That makes me a little uneasy
……
[Joseph] ...What's with the sudden silence, friend? You look... A little serious?
[player] Nothing really, just wondering how many treasures you gave away, what sort of things they were, and just how much they were all worth... Just for the sake of carrying on.
[Joseph] Hmm, let me see... Probably enough to fund a sequel or seven to "Fortunes of Adventure".
[player] Wow... That's insane. And even more unfortunate!
[Joseph] There's no point in missing what's already been given away. The world is such a vast place, and there are still countless treasures waiting for me. There is nothing unfortunate about it, my friend.
[player] I suppose so. Huh? Sounds like someone at the door. I'll go see if it's our delivery.
...Got away with it.
Adventurers really are observant sorts. I stay silent for only a second, but he senses that something is off.
I lied. I was silent just now because what Joseph said actually made me a little uneasy. His attitude to exploring, and the sacrifices he's made to make progress... His kind of unrestrained manner is certainly impressive.
It's precisely because of his ability to decisively say goodbye to the past that I can't help but worry. I wonder if our memories together, as well as the other relationships he's formed in One Han City, might also one day become an impediment to his travels.
If this really is the case... How will Joseph deal with this bit of "the past"?
With drinks and snacks restocked, we press play on our viewing party once again. But I can't concentrate on the movie anymore, and that question is the only thing in my mind.
I can't think of an answer. Or maybe I should say... I dare not dwell on it.
And it's not like I can ask Joseph this directly...
I didn't see Joseph for a long time after our viewing party. So long, in fact, that people began to miss his hearty laughter at Mahjong tables.
As a busy adventurer, it wasn't strange that he wouldn't see anyone, being out and about from dawn to dusk. But every time I think back to our conversation that night, I can't help but feel a little uneasy.
I'm so anxious that I gradually start feeling as if he was never really here. This feeling grew only stronger after the discussion at the Mahjong table...
[player] What? Are you saying Joseph is going to leave One Han City?
[Kana Fujita] It's possible. But a few days ago an overseas company came to discuss a partnership. They wanted to bring him over to host a show.
[player] Oh, so he's just going on a business trip...
[Wanjirou] Mr. Shouty's leaving? He scared me a couple times at the tables, but the thought of not playing Mahjong with him again is a little sad, woof.
[player] Don't be silly, Joseph's only away temporarily. It's not like he won't come back.
[Kana Fujita] You don't know that. Even though their company isn't as big as ours, I've heard that its owner is extremely well connected, and able to offer Joseph the chance to go and record shows in places he's never been to before.
[Kana Fujita] It also appears as though Joseph and the owner go way back. He was excited by the chance to catch up with him. That reminds me... I saw Joseph going into the company owner's office the other day. He looked pretty serious... Riichi. I wonder if maybe he really has jumped ship, after all.
[player] Is... is that so...
[Wanjirou] Well, if they're friends it's certainly a possibility, woof. Woof? Why would you play that tile, [player]?
[player] Eh? When did you Riichi, Kana? Crap, and I just played the tile next to the Riichi tile.
[Kana Fujita] Senpai! It's too late to pretend to be all confused and try to take it back. I want that! Ippatsu!
I have only myself to blame for not paying enough attention. I check, it's Riichi Ippatsu, and I just helped her get a high score with Pure Double Sequence...
……
Are you leaving One Han City, Joseph?
[Kana Fujita] Huh? Senpai, you gave me an extra 1,000 points. But it's your lucky day that you're here with Kana, the epitome of honesty! If it was anyone else, you'd never see them again.
[player] Oh... Thanks for the reminder. I'm sorry everyone, but I'm suddenly feeling rather unwell. I think I'll leave after this Hanchan.
[Joseph] I really thought it would just be some old family home videos, but it wasn't. And why was it titled "Youth"? It's really confusing.
I have only just spoken before I dealt into another Haneman, and bring the round to an early conclusion.
Months pass in the blink of an eye. The weather grows cold, with snowstorms practically every week this entire month.
This whole time, I still haven't seen Joseph. Maybe Kana was right, and he just slipped away from One Han City.
In pursuit of progress, maybe it's his old trick of nonchalantly bidding farewell to the "past"...
[Delivery Guy] Hello, this is what you wanted. Can you carry it yourself, or would you like us to deliver it?
[player] Thank you, but I think I'll take it. Not much of a surprise if I don't bring it myself.
Today is Christmas Eve. This time last year, unbeknownst to us, Joseph had dressed up as Santa, and jumped from a helicopter to land at the shrine. It was a pretty great surprise.
Ichihime seems to have really been looking forward to it this year. So as her provider, it's fallen to me to play the part of Santa this year! I've prepared for this for many days, and spent so much money that it blew a hole in my wallet, but as long as people have fun, it'll be worth it.
That's what you thought too, right Joseph?
To be honest, I'm not as passionate as he was, and only wanted to do this due to some personal reasons. I think that by doing this, I can cheat myself... Give myself the illusion that he hasn't totally gone...
[Santa] Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas! I hope you have a joyous eve, my friend!
[player] Thanks. Same to you.
[Santa?] How come you seem a little down? Ho-ho-ho—!
Eh... Th-this laughter can't be...?!
I look back, only to see the Santa who just brushed past me remove his beard, and reveal a hearty, familiar smile.
[Joseph] Long time no see! The holiday has arrived, so cheer up, friend!
……
I hesitate for a long while, before walking up to him, stretching out my hand, and gently pinching his face along the curve of his smiling lips.
[Joseph] Huh? What was that about?
[player] Checking if I'm dreaming or not.
