Aoba:

Thanks for the meal. Then, I’ll clear the table. Give me your plate?

Mink:

Yeah. (he hands it over)

Aoba:

Ah…

(he takes it, spacing out)

Mink:

Oi.

Aoba:

Ah–oh–what? Ah–! (he fumbles the plate, nearly dropping it) That was close…I’m sorry, Mink. Thank you.

Mink:

Were you thinking of something?

Aoba:

Eh?

Mink:

You weren’t paying attention just now.

Aoba:

Ah…oh…that’s not it! I was just a little absentminded.

Mink:

Is that true?

Aoba:

It’s true.

Mink:

Look me in the eye and say it.

Aoba:

Ah…mmh…I’m sorry. (coughs)

Mink:

Your cold hasn’t healed yet?

Aoba:

Mhm. Even though I’ve been taking my medicine.

Mink:

Hand it over. (he takes the plates)

Aoba:

Ah…

Mink:

(puts the plates away)

Aoba:

Thanks for taking care of that.

Mink:

Sit.

(Aoba sits, Mink puts his hand to Aoba’s forehead)

Mink:

It doesn’t seem like you have a fever. How are you feeling?

Aoba:

Just a little bit drowsy. But it’s not painful.

Mink:

Anything else?

Aoba:

Huh?

Mink:

Is there anything else? Any reason other than your cold?

Aoba:

Something other than my cold…

Mink:

You’ve been acting strange since yesterday.

Aoba:

Ah…hah. You caught me.

Mink:

(sighs) Did you think you could get by with hiding it?

Aoba:

(laughs, forced) I guess I did…

Mink:

(sighs)

Aoba:

Um…today’s pie…was it good?

Mink:

Hm? Yeah.

Aoba:

Mink…what’s your…favorite food?

Mink:

What’s this all of a sudden?

Aoba:

It’s fine, just tell me.

Mink:

Hm. I don’t really have any. Or rather, I can’t think of any at the moment.

Aoba:

I see…

Mink:

What is it? If there’s something you want to say, say it.

(Aoba makes a frustrated sound)

Mink:

Just try saying it.

Aoba:

(sighs) Today…after work ended, I was about to go shopping for dinner when someone stopped me. An older lady.

Mink:

Then?

Aoba:

That old lady understood Japanese. It seems like she felt nostalgic hearing me and Ren talking so she stopped. Heh…she said she recognized this hair decoration.

Mink:

Mhm…what do you mean?

Aoba:

That old lady…she knew that you were the one who made this hair decoration, Mink.

(Mink makes a thoughtful sound)

Aoba:

She told me that in the neighboring town where she lives your crafts are popular.

Mink:

I see.

Aoba:

And then, you know…I’ve been thinking about it for a while…that I don’t know that much about you. About your past before we met.

(Mink sighs)

Aoba:

Ah, but! It’s not like I want to know no matter what. Maybe…if you think it’s all right to talk about it…I want to hear what you have to say.

(Mink sighs)

Aoba:

(laughs, nervous) It’s really fine! I’m sorry for saying something so weird all of a sudden. (he stands) Ah, right, I’ve gotta wash the dishes. (he rushes off to do so)

Mink:

(stands) Aoba.

Aoba:

Hm?

Mink:

Give me…some time.

Aoba:

Ah…mhm.

(Mink leaves)

Aoba:

Ah…

~interlude~

(birds chirping, Aoba and Mink are eating breakfast. They both sigh. Mink gets up)

Aoba:

Ah…what about your coffee?

Mink:

I don’t need it today.

Aoba:

I see.

Mink:

(puts his coat on) Then, I’ll be leaving.

Aoba:

Have a good day. Take care.

Mink:

Yeah.

(he goes to leave, Aoba coughs and he comes back)

Are you still feeling unwell?

Aoba:

Ah…mhm, a little. (he coughs)

Mink:

Don’t push yourself.

Aoba:

Mhm, I’m sorry.

Mink:

You don’t have to apologize.

Aoba:

Mhm.

Mink:

I’m off.

Aoba:

(sighs, then goes to sit at the table, coughing) I can’t stop coughing…I’m groggy…geez…

Ren:

Aoba, are you all right? You don’t seem well.

Aoba:

Ah…Ren…(he stretches out, sighing) I wonder what I should do.

Ren:

Did something happen?

Aoba:

Mhm…

(Huracan flies over)

Huracan:

I’ve been hearing you lamenting since this morning. Did something happen?

Aoba:

Huh? Huracan? You didn’t go with Mink?

Huracan:

Not today.

Aoba:

I see…I’ve always thought this but it’s strange, isn’t it?

Huracan:

What is?

Aoba:

Well, in Midorijima it’s normal to bring your AllMate with you every day. Here there’s more people without them.

Ren:

Yes.

Huracan:

The people of this area aren’t very bothered without AllMates.

