Chapter 3

Recently, I have been observing these sakura ants.

Hmm, if you’re out here in the garden givin’ names to all the little critters and caring for ‘em, I’d say you’re doin’ something pretty refined in your spare time.

Well, I do have the time… My parents have inherited Grandfather’s status, and they’ve been so busy working that they don’t have time to spend with me.

Yeah, that’s what I heard. They’re maintainin’ the status quo set by the previous generation an’ actin’ all self-righteous about it.

Do they really think they can keep on succeedin’ by doin’ everything the same as always? Even though the times are a-changin’?

Ngh, I will not tolerate any criticism toward my parents!

Hmph. I’m sure somewhere deeeep inside you’re thinkin’ the same thing. That’s why you’re tryin’ to clear away your anxieties by doin’ these crazy things—

It is not crazy! This is a noble and lofty experiment!

I am molding the sakura ants in my image in order to make them the supreme rulers of this courtyard. I intend to crown them the kings of this little world we know as the garden.

It will be a worthwhile experiment to refer back to when I eventually rule over the world.

You’re plannin’ on takin’ over the world?

At the very least. I have a duty to protect, nurture, and make prosperous the great tree that is the Suou family.

Hmm, so you’re rootin’ for these here ants ‘cause you see ‘em as your future self. Like “don’t give up! Issa is rooting for you”—You got yourself a cute side, don’tcha Bou?¹

Bou… Well, I suppose it’s better than “Bocchama,” as it sounds less like mockery.

Sure is. ‘Cause I wanna be friends with you.

Huh…?

That’s why I don’t wanna do anything you don’t like.

O–oh, I see. That’s good then—a–a good attitude to have, I mean.

What’re ya stutterin’ for? …So? Did something cool happen when you were playin’ around with the sakura ants?

Y–yes, as I said, I discovered the secret of life.

Look, Oukawa. Sakura ants are small and weak compared to the other creatures which live in the garden.

They are inferior not only to raccoons and birds and the like, but also even to their own kind.

Ooh… They sure are. This red one’s the sakura ant, right? They’re walkin’ around in that little nook like they’re ashamed of themselves.

Yes. For some reason, they move quite slowly, which makes them easy prey for other, larger insects and birds.

However. Luckily, they have a great ally in me.

I have blessed these sakura ants with my protection.

They are weak and fragile creatures, but they have a protector in me, who is like god to them.

And should any enemy try to cause them harm or take away their daily rations, I shall do this to them—Squish ♪

Squish, squish, squish… ♪

Like that! This is how I will smite their enemies and protect them from above!

With me as a powerful ally, the sakura ants shall eventually become the rulers of the garden!

That ain’t gonna work out none too well for ya. If you do that, the garden’s gonna be overrun with ants, and the other gods—the Suous—will spray insecticide around and kill ‘em off.

Ants are ants, after all. Even if they ain’t all that harmful, they’re still gross little creepy-crawlies.

I won’t let that happen! I will protect them!

…Sure, fine. You’re just tryin’ to trick yourself into thinkin’ you’ve accomplished somethin’ to cover up how lonely and neglected ya feel.

Hm? I can’t hear you very well! Speak more clearly, Oukawa!

Sorry. I’ve never much talked to anyone outside my family before.

Fufu, I see. You and I really are very similar, aren’t we?

That’s why I think we can be good friends.

Yeah, that’d be nice…

You kill everything under the sun, ‘cept for the ones you take a liking to. I’m gonna have to work real hard to make sure a cruel person like you don’t start hatin’ me.

Hm? It’s not possible for me to hate you though, Oukawa. We’re of the same blood, the same family, aren’t we?

It’s ‘cause we’re family that we annoy each other sometimes. Just like all the little guys in this garden who get wiped out just ‘cause they’re close by.

If you favor any of the creatures in the garden, Oukawa, then you can protect them as well.

Choose your favorite, and we shall compete to see which of them comes out on top ♪

I’ll pass. Maybe I shouldn’t be the one sayin’ this, but I ain’t interested in toyin’ with lives of others.

I’m not toying with them. This is just another way for me to learn how to become a better leader.

Through the sakura ants, I am learning things that cannot be taught in textbooks.

I’d like to observe this courtyard, this microcosm of society, and learn how to act correctly within it.

Right. Well, you can do whatcha like.

Yes, and I shall. …Thank you, Oukawa.

Huh? What’d I do to get your thanks?

You showed me how to solve the problem I was having.

Yeah? And what problem was that?

It was back when we were at Grandfather’s funeral. You were probably the first person I’d ever met who told me: If I don’t know what death is, what life is—

Then I should actually experience life for myself. And so I took your suggestion and killed the creatures living in the garden.

I won’t go so far as to say that I understand everything about life and death now. Rather, it deepened the mystery even further, though it did lift a weight off my shoulders.

……