RoOT (Route of OddTaxi / RoOT of Odd taxi)

Wait. I nearly stepped on a frog.

Frogs are cute.

I don't like their hands. They're like maple leaves.

These are good.

The new summer flavor is pretty all right.

Senpai, did you know?

The syrup we eat is supposedly fake.

What?

Doesn't that stuff come from trees? Maples, right?

No. Apparently most of the stuff they sell at the supermarket is fake.

Huh.

It's kind of sad that you can't be fooled because you've had the real thing.

Yeah, Yuki's family is rich. They've had the real stuff.

I bet you guys eat caviar and steak all the time.

We don't.

You take tons of classes, too, right?

Like dance and voice training.

Sounds rough. Plus, you run track on top of that.

Lucky. I bet you get to meet boys from other schools when you take lessons.

Seriously?

Not only that, but your dad lives in Tokyo, right?

You're winning at life.

You can sleep over all you want, too.

My mom's too strict for that.

Besides, I hardly ever see my dad.

Let's all go to Tokyo together sometime.

That sounds nice.

We can go look for real maple syrup, get fancy ice cream,

and eat pancakes at a cafe.

Sounds nice.

In that case...

Let's go once Rena-san sets a new personal record.

You're so disciplined, Yuki.

It'll be a reward.

How can I learn to jump like you?

It's easy. Boing!

Like a frog?

Hey, quit it! I nearly stepped on one earlier!

Yeah. Just wait. I'll contact you.

I'm really sorry about today. Bye!

Sorry. I know you're busy.

It's fine.

Was that your boyfriend?

No, a customer.

He's a big spender, but he doesn't know when to shut up.

He's probably trying to entertain me, but still.

I always feel like it would've been better if he'd kept his mouth shut, y'know?

Just now, he said he'd blow up my phone if I didn't respond.

I'm glad you haven't changed, Kanon.

I know it's my job, but it's a pain in the butt.

So, what'd you want to discuss?

Remember Mitsuya Yuki from our high school track team?

Oh, yeah. Mitsuya Yuki. Is that right?

What?

Oh, that Yuki!

Yeah. I can't believe you forgot.

I didn't forget!

I've just been busy with my own stuff since coming to Tokyo.

I don't have time to worry about people who aren't a threat to my existence.

Thank you.

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Step right up.

Wow, thanks!

Okay, here we go.

Could I get pose number two?

Mystery Kiss Random Can Badges 500 Yen/Play (Max. 10)

Mystery Kiss Supernatural Love Phenomenon CD

This one? Sure.

Thank you.

Okay, here we go. Say cheese.

Thank you!

Thank you.

Next person.

Buy a CD now and receive a Polaroid voucher!

You still have time!

We're never going to be popular, Ichimura-san.

As long as we're wearing masks, we won't get fans like Nikaido-san.

I wouldn't get fans even if I removed mine.

You desperately need more self-esteem, Ichimura-san.

I used to perform unmasked, and this is where I ended up.

If anything, it'd be crazy if I had any self-esteem.

Wow. I've never experienced anything like this.

It's not that different from the nightlife business.

Can we go talk to them?

Can I help you?

Um, we're huge fans of Mystery Kiss.

Yes, that's right.

Really?

Oh, yes.

I'm so glad. We don't have many female fans.

They say people who make it are loved by men and women alike.

Yeah.

Um, Mitsuya-san?

Yes?

You're my favorite, Mitsuya-san.

Seriously?

Yes. I love you.

Really? Thanks!

What do you like about me?

Your dancing, of course, but you've got this brilliant aura about you.

No one's ever told me that before.

She can sense all that when you're wearing a mask? Crazy.

Right?

But don't you think I'd be more popular than those two?

What?

Mystery.

Mystery.

Oh, Mitsuya-san.

Yes?

You don't remember me?

I'm sorry. Have we met?

I'm sorry, but today's event is ending soon.

Oh, okay.

Let's go, Rena. I hope we meet again someday. Bye!

We'll be waiting.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Even girls like them can become idols, huh?

Didn't seem like they're very popular, though.

Apparently they get a fair bit of attention.

So, what was up with that Mitsuya Yuki? Was she an impostor?

Or a stranger with the same name.

With the same age and name?

Yeah.

Huh. I think it's just a stage name.

She'd tell more people about it if she became an idol.

Besides, she never seemed like the type to go into the business.

Thanks, Kanon. I appreciate it.

It's fine. The only thing more important to me than work is a request from you, Rena.

You should just work at my place. You'd make good money.

Bye.

Sorry. Thanks for waiting.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because I knew this would happen.

I never imagined she was your junior from high school.

Either way, all the more reason for you to stay out of this.

Why won't you let me work an important case after all the work I've done?

C'mon, you two. Cut it out.

I'm not doing this job to look after that hopeless newbie.

See you later.

See you.

Have you kept up your investigation of Odokawa?

Yes.

I tried questioning his neighbors, but no one would talk to me. I got nothing.

Plus, most of these homes are empty. Nobody lives there.

I guess you're right.

Besides that, he hasn't done anything unusual. He's back to his ordinary life.

He mostly operates along set routes.

Oh, right.

He follows these trend-chasing routes through downtown areas

and in front of TV stations.

Oh, right. Rena-san, how was your junior?

It was someone else.

Well, yeah. If the missing person were a famous idol, it'd be a bigger story.

But you were so pissy with the boss. You scared me.

Did you get confused because she's wearing a mask?

Mitsuya Yuki

Anyway, masked idols sure is a novel concept.

Oh, she's cute.

This center girl's cute.

Let's see. Nikaido Rui, huh?

Oh, shit. I get why those nerds obsess over them. She's really cute.

Don't forget, someone's gone missing.

Wait, wait, wait.

You're cute, too, Rena-san.

What?

No, that's not right. That was rude of me.

How should I put it?

You're in no way inferior to them.

What is it?

What? No, wait. Personally, you're exactly my...

Where are you going?

To gather information. You're coming with me.

I am?

Yes, on Odokawa.

Oh, right! Odokawa. Right.

See you later.

We'll be back!

Also, could you stop sexually harassing me?

Yes?

Ow! Not the jewels!

Yeah, I remember him.

We used to note down passengers' traits. I saw his notes once.

There was some kind of shareholder meeting, and we had to handle a ton of passengers.

His report that day just said monkey, monkey, monkey.

Monkey?

Might've been a gibbon in there, too.

A gibbon?

I know humans and monkeys are similar, but it gave me the creeps.

It is creepy. Maybe he was under a lot of stress?

More like he's always been odd.

He can't recognize people's faces or something. He's crazy.

But he did his job properly?

I guess. Rumor is he's done a lot of gray work.

What kind of work?

Y'know, gray work. Don't tell anyone I told you.

Her?

Yeah.