Mekakucity Talkers 02

Mekakucity Talkers 02 (メカクシティトーカーズ 02 Mekakushiti Tōkāzu 02) is the second volume of Mekakucity Talkers containing scenes 13-24 of the official side-story released originally on the site Pixiv. It was supervised by Jin, illustrated by Asahimachi, with composition assistance by Haruaki Higuchi. It consists of a chat-log of the Mekakushi Dan's conversations.

English Translation
Released on June 1, 2018.
 * -|Scene 13=

''Lately, Kano and Ene have been into online games. The topic is “friends whom they aren’t good dealing with”…!? Please make sure to check it out!!''

(T/N: Italics in this case stand for words originally said in English. English words already fully ingrained into the daily vocabulary of Japanese youths, like “game” and “type”, are exceptions.)

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Kano: Is anyone here~? As expected, everyone is asleep at this time.

Ene: Oya, oya, oya~? You’re up pretty late, huh~

Kano: Huh~? Ene-chan too! What’cha doing at these hours?

Ene: Well~, I was playing a daily routine game and ended up completely absorbed. When I realized, it was already this late~. My, my, this is embarrassing even!

Kano: Eeh!? Same for me!

Ene: Eh? Same!? You also stay up till the dead of the night gaming!?

Kano: Yep, yep. I’ve been hooked lately~. The more you play that one, the least notion you have of the right timing to stop, right~?

Ene: Oh~? That way of talking means you’re also pretty good at it, huh~?

Kano: No, no. I’m still not quite there. My friends are always saving me.

Ene: By “friends”, could it be you mean that online game?

Kano: Yup! Do you know it? It’s been the topic lately. That role-playing game where you can hold competitions even via smartphone.

Ene: Eh, might this be the one that Imouto-chan appears in the CM?

Kano: Yep, yep! The CM where Kisaragi-chan is wearing a silly, flabby rice cake-like cosplay and gets inside the game.

Ene: That nonsensical CM in which she shares rice cake with an enemy she encounters and befriends it, right?

Kano: This one, this one~. The CM was like that, but the game is super interesting~

Ene: There are plenty of avatar types and the graphics are pretty!

Kano: I toooootally get it. Huh, Uhm? Don’t tell me, Ene-chan, you too!?

Ene: Yes, I have nothing to hide, for I am also completely hooked!

Kano: Is that so~? Eh, eh, I’m so happy~. To think I’d meet a comrade in a place like this…!

Ene: That refreshing feeling of when you defeat a foe! The effects built up to the smallest details! A careful story development! It’s been a long time since a game had me so thrilled~!

Kano: That’s right~! I’d never played many tournament games, but anyhow, the story is good and the background is deep~

Ene: The more you play games like that, the tastier they get, huh~

Kano: My, I’m so glad~. To think there was someone I could talk about it like this so close by!

Ene: Even though it has a befriend feature, in the end, it’s way more enjoyable to play with someone you know!

Kano: Agreed. The friends I got to meet in the game are great and all, but sometimes, weird people show up~

Ene: Ah, I know! I also have one that I’m no good at dealing with.

Kano: Heeh, how are they like?

Ene: Well, about that, it’s clearly a man, but he acts kind of like a girl, you see~

Kano: Ah~, the so-called Nekama? There are people like that, right~? If they’re gonna act Nekama-like, they gotta do it more properly.

Ene: This person is very obvious. He doesn’t understand anything about how girls think. It’s that kind of thing. He’s definitely the type who dreams with a girl older than him.

Kano: I see~. To be honest, I also have just one~. A friend who I just can’t come to a consent with no matter what.

Ene: Hoho~u? What kind of person are they?

Kano: They sorta give off the feeling of a game otaku? They’re strong, but they’re kinda condescending. They’re definitely the type that doesn’t have many friends.

Ene: There sure are people like this~!

Kano: Well, though I say this, they do help me out a lot, so they are a good person on one side.

Ene: My Nekama friend too. He seems like a beginner, but he has good manners, so I don’t think he’s a bad person~

Kano: Ah, then, how about we contact the guy? That friend of yours!

Ene: Ah~! If I’m not wrong, an exclusive call feature was added to that game yesterday, right?

Kano: Unlike in a chatroom, you might get to know the other party better!

Ene: That’s indeed true. Even if they’re someone we dislike, if we join our forces and fight together, we might get along, right!?

Kano: I kinda got some courage after reading these words! Tomorrow, I’ll do my utmost to call my friend too!

Ene: Well said! That’s also what a man is about! Let’s do this, in order for both of us to lead an even better game life!

Kano: Let’s do our best~!

Ene: Oh~!

---

The next day…

Shintaro: I was just thinking “it’s kinda quiet today~”. Are Ene and Kano not around?

Kido: Ah, if it’s Kano, it looks like he’s gonna make an internet call in a game that he’s been into lately, so he said he would catch up with his sleep.

Shintaro: Ah~, speaking of which, I have the feeling Ene also said something similar. The two of them gaming, huh? They’re so easygoing.

Kido: What’s that? You lonely, Shintaro?

Shintaro: Shaddap. By the way, those two play the same game, right? What if they’re already friends there?

Kido: This world is small. Something like that might also happen.

Shintaro: Well, as one would expect, there’s no way that’s the case, right~

Released on June 8, 2018.
 * -|Scene 14=

Konoha ventured into a forest on a search for Hibiya, who has disappeared… Will he be able to rescue Hibiya safely…!?

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Momo: Hibiya-ku~n. Hi~bi~ya~ku~n. So he really isn’t here?

Konoha: What’s wrong?

Momo: Ah, Konoha-san.

Konoha: Hibiya isn’t around?

Momo: About that… Hiyori-chan told me via mail. It seems he hasn’t shown up in school for a while now.

Konoha: That’s really worrisome…

Momo: Looks like he was taught about the wonders of nature by Seto-san or something and hasn’t come back ever since he went into the woods.

Konoha: He’s been in the woods all this time? Dangerous…

Momo: That’s right! I told Hiyori-chan that she doesn’t have to mind it, but in the end, I’m fretting…

Konoha: Still, he’s not in the chatroom either?

Momo: He’s not answering, after all. There’s no telling whether he’s seeing this or not. His battery might have died. What should we do if he’s about to be eaten by a bear and seeks for help…?

Konoha: I’m going.

Momo: Eh?

Konoha: I’m off to search for Hibiya.

Momo: But, it’s a forest!? There’s things like bears, deers, deers and deers wandering around it, right!? Konoha-san, maybe you could get yourself into a dangerous situation too…!

Konoha: Even if it’s a forest, being there on your own must definitely be lonely. I’ll go pick him up.

Momo: Konoha-san… Please come back safe…!

---

A few hours later…

Konoha: I have a hunch that Hibiya is probably in this area.

Momo: Konoha-san! You’re faster than a bullet train!

Konoha: There he is.

Momo: Now, I wonder where Hibiya is. Eh? He’s there?

Konoha: Found Hibiya.

Momo: Eh, incredibly quick…

Konoha: He’s with a deer.

Momo: Eeh!? Is Hibiya-kun okay!?

Konoha: He seems healthy. He’s wearing nothing but his underwear, though.

Momo: Eh? No way, he’s half-naked?

Konoha: He’ll get chilly from the wind, right?

Momo: Well, but, it’s good that he’s fine! Please try to convince him to come back!

Konoha: ‘Kay. Huh?

Momo: Hm? What happened?

Konoha: He doesn’t answer. Does… Hibiya hate me…?

Momo: That’s not it! This is surely that kind of thing. Hibiya-kun reverted to the wild!

Konoha: “Reverted to the wild”?

Momo: Isn’t this a common thing? Like those stories of people who are raised by animals. Surely, Hibiya-kun had too much contact with animals like deers, deers, deers or deers and forgot language!

Konoha: Hm…? Why’re you obsessing with deers?

Momo: You have to hurry and bring him back to his humanity.

Konoha: Hibiya is looking at his phone.

Momo: Really? Then he might be seeing the chatroom! Hibiya-ku~n! Come out~! Don’t be scared~!

Konoha: Hibiya~, don’t be scared~

Hibiya: Human… leave…

Konoha: Ah! Hibiya!

Momo: I’m so glad! He can type even while having gone feral!

