Meluna's Story

Er? What's this?

Do you seriously think I don't know what a melon is? Don't think everyone is like you.

Elemental? Oh... Is it Meluna?

Aha! A gift for me, eh?

Erpin, you get none of this.

I'm serious. You didn't give me any mallows before, remember?

Hey, where are you going? Hey! Hey! Give me back the melon! Darn it, she ran off with the melon!

Good idea.

Me?

I've come to the Elemental Region to visit Meluna and thank her for the gift.

I see a cozy cottage with a sign reading "Melo Corporation".

Meluna and a melon are watering melons out front.

...Wait, what?

I rub my eyes and take another look. I can still see a melon... watering melons.

Meluna greets me, watering can in hand. The melon also waves its leaves.

Errr... Hi, Meluna. It sure is a fine day, but...

What's that? The melon?

Oh. I see.

When something is outside your scope of comprehension, it is easier to just accept things as they are.

I guess a melon can walk, work, and be a pet... sure... why not?

Musk winks, as if to say, "Got it!"

I just can't with that melon... It is so cute!

Don't mention it. You sent me those delicious melons, after all. They were really good!

.........

W-Well, it's just... I feel kind of bad now that I think about it...

Yeah, sure...

I considered buying some melon ice cream on the way here, but now I'm glad I didn't.

Anyway, what's up? You sent me a gift as well as an invite...

The others...? You mean Naia? Sylla?

They've been talking about me? That's surprising... They didn't badmouth me, did they?

...I'll pass. I have a hunch that asking them will only hurt my feelings.

Me? What do you want to know?

Meluna is curious about who I am and where I'm from.

I answer half-heartedly at first, but since she is such an attentive and active listener, I find myself blabbering excitedly.

Oh, you're right. It's gotten pretty dark. And I was really enjoying myself too...

Company? Advisor? You run a company too?

Those positions are too much. Let's say no.

Uh... I was just rambling without really knowing what I was talking about.

I'm not an expert on these things, so such a position is too much for me...

I like having a title. Let's say yes.

If all I have to do is tell you stories like this, then sure.

But you know, I don't work for free. At least throw in some melons.

I'm all yours, boss.

The melons are too good to turn down.

And thus, I've become an advisor to Melon—uh, Melo Corporation.

Mom, I got the job!

Meluna tells me to come to Monatium.

She says that there's a Melo Corporation office in the city, so I go to the address she gave me...

I-Is this it?

Standing before me is the largest building I've ever seen in Monatium.

Am I really at the right place? It does say "Melo Corporation", but... umm...

Whoaaa!

Meluna suddenly appears out of nowhere and stands behind me with a smile on her face.

There are a number of things that have surprised me, actually.

Never mind how you appeared behind me. Just what in the world is that massive building?

Didn't you say it's the Monatium branch? How's that building a branch office?

It's so obvious that the cottage in Elemental Forest is the branch, and this is the headquarters!

.........

It feels strange to hear such a realistic, practical reason.

Oh, uh... Sure.

I'm still gobsmacked, but Meluna takes me inside and shows me around.

The employees greet Meluna politely and refer to her as "Madam President" as she walks past.

I thought it was a small company that grew melons... but this is on a whole other level!

Y-Yes? What can I help you with, ma'am?

I thought that something was terribly... No, never mind.

A meeting? Is it really okay for me to attend?

.........

Well, if it's just watching...

As Meluna said, no one questioned my presence as we entered the conference room.

They convened the meeting, and soon, technical terms were thrown about.

Okay, yeah, totally got it... Psych! I don't have a clue as to what they are all talking about!

Basically, it seems Meluna makes decisions with her gut, and the employees who agree with her decision back it up very nicely with their silver tongues.

The meeting continues in such a fashion. Lots and lots of sugarcoating, really.

Meluna sees her executives off with a smile, then turns to me.

I had more fun than I thought I would.

It was surprisingly fun, actually.

Yeah, it was such a wunderbar, tres bien, and espectacular meeting.

Really? But you were smiling throughout the meeting, weren't you?

Actually, it was boring.

I... really can't say that was fun.

It was still interesting, though.

