Far Away From

Is this… a park? Is there something here?

Actually, my house used to be in front of this park. There’s no trace of it now though.

Wow… I didn’t realize… There aren’t any houses around. Although, there are commercial buildings…

Hmm, where should I start…? For the last three years, I honestly didn’t feel like I was alive.

…

I guess it felt like I was in a game? I knew I was alive, but it felt like I was detached from the world… I floated around in a daze from place to place.

But when Ev3ns started as an idol group, I got to know you. And Nayuki-san almost died in front of my eyes…

I realized that this is a world where people die, so I feel like I finally understand that this isn’t a game now…

Can I ask why you felt that way?

Yeah… It’s just… I think it’ll be extremely hard to believe…

Although, I guess it can’t be helped if you don’t believe me.

Yeah.

But I’m going to say something absolutely ludicrous…

Yeah.

Ugh, you’re going to think I’m insane…

…Hold up, aren’t you stalling too much!

I told you I’d believe you! I’d believe it even if you said you’re an alien from outer space! So tell me!

Ah, yes sir. Sorry. I’ll say it properly.

I time traveled to this era from 1999… Three years ago…

…

Um… Does anyone else know?

I don’t know. I don’t have a family registry, so I was interrogated when I was sent to prison… But I managed to avoid further trouble somehow.

I’m sure the President probably knows I’m unregistered. Karigane-san too…

…! W-w-why are you taking off your clothes?

Well, I want to show you this… It’s an injection mark on my arm.

…It looks like a polka dot. Cute.

C-cute? This is a scar from the tuberculosis vaccine. This method is obsolete now, though.

Karigane-san saw it when he took my measurements. He didn’t press me on it, but it’s possible he realized something was off since this method of vaccination doesn’t exist anymore.

So, do you think I’m crazy?

…

Does this mean I’m the only person you’ve told this to…?

Yeah.

…

I’m so happy… Thank you for telling me…!

…Huh? You actually believe me?

Wha…? Of course I believe you. I said I would.

Well, sure, but this kind of story is something straight out of a science fiction novel.

It makes sense when I think about it. You’re familiar with obscure music from the 90’s and you don’t know anything about how everyday things work either.

Considering your personality, it’s weird that you’d be so clueless about everything around you. Remember how blown away you were by delivery drones?

You’re amazing at games, and yet you hadn’t played VR before… It all checks out!

No way. I’m talking about time travel here. People don’t usually believe in that kind of thing.

Why not~? It’s totally possible.

Actually, people say it’s strange that even though science has advanced so much, we never see any news about the development of time machines.

R-really?

Yep. Everyone says it’s already been perfected, but rich elites are just hiding it from us somewhere.

To think time travel was already achieved all the way back then! The Heisei¹ era was so epic~! Major R.E.S.P.E.C.T. ♪

Oh… I didn’t know.

Did you come here alone…? If so… that must have been rough.

…

Did you have to say goodbye to your little brother…? You must have been lonely…

Do you remember how I mentioned my parents were obsessed with strange ways of thinking and believed I was the chosen child of God?

There was a mysterious prophecy going around back then that said the world would end in 1999…

I’ve heard of it! The prophecy of the Great King Angolmois², right? I’ve seen it before in an occult magazine. Raitin likes that kinda stuff, too.

A lot of people believed that prediction… Well, at least my parents fully believed in it.

So, they put me in a coffin-like time machine and sent me off to the future, because that was their duty with me being the prodigal child of God.

…

When I woke up, I was in this era somewhere around the vicinity of this park. But my home was gone, it was a different time, and I was penniless…

People who lived on the streets helped me out when I was in trouble… But I was homeless for three years… When I was sent to prison on a false charge, I felt lucky to finally have a roof over my head.

I managed to survive somehow, so one day when I’m stable, I’d like to thank those people who offered me a hand.

Are you worried about your family…? Like your little brother and all…

My parents are probably dead by this age… My brother might still be alive. But I’m sure it would only trouble him if his older brother suddenly showed up with the same appearance from over 50 years ago…

Also, if my brother is dead… I think I’d be shocked. I would seriously lose the only connection I have to this world.

If you decide to look for him, I’ll help. I’ll go with you too if you ever decide to meet him.

We may not be blood relatives, but… you’re connected to me, and to Ev3ns, too. I want to have a connection with you.

Chihiro…

I’m very charming, y’know? I’ll be the ice breaker if we ever do meet up with your brother!

Although, I’m probably not very convincing considering how terrible my attitude towards you has been recently…

I said don’t worry about it anymore. I’m not mad at you, remember?

From now on, you’ll make lots of new connections to this world! I want to be one of them.

Because I want to be there for you as your best friend.

…Yeah.

I’d like it if we could play games together again…

Say no more!

S-sorry for not playing with you lately…

I’m taking that as a promise. You’re stuck with me for a gaming marathon on our next day off.

…

You’re the first person I’ve opened up to about my family too… I was always afraid to reveal my true self.

It doesn’t matter how many likes I have as Chii because it’s not the real me… Something was always missing.

I believe Chii is still you.

…You do?

Wasn’t “Chii” created so that you could always smile no matter how much you were hurt? Isn’t it a product of your… competitive side and your kindness?

…!

Honestly, I think “Chii” is amazing, too. It’s not something everyone could do.

There’s you as you are now, and there’s “Chii”. Maybe in time you can blend the two together and become a version of yourself you’re happy with?

That sounds good… Yeah, I want to try that.

Someday I want my fans to love me as myself, as just Chihiro Natsuyaki. Should I make that my goal?

I think it’s a great idea. Even idols need goals.

I’ll try my best to feel more tethered to reality, too.

Maybe I can find more ways to connect with this world.

That’s right! After Nayu–ki recovers, let’s make our first tour a huge hit and surprise everyone!

We need to offer our support to Raito-san, too.

The ultimate duo, TaoTao and I, has emerged stronger than ever. ♪

The ultimate duo…?

Anyway, I’m glad we were able to talk things out properly.

…Friends again?

Yeah, but no buying snacks as your gofer from me anymore. I won’t even ask if you want strawberry or melon flavor.

I-I said I wouldn’t do that again…!

Ahaha.

Thanks, Tao.

You, too. Thanks for believing me, Chihiro.