Track 2

Liguang, I’ve read through the materials you gave me in advance. All the proposals were great.

I see.

In particular, your idea about using the decorations from Tohoku’s Tanabata Festival¹ as a reference is brilliant. Just as you noted, their “photogenic” appeal will certainly reel in a great number of visitors.

Do you mind if I include it in the main proposal?

Not at all.

Thanks! On that note, I actually also went ahead and thought up some motifs that would work well as decorations—

I have a sample right here.

…What is this creepy-looking object.

(A golden…octopus…?)

It’s a hanging decoration based on a Martian concept. Thanks to the designer’s efforts, it turned out to be quite a stylish design, don’t you think?

It has exactly 8 legs, by the way. Eight is considered a lucky number because it spreads out wide at the bottom, signifying prosperity².

…Is that so?

And look at its golden color—it simply radiates pure luck! I’m certain it has the potential to become HAMA’s next big signature item one day.

With this, surely the event attendance will skyrocket, and everyone’s luck will get even better. It’s a total win-win, right?

(...And here I thought he was a competent man.)

(So he’s one of “those” people, after all—)

What do you think, Liguang?

…I believe it would be wiser to hold off on choosing specific decorations. Perhaps...until after we have finalized the overall atmosphere of the event.

I see… Good point. Let’s put this matter on hold for now.

Liguang. Regarding that new idea you said you came up with…

Yes. I’ve been considering whether we can increase our visitor numbers by introducing our own unique line of souvenirs.

What a coincidence, I was just thinking about souvenirs myself. In fact, I happen to have a “sample” on me right now…

(...I have a bad feeling about this.)

How about something like this? A decorative figure of a tsuchinoko³ made out of straw.

…………

(Liguang sure is glaring a hole through this tsuchinoko. He looks so stern!)

(Now that I think about it… Nayuki scolded me before, too… He said it was hard to greenlight anything that seemed sketchy, so I shouldn’t bring them around. He had that same look on his face back then…)

…Sorry, Liguang. Maybe we shouldn’t do this after all—

…There’s a resemblance.

Eh?

It reminded me of the traditional straw craft native to this region.

Ah, you see it, too? Actually, that’s also where I got the idea.

With a few adjustments, it might actually have a certain charm to it. Additionally, if we market it as a mascot character, it could even become a local specialty.

That’s a great idea! If it's going to be a mascot, then maybe we should give it arms and legs, too?

No. Definitely not.

And to make it feel more welcoming, we could even line up rows of them all along the roadside. I’m sure it’ll make for an amazing spectacle!

Rejected. You’ll traumatize the tourists.

Ah, I see… I thought it was a pretty good idea, though.

…

Our next step will be a site inspection, Kitakata-ani⁴.

Eh?

Choose a traditional festival happening within the month. You’re coming with me.

! …Yes, gladly!

Thank you, Liguang. I'm already looking forward to the day we can attend one together, as fellow festival lovers!