7. A Star Becomes a Wish

Huh, okay. Well, wishes are usually something you think of on the spot.

Hmm. I could be rich, or popular, or a ladies' man... But no, those don't seem right. Sure, I'd like those things, but they're not important.

One time, I did a fasting bit for a variety show that became a huge hit. My pay went up, and I got to move into a real nice apartment...

But then, I had to do the same bit over and over, and I was like "If this is the success train, I wanna get off!" You know?

So like, I wouldn't know what to do with my money if I was rich, being popular would make other people hate me...

And even if I was a ladies' man, I wouldn't be able to really make them happy.

So I don't think any of those wishes are my number one.

Man, you don't back down, do you? I like that. All right, if you want my number one wish, I think it'd be...

"Just once, I'd like ■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■ to have the ■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■■ in the ■■■■■."

Ah, who'm I kidding! There's probably a ton of other people with that wish, so that's not gonna work, either!

...Huh?

I can't believe it... How could it have interpreted the wish so...violently?

There's enough magical energy in the air to rival the Age of Gods! Humans cannot operate in this environment!

My Master should be okay thanks to his Mystic Code's life-preservation systems, but Tsukiji and Housuke will be

...Okay?

Yes, they're all right. There may not be any oxygen, water, or sunlight here, but there doesn't need to be. We're in a fairy-tale world now.

As long as you don't push yourselves too hard, regular humans can still operate here.

Keep your actions to a bare minimum. If you get injured, it'll be over for you.

You don't gotta tell me twice not to be a hero. We're here just to offer adviceor maybe be cheerleaders?

Stopping Shiny Star is your job.

Kinomi and I'll just stay here and Kinomi?

No way... This is a disaster.

Never mind losing the inn. This could destroy all of Japan.

For that matter, how the hell did THAT wish lead to THIS?

Kinomi. I'm pretty sure everyone at the inn managed to evacuate.

When Shiny Star activated, Kumanoin Yoshisuke must have sensed the danger

Or rather, panicked when he couldn't find a way to stop it, and hurried everyone down the mountain.

Really? Am I actually that competent?

Of course you are. There's no one better than you at getting as far away from danger as possible.

How many times have you tried to minimize the damage for something so you wouldn't get in too much trouble?

Oh, yeah, you're right. Way to go, 1999 me!

So, now what? And also, what're those lights swirling around up there?

Those are earthbound stars, as opposed to stars in outer space. They're lights Shiny Star itself called here.

When those stars are no longer visible, that's when Shiny Star will become complete.

It'll be a Ploy Kickshaw even more powerful than the Meinster's three miracles, like the Flat Snark or the Thames Troll.

...Are you serious? You're not just trying to scare us?

？！

True. But we still have some time. How does this sight compare to the one you saw, Aoko?

The magical energy wind in Aoko One's footage was stronger than this. She couldn't even get within fifty meters of it.

Then we know it's been detuned. Enough that we can at least get closer to it now.

Tsukiji, Kinomi, you two stay here.

The wind looks like it's blowing from the center of the crater. Is everyone ready to fight?

Then let's go. Don't hold anything back. The moment it's in range, destroy it with everything you've got.

？！

(Huh? Sheba's stopped observing? What in the world is happening around that star?)

...

Aozaki?

It's nothing! Come on, let's go get it! Summon your Servants, Fujimaru!

We've had lots of time to prepare, and we've got plenty of firepower on our side. Failure is not an option!

Don't worry about the nearby lights! They're harmless! Just focus on attacking the star! Don't get discouraged, even if weird things start happening!

？！

I feared the worst when I saw that Sheba had stopped observing this vicinity, and it looks like I was right!

Space-time no longer has any meaning near Shiny Star! There's no past, no future, no success, no failure...

Everything is simply listed as "Recorded. No change," as if the recorded universe itself is rejecting it!

？！

But, this kind of phenomenon manipulation would require a Spirit Origin on par with a real star!

Where could Shiny Star possibly be getting that much magical energy!?

...There. It's absorbing the magical energy from the other stars in the sky.

Those are wishes. Shiny Star is drawing in wishes from people all around the world.

Isn't that right, Alice?

To make the one-of-a-kind wish into the number one, the Shiny Star resorted to the worst possible means.

Usually, it would be impossible to make one small wish the number one wish on this planet.

But, if all the other wishes were to go away...

If the one small wish was the only wish left in the world...it would become number one by default.

That's what all those shooting stars are. The Shiny Star is gathering up every other wish from all of humankind...

