beyondskyfall

Bringing Style to the Aquarium | Chapter 9 (Final)

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Jay: Whew, all done, huh.

Faith: You were pretty great, Jay.

Jay: So were you, Faith! I got the impression that there were a lot of enthusiastic young people here today.

Faith: I guess. We were able to sell out of T-shirts thanks to everyone, but I wonder if they’ll end up being good PR for the aquarium?

Jay: No need to worry. Look, everyone who got a shirt has a big smile on their face. ♪

Director: Exactly. See here? Social media is buzzing about it, too.

Faith: “I had so much fun!” “The shirts are so cute!” “They recommended the petting zoo exhibit so I tried it out, and it was as therapeutic as they said it’d be.”

Jay: Looks like we conveyed everything we wanted to, huh.

Faith: Fufu, looks that way.

Jay: I’m glad that the design we worked on together went over so well.

Faith: Of course it did. We made something great, after all.

Director: Exactly! Your collaboration resulted in a spectacular design!

The silhouettes of people enjoying the aquarium while the penguins and fish happily swim around them was a great idea!

Jay: It was pretty hard to portray it. After all, it’s not like the fish are swimming around thinking about how to keep us humans entertained.

Faith: You were really hung up on that part of it, weren’t you?

You said you didn’t want to “misrepresent the appeal of the aquarium,” if I recall. I couldn’t help but smile at how much you love this place.

Jay: Hey now, didn’t you promise not to tell them that?

Faith: Did I?

Anyway, that’s it for today’s job. We had all that lead up only for today to be over in an instant.

Director: Thanks to you two, today’s event was a huge hit! Thank you so much!

Jay: Haha, don’t hesitate to reach out to us again, okay? We Heroes are here for everyone.

———



Faith: Good work today, Jay.

I said it only lasted an instant, but aren’t you a little tired from keeping up the fan service for that long?

Jay: Haha, I guess I made you worry, huh? I’m fine, though; no problems here.

Faith: Aha, of course you are. ♪

Jay: You did a great job yourself, Faith. You really helped me out a lot this time around.

I was only able to come up with a design that felt personal because you were here to help.

If you hadn’t been here, I probably would’ve had to bug the crap out of the others instead.

Faith: Really? If you ask me, you had plenty of drive to do it yourself.

Jay: No way, if you hadn’t been here, that shirt would’ve never seen the light of day.

Since I don’t want to lose what you taught me about fashion, I thought I’d try to expand on it moving forward.

Faith: How ambitious. Good luck. ♪

I’m pretty tired, so I think I’m gonna take a stroll around the aquarium and then head back. You taught me how to best enjoy myself here, after all.

Jay: Haha, did you end up as invested as me?

Faith: Not a chance. But I do think it was a good experience.

I especially like the petting exhibit. ♪ Maybe I’ll go soak in the healing vibes from the background music there.

Jay: You really do like that place, huh? What can I say other than it makes sense?

Oh, right, since you taught me about style, would you mind taking me along sometime to the club you DJ at?

Faith: Uhh...

I mean, I guess I could. But why not just come by yourself?

Jay: I suppose that’s an option. In that case, I’ll invite Brad and the others and make a night of it.

Faith: Please, anything but that.

Jay: What, are you embarrassed? I think it’s great, so there’s nothing to be embarrassed abou—

Faith: That’s not it. Just don’t, okay?

Jay: Okay, fine. Then I’ll try inviting Billy, Gray, and Asch instead.

Faith: ...I’m outta here. If I don’t hurry, this place is gonna close.



Jay: H-Hey, wait! I’m coming with!

We don’t get chances like this often, so let’s stick together until we leave! Don’t leave me behind, Faith!

———

←Chapter 8 | masterlist

Bringing Style to the Aquarium | Chapter 7

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Jay: Yeah, I came up with something pretty neat. Behold!

Keith & Dino: ......

Keith: ...Did you really design this, Jay?