Hibiya: What have you come to do here?

Konoha: Hibiya, the woods are dangerous. Being by yourself is lonely. Let’s go home?

Hibiya: “The woods are dangerous” you say? People who think like that are the ones who are hurting the forests in the first place! Even so, do you still not get it!?

Konoha: No way… I was just trying to…

Momo: Eh, something is starting again?

Hibiya: I have no intention of leaving the woods. I’ll live here… alongside the forest, alongside these countless living beings…

Konoha: Hibiya… but… Aah!

Momo: What’s wrong!?

Konoha: Konoha mounted the deer and offed somewhere…

Hibiya: Don’t come after me anymore!

Momo: Hibiya-kun! You can’t use your smartphone while you ride! It’s dangerous to do that while you’re on a deer!

Konoha: I’ll try chasing after him.

Momo: But it’d be hard to find Hibiya-kun in the woods, where there are so many places to hide.

Konoha: Found him.

Momo: Waah, so fast.

Konoha: He’s watching me from the shadow of a tree.

Momo: He’s being cautious, huh… Konoha-san, since it’s come to this, you have to use the last resort!

Konoha: Yep! I got from Hiyori a pen that she uses often. I’m letting Hibiya have a good look at it right now. Ah.

Momo: What is it this time!?

Konoha: Hibiya took the pen away with an unbelievable force…

Momo: Though he said he’d live alongside the forest, he’s surprisingly true to his greed, huh?

Konoha: He’s smelling it a lot.

Momo: Uwah…

Konoha: He put it in his underwear.

Momo: Uwwah…

Konoha: Hibiya left to the depths of the woods again.

Momo: Ah~. Hm, well, how should I put it? He’s surprisingly lively.

Konoha: There are plenty of animals, so he’s not alone or lonely, right?

Momo: All right. Let’s leave him be for a while longer.

Released on June 15, 2018.
 * -|Scene 15=

''Ayano and Marry get excited over talking about manga. Seeing the conversation, Seto ends up relating with a character?''

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Ayano: Like, especially page 104 of volume 9!

Marry: mohi

Ayano: Yeah, yeah! The dialogues of that one were really good!

Seto: Hello. That’s a rare duo we have here.

Marry: seto

Ayano: Ah, Kousuke!

Seto: You are pretty fired-up. What’re you talking about?

Ayano: Hum, you see, an enemy suddenly attacked the house and they’re being fought off somehow with the abilities at the moment.

Seto: Isn’t that a huge pinch?! I-I’m going there right now.

Ayano: Ah, no. You’ve got it wrong! That wasn’t about me!

Seto: Eh?

Marry: it’s abour a mannga

Seto: Eh?

Marry: Manga.

Seto: A manga, huh? I’d rather if you don’t startle me…

Marry: Sorry.

Ayano: The manga we’ve been reading lately is fun, so the talk got unintentionally fiery.

Seto: Heeh…

Marry: It’s an iintereshting manga.

Ayano: It’s a shoujo manga, though.

Seto: Nee-chan, it’s rare for you to read those kinds of mangas.

Ayano: The battle scenes are super cool! It’s a manga I recommend~

Seto: I see. I’ve never read many mangas or the like… what are the contents?

Ayano: The protagonist has superhuman abilities and had always lived by herself, but one day, a wonderful boy shows up and takes the heroine away.

Seto: Isn’t that a pretty great story? I want to hear more of the details.

Ayano: Oh? Looks like Kousuke also got interested, huh?

Marry: It’s a really good ctory but they fight.

Ayano: Yeah, yeah! What awaited them once they started their journey is a strong enemy! They help each other out and fight the enemy.

Marry: Their comrades do it too.

Seto: Ooh. A blazing development, huh?

Ayano: During the fight, bound by a strong relationship of trust, the two swear a future to each other so that they’ll be able to be together from that point on too.

Seto: That’s pretty good, huh? This kind of thing is awesome. Amazing.

Marry: But there’s one more person.

Seto: Eh?

Ayano: Yeah! From then onward, things reach an ultra shocking climax! When the two get in a pinch, a really cool young man appears before them and protects the heroine.

Seto: Eh, what’s that so suddenly? Who is it?

Ayano: After having saved the heroine like nobody’s business, she invites this new character, asking if he doesn’t want to join their journey.

Seto: Eh, what’s with that? Getting in from the sidelines out of the blue…

Marry: Leave it be. Just listen.

Seto: Somehow, Marry is typing properly today, huh?

Marry: Leave it be.

Ayano: The boy tries to stop him, of course, but the truth is that the boy is a bad guy! From the start, he had meant to betray the heroine with super powers and sell her to a circus!

Seto: NO WAY!!! THERE’S DEFINITELY NO WAY HE’D DO THAT!!!

Ayano: Hieh. What’s wrong, Kousuke? We’re talking about manga…?

Marry: Calm down.

Seto: That’s surely a misunderstanding!! How much do you think he’s been saved by that girl?!!!

Ayano: Eh? Have you read it? Do you know the contents?

Seto: No, I haven’t, but I can tell this much.

Ayano: Well, well, there’s still a continuation.

Marry: The girl is sad.

Ayano: The girl is hurt after finding out about the boy’s intentions, but in that meantime, she gets close to the young man who had saved her earlier.

Seto: What’s with that person?! He’s been showing up every now and then since a while ago!

Ayano: This new character is really cool and super popular amongst the manga’s fans, y’know?

Seto: Uugh… but… humans are supposed to be more than just their face… He thinks of the heroine so much, so it’s terrible that he can’t convey it…

Ayano: Eh, Kousuke, do you read this manga after all?

Seto: No, I don’t. But I understand. He’s a poor talker and might not be able to convey it at all, yet thinks of the heroine as more important than anything.

Ayano: U~n. But, the heart of the heroine is swaying between the two…

Seto: What about the continuation!?

Ayano: There’s still no continuation. This is the latest update on the story.

Seto: Is that so…?

Ayano: So, we were in the middle of discussing what would happen next! Like which she will choose~

Seto: I see. I wonder who Marry will choose.

Ayano: Eh? What’s gotten into you all of a sudden, Kousuke?

Marry: I

Seto: Ah. No, just forget it. You don’t have to pick one.

Marry: I

Seto: WAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Seto-san has logged out.

Ayano: Kousuke was weird today, wasn’t he?

Marry: Yup.

---

A few days later…

Kano: My~! The manga that Nee-chan recommended a while ago was so fun!

Ayano: Right? Shuuya, have you also read the latest chapter?

Kano: Of course! I was surprised that the heroin awakened the power of demon king, take in both the boy and the pretty guy and become the greatest warrior in existence!

Ayano: Yeah, yeah! Her appearance in her ultimate body was cool, wasn’t it?

Kano: I thought it was mainly a romance story at the beginning, but this is a masterpiece that will remain in the history of battle mangas, ain’t it?

Ayano: Right~?

Kano: Ah, by the way, Seto hasn’t been coming out of his room lately. Nee-chan, do you know anything about that?

Ayano: Eh~, I dunno. But that’s worrisome, isn’t it?

Released on June 22, 2018.
 * -|Scene 16=

''Shintaro is unexpectedly suffering from memory loss…!? Momo and Ene attempt to make him go back to normal… but what will happen to Shintaro!? Please make sure to check it out!!''

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Ene: How~dy~, oissu~!

Momo: Oissu, oissu~. Ene-chan, you’re energetic today as well, huh?

Ene: No, no, Imouto-san too. My, my? It seems Master isn’t around today~

Momo: Ah~, indeed, I haven’t seen him. But there are many days where Onii-chan is absent, right?

Ene: No, that person is always monitoring the chatroom.

Momo: Eh, gross.

Ene: He observes everyone’s conversations while grinning.

Momo: For reeeeeal, although he is my older brother, that is disturbing.

Ene: Well, him not being here means he’s in the toilet, doesn’t it? Right now is precisely the same old hour.

Momo: For some reason, Onii-chan goes to the toilet at a determined moment, huh…

Shintaro: Hum~

Momo: Uwah, he’s out.

Ene: What~, so you are here? Were you off to the toilet for a lon~g time again?

Shintaro: No, hum, I just wish to inquire something…

Momo: Eh, what’s with that way of talking? Everyone is seeing this, so don’t do anything too embarrassing, yeah?