[Joseph] Hahaha! Then shouldn't you be pinching your own face? And that was too light, anyway...
[player] Oh, in that case...
[Joseph] That's an odd thing to say. I've always lived here.
[Joseph] Ow?! Ouch ouch... Yield! I yield!
[Joseph] Ow...! You really went for it, friend...
[player] Consider it a small punishment.
[Joseph] Punishment?
[player] Just... Leave that for now. Didn't you leave One Han City? Surely you didn't come back just for Christmas?
[Joseph] What are you talking about? Where did you hear that?
I tell Joseph what happened that day at the Mahjong table, and he nods with a wry smile.
[Joseph] So that's what happened. The Little Idol guessed right, it was my old friend who invited me over there. I helped him out by hosting a show after we'd caught up, but it's a huge misunderstanding to say that I was jumping ship.
[player] But you just upped and vanished for months! Who wouldn't think you'd just left?
[Joseph] I'm so sorry, my friend. I didn't mean to stay out of touch, it's just that I had a little accident while out shooting in the sea. I ended up marooned with the crew on an uninhabited island, with all our electronics ruined by the seawater!
[Joseph] We were stuck on that island for months, before finally being rescued by a passing ship. I wanted to come back here right away, but my old friend insisted that I rest a while longer. That's why I didn't make it back until now, but at least I didn't miss Christmas!
……
[Joseph] ...I know it might sound a little unbelievable, but I swear I'm telling the truth.
[player] No, I believe you! But I must point out the absurdity of calling such a serious situation "a little accident"...
[player] At the very least you could have called and let me know you were safe.
[Joseph] Rather than worrying you, I thought it would be better to see you in person, safe and sound, and make light of the whole matter.
[player] I suppose that makes some sense. Oh! It's getting late, Ichihime is still waiting for us. Let's go to the shrine.
[Joseph] Okay! I've got some gifts for them. Can't wait to see how happy they are!
[Joseph] Speaking of gifts, my friend, there is still the matter of yours. What would you like? For causing you to worry so long, you can pick whatever you want.
[player] That can wait. Let's discuss as we walk.
[player] So... You didn't even consider to go join that company?
[player] I heard Kana say that they're very competent, and can offer you the chance to go to those few places you have yet to visit. Weren't you excited?
[Joseph] Our accident totally turned my friend off the idea of making an adventure show, so I can't do it even if I really wanted to!
[Joseph] I prefer the boss here. No matter how reckless I can be, I'm trusted to get the job done. Even if there are some places I can't go, I like the freedom I get working under him.
[Joseph] Not to mention the fact that I've been here so many years already. I can't just up and depart like that, leaving you and all the other people I care about.
[player] ...Are we holding you back? Are our friendships the same as those treasures, forestalling you from forging ahead? Preventing you from chasing what you always dreamed of chasing?
[Joseph] ...Sorry, my friend. Hang on one second while I light a cigarette, please.
Joseph stops walking and turns his head as he lights a cigarette. Walking in the direction he is now looking would, if I remember correctly, bring us to the One Han City port.
[Joseph] Although I said I had to give up cumbersome memories in order to move on, not all memories are created equal, my friend.
[Joseph] Grandpa always used to say that he could sail the seven seas at peace, because he knew that he always had a harbor to come home to.
[Joseph] For me, One Han City is my harbor. Wherever I go, I know there are people waiting for me here. So there's never any need to worry, because I will always come back!
Language truly is power. With just a few words, it's possible to calm stormy emotions that have seethed for months... Actually, maybe it's better to say that it's just this man's strength. His obvious sincerity is enough to make anyone feel at ease.
[Joseph] And don't forget—we still haven't gone to see the new "Fortunes of Adventure" film yet!
[player] What about after we do?
[Joseph] Then I'm sure we'll have something else arranged. We always will, my friend.
The delicious aroma of cooking reaches us as we approach the shrine, accompanied by the intermittent sounds of laughter.
[player] Seems a lot of people have come. Let's go, we're the last ones.
[Joseph] Wait, my friend! Have you thought about what gift you want?
[player] Gift...? Oh, that completely slipped my mind.
[player] Surely this isn't something that the gift receiver should consider? What's up with that, Joseph? You can't think of anything to give me?
[Joseph] You'll leave it up to me to decide, yes? Hahaha! That is precisely what I wanted!
[Joseph] Because to tell you the truth, I thought about what to get you ages ago. I would like to give you... An invitation. Would you be so kind as to do me the honor of being my intrepid partner, and accompanying me on an adventure?
[player] You... Where did that suddenly come from?
[Joseph] It was very sudden. It was on that uninhabited island that the idea suddenly came to me.
[Joseph] I saw no end of novel, fascinating things while stuck on that island. Didn't you say that you wanted to see my treasures? I think that just seeing is not enough, and it's better to take you to see all the hidden marvels of nature.
[Joseph] Therefore, my friend... I want to invite you to become my adventure partner! Though I do not know if you will accept.
[player] ...You'd better make sure we don't have any strange accidents. I'm not sure I could survive months stranded in the wilderness.
[Joseph] I'll choose a route that is rookie-friendly, so don't worry about that! Let's go in then, I've got all these gifts ready, and can't wait to see their happy faces!
[player] Wait, Joseph. There's still something I want to say to you.
I should have said this to him a long time ago, but had just never found quite the right moment.
As the one who had seen him first, I feel I have the right to also be the first in telling him these obvious words...
[player] Welcome home, Joseph.
[Joseph] ...Ha-hahaha! I'm back, [player]!
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