Epilogue of L4mps SIDE:B

(And now I’m at the entryway…)

(I considered recording in the bathroom, but if someone flushed the toilet while I was recording, it’d ruin everyone else’s messages on the tape…)

I’ll just record something really qui⁠—

Nagi, what are you doing here?

Yodaka…san.

Hachinoya, we gotta bring out seconds. How much longer are you gonna slack off for?

Ryui…

Nagi-kun, can I place an order after I decide on the flowers?

(And Toi-kun too…! Why does everyone always get drawn to where I am…?)

Could…

Hm?

Could you please leave me alone…?

Huh? I ain’t talkin’ to you ‘cuz I wanna.

I know. But I really, really want to be alone right now.

I know that I sound selfish, but please stay away from me for the time being.

D-Did something happen?

…I’m preparing a surprise present for someone. And it’s easier if I do it alone.

I see. If that’s the case, then we should take care to leave Nagi alone for now.

…I’m so sorry.

There’s no need to apologize. Just let us know when you’re done.

I’ll be careful! Brother Dearest, let’s put out seconds for the buffet together!

Whatever. It’s easier to relax without you around anyway.

Alright, go on ahead. There shouldn’t be anyone outside the house.

Thank you… I’ll be back soon.

(Yodaka-san was right. I don’t sense anyone out here⁠—)

GIIIIIII!!

(Netaro came out…from the phone booth…)

Why do you look so blatantly disappointed?

…It’s nothing. I’m fine.

Hmm… Oh, well. I have excellent news to tell you! Rejoice! Earthlings still have a future ahead of them for the time being!

A future?

I was actually able to communicate with my home planet today, as the effect of the solar flare at this time period is quite miniscule…

If I missed the timing for this report and thus the deadline for contacting my planet, it’d create the perfect opportunity to invade Earth!

Huh…?!

But you need not worry. Thanks to my genius report, we have decided that the lifeforms on Earth are not yet ripe, so we’ve postponed the invasion for now!

So…nothing’s going to happen?

Yes, thanks to my service!

I see… It doesn’t really feel like it, but I guess that means you saved the planet. I’m glad that you’re nice to Earthlings, Netaro.

Mmm, that’s not exactly the case. I don’t love Earthlings themselves.

……

I am more interested in the chemical reaction that occurs within my heart when I spend time with Gii and the others.

When I hurt you, there was an unidentifiable emotion that welled up from within me. It was quite troublesome, so I considered just eating you to put it at rest, but I didn’t do that.

Similarly, I want to search for this feeling of “love” that you taught me about… I want to keep experiencing these changes I’m undergoing.

So, I postponed the invasion. In other words…

You saved this planet, Gii!

Oh… I see.

(This doesn’t feel real at all, but… I’m really glad that I saved the planet.)

Okay, time to return to the party. The desserts are calling my name!

Yeah…

(I’m finally alone…)

<⁠Dear Chief…⁠>

<⁠Good evening, for the hundredth time⁠—⁠>

Nagi-kun!

…Chief.

Phew… Thank god. You were gone for a while, so I thought that you left the house. I was worried about you.

……

I’m glad you’re still here. Were you doing some stargazing? They’re really pretty tonight.

Yeah…

(Nagi-kun looks like he’s finally cleared his mind…)

Did something happen?

No, nothing much. It’s just…

I was just thinking about how you actually remembered my name. And not just you either. Everyone here calls me by my name. They call out to me.

Huh? Well, of course I’d remember… Ah, are you trying to make fun of me?

Not at all.

Alright then.

Yeah…

……

Chief, thank you for remembering my name. Thank you for calling out to me.

Here it is! Dessert buffet round two!

Thanks!

(Everyone’s always in such a good mood. Hmm, where’s Renga?)

*hic* Man, ‘m hammered… Urgh… I need some water t’…sober up…

There he is. He’s really drunk too… Renga, take this.

Hm…? Ah… Thanksh… Didja finish recordin’…?

Yep. It’s all good.

Okay… Heheh… G’job.

‘Kay, time f’…the main act.