Ａｕｇｕｓｔ， ２０１９
文字数 8,593文字
◆
"The bride, Madoka, will now move on to her outfit change. Please enjoy chatting with each other until the wedding party is ready."
As the crystal-clear announcement by the moderator male sounded, the attendees stood up one by one. Maruta and Kira followed them, walking out through the back door to avoid stepping on the wedding aisle.
At the edge of a lake where elephant fossils are said to have once been unearthed. On a small island in the distance, foreign tourists wearing life jackets are enjoying sunbathing, paying no attention to them.
"How could they find such a solemn venue?" Maruta picked up a bottle of ginger ale on the long table.
In the upper part of the chapel, where the exchange of rings has just taken place, the steeple soars as if to indicate the correct position of the sun by a slender cross. The stone steps directly below it, which must have been trodden for many years, are set there with all the solidity they deserve.
"According to Choice," Kira also sipped the Coke that was served to them free of charge. "The owner of the land here is generous enough to offer them the freedom to use this place as a venue. Well, but the building is over a hundred years old, so I hear no more buyers are showing up."
From huge speakers brought in from somewhere, 'Air on the G String' began to play at a volume so soft that the surrounding birds would not fly away. The moderator, holding the microphone, again put the words on it calmly.
"This ceremony was made possible through the generosity of the owner. We received his message that he sincerely wishes the groom, Jun Kisaki and the bride, Madoka, a life full of laughter and happiness, not to mention all the people in attendance. The bride, Madoka, is a well-known and energetic live broadcaster who has gained a great deal of support from all over Japan, as I am sure many of you here know..."
A small pleasure boat whistled on the lake, just like the call of witty neighbors. The young women, whose dresses had apparently been prepared for the event, were engaged in conversation with a special emotion that they did not usually have.
A cheer went up.
Finally, the bride and groom appeared through the doorway. 〈Choice〉, with her hand around the elbow of the man in a white tuxedo, was greeted with thunderous applause and congratulations, which brought an uncontrollable smile to her entire face. In the bride's other hand fits that bouquet of flowers to share happiness with others. As 〈Choice〉 turned her back to the crowd, many people, mostly women, gathered around her.
Joking exchanges such as, "You should get it," and "You should get married soon, too," came naturally out of the laughter.
However, what 〈Choice〉 threw was not the bouquet. The bride coldly said, "Oh, hate me," before tossing the newly exchanged ring over the groom's head. Then she turned around again and ran down the stone steps at a brisk pace, tugging up the hem of her wedding dress slightly.
Ahead of the running bride, a man in a gray suit sticks one hand straight out. 〈Choice〉 took the man's hand, turned around, then shouted. "Jun, I wish there was just one woman in the world who would fall for a frivolous guy like you!"
〈Choice〉 kept running with the man in the suit holding his hand. She did not care about the stunned participants, but pushed forward to another happiness that she desired more.
The moment, 〈Choice〉 disappeared. God took her away. Some might have thought so. The bride, who was running alongside the man, suddenly disappeared from the sight of everyone present.
However, it was clearly visible from the point where Maruta and others were. Madoka Hashii stepped through the Styrofoam hidden by the dead grass and plunged face-first into the hole hidden there.
Laughter of a different quality than before broke out all over the place. Jun Kisaki, aka 〈Captain〉, who plays the groom, is already standing in front of the hole with a white board in his hand that reads, 'The prank worked well!'.
"Choice-san, Choice-san!" In addition to 〈Captain〉, the other three also came running up. Those are Haru Oka, aka 〈Shaggy〉, who played the cheating man, Yu Suzuki, aka 〈Number 4〉, the moderator, and Yo Saeki, aka 〈Kirvy〉, who was mixed in with the attendees.
"But still, was the hole this big?" 〈Shaggy〉 says, putting his hand over his heart. "That was close. A little more to the right and I would have fallen down the hole too!"
The four members of 〈Tokyo Spread〉 turn their heads toward the smartphone already poised. Kira is, of course, the person who is taking the video at this time.
"Choice-san has received special training." 〈Captain〉 said, standing up straight. "To good viewers, don't try this."
Hearing this, 〈Choice〉 raised her voice from the bottom of the hole. "I don't have any special training!"
The four turn to the voice of the woman playing the bride.
"Choice-san, we have received further messages from the owner." Now 〈Number 4〉 said. "To prevent injury to the prank recipient, the bottom of the hole should be covered with a thick mat and sponge. Then, to prevent sediment from flowing into the hole from the sides, the exposed soil must be firmly consolidated with a shovel."
"Shut up, idiot!" Saying, 〈Choice〉 wiped the mud from her face with the veil of her dress.
"I was reminded of this by the ginger ale that Maruta-san was drinking."
As Maruta sat on a Romanesque bench, 〈Number 4〉 approached and sat down next to him. The young women who were playing extras were already on their way home on a bus arranged by 〈Tokyo Spread〉.
