nebulancer

1. OP (Mini-Drama)

[Akane is humming to herself while cooking.]

Akane: All right! Breakfast is done~!

[The alarms in Matsuri’s room go off, and Akane turns them off.]

Matsuri-chan, Matsuri-chan! It’s morning. Wake up!

Summer vacation’s long gone, you know?

“One more day”...!? Um... Um, uh... I-If you oversleep an entire day, what’ll you do about food?

Breakfast! Lunch! Dinner! Midnight snacks and snacks in-between meals! You won’t be able to eat any of them!

Are you okay with that?

I’ve made breakfast for you, too~ It’s your favorite, ham and eggs.

The yolk’s half-cooked and runny, but the bacon underneath is oily and crunchy. It smells great!

And to top it all off, I’ve sprinkled basil-flavored salt and pepper to give it a little extra flavor.

It goes so well with the main piece, a danish packed full of gentle butter. If you eat it all together, it’ll be melty and fluffy and...!

Gosh, it’ll definitely be deliciou—

...Phew. See, it smells great, doesn’t it? Wake up. Let’s hurry up and eat.

[Matsuri gets up.]

Whoa! Hey, hey now. I’m not your meal~

I’m your roommate, Asagiri Akane.

Sheesh, Matsuri-chan, you’re such a sleepyhead.

[The school bell rings.]

Hah~ There are decorations all over the place... It’s almost time for the cultural festival, huh!

Whoa! Sorry about that! Everyone sure is working hard~

It’s back this year, back this season. Selene Academy’s biggest large-scale event, the cultural festival that happens every September.

Only one more week left until it starts!

The festival is spearheaded by the student council. There are all kinds of things going on, ranging from serious exhibitions and research announcements to thematic class stalls.

On top of that, we have enjoyable projects just lying in wait, such as stage performances that break through said confines. So many things happen during this grand event.

The school normally strictly forbids people, aside from associates, from going in and out. This event is one of the very few times outsiders can come in. That’s why it’s also popular among regular folks, and invitation tickets are in great demand.

Speaking of which, the theme for the cultural festival this year is... “bonds.”

Bonds... Yes, bonds.

Hmm, I do think it’s very important, but it’s rather difficult to express, isn’t it?

My class will be selling handmade knickknacks. For that, we made colorful leather strap bracelets in the vein of “connections” that tie said bonds together.

Urk... I feel as if the meaning were a little bit too forced, but...

I really pumped myself up to make it! Aside from that, I’ve made bags using the needlework I learned directly from Grandma.

Right now, we’re waiting for people who have gone out to shop for the materials.

While I’m doing that, I’m scouting out the other classes.

Or so I say, but actually, I just want to wander around to see what they’re doing~

Wow... Everywhere I look, I see so much dedication!

Aha! This café’s billboard is so adorable!

Whoa, this one’s entrance is so decked out!

Hmph! We’ll have to do our best, too!

Whoa—Yikes, that spooked me... Huh? You’re from the neighboring class...

What’s gotten you in a rush? Hm! Uh... I think I can cook as well as the average person, but... come again?

There’s something you want me to help you with?

Wh... Wha...

[Akane gets dragged along.]

Um, excuse me? I still haven’t said I’d help—Whoaa!

...Wow. This is a huge hot pot... E-emergency food distribution? Oh! I see. It’s almost lunchtime, huh? Um... am I right in assuming you want me to help out with this?

Huh? The person in charge caught a cold, so they’re off work... I see. That’s unfortunate.

Uh... ...All right! I understand. If this is the situation, please let me handle the job! I’ll do my best.

I’m back from recon~

...The results? Oh, yeah! I made pork miso soup. ...Wait, that’s not right.

Ahem! All of the classes were so pumped up. Their signs were adorable, their decorations were elaborate, and the entire school looked colorful and cute!

I took a look at other people’s works, and I could tell they put lots of effort into it. I feel like seeing it gave me power, too~

So, with that being said! Let’s also get back to preparing.

Even if we’re waiting on the materials for the machine-sewing items like pouches or bags, I was thinking that I’d like to increase the number of general items like the straps and bracelets in this area.

Especially... these bracelets. They’re representing the theme of this cultural festival, our “bonds,” right? I think it’d be good for us to prep a lot of them.

Don’t you think it’d be fun if we all wore them during the entirety of the festival, to help promote our place, too?

