Uma Musume: Pretty Derby story ยท Character stories
Air Shakur's story
7 scenes, 442 lines
1. Heart-Pounding Algorithm
67 linesParcae... understands me. They take the data I input and guide me to the correct answer. Adhering only to truth, they do what I want them to and do it well.
As long as I give them the right input, the output is absolute. The perfect, all-encompassing, well-defined equation.
But because of that... Parcae can't understand me. In their world of ones and zeros, the process of despair simply doesn't exist.
I'm on the lookout for a racer to scout, so I stop by practice. There, a number of Umamusume who haven't made their debuts yet gather to train.
Opera O and Top Road are both so cool... I may never catch up, but... I have to try!
As expected of the prestigious Tracen Academy, all the students have promise. As I watch them excitedly, I notice something out of the corner of my eye...
...
Beside me is an Umamusume observing the runners on the track. Her serious gaze occasionally shifts to her laptop, where she seems to be typing something.
(What an intense stare. It's almost like...)
Her gaze isn't fixed on the racers in front of her, or even her laptop screen... They seem to be searching for something... desperately so.
...Tch!
...?!
Hmph...
(Ah, I shouldn't have been staring like that.)
Hey, did you see that? Air Shakur seriously freaks me out. I can't believe she glared at an adult like that...
But isn't she, like, a genius or something? Even Teach said she's got the brains and skills... It's just the way she does things that's off.
Apparently, she's always out till just before curfew. I bet she's up to no good... Maybe that's why she's so prickly... I don't know what goes on in her head.
Air Shakur... It looks like she's got quite the fearsome reputation, and perhaps rightfully so. That uniquely fierce stare left quite the impression on me.
Like. I. Said. I'm not doing anything, so what's the big deal?
That night, as I'm returning to the school from a quick trip into town, I spot an Umamusume being stopped by the police.
(Those ears look familiar... Wait.)
Every damn time, you stop me. And for what? It's not even that late... Ah.
Air Shakur!
Hm? You there... Do you know this girl?
She's a student of mine.
So you're from the academy... Good. I'll hand you over to your teacher now. No more wandering around so late at night, got it?
"Hand me over"? Way to treat me like a criminal. And based on nothing but assumptions at that.
That's not it! You're always in those net cafes till late. I'm just worried you'll get wrapped up in something bad... You're so stubborn!
Something tells me that unless I say something, these two will just keep bickering...
Sorry, I was the one who told her to wait there for me.
Huh?
I apologize for worrying you.
...If that's the case, fine. However, you shouldn't leave minors unattended for so long. As for you, if you're waiting for your teacher, just say so!
I take Air Shakur back to the dorms after bidding the policeman good night. She doesn't say a word to me the entire way back...
Make sure you're not out too late, okay?
...That all you're gonna say? I was out till curfew, and I know my reputation around school's not great. It's obvious you'd be suspicious.
Lemme guess, you just don't want to deal with this crap, right? In that case, I wholeheartedly agree.
I just figured you had a good reason to be out late.
...What?
You just seem... serious about racing.
The way she looked this afternoon tells me everything I need to know. I can't imagine anyone with that stern gaze doing something that could jeopardize her career.
Instead... I imagine she was simply looking for somewhere she can concentrate in order to continue her work, whatever it is.
So you're not even going to investigate further? You're just letting me go because of baseless impressions and feelings... You're no better than that cop.
Ultimately, everyone just sees what they want to see, mixing desires into decisions... and your minds suffer for it. That's why I chase the truth... You're unreliable, unlike my partner.
Your... partner?
Tch... My PC. But they're more than just a machine, okay? They're like another brain, a partner capable of giving me all the answers.
Based on all the data I collect, they can give me the most efficient regimen, a surefire strategy for scrimmages... and whatever else I need.
As long as I don't mess up during data entry, they'll spit out the right answer. And they give it to me straight too, none of that vague crap.
But Parcae can only help those who want to help themselves. That's why we work so well. I'm more than willing to follow the path they set for me.
You really trust them, huh?
Yeah, no duh. I made them myself after all.
You're... amazing.
