A few days later. After changing trains and buses, Yayoi spent more than two hours visiting an atelier in the mountains.
“Here… isn’t it?”
The map displayed on the screen of the smartphone clearly indicated that it was here.
The atelier’s signboard read “Atelier Mickey, an art and culture support project for people with disabilities.”
When I timidly pressed the intercom, a mild-looking young man wearing glasses came out from inside.
“Welcome, Mr. Rabbi.”
“Mr. Teto……Is that so?”
“Yes, and I’m also in charge here.”
As I was led inside, I saw several men and women drawing pictures in a large room, and some people were composing music using musical instruments in the music room.
Everyone was engrossed and seriously engaged in making works.
After being guided through, the two entered the reception room and sat facing each other like they were in the gazebo.
“As you can see, this is an atelier where people with disabilities draw pictures and create music. I was approached by the production company of XANA.”
While drinking coffee, Teto began to speak with a nostalgic expression as if reminiscing.
“From the production company’s point of view, they must have thought that paintings and music created by people with disabilities would become a topic of conversation. I thought it might sell.”
“Then why did you decide to run away from the media? By any chance, were you worried about me, a job refugee?”
“I can’t say that it doesn’t exist, but… After all, I hid the fact that I’m disabled from the users and made it public. I was
It is true that the reaction of the person receiving the information would be different if he had disclosed his disability from the beginning, and if he had disclosed it after he became famous.
“Are you going to never do an event like that again?”
“…After a little more time, we may publish it in places other than XANA. Each avatar enjoys doing it, so we will continue there.”
Certainly, unlike in the real world, even if the avatar behaves somewhat strangely, it’s unlikely that they’ll think it’s for the purpose of creating a character, and that they won’t get any nasty opinions.
“But Mr. Teto, aren’t they that weak? No matter what you do, whether you’re a disabled person, an ordinary person, or a celebrity, they’ll all be called out. Even my items, There are people who say bad things about it, but it is precisely because there are so many people who are happy with it that I am able to do my best.
“Rabbi… do you think I’m overprotective?”
“I think, but I don’t think it’s wrong. Until now, I’ve been hurt in many ways without knowing it. Above all, people who create works are just happy if they know that their works can give joy to people, and they don’t care about their own evaluation!”
Yayoi puffs out and says.
Even if he said bad things about himself, as long as he said good things about the work he created, that would be fine.
“Isn’t that true for them too? I’m sure they haven’t heard anything bad about themselves. What really resonates with them is the admiration for the work.”
“That may be so… but…”
“Um… could it be Mr. Rabbi?”
I opened the door slightly and peeked out at a woman in her twenties with a childish expression, holding a stuffed rabbit in her hand and dressed in pink lolita fashion.
“Yes, that’s right, but…”
“Wow! I call myself Monilaria in XANA. Call me Moni as usual.”
“Oh, you were Moni, who was in charge of music. You know me well.”
“I just heard some of the staff talking about, ‘The rabbi’s here! I’m so happy to see him here, too! I’m so happy to see you here too!”
A woman who calls herself Moni enters the room with a smile on her face.
Monilaria is XANA’s avatar of a rabbit wearing Lolita fashion, and has often talked to Ravi since they met.
“Come on, it’s in front of the customer.”
“Eh~, it’s because someone who’s been a fan for a long time is here! May we talk a little?”
The puffy cheeks look different from what it looks like, it’s a childish gesture.
“It’s okay, Mr. Teto. I want to talk to you too.”
Yayoi turns his body to Ravi again.
“Moni, do you want to do that event again at XANA?”
I want to. But Tet-san says I can’t. Everyone wants to do it, but he won’t let me. Everyone wants to do it, but he won’t let us do it, saying things like, ‘It’s for your own good.
Moni spoke frankly even though she was sulking.
“Is that what you want to do even if XANA and the real world know that you are disabled?”
“Rabbi-san…”
Yayoi and Moni just stare at each other, even though Teto’s eyes widen at such a straightforward question.
Moni tilts her head slightly and puts her index finger on her chin as if thinking.
“Ummm………. Well, it’s not uncommon for people to say that a song created by Moni was ‘created by a handicapped person. It’s okay, I guess, since it’s selling well. People may say, ‘Why now? I think it’s a good thing.”
I don’t want to sound like a jerk, but in the beginning, people may look at you with such colored glasses, but if you keep at it, the world will recognize it as part of your culture. But if you continue to do so, you will be able to make the world recognize that this is part of your culture. There is a world that can only be created by ordinary people and by people with disabilities. Even I was told at first that my work was not suitable for ordinary people, but XANA gave me such a good reputation that I was appointed as their exclusive designer.
When I said that with a bitter smile, Moni said, “That’s impossible! The works that Ravi-san creates are all wonderful!”
“I don’t want to say this, but… as long as there are people who want me to continue, isn’t it better to continue?” There is no doubt that it will be converted into a genius!”
I said to Teto with the momentum of leaning forward, and silence filled the room for a while.
Eventually, Teto seems to have made up his mind and lets out a big sigh.
“Haa… I lost to Mr. Rabbi’s passion. Certainly, there were many opinions from everyone else who said, ‘I want to continue.’ They may have been watching. They aren’t weak enough to protect them by hiding them.”
Moni, who received Teto’s gaze, puffed out, “Ah!”
“If trouble arises, that’s my turn. If you’re afraid of that, you’ll end up depriving them of the opportunity to play an active role. I’ll do my best so that they can return to XANA as soon as possible.” I’ll see you.”
“Mr. Teto…! Yes, I’ll be waiting for you!”