nebulancer | Tsukiuta. Girls’ 3rd Season CD 5

Summary – Togawa Chisa, who became a Goddess candidate student from an admiration for the Goddesses she saw when she was young. At present, she has gone into higher education in the Goddess Institute, and she works daily under the tutelage of the current Goddess Setta Sumire (CV: Ozaki Mami) as a Goddess assistant. One day, she is told by Sumire that she will be representing the Goddess Institute by delivering a speech. The location of that important occasion turned out to be Diana Academy’s entrance ceremony underneath the cherry blossoms, the impetus for Chisa wanting to become a Goddess.

1. Drama – “Around the Time the Cherry Blossoms Bloom”

[Flashback.]

Chisa: Wow~! The cherry blossom flowers are so pretty~!

Mama, look! They’re so pretty! Look! Ahaha!

Wow, it’s awesome! So awesome! The petals look just like snow! Ahaha!

? What’s that? There’s a bunch of people over there...?

...Whoa...! There’s people wearing really pretty clothes! They look just like princesses!

Hey, Papa! Carry up, pretty please? Chisa wants to get a closer look at the princesses!

...God...dess...? Those princesses are Goddesses?

Did they also come here to see the flowers?

...What’s a Goddess?

...They’re “important people who guide Earth and this world”...

Mm, what’s “guide”? Is it something super-cool?

Ooh... It’s super-cool, so that’s why they’re important! Wow, wow~

...Okay! Chisa knows! Chisa’s gonna be like that! Gonna be a Goddess!

I’ll become a Goddess and guide everyone!

[The present.]

[SLAM.]

Chisa: HWWWOOOOOEOEEEEEHHHHHHEEEEEEEHHHHEHEHHH!?

I-I’m gonna be doing the representative SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!?

HWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-wait-wh-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa—

Setta: Ahh! Ah, yeah. Um, Chisa-chan? I understand why you’re surprised. I understand very well, but oh, calm down~ Calm down~ *pats Chisa*

All right. Deep breaths, now.

Breathe in~?

Chisa: HAAAAAA~

Setta: And out~

Chisa: Haaaah...

Setta: Breathe in~?

Chisa: HAAAAA~

Setta: Aaand out~

Chisa: Haaaaah...

*breathes in and out* Phew... Haah...

Setta: ...So. Calmed down yet?

Chisa: Ahaha! Thanks to your help, I finally managed to calm d—...

—THERE’S NO WAY THAT’S EVEN POSSIBLE, THOUUUUUUUUGH!?

WHEEEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUGH!?

Setta: *chuckles* Yeah, that’s the typical response~

Setta: Here you go! Sumire-san’s specialty: nice warm tea!

For now, let’s get you drinking this, shall we?

Chisa: Ah—Thank you very much, ma’am...

Phew...

Setta: Heh. Have you calmed down this time?

Chisa: Yes’m. Well, er. I’m very sorry for losing self-control.

Setta: Ahh, it’s fine, it’s fine! Totally cool. I get how you feel. If anything, when I heard the decision, I made the exact same response at the meeting, too.

Chisa: And that’s to be expected! Because I’m not like... for example, Yuki-san, who had exceptional grades, nor am I the type to stand out like Kurisu. And in the first place, the entrance ceremony speeches have only been done by Goddesses until now.

There haven’t been any Goddess Institute graduate students, have there?

Setta: Oh, about that. Apparently, they’re trying to start changing things up starting this year. Because, y’see, in the ranks of Goddesses... for better or for worse, they tend to have tons of people with auras that scream to you that they’re suuuper capable and talented, right? Like, the chosen elite! ✨ That kinda image.

Chisa: Aah, yes! They do have that aura! And it really is full of people who are especially extraordinary! But that’s a given, correct?

Setta: You got it! That’s why people who are totally average, just like little ol’ me, are actually the odd ones out.

Chisa: True, true~

Setta: Heheh—The fact I said it about myself but it was acknowledged as being correct makes me sorta sad, not gonna lie~

Chisa: Ahaha! I’m just joking, ma’am!

