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shiningwonderland · 11 months ago

Text

Ai Mikaze (All Star)

Translator: Nadie (Twitter: nmoniag)

Proofreader: Raine (Twitter: amagiyas)

Editors: Terry (Twitter: turtlemudge), Mae (Twitter: itoshikimaegirl)

Chapter Five — Monophonic Syndrome

Shortly thereafter, Mikaze-senpai was called to the lab.

I recall the professor’s words from the Ferris wheel incident.

He said that if any kind of problem were to occur within Senpai’s body, a notification would be sent out to the lab.

So I believe that this issue also transmitted a notice to the lab when it occurred.

—Flashback

After singing at the beach, Senpai really didn’t remember a single thing about the incident.

“When I came to, I saw you in front of me with your eyes wide open in shock,” was what he said.

—Flashback End

I don’t believe that this whole incident was an act to prank me, either.

His expression at the time was that of a completely different person.

“I don’t want to feel any emotions anymore!” He’d yelled.

Someone like Senpai, who wishes to understand and feel even just one emotion, couldn't possibly utter such words.

Just remembering it frightens me.

If I go ahead and tell him about what I saw that day, would he change and become like that person again?

That fear holds me captive.

Because of that, I never said a word about the incident to him.

No, I’m so afraid that I can’t tell him.

Senpai headed to the lab, saying, “They called me for maintenance,” without knowing why.

Several days have passed since then, but I still haven't heard from Senpai, nor the lab.

Haruka Nanami: My calls aren't going through either. As I thought, maybe it's something bad.

He was supposed to be filming his movie today, but the agency just informed me that the shoot was canceled due to his poor physical condition.

He's just come to understand the mermaid prince’s feelings and told me that he’ll be able to portray them well. And now this…

Since the filming is halted, I have a lot of time.

While continuing the adjustments on the Song Festival piece, he keeps coming to mind, and I lose my focus…

I decide to go outside for a change of mood.

Haruka Nanami: Hahh…

Natsuki Shinomiya: What’s wrong? I heard you sighing.

Haruka Nanami: Syo-kun, Shinomiya-san!

I turn around and see the two of them standing there with worried expressions.

Syo Kurusu: When you sigh, a little bit of happiness escapes, you know?—Wait, what’s wrong, why the long face?

Syo-kun looks surprised when he sees my expression.

Haruka Nanami: W-was the face I was making that weird?!

“There’s this do-or-die atmosphere hanging in the air…” Syo-kun says with a frown.

I quickly slap my cheeks.

Haruka Nanami: Why are the two of you here? Didn't you have filming to—oh, wait…

Syo-kun and Shinomiya-san were supposed to film the scene with Mikaze-senpai in their roles as his students today…

Syo Kurusu: Since we’re free, we wanted to rehearse the movie scenes together. Ah, by the way, we heard that Ai wasn’t feeling well. Is he alright?

It seems that they are on their way back to the agency to use a lesson room for practice.

Haruka Nanami: About that…

I lower my gaze on impulse.

Natsuki Shinomiya: What’s wrong? Did something happen?

The two of them know about Mikaze-senpai’s condition… About the fact that he is a robot.

These two are probably the only ones I can ask for advice.

They might be able to tell me something if I try confiding in them.

Haruka Nanami: Well…

I lift my face firmly.

We move to another location where we won’t be overheard.

I tell them about the incident that happened at the beach.

As I recount it, the two of them earnestly give me their full attention.

Haruka Nanami: At that time, Senpai, he—Aine, “Aine Kisaragi” was what he said.

Judging by those words and the way he expressed them, I thought they might be a person’s name.

Syo Kurusu: What the hell? You mean that guy took over Ai’s consciousness?

Haruka Nanami: Maybe it’s better to think of “Aine” as a name used by that person to refer to themselves at that time?

The one who spoke wasn’t Senpai, but someone called “Aine”?

Syo Kurusu: Hmm, is that even possible? Then again, a SongRobo in itself is also out of the ordinary…

Syo-kun crosses his arms and sighs.

Natsuki Shinomiya: I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before…

Shinomiya-san places his hand on his chin thoughtfully.

Natsuki Shinomiya: It was… at some set… That’s right! It was on the location at the movie set!

There was some talk about “the appearance of Aine’s phantom…” But I got scared, so I didn’t listen properly…

They said that there was once an idol who disappeared and whose whereabouts are still unknown to this day.

An idol who disappeared…? Aine…? I feel like I’ve heard that story before…

Select the phrase!

思い出せない I don’t remember (+0 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Aine… Hmm, I feel like I heard a similar sounding word somewhere…

It wasn’t like the rumor Shinomiya-san talked about.

I think it was probably from last year…

寿先輩から聞いた I heard it from Kotobuki-senpai (+15 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Kotobuki-senpai…?

As his name leaves my mouth, I clearly remember it.

That was…

美風先輩から聞いた I heard it from Mikaze-senpai (+10 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Aine…

It’s true that Mikaze-senpai said it when he was singing by the sea.

But I feel like I’ve heard of it even before then…

Haruka Nanami: It was Kotobuki-senpai…

That’s right. Since it happened so long ago, I had forgotten.

Kotobuki-senpai mumbled the same word—no, the very same name.

It was in November of last year. While Mikaze-senpai was singing, he listened and mumbled that word. He said “Aine.”

Haruka Nanami: So it was a name…

Afterwards, Kotobuki-senpai mentioned that he had an idol friend who went missing.

So chances are high that Kotobuki-senpai actually knows this person by the name of Aine.

Haruka Nanami: I’ll try to call him… Ah—but I don’t know his number.

The two of them look puzzled as they watch me panic.

Haruka Nanami: U-um, do you happen to know Kotobuki-senpai’s number?

“No, but we might get it by asking Otoya or Tokiya,” Syo-kun declares and takes out his phone.

