Keith: What should you do, Sky High? To call or not to call? But wouldn’t it be better to give them a call? Hmm. Alright, I’ve made my decision. I won’t give them a call—
Ryan: You’re gonna give up!?
Keith: G-give what up?
Ryan: Listen up Sky High. You’ve been talking to yourself for a while now.
Keith: I’ve been talking to myself!?
Karina: Loudly too. You made me pour too much milk into my coffee because I was so distracted.
Keith: I’m sorry about that. To be acting like this in the community break room… Get yourself together, Sky High!
Ryan: What’s winding you up so much?
Karina: You do look stressed… If you want, we could give you some advice if you’d tell us what’s on your mind.
Keith: Really!? I’d be grateful and grateful again!
Ryan: So who’s the owner of the phone you’ve been debating to give a call?
Karina: Is it Fire Emblem!? By chance, did you guys have a fight?
Keith: No. What I’m stressed about is how to call someone that I’m attracted to.
Karina: W-wait, is this a...
Keith: That’s right. I have a problem with love!
Karina: What!?
Ryan: Really!? Wow. Also, I didn’t expect you to be so blunt about this topic.
Keith: After all, I’m terrible at hiding secrets from people! Haaha!
–
Ryan: Now you know that today’s story is about Sky High’s love. I’m sure Sky High feels lucky that he got to discuss this heavy topic with me by pure chance. TIGER & BUNNY 2, special audio drama, “The Heroes’ Plan for Love.” Ciao~
–
Ryan: So tell us more about this love!
Karina: What kind of person are they?
Keith: Her name is Michelle. She works as a Dog Trainer.
Ryan: Wo~w.
Karina: How did you meet her?
Keith: It was while I was walking John and Johnjohn. In the beginning, we would only greet each other, but with time, we started discussing about our private lives and—
Ryan: —You fell in love!
Keith: Ah, well, I did call it love but it’s too early for me to say if it really is love. But I am still interested in her!
Karina: If that’s it, then calling her should be hard~.
Ryan: What’s holding you back?
Keith: It started when I told her that I often leave John and John John home alone when I’m busy with my job, to which she offered to watch over them for me.
Ryan: Uh-huh.
Keith: And when I gave her a memo with my number on it, she said, “I’ll give you a call tonight.”
Karina: Why didn’t you two just exchange phone numbers?
Keith: Michelle didn’t have her phone on her because she likes to make sure she focuses on her dogs when walking them.
Karina: A dog trainer, through and through.
Keith: She called as promised when night came but I unfortunately missed it. All that was left was a notification on my phone. I thought of calling back as soon as I found out about it but...
Karina: Wait, so what’s holding you back from calling her?
Ryan: This is the perfect chance for the two of you to get closer!
Keith: And that’s the problem!
Ryan: Where.
Keith: Michelle only offered herself for John and Johnjohn, but here I am, seeking for something more personal with her. Isn’t that rude?
Ryan: Why are you so stiff!!
Keith: Huh?
Ryan: Stop worrying about stuff like that and just give her a call.
Karina: Also, wouldn’t it be more rude to not return her call?
Keith: Oh!? That is true!! I need to call her then! But... What should I say?
Ryan: You’re gonna talk about her looking after John and Johnjohn, right?
Keith: That...that is true but...
Karina: What are you getting worried about?
Keith: Then Blue Rose-kun! Please, as Michelle.
Karina: Eh?
Keith: Riiing riiing. It’s your phone.
Karina: W-wha-wait, what’s happening.
Ryan: (whispers) H-he probably wants to act it out.
Karina: (whispers) What!?
Keith: Riiing riiing.
Karina: Hnng... Fine. (elegant voice) Hello? This is Michelle.
Keith: This is Keith Goodman. I want to ask if you can look after John and Johnjohn tomorrow.
Karina: (elegant voice) I understand.
Keith: Then, goodbye. And I hang up the phone and it’s over. Don’t you see! There is nothing personal happening over the phone!!
Ryan: That’s cause you’re too uptight about what to talk about!!
Keith: Uptight!? But you’re the one who said to talk about John and Johnjohn...
Karina: That doesn’t mean you can only talk about John and Johnjohn.
