nebulancer

1. Drama – "Yayoi Family in Dire Straits"

Haru: Laundry~♪ Laundry~♪

All right, this looks good!

We’ve got nice weather today, so I feel like my laundry’s going to dry out well.

The sunlight’s so warm, and the wind feels great, too!

Hmm~... It really is spring.

Phew~ Days off are the best! Being able to indulge in the luxury of taking it easy on a weekday is only possible in a liberal profession, huh~

[tap tap.]

Hm? Ah, Hokekyo-kun.

[Haru opens the door for Hokekyo-kun, who chirps for him.]

What’s up? Wait... Ah! I have a call? Thank you, Hokekyo-kun.

Yes, yes~

Oh? That’s a rarity. This call’s from Little Sister No.1.

Hey there! Your big brother here. What’s up?

Huh? Hey, hey, calm down.

Mmhmm. ...Aah. Mm, yeah. So...

Hajime: ... ...Phew.

[Someone knocks on the door.]

Hajime: Come in.

Haru: Excuse my intrusion~!

Hajime: Haru.

Haru: Looks like you’ve been making good progress, Hajime. You’re... done for today, right?

Hajime: Yeah. Just finished. What’s up? You were off work today, weren’t you?

Haru: Oh! As expected of the leader. You remembered what we discussed during the morning meeting.

It looked to me that you were busy running this way and that on your way out, so I thought you hadn’t heard.

Hajime: I’m making sure I listen. The reason I was busy running around this morning was...

Haru: Because a photoshoot suddenly got added to your schedule, right?

And you’ve just finished it. Good work getting through that, Hajime.

Hajime: Yeah.

Haru: I suppose you’d want a café au lait, no sugar added, after a long job?

Hajime: *chuckles* Yeah, thanks, Haru.

...So, what is it?

Haru: Oh, you’re already leaving?

Hajime: Yeah. I’ll have to get to the next location soon, or else.

Haru: Your next location’s in Shinagawa, right?

Hajime: Yeah.

Haru: Are you pressed for time on your interview? That’s rare.

Hajime: About thirty minutes. The one I’m talking to is waiting.

Haru: Talking to... The one you’re talking with today is that comedian, right?

He’s also a current lawyer, so these days, he’s been on TV almost constantly. He’s all the rage here and there. He sounds busy.

Hajime: He seemed to be someone who enjoys being busy. That being the talk of the town is a fleeting festival, so he’ll enjoy it with all he’s got. He laughed the topic away himself.

Haru: I see. Looks like the conversation between you two went well.

Hajime: Yeah. It’s because he’s a lawyer... or maybe that’s not all. Anyway, he had a wide range of topics to start up conversations, and he was good at talking.

The concept behind today’s interview is a conversation between him and me. People with unique careers... Fellow eccentrics, you could say.

Haru: You’re someone with a unique career and an eccentric, huh...? I guess they’re referring to your academic background, then.

Hajime: I can assume so.

Haru: I guess so. The students in our year became government officials, politicians, lawyers, doctors, accountants, and architects. A lot of people sought out more safe and steady types of work, huh?

Since we’re the ones working in showbiz, I guess you would consider us the odd ones out. And you could say we’re eccentrics, that’s true.

Hajime: Put more bluntly, we’re weirdos.

Haru: Hajime... You look pretty happy for being called an eccentric, huh?

Hajime: You can tell? It’s true that I really do enjoy being called that way.

Haru: Good grief. The fact you’re so happy over being called an eccentric means that you really are an oddball.

...Well, I guess it’s because it’s you. You want to be treated sloppily. You want to be normal. You’re always going on about stuff like that.

It’s your dearest desire, isn’t it?

Hajime: Exactly. ...Oh, the car’s here.

...Are you coming in with me, Haru?

Haru: Yeah. I’ll come with.

Hajime: So, what is it?

Haru: So, what’s what?

Hajime: What did you ultimately hope to achieve by coming with me?

Haru: Aah! Oh, that. I had a request to ask of you.

Hajime: A request?

Haru: Yeah. Your next day off is... next Wednesday, right?

If you don’t have any particular plans on that day, I’d feel bad about asking, but could we go out together?

Hajime: I don’t really have anything planned then, so I don’t have any issues about it. What are you going to do?

Haru: Shopping.

Hajime: Shopping?