I absolutely love Goddesses like Sumire-san, someone who’s approachable and whom I can talk to easily! I aspire to be like you!

Setta: Thank you~ Thank you~!

But actually, it seems that sorta topic is actually the reason for why they changed the direction of things this time around.

Chisa: Huh?

Setta: According to the people up top... they don’t wanna raise the bar so high early on. Instead of making everyone get the misconception that becoming a Goddess is an unreachable dream, they wanna drop it down a little. To make the position one that’s an approachable source of admirations! That’s what it seems to be like~.

Chisa: Oh, really? Is that the case? I just assumed one of the appeals of being a Goddess is its sense of unreachable mystery.

Setta: Hmm, I guess that’s fair~ I heard that they’re concerned about the types of people aspiring to be Goddesses will end up being inclined to think that way.

Chisa: An inclination in the types...

Setta: Yep. I know this isn’t something I need to be explaining to Chisa-chan, who’s already a Goddess Institute grad student, since you already know this stuff.

But as Goddesses, our work is to harness the Earthlings’ spirit energy that becomes the foundation for our Moon world for the betterment of society.

The way we do such a thing differs from Goddess to Goddess. By working as actors or singers, there are those who help make people more abundant in spirit, while there are also...

Chisa: There are those who enter people’s dream worlds, beat up nightmares, and dole out justice, aren’t there!

Setta: There are some who build corporations on Earth and aim to stimulate the economy, too~

Chisa: And those who write novels, publish books; or those who work as volunteers in conflict zones, or so I’ve heard!

Setta: Basically, like that! Even now, I suppose the types of people out there are pretty varied, but since Earth is plunging into further organizations of compatibility, the Moon needs to make their compatibility even stronger to go along with it! Seems like that’s the gist of it.

Chisa: Ohh... I see.

I understand the reason for the modification. Basically, if I was chosen because I’m someone who doesn’t set the bar too high and remains approachable, then it sounds acceptable, in my opinion.

Setta: Right? Right~?

Chisa: But are you really sure about that? Are you absolutely, super-duper, totally sure they didn’t choose me because of a mistake or some screwup regarding their arrangements? That I’m the one who’s going to be delivering this speech to represent the Goddess Institute? At Diana Academy?

Setta: Non, non! ‘Twas neither a mistake nor a screwup!

You’re going to get up onstage at the entrance ceremony at your alma mater, Diana Academy, and you! Shall talk about dreams, hopes, and possibilities!

Ah—By the by, you remember your entrance ceremony, don’tcha?

Chisa: OOOOF COURSE! *knocks down chair*

Setta: Whoa-ho!

Chisa: It’s the entrance ceremony set in the courtyard of Diana Academy, underneath tons of cherry blossoms in full bloom!

When I was young, I saw those Goddesses who were in attendance at the ceremony, and I decided to become a Goddess right then and there!

It’s the stage of Togawa Chisa’s dreams!

2. Drama – “Dreams, Me, and My Future”

Wakaba: *panting while running* Hah, hah, hah... Phew~! That felt so good!

On days with good weather, I forget about everything else and just get running!

Chisa: Wa~kaba! ♪

Wakaba: Oh, Chisa!

Chisa: As always, you totally love running, don’t you? Done with your run?

Wakaba: Yeah! I’m gonna finish up for today.

Chisa: So, well~ What are your plans after this?

Wakaba: Hmm? Have a light shower and change, is about it.

Chisa: All righty~! Looks like it was worth waiting for you!

Wakaba-san! Though this may be sudden, would you like to go on a flower-viewing with me?

Wakaba: *laughing* That’s coming outta nowhere! But sounds good!

Even when I was in the middle of running, I was like, “Ah! Those cherry blossoms over there are so pretty~ I wanna do a flower viewing!” And thinking that stuff as I was running!

I’ll go, I’ll go~!

Chisa: Now that’s my partner! That’s what’s up!

Chisa: Wow, whoaaaa~! They’re in full bloom~!

But! There's! No one around!! This is one crazy hole-in-the-wall!

Wakaba: I know, right? But honestly, I think it’s because today’s a weekday.

