⌒Careful⌒ 2

Wataru: (At this point, I hadn’t expected to be asked to join a shuffle unit.)

(And especially for my kouhai to be the ones inviting me!)

(...Fufufu. To have been specifically sought out for this unit is a surprise twist I never could have foreseen.)

(I do have interest in this Easter Fest, and I expected to be part of a shuffle unit at some point.)

(So really, there’s no reason not to accept the invitation.)

???: ...eyy, heyyyy!

Wataru: ? Where is that voice coming from...?

???: Heyyy, Hibiki-senpaaaai! Over here, over here!

Wataru: That’s 2wink’s... Considering how much he’s waving, I can only assume I’m being summoned.

All right, then. One moment, please~!

Hinata: Huh? Is that a hang glider? Is that seriously how you’re getting down from your balloon?!

...But where’s that thing gonna end up? Can you even put hot-air balloons on autopilot?

Wataru: —Don’t stress over trivial details, hm? ♪

Hinata: Whoa?!

Wataru: Call and I shall appear—Amazing! I am your Hibiki Wataru... ☆

Hinata: You sure did! But so quickly...?!

Hang on, could you actually make out what I was saying?

Wataru: Wataru’s ears are straight from hell—or so it goes. Now then, what business did you have with me?^[1]

Hinata: I just happened to spot your balloon in the sky when I left the ES building. I couldn’t help but chase it down.

What’s it like riding in a hot-air balloon, anyway? Can you feel the wind in your hair and stuff?

I did get a taste of it once while we were at school, but it was pretty short so I didn’t get the full experience.^[2]

Wataru: I suppose you could say it’s a quiet, comfortable trip through the skies. The time I spend lying back and gazing at the world from above is truly pleasant.

Hinata: Sounds nice... if I ever want to get my feet off the ground, I’m basically stuck swinging on a trapeze or something. I’m kinda jealous, actually.

I wish I could fly up as high as you and see the view from up there...

Wataru: You yearn for it precisely because you understand the joys of floating in the air. Normal people would never dream to try their hand at the trapeze.

Riding in a hot-air balloon is much easier than balancing on a trapeze, in any case.

Hinata: ...I guess you’re right. I’m always doing acrobatics and stuff, so it just feels familiar to me.

Actually, after I rode in it before, I got kinda interested and looked around for places to try it again.

But apparently, they get canceled all the time because of a change in wind direction or because it’s super windy that day. It’s hard to find an opportunity.

Wataru: Unless there’s hardly any wind, just inflating the balloon can be quite the ordeal. They’re highly vulnerable to wind, you see.

Hinata: Really? I always thought a little wind would be better for it. But obviously you’d know so much since you ride in yours so much!

I hope you’ll teach me tons more things, too. Y’know, since we’re forming a shuffle unit together and all... ♪

Wataru: Ah, so word’s gotten out? I was wondering whether you’d called me down here just for some idle chitchat.

Hinata: It was just for some chitchat. Finding you in the balloon was just a coincidence...

I wanted to start by talking with you about normal, everyday things. Like, to get closer to you and stuff.

Well, I was intending to give you a warm welcome into the shuffle unit eventually, though... ♪

Wataru: You’re quite optimistic, even though I haven’t decided to join just yet.

Hinata: Ahaha, I’m sorry. I’m just a hundred percent convinced that doing this with you is the best way to go...

And besides. I’ve been trying to keep in mind that if you want something, you have to go get it yourself!

Wataru: You’re rather aggressive for someone whose smile is so cute. I can see the determination in your eyes.

...Nevertheless, I still can’t give you a yes. I plan to discuss things with Anzu-san later... ☆

Hinata: Mm, I knew it. I got some texts from Hiiro-kun and Shinobu-kun earlier about it, so I figured.

I’ll just think of it as you edging me to pass the time until you give me that yes.^[3]

Wataru: How passionate of you...

...I’ve caught wind of your activities, but all of you are part of different units.

I don’t know much about how you’ve grown over time, or what you’re capable of now, or anything at all, really.

Whether you are but baby chicks still breaking out of your shells or fully grown birds who have left their nests and stretch their wings into the sky...

Though we may all share the sky, I am the only one to soar so high; it’s quite lonely, you see. Flocks are meant to fly together.

Hinata: ...But we’re not baby birds anymore, you know.

Wataru: That is what intend to learn for myself.

To witness your growth with my own eyes, and to feel it. Whether we will be able to fly together, well, that is the story which will unfurl beyond that...