The Alien Egg¹

……

Didn’t even bother to wipe the counter, and there’s water all over the mirror too.

The towels are soaked, and the toilet paper I brought for myself is gone.

And the cherry on top: loud music to cut right through the otherwise quiet night…

Hahaha… Hahahahaha…!

(This is why I hate living with other people!)

Listen up, y⁠— D’agh?!

Oh, sorry, dude.

What…is this…?

Soda!

Aww, it splashed all over your face. Guess you shouldn’t have come in so suddenly. Poor you.

Do you need a towel? Kinugawa, can you make sure the floor is clean?

Mm…

We’re having a no-adults-allowed American-style party right now. We didn’t invite you, since we thought you wouldn’t like that kinda thing.

……

YAY! I’ll always welcome you to the par-tay! The carbonation from the soda’s good for gettin’ rid of your forehead wrinkles, my dude. ♪

…Why are you drinking from the side of the can?

This is called shotgunning. I saw it in a movie once. You stab the side of the can and drink right from its guts!

Doin’ this makes you look super cool and grown-up. And it gets all the ladies too!

……

Ahaha, dude you’re such an idiot. It’s almost comforting.

No, it isn’t.

I heard that all adults drink canned beer like that. I’m learning so much.

…Are you waterproof in that helmet?

Yes. It’s very comfortable and works quite well as a splash guard.

OHHHHHH YEAHHHH! One more!

What song should I put on next? It’s up to the DJ to pick a setlist that hypes everyone up.

You should all go to hell.

Whuh?! Sure, I’ll do that! To hell I go!

I’m in too, but just so you know, I’m bringing you with me.

……

…Ku…

…Kurama…I think…you already know, but…

The adults are…at a meeting with…the locals…

…Golem…²

…!

Idiotake never listens to me, and Panda keeps annoying the hell outta me, so I’ll ask you.

……

Why aren’t you stopping them?

You agree that everything’s a mess, right? Are you okay with how disastrous it is?

Di…sastrous?

They’re using toilet paper that doesn’t belong to them and leaving their clothes on the floor. My face is completely sticky from being splashed with soda. The loud noise isn’t the only issue here.

And you’re just sitting there hiding in your little corner? You know that the adults are gonna get mad at us when they come back, right?

…Uh… Ah…

So what’s wrong? I’m not letting you leave until you answer me.

…Uh… Um…

…!

Ah.

……

Oh, the egg.

It’s stuck to Ushio’s face…!

…The…egg…

Hoh…

HOHGYAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

…Grew…legs…

EWWWWWWW! What is this?! Get it off! Get it OFF! SOMEONE GET IT OFF! EWWWW!

Kurama…you sound like a…l-little girl…

I can’t see! Golem! I know you’re there! Hurry up and⁠— Ge⁠— Geddit⁠— Geddit ooooooff!!

…Don’t…move…

……

…What the…

It has…legs…

Duh, I can see that! It’s fucking gross! THAT thing was on my face…?!

I’m going to go wash my face. With bleach.

…But it’s…so cute…

I think something’s wrong with your head.

……

Bro, I was so shocked when I saw it! It’s so wiggly! And cool!

I don’t think it’s alive, but…is it conscious?

…I don’t know…but…it’s…cute…

I’m proud to be witnessing one of the mysteries of the universe.

Is this fun to you guys?! Are you outta your minds?!

There is no way⁠— No, no, NO way we’re keeping this thing! I changed my mind!

We’re getting rid of it! We gotta throw it in the ocean! When it’s my turn to take it, I’m tossing the damn thing!

I agree.

We finally agree on something for once. So Panda, Kinugawa, and I all wanna toss it. By majority rules tha⁠—

*gasp*

…What are you doing?

You can’t have it…

Huh?!

I won’t…let anyone…have it… I won’t let you…hurt it.

Oh, you’re comin’ on over to our side? In that case, majority rules! I still wanna keep it.

Me too.

…Same…

Shit.

……

Fine. Whatever. Give it here.

I won’t…let you…throw it out…

Why are you nervous? I won’t. It’s my turn to have it.

Do you really think I’m so inconsiderate that I’d try and overrule a majority decision?

……

(Yeah, I’m just gonna throw it out. Ugh, I don’t wanna touch it… I’ll just put it in a bug cage or something.)

Alright, I’m leaving. You guys better clean up here.

‘Kay, g’niiiight. Nanaki, throw on another song! Somethin’ with a kick to it!

……

……

<⁠And now for our next story.⁠>

<⁠Early this morning, a fire occurred at a waterfront park in Tokyo. A garbage collection robot…⁠>

……

<⁠There were no casualties.⁠>

……

(Ushio-kun’s making a face like the world’s about to end… Did something happen?)

Ushio-kun?

……

(No reply… I guess he doesn’t wanna talk.)

I’ve returned.

Ah, welcome back. Thanks for the help!

There’s no need to thank me.

I’m very happy to be of assistance to Kinugawa. He’s working hard by himself in the atelier.

How was he doing?

He’s holing himself up in there and is so focused on his work that he seems possessed…

*knocking* Kinugawa.

……

I apologize for the bother. The chief wanted me to give you something.

It’s a large bento filled with fried foods. It’s everything a growing Yamato³ boy can ask for.

…It’s big…and…brown… Thanks…

I’ll leave it here. Excuse me.

He didn’t seem to be hungry at the time, but I’m sure he’ll eat all of it when he feels like it.

And something about his expression seemed different. He didn’t seem gloomy or troubled at all.

It’s as if a demon within him has finally left.

I see. That’s good! Thanks again. Ah⁠—

Are those souvenirs? Did you get them for your family?

Yes, they’re for my younger sister. I found a lot of things she might like in a souvenir shop on the way back here.

(Muenuji-kun’s such a caring older brother.)

Okay, can I ask about everyone’s progress?

Of course. Starting with Nanamegi, I’m sure you’re aware that he’s gotten bored with just operating equipment, so he has started to compose his own song. He’s very motivated, and things are going well.

Isotake is earnestly filming the Shodoshima scenery, and he’s very intent on editing it together with the footage he’ll get from the festival.

Sounds like it’s going well!

(This is day five of our study trip… The festival starts in two days.)

(The only person I’m worried about is…)

……

(The one lying down in front of the TV right now.)