| August had work that day,
so he asked me to look after the candy shop. |
| “The change is in here, and the inventory is over here... But don’t snack too much, okay?” |
| “...I know.” |
| Then August started listing off information about the children who come to the shop, and in great detail.
To be honest, I thought all that information wasn’t necessary, but it was a pain so I listened without saying anything. |
| From their favourite snacks to their siblings, and even their homeroom teacher—
August knew so much about these kids that I was impressed he even remembered all that information at all. |
| I couldn’t stop him and say it was enough
because he looked like he was having so much fun talking about them. |
| He also said the reason he didn’t close the shop was because the kids looked forward to coming here to buy sweets. |
| “April will be back tonight, so have him make dinner.” |
| “...No thanks. It’ll definitely be spicy.” |
| “Now, now. Isn’t that better than my slightly burnt meals?” |
| “...I’d rather have something burnt than spicy. Besides, I don’t dislike your cooking.” |
| “Is that so? I’ll get you some snacks as a souvenir. I’ll be heading out now then.” |
| “See you.” |
| “I’m off.” |
| |
| Hisoka | ...Don’t go. |
| No... I don’t want to throw it away... I still... |
| —— |
| Azuma | ——You’re up? |
| Hisoka | ...Azuma? I was supposed to be sleeping in the attic... |
| Azuma | Sorry. There’s just something we have to do, so we carried you here while you were asleep. |
| Just hold on for a bit longer. |
| Hisoka | ? |
| Azuma | ... |
| Hisoka | ...Is that a hair comb? |
| Azuma | I got it from my brother. It’s for girls and I never get the chance to wear it, but I thought I should clean it every now and then. |
| Hisoka | Your older brother... Wasn’t he, in an accident... |
| Azuma | Yeah. It was more or less a traffic accident. He... fell into the sea. |
| Hisoka | ...Same as me. |
| Azuma | Yeah. You drifted to the beach, right? |
| Hisoka | ...What was your brother like? |
| Azuma | He was a kind older brother who always worried about me. He praised me without ever making fun of my personality. |
| Hisoka | Older brother... |
| Don’t you want to see him again? |
| Azuma | I wonder... I think that period has passed already. I treasure this hair comb as a memento to make up for the fact that I can’t see him anymore. |
| Hisoka | A memento... |
| Azuma | Is there someone you want to see, Hisoka? |
| Hisoka | ...Yeah. |
| Azuma | Can I ask who that is? |
| Hisoka | ...My precious family. I can’t see him anymore though. |
| Azuma | ...I see. So we’ve both lost our precious family. |
| Hisoka | ... |
| Azuma | ... |
| Hisoka | ? |
| Azuma | Is something wrong? |
| Hisoka | There are voices—— |
| *door opens* |
| Izumi | Sorry for the wait! |
| Homare | Ohh, perfect timing. So you’ve awoken. |
| Azuma | He woke up just now. |
| Hisoka | ? |
| Azuma | I said there was something we had to do, right? |
| Tasuku | Can someone clear that table? |
| Tsumugi | I’ll put the drinks here. |
| Izumi | Now, eat to your heart’s content! |
| Homare | It’s Zahran cuisine, especially made by Guy-san. |
| Guy | My cooking is far from perfect though... |
| Izumi | Not at all. The fact that you made this much is more than enough! |
| Azuma | You’ve improved a lot compared to the beginning. |
| *stomach grumble* |
| Hisoka | ... |
| Tsumugi | Was that your stomach? |
| Hisoka | ...I’m hungry. |
| Azuma | I’m glad to hear that. |
| Tasuku | Hurry up and eat before you fall asleep. |
| Hisoka | Thanks for the food. |
| Izumi | Thanks for the food! |
| Azuma | It looks like you’re always sleeping without eating proper meals lately, so I wondered if eating together with everyone would help. |
| Hisoka | ...Sorry for making you worry. |
| Homare | There is no need to apologize. It seemed like you were deep in thought, after all. |
| Tasuku | We can’t have you collapsing during the show where you’re the lead role. |
| Guy | Your body won’t last if you don’t charge it. |
| Tsumugi | We may not be able to do much, but let us know if there’s something we can do. |
| Hisoka | ...Yeah. |
| ...I’m sorry I can’t talk about it. I’m still—— |
| Izumi | There’s no need to rush. If it really is something you want to talk about, the time when you can naturally talk about it will come. |
| ...These are borrowed words though. |
| Hisoka | Naturally... |
| *stomach grumbles* |
| Tasuku | That’s an impressive noise. |
| Azuma | Why don’t we eat for now? The food will get cold. |
| Izumi | You’re right! |
| Tsumugi | This soup is fragrant with spices. |
| Guy | The vegetables burnt when I was making the soup stock. It may taste slightly burnt. |
| Hisoka | ...I’m used to burnt soup. |
| Tsumugi | Were you not a good cook, Hisoka-kun? |
| Hisoka | ...No, my family always burnt things. He put his best effort though. |
| Izumi | Ahaha. |
| Azuma | Whenever you’re up for it again, tell us more about your family, okay? |
| Hisoka | —— |
| ...Someday I’ll be able to talk about it naturally. |
| Azuma | ? |
| Hisoka | No, it’s nothing. |
| |
| Guy | ...All right, this should be enough. And then... |
| Hisoka | ... |
| Guy | Mikage? Is something wrong? |
| Hisoka | ...Tasuku, Tsumugi, and the Director are drunk and have started talking about theater, and even Arisu has started crying. It was too loud in there. |
| Guy | I see. I was thinking I should make another snack. Do you have any requests? |
| Well, it’s not as if I can make anything... but I’m good at making burnt soup. |
| Hisoka | ...Fufu. Burnt soup is fine, but I want something else right now. |
| Guy | What is it? |
| Hisoka | Marshmallows topped with marshmallows. |
| Guy | ...I think I’d be able to make that. |
| Hisoka | ... |
| Guy | I wonder what kind of stage we’ll be performing next. But it’s Minagi we’re talking about, so I’m sure he’ll come up with an interesting script. |
| Hisoka | ... |
| Guy | Is something wrong? |
| Hisoka | ...I lied. |
| Guy | Lied? |
| Tsuzuru | ——Oh, you guys are here. Perfect timing. |
