Netaro's Soulmate Search, Group Date Edition (Part 2)
Momiji: It's finally the day of the group date!
Netaro: Oooh...! This place is crawling with unfamiliar humans. I am feeling quite stimulated!
Momiji: Netaro-kun is all hyped up too.
Momiji: We spent a lot of time practicing his conversational skills, and eventually he'd improved quite a bit!
Momiji: At least, I think.
~~~~~~(flashback start)
Akuta: Ohohohohoho, top o' the mornin' to ya Kotaro-san! I hope the weather is crazy good today too!
Netaro: Ohohohoho, indeed! The weather has been so pleasant lately that it has been quite easy to leave the laundry out to dry, yes!
~~~~~~(flashback end)
Momiji: ... I'm sure that counts as small talk, right? Yeah. Let's just put it that way.
Momiji: Oh, people have already split up and are sitting down at the tables that have been set up for the occasion...
Momiji: All that's left is to go for it...! Do your best, Netaro-kun!
~~~~~~
The gyaru sitting nearby: Hey hey~ Where'd you come from? I was born and raised right here in HAMA~
Netaro: I have arrived from a planet far beyond~ All for the sake of meeting you.
The gyaru sitting nearby: For reals? That's crazy~
The cheery guy sitting across: I gotta know, where'd you get those threads? The color is sick as hell dude.
Netaro: Right? Isn't it just so?
Momiji: Oh? Looks like it's going well? Maybe I don't have to worry after all...
Kind-looking man: Um, it's my first time attending a group date. It's kinda nerve-wracking huh?
Momiji: R-Right? It's my first time too. I accompanied a friend here today...
Momiji: This is feels kinda refreshing. It's a different kind of experience from when I deal with tourists.
Momiji: I see... this is one way to enjoy a group date I guess!
~~~~~~
Cheery guy Yamada: Thanks Netaro-kun, I'll call ya later~
Netaro: I shall wait eagerly, Yamada. For we are best pals now.
Netaro: Fufu, how was that, Doudou! Were you watching me? Did you see? I managed to hold a proper "conversation"!
Momiji: -Ah! I remember that store! How nostalgic~
Kind-looking man: I didn't think I'd get to meet someone who knew that place. I barely get the chance to talk about it...
Netaro: ...Hmph.
Netaro: Doudou.
Momiji: W-what's wrong!? Weren't you just having a conversation over there...?
Netaro: I... feel upset for some reason. I need you to look at me more.
Netaro: I managed to display the fruits of our training after all. Should you not be praising me by now?
Netaro: Go on, pat me. Praise me more~
Kind-looking man: Um...?
Momiji: This is bad, he looks confused...!
Netaro: Oh I see, you did not get to witness the results with your own eyes.
Netaro: Then I shall converse with you now! Doudou, what are your hobbies? Tell me, tell me~
Choice 1: But that would be missing the point.
Momiji: But that's not the point of this exercise, Netaro-kun.
Netaro: Hm?
Momiji: Netaro-kun, I want you to be able to find your Beatrice. That's why we came to this group date, so you could meet all kinds of people.
Momiji: Right now, you should be talking to other people, not me, right? We'll talk more when we get back home.
Netaro: ...
Netaro: I see. Understood.
Netaro: You. I apologize for intruding on your conversation suddenly.
Kind-looking man: Oh, no, it's alright. Are the two of you friends...?
Netaro: Indeed. You may call me Netaro Yowa. I am the 18th Ward Mayor of HAMA Tours!
Choice 2: My hobby is... traveling.
Momiji: My hobby... Well, I do love traveling.
Momiji: Now that it's come to this, I should throw a topic to Netaro-kun. I'm sure he knows how to go with the flow now...
Kind-looking man: Travel, huh. That's great, I really enjoy it too.
Netaro: In that case, you should participate in one of our tours at "HAMA Tours". You will get a taste of hospitality that you have never experienced before.
Kind-looking man: Wait, you work at HAMA Tours!? Please do tell me more, I've been wanting to join a tour there since before!
Netaro: Ooh~ Why of course! I'll tell you all there is to know about it from A to Z!
Netaro: Fu~fufun~ La~lala~
Momiji: We weren't able find your Beatrice yet, but you got to make a lot of new friends in the end huh.
Netaro: Indeed! However, this is only the first round of "Beatrice Selection". There will be many many more rounds to come~
Netaro: I shall count on you for the next one too, Doudou.
