Hansel and Gretel - A Gathering of Witches 7

Arashi: Wait here for juuust a second, I'll be right back.

Hajime: Oh, sure.

Um, what did you want to show m—

Ah, she already left.

(Mmm, I wonder what Narukami-senpai wants to show me.

I tried asking while we were walking, but she kept dodging the question... I wonder why she's keeping it secret?)

Arashi: Thanks for waiting. Here — it's kinda-- no, suuuper embarrassing, buuuut... Could you take a look at this periodical?

Hajime: Wh—ah!? N-Narukami-senpai, you look really sexy in this...!?

Arashi: Oh my my, I'm sorry. Was that a little too much for you?

You see, this is a photo collection of pin-up models. It's the work of a totally famous photographer in that line of work.

But you know, this is part of my past I just want to forget allll about...♪

Hajime: A part of your past that you... want to forget...?

While this may be sexy enough to make me blush, it's not like they're vulgar or indecent... Actually, they're really cool shots - I just can't look away.

You're shot so beautifully in these pictures, too... Like a Western-style painting — I learned about them in my fine arts class.

Arashi: My, my. Aren't you well-versed in flattery?

Sorry, though. This wasn't work I really wanted to do.

Hajime: ..? What do you mean..?

Arashi: This collection’s from when I first entered the modeling world.

I received a super passionate offer that was like, "I absolutely want to take your photo!" and was happy about it, so I agreed to it right off the bat, but...

Looking back, it kind of felt like I just showed off my masculinity in the end. It was work that I didn't think was really me.

Look here. On this page, I'm showing my back, aren't I? And it looks like you can almost see my butt, right?

Oh gosh, how terrible, there's no way anything could be more embarrassing than this — selling my good looks so cheaply...

But that exact thought is why I still look back at this from time to time.

Whenever I get a job that feels a little bit different from how I see myself, I use this periodical to think about what the job means to me.

Hajime: What the job means...?

Arashi: Right. This kind of feels like a senpai meddling in her kouhai's affairs, so to speak, buuuut...

Hajime-chan, are you truly satisfied with what a "bishoujo idol" is?

As you continue to show yourself as a “bishoujo idol”, you’re also taking on the image of “cuteness” and “girliness”—

Whether that's what you wished for or not.

Similar to how both Ritsu-chan and Subaru-chan are always going to be referred to as a "relative of that idol"—

For better and for worse, that's aaalways gonna follow you.

But if you can proudly say this is who you are, even when including how other people view you—

Then I don't think that boy who sent you the fan letter will think you’ve tricked him.

You have to absolutely be ready to commit to that though. A smart kid like you gets that much, right?

Hajime: I do... I'm not sure how long I'll continue my work as a "bishoujo idol". But even if I don't know, it's not like the days that've passed already are just going to disappear.

...But it's not like I hate being one either.

I'm happy to be needed. It makes me psyched to do my very best, so that I can see them enjoy having me around...♪

Of course, it’s quite frightening to think of such a particular image of me following me for life—

I also saw Akehoshi-senpai's father scandal come to light at the SS — I know far too well just how terrifying it could be.

I feel sick remembering it even now... It was that horrible of an incident.

But if I'm not brave enough, then that boy’s true feelings won't be rewarded.

After all, if you found hope in an idol at long last, only for that idol to be artificial and made of paper-mache—

Then lying would be the same as spitting on those true feelings I received.

That's what you thought too, right? And that's why you showed me something from the past you'd rather forget about?

Arashi: Ufufu, you're giving me too much credit.

Arashi: I just wanted to let my mistakes be water under the bridge.

That way, that history of mine's will be given some purpose... Right?

Hajime: Ah, is that so...?

Fufu. If that's what you say, Narukami-senpai, then that's just how it is...♪

I'm going to try and be honest with that fan.

That "bishoujo idol" side of me is always ever just going to be one side of me — it's not everything I am.

But even so, your way of life isn’t wrong in any way. So let's try and worry about our way of life together...♪

Eheheh, though we might become penpals like that ♪

Arashi: Oh, that'd be so nice. Penpals! And we could pick out some totally adorable stationary ♪

That’s definitely how you want to face this letter. Make sure to commiserate with him and cheer him up whenever you can, okay? ♪

Hajime: ...Yeah. I'm his senpai in life too, so I'd like to be able to talk about myself.

I’d like to teach them so many different things, just like my wonderful senpais did for me.

Arashi: ...Oh, yes, I know— This book’s left me so embarrassed, so you can have it, Hajime-chan.

Hajime: Ah, really? I can? Didn't you say you wanted to forget those days...?

Arashi: It's fine, don't worry about it. I don't have any need for it anymore.

Besides, I have an uncountable number of them at home...

Hajime: Huh!? There's more photo albums like this...!?

Arashi: It's no laughing matter! I’m so embarrassed by them — every time I see one of them in a bookstore, I snatch it up before anyone else can. I'm going broke because of that, you know~?

I don’t want to be made fun of, so I shut them all in my room—

But you're a kind person, so you won't go spreading my dark and shameful past. So if it’s alright, could you take one?

Hajime: But of course~. After everything you've told me, it'd be plain impolite not to take one...!

Arashi: Thanks. Make sure you hide it where no one'll find it so that you don’t get ashamed like I did, okay?

...And if you're ever at a loss on how to reply to a fan letter, just come talk to your big sis.

When that time comes, I'll give you some totally-not-like-me advice again ♪

Hajime: Thank you, Arashi-oneechan —

You really, truly are dependable.