Chapter 2

Haaah, haaah…!

(Urgh... It’s right after the live—I’m exhausted, too!)

(But I have to properly give them—my thanks.)

(Now that I’ve left Oshi-san and Mika-chin—Now that I’ve left Valkyrie, I can finally talk. And I can finally smile and laugh now.)

(It’s still painful sometimes, but… those kids saved me. I can’t be the only one who’s been put at ease, though.)

(We may not be in the same unit anymore.)

(But I was Valkyrie too. It’s not like the days we spent together were nothing but pain and despair.)

(I owe them for letting me spend those happy days with them… And I still haven’t repaid them yet. So Oshi-san, Mika-chin, please just let me say this one thing.)

Ngah? I uh, I think I hear some footsteps or somethin’…?

It’s Nito. Run, Kagehira. Hurry up!

Huh? Why’re we runnin’ away? Wai—Don’t pull on me, Oshi-saaan?!

I have not yet accepted that Nito has left Valkyrie. If I see his face, I’ll just end up flinging insults at him.

And should Nito hear such abuse, he would be hurt. And I could not bear to hurt my precious, precious doll!

Do you understand now, Kagehira? Or are you too dim-witted for that?

Uhhh… Well naw, I dunno what you’re thinkin’ at all, Oshi-san—now or ever.

But yanno. I’d follow you into hell, so ♪

You really are such a strange person…

Damn it all! Nito is far too quick on his feet! He’s catching up to us; we’ll have to run as fast as we can! Pick up the pace, Kagehira!

Huhhh? Ain’tcha tired from havin’ your first live in a long time, Oshi-saaaaan?

Valkyrie…!

Why so distant, Nito? Just what is with you—Can’t you see we have no business here?!

I know! But I should at least mind my manners ♪

Thank you for battling against us today! Thank you for standing on stage with us!

And thank you… for giving me your kind advice.

Thank you, Valkyrie!

I’m going to become happy! With those kids! I know you can’t forgive me, but I’m going to finally be happy!

So… I know it’s difficult for you right now, Oshi-san, Mika-chin—But please, be happy too!

I’m not asking you to forgive me, I’m not asking you to make up with me! I don’t deserve that kind of thing anymore.

But even so, I still want you to smile and laugh…!

Hmph. Is that all you wanted to say? Honestly, you’ve become so thoroughly human!

You are so lovely, and yet you’re out of breath and covered in sweat… Oh, how deplorable!

It makes me laugh! Very well then—I shall smile! As I mock you for your unsightly appearance! Kakaka ♪

Yeah, that’s just fine for right now! You’re more beautiful when you smile too, Oshi-san ♪

Y–you impertinent little… Just where did I go wrong in sewing up this doll?

But you’re right, Nazuna-nii’s way cuter when he’s all smiley…

It’s a real shame we can’t see it from up close. But yeah, we’ll do our best to smile an’ laugh just like real humans too~ ♪

Don’t go deciding that on your own, you good-for-nothing. Though I suppose I don’t have any particular objections to that.

…Really, are we not even allowed to leave with grace? Just who made Yumenosaki Academy this way?

Ohh, how odious, how loathesome… What angers me the most is that you’ll be showing off that lovely smile of yours to those philistines!

If I could, I’d keep you in a museum for all eternity!

No way—I’d suffocate if I was locked in a showcase forever ♪

So I’ll live in this world, breathing in and out like every other human! And I’ll keep smiling from here on out ♪

That’s all I wanted to say! So? How was it?

I didn’t even stumble over my words at all this time! I really am turning into a human being, aren’t I? Ahahahaha… ☆