&λ ΐ?ΒΑ Ž θΡΘ%Αš€”••‘ Ž δΚΑ/Θ?ʚ€λδκρ&θξλ€”š€ΰαξρδα€&λ €δη κλ€&λγθκ Ž δΚΑ/ΘΡ?>ΰ/ΘΑš€‘‘–€š˜š‘- Ž β?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€–‘€™ Ž &/ΕΑ˚€ˆ/ΘΑ>ΐ‰ Ž ΰ?ΔΝ_Α>Θγ?>Θ˚€ˆ/ΘΑ>ΐ‰ Ž ΰ?ΔΝ_Α>Θ+ΑΑΐΑΐγ?>Θ˚€ˆ/ΘΑ>ΐ‰ Ž ΰ?ΔΝ_Α>Θ&/ψΑΚλΡ:Α˚€<ΑΘΘΑΚ Ž α>ΐδ?__Α>ΘΛ Ž ελ€ΕΛ/ΞΑ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€εκ€ΕΚΑΛΘ?ΚΑ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€θκ€ΘΚ/>Λ%/ΘΑ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€κ|€Κ?Θ/ΘΑ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€(ξ€_?ΞΑΘ?€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€κ(€Κ_?ΞΑΘ?€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€<ο€ΛΑΘ%Ρ>ΑΟΡΐΘΗ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€κ<€Κ%Ρ>ΑΘ?€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€γγ€ΓΡ>ΐΓ?>Θ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€μγ€ΛΔ/%ΑΓ?>Θ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€λγ€ΛΑΘΓ?>Θ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ Ž λθ€ΛΘΚ?,Α€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€λδ€ΛΔ/%Α€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€λη€ΛΗ?Ο€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€ λ€/ΛΗ?Ο€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€ολ€ΟΡΐΘΗΛΗ?Ο€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€ ο€/ΟΡΐΘΗΛΗ?Ο€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€λξ€Λ/ΞΑ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€κλ€ΚΑΛΘ?ΚΑ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€λ&€ΛΗ?Οψ/ΕΑ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€ΰγ€ΐΑΓ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€ κ€/ΚΚ/`€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€&&€ψ?ψ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ Ž ΰ&€ΐΝψ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€&θ€ψΝΘ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€δ&€Δ?ψ`€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€δγ€ΔΝΚΚΑ>ΘΓ?>Θ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€(.€_/Κ,€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€δ(€Δ%Α/ΚΘ?_/Κ,€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€δ<€Δ%?ΛΑψ/ΘΗ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€+&€>ΑΟψ/ΘΗ€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€λε€ΛΑΘΕΚ/`€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€γ<€ΓΡ%%€%?/ΐ€ΐΑΓ€Αΐ€•€ΐΡΔΘ€ΐΑΓ€α+δ|ΰα€#Αΐ€ΒΑΕΡ> Ž 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ψ/ΚΑ>ΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€™”€ΛΑ_ΡΔ?%?>€&θ€ΰ&€™•€%?ΕΡΔ/%>?Θ€&θ€ΰ&€™–€Η`ψΗΑ>€&θ€ΰ&€™€Λ%/ΛΗ€&θ€ΰ&€™˜€ ΔΡΚΔΝ_Γ%ΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€™™€ ΐΡΑΚΑΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ ΕΚ/ΞΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€ /ΔΝΘΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ ΘΡ%ΐΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€ ΚΡ>Ε€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€δΔΑΐΡ%%/€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€+ΘΡ%ΐΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘– Ž ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€Δ?__/€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€ψΑΚΔΑ>Θ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€Ν>ΐΑΚΛΔ?ΚΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€ΕΚΑ/ΘΑΚ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘‘€ΙΝΑΛΘΡ?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€?Λ%/ΛΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘-€α/ΔΝΘΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘”€αΔΡΚΔΝ_Γ%ΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘•€αΐΡΑΚΑΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘–€αΕΚ/ΞΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€ρ/ΔΝΘΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘˜€ρΔΡΚΔΝ_Γ%ΑΜ€&θ Ž ΰ&€‘‘™€ρΐΡΑΚΑΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ρΕΚ/ΞΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€Δ?%?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€>Ν_ΒΑΚΛΡΕ>€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€/Θ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€ΙΝ?ΘΑΛΡ>Ε%Α€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€ΑΙΝ/%€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ΙΝ?ΘΑΐΒ%€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€|Λ%/ΛΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€/€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€Β€&θ€ΰ&€‘-‘€Δ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€ΐ€&θ€ΰ&€‘--€Α€&θ Ž ΰ&€‘-”€Γ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-•€Ε€&θ€ΰ&€‘-–€Η€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€Ρ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-˜€ΕΝΡ%%Α_?Θ%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-™€ΕΝΡ%%Α_?ΘΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€ψΑΚΘΗ?ΝΛ/>ΐ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”‘€Α>ΐ/ΛΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘””€ΐΑΕΚΑΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”•€¦€&θ€ΰ&€‘”–€,€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€%€&θ€ΰ&€‘”˜€_€&θ€ΰ& Ž ‘”™€>€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€?€&θ€ΰ&€‘•‘€ψ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€Ι€&θ€ΰ&€‘•-€Κ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•”€Α_ΐ/ΛΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘••€|α€&θ€ΰ&€‘•–€/Α€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€ίΐΡΑΚΑΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•˜€ α€&θ€ΰ&€‘•™€ΒΝ%%ΑΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€Λ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–-€Θ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–”€Ν€&θ€ΰ&€‘–•€Ξ€&θ€ΰ& Ž ‘––€Ο€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€Μ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–˜€`€&θ€ΰ&€‘–™€:€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ΑΜΔ%/_ΐ?Ο>€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€ΙΝΑΛΘΡ?>ΐ?Ο>€&θ€ΰ&€‘€?Α€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€ΐ/ΕΕΑΚΐΒ%€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€ΙΝ?ΘΑΐΒ%Β/ΛΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘ%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ΛΘΑΚ%Ρ>Ε€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€`Α>€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€ΓΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜ Ž Γ%€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜‘€ΛΑΔΘΡ?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€ψ/Κ/ΕΚ/ψΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜-€?>ΑΙΝ/ΚΘΑΚ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜”€?>ΑΗ/%Γ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜•€ΘΗΚΑΑΙΝ/ΚΘΑΚΛ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€ΙΝ?ΘΑ%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜˜€ΙΝ?ΘΑΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜™€ΙΝ?ΘΑΐΒ%%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€ΙΝ?ΘΑΐΒ%ΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™‘€ΐ/ΕΕΑΚ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™ Ž ΒΚ/ΔΑ%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™-€ €&θ€ΰ&€‘™”€β€&θ€ΰ&€‘™•€δ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™–€ΰ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€α€&θ€ΰ&€‘™˜€γ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™™€ε€&θ€ΰ&€€η€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ρ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-€?ΔΡΚΔΝ_Γ%ΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€”€?ΐΡΑΚΑΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ&€•€?ΕΚ/ΞΑ€&θ€ΰ&€–€?/ΔΝΘΑ€&θ€ΰ&€€?ΘΡ%ΐΑ€&θ€ΰ&€˜ Ž ΒΚ/ΔΑΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€™€’€&θ€ΰ&€‘€.€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€<€&θ€ΰ&€‘€(€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€+€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€|€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€&€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€ι€&θ€ΰ&€‘€κ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€ΝΔΡΚΔΝ_Γ%ΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€€ΝΐΡΑΚΑΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ΝΕΚ/ΞΑ€&θ€ΰ&€€Ν/ΔΝΘΑ€&θ€ΰ&€-€`ΐΡΑΚΑΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ& Ž ”€Β/Δ,Λ%/ΛΗ€&θ€ΰ&€•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€λ€&θ€ΰ&€€θ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€ν€&θ€ΰ&€™€ξ€&θ€ΰ&€-€ο€&θ€ΰ&€-‘€μ€&θ€ΰ&€-€ί€&θ€ΰ&€--€!€&θ€ΰ&€-”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-•€|ΔΡΚΔΝ_Γ%ΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€-–€|ΐΡΑΚΑΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ&€-€|ΕΚ/ΞΑ€&θ€ΰ&€-˜€|/ΔΝΘΑ€&θ€ΰ&€-™€|ΘΡ%ΐΑ Ž &θ€ΰ&€”€:ΑΚ?€&θ€ΰ&€”‘€?>Α€&θ€ΰ&€”€ΘΟ?€&θ€ΰ&€”-€ΘΗΚΑΑ€&θ€ΰ&€””€Γ?ΝΚ€&θ€ΰ&€”•€ΓΡΞΑ€&θ€ΰ&€”–€ΛΡΜ€&θ€ΰ&€”€ΛΑΞΑ>€&θ€ΰ&€”˜€ΑΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€”™€>Ρ>Α€&θ€ΰ&€•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•‘€νΔΡΚΔΝ_Γ%ΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€•€νΐΡΑΚΑΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ&€•-€νΕΚ/ΞΑ€&θ€ΰ&€•” Ž ν/ΔΝΘΑ€&θ€ΰ&€••€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ‘€&λδ&-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰ㠎 α>ΐ&Κ?%?Ε Ž βΑΕΡ>λΑΘΝψ Ž &/ψΑΚλΡ:Αš€<ΑΘΘΑΚ Ž α>ΐλΑΘΝψ Ž &/ΕΑš€Ρ€‘ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/ Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/€α㔀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ€α㔀γγ€˜€μγ€ΰγ€γ-€α㔀γ】”€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ Ž ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€α㙀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€㔀α㙀γ】”€μγ€ΰγ€ε뀑€•™‘€(ξ€γ€λ】–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ Ž ΰ?Δα%Α_Α>Ț€γΚ?>Θδ?ΞΑΚ€ Ž εκ€ελ€–€•–•€(ξ€γ-€λ【‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510:‰€ολ€–€•˜•€(ξ€γ”€λ【”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe Story of Ai‰€ολ€–€”™”•€(ξ€γ-€λ【”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆby Aka Akasaka‰€ολ€εκ€ε뀐€•–˜€(ξ€-‘˜‘™€€κ(€γ€λγ€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ0413-0455-10‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€ΡΡ€ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/ Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/€α㔀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ€α㔀γγ€˜€μγ€ΰγ€ε뀑€•™‘€(ξ€γ€λ】–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ Ž ΰ?Δα%Α_Α>Ț€β%/>,&/ΕΑ€‘ Ž εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€Ρ€- Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/€ρβ(<?Ε?˜€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/ Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/€α㔀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ€α㔀γγ€˜€μγ€ΰγ€γ-€α㔀γ】”€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ Ž ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€α㙀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€㔀α㙀γ】”€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ρβ(<?Ε?˜ Ž <|ε|˜€€€€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€<|ε|˜€€€€δ&€&&€<|ε|˜€€€€ΰ&€•–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€––€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ& Ž –˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜ Ž >?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™– Ž >?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€>?ΘΐΑΓ Ž &θ€ΰ&€‘‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ& Ž ‘”€κ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘--€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€>?ΘΐΑΓ Ž &θ€ΰ&€‘-˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘””€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ& Ž ‘•-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘••€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘––€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–˜ Ž >?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜ Ž >?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™ Ž >?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘- Ž >?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜ Ž >?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€--€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€” Ž >?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€””€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€&&€ρβ(<?Ε?˜€αγ€<|ε|˜€€€ Ž α+δ|ΰα€γ•€αγ€γγ€”€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€–€•–•€(ξ€γ-€λ【‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510:‰€ολ€–€•˜•€(ξ€γ”€λ【”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe Story of Ai‰€ολ€–€”™”•€(ξ€γ-€λ【”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆby Aka Akasaka‰€ολ€εκ€ε뀐€•–˜€(ξ€-‘˜‘™€€κ(€γ€λγ€””€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆ0413-0455-10‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€–€•-–€(ξ€γ€λγ€γ•€λ】--”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIBM‰€ολ€γ€λγ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€ΡΡ€” Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ€β??,(/ΛΘΑΚε?ΘΗΡΔρΘ/%ΡΔ€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ Ž θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ€α㑐€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ˜€α㑐€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€β??,(/ΛΘΑΚε?ΘΗΡΔρΘ/%ΡΔ Ž β??,(/ΛΘΑΚε?