To have meetings and run a company like this... That's kinda incredible.

The fact that you can keep that up is still impressive. If it were me... ugh, I wouldn't last long.

...I don't wanna sound like I'm trying to get out of it, but are you really sure about me being an advisor?

Haha...

I'm still a bit uneasy, but the melons are delicious... I suppose everything will be fine...

...Right?

Having become familiar with my role as a Melo Corporation advisor, I visit the company often and talk to Meluna.

Since Meluna is taking care of her melons today, I just clock in and leave. On the way home, I stop by a restaurant.

One order, over here. Please make it a generous serving!

I overhear some whispered chatter as I wait for my food.

Oh? Are they planning a coup or something?

I feel like a spy, overhearing some insurgents plotting treason.

.........?

Did they just say Meluna?

It's true! They seriously are conspiring to remove Meluna as President!

Luckily, the elven employees haven't noticed me, so I quietly slip out of the restaurant.

Meluna's cottage was familiar to me as I had been there often.

Although the melon meal that she proudly serves is a little hard to get used to.

Meluna! We have a situation! Meluna!

I arrive at Meluna's cottage, but she is nowhere to be seen. Only Musk is there.

Where's Meluna? I have to tell her something right away...!

Musk seems to realize I'm in a hurry, shakes its leaves, and gestures at me.

Meluna... Yeah... She tended to the melons... Okay...? And she had plans, so she left...?

Do you know where she went?

What? Monatium? Dang it... I just came from there. I don't have time for this...

As I panic, Musk waves its leaves and climbs onto my shoulder.

Then it points a leaf as if to guide me.

You'll find her? Should I trust you?

This melon is so freaking cool!

This ear-splitting noise!

And a voice rising from the depths of hell echoes in unison.

Festa is playing her guitar, and Meluna is singing along to it.

Festa! Meluna!

These guys are so lost in their music that they can't even hear me.

Suddenly, Musk jumps off my shoulder and smacks right into Meluna's face.

Meluna finally stops singing, and Festa soon follows suit. Nice one, Musk.

Festa, I'm sorry, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. Meluna, we've got trouble!

First of all, you call that a performance? And yes, things are urgent!

Priceless, my butt... I wouldn't listen to that even if someone paid me a fortune.

That's not what I meant...

It's too late. She's become Festa 2.0.

Let's just move on and tell her about the conspiracy.

Of course it's urgent. Tell her about the conspiracy.

The elves are conspiring behind your back!

...It isn't?

.........

I wonder if she even knows the meaning of those words. Or am I not understanding?

Are you Festa 2.0 or something? And what's with that proud smile on your face, Festa?

Argh! I'm good! I'll hear you play as much as you want later, but just hear me out right now!

I summarize the conspiracy of the elven employees that I heard about in the restaurant.

Why are you acting as if it's none of your business?! They're trying to take over your company!

No, it's not! We've got to come up with something to secure your position...!

You're not okay with it just because you like them, are you?

Meluna smiles calmly as she says that.

So calmly that it was actually somewhat scary.

I arrive at the conference room with a confident Meluna.

A certain tension fills the air.

The elves seem confident that their plan will be successful.

Is it really going to be okay? Meluna said she had an idea, but we didn't have much time.

Wicked Elf's revelation quickly throws the conference room into chaos.

The elves argue furiously, and the proposal to remove Meluna never comes to pass.

Throughout the chaos, Meluna continues to smile.

Some time has passed, and I am still an advisor at Melo Corporation.

You know, Meluna...

On the way here, I ran into Wicked Elf, who you made vice president last time.

She was working in sales in the Eastern Strom District in Monatium.

And Elf B is running a small store in the Southern Strom District.

All the elves who were plotting against you at that meeting...ended up in remote locations, practically exiled.

Ever since she chose a VP, they all turned on each other and self-destructed.

Hmm...

Was that your plan the whole time?

Thinking back, most of the decisions you made at the meeting turned out to be successful.

But, it's more than luck. Especially looking at the outcome with the elves this time.

It could be thanks to the staff, but we can't completely write off your capabilities either.

So how then...?

Huh?

Uh... the face? Or maybe the inside of the thigh or arm?

