【 二 】 ｐａｐｅｒ ｂｌｅｗ ａｗａｙ ｂｅｆｏｒｅ ｗｅ ｌｅｆｔ ｔｈｅ ｂａｙ
[ When Japan's voice comes in, the volume is somewhat lower than you can normally hear when someone's speaking on the phone, though his words are clear. That is because he's talking to himself and failed to notice that he took the phone off the hook and that his rambling and panicked fretting is available to everyone in Mayfield for hearing. ]
...-should it be a simple "Good afternoon, citizens of Mayfield"? No, no, it is not quite formal enough. What if they think I am rude? Then, possibly... "Salutations to the general population of this town by the name of Mayfield-" No, no, too formal! A mere "Hello" will absolutely not do, either...! Should I instead greet them with "to whom it may concern", perhaps...? Ah, it is no good! Absolutely no good! ...What to do, what shall I- [ eureka! ] Of course! [ can you hear it in his voice, the hot-blooded passion of realization? Yes you can. ] How could I have possibly not thought of this earlier? If I were a citizen of Japan, what would I expect of my country? Yes, that is how I must figure it out! That is the path! [ long pause as he thinks haaaard... ]
[ and now his voice is full of despair worthy of Nozomu Itoshiki ] ...But, nowadays, changes come so rapidly... I cannot imagine what today's youth would expect... aah, goodness, my old age, it is truly getting to me...
[ coughs a little. a long silence, and then, he speaks again- this time, very clearly and loudly enough, and his tone is his usual calm, stoic one. It's almost hard to believe it's the same person speaking. ]
...Greetings to all those who currently reside in the town of Mayfield. First off, I am aware that there are a several among you who are already acquainted with me. However, for those of you who are not, I would like to introduce myself. I am Japan.
...Ah, perhaps- that is not a good way to put it. I had very rarely needed to explain it before, but I understand that there are those among you who will be confused and who will not understand. Regardless, I would like to confirm that, yes, I am indeed the country of Japan.
And so, to those of you who are Japanese; know that, as my citizens, it would be a great pleasure for me to meet you all, and that as your country, I also hold a certain amount of responsibility over your well-being. In addition to that I hold it in very high regard. So please, if you have any concerns, do not hesitate to come bring them to me. I shall do everything within my ability to assist you.
I would also like to state that I greatly look forward to getting to know you all in the future, regardless of what nationality you may be. Please treat me kindly. Perhaps some time I shall invite you over for tea at my current residence. It would be my pleasure.
...-should it be a simple "Good afternoon, citizens of Mayfield"? No, no, it is not quite formal enough. What if they think I am rude? Then, possibly... "Salutations to the general population of this town by the name of Mayfield-" No, no, too formal! A mere "Hello" will absolutely not do, either...! Should I instead greet them with "to whom it may concern", perhaps...? Ah, it is no good! Absolutely no good! ...What to do, what shall I- [ eureka! ] Of course! [ can you hear it in his voice, the hot-blooded passion of realization? Yes you can. ] How could I have possibly not thought of this earlier? If I were a citizen of Japan, what would I expect of my country? Yes, that is how I must figure it out! That is the path! [ long pause as he thinks haaaard... ]
[ and now his voice is full of despair worthy of Nozomu Itoshiki ] ...But, nowadays, changes come so rapidly... I cannot imagine what today's youth would expect... aah, goodness, my old age, it is truly getting to me...
[ coughs a little. a long silence, and then, he speaks again- this time, very clearly and loudly enough, and his tone is his usual calm, stoic one. It's almost hard to believe it's the same person speaking. ]
...Greetings to all those who currently reside in the town of Mayfield. First off, I am aware that there are a several among you who are already acquainted with me. However, for those of you who are not, I would like to introduce myself. I am Japan.
...Ah, perhaps- that is not a good way to put it. I had very rarely needed to explain it before, but I understand that there are those among you who will be confused and who will not understand. Regardless, I would like to confirm that, yes, I am indeed the country of Japan.
And so, to those of you who are Japanese; know that, as my citizens, it would be a great pleasure for me to meet you all, and that as your country, I also hold a certain amount of responsibility over your well-being. In addition to that I hold it in very high regard. So please, if you have any concerns, do not hesitate to come bring them to me. I shall do everything within my ability to assist you.
I would also like to state that I greatly look forward to getting to know you all in the future, regardless of what nationality you may be. Please treat me kindly. Perhaps some time I shall invite you over for tea at my current residence. It would be my pleasure.