Volume 6 Chapter 18 Mayuzumi Shintaro, My Her
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Volunteer Exchange Learning with St. Claris.
Just a year ago, I could hardly imagine participating in events like this.
”Shirogane…”
I watch Shirogane interact with the children at the center of the entrance and a smile spreads across my face. Whenever and wherever, Shirogane is always at the center of everyone. Masked Driver Heaven’s Sword, Shirogane asked if I wanted to observe the filming, so I became interested in the actor Shirogane and accepted the invitation. The performance I saw from Shirogane is still etched in my mind. So when Director Hongo asked me to become a Driver, I thought that if I played the same role as Shirogane, maybe I could become a dazzling presence like Shirogane. But reality is not that simple.
”Yes, cut! Mayuzumi-kun, you’re improving than before.”
Although Director Hongo said that, I know best that I’m not doing well. Comparing myself to Shirogane is futile, but even compared to Tenga-senpai and Nekoyama, who started at the same time, my acting is clearly lacking. Not to mention, I stumble over lines when I panic, which is a problem even before the acting. In any case, the lines will be re-recorded later, so that’s not an issue, but still, my acting is hopeless.
”Huff… How can I become like Shirogane?”
During a break in filming, in the restroom, I muttered to myself as I looked at my wet face reflected in the mirror. The more I struggle even after putting in effort, the more I realize Shirogane’s greatness. The wall in front of me keeps getting higher, and I felt like it was saying I could never become like Shirogane.
”Yuu-chan, Kenzaki-kun is here. Don’t you want to go?”
I’m startled by the voice of a nurse nearby, bringing me back to reality.
”It’s okay…”
When I turn around, a girl in a wheelchair is sitting a bit away from where Shirogane is. I slowly approach the girl.
”What’s wrong…?”
There are shy girls among girls. Although she wants to join the circle like everyone else, if she’s just hesitating, I want to help her somehow.
”Ah… Mayuzumi-kun.”
The nurse who noticed me quietly spoke to me in a small voice.
”Well… actually. Yuu-chan injured her leg and had surgery… She’s probably feeling down because she’s scared of tomorrow’s walking training. I was wondering if you could play with her and distract her… Is that okay?”
”Yes, if she’s okay with it.”
As I approach Yuu-chan, I fold my knees and meet her gaze, just like Shirogane used to do. Yuu-chan looks at my face and reacts slightly with a twitch and a tense expression.
”How about drawing a picture with me?”
”Uh… yeah…”
I receive a sheet of drawing paper from the nurse and sit next to Yuu-chan, placing the paper in front of her.
”Now, let’s draw about something you like!”
Well, what does she like…?
”Do you have something you like, Yuu-chan?”
”…Yeah”
With crayons in her hand, Yuu-chan slowly starts drawing. I hold the sketchbook still, find the crayon color she’ll use next, and hand it to her.
”…I’m done.”
”Will you show it to me?”
”…Yeah”
Filling the paper is an image of Yuu-chan running under the sun. I heard a little from the nurse earlier – Yuu-chan was involved in a traffic accident caused by a man. She injured her leg and had to undergo surgery. Moreover, the man didn’t have a license and even after causing the accident, he was shouting at this little child. That’s why Yuu-chan didn’t join Shirogane’s circle and even showed an apprehensive expression towards me at first.
”Yuu-chan, your drawing is really good. Do you like running?”
”Yes…”
Yuu-chan showed a slightly embarrassed expression, as if she had opened up to me a little.
”Yuu likes running… Mom took me to a race for adult sisters before, and since then, I’ve liked running. So someday, I want to become a runner too.”
”I see… Yuu-chan, you actually have something you’re passionate about. I envy that.”
”What about you, Onii-san?”
Yuu-chan’s innocent question struck a chord in my heart. It all started with the lyrics job I took up with Shirogane’s help, then came the filming for Masked Driver, the random appearances in live shows and music programs. I started all of these things because I wanted to become like Shirogane.
But did my own will truly lie there? They were all enjoyable, that’s for sure, but I lacked the confidence to say I excelled at any of them. Unable to answer Yuu-chan’s question, I hung my head low. Just then, a nurse approached Yuu-chan.
”Sorry, Yuu-chan, can I talk to you for a moment? About the walking training tomorrow…”
”It’s fine! Yuu can’t walk anyway. I failed even the other day!”
Yuu-chan pressed a button on her electric wheelchair and moved away on her own. I stood up to stop her, but I couldn’t hold her back. I wondered if I had the right to do so, given that I couldn’t answer her question.