ΘΗΡΔρΘ/%ΡΔ€αγ‘‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€㙀αγ‘‘€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€㑐€αγ‘€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ‘‘€αγ‘€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰγ€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€™-––˜€€κ(€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€-–€•‘”˜€(ξ Ž -˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€••–˜€(ξ€γ€λ】˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆEnglish translation by Evie Cooper, 2026/10/09. The original Japanese text is copy-‰€ολ€-–€•”‘˜˜€(–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆrighted by Aka Akasaka and may be found on the‰€ολ€γ˜€λγ€-€€κ( Ž –––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆWeekly‰€ολ€-€€κ(€–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆYoung‰€ολ€-€€κ(€–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆJump‰€ολ€γ€λ【–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ website.‰€ολ€-–€••™˜˜€(•-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆDocument formatted using‰€ο뀐•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ IBM BookMaster and LEXX on z/VM. A PDF ‰ Ž ο뀐•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcopy of this‰€ολ€-–€•‘‘˜˜€(–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆvolume may be downloaded at:‰€ολ€-–€•‘-”˜€(ξ€γ™€λ】--”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhttp://evievm.pubvm.org/wec/45510.pdf‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€””–”€(ξ€γ‘€λ【•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆFirst edition, 2026/10/09‰€ολ€-– Ž ”€(ξ€γ‘‘€λ【–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆNote:‰€ολ€”€€κ(€–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λ【–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆFor translation errors, please send email to‰€ολ€γ™€λγ€”€€κ(€‘--”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwec@evievm.pubvm.org‰€ολ€γ€λ【–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ!‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€ΡΡΡ€• Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ Ž ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€α㙀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘€α㙀γ】€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ Ž θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ€α㑐€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘”€α㑐€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€”™€•‘”˜€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-€<ο€”™€••-”–€(ξ€”--•–€€κ<€λθ€”™ Ž •-˜–€(ξ€γ‘€λγ€––”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€–€€κ(€€€κ(€––”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆPreface‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€•‘˜”™€(ξ€γ‘-€λ】•˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]45510΄ is a story that was‰€ο뀑•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ posted on Young Jump back in 2023, and it tells the‰€ολ€”™€•”€(•- Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆstory of a former idol in a band called B-Komachi studying the private‰€ο뀑•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ life of one‰€ολ€”™€”™•™‘˜€(˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆof her bandmates, whose name is Ai. In the closed context of the story, her last‰€ολ€”™€”˜”–-€(• Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆname (and the name of the speaker) is not revealed, nor what happens to her.‰€ολ€”™€”–”-‘€(˜‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe Japanese ]idol‰€ο뀐˜‘•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ industry΄ as it is known is ‰€ολ€γ‘”€λ【˜‘•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆvery‰€ολ€γ‘-€λ【˜‘•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ Ž ˜‘•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhard on young girls and is often‰€ολ€”™€”•--‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcited (quite correctly) as exploitative; girls are‰€ο뀐•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ forced to play a fake persona and are‰€ολ€”™€””‘”•€(ξ€™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcriticized by their ‰€ολ Ž ™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆmanagers and‰€ολ€™-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ fans should they let slip too many ]real facts΄‰€ολ€”™€”-”•™€(-˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆabout their life. Once idols ]age out΄ of being who‰€ο뀑-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ they once were, many seek to‰€ολ€”™€”‘™‘-€(ξ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆexpunge their past from the internet.‰€ολ€–€€κ(€•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThis is one such story.‰€ολ€”™€-™˜˜•˜€(”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThis story would later be the basis for a manga series named‰€ολ€γ‘”€λγ€-•--€€κ(€‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆOshi‰€ολ€-•--€ Ž κ(€‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆno‰€ολ€-•-”€€κ(€‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆKo‰€ολ€γ‘-€λ】”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ,‰€ολ€-™–€€κ(€‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwhich‰€ολ€”™€-˜•€(-™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwould later evolve into an anime of the same name; the opening for that‰€ο뀐-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ Ž -˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆanime‰€ολ€”™€-–˜–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆshow was produced by a duo named YOASOBI and is aptly named ‰€ολ€γ‘”€λ【•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIdol.‰€ολ€”™€-••™‘€(ξ€γ‘-€λ【•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThis story is the first incarnation of the Oshi no Ko ‰€ολ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆnarrative saga.‰€ο뀐•€<ο€”™€-•-™-€(ξ€-‘€€κ<€λθ€”™€-™˜˜€(˜™–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆTo‰€ο뀐˜™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ me,‰€ο뀐˜™–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ your translator, this story is of particular narrative impact as it mirrors parts‰€ολ€”™€-‘˜•”€(ξ Ž ‘‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆof my own experience. I adapted this story and combined it with the‰€ο뀑‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ narrative of a‰€ολ€”™€-•–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆvideogame when I produced a Commander Keen fanfiction.‰€ολ€”™€˜–™”‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI hope you‰ Ž ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ find this story as impactful as I did.‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€”€(ξ€γ€λγ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ–€λγ€----€€κ(€•€€κ(€”™€”€(ξ€–––€€κ(€γ€λ】€€‘–ƒ”€ˆPreface‰€ολ€γ–€λγ€™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ iii‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€ΡΞ€– Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€™-––˜€€κ(€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€-–€•‘”˜€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€”€(ξ Ž γ–€λγ€™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆiv ‰€ολ€γ€λ】€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€”€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€‘€ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ Ž ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€α㙀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘€α㙀γ】€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ Ž θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ€α㑐€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘”€α㑐€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ‘•€α㙀γ】‘€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€”™€•‘”˜€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-€<ο€”™€••-”– Ž (ξ€˜--–€€κ<€λθ€”™€•-˜–€(ξ€γ‘€λγ€–€€κ(€–€€κ(€€€κ(€––”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe Story of Ai‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€•‘˜”™€(ξ€γ‘”€λ】‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Idols are objects of worship, you know? They sparkle through the magic of lies...‰€ολ€”™€•”€(”‘ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆlies are the most exquisite form of love, no?΄‰€ολ€εκ€ε뀐•€<ο€”™€”˜–˜-€(ξ€-‘€€κ<€λθ€”™€””•-€(ξ€γ‘•€λγ€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ο뀕•€€κ(€€‘€κ(€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ1‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€”•™-€(ξ€γ‘-€λ】–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIn the grand database ‰ Ž ο뀑–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthat is the internet, a wide variety of texts,‰€ο뀑–˜-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ images, videos,‰€ολ€”™€””™•‘€(™˜™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆand whatnot can be found‰€ο뀐™˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ from the last 20 or 30 so years; they all remain today as‰€ολ€”™ Ž ”-–––•€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆan archive of the past.‰€ολ€”™€”‘–-•€(•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆHowever, if a server stops working, a site's hosting gets‰€ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ terminated, or someone‰€ολ€”™€”•–”€(˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆchooses to delete their account,‰ Ž ο뀑˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ it is not uncommon for things to disappear from‰€ολ€”™€-™-˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthis digital world forever.‰€ολ€”™€--”–-€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆWhat is too late will never come back.‰€ολ€”™€-•-‘”˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI understand ‰€ολ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthat there are some things that cannot be retrieved once they are gone.‰€ολ€”™€--˜--€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Ah...΄‰€ολ€”™€-‘•‘˜€(˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]I don't remember,΄ the voice leaks out.‰€ο뀑˜•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ Do people often raise their‰ Ž ο뀑˜•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ voices when‰€ολ€”™€-‘-€(–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthey encounter evil spirits? Usually, those feelings move slowly,‰€ο뀑•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ and often one's‰€ολ€”™€˜™™”–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆheart flutters for just a moment...‰€ολ€”™€–™–-‘ Ž (”–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆWhat they met was a demon,‰€ο뀑”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ a legendary idol who left the entertainment industry‰€ολ€”™€•˜-”•€(‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ16 years ago. Some fans kept an archive of her‰€ο뀑€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ live streams, all kept against ‰ Ž ο뀑€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe‰€ολ€”™€”•™€(-”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆrules; she had meant for‰€ο뀑-”-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ it to be scrubbed from existence, but sometimes even the‰€ολ€”™€-•-€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆgrandest attempts of‰€ολ€γ‘”€λγ€––€€κ(€•€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆdamnatio‰€ολ€––€€κ(€•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆmemoriae‰€ολ€γ‘-€λ【•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ fail.‰€ολ€”™€‘•”•˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Wow, I miss you. You know, us fans kept you in our hearts for decades, right?΄‰€ολ€”™€‘™•‘”-€(•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆHere, take a look at ‰ Ž ο뀐•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe summary section of the‰€ο뀐•-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ original video. The date of the‰€ολ€”™€‘˜-˜•€(–•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆvideo was right in the middle‰€ο뀑––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of B-Komachi's peak of popularity; it appeared to be‰€ολ€”™€‘•‘€(ξ Ž ‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆa copy of a livestream from around the time when Ai returned from her hiatus, all‰€ολ€”™€‘–‘˜•€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆto great fanfare and fan love.‰€ολ€”™€‘”™€(-•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆWhile livestreaming idols is pretty‰€ο뀑-••€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆ commonplace today, it wasn't so common back‰€ολ€”™€‘™–˜”€(-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthen; the initiative that kicked it‰€ο뀑-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ all off was something that the legendary Saito had‰€ολ€”™€‘‘˜-™˜€(”-•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcome up as an idea on a whim a ‰ Ž ο뀑”-•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfew years and carried‰€ο뀑”-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ out a few times. Once he‰€ολ€”™€‘‘‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdid that, the floodgates opened...