Meanwhile, Shinomiya-san comments—“If it’s Kotobuki-senpai, then…”—and tells me where he should be right about now.

I arrive at the movie’s filming location and start looking for Kotobuki-senpai.

The shoot for Mikaze-senpai’s scenes is on hold.

But in Kotobuki-senpai's case, his scenes are separate, so his shoot should still be going ahead—that’s what Shinomiya-san concluded.

Reiji Kotobuki: Oh? What’s wrong, Kouhai-chan? If you're looking for Ai-Ai, then he's taking a breaky today~ Didn’t he tell you?

Fortunately, Kotobuki-senpai is on break when I arrive at the studio.

Haruka Nanami: Oh no, today I came for a different matter. Um… Kotobuki-senpai, I'm going to ask something random out of nowhere…

Reiji Kotobuki: Hm? What’s wrong…?

Right, Kotobuki-senpai is alone. I have to ask him now.

Haruka Nanami: Would you be able to tell me the name of the friend you once mentioned last year…?

Reiji Kotobuki: …Why?

Senpai asks in a clearly dubious tone.

Haruka Nanami: That’s… I’m sorry. I can’t tell you the reason, but… but no matter what, I have to know.

I bow and beg him earnestly.

A brief moment passes, and then he sighs.

Reiji Kotobuki: …Aine Kisaragi. “Kisaragi” is written with the kanji for “February”…

He quickly writes the name on the back of the script and shows it to me.

Haruka Nanami: Aine… Kisaragi…

Kotobuki-senpai flips the script face down and crosses his arms.

Reiji Kotobuki: Is that enough? Now… you say that you can’t tell me the reason, but you haven't been dragged into some strange business, have you?

Strange business… My breath catches and I gulp.

Haruka Nanami: No, actually today… I heard a bit of a rumor, and then I remembered what you once told me…

I say, trying not to get Mikaze-senpai mixed up in this conversation.

Reiji Kotobuki: Ah… Could it be the one about the phantom? That’s just mean. I really don’t want them to make a summer ghost story out of it.

Don’t tell me, that’s what you came all the way here for?

Kotobuki-senpai asks that with a bitter smile.

Haruka Nanami: Right… I’m sorry, it was so sudden…

Reiji Kotobuki: My… you are quite the hasty person, it seems. It’s fine! Those kinds of weird rumors don’t bother me.

Haruka Nanami: Is… that so? I’m sorry. As soon as I heard about it, I panicked…

“It’s alright,” he says while waving his hand.

Reiji Kotobuki: Speaking of which, is Ai-Ai alright? It seems that he hasn't come to work for a few days...

Haruka Nanami: Ah, yes, he’s alright. It seems like he’s feeling a bit unwell. It might be that the fatigue after New Year’s suddenly caught up to him.

Reiji Kotobuki: I see. But as long as he has you as his partner, Kouhai-chan, I’m at peace. I’m leaving Ai-Ai in your care.

You might feel lonely waiting for him to come back, but try to give it your best.

Haruka Nanami: Yes, thank you very much!

The break draws to a close as the studio begins to resume preparations for the next take.

Reiji Kotobuki: It’s about time, I guess. Alright, when you see Ai-Ai, can you tell him to take care? I sent him a message as well. I’m counting on you!

Haruka Nanami: …Got it. Um… do your best on the shoot.

He nods and waves his hand lightly, then returns to the shoot.

Aine Kisaragi.

I’m starting to realize that Mikaze-senpai is entangled in quite a mysterious thread.

A few days later, I explain to the other two what I heard from Kotobuki-senpai.

Syo Kurusu: What exactly… does that mean?

Natsuki Shinomiya: An idol who went missing… which means that it wasn’t just a simple rumor.

Haruka Nanami: That’s right. Everything—from the existence of a person named “Aine”, and them being an idol, up to the part about going missing—is true.

Syo Kurusu: So the model was a real person… Hmm, but there's a bunch of mysteries. Let’s try to organize this a little.

Kotobuki-senpai had an idol friend named Aine Kisaragi.

One day, they supposedly went missing, and with that, their existence was erased.

On the other hand, upon the president’s request, the professor built Mikaze-senpai’s prototype and modeled it after his own nephew.

Afterwards, Mikaze-senpai appeared in the entertainment industry as an idol.

Kotobuki-senpai mentioned before that Mikaze-senpai strongly resembles his missing friend.

The professor’s nephew, who became Mikaze-senpai’s model, and then Kotobuki-senpai’s friend who vanished—Aine-san.

Mikaze-senpai’s model was Aine-san—that’s a possible theory.

Mikaze-senpai was in charge of Shinomiya-san and Syo-kun during the Master Course and is now my partner.

And then the other day, a person who was likely Aine-san appeared, and somehow took over Mikaze-senpai’s body…

Syo Kurusu: Hmm… what I want to know is the timing of Aine Kisaragi’s disappearance and Ai’s appearance.

Syo-kun says that as he looks at a piece of paper.

Haruka Nanami: Why is that?

Syo Kurusu: Look, his own nephew went missing, right? Then he casually turns the robot who uses his nephew’s data into an idol… Do you believe that?

Haruka Nanami: You're right, that is strange. Of all things, an identical idol at that. Why would he do that?

It’s as if he really intended to create an alter ego of him.

Natsuki Shinomiya: That’s true… Taking Aine-san’s feelings into consideration, he couldn't have done such a thing.

Syo Kurusu: Yeah. That professor is fishy, but it seems like he holds his nephew dear…

Haruka Nanami: Then Aine-san really is…

I swallow the following words.

There is one thing that isn’t certain so far.

And that is… if Aine-san is still alive.

Haruka Nanami: I don’t want to say it, but… could it be that they're already dead?