”Is something wrong?”
Shirogane, noticing the change, approached me. Truly, Shirogane had a knack for sensing these moments. I always thought that, and he proved it now. Surely, Shirogane could help Yuu-chan turn her perspective around, unlike me.
”Please, Shirogane… Can you encourage Yuu-chan?”
I bowed my head to Shirogane. It might be uncool, but I believed it was the best response from me. To my surprise, Shirogane said unexpected words.
”No way!”
”Huh?”
I was taken aback by Shirogane’s words. Our eyes met.
”Mayuzumi, are… Are you really okay with that?”
Shirogane’s words lifted the lid off my heart, and my unpleasant feelings overflowed.
”!! I-it’s obvious I don’t want to. But I’m not a hero like Shirogane Aqua! I can’t be like Shirogane Aqua!!”
I raised my voice, drawing the attention of those around us. Yet, Shirogane’s voice raised even louder.
”Why do you have to be me? You’re not Shirogane Aqua! You’re Mayuzumi Shintaro!!”
”That’s why Mayuzumi Shintaro can’t save anyone!!”
I felt pathetic even saying it. But it was the truth. Shirogane Aqua could make so many kids smile, and yet I couldn’t even make one small girl smile. I was confronted with a reality that I didn’t want to face.
”That’s not true at all!!”
I stepped back at Shirogane’s resounding voice.
”Mayuzumi, you might not realize it, but I know your—Mayuzumi Shintaro’s good qualities so well!! You’re always observant of others… You’re kind. More than anything, your courage and positivity to challenge new things encouraged me. I saw it up close more than anyone, and it made me want to try harder!”
Shirogane grabbed both my arms and shook me. His words were sincere, without lies or deceit. His words were like a collision of hearts, straightforward and unfiltered.
”I decided to become an idol in this world, and I decided to take on challenges because you supported me. If you think you can’t do anything, you’re lying. You’re already saving me, Shirogane Aqua, more than you know! Listen, Mayuzumi! If I’m your hero, then you’re my hero!!”
Could it be that I’m Shirogane Aqua’s hero?
”So… Aim to be a hero unique to you!! Not Shirogane Aqua, but a hero that can only be Mayuzumi Shintaro’s!”
Not Shirogane Aqua. A hero that can only be Mayuzumi Shintaro’s. Those words deeply shook my emotions.
”Go, Mayuzumi… No, Shintaro! Giving that girl courage isn’t my job. Let alone anyone else’s. Mayuzumi Shintaro! That girl is waiting for you, not me!!”
Shirogane extended his fist towards me. His arm was muscular, completely different from my scrawny arms. It was the fist of a reliable man. The fist of the man I admired and wanted to be. But maybe relying on this fist wasn’t just about muscles. I sensed something fervent beneath Shirogane’s fist. And now, I realized that I had always, always… only seen its surface.
I raised both hands and firmly slapped my own cheeks to psych myself up. My cheeks stung, but that pain fueled my determination, and there was no more hesitation.
”I’m sorry, Shirogane… No, Aqua. I’m awake now. I am… I’m not Shirogane Aqua, I’m aiming to be a hero that can only be me, Mayuzumi Shintaro!”
”Yeah!”
I bumped fists with Shirogane, then attempted to follow after Yuu-chan, who had already left the entrance. But I wasn’t sure which direction Yuu-chan went after leaving the entrance.
I left so energetically, yet it still didn’t seem cool… But that can’t be helped. That’s just who I am. As I thought about this, I found Nekoyama, who had leaned against the corner of the hallway.
”Look, over there.”
When Nekoyama pointed, a door leading to a spacious balcony outside was open.
”Nekoyama… you”
”Shintaro, from now on, call me by my name too, alright?”
Nekoyama said that a little bashfully. It seems he had witnessed our earlier exchange.
I bumped fists with Nekoyama as well.
”Thank you! I’m going!”
”Yeah!”
I thanked Nekoyama and headed towards the balcony where Yuu-chan was waiting. As I stepped onto the balcony, I quickly spotted Yuu-chan. I slowly made my way in the direction she was in. When she noticed me, Yuu-chan turned to face me.
”Onii-san… you know, when Yuu was playing tag with everyone in the park, a big car crashed into the park and hit her.”
My brow furrowed at Yuu-chan’s words. It must have hurt. It must have been tough. I think it was a kind of pain I couldn’t even imagine. It frustrated me that I couldn’t understand that pain.
