Tsukiuta. Girls’ 3rd Season CD 3 – Nigatsu no Merry-Go-Round Drama

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Summary – Having become a Goddess assistant, Ai has gone to support the Goddess known as a weirdo, Nogami Zen. She has a unique perspective and ideology, preferring solitude. Upon their first meeting, Ai’s help is refused with the sudden sentence, “I’m fine on my own.” While discussing said incident with her best friend Yuki, Ai searches for a way to support her in a way that she can.

 

A solitary Goddess, who almost seems to be the complete opposite of Ai-chan, who was born and raised in a loving household, appears. Though bewildered, Ai-chan attempts to find something she can do.

1. Drama – "A Solitary Soul"

 

Ai: Hah~... This forest is so beautiful.

Just walking through it calms me down.

I didn’t know a forest like this existed inside the institution’s premises.

Ah. But maybe it’s just that I was the only one who didn’t know, and everyone else knows?

It’d be nice if we could come over here to have fun the next chance we get~

...No, wait, wait! I’m working right now!

And I’m going to meet for the first time, the Goddess I’ll be working with from now on.

I’m not supposed to be thinking about having fun.

 

The Goddess who’s taking me under her tutelage is Nogami Zen-san. I wonder what kind of person she is~?

I’ve never heard of her name until now, so for sure, she’s not someone who works in education, nor was she nominated for the pick.

Even if I look her up in the news archives, her name shows up, but it doesn’t show a portrait of her or any details of her work.

Though I tried asking other Goddesses...

 

Goddess: Nogami Zen...? Nogami...

...Aah! That unbelievably weird... Er, pretend you didn’t hear that! She’s a slightly individualistic person with a unique perspective, but... um...

She’s... brilliant... Er, yes! She’s incredibly brilliant!

 

Ai: That’s basically what happened, so...

Individualistic with a unique perspective. A brilliant person.

Well, yes, I guess considering she designated our first meeting to be in a forest, she sure is... individualistic. Hmm...

Um... There’s a fountain past the straight road. Ah! Is that it?

...Ah.

 

[A bird chirps, landing on a woman near the fountain.]

 

Nogami: ...Huh?

 

Ai: A-ah, I’m sorry! It’s because I spooked it... Um, you’re Nogami Zen-san, right?

It’s nice to meet you, Nogami Zen-san.

I hope you’ll allow me to learn under your tutelage from now on, working underneath you as an assistant.

My name is Kisaragi Ai, and I’m a Goddess candidate.

I predict I may serve as an inconvenience from time to time, but I’ll do my absolute best to become of help to you as quickly as possible, Nogami-san.

I’ll be in your care!

 

Nogami: ...

 

Ai: ...?

*gasps* Uh, uhh! Umm, could it be that I’ve gotten the wrong person!?

I’m so sorry!

I was supposed to meet someone here, but I don’t know her face, so I just assumed that it was you...

I’ve done you a discourtesy!

 

Nogami: ...No, you have the right person.

I’m Nogami Zen.

 

Ai: Ah... Aah! I see! Thank goodness~

 

Nogami: But... you’re wrong.

 

Ai: Huh?

 

Nogami: I’m not the Goddess you’re supposed to be assisting.

I turned down that role.

 

Ai: H-huuuuuh?

 

Nogami: I’m fine on my own.

 

Ai: Huh?

 

Nogami: I’m fine. On my own.

 

Ai: Nogami-...san?

 

-

 

[Ai throws herself into her bed.]

 

Ai: *sobbing* Ooouugh~! What do I doooo~!? Yuki-chan!

The Goddess refused my help! There’s no way I could’ve predicted that~!?

 

Yuki: Y-you’ll be fine, Ai. Er, well, I don’t suppose you’ll be fine, but that’s normal.

We never consider the case in which we’re refused.

After all, you simply went to go greet her according to the institute’s instructions, right?

 

Ai: *sobbing* Yeah... *sniffling* See~?

 

Yuki: Goddess responsible – Nogami Zen. Why, yes, that is written there.

 

Ai: Right~!? It is, right!? But... But...!

Sheee refuuused meee~! Was my first impression to her really that horrible!? I wonder if I did something rude to her without even realizing?

Why... Whyyyy~!? *sobbing*

 

Yuki: Uh!? U-um, you’ve already talked to the institute about this, right?

 

Ai: Yep... It might’ve been a mistake, or maybe I got outdated documents, and I’ve been updated to be assigned another Goddess now...

