EP

Where did you go? You do know you’re the main host, correct?

Welll, things got a little messed up at work. It’s hard being in demand.

Tch… There will be a 15 minute intermission for dinner after the current acrobatic show, then it’s time.

Gotcha, gotcha. I never thought I’d be singing with you, Liguang-san.

Good luck, you two. By the way, Ten-kun, did you end up looking for a job after all?

What?

The idiot was making a racket about you not being here because you were looking for a job.

Ohh, now that I think about it, that’s right. It’s like something that’ll help me find a job.

(Something that’ll help him find a job? Maybe it’s volunteer work…?)

Oh yeah, that reminds me. This is for you, Chief.

Oh, the weekly report! You actually did it!

Gotta get that passing grade.

It’s almost time. Prepare yourself.

Yeah, yeah. See you later, Chief.

Welcome back, Chief. Was Ten ready to go on stage?

Yeah. Liguang-san was managing him so I think it’ll be fine.

(There’s still a 15 minute intermission, so I’ll listen to the report with my headphones.)

(I’m really curious…about Ten-kun’s weekly report.)

[Hello. This is Ten Murakumo, a college student. What should I say for the weekly report? I went to Fukuoka I guess. The food was all delicious.]

(Hehe, I get it.)

[I ended up doing some juggling. Well, I think I did a pretty good job with it?]

(It was a huge success!)

[That’s about it……Oh… The ramen I had with the chief was good. I’d like to go again. Wanna come with?]

(It really was super delicious!)

[Hmm… What else…]

[I was kinda relieved when you said it was fine for me to get a passing grade.]

……!

[I can’t copy your beliefs, Chief. But I do hope that your good fortune continues.]

[Okay, this should be good enough. It’s a passing grade, right? Bye bye.]

(Ten-kun… Somehow, I feel like you were speaking honestly.)

(This cassette might be worth more than a passing grade.)

What’s wrong? Why are you staring at the cassette recorder?

Ah, it’s nothing.

(Maybe it’s best to let Ten-kun have the freedom to do what he wants. I believe that one day he’ll turn that passing grade into a perfect score…)

Chief, Kafka. Can I sit with you to watch the live?

Of course! Thanks for all your help serving the customers, Renga-kun.

Ah, it was nothing…ahem!

It’s a celebrity’s… Noblis Obligo to work hard for the common people.

(Does he mean Noblesse Oblige…?)

…More importantly, Chief.

What’s wrong? Why’re you whispering?

No, well, y’know how I talked to you about Ten back in Fukuoka? I thought he might have been injured or pushing himself.

Oh, yeah…! Thanks for telling me about it back then.

Mm, well, I think he started to feel less tense after that, so I’m glad.

…If you were that worried, then you could have talked to him too.

No, he told me before that my feelings were “heavy”...

So I thought Ten would feel better about it if you talked to him. And I don’t really know much about health conditions and stuff, so…

A-Anyway! Thank you! It was a big help!

……You’re very kind too, Renga-kun.

Ah, n-not really…!

Oh, Ten and Liguang’s performance is about to start~.

Hellooo, welcome everyone. 1st Ward Mayor here, and this is…

……4th Ward Mayor.

He’s here! Ten!

I won’t let him get away this time…

You’re looking lovely today too, Liguang-sama…

Seeing those two next to each other gives off such an adult vibe. I’m loving it~!

What should we talk about~. How about a finger heart for now?

KYAAAAAAA!!

…Ten looks utterly unmotivated.

A-Ahaha……

So this is where you were, Chief. Yachiyo and I will join you too.

Aaah~~, I got to taste Ten-kun’s finger heart! Fanservice is the best~!

Ahaha, you say something too, Liguang-san. How about we make a heart together?

I don’t have anything in particular to say and I won’t make a heart.

This guy’s really unsociable, isn’t he? But, y’know, he’s actually pretty nice. For real.