Wah... Ahh! You’re right. I’m more pumped than usual.

Actually, my little brothers will be coming. I just gotta show them how much of a good role model I can be! My dignity as an older sister is on the line...

I have twin little brothers. They used to be so cute, calling for me like, “Onee-chan, onee-chan~!” But recently, they’ve been such cheeky kids.

They’ve been asking me, “How’s your Goddess candidacy going~?” or “Have a boyfriend yet~?” They keep teasing me over every little thing.

So here, on this glorious stage known as the cultural festival, I have to show them how praiseworthy I can be—

Hm? Ah! Mizuki-san!

What’s the matter? For the student council president to come all this way...

Come again? “Since you want to show them how praiseworthy you can be on this glorious stage, I have a nice offer for you,” you said?

And. So, here’s where my character, the Moon’s empress, goes, “No, surely not! I—shall—not—allow... such a thing!” ...Right?

“What—I—wish... is but... one thing!” Uh? What is it again?

Um, um... “What do you wish for? Empress, empress?”

Phew... Why did things turn out like this~?

Mizuki-san’s so cruel! This is such an unreasonable request! What I meant by “glorious stage” was just for imagining purposes... I didn’t mean it as if I really wanted to go onstage myself! Yet... Yet...!

At a time like this, why ask me to sub in for the theater club...!? Yeah, I want to help them out because their actor got injured, but being a substitute is too much for me to handle...!

Hah... The theater’s program is for “The Moon’s Tears”.

If memory serves me correctly, it’s a story of a brave girl who stands up against a tyrannical king. Right?

I’ve read the original before, but it was an incredibly grand story.

The Empress, who appears in the climax and has a pretty big role... is me...!

*groans* But I have stage fright~

Urk... I’m acting so pitiful.

I’m aiming to become a Goddess, who has to stand in front of people, yet I have stage fright...!

Well, true, I do think I have to overcome it through daily exposure, but this is asking too much! Suddenly tossing me up onstage is too big of a hurdle...!

Mizuki-saaan~!

Hwahh... Just thinking about it is setting my nerves off like crazy!

[Someone walks in.]

Ah, Matsuri-chan! Eheh... Sorry, I might be a little too noisy starting today.

Uh, for stage practice. Actually, the truth is...

Basically, that’s how things are... Of course, I’ll do my absolute best now that I’ve been given this task. I’ll do my best. I’ll do—my best, but... Hwahhh~

...Huh? The reason why she asked me?

Well, it’s because the person who was supposed to play this role was um, well... prim and proper, apparently. Okay?

W-wh-well, I’m not at all! I’m definitely not prim and proper in the slightest, but Mizuki-san said this suited me perfectly...

Also, the character is the King’s wife, so basically, like a mother... That’s why she also said I was perfect for the role, considering my nature’s “mama-like”...

Ugh, I just know the second reason was the main one...! ...Tohoho...

...Don’t give me that, “I get it now”~! You know just as well as I do that I’m really bad at these kinds of things! I get so nervous in front of tons of people, my head goes blank...!

I just know that I won’t be able to get a single word!

“What about your work as a Goddess candidate?”

Ah, that? That goes fine. Because I plan out a number of meetings beforehand, and I record and stream the results of my practice. It’s not like tons of people come to watch me record, so I don’t get nervous. I’ll be able to retake again and again if I screw up.

But... stages aren’t like that, right? They’re like, raw. I’ve only got one shot at it...!

You never know what’d happen, right? Since I have zero improv skills, I’m not good at it!

Plus, t-there’s gonna be tons of people I don’t know in the auditorium! Right!?

The real thing is going to be in one week! HWAAAH!!

What do I do...!?

M-Matsuri-chan...?! You’re too close!

W-what’s up? ...You have something good for me? Um, what is it...?

[A comically long clattering happens as Matsuri dives into her pile of gadgets.]

Um... Matsuri-chan?

[TA-DAH~]

Ah! Wh-what’s this? A robot?

...Ahh... Ahhh... A conversation-starting robot... Constantalker? I-it’s a really straightforward name. You can easily tell what the goal was in mind when it was made...

Could this kiddo be the one that helps me with practicing?

Huh, wow! By talking with it, I’ll be able to train up my improv skills?

If I have improv skill, I’ll be fine no matter what happens onstage...? I see...

By the way, what kind of conversations train up improv skills, if you’d be okay with me asking...?