That’s what I thought, so as soon as I left, I immediately headed over to check.

 

Yuki: What was their response? What’d they say?

 

Ai: They said the teller at the counter wouldn’t be able to figure it out, so they’ll check over it and contact me when they figure it out.

 

Yuki: *sighs* I see...

 

Ai: Mm...

 

Yuki: Hm... ...Hey, Ai? I don’t think you need to let it worry you so much.

You said that Nogami-san refused your help because she says she’s fine on her own, right?

If that’s true, it would’ve been the same no matter which candidate came.

 

Ai: You... think so?

 

Yuki: I’m pretty sure. Actually, when I heard what you had to say at noon, I asked the Goddess responsible for me, Bakuro-sa—... Shuka-san, whether or not that sort of thing was possible.

And she responded that it’s not normal, but it’s possible, considering Nogami-san.

They were in the same year ever since they were in the academy, so they’re treated as colleagues.

 

Ai: Oh, really...?

Wait, huh? Since when have you started to call her Shuka-san, by her first name?

 

Yuki: Ah...! Oh, yes, that’s right. Bakuro-sa—no, Shuka-san asked me herself to do that.

She quite likes her name, which is written with the letters for “red flower,” so she prefers being called that.

 

Ai: Wow...! Bakuro-san has a bit of a scary nickname, being called a “Destroyer,” but she does say adorable things sometimes!

I’d like to meet her~

 

Yuki: Destroyer... That’s true. No matter how cute her own name is, it’s quite true that she is also very much a destroyer... The nickname is true as can be.

 

Ai: Y-Yuki-chan, you’re looking off into the distance...

D-did something happen with you?

 

Yuki: Ah...! Ah. Ahaha...! ...A-ahem!

Ai, let’s set aside talking about me for now. I’ll tell you about my situation in due time.

More importantly, you’re in more dire straits. We have to do something about it, right?

 

Ai: Y-you’re right... You’re completely right about that!

Haah~...

 

Yuki: Let’s get back on track. According to what I heard from Shuka-san, Nogami-san’s been saying that she prefers being on her own, ever since her time as a student. She was always the type to avoid working in groups.

 

Ai: Ooh...

 

Yuki: The reason why she ended up like that was apparently due to her family circumstances...

But that topic is something personal, so “talk to the person herself about it,” I was told.

 

Ai: Family circumstances... Family circumstances, huh...?

What in the world could that possibly be like?

When I remember my family, I wouldn’t think that I prefer being on my own.

I think, “I want to see them. I wonder what they’re doing right about now?” I’m the type to yearn to meet them.

 

Yuki: Ufufu. That’s true. You have your twin older brother, whom you contact frequently, Koi-san. Your relationship with your parents is also very harmonious, correct?

 

Ai: Mmhmm. I guess you already know, but my mom’s a former Goddess, and she’s also my goal.

Mom keeps a lot of secrets and stuff she can’t talk about from Dad, but even so, he loves her. He’s an Earthling who married her and doesn’t mind that she keeps secrets.

Onii-chan has always been with me since we were born, and he’s always cheered me on. He’s always been considerate of me. He makes me smile and fills me with energy!

Because everyone’s with me, I can do my best even when I’m in a tough spot!

 

Yuki: ...*chuckles*

 

Ai: I know I’m not a kid anymore, so I get it.

It’s not like everyone can unconditionally have good relationships with their families just because they’re wrapped up nice and pretty in the word, “family.”

It’s because they’re family that they have difficult relationships. And it’s just that, coincidentally, my family isn’t like that. I know that.

I wonder if Nogami-san has one of those rocky relationships.

 

Yuki: Mm... Who knows? I sure don’t.

 

Ai: Mmhmm... You’re right. We don’t know.

I don’t know anything about her. She might be someone who’s gone to a completely different world I don’t know about.

Maybe that’s why...

She refused me, but I’m curious about her.

Nogami Zen-san.

If... If I end up working as her assistant, I might become close enough for her to tell me about it. We might even become close enough to call each other by first names, too.

...I hope I’ve done that.

 

2. Drama – "The Strength of Just Having You by My Side"

 

Ai: Umm... All I have to do now is download this and that...

Good! Now things are all right~!

 

Yuki: Ai!

 

Ai: Ah! Yuki-chan!

*She runs over to Yuki.*

What a coincidence! Wait, that outfit...

Are you training right now?

 

Yuki: Yes, I am. Since I had free time, I went to the dojo to get my body moving.

