Flirt and Frolic by the Ebbing Waves 3

Mmf, mmf mmf.

(Munch, munch)

I see. So dressing up in a costume for a convention like this is known today as cosplay.

...That sounds like so much fun!

O-oh, but that doesn't mean I want to dress up myself. I'm more of a spectator.

Hooray! I was just thinking how I'd like to try it.

I remember Hokusai once showed me some unusual pinups from the Edo period. Is that the kind of thing you mean?

Ah, you must be talking about yakusha-e and shibai-e; actor or performance prints.

Those were ukiyo-e of some of the time's most famous performers, so it wasn't quite the same thing as cosplay anyone can enjoy.

For commoners like ourselves, dressing up or wearing any kind of costume was strictly forbidden, so this sort of thing was a dream that remained forever out of our reach.

But now, anyone can dress up however they like just for fun. I'm so glad the times have changed!

That just makes how big of a step back this Altria restriction is stand out even more. But let's put that aside for now.

So, um, you want to take a bunch of photos of you in cosplay and turn them into a book, Ex?

Do you have a specific theme in mind?

(Munch, munch... Gulp) Yes. I've given the theme a lot of thought.

Since this kind of opportunity doesn't come along every day, I thought I'd focus on what I love more than anything:

Japanese sweets.

That's right. I want to cosplay bold and innovative outfits featuring every kind of Japanese sweet you can imagine!

Japanese sweets!?

Oh. I thought you would do something related to music or idols.

But instead, you want to cosplay as...um...Japanese sweets?

I already have most of the outfits I want to wear ready to go in my secret personal collection.

However, I wanted to ask for your help with the costumes that feature kimonos.

Oh, I see. Then I'll have to make sure I do a good job with the needlework!

Although, I have to ask: Wouldn't Miss Crane be a better choice for this sort of thing?

Oh, I know the answer to this.

I believe Miss Crane actually formed her own club with Habetrot and Vlad III.

Oh man. She must be really busy then.

I was actually kind of hoping she could help with this, too.

Well, why not ask her anyway?

Who knows? Maybe she'll be willing to skip some sleep to help.

Or maybe she'll find a way to help in her dreams.

Th-that, um, sounds like kind of a big ask. Anyway, I understand.

Let's tell Pops, Chloe, and everyone else, then get right to work.

Hehe. I wasn't expecting to have to get out my sewing kit here, but I'm glad to have a way to contribute.

Let's make this the best book we can, okay?

Yip!

N-now, um, could I have some more dumplings?

Hmm, you don't say. Well hey, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Super Bun.

Huh!? Were you even listening to me, Anning!? Didn't you hear how many problems I'm dealing with!?

Oh... Say, Anning. I don't suppose you'd be interested in

Lemme just stop you right there. No.

It's nice and warm here. I got plenty of fossils to excavate. There are cuties everywhere you look!

I may not look it, but I'm pretty damn busy! But hey, maybe I'll make it down to the venue on the last day!

Bye-bye, Super Bun! Don't work too hard now!

I guess she really is having fun. Though I have no idea where she could be going at this time of night.

All that aside...I really thought I was going to go deaf during that meeting.

Bakin and Hokusai are both so loud...and that tiny hotel room only makes it worse.

I'll have to wrap up my break and head back soon...

...but the way things were going, they'll keep talking all night. Good grief.

Still...

...at least I think they're starting to realize we'll never finish in time if they keep going like this.

Not that I think they'll ever bring it up themselves. I doubt they'd like it if I did, either.

And then there's the OTHER big problem.

Are they seriously planning to publish those old-fashioned books from back when they were alive?

I get that the big appeal of doujin is you can make whatever you like...

...but both Bakin and Hokusai seem to be drunk on the combination of the tropics and the festival.

At this point, I see way more potential in X Alter's photo book, even if it doesn't have anything to do with Altria.

Heck, I could even help with the photo shoot.

...Photo shoot?

Photo shoot... Photo shoot...

Yikes, that's a strong wind.

...(Sigh)

Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I should just run away and wash my hands of this mess...

Gruff.

...Was that Anning's dog, Tray? I don't remember him having such a deep bark...

Eek!

Ruff...?

Wh-what're you looking at!? You want a piece of me or something!?

If a fight is what you want, I am of course happy to oblige.

But if you are only reacting to my dog scaring you, then I apologize.

I hope you can forgive him.

...!?

(I can't believe I ran into a beauty like this out here on the beach at night...)

(Is she a Japanese princess or something? I don't remember seeing her at Chaldea before.)

Wait... Michi? Is that you?

I see. So I resemble Michi to you?

