kirara

Oh, okay, that's a massive relief!

Right, can't forget this too.

It's those topographic maps of the place you all wanted...

Huh? Topographic maps? I didn't hear anything about that.

I didn't request any either... Did Akafuyu ask for them at some point?

...It was me.

Thanks.

The voice of gratitude is near-inaudible.

Silent since the villager entered the room, the girl seems in a rush to dodge all lines of sight, dropping her gaze to the maps she now holds.

Being hand-drawn by the Infected of the wild settlement, they are rough and crude, no more than a few abstract lines drawn as hints in parts; they could hardly amount to real topographies.

Absorbing correct information from maps like these would be far from easy.

But grasping them tight, the Higashinese girl comes off like a truly experienced hand, rapidly flipping through the sheets.

Mmhuh...

(Majorly flat terrain, very disadvantageous to us.)

(But there's places here to exploit for sure... like here. If we can do a little setup here...)

(The plan works, it's feasible. But...)

So? Did you work something out?

Attagirl, Kirara~ Look at you, you got something brewing in your head, don't you?

What?! Really? Girl, you... no! Miss, you have an idea?!

I, I...

...I think we...

Uh...

What did she even wanna say? She was just stammering. Say something or get off.

Just wasting time... You can't even hear how quiet she talks!

I know, right? I heard in seventh grade, she was absent, uh, so much she almost repeated. She never showed up to class. Everyone thought she did something to make the school suspend her, like literally, everyone.

*snort* Apparently she likes those little plastic figures too. What if she was just secretly doing something, like, <i>gross</i> at home? Wow... creepy.

And her name totally doesn't fit, right? Like, you know you see it and you think Kirara, like she's gonna be this sparkly kinda pretty girl? But actually, she's just Kirara the weird downcast depresso. Such a buzzkill.

Her face? She never even lifts her head, who knows what her face is like...?

Kirara, the school has resolved that we can't tolerate you being absent from class again like last year.

If you can't adapt to school life, we may have to consider getting in touch with your parents about you repeating a year, or even withdrawing from school entirely...

...Stop looking.

Stop looking at me.

Stop looking at me like that.

I...

No...

I, I d... I don't know...

(I can't breathe...)

(What am I doing? Just say your words, come on, you're not at school here...)

Uh, ah... I'd like to suggest—

B—Bad news!!

The bandits! The bandits are back! They're surrounding the entrance, they've hurt some of us too...

What?!

There's wounded? Where? I need you to take me there immediately!

Guess that's that. I'm coming too.

Hey, Kirara.

Don't keep us waiting too long.

(Freaking Utage talking, it's like she understands everything.)

(What's the deal? I haven't figured this out myself yet...)

(No, I can't just stand here like an idiot, I've got to do something or other and it's simple as that!)

Urgh...

Eek!

Don't make such a fuss.

Ssss... owowow, I can feel my wound.

Akafuyu?! You're up?!

How's your wound, are you okay? D-D-D-Don't move! Quick, lie down!

Just lie back down, I'll call for Honeyberry right away—

Come back, you needn't call anyone!

I can hold on... I actually awoke quite a time ago, and I heard everything you talked about. No great issues press me—my body simply wouldn't heed me somewhat.

If the bandits that assaulted me have delivered themselves to me, then good! Watch me cut them down!

Ourgh!

Tsss...

No, okay, great issues are <i>extremely</i> pressing you!

Quit moving! Aaaahh okay okay your wound's bleeding again... Stay still, put the katana down!

You're in no condition to fight right now, at all, whatsoever! You think you're some kinda fighting game protag? As long as your health bar's not empty yet you're completely unaffected, is that it, huh??

Tch... There, you can talk quite fine, can't you.

What do we do, then? If I cannot go, I fear Utage will buckle before long.

Are you saying you have some plan?

I—I've come up with it, kind of, but...

I don't think I can do it...

Fool. What is it you're so afraid of?

What? I'm not...

You are.

Out with your ideas! I will judge as the captain whether or not they work!

On what basis do you say you can't do it? These squad members were handpicked by me. Are you saying I could not discern properly?

Wait, wait, I didn't I wasn't... You're twisting my words against me!

Yes, indeed. What is it? If you have objections, speak and let me hear.

(Nnnnrgghh—)

(What the hell is her deal—!)

I see you as quite the strategizer. I've never bested you once in that regard!

But those were games...

Split no hairs. I recall you also discussed tactical command with that Doctor at one point?

But that was on the topic of games too!

And they've taught you plenty applicable in practice, no?!

Enough tarrying! Eyes wide! It's simple as this: will you do it?

I've told you that I am the one who will judge here! I am your general in this moment, and you are my counsel. Now hasten in offering your advice!

Huff... hah...

What... even... stammering...

......hear how quiet...

...absent......did something...

...likes those......secretly...

...totally doesn't fit......weird downcast... buzzkill...

...who knows... like...

...school has resolved...

If...

Shut up.

Oh my god shut up.

I don't care what people say, I don't give a care...

Yeah. Yeah, okay. Didn't I already decide?

(Deep breath)

I'll talk, I'll freaking talk okay?! Stop making this scene such a big emotional deal, does it seriously not embarrass you when everything starts hitting you like lines from a visual novel?!