Aoba:

Then, I’m out for deliveries!

Haga:

Yes, thank you.

(Aoba leaves the store, there’s the sound of running footsteps)

Aoba:

Hmm?

Ren:

What is it, Aoba?

Aoba:

I’m probably just imagining it but today it seems like there’s a lot of girls out. It’s kind of like they’re just aimlessly wandering around looking for something… Was there something going on today?

Ren:

It seems that particularly there are not any scheduled events.

Aoba:

Hmm… what’s going on?

Kou:

Aoba-san!

Hagima:

Aoba-san!

Aoba:

Kou! Hagima!

Hagima:

It’s a good thing we found you. I’m sorry, but I’ve got something I need to ask you. Is that all right?

Aoba:

Ah, it’s fine, but…what happened? You’re all worked up.

Kou:

Ah, Aoba-san…have you heard from Koujaku-san?

Aoba:

Koujaku?

Hagima:

Yes. It seems like he was planning on opening up his shop around here today, but he hasn’t shown up yet.

Kou:

I’ve e-mailed him and he won’t reply, plus he won’t pick up his phone. Thanks to that, Koujaku-san’s guests are just loitering around.

Aoba:

Ah, so that’s why there’s a ton of people around.

Hagima:

Yeah. It’s really caught the attention of our team as well as Koujaku-san’s guests.

Kou:

Well, Koujaku-san usually opens up shop rather unexpectedly so it’s not like there’s really reservations…but even still there’s really a lot of customers around looking for him.

Aoba:

You said it.

Kou:

If we keep pushing our luck, the police might come in and start barking orders. This could get nasty…

Hagima:

Koujaku-san’s never taken a break from work without saying a word to anyone before.

Kou:

We don’t even know what to do. Just now we were thinking about heading for Koujaku-san’s place.

Aoba:

I see… Just wait a sec, I’m going to try calling Koujaku now.

Kou:

Oh…

Hagima:

But…I don’t think he’s gonna answer.

Aoba:

If I call him right now, he’ll probably pick up.

Hagima:

Ah…right…well…

(Aoba’s phone rings, Koujaku picks up)

Aoba:

Ah, hello? Koujaku?

Koujaku:

Ah…

Hagima:

[If it’s Aoba-san, he’ll pick up!]

Aoba:

What’s wrong? You said you’d open up your shop today, right?

Koujaku:

Oh…

Aoba:

Your customers are looking for you, and Kou and Hagima are worried.

Koujaku:

Right…I’m sorry. For causing trouble.

Aoba:

That’s not…I mean, I’m fine. Really…what happened? Are you tired?

Koujaku:

That’s not it…today I’m just a little–I don’t really feel like working.

Aoba:

Are you feeling sick?

Koujaku:

No.

Aoba:

Then do you mean…is it because of what happened yesterday?

Koujaku:

Ah…

Aoba:

You said that kind of thing’s been happening more and more lately, didn’t you? If it’s bothering you then don’t push yourself. Take a break. Just make sure you tell everyone else first.

Koujaku:

Ah–

Aoba:

You know that if anything ever happens you’re supposed to give people a head’s up, right? That’s why everyone was worried over nothing this time.

Koujaku:

I’m sorry for making you worry. (he sighs, rough) At least for today, I’ll take a break. Tell Hagima and Kou that I’m sorry, but I’m all right. And have them tell my customers I’m taking a break today.

Aoba:

I can take care of that, but…

Koujaku:

I’m sorry. That’s all.

(he hangs up)

Aoba:

Ah…

Hagima:

How was Koujaku-san?

Aoba:

Ah? Oh, well…he said he’s not feeling well today so he’s taking a break. He apologized to Kou and you. Also, he wants you to tell his customers that he’s taking a break today.

Kou:

So that’s it. You’re worried about Koujaku-san, aren’t you? Is it about what he said before?

Hagima:

The invitations to tamaokuri have really been nonstop.

Aoba:

Last night I saw Koujaku again when I was headed home from work. Well, more like I just ran across him. He was talking with a girl then. Like you’d guess, it was about tamaokuri.

Hagima:

Eh?! Something like that happened afterwards?

Kou:

That’s pretty bad…

Aoba:

Mhm…and the way Koujaku rejected her was pretty forceful. The girl said a lot so it couldn’t really be helped, but he said something like “I don’t think that I’d want to go along with anyone who treats tamaokuri so lightly”…and “It’s an insult to your ancestors.”

Hagima:

Aah…Koujaku-san’s really serious about that sort of thing.

Kou:

One of our teammate’s a guy who’s lost his entire family except for his little brother. When that happened Koujaku-san was really concerned about him. Just a little while ago he said to him that it’d probably be a good idea for him to go to tamaokuri this year.