This weekend, I’d be willing to bet that there’ll be tons of people here for their own flower-viewing.

Chisa: True, true. Having tons of fun chatting up a storm with everyone else is nice, but I also like taking it easy with just the two of us as we check out the flowers.

I’m glad we came to see ‘em!

Wakaba: Same here~ We can be comfy and relax.

*stretches* Mm~ahhah!

Chisa: We just so coincidentally got the same day off on a weekday! We sure are partners, aren’t we, Wakaba? We’re totally in sync!

Wakaba: The day off itself was just a coincidence, but let’s just think of it that way, then.

Chisa: Ahahaha!

Wakaba: ...So what?

Chisa: ...What’s what?

Wakaba: When you suddenly ask me for things, it’s whenever you want to talk with me or consult with me about something, right?

What happened?

Chisa: Ooh... You saw right through me.

Wakaba: Well, yeah! How long do you think we’ve known each other?

Make a mistake at work? Or did you have a fight with Sumire-san?

Chisa: Neither of ‘em~

These days, my work as a Goddess assistant is going totally peachy, and Sumire-san’s kindly getting along with me~

Wakaba: Well, I’m glad to hear that. Both your vibes resemble each other, so I get the feeling your compatibility with each other is really good.

Chisa: Mmhmm! Sumire-san’s not arrogant in any way, and she says she’d prefer to not stand on ceremony with all the strict formalities. Plus, she’s very easy to talk to!

I really feel like I’ve been blessed with the boss I’ve been given!

Err... Um, even calling her my boss sounds weird. An experienced senior? A big sister? She’s like that to me!

Wakaba: Well, that sorta deal makes me... a little envious. *chuckles*

Chisa: Oh, yeah... Your boss, Midousuji-san, has got the vibe of that razor-sharp straight spine, sparkly-shining glasses, like she’s the IDEAL ELITE!

I’ve never even seen her smiling even once, and—oh! She’d suit wearing a military uniform really well!

Wakaba: She sure would. For sure.

In all sorts of ways, she’s simple and goal-oriented, so she isn’t wasteful in the slightest.

I think that’s what makes her seem like a soldier.

Chisa: It’s awesome how she isn’t wasteful, huh? Whenever I chat, I waste my breath on about half the things I say!

Wakaba: And you’re aware of it~!

*chuckles* But you know, I don’t think she’s a bad person. She teaches me about work thoroughly, step-by-step, and she’s never asked anything unreasonable of me.

She makes me feel like I wanna get to know her better. But...

Chisa: Your plans to get closer aren’t... working, huh?

Wakaba: You got that right. Goddesses and Goddess assistants have a relationship that makes you think the two of ‘em come in a set. Yet we haven’t met even once outside of work, which makes me sorta wonder.

Chisa: You don’t talk about your personal lives?

Wakaba: No. Negative. Never.

Chisa: That’s one definitive answer...

Wakaba: *chuckling* I know, right~?

Up until now, at clubs and stuff, I’ve mostly been the type to chit-chat with everyone else, right? When it’s a work-only situation or a business-like relationship, I... still haven’t gotten used to that sorta thing.

When I hear you talk about when you went shopping with Sumire-san and more, I get envious.

Chisa: How about you invite her?

Wakaba: Try getting turned down at least five times with, “Regrettably, I have regulations I must keep up.” Like, how would you not feel discouraged from keeping it up!

Chisa: That’s... true.

Wakaba: Well, uh—I ended up making it all about me. Sorry.

Chisa: Ah! No, no, no! It’s totally fine. If anything, I want you to keep talking to me about that sorta stuff. After all, I’m your~

Wakaba: Partner, right?

Chisa: Ehe! Of course!

Wakaba: Ufufu. Thanks. I cheered up a bit, getting to let it out a little.

I’ll keep up my plans to get closer, and I won’t give up just yet.

Chisa: Yep! That’s the spirit!

Wakaba: So! Let’s make that big swerve to get right back on track~?

Chisa: Ahahaha~ Right back on track...

So it’s about me this time, okay?

Wakaba: Mmhmm!

