rubestie

Season: Autumn

Writer: Nishioka (feat. Akira)

Characters: Mao, Tori, Mika, Hajime

Mao: We’re home~

mao+tori

Tori: Ah. You’re finally back.

Mika: Ya sure took longer than expected. We were startin’ ta worry that the two of ya might’ve passed out in the bath.

Tori: We were about to go check on you in a bit.

Mao: Sorry about that. We finished our bath, but then we happened to run into the young master on our way back. So we ended up talking for a bit.

Mika: With the young master?

Hajime: Yup. Before we knew it we had been talking for quite a while. But we got to hear some important information, so it was for the best.

Mao: Yeah. So I want to tell the two of you about what we just learned. I think it would be best if all of us knew about this.

Tori: Hn? I don’t mind. What did you talk about?

Hajime: So, you see-

Tori: Hm. Now it makes perfect sense why he would feel so strongly about this inn.

Mika: Yeah. Explorin’ this inn made me feel the same way as the artworks displayed at the museum I went to with Oshi-san did.

That made me think that this inn probably also has a lot of thought put into it. I guess that means my hunch was right.

Tori: So he thinks of this inn as a home… Hearing that makes me want to help him out somehow.

If my home was in danger of disappearing, I would definitely want to protect it, after all.

Mao: I agree. And even if we aren't talking about an actual home, there are places we belong to that can be just as important as our actual homes. Like the school, or our units, or our offices.

Thinking about even one of those disappearing makes me sad.

Hajime: Yes. So I really understand the young master’s feelings when he says he would feel lonely if this inn was to disappear.

Mao: Ahaha. When I first heard the details for this job I didn’t feel enthusiastic at all.

But hearing the young master’s feelings just now made me want to do my best, so I’m glad we were able to hear his story.

Mika: I agree. Now I feel like I’ll be able ta represent his side with all my might.

…Oh? Wait a sec. Doesn’t this mean that the fate of this inn is restin’ in our hands!?

Uwaa~. I started thinkin’ how we can’t afford ta lose now, and that made me really nervous…!?

Hajime: Now that you put it that way I started feeling really nervous too…

Mao: O~i, calm down~. We still have some time left before the contest starts, so let’s try to relax.

If we start worrying about every little thing we won’t be able to achieve results. Being too nervous will just end up weakening your abilities.

Tori: Plus, this is a team contest. It’s the same as in tennis, fighting on your own is much scarier than fighting with your teammates.

It feels reassuring when you have an ally nearby. Your nervousness disappears a little, too.

Hajime: That’s true. Thinking about how everyone will be there with me does somehow make me feel calmer.

Mao: Yup. Let’s not think too much about the details, and just focus on doing our best! By doing that, we’ll naturally be able to do whatever we put our minds to!

Hajime: Yes…!

<The day after>

Mao: Good morning~

Hajime: Ah, Isara-senpai, good morning ♪ Today is a pleasant autumn day. It’s a perfect day for a competition.

Mao: Yeah, I agree. Today is just a rehearsal match, but I hope the weather stays this nice for the real deal as well~. They say the weather changes quickly during autumn after all.

Tori: Fufun. I’m loved by the sun and bring clear skies with me wherever I go ✰ I’m sure it’ll be sunny for the real match too.

Mika: Hey, what do ya wanna do about our strategy for the contest? We want ta win, but our opponents aren’t the kinda team we could beat while holdin’ anythin’ back. If we’re goin’ ta win we’re goin’ ta need a plan.

Our team leader is Ikkun, so I thought it would be smart if we all discussed it with him.

Mao: Ah, that’s right. A strategy, huh. H~m…

The rules for this match are that each player is given an ornament to wear on their person, and if they lose it or it ends up stolen by an opponent, you’ve lost the game.

Hajime: Yes, that’s right. It’s like a cavalry battle except we’ll all be on the ground. It’ll be similar to trying to steal the other team’s headbands.

Tori: If that’s the case, why don’t we try to decide on a formation or something? What if we pick one target at a time, and then we all attack that person simultaneously?

Mika: If we did that, then there’s a chance the people we aren’t goin’ fer will attack us from behind while we’re aimin’ for our target.

Mao: H~m… That’s true~...

mao+mika