...?!
Looks like I've upset her once again... So I decide to head back to my room, reminding myself to mind my words and actions going forward.
Oh, Shakur! You're finally baaack! U-um, uh... Are you... Um, weeell...
...I was organizing some of my data. It's just easier to concentrate at a cafe than here.
And I thought I told you, you don't have to wait up for me. The entire reason I leave is so you... Whatever, let's just sleep. We've gotta be up early.
Okayyy... Um, that reminds me... Shakur, a trainer is going to observe your training tomorrow, right?
They want to see what I can do. I mean, I'll run, but... I know it's going to end the same as always. It's not even worth running a simulation.
Either way, it doesn't concern you. I'm turning off the light.
...I knew it. The answer didn't change. C'๏ฝon, Parcae...
(Parcae... You were born of my obsession with the Twinkle Series. Everything from your OS to the applications you use, I made you myself.)
(Based on your analysis, I should be debuting soon. My physical condition is improving as predicted. However...)
(That number hasn't changed. Which makes sense, since the code is right. That number is absolute.)
(So why do I... keep redoing it? Analysis? Verification? Desperation? What is it...)
2. A Voice from the Black Box
63 linesAll right, Air Shakur, do a lap for me using the strategy I just explained.
The next day, I've once again come to the training course to watch the racers. That's when I spot a trainer talking to Air Shakur.
(I wonder what sort of run she'll show him...)
(Wh-whoa!)
Eek! N-no way... Let's run somewhere else...
Air Shakur's run is wilder than I imagined... but it's not sloppy. In fact, I'd say it's refined to the point where no inefficiency remains.
Huff, huff, huff! Hahaha!
(Amazing...)
As she enters the straightaway, she goes faster and faster, like she's chasing her prey. I'm awestruck by the skill on display. She's clearly talented. However...
H-hey! What do you think you're doing? That is not what I told you to do!
(...?!)
I told you to try pace chasing for this first lap, so why did you hold back until the fourth corner?
If I'm going to be your trainer, I need to assess your skills. But I can't do that unless you cooperate!
Then don't waste my time.
Huh?
You need to see me pace chase to assess my abilities? Why? What's the logic there?
Not that it matters. I've already collected and assessed the data myself. I'm not gonna waste resources on half-baked experiments.
But you can't guarantee that the data you've collected is correct, right? My experience as a trainer affords me the insight to make...
Ugh, okay, we're done. You're the same as all the others, so forget I ever agreed to this training supervision thing. Leave.
Huh?! What are you saying?! We just got started!
And now we're done. If you try and take up any more of my precious time... You know what'll happen, right? Right?!
Urk! Wh-what's your problem... Fine, have it your way!
D-did you see that? How the heck are you supposed to train such an unruly racer?
You don't, that's how... Talking to her would be like talking to a brick wa...
Hey, if you're gonna whisper, at least do it where I can't...
Another spectacular fall. What happened this time?
Ah, um, well... I guess I went a little overboard... My time hasn't gotten any shorter recently... I suppose I was running too much...
...So you've hit a wall. Instead of tackling it head-on, wouldn't it be better to try something else?
I get that you're working hard, but you can only improve so much. We all have limits. Refusing to give up will just result in wasted time.
Um, well... I'm not very clever, so any idea I have would be worthless... All I can do is work hard.
But I figured that as long as I keep throwing my whole body into that wall... maybe someday, it'll finally break? I don't know...
...I see. Well, then I guess... I look forward to seeing you tear down that wall.
"Someday," huh...
What a meaningless wish...
(...!)
Phew... Looks like she's calmed down... That Air Shakur, she was even worse than usual today.
(What does she mean by "meaningless"?)
She said it rather quietly, but the pain in her voice echoes through my mind...
But so does the image of her run. Later in the evening, I find myself back at the course, only to see...
(Shakur?)
Huff... Huff... Huff...
Dammit... nothing changed! Not now, not then, NOT EVER!
Seven centimeters! That's it! Just a few centimeters, but no matter how much I try... I can't even...
(Seven centimeters?)
Oh my, this isn't like her at all. All that bottled up frustration is finally spilling out.
