(beeps and screens opening)

Tae:

Welcome back.

Clear:

Welcome home, Aoba-san.

Aoba:

Granny, how is it? Is there anything wrong with him?

Tae:

Well, about that…at least not for now.

Aoba:

That’s good.

Tae:

But today he fell from the stairway.

Aoba:

Eh?!

Clear:

Aah, Tae-san! I thought that I asked you not to tell Aoba-san!

Tae:

What are you doing spouting off something stupid like that?! It’s something important. There’s nothing that’s worth hiding and leaving to wait.

Clear:

Ehe…

Aoba:

You fell on the stairs?

Clear:

Weeh…yes…

Aoba:

Are you all right? Did you hit yourself anywhere?

Clear:

I got tangled up on the stairs and my feet slipped. I didn’t hit my head, but my butt does hurt a little…

Aoba:

Right…but really, you…just how many times have I said to be careful? What were you thinking?

Clear:

I’m sorry! I was trying to be careful…

Aoba:

Today we were lucky that you’re all right, but if you’d hit your head–ah…

Clear:

Aoba-san…

Tae:

I’m still taking a look at you. Clear, turn this way.

Clear:

Ah, yes…

Aoba:

(sighs) Granny…

Tae:

What is it?

Aoba:

The screen you’re looking at right now…what’s this? What’s it a reading of?

Tae:

Ah, that’s the amount of oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output.

Aoba:

Then, this one?

Tae:

That’s a reading of the average speed at which neurotransmitters transmit to each muscle. The specific details of each one are spread all over on the display.

Aoba:

Then, this other one?

Tae:

(sighs, irritated) Aoba. Save the rest of your questions for later. If you don’t then this exam will take forever.

Aoba:

Ah–mhm. I got it.

Tae:

What’s with you all of a sudden?

Aoba:

Hm? Ah…I was just a little curious.

Tae:

Did you think that you wanted to do Clear’s exam in my place?

Aoba:

Aah…um…nu uh. I wouldn’t say that. But, because it’s Clear there’s a lot that I want to do for him…

Clear:

Aoba-san…

Aoba:

Ehe…just calling it good and leaving everything up to Granny feels a little inexcusable.

Tae:

It’s not at all. You don’t need to worry over it.

Aoba:

Thank you, Granny.

Tae:

Hmph.

Aoba:

But, Clear. Really, seriously, keep an eye out. I’d be in trouble if anything happened to you.

Clear:

Yes. I truly am sorry for having worried you. I’ll properly find a job and start working so it will be all right.

Aoba:

Clear, that’s not the point. If you feel like it’s hard to move anywhere or something happens, you don’t have to force yourself to find a job. Right, Granny?

Tae:

That’s right.

Aoba:

I’m telling you I’m worried about you. Really…don’t overdo it.

Clear:

Yes. I’m sorry. I will do everything I can to make sure you don’t have to worry any more.

Aoba:

Yeah… Please do.

Clear:

Yes.

~interlude~

Aoba:

Ah, I’m stuffed! Aah, that was delicious.

Clear:

Yes. I’m glad that you ate all of it.

Tae:

(sips tea, sighs) You could say that your skill at cooking is just about perfect.

Clear:

Ah, I’m so happy I’d really like to expand my menu by learning to make more and more different things!

Tae:

Well then, I’ll teach you everything I know.

Clear:

Yes! Please do!

Aoba:

Oh! So you’re being inducted into Granny’s style of cooking. Granny’s cooking is really great. I guess I’ll just reap the benefits.

Tae:

As for you, that’s because your cooking’s just average, isn’t it?

Aoba:

Yup! That’s why I’ll be in charge of eating!

Tae:

For heaven’s sake. “In charge of” it? You won’t be doing a damn thing.

Clear:

Hehehe

Aoba:

Hehe. Ah, it’s time. Then, I’m off to work!

Clear:

Have a safe trip.

Aoba:

Ah, that’s right. I don’t need lunch or dinner today.

Clear:

Eh?

Tae:

Do you have something planned?

Aoba:

Ah…kind of. I’ll probably be late coming home too.

Clear:

Is that right…

Aoba:

Clear, be careful not to fall down.

Clear:

Yes!

Aoba:

Then, I’m off!

(he leaves)

Clear:

Aoba-san…he doesn’t need lunch or dinner…that’s a first, isn’t it?