 

Ai: The dojo...

Haaah~... You’re just getting stronger and stronger, Yuki-chan~

 

Yuki: Ufufu. It’s a compelling necessity.

 

Ai: Necessity... Oh, that’s right. Shuka-san, your representative Goddess, can pass into Earthlings’ dreams, where nightmares nest, and forcefully materialize the nightmares.

By beating the stuffing out of them using physical force, she aims to achieve that narrow equilibrium of stability in their spiritual energy. That’s the kind of Goddess she is, huh?

And since you’re working with her, you’re clearly in battle mode.

 

Yuki: Battle mode... I wouldn’t say that’s wrong, per se, but... I wonder if there’s a cuter way to phrase that?

I should look a bit deeper into that.

 

Ai: Hmm... If I’d become Shuka-san’s assistant, I would’ve been nothing more than a hindrance.

You’ve always been skilled in martial arts, so you’re capable of fighting.

Maybe that’s why you were sent to learn under Shuka-san?

 

Yuki: Eh?

 

Ai: I’m talking about the pairs of the Goddess who’s responsible, plus the Goddess candidate sent to support her.

 

Yuki: Ahh.

 

Ai: From the side of the Goddess candidate, our requests or demands aren’t factored into it. We get sent over to them without any say in the matter, right?

That’s where I think there’s some sort of intention or meaning behind it.

 

Yuki: For sure, that... doesn’t sound impossible.

I think that, upon seeing our compatibility for what we’re suitable for, or what we’re capable of, they’re giving us our positions based off of who’s the right person for the job.

 

Ai: I think so too. The right person in the right place.

...The right person... in the right place, huh...?

 

Yuki: ... *sighs*

...Despite everything, it’s already been a year since we’ve started working with the Goddesses.

How’s your work with Nogami-san been going these days?

 

Ai: The usual. And when I say that, I mean... Things look like they’re going well at first glance, but... I guess, looking at the results, things are going well, but...

Mm...

Since it’s you, Yuki-chan, I’m gonna be honest about this.

I’m still struggling. It’s tough work.

 

Yuki: You’re struggling?

 

Ai: I’m currently doing my best to promote myself to Nogami-san to convince her that she’s happy to have me on board!

 

Yuki: I see...

Is she still saying that she’s fine being alone?

 

Ai: I haven’t asked her upfront these days, but I’m pretty sure that’s the case.

Ah. But, you know? It’s not her fault.

Because, like she mentioned during our first meeting, it’s not like she wanted an assistant in the first place. She told me that in person, and I know that.

It’s not my intention to cause her grievances because I’m still studying, either. So there was a time we jointly signed a request to change pairs and sent it in to the federation, but...

 

Yuki: It was refused, huh?

 

Ai: Yeah... They told us that it was meaningful because it’s the two of us.

 

Yuki: ...Got it.

 

Ai: Hey, you know? You might think it weird that I’m saying this even though I went so far as to send in that request to change combinations to the federation, but I like Nogami-san.

 

Yuki: Ai...

 

Ai: We take each other into account, and we maintain a fixed distance around each other.

Yet... But still, it’s because we’ve been with each other this long that there are things I start to see.

Nogami-san prefers to be on her own, but she’s not the type to hate people.

But she’s just quite sensitive and clumsy, and she’s a kind person.

I can tell when I see how Nogami-san works as a Goddess.

I think she’s absolutely wonderful, so I want to cheer her on! At least, enough that I don’t drag her down.

 

Yuki: Nogami-san takes an individualistic approach regarding Earthlings, comparable to Shuka-san, huh?

War. Competition. Bullying. Failure. People’s hearts fall ill for all sorts of reasons.

That Goddess dives into the spiritual worlds of people whose hearts have shut themselves away and continues to rescue them.

I’ve heard it’s because she has a mysterious technology where her wounded heart makes only her able to enter.

 

Ai: Mmhmm! Exactly! Apparently, it’s some sort of technology that Nogami-san developed on her own!

By gripping tight the hearts that have distanced themselves, she empathizes with their souls, and enter the inside.

Being able to enter the spiritual world, which became isolated from their exterior is just... so amazing~!

 

Yuki: I agree. It’s such a rare and valuable technology.

 

Ai: But while she’s in the spiritual world, Nogami-san’s own body is super defenseless, so my role’s to protect her from the outside.

 

Yuki: You have a proper role. You’re helping her, aren’t you?

