Chapter 11

…Or so I thought.

As I spent time in SHINSEKAI with Kagehira, my mind began to change little by little.

I’m fine to just pursue my art, but I’m not as sure about Kagehira.

He’s much more carefree than I am. He was eager to try out any number of things, and because his mind is so empty, he could absorb everything at tempestuous speeds.

I can’t let him only pursue art.

I began to think that if I kept him in this box, I would just be molding him into a mere imitation of me—a replica.

But it’s not that I want to recreate myself.

I had to reevaluate my position. I wanted an artist, an equal, who could inspire and motivate me to create works of art I could never dream of on my own—

I wanted a companion on my journey, one who can walk the same path as me, but in a different way.

I surprised even myself—I never knew such a thing was possible.

If it is, then I should do it that way! Haven’t I always been searching for a partner who would walk beside me and share my skill, my knowledge, my passion, all while displaying his own style and methods?

For the first time, I understood that.

So. For the longest time, Kagehira has always been looking at me. I think that now I ought to take this opportunity to finally look at Kagehira, too—

To look at the boy who so happily takes things that I don’t understand or can’t accept and fashions them into art.

I’ve been thinking—Isn’t this what I’ve been searching for?

And so I put my all into playing this silly little variety game that I would normally have never spared a glance at.

Naturally, because I’m not acclimated to it, I made plenty of mistakes, and I’m sure I looked unsightly.

But there were times when Kagehira, much more knowledgeable than I about these things, showed me the correct answer—

And even when he didn’t, there was meaning in the two of us discussing why we failed or why we couldn’t perform well.

If Kagehira and I are supporting one another, then we will never break.

We can use our experiences from this, improve everything we have, and take our art to even greater heights.

Just the same as you, Switch, we’ve been experimenting with SHINSEKAI.

So there’s nothing for you to regret, and nothing for you to apologize for, boy.

…You guys are too soft on me.

But of course. It’s because we love you.

Everything worked out exactly as you’d hoped, no? Didn’t you want for us to experience a low-brow, nonartistic sort of job?

That’s why you forced us to play with you in SHINSEKAI. In having us complete those variety-like missions within the game, we were able to gain experience.

Fufu. It’ll probably be hard to exist as a one-trick pony soon enough. Demand will increase for those who can perform across multiple fields like idols can.

Job opportunities for idols are also expanding off the stage. It’s not just live performances anymore.

Ever since the establishment of ES, idols have been trying to go back to their roots.

Back when Yumenosaki took center stage, the idols it produced specialized in performances. It was their biggest selling point, so there was no point in sticking a finger in every pie.

But times have changed. It’s no longer enough to just cling to the stage.

To keep up with the times, we’ve been devising all sorts of plans and experiments, the most obvious example being the SSVRS.

Hmph. It’s just like you to try and help others—to try and help us—when all you ought to be thinking about is your own success and achievements.

That’s what makes Switch so unique—It’s our selling point.

Wanting to walk hand in hand with everyone else is also our most beloved treasure’s—Sora’s wish.

The fundamental goals have not changed: adapt to your environment, improve yourself, and become stronger. This is the survival strategy we’ve devised for this new world that has been overturned by the establishment of ES.