Good evening. I am Agnes Tachyon, a friend of Shakur's... Although I'm sure she'd object to that statement.
She's certainly overdoing it today. For someone so obsessed with efficiency and benefit, seeing her lashing out so fruitlessly is quite strange.
Just what is she trying to do?
Do you have much experience with the world of zeros and ones? If not, I'm afraid you may never understand her.
You could say... Shakur is a devout follower of data. She spends her time collecting it and running simulations, all in the hopes of finding a solution.
She sees the world in terms of true and false. Ambiguities such as potential do not exist for her.
What you see now... is her god denying her a prosperous future. And as her god is absolute, that revelation too remains unchangeable.
If it did change, that would mean her entire worldview is wrong, an equally terrifying prospect. So she has no choice but to accept her fate, whether she likes it or not.
But even so, she wants to change something...
Heh, correct you are! Her mind truly is an enigma. Why does she continue to struggle when she herself would admit it's futile?
Shakur's vision of the ideal racer is chiseled perfection... But if you ask me, there is potential to be found in the discarded scraps and undefined spaces.
Oh my, it looks like she's finishing up. As much as she likes observing other runners, she hates to be the one observed.
I shall be taking my leave here, but you... Now that your curiosity has been piqued and Shakur fills your thoughts... What will you do?
As if in response to Agnes Tachyon's question, I turn around and race after Air Shakur.
3. Permission Denied
72 lines"Shakur is a very bright child. However, she has a hard time understanding that being correct doesn't always mean she's right..."
"To be completely honest, the other teachers and I aren't sure how to deal with her. She's completely isolated herself from her class. She's even gotten in a few fights."
"I swear, we're all doing our best to understand her, but... unless she starts putting in a little effort to reciprocate, there's not much more we can do..."
"I'm sorry, but she's always been like that. It's just who she is... You don't have to worry about her. You'll only provoke her..."
(Ever since I was a kid, I've always been some sort of enigma to others. No matter what I did, it was wrong because I'm wrong.)
(Whenever people spoke, all I'd hear was noise... We'd be speaking the same language, but no one understood what I was saying. Eventually, I gave up and shut up.)
(That's when I discovered computers. It felt like I was hearing someone speak for the first time. Turns out programming languages were the only ones I needed.)
(With a partner like that, I could make all the noise disappear. Around that time is when I found the most effective way to prove myself, as a student at Tracen Academy.)
I finished Parcae shortly after enrolling, and they were the perfect partner. The more data I entered, the more accurate the answer they gave.)
"Just what is Air Shakur thinking... She doesn't listen to the teachers, is generally uncooperative, and can be self-absorbed... But..."
"I don't want to run with Shakur at all... It's like she's from another planet sometimes... It's scary. But..."
"She's winning, so she's clearly skilled."
(...That was the best part. When I won a race, everyone would shut their mouths, getting rid of the noise. So I decided to aim even higher.)
(If I won more, or better races... Yeah, if I earned a title only the best of the best receive... If I could become the Triple Crown champion...)
(Then maybe, they'd โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ . Or so I thought...)
After following Air Shakur from her practice, I find her standing in the courtyard.
Shakur!
It's... you again. What do you want?
That run you showed off this afternoon was something else.
Huh? Ah... Huh?
It's clear you put a lot of work into it.
Hmph... The hell? Where'd that come from...
Wait, is that all you came here to say? If so, good for you. Now hurry up and get lost.
Of course that's not the only thing. I want to see her run more, get to know her more. I...
I want to be your trainer!
...What?
I suppose it seemed rather sudden, but the moment I said it, I knew it was true. I've wanted to be her trainer from the moment we met.
...I don't see the logic in this. Ahh, did you fall for my run or something? Then too bad, I refuse. I don't have time for baseless proposals.
But the basis of our training relationship would be up to you, no?
...Huh?
Why don't you tell me what it is you're running for?
What good would that information do? If you really want to be my trainer, write up a proposal based on my skills or a goal.
But if I know why you run, I can help you.
How? What could you possibly... What makes you think you'd do a better job than me?