Momiji: Wait, next time too!?
Momiji: Well, I guess I did have fun. And I'd be too worried to leave him alone...
Momiji: In a way, maybe this could lead to some advertising for HAMA Tours...
Momiji: All right, I'll do my best to find out how you can get to meet a lot more people.
Netaro: You promise, yes? If it ends up being a lie, I'll reconfigure you so that I can launch you through the stratosphere in the flesh, understood?
Momiji: Alright alright, I get it. Let's get some dinner and go home!
Momiji: What do we get today... We talked a lot, so I'm feeling extra hungry.
Netaro: ..........
Netaro: Indeed, I'm feeling quite peckish.
Netaro: You smile over the smallest things. Get surprised easily. Your reactions are always refreshing, and full of life.
Netaro: Kind eyes. A kind voice. Such things are present in this world in abundance, and yet that is precisely why it is so precious.
Momiji: Good work today! I had some work around here so I decided to drop by. How’s your condition?
Nagi: Oh, yeah–
Sonia: Pleash listen to this, Chief! At the last health check-up, they called Nagi-shan to get his blood tested, but he didn’t want to go…
Momiji: What!
Nagi: Shh…
Nagi: (It’s hard to explain that acting as Netaro’s donor was the reason why I couldn’t do the blood test…)
Nagi: I’ve been feeling anemic a lot lately, but I’m okay now, so I’ll go to the check up soon…
Momiji: When?
Nagi: Within the month–
Momiji: Too long! Sonia, can you check if he can take a leave next week?
Sonia: I-I’ll do that now!
Nagi: But I have deliveries–
Momiji: Nagi-kun, I’m begging you, please treasure yourself more. I’ll get mad otherwise.
Nagi: ……Y-Yes, ma’am.
Momiji: I’ll handle the deliveries for you… But wait, I won’t feel at ease unless I drop you to and from the hospital, so I should ask Kinari-kun to do it instead…
Momiji: Oh, look at the time…! I need to go now, but make sure to tell me the date, okay? It’s a promise!
Nagi: ……Okay. Where are you going?
Momiji: I want to drop by Chinatown before my next meeting. Apparently, Netaro-kun and Renga-kun have been experimenting with new flavored meatbuns and have been causing a commotion over there.
Nagi: With Renga…?
Nagi: (Don’t tell me he’s planning on making Renga a donor too…)
Nagi: …Chief, I’ll go instead since you seem busy.
Nagi: I’m friends with Netaro too, so.
Momiji: But what about your condition…
Nagi: I’m good today, don’t worry. I have a delivery somewhere around there anyways.
A few days later
Momiji: I’m so glad the re-examination went well! I was so worried that you might have had some kind of illness!
Nagi: Y-Yeah.
Nagi: (Chief is happy for me, just like family… Somehow, my heart is thrumming.)
Nagi: The doctor had his head in his hands, asking me whether my blood somehow changed in the past few days.
Momiji: Ahaha! That had to be some kinda mistake. Netaro-kun has cooled down with his experimenting on meatbuns so that’s a relief too.
Nagi: Yeah, he made me eat some of those new buns a few days ago.
Nagi: (Hm…?)
~~~(flashback)
Netaro: Mm, however, it’s been on my mind since last night. The fact that the flavor has changed.
~~~(end flashback)
Nagi: (...My blood changed before, and now again…?)
Location: HAMA House 3F Balcony
Nagi: So you were taking a nap here, Netaro.
Netaro: Hm~? What is it, Gii?
Nagi: About that new meatbun—
Nagi: ……
Nagi: No, I wanted to give you an answer to the question you asked the other day. About whether anything had changed.
Netaro: Mm?
Nagi: I think it’s because I’m not all that scared anymore.
Netaro: I see~ Fear does indeed stimulate the release of adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream. That blend was quite delicious as well!
so, i made a zine about that thing i’ve been really getting into for the past 3 months.
unlike general hypmic explainers, this zine doesn’t really get into concrete spoilers or general details on the setting and story; this is more of an overview of what drew me into the franchise (and how those same things could get you into it too).
it’s a pay-what-you-want one-page zine layout, so you can print it and pass it out to that special someone you’re also trying to convince. overall goal is just to get as much people as possible into checking this thing out.
and just in case you don’t know how a one-page zine layout works, here’s a starting guide to constructing one.
alright no more whining about the yotsutsuji writing choice lol, when dohifu first encounter drunk jakurai, the manga added a scene outside of the original drama track where jakurai swears they’ll drink and be the bestest of friends from there on out. so i really do love that at the end of part mtr in today, dohifu do their best to keep up with jakurai as a sign of how strong their bond has gotten 🥺🥺🥺
Chihiro: Our Netherlands trip got over in the blink of an eye! Kinda sad that we gotta leave already, huh~?
