Brilliant Star Air Force - Chapter 8

Location: Handicrafts Club Room

Mika: Now I get it~. So that’s why you were starin’ at my face like that.

But y’know. I don’t think it’s the drone that everyone was so happy about?

Sora: What do you mean?

Mika: Umm, well I do think that usin’ a drone for deliveries is a rare sight, which makes it interestin’?

I mean, I also thought the drone was super cool when I first saw it ♪

But that’s not what’s important. What really matters is the deliverin’ of stuff, right?

‘Cause you see, I was really so happy that you helped me carry that package all the way here, Sora-kun ♪

Sora: ………..

Mika: Umm, do you get what I’m tryin’ to say?

Sora: ...Yes. Just now, Sora finally understood.

Everyone was so impressed by the drone, and praised it. That’s why Sora misunderstood them, and thought that they were just happy to see the drone.

But what they were really happy about wasn’t the drone. In reality, they were glad to receive their orders.

After all, they said “thank you” to Sora when they received their packages.

Hearing “thank you” from them made Sora so happy.

And the reason why Sora got to hear those words that made him happy, was because he delivered packages to them… Because he delivered “Happiness” to them.

Being a deliveryman means delivering “Happiness” to people!

Mika: Yeah, I’m sure of it...♪

Sora: Mika-chan-san, thank you very much!

Mika: Ehehe, I don’t think I did anythin’, though. But you’re welcome ♪

Anyway, let’s finish our tea ♪ I’ve got seconds, if ya want~.

Sora: HaHa~♪ This tea is really sooo delicious...☆

(Shisho~, Senpai… Sora has finally realized it.)

(Being a deliveryman means delivering “Happiness”, that’s why that game’s main character does it with all his might.)

(And that’s why Sora can finally do his very best to become that main character.)

(It’s because being a deliveryman and being an idol is the same~♪)

(Both deliver “Happiness” to people, and fill the world with beautiful “colors”! HaHiHuHeHo~!)

Location: Game Research Club Room

Natsume: (FuFU. I was worried about hIM, so I followed Sora with the drone and secretly watched over him through the cameRA… But it’s all okay nOW.)

(I knew that Sora would be able to find the answer by himseLF. I’m sure his job will go over well like thIS.)

...Now thEN, I guess it’s about time to fly the drone baCK.

It won’t do me any good to keep peeping at thEM, and if Shu-niisAN, who doesn’t know about any of thIS, were to show uP, he’s gonna be surprised and I’ll be in troubLE...♪

Location: Secret Room

- Another day -

Sora: HaHa~♪ Shisho~, Senpai, hello! When you enter a room, you greet the people inside! You called for Sora?

Tsumugi: Ah, we’ve been waiting for you~♪ Look, I made prints of the photos from when you were doing that campaign boy job the other day.

I was deeply moved to see how much you resembled that game’s main character, Sora-kun ♪ You can take as many of the photos home as you’d like, as a commemoration.

Sora: Yaaay, thank you very much ♪

Natsume: ………..

Sora: Hmm~? Shisho~, why are you staring so intently at your phone? Your “color” is all gloomy, too~?

Tsumugi: Ah, that’s right. There’s another reason why we called you here, Sora-kun. In fact, you could say this is the main reason, actually ♪

You see, after the campaign that you performed in took place, the game got super popular. Which is why they decided to add some new characters to it.

Sora: HiHi~♪ Really? Sora is so happy to hear that~♪

Tsumugi: Fufu, and because of that, they also decided to hold another campaign. And this time, they sent a request for all of Switch to perform in it ♪

Sora: HuHu~, that’s amazing! Does that mean Senpai and Shisho~ are going to be the new characters?

Tsumugi: Yes, exactly. I’ll be playing a character who wears glasses, and Natsume-kun got the role of a cute, red-haired girl.

He’s going to become Natsume-chan~.

Natsume: ……….. (Wordlessly punches Tsumugi’s stomach)

Tsumugi: Ow!? W-why did you punch me?

Rather, if you punch me with the hand that’s gripping your phone, your screen could break! Also, it hurts more than usual~!?

Natsume: HmPH, that’s what you get for spreading falsehooDS.

Tsumugi: Huh? Did I say something wrong?

Natsume: HeY, SoRA. Sorry I didn’t return your greeting soonER.

Sora: HeHe~, it’s okay, Sora didn’t mind! More importantly, are you okay, Shisho~? But then again, the gloomy “color” from earlier disappeared already~♪

Natsume: YeAH, that’s because the response to an inquiry I sent to that game company just came in on my phoNE.