Hey, stop it.

Why’s that? I’m just telling everyone about your good points.

He also keeps rabbits as pets~.

Stop talking. That’s personal information.

I’m sure there’s people into gap moe, right~?

(Ten-kun…is really just pointlessly talking… I wonder if he’s actually going to transition into a song like this.)

Isn’t this idle talk super precious!? Liguang-sama has rabbits…so cute!

I get you! Small talk is like, totally a godsend, ‘cause you get to see sides of them you’ve never seen before~!

Ten…I really do love you.

For some reason it seems like it’s a big hit with the customers.

…*Sigh* But I guess in the end it’s still just a passing grade.

(Kafka, that’s harsh…)

(But…That’s just Ten-kun, right?)

Now then, shall we sing~?

Hurry and get started.

Ahaha, for now let’s call the tour a success! Even if it was only a passing grade, everything turned out well.

The reviews were positive, so let’s all drink the day away ♪

Kafka, you’ve had too much to drink. You’re already pretty drunk. It would be best for you to hold off.

Shut up, it’s my choice!

Let’s hug, Chief. We used to do that a lot when we were little, right?

(Kafka’s drunk and acting clingy again…)

…Murakumo has disappeared again. Well, no matter.

Big Boss! Listen to this, it looks like there’s been a big corruption scandal at the company I was looking to transfer to…

Fuefuki, don’t come any closer. Do not move from that spot. Got it?

Ehh, why? The stack of cash called Kuzu-san… Wait, no, he’s a person… Ahh, even though I was kissing up to him~.

……

Champagne, wine, I g-godda hide it all…

It wud be a dizzaster, if Ten drinks it……Under da cushion, under da sofa?

I hid, half of it. Only a liddle more…!

……I can see everything you’re doing from up here, y’know.

(He’s like a dog hiding his owner’s shoes.)

(I got drunk that day, and it’s a pain to lie when I’m drunk.)

T-Ten? Isn’t yer facesh, redder dan usual…? Are ya, okay?

Huh? Really? Isn’t your face red too?

Well…thas ‘cause, I was drinkin…

Getting drunk off just one beer is a talent. You’re real simple, aren’t you, Renga-san?

Huh.

Your personality’s simple-minded, and you’re even weak to alcohol. You sure you’re good there? That’s dangerous in a lot of ways.

Huuuh.

Keep being simple like that, and your value will take a nose-dive. You’re a celebrity, right? Although you’re poorer than dirt.

……!

Ten’s gone, Ten’s gone cwazy……!

Puaha, ahaha! Ahahahaha! Ahahahahahaha!

(His face back then was hilarious…I ended up laughing my ass off.)

Haa, I messed up… But, I guess it’s okay.

(It was refreshing……)

So you were here.

Oh? You also ran away, Liguang-san?

…Your injury seems to have made a complete recovery.

Could you please stop doing that? The whole seeing through me thing.

It’s only natural for the Lurong family’s eldest son to be able to see through his favorite Ninokuruwa pawn.

Ahaha, is that right?

…That conspiracy in Fukuoka was kinda fun.

It must have felt good to pull the wool over the house’s eyes.

……

…If you were forced to choose between here, or there, what would you do?

Huh?

……

That would depend on my mood.

……I see.

Yep.

Even so, there is meaning in acting upon your feelings.

Ahaha. Isn’t it just a whim?

Not a thing has changed. I’m still me.

…I see.

I’m gonna go for a smoke now. Want me to spot you one?

……Why?

I dunno, I guess you can call it a thank you for the payment in Fukuoka.

I don’t have a taste for cigarettes.

Oh, is that another belief of yours?

……I’ll have one if the mood strikes me.

……

See you.

Haha.

(I wonder if the mood would ever strike a guy with a strong backbone like you…Ah well.)

It doesn’t matter.

(I feel like cigarettes will taste good for a while longer…)

(And that’s all I need.)