Chapter 2

(Looks like a lot of people came to Muneuji-kun’s BD Area with their families! I wonder what this “Come, Look, and Fly! Five Senses Experience Space Exposition” is like…)

Chief, you made it.

Muneuji-kun! And everyone else, too… did you not go into the area first?

Shiki-chan and the Princess came to play, so we showed them around and saw them off just now.

Hey hey, Teach! Want us to show you ‘round if you’re going in now? Behold, Day2’s Hospitality Unison!

Ahaha, well since you’re offering, please do.

Right, understood. We’ll give you a solo tour.

By the way, I heard from Nayuki-kun that you changed the contents of your proposal part way through.

Indeed. I was initially planning to centre it around presenting research to create an exhibition where you have fun looking around and learning, much like what we experienced at Tanegashima, but—

I decided to take it a step further, and refine the program into one where you enjoy the universe with all your senses. That I was able to make something I can be satisfied with is thanks to you all.

Mufufu, it was nothing.

Don’t get carried away. Muu-chan’s the one who did all the work.

This area is where you can find the latest research papers on space. Alongside my own work, a display board going into detail on rockets—

You can find occult stories about space that Raito-san agreed to write, explanations on the stars from an astrological perspective supervised by Toi-san, and so on.

Woah… there’s a lot of good stuff in here! Just looking at them all could make the day pass by in a flash.

Oh? Isn’t the helmet placed here the one Muneuji-kun’s always wearing…?

That's… a replica, made in its likeness… Apparently, you can download it… for your avatar.

Oh wow…! I’ll have to get the data later.

Next up, we’ve got a planetarium over there.

Let’s see…

That one there is the Winter Hexagon. Do you see the long, narrow, hexagonal constellation inside it?

That’s one of the Zodiac constellations, Gemini, the Twins. …It represents two boys affectionately nestling close together. I’m so happy I could see it with you, Ani-sama.

Same here, Toi. If it meant I could be with you forever, getting turned into a constellation by god might not be so bad.

Ani-sama…!

…They never give it a rest, do they.

They really, get… along.

All that matters is they’re enjoying themselves to the fullest.

Now, let us continue onwards, Chief. Beyond here lies the main event of my BD Area.

Main event…?

—Space.

So you’ve arrived, Chief. I’ve departed from Earth one step ahead of you.

S-SAKUJIRO-SAN IS FLYING!?

This is the main event of my BD Area—a place where you can experience zero gravity while watching an display of celestial bodies.

If we take a single step beyond this line at our feet, we’ll be freed from the bounds of gravity.

Woah, that sounds interesting…!

Go ahead and experience space to your heart’s content as well.

Hell yeah, it’s time! Let’s-a GO~!

Ah, wait, t-time out! TOO MUCH FORCE~~!!

Ah, woah…!

Hey!? Akuta, don’t grab my clothes…!

HUH!? Don’t you guys dare come over here! …PGYAAAH!!

Ah ha ha. It’s nice to see the children so full of energy.

So this is zero gravity…! I feel so light, it’s a blast!

(Getting my balance is definitely tricky, though! I feel like I’ll topple over if I don’t concentrate—)

Are you alright, Chief? Here, take my hand.

Th-thanks, that really helps.

Keeping your body stable even in zero gravity is incredible of you, Muneuji-kun.

Perhaps the results of my daily training are showing. If it led to me being able to support you, then all the sweat was worth it.

Then… I’ll have to work harder with my sweat activities¹ too! Let’s do some aerobic exercises together again, Muneuji-kun!

Of course, if you’re fine with me, I’ll join you anytime. You being there makes it feel all the more rewarding.

“…Right now, what you see at our feet is the Earth. It’s the third planet in our solar system, housing an orbiting moon and a great number of lifeforms—”

The Earth really is lovely. …I could watch it forever.

We live on such a beautiful planet.

…

(Their gaze is calm and warm… like the deep sea.)

(I wonder just how gorgeous the scenery reflected in Chief’s eyes is.)

Muneuji-kun?

Aah, it’s nothing. I wholeheartedly agree.

A trip to space… it’d be nice if I could actually go on one someday. With everyone in Hama Tours!

It goes without saying that space research is progressing rapidly, and the democratisation of science and technology is astounding to see. The day we can all casually board a spaceship and sail across the stars will come—that’s what I believe. And when it does—

I’m certain we’ll both be able to see this scenery for real, together.