Jay: Who else? Faith said it was “fashionably ugly”, apparently.

Dino: This is great, Jay! Amazing! I love it. ♪

Jay: Really? I’m glad you like it.

Keith: Well, it’s pretty good for you, Jay.

Faith: Why are you acting like you’re such an expert?

Jay: If the two of you approve, I guess there’s nothing to be worried about.

I was a little unsure about it, but Faith told me that the fans would probably want something with our personal flair mixed in.

Dino: For sure! I know I’d be happy as a clam if you handed me something as cool as this, Jay!

Keith: Wow, Faith told you that...?

Faith: ...What about it?

I didn’t do anything special—it's all the fruits of Jay’s labor.

Jay: Give yourself some credit. After all, the whole reason I was able to work so hard on it was because you were here.

Faith: ......

Keith: Looks like you two are getting on well.

Dino: Oh yeah! Love and peace...☆

I was certain you two were going to work together to come up with a single design, but that wasn’t the case, huh?

Faith: I mean, this is just kinda how things turned out. We weren’t given any specific instructions one way or the other, though.

Jay: A single design made by the two of us... That’s not a bad idea.

Faith: Huh?

Jay: The original request was for a veteran/rookie pair to work together, right? Having that pair collaborate on a single design would definitely stir up some conversation.

Faith: Wait, back up a second. You want to do that now with the deadline looming right over our heads?

Jay: We still have time! With the two of us working together, we'll pull it off in no time.

Come on, just imagine the smiles on the fans’ faces! ♪

Faith: ......

...Fiiine, I’ll do it. It’s kind of a pain, but at this point we might as well do it.

Jay: Alright, that settles that! Let’s get fired up and do our best!

Keith: Looks like he’s doing just fine...

Dino: Sure does! ♪ I’m excited to see where this love and peace will take them...☆

Keith: We should probably tell Brad, too.

Dino: Yeah, he was kinda worried too, huh. I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear about this~♪

Faith: No way. He doesn’t need to know.

Dino: Err, I can just give him a quick rundown, yeah?

Faith: I said no. Don’t tell Shorty, either, or it’ll turn into a headache for me.

Keith: Hey now. Yeesh, you can never just say what you mean.

Jay: Haha, the atmosphere in here is great. It’s amusing to see what your team is usually like.

I’m glad that you and Keith seem to be having fun in your mentor roles, Dino.

Dino: Ehe, of course we are! ♪

Keith: We came here to check on you, so how did it turn into you comforting us?

Faith: That’s just Jay for you. Go on, treat Keith more like a kid while you have the chance.

Keith: Nah, I’m good.

Jay: Hahaha!

———



Jay: You ready, Faith?

Faith: How many times have you asked me that now? I’m all good–not nervous or anything.

Jay: Haha, okay, I got it. You do look like you’re pretty locked in. Is that because you’re used to having eyes on you?

Faith: Maybe, though not to the same extent as you.

Jay: Hey, I get nervous sometimes too, y’know? Today included.

Faith: Oh yeah? Well, I guess that makes sense. This kind of thing is outside of your wheelhouse, after all.

Jay: I’m confident the fans will be happy, but I’ll be a little on-edge until we get started.

Faith: ...Speaking of which, it’s almost time.

Jay: Alrighty. Let’s get going, Faith.

Faith: Okay. ♪

———

←Chapter 6 | masterlist | Chapter 8→

Bringing Style to the Aquarium | Chapter 5

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Faith: Wow, they’re getting really close.

Jay: Haha, you’re in high demand too, Faith!

Faith: Not as much as you are, Jay. But this isn’t something you get to experience every day, so I'm fine with it.

Jay: This petting zoo exhibit is only open for a limited time. It’s a popular area for both kids and adults alike.

Faith: I’ve come here on dates before too, but like I said, I don’t remember it ever being any fun.

Jay: Haha, that’s too bad.

