*AKIHIKO'S ROOM - SUZUKI RESIDENCE - KOTA CITY APARTMENT BUILDING - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
Ugh... I thought that would never end.
I don't know how but Karin always finds a way to play me and make me embarrassed...
How is she so good at doing that?
I don't know... But I can at least relax now...
*RIIING*
Oh come on... WHAT NOW?!
AKI: "Yes, Lanzhu?"
LANZHU: "Captain! Lanzhu has a brilliant idea!"
AKI: "Mm-hm."
...
*PANDA ENCLOSURE - UENO ZOO - TAITO CITY - TOKYO*
YU: "Wow, it's so cute!"
LANZHU: "Right. But pandas aren't just cute, you know. They're powerful animals."
AKI: "Really?"
LANZHU: "Take a good look at how they eat bamboo. Do you realize how strong their teeth have to be to rip it apart like that?"
AKI: "Okay, that's pretty scary..."
LANZHU: "And just look at how flexible they are. Their bodies are packed with supple muscle."
AKI: "......"
LANZHU: "Captain?"
AKI: "One of those things would tear me apart..."
YU: "Still, I wanna give them a big old tummy rub! So cute!"
AKI: "GAH!"
To help build her confidence, Lanzhu did a lot of research into stuff she likes.
After the whole Chirpy saga she's become very fond of animals, and now she's taking me and Yu on a tour of the zoo to share those facts with us.
But I never knew such a cute animal such as pandas could be so scary... Given my history with animals, they would murder me on sight.
...
*PENGUIN ENCLOSURE - UENO ZOO - TAITO CITY - TOKYO*
YU: "Penguins are so cute too!"
AKI: "Yeah, they're pretty adorable."
LANZHU: "Lanzhu knows you know they live in super chilly places, but did you know that none of them live in the North Pole?"
YU: "Whaaat?! I didn't!"
AKI: "I think that's polar bears... Geez, they sound even more scary. If I was caught in a blizzard and they found me they would eat me." *Shiver*
LANZHU: "There are a bunch of kinds of penguins, but most of them live in the southern hemisphere. The only ones in the northern hemisphere are on the Galápagos Islands."
YU: "You sure know a lot about penguins."
LANZHU: *Giggle* "That's only the tip of the iceberg of Lanzhu's knowledge!
If there's ever anything you don't know, fire away with the questions!"
...
*PETTING ZOO - UENO ZOO - TAITO CITY - TOKYO*
YU: "Wow, look at all the bunnies and guinea pigs!"
AKI: "Hm? Lanzhu?"
LANZHU: "Th-They're so tiny!"
YU: *Giggle*
LANZHU: "Hey, do you think it's really all right if we pet them?"
AKI: "You read the notice, right? So long as you follow what it says, I don't see why not."
LANZHU: "B-But..."
YU: "Heeheehee..."
AKI: "Yu's already getting carried away with it... Look, here comes a guinea pig.
Here little guy, let me pick you up. There there..."
*CHOMP*
AKI: "ACK!"
LANZHU: "Aren't you just the floofiest around! What a sight! You've grown up all big and strong!"
AKI: "H-He bit my hand..."
LANZHU: "This is so lovely... All these little fluffballs just eat tons of food, run their hearts out, and have fun with their pals.
Nothing makes your day better than being surrounded by friends!"
AKI: "Why don't you try picking one up? That little guy there seems to want to get up on your lap."
LANZHU: "Urk... Okay. Lanzhu's read so many books to prepare for this very moment."
AKI: "Have confidence in yourself."
LANZHU: "Be careful, be gentle... Like it's made of jelly...
*Giggle* Lanzhu's lap is free real estate with your name on it. Stretch out, relax, and have a good rest."
...
*THAT EVENING*
*FRONT GATE - UENO ZOO - TAITO CITY - TOKYO*
Eventually, our day at the zoo had to come to a close. Yu parted ways with us, leaving me and Lanzhu alone.
LANZHU: "The zoo sure closes early..."
AKI: "Yeah. The animals need their rest, I guess."
LANZHU: "Let's come again soon. Today was really helpful! Lanzhu got to put the things she's learned into practice and deepen her understanding of the things she's read!
She feels more confident now! Her technique for picking up rabbits and guinea pigs is perfect. And her technique for feeding goats and sheep. And she even got to take care of a turtle!"
AKI: "Yeah, you're gradually getting closer to all the animals, aren't you?"
LANZHU: "Yeah. That's why Lanzhu came."
AKI: "It was a great exercise to build your confidence, plus bringing Yu along was a great idea.
She learned a lot today thanks to your impressive knowledge."
LANZHU: "Yeah, actually, you know... Lanzhu was thinking."
AKI: "About what?"
LANZHU: "That Lanzhu still doesn't really know much about you."
AKI: "Huh?"
LANZHU: "When Lanzhu thinks about it, it seems like you understood Lanzhu from the very start.
You could see that it wasn't her plan at hand, rather it was her mama's.
Not just that, but you always understand exactly what Lanzhu wants to do. No matter how hard she tries to hide her true self, you still see through the act and accept her.
But she doesn't have a clue what you want to do."
AKI: "What I want?"
LANZHU: "That's not fair, is it?"
AKI: "Lanzhu..."
LANZHU: "All Lanzhu knows is that you've taken a hit to your confidence lately. Just like she has.
So, while we build that back up, Lanzhu wants to learn lots more about you, Captain."
AKI: "Thanks. I never knew you felt that way."
LANZHU: "Lanzhu's gonna learn about you! She's gonna learn much more from now on!
So let's hear what you have to say!"
AKI: "If you're asking what I want to talk about, it's usually something to do with school idols..."
LANZHU: "Squeee! Let's hear it! Lanzhu loves talking about school idols more than anything!
You still have time, right? Come to Lanzhu's room and tell her everything!"
AKI: "Sure-"
*GRAB*
LANZHU: "Let's go!"
AKI: "L-Lanzhu? Hey, you don't have to drag me!"