Ryan: That’s right! You can talk to her about the weather or ask what she’s doing. Sprinkle it in between the conversation.
Keith: Oooh! I see!
Karina: Then let’s give her another all!
Keith: Alright! I’m ready! On the side note, how would you talk to someone on the phone, Ryan-kun?
Ryan: Me?
Keith: I’d like to hear how you would talk on the phone as inspiration.
Ryan: Me hu~h... Hmm... It always depends on the situation so until then, I have no clue~.
Keith: Like what type of situation?
Ryan: Well, I’m the type to talk on the spot so what I talk about depends on the vibe or how the other person is feeling—Something like, reading the atmosphere?
Keith: Vibe and feeling... What if you can’t read those emotions?
Ryan: Then I don’t call them.
Keith: What?
Ryan: Cause isn’t that that first sign of being incompatible? Not being able to read each other’s emotions or needs? So calling them is a no-go.
Keith: I see... So there’s that angle to consider...
Ryan: What’s happening?
Karina: (whispers) Ryan! Why would you say something that could make him doubt himself, right when he got the confidence to give her a call!!
Ryan: Don’t worry, don’t worry. He said that he was going to give her a call.
Keith: Alright. I’ve decided not to call her.
Karina: See!!
Ryan: Wait wait wait, listen to me Sky High. This is my rule, and my rule at best.
Karina: That’s right! Sky High and Ryan are two different people so you can’t answer everything with how Ryan would do something!
Keith: But...
Kotetsu: There you are! I finally found you, Sky High!!
Karina and Ryan: Huh?
Kotetsu: Sorry ‘bout that! My last gig lasted longer than expected.
Keith: I have to apologize as well, taking up your precious time.
Kotetsu: So, did you give Michelle a call yet?
Karina: Why does Tiger know about Michelle?
Kotetsu: Well cause—
Keith: I gave Wild-kun a call yesterday to talk to him about it.
Karina and Ryan: What!?
Kotetsu: But I was asleep when Sky High called me so I called him this morning to promise that I’d hear him out after my gig.
Keith: Exactly!!
Karina: Why did you call Tiger of all people!? He’s like, the least romantic out of everyone. What does he understand about love?
Ryan: I’m with princess on this one. This old man is a little... when it comes to love.
Kotetsu: You guys... You’re looking down on me, aren’t you.
Keith: I think you two are being a bit rude too. How could you forget that he’s the master of romance?
Karina: The master of romance?
Ryan: That old man?
Keith: That’s right. He’s the only one, amongst us all, that has been married.
Ryan: That’s how you’re ranking us?
Kotetsu: Well, I’ll give you the best advice I can give you so fire away with the questions.
Keith: I’m very grateful for that!
Karina: (whispers) Seeing Tiger gloat about knowing romance is pissing me off...
Kotetsu: Huh?
Karina: Riiing riiing. The phone’s ringing. Riiing riiing.
Kotetsu: Eh huh what? What’s up with you suddenly?
Keith: We’re simulating the call.
Kotetsu: What!?
Ryan: We’re simulating the moment Michelle calls Sky High. Princess wants to see just how true your title is.
Kotetsu: Whaaaaat?
Karina: Riiing riiing. The phone’s ringing.
Kotetsu: Are you serious... Mmm–tch. Hello?
Karina: (elegant voice) Hello, this is Michelle. Thank you for yesterday.
Kotetsu: Aaah, this is uh—not Sky High but—-Keith Goodman, on the phone. Uuuuum, so tomorrow, I wanted to ask if you could look after my dogs tomorrow?
Karina: (elegant voice) I understand.
Kotetsu: Then, um, well I guess... Goodbye! (breathes a sigh of relief)
(silence)
Karina: See.
Kotetsu: What do you mean by that!?
Ryan: That the Old Man’s advice is absolutely useless.
Kotetsu: How was I supposed to do a good job!? We suddenly started the simulation and I don’t know what to even talk about!
Karina: How is that any different to Sky High’s situation?
Ryan: Even their conversation over the phone was the exact same.
Kotetsu: Really?
Keith: It’s a shame, Wild-kun.
Kotetsu: Hey hey hey, wait a moment!! How could you side with them so easily!? I’m not here to help brainstorm conversation topics but to discuss how to open up your heart to romance!
