Track 2

Nayuki’s BD Area’s called, “Digital Abacus Classroom”. I guess the learning experience is part of the theme you were going for…

The abacus can not only provide right-brain stimulation, but also cultivate imagination and calculation skills.

That’s why I’d like for everyone, adults and children alike, to give it a try at least once. I thought this would be the best way for us to reach a broad age range.

First-time players can play through the tutorial, and experienced players can not only freely choose levels they’re capable of, but more difficult puzzles as well.

This is so thoughtfully planned out, Nayuki-kun!

Thank you very much. I tried to make the experience fun for everyone regardless of experience. …I’m glad you noticed.

I soooo don’t get it~! Um, lemme take a looksies at the tutorial…

Ah, over there is…

Hehe. Guess it’s not just the guests having fun, everyone is.

Okay so, this is what 7 looks like, right? I wanna add a 9 to it but there’s already 2 beads in the first rod, so I’d have to carry those over to the tenth rod~...

Got it. Do you remember how many numbers to add to the ones for the carry over?

“How many times less than 10”, yeah? Then, 10 minus 9 is… 1! Then it becomes 16!

Correct answer. You did great, Chihiro. In Yukikaze’s words, you deserve a gold star.

Yaaaaay~! Gold stars are super fetch!

Alright, cleared all the questions here. Finally starting to regain the hang of it.

But I dunno how to feel about having an abacus digitalized being convenient or not. It sure feels weird though.

But but, it’s like, reaaaaal cathartic to know you calculated something yourself! Since it’s somethin’ like this, I bet Kinyari would get it all done in a jiffy!

Correct. I have answered all of the prepared questions. I shall request the Manager for more.

So fast?!

Haha, as expected of Kinari. A gold star for you!

It’s hilarious watching all of them hunched over their desks. For something like this, it’s much better to leave it to the experts.

Isn’t that right?

Yes. All I have to do is calculate what is written on this paper, yes? Leave it to me, Kuguri-sama!

Kuguri, isn’t that an expenditure report? It’s classified information and thus we cannot permit non-employees to have access to it. I shall confiscate it for the time being.

…What is that guy even doing?

To think expenditure documents were brought in here…

Ahaha! Just goes to show there’s many ways to have fun in this area.

Um, excuse me! You’re Ev3ns’ Manager, right?

Yes? Is something the matter?

I lost my house keys during the mini-concert the other day. Thank you so much for helping me search even when it got late!

Ah, you’re from that time. Were you able to take the train home? I was a little worried you wouldn’t make it.

Y-Yes, I was, thanks to your help! And um…

?

I... I wrote you a letter! Please accept it!

A letter? Meant for me?

Could it be… A fan letter?

That’s right! I’ve always been an all-in Ev3ns fan but… Recently, I’ve started to oshi the Manager, too!

Me…? Your oshi?

Mhm, mhm. Yeah, I totally get how you feel.

Please continue to support HAMA Tours and Ev3ns. And please support Nayuki as both Ev3ns’ Manager and our Finance Department’s head, too.

Of course! I’ll be looking forward to the next concert. See you around!

Asking our guests to support me… President, I’m a behind-the-scenes staff.

I am aware of that. But still, it makes me happy.

Our department head is very capable and cooler than anyone else.

That’s why I’m proud to have you as an employee, and also as my friend. Besides, who wouldn’t feel happy to hear their friend being praised?

…Really, you don’t have to go that far.

Hehe, I agree. Knowing that Nayuki-kun’s gotten this many fans, I understand the happiness Kafka feels.

Not you too, Chief...

…Ah. I’ll part ways with you guys for now. Renga looks like he’s struggling over there, so I’ll help him out.

Mhm, got it!

What will you be doing after this, Chief?

Hmm… Maybe I’ll go meet up with Raito-san and ask him for an abacus showdown… Huh?

*sob* *sob*

Hey there, are you okay?

I dunno what these calculations are anymore…

I see. It seems like you made a mistake while you were carrying over the numbers.

Still, it’s a big achievement that you were able to make it this far by yourself. Even if you mess up, you can still start over and try again as many times as you want.

…Okay.

Then, let’s start over with arranging the beads on the abacus first.

Then I can do it too! It’s called ‘clearing the abacus’, yeah? Like this…!

You’re very good at this. You also handle the abacus with a lot of care. People like you tend to improve quite quickly.

Ehehe…

(The boy started smiling before I knew it. I knew Nayuki-kun was kind and all, but he’s really great at taking care of others too.)

…Excuse me.

Yeah?

Is it so surprising that I’m teaching this sort of thing?

Eh? I don’t think so.

…You were staring at me so intensely that I could have sworn that was what you were thinking.

S-Sorry about that…?!

Not that it’s weird or anything, but I was just thinking about how kind you are, Nayuki-kun.

You can be strict when needed, but deep down you’re so full of love. All that considered, you’re a very kind person.

… Ahem.

…I see. *sigh* Both you and Kafka are so…

Hey, abacus big bro! Teach me how to solve this one too!

Ah, yeah. Which problem is it? …Oh, you’ve already made it this far, that’s great.

Hehe…

…Then after that, Nayuki and that boy continued to happily play with the abacus. Really, he’s such a great teacher.

I see… So Nayuki-kun is now in a position to teach others…

(I can’t believe he’d been watching the whole thing from start to finish…)

When you were little, you worked so hard on the abacus under Raito’s guidance. That sure brings back memories, don’t you think so, Nayuki?

…Yes, I suppose there were moments like that.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen you two have an abacus showdown again. Didn’t you used to do this every year on Nayuki’s birthday?

That’s a good idea! We’ve finished having dessert, so how about a round now, Raito-kun, Nayuki-kun?

I don’t have any problems with it. How about you, Nayuki?

…If that’s what Mom and Dad want, then there’s no way I could refuse.

Then it’s decided! I’ll bring the abacus and the problem sheets, so sit tight.

Let’s clean up the table on our end, shall we?

……

Hey, Nayuki.

…What is it.

I’m glad we finally get to face each other in a match again.

…………

Will this match let me see how much you’ve grown once more?

…Tch. You always know how to get under my skin. Fine—if that’s what you want, I’ll make sure you feel it until you’re sick of it.

Sorry for the wait! I brought the abacus. As for the problem sheets… Here, I brought the ones I used a long time ago.

Are you ready? Raito? Nayuki?

…Don’t get ahead of yourself now. I’ll finish this up as soon as I can.

That should be my line. If you think my fingers have gone rusty after all this time, then that would be really naïve of you.

…Hmph.

Let’s begin! Starting from zero[2], the problem is—!