Nutrition, sports engineering... I've memorized countless essays and data sets. So tell me, how exactly are you gonna help me?
...
You don't have an answer, do you? Spit it out. Truth is... you just want to be my trainer.
You want to be helpful. You want to be my savior. But truth is you can't do anything.
She throws her rejection in my face... but behind those harsh words hides the information I want. I'm not backing down now.
You're right, I haven't done anything yet.
Huh?
So where's your proof that I can't do it?
Oh, for crying out loud. Would you just...
...You know what? Follow me. I'll let the numbers do the talking.
This is the answer Parcae lead me to.
Before us lies Air Shakur's precious laptop. On the screen, I see she's opened up a program of some sort.
There I see countless equations and variables, enough to fill the whole screen. And at the very end, after the equals sign is...
"-7"?
That's the answer I got the first time I calculated everything, and it hasn't changed since. By this calculation...
I will lose the Japanese Derby by seven centimeters, and with it, I'll lose my shot at the Triple Crown. End of story.
...!
The Triple Crown refers to three G1 races runners can only tackle in their classic year: the Satsuki Sho, the Japanese Derby, and the Kikuka Sho.
Racers who win all three are known as Triple Crown champions. Among thousands of challengers, only a select few have manage to snag that title.
I... will never be a Triple Crown champion. No matter how many times I run the inputs, the answer is always the same.
And don't try to suggest that the program's off. Trust me, it's not. I can guarantee that... which means my loss is also... guaranteed.
Do you get it now? Nothing you do can help me. If I can't fix this... no one can.
I can't truly understand how hopeless her struggle seems, but I can tell that she's still fighting despite that. And there can only be one reason as to why...
You still want to win though, right?
...Huh?
This is what I wanted to know, her dream. It may not come off as special, heck, everyone has a dream, but as long as she has that...
As long as you keep that dream in your heart, that number will change!
...
If dreams alone could change anything, don't you think that would've happened already?!
...!
I know it's futile, pathetic even... But I've redone all the calculations again and again and again and again and AGAIN! Nothing changed!
But I run and run... and run more! Just hoping... someday... But it... it was all useless... And then you have the nerve...
To just show up and act like you can change things! So go ahead... tell me how it'll be different with you!
Air Shakur lashes out in anger and despair. Undoubtedly, her own training is what lead her to this conclusion, and I won't sit here telling her she's wrong... but...
(But I still want my shot!)
...Anyway, I think you get the point. And even if you don't, just leave me alone.
(...I need to get to know her better.)
She may have rejected my offer this time, but for some reason, I don't feel like giving up just yet.
4. Transcribed Protocol
72 linesYou want to know more about Air Shakur? But then why are you asking me?
Surely you've heard about my session with her... She and I couldn't see eye to eye. Heck, we barely spoke. I won't be much help.
Then do you have any insight into why you didn't get along?
After our last encounter, it doesn't seem wise to ask Air Shakur about herself directly. So instead, I decide to ask others about their impressions of her.
I need to know more about her, her achievements, her path up until now... everything. The more I learn about her, the more I'll understand.
Please, anything you can tell me would help!
W-wait a minute!
In my inbox, I find Agnes Tachyon's email... and the files attached to it. Every single one looks like a complex research paper...
All of those were received from Shakur as part of a trade between researchers. Her graphs and formula layouts should reveal something about her inner workings.
...!
As should her blunt writing devoid of any flowery modifiers. While I personally see commitment to aesthetics in her work...
According to her, she's doing no such thing. I'm not sure I believe that... Ah, I suppose those papers may be a tad difficult to comprehend.
Sure, but I'll still read them. Thank you.
...I see. Well, I won't explain them either, so do your best. As long as you do that, something is bound to happen. I'm sure of it.
Why are you helping me?
"Helping" you certainly was not my intention. But as a researcher... I do not want anything to impede progress. Yours or hers.
So begins my days of collecting information on Air Shakur. I watch countless recordings and inquire with other trainers and her classmates alike. Until...
Sigh...
(I better find a trainer soon. Why did a trainer have to be one of the conditions to debut... Guess it's a bit late to object.)