"At that time, I was afraid that my age would be revealed."
"When was that time?" Maruta asked.
"It was when Maruta-san, Yuya, and I went to an gastropub in Ueno. I am still a minor."
Right. These words made Maruta recall the last conversation he had with them.
"I am only 19 years old. So if you had not been there at that time, I might not have been able to enter that pub."
Later, he was told that Tomo Naruse, that 〈Mont Blanc〉, was also the same age as 〈Number 4〉. 〈Mont Blanc〉's real name had been in Maruta's ears through news reports since he visited them at the end of March.
A sacred arrow indicates the position of the sun as it passes over the apex with an unchangeable grace. Now that everyone's identity has been revealed, there are no more Obscure Guys here.
When Maruta looks, 〈Captain〉 and 〈Kirvy〉 are still frolicking around dropping 〈Shaggy〉 in that spent hole. Kira continues to shoot the video.
It may seem that the time that has passed has brought them back to brightness. But, Maruta thought.
Should they shake off the death of a colleague with whom they shared a short but painful experience? Or will they have to lean on it permanently, we don't know at this point. There are several examples around the world of groups that have faced the death of a member but have subsequently succeeded. In any case, they will continue to be judged under the mask of performers until the day they quit their activities.
"Hey, Number 4," The one who came was 〈Choice〉, who had not yet finished changing her clothes. "Captain wants to see you."
So being told, 〈Number 4〉 slowly straightened his back and then stood up to join the four of them.
"My knee hurts," Sitting in the spot where 〈Number 4〉 was, 〈Choice〉 said, spilling the words. "I really can't believe that. I wish I had never participated in this project."
Although 〈Choice〉's words did not seem to come from her true heart, there was nevertheless no doubt in her complaint of physical pain.
"I don't know who 'the owner' is either, but don't you think he should turn down the project like this?"
"Yeah, I think so," Maruta agreed in passing.
Maruta looked sideways at her figure as he took in the woman's endlessly unleashed frustrations. Undoubtedly, it was a first for him looking at a woman in a wedding dress covered in mud and grass.
"Earlier," 〈Choice〉 made eye contact. "I told Number 4 that Captain wants to see him, but that was a lie."
For a few moments of silence, a loose wind like an exhaled breath passed between them. Whether the woman disliked it at this time is also not certain.
"Maruta-san, I'm dressed like this, but can I come closer?"
(C) 2019 Nishimatsu Seiichirou All Rights Reserved.
"The bride, Madoka, will now move on to her outfit change. Please enjoy chatting with each other until the wedding party is ready."
As the crystal-clear announcement by the moderator male sounded, the attendees stood up one by one. Maruta and Kira followed them, walking out through the back door to avoid stepping on the wedding aisle.
At the edge of a lake where elephant fossils are said to have once been unearthed. On a small island in the distance, foreign tourists wearing life jackets are enjoying sunbathing, paying no attention to them.
"How could they find such a solemn venue?" Maruta picked up a bottle of ginger ale on the long table.
In the upper part of the chapel, where the exchange of rings has just taken place, the steeple soars as if to indicate the correct position of the sun by a slender cross. The stone steps directly below it, which must have been trodden for many years, are set there with all the solidity they deserve.
"According to Choice," Kira also sipped the Coke that was served to them free of charge. "The owner of the land here is generous enough to offer them the freedom to use this place as a venue. Well, but the building is over a hundred years old, so I hear no more buyers are showing up."
From huge speakers brought in from somewhere, 'Air on the G String' began to play at a volume so soft that the surrounding birds would not fly away. The moderator, holding the microphone, again put the words on it calmly.
"This ceremony was made possible through the generosity of the owner. We received his message that he sincerely wishes the groom, Jun Kisaki and the bride, Madoka, a life full of laughter and happiness, not to mention all the people in attendance. The bride, Madoka, is a well-known and energetic live broadcaster who has gained a great deal of support from all over Japan, as I am sure many of you here know..."
A small pleasure boat whistled on the lake, just like the call of witty neighbors. The young women, whose dresses had apparently been prepared for the event, were engaged in conversation with a special emotion that they did not usually have.
A cheer went up.
Finally, the bride and groom appeared through the doorway. 〈Choice〉, with her hand around the elbow of the man in a white tuxedo, was greeted with thunderous applause and congratulations, which brought an uncontrollable smile to her entire face. In the bride's other hand fits that bouquet of flowers to share happiness with others. As 〈Choice〉 turned her back to the crowd, many people, mostly women, gathered around her.
Joking exchanges such as, "You should get it," and "You should get married soon, too," came naturally out of the laughter.
However, what 〈Choice〉 threw was not the bouquet. The bride coldly said, "Oh, hate me," before tossing the newly exchanged ring over the groom's head. Then she turned around again and ran down the stone steps at a brisk pace, tugging up the hem of her wedding dress slightly.