‰€ολ€”™€˜–™€(™–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]I,΄ too, recall having ran a few livestreams‰€ο뀑™–€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆ of myself eons ago. I don't... really‰€ολ€”™€••‘‘€(”™˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆremember what we talked about. If an archive‰€ολ€γ‘”€λγ€---€€κ(€‘”™˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdid‰€ολ€γ‘-€λ】”™˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ exist, I could just check‰€ο뀑”™™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ it, but‰€ολ€”™ Ž –”•€(‘-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆall of that data is likely gone --‰€ο뀑‘-•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the streaming service I aired on was slow to adapt‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€”€(ξ€γ€λγ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ–€λγ€----€€κ(€•€€κ(€”™€”€(ξ€”•–€€κ(€γ Ž λ【–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe Story of Ai‰€ολ€γ–€λ】€€κ(€‘––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ1‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€€˜ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ Ž ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€α㙀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘•€α㙀γ】‘€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€™-––˜€€κ(€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€-–€•‘”˜€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-– Ž •”™•˜€(ξ€γ‘-€λ】‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆto the widespread‰€ο뀑‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ adoption of smartphones; everyone went to other services and‰€ολ€-–€•-˜”€(‘–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆeventually they put themselves on ice of a lack of fresh faces...‰€ολ€–˜•€€κ(€‘‘– Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆeven if you could‰€ολ€-–€•–™•–€(‘‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsomehow log into the site, you probably wouldn't be able‰€ο뀑‘‘‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ to find the data. In other‰€ολ€-–€•‘•–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwords, this video was something that the fans of the‰ Ž ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ time saved.‰€ολ€-–€”™•-••€(˜™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI slowly moved the‰€ο뀐˜™”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ mouse to the center of the screen and hesitated for a moment. I‰€ολ€-–€”˜”–™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfelt like playing this video would bring back ‰€ολ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthose feelings I felt so long ago...‰€ολ€εκ€ε뀐•€<ο€-–€”–--˜€(ξ€-‘€€κ<€λθ€-–€”•‘-˜˜€(ξ€γ‘•€λγ€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ο뀕•€€κ(€€‘€κ(€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ2‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€”-–‘€(ξ€γ‘-€λ【•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI absolutely hated ]Ai.΄‰€ολ Ž -–€”‘•˜€(˜-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆFor me, at least, the activities with B-Komachi were by no means just‰€ο뀐˜-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ mere fun. Of‰€ολ€-–€””•‘€(‘‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcourse, after entering the entertainment industry myself, I met many celebrities and‰ Ž ολ€-–€-™-‘•€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhad dinner with all manner of people that I admired; it was fun‰€ο뀑•‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ appearing on TV‰€ολ€-–€-˜‘™™€(”-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆand attracting attention -- I‰€ο뀑”-•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ was treated like a celebrity ‰€ολ Ž ‘”-•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwherever I went because I‰€ολ€-–€-–”-€(™‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwas with them. However, with that being‰€ο뀑™‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ said, those parts that I did enjoy were‰€ολ€-–€-•™-•€(–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthose‰€ο뀑–™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ private‰€ολ Ž ‘–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ moments with whoever famous person I was with; I'm not really so‰€ολ€-–€-”˜‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsure I enjoyed the public-facing activities of the B-Komachi group myself.‰€ολ€-–€-•–€(˜-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆDay in and day out, I was ‰ Ž ο뀐˜-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆswamped with rehearsals‰€ο뀐˜-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ and lessons; I travelled all over‰€ολ€-–€-‘–”€(-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe country of Japan for various events and live shows,‰€ο뀕-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ yet I had no time for‰€ολ€-–€-•‘˜”€(-‘ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆsightseeing; I missed out on things like school‰€ο뀑-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ trips and all sorts of important cul-‰€ολ€-–€™-˜™˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆtural festivals we have every year.‰€ολ€-–€-•˜-€(™‘–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAbove all... above all else, the‰ Ž ο뀑™‘–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ mere presence‰€ο뀑™‘•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of Ai, the person behind this here‰€ολ€-–€–™€(ξ€™––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆvideo, cast a shadow over all of‰€ολ€™–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ my activities. Most of the popularity of the‰€ολ€-–€•‘‘‘€(˜-” Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆB-Komachi group's popularity was sustained by‰€ο뀐˜--€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ Ai herself: even during various live‰€ολ€-–€-™•€(€€‘–ƒ”€ˆperformances, Ai was fixed there in the center -- all of the other group‰€ο뀑-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ members‰€ολ Ž -–€˜”-™€(˜•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwere essentially like backup dancers meant to cast the spotlight on her. Manage-‰€ολ€-–€‘‘•-€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆment blatantly favored Ai, and every project revolved around her.‰€ολ€-–€‘™–˜-˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆOf ‰€ολ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcourse, I understood it all.‰€ολ€-–€‘–•-€(””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆWe, well, we wouldn't have made it big without Ai. Without her, the‰€ο뀑”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ rest of those‰€ολ€-–€‘–•-€(”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆB-Komachi members would've just ‰€ολ Ž ‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆremained nothing more‰€ο뀑”–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ than underground idols‰€ολ€-–€‘•-™•‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆand would've never achieved that level of spotlight on their own.‰€ολ€-–€‘--–-–€(•-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆEven so, one's emotions often refuse ‰ Ž ο뀐•-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆto accept that. Seeing her receive‰€ο뀐•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ so much‰€ολ€-–€‘-•€(€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfavoritism... it's impossible to not feel hatred welling up. B-Komachi‰€ο뀑‘™™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ started out as‰€ολ€-–€‘‘‘–”€(– Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆa rag-tag group of middle-school-aged models‰€ο뀑€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ pretending to be something big from‰€ολ€-–€™™˜€(ξ€˜–-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsome small, struggling modelling agency. While groups‰€ολ€˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ consisting of relatively‰€ολ€-– Ž ˜˜”™€(˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆyoung members were‰€ο뀑˜”-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ a big trend at the time, girls in their more formative years‰€ολ€-–€–€(”˜•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆunderwent drastic changes in their appearance and demeanor. In‰€ο뀑”˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ most ‰€ολ Ž ‘”˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcases, those‰€ολ€-–€–•™€(™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆyoung idols lost their sheen of pre-adulthood innocence and grew up to become‰€ολ€-–€•”–-”€(™-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]ordinary΄ women. I even hear that when evaluating the potential of a young ‰€ολ Ž ‘™-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆidol,‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€”€(ξ€γ–€λγ€™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ2 ‰€ολ€γ€λ】€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€”€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€-€™ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€”™€•‘”˜€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€•”™•˜€(ξ€γ‘-€λ【˜‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe‰ Ž ο뀐˜‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ appearance‰€ο뀐˜‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of the parents is sometimes checked. ]What kind of face would they‰€ολ€”™€•-˜”€(˜™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆgrow up to have?΄ Isn't that outrageous? What a twisted industry, upholding a cruel‰€ολ€”™€•–™•–€(ξ Ž ˜™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆstory.‰€ολ€”™€•––”‘€(-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt distills looksism to‰€ο뀑™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ its absolute essence and is ruthlessly meritocratic... with no‰€ολ€”™€”™•-••€(˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆregard for the pains of the idols themselves.‰€ολ€™–– Ž €κ(€•˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt can be said that many‰€ο뀕˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of the‰€ολ€”™€”˜”–™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆmembers of this race, myself included, fell victim to that cruelty.‰€ολ€”™€”–-•”€(ξ€-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆBack when I was working as a model for a‰€ολ Ž -•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ fashion magazine aimed at middle‰€ολ€”™€”•”–˜€(•-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆschool girls, I was beautiful -- the kind of girl‰€ο뀑•-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ that you could show off anywhere‰€ολ€”™€””‘‘˜€(ξ€™–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwithout a shred of ‰€ολ€™– Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆembarrassment. But, as‰€ολ€™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I entered high school and eventually‰€ολ€”™€”™˜™–€(‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆadulthood, that round face -- my once most‰€ο뀑‘™˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ charming feature -- gradually began to‰€ολ€”™€”‘˜–‘€(˜‘ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆwork against me. They were supposed to‰€ο뀑˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ be marketed for their youthful looks, but,‰€ολ€”™€”-”€(”™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆinstead, they transformed into someone stocky and unrefined. In many‰€ο뀕•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ways, it‰€ολ€”™ Ž -™–-˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwas...‰€ολ€–€€κ(€•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆa... failure in personal development, almost.‰€ολ€”™€-•-€(˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI've heard such comments from other people, sometimes even fans, on several occa-‰€ολ€”™€-–””-€(• Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆsions as well.‰€ολ€”™€-””‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI envied Ai.‰€ολ€”™€--˜€(–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt seemed to me that she hadn't changed at all from start‰€ο뀑–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ to finish as she grew up.‰€ολ€”™€-‘•‘€(˜˜™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆShe had ‰ Ž ο뀑˜˜™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆa mature-looking face from‰€ο뀑˜˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the very beginning, but a touch of childlike‰€ολ€”™€-‘-•€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆinnocence that remained with her to the end.‰€ολ€”™€˜™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI was jealous, to say the ‰ Ž ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆleast.‰€ολ€”™€––•€(–”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt wasn't just me‰€ο뀑–•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ -- I'm sure every member of B-Komachi felt the same way! On‰€ολ€”™€”™-‘™€(ξ€”‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe surface, they all tried to get along... but,‰€ολ€”‘– Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆ those feelings of jealousy must've‰€ολ€”™€-˜--€(-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆseeped through -- and, I think that Ai understood that and was aware‰€ο뀐”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of it, too.