Noiz:

(sighs) I’m home.

Aoba:

Ah, welcome home. Good work. What about dinner?

Noiz:

Not yet. I thought I’d have it with you after I got home.

Aoba:

Ah–I-I see.

Noiz:

And you? What did you do today?

Aoba:

I spent it reading the books you lent me. Ah, but I tried going out for a change of pace at lunch.

Noiz:

How was it?

Aoba:

Well, it’s obvious but it was completely different from Japan. There was a lot to see.

Noiz:

I see.

Aoba:

Ah, right. I’ll hang up your coat and tie.

Noiz:

Thanks.

(he hands them over, Aoba goes and hangs them up)

Aoba:

Mmh…

Noiz:

What?

Aoba:

Well, it’s just…I did it myself…but doing something like this…it’s kind of like we’re newlyweds?

Noiz:

Ah. Isn’t that fine?

Aoba:

“Isn’t that fine”… you’re taking it pretty lightly.

Noiz:

I’m not. I’m saying it seriously.

Aoba:

Eh?

Noiz:

We’re living together from now on, aren’t we? Even if we can’t get married, it’s not much different from if we were married.

Aoba:

Ah–a-ah–that reminds me! Today were you at the cafe?

Noiz:

Huh? Cafe?

Aoba:

Today you see, I went outside to take a break and have lunch. I looked at the map you gave me and went to the cafe by the zoo. When I was headed home I thought that I saw you. Am I wrong?

Noiz:

I didn’t go to the cafe.

Aoba:

I see…then I guess I mistook someone else for you.

Noiz:

Did you? Me and someone else?

Aoba:

Eh…

Noiz:

Penalty. (he pins Aoba and kisses him)

Aoba:

(gasps) How’s that a penalty, idiot! Anyway…I’ve got a hunch that doing something like that doesn’t count as a penalty.

Noiz:

Hey…let’s go take a bath together.

Aoba:

Geh–huh?! If we do–then dinner–

Noiz:

We can have it after that. I don’t care. Anyway, I want to take a bath first. With you.

Aoba:

Guh…

Noiz:

No good?

Aoba:

That’s…not it…but…

Noiz:

Then it’s decided. (he kisses him again) Come on, let’s go. The bath’s over here…

Aoba:

Geez…

Noiz:

Heh. Feeling shy?

Aoba:

Nngh…

Noiz:

I’ll wash you. All over.

Aoba:

Don’t say something like that–!

(Noiz laughs)

~interlude~

Aoba:

Ah…haah…

Noiz:

What? You’re sighing.

Aoba:

That’s…I just felt like sighing…but you see…

Ren:

Aoba. Your heart rate has increased to an erratic speed.

Aoba:

That’s right. I’m nervous.

Noiz:

Because we’re going to my parents’ house?

Aoba:

Because of that. Well…it’s kind of scary. My heart’s pounding.

Noiz:

You don’t have to worry that much. It’s not like they’re coming to get us.

Aoba:

It’s because you’re not nervous at all!

(they both head out)

Aoba:

Eh…you said they were sending a car for us, but…this is it?

Noiz:

Yeah.

Driver:

Good morning.

Noiz:

Morning.

Aoba:

Ah…Japanese?

Noiz:

Yeah. My grandmother on my mother’s side is Japanese. My grandfather’s pretty strongly influenced by Japan. Within the family we speak Japanese. That’s why a third of the people working at my parent’s house can speak Japanese.

Aoba:

Huh…I get it. Huh? The people working at your parents’ house? What’s that?

Noiz:

Drivers and maids…people like that.

Aoba:

I get having a driver but…maids?

Noiz:

Yeah. Maids.

Aoba:

Huh? Well. okay… Anyway, that’s a really expensive looking car! It looks like an antique.

Noiz:

It’s my dad’s hobby. There’s old stuff like this scattered all over the house. Even though gas has a really low fuel economy these days, it’s expensive and rare. It requires frequent maintenance. They stopped producing parts for it a long time ago.

Aoba:

Oh…

Driver:

Allow me to take your bags.

Aoba:

A-Ah…

Noiz:

It’s fine. We’ll ride with them.

Driver:

Certainly. (he opens the door) In that case, please.

Noiz:

Get in.

Aoba:

Ah, yeah. Excuse me… (gets in) Uwah–is that a fur rug on the floor? Huh…the seats are all leather?? Hey, Ren, sit down and take a look too. (he puts Ren down)

Ren:

Beneath my legs…I feel the sensation of crawling on leather.

