Gathering Our Feelings Together

*sigh…*

Master has been in a dreadful condition for a while now. And Oshisha-sama hasn’t descended upon us in quite a bit.

It’s all because he took on that positively inane role of ward mayor!

(What should I have done…? I hurt Nagi, and now I know there’s a discrepancy between my dear brother’s idea of happiness and mine. What do I do…?)

…It’s Netaro-san.

Hey, we gotta talk.

Oh, Ryui-kun. I didn’t know you were still here. Good work today. You must be tired.

You look way more tired than I am. The schedule our fuck-ass leader gave us had some mistakes, so I fixed ‘em.

Huh? Oh, you did! Thank you…!

Ryui-kun, you seem rude, but you do really great work… Now the timetable’s so neat and organized. That’ll really help.

Y’lost the ability to think before you speak or what?

Huh? Ahh, sorry!

Ah! My phone! Yes, hello? Netaro-kun? What?

Ryui-kun! Nagi-kun is…!

Netaro-kun!

It’s Ryooey and Doudou! Welcome baaaack!

Yowa! You were tellin’ the truth, right?! Is that stupid fucko actually on his way back right now?!

Ryui, don’t shake him around like that. Take a look at Laika.

31 kilometers and 139 meters… 30 kilometers and 954 meters…

Is that how far Nagi-kun is from the house? How do you…? Ah.

(Now that I think about it, when we broke into Angel’s Eye, Netaro-kun did mention something about having a function to help look after Nagi-kun.)

Brother Dearest… Nagi-kun is coming back…!

Yeah… Looks like it.

All we can do now is wait for him.

Okay…!

He’s here…!

……

Nagi-kun…!

Huh? Is there a fireworks festival going on or something?

Tch. Stop actin’ dumb!

But then… Why are all of you outside…?

Na…! Nagi-kuuuun!

Woah.

*hug* I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I really hurt you with my reading… I made you so unhappy…!

It doesn’t matter whose fault it is… I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry…!

But I’m so, so happy that you came back…!

…I’m sorry I made you cry. But thank you for thinking of me.

It’s true that it wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but your reading did help me.

I know it doesn’t seem that way from your perspective, but I’m not unhappy.

…Huh…?

(So I just assumed everything…?)

Toi, if you escaped the Shiramitsu family and didn’t have to do divination anymore, what wouldja do?

(Does he think that I’m unhappy being a diviner in the Shiramitsu family?)

…I see.

(I felt weird when Brother Dearest assumed what happiness should mean to me, but I think I did the same thing to Nagi-kun…)

You weren’t unhappy…

Yeah. I’m actually grateful for what you did. It gave me the chance to finally confront things. Thank you.

Nagi.

Yodaka-san…

I would love to fully welcome you back, but I’m sure you’re still undecided. In the case that you do decide to come back, we all wanted to give you flowers, just as you always do for us.

We chose these flowers for you. In return for your sincerity.

Huh…?

I always give other people flowers, but…I don’t think I’ve ever gotten them.

……

It feels a little weird, but… I’m really happy.

That’s good.

Okay… You can go first, Toi-kun.

Nagi-kun… I’m sorry for assuming that you were unhappy. I made this for you.

(Yellow ranunculuses. In flower language, they mean…kind consideration. The bow’s tied perfectly, so I’m sure the flowers are happy.)

…It’s beautiful. Thank you.

I wanted you to feel better, so I chose this flower… Because I love you, Nagi-kun!

……

I’ll go next.

Welcome back from your trip. I thought about you as I was making this. I hope you’ll like it.

Lilacs…

They mean modesty. I thought that described you quite well.

Thank you. I’m really happy that you thought of me.

(You’re so relaxed, Nagi. You look refreshed, like you finally got a heavy weight off your shoulders.)

(…Unlike me, you were finally able to cross to the “other side”. Congratulations.)

By the way, Yodaka-san, did you know that this flower also has another meaning?