Tae:

Hmm…

Clear:

What do you think happened? Do you think he’s feeling unwell?

Tae:

It doesn’t seem that way at all.

Clear:

Then it must be that he’s made plans or something else…

Tae:

Well, there’s nothing to be done for it by sitting around here being heavy-hearted. It’s something you should ask Aoba about when he gets home.

Clear:

Yes…

Tae:

All right then. This is a bit sudden, but…I’ll show you a simple way to make doughnuts.

Clear:

Ah–yes! Oh, but…today I have to leave in just a little while. Would it be all right if we started after I return?

Tae:

Where are you going?

Clear:

A job interview. Of the various shops that I visited earlier two of them are holding interviews today.

Tae:

Is that right. Then we’ll pick up after you get back. Do your best at your interviews.

Clear:

Yes! I’ll do my best!

~interlude~

(Clear opens the door, returning)

Clear:

I’ve returned home…

Tae:

Welcome back, Clear. How were your interviews?

Clear:

Eeeh…Tae-san. I have something that I’d like your advice on.

Tae:

At least hurry up and get inside first.

Clear:

Yes…

Tae:

(sipping tea)

Then? What did you need advice on?

Clear:

Well, today I had interviews at two different shops. At both stores, when I started talking the employees’ expressions only got darker and darker. And then, when I asked if they might consider hiring me, in both cases they made an extreeemely bitter face… Am I really that terrible?

Tae:

Hmm, I don’t think you’re terrible. You’re just a little scatterbrained.

Clear:

They must have completely sensed that…

Tae:

Well, it’s nothing to get so depressed over. Don’t get flustered over it either. You’ve really been a great help just around the house lately.

Clear:

Uwweeeh

Tae:

Don’t rush. Just take your time. You should find a store where you can feel at ease at work. Getting a job isn’t important. It’s what you’ll learn through having a job.

Clear:

Yes. I’ll do my best.

Tae:

All right. Then, I’ll show you how to make doughnuts like I said this morning.

Clear:

Yes!

Tae:

We’ll make some tasty ones and you can have Aoba eat them.

Clear:

Yes! Let’s do our best!

~interlude~

(the sound of running water)

Clear:

Ah…it’s already 10. Aoba-san’s late… Even though he said that he wouldn’t need dinner, this is… I wonder what happened. Ah–(Clear running) Aoba-san!

Aoba:

Ah! Clear!

Clear:

Ah…welcome home. Thank you for your hard work.

Aoba:

Aha…I’m home. What happened? You look really panicked. Ah–you didn’t fall down again, did you??

Clear:

No! Today I was fine.

Aoba:

Geeze…don’t surprise me like that. I was seriously worried!

Clear:

I’m sorry… Um…you really were later than usual today, weren’t you?

Aoba:

Ahh…mhm. Just a little.

Clear:

Have you had dinner?

Aoba:

Yeah. I ate before heading back so I’m fine.

Clear:

Is that right…

Aoba:

What’s up?

Clear:

Oh, it’s nothing. I just learned how to make doughnuts from Tae-san today. I thought that maybe if you were still hungry…

Aoba:

Seriously? I’ll have some! Even if I wasn’t hungry, I’d have some!

Clear:

Ah…then, I’ll bring them out so please wait! (he runs out and then back) It’s just this but… please.

Aoba:

Oh! That looks delicious! Itadakimasu! (ohmnomnom)

Clear:

How is it?

Aoba:

Mmmh!! It’s great! You’re too good, Clear!

Clear:

Is that right…I’m glad!

Aoba:

(ohmnomnom) Ahh…I’ve had Granny’s before too, but these can’t be beat. Are you planning to usurp the title of the Seragaki Household Cooking Master?

Clear:

I wouldn’t do something like that. My cooking owes everything to Tae-san.

Aoba:

I’ll have one more! (nomnom) Ah…I’m stuffed. I’ll have the rest tomorrow.

Clear:

Yes.

Aoba:

(sighs) It’s pretty late…I better take a bath and head to bed. Clear, thanks for waiting up for me. But you should hurry up and rest.

Clear:

Yes. You’ve done a lot today, Aoba-san.

Aoba:

Mhm. Good job. (Aoba heads off)

Clear:

…Aoba-san.