nebulancer | Tsukiuta. if ~White Rabbit Kingdom~ Drama CD

[Battle cries roar out distantly.

Kai is on the verge of death.]

Kai: ......*panting* Haah... Hah...... Aw, man~...... Looks like... I screwed up......

Rui: ...D-don’t die...... You can’t die...

Kai: Sure... ...Hurt anywhere...?

Rui: I’m not... hurt... But—But you’re...! Your blood... it just keeps...!

I-I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. It’s because you protected me... It’s my fault that...... you’re...

[Kai pats Rui on the head.]

Kai: Don’t... cry. I... don’t regret a single... thing.

Rui: ......!

Kai: If you’re safe... then run away. Unfortunately for us, we don’t have a king... so we’re weak. Run... into the forest......

Rui: I-I can’t... leave you behind...!

Kai: *laughs wryly* Well, shoot... If Iku were here... He would’ve... taken you aw... ay...

Ah... But before he did that, he’d probably... get upset at me...? Because look at how I am now...

Rui: *sobbing*

Kai: Haha... Don’t... cry... Gh—Ghack— *choking, coughing up blood*

Rui: ! ...Take it... easy...

Kai: ......I’m going to die right here, right now.

...And you... should live.

What’s... your name...?

Rui: ...Ru... i. Rui... And yours is...?

Kai: Heh. There’s no need for you to... ask. Just forget about me... live long and live well. Live on my behalf... Rui.

Rui: No... way...

Kai: *sighs* ..... The sky’s blue... It’s nice... weather out...

Rui: ! ...You can’t. You can’t... die here...! Please, don’t die...!

Shun: ——Oh me, oh my. Death's aroma is lingering about in the vicinity. As are two adorable little rabbits.

[Shun descends from the sky.]

Rui: !?

Shun: But my, how curious. You’re already on the brink of death, yet your soul isn’t clouded in the slightest.

In stark contrast to that, most souls greeting death upon this battlefield would screech a cry of lament, colored vibrantly in the hue of heavy regret.

Hey, you. Larger white rabbit? Why do you suppose this is the case?

Kai: ...Hh...

Shun: ...You’re incapable of responding now, are you...? ...Hmm. I wonder what I should do?

[Shun reaches a hand toward Kai, and Rui slaps him away.]

Rui: D-don’t touch him!

Shun: Goodness gracious, I’ve been yelled at.

...Fufufu. You’re very cute, trying to threaten me with all your small body has to offer.

But it’s all right, little white rabbit. I shall not harm him. All I’ll do is save him.

Rui: Save him...?

Shun: Yes. After all, I’d like him to answer my question.

“Why are you dying with a smile on your face?” I must hear his answer to that from his own mouth.

Which is why... I will call you back to life.

Through granting you a role, I can call you back from death’s loving embrace~♪

Now, then! The King of the White Rabbits is born!

[Several years later. Book pages are being flipped through.]

Yoru: ...I do this... here... and here’s where... Aah, and I’d be able to use this law here?

And then... whoa!

[The door slams open and You rushes in.]

You: Sorry ‘bout this, Yoru! Lemme hide!

Yoru: You!? Eh—wha—What’s going on!? Wait, the books in that area are still being organized—

You: I’ll tell you later! I was never here, okay? Got it!?

Yoru: What!? I-I don’t get what’s going on... but... Whoa—Whoa, whoa!?

[Numerous women angrily stomp in, searching for You.]

Yoru: There are... so many women... ...Ugh... That idiot... Not again...... *sigh*

E-excuse me, ladies~. I don’t think the person you’re searching for is here.

The only things you could find here are huge loads of old books and documents, piled with dust, and me, a regular old civil servant.

...Yes, I’m telling the truth. Sincerely and truly.

So, um, I think it would be better to search somewhere else before your beautiful dresses get dirtied with dust.

[The women leave, and after a beat, You emerges.]

You: ......Phew. Now that was a close call ☆

Yoru: Stop trying to phrase it coolly. I know you’re two-timing... no, three-timing... no, is it four-timing? Or more? And they found out, so that’s why you’re being chased down again... *groans*

You: Hey, come on, Yoru. That puts me in a bad light.