Haru: Yeah. I’m going to be buying a birthday present for my younger sister, the older one. I want you to accompany me.

Hajime: Oh, so that’s it. It’s soon, isn’t it?

Haru: Mmhmm. Her preferences for her belongings resemble yours, more than they do mine.

I want to get her something she’ll genuinely be happy about this year for sure. I want to improve the certainty rate.

Hajime: Hm? ...”This year for sure”?

Haru: Apparently, right now, she’s battling with my mother on what she’ll be doing in the future after graduating.

Hajime: Aah, I see. Starting in April, she’ll be in her third year of high school, and she’ll start taking entrance exams.

Haru: You got it.

Hajime: Does she plan on entering a higher-level school, like a university?

Haru: Well, that was originally in the works...

Hajime: Oh, that… sounds foreboding.

Haru: She doesn’t feel any desire to go to university. She doesn’t see a reason to study. She doesn’t know what she wants to do, herself.

So she’s going to refrain from going to university to go travel so that she can expand her range of knowledge. That’s what she said.

Hajime: I see. That does sound like it’d be the source of a heated conversation.

Haru: I know, right~?

She doesn’t have bad grades, so it seems that it’s because of her feelings on the issue.

Our parents fundamentally encourage independence. Putting it another way, they’re not really the types to interfere with our lives.

So, if she were to say that she’d be going to a vocational school instead of going to university, I think that’d be that, and they’d support her doing it. But...

Hajime: I can understand why they’d try to stop her from traveling.

Haru: I know, right~? I’d do that too.

Hajime: Maybe it’s from the stress of taking entrance exams? Though her grades aren’t bad, she can feel pressured.

Haru: I think that’s also the case. My parents do, too. Not like she’s going to acknowledge it being like that.

Hajime: In that case, if you let things calm down a bit and have her think things through... ...Ah... It’s dubious whether or not she’ll end up changing her mindset, huh?

Haru: Exactly! That’s the issue we’re dealing with here.

I bet you already know, Hajime, but the older one of my younger sisters is a real go-getter. Like, she won’t go back on the things she’s said she’ll accomplish.

She’s characteristically the type of girl who thinks that she’ll lose if she budges. She gets a little headstrong.

If we leave her like this, I feel like she’d pack her bags and travel, even if the only thing spurring her on is her own stubborn pride.

My mother’s also anticipating that. Just now, I got a text asking for advice, going, “Big trouble, Haru-kun!”

And immediately after that, I got another one from my father. “Big trouble, Haru-kun!”

Hajime: *chuckles* Looks like the Yayoi family is in dire straits.

Haru: I know, right?

...I also... feel a bit of responsibility for things being this way.

Hajime: ...?

Haru: Going off of general society’s knowledge, I graduated from a famous university well-known for being what’s known as first-rate.

But I didn’t get a company job, and instead, I joined the entertainment industry, right?

I can’t help but wonder, because my little sister saw me doing that from a position from close by, she thought that continuing to university to higher-level education didn’t mean anything. ...I guess.

Hajime: ...

Haru. ...Do you regret choosing this path?

Haru: Of course not. Not in the slightest! Not at all!

I can’t imagine myself without Gravi. In fact, I don’t want to even consider it.

That’s how satisfied I am with things.

Hajime: ...Got it.

Haru: Yeah!

But... in hindsight, I’ve realized it only happened because I was fortunate.

Hajime: Yeah... I guess so.

Haru: We’re really satisfied with our lives right now, but in the first place, these occupations of ours are dependent on publicity. It’s a liberal occupation.

In the future... Five years? Ten years, or even further into the future? There’s no proof that this same happiness will continue forever.

I knew that and prepared myself for that, and all sorts of other things, when I chose this path.

That’s why, on top of getting my little sister a great birthday present, I want to make sure I get a good look at her face and tell her...

Hajime: “Don’t take after me,” right?

Haru: *chuckling* No, that’s not it.

You already know what I was going to say, yet you tease me.

“I think it’s good to decide things based off of stubborn pride or the spur of the moment. Because you’re you, your feelings are what’s most important.

If it’s something you’ve thought for yourself thoroughly, I’ll support you with all I have, no matter what that path leads you to do.” That’s what I’m going to tell her.

Hajime: But...? There’s going to be a “but” after that, won’t there?

