A double date with Olympia and Kumiko. What sins did I commit in my past life?
As I'm heading to the train station, I notice that the way to it passes by the arcade where Olympia and I hung out yesterday. So that means that I'll also be passing—
"Moshi moshi, Kiyomi-chan."
I walk at a brisk pace to avoid the local pervert. Local pervert? Don't I mean universal pervert? I doubt her perversion is limited to only the male gender.
"Moshi moshi, Kiyomi-swan."
"Oh, No Name, I didn't expect to see you today. Why, what a beautiful day it is today."
"A beautiful day today, it is. Finally, having that beach episode? The readers haven't been able to catch a wink of sleep. Have fun at Kagoshima."
"We're not going to Kagoshima! Not unless something bad happens… Which won't! Plus, I doubt that we have any readers who are that eager to read my story."
"Your story, eh? How childish. You still view this world as your story. How old are you, within the first trimester?"
"Am I your child or something? I doubt that any sane man would have a relationship with you. Well, perhaps solely for sex."
"Is sex the only thing you think about? I gave you that present specifically to reduce your horniness. Maybe I should've given you a gift with a person whose appearance resembles Kumiko more, rather than Olympia."
Should I even question how she knows these people? She knows everything.
"You know, Kiyomi, I know everything. Of course, you don't. You know nothing."
"..."
"I'm just messing with you, Kiyomi. Kumiko is my not-so-little, little niece. And, of course, I would know her not-so-best, best friend, Olympia," says Emanon.
Not-so-best, best friend? What's that supposed to mean?
"My not-so-dear, dear Kumiko has been friends with Olympia for the majority of her life. She's bonded with her. She's the only person who's bonded with her. Olympia is the not-so-fortunate, fortunate butterfly who got trapped in Kumiko's spider webs. They've been friends for so long that Kumiko hasn't been able to create relationships with anyone but Olympia. Meanwhile, Olympia has been able to form countless relationships and bonds. She's been able to make acquaintances, while Kumiko must watch from a distance. That's not to say Olympia has never invited Kumiko to interact with those acquaintances. Kumiko rejects them; she rejects Olympia's offer. Kumiko doesn't try to befriend others. She's content with being with Olympia and only Olympia. She doesn't care about the world in the slightest. The only thing she cares about is the butterfly entangled in her webs. When, oh when, will the spider grow bored and consume its prey?"
When will the spider consume its prey? I know—or at the very least can tell—that Kumiko is someone who secludes herself from the world. Just like me. But why would her aunt suggest such a thing? Emanon is Kumiko's aunt. Maybe she's not-so-dear, but Emanon should still know that Kumiko isn't the type to hurt Olympia. Even if Kumiko is the hostile type, why would she want to harm Olympia? They've been friends forever. What would Kumiko resent about Olympia?
"Why not say these thoughts aloud? Will the anime include all of your monologues? Perhaps you should let your thoughts free rather than keep them locked inside," chimes Emanon.
"You already know what I'm thinking, don't you?" I say aloud.
"You already know I do, don't you? Of course, you—Wait, you're right this time. Well, that just means that you've been learning. If you give a monkey Legos and give him enough time, he'll be able to build the Eiffel Tower. That just means: you aren't entirely incompetent."
Entirely? Why, for these past three days, has everyone been bullying me!? I feel like Kenny…
"Don't describe yourself as an underrated character. But, to answer your question, how would you feel if the person you admired, the person who you love and hate with your entire being, didn't give you their full, undivided attention? Would you not stop feeling special? The only person who ever considered you special no longer does. How empty and hollow one must feel. It's as if you've shed your exoskeleton, but then realize that the whole time, you've been nothing but the molt. You can't even consume the butterfly. So then, what can you do? I wonder."
"What are you talking about?" I ask aloud.
"So he's capable of voicing his thoughts. I'm surprised. Astounded even."
"Shut up. Don't talk about Kumiko that way. She's not your not-so-dear or not-so-small niece. She's Kumiko. Kumiko—"
"Kumiko, what? Kiyomi Otonashi, do you even know her full name? Have you even bothered to try to learn it? Does she not seem interesting to you? She's got a cute face, but she doesn't compare to the epitome of perfectness that is her not-so-best, best friend, Olympia Ventura. Maybe that's why Kumiko is so attached to her. Not because they've known each other for long, but only because she's like everyone else: drawn to the beautiful wings of the extravagant, Euchloe Olympia. What else would a loser do? What else would a fool do? What else would a human do? It's human nature to mindlessly pursue, to be toyed with, and to destroy."
Are her… words true? I mean, I've only crossed paths with Kumiko yesterday. And Olympia, the day before that. I know hardly anything about each of them, let alone the relationship they've shared for as long as they can remember. Do I, an outsider, have any right to defend Kumiko? Her aunt is the one who's speaking. Her aunt. What more would I know about Kumiko than her aunt? I am the worst. Is that why I'm so drawn to Olympia? Am I nothing more than a foolish human?
"You know nothing. But it's because you know nothing that you can learn anything. You weren't born evil. No one is. You were born ignorant. Learn, grow, and change for the better. I don't know absolutely everything, but I can make educated guesses. The fact that you ask so many questions is proof that you are capable of changing for the better. You just need the will to do so. So do so. I believe in you. Kumiko believes in you. Olympia believes in you. Even Kagami believes in you, even if she doesn't show it. We haven't known you for as long as you've existed, but Kiyomi Otonashi, you have people who believe in you. Never forget that."
I can't muster up the words to say thank you, but I know one day I'll be able to express my appreciation, even if it's in the far future.
"You don't need to say anything, Kiyomi. I know everything, you know? Of course, you do. Well, you'd best be off now. But here, take this," Emanon places something onto my open hands.
She hands me… Wait, is this seriously what I think it is!?
"Does the girl on the cover remind you of anyone? Heh, you little creep. Have a blast (literally)."
…
I think to myself, kimochi warui, as I briskly walk away, to avoid showing Emanon the embarrassment that's written all over my face.