All I really do is look into the city’s conditions by listening to the inhabitants ve~ry clo~sely...

Yoru: Yeah, whatever you say. I doubt any city conditions are being brought up when you’re asking them about much more intimate and personal issues.

You’re getting so personal that the noble ladies’ lovers misunderstand your relationship.

*sigh* ... I think it’d do you a lot of good if I handed you over to them and made you experience a rough time at least once...

You: And despite saying that, you keep fending them off for me every time. My appreciation for having this childhood friend seeps into my weary bones~

See, as thanks for fending them off for me, I’ll give this to you.

Yoru: Th-those are...! Magazines from the city!

You: Exactly! I’ve collected all the new volumes of literature magazines, science magazines, gossip magazines, lined up in nice pretty rows~

C’mon~ c’mon, c’mon~ Don’tcha want these, bookworm?

Yoru: I-I do! It pains me to admit, but I want them!

You: ‘S what I thought. Which is why I nabbed ‘em for you. Here you go.

Yoru: ......Thanks, You. Because, as you already know, I can’t move my right leg properly... because I have a physical impairment. I can’t go outside the castle unless I can bother someone into accompanying me.

Books and magazines are a valuable way of connecting me to the outside.

You: Hey~, Yoru. That leg of yours is a scar of honor. It’s the result of you protecting an adorable girl. It’s something to puff your chest out in pride for, not something to feel shameful for.

Even after you’ve traded your sword in to become a civil servant, you’ll always be my partner, Yoru.

Yoru: Fufu. Thank you. But... I just can’t shake off the feeling... that I don’t want to drag others into my own circumstances... *laughs wryly*

You: It’s not healthy to keep yourself cooped up in the castle all the time.

Yoru: If it were a normal castle, then yes, that’d be the case.

But... this castle of the White Rabbit Kingdom has a courtyard, garden, and a vast garden located behind it.

I can exercise and get in as much of the outside air as I want. I can feel the warm sunlight, look at the flowers, and feel the wind.

It’s incredibly comfortable here, so I can’t help but have fun every day.

You: I guess. But still. Go outside sometimes, Yoru.

Even though you can have your fill of nature in this castle, there aren’t many people who can come in and out as they please. It’s not like you meet lots of fresh faces, am I right?

Go outside. Breathe in the messy air, feel the liveliness, the change, and all sorts of stuff.

The people in this castle wouldn’t even consider accompanying you as a bother, either.

Yoru: Fufu. You love the city, don’t you? It’s a precious part of this kingdom, after all. Umm... it reveals the peaceful and lovable daily lives you live, I think is how he put it?

You: Ahh... That roundabout way of phrasing it... I bet it’s something that white freak said.

Yoru: Ahaha. Yep, exactly. As expected of his accompanying guard.

You: Ugh~! Ew~! I’m not happy to hear that compliment, not one bit! And thinking about it properly, he doesn’t need a guard at all!? He’s a Demon Lord who’s lived for a thousand years already!?

Why’ve I gotta...

Yoru: Didn’t all the soldiers participate in a ladder lottery to see who’d get the position? If memory serves me correctly, it was... a one-in-several-thousand chance?

Now that’s what I call lucky, You~

You: What kinda luck is that!?

If you’re calling it that, then I call it a curse! Or a jinx! I’ve got something, but it’s definitely not luck—

[A bell rings.]

You: GAAAAHH!

Yoru: Speak of the Demon Lord. Shun-san is calling for you. Hang in there, You.

*giggles*

You: Argh, what is it this time!? If he says, “Tell me something funny!” again this time, I swear, I’m gonna smack the living daylights outta that guy, Demon Lord be damned.

Yoru: Ah, You.

You: What?

Yoru: Um, well... next time you go outside... Could you take me with you?

You: Huh?

Yoru: Ah. It doesn’t have to be right now. Just, when you’re free. Anytime in the future, that is. I was just thinking that I should do what you suggested and chat with the people in the city, too.

You: Then tomorrow.

Yoru: What?

You: Tomorrow. If tomorrow’s too soon, then the day after that.

I’ll match my schedule with yours, so where do you wanna go? What do you wanna look for?