...rejecting them as "Not number one," and turning them into stardust!

？！

So then, the world isn't going to end because that magical energy wind destroys everything...

It's going to end because humankind will die off once their wishes are all gone!?

Looks that way. Of course I had the same thoughtthat I had to do whatever it took to stop it.

But it didn't make any difference. Even though it's been detuned, we still can't get through to it, whether it's with fists or words.

Dammit, I made the wrong call. Just stopping it from granting wishes wasn't enough.

It's not like you to be so fainthearted, Aoko. You sound as if you really did come from a future where one person's wish ruined the whole world.

Yes, a Ploy Kickshaw deploying its rules is invincible. But that's only because it's following its own rules.

Shiny Star activated on a wish that was the only one of its kind in the world. That's the core powering this messed up fairy-tale world.

But, if that core goes away, the Wishing Star Box will go back to being another third-rate Ploy.

So you need to find a way to deny the condition enabling it to operate. It doesn't matter what that way is.

So, like, you want Kinomi to take back his wish? You mean that's all we had to do!?

The only problem is, neither you nor I can move from here, or we won't be able to keep that magical energy wind contained!

Tobimaru and Kinomi would be vaporized instantly!

Then it's a good thing we have them here. Sizuki. Fujimaru. Go talk to Kinomi.

I'll cover you as best I can. Mash, can you stay here and keep the magical energy wind at bay?

Of course! Leave it to me!

Yes, as long as they're more valuable than the Shiny Star. It looks like I have just one ace that fits that bill.

？！

I'm going to send out the Wandersnatch.

The mist won't last long in this storm, but it'll still have my Folklore Defense.

That should slow down the Shiny Star's growth. But it won't last long.

So you'll need to settle this before I completely turn to mist.

You and Mash are gonna hold the line, here? Got it! Then I'll go get Kinomi to take back his wish, even if I have to force it out of hi

I can't believe you, Aoko. Don't you see? If you try that, it really will be game over.

Huh? Wh-why's that?

Even if you could force someone to rescind a heartfelt wish, it would just be empty words.

Nothing's going to change with Shiny Star unless and until Kinomi rescinds his wish and means it.

Now do you understand? You stay here and remain on offense.

Shiny Star's sure to take notice once Fujimaru gets close to Kinomi.

So you're going to need to stay here an fight it one-on-one to make sure it doesn't.

You'll be risking your life to act as a decoy. But you've already died lots of times here, so what's one more?

The magical energy wind is getting even stronger! Master!

？！

？！

Of course I'm going to make sure you're safe. Anyway, I actually wanted to talk to you about something.

I think I got over half of what Aozaki and Kuonji were talking about. I understand that we need to stop the Shiny Star, or the whole Earth will be in trouble.

I also get that it might not be so easy because Kinomi is being surprisingly stubborn and refusing to help.

So, I was thinking... If this new plan just doesn't work, let's go back to the old one.

？！

Yeah, that one. You said you're originally from 2019, right?

So once your work is all done, I'd like you to promise me you'll visit the Kuonji Estate at least once a year in my absence.

？！

Don't tell anyone else, okay? Anyway, let's just focus on convincing Kinomi to help us.

...So please, Kinomi. Tell us what you wished for.

No way.

What're you sulking about, especially at your age!? Don't you get that the whole world's going to end unless you tell us!?

I'm not saying.

？！

Urk... I-I'm still not saying.

Besides, look around! There's no way I could be responsible for this kind of disaster!

Sure, I get the feeling I talked to Wanwan in a dream once...but how could that possibly lead to...THIS!?

I'm just a regular, handsome innkeeper who used to be a comedian and just wants to enjoy every day!

Alice and the Prez'll figure something out! We can just hide out here and cheer them on!

？！

？！

Ulp... I-I see. That's a great goal. I appreciate you telling us that, even though it made you blush.

But that wish has nothing to do with mine! I didn't wish for anything nearly so admirable!

I'm just plain old Kinomi Housuke! Just carry me to a graveyard and bury me with the rest of the planet!

All right, you leave me no choice. I'll just have to break an arm or two until you fess up.

No, Aozaki already thought of that, and apparently it won't work. It's okay. I thought this might happen, seeing how it's Kinomi and all.

We'll just have to do this a different way. Fujimaru, you can still reach Aozaki, right?

Ask her to go back to 2001 and destroy the Wishing Star Box there. Then this'll all be over.

Soujyu

Rrrgh, I can't take this anymore! You got me so distracted I let that explosion hit me!

