#I translated this myself ahaha I couldn't wait I had to do it

[miss-sternennacht]

[seo-julie]

Natsu Kanna - The Child Mechanical God Ep 2

Characters: Kanna, Makoto, Keito, Kanata Release: 25/7/2024 Proofreading: leen Translation: seo-julie

Season: Spring Location: Seisoukan courtyard

✧

Kanna: Sigh… Senpai, you don't know anything, do you?

This is the latest sleeping device I developed, and I call it “Sleep Peacefully Anywhere-kun”.

Keito: What's with that name? It sounds something like that of an unsuccessful comedian's name.

Makoto: (Hasumi-senpai, your straight man¹ act is prompt and precise… I need to learn a thing or two from you.)

Kanna: The name doesn't matter. It's not like I'm the one naming it. 

Based on the latest ergonomics research, this bed is perfectly constructed so that anyone can get a good night's sleep instantly.

In addition, there is also a function that increases the effectiveness of recovering from fatigue by several dozen times. If you doubt it, would you like to give it a try?

It seems like both of you couldn't sleep, just like me. If you use “Sleepy-kun (abbreviation)”, then you'd be in a dream in no time. 

Makoto: Ah, I might be a little interested.

Hehe. I buy all those latest gadgets even when I'll probably use them only once and then throw them into the closet.

Kanna: As long as there are such curious customers, my job will not disappear.

Makoto: Job? If you're at Seisoukan, doesn't that mean you're an idol as well?

Kanna: For the time being, yes. But my main job is something else.

Kanna: Calling myself an inventor might sound shady, but that’s what I do. 

Makoto: Ah, I think I've heard of it somewhere. I see, you're that "Deus Ex Machina²", aren't you?

Keito: What is with that name? It sounds like a name made up by someone with chuunibyou. 

Makoto: (As expected! Your straight man act is so good, please let me call you master!)

Keito: Why are you looking at me with such sparkling eyes…?

Kanna: I didn't come up with that nickname for myself. "Deus Ex Machina" is not a very promising name. 

Keito: A mechanical god…? Are you actually an ingeniously crafted robot that looks like a human?

Makoto: Ahaha, he does give off that same vibe.

Kanna: …People often said that.

Anyways. Everyone, why don't you try using this bed for a while?

As an apology for causing you both concern, I'll give you two a good night's sleep.

Makoto: Ah, as I said earlier, I'm interested~♪ Do I just lie down here? And sleep peacefully until morning?

Keito: H-hey, wait, Yuuki, don't be so careless now–

Kanna: Alright.

Keito: Woah!?

(W-what? I was suddenly pushed from behind…!?)

Makoto: W-whaa, please don't crash on me, Hasumi-senpai! This bed was probably made to fit only one person!?

Kanna: –Good night, seniors.

Please sleep in peace. This way, you'll forget all the troubles of reality.

Location: Makoto's Dorm

Makoto: ……

(Ah, huh? I, was I sleeping? Was it all just a dream?)

(That was such a strange dream… But, yeah, it had to be a dream. It was so unrealistic.)

(I had a weird conversation with a weird kid under the moonlight. It's a dream, and no matter who you talk to, they'll all say, 'So what?' Such a trivial story.)

Ahaha. I must be having all these unrealistic dreams because I play these games all the time. Stop having weird delusions, I need to face reality–

Keito: Yuuki! Are you there?

Makoto: W-whoa, what a surprise!? H-Hasumi-senpai? Is there anything I can help you with?

Keito: Do you remember what happened last night?

Makoto: Yes?

Keito: I wonder if that was a dream after all… A dream is a dream, my memory is getting hazy and I can't remember much anymore.

Didn't we see a strange machine and child last night? 

Makoto: Um… No but, it was a dream, right? But, huh, did Hasumi-senpai have the same dream as well?

Location: Seisoukan courtyard

Kanna: …

(Sigh~... Looks like by interfering with their cranial nerves, I was able to erase their memories, but it seems like there was something I forgot to subtly erase.)

(Not yet, it's not yet perfect.)

(If the results are lower than what the developer expected, if the product does not perform the desired functions, then it is an utter failure…)

(...Just like me.)

(Commercialization would be difficult. There's still room for improvement.)

Kanata: Hm~m h~m?

Kanna: Is there something troubling you?

Kanata: ? Yes, well, you know, I like taking “cold baths³”. But this, “season” is a bit too cold and I'm afraid I might catch a “cold”–

Kanna: I see. Well then, why don't you try this invention.

This is called, “Kettle that Makes Everything Hot-kun”.

(Humans find things that are alike in only appearance to be ominous.)

(This uncanny feeling… Even so, I too want to overcome it.)