Ryan: And you’re claiming you can do that, Old Man?
Kotetsu: Of course!!
Karina: Then please, be our guest.
Kotetsu: E-hehem. (deeper voice) Are you ready? What’s the most important thing to remember when you have someone you like? That answer is... will and spirit!!
(silence)
Karina: See?
Ryan: Got it?
Keith: It’s a shame, Wild-kun.
Kotetsu: Hey hey hey!! Listen ‘til the very end!! The current Sky High is unable to fight the enemy as a hero because he is too scared!!
Keith: That... is true.
Kotetsu: What’s the most important thing to do in moments like that?
Keith: Um... To gather your will and spirit?
Kotetsu: Okay!!
Karina: What’s “okay!!” about this!? Why are you comparing love to our job?
Ryan: This is the most of what I expected from the Old Man.
Keith: Now that I think about it, Wild-kun is denser than I am about certain things.
Karina: He really is... Kaede has her work cut out for her with a father like you.
Kotetsu: Hey!! You don’t need to go that far!!
(dog barking ringtone rings)
Keith: Is this...! It’s Michelle!!
Karina, Kotetsu, and Ryan: What!?
Keith: The real Michelle is calling me right now! See, look at this number. It’s Michelle’s—
Ryan: (panicking) You don’t need to go into the details! Hurry up and pick up the phone!!
Keith: But what should I say when I answer!?
Kotetsu: Exactly what I told you! Gather up your will and spirit and—
Karina: Stop giving such useless advice, Tiger!
Kotetsu: Yes...
Ryan: Listen to me Sky High. I think the only way you can get through this is to read the atmosphere and respond to her with what’s appropriate in the moment.
Keith: But I don’t think I can do that as smoothly as you can.
Karina: Then why not start the conversation by talking about the weather and then ask if she’s doing fine and then you can segue into a conversation about your dogs. Can you do that?
Keith: I see!! Then I’m going to do it! You can do it Sky High! You can do it!!
(ringtone keeps ringing)
Keith: ...no I can’t...
Karina, Kotetsu, and Ryan: (sighs)
Karina: You missed the call again...
Keith: I’m sorry. But no matter how hard I think about it, I can’t believe that I can have a proper conversation with her and—
Ryan: What are you doing!!
Kotetsu: It is what it is. Guess there is no other choice but to ask Blue Rose for some advice.
Karina: What? Me?
Kotetsu: Instead of thinking about how to have a conversation from Sky High’s perspective, can you think of what Michelle would want to talk about?
Ryan: Oh, interesting. Tackling this from the opposite angle. Not a bad idea for an Old Man.
Keith: Please Blue Rose-kun! Is there anything that comes to your mind?
Karina: Eh, well, umm... If it was me, I wouldn’t care what we talked about.
Keith: Hmm?
Karina: If I got a call from someone I like, I would be happy no matter what.
Keith: But I don’t know if Michelle even likes me.
Karina: Then I think having someone who listens to my stories would make me happy. The whole point of giving someone a call is to talk to that person, so having them listen to everything I talk about would mean a lot to me.
Ryan: So what’s more important is how you engage and listen to the person on the other end.
Keith: That makes this problem even more difficult.
Kotetsu: Does it actually? You’re properly listening to everything we are telling you now, so I think you’ll do fine.
Keith: Even if you say that...
Ryan: Plus, why are you getting all worried just over a call? Why not raise your energy by shouting “Sky High!!” like you always do, and give her a call?
Keith: If I could, I would. But I remember about that time and find myself losing confidence.
Ryan: ‘That time’?
Keith: There was a person I was interested in the past who suddenly disappeared one day.
Karina: Is that the crush by the park that you told us about before?
Keith: It isn’t like I’m still thinking about her today, but I worry that if Michelle and I don’t get along now, then maybe she’ll also disappear like that woman... And that scares me.
Ryan: I see. So that’s the reason why you're not acting like your normal self.
Kotetsu: Hmm... But are you fine with giving up just like that? If you stay scared for the rest of your life then, hm!?
Karina: I don’t think you’ll ever be able to move on.
Ryan: And they always say, the best way to move on from an old love is to find another.
Keith: Is that really true?