Nagi: …Sorry. It’s because I caused a lot of trouble.
Chihiro: Geez~! You’re apologizing AGAIN! We, like, managed to find your passport in the end so it’s okie-dokies!
Chihiro: Still, it was soo shocking to find the passport sticking up in the dirt along with the tulips!
Chihiro: It was totes funny. Chii could laugh just remembering it!
Nagi: I’d checked the flower bed before too, but… I guess I was in too much of a panic to notice it.
Nagi: Finding the passport besides the tulip honestly made me feel like having a party on the spot.
Chihiro: Ahaha! I toootally get that~☆
Nagi: Thanks to you, my downer luck ended up looking up too… It was a really fun trip.
Chihiro: Hehe… that’s good. Chii had looots of fun too~♪
Chihiro: Sooo many things happen when Chii’s with Nagipeko, so it never gets boring! My heart’s always going thump thump! Having a trip like this is, like, totes fab!
Nagi: Thanks to you, I got to learn about the ways of a gyaru too.
Chihiro: Chii thinks Nagipeko’s already an awesome gyaru~
Chihiro: A true gyaru doesn’t mope, instead~?
Nagi: Smile and peace~☆
Chihiro: Yaaay~☆
*snaps a selfie*
Nagi: As expected of Chihiro, you’re a pro at taking selfies in the blink of an eye… A true charismatic gyaru is something else, I still have a long way to go.
Chihiro: Let’s bring back Nagipeko’s smile as a souvenir for everyone back home, ‘kaay~?
Nagi: Okay.
~~~
HAMA House - Dining Room
Chihiro: We’re home~☆ We’ve got LOADS of goodies to give out~!
Chief: Welcome back!
Tao: Haha, you’ve brought back an even bigger load of luggage huh.
Chihiro: Here ya go Tao, I got you a little tulip ballpen as a souvenir!
Tao: Thank you. Yeah, when you say Netherlands, you think tulips.
Tao: But, I think it’s a little too cutesy for me to use… A pink tulip…
Chihiro: If you don’t put it in your pen stand, you’re getting a Chii-punch instead, ‘kaay~?
Linxing: Welcome back! I was waiting for you!
Chihiro: Wow, Linlin’s here too!? I’m SO hyped to see you so soon!
Liguang: She made herself at home here as soon as she found out the two of you were returning today.
Linxing: Hey so, Netherlands. How was it!? I saw your pics on dazzle and like, they were all soo pretty my jaw dropped!
Chihiro: Seeing it in person will make you even ten times more HYPE!! It’s got soo much appeal you just can’t stop snappin’ pics!
Linxing: Aw, that sounds so fun~!
Chihiro: We took a TON of selfies on the flight back too! Like, I couldn’t help it when I saw Nagipeko being all smiley!
Nagi: Thankies for real.
Chief: Nagi-kun’s smiling so well…!
Liguang: It’s very slight, but he’s able to raise the edge of his mouth a little more than before.
Nagi: I’ve been working so hard at keeping my smile up that it won’t go back now, for reals. Thanks to that the muscles in my face have been getting a workout. I’ll call them gyaru-muscles.
Chief: G-Gyaru-muscles?
Chihiro: Righties, I’ve got Linlin’s souvenir right here too~♪ Nagipeko and Chii picked it out together!
Nagi: Ah, yes. I’m introducing myself a little late but hello, I’m a newly christened gyaru.
Linxing: Oh my gosh, whaaat? Did Nagi-kun, like, change his character? Can I really have this?
Nagi: We picked something that would be totes hype for a fellow gyaru. Please have a look, for reals.
Linxing: Oh wow~ This is…
Linxing: The lamination is totes sparkly and adorbs~! Thank you so much!
Nagi: Thankies to you too. Totally vibin’ hype attack.
Liguang: …What’s wrong with Hachinoya.