(I'm…)

(Not… a machine.)

Kanata: ? What's wrong~?

Kanna: No… Sorry, it malfunctions sometimes.

Kanna: (As of this moment, not yet.)

(But, I'm sure someday...)

¹ The original word used for this was “tsukkomi”. It's from what I think is a troupe(?) known as boke and tsukkomi. Boke and tsukkomi are loosely equivalent to the roles of "funny man" or "comic" (boke) and "straight man" (tsukkomi) in the comedy duos of western culture. Which is why I have opted to use straight man for the tl. ² Deus ex machina is a Latin calque from Greek ἀπὸ μηχανῆς θεός (apò mēkhanês theós) “god from the machine”. The term was coined from the conventions of ancient Greek theater, where actors who were playing gods were brought on stage using a machine. ³ The original word used was “mizuabi” which literally translates to “bathing in cold water”.

Directory

[queen-dahlia]

𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐯𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧

𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 + 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

🔞🔞🔞

Note: Translation is not 100% accurate. Expect grammatical errors.

// : alternate translation | ⫘⫘ : flashback

It has been a while since I started living in Obsidian, but there is still a lot I don't know about Gilbert.

For example—

Gilbert: "… And then, what did you just say?"

Obsidian nobleman: "I'm... sorry... sir."

Gilbert: "Forget the apology, just say it again… okay?"

(... I didn't know...)

A bullet pierces the wall of the castle.

It passed by a nobleman who had been summoned by Gilbert to make a report,

It was emitted from the pitch-black cane that he usually carried around.

(I knew it wasn't a normal cane because it was strangely heavy, but I didn't realize it was a gun.)

The end of the cane was a cap, and when the cap was removed, the barrel of the gun was revealed.

The handle has been replaced by a trigger, and you can put your finger on it.

Gilbert: "You've got to tell me something soon, I'm not that patient myself."

Obsidian nobleman: "… We have been… illegally exploiting… the collection of… taxes."

Gilbert: "I agree. That's what the report says."

Gilbert: "It looks like you were collecting three times the normal tax and putting a lot of money in your pocket."

Gilbert: "Did you think I couldn't see you just because you're in a rural area? Ahaha, you're so naïve."

Gilbert: "The spies I raised are scattered everywhere. We are constantly doing spot checks."

Gilbert: "You let your guard down, didn't you?"

Obsidian nobleman: "I'm sorry... I'm sorry."

(Obsidian is a land of deceit and corruption... The center seems to be mitigating that, but not the provinces.)

Not all of the vast Obsidian territory is healthy, according to Gilbert,

The further away from the center, the deeper the corruption remains.

(… Gilbert had arranged for weapons to reach all exploited people in anticipation of his death.)

(But now that the Emperor is alive, there is no need for that yet.)

(… This is how Gilbert had to become a "Trampling Beast".)

Gilbert: "That's just it, little rabbit. What's the one thing I hate the most?"

Suddenly, I am asked to speak, and I straighten my back.

Emma: "… Lies."   //   "… A liar."

Gilbert: "Yes, I hate liars. I'll tell you how much I hate it—"

Gilbert changed his bloodlust into a smile, putting strength at his fingertips…

Emma: "Please wait!"

Without hesitation, I grabbed his hand tightly.

Gilbert: "What's wrong?"

Emma: "… The Earl seems to be very sorry for what he did."

Emma: "Isn't it an act of excessive authority to even take a life?"

Gilbert: "You're so naïve. This kind of person who can only think of himself will do the same thing over and over again."

Emma: "Then why not punish him in a way that he won't repeat it?"

Emma: "It's too short-sighted to take life for anything."

Gilbert: "Hmmm...?"

Gilbert's red eye does not smile, and I gasp.

The Emperor has no mercy on me, even though I am his lover.

(I feel like I'm being tested every time.)

Gilbert: "Then will you take responsibility for his rectification?"

Emma: "Rectification…?"

Gilbert: "I'll throw him in jail for a while, and if you reform him during that time, I'll consider letting him live."

Emma: "Please do so!"

(… Maybe he was planning to do this all along.)

Otherwise, he would not have dared to have me, who hates killing people, in his presence.

Lately, Gilbert has been trying to trust me to do things my way.

It may be a convenient interpretation, though,

As a matter of fact, I was glad to see that people were listening to me more than before.

Gilbert: "… I don't like it."

For some reason, however, his neat face is distorted into a grim expression.

Emma: "Gilbert, you suggested..."

Gilbert: "Yes, but I can't believe you would willingly take the opportunity to talk to a man other than me."

Emma: "… I can't talk to anyone when you say that."

