuki: Ah...! Understood, ma’am.
Kunugi: Terase. I’d like to request your assistance as well. I have already received permission to do so from your boss Ogura, so come with me alongside Himekawa.
Yuno: M-me too...? I understand, ma’am.
2. Drama – “What Shines Inside Me”
Goddess candidate 1: We’ll send an assistance kit to Base S-7 very soon.
Goddess candidate 2: Mission complete, is it? Thank you for your hard work.
I’ll now check for the location points where there’s a fluctuation in spiritual energy due to insufficient helping hands. Please wait a moment.
Goddess candidate 3: What! You were spotted by one of the residents of the local area!? I’ll dispatch an Earth reconstruction employee.
Goddess candidate 1: Good work out there.
Goddess candidate 2: Thank you for the report of your completed mission.
[The Goddess candidates continue talking on their headpieces.]
Yuno: This is incredible... So this is what the monitor room actually looks like?
Mizuki: This is your first time coming here, isn’t it?
Yuno: Yeah. I know they’ve always helped provide support for me, but... wow. This is how they’re monitoring the Goddesses who descend to Earth.
Kunugi: Indeed. We are watching over Goddesses 24/7, and we provide backup by sending additional hands, transferring goods, or making sure fitting support is given where necessary.
Yuno: Whoa... Instead of logistics support, you’re more like on the front lines.
Mizuki: So, ma’am, what is the trouble you’re referring to?
Kunugi: The support system has broken down. The cause has already been identified, and the steps to deal with it have been already taken.
However, it will take some time before it is fully restored.
Yuno: Huh!? So does that mean they won’t be able to use the system!?
Kunugi: Exactly. Which is why the support which the AI would normally carry out must be done through human agency until it’s recovered.
That is why I am in the midst of borrowing help from Goddesses with free time or their assistants.
Mizuki: I understand. What you’re saying, is that we must help with the correspondence, too?
Kunugi: I’m counting on you. The basic operation of the machines remains the same as when I taught it to you.
Mizuki: All right.
Yuno: Umm~... It’s my... first time, though...
Kunugi: My apologies for the emergency circumstances. We’ve no ease to teach you starting from square one. Help with the call for aid while mimicking Himekawa and the others’ actions.
Yuno: I-I don’t even get to practice or anything!?
Mizuki: You’ll be fine. The operations themselves aren’t very difficult.
Yuno: Huuuh!? Mmhgh! Oh, fine!
Courage makes a woman!! I’ll do my best! What’m I supposed to do?
Mizuki: First is... well, let’s see here. How about we take some deep breaths first?
Make sure to calm down. I’ll go through the steps and explain properly.
Yuno: All right...!
Haah... Phew... Haah. ...Okay!
You’re always doing these kinds of jobs at work?
Mizuki: It’s definitely my first time having to handle trouble of this type, though. I’m typically calculating the incomes and expenditures of Earth's spiritual energy converted into numbers, with Hana-san.
Kunugi: Yes. Due to the nature of our job, we have a profound connection with the monitor room. And this time, an SOS has taken place.
Yuno: I see.
Kunugi: Let’s not waste any more time. Use this intercom.
Yuno: Ooh! That’s sorta cool~! And... equipped! ☆
Mizuki: *claps* Oh my, oh my, oh my~! It suits you oh, so terribly well, Yuno! You’re so awe-inspiringly lovely!
Yuno: A-ahaha... Looking like this makes me feel like I’m at the control center HQ for some sort of large-scale operation.
Kunugi: Because you are. This is, after all, the HQ for the support team.
Your assistance in the correspondence will become crucial. Well, then. I’m counting on your individual responses to the situation once we receive the transmissions.
I will return to restoring the system.
Yuno: I understand!
Mizuki: Roger that, ma’am. We’ll be in your care as well, Hana-san.
-
Mizuki: Base F-18 plans on setting up a station. Understood.
Yuno: Nothing out of the ordinary. Understood.
Mizuki: Yuno? Are you all right?
Yuno: *sighs* Somehow... Most of it’s basic, regular updates at fixed times, so I think I’m managing... I hope...
Mizuki: That’s a relief to hear.
Yuno: You’re cool as a cucumber. Every time a transmission comes in, I get nervous, and I can’t help but get stressed.
Mizuki: I get nervous, too. However, my curiosity wins out.
Yuno: Curiosity? About what?
Mizuki: You know how we can see who's doing what, and where, through the monitors, right? They’re all moving individually, but as a whole, they form a complete team. I can actually feel it for myself.
[An alarm goes off.]
Yuno: This alarm’s...!?
Mizuki: An emergency contact.
[Kunugi runs in.]
Kunugi: What in the world is happening?
Goddess candidate 1: The Goddesses in F-13 have sent in an emergency transmission.
...! An accident’s occurred! They want Earth support personnel, STAT!
Kunugi: What about the Goddesses who are on stand-by on the Moon?
Goddess candidate 2: I-I’ll check right now!