Aoba:

Seems like it. Even for Mink, there’s times when he brings you and times when he doesn’t.

Huracan:

That’s because he’s told me to do as I wish. However, I am an AllMate. I do not happen to be furnished with preferences such as determination grounded upon free will.

Aoba:

But…how do I say it…I don’t feel like Mink treats you just like an AllMate, Huracan.

Huracan:

What do you mean?

Aoba:

Hm…it’s sort of like you’re not just a machine, you’re his companion.

Huracan:

Do you think so?

Aoba:

Mhm. Before he said an AllMate’s nothing more than a machine. But now it doesn’t seem like that.

Huracan:

Hm. As I am only an AllMate, that’s a very difficult discussion to have.

Aoba:

Hah, well, that’s fine. Mink’s change…or not…he’s returned to how he was. To the old…the Mink I don’t know. (coughs)

Huracan:

What’s wrong? That reminds me you were saying something to Ren earlier, weren’t you?

Aoba:

Mhm. You know…I don’t feel like I know anything about Mink’s past. So last night I tried asking him.

Huracan:

Ohh.

Aoba:

And then he told me to give him some time.

Huracan:

Hmm. If that’s the case doesn’t that mean that if you wait then sooner or later Mink will speak with you?

Aoba:

Ah…well…that’s true. But that’s…not it.

Huracan:

Is there something wrong?

Aoba:

Ah…mmh…how do I say it…probably…I feel like for Mink his past is something special…I mean, that’s obvious.

Huracan:

Certainly that is true. Is there something wrong with that?

Aoba:

Hmm…that’s not it. I..I want to know more about Mink. But Mink probably doesn’t want me to touch on his past. I don’t really know for use.

Huracan:

Yet Mink told you to wait a little while, didn’t he? If that’s the case, that doesn’t seem as though he doesn’t want you touch on it, doesn’t it?

Aoba:

Ah…mmh…

Ren:

Huracan, Aoba is anxious because he feels that there is a possibility that Mink may still be trapped by his past. Don’t you think that’s the case?

Huracan:

Anxious?

Aoba:

Ah…mmh…I wouldn’t really put it that way…

Ren:

If I’m mistaken, I apologize.

Aoba:

Oh, no…thank you, Ren. It’s not that I’m anxious that he’s trapped by his past…it’s more…childish than that…

Huracan:

Hm…

Aoba:

Of course Mink’s past is special to him. I know that. But that’s why I want to know more about him. I want to ask him more. But…if I think of when he’ll tell me about it…I’m afraid.

Huracan:

Afraid?

Aoba:

Mhm. Of what sort of face he’ll make. I’m sure it’s going to be an unfamiliar expression. I feel like if I see him like that I’ll be shocked.

Huracan:

Shocked? Why?

Aoba:

I think I’d probably be childishly jealous. No matter how hard I try…I know I won’t win against his past. Or something like that. (sighs) It’s not that I want to compete with it…I think it’s ridiculous to even compare it.

Ren:

To that extent your feelings for Mink are quite deep, aren’t they?

Aoba:

Ah…mhm.

Huracan:

I see. In other words, you wish for yourself and the present to be valued more than the past, is it?

Aoba:

I don’t want to take precedence over his past. I’d be fine if…he would treasure the present as much as he treasures the past.

Huracan:

I believe that he already feels that way.

Aoba:

Ah…if he didn’t we wouldn’t be living like this, right? But…I don’t really understand it…sometimes I just get overanxious.

Ren:

Mink has always been a man of few words. As for the primary cause of your unease, don’t you think it’s because of that?

Aoba:

I wonder…

Huracan:

I would agree with that. If you compare the two of you that difference is quite clear isn’t it?

Aoba:

Aha…I see.

Huracan:

If you are worried because Mink’s words are insufficient, shouldn’t you simply stop enduring and convey that to him?

Aoba:

Ah…should I?

Huracan:

Yes. Mink thinks of you as sufficiently important. Simply being at his side I believe that to be true.

Aoba:

Ah…is that true?

Huracan:

To return to the start, to say “give me time” itself makes that apparent. If he didn’t feel like telling you he would have said so from the beginning.

Aoba:

I see…

Huracan:

It’s as you said, for Mink his past is not something that can be settled in a few words. However, isn’t that why he wishes to be sincere when speaking with you? But even to that extent, doesn’t it seem that Mink is sufficiently working to be proactive?

Aoba:

Ah…

Ren:

It would be best to remain calm and wait, isn’t it?

Huracan:

That is it. If you compare this area to Midorijima’s Old Residential District the flow of time feels much slower, doesn’t it?

Ren:

Yes, it’s quite easygoing.

Huracan:

There’s an old saying, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. What if you tried to the way that the people of this area see the flow of time a little?