I’ll take you with me any time. And that’s a given.

Yoru: ...Thank you, You.

You: No problem. See ya, Yoru. Sorry for interrupting your work.

Yoru: Sheesh, that’s a little late in coming, isn’t it? *chuckles*

You: Keep your plans for tomorrow open, got it?

Yoru: Ahaha! Sure thing.

You: Nice!

[Another location, at the same time the bell rang.]

Iku: Ah... Shun-san’s summoned You.

Rui: ......Gghhugh...

Iku: You’s gotta go through a lot, too... Ah, wait. But in this case, it’s not like I’d hate helping with Shun-san’s requests, and I’d think it to be fun. But still, I guess that’s because he’s the Demon Lord that all sorts of things about him are... well, they’re different from our perceptions of it all.

Rui: Grr... Ughgh......

Iku: The Demon Lord... Shun-san, huh?

He’s the one who saved my boss Kai-san, whom I also admire, and turned him into the King... Yes, he created a king for the White Rabbits who didn’t have a King beforehand.

Thanks to that, our kingdom became peaceful. Our land’s become blessed, we’ve gained mysterious strength, and other species don’t hunt us down anymore.

Rui: This time, for sure... ...Gh! ...Grhghgh...

Iku: ...If I think about it that way, he’s an extremely incredible person... No, er, I know he’s a Demon Lord, but still...

He’s usually just smiling away with a laugh that enjoys teasing others, and he’s always kind and all...

Rui: ...Gh... Gh... *panting* ...Haah...

Iku: He sprouted rabbit ears of his own after saying, “I should be matchies with everyone else!” but... I wonder what his actual species is?

I honestly feel like Shun-san’s species is just “Shun-san,” though. Hey, Rui? What do you think?

Rui: Ikkun! Don’t... think about other things... while I’m desperately... practicing my sword swings...!

Iku: S-sorry.

...Umm, but Rui? Aren’t you already stumbling around just from lifting the sword? If you have to swing it on top of that...

I can’t say I see that happening anytime soon in the future... or if that’s in your future to begin with.

......How about you start by working out?

Rui: No way. If I work out the same way you do, I’d fall in a coma for three days straight.

Iku: That’s. A very straightforward way of saying you can’t do it.

Rui: And don’t say that I can’t lift the sword.

Iku: I’m just saying what I see with my own two eyes.

Rui: It’s just because this is your sword! I can obviously lift a normal sword. Please correct yourself accordingly.

Iku: Aah, sure. You’re right. Sorry, sorry. I’ve corrected myself. *laughs wryly*

Rui: Very well.

...

......*sigh* ... I wonder why I can’t lift your sword. I’m not that feeble... No, no. That’s not the case. That can’t be the case.

Iku: Ahaha. Yeah, it’s not just your issue. Others can barely carry it, too.

This sword’s, well... Whoop, there we go!

[Iku casually picks up the sword.]

Iku: I received this sword from Shun-san. Apparently, it’s a special sword.

It’s a living sword with its own will, that also goes by the cool name of “Durandal.”

Rui: It has its own will...

Iku: Yeah. And apparently, that will chooses its owner.

If the sword is held by people it doesn’t acknowledge, then it’ll become excessively heavy, or become incredibly dull to the point it can’t cut anything. Basically, it renders itself useless.

Rui: People it doesn’t acknowledge...... So that means the sword hates me... (GLOOM...)

Iku: Er, uh. No, no, that’s not it. I don’t think you need to be so shocked about that...

I think it’s an issue of aptitude. About good or bad compatibility, instead of likes or dislikes.

Rui: Aptitude... Compatibility...

Iku: Yep, exactly. You know what’s the perfect example of that?

You might not be able to carry my sword, but I can’t heal people with that mysterious power that you have.

Rui: Well... I guess... that’s right.

Iku: The “power of healing” is extremely rare and can’t be found just anywhere. Maybe that’s why you became the “Prince” alongside Kai-san’s “King” through Divine Revelation.

Meanwhile, I received the power to protect you two. That’s how I see it.

Rui: ...... But... my power... is half-baked and incomplete. It won’t work on fatal wounds. It can’t revive the dead, either.