Gilbert: "That's a good idea."   //   "That would be nice."

(Not good, not good...)

Emma: "Gilbert, you are different from the rest of them."

Gilbert: "I can say as many words as I want."

(... It's getting troublesome again.)

Gilbert approaches me while ignoring the frightened and trembling nobleman.

He was no longer interested in the Earl, and his target was narrowed down to me.

He lifts his chin and gives me a big smile.

Now that we have been together longer, I know what he wants from me.

(... I don't have a choice. People's lives are at stake.)

I close my eyes in the shame of being in front of others and kiss his cold lips.

Emma: "… I only do this to you, Gilbert."

Gilbert: "Hehe… Well done."

(Ah... the bloodlust has disappeared.)

Gilbert, smiling with satisfaction, kisses me back as well.

He then put his gun away in his cane in front of the nobleman who had been left behind.

Gilbert: "Good for you. She saved your life."

Obsidian nobleman: "… Thank you very much. Thank you."

Gilbert: "Yeah, yeah. Don't ever forget that gratitude, okay? Your life is in the palm of her hand."

(Sometimes… I wonder if Gilbert is threatening me to win over my allies.)

(… You may not like me, but you don't let me be…)

The kind of malice had changed from when I was at Rhodolite, and that was somewhat sad.

Gilbert: "Take him away."

Roderich: "… Yes sir."

Roderich, who had been waiting by the wall, drags the staggering man, gasping for breath, out of the room.

The tension that had dominated the room finally dissipated into a mist.

Emma: "… You can't be that mean."

Gilbert: "It's love, love."

(I feel like I should protest...)

Whenever I see Gilbert looking so happy with just one kiss, I can't say anything.

(... I'm pretty much the same way.)

I cleared my throat and blew away the embarrassment that was clearly out of place.

Emma: "And by the way, that cane... it was a gun."

Gilbert: "Do you want me to make one for you?"

Emma: "No, I don't need it."

Gilbert: "Eh, you're cold..."

Emma: "I don't need a gun, but... like that cane, there's still a lot I don't know about you."

(… And the best example of that is, of course—)

I stare at Gilbert's face.

Although I have lived at Obsidian for a fair amount of time now, I have yet to see beneath Gilbert's eye patch even once.

I wonder if there is a scar under the black eye patch or if there is another reason.

I had avoided asking until now, thinking it might be a topic I shouldn't touch, but Gilbert seemed to see right through my thoughts.

Gilbert: "… Are you curious?"

Emma: "Very..."

Gilbert: "I can tell you."

Emma: "Are you sure?"

(That’s surprisingly easy—)

Gilbert: "However..."

Gilbert hugs my waist and puts a bewitching smile on his lips.

Gilbert: "At night, on the bed...?"

══════════════════

After Walter diagnosed that Gilbert was doing well after the surgery, he began to bring me into his bed more often.

At first it was just light kissing and sleeping, but then the clouds began to lift...

Gilbert: "Well, what do you do when you get in bed?"

Now there are more days when a kiss is not enough to get him to forgive me.

Emma: "… I'm embarrassed every time."   //   "… It's embarrassing every time."

Gilbert: "I just want to see you embarrassed."

(Really, I've never seen anyone as bad as Gilbert.)

Smiling, Gilbert sits on the bed and looks at me.

I wanted to cry at the look that was not going to be turned away at all, but I emptied my mind and dropped my negligee on the floor.

Gilbert shakes his head as I am reduced to a thin piece of cloth.

Apparently, I have to take it all off to get under the eye patch.

Gilbert: "Take it off, or I will take it off anyway, right?"

Emma: "… It might be less embarrassing if you took off your clothes."

Gilbert: "I doubt that."

(…?)

I was beckoned to come closer, and Gilbert stood up and mercilessly stripped me down to my underwear.

(Uwaaa!)

I quickly crouch down on the ground to cover my body.

My whole body was burning because I was not prepared for it.

Gilbert: "You're embarrassed when I undress you."

Emma: "… It was so sudden…"

Emma: "Anyway… Why am I always the only one naked—"

Gilbert: "What, you want to see me naked? No, Little Bunny, you're shameless."

Emma: "Which one of us is the shameless one!?"

Gilbert: "Ahaha, I'm only going to make love to you, okay?"   //   "Ahaha, I'm only naughty for you, okay?"

(… I am not pleased. This is exactly what Gilbert wants.)

Laughing, Gilbert picks me up and rolls me onto the bed.

When I got down on my back and hid my body, his tongue crawled on my back.

Gilbert: "Turn around, Emma."   //   "Look at me, Emma."

Emma: "… I don't want to."

Gilbert: "Then I won't take off my eye patch either."