”Yuu was in so much pain, and cried a lot. Then the man who was driving the car came out and said it was my fault, that I was at fault for running in the park. Hey, Onii-san… Does Yuu-chan maybe not need to walk like this?”
My throat felt hot.
”That’s not true at all!! I want to see Yuu-chan running! It’s only natural for kids to play in the park! Anyone could make a mistake while driving. But ultimately, that guy, who didn’t even have a license, is 100% at fault for crashing into the park. Yuu-chan, who was just playing normally, isn’t at fault.”
”Really?”
”Yeah, absolutely!”
I approached Yuu-chan slowly.
”I know the walking training is probably tough. I can’t casually tell you to do your best, but still… still, would you give it a shot? Someday, one day, when Yuu-chan can really run, I want to race with you in the park. Like the picture you drew earlier, let’s run together under the sun.”
”Yeah, Yuu-chan wants to race with Onii-san too. But… you know, the other day, during the walking training, when I tried to stand up, I remembered the accident and got scared. I got so scared that I couldn’t stand up!”
Yuu-chan’s words made my chest tighten.
”I see, tomorrow’s walking training is scary, huh… You might be worried about what will happen if you can’t walk, things like that. I don’t have that strong of a heart either, so I kind of understand. But… but listen. You have to gather the courage, or else you’ll probably regret it.”
As if trying to convince Yuu-chan… no, as if trying to convince myself, I make my words. And I made up my mind.
”Yuu-chan, can I ask you something?”
”Y-Yeah… If there’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”
”Could you watch tomorrow morning’s Masked Driver?”
”Driver?”
I nodded.
”I want Yuu-chan to know that if you gather the courage to stand up, you’ll be rewarded. The first step might be scary, but what lies ahead after you take it. So, tomorrow morning’s Masked Driver isn’t Kenzaki Souji. I want you to watch me… Tachibana Zanki’s performance!”
I wanted to make the girls smile. I think I had always regarded Shirogane’s dream as something unrelated to me. But I was shown that it wasn’t the case. I could also make someone smile. At least for now, it’s not Shirogane who will make Yuu-chan smile! It’s no one else, it’s me who will make Yuu-chan smile.
’Mayuzumi-kun, from today, you’re also a Driver!!’
When Director Hongo said that to me, I think I saw it as something unrelated to me.
But now, it’s not like that. I also want to become a real Driver, just like everyone else!!
After making a promise with Yuu-chan, I instinctively ran towards where Aqua and Toa was.
”Aqua, I-I have a favor to ask…!”
When I said that, he nodded in silence.
”Don’t worry, Mayuzumi, I thought you’d say that! Director Hongo said she’ll gather the staff right away. I’ll even kneel down with you.”
”I contacted Tenga-senpai, and President Atori will kneel down with us too. Well, I’ll do it, kneeling down. Also, it seems that the volunteer activity is ending right now, so Sugita-sensei and the hospital staff said we can leave.”
Even without me saying anything, the two of them understood everything. I was trembling with joy at that.
”Is… is it alright?”
”Is it alright or not? Who cares. We’re trying to make girls smile all over the world, and what kind of idol can’t even make one little girl smile in front of them? And besides, haven’t you forgotten? We’re Drivers. Once we play the role, until the moment our lives burn out, we have to be the Drivers everyone admires.”
”Who said that?”
In response to Aqua’s words, Toa returned a puzzled gaze.
”It’s obviously Director Hongo.”
”Hehe, yeah, it makes sense if it’s her. Alright then, I’ll be that way till the end too.”
I nodded in agreement with his words.
”By the way, it’s tomorrow morning, right? I wonder if we’ll make it in time for M-Stage’s studio entry.”
”We have no choice but to make it in time. Well, it’s not us, but Ako-san and the others who will make it happen.”
”Ako-san already gave the okay, and since Director Hongo got excited about it, we have no choice but to do it. Let’s apologize to the staff who prepared for us later.”
The backs of the two walking in front of me looked dazzling. Ah, how reliable they are. I vow that I will also become a Driver that won’t lose to them. And then, I murmured a quiet, “thank you.”
”Did you say something?”
”No, it’s nothing. So let’s go!”
In response to my words, the two of them nodded vigorously.
The exchange between Mayuzumi and Aqua was witnessed by the children, their mothers, Lapis and her friend, and the hospital staff. As for the reactions shown, I’ll leave that to your imagination. Well, I believe it’s mostly within the range of what you might expect.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Volume 6 Chapter 18 Mayuzumi Shintaro, My Her
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Volunteer Exchange Learning with St. Claris.