Kunugi: Confirm and contact the Goddesses who can be dispatched. Someone—
Mizuki: I’ll do it.
Yuno: Mizuki!?
Kunugi: Very well. I’m counting on you, Himekawa.
Mizuki: Yes, ma’am.
First, we need to get an understanding of the scene itself. Please confirm the specific details of the accident.
Goddess candidate 3: Yes!
Mizuki: There are Goddesses located close to the site of the accident. They’d be faster reaching it than being sent from the Moon.
Please ask the Goddesses at Base E-9 if it’s possible for them to take care of it.
Goddess candidate 1: Yes!
Mizuki: Yuno? And could you contact the Goddesses at Base F-18? We just received that mission complete announcement from them, so they must have some spare time.
Yuno: Got it. Wait, Mizuki, do you remember all the announcements that came in until now?
Mizuki: I couldn’t possibly have remembered each and every one, but I’ve a grasp of the important points. Just to be safe, please contact the Goddesses who are on standby on the Moon.
Please ask them to prepare so that they’d be ready to head out at any given moment.
Yuno: Mizuki. I managed to reach them. The ones in F-18 say that they can do it.
Mizuki: That’s a relief. Let’s have them head there on Earth.
Yuno: Sure.
Goddess candidate 3: We’ve managed to confirm the details of the accident!
Mizuki: Good. Please make it possible for others to check over the details while they’re on the move. Share it with the Goddesses who are heading to the scene for support.
Goddess candidate 3: Understood!
Yuno: Mizuki, you’re incredible...
Kunugi: Hm. A job well done.
Then, it seems that I must prove my own mettle as your boss.
[She types...]
Kunugi: And with this, the restoration is finished. Good job holding out, everyone.
Goddess candidates: It’s finally over~ / *sighs*
Yuno: *sighs* I’m exhausted~!
Mizuki: I was worried what would happen for a moment there, but it seems we somehow managed to pull through. Good work getting through it.
Yuno: Yeah, good work to you too. ...I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen you make this face, aside from during Seleas’ concerts.
Mizuki: Huh? I wonder... What kind of face am I making?
Yuno: You’re tired, but your eyes are sparkling. Don’t you feel a sense of accomplishment?
Mizuki: Oh...! ...That may be the case.
Yuno: Maybe this... could be what you’ve been looking for?
Mizuki: This?
Yuno: Watching over everyone as a whole. Delivering necessary things to the places where it’s needed... Like, support? Saying that you’re in high spirits when handling accidents might be a weird way of putting it...
But it’s been like that with you for a long time now...
Mizuki: Do you... truly believe so?
Yuno: I do! When I got thinking about it, that’s always been where you’ve manifested your true skills. See, like when you were student council president. Weren’t you in a position like that?
Mizuki: Now that you mention it... I suppose so?
Kunugi: I agree with Terase’s opinion. Your actions today were a splendid display of skill.
Mizuki: ...! Hana-san...
Kunugi: Rather than training practice at the scene itself, a role where you stay on the Moon, watching over the entirety of the situation, might be more suited for you.
Mizuki: ......
Yuno: Mizuki?
Mizuki: Suited for me... You’re right. You’re exactly right.
If I don’t know what I want to do, it’s okay for me to start searching by doing what I can do right now...
Yuno: Oho~?
Mizuki: Even if I can’t see a path forward for a clear-cut future... I can at least take my first steps.
My future isn’t set in stone, which is exactly why I can walk ahead freely. That’s how I should be looking at it.
I think what I just need... is to move forward, regardless of everything else! That’s way better than staying stuck in place!
Yuno: Mmhmm~!
Mizuki: Yuno, Hana-san! ✨
Yuno: Yeah!
Kunugi: Yes.
Mizuki: At some point, I’d misled myself into thinking that I had to find something that I could do for the people of Earth. But things aren’t set that way.
I don’t need to be there in person, directly working for them. There is also something that I can achieve by acting as support.
Interacting with them that way is much more fitting for me. ...At least, I feel that way.
Yuno: Looks like you’ve latched onto a starting point, too.
Mizuki: I have! Well, at the very least, I’ve figured out a direction in which to take my first steps.
Kunugi: Himekawa. There are as many correct answers as there are Goddesses. That is how Goddesses are.
What will you maintain in order to have your own right answer? That is something which you will decide for yourself.
If you’ve taken a step forward, then you’ve already created a path for yourself.
You’d best do well to search for your own way to be a Goddess, while walking the whole path through.
Mizuki: Yes, ma’am!
Kunugi: Heh. It seems to me that you’ve become aware of something propitious.
[Kunugi leaves.]
Yuno: Good for you, Mizuki!
Mizuki: Thank you, Yuno! We both need to take our first steps to get things rolling, don’t we?
Yuno: Yeah! From now on, we’ll take our second and third steps. Our Goddess ways are still going on and on. Let’s walk them together!
Yuno, Mizuki: Fufufu...! / Ufufu...!
[They laugh together.]
