Chapter 7

I had believed there was no role left for angels to fill in this time of peace.

We had no power left to fight evil; our wings had been torn off, and we could no longer fly.

But angels have a much grander duty. We must rear the new generation, guide them forward, and teach them.

We must make the budding youth carrying the burden of the future—no, we must make the entire future, itself, blossom.

Tori. You became an idol because you admired me, correct?

I want every child in the world to be the same as you.

I have been given a great boon because you exist. My soul and my ideals can now be passed onto future generations.

And soon it will be your turn, my cute Tori. Turn your hopes toward a future where children admire you and become idols because of you.

Which is why you’ve lost that potential if people begin to think they can’t imitate you, or that you’re superhuman.

It it far better to give them a performance they can understand, something that makes them think, “I want to be just like that,” or “I want to do that, too.”

That anyone can do it, whether it be me or you… it is a simple, elegant, and especially optimal path to follow.

There is no pride in displaying at a museum a work of art that is too refined, too advanced for people to understand.

I’ll put it more simply. Try to come up with an original dance that the children gathered here will enjoy, will happily try to dance along with you.

If it is a low-skill dance, it may not receive a high grade in your class.

You may even be mocked by that insufferable crowd who believes fine is pompous and pretentious.

However, this is the ideal fine that I want to see.

Even if it goes unappreciated by teachers and other professionals, even if it has little academic or artistic value, I will still give you a perfect score.

Oh, my Tori, my comrade in fine… I alone will recognize you.

So don’t make it too difficult for yourself or try to adhere to some arbitrary standards; don’t make your ideals so lofty that you lose touch of reality…

Think of choreography that best suits your body and your ability, and then give it your all.

To be honest, it doesn’t matter how high your dancing skill is in the end…

So long as Wataru is part of fine, you will always be a failure in comparison. The summit you seek is infinitely tall.

So do everything you can on the ground, to the best of your ability. No matter the results, no matter the grade, you can be sure this Tenshouin Eichi will accept you as you are.

……

Fufu, you claimed you would speak more simply, but in the end it was still quite abstract.

Well, when we return home, we can examine it all step by step.

But for now, we should keep playing. We will get cold if we continue to sit around and talk.

It must also be burdensome for even Hibiki-sama to look after the children all on his own.

Yes, friends should help each other.

Wataru~ What is it you’re doing? You’re bending over; do you feel sick?

Not at all? I am only repairing an anthill that collapsed. I’d like to surround it with castle walls made out of sand so that it can withstand an enemy invasion… ☆

There are children who take cruel delight in destroying these anthills, and thus a ferocious battle between them unfolds!

Ah, sweet joys and sorrows, what tragicomedies fill this world… ☆

Fufu. I’m sure you’re having so much fun looking down at the ants from on high, but please keep us company, too… Wataru ♪

But of course. Out of every creature in the world, the most interesting are humans.

Every one of their reactions delights me! Joy, anger, pain, and pleasure, love and hate—all of them are overflowing with Amazing!

This is the reason why I still dance upon the earth!

Come, everyone, all together now! It will be our Comédie humaine!

Anzu-san, you too. Do not simply stand by the wayside. Take my hand and dance with me!

For today is the only day there is.

Eichi says things with profound meaning, and that fills you with doubt. Rather, it makes you think too hard.

There is no right or wrong, no ulterior motive or intention: it is but a lovely day!

We should bask in this beautiful, ordinary moment together!

Amazing! For it’s a pleasant day… ☆¹

Mother Goose? Of course you’d be so familiar with my own interests, Wataru. I can feel your love in every word you say; you always make me happy.

Come, Anzu-chan. Just as Wataru said, this really was a day of play. I just want to enjoy our time together, without having to overanalyze anything.

That alone is our wish now. In reality, there is no right or wrong answer.

No. Life is not just about taking tests and getting high scores.