Shintaro: Hieh… I’m sorry… I just wanted to ask a question…

Momo: Somehow, Onii-chan is being disgusting today, but that’s not the usual kind of disgusting, huh?

Ene: So, what’s the question?

Shintaro: Eerm… Who might I be…?

Momo: Hah?

Ene: What’s with that? Suddenly feels like it’s gonna be a pain.

Momo: Onii-chan… no matter how much you want us to give you attention, that won’t work.

Ene: Amnesia is an old thing~

Shintaro: No, hum, I really do not know. When I realized, I was holding a phone and standing still. This chatroom was being displayed on the phone’s screen, so I tried talking to you…

Ene: Eh? Is it actual amnesia?

Momo: T-That’s a lie, right, Onii-chan?

Shintaro: By “Onii-chan”, you mean me?

Ene: Geez~, he’s forgotten everything, huh?

Momo: No way… What about the toilet? Did you also forget to go?

Shintaro: Eh, the toilet? I do not particularly feel like using it right now.

Momo: Eh!? The Onii-chan that would end up slowly heading to the toilet one way or another after seeing the word just…!?

Ene: Did you get into a situation so similar to Pavlov’s dogs, Master?

Shintaro: Erm… I do not have any special interest for toilets.

Momo: Lies… How did things become like this…!?

Ene: Could it be because we were too severe?

Momo: Ehh?

Ene: Master might have lost his memories due to that shock.

Momo: True. Lately, whenever he entered my field of vision, I might have been sending back him a cold stare…

Shintaro: Was I hated…?

Ene: That’s not the case! Master, have you forgotten about the memorable days we’ve spent together!?

Momo: Y-Yeah! E~rm, see, like the memories of the time when you spit out the cola that you had in your mouth because you were too nervous being in a crowd.

Ene: Or like the memories of the time when it had been too long ever since you had stepped out of the house and you nearly left home in just your underwear!

Shintaro: Did I do those things? Wasn’t I a questionable person?

Momo: When you put it like that, indeed. I feel it might be better if he doesn’t go back to normal…

Ene: Please wait, Imouto-san! It might be undebatable that Master is the type of unredeemable person who says “my hobby is reading business books”!

Momo: No, I didn’t go that far…

Ene: But Master is an extremely kindhearted person.

Momo: Ene-chan…

Shintaro: Uuh… my head is…!

Momo: Onii-chan!?

Ene: Could it be that our words made his memory…!?

Shintaro: Somehow, seeing someone compliment me… caused dim memories to…

Ene: That’s kinda convenient, huh… But now is the chance! Come on, Imouto-san, you too!

Momo: I… think that having an Onii-chan like that is embarrassing… and that I wanted a more handsome Onii-chan… about once a day… no, more like about once every five hours…

Ene: You think that quite frequently, huh…

Momo: Even so, my usual Onii-chan is fine. Please! Come back!

Shintaro: UOOOOOOOOH!!!!

Momo: Onii-chan!

Ene: Master!

Shintaro: Hah… What have I been doing until now…?

Ene: Master! Has your memory returned!?

Shintaro: Hah? What’re you saying out of the blue, Ene?

Momo: Onii-chan! Do you recognize me?

Shintaro: Momo, too, what’re you saying…? By the way, I feel like going to the toilet.

Momo: It’s the usual Onii-chan through and through…!

Ene: I’m so glad… I’m so truly glad!

Shintaro: What’s with you guys? Heheh… Isn’t that embarrassing?

Momo: In the end, it has to be this Onii-chan!

Ene: Right, right! The Master who is disgusting to this point is Number One!

Shintaro: Stop, stop. Don’t compliment me so much.

Ene: No, no, at the end of the day, this is how Master should be! With this, the matter is settled~

---

A few days later…

Shintaro: I’m off to the toilet for a little bit. Looks like it’ll be a long-term case today, so I’m excusing myself.

Ene: Is that so?

Momo: Be on your way.

Shintaro: Oops, you guys. Don’t go getting lonely while I’m out. Kisses, kisses ♡

Shintaro-san has logged out.

Momo: Hey, Ene-chan.

Ene: What is it, Imouto-san?

Momo: It might’ve been better if Onii-chan hadn’t returned to normal after all, huh?

Ene: Truly, that is right.

Released on June 29, 2018.
 * -|Scene 17=

''This time, Kano’s private life is approached!? Can Kano’s everyday routine, shrouded in mystery as it is, be uncovered?!!''

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Kano: I’ve been thinking about going camping, y’know~

Seto: What’s that so suddenly about camping?

Kano: It’s ‘cause it’s been humid lately~. So I thought of going for some clear weather!

Seto: And that’d be camping?

Kano: Right! Aren’t we hardly going out to play around? Let’s enjoy summer this year~

Seto: Playing in summer, huh… Then, to the woods.

Kano: No, the woods are a pass. There are camp facilities that are kept tidily and the like, where we can have plenty of your fill of nature, I mean.

Seto: But, to have contact with animals, it really gotta be the woods.

Kano: No, like I said, the woods are a pass. Having contact with wildlife isn’t the objective of camping.

Seto: But…

Kano: Ah, see, if you’re like that, then how about the sea?

Seto: The sea?

Kano: Blue skies! Blue ocean! Summer beaches are like an oasis above the ground!

Seto: I’ve seen it on TV. People who don’t take their trash with them and keep throwing it away into the sea. Is a place filled with people like that an “oasis above the ground”?

Kano: Hey, can you stop trying to hit me up with reality like that?

Seto: But it’s true.

Kano: I see, Seto doesn’t forgive enemies of nature at all.

Seto: Enemies of nature are the only thing I don’t tolerate.

(T/N: Okay, this is a language pun that gets lost in the translation. In Japanese, “enemies of nature” isn’t necessarily in plural and the form is up to guess depending on the context as a whole. That means it can also be read in singular as “nature enemy” or “natural enemy”. As in “Shizen no Teki”. As in Edword Records is aboard the Roast Jin With In-Universe Puns bandwagon.)

Kano: Well, there might be people who don’t appreciate the environment! But I wanna go! With everyone! To the sea! Or to the mountains!

Seto: No, sure I also wanna go, but it’s rare for you to want to go somewhere with everyone, Kano. You usually off somewhere by yourself.

Kano: Eh? Is that so? Even I think about how I wanna play around with everyone~

Seto: Thinking better, Kano, you only ever say you wanna do something with everyone in the chatroom.

Kano: What’re you saying~?! I’m always friendly~!

Seto: Hu~n. I’ve always been curious, though. Kano, what do you usually do?

Kano: Hum, well… Leave that be. It’s private.

Seto: Isn’t there nothing private about living with other people? There are times when you come home late at night, and it isn’t rare for you to return only in the morning.

Kano: Ah~, that kind of inquiry is so, so troublesome. Let me off the hook.

Seto: Geez! Kano, you keep tricking us like that!

Kano: No~, well, y’know? Anyways, I bought one camping set.

Seto: “One set”!? What’s with that ability to take action!? For starters, where did you get that money from!?

Kano: Leave that be.

Seto: No, that’s no good and it’s scary. You’re not doing dangerous and suspicious stuff, right? Kano, answer me. Kano. Kano!

Kano: No, look. Family aside, there’re one or two people who wanna keep stuff secret, aren’t there?

Seto: But aren’t we brothers? It doesn’t have to be everything, yet I do want you to tell me about that every now and then.

Kano: Seto… No helping it, I guess. I get it. If Seto says so, I’ll spill the beans.

Seto: You okay with this?

Kano: Yep. Next Sunday, can you come to the place I mentioned? I’ll contact you about the details of the location and time later.

Seto: W-What are we gonna do…?

Kano: Just camping. Yes, just that.

---

Seto, Kido, Marry, Momo, Shintaro

Seto: A chance to discover Kano’s secrets finally came up.

Momo: At last…

Kido: He really doesn’t talk about where he normally goes or what he normally does, after all.

Seto: Reporting it to everyone like this feels like I’m deceiving Kano, but everyone is worrying about him alike.

Momo: That’s right.

Kido: It’s his fault for not opening his mouth at all.

Seto: Anyways, I’m going to the place he appointed next week.

Marry: be careful

Seto: Yes.

---

A few days later…

Momo: The day arranged with Kano-san is today, right?