‰€ολ€”™€–”€(ξ€-™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThere was clearly a barrier between ‰ Ž ολ€-™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆme and the other‰€ολ€-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ members. We worked‰€ολ€”™€‘•”–‘€(˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆtogether for years, but‰€ο뀑˜–-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I don't think that we ever spoke the truth or revealed our‰€ολ€”™€”‘•€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆtrue ‰ Ž ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfeelings to one another.‰€ολ€”™€‘˜-˜–€(‘-‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAi was always so non-chalant about it all and‰€ο뀑‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ never revealed her true feelings. We‰€ολ€”™€‘•”€(™•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwent out a few times for a meal at ‰ Ž ο뀑™•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe beginning of our being‰€ο뀑™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ together, but we‰€ολ€”™€‘–‘˜˜€(•‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdidn't really socialize outside‰€ο뀑•‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of that.‰€ο뀕–€€κ(€‘•‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆEventually, frustrations started to boil ‰ Ž ο뀑•‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆover,‰€ολ€”™€‘•€(˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆand some members even‰€ο뀐˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ began to harass Ai. Stealing her makeup, spreading all‰€ολ€”™€‘-˜‘–€(€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsorts of outrageous rumors -- true or false -- about Ai among ‰ Ž ο뀑€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe other members...‰€ολ€”™€‘”-€(•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThat employee, and that's what we all‰€ο뀑•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ were, was fired immediately. President Saito‰€ολ€”™€‘‘–‘””€(™˜-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆacted swiftly and ruthlessly;‰€ο뀐™˜ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆ immediately after the matter came to light, a statement‰€ολ€”™€‘”˜•˜€(”-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwas issued and the contract was immediately‰€ο뀑””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ terminated. I wasn't even allowed to‰€ολ€”™€™-•€(–•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhold‰€ο뀑–•• Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆ a‰€ο뀑–•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ graduation concert for her; everyone resigned themselves to the president's‰€ολ€”™€˜˜–€(˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆblatant‰€ο뀐˜”‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ favoritism‰€ο뀐˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ for Ai. For me, though, there was no other choice‰ Ž ο뀐˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ but to continue‰€ολ€”™€‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆperforming as a ]backup dancer΄ for Ai as part of B-Komachi.‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€”€(ξ€γ€λγ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ–€λγ€----€€κ(€•€€κ(€”™€”€(ξ€”•–€€κ(€γ€λ㠎 –––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe Story of Ai‰€ολ€γ–€λ】€€κ(€‘––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ3‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€”€‘ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ Ž θΡ_ΑΛρΘ/%ΡΔ€α㑐€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘”€α㑐€γγ€™€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ Ž ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€α㙀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘•€α㙀γ】‘€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€™-––˜€€κ(€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€-–€•‘”˜€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-– Ž •”™•˜€(ξ€γ‘-€λγ€-™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Fuck‰€ολ€-™–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ it‰€ολ€-™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ all.΄ That was the thought with which I continued my activity here. I‰€ολ€-–€•-˜”€(ξ€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdidn't anchor my heart to‰€ολ€”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ anything, I just ‰ Ž ολ€”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆheld my breath and pressed the play‰€ολ€-–€•–™•–€(ξ€”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆbutton.‰€ολ€εκ€ε뀐•€<ο€-–€•––•€(ξ€-‘€€κ<€λθ€-–€”™”•€(ξ€γ‘•€λγ€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ο뀕•€€κ(€€‘€κ(€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ3‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€”˜™˜™€(ξ€γ‘-€λ㠎 •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Uh, can you hear me?΄‰€ολ€-–€”•˜–”€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt was Ai's voice.‰€ολ€-–€”-˜-•™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAi's voice. Not other description of it is needed.‰€ολ€-–€”‘˜””€(˜•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt felt like a hurricane was blowing ‰€ολ Ž ‘˜•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthrough my stomach; this was the thing‰€ο뀑˜•˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ that‰€ολ€-–€”–•˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwas once the one-and-only to me.‰€ολ€-–€-˜–””-€(ξ€˜‘‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Is my microphone volume too low? I see, okay, uhh, everyone‰€ολ€˜‘ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆ turn up your‰€ολ€-–€-•‘•€(ξ€˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆvolume!΄‰€ολ€-–€-•”˜”€(•˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe same old droll remark, she said that every time‰€ο뀑•˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ and her microphone pre-amp‰€ολ€-–€-”-••–€(––˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwas miscalibrated ‰ Ž ο뀑––˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆevery time she streamed; it was a ploy to‰€ο뀑––™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ get everyone's atten-‰€ολ€-–€--€(‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆtion.‰€ο뀐€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ Really,‰€ο뀐‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ those idols had absolutely no qualms about inconveniencing ‰ Ž ο뀐‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆothers;‰€ολ€-–€-™˜”€(˜•-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthere's a certain boldness to it,‰€ο뀐˜•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ as if to say that unconvincing others is, itself, a vital‰€ολ€-–€-™–™˜€(ξ€-–™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆform of communication. That's right, that's ‰ Ž ολ€-–™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwhat Ai was like. The world‰€ολ€-–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ at her‰€ολ€-–€™˜”‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfingertips, her fans at her every beck and call.‰€ολ€-–€˜™€(˜••€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAi looked so‰€ο뀐˜•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ beautiful on the screen. I ‰ Ž ο뀐˜•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhad wondered in the back of my mind if the‰€ολ€-–€––˜‘‘€(‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆpassage of more than a‰€ο뀑‘-™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ decade, and the memories associated with it, had somehow‰€ολ€-–€••••€(‘™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆidealized the image of‰ Ž ο뀑‘™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ her in my head to make her more beautiful than‰€ο뀑‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ she was in‰€ολ€-–€””-™€(™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆreality; this turned out‰€ο뀐™‘–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ to be false, of course. To anyone that saw her, Ai was‰€ολ€γ‘”€λγ€˜‘”€ Ž κ(€™‘–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆunde-‰€ολ€-–€-™•-€(-””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆniably‰€ολ€γ‘-€λ】-””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ beautiful. I was, back then,‰€ο뀑-”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ hyper-aware that Ai (or so I wanted to believe)‰€ολ€-–€‘––€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwas being driven by the ‰€ολ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆpreconceptions of youth that her fans seemed to hold.‰€ολ€-–€‘-•€(”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]What‰€ο뀑”–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ should‰€ο뀑”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I talk about? I haven't really prepared anything...‰€ολ€-‘€€κ(€‘”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe boss ‰ Ž ο뀑”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆjust told‰€ολ€-–€‘™––€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆme‰€ο뀑•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ to‰€ο뀑•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ go have a casual chat. But, what exactly am I supposed to do for a casual‰€ολ€-–€‘˜˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆchat? Oh, right! Comments! Should ‰ Ž ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI just read everyone's comments?΄‰€ολ€-–€‘•˜”–•€(™-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe comment section of the‰€ο뀑™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ livestream was not preserved in the uploaded video; I‰€ολ€-–€‘”‘™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhad no idea what sort of ‰€ολ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcomments were reaching Ai.‰€ολ€-–€‘–˜–”€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe sound of her voice fell out of the speakers like snow falling from the sky.‰€ολ€-–€‘–•”™€(˜€€κ(€‘–˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Kyo nani tabeta? Nani mo tabe tenai. Fuko no burado? ‰ Ž ο뀑–˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆYuni-Roda yo!‰€ολ€-–€™•–-€(˜€€κ(€•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆSukinahon toka aru? Naisho. Asobiniikuara doko? Himitsu!΄ ‰€ολ€-–€”™”˜€(-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]What did I eat today?‰€ο뀑-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ Nothing. The brand of my clothes? Uniqlo.‰ Ž ολ€˜”€€κ(€‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆWhat's my‰€ολ€-–€–-––€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfavorite book? That's a secret! Where do I go to hang out?‰€ολ€–€€κ(€•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThat's a secret too!΄‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€”€(ξ€γ–€λγ€™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ4 ‰€ολ€γ€λ】€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510‰ Ž ολ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€”€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€•€‘‘ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€”™€•‘”˜€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€•”™•˜€(ξ€γ‘-€λ】‘€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆAi's answers were, occasionally, laced with secrets. I don't really‰€ο뀑‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ understand (and‰€ολ€”™€•-˜”€(‘–-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdidn't understand then) where the line was drawn between what could be answered‰€ολ€”™€•–™•–€(˜‘€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆand what was considered confidential; neither did she,‰€ο뀑˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ apparently. I mean, really,‰€ολ€”™€•‘•–€(ξ€”•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆyou ought to just tell them what kind of books you like. I recall that she had‰€ολ€”™€•”-˜”€(–‘€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆalways been so secretive. No matter‰€ο뀑–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ what she asked, she would hastily dodge the‰€ολ€”™€”™-™˜€(‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆquestion; to a fan,‰€ο뀕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ this might come across as mysterious (and a mystery to be‰€ολ€”™€”˜‘˜‘€(ξ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsolved, at that).‰€ολ€”™€”–‘”™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]What foods do you dislike?΄‰€ολ€”™€””‘‘˜€(-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAi was at a loss for an‰€ο뀑-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ answer. ]Hmm...΄ she said, casting his gaze upward; she‰€ολ€”™€”™˜™–€(ξ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcontinued speaking without looking back at the camera.‰€ολ€”™€”™•˜‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Nothing in particular, though I'm really not a fan of plain white rice.΄‰€ολ€”™€-˜™––€(‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Yeah, right,΄ I thought to‰€ο뀑‘™ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆ myself. After all, it was Ai who cleaned the tray of her‰€ολ€”™€-™˜€(˜•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆon-location bento boxes more‰€ο뀑˜•˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ neatly than anyone else... she even took home any‰€ολ€”™€-–––™”€(-™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆleftovers; I've ‰ Ž ο뀑-™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆseen‰€ο뀑”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ her clean her plate of plain white race time and time again!