Anime Collaboration Campaign - Short Story (6)

Mitile: Ahem.

Mitile: I'm Mitile! And this is my friend, Mitile!

Mitile: Apparently, this is how you introduce yourself to everyone—as if you're your own friend.

Rutile: Huh, that sounds interesting!

Nero: I sure as hell don’t want to be friends with myself, though.

Mitile: Riquet took this idea even further and did it with their believer self and their apostle-of-God self.

Rutile: Their believer self and...

Nero: Their apostle-of-God self...

Mitile: So, I thought we could put our own spin on it and give it a try!

Mitile: How about this? The child version of yourself gets introduced by... well, your adult—or rather, guardian—self!

Rutile: Like when kids are playing together, and a new kid joins, so someone introduces them and asks the others to play with them.

Mitile: Yes, exactly! Like, "This is what kind of person they are, so please be their friend!"

Nero: A guardian and a child, huh...

Rutile: Does that sound difficult?

Nero: Nah, I’ll figure something out.

Mitile
Thank you very much! Okay, let's start with Nero!

Nero: Me?

Mitile: You seem the most like a guardian!

Nero: I think Rutile, being a teacher, is way more guardian-like than me… but fine, I’ll give it a shot.

Nero: I’m wittle Nero~ And that’s my guardian, Nero.

Mitile: Ah! That’s not it! The guardian version of yourself is supposed to introduce the child version!

Nero: Wha—!! Seriously?! I played the kid instead?! Damn, that’s embarrassing!!!

Rutile: It was adorable! Hehe, "wittle Nero~"

Nero: Nooo!! I was just, you know… trying to make it obvious I was a kid!

Rutile: I undewstand. I undewstand.

Mitile: No need to be shy, it’s awwight!

Nero: Ghh…!! The pure-hearted kindness of the Flores brothers is gonna burn me alive…

Rutile: Hey, maybe Mitile should go first after all? That way, everyone can use him as an example.

Mitile: Good idea! I’ll go first, then!

Rutile: Yay! You got this!

Nero: Alright! Been waiting for this! The rising star, Mitile-kun!

Mitile: I'm Mitile! And this is the child version of Mitile!

Mitile: He’s a little stubborn and hates to lose, but he always gives his best and works really hard.

Mitile: Everyone, please be his friend! Take good care of Mitile!

Rutile: That was wonderful! You’re really good at introductions!

Nero: That was cute. Warms the heart.

Rutile: Next, I’ll give it a try!

Mitile: Big brother, you got this!

Nero: Alright! Been waiting for this! Professor Rutile!

Rutile: I’m Rutile. And this here is the child version of Rutile.

Rutile: He’s gentle and easygoing, and sometimes he dawdles and might cause a little trouble for everyone...

Rutile: But he might just be in the middle of searching for the perfect idea to make everyone happy, so please be patient with him.

Rutile: Hehe. Though sometimes, he might just be spacing out.

Rutile: Please take care of Rutile!

Mitile & Nero: Woooow!

Nero: That was great. My soul feels cleansed.

Mitile: Even though you’re my big brother, thinking of you as a little kid made you so adorable—I just wanted to hold your hand!

Rutile: Thank you, both of you!

Mitile: Last up is Nero! You can do it!

Nero: Alright.

Nero: I’m Nero. Uh… this guy is the child version of Nero.

Nero: Uh… well… he’s tougher than he looks, so… use him well.

Nero: That’s it.

Rutile & Mitile: That won’t do!

Mitile: Saying “use him well” like he’s some kind of tool is just too sad!

Rutile: But Nero-kun is still just a child!

Nero: Yeah, but... where I’m from, kids are raised like that from the start...

Rutile & Mitile: Huh...?

Nero: No, no, I’m joking! Just kidding! That was just me covering up my embarrassment! Poor little Nero-kun, right?

Nero: Uh... hold on. How should I say this...? He’s kinda got a bad personality, you know...

Mitile: If you could introduce him kindly, just like you did for me and Riquet, I think that would be much better!

Nero: .........

Mitile: You’re always kind to young wizards, Nero.

Nero: Well, yeah... that’s because you guys are good kids.

Rutile: But Nero-kun, you’re a good kid too. When you grow up, you’re going to be an amazing chef that makes people happy.

Rutile: And I think it’s because you’re kind to others that you’ll be able to make food that brings joy to everyone.

Rutile: Right, Nero-san?

Mitile: I think so too! I’m sure Nero-kun is a good kid, and that means he and I can be great friends!

Nero: .........

Nero: Got something in my eye...

Rutile: Are you okay?

Mitile: Nero-san, Nero-san! Please introduce Nero-kun!

Nero: Uh...

Nero: This is my Nero-kun... Please take care of him.

Rutile & Mitile: Please take care of him!