Chief: T-There’s something different about him, right…? But it looks like he’s having fun, so…
Tao: How are they even communicating like that?
Chihiro: This hankie was cute in red too, but the white one was too cutieful to pass up so~
Linxing: I totes get that! The lace has just GOT to be white!
Nagi: Yup, I thought white was totes the way to go. I’m for reals honored that the gyaru-pal mindset is rubbing off on me too.
Chief: (...I don’t know what happened but, I guess it’s all good as long as Nagi-kun’s having his fun?)
Nagi: I’m totes happy that I’ve gotten one step closer to being a stand-up gyaru, peace. Please continue to teach me your ways.
Hello! Would you mind translating the new relationship chart? Thanks!
Sure thing. Because it's short and topical, I'll bump it to the top of the queue.
The new relationship chart can be viewed on the official Hypmic website. It's an ungainly beast that defies easy screenshotting.
Therefore, I've grouped the content by character. Each character block contains two sets of interactions: what characters think of other people, and what other people think of the characters. This means all interactions are listed twice.
Ichirou:
Ichirou is proud to have Jirou as a little brother and thinks he's a great teammate to have in his corner.
Ichirou is proud to have Saburou as a little brother and considers him a cornerstone of the team.
Ichirou finds that Samatoki's self-aggrandizing ways grate on his nerves.
Ichirou acknowledges Rei as his father but has complex negative feelings about him.
Ichirou respects Kuukou as a strong, talented individual but recognizes that teaming up at this point in his life is just asking for a headache.
Jirou looks up to Ichirou as a cool older figure whom he wants to one day surpass.
Saburou respects Ichirou as his older brother.
Samatoki finds that Ichirou's lack of respect for him grates on his nerves.
Rei thinks of the Buster Bros as his sons.
Kuukou acknowledges Ichirou as a strong, talented individual.
Jirou:
Jirou looks up to Ichirou as a cool older figure whom he wants to one day surpass.
Jirou thinks Saburou is a little shit but a dependable little brother.
Jirou acknowledges Rei as his father but can't stand him.
Ichirou is proud to have Jirou as a little brother and thinks he's a great teammate to have in his corner.
Saburou thinks Jirou is a cretinous but dependable older brother.
Rei thinks of the Buster Bros as his sons.
Saburou:
Saburou respects Ichirou as his older brother.
Saburou thinks Jirou is a cretinous but dependable older brother.
Saburou acknowledges Rei as his father but dislikes him.
Ichirou is proud to have Saburou as a little brother and considers him a cornerstone of the team.
Jirou thinks Saburou is a little shit but a dependable little brother.
Rei thinks of the Buster Bros as his sons.
Samatoki:
Samatoki finds that Ichirou's lack of respect for him grates on his nerves.
Samatoki thinks Juuto is fussy and pedantic but trusts him with his life.
Samatoki thinks Riou has a few screws loose but trusts him with his life.
Samatoki respects Sasara as a strong, talented individual but recognizes that teaming up with him at this point in his life is just asking for a headache.
Samatoki acknowledges that his and Nemu's lives have gone in different directions but still loves her dearly.
Ichirou finds that Samatoki's self-aggrandizing ways grate on his nerves.
Juuto thinks Samatoki is a piece of work but trusts him with his life.
Riou thinks Samatoki is a brother in arms whom he trusts with his life.
Sasara thinks of Samatoki as an ex-teammate and fascinating figure.
Nemu acknowledges that her and Samatoki's lives have gone in different directions but still loves him dearly.
Juuto:
Juuto thinks Samatoki is a piece of work but trusts him with his life.
Juuto thinks Riou is an oddball but trusts him with his life.
Samatoki thinks Juuto is fussy and pedantic but trusts him with his life.
Riou thinks Juuto is a brother in arms whom he trusts with his life.
Riou:
Riou thinks Samatoki is a brother in arms whom he trusts with his life.
Riou thinks Juuto is a brother in arms whom he trusts with his life.
Samatoki thinks Riou has a few screws loose but trusts him with his life.
Juuto thinks Riou is an oddball but trusts him with his life.
Ramuda:
Ramuda thinks Gentarou is one pillar of the best, coolest, toughest posse ever.
Ramuda thinks Dice is one pillar of the best, coolest, toughest posse ever.
Ramuda thinks Jakurai is irritating, but he can't get Jakurai out of his head.