“You can’t tell unless you try”!?

I-I got it. Then... go ahead.

[Click.]

Robot: Hey, babe. Been doin’ well? How things been going?

Akane: It’s... more of a playboy than I expected!

Robot: Sheesh, girlie! Callin’ little ol’ me a playboy? So mean!

Little kittycat ☆

Akane: Kittycat!?

Robot: Your cute voice is beatin’ out the rhythm of my heart, babe!

Akane: You don’t have a heart, though!?

[Click.]

Th-this would train up my improv skills, that’s correct... But it’s more like it’s training up my skills at being able to retort on the fly!

Each and every little line is locked to a response, too. My endurance level is being tested in the span of a conversation!

Haah... You sure make really impressive things, Matsuri-chan. Was this the result of some kind of experiment, too?

Ah, it wasn’t? You originally built it for yourself?

Aha! You mentioned before that you were also bad at talking with others in the past, right?

I see... So you had a weakness in the past, and you worked hard to overcome it.

...Okay! Thanks, Matsuri-chan! You’re also doing your best. I can’t let myself be whining all the time.

If becoming a Goddess is my goal, I can’t keep complaining about things that are impossible for me, or things I’m bad at!

I have to give each and every one a try, without giving up! Isn’t that right?

Sorry about this, Matsuri-chan. Looks like things will be noisier than I expected. Thank you.

All right...! I’m gonna give it my all!

I-It’s finally here... Time for the show...! And I took a peek just now, but there were more guests than I anticipated...!

Urk... No, no. I can’t. I can’t get weak-kneed here. I practiced that much, so I’ll be fine!

Mmhmm. I just know I’ll be fine!

...Wah, yes! I’m going right now! Okay...

(I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine! I can do it, I can do it! The story’s in its final stage.

I’m just going to be by the king’s side for some time, and all I have to do is stand still.

My lines are just five or six sentences. Don’t rush it... Don’t rush it...!

I’m a certain kingdom’s empress. They’re a horrible king and queen, but they’re secretly noble, kind people who led the protagonist to her destination.

In that case, my expression should be a little more dignified. High-minded... and focused!

Eh—No way...!? That person’s line just now was different from what it was supposed to be! It was supposed to be, “I’ll be fine on my own,” and not, “Let’s all go together,” right!?

Wh-whuh? We’re going off the flow of the improv’s line!?

Isn’t that impossible!? Wh-what do I do... At this rate, I won’t be able to bring it back under control with the lines that I remembered originally!

HAAAAHH~! Ugh—At times like this, I’m supposed to remember my training with Constantalker and overcome the situation with improv, but...

Just like I expected, my mind’s going blank...!

...Ugh... This is bad. We’re worlds away from the original script...

...Huh? That’s...

Grandma, my brothers, Dad, and Mom!? Why are they—Didn’t they have work today!?

I heard that the only ones coming were Grandma and the boys...

I—I see! They came to watch me!

...I can’t show the two of them... and my brothers and Grandma a shameful side to me!

...Calm down, Akane.

You’ll be fine. You’ll definitely be fine. You practiced that much, didn’t you? You worked that hard, didn’t you?

If I don’t acknowledge my own hard work, then who else will!?

Plus... it’s not like I came here all on my own.

Matsuri-chan lent me a helping hand.

My classmates lessened my workload and cooperated with me, saying it’d help secure extra time for me to practice for the stage.

That’s how everyone’s cheering me on. Everyone’s watching over me.

That’s why I’ll do my utmost to respond to it all!)

“No. I requested that of her. At the same time, I tested her to see if she were a human who had the capability of being entrusted with this world of the Moon.

It is when people are pushed to their limits that, rather than remain on their own, require assistance from acting in a group.

I wished to see if she were capable of discarding her worthless pride to believe in the bonds that she had cultivated until now.

The result of that...

She has come this far.

Not alone—but with everyone that she has come across.

I believe I should entrust this to her.

For, surely, there will come a day when Earth and the Moon may reach a mutual understanding, without boundaries in sight.

The decrepit monarchy, which restricted people to the Moon using its authority, is unfitting for this world.

Now please, once more... Please, consider trusting the bonds between these two worlds and staking it all!”

4. ED (Mini-Drama)

Akane: Hahhh~... The stage ended without troubles. Thank goodness~

I didn’t know what’d happen when the improvs kept piling on and on, but I somehow managed to reach the ending. Gosh, thank goodness!

