Aoba:

Acquaintance?

Noiz:

Hm?

Aoba:

Just–earlier they called me an ‘acquaintance.’

Noiz:

Yeah. Would it be better to introduce you as my lover?

Aoba:

Geh–! I-it’s fine…an acquaintance is definitely fine. (sighs) But…I guess it was a little unexpected.

Noiz:

What?

Aoba:

You…don’t really worry about that kind of thing a lot. It’s strange how you don’t try to hide that you’re dating me either… You’re always so brazen about it.

Noiz:

Yeah. I don’t plan on hiding it. It’s just…if I told my parents the truth it’d obviously just be a bother. So earlier I just agreed with them.

Aoba:

So that’s how it is..

Noiz:

We’d just wind up pointlessly fighting no matter what. I don’t really care if it turns into a fight, but there’s no point in drawing a line. They only care about how society looks at them. No matter how much time passes that won’t change.

Aoba:

Well…it’s a difficult situation, isn’t it?

Noiz:

People like that don’t shut up unless you launch a frontal assault. That’s why when it comes to you I decided to take a position that they wouldn’t complain about.

Aoba:

Noiz..

Noiz:

It looks it’s still going to take a while longer.

(they walk down the hallway into a room)

Noiz:

Here, go in.

Aoba:

Pardon the intrusion–uwah! This room’s amazing too!

(they walk in and sit down)

Aoba:

Aah…the sofa’s soft and fluffy. The hallways here are really long and the house’s full of antiques everywhere. Anyway–your house’s almost like a period museum exhibit. I guess you can’t really help calling Platinum Jail’s hotel no big deal if you’ve seen something like this. I’ve never seen anything like that huge clock in the entryway either… Older things are a lot more expensive than new ones, right?

Noiz:

Heh. Somehow ever since you came here you’re just goggling at everything.

Aoba:

Why wouldn’t I? Everything’s stuff that I haven’t seen before. Plus it all looks really expensive.

Noiz:

For me I don’t care if it’s expensive. Walking down long hallways are just a waste of time. They’re annoying. This house too. Nostalgia for the past just feels like a symbol of the bourgeois. It’s just a pitiful example of how they can’t adapt, isn’t it?

Aoba:

Well, I wouldn’t go that far…

(a knock at the door)

Maid:

Excuse me. I’ve brought your tea. (she enters and sets up the tea)

Aoba:

Ah–thank you.

Maid:

Please excuse me. (she exits)

Aoba:

How many people like that are there in this house?

Noiz:

People like that?

Aoba:

I mean…um…the maids? And…the butlers…

Noiz:

Who knows. I’ve never counted. I didn’t care to.

Aoba:

About five of them?

Noiz:

More than that.

Aoba:

Aha…I see.

Noiz:

I don’t really care about this house. Well, it’s an idiotic huge old house. If they don’t hire people cleaning and other stuff would be a hassle. Although it’d be cheaper to leave it all to machines. They’re just obsessed with outdated rules.

Aoba:

Ah…mmh…hey, Noiz. Um…sorry to this up again, but…can I ask you something?

Noiz:

What?

Aoba:

That’s…about your parents…you’ve made up with them? For now.

Noiz:

Yeah. Though rather than making up with them…it’s like I’ve made progress.

Aoba:

I see…I was thinking about it when I met them. Your parents seemed really kind. But…it felt a little bit like they were making a fuss…and then your interaction with them seemed really indifferent.

Noiz:

We’ve just made progress. That doesn’t mean we get along. That comes when we’ve both grown up. It’s weird to say my parents should grow up, but I don’t think the expression’s wrong. Plus I need to grow up for your sake as well.

Aoba:

Ah–hah…

Noiz:

Just because we’ve made progress doesn’t mean everything will settle peacefully right away. We can’t get back what’s lost. My past up until now won’t disappear. But…I’ve realized that the time when I was indifferent towards that was just my stubbornness. It’s because I realized it, thanks to you. As for the rest, well…once I’m a little older, once I’m mentally an adult, we can settle it cleanly. Hah. Anyway I don’t for sure yet. It’s going to take time.

Aoba:

If I compare you to when I first met you, I think you’ve really grown.

Noiz:

Really? Even now there’s times when I get pissed and put up with shit against my will. Like suddenly starting a fight.

Aoba:

But you don’t, right?

Noiz:

For now.

Aoba:

That’s still great, it’s great! You’re really doing your best.

Noiz:

Hah…what’s that? You’re not being serious.

Aoba:

I am! I really think that. “You’re great~” like that.

Noiz:

Then, I’ll accept it properly. Thank you.

Aoba:

Uh–

Noiz:

What?

Aoba:

Well…it’s rare to see you be so upfront. I didn’t know what to do…

Noiz:

What are you talking about? We should have tea before it gets cold.

Aoba:

Ah, that’s right. Since they’ve made it for us. (he picks up his tea and drinks) Hah…it’s good.

Noiz:

Yeah?

Aoba:

I’ve never had tea properly like this. It’s really authentic.

Noiz:

Hah…if you’re so amazed by everything you’ve seen here then I guess it was worth it to bring you.

Aoba:

Aha.

(Theo comes rushing in)

Theo:

Brother, you’re home!

Aoba:

Ah–

Noiz:

Ah, Theo.

Theo:

Ah, pardon me for suddenly bursting in. I didn’t know when you were returning, brother. I didn’t think that it would be so early.

Aoba:

Hm?

Theo:

That person…is he…?

Noiz:

Yeah.

(Theo approaches)

Theo:

It’s a pleasure to meet you. It’s Aoba-san, isn’t it?

Aoba:

Huh–? Ah–yes–I’m Aoba.

Theo:

I’ve heard of you from brother. I’ve been wanting to meet you for some time! I’m so pleased that my dreams have come true!

Aoba:

Hah…ah…um…

Noiz:

Theo. Aoba’s embarrassed.

Theo:

Ah–pardon me…it’s quite unlike me to be in such high spirits.

Aoba:

Um…you’re his younger brother?

Theo:

Yes. My name is Theodore. Please call me Theo. I am indebted to you for taking care of my brother in Japan.

Aoba:

Oh–no–that’s not–it’s nothing–

Theo:

No, I mean it truly. The fact that my brother has returned home is thanks to you.

Aoba:

Well–ah–ahaha…

Theo:

I would like to speak with you more, however I have business to attend to so please allow me to excuse myself. I’m very sorry for disturbing you. When I heard that brother would be bringing his friend along I at least wanted to meet with you. Aoba-san, please let us speak properly sometime soon.

Aoba:

Ah…yes.

Theo:

Well then, so long. (he leaves)