Kido: Yeah, both Kano and Seto left early in the morning.

Momo: I wonder where on earth they are and what they’re doing…

Seto: I have just returned.

Marry: seto, welcome back

Kido: Aah, Seto. Today is the day of that arrangement, right? How did it go?

Seto: Eeh, there was nothing.

Marry: seto?

Seto: There was nothing abnormal.

Kido: Hey, aren’t you talking weird?

Seto: No way, hahaha; there is no such thing.

Marry: seto, you’re being scary

Momo: Seto-san…? Could it be that something happened…?

Kido: What did Kano do to you, Seto?

Seto: We merely went camping. Yes, camping.

Kido: Something is suspicious… Hey, if it’s hard for you to say it, it can be in a separate chatroom, but try to tell me.

Seto: I do not mind it.

Momo: Danchou-san! We’ll leave it to you!

---

A few minutes later…

Kido: I have just returned.

Momo: H-Huh? Danchou-san?

Kido: It seems they only went camping.

Momo: Danchou-san!? Aren’t you acting kinda strange!?

Marry: kido, strange

Kido: There is nothing strange about me.

Seto: Yes, we merely went camping.

Momo: Eeh~…? Th-Then, please tell me about it too!

Kido: All right, we do not mind.

Marry: momo-chan

Momo: It’s okay! Don’t worry!

---

A few minutes later…

Momo: It indeed appears that nothing happened.

Marry: momo… cha…

Seto: We merely went camping, after all.

Kido: Yes, camping.

Momo: We will tell Marry about it as well.

Marry: n o

---

A few minutes later…

Shintaro: Oi~ssu. Sorry for being late. Hey, what’s up with this log?

Seto: Let’s go camping.

Kido: Let’s go camping.

Momo: Let’s go camping.

Marry: Let’s go camping.

Shintaro: UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!

Released on July 6, 2018.
 * -|Scene 18=

Hibiya has finally retrieved his sense of humanity, but has not been able to get out of the forest at all… However, as Hibiya is in such state, Marry gives him guidance!?

(T/N: This whole chapter is a language pun. I had to do a lot of adaptations for it to make sense in English without diverging from the original.)

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Momo: Hibiya-ku~n. So he isn’t here, after all.

Marry: momo-chiya

Momo: Ah, Marry-chan.

Marry: hibiya-kun

Momo: Yeah, Hibiya-kun hasn’t returned home after leaving to the woods, and there was a little something I wanted to ask him~

Marry: whh wha

Momo: What I was gonna ask? Well, then, guess I’ll make a request to Marry-chan too~

Marry: ?

Momo: If Hibiya-kun happens to come to the chatroom, I want you to ask him if he leaves the white fiber parts of tangerines behind~. I’m debating something with Onii-chan! Even if just a little, I wanna gather white fiber stubs! Can I count on you?

Marry: ye ah

Momo: I’ll be in your care~

---

A few days later…

Hibiya: Someone! Isn’t there anybody around!? Help!! I’ve finally realized it! People aren’t supposed to live in forests! It seems my phone’s battery is about to die. I wanna go home! Someone!!!

Marry: mo hi

Hibiya: Someone else!!!

Marry: a aang

Hibiya: I kinda understand that you’re angry at me… Actually, could it be you’re the only one here?! Why is it that no one is ever around in the times I need them?! Even though they always log in for no reason!

Marry: ee everyone hat ham has gone out

Hibiya: I’ve been able to calm down thanks to your horrible typing… Everyone has gone out, huh. What do I do…?

Marry: whath wha what’s wrong

Hibiya: I thought of leaving the forest and have been walking for a while now but, I don’t know why, I can’t get out. On top of it, I’m at a forked path…

Marry: ah hibiya-ku

Hibiya: Hm? What is it? Do you have anything to tell me?

Marry: tan taan

Hibiya: Sound effects?

Marry: tang tank

Hibiya: Are you perhaps telling me to take a turn? Since earlier, no matter how far I went forward, I couldn’t manage to leave the forest. I think whichever way I go at this point will have the same result…

Marry: tan rine tank

Hibiya: I get it. If you say so, I’ll turn right.

---

A few minutes later…

Hibiya: I got out of the forest! The long time I spent lost in there feels like a lie… But, I don’t know where I am… Where should I go next?

Marry: whitee fi

Hibiya: “White fi”?

Marry: berr

Hibiya: Could it be… Indeed, there’s a geezer sitting on a white fiber chair right in front of me! I hadn’t noticed him at all… Meaning I should ask him for directions, right!? Is it possible… that you knew about all this?

Marry: eh

Hibiya: Showing me road in order to guide me… I owe you my life. You’re a messiah. No, a goddess…!

Marry: li listen

Hibiya: A new indication!?

Marry: lea ave behint

Hibiya: “Behint”… Behind? Ah! There is an antiques store behind the geezer sitting on the white fiber chair! There are eerie dolls lined-up at the storefront!

Marry: bee belind part

Hibiya: That is right. Having an object of worship is an important part of being a believer like me. I will buy one. A doll, that is.

---

A few minutes later…

Hibiya: The bear fur that I was wearing by chance was useful. I’m glad the shopkeeper was a reasonable person. I have been successfully able to buy a doll to serve as object of worship.

Marry: i i ii

Hibiya: I understand even if you do not say it all. Once I arrive home, at dawn, I will attempt to form a new organization for you as a deity!

Marry: wa wai ty

Hibiya: “City”? You mean I am supposed to go to the big city!? Understood. In the city, I will gather comrades that will assemble before you.

Marry: eh n no

Hibiya: Aah, my goddess… I do wish to hear your indications further, but my phone’s battery is nearly gone.

Marry: hibiya-ku

Hibiya: Please do not worry. I will definitely grant you glory…! Praise you, Goddess!

Hibiya-san has logged out.

Marry: a-ah~

A few hours later…

Ene: Another kind of disturbing headline has come up. The world is doomed, huh~

Released on July 13, 2018.
 * -|Scene 19=

As Konoha seeks help in the chatroom, Ene, who happened to be present, gives him a cold shoulder, however…?

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Ene: My~, I finally went to the Capital of Flowers, Paris… Well, it was a cyber trip by myself, though! The Eiffel Tower that I saw from an electric signboard is pretty stylish~. It blew off my fatigue from taking care of Master. Now, I wonder if I should go to England next~

Konoha: Hello? Is anyone around? Ah. I ended up saying “hello?”… Hi.

Ene: There’s no one here.

Konoha: Ahh.

Ene: Honestly, to think I’d run into you in the chatroom. This is more than just bad timing!

Konoha: Hi.

Ene: Just to put it out there, I don’t have any free time to deal with… Okay, okay, hi! Anyway! I’m extreeeemely busy right now! So if you’ve understood that there’s no one around, just hurry and—

Konoha: But you’re here, so it’s not like there’s no one, right?

Ene: I get it! Please don’t go faultfinding!

Konoha: Sorry.

Ene: Geez… Well? What’s your business?

Konoha: Eh?

Ene: You… You came to the chatroom because you had some sort of business here, didn’t you!?

Konoha: That’s right. I’m having a bit of trouble.

Ene: Hu~n. But too bad~. Looks like there isn’t anybody checking the chatroom today. At best, wouldn’t it be fine if you just waited for someone else to come around?

Konoha: Erm.

Ene: It seems that Master spoils you, but I’m not going over there! Whatever happens to you has nothing to do with me, ‘kay!?

Konoha: Hm. I understand. Thanks for replying.

Ene: What’s with that response!?

Konoha: Eh? Sorry. I did something that irritated you again…

Ene: I’m not irritated at all. It’s just that, if you say you’re in trouble no matter what? I can at least listen to the story?

Konoha: Really? Thank you. That makes me happy.

Ene: Ah~, enough of that already! Did something happen?

Konoha: Yeah. I got lost in the streets.

Ene: Haah~, again? Even though you can move so fast, you’re always late when we assemble.

Konoha: I’ve become properly able to go there lately. It just so happened that a cool bug was flying around today…

Ene: Are you a little kid? Honestly, there’s no helping you… Then? Where were you going today?

Konoha: Shintaro’s house.

Ene: Isn’t it in your neighborhood?!! That’s no time to go bug-chasing!