 

Ai: I guess so! It’s a role, but... Just being a lookout is... something that anyone aside from me can do, right?

 

Yuki: Well, that’s... not wrong.

 

Ai: A-ahaha! It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s not like it’s bothering me, or that it’s getting me down or anything. How do I say it...?

I’m going to keep acknowledging it as a single truth. I think I’d like to emphasize another point to be the justification for why I’m around.

 

Yuki: Another point?

 

Ai: Yes! For example, like this! Ta-dah~!

I’m doing a lot of preliminary searches around the vicinity before she descends to Earth.

The basic data’s a given, but I’m looking up nearby sweets shops, hot springs, places with fantastic views, or even sightseeing spots!

Nogami-san definitely doesn’t check those spots out, so~

 

Yuki: Sweets... and hot springs...

Well... yes, I do suppose she wouldn’t look them up.

 

Ai: I’ve never empathized with a wounded heart. I don’t know how it feels, but it’s obviously going to take a lot out of her. Right?

In that case, I was thinking that she’d need a way to relax. And since it doesn’t hurt to try, I could invite her by asking, “Would you like to try something sweet~?” when we’re headed over.

 

Yuki: A question, if I may. What’s the success percentage of your invitations?

 

Ai: Two successes and thirty-five losses. I think that’s it?

Amazing, aren’t I?

 

Yuki: *chuckles* ...Am I... supposed to be surprised at the two successes, or your undying will despite being refused thirty-five times? I’m not very sure.

 

Ai: Fufu! I think so, too!

But you know, I think I’m fine with that. It’s not like we’ll always be together.

One day, the request will get through to the institute, and the person I’m assigned to will change.

Still... until that “one day” comes, I think it’d be nice if I could make our time together a bit more fun, if only a little.

I’ll be sure to support Nogami-san in a way only I can.

 

Yuki: Ai... You’re very strong.

 

Ai: Eh?

 

Yuki: I don’t mean it as in, physically strong like I am with martial arts. Even when you’re not fighting with a weapon in hand, you’re strong, Ai.

You’re incredibly strong! You’re... my pride and joy, my best friend.

 

[Yuki hugs Ai.]

 

Ai: ...! E-ehh...? Um, Yuki-chan?

 

Yuki: Ai? Something about you... gives me strength just having you by my side.

I think you should take pride in it. It’s a wonderful thing.

I’m cheering you on.

That strength of yours will heal Nogami-san’s solitude as well. I’m sure of it.

 

Ai: Yuki-chan...

Mmhmm... You’re right. I hope that’s the case!

 

-

 

Ai: Wow... There are tons of people...!

 

Nogami: This is the only bazaar in this area, after all.

 

Ai: It is, huh!

Walking through it in person, the impact of it all is completely different from seeing it in pictures! It’s so lively~

 

Nogami: Behind the scenes of this liveliness, there are people who have been harmed due to internal discord.

 

Ai: Yes! As always, those people must be saved!

Because the injuries to their hearts have become so heavy, I assume you’ll be struggling, Nogami-san, but I hope you’ll count on me to support you afterwards!

Ta-dah~!

This is a list of souvenir shops and sweets shops that I think we should pin down! I’ve searched them completely thoroughly this time, too!

This is a country where a keypad will make us conspicuous in a bad way, so I’ve made it so that it looks like a handwritten note at first glance!

As you can see here, my camouflage is perfect as well.

 

Nogami: ...I’ve been thinking this for some time now, but...

 

Ai: Yes!

 

Nogami: You like sweets, don’t you.

 

Ai: Eh...?

Y-yes...! I love them!

I think sugar’s the best replenishment when one’s tired!

Uh—Ah—wait, could it be that... I know I’m late in saying this, but...

Nogami-san, can you not handle sweet foods...?

 

Nogami: ...Zen.

 

Ai: Eh?

 

Nogami: Don’t call me, “Nogami-san.” You can call me “Zen.”

 

Ai: Ah...! Yes, ma’am!

Then, allow me to rephrase. Zen-san, can you not handle sweets?

 

Nogami: I don’t particularly dislike them. I’ve never really liked them, either.

But recently...

 

Ai: Recently...?

 

Nogami: I occasionally feel like eating them.

 

Ai: Ahh...! Is that so!

In that case, you might feel like eating them this time around, too!

Let’s have it as a reward after a job well done!

 

Nogami: ...You’re right. In that case...

Ai. Let’s go.

 

Ai: Yes, ma’am!