Haga:

Aoba-kun, are you free right now?

Aoba:

Yes! Oh, another delivery?

Haga:

That’s right. I’m sorry that they’re one after the other right now, but do you think you can manage?

Aoba:

Heh. Of course. Then, I’m off.

Haga:

Today there’s quite a few destinations, it certainly must be difficult.

Aoba:

Not at all, I’ll be fine. I’ll head out right away.

Haga:

Haha, thank you very much. I’ll be heading out right after this.

Aoba:

Ah, you’re preparing for tamaokuri?*

Haga:

That’s right.

Aoba:

Since the Midorijima shrine’s festival is already over…that’s next week, isn’t it?

Haga:

Yes. Up until this past year both the festival and tamaokuri were suspended. They’ve really made a comeback this year, haven’t they? The people who asked me to help out were so spirited I thought “I should definitely help out as well!”

Aoba:

That’s right… Just yesterday I told them that I’d be helping out too.

Haga:

Is that right! Then, let’s do our best together.

Aoba:

Right. I’m really looking forward to this year’s tamaokuri!

Haga:

Yes. Let’s make it something wonderful.

Aoba:

Then, I’m heading out for deliveries!

Haga:

Yes. Please do. Take care!

~interlude~

Aoba:

All right, let’s do our best at deliveries today! But even still, it’s really been busy lately…

Ren:

Certainly. These past few days the deliveries have been non-stop.

Aoba:

Plus each time the destinations just keep on piling up. Last week we started the priority orders for those new goods, but it’s already a huge hit. The orders just neeever stop. I get the chance to sell some other goods too, but it’s nuts.

Ren:

Can’t you use Delivery Works for deliveries?

Aoba:

I use them when the destination’s really far away, but if it’s closer then it doesn’t cost as much to just hoof it, right?

Ren:

Certainly.

Aoba:

If it’s for the hopes of our store, we’d really want to keep the costs down, right? We can’t live a life of luxury where we can let people complain even a little. That’s why I’m here, right? Plus Haga-san’s really busy helping out with tamaokuri right now.

Ren:

By tamaokuri you mean by the event where offerings and flowers are placed on trays made of straw, candles are lit and the trays are set out on the ocean to accompany the deceased, don’t you?

Aoba:

Right right. Just a little while ago we had the festival at the Midorijima shrine, right? This happens right after that. Haga-san’s someone who’s really pumped up about our island’s events. There’s only three days until tamaokuri so right now it’s getting a little noisy around here, huh… Well, that’s why I’ve got to do my best for the store. All right, let’s get to work, let’s get to work! Ren, what’s the fastest way to get to this stop?

Ren:

That place is…

Girl:

Kyaa~! Amazing! So cool!

Aoba:

Huh? Who’s gathering a crowd over there…ugh. Well you don’t even have to think about it to know who’s over there.

Customer:

Hey, Koujaku-san.

Koujaku:

Hmm~?

Customer:

Are you free next Sunday?

Koujaku:

Sunday, huh…ah, hold still for a second. (snipsnip) Hm…Sunday, is it…Sunday…I’m busy. I’m sorry.

Customer:

Then, when are you free?

Koujaku:

Careful…! If you turn around, I’ll end up giving you a bad cut. I’d like to do my best to give you something cute, so please face forward?

Customer:

Geeze. That’s because you wouldn’t answer me.

Girl in Line:

Hey, you! What are you doing trying to drag it out for yourself? Everyone’s waiting their turn here! Hurry up and finish up!

Koujaku:

Hm. All right. All finished! Your mirror, if you please. What do you think? I think that it has a good feel to it.

Customer:

Uwaaah! It’s so good!

Koujaku:

Isn’t it? I took this part at the side…and adjusted it up to here. And just so the bottom doesn’t get too heavy…I did this. How is it?

Customer:

Aaaah!

Girl in Line:

That smile’s irresistible~!

Aoba:

Aah…hah. What’s with him. He’s the same as always.

Girl in Line:

Come on, hurry up and move! It’s my turn next!

Customer:

Koujaku-san, thank you very much! I’ll come again!

Koujaku:

Of course, see you later! Oh–Aoba?

Aoba:

Uwah! He looked over here.

Koujaku:

Aoba!

Aoba:

[Look in front of you! In front! Don’t look over here!]**

Koujaku:

[Oh, hah…]

Aoba:

[Eh…uh…seriously…if his fans see me they’ll eat me up. Then, let’s hurry up and run away…ehehe. Bye bye, Koujaku.]

Koujaku:

[Bye bye~]

Aoba:

Ahh. Even though I’ve completely gotten used to seeing that sort of thing, each time he’s really something.

Ren:

However, it seems as though it’s significantly more relaxed than before.

Aoba:

What’s that?

Ren:

Koujaku himself. Recently I haven’t even seen him walking around with women.

Aoba:

Hmm. Well, that’s true, isn’t it…but being surrounded like that won’t really change, will it?

Ren:

Yes. In that case, he’s in the middle of working so it can’t be helped. Speaking of which, Aoba.

Aoba:

Huh?

Ren:

If we continue in this direction we’ll be taking a roundabout route to our destination.

Aoba:

Eh?! Aah, that’s right, I forgot! Nngaaah. Ren, find me a short cut!

Ren:

Understood.

---

*tamaokuri is an event that’s part of the Bon Festival held annually in Japan to honor the spirits of the dead. It translates to “sending off the spirits of the dead” but since that’s really clunky I’ve left it as is.

**the brackets [] are for when the boys are whispering at each other