And in reality, Kai was once on the verge of death because he protected me...

He nearly died in place of me.

Iku: That was when you first met Kai-san, right?

You were being targeted and hunted down due to your power... But why so suddenly start doing this?

Rui: ......Today marks exactly five years since that incident.

Iku: I see. So that’s why you blurted out, “I’ll start training!” out of the blue.

Rui: ...Ever since then, I’ve always been a burden for Kai... and everyone else...

I feel nothing but shame for how pitiful I am... because I want to do something, yet I can’t.

[Rui sits.]

Iku: ......Rui.

[Iku kneels next to him.]

Iku: No one thinks you’re a burden. I know Kai-san, for sure, would never think that way. I know you know that as well...

But, if you’re still worried about that, I can assure you that’s not the case. As someone who’s always worked underneath Kai-san as his subordinate.

Rui: ...Ikkun...

Iku: People are born with their own individual strengths and weaknesses. In this world, that becomes extremely easy to recognize because it appears in obvious ways.

Yours is your healing power, mine is the power to fight physically. But I think the important thing isn’t about which one of us is more blessed or better than the other.

It’s because we’re all different, we’re all separate and distinct from each other, that we can create a world that is filled with tons of possibilities.

Rui: ...Tons of... possibilities...

Iku: Yeah. Possibilities.

I can’t heal, even if there were two of me. It’s because you and I are together that we can both fight and heal.

So don’t you think it’s fine for things to be like this, Rui?

Rui: ...Ikkun... Yeah. You’re right. That’s... much better......

[Iku gets up.]

Iku: Okay! Now that we’ve settled that, Rui, let’s work out!

Rui: What. How were you led to that conclusion?

Iku: Rui, I know I said that the sword gets heavy, but I can’t believe that you’re out of breath from just trying to lift it up.

In the worst-case scenario, what if you’ll need to protect yourself with it? It’s making me, your guard, worry for you.

Rui: ...I’m happy you’re worried for me, but...

Iku: So that’s why! Time to work out. *smiles*

Well, then, first, let’s go for three laps around the castle, how about it?

Rui: ......Yikes.

[The castle courtyard. The Demon Lord and King are having a tea party.

The bell rings.]

Shun: I wonder if You will hurry up and get here soon~?

Kai: Shu~n~? I think you should stop calling for You so constantly and without a care in the world. He might be in the middle of a job.

Shun: Huh~? But isn’t You my assigned guard?

Wouldn’t his job be to prioritize watching over me?

Kai: Well, yeah, but... What are you planning on asking him to do?

Considering we’re smack-dab in the middle of an elegant tea party in the courtyard, I doubt there’s anything that you need You for.

Shun: I wanted him to tell me something funny ♪

Kai: ...Oh, yeah. You’s definitely gonna flip his shit.

*sigh* Think about my position, since I’m going to have to back you up later.

...And hey, Shun? I sure don’t think you need a guard at all.

Shun: Huh? What? No, I do. I totally sure do.

After all, I’m a purely and pristinely cultured Demon Lord , just a little pampered boy who has never held anything heavier than chopsticks.

I can’t live unless I have someone watching over me—and in the first place, I’ll straight-up die if I get too lonely.

Kai: I sure don’t wanna hear that from a guy who’s lived over a thousand years already. And while we’re here, what are “chop sticks”?

Shun: Chopsticks are two-piece magical sticks that are used in eastern countries of a certain distant world that does not exist here.

And while we’re here, that same thousand years may finally come to an end very soon.

Kai: Huh, cool~...... Wait, HUH!?

Man, you said something totally unbelievable near the end!

Shun: Hm? What’s unbelievable?

Kai: Literally just said it! That those thousand years will come to an end?

So what’s that mean? Are you gonna die? Are you sick? Are you hurt anywhere? Should I call for a doctor!?

Shun: ......Pfft... Ahaha! As always, you’re terribly kind and ever so slightly off. You’re absolutely wonderful, you know that?

Worry not, Kai. I’ve sprouted matching rabbit ears to go with the rest of you, but I’m the Demon Lord in the first place.

I have no lifespan in the first place, there’s no way I could fall ill, and no part of me hurts a single bit.