Nobody's gonna make fun of your wish, you idiot! We're not gonna reject it, or even scold you for it!

If this wish is that important to you, we just want to know what it is! Because we're friends!

Now hurry up and tell us already! What did you wish for!?

I... I just...

I just wanted her to become number one. That's all there was to it.

Man, I love how easygoing your segments are, Yoshisuke! Nobody's on edge, and even the guests who hate each other are behaving!

I became an AD 'cause I always wanted to be in showbiz, but I started having second thoughts when I found out how it dashes hopes and dreams.

But your improvised live segments where we're always flying by the seat of our pants are exactly the kind of thing I always dreamed of doing!!!

The only part about working with you that kind of sucks is how bad the catered lunches are!

Don't worry, nobody's going to care if you're seen with me. I'm the industry's laughingstock.

Whatever happens, they'll just write me off as a joke and that'll be that.

When you get right down to it, I'm just a dumb comedian. As long as people laugh at me, my job is done.

I've never laughed at your banter, Yoshisuke.

Damn, really? Man, having a cute girl tell you you're not funny right to your face really hurts!

I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I mean that your banter always cheers me up.

You're not trying to make people laugh.

Most comedians seem like they just want to make people laugh and that's all, but not you.

It's more like...you'd rather the world be one where YOU can laugh.

That's why you worked so hard to get to where you are now.

It's not that you're fine with being laughed at. You just care more about being able to laugh yourself.

...What makes you think that?

I guess, because...I'm the same way.

I'm not actually that confident in myself. If I'm being honest, I think this whole idol business is messed up.

But, I love having other people hear my voice. That's what helps me keep going with my singing and dancing, even though I'm not that good at either of them.

Whether you're an idol or a comedian, it's hard being in showbiz, isn't it?

It might look like fun, but pretending to have fun when you're not, well... That's just really sad, don't you think?

Huh? Why's the script been rewritten? Did something happen today?

Oh, you haven't heard yet, Yoshisuke? There was a girl who collapsed on stage and died in the hospital.

What was her name again... Mizushima something? They say she'd always been kind of sickly.

Congratulations. It seems that wish is the only one of its kind in the world.

...What?

Are you kidding me? The only one of its kind? In the whole damn world!?

I'm...the only one? Not a single other person still remembers her songs?

She was so lonely, but she still worked so hard, and she made some beautiful music...

...but you're telling me not a single damn person in the world wanted to see her succeed!?

You're wrong. That can't be true. No way in hell. Tell me it ain't true!

...So there you go. That's what I wished for.

Now do you get it? Even if the world really is in danger, there's nothing I can do!

I can't lie and say I was just kidding, and ask to take that wish back now.

Even now, I still want to see her be number one!

...Now I see. You weren't clamming up out of self-preservation. You did it because you were angry.

？！

？！

Yeah. This is about how you feel.

Nobody can deny how people feel about these kinds of things.

"Deliberating... Denied." "Deliberating... Denied." "Deliberating... Denied." "Deliberating... Denied."

"This wish is still the only one of its kind." "This is still the number one wish."

"Just once, I'd like Mizushima Masago to have the most popular song in the world."

"This wish was not made out of self-interest." "This wish was not made for calculated purposes."

"This wish was not made to satisfy a desire." "This wish is absurd." "This wish is interesting."

"This wish is beautiful." "By granting it, I am being fair and impartial."

Fujimaru. Never mind what I said before. We're going to destroy that thing here and now.

？！

Yeah... I hate to admit it, but Shiny Star's logic is flawless. Not even Kinomi can deny what he wished for.

At this point, our only hope is to

...Well, of course.

You can't take back a wish made from the heart. Shiny Star's dead right about that.

Knowing you were the only person in the world to wish for that idol's success? No wonder you were too upset to tell us.

You did nothing wrong, Kinomi. I'm sorry I said you were sulking.

Huh? What's this about, Your Highness?

Just shut up for a moment. I'm about to close this case nice and neatly.

It said this wish is still the only one of its kind? That it's still the number one wish?

What a con job. That's not your wish anymore, Kinomi. It's its own.

Hey, Shiny Star. Seems to me like you're just trying to raise your own rep by making this wish out to be more valuable than it really is.

Fine then. I'll play along with your game. If you care about the rules that much, then listen up.

You say Kinomi's wish was the only one? That nobody else wanted to see her succeed? Well, you're dead wrong.

There's no way that wish is one of a kind! Because I wished for it too, bastard!!!