Haru: *chuckles* Exactly.

“But... if you have even the slightest bit of hesitation in that decision, and you think you might regret it, you still have a year. You still have time.

There’s no need for you to hurry and make up your mind.

Take your time. Think things through, and don’t rush yourself.” That’s what I’m considering telling her.

Hajime: ...In the end, we’ve ended up being treated as eccentrics due to our choices, but during our four years of university, we had enough time to think things through.

Haru: Yeah, that! We had the time to do so.

We had lectures, reports, and exams. Getting support was difficult, but now that I think back on it... I’m glad we did our best balancing both sides of the work.

Because, although we had countless choices to choose from, we’re able to say that we decided on this path of our own free will.

Hajime: Back in university, whenever we had exams or reports, you’d pull all-nighters and put yourself in weird excitement levels.

I’d be called over to try and put you to sleep, and you became a nuisance beyond compare.

Haru: For the record, “putting someone to sleep” doesn’t mean the way you did it, also known as using brute force.

Typically, people would refer to that as knocking someone out.

Hajime: The only one at fault is the one who, without even considering his plans for the following day, would run around like a maniac with his screws loose.

Haru: I formally apologize for that.

Exams aside, reports were... Well, you see, I’m the type to have a fixation on things, right?

I get so into seeing just how far I can delve into a topic, and things get longer and longer... And things take up more and more time...

Hajime: But upon the completion of that epic, you’d have to shave off bits and pieces of your writings. Not much elaboration in the end, is it?

Haru: I’m left with a personal sense of accomplishment that I pulled it off, so it’s fine!

Plus, I’m writing that stuff with the original intention of taking parts out anyway.

Even while I’m writing, I go, “I don’t need this part~ I’ll probably have to get rid of it later. Ahh! But I’m having so much fun!”

Hajime: You really are... a weirdo. In the truest sense of the word.

Haru: If you tell me that so seriously... It plain hurts.

Hajime: *chuckles* For now, I’ve acknowledged the present-choosing we’re doing next Wednesday. I’ll help out with what I can do.

Hang in there, Haru-onii-chan.

Haru: Mmhmm! I look forward to being in your care!

2. Drama – "Spring Will Come"

Haru: Ta-dahhh~

Hajime: ...? What’s this?

Haru: Messages delivered for the Tsukiradi that we’ll be recording today.

Don’t you think we did well gathering this many?

Hajime: Ah... I guess so. There are around twice as many as there usually are.

But why, all of a sudden?

Haru: Fufufu~ Actually, it’s because I personally accepted applications online using my own account!

Hajime: You did?

Haru: Yep! You know how I talked about my little sister the other day?

During this season, my little sister’s not the only one. I bet there are lots more people dealing with the issue of feeling uncertain or worried about their futures.

Hajime: Yeah, I guess so.

Entrance exams... are pretty much over, huh? It’s the season where results start coming out and they head off in the direction of their goals accordingly.

It’s also the season of parting with people whose paths have split off from your own.

I suppose there are many things for people to start thinking about.

Haru: So, that’s why!

I considered changing our talking time for this corner to be one where we cheer people on through these worries and uncertainties.

In a hurry, I posted a dispatch informing of that yesterday on my personal account.

...It’s a corner for the two of us, so I’m sorry I went off and did that without consulting you.

Hajime: It’s fine. I’m usually letting you handle the corner subject, anyway.

I don’t have any objections to it.

Haru: That’s good to hear. Actually, it was premeditated. I expected you’d say something along those lines.

Hajime: *chuckles* Figures.

Haru: You know, about us...

We graduated from a famous university, yet we’re doing a career this insignificant... Aah—Just clarifying, I don’t think of it that way at all.

For the record, that’s just how the world at large sees it, right?

Hajime: *wry laugh* Yeah, I get it.

Haru: Anyway, we’ve reached this occupation, which tends to have this insignificant, less-important image to it, right?

People tell us it’s a waste, or that we have to think of the consequences, or that we’re eccentrics for doing this, don’t they?

Hajime, you’re amused by that sort of thing, while I’m not bothered about it in the slightest. So, I’m perfectly content with how things are...

But I thought that a cheer of support from eccentrics like us could do the trick, too.

Not me, back when I was a student at a famous university. It’s advice that I can do because I’m me, now. I thought there’d be things they could hear me out on.

