Track 3

So this is the amusement park where “ES-S” takes place, the “Steam Park”...!

I can’t believe it….. I’m actually here…. on set….. as a real performer….! Such incredible fortune…. this is far too grand to be wasted on trash like me…..

This is… even more impressive than I imagined! Steam is blowing out from everywhere…!

It’s just a replica, and it seems they’ve made safety the top priority, but it looks like they’ve really captured the atmosphere of a real steam engine.

Look, the gate and building are so breathtaking!

It’s Victorian style. You see this kind of design often in steampunk works.

(...But the letters engraved here… At first glance they seem meaningless, but they’re actually a Caesar cipher. It says, “Something that produces steam.”)

(I see. So the game starts as soon as you walk through the gate.)

Fireworks are also beautiful during the day. Chief, stand there. I’ll take a picture for you.

…...!

Thanks, Yuki-nii. I appreciate it, but it’s almost time to meet up. Maybe we should put away our personal phones.

Chief is right! We have a meeting with the staff here, so please leave.

…Hey, you idiot. Where do you think you’re going? That’s the comedian team’s waiting room.

Huh? O-Oh!

…...

So you’re wearing glasses after all, Ten-kun.

I wanna avoid showing my real face as much as I can. I mean, I’m a ward mayor, but I’m also a student looking for a job.

If I’m being honest, I’m not all too keen on the idea. But, thanks for agreeing to appear on the show.

And also…

…Don’t worry. If it’s about Renga-san, I’ll be sure to cheer him up later.

Ah…! You’re a lifesaver.

No matter how I ask him what’s wrong, all he says is “I’m fine!” I know he’s trying not to worry me, but…

That kinda thing is so typical of him. Well, not like it isn’t obvious.

But…

What’s up?

You’re usually so calm and collected, but the fact that you showed that kind of attitude back then—

It really shows how dear of a friend Renga-kun is to you.

(...Huuh?)

Well then, I’ll be heading back to HAMA House for now. Do your best, everyone! I’m rooting for you!

…...

Hey, Ten! …I…I s-saw you, last night…!

There’s something bothering you, right!?

Something bothering you? Is that true, Ten?

No no, there’s nothing.

You said you saw it, but what exactly did you see?

After I got away from Ten’s ex-girlfriends at the izakaya yesterday, I went looking for him since we’d gotten separated.

I peeked into a back alley from a shortcut I used to use a lot… and I saw it.

…...

I saw you walking down the alley, all dressed in black.

(...I was worried when I saw a glimpse of him a little while ago, dressed like a villain from a TV drama. He seemed different from usual too…it was strange.)

Hey, Ten. You—

…...

You’re not doing some kind of dangerous part-time job, are you!?

(...Huh?)

“A dangerous part-time job”...! Don’t tell me…. He was blinded by the big bucks and went criminal mode…. If it’s Ten-kun, I can see it happening!

Hey now, what are you saying, Yachiyo-kun!

None of my younger brothers are that kind of person.

Haha, that’s right. It’ll be a problem if our employees aren’t clean.

…...

Ten. If… If you’re short on money, don’t rely on some shady part-time job. I want you to rely on me instead.

I mean, I can’t say I’m in the best shape financially either, but thanks to HAMA Tours, I’ve been getting more work than before.

My agency happened to get the offer…and this show’s prize is huge. I thought maybe this could help you…so I accepted the offer.

It’s because I’m your…, fr….

FRIEND, AFTER ALL!!!!!!!!

Wow, that’s heavy…

Huh…

You think it’s normal to pull that kind of stunt just because we’re friends?

…...

Ten-kun, Renga-kun was just…

In the first place, you completely misread the picture. I thought I told you already that I was with those girls yesterday.

If you want, I can give you some details about what we did to prove my alibi? It was a lot of fun, y’know? First, we █████—

Huh, Kafka? Why are you covering my ears?

You shouldn’t hear this, Chief.

Indeed. As an adult, you’re free to socialize however you want, but it’s best not to let the chief hear about it.

Murakumo, if you don’t shut your mouth right now, I’ll make it so you’ll never be able to play with those women at night again.

Yeah, yeah, got it. Anyway, that’s why there’s no point in going on the TV show…

Nope. You’re doing it. President’s orders.

I told you, didn’t I. This is for the sake of HAMA Tours.

In order to spread our name and to connect us to the future of HAMA, it’s necessary for all members of the Morning Team to appear on the show.

…Aah, I see. So the second I answered that phone call there was no way out.

I get it, I get it now.

Ah…, um.

I-I’m sorry, Ten…!

(What a drag…)

(...Though, I guess I might have shown my feelings a little too much back there. No point in ruining the vibes at the place I’m infiltrating.)

Oh! Ten! TEN! IT’S TENNN!!

?

You’re joking, right…..? I saw “HAMA Tours” in the cast list and was like “There’s no way” but turns out…..

I can’t believe you I’d ever see you on TV like this….!

Tennnn. I’ve been missing you like crazy! You look so hot with those glasses on—seriously, I’m obsessed!

Ugh….

(Right. These 3 are part of that Dazzler model team. Didn’t find out ‘til later that they were a unit, though.)

(Sure, they’re in the celeb category, but… why are they here now of all times…..?)

Just a reminder—— No contact with other teams before the show! Dazzler Team, please come this way!

Tch. …..Prepare yourself, Ten. Don’t think we’re gonna let you win so easily!

……

(Oh, great. More drama. As if I don’t already have enough to deal with…)

Murakumo.

Whether it’s your family teachings or not, don’t make women your test subjects for learning how to control your “attachment” issues.

Whaat? Where’s this coming from?

It’s unpleasant watching your relationships with women unfold.

Haha. What, so it’s okay for me to practice on guys then?

Better than with women.

Whoa, that’s kinda sexist, y’know? You’re gonna get canceled one of these days.

I’m “old-fashioned” so to speak.

Heh. You definitely give off the “living fossil” kinda vibe.

(——“Attachment”, huh. Guess you could say, in my line of work, it can mean a matter of life-and-death.)

The Ninokuruwa Family doesn’t believe in “controlling our attachments”. They raise us to never form them in the first place.

“Attachment” is… something people force on you, not the other way around……., don’t you think?

I see.

Oh, look at that face. You couldn’t care less, huh? How my fragile heart aches~.

Attention, everyone! Pre-show orientation is starting soon! All participants, please get ready and gather around!

(Sigh…. Whatever. It’s all meaningless anyway.)