Ryan: It is. So give Michelle a call and—
Keith: Not that. Is it true that I haven’t been like my normal self, Ryan-kun?
Ryan: What?
Keith: You just said that I haven’t been acting like my normal self.
Ryan: Ah, well, I— I did say that but—
Keith: I understand now! All this time, I lost who I truly was. That’s why I haven’t been able to make decisions on my own and have to depend on everyone for help. And you realized that, which is why you decided to tell me that I haven’t been acting like myself. Isn’t that right?
Karina: (whispers) Is that true?
Ryan: Eh, uh, um... Not specifically...
Keith: What you want me to know is that all I need to do is be myself, right Ryan-kun!?
Ryan: Yup! Let’s go with that!!
Keith: Alright!! I can feel my confidence coming back to me, my confidence!!
Ryan: (whispers) Hey! Does Sky High usually solve problems like this?
Kotetsu: Eh, why does it matter? He’s finally returned to his normal Sky High-self.
Karina: (laughs) Yeah, I guess. Sky High! Why don’t you give Michelle a call while you’re confident?
Keith: Let me give it a shot! (dials in number) Phew... (phone rings) But uh, I sure am feeling nervous. (phone rings)
(click)
Karina: She picked up!
Keith: Hello? Ah, wait, I suppose good afternoon is more appropriate than hello. I apologize for how late I am to get back to you. This is Keith Goodman. I—
Mob: Thank you so much for your call! This is Helios Energy’s Service Center who is in charge of the Gold Plan.
Keith: What?
Mob: Would you be interested in hearing about the new electricity Gold Plan? Helios Energy has a large percentage of high quality—
Keith: Aaaaaah! Um, I’ll call you later. (ends call) I’m so sorry. It seems like the call I received yesterday wasn’t from Michelle.
Karina, Kotetsu, and Ryan: What!?
Kotetsu: How the hell does that happen!?
Keith: I’m not sure either... I’m confused as well... Aaaaah!! Maybe I completely misunderstood everything from the very beginning!!
Kotetsu: Misunderstood what?
Ryan: Huh?
Keith: I got a call from an unknown number yesterday and assumed it could only be Michelle’s.
Ryan: Are you serious!? Eh, then, we were just wasting our breath this entire time!?
Keith: I am so ashamed of myself...
Kotetsu: And there wasn’t any other unknown number that gave you a call yesterday?
Keith: Yes, which is why I had assumed that...
Kotetsu: Then isn’t that weird as well? Didn’t you give your number to Michelle?
Karina: That’s right! You two even made a promise so she has to give you a call, right?
Ryan: They’ve both got a point.
Keith: I guess strange things can happen… Wait! The phone number I gave her was for my old phone!!
Karina, Kotetsu, and Ryan: What!?
Keith: I recently dropped my phone in the fountain when walking John and Johnjohn, and decided to get a new phone number along with a new phone. I had completely forgotten about that and gave her my old number instead!
Karina: Are you saying that Michelle could still be trying to contact you through a number that she thinks is your phone number?
Keith: I suppose so...
Kotetsu: Then you need to get in contact with her, now!!
Keith: But I don’t know her number.
Ryan: Then go to the park that you always see her at! You might run into her!
Keith: I see! I’ll go there now!! (runs then comes back) But before that...
Kotetsu: What! You’re not going to tell us that you don’t know what to say to her when you see her, right?
Keith: No, there’s no need for that. You all gave me lots of advice already. The first thing is to listen to what the person has to say, and the second is to respond appropriately to the atmosphere. I trust that the conversation will flow fine with just that!
Karina and Ryan: Wow!!
Kotetsu: Wait wait wait!! What about mine?
Keith: Of course I remember what you told me! No matter what, trust my will and spirit!!
Kotetsu: Yeah!
Keith: I came back because I wanted to tell you all this: Everyone, thank you! And thank you!! I’ll see you next time!!
(runs off)
Kotetsu: Aaaaah, I expected nothing less of Sky High.
Karina: He’s incredible. Even listening to Tiger’s advice.
Ryan: But really, for him to be so unsure about himself, only answer his own question in the end. What a strange guy.
Karina, Kotetsu, and Ryan: He really is... (laughs)