Ash Returns to the Sky 7

Natsume: Master.

Wataru: Oh, Natsume-kun! You’ve come to support me! I’m brimming with joy! What a good child you are! Come, let me pat your head ♪

Natsume: Please don’t treat me like a dog. ...You don’t seem particularly worried, Master.

Could it be that you’ve calculated a likelihood for you to defeat those putrid demons of fine?

Wataru: Is that what it looks like? I’ve put in quite a lot of practice for this performance, you know~ But the script is invisible to the naked eye, so I’ve endured considerable difficulties!

Even now on the day of the show, I can’t help but shuffle around like someone of dubious character, muttering my lines as I go over them again and again!

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime performance; I can’t afford any mistakes!

Natsume: You’ve always been a dubious character, Master. But their stages always look like this... actually, I would say this one looks like a complete waste of money.

What is this, a wedding? Or perhaps heaven itself?

Wataru: Fufufu, fine does liken itself to angels, after all!

The angel sounds his trumpet, the earth is scorched, and so begins the final judgment! Such is the end, the fall of the curtain upon this story... ☆

Well, no matter what it may be; what I must do will not change! Please watch over me, as you witness this Hibiki Wataru’s one and only defeat... ☆

Natsume: ...So it’s just as Rei-nii-san said: you intend to lose.

Wataru: Hmm. I do wish you would call me nii-san like you do the other Oddballs.

Why is it that you insist on master? I have taught you nothing.

Natsume: Even if you were unaware of it, I have learned from you of my own volition. Not childish magic tricks, or scams that hurt others...

But true magic, that which has survived the centuries.

Wataru: No, you have learned nothing. This entire time you have merely been bewitched by black magic, snatched away by ghosts to play in the spirit world.

You are but a normal, good child.

So please, put away that envelope you have brought with you today.

Natsume: ...As sharp-sighted as ever. If you’re only able to dance according to the script given to you, then I thought to prepare a new script, one in which the Five Oddballs triumph over fine.

I worked hard to come up with it. I humbled myself before all sorts of detestable people, those I’ve scorned in the past...

I’ve been running around nonstop, staying up all through the night over and over again, desperately searching for a way to have our happy ending.

Don’t we, don’t the Five Oddballs... deserve to be happy, too?

Wataru: Even villains can be happy. You just haven’t realized this because you’re still young...

Everything you worked so hard for is a fantasy. It cannot affect reality.

If we step over countless others in pursuit of our own happiness... then we truly will become monsters.

Isn’t that right, Rei?

Rei: ...Oh, you did know I was here. Nothing escapes your eye, Wataru.

Wataru: You have a strong presence. As an actor, I must say I envy you.

I hear there’s quite the commotion overseas; are you sure you want to waste your time here?

Rei: Aw, c’mon now, Wataruuu... just who do you think I am? I’m the greatest guy you know.^[1]

Wataru: That explains nothing. Yes, you are indeed Sakuma Rei.

You are our demon king, the monster who overflows with humanity more so than anyone else in the world... Aren’t I the lucky one to have you watch over me in my final moments?

Rei: Nah, I’m actually here to give my vote to Natsume.

You should take our kid’s feelings into more consideration. This flashy guy worked like hell for you, until his eyes were red.

Wataru: Yes. That fact alone allows me to submit willingly to each hardship I face.

Thank you, Natsume-kun. Thank you, Rei. I loved you both so much.

The days I spent with all of you were—our life together was... sparkling and—and very brilliant, and... Oh, I’m simply no good at using my own words ♪

Rei: It’s fine. We get it, Wataru.

I promise we understand.

Wataru: ... ♪

Rei: Hey, Natsume. If you keep standin’ here, you’re gonna be in the way. Let’s go find our seats, ‘kay?

I invited Shu and Kanata, too, so they might come and cheer you on if they feel like it. It’ll be the first time in a long time that we’ve all been together ♪

Let’s all watch the end of the Five Oddballs from the VIP seats.

Natsume: Gyeh?! Wait—don’t pick me up in your arms, Rei-nii-san! You always treat me like a child! My story isn’t over yet!

Rei: Hahaha ☆ Don’t matter how much you fight it, it’s useless~ You can’t escape the demon king!

Wataru: ...Fufufu. Even at the end, things are as lively as ever.

Such is the Five Oddballs, my lifelong companions. I wasn’t lying: I do love you all dearly.

Wataru: However... tragic though it is, we shall be parting ways for a short while.

My friends, the beautiful days of my youth... until we meet again, this is farewell.