rubestie

Season: Spring of ES! timeline

Location: in front of the school main gate

Characters: Chiaki, Madara

<Simultaneously, during lunch break>
madara

Madara: Hahaha! Business is booming! Come buy, come buy! Mountain delicacies straight from the source!

We also have freshly baked bread made by yours truly, guaranteed to taste just like your mother’s recipe! Come visit Mama’s food truck…✰

Ah, young man walking over there! Don’t you wanna buy some bread?

It’s cheaper than what you’d get at the school store or in the cafeteria, and it’s much tastier! It’s truly a win-win situation, hahaha ✰

Chiaki: O~i! Just when I thought I heard a familiar voice, so it was Mikejima-san after all! Glad to see you back in Japan, what are you doing over here?

Madara: Ooh, Chiaki-san! Long time no see! I’m glad to see you’re as energetic as ever!

Come over come over, let Mama give you a hug ✰

Chiaki: I wouldn’t turn down a reunion hug… but before that, what are you doing?

I saw all these people gathering in front of the school gate and wondered what it could be. You’re as charismatic as ever, aren’t you?

Madara: Hahaha! Can’t you tell by looking, don’t ask questions about everything! Use your head, imagine the answer! That's my Leo-san imitation!

Hahaha, when you spend so much time together your actions start to become similar after all ♪

Chiaki: What are you talking about? Leo… Tsukinaga, right. He also hasn’t shown himself around here for a while. I wonder if he’s okay, I’m worried.

Madara: H~m. I want to think he’ll be alright. Leo-san is a strong kid, after all.

Chiaki: Not everyone is as strong as you, Mikejima-san. Don’t set yourself as the standard for human behavior. Even the strongest person has their breaking point.

Anyhow. From what I can tell, you’re whimsically selling bread from this food cart… or rather, wheelbarrow.

Did you get permission for this? The teachers will yell at you, you know?

Madara: Hahaha! Justice cannot prevail if we quake in fear of the elite!

Chiaki: Do you think I’ll go along with anything you say as long as the word justice is in there?

You don’t want to attract unnecessary attention, do you? Please learn to restrain yourself, Mikejima-san.

Madara: Hahaha. But this is a favor I’m doing for someone. There’s a bakery down the street struggling with low sales, so I’m going around selling their wares for them.

Since the school store has such a large selection of items, it seems the nearby shops are struggling with sales.

When one location’s sales go up, another must go down. It’s natural.

When someone laughs, someone else must cry. And I can’t stand the people who are laughing right now. So I’m allying myself with those who are crying. Is there anything wrong with that?

Chiaki: …No. That’s your personal philosophy, isn’t it, Mikejima-san?

Rather than that, will you be going overseas again soon Mikejima-san? If you’re planning to stay in Japan for a while there’s something I’d like to ask your help with.

Madara: Ooh, did you come here to ask that of me? Two birds with one stone! You managed to give me your warning and ask me for help at the same time, what a good decision!

Alright! If it’s Chiaki-san who is asking, I’ll hear you out!

You’re a good person, after all. If I act according to your command, I’ll at least be able to pretend to be on the good side.
madara+chiaki

Chiaki: Mikejima-san is already an “Ally of Justice”. In the past Ryuseitai, you were the only member worthy to call yourself such.

Madara: You sure know how to sweet-talk… Well, whatever. I’m planning to stay in this country for a while.

What do you want to ask of me? I’ll help you out however I’m able to.

Chiaki: Uhm. Well, it feels kinda wrong to ask this of Mikejima-san after you withdrew from Ryuseitai, but…

Could you look after the kids in Ryuseitai for me sometimes?

Whenever I’m absent, I’d appreciate if you could give them your guidance.

Me and Kanata are the only upperclassmen left in Ryuseitai, after all. And Kanata still hasn’t gotten used to interacting with the children.

I want to leave them to someone I can trust. It’s not like I’ll always be around to look after those kids. There’ll definitely be times when I’m sick or busy.

Like today, one of my juniors asked to meet with me.

It seems like I’ll be busy for a bit after school. In times like these, I need someone who can fill in for me.

Madara: Hmmm. Are you sure you can trust me? …Is what I’d like to say. But if you’re asking if it’s possible for me or not then the answer is yes, I can do it.

I can provide your juniors with guidance. I don’t mind looking after them. If absolutely necessary, I can protect them whenever you’re unavailable, Chiaki-san.

But I can’t say I think this is a very good idea. I have quarreled with Ryuseitai before, and the student council and staff are also suspicious of my actions.

If I was to get involved, there’s a possibility that I might cause Ryuseitai trouble.

Rather than asking this of me, it would be more suitable to have Kanata-san try his best to become properly aware of his position as a senior…

Even asking a different senior who is entirely unaffiliated with Ryuseitai would be better than me, I think.

If you don’t want to ask any of the students, you could always ask the teachers, or the famous producer.

I act as a solo unit on principle, so I’d prefer not to become too closely intertwined with anyone if possible.

Chiaki: Hm… Solitary heroes are cool and all, but do you not feel lonely?

Madara: I do feel lonely. I doubt anyone would believe this about me, but I do really love humans, after all.

But it can’t be helped. Since I was unable to protect the person dear to me when it mattered the most, and left him to die, I’ve lost the right to love other people.

Chiaki: …Kanata doesn’t blame you for anything, I don’t think.

Madara: Nope. But even then, this is my resolution.

Whoops, seems my customers have formed a huge line.

I’ll think about your request, so hurry on back to the classroom before lunch break ends… Honor student.

Walk the proper path, Hero.

Chiaki: Yup… Make sure you attend class properly as well, Mikejima-san. Everyone’s worried about you.

Madara: Hahaha. I’m sure Chiaki-san is the only one actually worried about me, but that’s plenty for me.
chiaki+madara