A trainer, huh...
"You still want to win though, right?"
(No matter who I pick, they're going to be a pain. In that case, anyone's fine... Not like they'll do much anyway.)
(That said... The thought of seeing their confused face every day makes my skin crawl. And what's the point of debuting... if I already know what will happen?)
...Maybe I should just give up.
Do you mean that?
Sigh... Not like it would be that weird to say. Maybe now's just the time to quit.
I mean, who the hell wants to play a game they already know the ending to? Morons, that's who.
And you're no moron.
...You're right. So...
But you won't give up. Because you want to win.
...Huh?
After retracing her steps through reports and recordings, I've come to know a fraction of the effort she's put into winning the Derby. So I know for a fact...
You won't give up. Ever.
...I hate when people talk to me like that. You don't know me, so quit acting like it.
You're right. I don't know you...
No matter how much I try, I may never catch even a glimpse of her world... but that won't stop me from trying.
If she'll let me, I'm sure we can work together to achieve her goal. Even if we aren't alike, our eyes can still settle on the same horizon.
But I don't want to give up on trying to understand you either.
...!
How the... You can't even write code. And you base your actions on ambiguous things like dreams. We're nothing alike.
You really think... you can understand me? How could you? And even if you could... What good would it do?
In order to figure that out, I'll need your help.
And what if... it all amounts to nothing? Are you really...
Yes! I want to be your trainer!
...I seriously don't get you. Training me wouldn't benefit you in any way.
Of course it would.
Oh yeah? How?
I get to see you win!
...!
I want to see the moment her hard work, her obsession pays off. As a trainer, there could be no greater reward than that.
I knew it, you don't understand a word I'm saying... Not really seeing the benefit for me either at this point.
Well, you get to debut, don't you?
...I won't need to debut if I quit, right?
Well, I'll be around if you decide to stick with it.
"But I don't want to give up on trying to understand you either."
(Shut up. Piss off. Even if you could get me... what good would your stubborn ass do anyways?)
Although... I suppose persistence is the one thing we have in common.
(I've yet to find a way to breach those seven centimeters. Nothing's changed since I first calculated my chances. But...)
Giving up... just doesn't feel right.
...Ah.
That night, I spot Air Shakur as I'm out and about. Worried, I decide to watch over her from a distance until she returns to the dorms.
Excuse me, you've been following that girl for a while now. Care to tell me why?
...?!
We've received reports of someone stalking Umamusume at night. Perhaps you could tell me what you know about that at the station?
W-wait, I don't...
Heh... Guess I have no choice.
Hey, leave 'em alone. Can't you see they're scared? Besides...
That "stalker" is my trainer... Isn't that right?
5. Living by YAGNI
49 linesIt's been some time since I became Air Shakur's trainer. We haven't had any glaring issues, but I do have one concern.
Talk, huh... What about?
Um... Would you like to get food together after training?
...What?
The two of us haven't gotten any closer.
Even on a good day, Air Shakur's attitude towards me is prickly at best. But I want to do everything I can to support her in the Twinkle Series.
And for me to do that, she needs to trust me. Obviously it won't happen all at once, but surely I can build up that trust little by little.
After asking around, I managed to come up with a few ideas to help us get closer. All that's left is to bring them up to Air Shakur!
It's becoming clear that Air Shakur doesn't want to interact with me outside training-related business.
But I won't give up yet!
So now you want to spend the day together, huh? What's gotten into you recently?
I just want us to get to know each other better.
Not necessary. We only formed a contract because I needed a trainer for my debut.
But I'll let you pick the place!
We don't even have to talk. All I can hope is that this time together will help her trust me just a little more. Once I explain my intentions to her...
Sigh...
All right, fine. Guess I'll just waste a day with this then... You said I could pick the place, right?
And so, I meet up with Air Shakur the next day. She then takes me to...
A net cafe?!
One with only single booths at that. Our booths aren't even next to each other... But I did promise she could pick, and I won't go back on my word.
But I also don't know when our next outing will be, if ever... So I have to make this work!
