#the part with the welcome back monologue is nagi talking to himself in the past

[shunin-gumis]

Designs of Happiness - Track A18

L4mps Main Story Translation

Title: As many lights as there are

Characters: Nagi, Toi, Ryui, Daniel, Netaro

Summary: The group finally finds Toi’s brother, Ryui, but he immediately runs away. They chase him all the way up Hachiman-zaka, but… 

Thank you aca @463ce6, myun @/myuntachis and Niri @/Niri_riri for helping me with proofing!

Location: Hakodate - Near the Kanemori Brick Warehouse

Ryui: *panting* Sorry, Toi, but it’s still too soon for us to meet… Please, try and understand… 

Location: Hakodate - Hachiman-zaka

Ryui: ( —The hell is with this steep slope…!)

Ryui: (But, I’m sure I could use that now, even if it’s almost out of juice…!)

Toi: Ani-sama~~!!

Ryui: Khh…!

Nagi: ! He’s running up the slope…!

Daniel: Yikes, I’m out. I’m just gonna walk the rest of the way. 

Momiji: This is… Hachiman-zaka…!

Momiji: There are *wheeze* a total of 19 slopes that connect the bay area to Mount Hakodate…!

Momiji: After the era where a great many fires had plagued the area, the slopes were widened to act as a firebreak, which is why they look like this now…! *wheezing*

Nagi: I…see…!

Momiji: Amongst those slopes *wheeze* the Hachiman-zaka, spanning 300 meters *wheeze* provides an amazing view at the end of *wheeze* the steep slope…! Ugh!

*falls down*

Toi: Ch-Chieeeeeef!

Daniel: Don’t look back, if your flank gives in then it’s all over.

Momiji: *pained wheezing*

Yodaka: Chief, are you alright? You did well getting all the way up here. Don’t worry, I’ll remain by your side until you can catch your breath.

Daniel: You could’ve tried a little harder, y’know! Damn…! 

~~~

Ryui: *panting*

Toi: *panting* P-Please, don’t leave me behind…!

Toi: Ani-sama…!! *coughing* A-Ani-sama…..

Nagi: …… 

Nagi: Toi, hand… 

Toi: …?

*smack*

Nagi: Leave it to me. 

Ryui: Who the hell—? 

Nagi: (I’ve got some confidence when it comes to running. Just catch up with us later.)

Toi: (Nagi-san…!)

Nagi: Alright…!

Ryui: Tch…!

~~~

Momiji: Phew… My sides aren’t dying anymore… Yodaka-san, what’s the situation with Ryui-kun…?

Yodaka: Nagi’s giving chase after receiving the baton from Toi. There’s only one other person with enough energy to catch up to them.

Momiji: D-Daniel-san~~!

~~~

Daniel: Bloody hell, this slope’s killing me… 

Ryui: *panting*

Nagi: *wheezing*

Ryui: (This prick’s sure persistent despite looking like he couldn’t give a shit…!)

Nagi: (Even though we’re practically walking right now, I feel like my heart’s about to explode…!)

Nagi: (There’s only about… 50 centimeters left…!)

Nagi: Stop…!

Ryui: Fuck off…!

Ryui: (If I don’t bring it out now, he’ll really catch up to me…!)

Nagi: !

*Ryui takes out his hoverboard*

Daniel: What the— That’s cheating!

Ryui: (I’m sure it’s got enough juice to get me down the hill!)

Ryui: See ya never…!

Nagi: Urk…!

Ryui: (As if I’ll let you catch me…!)

Momiji: No! He had a hoverboard this whole time! 

Yodaka: Looks like we’ve been outwitted.

Toi: Ani-sama…!

Ryui: (Sorry, Toi.)

Nagi: *wheezing*

Nagi: (Even though he was right there, I still couldn’t catch him…)

Nagi: So that’s… Toi’s family… 

~~~

Location: Hakodate - Mount Hakodate Observatory

Momiji: This is… 

Momiji: (The Hakodate Observatory… The place where you can see the beautiful nightscape of Hakodate… It’s considered amongst the top 3 night views in the world.)

Momiji: (But… No one’s in the mood to appreciate it right now…)

Netaro: Uuuuugh~ My thighs hurt~

Yodaka: Perhaps it’s strange coming from me but, you didn’t run all that much either.

Netaro: Toooiii, Yoda’s being mean to me.

Toi: Oh… yes… 

Momiji: (Toi-kun’s especially upset about letting Ryui-kun get away… Is there anything I can do to cheer him up…?)

Nagi: I’m sorry I couldn’t catch him, even though he was right in front of me… I’ll try harder next time.