Chisa: I talked about this before, but thankfully, I’ve been doing pretty well. I haven’t made any huge screwups lately, and I’m having fun working with Sumire-san.

I think I’ve been starting to show some composure lately, if I do say so myself~? And right when I was thinking something along those lines...

A trial was posed...

Wakaba: Ooh, a trial!

Chisa: I have to do a speech representing the Goddess Institute graduate students at Diana Academy’s entrance ceremony.

Wakaba: O-oh... Uh huh...?

Chisa: Whaddya mean, “uh huh”!? That’s so casual! Way too casual, Wakaba~!

Wakaba: Ahaha! Sorry, sorry! I was just imagining something crazy-serious, so I couldn’t help but relax a little...

You were nominated, weren’t you? Isn’t that a good thing? You got this! Totally, got this!

Chisa: Urgh, you really are way too casual about this~!! Incredibly casual!

Wakaba: Well, yeah! Not like it was an incident or an accident or anything. Isn’t it something I should be congratulating you on?

Chisa: True, but! It’s true, but...!

For me, Diana Academy’s entrance ceremony is an incredibly, extremely precious big event! You know that?

And I’ll be giving a speech there!? I can’t begin to count the number of cameras there’ll be...!

Whaaa~ Just thinking about it... the p-pressure’s... Huungh...

Wakaba: *laughing* Too soon for that! You haven’t even done anything yet.

But, huh? Were you the type of person to get all that nervous and stuff?

Chisa: I don’t think I regularly get this nervous, but the entrance ceremony’s on a completely different level~!

Wakaba: Why’s it on a different... Ah! Oh, I remember now!

The entrance ceremony was the event that became the reason for why you decided to become a Goddess, huh!

Chisa: Correctomundo! You remembered what I said about it!

Wakaba: Obviously. Just about anyone would if they were told that story again and again, dozens of times in school.

Chisa: Even now, I still remember...

Underneath those cherry blossoms in full bloom... It really was genuinely such a beautiful sight, as if I’d dreamt it all up.

Each and every one of those Goddesses wore lovely dresses that suited their individual characteristics, looking just like flowers...!

They all stood up straight, lining up all together.

I remember asking Dad and Mom if those people were princesses~

Wakaba: It might not have been the same year, but I remember watching the entrance ceremony and getting way emotional too!

It wasn’t inside an auditorium or an event hall or anything. It took place inside the school’s courtyard, underneath the cherry blossoms. It was so impactful how they did that!

Chisa: Yeah! Yeah, that!

My beloved cherry blossoms, and standing underneath them, those beautiful princesses! The crossover of a lifetime!

It pierced into little me’s heart like... “BA-THUNK!” Y’know?

Wakaba: Mm, mm!

Chisa: Whoa, wow! This is awesome! So pretty! So cool! AMAZING~!

*chuckles* My hype levels were through the roof then and there. My head was... in a good way, all panicked to crazy levels. Hehe~

Wakaba: Sounds to me that ever since you were young, you’ve always had some unbelievably dynamic emotions~

Chisa: Hurts to admit it, but that’s not wrong!

What’s most important is the fact that it’s seared right into my mind, like, gloriously so!

I’m pretty sure there were visitor arrival greetings or board chairman speeches, but those? Honestly, I don’t remember a single lick of any of them!

Only the stuff about the Goddesses remains crystal-clear, perfectly great! ✨

Wakaba: Heh, I guess that’d be normal, huh!

Chisa: Ever since then, I’ve been a fan of Goddesses themselves, their very existences.

Strong, awe-inspiring, gentle, and beautiful!

Goddesses are the ideal types of women that I aspire to be like, and that’s why I’m working hard daily to catch up to that image. But...

I still have a long way to go.

I’m missing all sorts of things.

The more I stand on-site, the more I realize that myself, and I can tell that’s the case.

There’s still tons and tons of things I need to study and things I need to do.

Yet... someone like me was suddenly made to stand on top of the stage I’d always had as my goal.

I couldn’t help but think... “Is this really okay?”

Wakaba: Chisa...

Chisa: And you know? I can’t even put it to words all too well myself, but I feel a bit... frustrated, I think.