They told me that the role I’ll be playing won’t be that red-haired giRL, but her twin brothER. Which means the request they sent for a female character was a mistaKE.

Tsumugi: Aww, so that’s why you’ve been all quiet for a while, Natsume-kun. You didn’t need to confirm that so soon, though.

Natsume: ……….. (Wordlessly kicks Tsumugi’s stomach)

Tsumugi: Gyaah!? Don’t you know that it hurts to get punched and kicked!?

Wait, could it be that the new character they added is the violent type, and you’re just getting into character already…?

Natsume: Shut uP. If you say another woRD, I’ll stuff you in a cardboard bOX, lift you high into the sky and drop you from aboVE, SenpAI.

Tsumugi: Don’t you think the weight of a person is a bit too much for a drone to lift?

Sora: (HoHo~♪ Shisho~ and Senpai get along great as always~.)

(Lively “colors” are so beautiful! They’re “colors” you can’t produce by yourself! Sora loves these “colors”~.)

(Sora is sure we’ll be having lots of fun as a delivery service again soon ♪ Just that thought is enough to get Sora all excited~...♪)

Sora Harukawa - Colorful Games

Location: Arcade

Sora: HaHa~☆ It’s finally time to challenge the final boss ☆

He’s a fierce opponent, but Sora’s equipment is flawless! It’s gonna endure the enemy’s barrage~♪

...Owah!? Sora lost so easily!

(HiHi~, games are fun even when you lose~☆ Coming up with counter-strategies and testing them is such a great feeling by itself!)

(Sora’s gonna put in another 100 yen and press continue right away~♪)

(...Huh. Sora totally forgot to prepare 100 yen coins!)

(What a bummer~. And after Sora finally made it to the final stage, too. He’s going to have to redo it from the start again.)

Makoto: Did you run out of cash, maybe?

Sora: Ooh? Yuuki-sensei~! You were watching Sora play?

How unusual for you to run into Sora here~☆ Yuuki-sensei~, did you come to the arcade to play, too?

Makoto: Yup. Sorry for addressing you so suddenly.

I originally dropped by to play some games on my way home from club activities, but when I saw Harukawa-kun playing so cheerfully, I got curious and ended up studying your skills by watching over your shoulder.

By the way, the timer for your continue is almost up… If you’d like, I could lend you a 100 yen coin?

Sora: ...Uwah, oops! That was close!

Thank you very much! Sora is gonna clear the game, so please wait just a moment~!

Makoto: Sure thing. In the meantime, I guess I’ll sit back and enjoy watching you play ♪

- Ten minutes later or so -

Sora: HuHu~☆ Yuuki-sensei~, you saved Sora!

Thanks to Yuuki-sensei~’s secret technique, Sora managed to beat the last boss! Sora’s so happy~☆

Makoto: Oh, not at all. If anything, I’m sorry for butting in. Coming up with your own battle strategy is the real thrill of games, but I couldn’t help it when I saw what a close fight you were having.

Sora: It’s okay! There are still plenty of other games in this arcade!

HeHe~♪ In fact there are so many, it feels like no time in the world would be enough ♪

Makoto: (Fufu. I’m glad I talked to him. Back in the game club Harukawa-kun seemed like a bit of a rascal, but he’s actually an obedient, good kid.)

(Or rather, maybe when we played around with the VR system*, he just got carried away due to the summer heat…?)

Sora: What’s the matter, Yuuki-sensei~? Your “color” looks super absent-minded~?

Makoto: Ahh, sorry, sorry. I was just a bit lost in thought.

More importantly, what other kinds of games do you play, Harukawa-kun?

Sora: Sora loves games that sparkle! Like shooters, and fighting games… Games where you can enjoy the lights and sounds ☆

Sora likes phone games because you can play them whenever you’d like, but arcade games have lots and lots of lights and sounds, which makes them fun~♪

Makoto: Ahaha. I totally get you. Arcades have their own special atmosphere, don’t they.

If I had to choose, I’d say I enjoy simple playstyles. As long as the game gives you a sense of accomplishment by tapping buttons over and over, I get hooked.

Like RPGs, social simulation games... I guess I’m a bit of an omnivore.

Sora: HoHo~? Straightforwardly tapping buttons sounds typical for you, Yuuki-sensei~.