Emma: ". . . . . ."

Gilbert: "In the first place, if you look that way, you won't be able to see me, right?"

(It's all about the end result…)

I was kissed repeatedly on the back and occasionally bitten sweetly.

The frustration gradually outweighs the embarrassment of being naked.

(… I want to see what's under his eye patch…)

(I want to know the Gilbert I don't know.)

When the rain of kisses stopped, I made up my mind and turned my body up...

Gilbert: "Ah, finally our eyes met."

Emma: ". . . . . ."

He has a beautiful ultramarine eye that I cannot help but admire.

Emma: "… It’s blue…"

Gilbert: "I was born with it. It's my complex."

Emma: "Why? It's so beautiful."

(Red and blue... I've never seen one with such a distinctly different eye color.)

Unlike red, the color of blood that seems to destroy everything, blue is gentle and full of affection.

My impression of Gilbert changed drastically from the right side to the left side.

Emma: "I love it."

Gilbert: "You may love it, but I will never love it."

(If you're going to go that far, there's something traumatic—)

Gilbert: "I mean, don't I look like a baby?"   //   "I mean, don't I look like a child?"   //   "I mean, don't I have a baby face?"

Emma: "…… Huh?"

I just couldn't keep my voice straight.

Emma: "It kind of… makes you look younger when you have both eyes showing…"

Gilbert: "I feel like it's more appropriate for my age if I hide it with an eye patch. I don't know."

(Oh, the reason is more than I thought.)

(… It’s sincere...)

I instantly turned my face away, but it was too late.

Gilbert: "… You smiled just now."

Emma: "N-No… I'm not smiling."

Gilbert: "I hate lies."

Emma: "Ah... nnh—"

Gilbert puts his fingers in between my legs with a look that makes me wonder if he's disapproving or amused.

Emma: "Don't…"

The cold fingers caressed my sensitive spot, and gradually, an obscene sound of whimpering and moaning assaulted my eardrums.

Gilbert: "Oh, I haven't even touched you that much yet—"

Emma: "… I-Is that really the only reason… for the eye patch?"

I forcibly interrupt the words that incite shame and then go further.   //   I forcibly interrupt the words that incite shame, and he goes more deeply. **

Gilbert: "No? There are other reasons, but you don't need to know them."

Gilbert: "Because it's no longer necessary."

(What does that mean—…)

Emma: "Ahh… mmm…"

Fingers penetrate deep into my body, and my hips lift.

I didn't have the time to ask the questions that came to mind.

Gilbert: "Hehe… Since I told you a secret, I deserve something in return."

Emma: "… W-wait—"

Gilbert: "Hey, you're not going to try to run away from me, are you...?"

I tried to escape, but Gilbert was expertly holding me down,

Without a moment to catch my breath, I had no choice but to take the stimulation given to me in stride.

(… I feel like… I'm being trampled…)

Eventually, his cold fingers and the heat in my body assimilate and become one.

No matter how many times I shuddered, he wouldn't let go, and the feeling of wetness was uncomfortable.

(A heat... in my belly...)

When I grabbed the black shirt, saying I couldn't do it anymore, the eyes of different colors responded in different ways.

It is really strange because the red one looks mean and the blue one looks like it is smiling gently.

Gilbert: "By the way, there's a lot more I haven't told you."

Gilbert: "I'm actually writing a book…"

(… Huh.)

Gilbert: "I've been drawing designs for the dress I gave you…"

(Eh…)

Gilbert: "Oh, and then..."

Gilbert suddenly remembers and pulls something shiny out of his pants pocket.

It was an insignia of King Chevalier with a white tiger emblem.

(When did you...!)

Gilbert: "This is terrible."

Gilbert: "I can't believe you have a man like me and yet you have something that belongs to another man."

Emma: "It doesn't mean anything strange!?"

Gilbert: "For you, maybe."

Gilbert: "But it's Chevalier's way of harassing me."

Emma: "I don't think—"

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Chevalier: "There will come a day when you can use it if you want to establish a friendly relationship with Rhodolite."

Chevalier: "… Besides, I want to get revenge for being pushed around by Eyepatch, too."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

(… It might have, it might happen.)

Gilbert: "I'm jealous."

The moment the villain turned up the corner of his mouth with a smirk, my body was penetrated all of a sudden.

Emma: "Ahh—ahhhh…"

Without a shred of gentleness, he roughly gouges the heat out of my stomach.   //   Without a shred of gentleness, he roughly and violently hollows out the heat in my stomach.

My vision flashed, and my breathing became violently erratic.

Gilbert: "All you need to worry about is me…"

Gilbert: "The mere sight of another man makes me want to kill him, okay?"

