Aoba:

Then, I’m off to work!

Tae:

Take care on your way!

Clear:

Ah, Aoba-san!

Aoba:

Ah?

Clear:

What time do you think you’ll be home tonight?

Aoba:

Ah, tonight…I think it’ll be late tonight too. I don’t need dinner!

Clear:

I-is that right…

Aoba:

Yeah. You can head to bed before me. See you!

(Aoba leaves)

Clear:

(sighs)

Tae:

Hm?

Clear:

Aoba-san said that he doesn’t need dinner tonight the same way he didn’t need it yesterday.

Tae:

Hm…well, I’m sure he has his reasons. Like plans he made with someone.

Clear:

I wonder if that’s the case…

Tae:

He isn’t a child. If he says he doesn’t need it then he’ll probably eat out somewhere. It’s all right.

Clear:

Yes…

Tae:

What’s that? It’s nothing to get so disheartened over. For heaven’s sake. You’re acting like his mother.

Clear:

Ah, that’s not it…

Tae:

Haha, well then for a change of pace I’ve got a favor to ask of you.

Clear:

A favor?

Tae:

Right. Can you deliver this to Haga-san?

Clear:

To Haga-san?

Tae:

I met with him yesterday. He said that the muscles in his neck have been hurting for a little while and it won’t go away so I made him a salve to take the pain away. I meant to ask Aoba to take it with him this morning but he dashed out of here in such a hurry. I missed my chance to ask him to take it. It’d be best if you got it to Haga-san as quickly as possible. Do you think you can do it?

Clear:

Yes. I understand. Then, I’ll deliver this medicine to Haga-san!

Tae:

Do your sincere best to go slowly and make sure you don’t fall, all right? I’m asking you.

Clear:

Yes.

~interlude~

Clear:

Aah…I wonder what’s happened to Aoba-san. Is the food that I’ve made him not that good? Or has he gotten tired of it? If he says that he doesn’t need it again then what will I do? Ah, but he said that the sweets I made him yesterday were delicious…ah. Is my cooking the only thing that I can do to make Aoba-san happy? I haven’t found a job either…ah! The light turned red! Ah…

Mizuki:

Yo!

Clear:

Ah! Uwah! Ah…Mizuki-san!

Mizuki:

Hah. You’re on your own today, Clear? That’s a rare sight. Are you headed somewhere?

Clear:

Yes. I’m going to deliver Tae-san’s medicine to Haga-san. I was on my way to Heibon.

Mizuki:

Aah, is that right? That’s fine, but you looked like you were really depressed. I thought that something happened.

Clear:

Eeh? Did I really look like that…

Mizuki:

Yeah. You were hanging your head in shame with your shoulders in a heartbroken slump. I thought you might have been lost or something.

Clear:

Oh, no…um…

Mizuki:

Ah, what’s that? Is there something you’re worried about?

Clear:

Ah, no, it’s just…

Mizuki:

If it’s something you can’t say that’s fine too.

Clear:

Uuum…that is…how do I put it…living is really difficult isn’t it…

Mizuki:

Uwah, that’s pretty heavy…what happened to you?

Clear:

How to say it, I’m disappointed in my own defectiveness. I really am a worthless guy to the end.

Mizuki:

Hey, hey. You’re just getting heavier. Anyway, that’s not true at all.

Clear:

No, I’m certain I’m undependable.

Mizuki:

I’m telling you that’s not it.

Clear:

I failed my interviews as well.

Mizuki:

Interviews?

Clear:

Yes. I’m looking for a job right now. But I’m not getting any good responses. At this rate there’s nothing to stop it if Aoba-san stops finding me appealing.

Mizuki:

Geeze, now Aoba’s suddenly come up. What’s wrong? Did you fight with Aoba?

Clear:

Oh, no! It’s absolutely not like that! Just…I’ve fallen into self-loathing on my own…

Mizuki:

Hm. I don’t really know the details, but if it’s Aoba shouldn’t you be fine? well…it seems a little like you’re talking at cross-purposes. That kind of thing happens to everyone. If you just talk it out with him you’d be surprised at how you’ll realize “Oh, it was just that?” and it’ll all be over.

Clear:

Do you think that’s the case…

Mizuki:

Anyway, earlier you said you hadn’t found a job, right?

Clear:

Ah, yes.

Mizuki:

In that case, I’ve got an idea. Why not work at my place?

Clear:

Eh? At your place…?

Mizuki:

At my store. I have a tattoo parlor. One of my part-timers said he’s thinking about quitting recently.

Clear:

Really?

Mizuki:

Yeah. That’s why if it’s all right with you we’d give you a warm welcome.

Clear:

Aah, if it’s Mizuki-san’s store then I’d be at ease as well! Ah, but…um…would someone like me be all right?

Mizuki:

Haha, are you off on that again? We’ll teach you what you don’t know. Everyone who works at my shop’s a really great guy. Well, I wouldn’t say that we overdo it. But if you really want to work with us come on over and let me know.

Clear:

Ah…yes! Thank you so much!

Mizuki:

Yeah! Then, sorry for calling you out here. Tell Aoba I said hi! See you!

Clear:

Yes! Mizuki-san’s store…I see. Mizuki-san’s a really great guy. But, if I can get a job there then can I even become a real man to support the Seragaki household…a man who can support Aoba-san…oh! The traffic light’s green!

Announcer:

Then, let’s move on to today’s special edition. Is your boyfriend all right? You’d be surprised how many would say no! We’ve asked girls for the Top 10 things they want from their lovers!

Clear:

Ah? Things you want from your lover? Lover…

~interlude~

Clear:

(suavely)

Pardon the intrusion.

