V3C80 (1/2)

(080) Malina’s words and her letter

Translator: Tseirp

After we finished moving the goods, I was alone with Malina.

Malina continued to stare at me.

… Awkward.

I wondered if she had something on her mind as I scratched my head.

“Hey Malina, please say it if you have something to say.”

Malina gave a start when I said so.

This is tricky.

Her 2 personalities are too extremely different.

“Do you want me to return your mask?”

“Ah …”

Malina reacted to the words ‘mask’ but she shook her head,

“Ten …”

“Ten?”

“Ten ants.”

What is she saying?

Malina’s face was bright red as she faced down and spoke.

Is it the remnants of the trauma from the ant attack yesterday?

“Ten ants … that, thank you.”

” …….. Eh?”

“Ten ants … erm, thank you.”

“No, it’s not that I didn’t hear it, I’m wondering why did you bring up such a Showa era gag?” (TL: It’s a gag that can’t really be translated into English. In Japanese, thank you is pronounced as ‘arigatou’. ‘Ari ga tou’ can also be read as ’10 ants’. So Malina was basically saying there are 10 ants at the start instead of saying thank you, which explains why Ichinojo was thinking if it’s trauma from the ant attack.)

When I said that, I arrived at a single thought.

“Is it possible that, after all this time, you are now thanking me for my help with the ants yesterday?”

When I asked, Malina nodded her head twice.

Apparently, I guessed correctly.

“Were you staring at me the whole time today because you were looking for the opportunity to say those words?”

Malina once again nodded her head twice.

… What … why is she … is she an idiot?

“Rather, didn’t Marina thank me yesterday? You said ‘I appreciate it’ ”

” … I wanted to … say it with my own mouth without borrowing Marina’s … the mask’s power.”

“Then, what’s the reason for inserting the … 10 ants gag?”

” … During my school days, the atmosphere will always freeze when I say my thanks so … I tried sprinkling in some humor.”

Ah, because she dampens the atmosphere by suddenly saying her thanks for old matters out of the blue huh?

I can understand the feelings of her classmates.

Since I just experienced it myself.

“Malina, it’s natural to help each other as companions. Even so, I will gratefully receive your gratitude. Thank you.”

” … I am … Rina Oushin. ‘Shin’ from ‘Truth’, ‘Ri’ from the fruit ‘Pear’ and ‘Na’ from the Rape Blossom flower.”

Eh, self-introduction at this point of time!? Well, it’s true that I didn’t know her last name though.

Though I guess it’s impossible for Marina to do the self-introduction. Since to her, her name is Marina instead of Malina.

“Then, I am Kusunoki Ichinosuke … wait, Malina?”

Malina remained stiff with her face bright red.

It looked like she somehow overheated.

Smoke was coming out from her head. Of course, that’s a lie but it felt like I could see an illusion of it happening.

I guess she pushed herself too much in her own way.

“Isn’t it good fortune that you came to the Otherworld? You won’t be able to function in Japan if you’re like that.”

Although the answer would be ‘No’ if I asked if she’s getting by in the Otherworld.

But, she would be able to survive as the only Street Performer in the world as Marina.

After a short while, Carol and Haru returned.

“Ichino-sama, we’ve returned.”

Carol returned with a smile.

Looking at that expression, I guess she sold it at quite a good price.