(… It's more of… a threat than jealousy…)

Gilbert's "like" is dominance.   //   Gilbert's "love" is dominance.

Domination was an expression of his affection, and perhaps that has not changed.

(But... he doesn't take away my freedom, and he respects my heart.)

The occasional contradiction between what he says and what he does is evidence that he is wavering between beast and man.

My nails dig into Gilbert's perilously unstable back.   //   I dig my nails dangerously into Gilbert's back. **

My body heaved more, and I felt a tingle in the pit of my stomach.

(Gilbert now has… a human side as well…)

(So, I—...)

I let go of the violent pleasure with my breath, so much so that it almost took away my sense of consciousness.

Emma: "Just a little bit more... Please trust me."

Emma: "… I will never, ever betray you."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Emma: "… What is this "betrayal" you speak of, Prince Gilbert?"

Gilbert: "Well…"

Gilbert: "That you are no longer you."

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

(I'm… staying me.)

No matter how many more secrets about Gilbert I learn in the future,

I know that his underlying wounded heart is filled with love for others.

Gilbert: "I see..."

A pair of flickering eyes covered my vision, and my lips were sealed.

His lips, which are usually cold, are now so hot that they almost burn.

Gilbert: "I'm troublesome, difficult, and tough, but do your best...?"

The reply was charmingly lost.

(—I wonder if he's aware of that.)

Just as there are things I don't know about Gilbert, there are things he seems unaware of as well.

(Someday, I'd love to teach you.)   //   (Someday, I want to tell you.)

(Why I love you, even if you're mean, even if you threaten me…)

Gilbert, who does evil things to me without seeming to take offense...

He always had sincere love in his eyes——

𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿:

To my beloved Little Bunny   //   To my darling little rabbit

I thought it was a good idea to lock up the little rabbit, but I guess not. I need to think of other ways to love you… If you have any good ideas, could you write me a letter? I will seek a compromise with your input as well.

Come to think of it, there's been a lot of talk about letters since I came to Obsidian. Before, I couldn't write anything without a question from you, but now it seems that's not the case. I have so much I want to tell you and share with you. I wonder... I haven't wanted to write a letter to someone like this since I was a child.

I used to love to write letters. Since I am frail and have spent most of my life in bed, letters are the only thing that connect me to the outside world. There were also a few friends who I never met face-to-face, only through our exchange of letters… My brothers, mother, and friends all taught me so much, and it was something I looked forward to every day.

I stopped doing any of those things when I became a beast… Hey, Emma. Write to me when you have time again. I'll keep writing to you too.

Oh, and by the way, you have no right to refuse this. Write a letter, or be forced to write one. You have a choice between those two options...?

Gilbert von Obsidian

[cainluvr69]

"A World Brimming With Friends" Cain SSR Card Story - The Goal: Pull-Apart Bread!

translated not by me, but by sheeprave, another member of the translation group i'm part of!

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain: Come along then, my fair Purin. To commemorate us meeting again, eat all you like.

Purin: Wowie~! Look at all these tasty treats!

Cookies with a buttery scent, elegantly garnished chocolate, cake with generous amounts of whipped cream… The dining room table was laden with the treats Cain had bought.

Purin: Cain, thank you for bringing so much!

Cain: You're very welcome.

The pair looked at each other and smiled merrily. Purin, who had become able to use magic, came to visit this world again through some strange miracle.

Cain: I brought all of my most-recommended items. Since you wanted to try this world's sweets, I did my best to oblige.

Purin: Whee, I can't wait to try them. Let me have a smackerel! Zowie~! This chocolate is jam-packed with jam! Yummy!

Akira: That one's really good! I like it a lot myself.

Cain: Go ahead and have some too, Master Sage. There's plenty to go around.

Akira: Thank you!

Purin: Cain, you should eat too♪ Sharing makes it even tastier.

Cain: Thanks. Don't mind if I do.

We hung around the table with treats in hand and enjoyed a lively conversation upon our reunion.

Akira: Ah, these cookies are from that shop in the capital that's always got a line out front! Purin, try it!

Purin: Thanks! Mm, this one's yummy too! I'm so happy that I get to talk with my friends and eat lots of tasty snacks~

Akira: (S-So cute!)

Purin, with his angelic smile, was just so adorable that I kept suggesting more treats.

Purin: Gee, my tummy's full…

Akira: Same here. It was all so good, I couldn't help stuffing my mouth.

After spending a lovely time together, Purin and I rubbed our full bellies.

Cain: How about we head somewhere our fair Purin didn't get to see last time--say, outside the manor or around town?

Purin: Okay! But I ate a bit too much, so I want to rest a little.