What now? This better be good, or I'm kicking you out.
Are you hungry?
...No, I'm not hungry, nor do I think I will be.
But it's almost lunchtime...
...
C-can I at least get you something to drink?
Would you SHUT UP?!
All right, if you really wanna be friends or whatever, give me. Some damn. SPACE!
Excuse me, miss, could we speak for a moment?
Sorry...
...Lots of trainers have business-like arrangements with their trainees. And it's not like their race results suffer from that lack of a personal relationship.
I'm sure you're aware of that fact too. So I can think of only one reason you'd keep up this stupidity.
You must believe that us being all buddy-buddy would be good for me. Seeing the loner avoid making friends makes you sad, right?
...Should've known better. Nothing changes.
The only partner I need is my PC. So quit inviting me out. Got it?
...I make no promises.
Air Shakur doesn't see the need to build relationships with people. I understand that. After all, she made it this far on her own, with only her numbers to guide her.
(But...)
What will happen when she encounters a problem she can't solve on her own? I want to prepare for that possibility.
I won't give up that easy.
...I don't get it.
As always, you make no sense. Wouldn't it be easier to just do as I say?
...
Do whatever you want.
6. Hero of the Loners
57 linesOne day while searching for Air Shakur, I find her taking a rare nap, her laptop still open.
...
As I go to close her laptop, the screen catches my eye. It looks like she had her social media open. The account on-screen says "!monad."
From the looks of it, this is an account she uses to post music she makes. I'm a little surprised by her choice of hobby, but decide to leave before she wakes up.
A few days later, I decide to invite Air Shakur to the record shop.
I fully expected her to say no, but it seems she already had plans to come here. She's allowed me to tag along, but nothing more.
Man, you never learn, huh. Remember what happened at the net cafe?
Once we're at the shop, don't you dare talk to me.
Got it.
This artist's not even that big, so why a physical CD? If they'd just posted it online, I could've bought it with a single click.
It seems she's come here today to buy the CD of a small-time artist.
You must really like music.
Next up is my newest song, "Rust."
Air Shakur stops in her tracks. I follow her line of sight to find a young woman performing on her DJ deck.
Do you know her?
With that, Air Shakur finds a spot a bit separated from the artist and begins to listen to her performance.
The song's rhythm seems to draw you in, and the scat vocals add a sense of playfulness to the experience. Before I know it, I'm tapping my foot to the beat.
This is a good song.
...Yeah, it's not bad.
Most of her stuff online is really light and old school... Looks like she switched genres to house music.
Well, change is inevitable after all. Let's get going.
W-wait! Please take this!
Hm?
The young musician hands a single flyer to Air Shakur.
I'm still pretty new to the game, but I'll be performing at this event! Feel free to drop by if you can!
...Got it. Huh, so it's this weekend, ah!
...?
Taking a peek at the flyer, my eyes settle on the artist's profile, which explains she was inspired to perform after hearing a certain artist... !monad.
(Wait, isn't that Air Shakur's...)
...
Um, 'scuse me... is everything okay?
Yeah, it's fine. Good luck this weekend.
Who's this DJ listed in your profile?
Hey!
Oh, them! I love, love, LOVE !monad's stuff! I have to be extra careful to not copy their style completely.
I ended up using scat vocals hoping to make the song feel mine... But well, I'm definitely still working out the kinks in my style!
...!monad's music sounds like they're just messing around to me. I doubt it's got any use as inspiration or whatever.
Hey, come on, don't say that! I owe !monad my life!
...Your life?
I don't mean that literally or anything. It's not like we've ever met. But...
I'm just... different from other people, and my life's been pretty hard 'cause of it. But even when I tried to fit in, it's like something was still off, ya know?
But that's when I heard !monad's music, and it felt like someone was sticking the middle finger to the world! It gave me the push I needed to do things my way!
...
But all that aside, their musical sense alone is on another level! They're like a bat out of hell, screaming bloody murder! They're truly living in the moment!
...
I'd love to meet them myself one day. I just know that deep down, they've got a heart burning with passion!
N-nothing!
Several days later...