……

I’m actually more familiar than that one. It’s⁠—

Come on, Brother Dearest. You should give him your bouquet too!

I’ll just go last… S’not that great anyway.

Go ahead, my boy.

Tch…

Here, just take it. I heard that these were a more mainstream choice than fresh flowers. They’re dry, but the smell should be stronger ‘cuz of that.

(Dried poplars. They mean…bravery. Mm, it’s a very Ryui choice.)

Thank you. They smell great.

…Uhh, so, like… ‘Bout all that stuff I said. I don’t think I was totally wrong.

Mhm.

I guess I appreciate that ya came back, but I still hate the way you were, like…weirdly negative about stuff.

Yeah… Actually, I thought about this on the way back, but I still haven’t thanked you.

Huh?

For the omamori. The good health one. You put it in the bag with the rest of my get-well gifts when I fainted. I think it saved me from getting into any accidents on the road.

Th-That’s just…!

Dumbass! I didn’t give it to you! I rented it to you! It was from my shop!

Oh, really? I thought it was a gift. That’s embarrassing.

Brother Dearest, are you embarrassed? Aww, that’s so cuuuuute!

How long can I keep it for?

Aaaagh, shit! 100 years, alright?! So keep it safe! Dumb fuck!

Wow. That means I’m going to be healthy for the next 100 years.

Yeah. Good for you.

And… I guess I… I’m sor⁠—

Ah, Netaro.

(You’re just gonna leave?!)

Here you go, Gii.

(Chrysanthemums… They’re usually offered to Buddhist altars and graves, but that doesn’t mean they’re forbidden as gifts to people. Because they mean…)

(“You’re a wonderful friend”.)

……

Netaro, sorry about what I said. I lost my composure and took it out on you.

It is strange for you to be the one to apologize. I now understand that I made you angry with what I said.

I’m sorry as well.

“I’m sorry”… I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say that.

And that is the first time I’ve ever said it.

…Will you keep being my friend from now on?

Ah… Of course!

(Nagi-kun’s holding bouquets in both of his arms. I’ve never seen him look happier. Everyone’s feelings got through to him…)

Chief.

Y-Yes? What is it?

I’m sorry for telling you this right before our tour, but…I want to change the concept.

I don’t want it to be “a trip to deepen bonds with others”.

I want it to be “a trip to deepen your bond with yourself”.

Your bond with yourself… So the tour will focus on solo travel?

Yeah. I really want this to be the concept.

I want people to enjoy the trip, even if they don’t have any loved ones. Because whether or not we’re able to find loved ones, even later in life…

We can always go anywhere we want. Because we’re happy.

……

Also…

I want to be the team leader again. Please.

Ah…

Of course! Nobody else could take your place as the leader! Right, you guys?

Absolutely!

That’s exactly what we wanted.

All is well that ends well!

I’m finally free from this temp leader thing. Ugh, it’s cold. Let’s go inside, Toi.

Okay! Nagi-kun, Danny-san made pot-au-feu for us. It’s still warm, so let’s all eat together!

He’s waiting inside.

Pot-au-feeeuuu! ♪

I’ll head in once I park my motorcycle.

Ah, Nagi-kun, could you hold on for a second?

Yeah.

I know I missed the timing, but I have something for you too. Here. I’m sorry that it’s not a bouquet like everyone else.

A…four leaf clover.

(It’s the same thing my mom gave to me…)

Do you know what it means in flower language?

Ah… No, I don’t keep them in my shop.

Luck. I looked for one in the park, because I always want good things for you.

……

What happened with your mother is a shame, and um… I can’t really tell you if she loved you or not, but…

No. I think she did love me.

You helped me realize that.

Huh? Really…?

I was by myself, but I wasn’t alone.

You saw me off the night I left, so I was able to come back thinking of you… Thank you.

I’m looking forward to working with you again.

Yeah! I am too!

And… Welcome home, Nagi-kun.

Yeah… I’m home.