Come, Towards the Sound of Applause (1)

(As I thought, it really was a good idea to come out into the city today. There are more new shops than last time I came here for research!)

(I wanted to gather intel on hidden gems for HAMA Tours…)

Alright, the next spot is…huh?

(Over in the crowd there, is that…Kuguri-san?)

Ah…Kuguri-san, you dropped your handkerchief!

…Aaand he’s gone.

(Actually, Kuguri-san has always been the type to disappear out of the blue. I don’t have any idea what he does on his days off.)

(Even on one of his more recent ones, Kuguri-san wasn’t around and everyone on the Evening Team didn’t know where he was.)

Eh? You’re wondering what Kugurin does on his days off? Chii’s got no clue. What about you, Taotao?

I don’t really know either…I look away from him for a second, and he’s gone.

Yeah. Additionally, if you do ask him where he’s gone, he never confesses anything.

Commencing search for “Possible Activities on Domeki Kuguri’s Day Off”.

—-Relevant information unavailable. I can conduct additional research if you’d like, Master.

(I’m pretty curious…and I still need to give him back his handkerchief, so I’ll follow him!)

I think he went this way…

There he is! Oiiiii, Kuguri-saaaaan…!

(From this distance, he should be able to hear me. That’s weird.)

Kuguri-san, please wait!

(He totally didn’t notice me…)

Huh? I never knew there was a cafe here. I smell coffee…

Oh hello there, youngun. Are you out on a walk?

Yo, lány¹. It’s good to see you’re well.

It’s all thanks to you. See for yourself, I do my daily squats!

Anyhoo…you always look so wonderful in your outfits. Where do you buy them?

That’s a secret.

You always seem to want to pry into my business every time you see me, lány. Is it…that you like me?

Oh my! Don’t tease your elders now…what about coffee? Would you like some?

Nope, I have plans later. I’ll stop by to visit another time.

(Ah, he’s leaving. I have to catch up!)

This place…I’ve never been here before.

(Looks like there’s a bunch of stores selling handcrafted clothes and accessories here. It’s fun just looking at them.)

Kyaaah! Kuguri?! I-I-I-I can’t believe we’re meeting in a place like this!

Crap, my phon–No, shouldn’t I admire him with my naked eye first?! Wh-wh-what do I do?!

Do whatever you’d like. What do you want to do to me?

I want to turn into a wall and stare at you…!

(Subject aside, it looks like Kuguri-san can hold normal conversations with people.)

—It’s time. See you later. Until fate brings us together again.

(This isn’t the time to be surprised. I need to catch up before I lose him!)

(Pant, pant…)

(I’ve been running around in so many circles, I’m starting to lose steam.)

(Not only that, but Kuguri-san walks so fast. I have to keep my stride or else I’ll lose sight of him…!)

(Ah, there! He’s looking this way. Maybe he finally noticed me this time…)

…Fufu.

(…No way. It was on purpose.)

(He noticed I was chasing him and he’s been running away on purpose this whole time!)