Purin patted his round belly and gave Cain an envious look.

Purin: Cain, you ate lots too, but your tummy's not puffy. That's nice.

Cain: Ahaha. My abs are toned by all the drills I do. You wanna feel them?

Purin: Can I? Then just an itty-bitty touch… Golly gee whiz! Cain, your tummy's like pull-apart bread!

Cain: Like bread…? Not quite sure I understand, but thanks for the compliment! [1]

Purin: I want to work out my body and get slim and fit like you. Cain, what kind of exercise do you do? Can I become like you if I do drills too?

Cain: You don't have to be like me. You're plenty wonderful as you are, my fair Purin. But if I had to say… …Okay. Hey, if you don't mind, can we change plans?

[1] TL note: Cain initially misinterprets "pull-apart bread" (ちぎりパン chigiri-pan) as a synonym for "promise" (契り chigiri) . Given the very specific terms and implications, it was impossible to preserve this pun and still have it sound natural.

✦✧☾✧✦

After a short break, Cain brought us to a forest near the manor.

Cain: I do practice drills in this forest a lot. It's well-shaded and has plenty of open space. Perfect for working out, don't you think?

Purin: Uh-huh! The wind feels nice~♪

Cain: How about you try working out a little here today? I'll teach you the stuff I usually do.

Purin: Wowie, are you sure?

Cain: Yeah! I like your squishiness, but if you want to change, then you do you. I'd like to help, if you're okay with that.

Purin: I'll try my bestest! Thank you, Cain!

Cain: You're welcome. How about you, Master Sage?

Akira: I'd be happy to! I want to be shredded too.

Cain: All right! Then all three of us can do it. Although, what parts should we train…? …I know. You complimented my abs earlier. You said they were like pull-apart…pull-apart bread…?

Akira: Um, how do I say it… Pull-apart bread is a kind of food in our world. It's hard to describe it… It's bread that's meant to be torn apart and eaten, so it has furrows that mark each serving. I think what Purin is trying to say is that your abs are furrowed just like that kind of bread.

Purin: Uh-huh! And they looked delicious~♪

Cain: Oh, I see. So, setting a clear goal here, let's try and get you to have abs like that pull-apart bread. Hey, how about we do those Purin Exercises that you taught us before?

Purin: Okey-dokey~ I'm great at Purin Exercises! Want to join us, Mx. Sage?

Akira: Absolutely!

Purin: Purin, Purin~♪ Reach for the sky, then put your hands back at your side~

Purin proudly showed us his Purin Exercises.

Purin: And then you streeech~

Cain: …All right. Both of you, stop moving!

Akira: O-Okay!

Cain: From that position, try leaning over to one side as far as you can do. That should put your abs to work.

Purin: You mean it? Ummm, reach to the side~

Akira: Wow, you're right…! I can feel tension in my abs!

Cain: Ten reps of these on both sides, and that'll count as one set. I'll teach you what you can do alongside the Purin Exercises, just like this. Given the opportunity, I want you to have fun working out.

Purin: Okey-dokey! This'll be bundles of fun~♪

Cain: Glad to hear it! Then next up is…

Purin: 1, 2, 3… 9, 10! I did it! And that's how you do the Purin Exercises!

Cain: Well done! Fair Purin, Master Sage, you both worked hard.

Purin: And if I keep doing these, my tummy might become like pull-apart bread too~♪ Thank you, Cain! I'll teach this adapted version to my friends. But if I keep calling them Purin Exercises, maybe they'll get mixed up with the standard version?

Cain: Hmm. Then how about you add my name to it? It'll be "Purin-Cain Exercises."

Purin: Yippee, that's terrific~! Let's do that!

Akira: (That's a pretty straightforward name… But it suits them both, so it's nice.)

Seeing the two of them in harmonious agreement made my soul feel rejuvenated.

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After I had a great time working out and enjoying the sights with Purin and Cain… We had Purin bring us to Puroland with his magic.

Cain: Now this is magnificent! I'm getting excited just standing here. I almost want to break into dance.

Purin: Eheheh, don't you~♪ I love it here too!

Akira: Huh? I think I can hear the Purin Exercise music coming from over there…

Purin: You're right~! Maybe my friends are dancing to it. I'll start doing the Purin-Cain Exercises we put together with all of them tomorrow!

Cain: Sure! If you do it with people you're close with, you should feel more motivated and entertained.

Purin: Uh-huh! I can't wait to tell them all about it~ But we all worked out a whole bunch today, so I bet you're both hungry now.

Akira: Now that you mention it, yes… despite all the treats we ate before that.

Cain: It's because of all that good exercise. No wonder you're running low.