Makoto: Of course, I also like shooters and fighting games. By putting in lots of practice, you can level up, which gives you that sense of accomplishment ♪

Sora: In that case, let’s have a fighting game match! Sora wants to compete with Yuuki-sensei~!

Makoto: A match...?

Hrmm. I really appreciate the offer, but are you sure? Games are my strong point, you know.

If we went head to head I think the match would be settled in a second. You wouldn’t enjoy yourself for long.

Also, don’t they have fighting games in the club room? Maybe it’d be a better idea for you to play them there.

Moreover, as your senior, I’d feel guilty if I made you waste your money like that, Harukawa-kun.

Sora: Is that so? Sora doesn’t mind it, though~.

But Sora can tell that Yuuki-sensei~ is giving off a sad “color”, so let’s play something else instead!

How about… Ah, the people coming out from the purikura** booths give off such warm “colors”!

Yuuki-sensei~, how about we take purikura pictures together~?

Makoto: Nope nope nope! First of all, purikura isn’t a game, and guys aren’t allowed in there on their own***, right!?

Sora: But Sora heard you can take pretty pictures in there?

Sora heard the pictures you take there are almost like magic, and there’s been talk of Switch getting a job for purikura promotions!

Makoto: Huh, I see… Maybe it’s an offer from the alumnus of the game club? For real, it’s reassuring to have so many seniors in high places.

But in this store, men aren’t allowed in the purikura section. If we went there, we’d get banned from this arcade.

Sora: Is that so~? There’s still so much Sora doesn’t know about arcades…

In that case, how about a claw machine? It’s economical, because we can both enjoy it together~☆

And the plush toys they have as prizes give off fun “colors”, Yuuki-sensei~♪

Makoto: A claw machine, huh… That’s a great idea. Working together sounds like it’s going to be fun ♪

Sora: Alright, then let’s take turns playing, and try to get that gigantic plushie!

Ehehe. It looks worth the challenge~♪

Makoto: Right! It looks like it’d usually cost you several thousand yen to get, so it’s the perfect opportunity for us to show the results of our daily gaming drills ♪

Alright, I’ll go first...☆

Sora: Yes! Show Sora your skills, Yuuki-sensei~☆

Makoto: Claw machines aren’t my specialty, but I’m confident in my controller operation skills. How about this…?

Sora: Ooh. You moved the plushie so close to the opening! As expected from Yuuki-sensei~!

It’s Sora’s turn next. Sora will focus so he won’t bring Yuuki-sensei~’s efforts to waste~.

...Ngh. Unlike other games, it’s hard to find the balance!

But look! Just a little more, and it’s going to fall into the opening, Yuuki-sensei~!

Makoto: Thanks. You can leave the rest to me ☆

First, I bring the claw real close to the plush toy, then, with the arm and neck as the center of gravity, I grab it…!

Sora: Amazing~. You’re lifting up such a large plushie so easily!

At this rate, it looks like it’s going to fall into the opening! You can do it, keep it up ♪

You did it, you won the super gigantic plushie...☆

Makoto: Heck yeah! It’s our victory, Harukawa-kun!

Sora: Yes ♪ Yuuki-sensei~, you’re so good at this ♪

Makoto: Ahaha. I didn’t do anything that impressive, but thanks ♪

Sora: (Fufu. Yuuki-sensei~’s “color” is sparkling so brightly.)

(When Sora suggested playing a fighting game, his “color” got so dark and dull… But in the end, Yuuki-sensei~ is still the same old Yuuki-sensei~.)

(Sora is the only one who can see these “colors”... But when Yuuki-sensei~ plays games, his “colors” shine so brightly~☆)

Makoto: What’s wrong, Harukawa-kun? Is the plush toy tough to carry around?

Sora: Not at all. Sora’s just really happy~! Sora is going to treasure the plushie he received from Yuuki-sensei~♪

Now, Yuuki-sensei~. We cleared the claw machine, so how about we play a co-op gun game next!

Makoto: Eeh. You’re in such a hurry, Harukawa-kun. You shouldn’t run indoors~.

Sora: Ehehe. The arcade’s so much fun, Sora got super excited somehow ♪

HaHiHuHeHo~♪ Games are wonderful, because they bring color into our ordinary lives~☆

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*Summer Flowers

**Purikura

***Male customers are generally not allowed to use purikura booths without women accompanying them, as they make the girls using the booths uncomfortable (and there’s been peeping incidents and the like). Many arcades enforce this ban as official policy.