That jeans in GHOST WORLD1

HAMA House - Lesson Room

1

Akuta

Unlove?

Nanaki

……

Akuta

Nanaki?

Nanaki

Well…

Kiroku

Unlove…the…anonymous…composer…

Ushio

The one who made the song for R1ze’s HosLive? That unlove?

Muneuji

They’re an up-and-coming star on the internet…

Nanaki

…Well…

Akuta

……

Yachiyo

Plea…!

PLEASE KILL MEEEEEEEEE!!

Muneuji

What an excellent jumping prostration. Impressive.

Yachiyo

I’msosorryI’msosorry! I didn’t mean to say that!

Please rest assured that President Oguro didn’t leak the information in any way! This is all my doing…!

I was curious about what kind of person the genius Master unlove was, so I slipped into my stalking habits by accident!

And I looked into you and found out your identity! I’m so sorry for being so grooooooss! Kill me! Kill me!

Nanaki

No, I… I mean, I’m grateful that you think so highly of me. You can get up now.

Yachiyo

I’M A HUGE FAAAAAAN!

Nanaki

Thank you so much… Haha…

Ushio

Jesus, you’ve got over 100,000 followers.

That HosLive song you wrote went kinda viral, huh? Looks like your numbers are gonna keep going up. You’re on the rise, I guess.

Muneuji

That’s incredible, Nanamegi. I didn’t know we were acquainted with a celebrity.

Nanaki

Ahhh… I didn’t mean to keep it from you guys. I thought it’d be better if only some people knew… Like, just Oguro-san and some others.

Oh, but I’d appreciate it if you could keep it a secret from everyone at school.

Kiroku

…Mm… O…kay… But…still…you’re…ama…zing…

Ushio

*scoff* Looks like we got a swan egg mixed up in our nest.2 Right, Idiotake?

Akuta

…!

HOLY COW, NANAKI!!!! Wait, 100,000 followers? How many people is that?

Muneuji

100,000.

Akuta

WOAAAAHHH! Our main composer’s friggin’ awesome!!!!

Dude, you’re so lucky! I only…

Only…

……

(I can’t say anything. What’s going on?)

(Something feels weird… It’s really bugging me…)

Ushio

……

HAMA House - Living Room

2

Liguang

…It’s awfully quiet this morning.

Where are the brats?

Yukikaze

They’re at school.

It’s usually so loud in the morning with them around. It feels…a little lonely now. Also…

I have some extra food from the bentos I made for the students and Kaede. We can share it, if you want.

Liguang

Gladly.

Hama Asunaro High School
Female Student A

Morning! Oh, my god, did you check dazzle yet?! Everyone’s talking about some weird orb thing heading north!

Female Student B

I saw that! It’s some kind of egg, right? I think it’s headed this way.

Female Student A

Yeah, it is! It can, like, fly and walk, apparently? It’s SO weird, like, what’s that all about?

Female Student B

A lot of people have seen it, but apparently it runs away if you try to catch it. Kinda freaky.

3

Nanaki

See you later.

Kaede

Wait, can everyone gather around? Let’s go over everything.

The press release HAMA Tours issued the other day was only for people in the media. We’ll announce you as our new mayors to the general public in the near future.

The wards each of you are assigned to is still confidential information…

Akuta

……

Kaede

So don’t tell anyone that you’re going to be our new ward mayors. Can you promise me that?

Ushio

You don’t have to lecture us on it. We know already.

Muneuji

It’s important that we’re reminded of it multiple times. I understand, Chief.

Kaede

Okay! So let’s all meet in the clubroom after homeroom.

Kiroku

…Okay… See…you…later…

Nanaki

We’ll be there.

Akuta

Oh, are we done? ‘Kay, I’m gonna g⁠—

Kaede

Oh, hold on, Akuta-kun!

Akuta

Oui?! What’s up?

Kaede

Just looking for a progress report! How’s the tour concept looking?

Akuta

Well, I’m making progress, I guess. But it’s not done. And…

I don’t really think we have the time to…be going to school…

Kaede

Hm… Well, it’s good that you’re making progress. Let’s talk about it more later.

Akuta

……

Hama Asunaro High School - Classroom

4

Akuta

Top o’ the mornin’!

Morning, Okabe.

Okabe

Oh… Morning.

Akuta

G’morning, Sasaki!

Sasaki

…?

Akuta

……

(My classmates usually don’t care about me.)

Dude! Didja see the news about the ward mayors?

Sasaki

Yeah, they chose students from our school, right? Prolly just a buncha guys in rank 5 like Kuraku.

Akuta

(He’s thinkin’ there’s no chance it’s me. I can tell.)

……

Y’know, actually, they chose me!

Sasaki

What?

Akuta

(Ah, dang it, I said it out loud. I promised to keep it a secret…)

(But if I can be the center of attention, I might come up with some ideas…maybe!)

Yeah, I’m one of the new ward mayors!

Sasaki

Pfft… Ahahahaha! Hahahaha! Dude, you’re kidding! A rank 1 like you?!

Okabe

They’d never choose you, man! Who’d want a bomber to be mayor?! Hahahaha!

Akuta

…It’s not that funny.

Classmate C

Um… I’m sorry for interrupting, Isotake-kun.

Akuta

Hm? What’s up?

Classmate C

Someone wants to see you. They’re in the hallway.

Hama Asunaro High School - Hallway

5

Akuta

Yooo! Nanaki? Kiroku? Muneuji? Maybe even Ushio⁠—

Yumenosuke

Good morning, Isotake Akuta.

Akuta

Whuh?! Who’re you?

Yumenosuke

Wh… What did you just say? You don’t know ME, the student council president?! I give the speech for all of our school assemblies!

Akuta

Oh, seriously? I don’t really remember!

Yumenosuke

Hah… Hmph! I wouldn’t expect more from a rank 1 student. But I digress…

I apologize for calling for you all of a sudden, but I wanted to talk. Akuta-kun…

I heard you were appointed as a ward mayor.

Akuta

*gasp* How’d you know?!

(No way, someone’s finally giving me attention for it!)

Yumenosuke

Hahahaha… Obtaining information of this caliber is mere child’s play. So I must ask…

What is your tour plan looking like? I won’t tell anyone, so I would appreciate it if you let me know.

Akuta

Ah… That’s, uh…

Yumenosuke

By that response, I assume that the planning process is not going well. May I remind you that the open campus is quickly approaching?

Akuta

Hrmm…

Yumenosuke

Hahahaha! Don’t be so discouraged!

You are but a mere high school student, and now you have to put together a business plan. Nobody would expect you to do well!

Especially considering how you’re a below-average rank 1 student!

Akuta

……

Yumenosuke

But I knew this would happen! I sent you a message through your school email address.

I apologize for being so impertinent, but I’m sure it will be your saving grace. I encourage you to look at it.

Akuta

My saving grace?

Yumenosuke

Yes, of course. Oh, it’s already so late! I’d best be on my way!

I’m very busy with all of the incredibly important work I am entrusted with! Even today, I must give a speech at the all-grades joint HR meeting.

Akuta

Oh, okay…

Yumenosuke

Please, excuse me! Hahahahaha!

Akuta

……


Footnotes

  1. A reference to Ghost World (2001).

  2. A reference to the fairy tale The Ugly Duckling.