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Rocket Start - sparse flash 5

Mao: .......

...Hey, Ritsu... What're you following me around for?

I've been wondering about it for a hot sec... Did you need me for something? If you're just doin' it because you've got nothing else to do, though, then stop. It's annoying, y'know~?

Ritsu: Geeeez... You're so cold these days, Maakun.

Mao: Don't call me "Maakun"... We’re not kids anymore, y'know. You really haven't changed at all, huh, Ritsu.

Stop being such a spoiled brat and grow up already.

Ritsu: Call me "Ricchan", not "Ritsu," just like you used to! Call me "Ricchan" all cutely just like when we were kids!!!

Mao: Woah, hey, don't throw a fit over it! Seriously, I don't get why you're so upset! Classes are over anyway, so go home already instead of clinging to me!

Ritsu: Isn’t the way home the same for us? Let’s go home hand in hand, or arm in arm, Maakun...♪

Heheheh... How nostalgic. When we were kids, we'd walk home together, carrying our backpacks...

We'd take detours, holding hands and turning our faces just so, talking all the while...

And when Maakun'd get tired, I'd pick him up and give him a piggyback ride...♪

Mao: Uh, no, I don't remember anything like that happening at all. What I remember is you making me carry you AND your bag, and feeling like I was on death's doorstep the whole time.

Ritsu: Heheheh... That’s true, Maakun has always been such a devoted little servant back ♪

Mao: Whaddya mean "little servant"... Seriously though, I've got work to do, so I've gotta get going, okay?

Can't you go home on your own, Ritsu? If you don't feel well enough to walk, I’ll give your big brother a call.

He's back in the country now, right?

Ritsu: No, I’ve decided that my brother-look-alike died in some foreign country.

Mao: What are you talking about... I’m serious, I heard that your big bro's back, or so the rumor goes.

He's a pretty big deal around the neighborhood, huh?

Seriously, compared to him, you're pretty lackluster~...

You oughta learn a thing or two from your big bro and start living honestly, y'know? I don’t even get how you survived up until this point.

Ritsu: Mmmhgghh... I go to bed, and I wake up... I breathe in and out, but... I dunno if that’s really "survived". It’s more like I just "didn’t die".

But fine. I don't want Maakun to end up hating me and leaving me all on my lonesome, so I'll go home on my own like you told me to...

Can we walk home together tomorrow? How long do I have to wait until you’re up for it?

Mao: Why do you want to go with me so badly...

I mean, talking seriously, I've got a lot on my plate. I've been helpin' out with the Student Council recently.

Ritsu: The Student Council, huh... Now that y'mention it, it's been going through some restructuring lately, right?

It seems like that thing that looks like my brother's gonna be the Student Council President... Those kinds of titles tend to get shoved onto him.

Maakun, you like that kind of stuff too, don't you...? Working your tail off for no reward, like a gofer.

You're the kind of pervert that just loooves to keep busy.

Mao: Who are you calling a pervert...? Anyway, it just seems like the Student Council's kinda shorthanded right now.

I just happened to see 'em busying the halls once, and offered a hand with their papers...

And then all of a sudden, I started finding myself working with 'em more and more. And now, I've even been offered a spot among 'em.

It's not like I've got any reason to refuse, but still... Right now I'm more so training to be part of it, ‘cause I still don't know if I really wanna join up.

It's probably just nothing, but I... sorta have a bad feeling about it. I’m still giving it a real thought if I actually wanna end up getting heavily involved with it or not.

Ritsu: You say that, but I doubt you’re actually thinking at all, are you? You'll happily dive right into the muck and have a grand ol' time, won't you?

You can live your life however you want, Maakun, but... I'm still worried about you.

If there's ever anything you can't do, ask me. I'll always give you a hand—whatever you wish for, Maakun, I'll grant it.

Even if the whole world turned against you, I'd stay by your side.

I'd slaughter every single idiot that caused you trouble if that's what you wanted, Maakun.

Mao: Slaughter 'em, huh... Seriously, stop saying stuff like that, it's lame as hell~. You're a high school student, y'know? So start actin' like it, cut the middle school crap.

Anyway, I'll catch you tomorrow in class... Ricchan.

...Ah, he's already gone. That guy really seems like some type of monster sometimes~.

Well, whatever. Let's see, what's next...

Yikes, that's a nasty job on my plate.

C'mon, don't make me do this... I'm only helpin' out the Student Council, so why do I hafta to do something this bad? Sheesh, the Student Council being understaffed's no joke.

And so soooomehow I'm the one who's been handed off this dirty work... Seriously, this is more trouble than it's worth.