Aoba:

Let’s see…I’ve got this and that…all that’s left is…I didn’t forget that either…

Ren:

Aoba. Earlier I saw you place what seemed to be a change of clothes on top of the bed.

Aoba:

Ah, that’s right! I thought I put them back in but I left them there.

Ren:

After you’ve taken care of the change of clothes, you said that you would take along tools for unexpected maintenance, didn’t you?

Aoba:

I remembered my tools right away. I thought I’d forgotten about them but I forgot about my change of clothes instead. If something happened to you while we were traveling I’d be in trouble.

Ren:

Certainly. Scrupulous preparations are important. However, don’t you think that it would be better to allow a bit more time to prepare for your trip? If you prepare everything on the day of the trip the probability of forgetting items increases comparatively.

Aoba:

That’s not it! I wanted to wake up earlier. I didn’t think I’d wake up with only an hour before we have to leave! (sighs) Geeez, Ren! Why didn’t you wake me up??

Ren:

I jumped up and down on top of you countless times, Aoba, but you didn’t wake up so it can’t be helped.

Aoba:

(groans) That’s just because I didn’t sleep well last night…I was just nervous. (sighs) I’m acting like a kid.

Ren:

Aoba. It would be best to take your change of clothes and go. It’s nearly 7. Koujaku is coming.

Aoba:

Ah, right. Right right. Get my clothes…I was just about to forget them again. Ren, thanks!

(Tae coming upstairs)

Tae:

You certainly are making a racket this early in the morning!

Ren:

Tae, as you can imagine I truly am sorry for rousing you.

Tae:

You don’t have to apologize for that, Ren. After all someone didn’t prepare at all before the day of his trip, didn’t he?

Ren:

That is the case. You certainly understand Aoba quite well.

Tae:

Something like this isn’t ‘understanding’ him, it’s ‘watching it happen.’ Geez. I’m so disgusted I could scream.

(Aoba running around)

Aoba:

Ah, Granny! I’m sorry for the noise!

Tae:

It’s nothing. You’re always noisy. That’s not something that started here.

Aoba:

Ahaha…

Tae:

More than that, are you all ready? You haven’t forgotten anything?

Aoba:

Aah…I think I should be okay now. I made sure to check everything. (he lifts his bag up)

Koujaku:

(from outside)

Good morning!

Aoba:

Ah, he’s here.

Ren:

It’s Koujaku.

Aoba:

Coming! I’m getting the door now!

(he goes and does that)

Koujaku:

Yo, good morning!

Beni:

Good morning.

Aoba:

Morning, Koujaku, Beni.

Ben:

Where’s Ren at?

Aoba:

Ah, he’s right here.

Ren:

Good morning, Beni.

Beni:

Ooh, Ren! Good morning.

Koujaku:

Are you all ready? It’s about time to get going.

Tae:

I can’t believe you two. Anytime you meet, it’s just chatter chatter. Can’t you be any quieter?

Koujaku:

Ah! Tae-san, morning! Did he wake you?

Tae:

I was awake a long time ago. I thought that I would make breakfast.

Koujaku:

I see. Aoba and I have to head out now so it’s too bad that we can’t have breakfast.

Aoba:

Really….

Tae:

You say that but as soon as you’re back you’ll come over to eat, won’t you? For heaven’s sake, just what do you think our house is?

Koujaku:

Ahaha, my apologies, as always, Tae-san.

Tae:

Tch. Even still…it’s always right there but I can’t get used to seeing it…

Aoba:

Ah? What’s that?

Tae:

Your hair.

Koujaku:

Ooh…

Tae:

It’s been long ever since you were a child. Even now when I look at you from behind it feels a little out of place.

Aoba:

Ehehe, it doesn’t suit me?

Tae:

No, it suits you. I’m just not used to it. Well, I’ll get used to it in time.

Aoba:

I see.

Koujaku:

Ahaha.

Beni:

If we don’t hurry up we’re gonna be late, Koujaku.

Koujaku:

Ah, oh, that’s right. Then let’s head out.

Aoba:

Right! Prep’s okay! Let’s go, Koujaku.

Koujaku:

Well then, Tae-san, for three days we’re headed off to the mainland!

Aoba:

I’ll bring back souvenirs!

Tae:

I don’t need any. At any rate, take care of yourself.

Aoba:

Yeah. Then we’re off.

~interlude~

Aoba:

Aaah, we’ve finally arrived!

Koujaku:

Was that your first time on an airplane?

Aoba:

Yeah, but looking out the window it felt like we got here in the blink of an eye.

Koujaku:

It’s three hours from Midorijima to the mainland. (sighs) Even still, it’s been a while since I’ve felt the mainland’s breeze.

Aoba:

It’s a lot cooler than Midorijima here, right?

Koujaku:

Midorijima’s warm all year round. It feels a bit chilly coming here.

Aoba:

Yeah. But it was hot inside that plane so it feels good.

Koujaku:

Is that right.

Aoba:

Your mother’s grave is still a ways away from here, right?

Koujaku:

Yeah. First we’ll head to the city closest to the cemetery and then head out from there. It’ll probably be night by the time we get to the city.

Aoba:

Got it. Then, please take the lead. I don’t know the way at all.

Koujaku:

Right. Uh, that’s right that’s right…we’ve gotta wake up Beni and Ren.

Aoba:

Ah, that’s right.

Koujaku:

There we go. (Beni starts up) Good morning, Beni. Did you sleep well?

Beni:

Yeah, I was fast asleep!

Aoba:

Ren too. (Ren starts up) Good morning, Ren.

Ren:

Good morning, Aoba. Have we arrived on the mainland?

Aoba:

Yeah. We’ve arrived.

Beni:

It’s been a while~ The air’s really different from Midorijima here~

Koujaku:

Ah? What’s that, Beni? You can tell the difference?

Beni:

Naturally! Just who do you think I am?

Koujaku:

Of course, of course. My apologies.

Beni:

Ren, this is your first time coming to the mainland, isn’t it?

Ren:

Yes.

Beni:

Then you don’t know a siiingle thing. But don’t worry over it! I’ll tell you whateeever you need to know!

Ren:

I would be grateful if you would.

Beni:

Yeah!

Aoba:

Ahaha, we’re counting on you, Beni.

Koujaku:

What’s that? You’re being a cheeky little brat, aren’t you?

Beni:

(nervous laughter) What are you talking about, Koujaku?

Koujaku:

Fine then, you’ll just sit on my shoulder.

Beni:

Tchh.

(he flies to Koujaku’s shoulder)

Koujaku:

Well! Let’s hurry up and get a move on. If we’re too slow it’ll be night by the time we arrive. We’ll do our best to get to the inn and then take it easy.

Aoba:

Yeah.