Sand Sculpture of the Heart

Here is the recording of today’s lesson, Chihiro. I’ll leave the review to you.

Thankies for always grabbing the footage, Kinyari. ♪

Hm… Yep, yep! Raitin and Kugurinu, always together in perf sync!

The choreo is spot on~. ♪ You get Dance Director Chii’s stamp of approval!

Oooh, is that so? We’ve outdone ourselves, Kuguri!

…Has today’s lesson ended? I’m leaving.

It’s Nayuki-san and the chief. Is there some sort of announcement?

Yes. The study trip’s destination has been decided on. I also managed to secure some ambassador work. It proved easier this time around now, following Ev3ns’s improved popularity and reception.

Oh? Did you arrange a destination to sate my desires?

Of course. This time, Ev3ns has been invited to serve as Sand Dune Ambassadors in Tottori¹.

Ambassadors… I wonder if we’ll be made to do odd jobs again like in Beppu…

There are sand dunes to be found; not to mention it’s located in a sparsely populated area. Surely that aligns with your expectations, Domeki-san.

Well, could be worse. I suppose I’ll concede this time since poor picim² scurried about frantically all night long to secure this spot.

I appreciate your generosity.

We also received a spirited request from the client to hold a live show during the evening in the dunes themselves where we’ll be assisting with hospitality services.

No way? That sounds like totes fun~! What are sand dunes like?

Haha, very impressive, Chief. Tourism really is your life’s work. The travel information comes pouring out of you like a waterfall.

That being said, we’ve been asked to put on a show during this trip, so no slacking off on your daily lessons.

‘Course! Even in Tottori, we got to work to make our names known!

Chii’s gonna stay behind to practice some more.

Oh, maybe I should stay behind, too. I’ve still got a few areas I need to improve on…

What diligent children. I’ll be taking my leave now.

I’ve got a meeting with an investment company today, so I’ll be heading out as well.

Nayuki, how about it? What do you say you accompany me on occasion? The board members have been asking about you, since it has been a while.

…

Shall we go, Chief? It’d be good to confirm a few details with the Tottori Tourist Committee representative.

Did you hear me, Nayuki?

Chihiro, Tao. Is it all right if I remain behind, too?

Oh, Kinyari’s all raring to go! ‘Kay ‘kay! Let’s take it from the top~!

Whew~ I’m beat. I think the part with the harmony has improved a lot, though, Kinari.

The precision in our harmony has improved by 3% since yesterday.

Kinyari, I think you’ve become more expressive with your face lately, y’know? You’ve smiled naturally so many times just today!

Truthfully, I received a new order from Master recently. I am to obey my emotions, and to act and speak in accordance with how I feel.

Hm… How do you plan to achieve that?

My research is ongoing. For the time being, I am reviewing recordings from my past. I also believe it is important to resolutely take on new experiences in order to further develop my emotions.

So that’s why you applied to be the host for the feature tour! Kinyari, you’re so admirable~!

…Is that how you see it? I feel like I can’t keep up.

Hm? Why?

(Those two AI within Iwabuchi-sama’s laptop were able to foster romantic attraction between themselves. I am unable to comprehend that kind of complex emotion.)

Tao and Chihiro seem to be able to express emotions frankly and sincerely within Ev3ns. How did you both approach raising your emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence… Hm. I’m not sure… Doesn’t it come down to personalities?

…

At least for me, I think it’s family.

… (Inhales)

Aha, it’s because my family was such a jumbled-up mess!

There were unpleasant emotions I felt, of course, but occasionally I’d experience feelings of joy, too. I think experiencing all of that combined made me who I am today.

…That’d be your environment, yeah? If that’s what you mean, the same goes for me, too.

The environment…

There’s that saying, “Man is the product and producer of his environment.” Although I don’t think that explains everything.

You lived together with your dad, right, Kinyari? So doesn’t that mean he helped shape the Kinyari that’s here with us today?

…

No matter our pasts, we’re all together as Ev3ns. Doesn’t that make us like a family now?

! What was that line, Tao! Aren’t you so smooth!

Ev3ns is my family…?

Ah… There’s no deep meaning, but we all live under the same roof, share the same meals together, and work hard towards the same goal… It was the only word I could think of.

I thought that if family could be an environment for emotions to develop, then everyone in Ev3ns might be useful for you in reaching that goal.

Yesh! Yesh! So that means Raitin is our papa, and Kugurinu is the mama?

…Uh, I don’t think Kuguri-san would make a good mother figure.

All right then, what about siblings? We could be a family of seven with Nayu-ki and Chiefy too. Chii’s just so happy ‘coz there’s so much love for his sisters and for Ev3ns!

Haha.

…Can you not say a word to Nayuki-san please? I’ll end up getting throttled…

According to this logic, that would make me the youngest child?

Right you are! Kinyari the youngest sibling, the embodiment of love! We’re basically together all the time, so we have fun when we chat, but also have times when we get all irritated with each other, right?

Talking with Chihiro is fun…

…!

Did you hear that, Tao!?

I heard, I heard. You love Kinari, right? I’m happy for you.

When I talk with Tao, I believe the sensation I feel is comfort.

…!

Really? T-thanks.

…When I speak with the members of Ev3ns, including Master and Nayuki… I have a high sense of psychological wellbeing.

Psychological wellbeing…? Do you mean we’re all easy to talk to?

That is correct.

Haha, yup, we’re all definitely family. Let’s occasionally talk about what’s on your mind like this. I think even something like that could be a huge help.

You have my gratitude.

It would be nice if we could talk with Raitin and Kugurinu, too~. I think Kugurinu would find it a reason to object, though.

…

I will attempt to ask them about nurturing emotional intelligence, even if I must approach them separately.

Yeah, good idea. It seems easier to develop sensitivity if there are differing values.

(Environment, values, sensitivity…

If I can nurture my emotions during this time where Ev3ns is my family…)