Chapter 1

Hm hmm h~mm ♪

Ah, I’m on cloud nine! It’s always fun to play with your new toys… ☆

Now how do I open this puzzle box?

…Ah! Got it!

Turn the lid around! Take out the screw and screw it back into the side! Then turn it twice to the right, three times to the left, and ahh, what wonders! The lid comes off! What treasures will I find… ♪

Fufu. It’s stuffed full of candy balls. Maaaybe it’s because you need to replenish your sugar levels after thinking so hard about it?

Oooor maybe they just think I’m still a little baby?

Anyhow, it’d be a shame to let the fun end here! So next I’ll solve it with my eyes closed ♪

……

(Hm~ …I can feel your eyes on me, you knooow? But if you want something from me, you have to speak up! So I can just keep ignoring you all I want.)

(But I guess it does bother me when people stare. I’ll just have to call out to you myself… ♪)

Heyyy, you over there! The one hiding from me! Come on over here and play with Mama!

…?!

(Hm~mm, so he’s hiding in the bushes. I only saw a glimpse of him so I cooould be wrong, but I do believe that’s Mika-san?)

……

(Oh, he popped out again. Hahaha! He looks like a stray cat ♪)

(Mika-san seems to be interested in my box. Hmmm, maybe he wants to play with it but can’t bring himself to say it?)

…Ngwah! I’ve been in this position for so long, my muscles sure have gotten stiff!

I’ll go for a run to loosen them up! …Oh! But it’d be bad if I broke this while running around recklessly! I’ll just set it riiight here.

And now I’m in the clear! What a good feeling, it’s like I could run to the moon and back… ♪

(…Ngah~ He’s gone? I dunno how to deal with that guy ‘cause he’s super loud an’ way too friendly-like.)

(He ain’t a bad guy though, so maybe I shouldn’t’ve ignored him.)

(But well…)

This box sure is pretty. Now I got a better look at it, I can see how detailed it is… ♪

I only just happened to see Mikejima-senpai playin’ with it, but maybe takin’ a look-see like this is a li’l creepy?

But you gotta really work up the nerve to talk to Mikejima-senpai…

Rnn~gh… But I’m just so curious about this here box. Maybe I can ask him where he got it when he comes back?

Call me and I shall appear! Da-da-da-da~n ♪

Ngyah?! Mikejima-senpai?! Cut it out! Quit flyin’ me around!

But if I let you go, you might run away, just like a stray cat!

I mean, probably~! Wait a sec, didn’t you come back way too quick?

Yep! I pretended to run off then hid riiight over there.

Even if I’d tried calling out to you, you’d have been too skittish to come out… Sooo I figured if I hid myself it’d lure you out!

I get that, but I’m gonna faaaall! Put me down, I’m scared!!!

Sorry, sorry! Here, you’re on solid ground now.

Ngh, that was awful… My head’s spinnin’ like crazy.

Shall I prostrate myself? I’m sorry, from the bottom of my heart! But more importantly Mika-san, do you like puzzle boxes?

Ngh~… It’s not really me who likes ‘em, but I’s thinkin’ ‘bout getting one for Oshi-san as a present.

In that case, I’ll let you have it! Ohhh, speaking of which—You like candy, right? You can have all the candy inside, too ♪

Ngah, I can’t just take it without payin’ for it! Lately Valkyrie’s been doin’ lotsa DreamFests, so we actually got some decent funds!

I’d rather give Oshi-san something I worked hard to earn the money for… ♪

Yeah, I understand what you mean. But you knooow, it’s hard to buy something that isn’t for sale.

Huh—Really? Didja make this, Mikejima-senpai?

Hahaha! I am pretty good with my hands, but I never could’ve made something like this!

The truth is that this museum I’ve loved since I was a kid is going through renovations.

And they’ve asked me to hold a live event to celebrate their reopening.

The theme of the event is going to be steampunk, and they’ll have things like this puzzle box on display.

Coincidentally, this is a prototype of the event display. The director gave it to me.

Ahaha, Mikejima-senpai, you sure know a lotta folks.

……

…? What’s up, Mikejima-senpai? Ya got a right troubled look on your face there. Is work not goin’ well for ya?

I suppose so. I’m happy they requested this from me, but I don’t have a unit I can entrust this work with. To be honest, I’m kind of in a pickle here.

Huhh~ Shouldn’t you be the one to do it?

It’s not impossible, but I dooon’t really fit the image. So I’d prefer to ask a unit that matches their vision, if possible.

What’s a steampunk-themed event like, anyway?

From what I heard, the museum itself is going to be decked out in a steampunk style to look the part.

It looks like there’ll be a huge variety of things on display, like skeletal models made of tin, and ores and crystals, and of course your favorite, puzzle boxes.

Hmm, steampunk style…?

Wait, Mika-san. I just realized, but doesn’t Valkyrie seem to fit that steampunk image?

Ngah~ You’re right.

Oshi-san collects all kindsa pictures and books to use as a reference for his performances, an’ I think I seen some steampunk stuff in there before…

I see! This is exactly the stroke of luck I was hoping for! How about it, Mika-san? Can I rely on Valkyrie to do this job?

Ehh?! Wh–what d’ya want us to do that for?

Valkyrie’s been aggressively proactive in their activities lately, right? I suppose it depends on your schedule, but is there any other reason why you can’t accept?

Nghh. W–well…

Y’can’t just go askin’ me! Oshi-san’s the only one who can decide, so you gotta ask him.

Then go ask him, Mika-san! I’ll have to talk to the client tomorrow, but I haven’t made aaany decisions yet.

It must be fate that we’ve met through this puzzle box! So I’d appreciate it if you’d lend me your power for this!

Ngah, Why’re ya bowin’ your head~?! Nghhh, but askin’ me ain’t gonna do much good. I’d like to help ya if you’re in trouble.

But who knows what Oshi-san’ll say…

Ngaaah, what do I do, what do I dooo~?