Just a year ago, I could hardly imagine participating in events like this.
”Shirogane…”
I watch Shirogane interact with the children at the center of the entrance and a smile spreads across my face. Whenever and wherever, Shirogane is always at the center of everyone. Masked Driver Heaven’s Sword, Shirogane asked if I wanted to observe the filming, so I became interested in the actor Shirogane and accepted the invitation. The performance I saw from Shirogane is still etched in my mind. So when Director Hongo asked me to become a Driver, I thought that if I played the same role as Shirogane, maybe I could become a dazzling presence like Shirogane. But reality is not that simple.
”Yes, cut! Mayuzumi-kun, you’re improving than before.”
Although Director Hongo said that, I know best that I’m not doing well. Comparing myself to Shirogane is futile, but even compared to Tenga-senpai and Nekoyama, who started at the same time, my acting is clearly lacking. Not to mention, I stumble over lines when I panic, which is a problem even before the acting. In any case, the lines will be re-recorded later, so that’s not an issue, but still, my acting is hopeless.
”Huff… How can I become like Shirogane?”
During a break in filming, in the restroom, I muttered to myself as I looked at my wet face reflected in the mirror. The more I struggle even after putting in effort, the more I realize Shirogane’s greatness. The wall in front of me keeps getting higher, and I felt like it was saying I could never become like Shirogane.
”Yuu-chan, Kenzaki-kun is here. Don’t you want to go?”
I’m startled by the voice of a nurse nearby, bringing me back to reality.
”It’s okay…”
When I turn around, a girl in a wheelchair is sitting a bit away from where Shirogane is. I slowly approach the girl.
”What’s wrong…?”
There are shy girls among girls. Although she wants to join the circle like everyone else, if she’s just hesitating, I want to help her somehow.
”Ah… Mayuzumi-kun.”
The nurse who noticed me quietly spoke to me in a small voice.
”Well… actually. Yuu-chan injured her leg and had surgery… She’s probably feeling down because she’s scared of tomorrow’s walking training. I was wondering if you could play with her and distract her… Is that okay?”
”Yes, if she’s okay with it.”
As I approach Yuu-chan, I fold my knees and meet her gaze, just like Shirogane used to do. Yuu-chan looks at my face and reacts slightly with a twitch and a tense expression.
”How about drawing a picture with me?”
”Uh… yeah…”
I receive a sheet of drawing paper from the nurse and sit next to Yuu-chan, placing the paper in front of her.
”Now, let’s draw about something you like!”
Well, what does she like…?
”Do you have something you like, Yuu-chan?”
”…Yeah”
With crayons in her hand, Yuu-chan slowly starts drawing. I hold the sketchbook still, find the crayon color she’ll use next, and hand it to her.
”…I’m done.”
”Will you show it to me?”
”…Yeah”
Filling the paper is an image of Yuu-chan running under the sun. I heard a little from the nurse earlier – Yuu-chan was involved in a traffic accident caused by a man. She injured her leg and had to undergo surgery. Moreover, the man didn’t have a license and even after causing the accident, he was shouting at this little child. That’s why Yuu-chan didn’t join Shirogane’s circle and even showed an apprehensive expression towards me at first.
”Yuu-chan, your drawing is really good. Do you like running?”
”Yes…”
Yuu-chan showed a slightly embarrassed expression, as if she had opened up to me a little.
”Yuu likes running… Mom took me to a race for adult sisters before, and since then, I’ve liked running. So someday, I want to become a runner too.”
”I see… Yuu-chan, you actually have something you’re passionate about. I envy that.”
”What about you, Onii-san?”
Yuu-chan’s innocent question struck a chord in my heart. It all started with the lyrics job I took up with Shirogane’s help, then came the filming for Masked Driver, the random appearances in live shows and music programs. I started all of these things because I wanted to become like Shirogane.
But did my own will truly lie there? They were all enjoyable, that’s for sure, but I lacked the confidence to say I excelled at any of them. Unable to answer Yuu-chan’s question, I hung my head low. Just then, a nurse approached Yuu-chan.
”Sorry, Yuu-chan, can I talk to you for a moment? About the walking training tomorrow…”
”It’s fine! Yuu can’t walk anyway. I failed even the other day!”
Yuu-chan pressed a button on her electric wheelchair and moved away on her own. I stood up to stop her, but I couldn’t hold her back. I wondered if I had the right to do so, given that I couldn’t answer her question.
