Track 1

(I’m glad Kinari-kun tagged along for today’s external meeting.) 

(Since it was about a package tour for Tottori, his experience during the study tour was a major help.)

….…Huh, he sure is taking a long time. Is the drink bar that crowded?

Sorry to keep you waiting, Master.

Ah, welcome ba——

Woah, what a crazy-colored drink you’ve got there…!

The preparation of this drink required more time than expected.

(I thought it was rare that he wanted to get something from the drink bar… Was it because he wanted to make this?)

Does… it taste good…?

That, I’ve yet to know. I replicated this drink in order to verify something.

It is dubbed, “Goz’s Special Drink”. It’s something the Original’s—Kinari’s¹ friend, used to concoct quite often.

Eh? Kinari-san’s…?

Yes. Kinari’s friend, Gozu², was a male high school student, who often invited him to karaoke after school. He made these drinks at that place’s bar.

Oh, I see. You can mix and match all sorts of drinks there, after all.

But still, why did you suddenly think of recreating it?

…I want to understand the things Kinari treasured the most.

I possess all sorts of information related to him stored inside my database. In that regard, this drink was from an image file photographed by Kinari himself from back then.

In short, the drink illustrated in the photo must have held some sort of importance to the Original that he thought of preserving it.

(So that’s what it was. Like always, Kinari-kun is trying to understand Kinari-san in full depth.)

The Developer’s——

…Nevermind.

(…Huh?)

Kinari cherished his memories with his school friends very much.

…Master, please forgive me for this abrupt question.

School friends, and even school itself…  Are they truly so great that humans cherish them?

School, huh…

(Now that I think about it, Kinari-kun has never gone to school, hasn’t he?)

People in various upbringings and environments probably have different ideas about school…

I think that school is an important space where people in the same generation with diverse personalities are gathered in one spot. By studying together, bonds slowly begin to foster among the students.

To me, at least, it was a place worth going to.

So that’s how it was for you, Master…

…In other words, school is one of those places where people learn their emotions and proper behavior.

A place where they learn their emotions and proper behavior….

Usually, it’s where someone learns how to connect with other people aside from their families, and deepen those bonds while at it. Of course, you’ll meet those you may not get along with… These days, even those fights have become good memories to me! Hehe.

(Nostalgia, Affection, Happiness. I detect nothing but positivity from Master’s expressions.)

Thank you very much. After listening to your story, I think I have grasped the importance of school experience by a small margin.

Yeah! And that um, Goz’s Special Drink? I hope it gives you some sort of idea.

Yes. I will try it immediately.

……

So? Is it yummy?

………………

(He’s frozen solid…)

…Unfortunately, I can only surmise that this taste disagrees with the general populace’s preference in flavor.

Oh, is it this hour already?

I apologize, Uu-chan. I have to wake up rather early tomorrow, so I must go to sleep soon.

…Don’t tell me it’s for Student Council duties again? I know you’ve been busy lately, but surely there’s a limit to all this.

It’s not, as I promised to help out at flower Laundry tomorrow. It seems that Hachinoya-san and Sonia-san cannot handle the influx of customers during this season all by themselves.

Ah, got it. Makes sense.

In addition, tomorrow’s helpers will not only consist of myself—Azekawa-san will be there, too. They must have been in such want of help that they would gladly accept aid from anyone.

(Just how busy are they…? Well, whatever, if Azekawa-san’s there, then he should be able to lighten some of the burden on Muu-chan’s shoulders.)

Yeah, give it your all. But only in moderation.

Mhm.

Hm? …It’s been a while since I’ve heard from this name.

(Going out of his way to contact me, what could——?)

……

Uu-chan, do you have a minute?

What’s up?

Would you be interested in “gymnasiums”?

Gy.. Gymnasium?

To explain its concept in a way familiar to JPN, it’s something similar to a European all-boys boarding school. Or so I have heard.

…Not really interested.

I understand. Very well, then, forget it.

(…Is it possible for me to find anyone else harboring at least a shred of curiosity?)

(As it is a request from the Student Council’s senior alumnus, I’d like to cooperate as much as possible, but… Given the circumstances at hand, it may prove difficult to encounter somebody.)

(…I’ll consider refusing the offer, so I’ll reply as soon as I can.)