Kai: ...... *sigh of relief* ...Got it. Don’t spook me outta nowhere.

Shun: Fufufu. Thanks for worrying about me. However, agony is yet another sign of life.

People feel pain as they attempt to live, and they feel suffering because they attempt to do their best.

Until I met you all, I simply felt lacking, and I could only hazily feel that was the case.

Could I truly call that way of living, well... living...?

Kai: Sure you were. You were living, for sure.

You’ve lived so long that we couldn’t even hope to imagine how long you’ve lived. You’ve seen all sorts of things and been influenced by all sorts of things...

In the meanwhile, you saved me and our kingdom.

I’m grateful to you from the bottom of my heart.

Shun: Hmm~. However, that was but a whimsical caprice.

Kai: Ahaha. You say that, but I know perfectly well that you’ve been causing those “whimsical caprices” to happen here and there.

There’s this “White One” that appears in ancient scriptures from time to time. That must be you. Isn’t it, Shun?

Shun: Oh my?

Kai: Yoru told me about it. Records from various regions reveal that it’s taken place on this very continent ever since ancient times.

When there were earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or times of great famine, a “White One” appears from out of nowhere to create a miracle. That same legend isn’t just exclusive to the rabbit species.

Shun: ...My, who knows.

I don’t know of that. After all, I’m a Demon Lord, and not a White One.

Kai: Okay, whatever you say. *laughs wryly*

...So, Shun? Let’s get back on track now. What do you mean by those thousand years are coming to an end?

Shun: Aah, that? That is my personal circumstance.

Ever since I had gained an ego, I’d been searching for my antithesis forever and ever. ...I believe I’ve finally found it.

We are imperfect if we are alone and without the other, without an End or a Beginning. However, when both antithesis are together, we are completed, becoming full for the very first time.

...Basically... it’s the End. I didn’t even suspect that said antithesis could actually be on the reverse side of the world.

Fufufu.

Kai: The reverse side... of the world...

Shun: Yes, the world’s reverse side. It’s a precious fragment of this world.

That is a kingdom where the Black Rabbits live, you see? ...... *thinking*

...Aah... Mm, yes. As I thought. That is where my precious, precious other half lives. It seems as if he wasn’t very cheerful recently... but... Aah. My, I’m glad to see that.

It looks to me as if he’s smiling as he’s surrounded by his kind companions.

He’s just the same as me.

Kai: Hrrm~... Your conversation’s way too large-scale that I don’t really get it, but, well, Black Rabbit Kingdom? So are they basically like siblings with our White Rabbit Kingdom?

Shun: Why, yes. It’s somewhat like that.

Kai: Then I’d like to meet ‘em. I get the feeling we’d get along swimmingly.

Shun: Mmhmm. I’m sure you definitely will. You’re quite right, Kai. Shall we all go meet with the Black Rabbits the next chance we get? I’ll open up a path.

Kai: ...By “all,” you mean all of us? Like, me, you, Rui, Iku, You, and Yoru?

Shun: Yes, yes. You picked up on it. We are all going. Together.

Kai: We’re all going to another world? Together?

Shun: Yes, to another world!

Goodness, don’t you worry. It may sound a bit far away, but with my power, it’s just somewhat of a distant neighbor.

Fufufu. An otherworldly picnic. I’m so excited for the fun we’ll have ♪

Kai: ......Are picnics supposed to be this grandiose...?

Uh, well, I guess I’m down. It does sound like fun, anyway. ...Hmm, another world...

This continent isn’t the only one that exists. There are other worlds spreading beyond ours... Hmm~

I can’t wrap my head around how tremendous it all is...

Shun: Fufufu. Kai, the world is tremendously vast, endless, far more than you think it is.

Compared to that, we are but little flecks as meager as a single smile. However... each and every single one is unbelievably precious and lovely. I adore both the world and the people within it.

Despite having lived thousands of years, I continue being charmed by this brilliance no matter how long I gaze at it.

Kai: A tremendously vast and endless world... and the meager existences of people in it...

[Kai looks up at the sky as birds fly away.]

Kai: ...I wonder what the color of that world’s sky is...?