Yeah, a little. At least...I thought so at first...

(Now that I look closer, I think she has a completely different air about her. Ugh, it's too dark to tell!)

I suppose you could think of me as something of a close, yet distant relation to Michi and Bakin.

At any rate, the wind is so crisp tonight, and the starry sky so vast and clear, I thought it a perfect time to take my dog for a walk.

(Sh-she IS just taking a walk, right? I can't imagine someone making a big fuss like that just for taking a dog on a walk...)

Then, I happened to see you standing at the water's edge, looking pensive.

My companion here moved before I could, but I have always been very sensitive to signs of worry in others.

One might even say I have a nose for them. A dog's nose, if you will.

...

So, what is on your mind? I am happy to listen if you wish to share. Or, we could fight like you originally said if doing so will help clear your mind.

Oh man, you're a real busybody, huh?

Or maybe you're a fan of my live streams?

As a holy maiden, it has long been my duty to support those facing difficult trials.

(I don't even know what she's talking about anymore. Still...)

...Will you promise not to tell Bakin and Michi?

You have my word.

...I see. So that is what happened.

But, I'm still their producer. Technically.

I said I'd do it right in front of Williams and Master.

So I need to make this project my top priority until it's done and ready to announce.

And you think Bakin and Hokusai are not doing so?

No, they are. At least, I think so.

Though they're both so absurdly passionate about it that just trying to keep up with them is exhausting.

But we have to make this event a success or the whole Singularity will be reset back to the first day...

(Now that I look closer, this dog is actually pretty cute.)

(I guess there really is something to be said for putting your feelings into words and just talking to someone.)

If they enjoy the moment of creation so much that they lose themselves in it, then they should just keep doing that.

Maybe that's what's going on. Maybe they would rather this just didn't end.

Maybe I never had a chance to make a difference in the first place.

...Never end at all, hmm.

Some things shine only because they once met their end.

...Yeah, that's true. I guess it all comes down to how you look at it.

That makes me think maybe we should just use these resets to our advantage.

Maybe we should just forget about these past seven days and focus on getting ready for the next seven. Ahaha.

I would feel bad about doing that to Chloe and the other clubs who are all working so hard, but I could live with it.

But, I don't think Bakin or Hokusai would love that. They'd probably get pretty angry.

And I don't want them thinking I don't respect them as creators or anything like that...

Gruff...

...I sympathize with your concerns. But do not be afraid.

Let them be angry. I am certain you can take it.

Art is long, and life is short.

Both Hokusai and Bakin wished they had had a few more yearsnay, a few more hours, with which to create before they passed on.

They may be Servants now, but those feelings remain unchanged. If you wish to help them, I advise you to become a kind but unyielding god of death.

God of death? ...Hehe. That sounds kind of cool.

...Huh?

What the...?

Princess? Doggie? Where did you go?

Excuse me! Monsieur Bakin! There's something I want to run by yo

Oh, Bunyan, you're back. Looks like that night air did ya some good.

So what's up? Ya ready ta start tacklin' your first producer gig?

U-uh, yeah, I guess you could say that.

If this is about the "cosplay" book, Michi already told me about it.

I don't care what you all do with that, but I really need to focus on my writing right now.

Uh, well, about that...

You want to have the whole club focus on the cosplay book for the time being?

What about my work, though? I still have a long way to go.

But it wouldn't just be you. You'd have Hokusai join you too, right?

I'm sure she'd be happy to do it, and I'm just as sure the cosplay book will be much better with her help.

As for you, Monsieur Bakin, I'd like you to come up with some cute and catchy marketing copy...

...or some captions for the photos that really capture Ex's essence! You're good at that sort of thing, right?

Ahh, now I gotcha. Don't sound half bad ta me. Whatcha think, Bakin?

Hmm... I still have to refuse! This could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me. I can't just pass it up!

...So that's your final answer?

I guess that means we'll have to settle this the way we Servants always do: with violence!

Huh? Hold on! What do you think you're doing!? You can't turn giant in here! You'll smash through the floor!

And if the hotel management finds out we were arguing, I'LL be the one who gets in trouble!

(Nodding along)

Besides, we agreed I was Bishonen's leader! What's wrong with me making an executive decision!?

And as leader, you asked me to be your producer, didn't you!?

Well, this is me producing! Yaaah!

Hehe. Was it like this when you had it out with old man Tsutaju too?

Hraaah!!!

W-wait! Stop! No more! I can see how serious you are about this!

Fine, you win! We'll do it your way!

Très bien.

What's going on in here!?

Hahaha! Don't worry, you two.

We were just hashin' out a few creative differences.