(pouring water)

Noiz:

Here.

Aoba:

Thank you. (he drinks) Hah…

Noiz:

Is it already five?

Aoba:

Man…today really passed in the blink of an eye.

Ren

It is presently the middle of the night in Japan. There is approximately a seven hour time difference. Aoba, is your physical condition all right?

Aoba:

Hm…right now it feels like if I keep going I’m going to suddenly wind up sleepy and exhausted.

Pseudo Rabbit:

Aoba and Ren! Good work! Good work~! And also, welcome!

Ren

Thank you.

Aoba:

Thank you, Pseudo Rabbit. Hey, Noiz. I asked you before but it’s bothering me so can I ask again?

Noiz:

What?

Aoba:

Your AllMate…why don’t you give it a little bit better name?

Noiz:

Why?

Aoba:

Ah, well…calling it “Pseudo Rabbit” feels like there’s not really much to it.

Noiz:

Does it bother you, Pseudo Rabbit?

Pseudo Rabbit:

It’s never bothered me.

Noiz:

Then that’s it.

Aoba:

Mmh…is that really all right…what do you think, Ren?

Ren

We AllMates do not place any special significance on our names. Therefore, no matter what name it is we do not mind.

Aoba:

Ah…is that right? But you know…

Noiz:

If it bothers you then think of something yourself. I’m fine with anything.

Aoba:

Eh–but–that’s pretty sudden…h-hmm…well, got it. I’ll think of something. When I’ve got it I’ll tell you.

Noiz:

Yeah. By the way, about tomorrow…

Aoba:

Ah, yeah.

Noiz:

I told you before, but you can’t start working all of a sudden right after you’ve arrived here. Since you don’t know anything.

Aoba:

That’s true…

Noiz:

That’s why starting from tomorrow you’ll be studying to get used to this country for a while. I thought it’d help prepare you.

Aoba:

Prepare?

Noiz:

Right. You can read about basic words and customs in a book just about the same as you can look them up on your coil or AllMate. But if it’s just something you know in your head it’s nothing like having the experience of putting it into practice. That’s why I want you to get out as much as you can and adapt to this country’s atmosphere. For now the rest this is something I don’t really want to teach you personally…

Aoba:

Hm?

Noiz:

Within my family…there’s strange things like the etiquette of the elite upper class…for now I’ll teach you that as well.

Aoba:

Ah…I see.

Noiz:

I think it’s fine if you don’t know, but if something happened I can’t let you feel bad. Right now your job is adapting to this country. But you don’t have to rush it. It’s fine if you go at your pace.

Aoba:

Yeah. Even if you say that, I want to adapt quickly so I’m ready completely to rush into it.

Noiz:

Then for now I’ve collected a lot of different reference data.

Aoba:

Huh?

(Noiz goes to get it)

Noiz:

Here. (he drops a box of books)

Aoba:

Uwah–that’s a ton…Noiz, could it be you’re really diligent? I’m grateful that you’re letting me use them…but you know…it kind of feels like you’re becoming a helicopter parent*…

Noiz:

Huh? I’m not. What are you talking about…

Aoba:

Ah, it’s nothing, nothing. It was just an example…

Noiz:

What’s that…you made me think you’d had children.

Aoba:

Eh–I haven’t had any! Anyway, I won’t have any.

Noiz:

Heh, I know.

Aoba:

Isn’t that right…

Noiz:

Well, do your best starting tomorrow.

Aoba:

Yeah, I will. Thank you. Then…um, you know.

Noiz:

Hm?

Aoba:

Once I’ve gotten used to things and I’m looking for a job…can I ask you for advice? On what jobs are good, things like that.

Noiz:

Why?

Aoba:

I feel like you probably see me as stupid and unreasonable…plus if I keep asking for help with just finding a job…it’s like I’m always losing out…

Noiz:

Mm…

Aoba:

(sighs)…ah…wh-what?

Noiz:

That’s just like you.

Aoba:

That’s…because I…anyway, I’m older than you, right?

Noiz:

Don’t worry about it that much. We’re going to be together every day from now on.

Aoba:

Well…that’s true. Since we’re living together.

Noiz:

Are you happy?

Aoba:

Eh–? Ah–you’re asking that again–

Noiz:

I’m happy. And you?

Aoba:

(stammers) I’m happy…of course I am.

Noiz:

I see. (he leans in and kisses Aoba) Too bad…

Aoba:

What’s that?

Noiz:

I wanted to follow through with this but I made reservations for dinner at a restaurant after this.

Aoba:

Eh? Dinner?

Noiz:

I’ll show you around town as we head to the restaurant. If you need to get ready then do it.

Aoba:

Ah, got it. Is…my outfit right now okay?

Noiz:

Yeah. There’s no dress code at the restaurant. But…

Aoba:

Hm?

Noiz:

Nothing. I was just thinking about how I’d like to go all the way with you wearing your suit.

Aoba:

Geh–what are you saying?! Anyway–I’m going to go get my bag! (he leaves)

Noiz:

Heh.

~interlude~

(Aoba’s moaning and groaning and crying over a book)

Ren

Aoba, what’s wrong?

Aoba:

Well…there’s a lot of things I’ve heard just like I thought…but somehow I just can’t keep focused…

Ren

You made significant progress this morning. Why don’t you try switching to a book on a different subject?

