romantic comedy - ( to every good kid, chapter 6 )

[mandytl]

Location: StarFes Stage (First Half)

 

Nazuna: Besides, they've looked real happy lately.

 

When I paid him a visit... Itsuki tried to act cool even though he's weak with a cold.

 

He told me a lot while coughing the entire time.

 

"I'm leaving Kagehira to you if I die". Not that he's that desperately ill or anything.

 

He even showed me the organized results of the DreamFes lives they've participated in lately... 

 

It's like his heart grew weaker thanks to his condition. Like we were reminiscing about things at his bedside just before he was going to die.

 

I know for sure that he... that they're moving forward in a better direction. So it'd be awful if everything ended here...

 

That's why I want to be the one to help them this time. Me, who couldn't do anything at all before.

 

... will you be able to forgive me, Ra*bits?

 

Mitsuru: What's there to forgive? I already told you. Just do what you gotta do, Nii-chan!

 

I really just wanna help you!

 

Nii-chan's cherished us this whole time like a Dad or a Mom would... protecting and teaching and guiding.

 

We owe you a bunch. It's like you gave us somethin' super sparkly that we can barely even hold!

 

So gettin' to pay you back for it bit by bit's just our duty as children!

 

Nazuna: Parents, huh... ahahah. I never expected you guys to call me that. 

 

I thought a little opposition was justified. "Don't go getting involved with people who have nothing to do with us", maybe. 

 

But you guys would say something like that, huh. In that case... I've gotten more than enough in return.

 

Hajime: ........

Tomoya: ..... Hajime? You've been pretty quiet.

 

You don't have to keep up the obedient, goody-two shoes act. Just say what you want to say, okay?

Hajime: ... eheheh. You're always giving me a reason to speak up, Tomoya-kun.

 

Nii-chan. I, actually... really don't like this.

 

Nazuna: ......

 

Hajime: I think you're being selfish, Nii-chan. Separating from us due to personal circumstance when the S1 live is a such an important event for Ra*bits right now... 

 

It feels cruel. I hate it.

 

Nazuna: Eh? R-Really? I didn't think Hajime-chin of all people would be the voice of protest here... that's unexpected.

 

Hajime: You think so? Eheheh... it feels like everyone's always giving me way too much credit.

 

Like no matter what I say or do everyone will think I'm a good kid who never complains.

 

But Nii-chan... I'm just a spoiled crybaby who gets lonely really easily.

 

I don't want someone I love to go far away for even just a second... 

 

Everyone left me behind because I'm slow. It was sad and I hated it.

 

It's always been like that for me. I sulked when my little brother and sister were born and my parents paid them more attention.

 

They told me to be patient and put up with it since I'm the "big brother"... 

 

And my little siblings were lovely. It made me so happy that even someone like me could spoil and support them. Then before I even realized it, I couldn't express my discomfort anymore.

 

The me from back then that just wants to be coddled is still inside me even now. The shameful, embarrassing me who I want to pretend doesn't exist.

 

But even now that me is me. A me that still isn't satisfied.

 

A me who was neglected up until I became a high schooler and is frustrated in so many ways.

 

Nazuna: ......

 

Hajime: But at Yumenosaki... everyone in Ra*bits and even Akehoshi-senpai... you look right at me.

 

For just a second you looked back at that slow me and held out a hand like it were the obvious thing to do.

 

That alone filled me up with so much happiness. That's all it took for me to love you.

 

That's what I really didn't want to say... keeping all of this a secret is a bad habit of mine.

 

Nazuna: .... then why're you doing it now? It's better to keep quiet about stuff you don't want to say. It's only natural for boys to want to keep their cool image.

 

Hajime: Fufu. But aren't you the one who asked, Nii-chan?

 

That I would hate for you to leave my side, to leave Ra*bits even temporarily and return to Valkyrie...

 

I just want you to understand how I feel.

 

Nazuna: Nnh.... I get it. I'm not trying to cause trouble for Ra*bits or make you feel lonely.

 

Hajime: Yes. You want to save Valkyrie. I want to cheer on your cause and support you.

 

The only issue here is how I feel about it, so do you think you could help me set those feelings straight?

 

I can cheer you on with all my heart after I'm thoroughly convinced.

 

I'll still be a little sad, but... we're not animals like our unit name suggests, so I don't want to keep denying you based on feeling alone.

 

Nazuna: Right. People tend to look at us members of Ra*bits like we're the pure little animals in our namesake, but...

 

We're human, too. There's no ignoring that fact.

 

Society itself treats humans the worst. If there's anything else you want to get out Hajime-chin, now's your best chance.

 

I'll listen to you. I want to hear your thoughts and understand them. It's not too late to get things moving after that.

 

Hajime: Okay. There's one more thing.

 

Uhm. You see, I've actually been keeping a secret from everyone.

 

It has to do with something else. The prank Sakuma-senpai made... it has to do with Hakaze-senpai and that scandal article.

 

Didn't you wonder why I was crossdressing in that photo? 

 

Mitsuru: Ah! I did think it was weird! Since unlike Tomo-chan, Hajime-chan seems like he really hates wearin' girl's clothes...

 

Tomoya: Huh? Wait. What do you mean, "unlike Tomo-chan"? I don't like crossdressing either!

 

Hajime: That's right. Fufu.... unlike Tomoya-kun, I really can't stand the thought of having to crossdress.

 

Tomoya: You too, Hajime?! Damn it. You just say what's convenient about everyone except me, huh?

 

Hajime: I mean, I don't want anyone to hate me if possible... 

 

But it's not an attitude that'll get me much praise. A child who believes in only doing what's convenient for them tends to give the wrong impression.

 

"You can say anything." "No matter what terrible thing you do it's okay." They'll start to think that child is accepting of everything.

 

Even if I do nothing but hold back, there are just some things I can't help hating.

 

But that's why I think "that person" hasn't done anything wrong. There was just a misunderstanding between us since I'm one of those children.

 

Nazuna: What do you mean? Who's "that person"? You were talking about that scandal article, so... are you talking about Kaoru-chin?

 

Hajime: No, it's not like that... uuu. Having to talk about my own feelings this much is surprisingly difficult.

Nazuna: Don't worry. I'm not going to get mad at you or anything if you can't get it all out properly. So will you tell me your thoughts after you take the time to organize them?

 

Hajime: Okay, Nii-chan.... ♪