Konoha: But, if I manage to catch it, it will serve as souvenir for Momo-chan too.

Ene: What are you trying to give to a girl? Well, if it’s Imouto-san, she might be pleased with it…

Konoha: A while ago, I gave her a long insect with many legs.

Ene: Ah~! Ah~! Ah~! I don’t need details!

Konoha: But it was such a big bug…

Ene: More importantly!! Instead of going through the trouble of calling for someone in the chatroom, if your destination is a house, wouldn’t it be better to just contact Master first-thing?!

Konoha: Even if I call, Shintaro doesn’t answer the phone.

Ene: Hu~n. Well, he’s probably in the toilet or something… Speaking of which, aren’t you always quick to intrude through the window? Master was troubled by that.

Konoha: It’s ‘cause it’s faster from the window. But I might not be able to make it today. What do I do…?

Ene: Ah~, man, I get it already!

Konoha: Huh? There’s something new on my phone’s screen.

Ene: I went into your phone and opened a maps app, then entered your destination, so please use it to go to Master’s place or wherever!

Konoha: Wa-Waah…! Amazing…! That’s amazing…! Thanks…!

Ene: Y-Y-Y-You’re exaggerating too much! Just please at least memorize how to use a maps app!

Konoha: ‘Kay. Can you teach me how to use it next time?

Ene: I-I-I-Isn’t it fine if you learn that from Master?!!! Well, if you want it no matter what, I’m not saying I wouldn’t teach you, y’know!?

Konoha: Erm. You’ll teach me? Thanks. I’m glad.

Ene: I get it, I get it, so please hurry and go.

Konoha: ‘Kay. Ah. I wasn’t able to catch the bug, so instead of that, I’ll go buy drinks at the vending machine for a souvenir.

Ene: Yes, yes, do as you please. I’m leaving soon!

Konoha: awawawawawawah

Ene: What is it this time!?

Konoha: I put in the money and pressed the button, and it wo-won’t stop. Lots of cans are…

Ene: Haah!? How did it come to this!?

Konoha: I do-don’t know.

Ene: Where’s that vending machine!?

Konoha: It’s the one close to Shintaro’s home.

Ene: That vending machine was going through maintenance, right!?

Konoha: Aaah… The cans are… the cans are…

Ene: All right, you just please stay put!!

Konoha: Ah. Huh? It stopped…

Ene: I went into the network of the vending machine and fixed the malfunction. It’s great that it was the type of vending machine you can manage through the internet, honestly!

Konoha: Ooh…! That’s really amazing…!

Ene: Well, it’s nothing much, though? If I’d left it as it was, it’d have been a bother to the neighbors?

Konoha: But thank you. Ah. The vendor came to clean everything up and gave me two extra cans.

Ene: Yeah, yeah, that’s good~

Konoha: It was your doing. Thanks.

Ene: Aaaaaah, geez, don’t you say anything other than that!? If you think I’m gonna help you out in any and everything, you’re roundly mistaken!! There will be no next time!!

Konoha: ‘Kay. Thanks for today. I’ve arrived at Shintaro’s, so see you.

Ene: Yes, yes, yes, yes, just go already!!! Honestly. For me to do something so off-character right in the middle of my cyber trip…

Shintaro: Hey, Ene.

Ene: HYOAOOOOOH! W-W-W-W-WHAT IS IT?!!!!

Shintaro: O-Ooh, your tension is kinda different from usual today.

Ene: THAT HAS NOOOOTHING TO DO WITH YOU, MASTER!!!! Well!? What’s your business!? I’m in the middle of travelling through Paris, y’know!?

Shintaro: Yeah, I do think it’s my bad, but the thing is that Konoha just came over and it looks like his phone got infected with some weird virus. Wouldn’t you be able to do something about it?

Ene: AAH, MAN!!! I’M GOING HOME RIGHT NOW!!!!

Released on July 20, 2018.
 * -|Scene 20=

''The Mekakushi-dan progresses with preparations for Marry’s birthday. Meanwhile, Kano is in the middle of carrying out a special mission…!?''

Kido, Kano

Kido: This is Kido from the hideout. What’s the situation there?

Kano: Yes, yes, I’m in the middle of carrying out the special mission over he~re. The target is currently passing by Point A. It’s going on as planned. If it continues like this, after she passes by Point B…

Kido: Hey.

Kano: Eh, what is it?

Kido: What’s that “Point A” and “Point B”? Don’t go making up weird codes on your own accord.

Kano: This is a performance that gives realism to the mission~. It’s something like that, right?

Kido: Honestly, you’re a genius at complicating conversations. You haven’t forgotten your objective, yeah?

Kano: I get it! Tomorrow is Marry’s birthday~, so while you’re preparing for the birthday party in the hideout, my role is to take Marry somewhere else, right?

Kido: That’s right. After all, I’m baking the cake, Seto is out to pick a present and we entrusted the hideout’s decoration-making to Kisaragi and the others. Failure won’t be tolerated.

Kano: Everyone was eager~.

Kido: I want us to finish the preparations today one way or another. Until then, we’re counting on you to distract Marry.

Kano: Yes, yes~. But why am I in charge of taking Marry outside?

Kido: If you’d stayed in the hideout, you’d mostly move your mouth and not seriously do any work. I thought that she’d definitely refrain if I invited her to go for a walk together. Think of this as an apology for always teasing her and hang out with Marry on her walk until she’s satisfied.

Kano: My, my…

Kido: Well? How’s Marry?

Kano: We’re crossing the shopping district right now. She’s chatting with a familiar shopkeeper from a fish store.

Kido: Aren’t there any hints that she realized our plan?

Kano: I think it’s all fine up to now… Ah! Kido!

Kido: What is it? What happened?

Kano: Dammit. This is an emergency.

Kido: Hey. Did something happen?

Kano: To think that thing would be in a place like this… It was a blind spot.

Kido: Wha… Don’t tell me our plan was found out…!?

Kano: No, there was an ice cream sign in front of us. The silent pressure coming from Marry was tremendous. I had no choice but buy her one…

Kido: How is that an emergency?

Kano: It was a 150-yen damage to my wallet.

Kido: You don’t have to report that kind of stuff! Don’t talk in a tricky way about everything!

Kano: Well~, it’s ‘cause I didn’t have anything to chat about with Marry, so I was bored.

Kido: Conversations are your forte, aren’t they?

Kano: At first, I was desperately talking so that the conversation wouldn’t stop~, about topics Marry seems like she’d have interest in, or about what times she normally thinks of her poems. But in the middle of that, she told me not to talk to her.

Kido: You reap what you sow.

Kano: Oh! While you were saying that, I got in a pinch again!

Kido: What is it this time!?

Kano: Somehow, we’ve found a stall of shaved ice. Ah~, Marry is staring at it. She’s looking at it like she’s fascinated~. This is the premonition of the next begging…

Kido: If it’s something like that, buy it for her! More importantly, don’t talk to me about every little useless thing! I’m busy with the preparations over here.

Kano: I get it. Don’t be so angry~. Hey, Kido. Huh, silence? O~i, Danchou-sa~n. Hey. Are you busy? Kido? Ah, pinch, pinch. It’s a real pinch. Hey, Kido.

Kido: SHUT UP!!! I TOLD YOU I’M BUSY HERE!!!

Kano: No, this is a real pinch, I said.

Kido: If you say any more useless stuff, you won’t have a seat in tomorrow’s birthday party.

Kano: No, no, this is serious talk. Marry is trying to go back to the hideout.

Kido: SAY THAT FASTER!!!

Kano: I did! I called out to you!

Kido: For starters, your role is to impede that!

Kano: Impossible~. She didn’t listen to me and quickly took off. Look, she’s already in front of the hideout.

Kido: You’ve already come this far!? No helping it… We’ll hide the cake and decorations for the time being, so even if it’s only for a bit, I’m leaving the distraction to you!

Kano: No, she’ll suspect me no matter what I say. She’s trying to open the door~. Anyway, I’ll try to pull the door back… Uwah, she’s strong.

Kido: Do your best! Just a little more!

Kano: Wait, wait. Strong, strong; this girl is too strong. Physically strong.

Kido: Don’t give up! Kano! You’re a strong boy, right!?