Mm, who even knows what this is?

Wakaba: Frustrated...? Hmm.

Sorry in advance if I’m wrong, but isn’t it like... if I lost in the prelims, but due to other circumstances, I got moved up to the finals and got to play there? That might be similar to how I felt then.

Chisa: What? ...Ah... Mmhmm. Yeah. You’re right.

I get the feeling that... might be pretty similar.

Wakaba: It was your goal. That’s exactly why you wanted to stand there with your own capabilities.

But you feel frustrated because that’s not what actually happened to you.

You feel like the things you’ve done until now have been meaningless... and you feel complicated inside.

...Like that?

Chisa: Ah! Yeah! Yes! Definitely! That! That’s what it’s about, Wakaba!

Wakaba: *chuckles* Got it. In that case, I’ve totally felt that sensation before.

Chisa: ...I get it now. I’m... yeah. I wanted to stand on that stage with confidence after I’d become a Goddess with my own skills and capabilities.

Wakaba: Mm.

Chisa: I wanted to be the same as those Goddesses I saw when I was young. Not as a grad student at the Goddess Institute, but as a Goddess. I wanted to stand there confidently, with dignity...

But it’s like I made my debut halfway through... I’m standing there knowing full well that I’m not even remotely there, so... I’m just a little frustrated about it all.

Wakaba: ...Mhmm.

Chisa: I get it now. So this is what’s behind my pent-up gloom.

Wakaba: *chuckles* I’m glad I helped you get a grasp on what’s behind it.

Aah, er. It’s not like you’ve solved your problem, so I can’t really say definitively that it was all good...

Chisa: Eh!? N-no, you’re not wrong! It is good! Thanks, Wakaba!

I’m so glad I asked you! After all, it feels like all sorts of gross murky feelings have up and gone away!

Wakaba: Ooh, got it!

Chisa: Mmhmm!

[The wind blows, sending the cherry blossoms flying.]

Chisa: Phew~ ...The cherry blossoms... are beautiful.

Wakaba: Yeah. They sure are.

Chisa: Wakaba, I’ve made a new goal for myself.

Wakaba: What is it?

Chisa: First, I’ll do my absolute best at my speech as a Goddess Institute grad student.

But in the future, one day... I’ll do my best so that I can stand in that exact same spot again but that time, as a Goddess.

Wakaba: I see~. So that’s how it’s gonna be!

Chisa: There are people out there who couldn’t get into Diana Academy no matter how much they admire Goddesses. There are also people who couldn’t proceed to the higher-level Goddess Institute.

Meanwhile, there’s me. It’s not like I’m particularly smart, or extremely talented in anything. But I’m in a position that’s one step away from becoming a Goddess.

I’ll do my absolute best to tell those new students that persistent effort and willpower are nothing to sneeze at!

Wakaba: Aha! That sounds great!

If I were a new student, I feel like that’d provide more support in reality! Since it’s not some ~very valued talk~ coming from a person who looks flawless from every which angle, but instead, it’s someone approachable, with a familiar topic!

Chisa: That’s my position, huh?

That version of me I dreamt of... is still far, far away. But I’ll go deliver to ‘em everything I have as the person who’s right in the middle of my journey!

Wakaba: For sure! You got this, Chisa!

Announcer: “Up next, we would also like to introduce someone who comes from a more approachable and familiar position. Here are the words of congratulation and support from a graduate student of the Goddess Institute, for those who seek to become Goddesses this coming year.

Representative Togawa Chisa-san.”

Chisa: Yes, ma’am!

...Hm...!

[Chisa steps up to the microphone and flips the switch – turning it off.]

Chisa: Ahem! Everyone, it’s nice to meet...?

Er... Uh? Huh?

[Chisa turns the microphone back on, and it squeals.]

Chisa: “Um, uh...! My apologies. I’ll be restarting, if you don’t mind!

Phew...

...Allow me to introduce myself again! It’s nice to meet you~!

I’m the Goddess Institute’s grad student, Togawa Chisa!”

Chisa: ...What’s a Goddess?