I wondered if the people worrying like my sister could listen to me, without thinking that I’m acting offensive or looking down on them.

Hajime: A message that comes from you, because you’re an eccentric who went off the beaten path, eh?

Haru: Yep, you could put it that way!

I don’t know how many people will listen to what we have to say, but...

It’s true that our voices reach a bit further than normal people’s, considering our positions.

In that case, I wanted to do something for someone else’s sake, no matter how little it is.

Honestly, it’s just a sense of self-satisfaction coming from a good-for-nothing older brother, who can do nothing but watch his sister from behind.

Hajime: ...Heh. I suppose that self-satisfaction will save one or two people out there.

Haru: ...You think so?

Hajime: Yeah. It’s good that you’re motivated. I’ll go along with you.

But don’t burden yourself, Haru.

Haru: I’m... burdening myself? Am I?

Hajime: A bit.

Our radio should be on the level of some typical thing that people can let stream by when they have the time.

They listen to it at their leisure and let it meld into their normal, daily lives.

They keep it in the corner of their heads to note, “I’ll listen to it next week.”

That little is good enough.

If, during one of those times, they casually hear words that linger in their hearts to remember later on, it’d be a great success, better than we could expect...

...But don’t aim for it. Just be yourself. Stay relaxed as you handle it.

Haru: ...”Relaxed”? *chuckles* How mean.

Heh, but you’re right. I won’t get too worked up or burden myself too much. It’s enough for me to gently approach people who are just a little dispirited.

That’s how things are, huh?

Hajime: Yeah.

Haru: So, with that being said. We’re heading into our March consultation corner, which I accepted impromptu applications for yesterday.

While introducing your messages that express worries regarding your new lifestyles, or discussions about your future paths in life, Hajime and I will be providing... Well, it’s not so grandiose as to be called advice, but I hope we can cheer you on.

Hajime: We hope you’ll enjoy it.

Haru: Then, our first message! This comes from Hana-san, from Tokushima Prefecture.

“I will be a university student starting in April. I’ll be living alone in Tokyo, but I’m worried that I’ll have to leave my friends from my hometown. I’m also worried about living alone in Tokyo.

I’m so overwhelmingly worried that there are times I can’t help but cry for no reason when I’m alone. What can I do?”

Hajime: That’s the most commonplace worry that takes place during this season, hm?

A new lifestyle in a new frontier. You don’t know whether or not you’d be able to blend in well enough.

Haru: Yeah, that. Even when it wasn’t a new frontier, and all I did was change classes, my heart pounded like crazy talking to the person in front of me.

Hajime: As you might all know, I knew this guy even during my personal life before we debuted, ever since our junior high years.

Aside from our first years in junior high... we were in all the same classes since, right?

Haru: Yep, that’s right. And during the only year we were in different classes, junior high year one, we hadn’t talked even once. I think I’m the only one of us two who knew the other’s name.

Hajime: You knew about me?

Haru: It’s surprising how dumb you can play, considering you stood out that much.

Hajime: *grumbling* I didn’t stand out.

...Uh, wait. We went off topic.

Let’s leave that topic of yours to be something I’ll be asking you about in depth later.

For now, let’s discuss Hana-san’s predicament.

Haru: Got it~

Hajime: Hana-san. You’ll be going out into an unknown place and doing something for the first time. I think it’s natural that you’re anxious.

If there were no one else around you who felt that way, you’d feel that you were alone more strongly. That’s why you might cry.

But... that’s normal.

Haru... and I were the same way.

Haru: Eh? Now it’s my turn to hear something for the first time. You were nervous, too?

Hajime: When we started our dormitory lifestyle, I felt that way just as everyone else would.

That happened in March too, didn’t it?

Haru: Mmhmm. ...I see. I guess even someone like Hajime felt worried about living alone.

Hajime: That wasn’t all there was to it.

The president told me in advance that I would be the leader, and afterwards, we met the other members face-to-face at the dorms, right?

Haru: Mm. We all made a toast with some juice, didn’t we?

Hajime: Back then... I thought, “I have to pull these guys along with me. It’s something I have to do as a leader.” I felt my back straighten up. And honestly... I got a bit scared.

I realized that was how much responsibility I’d be burdened with.

Haru: ...Hajime...

