iridesenescence

Natsume Feature Scout: Magia of Guidance
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allegiantheart
Chapter 1 ||Chapter 2

Chapter 1
Writer: Umeda Chitose
Season: Autumn
Location: New Dimension Office

Note: I have chosen to use italics on certain words to represent Natsume's speech quirk.

	Natsume: Oh? What's wrong, little kitten? You seem flustered. You rushed here because you were afraid of arriving late to our meeting? You didn't have to worry, though — you're right on time.
	Tsumugi: Here, Anzu-chan, have some tea~ Take a sip and relax, okay?
	Natsume: More importantly, just what could have panicked you enough that you would run the risk of arriving here late?
	Tsumugi: It's a long story...? What do you mean? ... Interesting. While you were walking outside ES, there were some flowers falling around you? Mm~m, wouldn't that just be from birds?
	Natsume: But the flowers were falling only around you, you say? And so, feeling disturbed, you hurried into the ES building.
	Tsumugi: Upon entering the lobby, you found Rei-kun collapsed there? How mysterious; it isn't all that bright out today.
	Natsume: ... Rei-niisan is giving his all out there, I see. How kind of you to send him all the way to the RhyLink office, little kitten ♪ ? Wait, you mean there's more? After leaving the RhyLink office, you discovered flooding in the hallways, so you had to call the custodian and take a detour?
	Tsumugi: Ah, I see, so the corridor from the sky garden to the lift was flooded. If people kept walking through that area, it would make the clean-up even more tedious. But, wow, it does sound like you've been through a lot. I can understand why you're all flustered.
	Natsume: ... Hey, little kitten? What do you say to letting me read your fortune? Perhaps it's just because you've just met with all sorts of predicaments, but you do appear to be a little tired. By reading your fortune, I may be able to help you live your days more healthily and peacefully.
	Tsumugi: That sounds great! Having Natsume-kun read your fortune might bring luck your way ♪
	Natsume: Yup, what he said. Here, come sit opposite me and look into this crystal ball. I'm well-prepared, you say? Fufu, these are the tools of my trade, after all. There's nothing strange about finding a crystal ball in the same room as me ♪ ...... ... Hm. The crystal ball seems to be warning of misfortune befalling you, little kitten. While there's a chance that the events from earlier were just a stroke of bad luck... It's possible that something else may— Fufu, there's no need to worry yourself. It seems like today is simply a bad day for you, but if you behave, I'm sure things will be fine. Knowing how serious you are when you have work to do, I suspect you'll decline, but... How about taking it easy, just for today? After all, my readings are highly accurate. Isn't that right, Senpai?
	Tsumugi: Yup, they are! Natsume-kun's fortune readings are always nail-on-the-head levels of spot-on~ ♪
	Natsume: Besides, as a producer, the innovation to conceive new plans is critical for you, isn't it? If misfortune comes your way and wears you out, even if you're physically well, wouldn't you end up struggling to think of good ideas?
	Tsumugi: Natsume-kun is right, fatigue will affect your cognition and concentration.
	Natsume: ... You'll try to rest as much as possible today? I'd hope you can do a little more than just 'try', but well done on making that tough choice ♪ I can work with your schedule, so we can leave this meeting for another day. But in exchange... There's one more reading I'd like to do. Will you allow me to offer some advice to make your day better? Come now, gaze into the crystal ball once more... Oh...? Well, this is quite the pleasant result ♪ I see an image of the two of us together.

	Natsume: Which means that I will be the one to bring you happiness. I am essential to you having a better day— I suppose... That would make me your lucky item for today ♪
	Tsumugi: ... Ahaha, this does end up sounding a little fishy — I think you're coming on a li~ttle too strong.
	Natsume: Oh, can it, Senpai. We agreed to keep going even if by force, right? ... Oops, that wasn't meant for your ears. Now then, shall we be on our way? For the rest of the day, I shall be your guide ♪

[Scene change: Cafe Cochi]

Subaru: Anzu, Natsume~! We're over heeere!

	Natsume: There's no need to yell, we already noticed you. Thank you for coming too, Hinata-kun.
	Hinata: Oh, not at all ♪ But more importantly, I didn't hear about the main reason for this meet-up — did you really call us just for a meal?
	Natsume: How astute of you. Yes, the focus will be on the meal, but there are also some work matters I would like to discuss. I'm going to be publishing a column in a magazine sometime soon, using my status as a fortune-teller. And there's a section that involves reading the fortunes of people close to me, you see. So I was thinking of having you two let me read your fortunes. What do you say?
	Subaru: Of course I'd say yes! I mean, you never wanna read my fortunes properly other times! So I'm not gonna miss this chance ☆
	Hinata: Yeah, I'm pretty curious about my work luck and sibling luck(?) too, so, please go ahead ♪
	Natsume: ... Oh, jeez. You both responded favourably, so we've finished the conversation without even starting our meal.
	Subaru: Great, that means we can talk even more while eating! C'mere Anzu, I wanna hear from you too!

