*KARIN'S ROOM - NIJIGASAKI DORMS - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
As much as I love spending time discussing baseball with Mia, I still have three other members of the Nijigasaki Dorm Family to make amends with.
Knowing Karin, there's one thing that she consistently needs help with.
AKI: "Can I move the books here, Karin?"
KARIN: "Yep, thanks. Your coming here has been a big help. With a room this messy, I'd worry Emma all over again otherwise."
Oh, Emma... Right...
AKI: "I don't think you're the one who needs to worry about that right now. You know how Emma likes to take care of you."
KARIN: "No, I can't let her do that. I'll end up totally useless if I do..."
AKI: "You say that, yet I'm the one trying to prove that I'm not useless."
KARIN: "Don't say that. You should know how much we appreciate you. Plus, you're doing most of the work here..."
AKI: "..."
After deep diving inside my mind, I realized how much I needed this Club.
But as the future approaches, I'm still questioning where my place is within it.
KARIN: "Give me half of those. I'll do my part too."
AKI: "Sure. Take these, please."
KARIN: "Oh, this is a photo album. So, that's where it was."
AKI: "Your photo album? Oh, for your modeling work?"
KARIN: "Oh, are you interested?"
AKI: "Yeah, I've bought every magazine you're featured in."
KARIN: "My, my, I didn't know you were that fascinated by me."
AKI: "Wh-What?!"
KARIN: "Don't you think I'm beautiful?"
AKI: "Yeah, but not just for your looks."
KARIN: *Chuckle* "You're one to talk. I made you look beautiful for Diver City, didn't I?"
AKI: "G-GAH!"
I don't want to be reminded of that... She treated me like a dress-up doll!
But at least I got to choose the name Miyu...
Guess you could say, I really like that name.
AKI: "Anyway, is this a photo album of your modeling career?"
KARIN: "No, of when I was young."
AKI: "An album from when you were young, huh? I'm curious."
KARIN: "Come on, don't pull that face. There's nothing special about it. It's run-of-the-mill.
I'll show you only if you promise not to laugh."
AKI: "Why would I?"
KARIN: "Okay, then here... This is me from a long time ago."
AKI: "Eh? Which one's you?"
KARIN: "What do you mean? There's only one person here."
AKI: "Wait... THIS is YOU?! No way!"
KARIN: "You don't have to act so surprised..."
AKI: "But you look so different from how you are now. How do I put it? You seem more...spirited."
KARIN: *Giggle* "I see you've chosen your words carefully. It's okay; you can say it. I look like a tomboy, right?
I was pretty naughty back then. I was the biggest rascal on Kōzushima."
AKI: "Huh?"
KARIN: "Hm? You didn't know I was born there?"
AKI: "No!"
KARIN: "Looks like the secret is out."
AKI: "I guess that would explain why you felt so comfortable performing there...and how you were able to defeat Sunny Passion."
KARIN: "No place like home, right?"
AKI: "Did you know SunnyPa back then?'
KARIN: "No, our paths never crossed until we met recently."
AKI: "Even so, I still can't picture you as a rascal..."
KARIN: "All of mother nature was my playground. Back then, the kid who was the best at playing became the leader of the pack.
That sure takes me back..."
AKI: "Hey, I'd love to hear more stories about the mischief you got up to."
KARIN: "Are you sure? It might be too much for you to handle.
But... If you're sure, then..."
...
*MANY STORIES LATER*
AKI: "That's insane! You caught a fish that big?!"
KARIN: "Yes, but it took the whole team to wrestle it out of there. The only thing better than its size was its taste."
AKI: "That's awesome; tell me more!"
EMMA: "Kariiin! I hope you're ready for our Dorm Lu-"
AKI: "..."
KARIN: "Emma?"
EMMA: "Oh... Hey."
AKI: "Hey..."
KARIN: "Ugh, I'm sick of this. Can't you both pull yourselves together and get through this?! I know that's what Setsuna wants."
EMMA: "Setsuna isn't here, all thanks to his plan."
AKI: "..."
KARIN: "Emma, please."
AKI: "I know. But what were we supposed to do? Lay down and let Liella! walk all over us on our own island?
Things didn't go exactly to plan; nobody knows that more than I do!"
EMMA: "..."
AKI: "Please, can't you see I'm trying to make things right? I know things will never return as they were, but I'm still trying!"
KARIN: "It's true. Today alone, he's helped Rina get her board fixed, find Kanata a new part-time job, Ayumu become a VTuber, and made amends with Mia."
EMMA: "I-Is that true...?"
AKI: "It's true, but you're still doubting me! I thought you knew me better than that! After all I've done for you... *Sob* Does it all mean nothing?!"
EMMA: "..."
AKI: "I know the mess I've made, and it's one that I'll clean up myself! It's not up to you, or anyone else. This is the responsibility I have to take! As your leader if I can't steer this Club back on course then who will?!"
I felt my legs getting weak, and I dropped to my knees.
KARIN: "Boss?! Let me help you up-"
AKI: "No, Karin!"
KARIN: "?!"
AKI: "I've been off my feet all day... But it's still not enough. So I don't care how long it takes; I'm going to make things right. I will not rest until I do."
I struggled, but I made it back to my feet.
EMMA: "Akihiko..."
AKI: "No matter what it takes... Even if I die trying, damn it, I WILL make things right!"
KARIN: "That's a little extreme, don't you think?!"
AKI: "No... Maybe. I'm just an idiot, but I'm not incompetent. I know if I say anything more I'll end up hurting you again, Emma. So, I'm going to sit this one out. Enjoy your lunch."
It's for the best that I leave... Unfortunately, Emma won't forgive me, and that hurts. It's like a knife in my chest that I can't pull out.
Even if I did, the blood I lost wouldn't come back. It's already on the floor and dried up, like the tears I've shed.
EMMA: "Hey, wait."
AKI: "Hm...?"
EMMA: "I guess I could use some help with the sandwiches..."