Ishitsumugi no Shou 41

 Ishitsumugi no Shou 41 - Even if the flowers fall

 Ishitsumugi no Shou 41-1

[Hero Club room]

Yuu: There! Take that!

Tam: Die, you evildoer!

SHI: Zip it! You're the one who's gonna die here! Rrrragh!

Fuu: I've had it with your noise! Be quiet! Shut up!

Yuu/Shi/Tam: W-We're sorry...

Suz: What's even the point of SHIZUKU if Shizuku's going to pop up when scolded?

Gin: ...

Aya: It's almost 3 o'clock, everyone. Let's have a snack.

Tam: Whew, that was a fun time. Hey, Gin. Let's go buy some taiyaki. Gin? Gin!

Gin: Eh? Oh, right. Tamako-san, what was it?

Tam: I said "taiyaki"! I'm going to buy some, so come with me!

Gin: Ah... Um, I'm going to pass today. I'm not very hungry.

Tam: You sure? I bet you still have space for a taiyaki or two down there, eh?

Gin: No... Oh, I wanted to go somewhere on the way back today, so I'll be taking an early leave. Soz about that!

Sum: What could've happened? What kind of place could've been important enough for Gin to decline snacks...?

Son: She must be going to buy a manga that releases today. She's been waiting for a while.

Sum: Really? Then there's no need to worry. I haven't heard about that, though...

Fuu: ...?

Hin: Fuu-san, is something the matter? We have daifuku today, plus it seems like some taiyaki will be arriving soon.

Uta: Wow! This daifuku is mucho grande! Nice as always, Tougou-san!

Tou: Use Japanese if you want to compliment me.

Mit: There, there.

Fuu: I'll be away for a little.

Meb: Eh, where are you going?

Nat: Fuu, I'll go.

Fuu: Eh? But...

Nat: I have something of a hunch... Let me go.

Fuu: Right... Mhm. Counting on you.

Nat: Right.

Anz: What's wrong? Where is Natsume-san going?

Sum: Uh... Maybe this really is about Gin?

Son: Did something happen to Mino-san?

Fuu: Hmm, can't say anything yet. Let's just do what we can do for the time being.

Sum/Son: Hm?

 Ishitsumugi no Shou 41-2

[Beach]

Gin: ...

Gin: ...Natsume-san?

Nat: Yeah... Mind if I... sit here?

Gin: Oh, no... Please do.

Nat: The sound of waves... is relaxing.

Gin: Yeah...

Gin/Nat: ...

Gin: Uh... Did anything happen?

Nat: Same to you.

Gin: Eh? Ah... Ahaha... I just kinda... suddenly got mad at myself.

Nat: Right... Would you mind... telling me?

Gin: Uh... You know how we were about to go back to the real world once?

Nat: ...Yeah.

Gin: I... acted all tough, told everyone I'd change the future...

Gin: But when it didn't return us, I was... relieved, actually. I just realised that.

Gin: And then just now, I kind of... kind of... kind of...

Nat: You heard them joking about dying and death... and felt terrible?

Gin: ...Sorry. Pretty selfish of me when I do the same all the time...

Nat: No...

Gin: It's not like I think saying "die" or "dying" is a bad omen or anything.

Gin: It's just... There's always a chance one of us will get hurt or die even in this world...

Gin: So I was wondering if it was okay to joke about that... For everyone, me included.

Nat: ...When I look at the calm sea like this, it always reminds me of Pero.

Gin: Huh... Wait, Pero?

Nat: Pero and I met on the beach at dusk, just like this one.

 Ishitsumugi no Shou 41-3

 [Natsume's memories]

 [Okinawa - Sea]

 Nat: As a kid I was slow with words, bad at talking and had no friends. I was always alone.

 Nat: One day I went for a swim in the sea, crying because I got teased by some bullies and angry I wasn't able to say anything in return.

 Nat: The sea is kind. The sea envelops both your mind and body and caresses them. But you can't stay in the sea forever.

 Nat: Eventually I went back to the beach and was about to start walking, with a sense of loss in my heart that made my surroundings feel empty.