‰€ολ€”™€-••”˜€(-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThose idols probably think that giving some kind of eccentric answer is the way to‰€ολ€”™€-””‘€(- Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆgo -- it was true to Ai's character, too. ]It's‰€ο뀑-‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ not that I dislike the taste, it's just...‰€ολ€”™€--˜-–€(˜‘•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwell, you know... you know how white rice is‰€ο뀑˜‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ so soft? Sometimes there's grit‰ Ž ο뀑˜‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ or‰€ολ€”™€-‘••€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsand in it? That crunchy texture? I can't stand that!΄‰€ολ€”™€-‘-•€(˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆWell, normally, sand doesn't get in your rice. However, what was‰€ο뀑˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ being said did‰€ολ€”™ Ž ˜™™”™€(-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhave a touch of reality to it;‰€ο뀑-˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the idea that one might suddenly encounter a foreign‰€ολ€”™€˜––-€(™™”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆobject is enough to strike fear into any human... one might even say‰€ο뀑™™•€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆ it's part of‰€ολ€”™€–-€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhuman instinct to have such a fear.‰€ολ€”™€”–€(•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]You know, I worry about what I'd do if there‰€ο뀑•˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ were glass or something mixed in‰€ολ€”™€-•–€(™€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆwith the white rice.‰€ο뀐™-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ It must hurt, right? So, it's not whether or not I like it, it's more‰€ολ€”™€””™€(™”-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆreally like... I'm scared?‰€ολ€–-˜–€€κ(€™”-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆYeah. White rice scares me,‰€ο뀐™”€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆ so I don't really like it. Well,‰€ολ€”™€‘-”€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI'll eat it if it's served to me, but I'll be bracing myself a little.΄‰€ολ€”™€‘™˜˜™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAi wore a calm, faint smile as the light shined out of the computer monitor. ‰ Ž ο뀑•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIf‰€ολ€”™€‘˜‘–-€(˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆanything, Ai was always smiling --‰€ο뀐˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ this was just business as usual. To me, Ai's‰€ολ€”™€‘-‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsmile always seemed like a blank expression.‰€ολ€–€€κ(€• Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆAlways.‰€ολ€”™€‘•€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Do you have any desire to get married?΄‰€ολ€”™€‘™–˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]No, I don't.΄‰€ολ€”™€‘™-€(˜•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThis time, the‰€ο뀐˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ answer was immediate and stern. She ‰€ολ Ž ˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆlooked off from the camera for‰€ολ€”™€™˜˜–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆa moment, and continued.‰€ολ€”™€‘€(–-™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]I don't know, though. I just can't‰€ο뀑–-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ picture myself getting married at all. Everyone‰€ολ€”™ Ž ––”˜•€(˜™”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsays so readily and easily that they'd‰€ο뀑˜™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ like to marry me, but I wonder how much‰€ολ€”™€••‘™™€(™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthey really mean it. I‰€ο뀑˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ can sorta understand wanting to be close to ‰€ολ Ž ‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsomeone you‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€”€(ξ€γ€λγ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ–€λγ€----€€κ(€•€€κ(€”™€”€(ξ€”•–€€κ(€γ€λ【–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe Story of Ai‰€ολ€γ–€λ】€€κ(€‘––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ5‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€–€‘ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€™-––˜€€κ(€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€-–€•‘”˜€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€•”™•˜ Ž (ξ€γ‘-€λ】–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆreally like, but what makes you‰€ο뀑–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ want to get married? I wonder if it's a way of‰€ολ€-–€•-˜”€(ξ€-•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆshowing affection? Like, expressing a desire‰€ολ€-•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ to want to be together ‰€ολ Ž -•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆforever?‰€ολ€-–€•–™•–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆMaybe? Hmm, I see.‰€ολ€–€€κ(€•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI think I might kinda get it now.΄‰€ολ€-–€•––”‘€(˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI felt like there was a slight opening in Ai's expression, the real‰€ο뀐˜ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆ her shining through‰€ολ€-–€”™•-••€(––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆin that moment. It was a question born out of pure curiosity, as if the thought in‰€ολ€-–€”˜”–™€(™•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsomeone's head wanted to be fine-tuned, and so they submitted the ‰€ολ Ž ™•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆquestion‰€ο뀐™••€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ for her‰€ολ€-–€”˜-€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆto see.‰€ολ€-–€”•”–˜€(-™”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]But I find myself wanting to be together all the time with someone‰€ο뀑-™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ sometimes; I‰€ολ€-–€””‘‘˜€(ξ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthink I'm starting to understand that desire a little, but only recently though.΄‰€ολ€-–€”˜–€(–™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThat sudden hint made‰€ο뀐–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ my blood run cold. Even I retained a shred of the instinct of‰€ολ€-–€”™•˜‘€(ξ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆan idol: a sensitive smell tuned to the smell of something burning.‰€ολ€-–€-˜™––€(˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]My cousin's kid is just so adorable,‰€ο뀐˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I find myself wanting to stand by their side all‰€ολ€-–€-™˜€(• Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆthe time!΄‰€ολ€-–€-•––•€(™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe comments section at‰€ο뀐™–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the time must've been abuzz with relief. Ai had never had‰€ολ€-–€-”–-™€(™˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆany romantic relationships with the opposite sex come to ‰€ολ Ž ™˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆlight. None of us had any‰€ολ€-–€--•™-€(‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆway of knowing about Ai's private life, either; this here‰€ο뀑‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ was an archive of the past,‰€ολ€-–€--˜€(€€‘–ƒ”€ˆso it's not like it was happening in‰ Ž ο뀕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ real-time and‰€ο뀕˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ was applicable to her in the‰€ολ€-–€-‘•‘€(‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆpresent day...‰€ολ€–•˜€€κ(€‘‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆshe'd surely have changed since then. Even knowing that this‰€ο뀑‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ would‰ Ž ολ€-–€-‘-•€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆbe the only answer I would ever get, my spine chilled more.‰€ολ€-–€˜™€(˜˜•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]My type of guy? That's a secret! I‰€ο뀑˜˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ mean, I could tell you, but wouldn't it be a‰€ολ€-–€–™–-”€(• Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆbummer if you didn't fit the description? Hmm... I guess nevermind, then.΄‰€ολ€-–€”™-‘™€(–-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt seems that the stream that day‰€ο뀐–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ centered on talk about love and romance. Ai's love‰€ολ€-–€-˜--€(‘‘- Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆlife. I have to‰€ο뀑‘‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ be honest, I was a little interested in it too, back then. I grabbed the‰€ολ€-–€–”€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆvolume knob of the headphone amplifier and turned it up a bit.‰€ολ€-–€–”-€(‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]I‰ Ž ο뀐‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ think I'd prefer someone who doesn't get angry at me too‰€ο뀐‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ much.‰€ολ€˜••€€κ(€‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI'm always‰€ολ€-–€‘™•‘”–€(”‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆmessing something up, after all! I feel like someone that‰€ο뀑” Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆ got hung up on the little‰€ολ€-–€‘˜-˜–€(”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdetails‰€ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ would‰€ο뀐”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ be totally exhausted dealing with me. It wouldn't be fair to them,‰€ολ€-–€‘•”€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthough, so I'd rather be ‰ Ž ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwith someone who isn't like that at all.΄‰€ολ€-–€‘••™€(™”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI remembered the blunder Ai made. It's‰€ο뀑™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ not so much that she was missing some‰€ολ€-–€‘”™-€(ξ€-”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆkind of ]crucial piece΄ in‰ Ž ολ€-””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ her social life, but rather that she flat-out lacked the‰€ολ€-–€‘™–˜€(™–”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆgeneral social awareness needed‰€ο뀑™–•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ to navigate the world. Indeed, quite a few idols‰€ολ€-–€‘‘˜”‘€(•˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhave ‰ Ž ο뀑•˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsocial developmental disorders, and Ai was a prime example of this. Ai, for‰€ολ€-–€‘‘‘•€(™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆinstance, doesn't call anyone by their name; if I called her out for this, I myself‰€ολ€-–€™•˜™€(”˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwould‰ Ž ο뀑”˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ get‰€ο뀑”˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ accused of making some kind of mistake. I recall that I was frequently‰€ολ€-–€˜”•”-€(–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcorrected for mispronouncing President Saito's name.‰€ολ€˜-”€€κ(€‘–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe‰€ο뀑–– Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆ members jokingly said‰€ολ€-–€-•€(”––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthat Ai might not be able to distinguish‰€ο뀑”–•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ between two similar people! In the world‰€ολ€-–€–‘™‘€(˜™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆas Ai sees it, all humans are featureless: mere ]‰ Ž ο뀐˜™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆPerson A΄ or ]Person‰€ο뀐˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ B΄ archetypes‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€”€(ξ€γ–€λγ€™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ6 ‰€ολ€γ€λ】€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€”€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€€‘- Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€”™€•‘”˜€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€•”™•˜€(ξ€γ‘-€λ【™–•€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆfalling into clean‰€ο뀐™–”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ categories, and she has no recognition of them as distinct individ-‰€ολ€”™€•-˜”€(”–•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆuals. I, sometimes, tend to view myself as nothing‰€ο뀑”––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ more than a playable character‰€ολ€”™ Ž •–™•–€(–•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆin a video game, a persona that I don to get by in the world; I often‰€ο뀐–”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ think about my‰€ολ€”™€•‘•–€(”–”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆown life as if it were happening to‰€ο뀑”–-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ someone else. At least, ‰€ολ Ž ‘”–-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthat's the sort of thing‰€ολ€”™€•”-˜”€(™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthat‰€ο뀑™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the‰€ο뀑™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ gaming fans amongst the members of our group were talking about whilst‰€ολ€”™€”™-™˜€(––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthey played those RPG ‰ Ž ο뀑––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆgames on their handheld game consoles. The talk‰€ο뀑–•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of that,‰€ολ€”™€”˜‘˜‘€(™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsurprisingly, left quite an impression on me.