Syo Kurusu: …It makes sense to think that, but in that case, why did Ai suddenly call himself Aine Kisaragi?

Haruka Nanami: …It’s frightening, but maybe it’s just his soul that got possessed or something like that…?

A collective shiver runs down our spines.

It feels like we’re getting into forbidden territory here.

Haruka Nanami: Um… maybe we should stop here?

What’s important right now is for Mikaze-senpai to get perfectly well again.

We don’t pursue the topic further.

There's a lot to think about, but it's no use standing still.

Thinking I should do my other work first, I continue working on the background music for the film.

Fortunately, the part that I delivered previously was quite popular and got supplemented into a large portion of the soundtrack.

I find myself thinking that that might also be thanks to Mikaze-senpai’s guidance.

The front doorbell rings.

Haruka Nanami: Hm…? Coming.

I pause my task and go to the entrance.

Ai Mikaze: Ah, um—it’s me…

From the other side of the door, I can hear a familiar voice.

Haruka Nanami: Mikaze-senpai?!

I fling the door open, and there he is.

Ai Mikaze: Whoa—!! You can’t do that! When you open a door, you have to check outside first!

Bending at the waist, Senpai manages to avoid the door.

Haruka Nanami: Ah! I’m sorry—!!

Senpai sighs and gives a wry smile.

Ai Mikaze: Really, that’s just typical of you.

I then invite him into my room.

Ai Mikaze: Have you been well?

Senpai sits down on the sofa, as if to take a short rest.

Haruka Nanami: Yes. More importantly, what about you, Senpai? We’ve all been worried about you!

Ai Mikaze: Sorry. I thought about contacting you, but since that day it's been an endless cycle of inspections and adjustments. But it finally ended yesterday.

Maybe it’s because it’s been hectic lately. It seems like maintenance was needed here, there, and everywhere…

He turns and touches his arm.

Ai Mikaze: I wondered what this sudden maintenance was all about, but thanks to it, that weird fever barely appears now. The professor said it’s fine to return.

Haruka Nanami: Hah… Thank goodness.

Seeing Senpai in his usual state makes me relieved.

Ai Mikaze: However, there is one thing I found out…

Haruka Nanami: Huh?

Ai Mikaze: Apparently, whenever I try to sing your song, an error occurs.

Haruka Nanami: With my song?

Senpai nods.

Ai Mikaze: The professor said that it’s a bug, but we still don’t know the cause. He mentioned that it's a harmful effect caused by my emotions.

We tested it several times, but whenever I’m about to sing it, my consciousness gets cut off.

Those words make me hold my breath.

Haruka Nanami: Is something… blocking you?

Ai Mikaze: When I was in the lab, I even tried singing it secretly during the maintenance. But still…

Haruka Nanami: …It was no good?

Senpai nods silently.

Ai Mikaze: Yes. I just don't understand it at all. I feel like an idiot. No matter how many times I changed the circumstances, it was always the same result. At those times, anomalies always occurred.

Why is it just with the song that you made? It’s so frustrating! ...Maybe I've broken?

Senpai hangs his head.

Ai Mikaze: In this state, I won’t be able to sing for a while. That’s why I have to apologize to you. With that in mind, I came to see you today.

Haruka Nanami: But that—

Ai Mikaze: Sorry…

Even though it has to be more painful for Mikaze-senpai, who can’t sing, he's apologizing to me.

I search for the right words to say.

Select the phrase!

別の曲を…… Another song… (+10 Love)

Haruka Nanami: It’s alright. If the problem lies with that song, I can simply make another one…

Ai Mikaze: No, don’t. That song is good.

He says sharply.

Ai Mikaze: Since it’s the first love song that you made for me. No matter what… I want to sing it.

Haruka Nanami: I understand. In that case, I will work to complete this song until you are able to sing it again, Senpai.

Despite everything, Mikaze-senpai nods happily.

待っています I’ll wait (+15 Love)

Haruka Nanami: I'll wait until you are able to sing it again, Senpai.

Ai Mikaze: But that… What will you do if I can't manage to sing it before the Song Festival?

Haruka Nanami: I’ll think about it when the time comes. However, I want that song to be sung by you, Senpai.

He looks at me for a while, then sighs.

Ai Mikaze: …Okay. Thank you, Haruka. I also want to sing that song.

Haruka Nanami: Right! So please, get well soon!

気にしないでください Don’t worry (+0 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Don't worry. It will fix itself on its own.

Until you can properly sing again, I will work to complete it.

Ai Mikaze: I see… Understood. Thank you.

Senpai then starts asking about the movie and the others.

Just to be safe, he returns home early afterwards.

In the end, he reminds me repeatedly to do my work properly.

So Mikaze-senpai was worried about me the whole time he was staying at the lab…

Moreover, he told me with determination that he wants to sing my song.

Since he can’t move freely, I decide to do his part properly too.

Haruka Nanami: Okay, let’s do this!

Once again, I start composing the song for the Song Festival.

On my way home from work, I decide to go shopping to stretch my legs a bit.

Haruka Nanami: Today’s quite chilly too.

Light snow flickers in the dusk light. I’m wearing the scarf that Senpai gave to me.

Doing so, I'm reminded a little bit of Christmas Day, which warms my heart.

My phone rings.

Haruka Nanami: Hm.… A call.… It’s Syo-kun?

I unexpectedly met Syo-kun on my way to work this morning when he was standing in front of the agency.

He was very delighted when I told him that Mikaze-senpai had returned, but…

Haruka Nanami: Yes, Nanami here.

I was asking myself if something happened. After a few moments, Syo-kun finally speaks.

Syo Kurusu: I tried looking into some things after we talked.… Actually, I heard a story from Kaoru that Aine might be alive.

Kaoru is the name of Syo-kun’s younger twin brother. If I remember correctly, he wanted to become a doctor, so he enrolled in Saotome Academy’s sister school.