Aoba:

Mhm…I see. That’s right. I guess I was sort of putting my feelings first. I was just worrying. I didn’t really try to think of how Mink’s thinking about it. Huracan, Ren, thank you for listening to me.

Ren:

I don’t mind.

Huracan:

Don’t worry over it. Conversations with humans are quite interesting.

Aoba:

Ahaha–(he starts coughing)

Ren:

Aoba.

Huracan:

Are you all right?

Aoba:

Ah, sorry. My head just feels a little fuzzy.

Ren:

Aoba, your temperature has risen from earlier.

Huracan:

So it’s come back.

Ren:

It would be best to rest for a while.

Aoba:

But…(coughs) I have today off work so I’ve gotta clean…and go shopping…then make dinner…

Ren:

It would be best to leave the shopping for later. For dinner, let’s inform Mink of your condition once he returns.

Aoba:

I don’t want to tell Mink.

Ren:

Why is that?

Aoba:

I don’t want to worry him any more… (coughs) If I rest a little it’ll calm down. The shopping’s fine, if I rest a little I can make dinner when I wake up.

Ren:

Aoba…

Huracan:

If you push yourself and collapse, then you’d be in no condition to make dinner. Don’t you think that would be quite worrying to Mink?

Aoba:

Mhm…eh. I’ll be fine. I can get over something like this with guts and willpower. After all it’s not like it’s chased me this far.

Ren:

Mhm…

Aoba:

Then I’m going…to sleep for a little while…

A: Gochisosama~ I’ll do the washing. Pass me your plate.

M: Oi.

A: What?! Ah! That was close!

M: *sigh*

A: Sorry… and thanks.

M: Is something bothering you? You seem absent-minded.

A: Ah… no, it’s nothing. I was just daydreaming.

M: Really?

A: Yeah.

M: Look me in the eye and say that again.

A: ….mmm… I’m sorry.

M: You haven’t recovered from your cold?

A: Yeah… I’ve been taking my medicine though.

M: Give me that.

A: Eh? Oh… thanks.

M: Sit down. Hm. You don’t seem to have a fever. How are you feeling?

A: Just a bit tired, but nothing serious.

M: What else?

A: Eh?

M: There’s something else, isn’t there? Apart from your cold?

A: Something else…?

M: You’ve been acting weird since yesterday.

A: Oh… you found out…

M: Did you think you could hide it from me?

A: Haha… I guess not… Erm… well… how was the pie today? Was it nice?

M: Hm? …Yeah.

A: What… is your favorite food, Mink?

M: What’s up with that all of a sudden?

A: Come on, just answer me.

M: Hm, nothing in particular. Or rather, I can’t think of anything.

A: Oh I see.

M: What’s wrong? If there’s something you want to say, say it.

A: Erm…

M: Just tell me.

A: Today, after work, when I was on the way to buy dinner… I was stopped by this old lady.

M: And?

A: That old lady… she could speak Japanese. She overheard me speaking to Ren and she found it so nostalgic she stopped me. And well, she recognized this hair accessory.

M: What do you mean?

A: She knew it was you, Mink, who made this hair accessory. She said she used to live in the neighboring village, and that the ornaments you made were very popular.

M: I see.

A: Then well, I’ve been thinking this for a while now… I realize I don’t really know much about you, Mink. Like, from before I met you and your past and stuff… Ah, but it’s not like I need you to answer me or anything. But if… you’re willing to talk about it… then well I’d like to know?

M: …

A: Ah haha, it’s nothing, don’t mind me. I should do the dishes now.

M: Aoba… please give me more time.

A: Oh.. ok.

~~

A: What about your coffee?

M: No thanks. Not today.

A: Oh ok.

M: I’ll be leaving now.

A: Ok, be careful.

M: Are you still feeling ill?

A: Oh… yeah… a bit.

M: Don’t overdo things.

A: Yeah… sorry.

M: You don’t have to apologize. 

A: Oh.

M: …I’ll be leaving now.

A: My cough won’t stop, and I feel kind of sluggish. Geez.

R: Are you alright, Aoba? You don’t look too good.

A: Ren~ …What should I do?

R: Did something happen?

Ru: What’s with the ruckus first thing in the morning?

A: Oh Rurakhan. You didn’t leave with Mink?

Ru: Not today.

A: I see. I’ve been thinking… it’s so strange, isn’t it.

Ru: What is?

A: Ah, well you know in Midorijima? Everyone brings their Allmates around everyday. But here, there’s more people who don’t own Allmates than do. 

Ru: That true. There’s plenty of people here who don’t feel the need to have one.

A: Yeah, it seems. Even Mink. He brings you out and sometimes he doesn’t.

Ru: That’s because Mink told me to do whatever I wanted. But I am an Allmate after all. I wasn’t made to have the capability of freewill.

A: But… how should I put it? It’s like Mink doesn’t treat you like an Allmate…

Ru: What do you mean?

