Arakawa Under the Bridge 31

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Chapter 31. To the river's mouth

I explained the plan of our date to Nino.
Moreover...
You're too quick to decide to leave.
What's there? The next part?

It's the date!
What I was talking about...
is what we you and I are going to experience in reality!

Rick...
and me?
Now?
Yes, exactly!

You might have thought that it's a dream when you heard it.
But I can materialize it for you!

Will you go with me?
Nino!
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Why are you going away?

Please, wait!
Do you really dislike this plan?

But, whatever you're talking about...

means that I'll have to leave this riverbed.
Yes.
So, going out of here is a "date"...

It'd be exciting to go with you...
but the gravitation...
Gravitation?
What do you mean?

Think about it.
The gravity...
Eh?
What are you talking about, I don't understand!
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The point is...
I'm a Venusian.

This Venus stuff...
Why now?

Recently it has been rare.
And now, just when I was close to persuading her...
Wait.

When Nino brings up the topic of Venus...
it feels like a way of saying "No".
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So, this means that now, Nino is...
reluctant about leaving the riverbed.

And she doesn't want...
to tell the specific reason.

I understand.

Let's leave it for the next time.
Yeah...
You see, this plan...

If it can't make you happy...
I can't call it perfect!
Instead...
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Can you tell me some place where you want to go?
Let's go there!

I'll take you anywhere you want with pleasure!
Rick...

Then..
Venu...
Inside the atmosphere, please.

Then...
The river's mouth....

River's mouth?
Recently, I've set adrift some grass ships.
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Does the river really flow into the sea?
Did my ships reach it?

Will you go with me to see?

Yes!
Of course, I'll keep you company.

Okay...
We had to leave the riverbed where we live anyway...
but this time Nino looked determined to do so.

Ah, by the way, Nino...
Yes?
Before that, if you aren't against it...

This is the dress you would be wearing according to my plan.
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I've asked her to put it on...
20 minutes passed.
Does it really take so long?

Well, it's quite complex...
to put it on all by yourself.
Eh?

Can Nino...
put it on to begin with?

Even if she puts it on...
I'm ready.

Oh no!

Nino!
I thought that it'd be better...
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What?

Eh?
It's perfect.
Is something wrong?
No, no, no! It suits you incredibly well!
Really?
Maybe she has already worn this kind of dress?
I became curious about Nino's past.