Toi: It’s ok, you did more than enough. Thank you for trying, Nagi-san. 

Nagi: …… 

Netaro: Yoda, have a look here. There are cuts on my palm from when I fell down. This is too much… 

Yodaka: You’re right. Make sure you wash it well when we get back to the hotel.

Daniel: Kicking back in a sauna after a good workout sure hits different~ I’m already lookin’ forward to it!

Netaro: If I exercised as well, could I be all bulky as you, Daa?

Daniel: D-Daa…?

Nagi: I guess that’s his nickname for Buchi-san.

Daniel: Pfft, that’s a new one. Well, you can call me whatever.

Momiji: C’mon guys, the view’s great right now! Let’s get up a little closer.

All 4: *in awe*

Yodaka: How beautiful… The sky darkens further every time I close my eyes, and the lights from the town glow just that much brighter in contrast… 

Toi: My chest feels tight… I can’t help but feel lonely… 

Netaro: Aha… at the source of each illumination lies some human activity, does it not?

Nagi: …You’re right.

Nagi: Those moving lights probably belong to people heading home. And the lights beyond those must be from houses that are waiting for them to come back, with a warm meal ready for them…  

Momiji: That’s right. This view is the result of countless little happinesses that you wouldn’t give a second thought to, all gathered in one spot. 

Nagi: …… 

Nagi: (I’m standing somewhere close to the heavens, and looking down on that very same happiness…)

Nagi: (It’s so far away…)

Nagi: (Those lights twinkle far, far away from my reach, just like stars… Where I could never reach them…)

Daniel: …Heh, I’m sure some of those lights belong to some unhappy fellows, too.

Momiji: You just had to ruin the mood, huh. 

Daniel: What’s so great about chasing after happiness? I think it’s much kinder to yourself if you settle with just the right amount of happiness to fit the bill.

Daniel: The world just ain’t built to give everyone exactly what they wish for.

Yodaka: My, how bitter of you… But I suppose I can’t deny it either. People learn how to enjoy themselves and move forward, even if they aren’t happy.

Yodaka: Unlike the unknowable future, past memories are something you can look back upon fondly. 

Toi: …… 

Toi: …You can only say that because you’re satisfied with what you have now. But I… I can’t be happy if I’m not with Ani-sama.

Netaro: How come?

Toi: Because he’s my precious family, of course. 

Netaro: Family, relations of blood, a small group that live their lives together, or perhaps it could refer to a partner as well. To be acknowledged, to be loved, to be wanted… All of these require the presence of an “other” to bear a result. 

Netaro: And yet, when you die, you go alone. No matter how much I read or research on this topic, comprehension eludes me. 

Toi: I-It’s alright if that’s how other people choose to live, but I— I’m sure my brother, too…! 

Momiji: Yeah, there’s as many answers as there are people. 

Nagi: …… 

Momiji: Nagi-kun?

~~~(flashback)

??: “I’m home.”

??: “Welcome home.”

??: “How was your day?”

??: “It was alright. Nothing good, nothing bad either.”

~~~(end flashback)

Momiji: Nagi-kun? Are you okay? You’re spacing out… 

Nagi: I believe—

Nagi: I believe families are supposed to be together, Toi.

Toi: …! Nagi-san!

Nagi: Chief, I have a favor to ask. 

Momiji: Yes?

Nagi: When Ryui comes back, and if we manage to convince him… I’d like him to be a Ward Mayor for Ward 15 along with Toi.

Toi: Huh…?

Yodaka: That’s sudden.

Netaro: I approve! Twin Mayors sounds like a fun concept~

Daniel: You say that, but I don’t see someone who ran for the hills agreeing to this.

Nagi: Sometimes, people are forced to take actions that go against their own wishes. I’m sure. Probably. That’s why— 

Nagi: Even if it requires some brute force, if we tether him with a bond that can’t be broken, I’m sure he’ll have no choice but to return. Then Toi won’t have to be separated from his family anymore. 

Netaro: In other words, meddling.

Yodaka: Now, now, isn’t this fine? I wonder how long it’s been since I involved myself in others’ business. 

Daniel: Well, it’s true the Night Team is short one person. 

Momiji: …Alright, got it. If that’s what the leader of the team wants, I’ll put in a request to Kafka myself. 

Toi: Nagi-san… 

*bell gongs*

Nagi: …… 

Nagi: (The night view really is beautiful. The breeze feels good, and I can’t help but feel reassured knowing I have people beside me.)

Nagi: Chief. I may not be a great leader, but I’ll try my best.

Momiji: ! Me too! 

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