Ash Returns to the Sky 2

Tsumugi: Hello? Um, are you there?

Oh, he hung up...

What should I do, Eichi-kun? I think Nagisa-kun is off in another country for some reason. He said something about international calls being a waste of money.

And apparently, Hiyori-kun is burning through all the money you gave him while hanging out with his fans.

This isn’t the time for that, though... I sure hope they don’t cause any strange problems for us.

Eichi: ......

Tsumugi: Eichi-kun? Are you okay? Your face is all pale... like a ghost.

I knew it; it was reckless of us to blow through the Five Oddballs in such quick succession.

I guess it was smart to resolve everything while you had the ball rolling, but...

I’m still worried. I don’t want you to burn out.

Eichi: ...At this point in the game, it doesn’t matter whether I live or die.

I’ve made arrangements to ensure the subjugation of the Five Oddballs even in my absence, and the tragedy of death would serve as a driving force, too.

Tsumugi: You’ve got to be joking, right? I’d never smile again if you died. Please keep living until you’re old and gray.

If you died before you got to enjoy the glory you worked like crazy to achieve, that would just be awful.

I’ll do whatever I can to support you, okay? So let’s keep at it to the very end. Just one step at a time, and then our dreams will come true ♪

Eichi: Dreams, hm? What was mine again...? Do you know, Tsumugi?

Tsumugi: There’s no way I could. But you can sort of tell just by watching you.

The dream you’re chasing, your ideal is... the greatest happiness of the greatest number.^[1]

I think that’s wonderful, personally. You’ve done something truly commendable.

You were able to accomplish something no one else could do—no, something no one even thought they could do...

Something that was impossible even for the Oddballs.

Eichi: It’s not over yet, though. We still have one scene left... Sorry, Tsumugi. It seems I’ve lost my motivation now that I can finally see the finish line.

It’s not like me at all to cry out so pitifully. I don’t have the right to complain, nor to apologize to those I’ve trampled upon.

When the cord snaps and lets the guillotine loose, I will stay silent even then.

This is the bloody, painful revolution I wanted. This is my dream.

But still, Tsumugi... I wonder, what was I even able to change, anyway?

Tsumugi: Eichi-kun, Eichi-kun. For now, you can give Hiyori-kun a little more money out of fine’s funds, okay?

And you can get someone to fly out and retrieve Nagisa-kun.

Eichi: Right. You really have gotten used to all of this. I suppose it’s because I’ve treated you like my secretary this whole time.

Tsumugi: Well, the rest of the world thinks I’m basically fine’s manager, not just a secretary.

Even though you’re the one who’s really controlling things... but the mastermind is rarely the one who stands in the line of fire, anyway.

Eichi: I just run my mouth from a safe distance and move other people around at my will... Do you think I’m a horrible person?

Tsumugi: No, I think you’re right?

Because this way, even if something happens to fine, you can just cut me out since I’m the one who appears in charge of things~ ♪

But in reality, fine is solid and steady so long as you’re there.

You sacrifice a useless appendage like me, and you have the chance to void any lethal damage.

It’s like pressing a reset button. Just once, in the real world... even though we’re not even playing a game. Isn’t that kind of amazing?

Eichi: Hmm. It’s a wonder how you’re able to speak about both trivial and heavy topics with the same air of levity...

It’s like everything is just idle chitchat to you.

Tsumugi: Huh? No matter what you’re talking about, it uses the same brain functions, right?

Eichi: Just for you, Tsumugi. You’re completely removed from it all.

Tsumugi: Hey, are you trying to provoke me, Eichi-kun?

You must be under a ton of stress from all of the hard-won battles you’ve been fighting~ But please don’t take it out on me, okay?

If you’re too mean, I may end up hating you.

Eichi: ......

Tsumugi: Uh, I was just kidding! It was a joke! I won’t really hate you, I promise! I wasn’t even all that affected by that!

I’m just exaggerating things, really. We’ll be friends forever, Eichi-kun ♪

Eichi: Oh, right... I’m sorry, but would you be quiet for a moment?

Look over there, Tsumugi. I could be mistaken, but in front of that billboard...

Rei: ......

Tsumugi: Oh, Rei-kun! Rei-kuuun! It’s been a while! You were in England, weren’t you?

Rei: Tsumugi.

You said something ‘bout your eyes getting worse, but you only wear your glasses when you read.

Hand ‘em here. My sight’s gone to shit lately, and I can’t tell what this poster says.

Tsumugi: It doesn’t feel like any time has passed at all when you order me around so aggressively right off the bat! But that “cool cat” character of yours gets me every time! ♪

But I’m really sorry. I’ve been so caught up in practice and lives that I’ve barely had time to read at all... So I haven’t been carrying around my glasses.

Rei: Huh, that so. Damn shame... You look pretty lame in ‘em, so I could always count on you for a laugh.