‰€ο뀑‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I remember thinking that the thoughts‰€ολ€”™€”•–€(ξ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆlike that which swirled 'round and around in my head might actually be true...‰€ολ€”™€”•‘‘€(”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]The feeling of liking someone is probably built on a foundation of trust, if I had‰€ολ€”™€”-˜™•€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆto ‰€ολ Ž ‘•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆguess. What was it called? Reciprocity? You know, like, how when you like‰€ολ€”™€”–-™€(‘–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsomeone, they like you back? I'm way too much of‰€ο뀑‘–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ a coward, though, so I guess I‰€ολ€”™€”‘–-•-€(‘-– Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆfind it kinda hard to really believe‰€ο뀑‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ in the concept of love. I've never truly fallen in‰€ολ€”™€”•–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆlove with anyone, so I wouldn't know what it felt like.΄‰€ολ€”™€-˜”•€(™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆPeople ‰ Ž ο뀐™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcan only judge others‰€ο뀐™–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ based on their own common sense. If you don't know‰€ολ€”™€--”––€(™”˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe feeling of what it‰€ο뀐™”™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ feels like to like someone, you can't believe in the concept ‰ Ž ο뀐™”™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆof‰€ολ€”™€-–‘˜€(-•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]liking΄ at all when someone else brings it up. This is something I‰€ο뀑-”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ realized after‰€ολ€”™€-•˜™”€(€€‘–ƒ”€ˆbecoming an adult. It's like the people‰€ο뀑‘€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆ who cheat on their partners are the ones‰€ολ€”™€--™–˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwho, paradoxically, are the ones most likely to suspect their partner of cheating.‰€ολ€”™€-‘™™-€(-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]It feels strange. I'm... not really good at talking about ‰ Ž ο뀑-˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆmyself, and I'd hate to say‰€ολ€”™€-˜€(€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsomething weird and have people end up hating me.‰€ολ€˜•”€€κ(€‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆBut, it's not that I actually‰€ολ€”™€™–‘€(”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdislike talking about ‰€ολ Ž ‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆmyself, even if it might seem‰€ο뀑-™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ like some kind of contradiction!‰€ολ€”™€˜•”-•€(ξ€™••€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI want y'all to know and accept everything about me, including‰€ολ€™•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the ugly and‰€ολ€”™€”‘”™€(• Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆunpleasant parts, and tell me that it's okay...΄‰€ολ€”™€•-˜-”€(••˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI felt like I was hearing something‰€ο뀑••€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ close to Ai's true feelings for the first time in‰€ολ€”™€”•”˜€(™-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆmy entire life. It ‰ Ž ο뀑™-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwas almost like‰€ο뀑™-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ a diary of sorts; Ai appeared to be conversing‰€ολ€”™€-‘–€(”˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwith the comments, but ultimately, it seemed as though she was talking to herself‰€ολ€”™€‘™™–€(˜–€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆand trying to understand her own thoughts.‰€ο뀐˜–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I, too, have a recollection of that. When‰€ολ€”™€˜–™€(”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆreading comments from your livestream viewers and‰€ο뀑-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ talking about them, it tends to‰€ολ€”™ Ž ‘™””€(-–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆturn into a dialogue with oneself. For example,‰€ο뀑-–™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ when trying to compensate for the‰€ολ€”™€‘˜–‘‘˜€(””‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆlimited information crammed into the brief sentence‰€ο뀑””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ that is a ‰€ολ Ž ‘””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcomment, one inevi-‰€ολ€”™€‘”˜-€(•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆtably ends up inserting oneself into it.‰€ολ€˜˜‘-€€κ(€‘•–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆOverwhelmed by the‰€ο뀑•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ constant stream of‰€ολ€”™€‘–-•”–€(˜•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcomments, I often ‰ Ž ο뀑˜•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfound the true conversation to land far-removed from my true‰€ολ€”™€‘•–€(-”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfeelings, yet I just moved‰€ο뀑-”-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ onto the next topic anyways when I streamed. After all,‰€ολ€”™€‘”™”€(–€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆstreaming is about catering to your audience, so it's pretty‰€ο뀑–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ common to say things‰€ολ€”™€‘™–˜˜€(””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthat you don't actually mean. And yet, there are‰€ο뀑”•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ inevitably moments when you do‰€ολ€”™€‘‘˜” Ž (•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆnot want to tell a lie.‰€ολ€”™€™˜˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]You know, the truth is...΄‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€”€(ξ€γ€λγ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ–€λγ€----€€κ(€•€€κ(€”™€”€(ξ€”•–€€κ(€γ€λ【–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe Story‰ Ž ο뀐–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of Ai‰€ολ€γ–€λ】€€κ(€‘––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ7‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€˜€‘” Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€β??,(/ΛΘΑΚε?ΘΗΡΔρΘ/%ΡΔ€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ Ž ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/β?%ΐ€α㙀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘•€α㙀γ】‘€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€β??,(/ΛΘΑΚε?ΘΗΡΔρΘ/%ΡΔ Ž β??,(/ΛΘΑΚε?ΘΗΡΔρΘ/%ΡΔ€αγ‘‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘–€αγ‘‘€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€™-––˜€€κ(€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€-–€•‘”˜€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ Ž ε뀐•€<ο€-–€•••™€(ξ€-‘€€κ<€λθ€-–€•””€(ξ€γ‘•€λγ€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ο뀕•€€κ(€€‘€κ(€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ4‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€•”–‘€(ξ€γ‘-€λ【™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe‰€ο뀐™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ recording‰€ο뀐™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of the stream ended abruptly; ‰ Ž ο뀐™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe video's title was‰€ολ€γ‘–€λγ€”–€€κ(€‘-”™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ1‰€ολ€γ‘-€λ【™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ, and it appeared‰€ολ€-–€•‘–‘•€(™˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆto be split out from another file that contained more‰€ο뀐™˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ (or perhaps there‰ Ž ο뀐™˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ was a subse-‰€ολ€-–€•”˜˜™€(˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆquent recording that was made elsewhere). I went‰€ο뀐˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ to the uploader's page to look for‰€ολ€-–€”™-–-€(€€‘–ƒ”€ˆmore recordings, but there were none to‰€ολ Ž ‘‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ be seen. Was it deleted, or was it just‰€ολ€-–€”˜-‘€(–™–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆnever posted in the first place? Enveloped in a lingering sense of unfulfillment,‰€ο뀑–™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I‰€ολ€-–€”‘-‘€(˜”‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆclicked on an index ‰€ολ Ž ˜”‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆpage. Hoping to find‰€ο뀐˜”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ some trace of Ai, I follow a trail of pages‰€ολ€-–€”•™”•€(•”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆrelated to B-Komachi.‰€ο뀑•”‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I'd already seen nearly all of the B-Komachi-related videos‰€ολ€-–€””˜”•™ Ž (•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆon that site, and all of them had Ai wearing her ]TV mask.΄‰€ολ€-–€”˜‘””€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆCome to think of it...‰€ολ€-–€”˜™€(‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆCome‰€ο뀑‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ to‰€ο뀑‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ think of it, when B-Komachi first‰ Ž ο뀑‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ formed, back when everyone still got‰€ολ€-–€-™–•”-€(––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆalong,‰€ο뀑–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ there‰€ο뀑––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ was talk of creating a joint blog; we had the idea when we were all‰€ολ€-–€-˜••€(”-‘€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆsitting at a fast-food restaurant in front of a‰€ο뀑”-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ train station... four kids, innocent and‰€ολ€-–€--™‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcarefree... dreamed of a bright future.‰€ολ€-–€-•-–•–€(””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIn the end, it was decided that‰€ολ Ž ”-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ only the official account created by management‰€ολ€-–€-”-€(™™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwould be operated, but that account was abandoned. If I recall‰€ο뀑™-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ correctly, Ai had‰€ολ€-–€--‘˜”€(‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆalso written some ‰ Ž ο뀑‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdiary entries on that account a few times, and she‰€ο뀑‘–™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ did so out-of-‰€ολ€-–€-‘™™˜€(‘–™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcharacter.‰€ολ€-–€™™”˜-€(˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI pondered what the website that held the blog's address‰€ο뀑™ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆ was, and it came to my‰€ολ€-–€˜˜‘™€(‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆmind. I proceeded to the login screen for the blog, the‰€ο뀑‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ one that would allow me to‰€ολ€-–€–™‘‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsee everything.‰€ολ€-–€•–•™–€(--‘€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆThe email address I‰€ο뀑--€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ registered the account with was supposed to be my secondary‰€ολ€-–€”•-‘€(™–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆemail address. I didn't know what the‰€ο뀐™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ password was... I knew it was numbers, and I‰€ολ€-–€-”” Ž (”‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthink I knew them, but was it the 1 that came first, or‰€ο뀑”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the 55? After trying a few‰€ολ€-–€-˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcombinations, I arrived at the correct password.‰€ολ€-–€”-€(ξ€γ‘–€λ】•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510‰ Ž ολ€-–€‘˜‘˜€(ξ€γ‘-€λ】-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆTakamine, Nino, Ai, Watanabe. The numbers corresponding to the initial‰€ο뀑™™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ letters of‰€ολ€-–€‘˜€(”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe founding members‰€ο뀑•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ when typed using a phone ‰€ο뀑• Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆflick-input-style Japanese kana‰€ολ€-–€‘•™•-–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆkeyboard.‰€ολ€-–€‘-™‘€(-”‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThere are 7 articles. The total number of visits to the site is 328.‰€ο뀑˜‘€€κ(€‘-”‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe‰€ο뀑-”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ latest ‰ Ž ο뀑-”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆpage‰€ολ€-–€‘™-•€(€€‘–ƒ”€ˆcontained a notice about a relocation of the website to a different site.‰€ο뀑‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ This is such‰€ολ€-–€‘‘––”™€(˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆan incredibly rare blog that‰€ο뀕™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ Ž •™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆeven long-time fans might not know about it. The‰€ολ€-–€‘•-–-€(˜•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆchoice of blog service was poor, too; there's a cute avatar displayed‰€ο뀐˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ next to the‰€ολ€-–€™”€(–™”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆblog, giving it ‰ Ž ο뀑–™”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe distinct look of something created by an elementary‰€ο뀑–™-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ or middle‰€ολ€-–€˜™‘€(-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆschool student. Reading through it gave me a headache, like looking‰€ο뀕”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ back on a‰€ολ€-–€‘••€(ξ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆshameful past.‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€”€(ξ€γ–€λγ€™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ8 ‰€ολ€γ€λ】€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€”€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€™€‘• Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€”™€•‘”˜€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€•”™•˜€(ξ€γ‘-€λ】•˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe‰ Ž ο뀑•˜˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ content of the articles was terrible,‰€ο뀑•˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ too. One of them was written like a self-‰€ολ€”™€•-˜”€(™‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆintroduction page (probably written‰€ο뀑™‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ without checking with the idol ‰€ο뀑™‘™ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆadministration‰€ολ€”™€•–™•–€(™™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆteam) and it had chatter about favorite celebrities; it was written‰€ο뀐™˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ with an abundance‰€ολ€”™€•‘•–€(ξ€”–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆof emoji. This is the page of a shitty brat who ‰€ολ Ž ”–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdoesn't have a shred of‰€ολ€”™€•”-˜”€(”˜–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆprofessionalism. I let out a startled gasp as I jumped to the editing page, eager to‰€ολ€”™€”™-™˜€(ξ€™‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆdelete the article.‰€ολ€™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I clicked into the ‰ Ž ολ€™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆadministrative editing page, but I found a‰€ολ€”™€”˜‘˜‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆprivate page there. I figured out who posted it from the tags; it's Ai.‰€ολ€”™€”–‘”™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI opened the preview screen, and read the text Ai ‰ Ž ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwrote.‰€ολ€”™€””‘‘˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ]Takamine, Nino-chan, and Watanabe΄‰€ολ€”™€”˜–€(‘–”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe page brings back memories, doesn't‰€ο뀑‘–-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ it? I didn't think it was still around, either‰€ολ€”™€”™•˜‘€(ξ Ž ‘•-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆWe really used to get along so well back in‰€ο뀑•-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the beginning... things sure are tense‰€ολ€”™€-™˜™•€(™–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwith B-Komachi right now, aren't they? Well, it's my fault, though... Honestly, I‰€ολ€”™€-˜™€(ξ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfeel really bad about it, and I kinda feel responsible. I'm serious!‰€ολ€”™€-–––™”€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt might be hard to ask you to trust me, but...‰€ολ€”™€-”–-™€(ξ€–™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆMy desire to get along with everyone else in that ‰ Ž ολ€–™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆgroup has never changed.‰€ολ€–-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I‰€ολ€”™€--•™-€(˜‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhaven't been able to say it‰€ο뀐˜‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ until now, but this is how I truly feel. Y'all'l probably all‰€ολ€”™€--˜€(-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhate ‰ Ž ο뀑-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆme, but... I don't hate you. If I could, for a moment,‰€ο뀑-‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I would like to say that‰€ολ€”™€-‘•‘€(”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI'd like to do things the way‰€ο뀑”–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I did back then. Sure, go ahead, make fun of me ‰ Ž ο뀑”–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆall‰€ολ€”™€-‘-•€(ξ€™˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆyou want, it's fine to get properly angry at hearing that. I mean, B-Komachi is‰€ολ€”™€˜™™”™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆkinda a joke nowadays. Don't hold back, say what's on your mind.‰€ολ€”™€–™–-”€(ξ Ž ‘”™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆLook, if you found this blog‰€ο뀑”˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ and visited it because you missed the way we used to‰€ολ€”™€•˜-”˜€(•••€€‘–ƒ”€ˆbe, please let me know if we ever cross paths. Hey, Ai, call me‰€ο뀑••–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ a damn fool. ‰ Ž ο뀑••–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI'll‰€ολ€”™€”–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsay ]okay, I'm sorry for being a fool.΄‰€ολ€”™€–”€(-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI want to make up. There are things I've been meaning to tell‰€ο뀑™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ everyone for the‰€ολ€”™€‘•”–‘€(ξ Ž •€€‘–ƒ”€ˆlongest time. I want to properly tell everyone.‰€ολ€”™€‘™•‘”–€(˜–•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆI didn't read to the end, I just went back a page, back to the‰€ο뀐˜––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ editor. I clicked on the‰€ολ€”™€‘˜-˜–€(-””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆDelete ‰€ολ Ž ‘-””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆbutton to delete the page that Ai wrote forever. May nobody ever read this‰€ολ€”™€‘•”€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆtext again.‰€ολ€”™€‘••™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThis isn't right.‰€ολ€”™€‘-‘™””€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThis isn't Ai.‰€ολ€”™€‘‘‘–™ Ž (˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAi was someone who leaned on nobody; she was unconstrained, proudly‰€ο뀑™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ solitary,‰€ολ€”™€‘-”-€(ξ€-™‘”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆand strong... she never harbored regret, and she is invincible... the‰€ολ€-™‘-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ absolute‰ Ž ολ€”™€˜™•€(•‘‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆstrongest. She was utterly one of a kind. Ai wouldn't write something that‰€ο뀑•‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ sounds‰€ολ€”™€‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆlike she was clinging to ]friends΄ like those... it ain't Ai. It ain't who Ai is.‰€ολ Ž ”™€•”•–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆMy love isn't like that.‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€”€(ξ€γ€λγ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ–€λγ€----€€κ(€•€€κ(€”™€”€(ξ€”•–€€κ(€γ€λ【–––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThe Story of Ai‰€ολ€γ–€λ】€€κ(€‘––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ9‰€ολ€εκ Ž κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€‘€‘– Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘-€αγ-€γγ€™€μγ€ΰγ€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€™-––˜€€κ(€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€•˜‘”–€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€-–€•‘”˜€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€•”™•˜ Ž (ξ€γ‘-€λ【˜•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆThere is no need for me to know which one is the real Ai. I looked‰€ο뀐˜”™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ off my monitor‰€ολ€-–€•-˜”€(–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆfor a moment,‰€ο뀑–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ and I pondered what the rest of that video was like if ‰ Ž ο뀑–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆit had been‰€ολ€-–€•–™•–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsaved by a fan. I definitely watched‰€ο뀑”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ that stream at least once, when it aired live.‰€ολ€-–€•‘•–€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAfter all... I watched every single one of Ai's ‰ Ž ο뀐•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆstreams.‰€ολ€-–€”™•-••€(–˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆCome to think of it, there was one time‰€ο뀐–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ when Ai let her guard down and voiced her‰€ολ€-–€”˜”–™€(-•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆinsecurities during a livestream.‰€ο뀑™€€κ(€‘-•™ Ž €‘–ƒ”€ˆThat's right, the episode‰€ο뀑-–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ about the white rice and‰€ολ€-–€”˜-€(˜•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆthe glass. That tied into‰€ο뀑˜•˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the story about Ai's mother. At some point, Ai's mother‰€ολ€-–€”–‘”™€(€€‘–ƒ” Ž ˆthrew a glass; when‰€ο뀑-€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the glass inevitably broke, shards of the glass ended up in the‰€ολ€-–€”•‘‘€(‘–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆwhite rice. From that moment on, Ai let words‰€ο뀑‘•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ of weakness slip out like nobody‰€ολ€-–€”-˜™• Ž (–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆhad ever seen before.‰€ο뀑–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ I wonder if the person who posted that video was just like‰€ολ€-–€”–-™€(‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆme, someone who maybe didn't‰€ο뀕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ want to acknowledge that side of Ai... so, the‰ Ž ολ€-–€”‘–-•-€(˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆvideo-saver cut the video off to prevent the reality of‰€ο뀑˜‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ Ai's hurting soul from being‰€ολ€-–€”•–€(–‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆremembered. After all, that person likely‰€ο뀑–‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ wanted to protect‰ Ž ο뀑–‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ the idol within us. As‰€ολ€-–€-™-˜‘€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆsuch, it was erased from the great database that is the internet.‰€ολ€-–€--”––€(‘˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆForever, so that the‰€ο뀑‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ past could never be rewound, and ‰ Ž ο뀑‘™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆit would never be remem-‰€ολ€-–€-–‘˜€(ξ€–‘‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆbered.‰€ολ€–‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ After‰€ολ€–‘‘€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ a few minutes, I went to the administrative page of the blog and‰€ολ€-–€-•˜™”€(™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆclicked the Delete ‰ Ž ο뀐™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆbutton. That voice... Ai's voice in‰€ο뀐™˜€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ that video... that might've been‰€ολ€-–€--™–˜€(––€€‘–ƒ”€ˆa tinge of the‰€ο뀑–•™€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ only ]SOS΄ she ever sent out. Nobody would ever see it again, or‰€ολ€-– Ž -˜-€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆever hear softly exclaim the pain she was in.‰€ολ€-–€-˜€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆMy face reflected in the window glass next to my PC.‰€ολ€-–€˜–™€(•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt was the face of an unquestionable devotee.‰€ολ€-–€–- Ž (•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIt was the face of someone who revered Ai more than anyone else.‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-–€”€(ξ€γ–€λγ€™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ10 ‰€ολ€γ€λ】€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510‰€ολ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€-–€”€(ξ€-˜€€κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€‘‘€‘ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/> Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€θΡ_ΑΛκ?_/>€αγ-€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ€αγ-€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ Ž θΡ_ΑΛβ?%ΐ€αγ‘€αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ–€αγ‘€γ】€μγ€ΰγ€ελ€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€γ–€λ〕€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€–––€€κ(€”€€κ(€”™€•˜‘”–€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€”™€•‘”˜€(ξ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€”™€”€(ξ€γ€λγ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€–––€ Ž κ(€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ€γ–€λγ€----€€κ(€•€€κ(€”™€”€(ξ€™€€κ(€™•€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ 11‰€ολ€εκ€κλ€λ& Ž &/ΕΑš€‘€‘˜ Ž &/ΕΑγ?>Θ˚€β??,(/ΛΘΑΚε?ΘΗΡΔκ?_/>€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/€β??,(/ΛΘΑΚλ`_Β?%κΑΕΝ%/Κ€ρβ(<?Ε?˜ Ž &/ΕΑβ?Ν>ΐΡ>Εβ?̚€€€-™€–‘ Ž λξ Ž ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/ Ž αΰγδ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδ-™•€&&€ηΑ%ΞΑΘΡΔ/€α㔀αΰγδ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ€α㔀γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€ρβ(<?Ε?˜ Ž <|ε|˜€€€€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€<|ε|˜€€€€δ&€&&€<|ε|˜€€€€ΰ&€•–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€––€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ& Ž –˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€˜ Ž 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αΰγδλί(€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδλί(€δ&€&&€αΰγδλί(€ΰ&€•–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•˜€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€•™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–‘€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€–-€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ&€––€ΑΜΔ%/_€&θ€ΰ&€–€Ν>ΡΞΑΚΛ/%€&θ€ΰ&€–˜€>Ν_ΒΑΚΛΡΕ>€&θ Ž ΰ&€–™€ΑΜΡΛΘΑ>ΘΡ/%€&θ€ΰ&€€ψΑΚΔΑ>Θ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€/_ψΑΚΛ/>ΐ€&θ€ΰ&€€ΛΝΔΗΘΗ/Θ€&θ€ΰ&€-€ψ/ΚΑ>%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€”€ψ/ΚΑ>ΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€•€/ΛΘΑΚΡΛ,_/ΘΗ€&θ€ΰ&€–€ψ%ΝΛ€&θ€ΰ&€€Δ?__/€&θ€ΰ&€˜€_Ρ>ΝΛ€&θ€ΰ&€™€ψΑΚΡ?ΐ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€Λ%/ΛΗ€&θ€ΰ&€˜‘€:ΑΚ?€&θ€ΰ&€˜€?>Α€&θ€ΰ& Ž ˜-€ΘΟ?€&θ€ΰ&€˜”€ΘΗΚΑΑ€&θ€ΰ&€˜•€Γ?ΝΚ€&θ€ΰ&€˜–€ΓΡΞΑ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€ΛΡΜ€&θ€ΰ&€˜˜€ΛΑΞΑ>€&θ€ΰ&€˜™€ΑΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€™€>Ρ>Α€&θ€ΰ&€™‘€Δ?%?>€&θ€ΰ&€™€ΛΑ_ΡΔ?%?>€&θ€ΰ&€™-€%ΑΛΛ€&θ€ΰ&€™”€ΑΙΝ/%€&θ€ΰ&€™•€ΕΚΑ/ΘΑΚ€&θ€ΰ&€™–€ΙΝΑΛΘΡ?>€&θ€ΰ&€™€Δ?>ΕΚΝΑ>Θ€&θ€ΰ&€™˜€ %ψΗ/ Ž &θ€ΰ&€™™€βΑΘ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘€δΗΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€ΰΑ%Θ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘€αψΛΡ%?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€&ΗΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€ε/__/€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€αΘ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€ρ?Θ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ΘΗΑΘ/‘€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€./ψψ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€</_Βΐ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€(Ν€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘‘€+Ν€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€|_ΡΔΚ?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘-€&Ρ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘” Ž θΗΑΘ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘•€κΗ?€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘–€λΡΕ_/€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€θ/Ν€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘˜€νψΛΡ%?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘™€ΛΡΕ_/‘€&θ€ΰ&€‘€|_ΑΕ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€μΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€&ΛΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€!ΑΘ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘ%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€ΘΗΑΚΑΓ?ΚΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ψΑΚψΑ>ΐΡΔΝ%/Κ€&θ€ΰ& Ž ‘˜€Ν>ΐΑΚΛΔ?ΚΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€Κ/ΐΡΔ/%ΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€/%ψΗ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘-‘€ΒΑΘ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€ΔΗΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘--€ΐΑ%Θ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘-”€ΑψΛΡ%?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘-•€ψΗΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-–€Ε/__/€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€ΑΘ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘-˜€Ρ?Θ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘-™€ψΗΡ‘€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€,/ψψ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘”‘€%/_Βΐ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€_Ν€&θ€ΰ& Ž ‘”-€>Ν€&θ€ΰ&€‘””€?_ΡΔΚ?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘”•€ψΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”–€ΘΗΑΘ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€ΚΗ?€&θ€ΰ&€‘”˜€ΛΡΕ_/€&θ€ΰ&€‘”™€Θ/Ν€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€ΝψΛΡ%?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘•‘€?_ΑΕ/‘€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€?_ΑΕ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘•-€ΜΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•”€ψΛΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘••€:ΑΘ/€&θ€ΰ&€‘•–€ΒΚ/ΔΑ%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€Β/Κ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•˜ Ž ΒΚ/ΔΑΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•™€ΛΡ_Ρ%/Κ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€νψΛΡ%?>‘€&θ€ΰ&€‘–‘€_Ρ>ΝΘΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€%ΑΛΛΑΙΝ/%€&θ€ΰ&€‘–-€ΓΚ/ΔΘΡ?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘–”€Ρ>ΓΡ>ΡΘ`€&θ€ΰ&€‘–•€Γ%?ΚΡ>€&θ€ΰ&€‘––€Δ%ΝΒ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€ΐΡ/_?>ΐ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–˜€ΗΑ/ΚΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–™€Λψ/ΐΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€/ΚΚ?ΟΒ?ΘΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘ Ž /ΚΚ?Ο%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€/ΚΚ?ΟΝψ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€/ΚΚ?ΟΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€/ΚΚ?Οΐ?Ο>€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€ΐΑΕΚΑΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€ψ%ΝΛ_Ρ>ΝΛ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ΛΑΔ?>ΐ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€ΕΚΑ/ΘΑΚΑΙΝ/%€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€_Ν%ΘΡψ%`€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€ψΚ?ψ?ΚΘΡ?>/%€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜‘€ψ/ΚΘΡ/%ΐΡΓΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€ΒΝ%%ΑΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜- Ž ΐΡΞΡΐΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜”€>?ΘΑΙΝ/%€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜•€ΑΙΝΡΞ/%Α>ΔΑ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜–€/ψψΚ?ΜΑΙΝ/%€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€Α%%ΡψΛΡΛ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜˜€/ΚΚ?ΟΞΑΚΘΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜™€/ΚΚ?ΟΗ?ΚΡ:ΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€Δ/ΚΚΡ/ΕΑΚΑΘΝΚ>€&θ€ΰ&€‘™‘€/%ΑψΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€ρΓΚ/,ΘΝΚ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™-€κΓΚ/,ΘΝΚ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™”€ΟΑΡΑΚΛΘΚ/ΛΛ€&θ€ΰ& Ž ‘™•€ΔΡΚΔ%Α_Ν%ΘΡψ%`€&θ€ΰ&€‘™–€ΔΡΚΔ%Αψ%ΝΛ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€Α_ψΘ`ΛΑΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™˜€Ρ>ΘΑΚΛΑΔΘΡ?>€&θ€ΰ&€‘™™€Ν>Ρ?>€&θ€ΰ&€€ψΚ?ψΑΚΛΝψΑΚΛΑΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ΚΑΓ%ΑΜΛΝψΑΚΛΑΘ€&θ€ΰ&€€>?ΘΛΝΒΛΑΘ€&θ€ΰ&€-€ψΚ?ψΑΚΛΝΒΛΑΘ€&θ€ΰ&€”€ΚΑΓ%ΑΜΛΝΒΛΑΘ€&θ€ΰ&€•€Α%Α_Α>Θ€&θ€ΰ&€– Ž >?ΘΑ%Α_Α>Θ€&θ€ΰ&€€/>Ε%Α€&θ€ΰ&€˜€ΕΚ/ΐΡΑ>Θ€&θ€ΰ&€™€ΚΑΕΡΛΘΑΚΛΑΚΡΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€Δ?ψ`ΚΡΕΗΘΛΑΚΡΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘‘€ΘΚ/ΐΑ_/Κ,ΛΑΚΡΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€ψΚ?ΐΝΔΘ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€Κ/ΐΡΔ/%€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€ΐ?Θ_/ΘΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•€%?ΕΡΔ/%>?Θ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€%?ΕΡΔ/%/>ΐ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€%?ΕΡΔ/%?Κ€&θ€ΰ& Ž ‘˜€/ΚΚ?ΟΐΒ%Β?ΘΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘™€/ΚΚ?ΟΐΒ%%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€€/ΚΚ?ΟΐΒ%Νψ€&θ€ΰ&€‘€/ΚΚ?ΟΐΒ%ΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€€/ΚΚ?ΟΐΒ%ΐ?Ο>€&θ€ΰ&€-€%?:Α>ΕΑ€&θ€ΰ&€”€/>Ε%Α%ΑΓΘ€&θ€ΰ&€•€ΚΑΕΡΛΘΑΚΛ/>Λ€&θ€ΰ&€–€Δ?ψ`ΚΡΕΗΘΛ/>Λ€&θ€ΰ&€€ΘΚ/ΐΑ_/Κ,Λ/>Λ€&θ€ΰ&€˜€ΛΝ__/ΘΡ?>€&θ€ΰ& Ž ™€ψ/ΚΑ>%ΑΓΘΘψ€&θ€ΰ&€-€ψ/ΚΑ>%ΑΓΘΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€-‘€ψ/ΚΑ>%ΑΓΘΒΘ€&θ€ΰ&€-€ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘ%ΑΓΘΘψ€&θ€ΰ&€--€ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘ%ΑΓΘΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€-”€ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘ%ΑΓΘΒΘ€&θ€ΰ&€-•€ΒΚ/ΔΑ%ΑΓΘΘψ€&θ€ΰ&€-–€ΒΚ/ΔΑ%ΑΓΘ_Ρΐ€&θ€ΰ&€-€ΒΚ/ΔΑ%ΑΓΘΒΘ€&θ€ΰ&€-˜€ΒΚ/ΔΑΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€-™€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€ΰ& Ž ”€/>Ε%ΑΚΡΕΗΘ€&θ€ΰ&€”‘€Ρ>ΘΑΕΚ/%€&θ€ΰ&€”€Ρ>ΘΑΕΚ/%Θψ€&θ€ΰ&€”-€Ρ>ΘΑΕΚ/%ΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€””€Ρ>ΘΑΕΚ/%ΒΘ€&θ€ΰ&€”•€ψ/ΚΑ>ΚΡΕΗΘΘψ€&θ€ΰ&€”–€ψ/ΚΑ>ΚΡΕΗΘΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€”€ψ/ΚΑ>ΚΡΕΗΘΒΘ€&θ€ΰ&€”˜€ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘΚΡΕΗΘΘψ€&θ€ΰ&€”™€ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘΚΡΕΗΘΑΜ€&θ€ΰ&€•€ΒΚ/Δ,ΑΘΚΡΕΗΘΒΘ€&θ Ž ΰ&€•‘€ΒΚ/ΔΑΚΡΕΗΘΘψ€&θ€ΰ&€•€ΒΚ/ΔΑΚΡΕΗΘ_Ρΐ€&θ€ΰ&€•-€ΒΚ/ΔΑΚΡΕΗΘΒΘ€&θ€ΰ&€•”€>?ΘΐΑΓ€&θ€&&€β??,(/ΛΘΑΚλ`_Β?%κΑΕΝ%/Κ€αγ•€αΰγδλί(€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘€αγ•€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰ㠎 ρ>Δ%ΝΐΑγ?>Ț€β??,(/ΛΘΑΚε?ΘΗΡΔκ?_/> Ž αΰγδβ-™•€•–€ κ€ΰγ€&λδ&-™•€αΰγδβ-™•€δ&€&&€αΰγδβ-™•€ΰ&€--€λ㐕€&θ€ΰ&€-”€λ㐐€&θ€ΰ&€-•€λ㐙€&θ€ΰ&€-€λ(–-€&θ€ΰ&€-˜€λ(–€&θ€ΰ&€-™€λ&-€&θ€ΰ&€”€λ㐑€&θ€ΰ&€”-€λγ‘‘€&θ€ΰ&€””€λ㐐€&θ€ΰ&€”•€λ㐖€&θ€ΰ&€”– Ž λγ•˜€&θ€ΰ&€”€λγ•™€&θ€ΰ&€”˜€λγ-€&θ€ΰ&€”™€λ㐘€&θ€ΰ&€•€λ㐔€&θ€ΰ&€•‘€λ㑐€&θ€ΰ&€•-€λ(•™€&θ€ΰ&€•”€λ€&θ€ΰ&€™€Δ•‘™€&θ€ΰ&€‘”€Ρ¦€&θ€ΰ&€‘”-€ΓΓΡ€&θ€ΰ&€‘•™€ΒΝ%%ΑΘ_Αΐ€&θ€ΰ&€‘–€ΓΓ€&θ€ΰ&€‘-€ΓΓ%€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜– Ž ?>ΑΑΡΕΗΘΗ€&θ€ΰ&€‘˜€ΘΗΚΑΑΑΡΕΗΘΗΛ€&θ€ΰ&€-”€ΓΡΞΑΑΡΕΗΘΗΛ€&θ€ΰ&€”€:ΑΚ?ΐ?Θ€&θ€ΰ&€•€ΛΑΞΑ>ΑΡΕΗΘΗΛ€&θ€&&€β??,(/ΛΘΑΚε?ΘΗΡΔκ?_/>€αγ€αΰγδβ-™•€α+δ|ΰα€γ‘˜€αγ€γγ€˜€μγ€ΰγ€ε뀑€•™‘€(ξ€γ€λ】–€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ ‰€ολ Ž ΰ?Δα%Α_Α>Ț€β/Δ,δ?ΞΑΚ€‘ Ž εκ€ε뀑€••–€(ξ€γ€λγ€γ•€λγ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆIBM‰€ολ€γ‘€λγ€€€‘–ƒ”€ˆJ‰€ολ€γ€λγ€εκ€ε뀑€•˜€(ξ€γ€λ【””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆPart Number:‰€ολ€”€€κ(€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAI‰€ο뀑€•‘˜––˜€(””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆFile Number:‰€ολ€”€€κ(€””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ45510‰ Ž ο뀑€”™-–-–€(””€€‘–ƒ”€ˆPrinted in U.S.A.‰€ολ€εκ€ελ€-™€€θκ€™€κ|€‘˜€™˜™–˜€(--€€κ(€γ‘˜€λ】--”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆAI‰€ο뀐•™•€<‘˜˜€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑””–”€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑˜‘”€<–•€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑™‘˜• Ž ™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耐•™•€<-‘”€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑˜‘”€<--™–€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耐•™•€<-•-•‘€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑-–™€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑-™”--€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑˜‘”€<”‘”˜™€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耐•™•€<”-•”” Ž ™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑˜‘”€<”•–€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耐•™•€<”–••€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑˜‘”€<•™‘€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耐•™•€<•™•–€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑•””€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑•-˜€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑˜‘”€<•™™” Ž ™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑–‘•™€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耐•™•€<–-˜‘”€™–™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑˜€–™–˜€(€”™-€κ(€•€<˜€‘‘‘•€(ξ€–™‘”•€€κ<€λ耑˜€–™–˜€(€”™-€κ(€‘˜‘•€‘‘€(€––”€κ<€λ耑€‘‘€(€––”€κ<€λ耑˜€”˜–‘ Ž (ξ€–™‘”•€€κ<€λθ€εκ€ελ€˜™€-™–˜€(--€€κ(€γ‘˜€λ】--”€€‘–ƒ”€ˆ0413-0455-10‰€ο뀐•™•€<˜˜€‘™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑•”–”€‘™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑˜‘”€<•€‘™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耑‘‘˜•€‘™–˜€(€-–€κ<€λ耐•™•€<‘”€‘™–˜€(ξ Ž 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