Chapter 2
Writer: Umeda Chitose
Season: Autumn
Location: Cafe Cochi

	Subaru: ... So Ukki~'s glasses went flying, but Fusshi~ caught them like it was nothing! That leap he took was straight out of a movie~ ☆ See, if you actually came to class, you'd have seen it happen too, Natsume!
	Natsume: No I wouldn't; we're in different classes this year.
	Subaru: Aw~, that's not the point! Come to school more often, let's enjoy our youth together~!
	Natsume: And what do you have in mind when you say "enjoying youth"?
	Subaru: Y'know, like working up a sweat during club activities!
	Natsume: Mm, yeah, that's a solid pass from me.
	Subaru: I'll receive your pass, and now, shoot... ☆
	Natsume: That's not the pass I meant...
	Hinata: Ahaha, then what about the light music club? You're welcome any time, even if it's just to listen to us play! Oh, and please come take a look at the vegetable patch Oogami-senpai and I are tending to! It's harvest season for the sweet potatoes I planted~ ♪
	Subaru: Ooh, let's all roast sweet potatoes together! We can collect the fallen leaves around the field and make Yumenosaki Special Roasted Sweet Potatoes ☆
	Natsume: The little kitten is laughing at you, Baru-kun.
	Subaru: Anzu's just laughing ‘cause she thinks it'd be fun for us to roast sweet potatoes together! Right?
	Hinata: ... Ah, Akehoshi-senpai, look at the time!
	Subaru: Woah, you're right! Sorry you two, we've got work after this, so we gotta head out.
	Natsume: No worries — it was fun having you two around, so thank you for coming. Good luck with your work.

[Scene cut]

Natsume: Those two have lots of exciting topics to talk about, hm? And they're both great at keeping a conversation going— Oh?
Little kitten, your expression has brightened considerably from when you arrived at the agency. Did the fun banter do the trick?
If you continue to enjoy your break this way, I'm sure we'll be able to discuss my personal outfit before long ♪
How do I know about the personal outfit, you ask? Fufu, there's nothing I can't foresee.
... That includes your fretting over whether my personal outfit should focus more on the image of a fortune-teller, or an idol.
Ahaha, your expression is asking "How?". Well, I suppose telling you this all at once would be quite the shock.
The reason I knew about my personal outfit was thanks to Senpai's slip of the tongue.
He just innocently comments things like, "I'm looking forward to your personal outfit, Natsume-kun~"... Since he's often privy to information earlier than the rest of us, I wish he would get it together...
And the part about you worrying was merely my speculation. You were taking some time to contact me about it, so I figured that might be why.
Judging from your reaction, it seems I was spot-on. Would you let me in on why this has got you in such a bind?
... I see. So when you tried to think of a personal outfit for me, both the images of me shining as an idol and thriving as a fortune-teller sprang to mind.
I'm happy to hear both sides of me have left deep impressions on you.
But if that's the case, why not approach me to discuss?
... The Star Spirit Festival? Of course I remember.
Atop that stage, I made my declaration.
That there was no reason I had to choose between the paths of an idol and fortune-teller — that I would grasp both those dreams, and make them shine more beautifully than anyone else can...
? What's with that expression?
When you remember how I was at the Star Spirit Festival, you became unable to approach me? What do you mean you felt pathetic?
... It's true that I did announce another goal there. I resolved to catch up to my nii-sans and make my dreams come true.
But to think that you would compare us as you struggled to conceptualise an outfit that incorporates both those elements, and view yourself as pathetic...
I would never have imagined the situation to be something like this.
... Little kitten, you've grown into an even more splendid producer than you were back then. You take pride in your abilities as a producer.

Natsume: Thank you for confiding in me. I'm truly touched to hear that you're putting so much thought into my personal outfit.
I suppose that's precisely why I wanted to do something for you, going so far as to drag you here and obtain my nii-sans' assistance for it.
Ahaha, now your mouth is hanging open like a little fish ♪
Since you weren't contacting me, I got curious, and after a little investigation, I noticed you seemed to be struggling.
I told my nii-sans I wished to make you rest, and had them assist in creating a situation where you'd be more inclined to believe my reading.
When you contacted me about meeting to discuss that other matter, I knew this was our chance, so I made all the necessary preparations.
And of course, since Senpai was the one who let it slip in the first place, I had him play along too.
Why would I go so far, you ask...? Can you still not tell?

Natsume: Because you're precious to me. Have my feelings still not reached you?
... Hey, don't laugh. That wasn't meant to be funny.
You're just relieved it wasn't some supernatural phenomenon? Well, I am sorry for unnerving you—
? Oh? It looks like I've got a message from Shu-niisan. Isn't it still the crack of dawn over there...?
Take a look at this, little kitten. "I've got a concept to propose for the boy's personal outfit too", he says.
Though he didn't seem to be interested when the other nii-sans were animatedly discussing their plans of action for today... How typical of Shu-niisan.
Mm? Hold on, don't tell me you intend to discuss things with him right away.
... Oh, come on. Even after we went through such pains to convince you to take a break?
Alright then. It doesn't change the fact that we'll still be together, so I'll join you.
But keep this in mind — if you keep working slowly and steadily, in your own style, wonderful ideas will naturally find their way to you.
This... can't quite be called advice. But I know it to be true. After all—