Ordinary

About the mascot design as requested the other day... How are things progressing? Not so well? Oh really? Just to confirm, do you think you can do it by the deadline? If it's too much to ask right now...

Huh? It's already started, so it can be done in a half day? So soon? No, that's fine. Thank you for your hard work.

How's anyone supposed to finish this scribble of a design in only half a day? Well, if they say they can do it, I guess I've got to trust them.

I see. The complete design will be ready by the deadline?

Yes, that's what I've been promised. We've encountered no major issues so far.

The fact that you had no firm promises until the eleventh hour is concerning in itself. It is your responsibility to come to an understanding with the other party, and you have failed to do so.

I know. I'm very sorry.

(You're the one who introduced me to that popular designer who can't stick to a schedule...)

Very well. I'll leave this matter to you. Now, Yakumo. I'd like to ask you something. Do you have a partner?

A-A partner? No, it's just me in this division...

That's not what I mean. I'm talking personally. Is there someone you'd like to spend the rest of your life with?

I don't really understand what you're asking...

No? Very well. I look forward to a fruitful report at our next meeting.

What was all that about? I don't understand him. It's not his place to intrude into my personal life.

How did it get so late? I've already missed today's stream. Same old, same old. Time to go home.

I'm so hungry. Come to think of it, I didn't eat any lunch. What's nearby? Oh, there's always the noodle place.

Welcome. What can I get you?

One serving of udon, please. I'm fine with a small portion.

Sorry, we're fresh out of udon! All we have left are really unpopular dishes and lunch boxes to go. I was about to throw the lunch boxes out anyway, so I'll give it to ya half off.

What a way to sell it... Well, half price is a pretty good discount. Take out it is, then.

Great! Thanks for your order!

That's dinner bought. Time to go home.

Hm?

Hey, what are you doing? Are you hungry, little guy? Sorry, but you can't have that lunch box. It's mine.

Tch. So annoying.

Fine. You can have one side dish. You'd better be grateful.

Don't gobble it all up at once, you greedy little thing. It's all right for you. All you need to do to survive is rub people up the right way. Actually, maybe that's a tough way to live. I sure couldn't do it.

All right. Home time.

Almost home. Hm?

Oh no! Where's my wallet? I must have dropped it when I was feeding that cat! Darn it! I'd better go back...

Hey, you!

This your wallet?

Huh?! Oh, yes...

I found it out in the middle of the road. I saw you in the distance, so figured it must be yours.

You followed me all the way here? Just to return my wallet?

Yup! You're lucky I'm the one who found it.

I guess. Thank you.

Don't mention it. I won big gambling today. I'm just sharing out the luck. Y'know, any other day and I would have kept this for myself. But you barely had anything worth taking...

Y-You checked inside?

Heheh. You should be more careful in the future. Drop your wallet in this town, and it won't usually come back to you.

Don't I know it. This place is a garbage dump. Though maybe not everything here is garbage.

Okay, next question! "What's your type?" Ooh, great question! Hmm, I've never really thought about it before! I love all of my fans! I guess they're my type! Ooh, what's gotten into you all? The chat's going crazy over here! Let's see... "Will you go out with me?" "No, me." "Date me!" Everyone, calm down! I didn't mean it like⁠...

Just listen to these comments. People can be so stupid. Do they really think someone on the other side of the screen is going to date them? Idiots...

Is there someone you'd like to spend the rest of your life with?

Mind your own business, Boss Man. I'm alone, all alone. There's no way I could ever have a partner. Living with someone would be such a pain. Being alone is how I like it. Besides, there's no way I'd ever fall for...

Whatever. I'm going to bed.

(I don't hate sleeping. Bed is the safest place as far as I'm concerned.) (That's why I really don't like this time.) (As soon as I close my eyes, it's all over. When I open them again, it will be tomorrow.)

Don't think about that. Today is finally over, just focus on that. The past will not betray me. No matter how bad the day was, it can't get any worse. Besides, today was an okay day. Hopefully tomorrow will be another peaceful day.

I feel so groggy. It's like this every morning. Well, off to work.

Hey, you!

You live around here? I wanna ask you somethin'.

(Great. The trouble's starting early today.) What is it? I'm late for work. Can we keep this short?

Did you see some suspicious guy around here last night?

A suspicious guy? (Take a look in the mirror. You'll be looking right at him.)

There's this guy who won big gambling in the commercial district yesterday. I saw him run off this way.

(Gambling? That sounds like the wallet guy from last night...)

Sorry. Didn't see him.

Right. Sorry for wastin' your time.

If I find him, he's gonna pay.

Ugh. What a terrible start to the day. I wonder what that guy did?

Hey, that's the cat from yesterday. It's not wise to sleep in the middle of the road. What if someone stepped on you?

Must be nice to sleep so soundly. What was I thinking, assuming that you had a hard life? You've got it easy.

Ack! Not another stomach ache. It always starts to hurt whenever I get close to work. It's not food poisoning, it's like a dull ache.

I've tried so many things for it, but KMS's one time medicine has the most immediate effect. I hate that the very thing that causes my pain is the thing that also takes it away.

