Track 3
HAMA House - Rat Room
...Apparently, that’s what happened yesterday. As a result, they’ve decided to take part in the Snow Mountain Festival and go look for UMAs while they’re there.
Nanaki had other plans already, so he won’t be able to make it. But I’ve heard that Akuta and Kiroku will be joining them.
A snow festival…and UMA searching? Now that’s a combination you don’t hear every day.
Indeed. Though it seems like Raito had originally planned to search for UMAs on the side while attending the festival, anyway.
Supposedly, his urge to seek out UMAs had reached a point where he couldn’t keep it bottled up any longer.
I see… That actually makes perfect sense. Everyone has moments like that. I mean, even I’ve got my own internal Sonia Meter that tells me I’ll fall apart if I don’t give Sonia some headpats right away.
Fufu, that’s certainly a meter you’d want to keep topped up at all times.
Right. So if it’s basically the same thing…does that mean the reason Raito-san turned down Nayuki-san’s arrangement was…?
Yes. It seems his intention was to build a proper UMA-searching snow mountain expedition into the itinerary on his own terms.
That’s some incredible dedication… Is everyone going UMA searching together, then?
No, that part’s entirely optional. In the event that someone only wanted to attend the festival, Raito said he’d also arrange a bus to take us straight to the lodge near the venue.
Whoa. Talk about employee benefits. But…what about you, Yodaka-san?
I’m still thinking it over…
Our main objective this time is the festival performance, after all. I think it’s best to focus on practicing for the live instead, so I don’t end up holding everyone back.
That being said… If there’s anything I can do to help with the UMA search, I’d also like to lend a hand.
Someone knocks on the door.
Hm? Sounds like someone’s here. Judging by that knock, I’d say they’re in a hurry.
Yes, you may come in.
The door opens and Chihiro enters.
Y-Yodachosu~! This is bad, really bad!!!
Raitin, Aa-ta and Kirokkuma… They’re beginning to do this whole UMA thing FR FR!
They’ve got this entire UMA crash course going in the living room RN, and everyone’s getting super hyped! Raitin’s all like, “When it comes to snow mountain UMAs, it’s gotta be the Yeti!”, and the vibe is just…starting to feel like a real-deal expedition team!
Oh my.
(Raito-san’s UMA lecture… I’m actually kind of interested… I wonder if he’ll hold another session sometime. Or maybe there’s a distance-learning course…)
At this rate, they’re gonna get so caught up chasing the Yeti that all three of ‘em might totally ditch the festival…! And if that happens…
Nayuuki’s gonna go absolutely nuclear! No—it’s gonna be even worse than that!
Calm down, Chihiro.
From the sound of it, it seems as though this UMA search has actually given Kiroku and Akuta a breakthrough in the midst of their creative slump. I think letting them have this experience could be a good thing.
Th-That’s true… Chii totes agrees with you on that. Getting outside for some fresh air is way better than staying cooped up in your room—that’s how you boost your total inspo power!
But listen, they were all like, “We’re not coming down this mountain ‘til we find a UMA!” ...And if they actually do that…
Chihiro begins imagining a terrifying yet highly likely scenario.
EV3NS Special Stage
Ev3ns is…
Officially disbanding!!! Our leader went off to search for the Yeti…and never came back!!!
HAMA House - Rat Room
The what-if scenario ends.
That could seriously happen! I don’t want that!! This is, like, a major emergency~!
Wow… The scary part is that… I can actually picture that happening. Yeah, we’d better stop them.
Riiight?! What’re we gonna do, Nagipeko…!
Hey, Yodachosu… Do UMAs really exist?
Well… They’re unidentified lifeforms, after all. I’m afraid I can’t really give a definitive answer…
…
I’ve got it.
Nagipeko?
I’ve got the perfect plan. One that’s just right for you, Yodaka-san.
Just right for me…? Let’s hear it.
...Whisper, whisper. Whisper…whisper, whisper.
Whaaaat?! No way!
That’s…
I think…this is going to be a brutal operation.
But if we want to get everyone down from the mountain without hurting Raito-san’s feelings, while also letting Kiroku and Akuta get the inspiration they need…then I’m pretty sure this is our best shot.
...You may be right.
When you put it like that…
This is something only you can pull off, Yodaka-san. Someone with legs for days who emits a mysterious aura that feels like it could embrace all of creation... They both point to you.
...Something only I can do, huh.
Very well. If it’ll help everyone, then I’ll do it.
Since we have some time today, why don’t we work out the finer details, then? Nagi, Chihiro, will you help me put the plan together?
Obvi! Leave it to moi!
Leave it to me, too—I’ll rice1 to the occasion and put my brain into overdrive so everyone can come back with a smile.
Thank you. Then…our secret mission begins now.
Go Team~!
HAMA House - Living Room
—And so, based on DNA analysis and other evidence, the prevailing theory today is that the Yeti is actually a brown bear. However, several mysteries that contradict eyewitness accounts still remain.
Science is unequivocal. Its conclusions do not waver. It presents only facts.
But does “an absence of proof” truly mean “nonexistent”? Just because we cannot see something, does that inherently mean that it is “not there”?
You two of all people should know that isn’t true—as creators who make art that speaks directly to that which has no form, that which is imperceivable… The human soul.
Akuta and Kiroku nod aggressively in agreement.
Some things exist even if they have no shape, even if they are invisible. Which means no one can truly prove that they don’t exist in this world. Thus…
UMAs do exist! Not just the Yeti—Chupacabras, Night Crawlers…! They’re out there somewhere in this world!
As long as we continue to seek them... The dream of UMAs will never die…
Haaah~ ...Maaaan... This UMA stuff is deep... Like, seriously deep...
Like, my inspo’s getting fired up like craaaaaazy RN! This is pure romance!!! Nothing’s gonna stop us now!
Y-Yeah. Listening to all that…got me excited.
Right?! I am thrilled that you two understand the sheer magnificence of UMAs!
The fact that the festival just so happens to be in the snow mountains…and in an area with numerous reported Yeti sightings, no less…that’s nothing short of fate.
In other words…it’s the perfect place to go Yeti hunting!
If…if there really is…a Yeti… I’d like to meet one.
Its size…what its fur feels like…even its warmth… I’m sure…there are lots of things…you can only understand…once you’ve met it.
And maybe then…I’d be able to draw a monster so incredible…it could even be friends with Uruta2…
Kirokuuu…
Just wait… Isotake. I…swear I’ll draw something…that’ll make you feel…even more excited.
U-Uwaaah! Gigathanks bro, you’re a real one!
(...Kiroku and Akuta. Their expressions have brightened up considerably. Especially Kiroku—that troubled look on his face is completely gone.)
(I knew it... UMAs really can save the world! And so, for their sakes, too… I’ll find the Yeti. No matter what!)
Nagi says “makasenbei” here, which is a pun combining “makasero” (“leave it to me”) and “senbei” (rice cracker), following Chihiro’s use of “mochi” (slang for “of course” / rice cake). As you can see, only the rice survived the joke.
Uruta is the dinosaur clip Kiroku made for Akuta during his feature event, “Nuovo Cinema Dinosauro.”