Romantic Date (6)

Uhuh…

So basically, you wanted us to help HiMERU-han and the others, is that right Anzu-han?

Hmmm. Yesterday we were able to get the job done without a hitch, but HiMERU-han is having an unusually hard time with it–

…

Hey, can’t you at least respond with something? It’s lonely talking by myself, y’know.

Ah, eh? Right! I’m sorryyy!

Anzu-san never said anything to me! She’s an amazing producer so I thought she would have told me to do somethiiiing!

I mean, you’ve been acting kind of reserved this whole time…so what’s up with you?

You’ve been moving away from us really slowly and you haven’t joined the conversation this whole time either.

Or, is it just that you don’t wanna help the oh-so-awful “Crazy:B” even if we’re allied?

It’s not like that! I have nothing against “Crazy:B”! In fact I even sympathize with you all since we debuted as newcomers around the same time…!

That so. Well, that’s a problem…I know this sounds contradictory but you’d be better off not getting too friendly with us.

No, um! I’d personally rather it if I got to know you all more actually! It would be an all around disaster if we were to start something with you!

…? Well, I dunno about you, but I’m hoping we can see eye-to-eye at least during work.

C’mon, let’s shake hands~

Kyaaaaah?!

…You scared me! The hell…don’t scream so suddenly.

I’m sorryyyy! I’m just not good with being surprised! That was just the sound of my reason and instinct grinding together!

Some heart of steel you’ve got.

I’m throwing a shield of reason in front of my instincts that want to let looseeee! Ahhh, but it’s just too fragile and unsounnnd…!

This is pretty grim. I can’t even hold a proper conversation.

Yesterday, Niki-han was paired up with you and did a good job with the work, right? He’s a surprisingly capable guy.

I actually have no idea how we got the OK yesterday either! That’s why now, after being asked to help Tatsumi-san, I’m at a loss…

…

Ah, Tatsumi-san! Tatsumi-saa~aan! It’s Mayoi!

Uuuu, I was having a really difficult time walking around and talking with people I’m not familiar with! But, Tatsumi-san, when I saw you all my fears melted away!

After all, Tatsumi-san is a cherished person who always saves even someone like me~!

Mayoi-san. Anzu-san and…Kohaku-san, was it? Good morning to you all.

Yep, morning. Hm? Wasn’t HiMERU-han with you?

Haaa…we ran into a bit of trouble.

(Uuu! I want to hide in Tatsumi-san’s shadow and be embraced in the tenderness that always radiates from him! Ahh, but if I do anything like that now, I’ll just look ridiculous…!)

? What’s the matter, Mayoi-san? You’re fidgeting a lot.

You told me in advance about it, but it seems like you really brought wonderful helping hands, Anzu-san.

What do you mean?

Let’s see here. Surely the both of you have already been informed but yesterday our pairing—“HiMERU x Kazehaya Tatsumi”—failed to get an OK for the entire time.

As a result, the job was left unfinished.

So that’s how it is. I wonder what HiMERU-han got shy about, he didn’t tell us anything so we were left completely in the dark about it.

Fufu. HiMERU-san is someone who takes pride in his work, so I’m certain he wasn’t too keen about confiding in others about the mistake.

It was that way for me and the other “ALKALOID” members as well, as I tend to take the role of a big brother capable of anything.

But since things aren’t that way anymore, I feel better now that I can tell them everything.

Uuu, so bright…You’re so optimistic Tatsumi-san. So strong and unphased by everything. Ahh, I want to rest against you.

As far as I’m concerned, that’s not any of your fault. You really can’t do much about it unless the boss gives the OK.

Yes, it was something truly troublesome. Even though yesterday we put in a lot of effort, we weren’t able to get anything to work out.

And so, we came to the conclusion that just working through it on our own wouldn’t work, so we consulted with Anzu-san after we’d already talked to her on another matter yesterday.

I was lost on what to do. We were really grasping at straws.¹