Aoba:

Aha, that’s right. You’ve got paw pads, right Ren?

Noiz:

(gets in) What are you two talking about? Anyway, don’t you think you’re getting too worked up?

Aoba:

But it’s my first time in a car like this!

(the driver gets in and starts the car up, they drive away)

~interlude~

Aoba:

Hah…I felt this yesterday, but it’s really an amazing city…It’s completely different from Midorijima. Somehow…it feels like Platinum Jail.

Noiz:

It isn’t as big as that. That place was an unnatural amusement facility. It was a lot more extreme. But…no matter what country you go to the urban areas are all like this.

Aoba:

I knew that kind of thing already…but once you see it with your own eyes…isn’t it completely different?

Noiz:

Country bumpkin.

Aoba:

Ngh. Shut up. It’s fine! Anyway it’s not like I was being unreasonable.

Noiz:

I used to hate this city the same way I hated everything else. I thought that I’d never return to this country.

Aoba:

Noiz…

Noiz:

But when I returned, I realized that it’s a good city in its own way.

Aoba:

I see.

Noiz:

Is that what you’d call an adult’s composure?

Aoba:

Heh. That’s right. You’ve really grown up.

Noiz:

Hah. You like that, acting all adult.

Aoba:

It’s fine, because I’m an adult.

Noiz:

An adult? You?

Aoba:

That’s right. I’m an adult. You’ve got something you wanna say?

Noiz:

Heh, not really.

Aoba:

Nngh…damn…why do I feel like I just lost?

~interlude~

Aoba:

Hey, right now we’re headed to your place, right?

Noiz:

Yeah.

Aoba:

It’s really…kind of far from the city, isn’t it? I can’t see any other houses or buildings around anymore. Instead it’s just trees–or I guess forests…

Noiz:

There are places like that too. It’s still about forty minutes out.

Aoba:

Eh? Then, it takes an hour to get into town by car?

Noiz:

Yeah.

Aoba:

Uwah…I can’t even imagine what your house must be like…

Noiz:

Anyway, it’s far out, so it’s definitely inconvenient.

~interlude~

Aoba:

Whoa…ah…hey, Noiz? Can I ask you an awkward question?

Noiz:

What?

Aoba:

Ah…is your place a park?

Noiz:

Hm? A park?

Aoba:

N-no, j-j-just…I can’t see a house–it’s just the gates!

Noiz:

We haven’t arrived yet.

Aoba:

Heh?

Noiz:

The house is further in.

(the gates open)

Aoba:

Whoa–

(they continue driving)

Aoba:

What’s going on here…I seriously don’t get it…

~interlude~

Driver:

(opens the door) Please.

Aoba:

A-ah…

Maid:

Welcome home.

Butler:

Welcome home.

Aoba:

Ahh…

Noiz:

How long do you plan on loitering around? Anyway, you look like an idiot. You all right?

Aoba:

Ah–like an idiot?! Nngh–anyway–anyone’d be dumbstruck by that. But–what is this even?!

Noiz:

What?

Aoba:

This…building. This is your house?

Noiz:

That’s right. What are you trying to say?

Aoba:

Shouldn’t I ask you that–haaah…I really don’t get this. I could fit my house in there ten–no, twenty times. Plus there’s how many maids and butlers…um…one, two, three, four…

Noiz:

What are you muttering about? Let’s go in.

Aoba:

Ah–r-right.

Maid:

Allow me to carry your bags.

Noiz:

It’s fine.

(they head inside)

Aoba:

(whispering) Ren, something really amazing’s happening. What should I do?

Ren:

It’s all right, Aoba. Just follow Noiz.

Aoba:

That’s true, but…

(they enter the house)

Aoba:

Whoa…

Noiz’s Father:

Oh, so you’ve returned.

Noiz’s Mother:

Welcome home.

Noiz:

I’m home.

Aoba:

Ah–it’s a pleasure to meet you. Pardon my intrusion.

Noiz’s Mother:

Oh my, could this young man be the Japanese acquaintance you told us of?

Noiz:

Yeah.

Noiz’s Father:

Oh, is that so? You’ve come from quite a ways away.

Aoba:

No, it’s not…

Noiz’s Mother:

What a lovely suit. It suits you very well.

Aoba:

Ah, thank you very much.

Noiz’s Mother:

You must be tired from coming all this way in the car. I’ll have them bring you some tea in just a little while. Please, take some time to rest up.

Aoba:

No–that’s–please, don’t worry yourself over me.

Noiz:

This way. Follow me. (he leaves)

Aoba:

Ah–excuse me. (he follows)