Aoba:

Hah…I could do that, huh…anyway, I thought I’d start from this country’s history…but suddenly reading for one or two or three hours is a little rough… Even though I want to keep at it…

Ren

Yesterday it seemed like you were waking constantly.

Aoba:

I was exhausted so I just wanted to sleep…but just when I was nodding off I’d wake back up. Then once I was up I couldn’t get back until I’d tossed and turned for a while. I guess I’m pretty stressed out…

Ren

You’ve only just arrived. Don’t push yourself if you haven’t adapted.

Aoba:

I guess so…(he sighs) When I got up this morning Noiz had already left for work. I wanted to make him breakfast…

Ren

No, it seems Noiz came to wake you.

Aoba:

Huh? He did?

Ren

Yes. When that happened you woke up and activated me. However, after that you returned to your bed.

Aoba:

Wha–seriously?! I don’t remember that at all!

Ren

You were likely half asleep. Noiz said “I’ll leave the rest to you,” and left the room.

Aoba:

Ah…uwah…I’m the worst…

Ren

He likely didn’t wish to needlessly wake you.

Aoba:

Uuh…even if it’s that…hah…I really hate myself. Hah…ah. Ren, what time is it now?

Ren

Just before noon.

Aoba:

I see…so it’s already that late. I’m hungry, maybe I should eat something…

Ren

For a change of pace, why not head outside?

Aoba:

Outside?

Ren

Yes. You have your coil for translations so there shouldn’t be an issue. Noiz also said that it would be best to go outside as often as possible.

Aoba:

Hm…right. That’s right. My concentration’s spent, so I guess it would be good to have a change of pace. (he gets up) All right! Then let’s head out for a little while. Ren, I’ll be counting on you for support.

Ren

Leave it to me.

~interlude~

Aoba:

Uwah…

Ren

What’s wrong, Aoba?

Aoba:

It’s expected but I guess I’m really feeling out of place…the people walking by and the look of the buildings…it’s completely different from Japan. We were in a rush yesterday so I didn’t notice it very much, but seeing it alone like this…it’s like I’ve gotten lost in another world.

Ren

This is without a doubt the real world.

Aoba:

Hehe. I got it. It just feels that way. By the way, didn’t Noiz say something yesterday? About sightseeing or something like that…

Ren

Yes. Noiz showed us countless places suitable for sightseeing. He sent a map to your coil with the locations marked.

Aoba:

That’s right. Then, let’s take a look. (he pulls the map up) Uwah, you’re right. There’s points on the map. Let’s see…there’s lots of museums…heh, this looks interesting. The rest are…a palace…I bet it’s super old. Even though the surroundings keep on getting newer, they’ve probably kept it preserved. And then…there’s even a zoo. Heh, that’s unexpected.

Ren

What’s unexpected?

Aoba:

Well, Noiz putting a zoo on here…hehe. What about the rest? Libraries and things like that. Heh. Isn’t it a little cute?

Ren

Your concept of cuteness is unknown to me, Aoba. Certainly if you think of Noiz’s personality it seems rare.

Aoba:

Right? Even his AllMate’s a rabbit. He’s surprisingly into cute things. Plus he doesn’t even realize it. Well, let’s leave the zoo for later…right now let’s go somewhere we can have lunch.

Ren

Aoba, of the locations that Noiz marked there’s also a cafe.

Aoba:

Oh, there is. Hmm…this one?

Ren

Yes. Near the zoo.

Aoba:

Huh, from here…it doesn’t seem that far. Anyway, let’s go and take a look.

Ren

Understood.

~interlude~

Aoba:

Ah, that was great. Thanks for the meal!

Ren

You finished in a flash.

Aoba:

Mhm. This curry and ketchup sausage was really great!

Ren

It seems it’s called currywurst, Aoba.

Aoba:

That’s it, that’s it. The potatoes it came with were good too. The restaurant Noiz took us to late night was tasty too…but it was a pretty expensive place so I was nervous. A casual place like this is a lot easier.

Ren

Certainly. Yesterday I also felt out of place within the restaurant.

Aoba:

Yeah. Because of the other diners’ AllMates? All those pretty dogs and cats…and the parrots with gems on them. It was just full of elegant things. Looking at that, I could really see how Noiz is different. Even though he sometimes shows how he’s adapted to the way rich people think, at his core he doesn’t really think about it…

Ren

That’s one of his virtues as well.

Aoba:

That’s true. Hah, all right. I’m full now, so let’s head back and pick up studying again.

Ren

Yes.

(Aoba gets up and leaves)

~interlude~

Aoba:

Ah, hey Ren, what’s that food cart? It smells great.

Ren

It seems they sell pretzels.

Aoba:

Pretzels? Are they popular? There’s a line…let’s line up and take a look.

Ren

You’re going to keep eating, Aoba?

Aoba:

It’s dessert! (he runs into the line) The line’s moving pretty quickly, looks like we can buy it faster than I thought. Huh?

Ren

What is it?

Aoba:

Isn’t that the the cafe where I had lunch?

Ren

Yes.

Aoba:

Just now…was that Noiz going into it? No…I wonder if I’ve got the wrong person.

Ren

I didn’t see anyone like that.

Aoba:

From the side it kind of looked like him…but I wonder if it’s not him…I only caught a glimpse. Well, whatever. I’ll ask Noiz later.