Aoba:

Is that right.

Kou:

It seems like he really hates it when people joke around or poke fun at matters of life and death. At least for me, whenever Koujaku-san just snaps I think it’s badass!

Hagima:

But you know, and I might be acting too suspicious here, but sometimes I wonder if something happened to Koujaku-san in the past. Koujaku-san always listens carefully to what we’ve got to say, but he doesn’t really talk about himself. But that just makes me think it even more.

Aoba:

Once I’m done with work today I’m going to try stopping by Koujaku’s place.

Hagima:

Eh, are you serious?

Aoba:

Yeah. I’m worried about him too.

Kou:

Thank you so much. Good luck with him.

Hagima:

I think it’s probably better if Aoba-san goes instead of us. Please do.

Aoba:

All right.

Hagima:

You’re working right now, right? I’m sorry for stopping you like that. We’ll take care of telling Koujaku-san’s guests that he’s taking a break and dispersing the crowd.

Aoba:

Right. Then, see you later!

Kou:

Yes!

Hagima:

Hey, listen up! Today Koujaku-san’s not coming! You can’t see him!

Girl 1:

Eeh? Why isn’t he coming?

Girl 2:

He said he was going to be here today!

Kou:

Come on, just deal with it! Shit happens! Hurry up and go home!

Girl 1:

What’s with that…

Girl 2:

Aah, that sucks…Koujaku-saan…

Hagima:

All right, go home, go home!

Kou:

You’re blocking the way! Let’s go!

~interlude~

(Aoba heading up to Koujaku’s place)

Aoba:

I sent him an e-mail just in case, but I wonder if he’s here.

Ren:

There’s no need for you to worry over that, Aoba.

Aoba:

But he didn’t reply to my message. I wonder if he’s okay…really…

(he heads the rest of the way up and rings the doorbell. after a long pause the door opens)

Koujaku:

(pulling in a harsh breath) Yes?

Aoba:

Y-Yo.

Koujaku:

…Aoba.

Aoba:

Ahah…I’m glad you opened the door. I didn’t know what I was gonna do if you ignored me. Did you…get my message?

Koujaku:

Oh…sorry. I didn’t.

Aoba:

Oh, that’s fine. Sorry for coming so suddenly.

Koujaku:

Don’t worry…but, why?

Aoba:

I’m just…kind of worried about you. I sort of came right over after work.

Koujaku:

(he sounds surprised, then sighs) Is that right. I really am sorry. For making you worry. For not seeing your message either.

Aoba:

It’s okay. Were you sleeping?

Koujaku:

That’s not it…I kept on getting messages from customers. So I just–

Aoba:

Ah, I get it.

Koujaku:

Are you coming in?

Aoba:

Aha…mmh. I want to say “yeah,” but I don’t think I will.

Koujaku:

Why?

Aoba:

You haven’t noticed it? You’ve got a pretty terrible look on your face right now.

Koujaku:

Oh–

Aoba:

You’ve got something you want to think over on your own, right? Plus it just doesn’t seem like you’re ready to talk about it with anyone else yet. I’ve got things like that too. That’s why I’ll leave it here for today. But you know…it’s fine to worry over it on your own, but don’t get yourself too worked up. At least…I’m here for you.

Koujaku:

Aoba.

Aoba:

Anyway, I just came to say that today. I wanted to see you.

Koujaku:

(he makes a choked sound, then embraces Aoba)

Aoba.

Aoba:

U-uwah u-uh th-this is the hallway! Eh–uh–ah?

Koujaku:

You really would forgive me anything…I’m sorry. I’ll definitely speak with you.

Aoba:

Ah, mhm…

Koujaku:

If you noticed this much…I really am no good.

Aoba:

You’re not no good–!

Koujaku:

Tch.

Aoba:

Hmph. Everyone has times like these. You can’t really help it. But this isn’t the end of it. If you feel like you’re a bother, then the next step is recovery. Not just for me, but for everyone else too.

Koujaku:

Hah. That’s right, isn’t it?

Aoba:

Besides, at least for me if it’s your “trouble” we’re talking about…I don’t care how much of it I’m responsible for.

Koujaku:

Iidiot. If you do that you’ll just soak it all up. But…thank you, Aoba. I’m glad that you came to see me.

Aoba:

Ehe…you’re making a big deal out of it. Kou and Hagima said it’s fine if you want to reach out to them later too.

Koujaku:

Yeah.

Aoba:

Later then. Good night, Koujaku.

Koujaku:

Good night…

(Aoba leaves. At the end, Koujaku sighs)