Kano: No, no, no, I’m telling you, it’s impossible. She’s trying to rip my arms off. Ah~, impossible, impossible, impossible.

Kido: Kano, I won’t forget you.

Kano: Wait, wait, don’t sacrifice me!

Kido: Just a tad more! Endure it! All right! We’ve hidden everything on our end! You can let Marry pass already!

Kano:

Kido: Kano? Too late, huh…

---

Kido, Seto

Seto: Kido? I’ve bought the present and come home.

Kido: Aah, good job.

Seto: Well, and also… Kano is petrified in front of the hideout. This is Marry’s ability’s doing, right? Did something happen?

Kido: Yeah… A noble sacrifice…

Released on July 27, 2018.
 * -|Scene 21=

''Shintaro visited a beauty parlor, and is about to be attacked by the hairdresser’s quick-paced talk!? He looks for help in the chatroom, but would he ever…!?''

(T/N: Had to adapt the summary. It actually says “machine gun talk”, which means when a person keeps coming up with subjects or sentences so fast that people assossiate it with the rapid-fire shooting of machine guns. It doesn’t translate too well in English, so I changed it.)

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Shintaro: He~y. Isn’t there anyone here? I seek urgent support. It’s an emergency.

Hibiya: What is it? A critical situation?

Shintaro: Aah! If it isn’t Hibiya. Were you able to return home just fine?

Hibiya: Thanks to you guys. I was told to stay put at home for a while, though. In the end, a daily life surrounded by convenient tools of civilization sure is comfortable.

Shintaro: That’s good.

Hibiya: Well? What happened today? Some sort of incident?

Shintaro: No, it’s not a big deal.

Hibiya: What’s that? You said earlier that you were “seeking urgent support”.

Shintaro: Well, I’m in a beauty parlor right now.

Hibiya: B-B-B-Beauty parlor!? Hum!? A beauty parlor from one of those lined-up buildings in the capital!? Not a barber shop but a beauty parlor!?

Shintaro: What? Is it that odd?

Hibiya: That’s not it, y’know!? I, too, have my hair cut by a charismatic hairdresser from a fashionable beauty parlor in the big city, of course!! What about you, Shintaro!?

Shintaro: M-Me!? I-I-I-I-I also am so accustomed to coming here like usual that I’m close to stealing the hairdresser’s technique!!

Hibiya: ……

Shintaro: ……

Hibiya: This is kinda vain, huh…

Shintaro: Yeah… Let’s stop with this lame vanity competition already… I’ll be frank. I, in truth… actually… am a NEET. I normally cut my hair myself.

Hibiya: Shintaro… Sorry, I made you say these things. I’ll add into that too. I have something I need to be frank about as well.

Shintaro: Sure. Let’s hear it.

Hibiya: To tell the truth, I’m a countryside boy. The one who always cuts my hair is my mom.

Shintaro: Aah…! You’ve managed to say it…!

Hibiya: Shintaro…!

Shintaro: Today, I happened to be forced by Momo into making a reservation at a beauty parlor. My turn will come up soon, but I don’t know if I can correspond when the hairdresser starts talking to me. Lend me some strength, Hibiya!

Hibiya: I have no idea whether I can or not give advice, but I’ll support you with all I’ve got!

Shintaro: That’s reassuring! Oh! My turn has finally come…!

Hibiya: Do your best, Shintaro!

Shintaro: Problem number 1 just happened. “What kind of hairstyle will you want today?” has come my way!

Hibiya: That’s the first difficulty, huh. The key is how to reply in a casual manner!

Shintaro: I made several guesses today when I was coming to the parlor. “You choose”. That’s the only possible option!

Hibiya: Great…! It’s a reply that is simple but gives off a feeling that you’re used to it!

Shintaro: H-Hey, wait a moment. An attack! “What is the specification?” has come my way!

Hibiya: Say what!? Even though you’re leaving it to them including that, too…!

Shintaro: Dammit… What should I do…?

Hibiya: Calm down, Shintaro. You should respond without covering anything up as much as you can or you’ll be suspected. The other person is a professional. You gotta think carefully.

Shintaro: Aah, true. In a situation like this… “Something with a suitably shapely feeling to it”. I’ll go with that!

Hibiya: Go~! Shintaro~! Did you say it? How’d it go?

Shintaro: Somehow… I was told something along the lines of “eh?” and asked back a lot of questions. In the end, I said, “anyhow, something with a neat impression”. They started cutting.

Hibiya: Were you cautious with your way of talking!? Did you speak proper and clearly!?

Shintaro: Obviously! I paid meticuous attention and even gave an uplifting smile! They corresponded with a super sour smile!

Hibiya: W-Well, but they started cutting it without problems, right? Now you just have to wait until they finish.

Shintaro: How naïve, Hibiya. We already have problem number 2. “What’s your profession?” was dropped on me.

Hibiya: Eh!? Shi-Shintaro, what did you reply!?

Shintaro: I answered, “It’s a job related to security”.

Hibiya: Hm? “Security”? Why?

Shintaro: You might not understand this, but it’s been passed down since distant, ancient times. Guys like us have to say that.

Hibiya: S-Seriously!?

Shintaro: They asked, “Are you a student?”. If I carelessly answer “yes”, my faults will show. They’re expecting a composed reply here. We gotta converge the subject as smartly as possible without getting deep into the conversation. Memorize that.

Hibiya: I’ll be on obligatory education for a while, so I think that isn’t a problem for me, but I’ll remember this for a what-if case.

Shintaro: Still, ever since the last question, they haven’t spoken to me anymore. I heard that a beauty parlor is a battlefield where quick-paced talk is widespread, but the hairdresser isn’t even trying to meet my gaze.

Hibiya: Doesn’t that mean they’re concentrating on the haircut?

Shintaro: Aah. Is that it…? My smart retort brought about the aura of an adult man that doesn’t enjoy chit-chat?

Hibiya: True. I wonder if it’s because you’re having your hair cut at a beauty parlor, but your aloof texts in the chatroom are also looking more adult-like than usual.

Shintaro: Stahp. Flattery won’t get you anywhere. Well, when you go to a beauty parlor yourself, you use this as reference.

Hibiya: I will! I learned a lot today. Thanks, Shintaro.

Shintaro: Yeah. Sorry for using your time. I’ll wait at ease until they finish the cut.

---

Ten minutes later…

Shintaro: Hibiya, are you here? He~y. Isn’t there anyone around? It’s a critical situation. I threw some interjections to show I was paying attention by the time my hair was finishing being cut, and ended up making a reservation in an esthetics salon. If this goes on, I’ll end up becoming beautiful. Please tell me a smart way to cancel the reservation. Somebody

Released on August 3, 2018.
 * -|Scene 22=

As Kano took a train, he got out at an eerie empty station that he had never seen or heard of… Would Kano ever be able to return to the hideout safely…?

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Kano: Ciao~. Everyone~, is any of you awake at this our~? As expected, are you asleep~?

Momo: Hello~

Kano: Oh! Kisaragi-cha~n! It’s rare for you to be awake at this hour, huh~?

Momo: Well~, about that, I was looking over a video site, and before I realized, it was this late…

Kano: You like that too, right~, Kisaragi-chan? Speaking of which, what videos were those?

Momo: Lately, I’ve simply been watching cake-making and decoration videos. I watch them all the time.

Kano: As always, your hobbies aren’t idol-like, huh~. Well, that’s Kisaragi-chan’s funny side, though!

Momo: That’s kinda embarrassing~ ( ☝ ͡ ° ਊ ͡ °)☝

Kano: Is that how you hide your embarrassment?

Momo: By the way, did you have any business?

Kano: No, it’s not like that. I was killing time, so to say. To tell the truth, I went on a little trip. I tried going home by train, but no matter how much time passed, it just wouldn’t arrive at the nearest station, y’see~

Momo: Could it be… you mistook what train you had to board?

Kano: H~m. It’s not my first time riding it, so I think I got it right. But it’s not getting to the station at all, so I was bored.

Momo: I see~. But are you okay? Can you return to the hideout just fine?

Kano: Yep~. Well, if I need to, I can go home by taxi, so isn’t it all right~?

Momo: You sure are laidback~

Kano: I’d been fiddling with my phone, and before I noticed, the landscape had turned into one that I don’t know. I contradictorily ended up becoming curious about where this would go. We just passed by a tunnel.