Meluna smiles and leans in, whispering in my ear.

.........

..........

..........

I-Is that why you're friends with me too...?

... Are you sure that's the reason?

... Yes, ma'am.

I'd thought this world was a comedy.

I guess I was wrong. This world is more like a thriller.

Hahahaha!

I don't know, but seeing you laugh, I just joined in.

Never mind that. Why were you laughing?

In her hand, Erpin holds a gold coin.

For some reason, the carved melon design looks...oddly familiar.

I don't, so tell me. And don't tease me about not knowing!

Coin...?

An uneasy feeling washes over me.

So... you're laughing because the price went up from what you paid?

... Do whatever you want.

I leave the overjoyed Erpin to think.

This seems to be my fault... I think I might have inspired this when I talked to Meluna about coins recently.

Hey, Meluna. When you come, bring Meluna!

Ah, it's just a habit. Anyway, that's not important right now.

Did you make a coin?

She admitted to it so quickly. Something feels off.

When I told you about coins, didn't I mention that they led to big problems?

And despite that, you made and launched one anyway?

Why?

Obviously?

...?

I don't understand. As your advisor, I request an explanation.

Fine, I will admit that Musk is cute. But why make a coin out of it?

..........

First comes love, then comes... wait, that's not right.

Did she really mint a coin just for that twisted affection of hers?

That's kind of unnerving.

You really only made it as Musk merch?

..........

There it is.

Those are her true feelings.

Well... since it's Musk merch, it's only right for it to have that kind of value.

..........

Wow, I almost fell for it!

... Is it free?

Meluna slips a Muskoin into my pocket.

Since it's a gift, I'll accept, but... I don't plan on selling it.

That's right.

Huh? What do you mean?

Meluna smiles serenely.

It was only later that I understood that smile's meaning.

The price of Muskoin, which had skyrocketed, suddenly plummets, leaving Erpin wailing in despair.

Since I was given mine for free, I held onto it, and it was a good thing I did.

Just as I thought, coins just aren't for me.

City Hall?

Meluna said to meet her at City Hall, not at her company.

That makes me a bit uneasy, wondering what she might be up to this time.

Hello, Melo!

I know, but I just felt like saying it that way. Your company's called Melo Corporation, right?

I melo— I mean, I dunno, it's kind of catchy. It's melo-dic...

The utmost and highest regards to you, Lady Meluna.

How could a mere mortal like me dare to speak to Lady Meluna without the utmost respect?

Anyway, why did you want to meet here today?

Uh... Misunderstandings?

Between talking about white feet, coins, and value creation, I don't think I have any misunderstandings.

Didn't you once say your goal was to be classified as a Noble Elemental?

I guess so... I have seen you play with Festa before, so maybe you really do like music.

Genre name aside, I'm not sure she's ready to release music just yet.

Uh... Well, in that case, I'll cheer you on.

But if you're here to clear up misunderstandings, why meet at City Hall?

Purpose? In Elven City Hall?

I have no clue what Meluna's purpose could be.

She's easily the wealthiest tycoon in Elias. What could she possibly want?

Elena? Sist?

Elena and Sist are bickering amongst the scattered equipment and machinery.

It makes sense for Elena to be here. But Sist, why are you here?

Her tone suggests she is challenging anyone who might have a problem with it.

What is this group up to?

The head of a giant music company and the wealthiest tycoon, an elven mayor desperate to return to her home planet, and a merchant intent on buying all of Elias.

This is one rich dream team.

Purpose? What? Another money-making scheme?

Something more important than money? Does that really exist to you?

Same old same old, the money-minded trio.

It's all about the message.

Your dream?

Elena mutters to herself as she adjusts some controls, and a large monitor lights up.

The screen displays a gigantic, lengthy machine being built. It looks almost like...

A spaceship...?

Sist and Elena are second and third according to wealth in Elias...

So, if they felt strapped for cash, how rich is Meluna?

So, the three of you banded together to build that thing?

Meluna gestures, and Elena operates the controls, opening the ceiling above.

Everyone looks at the vast, open sky above.

... No way.

With her finger pointing toward the star-lit heavens, Meluna smiles.