Artist's commentary
"Reika, can I have a moment?"
"Nao? Um . . . sure. What is it?"
"You know, that—I'm talking about that."
"Oh, that?"
"Right-right—that's over there's you-know-what."
"Oh my—that's too you-know-what, right? Laugh."
"That's my Reika. To think you know exactly what I'm talking about!"
"No, I actually don't understand what you're speaking about."
" . . . we're still not close enough for such level of conversation, huh . . . "
"Nao, communicating without using coherent words is something only a squid-being's monkey does. Therefore, at the moment, you're ninety-percent monkey. Now, is there anything you want to tell me?"
"Well, I think Reika knows this, but, although I love Reika, I love Miyuki-chan and Akane just as much."
"Okay."
"But recently, I'm unable to say I don't really like Yayoi-chan too . . . what should I do?"
"I don't understand you at all, but . . . did you fall for Yayoi-san's egocentric aura? That girl's definitely growing up to become someone ruthless."
" . . . Reika, talking behind a friend's back isn't right."
"But I say that in the open too."
"Then I guess there's no problem. But do you hate Yayoi-chan, Reika?"
"I don't really hate her. But I do want to kill her."
"Isn't that instead worse?"
"Is it? It's only because I'm envious of Yayoi-san having cute traits I lack."
"Oh."
"During the recital, she drew a really great picture, and I don't have any of the kindness, which Miyuki-san said Yayoi-san has."
"Uh-huh."
"But because she's such a pure-hearted girl, it hurts me to see her easily get heartbroken, or cry."
"Yeah . . . "
"That's why, wanting to end her life is only natural."
"I get it—that's my Reika! I'll help! To save Yayoi-chan from further drowning in her tears of sadness, let's create a requiem for her!"