Time to go. Hopefully the pain will have stopped by the time I reach the office.

Dynamic Dust City Division...

Employees: One. And he's the least dynamic man you'll ever meet. Ironic, right?

I'm used to it now. Anyway, I prefer being on my own. I don't want to deal with any irritating coworkers.

Now let's get started. What's on today's schedule?

Yes, this is the Dynamic Dust City Division. About that design... Huh?

Wait a minute. What I sent to you was just a rough design for reference. It wasn't... Understood...

You've got to be kidding me. They mistook that doodle for the official design? How? I'll have to report this to Chief. Urgh. I really don't want to do that...

You're telling me that your design is being put into production as-is?

Yes. I thought I had explained it properly, but there seems to have been a misunderstanding...

I thought I told you yesterday, to make sure you were on the same page.

I'm sorry.

Perhaps the issue lies with your communication style. Submit a report analyzing what went wrong here. I don't want such a mistake happening again.

Understood.

(No matter how you look at it, this is their fault. Why is this my responsibility?)

Take more responsibility for your work. It's up to you alone to achieve this division's targets.

Looks like I'm in for another late night.

Okay. That's the post-processing done.

Oh, I nearly forgot. That stupid scribble of a mascot arrived...

This is the mascot, huh? Maybe his stupid face suits this stupid town. Heheh. What even is that expression? It's so...blank.

Hahahahaha!

Home time.

Come to think of it, I haven't eaten today. Maybe I'll go back to that noodle place.

Nah, forget it. I have no appetite anyway.

You again?

What do you want? I don't have any food on me today. Go pester someone else.

Stop following me. I don't have anything for you.

I said, STOP FOLLOWING ME!

Oops... Don't look at me like that. It won't work on me.

Huh? Isn't that...

Finally found you, you little swindler! I know you cheated yesterday. So hand over all your winnings! Now!

Eep! I-I didn't cheat! I swear!

That's the guy from this morning. So he was after the man I met yesterday... He cheated at the Dust Lovers' gambling den? How stupid can you get? He had it coming. Anyway, it's not my problem. I better get out of here before⁠...

Hey, wallet guy! Help me!

Ugh...

Huh? You're the guy from this morning. I see what's goin' on here. You do know this cheating scumbag. You lied to me.

No, wait. I don't have anything to do with⁠...

Don't be so cold! I gave you back your wallet, remember?

That's...that's nothing to do with this!

Hey, don't argue with your friends. If you can't get along...

Heheh. Serves you both right. Now let this be a lesson to you. Don't pick a fight with the Dust Lovers again, got it? And you, little wimp. You should pick your friends more wisely.

Ouch... Why did this have to happen to me? This city really is a trash heap. I wish I could make it all disappear.

Hiya, everyone! I'm so glad you could join me for today's livestream!

Not that it's live anymore.

How was everyone's day? Was it fun? Or did you have a rough day?

It was the worst day imaginable.

Well, I have a secret to help you keep going! Give yourselves a little treat! Go on, you deserve it! Like, have something tasty for dinner! Then you'll be super motivated for tomorrow!

What about people with no appetite?

Looks like that's the end of the show! Now, why don't we sign out the usual way? Are you ready? Okay...

Goodniiight!

People who get home hours earlier than me, in time for the livestream, should go treat themselves? Well, lucky them. Everyone else gets to enjoy eating and sleeping. Why is it just me who...

Whatever. Time for bed.

(The past will not betray me. No matter how bad the day was, it can't get any worse.) (Is that really true?) (Because today exists, so too does tomorrow. I thought yesterday was okay, but it led to this awful day.) (If even the past will betray me, what hope do I have left?)

Ugh... I don't care anymore.

(That mascot really made me laugh. I haven't done that in a long time.)

Haha...

I've been sleeping so badly ever since that mistake with the order. Every day, I go to work. Every day, things go badly. I'm ridiculed, I'm told off...

Work is work. Time to go.

Hm?

(Who are they? I've never seen them around here before.) (Doesn't matter. I don't want to get involved in anything else.)

Excuse me! Wait up, will you?

Huh?! Wh-Who are you? What do you want?

...mo! Hey, Yakumo!

Hm?

Aldo? What do you want?

What do I want? We came to stop these guys from smashing up the town, remember? But you've just been standing there with your eyes closed. Is everything okay?

It's nothing. I was just remembering the past, that's all.

It's nothing. I was just remembering the past, that's all.

Well cut it out! Fun time's about to begin!

Listen here, you little wimps! I used to be in the Dust Lovers! You can't ignore me! Wait... I swear I recognize you. Have we met before?

Don't be stupid. There's no way I'd know trash like you who takes pleasure in hurting ordinary folks.

What did you just say?! Pretty brave for a little weasel, ain't ya?

If he used to be in the Dust Lovers, how come he doesn't know about you?

The lowest levels of the gang won't be told everything. Especially not important things like that. So, what's the deal here? Why are you causing a scene when you don't have any gang to back you?

Yeah! You got a screw loose or somethin'?