Ramuda thinks of Chuuouku as the party he defected from.
Gentarou thinks of Ramuda as a source of inspiration and a dear friend.
Dice knows that Ramuda is always yanking his chain but sees him as a homie nevertheless.
Jakurai thinks Ramuda's rudeness is obnoxious, but he wants to save Ramuda nevertheless.
Chuuouku thinks of Ramuda as an asset for which they no longer have any use.
Gentarou:
Gentarou thinks of Ramuda as a source of inspiration and a dear friend.
Gentarou thinks of Dice as an endless source of entertainment and a dear friend.
Gentarou wants revenge on Chuuouku for incapacitating his brother.
Ramuda thinks Gentarou is one pillar of the best, coolest, toughest posse ever.
Dice thinks that Gentarou is downright bizarre but sees him as a homie nevertheless.
Dice:
Dice knows that Ramuda is always yanking his chain but sees him as a homie nevertheless.
Dice thinks that Gentarou is downright bizarre but sees him as a homie nevertheless.
Dice thinks of Otome as his bio mom.
Ramuda thinks Dice is one pillar of the best, coolest, toughest posse ever.
Gentarou thinks of Dice as an endless source of entertainment and a dear friend.
Otome thinks of Dice as her son.
Jakurai:
Jakurai thinks Ramuda's rudeness is obnoxious, but he wants to save Ramuda nevertheless.
Jakurai thinks Hifumi is a wonderful person to have in his corner and a cherished teammate.
Jakurai thinks Doppo is a tirelessly supportive teammate to have in his corner.
Jakurai thinks of Hitoya as a dear friend he's known since middle school.
Ramuda thinks Jakurai is irritating, but he can't get Jakurai out of his head.
Hifumi respects Jakurai and wants to be a pillar of support to him.
Doppo respects Jakurai and wants to help lessen his burdens.
Hitoya thinks of Jakurai as a rival and dear friend.
Hifumi:
Hifumi respects Jakurai and wants to be a pillar of support to him.
Hifumi thinks of Doppo as a friend from childhood who's a bit of a handful.
Jakurai thinks Hifumi is a wonderful person to have in his corner and a cherished teammate.
Doppo thinks of Hifumi as a friend from childhood who's a bit of a handful.
Doppo:
Doppo respects Jakurai and wants to help lessen his burdens.
Doppo thinks of Hifumi as a friend from childhood who's a bit of a handful.
Jakurai thinks Doppo is a tirelessly supportive teammate to have in his corner.
Hifumi thinks of Doppo as a friend from childhood who's a bit of a handful.
Sasara:
Sasara thinks of Samatoki as an ex-teammate and fascinating figure.
Sasara thinks of Roshou as his best friend and ex-manzai duo partner.
Sasara thinks of Rei as a like-minded older man and drinking buddy.
Samatoki respects Sasara as a strong, talented individual but recognizes that teaming up with him at this point in his life is just asking for a headache.
Roshou thinks of Sasara as his best friend and ex-manzai duo partner.
Rei thinks Sasara is entertaining, even if his jokes aren't very good.
Roshou:
Roshou thinks of Sasara as his best friend and ex-manzai duo partner.
Roshou thinks of Rei as a pragmatic and affable older man and drinking buddy.
Sasara thinks of Roshou as his best friend and ex-manzai duo partner.
Rei thinks Roshou is entertaining, if a bit too serious for his own good.
Rei:
Rei thinks of the Buster Bros as his sons.
Rei thinks Sasara is entertaining, even if his jokes aren't very good.
Rei thinks Roshou is entertaining, if a bit too serious for his own good.
Rei thinks of Otome as a pawn that he once used to further his own goals.
Ichirou acknowledges Rei as his father but has complex negative feelings about him.
Jirou acknowledges Rei as his father but can't stand him.
Saburou acknowledges Rei as his father but dislikes him.
Sasara thinks of Rei as a like-minded older man and drinking buddy.
Roshou thinks of Rei as a pragmatic and affable older man and drinking buddy.
Otome thinks of Rei as a backstabber who used her like a pawn.
Kuukou:
Kuukou acknowledges Ichirou as a strong, talented individual.
Kuukou thinks of Juushi as found family and is proud to have taken him under his wing.
Kuukou thinks of Hitoya as an obnoxious member of his found family.
