Fantasy Interview | Reiko

Hello. I'm Sato, your fantasy interviewer.

This may seem sudden, but animals don't usually speak, do they? But what if they could speak? What would their true thoughts be? What would their relationships be like with their companions?

This series of interviews was written while I was daydreaming about such things. I hope you will bear with me as I indulge in my delusions for a little while. Today, we have our second guest, Snake Reiko, appearing. Thank you for your attention!



-Good morning. You're a great morning person, Reiko.

It's not a question of strength or weakness, but rather a question of willpower. Being weak in the mornings is just being selfish.

- Gggghhh... I feel so refreshed... Thank you for joining us today! I heard that you are now in charge of the Surveillance Department, Reiko.

There is a warehouse where food and important items are stored, and everyone keeps watch to make sure that the food they have stored up is not stolen by other creatures.

-It's a very important role, and it requires a lot of patience.

Yes. It's not enough to say that I was careless. You can't let your guard down even for a moment. Well, something happens maybe twice a year. It's a job that just requires you to stay alert and keep an eye on things. But it's a job that comes with a lot of responsibility.

-...Don't you ever get bored?

Huh? Do you get bored? I don't get bored. It's a job. Or rather, if I get bored, can I just quit? Is there someone else to protect me? I thought that was a really insensitive question.

I'm sorry. I'll reflect on that... By the way, I heard that you run every morning, Reiko. What made you start?

Yes. It was because I was angry when people said I was useless because I was a brain. I have a sharp look in my eyes and my words are cold, so people often tease me indirectly. They call me "Reiko-sama" or "cruel Reiko-sama" behind my back. Then, eventually, people started saying directly, "Reiko-sama is a brain, after all." They said I'd be useless if I didn't have the strength to do anything in an emergency. So, to deny that and prove my strength, I started running.

-That's very stoic... If it were me, I would probably get really stressed out just thinking about it.

Honestly, it does stress me out. At times like that, I just say "bow." The "bow" of sticking my tongue out. Sticking my tongue out is the best. First of all, it doesn't hurt anyone. It's not a violent act. If you do it when no one is looking, it doesn't make anyone feel bad. But for some reason, it makes me feel good. It's the mental health technique I would most recommend to all living things.

- I'm surprised. They stick out their tongues! It somehow makes me feel closer to them. I thought it was only humans who did that!

... What can I say? The reason snakes have long tongues is because they stick their tongues out abnormally often. Even if they are born with a normal length, as they stick their tongues out, their tongues get longer and longer. To be honest, I felt a little frustrated when humans started imitating them.

-What! What! Really? I've always wondered why people have long tongues, but I never thought the mystery would be solved in this way... Then maybe I should stick my tongue out every day too...

Yes, I think that tongues grow very quickly. But for us, tongues are just "hands," and there's no particular benefit to a human tongue growing longer. We have hands after all. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a pianist. But my mother told me, "Snakes can't become pianists. That's just the way they are." I was so sad. I felt so helpless. I can't tell you how much I envied humans.

-So that was your past. But you seem to be having a lot of fun now. Has anything changed in your feelings?

Yes, my friend Masami invited me to join a hula dance club. At first I wondered why hula dance. I was a bit embarrassed. But as I continued to do it, I started to enjoy it. It made me realize that this was what I wanted to do. As I enjoyed doing the things that only snakes like us could do, my mood brightened and I felt proud to be a snake. I am truly grateful to Masami.

-Hula dancing...! I can't imagine this coming from the strict Reiko, but it's wonderful. Enjoying what you can do in the environment you're in. I want to emulate that. Thank you for sharing your valuable story today. I think this article will give hope to all living things. Take care!

Thank you very much. See you again soon. Take care.