You say Kinomi's wish was the only one? That nobody else wanted to see her succeed? Well, you're dead wrong.

There's no way that wish is one of a kind! Because I wished for it too, bastard!!!

"Testimony... ???" "Verifying... Considering..." "Priority" "Priority" "Top Priority"

No way! You know about Masago too, Your Highness!?

'Course I do. How do you think I tracked you down all the way out here?

It's because I had something for you. Here, this is yours. This is just one part of the whole pack.

Wait. Is that my handwriting? What're you doing with those, Your Highness? You're creeping me out.

What, is your memory even worse than Robin's? Those are fan letters YOU wrote, you idiot.

Back when you were cheering her on, you used to write her long handwritten letters every time she got a gig.

You'd tell her what she did well, what she did great, what she could stand to improve...

Honestly, I'm amazed you could write the same damn thing so many times. I got a headache just reading through them.

You read my personal mail!? What are you, a paparazzo!?

I had to as part of my job, dumbass. I needed something to track you down, and these were my only lead.

The only reason I have them is because my client lent them to me.

They said your letters were their late daughter's most prized possession.

Masago knew she didn't have a long life ahead of her, but she still wanted to spend it doing what she wanted.

I'm sure being an aspiring idol was hard for her in lots of ways. But for the last two years of her life, she was genuinely happy.

Her parents told me these fan letters you wrote inspired her to keep going.

Like I said, they were her most prized possession.

Her parents started looking for a detective so they could return the letters to the guy who sent them.

Eventually, they found out I used to know him back in high school, and that's how I got the case.

Unfortunately, there were almost no leads to go on. All they had were the letters, and videos of some of their daughter's gigs.

I figured knowing what kind of singer she was could help, so I watched them over and over, and, well...

Her songs weren't exactly my taste, but everything else about them was really good.

I don't know the first thing about singing, but seeing her effort, her emotion, and the joy she got from performing... Even I could tell how brightly she shone on stage.

I didn't think it was possible to become genuinely fond of someone you didn't know before...

...but Mizushima Masago was the real deal. She made me a fan. And I earned the cold shoulder from my wife.

Now go on, stand up and take these. There's nothing sad about this at least, right?

Oh, I see. So you're just riding the bandwagon huh!? I was her fan before you'd even heard her name!

？！

He really did. There's no way Shiny Star could've seen this coming.

"Not recognized. Error. Impossible."

"That testimony cannot be real." "My aggregation was perfect."

Yeah, maybe back in 1997, when you started gathering wishes.

But I hadn't gotten the request to find Kinomi back then. That didn't happen until four years later, in 2001.

So I didn't learn about Mizushima Masago until after you'd collected your data.

"...No f"

No fair? I know how you must feel. You can blame Aozaki for cheating if you want. But first...

It's time to get to work, Shiny Star. You say you're fair and impartial? Prove it. Try gathering your data again!

"Deliberating... Deliberating... Deliberating..." "Testimony: Unknown." "Evidence: Unknown."

"Verifying... Verifying... Verifying..." "No results found... No results found... Results found?"

"Evidence validated. Verification approved. Deliberation impossible."

"ResultsfoundResultsfoundResultsfoundResultsfound ResultsfoundResultsfoundResultsfound!?"

Shiny Star's world is shutting down.

Hurry, everyone! Now's our chance to destroy it!

We'll be right there! Come on, Senpai! Soujyuro!

？！

J-just go save the world already! I need it to live, you know!

Ahh, youth. Look at them running off so happy, like they've already won.

Still, it's only right us old hands show them how it's done, seeing as we were the star players for this case.

This wish might've been number one, but it definitely wasn't the only one of its kind.

This is what showing your true colors looks like!

Do it, Aozaki! Breaking toys is still what you're best at, right!?

You know it! I have some thoughts about your choice of words, but I'll gladly take it from here!

This is it, Shiny Star. In the end, you were just a broken toya wishing well that never got what it really means to be number one.

Collecting lots of wishes and stars isn't necessarily a bad thing by itself...

...but sacrificing other wishes is just a selfish desire, not a wish!

Unfortunately for you, I think I've died more than enough times. This time, it's your turn!

Ending like this doesn't quite seem right. Wishes aren't the only thing you can't take back.

My number one wish wasn't anything special, and stars aren't supposed to burst. They're supposed to orbit.

That's it. That's how stars ought to be.

It's like...you can see them when you're awake, and they provide light when you're asleep.

Nothing else twinkles like them. They're fun to look at, but...there's also something lonesome about them.