”Is something wrong?”
Shirogane, noticing the change, approached me. Truly, Shirogane had a knack for sensing these moments. I always thought that, and he proved it now. Surely, Shirogane could help Yuu-chan turn her perspective around, unlike me.
”Please, Shirogane… Can you encourage Yuu-chan?”
I bowed my head to Shirogane. It might be uncool, but I believed it was the best response from me. To my surprise, Shirogane said unexpected words.
”No way!”
”Huh?”
I was taken aback by Shirogane’s words. Our eyes met.
”Mayuzumi, are… Are you really okay with that?”
Shirogane’s words lifted the lid off my heart, and my unpleasant feelings overflowed.
”!! I-it’s obvious I don’t want to. But I’m not a hero like Shirogane Aqua! I can’t be like Shirogane Aqua!!”
I raised my voice, drawing the attention of those around us. Yet, Shirogane’s voice raised even louder.
”Why do you have to be me? You’re not Shirogane Aqua! You’re Mayuzumi Shintaro!!”
”That’s why Mayuzumi Shintaro can’t save anyone!!”
I felt pathetic even saying it. But it was the truth. Shirogane Aqua could make so many kids smile, and yet I couldn’t even make one small girl smile. I was confronted with a reality that I didn’t want to face.
”That’s not true at all!!”
I stepped back at Shirogane’s resounding voice.
”Mayuzumi, you might not realize it, but I know your—Mayuzumi Shintaro’s good qualities so well!! You’re always observant of others… You’re kind. More than anything, your courage and positivity to challenge new things encouraged me. I saw it up close more than anyone, and it made me want to try harder!”
Shirogane grabbed both my arms and shook me. His words were sincere, without lies or deceit. His words were like a collision of hearts, straightforward and unfiltered.
”I decided to become an idol in this world, and I decided to take on challenges because you supported me. If you think you can’t do anything, you’re lying. You’re already saving me, Shirogane Aqua, more than you know! Listen, Mayuzumi! If I’m your hero, then you’re my hero!!”
Could it be that I’m Shirogane Aqua’s hero?
”So… Aim to be a hero unique to you!! Not Shirogane Aqua, but a hero that can only be Mayuzumi Shintaro’s!”
Not Shirogane Aqua. A hero that can only be Mayuzumi Shintaro’s. Those words deeply shook my emotions.
”Go, Mayuzumi… No, Shintaro! Giving that girl courage isn’t my job. Let alone anyone else’s. Mayuzumi Shintaro! That girl is waiting for you, not me!!”
Shirogane extended his fist towards me. His arm was muscular, completely different from my scrawny arms. It was the fist of a reliable man. The fist of the man I admired and wanted to be. But maybe relying on this fist wasn’t just about muscles. I sensed something fervent beneath Shirogane’s fist. And now, I realized that I had always, always… only seen its surface.
I raised both hands and firmly slapped my own cheeks to psych myself up. My cheeks stung, but that pain fueled my determination, and there was no more hesitation.
”I’m sorry, Shirogane… No, Aqua. I’m awake now. I am… I’m not Shirogane Aqua, I’m aiming to be a hero that can only be me, Mayuzumi Shintaro!”
”Yeah!”
I bumped fists with Shirogane, then attempted to follow after Yuu-chan, who had already left the entrance. But I wasn’t sure which direction Yuu-chan went after leaving the entrance.
I left so energetically, yet it still didn’t seem cool… But that can’t be helped. That’s just who I am. As I thought about this, I found Nekoyama, who had leaned against the corner of the hallway.
”Look, over there.”
When Nekoyama pointed, a door leading to a spacious balcony outside was open.
”Nekoyama… you”
”Shintaro, from now on, call me by my name too, alright?”
Nekoyama said that a little bashfully. It seems he had witnessed our earlier exchange.
I bumped fists with Nekoyama as well.
”Thank you! I’m going!”
”Yeah!”
I thanked Nekoyama and headed towards the balcony where Yuu-chan was waiting. As I stepped onto the balcony, I quickly spotted Yuu-chan. I slowly made my way in the direction she was in. When she noticed me, Yuu-chan turned to face me.
”Onii-san… you know, when Yuu was playing tag with everyone in the park, a big car crashed into the park and hit her.”
My brow furrowed at Yuu-chan’s words. It must have hurt. It must have been tough. I think it was a kind of pain I couldn’t even imagine. It frustrated me that I couldn’t understand that pain.