 Nat: And there he was... A single puppy. He wasn't growling or barking. He was just... there.

 Puppy: *whimper*

 Nat: Dog...

Nat: I didn't know where he came from or how long he had been there... And his eyes were unusually calm for a puppy.

Nat: I took a liking to that puppy and decided to grill some fish I caught in the sea.

Nat: But even when I was grilling it, the puppy didn't wag his tail or try to beg me for it. He just sat there.

Puppy: *panting*

Nat: Fish...

Puppy: ?

Nat: I peeled a bit of meat off the fish put it on my palm and extended it towards the puppy, who was staring at me.

Puppy: *munch*

Nat: Then he finally sank his teeth into the fish.  Hehe. He must've been really hungry.

Nat: ...Bye-bye.

Puppy: *whimper*

Nat: But the puppy quietly went after me, following me all the way back home.

Nat: Grandma was surprised to see me bring an animal that wasn't seafood home, but let me keep him.

Nat: So I looked at that dog and told him straight to the face.

Nat: I'll be... with you.

Puppy: *happy barking*

Nat: And then, immediately... He began wagging his tail, barking loudly and then even licking my hand.

Gin: He must've been really happy. That puppy was alone too...

Nat: I named that dog Pero, and we grew up together from that point on.

Nat: Pero was a strange dog. He'd jump into the sea and hunt for fish without even being told to. He never barked for no reason or made a mess.

Gin: What a smart boy. Maybe he realised that you saved him, Natsume-san?

Nat: No... I'd say I was the one who got saved and was supported by him. Bravery, kindness - he taught me all of those important things.

Nat: I then became a Hero, and Pero stayed my best friend all the way until he finally reached his end and returned to the earth.

Gin: It must've been... sad to say goodbye to him. For Pero himself, too...

Nat: But... it was okay. Pero is always right here... He's right by my side, watching over me.

Gin: Eh?

Nat: Even after death... our feelings remain. I'm sure of it.


 Ishitsumugi no Shou 41-4

[Beach]

Gin: Even after death... our feelings remain?

Nat: The body might vanish. But Pero knew that his thoughts would stay within me...

Nat: That's why he stayed by my side and fought until the very end, until he... peacefully went away.

Nat: Even if we fall one day, our souls will continue to live inside those who fought by our side...

Nat: So fear not, Minowa Gin. Death... is not the end.

Gin: Natsume-san...

Nat: And besides, I think... That saying things like "death" and "die"...

Nat: Isn't necessarily all that bad.

Gin: How come?

Nat: With death close at hand, even the most happy-go-lucky people will be hard pressed to say those words.

Nat: So don't we laugh it off because we don't fear it that much?

Nat: They can call us irresponsible and blame us for enjoying ourselves, but this situation is great for us Heroes.

Nat: It's better... to laugh off death as if it were a joke. It's better to think that it's still a ways away from us.

Nat: The power of those feelings and the brightness of our smiles... are as good as staving death away.

Gin: Hah... Hahahaha! Natsume-san, you're amazing.

Gin: You're right. All of my queasiness just straight up disappeared.

Nat: Mhm...

Gin: Thank you very much. I'm not afraid anymore. I'll stick to everyone even if I'm dead!

Nat: Mhm...

Gin: Still though, Pero was one hell of a dog! Smart boy, honestly more of a fairy than a do-... Eeh!?

Nat: Urk... *cough* *hack*

Gin: Natsume-san!? What's wrong!?

Nat: I spoke too much... My throat...

Son: Heeey! Mino-san!

Sum: It's time for dinner, come back!

Fuu: You too, Natsume! We're having hot pot at the dorm today! And finishing with udon!

Gin: Okay! We'll be right there! ...Are you okay?

Nat: Shouldn't have... *cough* gone out of my *cough* comfort zone...

Gin: Hey, hey, Natsume-san!

Nat: Hm?

Gin: I'm super honoured that you say I'm like Pero!

Nat: Heh heh... Oh, Pero...

Gin: Bow-wow! Ahahaha!