Haruka Nanami: From Kaoru-kun? But why did you talk about—

Syo Kurusu: Ah, right. A researcher who Kaoru knows apparently saw a person who looked similar to Aine being carried to the university hospital right after his disappearance.

He says that on the day of the disappearance, a person who was believed to be Aine-san was carried in due to an emergency.

Haruka Nanami: To the hospital…?

Syo Kurusu: According to the witnesses, he was most likely alive. He wasn’t conscious, but he did display vital signs. Also…

Syo-kun hesitates for a moment, then continues speaking.

Syo Kurusu: At that time, the person who was next to Aine and accompanied him was, apparently, the professor…

“Which means.…’” I reach the end of the main road and lower my voice when I ask him.

Haruka Nanami: What you mean to tell me is that Aine-san is alive, and that the professor knows about it?

Syo Kurusu: Yeah, that’d be the case. Though, I don’t know why he still says that his whereabouts are unknown…

According to the rumor, the patient was then brought to the hospital room and vanished right after—even the hospital records disappeared.

Haruka Nanami: This story is unbelievable, like something straight out of a mystery drama…

“Yeah,” I hear Syo-kun say from the other end of the line.

I feel a strange sense of unease.

Haruka Nanami: Um… the thing is… Mikaze-senpai came back, but he ended up losing his ability to sing.

The professor told him that it’s a harmful effect caused by his emotions. He also mentioned that it might be a bug.

Syo-kun stays silent.

Haruka Nanami: Senpai doesn’t know why he suddenly cannot sing, either. He also seems to be quite worried…

Something strange seems to be happening behind the scenes.

Apparently, Syo-kun even found out that Mikaze-senpai is unable to sing.

When he asked Mikaze-senpai about it, he only gave him evasive answers, but…

Syo-kun could tell from that alone that the situation must be bad.

A few moments pass, and then Syo-kun speaks with resolve.

Syo Kurusu: Hey… why don’t we—you, me, and Natsuki—pay the lab a visit and try talking to the professor directly?

Haruka Nanami: ...W-what?! Talk to him directly?

Syo Kurusu: Yeah. I heard this from Kaoru, but that professor seems to be a mysterious figure, even at the university. I can’t trust him either…

Syo-kun says that he gathered this information on his own, and—after considering it from all angles—came to this conclusion.

Haruka Nanami: Nevertheless, doubting the person who calls themselves Senpai’s “guardian” feels kind of bad.

Supposing that he is hiding something—when we go meet him personally, will he really be willing to talk…?

Syo Kurusu: Even so, we know Ai’s secret. I think we could use that as a bargaining tool against him.

If he won’t tell us the truth, we'll dish the dirt on him. When we say it like that, he might let us know something.

It may be a forceful method…

…but when Mikaze-senpai confessed to me that he cannot sing…

…the way he said “I’m sorry” in such a sad tone still echoes in my ears even now.

If, by chance, we happen to find the reason for why Senpai lost his ability to sing, then it might be worth a try.

I've made up my mind.

Haruka Nanami: In that case, I can talk to the professor on my own.

I cannot possibly trouble you and Shinomiya-san with this.

Syo Kurusu: Hey now, Ai might be your partner, but he’s also in charge of our Master Course.

Not helping when there’s trouble makes you less of a man! Natsuki thinks so too!

Syo-kun answers spiritedly, as if to encourage me.

I'm worried about Mikaze-senpai—and those two feel the same.

Haruka Nanami: I understand.

With my answer, I can feel the relief on their end.

Syo Kurusu: Natsuki and I are off tomorrow. Let’s charge in together!

Haruka Nanami: …Alright. Thank you very much.

I grasp my phone tightly and nod with determination.

The next day, we head to the professor’s lab.

We haven’t made an appointment, but they seem to recognize us as the people who share Senpai’s secret.

When we give our names at the reception, they immediately let us through.

The Professor: Yo, all three of you are here. What’s up?

The professor appears with an aloof air and a mug in his hand.

Haruka Nanami: It's been a while.

“Heya.” The professor raises one hand.

He then heads for his desk, moving the scattered documents on the ground aside, and takes a seat on his chair.

Haruka Nanami: We’re sorry for the sudden intrusion. Could we talk for a little while?

Natsuki Shinomiya: We didn’t come here to see Ai-chan today. We came to see you.

The Professor: Me?

The professor makes a puzzled expression.

Syo Kurusu: That’s right. As well as Aine Kisaragi.

He gives us a hard stare.

Haruka Nanami: I left a letter in my dorm room—the fact that Mikaze-senpai is a robot is written inside. If we don’t manage to get back, someone will find it eventually.

The Professor: Oh my. Quite serious today, aren’t we?

Slurp… The professor takes a loud sip from his coffee mug.

Haruka Nanami: We heard from Mikaze-senpai that he cannot sing.

The Professor: It’s rare, but he might have injured his throat. So we did some maintenance, but even so, maybe it didn’t work…

He is feigning innocence—that’s what I think, so I put emphasis on my words.

Haruka Nanami: He said that the only song he cannot sing… is the one that I made.

Do you happen to know the reason for that, Professor?

When I say that and stare at him, the professor narrows his eyes slightly.

Haruka Nanami: We're begging you. Please, tell us the truth. Mikaze-senpai told me that he wants to sing my song.

If there is something I can do, I'll do it. So if there really is something that you're hiding, please tell us.

I say boldly and lower my head.

Syo-kun and Shinomiya-san likewise lower their heads, pleading alongside me.

The professor looks at the three of us and exhales an “Oho.”

The Professor: I see. So it wasn’t a glitch that we just imagined.

Natsuki Shinomiya: What do you… mean…?

The Professor: We let Ai study about emotions and even selected suitable humans for it, but that seems to have backfired.

Strangely, the professor begins to stifle a laugh.

