⌒Heartful⌒ 2

Wataru: (Hmm. On the surface, our preparation for Easter Fest is going smoothly. Their capabilities surpass my imagination...)

(They want to learn various skills and ask me to teach them; one objective after another pops up, and steadily they achieve them.)

(They are all working truly hard... however. There is a sense of discomfort in me, something I can hardly put into words.)

(I am meeting the expectations of my kouhai, when I ought to be setting things in place for them to enjoy themselves.)

...Is it all right for me to do that?

If I continue to meet their demands, am I not simply pushing them harder than need be? Will they not end up overtaxing themselves?

......

(I’d like to respond to their desire to push themselves. If it’s guidance they’re after, I want to provide it.)

(I’m overjoyed that they’re taking after me, but that could be rather hindering me, by making it more difficult to discern when I should go easy or stop altogether.)

(I have other concerns, as well. For example... can one call this a “shuffle unit” in good faith if the others only passively receive my instruction?)

(Me, the “senpai,” with everyone else, the “kouhais.” Is this what our shuffle unit is destined to be?)

—Oh, but say it isn’t so! That Hibiki Wataru would harbor doubts about his role!

But I simply cannot get a feel for it! Alas, but I was to enact this role of “senpai” which everyone desired of me!

...Fufufu, how odd. To be so purely admired, respected, and met with smiles. There is not even a single complaint to be had... and yet.

What a difficult role it is, to be a “senpai” who must bear the force of those innocent, sparkling eyes.

—Oh? An unexpected call from an unexpected someone, I see.

And how do you do! Thank you for calling the Wataru Hotline ☆

It must still be quite early in the morning for you; you must be quite the early bird, Shu ♪

Shu: “Would it kill you to greet someone normally? And strictly speaking, what I called is hardly a ‘hotline.’”^[1]

Wataru: My apologies, but the word “normal” isn’t in my dictionary. Now, what is it that I can help you with?

Shu: “Don’t play coy with me. What on earth are you teaching Kagehira to do?”

Wataru: ...Come again?

Shu: “I said, what on earth are you teaching Kagehira? He was so excited about what he learned and that he was able to execute it properly, so I questioned him on the details—”

“Only to learn it was some sort of avant-garde artistry. It’s no wonder his stamina is drained; it took even myself some time to understand what was happening.”

“I understand that you have your own way of thinking and doing things, but few are capable of elevating everything into art the way you can. And hardly anyone has inexhaustible stamina.”

“You would do well to learn moderation. ...Now then, if you’ll excuse me.”

Wataru: Huh? Did he hang up? Couldn’t he have at least listened to my response?

Hm, avant-garde, he says...? Mika-kun, what was it that you showed Shu?

—Oh my. I’m getting quite a lot of calls today; even my phone is shocked.

Hello? Is that you, Kanata? Are you calling about all the pigs flying around?

Kanata: “do you have a problem with me calling you? also there are no Pigs in the Sky.”^[2]

“but that does not matter. how is the shuffle unit going wataru? are there any problems?”

“and how is my Child doing? are you having a good Experience with the shuffle unit wataru?”

Wataru: Oh my, what a lot of questions. I’m not quite sure how to answer you...

Kanata: “mmm did i not make myself Clear enough? then i will ask you more directly.”

“we will meet for Tea soon ♪ please let me know when you are Free. bye bye~”

Wataru: I was only trying to find a way to respond... and now he’s hung up, so that’s become an impossible task.

Why is it so one-sided...? Is it a trend among the Oddballs to only say their piece and leave?

—Well, I’m quite used to it the third time. It must be regarding Rei’s child...

Hello. I’m sure you have no business with me, so you must be calling about Hinata-kun, then?

Rei: “Wh–what is this about all of a sudden? Is there something wrong with Hinata-kun?”

Wataru: Oh...? It is said that everything happens in threes, so I’d been sure you were calling to discuss the shuffle unit, as well.

Rei: “Hm? I take it that you’ve already heard from some others.”

“Since you’ve mentioned Hinata-kun... that would imply that there are those who are concerned about the state of their kouhai and have thus made their opinions known to you.”

Wataru: ...My, how scary. You’re far too perceptive, Rei.

Rei: Kukuku. It’s rare that you would make a careless mistake, so I couldn’t help but put myself to the task ♪”

“So? I have not yet heard rumors of the shuffle unit being in poor order. Might there be something bothering you, Hibiki-kun?”

“If it’s something serious enough for you to have a slip of the tongue, then naturally I’m concerned, too ☆”

Wataru: You seem to be finding this all rather amusing. In any case, I’m simply struggling to commit to being either a proper senpai to such innocent children, or a proper clown. Ugh.

Rei: “Are you sulking right now...?”

“These boys are fundamentally different from those who were in your club and from those who are in your unit. It is but natural that you cannot treat them the same way.”

“The love and trust received, the words exchanged... the relationships of humans are complex and diverse. But I will be cheering you on, Hibiki-kun... ♪”

Wataru: ...And he’s ended the call. That’s the third time in a row; I ought to expect it by now.

Well, considering the lineup, a fourth call seems likely—

...There it is. An unknown number is calling; who could this be?

Hello? Or should I say, how do you do? I’d like to ask who is calling me first!

Rinne: “Amagi Rinne, at your service ☆ Kanacchi’s my roomie, so I snagged your number from him and dropped you a line ♪”

Wataru: Ohoho? Well then, what might I do for you?

Rinne: “...Look, I’m gonna get down to business. Now you’d think the Fist of the Sun Goddess form couldn’t possibly get distorted or corrupted, right?”^[3]

“It’s not anything I can’t fix, and apparently the guy’s enjoying the shit outta himself every day, so I bit my tongue ‘cause it’d be rude to pry...”

“But this is his first ever Easter, got it? I want you to make sure he has a damn good time of it.”

Wataru: ...Fufufu. Parents are nothing if not devoted to their children.

Rinne: “Nah, I’m not his dad or nothing. We’re bros.”

Wataru: It was merely a figure of speech. I appreciate your call, brother dearest.^[4]

(...I feel like I’ve been lambasted, what with all these consecutive phone calls. Whatever their intents may be, they were enough to strike at the heart of my confusion.)

(Thanks to that, I feels as though I’ve been pushed to reflect more on our shuffle unit.)

We will all gather again today. So to prepare for Easter Fest, what I can do is...