rubestie

Season: winter

Writer: yuumasu

Characters: Kaoru, Tomoya, Kanata

-

<The day after>

Kaoru: ♪~♪~♪

…Oops. I’m humming without realizing it again.

The theme song from one of those hero shows is stuck in my head. I need to be careful so I don’t go around humming in front of people.

…I did get more knowledgeable about heroes thanks to the viewing party, and now I feel like I understand how the battles and narratives go.

I’m not sure how well that’ll translate into my acting though. Like this, my acting will just be a downgraded copy of the real thing.

Anyhow, the show won't be anything like in the dramas either way. We can't do expensive stuff like blowing up buildings or cutting explosive wires.

It's not for work, so it’s not like I have to worry that much about it. But even knowing that, I can’t seem to relax, huh.

I’m not as invested as Moricchi, but since I’m involved at all I wanna do my best to make the children happy.

…I wonder what Tomoya-kun would do in a situation like this?

I feel bad for always relying on him. He often gives me advice on my acting, so maybe I should try and ask him again.

tomoya

Tomoya: O~I, where are you~?

Kaoru: Oh, what nice timing…

Tomoya: Where did you go, Hokuto-senpai~?

Kaoru: Hey, Tomoya-kun. Are you looking for Hidaka-kun?

Tomoya: No. I’m looking for Hokuto-senpai.

Kaoru: Nn? Hokuto is Hidaka-kun’s first name, isn’t it?

Kaoru+Tomoya: …?

Tomoya: …Ah, sorry! It’s the name of the penguin I’ve been looking after.

Kaoru: Ah, that Hokuto. Tomoya-kun often talks about Hidaka-kun, so I thought you were looking for the human one ♪

Tomoya: It really is confusing, isn’t it? I’m sorry. Back when I first took him in he wouldn’t react to me at all unless I acted respectfully towards him, so I ended up lending him Hokuto-senpai’s name.

By now he would probably respond even to a different name, but I’ve gotten completely used to calling him Hokuto-senpai already…

Kaoru: Ahaha, so that’s how it happened.

I think you should keep the name as is. It’s amusing for us onlookers.

(I wanna ask him for advice, but now seems like a bad time.)

I’ll help you look for Hokuto-senpai-chan. When did you see him last?

Tomoya: Just now. He disappeared while I was preparing food in the kitchen.

He can't get upstairs unless I carry him, so he should be somewhere on this floor. I’ve been looking everywhere, but I can't seem to find him.

Really, just where did he go…

Kaoru: That’s worrying. Penguins are quick underwater, but on land, they’re slow walkers. He shouldn’t be able to disappear just because you looked away for a second.

That is, unless someone came and took him… nn?

…I think I know where Hokuto-senpai-chan might be. Follow me, Tomoya-kun.

<Starmony Hall Garden>

Kanata: puka, puka... ♪ please eat a lot and grow big, okay.

Kaoru: Hey, Kanata-kun. Happy as always today, huh~

Kanata: yes~. i am Happy. but, this child is even more Happy ♪

please look. the Penguin is happily eating the Fish.

Kaoru: Ahaha, it’s true. Tomoya-kun, this is Hokuto-senpai-chan, isn’t it?

Tomoya: It is! Thank God, we managed to find him…

Hokuto-senpai~ I was worried about you you know? There, there.

Kaoru: Now, Kanata-kun. I get you want to take care of all sea creatures, but you shouldn’t just go around kidnapping them like this, okay?

Kanata: n~? i didn’t bring him here.

the Kitchen was taken, so i came over here to cut up my Fish and then all of a sudden this child was Next to me.

look, look. this child is saying “That’s right, that’s right” and agreeing with me, see?

Kaoru: Hokuto-senpai-chan can understand human language, can he? How impressive.

Tomoya: I was probably the one occupying the kitchen. If you had called out to me I would’ve given you space, so why did you come out here?

Kanata: my Fish are big, so cutting them up takes a lot of Space. Disassembling them also takes time.

truthfully, i am still only about Halfway done.

Tomoya: Uwa!? He suddenly pulled out a fish!

kaoru+kanata

Kaoru: That’s a mackerel, huh~. Kanata-kun, where do you keep them hidden usually?

Kanata: ufufu. i found it while walking along the Shore

Kaoru: I wasn’t asking where you found it, and this type of fish shouldn’t even be living around here.

Well, no matter. You’ve always been somewhat mysterious.

Either way, I’m glad we found him. With this, it’s case closed-

Hmm… maybe I can use this situation somehow.

Tomoya: This situation?

Kaoru: Actually, I’m gonna be doing a freelance hero show with Moricchi- with Morizawa Chiaki-kun for some children in the hospital.

I’m struggling ‘cause I have no idea what kind of hero to play, or what kind of story to make. For example…

We could make it a story about “a hero who came to rescue the penguin who got lost in the hospital”.

Then I could bring this one with me to the hospital, and that might make the children happy.

Tomoya: Wow, that’s a good idea. Thanks to everyone in Animals, he’s gotten used to being around people after all.

If he can be of any help to you, I think Hokuto-senpai would be happy to help.

As his caretaker, do you think I could come along as well?

Kaoru: Yes, it would be a huge help if you could.

Fufu. This might be a pretty good idea. Let’s give Moricchi a call right away-

…Hello, Moricchi? Where are you right now? I wanna talk about the hero show.

You’re at the dorms right now? Then let’s meet up in the common room… Okay, I’ll be there.

…

Tomoya: …? Hakaze-senpai, what's wrong?

Kaoru: H~mm… hopefully it’s just my imagination.

I feel like Moricchi was acting somewhat strange…

kaoru+tomoya