Track 7

(That white costume Yodaka-san is holding…)

(There’s no mistake. It’s the one that Yeti was wearing earlier. Which means—)

...So…you’ve seen it.

U-um Raitin, this is…well…y’know~

HOLD IT!!!

Akuta?

Whoa, okay, that was insanely loud even for me! If this were a screaming contest, I’d deadass be winning first place and bringing home a sack of rice to HAMA House! Score! Meat-on-rice for dinner tonight, babyyy!

...Wait, that’s not the point!

...Kiroku didn’t follow us, right? Sweet. Raito-san, c’mere for a sec. Lemme whisper a li’l smth to ya.

Hm? What is it?

So, like…you’re searching for the Yeti this time cuz of Kiroku…right?

Yes. That’s right, I—

Kiroku. Will you come with me—

—to search for a UMA?!

...I’ve spent years searching for UMA...because I genuinely want to witness these mysteries hidden somewhere out in this world. This is a personal passion of mine—a dream I’ve always pursued entirely on my own. But this time…

How’s it going, Kiroku? Feeling inspired yet?

Y-Yes. Little…by little. Looking at…the snowy scenery…made me want…to paint again.

This time… My search for UMAs was actually aiding the incredible talents of you and Kiroku. I was thrilled that our bond had become something where we could all help each other like that.

That’s why I was determined to show you the real thing. I wanted to support you… But…I never imagined Yodaka-san and the others would…

Exactly.

Hm?

This whole thing with Kiroku started all cuz I asked him to draw something, right?

So, of course I wanna cheer Kiroku on. And I wanna cheer you on, too, Raito-san, cuz you’re cheering Kiroku on.

And Chihiro-san and Yodaka-san are the same. They wanted to support Kiroku, and support you, Raito-san—because you wanted to support Kiroku! That’s how we ended up here!

Aa-ta…

...Akuta. Thank you.

...

Um, yeah! Pretty much what Aa-ta just said!

We wanted y’all to be all hyped and go, “We found the Yeti!”

But, but…we didn’t want it to be too scary, so we decided to make it, like, super cute and friendly! Sakujii helped us make the costume, too!

And those Yeti-like moves? It was Nagipeko’s idea! He joined us after we finished practicing for the Snow Mountain Live…

The three of us practiced the choreography together over and over in front of a mirror.

But…we had no idea the real Yeti wasn’t white… We’re total noobs. Chii’s so sorry…!

...Pfft.

Raitin?

Haha... Ah, no, my apologies. I shouldn’t be laughing. It’s just...pfft...looking at the face on that costume, I couldn’t hold it in...

Huh?! Is it really that funny-looking for you to laugh like that?!

No. If anything, this is better. It’s got a charming, lovable look to it. Just as I’d expect—your sense of design is outstanding, Chihiro.

And the movements Yodaka-san said you all practiced were unique, too. I thought they were really well done.

I caught on because of the fur color, but if I had judged it on those movements alone, I might have actually believed it was a real Yeti.

I’m honored by the praise. I’m sure Nagi would be happy to hear that.

...I understand now. There wasn’t a single reason for me to get angry, after all.

To think I’d encounter a “fake”  like this...

Looks like I’ve been given yet another wonderful experience. Thank you, everyone.

...Raito.

Hehe, if you say that, then Chii and the others are super happy, too!

Still, since we’ve come all this way… I’d like everyone to help me just a little longer.

After all…we’re all here for one reason, aren’t we?

(...I feel like I heard a howl...just now. Maybe…there really is a Yeti...somewhere on this mountain.)

(If we can meet the real Yeti…Raito-san and everyone else…will smile again. We’ll be able to enjoy walking through the snowy mountains together again… I’m sure of it.)

Please…let us meet it tomorrow.