Syo Kurusu: What now! What’s so funny, huh?!

The Professor: I was just thinking that Ai truly has good friends~ No, actually Aine used to have proper friends as well…

Haruka Nanami: Like Kotobuki-senpai, right?

The Professor: You even know that much, huh?

So Kotobuki-senpai’s friend and the professor’s nephew really were the same person…

Syo Kurusu: That and… we heard about a certain rumor. We thought about a lot of things before coming here. Listen, Professor… won’t you tell us?

Aine Kisaragi is still alive somewhere, isn’t that right?

Syo-kun broaches the topic.

The professor thinks for a moment, then sets his cup aside.

The Professor: I see. In any case, it would have only been a matter of time, I think. You guys aren’t kids.

Haruka Nanami: Could you please tell us?

He gets up and takes a few cards from the desk.

The Professor: Let’s have a conversation on equal terms from now on—as fellow adults. Follow me.

With determined steps, the professor reaches for the room’s back door.

Wondering if it’s the emergency exit, the three of us look at each other.

Haruka Nanami: …Where are we going?

The Professor: Let’s go and see Aine.

The professor moves to a separate building where we take an elevator.

He doesn’t say anything to us until we reach our destination… but he takes out the cards that he grabbed earlier.

He inserts the key card into a slot next to the elevator’s level buttons, and selects our destination.

The elevator starts moving. I’m sure it’s moving downwards.

It brings us to a gloomy place.

The professor touches the heel of his sandals, and a small light turns on, lighting the path ahead of us.

We say nothing, looking on silently.

All he says is: “It’s useful, alright?”

We pass through a long corridor. Opening another series of locks, we reach a place that looks like a repository.

A low-frequency buzz can be heard, coming from all directions.

We quickly realize that the persistent noise is being produced by walls of computers, each as tall as an average person.

“It’s like a computer mansion,” Shinomiya-san mumbles.

The Professor: Be careful not to step on that cable over there. It’s quite literally a lifeline.

Haruka Nanami: Ah—okay.

Various cables are stretched out around our feet, all of them leading to one place.

Haruka Nanami: Mikaze-senpai…?

A single person lies inside a transparent case.

Natsuki Shinomiya: He looks just like… Ai-chan…

The Professor: The spitting image, right? He was the model, so that’s a given.

Androgynous and well-balanced features. White skin that looks almost translucent. And…

Haruka Nanami: …Indigo-blue eyes…

The person lies motionless with their eyes open, sightless, looking straight into the air aimlessly.

Syo Kurusu: What… kind of condition is that? With his eyes open like that… he doesn’t look like he’s sleeping.

The Professor: Yes, it’s different. If I had to name it… I’d say he is “closed off.”

This is Aine Kisaragi. My nephew, the idol who vanished.

As well as… the one who is Ai’s limiter.

Haruka Nanami: Limiter?

The Professor: That’s right. Most likely, he is the one blocking Ai from singing your song.

He says that while looking into the eyes of the person in question, lying inside the transparent case.

So far, the details line up with the ones that Syo-kun heard from Kaoru-kun.

They discovered the place at the seashore where Aine-san had collapsed.

When the professor rushed over, Aine-san had already lost consciousness, so they brought him to the university hospital where the professor works.

The Professor: He wasn’t in a serious condition, but no matter what, he just didn’t wake up.

Syo Kurusu: He didn’t wake up…?

“It’s not like he was asleep. From the moment we brought him to the hospital, there was no response at all,” he says.

He didn’t have any external wounds either. They examined his whole body and took all the measurements.

It wasn’t an organic problem. In other words, they couldn’t find any problems with his body in itself.

The Professor: We concluded that he might be closing himself off from the outside world.

Haruka Nanami: He is… closing himself off?

The professor nods silently.

The Professor: Aine was an extraordinary person who was highly sensitive. However, that chipped away his ability to control that sensitivity significantly.

A one-of-a-kind idol.

Great sensitivity is the source of an idol’s charm. But for him, it was agony.

The Professor: Human relations, abuse and slander, conflict and dispute. Additionally, when it comes to work, conditions such as budget and time influence a person too.

When something can be handled easily, we might call it a pain and brush it off.

But for him, each of these things became a burden he couldn’t bear.

“This is what society might call a ‘weak’ person,” the professor adds with a bitter smile.

Natsuki Shinomiya: …

Shinomiya-san lowers his gaze and crouches down, patting the outside of the case holding the body.

The Professor: Additionally, he was entrusted to act in a difficult role at that time. This might have caused quite a few problems.

Even if such circumstances weren't the direct cause, he could have cut off his own emotions in order to protect himself from further shifts in his heart.

That’s what the professor thinks.

Haruka Nanami: But what does that have to do with Mikaze-senpai…?

The Professor: Just at that time, I was researching whether robots could develop emotions.

Haruka Nanami: Was that the research that would lay the foundations for Mikaze-senpai’s existence?

The Professor: Yeah, that’s right. I wanted to save Aine somehow… So I thought of connecting him to Ai.

Syo Kurusu: Connecting... Aine to Ai?!

The Professor: Yeah. Ai would start learning emotions just like a newborn infant. I thought that might let Aine empathize with him.

Natsuki Shinomiya: Is something like that… possible…?

Shinomiya-san’s hand stops patting the case, and he turns around.

A way to make two hearts empathize with one another.

Emotions that awaken in Mikaze-senpai’s heart and the resulting reactions in his body are quantified and sent directly to Aine-san’s brain.

That way, the events that Mikaze-senpai experiences can create empathy.

That’s what it was.

The Professor: That said, the chances of succeeding were next to zero. And yet, miraculously, it was a success.

Then, the president said to make Mikaze-senpai an idol.

Mikaze-senpai started working in an environment similar to Aine-san—in the entertainment industry.