Phew. I’ve been so anxious this whole time that I’ve been having trouble breathing.

Okay! Though the play’s over, the cultural festival’s still in the swing of things!

I gotta enjoy myself with all I’ve got!

All righty, I’m gonna check out how my class is doing.

Good work, everyone~! Ah! Good work! Mmhmm. Thanks to your help, I got through the stage safe and sound. Thank you so much!

So, I’m curious to know how things are going here...? Ah, welcome!

...Huh, that’s some great business! Aha! That person bought a bracelet from us~

Ah, and that person bought the bag I made~! Wow~

Seeing the things we made actually being sold, gets me actually sort of emotional!

Um, it’s not yet time to swap shifts, but do you want me to help out?

...Ah! Got it. Then I’ll take you up on your offer. I’ll come back after I’ve wandered around a little more to check stuff out.

See you later!

The hallways are packed with people, too...! Now that’s what I’d expect from the cultural festival that happens only once a year.

Hmm. What should I do... I bet the school plaza’s going to have more people than there are here, but maybe I should head out there.

There’s an outdoor stage and stalls. Full of stuff you can’t take your eyes off!

Wait... huh? Heading over there, that’s... could it be Matsuri-chan?

What’s going on? She’s all flustered. ...We locked eyes.

[Matsuri runs up to Akane and comically skids in front of her.]

Wh-what, what is it...? ...Hey, Matsuri-chan? Seeing you up close makes me realize you’re wearing something crazy.

Cat ears and gym shorts... I-I’m surprised the teachers allowed you to wear that.

“The party’s no-holds-barred”...? Uh, got it.

“That’s not the issue here,” you say? Wait, what’s wrong!? You don’t have to tug me so hard! I’ll follow you anyway!

...Mole-whacking in pairs? Go wild and take part in it?

You want to do this?

...*whispering* Thank god. The request was more normal than I expected it’d be.

Ahaha! Sure, got it. Let’s give it a try together!

Wh—Hey, hey. Don’t go too crazy, now~ You really do love festivals, don’t you?

It’s like your usual lack of energy’s just a joke, and the light in your eyes is just different when festivals are involved.

Ahh~! All right, all right, I got it! I’m headed over right now~

M-Matsuri-chan? S-shouldn’t we end things here? We’ve done this fifteen times already.

Er—No, it’s our sixteenth challenge we just did. Even if you say otherwise, I don’t think it’s necessary to hit them all...

What do you mean, “I’ll conquer them.” You’re talking about the cultural festival stalls, right? ...All of them...!? Y-you have to be joking... or not. Yep. Of course.

(Matsuri-chan’s fired up. I rarely see her like this. That just goes to show how serious she is about this...

She helped me out during the play practice, so this’ll also help serve as repayment for what she did! All right!)

I-I’ll do it! Asagiri Akane will do her best!

Seventeenth time’s the charm! This time, for sure, we’ll dole out punishment onto all the moles!!

*wheezing* We did it...! Finally, we conquered them all...! I-I’m exhausted...

That was fun, Matsuri-chan~?

Y-you’re going on a roller coaster after this!? Something like that? How could you...?

Also, a handmade roller coaster sounds scary. In a lot of ways.

U-urk... I think I’d rather not.

...She left. She sure has limitless energy when it comes to festivals, huh?

Uh, meanwhile, I’m... *wheeze* ...my arm’s stinging. I worked up a good sweat, too. Maybe I should go outside for a bit to cool down.

Wow~! This is a ton of people! Ooh.

Whoa! The people here are unbelievable, but the stalls aren’t losing out, either! It’s so worth looking at them!

Hm? Those are the food stalls over there. I wonder if I know anyone there?

Ah! That café over there is... if memory serves me right, it was Mizuki-san’s class. I got pumped up to punish those moles, and I’m thirsty. Perfect timing!

These employees are wearing some crazy outfits. O-oh, I see. It’s a cosplay café.

Hmm? Let’s see here. “We also lend out costumes.” Cool~

Huh? Ah! Matsuri-chan was conquering the stalls, so that’s why she was wearing stuff like that.

Ahh, Mizuki-san~! What do you mean by, “Welcome home.”?

