Chapter 2
Ward 4, Chinatown
(It’s finally here, the Machikon event!)
Oooooohhh…! So many unfamiliar human faces! I’m over the moon!!
(It looks like Netaro-kun is all fired up too!)
(Since then, we've practiced conversing a lot. By the end of it, he managed to get the hang of it—)
(…I think.)
FLASHBACK
Ohohoho, good day to you Miss Kotaro1! What a banging auspicious day we are having, wouldn't you agree?
Ohohoho, with the help of this lovely weather, my laundry’s been drying perfectly! What a lifesaver~!
BACK TO THE PRESENT
(...If you can call that small talk, then it’s fine, right? Yeah, let’s just go with that.)
(Looks like everyone has been assigned to their respective tables and has already started chatting away.)
(All we can do now is pray…! Good luck, Netaro-kun!)
Omg heey~ like where you from bestie? As for me? I’m a total HAMA girl, born and raised here, but liiike how about you~?
I came from a far, farrrrrrr away planet! Just for the chance to meet you!
No way? That’s crazy—!
Dude, where’d you get those clothes? The colors are insanely rad.
Right? Right??????
(It seems like it’s getting lively over there? In that case, it should be fine…)
Um…this is my first Machikon…something like this is quite nerve-wracking, isn’t it?
Y-yeah. This is my first time too. I just came to tag along with a friend today…
(Having these kinds of conversations is refreshing! It’s a different experience from interacting with tourists from the Tour.)
(...I see. Maybe this is what makes these Machikon’s so interesting…)
Thanks a bunch, Netaro-kun. I’ll hit you up later—
I’ll be anticipating, Yamada! We are now officially BFFs for life~!
Hmmm~ how did I do, Doudou? Lookie lookie! Did you see?? I was properly ‘conversing’ with humans!
Ah! I remember that shop! How nostalgic~.
I’m a bit surprised since there aren’t many people who know about it… It’s not easy to find people to talk to…
...Hmph
Doudou—
W-what happened!? Weren’t you just talking with others over there….?
Meh… It’s kinda boring. Give me more attention!
Our practice paid off, didn’t it? Is it not time you gave me some praise?? Come onnnnnn, give me some head pats! Praise me~!
Ummmm…?
(Not good! He’s baffling the others…!)
Oh that’s right! You haven’t seen the results of our practice yet with your own eyes!
So let’s chat now! What are your hobbies, Doudou? Tell me~♪
Option 1: That's not what we're here for!
Then that defeats the whole purpose, Netaro-kun!
Hmm??
You wanted to find your Beatrice, right? That’s why we came to this Machikon—to meet lots of new people!
Let’s talk to other people for now, okay? We can talk as much as you’d like once we get back.
...
Hmph. Fine.
You—. Sorry for suddenly popping into your convo.
N-no, it’s alright. Are you a friend of this person…?
Mhm! I’m called Netaro Yowa, the mayor of 18th Ward at HAMA Tours!
Option 2: Hobbies... I like traveling a lot.
Hobbies… I-I enjoy traveling a lot.
(Now that we’re this far along, I should help guide Netaro in the right direction! Let’s keep this conversation flowing somehow.)
Traveling…that’s nice. I also enjoy traveling myself.
If that’s the case, you should definitely try and join a tour from HAMA Tours! We’ll give you a taste of the most unforgettable, top-notch hospitality you’ve ever had!
Options end here.
You work at HAMA Tours!? Please tell me more! I’ve always been interested in trying out one of your tours.
On the Way Back from Chinatown
Hmm-hmmmm— La~lalaaaa—♪
We couldn’t find your Beatrice, but you managed to make tons of new friends today!
Yeppp! This is only Round 1 of the Beatrice Selection Quest! The search for Beatrice has only just begun!
I’ll be counting on you once more next time, Doudou.
Next time!?
(Oh well… I had a good time anyway. Plus, I’d be worried if I leave Netaro-kun all alone, so…)
(If things go well, this could also be a good chance to promote HAMA Tours, too.)
Alright. I’ll come up with some fun ideas for you to meet lots of people.
That’s a promise izit? I’ll turn you into a rocket and shoot you to the soaring stratosphere if it turns out that you lied!
Sure, sure. Well then, let’s go buy some dinner and head home!
What should we eat for today… We talked a lot, so your stomach must be empty, right~?
............
You’re right. My stomach’s rumbling up a storm right now.
To you, who laughs at trivial things and gets easily surprised, your reactions are fresh and full of heart.
In this world, many possess a tender gaze and a gentle voice, but yours are truly irreplaceable.
Hah~....
My stomach… It’s really hungry now.