Momo: No, isn’t there no tunnel near the hideout? You really did board the wrong train…

Kano: But it hasn’t been that long since I boarded it, and even though I was in our neighborhood, once it left the first station, I found myself in an unfamiliar place~, so it ended up becoming a little fun.

Momo: Is that so? Well, Kano-san, if you’re enjoying yourself, then it’s fine…

Kano: Be my conversation partner for a while. Everyone around me is asleep.

Momo: Okay~! Tomorrow is my day off, after all.

Kano: That’s how it’s gotta be! Hn? Did the train’s speed slow down a little? Looks like it’ll stop.

Momo: Is it at a place you have seen before?

Kano: I got out at the station. My~, it’s a station that I don’t know. Is this station empty? It feels creepy.

Momo: Is that a horror setting? Are there any cute characters or something?

Kano: No, no. There wouldn’t be cute characters in a place like this usually.

Momo: No~, I was wondering if it was a bit like a theme park.

Kano: Well, it does have the feeling of a haunted house. It looked interesting, so I tried getting out here.

Momo: You’re on an adventure, huh… Isn’t it dangerous?

Kano: I’m okay, I’m okay. I’ve never heard of its name, but from what I’ve seen, it’s normal. I’ll just call a proper taxi to go home~

Momo: Then that’s all right… but are there no people around? Like, isn’t there anyone who got out with you?

Kano: About that, I’m the only one who got out. There’s no~body here. Speaking of that, I’m in trouble. Moreso than taxis, there aren’t even normal cars passing by.

Momo: Eh!? Is that all right?

Kano: H~m. It feels like a countryside landscape, I guess. There’s nothing here. Can you see this?



Momo: E~rm. It’s too dark, so I can’t distinguish it very well…

Kano: Well, anyway, there’s nothing here.

Momo: Eh, are you really okay? Are you lost?

Kano: Being told that suddenly made me feel embarrassed. Getting lost at my age is a no-no. There was supposed to be a tunnel where we passed by just now, so I’ll try to walk along the railroad track.

Momo: Please be careful, yeah? So that you won’t be run over.

Kano: As one would expect, I won’t walk on the railway. If a train comes by, I’ll escape with a dash.

Momo: Somehow, just from seeing you say this, I’ve gotten a bit scared. You really are okay, right?

Kano: Ah. Wait a minute. I kinda hear something. Sounds similar to bells. Also ones similar to drums.

Momo: A festival!?

Kano: Hey, why did you reply before I finished? Lol.

Momo: Because, if it’s a festival, won’t it be fun~? Is what I thought.

Kano: The atmosphere isn’t so cheerful. Hm. What do I do? The sounds might have come a little closer.

Momo: Eh? People are getting closer? Ask for help…

Kano: There aren’t people in the area. Just sounds. They’re coming closer little by little. This might be bad.

Momo: Eh, eh, you’re okay for real, right!?

Kano: Hey. Ah. This is bad.

Momo: Kano-san? What happened? Please answer! No way… What do I do? Kano-san!!

Kano: JU~ST KIDDING!!!! Did I startle you?

Momo: eh wai wha

Kano: I lied, I lied! It was a joke! I ain’t hearing bell sounds or anything like that, and I’m walking the regular road~

Momo: Geez!! Hey!! Please don’t scare me like that!!!

Kano: Sorry, sorry! I was too bored~. There are cars passing by like normal, so I’ll go home soon.

Momo: Man! You’re always pulling off a lot of pranks like that!

Kano: Sorry, sorry. Ah, seems like my phone’s battery will die soon.

Momo: You’ll really be fine, right?

Kano: I just got in the taxi, so I’ll be okay!

Momo: Will you be able to return all right? I can beat Onii-chan awake and make him pick you up nearby, y’know?

Kano: I’m fine, I’m fine, I tell you. It’s dark out.

Momo: Anyway, I’ll contact Danchou-san tomorrow morning.

Kano: Counting on you~

Momo: Ye~s! Be careful!

---

The next day…

Momo: Danchou-san, is Kano-san in the hideout?

Kido: What? Kano? Right now, he’s lazying about on the sofa.

Momo: Ah, really? I’m glad~. So he was able to come back home safely!

Kido: What’s up? Did something happen?

Momo: Well, well, yesterday night, Kano-san told me some stuff like, “I got out of the train at an unknown station~” and, “I’ll go back by taxi~”, so I’d been thinking, “did he manage to return home okay~?”. But if he’s in the hideout, I’m relieved!

Kido: Kisaragi, what… are you talking about?

Momo: Eh?

Kido: Kano was in the hideout the whole day yesterday.

Released on August 10, 2018.
 * -|Scene 23=

''Seto is encouraged in his part-time job today as well. Just what is the “Part-Time Master” that he so admires…?''

Kido, Seto

Kido: Sorry if you’re on-duty, but at what time do you plan to come back home today?

Seto: I’m already done with work. I’ll be back before dinner.

Kido: Is that so? My bad, but can you buy mayonnaise on the way home? I thought we had it stocked but turns out we didn’t.

Seto: Piece of cake. Is the same old one with the red cap okay?

Kido: No problem with that. I feel bad asking this when you’re worn-out.

Seto: It’s fine. Kido is also busy preparing dinner and stuff like that, right? I always rely on you so much that I’m sorry about it.

Kido: No, I’m always making you work too.

Seto: That’s okay. I work part-time because I like to, after all.

Kido: Our living expenses are on Dad, but thanks to you, our household costs are safe.

Seto: That’s embarrassing.

Kido: Come to think of it, it’s been a long time ever since you started working part-time. Haven’t you gone through another kind of job before?

Seto: No, no. I still have a long way to go. I’m still too far from being like the Part-Time Master.

Kido: “Part-Time Master”? What’s with that dubious title?

Seto: He’s real! The Part-Time Master, that is!

Kido: No, even if you say he’s real, for starters, I didn’t know about the very existence of this…

Seto: It’s becoming a rumor amongst part-timers. He shows up at various part-time job establishments, does his work in a flash and heads to the next part-time job… That’s the Part-Time Master. On top of that, it seems his way of carrying out his work is the same as the regular employees.

Kido: Hm. So he isn’t a suspicious fellow. But even so, to think a guy like that existed other than you…

Seto: The first time I heard of this story was when I worked at a part-time job where I had to open air holes in bags stuffed with bamboo shoots.

Kido: A part-time job where you had to open air holes in bags stuffed with bamboo shoots!?

Seto: Yes. It’s a job where you open holes endlessly.

Kido: Is that so…? That’s a difficult job…

Seto: It’s fun when you get used to it! What I heard back then was just the information that there was a person who worked on several part-time jobs at once like me, though. When I was experiencing zero gravity at my part-time job in the space medicine research,

Kido: Space medicine research!? You… were working on a part-time job like that all along…?

Seto: Wasn’t there a time when I left home for about two months? It was back then.

Kido: Well, you always smoothly say, “I’ll be out for about two months~” and head off somewhere, right? Even at that time, you acted like you were saying, “I’m going out to play around”.

Seto: That’s ‘cause it wasn’t a job important enough to inform. I just had to lead a bedridden daily routine for two months in order to get close to a zero-gravity state.

Kido: Such harshness. You were doing these kinds of dangerous things again without asking anyone’s opinion…

Seto: It isn’t dangerous! It’s safe! Plus, what I heard during that period was amazing. It seems that the Part-Time Leader simply goes through with any kind of harsh work without a single complaint. He’s made of metal, huh? I admire him.

Kido: Is that what you call “made of metal”?

Seto: This isn’t all. Back in my part-time job as a shoplift G-men G-man,

Kido: “Part-time job as a shoplift G-men G-man”!? Not just a regular G-man!?

Seto: A G-men G-man. It’s common lately. We watch the G-men to make sure they’re properly doing their work. We’re alike. There’s also a part-time job where others watch the people in charge of distributing tissues to see if they aren’t slacking.

Kido: There sure are some difficult part-time jobs…

Seto: By the way, there are watch part-time jobs where you have to keep watch on watchers to make sure they really are keeping watch.

Kido: Hey, that’s too complicated! Trust the part-timers a little!

Seto: There are all sorts of people doing part-time jobs, after all~. There was never anyone slacking when I was on watch, though. That Part-Time Master is awesome. It seems no one slacks during his shift.

