"Speaking of which, does anyone else think Okabe's attitude is a bit off?"
"Rukako's face is so red, and when she addresses him, it's always 'Okabe' first, then 'Kyouma.' She even explicitly said it was for her promise with him. But how come Okabe doesn't seem very affected?"
"Classic dense male protagonist?"
The discussions from the bullet comments floated by, but Okabe Rintaro looked down at the wooden sword in Rukako's hand.
"The Demon Blade Samidare will unleash its true power when it senses Rukako as its fated master; don't forget that," he said, quite earnestly.
Rukako nodded vigorously:
"Okay!"
"That sword only cost 980 yen at the weapon shop. What a bargain."
Although Okabe spoke as if it were true, Mayuri, sitting nearby, unhesitatingly exposed the truth with a smile.
However, Okabe Rintaro was who he was; he was already used to his childhood friend occasionally debunking his words.
He selectively ignored Mayuri's words and said in a deep voice:
"Then, let me see the results of your training. Can you exorcise me?"
"Eh, probably," Rukako said, a little uncertainly.
"But for a formal exorcism, it still needs Father…"
Before she could finish, Okabe unhesitatingly clenched his right hand and shouted loudly:
"Waaahhh! An evil spirit has possessed my right arm!"
"Quickly, exorcise it! Before that power corrodes my entire body!"
"Yes!" Rukako anxiously ran outside.
Although Okabe seemed to be acting very hard, Mayuri, sitting nearby, just smiled and said:
"It's not the same hand as last time, you know."
Finally feeling a bit exposed, Okabe Rintaro quickly explained:
"Today, the evil spirit possessed this side!"
"Laughing so hard, as expected, Mayushii knows Okabe best!"
"My King's Power!"
"I originally thought Rukako accepted Okabe's delusions because she liked him, but now it seems… she actually believes it, doesn't she?"
"Okabe Rintaro! You are a heinous sinner!"
Just as the bullet comments were collectively condemning Okabe Rintaro, he silently mused to himself.
'Urushibara Ruka, his voice, his movements, everything makes him seem like a girl. No, a beautiful young girl who is even more feminine than a girl.'
'But he is a boy.'
Recalling Urushibara Ruka's demeanor, a blush appeared on Okabe Rintaro's cheeks.
'Although he's taller than Mayuri, his figure is very slender.'
'But he is a boy.'
Urushibara Ruka's image floated up again.
'He looks great in a miko outfit.'
'But he is a boy.'
The noisy chirping of cicadas began, and the setting sun gradually dyed the surroundings a dim yellow.
'It's already evening, and it's still so hot.'
'The cicadas chirp incessantly…'
'But he is a boy.'
Okabe Rintaro's thoughts played out on the screen, but the audience below simultaneously erupted.
— "Wait, wait???"
— "Say that again???"
— "Rukako, is a boy????"
— "No, you're drawing a girl and insisting it's a boy, right?"
— "I don't care, even if he's a boy, I still want him. In fact, being a boy makes it even better!"
— "…Even through the screen, I can vaguely feel Okabe Rintaro's sorrow."
After waving goodbye to Mayuri and Okabe Rintaro, Urushibara Ruka clearly showed a hint of disappointment.
The river between the tall buildings reflected the dim yellow sunlight. Carrying the food supplies given by Urushibara Ruka, Mayuri and Rintaro walked together on their way back to the Laboratory.
"Ruka-kun is so amazing, he can even perform exorcisms."
"Because he's the son of the shrine priest," Okabe said.
Mayuri smiled and jogged to catch up with Okabe, but then stopped before the pedestrian bridge.
Because the road they usually took, their most common route, was blocked by a 'No Entry' sign.
"Because from here, you'd reach the back of the Radio Kaikan Building," Mayuri said, glancing at the direction beyond the road.
"Radio Kaikan Building…"
As if touching a keyword, Okabe Rintaro couldn't help but murmur.
Everything from that morning was still clear in his mind. The dead Makise Kurisu and the resurrected Makise Kurisu intertwined in his memory, ultimately culminating in her annoying, uniquely genius and smug expression during the 'debate' about the Time Machine.
"…"
Next to him, Mayuri snapped open the pocket watch she carried.
Peaceful piano music gently began to play.
Okabe Rintaro reached out to Mayuri: "Give me what you have too."
"It's time for your part-time job, give it to me."
Tilting her head, Mayuri didn't refuse, but simply handed the bag to Okabe Rintaro.
"Thank you," she said.
For some reason, the screen flashed a momentary blurry image of desolate mountains.
"I'll be working late today. After I finish, I'll go straight home."
Expressing that she wouldn't be returning to the Laboratory today, Mayuri skipped away.
But at that moment, Okabe Rintaro suddenly called out to her: "Mayuri!"
"Did you… truly not hear any screams?"
"Screams? When?"
"Today, at the Radio Kaikan Building."
Pressing a fingertip to her chin, Mayuri thought for a moment and gave a negative answer.
"Is that so?" Okabe Rintaro nodded.
"Understood. That's good then."
"Still thinking about your Radio Kaikan Building!"
"Waaah, it feels so good, being with your childhood friend under the sunset…"
"Today's dose of jealousy towards Okabe Rintaro."
"By the way, what was that fleeting image just now? A stray thought during creation?"
"Yes, yes, I noticed it too! What was that?"
"@Production Team, quickly ask the Host to explain!"
"@Production Team! @Director! @Everyone!"
"Even if you @ them here, they won't be notified, you know."
Perhaps because everyone suddenly became curious—after all, the 'Consciousness Editing Anime Production Machine' was a novelty to everyone—the bullet comments quickly shifted from discussing the plot to curiosity about the machine.
So, the production team quickly noticed this and informed Host Fang Yuan.
"I see everyone seems interested in the suddenly inserted footage, but to ensure a smooth viewing experience, I won't rewind or interrupt everyone's rhythm."
"Those who are curious can listen, and those more interested in the story can put on headphones."
The Host first spoke softly, giving the audience a heads-up.
Actually, it wasn't strictly necessary to say this. The program itself had already considered both those who prefer immersive viewing and those who like to comment along with the judges. Both the live audience and online viewers could freely choose different ways to watch the program.
However, as an experienced Host, Host Fang Yuan still considered all possibilities and made the statement in advance.