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Thanks to his kind acquaintance, Azuma walks home with two tickets to Veludo Way’s newest amusement park. With the performance for The Ember of Yellow Turban approaching, Azuma has an idea who to invite: Homare Arisugawa. The lead and co-lead gotta bond, especially that they’ll be playing brothers.
As expected, Homare happily accepts the invitation. He’s been tired from writing his life story and wants a change of pace.
And so they set off, with Azuma driving. Although Homare is eyeing the rollercoasters intently, he lets Azuma choose the first ride because he is the big brother and the one who brought the tickets.
Azuma’s choice? The Ferris wheel. A nice chat while watching the beautiful night view of the amusement park is a good start for him.
Once they get in the gondola and the Ferris wheel starts moving, they look at the scenery.
“Mmm, the stars… The illumination… I can feel inspiration welling up in me!”
Azuma chuckles. “Still thinking about your writing, I see.”
“I suppose writing and I are inseparable. I have been writing about that in my life story.”
“Fufu, I’m curious.”
“It is a story of the genius Arisugawa Homare, who is born in a family of talented artists. In that story I tell everyone the arts I once explored and how I eventually settled with poetry…”
“It must’ve been fun.”
“Indeed.”
“Is there anything else you explore in your life story?”
“No. My life as a genius artist would suffice.”
Despite sensing something off, Azuma only smiles. There’s more to be unearthed about Arisugawa Homare, but being adults, or Winter Troupe, Azuma can’t find the heart to do that.
Except, well, maybe a nudge.
“I suppose that’ll make a good introduction to Arisugawa Homare.”
“I knew you would understand, Azuma-san!”
“A big brother should understand his little brother well. He’d want to know his little brother deeply, and honestly…” Azuma says, “Homare, I’m searching for you.”
“Huh?”
“I want to meet you.”
“But I am right here?”
“I know, but what I mean is, I want to meet… you .”
…
…
…
“Please forgive your little brother for not understanding what you mean.”
It’s an expected response, but Homare looks a little upset from it.
“Of course I forgive you, my little brother. I’m afraid I may have overstepped the boundary though.”
…
…
…
“The fault is not yours, my big brother. I will work hard to understand what you mean by that.”
Azuma says nothing afterwards.
The ride is spent in silence, but it looks like Homare has begun to think more deeply about his writing - himself . Azuma feels sorry for ruining the atmosphere, but he wants to meet Arisugawa Homare someday.
Perhaps his audience and the rest of Mankai Company want that too.