Purin: Oh goodie, then let's go out and munch together! I'll bring you to my favorite restaurant. They have meat and veggies and dessert too~

Akira: Purin's favorite restaurant…! I'd love to go!

Cain: Yeah, please! I'm really in the mood for meat. They've got it there?

Purin: Of course they do~! Grilled, simmered, steamed, fried, whatever you care to try! There's steak and pasta, salad and ramen, cake… and pudding too!

Akira: They've got a huge selection…! Just listening to you is making my stomach rumble.

Purin: And I can feel my tummy grumble just by talking about it! …Ah, but if I eat again, will my tummy not be like pull-apart bread?

Cain: It'll be fine. Once you've eaten your fill, we can exercise again. You can't deprive yourself long-term. Just work hard and play hard and you'll feel much better. Besides, you can't build muscle without nutrition. Your abs won't be like pull-apart bread then.

Purin: Ohh! Then I'll eat bunches too~ So my tummy will be like pull-apart bread!

It warmed my heart to see Purin cheerily bouncing along and Cain chatting with him, matching his tiny stride.

Purin: I know! Since you hosted me in your world, I'll host you both at the restaurant.

Akira: Thank you, Purin. I can't wait!

Cain: It's deeply appreciated, my fair Purin.

Purin: You can count on me! After we eat lots of tasty things, let's do the Purin-Cain Exercises again.

Cain: Ahaha, that's an extravagant digestive aid. I'm excited for that too.

I followed a few steps behind Purin and Cain. I could see their cheery profiles best from that angle. That day of unceasing mirth, even more mystical and special than usual, wore on jovially.

After the Purin-Cain Exercises Is…

Akira: Hello, Cain. Are you doing your drills?

Cain: Master Sage. I'm done with my drills and was just doing some stretches. And… hup! …Phew.

Akira: Oh, you did that back stretch during the Purin-Cain Exercises too.

Akira: Now that I'm thinking about it, did you invent the moves you added to the exercises?

Cain: No, those are basically practice stretches I did while I was in the knights. I picked the ones that are easy for beginners and can tone their muscles without stressing them. You could feel the effects even with just light stretching and twisting of the body, right?

Akira: Yes! It loosened up parts that I don't usually move, which felt stimulating. And maybe it's just a placebo, but it feels good for digestion. I'm doing it whenever my stomach's full now.

Cain: Oh, wonderful! The most important thing about exercise is to not quit. Keep doing it at a pace that won't wear you out. Let me know when the exercises become easy for you. Then I'll come up with a Purin-Cain Exercises 2 that pushes you a little more.

[otomehoneyybearr]

Act 12

Episode 30: The What-If Future and The Certain Now: Misumi

Working w/ Maybelle Lace, jujumin-translates, Fea

Note: As you read, you will see that some sentences highlighted in a different color, this is what they indicate.

Pink: Flashback

Blue: Characters are acting

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Misumi: Ahaha! Grandpa, this play is interesting!

Hakkaku: Theater is interesting. You should try it sometime too.

Misumi: Hmm, but I can just watch it like this.

Hakkaku: Really?

Misumi: Grandpa...?

Misumi: Huh? Grandpa? Where are you?

Madoka: ...

Misumi: (It's Madoka! Father isn't here right now...)

Misumi: (Let's make a paper airplane!)

Misumi: ...It's all right, it's all right.

Misumi: (I hope this paper airplane reaches Madoka. If that happens, I hope it makes Madoka smile even a little...)

Misumi: ——Hup!

Misumi: ...Huh?

Misumi: (Why? It's not flying at all... Normally it would fly farther...)

Madoka: ...

Misumi: (Ah, Madoka is leaving...)

Misumi: Madoka!

Madoka: Huh?

Misumi: Ah, um, the paper airplanes...

Madoka: ——Sorry.

Misumi: ——Wait! Madoka!

Misumi: Madoka!

Misumi: ...

Misumi: I'm all alone...

Misumi: ——.

Crow: Kaa, kaa!

Misumi: It's okay~. If you find any beautiful triangles, please let me know.

Crow: Kaa!

Madoka: I'm home.

Misumi: Madoka, welcome back~!

Madoka: Woah?!

Misumi: Welcome back home~.

Madoka: Brother, where were you?

Misumi: On the roof! Ehehe, it really calms me down when I hug you.

Madoka: ...Brother?

Misumi: I've been feeling kind of weird.

Madoka: Feeling weird?

Misumi: Maybe I'm just hungry! Would you like to eat onigiri?

Madoka: Sure, but...

Madoka: By the way, I met Masumi at university. He looked very haggard, but is he okay?

Misumi: Oh, it's because he's missing his daily dose of Director. Itaru said so on LIME.

