Chapter 12

Sorry, Sora-kun… I made ya go an’ nurse me back to health.

I betcha didn’t wanna break off from the rest of Switch, huh?

HaHa~ ♪ It’s fine, though~? Sora isn’t with his Switch senpais, but he is here with his Ba-barrier senpai!

Ahaha, but Ba-barrier ain’t even active no more…

Lilith’s the only one of them temporary units from Project Saga that’s still doin’ stuff nowadays, right?

Right! Everyone is super, super busy, so we’re all usually focusing on our main units.

Besides, Sora is used to spending time all alone, so he doesn’t get sad when there’s nobody around. It’s a little lonely, but it’s not too bad.

There was a kid like that back in my hometown—An’ I’s like that too.

People who get all crazy if they ain’t around someone all the time are prolly addicted to talkin’.

Like they can’t get enough of the thrill of talkin’ to someone.

But for people like us who weren’t exposed to that as kids, it’s more of an acquired taste, right?

HiHi~ ♪ So Sora and Mika-chan-san are the same?

Maybe we’re not a perfect match, but I think we do got a lot in common… That’s why I can’t help but worry ‘bout you bein’ so far from your senpais.

I’m aaalways lookin’ around for Oshi-san, even when I know he’s out in Paris.

Whenever I wake up and he ain’t there next to me, I get so scared I feel like cryin’.

HuHu~ ♪ Like a baby~?

Don’t tell anybody. If Oshi-san hears, he might feel bad about bein’ overseas.

Throwin’ everything he has into his art overseas is what he’s always really wanted to do.

I don’t want him changin’ up the course of his life just ‘cause I get a little emotional.

Yes, Sora understands. He’s the same way~ Although no one else really gets it.

Shisho~ and Senpai are always trying to do things for Sora. But Sora is okay! He wants them to spend their time doing more worthwhile things.

Sora feels bad that they have to use up all their time and energy on him.

I know whatcha mean… We’re used to bein’ left all by our lonesome, but if we go and tell someone that, they’re gonna start fussin’ over us.

Yes! Saying it out loud won’t make anyone happy, right~?

But we can get strong enough so that no one will worry about us. We can grow up big and strong and show everyone that we’re really okay.

If we don’t hurry and grow up, they’ll never stop trying to protect us~ ♪

Ahaha, you’re right about that. I think it’s high time they stopped actin’ like some dotin’ parents… We ain’t kids, or weak little things that need protectin’.

When’re they gonna get that through their thick heads?

…Well, sayin’ all that while I’m lyin’ down in bed like this ain’t very convincin’ at all.

You can’t help that~ It looks like the SSVRS is too stimulating for people who are sensitive.

When Sora was beta testing it, he couldn’t walk straight for three whole days, you see~?

But he had no problems with the device that was fine-tuned just for Sora…

So Mika-chan-san probably won’t get sick if he uses a device made for him~

Ahaha, this time around I had no say-so in it, so I guess y’all couldn’t really do any tune-ups for me.

Right. Sorry you got sick because of us.

You’re fine. Once I got used to SHINSEKAI, it was mighty fun. It’s been a real special experience for me.

And we’re gonna use this experience to make even more amazing art.

Thanks to y’all, we even got to try our hand at some things we don’t normally do, like game show stuff.

I’ve been into it for a while, but I can’t exactly go pickin’ up jobs like that since Oshi-san hates it.

It’d be nice if Oshi-san starts likin’ it just a bit more now he got to dip his toes into these new waters.

I’m hopin’ all this will widen the extent of our art and add more depth to it—not drag it down.

Oshi-san can turn every single hard feelin’ he has into real beautiful art, so I’m sure he’ll have no problem incorporatin’ variety show stuff too.

Ahaha, how many times are you going to say “Oshi-san” before it’s enough? You’re violating your orders.

You’ve let yourself get too relaxed here. SS has only just begun.

Gwah—! Y’scared the bejesus outta me?! H–how long ya been there, Hidaka Seiya…san?

E–even Sora didn’t realize you were here~?

You’d best not be so overconfident, Harukawa Sora-kun. Your eyes aren’t as all-powerful as everyone thinks they are. A top-grade idol will be able to fool you to no end.

Fufu. In any case, you don’t have to be so formal with me. Feel free to call me Oshisho-sama—Mika-kun ♪

The only shisho I got is Oshi… Onii-chan. What’s up with you anyway? You’re always out here messin’ around with me.¹

It’s a little bit pastime, a little bit practical. Also it’s just fun. But it’s true that I do have high expectations for you, Mika-kun.

You have the potential to become a superidol just like me. Well that is, if I haven’t misunderstood anything.

I’m not actually a good judge of character! The only hit I’ve ever had was my wife, but I’m pretty sure that’s because she found me… ♪

The heck’re you talkin’ ‘bout? Did ya come here just to talk about your love life…?

No, no. Actually, I have a favor to ask of you.

A favor…?

Yes. It’s because of my own carelessness, but the ghosts of the past are about to awaken.

It’s difficult for grown-ups like us to take care of them, so I want you kids to exorcise them with the power of your youth.

Adults have built up far too much experience—They’re liable to misunderstand things. That’s why children are always stronger than us.

Because it’s all of you who will build the future.

If we don’t look after adults, they’ll go extinct in a heartbeat. So it’s pretty irrational to let them keep doing whatever they want, don’t you think?

…?