Sand Sculpture of the Heart - Track 9

……

Kuguri.

…What is it, plüss? Are you here to complain about what happened earlier?

…Is there a reason as to why you did not participate in the test run?

Do I have to tell you? It seems like you think that all you have to do is ask to get the answers you want, but only a puppet acts according to the whims of others.

Isn’t that right, plüss?

…I recognize that was a sarcastic statement directed at me.

If you want a heart like a human’s, then why not try keeping a secret or two?

A secret…

…But, puppets can’t really do that. So that conversation is over.

…The issue at hand is unrelated. As my sub-host, I have something I wish to ask you, Kuguri.

Do you expect me to work?

Please listen to this.

So this is the soundtrack that Nanaki made for the duo live.

I can recognize that boy’s unique style. It’s well done.

Really… That’s good.

Isn’t it strange, though? This song suits me perfectly, but it’s completely different from your usual vibe, plüss.

Yes. I requested Nanamegi-sama to compose a piece that invokes the image of you standing in a desert scene.

Additionally, I wanted it to bring out your seductive charm as much as possible, Kuguri.

…I don’t quite get what you’re trying to do here.

The reason why I chose you as my sub-host was to gain a better understanding of human emotions. You possess a particularly mysterious charm. This piece was meant to study that.

…Do you really think that you can understand someone’s personality by analyzing them through music?

I would like to ask you to handle the choreography for this piece, Kuguri.

No. Ask nyuszi or Yachiyo to do it.

I refuse, I will have you do it. This is not a matter I will compromise on.

Only you can bring out the charm of this piece as much as possible, Kuguri.

……

It’s not like you to suddenly get all stubborn. Just stick to being the obedient puppet you’ve always been.

…I intend to stop being an obedient puppet. Therefore, I am adamant on you being the one to handle the choreography, Kuguri.

……

Is that so…

Fine then. If you’re that insistent, then I’ll do it.

…!

…In exchange for that, I have a proposal.

…? What is it?

Let’s see…

A psychologist once said, “secrets are like stones pushed into an oyster shell”.¹

Stones… pushed into an oyster shell…?

The shell is the human, and the stone would be the secret.

To the shell, the stone is a foreign object. If the shell keeps the stone protected inside of it… then eventually, the stone could become a pearl.

A shell without a stone is just boring. It can’t produce any pearls. But… if the stone is too big, then it can end up damaging and breaking the shell.

…How many pearls do you hold, Kuguri?

Who knows? I was just trying to tell you that you should try making pearls too, plüss.

…Is that what having a secret would mean? That I would be able to understand human emotions?

Well… It at least means that a kid becomes an adult the moment they get good at keeping secrets.

Within your heart… Oh, but you probably don’t have one of those.

Start by putting in a small secret stone. If that works, then try putting in another one that’s bigger.

…Will they become pearls someday?

That’s up to you.

…But you have to keep it a secret, even from cica. If you can’t do that, then I won’t do the choreography.

What will it be? I don’t care either way.

……

Understood.

I will create a secret and not tell Master about it.

Right. Good choice.

…Just make sure you don’t misjudge how big the stone is and accidentally break, okay?