Ichirou respects Kuukou as a strong, talented individual but recognizes that teaming up at this point in his life is just asking for a headache.
Juushi respects Kuukou, viewing him as both teammate and master to learn under.
Hitoya thinks Kuukou is one of those damn kids but respects his work as the team's leader.
Juushi:
Juushi respects Kuukou, viewing him as both teammate and master to learn under.
Juushi respects Hitoya, viewing him as both teammate and personal savior.
Kuukou thinks of Juushi as found family and is proud to have taken him under his wing.
Hitoya thinks Juushi one of those damn kids but is proud of his growth.
Hitoya:
Hitoya thinks Kuukou is one of those damn kids but respects his work as the team's leader.
Hitoya thinks Juushi is one of those damn kids but is proud of his growth.
Hitoya thinks of Jakurai as a rival and dear friend.
Kuukou thinks of Hitoya as an obnoxious member of his found family.
Juushi respects Hitoya, viewing him as both teammate and personal savior.
Jakurai thinks of Hitoya as a dear friend he’s known since middle school.
Otome:
Otome thinks of Dice as her son.
Otome thinks of Rei as a backstabber who used her like a pawn.
Otome thinks of Ichijiku as a trustworthy compatriot.
Otome thinks of Nemu as a compatriot and a young woman with a lot of promise.
Dice thinks of Otome as his bio mom.
Rei thinks of Otome as a pawn that he once used to further his own goals.
Ichijiku respects Otome and would follow her to the ends of the earth.
Nemu respects Otome and wants to support her goals.
Ichijiku:
Ichijiku respects Otome and would follow her to the ends of the earth.
Ichijiku thinks of Nemu as a little sister figure and a fellow compatriot in fighting the good fight.
Otome thinks of Ichijiku as a trustworthy compatriot.
Nemu respects Ichijiku and thinks of her as a fellow compatriot in fighting the good fight.
Nemu:
Nemu acknowledges that her and Samatoki's lives have gone in different directions but still loves him dearly.
Nemu respects Otome and wants to support her goals.
Nemu respects Ichijiku and thinks of her as a fellow compatriot in fighting the good fight.
Samatoki acknowledges that his and Nemu's lives have gone in different directions but still loves her dearly.
Otome thinks of Nemu as a compatriot and a young woman with a lot of promise.
Ichijiku thinks of Nemu as a little sister figure and a fellow compatriot in fighting the good fight.
The yellow lines linking Ichirou/Kuukou, Samatoki/Sasara, and Ramuda/Jakurai say "ex-teammate." The text around The Dirty Dawg says a "a now disbanded legendary team."
Kafka Oguro Ward Mayor Novel - Mother's Code: Season 1, Track 2 - Thanatophobia / 1
That day, I woke up in the same hospital room yet again.
Seven-year-old me let out a sigh.
My white private room was in the pediatric ward of the Oguro Hospital.
I'd been in and out of this hospital since I was old enough to be aware of what was happening around me, but recently, I hadn't been able to go back home at all.
Even my memory of the residence on the pier had become faint.
"I wonder if it'll be Dad coming to visit today… or maybe Mom?"
I may not have been healthy, but that didn't mean I was unhappy.
My family had the means to keep me hospitalized there for extended periods of time. My father, a tourism Ward Mayor, and my mother, a scientist, visited me whenever they could find time off from work.
My mother in particular was extremely knowledgeable, and would share all kinds of interesting stories with me whenever she came over, so I always looked forward to her visits.
My father… Hmm, I suppose he missed having me around at home, but I figured he's also doing his best. I could feel his love.
"But… will I die one day?" I muttered as I gazed at the clear blue sky outside the window.
I'd never been able to go outside much, and I couldn't go to school either, so I didn't have any friends.
Even though there were other children hospitalized in the pediatric ward, they'd sort of been keeping their distance from me.
It's probably because I didn't act as childish as my age would suggest, and also because my family is distinguished in HAMA.
"You're a little special, you see," is what my mother would tell me.
"Being special is a blessing, Kafka, but don't let that lead you astray. If there were no people who aren't special, how would you know you're special?"
Was that my mother's notion? Or was it mine?
Whichever it was, if this life of mine were to come to an end so quickly, this blessing of mine would be all for naught.
If I were to die like this, then what was I even born for?
That day, neither my mother nor my father came to visit, so instead, I got permission from my doctor to go to the rooftop garden.
