I Wanted to Be a Child
Towa
...Since we're at it, I'll tell you about my past.
Iroha
Towa-chan's past...!?
Towa
What, not interested?
Iroha
No, I am interested! It's just...is it really okay?
Iroha
We haven't heard this kind of story from Towa-chan much since the time with Alice, so you don't need to force yourself to talk about it...
Towa
Before, you told me about your past, didn't you, Iroha?
Iroha
During 'The Wizard of Oz'...
Towa
Yeah yeah. After that, it turned into like a confession session. Well, I ended up not talking about myself in the end.
Towa
It wasn't something I could say in that kind of atmosphere...plus it wasn't something I wanted to say in that kind of setting, you know?
Towa
Like, I wasn't planning to tell anyone about it anyway~...
Towa
But still, I know Iroha's past one-sidedly like that. ...That's not fair, right?
Iroha
Towa-chan...
Towa
Back then I was busy enough to make my head spin with child acting jobs and Olympus stages I was scouted for.
Towa
So much that I can't even imagine it now. I didn't have time to nap, or even time to play games.
Towa
But if it was just being busy, that would've been fine. It would end if I did it, and I'm a genius after all?
Towa
...But it's not a simple enough world to get through that way.
Director
'Man~, Towa-chan is great~. Compared to that...haah, what's up with the other child actors?'
Staff
'True that...wouldn't it be fine to drop one? That oldest one...she's past her prime, right?'
Director
'Ah, I was thinking that too. It's a shame, but she's done.'
Child Actor A
'You...because you were here...give it back! My seat!!! It was mine, it was mine!!!'
Towa
'...Say that to the director. He's the one who decided. There's nothing I can do about it if you tell me.'
Towa
I saw all kinds of unpleasant things. On TV...and on stage.
Olympus Troupe Member
'Oh, grandmother, why are your ears so big?'
Director
'Haah...next, Motosu-san.'
Towa
'...Yes.'
Towa
'Oh...grandmother, why are your ears so big?'
Director
'...I've decided. The next Little Red Riding Hood is Motosu Towa. Because it's you.'
Director
'The others are completely out of the question. You know that yourself, don't you? If you continue with such foolish acting, quit being an actor.'
Olympus Troupe Member
'...!!! This is unfair. Against a Sense like that, there's no way to win...it's cheating, it's cheating!!!!'
Towa
'...Haah. Done making excuses? Well then. ...That's why you weren't chosen.'
Olympos Troupe Member
'...!!! Ugh, ughhh...!!!'
Towa
Before I knew it, all the kids my age had quit, both actors and child actors. Well, considering my Sense, it's natural.
Towa
Competition as a child actor, competition on stage. Being resented was constant, because I was a genius.
Towa
I crushed them. ...I don't think that was wrong. It's not like I have no feelings about it, but...that's the kind of world it is.
Towa
I can't brood over this kind of thing every time.
Towa
For the one who used them as stepping stones, to brood would be disrespectful to the kids I crushed until now.
Towa
I couldn't be a normal child. I have talent. I had to become an adult.
Towa
But...somewhere in my heart, like other kids my age, I wanted to be a child...I thought that.
Towa
I wanted to be set free, I thought I'd break if things continued. So I quit Olympus and that's how I got to now.
Towa
So you see, I like the place called Denki.
Towa
A place where I can be myself, where that's allowed. Do things my way, act enjoyably, and get appropriately pampered.
Towa
And...even when I give my all, everyone keeps up without breaking.
Towa
Some people might say I ran away, but I'm still glad I came to Denki.
Towa
It's not like I'm getting back my lost youth or anything though.
Iroha
Towa-chan... ...I feel the same way, truly.