Was that a coincidence? I couldn't tell from the professor’s story.

The Professor: Slowly, I’d make him experience emotions, one step at a time. If possible, I’d let Ai study positive emotions like joy and happiness.

This world isn’t just painful. It’s a place where we can find happiness. If I could make him think that, then…

…wouldn’t Aine wake up? That’s what I believed.

Haruka Nanami: That’s short-sighted…

He speaks of our dear Mikaze-senpai as a tool, so I object.

The Professor: I thought you might see it like that. However, the fact that he was able to meet you all—for Ai, that’s a fortunate thing.

Without you guys, Ai surely would have never gotten to experience things like happiness. Knowing its existence might’ve been the furthest he would have gotten.

Immediately, a long silence follows.

Haruka Nanami: I understand the situation between Mikaze-senpai and Aine-san.

But then… why isn’t Mikaze-senpai able to sing?

I go ahead and ask what worries me the most—at which the professor’s face turns grim.

The Professor: Ai’s emotions grew faster than expected.

Haruka Nanami: …What do you mean?

The Professor: Do you know which emotion Ai recently came to understand?

Haruka Nanami: Wasn’t that…?

I recall Mikaze-senpai’s face.

—Flashback

Haruka Nanami: …Heart fluctuation?

Ai Mikaze: Yeah, I think it was an “emotion” I had never felt before up until that point.

It wasn't exactly happiness or sadness, but rather it seemed to be a mix of many feelings… It was complex and hard to describe.

Right now, I still don’t really know what meaning that heart fluctuation holds.

…The emotion Senpai came to understand for the first time.

Ai Mikaze: Now, I might even understand the feeling of “liking” someone…

The feeling of “liking”?

Ai Mikaze: I think that right now, a feeling like that probably exists even within me.

—Flashback End

Haruka Nanami: …I know. He said it himself.

At last, I answer.

The Professor: Even for us humans, among all of our emotions, affection is something complex and intense.

Once again, the professor looks towards Aine-san inside the case.

The Professor: It entered Ai’s system this year. It was too complex of an emotion for him to cope with, so he became unstable.

Senpai previously complained about fevers. That must have been a part of it.

The Professor: Besides, Aine cannot cut off the emotions he receives through Ai. That’s why Aine resisted.

At the beginning of this month, when we brought Ai back to the lab, I was surprised when I saw it for the first time. It was definitely Aine.

Natsuki Shinomiya: T-then, if we just separate them…

At Shinomiya-san’s remark, the professor shakes his head.

The Professor: …Except for that one thing, everything is going well. The fact that Aine is resisting in itself can be seen as proof that he's waking up.

He then looks at me.

The Professor: I want to let Aine return. Let me keep them connected.

Syo Kurusu: Hey… you mean...!

The Professor: I know that I’m not in a position to say this! I’m also very grateful since you all let Ai grow.

Please… It’s a miracle that these two have aligned so well this time!

The professor cuts Syo-kun off in a serious tone.

The Professor: Human life is limited. If I had to redo the process again from scratch, we‘d run out of time.

I can hear a distressed tone in the professor’s voice and find myself unable to answer.

Haruka Nanami: What will happen to Mikaze-senpai? Will he remain unable to sing like this?

The Professor: If he continues to overload himself with emotions in this state, the worst case could be that his system might crash.

Haruka Nanami: So it’s not just about singing… At some point, we won’t be able to be together at all anymore?

The professor nods.

The Professor: Can you take Ai into consideration and… distance yourself from him?

Syo Kurusu: You… how dare you…!!

Syo-kun is about to grab the professor.

While he’s still holding his hand back, I answer.

Select the phrase!

考えさせてください Please let me think. (+0 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Please let me think about it…

I force the words out.

Taking Mikaze-senpai and Aine-san into consideration, I can’t answer right away.

離れたくない I don’t want to part. (+20 Love)

Haruka Nanami: I… don’t want to separate.

Being parted from Senpai…

Considering my own feelings, it's a complicated thing to do.

I also love Senpai and want to let him sing my songs.

However, I understand the professor’s feelings as a relative and his strong desire to protect Mikaze-senpai.

Unable to utter any further objections, all I do is stand still.

嫌です！ I won’t! (+15 Love)

Haruka Nanami: I don’t want to!

I catch my breath after shouting.

Thinking about Senpai, I don’t have a choice.

I really hate it. Do I really have to distance myself from him?

Unable to think of any other solution, I stand still.

The Professor: Aine, who became the foundation for Ai, was someone who loved songs.

Ai is a robot, but still, at the very least, I believe that that resolve might have crossed over.

You can hate and resent me. I just… don’t want to watch these two suffer while singing anymore.

We can’t do anything but watch the professor as he lowers his gaze.

We stay silent all the way back from the lab to the dorms.

No one expected that things would turn out like this.

Given such circumstances, we can't ask anyone for help.

While at the lab, we figured out that the one who connected Aine-san and Mikaze-senpai was the professor.

We can’t even tell the president about this. There’s a chance that he might try to stop the professor’s plan.

Syo Kurusu: What will you do now?

Haruka Nanami: I don’t know… I think I’ll sleep on it for tonight.

Natsuki Shinomiya: …Good. Will you be alright? Should we stay with you?

Shinomiya-san and Syo-kun look at me with worried expressions.

Haruka Nanami: I’ll be alright. Besides, I want to think about it by myself...

We weren’t allowed to, but perhaps we've opened Pandora’s box.

Syo Kurusu: …I’m sorry.

I shake my head.

It’s not like that. I’m sure we would have regretted not knowing the truth for the rest of our lives.

I mean, Syo-kun and Shinomiya-san came along because all they had in mind was to help Mikaze-senpai.

Haruka Nanami: I’m fine… It’s alright.

With that, I part from them and return back to the dorms.