I may call it a garden, but it was actually a modest little place.
I was thinking of sitting on the bench and reading a book when I spotted a dead baby bird on the cold concrete.
Maybe it bumped into something and fell?
Its tiny eyes were closed as it laid there limply.
Had the baby bird known it would die right here, on this day?
I felt just a bit sorry for it, and wondered whether or not I should bury it.
But was it even okay for a frail person like myself to touch the remains of a dead wild bird?
When I raised my concerns to one of the nurses, they gave me a mask and protective gloves and helped me bury the bird in the hospital's courtyard.
They said I was a kind boy, but that wasn't really the case; I simply felt that this baby bird that had died so prematurely wasn’t any different from me.
After all, I could get a sudden pain in my chest, collapse, and die just like that one day too.
All I hope is that whoever finds me is someone kind.
I stood over the bird's grave even after the nurse left, until a shadow suddenly came up behind me. When I looked up, I saw my mother standing over me, still wearing her white lab coat and looking like she'd just snuck out of work.
"They told me you buried a bird?"
She'd heard about it from the nurse, apparently.
"Yeah. It died."
It may have been dead, but when I held it through the protective gloves, it felt heavier than I thought it would, and just warm enough to make me doubt whether it had truly died.
"Will I end up like that too, one day?"
"…"
My mother was silent for a while, and then asked; "What do you think the definition of death is?"
"When one's heart stops beating?"
"There is also the theory that death is when one stops thinking," she said as she took my hand and led me to a bench in the courtyard.
"This is a rather sentimental thought process, but some people believe that a person is only truly considered dead when all memories of them are erased from the minds of those still living."
Despite saying this, my mother changed the subject.
"In accordance with JPN's current medical standards, human death is defined as the cessation of both the heartbeat and spontaneous breathing, the loss of pupillary light reflex, and mydriasis. Legally, death is defined as the cessation of breathing and one's inability to be resuscitated."
"Is it the same for animals?"
"This applies to the death of anything with a physical body; death is the irreversible loss of life."
My mother motioned for me to sit on the bench, and then sat down next to me.
A gentle breeze blew through the courtyard, carrying the faint scent of medicine from my mother's lab coat with it.
Neither of us spoke, simply letting the cold hit us and the scent calm us. But I didn’t mind it at all.
“But yes… Fundamentally, all life forms on Earth are dependent on carbon polymers. When you look at it that way, the biological changes that occur after death are not that different between humans and other living organisms. They both stop breathing, decompose, become fertilizer for microorganisms, and what can’t be used is left behind.”
That is how calmly my mother spoke of “death”.
Then, she patted my head and asked, “What do you believe death is, Kafka?”
I took some time to think about it before giving her an honest reply.
“If all things eventually die, then it’s not that scary… But honestly, I’m not sure. There are times when I think I might die, but it turns out I’m still alive.”
My mother stayed quiet for a while as she continued patting my head.
Eventually, though, she drew her hand back.
“ … I have thanatophobia. I’m constantly… afraid of death. Honestly, I was very scared when I was giving birth to you.” She said quietly, her voice far removed from its usual dignified tone.
I raised my head to look at her, but she was staring off into the distance, looking deep in thought.
But soon after, she turned to me and smiled.
She pulled me closer to her and held me to her body tightly with a sad look on her face, before adding, “I’m glad I gave birth to you, though, of course.”
"… I just wish I could have given birth to you in a healthier state. There are things you only come to understand when you’re knocking at death’s door. I know that now.”
It was rare for her to make feeble complaints.
Sometimes–really, only sometimes–my mother said melancholic things like that when talking about my body, or about death.
I think that even my mother, an accomplished genius, lost her bearings when it came to my frail body and looming death.
My father always looked so happy when he talked about how alike my mother and I are.
He often spoke of how proud he was that I was born with my mother’s beautiful face and her smarts.
But it would’ve been better if I didn’t take after her weak constitution as well. He didn’t say it out loud, but I knew that’s what he thought.
“Kafka, unlike me, there is a surgery you can get that could lead to your complete recovery. … All you have to do is make it to your twenties… If you do, you should be able to hope for a normal future, just like any ordinary person.”
“… Unlike you?”
“I…”
My mother went quiet after having said that.
I guess there was no hope for her. She may have been working, but she was often bedridden and hospitalized, just like me.