Ah! You’re a maid, aren’t you? You’re so cute! It looks great on you! The apron looks fantastic, too... Hh... Fantastic...ally... h-huge—I-isn’t it painful for you to wear that? Like. Around your... chest.

...Ah, thank you. Then, could I get milk tea? Huh... I saw something crazy.

There’s a shepherd over there. And there’s a shrine maiden...? There’s even a princess.

A-and the person who’s surrounded by people over there...? It’s Yuno-san wearing a prince outfit...! A-anything goes here, huh?

But since anything goes, it really does give off the vibe of a cultural festival. Fufu. Everyone’s enjoying it all!

Phew~ Now that I’m not parched anymore, maybe I should check out the exhibit space.

That’s... ...Hey~! Keita, Yuuta, Grandma~! And Dad! Mom!

Thanks for coming today, everyone! Dad, Mom, I didn’t hear you two were taking time off work. You really surprised me!

...Ah. You two boys. You kept it a secret from your big sister, huh?

I knew it. I bet Grandma was in on it, too. I was totally spooked. Well, these kinds of surprises make me happy, so I’ll forgive you.

Is there anywhere you’d all like to check out? I’ll be happy to guide you around, provided it takes place before I have to take up my shift.

Hmm, hmm. And the adults wish to check out the next stage? It’s the same place as the one before, so you won’t need a guide. Mmhmm! See you later!

And on the other hand... Hey, you boys? Kiddos? What’re you whispering about?

...There’s somewhere you want to go? The junior high division? Yeah, I can guide you there, but are the stalls there really that interesting? I’m also pret—

Oh, come on, what’s with that~?

Th-this is... This easy-to-recognize display is... a haunted house! Where... and what part of this exhibit is “made for me”!?

I can’t even watch horror movies! Wait—You—Hey—We’re going in!?

...We’re going in!? Seriously!? Y-you’re kidding me!

...”Are you running away ‘cuz you’re chicken?”

...A-ahem! I-it’s not like I’m not scared or anything, but there’s no way I’d run away. Despite everything, I’m a Goddess candidate and your big sister!

I won’t run away from things I’m bad at. I’ll accept your challenge!

Three people, please!

[The door slams shut.]

Yeek!

Hwaah!

HEEK!

HYAAAUUUAAAAHH~!

[She gets through the haunted house.]

*wheezing* Th-that was so scary. H-hold on—Keita! Yuuta! You two know I’m bad with scary stuff! I have some choice words for you for choosing this!

Don’t do things to purposely bug people! I’m always telling you this...

Wait... huh? Keita? Yuuta? Th-they’re not here...

Keita? Yuuta? They’re not inside, either. No way...

They got away.

Ah! Reina-chan? Y-you’re wearing a crazy costume. A black hat, a black robe, and a crystal ball? Are you a witch?

[Ding ding!]

Ah, I was right? I don’t think I’ve seen anyone dressed normally today... Oh, yeah, you said you’d be doing a fortune-telling stall.

Tsubaki-chan said she’d get pumped up and send blasting her signal waves further than usual for it, huh? She was totally determined, but was it for this?

Oh, that’s her personal hobby, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the stall? I see...

How difficult. Do your best! I gotta find my brothers and give them a very harsh talking-to...

Hmm? “Leave it to me”? You can tell through fortune-telling?

“Those who believe shall be saved.” ...Is it? In that case, please take it away.

Hmm. Mm. The café on the other side...? You saw my brothers headed inside here?

Th-that’s not fortune-telling, but just an eyewitness account. A-anyway, thanks for your help!

Keita! Yuuta!

What’s with that, “Ugh,” I heard from both of you!? Making someone go inside a scary place like that, and then going off to have an elegant tea party on your own?! It’s no fair!

...I’m going to have some tea too. As your punishment, I’m making both of you pay for my first cup. I’m just kidding!

Sheesh, you kids. You’ve been pranksters for as long as I’ve been able to remember.

I remembered that even before I went to school, you boys would mess with me and tease me just like this.

It took me back. It’s been a while, so let’s take it easy and talk about what’s happened over tea, shall we? Keita, Yuuta.

You’re always worried for me, so I have to make sure I’m showing you I’m doing well as a Goddess candidate. Isn’t that right? There are tons of things I want to talk about!

First, there’s... hm, let’s see. Aha! I got it. Since we’re here, should I talk about what I did in preparation for this cultural festival?

It involved a conversation-starting robot, Constantalker, and about it...