The next morning was sunny.

Haruka Nanami: Nh…

I returned to my room and thought all night long, but still haven't come to a conclusion.

I blink as the morning sun shines in.

At dawn, I lay down on my bed and fell into a light sleep. In exchange for that, my head now feels horribly blank.

I walk into the living room and drink some water. What an empty living room.

Then, I take a seat on my sofa and space out for what feels like half a day.

Mikaze-senpai’s expression when he looked down regretfully, as he told me that he cannot sing, comes to my mind.

Haruka Nanami: Bad thoughts will only continue to pile up in my head if I continue staying here.

I stand up, gather my materials for composing, and leave the room.

I stop by the agency, take the documents for my next job, and shut myself in the recording room.

A whole day passes. Finally, the drowsiness gets to me and I close my eyes.

For some reason, I feel thankful for the drowsiness that has now come to me naturally.

Ai Mikaze: I was looking for you. So this is where you’ve been.

I open my eyes to his voice.

Haruka Nanami: …Mikaze-senpai?

I face in the direction of that voice, my consciousness still hazy.

Ai Mikaze: Making a prediction and coming to check was the right decision. Ah… were you sleeping?

Haruka Nanami: Yes…

So it was Senpai’s voice. What a relief.

He looks at my scattered work documents and heaves a sigh.

Ai Mikaze: Hahh. Again? You didn’t get any sleep again, am I right? Our bodies are built differently. It’s about time that you finally learn…

A gentle voice sounds from over my head as my vision starts to blur.

Ai Mikaze: If you want to sleep, do it on the sofa over there. Here’s a blanket. You’ll get cold, so put it over your shoulders. Or should we head back together?

Haruka Nanami: …Senpai.

I hear him cleaning up the documents.

Ai Mikaze: What is it? If it’s some excuse for your recklessness, then I won’t hear it.

Haruka Nanami: …I might be the one making you do reckless things.

Senpai stops moving instantly.

Ai Mikaze: You know what it is that is happening with my body?

Haruka Nanami: …

Ai Mikaze: You do know… I can tell. You are bad at telling lies.

Haruka Nanami: But that…

Ai Mikaze: The moment I lost the ability to sing was probably after I sang at the beach.

I also know that Syo was investigating something. That’s why I looked into different things as well. And finally I managed to arrive at one hypothesis.

At the beach… What did you see at that time?

Select the phrase!

何も見てません I didn’t see anything. (+0 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Nothing. I didn’t see anything.

Even if he asks me, I still can’t get rid of my fear. So I’m unable to answer.

......... ... (+15 Love)

Without saying a word, I close my eyes.

I can’t answer.

実は…… Actually…(+20 Love)

I’m about to tell him what I saw, but then hold my tongue.

If I say it, won’t Senpai turn into a different person again?

That fear is still holding me back.

Senpai clings to my shoulders.

Ai Mikaze: It may be better if I don't know. However… I’m scared. What if I stay unable to sing like this forever…

The emotions I've learned should be mine and mine alone. And yet…

Now when I want to feel any emotions, something unfamiliar seems to interfere. Could it be that I’m not allowed to have a heart?

Haruka, please answer me...! If I can’t sing, then I’m no longer myself…

Suddenly I feel something falling on my nape.

Haruka Nanami: … Tears…?

Gently, tears roll down from his eyes.

Aine Kisaragi: Why…? Why do you sing…?

Mikaze-senpai lifts his face.

No. This person is Aine-san.

As Aine-san’s tears roll down, he clutches my arms.

Aine Kisaragi: Even though it’s so difficult and painful… I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared…!

These aren’t my emotions!! I’ve had enough!

Aine-san shouts out.

It’s the fear of feeling unwanted emotions. Still, Mikaze-senpai’s heart keeps growing.

It’s the awakening of concealed emotions and the awakening of yet unknown emotions.

An awakening for each of them, born from the link between those two.

But now they've ironically also brought forth a vicious cycle with them.

Haruka Nanami: I’m sorry… I’m sorry...

I don’t know what to do, so I apologize.

During my countless apologies, I can feel Aine-san’s consciousness fading.

If only the professor could’ve been stopped back then.

Maybe that could have saved them from their pain.

Before I realize it, my tears are already overflowing.

Haruka Nanami: Aine-san…

Mikaze-senpai’s eyes return to normal.

Ai Mikaze: Haruka… Are you crying?

Haruka Nanami: …I’m sorry… Senpai. I really should have told you. What I saw that day was Aine-san.

Ai Mikaze: … Aine…

Haruka Nanami: But… I was also scared. I was told at the lab, and then…

Ai Mikaze: …!!

Senpai gets up and rushes out of the room.

Haruka Nanami: Senpai!!

Chasing after him, I end up running to the lab, where I’m greeted by the professor.

Haruka Nanami: A… disconnection…?

The Professor: Yeah. Ai forcibly broke the link between him and Aine.

In front of me I see a bed, and sleeping on it is Mikaze-senpai.

The Professor: He made me spill everything. About my project and everything up to this point.

The next thing I knew, there was a thud to my side. By the time I realized what was happening, it was already over.

According to the professor, the connection between them was such a miracle that it wasn’t designed to be broken.

The thought was to protect them from natural disasters like earthquakes and fires, but also from theft.

Cutting their connection was an intensive process that, generally, would take about one week of work.

He says that this could be why Senpai forced the disconnection instead.

By tearing out the data cable that linked Senpai with Aine-san, he was able to cut it all off.

The system that connected them was also broken.

Only the cable and system that maintained Aine-san’s life were left unharmed.

He had a clear objective.

When the link was broken, the security system activated. Additionally, the shock of being disconnected caused Senpai to lose consciousness.

When the professor arrived, it was already too late, and Mikaze-senpai had collapsed in front of the transparent case.

