(Sutamai) Short Story, B's Log March 2018

[nhp]

Round One: A chummy conference featuring the group of 26 year olds 

 

Characters: Natsume Haru, Sugano Natsuki, Kagura Aki, and Maki Keita.

 

 

In a certain restaurant within the metropolis are the figures of four charming young men. An unusual gathering of members…… Just what is the purpose behind it all?...... 

 

Sugano: So then, shall we get right into it by ordering something? Okay, I’m gonna hand out the menus now.

 

Natsume: I’m the one who picked out this place, you know…… Guess I’ll let it pass. Can I get the usual please?

 

Kagura: Oh, so you picked out this place, Natsume-kun? I can relax then.

 

Sugano: Whaaat? Would it have been no good if I had chosen the place?

 

Maki: I don’t think there’s any deep meaning behind it, so if you could not let it get to you, then that would save us a lot of trouble.

 

Sugano: You’ve been in a sour mood ever since you came, Kagura-san. What’s up?

 

Kagura: Are you asking me why that is?...... If it were only for the fact that I’m busy, but no, it’s because I was suddenly called to come out to a place like this.

 

Maki: Isn’t that perfect timing then? It’s necessary to take a breather once in a while.

 

Natsume: But why exactly us four?

 

Sugano: Hehehe…… Looks like you all have yet to notice it, but alas! All of us here are 26 year olds!

 

Kagura: So it would seem.

 

Natsume: Oh, you’re right.

 

Maki: I see. So we all had something like that in common, huh.

 

Sugano: Wow, the first two responses sounded completely devoid of any interest…… But at least you get a pass, Maki-kun!

 

Kagura: Or rather, I still don’t understand the whole point of this. If you’re going to tell me that it’s a social meet-up then I’m leaving right this instant.

 

Sugano: Relax and take it easy. The reason why we’re all gathered here today is to hold, “Round One: A Chummy Conference featuring the Group of 26 year olds”! 

 

Natsume: Come again?

 

Kagura: Even the title is lame. So, I’m leaving then.

 

Sugano: Stooop! Maki-kun, please hold Kagura-san back!

 

Maki: Right. Before I do that though, I’d like to hear a proper explanation for this conference, if possible…… 

 

Sugano: Of course, it’s a meeting to promote the “Stand My Heroes” game that all of us here appear in!

 

Natsume: So in other words, we’re meant to introduce the good points of “Sutamai”?

 

Maki: If that’s what it’s about, then I’ll gladly participate. You’re okay with that too, aren’t you, Aki?

 

Kagura: Since it’s to introduce the game and not for the sake of being buddy-buddy, then…… Sure.

 

Sugano: You mean that? Then let’s get the show on the road before Kagura-san changes his mind!

 

Natsume: Then let’s start with Maki-san who seems to be familiar with this sort of stuff. Is that okay?

 

Maki: Got it. So what I want to introduce first definitely has to be that refreshing puzzle system. Then afterwards, I’m thinking of maybe also going into one of the many gimmicks that you can enjoy. 

 

Sugano: A splendid answer despite being thrown into the deep end just like that! Nothing less to expect from an employee working at a toy company~

 

Natsume: Aren’t the card skills that help you get past the puzzles also a good point?

 

Sugano: Yeah, yeah! If the card has a useful skill on them then the person in that card can immediately become the one that grabs your interest……!

 

Kagura: Wait just a second there. I don’t think that I can fully accept that being the only aspect we’re to be judged on. 

 

Natsume: If you raise the level of the card, then you’ll be able to unlock that card’s “bond1 stories” as well. So isn’t it fine so long as the players can also come to love our inner self after having read those stories? 

 

• 1Bond stories are the Kizuna stories.

 

Maki: There’s also the “main story” where they can come to fully know more about us after all.

 

Kagura: I appear in that too, right?

 

Sugano: Of course! Everyone here makes a debut in the main story!

 

Maki: I think you can learn about the unexpected side of each and every one of us while overcoming the cases in there.

 

Natsume: The main story is full of people who are hard to deal with, so it could be pretty interesting.

 

Sugano: And on top of that, there are more than 20 people who make an entrance and who are all hotties to boot!

 

Natsume: There are also superiors that you can rely on. So much so that even within the “Narcotics Control Department” AKA the “Matori” that I’m apart of, our section chief has his own fans in the offices.

 

Sugano: Us CIU First Division guys aren’t gonna lose to you lot. Even our section chief—

 

Kagura: Though every time that I look at that person, I get the feeling that he’s asleep. Not to mention that sometimes it’ll be while standing up. 

 

Sugano: Hmmm, well you do have a point there, but…… He’s a person that gets things done when he needs to.

 

Natsume: Otherwise, he wouldn’t be employed as a section chief, right?

 

Sugano: Natsume-kun, thaaank you……!

 

Natsume: Anyhow, I get the feeling that we’re pretty much done with the introduction, so…… How are we supposed to wrap things up?

 

Kagura: Who knows? Hey you, do something about it.

 

Sugano: Huh? You mean me?

 

Kagura: You’re the host for this conference, aren’t you?

 

Sugano: Hmmm, now this is a pinch I’m in…… How to wrap things up… Wrap it up……

 

Maki: In times like that, how about circling back to the start of it all? For example, end it with the most important message of the game or something.

 

Sugano: “Someday, I’ll also become that one and only special person to someone”...... You mean like that?

 

Kagura: Oh, well now…… That was pretty well done of you.

 

Maki: Those words just now probably even speak of our own feelings as well.

 

Sugano: Yeah. At the very least, I want to be her only hero.

 

Natsume: Well, I guess it’s not a bad thing to want to be someone’s “special person”.

 

Kagura: Well, if that girl says that she’ll try her hardest then maybe I should also try considering her in that way.

 

Sugano: So the last one is Maki-kun. Go on then!

 

Maki: …… I’m at a loss for words…… I’m not good with things like this.

 

Kagura: Do you want some alcohol, Kei-chan?

 

Maki: …… No, I’m fine, thanks.

 

Sugano: Alrighty then, give it your best shot!

 

Maki: “There’s only one thing that I desire, and that’s to see you. I’ll always be waiting.”

 

Sugano: (Ooh, so Maki-kun’s the type to come at you quite determinedly when he’s resolute.)

 

Kagura: Well, what do you know, I’m starting to be in the mood for some drinks. A gimlet for me.

 

Sugano: Then maybe I should drink too. I’ll go with a beer for now!

 

Maki: …… I get the feeling that it would be better for me to leave now while I still can. 

 

Natsume: What a coincidence. I was just thinking the same thing.

 

What future lies ahead for this meeting that had begun to spell trouble? Perhaps that is something that only God himself knows. But the reason for why these men have gathered here today should be as clear as day—and that is most definitely so that they could meet the one and only “you”......