Anyone can go to the Aurora Light Show!
And there aren’t any entrance fees (?) or whatever, because there isn’t an entrance or exit.
They decorate the entire Shizukamachi Greenbelt with lights.
Now I really can’t wait to go!
Shall we all go together?
This was Asumin!
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I wonder if there’s a nickname for the Aurora Light Show.
The Auroshow…or something? Maybe not.
It’s a really long name, but everyone just calls it the “Aurora Light Show,” don’t they?
There’ll be a store selling takoyaki. It’s a famous place that’s been around for ages. It’s really yummy.
Now I really want to eat some… I want to go.
Moena
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This is Yukisada Hayashi.
“Aurora Light Show” doesn’t really get abbreviated.
It seems like some people call it “Greora,” though.
Maybe because it’s the Aurora Light Show and it’s held in the Greenbelt?
If everyone’s going together, I’ll adjust my schedule.
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I propose we all go to see the Aurora Light Show together.
I hope you will please forgive my rudeness at this sudden suggestion.
I would very much appreciate it if everyone informed me of their schedules.
If there are no outstanding issues, would this weekend be a suitable time?
I sincerely ask for you to consider this matter.
Sousei Takarai
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This weekend…
Kuchina let out a sigh.
Am I…wondering whether or not I can go…?
With her gloved index finger, she traced where Sousei had written, If there are no outstanding issues.
Outstanding issues…
It wasn’t as if she had no issues with it. It was only natural for Kuchina to think that way. She knew that something like this had the potential to cause problems. Someone could be a spy for Great Lord Kagemiya. She hadn’t seen the woman in sunglasses since the bookstore, but she couldn’t rule out the possibility that she was being watched. In any case, if she went to the Aurora Light Show with her classmates after school, it would likely come to the attention of Great Lord Kagemiya. She should prepare herself for that at the very least.
That man will find out…
It was too late for that.
He probably saw through everything.
…Really? Am I sure about that?
She honestly didn’t know.
Sometimes, that man would hint that he knew everything about Kuchina. He’d even stated it outright before.
He had never ordered her around at school. Instead, he’d exerted psychological pressure on her with his behavior, expecting Kuchina to understand without being told. That was his way of doing things.
There was no need for her to be told that she mustn’t offend that man. She needed to know her place and exercise self-restraint. If she did that, he wouldn’t take advantage of her weaknesses.
Kuchina snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the clattering sound of the elderly shop owner bringing over a coffee cup and saucer. She looked up and saw him hunched over, trying to get out from behind the counter where the old woman was sitting. His knees seemed to be causing him trouble, and he was practically shuffling. It looked dangerous, but Kuchina waited patiently. The owner finally reached Kuchina’s seat and placed the coffee cup and saucer on the table with trembling hands.
“Thank you very much,” Kuchina said, and about two-thirds of the elderly shop owner’s wrinkled face scrunched up into what was probably a smile.
Kuchina took a sip of her coffee. It wasn’t hot, but lukewarm. Not bitter, and she could even taste some sweetness, but that, too, vanished quickly. Only the aroma lingered.
I’m being controlled by that man… I’m letting him control me.
She didn’t want to be controlled. Of course she didn’t. Kuchina was being manipulated by that man. She was completely under his control. That’s what she’d been compelled to believe.
Mom, Dad…
Kuchina called out to Mr. and Mrs. Hitsujimoto, who were sleeping in the basement room.
I want to be free.
What would the two of them say?
…They don’t have to say anything. Mom and Dad were kind to me. Just that is enough. I’ll decide things that concern me by myself.
Kuchina took a mechanical pencil and eraser out of her pencil case. She took another sip of the elderly shop owner’s coffee. She couldn’t tell if the taste was good or bad, but it calmed her heart. She gripped the pencil.
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Greora.
Sounds similar to “remora.”
I
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She hadn’t lifted her pencil once up to that point.
Kuchina’s heart was pounding violently. Her chest became extremely tight and stiff, and her breathing came shallowly. There wasn’t enough oxygen, even though, of course, that was her imagination. She placed her pencil on the table and reached for the eraser.
The faces of Asumi Shiramori and Hina Shigee came to mind.
Yukisada Hayashi.
And finally, Sousei Takarai.
That man might try to take them as hostages. I need to change my attitude before he actually does take a hostage; otherwise, he can’t predict what might happen to them. That’s what he said. That’s his usual tactic. His usual trick. He thinks that as long as he threatens me, I’ll do what he says. That’s how it’s always been.
Kuchina picked up her mechanical pencil again.
I won’t fall for that same trick. If he tries to threaten me again, I won’t forgive him. Killing that man will be difficult. How should I deal with him?
I can destroy the things that belong to him. I can kill his underlings. I’ll destroy everything, kill everyone. Great Lord Furuhiko Kagemiya…I am not that man’s slave.
Kuchina’s heart rate returned to normal, and she continued writing.
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I want to see the Aurora Light Show.
Let’s go, then! Let’s go to the Aurora Light Show!
All of us together!!
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Anytime is fine by me. Maybe the weekend’s best? I’ll come any day!
Timewise, I’ll be okay as long as it doesn’t get too late.
As long as I get home by 10, it’s all good!
This was Asumin!
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As of now, I’m free any day of the week, as well.
It’s a light show, so it’ll start after it gets dark.
It gets dark enough just after 5, and after school on Friday seems good.
I’ll do whatever works for everyone else.
Let’s eat Takopacchan takoyaki!
Moena
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This is Yukisada Hayashi.
Is Takopacchan the name of a takoyaki shop?
I can also go anytime this week.
If we go together straight after school, we wouldn’t have to worry about meeting up, so that’d be easier.
I wonder if there’ll be a rice ball stall.
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I hope that this message finds you all in good happiness and health.
In regard to the scheduling of the Aurora Light Show, there are no issues on my end.
I am able to accommodate any necessary adjustments.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
Sousei Takarai