“Kafka, let’s make a bet. If you live until you turn twenty, I’ll give you a reward.”
“What?”
I wanted to ask her if she’d still be alive then, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
But those bets we made were like secret little games between my mother and I, and they were always fun.
That’s why I knew my mother was trying to encourage me.
The bets we made helped me look towards the future while living out these monotonous days, every day exactly the same–waking up and falling asleep in the same hospital room–if only a little bit.
That’s why… I didn’t want to bet with her on something so far into the future.
“I think it’d be more fun to bet on what we’re having for dinner tonight.”
“Haha, you might be right.”
We made a bet on whether we’d be having hospital jelly or not for dinner, and then my mother put her face near mine and whispered:
“Until your surgery when you turn twenty… No, even after that… It’s okay for us to be afraid of death, Kafka… Because even if our bodies die, the heart is a much more complicated thing…”
“… You’re afraid of death even though it’s so close? Isn’t that tiring?”
“Sometimes… It’s the legitimate fear that allows one to find the true meaning of being alive.”
My mother looked right into my eyes as she said that.
It was as if she was sharing a very important secret with me.
“If you continue to live honestly like that… You could even come to learn the secrets of the world.”
“… What secrets of the world?”
When I asked that, my mother laughed with a slight sense of melancholy
“Whether knowing those secrets will bring you happiness or not…is entirely up to you.”
I had no idea what she was trying to say. Just what were the secrets of the world?
Were they truly so impressive? Even more so than unproven mathematical formulas, undiscovered intellectual property, or the origin of the other side of the universe?
Did my mother, who’ds lived while fearing death… know the secrets of the world?
“You should think on it when you go fishing,” my mother cheerfully said for some reason as she let go of me and stood up.
She mentioned fishing so suddenly that all I could do was stare blankly at her. Before I could gather my bearings, my mother laughed playfully and tugged at my arm.
“There’s a fishing spot near the hospital. You can get to it if you pass through the courtyard. Your father is good at fishing, so you can ask him to teach you.”
“I don’t know… I’d rather be on my laptop.” I whispered, and in response, my mother whispered back…
“Then let’s make a bet. Even when fishing, you have to calculate things such as the currents, the wind, the weather, the season, and the bait you’ll use… Between you and your father, I’ll bet that your father will catch more fish.”
“Sorry, but with those conditions, I’ve got the upper hand. Dad can’t do those kinds of calculations.” I declared.
“Okay, okay. You’ll be betting on yourself, then.” My mother replied.
“I know! I’ll learn from Dad, and then I’ll show you how to fish!”
My mother laughed as I boldly exclaimed.
The sunlight hitting the courtyard reflected off of her hair and eyes, causing them to sparkle.
It was as if I was looking at the ocean from the pier on a sunny day…
Tsumugi: Everyone, thank you for making time today!
T: I’m thinking of collecting the ‘RADIO STATION “Twelve Hits!”’s requests for Iori-san in this group chat. I’m grateful that everyone gathered today, which is close to Iori-san’s birthday!
Anesagi: You started out so formally! I thought you were going to do a wedding toast.
T: S-Sorry! I wanted to say what I’m grateful for..!
7: So wedding toasts are kinda like this huh?
1: You don’t know something like that either?
7: I don’t! I’ve never gone to a wedding ceremony!
hypmovie brought back juto’s habit of taking off his glasses in anger and i used to assume he was using his squint to appear more intimidating lol which means i gotta ask: is juto farsighted or nearsighted LOL
Rosho is THE MOST important member of Dotsuitare Hoppo (DH).
This isn’t bias towards Rosho or anything, he’s actually not my favorite member of the group. However, I feel like his role, and what he adds to DH goes really under appreciated.
Rosho is a relatively normal guy surrounded by extreme characters. While Rei is off doing morally ambiguous supervillain stuff, and Sasura is avoiding his insane situationships, Rosho is there to ground the group.
I believe that without Rosho, DH would get too absurd, even by Hypmic standards. Rosho makes Sasura feel more real through their complex relationship, and is the character who is most responsible for Rei opening up.
(Because Sasura’s avoidant *ss would never have pushed Rei without Rosho’s influence)
As much as I like Rei and Sasura, they would be insufferable without Rosho there to bring the group together.
In a way, he’s the glue and heart of Dotsuitare Hoppo, and is a breath of fresh air to the entire Hypmic franchise.