Haruka Nanami: Mikaze-senpai…

I call out to him, but there is no answer.

The professor takes a seat on the chair next to the bed.

The Professor: During the disconnection, his emotional system might have sustained damage as well.

When he cut their link, his algorithmic limit on his number of emotions was forcibly exceeded.

It could also be that Aine-san’s and Mikaze-senpai’s consciousnesses were entangled within one body.

Since he didn’t crash, the processing inside Senpai’s body is still ongoing.

That must be the reason why he’s still not waking up. Maybe it’s better to say that they could be in the middle of a long fight. That’s what the professor says.

Haruka Nanami: Is Mikaze-senpai alright? Could the reason why he overloaded result in another…?

The Professor: It was just for a moment, so the process should resolve itself over time. The problem is…

The professor bites down on his lip.

The Professor: In about one month’s time, Ai’s system will most likely reset. That includes his memory.

Haruka Nanami: …What…?

He buries his head in his hands and lets out a deep sigh.

The security system inside Senpai’s body.

Originally, its purpose was to maintain his secret in case of any incidents.

It would activate if his body were exposed to any danger, or in a situation in which people could be considered to be inflicting harm on him, as well as in cases of unauthorized modifications or similar acts to his data.

Senpai personally canceled his connection with Aine-san of his own initiative.

His real form is a supercomputer in the basement.

Because all his large data is stored there, it should take at least a whole month for it to be erased.

Senpai should be able to remember most of what’s happened.

That’s because at first, the less important memories and trivial information will be erased. But eventually…

The Professor: Because of confidentiality concerns, I can’t access anything from the outside as soon as the security system starts working.

I’ll try to do anything I can to find a way of preserving Ai’s memory data, but… the chances are very low.

Of course, I could rebuild the same system again, but its memory and experience will be different… It’ll be a different Ai.

Listening to the professor, my gaze wanders to Mikaze-senpai.

Mikaze-senpai will disappear?

The Professor: I’m sorry.

He mutters those words and swiftly leaves the room.

Time passes, but I'm unable to think of anything. I only watch Senpai as I stand next to his bed.

Ai Mikaze: …Ugh… ahgh…!

Then I hear him exclaim in a quiet voice.

Haruka Nanami: Senpai…

I kneel beside the bed…

Select the phrase!

抱きしめた Hug him (+30 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Senpai, please wake up…

I gently embrace his body.

His body is warm, which makes him feel alive.

But in just one month…

At that moment, his body twitches.

As if trying to envelop his body, I embrace him once more.

名前を呼んだ Call his name (+15 Love)

Haruka Nanami: Senpai… Mikaze-senpai…

I say his name close to his ear.

Haruka Nanami: Senpai… please wake up…

Please, call me by my name again…

Haruka Nanami: …Ai.

His eyelids flutter lightly when I call him.

手を握った Take his hand (+0 Love)

I squeeze Senpai’s hand as he lays on the bed.

There is a scratch on his white and beautiful hand.

He wanted to sing my song, that’s why he went this far…

Thinking this, I squeeze his hand, and Senpai weakly squeezes mine back in response.

I wonder how much time has passed.

I’ve been silently staying by Senpai’s side, so I’m losing my sense of time.

That’s right…

I remember I brought my bag with me, so I look inside.

Inside is Senpai’s solo song for the Song Festival that I’ve been working on by myself. I can let him listen to it now.

I take out my MP3-player with his song on it and place it near his pillow.

Haruka Nanami: I already fixed all the parts you wanted me to rework.

He doesn’t answer.

Haruka Nanami: If you listen to it, you’ll surely want to sing it again.

That’s why you have to listen to it properly… Mikaze-senpai.

I whisper to him and play the song.

SONG: “Winter Blossom” (S Rank)

Ai Mikaze: Haruka…? This song… Are you there…?

Haruka Nanami: Mikaze-senpai!

Senpai slowly opens his eyes.

Ai Mikaze: Ah, I was right. It’s my beloved song. You did well. Thank you, Haruka…

Haruka Nanami: Thank you…!

He touches my hair and smiles gently.

The song ends, and I lock eyes with him.

Haruka Nanami: Senpai… why did you do something like that…?

I start crying.

Ai Mikaze: It’s because I wanted to sing your song.

Haruka Nanami: But by doing so, you…

Ai Mikaze: Right, I know. I was aware of the consequences. But I just couldn’t stay still.

He reaches out for my hand and grasps it, as if to make sure of its warmth.

Haruka Nanami: …I see.

Ai Mikaze: When I cut the connection, I met Aine.

Haruka Nanami: You met him…?

Ai Mikaze: Yeah. Deep at the bottom of my consciousness. He was afraid of waking up. Moreover, he is someone who is full of emotions.

That’s why I told him that he should take good care of them, since they are what I had eagerly longed for.

Lastly, he promised to listen to my singing. I believe when he listens to that song, it will change him somehow.

Haruka Nanami: So, that’s what happened… Thank you for telling me.

Ai Mikaze: I was truly born to sing. Singing was my life’s purpose, and nothing but a means to achieve a goal.

But you know, my will to sing your song is the very first dream of my own. In order to achieve it, I needed a free heart.

Haruka Nanami: Your own dream…

Ai Mikaze: Now, I’m free! From now on, I'm free to feel and think whatever I like.

Finally, I get to live my life as myself.

Still holding my hand, he brings it near his chest and closes his eyes.

Ai Mikaze: I’ll make sure to let you debut. So… will you stay as my partner?

He opens his eyes and looks at me gently.

There’s no more hesitation in his eyes. They are now filled with not just one, but various emotions.

Haruka Nanami: Yes… of course.

Hearing my answer, Senpai hugs me tightly.

Ai Mikaze: Thank you…

He softly whispers in my ear.

Chapter End

#ai mikaze #all star ai #all star

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