Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Unexpected Reunion

A lone man was walking through the street of Oedo Imperial Capital. His appearance was unapproachable, and he was wandering aimlessly like that of a ghost. Of course, it was just Tanaka-san.

Calm down Calm down, me. Its still okay, everything is not over yet.

That figure of him continuously walking while muttering and mumbling something to himself was nothing but the pinnacle of suspiciousness. Even the hectic coming and going people involuntarily stopped to take a look at him. Amidst of it, the most frequent sights were.

Mom, whats that?

Shh! Dont look!

And then, the parent-child pair hurriedly moved away.

If there were anyone from his former world who witnessed this scene, they would have surely been moved to tears. The way he sacrificed even himself to spread the promises of modern Japan was the epitome of a performer. It might not be an exaggeration to say that his performer spirit had reached the level of God. The kind of God with parenthesed lol attached, though.

Its fine. Im calm. Im not going to stop on my path over something on this level. Thats right, its not like Ive lost anything or something. It is true that the Imperial Tournament Festival was a regrettable event. However! The reason I came here in the first place was to participate in the get-together. Tournament festival is in the end nothing more than an afterthought. Since I will surely be popular at the real main event, a periodically occurring generic event is by no means something that shocking. I should just forget about this one.

It indeed could be said to be a periodic event, but treating a four-yearly event like that of generic event, lightly severing and casting it away, what a terrifying game brain. And then, the way the man was able to somehow be intoxicated by his tragic protagonist-like self, that was surely the manifestation of the fact that he still had quite a composure in himself. Please by all means show us the disgraceful figure upon losing that composure, no, show us what a true protagonist-likeness was.

Thats right, I have to change gears and head to the get-together here. Begone, lingering affection~. Go away, worldly desires~. Evil! Spirit! Begone! Disperse! Alright! Its switched! With this the get-together is sure to be a success now! Well, with this Im also on a straight line toward a popular life, huh.

What a swift switch. And then, what a figure overflowed with worldly desire. As if the fake tragic protagonist act from earlier had been nothing but a lie, he was now swaggering through the streets with a slovenly face with the bridge of his nose extended.

Huh? Isnt that you, Echigoya-san?! So you were alright, werent you?

What?! Echigoya-san, you say?! Where is he?

No, thats you, alright?! Even though its been a while since weve met, why are you suddenly making such a joke?

The one who happily let out such a retort was the man who gave Tanaka hope that there were also people in this world who could become a straight man. It was the one and only Toby Saar, the man that Tanaka had ceaseless hopes for as the next generation straight man.

A certain tavern in Oedo Imperial Capital. Moving to another place, Tanaka and Toby were talking about their respective experiences thus far.

How should I put it? I dont even know where to start retorting about. Why did you even use a fake name in the first place?

Huh? Thats because, dont you think that. Hiding your real name or something is kind of cool? It seems to be a popular situation for a famous person to travel under a false identity, right?

What are you so impressed about? Even though Im having cold sweat here that I might have to face him in a match later.

What do you mean by match? You, are you still into card games or something? Even after going through such a bitter experience, to think youre still going at it Mom doesnt remember raising you into that kind of child!

Tanaka scolded Toby in a falsetto voice while exuding country mommy-ness airs.

Who the hell are you?! Thats not it, its the Imperial Tournament Festival. Dont you know it? Even though I thought for sure that you were going to participate too, Tanaka-san.

Ah, you mean Tournament Festival, huh. Looking at guys like you, I cant help but feel jealous. At the younguns who can honestly be that enthusiastic over this kind of event.

That figure of him sipping his milk was infinitely cool. He was so composed that none would have believed that he was the same person who was wobbling left and right due to an event known as Tournament Festival until just a moment ago.

Ive long since graduated from that kind of thing, you see. Well, just do your best not to bring shame to big bro.

Despite graduating only just a moment ago, this man was cheering Toby on with the dignity of a veteran graduate.

Yashichi-san also refrained from participating since he didnt want to stand out or something, but why are the people around me so mature up, I wonder?

Come to think of it, wheres big bro?

There seemed to be something he wanted to investigate or something, so weve been moving separately these days. Im participating in the Tournament Festival, after all. If youre not going to participate in the Tournament Festival, then what are you here for, Tanaka-san?

Im here for work, you know, work. Well, once youve become a man of my level, designated works will start coming your way, you see.

Thinking that now was the right time, Tanaka showed a smug expression.

Whenever the chance arose, emphasizing that he was the superior one, he moved on the attack. His haughty style against someone weaker than himself was truly the same as always.

Just right. Have you ever heard of Kinokuniya company? I happen to have some business with them, you see.

Kinokuniya company. I feel like Ive heard of it recently.

Toby fell into thought. Without taking much time, he recalled the matter regarding this company.

I feel that the company that was recently destroyed in a fire had such a name.

Say what?

That company was the place where he was supposed to meet up with Echigoya. At that moment, Tanaka was attacked with the feeling as though the gem he was supposed to be holding was turning into sands and were slipping off his hand. Ultimately, what would be of Tanakas uhauha plan at the get-together?