Crystal Forest Awaiting the Storm

……

(All of the storm glasses in the room are completely white, like little crystal forests.)

…I won’t believe in this anymore.

(Nothing unfortunate will happen today. I’ll be alright.)

Why are you shaking a storm glass around?

Ah, um, no reason.

I see. I had a favor to ask of you, if that’s alright. Please let everyone know that I won’t be attending the dance lesson later.

Okay.

……

……

Are you not going to ask me why?

Hm? No.

Why not?

Huh?

Hmm, when I used to avoid spending nights at the HAMA House, you never asked me for a reason, and I thought that was cool of you. I think that’s why.

…Cool? I see. Haha.

Nagi, I think you’re much cooler than I am. Unlike me, you’re not cowardly. You’re not living your life clouded in ambiguity.

Hm? Cowardly? You?

…I saw myself in you when you refused to return to the House.

Afraid of both stepping into other people’s territory and having others step into yours. Afraid of things becoming unclear and unstable, of seeing the colors change. All without knowing the good and bad sides of any of it.

But you aren’t like that, Nagi. You found the courage to change yourself.

(You don’t avert your eyes from the past that threatens to destroy the present or the future that has yet to come. I’m only ever content with what I already have, but you’re unlike me. You’re…)

Nagi, you’re cool. Very much so. After all, you’re the reason why the park event was such a success.

…! Th-Thank you…

Mm. Alright, thank you in advance for telling everyone.

Okay. I’ll let the chief know.

Ah, the reason why I can’t attend the lesson is because one of my staff members had an emergency, so I’m looking after the bar in his place.

Staff… Is it Yunyun-san?

Right. Now, if you’ll excuse me.

(…Yodaka-san complimented me…)

(Today’s going to be a great day…)

…Hmm…

It ain’t here… Dammit, how’d I lose a book that big?

Snzzz… Snrrzzzz…

Hey, don’t just sleep on the floor. We got a lesson. Wake the hell up!

*yawn*

You go first. I’ll show up later.

‘Kaaaay.

*sigh* Must be nice to be brainless.

Damn, I can’t find this thing…

What are you doing, Brother Dearest?

Ah, Toi. Didn’t notice you there.

Are you looking for something?

Nah, it’s nothin’ important.

I can help you! Aa-chama will find it no problem!

It’s fine. I keep tellin’ you to stop using their power without thinkin’ first.

…Do you hate Aa-chama?

Well, yeah. They… If they weren’t around, then…

Sorry. I’m not blamin’ you for anything, yeah?

It’s okay. If you don’t want me to talk to Aa-chama, then I’ll stop. I’ll stop writing in our exchange diary too.

…We gotta go to our lesson.

Right! We should hurry. My water bottle, my towel… We can’t keep Chii-sama waiting for us!

Toi. Did somethin’ happen?

*gasp*

Y’know you can’t hide anything from me.

…I just feel a bit sick.

Oh. Get some rest. I’ll tell Natsuyaki you’re sick.

…Okay.

Close the shop for the time being too. I’ll let Mashiro know.

It’s okay, I can tell Mashiro myself.

Alright. I’ll turn off the lights for ya. G’night.

……

Hmm, looks like Yodaka-san and Toi-kun are out today. I guess there’s a cold going around.

Or perhaps this was all caused by the bomb cyclone.

Yodaka-san’s working at the bar.

Oh, I see. That’s fine then.

……

(Toi’s got somethin’ on his mind. I gotta get him to tell me about it…)

Bee-tee-dubs, Nagipeko, how’re you gonna use the bonus you got from the park event?

Umm… I’m going to add it to my savings… For something important.

Ooh! Now you got me all curious! C’mon, tell me, tell me!

I-It’s for something personal.

Aww, you’re dodging the question. But okay! Sounds like it’s a secret. ♪

Oh, Nagi-kun. Are you heading out?

Yeah. Just for a bit.

(He seems kinda down. I guess the weather is pretty bad today… Oh!)

It looks like it might rain, so I can give you a ride.

No, that’s okay. Thanks.

Oh, okay. In that case, stay safe.

……

Hm? Something on your mind?

Can you say that again?

Stay safe?

Perfect for calming my nerves…

?

Thank you. I’ll…be back.

Shit… No dice… *sigh*

…I can’t find it, ay.

It ain’t in the HAMA House, and it ain’t here. How’s that possible? I didn’t throw it away or nothing.

I didn’t wanna, but I guess I’ll buy another one…

If ya can’t find it, maybe someone took it home with ‘em, ay?

Huh? How would that⁠— Wait.

(The last time I saw it was on opening day. Toi was the only person helpin’ me out, and I do remember seein’ a stool in front of the shelf…)

Did Toi find it…?

If he did… Fuck, this ain’t good…

…I brought it with me, right?

…Okay.

(Ah… It’s starting to rain. I don’t remember if Nagi-kun took an umbrella with him. I hope he’s alright.)

Hey!

Ryui-kun… What’s wrong? Why’re you in a panic?

You know where Toi is? He was s’posed to be sleepin’ in our room, but he ain’t there!

Huh?! Netaro-kun, do you know where he is?

I do not know where Toy is, but I know where Gii is.

I don’t wanna fuckin’ know where Hachinoya is!

C-Calm down, Ryui-kun.

I’m fairly sure they’re together.

Nagi-kun and Toi-kun?

Yes. Gii is at Angel’s Eye. Is that not Toi’s fortune-telling house?

Wha…?!

Wait, hold on. How do you know where Nagi-kun is?

Looking after Gii is one of my functions. I implanted a microchip inside of him.

Wha⁠— You can’t just do that to people…!

But he’s happy to have someone looking after him.

I DON’T GIVE A FUCK!!!

Wooow, my eardrums…

Are you tellin’ me that Toi, who’s s’posed to be sick, went to his fortune-tellin’ house, and now Hachinoya’s there with him?

Why must you ask me again? I am not very fond of repeating myself.

I told him to stay the fuck away from that house…!!

Ryui-kun, let’s calm down for now.

How the hell can I stay calm?! God, why’d I leave Toi alone…?!

When he was so…!

Fuck!

Wai⁠— Ryui-kun?!

Are you going to Angel’s Eye?

Yeah!! Don’t try ‘n’ stop me!!

I won’t! It’s dangerous, so I’ll go with you. And I’ll drive us, since it’s raining. Is that okay?

…I wanna tell you to mind your own damn business, but…

Alright. Let’s go… I’m in a hurry.

Come in, sir. Our master… Oshisha-sama is right this way.

…Thank you.

Oshisha-sama, there is a customer here to see you. Excuse me…

……

Hachinoya Nagi. I haven’t seen you since the Hakodate trip.

…I want you to tell my fortune.