Aoba:

Welcome–ah, huh? Clear? What’s wrong? Did something happen?

Clear:

A delivery from Tae, to Haga-san.

Aoba:

Huh? Ah…what is this. Medicine?

Clear:

I was entrusted with delivering this medicine to Haga-san by Tae-san.

Aoba:

Medicine…ahh! That’s right, Haga-san said that he hurt his neck when he was grabbing some merchandise. So that’s what it’s for.

Clear:

It seems that she forgot to ask the favor of you this morning, Aoba-san.

Aoba:

Got it. Haga-san’s out right now so I’ll give it to him when he gets back.

Clear:

Yes, please do.

Aoba:

Nice work. Thanks for that.

Clear:

Not at all.

Aoba:

Hm? There’s something…what happened, Clear.

Clear:

Whatever do you mean?

Aoba:

Well, somehow you just look a little different than usual. Did you eat something bad?

Clear:

Ha-ha-ha! You certainly are interesting, Aoba-san. It’s nothing like that. I–I’m just the same as I–I always am.*

Aoba:

(stutters, confused)

Clear:

With that, I will return home at once. When your work is finished, I’ll come for you.

Aoba:

Wha–no no no, that’s fine! Sorry!

Clear:

Not at all, that much is my–my job.* In that case, Aoba-san, until we meet again. Hahaha…hahaha! (he crashes into the door) Ow!! I met with the door…haha. Me, of all people.

Aoba:

(makes a confused sound)

Clear:

Well then, so long.

(Clear exits, making pained sounds)

Aoba:

My job…? Speaking of which…he’s never used ‘ore’ up until now…what happened? Did he hit his head somewhere again?

* In this section, Clear keeps on starting his sentences with ‘boku’ and switching to ‘ore.’ ‘Boku’ is the pronoun he usually uses and is generally more associated with younger, more submissive characters. ‘Ore’ is more assertive and assumes a higher level of respect is due to the speaker. It’s also seen as more masculine than ‘boku.’

~interlude~

(Aoba leaving Heibon)

Aoba:

Thanks for your hard work!

Clear:

Aoba-san.

Aoba:

Uwah!! Clear. You–you really came to get me.

Clear:

Yes. You’ve done well today as always.

Aoba:

Anyway, don’t just go standing right outside of the store like that! You startled me!

Clear:

Ahaha, my apologies.

Aoba:

(grumbles) There’s deeeefinitely something weird going on.

Clear:

Whatever do you mean?

Aoba:

With you, with you.

Clear:

As a matter of fact it’s nothing like that. Then, Aoba-san, your hand please.

Aoba:

Huh?

Clear:

I’ll escort you home. Of course, I’ll carry your bags as well.

Aoba:

E-escort? I don’t need that! Ren’s sleeping inside of my bag so I can carry it on my own.

Clear:

Come now, if you please.

Aoba:

Y-you know, listen to what I’m saying! I don’t need anything like that!

Clear:

In that case, I’ll carry you and your bags together, Aoba-san. Would a princess carry be suitable?

Aoba:

Whaa?! I said I don’t need it!

Clear:

Hahaha, are you feeling shy? How cute of you–! (he grunts, picking up Aoba)

Aoba:

Wha–w-w-w-wait, Clear! Oi! S-stop it!

(both of them grunting and flailing)

Clear:

Aoba-san…are you really so…afraid of being…carriiiied?

Aoba:

You idiot! Just…looking at us like this, you…geez…cut it out!!

(he smacks Clear)

Clear:

Ow!

Aoba:

(seething, angry)

Clear:

(starts crying)

Aoba:

Seriously, what happened to you? You’ve been really weird ever since you came to the shop this afternoon.

Clear:

(whines and sobs) I really must be…a disappointing man.

Aoba:

What? What are you talking about?

Clear:

I was trying to be the perfect…l–l–lover but it didn’t go that way at all.

Aoba:

The perfect lover…? What’s that? Why were you aiming at that all of a sudden?

Clear:

When I was headed over here at lunch time there was a special edition on the Top 10 things that women want from their lovers on the outdoor screen.

Aoba:

The outdoor screen? Oh, the one that’s on the main road?

Clear:

Yes…

Aoba:

Aaaah. I think I see what’s going on here. So you heard what they had to say and you thought you’d try to be the perfect lover?

Clear:

Yes.

Aoba:

Seriously, you…what do you think you’re doing? (Aoba stands) Anyway, stand up. Come on. Your hand.

Clear:

Thank you very much.

(Aoba helps him up)

Aoba:

By the way, what did that outdoor screen say?

Clear:

Uum, they went from number ten to number one, but…someone who’s dependable, someone who’ll take the lead, someone who’s emotionally available, things like that. They said they’d reject a disappointing man. I thought that I fit right in as a disappointing man.

Aoba:

(sighs) I get it now.

Clear:

(whines) I don’t understand it yet! Just what is a perfect lover like? An ideal boyfriend is…?

Aoba:

Anyway, before that! In the first place, whatever that outdoor screen said doesn’t apply to us.

Clear:

Eh?

Aoba:

That’s something for men and women. It’s all about things that women want to see from their men. That’s why it has nothing to do with us.

Clear:

Ehh? Is that true?? Did I completely misunderstand it? I made a huge mess of it with my big mistake, didn’t I? I’m shocked…

Aoba:

There’s no helping you…then, for Clear-kun who messed it up with his big mistake, I’ll tell you what it’s really means to be like a lover. Come on. Give me your hand.

Clear:

Eh? Uwah! A-Aoba-san! Where are we going?

Aoba:

You’ll know when we get there. Keep a hold on my hand so you don’t fall. Make sure you follow me.

Clear:

Ah…yes…