Trip Show 5

Subaru: Mm. I don’t really get it, but I guess I should apologize... Uhh, Tomoya-kun? Sorry I sounded like I was making fun of you.

You’re super cute. I think it suits you ♪

Tomoya: ......

...Oh. I’m Tomoya.

Umm, sorry. I’ve been in character all morning so I’m kinda spaced out right now. It’s like I was in some dream.

Hokuto: Are you okay? It’s not that bad to get caught up in your role, but I’m worried this might be interfering with your daily life. There’s still a bit of time before the play.

Tomoya: Ahaha, it’s just that I’m not good enough to switch between me and my role so easily...

Worse comes to worst, I figure I’ll just keep “Mashiro Tomoya” in my back pocket until after the play.

I think I’m finally getting a handle on this role, though... The crucial matter is having an imagination, right Hokuto-senpai?

You have to stretch yourself to your absolute limits, kill your sense of identity and overwrite it with the new one.

I asked Hajime what kicks his imagination into overdrive, and he said it’s when he has nothing to eat.

Like when that happens, he starts hallucinating yummy food and stuff.

So I’m pushing myself, too. It’s all training for that.

Hokuto: Is that kid okay? That sounds more like he’s dying, like the little match girl...?^[1]

Tomoya: Ahaha, no, he’s fine. He’s tough enough to laugh in the face of misfortune.

Subaru: Oh, yeah, I know exactly what you mean~ Shinonon’s rock solid. And super cute, too.

Tomoya: I forgot you two are good friends... He’s always talking about you, Akehoshi-senpai. So much, in fact, that I get depressed about it sometimes.

Hokuto: I get that you mean, Tomoya. It must be annoying, considering how heartless Akehoshi is.

Subaru: Hey, wait, when did I become the bad guy?

Hokuto: Hmph. Well, anyway. It’s important that you’re facing these hardships and not running away. You’ve got a good attitude, Tomoya; I’ll follow your example and put in more effort, myself.

Tomoya: Thank you, Hokuto-senpai... ♪

Hokuto: But I’m confused: what did you mean when you asked me to take you to the ball? Did you want me to escort you to the clubroom?

Tomoya: Oh, no, the Masked Pervert sent his dove flying in with a message... Apparently we’re all going on a trip, so I’m supposed to grab you and bring you to the train station.

I could have just texted you, but it wouldn’t have been very princess-like.

Hokuto: You really are into your role. Good for you. But what does he mean by a trip? Have you heard anything about it, Sakasaki?

Natsume: Ah, so that thing from before went well, I see. I wouldn’t have expected less from Wataru-nii-san... You’d best hurry to the station, or it’ll all go to waste.

Hokuto: I have no idea what’s going on... but I guess we’re heading to the station. I’ll ask for details then. Come on Sakasaki, Tomoya.

Natsume: Got it~ Well then, Baru-kun. I’ll see you tomorrow.

...If you don’t want to be left alone, you can come with us ♪

Subaru: Pass. I wasn’t invited. And besides, all of us in the basketball club are buddies, and we have just as much fun together as you theater kids.

Bye-byyyyye, see you tomorrow ♪

Hokuto: Yep, see you then.

...Is it hard for you to walk around, Tomoya? You can hold my hand if you want.

Tomoya: Oh, um... thank you. I mean, I got my bearings pretty quickly, but do I seriously have to walk all the way to the station like this...?

Hokuto: From morning until night, were the instructions. I’ll guard you so that passersby don’t see you too clearly, though, so just stay strong.

Of course, if you really can’t do it, then there’s no helping it. But this is part of training, Tomoya.

Tomoya: Urgh. You guys just refuse to spoil me in times like these...

Well fine, I’ll show you what I’m made of, somehow.

I’m counting on you, Hokuto-senpai. Please protect me.

Natsume: We’re here~ ♪ How nice, that we’re in between rush hour. There were hardly any pedestrians at all.

Tomoya: Ugh. I’m still so embarrassed, though... It should be okay, right? Like I’m not going to get arrested or anything?

Hokuto: Stand tall, Tomoya. If you act nervous, you’ll stand out.

If the police question you, you only have to tell them it’s in fashion.

Natsume: You’ll be fine. People aren’t as interested in others as you’d think...

I’d venture to say you’re acting very ladylike about this, Tomoya-kun.

It’s a stage costume, so it’s rather flashy, or rather eccentric, but it’s still within the bounds of fashion. Look, you can see people in Gothic Lolita and other styles walking around, too.

The concept of shame, of what’s considered normal and not, is defined by time and creed.

If one were to toss a high school girl exposing her thighs into another country or time period, she’d be condemned as a slut.

Tomoya: Ahaha, I guess so...

Wait, is someone’s phone ringing?

Hokuto: It’s mine. Oh, I got a text from the Masked Pervert. It says he’ll be here soon.

Tomoya: So he can use phones like a normal person...

Then why is it that he only ever contacts me in the stupidest ways possible, like carrier pigeon, or attaching a note to an arrow, or freaky anonymous letters, or a damn cup phone?

Hokuto: You get surprised by it every time and give him a reaction. It’s funny to him, so you have to retaliate by not responding to his antics as much as possible.

Tomoya: That’s impossible... He finds some way to take me by surprise every single time, in the most unexpected ways.