Interlude:
Shizuka and Nano Go to a Comedy Show
“IS THIS THE VENUE, YOSHIMOTO SHIZUKA?”
‹Indubitably!›
Nano and Shizuka had gone to a live comedy show. Shizuka’s local bookstore had held a lottery, where she won a ticket for two people to see the show. She decided to ask Nano to come along.
“Do you often attend this sort of function, Yoshimoto Shizuka?”
‹Embarrassed as I am to admit it, ’tis a first for me.›
“Likewise. The world of comedy is completely unknown ground for me.”
This perhaps explained why Nano looked somehow less confident than usual.
‹As long as we are together.› ‹It shall be amusing.›
Nano paused, thinking. Although her expression did not necessarily change, Shizuka’s words appeared to have dispelled her unease. “Indeed,” Nano replied. “You make a logical point.”
The comedy show started soon after that.
“Back when we were in school,” began the duo’s straight man. “You were too chicken to confess to the girl you liked. I know you always regretted that, but I’m sure you can make things right.”
“Illogical,” said Nano. “Nothing can change the past.”
“I agree, I’ve changed a lot,” said the second comedian, who played the funny man role. “Do you know any guys I can practice with?”
“Ask a girl!”
‹She gave a hearty laugh.›
“So I need some advice about ’fessing up to a friend… I was thinkin’ of doing it today.”
Nano was surprised. “By changing his accent, he is clearly signaling that a new skit has begun.”
“I see… Well, I commend you for wanting to pay your debt to society. I’ll be waiting for you when you get out.”
“Hey, I’m not confessing to a crime. I haven’t even done one!”
‹She gave a hearty laugh.›
“I was talking about confessing my love to Yuuko-chan, you doofus!”
“It’ll be hard to get a message to her from behind bars…”
“Why’s it easier to believe that I’m a criminal?!”
“Recurring punchlines are an effective tool.”
‹She gave a hearty laugh.›
Nano and Shizuka reacted to the show in their own unique ways until the set reached its conclusion.
Meanwhile, the comedy duo on stage was quite bewildered, to say the least. The people in this crowd have some weird as hell reactions! Is it going well? Or are we bombing?
Afterward, the girls discussed the show.
“That was fun.”
‹I busted my gut laughing!›
The pair walked out of the venue, looking satisfied. Although Nano hadn’t cracked a smile throughout the entire show, nor did Shizuka let out a single audible laugh, they had most certainly enjoyed themselves.
“However, it was inefficient for the straight man to exaggerate his movements for every joke.”
Shizuka grimaced slightly at Nano’s unique perspective. ‹You did not approve, then?›
“This trajectory is the most efficient. ‘The hell’s up with you?’” Nano recited a typical line spouted by Japanese comedians as she tapped Shizuka lightly on the chest. There certainly were no wasted movements, and it was also strangely stylish.
‹She gave a hearty laugh.›
“The hell’s up with you? The hell’s up with you?”
‹She gave a hearty laugh.› ‹She gave a hearty laugh.›
When Nano kept hitting Shizuka rhythmically on the chest, passersby shot them strange looks. “What are they doing?” Anyone from the Rentaro family, however, would have recognized what was up with a glance.
Nano blinked suddenly. “It is possible to streamline this further. This should be the most efficient solution. The hell’s up with you?”
‹She gave a hearty laugh.› ‹To reach the heavens.›
Their expressions displayed genuine, heartfelt enjoyment. Even frivolous occasions such as these were precious experiences.
As an addendum, Nano’s straight-man shtick was a big hit with the Rentaro family when she unveiled it the next day. For a short time, she even earned the moniker “Nano the Straight Man,” although that was a story for another day.