Ahead of the running bride, a man in a gray suit sticks one hand straight out. 〈Choice〉 took the man's hand, turned around, then shouted. "Jun, I wish there was just one woman in the world who would fall for a frivolous guy like you!"
〈Choice〉 kept running with the man in the suit holding his hand. She did not care about the stunned participants, but pushed forward to another happiness that she desired more.
The moment, 〈Choice〉 disappeared. God took her away. Some might have thought so. The bride, who was running alongside the man, suddenly disappeared from the sight of everyone present.
However, it was clearly visible from the point where Maruta and others were. Madoka Hashii stepped through the Styrofoam hidden by the dead grass and plunged face-first into the hole hidden there.
Laughter of a different quality than before broke out all over the place. Jun Kisaki, aka 〈Captain〉, who plays the groom, is already standing in front of the hole with a white board in his hand that reads, 'The prank worked well!'.
"Choice-san, Choice-san!" In addition to 〈Captain〉, the other three also came running up. Those are Haru Oka, aka 〈Shaggy〉, who played the cheating man, Yu Suzuki, aka 〈Number 4〉, the moderator, and Yo Saeki, aka 〈Kirvy〉, who was mixed in with the attendees.
"But still, was the hole this big?" 〈Shaggy〉 says, putting his hand over his heart. "That was close. A little more to the right and I would have fallen down the hole too!"
The four members of 〈Tokyo Spread〉 turn their heads toward the smartphone already poised. Kira is, of course, the person who is taking the video at this time.
"Choice-san has received special training." 〈Captain〉 said, standing up straight. "To good viewers, don't try this."
Hearing this, 〈Choice〉 raised her voice from the bottom of the hole. "I don't have any special training!"
The four turn to the voice of the woman playing the bride.
"Choice-san, we have received further messages from the owner." Now 〈Number 4〉 said. "To prevent injury to the prank recipient, the bottom of the hole should be covered with a thick mat and sponge. Then, to prevent sediment from flowing into the hole from the sides, the exposed soil must be firmly consolidated with a shovel."
"Shut up, idiot!" Saying, 〈Choice〉 wiped the mud from her face with the veil of her dress.
"I was reminded of this by the ginger ale that Maruta-san was drinking."
As Maruta sat on a Romanesque bench, 〈Number 4〉 approached and sat down next to him. The young women who were playing extras were already on their way home on a bus arranged by 〈Tokyo Spread〉.
"At that time, I was afraid that my age would be revealed."
"When was that time?" Maruta asked.
"It was when Maruta-san, Yuya, and I went to an gastropub in Ueno. I am still a minor."
Right. These words made Maruta recall the last conversation he had with them.
"I am only 19 years old. So if you had not been there at that time, I might not have been able to enter that pub."
Later, he was told that Tomo Naruse, that 〈Mont Blanc〉, was also the same age as 〈Number 4〉. 〈Mont Blanc〉's real name had been in Maruta's ears through news reports since he visited them at the end of March.
A sacred arrow indicates the position of the sun as it passes over the apex with an unchangeable grace. Now that everyone's identity has been revealed, there are no more Obscure Guys here.
When Maruta looks, 〈Captain〉 and 〈Kirvy〉 are still frolicking around dropping 〈Shaggy〉 in that spent hole. Kira continues to shoot the video.
It may seem that the time that has passed has brought them back to brightness. But, Maruta thought.
Should they shake off the death of a colleague with whom they shared a short but painful experience? Or will they have to lean on it permanently, we don't know at this point. There are several examples around the world of groups that have faced the death of a member but have subsequently succeeded. In any case, they will continue to be judged under the mask of performers until the day they quit their activities.
"Hey, Number 4," The one who came was 〈Choice〉, who had not yet finished changing her clothes. "Captain wants to see you."
So being told, 〈Number 4〉 slowly straightened his back and then stood up to join the four of them.
"My knee hurts," Sitting in the spot where 〈Number 4〉 was, 〈Choice〉 said, spilling the words. "I really can't believe that. I wish I had never participated in this project."
Although 〈Choice〉's words did not seem to come from her true heart, there was nevertheless no doubt in her complaint of physical pain.
"I don't know who 'the owner' is either, but don't you think he should turn down the project like this?"
"Yeah, I think so," Maruta agreed in passing.
Maruta looked sideways at her figure as he took in the woman's endlessly unleashed frustrations. Undoubtedly, it was a first for him looking at a woman in a wedding dress covered in mud and grass.
"Earlier," 〈Choice〉 made eye contact. "I told Number 4 that Captain wants to see him, but that was a lie."
For a few moments of silence, a loose wind like an exhaled breath passed between them. Whether the woman disliked it at this time is also not certain.
"Maruta-san, I'm dressed like this, but can I come closer?"
(C) 2019 Nishimatsu Seiichirou All Rights Reserved.