A: Erm… like he doesn’t treat you as a machine, but more like a companion?

Ru: Is that so?

A: Yeah. Before that he was saying Allmates are just machines, but now it’s completely different.

Ru: I suppose. But that itself is a problem to an Allmate like me though.

A: Well I guess. But I think it’s a good thing. Mink has changed. No, more like, he has returned to his old self. Back to the Mink I never knew…

Ru: Are you alright? Oh yes, weren’t you saying something to Ren just now?

A: Yeah. I don’t know anything about Mink’s past… and last night I asked him about it.

Ru: Oh?

A: Then he said to give him some time… 

Ru: I see. Well doesn’t that mean that if you waited, he would one day tell you?

A: Well I guess. But it’s not about that…

Ru: Is there a problem?

A: Hmmm… erm… how should I put it… You know like… To Mink, his past is very important. I mean, that’s of course, but…

Ru: That’s true. Is there a problem with that?

A: No it’s not that… I just… want to know more about Mink… But I think Mink probably doesn’t want anyone to touch on his past. I don’t know…

Ru: But didn’t Mink ask you to wait? That means he’s not completely against your request.

R: Rurakhan, Aoba feels that Mink might still be haunted by his past, and so he’s worried about it, I believe.

Ru: Worried?

A: Erm well… that’s sort of… not exactly right.

R: I’m sorry if I was wrong.

A: Ah no, it’s alright. I’m worried he’s haunted by his past but like… I guess I’m just being childish? Obviously, to Mink the past is very important, and I know this. That’s also why I want to know more, and I want to hear about it. But when I think about if he ever tells me… I get kind of scared.

Ru: Scared?

A: Yeah… What kind of expression will Mink make? I think it’ll be an expression I have never seen… And I think I’ll be shocked to death if I ever saw it.

Ru: Shocked? Why?

A: Aha… I’m just being childish… but it’s like, no matter how hard I try, I’ll never be able to beat Mink’s past, you know what I mean? I mean I know it’s stupid to be comparing these, and there’s nothing to compete with in the first place but…

R: That just shows how much you care for Mink, doesn’t it?

Ru: I see. In other words, you wish to be more important to Mink right now than his past, am I right?

A: It’s not like I want to mean ‘more’ than his past… I just want to be at the ‘same level’ as his past? I mean like it’ll be nice if he treasured me as much as his past…

Ru: I think he already does though?

A: Ah yeah I guess. Otherwise he wouldn’t be with me like this, right? But… well I don’t quite understand it myself but sometimes I get pointlessly worried…

R: Mink has always been a man of little words. If there’s a reason why Aoba would feel worried, it would be because of that, wouldn’t it?

A: I guess…

Ru: I do agree with that at least. Especially when I compare Mink with you that much is obvious. But if you’re feeling uneasy because Mink doesn’t say much, I’d like to inform you there is no such need.

A: Really?

Ru: Yes. Mink already treasures you very much. At least for as long as I’ve known you, I definitely think so.

A: Is that so?

Ru: In the first place he asked for “more time”. Just that phrase in itself, means something. If he had no intention of telling you, he would have said so straight off.

A: I see.

Ru: It’s as you’ve said. To Mink, his past is not something he can sum up in a few words. But that is also why he would like some time to come up with a proper way of answering you, I believe. That already leads me to think that Mink is definitely working towards this.

A: Oh…

R: In other words, be patient, am I right?

Ru: That’s right. Compared to Kyuujuumin of Midorijima, time seems to pass much slower here, doesn’t it? 

R: Yes. It seems to be very relaxed.

Ru: There is a saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” How about trying to surrender yourself to the flow of time here, for a try?

A: I see. Yeah I guess I was rushing it. I was just so worried about everything… I was thinking about Mink but I ended up doing the opposite. Rurakhan, Ren, thanks for hearing me out.

R: You’re welcome.

Ru: It’s fine. Human conversation can be very interesting.

R: Are you alright. Aoba?

A: Ah yeah, sorry. I think I’m just feeling a bit light-headed.

R: Aoba, your temperature seems to have risen quite a bit compared to before.

Ru: You must have fallen sick again. You should take a rest.

A: But… it’s my off day. I wanted to do some cleaning and shop for ingredients… and I have to make dinner…

R: You shouldn’t go shopping or cook. When Mink comes back from work I will tell him you were not feeling well.

A: Don’t tell Mink, please. I don’t want to cause him any worry. I’ll be fine after some rest. I won’t go shopping, but after I nap I’ll try to make dinner.

R: Aoba… Don’t even talk about making dinner. What if you collapse from overworking yourself? Won’t that worry Mink even more?

A: I’m fine. I’ll get through this with just guts alone. It’s not like I didn’t come all the way here myself.

R: Hm.

A: Well I’ll go take a nap now.