Madoka: I-I see...

Madoka: Oh, my LIME...

Misumi: Who is it?

Madoka: Shift just told me that the time for the next practice has been changed.

Madoka: And then he got a rebuttal from Haruto right away saying he was wrong about the time.

Misumi: Hehe, I'm glad Madoka isn't alone.

Madoka: ...

Misumi: Madoka?

Madoka: Here.

Misumi: Grandpa's triangle...

Madoka: Because you seemed lonely.

Misumi: Feeling lonely...

Izumi: Misumi, why were you living in our dorm?

Misumi: I got nowhere else to go!

Izumi: ...

Manager: Okay, I think it's time to call the cops and—

Izumi: Do you like plays, Misumi?

Manager: WHAT?!

Yuki: Are you nuts?

Tenma: What the hell?

Masumi: You'd really take this guy?

Misumi: Plays? I know 'em.

Izumi: Wanna try acting in one? You can keep your room if you do.

Misumi: Will I get onigiri?

Izumi: Sure, every morning and evening.

Misumi: Then I'm in!

Misumi: Hmm... I wonder why I forgot Gramps' face, though?

Izumi: I'm not sure...

Misumi: I've always thought of Gramps whenever I had a bad day or felt lonely...

Misumi: So I've never, ever forgotten it before.

Izumi: Misumi...

Muku: Maybe it's because you've been having so much fun every day, Misumi.

Izumi: I think Muku has a point. We're all here with you now, too, so you're no longer alone, either.

Misumi: Oh... So because I'm not sad or lonely, I didn't have to think of Gramps as much every day?

Misumi: I wonder if Gramps would be mad at me...?

Tenma: Of course not. He told you to show him the best performance you could with the best friends you have, right? I bet he'd be really happy for you.

Misumi: Mm, yeah. I know he's watching over me right now, too!

Yuki: Did you seriously just call yourself one of the 'best friends' Misumi could have?

Tenma: So what if I did?!

Yuki: Nothing. No need to get so worked up over it.

Kazunari: Tenten's right, Sumi! The Summer Troupe is the best, right?

Misumi: Uh-huh! We're the best!

Misumi: (That's right. This strange feeling is called loneliness.)

Misumi: (Feelings that I didn't understand when I was alone.)

Misumi: (Even when I couldn't talk to Madoka or when Grandpa disappeared, I kept it to myself and pretended not to see it.)

Misumi: (I was just looking for triangles to fill the gaps.)

Misumi: (But when I joined the theater company, met everyone in the Summer Troupe, performed in plays, and made memories, I realized that the gap was filled with precious treasures.)

Hakkaku: "Theater is interesting. You should try it sometime too."

Hakkaku: “If you can find three treasures in life, you will definitely be happy.”

Misumi: (Triangles, acting, and friends— That place is where I found my triangle of happiness.)

Misumi: After that—

Madoka: ?

Misumi: (The place that taught me that it's okay to have a lot of treasures.)

Misumi: (The reason I'm not lonely is because I'm not alone, and the reason I'm not alone is because of MANKAI Company.)

Madoka: ...Do you want to keep holding on to that triangular ruler as a talisman?

Misumi: No, it's okay now. Because there are many important triangulations in my heart.

Madoka: Of course.

Crow: Kaa, kaa!

Misumi: Oh, it's the crow from earlier! I found it in a triangular position!

Madoka: What? A crow?

Madoka: ...As usual, my brother has mysterious powers.

Crow: Kaa, kaa!

Misumi: Woah~, a triangle!

Misumi: Thank you for the wonderful triangle~!

Postman: Mr. Ikaruga, here's your mail.

Misumi: Got it~.

Postman: This is addressed to Misumi Ikaruga.

Misumi: Me?

Misumi: It's Sakuya!

Sakuya: "Misumi, how are you doing?"

Sakuya: "Recently, I played with paper airplanes at the park with a girl I became friends with. But it wouldn't fly at all... It was quite difficult.''

Sakuya: "Next time, I want to join Summer Troupe and learn how to make good paper airplanes.''

Sakuya: “Thank you in advance.”

Madoka: A postcard?

Misumi: Yes, from Sakuya.

Madoka: I'm glad you're doing well.

Misumi: Are you better at making paper airplanes now?

Madoka: I don't know... I've never compared them, so I'm not sure.

Misumi: Then, let's start making paper airplanes now! The one that flies the furthest wins!

Madoka: OK. I'll bring some paper.

Misumi: ...Let's definitely have a paper airplane competition together, Sakuya.

Misumi: After that—

Misumi: (From now on, I'll continue to do my best work with my best friends. Watch me, Grandpa.)

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