Hey, look at this! Someone put a super flashy flyer on the bulletin board! You think a student did it?
Probably. But wait, isn't this for a club in town? Huh... Maybe I'll check it out.
A mysterious flyer posted on the school bulletin board quickly becomes the talk of the academy.
7. Changing Modes
62 linesSummer training camp has arrived at last.
In addition to training, there are also plenty of events happening, everything from a beach day to a fireworks show... The school even planned a barbecue.
I'm off, so time me, okay? ...Hey, you listening?
...Tch. Sit in the shade while you time me. And drink some water. I don't want to have to redo my laps 'cause you passed out.
I'd like to think Air Shakur and I have grown closer since the beginning. But whether or not she trusts me...
(That's... up for debate...)
Well, summer is always jam-packed with events, so this is the perfect time to deepen our bond!
Or at least, that's what I had hoped...
A day at the beach? Unless it's for training, no way am I spending time in this heat.
A fireworks show? What a lame, loud, and illogical idea. Pass.
Not happening.
But... I haven't said anything yet!
You're inviting me to the school barbecue. It's so obvious. What's next, the pool? Camping? Get your summer-loving head out of the clouds, moooron.
I know you're up to something, so give it up. I'm not doing anything outside of training.
All that cheerful laughter is just noise to me, plain and simple. You should know that by now.
It's true that Air Shakur doesn't like noisy places. Perhaps I should have considered that when finding events to invite her to.
Well, that doesn't mean I should give up!
Surely there must be a summer activity Air Shakur would like... As I stare ahead in thought, a spark of light flutters in the distance, before disappearing again.
That's it!
Watching the fireflies would make the perfect peaceful summer activity! One that I'm sure Air Shakur will enjoy!
With that, I head in the direction I saw the firefly, and my nights spent searching for their gathering space begin.
Unfortunately, it's been days since then, and my search has yet to prove fruitful...
I start to wonder if I was seeing things that day. This river looks perfect for fireflies, but I've yet to see a single one.
(And summer camp will end soon...)
Just as I begin to think it better to give up for this year, I feel a hand on my shoulder.
Stop right there, stranger. Let's see some ID... That reminds me, I've gotten reports of a weirdo stalking the woods late at night.
I-I'm not doing anything suspicious!
Goootcha.
You've been acting weird all day. You think I wouldn't notice?
Now, what're you up to?
Looks like I'd better fess up... I explain my quest for fireflies and the reason behind it.
Now it's fireflies, huh? I thought you'd been too quiet lately... When are you gonna learn?
I thought I told you. I don't need all this buddy-buddy stuff. I already...
I know, I know. You already have Parcae.
What?
I don't get it. If you know, then why can't you just accept it?
At first, I thought it was pity or a sense of superiority, but I don't think that's it. It's something else.
So why do all this? Conviction? A sense of duty? Some weird new training technique I'm unaware of?
The answer comes to me surprisingly quick.
I just care about you. That's all.
...Huh?
I explain that I know Air Shakur already has the perfect partner in her PC. No doubt that's the reason she was able to get this far without trouble.
But if she continues to avoid relying on others, I can't help but worry about what will happen when she does encounter trouble she can't handle.
If she pushes people away even then, whatever that trouble is, it could stop her in her tracks.
That's why I want us to get closer.
...
Ha... So this improbable possibility you've come up with is the reason you've been inviting me to every little thing?
You got us kicked out of a net cafe, inserted yourself into my shopping... and wandered around in the dark hunting bugs for that?
What were you going to do if this pissed me off more? It would've ended in a lot more than me pushing you away.
I know you wouldn't let it get that far.
Air Shakur is anything but timid. If I really made her mad, she would have simply found another trainer.
...?!
You talk like you know what you're doing, yet here you are, worrying about something that isn't even guaranteed to happen.
It's so illogical. Just like everything you do.
...And fireflies prefer darker places than this. The ground is too hard, and there's not enough grass. Did you even check upstream?
Air Shakur turns and heads in the opposite direction of camp. For a second I think to correct her, but something stops me.
Shakur?
You coming or not? Watching fireflies doesn't sound so bad.