Chapter 11

Oshi-saaan ♪

Knock before you come in. I won’t make an exception just because you’re a member of the handicrafts club.

Ngah, sorry. I’m just feelin’ so good, like I’s floatin’—so I just kinda forgot about it.

Hmph. You are in an awfully good mood. I assume, then, that practice with 2wink went smoothly?

Yup! Those kids in 2wink are pretty darn good at pickin’ things up. They learned everything just by watchin’ me dance.

Every time I pointed something out, they got it right away and fixed what they were doin’, so it was real fun teachin’ them.

I didn’t even realize we’d been practicin’ for so long… ♪

Wait a sec, where’s Anzu-chan? Did she go home already?

It got dark before we’d even realized. It looked like she still wanted to stay and help, but I had her go home.

Ohh… Anzu-chan’s a girl an’ all, so it’d be pretty dangerous for her to go walkin’ down the street in the dark all by her lonesome.

Oshi-san, are you stayin’ the night here in the club room? I can go get everything you need if y’are?

No. My family will cause a ruckus were I to sleep here. I’m going home after I’ve finished my design.

Ngah~ You still ain’t done? I know you’re a real stickler for details, Oshi-san, but if you don’t finish soon, it ain’t gonna be ready for the performance, yanno?

…I showed you the design just the other day. No matter how forgetful you are, you ought to remember something that happened within such a short timespan.

Oh yeah, I remember that. But what’s wrong with it?

I asked for your opinion on it, and you offered up nothing. But the truth is quite different, is it not?

…Kagehira, what did you think when you saw the design? Tell me your actual opinions.

Uhh… I dunno what I think, really. ‘Sides, I saw it so long ago I done forgot what it looked like…?

Do you remember it or not? Make up your mind.

You shared your opinions with 2wink today, did you not? If you don’t speak up, your thoughts will never be conveyed.

They were able to understand what you wanted because you spoke your mind—and they worked harder because of it. Am I correct?

Ngah, I mean you’re right, but. But I still think it’s pretty arrogant for me to tell you what I think, Oshi-san.

I am asking for your opinion. And because I’m asking you, you should just say it.

It’s far more rude for you to hold your tongue when I’m asking you to speak.

Y–ya think so? Ngah… I guess in that case, I can say something.

I’s just thinkin’ ‘bout maybe puttin’ a cog motif somewhere around here on the costumes?

Hmph… And would you explain your reasoning for that?

I got the idea from that puzzle box Mikejima-senpai gave me.

Umm, it’s like this, y’see. Ya take out the screw then put back in at the side, turn the screw round and round~ And then y’pop that lid right off.

Lookin’ at how those cogs move reminded me of Valkyrie.

Or nah, 2wink’s like that too, prolly.

I had it on my mind back when we were doin’ lessons, but it’s like if one of them weren’t there, they wouldn’t be able to move right.

And me too: if one of my cogs—that’s you, Oshi-san—If you went missin’ I wouldn’t be able to move at all.

You can move just fine even without me. It’s just that you believe you can’t.

Ngah, I hear what you’re sayin’ but… I can’t agree with that!

If you ain’t here with me, I can’t move at all. ‘Cause I’m a failure who can’t do nothing on my own.

I know I am, but… can’t I at least think of myself as one of the dolls you care so much about, Oshi-san?

Kagehira…

You’re right. You are a failure. A failed piece of work, one that I have no reason to care for.

But I’ve had you on hand for such a long time—It would be a bother to lose one of the parts I’ve grown so accustomed to using. And so you will continue to move as one of the cogs in Valkyrie’s wheel.

Of course, Oshi-saaaan!

Don’t start frolicking around. In any case, your suggestion wasn’t bad; I’ll make use of it.

Ngaaah, really?! I’m glad! It feels like I’m ‘boutta sprout wings on my back and take off~ ♪

Don’t get so worked up about this. You seem to have an abundance of energy after working with 2wink, so quit that racket and come help me make these costumes.

Okie! Whatever you say, Oshi-san!

These’re gonna be as pretty as all the art in that museum—No wait, you’re gonna show everyone that your art’s even more incredible than any of that stuff, Oshi-san ♪