Faith: I mean, I think the girls had fun at least. All I remember is them yelling, “Look at me, look at me!” whenever I tried coming in here to pet the animals too. It sucked.

Jay: I-I see...

In that case, knock yourself out. It’s not every day you get to feed penguins and seals.

Faith: Yeah... Hey, don’t steal all the food for yourself!

Jay: These kids will take any chance you give them to eat it all!

Faith: Come on, share with the others. But man, these animals are pretty used to humans, huh?

They’re happy to get pets on the head, too... Aha, you want some more?

(They’re pretty cute, so I get why this exhibit is so popular... I think I’m enjoying myself, too. ♪)

———



Jay: Looks like you had a good time.

Faith: Yeah. It was fun, and I feel pretty relaxed after petting the animals. The music they played probably helped, too.

Jay: Music?

Faith: The background music. They mixed the sound of waves in with it, so it seems to me like they designed the area to help both humans and animals relax.

Jay: I wasn’t really paying attention, but that’s something you’re mindful of, huh?

Now that you mention it, the storage space was tastefully done, too.

Faith: You’re right. Any tools that might be dangerous are kept out of reach so the kids can’t hurt themselves.

But even so, they used color and guided your line of sight so they didn’t stand out, so the scenery itself didn't suffer for it.

Designing is the same. If you have something you want to do or something to show, then as long as you have a goal and a plan, you can make it happen.

Jay: I get it. I never thought about it before, but from now on I’ll try to look more closely.

After looking around at so many things here, I can see now where my initial design was lacking.

Faith: Aha, you really went and put everything you wanted to do into it all at once. Then again, that’s exactly why the kids wouldn’t be able to forget it, either.

Jay: Haha, I appreciate you saying that.

It’s fun to learn new things. Thanks a lot, Faith.

Faith: Aha, you too, Jay. I had a lot of fun on my end, too.

Jay: Haha, glad to hear it!

Faith: So, what now? You think you can make something good?

Jay: Yeah. I think my eye for design got a little better, and I have a clear idea of what I want to do now.

I don’t want to waste any more time, so I’ll take up the challenge again as soon as I get back!

Faith: Someone’s motivated. I’ve got a more concrete picture of the aquarium in my head now, so I suppose I’ll lend a hand. ♪

———



Jay: What do you think? I think it looks a lot different now.

Faith: Hmm? The fish look more like mascots now.

Jay: Yeah, it was a good idea, so I thought I’d try to incorporate it.

Faith: Why not? It looks a lot better than your first one.

Jay: However...

It’s still kinda ugly, isn’t it? Honestly speaking, anyway.

Faith: ......

To be blunt, yeah, I agree. But like, in a way that's still fashionable?

Jay: Ugh... As I thought...

Faith: Are you unhappy with it? I do think it’s a lot better than before.

Jay: I still don’t think it’s good enough...

Faith: It’s fine. This shows your personality, so that’ll make them happy.

Jay: Hmmm...

Faith: Would you want to wear this T-shirt, Jay?

Jay: ...!

Faith: Ignoring whether or not it’s tacky, I mean. Would you?

Jay: ...Yeah, I'd wear it.

———

←Chapter 4 | masterlist | Chapter 6→

Bringing Style to the Aquarium | Chapter 3

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Jay: ...Haha, that bad, huh?

Faith: You said it, not me.

Jay: I’m well aware I’m not the most stylish fellow around... Keith and Asch say it straight to my face.

There’s plenty of passion in it, but it’s pretty tough to design something other people will like.

Faith: You’re right about that. There’s no such thing as a design that’ll please everyone.

Jay: Even so, I want to make as many people happy as I can. Problem is, I don’t know what would do the trick.

Faith: I wouldn’t worry about that.

I’d argue that your fans would be happy with anything you come up with. Whether or not they’d wear it after they buy it is another story, though.

Jay: Which is a problem.

I’ll be happy if they are, but they’re going to be paying good money for the shirts. I want to make something they’ll want to wear.