You're one to talk.

Yakumo's right. The Dust Lovers are gone. Why are you doing this?

Like you say, the Dust Lovers are gone. And that makes this city a lawless zone.

A lawless zone?

Dust City needs someone to rule it. Without the Dust Lovers, the balance of power's gone. Won't be long until other organizations come sniffin' around here.

Tch. Hyenas. You're saying you're a necessary evil? So you're trying to up your reputation so that they'll pick you? Is that it?

Pretty much, yeah. Plus it's not a bad way to pass the time.

In a way, you're doing me a favor. Even an outcast from your gang would be better than you.

You'd better watch your mouth, weasel. I'm gonna grind you to a pulp!

Yakumo, Kumos, watch out! Here he comes!

Ooh, I love this bit! Let's show him what we're made of!

Yeah. Let's clean up the trash.

Well? You up for another round?

N-No! Have mercy! I'll leave town! I'll never do anything bad again, I swear!

You know what? Somehow, I don't believe ya. C'mon, Yakumo! Let's set him straight!

Eep?!

He's not even worth the trouble. Go on, scram.

G-Got it!

He's gone... But I wanted to play with him more.

I'm pretty sure your threats were more than enough. No way is he going to cross you in a hurry. It looked like you scared the living daylights out of him.

Hmph. He was a small fry, just trading on the authority of his organization.

Yakumo, did something happen between you and that guy before?

I guess, but it's all in the past. Okay...today's work is over. You can go if you like, Aldo.

Right.

Hey, Yakumo. Are you doing anything now?

Huh?

With work being over, would you like to go get something to eat? Of course, I understand if you have plans...

Pah! Plans? This guy? Never gonna happen! C'mon Yakumo, take us to all the local taverns! Your treat!

You don't get to decide if I have plans or not! And you definitely don't get to decide if I'm paying!

So...do you have plans?

Well...

Let's go. The best dish will be sold out if we don't hurry.

Okay!

Heheh! That's more like it!

Boo! That was a waste of time! You didn't even feed me.

Of course I didn't. I don't want to have to clean you up.

Haha. I better get going now. I'll come by to help again sometime.

See you.

Urgh. How'd it get so late already?

(If I hurry home, will I make it in time? But with him here...)

Kumos, I'm heading home. You go back to the office.

Pfft, don't be silly. We're going home, right? Together...

For once, I actually finished work early today. All I want is to do is rest. Alone. I'm going home. You go back to the office. Don't follow me.

......

Thank you all so, so much for tuning in to my birthday stream! I'm afraid it's time to sign out now! Okay... Goodniiight!

......

I still missed it. Fine. I'll get another chance. Besides, I can always watch the archived stream later... But that was my only opportunity to grab a post-work dinner with them.

You got that right, Boss! I mean, Mr. Manager!

......

What are you doing here? I thought I told you to go to the office!

Why do I have to go to that stuffy place anyway? Doesn't seem fair to me.

Why? Because this isn't your home! And it's strange the way you act like it is! You're a mascot! You should be in the office!

There it is! This is discrimination! Rights for mascots! I demand rights for mascots!

Keep your voice down, will you? It's the middle of the night! And how did you get in here in the first place?

Meh, don't sweat the small stuff. Anyway, you've made me super happy, you know. You really do cherish the time you spend with us, huh? You've made my li'l heart flutter.

What are you talking about, you stupid...

Gonna have to turn you down though. I only have eyes for my Dust Lover lady. But I appreciate the sentiment.

Die!

That's why I'm gonna be stayin' right here. I may be a burden, but meh. I like it here.

Over my dead body are you staying here...

Wait. How much did you see?

What d'ya mean? I only just got here.

Really? Good. Well, not that good... Tch. You really are such a pain. Fine. You can stay tonight. But only tonight, you got that?

C'mon, don't be so stingy! I can be some comfort to you in your miserable, lonely life. I can be there when you get home, being all, "Welcome home honey..." Don't you want that?

No, I don't! Besides, we get home at the same time. This is my private space and⁠...

......

Why have you gone quiet?

Goodniiight!

So you did see that, you little sleazebag!

Heehee! I never knew you were into that kinda stuff!

Hey, shut up! I can watch whatever I want!

Whoa, calm down! No one's saying it's a bad thing... It's good to know you get your kicks outta somethin'.

......

I think I might join in. Every night before bed, I'll whisper to you... Goodniiight!

That's it! You're dead!

Go on! Do your worst!

Come back here, you little⁠...

Argh! Where'd he go?

Hey, Yakumo! I have a bone to pick with you.

I thought I asked you to keep it down at night. Do you know what time it is right now?

Oh. Sorry...

Oh. You're being unusually straight- forward today. Well, so long as you understand. Who are you even talking to this late at night? A friend?

Well... I guess so. A bad friend maybe.

Right. Well you give them a word of warning from me, okay?

Ugh. Why do I have to apologize? And is Kumos really going to stay over every night?

Tch. What life partner? I'm surrounded by absolute...

Honestly, that stupid Kumos is never going to let me get a good night's sleep again.