Hajime: ...I couldn’t say it back then. But now, I can tell. That’s the obvious result, and it happens naturally. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

You don’t have to avoid showing others your weaknesses.

Haru: ...Yeah. That’s right.

Hana-san. As you see here, it seems even our King Hajime-sama gets anxious when starting something new.

So please don’t think of yourself as being the only one. Please, don’t think you’re weak, pitiful, or unworthy compared to others.

Don’t worry. It’s perfectly normal.

Hajime: It’s natural to feel anxious. It’s natural to feel scared. If you become defiant with just as much emotion that you wallowed in, then things might ease up on you.

How about you go off of that as your starting point?

Haru: I’m a little scared as to what “becoming defiant” means in Hajime’s point of view, though...

Hajime: Ha~ru~?

Haru: Ahaha! But I agree with Hajime.

Please, don’t corner yourself into a negative way of thinking.

Also... ...Hmm.

Even when you’re told optimistic things, like, “You’ll be able to take it easy someday,” or “You’ll definitely handle things well,” it might irritate you.

That’s why I’ll announce something that you, most definitely, can do.

The thing I’ll be saying isn’t meant just for Hana-san.

It’ll be a message for everyone with lingering worries about their new lifestyles.

I’m cheering you on.

Hajime’s cheering you on, too.

Everyone in Gravi, everyone in Procella. We’re always cheering you on.

Whenever you’re in a tough spot, or whenever you’re exhausted, please remember us, instead of attempting to escape reality.

For the most part, we’re always laughing our heads off about silly things, like, “That was tasty!” “We did something this stupid!”

Hajime: It’s true that it does help one relax.

Haru: *laughing* Yeah, exactly!

But, well... that’s enough, isn’t it? You’re all working hard already, just by starting a new lifestyle.

You don’t have to work so hard that you start hurting yourselves.

You’ll be fine. Working so hard that it feels painful isn’t necessary.

Spring will definitely come to you.

Hajime: I agree.

Haru: Well, then! Our next message... This time, how about we choose one from the northern part of Japan’s map~?

Hajime: By “northern part,” what do you even... *sighs*

Haru: Um, let’s see~ This one! Ringo-san from Aomori Prefecture...

Haru: Phew! We talked a lot today!

Hajime: We sure did. Good work. I think the listeners let it pass them by nice and well enough.

Haru: *laughing wryly* They’ll be letting it pass them by~?

...But that’s enough.

I wonder if one or two of them were comforted?

Hajime: Let’s hope that’s the case. In the end, it’s up to them to accept our words.

Haru: Yep.

...I’d be able to give them more concrete advice if I could see them in person, one by one, like I do my sister...

Unfortunately, it’s not like I can really do that, huh?

Hajime: Ha~ru? It’s nice that you’re fixated, but don’t head off in a weird direction.

We’re no counselors. We’re idols.

There’s something for us to do before we start giving out advice.

Haru: Yeah, you’re right. Don’t worry. I know that, Hajime.

While we’re showing them our daily lives, filled with our own individualities, we’ll keep cheering people on through our work.

Isn’t that right?

Hajime: Well said.

So, laugh, Haru.

Be your usual self. Make that relaxed face of yours and laugh.

Haru: What do you mean by “relaxed face”...!?

And this isn’t the first time you’ve said that! Just how relaxed is your impression of me?

...Still... you’re right.

I should be just like spring. Warmly, taking it easy, slamming onto the scene and standing ready.

That’s the type of big brother I’d like to be.

Hajime: Then keep it up. I prefer it that way, too.

Haru: Roger that, Hajime.

Hajime: You’d better start with the shopping trip tomorrow, then.

Haru: Ah, you’re right.

I’m considering buying a mini present for my older younger sister... and my younger, younger sister... and my mother, too.

Keep me company, would you?

Hajime: ...There’s more of them now.

Haru: Seems to me that they’re having it rough because of the recent family feud, so.

Hajime: Then, how about I... buy a present for your father?

Haru: Eh—You’re buying it? I get the feeling that it’ll make my little sisters and my mother harp on and on...

Hajime: ...About what?

Haru: They’ll definitely say stuff like, “Dad’s so unfair! He’s the only one getting treated well!” And I can see a future where my dad’s stomach starts hurting because of that...

Hajime: Is it really that serious?

Haru: It really is that serious.