”Yuu was in so much pain, and cried a lot. Then the man who was driving the car came out and said it was my fault, that I was at fault for running in the park. Hey, Onii-san… Does Yuu-chan maybe not need to walk like this?”
My throat felt hot.
”That’s not true at all!! I want to see Yuu-chan running! It’s only natural for kids to play in the park! Anyone could make a mistake while driving. But ultimately, that guy, who didn’t even have a license, is 100% at fault for crashing into the park. Yuu-chan, who was just playing normally, isn’t at fault.”
”Really?”
”Yeah, absolutely!”
I approached Yuu-chan slowly.
”I know the walking training is probably tough. I can’t casually tell you to do your best, but still… still, would you give it a shot? Someday, one day, when Yuu-chan can really run, I want to race with you in the park. Like the picture you drew earlier, let’s run together under the sun.”
”Yeah, Yuu-chan wants to race with Onii-san too. But… you know, the other day, during the walking training, when I tried to stand up, I remembered the accident and got scared. I got so scared that I couldn’t stand up!”
Yuu-chan’s words made my chest tighten.
”I see, tomorrow’s walking training is scary, huh… You might be worried about what will happen if you can’t walk, things like that. I don’t have that strong of a heart either, so I kind of understand. But… but listen. You have to gather the courage, or else you’ll probably regret it.”
As if trying to convince Yuu-chan… no, as if trying to convince myself, I make my words. And I made up my mind.
”Yuu-chan, can I ask you something?”
”Y-Yeah… If there’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”
”Could you watch tomorrow morning’s Masked Driver?”
”Driver?”
I nodded.
”I want Yuu-chan to know that if you gather the courage to stand up, you’ll be rewarded. The first step might be scary, but what lies ahead after you take it. So, tomorrow morning’s Masked Driver isn’t Kenzaki Souji. I want you to watch me… Tachibana Zanki’s performance!”
I wanted to make the girls smile. I think I had always regarded Shirogane’s dream as something unrelated to me. But I was shown that it wasn’t the case. I could also make someone smile. At least for now, it’s not Shirogane who will make Yuu-chan smile! It’s no one else, it’s me who will make Yuu-chan smile.
’Mayuzumi-kun, from today, you’re also a Driver!!’
When Director Hongo said that to me, I think I saw it as something unrelated to me.
But now, it’s not like that. I also want to become a real Driver, just like everyone else!!
After making a promise with Yuu-chan, I instinctively ran towards where Aqua and Toa was.
”Aqua, I-I have a favor to ask…!”
When I said that, he nodded in silence.
”Don’t worry, Mayuzumi, I thought you’d say that! Director Hongo said she’ll gather the staff right away. I’ll even kneel down with you.”
”I contacted Tenga-senpai, and President Atori will kneel down with us too. Well, I’ll do it, kneeling down. Also, it seems that the volunteer activity is ending right now, so Sugita-sensei and the hospital staff said we can leave.”
Even without me saying anything, the two of them understood everything. I was trembling with joy at that.
”Is… is it alright?”
”Is it alright or not? Who cares. We’re trying to make girls smile all over the world, and what kind of idol can’t even make one little girl smile in front of them? And besides, haven’t you forgotten? We’re Drivers. Once we play the role, until the moment our lives burn out, we have to be the Drivers everyone admires.”
”Who said that?”
In response to Aqua’s words, Toa returned a puzzled gaze.
”It’s obviously Director Hongo.”
”Hehe, yeah, it makes sense if it’s her. Alright then, I’ll be that way till the end too.”
I nodded in agreement with his words.
”By the way, it’s tomorrow morning, right? I wonder if we’ll make it in time for M-Stage’s studio entry.”
”We have no choice but to make it in time. Well, it’s not us, but Ako-san and the others who will make it happen.”
”Ako-san already gave the okay, and since Director Hongo got excited about it, we have no choice but to do it. Let’s apologize to the staff who prepared for us later.”
The backs of the two walking in front of me looked dazzling. Ah, how reliable they are. I vow that I will also become a Driver that won’t lose to them. And then, I murmured a quiet, “thank you.”
”Did you say something?”
”No, it’s nothing. So let’s go!”
In response to my words, the two of them nodded vigorously.
The exchange between Mayuzumi and Aqua was witnessed by the children, their mothers, Lapis and her friend, and the hospital staff. As for the reactions shown, I’ll leave that to your imagination. Well, I believe it’s mostly within the range of what you might expect.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.