Track 10

(Haa… Doing surface work in this condition seriously sucks ass.)

(For some reason the Chief called me out…)

Ten-kun! Sorry I made you wait!

No problemo. It was only enough for 2, maybe 3? Cigarettes.

Oh no, I kept you waiting for quite a while… Kafka and Yuki-nii have been keeping a close eye on me because of yesterday’s incident… I only just managed to get away.

Oh… Gotcha.

So, did you need something?

Oh right! I heard from Raito-san that there’s a food stall even celebrities visit with incredibly delicious tonkotsu ramen!

Since we’re here, I wanted to go with you. My treat!

Haha. If it’s your treat then I’m definitely down.

Looks like they’re still putting up the stall.

We’re a little early… Want to wait around there?

Sure, wanna go see the river?

Sounds nice, let’s go!

……

It’s so peaceful here… It’s soothing…

……

(There isn’t much time left before the deadline… What the hell am I doing…)

This is a good season to sit under the shade.

You’re right~. A good season to die.

Die…!? That’s kind of morbid… Oh~ But I guess it’s a good season for a nap…?

…Yeah, that’s it, a nap.

Wait, are you making fun of naps? They increase productivity, y’know?

Really~. Then maybe I’ll join you next time.

Yeah, you should do that.

For me, it’d be best if I could casually live my life doing whatever I want.

Huh? What are you talking about?

I mean, you asked me after practice yesterday, right? If there was something that made me want to take it more seriously. That’s my answer.

Ooh, after that amazing juggling performance! …But that’s not really an answer.

Haha. I guess I’m pretty much just saying it’s a pain to be serious about anything.

The reason you suddenly called me out here was to convince me to be serious as the main host, right?

I’m sure the boss put you up to it.

(Ugh, he’s sharp…!)

(Although, that’s not what this is all about this time…)

Oh, looks like the stall’s open now. Let’s get going.

Wow, t-this is delicious…! I think this is the first time in my life I’ve ever had such delicious ramen…!

Mm, it really does have the kinda taste that can melt your brain. I’m honestly grateful you invited me.

I want to add some grated garlic, but I have to hold myself back because I’m going to be helping out at the theater…!

The show’s in just a few hours. Good luck to you, Ten-kun. Liguang-san too.

……

Oh right, did you end up without any injuries after getting involved in that yesterday? Sometimes it only starts hurting after a day passes.

I’m fine, don’t worry. I may look like this, but I’m actually pretty sturdy!

Even though you can’t put up much of a fight.

Don’t bring that up, it’s embarrassing…

I can’t believe you actually stood up to that thug. I’d be too scared.

…Well, I was scared. But I couldn’t bear the sight of Nyanpie-chan getting kicked like that in front of me.

You’re the kinda person who’d jump into a dangerous situation on your own. And you seem to love helping other people. Is that a part of your beliefs or something?

More than a belief… Right. Even I realize sometimes that I’m being reckless…

But it’s like, if I don’t do what I feel is right at the time, I’ll regret it…

I think it’s better to regret doing something than to regret not doing it. Maybe that’s just what I think.

……

Impressive. A lot of people know that in their head, but don’t actually act on it.

…You think so?

Yeah. “I should give up my seat to an old person,” or “I should talk to that person who looks like they’re in trouble,” or “I should help that person who’s being harassed by some tough guy…”

Even if people think these things, no one does them.

Rather than saying it’s normal… It’s more like humans are weak, so it’s only natural.

……

I only get it because I'm one of those people that don't act on it.

The reason you can jump into danger without any hesitation ultimately boils down to the fact that you’ve been lucky enough to have never suffered any consequences from it.

In the end, it just means you’re blessed, right?

(...I feel like I said something that upset him. That’s probably a criticism, right?)

…W-Well, that’s probably true.

If it’s part of your beliefs to endlessly help everyone you see that’s in need, then aren’t there people who need more help than rich tourists?

Renga-san was a street kid at first, wasn’t he? He’s lucky enough to live a normal life now, but there’s plenty of people who aren’t.

Doesn’t that mean your beliefs only go so far? That’s what I think.

Ah… Well, you’re right. When you say it like that, I’m not sure how to respond…

(...Damn. Maybe I went too far.)

…About the street kids. When I heard about Renga-kun’s background, I wondered if there was anything I could do.

Renga-kun and I sometimes volunteer at soup kitchens. We both donate money too, but that’s about it for now.

……

(So the altruistic duo was already on the move. That’s not really that impressive though. No one can save the world on their own.)

…Nah, the way I said it was kinda mean.

I’m happy if I can help someone, but you’ve helped me remember that I shouldn’t do it for the sake of getting something in return!

……

(Amazing. He’s so much of a goody-two-shoes that I’ve lost my appetite.)

(Hm? His chopsticks have stopped moving.)

Ten-kun, by any chance, are you not feeling well…?

Huh? Not really—

…Ah.

The truth is, I have a few cracked ribs on my left side. That’s probably why I was so mean earlier.

Wait, what do you mean!? Did you get caught up in what happened yesterday!?

No, it’s already started healing so I’m fine. I just messed up during dance practice.

…At the time, I got pissed and did something stupid to make it worse…

That anger was good. It was justified.

…So I have no right to criticize you for getting mad and defending the robot.

(So even Ten-kun has moments like that. I see…)

Oh, but could you keep my injury a secret? I’m not a fan of people worrying over me.

Y-Yeah. I’m glad to hear it’s not that bad and you can still move around normally. Let me know if you have any problems.

It's a shame I finished eating this, but I drank every last drop.

……

Ten-kun.

Yeah?

…I’d like to see you be serious, but I think you being yourself is fine too.

—

Are you sure? You’d be ignoring the boss’s orders.

It’s alright if you’re not serious, as long as you get a passing grade. That’s just how you are. We chose you even though you’re like that, and that’s why we’re working together.

……

Oh, but keep this a secret from Kafka! He’ll get mad!

…Pft.

Roooger that.

Time flies, it’s already almost evening. We should head to the theater for rehearsal!

Yeah.

For some reason…it feels like there’s a lot of crows flying around. It wasn’t like this yesterday.

……

(If I fail today, they’ll probably hunt me down.)

(Oh well, I guess it’s fine. I’m going to hell sooner or later..)

(So I’ll go wherever I feel like going.)

Let’s go, Chief.