Things are really heating up in Ultraman Arc, but this week we wanted to make sure we took a look at Shu Ishido’s thoughts during the calm before the storm. Read on!
Date: xx/xx
My room is filled with the aroma of kopi luwak, a rare coffee bean from Indonesia.
We received it from Professor Makino, who worked with us during the Livyjira incident. It was supposed to be for everyone at the office, but I ended up with the whole bag, so I brought a small portion home.
I take a sip of the coffee I brewed with every bit of care.
I had to hold in a cry of joy.
This flavor is truly a masterpiece born from mankind’s insatiable spirit of curiosity. Having a monopoly over such a fine product is great pleasure but also brings certain mixed feelings. After all, I should be sharing this supreme bliss with everyone at SKIP.
In fact, in the most natural flow of things, without any pressure, we were supposed to have shared this moment together, but…
At the time, Chief Ban, Rin and YouPi were at the office, and we were proofreading Professor Makino’s latest book about kaiju (The coffee was supposed to be a sort of token of appreciation).
As we worked, we ended up talking about Arc and ended up stopping what we were doing to discuss our opinions. That was when Yuma, who was off duty, showed up with some dorayaki for us.
From that, something incredible happened. I nonchalantly said “We should have some coffee with it” and Yuma immediately agreed, much like the rest of the crew.
To think that those three tea-loving people would accept it so readily…
This unexpected turn of events led me to put on a calm expression and reminded me of a passage from “Detective Bon Hebon”. It goes like this: “Truly dramatic moments tend to arrive surprisingly unceremoniously.”
But things did not go as expected. Right after that, the Chief ordered us to return to work and before I noticed, YouPi was serving tea to everyone out of habit.
The coffee maker was empty at that moment.
I should have served the coffee immediately after our conversation. In the end, my efforts to control myself and avoid fretting over it ended up backfiring. The three of them wasted no time and stuffed themselves with the dorayaki and tea, so there wasn’t an opening for me to offer the coffee.
I was dismayed. Regardless, I’m against forcing others to drink coffee, so I just kept quiet and made myself a cup.
When I did so, the Chief said “The kopi luwak smells amazing, but it would probably be wasted on people like us, who don’t appreciate it.”
Then Rin said “Mr. Ishido’s on the job! You’re the one who can tell the difference.”
“Why don’t you take it home?” YouPi added.
Then Yuma finished with a “Please do.”
All I could say was, “Sure.”
A wave of exhaustion flowed upon me. I’m currently lying on my bed as I write this entry.
Speaking of it, when I first met Ultraman Arc, I used to see him whenever I closed my eyes. Recently, it has been happening less, but that’s expected. After all, nowadays I can often witness his actions.
Up until now, Arc has fought many kaiju, defeated them and even protected them.
On the other hand, the GDF won’t recognize Arc as an ally to mankind and more and more people there think we should be wary of him.
However, I don’t share their opinions. As someone who has continuously been in his presence, I firmly believe they are wrong. And that’s why I feel reassured and happy that everyone at SKIP feels the same way.
Yes, Ultraman Arc is our ally.
PS:
While checking an important report and going over a few reference documents, I found a name that caught my eye. In fact, it had caught my eye before, but I ignored it thinking it was a misunderstanding. It’s possible that I unconsciously avoided knowing more about it.
Yuma Hize.
He and his parents were persons of interest in the Monogelos incident during K-Day, 16 years ago.
How should I say this… Living in Hoshimoto City, it’s impossible to avoid seeing the Monohorn, towering over Mt. Shishio. Even so, Yuma chose to work here.
But why? … Well, I guess there is no way someone like me can understand.
There is no merit in saying anything either.
I’ll have just one more cup of coffee.