Faith: ...If you’ve got enough awareness to know you’re lacking in the style department, then there’s hope for you yet.

Jay: You think?!

Faith: Yep. Your overall design is a mess, but you can see what it is you want to portray just by looking at it.

So to refine that taste of yours, let’s see... You could go see and feel some things first-hand that have what you’re looking for?

Jay: I see. So more specifically, what is it you think I should do?

Faith: Why don’t we head to the aquarium?

Jay: The aquarium?

Faith: I don’t really get it myself, but aquariums are places you enjoy by looking around at things, yeah?

Plus, since we are doing PR for them, we should probably take a look around ourselves at least once.

Jay: Oooh, you’re more passionate about your work than I thought, Faith! That’s pretty admirable.

Faith: H-Hey... I’m not a kid, okay? Don’t pat me on the head like one.

Jay: My bad, my bad. You’re a Rookie, so it’s a force of habit.

Faith: Jeez... So, what do you say?

Jay: I say we go, of course!

Faith: Alrighty. Then let’s head out. ♪

———

←Chapter 2 | masterlist | Chapter 4→

Bringing Style to the Aquarium | Chapter 1

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Faith: A little warning would’ve been nice. What do you want?

Brad: I have a job for you. We received a request from the aquarium for Heroes to do some PR for them.

Faith: ...Is that really a job for Heroes?

Brad: Of course it is. Community involvement is an indispensable part of your job.

Faith: Okaaay, but why me? I don’t know the first thing about aquariums.

Brad: They requested a veteran/rookie duo.

Jay was selected as the veteran, and you as the rookie.

Faith: ...? I still don’t understand why I was chosen.

If they picked Jay for their veteran, then shouldn’t the rookie spot go to Gray or Billy?

Brad: You were chosen because you were deemed the rookie with the best sense of style.

Faith: You need a sense of style for this job?

Brad: Indeed. I’m told they want to hand out T-shirts designed by the Heroes to their visitors in order to draw more traffic.

Faith: Not a bad plan for PR purposes... If we take Jay out of the design process, that is.

...Do you not know?

Brad: I’m afraid I’m largely unfamiliar with his tastes.

Though I suppose it’s true that I’ve tried to avoid giving him jobs like this in the past.

Faith: That’s probably the right move from a business perspective. But if he was hand-picked for the job, it’s not like you can tell them no.

Brad: Exactly. Which is why I need you to back him up.

Faith: No way, I can’t do that. Even if I relented l and took the job, keeping him in line would be such a pain in the ass.

Why don’t I just do everything myself and give all the credit to Jay?

Brad: Deceiving Jay would only be a temporary solution and an overall bigger waste of time.

Plus... Jay himself is already interested in participating.

Faith: I see...

Brad: I’m afraid so. So please, just do what you can to make the best of the situation.

Faith: ...Fiiine, I’ll do it. Not like anybody wants to see Uncle Jay all down in the dumps, anyway.

But I can’t guarantee anything.

Brad: I know. Thank you.

I hate to rush you, but we actually have an online meeting with one of the staff members from the aquarium. I need you and Jay to join me in the Briefing Room.

———



Jay: I’m really excited about doing this PR for the aquarium.

Not only that, but they’re going to print shirts with a design I made?

I’m happy as a clam! ♪

Faith: ......

Staff: We’re thrilled to know you’re excited about this opportunity. There are sure to be a lot of visitors, too.

Jay: I’ll do my best not to let anyone down.

Faith: ...Sigh...

(It’d be faster to just let me do everything... But it’s not like I can say that when he’s this happy about it.)

Staff: The schedule through the day of the event is outlined in this document. We need to stay on track, so please, give us a good design!

Jay: Of course. I’ll design a shirt that’s worthy of being used for the aquarium’s PR!

Staff: We’re counting on you. You too, Faith-san.

Faith: Roger, I’ll do my best.

———

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