Kido: What, is he strict?

Seto: Doesn’t seem so. I wasn’t told about his looks, but it seems that, since he’s a young man, has a stern personality and takes on many part-time jobs at once, everyone thinks they can’t afford to slack off in front of that likeable boy.

Kido: He seems to be a really good guy.

Seto: That’s right. Perhaps because these kinds of environments took place, by the looks of it, the people who own the establishments that Part-Time Master works at ask him if he wouldn’t inherit the business.

Kido: I see. Meaning he’s trusted?

Seto: I don’t know if all of these stories are about the same person, but I think I wanna become like him. I’ll also keep on working part-time.

Kido: You’ve really become great, huh.

Seto: No, no. Me being able to properly continue doing this is actually thanks to the owners of the establishments. Somehow, the owner of the flower shop that has been giving me a shift since forever was also kind enough to ask me if I wouldn’t inherit the store…

Kido: Is that so? Makes me happy. Hn? Hey, wait. Could it be that Part-Time Master is

Seto: Ah, hold on. The place where I was interviewed a while ago for a part-time job is contacting me! I’ll listen to the rest when I get home!

Kido: Ah, hey! ……Guess I’ll let him remain an admirer.

Released on August 15, 2018.
 * -|Scene 24=

As Marry sent a message to Mekakushi-dan’s chatroom, the one who showed up was Kano of 20 years in the future!?

Mekakushi-dan Chatroom

Marry: Oitsusu.

(T/N: This was her failing to imitate Seto’s “oissu”.)

Marry: Is there anyone around? After practicing typing in my phone, I’ve become able to do it properly.

(T/N: She’s writing everything in hiragana.)

Marry: Also, just a while ago, I got a weird message. When I opened it, a lot of weird letters appeared on the screen, so I wonder if it’s a dangerous mail. Have you guys received it too? Huh? Everyone, what’s wrong? Are you not here?

???: This icon… could it be Marry?

Marry: Wh-Who are you?

???: My~, how nostalgic. It’s been a long time since this chatroom had any messages.

Marry: Who are you? Is this… Mekakushi-dan?

???: Yeah, right guess, right guess! This is Mekakushi-dan’s chatroom. I deleted my icon so you might not be able to recognize me, but this is Kano~!

Marry: Kano, you startled me.

???: No, no, I’m the one who’s surprised. To think what Marry had said back at that time would come true…

Marry: What do you mean?

???: That’s right~. I don’t know if you’ll believe me if I say it, but the world I’m in is of 20 years ahead.

Marry: 20 years… ahead?

???: Do you get it? Right now, I’m in the future where 20 years have passed from the world you are in, Marry.

Marry: Eh? Azm… Amazing. Kano, you’re amazing. You time-slipped?

???: Ah, wrong, wrong. It’s the opposite, Marry.

Marry: “Opposite”?

???: I mean it’s not me; the one who time-slipped was you, Marry. You’re connected to a world 20 years later through this chatroom.

Marry: Wawawah. I’m amazing. I’m like the protagonist of some book.

???: Oh? So you believe in me?

Marry: I do. It’s amazing.

???: Marry, you’re so upfront, huh… You have a flexibility that we didn’t after we became adults.

Marry: What is everyone doing 20 years later?

???: Oh? You gonna ask about that~? My, being asked and talking about these past 20 years make me tear up! I’ve been leading a life of generosity~

Marry: What is Kido up to?

???: Huh~? Are you okay with not listening to my story~?

Marry: What about Kido?

???: Okay, okay, Kido it is. To tell the truth, that instantaneous strength and highly aggressive kicking technique are things to expect in her, y’see. Guess what; she’s working internationally as a kickboxer…!

Marry: A kickboxer… So she fights?

???: That’s right! As of now, she has a body stronger than anyone else’s… I can’t stand up to her at all. One of these days, too, I nearly had my neck broken.

Marry: What about Momo-chan?

???: No, wait, listen to my story a bit.

Marry: Talk about Momo-chan.

???: Okay, okay. Kisaragi-chan, it is~. She said she wanted to create a new type of food with that unique sense of hers. Actually, she quit being an idol and are now a food researcher…! I wonder whether she is or not producing numerous disgusting dishes day and night…

Marry: Mo… Mo-Mo-Mo… Momo-chan’s food… I don’t wanna ea… I don’t wanna ea…

???: Well, I get what you mean to say. Once people eat her cooking, they can’t forget its taste, right?

Marry: A-Anyone else?

???: Let’s see… The one who shocked me the most was Shintaro-kun, I think.

Marry: Shintaro…

???: About that, one day, he suddenly shaved his head, secluded himself in the mountains, started training and became a monk.

Marry: A monk… Shintaro’s hair is gone?

???: Hm, that’s right… But hair is kind of an extremely delicate topic for me, so I guess I’d rather if you leave it as that…

Marry: Got it.

???: Well, we’re all doing our best. Ene-chan is active as a virtual idol in that form of hers. Hibiya-kun’s character bloomed so he attends lives every day as an idol otaku.

Marry: Kano, what about you?

???: Eh?

Marry: Kano, what do you do?

???: Ah~, to be honest… I don’t really wanna say it…

Marry: ?

???: I sorta failed at work, and now I’m living in a cardboard box at the park…

Marry: Eh? Uh… D-Do your best. Hum… Uh…

???: Believing in a story like that… Marry, you really are naïve after all.

Marry: Eh? Ah.

???: It was a joke, it was a joke! I’d just wanted to tease you a little~

Marry: Was this a lie?

???: Yup! A lie! About everyone’s occupations too; a~ll of them!

Marry: Kano, you idiot. I won’t forgive you. Revenge.

???: Don’t talk of dangerous things like revenge! That was just a bit of communication! Besides, what I said about this being 20 years later is true, y’know? Even now that 20 years have passed, we’re all doing our best.

Marry: Geez. I see. Is that so? Hum. Kano, even after 20 years, is everyone still…

???: Marry, do you really wanna ask that?

Marry: Eh?

???: About what everyone is up to right now. About what we’ve been doing 20 years after that.

Marry: Ah… Uh…

???: I can tell you, Marry, about what’s gonna happen to you from this point on. But do you really think you wanna… know?

Marry: Hn… Erm… As expected, I’ll leave it be. I won’t ask.

???: Is that so? I would tell you the truth this time, y’know?

Marry: It’s fine. I mean, I’ll know it someday. I’ll confirm it by myself.

???: Marry, since it’s you, I did think you’d say that. I’m relieved.

Marry: wawawawah

???: Eh? What’s wrong?

Marry: My phone is acting weird. It’s rattling.

???: Speaking of that, Marry, your phone broke 20 years ago. You’d better buy a new one. Give my regards to the me of that side, ‘kay?

Marry: Ah, hot. The phone is hot.

???: Aah, just let go of it already!

Marry: Kano. See you.

???: Yup. See you, Marry.

Marry-san has logged out.

???: Huhu. It’s been 20 years after that, huh?

??? (2): Even 20 years ago, Marry was Marry.

???: Huh? What~? If you were seeing this, you could have talked to her~

??? (2): I pass.

???: You’re referring to yourself as “ore” again~. In the Mekakushi-dan chatroom, you properly act like the leader, huh~?

???: Shut up. I could go kick you right now.

???: No, seriously, please cut me some slack.

??? (3): As a matter of fact, Danchou-san’s kicking technique is splendid. Maybe you could aim for the world, y’know? I have confidence in my cooking as well!

??? (4): Oh~? If everyone wishes for it, I also wouldn’t mind transforming myself into a super hyper pretty virtual idol, y’know!?

???: My, my~? Somehow, none of you had deleted this chat app. If Shintaro-kun were alive, he’d surely have been happy about that…

??? (5): Hey! I ain’t dead! Don’t just kill me off!

???: You’re poking your nose in briskly today too, huh~

??? (3): But I’m surprised~. What Marry-chan said 20 years ago really wound up being true in the end~.

??? (5): Back when I heard she had time-slipped, I was baffled.

???: Ah! That’s right! Since we’re already at it, why don’t we all assemble next time? We could go out for drinks for once in a long while.

??? (4): Aah, seems good!

??? (3): Well, then…

……… ……… ………